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Chapter 7: The Rolling Orb

Degu-rururu—thud!

I felt a small orb roll and drop inside with a plop.

Lady Mi doesn’t hate us.

That thought struck me as strange.

Could it really be true?

Lady Mi must resent and hate me. I had been living with that certainty.

Anything else would baffle me.

‘If not, how could that be?’

There are more reasons to dislike than to like.

More reasons to push away than to accept.

So, I just couldn’t understand it.

“She doesn’t hate us? How can you be so sure?”

How can Gu Ryeonghwa be so certain about Lady Mi’s feelings? I was confused and asked her.

Gu Ryeonghwa made a somewhat strange expression and replied.

“Oppa, you really don’t know?”

“What do you mean?”

“How can you not know…? Seriously, my sisters are so pitiful…”

“Stop scratching around and speak plainly.”

“It’s like you’re the only one who doesn’t get it.”

Gu Ryeonghwa frowned heavily. Still, she seemed like she wanted to explain more but then stopped.

“…No.”

“What?”

“I’m not going to tell you.”

“How sneaky! You start saying something and then just stop!”

“You said you’d come and didn’t, didn’t you? You mentioned something about visiting Yeongpung? And now, after saying you’d come, you’re just… who’s being sneaky here?”

“…”

I ran out of things to say again.

She’s gotten better at arguing as she grew up. Damn it.

With my mouth shut, Gu Ryeonghwa let out a small sigh.

“Anyway… What are you going to do next? Are you going back to Mount Shan?”

“…”

“…You’re going somewhere else again, aren’t you?”

Seeing her sulky expression, I hurriedly spoke.

“I have some business to take care of. It’s not that I don’t want to go… It’s, um, just some work.”

“You don’t need to make excuses. I know you’re busy.”

With those words, Gu Ryeonghwa turned to look straight ahead.

“Trying to catch that Heavenly Demon or whatever?”

“…”

At her unexpected words, my body stiffened.

I had not anticipated such terminology to come from Gu Ryeonghwa.

“I know it too. You’ve… become important to everyone. I know you’re busy trying to catch those Demonic Sect bastards.”

With nothing to say, I held my breath.

“They say you’re called a Hero now, huh? Honestly, I wonder if your face can really be called heroic.”

Her words sounded incredulous, but there was a slight smile creeping up her lips.

“Still, there’s a tiny bit of pride.”

“…”

“Don’t mistake it for something more. It’s only a fraction. It’s just that so many people have been praising you lately… so that little bit surfaced. Got it?”

Seeing my strange expression, she wondered if I misunderstood.

What kind of face was I making for her to react like that?

Whatever it is, it’s surely a misunderstanding.

Right now, my expression wasn’t out of embarrassment or incredulity.

“So it’s fine. Really.”

This is the embarrassment I feel towards myself.

In a situation I created by the sweat of my brow, the praise coming to me isn’t mine.

But—

“Oppa? What’s wrong?”

“…It’s nothing. Just feeling a bit under the weather.”

Hearing that from Gu Ryeonghwa made me feel nauseatingly self-loathing.

The next morning, time had passed.

I arrived at my destination dressed lightly.

After finishing my conversation with Gu Ryeonghwa, I planned to have a longer talk with Elder Lee, then head to Lady Mi.

To be precise, I was supposed to see Moyong Hi-ah, but it seemed she still hadn’t calmed down enough to meet with me.

So, I relayed my intentions to Lady Mi instead.

She remained calm even after hearing I was going to Sichuan.

However.

‘Are you thinking of leaving the child here?’

‘What?’

‘The child I mean.’

‘Ah.’

It seemed she was mentioning Tolly, which made me pause for a moment in thought.

Was she implying I shouldn’t leave him and should take him along?

That was the impression I got, so I replied to Lady Mi.

‘It might be bothersome for you if I keep him with me. I plan to take him back—’

‘I never said it would be a bother.’

There was a slight hint of seriousness in her tone. Was it just me imagining things?

‘…Oh, really? Still, it would be better to take him back…’

‘The Martial Alliance must be incredibly busy right now. It would be tough to manage a child too. This is something I will handle.’

‘…’

If she was going to decide it anyway, why did she ask…?

I genuinely wanted to know, but I held back. The outcome hadn’t turned out badly.

It would certainly be more convenient to take Tolly along, but it felt entirely unnecessary as well.

Having plenty of personnel meant he wouldn’t be of much use anyway.

So, it wouldn’t matter leaving him behind right now.

As for worries, the thought that if left behind, he might just cause some trouble was nagging…

‘He seems to be enjoying himself too, so it should be alright, right?’

Tolly was parading around like an innocent child, well-fed and thriving.

I heard that he was out and about with Lady Mi almost every day.

‘What on earth is he doing?’

What could he possibly be up to?

It didn’t seem like he was doing anything that impressive. Just dressing up and buying a few snacks.

‘…Hmmm.’

Though it was perplexing, I decided to leave it for now.

If he was doing okay for the moment, that was enough.

Thinking that, I nodded.

‘Right now, the issue isn’t that…’

I rubbed my chin as I recalled Lady Mi’s father, the former clan leader of the Baihua Clan.

‘I should have met that gentleman again.’

The former clan leader.

Moreover, he was said to be a direct descendant of the Gu Clan.

I had questions for him, but—

‘I couldn’t find him.’

I had tried to see Lady Mi last night, but they said the old man had vanished.

Where could he have gone? Had he really disappeared?

Maybe Lady Mi wanted to hide my meeting with him.

No, it’s highly likely.

‘Why is that?’

Why does Lady Mi despise her father so much, and why is the hating old man part of the Gu Family’s Bloodline?

The questions grew deeper.

Elder Lee claimed it was nothing serious, so I should be fine.

‘But I’m curious.’

Even if I pretend not to be, it’s an unavoidable curiosity.

I wanted to find out as much as I could. For that, I needed to—

‘I have to finish quickly and come back.’

I should make it back as quickly as possible.

‘Before the season ends.’

With autumn just beginning, I aimed to sort things out before it completely turned.

I was determined to wrap up my affairs here.

As I resolved to do this, I turned around.

Behind me were a dozen anxious personnel standing there.

“Ready?”

“…All personnel ready.”

With a brief question, Tang Soyeol immediately responded.

Her answer came so quickly I suspected she had prepared beforehand.

It was so cute I almost wanted to ruffle her hair, but I held back.

There were too many eyes watching.

“Is that so? Then let’s slowly—”

While stepping out to report to Muk Yeon,

“Hmm?”

I sensed some presence from somewhere.

Turning my eyes, sure enough, I saw a few figures approaching from a distance.

They weren’t few in number. In fact, their attire felt somewhat familiar.

It seemed others recognized it too, as everyone’s eyes widened.

“I, Il Cheonggeom…?”

“Is that Cheongryong Great Lord?”

The leader of those approaching was a well-groomed, middle-aged man.

Il Cheonggeom, the reputed strongest among all the Great Lords, save for the Sword Sovereign himself, was leading subordinates straight toward us.

Others reacted upon seeing it.

The arrival of Blue Dragon wasn’t surprising.

I had already been informed that this operation would involve the Cheongryong Great Lord. Thus, it wasn’t strange for them to appear.

But.

“Why is Il Cheonggeom coming personally?”

That he, of all people, chose to step out was a whole other matter.

“Perhaps he’s here to see us off.”

“Why would the Cheongryong Great Lord bother? Are the two of them that close?”

“I heard they didn’t even get along very well?”

As the buzzing conversation grew louder due to the light spread of rumors.

Seeing Il Cheonggeom appear, I too took a step forward.

“Il Cheonggeom, senior!”

“Nice to see you.”

As I spoke, Il Cheonggeom offered his hand.

I reached out without hesitation and shook it.

Feeling his grip, I smiled and said.

“…I’d heard that you’d be willing to lend assistance, but I never anticipated your personal arrival.”

“Haha! I couldn’t just sit back hearing it was the first appearance of the Star Dragon. So, I’m glad I could assist in any way.”

A firm grip.

Not overly forceful, but enough to convey an adequate amount of strength.

“However, I worried whether the Star Dragon Master would feel pressured. That has me somewhat concerned.”

“No way. I have heard of your recent reputation, senior. Having your support feels quite reassuring.”

“I’m relieved to hear that.”

The exchange was endlessly warm.

Because of this, the people behind us could not help but express their surprise.

“Truly, you both seem closer than we thought.”

“Well, why would Il Cheonggeom cross swords with someone…”

Watching the situation, thoughts began to take flight.

My ears felt tickled, but I ignored it.

In truth, the situation isn’t quite warm at all.

‘The brat starts scratching the moment he arrives.’

Analyzing Il Cheonggeom’s words.

-When I heard it was the first appearance of Star Dragon, I couldn’t just sit idle.-

He came out in anxiety that my team might flop right from the start.

It felt like a ragtag group; no way could he fall asleep easily.

-Worried whether the Star Dragon Master would feel pressured. That’s what’s on my mind.

“If I join in the first time, won’t it make things smoother? If it’s pressure, then bear with it if you want to succeed.”

Even if I interpreted it differently, that’s what it implied.

How many hidden daggers were concealed beneath those few words?

Starting off on such an irritating note, I had to say something too.

-Your recent reputation has been heard widely. So having your help is reassuring indeed.

In mentioning Il Cheonggeom’s reputation.

His recent mission success rate has pretty much sunk low and the collateral damage is well-known too.

Mentioning it under those circumstances definitely wasn’t a compliment.

“Haha.”

“Hahaha.”

With forced smiles, we tightened our grip on each other’s hands.

The pressure escalated beyond typical levels and crossed into betting territory.

Feeling that, I subtly adjusted my body.

Suuuuu….

Just as expected, the energy began to seep in disguised as an accident.

Suppressing a smile that was about to creep up, I accidentally let go of his hand.

Thud—!

The grip released as the energy stirred lightly in the air.

A gust of wind caressed my hair.

Simultaneously.

“Star Dragon Master.”

“Yes?”

Il Cheonggeom spoke to me.

“If there is something weighing on your mind, let it be.”

He was smiling.

“Our Blue Dragon will support the Star Dragon with utmost sincerity, and we will succeed at any cost.”

There was a bitter undertone to his confident declaration.

Under normal circumstances, I’d find it bothersome. This time, I was fortunate enough to smile.

“What worries could I have? That’s impossible!”

Worrying? Not a chance.

Of course, since I believed in Il Cheonggeom.

We surely shared the same goal.

“I trust you, senior.”

No matter what situation arose.

“So, let’s give it our all together.”

He was the one who would act in the way I wanted him to.

 

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