Chapter 137: Long Time No See, Brother-in-Law. (1)
Recalling a bit more about Murong Xiya.
Rather than the feeling of a swordswoman, she was closer to a scholar.
As if in defiance of her cold-hearted tone and expression, she always made quick, rational judgments,
and she was a person who, even in difficult situations, would only pick the correct answer.
The reason more people than expected could survive in the Demonic Realm was ultimately because the outstanding late-generation masters of the current era, including Wei Xue'er, banded together, but...
Looking at the results, the one who helped the most was probably Murong Xiya.
A woman who speaks without hesitation, always finding the rational direction and the right path.
When she was on your side, she was definitely the most helpful person.
However.
Conversely, when she became an enemy, she was also a woman who instilled endless fear.
........
Then what about now.
"Hello."
Which side is she on for me?
"I am Murong Xiya."
From what I could see, she was definitely not an ally.
Thud-!
I closed the door and reviewed the situation. What just happened...?
'Was it a dream?'
I said it was a dream because the situation I saw when I woke up was like that.
The sky-blue eyes I met are still flickering before my eyes.
'She took off her veil.'
Until yesterday, she was covering her entire face, but the Murong Xiya I just met had a bare face.
A cat-like appearance with alluring, sharp eyes.
Confident movements, as if she knew better than anyone that she was beautiful.
Murong Xiya of the Snow Peak. It was definitely her.
"...What is it?"
That was why I was even more curious.
Why did she come to find me?
If it's because of yesterday's incident, instead of me, it would be right to go find Gu Jiuye.
Knock knock-.
As if urging my choice, sounds continued to come from beyond the door.
I wanted to shamelessly close the door and go back to sleep, but since the opponent was who she was, that wasn't going to be easy.
In the end, I let out a sigh and slightly opened the door.
"What business do you have...?"
"I thought I'd at least give my thanks for yesterday's matter."
"If it's about that, it's not me but..."
"I must give it to you, Young Master. Isn't that right?"
Look at this.
Murong Xiya's eyes were already full of conviction.
That's why it's even stranger.
What on earth was she thinking to reach this conclusion?
"I'm not sure what you mean."
I really didn't do much yesterday. And I couldn't fathom the reason for her reaction.
Murong Xiya, who was quietly watching my reaction, smiled with her eyes and said,
"You're not surprised."
"Yes?"
Then she covered her mouth with a fan. It was a familiar fan.
It couldn't be otherwise, because Murong Xiya had always carried it around in my past life.
"It's been a while since I met someone who reacts so tepidly even after hearing my name and seeing my bare face."
"..."
I frowned slightly at Murong Xiya's words.
It seemed I reacted wrongly.
"Usually in this case, it's an outsider who has no interest in the world. But you don't seem like that kind of person, Young Master Gu."
"It seems you know who I am."
"Yes, I looked into it a little yesterday."
Murong Xiya was confidently saying she had investigated me.
This was confidence that she could solve any problems that arose, and a declaration that she wouldn't accept lies that wouldn't work.
Murong Xiya continued speaking with the same expression.
"Conversely, it seems you also knew who I was, didn't you?"
The sky-blue eyes looking at me gleamed slightly.
No matter how I looked at it, she was a woman I didn't want to get involved with.
'Needlessly good intuition.'
She must have a smart head too. But originally, Murong Xiya's perspective was different from others.
A woman with a brain to support her excellent intuition.
It's annoying even if she only had one of those.
"Is that perhaps a problem?"
"No. It's not a problem at all. As I said earlier, I just came to give my thanks."
From this morning?
"It's... closer to noon than morning, Young Master Gu."
Has it already been that time? Why did no one wake me up?
[A few people came by.]
'Laoye.'
[But when they saw you snoring away, they all just left.]
'...'
I have been a bit tired lately.
I had to regulate the qi in my body, and I camped while handling the significantly increased training time.
It was one thing that no one woke me up even though they came into the room, but...
'...I snore?'
It was a somewhat shocking statement.
[...In this situation, that's what shocks you? You brat, you're definitely a crazy bastard too.]
This is somewhat important, you know.
"So."
While I was racking my brain, Murong Xiya's words brought me out of my thoughts.
"I just came to show my face today."
The cool atmosphere felt along with her words couldn't solely be blamed on the cold weather.
"Seeing you in person, as expected, you have a somewhat unusual feeling, Young Master."
"It's a misunderstanding. Maybe your head has become a bit dull because it's cold..."
What kind of words are these, saying she felt something in this short meeting?
In the meantime, I unknowingly shut my mouth because it seemed I had habitually spoken fiercely.
Fortunately, Murong Xiya didn't seem to mind.
Rather than not minding, I should say it felt like she didn't consider it very important.
"Then I will see you next time."
"No need... never mind."
Again, again.
Every time I see her, the words I used to say in my past life pop out.
I thought I had fixed them all, did my tongue break down from the cold or something?
Murong Xiya smiled and said,
"Yes, I will definitely see you next time."
She heard me. Damn it.
Murong Xiya, who had no lingering regrets, turned her body.
Immediately after, I was reflected in Murong Xiya's eyes as she went up to the upper floor, the Gold floor.
This meant I had entered her line of sight.
What on earth was the problem? Every time a different problem from my past life arose like this, it was endlessly complicated.
The scent left in the spot where Murong Xiya passed was felt in my nose.
The slightly remaining cold wind was what she left behind.
As expected, my uncomfortable constitution seems to remain the same.
"...Tsk."
The expressions and movements Murong Xiya deliberately showed were extremely natural.
It was different from Wei Xue'er's cuteness or the alluringness contained within Nangong Bi'er's pure elegance.
Sensuality.
It was a deep sensuality to the extent that a normal man would lose his senses and fall into a swamp.
The softly moving hand gestures and the seductive gaze were displaying various charms along with Murong Xiya's beautiful face, but.
I knew that all of that was acting.
'She's someone who lacks manners to the point of spraying sword qi from her mouth, yet look at her acting.'
Therefore, rather than my heart racing, I only felt a chilling sensation.
[So...]
"...Hmm?"
Shin Laoye interrupted in the middle of my thoughts.
Somehow, it was a tone that seemed a bit angry.
[Are you saying you did this and that with that woman?]
"Why is it suddenly going in that direction?"
[This is an important matter.]
"From what I can see...?"
[It's something that puts me at a crossroads of whether to kill you or let you live, how could it not be important?]
"..."
I did a dry wash of my face with my hands at the headache that seemed to suddenly rush in.
Is the old man getting dementia?
Seeing Shin Laoye not in his right mind, I seriously worried if ghosts could also get dementia.
Since it was noon, I hurriedly finished washing and moved to have a meal.
Thanks to Wei Xue'er, who came to find and call me, probably knowing I had woken up.
"Young Master."
"Ugh..."
"Are you eating dumplings again...?"
"Why?"
While I was diligently picking them up and eating, Wei Xue'er asked with a blank look.
"Don't you get tired of them?"
"You don't get tired of eating medicine and snacks all day either."
"Ha, I don't eat them all day!"
"Oh really? Should I ask Hong Wa?"
"..."
When I used my sure-kill move, Wei Xue'er clamped her mouth shut.
Seeing her lips slightly pouting, it seemed she was pouting.
I smiled slightly at that, and as a sign of apology, I placed a piece of food onto Wei Xue'er's plate when someone stroked the back of my head.
"What is it?"
I didn't even check who it was.
Since there was only one person sitting next to me who would do such a thing.
"...The back of your hair..."
"Is it weird?"
"It's gotten scratchy..."
As Nangong Bi'er rubbed it, there was a slight moisture on her hand.
It seemed she was trying to fix my somewhat messy hair.
Since her touch wasn't bad, I left my hair to her, and Nangong Bi'er seemed to find it fun and focused more and more.
"...Hey, wait a minute."
Then, sensing something strange, I moved, and Nangong Bi'er fell away as if disappointed, but the deed was already done.
Tang Xiaolie, who was watching with a subtle expression, looked at me and burst into laughter.
"Ahaha! Young Master Gu...! It suits you so well."
"Where in the world is such a terrible joke."
"But... it really suits you. It's so cute."
It felt like a tail was attached to the crown of my head.
Feeling the floppiness every time I shook my head, I quickly tried to untie my hair, but.
Nangong Bi'er and Wei Xue'er playfully blocked me.
"Are you not going to let go of this?"
"Just for a little bit... can't you stay like this?"
"Do you think that's going to happen?"
"It suits you well, Young Master!"
Even Muyan, who was standing behind me as a guard, was holding back his laughter—does it suit me?
Even Gu Jiuye in front was keeping his mouth shut and turning his head away.
"Hey, are you laughing?"
"Ah... no."
"It doesn't seem like it's nothing. It seems like you're laughing."
Perhaps because his feelings were hurt by yesterday's incident, even Gu Jiuye, who hadn't said a word, seemed to find this laughable.
'These guys...!'
In the end, I forcefully tried to untie it, but at the sudden presence felt, I shifted my gaze.
Coming down the stairs was Murong Xiya, who had covered her face with a veil once again.
She immediately approached this way.
Murong Xiya, who approached with calm steps, looked around slightly, then saw me and flinched.
Even though she was covering her face with a veil, I clearly felt her gaze land on the crown of my head.
At that sight, I quickly untied my hair.
"..."
For someone who came over as if she had something to say, her silence was long.
[Her shoulders are trembling.]
At Shin Laoye's words, my gaze also headed to Murong Xiya's shoulders.
I could see it. Her shoulders were definitely trembling.
'...Is she perhaps laughing?'
It was funny that Murong Xiya of all people was trying to hold back her laughter, but.
The fact that my appearance just a moment ago was at that level was even more miserable.
"...What business do you have?"
"Pfft... No..."
"It seems like you're laughing."
"That couldn't be. You must have seen it wrong."
At my point out, her voice quickly returned to its original state.
Murong Xiya cleared her throat for a moment, then spoke not to me, but to Tang Xiaolie.
"It's been a while, Miss Tang."
Just as Tang Xiaolie was about to frown at the sudden greeting, her eyes widened.
It seemed she recognized who she was.
"...Miss Murong."
"You recognized me."
Judging by the title she used, they didn't seem to be very close.
Was it like that in my past life too?
I definitely hadn't seen the two of them hanging around together.
"...Did you arrive yesterday?"
"Yes, by chance, I received help from Miss Tang yesterday. I thank you."
It seemed she was talking about Tang Xiaolie suppressing Huangfu Chiewei and making him back off. Tang Xiaolie didn't direct her gaze at Murong Xiya, as if there was something uncomfortable.
Even in that situation, Murong Xiya consistently spoke to Tang Xiaolie.
"If it's alright with you, since this has become our connection, could we share a meal? I haven't eaten yet either."
"Aren't you skipping lunch?"
"...Hmm?"
At the words that slipped out of my mouth without me realizing, Murong Xiya's gaze turned this way.
'Damn... I made a mistake.'
My foolish tongue moved on its own again.
It was because useless memories kept surfacing.
-Aren't you going to eat that?
-If I eat at this time, my stomach gets upset, so I always skip lunch.
-Then I'll eat it.
-Don't touch it. It's annoying, I'll eat it for dinner later.
-Then you should have told me that first!
-You didn't ask.
-Ah, my head hurts. Where did Wei Xue'er go, not managing this crazy bitch.
It was definitely not a story that could be called a good memory.
"How... do you know that, Young Master?"
"You just looked like it. I took a guess and it was right."
"Huh?"
Since Murong Xiya made a surprised expression even in this timeline, I answered hastily.
[You really can't get a hold of yourself.]
Laoye also said with a worried tone, feeling something was wrong. I also thought I was strange myself.
Why am I acting like this all of a sudden?
In that gap, Murong Xiya gave off a peculiar atmosphere for a moment, but she looked back at Tang Xiaolie without saying anything else.
As Murong Xiya wanted to share the meal, Tang Xiaolie became restless like a dog needing to go.
Her signaling towards me felt more like she was gauging my reaction rather than asking for help.
Tang Xiaolie, who hesitated for a moment, asked me.
"Young Master Gu... is it alright to share a meal with Miss Murong?"
It was different from the fierce appearance she showed yesterday.
It was such a cautious reaction that it made me think otherwise.
I wondered if Tang Xiaolie had some kind of weakness caught by Murong Xiya.
"...Oh."
The small exclamation came from Murong Xiya's mouth.
It seemed she was surprised to see Tang Xiaolie asking for my permission.
I quietly observed the situation and nodded.
"It's fine."
At my answer, Tang Xiaolie let out a small sigh.
Was it a sigh of relief?
Seeing it as that, it contained both relief and anxiety.
If it were me originally, I would have refused.
There was no need to go out of my way to be uncomfortable.
However, the reason I changed my mind was simple.
The fact that Murong Xiya approached first.
That was the only reason.
When Murong Xiya takes the initiative to approach someone, there is a reason for it.
And seeing Tang Xiaolie's reaction, if I had refused this, there must be some problem, hence such a reaction.
[Are you saying it's because of the Tang family child?]
'If I had to pinpoint it, yes.'
[Then why are you spitting out such a roundabout way of saying you did it out of consideration?]
Right.
I let out a hollow laugh and briefly surveyed Wei Xue'er and Nangong Bi'er, who were eating on both sides.
Because I accepted Murong Xiya's joining the table on my own, I tried to see their reactions, but.
Fortunately, neither of them seemed to care much.
Of course, it was visible that both of their gazes were looking towards Murong Xiya.
Gu Jiuye, who was a party to last night, seemed to freeze like a stone due to Murong Xiya sitting next to him.
Compared to his handsome face, his immunity to women seemed quite lacking.
"You are... Miss Nangong, right?"
Murong Xiya, who sat down, spoke to Nangong Bi'er, leaving Gu Jiuye next to her aside.
At Murong Xiya's call, Nangong Bi'er nodded slightly.
If you ask how she recognized her, Nangong Bi'er was clearly a person of the Nangong family to anyone who saw her.
Let alone her characteristic hair and eyes.
Since all her clothes were the same, as she always wore only the blue martial uniform of the Nangong family.
"Nice to meet you."
"...Yes."
"I'm sorry for joining the table so suddenly. Was it not uncomfortable?"
"A little..."
"...Yes?"
Murong Xiya asked back as if she misheard for a moment, but Nangong Bi'er's answer did not change.
"It was a little uncomfortable, but it's okay..."
At Nangong Bi'er's words, I had to hide my surprise inwardly.
Nangong Bi'er had just answered so bluntly to what was said in a casually dismissive manner.
'That's not her personality.'
Considering the usual Nangong Bi'er, she would have ignored it and passed it off as not caring.
Murong Xiya, who heard that, also seemed slightly flustered.
"...Oh, I'm sorry. Thank you for understanding."
She quickly offered an apology and let out a small laugh.
Seeing that she didn't leave her seat even in this situation, it seemed she definitely had a reason.
'What could it be.'
The reason Murong Xiya would go out of her way to approach this side.
It didn't seem to be Tang Xiaolie's side...
As I was racking my brain, I felt a tingling sensation on my back.
I wasn't the only one who felt this, as the gazes of all the martial artists sitting at the tables on the first floor of the inn gathered towards the entrance.
The energy felt through the aura was clearly Lightning Qi.
It was an energy that was now incredibly familiar to me.
Because there was a martial artist skilled in lightning qi attached right next to me.
It was infinitely lower in level than Nangong Jin's lightning qi, and more disheveled than Nangong Bi'er's.
But it seemed enough to focus the attention of the surrounding martial artists.
"Oh, this energy."
"I heard he was participating this time, it looks like he really came."
The murmuring sounds from around were heard better than expected.
"Isn't he with Dufeng? It's not strange."
"Even so, with the matter with the Sword Dragon, I thought he wouldn't come."
Creak.
Before people could finish speaking, the door of the inn opened and someone entered.
I simultaneously checked Nangong Bi'er's side.
As expected, Nangong Bi'er also had an expression that looked somewhat uncomfortable.
The person who entered while receiving everyone's attention all at once was a young man who was burdensomely handsome.
With features resembling the middle-aged Nangong Jin, and possessing the same hair color as Nangong Bi'er.
One of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes, the man who was certain to become the Young Patriarch of the Nangong Family.
The Thunder Dragon, Nangong Tianjun.
He had appeared at the inn, expressing his presence.
Looking at the energy in his body, it seemed his level had increased compared to when I met him before.
"It seems your groin has healed."
I looked at him with pity, recalling what happened at our last meeting.
'I was a bit too much back then.'
In the past, at the Tang family's banquet, he kept barking like a dog, so I broke his arm and kicked his vital point with my foot.
Thinking about it now, the arm was understandable, but the vital point was a bit much.
As I was recalling that, I felt like I finally understood a little about Murong Xiya's purpose.
'Was it because of that guy?'
Murong Xiya's gaze was also directed towards Nangong Tianjun.
Recalling the relationship between Murong Xiya and Nangong Tianjun in my past life, it wasn't strange.
'Then the purpose of requesting to join the table was...'
Was it not Tang Xiaolie or me, but Nangong Bi'er?
If I were to say no, it fit perfectly in many ways.
Nangong Tianjun, who appeared while radiating lightning qi everywhere, stopped as he walked over confidently.
It seemed he had discovered this side.
To be exact, Nangong Bi'er, who was next to me.
"...Sister."
When Nangong Tianjun called out somewhat faintly, Tang Xiaolie, who was watching, suddenly turned her head and gagged.
"Ugh."
"Miss Tang?"
"...I'm sorry. My stomach was a bit upset because I saw something greasy."
After retching for a while, she stared intently at my face. Then she let out a deep sigh, and her expression quickly returned to normal.
"...I feel like I can live a little now."
"Yes...?"
It was a reaction like drinking hot soup after being completely hungover.
No matter how I looked at it, in my eyes, she was the most abnormal one.