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Chapter 144: The Dragon Meeting (2)

Crash!

My grip was gradually tightening.

That was because Jang Seonyeon also started to exert her strength in response.

Although her expression remained a smile, I could feel a subtle Qi rising.

Nick…!

The strength I sensed from Jang Seonyeon was more intense than I expected. Had she been staring at the wall around this time?

Just as I felt that and thought about putting in more effort, Jang Seonyeon released her grip first.

“That’s a rather intense greeting, isn’t it?”

She lightly shook her hand as she spoke.

“I apologize. I tend to lose control of my strength a bit.”

In response to her smiling words, I forced a smile as well.

I could faintly hear Tang Soyeol whispering, “How…!”, but I pretended not to notice.

“It’s fine. It happens sometimes. It’s impressive to meet a descendant of the esteemed Gu Clan.”

How funny, considering there were three from the Four Great Clans gathered here, she was raising the Gu Clan.

I knew it was some form of compliment, but the way she said it didn’t sit well with me. Who knows what’s hidden behind that smile?

“I’d love to chat a bit more, but it’s unfortunate that we don’t have much time.”

I didn’t respond to Jang Seonyeon’s words.

I simply couldn’t bring myself to say, “Let’s meet again later.”

After the greeting, we moved to our seats.

There was nothing more I could do from that spot.

The reason I could no longer endure the gaze of Jang Seonyeon was also clear.

If I wasn’t careful, I might lose control and lash out.

I wanted to snap her neck right then and there.

After sitting down, I took a sip of the tea placed in front of me.

But calming my turbulent insides was impossible.

The buzzing noise of the banquet hall, mixed with the air heated by all the martial artists gathered, made it hard to focus on anything.

‘What a disgusting feeling.’

To be so frustrated in front of that person and not be able to do anything was truly unbearable.

“Gu Gongja…?”

Tang Soyeol, sitting next to me, seemed to read my expression and spoke up with concern.

I had no choice but to force a smile.

“I’m fine. Just feeling a bit unwell.”

“That can’t be, when you have such a handsome expression, there’s definitely something wrong…”

“…?”

At Tang Soyeol’s assertive statement, Moyong Hi-ah beside me let out a slight cough.

Handsome… No, that’s not the case.

I was certain Tang Soyeol had a strange look since our last encounter with Nangong Cheonjun.

There was something off about her eyes, definitely.

While Nangong Bi-ah subtly refilled my empty teacup, I glanced at Wi Seol-Ah standing behind me. She still looked fatigued, just like before.

Was it tough for her to stand?

‘But there’s no way I can let her sit here.’

It was an unavoidable situation, and I was just hoping she could endure it a bit longer.

Wi Seol-Ah seemed unfazed, waving at me each time our eyes met.

Aside from that, I had to keep an eye on her condition.

To be precise, I was concerned that something might go wrong with her encounter with Jang Seonyeon.

‘What am I worried about?’

So many things have changed, and I’m the only one who knows it.

Why would I assume that Wi Seol-Ah knows anything at all to be worried about?

Even while thinking that, my gaze kept wandering uncontrollably.

She probably didn’t think much of it…

“The son of the Great Lord, huh…”

“The Jang clan’s descendant is attending the Dragon Meeting for the first time, right?”

“Seems like it. I’d never seen them before.”

“What do you think? They look a bit frail.”

“You still judge by appearances? You know that’s not all there is, even with the Poison Phoenix, tsk tsk…”

“Since it’s not just anyone, but a descendant of the Jang Clan, we might as well hope for the best.”

“Who knows, a new dragon might be born after all.”

“Oh, did you hear? This time, the Gu Clan is also…”

Talk of Jang Seonyeon was circulating among the crowd.

That was to say, Jang Seonyeon’s background was exceptional.

The son of the clan leader, and a descendant of the Jang Clan.

Put differently, that meant he was the successor of the Fallen Blade.

Meanwhile, I kept wiping the dirty sensation off my hand against my clothes.

The sensation from the brief contact with Jang Seonyeon’s hand was lingering on me longer than I’d like.

‘What should I do?’

I didn’t think I would avoid running into him.

It was just that this year didn’t seem like the right time.

‘…Was that now?’

I already knew Jang Seonyeon would shine brightly in the Dragon Meeting and establish herself as an outstanding late-stage talent.

She had in my previous life.

But, was it really this year?

In my memory, it seemed like it would happen later than this.

‘If my memory isn’t wrong, does that mean the future has changed?’

With each step I take, countless futures have already shifted, so this could change too.

I looked at Jang Seonyeon, who was sitting a distance away from me after our encounter.

She had the same expression as before.

I struggled to contain my clenched fist.

Right now, I couldn’t do anything.

Damn.

“Gu Gongja.”

As I spun my head around, hearing my name called, Tang Soyeol pointed toward the entrance of the banquet hall with her fingertips.

I wondered what was up, and as I focused, I saw someone entering.

It was the Thunder Dragon, Nangong Cheonjun.

I thought this was going to be my last task.

Nangong Cheonjun’s arrival drew immediate attention, and his expression looked far more refreshed than last time.

Did something good happen to him?

That wasn’t the only strange thing.

I expected him to come over and sit with us immediately.

Nangong Cheonjun gave a fleeting glance at Nangong Bi-ah and then moved to a spot a bit farther away.

Coincidentally, it was near where Jang Seonyeon was sitting.

With a sudden motion—

I wasn’t the only one who reacted to Tang Soyeol’s movement.

Moyong Hi-ah, who was right beside me, also stood up as if she had been waiting.

“…I think we should change seats.”

I was a bit startled by the words I heard.

‘Why is she asking me?’

But it was impossible to deny when I saw Moyong Hi-ah’s sky-blue eyes piercingly looking at me.

“Yes. Let’s do that.”

While seats are usually pre-assigned for the Dragon Meeting, they wouldn’t particularly stop you from switching with someone else.

It wouldn’t be an issue if someone of a lower rank wanted to move up.

Huff.

I heard a sigh near my ear.

A low, cold breath, undoubtedly from Moyong Hi-ah.

Things seemed so confusing.

Why was she reacting like that?

It felt like she was reluctant to act.

What reason could Moyong Hi-ah have to be wary of Nangong Cheonjun?

Well, there should be plenty of reasons if I were to look back on how persistent he had been in my previous life.

‘But I can’t worry about that right now.’

Even while I tried to maintain my composure, I had to suppress the boiling emotions within me relentlessly.

It was amusing, but my training alongside Noya had helped with controlling my killing intent.

Isn’t emotion also part of the aura?

I may not be able to prevent everything, but calming it down through distraction felt possible.

‘Is this also enlightenment?’

That couldn’t be, it’s not some profound talking point, just something I didn’t know was possible.

If it were Noya, she would’ve probably shown up and knocked some sense into me by now.

‘She should be back soon.’

I hoped that this would be the case. Right now, I couldn’t be in a position to search for her.

Just by encountering him, my mind was already all over the place.

‘What am I supposed to do….’

It was similar to the thoughts I had in my past life, but the essence was different.

I would kill him. That remains unchanged.

It was just about determining how to do it.

Right now, there was no method. In front of me, I couldn’t make a move.

‘Damn, this feeling always sucks.’

I knew this wasn’t the right moment for action.

I also understood that rushing in would only backfire on me.

Killing intent (殺心) is like a fog that clouds all your thoughts.

I suppressed the sharp killing intent that wanted to break free.

Let’s not forget the main goal.

I had to remind myself that my intention right now wasn’t him.

Swish.

I felt a sudden touch on my shoulder and hand.

At some point, Wi Seol-Ah had approached and placed her hand on my shoulder. When I turned to look at her in surprise, she was wearing her characteristic bright smile.

The slightly cold touch on my hand was that of Nangong Bi-ah’s.

Nangong Bi-ah was gripping my hand tightly.

While she didn’t share Wi Seol-Ah’s radiant smile, she looked at me with her clear eyes, seeming indifferent.

‘Is she worried about me?’

It seemed she had picked up on the strange occurrence I was facing.

It was amusing that this simple action was gradually calming my emotions, and yet paradoxically felt extraordinary.

I said to her.

“It’s alright.”

“You don’t look alright…”

“What could possibly be wrong?”

“So…why don’t you look alright…?”

She seemed to have no intention of believing me when I claimed I was fine.

Instead, she tightened her grip on my hand.

I warmed up the cold hand of Nangong Bi-ah before calmly withdrawing mine.

“I’m fine now. Really, I’m doing alright.”

“Young Master, are you just hungry?”

“…Seems so. I guess I’m a bit hungry.”

I took a breath.

Finally, my brain started functioning again.

‘Let’s calm down.’

This chance isn’t unique, and in fact, it isn’t even a genuine opportunity.

It was better to wait for a chance to create or seize rather than throwing a dice that could ruin everything.

Tuk, tuk… tuk… tuk.

Expressing impatience, my fingers gradually slowed as they tapped on the table.

I quietly closed my eyes.

With my eyes shut, the stimulation of the exterior was blocked, and I could feel the sensation of Wi Seol-Ah’s hand resting on my shoulder more clearly.

And thus, I could resolve to act.

For you.

And for me.

Those two lines were enough.

I opened my eyes and looked at Jang Seonyeon, a bit further away.

Was it coincidental? She also met my gaze again.

Her smile as she greeted me was still repugnant, yet this time, I could manage to return a smile.

Even if this lifetime’s version of her holds no blame.

I just couldn’t easily let it go, like I had deeper feelings.

No matter if it’s not this time, I wouldn’t take long to await my turn.

Most of all.

– The Great Lord is entering.

Even if I didn’t hold a plan to take care of him right away.

I wouldn’t be doing nothing.

Coincidentally, everything he would gain in this banquet, I intended to take for myself.

 

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