Episode 27
Dad's Scary Dream
“Yeah, of course I’m fine. I was just playing at Ikseon’s house the whole time.”
Though flustered, I calmly acted like I’d been staying at Ikseon’s house.
But Dad’s face turned grave as he cupped my cheeks in his large hands, scrutinizing me.
‘If Dad’s this serious, he must’ve noticed something… Where did the information leak from?’
No matter how much I racked my brain, there was no way Dad could’ve found out about my trip to the Demon Sect!
I’d prepared everything perfectly!
I’d even sprinted home at full speed to arrive before him.
Since he hadn’t mentioned the Demon Sect yet, I’d keep pretending ignorance.
“Ha… What a relief.”
After thoroughly checking my face, Dad sighed in relief and hugged me again.
“Dad, what’s wrong? You rushed here without even changing clothes. Did something happen?”
I asked innocently while fiddling with his sleepwear.
“Maybe… Dad had a nightmare.”
‘A nightmare?’
Thank heavens.
He didn’t find out about the Demon Sect!
Relieved for a different reason, I finally relaxed and focused on him.
“But do you even get scary dreams, Dad?”
‘I thought the Heavenly Demon wouldn’t fear anything. But coming here in sleepwear means it wasn’t an ordinary nightmare.’
At my question, Dad nodded like it was obvious.
“I do.”
“What kind? Ghosts?”
“Ghosts aren’t scary.”
‘Well, any ghost seeing Dad would flee for its afterlife.’
“Then what did you dream about?”
Growing impatient, I pressed until Dad set me down and crouched to eye level.
“A dream where you were in pain.”
“Me?”
“Yes. You were suffering underwater, enduring something… but forcing yourself to bear it for my sake.”
The moment he said this, I recalled swallowing the Golden Lotus seed.
‘The Golden Lotus hid the seed’s power in me. Dad shouldn’t sense it… So how could he dream of that exact moment?’
‘There’s no record of the Heavenly Demon having precognition!’
“It’s just a dream. Why is that scary?”
Dad brushed back my messy stray hairs.
“Nothing terrifies me more than seeing you hurt, sad, or suffering.”
“But why fear my pain? Shouldn’t you just worry?”
Having lived alone in my past life, I struggled to understand his emotions.
“Because you’re everything to me. Your pain scares me more than my own suffering. Because I can’t endure it for you.”
‘He’s afraid… because he can’t take my place?’
Just how deeply does Dad love me?
‘I thought I loved him too, but his love dwarfs mine completely.’
Yet feeling his devotion made me fearless.
“I’m strong! Misfortune doesn’t scare me! Because I have you!”
I boldly hugged his shoulders, which seemed unusually weary today.
“You’ve grown so much… even comforting me now.”
Dad seemed startled by my sudden affection but soon gently patted my back.
‘I’ve really matured inside!’
“My, what a touching father-daughter reunion! One might think you’d been apart for decades!”
Ikseon’s mom watched our emotional moment with envy.
“Mom, get me a handsome dad like Cheonsung too!”
As Ikseon joined the pestering, her mother sighed deeply.
“Ugh… If I wanted a husband like Cheonsung, I’d need another lifetime. Give up.”
“Why?”
“Look at your father’s face.”
Ikseon’s gaze shifted to her dad hauling firewood.
“What’s wrong with me?”
The clueless man was promptly ignored by both wife and daughter.
‘They tease, but they’re such a close family.’
“Shall we go home, Byul?”
“Yeah! We’ll cook the carrots we grew! Let’s pull them from the garden!”
“Alright. We’ll do everything you want.”
Dad carried me while bidding farewell, listening to my chatter as we headed home.
“How could this happen?!”
Despair flooded me upon seeing our garden.
“We left too long unattended.”
“The carrots were thriving before we left… Now they’re all rotten.”
A week’s neglect left every vegetable wilted or decayed.
“Should I buy new carrots?”
Dad moved urgently upon seeing my dismay.
“Only ours matter! The ones we grew together!”
I desperately grabbed his sleeve.
‘All that care while waiting to sneak off to the Demon Sect… Wanted to celebrate with them… What a waste.’
“Then let’s clear the plot and plant new seeds together.”
“Yes!”
My bright smile drew a faint one from Dad.
‘Now that we’re home… Time to rest.’
My legs ached from the nonstop journey.
‘There! My spot!’
I dashed to the wooden porch and plopped down.
‘Ah, sitting feels heavenly. No more serving the Young Sect Leader! Whoever said “home is sanctuary” deserves an award. Truer words never spoken!’
Kicking the air happily, I didn’t notice Dad’s gaze freezing elsewhere.
“Byul.”
“Hm?”
“Your flower shoes are worn out.”
My eyes snapped downward.
The recently bought shoes were caked in mud.
‘Makes sense after hiking uphill for spring water.’
“I played with Ikseon in the rain! Didn’t even notice.”
Dad crouched before me, thoughtful.
‘Does he suspect something?’
Thud. Thud. Thud.
My heart pounded like war drums in my ears.
“I’ll buy new ones at the market. Wear others for now.”
He quietly swapped my shoes, sparing me further interrogation.
‘Phew. Two lies already… Can’t push my luck.’
“Thanks, Dad.”
“I’ll change clothes now.”
“Okay!”
Only after tending to me did Dad notice his sleepwear and retreat to change.
I studied the replacement shoes.
‘Next time, I’ll buy durable Demon Sect expedition shoes.’
“Jeokwoon.”
Still in sleepwear, Danghwi summoned his subordinate.
“Yes, Heavenly Demon.”
Jeokwoon materialized behind translucent white fabric. Wind fluttered the cloth like waves as Danghwi drew his sword.
The blade danced, slicing only the fabric around Jeokwoon.
“You will answer without a single lie.”
Their eyes met—crimson against obsidian—like ink strokes on parchment.
Danghwi’s icy gaze followed the sword’s curve, piercing Jeokwoon.
“Unless you wish to become my blade’s next meal.”
