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EP.13 The Black Token (1)

“Looks like I’ve really messed up…”

That was the thought that crossed my mind after returning to my residence following the Gu Dragon Festival.

Damn it. This is really bad.

“What the heck was I thinking?”

I recalled Gu Yeonseo, who had fallen flat after getting slapped to finish it off. Blood was pouring out of her nose…

With a frail body, I couldn’t muster much strength or proper inner power, so I probably didn’t suffer any serious injuries.

“Still, that was way over the top.”

I didn’t mean that my hands were too excessive. Rather, it was something that shouldn’t have been brushed under the rug.

I simply forgot the position Gu Yeonseo held.

Did I really need to leave her lying there, ugly and surrounded by hundreds of spectators at a festival thrown by the Gu Clan?

Honestly, even if Gu Yeonseo was genuinely trying to wreck me, I should have had more maturity considering I’m twice her age from my previous life.

“Guess I just haven’t grown up enough yet after all that.”

Or maybe it’s the fault of Elder Lee who insisted on bringing me there in the first place?

… Why even question it? It’s that old man’s fault.

– Whooooosh

A sound tickled my ears as the wind brushed past.

Even though winter was nearly gone, spring nights were still cold.

Despite wearing only a thin martial robe, I hardly felt the chill thanks to the Technique of the Flame Wheel.

“Ah-choo!”

I turned around upon hearing a short sneeze, and there were Muyeon and Wi Seol-Ah.

While Muyeon greeted me, Wi Seol-Ah approached, carrying a bunch of cloth in her hands.

“What are you holding?”

“Young Master… your hand…”

It was only then that I noticed my hand thanks to Wi Seol-Ah’s words.

The skin was completely scraped off, and blood was trickling down slowly.

Gu Yeonseo had wrapped her entire body in my stakes, so it was probably the impact of her striking me without any protection.

A person with inner strength cultivated in their Lower Dantian recovers faster than an ordinary person, so this kind of wound would heal quickly if I just left it be.

“This is so unnecessary… This isn’t even that bad…”

Before I had a chance to finish, Wi Seol-Ah had already wrapped my hand in the cloth. Her skills were still clumsy as she fumbled around aimlessly.

If I was going to do anything, I wanted to do it myself, but seeing the tears streaming from Wi Seol-Ah’s eyes, I couldn’t bring myself to interfere.

When Elder Lee smashed Peng Woojin, he seemed to enjoy it, but why was he reacting like this over such a minor injury?

‘Such a strange sensation to be bandaged by Wi Seol-Ah.’

This would be something a legendary master would do someday. It wouldn’t be a bad honor, right?

The cloth continued wrapping until it was about twice the thickness of my hand before finally stopping.

Wi Seol-Ah, still sobbing, stroked what was a mix of my hand and her wrapping.

“Young Master, does it hurt a lot…?”

“I wasn’t in pain, but now it feels like it might.”

“So you aren’t in pain? That’s a relief…”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

Are you only hearing what you want to hear?

After a somewhat unexpected stroll, I returned to my residence along the night path.

I wonder if Gu Yeonseo will be okay?

‘I don’t know.’

I decided to set those thoughts aside.

There was no way any remaining familial bonds would awaken now.

Not for Gu Yeonseo, and not for me either.

Upon returning, I found my room lit. Curious, I asked one of the surrounding servants, who turned pale.

“Huh…? But you said it was just a heads-up…”

In a flash, their complexion turned pale as they realized.

Who exactly was in my room, causing such a commotion? I opened the door only to find—

“Oh! Gu Prince!”

What a lunatic…. No, it was Peng Woojin sitting there.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Peng Woojin.”

“I know. Peng Junior.”

“Feel free to call me Peng Hyung or Woo Hyung, nice and friendly-like.”

“No, we’re not that close…”

Why is this crazy guy here?

And what’s up with Peng Ah-Hee, covering her face beside him?

With her ears turning beet red, she seemed to be thoroughly embarrassed.

For some reason, as if trying to act friendly, Peng Woojin roughly tugged at his collar and said to Peng Ah-Hee.

“Hey, sister…. Since we’ve caused some trouble, don’t you think we should apologize first?”

I could feel her voice tremble with embarrassment.

Hearing her words, Peng Woojin realized something.

“Ah, I see… Considering the broken engagement, it might have been better to leave Ah-Hee out of this. I really lack awareness.”

“What the heck… He really is a lunatic.”

I couldn’t help but agree with Peng Ah-Hee’s observation.

As he kept spouting nonsense, Peng Ah-Hee eventually had to speak up.

“Sorry for coming over unannounced so late at night, our crazy brother. He insisted on seeing you, and I couldn’t stop him.”

“Peng Junior came to see me?”

“Just call me Woo Hyung.”

“No, that’s fine.”

I really don’t want to get tangled up with you.

In a hurry, I sent for a servant to keep the tea warm while Peng Woojin sat there wearing his friendly smile, saying nothing more.

“So, why exactly did you come here today…?”

Is Elder Lee planning to blame me for whatever incident he caused? I felt a slight trickle of dread, but the swelling on one side of Peng Woojin’s face hinted otherwise.

That was where he had been directly hit by Elder Lee.

“I thought he was controlling his strength…”

Where exactly was that strength control? Wouldn’t a mild increase of energy result in at least cracking a skull?

“….”

… Honestly, it felt like that’s precisely what happened, and it gave me chills.

“I have absolutely no connection to whatever Elder Lee did. I definitely tried to stop that guy.”

“What on earth are you rambling on about?”

Wait, is this not about that incident?

As I raised an eyebrow in confusion, Peng Woojin continued.

“It’s nothing serious; I’m said to be Swordteam’s little brother, and I wanted to see your face again.”

“Are you close with our eldest sister?”

I’ve never heard of Peng Woojin being close with Gu Huibi, and honestly, I’m not particularly close with her either.

If anything, my relationship with Gu Yeonseo is slightly better.

“I think we’re close, but I’m not sure about how she feels about it.”

‘Then they probably aren’t close at all.’

Considering Gu Huibi’s personality, that’s a definite possibility. She wouldn’t make friends with someone like Peng Woojin; they’d probably end up fighting instead.

“So, I wanted to stop by with a purpose of seeing your face too.”

“What do you intend to do with the stamp of friendship? Just for anything?”

What could I possibly gain from someone who just half-heartedly exists in the clan?

Especially since I had already gone through a broken engagement with the Peng Clan, we could hardly call ourselves good acquaintances.

Peng Woojin added.

“I thought the only interesting person in the Gu Clan was Swordteam, but I found another.”

Is he referring to me?

Interesting? What does he mean by that? It’s as if since the first time I met him, he’s been fixated on finding something interesting about me, which baffles me.

“For now, it seems he’s definitely an oddball.”

Thinking of how all the future masters would also turn out to be non-normals, it’s not surprising at all.

Of course, I still didn’t want to get tangled up with him.

Peng Woojin should be thinking of future connections as he aims to become a disciple, but…

‘Somehow, he just feels complicated.’

Not sure if it was his unknown personality, but dealing with him was proving difficult.

“If you’re going to give me the seal of friendship, you might as well head over and pass it on to my sister who’s in another residence. I’m not someone particularly useful to you at all.”

“If I leave now, I won’t see her…? ”

“…. you could always visit tomorrow instead, couldn’t you?”

Hmm, is she still knocked out?

“I came to see the Gu Prince, so honestly, I’m not too interested in Gu Young Lady.”

“Please, can you filter your words before you speak?”

“Um, I’m sorry. I’m just not good at that.”

What on earth do I do with this person?

I felt my recent headache coming back again.

Peng Woojin, either aware of my discomfort or not, sighed, noting it was about time he took his leave.

It seemed his purpose for being here was indeed just this.

As he was about to exit, he suddenly asked.

“Are you planning on joining Shinryong Temple?”

“Well, I suppose that’s the plan.”

As a member of a noble clan, to live as a martial artist, stopping by the Shinryong Temple made sense.

While martial arts techniques can be taught in clans and sects, it’s different for training with the Demonic Gate.

The Sword Team operates under the Demonic Gate, and to handle demon beasts, one must graduate from the Shinryong Temple to obtain the Sword Team Certificate.

While the Shinryong Temple is not the only institution, it is custom that those from the leading clans often head straight to the Shinryong Temple governed by the Martial Alliance.

‘I’ve been trying to think of ways to escape since before.’

The training period there lasts an exhausting full year.

I can’t afford to waste a year just like that.

“Well then, looks like you’ll be my junior in no time.”

Peng Woojin said with a bright smile, patting me on the shoulder. Blood bonds seem far-fetched, and since gifts are out of the question, perhaps he’s trying to build connections through school ties.

‘Is it really a mistake for me to not have lost to Gu Yeonseo? Or did I hit her too hard? Why is he fixated on me?’

Even a woman would have been uneasy about this, but a grown man doing so really gives me the creeps.

As Peng Woojin left the residence, Peng Ah-Hee paused, glancing back at me.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“I told you I’m older than you.”

“You just called me disgusting; now what do you expect me to do?”

After hesitating for a long time, Peng Ah-Hee finally spoke up.

“I’m sorry.”

“Why are you suddenly apologizing?”

“…For flipping you over and breaking your arm the day of the engagement annulment.”

“… Did that happen?”

Did I really endure such an utterly horrifying event?

“Why would I do something so scary…”

“You talked down to me, calling me the child of a mistress or something.”

“I guess I had it coming.”

Both of us were at fault, so there was no point in arguing. Peng Ah-Hee’s act of apologizing seemed rather odd to me.

“You don’t have to apologize. I should rather be the one saying sorry; I felt bad back then.”

Being kids from the same background, who could’ve said what to whom?

It must have been purely insecurities.

It’s up to Peng Ah-Hee to decide whether or not to accept my apology, but it seemed her expression had somewhat brightened.

“Take care.”

“You too, and even if you find the gift from my brother annoying, he surely passed it along with the best of intentions; I hope you find it useful later on.”

“What did he give you… was it about that earlier…?”

Cold. A dagger has flown and struck me.

In a panic, I searched my pockets and found the black token Peng Woojin had tucked away earlier.

‘When did that…!?’

Was it possible he slipped it in when he was casually tapping my shoulder?

Remembering that moment, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“That guy is really crazy.”

With a heavy sigh, I tucked the token back into my attire.

On the third day of the Gathering of the Nine Dragons.

Although there would be festivities in the marketplace to celebrate, I settled into a carriage, making my way back to the clan’s residence.

Gu Yeonseo had already left at dawn.

‘Thank goodness she woke up.’

It was a relief that she seemed alright, but given how uncomfortable things were already, I expected it would be even more difficult to face her now.

Once all preparations were complete, the carriage departed soon after.

I tried to rest, but Wi Seol-Ah kept dozing off and leaning against my shoulder.

Quickly, I transferred Wi Seol-Ah onto another servant and let my body sink into the pillows of the carriage.

 

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