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After finishing the conversation with Muk Yeon, I promptly selected the personnel for the expedition and sought out Elder Lee.

I explained the situation to Elder Lee for the sake of future endeavors.

“So, you’re saying you’re heading to Sichuan?”

I nodded in response.

“Yes. It seems that way.”

“You’re certainly moving busy, aren’t you?”

“Well, it just turned out that way…”

Elder Lee chuckled at the fact that not only was I not returning to Mount Shan, but I was heading to Sichuan first.

It must have seemed odd, especially since I was spending more time outside than at home.

“If you want to do it, I won’t stop you… but are you sure about this?”

“…Hmm.”

I rubbed my cheek slightly at Elder Lee’s question, which essentially meant “Are you okay?”

“Other elders might become a nuisance.”

It was nearly time for me to sit in the position of the Lesser Clan Leader. Suddenly claiming to be a Great Lord while running about outside might raise some objections, but…

“That’s something I can manage somehow.”

I wasn’t overly concerned.

Even if the elders protested, the uproar wouldn’t be significant.

There was only one issue.

“But, what do you think, Elder Lee? Would it be better to just go to Mount Shan?”

Elder Lee’s opinion seemed quite important in this matter.

So I asked with some tension, and he replied.

“In any case, what difference will it make to ask after you’ve already decided?”

“…”

That was certainly a valid point.

“If you want to do it, then go ahead. Ultimately, it’s your responsibility to handle it.”

He was indirectly saying that it wasn’t a good choice.

I was quite aware that this may not be the best course of action.

As I made a slightly displeased expression, Elder Lee let out a sigh.

“What is that expression? You weren’t really hoping that I would take responsibility for it, were you?”

“That’s not the case. And even if I asked you to, you wouldn’t agree, would you?”

“Of course not. Why would I do that?”

That was right as well.

If I caused the trouble, I should bear the consequences. This held true as well.

Whether it was the elders’ opposition or recklessness due to the timing, the resulting backlash would certainly fall squarely upon me.

‘So it’s impossible to drag this out any longer.’

There were many things to be concerned about, and the time given was minimal.

That was why I had to move even more earnestly.

At that moment, Elder Lee spoke.

“That’s fine. No matter what you plan to do, work hard if you want it. But you know…”

“Yes?”

“You still have to be considerate, right?”

As he spoke, Elder Lee pointed somewhere.

Following his finger, something caught my eye.

“…”

Someone was glaring this way with a deeply furrowed brow, as if they were extremely angry.

It was none other than Gu Ryeonghwa, the fourth of the Gu Clan.

“I heard you haven’t even shown your face since coming here. Is that true?”

“Well, I’ve been a bit busy…”

I was aware that Gu Ryeonghwa had arrived with the Hwasan Sect.

Although I knew, I simply hadn’t gone out to see her.

After all, I had a packed schedule, and most importantly…

‘I forgot.’

Yeah, I totally forgot.

The day Yeongpung came and mentioned Gu Ryeonghwa, I had said I would go see her…

‘…But I don’t think I went, did I?’

I probably didn’t.

That’s why her expression looked like that, with an air of mischief smeared all over her face.

But seeing as I was at fault, I couldn’t look her in the eye easily.

I could only glance at her now and then.

The last time I saw Gu Ryeonghwa, she appeared much more matured. She didn’t seem to have grown taller, but her aura felt different.

‘Hmm.’

Maybe she’s involved with some guy?

I unconsciously clenched my fist.

‘Who is that jerk?’

I couldn’t help but be curious.

Oh, it’s just that I’m curious. I don’t plan to do anything.

‘Last time I went to Hwasan, there was that one weird guy…’

Could it be him? I think he was among the Three Great Disciples…

‘Yeah, she can date a bit, what’s the problem?’

Knowing wouldn’t change anything, but I was genuinely just curious.

After all, it’s a matter of blood.

I wouldn’t actually do anything about it, though…

‘I just won’t act.’

An accidental incident could happen, after all.

Yeah, that’s true.

‘So maybe I’ll just find out the name.’

“…Cheon Ah.”

‘If I ask Yeongpung, I might find out, then let Nahi know and have her—’

“Yangcheon.”

“Yes?”

As I was deep in thought, I snapped back to reality at the call.

“What’s going on?”

“What about me?”

“What do you mean by that expression? You look like you’re about to take someone down. Scary. Change your face a bit. That expression is so bad, it’s like a ghost is trailing after you…”

“…”

Hearing that almost made me spit blood.

How can he call me a ghost? The elder who used to call me a good kid is saying this now?

“…I was just daydreaming for a moment.”

“If you daydream twice, someone might end up dead.”

“…”

With continued verbal assaults, I finally stood up.

Hearing more would probably give me a fit.

As I got to my feet, I noticed a reaction from the front.

It was toward Gu Ryeonghwa.

She seemed startled, as though I was about to approach her.

‘Hmm.’

It’s true that I intended to go from the start.

Now that I’ve come this far, it would be strange not to go.

“Hey.”

She jumped.

At my call, Gu Ryeonghwa flinched visibly.

But her expression remained unchanged.

“Hey.”

I called out again, and her eyes narrowed slightly as her lips parted.

“…What.”

At least she responded, which was a relief.

However, her voice sounded quite displeased. She clearly was responding begrudgingly.

“Are you angry?”

“I’m not.”

“As if. Look at your puffed cheeks; you’re definitely angry.”

“…!”

Upon hearing that, Gu Ryeonghwa panicked and hurriedly brushed her cheeks.

Then she rolled her eyes as if she realized they were indeed swollen.

“…Th-this is just puffiness.”

“Puffy? Why? Did someone hit you?”

Who could that jerk be?

I’d rip limbs from limb and use them to make pickled fish.

“…Didn’t get hit or anything. No, that’s not it.”

“Then don’t worry about it.”

I said bluntly while sitting next to her.

As soon as I sat down, Gu Ryeonghwa distanced herself slightly.

“What’s this?”

“What do you mean? Just sat down next to you.”

“Why are you sitting here? Go away.”

“Since I’m using my butt to sit here, what right do you have to tell me to leave?”

“This is my spot.”

“Why is this your spot? If anything, it should be Lady Mi’s spot.”

“…”

Gu Ryeonghwa shut her mouth tightly.

In reality, the place where the Gu Clan members were staying was Lady Mi’s.

Besides…

“Aren’t you from the Hwasan Sect? If we’re going to argue, you’d have more claim to your own titles…”

“Go away.”

“Just a joke; it’s just a joke.”

As I tried to get up from teasing her, I caught Gu Ryeonghwa by the shoulder and kept her seated.

“I was just trying to lighten the mood.”

“Do you lighten the mood like this…?”

“Why? Is it not okay?”

“…I feel sorry for your sisters.”

“…”

What does that even mean…? I felt a pang in my chest.

Anyway, somehow, I succeeded in keeping Gu Ryeonghwa seated, and we ended up sitting without saying a word for a while.

Then, in a brief moment…

“Hey, I’m sorry.”

I awkwardly initiated an apology first.

Gu Ryeonghwa looked at me.

“What are you apologizing for?”

“For not visiting as I said I would…”

“…Hmph, I don’t really care about that.”

What a load of nonsense. The way she still looked like it was all in her face, it was clear she was feeling better from the apology.

I couldn’t even tell who she got that from, lying so badly.

“Well… I was busy, so that’s why.”

As I tried to come up with an excuse smoothly…

“I know.”

“Huh?”

To that, Gu Ryeonghwa responded.

“I know. I know you’re busy, big brother.”

“…How do you know?”

“Anyone in Hanam knows that you’re busy now. There’s talk everywhere that they’ve seen you. How much are you running around?”

“…”

Was that so? I didn’t think I was running around that much, but it seemed there were sightings after all.

‘Guess I have to be more careful about my movements now.’

It looks like there were more eyes watching than I anticipated.

“So… are you okay?”

Gu Ryeonghwa suddenly asked me.

“Huh? Me?”

I was bewildered by her question.

“…I heard you were hurt. Are you okay?”

“Ah.”

It seemed she was talking about the White Grade Demon Beast incident.

“You can tell by looking at me, I’m fine.”

“…”

I answered, but Gu Ryeonghwa was merely scanning me with doubtful eyes.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Are you really okay?”

“I’m fine, see? If I were hurting, I wouldn’t be able to move around like this…”

“But why didn’t you come to visit?”

“…There’s a reason. I’m sure I still feel a bit of pain.”

“…”

“…”

I averted my gaze.

It felt like I stepped into a trap.

This girl, she’s really gotten sharp while I wasn’t looking.

Since I hesitated to answer, Gu Ryeonghwa sighed and spoke.

“Forget it… I wasn’t really wanting to see you. Just asking. I didn’t particularly feel like wanting to see you much.”

Well, when did we ever act like we were close?

I nodded in agreement with that part.

“But hearing that Yangcheon got hurt, they said you hurried over right away.”

“Master Lee! What do you mean by that!”

Elder Lee chimed in from behind with a chuckle, and Gu Ryeonghwa shouted with her face turning bright red.

“I-I didn’t do that…!”

“Really? From what the servants said…”

“Elder…!!”

“Bwahaha. It seems like I might have heard that wrongly.”

“…”

In the end, after Gu Ryeonghwa’s outcry, Elder Lee didn’t manage to continue.

But the moment had already passed.

‘…When did that happen?’

I had never heard about this before. Hearing it, I turned to look at Gu Ryeonghwa.

She was desperately trying to avoid my gaze, her face flushed.

‘Hmm.’

This seemed to actually be true.

Feeling guilty, I felt a small pang in my chest.

There may be many reasons why she didn’t see me, but it was evident.

‘It’s because I was out cold. When she came, it’s likely I didn’t let her in.’

When I was resting, it was Moyong Hi-ah who was looking after me, so she might have known if Gu Ryeonghwa had come.

But even then, for her not to say a word…

‘Could it be that it was Gu Ryeonghwa’s intention?’

That seems to be the faster conclusion.

“Why didn’t you come to see me if you came?”

“…I told you, I didn’t.”

Seeing her deny it, she probably wanted to insist on it till the end. So I didn’t dig any deeper.

From my side, what could I ask her when I never went either?

“Alright, you didn’t come to see me.”

“Don’t act like you believe me.”

“I do believe you.”

“I understand…”

And silence returned.

An accustomed tranquility settled between us.

We had become so accustomed to this stillness, being together in silence was almost more familiar than having a conversation.

Now that I couldn’t go back to how things were before, simply avoiding saying hateful words was a big change.

As I took a breath, Gu Ryeonghwa suddenly spoke.

“Hey.”

“Yeah?”

She said it as if she was about to say something important.

“I think I’m going to return to Mount Shan.”

“What?”

I widened my eyes.

She’s heading back to Mount Shan?

“It’s not a complete return. I think I’ll spend the remaining time at Mount Shan… Lady Mi wished for that as well, and the Sect Leader allowed it.”

Ah, so she didn’t mean she’d completely return.

It felt like she only planned to take a break this year.

What surprised me was…

“Lady Mi wished for that?”

“Yeah?”

It was all about Lady Mi; that caught my attention.

“You… talk to Lady Mi?”

“Uh-huh. Sometimes?”

That was unexpected.

I thought Gu Ryeonghwa wouldn’t talk to Lady Mi at all, but it seemed she did occasionally.

As I was surprised, Gu Ryeonghwa looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“What’s so surprising…?”

“Well, I thought it was a bit strange. You weren’t…”

I thought she would dislike Lady Mi.

I swallowed those words.

She left home, disliked her place, and found freedom wherever she went, so that was it.

I had thought that all along.

Gu Ryeonghwa looked at me with slightly lowered eyes and said.

“She isn’t hateful.”

“…”

Though I hadn’t voiced it, she seemed to read my mind.

“She hasn’t really done anything wrong; it’s just a bit awkward and distant. Big brother, haven’t you felt the same?”

“…”

“And if anyone should hate, she should hate us. But…”

Gu Ryeonghwa hesitated before adding.

“She doesn’t hate us, so there’s no reason for us to hate her, right…?”

Her words flowed smoothly, and I found myself swallowing a bit of my pride.

 

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