There Is No Such Thing in This World as Everyone Being Happy (4)
“Why’s it suddenly so quiet? Young master, are we done already? I wanted to keep playing…… Thwack!”
“……”
What could I even say right now?
Father showing up here was shocking enough, but this madman had the gall to throw his arm around his shoulder.
I quickly glanced toward my second brother.
He was frozen in the exact pose he’d been in while pouring his drink.
Ah…… the liquor’s spilling over.
That stuff’s expensive.
Everyone here had stopped moving entirely, holding even their breaths with caution.
That was when it happened.
“Ahem.”
Namgung Ilro the elder rose to his feet.
Of course—in times like this, the clan’s most senior figure had to step up!
“I’m not feeling well, so I’ll take my leave. It was a pleasure, young master.”
‘……’
Everyone wore betrayed expressions.
But no one here harbored any ill will toward the elder.
‘Even the strategist doesn’t know what to do right now.’
What had just happened was beyond anyone’s imagination.
Instead, they all watched the elder’s retreating back with envious stares.
I turned my gaze to Namgung Je-cheon, who still had his arm slung over Father’s shoulder.
Would this guy live to see tomorrow’s sun?
How many in the murim had ever insulted the Mushin and lived to tell the tale?
He might just become the first human to formally clash with the Mushin and survive—something even the Demonic Cult leader wouldn’t dare.
‘Old fart…… wasn’t it?’
It wasn’t a bad word. Not really an insult.
Just something you call someone older and a bit stuffy.
But not to their face. Words carry a certain vibe, after all.
“Oh dear! I forgot I had something important today.”
Suddenly, people started excusing themselves left and right.
“Me too!”
These guys?
“Let’s go together. Come to think of it, I’ve got a big contract tomorrow.”
And the empty bottles rolling around in front of them?
Whoa! Stumbling like that, and they can still work?
“Oh no, I forgot I have patients to tend to.”
They say going into the bathroom and coming out are two different things—people surged up from their seats and hurried out.
At least they were decent enough to make up lame excuses on the way.
“Wasn’t there an elders’ meeting today?”
Namgung Cheon the elder said that and hopped the wall to flee.
As far as I knew, the patriarch oversaw elders’ meetings.
“Captain! Didn’t we say we were practicing the joint formation?”
“R-right, we did.”
The Daeyeon Geomdan’s captain and members followed Namgung Cheon over the wall.
Joint formation practice, my ass. Those weaklings practice that crap—these guys should be focusing on solo training!
And just like that, everyone from the strategist’s office, medical hall, financial office, and Daeyeon Geomdan was gone.
All that remained were the Cheonryongjeon family, the maid sisters, the head maid, Sinui, the old man, me, and my second brother.
Second brother quietly stood, approached Father, and bowed.
“Then, until next time.”
And bolted.
‘Is that really my second brother?’
Yeah, life’s precious to everyone.
Except this guy.
“Huh? Where’d everyone go? It’s really over? Thwack! I thought we’d drink all night, but they left early?”
It’s because of you, you lunatic!
I wanted to run too.
“Since it’s come to this, let’s keep enjoying ourselves. Come on! Uh? Why’s the patriarch here?”
I quickly shot Sinui a look.
He was the only one who could salvage this mess.
Sinui nodded and stood.
Then he charged over and smackedNamgung Je-cheon right on the head.
Wham!
‘That’s gotta be fatal, right?’
Even for Sinui, that looked like attempted murder.
Sinui caught the collapsing Namgung Je-cheon and handed him to Ihyang sister.
Ihyang took him, along with Ilhyang, Samhyang sisters, and the head maid, and they all went inside.
Great! At least we got him out of Father’s sight.
That was when Father stood.
‘You maniac! I did my best! Next life, got it? No more, no less—just live normally, please!’
“You were drinking some fine liquor.”
Thankfully, Father didn’t mention the maniac.
Empty bottles floated around him.
“You. And you. Follow me.”
‘Wait, what’s happening?’
Sinui glanced back at me.
Our eyes met—we were both asking the same thing without words.
Did he just point at me?
No point asking……
It seemed we’d get through this quietly somehow.
‘Damn it! Why me?’
Father was already walking off without looking back.
I stood there awkwardly, and everyone around gestured for me to hurry after him.
‘These old bastards! Easy for them to say!’
Sinui grabbed a few snacks and approached me.
“Hurry up. I’ve got a rough idea where he wants us.”
I asked Sinui, “Do you know why Father’s here? And why he called me……?”
“Who knows what’s in that head of his. But I’ve got a guess.”
“What is it?”
“Not something I should say outright. You’ll figure it out eventually. Come on—don’t wanna be late and face whatever punishment he’s got in mind.”
‘Punishment?’
For a split second, terror flashed across Sinui’s face.
Definitely bad news.
I followed him to the slaughterhouse with a heavy heart.
But there was one silver lining thanks to our family weirdo.
‘If this had dragged on a bit longer, I’d have been skinned alive.’
“Hurry up!”
“Coming, coming.”
* * *
Sinui led me to the Family Head’s Quarters.
Father was at the top.
Sinui sat naturally beside him.
I sat next to Sinui.
I’d thought the roof would be cramped, but it was surprisingly spacious.
‘Plenty of room for three side by side.’
Not for nothing was it the home of the world’s top clan and its top master.
Father drank in silence from the bottle he’d brought.
“Namgung, you see that down there?”
Sinui poured himself a drink and pointed below.
I nearly forgot Father was there and cursed out loud in disbelief.
‘Th-th-th-those bastards!!!’
The ones who’d clearly fled Cheonryongjeon were back, laughing and chatting like nothing happened.
“Yeah.”
I turned at Father’s voice.
“Tsk tsk, look at that. You show up, and now innocent folks are suffering for it.”
Sinui seemed used to these moments with Father—he drank casually and chatted.
I sat awkwardly, watching Father.
His gaze overlooked everything below with utter detachment, like he’d transcended the world.
Refill the cup when empty, bring it to his lips—steady, mechanical motions.
Gruff one-word replies to Sinui now and then.
For some reason, he looked lonely.
‘……Is he lonely?’
Is that why he came earlier?
Probably not—but if so, so what?
They said Father had a human side once.
Back when my unknown mother was alive.
‘Right, Mother?’
Please say yes.
What I was about to do took more courage than I thought……
“Hehe.”
I approached Father with a smile.
Sinui stared in astonishment.
I knew. This was insane.
I sat beside Father.
He didn’t glance my way, just kept drinking.
I spoke to him. “I heard somewhere you should learn to drink from your father.”
Pour.
His cup emptied—I quickly refilled it.
Smooth.
Only then did Father turn toward me.
I was scared to meet those eyes, but I swallowed my fear and looked.
Empty eyes, like they desired nothing.
Did he have them because he’d achieved everything?
Or because there was nothing left to achieve?
I couldn’t tell.
But seeing them, I smiled brightly again.
“Hehe.”
I felt like I needed to put at least a smiling reflection in those hollow pupils.
Namgung Hancheol gazed at Namgung Daeso.
And at the same time, at one woman.
She’d always smile vacantly when he looked at her like this.
The only one in the world who smiled at him.
Just then, pressure from the elders’ council about marriage.
He married her.
* * *
“Hoho.”
“Why do you smile every time I look at you?”
Namgung Hancheol asked her one day.
“Do I amuse you?”
“No.”
She spoke calmly.
Then continued with a sad expression.
“You look sad. I want to fill that empty gaze with at least a smile. That’s why I always try to smile when I see you.”
“Why?”
“Because I want you to be happy.”
“I don’t think I’m unhappy now.”
“Of course. You have everything. But sometimes, you just want to give without conditions.”
“I don’t follow.”
“Hoho, maybe when we have a child? As a mom, you as a dad. Then maybe you’ll smile without reason too?”
“Sounds like you’re saying you won’t be there then.”
“Hoho, I know my body best. I’ve lived this long despite my frailty since childhood—all thanks to you. So I want to bear your child. Lots of them! So even without me, someone can smile for you.”
“Foolish.”
* * *
“Why smile?”
Father suddenly asked.
I hadn’t expected a question.
But here it was.
And a combative one at that!
‘I just smiled! Why’s that bad? Should I cry in this situation?’
Telling the truth might get me killed.
Not literally kill his son…… but a limb or two? Totally possible for our family.
I racked my brain.
Why smile?
‘Happy?’
Too random.
‘Pretty moon?’
I looked up. Clouds hid it.
‘Won today?’
Most reasonable.
But today’s match might not impress Father.
‘Still, Hwagyeong vs. Hwagyeong?’
No way! This guy before me was way beyond Hyeon Gyeong.
Damn it. Nothing came to mind.
Father kept staring.
‘Ah, screw it! I don’t know!’
“Just…… ’cause.”
“Just?”
“Yeah. You looked lonely, so I thought if I smiled, it might help a bit…… Hehe.”
Father poured into my empty cup.
“Foolish.”
I know, you know best!
Where’s a rat hole when you need one? I wanna hide.
“You said liquor should be taught from father to son?”
Father downed his cup.
“Amusing. Won’t even think of sharing the rice cakes.”
That was the moment.
His sharp words caught in his throat.
Cough cough cough.
As he hacked up a storm, tears and snot flying.
In that instant!
‘Did I see wrong?’
He smiled. A relaxed one, unlike before.
His eyes turned hollow again, watching me.
“What? Pour the drink.”
‘Yeah, must’ve been wrong. As if our old man would smile like that.’
“R-right, pouring.”
I hurriedly refilled it.
And the next day.
I was lying in my room again.
Someone was waiting.
“You’re finally awake.”