Episode 894: I prepared everything because I didn’t know what you would like
As soon as he heard the news that the child had been born, Geom Woo-jin flew over like light.
His heart pounded as he stood at the door.
He hadn’t even trembled when fighting the Heavenly Killer Star.
Geom Woo-jin opened the door and came in, taking care of Ian first.
“Are you feeling alright?”
“Yes, Father.”
As Ian tried to get up, the gentle energy emitted by Geom Woo-jin enveloped her and laid her back down.
You worked hard.
It was just a single word, but I could feel Geom Woo-jin’s heart in those warm words.
Geom Woo-jin’s gaze turned toward the baby lying next to Ian.
Geom Mu-geuk had discovered several new expressions on his father’s face over time, and today he saw yet another new one.
Congratulations on becoming a grandfather.
At this moment, Geom Woo-jin could not hide his emotions. There was a touching feeling that could not be expressed in words. It was clearly a joy different from when he had a child.
“Hold your granddaughter once, Father.”
Geom Woo-jin looked at Gwon-ma.
“Have you held it?”
“I will hold it later when it gets a little bigger.”
The baby was so small that it was a burden to hold her with his large body and hands. Even the mighty Kwon Ma was flustered in front of his first granddaughter.
Geom Mu-geuk held the child and handed him to his father.
Geom Woo-jin carefully held the baby. Geom Woo-jin was also nervous because it had been a very long time since he had held a baby.
At some point, I had forgotten. That the beginning of all life starts this small.
But to Geom Woo-jin, the baby felt heavy. He felt heavier than any other being in the world.
Geom Woo-jin’s gaze wavered as he looked at the baby.
It was a son who resembled his deceased wife, and a granddaughter who seemed to have been molded exactly like that son.
The baby’s faint breath shook Geom Woo-jin’s heart with a resonance greater than the secrets of the Nine-Flower Demonic Art.
“Have you named it?”
“Please give it to me, Father.”
As Geom Woo-jin looked at him with a surprised expression, Geom Mu-geuk nodded. He had already decided to do so with Ian.
There was a name your mother wanted to give her if she had a daughter.
Geom Woo-jin spoke while looking at his granddaughter.
“Hayeon, Geomhayeon.”
The character for summer, Yeon for connection. It was impossible to tell if it was coincidence or fate, but the character for connection was also in the child’s name.
Ian nodded as he faced Geom Mugeuk, then smiled brightly and spoke.
Your name is so pretty.
Geommugeuk took his daughter back into his arms and spoke.
“Geom Ha-yeon, from now on, that is your name.”
Just then, the sound of a bell rang out from far away outside the window.
It was not a hurried sound, but a soft, resonant ringing.
It was the sound of a bell that rang when there was a celebration on campus.
All the demons stopped in their tracks. Everyone could tell that Somahu had given birth safely.
The hand of the Blood Heaven Demon, who had been reading a book, paused for a moment. No matter how touching the words in the book were, they could not compare to the emotion of this moment.
Ilhwa Sword Venerable, who had been practicing swordsmanship in the training grounds, raised his sword high toward the sky.
Chwima raised his wine glass into the air and toasted, and the Poison King released the poisonous insect he had struggled to capture, just for today. Mabul quietly chanted prayers, wishing for the baby’s health.
Seophonmajon laughed loudly like a madwoman while soothing the soul, and Geukaksoma, who was staring at the white wall, laughed silently.
Seo Dae-ryong, who was watching the investigators interrogate a prisoner, raised his hand high and shouted, while Jang Ho, who was just about to leave on an operation, shouted loudly with the cavalrymen from inside the large carriage.
“Somafu-sama! Congratulations on the safe delivery!”
* * *
I will put him to sleep.
Geommugeuk took Hayeon in. As she went into her father’s arms, her crying grew louder.
The baby isn’t sleeping even though they drank a lot of milk.
Ian couldn’t get a proper night’s sleep because Hayeon woke up almost every hour. Seo Daeryong had said he didn’t know babies woke up this often. She really did wake up frequently.
“You’re not sick, are you?”
Geommugeuk placed his hand on Hayeon’s forehead.
It doesn’t look like there is a fever.
Being a martial arts master and parenting were entirely separate matters. Just as the level of martial arts attainment was endless, so too was parenting. One could demolish a cliff with a single blow, but one could not stop a crying child. There was no way to find a countermeasure.
“I’ll watch it, so get some sleep.”
“Thank you.”
Just then, there was a presence outside. Geommugeuk could tell who the visitor was at this late hour just from that presence.
“Yeona, let’s go for a walk in the yard with Daddy.”
When Geommugeuk went out into the yard holding the baby, his father was already there.
“What brings you here at this hour?”
“I just couldn’t sleep, so I stopped by by chance while taking a walk.”
Could that be true? He must have come to visit after hearing that Ian is struggling with childcare these days.
“I’ll let you two get some sleep, just for one hour.”
“Father?”
Geom Woo-jin nodded.
“You are so kind!”
Geommugeuk handed Hayeon, whom he was holding, over without hesitation. Hayeon, who had been crying, stopped and looked at her grandfather.
Was it because she was in an unfamiliar embrace? He turned around with his granddaughter, who was staring at him with wide eyes.
“Hayeon, let’s go play with your grandpa.”
Hayeon did not cry until she went outside the door.
When Geommugeuk entered the room, Ian had also heard the entire conversation that had taken place outside.
“Will Father be alright?”
“It’s Father, of all people. He’s fine. Don’t worry, let’s go to sleep.”
Geom Mu-geuk lay down on the bed with Ian.
As soon as Ian, who had been having trouble sleeping lately, fell asleep, Geom Mu-geuk silently got up from the bed and left the room.
No, it’s not okay!
How could Father put Hayeon to sleep when even the two of them were struggling?
Geom Mu-geuk lunged forward.
As he disappeared, Ian opened his eyes in bed. Right, that worrier wouldn’t just sleep peacefully after leaving his daughter with his father.
Okay, anyway, please have the prosecutors look after our Hayeon just for today.
Geom Mugeuk arrived at his father’s quarters when Ian had fallen into a deep sleep.
He expected to hear Hayeon crying, but the house was quiet.
When Geommugeuk entered the room, he was startled by the sight before him.
Both his father and Hayeon were wearing identical floral pajamas. It appeared they had prepared baby-sized floral pajamas that fit Hayeon in advance.
Hayeon was sleeping soundly in her father’s arms.
As Geommugeuk opened his eyes wide in surprise, his father shushed him and
carefully laid Hayeon down on the bed.
How on earth did you do that?
Worried that he might wake up, Geommugeuk sent a telepathic message.
Believe it or not, I am someone who raised two sons.
Come to think of it, my father once said something like that. He recounted how he ran to the horse doctor holding his feverish older brother, while bringing down his own raging fever by wiping himself with lukewarm water. It meant that being the second child gave him that much more leeway.
You are amazing, Father.
The sword dance went to my daughter. Why did you make your mom suffer so much when you sleep so well like this?
It seems the kid has already figured out what kind of person Grandfather is.
After all, whose daughter is she to be so clueless? Right, she is someone you have absolutely nothing to lose by making a good impression on.
Geom Woo-jin smiled and looked down at Ha-yeon.
I’ll let it slide sometimes.
* * *
A new painting hung in the Geommugeuk room.
The picture of her dancing with friends on her wedding day was pushed to the corner, and Hayeon’s painting took its place.
From the picture of her as a baby not long after birth, to the picture of her taking her first steps, and now the picture of her wearing a small wooden sword about two handspans long at her waist.
Just as the child had grown, Jangho’s painting skills had improved significantly.
Time really flies.
It feels like he was born just the other day, but he is already running around and speaking quite well.
Geommugeuk turned his head toward the window.
Someone poked their head over the wall and then stepped back down.
As Geommugeuk left the room, he spoke.
“What are you staring at like that?”
Then, Blood Heaven Demon entered the courtyard.
“Peeking? What are you talking about? I just glanced as I was passing by.”
“You even used your Lightness Technique?”
Geommugeuk guessed why Hyeolcheondoma had come.
If you came to see Hayeon, you are a step too late.
In an instant, a look of disappointment flashed across Blood Heaven Demon’s face.
“Wait, the cult leader doesn’t even do any work?”
“It seems he doesn’t.”
Blood Heaven Demon let out a hollow laugh.
“Is she really that great?”
It wasn’t just because her father liked him. Hayeon was very attached to her grandfather. Even when playing with her mom and dad, she would ask to be taken to see him because she missed him. That time was Ian’s break time. He would quietly drink a cup of tea, and sometimes even practice martial arts.
Blood Heaven Slayer suddenly spoke.
It’s finally this year.
Geommugeuk nodded.
The five years he had promised his father were this very year. And this month, with only a few days left.
He asked his father for five years. Even when he asked again at that time, he said that if his father’s dream was the unification of the martial arts world, he would stand at the forefront of that war.
Time really flies.
I thought it would never come, but after giving birth to and raising a child, that day arrived before I knew it.
“You rascal, are you talking about the passage of time in front of me?”
Geommugeuk laughed. “Yeah, someone once said that. That in your twenties, time passes at the speed of the Lightness Technique, Level 2, and in your thirties, at Level 3. Someday, it will race at the speed of the Great Technique, won’t it?”
“I thought you would be carrying out a plan this year?”
“What plan?”
“I thought you would go around seeking out the Demon Lords and asking them to oppose the unification of the Martial World.”
“Would you grant my request if I asked?”
Blood Heaven Demon shook his head.
“I probably won’t be able to grant it.”
Geommugeuk nodded, saying he knew it would happen.
“If you, Elder, cannot do it, who among the other Demon Lords will? I do not want to burden you unnecessarily.”
You used to push me hard while putting all sorts of pressure on me.
“Did you grow up a little now that you’ve become a father?”
Geommugeuk wore a meaningful expression.
“No, this is also a strategy.”
“A strategy?”
“I intend to settle the matter right there on that day.”
As if to say that was really the case, Geommugeuk revealed the reason why he did not visit.
“If I visit them in advance to make a request, the conclusion will likely be that it is unavoidable. However, on that day, I will execute a strategy to win the sympathy of the Demon Lords. I want them to think, ‘Ah, the Young Sect Leader is going to such lengths; I must step forward to help.’”
I thought that while it might be different for other people, it could be true for a sword dance drama.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“This is also a strategy. The Young Cult Leader is treating me so frankly; how could I not help? I must help, even if it’s just me!”
Blood Heaven Demon wore a look of disbelief.
He was seeing at least one thing correctly: that even if he went to check beforehand, the conclusions would be predetermined.
“Will Father’s dream remain the same?”
“I can’t know the Cult Leader’s true feelings. However…”
After a brief pause, Blood Heaven Demon calmly added.
The cult leader is probably trying, too.
The sword dance drama could understand the meaning contained in that word, effort.
At that time, there was another visitor there. He was Mabul.
“What brings you here?”
“I went to the Central Plains and bought some clothes for Hayeon on my way back.”
Mabul handed me the wrapped clothes. He was the kind of person who seemed like he would never buy children’s clothes in his life.
“Thank you.”
“Where is Hayeon?”
I was planning to just see your face since I was here anyway.
You are a step too late.
Mabul also realized that Hayeon had gone to the cult leader again.
Blood Heaven Demon cracked a joke at Mabul.
Please take a number and stand in line. It’s my turn next.
Then someone else spoke from behind.
“What is the order? Whoever comes first on that day gets to play with Hayeon.”
He was none other than Chwima.
Blood Heaven Demon looked at him with a “Where did this drunkard come from?” expression, but Chwima did not back down.
“Senior, it’s been ten days since I quit drinking. I’m sensitive right now, so don’t bother me.”
“Why did you quit drinking?”
When Chwima could not answer, Geommugeuk answered instead.
Hayeon said she didn’t like it because it smelled like alcohol.
Blood Heaven Demon looked at Chwima with a bewildered expression.
“But what if Chwima quits drinking just because of that?”
“That is why I’m telling you not to talk like a number ticket.”
Mabul seemed unwilling to get involved in the fight for the numbered tickets.
“I just came to hand over the clothes. Let me know if they don’t fit. I’ll exchange them for you.”
Geommugeuk spoke to Mabul, who was about to turn around and leave.
“Hayeon really likes Mabul-nim.”
“Me?”
Mabul was startled. Hyeolcheondoma and Chwima also pricked up their ears.
“You asked a few days ago when you could see Grandpa Golden Buddha, didn’t you?”
“Does he really like me?”
“It seems he finds the light emanating from your body fascinating and pleasant. Being short also makes him feel a bit closer to me.”
Mabul’s expression brightened. The parts he considered his weaknesses had acted as points that Hayeon liked.
“Still, meeting someone like me won’t be of any help to Hayeon.”
Seeing him needlessly take a step back, Chwima suddenly spoke.
“If you look at it that way, aren’t I a drunkard?”
Blood Heaven Demon also chimed in.
“Would I be any different? I am someone whose nickname includes the character for ‘blood.’”
“Still, Master Thomas, don’t you read a lot of books? It will be of great help to Hayeon.”
To Hayeon, Doma’s nickname was Grandpa Book. She liked visiting Blood Heaven Doma’s house because there were many books.
Blood Heaven Demon asked Geom Mu-geuk.
“Who does Hayeon like the most among the Demon Lords? You must know, right?”
The three Demon Lords’ eyes sparkled in unison. Because he is Grandpa Book, because he is Grandpa Golden Buddha, and because he has quit drinking!
The person who answered Geommugeuk was a truly unexpected figure.
It’s the Poison King.
Everyone was disappointed by the mention of the Poison King, yet at the same time, they were curious.
“Why? Didn’t you say the Poison King gave Hayeon a hard time last time?”
The Poison King increased Hayeon’s resistance to poison through various methods. As a result, he transformed her constitution so that, while not making her immune to all poisons, she would not be poisoned by most. It
was most effective when performed when she was young, but it was a task that could never have been entrusted without the absolute trust Geom Mu-geuk and Ian had in the Poison King.
Anyway, it will be a tough job for Hayeon, so the Demon Lord she hates the most has to become the Poison King.
“Why the Poison King?!”
Geommugeuk answered the jealous shouts of the three demon lords.
He’s handsome.
Blood Heaven Demon and Demon Buddha sighed and licked their lips. The Poison King was even the most youthful-looking person.
However, Chwima’s reaction was different from theirs.
“I can’t admit it! If only the smell of alcohol would go away, I could win!”
However, it was impossible to win.
The Poison King walked over from a distance, showing what he was holding in his hand and sealing the popularity ranking.
They were twelve small, cute pouches, each adorably embroidered with the twelve zodiac animals, such as rats, oxen, rabbits, and tigers.
I prepared everything because I didn’t know what Hayeon would like.
