Chapter 93: Preparation (2)
It was already over ten days since I arrived in Shaanxi.
I had spent far more days at the Mount Hua Sect than I had initially planned.
It was probably all the unexpected complications that had come up.
‘By the time I return, it will be autumn.’
Considering the considerable distance, it would indeed be autumn when I finally arrived home.
Time really seemed to fly.
Before long, it would be nearly a year since my return to the past.
I didn’t feel like I had accomplished much, yet time continued to pass at a rapid pace.
‘I feel like I’ve changed a lot… but maybe not at all.’
In less than a year, my attainments in the Destructive Flame Arts had already reached the fourth realm.
Although I was just retracing the steps I had already taken in my past life, it still felt awfully fast to me.
It was likely due to the unexpected opportunities I had encountered.
While I was still nowhere near the fifth realm, it didn’t feel impossibly distant either.
If I were to reach it, it would finally be time to set clear objectives for myself.
To be honest, even without reaching the fifth realm, I was on my way to solidifying my goals.
Whoosh!
Bang!
“Gah!”
Yung Pung burst out from the engulfing flames surrounding us and rolled onto the ground, looking quite dramatic.
At the same moment, I doused the flames that were sizzling all around.
“Phew…”
As I exhaled, heat and steam escaped from my mouth.
“…Incredible.”
Those words were directed to Yung Pung.
What I said was nothing but pure honesty.
How long had it been since our last duel?
Ten days at most, perhaps?
In that short span, Yung Pung had changed drastically.
His once-light plum blossom sword now felt faster and heavier than ever.
And the physical foundation supporting his swordplay had also grown significantly sturdier.
One could easily mistake it for someone who had trained for years judging by his progress.
“Geniuses, I swear…”
As I witnessed Yung Pung’s talent, a smile crept onto my face.
His physical growth could be attributed more to effort than talent alone.
However, the way he wielded his sword had changed subtly.
It was no longer just about being sharper and faster; his attacks now deftly targeted weaknesses while minimizing openings for counterattacks.
Such a transformation would take ages to master, even with a mentor guiding him.
Yet Yung Pung was doing it single-handedly, and at lightning speed.
‘Of course, he probably does have a mentor.’
However, it was likely that the mentor wasn’t solely focused on teaching him.
Yung Pung, who was sprawled on the ground and coughing, looked at me incredulously and said,
“…Who’s calling who a genius now?”
He bore a face that silently questioned how I could say that to him.
Of course, from his perspective, I, a younger-looking kid, had just made a fool of him, so it made sense for him to feel that way.
‘Comparing yourself to me is a bit much though.’
Why not try regressing like I did?
‘Not that I can actually say this out loud…’
Nevertheless, Yung Pung’s growth was accelerating.
‘Looks like he won’t have troubles overcoming any walls he faces.’
Reflecting on the Yung Pung from my past who had faltered in front of those seemingly insurmountable walls, the current Yung Pung gave me a sense of confidence that he would succeed this time.
That was my estimate, but Yung Pung remained oblivious to my inner thoughts, and merely offered a bitter smile.
“I thought I worked hard, but I still can’t beat Young Master Gu, huh…”
I contemplated responding to that remark but ultimately chose to stay silent.
After all, I believed this silence would be more beneficial for him right now.
“I guess I need to work harder then.”
And, as expected, Yung Pung fueled his own motivation, even without any encouragement from me.
Scary.
Not only does he have monstrous talent, but he also possesses a passion that rivals it.
He was still young, giving him plenty of time to grow.
As long as nothing bad happened, Yung Pung was likely on track to become a martial artist that could stand shoulder to shoulder with the Heavenly Venerables.
At least that was how I saw it.
As long as the demonic cult doesn’t reappear, that is.
Clench.
My fist clenched in rage.
Noticing my sudden change in demeanor, I quickly relaxed my grip.
Trying to keep my expression neutral, I turned to Yung Pung and asked,
“Do you want to continue?”
“No, no. It would be troubling for you if we spar any longer, so I will go train elsewhere.”
I had come to spar with Yung Pung based on his previous request.
It was I who had approached him, not the other way around.
Having remembered his earlier request, I’d decided to offer him this spar, and I could still recall his bright smile when I initially asked.
Does he enjoy sparring that much…?
After our duel, I posed another inquiry.
“Master Yung Pung.”
“Yes?”
“I heard that the tournament starts in two days, is that right?”
“Ah, yes. Lord Celestial Plum Blossom mentioned it after he returned from the Plum Blossom Cemetery.”
The Plum Blossom Cemetery.
A place dedicated to the souls of those who had given their lives for the Mount Hua Sect.
Not being a member of the sect, I didn’t know much about it, but I had heard that only the sect leaders could enter.
‘He finally returned, huh.’
I heard that Celestial Plum Blossom had gone there shortly after my talk with him upon awakening; this meant he had been there for a few days at least.
‘No wonder it felt so noisy…’
The chatter I heard from passersby was definitely related to the upcoming tournament.
That’s why I had asked Yung Pung about it—I had picked up bits of information from conversations around town.
It seemed it was about time for me to return to my clan since the tournament was upon us.
“What are you planning to do now? If you don’t have any plans, want to train together…?”
“Oh, I have something to take care of in the afternoon.”
“…That’s unfortunate.”
He genuinely seemed disappointed by my response.
As for me, I had recently ramped up my training, but now, I needed to head back to the lodge.
After parting ways with Yung Pung, I made my way back to the lodge.
I glanced around, slightly puzzled, as Wi Seol-Ah was nowhere to be found again today.
‘What has she been up to lately that I can’t catch a glimpse of her?’
I had no idea.
For the past several days, I could only spot Wi Seol-Ah during meal times. It was nearly impossible to see her outside of those moments.
When I asked Hongwa about it, she said Wi Seol-Ah was diligently handling her tasks.
Is she perhaps avoiding me?
That thought left me feeling unsettled.
I even contemplated confronting her about this supposed avoidance.
Should I bribe her with some yakgwa…?
I figured that might be more effective than any complaints I could make.
As I pondered this silly strategy, I opened the door only to be met with the sight of Namgung Bi-Ah.
“Why is she sleeping here now?”
She was sprawled out on the floor beneath my blankets, taking a leisurely nap.
Moreover, it wasn’t her blanket; it was mine!
I had heard that Namgung Bi-Ah occasionally took naps in my room, but…
Wait, why is no one stopping her, knowing that?
“…Should I wake her up?”
Since this was my room, waking her shouldn’t pose any issues. Still, given how comfortable she looked, I felt reluctant.
Ultimately, I decided to let her be, closing the door behind me and stepping outside.
I had initially planned to change my clothes inside, but I opted to send a servant for a new outfit while I sat calmly on the floor.
Resting under the sunlight, I closed my eyes and said,
“Why did you come again?”
“…Ugh.”
I spoke to Gu Ryunghwa, who had stealthily positioned herself, peering at me from behind a wall.
I had already received news of Gu Ryunghwa’s presence through Hongwa.
“Does your master have something to say to me?”
“…No.”
“Then why are you here?”
“…”
Gu Ryunghwa’s lips quivered silently as she maintained eye contact with me.
It seemed she had something to say, so I waited patiently.
“…I didn’t come to see you, brother… Just here to see sis… N- No, I came to see you, brother.”
What on earth is she saying?
It looked like she was having an internal struggle with herself.
“Why suddenly call me brother?”
“…Then are you my sister?”
Her response mirrored something I had once said to her.
I didn’t expect her to counter it like this…
“Anyway, so you did come to see me?”
It was quite unexpected.
Gu Ryunghwa likely felt discomfort around me, so I was curious about her reasons for showing up.
“T-Thanks.”
The sudden gratitude took me aback.
Why in the world is she thanking me?
More so, it caught me off-guard seeing Gu Ryunghwa express appreciation.
Did her master tell her to say that?
“…For what… all of a sudden?”
“You saved my master… so, thank you.”
“I already received thanks from your master.”
Furthermore, she’d also offered to assist me with whatever I needed. That in itself was already sufficient.
I had also planned to discuss a matter with the Sword Master regarding the Celestial Plum Blossom.
So Gu Ryunghwa’s thanks felt unnecessary—
“…You did it for me, didn’t you?”
“…”
Her words left me speechless.
Why? Why do you think that way?
“Your face expresses everything, brother.”
“So you made the trip just to say that…?”
She came all the way just to express her gratitude?
While my mind was bogged down with thoughts, Gu Ryunghwa continued.
“…I’m scared of you, brother.”
“…”
Her unexpected words struck straight into my heart.
“I feel so confused right now. You seem like your past self, but I’m scared that you might hurt or curse at me again. It leaves me feeling so lost and scared.”
She spoke with a tone laced with fear.
This was undoubtedly my fault.
I shouldn’t have done such things.
“I’m sorry.”
That was the only response I could muster.
Any attempt to elaborate would only sound like feeble excuses.
Gu Ryunghwa held her tongue in response to my apology.
She neither accepted it nor lashed out.
I also chose to remain quiet, locking eyes with her.
After a moment of hesitation, Gu Ryunghwa finally spoke.
“…Can we go back to the way things were?”
“No.”
My answer was immediate and harsh.
Though I had returned to the past, the time for us was too late.
Returning to our previous friendship would be difficult due to the aspects of myself that could not be undone.
That was precisely why I needed to be firm and blunt in expressing my response to her.
“It would be hard to go back to those days.”
When we had both lost someone dear to us—a key individual who could have taken us back to those times.
Gu Ryunghwa nodded quietly, as if she had expected this response from me.
There were no further words exchanged.
After a brief silence, Gu Ryunghwa brought up a different topic.
“I decided to return to the clan.”
“What?”
This is sudden!
“But you mentioned you didn’t want to go back, right?”
“Yeah, I really don’t want to return to that horrid place. But my master said she’d go with me.”
What on earth is she saying? Is the Sword Master really going with her?
“…The Sword Master is coming along with you?”
“She said she has business with our family.”
“But… why is she choosing to go with you when she just started to recover?”
This is the first time I’m hearing about this.
Does the Sword Master really have something to discuss with the Gu Clan?
“She said she’ll let you know more about it the next time she sees you, so I just thought I would impart this before I left.”
Having finished speaking, Gu Ryunghwa turned away.
As she reached the entrance of my lodge, she called back.
“Once again, thank you for saving my master, brother.”
No hint of resentment filled her words.
However, it was clear she hadn’t forgiven me either.
Perhaps that was a good thing—she shouldn’t forgive someone like me.
—Did Dad… kill Mom?
The memory of Gu Ryunghwa, sobbing away while hiding her face in her knees, resurfaced.
—I’m scared… Mommmm…
I felt utterly helpless as I watched my little sister cry and wail.
Father didn’t kill Mother.
If Mother truly died.
Then I would be the one responsible for her death.
—Be quiet.
—…Brother….
—Say nothing. Just live quietly, as if you don’t exist.
Back then, I didn’t know how to protect anyone.
Not that I would have found any better way even if I returned to that moment.
In silence, I had to live on.
If my little sister sought someone to blame, it should be me, and me alone.
That seemed the most fitting outcome.
I had also slipped partway into insanity, making it understandable why I couldn’t find a better way to handle the situation.
But what about now?
Can a seed bloom in soil that has long since dried up?
Wouldn’t it just rot and become part of that rotten ground?
That analogy encapsulated the sense of my relationship with Gu Ryunghwa.
Just as it was between my father and me, I felt the same would hold true between her and I.
—Can we go back to the way things were?
Gu Ryunghwa’s words echoed persistently in my mind.
“…Why does everything have to feel so difficult?”
—Tap.
As I sat on the floor, lost in thought, I felt something drape over my shoulder.
Curious, I looked to see that it was Namgung Bi-Ah, resting her chin on my shoulder, looking adorably drowsy.
“…What are you doing?”
When did she wake up? She had been sleeping soundly just a moment ago.
“At least open your eyes… Are you perhaps sleeping again?”
To my amazement, even though I thought Namgung Bi-Ah had woken up, she fell asleep again with her chin perched on my shoulder.
What is this?
I couldn’t help but chuckle at this bizarre situation.
The darkness swirling within me seemed to evaporate into the air, thanks to her simple gesture.
I began to wonder if Namgung Bi-Ah understood the effect she had on me, but that seemed unlikely.
Gently, I stroked her hair.
Maybe I should take her and Wi Seol-Ah out for a stroll later.
It wasn’t like I had a specific purpose for wanting to go.
While I didn’t genuinely need to go there anymore, the thought of just wandering around with them sounded appealing.
I couldn’t pinpoint why I felt that way, but—
I just want to.
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