After the engagement ceremony ended, there wasn't much left to do.
The ceremony had proceeded, and this information would soon spread throughout the Central Plains.
The only remaining task was to return to the Gu Family.
'This schedule wasn't particularly long.'
Except for the few days the Namgung Family was in disarray, it hadn't taken very long.
Originally, I hadn't planned for it to be long anyway.
In terms of duration, it was just slightly less than seven days and nights.
Compared to other places I had visited, it was a considerably short period.
The ceremony was over, and the matter regarding the Namgung Family's returning artifact, which I considered the actual business, was also finished.
There was no need to delay further, so I began packing my belongings.
It was now time to return to the Gu Family.
Of course, even as Namgung Jin came out to see me off, he sent me plenty of looks pleading me to stay longer.
I didn't acknowledge them. Why would I stay here and suffer whatever would happen?
Of course, he must have gained considerable enlightenment as well.
He only sent looks my way. He couldn't grab hold of me any longer.
As for Namgung Cheonjun.
While he seemed relieved that I was disappearing.
Perhaps due to the demonic energy still bound to his body, his confused expression remained.
He had once emitted purple lightning energy and was still intoxicated by it.
Since it kept trying to crawl out, I had pinned him down with an order to stay put until I left.
The family's blood relatives would probably berate him later for not seeing a guest off on their way.
But what could be done.
When I clearly couldn't stand the sight of him.
'Outside... Moyong Huia is probably waiting, if I recall correctly.'
From what I heard, she didn't enter the Namgung Family Estate.
She was waiting outside.
It seemed she planned to depart together.
Did she really only come to Anhui for this schedule?
'She lives a busy life.'
Given Moyong Huia's constitution as well.
Seeing her already handling important duties for the family.
It seemed Moyong Huia's chance at an easy life was also ruined.
'First of all.'
Right now, more than that, I wanted to hurry back to the Gu Family.
I needed to recover my energy.
And I had to organize the upcoming schedule.
There were many things I had to consider from the words left by the one presumed to be Lightning Heaven One Sword, Namgung Myeong.
"You don't have to stay here?"
This was a question I asked Namgung Bia beside me.
Perhaps because it was right after the engagement ceremony ended.
It felt like the time I spent with Namgung Bia had grown particularly long.
To be precise, it would be more accurate to say her frequency of seeking me out had increased.
At my question, Namgung Bia tilted her head as if she didn't understand.
"Yeah...?"
"I'm asking if it's okay for you to come back with me."
This was undeniably the Namgung Family Estate.
And as Namgung Bia was a blood relative of this family, she didn't necessarily have to return to the Gu Family again.
Namgung Bia only shook her head at my question.
"...My home is... not here."
"Well then, our house is your house?"
Since when did the Gu Family become her house?
Namgung Bia shook her head again, indicating that wasn't it either.
"No."
"Hm?"
"You."
"Yeah...?"
"...You are my home...."
So that was enough.
Namgung Bia said so.
..
!
!
....
It was a remark that contained somewhat desolate emotions.
I momentarily lost my words.
"Uh... um..."
I racked my brain like crazy wondering what response to give.
But no words came to mind, so.
"...Um. Right."
I could only offer such a dumb response.
No matter how many years I've lived, I'm endlessly weak when it comes to things like this.
It's utterly ridiculous.
'...Tch.'
If Shin Noya were here.
I couldn't even imagine what curses he would have spat out.
He definitely wouldn't have said anything nice.
"Ah... Don't you need to learn something from the Family Head?"
"Hm?"
This was a personal question.
Namgung Jin had gained enlightenment.
And one of the restrictions placed upon him included an order to impart that enlightenment to Namgung Bia.
If she stayed here, Namgung Bia could receive proper enlightenment from Namgung Jin, but.
Namgung Bia seemed to consider this unnecessary as well.
"I don't need it."
"Really?"
It was enlightenment reached by a master who had touched the Transformation Realm, and from what was supposedly lost knowledge within the Namgung Family.
Did Namgung Bia even know what she was refusing?
While such doubts crossed my mind.
"...I know the path."
A firm answer came from Namgung Bia's lips.
She already knew the path, so another's enlightenment was unnecessary.
'How arrogant.'
A considerably arrogant statement.
Namgung Bia was among the most talented people I had ever seen.
But she was still a late bloomer.
Even if she reached the Peak, Heaven Beyond Heaven was too high.
To utter such words in that situation was quite arrogant.
'But then again, it's not entirely wrong.'
Conversely, considering Namgung Bia's talent and future.
It wasn't exactly incorrect either.
A monster who seized the title of Sword Empress as a demonic cultivator.
Recalling that the one who would single-handedly annihilate the Namgung Family, even without Cheonjon, was the future Namgung Bia.
'She has the talent to back up her arrogance, so it's fine.'
There was no point in me being overly meddlesome here.
I didn't bother saying anything further about her words.
I simply nodded.
If that was Namgung Bia's choice, respecting it was the right thing to do.
"...When we go back... what will you do?"
This time Namgung Bia asked me.
How fresh. She rarely asks anything.
"When we go back?"
What will I do when we return to the Gu Family?
Well.
'The time is too short.'
By the time we return, autumn will have arrived.
And it will be winter before long.
'...Winter.'
Since I had a schedule to go to the Shinryonggwan in winter.
It seemed impossible to accomplish much during the short time from autumn to winter.
"...Should I train?"
Heading to Wudang.
Seeking the Wudang Monster Immortal.
Or finding and consuming the White Horse Stone.
There were many important tasks I had singled out.
But with such pressing time to carry them out one by one.
I judged it would be difficult right now.
Namgung Bia seemed to think deeply about my words, then.
"...Yeah. I understand."
She nodded as if she had realized something on her own.
How anticlimactic.
'There is one other thing though.'
If there was something I didn't bother telling Namgung Bia.
It was that I would likely visit the underground once more.
'There's something I need to confirm...'
It was a place I'd rather die than go to.
But it couldn't be helped.
There were things I couldn't know without going myself.
And if I had one hope.
'Shin Noya needs to wake up.'
Before the winter day comes.
I wanted Noya to awaken.
While I vaguely missed him, there were many things regarding Namgung Myeong.
Noya needed to help with many things.
'Also regarding the Iron Fist Golden King...'
Since Lightning Heaven One Sword had mentioned the Iron Fist Golden King.
Noya might know something.
'So please wake up.'
What could be the problem.
That Noya hasn't woken up.
I wanted to know that.
"It seems your preparations are all done."
Around the time I was having small talk with Namgung Bia.
Madam Mi appeared and approached.
It seemed her father wasn't with her.
He seemed to be there earlier, perhaps talking with Namgung Jin.
"Yes. The servants seem to have worked hard."
That was my answer to Madam Mi's words.
Actually, I wasn't the one packing, the servants were.
"Yes. Those children always work hard."
Madam Mi also nodded.
And approached Namgung Bia instead of me.
She grabbed the disheveled martial clothing and slightly adjusted it.
"Ah... th-thank you."
"If you're unkempt outside, it can be unsightly to look at."
"I'm sorry..."
"Since you'll soon become a member of the family. You'll need to cultivate some carefulness."
'...Does she have to go that far?'
At Madam Mi's words, I slightly clicked my tongue inwardly.
Leaving aside Namgung Bia who was being corrected.
I had nothing to say since I was already living roughly.
When was the last time I wore proper clothes.
Just recently, I only wore them briefly during the engagement ceremony.
Meanwhile, Namgung Bia seemed to have become quite tense at Madam Mi's words.
Why was she like that?
'...Did the word "member" bother her?'
Did Madam Mi's words about becoming a member of the Gu Family after marriage bother her.
Namgung Bia's posture had changed significantly.
She already maintained a neat posture when meeting my father or Madam Mi.
Should I say it had gotten even worse?
After that, Madam Mi also attended to Namgung Bia's hair.
Brushed off whatever dust might have settled on her clothes.
And with a light pat on the shoulder, she turned around and headed to her carriage.
As she passed by, I had to momentarily swallow at the glance she gave me, looking me up and down.
She was a person whose thoughts I couldn't fathom.
I wondered what she had recalled looking at me.
'...It probably wasn't anything good.'
That was the feeling.
After all.
I knew Madam Mi didn't particularly care for me.
Madam Mi entered her carriage.
After waiting a bit longer.
I saw my father walking from afar.
Seeing Namgung Jin also coming alongside.
It seemed they had indeed been having a conversation.
"I greet the Family Head."
"I... greet the Family Head."
I bowed to Namgung Jin.
Namgung Bia bowed to my father.
"Are your preparations to depart... complete?"
"Yes."
At my answer, my father nodded.
Meanwhile, Namgung Jin's gaze was still fixed on me.
The meaning contained in that gaze was so burdensome that I was trying hard to avoid it.
"It was a good meeting. I hope we meet again next time."
"...Yes, may it be a good connection..."
"Definitely."
My stomach felt quite stuffed at the words he spat out with such emphasis.
Amidst it all, I noticed his gaze had become considerably refined.
It seemed the enlightenment he had gained was not small.
Meanwhile, Namgung Jin, who had been looking at me, shifted his gaze to look at Namgung Bia.
It felt somewhat subtle for a gaze directed at his own daughter.
"...Be careful on your way."
He seemed somewhat better than before.
Was this also because Namgung Jin's mind had gained some leeway?
I wasn't interested enough in that to know.
At the words that popped out somewhat nonchalantly.
Namgung Bia momentarily flinched, then slowly nodded.
It was an awkward look in her eyes.
After that, Namgung Bia boarded the carriage.
I also took my seat in the carriage following her.
As soon as I sat down and settled into position, Namgung Bia leaned her head on my shoulder as if she had been waiting.
It was a familiar feeling now.
"We will depart."
"Yeah."
When I answered the coachman's question.
Heigh!
Right away, a powerful sound followed by the sound of horse hooves could be heard.
Only after hearing that.
Could I finally feel that the engagement ceremony schedule had completely ended.
Time passed.
And so.
The seasons passed autumn and headed toward winter.
The woman felt the flowing breeze as she packed her belongings.
Her luggage consisted of only a few clothes.
And a single old sword.
For the woman, this was enough.
Unnecessary baggage would only be a hindrance.
As she packed each item.
The woman reached out her pale hand and opened a drawer.
Inside the drawer was a faded hair ornament.
An object carved to symbolize the sun.
It was something she used to clutch to her chest and fall asleep with for a while.
There were times she couldn't sleep without it.
It was a cheap ornament that could be bought at the local shop with pocket change.
The woman carefully packed the ornament and placed it in her bosom.
It was the most precious item she had left.
After finishing packing her incredibly light luggage.
The woman dragged herself outside.
Outside, the sun had not yet risen, and it was a cold dawn.
The darkness was vivid, but the woman paid it no mind.
She simply took steps forward.
She wanted to go as quickly as possible.
As she walked out with a calm gaze.
"You're already thinking of departing?"
The woman's steps halted at the voice.
Confirming the owner of the voice, the woman immediately bowed her head and paid her respects.
"...Were you not sleeping?"
"When you get old, you don't get much sleep at night. Tsk tsk..."
"You're young, so there's no way you lack sleep. Why are you leaving at this dawn? I understood you were departing three days from now?"
"I received permission."
"Did you say that to your old grandfather?"
"Yes."
At the woman's words, the old man, Shin-ui, nodded.
If so, it shouldn't matter.
The woman then asked the old man.
"Did you come looking for me?"
"Yes, I had a feeling you'd do exactly this... Look here, wasn't my intuition spot on?"
Looking at the woman, Shin-ui took something out from his robes and tossed it.
Thwack.
The woman lightly caught the flying object.
What the old man threw was a pouch neither too big nor too small.
"Ah."
The woman let out a brief reaction upon confirming the object's identity.
"I told your grandfather... and I also told you."
The woman's head moved at Shin-ui's voice.
"The energy you possess is so strong that I couldn't block it all."
"Thanks to that, you've become a bit more human-like, but..."
"I am human."
At the woman's firm voice, Shin-ui's expression, whose words had been cut off, changed slightly.
Because he realized he had made a mistake himself.
The old man looked at the woman with a bitter smile and continued.
"Right... I made a slip of the tongue. I apologize..."
"No... It's fine."
"Yes... At the very least, I've prepared enough for you to get through the winter days. Make sure to take it once every seven days."
"...Thank you."
The woman bowed her head at Shin-ui's consideration.
Because she could tell he had put some thought into it.
As she was putting the pouch into her bosom, the old man asked.
"Are you not thinking of going with that Jang fellow?"
"Looking at your expression, I think I know. No answer is needed."
Shin-ui also wore a somewhat reluctant expression.
Handsome face, outstanding talent.
From a good family and well-mannered too.
But somehow, that young master didn't sit well with him.
Meanwhile, another face surfaced in his mind.
'That green-haired brat had no manners, but at least had some warmth.'
Had it been about five years?
He recalled the fiercely-looking young face from the Family of Fire.
At that time too, the boy wore an expression as if he'd experienced all of life's hardships, which had bothered him.
The fact that it remained in his memory even after all this time meant he must have felt some warmth.
'And that's probably.' The same for that child as well.
Shin-ui thought so and swallowed a sigh inwardly.
The appearance of a child swept up in the circumstances of decrepit old men.
It was quite far from happiness.
Knowing that.
Was why Shin-ui had made the effort to come find the woman at this dawn.
"Be careful."
"Thank you."
The woman paid her respects at Shin-ui's words.
And with that, she moved her halted steps.
Time passed, the seasons changed several times.
And winter came again.
'...Can I really see him now?'
The woman's footsteps as she moved were filled not with excitement, but with anxiety.
As the seasons changed and the environment changed.
She herself had changed as well.
'Will he... recognize me?'
Would he be able to recognize her.
While the woman was anxious about that.
More than that.
At the thought of being able to see him again, the woman quickened her pace.
The destination was Henan.