NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8
There’s a saying about a beauty that can tilt nations, aka “경국지색.”
I mean, how stunning must someone be for an emperor to throw caution to the wind just to fulfill her every wish?
Once you’re accustomed to manga, novels, and games, even the prettiest characters start to lose their shine, right? But the two heroines from this martial arts dating sim had me gasping from the moment they appeared!
One was the blonde princess, radiating an undeniable energy that made you forget all her flaws with just her bright personality and enchanting looks.
The other? The brown-haired Murong Sang-a, with a bewitching, troubled face that looks as if it could suck you in.
If the princess is the sun, Murong Sang-a is definitely the moon.
Both women were equally captivating beauties, leaving any debate about superiority in the dust.
Sure, the game might be crammed with problems, but release that bad boy, and just the heroines’ looks would have countless men tossing their wallets without a second thought.
And if paid DLC costumes dropped? Oh boy, their bank accounts might just go belly-up!
Just imagine—a heroine who could charm an emperor to ruin a nation and drain every gamer’s funds!
That’s the kind of enchantress we have in front of us today—Murong Sang-a.
“Did you call for me?”
When Murong Sang-a showed up in the office, it was downright shocking.
Her outfit revealed a hint of cleavage, and the skirt barely brushed her knees. No hairpins since she wasn’t married, but she adorned her brown hair with flowers.
This is insanity.
Like, are you kidding me?
He’s marrying this girl?
Even if I was completely plastered, I’d sober up the moment she approached me! And here’s this punk, yelling at her like it’s no big deal.
Kang Yoon-ho, you absolute scoundrel!
If you were to shift game character looks into real-life appearances, they usually fade, right? But Murong Sang-a? Totally different! She went above and beyond.
This world may be a martial arts realm, but considering it’s fundamentally a martial arts dating sim, there’s a plethora of fancy outfits.
While those outfits undoubtedly highlight one’s appearance, for Murong Sang-a, they are merely a tiny support to her stunning looks.
If a woman with her divine beauty stabbed her husband and shed just one tear on air, people would nod and say, “Well, she had her reasons.”
Ah, the filthy beauty obsession…
“Your husband is here, and you don’t even bother to greet him?”
The sibling rivalry was palpable as Murong Bi shouted at the sight of her sister.
“I still don’t have a husband.”
Murong Sang-a calmly replied.
“What!”
Wow, their vibes are totally off. Their relationship is pretty much at the level of Kang Yoon-ho and Murong Sang-a. After all, the Deputy Head of Family, turned cultist, sold her off.
That aside, now I need to get my emotions in check for the next plan.
I am the notorious scoundrel Kang Yoon-ho!
That infamous pest, to be precise.
“How dare you talk back to your brother who’s like the sky! Brother, are all the women of the Central Plains like this?”
“No! Just her!”
Oh snap! Murong Bi is on fire! This time, we’re temporary allies!
“If your future husband journeyed this far, it’s embarrassing not to greet him properly! Where have you been hiding to show up now and talk back!”
Murong Bi scolded her loudly.
But hey, not showing up at the wedding and hiding would be epic, but… that would never fly!
“If someone came to welcome their wife, that’d be the case. But a man here just to acquire a woman wouldn’t bother.”
Oh snap! Murong Sang-a has been harboring those bitter words since all this talk about her being purchased!
“Do you mean to say that the one who ought to be the lady of the Kang family didn’t just take a comment lightly and is now ridiculously seeking revenge?”
“Did you say ‘comment’?”
Murong Sang-a’s eyelids flickered slightly. Wow, she’s not as emotionless as I thought!
I mean, when would the finest lady of Yodong Province ever suffer this kind of treatment?
She failed in the head of the family race, had her brother sell her off to a barbarian, and her family’s exposed to threats from a demonic cult. Even a barbarian treats her like some kind of courtesan.
What a nightmare life experience!
“Why? If it isn’t a comment, are you going to draw your knife next to me?”
I didn’t notice at first due to her outstanding attire, but Murong Sang-a was armed.
Does she think she’s some kind of assassin? Who brings a knife into a deputy head’s office?
“If you want that.”
Murong Sang-a dramatically moved her hand toward the weapon at her waist.
No! I got too immersed in the act and crossed a line!
I don’t want that!
I prepped so hard to avoid situations like this!
I’m acting! Please don’t go there!
“That little—!”
Just then, Murong Bi rushed towards Murong Sang-a. As soon as she lifted her right hand, Murong Sang-a tried to block it, but…
BAM!
A slap rang out.
“You wretched girl! When my brother said you needed some education, I felt a little insulted as a Murong, but seeing your behavior now, I’m embarrassed for thinking that way! Your father spoiled you too much!”
Whoa, Murong Bi, you’ve just leveled up in the friendship department!
“Hand me that book.”
Murong Bi commanded while releasing her grip on Murong Sang-a.
“Here it is.”
I handed over the books I had prepared along the way.
“Take this and read it!”
“What is this?”
“The elders say you haven’t been educated in proper manners! So you need to learn the customs of Joseon!”
That’s not true! Just a little jab at my dear sister!
“Is this a book about Joseon’s customs?”
“… It should be.”
Since she hadn’t read the contents, Murong Bi glanced at me for affirmation.
“I personally edited this book on Joseon customs. You will be tested on it tomorrow.”
“… What happens if I fail the exam? Will I be engaged?”
Anticipation was evident in Murong Sang-a’s voice.
Looks like I was spot-on!
I don’t know much about Murong Sang-a’s storyline, but I’ve thought plenty based on that scant knowledge.
Murong Sang-a ends up killing her husband on their wedding night. But was that really out of her own volition?
In this era, getting married and having your name put in your husband’s family registry makes you effectively an outsider. If things went south, Murong Sang-a could have been dragged in as a servant of the Kang family.
Asking for such high stakes while marrying would be risking too much.
Murong Sang-a must’ve thought that sending evidence would lead the Kang family to be implicated and the engagement annulled.
But in Joseon, false charges of rebellion happened all the time.
“Did you hear Lord Zuan is plotting a rebellion?”
“Again? Where did you hear such nonsense?”
“It’s true! He’s an enemy of mine, but still, he’s plotting!”
Do you think anyone would easily believe this?
So naturally, it took a long time in Joseon to investigate and gather evidence. Therefore, it must’ve been totally unexpected for Murong Sang-a to see Kang Yoon-ho again!
So, what does Murong Sang-a need now?
Time.
“Normally, the family wouldn’t permit a marriage until you pass the exam. If you fail tomorrow, we’ll postpone the wedding. If you fail again the day after, we’ll delay it further.”
“What? You didn’t mention that before!”
Murong Bi gasped in shock.
“Don’t worry! There’s no annulment. It’s only a postponement.”
And thus, my first plan: postponing the wedding!
If Murong Sang-a’s goal was annulment, the attempt to kill Kang Yoon-ho and abscond with the Kang family fortune was just remaining flukes in the plans; she’d want to delay the wedding.
Just a day is enough!
Marriage back then meant setting a date, gathering distant relatives and guests—it’s not something that could just be pushed back easily.
Especially when it’s held in the family she influences most, it won’t be a simple task!
To make it happen, I must pretend to be the scoundrel improving my relationship with Murong Sang-a.
How did they educate these girls that the bride-to-be is this ill-mannered? I bring this topic up as publicly as possible. Plus, I’ll casually toss in the exam subject matter about Murong Sang-a.
Of course, the Murong family will scoff.
Then I’ll just play dead. The notorious scoundrel Kang Yoon-ho, passed out from drink.
“I won’t marry! I want to go back!”
Who dares to stop me, scoundrel Kang Yoon-ho? And when they miraculously learn how to postpone the wedding, who would be happiest?
None other than Murong Sang-a will be thrilled. Even if the idea of an exam is presented, she’ll probably outright flunk!
“If it’s true that failing the exam postpones the wedding…”
Murong Sang-a quickly snatched the books from Murong Bi’s hands. There we go! Got her!
“What’s going on in your head?!”
Murong Bi gasped, panic-stricken.
“I merely thought that after one day of study, a girl can’t possibly master this.”
Murong Sang-a cheekily threw back Murong Bi’s earlier comment about the lack of education.
“Such cunning must be from someone who was born after killing their mother. But marriage postponements aren’t happening.”
“But brother….”
If I can’t delay the wedding for one day, I might just… I’ll end up dead!
“This is a big deal for the Murong family. Such a trivial exam can’t cause it to be delayed! But as I can’t ignore the words of the future in-laws of the Kang family, allow me to suggest.”
“A suggestion?”
“On the first day, you’ll take the exam. If you fail, you’ll face a reality check in front of your relatives and guests. Just imagine how fun it’d be to watch the prized youth of the Murong family struggle with a simple test!”
That’s extraordinarily cruel. You say you plan to broadcast the exam results publicly? Just like a comment section roast? And they’re not just some random viewers but family and guests!
I don’t need such a vicious ally. You’ve lost your ‘best friend’ status!
“Brother, do you really want to ruin me?”
“The embarrassment you’ve caused me is just as hurtful. If you don’t want more of that, pass in one day!”
“… I’ll ensure I pass the exam tomorrow!”
“Humph! With such a lack of education, it will be hard. If you don’t want to be a laughingstock, you better work hard.”
Murong Bi smirked as she mocked Murong Sang-a.
As expected from the Murong family—words exchanged back and forth just like a rapid-fire duel!
“I’ll take my leave now.”
Murong Sang-a turned to leave with her books, and I quickly shouted after her.
“You little brat! Ignorant and still arrogant!”
Murong Sang-a left as if she hadn’t heard a thing.
So, the first plan didn’t quite hit the mark.
But hey, Murong Sang-a will study the book I prepared.
The real scheme can come into play later.
Now, all I need is to wait for the next phase!