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Chapter 168: Jin Ryong

With the windows tightly shut to keep out the cold wind, I sipped on a tea made from Spirit Leaf, which brings warmth to the body.

To an average person, Spirit Leaf tea would induce quite a significant heat, but for Moyong Hi-ah, it was merely a mild sensation.

The cost of a single tiny leaf equaled a month’s worth of food for commoners, yet to her, it was hardly noticeable.

Such lavishness was something to behold, but using it merely for tea was excessively extravagant.

“…Isn’t it ridiculous?”

Moyong Hi-ah, taking small sips of the tea, spoke with a bitter tone.

“Why are we even drinking this? After accomplishing nothing and losing while standing around…”

“…Young Lady.”

“You don’t have to look at me like that.”

As she poured tea into the guest’s cup, she looked back at him.

“Why have you come visiting?”

“…”

“You seem quite busy. Is it really alright not to be there?”

The finals were likely happening right now.

Even Moyong Hi-ah, confined indoors to endure the chill, knew so many were focused on the martial arts tournament.

Especially for the guest who just arrived, Tang Soyeol, it must be incredibly important.

It was after all, a match involving that boy.

“Tang Young Master.”

“Yes….”

Moyong Hi-ah gazed intently at Tang Soyeol’s face.

With his green hair blending perfectly with his cute features, he looked nothing like the cold demeanor he often displayed, appearing more like a small animal.

Reading the emotions within his large eyes, she said, “I know you feel guilty about me.”

“…”

“I’m a fragile person, so I know how to manipulate that. You’re intelligent, Tang Young Master, so I believe you realize this.”

Though Tang Soyeol remained silent in response to her words, at this moment, silence equated to affirmation.

The guilt Tang Soyeol held toward Moyong Hi-ah was, honestly, something she couldn’t comprehend.

It wasn’t solely her fault.

To be precise, the only blame she bore was carrying the Tang surname.

“Does that incident still weigh heavily on you, Young Lady?”

“It’s not just now; it will always be. Even as time goes on, it’ll remain my burden.”

“Why?”

“Because I am forever a member of the Tang Clan, and the pain you endure, Moyong Young Lady, will remain eternal.”

Pain.

“Is it merely a scar on my back?”

The mark on her back was unseen when dressed.

In fact, few had witnessed it over the past decade, other than the attendant who helped her.

“Is it ‘merely’?”

Tang Soyeol remarked, but the Tang family had already compensated her significantly.

The ability to drink this Spirit Leaf tea now was one such reward.

Moyong Hi-ah’s ongoing attempts and research into treating Cold Pulse Syndrome were also greatly aided by the Tang family’s honoring of their word.

Of course, as a result of the treatments, the scar and cold feelings worsened.

‘But even if I hadn’t pursued treatment, the outcome wouldn’t have differed much.’

Ultimately, compensation had reached her, and that was sufficient.

It was everyone else outside of Moyong Hi-ah who hadn’t fared so well, especially her father, the clan leader.

“So, is that why you came to see me on this important day?”

“…”

“Do you think this means something to me? You just visited without even an apology.”

“Could my apology mean anything to you…?”

“Honestly, it wouldn’t resonate deeply.”

…

With that, everything grew silent for a moment.

Moyong Hi-ah felt discomforted.

It was already stifling to receive letters sent by Tang Soyeol every year, but encountering him face-to-face was even more burdensome.

If she meant to use this feeling to her advantage, it would certainly help.

‘… Sigh.’

Perhaps it was because she knew Tang Soyeol’s feelings were genuine.

Moyong Hi-ah found it difficult to act on her emotions.

Even though she wasn’t in a position to hide anything.

“…I understand your feelings, but truly, you need not be this way.”

Although Poison Phoenix had a reputation for being fierce and adhering tightly to principles, he also possessed a kind nature.

If one didn’t know his true essence, they might find his character repulsive.

Moyong Hi-ah was on that level too, speaking of understanding.

However, up until now, Tang Soyeol had seemed much softer than anyone could have anticipated.

‘His appearance lately… was quite different from before.’

Previously, he resembled an adorable predator, but now he came off as a full-fledged squirrel.

While his personality seemed similar when seen at the lodging with Huangbo Cheolwi, here he appeared genuinely more reflective of his true self.

More accurately, his true self had begun to surface.

Noticing this, Moyong Hi-ah turned her gaze towards the closed window again, peering out.

Winter still lingered.

It seemed ages before winter would finally bid farewell.

Tang Soyeol’s winter appeared to have ended, but her own persisted.

Despite the change of seasons and temperatures, she would remain cold.

That was just the way her life was laid out.

‘Would struggling change anything?’

Such thoughts crossed her mind.

Perhaps struggling would ultimately carry no meaning.

Maybe she was born merely to drift away in this cold wind.

“Moyong Young Lady?”

Had her expression been so peculiar?

Tang Soyeol called her with a hint of worry.

He was one of the few who knew about Moyong Hi-ah’s condition.

“Did you get injured during the tournament…?”

At his question, Moyong Hi-ah managed a small smile.

“No, I didn’t get hurt at all.”

It wasn’t a lie.

She truly hadn’t sustained any injuries.

Despite being swept up in that colossal flame, not a single part of her was harmed.

‘It was surely controlled.’

Could that even be considered an attack?

Before him, she had felt utterly powerless.

Though she knew it was impossible for her to win, she believed they could at least exchange a few blows.

‘But the gap was just too vast.’

Last year, the most shocking individual she encountered lately was Sword Dragon.

The sword path that the young man bearing Plum Blossom unfolded was overwhelmingly majestic enough to reveal the might of the Hwasan Sect.

After that encounter, Moyong Hi-ah thought no other prodigy could emerge.

Sword Peak, Sword Dragon, and Sleeping Dragon.

Moreover, with the likes of Poison Phoenix, who was once a genuine dragon…

Just one of them could have a new name etched in the annals of Central Plains.

Having another spirit rising up was unfathomable.

Yet, the unexpected still awaited them.

Gu Yangcheong from Mount Shan.

Moyong Hi-ah recalled that boy who had leapt out of Mount Shan, but she couldn’t find words.

He existed beyond mere genius.

‘I had thought he was just an unusual person.’

At first, it was because the surrounding women were so radiant and had outstanding presences that he was overlooked.

A guy with some luck, as opposed to his martial arts skills, drawing people in with his charm, that’s all he seemed.

Seeing his somewhat disdainful expression and eyes when facing someone confident in their appearance, she couldn’t entirely ignore him.

It took little time to realize her initial thoughts were merely her delusions.

About Huangbo Cheolwi and Gu Clan…

‘What was his name again?’

He belonged to the same clan as Gu Yangcheong.

She couldn’t remember clearly, as he wasn’t particularly important.

In any case, she could see it when there had been a small clash at the lodging.

Moyong Hi-ah noticed that everyone in the party was carefully watching Gu Yangcheong.

Although the confrontation was with someone else, keeping an eye on Gu Yangcheong itself revealed who the center of attention was.

After some more time passed, a clear realization struck her.

Gu Yangcheong wasn’t being overshadowed by the presence of those around him.

He was actively concealing his own.

‘He shone so brightly that I couldn’t see him.’

Moyong Hi-ah recalled the flames from the day before and touched her chest lightly.

That sensation came flooding back.

The warmth she had felt when facing Gu Yangcheong’s heat on the sparring stage.

‘… Was it an illusion…?’

The freezing chill that felt like it would freeze her whole body had vanished; warmth now filled her heart.

When she had regained her senses, she felt it seemed like an illusion.

Could that be right?

If the powerful flame had simply eliminated the chill, her life shouldn’t have felt this cold and lonely.

It was just a brief misconception before the overwhelming flame.

She believed that was all it was.

Yet—

‘… Perhaps.’

Hope in humanity often sprouts from the tiniest things.

Barren land craving for water allows even a tiny stream to bring forth hope.

But her emotions were long frozen, making it impossible to believe she could do anything.

“Moyong Young Lady, are you truly alright? Should I call someone?”

Tang Soyeol continued to ask, noticing something was off about her response.

Moyong Hi-ah fell momentarily into thought before speaking up.

“Tang Young Master.”

“Yes…?”

“Could you… do me a favor…?”

Knock knock.

Just as she was about to speak, a presence was felt from outside.

– Young Lady.

The voice belonged to Tang Soyeol’s attendant.

“What is it? I’m still talking to Moyong Young Lady.”

Tang Soyeol frowned slightly, displaying discomfort at the attendant’s intrusion.

The attendant seemed to have sensed Tang Soyeol’s annoyance and altered their tone cautiously.

However, their message seemed crucial.

– It’s regarding what you asked earlier, about alerting you once the tournament was finished.

Before the attendant could finish, Tang Soyeol jumped up and flung open the door.

Moyong Hi-ah was taken aback, her eyes wide in surprise at his sudden movement.

“Uh, what happened?”

He asked hurriedly, curiosity etched across his face.

It seemed he hadn’t needed to go after all; he had likely already known.

“Ah… um, the Gu Prince has emerged victorious…”

“…!!”

Tang Soyeol raised his hands in excitement, shouting joyfully.

His enthusiasm radiated; it was no wonder he would shout like that.

“Ah!… I’m sorry.”

Realizing his reaction had been too extreme, Tang Soyeol hastily covered his mouth, his face scrunching in embarrassment.

Seeing him like that, Moyong Hi-ah broke into rare laughter.

Perhaps thinking she was mocking him, Tang Soyeol’s face turned a shade of red.

‘Could he really change so much?’

Or perhaps it was good like this?

Moyong Hi-ah felt uncertain.

“Ah… Moyong Young Lady. What did you want to ask me a moment ago?”

“Nothing.”

The words Moyong Hi-ah had just considered were swallowed back down inside her.

Now wasn’t the time to bring it up.

“I’ll come find you later.”

“Wait? You, Moyong Young Lady?”

“I believe a situation will arise where I have to come find you.”

Rather than asking Tang Soyeol for a favor, she preferred to visit him in person.

Using guilt as leverage for a request felt wrong, especially now that Tang Soyeol looked so happy.

“Please hurry. Before it’s too late.”

At her urging, Tang Soyeol hesitated for a moment, before bowing lightly and hurriedly exiting through the door.

Watching his retreating figure closely, Moyong Hi-ah closed her eyes and laid back down.

For some reason, she wanted to nap a little right now.

Tang Soyeol hurriedly strode away from the room she had been in.

He could hardly endure the stuffiness anymore.

‘The Gu Prince has won.’

Had he fought like the Gu Yangcheong she’d seen, he’d have surely won.

His fierce gaze had stirred emotions in him and he was well aware of his unmatched martial arts skills.

Though he was weaker than the strongest individuals he had witnessed, why did he feel such joy?

Why was he so happy for someone else’s victory?

Tang Soyeol couldn’t contain his excitement.

“I need to go congratulate him!”

Would merely saying it suffice?

Shouldn’t he also bring a present?

He recalled that the Gu Prince had claimed it was his first victory.

‘… Do I still have that poison herb left?’

He had kept a herb that worked excellently for boosting inner strength and recovering from fatigue.

Although it was meant to be rationed, this was something the Gu Prince would surely appreciate.

The only problem was the slight toxicity.

He was confident enough to handle that amount of poison.

With his heart racing, he approached the barracks.

– Ah, I see. You mean to say he isn’t here right now?

From the direction of Gu Yangcheong’s barracks, voices could be heard.

“Hmm?”

Following the sound, he recognized two familiar figures.

One was Wi Seol-Ah, an attendant of Gu Yangcheong, known to carry an intimidating aura despite her cute appearance.

The other was…

‘A beggar…?’

It was Chu Yong from the Beggar Clan, someone Tang Soyeol was frequently acquainted with.

Feeling that he not particularly viewed Chu Yong favorably, given how eagerly he presented himself every year at the banquet.

‘What’s he discussing with Wi Seol-Ah?’

As he pondered this, Wi Seol-Ah responded to Chu Yong.

“Young Master is not here right now!”

“… Is this really the right moment? Do you know when he’ll return?”

Clang!

“… Guhhh.”

It seemed he had heard the news of Gu Yangcheong’s victory and rushed over.

At the very least, one could recognize that the Beggar Clan was quick to respond to such matters.

Tang Soyeol approached them, wishing to handle the situation himself, as he was better suited than Wi Seol-Ah at communicating.

“Ah, perhaps I acted too hastily. I was told to come back and speak once the tournament concluded.”

Had he already been conversing with Gu Yangcheong?

Tang Soyeol cleared his throat and took a step towards Chu Yong.

“If Jin Ryong (真龍) arrives, please let him know that the Beggar Clan’s Chu Yong came by.”

At Chu Yong’s words, Tang Soyeol froze mid-step.

With disbelief, Tang Soyeol blinked rapidly.

‘Did I hear that incorrectly?’

Jin Ryong…?

 

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