Chapter: 378
Certainly, people are what they make of themselves.
That was the first thought that came to mind when I saw the suddenly appearing Baekcheon Sword Master.
When he was still in rags, he seemed like just a somewhat charismatic middle-aged man.
It’s amazing how just putting on neat clothes and adopting a slightly polished demeanor can change someone so drastically.
It was simply fascinating.
‘No, this isn’t right.’
Now wasn’t the time to scrutinize the other person’s appearance.
The important question was, why was he here at this hour?
Baekcheon Sword Master Mo Yong-tae radiated a lethal aura while looking at me.
Observing this, I asked Mo Yong-tae,
“…Why is Lord Murong here…?”
“I came out for a night walk.”
Mo Yong-tae’s response left me dumbfounded.
With that kind of murderous intent?
Anyone could tell that his current appearance didn’t resemble someone casually out for a stroll.
‘Surely, that guy is really planning to kill me, right?’
That thought flitted through my mind, but I dismissed it.
There was no way a head of one of the four great families would just show up alone and attempt an assassination like that.
If he committed such an act in Hanam, he wouldn’t be able to handle the consequences that would follow.
Mo Yong-tae surely knew this better than I did.
After contemplating that, I decided to give Mo Yong-tae a light bow.
“…Understood. It was an honor to meet you, Lord Murong. Well then, enjoy your walk.”
First, I should get out of here.
Just as I decided to step away, I turned around.
Whoosh—!
A sharp gust of wind brushed past my face.
Crack—!
A lethal sound rang out as trees fell where the wind had passed.
“Small group.”
“… ?”
I turned my head at Mo Yong-tae’s call.
He had suddenly drawn his sword and was looking at me.
A subtle yet palpable anticipation mixed with his aura expanded around him.
Seeing that, I couldn’t help but swallow hard.
“I haven’t heard your answer yet.”
“… What kind of… answer are you referring to?”
“The name of the small group. My question about whether you can tell me now. You haven’t answered me yet.”
The question about my name?
‘He probably already knows everything.’
Mo Yong-tae must already know my name, so why make me answer?
“…”
It seemed like a joke, but Mo Yong-tae’s eyes were serious.
Was the swordsmanship from just now sincere too?
Whatever it was, the cold atmosphere wouldn’t change.
‘No matter how I look at it, this isn’t a good situation.’
Things felt awkwardly tense.
How should I respond to this situation?
‘What about my father?’
He should be arriving soon.
If that happens, this situation will likely resolve itself.
But the awkwardness would still remain.
While I was tangled up in my thoughts.
“If you’re not going to answer, then no need to.”
Mo Yong-tae slowly started to place his sword back into its sheath.
What the heck? He looked like he was about to kill me, but now he’s just going to leave?
So easily?
Clink.
All the blades of Mo Yong-tae’s sword were hidden back in the scabbard.
While I was watching that, a thought struck me.
“What happens if I don’t answer?”
Mo Yong-tae’s sharp gaze turned towards me after hearing my question.
The tension was palpable.
“I will simply return.”
A strange feeling washed over me from Mo Yong-tae’s answer. So, isn’t that a good outcome?
Just then, the thought crossed my mind.
“Of course, I will take my daughter back with me.”
“…!”
“The contract we made with Gu clan will be honored as is, so there will be no issues. The agreement made in Shanxi won’t be breached, so you needn’t worry.”
“… Then, what about your daughter’s illness?”
The reason Mo Yong-se’s family had helped the Gu clan in so many ways and why Mo Yong-hee stuck close to me all this time
Was to treat Mo Yong-hee’s chronic condition.
The treatment was still ongoing.
However, saying he would take Mo Yong-hee away like this indicated they no longer intended to pursue that treatment.
In response to my “concerns,” which really weren’t my concerns, Mo Yong-tae spoke with a somewhat icy tone.
“That’s a matter for our family to deal with. You need not worry about it.”
“…”
That was a fair answer.
In reality, it was a matter concerning the Mo family, not something I as an outsider needed to fret over.
Even so, a strange unease began to prick at my insides.
I felt pretty awful about it.
“Then, I will ask one last question. The name of the small group. Can you share it with me?”
“… What will happen if I tell you?”
“…”
Simply saying my name stood as the sole barrier in this choice.
Introducing myself matters greatly to Mo Yong-tae.
I wanted to know why. Mo Yong-tae looked at me for a moment before placing his hand back on the hilt of his sword.
And then he spoke.
“I don’t like small groups.”
“…”
Instead of an answer, I was met with outright dismissal.
“I believe you understand why.”
“… Yes.”
“And yet, if my daughter desires it so greatly and if you’re the only one who can ensure her happiness, then I feel I should tolerate it.”
“Well…”
“One.”
Swish.
The sword that had just gone back in was unsheathed again.
In that split second, energy rushed outward.
When faced with the aura, my entire body tingled.
Baekcheon Sword Master Mo Yong-tae.
While he is the head of a prestigious family known as the Four Great Families,
He was also considered the weakest when it came to martial arts.
Even so, it’s undeniably true that Baekcheon Sword Master is still the head of the Mo family.
‘Just his aura alone could cut me.’
His energy was so sharp.
I finally understood why some swordsmen contended for the name of Sword King.
“I have no intention of entrusting it to someone who can’t confidently say their own name.”
“…”
“Even if it means sacrificing the child’s happiness, I cannot accept it.”
His presence gradually amplified. At this point, it was impossible to pretend I didn’t notice.
If I were to spit out my name here, Baekcheon Sword Master would direct his sword at me.
I didn’t know if it was some sort of test or if he genuinely wished to thrash me,
But what Baekcheon Sword Master had said lingered in my mind.
– I can’t hand it over to someone who can’t even dare to speak their own name.
To be frank, I had no memory of taking care of Mo Yong-hee. I certainly hadn’t done anything I needed to take responsibility for. Even if I did, it was in a past life.
By now, those memories had all faded.
It was something I’d keep to myself.
Furthermore, I could claim with certainty that I had not committed any offense to warrant Baekcheon Sword Master’s persecution.
Why must I feel so uneasy?
Is it because I don’t want to send Mo Yong-hee away?
Why? Is it because Mo Yong-hee has feelings for me? Because instead of the past life, our relationship has become a bit more amiable?
Or is it just that I’d need her smart help?
“…”
I felt a warmth within.
I searched for an answer, but nothing satisfied me.
The reason was simple.
I already knew the answer but was still looking for something else.
“I will ask one last time.”
Mo Yong-tae, still pointing his sword at me, inquired.
I knew it.
Answering with my name here was a losing proposition.
The moment I said it, I would need to provide a definite answer regarding Mo Yong-hee.
Furthermore, I might be forced to contend with Baekcheon Sword in battle.
No, that man would definitely fight.
I could sense it in his gaze.
Having to fight a crazy person aiming a sword at someone I cared about, someone who hasn’t yet even lived half her life: what kind of absurd situation is this?
I absolutely did not want to engage in a pointless battle.
I had no clue what sort of condition my body was in.
Thus, I had a multitude of reasons not to act, and just as many reasons not to proceed.
“What is your name?”
“…”
Just one flimsy reason weighed down all the others.
A thoroughly selfish reason.
The selfish and narrow-minded reason for wanting to keep Mo Yong-hee from leaving.
That ridiculous desire clouded all rational thought.
So when the head of the Mo family said this,
I only had one choice from the start.
I took a deep breath and began to speak slowly. My breathing steadied, and my body began to loosen.
With that, I lifted my hand and assumed a fighting stance.
“…The blood relative of the Shanxi family greets Lord Murong.”
Upon hearing my words, Mo Yong-tae’s eyes wavered.
“I am called Gu Yangcheon. How generous…”
Watching the tip of his sword tremble slightly,
I summoned the energy within me.
The heat spread through my body.
As my energy swelled from mid-stage to top-stage,
I could feel my head heating up.
“I am… called Yeomra.”
It was still a nickname I found awkward to say. It was more than a little embarrassing, causing my ears to redden as I spoke.
“…”
The look in Mo Yong-tae’s eyes widened in astonishment as he assessed my condition.
As my presence surged with heat,
Mo Yong-tae realized at once what level I had reached.
Seeing his reaction, I opened my mouth.
“If only Lord Mo Yong is okay with it.”
Heat escaped with my breath.
I could tell without checking that my eyes were glowing red.
Feeling the boiling heat build,
“I would like to ask you to teach this junior a lesson.”
I requested a duel with Mo Yong-tae.
He said nothing in response to my request.
He merely straightened the tip of his sword aimed at me slightly.
And then,
Whoosh—!
A thick aura began to radiate from Mo Yong-tae’s body.
He took his stance. Whoosh—! Flames ignited around him.
The rings of the Gu Flame Wheel Technique expanded, reaching the level of the Flower Mirror, and another ring was added.
The moment the rosy flames enveloped his body,
I kicked off the floor and charged at Mo Yong-tae.
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