Ep446 - I Became a Drunkard in a Martial Arts Novel.

After some time had passed. His mind, which had been stunned by the unexpected revelation, finally began to operate again. As his thoughts resumed, Baek Woojin began to question Yong Seon-ah’s mental state. “Is she in her right mind?” Perhaps being trapped in the ice for too long had taken a toll on her psyche. Understanding Baek Woojin’s skeptical look, Yong Seon-ah gave a wry smile and pre-empted his doubts. “My mind is intact, so dismiss such thoughts.” “Ahem.” Was it too obvious? Clearing his throat to lift the mood, Baek Woojin glanced downward. After regaining his composure, he finally asked her. “So… just to clarify, are you suggesting that if I wish to acquire the Suhaeng Sinju and Jaesucheonryu, I must marry your daughter?” Yong Seon-ah nodded with a content smile. “That’s exactly what I mean.” “Um, well.” It still didn’t make sense. Or maybe she didn’t know him well enough. “You do realize… I already have more than three women I’m supposed to marry, right?” “I am well aware.” “…….” She knew. And she still made such an offer? His confusion only deepened. Then, maintaining her smile, she continued. “They are quite distinguished, aren’t they? From the Jeongal family, Sichuan Tang family, to the Black Heaven Sect. You’ve chosen daughters from families that are cornerstone to both the righteous and the demonic factions.” “It wasn't by choice.” Among the rumors about Baek Woojin, one particularly slanderous one claimed he intended to marry into prestigious families to dominate the martial world. It was a maddening rumor. Whether they were from noble families or farmers, it made no difference to him. “This is not the important matter right now.” Quickly reorienting his thoughts from this distraction, Baek Woojin focused on the more pressing issue. “You're aware of this, yet still want to marry your daughter to me?” No matter how competent a man is, having three wives and multiple concubines is usually frowned upon. Especially for a major clan like the Northern Ice Palace, there seemed to be no reason to send their daughter to such a man. Baek Woojin saw no logic in this, but Yong Seon-ah’s perspective was different. “Having many women means that, as a man, you are already proven, doesn’t it?” “Proven, you say?” “Yes, whether in character….” Her eyes drifted downward to Baek Woojin’s lower half. “Or as a man.” “…….” Baek Woojin was at a loss for words. Surely, it was a mistake. She couldn’t have been licking her lips while sizing up his… important part. He felt like a sheep being stared down by a fierce predator, his body trembling. Seeing this, Yong Seon-ah offered a soft smile. “Hoho… I must've sounded rather strange to you.” She continued her explanation. “Perhaps you’ve heard, the women of the Northern Ice Palace are renowned for their white skin and beauty.” “Yes, I’ve heard.” It was one of the most widespread rumors about the Northern Ice Palace across the Central Plains. And upon visiting, Baek Woojin found the rumors to be mostly true. The women had skin as fair as a child’s, and their looks were exceptional. “And do you know why that is?” “The reason….” Here arises a question. Between the Central Plains and the Northern Ice Palace, what made them so different to cause such a discrepancy? Baek Woojin knew the answer. “It is due to the Yin energy, as I understand.” Indeed, it was the Yin energy. In the land perennially covered with ice, the quantity of Yin energy is far greater than in the Central Plains. Children born in the Northern Ice Palace are imbued with this energy. As a result, even as adults, the women maintain their child-like skin and beauty. But is this Yin energy purely a blessing? Not entirely. “Yin energy blesses the women and curses the men.” Just as children of the Northern Ice are born with an excess of Yin energy, it affects both daughters and sons. Men raised with this energy often have fair skin and delicate features. Moreover, they are weaker in the most critical aspect of lineage—procreation—than Central Plains men. This was a significant threat to the Northern Ice Palace. Already faced with a skewed birth ratio, the weak procreative ability exacerbated the problem. “In the past, Seol Ran’s father, and my husband, faced such difficulties.” With a wistful expression, she reminisced. "Ran-ah, we went through countless trials just to have that child." "Uh, well…." I didn’t need to know that. Baek Woojin cooled his inadvertently responsive body. With an awkward laugh, she continued. "Anyway… to the women of the North Sea, a man's masculinity is a crucial factor." "I see, that's what you meant." It seemed like there had been some misunderstandings. This was a difference in perspective. For those born and raised in the North Sea, compared to his original world and not particularly the Central Plains, it was a distinct viewpoint. "My husband was a truly good man. Warm, caring, and kind-hearted." She harbors no regrets about her life with the husband she buried in her heart. But, there lingers a slight longing. If he had been a bit sturdier, more masculine. "I wish for my daughter to be embraced by a steadfast man. That's a mother's heart… even if it's a selfish desire." "I understand." He understood her feelings. Though he never experienced parental love, if one were to have a cherished child, they would naturally feel the same. But that was merely her perspective. "While I understand your sentiments, Mistress, I don't think this is a decision I can make on my own." "Ah, indeed." Yong Seon-ah nodded in apparent understanding. "You should also discuss with the women to whom you've committed before…." "That’s not what I meant." "Then what is it?" "I intend to ask Miss Yong's own feelings first." "……." Yong Seon-ah fell silent, staring intently at him, prompting Baek Woojin to continue. "How can a union between a man and a woman be decided by only one side?" "That's certainly true." "So, I'll first ask for Miss Yong's opinion. If she holds any affection for me…." "And if she does?" "Though not immediately, I will stay with her to get to know each other better." In essence— If she is fond of him, he would travel together with her. "Hmm…." After a brief contemplation, Yong Seon-ah nodded in agreement. "You are right. My daughter's feelings are important too." Although she was confident that asking wouldn’t change the outcome, what could she do when he insisted? "Proceed as you see fit." Thus, she consented to his suggestion willingly. As long as the outcome was in the right direction, the process mattered little. She then pushed forward the box containing the Suhaeng Sinju and the Jaesucheonryu to Baek Woojin. "Take this in advance as well." Baek Woojin shot back with a concerned expression. "What if Miss Yong refuses?" "Then there’s nothing to be done." With a sly smile, she added. "In truth, even if you refused the proposal, I intended to leave these two items with you." "Ah." A hardened expression overtook his face. A realization dawned on him. Yet, there was no turning back on a promise once made. Because— "I trust you understand the value of a man's word as gold." "……." She had preemptively cornered him to ensure he wouldn’t back out. Despite mixed feelings, Baek Woojin successfully obtained the Suhaeng Sinju and the precious martial arts scroll. As he prepared to leave, a sudden curiosity sprang up in his mind. "May I ask one more thing?" "Speak." "If, hypothetically, Miss Yong and I come to a mutual agreement and marry…." Yong Seol-ran, designated as the future leader of the Northern Ice Palace. If she were to marry him— "Whom would you plan to pass on the Northern Ice Palace?" That intrigued him. Would she actually consider passing the leadership to someone else? "A valid curiosity." Nodding with a knowing smile, Yong Seon-ah's mysterious aura tantalized. A shiver traced down Baek Woojin’s spine as he awaited her response with bated breath. "The leadership can only be inherited by my bloodline. Therefore, the next leader must also be someone from my lineage." Even upon hearing her answer, the question remained. If Yong Seol-ran was the only child of her lineage, without her, who would continue it? Then she continued. "Hoho… do not fret. The current Mistress has plans laid out." Her words were laden with cryptic laughter. A chill ran down Baek Woojin’s spine, though he couldn't pinpoint why. --- **Author's Note** I will meet you in the next chapter. As always, thank you for reading. Have a peaceful night. (_ _)