The Nation Shall Guarantee the Rites of Capping, Marriage, Mourning, and Sacrifice - 1
The roving bachelor Left Deputy Censor-in-Chief Han Un, who had dashed across the Central Plains like a dog, was dead. Now came the era of the married Right Assistant Censor-in-Chief Han Un, planted firmly in Kaepyeong, sifting through intelligence from across the realm.
A role that turned the brain instead of the body. A position that reviewed reports sent by others rather than hunting them down firsthand. Excluding the top duo of Left and Right Censor-in-Chiefs, it was the pinnacle of the Dochalwon.
"Honey, you're awake?"
"Yeah. Did you sleep well too, Yeon-i?"
No more waking and sleeping alone like a bachelor. Now, he shared a bed with his beloved. It was such a beautiful reality that a smile bloomed unbidden.
Left or Right Deputy, it didn't change that he was a Dochalwon heavyweight. So why not pick the post that let him dig in at the capital over one that sent him gallivanting nationwide? Sure, the Left Deputy was technically central-bound too in normal times, but let's gloss over that minor snag.
Plus, though promoted to Right Assistant, he didn't need to dive into duties right away. He was a fresh groom, freshly evolved from bachelor to married man just yesterday.
Of the four essential rites—capping, marriage, mourning, sacrifice—he'd checked off marriage. Choosing to advance through the world not alone, but together. Even in this wild 14th-century backwater, no one would yank a bureaucrat fresh from his wedding back to work after a single day.
"Yeon-i."
"Yes, honey?"
"Just calling your name."
He pulled Ak I-yeon, lying beside him, straight into his arms. He looked because he missed her. Called because he wanted to. Hugged because he could. No reason to hesitate. This room held only them, and they were no longer mere fiancés but official husband and wife.
What kind of marriage involved eyeing each other warily?
"Eep."
"Hm?"
"S-sorry. It just stings a bit."
Seeing her smile in shy embarrassment made him chuckle sheepishly too. A phase every newlywed passed through. They'd filled the night and dawn so thoroughly that her little wince was only natural.
But what could he do? They'd received blessings from spirit beasts—supposedly heaven-sent—no fewer than six times. Samshik, the three-headed one, had even gifted three plump apples.
With blessings and hints that massive, sitting idle wouldn't be human.
'If kids are coming anyway, better they arrive on an auspicious day.'
Like running auto-hunts during double EXP events. Or shopping during a mega sale.
The analogy was a tad off, but everything in the world had its proper timing. And for him and Ak I-yeon—no, Yeon-i—the time was now. With the spirit beasts channeling auspicious energies their way.
"...Shall we lie here a bit longer?"
At his words, Yeon-i blinked, then smiled—not in embarrassment, but pure happiness.
"Sure. Truth be told, my body's still sore. Not sure I could move just yet anyway."
"Should I apologize?"
"I should be thanking you."
No need to spell out what for. Spouses didn't need to dissect every detail—that lacked style. Some things just clicked without words.
- Shiiik, shiiiiiik.
- Sieeeeeek.
- Shiuuuuuk...
He was about to suggest lounging till lunch when familiar cries echoed from beyond the door.
"Heh, think it's safe to let them in now?"
"Yeah. They've probably been waiting for us to get up."
The cries were so familiar and plaintive that both he and Yeon-i burst out laughing.
Samshik loved burrowing into sleeves or against his chest. Even Buong-i, who preferred sticking close but still roamed playfully, was outgoing. But Samshik was introverted, steadfastly clinging to his body.
Even when venturing off, it stayed within sight. The exception? Devouring the poison buffet courtesy of the Baekryeon Cult Leader in the Shiwandaishan mountains.
For his master's wedding, that loyal Samshik had parted from him briefly. At his mother's request, it appeared as an apple-munching snake, then got dragged to another room to avoid disturbing the newlyweds' first night.
Thus forming a temporary divided family. Come dawn, Samshik had rushed back to their room. Now begging for its cozy sleeve nook.
"Come on in."
- Shiiiiiiik!
- Sieeek!
- Shiuuuuuk!
He rose slightly, opened the door himself, and there was Samshik, coiled right outside. It scrambled up his body to the sleeve in a flash.
"Anyone'd think we'd been apart for years."
Reality? Not years—barely hours.
- Shiiik!
But Samshik coiled around his arm like those hours had been years. A white bracelet on his wrist. Its fierce resolve: Never parting again.
"Folks say snakes in dreams mean a baby on the way, but we've got a real one."
Yeon-i's quip at the sight set him laughing again. True enough. Snakes in dreams or cradled in arms signaled impending birth. But theirs was no dream—real snake. Not just any, but a white spirit beast with three heads.
"Our Samshik's a bundle of blessings."
Clinging right after their first night, hinting at three healthy kids. He stroked its three heads gently; Samshik wagged them every which way in delight. Thrilled to have helped its master.
If Yeon-i sensed pregnancy qi, he'd stuff Samshik with all its favorite eats.
Only when the sun hit midday did they finally emerge.
- Kki-ing.
- Kki-ooong!
"What, you guys were waiting too?"
Stepping out, Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i rose from loaf positions to greet them. He'd expected Samshik's fierce homing instinct, but not these two camping outside.
Touching, really.
"You eat yet?"
- Kki-ing, kki-iing!
- Kki-ooong~
They answered by licking his face. Right—wild enough to fend for themselves. Starving in prime grazing? That'd be the real oddity.
"Finally up, eh?"
"Ah, Grandfather."
"Great-grandpa. Sleep well?"
Yeon-i, emerging just then, greeted Giwang—whose mouth stretched ear to ear.
"Heh heh, hearing 'great-grandpa' from grandson and granddaughter-in-law in my own house. Feels like I've checked every box manhood demands."
"Every box? You've still gotta hear 'great-great-grandpa' from our kids."
"Right you are! Forgot that one!"
Giwang nodded vigorously, pleased, then patted the deer licking his face.
"Gotta see our great-grandkids grow tall enough to ride these beasts. Only then can I close my eyes for good!"
- Kki-ing!
- Kki-ong!
The deer nodded too. They loved bearing humans. Right after meeting in Hyeong-san, they'd thrown fits at the carriage idea—deer-riding felt wrong.
So yeah, they'd gladly lend backs to master's kids. Refusal might spark a hunger strike protest.
... 'Gotta have those fawns soon.'
Samshik foretold three kids. Deer pair: two. One short. Kids needed mounts aplenty, or sibling squabbles over backs loomed.
To avert chaos, one more deer. Kki-ang-i, Kki-eng-i, whatever—just one fawn, please.
"Oh, Un-a."
"Y-yes?"
"The Emperor seeks you. Come to the Gonghuwon when you have time."
"Pardon?"
Bolt from blue skies—he flinched. Fresh groom here, and the Emperor summons already? Too soon...
"No need to startle. Not work—congratulations. Said 'when you have time,' not 'now.'"
"I-is that so?"
"Aye. Go easy. Note the qilin and Do-cheol are in the Gonghuwon too."
News of the beasts now fully Emperor's pets drew a snort. Do-cheol, divine descendant (0.03% Ham-yu), counted as godly. Qilin—auspicious enough that even Kki-ing-i and Kki-ong-i treated it like royalty.
Now tamed pets. No wonder they called him Son of Heaven.
'Collecting the Four Auspicious Beasts next, maybe.'
After sa-ryeong and sa-hung? Naturally sa-sin. Though sa-sin meant divine from the name. They existed like the others, but even the Emperor couldn't touch them. Wielding Zhuque, Xuanwu, White Tiger, Azure Dragon? Terrifying.
"After the Gonghuwon, let's head out together. Place to go."
"H-how... far?"
"Sachon—bit distant. But must-go."
Giwang's solemn tone got an instant nod. He'd flown to him before, but never invited along. Grandsonly duty to oblige.
"Granddaughter-in-law coming too? Needs you both for meaning."
"Yes, great-grandpa. I'll prep to leave anytime."
"Good our girl takes after Ak Hyeon-i less. He'd have cursed me out first for dragging you off."
Giwang's cackle had him averting eyes quietly. High odds that wasn't Ak Wang's temper—decades of experience talking.
Emperor said "when free," but none dawdled on imperial summons.
"Right Assistant, you've arrived. Regretted missing your wedding—glad to congratulate now."
"You know your duties keep you swamped—how could I hold it against you? Grateful for the courtesy."
Lunch scarfed, they raced to the Gonghuwon. Exchanged pleasantries with the ever-present Geum-ui-wi Ji-hwi-sa at the gate.
"Enter. His Majesty just arrived."
He bowed to the stepping-aside commandant and advanced. Not the grim Wuying Hall office, but the Emperor's leisure spot—the Gonghuwon. Less pressure seeing him here—
- Kiriring!
'Oh.'
Familiar cry rang out. The qilin charged from afar. Even sa-ryeong greeted old friends warmly. News to him.