??? – That Man’s Bloodline, That Blood’s Fate

* ??? – That Man’s Bloodline, That Blood’s Fate (1)

Around the time Junseo and his group were overcoming family hurdles in their own way. In a remote, quiet corner of the countryside, far from the city where they lived. Surprisingly, the infrastructure was well-maintained, making it easy for people to get around, but due to the characteristics of the modern era, not many people lived there. Despite being within South Korea, the place had a foreign air about it, and there stood a traditional Korean house, a *hanok*.

*Hanoks* are rare to see these days, and maintaining one costs a lot of money. From the neatly built walls to the waterways, it was erected like a small kingdom, so everyone knew how much money the owner of this house had. Moreover, the inside of the building was decorated with surprisingly modern items such as air conditioners and heating, and the old man who seemed to be the owner aged gracefully, unlike others his age, exuding an aura unique to the upper class or someone noble.

An old woman in *hanbok*, her snow-white hair neatly arranged with a hairpin. Around her, old men sat slumped forward. Unlike the old woman in *hanbok*, the old men were not in clean attire, nor were they wearing *hanboks*, but rather ordinary work clothes, sitting in front of small tables. There were dozens of people, and *makgeolli* was present, so one might expect someone to start talking, but no one opened their mouth until the old woman did, the place was so quiet.

The only one speaking was the youngest man in the room. A bald man in a black suit and sunglasses. After reading aloud the letter he had brought, so that the old woman and the old men could all hear, he knelt down at a spot close to but slightly away from the old woman, bowed his head once, and then broke the atmosphere.

“───That concludes the message.”

“Is that so? He’s doing well?”

“Yes. I didn’t meet him directly, but I quietly followed him for the past few days. Fortunately, he’s been doing well without any issues. He seemed healthier than before his father passed away, and he didn’t seem to mind at all that he didn’t show his face at the funeral.”

“Didn’t he say anything else to me?”

“He said that if he has time next semester, he’ll come to show his face once. It seems that *doryeonim* still doesn’t know what *manim* does, and the three people attached to *doryeonim* didn’t say anything special either. He’s not extravagant with his money, and he’s been quietly spending time with *doryeonim*, playing family as per the contract even after he passed away, so he deserves praise.”

“Tch, those vulgar bitches. They’re just distinguishing their place, so why would I need to praise them? More than that, it’s a relief that our grandson is doing well. I’m still trembling with anxiety in case something happens…”

“There’s nothing for *manim* to worry about, so please rest assured.”

“Ongya. Hehehe, I was worried because I hadn’t heard from him for a while, but I’ll sleep soundly from today.”

The atmosphere flowed pleasantly with the grandmother’s laughter, and as if to amplify that laughter, the old men sitting in front followed suit, laughing heartily. Nevertheless, no one picked up their cup, as if everyone knew the old woman’s authority, and the old woman, knowing that the atmosphere had become heavy because of her, waved her hand as if signaling that everyone could relax.

“Aga~!”

“Yes, *manim*. Excuse me.”

The bald man in a suit poured alcohol into the cup with a *kwal kwalkwal*, and the other old men matched the mood, picking up their cups and letting go of their feelings. Unlike at the beginning, the atmosphere was fully relaxed, and there were even old men exchanging cups while chatting amongst themselves. Originally, this would have been the usual atmosphere of this group, but even amidst that, everyone naturally held their breath when the old woman spoke, clearly showing who the leader of this group was.

“Then, do you guys have any stories you want to tell? Go on, tell me.”

When the old woman spoke, there was a brief silence, and then the old men relaxed again in the eased atmosphere. Among them, starting with the one who spoke first as if accustomed to this kind of gathering, the other old men slowly opened their mouths.

“The more I hear, the more I feel sorry for *doryeonim*, ain’t it? Not that I’m blaming *nunim*, but she raised her child wrong and produced such a rascal in the village. And what did the kid born from that do wrong, that he lived all day being beaten by his mother without knowing anything… I don’t understand…”

“That rotten bitch, not knowing her place, crawled into the village and demanded money for giving us her son. That crazy bitch, I still get angry thinking about it.”

“But, maybe it’s just me. Looking back now, we should have given the money and taken *doryeonim* back then. If we had brought him then, we wouldn’t be worrying like this.”

“It was wrong to give money just because he was *nunim’s* flesh and blood. He hung out with those useless bastards and did weird things, what the hell is this. We gave him land in the corner of the village, and he committed crimes against women there. I thought he would never get married with that personality, but in the end, he brought the family to this state and dirtied the family tree, it’s a shameful thing to show our ancestors, really.”

“Still, it’s a relief. *Nunim* says they’re vulgar, but in the end, those guys raised Junseo well, so we’re relieved like this, aren’t we? He’s also an adult who has reached *jeongtong* (first ejaculation), so I think it’s good to let him roam free a bit.”

“And the kid that came out of being left like that is that rascal, you *ssibul* bastard.”

“Hey, are you putting *doryeonim* on the same level as that rascal? *Doryeonim* is living diligently and well. I know you’re worried because that *num siki’s* blood is flowing, but if you say that, it’s the same as cursing all of *nunim’s* family.”

“What are we going to do about *nunim*? Shouldn’t we call *doryeonim* back now, even if it’s late?”

“Why suddenly, you people? He’s doing well, they say.”

“Then are we going to leave him as he is?”

“Didn’t you hear the story last time? He seems to be getting along well with his family now, so why would we drag him to this countryside? His heart hasn’t healed yet, so why would we separate him from his close friends?”

“Geureuche…”

“No matter how much we’re like beasts, *doryeonim* is our blood.”

“I don’t want to hurt his feelings.”

“I also feel like we don’t have the face to bring *doryeonim* after letting him roam free until now…”

“Still, leaving him as he is is a bit much, ain’t it… Still, *nunim*, ago… If we compare it to us, he’s like the village’s treasure…”

“Anyway, that *gae siki* is at fault. What the hell is this.”

For some reason, unlike Junseo, who thought he had no relatives, many old men knew Junseo’s face and movements. Moreover, they not only cursed his father, Lee Mun-san, calling him a rascal, but even criticized the old woman, whom they had been so afraid of until just now, for raising her child wrong.

“Yeah, as you guys say, I raised my child wrong… Really… What a hardship this is…”

However, the old woman didn’t seem to consider the curse about Lee Mun-san as a sore spot and brushed it off nonchalantly. Judging from the flow of the story, Junseo’s father, Lee Mun-san’s mother, was clearly this old woman, but she laughed heartily as if it was a comeuppance, further fueling the old men’s words.

“So what are we going to do? I’m in favor of bringing *doryeonim*, but what if he gets angry and goes astray?”

“There are women everywhere. We raised the bitches with more restraint than that rascal. Frankly, they can’t be compared to the whores *doryeonim* is with. Just bring *doryeonim* and let him get together with a decent woman, and he’ll eventually understand.”

“Hey, why are you trying to treat my grandson so vulgarly? Are you crazy?”

“*Doryeonim* is *nunim’s* grandson and our grandson too. Don’t go too far, you leper bastard.”

“Then what are we going to do? Are we going to leave him as he is?”

“What? Is there a reason not to? Leave him alone for now.”

“Is there a reason not to, leave him alone for now, are you guys missing screws in your heads? We all know that *nunim’s* family needs a generational change, so why are you saying that? All of you here are teaching your sons how to handle women and passing on the family business, but the most important *nunim’s* family has stopped because of that rascal. And to make matters worse, he didn’t even repent and just died as he pleased. We barely managed to pass down the things that have been passed down in the village for generations, and then he went to the secular world, slept with women, and caused trouble, scratching our insides like this.”

“Hey, stop it. That rascal may be dead, but he left a son behind. If he hadn’t left *doryeonim*, I would have overturned the funeral and everything, but unlike that guy, he left behind a good boy. That’s enough, why are you making such a fuss over a dead person? You guys know that our *nunim’s* heart is rotting away even if she doesn’t show it.”

“That’s right! That’s why we’re saying we should bring him now because he left that son behind! Didn’t you hear me?! Huh?!”

“Hey, hey, hey! If we do that, *doryeonim* will go astray, that’s what I’m saying now! Are your ears blocked?! Huh?!”

“Ha, this guy is frustrating, really!”

“Who are you to say that?!”

The factions are divided, centered on the words of the two old men who are mainly arguing. The *doryeonim* they are calling here naturally refers to Junseo. People are half and half divided between those who say they should bring that Junseo here to raise him and those who oppose it, glaring at each other. Of course, at the center was the old woman, blankly chewing on alcohol and vegetables, and after watching the situation for a while, she opened her mouth as if she had come to a conclusion.

“So, in the end, we have to bring our Junseo. But if we bring him by force, he might go astray like that *mundi* bastard, ain’t it?”

“Yes, *manim*.”

“Are you sure you checked properly? Are there any other illegitimate children?”

“*Doryeonim* Junseo is the first and last.”

“I don’t know what that rotten bastard did, sleeping around with women like that and only managing to produce one child… I just wanted our Junseo to live quietly there… I still feel the same way now… Hmm… Hey, hey, you bastards, if I don’t bring Junseo, is there a family that can take over the village chief’s job instead~?”

“Aigo, our *nunim*. You’re making it too simple?”

“It’s already decided that *nunim’s* family will do it for generations in our village, so why are you saying something different now? We can’t change the village tradition arbitrarily. No, we won’t change it.”

“Who else would take the lead in this crazy family and village.”

“From the beginning, this village was built by *nunim’s* family for generations, so why are you pulling out now.”

“Wasn’t it because *nunim* took the lead that we lived enjoying wealth and honor? It’s not that we don’t feel sorry for *doryeonim*, but *nunim’s* family has to do what they’ve been doing as much as we have for the village to function. We can’t stand by if you try to enjoy everything you’ve enjoyed so far and then slip away.”

“Those bastards, they have no heart…”

“It’s because we have a heart that we want to bring *doryeonim* back safely no matter what. Please understand that part.”

“Then what are we going to do in the end? It seems like the story is divided.”

“What else, we have to find a compromise.”

With those words, the old men who were divided in half gathered again and began to whisper. There was only one village chief family leading this suspicious village. Only Junseo inherited that bloodline, so everyone wanted to bring that child here, and in the end, they reached an agreement.

“Didn’t someone say earlier? That our girls are much better than the bitches *doryeonim* is with now.”

“That’s actually true.”

“It’s upsetting to compare our kids to those whores who have slept with who knows how many people, you old man.”

“We’ve been carefully raising girls for years to offer them as lovers to the high-ranking officials in the government. We really take care of everything from head to toe, ain’t it?”

“That guy is right. Mental education, behavior, personality, face, taste, we create a human being entirely by hand like that. We put in so much effort and send them as lovers or concubines to maintain this village for generations. Are you comparing girls who barely live on the streets to our family’s girls?”

“Don’t talk nonsense. To put it bluntly, this is a crazy village that high-ranking officials in the government have recognized. There’s no reason why the girls we raised ourselves would lose to other girls. Hey, we jokingly had one of the girls we were raising audition to be an idol, and she actually passed and is still dancing around, are you comparing her to a girl on the street? It hurts my pride, you bastard.”

“Hey, we think it’s a funny artisan spirit, but isn’t this village ultimately like that? But why are you asking that all of a sudden?”

At their prideful words, the old woman and a few others nodded as if they understood the intention of the question.

“Are there any girls who weren’t delivered this time?”

“There were.”

“About ten? But how did those girls get left behind? They weren’t defective, right? Not infertile either.”

“The government changed this time. As a result, the assemblymen cut ties with us. Some bastards who faltered and collapsed didn’t take the concubine girls they ordered and left them in the village. It’s a bit much to just let them play around, and it’s also shitty to send them to the red-light district or abroad to earn foreign currency, so I thought it was a good opportunity.”

“Don’t tell me you’re going to seduce *doryeonim*? Are you crazy?”

“Crazy? I’m normal. Pick out the best-groomed girl among the remaining items and plant her near *doryeonim*.”

“Is that as easy as it sounds? There are three women on his side?”

“Is there a reason why she can’t seduce him? We even make successful politicians seduce with their charms to catch scandals and blackmail them. *Doryeonim* is twenty years old now, right? If you think about that, he can be seduced as much as possible. And there’s no need to compete with those three. Since they don’t even know his house or living area, and *nunim* has a tight grip on the money, we just have to order the girls we send to get along well with *doryeonim*.”

“Heo.”

“This bastard, really.”

“This bastard, if you don’t have another plan, shut your mouth.”

“That’s true, but…”

Everyone pondered for a moment at someone’s suggestion, but soon showed agreement and looked at the old woman they called *nunim*. They hoped for the old woman’s decision with the spirit of saying 「Your Majesty」 right away, like a eunuch who would appear in a historical drama.

“If our Junseo is seduced by that and comes here on his own two feet, I wouldn’t dislike it either. Tell them that the girl who catches Junseo’s eye and gets hooked can proudly marry and take the position of the legal wife. Of course, if they say they’ll hold the ceremony here and we’ll bless them, they’ll turn their eyes upside down and go to spread their legs.”

“Really?”

“*Nunim*, are you really crazy?”

“Fools, of course, it’s a lie. Junseo’s legal wife will be a decent girl that I’ll pick myself and bring from the secular world, so just say that. You know that those item girls will be motivated and the work will go well. Did you eat your age in vain?”

“Ah, that’s true.”

“Legal wife my ass, what a load of crap. If our grandson settles down here and likes it, we can just sell her abroad if she becomes unnecessary. If he still has lingering feelings for her outside, leave her as a concubine.”

“Then we’ll tell them that and take care of the rest?”

“Ongya. Give it a try. I also want to marry off my grandson quickly and see another cute grandson.”

The old woman laughed *낄낄낄* along with the words that she would live long and prosper until then. The story was also settled, and the old men laughed along with it, saying 「This village will be peaceful and safe in the future」. As the atmosphere gradually heated up and everyone put alcohol to their lips, the folding door opened with a *dalkak* at the old woman’s clap, and women appeared in droves from there.

The 「items」 that the old woman and old men spoke of just now were these women.

Women with various tastes in flashy clothes or modest attire.

And, “slaves” who sold their lives for money.

“After drinking and enjoying ourselves to the fullest, we have to go to paradise, paradise. What are you doing? Hurry up and send these old men to paradise.”

“”””””Yes! Sunok *manim*!””””””

The women smiled without any displeasure at the old woman’s words and entrusted themselves to the old men.

And, the *jujiyukrim* (forest of liquor and meat) begins.

This village was the hometown where Lee Mun-san was born and the hell where Junseo’s family suffered.

And, it continued as a current event.