To Bingzhou
It was said to be about an hour’s hard gallop, or three hours if taken at a leisurely pace.
“Hyobu—Filial Wife. That’s a fine courtesy name. A wife who knows her duty of filial piety. Who gave it to you?”
Clop-clop.
There was no hurry, so the horses moved at a light canter, no faster than a man might run. These were the same mounts used for bandit work; their stamina was excellent. They pressed forward with tireless strength, showing no sign of fatigue.
“...My Lord. I chose it myself. In the village they used to call me Hyonyeo—Filial Daughter—because I tended my late mother with such devotion. Now that I serve my husband with the same care, I simply changed the character for ‘daughter’ to the one for ‘wife.’”
“Hmm. Good. I like the loyalty in your eyes. You don’t look like the type to get any clever ideas.”
“You shame me, My Lord.”
A flush of color rose across her face. She was the sort of woman who melted under praise—and the more he praised her, the closer she drew. By now their horses’ heads were nearly level.
“Those self-defense troops of yours—did you train them yourself?”
“Yes. I seem to have a knack for teaching. Even boys who couldn’t hold a sword, spear, or shield properly can swing them decently after a few months under me.”
That was excellent news. If she had talent for both mercenary tactics and raising soldiers, she would become one of the true aces of their family—perhaps their most important military asset.
“What weapon do you favor?”
“The spear, mainly. I’ve also drilled with the great saber and shield enough to form a proper defensive line.”
Ian lifted the spear and held it out to her. She had been eyeing it for some time; a true warrior’s hunger for fine steel lit her face. It was a C-rank hunter’s spear.
“This... is?”
“I’ll have more weapons once we reach the Wang estate. Take this one. It’s said to be quite good. When we arrive at the Gi County gate I’ll give you this saber as well. Do you use a bow?”
“Y-yes. Archery is essential for defense.”
“Then the moment we arrive, this bow is yours too.”
“My Lord?”
She took the spear and stared at him, dazed. Emotion welled up; tears gathered at the corners of her eyes. Embarrassed, she wiped them with her sleeve and began to examine the weapon.
Whoosh—swish-swish.
Ting.
She swung it a few times, testing the flex, then ran her fingers along the spearhead and even flicked it with a nail. Her mouth fell open wider still.
“My Lord... this is far too fine a piece. I don’t know if I dare accept it...”
“Don’t worry. My women each carry several weapons of this quality. No need to feel burdened.”
“My Lord... truly... how can I ever repay such kindness? I will treasure it more carefully than my own life.”
“Aigoo. If your life is in danger, throw the thing away. I’ll keep supplying you with weapons.”
She shook her head firmly, cradled the spear with reverence, and hung it from her saddle.
“Let me see that saber of yours. I’m curious what you’ve been using.”
He wanted a look at the blade Gao Shun had carried. He unfastened the saber at his own waist and offered it; she handed hers over with a shy duck of the head.
“My Lord, I’m embarrassed. Mine was cheaply made at the Gi County forge.”
“Doesn’t matter. I want to know the standard of Bingzhou weapons.”
He drew the blade. Several nicks marred the edge, yet the surface was smooth—she had clearly maintained it often. Still, the thick scent of blood rose from it; there had been no time to clean it properly after the last fight.
“Hmm. Is this one precious to you?”
“No, My Lord. I had it made last year. I was already planning to sell it cheap to the forge and buy a new one soon.”
He would discard it, then—or simply toss it into subspace.
Once again he marveled at the martial skill that had let her sever bandit necks as cleanly as slicing tofu with a blade of this quality.
She drew the saber he had given her, eyes widening at its keenness, and spent a long moment studying every detail.
It was a Joseon hwando—curved in the style of that later age, the blade etched with beautiful wave patterns, a cold blue killing aura rising from the steel sharp enough to make one flinch. The blade itself was only about two-thirds as wide as the one she had carried, yet the length was nearly the same.
“Like it?”
Whoom—whoom.
She had been cutting the air left and right; his voice snapped her back. She looked at him and nodded hard.
“My Lord... truly, I would not regret laying down my life for you. My Lord.”
She sheathed the saber, hung it at her waist, and kept stroking the hilt as if she could not stop.
“Even the grip feels this good. A true famous blade. I wouldn’t trade it for a thousand gold.”
He nodded.
“With that saber, against bandits of the level we just met—could you split a man from weapon through the waist in one stroke?”
“Yes. Of course. With this edge, cutting from the crown of the head might be a stretch, but the waist would part as smoothly as silk. Their weapons are poorer quality than even the saber you’re holding now...”
“How does your spear work compare to the Zhao family’s of Changshan?”
“I... only learned the Han army’s standard saber and spear forms from a retired soldier in my village...”
“Hmm. One of my women is skilled in the Changshan Zhao spear arts. Want to learn from her?”
“Truly? The Zhao family’s spear arts of Changshan?”
She pressed close, eyes round with excitement.
“Yes. And if you wish, you can also learn the great-saber arts of the She family of Mahyeon and the spear arts of the Zhang family of Zhuo Commandery.”
“My Lord... sob... why would you do this for someone you only just met...”
She lowered her head, tears falling freely, overwhelmed.
With a warrior, winning her heart with weapons is perfect. The strategists will be the real problem...
“You’re one of my women now. The others are concubines, so treat them kindly and honor them as teachers when you learn. I’m sorry, though—I’ve already decided on three principal wives, so I can’t give you that seat.”
“Of course, My Lord. Simply being named a wife is more than enough. My Lord.”
She wiped her tears and smiled radiantly; warmth spread through his chest.
“In Gi County we’ll wait for one more woman, then head to Luoyang. If one of my concubines obtains an official post there, we’ll move on to Jingzhou. All right with you?”
“Yes!! My Lord. I will follow you anywhere.”
“Good. And when we reach the Wang estate, try not to be too shocked. I’m warning you now.”
“...Pardon?”
How would she react when she saw his five-year-old body? Curiosity tugged at him, but he only smirked and kept the fun for later.
I’ll have to fuck her in this five-year-old body. I want to see the look on her face when she panics. Heh heh.
“With skill like yours, you were really planning to enlist as a common foot soldier?”
“I... yes. I have no connections, no one to recommend me. Both my parents died young.”
“Hmm. With your ability you would have risen quickly and made general before long.”
“I wouldn’t dare claim that...”
“Believe me. You’re something special.”
“Thank you.”
Her face flushed again and she bowed her head deeply.
Before long the walls of a city about three meters high came into view. Gao Shun had not noticed yet, but they would arrive soon.
“Hyobu. Am I really that handsome?”
“Yes, My Lord. Truly... every man I’ve ever seen falls short of even your feet. You are so manly I couldn’t help falling for you. My Lord.”
Color climbed all the way to the nape of her neck as she turned her face away.
Hahaha.
He laughed heartily and spurred his horse to a faster pace.
“The walls are in sight—let’s pick up speed.”
“Yes. Hyah!”
Hyobu matched his pace. Soon they drew up before the city gate.
Hmm. Because this is Bingzhou?
Security was tight. With Xiongnu, Xianbei, and bandits all rampant, such vigilance was only natural.
A line of people waited. Ian dismounted, took the reins, and gripped his identity plaque. She did the same, soothing her horse and falling in behind him.
“Do you come to Gi County often?”
“About once a season.”
“You know where the Wang estate is?”
“Yes. East of the county magistrate’s office—where the great clans’ mansions cluster by the dozens—the largest of them all.”
The guard glanced at the plaque, checked Ian’s face, and waved him through. He seemed to know Gao Shun; they exchanged greetings and she passed without trouble. At last Ian could properly take in a Han city with his own eyes.
Two stories? Wow. Close to Luoyang, after all...
A broad main avenue, two-story shops lining both sides—it was a proper commercial district. Markets had formed along the walls; colorful lanterns hung everywhere, and every kind of goods was for sale.
They passed the shops, eyes roaming left and right. Before long the county office came into view. Gao Shun took the lead, guiding them toward the cluster of great houses.
A massive main gate.
Wang Family Estate
The plaque above the gate bore those words. Ian knocked.
Knock-knock-knock.
“Who is it?”
“Tell them Ian has arrived.”
“Aigoo, Young Master! Please come in at once.”
The gate opened. A middle-aged man in his fifties whom Ian had never seen before bowed low.
“Is there a stable here?”
“Yes. Leave them with me.”
He took the reins from Gao Shun’s hands as well. She quickly gathered her spear, cradling it carefully, and followed.
“Which way to the inner quarters?”
“Straight ahead, Young Master.”
A smaller gate stood ahead—clearly the entrance to the women’s compound. Ian nodded and slipped an arm around Gao Shun’s waist.
“My! My Lord, how improper!”
“What of it? Come. I’ll introduce you to the family.”
He knocked on the inner gate. Jang Hwa opened it.
“Master. You’ve returned.”
She beamed, then looked curiously at the woman beside him.
“A new wife. Fifth Wife Gao Shun, courtesy name Hyobu.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Elder Sister Hyobu.”
Jang Hwa offered a crisp, respectful bow. Gao Shun, flustered, returned the greeting.
“This is Jang Hwa, the de facto current successor to the spear arts of the Zhang family of Zhuo Commandery.”
“Ah!!! Jang Hwa, was it? I look forward to learning from you. I am Gao Shun.”
The two women exchanged greetings. Ian kept his left arm around Jang Hwa’s waist as they entered the inner compound.
Along the way he absorbed the clone that stood holding a spear, staring blankly. Memories flooded in—Jang Hwa carefully instructing the clone in spear techniques.
“Where are the others?”
“Elder Sister Munhwa is sleeping in the room next to the one assigned to her. Elder Sister Wang Yeon is still resting as well, and Jin-i is asleep too.”
“Good.”
“Jang Hwa, is there a quiet room? Show her to it, bathe her at the wooden tub, then bring her to me. You come too.”
“Yes, Master.”
The invitation made Jang Hwa’s face light up. She led them into a side building and showed them a guest room—neat, with a large bed, table, chairs, and simple ornaments.
“Master, rest here. Elder Sister Hyobu, this way.”
“Hm?... All right.”
“Go wash.”
Ian stepped out briefly, found his main body, and touched it.
Thought Transfer.
A flash.
He opened his eyes to the clone. He absorbed it at once; this time almost no new memories came. It had simply been sleeping.
The clone vanished, clothes dropping in a heap. He was still in track pants, so he returned to the room he had just been shown, sat at the table, and resumed reading the scenario he had left open.
Silmido
Doesn’t make sense. Can’t use this as-is.
That North Korea had survived into the seventies was already strange enough; then a special unit descending on the Blue House, and the revenge plot of raising another special unit to answer it. And the ending—ugly.
Hmm. If I rework it with China involved, it might be usable...
He considered it for a moment, then shook his head.
He was still reading when footsteps sounded beyond the door.
“Elder Sister, how is it? Smells nice, doesn’t it?”
“Mm. This is My Lord’s as well?”
“Yes.”
He smirked.
What face will she make when she sees this child’s body?
His heart beat faster. He stripped completely and sat cross-legged on the bed, waiting.
Creak.
The door opened. Two sets of bare footsteps entered.
“Elder Sister, now you must unwrap the silk and approach Master naked.”
“Hm?... It’s embarrassing... All right.”
Gao Shun’s hesitant voice, then the soft rustle of two lengths of silk sliding to the floor.
“Elder Sister, Master will be sitting on the bed. Go to him.”
“Mm. But he really prefers it bare down there?”
A bare pussy.
When he had remodeled her body earlier he had confirmed she was completely hairless. It had clearly been a complex; her voice trembled.
“Of course. Every woman who belongs to Master is bare, just like me.”
“And after you join with Master, that character is carved into you?”
“Yes. It’s Master’s name written in the characters of the Eastern Yi. It means you are his.”
“Master’s... My Lord’s...”
“Heh. Hurry. Master is waiting.”
They walked around the curtained bed. The moment Gao Shun saw him she froze in shock.
“Wha—!! Who are you?!”
She clapped both hands over her pussy and breasts and cried out.
“Hohoho. Elder Sister, that is Master. The form you saw earlier was Transformation Art learned from Daoist Zuo Ci.”
“...My Lord? Is that truly so?”
Disbelief still clouded her face; she hesitated.
Ian simply nodded.
“Hyobu. Shall I transform again? Or do you need the weapons I gave you?”
He pulled the weapons from subspace and put them back. Only then did her expression ease a fraction. She studied his face carefully, then at last lowered the hands that had covered her breasts and sex.
“Oh? Jang Hwa, you told her?”
“Yes, Master. I said you dislike anything covering the body.”
“Hyobu. Climb up and lie down.”
“Yes, My Lord.”