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Chapter 80: More Fox Than I Expected. (1)

With my eyes tightly shut, I hunched down for a few seconds.

The anticipated impact and noise never arrived, so Gu Ryeonghwa slowly opened her eyes.

I thought the first thing she’d see would be the tip of a wooden sword.

But what she first noticed was someone’s back.

It wasn’t particularly broad, but it certainly resembled a figure from her memories.

Swoosh—

An oddly familiar sound echoed, along with a sudden rush of warmth.

The originally swinging wooden sword had been snatched by someone’s hand.

Before she could even figure out the situation, the heat that had filled the surroundings dissipated.

The owner of the back spoke.

“What are you doing?”

At those words, the woman who had been sparring a moment ago quickly avoided eye contact.

Before Gu Ryeonghwa could grasp the situation, the face of her savior appeared before her eyes.

A boy with fierce eyes that seemed to be filled with irritation.

It was her older brother, Gu Yangcheong.

‘I thought it was going to break.’

Her hand tingled.

It was a tense situation where anything could go horribly wrong, but she hadn’t intended to interfere so violently.

Nangong Bi-ah was radiating sword energy, but it wasn’t particularly strong.

Still, if she hadn’t intervened, her arm would’ve been smashed.

“What are you doing?”

When I asked, Nangong Bi-ah averted her gaze.

Did she acknowledge that she went a bit overboard?

“Why are you drawing sword energy against a child?”

Nangong Bi-ah remained silent.

It felt as if there had been some dialogue between the two, but she had completely missed it.

Nangong Bi-ah, who had been mumbling something while looking flustered, finally opened her mouth with a pout.

“I… said she was ugly.”

“What?”

“She’s not ugly….”

What on earth is she talking about?

Did Gu Ryeonghwa call Nangong Bi-ah ugly?

‘She can’t be that eye-hurting, right?’

Considering they were related, Gu Ryeonghwa was, in fact, quite pretty.

Especially since she didn’t have the sharp, fang-like eyes typical of the Gu clan.

Yet, there was no way to argue that against Nangong Bi-ah.

I turned to Gu Ryeonghwa and asked.

“Did you say she was ugly?”

“…What nonsense are you saying?”

“So then, what’s this nonsense right now?”

It felt like their conversation was thoroughly misaligned.

Gu Ryeonghwa shot me a curious glance with her curious eyes.

“Why…?”

“Who is that person to you?”

“That person?”

Her fleeting gaze flicked toward Nangong Bi-ah.

…Did I forget to mention something?

No, I hadn’t mentioned it at all.

“Ah… so…”

“Fiancée.”

Just like before, Nangong Bi-ah interrupted my words.

Gu Ryeonghwa froze at those three assertive words from Nangong Bi-ah.

With shocked eyes, she looked back and forth between me and Nangong Bi-ah, her expression gradually hardening.

It was a look akin to “Why on earth…?”

To be precise, it seemed like she was thinking, “How could someone like you be with someone like that?”

Regardless, it was an unsettling revelation.

“…So your fiancée came all the way here with you?”

“Not exactly with me… we just ran into each other.”

It was indeed just a chance encounter.

From Gu Ryeonghwa’s perspective, the probability of meeting on the road from Mount Shan to Sangsung seemed slim.

…But it was literally the truth.

As Gu Ryeonghwa blankly contemplated, she seemed to recall something, gazing at Nangong Bi-ah with a hazy expression.

“Fiancée… so?”

The expressionless Nangong Bi-ah met her gaze.

Suddenly, Gu Ryeonghwa brushed herself off and approached Nangong Bi-ah.

I worried she’d start a quarrel over what had just happened.

Surprisingly, Gu Ryeonghwa bowed her head deeply to Nangong Bi-ah.

“Thank you for saving me.”

Despite being covered in dust, she offered a neatly composed bow.

Nangong Bi-ah, seeing Gu Ryeonghwa, brushed the grass off her shoulder.

Gu Ryeonghwa flinched slightly at the touch, then quickly continued.

“…I’m sorry for speaking carelessly.”

But why was she glaring at me as she apologized?

After Gu Ryeonghwa apologized, Nangong Bi-ah also conveyed an apology to her.

“…I’m sorry too…”

What’s this…?

Why are they suddenly reconciling?

In this uncertain scenario, I was left feeling bewildered while Gu Ryeonghwa dashed off.

“Where are you going?”

“Mind your own business!”

Whatever was bothering her, she stormed off, shouting, and with a slight nod to Nangong Bi-ah, she hurried down the mountain.

After all that was done for her…

“What was that about…?”

It was truly a mystery.

Gu Ryeonghwa left, and Nangong Bi-ah approached.

She had a somewhat awkward expression.

“…I didn’t intend to hit her.”

With her defensively spoken words, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“I know.”

The sword energy that had been contained within her sword as well as the pressure it emitted was aimed solely at intimidation.

I knew that much.

Yet, despite that, I still ended up stepping in, so I couldn’t entirely blame her.

Seeing Nangong Bi-ah standing there awkwardly, I asked.

“What was all that about with her?”

“…We were just sparring, you know?”

“…Right, only you would think that.”

What kind of person gets so obsessed with sparring?

Could she, too, be possessed by a ghost like me? I genuinely questioned it.

Nangong Bi-ah suddenly asked me.

“Hey…”

“Yeah?”

“Do you know her?”

I momentarily pondered what she was asking about.

Following her gaze, it was directed toward the path Gu Ryeonghwa had taken down.

Hadn’t I mentioned anything about her to Nangong Bi-ah?

I shrugged it off.

“She’s my younger sister.”

“…Huh?”

I guess I hadn’t introduced her before…

Did she really not know she was my sister?

It was certainly plausible since their faces had no resemblance whatsoever.

The real issue was the expression on Nangong Bi-ah’s face after hearing my words.

In my life, both past and present, I had never seen Nangong Bi-ah with such a clear expression.

“…What’s wrong?”

I had to ask because it was that unusual.

Her expression was puzzling, somewhere between despair and surprise… it was a mix of emotions.

Of course, it didn’t seem like a good expression.

“…Ma….”

“Ma?”

She seemed to be muttering something to herself, but her voice was too quiet to catch.

So I leaned in closer.

“Ma… failed…?”

“What did you say?”

“Failed… it’s over.”

Those three whispered words stuck in my mind.

What could have failed? The meaning eluded me, but I decided to dismiss it, thinking it was just Nangong Bi-ah’s unusual temperament coming through again.

The next day arrived.

Fortunately, I managed to find another room for the night, so I slept comfortably on the third night.

Nangong Bi-ah appeared unusually absent-minded, but Wi Seol-Ah wore an expression of discontent.

Of course, that did bother me a bit, but I was naturally drawn away, having told Honghwa in advance, and as it approached bedtime, I instinctively drifted off to sleep.

Thanks to that, I was able to sleep soundly for the first time in a while.

Although Shin Noya’s fussing was rather loud, it was still exhausting enough to trigger sleep.

Feeling refreshed, I thought this time wouldn’t be too bad and set off for morning training with Yeongpung.

If I felt this good, surely I could endure it, right?

But I was wrong.

Was this insane sect disguising torture as training?

And doing it to themselves at that.

With trembling legs, I returned to my residence and collapsed on the floor.

Under the influence of my mental energy, I shouldn’t have been so sensitive to warmth or cold, nor should I have been sweating, yet…

I was completely drenched in sweat.

Were they seriously doing this ridiculous level of training every day?

What a bizarre sect it was indeed.

[…What the hell is wrong with you?]

Shin Noya seemed displeased and muttered curses, but I paid him no mind.

At this point, I had grown accustomed to letting such remarks flow in one ear and out the other.

A cup was placed beside me, soaking wet with sweat.

It was none other than Wi Seol-Ah who had approached me and handed it over.

“Are you okay, Young Master…?”

“No… I’m not okay.”

I was sprawled out like a mess.

Suddenly noticing that Nangong Bi-ah hadn’t been seen since breakfast, I asked Wi Seol-Ah.

“She left a while ago!”

Where on earth could she be swinging her sword?

I drank eagerly from the cup, my trembling hands just barely keeping it steady.

Gulping down the sweet water, I realized how parched I had been.

While I drank, Wi Seol-Ah took a towel and started wiping the sweat from my hair.

It was an unnecessary act since I’d have to wash again anyway, but I appreciated her kindness.

“Thank you.”

“Should I bring more water?”

“No, I’m good with just this.”

With difficulty, I moved my sore arms and propped myself up.

As I groaned and sat on the floor, Wi Seol-Ah closely nestled against me.

“What’s this…?”

“Don’t worry, you can lean on me!”

“On you?”

“Yep!”

Did I look that exhausted…?

She was telling me to lean on her.

While I would flip-flop about roundness and softness whenever I teased Wi Seol-Ah, she actually appeared slender on the surface.

She looked so frail that I felt like she would float away if I poked her.

Of course, even so, she possessed an inexplicable strength when it came to household chores that defied logic.

But since it was Wi Seol-Ah, it was roughly ok.

When I leaned slightly, Wi Seol-Ah remained as steady as ever.

What a curious figure she was.

[Do you like it?]

Shin Noya’s voice nearly made me burst out laughing.

Do I like it?

I quietly observed Wi Seol-Ah’s expression.

As usual, she stared at the tranquil pond inside the residence.

Was she fascinated by the koi in the water?

‘Surely she isn’t thinking about eating them, right?’

I couldn’t confidently say no, given some comments she’d made in the past.

I mean, even if she thought about it, she wouldn’t actually do anything…

…would she?

While I was lost in thought, Wi Seol-Ah turned her head and looked my way.

When our eyes met, she instantly broke into a radiant smile.

Her half-moon shaped eyes sparkled and the corners of her mouth turned upward, causing my heart to race unexpectedly.

I had never been that close to her, and her smile struck me with overwhelming force.

‘…Her face is definitely a weapon.’

Should I put a veil on her now instead of waiting for a few more years?

Even if she was dressed up, thinking about how things might be if she grew older made it even more so.

|

|

.

.

.

I certainly couldn’t keep Wi Seol-Ah in my arms forever.

Aside from beauty, there were many practical implications too.

So, I began to wonder.

What could she possibly be thinking?

About the Sword Sovereign and Father, too.

“Young Master.”

“Yeah?”

I responded to her call, but her next words never followed.

Wi Seol-Ah was simply staring at me.

As I gazed back, it felt as if I were being sucked into her obsidian-like eyes.

Why is she silently staring at me?

After a while of her merely observing, Wi Seol-Ah finally tried to speak.

“Gu…!”

Yeongpung appeared brightly out of nowhere.

This felt oddly familiar, as if I was experiencing a déjà vu…

Is this a misunderstanding?

Yeongpung’s presence caused me to spring back up.

Seeing that, he nervously diverted his gaze, looking left and right, unsure of what to do.

“What’s the matter, Master?”

“…Uh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“…No, it’s fine. We weren’t doing anything.”

[After I held my breath for so long… that little rascal…]

Even while conversing, Yeongpung remained fidgety.

I wondered if it was because of me, but he was clearly avoiding my gaze for a reason.

It seemed to be directed at Wi Seol-Ah.

Yeongpung’s reaction puzzled me, so I glanced back at Wi Seol-Ah, who was still just smiling.

“Master…?”

“Ah… well, training just finished, so I thought we could grab a meal together…”

At Yeongpung’s words, I tilted my head.

Why would he come here while leaving the other disciples behind?

Don’t they generally eat together?

I figured there might be some circumstances at play, but since I needed to eat anyway, it seemed fine.

“Oh, then I’d better wash up first, so wait a moment.”

I needed to wash off the sweat that I had poured out.

“Sure…?”

“There’s probably no place to wait outside, so won’t it be fine if you sit down for a bit?”

“No, I’ll just lie on the ground or climb a tree to rest. You take your time.”

“…Those are all extreme and contradictory choices, aren’t they?”

Why was he speaking in such perplexing terms?

“Anyway, just sit down and wait. I’ll be back shortly.”

“Wait…!”

I thought I heard Yeongpung calling from behind, but I felt too hungry to linger and dashed off to wash up.

‘What’s with Yeongpung’s odd state today?’

Did he train too hard and lose his mind?

That seemed the most plausible explanation.

While heading to wash, Shin Noya brought up Wi Seol-Ah again.

[…Did you not notice the girl’s expression?]

“What about her expression?”

[Are you blind to what’s plainly visible?]

What is he talking about?

From what I saw, she was simply smiling.

What on earth did Shin Noya see?

[…Or did she intentionally hide it? It seems she looks more like a puppy, but she’s a lot more cunning than she appears.]

What is this old man rambling about…?

Once again, I chuckled, assuming he was saying something nonsensical like usual.

 

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