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Chapter 181: A Winter That Is Not Cold (2)

A winter that isn’t cold (2).

By the time Moyong Hi-ah returned to her room with the servant, it was already night.

After changing her clothes and finishing her light meal, she drank the tea the servant had brought and covered the fire to her neck, then closed her eyes.

As soon as her eyes shut, memories of earlier flooded back.

The boy who never spared her a glance, no matter how close she got.

The boy’s face, which strangely seemed dull all day.

And then,

– “Please don’t put yourself through hardships. It’s a nuisance to others.”

The boy’s words, spoken on the stairs, seemed to still echo in her ears.

– “You get really cold, don’t you?”

How did he know? She was sure she hadn’t shown any signs.

Her breath.

Her footsteps.

Even the way she tucked her hair behind her ear was without a hint of disturbance.

‘…Could it be that I showed too much?’

It couldn’t be.

Having lived her whole life in the cold, it was as easy as pie to hide it from others.

So she never considered that the boy might have noticed.

But since it was cold, to say those words had to be too subtle.

‘Gu Yangcheong…’

The boy, whose details had not been disclosed for a noble’s bloodline, had become more famous than anyone else in just a few days.

He was more likely to be known by his alias than his real name.

Surrounded by searing flames, crushing opponents was like a living hell for those late-stage talents of the same era.

With such thick and tall walls right in front of them, how many would dare not to fall into despair?

‘…It seems the Thunder Dragon has fallen already.’

Nangong Cheonjun hadn’t been seen since his duel with Gu Yangcheong.

The last person to see him was the Lesser Clan Leader of the Peng Clan.

Thanks to that, Moyong Hi-ah’s initial plan was thrown into disarray.

It probably started from the moment she faced Gu Yangcheong.

Moyong Hi-ah despised nothing more than when her carefully laid plans were disrupted.

But this time felt a bit different.

‘…Why is that?’

She questioned herself, but Moyong Hi-ah already knew the answer.

The unknown sensation she felt at their meeting became clearer through the martial arts sparring today.

And today, she was finally convinced.

He was her hope.

The sensation that had been curled inside her whispered that she must not let him slip away.

Even without following her instincts, Moyong Hi-ah knew it well.

She gently stroked her belly with her hand.

“It feels warm…”

There was still heat lingering in her lower Dantian area.

Heat.

A word that had never been a part of Moyong Hi-ah’s life.

To think something she had struggled so hard to obtain could be achieved simply by briefly holding the boy’s hand.

A feeling she couldn’t quite articulate.

“…Hah.”

This is what warmth feels like.

That particularly cold winter brought her comfort with just this small warmth.

‘How is this possible?’

The warmth she felt during the martial arts sparring was not an illusion.

This incident made it clear.

The heat she received from Gu Yangcheong had an impact on her coldness.

Was it due to a fire technique? No, it was not.

She had sought help regarding fire techniques and had even invited the Fire Master, known as the greatest in the Central Plains, to assist her.

Yet even with external warmth, the chill she felt remained the same.

From natural flames, the energies of demon beasts, to even coldness induced by martial artists’ bets—none could remedy her coldness.

But Gu Yangcheong had easily defeated it.

‘…Perhaps.’

Could he be the one to cure this cold?

Before she knew it, Moyong Hi-ah had nurtured that hope.

She was well aware that she was not the kind of person to have such sentimental thoughts, to begin with.

She couldn’t discern whether it was solely a quality of the Gu Clan’s fire techniques or something exclusive to Gu Yangcheong.

What mattered was the fact that his heat could warm her.

Though now it was reduced to just a little, she couldn’t shake off the impression the initial warmth had left on her.

So warm.

So comforting.

She drew the fire closer to herself, holding onto it tightly.

Wishing it wouldn’t seep away even a little.

‘…Just a few days left.’

The remaining time anticipated for Gu Yangcheong’s stay in Hanam would be just a couple of days.

Gu Yangcheong was not someone to easily forge bonds with those far away.

Though the women around him might show him a weak side, in the end, he was above them.

It was rare for any intentions to deviate.

‘…’

As she tried to plan what to do next, Moyong Hi-ah’s mind became a mess.

Thoughts that had been meticulously organized were now filled with the boy’s voice and gaze, leaving her unable to think of anything else.

– “Could you lend me your hand for a moment?”

Suddenly, the momentary sound of the boy’s voice, like a fleeting whisper, made Moyong Hi-ah spring upright.

“…Hah… Hah…”

Only then did Moyong Hi-ah feel that something was amiss.

There seemed to be a chilly atmosphere in the lodging for some reason.

This wasn’t simply due to it being a winter night.

Wi Seol-Ah sat with food in front of her, not eating.

Nangong Bi-ah had been intentionally avoiding eye contact.

Tang Soyeol was throwing covertly sharp glances.

Even Muyeon had seemingly zipped his mouth, sensing the atmosphere.

‘…This is bad.’

It was the most intense sense of crisis she had felt in a while.

Despite having faced numerous crises lately, this felt particularly grave.

“…Uh.”

“…I said I’d tell you.”

As she attempted to say something, she had to quickly close her mouth at Nangong Bi-ah’s words.

“…If you’re going somewhere… you said you’d tell me.”

“”

It was rare to feel so much emotion radiating from Nangong Bi-ah.

…

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Clearly, that was a feeling of disappointment.

Her expression hinted at the hurt feelings.

For a reaction from Nangong Bi-ah, it was exceedingly intense.

“…I’m sorry.”

In the end, that was the only thing she could say.

“…How petty.”

“Ugh.”

Wi Seol-Ah hadn’t even glanced at her.

Seeing she hadn’t even touched the food in front of her, it seemed she was quite sulky.

“I wanted to go with you, Young Master.”

“You can just go next time.”

“When is next time?”

“”

Well then.

When is next time going to be… In a bit, she needed to head home anyway.

“We often go together after we get home, though.”

“Your home… doesn’t have the Shaolin Temple!”

Well, honestly, all they’d see would be bald-headed monks and carp. Why was she carrying on like this?

Remembering that the carp was also deemed a monk made it seem even less appealing.

Ah… So that’s why Shaolin…

[You brat.]

‘Huh?’

[It’s rare to see you looking so pleased.]

‘…Are you fanning the flames of a burning house?’

[Did you not know? I’m pretty good at that.]

‘…’

The sound of Noya’s laughter was truly unbearable.

“…For now.”

99

After taking a hit from both Wi Seol-Ah and Nangong Bi-ah and feeling exhausted,

Tang Soyeol subtly asked me.

“What happened to you?”

“…How did you find out?”

“We were told by Moyong Soja directly.”

What?

“Moyong Soja said something?”

“Yes…”

Oh my goodness…

As I expressed my astonishment, I could hear Noya’s laughter.

[Looks like you’ve been hit right in the gut.]

“…Did they not share the circumstances?”

“I heard.”

At Tang Soyeol’s words, I tilted my head in confusion.

“But why are you asking me?”

With that, Tang Soyeol glanced at Wi Seol-Ah and Nangong Bi-ah before turning to me.

“More importantly, you should listen to Gu Gongja’s words.”

“…”

She meant that rather than Moyong Hi-ah’s words, I’d hear it directly from him.

It felt oddly satisfying.

But enduring those looks was utterly exhausting.

“I’d rather… fight a high-level master once more.”

Did it have to come down to weighing life and death?

With Tang Soyeol’s words, silence befell us. It was a sign they were waiting for me to speak.

Knowing the mood, I ultimately had to say something.

“…She was waiting for me up front.”

At my words, Wi Seol-Ah’s and Nangong Bi-ah’s ears perked up.

“Moyong Soja?”

“Uh…”

“Why…?”

“…Well? She was just waiting, that’s all.”

“And did the Gongja go in with her again?”

“…No. The situation turned into that somehow…”

“How do you just approach her like that…?”

“How do you just…?”

I found myself at a loss for words about what I was saying.

[Did you hit your head earlier? Are you malfunctioning?]

“Then…”

In the meantime, Nangong Bi-ah looked at me and spoke.

“…Aren’t we going together?”

“Where to…?”

“To Shaolin…”

“Why does everyone obsess over that place?”

“Because… you went there with that person.”

“”

Why did she keep making me speechless?

Every time that phrase popped up, I was caught speechless again.

Honestly, I had so much to say.

There were so many excuses I could come up with in my head.

Yet for some reason, I couldn’t bring them to my lips.

Was it those disappointed and sad looks?

Silence fell again, and Muyeon, unable to stand the atmosphere, slipped out with Hongwa.

Although I gazed at him with eager eyes, Muyeon didn’t even glance back and swiftly fled.

This was undoubtedly revenge for the time I abandoned him…

As I rolled my eyes about, at a loss,

“…I want to go too.”

Nangong Bi-ah spoke to me with a slightly lowered voice.

“I… I want to go together, too.”

“To Shaolin…?”

I reacted in surprise to Nangong Bi-ah’s words.

It wasn’t like she seemed particularly interested in that sect.

Shaolin had nothing to do with swords, after all.

Seeing my confusion, Nangong Bi-ah shook her head.

“…Anywhere.”

Ah.

With those words, I finally sensed the bittersweet emotion creeping in.

It was jealousy.

A feeling I had never considered experiencing towards Nangong Bi-ah, a feeling I was also unfamiliar with.

Perhaps realizing that, it made it painfully difficult to articulate.

Heat rose within my chest, yet I was at a loss for what to do with this clumsiness.

“Then… let’s go together.”

Upon voicing that, Nangong Bi-ah’s eyes widened in surprise.

“All together.”

Nangong Bi-ah’s lips slightly changed their shape.

I felt that subtle shift more acutely than anyone else.

Yet, no other solution seemed to come to mind.

Fortunately, it appeared that both Wi Seol-Ah and Nangong Bi-ah had expressions of satisfaction.

[Does that look satisfied to you?]

‘…Isn’t it?’

[Yes, it looks like they’ll give you a pass for trying at that level. Sigh… If I knew I’d have to see you like this, I’d have preferred to stay cocooned.]

‘…’

After speaking up, I stuffed food into my mouth with little regard, then climbed up to my room.

While climbing the stairs alone, I could hear Wi Seol-Ah, Nangong Bi-ah, and even Tang Soyeol chatting about something, but the moment I stole a glance their way, I was met with utter silence.

‘What were they talking about?’

I felt slightly curious but didn’t have the opportunity to inquire, and so I quietly entered my room.

With relief at having survived the ordeal, I flopped down on the bed.

[You look like you crawled out of a pit.]

“Isn’t that pretty accurate…?”

[Are you seriously using that phrase? Do you think another pit could be this blissful?]

Without enough energy to respond to Noya’s words, I pulled out the book I had picked earlier.

From the looks of it, it seemed made from demon beast skin since it hadn’t burned.

‘Is this an important item?’

At first glance, it looked just like a book, not appearing particularly extraordinary.

[Are you planning to open it right now?]

“It’s better than being late.”

With that, I immediately opened the book.

“Hmm?”

99

As soon as I saw the first page, I let out an involuntary exclamation.

In messy handwriting, various expressions.

And mostly, crude illustrations depicting the human body.

Seeing that, I quickly flipped through the pages.

Flip, flip.

As I turned the pages, the more I flipped through, the clearer it became.

Subtle movements, phrases describing techniques…

‘…Is this the martial arts of Shaolin?’

It seemed entirely related to Shaolin, specifically to its transcendent martial arts.

Swoosh.

In the dark room filled with emptiness, the sound of a brush quietly scribbling filled the air.

The elder maintained a calm posture while writing.

The tea set before him had long lost its warmth.

Yet, perhaps he hadn’t taken a sip, for the teacup remained filled with water.

– “Tai Zhu.”

As a voice echoed from outside, the elder’s fierce gaze turned towards the door.

Nevertheless, his hands continued to move.

“Let him in.”

Just as the elder finished speaking, a man who had been waiting rushed through the door.

Dressed in black, his face concealed, the man cautiously bowed before the elder.

However, even while standing in front of the elder, the elder’s gaze remained focused on his writing.

The man looked at the elder and spoke.

“…The Third Guardian has perished.”

Thud—

At the man’s words, the elder’s hand finally paused.

“Perished?”

“Yes.”

Perished.

It was an incomprehensible word. Perished, indeed.

They were not beings who died over time; rather, they were entities beyond death.

How could they die?

The elder’s gaze was fixed on the man.

The man flinched under the elder’s intense stare but continued to speak.

“The connected energy has been severed. It seems they’ve touched the Golden Binding.”

“Third Guardian, that fierce one.”

“…Yes.”

The one who had said he would eventually kill the elder.

Though his tone irked the elder, he had been a capable one, which was why he had been kept around.

What could have happened?

“The Golden Binding, you say…?”

“…Yes.”

“I hope you aren’t saying anything absurd.”

If they had touched the Golden Binding, it signified a significantly perilous situation.

‘Could the sect have caught wind of something?’

That was an unpredictable situation.

These beings would be completely undetectable, even by the three eminent beings of the world.

However, it would also be unwise to let down one’s guard.

‘If the sect has indeed caught on, things could get troublesome…’

At the very least, if news reached the likes of Wi Hyogun, that damned fellow, it could spell disaster.

The elder withdrew another piece of writing from his attire and took up the brush.

“Send others to confirm if any traces remain.”

“…Understood.”

Having quickly jotted down a few lines, he handed it to the man before him.

“This should be delivered separately to Gungju.”

“Shall I send it right away?”

“Yes, and while you’re at it, let them know that matters related to Shaolin will be delayed.”

“Understood.”

As the man turned to leave, the elder called out to him.

“Wait a moment.”

“Yes, Tai Zhu.”

“How goes the matter concerning the Gu Clan?”

“The proper timing seems to have arrived, so I’ve already sent the children to Hanam.”

Regarding the Gu Clan, it referred to the correspondence from Elder Lee of the Mount Shan Clan, addressed to Gu Changjun.

Though it was crafted with fine words, in essence, it was a plea for assistance with the internal affairs of their household.

‘Such a trivial matter.’

The elder clicked his tongue in annoyance, but since there were many issues the Gu Exemplar Sect had to handle, he felt he had to accept this level of request.

Nonetheless, it was unavoidable that he found it amusing.

‘How foolish they seem, oblivious to the vanity of their desires.’

As a martial artist, Gu Changjun had seemingly reached a certain level, yet he still appeared to be completely ignorant.

There were things in life beyond their reach.

“Wasn’t the goal to save that son of the Gu Clan?”

“Yes.”

He wasn’t particularly notable, to the elder’s recollection. Gu Changjun appeared to share that sentiment, as he had never mentioned the boy.

Yet, the fact that he was bringing this up now indicates otherwise.

‘No Ho, it appears worth keeping an eye on.’

The elder took a sip of the now cool tea.

“Gu Yangcheong, was it?”

“Yes, it seems reports are coming in, allegedly showcasing his talents in the martial arts tournament.”

“Hmm… It seems he has inherited some talent.”

The child of none other than Shin Yi Gu Cheolun.

For the elder, it would have been unusual if there was no talent present in such bloodlines.

‘…No matter how we consider late-stage talents, if he’s the child of that one, we must be cautious.’

The pitiful youth, who had been dismissed as talentless and a good-for-nothing, was suddenly blooming with talent.

‘Furthermore, they say the child of the Gu Clan is in Hanam now.’

He briefly thought of the Third Guardian, who had been at Shaolin, but the elder quickly shook his head.

Given the gathering of so many late-stage talents at the Dragon Phoenix Gathering, it was likely throngs of them would be in Hanam.

There were plenty of forces there; for him to suddenly think of the Gu Clan’s child amidst all of this would be overly far-fetched.

“Things will not go awry, will they?”

“Yes.”

“Understood. Proceed accordingly.”

At the elder’s words, the man bowed deeply and disappeared out the door.

Squeak.

As the man departed, the elder leaned back in his chair.

Perhaps due to drawing closer to the candle, a long scar across the elder’s neck could be seen.

Once, there ought to have been a tattoo of a dragon there—a thing now gone.

The elder gently rubbed the back of his neck.

So much time had passed.

Yet even now, there was pain from the scar.

The elder whispered softly through that pain.

“…There isn’t much time left until we meet again, so wait for me.”

In the past, long ago, known as the Black Dragon Sword, the elder whispered the name of a close friend into the looming darkness.

“Wi Hyogun.”

 

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