When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 36
Chapter 36
"..."
"..."
"Uh, that is..."
Flustered by the sudden question, Baek Giha rolled his eyes, trying to maintain his composure.
'Still, he's going to be my father-in-law soon...'
He had thought that continuously calling him "Elder" felt a bit distant.
'That's right. It seems impersonal.'
"So, 'Father Myoungyoon'* is..."
[The original term used here is "미장른" (mijang eoreun), which doesn't suit the context. So, I have changed it to 'Father Myoungyoon,' referencing from the official manhwa translation.]
Thus, he tried changing the form of address, putting in a bit of friendliness.
To his future father-in-law.
"I'm not sure how to explain it accurately, but in any case, it's a good expression. It has a similar meaning to 'respect,' and it's a term used in the Baek Clan."
"Is that so..."
Ju Myoungyoon tilted his head, having never heard the word before.
'...Well, he's not the type to insidiously mock someone like this.'
Convinced in his own way, Ju Myoungyoon decided to let it go, whether Baek Giha called him "Father Myoungyoon" or not.
Seeing their father's softened attitude, Ju Gayoon and Ju Gahan, relieved, added their own words.
"Since you say you haven't come here for anything that would harm the Ju Clan, please visit our residence when you arrive in Ju territory."
"Yes, please do. The alcohol my mother brews is quite delicious. Let's have a drink together when we get a chance."
Omitting the words, 'What are you talking about, just a visit? I'm going to stay at that residence no matter what,' the Baek Clan Head nodded.
"I'd be delighted to."
"But you can't drink it all. There aren't many bottles left. However, my younger sister is also quite good at brewing, so please try that as well."
Baek Giha's eyes sparkled.
"Your younger sister, you say?"
"Yes. She's not quite at my mother's level yet, but she's quite skilled."
"I see. It's amazing that she brews alcohol herself with those slender, small hands."
"...Yes?"
Baek Giha was momentarily flustered as the gazes of the three Ju men suddenly flew towards him.
"Clan Head Baek, have you perhaps seen our younger sister before?"
"What? That's impossible. How could I have possibly seen your younger sister?"
"...That's... right. Yes."
Ju Gayoon quietly agreed.
Ju Gahan, after staring at his brother and Baek Giha for a moment, smiled and said to Baek Giha,
"You'll be surprised when you first see my sister. For some reason, she suddenly shaved her head-"
"What? You mean she cut off all that beautiful ebony hair?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
Ju Gahan's eyes narrowed.
"Clan Head Baek. Where did you see my sister?"
When he asked in a much lower voice than before, Baek Giha hurriedly denied it.
"...What are you talking about? Seeing your younger sister? No. I was just saying that since all three of you have such beautiful ebony hair, from that perspective..."
"..."
"Again, how could I have possibly seen her?"
"..."
"Truly. Haven't I been on the battlefield with you all this time?"
"...Is that right?"
"Of course."
The fact that he fell for such an obvious bait made Ju Gahan extremely suspicious.
But as he said, where could Baek Giha have possibly met Sehwa?
Baek Giha had been facing them on the battlefield the entire time, and Sehwa had never left the Ju Clan's territory.
Not only that, but Sehwa rarely even left the mansion.
Since she hadn't even properly attended banquets, there should have been no way for her to have any contact with the Baek Clan Head.
'Well, perhaps he's trying to get closer to us, so he answered in a friendly manner.'
"She's a truly precious younger sister to us. We're already dreading how we'll ever marry her off."
"That's right. We absolutely cannot send her off if even a single condition isn't met."
Baek Giha cautiously interjected into their relaxed conversation.
"Conditions, you say? What kind of..."
"First, his swordsmanship must be at least comparable to the two of us, no, to our father's."
"That's right. Of course, his spiritual power must be top-notch as well."
"We must also carefully consider his appearance. Our younger sister is a beauty beyond compare. Anyone standing next to her must possess at least half, no, a quarter of her beauty."
"His character is most important. If she ends up with someone unsuitable-"
Baek Giha vigorously nodded in agreement with their continuous stream of words.
"I see. Character, that's truly very important. When it comes to character, I'm also not lacking..."
"..."
"..."
"Seeing your deep affection for your younger sister... it makes me wonder how wonderful it would be if I had a family who cherished me like that, so I couldn't help but interject."
"What about your family, Clan Head Baek...?"
"I became alone at a very young age."
"Oh..."
The two brothers' gazes subtly softened.
Baek Giha added, casting a lonely gaze downwards,
"That's why I continued to long for a family. But as I searched for someone I could trust, rely on, and respect, I ended up not marrying until now."
"...Oh dear."
"But then things happened, and I spent my time on the battlefield, growing older like this. Now I'm quite concerned about whether any family would accept me as their son-in-law."
The two brothers enthusiastically responded to the Baek Clan Head, who trailed off, expressing his worry about living alone for the rest of his life.
"What are you talking about? Clan Head Baek, you're so handsome and your spiritual power is outstanding, who would refuse you? It would be a blessing for the bride's family if the marriage took place."
"Yes. You'll definitely be able to marry the person you desire."
"...You think so?"
"Of course!"
As if he had never been gloomy and lonely, Baek Giha's expression brightened.
"I see. Then please continue what you were saying. What other conditions are there for a brother-in-law?"
"Conditions?"
"Yes. The criteria that the bride's family desires are usually similar, so I'd like to know in advance."
"Ah, I see."
Agreeing with Baek Giha's words, the two sons relaxed their guard again and continued the conversation.
"Of course, we must also confirm the groom's financial status. We can't send her off to someone who will only make her suffer."
"He can't live too far from our residence. We must be able to see each other whenever we want."
"And he must be able to play a musical instrument. Our younger sister plays the geomungo so incredibly well. It's truly heavenly music."
Place of residence. Musical talent. Financial status. Spiritual power. Character. Appearance.
Baek Giha diligently repeated the conditions listed by the two brothers inwardly.
He was so engrossed in concentrating that he failed to notice Ju Myoungyoon's gaze sharpening as he quietly listened to their conversation.
Sehwa left the mansion with Youngsun as soon as morning arrived.
A long line of people still waited in front of the writing house where Heungsaeng was.
Peeking inside, she saw the enthusiastic owner diligently selling new erotic paintings.
"Is she out?"
"She's here!" Someone answered, jumping down from the roof.
"Goodness! What are you doing, that's dangerous! What if you get hurt?" Sehwa scolded, startled, but Heungsaeng just shrugged.
"I'm fine. I'm going to live like this from now on anyway."
"Live like this? What do you mean?"
"I ran away from home. My senile father was trying to force me to marry some old geezer."
"..."
"My father holds a pretty high position, but what more wealth and glory could he want that he'd try to sell off even his own child? I really can't understand his heart," Heungsaeng added bitterly, forcing a smile and lifting her head.
"Anyway, that's why I'm going to abandon my female name and live like this for the rest of my life."
"..."
"Don't make that face. I'm fine."
Unsure of what to say, Sehwa remained silent for a moment before finally speaking with difficulty.
"You too..."
"Hm?"
"You too, if anything happens, come find me. You know where I live, right?"
At those words, Heungsaeng smiled a little.
"I know. But I'm okay. I make really good money."
Heungsaeng, cheered by Sehwa's words, bumped her shoulder against hers and grinned mischievously.
"You know what makes the most money in the capital without needing the money you brought in from the provinces? Erotic paintings, erotic paintings. That's why I'm rich."
Sehwa chuckled at her nonchalant attitude.
"What, why are you laughing? Don't you believe me?"
"No, it's not that."
"Then what is it? Aha. You need some too? Want me to give you one?"
"No thanks. I don't know why people even look at those things."
"Why not? Try looking. You never know when you might need them."
"Stop talking nonsense. How's the thing I asked you about going? Is it going well?"
"Yeah. But since we have to do it secretly, I couldn't find a storage place within the capital to hide the things you mentioned. So, I found one a bit further out, is that okay? It'll take about two days to get there outside the city gates."
"That's fine."
"Good. The dimensions are roughly eight paces wide. When should we dig the well? I can send people over today."
At those words, Sehwa made an apologetic face.
"About that, I have to go somewhere for a while starting tomorrow… If I don't come back within fifteen days, could you take charge?"
"I don't mind. If it's something I can do, should I start tomorrow?"
"Yes. I've drawn a rough map of where to dig it."
Sehwa took out a folded piece of paper from her sleeve and handed it over.
"And take this too."
Another item was placed on top of the paper in Heungsaeng's hand.
"What's this?" Heungsaeng asked, opening the small pouch in her hand.
Inside was a small amount of some dried powder.
"Keep it for now. It's my way of thanking you. Eat a little bit in emergencies."
"Eat it?"
"Yes. But you must only use a tiny amount at a time. It'll be a bit strong for you guys."
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