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EP.40 The Way Back (3)

“…What are you all doing here?”

The moment I stepped into the building, my eyebrows furrowed at the sight before me.

Honestly, I briefly hoped I might have misjudged the situation, but that was wishful thinking.

Tang Soyeol, who was cautiously nibbling on some food, turned to stone upon seeing me.

Meanwhile, Nangong Bi-ah, still chewing with a blank expression, pretended to ignore me and slurped up her noodles.

And to top it off, Wi Seol-Ah smoothly seated herself next to her and began munching on noodles too.

‘…Alright, I can deal with this; it’s not that surprising.’

Wi Seol-Ah acted like this usually, so whatever.

I was well aware of how unpredictable Nangong Bi-ah could be, so that made sense too.

But Tang Soyeol?

Why was she here?

She was sitting there, subtly avoiding my gaze, resembling a statue.

“Tang Young Lady.”

“Yes, yes!?”

Why was she so shocked just because I called her?

“Why are you here?”

“…I just happened to pass by.”

“Just happened to…?”

What were the odds of the Poison Phoenix, the darling of the Tang Clan, stumbling across us here by chance?

Especially when I wasn’t even around.

Inquisitive, I asked her, “Were you perhaps waiting for me?”

Tang Soyeol instantly replied, “N-no! Why would I wait for Gu Gongja here!”

She vehemently denied it, waving her hands, but the circumstances suggested otherwise.

“True. Then what are you doing here?”

“…”

Tang Soyeol seemed to have no excuse and turned silent at my retort.

Why was this happening? It always mystified me whenever I encountered her, just like in my previous life.

‘Could it be that she likes me?’

I quickly brushed aside the thought.

I definitely lacked the attractive appearance of Gu Jeolyub or Nangong Cheonjun, so it was unlikely unless Tang Soyeol had a particularly strange taste.

Even if that were the case…

Suddenly, an image of her from my past life, torturing me with a tiny bug shoved up my nostril, flashed in my mind.

I had never experienced it firsthand, but that expression of indifference she wore while torturing me stuck with me.

This was simply too absurd.

Sure, she probably just happened to come because she had some business to attend to…

I wished she would hurry up and finish whatever that was.

I turned to the Nangong Kwangnyeon sitting beside me.

“Nangong Young Lady.”

“…?”

“Why are you here?”

“…Um?”

What was with that expression? I felt like part of Nangong Bi-ah was asking, ‘Why are you even asking such an obvious question?’

I hoped my interpretation was wrong.

“Because of greetings….”

“Excuse me?”

As usual, Nangong Bi-ah’s bluntness led to frustration.

Even now, what did she mean by greetings? Was it the regular ‘Hello’?

Or was it short for some weird form of human hunting like it was in my past life?

From my perspective, Nangong Bi-ah still seemed to embody human hunting.

Of course, I was desperately trying to shake off those thoughts.

So, I bit the bullet and asked again.

“You mean greetings?”

“I couldn’t… say hello.”

“Uh, uh, I was referring to the same thing!”

Tang Soyeol hastily interjected at Bi-ah’s statement.

Ah, so it was because you couldn’t greet me that you came here to wait?

Seriously?

Why?

“I told the Tang Clan leader about the situation. Didn’t you hear?”

“…I did hear it.”

Tang Soyeol answered in a weak voice while Nangong Bi-ah wore an expression that said, ‘So what’s the problem?’

‘…True, there’s no issue there.’

Honestly, things had turned out well, so was there really a need to seek out a bad motive?

In the end, they were here to say goodbye since I hadn’t.

‘…Yeah, good is good.’

I might have appeared cold towards those who visited to say goodbye without seeing me off, but in a way, I couldn’t blame myself for wanting to avoid hanging out with those intimidating ladies.

I truly meant that.

“Thank you for coming. It was a nice encounter, and I wish you peace in the rest of your life.”

I hoped they would leave satisfied as I bowed respectfully.

However, the expressions on their faces were odd.

There was a peculiar tension, as if this wasn’t the right exchange.

What on earth were they expecting from me?

For now, I set those questions aside and asked Nangong Bi-ah, as I had one thing I was curious about.

“Nangong Young Lady.”

“Hmm?”

“The Tangbing Tournament has concluded, so why are you still here? What about the other Nangong clan members?”

“Cheonjun said he had something to do… he mentioned waiting for someone.”

Nangong Cheonjun had business in Sichuan? Honestly, that wasn’t shocking since he always had something going on.

I also had my own affairs, so it made sense.

What surprised me was something else.

“Did he give you permission to come here? You didn’t come along with him?”

I found it curious that Nangong Bi-ah was here while that boy wasn’t.

“Um…? He said it was alright… he wouldn’t come anyway….”

‘He said it was alright?’

I thought that lunatic would either follow or at least not allow her to come without him, so I was surprised by his nonchalant manner.

Even more, ‘he wouldn’t come’—what did that mean?

“But, Nangong Young Lady.”

“…?”

“Didn’t we agree not to be a nuisance based on our previous transaction…?”

“Hmm…?”

We had made a pact not to annoy each other in exchange for revealing each other’s names.

“I did.”

Nangong Bi-ah confidently replied, wearing a face that said ‘I remembered.’

But if she remembered that, then why was she here…?

“Why are you here, then?”

“Why…?”

“You said you wouldn’t bother me.”

“I’m not bothering you…?”

Oh my goodness.

Nangong Bi-ah genuinely seemed unaware that this was what annoying behavior looked like.

I mustn’t have outlined the contract conditions clearly enough…

Yeah, I was the fool for not specifying!

“Then what about the formalities?”

My statement made Nangong Bi-ah halt.

She rolled her eyes momentarily and replied, “…yes.”

“….”

Should I hit her?

I seriously contemplated that.

At this point, it felt like Nangong Bi-ah had drawn her sword first in our conversation.

Every dialogue with her came with a headache.

How did I endure this in my past life?

Ah… we didn’t converse much at all.

‘…Wise move.’

That seemed to be the answer.

While I cradled my throbbing head in silence, Tang Soyeol, who had been quietly listening, fidgeted.

It seemed she wanted to say something, but I didn’t want to pry, so I remained still.

Should I just act like I didn’t notice and wait for her to speak?

“Uh, um.”

Sure enough, Tang Soyeol stammered as she summoned the courage to speak.

“Yes?”

“If we go back to the clan now… when will you come back to Sichuan again?”

“Who knows…?”

Would I bother to return to this remote place again…?

I mean, I would come back someday, but it certainly won’t be anytime soon.

At least not within a few years, I figured.

I replied to Tang Soyeol in the same vein.

“That’s… too long, isn’t it?”

After pondering for a while, Tang Soyeol, who seemed deep in thought, spoke up again.

“By any chance… do you have a preferred poison?”

“…What?”

“Or can you handle a dagger…?”

“Why on earth would I do that…?”

Did I mishear something?

I could have sworn she mentioned poison just now.

Tang Soyeol flinched at my reaction.

“W-was that a bad idea? I thought you would understand, Brother…”

“Tang Young Lady… Are you feeling unwell?”

It seemed like her head was particularly in pain… and quite a lot too.

Just then, amidst this chaotic scene, I caught sight of a hand sneaking toward the dumplings.

I promptly smacked the hand with a smack! and a small yelp followed.

I didn’t need to confirm who it belonged to.

“Did you eat all of yours?”

“…Yes.”

Wi Seol-Ah grumbled while rubbing her hand.

Well, if she wanted another, she could just order it instead of trying to steal from me…

I sighed and pushed the bowl of dumplings toward Wi Seol-Ah.

I didn’t really feel like eating, so I was fine with it.

Wi Seol-Ah delightedly began to dig into the dumplings.

As I noticed Nangong Bi-ah’s chopsticks move in, I quickly stopped her.

“Order another one, and don’t steal mine.”

Nangong Bi-ah stared at me with those clueless eyes.

It seemed like the lost focus in her gaze had just slightly returned.

“I have a question….”

“Why are you suddenly speaking politely…?”

“That… what’s up with that…?”

Nangong Bi-ah quietly pointed toward my Lower Dantian.

Just like Muyeon, she had caught on to my change.

While Tang Soyeol seemed oblivious to such things, Nangong Bi-ah clearly was not.

“I just had some business to attend to.”

That was the only answer I could provide.

There’s no point in mentioning that I found a giant snake lurking inside Geumcheon Clan’s Biwaegun that just poured out an opportunity…

No.

‘She might actually just take it at face value…’

From my observation, yes, she might believe it, but there was no need to say it out loud.

Nangong Bi-ah nodded at my response.

Then, a spark of excitement flickered in her eyes.

That wasn’t a good sign.

When she exhibited such eyes, the words that followed were usually predictable.

“Then let’s spar…”

“I refuse.”

A swift rejection made Nangong Bi-ah’s eyes widen.

“Why—!”

That was the loudest I had heard her voice in a while.

What was going on here…?

Why was the girl, who only ever cared about Sword Mastery, suddenly focused on me?

This wasn’t the kind of attention I wanted.

“It’s already quite late, and I can’t stay here for long. I don’t think I can train.”

And just like that, I could feel the reproach from Muyeon behind me.

Yeah, I knew this delay was because of me, so please don’t look at me like that…

“Ahem…!”

Clearing my throat, I stood up from the table.

I had finished eating and needed to set off before sunset, so it was time to move.

I had to traverse back the way I came, which meant more exhausting travel ahead.

….Just imagining it was dull.

As I prepared to leave, Tang Soyeol urgently pulled something out of her pocket.

“Here, please accept this…!”

What she handed me was a neatly folded letter and a small, unrecognizable vial.

“What’s this?”

“It’s an invitation for the Tangbing Tournament next year….”

“Why on earth would you give this to me?”

“I-I want to maintain good relations between our clans! It’s not anything significant…!”

Though it was an invitation sent every year, the fact that a bloodline member from the Tang Clan handed it to someone personally was different.

It carried weight beyond just passing it around casually; it implied they genuinely wanted my attendance.

I wrestled with how to interpret this uncomfortable situation.

Could it be that she really liked me?

“Then… what is this vial?”

Is it some kind of elixir?

As I mentioned the vial, an amused smile spread across Tang Soyeol’s face.

“That’s a poison I particularly like… please use it for your Poison Technique training later.”

I nodded at her statement.

…It confirmed she was definitely not sane.

That was clear.

Realizing it would be hard to refuse the letter, I accepted it and tucked it away.

Now, I was already devising means of refusal for the next year.

I absolutely would not go…

“Well, I’ll take my leave now. Enjoy your time together, you two.”

“See you again.”

Nangong Bi-ah waved her hand slightly as she greeted me.

I returned a reluctant smile.

“Ah, yes… see you next time.”

After that awkward goodbye, I turned to board the carriage.

Tang Soyeol gave a stiff nod as she too bid farewell, and I reciprocated.

Following right behind was Wi Seol-Ah, stuffing her bowl full of leftover food.

How on earth did she manage to eat so much…?

‘Is it over?’

Could we finally head back to the clan?

While my inner strength was strong and I didn’t physically feel worn out, I was mentally drained.

With halting, unsteady steps, I walked toward the carriage.

Nangong Bi-ah quietly watched Gu Yangcheong’s retreating figure.

His sudden question replayed in her mind.

– Why do you keep speaking informally?

Indeed… why had she spoken to him so casually?

In hindsight, Gu Yangcheong was younger than her younger brother, Nangong Cheonjun.

But that wasn’t a valid reason to speak informally.

Yet, for some strange reason, she couldn’t bring herself to use formal speech.

What could the reason be?

It left her puzzled, causing her to tilt her head in confusion.

“Sister….”

It was Tang Soyeol calling her.

“Hmm?”

“Sister… do you like Gu Gongja?”

“…Huh?”

Nangong Bi-ah didn’t grasp Tang Soyeol’s question.

‘Do you like him?’

“What does liking someone mean?”

“Er… well, that’s…”

At the question, Tang Soyeol appeared flustered.

Her face flushed red as she fell silent.

Seeing her struggle to answer made it seem she was just as unsure as well.

Liking someone…

What did that even entail?

‘Is it a rational thought?’

If she asked herself whether she had romantic feelings for Gu Yangcheong, it didn’t seem like that was the case.

As a martial artist, did he pique her interest? That seemed to fit.

‘He was entirely different from before.’

From that time when he had twisted her younger brother’s arm…

Wondering if this Gu Yangcheong was truly the same person she met moments ago, certainty eluded her.

Ironically, it intrigued her.

That was why she had wanted to engage, but she was swiftly shot down…

If someone were to ask if they could surpass the current Gu Yangcheong, she would say yes, at least for now.

She wasn’t confident beyond that point.

The uncertainty beyond that continued to perplex Nangong Bi-ah herself.

Especially since he didn’t exude a foul odor like most.

Gu Yangcheong was a person who captivated her attention.

“…If I were to ask whether it’s good to see something like this, would it be considered good?”

After neutrally muttering those words, she noticed Tang Soyeol’s expression turning dismal.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing…”

‘If it’s you, there’s no way to respond…’ Tang Soyeol mumbled to herself softly.

What kind of ‘no answer’ is that?

“Do you like him?”

“Yes…?”

“The thing you said you’d give me.”

“Oh…!”

The invitation to the Tangbing Tournament was originally something she was meant to receive.

Since the first time they met, it had always been like that.

Yet this time, she had given it to someone else.

Curious about the rationale behind that, Nangong Bi-ah inquired.

“…Uh, um.”

Tang Soyeol seemed flustered, her words stumbling out.

It appeared that lately, she had been stuttering more than usual.

‘What could be the reason? Is she unwell?’

Tang Soyeol’s slight odor was scarcely noticeable.

If not paying attention, one would hardly detect it.

That’s why Nangong Bi-ah felt at ease around Tang Soyeol.

So she sincerely hoped she wouldn’t end up ill.

“I just… wanted to get a bit closer.”

“I see.”

“I’m sorry, Sister… did it disappoint you?”

“Hmm? It’s fine.”

Even without the clan’s invitation, she could just come whenever.

There was no need to be upset over it, Nangong Bi-ah thought.

“Shall we head back now…?”

Tang Soyeol’s voice was filled with reluctance.

What could be making her so forlorn?

There was so much she didn’t understand.

“Yeah.”

Nangong Bi-ah followed Tang Soyeol’s lead.

Although she would once again immerse herself in the foul odor without Gu Yangcheong around,

She had lived that way from the start.

Nangong Bi-ah did not harbor too much regret.

Fortunately, above all else:

‘It feels like I’ll see him again soon.’

For some reason, she felt that way.

And typically, whenever Nangong Bi-ah had such a sense, it tended to come true.

 

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