After the discourse began, it wasn't long before Nangong Bia and I had to endure a meal of reading the room.
Normally, this should have been a discourse conducted with mutual decorum and a harmonious atmosphere, but currently, a sharp tension dragged on as if we had been thrown onto a battlefield.
"Have you been well?"
"I've been well enough."
It started with light greetings. Up to this point, it was fine.
Isn't exchanging greetings the usual thing?
The problem was right after that.
"I'm glad. Looking at your complexion, I thought there might have been some issues. Must have been my imagination."
I swallowed a gasp at my father's words. The words themselves seemed harmless, but from my father's expression and tone, I could tell that was absolutely not gentle concern.
He was simply stripping away Nangong Jin's characteristic arrogant facade. To this, Nangong Jin responded as if it were nothing.
"I thought the Gu Family Head's eyes looked rather ill-tempered, making me wonder if you were in a foul mood, but come to think of it, that's just how your eyes are. What a relief."
Thorns. The words of both men were bristling with thorns. They weren't even trying to hide it, speaking half-openly.
In a setting like this, one would normally show some restraint...
Especially since it was my first time seeing my father speak to someone like that, I was quite flustered. He definitely didn't used to have that kind of personality.
As if his words weren't finished, Nangong Jin added more.
"If it's not your original expression, perhaps it's because there are troublesome matters here and there weighing on you?"
"If you say problems, what might you be referring to?"
"Well, something like issues with one's children—there could be such things, no?"
'...Look at this guy?'
Nangong Jin was now subtly needling my father, using me.
Damn it, the only person causing trouble in the Gu family was me. The eldest son, Gu Huibi, had a notoriously terrible personality that had long been known to the world, but he had the talent and ability to make everyone understand all of it, so even that was accepted as the charm of a talented martial artist.
But me?
I hadn't made a name for myself, and regarding my cultivation realm, since I hadn't desperately tried to make my name known, it was still quiet.
This was mostly because I wanted it that way, but to use it like this...
My father raised his eyebrows slightly at Nangong Jin's words, then took a sip of tea.
Was his throat burning?
'That doesn't seem to be the case.'
The corners of my father's mouth as he drank tea were slightly raised. It was hidden by the teacup from the front, but I could see it.
That was definitely not a loser's smile. After swallowing all the tea, my father spoke.
"If that's the problem, then it is indeed a problem."
At my father's words, Nangong Jin tried to smile thinly, but the words that followed forced his expression to stiffen.
"Our foolish son, being still young and immature, committed a terrible act against the Thunder Dragon Young Master. For this, I offer my apologies on his behalf."
'Wow...'
I let out an exclamation of admiration inwardly. My father was quite the sharp one.
To interpret my father's words, he was essentially saying, "Do you know that my son, who is much younger than your son, grabbed him and beat him up?"
It was as if my father was telling Nangong Jin right now, your son is a pushover.
"I heard the Thunder Dragon Young Master is clever like the Nangong Family Head, so I'm worried he might have been hurt by this incident."
And you too, he seemed to be saying.
Crack—!
Sure enough, the sound of the table where Nangong Jin was sitting cracking could be heard. From what I could see, that table would need to be replaced.
It was a point where the servants had more work to do.
"My... Lord. You are as ever, Gu Family Head."
"Thank you for your kind words. It's a relief that the Nangong Family Head also seems to be the same as ever."
Zzt—!
It felt as though an invisible current was flowing between the two men.
[So that's where your insolent way of speaking came from—the original source was right there.]
'...'
I couldn't easily refute Shin Noya's words. Though it definitely shouldn't be true.
I hadn't grown up close enough to my father to learn from him, and our relationship wasn't that good either. In my previous life, conversations with my father were truly extremely rare.
I seemed to have often heard that I resembled him in appearance, but I had never heard anything about my personality.
What I had heard endlessly was that I should at least resemble half of my father's traits—that was the majority of it.
It was also one of the reasons that accounted for no small portion of why I had gone astray.
'In the end, that too is just an excuse.'
All choices were mine. The responsibility for them also lay with me.
I wanted to live with clear recognition of at least this part.
Anyway. Both my father and Nangong Jin showed no intention of stopping their war of nerves, continuing their useless back-and-forth.
In the midst of that, as the atmosphere grew increasingly strange, I slipped in subtly. It felt like there would be no end if things continued like this.
"Um... Do you have no intention of discussing the engagement?"
Whether they heard my words properly, a brief silence passed between the two for a moment. Soon, Nangong Jin cleared his throat first and changed the topic.
"...When would be a good time?"
"Is there a time you prefer first?"
They discussed plans as if nothing had happened, as if their earlier growling at each other had been a play. Were they separating public and private matters?
[If you say that, it seems like they've already failed to separate them for quite a while...]
'...Right?'
Anyway, were they finally going to do things properly now? Still, his title was Family Head, so surely he wouldn't do anything more here.
"First, regarding the engagement ceremony, any time is fine. For the wedding, as long as it's not too late, it's acceptable. The girl is of age, after all."
I almost wavered at the suddenly mentioned wedding topic. If we were talking about marriage, Nangong Bia was somewhat late for a blood descendant of a prestigious family, but as a martial artist, it wasn't too late.
Especially for a swordswoman of Nangong Bia's level, her physical aging would be slow, and judging by talent alone, she could delay the wedding or even not hold one at all without any issue.
'There's no way he doesn't know that.'
Given Nangong Jin's level, he couldn't possibly not know about Nangong Bia's talent in the sword. Yet Nangong Jin appeared somewhat hurried.
'Is there a need to rush the wedding?'
Is there some problem with the Nangong family?
My father nodded at Nangong Jin's words. Then he looked at me and asked.
—Do you wish for it?
I had to suppress my eyes from widening unintentionally. A voice transmission out of nowhere.
Did he think I couldn't use voice transmission?
Wondering how to react, and figuring he'd know anyway, I answered without hiding, also via voice transmission.
—It seems too early for now.
—I see.
Rather than the fact that he asked me via voice transmission, the very fact that he 'asked' for my opinion at all was more surprising.
There had never been such a case. And considering that, was it okay for me to answer like this?
"For the wedding, if possible, it would be good after the child obtains the position of Young Family Head."
"Are you saying giving it is already confirmed?"
"Yes."
My father answered casually to Nangong Jin, who looked somewhat flustered. The position of Young Family Head itself meant the person who would receive the next Family Head position.
So it wasn't something to be casually mentioned before obtaining the position, but my father spoke as if it didn't matter.
If there was a distinction from other families, that would be it.
"When exactly would that be?"
"At the very least, I think they should pass the age of twenty."
"Then the time...!"
Nangong Jin started to object but then closed his mouth. He knew that pressing for time wouldn't bring a good reaction.
It seemed there was an internal reason, but he apparently wouldn't force the issue. Probably because he knew it would be a loss to himself.
Since it's the Nangong family, he might vaguely know what position I would inherit.
Nangong Jin let out a deep sigh and said.
"...Fine. Then when would be good for the engagement ceremony?"
"Since you said you have no preferred time, it seems around next spring would work."
"Understood. Regarding this matter, I will speak with the council of elders and send a separate letter."
"I hope there will be good results."
When exchanging verbal blows, time flew by as they growled at each other, but the conversation related to business ended in an instant.
Food came out, and alcohol was served for the Family Heads, but the only one eating was Nangong Bia.
Given the atmosphere, it didn't seem like I could put anything in my mouth, and my father only drank tea without touching anything else.
Nangong Jin flatly declared, "I have no hobby of drinking with uncomfortable people."
In the end, the only one using chopsticks diligently was Nangong Bia.
'...You can eat even in this situation?'
Perhaps due to her bold personality that doesn't care about others' reactions, she was eating about ten times more demurely than usual, but to think she could eat in this situation.
'Is it because she hangs out with Wi Seol-a?'
I thought that might be possible.
"Then I'll consider the next schedule as spring and take my daughter back now."
At Nangong Jin's words, Nangong Bia's chopsticks stopped abruptly. Noticing this, Nangong Jin shot Nangong Bia a sharp glare.
"I have no intention of letting you act as you please any further. Originally, I intended to punish you severely, but given the circumstances, I generously let it slide. You know this well enough, don't you?"
"...Yes."
Nangong Bia, who had been eating so well, stopped chewing as if her appetite had completely vanished. Since accompanying me was essentially running away from home without the Family Head's permission, this was to be expected.
Still, seeing that depressed expression, I couldn't help but feel concerned.
[Depressed...? To me, she looks exactly the same—what makes you think she looks depressed?]
Shin Noya spoke as if he couldn't understand, but I could clearly see a change in her expression. In small details like the corners of her eyes and the corners of her mouth, it was definitely perceptible.
It was a contrast to her declaring she would come along to the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering with Dang Soryeol—having come this far, perhaps Nangong Bia also had no other options.
As I quietly watched Nangong Bia, Shin Noya asked me.
[What are you planning?]
'About what?'
At my words, Shin Noya half-smirked and said.
[Don't pretend not to know even with me. Haven't you already devised some plan in your head?]
It was true that something had come to mind as Shin Noya said, but it wasn't anything grand enough to be called a plan.
Just from the situation so far, I had merely reached the point where I felt my father would overlook it even if I caused some trouble.
[What trouble are you going to cause?]
'Nothing much.'
I was going to try what I do best.
'I'm going to pick a fight.'
The discourse ended here. The conversation about the schedule was simple. The engagement ceremony would be held in spring, and the wedding schedule would be set gradually.
The reason they couldn't give a definite answer was that Nangong Jin said he needed to have more discussions with the council of elders on his side.
What could be understood from those words was:
'The Family Head's power isn't that strong.'
The territory Nangong Jin held within the family wasn't very large.
Making the name Azure Heaven Sword King meaningless.
Thinking about how little decisive power he had in matters regarding the engagement with Nangong Bia and various other matters, it was truly a delicate point.
'Is it because of the Heavenly Venerable?'
One of the Three Venerables and the strongest martial artist among those currently bearing the Nangong surname.
An old man who in the future would fail to prevent the annihilation of the Nangong family and be killed by the Heavenly Demon came to mind.
'I don't need to worry about that far ahead.'
When the meal was all finished, Nangong Bia stood up following Nangong Jin.
Nangong Bia's gaze was directed at me.
Eyes that seemed regretful. Or perhaps eyes that seemed apologetic?
Apologize for what?
For wanting to go together but not being able to? Or for leaving me behind?
To say leaving me behind, the time we had spent together wasn't very long.
She was simply feeling regret. Whether that regret was due to the affection she sent me, or because it was a freedom she had barely obtained, I didn't know.
What mattered to me was that Nangong Bia was sending me such a look.
And though I'm sorry.
I had no intention of letting her go now.
Shin Noya, who smiled at my thoughts, asked.
[When were you the one pushing her away?]
'Right.'
How did it come to this? Even in my own thoughts, the human heart is a fickle thing.
Not wanting to lose her, I didn't try to hold on, but now that she's in my hands, I don't want to let go.
Arrogant and fickle—isn't that petty?
'I know that, but...'
As my father was about to rise, I picked up a dumpling in front of me and ate it.
It was my first meal of the day.
With the dumpling stuffed in my mouth, I spoke.
"I'm going to try being a little greedy."
At my words, Shin Noya said nothing.
My guess is, the answer was probably something like "Whether you do or not."
---
After the discourse ended and time passed, when night fell.
Having received a martial artist's report, Nangong Jin cut his schedule short and headed toward the annex.
His face was contorted as fiercely as could be, and the Nangong family's thunder qi mixed internal energy rose from his entire body as if representing his emotions.
'...This brat whose blood hasn't even dried yet dares to—'
Creak—!
Knowing who the master of this land was, Nangong Jin was exercising forbearance.
He had endured useless conflicts, and had exercised patience even when that fetus-like Gu family's junior had run wild without knowing fear.
Even the incredibly arrogant Nangong Jin harbored at least a microscopic sense of gratitude for the burden the Gu family carried on its back.
Still, even so.
This had clearly crossed the line.
Bang—!
The entrance to the annex was roughly thrown open as Nangong Jin arrived.
"...!"
He hadn't even reached the annex that was his destination, but from far away, the heat carried on the wind brushed the tip of Nangong Jin's nose.
Nangong Jin's eyes couldn't help but widen.
Countless martial artists of the Nangong family lay unconscious on the floor of the annex. Those who were still intact were vomiting on the ground, barely holding onto their senses.
"This...!"
As Nangong Jin was about to let out a vicious roar, someone entered his line of sight. The owner of the blazing heat currently dominating the annex.
A pair of red eyes looking haughtily at Nangong Jin from the center of a ring of scorching fire.
At that familiar presence, Nangong Jin involuntarily flinched.
'...Gu Cheolun?'
No. That wasn't Gu Cheolun. But he resembled him.
Not the current toothless hero, but Gu Cheolun from back then, the one called the Flame Ghost.
The owner of the fire spoke to Nangong Jin.
"You've come, Nangong Family Head."
A thin voice. The vocal cords of a boy who hadn't even properly gone through voice change.
He already knew who it was from the report, but as Nangong Jin, he didn't want to believe it.
That such an absurd existence had been born into the Gu family's bloodline.
"The situation has flowed a bit strangely, so it's a little awkward to say this..."
The flames died down.
'...No, they're not dying down.'
The heat and the terrifying flames roaming the surroundings were all returning to the boy's body.
When all the heat disappeared, only the boy remained in the center.
The black hair seen during the day was gone, and noticeably reddened hair and red eyes that could have been taken right from Gu Cheolun flickered.
"How about making a bet with me?"
Gu Yangcheon was smiling at Nangong Jin.