Chapter 224
Moyong Hi-ah barged into my room uninvited.
Perhaps it was her presence, but my small room felt somewhat colder.
“I’ll be excusing myself.”
“Yeah, you are very much excusing yourself.”
“Thank you.”
“…”
Wasn’t she practically begging me to curse at her?
I knew Moyong Hi-ah was originally cold, fierce, and rude.
Yet she didn’t seem to be the type for such shameless behavior.
How did she end up like this?
Or maybe she was always like this?
That was certainly a possibility, but regardless, this was a very awkward situation.
“Um…”
“You may speak.”
“I heard that the Moyong Clan made a deal with our clan.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
While speaking, I observed Moyong Hi-ah’s appearance.
I couldn’t smell the usual fragrance or see the heavy makeup.
And no accessories were in sight.
Unlike her usual decorated self, this was the raw version of Moyong Hi-ah.
She resembles how she looked in the Abyss.
Back then, she didn’t have the luxury to decorate herself.
She was in a situation where surviving today meant facing tomorrow.
From my viewpoint, her current look felt better.
[You say you don’t like her, yet you examined her face.]
I looked because it was right in front of me.
[…Considering how beautiful she is, how could you not look?]
Elder Shin mumbled in a very soft voice, but it rang clear in my head—I couldn’t ignore it.
Elder Shin.
[What is it?]
You didn’t forget, did you?
[…Hmm?]
You know, the really pretty girl from the Moyong Clan…
[Ha.]
Elder Shin reacted dismissively to my question.
[So much time has passed, yet you think I didn’t forget something so insignificant? Brat, you are quite obsessed with romance.]
…I see. If that’s the case, then whatever.
I nodded slightly, agreeing with Elder Shin’s words.
I also decided to pretend that I didn’t notice his voice shaking furiously.
If I pushed further, I knew he would sulk and not talk to me for days.
How could a Taoist be so narrow-minded?
[Hmm? What did you say?]
I said nothing.
[Is that so? That’s odd… I could have sworn you were talking trash about me.]
He certainly had sharp ears…
“I have a question I’d like to ask first.”
“Go ahead. I’m all ears.”
“…Why are you doing this?”
“Pardon?”
That was a question I needed to ask.
“I understood that the Moyong Clan was building their business in Shanxi and simultaneously offering public conveniences.”
“Yes.”
“But to me, it seems like an absurd condition…”
“Exactly. Our clan exerted quite a bit of influence. Is this not enough?”
As if there was such a possibility.
The Gu Clan never contributed significantly in finances.
While they didn’t pursue wealth aggressively, that didn’t mean they rejected it either.
It’s not a clan that does things for rewards.
Others received donations under the pretext of protecting from demons.
The Moyong Clan and Tang Clan accumulated wealth through businesses tied to their family influence, whereas the Gu Clan didn’t follow that route.
They were responsible for the safety of Shanxi but didn’t receive substantial donations in return.
Of course, they received some due to relations with the upper class…
But not enough for the clan to flaunt a luxurious lifestyle.
To be exact, one could say they weren’t rich enough, considering their status as a noble clan.
“That’s not what I meant—I wanted to know why you would go through such significant losses just to acquire some heat.”
“Oh.”
Her expression changed as if she’d forgotten to explain.
Unlike her usual cold and alluring demeanor, she tried to make a cute face, as if she had messed up.
What the hell is she doing?
But I understood all of this was an act.
Moyong Hi-ah was someone who knew her strengths far too well.
She understood that just changing her appearance could be extremely advantageous.
“Hmm…”
Noticing I was still glancing at her, Moyong Hi-ah quickly returned to her usual formal expression.
“Indeed, it doesn’t seem to work on you.”
Tsk.
Seeing her click her tongue in disappointment oddly relieved me.
That personality of hers really doesn’t change, does it?
The only difference was the gaze she cast upon me compared to the past.
“You’re quite a fascinating person the more I observe you. Are you facing any issues, perhaps?”
“Issues…?”
“Like… you don’t have any problems with masculinity, do you?”
“What are you implying?”
“But judging from how you treat the Poison Phoenix and Sword Dancer, it doesn’t seem to be that…”
What’s “not it”?
Who do you think you are?
After staring at Moyong Hi-ah, I let out a sigh and said, “Let’s stop the jokes.”
“I’m not joking, though…”
“…Could you explain why you’re interested in buying my heat?”
I needed to steer this absurd conversation toward the main subject.
After all, continued dialogue with Moyong Hi-ah would only infuriate me more.
Once I introduced the main topic, Moyong Hi-ah momentarily stiffened her expression and shifted her posture.
She knelt down and folded her hands as a sign of respect.
Seeing that, I adjusted my posture as well.
“As mentioned before, I need Young Master Gu’s heat.”
“Why, though?”
“If you wish to hear the reason, I may need you to accept a Shackle.”
“A Shackle?”
What kind of reason required me to accept a Shackle?
If my assumption was correct, it likely pertained to Moyong Hi-ah’s condition.
“As a reference, the Lord of the Gu Clan didn’t inquire about the reason.”
“…So you’re saying he sold his son without even knowing why?”
“…”
Her silence suggested that it was indeed true.
My father, perhaps he was more materialistic than I initially thought?
Lost in that thought, I turned to Moyong Hi-ah.
“Then I won’t hear—”
“I actually have a condition.”
“Hey, if you’re not going to listen to the end, why do you keep interrupting me?”
“It’s a condition where Ice Qi accumulates if I don’t manage it.”
I had no intention of hearing it since I already knew, but she openly spoke about it herself.
Is she crazy?
Frowning at being forced to hear something I didn’t wish to, Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes widened slightly.
“You… don’t seem surprised at all?”
“You told me without my agreement, so why should I be surprised?”
“Not necessarily… but that isn’t the usual reaction.”
Honestly, I felt I had messed up a bit as I answered.
I should have feigned at least a little surprise; however, despite hearing her disclose her condition, I failed to respond properly.
I got swept up in the vibe.
I didn’t know if it was because I was talking to a person so incompatible or due to my past life’s memories.
I needed to use my Qi to sooth my unsettled stomach.
“…So, you’re saying this is why you need my heat?”
“Yes.”
“But why me? I’m not the only one who can provide heat.”
It became clear that Moyong Hi-ah’s condition wasn’t something that would improve simply by being next to heat.
If that were possible, she wouldn’t have suffered all her life.
And I’m not the only one in the world who can wield Fire Arts.
There was Gu Huibi, not to mention my father.
Gu Ryunghwa belonged to Hua Mountain, and Gu Yeonseo still couldn’t summon heat, so she could be exempted.
Moreover, if we spoke of Fire Arts, Gu Clan was indeed in a prime position, but they weren’t alone in that regard.
Considering there were those among the Hundred Masters of the World who could utilize Fire Arts, I thought about why Moyong Hi-ah came to me.
Could it be that I seemed easy to handle?
No way.
She wouldn’t choose whoever based on such criteria.
So then, what is it?
I briefly considered the possibility that only my heat affected Moyong Hi-ah’s condition.
But that seemed unlikely…
I discerned that such was not the case with just a thought about ‘that day’ in my past life.
Even while hugging each other…
Unlike my hot body, Moyong Hi-ah’s body had been icy cold.
As I questioned with these musings, Moyong Hi-ah’s response was resolute.
“It has to be your heat.”
“…”
“I sensed it last time; it would work if it were Young Master Gu’s heat.”
I noticed a wary white finger cautiously extending toward me.
The approaching fingertip touched mine.
But it felt as if she hesitated, unable to grip my hand.
“…I ask this as a favor, please.”
It was an abrupt request, but I had a vague idea of what she was indirectly asking for.
Without uttering much, I diverted my attention just enough to send a little heat toward her.
Flinch.
I felt Moyong Hi-ah’s body quiver slightly upon receiving my heat.
I pondered after feeling her reaction.
…Is this for real?
Does this truly have an effect?
Why?
Just why?
I couldn’t glean the reason no matter how hard I tried.
What was distinct about the Moyong Hi-ah from back then and now?
Is it perhaps due to her being a bit younger?
Given that her condition worsened over time, it might be a possible thought, but likely it wasn’t that simple.
Could it be… because of the change in the Destructive Flame Arts?
If I recalled the abilities I possessed now that I didn’t in my past life, that was the only factor I could consider.
If the Heavenly Demon’s power absorbed the energy of others, maybe I could also absorb Ice Qi, but the way it responded to my heat suggested it was more likely due to the Destructive Flame Arts.
Like how it purges Demonic Qi, perhaps it pushes away Ice Qi as well?
Thinking of the transformations in my Destructive Flame Arts in this life, I recalled the ability to burn Demonic Qi to cleanse it and transform it into normal Qi.
Since that change didn’t occur in my past life, this remained the only principle I could think of.
“…Hngh…”
“Oh.”
Upon hearing a groan, I instinctively withdrew my hand.
In the midst of my various thoughts, I had almost forgotten what was happening.
I hurriedly lifted my head to check on Moyong Hi-ah.
“Are you ok—”
Yet judging by her lowered head and curled form, she clearly wasn’t okay at all.
“L… Look… at it.”
After struggling for some time, Moyong Hi-ah spoke in such a faint voice.
But it was too quiet for me to catch her words.
It seemed like she was attempting to disguise her trembling voice, yet it didn’t appear easy for her.
“It’s… it’s you…”
“Pardon?”
After those unintelligible words, Moyong Hi-ah suddenly stood upright and adjusted her clothes.
“…I’ll be taking my leave today.”
“Suddenly?”
“Yes… I believe it would be too challenging for me to continue.”
Challenging?
And now Moyong Hi-ah, swaying slightly as she moved, started to worry me.
Before anything else, I had something to clarify.
“What about the Shackle?”
“Huh?”
“You mentioned I would need to accept a Shackle after learning about your condition.”
Although it was a somewhat unsettling aspect, I now had to agree to it.
Regardless, a Shackle from a noble clan would be manageable enough to resolve.
I would simply receive it and break free.
Upon hearing my statement, Moyong Hi-ah displayed an expression that suggested, Oh, I did say that and then gave a subtle smile.
“That’s a lie.”
“What do you mean?”
“Normally, a Shackle would be necessary… but I had no intention of imposing that on Young Master Gu.”
“What’s the reasoning behind that?”
Inquiring about her motivation for that decision led Moyong Hi-ah to temporarily contemplate before replying.
“I thought I could trust someone like you… you would probably think that’s too convenient, right?”
“…”
When my gaze locked with hers, Moyong Hi-ah suddenly turned away and covered her mouth.
It was clear she was suppressing laughter.
“…I apologize. Your expression was quite surprising.”
Surprising expression?
Somehow, that felt like an insult and left me feeling irked.
Amid it all, I also couldn’t tell if this was truly effective for Moyong Hi-ah.
Even now, I could still sense Ice Qi radiating from her.
“Will this truly be effective…”
“Young Master.”
“Huh?”
“Thank you. I should take my leave now.”
Interestingly enough, while it appeared to be pleasant news, our conversation felt unresolved.
“…I’d love to continue this friendly discussion,”
“It wasn’t really friendly, though.”
“But I don’t know what might happen if I linger longer.”
What exactly did she mean by that?
After speaking, Moyong Hi-ah’s gaze shifted in a particular direction.
Following her line of sight…
“…”
I spotted three pairs of eyes peeking in my direction, poking out from a corner.
Their different-colored eyes gave it a uniquely uncanny vibe.
“What in the world are you all doing over there?”
I asked incredulously, but the eyes fixated upon me remained silent.
How did they find out about this?
That unsettling feeling made chills crawl down my spine.
“I’ll take my leave first. Young Master Gu, I truly appreciate today.”
It seemed I wasn’t the only one feeling the chills; seeing how Moyong Hi-ah exited my room at a quicker pace than usual confirmed that.
While leaving, Moyong Hi-ah cast a quick glance at the three girls before adding toward me,
“It was a delightful time. I’m counting on you again next night we meet.”
“What?”
After tossing those highly ambiguous words, she vanished gracefully.
“Wait… you need to explain yourself before leaving!”
I instinctively recognized the trouble I was in and immediately tried to stop Moyong Hi-ah.
Grasp.
But a hand stopped me first. Then came the voice.
“Explain.”
Swallowing hard after hearing Namgung Bi-ah’s stern tone, I felt like a deer caught in headlights.
Not only did Namgung Bi-ah seem far more expressionless than usual, but the two squirrels peeking out from behind her were another cause for concern.
Haha.
It seemed that my chances of sleeping comfortably were thoroughly spoiled today.
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