Even the Sword God Needs Paternity Leave

Chapter 22: Life, Really

"This is it."

I came up from the safe and laid out the spoils on the desk.

Silver coins, a few jewels, and lastly, the fur.

I divided the silver taels in half, fifty each.

From the jewel box, I took out five jade pieces.

After rolling them on the floor—deureureur—I picked them up one by one, tossed them in the air, and caught them. Then I rolled them again and picked up two at a time, repeating the same.

Kwak Daebang was puzzled.

"Playing gonggi?"

When Taebok grows bigger, we'll play gonggi too.

The jade with subtle colors seemed just right as gonggi stones.

"I'll take this as my share."

"Whatever's fine with me."

"Then what remains."

"Is this that black tiger pelt?"

The fur I found in the stone chamber was a black tiger's hide.

Ordinary tiger hide has a yellow base with black stripes, but black tiger hide has a black base with white stripes.

"The problem is how to divide it. If we split it in half, it becomes too small."

The black tiger pelt I found wasn't the entire hide. If it had been hide with the entire tiger face attached, I would have recognized it immediately.

Because it wasn't, I could only tell after looking closely.

This was an item cut into a rectangular shape from part of black tiger pelt and refined.

Of course, that didn't mean its value completely disappeared.

"Is this thing so extraordinary?"

It was because of the black tiger pelt's own properties.

"If you wear black tiger pelt, you can maintain bodily comfort on any day. It blocks both heat and cold and maintains body temperature constantly. Worries like catching coughing sickness disappear."

"Mm? Even heat?"

Right. Though it's clearly fur, wearing it on hot days lets you feel coolness.

"But it won't block blades and spears any better than other furs, right?"

"That's correct."

"Armor would be better for martial artists like us. You have outstanding inner power, so heat or cold can't be problems. Yet you plan to wear this around?"

Kwak Daebang was a rough man. Even hearing the black tiger pelt's properties, he showed little interest.

But I was different.

"I'm thinking of having my wife wear it over her clothes. Right after childbirth, her joints are cold and she's sensitive to weather."

I had Jayeong and Taebok.

Childbirth greatly affects even a master's body. If Jayeong wore the black tiger pelt, it would help greatly. Taebok, who would be held by Jayeong, would also benefit as they shared body warmth.

"Huh, then make this your share."

"What?"

"I got involved by chance anyway. If I feast with this money, that's enough."

Kwak Daebang was both rough and magnanimous.

He could sell the black tiger pelt somewhere, but didn't think of that at all.

"Brother Kwak, I won't decline. Later if you need it, request my sword. I'll lend my strength."

"Now, that goes for me too. Call me if needed."

Such words contained mutual recognition as White Path.

If Kwak Daebang called me, it wouldn't be for personal gain. He would call me when his strength fell short while fighting as White Path.

Kwak Daebang said such words because he thought the same about me.

"I'll remember your request too."

I had asked him to watch the Deputy Branch Leader before.

Since he felt public indignation at the Luoyang branch's conduct, he wouldn't betray my request.

"Then let's go."

"This estate?"

"Let's burn it."

Those who knew Master Dongpae would feel alarm seeing the flames.

They would think about Black Path's end.

***

Tsssssss.

The sound of stir-frying beef came from the kitchen.

Mr. Du, this inn's head cook, was a Rogues' Guild master like dumpling seller Mr. Pao.

The first reason for stopping by Mr. Du's was because of my brother-in-law, the Rogues' Guild Leader. I wondered if there was news, but no. He'd gone down south recently for Rogues' Guild business and hadn't returned yet.

Looking out the window, a group of people were carrying loads.

On the flag they displayed at the very front, four characters reading Golden Cloud Trading fluttered proudly.

There was no need to do load-carrying work so grandly—doing it to this extent must be to show off Zhu Hochong's reinstatement.

By now, Captain Zhu must be busy beyond belief.

While watching Golden Cloud Trading like this.

"It's ready. Beef stir-fried with chives, beef sweet and sour pork."

"Thank you."

The second reason for stopping here.

I came to request cooking the beef I obtained from Oga Pharmacy.

Mr. Du came out of the kitchen and personally handed me the food box.

"You'll eat at home. Alcohol won't do, so shall I serve tea? You should catch your breath before leaving."

"Yes, let's have tea."

Since I couldn't breathe alcohol-scented breath toward Taebok.

I didn't want to deliberately drink and drive out the intoxication with inner power either.

With a cup of tea before me, I briefly caught my breath.

"Whew..."

Much happened in just two days.

I departed yesterday and met Yang Cheonjo, wiped out the inn's Black Path, swept away the alley house's Black Path couple gang.

Today I sent off Yang Cheonjo, burned the estate, returned to Luoyang and parted with Kwak Daebang.

Jianghu people who take to the road are originally like this.

Once holding a sword, one inevitably gets caught up in fights, and being White Path, those enemies are Black Path and the unorthodox demonic path.

If you dislike such life, retire to the countryside.

Of course, such luxury isn't permitted to me.

This is just the beginning.

However.

After experiencing two days' events, two thoughts arose.

One is.

"What kind of harmony is this?"

Things resolving just from doing as I pleased.

I gained enlightenment.

It led to achievement in the Eight Trigram Unity Technique.

I saved Zhu Hochong and received promise of Golden Cloud Trading's support.

Swift Wind's support too, of course.

Martial arts achievement is faster than the past when I did my utmost for the Alliance, and I feel reward in what I do.

Explode, let go, freely.

Friends, you were right.

Doing as my heart goes, I'm obtaining what I desire.

And the second thought.

I'm doing it all for family.

Master Dongpae had said such words.

When I asked why he was raiding the pharmacy.

He answered it was work because his child the Young Manor Lord pressured him.

Why did the Young Manor Lord do so?

He ordered his parents to do such things while contacting Black Path and enhancing demonic arts.

"That was for family..."

I too returned for family.

Still, I don't feel like acting like Master Dongpae.

What's the difference between him and me?

The difference between White Path and Black Path?

That too, but.

"The difference between caring for my family and caring only for my family?"

Life caring for myself has room to care for others.

Life caring only for myself has no such room.

Similarly.

Life caring for my family has room to care for other families.

Life caring only for my family doesn't.

"I must be careful."

I returned for Taebok and Jayeong.

My purpose is clear.

But only my purpose being clear wouldn't do.

While doing as I please, I must remember that carefulness is also my heart.

"I must maintain balance."

Life, really.

***

It's also happiness.

Creak.

I closed the door behind me.

The old door rang briefly, separating outside and inside.

To my home, I returned to my home.

"Wife, I'm back."

After a moment.

"Honey?"

Jayeong's voice was heard.

Was it because of the past when I sent her off by illness and pictured her alone?

Even hearing it, I miss her. Though hearing it after just two days, it pierced deeply.

"Yes, I'm here."

I crossed the small courtyard and entered the main building in one stride.

She sat on the large room's chair. Holding Taebok in her arms.

My treasures are in one place.

"Taebok is sleeping."

She smiled with her eyes.

I smiled back.

"Ah, Taebok is smiling too."

Eyes closed in sleep bend, mouth slightly opens with corners rising.

It's called newborn smiling.

They say it's any expression appearing due to facial muscles not yet settled.

"I love you, Taebok."

Jayeong whispered to Taebok.

"I love you, Taebok."

I too, the same.

What if it's any expression?

When affection surges like this.

"I'll lay him down."

Jayeong took Taebok to the baby crib placed beside the bed.

A newborn baby's body hasn't yet fully settled.

Neck muscles aren't developed so he can't hold his head up himself.

Jayeong first bent her body and carefully supported the back of his neck to lay Taebok down.

She who fought all kinds of rough battles in the Rogues' Guild is now so careful.

"Whew, you're back?"

"I'm back."

"How was your trip?"

I showed the dish in my hand.

Mr. Du displayed his skills doing his utmost.

Delicious fragrance flows out gently.

"Let's talk while eating."

I called Elder Jeong to exchange greetings and briefly requested Taebok's care.

I seated Jayeong at the table.

One bowl of steaming rice, other side dishes laid out, beef stir-fried with chives and beef sweet and sour pork placed in the center.

"Wife, eat."

Jayeong looked at me briefly.

"Can I eat alone?"

"Of course you can. It's for your body, and also for the breast milk to give Taebok tomorrow."

Thanks to breast milk, Taebok can pass through the Fifty-Day Illness without suffering it.

Chopsticks carefully picked up sweet and sour pork. Glancing at me once more, the chopsticks headed to her mouth.

Chew—her mouth chewed the sweet sweet and sour pork.

"Oh my... it's delicious."

"Is it?"

Her one phrase is truly delicious.

"Now, after finishing the meal, eat this too. A pill that helps absorb medicinal energy well."

"Yes."

I also gave the pill received from Oga Pharmacy.

And lastly.

I carefully wrapped the black tiger pelt around her back.

"What's this now?"

"A gift. You know black tiger pelt, don't you?"

Jayeong's eyes widened greatly.

"What? Black tiger pelt?"

"I obtained it on the way."

"Obtained? Something this precious."

"Because it's precious, you should wear it."

Before regression, Jayeong's health also worsened over time.

We both focused on Taebok so much we couldn't look after each other, ourselves.

Now.

I wrap Jayeong in fur and have her eat medicinal meat.

I'm looking after her.

Life, really.

It's also happiness.