Chapter: 139
Nakkyeom Jangcheon.
It has already been seven days since we arrived in Hanam.
Today, the snow was falling from the sky once again.
As if to validate the season, the thick layer of snow on the ground had turned the world completely white.
Crunch.
Every time I stepped on the snow, it made a cute sound.
“Wow! Wow!”
Wi Seol-Ah, wrapped up snugly in fur, had a bright expression as she marveled at the piled snow.
To be fair, given the influence of the land, there wasn’t much snow or rain in Shanxi.
“Phew…”
The weather must have been exceptionally cold today since my ears were feeling a bit sore from the chill.
“Young Master! Where are we going right now?”
Hopping over like a rabbit, Wi Seol-Ah ran up to me and asked.
I reached out and gently ruffled Wi Seol-Ah’s black hair.
‘Seems like she’s grown a bit taller.’
Just like me, Wi Seol-Ah had also grown a lot this year.
If there was any difference, we used to be around the same height, but now it seemed like I had shot up just a little more.
I playfully twisted her hair and said, “We’re heading to the Murim Alliance.”
“What kind of place is that?”
“It’s just a place where dark folks pretend to be all pure and bright.”
“Oh! I know! It’s like the dog at home that looks like that.”
Dog…?
Confused, I tilted my head, and Hongwa, who was nearby, sneaked in to explain.
“She’s probably talking about the cat that occasionally visits our place.”
“We have a cat back at my place?”
Hongwa flinched a little at my response.
Oops, was that something I shouldn’t have said?
After hesitating for a bit, Hongwa seemed to muster up her thoughts and said, “…I’m sorry. We’ll handle the cat as soon as we get back….”
“What are you talking about…! I was just asking, that’s all.”
How could we just get rid of a cat…?
Achoo!
As I was trying to explain to Hongwa, I heard a sneeze.
I turned around to see Namgung Bi-ah wiping her nose.
She seemed bundled up, but was she still feeling cold?
The fur outfit on Namgung Bi-ah was, by the way, a gift from Tang Soyeol.
“Are you cold?”
“…A bit.”
“Then wrap your Qi around you.”
I wasn’t cold since the martial arts I trained were flame-based, but…
I figured Namgung Bi-ah wouldn’t be that lucky.
Usually, in situations like this, one would channel their Qi for a bit of warmth.
“…Too lazy…”
“How can you be lazy about that…?”
But it seemed like Namgung Bi-ah wasn’t going to budge.
Jeez, she’s lazy even when it comes to keeping warm?
Looking at Namgung Bi-ah’s cold, red hands, I reached out to her.
She paused for a moment, looking confused, but then cautiously extended her own hand towards mine.
“You’re complaining about being cold, yet you’re not even wearing gloves?”
“Too la—”
“Forget it.”
Talking to her would just lead to a headache.
I took Namgung Bi-ah’s hand and infused it with warmth.
Her hand felt like ice in mine.
She could at least wrap her hands in her clothes or tuck them into her pockets if she was that cold.
I was starting to genuinely worry.
After circulating a bit of Qi, Namgung Bi-ah’s hands warmed up quickly.
However, her face seemed to be heating up as well.
“Is your face cold too now?”
I released her hand and tried to touch her cheek, but Namgung Bi-ah flinched and pulled away.
“…P-Please stop.”
Realizing her cheeks were red, she attempted to cover her face with her clothing.
But as it didn’t do the trick, she ended up using her long hair instead.
“…What are you doing?”
She had successfully covered her face with her hair, but it looked rather absurd.
I couldn’t figure out what was going through her mind.
My hand, which had awkwardly missed Namgung Bi-ah’s cheek, ended up being taken by Wi Seol-Ah.
“Wow! Young Master’s hand is warm!”
She started rubbing her cheek against my hand, relishing the warmth.
I felt a bit disheartened every time I could feel Wi Seol-Ah’s cheek.
Noticing the subtle difference, I remarked, “You’ve lost weight again, haven’t you?”
“Hmm…?”
“Do you want me to scold you, for real?”
“W-Why would you scold me for that?”
“Because you deserve a scolding!”
What was going on here?
I had even told Hongwa to make sure she ate enough.
To answer my unvoiced queries, Hongwa quickly interjected.
“I’m feeding her well three to four times a day.”
“What about late-night snacks?”
“She manages to get those herself without me telling her.”
Based on what Hongwa said, it seemed like she was indeed eating well.
So why wasn’t she gaining any weight?
It was quite puzzling.
It wasn’t just hearsay, as I had witnessed her voracious appetite myself.
‘Then how much did she eat when I thought she was a bit heavier?’
Remembering just a few months back, maybe she really consumed that much…
That thought sent a chill down my spine.
Lately, it felt like Wi Seol-Ah had been spending more time alone, as if she was hiding something from me.
‘Hiding something from me, huh?’
Even if she was at an age where she might keep secrets, it still bothered me.
As I continued to poke at Wi Seol-Ah’s cheeks…
I sensed an approaching presence.
“Hmm?”
Curious, I looked and noticed Tang Soyeol approaching with an embarrassingly shy expression.
“Lady Tang?”
“Y-Young Master…”
She then shyly extended her hand.
That’s odd?
I could’ve sworn I saw Tang Soyeol wearing gloves just a moment ago.
Really fancy fur gloves at that.
But where had they gone? Now, her hands were bare.
“I’m feeling a bit cold too….”
Before Tang Soyeol could finish her sentence, Namgung Bi-ah swiftly grabbed Tang Soyeol’s hand.
“…My hand is still warm.”
Using the warmth left from my touch, Namgung Bi-ah rubbed Tang Soyeol’s hands warmly.
Although Tang Soyeol’s hands started feeling warmer, her expression was clearly disappointed.
[What a chaotic situation… Or should it be a cat-astrophe?]
With a half-sigh, Elder Shin seemed to share my view about the chaotic mess before us.
“…What blissful harmony, even after a few days, huh?”
It was Moyong Hi-ah, whom I hadn’t seen for a couple of days.
After briefly encountering Namgung Cheonjun, she had vanished and I hadn’t much seen her afterward.
However, once we exited Bacheonmaru, Moyong Hi-ah appeared again, joining our journey.
Since we were headed for the Murim Alliance, I didn’t voice my discontent, especially noting that Tang Soyeol seemed eager to tag along with her for some reason.
Unlike when she was at Bacheonmaru, Moyong Hi-ah wore no mask this time, but her face was unchanged.
She had that mystique of a cat.
Even standing still, she radiated a charming aura, perhaps due to her captivating gaze.
Her sky-blue eyes certainly added to that charm.
Having stared for a moment, my eyes met Moyong Hi-ah’s.
Upon locking eyes, she responded with a faint, charming smile.
‘What’s going on?’
For a regular guy, that charming and alluring smile would’ve swept anyone off their feet.
‘What’s her angle?’
From my perspective, there was nothing comfortable about this.
Typically, it indicated trouble whenever she wore that expression.
Moyong Hi-ah was acutely aware of her own beauty.
She knew well that her face had a power over men and knew how to exploit it.
Most often, when she made such expressions, it was part of her charm offensive.
However, being aware of her true intentions made my disfavor towards her grow stronger, despite my already significant aversion.
‘Is it because I got used to the girls around me?’
Just gazing at Wi Seol-Ah and Namgung Bi-ah for a moment made other girls appear like mere clay figures.
With a light nod to Moyong Hi-ah’s smile, I diverted my gaze.
[Brat.]
‘Yeah?’
[…Lately, I feel cold for some reason.]
‘Pardon…?’
Do spirits get cold too? Elder Shin had shown signs of weakness to the cold last time, so was this a genuine issue?
[Why do all those women flock to you? It feels strange and cold. Could it be time for me to die?]
‘Ugh… I thought you genuinely had a problem.’
I had worried for nothing.
Why was a guy who’d already spent hundreds of years in the afterlife suddenly lamenting?
[Do you understand my pain!? Do you know how it felt not to engage in romance because of clan duties!?]
‘Why are you taking it out on me?’
He was getting increasingly bizarre… should I really be looking for a ghostly lady friend now?
‘…But how would I even find one?’
Should I pay a visit to the Wudang Sect?
Actually, wouldn’t that lead to them trying to exorcise Elder Shin instead?
[What are you saying? Why would they exorcise me?]
‘Let’s be honest here; with your demeanor, Elder Shin seems more like an evil spirit…’
[Just come here. I’ll make sure to drag you along when I head to heaven, even if it’s the last thing I do!]
Just as Elder Shin seemed about to lose it with those words, Muyeon approached and spoke.
“Young Master.”
“Hmm?”
“We have arrived.”
Before Muyeon could finish her sentence, my gaze was already fixed on the enormous building ahead.
It dwarfed even the buildings of the Tang Clan I had seen in Sichuan, let alone my own clan.
And behind those impressive walls stood even grander constructions.
This was hailed as the heart and center of the Orthodox Faction.
The Murim Alliance.
For me, it had been several years—counting both past and present—since I last returned here.
Entering the Murim Alliance wasn’t particularly difficult. After all, I had stayed at Bacheonmaru…
And I had ample proof at hand.
Currently, I sat in the waiting room, preparing for the upcoming Dragons and Phoenixes tournament.
‘A gold room, huh?’
Remembering how Bacheonmaru’s room had been at the silver level, I wondered why the treatment had suddenly changed.
‘What am I thinking… it’s clearly because of the Dishonored Venerable.’
The recommendation letter I had shown alongside my invitation at Bacheonmaru had likely extended my privileges upward.
As expected, I could already notice the perks that came with a Heavenly Venerable’s recommendation letter.
However, it wasn’t all good news.
Oh well, there wasn’t much I could do about it since it was already done.
“The banquet will commence in about fifteen minutes. Should you need to change your attire…”
“It’s alright. I’ve brought my own.”
“Understood.”
While the Dragons and Phoenixes tournament served as a platform for young prodigies to display their growth and talent…
The underlying purpose of the Murim Alliance was to cultivate relationships among everyone present.
Sure, it was about showing off for noble bloodlines to gather and network, but ultimately, it was also about forging connections for future endeavors.
Without that, it would make little sense for the noble households to bother sending their kin here.
[…It’s all gone to waste. It wasn’t this way in my day.]
If a young prodigy sought to showcase their training and courage as a martial artist…
‘There are certainly better places than this.’
The Murim Alliance also ran the Heavenly Dragon Academy, an educational institution for swordsmen.
And they also independently hosted the Heavenly Dragon Festival.
Honestly, those places would be much better.
With Heavenly Dragons this, Heavenly Dragons that—not to mention even their title— the Murim Alliance certainly had a fondness for the name.
‘Heavenly Dragon, huh…’
For some reason, I suddenly remembered the enormous snake I had encountered in the vault.
The beast bore a remarkable resemblance to the dragons I envisioned.
I could vividly recall its golden eyes locked on me.
‘Isn’t this thought too random?’
Even I deemed it an off-the-cuff association.
Was I feeling nervous?
‘Feeling nervous at a bunch of kids’ gathering?’
It was likely just my physical body getting anxious rather than my mind.
Or at least, that’s the conclusion I’d settled on.
“Young Master, your clothing….”
“Oh, right. Please help me with this.”
Hongwa approached gingerly to assist me in putting on my uniform.
What a bother it was to change clothes.
But given that the first day of Dragons and Phoenixes was a gathering event…
I practically had no choice but to wear something presentable.
Even my father, typically indifferent about such things, had handed me attire, indicating this day was particularly significant.
As I changed without complaint, I addressed Hongwa.
“Could you skip the accessories?”
“Oh, don’t worry, Young Master. I had a feeling you would want that, so I didn’t bring any.”
“…”
Well, that was a bit disappointing.
Normally, wouldn’t there be a reaction along the lines of, ‘Our Young Master used to adore shiny and expensive items, but now he’s not interested’? Maybe some surprise?
‘They’re getting too used to me too quickly…’
It felt like I was being molded by the time spent with both Wi Seol-Ah and Hongwa.
“Isn’t this too plain?”
“Is this plain?”
The red fabric with golden embroidery might seem simple compared to what others would wear…
“This probably cost more than your total wages.”
But it was definitely not just an ordinary outfit.
Hongwa’s eyes widened in sheer astonishment upon hearing my statement.
Despite the Gu Clan’s relatively humble buildings and my frugal lifestyle since the resurrection…
The clothing of the Gu Clan had always been of remarkable quality.
“He doesn’t skimp on such things,” I remarked.
What Father really thought remained a mystery to me.
As I searched for a string to tie back my hair…
Wi Seol-Ah suddenly appeared with a string, almost like she had been waiting.
“Y-Young Master!”
“Hmm?”
“Can I tie your hair?”
“What? My hair?”
“Yes!”
Before Hongwa could scold Wi Seol-Ah for her audacity, I raised my hand to halt her.
“Go ahead.”
“Yay!”
What an easy request.
No sooner had I approved than Wi Seol-Ah dashed behind me and started fiddling with my hair.
Though her technique appeared rather inexperienced, I figured there wouldn’t be any issues.
If it looked too weird, I could always count on Hongwa to fix it up.
‘Did Wi Seol-Ah always possess dexterity?’
Not in my memory—that wasn’t the case.
Even in my previous life, I recalled her struggling to tie a basic knot.
As expected, the more Wi Seol-Ah was occupied with my hair, the more Hongwa’s expression morphed into despair.
“…S-Seol-Ah.”
“Hmm?”
“Leave the rest to Big Sis…”
“Why?”
I grew just as curious.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, Young Master, everything is fine…”
It was hardly convincing given the expression she was wearing.
“There’s nothing wrong with the Young Master’s hair.”
“If I figure out you’re lying, you have to wear the same hairstyle as mine.”
“…There’s a tiny issue, I guess.”
At long last, Wi Seol-Ah stepped away, looking quite disappointed, while Hongwa hurried to set things right.
Knock knock.
Just then, I sensed a presence outside the waiting room door.
– Young Master Gu, are you in there?
“J-Just a minute.”
Hongwa’s hands grew frantic at the sound of the voice outside the door.
Things didn’t seem to be going smoothly for her.
– We’re here to see him right- Oh! Alliance Leader, wait—
Slide.
I hadn’t granted permission yet, yet the door unlocked itself.
Couldn’t they see there was still time before the event began?
“I sincerely apologize for barging in—”
I stopped upon making eye contact with the man who entered, and he, too, appeared taken aback.
The man had a friendly demeanor, and the word “Alliance” was emblazoned on his uniform.
He was someone I recognized.
“Alliance Leader…?”
The leader of the Murim Alliance, Jang Cheon.
He was the current head of the Murim Alliance and held the esteem and respect of numerous orthodox factions.
What in the world was he doing coming to see me?
“Uhm…”
Just as Jang Cheon was about to speak, he briefly covered his mouth.
‘He looks like he’s about to laugh, doesn’t he?’
He wasn’t laughing at my hair, was he…?
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