“Go in and rest. Let’s have fun starting tomorrow.”
Once Im Ha-yeon calmed down, I saw her off to the room where she would sleep.
“……”
“Im Ha-yeon?”
Why is she looking at my room without saying anything?
“Oh, no. You should also go in and rest.”
I watched Im Ha-yeon close the door and then headed straight to my room.
Right. Let’s throw everything away and have fun starting tomorrow. Isn’t that why I was chosen for a management position? Just thinking about relaxing gives me butterflies in my stomach.
As I opened my door with light steps, a mysterious silhouette was perched on my desk, waiting for me.
“Surprise! Brother Wang?”
The person waiting for me was Brother Wang. If he came, he should have said something. No, I guess it was a bit awkward to chat when we were hugging at the garden.
“Right. Did you finish talking with your daughter?”
“Yes.”
Brother Wang nodded with a bittersweet expression at my answer and stood up from the desk to speak to me.
“Want to go out for another drink?”
“Let’s go.”
—-
“Club Leader! You’ve arrived! I set up a light banquet table in your office, thinking you’d be here soon.”
The place we headed to in the middle of the night was the inn I managed.
“Since he’s your brother-in-law, ask Host to show off his skills a bit.”
I introduced Brother Wang to the members of the Hyangwoo Association next to me.
“Wait?! So that means he’s the Club Leader’s father-in-law?!”
“Hey! What are you doing! The Club Leader’s father-in-law is here!”
At the news of Im Ha-yeon’s father arriving, all the delivery boys and waiters, who had been dozing off, rushed over.
“Hello! You probably don’t know how much we owe to the Club Leader and his wife!”
“When our wife gave birth, he personally brought seaweed and beef! You really have a wonderful daughter!”
“Not a single Joseon Person in the Hyangwoo Association has not incurred a debt to your daughter! You’re truly blessed!”
“Haha.”
There’s no parent who wouldn’t feel good hearing praises of their child. While Brother Wang felt flustered at suddenly having so many people around, he wore a pleased expression as they continued to praise his daughter.
“I don’t have time, so I’ll check in.”
“Yes! Club Leader! I’ll prepare it diligently!”
I dispersed the gathered members of the Hyangwoo Association and went into my office with Brother Wang.
“You’ve really succeeded.”
Brother Wang sat at the banquet table, a look of amazement on his face as he spoke to me.
The Brother Wang who remembers me is the one who was barely scraping by as a commoner. So it’s understandable that he’s surprised to see me running an inn and bookstore with a group of people.
“I’ve just worked hard and been a bit lucky.”
Though, I did bring them along on purpose. Shouldn’t I show my skills as a son-in-law while I’m at it?
“Your daughter is loved by others like family.”
“Because she’s a woman with more depth than anyone else.”
“…… Let’s have a drink.”
Brother Wang lifted the bottle of alcohol.
“I’ll toast first.”
I grabbed the bottle Brother Wang was holding and raised my glass to my father-in-law.
—-
“How long have you been learning the Shadowless Body Technique?”
After having a few rounds of drinks in silence, Brother Wang finally spoke up.
“I started learning it from Im Ha-yeon at the beginning of this year.”
“Beginning of this year? It looks like you’ve reached the second level. You have talent.”
Brother Wang raised his eyebrows slightly, surprised.
“I’ve desperately practiced because I often need to run away. And the best mentor was right next to me.”
How could I not improve when the world’s greatest talent was my teacher? While trying to maintain a humble demeanor, I filled Brother Wang’s empty glass.
Brother Wang quietly watched the filled glass for a while before downing it again and opened his mouth.
“…… I had talent too. Just not in a good way.”
“I never dreamed you were someone famous in the Central Plains.”
“I was a thief, so why was I so obsessed with that at that age? In the Central Plains, there are no thieves more famous than I was; looking back now, it was all for nothing.”
Brother Wang spoke with a self-deprecating expression.
“……”
These are words that can only be said by someone who has reached the peak in a particular field, yet it feels truly awe-inspiring to hear a legend say them.
“On a day when I was feeling empty about life, I met my wife. She was the first woman to make my heart tremble. And soon after, we had our daughter. Do you know how it feels to have a child?”
“Not yet.”
“The child who didn’t exist just moments ago is crying out to me. Ah! I need to live for this child. I need to live for family! I felt reborn. That’s the moment when you stop being just a man and become a father.”
Brother Wang smiled a fulfilling smile, different from the laughter when he said he became the most famous thief in the Central Plains.
“I can’t imagine that.”
“You’ll come to know. As soon as my wife became pregnant, I wanted to buy a miracle. But that darned Gi-mun Hyang-ju started causing trouble, knowing who was behind me. That’s when all my problems began.”
Im Ha-yeon’s mother remained a courtesan until her death. She had blamed her father for not providing her mother with a miracle, but the reason was the struggle for power.
“I’ve heard of the rebellion incident.”
“Right. I was already a Tumin Hyang-ju at that time. Even if I wanted to withdraw and let go of everything, the situation had already gotten out of hand. The rebellion against the Haomun broke out, and a civil war to become the Wangju also erupted. I had to make a choice.”
“You must have had a tough choice to make.”
It wasn’t easy to gauge what kind of struggles he must have faced between the future of the Haomun he led and his family’s future.
“I had to get my family out. I acted personally. The Gi-mun of the umbrella was already being watched. I thought I had the most perfect plan in my life. And as a result… I lost my wife, along with letters claiming it wasn’t over yet from someone I couldn’t identify.”
A painful expression passed over Brother Wang’s face, one that couldn’t be forgotten by either alcohol or years.
“……”
“Where was I found out? Who is the enemy now? Tumin? Doumn? Gimun? I spent the night crying and drinking, thinking. I can’t gamble again with my only daughter’s life. Thus, I decided to go into hiding.”
“So that’s what the reason was for Im Ha-yeon’s resentment toward her father?”
It must have been too complicated a power struggle for a child not yet ten to understand.
Brother Wang nodded with a pained expression.
“It’s my fault for whatever reason. It’s the bad father’s fault. While living in seclusion like that, one day, I met Cheon Gi-ja.”
“That’s when you were with me.”
“I paid a lot of tribute. I asked if I could see my daughter soon. And do you know what he said?”
Brother Wang chuckled lightly, again as if hearing a funny story.
“What did he say?”
“He asked why I was asking how to kill my daughter when I had the only person in the Central Plains who could save her right next to me.”
“He must be quite a fortune-teller.”
Sohee could predict, and Im Ha-yeon could predict, too. Impressive.
I should ask about my romantic fortune if I have the chance later. Excuse me, what is the probability of me becoming a husband? Or rather, please tell me how I can live without becoming one.
“While he rambled on about starlight and nonsense, the conclusion was this. It’s impossible now, but if you form a strong bond, you will be drawn to each other naturally.”
A strong bond? No way. I took out the black token I had kept.
“So that’s why you gave me the black token.”
Brother Wang nodded.
That’s right. Even if I discovered Im Ha-yeon and wanted her by my side, if I hadn’t had the black token, our relationship wouldn’t have come this far.
The black token really acted as a means to draw us together.
“I’ve heard about all the hardships you’ve gone through.”
“Brother Wang?”
Why are you suddenly kneeling on the floor?
“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. If I could open my heart and show you my feelings, I would, because I’m truly grateful.”
Brother Wang repeatedly apologized, almost bowing his head to the ground.
“Brother Wang, there’s no need to kneel.”
“No. This is still lacking.”
I tried to help Brother Wang get up, but he remained unmoving.
I understand. Even though I did save Im Ha-yeon in the end, I had to face life-threatening situations numerous times. From Brother Wang’s perspective, he must feel like he pushed his benefactor into a corner.
But you know.
“I saved her by my own will. If it weren’t for Brother Wang’s daughter, would I ever have thought of helping Im Ha-yeon? I was just trying to repay a little kindness from someone who helped me when I had nothing. Please get up. It’s burdensome.”
Saving Im Ha-yeon wasn’t for fate or destiny; it was purely my will. I saved her because I wanted to.
“You….”
Brother Wang raised his head and looked at me with teary eyes.
During those tough days, Brother Wang was certainly one of the few benefactors the black-haired barbarians could rely on. Now, that benefactor is kneeling in front of me.
If I can’t get Brother Wang up with my own strength, I’ll have to use another method.
“If you’re really grateful, please pour me a drink. My glass is empty.”
I shook my empty glass with a smile, showing no ill intent. Brother Wang watched me for a while before breaking into a chuckle and stood up.
“My son-in-law. Right. I didn’t realize my glass was empty from only talking.”
My son-in-law? Did Brother Wang just call me his son-in-law!
“Father-in-law…”
Brother Wang lifted the bottle.
“Son-in-law. Thank you. I’m truly grateful.”
Thus, for the first time, I received a drink not from Brother Wang but from my father-in-law.
——–
“If the son-in-law is the Reverse Heaven’s Decree, then…”
As the alcohol flowed between us, my father-in-law began to speak about my secret.
“What?”
“Uh… I don’t think it’s just our daughter you’re in a relationship with.”
“Hahaha.”
I can’t believe he’d ask that.
“That child, the Heavenly Killing Star, you and she have a somewhat special relationship, don’t you?”
“Ah, Sohee and I…”
What a troublesome situation. Which son-in-law would confess that he has a special relationship with another woman in front of his father-in-law? Even in a world where polygamy is common, it’s still awkward.
It’s hard to deny it, too. He would definitely remember that I stayed in the same room with Sohee.
“Back in your commoner days…”
While I was contemplating how to respond, my father-in-law jumped in first.
“What?”
“After the show ended, do you know why no women threw themselves at you?”
“Shouldn’t it be expected for them to go home after the performance?”
“Tsk, tsk. If that were the case, then there wouldn’t have been any women squealing just to see your face.”
My father-in-law clicked his tongue as if he found it a bit disappointing.
“Were there really women like that? But then why didn’t any throw themselves at you?”
Thinking back, there might have been some, but maybe it was just that the performance was more enjoyable and gathered a better response?
As I looked at him with a curious expression, my father-in-law gave an answer I never expected.
“The Heavenly Killing Star. She scared them all away.”
“Excuse me?”
“She secretly went behind any woman who showed blatant interest in you, gave them warnings without making a sound, and if they tried to approach you, she shot them down with murderous intent. Even those women who still wouldn’t give up were knocked out and taken to the fabric shop. She had a hard time every time.”
“Haha…”
Sohee, you’ve been doing such things behind my back during performances.
When you would come to me with that deadpan face and say, “Are we having rice soup today?” it makes me nostalgic for those moments when you’d turn toward me with a pouty face that only I could recognize.
I think I’ll write a letter to Sohee after a long time.
“And even making faces like that, you’ve said you love only our daughter. If you’re going to lie, don’t even start. I’ve heard about the Reverse Heaven’s Decree, you know.”
“Besides Im Ha-yeon, there are other women I’ve formed bonds with.”
Seeing me think too nostalgically about Sohee, I dutifully nodded.
“Don’t be shy. I’ve acknowledged you as my son-in-law. I’ll support you no matter what happens.”
Brother Wang let out a small sigh at me and then spoke with a serious expression.
“Father-in-law.”
“Just as with Ha-yeon, make sure to avoid hurting the others as well. Make sure all of you talk well and understand each other. That should be enough.”
“I’ll definitely do that when I get the chance.”
What can I say to my father-in-law, who understands that there are other women besides his daughter? I could only bow my head and respond.
“Yeah. But, you know…”
Brother Wang looked at me as he raised his head, avoiding eye contact.
“What?”
“How many exactly?”
“Uh… do you really need to know all that?”
Even if he said he acknowledged me, actually mentioning it would be a bit tough.
“I have a rough idea. I won’t say anything, so just tell me.”
Brother Wang said casually, as if it didn’t matter at all.
Sure. Since he said he’ll acknowledge me as his son-in-law no matter what, I’ll just be honest.
“Well, starting with Im Ha-yeon, there’s one girlfriend and one wife.” I opened my palm and folded two fingers down.
“… Two?”
Brother Wang’s voice raised in surprise. Sorry, but we’re just getting started. There’s one childhood friend.
“Three? No, I guess that’s possible. From what I’ve heard so far….”
And I have a fiancée.
“Four?!”
Just as I was about to fold down the last pinky…
一 flinch.
I locked eyes with my father-in-law, whose expression had hardened.
“Am I going to fold it now?”
Immediately nodding my head.
The five fingers that had been spread out had formed a tight fist. Sure. A man can certainly support five.
Just as I was pleased with myself,
“Son-in-law.”
I heard a very bitter voice.
“Yes?”
“Can I take back what I just said?”
Father-in-law. A man must not be fickle.
