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Chapter 329

I heard that Choi Yeon-woo became a master. What was going through his mind when he heard that? Was he jealous? Was he anxious about the fact that someone had surpassed him?

Not at all. Namgung Seong thought that he received the reward he was due. He had put in an incredible amount of effort. It was clear that he had dedicated an unfathomable amount of time, even more than Namgung Seong could comprehend.

Logically speaking, if we assume that he had held a sword since birth, there would be no time difference between him and Yeon-woo.

However, for some reason—though it seemed strange even to himself—it felt like Yeon-woo’s fighting style had a depth comparable to that of a cunning old fox.

Namgung Seong shook off those distracting thoughts. He was happy about the growth of his friend. But simply being happy wouldn’t give him the opportunity to grow himself.

He had to use the growth of others as a stepping stone for his own advancement. He must seek opportunities endlessly, just as his grandfather said that such greed is the reason Namgung can claim to be akin to the heavens.

He contemplated his inner heavens. Namgung Seong had also received a lot of advice and stories to foster his growth.

One of the most intriguing tales he heard was that the head of the Namgung family always harbored the heavens in his heart.

Could it really be? Curious, Namgung Seong went to ask his father and grandfather. When Namgung Seong posed his question, his father replied slowly. Inside his heart, it was always raining and thundering.

Then Namgung Seong asked, if there were such heavens, how could we not fly?

At that, Namgung Mu shook his head. The birds descended from there like lightning to hunt their prey on the ground. Even if their wings got wet, they assuredly would take down at least one target.

Seeing his father speak with a benevolent smile sent chills down Namgung Seong’s spine. It felt like he was recurring to the moment after his mother passed away—an image he hadn’t seen for a while.

It was around that time that his father entered the realm of enlightenment.

Perhaps the realization he could reach mastery was a punishment for failing to protect his mother.

“Thank you,” Namgung Seong said, turning his gaze to the highest point of the pavilion. On bright, cloudless days, his grandfather enjoyed soaking up the sun at the highest point of Cheonju City.

Approaching the old crow Jo-in, who was dozing off while basking in the sun, Namgung Yang lazily turned his head. What are you so curious about that you’ve tossed aside training and are wandering around?

Ah, it’s just that… I was wondering what kind of heavens my grandfather has in his heart.

Heaven, you say. I suppose it’s about time to care about such things. Let’s see…

Humming a typical old person’s tune, Namgung Yang ruffled his hair vigorously. Accepting that touch naturally, Namgung Seong waited for Namgung Yang’s story.

Right, that’s it. I am the sun. A scorching sun so hot that it melts all the feathers, in a sky devoid of clouds. It’s so intense that I feel like throwing off my clothes every time it rises.

The Great Head of the Namgung Family doing a strip show at the top of Cheonju City. You’re bound to be the talk of the town, aren’t you?

But neither the head nor you are the type to care about such rumors. Yet, they wouldn’t want to be ridiculed for being senile, so they’re holding back.

Hahaha! Namgung Yang laughed heartily as he spoke, and Namgung Seong regarded him with a somewhat fearful gaze. He knew he was extraordinary, but does he really prioritize not being teased by friends over the family’s honor?

Anyway, thinking that he had heard enough, Namgung Seong thanked him and started to leave when Namgung Yang remarked.

What’s important isn’t the heavens, but what exists within them. Just as there must be land for people to live, birds cannot survive without the heavens.

So, what does one’s own heaven contain?

In that line of thought, Namgung Seong pondered. No matter how much he contemplated, he could see nothing but the heavens. He was flying through the boundless sky of his heart.

*

Time passed quickly. Before long, the vacation ended, and a new school year started. Amid all this, many curiosities arose, but the biggest one lately was undoubtedly about Namgung Seong.

“Why is he so quiet…?”

“Don’t know… I’m scared…”

Namgung Seong was calm. This was… like the calm before the storm. The fact that he was quiet felt unnerving—it seemed like a harbinger of an incident about to happen.

It was so serious that even Baek In-hwa, who was always composed, was shivering in fear. How could this not be a truly terrifying situation?

Of course, compared to the chaotic first year, Namgung Seong had calmed considerably over the years. But this situation was on an entirely different level…

“Joking aside, why is he really so quiet?”

“…I think it’s because of you.”

“Me? What did I do?”

Baek In-hwa looked at Yeon-woo with pitying eyes as if to say, “How could you not know?”

“Yeah, you might not know. Care to explain?”

“Wouldn’t it be nice to be thanked if I explain?”

Judging by that remark, could it be something known only among the Yongbong Association? Although Baek In-hwa usually seemed uninterested in the Yongbong Association, it appeared she wasn’t entirely indifferent.

“Most people in the top ranks of the post-exam score are Namgung Seong, but now someone from the same age group has emerged who’s surpassing him.”

“…It’s odd to see you talking so much. Is this a miracle overlapping with another?”

“Could you not add extra words?”

At Baek In-hwa’s sharp response, Yeon-woo scratched his temples sheepishly. That was quite rude of him.

“I guess he’s feeling a sense of competition he’s never felt before. He might not even realize it’s competition.”

“Huh. It’s a bit much for Namgung’s sub-leader to feel competition toward me, but I appreciate it nonetheless.”

“You should be grateful that Namgung Seong is unaware of the situation.”

That was true. Hearing such words from someone he felt competition toward might shatter his heart into pieces.

While reflecting on how thoughtless that statement was, Baek In-hwa, who had been resting her chin, suddenly spoke up.

“So, I hear you told your father you’re going to marry me. When’s it happening?”

“Pfft.”

That bombshell statement drew the class’s attention toward them. While many new faces appeared with the start of the new school year, that didn’t mean he was anonymous; after all, everyone knew who Yeon-woo and the relationships surrounding him were.

Whispers filled the air, and he could hear classmates gossiping about the two.

“Hey, I told you it’s not true…!!”

“Yeah, I know, but I’m trying to say it until it becomes true.”

“You’re thick-skinned, aren’t you?”

Baek In-hwa’s expression revealed no changes as she spoke those words. Not just thick-skinned—this ice-golem girl… As he pressed his throbbing head, he whispered close to Baek In-hwa’s ear.

“Ugh… Let’s at least find out about Saturday before discussing this. How about we keep this on the down-low until then?”

“…Ugh.”

What was that cute voice? Surprised, he searched for the source of it, but there was no one who could make such a sound. Could it possibly be Baek In-hwa~?

Noticing the curious eyes teasing her, Baek In-hwa snapped her head away.

In fact, there were no major issues. Rumors like that often circulate among kids. However, what Yeon-woo failed to realize was that he was stoking the flames of those rumors in this very moment.

Furthermore, he hadn’t considered what would happen if that news reached Nea, who was beginning to show intense jealousy.

*

“So, you’re going to marry that girl named Baek In-hwa?”

“Um, I think there’s been a misunderstanding, sister.”

The moment their eyes met, a sharp voice hit Yeon-woo right away. His reaction was so quick it felt faster than when he was in a fight.

However, regardless of Yeon-woo’s immediate reply, Nea merely looked down at him with a sulky expression. She seemed quite angry… so he decided to kneel for now. Even though it was the entrance hall… if he didn’t kneel here, he might have to sleep outside.

Seeing Yeon-woo kneeling, Nea’s previously furrowed brows softened slightly. But in an instant, she regained her composure, and her sharp gaze returned.

In response, Yeon-woo cautiously raised his hands. Only then did Nea take on a satisfied expression.

“Alright, go ahead and explain. How did such rumors come about?”

“Ah, that’s…”

“I didn’t say to lower your arms, though?”

Trying to lower his arms subtly for an explanation, Yeon-woo was snapped back to attention by Nea’s comment and had to raise them again.

In that position, Yeon-woo started explaining the whole story. Since he probably hadn’t mentioned the conversation he had with the Ice Palace Lord, he seemed puzzled about why such rumors were circulating.

“So that’s what happened. Hmm, I see. It’s really not without misunderstanding.”

Fortunately, Nea seemed to accept Yeon-woo’s passionate explanation. Thank goodness. But why did she look so uncomfortable?

“But I had decided to call my doppelganger… Alki. I can’t understand her thinking. Why on earth…”

“What? What do you mean?”

Hearing Nea say she couldn’t grasp Alki’s thoughts was unexpected, and Yeon-woo instinctively raised his head to ask. After hesitating for a moment, Nea finally spoke up.

“It seems she wanted to match you up with Baek In-hwa as your partner.”

“…Huh?”

At that sudden and incomprehensible remark, Yeon-woo’s head momentarily went blank, but he soon figured out what she meant.

Wasn’t there a time when Baek In-hwa and Alki had made some sort of inexplicable promise? If that was the case, it was likely during that time.

“I don’t know if it’s because I have more jealousy than Alki, but… no matter how she thinks she’s going to die, handing off her lover to someone else seems a bit…”

Nea’s words implied that Alki, thinking she might die, tried to use Baek In-hwa as a substitute for herself.

He couldn’t fathom how she came to such a conclusion, but it certainly felt like a thought befitting a dragon.

It was as if she were saying that while she’s absent, he should just rely on a body pillow. Who knows how Baek In-hwa decided to endure such treatment.

“That far?”

“What a scary thought, I’m scared. Even though she’s my doppelganger, she’s terrifying…”

To their unexpected revelation of Alki’s fear, Yeon-woo and Nea were left trembling. No, isn’t it wrong for you to be scared, sister?

(To be continued…)

 

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