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“Ugh…!”

As my scattered thoughts returned, I opened my eyes wide.

‘Did I really just lose consciousness?’

I had to rub my aching head and catch my breath.

Though it felt like a mere moment, who knew what had happened?

I staggered and steadied myself.

That’s when I realized I’d been sleeping on something.

Curious, I turned my head to see what it was I’d been resting on.

“…Huh?”

“…”

I came face to face with a rugged and terrifying gaze.

I had been resting my head on my father’s shoulder.

“…”

“…”

I found myself trapped in a silent moment, locked in an intense gaze with my father.

‘Oh crap.’

That was the only thought racing through my mind.

Especially as I noticed some drool had left a mark on his shoulder.

My father watched me in silence, no words escaping his lips.

What was this? Was he expecting me to hit my head? This felt like getting scolded just from his glare.

My eyes were trembling violently.

I could feel the tremors coursing through me.

Was that a chill creeping down my back?

It certainly seemed like one.

“I’m sorry….”

Rather than offering excuses, I felt the need to express my apologies first.

Who would’ve thought I’d end up resting my head on my father’s shoulder?

Without acknowledging my apology, my father merely turned his head away.

Thank goodness—he didn’t seem inclined to say anything after all.

‘This little brat….’

My teeth clenched together in irritation.

I quickly glanced in the direction where the Blood Demon had been.

But the Blood Demon had already vanished moments before. Not just him.

The clan leader who had been on the platform, along with the members of the Martial Alliance, had also disappeared just recently.

…What does that mean?

I shifted my gaze around the platform, looking for answers.

“…”

And I soon realized.

The meeting had already come to an end.

Everyone was moving toward the exit.

In other words.

I had slept soundly through the entire meeting.

‘Oh crap. This is really bad.’

Here I was, a member of a renowned bloodline, having been directly summoned to a meeting.

Even while the leaders and clan members clashed in arguments, I had napped on my father’s shoulder.

And not just a light snooze—I had drooled all over him and woke up just after it was all over.

Cold sweat broke out across my body.

I couldn’t help but feel the weight of my father’s disappointment.

Even while everyone around me was leaving, the reason my father lingered here must have been due to my slumber.

I wasn’t quite sure.

I never pictured my father as the type to do such a thing.

“…Yangcheon.”

At the sound of the pitiful voice next to me, I turned my head.

There stood Cheol Jiseon, looking pale.

“…What’s wrong with you?”

“Why…what’s going on?”

I felt quite taken aback by Cheol Jiseon’s expression.

While the paleness made sense, the resentment in his eyes was all too clear.

“What’s the matter? Did something happen?”

“…”

Cheol Jiseon was stumbling about as if his soul had left his body.

What on earth was going on?

“…Do you know what happened in the meeting?”

“I have no idea?”

“You have no idea! Because you were sleeping…!”

“Uh…yeah, that’s true.”

I replied awkwardly to Cheol Jiseon’s harsh words.

No matter how you looked at it, I had indeed been sleeping.

Given his temperament, if he was this angry with me, it must have been a significant event.

Just as I was about to ask what had happened.

Creak.

My father rose to his feet.

His movement made me flinch without realizing it.

“It’s over. Let’s go.”

“…Y-yes.”

It was Cheol Jiseon who reacted to my father’s words, not me.

Why was he responding first?

As I watched Cheol Jiseon get up in a hurry, I couldn’t help but ask.

“Hey…what’s up with you?”

What on earth was going on? Did he get scolded by my father while I was oblivious?

I mean, I knew my father wasn’t the type to go around hitting people.

“…Let’s go. He’s telling us to go.”

Cheol Jiseon was now poking my shoulder, urging me to get up faster.

This was ridiculous.

Dazed and confused, I finally stood up as well.

Considering the situation, I figured I might as well head out.

Outside the meeting hall, many from other clans and sects had gathered.

Among them, I spotted Lady Mi and Gu Huibi.

And then—

‘Who is that?’

There was a familiar face among them that I vaguely recognized.

It turned out to be none other than the Sect Leader of Wudang.

The old man known by the title of Wudang’s Sword Master.

While I hesitated, my father strode over without a moment’s hesitation.

The Wudang Sword Master must have sensed my father approaching, as he turned his gaze this way.

He wasn’t a large man by any means, but there was a sharpness in his eyes.

“It’s been a while.”

“I’ve been well, Gu Clan Leader.”

“Yes.”

As they exchanged greetings, I slowly walked closer.

Of course, I had to offer my salutation as well.

“I greet the Sect Leader of Wudang.”

Upon my greeting, the Wudang Sword Master turned his attention toward me.

“This is my son.”

“I see. This young junior is So Yeomra, am I correct?”

“…That’s overly generous of you to say…”

I found myself hesitating to respond, not wanting to admit such flattery.

What irked me most was seeing Gu Huibi holding back a laugh at my expense.

‘Ugh, what a crazy sister.’

Just you wait; I knew exactly what nickname she would be getting later on.

Based on this memory, I would tease her mercilessly.

“I’ve seen his talent and wanted to meet him. Now that I have, I see why. Gu Clan Leader, you’re truly blessed with such a child.”

“Too much praise.”

“That praise doesn’t quite seem enough, in my eyes.”

With that, the Wudang Sword Master turned to me.

“I hear you’re close with our Hyuk?”

“Oh, yes…that’s true.”

The Wudang Sword Master was referring to the Sleeping Dragon.

Seeming pleased with my answer, the Wudang Sword Master nodded.

“A true friend is a rare treasure in life. Please do take good care of our Hyuk. He’s more lacking than you might think.”

“Yes.”

His words made me chuckle internally.

It was quite the change from how he had treated me in my previous life.

What had he said back then?

Something about how hearts only connect when you’re at the same level.

The old man who had openly criticized me for not matching Hyuk’s level was this very person.

And yet now, he was asking for my consideration.

It was a moment that stirred many thoughts within me.

With a slight smile, the Wudang Sword Master shifted his gaze back toward Lady Mi.

It appeared they had some business to discuss.

“Well then… I look forward to a positive outcome.”

“Yes, I’ll think positively.”

After Lady Mi’s response, the Wudang Sword Master excused himself and headed toward the exit with his sect members.

From the looks of it, they seemed to be negotiating some deal with the Baekhwa Sect.

‘Wudang and Baekhwa are making a deal, huh?’

I couldn’t quite grasp what the Wudang sect would want with a martial group.

“Yangcheon.”

“Yeah?”

As I pondered, Lady Mi unexpectedly asked me a question.

“Are you hungry?”

Hungry…?

“Yes, well… I’m okay.”

Even if I were a bit hungry, it wasn’t like I’d starve after a few days.

So, it wasn’t really a big deal.

Upon hearing my answer, Lady Mi nodded her head slightly.

What was that about? Was she really just checking if I was hungry?

Just as I was wondering, Lady Mi addressed my father with another question.

“Yeonseo, you’ll be taking me with you, right?”

It meant we would be going to fetch Gu Yeonseo, who was staying at the inn.

Though her tone seemed to ask for an opinion, I couldn’t shake the feeling that refusing was not an option.

Seeming to catch onto this, my father nodded in agreement.

As I observed my father’s unusual reaction, Lady Mi added a remark directed at me.

“After it’s over, I plan to rent an inn for a meal together.”

“Rent an inn…?”

“Yeah.”

I wondered why one would rent an inn just for a meal, though I was fully aware of the Baekhwa Sect’s substantial financial power and that Lady Mi herself was an impressive asset.

Such a thing wouldn’t be an issue for them.

The problem lay with me.

‘That sounds uncomfortable.’

When it came to meals, I valued comfort, and nothing was as uncomfortable as a family meal for me.

Just as I pondered this.

“And this time, I hope everyone will attend.”

Her gaze as she looked at me had turned eerily serious.

That was code for not making a scene, wasn’t it?

Despite being an ordinary citizen and one who had no stake in this, there was an overwhelming sense of pressure from her.

Was it due to this feeling?

“…Yes.”

In the end, I had no choice but to nod.

Only then did Lady Mi seem satisfied and turn to head toward the exit.

As I watched her, I sent a mental message to my father.

– Clan Leader.

Stopping in his tracks.

Though my father didn’t turn to look at me, I could tell he was waiting for my next words.

– After the meal, could I ask you for a moment of your time?

Since I had many questions for my father, I decided not to hesitate.

– I have something I’d like to ask you about Mother.

“…”

Upon hearing my words, my father turned his head slightly, meeting my eyes.

Even as he looked at me, I couldn’t discern the emotions hidden in my father’s gaze.

That gaze was remarkably calm.

Watching me silently, my father simply replied.

– Very well.

After that affirmation, he resumed walking toward Lady Mi.

Hearing his answer, I finally let out a breath I had been holding in.

Why had I felt so tense just asking to spend a little time?

It felt like I was sweating for no reason.

“Haah…”

Honestly, this was much more challenging than fighting someone.

It was exhausting in its own right.

‘Anyway… that’s settled. Now, there’s just one thing left.’

My father seemed good to go, but there was still one pressing matter to address.

I turned to Cheol Jiseon, who was standing there dazed.

“Hey.”

“Uh…?”

“Now spill it.”

“Eh?”

“About the meeting.”

I hadn’t heard a single thing that had transpired during the meeting as I had been drooling all over myself.

I needed to extract the details from Cheol Jiseon.

 

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