Chapter: 398
About half an hour had passed since the incident. I was observing the situation with my forehead covered.
First, I checked the faces of the women sitting on my bed.
From the far left, there was a woman with brown hair mixed with gold.
It’s Wi Seol-ah.
I looked at her and asked, “What’s going on?”
“Excuse me?”
Wi Seol-ah flinched at my question.
Looking at her face, I could see her pupils shaking like crazy.
Seeing that kind of look from Wi Seol-ah, I asked again, “Why are you all here?”
“… Well, um…”
Wi Seol-ah glanced sideways at my question. Next to her was Namgung Bi-ah, who seemed to still be half-asleep and wobbling about.
What’s with that gaze?
As I silently observed, Wi Seol-ah began mumbling, “…My sister said to go… So I followed her.”
“…”
I turned my gaze toward Namgung Bi-ah at Wi Seol-ah’s words.
Namgung Bi-ah rubbed her eyes and muttered, almost as if she sensed my gaze.
“…I didn’t want you to come…”
“What does not coming have to do with you entering my room?”
“…Huh?”
Namgung Bi-ah looked at me as if to say, “Why does that matter?”
What are those eyes supposed to mean?
Namgung Bi-ah sometimes sneaks into my bed to sleep, but let’s assume that’s just her quirky habit.
I just couldn’t understand why Wi Seol-ah followed her!
“Why did you follow me?”
“…Because you said you were going… Just…”
Upon hearing the question, Wi Seol-ah deliberately avoided eye contact, and her ears turned red.
Seeing that, I couldn’t help but let out a heavy sigh.
“…Are you starting to turn into her? Why do you think it’s okay to sneak into someone else’s bed?”
“Sorry…”
“You… That’s enough!”
I thought about saying something to Namgung Bi-ah but decided against it.
She wasn’t the type to listen anyway.
That was fine, but instead, I clenched my fist and gave her forehead a thud.
“Ugh…!”
Namgung Bi-ah let out a short scream and covered her forehead.
The expression on her face as she looked up at me was filled with a mixture of sleepiness and resentment.
“What did you do to open your eyes like that?”
“…”
“You took my blanket last time too, didn’t you?”
“…!”
Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes widened at my words.
Did she really think I didn’t know?
She was quite blatant when taking it; it wasn’t exactly done in secret.
“Why do you keep stealing other people’s bedding?”
“Because I don’t have enough…”
“What’s missing? A pillow? Or a blanket? If you don’t have one, just ask for it! Why do you have to steal?”
The Namgung clan isn’t exactly poverty-stricken. I had no idea why she was acting stingy.
Namgung Bi-ah narrowed her gaze at me, as if she didn’t like what I was saying.
“…That’s not it…”
“Then?”
“…Forget it…”
Was she sulking or something? Now she was avoiding my questions.
Why was she sulking over something she brought on herself?
Leaving Namgung Bi-ah behind, I shifted my attention to the last person sitting on her right.
I was looking at a woman with green hair who seemed to be pouting at me.
It was Dang So-yeol, the one I had dinner with last night.
“…You know…”
At the sound of my voice, Dang So-yeol flinched.
She seemed to intuitively understand I was talking to her.
“Usually, when entering someone else’s room, wouldn’t you do it differently?”
I was referring to how Dang So-yeol kicked the door open and barged in earlier.
Normally, you’d knock or at least ask if you could come in.
Who would just barge into my room like that?
After hearing my remark, Dang So-yeol stared at me quietly for a moment before suddenly puffing out her cheeks as if in protest.
At that moment, she looked like a squirrel with its cheeks stuffed full of acorns.
No, why was everyone making those expressions?
What did I do wrong?
“What’s with that expression…?”
“To be honest, I also did something wrong…”
Just as I was about to ask why, Dang So-yeol suddenly squeezed her eyes shut and blurted out, “It’s all your fault, Young Master Gu!”
“…What?”
I gaped at Dang So-yeol in disbelief.
Wi Seol-ah and Namgung Bi-ah, who were next to her, nodded in agreement with her words.
“What did I do wrong…?”
Am I being unfairly accused?
All I did today was wander around, nibble on snacks, and return to my room for some clothes.
And now suddenly, it’s my fault?
While quietly staring at Dang So-yeol with a mix of incredulity, the three of them stood up simultaneously as if they had agreed on it.
I was slightly taken aback by their actions and stepped back.
Then, the three women began stomping toward my door.
Surely they weren’t actually planning to leave like this?
Their steps clearly conveyed some dissatisfaction.
I felt it might be better just to let them go.
If I didn’t, it would probably drain my energy even more.
As I was about to let them leave without stopping them, I caught Namgung Bi-ah’s arm.
“…Wait a second.”
Namgung Bi-ah turned to me with an expression that seemed to be filled with anticipation.
What exactly was she hoping for?
…Whatever it was, I doubted it would be what I was about to say.
“…Could you ask Lord Namgung when I can pay him a visit?”
When I mentioned Namgung Jin, I could see Namgung Bi-ah’s beautiful eyebrows furrow in displeasure.
It wasn’t the best timing to ask but, considering my future training, I had to find out when I could.
‘This isn’t something that can just be overlooked.’
Honestly, it would have been nice if I could let it slide, but knowing Namgung Jin’s personality, that wouldn’t happen.
He would do everything in his power to learn something from me.
In a situation like now, it just so happened that I had a perfect excuse.
I thought it was better to settle this in advance.
With that in mind, I inquired about it.
After hearing my question, Namgung Bi-ah spoke without lifting her frown.
“…Father… left.”
“What?”
I paused for a moment at Namgung Bi-ah’s words.
He left…? Where to?
Where on earth did that old man go all of a sudden?
Looking at Namgung Bi-ah with a confused expression, she calmly replied.
“…Anhui.”
She said Namgung Jin returned to Anhui, where his family is.
After concluding our conversation, I sent the girls away, then asked a servant to help me change and headed towards the cave.
After that, I started grappling with the cave, casting the skill of Tuapacheongong just like usual, but my head was filled with thoughts about work.
‘Namgung Jin has returned to Hanam.’
Namgung Bi-ah had clearly said that just moments ago.
The first thing that popped into my mind upon hearing that was “Why?”
Returning home is one thing; it’s not strange for the head of the Namgung family to return.
However, it was somewhat puzzling that Namgung Jin, who was so eager to improve his martial arts, left without asking me for any guidance.
Of course, from my perspective, it was a good thing that he left without asking me anything… .
‘…There was nothing I could have told him anyway.’
Initially, I had borrowed Shin Noya’s words to provide him information.
The second time, I had shared some vague insights I had learned in my previous life from the Demon Sword Master.
Now, I found myself with nothing more to offer him.
So, Namgung Jin’s departure wasn’t necessarily a bad thing for me.
Yet, the worries about why he left in such a hurry were gnawing at me.
‘Could something be happening in the Namgung household?’
Otherwise, I wouldn’t think he would have left so abruptly.
I tried to recall if anything significant might have occurred with the Namgung family during this time, but nothing came to mind right away.
Kaboom-
I was lost in thought as I significantly smashed the cave wall.
The reason I was reacting so sensitively to Namgung Jin’s departure was straightforward:
I couldn’t help but wonder if I had changed anything.
It was that unsettling feeling that was bothering me.
‘It’s not just Namgung Jin.’
There were more than a couple of things that had changed recently.
Along with the attack on Shinryonggwan, a new leader was ascending as another fell.
If he was the leader after the fall, Wi Seol-ah should have been in that position.
That time had been moved forward by at least ten years.
And it was all due to some adverse backlash.
‘Who will be the next leader now?’
I couldn’t figure it out.
If someone was running for the position, it would naturally involve Gupaebang and Sadaesega.
As with the fallen swords, there would also be many candidates from noble families.
The situation had changed so drastically it was challenging to keep track of everything.
‘It’s quite dizzying.’
I was rolling around, trying my best.
In those aspects, I still felt inadequate.
I wondered if everything was proceeding favorably.
Trying to push myself into more rigorous training,
I well knew that merely that wouldn’t be sufficient.
‘And… The changes are similar back home too.’
Numerous shifts couldn’t be avoided even in the old generation.
The issues that arose from when I took down the previous head of the family.
The changes and reforms in the antiquated system were becoming a problem.
I had heard that the current Guseonmun head was being represented by Ilgeomdaeju as a proxy.
That man was from that clan, so he’d probably do well… .
‘Speaking of which, where has Ilgeomdaeju gone?’
I heard that Ilgeomdaeju, who was precisely my father’s guardian, came along on this trip to Hanam.
Yet, I had never seen him.
‘Is he doing something else?’
It’s possible, but that’s not certain either.
‘And Muyeon hasn’t come either.’
I assumed that my escort, Muyeon, would naturally have accompanied me but learned she didn’t attend this Hanam trip.
Looking at this, it seemed Gu Seon Moon might have ulterior intentions in managing Muyeon.
She undoubtedly must’ve noticed Muyeon’s exceptional talent once he peaked.
Since he is from the Guseonmun clan, I presumed it was a deliberate effort to properly nurture Muyeon.
‘Were they thinking of making use of him as a spectacle?’
Upon recalling that intention, that seemed to be the only explanation for now.
Even upon hearing this, Gujeol-yeop’s expression had darkened for a while as if having the same thought process as me.
Looking at that, all I could suggest was to work hard enough not to get pushed around.
If Muyeon were to completely establish himself within the Guseonmun clan…
‘It might be a good outcome.’
From my perspective, I didn’t view that as unfavorable.
Right after encountering Cheonma, I’d clearly realized something.
‘I need power.’
Not the strength of one alone, but forces that matched it.
No matter how I contemplated, I realized that facing enemies with my own strength was too formidable.
I had always known this, but it became even clearer after that pivotal point.
If I really aspired to replace the Divine Sword…
That meant I required my forces as well.
So, if Muyeon were to take his place within the Guseonmun clan.
I contemplated leveraging a bit more force to fully seize power.
Initially, I contemplated joining a specific group like the Murim Alliance.
‘There’s no place I can trust.’
Not a single group felt reliable.
In this perspective, I could truly sense how rotten the central regions had become.
So rather than thinking of joining an untrustworthy organization,
‘…I’ll create it myself.’
I figured it would be better to gather people myself and create something from scratch.
That’s why, no matter how unfortunate the nickname “Soyeomra” sounds,
Even if I gritted my teeth against the rumors spread because of it,
That’s the reason I endured, thinking about the fame it could bring.
Not to mention,
I’d already begun organizing who I might absorb or include, one by one.
If there’s anything that bothers me a little about this part…
‘If… all the people I’m considering gather in one place…’
It seemed there was absolutely no chance they would be called a righteous faction.
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