Episode 893: Drive the carriage slowly
Geom Mu-geuk was sitting on the bed, looking at a painting on the wall.
It was a painting depicting his and Ian’s wedding ceremony. It showed them dressed in ceremonial robes for the wedding, with their father and master depicted beside them.
There was not just one picture. Below it were small pictures depicting dancing with friends, saying goodbye to friends the next day, and leaving for the wedding procession.
They were the paintings that Jang-ho had drawn and given as a gift. He had drawn not only the events of that day but also what happened afterward in wonderful paintings and given them as gifts.
Just then, someone wrapped their arm around Geommugeuk’s neck from behind like an assassin.
To think the young leader of the new religion is so full of flaws!
Ian wrapped his arms around her neck while still wrapped in the blanket. Her pure white shoulders were revealed through the blanket. Ian asked in a sweet voice.
“When did you wake up?”
“I woke up just a moment ago.”
“I didn’t even realize you were up. I wonder why I’m so tired these days.”
“Aren’t you training too hard?”
Even after getting married, Ian did not neglect his martial arts training.
“Is the ambition to unify the martial arts world perhaps yours?”
At the sword dance’s joke, Ian wrapped his arm around the neck again and answered like a villain.
“Now that I know my ambition, I cannot let you live.”
“I, too, cannot simply let a villain get away with it.”
Geom Mu-geuk turned around to embrace her.
However, Ian stepped down to the side of the bed on the opposite side with the blanket before he could.
“No, I have to hurry up and wash up and get ready to go out.”
“Where are you going?”
“Father called. He said he’ll treat me to something delicious.”
Geommugeuk blinked his eyes.
“But you didn’t say anything to me?”
Ian smiled faintly and said.
“I guess you wanted to go with just me.”
“You’re putting your son aside and only looking out for your daughter-in-law like this? Do you know how many times you’ve gone out to eat just the two of you!”
Geom Woo-jin has already taken Ian to famous restaurants several times.
“I’m definitely going to go with you today!”
* * *
A carriage was parked in the front courtyard of Cheonmajeon.
The person sitting in the driver’s seat was Hwi. Seeing Hwi driving the carriage, it appeared he intended to leave quietly, leaving his guards behind.
Geom Woo-jin walked out of Cheonmajeon. Ian, who was waiting by the carriage, greeted him respectfully.
“Father.”
“Have you been waiting long?”
“No.”
“Let’s go.”
At first, she found Geom Woo-jin very difficult to deal with, but after having meals and tea together several times, she had become much more comfortable with him than before.
Just as the two were about to get into the carriage, Geom Woo-jin stopped for a moment and spoke.
Come out.
Then, the sword dance performance appeared from far behind the building.
“Father, I like delicious food, too.”
“Then go eat.”
“I mean the delicious food you treat me to. You can’t leave me behind.”
Geommugeuk leaped forward and blocked the front of the carriage.
“Mister, if you want to leave, you have to run me over!”
Hwi, who was in the coachman’s seat, laughed.
Father’s voice was heard from inside the carriage.
“Tara.”
Geom Mu-geuk quickly climbed onto the carriage.
And so, the carriage carrying the three of them set off.
“Even if a father-in-law loves his daughter-in-law, do you really like her that much?”
Geom Woo-jin just stared out the window.
Ian teased Geom Mugeuk.
“Why are you following me? I was planning to have some fun with just you and your father.”
“What on earth are you talking about while you’re playing?”
“That’s a secret just between you and me.”
He was grateful to Ian for the sword dance performance.
No matter how much he cherished his daughter-in-law, given his personality, he would never ask her to go along if she showed even the slightest sign of feeling burdened. It must be that he feels a desire to continue being nice to her because she is enjoying herself and treating him well.
It was when the carriage was passing through Magachon.
Stop the carriage for a moment.
As the carriage stopped, Geom Woo-jin called out to someone through the window.
Hey there.
The person Father called was the goatee merchant who sold dolls in Maga Village.
“Master!”
Startled, he came over and bowed his head so low that his waist bent.
“Is everything I asked for done?”
“Yes, I have already prepared it.”
“Give it to me.”
He brought two dolls wrapped in goatee.
When Geom Woo-jin handed over the money, the peddler did not accept it.
“This is a gift from me to the Cult Leader. I have been able to make a living until now because you allowed me to make dolls. Please accept them.”
“Thank you. I’ll sell a lot.”
The carriage departed again.
Geommugeuk wondered what his father had received.
“What is that?”
Then, Geom Woo-jin gave one of them to Ian.
Ian unwrapped it and was surprised to see the doll inside.
The doll was his own doll.
“I thought you should get one too, now.”
Geommugeuk could tell. That his father had had a doll seller make Ian’s doll. Now, Ian’s doll would also be sold in earnest.
Ian was so moved that his eyes welled up with tears.
Thank you, Father.
Just as touching as the fact that he made a doll was the fact that he bought two dolls and intended to take one home.
“You made it so well! It looks exactly like you!”
Ian’s doll was truly beautiful and magnificent. It was so well made that it perfectly captured the shape of the black Ilhwa Sword worn at his waist.
Geom Mugeuk sighed and spoke.
“Ah, I guess my sales ranking is going to drop one spot.”
* * *
The place the carriage arrived at was a noodle shop made of a large tent.
“Ah, where is this place?”
It was the very place where he had once told his father there was a delicious noodle shop. It was the very place where his father had mentioned back then that the dumplings used to be tasty.
“welcome!”
It was run by a middle-aged couple.
Despite being located in a secluded spot, there were quite a few customers.
“Whew, you eat with us too.”
“Yes, Master.”
Geom Woo-jin suggested that Hwi join them for a meal today.
They took a seat and placed their order.
“Please give me four bowls of noodles here.”
“Yes, please wait a moment!”
Just then, an old woman came into the shop and cleared the dishes from the table that hadn’t been cleared yet.
“Mother, why did you come out? I told you to stay home and rest.”
“I’m fine.”
The old woman came out to help her son and his wife. It was originally her place of business, but her son and his wife inherited it.
The old woman who was wiping the table with a dishcloth flinched in surprise when she saw Geom Woo-jin.
“if?”
Geom Woo-jin said to the old woman.
“Do you remember me?”
“Oh my, you’re right. Of course I remember.”
The old woman tried to prostrate herself on the spot and bow, but Geom Woo-jin prevented her from doing so by wrapping her in the Void Manipulation Water.
“As I live long enough, the day comes when I meet a precious person again.”
“Sometimes I miss the dumplings you used to make for me.”
Whenever I returned from the Central Plains with Gwonma, I would occasionally stop by to buy dumplings. I used to visit
frequently back then, but I stopped coming after he ascended to the position of sect leader. As time passed, the old woman also handed over the business to her son, and I lived my life having forgotten about it.
However, I met Geom Woo-jin again today.
“No matter how skilled the chefs are, they can’t imitate the dumplings you make.”
The old woman wore a truly deeply moved expression.
“I will make dumplings and treat you right now.”
“It is alright. Today, I came to eat the noodles your son makes.”
The old woman spoke to Geom Woo-jin with a look of deep emotion.
You look exactly the same as you did in the past.
At those words, Geommugeuk playfully teased him.
“Then does that mean your father had presbyopia when he was young?”
“That is not what I meant.”
As the old woman became flustered, Geom Woo-jin scolded Geom Muguk.
“blether!”
Geommugeuk smiled and said to the old woman.
“I’m joking, sir. My father is still handsome, isn’t he?”
At the word “father,” the old woman’s eyes widened. Soon, she wore an expression as if recalling someone.
Come to think of it, you look exactly like him.
Geommugeuk could tell. The fact that his father had brought his mother here.
Yes, fortunately, I don’t take after my father, but rather my mother.
The old woman recalled the scene of the two of them sitting and eating dumplings in their youth. It was a memory she had completely forgotten, but seeing Geommugeuk’s face brought it back to her vivid mind.
Soon, the noodles arrived.
It was then, while we were eating the noodles together.
Ugh.
Ian suddenly gagged.
“I’m sorry. Ugh.”
Ian ran outside. He had suddenly felt nauseous after taking just one bite.
The old woman and the woman looked at each other and nodded.
The old woman smiled meaningfully and spoke cautiously.
I think you might have some good news.
Geom Mu-geuk and Geom Woo-jin were startled, having guessed what those words meant.
Geom Woo-jin sprang to his feet.
I’ll come back for the noodles next time.
Geom Woo-jin walked outside. Geom Mu-geuk and Hwi followed him out.
Ian took a deep breath while breathing in the fresh air outside, then bowed his head to Geom Woo-jin.
“I’m sorry, Father.”
“No, it’s alright. Let’s go back now.”
“No, I’m fine.”
However, Geom Woo-jin had already boarded the carriage.
As Geom Woo-jin got into the carriage, he spoke to Hwi.
“Let’s go straight to Ma-ui.”
“Yes, Master.”
As the carriage departed, Geom Woo-jin’s voice was heard from inside again.
I’ll drive the carriage slowly.
* * *
Geom Mu-geuk and Ian were lying on the beach.
It was the very spot Geom Mu-geuk liked best within the space-time illusion.
Lying there were not two, but three people. Ian’s belly was quite noticeably swollen.
Geommugeuk, who was gazing at the sea in the distance, suddenly asked.
“Can I be a good father?”
Worried about being a good father? Ian was actually worried about being too good a father.
“Do you want to be a good father?”
“Of course I do.”
“You know that just being nice to them unconditionally doesn’t make you a good father, right?”
Geommugeuk turned his body toward Ian.
“Then what should I do?”
“Hmm.”
Ian seemed to be thinking for a moment, then.
You should raise them with a little less, with some deprivation.
After a brief pause, Ian let out a sigh and spoke.
“It would be impossible, right?”
Geommugeuk nodded.
“Grandfather is a Heavenly Demon, so how could I raise him with any deficiencies?”
The two looked at each other and smiled faintly.
Ian thought of something the exact opposite of the blue sea.
Ah, I’d love to see the night scenery of Dongting Lake.
Thump!
Dongting Lake unfolded before her eyes. They were sitting in a small boat floating on the lake.
“No, it really is Dongting Lake!”
“It’s exactly the same. It’s just like here there.”
“They say it’s good for the baby if the mother moves around a lot. Let’s go, just the two of us!”
Exactly.
A green field unfolded before the two people.
“Now, let’s walk, the two of us. Let’s go all the way to the end of that plain!”
Ian shook his head.
“Yeon-ah, this is the kind of person your father is.”
Yeon was a prenatal name. It was the Yeon of Geomyeon. Because the child came to the two of them as the most precious connection, the character for connection (Yeon) was used to name the child.
“How dangerous is the martial arts world? Are you saying you’ll go around while pregnant?”
It was the moment when the worrisome nature of the sword dance drama was fully displayed.
“What on earth are you worried about when you’re coming with me? You’re the most dangerous person in this martial arts world!”
“Let’s go have fun to our heart’s content later. I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”
“I’ve definitely remembered that. Yeon-ah, did you hear that?”
The two walked across the blue plains hand in hand.
In truth, Ian didn’t care if it was real or fake. As long as they could walk together hand in hand like this, what did it matter where they were?
I wish there were fluffy clouds over there.
Thump!
* * *
Aaaah!
Ian’s agonizing scream was heard from inside the room.
The day of childbirth had finally arrived. Geom Mugeuk was pacing back and forth in front of the room.
Hang in there, Ian.
I went inside and asked if I could stay nearby, but the midwife told me to wait outside.
“How long has it been since the labor started?”
“Three shijin.”
The person who answered Geom Mu-geuk’s question was Ma-ui. He was guarding the gate, fully prepared for any unforeseen emergencies.
“Won’t it take too long?”
“The first child naturally takes a while.”
“Shouldn’t you be inside, Ma-ui?”
“The ones inside are the school’s best midwives. I would only be a hindrance.”
“It will be alright, won’t it?”
“Don’t worry. She will have a smooth delivery.”
Geommugeuk naturally believed that it would be so, but as the labor pains continued, he couldn’t help feeling anxious.
Geommugeuk spoke loudly so that it could be heard inside.
“Cheer up! I’m outside!”
Then someone else said.
It’s chaotic. Stop it and come here.
The person sitting in the chair with a calm gaze was Gwonma.
Yes, I’m sorry.
Geom Mu-geuk sat beside Gwon-ma. Even though he pretends to be calm, he too must be burning up inside.
His father, waiting for news of the birth at Cheonmajeon, must be no different.
“What are you worried about? He is a child destined to be born as yours. There is nothing to worry about.”
You rascal, stop making Mom suffer and come out quickly.
It was then. The sound of a baby crying was heard from inside the door.
Geommugeuk and Gwonma sprang to their feet.
It was clearly the sound of a baby crying.
The two stood there, holding their breath as if time had stopped.
A moment later, the door slowly opened.
Geommugeuk pleaded earnestly.
Please, let them both be safe! Please!
The person who opened the door and came out was a middle-aged midwife.
You have safely given birth to your daughter.
A spontaneous exclamation of “Ah!” escaped Geommugeuk’s lips, and he expressed his gratitude to the midwife.
Thank you, thank you very much.
The midwife stepped aside from the door.
You may come in.
Gwonma entered the room before Geommugeuk.
Another midwife was holding the baby, but Gwonma went to Ian before the baby.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
Ian’s figure was not visible on Gwonma’s large back.
Just then, the midwife holding the baby spoke to Geommugeuk.
Would you like to have a hug?
As Geom Mu-geuk nodded, the midwife carefully placed the baby wrapped in a blanket into Geom Mu-geuk’s arms.
Geommugeuk looked at the baby’s face.
It was the first time he had seen his daughter’s face.
As he thought of her as his own daughter, he was overcome with emotion. Was this real? It felt like an illusion within a space-time illusion.
I have become a father.
It didn’t feel real. Father? Me, a father?
The specialness of having a child was indescribable. I felt like I could look at him all day long if asked. I felt like I could hold him like this for a hundred days.
Then, the sound of voices is heard.
She is my daughter.
When I looked up, Ian was looking at me. Completely exhausted, her voice was weak.
Her strong body seemed shattered into pieces, and her limbs were limp. Her hair was soaked with sweat and stuck to her forehead.
However, in Geom Mu-geuk’s eyes, she looked more beautiful than ever.
Geom Mu-geuk approached Ian while holding the baby. Only then did Gwon-ma look at the baby with an expression of overwhelming emotion.
Geommugeuk carefully laid the baby down beside her. Upon seeing the baby, tears streamed down from her eyes.
The birth of a life had nothing to do with martial arts skills.
As the labor pains continued, she was terrified. It was painful and difficult, and she was deeply worried that the baby might be suffering more than she was. She was terrified that something might go wrong with the baby.
With trembling hands, she stroked the baby.
You worked hard, my dear.
Geom Mu-geuk had always treated her with respect even after marriage, but at this moment, he did not.
You worked hard, Ian.
As Ian finally let his tension release, a comfortable sense of relief, joy, and happiness washed over him.
It looks like you.
Even though it was a newborn baby, its distinct facial features made it clear that it resembled a sword dance.
Geommugeuk smiled brightly and spoke as if whispering to a baby.
“My daughter, congratulations on being born into this world.”
Shhh.
Geommugeuk turned his head and looked out the window.
Someone was flying toward him from afar at the speed of light.
Geom Woo-jin was flying in, unleashing his Heavenly Horse Flight Technique to its extreme.
