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In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms game, each general comes with all sorts of information.

It’s detailed from their exploits in the novel to the real historical actions recorded in the Official History.

Information about each general is written in lengths ranging from ten lines to just a few lines.

Normally, you don’t notice this… but there are times when that information pops up during gameplay.

For instance, when an unfamiliar general suddenly appears and wipes out your troops left and right.

“Who is this brilliant guy just slaughtering everyone?”

“—Oh wow.”

“—Hahaha.”

“—Damn, they’re all getting wiped out.”

“—Aargh.”

“Let me check that competent guy’s info.”

Well, in most cases, it’s an officer from Wu or a later game general, but anyway.

You automatically dive into the general info to see who it is.

“Hm, it’s a child of Ling Zhi, seems to be a good fighter.”

“…Who the heck is Ling Zhi?”

And so, like this, you climb higher, filling your curiosity and knowledge.

Moreover, I haven’t only played the Romance of the Three Kingdoms game.

Sometimes I read related novels, and when the YouTube recommendations pop up with Romance of the Three Kingdoms videos, I check those out too.

After years of accumulating knowledge and blending it with my memory…

“Alright, here’s a question: who created the grain tax implemented by Cao Cao?”

“Correct! It was Mo Gai and Han Hao?”

“Oh, knowing this is pretty rare.”

“Hehehe…”

These are just beginner-level questions prepared by the professor for newbies—it’s in the palm of my hand.

Originally, I came to this class intending to approach it with a humble attitude instead of flaunting my knowledge, but…

“Wow, Su-hyun, you really know everything!”

“Where did you learn about the Romance of the Three Kingdoms? Nowadays kids don’t know it.”

Maybe because the atmosphere is already warm and supportive, it feels odd to be shy about it.

So I have no choice but to do my best.

Furthermore, I’m not the only one monopolizing the spotlight.

“What about you, Chang-sik? Do you know anything?”

“Me? Just heard some parts a while ago—seems familiar.”

The professor checks in on everyone since he has broadcasting experience.

Of course…

“Okay, then Su-hyun, I don’t think you’ll know this… Is this from the Official History or the Novel?”

“Correct! Official History!”

“Oh…!”

The professor clearly seems to favor me as the main star now.

As I keep answering seamlessly, he continues to smile gently while asking questions.

“You’re really at an expert level, huh?”

“I have a decent memory.”

“It doesn’t sound like just a compliment; you really seem to be.”

Thinking back, this professor has a passion for Chinese history, sufficient to make it his major and teach it on TV programs.

And if there’s a wonderful young man like me who enjoys the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, it’s natural for him to smile.

“Wow… I’d want to take you in as a student.”

“Hahaha…”

“Great. Su-hyun, how about grad school?”

“Yeah, you seem like you’d do well.”

“Oh no, I have no ambitions for academia…”

It was a joke, but it startled me when grad school got brought up.

After listening to the tales from the Yellow Turban Rebellion to the Three Kingdoms unification for quite some time…

“Okay, then, we’ll end the lecture here. Thank you!”

As the lecture wrapped up, the outside began to take on a reddish hue.

“Thank you for your hard work!”

“Today was wonderful.”

I knew much of the content in the early and middle parts of the lecture.

However, I found plenty to learn from the later anecdotes.

Usually, when playing Romance of the Three Kingdoms, I focus on the early scenarios anyway.

“Thank you so much, Su-hyun.”

“No, thank you for inviting me.”

After filming, the PD came over to personally thank me.

“No problem. You seemed to be the most passionate guest we’ve had so far.”

“Hahaha… it’s just a field I enjoy.”

I didn’t have a deep passion for the program itself, but the PD looked genuinely touched.

“Thanks to you, today’s lecture was a lot of fun.”

While talking with the PD, the professor who had given the lecture joined in.

“Uh… is that so?”

“Yeah, it’d be great if we had someone like Su-hyun at our school… these days, everyone seems to lack interest.”

“How can that be… what other history is as fascinating as the Romance of the Three Kingdoms?”

Amidst chaos, heroes rise, and on the vast land of China, they fight, cry, and laugh—how can anyone not love this storyline?

Watching Liu Bei, once a mere village shoemaker, become an emperor should inspire awe in everyone.

“By the way, Su-hyun, are you interested in the Record of the Three Kingdoms?”

“The Record of the Three Kingdoms? That’s the one about Xiang Yu and Liu Bang battling, right…?”

“Yes, that’s right. You’re aware of it.”

“I only know the name; I’m not familiar with the details.”

I basically know that it’s a fight between Liu Bang, who is like a super Liu Bei, and Xiang Yu, who is a super Lu Bu.

Oh, and that Han Xin gets betrayed and ends up on the wrong side of things.

“I’m planning to lecture about the Record of the Three Kingdoms on this program later, so I’d love for you to come by if you have time.”

“Sure, I’d like that!”

“Today, since you knew most of the material, I didn’t have much to teach you, but I’ll be sure to give you a proper lesson next time.”

“I’m looking forward to it!”

So I made a verbal agreement, said my goodbyes to the fellow panelists I shot with today, and left the filming location.

After changing back into my usual clothes, I received my previously worn school uniform from the staff.

“What’s this…?”

“It was custom-made, so we give it to the participants.”

“Oh, I see.”

But then again, who’d really wear this after washing and returning it, right?

Still, it was given to me, so I took it.

As I was leaving with the shopping bag containing the school uniform in hand, I spotted Moon Chang-sik ahead, also carrying a shopping bag.

“Hey.”

I called out, and Chang-sik turned around.

Seeing him in a long coat after just having seen him in a school uniform, he looked quite different.

He looked like a student earlier, but now he seems more like a teacher.

“Oh, Su-hyun.”

“Are you heading out now?”

“I’m going to have dinner with my manager sister. Want to join?”

“Me? Well… okay then.”

It was an awkward time to eat when I got home anyway, so I’d planned to eat separately with Park Kang-seok.

“By the way, you looked really excited today.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, I’ve never seen you so proactive before.”

“Ahem, I’m just really serious about learning.”

“…Did you learn anything today?”

“A little bit towards the end…?”

But comparing the Official History and the Novel while explaining made it quite interesting.

Another impression I gained was…

“And while attending the class, the professor felt a bit partial to one side.”

“Partial?”

“Yeah, I could feel it! The light in his eyes changed when he explained Cao Cao and Zhuge Liang.”

I saw him elevate Cao Cao while downplaying Zhuge Liang; I witnessed it all.

“Hahaha… Well, he spoke highly of Liu Bei.”

“In Shu, Zhuge Liang is the key figure.”

“…I can’t agree with that.”

“Excuse me? Isn’t Zhuge Liang the one who deserves the most praise in Shu?”

“Cough, Liu Bei built everything up.”

“But he lost at Chi Bi… that’s stated in the Official History.”

“Well, aren’t most of Zhuge Liang’s exploits from the Novel anyway?”

“….”

Thus, I continued a friendly debate with Moon Chang-sik all the way to the parking lot.

There, the managers were waiting in their cars, so we each got into our own.

“Alright, I’m off now.”

“Have you already decided on a restaurant?”

“Yep, I made arrangements with that manager sister over there.”

“Wow, is she older than you?”

“…You could say that.”

If Chang-sik’s manager has some experience, like Park Kang-seok, then she must know all the hot eateries near the broadcasting station.

So naturally, we headed toward a hidden gem.

“Go ahead; I’ll park the car and join you shortly.”

“Okay.”

Since they’d made a reservation beforehand, I entered comfortably.

Maybe being near the broadcasting station made a difference, as the walls were adorned with numerous signed memorabilia.

…Seeing that many signatures makes me wonder if this is really a hidden gem? As I moved further inside, a staff member expertly guided me to my seat.

As I settled in the room, the managers gradually came in, and we began ordering food.

“This feels like some kind of wrap party.”

“Really?”

“Yes, maybe it’s because we’re having this after the filming?”

If we just ordered some alcohol, it would actually feel like a wrap party, but… we didn’t order any.

The managers need to drive, and neither Chang-sik nor I are the type to seek out alcohol.

We just drink according to the mood.

“Oh, speaking of wrap parties, did you know the drama is ending soon?”

“The drama? Oh, right?”

It’s about time for Sera to make her exit.

That means the final episode of the drama is around the corner.

To me, the ending seems satisfactory; I believe the drama will maintain some popularity even after it ends.

“They’re planning a big wrap party on the day of the last episode.”

“A big one?”

“Yes, they’re planning to gather all the filming staff for it.”

“Oh… then we should go to that.”

If the lead actors don’t show up when the entire team gathers for a wrap party, it creates such an awkward scene.

Moreover, since we’ve all worked hard together, I’d want to join if it’s a chance to celebrate our efforts.

“So, will you be attending?”

“Yeah, it’s scheduled for the drama’s final day, right? I’ll keep my schedule open for it.”

“Yes, I’ll let them know.”

But wow, they’re already planning a final wrap party.

Come to think of it, the concert ticket date is just around the corner too.

Seeing multiple events coming up at once feels like the fruits of our past efforts are finally approaching.

 

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