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Chapter 119: A Hollow Form.

This wasn’t what I had planned before storming into the detached house without any clear purpose.

Originally, I intended to be a bit more courteous. I never thought I’d barge in violently like this.

I had hoped for a deal, thankfully possessing something valuable enough that Nangong Bi-ah wouldn’t need to head back.

Information about the sword Nangong Bi-ah used.

To be precise, it was about the sword previously wielded by the Demon Sword Queen in my past life.

As I had once mentioned, the treasures held by the three great sects possess not just special powers but also significant symbolism.

The sword she used was no different. It was a relic discovered by the hero Nangong Ming, known as the “Thunder Sword of Celestial Falls,” who once stood as the absolute authority in Nangong and fought against the Blood Demon.

Thunder Sword (雷劍) and Thunder Fang (雷嫳).

Currently, this sword should rightfully belong to the Heavenly Lord, but he likely doesn’t possess the Thunder Fang at this moment.

Ironically, the Thunder Fang is probably currently held by the Master of Wudang.

The Master of Wudang is one of the leading martial masters of the Wudang Sect, after all.

I was unsure how it had come to this, but this was information I had personally received from the Demon Sword Queen in my previous life.

Had the Demon Sword Queen truly lied to me about this?

I thought not.

This was information regarding lost symbolism.

Could someone who, like Nangong Jin, lacked power as clan leader simply overlook this? I expected the contrary.

[How do I even explain possessing such information?]

“Don’t you have the token given by Shin Yi?”

The token related to the Beggar Clan would be helpful in such matters. I didn’t know its exact function, but recalling the surprising reaction from the Sword Demoness during our camping, it must be something significant.

Mixing truth with lies and invoking the name of the Beggar Clan—it wasn’t hard to navigate such situations.

[But what if that Nangong fellow comes asking about the Beggar Clan?]

I had thought of two strategies for this, but at this point, they became pointless.

“…What did you just say?”

As the sun began setting, I asked Elder Lee, noticing that he appeared a bit serious regarding the matter.

“Nangong’s clan leader and Elder Il are discussing something separately.”

At Elder Lee’s words, I clicked my tongue. Just hearing it felt like smelling something unpleasant.

I had been talking with Wi Seol-Ah back at my residence, and the atmosphere was nothing out of the ordinary.

A servant had already been sent to deliver the message to the detached house where Nangong Bi-ah was staying.

Since it was after dinner and we had some time left to kill.

With Wi Seol-Ah sitting in front of me on the veranda, I absentmindedly played with her hair while she munched on the rice cakes.

“Today you have your hair in twin tails?”

“Yeah! My sister did it for me. I love it, it looks pretty!”

Wi Seol-Ah’s hairstyle changes daily. The servants do her hair based on their moods each day.

Today appeared to be twin tails day.

As I fiddled with her sleek, braided hair, Wi Seol-Ah leaned into me, seeking comfort.

I naturally reached up and gently stroked her cheek, and she didn’t seem to mind.

“Hmm?”

Touching her delightful, soft cheeks, the sensation felt markedly different from before.

“Have you lost weight?”

“Huh?”

Her cheeks didn’t fill my hands like they used to, but now they felt strangely hollow.

‘Come to think of it…’

I grabbed her arm and felt her. It became clear—she had indeed lost weight.

Just a few months ago, she had been adorably plump, but now her jawline was showing a bit.

“…What’s going on?”

Has her eating decreased? But today I saw her clear her bowls at every meal.

She was still relishing the rice cakes I handed her now. Noticing my subtle worry, Wi Seol-Ah asked.

“What’s wrong, Young Master?”

“Nothing, it’s fine.”

…Why has she lost weight? Is she secretly exercising?

I widened my Qi perception to check her body, but my energy failed to find anything out of place.

Nothing at all; her body remained an empty vessel.

It didn’t seem like a martial art issue, so was it just regular exercise?

Or… is she at a growth spurt, losing weight quickly? She does seem a bit taller now.

I myself grew quite a bit this year. Of course, that’s compared to last year.

‘…I don’t expect much.’

Having already reached a certain height in my past life, I didn’t have high hopes for significant growth now. While Wi Seol-Ah has slimmed down and her beauty has increased, it seems like the unique cuteness she had has slightly diminished.

“I should get you to eat more.”

“Huh…?”

“Never mind, it’s nothing.”

If she’s losing weight, I should just fill her up. With that resolved in my mind, one of my servants approached me.

“Young Master, Elder Lee has arrived.”

“Elder Lee?”

As soon as I heard the message, Elder Lee approached, looking a bit tense.

[No matter how many times I see that bulk, I just can’t get used to it.]

‘Is it strange for someone from Hwasan sect to have such a physique?’

[What nonsense is that? Hwasan is a sect, what does that muscle have to do with anything…?]

• • •

Could he really not know? Feeling my head start to ache, I brushed the thoughts aside.

I immediately asked Elder Lee.

“Elder Lee, what brings you here?”

His expression was quite grim. For someone who typically laughs heartily, that was saying something.

“Yangcheon.”

“Yes?”

“I think there’s been an issue.”

“A problem?”

I adjusted my posture slightly at his words. If Elder Lee was saying this, it meant something was indeed going on.

As my gaze sharpened, Elder Lee sighed before continuing.

“It seems Nangong’s clan leader is having a conversation with Elder Il.”

“…What do you mean by that all of a sudden?”

That came out of nowhere. Elder Il and Nangong Jin? What a combination I had never heard of.

“Where did you hear such a thing?”

“Oh, old men like me have ears and eyes, you know.”

“People obviously have eyes and ears… I get it, so put your fist down. It was a joke.”

I quickly corrected myself, sensing Elder Lee’s wrath brewing at my jest.

“…Do you realize how grave this situation is?”

“How bad could it really be…?”

I could only chuckle lightly.

Seeing Elder Lee appear so anxious, it made me think that something might be indeed wrong.

However, recalling Elder Il’s intentions, I couldn’t see him heading in the direction Elder Lee hoped for.

‘Is Gu Clan desperate to this extent?’

From my point of view, that was the surprising part. What’s so appealing about a hollow position? My father occupies that throne, so does it really seem that appealing to potentially sit on it one day?

Elder Il might not get it, but that seat is no throne. It certainly appeared that my father holds that seat closely, but I felt more inclined to step down than to hold on.

If Elder Il’s concern stems from position and desire, he’s likely blind to the seemingly simple facts.

If Elder Lee is aware, then my father must know too. Even if he is aware, he keeps quiet about Elder Il’s actions.

Could Elder Il genuinely be clueless about this?

‘…That man is truly extreme.’

That conversation between the two.

Only after hearing that information did I feel the vague unease confirm itself.

The reason Nangong Jin sought out Gu Tae and tried to confine Nangong Bi-ah had to do with Elder Il.

‘No wonder things have been so quiet.’

I had been less concerned since Gu Jeolyub’s disappearance, thinking that nothing was happening…

It seems like they were up to something all along.

“I feel like I’ve been hit in the back of the head.”

“What happened?”

“After wrangling with the Nangong folks to engage them, it seems the clan leader has gone off track. That’s the real problem.”

“…I wanted to ask about that too, how did you manage it?”

“What do you mean?”

The engagement with Nangong.

Not some random clan, but the prestigious Nangong family. I couldn’t fathom how I could engage with the direct bloodline of the clan leader.

Especially considering that I have a history of broken engagements and my reputation is often less than favorable.

When I asked, Elder Lee showed a thoughtful expression before finally responding.

“Sometimes it’s better not to know.”

His expression suggested he was teasing me. However, I hesitated to pursue the matter further. I had a feeling it wasn’t done in a conventional manner.

“Regardless, it seems I’ll need to come up with a plan now.”

“A plan? What kind of plan…?”

“Ah! You’re so carefree about this!”

“Then what should I do? I can’t arrange a meeting with the clan leader, nor will I have another round with the Nangong Elders, right?”

• • •

“…Huh?”

‘Oh?’ Why am I so surprised…?

My unease felt almost prophetic as Elder Lee suddenly stood up.

“Yangcheon, that’s quite the clever idea you have—it’s decided. I’ll be right back.”

“Ah, where are you going? Elder Lee, wait a moment, just calm down for a second! Where are you in such a hurry to go at night? Let’s talk this rationally… No, don’t go!”

I tried to grab him desperately, but Elder Lee flicked off the candles, disappearing in an instant before my eyes.

I tried to catch him, cycling through various Qi, but he disappeared before my energy could touch him.

“Damn that crazy old man!”

To think I couldn’t even catch hold of one old man, even with my qi raised.

“Don’t tell me he really went to the Nangong family?”

Surely, he couldn’t have possessed that much reckless audacity.

Even if he did go, what could he possibly do?

‘…Why am I breaking out in a cold sweat thinking about this?’

That lunatic truly seemed capable of actions like that.

What sort of backing was so solid, allowing him to act so boldly all the time?

…

Sighing deeply, I finally rose to my feet. Time was slipping away, and I realized it was foolish to remain idly.

As I began to move, Wi Seol-Ah, who had been lightly dozing beside me, rubbed her eyes and asked.

“Are you going out, Young Master?”

“I think I have to, yes.”

“Can I come with you?”

“Do you know where I’m going?”

“Anywhere is fine…”

While suppressing a yawn, I tousled Wi Seol-Ah’s hair gently.

“Before Hong-Wa comes looking, go sleep somewhere, I’ll be back soon.”

“Okay…”

After a sleepy reply, she couldn’t hold back and flopped down onto the veranda.

From where I stood, it was obvious she’d get caught by Hong-Wa.

Having seen enough, I forced myself to take a step forward.

In passing, Shin Noya muttered to me.

[Why doesn’t there seem to be a single rational human among those Gu Clan folks?]

‘Tell me about it. Just me, right? Everyone else seems…’

[Quit with the prattle and go already.]

‘…’

I tightly shut my mouth, chewing over the absurdity of it all.

 

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