There Is No Such Thing as Everyone Being Happy in This World (2)
Having won the sparring match, I finally let out a sigh of relief.
'I protected my family-like maid sisters and my child-like money. No, actually, my "children" just doubled.'
Of course, the congratulations from everyone poured in.
"Aigoo~ Come here, you little cutie. I'll treat you myself!"
Pow!
"Youngest Young Master!!! Quick, take his pulse! Oh no, look how pale his face is! His skin's all dry and rough!"
'More than that, Ilhyang sis? Don't you think you should look after Singui first?'
Singui, who'd been sent flying far away by Ilhyang sis, wore an expression like he'd lost an entire kingdom.
"Y-You... to your master...!"
Perhaps catching his mutter, Ilhyang sis turned back to Singui.
"Master!"
Singui perked up again.
"Yes!"
'Tsk tsk. He wasn't like this before. In just two years, he's turned into a total pushover. At least when it comes to Ilhyang sis.'
The name "Singui" still carried some weight in the Namgung Clan. Not that I agreed.
"That move earlier was a bit over the top..."
"Could you grab about sixty top-grade elixirs from the herb warehouse? The ones good for internal injuries."
"I-Is that all? Nothing else to say to your master?"
"Oh! There is."
"I knew it. My Ilhyang wouldn't be so rude..."
"Please call all the doctors from the medical hall here too. There seem to be more patients needing treatment than expected."
"......"
"Master, what are you waiting for? Hurry!"
"A-Alright."
I watched Singui trudge away with pity in my eyes. If Ilhyang sis had said something wrong, I might've comforted him, but nope—my Ilhyang sis was as sharp as ever.
After that, Ihyang sis and Samhyang sis dropped by, along with Sinyejang. Then Namgung Je-cheon showed up making a huge racket.
"As expected, so cool! Sure, in today's match, the Youngest Young Master just dodged around like a thieving cat, but a win's a win!"
Whack!
Namgung Ilro elder, who'd snuck up, smacked the back of Namgung Je-cheon's head.
"Tsk tsk, what kind of mouth is that for our hardworking Youngest Young Master? Besides, without his quick thinking at the end, we'd have even more needless casualties."
Ah! As expected, the elder gets it.
Namgung Je-cheon slinked away, putting some distance between him and Namgung Ilro.
"Master always hits only me!"
'Tsk tsk, you need more beatings. Namgung Ilro elder, hit him harder!'
"Isn't that right, Youngest Young Master? Say something!"
Still hasn't learned his lesson. Anyway, say something...
I glanced around. The spectators who'd filled the stands were starting to leave. The clan leaders seemed to be heading back to their posts too.
Namgung Jung bro pulled off the amazing feat of looking both depressed and like he'd taken a solid hit at the same time. Still, he didn't forget to console the Daeyeon Geomdan members who'd fought hard.
Well, their captain still couldn't lift his head, but bro just patted the captain's daegari a few times as if that granted absolution.
The other bros had vanished long ago, and same for the old man at home.
'Weird. Did he really just show up to watch today?'
Maybe he's finally grown up? Nah, no way.
Right then, Singui arrived leading the doctors. They scattered immediately to tend to the patients lying on the arena floor.
Thankfully, most had only minor internal injuries. The seriously hurt ones were just me, the elder grandpa, and Stubby-nose grandpa.
Treatment wrapped up quickly. Elder grandpa swallowed a Recovery Pill from Singui, did a bit of qi circulation meditation, and suddenly looked as lively as if he'd never passed out. What terrifying recovery.
The Daeyeon Geomdan members gradually stood, supporting each other, reformed their ranks just like at the start, and lined up behind Namgung Jung bro.
At that moment, bro approached me. His daegalbak guys tried to block him, but I raised a hand to stop them.
Bro extended his hand to me.
"Impressive. I never thought I'd lose. This is a complete defeat for me."
I reached out and clasped his hand.
"Just luck. If we went again, I wouldn't stand a chance."
"Don't be modest, kid. The loser should step aside for the victor."
As bro turned to leave, he spotted Ilhyang sis who'd treated his squad and bowed his head.
"Thank you for treating my men."
Ilhyang sis quickly bowed back.
"N-No, it's nothing."
Watching them, I felt a strange vibe.
'Well, well? Why's Ilhyang sis's face red? And why's bro acting all shy, unlike his usual self?'
Could Ilhyang sis... have scored again? I thought it was a dream last time, but waking up confirmed it was real.
With bro gone, only me, the daegalbak uncles, and the others involved remained.
Jingle jingle.
Right on cue, Old Man appeared lugging two heavy pouches. He kept one and tossed the other to me.
"Even you bet on me, Old Man. Heh, looks like you made a killing."
I grinned at him, feeling the pouch's weight.
"Not as much as the Youngest Young Master, I bet?"
"Kekeke."
"Kekekeke."
"Kekekeke."
"Kekekekeke."
"Kekekekeke."
Our expressions and laughs were starting to mirror each other. Not that I hated it.
Namgung Je-cheon, who'd been hiding behind Ihyang sis to avoid Namgung Ilro elder, peeked out and spoke up.
"Youngest Young Master! You still haven't said it. We can't let a day like this pass. Let's throw a feast!"
That's right! It's been ages, and we've made a ton of money! Time to celebrate a bit.
I addressed the group.
"Tonight, it's on me! Let's eat and drink till we drop!"
Old Man jumped in right away.
"Don't worry about the head chef, food, or booze. I'll handle it. And no need to fret about the cost, right?"
"Haha, of course! Skimping on a day like this is for stingy bastards!"
"As expected of Old Man!"
"Long live Old Man!"
"Long live!"
"This victory is for Old Man!"
No, daegalbak uncles! I paid for it!
I wanted to remind them who the real sponsor was, but I got stopped.
"Stay still! I can't give you acupuncture like this!"
"A-Alright."
Where'd that blushing girl from earlier go?
* * *
Night had deepened. Unlike usual, the Namgung estate was quiet. Except for one place.
Sounds poured nonstop from Cheonryongjeon.
Inside, all sorts of dishes were being whipped up, and empty bottles littered the floor.
"Did you see? Didja see? Daeyeon Geomdan crumbling under my attacks!"
"Kekekekeke! Feels so damn good! I could die without regrets now!"
"Yeah! Eat and die today!"
"For Old Man!"
"For him!"
Those uncles are doing that on purpose, right? Yelling it loud so I hear?
"Kekeke, well done."
Ilseon Daesa plopped down beside me.
"You did great too, monk grandpa. Just so you know, I bought this. Got it? Splurging big time."
"Haha! On a night like this, who cares who's paying."
I do. This is all my hard-earned cash!
"I care!"
"Tsk tsk, if you say so."
Felt like I was kowtowing for drinks.
'Never buying again.'
"Never imagined a day like this would come. You probably don't know how long it's been since they've laughed and chatted so freely."
"Weren't they laughing and yelling when I headbutted them not long ago? Louder than this kekeke—they went 'Krawrawrawra!!' or something."
And the loudest one was this guy right next to me.
"Ahem, Amitabha. That wasn't sincere."
"Nu, nu."
Ilseon Daesa chugged straight from the bottle.
"Thanks."
He dropped the same line as before, but this time it felt different. Softer, like it carried moisture.
This old man's always had a knack for hitting deep out of nowhere since we met.
'Thanks, huh...'
I kinda understood the emotions they were feeling.
"Thanks for what? I didn't do much."
I'd been through similar frustrations, so I got it. If anything, I might owe them thanks. Without these daegalbak uncles, I couldn't have pulled this off today.
"Aigo, so heavy."
Then Sinyejang emerged from the back carrying something. Ilseon Daesa tossed his bottle and snatched it from her.
"Thanks my ass~"
What was Mujikja old man up to? Easy to spot—he was grinning at the sky in a corner.
"Silly old fool. Eh, this ain't bad."
A feeling I'd never experienced before. Like chasing something your whole life, then pausing to catch your breath.
"Hehehe, Young Master! What's next?"
With Ilseon Daesa gone, our nutjob showed up.
"Dunno. Right now, this is fine."
I figured nutjob would be whooping it up, yelling about conquering Murim.
"Have a drink."
But he just quietly refilled my empty cup and sat beside me. Then topped off his own.
I eyed nutjob curiously.
"Hehe."
He grinned.
'Should I smack him?'
I resisted the urge. Another growth milestone. Good job, Namgung Daeso!
Nutjob spoke shyly.
"Truth is, this is my first time doing something like this... but it's not bad sometimes."
Namgung Je-cheon had drunk plenty before—with Gunsajeon folks, during work, obligatory stuff. But he'd never felt this vibe.
Like a big family gathered for the holidays, laughing and chatting.
"Glad I met you, Youngest Young Master."
"Yeah?"
"Yes! So, how about giving me Ihyang sis?"
There it is. That's the nutjob I know.
"Want me to call Namgung Ilro elder? Drink quietly."
"This is why I like you, Youngest Young Master! I'll be loyal forever."
That's the last thing I want.
Then the gate creaked open.
I asked nutjob, "Did we order more food or booze?"
"Don't think so."
"Right?"
Rumble rumble.
Dozens of strangers poured in, buzzing with excitement for some reason.
"Whoa~ Already started, huh?"
"Come on! Everyone scatter and sit."
They rattled off orders to the lounging head chef like pros.
"Two roast ducks here."
"Add one duck soup here."
"Ten chicken skewers here."
"Booze's out here? Bring ten bottles."
I stared at the absurd scene in a daze.
Funny thing: total strangers, yet the daegalbak uncles were toasting them like lifelong pals.
'What is this affinity?'
Almost Hwagyeong level.
One of them approached me—the highest-ranking by his looks. He bowed deeply.
"Thanks for the invite."
Who invited who? I had zero memory of that.
And then it happened. Another dozens streamed through the gate.
"Nutjob, you plan this?"
"You know I don't pull stunts anymore."
"True. You'd get your daegari smashed. So whose doing is this? Someone siccing them on me to bleed me dry?"
My money...!! What do I do?