The Long-Awaited Ceremony
As soon as I stepped into Giwangjeo, familiar faces filled the place.
"Has Your Highness Gi Gangwang arrived?"
"We greet Your Highness."
"Mm. Good to see you all. Don't mind me—carry on with your work."
Everyone bowed their heads in greeting, so I waved casually in return.
Today, the ones who deserved the attention weren't me. There were others who needed the spotlight, others who deserved the congratulations. Even as a king, I couldn't hog the limelight. Getting treated like royalty here in Giwangjeo was more trouble than it was worth for me anyway. Grandfather would tease me endlessly if he saw it—just imagining it made me dizzy. He'd probably spend the whole day calling Giwangjeo "Gi Gangwangjeo," insisting it was better managed under me than some retired old man.
'Yeah, that's exactly the kind of thing he'd do.'
My lips curled into a smile without me realizing it. He'd always been at the center of every eccentricity, and whenever something blew up, he was usually the cause.
Yet here he was, watching his grandchildren grow up, his eldest grandson getting married. It hit me anew how mercilessly time marched on.
'It's been decades already.'
The days fighting alongside Great-Grandfather to drive out those Mongol northern bandits. Sweeping away the loathsome Changgang Su-ro Ship-pal Chae. All that felt like decades ago now.
The hottest chapter of my life had burned out, and now it was the era of the young ones who would lead the new age. The waves behind push the waves ahead—that was a truth even I, who practically lived on the Yangtze, couldn't escape.
'Though these new waves are pretty wild.'
Thinking of Han Un darting all over the Central Plains brought a laugh bubbling up. If every trailing wave surged like Han Un, the world would've flipped long ago—into something utterly different from the one us old folks built.
"Gi Gangwang."
"Oh, Yangyang Wang—you're here?"
I was mulling over whether to make new Gi Gangwangbu officials do a full lap around Dasong territory as an initiation rite when Yangyang Wang's voice pulled my attention. I turned to him.
"You beat me here. I didn't even notice the king had arrived."
"Who'd strut around like a king in Giwangjeo? I was keeping quiet in the corner when I heard a familiar voice, so I came to say hello."
"Heh heh. Looks like we'll both have to keep our mouths shut through the whole wedding."
Yangyang Wang nodded without hesitation at my words. To avoid catching that certain elder's eye—the master of this residence—and getting dragged into his pranks, we had to blend in as just two among the countless guests.
"Speaking just between us, I still can't believe Han Un's getting married. Am I the only one?"
"I get the feeling. The guy roamed like he'd never settle down, let alone marry."
"So you thought the same!"
I felt a twinge of guilt toward Han Un, who was probably getting all dressed up right now, but honestly, I never imagined he'd tie the knot. I didn't think his engagement with Yi Yeon would break or that some accident would befall one of them. I was sure they'd stay sweethearts till the end. It was just that progressing to proper husband and wife seemed tough. Settling down somewhere is a prerequisite for marriage, right?
Yet one day he'd blink shut in Jiangnan and wake up in Sichuan; blink again and he'd be in Zhejiang; next thing you know, he pops up in Gansu.
'Figured he wasn't fated for marriage.'
Maybe only Zhang Qian, sent to the Western Regions on Emperor Wu's orders, could compare—or Guo Ziyi, who marched all the way to Beukhae Binggung during the war with the Xiongnu.
"Well, he'll settle comfortably in Kaepyeong from now on, right?"
"Comfortably? Not sure, but at least in Kaepyeong."
I couldn't deny it, so laughter burst out again. True. A guy not even thirty couldn't be counted on to take it easy. Even if I were still Do-eosa, I'd milk a capable young Bu-do-eosa for all he was worth.
"Still, it'll be calmer than roaming the Central Plains, so no need to worry too much."
"Keh heh, fair point."
Of course, as Yangyang Wang said, no matter how much we worked him, it'd be within Kaepyeong's walls. His mind might ache, but his body wouldn't be pushed to the brink. Hunting madmen on the main Yangtze was easier than scouring every tributary for water bandits, after all. Same job, different venue.
"Speaking of, where's Dong-gu Wang? Thought you two would come together."
As I resolved to offer up the water bandits to the Dragon King for Han Un's happy marriage once I got back to Gi Gangwangbu, Yangyang Wang's words made me notice Dong-gu Wang's absence. Come to think of it, where was he? Run over by a carriage on the way?
'He'll show when it's time.'
The worry didn't last. Worrying about a Hwagyeong master was one of the world's most pointless things. Probably late picking up a gift somewhere. Or dragging his feet to avoid catching the elder's eye.
'Should've come late myself.'
Early or late, as long as he arrived before the ceremony, it was fine.
This was the first time vast Giwangjeo felt cramped. Excluding the two kings guarding the borders, virtually every high official in Dasong was here. Even the Baekryeon Cult Leader from the edge of Guangxi sent a proxy to celebrate the marriage.
It had turned into a gathering of Dasong's elite. I'd known the Giwang family line was formidable, but seeing this dazzling lineup of guests filled me with awe.
And this wasn't just Giwangga's joy—it included Akwangga too. The union of Dasong's two noblest houses, barring the imperial family.
'Glad it fit inside.'
Thank goodness the residence could hold all the guests. Otherwise, we'd have been marrying outdoors.
- Ppiae!
- Kkieaek!
As I took deep breaths to calm my trembling heart, Ppiae and Kkieak, guarding my sides like escorts, let out their cries.
"Thanks for sticking by me."
Just looking at my sturdy guards brought a smile. An acid-spitting Millennium Turtle watching over me—what gratitude, what wonder. The poisonless Poison Bird... well, its very existence was intimidating enough.
What mattered was their intent to protect their owner and friend.
- Buoong!
"Hm?"
I turned at the familiar cry to see Buong-i, looking even sturdier than before, trotting over.
"Congratulations on the wedding, brother-in-law. I'm not late, right?"
"Late? We haven't even started."
Sturdier Buong-i and Ryeong-i, whom I suspected of expanding her range. I welcomed the parade of familiar faces—
- Buong!
"Whoa."
A body slam from Buong-i drew an involuntary groan. Our Buong-i. You'd been eating well in the short time apart. That weight was new.
"What the hell have you been feeding this guy?"
"All the scrap metal in the Geum-ui-wi training grounds. The Commandant said it was a godsend—Mak handled what he couldn't."
I nodded immediately. Like Samshik's poison buffet in Shiwandaishan.
"Our Buong-i. Let's walk off that fat around Kaepyeong for a while."
- Buoong?
I tickled his nose, hinting at diet, but Buong-i tilted his head, oblivious to the gravity.
'Sorry, buddy.'
Seeing his innocence softened me, but this was for his own good. Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i shed weight fast from carrying people and roaming. Buong-i couldn't carry riders or roam the Central Plains. To burn off what he ate, he'd need serious exercise—probably two or three laps around Kaepyeong daily.
"Oh, right. The Commandant asked me to pass on his congratulations. He wanted to come but couldn't step away."
"Makes sense for the man running Geum-ui-wi. Tell him his thoughts alone are thanks enough."
"Well... he almost did come."
Horror froze my hand on Buong-i's nose.
"It was just briefly discussed, but there was talk of His Majesty attending in person. Luckily, it ended with me delivering his congratulatory address."
"Phew, dodged a bullet."
"We did."
Relief washed over me. Grandfather and Ak Wang could handle these guests, but the Emperor? Chaos. Sure, superiors among guests wasn't odd—but the Emperor of this era wasn't just a superior. He was parent, teacher, the eternal heaven to serve. My wedding could've turned into his fan meet.
"Anyway, congrats again. His Majesty couldn't come himself, but he sent his address. You're getting congratulations from all Dasong."
"You'll get even more when it's your turn. By then, we'll both have way more connections."
Ryeong-i shuddered visibly. After my wedding as the eldest came hers as the second. By then, settled in Kaepyeong me and active Geum-ui-wi Ryeong-i would have piled up contacts. More guests than today.
"...When Jini goes, Shaolin'll send someone too, right?"
Naturally—when third brother Jini's turn came, the lineup would go wilder. He was studying at Song Mountain, Shaolin's base. Gongsin sects might send reps off that connection.
Heart pounding, I gazed at the carriage. From Akwangjeo to Giwangjeo. Not as Akwangga's eldest granddaughter Ak I-yeon, but as Giwangga's crown princess consort Ak I-yeon.
- Kki-ing!
- Kki-oong~
Staring so long, Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i tied to the carriage greeted me warmly. I managed a smile amid the tension.
At Mother-in-law's suggestion, Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i pulled the carriage. Not ordinary horses, but Baeknok spirit beasts—eye-catching, heaven-blessed.
"Thank you."
Before mounting, I hugged their necks. Thanks for powering my life's best day. For escorting me beautifully to Giwangjeo.
- Kki-ing, kki-iing.
- Kki-ooong.
Did they sense my heart? Softer cries answered. But no face-licking like usual— it'd ruin my makeup.
'Thank you.'
Their consideration warmed my chest. When you have fawns, I'll raise them with all my heart too.