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EP.2 The Young Master of the Gu Clan (2)

When talking about the Gu Clan in Shanxi, they are regarded as a respected noble family.

Although compared to the Four Great Clans—

Nangong Clan from Anhui.

Hebei Peng Clan from Hebei.

Sichuan Tang Gate from Sichuan.

Moyong Clan from Liaoning—

the Gu Clan in Shanxi may seem a few steps behind, many people firmly believe that the Gu Clan will undoubtedly rise to the same level.

The current clan leader, the tiger knight Gu Cheolun, is one of the renowned White-Grade Masters in the Central Plains.

He is, in fact, among the stronger martial artists and is famous for his strong beliefs and sense of justice as a righteous faction member.

The martial artists belonging to the Gu Clan do not oppress the common folk but rather protect them from threats, earning them the title of guardians of Shanxi.

The prestige of the clan, the goodwill of the commoners, and Gu Cheolun’s offspring have already shown outstanding talents among the Late-Stage Talents.

The eldest daughter Gu Huibi has proven herself as a Late-Stage Talent representative, already nicknamed the So Sword Phoenix (劍鳳) by many.

The second daughter Gu Yeonseo also exhibits talent on par with Gu Huibi and is expected to inherit her sister’s nickname with ease in the future.

As a long-standing righteous noble clan with strong bloodlines passed down through generations, the position of the Gu Clan will only solidify over time.

Many believed that it would occur soon, and I, too, was one of those who believed so.

That was until the only son of the Gu Clan, the Lesser Clan Leader, transformed into a demon.

-Young Master.

The voice of a servant, announcing morning, snapped me back to reality.

Opening my eyes, I found sunlight pouring in through the window.

“Get up.”

A hoarse voice slipped out.

I hadn’t slept a wink throughout the night. I couldn’t make sense of the situation, leading to an insomniac’s fate.

Huff.

After taking a quiet breath, I splashed my face with cold water.

“…This is not a dream, right?”

It was already the third day since my heart had burst and I had returned to my childhood.

“What on earth is happening?”

No matter how much I asked the void, there would be no answer.

How did I get here? Even after a hundred thoughts, I had no clue.

The first day felt merely empty. Longing for a time I could never return to left me feeling hollow inside.

With that mindset, I ate and even managed to sleep.

I should have realized earlier when I savored the food I consumed.

Yet, I spent the second day simply dazed like a fool.

“What a stupid idiot.”

To come to this realization on the third day? Ridiculous!

Turning my head, I gazed outside the window.

Bright sunlight beamed through the open window, in stark contrast to the dimly lit torture chamber of the Martial Alliance.

As the weight of my insensitivity waned and I recognized my circumstances, a joy began to warm my body.

I had returned to the happiest times of my life, from a life that had crumbled into despair.

I had no idea why this had happened, but if it was real and not a dream—

‘No, it must be reality.’

I desperately hoped so.

I pushed down the disbelief that surged within me with the palpable sense of reality surrounding me.

If I had indeed returned to the past, what should I do from now on? Where should I begin my thoughts?

I needed to organize the countless incidents that lay ahead in my mind.

I had too much to think about, starting from square one to ten.

As thousands of thoughts whirled in my head, a voice called out from outside the door.

-Young Master.

That interrupted the train of thought I had been desperately clinging to.

– Soon, the Clan Leader will arrive at the clan.

The servant’s words sent chills through my body. My mind was already overwhelmed, and this was something I hadn’t dared to think about.

“Father is coming….”

Apparently, my father, who had left the clan for some business, was finally returning. I didn’t know how long he had been away, but this would be the first time seeing him in years, including my previous life.

My head started to throb.

Thoughts of reuniting with my father brought me more fear than nostalgia or joy.

The chilling gaze and sharp words directed at me in my previous life still echoed painfully in my heart.

The words that had seeped deep into my mind would resurface to haunt me whenever I had a spare moment.

‘You worthless brat, how long do you plan to live like this? Are you aiming to be a disgrace to the family?’

That’s what my father had said to me as I approached adulthood. I didn’t harbor resentment; I lived a life so pathetic that I deserved to hear those words.

I could understand that. Yet, every moment from back then had been engraved in my heart.

And it was the same now.

I still feared my father.

-Young Master?

When no response came from me, the servant called me again from outside.

“I’ll get ready, but how long do I have left?”

– He said he would arrive in a little less than half an hour.

“Make sure to prepare for my washing up.”

– I’ll get right on it.

I could hear the surprise in the servant’s flustered voice. My response probably caught him off guard since I had decided to prepare myself unexpectedly.

As a child, I used to throw tantrums whenever I was woken up on such occasions, shattering whatever I could see around me in frustration.

I couldn’t even count how many items I had broken around the house.

My excuses, easily dismissed, stemmed from my aversion to facing my father.

Now, it was no different, yet I lacked the luxury to run away from the situation.

After completing the washing provided by the servant and changing into proper attire, I noticed the servant trembling slightly as he helped me prepare. Was he afraid I might throw something at him?

A mere boy in his teens wouldn’t go that far, right?

‘… I think I might have done something like that once.’

This made it hard to think any further.

After finishing my preparations and stepping outside, I felt many eyes on me.

Not only could I sense their gaze, but the hushed whispers reached my ears as well.

– Why is the Clan Leader being welcomed by everyone today?

– I thought you were being such a brat about getting up…

Their murmurs rang clearly in my ears.

To call such a war-like chaos mere petulance was rather kind of them.

As I exchanged glances with some of them, they jumped in surprise, kneeling down quickly, and I raised my hand to stop them.

How would I have acted if it were the past me?

Hmm…

‘Let’s not think about that….’

I would have caused a ruckus for sure.

I’d guess those two won’t be seen around the clan from the next day on.

As I walked, I noticed flowers blooming vibrantly along the way. Unlike my jumbled feelings, spring was comfortably settling in.

Was it winter or autumn before I died in the chaos of the Martial Alliance?

I couldn’t even tell which of the four seasons it was.

Now that I had the luxury to notice the seasons, or maybe I was just blankly staring at the flowers.

“Probably the latter.”

“What?”

The guard who was guiding me, puzzled by my mumbled words, asked back.

“Nothing, just talking to myself.”

After walking a while, I passed through the estate, traveled through the garden, and arrived at the Gu Clan’s main entrance.

By the time I arrived, a crowd had already gathered.

Most were unfamiliar faces I hadn’t seen for days.

They seemed surprised that I had come here, just like everyone else.

The majority bowed their heads and greeted me. It felt awkward to experience such a situation after so long, but I showed no sign of it.

As I made my way through the throngs, I reached those who didn’t bow.

One of them called out to me.

“… How interesting, I didn’t expect you to show up.”

The one who spoke was a girl with her long hair tied back tightly.

She couldn’t be older than a teenager.

Though she’d likely be called a beauty anywhere she went, a hint of martial artist demeanor was evident from her sharp gaze and standing posture.

There were not many who could meet my gaze without bowing down in the Gu Clan.

Especially a girl of this age, it could only be one.

The Scarlet Flame Sword, Gu Yeonseo.

She was a blood relative of the Gu Clan and my age mate.

By now, she must already be heralded as a promising Late-Stage Talent and would earn her renown as an excellent female sword master in the future.

That was how it was even back then.

I looked up at my sister after a long time and said, “It’s the rightful place for me to be.”

At my response, Gu Yeonseo scoffed.

“Is that so? Then why has your face not been seen until now?”

She reproached me with a cold tone. And she was right.

As she said, I should have been present as a member of the Gu Clan, but I had merely fled, prioritizing my feelings over my duties.

“Why did I even do that?”

“… What?”

“It’s true that I was wrong. I’ll apologize to the Clan Leader later.”

As I earnestly voiced my apology, Gu Yeonseo wore an expression of incredulity.

However, that moment was brief, and she clicked her tongue.

“I don’t know what act you’re playing this time, but if you’re going to mess with people, I suggest stopping here. I might actually get angry now.”

She shot back and turned her head abruptly. Once again, it was no easy conversation.

I wanted to say something more, but that was also difficult.

“The Clan Leader will be arriving.”

Upon hearing the servant’s words, I turned my gaze toward the entrance, where a carriage was seen approaching from afar.

Compared to other horses, the red-hoofed stallion appeared to be twice their size, galloping steadily and swiftly reached the Gu Clan’s entrance in no time.

As the stallion came to a halt, panting heavily, a figure stepped out from the carriage.

Wearing a red robe, symbolizing the clan, was a middle-aged man with a long scar crossing his face.

Many couldn’t dare lift their heads up against those fierce red eyes scanning the crowd.

‘… Father.’

That man was my father, the Clan Leader and the tiger knight Gu Cheolun.

Amidst countless martial artists, a being regarded as one of the select few stood there.

As my father’s gaze swept through the crowd, it halted at me.

I met his gaze without flinching.

That fierce stare had frightened me as a child.

In an instant, my father swiftly shifted his eyes away again. He displayed no more reaction.

This didn’t surprise me. He had always been that kind of person.

“Clan Leader, we are relieved you have returned safely.”

“Head Officer.”

“Yes, Clan Leader.”

“Is the Sword Team currently prepared?”

“The First Sword Team is resting after returning, while the Second Sword Team is on standby.”

“Then, tell the Second Team leader to finish preparations and come find me before the next meal.”

“Understood. Congratulations on your return, Clan Leader.”

With that brief exchange, the Clan Leader walked silently, followed by the rest of the crowd.

I, too, walked behind my father. His back felt as large and heavy as ever.

Returning felt miraculous, but many tangled issues now awaited resolution.

‘At least it’s not too late yet.’

If I had returned several years into the future, it would have been a truly irrevocable situation. That would have been too late indeed.

This was undoubtedly a stroke of luck.

Even so, I found it challenging to decide how to approach all these issues.

Thud.

My father’s steps, steady and measured, suddenly stopped.

“After the meal, have the third child come to my quarters.”

His statement startled me, and he didn’t turn back. It was quite shocking.

The third child referred to me.

Why was he calling me? For what reason? It seemed impossible to guess what my father might want to call me for.

‘… I’m lost on this completely.’

“Understood.”

Yes, that’s how it went, and my father resumed his pace.

The upcoming evening meal was my first task upon my return. It was the first crucial task I had to accomplish after returning to the past.

“Muyeon.”

In a whisper, I called the name of the guard accompanying me.

“Yes, Young Master.”

“… Before the meal, could you guide me to the physician?”

Upon mentioning the physician, I noticed a grave look on Muyeon’s face.

“E-excuse me, are you unwell?”

“… No, I just feel like I might get indigestion after eating, so I need to prepare some digestive medicine beforehand.”

“Ah…”

 

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