Chapter 367: Great Happiness.
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 367: Great Happiness.
"Heh heh heh, so who is it?"
Un-jeok-ja burst into laughter as he looked down at Sun-woo from the roof.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Sun-woo feigned ignorance, acting as if he had no idea what the question meant. He suspected the man might just be fishing for information.
"Now, now, Hero Jang. Do not disregard my years of experience. When you reach my age, you start seeing things you’d rather not see."
"Like what, for example?"
"The way you two are constantly engaging in public displays of affection."
Un-jeok-ja spoke with a mischievous smirk.
Whoosh!
Sun-woo’s face flushed crimson in an instant. The thought that their private moments might have been witnessed sent a surge of embarrassment through him.
".........You saw us?"
"I didn't see it directly. I simply felt it."
"............"
Sun-woo kept his mouth shut. He had tried his best to be discreet, but it seemed he had been caught after all.
"By the way, you really are quite the rogue. To think you'd have wandering eyes when you already have Tang Seo-yoon, the Greatest Beauty of Sichuan."
"..........I have no excuse."
Sun-woo lowered his head deeply.
"Well, she’s the one who should be blaming you, so there’s no need for me to join in."
Un-jeok-ja continued with a snicker. "Now, out with it."
"Out with what?"
"The worry you've been nursing deep inside."
"............"
"I already know enough as it is, don't I? Don't hide it. I'll keep your secret strictly confidential."
Un-jeok-ja spoke with an amused expression.
".....Are you serious?"
"Of course. I swear it by the Primordial Heavenly Lord."
"Sigh....... Fine."
Faced with Un-jeok-ja’s persistent questioning, Sun-woo gave in. Judging by the Taoist's intuition, he seemed to know everything anyway, and swearing by the Primordial Heavenly Lord gave him a sense of reliability. He felt he could trust the man enough to vent some of his stifling thoughts.
"Come up here first."
Un-jeok-ja patted the roof beside him.
"On a night like this, one should have a drink with the moon as a snack and clear their heart through honest conversation."
"Haah."
Sun-woo let out a hollow laugh at Un-jeok-ja’s carefree words. He was being deadly serious, yet the Taoist’s relaxed attitude was so absurd it made him chuckle.
Whoosh.
Sun-woo leaped up toward the roof where Un-jeok-ja sat.
Tap.
Thud.
Landing on the roof, Sun-woo sat down right where he was.
"Here, have a cup first."
As soon as he sat, Un-jeok-ja handed him a small cup of liquor.
"When did you bring this?"
"I had a feeling I’d have a guest tonight."
Un-jeok-ja replied with a slight grin. Seeing that, Sun-woo gave a short laugh and took the cup. He felt like this might turn out to be a decent way to clear his head.
*
"Good heavens, that is truly impressive... To think you seduced the Commandery Princess and the Ice Palace Master at the same time."
Un-jeok-ja asked again, sounding genuinely shocked. He had suspected as much, but hearing it directly from the source felt entirely different.
"Hahaha... It's all my fault for being too charming."
Sun-woo replied, already feeling the effects of the alcohol. Since he wasn't circulating his internal energy to expel the alcohol poisoning, the drinks he kept downing were quickly making him tipsy.
"Goodness, you become quite obnoxious when you're drunk."
Un-jeok-ja remarked with a faint smile.
"Hahahaha, well, being too perfect does make one obnoxious."
"You seem to be in a good mood."
"How could I not be? A beautiful moon, strong liquor, and even a friend to share it with—isn't it perfect?"
Sun-woo blustered, his face flushed red from the drink.
"Well, that's a relief."
Un-jeok-ja grinned. "Now, tell me about your worry."
"............"
"We've been sharing drinks for quite a while now, yet you keep talking about other things."
".......Did I?"
"You did. I understand the instinct to avoid it, but avoidance won't solve anything."
"...........Heh... As expected of a Taoist. You see right through me."
"It's only because you're so distressed that it's written all over your face."
"............"
Sun-woo fell silent at Un-jeok-ja’s words.
"I don't know what it is, but speak freely. My cultivation isn't low; I can react calmly to whatever you say."
Sun-woo finally spoke, his voice slow and heavy.
"Un-jeok-ja."
"Yes?"
"Bukgung Yeon is pregnant."
"Wha... What!?"
Un-jeok-ja blurted out in shock. The search party had only arrived at the Ice Palace a month ago. How could an unmarried woman be pregnant after only a month?
"How is that even possible!?"
Un-jeok-ja asked, his eyes wide with astonishment.
"Didn't you say you'd react calmly no matter what I said?"
"My cultivation must be lacking. More importantly, is that true?"
".....It is."
Sun-woo’s face reddened slightly. A wave of inexplicable embarrassment washed over him.
"Now I finally understand why you were sighing so much. Hahahaha!"
Un-jeok-ja burst into laughter, finally putting the pieces together.
"You find this funny?"
"It's not my problem, is it?"
"............."
"I'm joking."
Un-jeok-ja added with a thin smile.
"That was a very unfunny joke."
"Heh heh, I might actually get hit at this rate."
"You might, if you're not careful."
"Have mercy, my wounds haven't fully healed yet."
Un-jeok-ja laughed playfully before continuing.
"Anyway, if that's the problem, I think I might be able to help."
"You, Taoist Un-jeok-ja?"
Sun-woo looked at him with eyes full of skepticism.
"Why are you looking at me with such doubt?"
"You've never even held a woman's hand, let alone had a child, have you?"
Sun-woo asked with an incredulous expression. What kind of advice could a Taoist who had never even touched a woman give him?
"Ho ho, you really are too blunt. I almost felt hurt."
Un-jeok-ja replied, looking flustered.
"You're allowed to feel a little hurt."
"I may be a bachelor, but I am exceptionally skilled at this kind of life counseling."
"And what exactly is the basis for that claim?" Sun-woo asked, puzzled.
"Because I've been doing this kind of counseling for a very long time."
"What?"
"There are plenty of fathers in the Qingcheng Sect, you know."
"Ah."
Hearing that, Sun-woo recalled that the Qingcheng Sect was a fairly secular Taoist sect where dating and marriage were relatively free. Just as the man said, there were likely many fathers among them.
"They all came to me at first with eyes full of anxiety and worry, just like yours."
"Did their eyes look better after the counseling?"
"No, they still looked anxious and worried."
"Then you're not actually good at counseling, are you?"
"How can a few words change the natural order of things?"
"The natural order?" Sun-woo repeated, looking confused.
"Anyone who hears that their loved one is pregnant with their child will worry just like you. It's because you doubt whether you can be a good father, whether you're truly ready for it."
"............."
"It's not just your struggle. Everyone goes through it. Unfortunately, I don't have a solution for that worry. You have to constantly seek and search for the answer yourself—how to become a good father."
"......Is that so?"
"Indeed. You'll likely find the answer to that worry much later, when your child has grown up. You'll see then what kind of father you were to them."
"....I see."
Sun-woo spoke with a solemn expression.
"But don't worry too much. I'm famous for having a good eye for people. From what I see, you will surely be a magnificent father."
Un-jeok-ja spoke with absolute conviction.
"Is that actually credible?"
"Of course. Just trust me."
Un-jeok-ja smiled. "Now, have another drink."
Sun-woo gave a small laugh and raised his cup. Though nothing was truly resolved, he felt a sense of relief after letting it all out.
"Hahaha, thank you."
Un-jeok-ja let out a hearty laugh. "By the way, did you say thank you to the Ice Palace Master?"
"Say thank you? For what?" Sun-woo asked, looking bewildered.
"Don't tell me you didn't say anything?"
Un-jeok-ja frowned and questioned him back.
"I just hugged her and patted her back."
"Tsk, tsk. How can someone so good at seducing women know so little about a woman's heart?"
"What?"
"Go to her right now."
"Go where?"
"Where else? To where the Ice Palace Master is staying. Go right now, tell her you love her, tell her thank you, and give her a hug."
"It's late at night, so maybe tomorrow..."
"Go now! How can you neglect a woman who is carrying your seed? Go at once!"
Un-jeok-ja waved his hands as if shooing Sun-woo away. With a troubled expression, Sun-woo leaped down from the roof. He never imagined he’d be kicked out so abruptly.
"A man can do a hundred things right, but if he fails just once, he'll be cursed! Especially if you don't share in her joy, you'll be hearing about it for the rest of your life. Now go!"
Un-jeok-ja shouted loudly from above. Sun-woo looked up at him with a reluctant face, then slowly began to walk. It seemed he really did need to go see Bukgung Yeon.
Stroke, stroke.
"Hehehe... Baby... My baby... My little baby..."
Bukgung Yeon was stroking her belly repeatedly with a bright smile. The thought that her and Sun-woo’s child was breathing inside her filled her with overwhelming happiness.
In truth, it still didn't feel real. How could she, who had lived alone for twenty-eight years, suddenly have a child? And only a month after she started having a relationship with a man.
"Hehehe..."
Bukgung Yeon giggled. She had a family now. Someone of her own bloodline. Someone of her lover's bloodline. The one and only successor to the North Sea Ice Palace. She couldn't help but laugh.
"Haa... I'm so happy..."
Bukgung Yeon thought to herself that there could be no greater happiness than this.
Knock, knock.
Just then, the sound of knocking reached her ears.
".....Come in."
Bukgung Yeon spoke, her face flushing slightly.
Creeeeeak.
The door opened, and Sun-woo appeared.
"Aren't you going to ask who it is?"
".....Sun-woo is the only person who would visit me this late at night."
Bukgung Yeon replied, her body swaying slightly with bashfulness.
"Still, ask next time. You never know."
"Fufu, hehehe."
"Why are you laughing?"
"Because it's cute how you're worrying about me."
Bukgung Yeon said with a gentle smile.
".........."
Seeing that smile, Sun-woo fell silent. He felt a bit awkward at her playful reaction.
'Then again, who am I to worry about her?'
Sun-woo thought that he really needed to reach the Profound Realm if he wanted to keep his pride intact. A sudden fire for training began to burn within him.
"Anyway, why are you here?" Bukgung Yeon asked with a mischievous look. "Are you planning to make love again before my belly gets big?"
"..........."
"I'm sorry, but I have to refuse. Your cock is so big, Sun-woo, that it'll reach the baby. I don't want to cause the baby any pain."
Bukgung Yeon shook her head as she spoke.
"But if you really want to, I can use my mouth. My mouth pussy is just as tight as my pussy."
Bukgung Yeon spoke these lewd words as if they were nothing.
"Yeon-ah."
Sun-woo looked at her and spoke.
"Thank you."
"Huh? For saying I'd use my mouth?"
"Not that."
Sun-woo shook his head.
"Thank you for having my child."
"............."
Bukgung Yeon fell silent at Sun-woo’s sudden words. It was something she hadn't expected at all. She was the one who had practically begged him to get her pregnant. She had argued that since they would be far apart and couldn't see each other often, they needed a "result" of their love.
Because of that, she hadn't expected a "thank you." She had assumed he was simply going along with her stubbornness.
But he had said thank you. Thank you for having his child.
Thump.
Her emotions began to surge.
Glisten.
At the same time, tears began to well up in her eyes. She always vowed not to cry, but it seemed she could never keep that promise. Here she was, showing tears again.
"Yeon-ah, I love you."
Sun-woo slowly approached Bukgung Yeon. Then, he gently pulled her into an embrace. He held her tight, as if he would never let go.
"Sob... Hic... Ugh... Waaaaah..."
Feeling the warmth of Sun-woo’s embrace, Bukgung Yeon finally burst into tears. She simply couldn't contain the overwhelming happiness anymore.
"I'm sorry... I couldn't be happy for you right away, could I? I think I was just too overwhelmed by the thought of becoming a father... I should have been the one to be happier and congratulate you more than anyone else... but I couldn't. I'm sorry."
Holding her tight, Sun-woo whispered softly into her ear.
"Hic... No... Sob... Just hearing you say that now... Hic... makes me so... so happy... Sun-woo... I'm so happy... Sob... I love you... I love you so much."
Through her tears, Bukgung Yeon whispered her love for him over and over again. She realized that her thought from a moment ago was wrong.
There was, in fact, a happiness even greater than what she had felt before.
Bukgung Yeon’s beautiful face was a mess of tears and a runny nose. And yet, her lips were curved into a smile of absolute, perfect bliss.