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Chapter 251: Returning from Listening

The sky was remarkably clear, not a cloud in sight.

As if to prove that summer had arrived, the heat was undeniably intense.

It was as if last year’s heat was just a joke.

This year, the weather was exceptionally sweltering.

So much so that people joked that if you cracked an egg on a sword, it would cook instantly from the blade’s heat.

“I remember getting scolded for doing that back in the Demonic Gate.”

It was probably the sword of the Sleeping Dragon.

It happened to be a hot day as well.

Having dug up a Demon Beast’s egg…

I think I suggested we crack an egg and cook it.

Of course, I ended up getting caught and thoroughly scolded for that.

– “You idiot, I told you not to do that!”

– “…I didn’t think I’d get caught next time, need to be sneakier.”

– “It’s not about finesse; just don’t do it at all!”

– “Why are you making such a fuss when we were both having fun?”

That was our conversation back then.

It might have been Moyong Hi-ah or Wei Seon who scolded me.

Some mad Sword Master gave me a sermon for about an hour about how cooking food with swords wasn’t appropriate.

“Why did I get scolded when I wasn’t the one who suggested it?”

Probably because I didn’t stop him.

How was I supposed to stop that madman?

“….It’s hot…”

Hearing a sob nearby, I turned my head slightly.

Nangong Bi-ah was sprawled out, her sweat-soaked clothes clinging to her.

“Are you okay…? You’re not, are you?”

I considered asking if she was alright, but it was obvious she wasn’t, so I just kept my mouth shut.

Even if I could ignore the environment at the peak of my energy, the heat was still tough.

‘It doesn’t concern me, though.’

The martial artists of the Gu Clan, who are accustomed to carrying heat within them, aren’t particularly affected by heat or cold.

They generally don’t feel the heat as their internal energy is overwhelming.

Watching Nangong Bi-ah groan, I gestured to her.

“If it’s this hot, why not go over to Moyong Clan’s carriage?”

“I don’t want to.”

Seeing as it wouldn’t be hot next to Moyong Hi-ah, I suggested she go and rest.

But Nangong Bi-ah was adamant.

It seemed like we really didn’t click at all.

“Staying next to me will only make you hotter.”

‘Maybe that’s why it’s more annoying?’

Setting aside their personalities and such, Nangong Bi-ah and Moyong Hi-ah had a somewhat similar atmosphere.

Did they dislike each other because their vibes were alike?

‘That might be true.’

Whenever I meet someone similar to myself, I tend to get annoyed.

Ah, maybe it’s just because I have a nasty temperament?

Clang!

“We’ll arrive in about half a quarter.”

Gu Jeolyub’s remarks came from the front as he guided the carriage.

“I didn’t expect it this fast. Looks like you’ve become an expert.”

“Haha!”

Gu Jeolyub seemed thrilled by my comment.

…Why is he so happy?

The last time I praised his sword skills, he looked like someone who had just eaten something unpleasant.

I couldn’t understand why he’d be happy about being called a good horseman.

Before long, the scenery outside matched Gu Jeolyub’s description, we were entering Mount Shan, the territory of the Gu Clan.

I could see people outside recognizing the clan’s carriage and waving their hands.

I unconsciously waved back a little.

‘Why are they waving at me?’

I didn’t even know why I waved back.

Those from my past lives who resented and cursed me are here now, acting innocent.

‘In my past life, I did deserve their curses.’

I don’t resent them for resenting me.

From their perspective, I must have been no different than an evil spirit.

After waving a bit half-heartedly, I pulled the curtain back.

I felt a bit worn out after reflecting on this.

‘…I should take a nap when I get in.’

I probably hadn’t slept well lately.

Regrettably, I haven’t had a single clear memory since last year.

‘No matter how much a bet runs in my veins…’

Given that I’ve been pushing myself without rest, I’m likely swamped with fatigue.

Eating sufficiently and taking decent breaks by meditating probably wouldn’t cut it.

Anyway, just when I thought I should rest…

Swish.

A cold sensation brushed against my cheek, causing me to instinctively recoil.

“…What are you doing?”

Wondering what it was, I looked and it was Nangong Bi-ah’s hand.

Despite the sweltering heat, her hand was icy.

Responding to my question, Nangong Bi-ah tilted her head.

“…You look tired.”

“That’s very true, but what’s with this cold hand of yours?”

“My hands are cold.”

“I know that; they’re freezing.”

“….Cold feels nice when it’s hot.”

Then she started gently rubbing my cheek.

Due to the nature of fire techniques, my body was warm, causing her cold hand to heat up quickly.

Yet, it seemed like she had no intention of pulling away.

“How long are you planning to do this?”

“…I don’t know?”

In response to my query, she looked at me as if confused.

If she doesn’t know, then who would?

‘Right, if you want to keep doing it, then do so….’

This wasn’t the first day Nangong Bi-ah acted strangely.

If we include our previous lives, the time spent isn’t short.

From my position, I had decided to accept it long ago.

While I let her continue to fondle my cheek absentmindedly,

“…We’ve arrived.”

The carriage had indeed reached the Gu Clan.

As I got out, feeling a bit dizzy, someone who seemed to have been waiting for me greeted me warmly.

“It looks like you’ve grown a bit taller. Not bad.”

“…You seem taller too, Elder.”

“Really? Guess I’ve grown again since I’ve been eating well these days.”

“Are you joking?”

He should be well over seventy now.

What more could he possibly be growing?

‘…Could it really be true?’

Though I doubted, I couldn’t help but feel that considering his size, it might very well be.

“Anyway… Should I call you Elder now?”

“Just call me whatever you want; it hardly matters.”

While speaking, the old man laughed heartily.

It was Gu Ryoon, the Elder of the Gu Clan, who had now become the First Elder.

He didn’t particularly want to do the work he was assigned to as the newly appointed First Elder; after all, he was already old.

‘So, is the Fourth Elder position vacant?’

I had heard that the current Sword Team Leader plans to take that position after retirement.

But the First Sword Team Leader also expressed he didn’t want to sit in that position either.

It was a bit unclear.

“Hmmm.”

After talking animatedly, the First Elder suddenly fell silent and scrutinized me up and down.

“…You’ve changed again, haven’t you?”

‘…He notices things quickly, doesn’t he?’

Of course, after eating like this, changes are inevitable.

In comparison to a year ago, my internal energy had notably increased.

Furthermore, my physical vessel had grown significantly.

The days when I would tire from merely expelling flames were long gone.

‘The walls are still there, though.’

With just one opportunity, I had managed to raise it to a sufficient level.

I should reach the Transformation Realm by next year at the latest.

‘If not, it’ll be late.’

Gradually and sturdily, while piling it all up.

This world moves far too quickly against my will.

Standing there, feeling overwhelmed, the First Elder asked,

“How long are you planning to stay this time?”

“…Why do you assume I’m going somewhere? This is my home.”

“Since you’re always roaming around… I thought you might be going off somewhere again. Hoho!”

How many of my travels nourished my will?

Not to mention that every time I left, incidents occurred.

‘…Even so, I need to leave this time, right?’

This time, I was headed to the Nangong Clan.

Isn’t the possibility of an incident happening even lesser?

‘I sure hope there aren’t any weirdos around.’

Considering that side of the household had no normal figures, it might be hard to expect that.

‘…I’ll aim to stay quiet and come back.’

Although it feels like a promise I make every time, when have I ever been serious?

I need to cause some disturbances too.

The level of incidents I can manage has long since exceeded the norm.

“Whatever happens.”

As I tried to think through the complicated situation, I felt a thud.

The First Elder’s large, callused hand rested on my shoulder.

“Welcome back. You’ve worked hard.”

“…Yeah, sure.”

Hearing his words as he smiled pleasantly made me strangely uncomfortable.

“So, what do you plan to do now?”

“I don’t have any urgent work, so…”

Miyu Hi-ah left as soon as she returned to Mount Shan, saying she had some matters to attend to.

It was perhaps an issue regarding a collaboration with the Tang Clan.

‘Thanks to that, things have changed a bit.’

The district felt more vibrant now than before upon entering Mount Shan.

Just the fact that the Moyong Clan’s industrial chain entered the region boosted its activity.

‘What did they say? They sell items not available in Hanam and Liaoning?’

Rich households are famously crazy for such rare items.

This meant a lot of money flowing into Mount Shan.

‘Though it’s not my money.’

Either way, it’s a good thing.

I wonder if it’s thanks to Moyong Hi-ah finding time to treat her icy condition that she seems more active than before.

I had felt that even at the front lines.

In truth, the opposite might be true.

Even now, the moment we arrived, she was buzzing around with work.

In contrast, Nangong Bi-ah declared she was going to sleep as she found it too drowsy.

“I think I’ll take a nap too.”

It felt like an eternity since I had a decent rest since the letter about Lady Mi’s arrival drove things wild.

Coincidentally, I received word that I should wait an hour since my father was in a conference.

‘Just as I thought, I need some sleep.’

When was the last time I actually had a nap?

Since the return, I hadn’t properly rested.

As everyone else departed to take care of their responsibilities, I resolved to steal a quick break here.

“A rest, huh? That’s not bad. Rest is crucial for a martial artist.”

“Didn’t you say before that if you’re a martial artist, you should be training even at the cost of cut sleep time? ”

“…At that time, Yangcheon had been running away from training sessions, so I said that, didn’t I?”

Well, that was certainly the case back then.

Meanwhile, the First Elder had been watching me closely, seemingly wanting to say something.

“Do you have something in mind?”

“Hmm, not really. It feels awkward to talk while you’re resting. We can address it later.”

“…What, exactly?”

What’s with that unsettling commentary?

Every time the First Elder appeared like that, he always seemed to pass annoying issues off to me.

It had me feeling quite anxious.

“Just say it now.”

“Rest well; I’ll come find you later.”

“…Wait, where are you going?!”

The First Elder simply dumped his word and skipped away.

Why is that guy, who says he has no duty, rushing around like this?!

“…Damn…!”

In the end, the First Elder left an uneasy air behind him.

I had no choice but to stomp back to my residence.

After finally seeing him after a long time, that old man hadn’t changed at all.

‘…I don’t know. I should just sleep for now.’

I conveyed to the attendants to wake me up after half an hour had passed.

I wouldn’t manage to fall into deep sleep anyway, but I wanted to catch at least a little shut-eye.

You never know what might happen.

With that, I closed my eyes.

Gradually, I rotated my qi to fall asleep a bit faster.

In no time, I felt my body relax and drift into slumber.

After falling asleep, I didn’t dream.

That was for the best.

Because once I dreamt, there had only been nightmares.

Because of that, I didn’t particularly want to dream.

At that moment.

– “Ah! Just a moment…! I’ll wake you right up!”

– “Leave me be; you look tired so there’s no need to wake me.”

– “But…!”

Who could it be?

Ah, maybe it’s an attendant.

I thought I had just closed my eyes, has it already been half an hour?

– “I promised to convey messages to him, so don’t worry about it.”

Feeling the tickling voice in my ear, I slowly rose my body.

As I started to wake, the other party spoke as if startled.

“Oh dear, I seem to have startled you awake.”

“…Is it already time?”

“Correct, regrettably, the time is up.”

“Then, I need to prepare before it gets late… Wait?”

That voice sounded unfamiliar.

It didn’t seem like Honghwa… Could it be Gu Huibi?

Curious about who it was, I raised my head.

“…Huh?”

Standing before me was a figure I had not anticipated at all.

“It must be a few years, maybe five years now, hasn’t it?”

Dressed elegantly and with decorated hair,

She had only aged slightly, her face showing signs of time but still possessing a beautiful aura.

Her distinctive looks, reminiscent of Gu Huibi and Gu Yeonseo, amplified her charm.

Because of this, she seemed to radiate an aura of richness and grace.

I recognized her, but I also knew she shouldn’t be in my room.

“…Lady Mi?”

The official consort of the clan leader.

The current Matron of the Gu Clan.

Baekhwa Jumihyeoran.

“It’s been a long time.”

Even muttering it felt surreal.

As I squinted through the remnants of sleep, nothing would change since I was still half-asleep.

Only then did I nod and speak.

“It’s a dream.”

As always, when I dream, they turn out to be nightmares, so it was probably true this time as well.

“I haven’t slept well, and now I’m having such crazy dreams.”

Muttering to myself like a fool, I sprawled back to sleep.

And by the time I felt something strange and woke up,

An hour had already passed.

Clump.

A handsome young man strolled through the wide corridor with grace.

The sword at his waist was particularly upright.

Each step he took flowed well, exuding the dignity of a noble prince.

As the young man walked, the attendants working around him smiled brightly and greeted him.

“Hello, Young Master…!”

“Yes, you all worked hard. Have you eaten?”

“Yes…!”

“Make sure you eat well while working. If you all collapse, our clan will too.”

“Ah, thank you…!”

The young man departed, leaving a smile behind.

– Wow, how can he speak so beautifully? He has it all!

– Seriously, why wouldn’t they call him the miracle of the Gu Clan…!

The attendants mumbled as if in awe.

But the young man walking ahead had lost his smile, his face stiff and expressionless.

‘What a bother.’

To think I had to sweet-talk such lowly beings.

The young man, Jang Seonyeon, quietly adjusted his lips.

When the irritation and frustration piled up, it helped to see scenery that brought me peace.

That was my only solution.

To witness what I longed to see.

Or do what I wished to do.

As Jang Seonyeon quickened his steps, he soon approached a massive building.

A massive door that seemed about half his height.

Without hesitation, he reached for the doorknob.

Creeeak!

Applying all his strength, he pushed the door open.

Whoooosh!

As the door slowly opened, the wind blew in.

The air was thick with the pressure of energy inside.

‘…It’s stronger now.’

The pressure he felt was significantly more potent than before.

It was different from previous times, and his own progress surely showed.

She had been growing rapidly, almost like a demon.

In just a year.

Within less than a year of properly training with a sword.

She had achieved outstanding results.

‘No matter how much of a sword sovereign’s descendant she may be, this is extreme.’

Thud!

The doors swung open wide.

As Jang Seonyeon stepped indoors slowly, he was soon halted.

The chill of the sword energy streaked coldly beneath his feet.

The remnants of the sword energy glimmered with a golden hue.

With that, Jang Seonyeon looked forward, a slightly awkward expression forming.

“Isn’t this a bit too aggressive for a greeting?”

It was certainly not a small voice, but the other party still did not respond, as if not hearing anything at all.

“Since I came to hear your voice… it seems you’re unchanged.”

In the distance, a figure was spotted, holding the sword aloft while brushing their hair back.

As he met the woman’s gaze, Jang Seonyeon swallowed involuntarily.

‘She’s beautiful.’

Despite being drenched in sweat from her intense training, she bloomed brighter than anyone else.

She was incomparable to how she looked the first time they met.

Just as Jang Seonyeon cautiously attempted to step in further…

“…That’s far enough.”

The woman’s voice came through the air.

Instantly, Jang Seonyeon’s bemused grin faded.

“Is this how it works? Is that how you can convey your voice?”

“I don’t wish to see your face for an extended duration; please keep it brief.”

Her tone was cold and distant.

Though her voice seemed soft and warm, the emotion hidden within was icy.

“I still can’t comprehend you.”

He couldn’t understand.

Why did this woman despise him so?

“Please, do enlighten me on why you so strongly dislike me.”

Again, silence followed.

It must have meant she didn’t wish for further dialogue.

Finally exhaling a sigh, Jang Seonyeon produced a letter from his pocket and displayed it to her.

“This is a letter meant for you. It’s also meant for me.”

He tossed it forward, embedding the issue into the wind so it could reach its destination safely.

Thump.

The woman casually caught the letter with one hand and opened it to review its contents.

The two eyes of the woman widened in surprise, presumably upon reading unexpected content.

Observing her expression, Jang Seonyeon slowly continued his thoughts.

“Regardless of how much you loathe me, there’s nothing to be done about it. It’s winter again, and this is something even the Sword Sovereign permitted, so please do not think of fleeing.”

“…”

“I doubt you would run away again.”

The woman frowned at his words, expressing displeasure.

Even that was lovely.

“To think you would, there’s no way you’d go away…”

Crash!

Just as she spoke, a golden-sparked crescent sword energy cut through the space beside Jang Seonyeon.

It had happened in an instant.

“Don’t speak.”

With her voice shrouded in coldness, Jang Seonyeon couldn’t help but feel the hairs on his back stand up.

“Do not open your mouth.”

With those last warning words spoken softly, Jang Seonyeon flashed a smile, eventually raising both hands to indicate his understanding.

As if indicating he wouldn’t go any further.

“That’s all my business, so I’ll take my leave. It was good to see your face after a long time.”

As Jang Seonyeon finished speaking, he turned and began to walk away.

Even as he moved, the smile lingering at the corner of his mouth didn’t disappear.

‘She’s strong, how pleasant.’

The reason he couldn’t understand why she so thoroughly disliked him.

Was an unknown matter.

But that didn’t concern him.

‘A little of this isn’t such a bad thing.’

What’s difficult to obtain becomes all the more desirable.

Jang Seonyeon preferred this in fact.

Once alone after Jang Seonyeon’s departure, the woman quietly examined the letter in her hand.

The content of the letter was brief.

She certainly wouldn’t forget what she had seen already, but re-reading it wouldn’t make any difference.

What consumed her thoughts now, however, was a different matter.

– ‘So he’ll come too.’

Jang Seonyeon’s words lingered in her ears, muddling her reflections.

Images of him accompanied by his voice surged through her mind.

Unable to resist, the woman softly murmured to herself.

“…Young Master.”

The short phrase left her lips, carrying the expression of longing emanating from her heart.

 

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