Ep529[end] - I Became a Drunkard in a Martial Arts Novel.

Spring, summer, autumn, winter. As each vibrant season passed by, the family of the Baek household steadily grew. "Waah!" Just as the overwhelming joy of welcoming a newborn began to subside, another child entered the world. It was unavoidable. With many wives, all longing for children, Baek Woo-jin diligently worked to fulfill their desires, and his efforts bore fruit. After naming his firstborn Yeonghee, Baek Woo-jin also bestowed a name upon his second child. "Ah, our second child shall be called Seonhwa." The name meant a beautiful and pure flower. Even as a newborn, her distinct features hinted at a future beauty beyond the ordinary. He wished for her to grow like a lovely flower, possessing both inner and outer grace. This time, indeed, it was a daughter. For the third child, he chose the name Doyeon. The child's mother, the third wife, Dokyeong, hailed from the Heuksan clan, currently embroiled in a dilemma over succession. With the only offspring of the current clan leader, Dohong, being Dokyeong, the Heuksan clan was facing a succession crisis. Despite incessant suggestions from the family servants for him to remarry and have a male heir, Dohong refused. His reasoning was clear—there was no room in his heart for another woman. "Quite the opposite from someone we know, isn't it?" "Uh-hmm." This contrasting path was a sharp jab at someone’s conscience who had offered his heart to many women. Doyeon was named with such considerations in mind. Though born with the Baek surname, half of the child's bloodline belonged to the Heuksan clan. The name was a wish for her to carry on the clan’s martial arts and preserve its lineage in the future. Subsequently, each child was given a name: the fourth-born son, Hyunwoo, the fifth daughter, Seol, the sixth daughter, Geumhwa, and the seventh son, Gyeong. And finally, there was one last child. "Aaah…!" At the end of winter, the labor pains of his wife, Hyulsu Ma-nyeo—no, Jeonghye—began. As she screamed from an unfamiliar agony, her gaze drifted towards Baek Woo-jin. Captivated by something, she beckoned him over. “Come here.” “Madam…!” Watching her with a restless expression, Baek Woo-jin rushed to her side. "You wretch!" "Ugh!" ...only to be grabbed by the hair. “Because of you, I am experiencing childbirth pain at this age…!” “Calm down, my dear! Deep breaths, deep breaths!” “Shut up, you beast!” “When did you say you wanted to have a child, calling me a beast... Ahhh!” The pain of countless deaths was lesser compared to this. After pulling out tufts of Baek Woo-jin’s hair, she finally cradled the child in her arms. And just like that, the joy overflowed in the place that had been full of pain moments before. “Oh… Look, see? This is… our child.” The eighth child born into the Baek family was a daughter. Her beauty was no less than that of her siblings who had come before her. “Oh, how wonderful. Truly wonderful…” The memories of past years flashed by like a lantern. A happy childhood. Surviving the dreadful massacre that followed, and the path of revenge she tread after. Back then, she swore that a woman's life would not be hers in this lifetime. Who would've known? The demoness, consumed by vengeance and madness for two hundred years, would find a much younger husband and even bear a daughter. ‘This is life, and this is happiness.’ And this happiness was all thanks to Baek Woo-jin. Had he not persistently clung to her, turning her heart back even when she constantly pushed him away. She would have died alone in a world where she had no connections. Jeonghye reached out and gently caressed her husband's head, who was smiling down at their child beside her. "Is your head… all right?" “It’s fine, really. After being pulled so much, I’ve learned how to make it hurt less.” Baek Woo-jin replied with a wide grin. As they say, those accustomed to hardships learn to endure them well. He had now become the father of eight children. In the meantime, there were many wives like her who had pulled his hair, and each time, Baek Woo-jin’s skills at enduring improved. Though it was a shame to lose some hair, what could be done? Holding such a lovely and precious child in his arms was worth it. Jeonghye spoke. “Have you decided on a name for the child?” “Of course.” He had already thought of several names before the birth. And upon seeing the newborn, one name naturally came to mind. The strong bond uniting a man of the Baek family and a woman who had lived a life drenched in red. “Yeonhong." "Yeonhong… Baek Yeonhong…" Even without hearing it, one could feel its significance. It was a name that symbolized the bond between him and her. With a radiant smile, brighter than ever, Jeonghye nodded. “It’s truly a wonderful name.” “Isn’t it?” “But why was the first so different?” “...” Baek Woo-jin's expression turned gloomy. * * * Becoming a father to one child and eventually eight required numerous mistakes, trials, and errors. And retrospection. There was much to learn and even more to be cautious about. Each child had different likes and dislikes, making it all the more challenging. And that wasn't all. "Waaaah!" "Waah!" They fought often. Even when he bought enough toys for each of them, they argued over wanting what the other had. Even when the toys in both their hands were exactly the same! "...Raising children is truly no simple task." "Haha, did you expect it to be easy?" "Not exactly." It was more difficult and treacherous than he had anticipated. But equally rewarding and joyous. Every day as he watched his children grow, indescribable and overwhelming emotions filled him. At the same time, he felt proud of himself. “You’re doing well. The days filled with worries before they were born seem so unwarranted now.” “…True.” He had been terrified of the life shrouded in the fog of the unknown as a father. But once he pushed through the fog, he wondered why he had worried so much. Mistakes? Of course, he made them. They were unavoidable. But realizing and avoiding them the next time was all that mattered. Once he understood this, he was no longer afraid. His life would continually change as time passed, and his role would evolve, but he wasn’t worried anymore. When the time came, he'd learn from, relish in, and adapt to the mistakes of that time. “Haha…, our husband is becoming more and more dependable.” “What do you mean by that…?” “So much so that I could just eat you up.” “….” “I’ll come to your room tonight, so don’t fall asleep?” “But… Yeonghee’s here.” “The second said they'd watch over.” “R-really…?” At this rate, he might become the father of more than ten children. A duty of defense expected in advance. In preparation, he sprawled out on the floor, looking up at the sky to conserve energy. “The weather is nice, and the clouds are wonderful.” Everything felt perfect. The blowing wind, the shining sun, even the single breath filling his lungs. He thought it would be wonderful to have a drink and take a long nap, but then— “Papa!” “Wahhh!” “D-dad… they’re fighting again…!” “Ugh.” For a father of eight, a nap was a luxury. “Hey, you guys. Didn’t we promise to get along instead of fighting?” “Doyeon keeps taking my toys!” “Sister already played with them a lot…!” “Hmm.” What to do in times like this? If he told the older one to share: “Uh-uh! If I always share just because I’m older, what do I get to play with?” That was bound to happen. If he told the younger one to be generous: “Because you’re older, you take everything! I have nothing!” That would happen too. ‘In the end, there’s only one way…!’ Diverting his two daughters’ attention from the toys! “Ahem, who wants to ride on Dad’s shoulders to the market?” “Me, me!” “I want to go!” “Me too!” “Baa!” “Oh, hmm.” What was meant to divert just two turned into distracting all of them. * * * Time passed further. The Baek household had become a battlefield. The children had grown. They reached an age where they love to play and brim with curiosity. “Whoa!” “I am the divine monk, Myungjin!” “Then I’ll be the heroic girl, Paeng Jayeun!” “I’ll be the Namgung family!” Amidst the children playing martial roles, Baek Woo-jin felt disheartened. “The Martial God is the best… I beat them all…” Mumbling to himself. But no one seemed to notice their father’s subtle complaints. Well, it couldn’t be helped. The children didn't yet understand. Who their father truly was. Meanwhile, those who had once been his peers were gaining fame as he dedicated himself to raising the children. When he went to the market, people constantly talked about them, capturing the children's admiration. Revitalized, Baek Woo-jin got to his feet and shouted. “Then I’ll be the Heavenly Demon…!” “You villain, Heavenly Demon! Take my Hundred-Step Divine Fist, Yah!” “I also have the Five Tiger Sword!” "Ha..., prepare to fall before the Empire's Sword Form, Heavenly Demon!" Just as he was about to meet his end against these newly renowned martial arts techniques. Boom! “Father!” The eldest son, who had left the house early to play with neighborhood friends, came stomping back and shouted. “I want to change my name!” “...” The dreaded day had come. In response, Baek Woo-jin immediately used his martial arts technique to leap onto the roof, addressing his son who was puffing with irritation. “No, I won’t change it, have no intention to change it, go back.” “Ugh...!” His eldest, Yeonghee, who was brimming with anger, attempted to leap using the newly learned technique. But he fell short. Unable to reach anywhere near the roof, Yeonghee fell and shouted. “Come down and talk to me!” “Nope, not happening, you brat.” “Why am I the only Yeonghee! All my siblings have cool and pretty names, why only me!” “Yours is pretty too.” “Uggh, but I’m a boy!” “Ah, that's prejudice. Is there a law that says a boy can’t be named Yeonghee?” “Well, no, but!” Taken aback by his father’s logical rebuttal, Yeonghee faltered. Baek Woo-jin continued. “If you dislike being called by your name, there’s one way out.” Yeonghee’s ears perked up. “What is it?” “Earn an alias.” “An alias…” In Yeonghee’s mind, he imagined himself as a martial arts hero. Standing proudly with a splendid alias instead of a name, as people chanted it everywhere he went! “I’m going to train right away.” “Alright. Do your best.” As Yeonghee marched out with determination, the other kids followed. “Wow, I want to train too!” “Me too!” “...” Yeonghee found himself suddenly saddled with a host of followers. * * * After checking on the children playing in the training ground, Baek Woo-jin and his wives finally enjoyed a rare peaceful moment with tea. “Sometimes the quiet is nice.” “Indeed.” “We’re so used to the chaos... Haha.” Gathered together after a long time, the wives’ conversation soon turned into a symphony of complaints and concerns about the children. “My child refuses to sleep through the night, I’m worried.” “Mine’s already got one foot into the spirit realm..., sigh.” “Yeonghee comes home fighting with the neighborhood kids every other day.” “Seonhwa is...” “Even Seol...!” There were plenty. Complaints, anxieties, and worries stacked up from raising children. Once they began talking, they could easily go on for days. In voices full of endless concern, sometimes with a hint of irritation. And sometimes tinged with a little regret. Amidst sharing and empathizing with each other's stories, someone asked. “But still, we’re happy, right?” It was unclear who asked. It could have been Dang Seonyeong, or perhaps Jegal Yeonji. It might have sounded like Dokyeong or Seolsu Yeon too. Maybe Song Heeyeon, Geum Yeoul, or Yongseollan asked. Perhaps Jeonghye, after changing her usual tone. Like a breeze, the question skimmed past them as they chatted, leaving its origin unknown, but they could answer without hesitation. “Of course.” “Absolutely!” “The best in the world.” “There isn’t a better moment than this.” “More than the wealth of our trading company!” “Then I’ll say as much as the ice stacked in the North Sea...? Haha!” “I’m so happy it’s almost frighteningly good.” Suddenly, the wives’ answers poured out. Finally, Jeonghye hesitated, mumbling her response. “...Do you really need me to say it?” True to her nature, in her still-clumsy way of expressing emotions. She felt, and loved, more happiness than anyone else. Feeling the fullness in her reply, Baek Woo-jin thought, ‘I’ve been living for this moment.’ He had spent more than ten years in another world and a similar amount of time here. Days filled with agony. Amidst the pain of killing someone and the emptiness of loss, what he had attained was not the world, but the present. The happiness he felt now was vast, making him think that way. With the brightest, most innocent smile, Baek Woo-jin asked his wives, “Should we try to sleep early tonight?” “Didn’t you hear earlier? Our Hyunwoo doesn’t sleep at night.” “...Can’t we just put him to sleep?” “Do you think that’s possible?!” “Tsk.” “Well, if we sleep early, who will...?” With faces turning a shade of pink, the question hung in the air, and Baek Woo-jin responded bashfully, “...Can’t we all do it together?” “Haha..., you’re saying you can handle all of us?” “Our husband is so confident.” “In that case, the only answer is to indulge him, haha.” “Embarrassing as it is..., well, it might not be so bad.” “Oh, um.” Baek Woo-jin continued to dig his own grave until the very end. And so, another day quietly came to an end. And they would continue to end in the days to come. Until death, that ultimate end, comes to separate them. Continuously. -The End- Author's Note: We've finally reached the last chapter. I'll share my reflections, gratitude, and further announcements regarding epilogues and side stories in a separate post. Thank you so much for everything!