Chapter 225: Going To Battle (1)
As Moyong Hi-ah was leaving Gu Yangcheon and heading to her place, she suddenly stopped walking on the night path and crouched down.
Huff… Huff…
Holding her belly and exhaling heavily, her face was somehow flushed.
“Are you okay, my lady…!?”
A servant, who had been waiting outside, approached to check on her, but Moyong Hi-ah pushed her away, insisting that she was fine.
“I’m okay… I’m just not used to it yet.”
“Excuse me?”
The warmth swirling inside her body was a sensation unknown to Moyong Hi-ah.
It was pushing away the coldness that she had wrapped herself in for an eternity, and warming her up felt utterly strange.
…It’s warm.
She wasn’t cold.
This was something Moyong Hi-ah had longed for so desperately.
Though she was struggling to adapt to the overwhelming heat she received all at once.
Phew…
Regardless of that, an overwhelming joy filled her, leaving her unsure of what to do with herself.
She didn’t know if it was bliss from her coldness being pushed out or excitement from feeling warmth for the first time.
…As I thought, he was the answer.
Whatever it was, it was something she had wished for.
“…Hey.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“I think I need to discuss something else with the clan.”
“Huh? The clan? Didn’t you finish everything last time?”
The deal with the Gu Clan.
It was spearheaded by Moyong Hi-ah, something that the Lord of the Moyong Clan had vehemently rejected. Yet, she managed to gain approval by conveying that she might be able to address her condition.
It was also the first time she had ever requested something from the Lord using her own situation as leverage.
Thanks to that, she received consent, but she had to hear the Lord’s condition of bringing the True Dragon to see him.
Of course, she hadn’t mentioned this to Gu Yangcheon.
“…I think I need to talk about my engagement.”
“E-Engagement?”
The servant’s face went pale upon hearing Moyong Hi-ah’s words.
Given the topic, it was clear what she was about to say.
“My lady… are you…?”
“Yes.”
Moyong Hi-ah nodded at her servant, her face flushed as she replied. The heat had spread to her ears, which were also turning red.
Looking at her servant, Moyong Hi-ah declared, “I think we should cancel it.”
The matter to be canceled.
She was referring to the secret engagement she had been arranging with the Namgung Clan.
As soon as the sun rose, I got up and slipped out of the room.
My body felt oddly exhausted, but it was probably not due to a lack of sleep.
It was simply that I was mentally drained.
…I feel like I’m going to die.
Dragging my creaking body outside, I spotted three intruders asleep in the corner of my room.
With Namgung Bi-ah using her belly as a pillow, Wi Seol-Ah and Tang Soyeol were sound asleep next to her.
Seeing that made me chuckle.
“I told them to go sleep in their own rooms.”
Last night, after being dragged off by Namgung Bi-ah, I spent a few hours explaining my circumstances to her.
It wasn’t a conversation that should have taken long, yet it took forever just to make her understand why I had to do that.
Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-Ah either grasped my point halfway or just surrendered, while Tang Soyeol seemed intent on probing deeper into my rationale.
It was quite the hassle.
Why am I stuck explaining all this?
Despite those thoughts, I couldn’t voice any complaints and had to painstakingly lay everything out for them.
Most of my reasoning boiled down to it was too large a sum to reject, but actually, the condition the Moyong Clan proposed to the Gu Clan was shockingly outrageous.
Even Tang Soyeol had no choice but to nod in agreement.
She does have a somewhat peculiar gaze, though.
Though Tang Soyeol’s strange eyes were odd, I knew she often had bizarre thoughts, so I just brushed it off.
“Young Master.”
Basking in the sunlight on the floor, Hongwa appeared and bowed respectfully to me.
“Did you sleep well?”
“…Does it look like I did?”
“…”
It seemed that even she could see I did not, as Hongwa subtly averted her gaze.
Even when she noticed the three girls asleep in my room, she kept quiet.
Maybe she just grew accustomed to it since Namgung Bi-ah occasionally intruded, and I let Wi Seol-Ah in because she persisted.
Of course, when she spotted Wi Seol-Ah among them, she did make a slight grimace.
She seems like she’s going to get scolded again.
Wi Seol-Ah’s unyielding nature, even after being reprimanded countless times, was quite fascinating.
After all, she likely had a personality quite similar to mine.
“We will prepare breakfast. Should I also prepare for the others?”
“…Yes, please. Oh, and there’s something I want to ask.”
“Go ahead.”
“How did they manage to come in here?”
“Pardon?”
Ignoring Wi Seol-Ah for the moment, I inquired about Namgung Bi-ah and Tang Soyeol’s unexpected presence in my place.
To be honest, I had allowed Namgung Bi-ah to roam free, a bit like a stray cat.
As for Tang Soyeol, she belonged to a clan with a proper lineage, so it was hard to believe she could come in without permission.
Was there something strange about my question?
Hongwa looked somewhat flustered.
“Didn’t you allow it…?”
“…When did I?”
“Lady Namgung and Lady Tang were sure you had given the okay.”
As she trailed off, recognizing something was amiss, Hongwa tensed up.
“I’m sorry! I should have checked thoroughly!”
It looked like she had simply believed what the two had said.
Was it because I had never reacted strongly against their intrusions?
“…My apologies.”
Hongwa had the expression of someone ready to bolt away at any moment.
Seeing her like that, I waved my hand to signal it was okay.
“Relax. It’s fine, but what about the Tang Clan? Did they approve?”
That was the real issue.
While Namgung Bi-ah might be a different case, would they really sit idle if they found out Tang Soyeol was in my home?
If the Poison King finds out, he would definitely get furious.
No matter how I looked at it, that seemed like the case.
The Tang Clan members were staying at a different guest house of the Gu Clan and would likely notice Tang Soyeol’s disappearance.
And given that she was usually around Namgung Bi-ah in my place, they would easily realize that she was here too.
…I hope there won’t be any trouble.
Tang Soyeol had told me she had a plan, but I wasn’t sure if it would work against the Poison King effectively.
She probably doesn’t realize how enormous her father’s love is.
That the king, reigning over Sichuan, was only gentle toward his daughter.
Tang Soyeol likely had no idea about that.
“Just check on the Tang Clan’s reaction.”
“Understood…”
“And don’t worry too much; I’ll consider this matter as approved from my side.”
Upon hearing my words, Hongwa’s expression widened slightly as she bowed her head before leaving.
…Hmm.
Once Hongwa was gone, I sat still on the floor and gathered my thoughts.
Is the closed-door training after noon?
Once the clock reached noon, I had to enter the closed-door training space and remain there for two months.
After that, I would have to join the Fifth Swordsmen on the battlefield.
Since I was forced to kill time, I needed to determine if anything significant was brewing.
Has anything happened over the past few years?
Among the major events set to unfold in the coming years, the Black Palace’s annihilation stood out the most.
With the Palace Lord escaping, I wondered if anything else might transpire.
But I don’t know what he’s planning.
Additionally, I had witnessed the existence of the Heavenly Demon firsthand.
I couldn’t discern the particulars.
But also, there’s no guarantee I can alter anything with my current state.
In light of that…
It would be more advantageous to use the Hao Clan rather than the Beggar’s Sect.
Though I had cut ties with Chuwong, it didn’t mean I could rely on the Beggar’s Sect for intelligence based solely on that connection.
Since they were allied with the Murim Alliance, any information they gathered would likely be filtered through them first.
But then again, can I fully trust the Hao Clan?
Though that felt to be a better option.
What if I need to manipulate Elder Mook to get what I want?
As I pondered that notion, I pulled out the seal Elder Mook had given me.
He had told me to use it if I wanted to figure something out.
…But how do I use it?
I half-heartedly attempted to activate it like I would the Marble of Celestial Captivation.
I rolled it around, trying various things.
It didn’t seem to function that way.
And it’s made from that old man’s energy.
That troubled me even more.
But I couldn’t just discard it.
But what if I did throw it away?
Would he retrieve it since it was made from his own energy?
As I was examining the seal to figure out how to use it,
Shhhh.
I felt someone approaching from behind.
Soon, two white hands enveloped me from behind.
“Uuurgh…”
She let out a sleepy noise, and upon hearing the voice, I recognized her.
“Why are you clinging to me as soon as you wake up?”
“Uugh…”
Of course, it was Wi Seol-Ah.
“I’m sleepy…”
“Then sleep some more.”
“I can’t…”
“Why not?”
…Was she hungry perhaps?
It was close to breakfast time.
I was about to inform Hongwa, thinking Wi Seol-Ah must be starving.
But then, Wi Seol-Ah, still clinging to me, whispered softly,
“…Young Master is leaving today.”
“Oh.”
Was it due to the closed-door training starting at noon?
I chuckled and replied, “Where am I going?”
Though I had to stay cooped up for two months, the closed-door training location was within the Gu Clan.
I wasn’t actually leaving the clan at all.
“…But still.”
Her grip on me tightened.
The emotion of not wanting me to leave was palpable and made my heart flutter.
“W-Would it be okay for me to go with you?”
“I’ve never heard of anyone doing closed-door training with someone else.”
“But I could go through training too…”
As Wi Seol-Ah began babbling on,
“Ugh…!”
Unexpectedly, her arms loosened, and the warmth on my back disappeared.
I turned to see Namgung Bi-ah tugging Wi Seol-Ah back.
She rubbed her sleepy eyes.
“Stop.”
“But Sis…”
“…He’s uncomfortable…”
“…”
Wi Seol-Ah shut her mouth upon hearing Namgung Bi-ah’s words.
Seeing the teary-eyed Wi Seol-Ah made me uneasy, and I wanted to speak up, but instead, Namgung Bi-ah said,
“I’m fine…”
“…You too, keep quiet…”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I had no comeback for Namgung Bi-ah, especially since she was upset about what happened yesterday.
I hadn’t seen Namgung Bi-ah in a bad mood in a long time.
And I knew too well that she wouldn’t listen when she was angry, so I too stayed silent alongside Wi Seol-Ah.
I glanced about and noticed Tang Soyeol stirring awake—she rubbed her eyes like she was just waking up.
Upon spotting me, she gasped, quickly straightening her clothes.
She likely didn’t expect to have fallen asleep here.
“W-What should I do? What if I snored…?”
“You didn’t snore that much.”
“Wait, did I really snore…!?”
“Just kidding.”
Though I thought she might, it was more of a soft sound, like a little bear growling.
“M-My first night with you turned out like this…”
Ignoring Tang Soyeol’s panicking remark, I addressed the group.
“…Shall we eat?”
They all nodded in agreement.
Breakfast was critical, after all.
As the clock approached noon, I finished my meal and got ready to head to the training area.
“…Ultimately, you’re going there.”
“Who are you sending to die? Why such a reaction…”
“I’m just worried you might stir up some trouble inside.”
The Second Elder, still bandaged up, hadn’t fully healed yet.
Dragging his ailing body, he came to see me off.
Gu Huibi was here too but hadn’t spoken a word to me in days.
“Sister.”
“…”
She remained unresponsive.
Feeling frustrated, I queried, “Why the sulking?”
“Who said I’m sulking? Do you want to die, brother?”
“Dial it back with those death threats.”
“My eyes are always fierce.”
True enough.
I quickly checked Gu Huibi’s health status.
Thank goodness, the Demonic Qi had dissipated, and she was slowly starting to recover.
The Immortal Healer approached me, slyly asking if I’d had a hand in her healing.
I denied it.
“…Make sure to eat well.”
With that casual remark, I was left speechless.
“There’s only Bigu here. What do you mean eat well?”
“If I don’t prepare, you won’t eat at all.”
“Who do you think I am? If I’m hungry, I’ll eat.”
Why would I need someone to remind me to eat? I wasn’t a three-year-old.
What time did she think this was, anyway?
She didn’t take kindly to my attitude.
Gu Huibi whirled around, striding toward her quarters.
“Forget it, do as you please. This is exactly why raising a kid is pointless.”
As Gu Huibi departed, I noticed the Second Elder sigh heavily.
“What did you do this time, for Huibi to act like that?”
“…I didn’t do anything.”
I genuinely hadn’t done a thing.
In fact, I’d even helped her recover by expelling the Demonic Qi.
Why did she always lash out at me like this?
“The Gu Clan Lord won’t be coming.”
“I know.”
I was more aware than anyone that my father wouldn’t show up for this.
It didn’t affect me much anyway.
“…Young Master.”
Wi Seol-Ah rushed to me, teary-eyed, and hugged me tightly.
“Crying again?”
“I-I’m not crying…”
“…Then could you refrain from wiping your nose on me?”
I could feel my outfit getting wet.
“Eat properly. I’ll be out before you know it.”
“…Okay.”
As I patted Wi Seol-Ah’s head, I noted that she hadn’t finished her food during breakfast.
It seemed she wasn’t in the mood at all.
…The great Wi Seol-Ah left food on her plate?
Realizing it was related to me elicited a strange feeling.
It was no big deal, yet it felt peculiar.
While stroking Wi Seol-Ah’s hair, I shifted my attention to everyone else.
“Why is everyone gathering here? It’s not like something extraordinary is happening.”
“…Take care while you’re away…”
Namgung Bi-ah waved her hand slightly as if bidding farewell.
Her eyes bore a tinge of sorrow, or maybe it was just my imagination.
Tang Soyeol, who had much to say, wore an expression that suggested her thoughts would remain unspoken.
After giving a brief wave, I called out, “Muyeon.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
I finally addressed Muyeon, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you…”
Muyeon lowered his head at my words of praise.
While I was away, he had reached the Peak Realm.
I couldn’t have been clueless regarding it; he had quite excitedly shared the news with everyone.
…I think he might have bragged about it to the Sword Venerable too.
Contrary to the serious atmosphere surrounding him, Muyeon was lighter in spirit than I expected.
Observing him, I continued, “Take care of the tasks I requested while I’m away.”
“Yes. I’ll ensure it’s handled without any mistakes.”
“Alright, but don’t overextend yourself.”
Meanwhile, Gu Ryunghwa didn’t show up to see me off at all.
“…Sigh, this is exactly why nurturing a child has no benefits.”
Mumbling that, I caught the Second Elder looking at me with curiosity.
I had no idea what thoughts ran through his head, but his expression seemed oddly sour.
“I will take my leave now.”
Leaving the others behind, I began to move forward. Two months pass by quickly.
It didn’t warrant an emotional farewell.
And I was going to be punished anyway.
Given that I was headed toward a penalty, there was no need to get all emotional.
“…Young Master!”
Right before I stepped through, Wi Seol-Ah called out from behind.
“Hmm?”
“Y-You have to come out quickly, alright…?”
That wasn’t something I could control.
“…I’ll do my best?”
“Don’t forget about me, okay…?”
What could I possibly forget in two months? Do you think I am a goldfish?
Two months wasn’t enough for me to forget anything!
Despite my response, Wi Seol-Ah spoke softly with tears welling in her eyes, “Promise me…”
Clutching tightly to the accessory I had gifted her, she looked rather pitiful.
Had we grown too attached to each other?
Nothing would occur simply because I was away for a couple of months.
“Sure, I won’t forget you; don’t worry.”
“…Okay.”
Upon hearing my pledge, a smile graced Wi Seol-Ah’s face.
Turning my back to her, I stepped into the space.
Boom—!
I heard a sound that indicated something closing behind me as I crossed the threshold.
No doubt, it was the entrance.
It’s hot.
The dim space was hardly spacious.
It was filled with heat so intense it made me sweat.
It was an absolutely absurd amount of heat generated in a closed-door training location meant for those of the Gu Clan’s lineage.
In one corner, there was water along with some Bigu.
There was certainly enough to last at least half a year, not just two months.
I plopped myself down on the floor without hesitation.
Whoosh!
I shut my eyes and ignited the flames.
I couldn’t afford to squander these two months.
Additionally, there were things I needed to thoroughly investigate during this time.
Hey.
I whispered in my mind.
This wasn’t an invitation to Elder Shin.
He wouldn’t respond.
After all, I had asked him not to before entering.
I know you’re awake, so you better respond.
I delved deeper into my mind.
It was as though I was sinking into the depths below.
Would it be comfortable to send these words all the way down to my dantian?
If you don’t respond, I’m going to withhold food from you.
I speculated how deeply I needed to go for the creature to respond.
However, perhaps because food was brought up,
[…Grr…]
A beastly growl echoed from the dark shadows.
I needed to conceal my tension.
I didn’t even know what kind of being it was.
Slowly and carefully,
Shall we chat?
With a feigned smile, I initiated a conversation with the unruly tenant.
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