Chapter 249
Chapter 249
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 249
Chapter Title: Troubles with Women (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
When I was a child in my past life, I loved going to the market with my mom.
Back in the dog-eat-dog 90s, there wasn't much for kids to do besides play on rusty equipment that posed a constant tetanus risk.
The market, on the other hand, was a place where I could see all sorts of interesting things. And if I helped carry the bags diligently, Mom would often pull out her wallet and buy me a snack.
‘Though I did get a beating for cluelessly asking for a whole fried chicken after scoring a 20 on my dictation test…’
It was a long time ago, but it remains a warm memory tucked away in a corner of my heart.
However, there was one thing about the bustling market I could never get used to: the war known as haggling.
A battle over five hundred won worth of bean sprouts—would you get a heap worth six hundred, or be given a handful worth only four hundred?
I was young back then, and my tender heart found it hard to bear the sight of every word from their mouths becoming a bullet.
And now, having transcended time and space to be reborn in this world of martial arts, I was witnessing that same war of mothers unfold before my very eyes.
“What does it matter if it's a rumor? Don't you all agree?”
“Of course. The Fighting Dragon Hall Master is twenty-four years old. Isn't he more than ready for marriage? He's well past the ideal age.”
“That’s right. Even if he’s been busy laying the foundation for the Fighting Dragon Hall, it’s time he seriously considered marriage.”
Despite my firm explanation that it was a baseless rumor, not only did they refuse to listen, but they even started fighting over me.
“Since it has come to this, how about meeting the third daughter of the Hwa family, my niece? She is a literary lady who mastered the Four Books and Three Classics from a young age and has a deep appreciation for poetry and orchids.”
“Hmph, what use is a talent for letters? The second daughter of the Oh Family of Yunnan boasts such exceptional martial talent that she mastered her family's sword arts up to the third stage at the age of eighteen. Hohoho. Wouldn't that be a fine choice, considering the future heir who will lead the Fighting Dragon Hall?”
“What good are martial arts and scholarship? There's nothing more reassuring than money… If he becomes the Gold Dragon Hall Master’s son-in-law, he could get his hands on a fortune.”
“Scholarship, martial arts, wealth—those are things that matter among men. Shouldn't a woman, above all, be beautiful? My niece, the beloved daughter of the Red Blossom Estate, has been known as one of Yunnan’s greatest beauties since she was a child…”
“Instead of all that, our family’s…”
“Just one meeting would…”
It was just like watching the ladies who dominated the market in my childhood.
The problem was, the item they were trying to purchase was me.
To be fair, this wasn't how typical matchmakers operated.
Marriage in this era was a union between families, so discussions were held discreetly and quietly among the elders. Often, the parties involved didn't even know.
The cliché where someone says, ‘Your marriage partner has been decided,’ followed by, ‘But I'm in love with someone else!’ and then, ‘You... you scoundrel!’ as they clutch the back of their neck, doesn't come from nowhere.
It's all based on historical accuracy, in a way.
The reason they had come as a group was simple.
It was because I had no elders in my family.
My master was the closest thing, I suppose, but it wasn't as if he could go to the Fortress Lord's hall to act as my matchmaker.
A clamor arose.
As the bullets flew, I boldly shouted.
“Enough!”
What else could I do when they wouldn't listen?
I had to yell.
“I will say this one more time. I have never sought a spouse. So please, return to your homes.”
At that, Dang Hong, who had been passionately arguing that a woman’s beauty was her greatest asset, stepped forward.
As the sister of the current Green Dragon Hall Master, she was the highest-ranking woman in all of Nine Dragons Fortress.
“You don’t intend to remain single for the rest of your life, do you?”
“That is true.”
“Then you do have the intention to marry.”
“That is also true, but…”
I looked at Dang Hong as she pressed me and said.
“I already have a lover.”
A murmur spread through the room.
The noble ladies began to whisper, clearly not having expected this.
However, Dang Hong remained calm, showing no surprise as she countered my words.
“May I ask which family the young lady is from?”
It was a question with a clear intent, but since the truth would come out eventually, I answered honestly.
“She doesn't have what you would call a family. She's an orphan, just like me.”
“…Marrying a lady from a good family would be more beneficial to you, Fighting Dragon Hall Master.”
“She is exceptionally capable, however.”
“No matter how capable a woman is…”
“She is the General Manager of the Hanzhong Merchant Guild and the head of the Western Stream Merchant Guild.”
“…You are speaking of Manager Myo, I presume.”
“That's right.”
Everyone in the hall nodded. It seemed they were all aware of Myo Hyang’s standing in the world of commerce.
“I heard her past is not a clean one.”
At the mention of her past, everyone nodded again.
They likely knew that Myo Hyang had been a maidservant and that she had been deceived by Geum Jong-dae into working as a courtesan in a pleasure house.
‘Just thinking about that again is making me angry…’
It seemed I would have to break that bastard Geum Jong-dae’s legs again soon.
“Her unclean past… are you referring to her time as a maidservant at the Heaven-Ascending Pavilion? Or her time as a courtesan at the former Golden Flower Pavilion?”
“…”
Dang Hong fell silent, apparently not expecting me to be so direct.
“With no parents, she became a maidservant at the Heaven-Ascending Pavilion at the tender age of thirteen to support her only sibling, doing all sorts of menial tasks. She worked as a courtesan because she was swindled while trying to pay for her brother’s education. She did it all to provide for her family. Who dares to criticize her for that?”
“…”
“And is that all? Her heart is so vast that when we first met at the Heaven-Ascending Pavilion, she took care of me like her own younger brother, saying I reminded her of him. When I was sick, she would search the mountains and fields for medicinal herbs, crush them into a juice, and feed it to me.”
Having said that much, I found myself getting carried away and began to boast about Myo Hyang.
“…Not only is her form beautiful, but her talents are so outstanding it’s the very definition of perfection. I never had the money to visit the Golden Flower Pavilion myself, but I heard that high-ranking officials would carry sacks of money just to see her face and hear her music once… And when I entrusted her with a task, her business acumen was so sharp she practically raked in money…”
After going on like that for a good quarter of an hour, I finally concluded my praise.
“And above all else, she is the woman I love.”
“Oh my!”
“Goodness me. He said love!”
“Eek!”
The noble ladies acting as matchmakers all reacted like a bunch of gossiping aunties.
Dang Hong also blushed and nodded.
“To think you held Manager Myo in such high affection… As a woman myself, I feel quite envious.”
I was glad she understood.
It wouldn't have mattered if they kept insisting, as I would just refuse, but their high status had made the situation awkward.
“I apologize for making you come all this way for nothing.”
“Not at all. It’s been a long time since my heart felt this warm. I’m actually glad I came. Don’t you all agree?”
“That’s right. I’ve played the matchmaker many times, but this is the first time I’ve received such a heartwarming refusal. Hohoho.”
“They say the Fighting Dragon Hall Master is a true man among men… I can certainly see why.”
I gave a small bow to the squadron of aunties showering me with praise.
It was my way of dismissing them.
“Well then, please take care…”
“However, wouldn't it be a loss for Nine Dragons Fortress if a hero like the Fighting Dragon Hall Master were to take only one wife?”
“No.”
When is this going to end?
* * *
In the end, the squadron of aunties retreated voluntarily.
‘Oh my? What brings the ladies of the inner fortress all the way here…?’
The moment Myo Hyang returned from work, the noble ladies hastily made their exit.
‘Hohoho, we’ve taken up too much of your time. Well then, have a wonderful evening.’
They scurried away.
All of them wearing sly smiles as they left.
“Did something happen? Why were they all here so suddenly…?”
“Ah. It was nothing.”
I thought that was the end of it, but I was sorely mistaken.
The next day, a rumor about me began to spread throughout Nine Dragons Fortress.
[The Fighting Dragon Hall Master is in a relationship with Manager Myo of the Western Stream Merchant Guild.]
[They have been nurturing their love since they were nine years old and will soon bear its fruit.]
[Manager Myo is already with child.]
[He has two hidden children… no, three.]
I, an unparalleled master and immortal strategist born of Nine Dragons Fortress, had become a symbol of pure love.
‘These aunties…’
How much must they have chattered for a rumor like this to spread in less than a day?
Since things had come to this, I had no choice.
If I dragged my feet, Myo Hyang would undoubtedly be subjected to uncomfortable stares. The only solution was to hold the wedding quickly.
The problem was…
“How do I propose?”
I had no experience.
Myo Hyang was the first person I had ever dated, in this life or the last.
“Should I buy her a ring or something?”
That didn't sound too bad.
Just like I'd seen on TV, I could take her to a high-end tavern since there were no restaurants, order roasted duck and white liquor instead of steak and wine, and then get down on one knee and propose…
“That picture just seems… off.”
Something about it felt strange.
But I didn't want to just let it pass.
Since neither of us had any family elders, we should at least observe the proper formalities between the two of us.
“I have no choice.”
In the end, there was only one option.
I had to ask someone who would know.
The advisor I chose was the Grand Chancellor, the very man who started this whole affair and was known as the greatest romantic in Nine Dragons Fortress.
Of course, I had now stolen that title from him.
“…Why are you asking me that?”
“Because you were the one who urged me to marry quickly, Grand Chancellor.”
“Ah, right.”
“Seriously?”
Did he really forget after saying it himself?
As I frowned, the Grand Chancellor cleared his throat.
“You’ve come to the right person. I shall teach you about the way between a man and a woman.”
“The way?”
“As Confucius said…”
“…”
I was beginning to think I had made a mistake coming here.
As I was walking away dejectedly with nothing to show for my visit, I saw a familiar silhouette in the distance.
“Brother Jin?”
It was Jeok Hwa-ran.
“What are you doing here?”
“I'm here on an errand for my grandfather to see the Grand Chancellor. What about you, Brother Jin?”
“I came to ask about something…”
“What is it?”
“Ah, well…”
As I was about to speak, I remembered that Jeok Hwa-ran had feelings for me.
‘I’d better watch what I say.’
I didn't want to needlessly hurt her feelings.
As I stood there nodding for a moment, Jeok Hwa-ran suddenly thrust her face right in front of mine.
“Whoa!”
Startled by the proximity that nearly resulted in our lips meeting, I stepped back. Jeok Hwa-ran just smiled and asked.
“What are you thinking about so intently?”
“I-It’s nothing.”
“Hehe, you’re worried about Sister Myo, aren’t you? Hmm… a proposal, perhaps?”
“How did you…”
“The whole fortress is buzzing with rumors that you two are getting married.”
Jeok Hwa-ran cheerfully patted my back.
“Would you like me to give you some advice?”
“You?”
“Of course. A woman knows a woman’s heart best. I’d be better than those old men, wouldn’t I?”
“…”
Her unsettling offer made a corner of my heart ache.