Seeing Lao Cai standing there in confusion, Ahuang quickly stepped forward and explained the arranged marriage between the Second Division and the Happo Navy.
"No. I absolutely refuse!"
The moment he heard it, Lao Cai's eyes bulged as he decisively rejected it.
"I will never agree to this marriage!"
With that, he turned and stormed out.
How could Lao Cai not know about Huo Lisha?
Not only him—
The entire Kano Country knew of her.
More manly than a man.
Uglier than the ugliest.
But that wasn't even the main issue.
The real problem was—
She had already had multiple husbands.
Without exception, every man who married her had done so to climb the ranks through the Second Division.
But unfortunately—
None of them succeeded.
Because none could endure Huo Lisha's "treatment."
Not just physical torment—
But mental and spiritual devastation as well.
Even so, there were always stubborn fools willing to try, hoping to latch onto the Second Division.
But Lao Cai?
Did he need that?
As the future pillar of the most prestigious Happo Navy, he had no reason to marry that terrifying woman.
In his eyes—
Huo Lisha wasn't even a woman.
Nor a man.
In fact… barely even human.
So when he learned his grandfather had agreed to this marriage—
He exploded and walked out.
Arashi's heart skipped a beat.
He had already worried Lao Cai wouldn't be able to handle this when the task appeared.
But remembering that, in the original story, Lao Cai did have a marriage arrangement with Huo Lisha—
He had accepted the mission without hesitation.
Well—
That, and the 5000 travel points.
"Mr. Arashi, what's going on with Lao Cai?"
Robin blinked, confused.
"He… doesn't seem to like beautiful women?"
Perona tilted her head as well.
"Didn't you say she was super pretty? Could it be… this big guy likes men? Hehe…"
"Stop right there!"
Just then, Chinjao suddenly shouted, his voice booming.
"If you won't agree, you still must! This marriage is the King's will! Refusing it means defying royal orders!"
Lao Cai, already outside, froze.
He slowly turned back, unwilling.
"So I can't escape a political marriage either…?"
"Oh my, Lao Cai, what's wrong with you~?"
A voice that sent chills down the spine suddenly came from the doorway.
Then—
A heavily made-up, burly woman strode in, surrounded by men in suits.
"Oh! My daughter is here!"
Chief Huo immediately rushed over excitedly.
"I was just arranging your lifelong happiness! You've come at the perfect time—go have a good chat with Lao Cai—"
Before he could finish—
Huo Lisha grabbed Lao Cai by the collar like a chicken and dragged him back into the hall.
"No need to talk, Father!"
She spoke in a rough, booming voice.
"If possible, we can hold the wedding right now. Even the wedding night—no problem! Right, Lao Cai?"
At that moment—
Robin and Perona finally understood Lao Cai's reaction.
This…
This was the "beauty" Arashi had described as "toppling cities and shaming the moon"?!
After a brief moment of shock, both women turned to stare at Arashi.
Meanwhile—
Arashi covered his face.
Even though he already had some expectations from the original story—
Seeing her in person was still… overwhelming.
Especially watching her casually hoist Lao Cai like a chicken—
This wasn't just "ugly."
Calling her ugly was an insult to the word ugly itself.
Of course, Lao Cai didn't agree immediately.
But this marriage had already caught the King's attention.
The alliance between the Happo Navy and the Second Division was something the King valued greatly.
So even if Lao Cai resisted with all his might—
He couldn't outright refuse.
Nor could he accept.
His only option—
Delay.
Since Lao Cai insisted on "taking time to consider," Chief Huo relented for now and left with Huo Lisha.
"Hahaha! That's more like it!"
After seeing them off, Chinjao returned and said to Lao Cai:
"Remember this—you are the future leader of the Happo Navy. Your marriage isn't just your personal matter. It concerns the future of the Happo Navy… and even Kano Country itself!"
"…Understood, Grandfather."
Lao Cai replied, completely lifeless.
"That's my grandson!"
Chinjao nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Arashi.
"Apologies for the wait, Mr. Arashi!"
"No problem at all."
Arashi smiled.
"Being able to witness the alliance between two great naval divisions of Kano Country—this trip was worth it."
"Haha, well said!"
Chinjao laughed.
"Whether it's the Second Division, the Happo Navy, or the others—we are all pillars of Kano Country! As pillars, we must prioritize the bigger picture! Ahem, enough talk—prepare food and wine! We must properly welcome Mr. Arashi!"
At the banquet—
The younger generation of the Happo Navy grew curious about Arashi.
After a few drinks, they began chatting enthusiastically.
Soon enough—
The topic shifted to Robin and Perona.
"Mr. Arashi, you haven't introduced the ladies with you yet!"
"Traveling with companions, huh? A man of taste!"
"This lady… I feel like I've seen her somewhere before…"
Suddenly—
Abu, who had been sitting beside the dejected Lao Cai, stood up and walked toward Robin.
He stared at her for a moment—
Then suddenly stepped back, his face filled with shock as he looked at Arashi.
"Th-this is…?!"
Extra chapters are already prepared… waiting to be unleashed.
Get early access on Patreon:
patreon.com/c/DreamWriterStudios
Want more chapters? You decide the pace:
✨ 10 Reviews = 1 Bonus Chapter
🔥 200 Power Stones = Another Release
Your support fuels the journey.
The stronger your backing… the faster the story unfolds.