Homecoming Revelry
Giwangga and Ak Wangga had maintained ties for decades thanks to the friendship between Grandfather and Ak Wang. So it wasn't unusual for members of both royal houses to gather in one place. But at some point, such gatherings at Giwangjeo had become rare. We couldn't summon the mobility-impaired Ak I-yeon to Giwangjeo, so whenever there was occasion to meet, Giwangga would head to Akwangjeo instead. After all, it was only proper for the more mobile side to play the role of guests.
How long has it been since it was this lively?
And the once mobility-impaired Ak I-yeon had overcome her struggles to reach the peak realm. Ak Wangga no longer needed to confine itself to Akwangjeo. This gathering, in particular, was to celebrate my return to Kaepyeong. It was a toast to Giwangga's crown prince—holding it at Akwangjeo would have been odd. Thanks to that, Giwangjeo was embracing both houses after a truly long time. Not since Ak I-yeon's qi deviation, it felt like.
"Our Un has broken through the wall to peak realm! Even while rushing all over the Central Plains, he never slacked on his training! That's what we call wenwu jianbi—civil and martial excellence!"
"Well done."
As emotions welled up at the thought that I had truly come home, Grandfather's booming voice rang out. Turning toward the sound, I saw him with one arm slung unilaterally around Ak Wang's shoulders, shaking a wine bottle. Ak Wang, suddenly pinned, nodded with an exasperated expression.
To think he'd announce it himself.
I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. Grandfather knew I'd broken through to peak realm. Yet he'd suggested holding off until the return banquet, implying I should announce my own milestone. But here he was, beating me—the very subject—to the punch. How had he held his tongue this long when his mouth must have been itching to spill? Truly miraculous.
Grandfather's love...
Knowing the source of that miracle, I gazed at him with warm eyes.
If word got out that I'd reached peak realm before returning to Kaepyeong, it might spawn extra assignments. Daesong was notorious for wringing value from its officials—"Since you've hit peak realm, handle this on your way back." Grandfather had kept silent to avert that disaster. He, who boasted about family at every chance and spread news far and wide at the slightest pretext, had held his peace for his eldest grandson.
"Un-a."
"Ah, Father."
Lost in those thoughts and staring blankly at Grandfather, Father patted my shoulder lightly.
"Normally, the protagonist announces their own milestone, but your grandfather dotes on you so much. Don't take it to heart."
"How could I? Truth be told, I was a bit embarrassed to say it myself. I'm grateful Grandfather did it for me."
Father smiled faintly at my words.
"For a martial artist, realm advancement is natural no matter how much you boast. Nothing to be embarrassed about."
"I'm a civil official, not a martial artist..."
"Hahaha!"
In a house where both the king and crown prince were martial artists, here was the crown prince denying his martial identity. It could incense any martial family member, but Father just burst into merry laughter instead of scolding.
"Right, you're a civil official, not a martial artist. Indeed."
"If you're at it, make it a wenwu jianbi civil official, like Grandfather said."
"Still boils down to civil official, you rascal."
Fair enough. With that, Father and I kept laughing. Strange. It wasn't even that funny, yet the mirth wouldn't stop. Was it the homecoming? Reuniting with family after so long?
"Ah, where's Mother?"
After laughing for a good while, I belatedly noticed Mother's absence. We'd exchanged greetings and hugs, but at some point, she'd vanished. If anyone would rejoice most at my return, it was her.
"Over there."
"Ah."
Father pointed, and I understood instantly.
- Buo, buoooo!
- Kkieak!
"Hehe, everyone's eating well. Did Un not feed you properly?"
- Buoong!
- Kkiik!
There was Mother, personally feeding Buong-i and Kkieak-i. The unspoken last conscience of Giwangga. Seeing Buong-i waddling busily around Giwangjeo on short legs and Kkieak-i eyeing food greedily, she couldn't just let it slide. Fortunately, the pair seemed delighted by her attention and affection, coquettishly earning their meals. Good to see they'd bonded in the meantime.
"By the way, Un-a. Your siblings will arrive soon."
"Those two as well? Aren't they busy?"
As I pondered sending Samshik—hiding in my bosom—and Ppiae-i to Mother, Father's words startled me. My siblings were swamped with their own duties, faces rare even at the best of times. I'd assumed they wouldn't make it to Giwangjeo this round either.
"It's not some trivial matter—it's the crown prince's return. Skipping a day like this wouldn't make you family."
I chuckled at Father's firm tone. I could picture my siblings trudging over under his prodding.
Giwangga's first and second generations had one each. Grandfather was an only child, and Father had no siblings. But the third generation made three: me included. That's why Grandfather called me his eldest grandson so diligently. Even with just three, I was still the firstborn.
Anyway: me as Jwa-cheom Do-eosa, Ryeong-i in Geum-ui-wi, and Jin-i at Song Mountain (ostensibly studying, probably slacking). That was Giwangga's third generation. With disparate fields, we rarely crossed paths.
"I'm here."
"I've arrived as well."
Seeing them enter through the main gate felt both glad and awkward. First time since I became Jwa-cheom Do-eosa, it seemed.
"Aigoo, our Ryeong-i and Jin-i are here too!"
As I moved to greet them as elder brother, Grandfather beat me to it, welcoming them heartily. His reaction suggested even he hadn't seen them in ages. What had life been like without me around?
Both in Zhili, no less.
Ryeong-i of Geum-ui-wi resided beyond Zhili in Kaepyeong proper, and Jin-i's rooted Song Mountain lay in Zhili too. No matter how busy, they'd have had time for Grandfather.
The nerve.
My inner Confucian dragon stirred. If the eldest couldn't attend to Grandfather, Father, and Mother, the younger ones should. Skipping visits on 'busyness' excuses? Do you even know what real busyness is? At minimum, breakfast in Zhili, lunch in Seomseo, dinner in Gansu—that's busy. Anything less doesn't qualify.
If I'd been in Zhili, I'd have visited daily.
Heck, even Habuk, Hubei, or Seomseo—I'd have rushed for morning greetings.
"Heh heh, how wonderful to see the siblings together after so long. Gather more often from now on."
Oblivious to my thoughts, Grandfather nudged me toward them. Thus, I faced their gazes after ages. Awkward enough from the gap.
"Long time. Hope you've been well."
I tamped down the awkwardness for a ritual check-in. Thriving comfy in Zhili, naturally—but etiquette demanded it.
"I've been fine, sure. If anything, I should be asking you."
But I hadn't wanted that reply. Ryeong-i eyed me with pity. As if questioning how I'd survived. It stung. Geum-ui-wi being the emperor's guard and intel arm, she'd heard tales of my grueling Central Plains saga, no doubt.
"You didn't die ages ago and come back via necromancy, right? Every report on you had me thinking I'd be crown princess."
"Curse me instead."
I snorted at Ryeong-i's words. Genuine worry, sure—but phrased like a horror curse.
"Seeing you, it looks like you've already—"
"Jin-i, studies going well?"
Fearing more heart-aches, I swiftly pivoted.
"Studying diligently. With brother in Dochalwon and sister in Geum-ui-wi, the youngest can't idle."
His standard, safe response drew a relieved sigh.
"Good. Effort yields results."
"I'll engrave brother's advice in my heart."
Bowing steadily, Jin-i satisfied me. Unlike a certain sister who'd hammered nails into her brother's chest.
Word of brother's return to Kaepyeong prompted my descent from Song Mountain. Father decreed that skipping the welcome for his trials would make one non-family—even if I'd entered Shaolin over Song Mountain, I'd have come down.
He made it back, at least.
Seeing brother stirred odd feelings. He'd chosen the civil path over martial, rocketing to Jwa-cheom Do-eosa thanks to Grandfather. Price? Roaming provinces, tackling crises everywhere but Kaepyeong.
Roaming the provinces. Simple in words, hellish in truth. If Daesong matched Goryeo's east or Wolnam's south, maybe—but this vast Central Plains? Yet brother succeeded. Traversed every corner.
Only Zhang Qian under Emperor Wu of Han might rival his fate.
"Jin-i, studies going well?"
"Studying diligently. With brother in Dochalwon and sister in Geum-ui-wi, the youngest can't idle."
Thus, I answered sincerely. Diligently studying, can't idle.
Buying time with all my might.
I studied for study's sake alone. Gripped scriptures fiercely at any pretext. All to dodge the exams. Avoid brother's or sister's paths.
Family like that, and become an official?
Am I mad? Thrust myself into the inferno? Brother's an outlier, granted—but even Geum-ui-wi sister wasn't comfy. With two of three in the flames, shouldn't the youngest survive? Grandfather and parents would cheer my survival too. Filial piety, of sorts.