As I returned to Pangga, I immediately sensed a strange tension in the air emanating from the outer courtyard. It must be because we’re leaving for Gangseo Castle in a few days.

For the past few decades, the Central Plains had been peaceful. Kang Shi had been a loyal soldier, defending against foreign invasions, and since the emergence of the Samaren, the factions had not fought as fiercely as before.

Of course, there were still bandits and lone masters wandering around the area, but the scale of the conflicts was not significant.

It’s not like now, with the martial world split in half and the imperial family intervening…this would be the first time something like a war had occurred. Naturally, everyone was on edge.

Well, that atmosphere was limited to the outer courtyard. As soon as I entered the inner courtyard where the Pang family resided, the sharp tension that had been itching my skin disappeared without a trace.

“Why do I feel like something’s going on?” Pang Soso asked with a puzzled expression.

“I don’t know. Let’s greet the master first and ask while we’re at it.”

“Okay. That’s a good idea.”

When I tapped her shoulder, Pang Soso looped her arm around mine.

She didn’t mean to link arms, but…I didn’t refuse because the elastic sensation transmitted through my arm felt good.

Hong Yeonhwa, who saw this, widened her eyes and jumped up and down in place.

“Me too! Me too!”

“Here.”

When I offered her my empty arm, she giggled and stuck to me.

Squish.

Although it was a muscular arm that had become even thicker due to the Cheolwanghosimgyeol, Hong Yeonhwa’s chest was more than that.

Just before I made a face that I didn’t even know I was making due to the sensation of her soft chest wrapped around my arm…

Swish.

“Huh?”

When Hong Yeonhwa released the linked arm on her own and gestured behind her, I was momentarily dazed. But when I realized that she had given up her seat for me, I lightly bowed my head.

“Thank you, madam. However…”

“Don’t be so formal. What is it? I have a designated seat.”

“Don’t mind me. I’m just a guest.”

Hong Yeonhwa jumped up and down and then crawled up my body like a squirrel before settling on my shoulder in a riding position.

Sitting on my shoulder with a horse-riding posture, Hong Yeonhwa placed her ample chest on my head and spread her arms wide, showing off.

“This is madam’s exclusive seat!”

Her voice was full of pride, as if she owned the world. After a moment of being stunned, Samamaeng softened her expression and pulled up the corners of her mouth.

“Definitely. No one can sit in that seat except for the head of the household,” Pang Ojin said calmly as he saw me walking towards them with Hong Yeonhwa on my shoulder and Pang Soso on my arm.

“Well, Pang Soso and Samamaeng-nim are tall, so they could sit there if they wanted to. But…it might be uncomfortable,” I replied with a smirk, extending my empty hand.

“Samamaeng-nim? My arm is empty, and it’s a bit cold…could you warm it up for me?” I asked, and Samamaeng gently linked her arm with mine.

It wasn’t as overt as Hong Yeonhwa or Pang Soso pressing their bodies against mine. Samamaeng just lightly linked her arm with mine.

She exuded her usual elegant charm, but her deep red tongue that flicked unconsciously over her lips held a hidden sensuality that she only showed to me.

I hadn’t had much time to be close to her like this since we were always busy with martial arts training. It felt like she was making up for lost time as she, Hong Yeonhwa, Pang Soso, and I made our way to the guest room where Pang Ojin was waiting.

Maybe it was because I felt left out or for some other reason, but Samamaeng’s gaze following me felt uncomfortable. I pretended not to notice and focused on the task at hand.

Pang Ojin, who saw me with Hong Yeonhwa on my shoulder and Pang Soso on my arm, was momentarily taken aback before calmly asking, “What is this?”

“Well, you know how couples are supposed to be in sync? So we tried it out,” I replied.

“Did you do this all the way to the guest room?” Pang Ojin asked incredulously.

“Yes, we did.”

“Hmm…”

Pang Ojin took a sip of the tea he had prepared beforehand before speaking again.

“Sometimes I wonder if you’re really in your right mind.”

“Isn’t that my charm?” I replied with a smirk.

“At this age, you’re still learning something new. Well, I guess it’s fair. If you have good looks and skills, you need to have some problems with your head to balance it out…”

Pang Ojin nodded calmly, as if he wasn’t surprised by anything anymore. Pang Soso, who had been clinging to my arm, pouted and stuck out her lips.

“Hmph! Isn’t Jin Gaga’s unabashed expression of affection his charm?”

“…I see. Is my daughter also exceptional in looks and skills?” Pang Ojin replied, teasing Pang Soso.

Hmm. I couldn’t argue with that.

Honestly, even if I was head over heels for her, thinking about teaching her the Cheolwanghosimgyeol was not a normal way of thinking.

Of course, I thought that was part of Pang Soso’s charm.

Wait, isn’t this the same thought I had just a little while ago?

I looked around, feeling a bit disoriented.

Hong Yeonhwa was absentmindedly playing with my hair, while Pang Soso puffed up her cheeks and clung to my arm. Samamaeng, who linked her arm with mine, exuded her usual elegance, but her deep red tongue flicking over her lips held a hidden sensuality that she only showed to me.

Samamaeng’s gaze following me felt uncomfortable, but I pretended not to notice and focused on the task at hand. We had just finished our mission and were reporting back to Pang Ojin.

“Well done, Samamaeng-nim,” Pang Ojin said with a sigh of relief. “I was worried. If the Kangshi use their powers, it’s usually not a good sign.”

I asked if there was any good news, and Pang Ojin chuckled. “Good news? Well, Jin Gaga, your friend Ji-hyuk has finally woken up.”

Pang Soso reacted strongly. “What? Father has regained consciousness?”

Pang Ji-hyuk had fallen into a coma after being attacked by Nokrim while patrolling Ha Bukseong. He had received timely treatment, and his life was no longer in danger. But it was still a relief to hear that he had woken up.

“He’s fully recovered, but we’re keeping him under observation for a few more days, just in case,” Pang Ojin explained.

“Let’s go see him at the medical hall,” Hong Yeonhwa suggested.

“Of course,” I replied, and we said our goodbyes to Pang Ojin before heading to the medical hall.

As we walked, I realized something. “Yeonhwa, Soso, and Samamaeng-nim. This is the first time you’ll be meeting Pang Ji-hyuk, right?”

They all nodded, and Pang Ojin clicked his tongue. “I wonder if Ji-hyuk will turn pale when he sees Jin Gaga.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the thought.

“Do you plan on bringing your father-in-law with us?”

“What’s wrong with me wanting to see my son?”

“I don’t think that’s the real reason…”

He had a look on his face like he was expecting some kind of hilarious prank.

Poking Pang Soso’s side, I asked, “By any chance, Soso, your father-in-law… I mean, the gentleman who is like an older brother, won’t attack me out of the blue like some of the elders, will he?”

“Father-in-law? He might throw a punch or two. I hate to admit it, but I was practically a princess in this house.”

Pang Soso put her hands on her hips and snorted, blowing air out of her nose.

Hong Yeonhwa watched her closely, copying her posture, while Samamaeng hesitated, wondering if she should do the same. They were all so cute, but there was something more important to consider now.

“What should I do… I guess I’ll just have to take it since he’s a patient, right?”

Even if the older gentlemen or elders swung their swords, I could probably take it, but a few punches would be okay.

“Oh? Were you worried about that, Jin Gaga? It’s okay. I have a plan.”

“Really? Should I trust you?”

“Of course! You can trust me!”

***

“Soso, think about it again! We’re still part of the Pang family, and we’re part of the Odaese-ga. Being a spy is not ideal!”

“I don’t listen to weaker men like my father-in-law!”