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Chapter 110: Oops. ⑴

Oops. ⑴

I set off on my journey back to the clan, and before I knew it, the seasons had changed.

The sweltering heat had passed, and the vibrant green leaves were already taking on color.

Autumn, filled with gentle breezes, had arrived.

It’s hard to believe that it was spring when I first returned; I had now experienced three seasons.

“Finally arrived…”

Having sat in the carriage for so long, I twisted my stiffened waist.

Creak—!

Just a slight movement, and the sound echoed like wood creaking.

Entering the city, I glimpsed many bustling people around.

[Is this Mount Shan?]

‘Is this your first time here?’

[It can’t be! It just looks so different from my memories!]

Was it really so different from when Shin Noya was active? It felt like I was speaking as if it was my first time here, and it was a little awkward.

‘Time has passed quite a bit.’

Perhaps sensing my arrival, Nangong Bi-ah, who had been sleeping against Wi Seol-Ah’s shoulder, opened her eyes slightly. I was about to wake her gently, but it seemed she stirred on her own.

Nangong Bi-ah stretched her arms and twisted her body here and there. Seeing this, I spoke.

“You really had a good sleep, you look refreshed!”

“…I do feel refreshed.”

Though her words were halting, I took them at face value.

With a chuckle, I turned my gaze to the window.

I guessed that Wi Seol-Ah, who had been sleeping beside her, would wake up soon, too.

“We should be arriving shortly.”

I followed Muyeon’s gaze as he walked alongside the carriage.

In the distance, I could see the walls surrounding the Gu Clan.

Gazing at the oppressive walls that were filling the area around me, I felt it all come rushing back.

“I really have returned.”

After several months, I was home again.

As the carriage entered the Gu Clan, countless people had already gathered at the main gate.

I had anticipated this. I had sent a letter to the clan in advance.

It was a big deal for Gu Ryeonghwa to return, especially with Shin Yi and the Sword Demoness’s names added to it.

As I stepped out of the carriage, I spotted a middle-aged man with a fierce expression at the front of the crowd. Ho-kyung Gu Cheolun, my father, stepped out ahead to wait for me.

[So that’s your father, huh?]

‘You recognize him right away?’

[It’s strange not to recognize someone who looks just like you…]

…Do I really look that much like him? I suppose I’ve been told that since childhood.

It seemed I heard it more often as I grew older.

[But you look more fierce, and not in just one way.]

‘…’

That was definitely not a compliment.

I walked over and met my father’s gaze.

Our eyes locked, and it remained slightly overwhelming to face his intense red eyes.

“Hmm.”

One of my father’s eyebrows twitched as he silently studied me.

The fiery glare swept over me, filled with fervor.

It seemed he had picked up on some changes in me.

‘I thought I hid them well enough…’

It may not have been a lot of time, but it was enough for me to rein in my energy.

I had purified the demon energy I got from Nachal, and I managed to calm the chaotic energy swirling outside my lower dantian.

It seemed like I had reached a level sufficient enough to conceal my abilities, but I couldn’t avoid my father’s gaze.

My father scrutinized me for a while before finally speaking.

“I received the letter you sent and the one from the Hwasan Sect. It seems like a lot has happened.”

“…It was just some incidents here and there.”

He nodded slightly at my words. His was a rather monotonous response.

What I thought would simply be returning the treasure and bringing Gu Ryeonghwa along had become something more complicated. Who would have thought such incidents would occur?

“Since you’ve just returned from your travels, rest for a day and come to my room by tomorrow morning.”

“Understood.”

Even after a long-awaited reunion, that was all there was to our conversation. My father promptly walked past me, heading to where the Sword Demoness and Shin Yi were.

He approached Shin Yi and slightly bowed his head.

“It’s been a long time. Shin Yi.”

“…Indeed, it has been a while, Clan Leader. It’s been over a decade since we last met.”

“Have you been well in the meantime?”

“Why would an old man like me be well? I’m just living on, barely hanging in there. Thankfully, you look fine.”

It seemed my father knew Shin Yi well.

Considering the period my father was active, it wasn’t surprising they’d crossed paths.

“I’ve prepared everything so you don’t face any inconveniences during your stay.”

“What have you prepared?”

“You said you didn’t want anything burdensome, so I prepared a detached house for you.”

“…Tsk, even this reception is already bothersome, let alone I said a small room would be enough.”

Though Shin Yi spoke with a casual tone, my father’s expression remained unchanged.

His gaze shifted to the Sword Demoness. Gu Ryeonghwa was closely attached to the Sword Demoness. When my father’s gaze fell upon her, I noticed her shoulders twitch slightly.

The Sword Demoness calmly paid her respects to my father.

“…It’s been a long time.”

“Yes, it has. It’s good to see you again.”

“I heard you’ll be staying with my daughter.”

“If you permit it, I’d like that very much.”

“Since you’re aware of my intentions, there’s no reason to refuse. I hope you will stay in comfort.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

My father glanced toward Gu Ryeonghwa but said nothing more.

“You’ve worked hard.”

That was the end of his words.

Wasn’t he being a bit indifferent towards his daughter after such a long time? But surprisingly, Gu Ryeonghwa looked more comfortable after that response.

Just as I wondered if we could finally go inside, someone approached my father.

“…Huh?”

It was Nangong Bi-ah.

Nangong Bi-ah, who had just gotten off the carriage, approached my father.

“I greet the leader of the Mount Shan Clan. I am Nangong Bi-ah from the Nangong Clan.”

She spoke with her head bowed modestly, but her tone was different. I had never seen Nangong Bi-ah speak so clearly like that before.

A completely different person stood before me. Gone was her usual naive look, replaced by a poised demeanor with straight posture and neatly tied hair.

The hesitant lilt to her speech had vanished, and she now appeared as a mature and graceful woman.

“…Who is she?”

[Is that the girl who was drooling and sleeping earlier?]

It was an absurdly sudden change.

My father nodded at Nangong Bi-ah.

“…I have heard of you; you are Gu Cheolun. It seems you are with my son.”

“Thanks to the Gu Prince’s kindness, I’ve been fortunate enough to accompany him.”

“That being said, I hope you are aware that the Nangong Clan is searching for the Young Lady, and now that we’ve confirmed her whereabouts, we need to contact her side.”

Nangong Bi-ah nodded at my father’s words.

They exchanged a few more pleasantries before she approached us.

“What is it?”

“Um…?”

I asked in surprise, and she instantly returned to her original expression and tone.

What the heck? This is a bit, no, very scary…?

Was she always capable of talking like this?

“What did you, wait, what did you two talk about?”

“…Until we send someone from home… she told me to stay here…”

Her reversion back to her previous self felt like a misunderstanding or an illusion.

And it seemed that there would be contact with the Nangong Clan. Leaving aside the fact that she wouldn’t simply be here under normal circumstances.

I had expected the Nangong people would already be positioned here waiting for her.

Fortunately, that didn’t seem to be the case.

“Are you alright?”

Without realizing it, I asked Nangong Bi-ah.

I wasn’t sure if my question was about whether it was okay to go back or if it was fine to stay here for a while.

It was a completely unintentional question.

Nangong Bi-ah displayed a slightly shocked expression at my inquiry, but soon smiled.

Her sudden smile caught me off guard.

Nangong Bi-ah spoke.

“It’s fine.”

Her tone was resolute.

“…I won’t be scared of anything anymore.”

She uttered something mysterious and began walking under the guide’s instructions.

What did those words mean?

They seemed to carry a deep meaning, but I found myself more puzzled by the smile that lingered in my mind.

[It seems she has the charm to captivate people.]

I got the impression it wasn’t about her looks.

More and more, I was discovering aspects of Nangong Bi-ah that I hadn’t known. More accurately, it felt like aspects separate from the Sword Demoness.

Despite being the same person, she appeared utterly different.

Her eyes, which had always been empty, looked different now, and there was a hint of a smile forming.

[Are you feeling a bit regretful?]

I nodded at Shin Noya’s words. I guess that would be the right sentiment.

Honestly, I felt a slight regret.

It felt like I realized too late that she could be this way.

While I was absentmindedly staring at my hand, someone grabbed it. I felt a warm and soft palm.

“Young Master! Let’s hurry inside!”

Wi Seol-Ah had arrived and took my hand.

“Alright, it’s time to go in.”

With the conversation over, my father also led the guests toward the clan.

‘He did say to rest for a day.’

The fact that he told me to stop by my room tomorrow morning seemed to indicate just that. After all, I needed some time to rest after such a long journey.

‘But the flower is the biggest problem.’

The flower I acquired after killing Nachal at the Black Night Palace had yet to be consumed even after several months.

I thought it would have been fine to use it within seven days, yet assimilating it with my physical body took much longer than expected.

[Wasn’t the delay because you couldn’t grasp its essence?]

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I wanted to refine my understanding of how to blend the application of the energy from the flower with my Taoist Qi.

‘There was poison back then, which only expanded my energy. But I saw it as poison because I was overwhelmed.’

It was not easy to consume anything during the camping trip, and I felt settling into my changed realm was the priority.

This was an option only possible because the flower possessed a peculiar quality that it wouldn’t wither even after a time, nor would my energy dissipate.

One other thing I noted was:

‘You cannot perceive the energy of the flower unless devoid of demon energy.’

This was close to my expectations, but I had half a mind that I was right.

Certainly, neither the Sword Demoness nor Muyeon could feel the flower’s energy, even while wrapped up in cloth. They wouldn’t have missed it being clustered together with a form of power.

Meanwhile, it seemed Nangong Bi-ah was faintly sensing the blood scent, yet she also couldn’t feel the energy of the flower.

To me, that was a blessing in disguise.

[Do you think you will be able to handle it now?]

Shin Noya asked. Could I eat it now, he meant.

‘Yes, I’ve prepared well enough.’

If you ask if it’s perfect, I can’t guarantee that, but I believe I’m satisfied with how I’ve prepped it.

‘I plan to eat it tonight.’

Shin Noya didn’t respond further to my words. It was as if he expected me to handle it myself.

The residence I returned to after a long time remained just as it was. Even if I wasn’t there, the servants must have been keeping things in check, which was a given.

A few people who had gone to Mount Shan with me were also surely worn out, but now signs of unloading and starting work appeared.

It felt rather significant in several ways.

I took a moment to wash away the fatigue from my weary body and changed my clothes. Although the sun hadn’t set yet, I was pondering taking a short break.

“Young Master.”

One of the attendants approached me with a message.

“What is it?”

“There’s a guest waiting at the detached house.”

“Suddenly, what guest? My guest…?”

I rose from my seat at the unexpected news.

“Who is it?”

I had to move in haste after the attendant’s reply.

Ten whole days.

It seemed my guest had been sent to the Gu Clan for a lengthy ten days.

It was far too long to be sending someone off to a strange place with no one seeking them out.

That much time meant it wouldn’t be a big deal to say it was just bad luck and catch up later.

Let alone, it wouldn’t be a trivial matter to have the daughter of an eminent family sent for so long; surely it must have felt uncomfortable.

Nevertheless, the girl had spent ten days in this place.

Looking at the girl, I asked.

“…What brought you here?”

I tried to meet her gaze, yet she deliberately avoided looking at me.

With a slightly flushed face, she sipped steaming hot tea while maintaining her silence for a long time.

“Young Lady.”

I called her lightly, and she flinched and quivered.

“Yes…?”

“I heard that you came to see me.”

The Young Lady from the Tang Clan, whom I had encountered at the Tangbing Tournament, was sitting in front of me.

The girl who would one day be known as the Poison Empress took a deep breath before finally managing to speak.

“Yes… I came to find you…”

It seemed she was gathering her courage to speak, but her words trailed off.

“…From Sichuan all the way here? That’s quite a distance!”

“Yes, it’s not…too far, I think?”

As she spoke, her expression turned to confusion, almost questioning herself. How could it not be far? I had seen with my own eyes how vast the distance was.

‘I was thinking of visiting Biwa, after all, but what about her?’

Initially, I thought she might be here to find Nangong Bi-ah.

Upon recalling that this was the Gu Clan, I realized that didn’t hold.

That alone signified it was an unusual situation.

[…What a naughty girl.]

‘What? Did I mishear something?’

For a moment, I thought I had misheard.

The harsh curses were piercing my ears, so I called for Shin Noya again, but he had vanished somewhere, leaving only a profound silence.

Ultimately, I decided to focus on the Tang Young Lady in front of me, setting aside Shin Noya for now.

“So you are here because you came to find me?”

“Yes! I came to see the Gu Prince…”

“Why’s that?”

“Because I wanted to… uh… eep!”

She suddenly clapped a hand over her mouth, stopping mid-sentence before guzzling down her tea in a rush.

‘…That tea is hot, you know?’

Even I, who practiced fire techniques, couldn’t handle hot drinks, but it seemed she was unaffected.

Having finished her tea, the Tang Young Lady exhaled a heated breath before addressing me.

“Gu… Gu Prince…”

“Yup?”

“…I came because I wanted to propose something.”

A direct proposition from a member of the Tang Clan?

What sort of important matter would bring her all the way here?

As I pondered those questions, I asked her about it.

“Please, go ahead.”

“Well… before that, there’s something I wanted to ask you…”

“What kind…?”

The Tang Young Lady looked like she was calming down, yet her eyes bore a hint of resentment.

What could she be wanting to ask with that look? My head curiously buzzed with question marks and soon found the answer in her inquiry.

“…You said your name is Gu Jeolyub, but what happened to it?”

…Oh dear.

I had completely forgotten about that matter.

 

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