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Chapter 7: The Family Reunion

“Gu… Daehyeop?”

“Yes?”

At Moyong Biyeon’s words, I had to respond in a flustered tone. Gu Daehyeop? Could it be that she recognized me?

‘How?’

Even if she knew me, referring to me as Daehyeop felt a bit strange.

Daehyeop…? The title was hardly fitting coming from someone so much my senior, like Baek Ryeon-gyeom.

As I looked at her in confusion, it seemed that Moyong Biyeon was also experiencing some strange symptoms.

“That’s not… not it? Daehyeop should be a bit more…”

More what?

“He was more handsome…?”

“…What?!”

Moyong Biyeon’s words, said as if she were spellbound, made me flare up without thinking.

‘Uh-oh.’

I regretted my outburst the moment I did it.

Having observed Moyong Biyeon’s personality from the side, I realized she had a rather strong temperament.

However, contrary to my worries, Moyong Biyeon only stared at my face with curiosity.

Could it be that she mistook me for someone else?

‘If someone could mistake me…’

In that case, there was only one person with the surname Gu to confuse me with.

‘My father?’

I asked Moyong Biyeon, whose gaze was still perplexing.

“Do you perhaps know our Clan Leader?”

“Clan Leader?”

At my words, Moyong Biyeon’s eyes sharpened. She then looked back and forth between Gu Yeonseo and me.

“Could it be…”

With somewhat startled eyes, she asked me.

“You’re… So Yeomra?”

Damn it.

I had to squeeze my eyes shut at her words.

That ridiculous nickname never seemed to settle in, no matter how many times I heard it. I resolutely decided to find out who had come up with such a name.

Hearing it from someone else only added to my irritation.

“…I am Gu Yangcheong from the Gu Clan.”

But I couldn’t show my irritation, so I simply closed my eyes and tried to endure.

“Oh my…?”

Seeing my reaction, Moyong Biyeon approached and grabbed my cheek.

I startled and tried to step back, but she wouldn’t let me.

What is this lady doing?

“So, you’re the son of Gu Daehyeop?”

“No, just a second… Could you remove your hand…”

“Now that I think about it, you do resemble him. Your eyes… those eyes…”

“Senior…?”

“Oh my, and what happened to your eye? Such a precious eye….”

Moyong Biyeon seemed not to hear me as she began to knead my face with a crazed look in her eyes.

Gu Yeonseo looked completely bewildered, and I felt the same way.

Unable to take it any longer, I pushed Moyong Biyeon’s hand away.

“Why are you doing this?”

I asked with a slight tinge of annoyance, but for some reason, Moyong Biyeon’s expression was filled with amusement.

“Like father, like daughter—looks like you take after your dad. I like that kind of thing.”

Instead of getting angry, she looked at me as if she missed me, making my insides feel more complicated.

Wiping my cheek, I posed the question again to Moyong Biyeon.

“Do you know our Clan Leader?”

“I knew him in the past. I wouldn’t know now, though. I wonder if he remembers me.”

From her nostalgic voice, it seemed they knew each other, but I couldn’t figure out what their relationship was.

Moyong Biyeon only stared at me with a peculiar look.

That gaze was oddly burdensome. It felt as if she was looking through me to my father.

While I averted my gaze, Moyong Biyeon spoke.

“I heard rumors. Seeing you in person… you really are remarkable. Blood doesn’t lie, huh?”

In that moment, I felt it—Moyong Biyeon’s Qi brushing over me.

Crazy, she’s inspecting me so openly? How absurd!

If someone looked too closely, a fight could easily break out.

Moyong Biyeon was casually assessing me. Though I found it unsettling, I decided it was best to remain silent since she had saved Gu Yeonseo earlier.

Had her inspection come to an end? A look of surprise bloomed on Moyong Biyeon’s face.

“Impressive…? I thought it was a misunderstanding. But truly….”

She didn’t voice the rest, but I could tell that she had intended to mention my realm of Transformation.

‘So the honorifics earlier were out of confusion, then.’

Being a martial artist who had reached that level, it made sense she wouldn’t think of someone who was merely late-stage talent.

“Well, it seems you’ve surpassed just resemblance.”

“…Thank you for the compliment, but this is a bit too close for comfort.”

It was kind of flattering, but the distance was simply too much.

If she could back off, no, if she could back off quite a bit, that would be ideal.

At my words, Moyong Biyeon seemed to finally realize, taking a few steps back.

She then spoke to me.

“Sorry! I got a little too excited, I guess.”

“…Aunt?”

The designation falling from Moyong Biyeon’s lips felt off.

Aunt? As far as I knew, Moyong Biyeon was at least—

‘Isn’t she about my father’s age?’

She looked youthful, just like the Sword Demoness, but she too was a martial artist from my father’s generation.

In that case…

There was no way she should be saying that.

It was quite an inappropriate term.

Of course, I didn’t voice any of that.

‘Bringing it up would make for a dangerous situation.’

From the crazed look in her eyes, I felt she wouldn’t take kindly to a comment on that.

“…”

Facing down that lethal presence, I sealed my lips. Moyong Biyeon seemed to enjoy my quiet compliance as she nodded.

“Nice to meet you. Your names are Yangcheon and… Yeonseo, right?”

“Yes.”

“What a shame! I didn’t bring any money with me today to treat you…”

“Oh, no thank you…! How could I possibly accept anything from you, Senior?”

As Gu Yeonseo desperately tried to refuse, I poked her in the side to silence her.

She shot me a resentful look as if to ask why I poked her, but I had my reasons.

‘If she’s offering, why refuse? We should take it!’

This wasn’t just any offer; it was through my father’s connections.

There wouldn’t be any repercussions for accepting this.

The only things I’d refuse were items with potential future problems. Seeing my behavior, Moyong Biyeon burst into laughter.

“Haha! Now that’s different!”

With that, Moyong Biyeon pulled something from her pocket and handed it to both Gu Yeonseo and me.

As I cautiously accepted the item, I wondered.

What in the world is this?

It appeared to be a jade stone, but I had no clue what it was for.

“What is this?”

“Oh, it’s nothing much. Just a nice gem you can put in a trinket or something.”

Really, nothing special? Disappointment washed over me immediately.

Moyong Biyeon, noticing my reaction, laughed even harder than before.

“You’re so funny! How can you show disappointment so openly?”

“I’m not disappointed. Thank you…”

“It’s true! So entertaining. This might be the most fun I’ve had in a while.”

Glad you’re having fun.

Regardless of Moyong Biyeon’s reaction, I casually tossed the jade stone somewhere in my pocket.

What am I supposed to do with this jade stone? It’s not like I need trinkets.

Unlike me, Gu Yeonseo seemed genuinely moved simply by receiving something from a figure like Baek Ryeon-gyeom, a symbol among female sword masters.

I decided to leave Gu Yeonseo to her own devices and focused on Moyong Biyeon.

I wondered why she was here, though upon reflection, it wasn’t really strange at all.

After all, it was none other than the head of the Moyong Clan who was present.

I just hadn’t anticipated crossing paths like this.

Moyong Biyeon continued to stare at me before she asked.

“By the way…”

“Yes?”

“I heard you were So Yeomra? They say you’ve been getting along well with my niece?”

“…Ah, yes.”

I was a bit taken aback by the sudden question.

Baek Ryeon-gyeom’s niece.

She considered herself to be Moyong Biyeon’s sister, so the niece would naturally be Moyong Hi-ah, which meant she seemed to know about my connection to her.

After hearing my answer, Moyong Biyeon smiled softly and continued.

“Even if she treats you a bit coldly, please understand. She may seem aloof, but she’s actually warm-hearted.”

I nodded at Moyong Biyeon’s words.

Perhaps it was a basic concern regarding her niece. While I nodded at her words, something slipped out of my mouth.

“She’s not particularly cold.”

“Hmm?”

It looked like I needed to clarify my statement.

“Seolbong isn’t a cold person. Not at all.”

“…”

“So I don’t need to try to understand.”

My relationship with Seolbong in my previous life hadn’t been ideal.

I knew she wasn’t merely a cold and intimidating individual.

She always acted rationally and only proposed the most optimal paths given the situation.

Yet, she carried the burden of her responsibilities.

Her choices were often ones that sacrificed others.

Ironically, I also knew that her decisions stemmed from a desire to save as many lives as possible.

And—

‘I know about the nights when she cried alone.’

I remembered her voice, quietly suppressed by the night winds, shedding tears when no one could see.

My words didn’t seem to set a bad mood. Moyong Biyeon chuckled.

“…You’re fine, aren’t you? You’re okay.”

I didn’t quite understand what she found okay, but Moyong Biyeon stepped back a bit and spoke to me.

“Unfortunately, I have an agenda to attend to, so I must be going. Let’s meet again next time?”

She didn’t seem to have much else to say as she began to move away.

“I guess we will?”

“Yes.”

She clearly appeared to find this bothersome.

Yet, I responded contrary to what I felt in my heart. Words could be said at any time.

However, it seemed Moyong Biyeon understood my response differently.

“You’re showing such open annoyance! You’re really funny, you know?”

“…That’s a misunderstanding.”

I flinched at her ghost-like observation.

How does she know?

I thought I was managing my expression quite well.

Moyong Biyeon found my flustered state amusing, laughing continuously.

After a while, she wiped the tears that had gathered at the corners of her eyes from laughing too much and then said.

“Had fun. Oh, and…”

Is there more to add? We had just briefly talked, yet somehow I felt drained.

It had been a while since I’d met someone like her. An individual I’d rather not converse with for too long.

“Um…”

Moyong Biyeon hesitated as if about to speak, then shook her head and told me outright.

“Nevermind. It’s fine.”

“Understood.”

“…Aren’t you curious at all?”

“If you say it’s nothing, isn’t it somewhat rude to be curious about it?”

“Wow.”

Moyong Biyeon looked at me, baffled, before bursting out in laughter.

Yeah, to be honest, I hadn’t asked because I found it bothersome.

Moyong Biyeon must have sensed my sentiment.

“Anyway, let’s meet again. Auntie is leaving now?”

“Yes, Senior.”

“…That’s a bit dull.”

Moyong Biyeon frowned, clearly displeased with that part. I understood why she might feel that way.

Regardless, I didn’t wish to call a woman who was at least my father’s age ‘Auntie.’

After leaving that remark, Moyong Biyeon let out a small sigh and then made a powerful leap, disappearing in an instant.

Wait, is she really gone?

It wasn’t until I could no longer feel her presence that I finally retracted the energy barrier I had spread around.

It felt as if a typhoon had just swept through.

“I’m totally worn out.”

I let out a long-held breath and turned to the still-stunned Gu Yeonseo.

“Let’s go, we should too.”

“Ah, right…”

Only then did Gu Yeonseo seem to snap out of it and nod in agreement.

I, too, began to head towards the inn.

“…Thank you.”

“Hmm?”

Turning around at the softly whispered words, I found Gu Yeonseo had said something, but I couldn’t catch it.

Looking at her with a puzzled expression, I saw her tightly shutting her mouth, following me in silence.

“What did you say?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Gu Yeonseo seemed to be deliberately avoiding my gaze.

What’s going on?

The Uicheon Inn, one of the locations managed by the Moyong Clan.

A recommended inn in Hanam operated by the Moyong Guild.

While sipping tea alone, Moyong Hi-ah was taken by surprise by a sudden visit.

“Hello! My dear niece!”

“…Auntie?”

“It’s been a while! You’ve gotten even prettier!”

Bursting through the door, the woman with a bright smile was Moyong Hi-ah’s aunt, whom she hadn’t seen in years.

“How did you end up here…?”

“I heard my niece had a big incident! So, of course, I had to come.”

“…Huh?”

Moyong Hi-ah’s aunt, the Sword Demoness Moyong Biyeon, approached and playfully pinched her cheek.

With a stunned expression, she exclaimed to Moyong Hi-ah.

“Wow! Look at that beautiful skin! Being young is just the best!”

“A-Auntie.”

“I looked like that when I was young too. But you’ve started resembling your parents even more than me. You know, how about instead of your parents, I become your mother?”

Overwhelmed by the unrelenting barrage of Moyong Biyeon’s words, Moyong Hi-ah felt at a loss.

Since childhood, she had found her aunt to be a handful.

Among the similarly spirited members of the Moyong Clan, Moyong Biyeon stuck out distinctly with her unique personality.

As Moyong Hi-ah was unexpectedly facing difficulties, Baek Cheon-gyeomju appeared from upstairs.

“…What in the world are you doing?”

He stood, his expression one of disbelief at his suddenly appearing sister.

“Oh! Greetings, Clan Leader!”

“…Sister.”

Moyong Biyeon waved her hand brightly as she greeted him, and Baek Cheon-gyeomju immediately felt his head throb.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

“Why are you here unannounced?”

“Look at you! Shouldn’t I call when I’m coming to see family?”

Moyong Biyeon feigned disappointment, and Baek Cheon-gyeomju sternly replied.

“After years of no contact, you shouldn’t show up without prior notice.”

She had been a sister who abruptly announced her travel plans through the Central Plains.

Knowing her character well, he had refrained from stopping her when she left.

But for her to just show up like this…

Cradling his aching forehead, Baek Cheon-gyeomju spoke to Moyong Biyeon.

“Is your journey over?”

“Pretty much. Oh right, Clan Leader.”

Though he should commend her for her inappropriate title, Baek Cheon-gyeomju held back.

He understood all too well that pointing it out would only lead to unnecessary complications.

“Go ahead and speak.”

“By the way, that Pang Bear is still as rude as ever? I thought he’d have matured a little by now, yet he’s still the same?”

“…Did you encounter the Pang Clan Leader?”

“Oh, just by chance.”

“Are you okay?”

Feeling Baek Cheon-gyeomju’s concern, Moyong Biyeon secretly chuckled. It seemed blood relationships still ran deep.

“Well then, this sister is….”

“No, I meant, is the Pang Clan Leader okay?”

“…What did you say?”

Moyong Biyeon’s expression turned to one of utter disbelief at Baek Cheon-gyeomju’s words.

Even as he registered her expression, there was no change in his answer.

He was well aware of how his sister would react if she were to lose her temper.

“So, you didn’t fight. Just a verbal spat, huh?”

“I suppose that’s fortunate.”

“How ridiculous.”

Moyong Biyeon let out a snort and boldly took a seat with a loud thump.

“She was cute when she was young, but she’s getting strange as she ages.”

“You’ve not changed a bit since you were young.”

“Really? Thanks for the compliment.”

“That’s an insult.”

When would she mature, I wondered.

Before praying for the Pang Clan Leader to mature, I wished my sister would finally start as well. Even after several years, she hadn’t changed.

Moyong Biyeon glared at Baek Cheon-gyeomju before taking a sip of the tea that Moyong Hi-ah had just brewed.

“Oh, and my niece.”

“Yes, Aunt.”

“By the way, that kid seems comparatively better.”

“Huh?”

Moyong Hi-ah was caught off guard by the sudden shift in conversation.

Moyong Biyeon flashed a smile and said,

“There’s a boy who’s been chasing after you, right? So Yeomra, was it?”

“…!”

“He seems interesting.”

“…Auntie! Did you meet Gu Gongja?”

The moment she spoke about meeting Gu Yangcheong, Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes widened in surprise.

This was something she never expected.

“How did you meet?”

“Hmm? Just by chance, I suppose?”

Seeing Moyong Hi-ah’s expression made Moyong Biyeon unconsciously smile.

‘Ah, this…’

That look felt strangely familiar to her.

It was just like hers when she too had fallen for someone.

‘What should I even say about this?’

Even more so, having families so similarly connected felt like destiny.

Moyong Biyeon briefly lost herself in thought, recalling the young man she had met earlier.

‘So similar.’

He was a boy who resembled the man she had loved with all her heart.

Being his son, it made sense that they would share similarities.

While he regrettably didn’t look the exact same, they had strikingly similar traits.

Especially the very characteristic glint in his eyes.

‘I don’t know about his appearance, but it seems he’s surpassed in talent.’

He apparently exceeded the caliber of his father, once called a generational genius.

‘…He must have reached the Transformation realm, then?’

Her uncertainty stemmed from not firmly believing he’d achieved complete mastery despite how high his levels seemed.

Even so, the energy Gu Yangcheong had been emanating was far beyond mere late-stage talent levels.

‘Hearing rumors had me thinking it was just inflated, but it seems the reality is one step beyond even that.’

Gu Yangcheong was making her consider many things.

The same boy she’d chased after seemed to echo what her niece was now pursuing.

‘At least, it’s probably better than back then?’

At least he shouldn’t have as many competitors as that man. From the looks of him, he didn’t drown in affectionate admirers.

When Moyong Biyeon was lost in these thoughts…

“…That scoundrel… no, you mean the Gu family’s bloodline?”

Baek Cheon-gyeomju interjected at Moyong Biyeon’s words. It was a topic that couldn’t be brushed aside easily.

Seeing Baek Cheon-gyeomju’s expression change, Moyong Biyeon burst into laughter.

“You still haven’t lost that temperament, huh?”

She recalled how her younger brother used to become irritated when he saw her chasing after someone whose worth he couldn’t even predict.

The end result was—

‘A total mess.’

She remembered the young Baek Cheon-gyeomju, laid out flat as he couldn’t even brush past her.

The level of difference had been drastic.

Now knowing he was aware that his own daughter was in the same position, he likely wouldn’t remain passive.

She couldn’t help but think it was unlikely he would.

“Brother…”

“Go ahead and speak.”

“Don’t tell me you’re planning to visit him this time to give him a reprimanding again, right?”

“…”

“Surely not. You wouldn’t stoop to that at your age, Clan Leader.”

As Moyong Biyeon spoke, Baek Cheon-gyeomju sealed his lips, refusing to answer.

Seeing this grimace spread across his face, she couldn’t help but smirk.

“Hey…”

“Let’s skip the frivolous talk and just get to why you’re here.”

Despite Baek Cheon-gyeomju’s attempts to redirect the topic, Moyong Biyeon was now far from pleasant.

Be it the Pang Clan or her brother, it was perplexing why all Clan Leaders seemed to be in this pattern.

“As I said earlier, I just came to check on my niece.”

“If that’s all you really meant, I find it hard to believe.”

“This brat…”

She nearly let an insult slip, but quickly held back, glancing at Moyong Hi-ah, conscious of her presence.

She wouldn’t dare profane in the presence of her niece and brother!

Moyong Biyeon, suppressing her annoyance, took a deep breath and withdrew something from her sleeve.

As Baek Cheon-gyeomju had guessed, Moyong Biyeon hadn’t simply come here without purpose.

She seemed to have several things to accomplish, which called for her visit.

“Here.”

“What is this?”

Baek Cheon-gyeomju took the letter Moyong Biyeon handed over.

As he began to tear it open, she interrupted.

– It’s a letter from the Ice Emperor.

Moyong Biyeon’s words made Baek Cheon-gyeomju freeze up.

The Ice Emperor she spoke of was none other than the master of the Ice Palace that ruled over the frozen landscapes of the North Sea.

She was also Moyong Hi-ah’s mother, as well as Baek Cheon-gyeomju’s other half.

With eyes wide in shock, Baek Cheon-gyeomju stared at Moyong Biyeon.

– How did you manage…

– Don’t attract attention and read it cautiously. Our niece is quick-witted, just like me.

While her voice remained serious, Moyong Biyeon wore a bright smile.

Downing the remaining tea in one gulp, she rose from her seat.

As Moyong Hi-ah stared with widened eyes, Moyong Biyeon prepared to leave.

“I’ve already stamped the note, so I’ll be heading out now.”

“Huh? You’re leaving right after arriving?”

“Just stepping out for a moment. I’ll be back soon.”

Moyong Hi-ah looked forlorn, disappointment clear on her face. Although Moyong Biyeon found it endearing, she chose to proceed with her departure.

“I have someone to meet.”

Unfortunately, she wouldn’t change her mind.

Moyong Biyeon had come not only to deliver the letter but also to meet ‘that person,’ and she was not the type to delay such crucial matters.

Immediately setting her course towards where Gu’s people were gathered.

 

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