ALL NOVEL Three years have passed since I, along with Dokgorin, finished our bloody revenge at the Forbidden City.
After such a significant fight that could happen only once in a lifetime, I thought there wouldn’t be any more incidents to get involved in. However, until we graduated from Cheonmu Academy, we really kept getting caught up in various events.
I can only guess that even though the ‘Cheondok Witch’ incident we were entangled in had completely ended, it might be because Namgoong Ruby was presumed to be a main heroine or the protagonist of the Cheondok Witch author’s sequel, which was a martial arts skin academy story?
Now I can’t be sure of the truth, but for something that happened just three years, it felt like a densely packed school life.
However, that’s all completely in the past now.
Because we all graduated safely from the academy, it seems that all the original events related to Namgoong Ruby have also come to an end, and we have genuinely regained peace.
*
After graduating from Cheonmu Academy, I became the adopted son of my master and was registered under the family registry of the Sachendaeng family.
Naturally, my name became Tang Chilbok, but since it sounded quite silly, I thought changing my surname would sound weird, yet I now feel more accustomed to being called Tang Chilbok instead of Ichilbok.
The reason I suddenly ended up belonging to the Sachendaeng family was that my background was too shabby compared to the other four strong lovers in the family. Officially, it was to become the son-in-law of Tang Sosu, but in reality, it was my master, Tang Hochang, who devised it to provide me with a backing despite my lack of any support.
Anyway, by being adopted by Tang Hochang, who can be called the oldest of the existing martial arts masters, I successfully finished my identity laundering, and with the permissions of the Sachendaeng, Sarmase, and Namgoong families, I finally became able to hold a joint wedding ceremony.
If it weren’t for the fact that all four of us simultaneously conceived due to a speeding violation, such a crazy deed would have been impossible.
Upon hearing this, the elders of both families were horrified and rushed to hold the ceremony before the bride’s belly started to show.
Thus, hastily preparing the wedding, we were set to hold the ceremony today.
*
“Time flies, doesn’t it?”
I muttered as I blankly stared up at the ceiling.
When I said that instead of choosing just one person in front of Dokgorin, I wanted to marry all four, I honestly thought I would die, but luckily, I survived somehow.
Of course, if the other three hadn’t unanimously acknowledged that she was their primary wife, I might have ended up filming a sweet hostage drama by now.
“……”
Imagining such a likely scenario sent shivers down my spine, so I rubbed my goosebumps and got up from my seat.
Unlike the groom’s side, which didn’t take much time to prepare, the bride’s side had to do makeup, hair, and all kinds of things, resulting in a longer waiting period.
An hour or two wasn’t a problem, but after three hours had passed, I was starting to feel restless.
“I’m just going to step outside for some fresh air. If I don’t return, please assume I’ve gone straight to the ceremony.”
“Yes. Understood.”
I said that to the maid who was attending to me and headed outside alone.
People hurriedly moving around to prepare for the wedding.
In China, where Confucian ideals are deeply rooted, the importance of ceremonial rites is emphasized, naturally resulting in larger wedding celebrations.
Not to mention, having not one but four brides inevitably means there would be a lot of guests.
‘This huge Sachendaeng mansion is packed with people.’
This must be a rare sight that won’t occur again in the history of the Sachendaeng family.
As one of the protagonists of today’s wedding, I strolled outside, inadvertently catching the attention of Tang Hochang, who was leading the guests, and he looked at me with an incredulous expression.
“What are you doing here?”
“The groom finished preparing a while ago, and since the waiting time for the bride is so long.”
Have I really been waiting for three hours already?
As I spread my fingers to emphasize my point, Tang Hochang said, “Tsk, impatient brat.” and folded his arms.
At that moment, the happy face of Geomwang Namgung Jin, Namgoong Ruby’s father, approached me.
“There you are, Chilbok son-in-law. Have you prepared well for the wedding? It’s my daughter’s wedding, and I’m quite nervous.”
“Ah, yes. I prepared thoroughly, so please don’t worry, Father-in-law.”
Unlike my relatively easy relationship with Tang Hochang, interacting with Namgung Jin felt a bit awkward since I hadn’t met him very often.
Seeing me tense and stiff in my speech, Tang Hochang kindly interjected to ease the conversation.
“Namgung family head, don’t fuss so much. I, Tang Hochang, am not someone who takes such matters lightly.”
“Of course, I know that, Senior Dokwang. I’m just a bit worried since it’s my first time preparing a wedding for my daughter.”
As the two masters wrapped up their conversation, I heard two familiar voices calling out.
“Grandpa!”
“Dad!”
“Is that Sosu!”
“Ruby!”
Seeing the two brides in their wedding dresses, their faces lit up with broad smiles.
Who would think of them as legendary martial arts masters seeing this?
But they’re human too, and I should account for these personal moments.
Nodding to myself with that thought, I then commented as Tang Sosu and Namgoong Ruby approached me.
“You both look beautiful.”
“Hehe! You’re just saying that!”
“Thanks!”
The reactions of the two were starkly different.
However, seeing Tang Sosu’s blushing face, it looked like her fluster was genuine.
“What about Rin and Jak?”
“They’ll be here shortly. We just left quickly since we finished first.”
As she said that, Tang Sosu playfully scanned me up and down and added with a grin.
“They say clothes make the man; you look good in that outfit!”
“The one wearing it looks handsome, so the clothes look good too.”
As I shrugged my shoulders, Namgoong Ruby gazed at me with bright eyes.
“Chilbok.”
“Yes?”
“Today, you look really cool.”
After saying that, Namgoong Ruby lowered her head bashfully, her face turning bright red.
Seems like I wasn’t the only one feeling tense before the wedding ceremony.
Just then, one of the busy servants preparing the ceremony approached us.
“The ceremony is about to begin, so please follow me to the waiting room, groom and brides.”
“Oh, has it really come to that?”
“We can’t keep the guests waiting too long, so hurry along.”
With that, the two family heads gently pushed me along.
“Yes. Then we’ll head out.”
Bowing my head respectfully, I followed the servant who had come to escort us.
*
Finally, the wedding ceremony began amidst the throng of people.
“Groom! Brides! Enter!”
With the call of Elder Eom Baekhyun, who officiated today’s wedding, the four brides and I slowly walked down the central aisle.
As we stood before him, Elder Eom Baekhyun declared solemnly.
“Yilbae Cheonji!”
Upon hearing that, we offered big bows to the words placed on the table.
This act is to inform the heavenly spirits that we’re getting married, serving as the first of three bows in a traditional wedding ceremony.
“Ibae Godang!”
The second bow is for both parents, expressing gratitude for raising us well and our determination to live happily moving forward.
“Buddha Daebae!”
The final third bow is between the groom and the brides, signaling the end of the traditional wedding ceremony’s proceedings.
“……”
Earlier, I had been too busy entering to appreciate it, but the sight of the four brides in their red wedding dresses was incredibly beautiful.
Should I say each of the four looked distinctively different?
Fundamentally, the design of the wedding dresses was all different, allowing me to see each of their unique charms.
As I etched their wonderful appearances into my eyes, I deeply bowed my waist.
Four lovely lovers who willingly chose to marry someone with nothing.
When I lifted my head, I found Dokgorin looking at me with tears in her eyes.
“Why are you crying?”
I asked, surprised, and Dokgorin shook her head.
“I’m not crying out of sadness; I’m crying out of joy.”
Wiping away the tears that were welling up, Dokgorin beamed at me.
“Today is the happiest day of my life.”
I stared blankly at Dokgorin for a moment before finally allowing a smile and nodding in agreement.
“Me too.”
At that, the other three, who had been listening to our conversation, chimed in.
“Me too! Me too!”
“I’m happy to be marrying Chilbok!”
“Quiet down a bit since the ceremony hasn’t ended yet!”
As usual, it fell to Sosu to calm the chaos, but our happy demeanor made the guests at the wedding burst into laughter.
“Be happy! Chilbok!”
Blurted out Baek Yujin cheerfully.
“You must be happy!”
Wolhyang waved her hand, drying her tears with a handkerchief.
“May you be happy, Chilbok and his brides.”
Hyecheong quietly clasped his hands together.
“Congratulations.”
Lastly, Moyong Bi clapped normally.
The many relationships I formed while attending Cheonmu Academy all joined together to wish us happiness.
I couldn’t help but smile happily as I looked at them all.
“Thank you, everyone.”