Even the Sword God Needs Paternity Leave

Chapter 4: What Is Paternity Leave?

The Divine Physician boiled some medicine and left shortly after.

- It’s humble, but it’s late, so please stay the night.

- No, I have places to go. And…

- ?

- The baby will face another illness in fifty days. I’ll find medicinal herbs to prevent it and contact you.

I didn’t know this.

In my previous life, I only learned about it around the time Tae-bok turned one. Hearing the Divine Physician’s words brought back memories of worrying over Tae-bok’s frequent minor ailments as a newborn.

All of that was due to the Severed Meridian.

- Tae-bok, I’m leaving. Sleep well.

The Divine Physician greeted Tae-bok and stepped out.

It felt like an immortal had paid a brief visit.

“Come on, Tae-bok. Let’s eat this.”

It was soon time for Tae-bok, who had just woken, to eat.

Reality quickly found us again.

In my hand was a porcelain spoon.

I brought it to Tae-bok’s slightly parted lips.

His lips were about the size of my fingernail.

With his tiny mouth, he slurped and took in the medicine.

The medicine prescribed by the Divine Physician was safe for newborns. But that wasn’t the issue.

The problem was that this little Tae-bok had to fast for days right after birth.

“Good, you’re eating well.”

A mouth meant to suckle from his mother was taking medicine instead.

“Hk.”

Yeom Ja-yeong swallowed her tears.

Even with her exceptional martial skills, before her child’s illness, she was just a mother.

“Ja-yeong, it’s alright. He’ll soon drink breast milk vigorously.”

“Hnng. Yes, I need to stay strong.”

I wanted to pat her back, but Tae-bok’s tiny mouth pecked like a baby bird. I couldn’t stop the spoon.

This was the moment I truly felt we were now three, not two.

“He’ll be fine. I brought the Divine Physician, didn’t I? No one matches his medical skill.”

I comforted Yeom Ja-yeong with words.

Fortunately, the Divine Physician’s reputation eased her mind a bit.

“I can’t believe he came and left while I was asleep. I couldn’t even offer him hospitality.”

“He said he was busy, so don’t worry about that.”

‘Huu.’

I sighed inwardly.

Honestly, my heart was heavy too.

Watching Tae-bok starve right after birth, I couldn’t stay calm.

The Divine Physician said the medicine provided all necessary nutrients, but it wasn’t the same as breast milk.

“There, all done.”

Even though there was no more, Tae-bok kept pecking.

Was he unsatisfied? His moving mouth soon twisted slightly and let out a cry.

“Waaaaa! Waa!”

“Come, come, you two go to the side room. I’ll calm him down, okay?”

Elder Jeong was still staying at our house.

She was considerate, worried our hearts would ache at Tae-bok’s crying.

Though I wanted to stay by his side—especially because he was crying—I was also concerned for Yeom Ja-yeong.

“Wife, you need to rest. Let’s go to the side room.”

I forcibly took her, though she wanted to hold Tae-bok.

As she lay down, she spoke softly.

“They say it’ll be fine in a few days… Afterward, I’ll feed him delicious breast milk.”

I nodded at her with a smile.

I’d tell her about the Severed Meridian later.

Her weakened postpartum body couldn’t handle that shock now. I’d bring it up after she’d recovered a bit.

“Yes, let’s do that. But you need to take care of yourself first.”

I had things to do in the meantime.

“I think I’ll visit the Murim Alliance Luoyang branch.”

“The Alliance?”

“Yes. I’ll tell them I’m taking a break for a while.”

“Really?”

Her face showed both joy and surprise.

“Yes, really.”

My wife had always watched me.

The me who faithfully carried out the Alliance’s missions.

It was understandable she couldn’t believe I’d suddenly take a break.

“You and Tae-bok are far more important. This isn’t the time for missions.”

In my past life, I thought Tae-bok’s symptoms were temporary, but not anymore.

“Get some sleep first.”

I held her until she fell asleep.

As Tae-bok’s crying faded from my ears, she drifted off from exhaustion.

It’d be nice if she slept through, but newborns wake every one to one-and-a-half shichen for breast milk.

So Tae-bok would wake soon.

The first night back.

Like ten years ago, a long night stretched until morning.

But that was fine.

* * *

Morning came, and I set out again.

I belong to the Zhanglong Hall, one of the outer halls of the Murim Alliance’s main branch, and simultaneously to the Luoyang branch.

To be precise, Zhanglong Hall dispatched me to the Luoyang branch.

The Murim Alliance’s Wahuo Hall and Zhanglong Hall send martial artists of uncertain background to branches across the land. By performing missions and proving their skill and character, they can later take on internal roles based on their abilities.

But even now, I found it strange.

Despite handling many missions, I remained an outer hall member.

I stayed that way until my friend Namgung Jeheon became Alliance Leader.

Why did the Alliance do that?

Was it political?

Even sending me from Hunan to Luoyang was odd.

At the time, I thought it was because Luoyang needed a master.

[Murim Alliance Luoyang Branch]

I arrived after a short walk.

“Ink Sword Hero, you’re here.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

A ninth-rank Alliance member guarded the gate.

Entering, I saw several neat buildings on a wide plot—larger than the branch’s personnel warranted.

This was possible because of the good relationship between the government and the Alliance.

The former Demonic Cult leader was defeated by a joint front of the empire and the Murim Alliance. When the Demonic Cult rose, commoners suffered too, and in such times, the separation of government and martial world didn’t apply.

After the Demonic Cult’s defeat, the Murim Alliance expanded with land and funds from the empire.

‘They called it a perfect victory back then.’

That misconception was the problem.

The empire and Murim Alliance considered the current Demonic Cultists mere remnants of the past.

Not at all.

In the future battles with the Demonic Cult, they’d learn a terrifying truth.

The Demonic Cult they defeated was just a vanguard to test the empire and Alliance.

‘Telling them now, no one would believe it.’

Lost in such thoughts, I approached the main office, where a few martial artists sat at a table in the courtyard.

All, like me, were outer hall members performing branch missions.

“Ink Sword Hero. We were wondering when you’d show up.”

One stood abruptly, clasping his hands.

The others nearby laughed as they watched.

“Another life owed to Ink Sword Hero.”

“With just those he’s saved, we could form a faction, huh?”

Cheolungdo Jo Gyucheon had been tasked with apprehending a fleeing Black Path master. But the Black Path’s skill exceeded expectations, leaving him gravely injured.

Had I not arrived, he’d have died.

“Please take me on any mission from now on. I’ll surely be of help to Ink Sword Hero.”

I came to apply for paternity leave. There wouldn’t be such days for a while.

But before I could wave it off, a gruff voice interrupted.

“Don’t say that. If you go with Ink Sword Hero, you won’t escape death.”

Turning, I saw a familiar face—a man I’d met a few times.

“Brother Kwak, isn’t it?”

A large, swarthy man, nicknamed Flying Black Bear, Kwak Daebang.

The others chimed in.

“Ahem, there goes Black Bear again!”

“Why’s he always picking a fight with Ink Sword Hero?”

But Kwak Daebang remained unfazed.

“Ink Sword Hero runs to any mission the Alliance gives, dangerous or tough. Would that guy survive?”

Jo Gyucheon clenched his fist.

“I have enough skill not to be a burden.”

“Think carefully if that’s true.”

Kwak Daebang’s provocation shifted the mood oddly.

“Huh? Is there something on my face? Why are you staring?”

“…….”

As I gazed at him, the surroundings grew quiet.

“Brother Kwak, it’s nice to see you again. Please take care.”

“What?”

The silence ended with the martial artists’ laughter.

“Finally getting a warning, eh? Take care!”

“Ink Sword Hero, if you fight Kwak Daebang, call us too. It’d be a great show.”

“Black Bear, never join Ink Sword Hero on a mission. What if only one returns? Hahahaha.”

It was a sincere warning, not a jest, but I didn’t correct them. I just shook my head at the mission talk.

“I won’t be taking missions for a while.”

“?”

“I have a newborn son.”

“Ohh!”

The martial artists offered lively congratulations. Even Kwak Daebang, who seemed ready to add a snarky remark, fell silent.

“So today, I’m here to say I’ll take a break to raise him. I suppose it’s called paternity leave.”

“Paternity leave! What a great term.”

“It rolls off the tongue.”

“Ink Sword Hero needs to take it easy too. Definitely.”

I was applying for paternity leave.

Encouraged by the martial artists, I headed into the main office.

Inside, a desk stood right ahead. An Alliance member handling branch affairs looked up with a tired face.

“Oh, Ink Sword Hero, good timing. We’re swamped with missions…”

He pulled out a document, but thud, I grabbed his hand.

“?”

“I came to say I’ll take a break starting today. Is the Deputy Branch Leader in?”

The Branch Leader was rarely present.

The Deputy Branch Leader managed most of the work.

“Huh? Ink Sword Hero taking a break?”

“Yes, a full rest. My son was born.”

“Ohh! Congratulations! Is that why you’ve been scarce?”

The member offered congratulations.

But his face soon darkened.

“I’ll inform the Deputy Branch Leader. Lately, missions have been piling up oddly… They even asked me to contact you this morning… Please wait a moment.”

He disappeared inside and returned with an awkward expression.

As expected.

“Please go in.”

Entering the Deputy Branch Leader’s office, an excited voice greeted me.

“Ink Sword Hero! Taking a break at such a critical time—what’s this about? Missions are increasing. Black Path thugs are rampant, and Demonic Cult remnants are popping up lately. Isn’t this the time to work hard and boost your reputation?”

I looked at the Deputy Branch Leader’s face for a moment.

“Why are you staring?”

“When has there ever been a non-critical time?”

“Huh?”

I’d never asked that before. Recalling my time with him, he always called it a critical period.

The Deputy Branch Leader tilted his head, thinking.

He seemed baffled he’d never considered it, then shook his head firmly.

“Anyway, it’s not now.”

Then when?

A world free of evil hadn’t existed. So wouldn’t Alliance missions never decrease?

“My son was born.”

“Oh, right, yes. Congratulations.”

Hadn’t the member relayed the birth? No, it was just pushed aside by the Deputy Branch Leader’s agenda.

“So I’d like to take a break. To care for my child. I suppose you could call it paternity leave.”

“Paternity leave? What kind of absurd term is that?”

“Is it absurd to take a break after a child’s birth?”

“No, it’s just the phrasing, the phrasing.”

There was intent behind his words.

The meaning in “paternity leave” wasn’t absurd.

“No.”

“Huh?”

“No. Not now. Rest fully for a month or two, then return to missions. How’s that?”

How’s that?

I voiced something I wouldn’t have before.

“It seems absurd to me.”

“…….”

Silence fell between us.

“Why are you like this? You’re not that kind of person.”

“What kind was I?”

“Hm?”

“How did you see me, Deputy Branch Leader?”

He tilted his head again, like when I asked about non-critical times.

But this time, he answered.

“Well, you’ve been building your reputation for various reasons… You diligently handle missions. Yes, steadily and quietly. Without complaints. That’s why I like you!”

He started thoughtfully, then spoke smoothly, even adding something unexpected.

“You remind me of myself when I was young. Hahahaha.”

I stared at him, dumbfounded.

He’d later rise from Deputy Branch Leader to Branch Leader, then to Inspector, only to die from a sword wound after taking Black Path bribes.

A rare “damn it” rose from deep within, unused till now. I wanted to flip the desk.

“Damn it.”

“What?”

“I’ll flip the desk too.”

A sturdy ebony desk.

I slid my hand underneath. The texture felt exquisite.

Of course.

It wasn’t Alliance-issued. A secretly acquired item, famous even to someone like me oblivious to rumors.

He cherished it so much.

He’d blow on it and wipe it even with people present.

I’d always found it distasteful.

The Deputy Branch Leader’s eyes widened.

“No, no, no!”

He placed his hands on the desk against me.

Our strength clashed over it.

Crack, the ebony groaned under pressure.

“Argh, my baby!”

“I have a real baby!”

I moved my hands swiftly.

First, my right hand from left to right, aiming to knock his arms off the desk.

With his strength downward, he was vulnerable to a side strike.

“Where do you think—!”

He noticed and lifted his hands from the desk. Ready to press down again once my right passed.

But my right was a feint. As he lifted, I powered my left.

“Huh?”

The desk flew.

Not upward, but sideways, flung to the left.

“No, no!”

It spun a few times before crashing into the wall.

A contest between the government-built structure and his stolen desk—which was sturdier?

Crunch.

The desk lost its life.

Rest in peace.

The martial world is harsh.

Even within the Alliance, one can’t relax.

“My… precious desk.”

Splintered wood and fluttering papers.

The Deputy Branch Leader stood amid them.

“What’s happening!”

Noise came from outside. His lackeys’ voices.

I wanted to tell them to get lost, but—

Bang, the door opened.

“Ge—… Wait a moment.”

I’d never told anyone to get lost. I’d used polite phrases like “please step back.”

So I hesitated.

Should I shout?

Or be coldly sarcastic?

How should I do it?

“Ge-, what?”

An Alliance member pushed the door hard and stepped in.

I pushed back just as hard.

Thud.

A dull sound, and the member was pushed out.

Did I overdo it?

I panicked. There was no malice.

Even in that brief moment, I felt something was wrong.

Click, I cracked the door and whispered.

“Get lost.”

Yes, that’s it.

I’d said it, so it was done.

Loud, cold, or soft—it didn’t matter, as long as I spoke.

No more hesitating.

“Hmm.”

Satisfaction, liberation, freedom washed over me.

“H-hey, Ink Sword Hero?”

Still in a good mood, I turned to the Deputy Branch Leader with a bright smile.

“Hiiik!”

For some reason, he turned pale.

“D-do it! Take paternity leave! Rest for three years and come back!”

Oh, now we’re talking.

But,

“That’s not it.”

“?”

“I’m not planning to rest that long.”

His mouth dropped open.

“…To this extent?”

“I’m not saying I won’t rest at all.”

“?”

The Deputy Branch Leader was confused.

“The paternity leave I mean isn’t like that.”

Just a bit of clarification was needed.