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Chapter 116: Shall We Place a Bet? (1)

Did I just hear that wrong?

No matter how I look at it, that doesn’t seem to be something you’d say in this situation.

With a bewildered expression, I continued to gaze at Father, but as soon as he finished speaking, he took his eyes away from me.

“Clan Leader.”

“I’m listening. Speak.”

“Is there a problem between you and the Nangong Clan Leader?”

At my words, Father reacted again. His gaze returned to me from the stack of letters piled on the table.

“Why do you think that?”

“It just feels that way.”

For some reason, the reactions of Nangong Jin and the way Father was acting made me feel that something was off.

‘Was there something between the two of them?’

Father didn’t answer my question. He simply shifted his gaze away from me again.

He neither confirmed nor denied it.

“I was originally going to discuss this at night, but since this has happened, I can bring it up now…”

‘…Is he planning to ignore what I just asked?’

I didn’t get an answer, but intuitively, I felt he wouldn’t share the whole story. Asking more didn’t seem likely to get a good response either.

Father spoke to me.

“First, let’s talk about the Taeseon Dan that we promised.”

“Yes.”

Come to think of it, I had indeed agreed to receive that.

If I went to Hwasan Sect and brought Gu Ryeonghwa back, I was supposed to receive the Spirit Pill.

‘…I’ve gotten so much food lately that I almost forgot about it.’

From Hwasan’s Treasure to the Sword Demoness’s Demon Energy, and even yesterday’s flower—within just half a year, I had received an overwhelming amount of energy. Thanks to that, my body was somewhat in a saturated state.

In fact, I was already full with the energy from the flower I ingested last night.

“Right now, it would be poison for you.”

Apparently, Father was aware of that too.

After all, just last night, I had consumed the energy from the flower, causing my internal energy to increase even more.

So even now, I hadn’t finished organizing the energy that was already circulating within me.

I was pondering how to handle that when Father suddenly asked me,

“Have you crossed the wall?”

At his unexpected question, I straightened my back.

He wasn’t looking directly at me, but I could sense it. In that fleeting moment, Father must have scanned my body.

No lies would get past him. It felt like my secret had been revealed. It wasn’t as if this was something I would normally lie about, though.

After a moment’s hesitation, I finally answered.

“…I have crossed it.”

“Good.”

At my words, Father nodded.

“Excellent.”

At the same time, the corners of Father’s mouth slightly curved up. This was the first time I’d ever seen such an expression on him, and it startled me.

‘Is he happy?’

Although it looked more terrifying than joyful.

“You have a remarkable realm for your age, but don’t let it get to your head. Keep striving.”

“Yes, understood.”

“If you want, I can give you the Taeseon Dan as originally agreed. But do you have anything else you desire?”

Knowing it wouldn’t be much help right now, receiving something else would be better, or I could just save it for later.

“I think I need a little time to think.”

Father nodded again, indicating he would grant me time to consider.

Then Father said nothing else to me.

I waited, thinking he was organizing whatever he wanted to say, but no further words came.

‘…What is this?’

This couldn’t be the end of our conversation. Why was he being so quiet?

There were matters like the fight against Ya Hyeoljeok after arriving at Hwasan Sect and healing the Sword Demoness. There were definitely things of greater importance than my own accomplishments.

I had even written casually about them in the letters in preparation for this moment.

But Father didn’t ask anything.

Instead, he looked at me as if questioning why I was still here.

Did he have more to say?

“…I have something to say, but why aren’t you asking more?”

“What do you mean?”

“I sent various messages in the letter, didn’t I?”

I had been contemplating for more than three days on how to communicate with Shin Noya.

After all the thinking I had done, it felt like he had zero interest in what I wrote.

“According to you, everything was written in the letter; what’s the problem?”

“…Is that enough for you?”

“Now, you’re being ridiculous. It seems the important matters have all been discussed, so you can leave now.”

Without so much as a question, he firmly told me to go. Is he really not going to ask anything?

On the one hand, it was a relief I didn’t have to share the prepared story, but…

This felt oddly unsatisfying.

I certainly hadn’t expected him to ask nothing at all.

‘I knew Father was like this, but…’

Isn’t this too excessive in being uninterested?

It was starting to feel a bit ridiculous.

Whatever the case, thinking it was better this way, I was about to leave the Head House when a thought popped into my mind and I spoke up to Father.

“Clan Leader, there’s the Dragon Meeting, isn’t there?”

He gave no response. But I began to speak anyway. I recalled that Tang Soyeol had mentioned wanting to attend the Dragon Meeting.

Honestly, I just assumed I’d be refused, so I brought it up.

“Tang Soyeol mentioned she wanted to go with me. Is that alright?”

“Tang Soyeol of the Tang Clan, you mean?”

“Yes.”

In just this year alone, I had already been out of the clan twice.

Thinking back to when I was once tied to the clan like a leash, this was a huge difference.

But sending me to a place like the Dragon Meeting, swarming with people, seemed unlikely…

“Then go.”

“Isn’t that a bad idea? I might have to refuse… what did you say?”

“The invitation for the meeting has already arrived, and I’ll send it through the Head Officer.”

“…Why?”

“Hm?”

When I asked, Father put on a strange expression.

Why is he making that face?

“Why are you allowing this?”

“Is that a strange question? I granted your request to let you go.”

“Then why is that? Are you fine with me roaming about outside?”

“If that’s what you wish, then do so.”

“…What’s going on?”

Things were starting to feel very odd. This shouldn’t be happening. Why on earth is he permitting this?

His attitude was far too different from before. This change only confused me more.

‘What could the issue be?’

This wasn’t something that should change merely because I rose to a higher realm. Father’s face remained the same, void of any emotion.

It felt like something had changed, but I couldn’t quite grasp what it was.

“Is there anything more to say?”

“…No.”

“Then you may leave now.”

With his decisive words, I eventually stood up. In that gap, Shin Noya asked me,

[You’re not going to say you’re not going, are you?]

‘Are you talking about the Dragon Meeting?’

[Yes, you said you didn’t want to travel long distances anymore.]

While I somewhat disliked the idea of going out of the clan again and definitely didn’t like long-distance travel…

The fact that the Dragon Meeting was held in Hanam was significant.

It wasn’t too far compared to elsewhere, plus I had people I needed to meet.

I hadn’t had a proper excuse to wait for this opportunity, but now it seemed like a perfect excuse.

Although years were still ahead until the main event, the sooner, the better.

Even though I was slightly hesitant to go with Tang Soyeol, it was manageable.

As I contemplated this, Noya asked me,

[So, in Hanam, is Shaolin still located there?]

‘Of course, Shaolin is in Hanam.’

Hanam’s Shaolin.

One of the buildings of the Gu Paibang that is part of the most influential sect among the numerous factions.

When you thought of where the Martial Alliance was located, it became even more clear.

Also, while there currently isn’t a suitable successor for Shaolin, in a few years, it had produced a successor who would take Shin Ryong’s place, vacant for several years after Peng Woojin.

He was someone I had a deep connection with in my previous life.

[If you go to Hanam, will you be able to visit Shaolin?]

‘Visit Shaolin? Why do you ask?’

[I have something I want to look into as well. It’s just to look, so please do this for me.]

‘You want me to go and just look around?’

[Yes, just looking is enough, so don’t worry.]

Shaolin and the Martial Alliance weren’t far apart, and it was the first time Noya had asked me something like this.

If all I had to do was look around, it wouldn’t be a big problem.

As I sorted my thoughts and was about to step out of the Head House, Father called out from behind me.

“Wait a moment.”

I turned back at Father’s voice.

“In an hour, you have a schedule, so prepare yourself. I’ll send the details separately.”

“An hour? A schedule?”

What kind of schedule is this? I intended to go meet Shin Yi afterward.

As I was processing this, Father added, his words instantly changing my expression.

“We have a discussion regarding your engagement, so don’t be late.”

‘Ugh.’

Just hearing it sounded exhausting and a bother.

After leaving the Head House, I headed to the detached house where Tang Soyeol was staying.

Around the area, martial artists that seemed affiliated with the Tang Clan were stationed.

However, when I appeared, they bowed their heads respectfully, not making any fuss.

Even as a member of the Gu Clan, I shouldn’t be able to roam this freely, so did Tang Soyeol give them some instructions?

As I approached the detached house, someone ran towards me.

“Gu Gongja!”

“Hello!”

I hadn’t even entered the detached house yet, but Tang Soyeol somehow noticed and dashed out.

“Ah, Young Lady! You should wear something!”

“Ah… right.”

A hurried shout came from Tang Soyeol’s servant behind her. Only then did she realize how she must have looked and dashed back inside, blushing.

When she reappeared, Tang Soyeol looked calmer and more composed than earlier. However, having seen her just moments ago, I was at a loss for how to react.

[Just accept it as it is. That’d be the easiest way.]

Following Noya’s advice, I simply smiled awkwardly.

“Thank you for coming to see me.”

“It’s nothing. I have something to tell you.”

“If it’s something to tell…?”

When I said I was going to accept the invitation to the Dragon Meeting that she had recommended before, Tang Soyeol jumped in surprise and began bouncing around excitedly.

“What? Really…? Is this for real?”

“Uh… yes. The Clan Leader said it was alright.”

| | …

..

Is this really something to be so overjoyed about? It was rare to see bloodlines from prestigious families act like this.

‘Wasn’t Nangong Bi-ah saying she’d go too?’

She had mentioned that if I went, she would want to go along, but with Nangong Jin showing up at the Gu Clan, who knows what would happen.

“When shall we leave? What should I wear? What should I pack…?”

“Tang Soyeol, please calm down a bit…”

“I came in a hurry, so I can’t pack much, but if you have a favorite poison… ah, you said you didn’t like it.”

The smile I had forced on was about to crack slightly.

Ordinary people don’t like poison… this young lady…

Do people from the Tang Clan carry poison around? No, does poison even have different flavors?

I had encountered someone who became a demon in my past life that was from the Tang Clan, but he didn’t carry poison around like that.

I only had a stronger affinity for poison than other martial artists.

Tang Soyeol was obsessed enough that she could reach Immunity to All Poisons.

Seeing her red cheeks as she clutched her cheeks and grinned left me with complicated feelings.

‘…I do think she has a crush on me.’

It was hard to ignore her obvious reactions.

[…Indeed. If she reacts so obviously, it should be noticed.]

‘…’

Meanwhile, Shin Noya’s urge to jab me was pretty irritating.

‘Why on earth does she have a crush on me?’

No matter how I thought about it, it baffled me. We had only faced each other a few times since the Tangbing Tournament.

There wasn’t a single point during those interactions that could lead to feelings.

As I continued to observe Tang Soyeol, I finally spoke up.

“Tang Soyeol.”

“Yes, yes?”

“Are you aware that I’m engaged…?”

“…Ah.”

[This crazy fool…! How can you say that so bluntly!?]

Shin Noya was utterly furious, but there was no other way for me to put it. My engagement with Nangong was indeed a confirmed fact, and by now, I knew full well that I was lying to myself by saying I harbored no feelings for the likes of Wi Seol-Ah or Nangong Bi-ah.

While Tang Soyeol’s invitation was indeed a good excuse to attend the Dragon Meeting, if Tang Soyeol harbored feelings for me, that could create too many problems left unresolved.

[How can you be so straightforward at times like these…? It’s truly infuriating.]

‘Shin Noya… are you bothered just because I care for her?’

[…Your intuition is so sharp at times. Tsk!]

That was rather hurtful for Tang Soyeol. Even if she didn’t have feelings for me, hearing that it was all in my head would be offensive.

Regardless, it was something I shouldn’t say aloud. However, I didn’t want to beat around the bush.

Tang Soyeol gazed silently into my eyes. Her expression looked a little sad and perhaps regretful.

After chewing on my words for a moment, she finally said,

“It’s… okay.”

“Uh? What do you mean?”

Before I could even ask what she meant, another statement erupted out of her.

“I can do it. I will.”

“…What can you do?”

Tang Soyeol clenched her fist as if she had made up her mind and spoke daringly.

The issue was, she never explained what she intended to do.

And then,

[…What in this wretched world was it trying to show me?]

A solitary individual quietly felt betrayed by the world.

 

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