Head-banging. ⑵
Around the time she returned after finishing her meal, a servant asked Murong Huia.
"How did it go?"
Her young lady had said things would go according to plan, and though she returned, judging by her expression, it didn't seem like anything particularly good had happened.
"It seems today isn't the day."
As expected. Her prediction was correct.
"There was also a hindrance."
"A hindrance?"
"Yes. There was one tactless wandering swordsman."
Murong Huia recalled Gu Jue-yeop.
His face had a certain charm to it, and judging by his movements, he seemed to have some skill as well.
However, the situation just wasn't good.
"Fortunately, it's a day later than expected."
Based on the information, she had thought it would surely be today, but could something have happened?
He hasn't arrived at the Dragon Phoenix Gathering yet.
"Will you try again tomorrow?"
"I've already paid the fee, so I need to use it."
The fact that Hwangbo Cheol-wi's acting skills were better than Murong Huia had expected also helped her thinking.
Dang So-yeol's intervention was also an unexpected part, though.
'Why is that child here already?'
Poison Phoenix Dang So-yeol. The precious jewel of the Dang Family, famous for her kind face but quite the opposite personality.
The sight of her pressuring Hwangbo Cheol-wi, who looked about twice her size with some exaggeration.
It was a more grown appearance compared to when they had met before.
Because of that, Hwangbo Cheol-wi had to struggle to suppress his rough anger.
And above all.
'Nangong...'
Among those who appeared to be Dang So-yeol's companions, she recalled the woman wearing Nangong Family clothes.
The atmosphere given by her blue-white hair and seemingly hazy blue eyes was different from others.
'Was there such a person in the Nangong Family?'
If she were a blood relative of the Nangong Family, only his older sister came to mind.
Since she was said to never leave the family, information about her was quite scarce.
'Why would such a person be here?'
The Nangong Family, according to Murong Huia's prediction, would arrive tomorrow.
If she were a blood relative, it felt like the party was somewhat off.
She had heard that Nangong was pushing for an engagement this time...
Then is that party the one pushing for an engagement with the Nangong Family? Shanxi Gu, where Ho-hyeop serves as Family Head.
She had heard they were engaged to Ho-hyeop's son.
'Then who among them could it be.'
Murong Huia felt the cold wind seeping in through the window as she recalled.
The seemingly tactless boy who tried to save her, and the figure who was watching Hwangbo Cheol-wi.
Quietly and leisurely.
The boy who remained silent alone amidst the complex atmosphere.
Murong Huia's intuition was outstanding. Far superior to others.
Having experienced such benefits since childhood, she was confident in her abilities.
Such intuition of Murong Huia was telling her to keep watch on that boy.
The boy was eating the food in front of him as if trying hard not to give any attention.
But his second glance was all observing Hwangbo Cheol-wi's movements.
As if ready to jump in immediately if any problem arose.
Not raising his qi in the meantime was likely for one of two reasons.
It could be to avoid drawing attention. Second, it could be because he was confident enough without even needing to circulate qi.
'...That's probably not it.'
Even if Hwangbo Cheol-wi wasn't outstanding enough to enter the Dragon Phoenix, he was still a blood relative of a prestigious family in name.
Even she, called Snow Phoenix, couldn't face Hwangbo Cheol-wi without circulating qi.
Let alone being able to jump in from that distance.
"My lady?"
"Sorry, I got caught up in stray thoughts for a moment."
Was it because there were more unexpected situations than expected? She felt exhausted.
At Murong Huia's words, the servant immediately said they would bring tea.
Left alone, Murong Huia whispered quietly while feeling the wind.
"I hope tomorrow goes as expected."
A situation that doesn't flow according to plan.
That was what Murong Huia hated most.
About three years after staying in the Demon Realm.
Half of the transferred personnel had died. Now was the time when everyone was growing weary.
Seeing the purple moon. Seeing the red sky.
Tearing and eating demon beast flesh.
The hope to keep living was also gradually diminishing.
—What did you just say?
A sharp energy swept through the space in the cave. Wi Seol-a hadn't drawn her sword, but the internal qi she emanated was no different from this.
—It seems you don't understand what I'm saying.
Even while enduring the killing intent, Murong Huia's expression didn't change at all.
Rather, she only hardened her determined expression further.
—Then are you saying I should understand that bullshit?
It was rare to see Wi Seol-a raise her voice.
Especially reacting so intensely.
—Abandon our comrade? How can you ask me to understand that?
—If you can't understand, then what will you do?
—Snow Phoenix!
Even at Wi Seol-a's intense outcry, Murong Huia's expression was utterly cold.
—Little Sword Empress, I understand you value chivalry and respect, but do you intend to lose everyone just to keep your values even at this point?
—No matter how much that may be...
—That's enough!
Murong Huia slammed the fan she was holding onto the ground. It was already torn and worn from the harsh years.
—We do that when there's a method. Little Sword Empress, you cannot handle everything.
—Then rather I should...
—Do you think we could hold out properly after losing you?
—...Snow Phoenix.
The people keeping silent in the room couldn't bring up any words. They understood Wi Seol-a's feelings, but there was nothing wrong with Murong Huia's words.
It was always like that. She never said wrong things.
That's still the same now.
—Jam-ryong holding out outside is the same, as are the others.
—So you're saying we should abandon the Ninth Young Master now?
—Yes.
Grit.
At Murong Huia's firm words, Wi Seol-a ground her teeth. She ground them so hard that a slight crunching sound was heard.
Murong Huia's gaze turned this way.
—Ninth Young Master.
—Why.
I looked at her and answered indifferently.
Because I knew better than anyone that this was the most correct thing.
—I'll listen to your resentment later.
—When, after you die?
—Yes.
—Crazy bitch, look at her being firm.
I was so dumbfounded that I laughed involuntarily. Wi Seol-a tried to intervene.
—As expected... it won't work. I'll...
—I'll do it.
—...!
At my answer, Wi Seol-a's expression contorted.
—If it's just that much, I can handle it.
—What kind of nonsense is that...! It's not about whether it can be done, if you have to go...
—You'll die.
At my answer, Wi Seol-a pressed her lips firmly.
Who wouldn't know? How many demonic beasts were camped outside. Knowing how the situation was flowing.
Countless.
In such a situation, Jam-ryong and the others were barely holding out.
Wi Seol-a was the same. She had been fighting until just before and was only resting to recover her qi.
—But is that crazy bitch wrong?
—Ninth Young Master...
—Don't lean on emotions only at times like this. If you're going to resent someone, blame everyone except that woman.
Because I was also blaming my weak self.
Wi Seol-a often made that exhausted-looking face when losing someone.
But what could be done.
—If not me, everyone dies.
—I can also take on such a role.
—That's right, everyone except me can do it.
But among them, the one whose death would cause the least problem was me. If Wi Seol-a, their greatest fighting force, were to die, the survivors' hope would vanish.
In the current situation, even losing one more person would make the gap unmanageable.
—The point where everyone could push through together has long passed.
—...
—Do you think I want to die? But everyone's going to die anyway.
Would these people survive if they drew attention away? Even that wasn't certain.
Still, it had to be done.
I could feel something in Wi Seol-a's gaze, but I turned my head. Those who were keeping silent with us rather avoided meeting my eyes.
I didn't wonder whether that was from guilt or from a sense of sin about feeling relieved.
—Three years, huh. You held out a long time.
Inappropriately for someone like me.
I survived well in a situation where I should have died long ago.
The fact alone that I survived by stepping on those who wanted to live was already shitty enough.
Now my stomach felt like it might ease a bit.
—Hey.
—Yes.
Murong Huia was still looking at me. Her gaze was unchanged.
—...
—Don't you have something to say?
—No, nothing.
It wasn't something I should say now.
If asked whether I resented Murong Huia, honestly it would be hard to say not at all, but I could understand.
A person has really changed a lot. The fact that I could understand that state.
—I'm going.
At my words, Wi Seol-a tried to reach out her hand, but in the end couldn't grab me. The situation where she could grab me had long passed.
Murong Huia didn't add any parting words.
She was originally that kind of person. If necessary, she was someone who would push away or accept without hesitation.
Yet not everyone loathed or hated her. The reason was simple.
It was because she was someone who always put herself within the framework she established.
Even in a situation like now, if the most unnecessary person wasn't me but Murong Huia herself, she would have gone without hesitation.
However, that wouldn't happen.
Whether Snow Phoenix, Jam-ryong, or Wi Seol-a.
If even one of them fell, they wouldn't be able to hold out.
Suddenly, before going ahead, I asked Murong Huia something else.
—When you go back, will you go around doing useless things again?
—You're asking something strange suddenly. What do you mean useless things?
—Just answer.
—I will.
—Amazing. Do you know that's a very reckless thing?
—It's just something necessary.
—Crazy bitch...
I chuckled.
That conversation was the end. There was nothing more to say to each other.
After I chose sacrifice and passed by ignoring Wi Seol-a who had slumped down.
Meeting the group again was about five years after entering the Demon Realm.
Many things had changed by then. That I survived, for one.
That they were alive, for another.
When we met again, there was no tearful, splendid reunion or anything like that.
Because I had to kill them all.
Late at night when the moon had risen to the center of the sky.
The room assigned to me was good enough to think it was spacious for one person.
"Posture."
At my words, Gu Jue-yeop urgently twisted his body. It seemed his strength had given out as he kept slumping.
"Raising your qi? Do you want to die?"
"No...!"
It was noticeable that he was subtly drawing and using energy from his dantian.
Gu Jue-yeop, who was doing a punishment stance, was grunting with his head pressed against the floor.
At first, he made a displeased expression asking what he did wrong.
So kindly, I made him show a more pleasing expression.
'Of course he could feel wronged.'
I didn't think Gu Jue-yeop had stepped forward with purely bad intentions.
Chivalry, good.
It's the driving force that makes many people at that age do things thoughtlessly.
Later on, that driving force could manifest in various ways.
'But that's when you have the ability.'
Looking at Gu Jue-yeop objectively, it's true he's outstanding for his age. He would be worthy of being called a genius.
However, this land is vast and late-blooming talents are many.
Right now, Gu Jue-yeop would lose not just to Nangong Bi-a but even to Dang So-yeol.
"Trying to save someone in that state."
"...I heard that even if you lack strength, you shouldn't hesitate to save the weak."
"Wonderful words. But why did you bust my arm?"
"...That's..."
"Right, I must have done something wrong."
Yes...
"Yes? Yees?"
"N-no. First Young Master."
They were certainly wonderful words. I wouldn't be able to dare say those words were wrong.
The reason this era came, and the reason the Heavenly Demon could die.
It was a miracle composed of such chivalric spirit.
Though it was something I couldn't do, being too busy trying to survive myself.
"Then save the weak, why meddle uselessly?"
"What do you mean..."
Murong Huia is not weak. It seems Gu Jue-yeop hadn't grasped that much.
"You tactless bastard, why step forward without knowing your place."
"..."
When a brief quiet silence fell, I looked back and saw Wi Seol-a and Nangong Bi-a looking at me with strange expressions.
"What."
"No..."
"Yeah..."
What's with those strange reactions...? I turned my head again to look at Gu Jue-yeop.
"Did you think you'd win earlier?"
"..."
"Judging by your reaction, it seems you did."
Gu Jue-yeop flinched. It seemed he stepped in because he thought he would win.
"...Was that not the case?"
"No, you would have won."
He probably would have won, since Hwangbo Cheol-wi's martial prowess didn't seem that strong.
Still, he wouldn't have won easily.
Being full of vigor was good, but he should have read the situation first.
"Then...!"
"Meddling is something you do when you can take responsibility."
The things that would have happened if he had caused an incident right then.
The inn that would have become a mess and us who would have to take responsibility as companions. Possible friction with the Hwangbo Family and if there were problems with the Dragon Phoenix Gathering schedule, and so on.
"Can you take responsibility for all of this yourself?"
"..."
"Know your place. Chivalry you can't take responsibility for, save for when you're alone. If you don't like that, get out right now."
It was a good mindset that could make someone a hero, but without the ability to back it up, it was meaningless talk.
This could be a harsh and wicked thing to say, but there were countless people who burned themselves and even burned those around them with only chivalry.
This damned Central Plains wasn't without such people. And I also knew that heroes' endings weren't always happy.
"...I'm sorry. I'll be careful."
Gu Jue-yeop stood up unsteadily.
His expression was still not good, and he had a look of not understanding.
I hadn't told him to understand in the first place.
Rather, Gu Jue-yeop had a more admirable mindset than someone like me.
Right now, it wasn't unrelated that I was venting my anger because I didn't like that he almost got entangled with Murong Huia.
'What was she trying to do.'
It wasn't that Murong Huia had a weak personality, so it was stranger that she stayed silent without saying anything while being treated like that.
She could have done that because it was troublesome, but that was something only possible for someone with a personality like mine.
[As if you'd stay quiet. It'd be a blessing if she didn't break something right away.]
...In Murong Huia's case, as far as I knew, that was impossible.
She was a woman who used all sorts of methods to get what she wanted, so could there have been such an intention this time as well.
'What?'
What on earth was she trying to get here?
The sky-blue eyes that shone in the darkness came to mind.
Recalling that, I felt unnecessarily troubled and took a sip of tea.
While doing so, I glanced my eyes to look at Nangong Bi-a.
I recalled that Murong Huia had flinched when she saw Nangong Bi-a earlier.
'Seeing that, does it mean the purpose is already set?'
Murong Huia's purpose. And the connection with Nangong Bi-a.
...
She was notoriously famous from her previous life, so it wouldn't be strange even if it was the same this time.
Murong Huia had tried to obtain a certain man. I didn't know what it was for.
Whether it was love or for some purpose, I hadn't heard.
Even as time passed, Murong Huia's purpose didn't change until the end.
Even while spending the night with me.
'Useless thoughts.'
They say the memory of one's first woman isn't easily forgotten, but seeing as no particular sentiment remained, I wondered if it was a futile saying.
Though the fact that it wasn't something done out of mutual affection was also a big reason.
'Anyway, as long as I don't get entangled from now on, it should be fine...'
That would be enough.
I thought that would be enough.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Murong Huia."
However, seeing Murong Huia smiling brightly since morning, I immediately realized.
That it was already screwed up.