Ep414 - I Became a Drunkard in a Martial Arts Novel.

A dowry. When the gravity of that single word threatened to unmoor his senses, he barely managed to pull himself together and asked with a serious demeanor. "Are you… serious about this?" It wasn’t just because she had staked the prosperous Platinum Trading Company, as lucrative as even the top trading companies, as a dowry. What is a dowry, after all? Isn't it what a loving couple needs when they are to be wed? This meant she had clearly expressed her intention to marry him. Even when asked for confirmation, she nodded without hesitation and replied. "Yes…!" Embarrassed, yet confident. In response, Baek Woo-jin asked again with a perplexed expression. "Um… Haven't you heard all those rumors about me?" "No? I've heard every last one of them from start to finish!" "And yet… hmm." There were certainly many rumors surrounding Baek Woo-jin and the women related to him. The daughters of Sa Cheondang, Jegal, and the leader of the Saheukren League. In addition, there were numerous beautiful women of unknown origin rumored to have close ties with Baek Woo-jin. "Well… those aren't entirely false." Only three of these marriages were almost certain. The rest did not have clearly defined relationships yet. But both Baek Woo-jin and the three women knew. That things would eventually lead to all these women ending up in a similar relationship with him. Spending time in the bath together under Dang Sun-young's lead was partly for this reason. Since it was inevitable, they might as well strengthen their bonds in advance. Having pieced together his meaning, she questioned him back. "So… If I marry you, does that mean I'll get lots of older sisters?" "Uh, well… get what?" No. It's somewhat correct that she'd gain sisters, but isn't that a slightly different interpretation? While Baek Woo-jin pondered in confusion, she beamed a cheerful smile, clearly pleased. "Great! I always thought it would be nice to have older sisters." "……." It was astonishing. Even the women who had already agreed to marry him had moments of concern over this matter. But Geum Yeoul didn't seem to mind at all. "Um… You're okay with this?" "With what?" "I'm asking if it’s alright if I have multiple wives." To his question, she nodded without hesitation. "If it's the people around you now, then it's fine!" Her answer left Baek Woo-jin even more curious. "Why is that?" "Well…" She paused and then continued with a bright smile. "Because the other sisters, like me, were saved by you." "……." "I can still vividly recall it when I close my eyes. How you saved me and my family." Dang Sun-young's family and life were saved from being utterly devoured by the cult. Jegal Yeon-ji was able to escape from weakness and timidity because of his presence. Not just them, but everyone by his side felt the same. Whether small or large. They had been saved by him, becoming better people and finding better paths than before. So it must be the same for others too. How they cherished his presence that brought light to their dark lives when they closed their eyes. If you don't know it, you might, but how could you resent or envy women who cherish those memories just as deeply? “So it's all right.” Closing her eyes, her hands gathered at her heart, Geum Yeoul said with a benevolent smile that it was fine. Baek Woo-jin hugged her tightly and spoke in a tearful voice. "Alright… if that's what you think, then let's stay together until the end." Ah. How should he explain this to the other women? ‘Somehow, it’ll work out.’ Baek Woo-jin decided to leave that problem to his future self. * * * In a dimly lit chamber. Urgent news was delivered to the Heavenly Demon, seated alone on the throne within. "The communication has been cut off with those who headed to the plains." "Is that so?" A dry response. The martial artists of the cult, filled with blind devotion to the Heavenly Demon, do not flee or neglect their duties. This likely means they have been rendered unable to report by external forces. The most plausible scenario is. "Are they all dead?" It's likely their deaths. The man kneeling before her opened his mouth to speak. "We recently received information that Baek Woo-jin had headed to Liaoning. It is assumed that he interfered with our sect's activities." "Indeed." It was a story she was already aware of. She herself had given the directive that even the most trivial information about Baek Woo-jin was to be reported without fail. ‘Has he caught the scent?’ At this juncture, there was only one plausible reason for him to head to Liaoning. He must have received information that the item he had been desperately searching for was located in the plains. Knowing him, someone with no mercy towards his enemies, he likely sought to eliminate competitors before pursuing the item. "This has become troublesome." Despite uttering the word "troublesome," a smile played on her lips. Unseen by her, the man felt the grip of death's fear and offered a suggestion. "It seems we cannot leave him unchecked any longer." Intrigued, she asked, "And if we can't, what do you propose we do?" "...We kill him." "Kill him, hmm." An unwavering, firm response. "You understand that he is no ordinary opponent, right?" "Of course." Once underestimated as a mere rookie, he was no longer an opponent to take lightly. After all, he had shed the nickname of ‘The Dragon’s Successor’ and was now known as the ‘Heavenly Light Sword God.’ Despite his master's interference, standing on par with the Blood Sect Leader who lived for over two hundred years meant he was a formidable foe, with very few in the martial world capable of matching him. "It seems like you have a plan given your confidence… Speak." Having piqued her interest, the man responded. "Sword Demon and Fist Demon have shown interest in Baek Woo-jin." "Oh… those two?" Sword Demon and Fist Demon. Though they are called pillars of the Demonic Cult, in reality, they are nothing more than parasites. Their loyalty to the Heavenly Demon is beyond question, but their innate nature was problematic. "Perhaps they see him as a worthy opponent after a long time." They were supreme martial artists. Besides martial arts training or fighting strong opponents, they had no other interests. Though they would at least pretend to act when ordered by the Heavenly Demon, showcasing their true skills required piquing their interest. Hence, while typically seen as doing nothing other than eating and excreting, their mere existence brought reassurance to the Demonic Cult. Their skills were unequivocal. In response, the Heavenly Demon smiled invisibly in the darkness and replied. "If they volunteer, I will not stop them." The man bowed even lower, shouting confidently. "I swear I will bring his head before the Leader!" "Very well, I look forward to it." After sending the man off, the Heavenly Demon fell into thought once again. Killing Baek Woo-jin should always be her task. No, the right to take his life belongs solely to her. Even as she believed this, she did not prevent others from attempting to take his life for one reason. 'He'll only grow stronger.' He never succumbed, even in moments of life and death. Instead, he survived, becoming tougher, firmer, and stronger, overcoming the odds. So, sending subordinates to their deaths only raised this question: Well... 'They should likewise overcome it.' Both she and Baek Woo-jin had lived that way. Climbing, breaking against, failing, and finally overcoming insurmountable mountains. Thus, she applied the same standard to them. No regrets or negativity existed in her heart toward them. * * * After the grandeur of the festival subsided completely. According to the orders of their great chief, the robust warriors of the Jegaltai tribe ventured out. Their single goal: To find the tomb of the king who conquered the plains and established a nation centuries ago. Unlike when they followed the Demonic Cult's orders, they were more spirited. For one reason alone: "You've worked hard today. Here, take this for some nourishment." "Thank you!" Because they were paid justly for their toil. Compensated labor differs distinctly from unpaid labor. The pace at which they dug into the earth was noticeably faster than before. The problem was that, despite exploring every possible location, their efforts yielded nothing. "Strange…." Looking over the roughly drawn map of the plains’ geography, Baek Woo-jin pondered. Though vast, the plains had been extensively excavated over time, so much that they could boast having tried almost everywhere once. Yet, nothing resembling the king’s tomb could be found. Isn't that odd? "If it's a royal tomb, it should be enormous in scale…." Royal mausoleums discovered thus far have all been vast. Considering this, by now, they should have stumbled upon at least a fragment of the tomb. "And yet, there's no sign of it." Where should they even dig? As he contemplated this, a sturdy shadow fell over the entrance to the hut he occupied. "I'm Bayan." At the unexpected visit, he set aside the map and invited Bayan inside. "Am I intruding?" "No, not at all. But what brings you here at this late hour?" Bayan, settling down opposite Baek Woo-jin, asked cautiously. "You're searching for the king's tomb, aren't you?" "Yes." "Then… may I ask why you're looking for a tomb buried hundreds of years ago?" Sensing a slight edge in the inquiry, Baek Woo-jin answered honestly. "I'm searching for something." "A thing, you say. Is that why the Demonic Cult is after it too?" "That's correct." "I see." Bayan fell into silence, absorbed in thought. After a period of contemplation, he looked up. His usually vibrant eyes were now calm and serene. Looking Baek Woo-jin directly in the eye, he spoke. "The king's tomb might not be buried in the ground." The unexpected statement left Baek Woo-jin wide-eyed with surprise. Author’s Note I'll see you in the next chapter. Thank you for reading as always. Have a restful night. (_ _)