Would You Like to Come Along? (2)
Unlike the fierce days of the martial arts tournament, the ending was a peaceful wrap-up.
Reluctantly dragging my tired body up to the platform where the Alliance Leader stood was a hassle, but what could I do? It wasn't something to throw a tantrum over and refuse to go up.
"I congratulate you on becoming a new star."
"Thank you."
"Your son has achieved such a great feat, so Lord Hu must be very pleased."
"Haha... ha... Of course."
"A True Dragon has been born in the Gu family, so the day it soars is not far away."
At Jang Cheon's words, I recalled my father's face.
Our father will be pleased?
When Gu Huibi appeared as the Sword Peak, he was a man who simply brushed it off with three words: 'I see.'
I wondered if he would really show any reaction just because his son showed up as the winner.
'And what's with Jinryong? True Dragon.'
They said they called it Jinryong because it means a real dragon, but what kind of cringe-inducing remark is that?
'It's better than my past life, but...'
Since it was better than that, I could at least breathe a little.
If I were to get a similar epithet in this life too... I really didn't want to imagine that part.
Just how does a person's epithet...
"...Ugh."
"What's wrong?"
"It's nothing... My head hurt for a moment."
Jang Cheon looked at me strangely and then approached Jang Seonyeon next to him.
Perhaps due to the recoil from yesterday, Jang Seonyeon's entire body was wrapped in bandages from corner to corner.
'I thought I adjusted it a bit.'
If I broke his bones, I made sure they would heal well.
I beat him carefully so as not to create any incurable area anywhere, so he will heal quickly.
'I should have crushed his right arm.'
That was a bit disappointing.
Since Jang Seonyeon was a left-handed swordsman, I thought it would be fine to crush his right arm.
'Still.'
I felt like I had definitely achieved one goal.
I could clearly feel the subtle emotion in the way Jang Seonyeon was looking at me right now.
'Did he get scared?'
When I glanced at him, I saw Jang Seonyeon's shoulder flinch and tremble.
It didn't seem like an act, but it was a part I couldn't be sure of yet.
It was fine even if it wasn't fear. As long as it contained something else, that was enough.
For now, that is.
'Dokgo Jun.'
That unidentified existence I faced at the end.
When I thought of that bastard who put energy into his body as he pleased, just that alone brought up somewhat complicated feelings.
'Is that guy still inside Jang Seonyeon?'
If so, I had to consider various things.
Did Jang Seonyeon have the memories of that time? Did he know about the guy named Dokgo Jun?
If it were up to my heart, I would have secretly captured Jang Seonyeon and tortured him.
But I knew that in the current situation, it was close to impossible.
That was why it was even more frustrating.
"You worked hard."
"...No, Alliance Leader."
Jang Cheon smiled and patted Jang Seonyeon's shoulder.
Jang Seonyeon deeply bowing his head at that sight was truly a touching father-son relationship.
To me, the two of them just looked like they were putting on a show.
I looked at Jang Seonyeon and thought of another question.
'Does he not know his energy has disappeared?'
Energy still existed inside Jang Seonyeon's body.
That was because I didn't let Dokgo Jun extract all the energy and cut him off in the middle.
Even so, the amount being filled had decreased.
He would clearly feel the empty space in his vessel, so there was no way Jang Seonyeon wouldn't know.
For such a thing, Jang Seonyeon's reaction was too bland.
I thought he would come looking for me as soon as he woke up.
Noryong didn't come looking for me either.
It was a good thing for me, but I couldn't just see it in a positive light.
Because it became impossible to easily predict what would happen.
'There are too many differences from my past life.'
Rather than calling them differences.
It would be more accurate to say there were too many stories I didn't know.
Just the stories I came to know only after entering this life were enough to fill my head.
'Where should I start organizing?'
I was organizing them in my head all day, but there wasn't a single easy conclusion to reach.
But it also wasn't something I could just let slide like usual.
I organized my complicated thoughts inwardly while forcing a calm expression.
I felt like I shouldn't stand out unnecessarily, so I was paying attention to that as well.
"With this, to the new stars who worked hard..."
With Jang Cheon's final words, cheers and applause poured out from the surroundings.
As a prize for winning, I received a few spirit pills and a sword made by a famous craftsman.
I wasn't a swordsman and would never be one, so I thought I could just toss it to Muyeon or Gu Jueolyeop.
I knew they were secretly eyeing it.
Why are they getting their hopes up among themselves?
I intended to give it, but seeing them like that didn't sit well with me.
I guess I'm also quite a twisted person.
'Does she not need it?'
For a moment, Nangong Bia crossed my mind, but I brushed that away too.
The sword Nangong Bia would use was already decided, so I didn't want to give her another sword.
'There's no need to go that far.'
She could use another sword, but I didn't want Nangong Bia to do so.
This was purely my greed.
If this was also a desire to possess, would it feel like this?
Waaaaaaaah—!!
At the piercing sound, I eventually looked around.
The people filling the surroundings were cheering.
It was loud enough that my ears would go numb if I didn't cover them with my hands.
Seeing that, I suddenly felt a rush of heat.
How should I put it.
Like the joy of being the first to step on an endlessly piled-up snowfield, a snowfield no one had ever stepped on before.
'What am I saying.'
It was a sudden analogy even to me.
It also meant my emotions were surging to the point of losing my mind.
I tried hard to calm my emotions.
No matter how much it felt like a cheer that didn't suit me, I shouldn't feel ecstasy from causing a ruckus in a kids' playground.
Embarrassment aside, if I started enjoying this feeling, it would have no end, so I had to control it early on.
I shook my head vigorously, shook off my emotions, and came right down.
The Alliance Leader's speech was over, and the necessary tasks were finished, so I had to go down now.
For reference, the match between Nangong Bia and Moyong Huia did not take place.
That was because Nangong Bia was a patient, and Moyong Huia stated she had no intention of sparring.
Since the finals were already over and the winner was decided, it was practically a show match anyway, so there was no problem.
However, there were many people who were disappointed that they couldn't see the match between these two.
Perhaps even more than the finals.
'They're both quite something to look at.'
Nangong Bia was now being called the greatest beauty of Anhui Province along with her newly acquired epithet.
Moyong Huia was famous for her beauty aside from her name Seolbong, so it was probably the disappointment of not being able to see the fight between the two of them.
'Isn't this wanting to see the match?'
It was practically because they wanted to see beautiful women, so it was truly a questionable desire.
"You worked hard, Young Master Gu."
As soon as I came down, Dang Soyeol greeted me.
For some reason, Dang Soyeol looked a bit dressed up.
She adorned herself with accessories I hadn't seen before, and although it looked light, it seemed she had put on a little makeup.
Seeing that, I asked Dang Soyeol.
"Why are you dressed up?"
"Oh my! You noticed? You have a good eye..."
"...Wouldn't it be stranger not to notice?"
With you dressing up so obviously, how could I not know?
"It's the last day. Besides, isn't it weirder for the person being congratulated to not dress up?"
"Why would I dress up for something so annoying?"
It's not like I did something so great that I need to dress up...
Ugh... Just imagining it gave me goosebumps.
That was because I imagined myself going up all dressed up in flashy clothing.
It was a completely unflattering sight.
Putting the talk aside, I naturally looked around.
I was looking for someone.
Dang Soyeol must have noticed, as she immediately gave me the answer I wanted.
"Sister Bia didn't come. She said she didn't need to see it if it wasn't a match."
"...How cold-hearted."
"She said she was sleepy and would sleep in the tent."
"That's my tent."
"Of course."
Why 'of course'? Why is that natural?
"Hoo..."
It was too late to complain now, so I just let out a sigh and moved on.
Leaving that behind, I approached Wi Seola, who was standing a bit further away waiting for me along with the other attendants.
She looked tired from swaying sleepily since morning, so I told her to just rest.
But she insisted on following me even if it killed her.
"Hmm?"
As I was about to get closer, for some reason, Wi Seola's expression didn't look very good.
Of course, it wasn't too noticeable, but I could tell.
Her slightly stiffened expression and trembling eyes were clearly visible.
Seeing that, I asked Wi Seola.
"What's wrong?"
"Huh...? Why?"
Wi Seola seemed intent on pretending otherwise.
Her voice was the same as usual, but her reaction was definitely strange.
"Is something going on?"
"No? I don't have anything going on!"
Rather, Wi Seola playfully got worked up at my words.
Was my intuition wrong?
I've never been wrong with my intuition regarding things like this.
Especially when it came to Wi Seola.
I kept making eye contact with Wi Seola, but she just tilted her head with an expression asking why I was doing this.
There was definitely something. It seemed she didn't want to tell me.
Without saying anything else, I just gently stroked Wi Seola's hair.
"Tell me if something happens. I need to know."
"Really... nothing's going on..."
It seemed she had no intention of telling me until the end.
Or was it my imagination?
A thought crossed my mind that it could be possible.
I lowered my stroking hand and looked toward Jang Seonyeon.
Jang Seonyeon was also moving away from the platform.
Was it a coincidence? The guy turned his head this way.
Whether the direction was right, our eyes met.
Jang Seonyeon didn't make any particular expression, like frowning or smiling like last time.
But just with that expressionless face he was making, I could tell how much the mask Jang Seonyeon was trying so hard to create had cracked.
Seeing that, I repeated to myself inwardly.
'Wait for it.'
Did he notice that I sent such a gaze?
Jang Seonyeon, whose eyebrow slightly twitched, immediately turned his head and walked his way.
Unlike when we first met, his slightly hunched shoulders and back caught my eye.
As I was watching that, Dang Soyeol suddenly spoke to me from the side.
"Young Master Gu, what are you going to do now?"
"What?"
"The banquet is wrapping up. Do you have any other schedule?"
At Dang Soyeol's words, I pondered for a moment.
A schedule.
'I do have one.'
The ring I received from Elder Lee.
I needed to talk to the current Alliance Leader regarding the ring, which was presumed to be a treasure of the Martial Arts Alliance.
'Put this on hold for now.'
It wasn't because I coveted the treasure.
There was no reason to covet an old ring without any special abilities.
Simply.
'If I give this now...'
I was already aware of the absurd rumors gradually spreading, such as me being the hidden disciple of the Tyrant, or that the Tyrant who had disappeared was actually in the Gu family.
'I should give it to him anonymously later.'
I didn't want to get involved in such useless situations. Things were already complicated enough without this, so I felt that way even more.
It felt ridiculous to hand over a treasure like this, but I felt uneasy keeping it, so I had no choice.
'And.'
There was one other schedule besides this.
It was more of Shin Noya's schedule than mine.
'Shaolin.'
I had to visit the pillar of the Nine Sects and One Faction in Henan.
The Shaolin Temple in Henan.
"Shaolin?"
Dang Soyeol asked back as if she found my words strange.
"Yeah..."
"Why Shaolin...?"
"Sightseeing, I suppose..."
Honestly, this much was enough of a justification.
Since we came all the way to Henan, saying I wanted to see the Shaolin Temple was enough of a reason that I didn't need to say more.
'The problem is this old man won't wake up.'
Shin Noya told me to definitely go to Shaolin if we went to Henan, but he had only been sleeping for days.
He should be waking up soon, but for some reason, it felt like it was taking longer this time.
"I'm not going right away, but I think I'll go within a few days."
"For sightseeing, right?"
"Yeah..."
"T-Then..."
Dang Soyeol started to speak but quickly turned her head to look at Wi Seola.
That was because whenever she tried to say something like this, Wi Seola would always interrupt and interfere.
'Huh?'
I looked at her to send a wary glance, but for some reason, Wi Seola was just quietly watching.
'This is...'
Is she telling her to speak? Did it feel like permission?
My pride might be slightly hurt to be happy about getting permission from a mere attendant, but Dang Soyeol wasn't in a position to hide anything now.
"Young Master Gu...!"
"Hmm?"
"Then, when you go to Shaolin Temple..."
"Would you like to come along?"
"Yes, that... Huh?"
Someone intercepted the line Dang Soyeol was trying to squeeze out.
It was quite an unexpected voice, so I also looked at the culprit with slightly surprised eyes.
"...Excuse me?"
"You said you were going to Shaolin Temple."
Long, swaying black hair, and pure white skin.
Fierce eyes reminiscent of a cat, along with a beauty who possessed a captivating nose and lips.
"Suddenly? With me?"
"Yes."
She was the precious daughter of the Moyong family, the Snow Peak of the Five Dragons and Three Peaks, Moyong Huia.
"Would you like to come along? To Shaolin Temple."
And behind her, Dang Soyeol was blowing air out of her nose, fuming without realizing it.
As if saying with her eyes.
'What the heck are you?'
It was a gaze like that, but maybe because Dang Soyeol's features were on the cute side, it wasn't scary at all.