Hero's Hunt and Revelry (4)

Having secured the golden-antlered deer as hunting prey, along with the tiger and Du Shi, they returned to the crowded area.

"My lady!! I was so worried!"

As soon as they reached the throng of people, Jin Yiluo came running up, bow in hand and panting heavily.

"She was nearly attacked by the tiger, but I saved her."

No. If you're bringing your wife, you should watch her properly. What were you doing?

"Ah... brother-in-law...."

Du Shi said that and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠ran toward Jin Yiluo.

Brother-in-law?

"Ah...!"

Jin Yiluo looked flustered for a moment, then composed his expression slightly.

"It's... like a pet name we use as husband and wife."

Jin Yiluo cleared his throat awkwardly and continued.

Ah, like calling your husband "oppa."

Yeah. I get it—I call Guan Yu "nu-na," so I understand. Switching up nicknames like that gets the blood pumping. I get it.

"I was so focused on hunting that when I spotted the bear, my horse got spooked, and the one my wife was riding veered off the path. Thank you, Kim Gong."

Jin Yiluo said that with somewhat stiff eyes fixed on him.

"No ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠problem. Just doing what needed to be done."

He brushed it off casually and sent Du Shi on her way.

"Um... Kim Gong. Thank you."

Du Shi, still flushed, gave a light wave toward him.

"By the way, that game...."

Liu Bei, who had been chatting with the Emperor, approached him.

"That's...."

The generals of Cao Cao's army were also gathering around.

"Kehahat... One step too late."

"Wha, a golden-antlered deer... It looks auspicious just from a glance."

Xiahou Dun wore a frustrated expression, and there was Xiahou Yuan. The two had caught quite a few deer and rabbits, but what he brought back were the big prizes: that rare golden-antlered deer and the tiger.

"Is this deer with the strange antlers that valuable? I don't know much about it."

He flashed a grin and immediately launched into some teasing.

"Graaaah!!!"

Xiahou Dun reacted instantly, stomping her foot. Heh heh heh. Xiahou Dun, you're such a fun one to poke.

"Kim Gong!! Did you catch that tiger?"

Liu Bei approached in surprise.

"Yeah. While my adjutant Mok Lan was shooting her bow, I beheaded the tiger."

He said that casually.

"As expected of Kim Gong. With you, Yun Chang, Yi De, and Zi Long by my side, what is there to fear?"

Liu Bei laughed heartily and praised him.

It had been a while since he'd seen Liu Bei's smile, but he realized what Liu Bei was about to do.

'Liu Bei wants to tease too.' It was bragging about having such an excellent subordinate under him, just like he'd done with the deer.

"Kim Gong!! You've grown even stronger after learning the Shangshan Swordsmanship!"

At that moment, Zhao Yun approached.

Zhao Yun, who had been by Liu Bei's side, seemed to have enjoyed the hunt quite a bit.

Behind Zhao Yun were the carcasses of two bears he'd smashed to pieces. He'd taken down two bears single-handedly. As expected, Zhao Yun's strength was off the charts.

"Uhahat!! Looks like the winner of this hunting feast is already decided!"

At that point, a man strode in with a booming laugh.

It was Cao Cao.

'Bogong. You still haven't returned it.' He was shooting the Emperor's bow like it was his own. Apparently, the Emperor had given in to the mood.

"That gold-antlered deer! A precious creature with golden velvet antlers."

Cao Cao admired it, stroking the deer's fur.

"And a tiger to boot... The very embodiment of a tiger-slaying hero!!"

Cao Cao patted his shoulder.

'He won't try to take the tiger pelt and antlers, will he?' If he did, he'd seriously just shit on the ground and lie down right there.

"Indeed!! No one can dispute that Kim is the winner of this feast!!"

Cao Cao immediately declared it to his subordinates.

The impact of the tiger and the rare deer was so overwhelming that even the likes of Previous or E Ji didn't object.

"A hero deserves his reward!! Take the pelt and antlers!"

Cao Cao generously promised the prize. That was a relief.

"When the child is born, make a blanket from the tiger pelt!! Let the kid grow up with a tiger's ferocity from the cradle!! Heh heh heh!"

Cao Cao kept patting his shoulder before stepping back.

Even with the Emperor present, Cao Cao was running the feast. The Emperor was honestly just a decorative rice straw. It looked really pathetic.

-----

Afterward, they grilled and ate the hunted meat, proceeding with the drinking and feasting.

"...."

The Emperor sat silently, then glanced at Liu Bei with an expression like he wanted to complain about something. Liu Bei, noticing the Emperor's distress, subtly looked toward Yu Hyeop.

With that, the feast ended, and they decided to stay in Heodo for a few days before heading back.

-------

After the feast concluded.

Cao Cao called in Xun Yu, Zheng Yu, and Xun You as he prepared ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to leave.

He'd been rowdy and drunk just moments ago, but his sudden serious expression made his subordinates straighten up.

"...Xun Yu. You saw Liu Xuande during the send-off from the carriage."

Cao Cao looked at Xun Yu.

"...The common folk follow him."

Xun Yu said.

"Xiahou Dun. Xiahou Yuan. While plundering Yezhou... you checked the people's sentiments there. How was it?"

Cao Cao asked.

"...Thanks to Your Excellency's grace...."

Xiahou Dun tried to mince her words as much as possible.

"Dun. Yuan. We're childhood friends. Speak freely."

Cao Cao sighed and waved his hand.

"All of Yezhou's hearts belong to Liu Xuande."

Xiahou Yuan said.

"He's raising soldiers in the drill grounds, building his forces. He's clearly up to something."

Xiahou Dun recalled Yezhou's drill grounds.

Yeah, that was the truth. He'd meant to pin Liu Bei in Yezhou to keep him away from the Emperor, but instead, he'd turned it into his own stronghold and was soaring.

"...Leaving Liu Xuande in Yezhou is dangerous. We need to summon him to the capital."

Cao Cao concluded.

"However, Excellency, that would let Dong Sheng and His Majesty approach Liu Huangshu."

Xun Yu said. "...Hm. But Heodo is full of my eyes and ears. Give him a nominal post and let him rot on the veranda."

Cao Cao seemed to have already decided.

No one raised objections; they all gave fist salutes in agreement.

--------

As they unpacked in one of Heodo's guesthouses, a high official approached and reported to them.

"It seems the court's affairs are too pressing, so the Excellency requires Liu Huangshu's assistance. It is his wish that you remain in Heodo and take on official duties."

Liu Bei gave a faint smile at the official's words.

"I see. If my meager strength can help, then so be it."

Liu Bei replied ambiguously, hard to read, then dismissed the official.

"We'll summon the others from ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Yezhou separately."

It was basically telling them to move the whole group here.

'Cao Cao's checks have begun.' If Liu Bei had ambitions, he'd need to bolt from Cao Cao's side immediately. Liu Bei knew it too, fidgeting with his earlobe in distress.

'Whatever. Now that we're in a new place and things are tense, time to hug Mok Lan for old times' sake.' With that thought, he casually groped Mok Lan's breasts.

"Y-You... right after unpacking."

Mok Lan let out a low moan, her body trembling.

"Let's head to the room first. Yeah?"

He kneaded Mok Lan's breasts and tried to slip away.

Just as he was about to enjoy some sweet time with Mok Lan, a woman approached.

"Ah... Kim Gong."

Someone carrying something came over.

"Ah, Lady Du."

It was Du Shi.

"Um... Thank you for saving my life last time. Please accept this...."

Du Shi pulled out a necklace carved with an ivory flower, beautifully shaped.

"Oh... Made from the horn."

It was surprisingly well-crafted; he was impressed.

"Yes. I have a knack for crafts. It's a charm for good luck."

Du Shi blushed and smiled brightly.

"Ah, thank you."

He thought it was just a normal trinket, but checking the status window surprised him.

It was a great accessory with an option that straight-up reduced projectile damage, no questions asked.

In this perilous game where you could die to a stray arrow, projectile mitigation was just plain good.

'No way. A talented crafter who makes R-grade accessories?' He'd thought she was all looks, but she had hidden talent.

"Thank you. I'll treasure it."

He smiled at Du Shi. Hey, if it's free, of course he'd take it.

"Ah... Yes."

Du Shi beamed. She was pretty.

After sending Du Shi off, Mok Lan suddenly pressed right up against him.

"Hey... Kim. Hug me already."

Mok Lan stared straight at him from behind her mask.

"...."

Maybe because she used to be Dong Zhuo, Mok Lan had a burning possessiveness, different vector but intense. She'd seen him with Du Shi and felt a twinge of jealousy.

But this level was cute jealousy. He pulled Mok Lan into a hug and headed straight inside. Let's go.

-------

And so, after a few months in Yezhou, their group ended up living in Heodo again. It was like they were being dragged around on a leash—no different from training a stray dog... But what could he do? The place he was in was a total shithole with no power whatsoever.

"Hubby. What a pretty blanket!"

In the meantime, the commissioned tiger pelt had returned as a beautiful baby blanket. Yong Hwa's eyes sparkled as she stroked her belly.

"Yeah. Made two sets."

He'd accounted for the child from Guan Yu too.

"Oh...."

Guan Yu and Yong Hwa wore warm expressions, imagining their two babies sleeping under it. Yeah, he'd love to see that sight too.

"Argh...! More than that blanket, they'd prefer the one Uncle made, right?!"

Zhang Fei, who had botched making clothes and produced something like ragged scraps for a blanket, grew jealous of the tiger pelt one.

"Sure, Yi De. We'll use yours as diaper wipes for the kids."

Honestly, even a beggar might reject Zhang Fei's blanket.

"Grah!! Kim!!!"

Zhang Fei flew into a rage and chased after him.

"Uhahat!!"

"Uhhehe."

He and Zhang Fei immediately devolved into their usual rock-paper-scissors deathmatch from the gutter.

As they fooled around like kids.

Liu Bei entered the main hall with a grim expression. Lately, he'd been frequently summoned to feasts hosted by the Emperor.

'Did Yu Hyeop send an SOS?' Yu Hyeop and Dong Sheng must have roped Liu Bei into their plot to oust Cao Cao. Liu Bei wouldn't miss a chance for legitimacy. From his perspective, it must feel like walking a tightrope.

'Gotta watch for trouble.' He was thinking that while looking at Liu Bei.

Clank. Clink.

Two burly generals marched in, shaking their weapons ostentatiously and leading soldiers.

He knew their names: Xu Chu and Dian Wei. The types who'd leap into fire if Cao Cao ordered it.

"Ah, Generals."

Liu Bei gave a hollow laugh, eyeing them warily.

"This is the Excellency's message. He wishes to share tea with Lord Huangshu. Come along."

Xu Chu stared straight at Liu Bei.

"Hm. Then I'll...."

Zhao Yun moved to follow as Liu Bei's guard.

"The Excellency wishes to speak intimately with Lord Huangshu alone."

Xu Chu cut him off immediately.

It was clear: refuse, and they'd drag him by force.

"Look at this bastard's tone."

Unable to hold his temper, Zhang Fei hardened his expression and reached for his sword hilt.

"...."

Seeing that, Xu Chu impassively drew his sword to swing.

Shing.

Claaaaang!! Xu Chu and Zhang Fei's swords clashed.

"...."

Dian Wei, watching, drew his sword to respond.

Before anyone could react, a sword flew toward him, forcing a parry.

Chaeng!!

His and Dian Wei's swords met.

"...There are pregnant women here. Drawing weapons is rude, no?"

He said it indirectly.

No. Did these guys all eat rotten kimbap or something? Why were they so on edge?

"...!"

Dian Wei looked surprised, scanning him appraisingly before sheathing his sword. He hadn't expected such a clean block. Yeah, he was surprised too. Clashing blades with Dian Wei made him realize just how much stronger he'd gotten.

Xu Chu, locked in a contest of strength with Zhang Fei, clicked his tongue and sheathed his sword.

"Apologies. There've been recent assassination attempts on the Excellency... We're all on edge."

Dian Wei gave a fist salute as he spoke, signaling the mud-tracked soldiers to withdraw from the hall.

"...Come along, Lord Huangshu."

Dian Wei glanced subtly at Liu Bei. As long as Liu Bei complied quietly, no more fuss. That was the vibe.

'...' He already felt stress-induced gastritis coming on. There was a reason they said don't go into the shithole.