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Chapter 290: They Won’t Catch Up

A strange ceiling looms above me.

As I lift my heavy eyelids, an unfamiliar ceiling greets me.

“…Ugh…”

How long has it been since I’ve felt this heavy?

At least since the peak, this was my first experience of this kind.

‘…I think I might vomit.’

Did I overdo the bets yesterday?

Especially with the explosion instead of a collection.

There’s a tingling sensation coming from my Lower Dantian.

Should I call this muscle soreness?

Bearing the discomfort, I finally managed to sit up.

It was only then that I realized the ceiling I was looking at belonged to the inn we were staying at.

It seemed to be a little past morning.

“Hah.”

Seeing this, I must have collapsed as soon as I got back yesterday.

..

..

.

I had turned that testing area into a battlefield, so it wasn’t unusual that I’d collapse from exhaustion.

‘The testing ground, well, they should have dealt with it somehow.’

Right before the explosion.

The Sword Demoness’s action as she unleashed her bet was to shield the nearby Late-Stage Talents who might be swept away.

Indeed, just as I thought.

She was the one closest to the Righteous Faction.

‘If I had known that, I should have controlled myself better.’

In the midst of all this.

I, too, pondered if others might end up swept away, calculating the explosion’s impact with extreme care.

If I hadn’t done that foolish act, my Lower Dantian wouldn’t be screaming right now.

Ideally, if I hadn’t caused an explosion at all, it would have been better.

‘But I couldn’t stand that kind of humiliation.’

I had said it before, and I’m not someone who easily undergoes humiliation.

When I’m angry, it’s refreshing to let it all out.

After that, I just sat there in a daze for a moment.

Dazed, but it was more that I was checking if my energy flowed properly.

‘Ugh.’

Raising my energy from the Lower Dantian and spinning it a few times, I could tell.

‘For a while, I won’t be able to move vigorously.’

Pain shoots through my Lower Dantian and the blood vessels.

Maybe it swelled up due to the sudden use of energy.

I needed rest.

“Tsk.”

I should have held back a bit.

[Ugh…]

And then I heard the grumbling of my stomach.

It made my head spin.

After using up all my energy yesterday, it seems the beggar in my belly is starving.

“Don’t hurry, just sit still. I’ll feed you plenty tomorrow.”

[Ugh…]

As expected, I would need to face the Demon Beasts.

Originally, I was supposed to finish it up yesterday but—

‘Because of my reckless antics, it got pushed back.’

Last night, my rampage had disrupted the schedule.

I didn’t feel guilt towards that.

If I were to blame, it would be the Sword Demoness’s fault for not handling her part properly.

“Unexpectedly, I have a free day now.”

Thanks to that, I ended up with an extra day to spare.

Honestly, I had a little inkling trouble might happen, but—

‘I didn’t think it would actually happen.’

After all, this was the Martial Alliance holding the tests.

Would they really postpone just because one Late-Stage Talent caused a ruckus?

I never expected they would really push it back.

Still, in a way—

‘I can use this day productively.’

I now had the time to clear up some lingering matters.

But before that—

‘If my memory serves me right from last night.’

There was someone I needed to see first.

Creeeak—

I opened the door and descended the stairs.

The sounds around me were utterly quiet.

It wasn’t early morning, and it wasn’t quite lunch either.

It felt like a time when very few people would be around.

As I went down the stairs, a figure sitting at a secluded table caught my eye.

To be precise, there were multiple people.

What made this inn so quiet was likely not only the hour but also those women.

“You’re up.”

Hearing the sound of footsteps descending, the woman quietly sipping tea looked over at me.

It was Mo Yong-hee.

“You seem pretty tired.”

“…A little?”

“I heard the news. The Prince caused quite the stir.”

“Well, that spread quickly. How long did it take?”

“The noise reached us, so it’s no surprise.”

Indeed.

It was such a loud noise that not hearing it would have been strange.

“What happened?”

Mo Yong-hee asked with a somewhat hesitant tone.

I guess it seemed a little out of place for her, seeing so many people around me causing such a spectacle.

“Just… had something that ticked me off.”

It wasn’t the whole truth, but I decided to let it go with that.

“But you were impressive, Prince!”

That was Tang Soyeol’s voice.

Now that I think about it, wasn’t she in a different inn?

…Wait, did you see that?

The First Division doesn’t just pop over to the testing ground without permission.

If a teacher finds out, that could mean point deductions.

As long as you don’t get caught, it’s doable, but—

Even if the teacher seems weak, those in their ranks aren’t completely weaklings.

Was Tang Soyeol able to sneak in here undetected?

I pondered that, and Tang Soyeol replied cheerfully.

“No, I didn’t see anything!”

“Then how do you know?”

“I just guessed you looked impressive.”

“”

I always thought Tang Soyeol was the most peculiar.

Especially her eyes.

“…So, everyone saw it?”

At my words, both Mo Yong-hee and Tang Soyeol tilted their heads.

They looked as if it was the most natural thing.

What are they…?

‘Wait. Is that really just a natural response?’

Considering their bloodlines from the Four Great Clans, maybe they saw it differently.

‘So, am I just a foolish bum from my previous life?’

Yeah.

I guess I’m truly just an idiot.

What a revelation.

My gaze drifted from the two and landed on the woman who was face down on the table.

Nangong Bi-ah, as always, looked to be dozing off.

‘I probably won’t have to ask her anything.’

Nangong Bi-ah never thought she would get eliminated.

Unless she decided to throw a tantrum and voluntarily opt-out, her chances of elimination were nearly nonexistent.

“By the way, Prince, Ah-hee came by.”

“…Huh?”

I expressed my confusion at Tang Soyeol’s random statement.

Ah-hee? Are you talking about Peng Ah-Hee?

“She came too?”

“Yeah? Yeah.”

It was surprising she wasn’t here since I hadn’t seen her yesterday.

‘Does that mean all Four Great Clans are attending?’

How interesting.

It’s no wonder Yuseong is buzzing about these days, with all this going on.

It’s like déjà vu.

In my previous life, it was Jang Seonyeon who topped the rankings in a similar situation.

There must’ve been plenty of buzz about her among the Four Great Clans.

After all, it was Jang Seonyeon who claimed the top rank back then alongside Gu Paibang and the other Seven Dragon Three Peaks.

So many people would have likely been eager to witness that.

So what about the others?

They could manage that, but I was intrigued about why the Sword Dragon and the Sleeping Dragon had positioned themselves below her.

‘What did she do?’

She must have done something noteworthy.

It wouldn’t be possible for that girl to claim the top position without having done something.

So—

This time, I’m determined to stop her from doing whatever that something was.

‘Since I’m at it, it’d be beneficial too, right?’

If possible, I’d handle her inside Shinryong Temple.

That was the plan.

“By the way.”

I felt something stir.

Finally, the person who had been quietly sitting in the corner seemed to have tensed up.

Seeing that, I nodded in approval internally.

‘So it wasn’t just a dream.’

Perhaps due to the exhaustion from using up all my energy, I vaguely remember Nangong Bi-ah dragging someone in with her hand.

If that memory isn’t just an illusion or dream—

“Have you eaten?”

That must be Wi Seol-Ah.

Not wanting to show her face, she still had her veil pulled up, so I asked the woman, who hesitated momentarily.

“Uh… No.”

Fortunately, the answer came back.

I chuckled softly at that sight.

I wondered if she was still like that.

But then, a thought crossed my mind.

“Do you want some potatoes?”

“?” She looked confused at my sudden mention of potatoes.

– Want some potatoes?

It seems Wi Seol-Ah also remembered the past, as her eyes widened between the shadows cast by her veil.

Seeing that, I chuckled again and added.

“If you don’t want it, just say so.”

Though Wi Seol-Ah didn’t respond, she didn’t seem to genuinely dislike the idea either.

Unfortunately, it looked like there weren’t any steamed potatoes at the inn.

What a shame.

Afterward, I left the inn and walked the streets.

Outside, the streets were still bustling with people.

As I strolled along, my gaze drifted to the side, more specifically to the person walking alongside me.

Normally, she would be chattering away about everything and anything, but—

She was suspiciously quiet.

In fact, she was maintaining a distance instead.

Watching this unfold, I sighed and asked,

“How long are you going to stay like that?”

I directed the comment towards Wi Seol-Ah, who persistently wore her veil.

Right now, I was taking a leisurely walk with Wi Seol-Ah.

I had come out to handle some matters while enjoying this rare day off, and in my spare time, I had asked her to join me.

In that interval, Tang Soyeol had attempted to follow me, but—

– No way.

Nangong Bi-ah had stopped her.

Mo Yong-hee seemed to have sensed the vibe too and avoided stepping in this time.

“…Should I take it off?”

“If you don’t want to, it’s fine, but isn’t that unnecessary even here?”

“That’s…

Outside, Nangong Bi-ah and Mo Yong-hee also wore veils without issue.

And since Wi Seol-Ah already had an eye-catching appearance…

It might actually be better for her to cover up like that.

Still, I just couldn’t understand why she would keep hiding it in front of me.

“You can barely see, can you?”

At my words, Wi Seol-Ah lifted her veil slightly, allowing her eyes to show.

That was frankly shocking.

In the shadows, those golden-hued eyes caught my attention.

Was she doing this on purpose?

‘Golden eyes, huh.’

The fact her eyes held that color meant Wi Seol-Ah must have reached a certain level of mastery.

I didn’t know much about the techniques related to the Sword Sovereign, but I recalled in my past life, she was a golden-haired, golden-eyed beauty.

It seemed her development correlated with her cultivation level.

Thinking back to the last time I saw her, her hair was slightly tinged with gold as well.

‘As expected, Wi Seol-Ah is someone exceptional.’

The woman I faced after so long had transcended into a peak martial artist.

Considering she hadn’t even been wielding a sword for three years yet.

‘…I’ve got nothing to say.’

Her talent was off the charts.

As I often do when thinking about someone’s talent—

Being on a level like Heavenly Demon or Wi Seol-Ah meant they were exempt from usual comparisons.

They couldn’t even be classified as humans on the same level as the rest of us.

That’s why—

I constantly found myself in deep thoughts over her.

Taking on her burdens meant I had to bear her responsibilities.

That meant I need to accumulate power equal to the Divine Sword of my past life.

‘What a hassle.’

Imagining that was more than exhausting.

How much would I have to do?

How could I even know?

The path ahead was utterly clouded.

Of course—

‘That doesn’t mean.’

I had no plans to get her to once again shoulder burdens she had already taken on as a result of her wielding a sword.

I wouldn’t mind walking side by side, but if I were to let her go alone, I wouldn’t even begin.

“Hey.”

“Yes…?”

“Want to grab that over there?”

I hid my frustrated thoughts and pointed to something with my fingertips, causing Wi Seol-Ah to look.

There were food stalls lined all around, and the one I was pointing at was selling common skewers.

“I’m hungry. Let’s just grab that.”

Since I hadn’t had a proper meal, and it used to be one of Wi Seol-Ah’s favorites, that was my reasoning.

As I prompted her, Wi Seol-Ah hesitated and said,

“I’m not really in the mood to eat…”

“You?”

“”

She avoided my gaze slightly.

What the heck? Is she perhaps embarrassed?

‘Embarrassed over eating too much?’

Seriously?

What could have happened over just a few years that made her change so drastically?

As I pondered, I declared,

“If you don’t want it, I’ll eat it myself.”

I seized Wi Seol-Ah’s hand and pulled her along.

“Ah.”

Surprised at having her wrist caught, she seemed startled, but—

It didn’t seem like she intended to pull away.

We pushed through the crowd, made it to the skewers stand, and picked up two skewers.

One was for me, and the other naturally for Wi Seol-Ah.

“Hmmmm…”

Wi Seol-Ah watched me as I handed it over.

Eventually, she couldn’t refuse and accepted it.

“Eat it. Don’t overthink it.”

I took a bite to encourage her, and with my words, she cautiously took a bite from the skewer.

‘Has she been nibbling on something lately? What’s the deal?’

Or has she truly lost her appetite entirely?

If so, have I pressured her too much to eat?

‘Should I just tell her to stop now, if that’s the case?’

As I was about to switch topics—

“Eat it or don’t, but… I already ate my share.”

“…Huh?”

“When did you eat it?”

Didn’t I just see her take a bite?

How is it already gone?

Did she devour it all in that short time frame?

Seeing that reassured me that she didn’t lose her appetite after all.

It seemed Wi Seol-Ah had also realized she had finished. She seemed a bit flustered.

“Wait…! Where did it go?”

“You ate it all, didn’t you?”

“Not possible… I really had no appetite… I swear!”

“Sure, you didn’t. Want another one?”

“I really didn’t… really…”

Even while Wi Seol-Ah moved her hands and feet as if protesting, she still didn’t get her skewer back.

“So, are you not going to eat anymore?”

After she had fumbled in her actions for a while, Wi Seol-Ah paused and started to pout.

This time, I didn’t plan on stretching out the invitation.

I grabbed another skewer and looked at her.

Just as I did that, Wi Seol-Ah, who had been hesitating, finally spoke up.

“…I want to eat.”

“Good choice.”

Once I got the answer I was looking for, I handed her the skewer.

Seeing her like that, I felt satisfaction.

At least this part of her hadn’t changed.

“Ah, and… wait, why is half of it already gone…?”

“…Huh?”

“Never mind, finish it while I ask you—did something happen yesterday?”

“ ”

At my question, Wi Seol-Ah, chewing on the skewer, halted her lips.

I didn’t mean to interrupt her meal, but—

I was just curious.

Nangong Bi-ah had dragged Wi Seol-Ah here yesterday, and it struck me as odd that she, who had been avoiding me, had come back so willingly.

There had to be a reason for it.

Of all things, this was something I needed to hear.

Wi Seol-Ah swallowed the food before looking at me.

Her gaze seemed somewhat ambiguous.

“Is it something you can’t talk about?”

“…No, I can say.”

Thank goodness. If I couldn’t hear it, it would’ve been a bit off.

If that’s the case, did she need time to organize her thoughts?

Seeing Wi Seol-Ah, who once seemed innocent but slightly dull, had changed, was bittersweet on one side.

But thank goodness she appeared to be changing for the better in dealing with the world.

As I was caught up in those thoughts and waited a little longer, Wi Seol-Ah finally spoke up.

– Last night… my sister met Jang Gong-ja.

The mention was surprising yet more astonishing was what followed.

– …Who met whom?

– Jang Gong-ja… and Bi-ah noona.

I didn’t expect that twist.

Out of nowhere, what were those two doing together?

– My sister said she came looking for me since she couldn’t greet him.

– And then?

– But by coincidence, she interrupted a conversation with Jang Gong-ja.

It boggled my mind what Wi Seol-Ah and Jang Seonyeon could possibly discuss.

– So…?

For Wi Seol-Ah, the explanation was rather straightforward.

During the conversation, Nangong Bi-ah intervened, and Jang Seonyeon ended up talking back to her.

However, it turned out Nangong Bi-ah didn’t even remember Jang Seonyeon and told her not to approach due to her foul smell.

‘…’

Telling someone to keep their distance because of a stench is truly something only Nangong Bi-ah could say.

I guess it’s not odd since she tends to be indifferent to others.

Even so—

‘A stench, huh.’

That could have hurt Jang Seonyeon’s feelings.

‘Good for her.’

Why not?

– And what happened next?

– Then… Jang Gong-ja twisted his expression and drew his sword.

Jang Seonyeon lost her composure, huh…?

It must have been quite insulting.

Rightly so; it would be more unusual to endure such a level of insult.

If it were me, I’d have dragged her hair and showed her the door.

But I hadn’t heard rumors of a fight.

Neither did Nangong Bi-ah mention anything that transpired.

Even if Jang Seonyeon drew her sword first, it was Nangong Bi-ah who interrupted their conversation by saying something.

Nangong Bi-ah was also the one who threw around insults about foul smells, making it somewhat justified to escalate into a fight.

– So, did they fight then?

– No.

Wi Seol-Ah replied decisively.

The moment Jang Seonyeon drew her sword—

[…If you put that back… ]

Nangong Bi-ah said those words in her usual unimpressed tone while gazing at Jang Seonyeon.

With the Thunder Qi and the chaotic energy radiating from Nangong Bi-ah, Wi Seol-Ah, who had only known her as the usual Nangong Bi-ah, found it remarkably shocking.

Terrifying.

That exaggerated display may have seemed like an overreaction from an outsider’s perspective, but just hearing it brought back memories of the Demon Sword Queen era.

[…You’re dead.]

Facing Jang Seonyeon, that was how Nangong Bi-ah responded.

Given her usual demeanor, that was quite the shocking sight for Wi Seol-Ah.

‘What a terrifying display.’

It might have been a sight that had to be seen to be believed.

It seemed clear the Sword Demoness dared not start a conflict with her.

‘So, what does that mean?’

She must have tolerated it out of a fear that a confrontation might disrupt her plan.

‘So, she was just scared, huh?’

To me, that was the whole situation.

‘So eventually, did Nangong Bi-ah bring Wi Seol-Ah here?’

What puzzled me was why Wi Seol-Ah, who had been dodging me, willingly came along now.

99

•••

As I was lost in thoughts, Wi Seol-Ah suddenly recalled that night when Nangong Bi-ah had come to take her away.

[Noona…! Just a moment…!]

She felt it wasn’t the right time yet.

As Wi Seol-Ah tried to escape, Nangong Bi-ah spoke with a clear voice,

[If you run away now, there won’t be a position for you next time.]

Clenching my fists together, I naturally recalled that conversation.

I could only guess what kind of feelings Nangong Bi-ah might have had when she said that to Wi Seol-Ah.

However, there was no doubt that her words came from the heart.

Amid those thoughts, another voice broke the silence.

“Really hurtful.”

“Huh?”

Wi Seol-Ah responded to the voice.

“I’ve been dodging and barely avoiding, but she just drags you in and brings you here?”

“Ah, no, Prince…!”

Instinctively, Wi Seol-Ah was about to call me the noble “Young Master,” but she tightly closed her mouth, evidently realizing she shouldn’t address me that way anymore.

“It’s not like that… I just…”

“I know.

I decided to tease her since she looked increasingly flustered.

“You said you’d protect me, and now look at you, all damp and bedraggled.”

“…Damp and bedraggled?”

“You’re all wet and bedraggled. You look so pitiful.”

Kyu,,

Honestly, that wasn’t the sight I wanted to see.

At the very least, I wasn’t keen on staring at a Wi Seol-Ah resembling her previous life.

‘Back then, she was more than just damp.’

She was frozen to the core, basically.

So this was a relief.

If this was the kind of level she was at, she was still salvageable,

I handed her another skewer of food.

Now she was no longer refusing it.

“This was really what I wanted to ask.”

I took another bite as I bit into the last skewer and swiftly questioned Wi Seol-Ah.

This was the question I really wanted to ask her.

I had planned to bring her out so I could ask this.

After arranging my thoughts for a moment, I asked Wi Seol-Ah.

“Do you know why your grandfather took you to Jang’s?”

“•••!”

At my question, Wi Seol-Ah flinched slightly.

It seemed she was aware of the reason.

“Um…that’s…”

“Is it something you can’t tell me?”

“”

Wi Seol-Ah’s lips moved.

She was contemplating something.

Still, I had to know.

I needed to uncover the reason leading to her being taken by the Sword Sovereign this lifetime.

That way, I could devise a clear plan for what I had to accomplish going forward.

“Um…”

After what seemed like a prolonged silence, Wi Seol-Ah was on the verge of responding.

Wuuuuu–

A sudden vibration from the ring on my left hand interrupted the moment.

[Crurrr… ]

At the same time, something within me stirred in response.

“…Tsk.”

Upon noticing the disturbance, I clicked my tongue in annoyance.

Seriously, right now?

Upon seeing my sour expression, Wi Seol-Ah wore an alarmed expression.

“Prince?”

She appeared puzzled about what was going on.

“Normally, I would usually leave you here for a moment, but I’m worried you might run away again.”

Clenching her hand tightly, I said,

“Follow me for a bit.”

Today was the second time I stepped outside for business at hand.

 

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