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The banquet has come to an end. Fortunately, it didn’t drag on for too long after the Pejon disappeared.

The atmosphere shifted drastically with the Pejon’s departure. It seemed the banquet wasn’t intended to last long from the start.

Everyone basically just grabbed a quick bite and left after the words of Cheongyeol Sword Master.

Contrary to what was asked, many didn’t even show up.

People such as my father and others I saw earlier weren’t present.

I heard that if there are missions, they are not required to come. Did they go on a mission, I wonder?

That could be the case. If it’s a mission from the Blue Dragon Clan, they were known for many things even back in my time.

Stomp.

After the banquet ended, I gradually moved my feet.

It was a moment when the sun had completely set, and the moon was rising high in the sky.

“…….”

I stepped outside and quietly stared at the moon while checking my body.

‘I’ve already confirmed it a few times.’

Clenching my fist, I reaffirmed my belief.

‘Is the power of the Moon Night Clan unavailable?’

Is it because this place is in the Central Plains? Or perhaps it’s simply not because we’re in Mankye, I’m not sure.

Even with the moon up, I couldn’t make use of the Moon Night Clan’s power.

Such a pity. If I could use it, it would have made things so much easier.

‘But it’s fine.’

Yeah, it’s better not to be in a situation where I’d need to use it. If I had to rely on it, that wouldn’t bode well.

‘Hmm.’

I lightly relaxed my wrists.

The time wasn’t late, so should I train for the first time in a while? I pondered that.

The reason is simple.

‘Since reaching transcendence, I haven’t trained at all.’

Right after my realm increased and my vessel expanded, I hadn’t managed to train once.

Too many issues happened, making it impossible to focus on training.

‘So, I want to do some, but…’

I wondered if it would even be meaningful to train here. This place isn’t much different from another world.

‘After all, I can’t use several of my abilities.’

I couldn’t use the Moon Night Clan’s powers, nor could I wield a few others.

The only consolation was that my authority was still intact.

‘Thank goodness for that.’

Without it, things would have become quite troublesome. Mang’s power has helped me in various ways.

I looked up at the sky.

The moon was sitting high. What should I do now? Should I really attempt to train, even if it seems meaningless? Just as that thought crossed my mind.

‘I probably can’t do that.’

Unfortunately, it seemed impossible to train due to prying eyes.

I turned my gaze. The remnants of time scattered after the banquet. There were likely still many in the Blue Dragon Clan.

“Do you have business with me?”

Those lingering around must have different intentions.

I turned around and spoke, revealing someone hiding behind a tree.

I already knew who this person was. How could I not? They had been glaring at me as if they wanted to kill me since the banquet.

“Nangong Senior.”

“Ha.”

The one who appeared at my call chuckled lightly.

With blue eyes and blue and white hair, dressed in the martial robe of the Blue Dragon Clan, it was none other than Nangong Jin, the future Sword King and Lord of the Nangong Family.

“You’re quite observant.”

“I suppose I am.”

Since the banquet ended, Nangong Jin had been following me. He seemed to approach using stealth from a distance. But there’s no way I wouldn’t have felt it; he wasn’t even being discreet about it.

If I could discern it, then it was probably intended to be known. It had a strong vibe of a deliberate follow.

So if he noticed, he should at least make it apparent. Nangong Jin likely hoped for that too.

“Do you know me?”

I chuckled awkwardly at Nangong Jin’s question.

“How could I not? You’re the famous Sword Dragon.”

“No, not that. Do you not remember me?”

He frowned at me with a serious expression. Ah, this isn’t good.

“…Were we at a point where we hardly met? I’m not sure…”

I tried to feign ignorance.

“From your expression, it seems you do remember.”

Nangong Jin said dismissively.

“…”

Oh dear.

I really wanted to wear a mask at that moment. It reminded me of what Shin Noya told me—never to act.

“Shouldn’t you apologize for bumping into me?”

“I said I was sorry back then, didn’t I?”

Didn’t I? I can’t recall well. I think I did…

“I wonder? Was that the case? I don’t remember.”

His response erased any doubt. Given his reaction, it didn’t matter whether I had apologized or not; that was evidently not the main concern.

“Hmm.”

I ran my hand through my hair. Ah, what to do now?

‘Why do all these men from his family turn out this way?’

It really made me want to hit him. I wanted to fold him up like a paper crane and toss him into the pond.

Yet, I forced myself to smile and responded.

“Then, should I apologize now?”

“Sure.”

He reacted as if he liked that.

Good. If I could get through this with just an apology, that’s something I could manage.

“I was sorry back then.”

“Kneel.”

“…What?!”

I narrowed my eyes.

…What did he just say?

I thought I misheard him, but it seemed he was serious.

“I said kneel. If you’re going to apologize, you should do it properly, shouldn’t you?”

“…”

Wow.

‘What an outrageous demand.’

I never expected to encounter something like this, regardless of my past life or this one.

It was unnecessary to undergo this; if I didn’t like it, I could just have his knees pulled off instead.

And now he wants me to kneel? This was quite refreshing.

‘Is this what you call hereditary traits?’

I thought it wouldn’t apply to him. Nangong Bi-ah seemed different from these two.

“Why? Don’t want to do it?”

Seeing me unable to respond, Nangong Jin pressed on.

I smiled faintly and replied.

“I thought kneeling for just bumping shoulders is a bit too steep.”

“Haha. Too steep?”

Laughing, Nangong Jin suddenly became serious and approached me.

“If a senior says kneel, then kneel you must. Why the fuss? Did the So Sword Peak not teach you well? Or…?”

“…”

“Are you just unbearably arrogant? That’s what I’m curious about.”

He got right up in my face. Nangong Jin was slightly taller than me.

His blue eyes reflected the moonlight, shining brightly. Now here’s the funny part.

‘At least his eyes are pretty.’

Among Nangong Jin’s handsome features, his eyes were the best part. Both the eye color and shape stood out well.

Because.

‘They resemble someone.’

Unlike Nangong Cheonjun, his eyes bore a striking resemblance to those of Nangong Bi-ah. Although they were bright and sharp, the connection was unmistakable.

Surprisingly, the two looked like father and daughter.

Then suddenly,

“They resemble someone.”

“…!”

I widened my eyes at Nangong Jin’s sudden statement.

I was shocked. It was as if he had directly read my mind.

“What? You resemble that annoying guy. Although people say you’re not the White Dragon, it’s hard to see it any other way.”

“…Excuse me?”

Who is he talking about? I struggled to understand. It’s not easy to look at someone and immediately think of another person.

“I really can’t stand it. I just can’t help but be furious. Why is the Pejon so concerned about someone like you?”

His rage was palpable. No, rather than rage, was it inferiority complex and jealousy? It was an emotion I hadn’t felt in a long while.

Expressing it so clearly is a skill in itself.

‘What now?’

What do I do now? I really didn’t know.

“What’s that expression? Are you offended by what a senior said?”

“No, it’s not specifically like that…”

“That’s understandable. It can feel like a drag. But what can I say? If you’re annoyed, you should have entered sooner.”

“…”

“I truly don’t like you. I’ll probably continue to feel this way in the future.”

Then, what does he want from me? I didn’t answer and just stared at Nangong Jin.

He then looked at me with determination in his blue eyes.

“So, it’s going to be fun from here on out. Look forward to it.”

Tap, tap.

He lightly patted my shoulder a few times, then swiftly walked past me.

“…”

Just as Nangong Jin completely disappeared from sight, I rubbed my neck with my hand.

‘That was close.’

I had a near-miss.

‘I almost stuck my tongue out without realizing it.’

Had it been me normally, I would have simply plucked out that tongue for saying such nonsense.

Yet, I let it slide, thinking it’s just because my realm increased a bit.

I must say, it’s quite commendable. A gratifying growth without a doubt.

However, there’s a problem.

‘This was the second time.’

Letting it go this time made it twice. What would I do on the third?

“…”

I decided not to think about it first.

I would figure it out if the situation arose.

And,

I sincerely hoped it wouldn’t come to that.

Yet contrary to my wishes,

“Come out, junior. This senior will have to teach you what the Blue Dragon Clan truly is.”

Trouble always arrives much sooner than I expect.

 

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