“Miss Jeongal Hyang has vanished, leaving only a wooden puppet behind.”
So the name of the woman I was supposed to have a blind date with today is Jeongal Hyang, huh?
“What do you mean by that? Didn’t we assign servants to dress her up?”
The Head of Guards subtly glanced at me, then bowed his head to answer the question of Man Geum-jeon.
“Uh, um, it appears the lady said she needed to clear her mind… so…”
Did she run away saying she was going to the restroom? No way that woman I met earlier is my blind date.
“I specifically instructed you! Didn’t I say that girl has remarkable martial arts and should never be underestimated?!”
Man Geum-jeon began reproaching the Head of Guards with a furious expression.
My date has run away. I need to quickly assess the situation.
Looks like today really isn’t my day. If I just say one word and leave, will that be the end? No, if it’s not my day today, I’ll probably be told to come back next time.
Thinking that I’ve merely dodged an immediate crisis is foolish. Going now would just delay things; it wouldn’t resolve anything. So what should I do?
Let’s just pretend to be angry.
Let’s recall the angriest situation possible. When I was a kid, without Word, and had to write my manuscript in Notepad. Suddenly, the computer freezes. When I turn it back on, I’m reminded of the time I returned to the village of creation.
In a game community, there was a character that if you didn’t pull, there was no reason to play the game anymore. Even after using an adult card, it got nerfed shortly after. I remember the time I funded a truck protest.
At quitting time, I had to finish work by tomorrow, but my boss smiled handing me documents, saying they forgot to tell me. I felt my insides boiling, but I had to smile instead.
“Why the long face, my friend?”
Man Geum-jeon finally turned his attention to me after sending the flustered Head of Guards away. I must look furious.
“Let’s just say there’s no blind date today.”
Don’t explode in anger; instead, inflate it. Make it look like I’m about to pop at any moment from a pinprick.
I feigned insensitivity to hide my outrage, talking like someone trying to stay calm.
“Is it because that girl has disappeared? You better find her and bring her right back to me…”
I hastily cut off what I was going to say. It’s rude, but I’m angry, so it’s probably okay to say this much.
“I believe the lady knew beforehand, hence her running away. I can’t think of any other reason.”
Let’s lay the foundation for why I’m mad.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s because I’m a barbarian, you see.”
And I’m using my weakness as a weapon.
“Hmm.”
For a brief moment, I could see an awkward expression on Man Geum-jeon’s face.
“Living as a black-haired barbarian in the Central Plains, I’ve endured countless scorn and humiliation. Surely any normal woman from the Central Plains wouldn’t find me a desirable husband. Let alone someone from the Jeongal family. Upon hearing that, it’s no wonder she would run away in terror.”
It seems he understands yet doesn’t.
Conversation isn’t just about words; let the tension be felt through actions, expressions, and gestures.
I am Kang Yoon-ho, the black-haired barbarian. I completely understand why the lady from the Jeongal family ran away. That’s not the problem. However, I am simultaneously someone who faces contempt and disdain.
Make Man Geum-jeon get my feelings.
“If that girl has a habit of hiding when difficulties arise, it’s not that she is disregarding you.”
“That just makes it worse. You’re the great Head of the Family, and if she doesn’t listen to her mother, why would she listen to her barbarian husband?”
Cough…
Man Geum-jeon awkwardly cleared his throat. What an unexpected situation. Especially concerning his granddaughter’s incident. For a moment, I cornered the great Man Geum-jeon.
Having him cornered, let’s block any counterattack. Affirm what he just said.
“Perhaps it’s true that a good woman who will support a great man is needed. But this is a blind date. It’s understood by everyone in the family that an invited suitor is coming, and yet she runs away! You may think of this as a childish prank from your granddaughter, but to me, it’s a significant humiliation.”
I’ll take it into my own hands to find a woman who will support me. It won’t be from the Jeongal family. I deliberately clutched my chest as if I were suffering.
“I understand your feelings.”
“Of course, helping out with a great man’s work would be better suited with a good woman from a fine family. However, I carry the will of the Master of the Hundred Families. I truly appreciate your thoughts, Man Geum-jeon. Thus, let’s consider this blind date as never having happened.”
Let’s compromise as if I never faced any humiliation. I stood up abruptly and turned around.
Perfect.
Now, if I just open the door indifferently and leave, I’ll wipe out this ridiculous absurdity.
“Stop! I haven’t stamped your passing papers yet.”
“…”
That old man, seriously.
Not revealing my true feelings, I turned back again.
“I understand your anger and concern. A woman who should support must not be a hindrance in the family (牝鷄之晨). I will make sure to educate that girl Jeongal Hyang properly.”
“Elder…”
I just want to go home.
“Those who have seen my granddaughter say she is the most beautiful in Hubei. Furthermore, she is the youngest daughter of the head of the Jeongal family.”
“You said she’s the daughter of the Head of the Family?”
She’s not even a collateral descendant but a direct descendant?
“Indeed. Just as you feel humiliated by the current situation, if this blind date falls apart, it would be considered humiliation for the Jeongal family as well.”
I feel the same way. Man Geum-jeon added something.
“However…”
“Hmm… I won’t force you into marriage. I would just like to give that girl an opportunity to correct her misunderstanding.”
“Are you saying that Miss Jeongal Hyang should get a chance to apologize?”
“Exactly. If you agree, I will also compensate for the rudeness of today. If you sign here, I’ll stamp the papers.”
So, meet her after all.
The Jeongal family and Man Geum-jeon. Add in the hostage, Da Seogak. There’s definitely too much at stake to cancel this blind date.
“Would just meeting be sufficient for you?”
Reaching a compromise from this absurdity is already quite miraculous. I asked Man Geum-jeon.
“Yes, then it’s settled.”
I received the stamp on the first paper and headed toward the guest inn.
—————————————
Now that I can’t avoid the blind date, I have some thinking to do. I locked myself in the office, lost in thought.
“Who on earth is Jeongal Hyang?”
The youngest daughter of the Head of the Jeongal family. No matter how hard I search my memories, nothing comes up.
“The most beautiful woman in Hubei is sitting next to me, though.”
The number one courtesan from Hubei. The Shadowless Thief. Im Ha-yeon.
She acts all haughty toward me like a thief cat, but she’s definitely a beauty who would shine no matter who I brought beside me.
But to call her the most beautiful in Hubei?
Of course, there could be some exaggeration, but even if she’s as pretty as Im Ha-yeon, that would present a problem.
“She might be a character from a route I haven’t cleared yet.”
There’s only one route I have cleared. What if she’s a character from the opposite route?
All the heroines in this world are beautiful in their own right. Not every beautiful woman is a heroine, but if she resembles Im Ha-yeon, there’s a possibility.
I let out a small sigh.
“No way. It can’t be.”
Still, I haven’t resolved my issues with Im Ha-yeon yet. Having a date with a daughter from the Jeongal family is troublesome enough, but having to deal with an unknown martial arts love interest would be even worse.
“Why the long sigh?”
Im Ha-yeon opened the door to my office.
“Ha-yeon? Why are you wearing that?”
“I brought some drinks. Want to have a glass?”
Im Ha-yeon shyly avoided my gaze and held out a bottle of liquor.
Wearing a revealing black cheongsam, mind you.
“Alright.”
As I sat down at the banquet table, Im Ha-yeon sat next to me and poured the liquor.
“Why sit next to me? You could sit across…”
“I’m pouring it for you.”
Im Ha-yeon tilted the bottle into my glass as if she hadn’t heard me.
I felt the glass filling and stole a glance sideways. Why has she come dressed like that? I designed the clothes, but I didn’t know where to look.
Face. Chest. Thighs. Everything is too much.
I gulped down the drink, feeling utterly embarrassed.
“Ah, geez.”
As I drank, Im Ha-yeon picked up a side dish with her chopsticks and brought it right to my mouth.
Such dexterity! It seems her courtesan training wasn’t for naught.
“Here.”
“You too.”
After we poured drinks for each other, we silently gazed at each other.
Why did she come in wearing a black cheongsam? Perhaps aware of where my eyes were wandering, Im Ha-yeon’s face turned bright red.
Definitely an outfit too embarrassing to wear sober. This extreme cheongsam design has its creator to thank for its audacity.
Surely she didn’t come to seduce me. What is going on?
Im Ha-yeon looked at me with regret as if she had something to say, then finally spoke.
“I know you’re doing your best.”
So it’s not seduction, but a visit to comfort me for my hard work? I almost lost it there.
“I’ve been working hard.”
I forced a smile while emptying my glass.
“I know that even someone like you can trip up sometimes.”
“Hmm?”
She speaks like a girlfriend supporting her boyfriend’s exam prep.
“I’m fine. You’ve risked your life for me. I wouldn’t blame you for anything.”
Im Ha-yeon held her alcohol glass with both hands and lowered her head, looking distressed.
“Ha-yeon, I’m sorry.”
What a strange tangent we’re on.
“Don’t apologize. I’m the one who should be apologizing. I’m just returning to being a courtesan, but you…”
Im Ha-yeon lifted her head to look at my face. Her expression was filled with guilt toward me.
Ah. That’s why she was here all along. I suddenly realized why she had come.
“I passed.”
“What?”
Im Ha-yeon froze as if her brain had crashed for a moment at my words.
“I passed the first round.”
Her eyes went wide, and she sprang up from her seat.
“Why didn’t you tell me something that important sooner?!”
“I forgot.”
I was too preoccupied with thoughts of the blind date.
“You can forget things, but this is too much! I thought I was out. Ugh.”
Im Ha-yeon’s face flushed red, and she soon broke into tiny tears.
“Are you alright?”
“Do you know how I feel… ugh!”
Suddenly, Im Ha-yeon seemed embarrassed about her outfit and covered her chest.
“Haha.”
“Seriously! Wait for me!”
Im Ha-yeon sprang up from her seat and dashed out, only to return shortly, changed into comfortable clothes.
“Now, tell me. Why were you acting all serious earlier?”
Im Ha-yeon glared hard at me as she sat down across from me.
“Because there are still many hurdles to cross.”
“Really, huh. Ugh.”
Im Ha-yeon sighed, seemingly frustrated with worrying for no reason.
“So why did you wear that outfit earlier?”
“When women wear these kinds of clothes, men get flustered, and they feel good too… ugh.”
Im Ha-yeon shot me a resentful glance for a moment before taking a drink by herself. It seems she tried to give me the comfort of a courtesan.
“Here, have a drink.”
“D-Don’t get the wrong idea.”
Im Ha-yeon looked at me with tears glistening in her eyes, mixed with embarrassment.
I get it. She’s just a courtesan, so those silly thoughts were only in my head.
“Thanks for your hard work.”
The blind date can wait for now. This moment is purely a reason to rejoice at passing the first round.
“…You too. Really, good job.”
Im Ha-yeon and I clinked our glasses together, chatting happily about our future plans until the time came to rush out and subdue an unruly guest that arrived late at night.
———————–
Contrary to my worries, even as time passed, no one came to set up a blind date at the Man Geum Battlefield.
“Did they lose track of Jeongal Hyang?”
That woman named Jeongal Hyang. Has she become a runaway girl? It’s not a huge deal for me since my business is thriving, but still.
“C-Crisis!”
What could be the matter? Im Ha-yeon opened the door to the office.
“What is it?”
“Writer Ho Pil is publishing The Rise of the Tang Family at another bookstore!”
The book Im Ha-yeon held? That certainly isn’t The Rise of the Tang Family printed at Da Seogak.
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