Chapter: 79
A few seconds passed with her tightly shut eyes while she curled up.
When she sensed that there was no impact or noise as she had expected, Gu Ryunghwa slowly opened her eyes.
She had thought the first thing she would see would be the tip of a wooden sword.
However, the first thing Gu Ryunghwa saw upon opening her eyes was someone’s back.
It wasn’t the broadest back, but it was definitely a shape she recognized from her memories.
Fwoosh—
A familiar sound was coupled with a rush of heat that enveloped her.
The wooden sword that had been aimed at her had been caught by someone’s hand before she even understood the situation.
Before she could even grasp what was happening around her, the heat surrounding her dissipated.
The owner of that back spoke up.
“What are you doing?”
At that voice, the woman who had been sparring with Gu Ryunghwa quickly avoided eye contact.
As Gu Ryunghwa was dazed, struggling to comprehend the situation, her eyes landed on the face of her rescuer.
A boy with a sharp gaze and a demeanor that seemed to harbor his irritation at the world.
It was none other than her brother, Gu Yangcheon.
*
‘Did I think it was going to break?’
Her hand still tingled.
She had jumped in, fearing that something catastrophic might happen if she didn’t, but she hadn’t intended to intervene so aggressively.
Namgung Bi-ah had surrounded her sword with Qi, but its intensity wasn’t that strong.
Still, if I hadn’t used my own Qi, my arm would surely have been smashed to bits.
“What are you doing?”
At her inquiry, Namgung Bi-ah avoided my gaze.
Did she realize that she went a bit too far?
“Why did you even pull out your sword against a kid?”
Namgung Bi-ah remained silent.
It seemed like there had been some exchange between them that I had missed entirely.
After a moment of hesitation, Namgung Bi-ah spoke with a sulky expression.
“…She called me ugly.”
“What?”
“She said I wasn’t ugly, but…”
What the heck is she saying?
Did Gu Ryunghwa call Namgung Bi-ah ugly or something?
‘…Is she really that bad at judging appearances?’
Taking into account her bloodline, Gu Ryunghwa was quite pretty.
Moreover, since she lacked the sharp and intimidating gaze that was typical in our clan, she appeared even more attractive.
Yet, compared to Namgung Bi-ah, she substantially fell short.
I turned to Gu Ryunghwa and asked, “Did you call her ugly?”
“…What nonsense are you talking about?”
“Exactly, so what’s all this nonsense about?”
It felt like there was a major misunderstanding going on here.
Gu Ryunghwa regarded me with a peculiar expression.
“What?”
“…What’s your relationship with that woman?”
“That woman?”
She glanced at Namgung Bi-ah.
Did I never mention it to her?
Right, I hadn’t, had I?
“Uh… She’s…”
“Fiancée.”
Similar to the incident before, Namgung Bi-ah interjected again.
Upon hearing that word from Namgung Bi-ah’s lips, Gu Ryunghwa’s expression turned to stone.
Alternating her gaze back and forth between Namgung Bi-ah and me, the look of disbelief and concern began to form on her face.
It was as if she was questioning, ‘…But how is that possible?’
To put it more accurately, she might have been thinking something along the lines of,
‘Someone like you is marrying her…? Really?’
Regardless of her thoughts, trying to explain our situation was daunting.
“…So you came here with your fiancée?”
“Not exactly… we just stumbled across each other on the way.”
We truly met by chance.
Although from Gu Ryunghwa’s perspective, it seemed ludicrous to believe that one could casually bump into someone on their journey from Shanxi to Sichuan.
…But it really was just that simple.
Lost in her thoughts, Gu Ryunghwa appeared to remember something and gazed at Namgung Bi-ah with a hazy expression.
Namgung Bi-ah wore her usual blank face as she exchanged glances with her.
Gu Ryunghwa stood up, brushing off the dust from her attire, and made her way towards Namgung Bi-ah.
I thought she might unleash her frustrations over the earlier situation, so I planned to intervene.
But surprisingly, Gu Ryunghwa bowed her head low before Namgung Bi-ah.
“Thank you for your guidance.”
Despite Namgung Bi-ah being the cause of her current state, Gu Ryunghwa maintained her respect.
Namgung Bi-ah examined Gu Ryunghwa for a moment before gently brushing off the grass clinging to her shoulders.
Gu Ryunghwa flinched at the touch but gathered herself to continue.
“…I apologize for my harsh words too.”
Why was she looking at me as she said that?
After Gu Ryunghwa apologized, Namgung Bi-ah also delivered her own apology.
“…I’m also sorry…”
Huh…?
Why suddenly are they apologizing to each other?
In my confusion about this bizarre situation, Gu Ryunghwa suddenly dashed off in the other direction.
“Where are you going?”
“Mind your own business!”
After yelling back at me for seemingly no reason, she bowed slightly to Namgung Bi-ah and hurried down the hillside.
After all my effort to save her…
“What’s up with her…?”
I was completely baffled.
As Gu Ryunghwa took off, Namgung Bi-ah approached me.
She looked a bit awkward.
“…I wasn’t actually going to hit her…”
Hearing her excuse brought a smile to my face.
“I know.”
The minimal trace of Qi in her sword and the pressure she had emitted clearly indicated it was meant only as a scare tactic.
Yet, I had stepped in, fearing Gu Ryunghwa would get hurt, so I also bore some responsibility.
I looked at Namgung Bi-ah, standing there awkwardly, and asked, “What were you doing with her?”
“…We were just having a duel.”
“…Yeah, that makes sense coming from you.”
Who gets so worked up over duels?
Is she possessed by a ghost like me, or what? That thought genuinely crossed my mind.
Namgung Bi-ah suddenly asked me, “Um…”
“Hm?”
“Do you know her…?”
I paused for a moment, mulling over what she was asking.
Then I looked toward where Namgung Bi-ah was glancing, realizing it was the direction Gu Ryunghwa had bolted off to.
Oh, did I forget to tell Namgung Bi-ah about her?
I casually responded, offering no thought to it.
“She’s my little sister.”
“…Huh?”
I apparently hadn’t mentioned that…
So all this time, they were sparring without Namgung Bi-ah knowing she was my sister?
That made sense since we didn’t resemble each other much.
Yet, Namgung Bi-ah’s expression after I spoke was concerning.
I had never seen such a look on her face in both my previous and current life.
“…What’s wrong?”
I was genuinely puzzled by her unusual demeanor.
This was the first time I encountered such a look from her.
How should I put this? She looked like she was despairing… or maybe shocked?
Her face displayed a muddle of emotions.
Yet, it was definitely leaning on the more negative side.
“…M…”
“M?”
She started mumbling softly to herself, but her voice was too low to catch.
So I leaned in closer.
“M… Mess…”
“What?”
“I messed up…”
Those three words escaped her lips repeatedly in a whisper.
I had no idea what she had messed up to respond like that.
But I was accustomed to Namgung Bi-ah’s odd behavior, so I chose to overlook it.
*
The next day dawned bright.
Fortunately, I managed to secure another room, allowing me to sleep well the previous night.
Namgung Bi-ah didn’t express anything, but Wi Seol-Ah looked rather displeased from her expression.
I felt a tad guilty, but since I had already informed Hongwa, Wi Seol-Ah was taken to sleep in another room.
Thanks to that, I finally enjoyed a good sleep after what felt like ages.
Elder Shin’s incessant ranting was a bit bothersome, but I was exhausted enough to fall asleep despite that chatter.
Convinced that I’d rest well that night, I figured I could handle training with Yung Pung in the morning.
The plan was to be refreshed enough to withstand it.
But I was dead wrong.
I swear, this clan’s training must be a cover for torture.
Self-torture at that.
I returned with shaking legs and collapsed flat on the floor the moment I stepped into my quarters.
I typically didn’t succumb to heat or cold because of my Qi,
But to be drenched in sweat like this…
And they expect us to endure this blatant insanity every day?
This truly was a bizarre cult of masochists.
…What did you just say?
Elder Shin began to curse under his breath, but I ignored him.
I had become used to his scolding habits, so tuning him out was easy now.
While sprawled on the floor, soaked in my own sweat, a cup appeared beside me.
It was Wi Seol-Ah, familiar with delivering water whenever she showed up.
“Young Master, are you okay…?”
“No… Not okay at all.”
I lay there like a half-dead fish, completely exhausted.
Feeling uneasy over not seeing Namgung Bi-ah around in the morning, I asked Wi Seol-Ah, “Where is she?”
“She went out just now!”
I wondered if she was slicing and dicing somewhere with her sword.
I lifted the cup using my trembling hands and gulped it down like a parched man.
The sweet taste of water made it clear just how thirsty I had been.
While drinking, Wi Seol-Ah busily wiped my sweat-drenched hair with a towel.
It was ultimately pointless since I needed to wash up anyway, but I appreciated the gesture.
“Thanks.”
“Should I fetch more water?”
“Nah, I’m good.”
Struggling against my aching limbs, I finally sat upright.
While I groaned on the floor, Wi Seol-Ah snuggled up beside me.
“What’s up…?”
“You can lean on me!”
“On you?”
“Mhm!”
Did I really look that exhausted?
For her to offer that…?
I often teased Wi Seol-Ah about her round figure, but objectively speaking, she appeared rather slender.
She had the kind of delicate look that seemed like a gentle poke would send her flying.
But despite her delicate physique, she surprisingly possessed immense strength in household chores,
Yet I figured it was a quirk about her, so I didn’t ponder it much.
When I leaned on her, surprisingly, she didn’t budge an inch.
Such a curious build…
Are you feeling pleased?
Elder Shin’s voice almost made me burst out laughing.
Do I feel pleased?
As I turned to peer at Wi Seol-Ah again, she was gazing into the pond situated within the compound.
Was she mesmerized by the fish?
Or was she thinking about eating them?
Suddenly feeling a tinge of concern at the thought given her past hints at wanting to eat strange things.
Even if that were true, I figured she wouldn’t actually do it…
…I hope not.
Remaining in my leaning position, I observed her intently until Wi Seol-Ah turned to directly face me.
When our eyes met, she beamed brightly…
Time seemed to stop the instant that smile hit me.
It was amplified by our close proximity.
‘…Her face is like a weapon of mass attraction.’
Should I be considering veiling that face not a few years from now but starting now?
Even with her in a servant’s garb, I could already envision the beauty she’d grow into, urging my thoughts to protect her, if only from every other potential suitor.
Yet I knew I couldn’t keep her in my embrace forever.
After all, this held weight beyond beauty.
That left me pondering the actual thoughts of others.
Both the Sword Emperor and my father.
“Young Master.”
“Hmm?”
I acknowledged the call, but she remained silent.
Wi Seol-Ah called and simply stared at my face.
Her gaze felt heavy, as if I might be sucked into those deep, onyx eyes.
Why is she just looking at me like this?
As I was about to break the silence, thinking she wouldn’t speak up anytime soon,
“Gu—!”
It was Yung Pung’s cheerful entrance that interrupted our bubble.
This felt eerily familiar.
Is it just my imagination?
I shifted to sit upright as Yung Pung entered my quarters.
Seeing me, Yung Pung’s eyes darted around, perplexed by what to do.
“What brings you here?”
“…Uh, I… apologize. I feel like I intruded.”
“…Huh? No, I wasn’t doing anything.”
You really held your breath back there… you liar.
Even as he spoke to me, Yung Pung appeared increasingly fidgety.
I briefly wondered if I was the cause, but his nervous expressions were directed elsewhere.
Was it aimed at Wi Seol-Ah?
Intrigued by Yung Pung’s strange reactions, I looked over at Wi Seol-Ah, who still maintained that encouraging smile.
“Master Yung Pung…?”
“Uh… Oh, I just came to ask if you’d like to share a meal now that training has concluded…”
I cast my head, bewildered by Yung Pung’s words.
Why’d he bother to come here when there are other third-generation students he could’ve asked?
Didn’t we usually eat together?
He seemed to have a hidden agenda.
But since I needed to eat, I accepted his offer readily.
“Oh, then please sit. I need to hit the shower first.”
After all that sweating, washing up was a must.
“Huh…?”
“Just chill here. It’s not like you have anywhere else to go, right?”
“No, I’ll just lay on the ground or climb a tree to relax. So hurry back!”
How contradictory and oddly specific of you.
What was with him acting like that?
“Anyway, just sit and wait. I’ll be quick.”
“Wait—!”
I think I heard Yung Pung calling behind me, but hunger spurred me to dash away to the shower instead.
I couldn’t help but wonder just what the deal was with Yung Pung today.
Did he over-train and lose his mind?
That seemed like the most plausible explanation.
As I moved toward the shower, Elder Shin suddenly remarked,
…Did you not see the girl’s expression?
“What expression?”
You really don’t know how to observe someone’s feelings, do you?
What the heck is he talking about?
To my eyes, she had just been smiling like usual.
What exactly did Elder Shin perceive?
…Or did she deliberately conceal her true feelings? She has a puppy-like appearance, but she’s far craftier than you could imagine.
What on earth is this crazy old man blabbering about?
I brushed off his comments, convinced he was just ranting aimlessly again.
Because no matter how I viewed it, Wi Seol-Ah didn’t come off as fox-like at all.
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