Chapter 227:
Dragged back, I arrived and washed my body.
I took off my dirty clothes and changed into new ones.
In fact, the clothes I originally wore were so foul that washing them wouldn’t help, so I had to burn them to get rid of the smell.
It seems like I was soaked in sweat.
The heat was intense in the Closed-Door Training Place.
Even my body, trained in Flame Arts, would profusely sweat like crazy.
…I really thought I was going to die…
Sure, depending on the terrain, I can grit my teeth and endure the environment, but there’s nothing I can do about feeling thirsty from all the sweat.
Because of that, I had to drink a lot of water.
I’ve never gone through such torture before.
Given that it was closed-door training, I honestly thought it would be reasonable to endure it for half a year, but honestly, I wasn’t up for spending any more time in such a place.
After all, I had experienced it in my past life.
But in this life, it felt particularly different, maybe for some reason.
Still…
I didn’t waste the two months I spent in training.
Clench.
Every time I squeezed my fist, I felt my Qi stirring inside.
I stabilized the energy that had been flowing uncontrollably, and it felt like my original Qi became a bit denser and stronger.
Of course, I didn’t reach the Fusion Realm.
The Fusion Realm is not a wall one can break through in just two months.
It’s disappointing,
But honestly, it was funny feeling disappointed.
What could I expect in such a short time?
The fact that I could stabilize my Qi’s flow and improved the energy delivery to my middle dantian was already significant progress.
“Thanks to that, my body got a little better.”
Maybe it was because of all that Qi I had; it felt like my physical growth accelerated compared to my past life.
If my limbs grew longer, efficiency in actual combat would significantly increase, so that was a good thing.
I hope I grow taller than in my past life.
You never know.
With the current growth rate, might I surpass my past height?
“Young Master.”
As I finished preparing and replaced my belt, Muyeon called from outside.
“I’m coming out now.”
I checked to see if I still had any lingering stench, but fortunately, it seemed like I had gotten rid of it all.
I even had to use Qi to wash away the smell.
Just how concentrated was that stink?
Drrrr.
As I opened the door, Muyeon awaited me, lowering his head slightly as a sign of respect.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“Eh, it wasn’t that hard.”
Anyone might think I was locked away for years.
I smirked and observed Muyeon.
His posture was still impeccable, and as if demonstrating he was on alert, he released his Qi into the surroundings.
However, I could tell that his control over Qi was noticeably different from before.
“It seems like you worked hard.”
“…That’s not true.”
“Come on, don’t be so modest. Being overly humble is just annoying, you know.”
Considering it had only been two months, I couldn’t help but admit that the level I sensed from Muyeon was exceptional.
When a martial artist breaks through their first barrier, they usually struggle to adapt to the new sensations as their senses and Qi intertwine.
They often let uncontrollable Qi run wild in their middle dantian.
Most need at least a year to regulate it, yet Muyeon had controlled it in just a few months.
That clearly showed Muyeon’s outstanding talent as I had expected.
Although Namgung Bi-ah is an exception.
Namgung Bi-ah was an anomaly who instantly adjusted after breaking through.
Using a term like ‘talent’ barely scratches the surface of describing someone like her.
After hearing my words, Muyeon smiled awkwardly.
“Here are the things you requested.”
“Ah.”
Muyeon took a few letters from his pocket and handed them to me.
They were things I had asked Muyeon to procure before my closed-door training two months ago.
There were a few inquiries I wanted to make with the Hao Clan and other clans, luckily, they arrived just in time.
I was about to unfold the letters when…
“Also, the Lord of the Clan instructed me to tell you to visit him as soon as you are done preparing.”
“…Tsk.”
It seemed I had to go see Father first.
Normally, I would have made my way to the Lord’s room to see Father, but for some reason, I had to head elsewhere this time.
He instructed me to go to the meeting room where guests were welcomed.
I wonder what this is about?
Following the steward at a leisurely pace, I quickly arrived at my destination.
Creak.
As I opened the door, there sat Father in the large meeting room.
Additionally…
Why is she here?
On one side, I noticed Namgung Bi-ah seated with an assortment of tea snacks arranged before her.
“Come in.”
Upon hearing Father’s invitation, I entered the room and scanned the environment.
The empty seat beside Namgung Bi-ah clearly belonged to me.
I carefully seated myself.
As I plopped down, I caught a whiff of a floral scent wafting from Namgung Bi-ah.
Glancing her way, she appeared rather different from her usual self.
Did she put on some makeup?
It felt appropriate to say she had adorned herself a little.
No, she undoubtedly did.
As I discreetly inspected Namgung Bi-ah, Father addressed me.
“It seems you’ve made some progress.”
I involuntarily jolted upon hearing his calm tone.
I thought I was good at hiding it, yet Father noticed right away.
“I experienced a bit of enlightenment.”
I deflected with a vague yet respectful response.
It wasn’t entirely untrue.
It was enlightenment after all.
Father chose not to pry further and merely nodded.
As I hydrated myself with some tea to quench the thirst brought on by this awkward atmosphere,
Father then turned to the main topic.
“I called you here regarding your engagement with the Namgung Clan.”
“…Oh.”
Right.
The engagement ceremony was supposed to take place after I returned from the Dragons and Phoenixes Tournament.
Honestly, I had completely forgotten about it.
With everything going on, I had simply pushed it aside.
…Sigh…
So that’s why Namgung Bi-ah was here.
It pertained to our engagement.
Back then, I figured I could just bail when the time came, not realizing I was already ensnared in the web.
As I pondered, Father suddenly cast a glance at Namgung Bi-ah before speaking.
“I do feel sorry for Miss Namgung. While it was our clan’s issue, it ultimately impacted the Namgung Clan as well.”
“No… Not at all. It was a major issue.”
“I will communicate this matter to the Lord of the Namgung Clan separately.”
Considering the Namgung Clan’s Lord hadn’t shown up despite the schedule, it seemed that Father had sent a letter beforehand.
Namgung Bi-ah, having received an apology in place of her father, fell silent for a moment before saying,
“…My Lord.”
“Speak freely.”
“Could you please drop the formality with me…?”
I flinched, surprised at hearing Namgung Bi-ah speak those words.
Father appeared momentarily astonished, eyes widening more than usual.
Though he quickly masked his surprise.
“I will do so after the engagement ceremony.”
Regardless of the age difference, he reserved the right to speak informally to her since she remained an outsider to the clan.
Namgung Bi-ah displayed a hint of disappointment at Father’s response, but her expression quickly turned resigned as she accepted it.
The line that had to be drawn was far too evident.
Seeing that, I interjected.
“So, what’s the plan for the ceremony?”
I had to find out what would happen with the delay.
“Originally, it was to be held in the Gu Clan, but now it will take place in the Namgung Clan.”
Typically, engagement ceremonies were held by the male’s clan, but this time, Gu Clan would take responsibility and hold it in the Namgung Clan.
…Is that really okay?
It didn’t sound troubling at first glance, yet given that it involved two clans, and many eyes would be on it, having the ceremony in Namgung Clan could imply that I was moving there to live as a son-in-law.
Although that was not the reality, it could very well appear that way to the public.
Most clans, especially those of noble descent, are generally unwilling to forgo hosting in the male clan.
While Gu Clan doesn’t seem to care about such matters.
Father’s words took me aback.
However, like I said, I didn’t think too much of it.
Whether I was a son-in-law or whatever, it wouldn’t matter once the calamity started.
“…In that case, when will it be…?”
“It’ll take place after you return from the battlefront.”
It was pushed back further than I anticipated.
If it’s after I return from the battlefront, that meant the ceremony could occur over a year from now.
It’s convenient that it’s delayed,
But I couldn’t help but feel concerned for Namgung Bi-ah.
When I glanced at her, she maintained her usual expressionless demeanor, appearing unfazed.
“I’ve already discussed this with the Namgung Clan.”
“You’ve already consulted them?”
This didn’t appear to be a setting for discussing our agenda; rather, it was more of an announcement of what was to come.
In any case, I felt partly responsible for the delay owing to my circumstances.
As I turned to Namgung Bi-ah,
“…I’m fine with it.”
She spoke while gazing at Father.
“As long as our engagement isn’t broken, I’m fine with anything.”
“…”
I could sense a mixture of emotions in her calm words.
Which only made me feel worse.
“I sincerely apologize.”
“Not at all. I appreciate your concern.”
Father nodded in acknowledgment of her response.
I distinctly heard him mutter quietly, “Thankfully, she doesn’t resemble her father.”
It made me curious about what had transpired in the past to lead to such a rift between them.
Following that, we exchanged some brief, inconsequential dialogue.
After a bit,
“Since our discussion is concluded, I apologize Miss Namgung, but could you excuse us?”
At Father’s request, Namgung Bi-ah gracefully stood up.
Her composed demeanor was something I rarely observed.
If you can behave that way, why don’t you act like it all the time?
Each time I caught a glimpse of this side of her, it made me question her demeanor.
Is she really the same person?
“…I’ll be leaving first… and I’ll wait for you…”
The moment she turned her back to Father, she reverted to her usual expression and phrasing.
With light steps, Namgung Bi-ah exited the room.
A heavy silence enveloped the room with just Father and me remaining.
I pondered why he had chosen to send Namgung Bi-ah away.
…Have I caused more trouble again?
The seconds ticked by as my mind raced through what I might have done wrong.
Just as I was nervously swallowing my unease in silence, Father casually brought up,
“We’ve checked the First Elder’s secret vault.”
My ears perked up at the intriguing news.
Given that two months had passed since they had received the information, it was about time they investigated.
“So, what’s going to happen?”
“We still have to verify how many of the issues in the vault are legitimate, but…”
Since it included issues regarding the First Elder’s removal, the management transfer of Gu Sunmoon, and the justification of my previous actions, these elements provided enough grounds to proceed.
That was generally the gist of what Father conveyed.
Considering how this could potentially shift the positions of the Elders,
For instance, the Second Elder being promoted to First Elder.
The structure isn’t rigidly determined by rank, so such realignment is certainly within the realm of possibility.
While contemplating all of this, a question suddenly struck me, prompting me to ask Father.
“My Lord, may I inquire about something?”
“What is it?”
“Did you truly not know anything at all?”
Father paused, his hand halting before his teacup, a piercing gaze directed at me.
“What do you mean?”
“I’d like to know if you really had no clue about the First Elder’s machinations behind the scenes.”
Could it be true that Father was utterly oblivious?
I doubted that.
What intrigued me more was just how much he was unaware of.
“…”
Staring at each other measuredly for a few seconds,
Father took a sip of his tea without replying.
I turned my gaze away first.
I was certain he would remain tight-lipped.
“…When should I plan my departure for the battlefront?”
“After you cool down a bit, you may set off. Your sister has already left.”
“My sister?”
Gu Huibi was already on her way to the battlefront?
I wondered if she had fully recovered.
“Get the details from the steward.”
“…Understood.”
After receiving Father’s signal to leave, I rose and made my way out.
The reason I didn’t ask him any more questions was due to the understanding that even he was withholding something from me.
Even if I attempted to pry further, I doubted he would divulge any information.
Maybe around a week?
I guessed I had about that much time on my hands.
During that period, I needed to complete both large and small tasks.
Going to the battlefront is already a problem…
Spending an entire year there was the foremost issue, yet I was somewhat welcoming of this aspect now.
It was the battlefront after all, teeming with demons.
As such, it was also a rich ground for acquiring Demonic Stones.
This was something I had outright avoided in the past, but my mindset began to shift this time.
I do need to feed that occupant in my belly after all.
This tenant residing in my stomach needed sustenance, and I felt the necessity to augment my energy reserves.
If I had to wield this power, I might as well employ it efficiently.
“Hmm?”
Once I exited the building, I spotted Namgung Bi-ah standing on the path leading back to my home.
“You said you would wait. What are you doing here?”
“…Yeah.”
“Why not go inside? Why are you hanging around out here?”
“Just because…”
Her gentle footsteps approached me.
With each step, I detected an inexplicable floral fragrance.
I chuckled and teased, “You ran away earlier because of my stench.”
“…”
Saying it jokingly made Namgung Bi-ah lightly frown.
As I emerged from my closed-door training, she had approached me saying,
…You smell.
I distinctly heard it.
“That struck more than I expected, you know?”
“…I wasn’t talking about that smell…”
“If that’s not the smell, then what is it?”
“…Stench.”
“Typically, that’s just called a smell.”
To be fair, even to my nose, it reeked something awful, so I didn’t hold her reaction against her.
…Though it did sting a bit.
As we walked side by side, Namgung Bi-ah gently grasped my arm.
“What are you doing?”
“…”
The way she averted her gaze without speaking made it apparent she was worried about my prior comment regarding feeling hurt.
I could always claim it was a joke.
However, her concern was amusing enough for me to refrain from clarifying.
As we neared my residence after some time,
I questioned, “But where’s that one? I haven’t seen her at all.”
I was referring to Wi Seol-Ah, who should have rushed to me the moment I returned but was nowhere to be found.
“Did she venture out, maybe?”
That was a possibility, but I doubted she would abandon me on the day I emerged from my closed-door training.
As I was about to enter my home with lingering questions,
“Hmm?”
I halted as Namgung Bi-ah, who held my arm, suddenly stopped.
“What’s the matter?”
I looked around for any trouble, but all I found was Namgung Bi-ah gazing at me with a peculiar expression.
“…What, why are you looking at me like that?”
“Seol-Ah…”
“Hmm?”
Namgung Bi-ah wore a cautious expression and quietly murmured, “…She left.”
As soon as those words registered, I felt the air freeze around me.
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