Chapter: 125
How could I have known that?! (1)
Tang Soyeol had to pause, thinking she might have misheard her for a moment.
Namgung Bi-ah had said she slept with Gu Yangcheon and even held hands while doing so.
But now, the possibility of her having a child…?
Tang Soyeol pondered if those words were perhaps a figurative expression.
Could “sleeping while holding hands” actually mean “not just holding hands, but more”? Grabbing her scattered thoughts after the shock, Tang Soyeol finally managed to ask Namgung Bi-ah.
“Sis, so… your hand… um… that…”
The real problem was not knowing how to phrase her question. It was challenging for Tang Soyeol to choose the right words to use.
She tried to ask anything, yet she could feel her ears increasingly heating up.
After stumbling over her words for what felt like an eternity, Tang Soyeol eventually closed her eyes tightly and asked.
“…So you slept just holding hands?”
“No.”
“…!”
At Namgung Bi-ah’s firm denial, Tang Soyeol bit her lip. So it really wasn’t merely figurative…
Tang Soyeol had to suppress the sinking feeling creeping in.
“I-I also hugged him too…”
“Hmm…?”
“I think… I might have touched his cheek.”
Seeing Namgung Bi-ah speak while avoiding eye contact, her cheeks slightly flushed as if embarrassed, Tang Soyeol’s doubts started solidifying into firm beliefs.
Something felt off.
Very off.
With her eyes wide open in great disbelief, Tang Soyeol asked Namgung Bi-ah.
“…What else happened?”
“Was there… something more I was supposed to do…?”
“…”
Only then did Tang Soyeol’s misunderstandings dissolve, and she felt the weight of her muddled emotions lighten up.
But could it be that a grown woman like her truly lacked knowledge in this area? Concern about the common sense Namgung Bi-ah should have crossed Tang Soyeol’s mind.
Was the Namgung Clan not providing sex education?
While Tang Soyeol had received thorough education from her clan and even studied this subject proactively, the idea that babies could come into being from merely holding hands was…
It would have made more sense had she claimed a phoenix, stork, or crow delivered the baby.
In the end, Tang Soyeol lifted her body and quietly positioned herself next to Namgung Bi-ah.
Namgung Bi-ah looked confused as to why Tang Soyeol shifted closer to her.
Yet, this was a token of consideration from Tang Soyeol. Next to her was Wi Seol-Ah, who had an innocent expression, as if she were thinking, “What is that even?”
“W-What’s wrong…?”
“Sis… Babies aren’t made like that.”
Tang Soyeol wondered if it was alright to say this, but leaving Namgung Bi-ah in ignorance didn’t sit right either.
Thus, Tang Soyeol softly whispered to Namgung Bi-ah’s ear, carefully selecting the critical parts of the “knowledge” she held.
Did Tang Soyeol realize how well she could explain things?
Thanks to her, Namgung Bi-ah discovered the truth that day and simultaneously experienced a new world.
It was a moment where knowledge piled up.
I could only return to my residence around dinner time. I had been held longer by Namgung Jin than I had expected.
However, thanks to that, I was finally able to move forward with the contract.
I did not expect that Namgung child would accept that easily.
“Neither did I.”
Both Elder Shin and I couldn’t help but feel puzzled as to why Namgung Jin accepted the contract so readily.
Though I wrapped it in terms of “contract,” it was more akin to a spell since mere words on paper hold little efficacy.
Clomp.
As I walked back, I ensured that my body remained in motion. After sitting for hours while simply circulating my Qi, I could feel my body becoming slightly sluggish. Placing a seal on a martial artist at the Fusion realm was no simple task after all.
I didn’t expect you to know how to place a seal on people.
“Just some knowledge I picked up back in the day.”
The seal I used was complicated in some respects, but it wasn’t that impressive a technique.
It was almost embarrassing to even label it a “seal” in comparison to the seals cast by the Heavenly Demon.
The Heavenly Demon’s seal bore incredible power. Even if the target reacted violently and tried to shake it off, they couldn’t escape the Heavenly Demon’s grip.
We referred to that as a curse.
In contrast, the seal I was using mimicked a method created by the Murim Alliance. You had to physically touch the person to place the seal, and at the same time, the target had to flow their Qi in sync with the caster’s movements. Due to such requirements, it wasn’t exactly an efficient skill.
So it’s not really usable in a life-or-death situation.
“Yeah.”
While effective once cast, it relied heavily on mutual consent, hence not quite a genuine seal.
Because of this factor, we spent quite a long time deliberating on the seal’s parameters. This involved discussing its duration, purpose, prohibitions, and other details.
“He claimed he would do anything for the sword, yet he gave me an earful.”
Naturally, this was understandable given he was placing a seal on his own body. With his status, Namgung Jin must have been deep in consideration.
Yet, in the end, he did go through with it.
But my purpose for this seal was not to use it coercively but rather to earn trust.
Not to betray each other.
Not to begrudge one another.
To believe in one another.
This was a spell crafted by a friend for us to survive the abyss of the damned. Reflecting now, that spell didn’t even work in there.
But it’s strange; we humans, upon believing, tend to fixate on the idea that it’s effective. Even after having survived the Abyss and traversing different timelines, I still sometimes wonder if that seal still lingers within me.
The seal does work.
It just didn’t work in the Abyss, hence I was still capable of using it outside that hell.
In fact, I had employed it several times since then.
Each and every time, I remembered the voice of the one who created it.
I swear I’m gonna kill you if you use this outside of this place.
Why bark at me when you made it for us to use?
I’m saying this because I didn’t craft it for you to use, you dimwit…!
Despite being very adamant that I shouldn’t use this seal, I continued using it freely without so much as an ounce of care.
What else could I do? This was the only seal I knew how to wield.
Even if he’s only half-complete, he’s still a man who’s reached the Fusion realm. Shouldn’t you check if the seal’s functioning properly, first?
Elder Shin’s words were somewhat alarming, yet I was unfazed.
While sealing Namgung Jin, I had embedded something else within his body.
I never imagined I would utilize my demonic Qi in this manner.
If possible, I would have preferred not to delve into it, but this was not a moment where I could be picky about my methods.
I infused some of my demonic Qi—which was in the process of purification after consuming that flower—into Namgung Jin’s body.
The amount I input wouldn’t harm him like it did Sword Master, but it would strengthen the seal I had placed.
Once the seal dispelled, the demonic Qi within Namgung Jin would vanish as well, so I would grasp that moment clearly.
If it were the Heavenly Demon, he could tell if a person’s demonic Qi had disappeared from a great distance, but for me, that level of detection was overly ambitious.
Another issue is the First Elder.
The first question I posed while sealing Namgung Jin concerned the conversation with the First Elder. I had to know what they discussed.
Given his suspicious nature, I wondered whether they had arranged something shady behind the scene, but amusingly, Namgung Jin claimed no such conversation occurred.
It was genuinely just casual conversation, as I stated. We didn’t really discuss politics.
It wasn’t abnormal for the First Elder to meet Namgung Jin, considering he was a notable figure in the world. Meeting him wasn’t strange, although no one as famed as the Second Elder.
But if Namgung Jin was indeed truthful about their conversation being casual, it raised issues.
Namgung Jin’s absence during the incident with my servant.
It lingered in my mind: Was it possible the First Elder had orchestrated this situation?
If this incident genuinely ties back to the First Elder…
What possible reason could my father have to let him be?
There was no way Father was unaware if it truly happened. After all, all occurrences within the Gu Clan typically reached his ears.
I hoped it wasn’t true, but if the First Elder was involved in the matter, it was plausible.
I contemplated if ‘that’ needed to happen sooner.
The demise of the First Elder…
Even if that occurred, will all problems vanish?
“Probably not.”
The First Elder had a distinct role; it wasn’t merely his position within the Gu Clan that mattered but also his importance in this timeline.
The reason I refrained from acting, despite knowing the First Elder was scheming in the background, boiled down mainly to my father doing nothing about it.
Additionally, I desired him to remain in his position for another two to three years. After that, the First Elder would meet his end without me getting involved.
He would ultimately be consumed by his own greed and ambition.
Just as it occurred in my past life.
“I can’t act without certainty, so I suppose I should visit and give him a warning.”
You are quite good at holding back, huh? You seem like you want to kill him on the inside.
“…Don’t just rudely pry into my feelings like that. And can a Taoist like you really speak so casually about others’ lives?”
Brat, you know what I learned after the war?
“What’s that?”
Killing those who need killing is necessary.
I halted my steps after hearing Elder Shin’s cold statement. That was an unexpectedly harsh remark coming from a Taoist.
I won’t discuss your decision to save that Zhuge Hyuk child, as I can’t claim that was incorrect. But I’ll tell you when I believe you are misguided.
“I understand what you mean.”
That’s what war is essentially. You experienced it yourself, so you must understand, right?
To leave loopholes creates regrets, as one can’t turn back once a situation sparks chaos.
And just as Elder Shin opined, I could resonate with those words more than anyone else, due to my own experiences. Though his words may have sounded excessively severe coming from a Taoist, they held substantial reality when spoken by a hero who had saved the realm from a war.
But, still, now wasn’t the time. I first needed to create a credible reason to act.
“Don’t worry. I’m not merely going to observe.”
This was part of why I requested something else from Namgung Jin.
If an old dog like him attempted to show his fangs, I would need to pull them out, whether they were teeth or claws.
Fortunately for me, I happened to be quite the expert in this area.
Upon entering the residence, I was greeted with an oddly bustling atmosphere. Though it was dinner time, there seemed to be more people than usual.
Hold up, there actually are more people here!
I spotted several unfamiliar faces. Well-trained martial artists occupied the area, too. Their outfits suggested they were from the Tang Clan.
Wi Seol-Ah, seeing me, dashed over as though she had been drying to leap into action, her energy brimming. I instinctively reached out my hand toward her as she approached like an eagerly expected puppy.
I intended to pet her head.
“Young Masterrrr!”
“Don’t even think about hugging me; you’re heavy.”
“I-I’m not heavy!”
Indeed, given how I could perceive she had shed some weight, she likely wasn’t heavy. The reality left me lamentably realizing that the charm of her previously plump cheeks had faded.
Still, I patted her head in light-headedness.
“Why are there so many people here?”
“The lady of the house and a pretty aunt came!”
“…What?”
There was only one person Wi Seol-Ah would refer to as the ‘lady of the house.’
Looks like Gu Ryunghwa has come over.
It appeared Gu Ryunghwa, who usually resided in a separate guesthouse, had chosen to visit. But what did she mean by pretty aunty…?
Caught in a sudden thought, I was compelled to double-check with Wi Seol-Ah.
“Hey, you weren’t referring to the Sword Master when you said ‘pretty aunty,’ were you?”
“Hmm? Oh, I was! Pretty aunty.”
“Did you say that in front of her?”
“Yesh! She said she liked it and told me to keep calling her that!”
She liked it, huh…?
In all logic, it didn’t seem like an appealing title, regardless of how I examined it.
If the individual herself had no qualms, perhaps it’s okay?
Absorbed in that train of thought, as I continued patting Wi Seol-Ah’s head, Hongwa appeared and pulled the girl away.
“Kyaa!”
“Seol-ah! You shouldn’t pester the Young Master when he’s tired.”
“Oh, okay…”
Hongwa’s words made Wi Seol-Ah retreat reluctantly.
But it didn’t bother me at all. Just the act of touching her hair felt increasingly soothing.
Having retrieved my hand that had been awkwardly lingering in the air, I turned to inquire of Hongwa.
“By the way, did Lady Tang come?”
“Yes, Young Master. She came with Lady Namgung.”
With Namgung Bi-ah? I get that they’re friends, but was there any reason to visit my place?
“The lady of the house and the Sword Master are here too.”
“Oh right, I was told about that. But why did they come?”
Hongwa tilted her head slightly in response to my question.
“Um, they said the Young Master invited them to dinner today…”
“I invited them?”
Did I?
I vaguely recalled mentioning wanting to dine together at some point, but was it today?
I could’ve sworn there hadn’t been a definitive date set.
Yet since I was planning to visit the Sword Master anyway, it was a bit fortunate… or perhaps a lot.
While I mulled it over, Hongwa, sounding somewhat worried, spoke again.
“Young Master…”
“Yes?”
“Lady Namgung’s expression didn’t look very good.”
“Why? Is she unwell?”
“No, it didn’t seem like that.”
“Hmm, understood. I’ll ask her.”
It wasn’t common for a servant to worry about a child from a different clan, but it was reasonable considering how I had seen Namgung Bi-ah occasionally converse with Hongwa.
Her expression didn’t look good, huh?
Namgung Bi-ah had nearly no visual emotion changes, and even the few times she did, they were minuscule enough to easily go unnoticed by others. How poor could it have been for even Hongwa to discern the shift?
Worried she might genuinely be unwell, I hastened my steps.
As I opened the door, Namgung Bi-ah appeared startled.
Tang Soyeol stood beside her, and both of them jolted at my entrance, clearly engaged in a private discussion.
“Lady Tang, you’ve graced us with your presence.”
“Ah, hello, Young Master Gu…”
“What brings you here? Oh, was it because of the last visit?”
“Have no worries, it’s nothing like that. Bi-ah sister said she wished to dine with us…”
“Here? Together?”
“Is that… not acceptable?”
“…No it’s fine.”
Even though I uttered this, a slight discomfort washed over me upon realizing Tang Soyeol had feelings for me. I was completely at a loss regarding how to handle her.
Never have I navigated the dynamics of someone having a crush on me before.
The whole scenario felt too unfamiliar for me, which was more unsettling than I anticipated.
To word it differently, it takes a Tang girl like that for you to finally notice.
You really feel the need to chime in during these moments, don’t you?
It’s my delight in life.
With a silent sigh, I faced the two, who were unable to mask their own expressions properly.
“You both seemed rather startled when I arrived. What were you talking about?”
“N-Nothing! We weren’t discussing anything! Right, sis?”
“Y-Yeah.”
What was the cause of their strange behavior? Anyone could discern that they surely had something going on.
Their startled reaction was very clear; it was evident they had been focusing on something important, given how first-rate martial artists like them hadn’t noticed me approaching the door.
My first turn went toward Namgung Bi-ah.
Taking into account what Hongwa had previously said, her demeanor indeed stood out. Not only could I observe the slight redness on her cheeks, but her entire face seemed flush, suggesting some emotional degree was definitely higher than normal.
I approached Namgung Bi-ah, gently asking, “You feeling okay?”
“No… I’m fine.”
“You don’t seem fine, though.”
“I’m… fine… so please keep your distance…”
Considering she appeared feverish, I instinctively reached to feel her forehead.
I hesitated not, having done this several times before, and I assumed she would feel the same way.
Slap!
“Hmm?”
It looked like I had been wrong.
Namgung Bi-ah slapped my hand away. Not only was she surprised, but she seemed flabbergasted, covering her mouth with her hand as her eyes widened. Witnessing such an expression on Namgung Bi-ah was quite the sight.
“Was touching your forehead uncomfortable? You should have let me know.”
“No… It’s not uncomfortable. I was simply startled…”
“I don’t believe I did anything that shocking… If you’re unwell, I can call for a physician.”
“Just… it’s a bit hot today…”
“…You do realize we’re in autumn, right?”
Even I, having leveled up my body with flame arts, felt a slight chill despite the weather; how could she possibly claim she was hot?
While I was evaluating the unusual situation, Tang Soyeol cut in to defend her friend.
“S-Sis must be sweating from training earlier, right?”
“…Yes.”
It seemed Tang Soyeol was speaking on behalf of Namgung Bi-ah for some inexplicable reason. Despite that, her outfit looked overly pristine.
Moreover, although perhaps not to the point of her engagement, it was evident she had applied some makeup compared to her usual look. Thus, that implied she indeed hadn’t trained.
Although I processed this thought without voicing any complaints, I was led to believe it might have been a secret conversation worth more minute observation.
“I understand. I’ll let the servants know to prepare more food.”
“Thank you.”
“Oh, and likely the Sword Master will join us for dinner, is that alright with you?”
“Of course! I came without prior notice, so whether more people join is….”
As Tang Soyeol enthusiastically responded, she suddenly paused mid-sentence, then asked me.
“Wait a moment, Young Master Gu.”
“Yes?”
“…Who precisely did you say we were dining with?”
“The Sword Master.”
Tang Soyeol’s expression shifted oddly at my words as if she had misheard me.
I noticed her momentary composure faltering, leading me to reconsider whether I had mistakenly conveyed some miscommunication or not.
“Did you perhaps not realize the Sword Master was here in the Gu Clan?”
“How could I have known that?!”
Tang Soyeol shouted back.
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