〈228〉 Departure. (3)
Arriving as if dragged along, I washed my body.
I took off the soiled clothes and changed into new ones.
The clothes I had originally been wearing were so far gone that no amount of washing would remove the stench, so I even had to burn them to be rid of them.
‘I must have been utterly drenched in sweat.’
Because the heat in the closed-door chamber was so intense.
Even though my body had mastered fire arts, sweat constantly streamed down.
‘…I really thought I was going to die.’
They say you can endure environments that change depending on the terrain by gritting your teeth, but there was nothing to be done about my throat drying up from sweat.
Because of that, you wouldn’t believe how much water I had to drink.
‘I’ve never suffered like that.’
Since it was closed-door training, honestly, I thought doing it for another half year might not be bad, but… such a space was something I’d rather avoid.
I’d been there in my previous life as well.
It must be because what I feel in this life is unusually different.
‘Still.’
I hadn’t spent two months in seclusion just to waste time.
*Clench.*
Every time I clenched and unclenched my fist, I could feel the internal energy in my body stirring.
Stabilizing the energy that had been running wild on its own.
The sensation that the energy I originally possessed had grown a bit denser.
Of course, I obviously hadn’t crossed beyond the Peak to reach the Hwagyeong.
Hwagyeong is not a wall that can be overcome in a mere two months.
‘It’s a shame, but.’
It was funny that I even felt regret.
What did I expect to gain in just two months?
Changing the flow of internal energy evenly.
Smoothening the energy sent to the Middle Dantian.
For now, this much was considerable progress.
“Thanks to it, my body has improved a bit.”
Perhaps thanks to being filled with internal energy.
I feel like my body is growing unusually faster than in my previous life.
If my arms and legs grow longer, I can achieve considerable efficiency in actual combat, so it was rather a good thing.
‘I hope I grow taller than in my previous life.’
You never know.
At this rate of growth, wouldn’t I be bigger than in my previous life?
“Young Master.”
Around the time I finished all preparations, even changing my waist belt, Muyeon called me from outside the room.
“I’m coming out now.”
I checked if any foul stench remained, but fortunately, it seemed I had rid myself of it all.
‘To think I even had to use internal energy to get rid of this.’
I wondered just how concentrated the stench had become to smell like this.
*Slide.*
When I opened the door and went out, Muyeon, who had been waiting, slightly lowered her head to me in greeting.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“What, it wasn’t that hard. Anyone seeing me would think I’d been in seclusion for years.”
I smirked and sized up Muyeon.
Her posture was still flawlessly upright and proper, and as if having begun guarding, she was faintly spreading internal energy around the surroundings.
However, I could tell the level at which she handled that energy was distinctly different from before.
“You must have worked hard.”
“…Not really.”
“What do you mean, not really. Too much modesty is just unpleasant.”
Thinking that only two months had passed, the level I felt from Muyeon now couldn’t help but be extraordinary.
When a martial artist first crosses the wall, not only can they not adapt to the newly opened senses and the five senses mixing with internal energy and rising, but they often can’t control the internal energy filling their Middle Dantian and let it run rampant.
For most, it takes at least a year to control this.
Now Muyeon was controlling it in just a few months.
As expected, this was proof that Muyeon possessed outstanding talent as well.
“Namgung Bia is a separate matter, of course.”
Namgung Bia, who had controlled it nonchalantly immediately after crossing the wall, had to be considered separately.
Because those bloodlines were monsters to the point where you’d hesitate to even call it talent from the start.
At my words, Muyeon smiled awkwardly.
“These are the things you requested.”
“Ah.”
Muyeon took out several letters from her bosom and handed them to me.
They were things I had asked Muyeon to do before entering seclusion two months ago.
There were matters I wanted to ask several merchant guilds and the Haomun about.
Fortunately, they seemed to have arrived in time.
As I was about to open the letters right away—
“Also, the Patriarch told you to come see him as soon as you’re ready.”
It seemed I should see my father first.
Originally, to see my father, I had to go to the Patriarch’s chamber, but for some reason, this time I had to go somewhere else.
Because the message was to come to the reception room that was only opened when guests arrived.
‘What is it?’
Moving with somewhat leisurely steps following the head steward, I could reach the destination quickly.
*Creak.*
The door opened, and in the spacious reception room, my father was seated.
Along with…
‘Why is she here?’
I caught a glimpse of Namgung Bia sitting in one seat with refreshments laid out.
“Enter.”
As soon as my father gave permission, I entered the room and surveyed the seats.
Seeing the seat next to Namgung Bia empty, it was obviously my seat.
I carefully sat down.
The moment I sat, a faint floral scent wafted from Namgung Bia’s direction.
Stealing a glance, she somehow felt quite different from the usual Namgung Bia.
‘Did she put on makeup?’
Would it be right to say she seemed a bit dressed up?
No, she definitely was.
While I was subtly observing Namgung Bia, Father spoke to me.
“It seems you’ve made some progress.”
At the flat words, I inwardly flinched.
I thought I had hidden it well, but Father seemed to notice the moment he saw me.
“I had a small enlightenment.”
I glossed over it with something plausible.
It wasn’t wrong.
If you called it enlightenment, it was enlightenment.
Father didn’t ask further and simply nodded.
Feeling parched from the stuffiness, I was wetting my throat with tea when Father brought up the main topic.
“The reason I called you is because of the engagement schedule with the Namgung family.”
“…Ah.”
Ah right.
The engagement ceremony that was to be held after returning to the main house following the Dragon Phoenix Gathering.
Honestly, I had completely forgotten about it.
With one thing after another happening, I had pushed it far to the back of my mind.
‘…Tch.’
So that’s why Namgung Bia was here.
It was because of the engagement talks.
Back then, I had been thinking of running away when the time was right.
I hadn’t known I would end up tied down like this.
While I was feeling a bit troubled, Father suddenly looked at Namgung Bia and spoke.
“I feel sorry toward the young lady of Namgung. Though it is said an incident occurred at our house, we ultimately caused trouble for the Namgung family as well.”
“Not at all… It is not like that. It was a grave matter.”
“I will convey words separately to the Namgung Patriarch regarding this.”
That the Namgung Patriarch had not come despite the schedule meant Father had likely sent a letter to the Namgung family beforehand.
Namgung Bia, accepting Father’s apology in his stead, was silent for a moment before opening her mouth.
“…Patriarch.”
“Speak.”
“Could you please lower your speech…?”
I, who had been listening quietly, flinched.
Because I hadn’t expected such words to come from Namgung Bia’s mouth.
Father also seemed somewhat surprised, his eyes appearing larger than usual.
However, he quickly returned his expression to normal.
“That… I will do after the ceremony is properly concluded.”
Setting aside that Namgung Bia is much his junior, it was a statement that he would not lower his guard because she was strictly an outsider.
Namgung Bia made a somewhat disappointed expression at Father’s words, but soon resigned herself as if it couldn’t be helped.
Because from the start, the line he drew was too clear.
Seeing that, I subtly interjected.
“Then what is the schedule?”
Since the ceremony had been delayed, I needed to know what would happen.
“It was originally to be held at the Gu house, but taking responsibility, the ceremony will proceed at the Namgung house.”
Usually, it was mostly the male side’s family that held the wedding ceremony.
It meant taking responsibility for what happened at the Gu house and holding the wedding at the Namgung house.
‘…Is that okay?’
Listening to it, it didn’t seem like a huge problem, but… since it was a marriage between families, with many eyes watching, holding the wedding at the Namgung house meant, from one perspective, it could look like I was entering as a live-in son-in-law.
Whatever the true intention, that was how the world would perceive it.
That’s why most, especially in marriages with renowned families, would be reluctant to concede this.
“The Gu house doesn’t care much about such things, but still.”
Father’s words were somewhat shocking.
Of course, I didn’t care much either.
Live-in son-in-law or whatever. When the Blood Tribulation begins, what use is any of it?
“…Then when…?”
“The timing is after you’ve returned from the front lines.”
It was pushed back much further than I thought.
If it was after returning from the front lines, including rearranging the schedule, it would be over a year away.
‘It’s a good thing that it’s delayed, but.’
I couldn’t help but glance at Namgung Bia.
Stealing a glance at Namgung Bia, she was listening with the same expressionless face as ever, showing no other sign.
“I’ve already finished talking with the Namgung family.”
“Already?”
This wasn’t a meeting about what to do from now on.
It seems it was a meeting for notification from the start.
In any case, since it had been delayed partly because of me, it was a situation where I had nothing to say.
While I was subtly watching Namgung Bia’s reaction—
“…I’m fine.”
Namgung Bia said while looking at Father.
“As long as it isn’t broken off, anything is fine.”
I felt subtle emotions mixed into the flatly uttered words.
That’s why she was even harder to read.
“I am truly sorry.”
“Not at all. Thank you for your consideration.”
At Namgung Bia’s words, Father nodded.
I clearly heard it there.
Father quietly muttered, “Fortunately, she doesn’t take after her father.”
I might say I felt a deep-rooted loathing toward Namgung Jin.
I wondered what had happened in the past for them to be on such bad terms.
After that, brief conversation continued, but it was nothing important.
After some time had passed.
“Since this matter is concluded, young lady Namgung, I’m sorry, but could you leave us for a moment?”
At Father’s request, Namgung Bia stood up with proper etiquette.
It was a dignified bearing I had never seen before.
‘Just why does she act like that normally when she can be like this?’
Every time I saw her like that, I was doubtful.
To the point of wondering if she was the same person.
“…I’ll… go… and wait…”
The moment she turned her back on Father, she returned to her usual expression and tone.
Namgung Bia exited with light steps.
A heavy silence hung in the room where only Father and I remained.
Why had he sent Namgung Bia away?
‘…Did I cause trouble again?’
It was a moment that naturally made me worry in my head about what I had done this time.
When I was keeping my mouth shut and swallowing dryly, Father tossed words at me bluntly.
“I’ve checked the First Elder’s secret ledger.”
It was an intriguing piece of news.
Well, there was information, and since two months had passed, it was about time it was resolved.
“Then what happens?”
“We must verify how much of the problems in the ledger are true.”
Starting with the dismissal of the First Elder.
It was enough to provide justification for the transfer of Guseon Gate’s management and the trouble I had caused.
Father’s words were roughly to that effect.
Depending on this, would the elders’ positions change too?
Like the Second Elder becoming the First Elder.
It wasn’t determined by rank from the start, but it was quite possible.
While listening quietly, something I wanted to ask Father came to mind.
“Patriarch. May I ask you something?”
“What?”
“Did you really know nothing?”
At my question, Father stopped the motion of drinking tea and sent his gaze to me.
“What do you mean?”
“I am asking whether you truly did not know about the schemes the First Elder was plotting behind the scenes.”
Could Father really have known nothing?
That wouldn’t be the case.
What I’m curious about is how much he didn’t know.
Exchanging gazes with Father with calm eyes for a few seconds.
Without any answer, Father took a sip of tea.
Watching that, I averted my eyes first.
Because I knew he wouldn’t answer.
“…When must I depart for the front lines?”
“After recuperating, depart immediately. Your sister has already left.”
“My sister?”
Gu Huibi went to the front lines first?
I wondered if she had fully recovered.
“Hear the details from the steward.”
“…Understood.”
At Father’s dismissal, I rose and moved to leave first.
The reason I didn’t press further on the question was that Father likewise wasn’t asking me about more.
Even if I pressed him, I didn’t think Father would say anything.
‘About seven days.’
I thought I could roughly stay at the house about that long.
I had to wrap up small and large matters within that time.
‘First of all, going to the front lines itself is a problem, but…’
Spending a year there was the biggest problem.
But now, there were parts I somewhat welcomed.
Since it was the front lines, there were many demonic beasts.
It was also a place where I could acquire many demon stones.
It was something I had definitely been reluctant about before.
But this time, I had changed my mind.
‘…Because I have to feed him.’
I had to feed the tenant that had taken residence in my stomach.
Moreover, I felt the need to increase my energy further.
If I had to do it anyway, I had to use it efficiently.
“Hm?”
When I exited the building and went outside, Namgung Bia was standing at the path leading to my quarters.
“You said you’d wait, so you were here?”
“…Yeah.”
“What are you doing outside? You should have gone inside.”
“Just…”
Light steps headed toward me.
With each step, an inexplicable floral scent was felt.
At that sight, I smirked and said.
“Earlier you ran away saying I smelled.”
*Cue.*
When I threw out a jest, Namgung Bia’s brows slightly furrowed.
Around the time I finished seclusion and came out.
Namgung Bia, approaching me, said with a frown.
‘You smell.’
I heard clearly.
The words Namgung Bia had said while looking at me.
“You know that hurt more than I thought?”
“…That wasn’t the smell…”
“If not smell, then what?”
“…Foul stench.”
“That’s what normal people call a smell.”
Well, it was a seriously foul smell even to me.
It wouldn’t have mattered even if Namgung Bia reacted that way.
‘…It did hurt a bit, though.’
As I walked with heavy steps, Namgung Bia sidled up and wrapped her arms around my arm.
“What are you doing?”
*Cue.*
Seeing her avert her gaze without a word, it seemed she was mindful of me saying I was hurt.
‘I could just tell her it was a joke, but…’
Her cautious demeanor was amusing, so I decided not to say anything.
As we walked together like that, nearing the quarters.
“By the way, where did she go? I haven’t seen her.”
I asked about the person I hadn’t seen once since coming out of seclusion.
Because Wi Seola, who should have rushed to me long ago, was nowhere to be seen.
“Did she go out or something?”
That could be the case, but I thought she wouldn’t do that on the day I came out.
Raising the question, as I was about to enter the quarters.
“Hm?”
Because Namgung Bia, who was holding my arm, stopped walking.
I stopped as well.
“What’s wrong?”
Checking if something was wrong, but Namgung Bia was just looking at me with a complicated expression.
“…What, why are you looking at me like that?”
“Seola…”
“Huh?”
Namgung Bia, making an extremely cautious expression.
As if gauging my reaction, spoke very quietly.
“…She left.”
The moment I heard those words.
I felt my breath stop.