Episode 862: I didn’t bring my pajamas.
Geom Woo-jin stayed late at Cheonmajeon.
Even though it was usually a time when he would have been asleep, he sat alone in Taesa’s office, lost in thought.
At that moment, the door to the Cheonma Hall opened and Geommugeuk entered.
“Father, I’m here.”
After a loud greeting, Geommu-geuk walked along the bloody path toward Taesa-ui.
He looked no different than usual, but somehow, both his father and Taesa-ui felt different today.
Geommu-geuk, who had stopped beneath the Grand Master, looked up at his father. In the midst of this inexplicable tension flowing through the Cheonmajeon Hall at this late hour, Geommu-geuk spoke provocatively.
“That place is mine now.”
Geom Woo-jin laughed at the words that were like a declaration of martial arts.
“Is this treason?”
The serious atmosphere was relieved and the late-night rebellion ended.
“How could that be? It means I’ll be back in my position in about thirty years.”
Geum Woo-jin could see that his son had changed his mind about handing over the position of the sect leader.
“Why did you change your mind?”
“I thought about it and it just felt wronged. Why would you give that great position to your brother just because he’s pretty?”
After bringing up the subject as a joke, Geommugeuk spoke honestly.
“I got scolded by Mabulnim.”
The explanation was sufficient. Geom Woo-jin knew Ma-bul was the one who knew his eldest son best. Perhaps Ma-bul had persuaded him not to do so.
This allowed Geom Woo-jin to know that Ma-bul still loved his eldest son.
Otherwise, he would have tried to make Mu-yang the leader of the cult by any means necessary.
“Father, you know how much I love to play. If I become the leader, rumors will spread throughout the martial arts world. Did you hear? The demon leader got drunk, sang, and danced. If you don’t want to see that, please stay in that position for a long time. I’ll grow up too.”
“How long are you going to make me suffer, father?”
“I’ll get tired of playing, so please come down until I’m tired.”
Geum Woo-jin, who had been quietly staring at his son, suddenly spoke.
“I thought about it carefully.”
The unexpected remark surprised Geommu-geuk inwardly. Hadn’t his father secretly hoped his older brother would become his successor?
He’d thought so. Now, his father was expressing satisfaction, as if he’d made the right decision.
Father, do you really want me to become a cult leader? Am I trying to stop your dream?
“Mabulnim dreams of revenge.”
At that moment, Geommu-geuk’s eyes caught sight of a fishing rod propped up against the wall behind Taesa. Judging by the fact that it hadn’t been removed yet.
“Oh, there’s another person here. I’ll tell Mabul-nim when I see him. I think the revenge match will be held soon. Now, rest.”
After Geommu-geuk politely bowed, he left.
As his son left Cheonmajeon, Geom Woo-jin turned his head and looked out the window at the moon. Gazing at the bright moon, he spoke to Hwi, who was in hiding.
“Bring me a bottle of good wine.”
* * *
Bloody Heavenly Doma was reading a book in the yard of his residence.
He had placed his sword of destruction on the floor and leaned against it, reading comfortably.
On moonlit days like today, he would often come out to the yard and read.
Just then, he sensed someone had arrived behind the Great Way.
Given the level of martial arts required to come this close to reveal his presence, no, only one person could have come to his residence at this hour.
“You punk, why did you come here again at this hour of the night when you weren’t sleeping?”
Although there was no answer, Blood Heavenly Swordmaster still looked at the book and asked Geommugeuk.
“Did you have a good time hunting with the leader?”
There was no answer, as if they were trying to play some kind of prank. Regardless, Bloodthirsty Demon simply said what he wanted to say.
“No matter how smart you are, how could you possibly understand your parents’ feelings? You’re enduring a lot due to the cult leader’s personality. You can’t even imagine. What is the cult leader’s true personality like? So, be good to your father.”
Only when there was still no answer did the Bloody Sword Demon raise his head.
“Why is this guy so silent? I’m telling you in advance, if you haven’t brought your pajamas, don’t even think about coming into bed!”
At that moment, a soft voice was heard from behind the bridge.
“I didn’t bring pajamas.”
At that moment, Hyeolcheon Doma was startled and jumped up from his seat.
“Master!”
The person who came was none other than Geum Woo-jin.
“I’m sorry for coming so late. Are you surprised?”
Are you really surprised? I was so surprised that I wondered if I’d ever been this surprised before. I never expected the cult leader to come to visit me on this late night.
“What’s the matter?”
I was worried that something had happened, but Geum Woo-jin showed me the bottle of alcohol he had brought.
“I’d like to have a drink with you.”
“I was just thinking about a drink. Let’s go inside.”
“The night breeze is nice. Let’s have a drink here.”
“Then, please wait a moment.”
“Take your time.”
Bloody Doma entered the house, grabbed a glass of wine and a snack. As he was about to step outside, his gaze caught sight of the window.
Geom Woo-jin leaned against his sword, gazing up at the moon.
A younger version of himself appeared overlapping his features. He was leaning against his sword, laughing heartily, drinking alcohol.
Back in the day, Geom Woo-jin liked to lean against his sword when he drank. He said it made him feel good.
Could it be because of the sword dance? These days, whenever I see the cult leader, I keep thinking of the old days.
Geom Woo-jin, who was looking up at the moon, looked this way, and when their eyes met, Hyeoncheon Doma smiled and came out.
“There’s nothing suitable to eat.”
“It’s okay.”
Bloody Cheon Doma offered his drink first, and Geom Woojin, who had accepted it, filled Doma’s glass.
The two emptied their glasses together. It had been a long time since they had drank together like this.
“Did you have a good hunt?”
“I came back empty-handed.”
Bloody Heavenly Horse smiled faintly. If the two of them set their minds to hunting, the beasts of Daecheon Mountain would be completely wiped out.
“Have you talked much with your son?”
“What about your son? He’s a son.”
Blood Heavenly Sword laughed at Geom Woo-jin’s joke.
“He asked about my mother.”
The hand of Hyeolcheon Doma, who was pouring alcohol into Geomwoojin’s glass, stopped for a moment.
“Now is the time.”
The blood-curdling sword filled Geom Woo-jin’s cup.
“I didn’t ask because I missed you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I asked because I was worried that you would be too arrogant and make things difficult for me.”
Blood Heavenly Sword Master drank his wine with a look that said, “If it’s a sword dance, then that’s enough.”
After emptying his glass, Blood Heavenly Sword Master spoke of something he’d never said to the cult leader before.
“When I see the young cult leader, I sometimes think of Mahou.”
Bloody Heavenly Doma hadn’t mentioned her to the cult leader since Mahu’s death. Today was the first time he’d brought it up.
Because he thought that the fact that she came to him on this night and brought up the Mafu story first meant that he wanted to talk about her.
Geom Woo-jin nodded silently.
Though his response was silent, Hyeoncheon Doma could sense that the cult leader missed Mahu.
Hyeoncheon Doma knew full well how much the cult leader cherished her. He had witnessed it from the very beginning.
Bloody Sword recalled that day again.
I must have this martial arts world.
The eyes of Geum Woo-jin, who spoke those words to her with a face brimming with passion, were not filled with a lust for power and conquest. They were the determination of a man just beginning to love.
The current Geumwoojin was superimposed over the young Geumwoojin’s face.
“I have the confidence to do whatever I want with the world, but I don’t have the confidence to do whatever I want with my own children.”
“I can do whatever I want.”
Blood Heavenly Sword knew Geom Woo-jin’s heart well.
“You don’t want to do that, do you?”
Bloody Sword Master said, holding out a glass of wine.
“My family is my enemy. And among them, my children are my biggest enemy.”
Geum Woo-jin smiled and emptied his glass, toasting it.
Since ascending to the position of leader, he has always displayed a strong presence, but today, he keeps reminding me of his younger days.
Therefore, what Geum Woo-jin needs now is someone on his side.
“Call him tomorrow and yell at him like this: You rascal, don’t be a brat and do as your father says!”
Geom Woo-jin smiled pleasantly. It was a smile worthy of a Geommu-geuk performance, one that would make him want to show his children this kind of smile.
“Yes, I will do that. I can’t do that because I’m the type of person who would say that.”
Bloody Heavenly Swordsman agreed. If he simply resisted and insisted on his own righteousness, he would be easily defeated.
However, Geommu-geuk held a deep respect for Geom Woo-jin. That’s why this fight was so difficult.
It’s a difficult fight for children, but it’s even more difficult for parents. It’s a fight fought with the great weakness that no parent can defeat their child.
After a few more drinks, Hyeolcheondoma said what was on his mind.
“If parents are bows, then children are arrows. Even if those arrows are aimed in directions the parents don’t want…”
Bloody Cheon Do-ma added as he filled the glass.
“When the time comes, we will have to let go and let the protests go.”
Geumwoojin stared silently down at his own reflection in the glass. It was unclear whether he had let go of his inner protest.
So the two of them shared drinks together until the moon set.
* * *
Bang! Phuong! Bang!
Firecrackers exploded in the sky.
The construction of Magachon was finally complete, and the residents were moving into their homes.
They gathered in Magachon and were delighted. The old house had been completely replaced by a new one. Stone walls had replaced the collapsed mud walls, and tile-roofed houses had replaced thatched ones.
One-story houses had become two-story, and two-story houses had become three-story. Furthermore, the interior was filled with better furniture than they had ever owned, and the yard was filled with clothing, necessities, and even enough food to last them for a while.
I never knew the Cheonmasingyo would go this far for me. They did me more than just save my life; they bestowed upon me a great favor.
“Mom! Is this our house now?”
“Yes, it is our house.”
Children ran excitedly into the house, women weeping as they stroked the sturdy pillars. Men looked around their homes and shops with excited hearts.
“Magachon is alive again!”
At someone’s shout, everyone cheered with joy.
“Long live the leader!”
“Long live the Cheonma Singyo!”
This was what made them as happy as getting a new home.
The fact that I wasn’t abandoned.
Among those rejoicing was Jo Chun-bae. He gazed up at his tavern with a look of emotion.
The old two-story building had been transformed into a magnificent three-story building. It was a magnificent tavern, beautifully constructed, instantly captivating the eyes of passersby. He had never dreamed the Cheonmasingyo would build such a magnificent structure.
Even the kitchen was stocked with ingredients, and the storeroom was stocked with fine liquor. They were ready to open for business today.
The other houses were the same. The fruit stand was overflowing with fruit, the lumber store was overflowing with fabric. They didn’t just build houses; they didn’t overlook such consideration.
Then, cheers were heard from afar.
Everyone looked over and saw that those worthy of cheering were approaching.
They were Geommu-geuk and Geommu-yang. Those following them were Geommu-geuk’s escorts.
Their momentum now rivaled even that of the cult leader’s guards. Considering their relatively young age, it was a remarkable leap forward.
Of course, even amidst all this, Jeokyeon, the leader of their escorts, was harshly punishing his subordinates. The leader was growing stronger much faster than they were.
The people of Magachon all bowed their heads and greeted him politely.
“Meet the Young Master!”
“Meet the Grand Duke!”
Geommugeuk asked with a bright face.
“How are you feeling?”
“Good!”
The sword dance gave credit to his brother for today’s result.
“It was thanks to the efforts of our older brother here that we were able to rebuild Magachon so quickly. He spared no sleep to supervise the construction.”
The people of Magachon bowed their heads to Geommuyang and expressed their gratitude.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“Thank you, Your Highness!”
Geommugeuk said to Geommuyang, winking.
“Brother, say something.”
Geommuyang refused, saying it was okay, but Geommu-geuk forced her to do it.
“This is the house my brother built for me. I have to say something.”
Finally, Geommuyang stepped forward. He wouldn’t have been nervous even in front of a thousand people, but here, with the ordinary Magachon people watching, he felt even more uneasy.
“I tried to build it as quickly as possible. But I built it sturdy, so don’t worry. I hope you all live well.”
Although it was a brief greeting, applause and cheers erupted from all sides.
Seeing the people’s joy filled Geommuyang’s spirits. It was worth the effort, day and night, to complete the project as quickly as possible.
As if he had forgotten, Geommuyang added a word belatedly.
“Oh, the reason this has unfolded this way is because the Young Master has treated you with special respect. Don’t forget that.”
It was Geommuyang who returned the ball that had been given to him to his younger brother.
Geommugeuk waved at the Magachon residents with a shameless face.
“Did you hear? You must not forget that it was thanks to me!”
The villagers laughed heartily. Even without Geommuyang’s words, they knew everything.
The elders of Magachon used to say this: that this was the most blessed time in the history of the Cheonma Sect. They all knew it was all thanks to the young cult leader.
“Little Master.”
Jo Chun-bae, who was buried in the crowd, came running late and greeted me.
“How do you feel, sir?”
“Good. I’m so happy.”
Jo Chun-bae looked up at the inn.
A large sign hung above the entrance, bearing the words “Pungryu Inn” in bold, elegant handwriting.
“I especially like that handwriting.”
I don’t know who wrote it, but it was really cool.
“I don’t know who wrote it, but please pass it on. I’d like to buy you a drink.”
“Okay. I’ll tell your father.”
“Thank you.”
Jo Chun-bae flinched as he answered absentmindedly. A chill ran down his spine and his heart began to pound.
“What did you just say?”
“I said I would tell my father.”
“Why, to the cult leader?”
“Because my father wrote that.”
Jo Chun-bae was so shocked that he trembled like an aspen tree.
“The cult leader wrote that sign? How on earth did this happen?”
“I asked him to do it.”
The surrounding Magachon residents all looked up at the signboard with surprised faces.
“Oh my, that precious person.”
Jo Chun-bae was at a loss. Just thinking about the cult leader writing down the name of the tavern filled him with shock, not just emotion.
This was even more moving than the letters that had previously disappeared along with the wall.
Tears welled up in Jo Chun-bae’s eyes.
“I don’t know how to repay this favor.”
“Well, I should repay you with your unwavering taste. Come on, everyone, gather at the Pungryu Tavern!”
The mere fact that they were living well in front of the school meant a great deal to the Geommu Theater. After all, his magic was right there in Magachon.
“I’ll take care of opening the new business. Master, set the table!”
