Ep522 - I Became a Drunkard in a Martial Arts Novel.

Baek Woo-jin looked at the women standing in front of him. Tangsunyong, Jegal Yeonji, Do Kyung, Seol Sooyeon, Geum Yeowool, Yong Seollan, Song Heeyeon. And lastly, the Blood Witch. No, she should now be called Jeong-hye. A total of eight women. Each of them dressed extravagantly. Yet, their individual charms were so distinct that he was left mesmerized no matter where he looked. He found himself lost in thought. ‘I’ve succeeded, haven’t I?’ Scenes from his past flickered like a montage. He remembered the most wretched and lonely life that began with being abandoned by his parents. But now, amidst splendid blossoms, he could finally savor happiness. If this wasn’t success, then what was? Baek Woo-jin stepped forward, approaching Tang Sunyong. As they bowed to each other in greeting, smiles adorned their lips. “It took a long time.” “Indeed.” Their conversation was brief, tinged with shyness. “If you don’t make me happy… you know what will happen, right?” Her voice dripped with sweetness, yet held an underlying menace. It wasn’t hard to infer the omitted words. She implied that if ever she felt unhappy, he should be prepared to dine with poison at every meal. ‘I may not die, but…’ It would be excruciating enough to wish he had. Poison blended into his food would make every taste horribly vile. Baek Woo-jin nodded with a wry smile. “I’ll do my utmost.” In truth, he wasn’t sure. How would he keep them happy in the peace of everyday life? However, he was determined to learn with all his might. So that the decision these women made to choose him would never be tinged with regret. As he made this promise to himself, Tangsunyong pointed to her side with a nod. “Go on. They’re all waiting for you.” Baek Woo-jin glanced to the side. He saw seven wives waiting eagerly for his arrival. He took two strides forward and stood before Jegal Yeonji, the next woman whose heart he had confirmed. Her pupils shook intensely. As if she couldn’t tell whether this was a dream or reality. He whispered softly to her. “I’m counting on you, my wife.” Her face turned a shade of red almost immediately. “Wi, wi, wife…!” Her lips loosened, spreading into an unwitting, goofy grin. “Hehe…, I’ve fulfilled my dream, yes, truly…!” As if merely at the start line, yet already feeling as if she possessed the world. He gently called her back. “Fulfilling a dream? We're just starting.” “St, start…?” Into her ear, he whispered words that others shouldn’t hear. “Each night will be passionate. And we’ll need to have children.” “Eek…!” Bang-! Was that sound real or imagined? He moved on after letting his eyes linger on her, clutching her face red with embarrassment as if it would explode any second. A woman who lived nearly twenty years as a man. Yet now, she was more lovely and enchanting than any other woman. “You’re beautiful.” A single, plain compliment brought a dizzying smile to her face. “I worked hard to look pretty for you, you know?” Even her speech had changed considerably. Up until just a year or two ago, she would often use masculine speech, even in a woman’s appearance. Now, she could speak with the grace of a mature woman. Apparently, her maids, who had been by her side since childhood, taught her with much persistence. “I’ll strive to be a good wife to you too.” “I’ll do my best as well.” “Hmm…, alright. Ah, and….” Her face flushed pink as she leaned in to whisper. “If I’ve done something wrong, or if there’s something you dislike, feel free to scold me anytime…♥” “Oh, uh.” It didn’t seem like a misunderstanding that she was almost asking to be reprimanded. After nodding awkwardly, he moved on again. Seol Sooyeon stood with her ample bosom pressed close, eyes shut, lips moving silently. If he listened closely, he could hear the words escaping between her lips. “Thank you, goddess…. Finally, the moment I’ve wished for has come.” Come to think of it, it was thanks to the goddess granting her wish that she could be here. As she finished her prayer, she opened her eyes. “Finished praying?” At his question, she answered with a smile. “…Yes, hero.” Baek Woo-jin corrected her. “It wouldn’t be proper to call me a hero anymore.” “Oh, well.” With some difficulty, she changed her address. “Hu, husband…♥” A title she had cherished in her heart since her days as a saint. He was momentarily moved by the gentle resonance of it. With a firm resolve, she clenched her fist in determination. "I’ll serve you wholeheartedly from now on, my dear…!" To which Baek Woo-jin responded in kind. "I’ll do the same." "Yes…!" Then, he took another step to his side. Reflecting on Geum Yeowool, who had transformed from a tomboyish girl into a graceful woman, Baek Woo-jin mused. "It turned out like this in the end." "Hehe, yes…." The Demon Realm, known as a place where those who enter never return. Who would have thought that saving her from her dying state there would lead them to this point? Unlike him who couldn’t have anticipated this, she had always had an inkling. When she faced him in the midst of death’s clutches, she realized. That this was fate. She knew if she survived, she’d inevitably build a deep relationship with him. No. In truth, if she survived, she intended to forge a deep connection with him no matter what. ‘He’s so handsome….’ Initially, she was captivated by his looks, and then, by his character. A personality worthy of being called a hero who would save the world. She had resolved to become a woman who could be of help to him after he saved her family over a simple acquaintance. With that sole determination, she stepped out of her warm home into the world of commerce, ultimately arriving here. "We’re together for life now. No returns, no refunds." He chuckled at her words, reminiscent of a merchant preferring 'refund' over divorce. "I have no intention of doing that." If he were to stop midway, he wouldn’t have started at all. Even if there were mismatches, they would simply have to harmonize. Satisfied with his answer, Geum Yeowool gestured him to move along. Taking another step to the side, he met the gaze of Yong Seollan, who smiled sensuously. "You’re here, dear husband." "Yes. Did you wait long?" "Hehe…, this is nothing." Covering her mouth as she laughed elegantly, she asked. "Oh, have you heard the news?" "What news?" He asked in a puzzled tone, prompting her to whisper in his ear. "Mother is expecting…♥" "……!" His mind immediately conjured vivid memories of the night of bliss spent in the icy lands. And he realized. There was nothing strange about her being pregnant. "…I'm sorry." As he bowed his head in apology, Yong Seollan shook hers. "What is there to apologize for? It was something my mother and I both wanted. Though…, it’s a bit disappointing." "……?" "I received plenty of your essence back then too…, but didn’t conceive." "Ah…, well." Flustered by her candid remark, he replied quietly, his face reddening. "...We can work on that from now on." Yong Seollan's smile widened at his embarrassment. "Adorable. Then I’ll look forward to each night, dear husband?" "Y-yeah." He nodded hurriedly, moving on to the next. Song Heeyeon stood firm as always, with her usual stoic expression. But something was different. Looking closely, the corners of her lips twitched as if they had a mind of their own. She was trying hard to suppress showing her emotions. "You don’t have to hide your expression." "I-I’m not hiding." A blatant lie. He decided not to push it further. She was simply adept at suppressing emotions, having been raised as an assassin. Time would eventually take care of that. His family would be filled only with happiness and laughter, so she won’t be able to help but smile eventually. Suddenly, she bowed her head. "…I shall follow you eternally now, master." Even the term "master," which used to be burdensome, felt normal now. Baek Woo-jin smiled and nodded. "Yes. From now on, stay by my side, not in the shadows." Her lips twitched even more pronouncedly. "Y-yes, understood." It seemed the day she would finally smile fully wasn’t too far off. Finally, he took one last step. Face to face with Jeong-hye, the Blood Witch adorned in splendid attire. She seemed embarrassed, barely able to raise her head. "Feeling shy?" "H-how could I not be? To be wearing a bridal robe at this age…!" "Stop talking about age. You've essentially just been sleeping for two hundred years." "E-even accounting for that, my age is…!" Before she could finish her sentence, brimming with embarrassment, he cut her off. "You’re at a perfectly blooming age. Just right for marriage, and well-suited for having children." "……!" Her already flushed face turned an even deeper shade of red. Covering her face with her hand, as though not wanting to show it, she quietly chided him. "You certainly have the smooth tongue of one who would claim eight women all at once." "Thank you for the compliment." To a man, such words were nothing short of high praise. With a final mutual bow between them, the grand wedding ceremony came to its conclusion. Later, he was subjected to disapproving stares from his fathers-in-law, but that too was brief. "I promise to soon bless you with plump grandchildren, aahhh!" With one masterstroke, his declaration melted their hearts as though nothing had ever bothered them. And Baek Woo-jin found himself melting as well. "Since you promised my father, we'll have to see to an heir soon…♥" "My father also said he can’t wait to hold his grandchild…!" "Believe it or not, my father-in-law loves babies too…." The masterstroke that had won over his fathers-in-law now rebounded onto him. After executing a defense as flawless as it could get against the eager advances of the women, In the endless days of bliss held in their embrace, a small wish began to blossom. To fulfill it, he resolved to finally ascend to the heavens. Baek Woo-jin made his decision.