Zhuge Liang's Demon Cave -1 “I Want to Be Alone. I Don't Want to See Anyone.”
“Oh my, you're awake?”
A voice reached me.
I cautiously opened my eyes amid the pile of cotton stuffing.
Current situation: Day 5 of house arrest.
I'd been hiding in the cotton pile, breathing shallowly, when Huang Yueying found me.
When I didn't answer, she pinched my cheeks a few times, flashed a crinkly-eyed smile, and left.
This was my house arrest—I'd started it myself—but was this really house arrest???
Ever since getting smacked by Zhuge Liang's scheme, I hadn't had the guts to face him.
That's why I'd started it in the first place. But this wasn't what I intended. I was supposed to just roll around at home. I didn't want to see anyone.
That's what I meant.
“Soyoung, you up?”
“Ah, Uncle Jun.”
Everyone just waltzed right in, totally natural.
“I peeled some peaches. Heard you like 'em. Want some?”
Zhuge Jun nodded toward the plate of peaches on the table.
“No thanks. Not hungry.”
“Wish I could read half of what you or your dad's thinking. Why are you both sighing like old folks all the time?”
“Who?”
“You, dummy. Anyway, I get you're worried, but don't stress too much. Your dad's under General Liu Xuande in Xinyang.”
...Huh?
“Uncle, what'd you just say?”
“What? Don't worry about your dad?”
“No, before that.”
“Why're you talking so curt? Whatever. He's under the general in Xinyang.”
“Aaaah!!!!”
Right. I'd forgotten. That happened. I heard my dad got shipped off somewhere.
Yeah, that's right. Zhuge Liang said he'd handed my dad over to Xu Shu. Ah... so that's how it went down.
“Your ears are perking up. Feeling better?”
“Nooo!! No!!! Xinyang? Are you nuts? Why send him there of all places?! And what? Liu Xuande?”
“He's a general Governor Liu Biao treasures, so no need to worry too much. You know Xu Shu went along too, right? Not that we're supposed to say it, but Xu Shu grew up pretty rough. I figure your dad knew that and that's why Brother stuck him with your old man. So don't worry...”
“How could I not worry!!!! War's breaking out there soon!!!”
“...War?”
Where's Xinyang? It's a spot with the geographic edge to strike straight at Cao Cao's capital, Xu Chang, in one go.
That's the only place for a showdown.
I figured Cao Cao coming to Xinyang was almost certain.
No, not almost. If history's real, it's definite.
Even in elections, when they say 'leading candidate,' it's basically a done deal, right...?
Dad being in Xinyang meant he was in danger—obvious as day.
“Don't worry too much. Xinyang's the front-line border, sure, but war's not breaking out tomorrow.”
Zhuge Jun patted my head and left.
“Hmm...”
After hearing that nonsense, my dormant brain woke up and started making its case. Soyoung? If you keep wasting time like this, you're screwed. Wait, isn't your life already ruined?
“Sounds about right.”
I mustered my courage and put on my shoes. Not straw sandals—real shoes. Jingzhou-made, so comfy on the soles.
I marched straight to the study, eyes forward, ignoring everything else.
House arrest, day 5. Chen Soyoung finally steps out into the world. After a grueling 30-meter expedition, I reached Zhuge Liang's study, where the demon with the scholar's fan appeared all nonchalant.
“Out for some air?”
“Uncle Gongming. I came to talk.”
Seeing that face made me cringe with embarrassment. No pleasantries or bows from me.
“Lie down with me?”
Zhuge Liang looked like he was napping on a corpse pillow. So damn chill.
“I don't know what to do.”
“About what?”
“I... I don't know what I should do.”
I'd come to ask about Liu Bei and the war brewing in Xinyang, but the words stuck in my throat.
I was scared of getting swept into history's whirlpool. I just wanted to stay a total third party.
“If you don't want to say it, then don't. Why not join me for a nap instead of standing there?”
Should I even ask about history? Is that okay?
History changing? Not scary. But unpredictable fallout from a changed history? Terrifying.
“I'll say it.”
Still. For some reason.
I knew this brazen guy in front of me would die unfulfilled at Wuzhang Plains. That scared me too. So damn much.
“Speak freely.”
“Dad's in Xinyang. The frontmost of the fronts. I don't know what to do. No clue what I should do or how—or even what my heart wants. That's why I came. To ask you.”
Whoosh.
Uncle Gongming sat up.
“You say you can't trust your own heart, but it looks different to me. You already know the answer, but you're scared of what happens if you act on it—so you came looking for excuses from me, right?”
“Huh? No?”
“Jun stopped by and said you declared war was coming to Xinyang. Who knows how many times the world has flipped in that little head of yours, but since you came asking in person, how could I refuse?”
Ugh, that little snitch. Why you gotta live like that?
Uncle Gongming took a sip of tea and continued.
“But how can you see dust clouds over southern Xinyang? Cao Cao's busy crushing Yuan Shao right now, all his focus on the north.”
Ah. Good thing I spoke up. Thanks, teacher. We've still got time.
“It was just nonsense, my lord. I was so worried about Dad I got paranoid and came running. Can I head back now...?”
As I stood to leave, Zhuge Liang pressed his scholar's fan on my shoulder, forcing me down.
Magic fan? Made of feathers, my ass.
“Sit. How can you hear that and feel relieved?”
“But... no war, right? That's great! War would be disaster. Cao Cao's in the north—I'm relieved!”
“Is that so? But from your words before and after, I infer you know once the north's sorted, he'll come straight here for sure.”
Fuck...
“I know nothing, my lord.”
“Really?”
“Yes! I'm just an ignorant peasant girl among peasants—total slip of the tongue!!!”
The demon flapped his fan with a sinister grin.
“If you truly know nothing, what can I do?”
“Right? Then I'll be going now.”
The demon grabbed my shoulder and spun me 180 degrees.
“However.”
The demon's eyes gleamed.
“If it's all your delusion, no need to worry at all? Whether Jingzhou burns or your dad falls under Cao Cao's hooves—it's heaven's will, no?”
The demon smiled amiably, pointed his fan at the door, and landed the killer blow.
“Then off you go! Jingzhou's so peaceful—nothing to fret over!”
This Satan. Demon. Heartless monster.
“Ugh... um... teacher?”
“So glad to see you after so long. You look healthy.”
“Hey? That's it?”
“What else is there? Gonna lie down or not?”
Damn, this guy's driving me insane. Cut it out!!!!!
“Teacher. But hypothetically? Total slip, but what if it happens? What should I do? Just asking. What if. You know, what if?”
“If it happens, the best is for you to prepare thoroughly so the fire doesn't reach.”
Ah. Finally, talking sense.
“Oh, right! I'm in awe of your wisdom, teacher! If I do that, could I ask your esteemed opinion on what exactly I should do...?”
The demon yelled like he'd been waiting.
“Jun! You there?”
“Yes, Brother!”
????????
“Our girl finally cares about the world, and you said she's going to the Mining Office, right? Her resolve is burning—how could I, her father, refuse?”
“Exactly, Brother! Knew it—everything's ready!!! Start tomorrow? Early enough?”
“Do it!!! I'll have to let the Mining Office know once you go!!!”
???????
“Me? Why?”
“Fengxuan said a crafty rabbit digs three burrows to cheat death. Even if the hounds come, you need escape holes.”
“And?”
“Why'd you come to me? Fix it from the root, right? You're so worried about your dad. If Cao Cao comes, where's his burrow?”
“If Cao Cao comes, a burrow won't matter, will it?”
“You don't even know how to dig one. Where to pile the dirt? How deep? How to shore it so it doesn't collapse?”
“Might never get the chance. How's a girl gonna meddle in men's work?”
Late Han. This world's like that. Even if it is...
Zhuge Liang was firm.
“You already know the way. Learn it. So you can make a burrow for your dad to hide in. Go do nothing if you want. I'd be thrilled.”
For some reason, those words rang true. This guy spouting bullshit suddenly felt trustworthy as a baby's toenail dirt.
So I mustered courage and said,
“But I don't wanna learn under that crazy old geezer...”