Chapter: 213
The first hint that something was amiss came from the front gate of the Gu Clan.
Not only did I sense several unfamiliar presences, but there was also an unsettling atmosphere inside the Gu Clan.
“They’re not martial artists from the main clan, right?”
It wasn’t strange for martial artists from other clans to gather at Gu Clan. After all, some had been hanging around for a few months now.
With Tang Soyeol, a direct descendant of the Tang Clan, staying here as a guest,
the martial artists of the Tang Clan had been here to escort her. Yet, there was something different this time.
The Qi feels sharp.
This was a sensation one would only get from sword users like Namgung Bi-ah or Gu Huibi.
Since the Namgung Clan’s martial artists left under orders from their lord, the only ones left to emit that kind of aura were definitely the martial artists from the Gu Clan, yet this didn’t feel like their usual energy.
I had sensed it since I hit the streets.
Amid the somewhat chaotic atmosphere, a subtle change was occurring.
With hardly any change ever occurring at the clan, I couldn’t help but notice such a minor difference.
And it was clear the reason for this change wasn’t from Shanxi but rather the influence of outsiders.
Looks like someone arrived…
When I glanced around, a few unfamiliar faces caught my eye.
They stood out, particularly in their light blue uniforms adorned with accessories that were more flashy than cluttered.
That kind of getup feels… definitely from that side, huh?
They belonged to one of the Four Noble Clans, famous for their martial prowess alongside the Namgung Clan.
Moyong Clan.
I distinctly remembered that clan being known for its vibe.
But why here?
If those were indeed members from the Moyong Clan, what business could they possibly have with the Gu Clan?
I wasn’t the only one who noticed them, as Gu Huibi, who was on my back, chimed in while staring at them.
“Oh? Those fops from the Moyong Clan are here?”
“Fops? What do you mean by that…?”
“They just look disgusting in those getups. So gaudy.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at Gu Huibi’s outrageous remarks.
Can you believe she’s judging others? It was almost ironic given her fierce appearance.
Yet, I couldn’t find any comeback to counter her words.
After all, the martial artists from the Moyong Clan did tend to overdo their styling regardless of gender.
But still, what brings them here?
I hadn’t heard anything about guests from the Moyong Clan.
Of course, that made sense since I had just pulled off a stunt that was somewhat akin to breaking out of jail, and my father had left the clan, so we might have missed the news.
Just then, someone from that group began walking lightly towards us.
With her graceful footsteps came a faint chill I could feel.
And with the elegance of her cascading hair and captivating eyes, there’s no way I wouldn’t recognize who she was.
However, I couldn’t help but wonder why she was in the Gu Clan.
“Hello, Young Master Gu,”
said the Snow Phoenix, approaching with a small smile.
She still radiated her usual beauty, but for some reason, she looked healthier than I remembered.
“We meet again. Have you been well?”
“…What are you doing here?”
My question came out in a daze, and Moyong Hi-ah merely flashed a smile in response.
To anyone else, it might seem like a charming smile, but having seen too much of her in my previous life, I immediately understood the implications behind that smile.
That’s a fake smile…
It was the kind of smile she wore when she was lying or trying to mask her true feelings.
Why on earth is she here?
Did they think of the Gu Clan as a hangout spot?
The fact that three of the Four Noble Clans had gathered here made me nervous; who knew if even the Peng Clan’s scoundrels would show up?
As I raised an eyebrow at her, Gu Huibi added her piece.
“Snow Phoenix? What are you doing here?”
“…Sword Phoenix.”
“It’s been a while. Is it not cold for you today?”
With a grin, Gu Huibi’s comment made Moyong Hi-ah’s expression falter momentarily.
So these two don’t get along?
Given that Gu Huibi was the Sword Phoenix, I assumed they’d crossed paths at a tournament, but their atmosphere felt anything but friendly.
“I heard there have been some happenings.”
“It was no big deal.”
“But the way it looks… seems like it was something significant.”
“Oh?”
Moyong Hi-ah didn’t back down in the face of Gu Huibi’s sharp tone and fired back.
Yep, they definitely don’t have a good vibe.
Yet, even while Gu Huibi struggled to keep her balance, her daring attitude in sparring words was something noteworthy.
“So what do you want?”
“Do I have to tell you?”
“What?”
“Neither the lord nor the young lord, you know…”
At this point, Moyong Hi-ah shot a sidelong glance at me.
Looks like she’s in a sparring mood, and now Gu Huibi’s smiling.
“Oh? Is it just me, or did your words come thorny?”
“Did I say anything wrong?”
The atmosphere just kept on thickening like how a storm brews.
Even Namgung Bi-ah, who usually didn’t mind matters like these, attempted to hide behind me.
“I came to discuss some business with the Gu Clan, not for a leisurely visit.”
“Business?”
Business, she mentions…?
The fact that Moyong Hi-ah came for business meant that the Moyong Clan had something involved.
But why would they care to come here?
The Liaoning Moyong Clan played its part in suppressing the Demon Gate as one of the Four Noble Clans, but their true specialty lay in making silk from moth-type demons.
And their clothes made from such silk were exquisite and sturdy, quite favored among the upper-class women.
In simpler terms, it implied that the Moyong Clan had no substantial connections with the Gu Clan.
We have no ties with those sorts of things.
Due to our clan’s focus on destructive fire techniques and closed-off nature, there was really no need to establish any relations with silk-based businesses.
The same went for any sort of trade.
That’s why it perplexed me.
What business could the Moyong Clan have to come to Gu Clan?
Even after racking my brains, I couldn’t pinpoint anything.
“Oh, come on, we’ve arrived, so can you let me down?”
“Brother, we haven’t fully arrived yet.”
“Sis, you’re perfectly fine to walk! Let’s drop it and get down already.”
Just because your body is weak doesn’t mean you can’t walk!
With an ugh, I tossed Gu Huibi off my back as if discarding her.
Just as expected, she landed with grace, puffing out her lips in protest.
“Well, isn’t it a bit rude to throw someone like that?”
“You should be thankful I didn’t toss you to the ground.”
“What’s this? You’ve lost your tongue and your manners. Big Sis certainly didn’t raise you like that…”
“What are you babbling about? I grew up on my own.”
Anyone would think she raised me like a mother!
Ignoring Gu Huibi’s incessant chatter, I turned my attention back to the clan.
Setting aside that Moyong Hi-ah was here, if they were here on business, I bet not just Moyong Hi-ah but other higher-ups from their clan probably came along as well…
As soon as my father reached Shanxi, he sped up towards the Gu Clan.
He’d likely realized this place was safe.
Did he know ahead of time that there were guests visiting the Gu Clan?
I became curious and was about to ask Moyong Hi-ah when I noticed she was engaged in conversation with Namgung Bi-ah.
“It’s been a while, Young Lady Namgung.”
“Hell…o.”
“Oh, should I call you the Sword Dancer now?”
“…?”
Namgung Bi-ah tilted her head, confused.
She probably doesn’t even know about that nickname…
Many had earned titles in the Dragons and Phoenixes Tournament this year, but only three young prodigies became exceptionally renowned.
One was obviously me, who took home the title of True Dragon.
The second was Jang Seonyeon, the New Star, and the third was Namgung Bi-ah.
The Sword Dancer, Namgung Bi-ah.
A title given due to her dazzling sword dance in the tournament, complemented by her innate beauty.
In addition to that title, she was affectionately dubbed the Great Beauty of Anhui or the World’s Zenith of Beauty, which was quite daunting.
But ultimately, it was the Sword Dancer that became her formal title.
Yet Namgung Bi-ah herself didn’t seem to care at all.
I wonder how that’ll unfold.
In my past life, even though Namgung Bi-ah had become a Demonic Human, her talent was acknowledged, and she inherited the title of Sword Queen.
Thus, she was referred to as the Demonic Sword Queen.
Of course, this happened after Gu Huibi died, who was initially expected to become the next Sword Queen.
But since I had no intention of letting Gu Huibi meet that fate in this life, I pondered whether that meant Namgung Bi-ah might never earn the title of Sword Queen.
What a thought that twisted in my mind.
Better off this way.
I didn’t know how Namgung Bi-ah would feel about this, but this was certainly better for me.
The title of Sword Queen felt like a shard lodged deep in my heart, refusing to let go.
In terms of talent… it’s a bit hazy.
Gu Huibi, the so-called heavenly treasure of the Gu Clan, stood among the greatest young prodigies of her generation.
By the time I regressed, she was already a peak realm swordswoman, and as she gradually gained experience, unless something extraordinary happened like my past life, she would naturally ascend to the top.
She might even surpass my expectations in her progression.
However…
When I considered Namgung Bi-ah’s talent in comparison,
I found myself uncertain if she truly fell short of Gu Huibi’s abilities.
She’s a freak too, and an exceptional one at that.
Unlike my past life, after seeing Namgung Bi-ah blossoming into a prodigy, I felt less confident in that comparison.
Before, Namgung Bi-ah had been one of the Demonic Humans without ever receiving any Demonic Art from the Heavenly Demon.
Yet alongside her treasured thunder fang, she reached astonishing heights purely by her talent alone—her potential was remarkable.
After experiencing Namgung Bi-ah’s prowess in her prodigy days firsthand, it was clear her abilities couldn’t merely be summarized with words. Namgung Bi-ah’s talent was overwhelmingly impressive.
Let’s not even discuss her achieving the peak realm at that age…
Her swordsmanship had sharpened significantly since our last encounter.
Additionally, her ability to apply Qi seamlessly with the Master of Swords was remarkable, not to mention the volume of Qi she possessed.
Just by observing these things, it was evident that unlike me, who enjoyed the benefits of regression and external enhancements, Namgung Bi-ah had accomplished everything through sheer talent.
This is why… geniuses irk me.
The jealousy I thought I had buried began to creep back up.
As that feeling started to harass my lower dantian…
[Stuff those thoughts back down where they came from. You’re looking pitiful.]
Elder Shin chastised, sounding disappointed.
Ugh…
[How have you not matured at your age? This should be seen as a good thing since she is connected to you.]
His words held a lot of truth.
I was well aware of that, but my incompetent nature allowed emotions to flicker up at the worst times.
Shaking my head, I attempted to clear my mind.
I needed to prioritize addressing what happened in the Black Palace.
Additionally, I had to focus on purging the Demonic Qi lingering in Gu Huibi’s body.
Not to mention…
Having bolted from jail meant that addressing the girls who were likely waiting back at the clan was going to be tricky.
I likely need to steer clear of the Second Elder for some time.
He probably caught wind of me skipping out without his approval, raising the stakes for what might happen if I ever crossed paths with him.
“Oh, right!”
Moyong Hi-ah, who had been exchanging a few words with Namgung Bi-ah, stepped closer and tossed a line in my direction.
“Young Master Gu.”
“Yes?”
With her charming smile and enchanting gaze, Moyong Hi-ah caught everyone’s attention tremendously.
Seriously, what’s going on with her?
But to me, instead of drawing me in, it only widened the gap between us.
What was with that suspicious expression she was wearing?
With all the odd women around me, I unintentionally found myself being on guard.
Especially since she was the one with the grimmest intentions among them.
Whether she realized my feelings or not, Moyong Hi-ah proceeded calmly.
Or at least, she tried to.
“I just wanted to say….”
“Young Master.”
If it weren’t for the steward’s sudden interruption…
“Young Master, the Lord has summoned you to his chamber at once.”
“…”
My breath caught in my throat upon hearing that.
I instantly knew why he had called.
Ah, shit. The reckoning has come.
Time to face the music.
With that thought in mind, cold sweat began to form on my forehead.
Leaving me behind with my wide-eyed expression, the steward turned to Gu Huibi.
“I’ll escort the Young Lady to the medic room.”
I noticed that some martial artists from the Gu Clan were approaching from behind.
Clearly, they were getting ready to accompany Gu Huibi there.
Seeing that made Gu Huibi let out a sour tone.
“No need, I can walk myself.”
To support her claim, Gu Huibi brushed off the dust from her clothes and stood up, walking off quite fine.
Then why the hell did you need me to carry you in the first place?
She’s genuinely hellbent on messing with me!
It was becoming obvious that I was the only sane one in this crazy Gu family.
As I set Gu Huibi down, the steward addressed Moyong Hi-ah carefully.
“Lady of the Moyong Clan, we’ve arranged a resting place for you after you complete your discussion. You should head there.”
Moyong Hi-ah nodded politely in response to the steward’s courteous words.
Although it seemed she had words to share with me, she looked like she was choosing not to bring it up again.
“It seems that now is not a good time, so I’ll visit you again next time, Young Master Gu.”
Oh, so she’s also feeling the tension in the air.
Quick on the uptake, aren’t we?
[Kid, your expression’s so rotten, anyone can tell that something’s off with your situation just by looking.]
…
Namgung Bi-ah shot me a worried glance, then spoke in a hushed tone.
“Good luck…”
“Yeah, thanks…”
With both fists clenched, Namgung Bi-ah wished me well, yet it did little to soothe my nerves.
The mountain of trouble awaiting me loomed taller than ever, her words barely scratched the surface of reassurance.
With no time to spare for rest, I marched straight toward the Lord’s chamber.
Why does it feel like I always end up here after returning to the clan?
Stepping into the all-too-familiar yet suffocating room, there sat my father, just like always, calmly waiting for me.
How could someone just back from a distant journey maintain such tranquility?
I couldn’t wrap my head around it.
Aside from the same old room, one sign stood out: my father’s gaze was slightly sharper than usual.
And it was more than obvious that this wasn’t a good sign!
Without so much as a glance in my direction, my father began uttering words.
“Third child.”
“Uh, y-yes?”
“You’ve stirred up quite the trouble, haven’t you?”
That much was clear.
Damn it, I’m in deep trouble.
In my father’s calm voice, there lurked a storm of anger.
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