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Chapter 133: Don’t Touch That Guy

“Don’t touch that guy.”

Just before setting off for the Dragon Meeting, I indeed ran into Elder Lee.

“You’re leaving as soon as you arrived.”

“Yeah, right? How did it come to this?”

In my previous life, I would have been cooped up in the clan, living a lazy life at this time.

The drastic change in my life’s direction almost made me let out a chuckle.

“I heard it won’t take much time this time, which is a relief.”

Considering the distance, it wasn’t a long trip at all.

In this situation, Elder Lee brought something up with me.

“When Yangcheon comes back, that old man probably won’t be around anymore.”

“Eh? Elder, where are you going?”

“It seems there’s work over at the Five Sword Team.”

“The Five Sword Team…?”

Currently, it was where Gu Hee-bi, the Great Lord, was located.

It was primarily focused on search and dispatch. Did Elder Lee have a reason to go there?

What could have been happening around this time? I didn’t think anything significant occurred.

“It’s not a big deal, so don’t worry.”

“Who would worry about Elder Lee?”

If there was a problem, it would be the other party I worried about.

“Oh, and the Winter Gathering of the Nine Dragons should be fine since both your sisters are going.”

“You’re talking about my second sister and the youngest?”

“Yeah.”

The Gathering of the Nine Dragons happens twice a year, and this winter, it seems Gu Ryeonghwa and Gu Yeonseo will participate.

‘Gu Ryeonghwa will probably be fine since she’s with the Hwasan Sect.’

No problems should arise.

I heard that Gu Yeonseo mentioned she wouldn’t attend this Dragon Meeting.

Whether it was because she participated last year or because I was there, I couldn’t be sure.

‘…Gu Ryeonghwa and Gu Yeonseo.’

I recalled that the relationship between those two wasn’t very good, so I couldn’t help but worry about Gu Ryeonghwa.

However, considering how she had shown herself in the Hwasan Sect, I thought she might be able to handle it on her own.

‘I might need to worry more about Gu Yeonseo.’

The last meeting hadn’t ended well, resulting in us not having much contact.

Now that Gu Yeonseo had completed her closed training, I wondered what kind of growth she had undergone.

But Gu Ryeonghwa was no easy opponent either.

“Ah, Yangcheon.”

“Yes.”

Responding to the call, Elder Lee rummaged through his belongings before speaking to me.

“I heard you’re going to Shaolin…”

“No, thank you.”

“Huh?”

I sharply cut off Elder Lee just as he seemed ready to pull something out.

This guy, considering how he had flung the Hwasan Sect’s treasure at me the last time he said he would go there, I had no idea what he would do this time with Shaolin.

“I’m not accepting anything from Elder.”

“Oh really? You’re rejecting me before knowing what I’m offering?”

“…I really don’t want anything.”

Who knows? He could throw the Hwasan Sect’s treasure at me, and is there any guarantee this time wouldn’t be the same?

Elder Lee laughed as if he found it amusing and pulled out a pouch.

“Look at you, acting like I’m always trying to give you something. I was just going to give you some pocket money…”

“Thank you, Elder, but really, I only rely on you.”

“You’re getting more brazen by the day. What am I supposed to do with you?”

Elder Lee let out a sigh but still placed the pouch into my hand.

“I didn’t put in much.”

“Then I guess I’m a bit disappointed… Just kidding. Please lower your hand.”

I was almost caught off guard if I hadn’t reacted in time.

Giving the pouch a slight shake, I could hear coins clinking inside.

The weight seemed decent, contrary to Elder Lee’s claim.

Thank you.

“Anyway, since you’re going, make some trouble while you’re at it.”

In that moment, I thought I must have misheard.

“…Last time you told me to go quietly.”

When I was going to the Hwasan Sect or Sichuan, I felt like I was bombarded with talks about clan status and authority. Now, though, telling me to go cause trouble?

At my remark, Elder Lee looked at me as if I had lost my mind.

“The Dragon Meeting is primarily for making a scene. There will be plenty of folks wanting to stand out.”

While Elder Lee was slightly exaggerating, he wasn’t wrong.

For martial artists, fame seems like an extra, yet it’s actually a crucial part.

The reason those around my age are desperately vying for nicknames at the Dragon Meeting is precisely that.

Names like Thunder Dragon, Sword Dragon, Poison Phoenix, and So Sword—these revered titles showcase their recognized value and mark them as individuals destined to rise in the near future.

“I trust you’ll handle it just fine.”

“Where does this imposing faith come from?”

“Even if I say not to cause trouble, you’ll go on and do it anyway. If I tell you to do it, you’ll probably do it even more.”

“It’s a sad truth that I can’t deny.”

After a brief chat with Elder Lee, I spotted Gu Jeolyub coming towards us, sweating profusely.

“F-First Prince! I’ve arrived.”

“Already?”

That’s disappointing; it seemed there was less than I had anticipated.

Panting, Gu Jeolyub lowered his head again, glancing at Elder Lee beside me.

“Elder Lee, it’s good to see you.”

“Oh, Jeolyub! You’ve grown taller since we last met.”

Gu Jeolyub offered a smile, looking evidently taller than the last time we met.

I’ve grown a bit this year too, concentrating on martial arts, but not to that extent… I felt a twinge of envy.

Elder Lee scrutinized Gu Jeolyub and said to me, “Don’t be too harsh on him; he’s still just a poor child.”

“That might be tough; I’ll give it a shot.”

When Elder Lee asked me, I answered in kind.

Elder Lee seemed a bit surprised by my response but merely brushed it off as if he knew what I meant.

“Anyway, have a good trip.”

“Yes.”

With that, Elder Lee quickly moved on.

He indeed seemed to have pressing matters to attend to.

Finishing with a glance at Gu Ryeonghwa, who was pouting, I too moved into the carriage, setting off towards the Martial Alliance situated in Hanam.

By the way, Gu Jeolyub was the one driving the carriage.

As we embarked on our journey, the seasons swiftly changed.

Autumn seemed to abandon us without hesitation, falling straight into winter.

The vibrant autumn leaves, which bloomed beautifully, now lay down, surrendering to slumber until next year.

And here I was, welcoming the first winter after my regression, holding on to a slightly excited heart.

Watching the snow fall outside, Wi Seol-A offered dumplings and struck up a conversation.

“Young Master… Aren’t you cold?”

“Hmm? No, it feels refreshing.”

“But First Prince, usually when someone wears those clothes, they say it’s cold.”

Tang Soyeol chimed in.

Even so, right after advancing in my qi cultivation, I hardly felt any chill.

Thanks to that, my attire didn’t differ much from summer.

Because of that, others probably thought I looked quite chilly.

“Young Master, shall I take off your coat?”

“You might get scolded for taking my clothes, even if you steal from others.”

Wi Seol-A was bundled in a fur coat.

It was made from the hide and fur of a beast, apparently crafted by the Sword Sovereign himself. He has an excellent hand for sculpting, it seems.

Tang Soyeol, being from a prestigious lineage, must have been well taken care of, and it seemed Nangong Bi-ah was receiving diligent care from her as well.

She was currently nestled up with Tang Soyeol and dozing off.

“She’s not a bear, but she’s hibernating.”

Lately, it seems she’s been sleeping quite a bit more.

Tang Soyeol, as if responding to that, chuckled gently.

“Sister usually sleeps a lot when it’s cold.”

“I guess that makes sense, she always was a heavy sleeper.”

“That’s true…”

On this, Tang Soyeol seemed unable to argue and averted his gaze.

“…If you’re cold, shall I fetch you some tea?”

“I’ll pass on the poison tea you offered last time.”

“Aw.”

Last time, when I was cold, Tang Soyeol had given me some tea, which I later found out was a type of toxic herb that heats the body.

Although it was safe for the body, it was still a poisonous herb and that was quite unsettling.

‘Gotta stay on my toes.’

It wasn’t an extended period, but due to being close, I wasn’t particularly uncomfortable with Tang Soyeol.

Especially since she was spending time in our carriage after leaving her own.

I took a bite out of the dumpling offered by Wi Seol-A.

“When did you pack this?”

“I picked it up when we stopped at a village.”

“I’m sorry, it’s fine to eat and talk.”

Wi Seol-A had stuffed her mouth full enough that she couldn’t respond properly.

It seemed she got it while visiting the last village.

‘She can eat like that and not gain weight.’

In the past, I worried about her being too thin, but now, with the outrageous amount she swallows, her cheeks seemed pleasantly full.

Right now, Wi Seol-A appeared healthy rather than thin and looked increasingly similar to her previous life.

Though, it was a bit disappointing to see the disappearance of the soft cheeks she used to have.

I gently patted Wi Seol-A’s cheeks with longing, and they still felt soft and squishy.

‘Looks like baby fat is still lingering.’

If that disappeared too, it would indeed be quite a shame.

Perhaps my warm hands made Wi Seol-A press her face closer to my hand.

“Warm?”

“Young Master’s hand is always warm…!”

Even in winter, my body still radiated warmth.

Looking out the carriage window, I noticed the snow falling steadily and piling up.

Watching it quietly, I asked the coachman.

“How much longer until we arrive?”

“I think we’ll be there shortly….”

The weary voice of the coachman answered immediately.

As it turned out, the coachman was Gu Jeolyub.

Originally, the Sword Sovereign had taken on the role of the coachman, but he wasn’t participating in this trip.

It was a curious situation, and it added a layer of complexity to my thoughts.

By choosing not to participate himself while including Wi Seol-A, it raised questions.

‘What’s he thinking?’

I didn’t know anything about the Sword Sovereign, which made me uneasy.

[…Is it correct to say you can’t trust him?]

‘It’s been a while since I’ve heard your voice.’

It was Shin Noya’s voice, sounding tired.

As the seasons shifted, Noya, saying she couldn’t handle the cold, gradually reduced her interactions.

…

A telegram group for sharing novels, boasting over 100,000 downloads available.

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The spirit said it could feel nothing, yet here it was talking so much.

[Though I don’t feel the cold… it’s just that winter feels a bit tough.]

What’s the difference? It was incomprehensible chatter from both Noya and me.

Anyway, while Muyeon and other guards could fully handle the vacant coachman role, Gu Jeolyub had offered to drive.

Perhaps due to being raised in a noble environment, Gu Jeolyub seemed hesitant, but he didn’t object.

As a branch family member, being who he was and pushing through cold weather would pose no trouble.

It was likely he was made to do something.

‘Considering how well he can handle his duties, it seems like he’s been significantly influenced by Elder Lee or my father.’

I doubted my father had much influence, so it must’ve been Elder Lee.

In the meantime, Gu Jeolyub hadn’t shown any discontent.

‘He might have lost his dignified appearance with Tang Soyeol, though.’

After all, he had seemed willing to engage with her previously, which made him leave an impression.

– “Hey, fetch me some water.”

– “I just got it.”

– “Clean the carriage.”

– “I did it in the morning. I cleaned what you mentioned yesterday too.”

– “…Did you eat?”

– “Not yet.”

—”Let’s eat.”

Surprisingly, he was handling his tasks quite well.

Why was that?

What made him so efficient?

“I can’t figure it out.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, I can’t understand him, him, or her, any of them.”

“Young Master, Grandfather says that the world is inherently incomprehensible.”

“…So Elder Noya imparts quite the education.”

Early education can be terrifying.

I turned to Muyeon, who was keeping pace with the carriage outside.

“Muyeon.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

His response was as upright as ever, and while his gaze remained forward, the qi emanating from his body reached all around.

He was indeed impeccable.

In the midst of it all.

‘…He’s crossed the boundary.’

I wondered if something had transpired or if Muyeon was close to surpassing a significant milestone in his cultivation.

“Are we headed straight to the Alliance when we arrive?”

“No, we’re staying briefly at the accommodation they prepared for us.”

“They reserved lodgings for us?”

They wouldn’t typically go to that extent to reserve lodgings.

There must be something the Martial Alliance was concerned about.

‘I should’ve attended to know firsthand.’

The last time I participated in the Dragon Meeting as the Lesser Clan Leader, things had spiraled out of control.

The situation surrounding the Demonic Gate incident was out of hand.

Had it not been for that vile incident, I could have garnered more insightful knowledge.

‘No matter, I will make sure no such thing happens again.’

That incident had been akin to a reenactment.

After all, the outstanding late-stage talents of the time had been ambushed all at once.

Ultimately, everyone returned safely, and no casualties occurred. Yet I knew the truth.

Everyone other than me had died.

‘…Should I call that revival?’

According to the records of the alliance, everyone lived, including me.

However, the troubling matter was that everyone bar me had no memory of what transpired in the Demonic Gate.

‘…’

Despite the significant amount of time passing since my regression, the anguish resurfaces whenever I try to recall it.

‘What useless fixation.’

It was the past.

And it was something that needed to be vanquished.

“First Prince.”

I listened to Gu Jeolyub’s voice, drawing my attention.

“The city is in sight….”

“Oh? Wake that bear up.”

At my words, Wi Seol-A nudged the sleepy Nangong Bi-ah.

“Uuuh…”

“Sister! Wake up!”

“Ugggh! You drooled…!”

Let’s just pretend I didn’t witness that.

‘Hanam, huh?’

Feeling the cold air, I exhaled.

The heart of the righteous faction, once the hub of all incidents.

Following a journey that was anything but short, we arrived at Hanam, home of the Martial Alliance and Shaolin.

In the room prepared for the late-stage talents at the Martial Alliance, Bachunmaru, a beautiful lady appeared to be frowning.

Although her face looked crumpled with displeasure, it did not mar the beauty she possessed.

“Didn’t we arrive a bit too early, Miss?”

At the servant’s inquiry, the lady offered a faint smile.

“…What can we do? He’s scheduled to arrive at this time.”

The lady’s sky-blue eyes flickered with a hint of emotion.

Watching those eyes, the servant cautiously asked.

“Should I prepare some alcohol?”

“…I feel a bit hungry, but it’s fine. If I drink now, it’ll show.”

While gazing at the swirling snow outside the window, the lady mused.

“Seol-A.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Isn’t life just miserable?”

A rough exclamation suddenly escaped from the lady’s lips, causing the servant to stumble and fall while tidying up.

Soon after, the servant anxiously exclaimed.

“Please, Miss…! Can you tone down your language!”

“What’s it to you if no one’s around?”

“What if the Clan Leader hears…?”

“My father? Would he really fly all the way here from Yongcheon?”

“…The Clan Leader might very well do that.”

The servant’s vague remark made the lady chuckle.

It was a thought that her father might genuinely do such a thing.

The lady, who had been staring at the falling snow for quite some time, finally closed the window.

“It’s chilly.”

Snow falls anywhere, yet it remains quite displeasing to see.

Settling her trembling body, the lady recalled Seolbong, Mo Yong-hee.

Winter truly is a ridiculous season.

 

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