Chapter 59 – Dragon Peak Gathering (4)
He was a big middle-aged man. Even by my standards from my past life, he was quite tall, about six feet…so around 180cm, but he seemed to have a head taller than me.
Maybe about seven feet tall?
210cm, to be exact. In an era where the average height is small, he could be called a giant.
Not only was he tall, but his whole body was covered in bulging muscles. It looked like he was wearing armor under his clothes.
He was a human weapon in himself.
“I’m looking for my daughter.”
Such noticeable features are unforgettable once you see them, so of course, he must be a stranger.
But for some reason, his intimidating face felt familiar, like a fierce beast.
“My age is about the same as the regulations, and my height is similar to that of your small village. On my back…”
I could understand the reason for his familiarity only after hearing the description of his daughter.
Why is Pungsosone’s father here?!
According to Pungsosone’s words, when he becomes the head of the family, he sends a representative to the Dragon Peak Gathering instead of going himself.
After finishing their business here, they were planning to return to Hanamseong comfortably with them.
But how did he get here…?
He…no, the father-in-law looked straight at me and asked, “Is there any straw to chew on?”
Uh…um…
I broke out in a cold sweat without realizing it. My brain started simulating the level of threat similar to when I faced the sword that flew in front of my nose.
*
Me – I’m preparing to practice room-centered techniques with him on the upper floor right now. I’m sorry for making you strip naked. But I did it because Soso likes it.
Father-in-law – This, this bastard…! I’ll kill you and take revenge for my daughter!
I saw a future where I was half-dead.
*
Me – Nice to meet you for the first time! I’m Jin So-chan, who tightly slapped Pungsosone’s butt!
Father-in-law – You crazy bastard…!
His fingers would fly off.
*
Me – I slept with your daughter. How can I ignore a woman who says she can’t live without me? I’m sorry I didn’t greet you first, but please understand me as a man.
Father-in-law – I don’t understand! If you want to be recognized even a little late, prove that you’re a man who suits my daughter!
The combined body doesn’t solve everything. The sight of them fighting until they’re about to lose is impressive.
*
And also,
Your daughter is amazing.
Father-in-law…troublesome…
I’ve taken good care of the precious niece you raised!
Do you know how many moles are on Soso’s butt?
Various possibilities passed through my mind, but nothing seemed right.
It took only a moment for me to conclude that my brain was utterly useless. But I couldn’t keep my mouth shut forever.
Gulp.
After swallowing my saliva and clearing my throat, I slowly opened my mouth.
“I’m not sure.”
I can’t get caught now! At least not like this!
Even if I apologize later and pretend I didn’t know, it’s not an option right now!
If there’s no way to make up for this situation, I have to hide it so that it doesn’t become a problem!
“I heard that she might be around here, so I was looking into it, but it seems like this inn isn’t the one.”
The middle-aged man nodded calmly. I thought he would be disappointed or ask me more questions, but it was a bit unexpected.
Well, he must have been searching all the inns around here. I’m sure he’s heard the same answer more than once.
But the middle-aged man didn’t leave like that.
He let out a deep sigh and started to complain, shrugging his shoulders.
“Where could she have gone… She’s not a child anymore, and she’s old enough to do what she wants. But if something happens, I don’t know how her father will feel.”
“Haha… Children never understand their parents’ hearts, do they?”
“That’s right. On the one hand, I regret that I may have underestimated her intentions, and on the other hand, I feel sorry for my daughter who doesn’t understand her parents’ hearts… But the biggest concern is still worrying about her.”
His voice was low and his shoulders were slumped. He seemed smaller than his massive size.
Ah, I see.
The person in front of me is not just any master of martial arts, but a father who is suffering from his child’s problems.
Thinking that way, I felt a sense of familiarity.
“Cheer up, Daehyeop. Your daughter will be safe, I’m sure.”
“Do you think so? I hope so…”
To reassure the middle-aged man, I started a conversation.
And then, after some time had passed and the atmosphere had become much softer than before, I suddenly became curious about one thing.
“Um, I’ve never been a parent, just someone’s child. But I’m just curious… If something happens to your daughter, what would you do?”
At my words, the already intimidating face of the middle-aged man twisted into an even more terrifying expression.
“I’ll show the bastard who touched my daughter the depths of hell.”
“……”
The intense force was enough to make even a demon crawling out of hell bow 90 degrees and return to hell.
Yes, it was Hwakyung.
Even an ordinary person wouldn’t be able to withstand it, even if several masters were to attack at once, as long as they had the physical strength and inner energy to support it.
And Hwakyung was a master who could slice through all those masters with ease, as long as he had the stamina and inner energy.
In other words, I was a monster among monsters that no one could ever face, no matter how many there were.
Uh… I wasn’t the one who poked the wasp’s nest, it was Nokrim or Eonjuwon who did it, and strictly speaking, they were the ones who saved me.
No, in a way, did I poke it too?
If I apologize now, will he let it go…?
Seeing me struggling with a serious internal conflict, the master awkwardly chuckled and scratched the back of his head.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to.”
“…It’s okay. I was just surprised.”
Since I was able to quickly gather my strength and avoid any major damage.
“Well, that’s a relief… By the way, have you asked the innkeeper? He would know better than the guests.”
Oh, right. I’m not the only one here!
“What about you, innkeeper? Do you have any information? Even the smallest thing would be helpful. If it’s true, I’ll reward you generously, so please let me know if you know anything.”
“Uh… Well, let me see…”
The innkeeper, who was holding a barrel full of water, blinked his eyes at an incredible speed. He looked like someone who was contemplating something.
I roughly understand. He’s probably weighing the pros and cons of telling the truth about the fact that Pungsoso is currently a guest or keeping it a secret.
I looked back to see if anyone was watching, but the innkeeper was more aware of the master’s gaze than I was.
Yeah… It’s only natural. From the perspective of a commoner like me, I’m just as dangerous as a master, but the master’s danger is on a completely different level.
Even if it causes me trouble or loses a long-term guest, it would be more beneficial to tell the truth here, where the danger is truly felt.
Since he saw me scared for a moment, I guess I’ll let it go.
“That’s what I’m saying, sir… Actually…”
How can I stop the innkeeper’s words or run away to the upstairs where Hong Yeon-hwa and Pungsoso are as soon as possible?
Is it better to run away? If I try to cover my mouth, it’ll be over if the master interrogates me.
As I made up my mind and tried to put more strength into my legs.
Boom!
“Where are you!?”
“Jin Ga-ga! Are you okay?!”
Hong Yeon-hwa and Pungsoso, who only had their outerwear on, came running down from upstairs with a frightened expression.
“Hmm?”
And naturally, the master’s gaze turned towards us. It was a moment of reunion after several months of separation.
“Oh… So-so! You’re here!”
“Father?! What did you do to Jin Ga-ga?!”
“What? Jin Ga-ga?”
It was a reunion that was a little different from what the master had in mind.
“No, So-so. What’s with Ga-ga…?”
“Why is Jin Ga-ga’s face so pale? Did you threaten him just now?! Your momentum from earlier…!”
This time, the master turned his head unnaturally and looked straight at me.
“You there. Are you okay? You look pale.”
“Uh… I’m okay, I just need to step back for a moment. If I stay like this, I might get even paler.”
However, this could also mean that Hong Yeon-hwa, who had approached me, wiped my forehead with her sleeve, which was witnessed by others.
“…So-hyeop. Answer me properly. Didn’t you say you didn’t know my daughter?”
“Well, that’s…”
“No need to answer. If you knew that So-so had run away, I understand why you would try to hide it from me. However…”
The master pointed at Hong Yeon-hwa, who was poking my face with a nonchalant expression.
“What’s the relationship between her, you, and So-so?”
The momentum that had flowed out briefly earlier began to focus on me in earnest.
“This time, you have to tell me everything without a single lie.”
