What Are You Again. ⑵
Why is this guy here.
If you think about the origin of that incident, it wouldn't be too difficult to figure out.
The day before leaving for the Yongbong Assembly.
It was right after I had finished looking at Nangong Jin's movements. Nangong Jin couldn't stay at the Gu Family any longer, and I had a schedule set, so it couldn't be helped.
Amidst that, I acted nonchalant and said it was fine, but the regret floating on Nangong Jin's face was too obvious.
I understand his feelings, but from my position, even if I looked at his sword... I was just speaking according to Noya's words, so I felt relieved that one burdensome thing had disappeared.
The problem was right after that.
"It's been a while, Yangcheon."
"Have you been well during that time?"
Right after meeting Nangong Jin, I went to see the First Elder.
The Second Elder said he would come along after hearing my words the day before.
But I strongly objected and said I would go meet him alone.
The Second Elder made a face like he couldn't understand, but going together wouldn't be particularly helpful.
Rather, being with the Second Elder, who was part of the opposing faction, would mean drawing a line in the first place.
I looked at the thin, fierce-looking old man sitting before me.
A small and lean body, but I could feel the well-tempered blade contained within.
Even with his age, it still felt like a famous sword.
But conversely, it also meant I had risen enough to feel the First Elder's level.
The First Elder smiled at me and asked.
"So, what did you come to see this old man for?"
"I just thought I should visit at least once to see if you're healthy."
"Hoh... I'm grateful just hearing the words."
I smiled along with the First Elder.
Guseonmun.
A sect belonging to the Gu Family, called the sword of the Gu Family.
Location-wise, it's not too far from the Gu Family, but although it's clearly on the branch family side, rather than feeling like it belongs to the Gu Family.
The feeling of being separate is strong.
Whether this also stems from thought, or has been passed down from previous generations, is unclear.
"Yes, I heard you've been doing well lately."
"Of course, I'm always doing well."
The start of the conversation is simple.
I can't just bite and attack from the start.
"I heard you even got engaged to a pretty girl. Things went well."
"Thankfully, it seems they looked favorably upon me."
"Of course, of course."
The First Elder grins at my words. In contrast, the air in the room is stifling.
I could feel something subtly turning my insides without being noticed around me.
'Look at this old man.'
He's breathing out his qi very subtly, without showing any trace.
It was already too petty a trick, so without needing to say it, I also moved my qi and scattered the air.
Whoo-!
I didn't release heat. There was no need to do so.
Was it an unexpected situation? Only then did the First Elder's expression change significantly.
I looked at him and said.
"I don't really like stifling atmospheres."
"Well now..."
The First Elder quickly erased his smiling face.
Yes, this is rather more comfortable.
"It seems you've changed a lot."
"I'm at the age to grow."
"Tsk tsk... The child who couldn't even properly meet my eyes, now..."
Was that so. Indeed, the me of that time couldn't have comfortably endured this subtle atmosphere.
Originally, I wouldn't have even come to face the First Elder on my own two feet.
I half-listened to the First Elder's words and took a sip of tea.
I hope there isn't any poison mixed in.
'...Is it because I've been through so much, now I'm even worrying about this?'
In the current situation, the First Elder wouldn't have done such a thing, but in my previous life, I lived with poison as well as assassination always in mind.
Even now, it was a habit to move my qi and expand my senses.
"It seems you've truly changed a lot from before, it's a good sight."
"Do you really think it's a good sight?"
"Of course, the main pillar of our family has changed like this, so it can only be good."
"That's a nice thing to hear."
The main pillar of the family.
How easily he spits out words he doesn't mean.
There was a time when I used to think alone that his words might be sincere.
The time I've experienced taught me that all those words were meaningless.
"The reason I came to see you today, Elder, is no other than."
Whooo-
Red qi surges like a mirage over my shoulders.
Perhaps because it clearly contains the qi of the Peak realm, the First Elder's eyebrows furrow slightly.
"I came because I have something to say to you."
"...What kind of talk are you referring to."
The fact that the First Elder isn't too surprised even after seeing I've reached the Peak realm probably means he already knew.
The reason I deliberately revealed that I had reached the realm was no other than this.
It was too weak to use as a meaning that if he kept messing with me, I'd flip everything over.
Although outstanding compared to my age, it was still only the Peak realm.
It might be endlessly high compared to other martial artists, but it wasn't yet a level where I could go around showing off.
At least for now, not to mention the Heavenly Demon, if the Sword Sovereign or Sword Empress nearby drew their swords, it was a level where I could die right then and there.
It means that if I were to live as I please just because I don't like something, it would be impossible at my current level.
[Then why don't you just kill some and live.]
'...That's actually not easy.'
I've killed quite a lot too.
The world really doesn't appreciate this kind of thing.
I am aware of you.
Having risen to this level, don't you know it's late, now stop touching me.
And so on, I was giving it various meanings.
Would the First Elder really not understand that?
I didn't think so.
At my nonchalant gaze, the First Elder finally removes his last mask.
Though it seems he had no intention of hiding it in the first place.
"You've changed so much I can't recognize you. It's like you've become a different person."
"I hear that often. Don't they say maturing happens in an instant?"
"Indeed. It would have been better if you never had."
"I don't care what you were doing, Elder, or what you're dreaming of."
An old man's wish is a meaningless yet deep statement.
I didn't care what he was dreaming of.
"But it seems I keep getting tangled up in it."
If there's a problem, it's that I'm tied to the old man's wish in an unfavorable direction.
"How could you not get tangled up."
"Exactly, it's annoying and frustrating."
"What was the problem."
The First Elder asks.
"What made you, who lived with your head bowed, change like that, was it a meager hope, or was it a wretched faith."
"Hope burned away long ago, and for living by believing in something, the house isn't that clean, is it."
This was also part of the reason my father left this First Elder alone.
Anyway, what a dog-like house.
There's not a single thing I like.
"Your father is arrogant."
At the sudden words, I make a subtle expression.
Suddenly cursing my parents.
"Isn't he?"
"Are you telling me to agree with you cursing my father?"
No matter how hard I find it to understand my father.
What kind of nonsense talk is this.
"Thinking that only you and your father can bear the karma of this land, you don't seem to know how arrogant that is."
I put down the tea I was about to drink.
It was because I didn't expect words about karma to come from the First Elder's mouth.
"How do you know that?"
"Is it surprising? That I know."
"Yes."
Those who know this can be counted on one hand across the Three Families.
Outside the Three Families, that's something I don't know about, but at least on the inside, that's how it is.
It had to be that way.
'But the First Elder knows.'
Since when did he know, is it certain that he knows?
I don't know the First Elder in detail.
The reason being that my existence at the time was in such a miserable situation that I wouldn't have stood out.
The First Elder also began to stand out noticeably after I was appointed as the Young Master.
"If you know, why do you try to climb a place you cannot climb?"
"Cannot climb? Me, or if not me, my children."
"Whatever it may be."
"Not only your father, but you too are arrogant."
If it had been pitying us who must bear the karma of the underground, it might have been a different story.
The First Elder was thinking something else.
"You wouldn't know. How massive a power it is to have them in your hands."
The rising heat feels like it suddenly dies down.
"I don't want to know. Whatever meaning it may have."
The First Elder cannot set foot in that place.
If he claims to have seen and come.
There's no way he could be standing and walking around now.
No matter what illusion-filled dream he might be having.
"If you wish to dream, I sincerely hope you only continue to dream."
Dreaming is free. The reason my father leaves the First Elder alone must also be due to this.
The First Elder speaks as if mocking my words.
"What if I don't just dream?"
"Well."
Even if the First Elder is blinded by ambition, would he easily be given a justification?
Although Guseonmun's value is high and its role is clear.
There's no way to know how far my father will tolerate it.
The First Elder couldn't not know that either.
So while showing an obstructive appearance, he probably wouldn't do something openly.
"Do you know this?"
I said looking into the First Elder's two eyes.
"The dog that guarded the house got old, and it seemed something went wrong with its head, so it kept baring its teeth at the owner."
I mixed in a bit of a story from my previous life.
It's no fun if I only bring it up as a made-up story.
"A dog..."
"Yes, a dog, I mean."
At the same time, I slightly raised the corners of my mouth.
"Still, since there was gratitude for guarding the house, I endured it, but one day the old dog bit the owner."
"And so."
"Do you know what happened?"
"I don't know."
The First Elder's end came a few years later, in the same season as now.
How do I remember, that day was unusually hot for autumn.
The master of the Gu Family was enraged.
The flames he spewed filled the sky.
"After all its teeth were pulled out, it was burned alive."
If it had only bitten, they might have given it one more chance. It was because it crossed the line too much.
Isn't that so.
It touched his blood relatives.
Back then, my father stepped forward.
But this time, it might be a story where I step forward a little earlier.
Coincidentally, that day in my previous life was also a method I could handle extremely well.
If only a justification is given, that is.
And it seemed like there wasn't much time left until a justification would be given.
So for now, I could answer with a smile.
"Just that."
"...That's an interesting story. Very much so."
"....."
"It is, isn't it? It would be good if it remains just a story."
The First Elder doesn't hide the ambition visible around his eyes, but seems to be hiding his current emotions well.
Perhaps he was angry inside.
A young whelp spitting disrespectful words at him.
"It was an interesting story. Thank you."
As if disagreeing, the First Elder smiles.
Seeing that smile, I felt like I understood a little more.
It just means my relationship with the First Elder won't change.
Thinking of various things as I look at Gu Jeol-yeop now that it has come to this.
"...Huu."
Was the problem going to my father right after the uncomfortable conversation with the First Elder.
My father saying 'I understand' comes to mind.
I only went with the meaning of what I was going to do.
"Why are you here."
"...It's a message to serve the Young Master."
"You? Me?"
"Yes..."
Did the First Elder insert him, but for that to happen, it couldn't be done without my father's permission.
My father's influence must have also been involved.
A hostage.
"..."
At my words, Gu Jeol-yeop avoids my gaze.
It seemed he also knew what his role was.
"It's been a while?"
"...Yes."
When I stare at him, Gu Jeol-yeop doesn't meet my eyes.
Is it because of last time?
'I didn't beat him that severely.'
I let him go quietly without breaking a single place.
Compared to what I said, I treated him very gently, but it seems it wasn't like that for Gu Jeol-yeop.
"Young Master..."
Tang So-yeol approaches slightly.
She was sending a wary gaze toward Gu Jeol-yeop.
'Come to think of it, the two must have already met.'
It seemed the two had met because of the mess I made in a fit of anger.
Because of that, Tang So-yeol had even confronted me about it.
Gu Jeol-yeop slightly bows his head and offers a greeting to Tang So-yeol.
"We meet again. Miss Tang."
"...Hello."
Even though Gu Jeol-yeop, who has a handsome face, offers a greeting, Tang So-yeol rather slightly furrows her brow.
"Young Master!"
In that situation, Wi Seol-ah runs over.
After going out together last time, it was good to see her maintaining a lively appearance.
"Bia sister is sleeping!"
"I figured that would be the case."
Nangong Bi-a chose to accompany as she had said before.
She said she'd wait in the carriage first, and it seems she fell asleep as soon as she got in.
"Oh? Hello."
Wi Seol-ah discovers Gu Jeol-yeop and offers a greeting.
Seeing that, Gu Jeol-yeop flinches and trembles.
Is he remembering the time he got beaten up for coveting Wi Seol-yeop before.
I looked at that and asked.
"What are you going as?"
"Yes?"
"You, what's your role?"
Setting aside that I was told to serve you, there needed to be talk about what you're following along for.
Understanding my words, Gu Jeol-yeop shows me a letter.
It was a letter of recommendation for the Yongbong Assembly.
The recommender was none other than Gu Cheol-un, my father's name.
Seeing that, I was dumbfounded for a moment.
Not the First Elder, but my father. When I looked at him as if I couldn't believe it, Gu Jeol-yeop seemed to be the same.
He had an expression like he didn't know why he had to be here like this.
"...Interesting."
"What is?"
Turning my head at the suddenly interjected voice, Gu Ryeong-hwa was looking this way with round eyes.
"When did you get here."
"Just now..."
"Did you come to see me off?"
"I just dropped by while passing by."
For reference, the entrance and Gu Ryeong-hwa's quarters were at a considerable distance.
"Are you leaving now?"
"Seems like it."
"Then when will you come back...?"
At the decidedly sullen voice, I looked at Gu Ryeong-hwa with a peculiar expression.
Gu Ryeong-hwa also seemed to realize what she said was strange, and looked down at the ground with a flushed face.
I held back the laughter that wanted to come out and said.
"Well. It seems like it won't take too long."
At the very least, it would be faster than when I went to the Huashan Sect.
Will Gu Ryeong-hwa be at the Three Families during that time?
'I think she'll probably be there even after I come back.'
Since she said she'd be there for half a year.
While I was thinking, Gu Ryeong-hwa added words.
"...Hyeok will miss you, oppa."
"What?"
What did she just say?
"What's Hyeok to you?"
"Hm? Why?"
"No, what's with that affectionate title?"
"Why are you suddenly like this?"
Hyeok... Don't tell me it's not that Hyeok I know?
"You... are you close with that kid?"
"We're not close, but I did see him yesterday."
"What?"
"My master and the Divine Physician had a meal together."
"And?"
"And what. We just ate together..."
Not close but ate a meal? I stared at Gu Ryeong-hwa with narrowed eyes, but Gu Ryeong-hwa only sent a gaze like she didn't understand why I was being like this.
"I'll have to see Hyeok later."
"Why?"
"To get closer from now on."
"Hyeok said he's close with you, oppa."
"That's right, I'll have to get even closer from now on."
Our Hyeok.
It's a shame I couldn't see his face today.
At the moment something was about to rise in my chest, Muyeon approached.
"Young Master, I'll finish loading the luggage now."
"Is there a lot left?"
"It's done once we load the food supplies."
The heavy things were left, I suppose.
I said to Gu Jeol-yeop, who was still staring blankly.
"Hey."
"Yes...?"
"What are you doing."
"Yes? What do you mean suddenly..."
"What are you loafing around for, go help."
Whether it was the First Elder's intention or my father's thought, I didn't care.
If they gave him for me to use, I should use him.
Now that it's come to this, I planned to work Gu Jeol-yeop extremely, very hard on the journey ahead.
Stroking the hair of Wi Seol-ah who was standing like a puppy beside me, I thought.
Does Gu Jeol-yeop know.
That I have a longer tail than one might think.