Chapter: 130
What the hell are you doing here again? (1)
The wind was chilly, and it was around the time the moon was hidden behind the clouds.
I remembered the face of someone who asked me while holding a sword.
– The night is cold. What brought you out here?
The tied-up golden hair was shining even in the dark.
When was this?
There had been so many events that I couldn’t pick just one.
– Why are you worried about whether I’m cold, but not anyone else?
Though it may not have been the warmest question, my response was far from friendly.
Feeling this useless inadequacy is indeed a pitiful sight.
Even with my harsh tone, her expression remained unchanged.
– …If that’s not it, I suppose it’s your shift now.
– If you’ve realized, just disappear quickly.
– Are you going to be okay?
– What?
Unlike the golden hair that shone brightly, her eyes were a soft silver.
– This time is the most dangerous.
– So, are you saying I should crawl into a hole because I’m weak?
– That’s not what I mean…
I erupted in flames in response to her words.
In comparison to now, it truly was a pathetic level of strength.
The flames that were supposed to expand diminished immediately, unable to stand against the sword she held high.
She frowned a bit, seemingly uncomfortable, and spoke to me.
– What are you trying to do by attracting attention like this? Are you hoping they come here?
– Stop the silly chatter and just go inside. I’ll manage on my own.
– Honestly, waking the slumbering dragon might be better.
– Are you saying I should make a bigger fire this time?
– …
Finally letting out a sigh, she decided to head to the barracks.
As she grasped the entrance of the tent, she questioned me.
– Young Master Gu, once you manage to escape here, what will you do?
Taken aback by the unexpected question, I replied as if it was absurd.
– Have you turned sentimental just because it’s nighttime? Why ask such a pointless question?
If I left this place?
Could I even leave? The Abyss was a hellish place, unforgiving like a nightmare.
– Forget me; what are you thinking of doing?
Since I had no answer, I returned the question.
Even if I escaped, all I would have left was to carry on the heavy burdens bestowed upon me.
So I asked her what she wanted to do.
She seemed to contemplate for a while, then finally opened her mouth.
– I want to wander around a bit.
– Wander? You can do that now.
Her expression, usually composed, twisted into disbelief upon hearing my words.
– I meant to say I want to go where there are many people.
– Why do you want such a bothersome dream?
– I really don’t know…
Wi Seol-Ah laughed, and though I could sense the exhaustion in her laughter, I chose not to remark on it.
– I wonder why I have this desire.
She looked fatigued.
She couldn’t possibly be physically tired; she was a martial artist who had already overcome her limits.
I decided to turn away as I saw Wi Seol-Ah slowly entering.
At that time, I had not a single thought in my mind.
All I needed to do was endure today and survive to see tomorrow.
Who would have guessed that our time there would stretch out so long?
Even after enduring and returning from there, after losing everything, I crawled back on my own.
Yet this memory served as great help in my later endeavors.
Thinking of you, it became a period of significant change.
Though everyone may have forgotten you, I alone honored the memory, and that was enough.
Even if I despair at every choice I made, I shall not regret them.
[…The contract is established. Small ember.]
I wished you too would feel the same; I was alone in this hope.
I was startled when Namgung Bi-ah showed up all of a sudden, but as always, she was an enigma, so I just rolled with it.
– What are you talking about? It was as if a storm raged when you heard her say she wanted to see you.
‘It was just momentary shock.’
– Yeah, I get it. That’s why you said something random like asking her if she had eaten?
‘…Elder, you’re getting more mean with time.’
After we ate, Namgung Bi-ah, almost as if on cue, decided to take a nap in my room.
“So, why are you sleeping in my room?”
Without a care, she snatched my blanket and wrapped herself in it like it was totally normal.
“Sis must really be tired.”
“That’s not the pro-… Never mind.”
Arguing would only lead to my loss, so I let her be.
Her sudden arrival interrupted my training session too. Now I didn’t really know if I wanted to continue.
And more importantly, I couldn’t help but notice Wi Seol-Ah, who seemed uncharacteristically down.
“Do you want a yakgwa?” I casually asked.
“No.”
She flat-out refused, with an adamant tone. This was a crisis.
Hundreds of potential ideas popped up in my mind, but barely any were useful.
In the end, I had to ask her directly.
“Why does your face look so sad?”
“…I just… it’s not going well for me.”
“What’s not?”
“Various things….”
I had rarely seen Wi Seol-Ah in such a droopy state.
I had noticed her looking downcast more often lately, though I initially dismissed it.
But seeing her cheeks slowly sinking in left me unsettled.
After a moment of consideration, I decided to say, “Let’s go out.”
“Huh?”
Wi Seol-Ah looked at me as if trying to grasp my words.
“Let’s go for a short walk.”
Immediately, her eyes brightened, almost as if she understood.
“Sister Hongwa told me to buy many delicious things on my way back.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I’m planning to purchase quite a lot!”
“A lot… Sure, let’s go with that.”
I pulled Wi Seol-Ah and headed out to the streets.
I thought about whether I should inform Muyeon first, but ultimately, I decided not to.
I had reached a point where I no longer needed a guard nearby.
“Young Master, where are you going?”
“Just wandering a bit.”
“Really?!”
Seeing her suddenly perk up, I felt relieved that my plan was indeed effective.
– Did you get enough rest?
I gave a bitter smile in response to Elder Shin’s question.
Rest?
Not really.
My demonic qi was still being purified, so it would be better to keep training during this time.
“Look over there, Young Master!”
“Where?”
“Skewers!”
“Alright, you can eat, but first finish everything you have in your hands.”
I couldn’t help but think about how a day off didn’t seem so bad after all.
After a busy schedule ahead of me!
Yes, perhaps one day of fun should be fine.
I even tried to wake Namgung Bi-ah, but she half-opened her eyes and, after some contemplation, curled back into my blanket, immediately falling asleep.
It appeared that for her, sleep was of utmost importance.
I watched Wi Seol-Ah as she frolicked around.
Her brightly smiling face was something I found pleasantly surprising each time.
– That little girl… is the hope for the future.
Even Elder Shin, who saw my memories, seemed puzzled, but that was simply the reality.
“Hey, Young Master! Let’s eat this together!”
With a bright smile, she appeared holding some fruit I didn’t recognize.
As I swiftly reached for my money, Wi Seol-Ah proudly declared,
“I bought it!”
“Huh? How?”
“Hmm? I just did…?”
Her little purse came out and flashed before my eyes.
Upon peeking inside, I found actual money tucked away.
It dawned on me: being a servant meant Wi Seol-Ah would have received a salary.
For someone who never paid for yakgwa before to buy something was quite an amusing turn.
‘She’s changed a lot in such a short time.’
Though she should’ve been accustomed to such transactions, her common sense had lagged behind her age.
“Eat this!”
I accepted the fruit from her and took a bite.
The sourness hit my tongue instantly, and I grimaced.
Seeing me, Wi Seol-Ah burst into laughter.
“Is this amusing?”
“Your face is so funny right now.”
“That feels like an insult! Are you dissing me?”
She denied it vehemently, and I wondered, What have I done to deserve this?
Thus we strolled through the streets while chatting.
It had been quite a while since I had visited this place.
I had left for the Mount Hua Sect and hadn’t returned here at all.
Unexpectedly, this place seemed surprisingly lively.
“Oh, it’s you, Seol-Ah!”
“Hello!”
“It’s been a while! Where’s your sister?”
“She’s busy! Just one of these, please!”
“Oh, it’s Seol-Ah!”
Many people on the street recognized Wi Seol-Ah.
Had she visited here with others without my knowledge?
When they called her “sister,” I instinctively thought of Hongwa.
‘This means the Sword Emperor allowed this…’
Otherwise, there was no way she could wander around freely with no concerns.
While the world seemed to be at peace, it wasn’t safe enough for her to roam about like this.
I hadn’t decided to cover their faces to avoid involvement; it was purely for their safety.
“Hey, Young Master.”
I was momentarily taken aback by Wi Seol-Ah appearing right before me.
I had been lost in thought but completely missed her approaching.
Suppressing my surprise, I questioned her.
“What’s up?”
“Everyone calls you Young Master.”
“Hm?”
What’s she on about now?
“Sis Soyeol often addresses you that way. I don’t think Sis Bi-ah does.”
Most people did indeed call me that since using casual language right off the bat wouldn’t sit well.
“Well, that’s because…”
Because our social statuses are different. It was a simple enough explanation; yet, saying it outright was a different matter.
After all, Wi Seol-Ah wouldn’t be my servant forever.
She spoke in a playful tone, echoing, “Young Master Gu!” as if trying it on for size.
I was left momentarily dazed upon hearing it.
– Young Master Gu.
Old memories I wished to forget popped into my head.
Before me stood a version of Wi Seol-Ah more mature than I knew now.
With a slightly altered expression and a lower voice, she spoke to me, making the resonance vivid in my mind.
In that different situation, those words came back to me shockingly clear.
Was my expression not normal? Wi Seol-Ah flinched, looking a little dejected.
“I see, I guess it doesn’t suit me…”
It finally broke my daze, but I had to ask,
“What do you mean it doesn’t suit you?”
“Sis Tang is beautiful, and Sis Bi-ah too. So, it fits them, but I guess it looks weird on me… Your face used to be ugly.”
Hey now, ugly?
Words delivered with a pure heart always puncture right through.
Regardless, could the cause of her gloominess really stem from all this? I didn’t believe that would be the whole picture.
“Let’s put it aside; as far as looks go, you…”
“What?”
“You…”
The words caught in my throat.
What I wanted to say was you’re also pretty, but it felt like a boulder was trapped in my mouth.
In the meantime, Wi Seol-Ah seemed to have picked up a hint, her eyes smiling.
“What is it? What is it?”
“Were you doing this on purpose?”
“Nope, I’m completely clueless.”
One thing was for sure, she must have picked up some nasty habits while I wasn’t watching.
“If you don’t tell me, I’m going to spill the beans.”
“What do you have to spill? What could possibly be wrong?”
“Remember that time you escaped from Grandpa Ryoon when he was looking for you, saying he was a hassle…?”
“You’re pretty.”
My words burst out almost like a reflex, and Wi Seol-Ah couldn’t help but beam.
With the last bit of plumpness around her cheeks vanishing little by little, she started embodying more of her former self.
Her beauty radiated, accompanied by her laughter, showcasing a charm that illuminated the surroundings.
“Hey.”
Had she feigned disappointment on purpose?
That did not sound like the usual Wi Seol-Ah.
– You really are clueless… That girl’s far more cunning than you ever imagined.
“Would you prefer another, since it’s unfair…”
“No.”
Upon my firm refusal, I clapped a hand over my mouth to suppress my chuckle at Wi Seol-Ah’s wide-eyed shock.
In the end, we purchased the food she wanted.
When we returned home, it turned out it was dumplings she wanted to share with me to eat.
We shared them with a half-awake Namgung Bi-ah before dinner rolled around.
And just as a note, Wi Seol-Ah got caught dirtying her clothes and got a scolding from Hongwa.
She shot me a pleading look, but with her already exposed, I could do nothing but pretend not to see.
The look of betrayal etched on Wi Seol-Ah’s face during that moment was utterly adorable, remaining in my mind.
A week passed in no time, leading us to the day of the Dragon and Phoenix Tournament.
This was an event I had planned for quite some time, but what unfolded was something I had not anticipated.
In the gathering area where several carriages parked, a boy stood before me.
He looked at least a head taller, with an athletic and handsome face.
Tang Soyeol, who was next to me, was glaring at the boy for some reason, though she seemed innocent enough in her appearance.
In this absurd situation, I asked the boy,
“So…”
“Yep…”
Neither of us seemed enthused about what was happening.
In fact, he seemed more anxious, considering how tense his posture was.
“You’re tagging along with us?”
The boy flinched slightly at my question.
After hearing his response, I sighed heavily.
Before me stood the grandson of the First Elder, a once-promising genius from Gu Sunmoon.
“Please take care of me,” said Gu Jeolyub.
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