Wan Castle Battle (5)
'Ooh yeah...'
Even when I'd seen her in the game, I'd been impressed, but in person, her beauty was staggering.
True sex appeal meant radiating pheromones like crazy, and looking at Chu Hui made it all click. No wonder Cao Cao had lost his head over her.
"Oh my... could you be that curly-haired one?"
Chu Hui smiled coyly, not seeming all that surprised, and let the words slip out.
"So it is. The famous Kim Gong."
Chu Hui looked right at me.
"I've long heard of the hero whose fame echoes across the realm."
Her words naturally boosted a man's ego—a true pro at this game.
"I'm Zhang Ji's wife... and General Zhang's aunt, Chu Hui."
She introduced herself smoothly afterward.
"Zhang Ji... my condolences."
I offered the standard apology for now.
'But even killing Zhang Ji doesn't drop Chu Hui's favorability.'
Knowing that put my mind at ease. Surprisingly dry of her. The mindset of a woman surviving these chaotic times, perhaps. She accepted death humbly.
'Even against the man who'd become her husband later.'
Even if timelines got twisted and she ended up married to someone other than Cao Cao, killing her husband wouldn't tank her favor. Players could slaughter her original hubby, claim her, and she'd calmly become their wife anyway.
It was a turbulent mindset, sure... but honestly, from a modern player's perspective, it was a bit polarizing. Some suspected she was a total bitch.
'But with a woman like this, even if she is...'
She hadn't done anything outright evil, and with looks like hers, those suspicions melted away. Plenty still went after her.
"Zhang Ji... he had a history of joining rebel bands in the past. He had to die."
Chu Hui said it plainly.
"And he fell to a mighty warrior like you, Kim Gong. Surely an honorable end."
With that, she slyly took my hand.
"And I admire strong warriors myself. What do you say, Kim Gong? Shall we share some deeper talk?"
Her sweet, husky voice sent a thrilling shiver through me, like my body was floating.
'Dying to a strong warrior... honorable, huh.'
A bit too dry and martial-worshipping for a woman. Given her ties to Zhang Ji and the western regions, maybe she'd picked up that barbarian mindset.
Anyway.
Chu Hui entwined her fingers with mine, gazing up with seductive eyes. The moment our eyes met—
Chu Hui casts Charm on you.
Immovable Mind trait activates.
Resisted Charm.
The status window shattered the budding vibe with Chu Hui. I'd half-considered a fun time with her, but that charm alert spiked my guard instantly.
'Jia Xu pulled the same stunt.'
Using some charm or whatever, then hitting me with weird proposals. Like worshipping me as lord or some ass-kissing nonsense.
'This woman's got an angle too.'
The curse of being born with a status window, I guess. Without it, in this atmosphere, I'd have thought, 'Heh, she digs me,' and dove right in confidently.
'Status window's the red pill!!'
I sighed, realizing the isekai protagonist's tragic fate.
With my mind cleared, I remembered my original pitch.
"I have a question for you too, Lady Chu."
I went straight for info on Ma Yu's saddle.
"Oh my... I have so many questions too. This night will be long."
Chu Hui laughed coyly, flaunting her allure, as I got to the point.
"Your late husband Zhang Ji had a saddle, right? Where is it now?"
Ma Yu's saddle. It popped into my head mid-nap—not essential, but I wanted it.
"...Pardon?"
Chu Hui's face went blank. She stared at me, probing.
"There must be one. Do you know where it is?"
If she didn't have it, it'd be a hassle.
Rare chance it'd be with Liu Biao's side. Zhang Ji died to Huang Zu's archers in Jing Province. If his Qiang troops couldn't recover the body, it'd be with Huang Zu.
If it was in Jing... screw it, too far.
"Indeed, my late husband cherished a certain saddle."
Chu Hui sighed.
That pointed "late husband" hammered home her dryness.
"Forgive me, but I want it. Can you give it to me?"
I said it flat out.
'I could just take it anyway.'
We—me and Cao Ang's army—had conquered Wan Castle. She had no leverage if she refused.
"Hmm. It's not that valuable, but..."
Chu Hui glanced at the night sky, then back at me.
"A saddle's worth lies in its rider. If a hero like you used it, my late husband would approve."
She answered like that, then stepped away.
Moments later, she brought the real deal.
A saddle adorned with odd Qiang talismans shaped like horse heads.
Blessed by Ma Yu, the Qiang tribe's revered deity. His blessing brings luck to the horse—dodging arrows, fewer falls.
Zhang Ji, proud Qiang warrior, received Ma Yu's blessing and became a clan champion. Yet he secretly yearned for the Central Plains' splendor. Dong Zhuo, conqueror of the Qiang, offered power. He promised Zhang Ji wealth, authority, and beauties. Zhang Ji surrendered, betraying his kin. He got what he wanted—but lost a warrior's pure pride. Perhaps it's just a feeling, but faint traces of that lost purity linger in this saddle.
I skimmed the game's signature lore brick. Part of the fun, really.
Grabbed the saddle.
"Then... I won't hold back. Thank you."
I gave a fist salute in thanks. Gotta hook up my trusty steed with a good saddle.
"Saddle talk's done... shall we get intimate, just us?"
Chu Hui purred, dragging out her words seductively.
'...'
Chu Hui, huh. Tempting for some fun, but...
'My girl situation's messy right now.'
Yong Hwa and Guan Yu as principal wives. Plus office wife Mok Lan in the mix. For another concubine, I'd need Mok Lan's green light first.
'And... Cho Seon and Choi Yeom.'
They lingered in my mind. With Cho Seon, we'd had that sweet vibe at Wang Yun's simple funeral. Choi Yeom had given me some heated looks too.
Overthinking? Maybe. But I was dead sure they both liked me.
Ditching those bonds for impulse with Chu Hui? I'd regret it forever. Gut feeling.
"They say a beauty burning the midnight oil isn't good for the skin. Rest well, Lady Chu. We'll keep the banquet quiet."
I turned her down politely.
"...What."
Chu Hui stared, flustered.
"Then, good night."
I bowed and left.
-------
That was Kim Gong and Chu Hui's first meeting.
Both thought it private, but one person had overheard it all.
'Lady Chu Hui... shot down so coldly...'
Chu Hui—Jia Xu's mentor in womanly ways, the most alluring woman in her eyes—brushed off so easily? Jia Xu was stunned.
Even with husband Zhang Ji around, Dong Zhuo's generals threw themselves at her. Zhang Su pined hopelessly too. Kinship kept him from touching, but he was her slave already.
A married woman enslaving men with charm alone—that was Jia Xu's take on Chu Hui.
Jia Xu fawned over her; Chu Hui doted back, teaching all her man-melting tricks. An idol to Jia Xu. Seeing her unmoved by Kim Gong sent shivers down her spine.
'My chosen lord is no ordinary man.'
Jia Xu had to nod in agreement.
-----
At that moment, Chu Hui reeled too.
'Am I... not attractive anymore?'
Maybe hitting late twenties? Her sky-high pride had crashed lately.
No. Nonsense. Kim had eyed her hungrily at first. But the second the saddle came up, he fixated on it. That pissed her off.
No man had ever treated her like this—double the anger.
At the same time, curiosity bloomed for this Kim Gong.
'Heard the rumors, but he's unique.'
To prove her charm, she'd make him her love prisoner. Her competitive streak in romance veered that way.
'And... pretty manly and handsome. Young too.'
Widowed, starved for men—seeing a young stud stirred her inner beast.
A chill.
Kim instinctively gripped his sword hilt, sensing killing intent in Chu Hui's gaze.