Chapter: 118
This wasn’t exactly what I had planned when I decided to barge into the guesthouse so suddenly.
My original plan was much more courteous. I hadn’t intended to burst in violently like this.
I had intended to negotiate. Thankfully, I had something of enough value to prevent Namgung Bi-ah from having to return to her clan.
It was information about the sword used by Namgung Bi-ah.
To be precise, it was about the sword of the Demonic Sword Queen from my previous life.
As I mentioned before, the treasures possessed by clans not only have unique properties but also carry significant symbolism.
The sword she used was no different. It was a treasure discovered by the ancient hero Namgung Myung, the supreme being of the Namgung Clan and one who had once stood against the Blood Demon— it was the legendary Thunder Sword known as the Five Great Swords of the Central Plains.
The Thunder Sword.
At present, it should ideally be with the Lord of Heaven, but he likely doesn’t have it on him.
Ironically, that sword is probably with the Wudang Sect.
Oh, the Wudang Sect.
The representative master of the Wudang Sect likely possesses it now.
I’m not sure how it came to be that way, but this was something I had heard directly from the Demonic Sword in my past life.
The Demonic Sword wouldn’t dare lie to me, would she? Especially since she’s not someone as manipulative as Zhuge Hyuk.
I don’t think so.
This information holds the key to a lost symbol.
Could someone as weak as Namgung Jin, who lacks the strength of a true lord, just overlook this? I didn’t think so.
“How do you plan on explaining how you got this information?”
‘I have the plaque that the Immortal Healer gave me.’
That plaque related to the Beggars Sect should help in such a scenario. I had no idea how that wooden plaque would be useful, but recalling how the Sword Master was shocked when she saw it during our travels, it seemed unlikely that it was worthless.
By mixing some truths with lies, I could easily pull off a story claiming that I got this information from the Beggars Sect.
“But what if that Namgung guy goes and asks the Beggars Sect?”
I had considered two methods for that, but now it felt pointless to think about it.
“…What did you just say?”
As the sun began to set, I asked the Second Elder. His expression was a bit serious, indicating this was no light matter.
“I hear that Lord Namgung is having a conversation with the First Elder.”
I clicked my tongue. Just hearing it gave me a whiff of something unpleasant brewing.
I returned to my place and was chatting with Wi Seol-Ah. The atmosphere was just as usual.
I had sent a servant to inform Namgung Bi-ah that I would arrive at her guesthouse shortly.
With a bit of spare time after dinner, I sat with Wi Seol-Ah, who was happily munching on some yakgwa while I absentmindedly played with her hair.
“Two ponytails today?”
“Sis did it for me! I think it looks pretty!”
Wi Seol-Ah’s hairstyles changed daily. The servants would style her hair however they felt like doing it.
Apparently, today was a ponytail day.
As I stroked her smooth hair, Wi Seol-Ah leaned back against my body.
I instinctively patted her cheek, and to my surprise, she didn’t push my hand away.
“Hmm?”
While touching her soft cheeks, I sensed something different.
“Did you lose some weight?”
“Huh?”
Her cheeks had never entirely filled my hand, but they didn’t feel this lacking either. Now, they felt a lot thinner compared to before.
Now that I look closely…
I grasped Wi Seol-Ah’s arm with my hand, and it felt confirmed. She had indeed lost weight.
Only months ago, she had a chubby, cute face, and now her jawline was starting to show.
“…What’s going on?”
Is she eating less? But seeing as I watched her devour three full bowls of food today, that didn’t seem right.
Moreover, she’s still enjoying the yakgwa I gave her. My puzzled expression prompted Wi Seol-Ah to ask.
“What’s wrong, Young Master?”
“Ah, it’s nothing.”
…Why is she losing so much weight? Is she secretly exercising?
I expanded my perception to check Wi Seol-Ah’s body, but there was no qi to be found.
Nothing—she still seemed to be an empty vessel.
So it doesn’t seem like training. Is she just working out then?
Or… maybe she’s just going through a growth spurt? She does seem a bit taller…
I had also grown quite a bit this year. Of course, that was only in comparison to last year.
…Not that I’m expecting much.
Since I knew the height I had reached in my last life, I didn’t hold any illusions about becoming exceptionally tall. And while Wi Seol-Ah looked prettier after losing some weight, she seemed to lose that unique cuteness she once had.
“I should probably make sure you eat more.”
“Uh?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
Just need to fill her up again. While I thought about this, the servant approached me urgently.
“Master, the Second Elder is here.”
“Second Elder?”
As soon as I heard this, I saw a giant figure approaching. It was the Second Elder, looking a bit too serious.
I still can’t get used to seeing that physique, no matter how many times!
‘He’s supposed to be from the Mount Hua Sect, yet how does he look so bizarre to even me?’
“What are you even talking about? What do muscles have to do with the Mount Hua Sect? It’s a Taoist Sect!”
‘…’
Is this guy really clueless? I felt a headache coming, so I quickly erased that thought.
I immediately turned to ask the Second Elder.
“Is there something wrong, Second Elder?”
His expression was extremely grim, uncharacteristically so for someone who usually sported a cheeky grin.
“Yangcheon.”
“Yes?”
“I think we might have a problem.”
“A problem?”
I straightened up upon hearing that. If he was saying that, something serious must be happening.
I sharpened my gaze, and with a sigh, the Second Elder revealed.
“I heard that Lord Namgung is having a private talk with the First Elder.”
“…What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
What’s going on? The First Elder and Namgung Jin? What an odd combo!
“Where did you even hear that?”
“Old men have ears and eyes, you know.”
“Everyone has eyes and ears… Okay, okay, I get it! Put your fists down, I was just joking!”
I was just joking around, but he looked ready to hit me, so I quickly rectified my statement.
“Do you even realize how bad this situation is?”
“I mean, it can’t be that bad…”
I only chuckled at this.
Considering how panicked the Second Elder looked, there must be something serious going on.
But recalling the First Elder’s intentions, I doubted that he would succeed in his plans.
“Does he really want the Gu Clan that badly?”
This was honestly the most surprising part. What makes him so obsessed over it? Does he think we’re some mighty throne?
The First Elder doesn’t seem to realize it’s not a royal seat! If anything, my father’s holding that seat tightly, but it seems like he’s been wanting to let it go more than anyone.
But the First Elder seems blinded by ambition, completely missing the weight of the situation.
If the Second Elder was aware of the situation, surely my father must be too. Yet, he was doing nothing to stop the First Elder, nor was he trying to warn him.
Is the First Elder so fixated that he can’t even grasp why father is doing nothing?
‘…That man is something else.’
I understand that the First Elder dedicated his life to the clan, but his beliefs and ambitions are downright twisted.
What he perceives as a clan lord’s seat is a skewed perspective.
Since I was aware of how the First Elder ended in my previous life, I couldn’t help but see all of this as a fruitless struggle on his part.
What a sly old fool.
So those two are having a conversation, huh…
This news solidified a thought that had been fluttering in the back of my mind.
Namgung Jin didn’t come all the way to the Gu Clan just for the engagement or to retrieve Namgung Bi-ah.
His conversation with the First Elder was likely one of his main reasons for visiting us.
“I knew he was being a bit too quiet.”
While I hadn’t been paying attention after the whole incident with Gu Jeolyub, it wouldn’t do to assume he was completely out of the picture.
“It feels like I’ve been stabbed in the back.”
“Did something happen?”
“I finally managed to convince the Namgung Clan’s Elders to agree to the engagement, but now it’s a real hassle because the lord doesn’t seem pleased with it.”
“…I wanted to ask about that. How did it even happen?”
“What are you talking about?”
“The engagement with the Namgung Clan.”
That wasn’t just anyone; it was the Namgung Clan. They weren’t the type to mix with others easily. So how had the Second Elder managed to arrange an engagement with a direct descendant from that clan?
On top of that, I had a reputation for breaking off engagements, so the Namgung Clan wouldn’t have just easily accepted this arrangement.
At my question, the Second Elder contemplated for a moment before finally saying.
“Knowing it will only harm you.”
He was grinning while saying that. It seemed he was toying with me, but I didn’t push further. I had a feeling he didn’t employ standard methods while setting up the engagement.
“Anyhow, I should probably do something about this.”
“What do you mean by that…?”
“How can you be so calm when you don’t know the potential repercussions?”
“I’m just wondering what you plan on doing. Are you going to face off against the head of the Namgung Clan? Or take on their Elders?”
“…Oh?”
“…Huh?”
What do you mean by ‘Oh’? What’s so impressive?
My unease seemed to nudge the Second Elder into action as he got to his feet in a flash.
“Yangcheon, that’s quite a smart thought for you. I’ll be back shortly.”
“Hey, where are you going? Second Elder, please wait! Calm down for a moment—where could you possibly go at this hour? Let’s rationally discuss this… No, don’t go!”
I rushed to stop him, but the Second Elder had already vanished, leaving only a trail of flames behind him.
When I tried to follow him with my qi, his presence had already disappeared.
“Damn… this crazy old man…!”
Despite leveling up, I couldn’t even catch the Second Elder!
“Surely, he didn’t genuinely head to the Namgung Clan, right?”
Surely, he wouldn’t be so reckless.
And even if he did go, what could he pertain to do?
…I can’t stand how I’m still sweating cold sweat while thinking about this.
I genuinely believed that crazy old man might go ahead and do it.
What’s keeping him so boldly reckless to act like this all the time?
“…Sigh.”
I released a deep sigh and finally got myself up. Time was slipping by, and I realized that staying idle here would only bring me frustration.
As I moved, Wi Seol-Ah, who had dozed off leaning on me, rubbed her eyes and asked.
“Young Master, are you going out?”
“Unfortunately, it seems so.”
“Can I come with you?”
How can you ask to go with me without even knowing where I’m headed?
“I wouldn’t mind any place…”
I tousled her hair playfully while she spoke, suppressing her urge to yawn.
“Just sleep until Hongwa comes looking for you. I’ll return shortly.”
“Okay…”
With a drowsy murmur, she collapsed onto the floor.
I could already envision her getting caught by Hongwa soon enough.
After watching her for a bit, I finally began to move.
Just then, Elder Shin piped up.
“There’s not a single sane person in the Gu family.”
Right? I’m the only one left standing…
“Enough with the nonsense, start moving.”
…
I sealed my lips at that, wearing a dumb expression.
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