EP.40 The Way Back. (3)
"...Why are you all here?"
I frowned at the sight that greeted me as soon as I entered the building.
Honestly, I briefly hoped I had sensed the auras wrong, but that was nothing more than a vain hope.
Tang Xiaolie, who was carefully picking at her food, turned to stone the moment she saw me.
Nangong Biya, still wearing a blank expression as she ate with her chopsticks, shoved somen noodles into her mouth, pretending not to notice.
On top of that, Wei Xue'er took a seat naturally beside her and started eating somen noodles as well.
'...Fine, that's possible, that can happen.'
Wei Xue'er was always like that, so it was understandable.
I knew all too well just how crazy of a bitch Nangong Biya was, her actions entirely unpredictable, so that was possible too.
But Tang Xiaolie?
Why was she here?
She was even subtly avoiding my gaze, sitting stiffly like a Wangfu Stone.
"Miss Tang."
"Y-Yes?!"
I only called her name, so why was she so startled?
"Why are you here?"
"...I-I was just passing by. Coincidentally."
"Coincidentally...?"
What were the odds that the Tang Sect's precious daughter, the Poison Phoenix, would just happen to pass by, spot us, and join the table?
Especially when I wasn't even here earlier.
Wondering if that might be the case, I asked Tang Xiaolie.
"Were you perhaps waiting for me?"
Tang Xiaolie answered immediately to my question.
"N-No! Why would I wait for Young Master Gu here!"
She denied it, even waving her hands, but given the circumstances, there was no other explanation.
"Right, then why are you here?"
"..."
Tang Xiaolie seemed to have no excuse, clamping her mouth shut at my counter-question.
Why on earth was she acting like this? Whether in my past life or now, I couldn't understand Tang Xiaolie whenever I saw her.
'Could she possibly like me?'
I quickly brushed away the fleeting thought.
I didn't have the looks to make a living off my face like Gu Jueye or that bastard Nangong Tianjun, so it seemed unlikely unless Tang Xiaolie had extremely bizarre tastes.
Even if, by some off chance, that was the case...
The image of Tang Xiaolie from my past life, inserting a pinky-sized poisonous insect into someone's nostril to torture them, suddenly came to mind.
I hadn't experienced it myself, but I remembered the indifferent expression she wore while conducting such torture.
This was definitely a bit too much.
Yeah, well, she must have some business to attend to, so she came...
I just hoped she'd finish that business quickly and leave.
I asked Nangong Biya, who was next to her.
"Miss Nangong."
"...?"
"Why are you here?"
"...Hmm?"
What is it?
Why is she making that face? Nangong Biya's expression seemed to say, 'Why are you asking something so obvious?'
Please let my interpretation be wrong.
"Greeting..."
"Pardon?"
As always, Nangong Biya's curt, blurted answers invited frustration.
It was the same now. What kind of greeting? A simple 'hello'?
Or was it short for 'human hunting', like in my past life?
From my perspective, Nangong Biya was still a woman better suited for human hunting.
Of course, I was trying hard to shake off that kind of thinking.
That's why I held back my annoyance and asked again.
"A greeting?"
"I couldn't... give our greetings."
"Y-Yeah, I was here for that too!"
Tang Xiaolie hastily interjected at Nangong Biya's words.
Ah, so they waited here because they couldn't say goodbye?
Deliberately?
Why?
"I explained the situation to Young Master Tang, did you perhaps not hear?"
"...I heard it, but."
Tang Xiaolie answered in a dying voice, while Nangong Biya looked like she didn't see the problem.
'...Right, that's not really a problem.'
Honestly, things ended well, so was there really a need to look for bad intentions?
So to sum it up, they came all the way here just to say goodbye because they missed my farewell.
'...Yeah, let's just take it as it is.'
I was showing my displeasure toward people who came to see me off because they missed my departure, which might seem cold-hearted.
But I didn't want to get involved with these terrifyingly crazy women.
I mean it sincerely.
"Thank you for coming. It was a good meeting, and I pray the rest of your lives are peaceful."
Hoping they would be satisfied and leave, I bowed with the utmost respect.
However, their expressions upon receiving my greeting were strange.
There was a subtle fidgeting, as if this wasn't what they wanted.
What on earth did they expect from me?
Putting that aside for now, I looked at Nangong Biya and asked.
There was one thing I was curious about.
"Miss Nangong."
"Hmm?"
"The Tang Weapon Tournament is over, so why are you still here? Where are the other Nangong people?"
"Tianjun said he had business... Said he had to wait for someone."
Nangong Tianjun had business in Sichuan? Honestly, it wasn't particularly surprising that he had things to do.
I had my own things, so he could have his own things too.
What surprised me was something else.
"But did he allow you to come here? He didn't even follow you?"
It was bizarre that Nangong Biya was sitting right here while that bastard Nangong Tianjun was nowhere to be seen.
"Hmm...? He allowed it... Said even if I went, he wouldn't follow..."
'He allowed it?'
I thought that insane bastard would definitely follow her, or at least refuse to give permission if he couldn't, so it was surprising that he casually told her to go.
And he even said he wouldn't follow? What did that mean?
"But Miss Nangong."
"...?"
"Didn't we agree on a condition last time that you wouldn't bother me...?"
"Hmm...?"
In exchange for telling her my name, we made a pact that she wouldn't bother me.
"We did."
Nangong Biya replied with a confident expression that said, 'I remember.'
But if you remember, why are you here...?
"Then why are you here, Miss?"
"Why...?"
"You said you wouldn't bother me."
"I'm not bothering you...?"
Oh, for fuck's sake.
It seemed Nangong Biya genuinely didn't realize that this was being bothersome.
The problem was that I didn't set the terms of the contract in detail....
Yeah, I was the idiot, a total idiot, for not speaking clearly.
"Then what about using polite speech?"
Nangong Biya paused at my words.
She rolled her eyes for a moment before speaking.
"....Polite."
"...."
Should I hit her?
I seriously considered it.
At this point, hadn't she practically drawn her sword first to start a fight?
Talking to her always came with a headache.
How the hell did I endure this in my past life?
Ah.... I just didn't talk to her.
'...Smart guy.'
That seemed to be the right answer.
As I was clutching my throbbing head, Tang Xiaolie, who had been quietly listening, fidgeted.
It seemed like she had something to say, but I didn't want to ask, so I stayed still.
If I just ignored her, wouldn't she bring it up herself?
"U-Um."
Sure enough, Tang Xiaolie hesitantly spoke to me.
"Yes?"
"If you return to your clan now... when will you c-come back to Sichuan?"
"Well..."
Would I go out of my way to come to this distant place again...?
No, I would come back eventually, but it wouldn't be anytime soon.
It would take at least a few years.
I gave Tang Xiaolie the same answer.
"T-That won't do... That seems too long."
Tang Xiaolie, who had been deep in thought over my answer, opened her mouth again.
"By any chance... do you have a favorite poison?"
"...What?"
"Or, are you somewhat skilled in dagger techniques...?"
"Why would I use that...?"
Did I hear that wrong?
I swear she just mentioned poison.
Tang Xiaolie flinched at my reaction.
"I-I guess this was a bit much. My brother said this would work..."
"Miss Tang... are you sick somewhere?"
It seems like her head hurts in particular... and quite a lot, too.
At that moment, I saw a hand sneaking in to target my dumplings amidst the complicated situation.
I immediately smacked! the back of her hand, hearing a short yelp.
There was no need to check who it was.
"Did you finish all of yours?"
"...Yes."
Wei Xue'er replied while rubbing the back of her hand.
No, then just order more, why are you trying to eat mine...
Letting out a sigh, I pushed the plate of dumplings toward Wei Xue'er.
I didn't have much of an appetite anyway, so it was fine.
Wei Xue'er happily picked up a dumpling and started eating.
Nangong Biya's chopsticks slid in from the side, and I quickly blocked them.
"Order another one, don't steal someone else's food."
Nangong Biya looked at me with blank eyes.
The focus that had been missing from her gaze seemed to return slightly.
"A question... I have."
"Why are you suddenly speaking politely...?"
"That... what happened...?"
What Nangong Biya quietly pointed to with her hand was the direction of my dantian.
Just like Wuyuan, Nangong Biya had also noticed my abnormality.
Tang Xiaolie didn't seem to care about those things, but Nangong Biya seemed different.
"I just had some things happen."
That was the only answer I could give.
If I suddenly said I found the Jinchuan Yanjia's hidden grotto in Sichuan and a giant snake spat out a fortuitous encounter for me...
Hmm.
'She might actually believe it at face value...'
Looking at her, it seemed like she would just accept it as it was, but there was no need to tell her.
Nangong Biya nodded at my answer.
Then, a little vitality sparked in her eyes.
That was a bad omen.
Because the words Nangong Biya usually said when she had that look in her eyes were set in stone.
"Then a sparring match with me..."
"I decline."
Nangong Biya's eyes widened at my swift rejection.
"Why...!"
It was the first time in a while hearing Nangong Biya's loud voice.
What the hell was she doing...?
Why was she acting like this toward me all of a sudden, when she only cared about sword idiots?
It was truly unwelcome attention.
"We've already delayed too much and can't stay here long, so I don't think I can spar with you."
As I said that, I could feel Wuyuan's resentful gaze from behind.
Yeah, I know we're late because of me, so don't look at me like that...
"Ahem...!"
I coughed lightly and stood up from the table.
The meal was over, and we had to leave before sunset, so it was time to get moving.
Since we had to go back the way we came, it would be another arduous journey.
...Just imagining it was tedious.
As I tried to leave, Tang Xiaolie hastily pulled something from her embrace.
"Please, take this...!"
What Tang Xiaolie handed me was a neatly folded letter and a small, unidentifiable bottle.
"What is this?"
"It's an invitation to next year's Tang Weapon Tournament..."
"Why... are you giving this to me?"
"I-I want to maintain a good relationship between our clans! It doesn't hold any deep meaning..."
Although it was an invitation that came every year, a Tang Sect blood relative personally handing it to someone held a different meaning.
It wasn't given lightly, but carried the meaning that they specially wanted the recipient to definitely attend.
I wondered how I should take this burdensome situation.
Does she really like me?
"Then... Miss, what is this bottle?"
Is it some kind of elixir?
When I mentioned the bottle, Tang Xiaolie smiled, looking rather pleased.
"That's my favorite poison... It's a gift, so please use it later when you cultivate Poison Arts."
I nodded at Tang Xiaolie's words.
...As expected, she's not normal either.
I was sure of it.
The letter was hard to refuse, so I accepted it and put it in my embrace for now.
I was already thinking about what excuse I could make to decline next year.
I'm definitely not going...
"Then... I will be going first. Have a good time, you two."
"See you again."
Nangong Biya waved her hand slightly and bid me farewell.
I accepted her greeting with a reluctant expression.
"Ah, yes... Let's meet again next time."
After the uncomfortable farewell, I turned my steps to board the carriage.
Tang Xiaolie also offered a greeting with a stiff gesture, which I accepted as well.
Wei Xue'er stuffed her cheeks full of the remaining food and followed me out.
How on earth did all that food fit in her mouth...?
'Is it over?'
Can I finally return to the clan?
As my capacity had grown and my internal energy had increased, my body didn't feel fatigue, but my mental exhaustion was immense.
I walked toward the carriage with a half-stumbling gait.
******************
Nangong Biya quietly watched Gu Yangchen's retreating back.
The words he had suddenly thrown at her came to mind.
-Why do you keep speaking informally to me?
Right... why did I speak informally to him?
Looking at it objectively, Gu Yangchen was younger than her younger brother, Nangong Tianjun.
But that wasn't a reason to speak informally.
Yet, strangely, formal speech didn't easily come out.
What could be the reason?
Since Nangong Biya didn't understand it herself, she could only tilt her head.
"Sister..."
It was Tang Xiaolie's call.
"Hmm?"
"Sister... do you perhaps like Young Master Gu?"
"...Hmm?"
Nangong Biya didn't understand Tang Xiaolie's question.
Like him?
"What do you mean by 'like'?"
"Huh? T-That is..."
Tang Xiaolie showed her fluster at the question.
Her face turned bright red, and she clamped her mouth shut.
Seeing how she couldn't easily give an answer, it seemed Tang Xiaolie didn't know properly either.
Like, huh.
What does it mean to like someone?
'Is it a romantic thing?'
If she were asked if she felt love for Gu Yangchen, that didn't seem to be the case.
If she were asked if she was interested in him as a martial artist, that was definitely true.
'He was a completely different person.'
The Gu Yangchen from back then who had broken her brother's arm.
Was he the same person as the Gu Yangchen she had just met?
She couldn't be sure.
Funnily enough, that was true.
That was why she wanted to stick by him. Even though she was rejected quickly......
If someone were to ask if she could defeat the current Gu Yangchen, she could say she could, for now.
For now, that is.
The fact that she couldn't be confident beyond that was quite a strange thing to Nangong Biya herself.
Even aside from the fact that he didn't emit a foul stench.
Gu Yangchen was someone who stole a lot of her attention.
"...If asking if I find this interesting means I like him, then is it good?"
At her murmured words, Tang Xiaolie's expression next to her turned tearful.
"What's wrong?"
"It's nothing..."
"If you're the one dealing with this, there's no point..." Tang Xiaolie muttered to herself.
What has no point?
"What about Xiaolie?"
"Yes...?"
"The thing you were going to give me."
"Ah...!"
The Tang Weapon Tournament invitation that Tang Xiaolie had given away was originally supposed to be received by her.
Ever since the year she first met Tang Xiaolie, it had always been that way.
But this time, Tang Xiaolie gave it to someone else.
Curious about the reason, Nangong Biya asked Tang Xiaolie.
"...T-That is."
Perhaps flustered, Tang Xiaolie stuttered.
It seemed like the number of times she stuttered had increased lately.
'What could be the reason? Is she sick somewhere?'
The foul stench Tang Xiaolie emitted was very faint.
So faint that one couldn't feel it unless they paid attention.
That was why Nangong Biya felt comfortable around Tang Xiaolie.
So she hoped she wasn't sick.
"Just... trying to get a bit closer to him."
"I see."
"I'm sorry, Sister... Were you disappointed?"
"Hmm? It's fine."
Even without a blood relative's invitation, she could just come anyway.
Nangong Biya thought there was no need to be disappointed over that.
"Shall we head back now...?"
Tang Xiaolie's voice carried a lot of regret.
What was she regretting so much?
It was full of things she didn't understand.
"Yeah."
Nangong Biya moved her feet, following Tang Xiaolie.
With Gu Yangchen no longer here, Nangong Biya had to go back into the foul stench.
But she had originally lived like that anyway.
Nangong Biya didn't hold much regret.
Fortunately, above all else.
'I feel like I'll see him again soon.'
For some reason, she had that feeling.
And usually, when Nangong Biya felt this kind of intuition, it almost always came true.