New Faces
March 1, 170
Last month, Mimi, Linlin, Daeyeon, and Soyeon had each gained one level of Tiger's Footsteps from their respective tiger tails. The traits they acquired were Throwing Knife Technique 4 and 4 (combining into Throwing Knife Technique 6), and Dagger Technique 4 and 4 (combining into Dagger Technique 6).
I'd hoped at least one of them might possess a legendary tightness or a hundred-pace accuracy gift, but none did — a mild disappointment. The body modifications, though, had taken effect that very day.
And now, two women lay on my bed: Seop Yeong and Jang Hwa. Both had spent their first night with me.
Seop Yeong had drawn Tiger Strength from her tail, while Jang Hwa had obtained the ability called Tiger Roar. The traits I gained from them — Spear Technique 5 and Halberd Technique 5 — were more than satisfying.
Remarkable stats. I'd confirmed Seop Yeong's abilities in February and Jang Hwa's just this morning. The maids I could take my time getting to know.
According to Wang Yeon's experiments, wielding Awakener-grade weapons would push them even higher than those numbers suggested.
Knock knock.
"Come in."
It wasn't even light yet, but someone was already at the door. I granted them entry.
Creak.
A flashlight beam cut through the dark.
Wang Yeon. I'd permitted modern conveniences to her alone, so no one else would be carrying one of those.
"Husband. Are you awake?"
"Yeah."
I carefully extricated myself from between the two women and climbed down from the bed. I collected my underwear and pants from the table, pulled them on, then shrugged into my jacket and left the chamber, following Wang Yeon toward her quarters.
"So why the early call?"
"Teacher Jia Xu arrived before dawn."
"What? Really?"
No wonder I'd felt a strange fondness toward Jia Xu lately. After Wang Yeon's inquiries in Luoyang, Jia Xu had accepted the offer to become my writing tutor and had arrived at the estate.
Damn. I should've saved it. I already used up the in-game guide.
Cao Cao's strategist. The master of schemes — that was how the anime had portrayed her. As the antagonist's advisor opposing the protagonist Yu Bi, she'd been drawn as a sly, middle-aged man, but her abilities would be the real deal.
"Yes. She arrived in the early hours, and Linlin woke me. You told me to inform you the moment Teacher Jia Xu arrived, no matter the hour."
"Right. Is she sleeping now?"
"Yes. She went straight to the guest room. I showed her to the chamber you used to occupy."
"Good. Well done. What did you say to win her over?"
Jia Xu was a woman, too.
Fortunately.
Born in 147 — three years older than Wang Yeon — she had been working various connections in Luoyang trying to secure an official post when she came to Wang Yun's residence of her own accord.
"I offered her a salary and revealed part of our plan. That we're gathering talent in Xiangyang and heading to Yi Province to prepare for the coming chaos. Want to know what her reply was?"
She'd kept that secret until now. I'd asked out of curiosity and gotten nothing. Of course I could have ordered her to tell me, but I'd left it as her little amusement.
I shook my head.
"'Interesting.' That was all she said. She's a fascinating person."
"Did she come alone?"
"No. She hired a woman from Hae County in Hedong Commandery as a bodyguard in Luoyang. A female warrior named Jang Mi, and her daughter Jang Saeng came with them. Born in 160 — a cute child of about ten."
"Hmm. Jang Mi and Jang Saeng?"
Was there a Jang clan?
I shook my head. Neither name sat right on the tongue.
"Jang Mi looked nearly on Seop Yeong's level. She'll be useful. I only glimpsed her, but Jang Saeng's talent is almost on par with Jang Bi."
"What? Don't tell me..."
Comparable to Jang Bi? God — how many nameless warriors had died without leaving a mark on history?
Given that Jang Saeng left no name behind, she must have died young or simply never sought a place in the world.
"What about their temperaments?"
"Upright. Though the mother and daughter both seem quite stubborn."
Upright was good. Stubbornness was something I could train out of them. Once they came of age and I broke them in through sex, they wouldn't dare cling to any stubbornness at all.
"Did you make them an offer?"
"Yes. Jang Mi accepted the terms I proposed. I added a condition that we'd find Jang Saeng a writing tutor once we reach Xiangyang, and until then she could study alongside Teacher Jia Xu — she agreed on the spot. Jang Saeng was delighted too."
I nodded.
Talent like that had to be brought into the fold. Absolutely.
Once day broke and I met with Jia Xu, I'd summon the mother and daughter as well. Chaehyang might even start pouring out.
"Also, the fathers of Xun You and Xun Yu from the Xun family of Yingchuan both refused. Guo Jia and Zhou Yu are newborn baby girls, but... never mind."
"What? You can't just trail off like that."
She shook her head. Wang Yeon enjoyed hiding things from me just to watch my reaction. Eventually she'd tell me, the way she had with Jia Xu.
Incidentally, Guo Jia and Zhou Yu were younger than I'd expected. Given that they appeared in the early-to-mid Three Kingdoms period and died around the middle, I'd assumed they were born around 160 — but they were 170 births.
"You'll find out today. Heh. And since I did it for you, Husband, don't scold me."
"Hmm? Well, Yeon never does anything that would harm me, so fine."
I checked the clock — still not even six in the morning. Once we reached Wang Yeon's room, she handed me her breast milk.
"Haa. I've got milk coming out of my ears these days. We take turns drinking it, but another four liters a day will start flowing soon, won't it?"
True enough — with the four maids plus Seop Yeong and Jang Hwa, the milk would only increase.
"Hand out a breast pump set to each of them."
"Yes."
"Is Jia Xu beautiful?"
She nodded, her face lighting up.
"Extremely. She's completely slender, but her chest — my god, enormous. Wide hips, tall. Exactly the kind of looks you prefer, Master."
"Hmm. She's from Wuwei Commandery, right? She won't be fixated on the Central Plains either."
"No. She didn't seem particularly ambitious for advancement — just a strong will to survive."
I tilted my head. A master of schemes, hanging everything on mere survival?
Was that why her stratagems landed so perfectly?
"You'll claim her too, won't you?"
"Hmm. If she's a beauty of Wife caliber, are you all right with that?"
"Yes. Being made your first concubine is already more than enough for me."
She wore a look of genuine happiness. For a moment I considered simply elevating her to Wife status right then.
"Please don't. Then I'd have nothing to say to the married women who come after me. Once we reach Xiangyang, I'm changing my name and starting fresh."
"...All right. Thank you. In my heart, you're my number one."
"Yes, Husband."
I could only keep three Principal Wives. I'd already promised one seat each to Jang Bi and Jo Un, which left a single remaining slot. Between Jang Saeng and Jia Xu — going by name recognition alone, Jia Xu was the obvious choice, but I hesitated.
A foul unease.
An overwhelming sense of wrongness washed over me. The moment I considered giving Jang Saeng anything less than a Principal Wife seat — just a regular Wife position — the back of my skull went cold and prickling with discomfort.
"So I won't be greeting her until noon, then?"
"Yes. She asked to be woken around twelve."
I nodded.
Incidentally, today was the first of the month.
Jo Hyeong — a distant relative of Jo Un and her spear instructor — was due to arrive. Wang Yeon had set our moving day for the end of this month, so only three lessons remained.
Not that it mattered. Seop Yeong had already mastered the full Changshan Zhao family spear arts.
"Teach the maids dagger technique and assassination arts. They look like they have talent for it."
Wang Yeon's eyes widened slightly, then she recalled my abilities and nodded.
"Yes. I'll do that."
"Whew. I'm going to sleep a bit. Wake me when Jo Un and Jang Bi get here. Those two are going to be sulking — I snatched up their mother and their maid."
"Yes. I'll soothe them properly and bring them here. Sleep well."
I climbed onto the bed and laid my head down. Sleep took me instantly, as if a switch had been flipped.
"Oh, An. Have you grasped something? How have you improved this much in only eight days?"
A young man in his mid-twenties. About five-foot-nine, solidly built, with a short beard just beginning to fill in — a handsome face.
Jo Hyeong marveled.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
Whether he marveled or not, Jo Un, Jang Bi, and I kept our focus locked on the tip of the spear, preparing the next three forms.
A continuous sequence of thrusting at the lower body, twisting the hand, and withdrawing. On horseback it was a stance for targeting the mount; on open ground, it aimed for the opponent's thigh.
"Third Form: Changshan Single Point."
Jo Hyeong stayed at my side, scrutinizing my posture. Spear Technique trait at level 5. Ever since the talent for spear arts had taken root, everything I'd previously learned was rearranging itself in my mind and flowing out naturally.
Precise movements.
I still fell short of Jo Un or Jang Bi, but power was riding the spear now.
I thrust cleanly at the imaginary opponent's lower body, released my left hand, and spun the shaft with the right alone. Then, twisting it free, I brought the left hand back in to drive toward the opposite leg.
"Hah!"
Whoosh.
The wooden spear whirled. I released the left hand again, drove a long thrust home, and recovered.
"Yah."
I leveled the tip at the imaginary enemy's chest in a guard stance, and Jo Hyeong broke into applause.
"Wow. Remarkable, kid. All that effort, and now the spear sits in your body like it belongs there."
"Haha. No, Instructor. I've still got a long way to go before I catch Jo Un and Jang Bi."
"Kid. Don't compare yourself to monsters like those two. They're beyond the heav— wait, who are you?"
Jo Hyeong was looking toward the annex. I spun around quickly and saw a cute child of about ten, dressed in green martial clothes, watching us with open envy.
"My name is Jang Saeng. Um... may I learn as well?"
Jo Hyeong glanced at Wang Yeon, who was seated nearby observing, and she nodded.
"Very well. Sister-in-law — would you take personal charge of teaching her the Changshan Spear Method?"
"Of course. She's family now too. Jang Saeng? Come over here. I know the Changshan Spear Method well myself."
"Thank you."
The girl named Jang Saeng performed a formal clasped-fist salute and bowed her head. She approached Seop Yeong, received a wooden sword and wooden spear from her, and headed to a corner of the training ground.
Wang Yeon caught my eye and nodded.
Meaning she'd verify whether the talent was genuine.
"Hmm. Let's stop here for today. There's a new child, so I'll examine her talent alongside my sister-in-law."
"Yes, Instructor."
We gripped our wooden spears and exchanged clasped-fist salutes. Jo Hyeong returned the gesture and walked off toward where Jang Saeng stood.
"An, who is that big sister?"
"New family."
"Hmph. An, you're planning to make that big sister a concubine just like you did with our moms, aren't you?"
Jo Un still seemed sulky, whipping her head away from me.
I went to her and pulled her into my arms.
The corner of her mouth twitched.
"Un. You and Bi are my Principal Wives. Seop Yeong is my concubine. Watch — from now on, at home, Seop Yeong will use honorifics with you. She'll call you 'big sister.'"
"Really? We really are your Wives?"
I nodded.
Bi came over and wrapped her arms around both of us.
Starting today, the two of them would be living in the main house with us. Knowing that, Jo Un's sulking hadn't lasted long.
My relationship with Wang Yeon still had to stay hidden, though.
"But Mom's really going to call me big sister?"
"Yeah. I got a firm answer yesterday. Since Un and Bi are confirmed as my Principal Wives, I told her — as a concubine — to call you big sister and treat you with full respect. She agreed."
I remembered how she'd been reluctant at first, then after climaxing several times in a row, had finally nodded.
Wang Yeon and Jang Hwa had already headed that way, so we walked over with our arms around each other's shoulders toward where Jang Saeng was receiving instruction in the Changshan spear arts.
"An, she's extraordinary. The age difference makes a clean comparison hard, but this is Jang Bi– and Jo Un–level talent. No question."
With other people present, Wang Yeon stroked my hair as she spoke.
Even Jang Hwa was watching with her mouth hanging open.
"Her greatsword technique. The cutting motions are chillingly powerful. And she's only ten?"
Apparently Seop Yeong had asked Jang Saeng to demonstrate the martial arts she already knew before teaching her the Changshan spear method. Out on the training ground, Jang Saeng held a wooden sword and was performing a style heavy with cutting techniques.
Whoosh, whoosh.
Hwoom.
A sound of splitting air?
The noise of the blade carving the wind sent a shiver down the spine.
I could almost see imaginary enemies being cleaved from crown to crotch, and she spun without pause to split the next one the same way — from the crown down.
"Whoa..."
Was that what raw talent looked like?
How had a gift like that stayed buried?
When I imagined her holding a crescent blade the way Seop Yeong did, the chill only deepened.
"Jang Hwa. Compared to when you were ten?"
"One exchange. In a single exchange, my body would have been split in two. If we'd been holding real weapons in a life-or-death duel. Look at this — goosebumps. And that power. It's not normal. It's close to Young Lady Jang Bi's divine strength."
Jang Hwa rolled up her sleeve and showed me the raised flesh on her arm.
"Perfect. An, let's take that big sister as our third Wife while we're at it."
Jang Bi couldn't tear her eyes away. Jo Un watched her for a moment, then nodded.
"I agree — if it's that big sister, I'm in favor. An."
Jia Xu came to mind, and I glanced toward the room I'd once lived in. The window was open, and with my 5.0 vision, Jia Xu's figure was caught perfectly in frame.
Prometheus's Eye — Level 6
As expected, a named figure of Jia Xu's caliber possessed a unique trait.
She's a beauty. An incredible one. But Prometheus? What is that? The name feels familiar.
Looks nearly on Hye-yun's level.
And a chest on par with Jeong-mi's massive breasts.
She had a faintly mixed Western cast to her features that made her look exotic, even more mysterious. She had been watching Jang Saeng's martial display with intrigued eyes when our gazes met.
A moment later, she vanished from the window.
A shame.