Ha Ham's Secret Request
He Ham grasped one of Seo Jun's hands and led him in the direction he wished to go.
"White Dragon! In that case, why don't you and I slip away to a quiet spot for a drink?"
"Of course, Brother."
Upon arriving in Luoyang, one of Seo Jun's greatest worries—the house contract—had finally been settled. A sense of ease washed over him. Even when He Ham appeared visibly anxious, Seo Jun felt no particular concern. He responded with relaxed confidence.
The pair entered a secluded private room inside a rather splendid tavern situated along the main thoroughfare.
"One bottle of Dukang wine and a couple of the usual snacks we always order."
"Right away, Lord Zuo Cheng."
It seemed He Ham was a regular here. The waiter recognized the familiar order at once, bowed deeply, and vanished from the room.
"Brother Yu Meng, what matter requires my assistance? Please speak freely."
"Haha, you're more impatient than the man who needs the favor. Let's share a few cups once the wine and food arrive, and then I'll tell you."
Seo Jun could see how tightly wound He Ham was. Yet the man clearly didn't want to reveal his unease, forcing himself to appear carefree and composed. What sort of request could possibly make He Ham this anxious?
Time passed, and the wine and dishes He Ham had ordered soon arrived.
Glug, glug, glug—
He Ham filled both Seo Jun's cup and his own to the brim. Then, without touching any of the food, he downed several cups in rapid succession on an empty stomach.
Seo Jun matched his pace and drank quickly as well, though the alcohol had not yet gone to his head.
"Brother, you're drinking far too fast. At least have some snacks with it, or you'll ruin your stomach."
"Do I seem that desperate? ...Yes, I suppose my heart is in quite a hurry right now…."
He let out a long breath. Seo Jun's words seemed to have made He Ham aware of his own restless state. He took a deep, steadying inhale, and some of the tension visibly drained from his face.
"White Dragon, if you agree to the favor I am about to ask, you must swear never to breathe a word of it to anyone. Not even your family. Can you promise me that?"
His face had flushed from the rising wine, and his eyes were bloodshot. He stared intently at Seo Jun, his voice deadly serious.
"Is it truly that important to you, Brother?"
"It is. More than you can imagine… It is a matter upon which my entire life depends."
Seo Jun folded his arms and studied He Ham's face with piercing intensity. Staring so directly at someone he regarded as an elder brother might have been discourteous, yet he needed to read the man's true heart. He had no choice but to look closely.
He Ham's expression, as he waited for an answer, was etched with both anxiety and desperate longing.
"Very well. No matter what, I will keep your secret. Now please tell me exactly how I am to help you, Brother."
"White Dragon! Thank you—truly, thank you!!"
Though he spoke with great emotion, He Ham's mouth still refused to form the actual words. Seo Jun did not press him. From everything the man had shown him so far, he understood that this request was not something easily spoken aloud.
"Huu… White Dragon. I want you to sleep with the woman I am about to name."
"What…? …What did you just say?!"
The request that finally emerged after such prolonged silence was so utterly unexpected that Seo Jun's eyes widened in shock.
"Brother Yu Meng! Are you truly asking me to… to share a bed with the woman you speak of?"
"Yes. I am asking you to impregnate her. That is my most earnest plea."
"Haa… Brother, that is far beyond anything I imagined."
Seo Jun found himself momentarily at a loss. He Ham's request was so unexpected that he struggled to reach a decision.
"Can you at least tell me who the woman is?"
"That… I cannot say right now."
"Brother, is it to be only once? Or must it continue until she conceives?"
"Until she is with child."
"This truly is a matter of utmost importance to you, isn't it?"
"It is!"
After hearing He Ham's resolute confirmation, Seo Jun's mind began to race.
Should I accept this? Or should I refuse?
If he at least knew the woman's identity, the choice might have been simpler. With no information at all, the situation felt slightly awkward.
In moments like this, I should trust my instincts.
"I understand. Since this is the first time Brother has come to me with such a difficult request, it is only right that I help you."
Following the gut feeling that flashed through his mind, Seo Jun made his decision. He allowed a touch of playful generosity into his voice as he readily gave his word.
He had no idea which woman He Ham had in mind, but so long as it would not create major complications later, Seo Jun saw little reason for concern. After all, during his days as a dimensional mercenary, he had lain with alien beings whose appearances would have been considered extremely bizarre by human standards. Even if the woman turned out to be exceptionally unattractive, he possessed more than enough mental fortitude and experience to close his eyes and fulfill the act of impregnation.
"White Dragon, it was no small thing I asked of you, yet you accepted without hesitation. I am truly grateful. I will never forget this kindness. Once the date and location are decided, I will send word to you separately. Please do not forget our promise and make certain you clear your schedule."
The moment Seo Jun gave his firm consent, the tension that had gripped He Ham's body finally loosened. A wave of relief washed through him. Yet even though he had received permission and should have been overjoyed, an inexplicable sorrow stirred somewhere deep in his heart.
"Then, Brother, I shall take my leave here for today. Thank you again, and please—do not forget what we agreed upon!"
With slightly slumped shoulders, He Ham rose from his seat. After extracting one final confirmation from Seo Jun, he gave a small wave and quickly departed the private room.
Seo Jun watched as He Ham hurried out of the tavern and vanished into the crowd. He had indeed agreed to accept what might prove an awkward request, all to strengthen their bond. Whether this choice would prove wise or foolish remained to be seen. For now, he could only trust his exceptional intuition.
When evening came and Seo Jun returned to the annex of the inn, he gathered the family's key figures and convened a family meeting.
Seol Ryeon, Yi Hyeon, Xu Huang, Kang Su, Po Han, Po Cheol, Na-Pa, and Cho Gae-je—eight people in total—sat on either side of him.
Among those currently affiliated with the family, everyone in a position to offer meaningful opinions on important matters had been assembled.
"I have joyful news. That is why I asked you all to gather."
Anticipation bloomed on every face at Seo Jun's words. They all knew he had been tirelessly searching for a suitable house, so they could roughly guess what he was about to say. Still, hearing the words directly from him was entirely different from merely speculating. None of them could hide their excitement.
"We have finally secured the home where our long-awaited family will live!"
Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!
"Haha! Hahaha! Excellent!"
"I'm so glad it was found quickly!"
Amid the sound of applause, Po Han's hearty laughter boomed through the room.
"Husband, did a fine house become available?"
"Where is it located?"
"Will there be enough space for all our family members to live comfortably?"
The questions poured out all at once as everyone gave voice to their curiosity about the new home they would soon inhabit.
"One moment! I will explain everything slowly, so please quiet down for a little while."
Seo Jun raised a hand to gently restrain the excited chatter.
"The house is somewhat old, but it has been excellently maintained. Its scale is quite large as well—so large that even after our entire family moves in, there will still be ample room to spare."
"It's fortunate we found such a place in Luoyang. From what the inn servants told me, securing a large residence inside the city walls is no easy task."
"It hadn't been on the market long, and because the property carries a bit of a story, others were hesitating. We were able to sign the contract immediately."
Seol Ryeon had been deeply worried that Seo Jun would struggle after hearing the servants' accounts, but the news of the successful contract brought a bright smile to her face.
"A story, you say?"
"Yes, Sister. It's rather a pitiful tale."
"Hmm… It doesn't sound like a pleasant story. Family Head, is it truly all right to move into a new home with such baggage?"
"I believe a superstition of that level is something our family can overcome through our own strength."
"Husband, what exactly is the story?"
Unable to contain her curiosity any longer, Yi Hyeon asked directly what kind of tale was attached to their new home.