EP.75 In the Gap of Snow Summer. (1)
Entering the cabin, Geomhu was only letting out breathing sounds as if she were asleep.
Seeing that, I carefully sat in the empty seat.
Sinui rummaged through the drawers, took out medicine and bandages, and began preparing.
A wound of this degree would heal quickly for a martial artist with Qi in their dantian.
"You're not thinking something like that, are you?"
"...Ah, no."
He catches on fast...
"Just because one is a martial artist doesn't mean they can survive having their neck cut or their heart pulled out."
Sinui said such things while applying Golden Wound Medicine to the back of my hand.
A stinging sensation briefly hit me, but after wrapping the bandage a few times, it quickly felt fine.
"I think you would know that better."
"...Pardon?"
"What happened outside."
"...!"
At Sinui's sudden question, my words got stuck in my throat.
Did he ask because he knew something? For that to be impossible, Sinui's expression was serious.
How did he notice? I was careful not to get blood on me.
I considered just playing dumb and brushing it off, but since I would have to tell Maehwasun anyway and Sinui would find out soon enough, it wasn't something I could hide.
Eventually, I spoke with a faint smile.
"There was a bit of an incident. I saw some bastards targeting the cabin."
"...Did they strike to kill?"
"Yes, from what I saw, they seemed to be Unorthodox Sect members."
"..."
Sinui's expression as he looked at me subtly changed to one of pity.
Why is he making such an expression?
Is it because my outward appearance looks young?
'Although I actually am young.'
"...Is it your first time?"
"What do you mean..."
"I'm asking if it's your first time killing someone."
Not knowing what to say to Sinui's words, I remained silent.
I wondered why Sinui was looking at me with such eyes, and it was because of this.
The lingering shock hadn't ended yet, so my hands were trembling slightly, and Sinui's expression as he watched that was serious.
Looking at him, there was only one thing I could say.
"I'm fine."
Perhaps because my body was startled, it wasn't calming down as much as I thought it would, but I didn't think much of it.
Is he thinking this is his fault?
He was a more affectionate old man than I thought.
That might be why he chose to be a physician.
"It was something I had to experience someday."
Even if Sinui was a physician who valued life and took responsibility, he wouldn't tell me to cherish all lives.
It was a particularly meaningless statement to a martial artist.
So Sinui was just wearing a bitter expression.
"There was a group lingering near the cabin. If I go back and tell Maehwasun, he will take care of it."
"Thank you."
I made a surprised expression at Sinui's words of gratitude. It felt like he was the last person who would say such a thing.
Reading that from my expression, Sinui furrowed his brows.
"What is it, you brat, with that rotten expression? Did I look like someone who wouldn't even say thank you?"
"...No, it wasn't like that."
"Bullshit it isn't, don't even think about lying wherever you go. How can your face give it away that much?"
'...Does it really show that much?'
[It's at the level of giving the correct answer with your face, so just stay still.]
'...Um.'
Is it really to that extent? I thought I was doing a good job not making it obvious.
It seemed the treatment was over, so I expressed my gratitude and tried to get up.
"...Do physical training within limits of not overdoing it, and as for food, eat mostly vegetables if possible."
I paused at Sinui's sudden words.
Wondering what he meant, I looked at him, and Sinui kept clearing his throat and urged me to hurry up and leave.
Eventually, standing blankly in front of the cabin after being half-kicked out, Sin Noya spoke.
[It seems he's saying that because of the Qi in your body.]
"Ah."
I said I wouldn't do anything, but did he want to subtly inform me?
As expected, he was a more affectionate person than I anticipated.
[Since it came up, what are you going to do about the Qi in your body?]
'What am I going to do, they told me I have to live praying it doesn't explode.'
[Didn't you say last time there was a covert method?]
At Sin Noya's words, I bit my drying lips.
I had some idea, but I was still pondering it.
It didn't seem like much time was left, so I had to make a choice soon.
"Hey."
Coming out and standing there blankly, Gu Ryeonghwa spoke to me.
"Is the treatment all done?"
"...As you can see."
Gu Ryeonghwa was holding a kitchen knife and carving something.
What is that... Potato peel? It was chopped into pieces hard to recognize its original shape, and I wondered if I really had to pick that up and bite into it.
In the meantime, Gu Ryeonghwa had a face focusing on slicing that one thing as if her life depended on it.
After slicing only potatoes like that for a long time, she suddenly spoke to me.
"...Are... you... okay?"
I tilted my head and answered Gu Ryeonghwa's question.
I could see her gaze subtly directed at the back of my hand.
"Are you worried?"
As if my words didn't sit well with her, Gu Ryeonghwa flared up and shouted.
"Who said I'm worried! I'm telling you to disappear from my sight quickly if the treatment is over!"
"I was going to leave anyway, so don't worry."
"I said I didn't worry...!"
Her shouting was noisy, so I just ignored it.
Gu Ryeonghwa's chirping naturally went in one ear and out the other, and I immediately took my steps to return to the Huashan Sect.
*****************
After returning directly to the Huashan Sect, I went to Maehwasun and explained the circumstances.
I thought I would just deliver a light letter and come back, but hearing that I had killed someone, Maehwasun's face slightly stiffened.
"I'm sorry."
The first words Maehwasun spat out with a stiff expression were an apology.
I said I was fine.
Fortunately, he didn't seem to mention anything about me being too heavy-handed.
Strictly speaking, he would just check once more later for confirmation.
After confirming the situation and saying he would send disciples to clean it up, the conversation ended, but Maehwasun's expression didn't easily relax.
"...We need to search a bit more thoroughly."
The fact that they got close to the cabin, and the fact that one escaped without being caught.
The fact that Sinui is taking care of Geomhu is known only to a very small number of people, including the Sect Leader of the sect.
In that process, an outsider like me found out, so it wouldn't be strange for me to be the most suspected person if an incident occurred, but Maehwasun didn't seem to think that way.
Moreover, this was a situation where disciples belonging to the Huashan Sect had been going missing one by one.
'Is that also the doing of Heiyagong?'
I didn't know in detail, but for some reason, I felt like it would be.
I wanted to know what those bastards were doing at this time of day, and how they could harbor a demonic energy-like aura in their bodies, but...
For now, there was no significant way to find out.
There were too many restrictions for me to personally jump in and move around.
"Child."
"Yes."
I answered Maehwasun's call.
Perhaps he had finished organizing his thoughts, Maehwasun returned to a relaxed expression.
Even though it must be a bad situation, to be able to gather himself like this again...
I felt a sense of admiration in this aspect.
"You worked hard... Keeping you any longer would only be tiring, so I will bring you something I can do for you later."
"Something you can do for me?"
"An outsider got caught up in Huashan's problem, so isn't it right to take responsibility?"
If you argue like that, I could say it was also my fault for turning around and burning them to ashes without even trying to subdue them, but since he said he'd give me something, I kept my mouth shut.
'I can't refuse if he's offering.'
Thinking that, I bowed to Maehwasun and slipped out of his quarters.
I heard that the Huashan Sect would take care of the rest, so there was no problem.
Above all, my only damage was practically the wound on the back of my hand, so I thought it was a relief.
[The world has truly become diluted.]
Sin Noya's words made sense to some extent.
To be exact, it might only be Huashan that is like this, but it was true that the current world was more peaceful than the place I experienced in the future.
'Even that won't last much longer, though.'
At most a few years.
It was a point where only a few years were left until that damn time arrived.
After finishing one errand and returning, it was a little past noon.
Entering the lodging, the attendants were busy with housework.
'Where is Wi Seol-a?'
Coming now, I habitually look for Wi Seol-a, and perhaps it was as predicted this morning.
Wi Seol-a was diligently doing housework among the attendants.
In the meantime, she must have spotted me, as I could see her smiling brightly and waving her hand.
I waved back appropriately.
Wi Seol-a being here made me think Geomjon might be here too, but Geomjon was nowhere to be seen.
She wouldn't have come alone.
It wasn't my place to worry about Geomjon, so I just thought he must have some business and entered the room.
I thought Nangong Bia might still be sleeping, but the room was completely empty.
"Where did she go again?"
The bedding was neatly folded, so it seemed she had been gone for a while...
Where would she go in Huashan?
As I was looking around, a passing attendant conveyed a message.
"Young Lady Nangong headed toward the back mountain."
"Back mountain? What for?"
"...Well, I saw her taking a wooden sword. I think she probably went to train."
"...Ah, I got it. Thanks."
"Y-yes!"
At my words of gratitude, the attendant flinched.
I thought it had gotten a little better lately, but is it still awkward?
[If an attendant flinches at a thank you... just how doggishly did you act?]
'...Umm, I guess I was a bit too severe.'
I was trying to consistently reflect on it.
Fortunately, I came to an earlier time and didn't cause a bigger accident, so that's something.
'If I was just 1-2 years later...'
What would have happened then.
...I didn't want to imagine it.
Looking at Wi Seol-a diligently hanging the laundry, I headed to the back mountain where Nangong Bia was said to have gone.
Rather than having a purpose, I was just curious why that fool went all the way up there.
Climbing the high mountain that made me want to vomit just looking at it, perhaps because of the battle this morning, using Qi was slightly overwhelming.
Huuuk-!
As I made my way up through the trees, a tingling energy gradually spread throughout my body.
Setting aside her appearance, Nangong Bia had a somewhat faint presence, but like in her past life, there were times when she exuded a distinctly clear personality.
-Huk! Huuuk!
When holding a sword, Nangong Bia is a completely different person.
Her usual blank gaze disappears, and only a single famous sword stands there.
Finding Nangong Bia wasn't that difficult.
Finding a small clearing, Nangong Bia was swinging her sword in the center.
Perhaps I wasn't the only one who came to watch, as disciples of the Huashan Sect were visible around.
There were unexpectedly many...
'Are they watching?'
There were quite a few people gathered, perhaps to see Nangong Bia's movements.
In the meantime, Nangong Bia was training nonchalantly despite the gaze of so many people.
The tingling energy pressing down on the surroundings.
Holding a sword, Nangong Bia created an atmosphere as if walking on a bed of nails.
The secret technique of the Nangong Family, briefly seen during our first meeting after regression.
Emperor Sword Form.
A fluid body movement that couldn't even dare be compared to her younger brother's was unfolding from Nangong Bia.
The Emperor's energy flowing along the fluid movements was pressing down on the surroundings.
[...Amazing.]
Sin Noya's exclamation of admiration, similar to when he saw Yeongpung.
To be honest, in my eyes, Nangong Bia's level looked higher than Yeongpung's.
Unlike the Nangong Family's sword, which contained the ultimate technique of speed and sharpness.
Nangong Bia's movements were fluid and beautiful.
If I had to define it, it seemed closer to a sword dance.
Because I knew the realization she must have felt at the end of that sword, and what kind of sword path she could obtain as a result.
The swings wielded to reach that result looked even more grueling.
I honestly couldn't believe that Nangong Bia could maintain the framework of the Emperor Sword Form in such movements.
I once again thought about the talent Nangong Bia possessed.
Not only Yeongpung, but Nangong Bia, and as most of the late-era geniuses currently called prodigies are.
They were already shining on their own.
'Unlike me at this time.'
[The current era is no different from a dragon's pool.]
I nodded as if agreeing with Sin Noya's sentiment.
Although it was her sword path I had seen for so long and so very often, the tip of the sword Nangong Bia was wielding now had a different vibe.
There was none of the cruelty the Demonic Sword Empress possessed; rather, cleanliness and beauty were hidden within.
'...It's beautiful.'
I had no other words to say but that.
Literally, her sword path was beautiful.
*Snap-*
Nangong Bia, who had been swinging without rest, stopped her sword dance simultaneously with a very faint noise.
-Ah....
Sighs of admiration flowed from the mouths of the onlookers.
It must mean it was that perfect.
Nangong Bia's gaze headed toward the direction the noise came from.
I was there.
'...Crazy, I stepped on this.'
I tried to be careful, but I must have stepped on a branch without realizing.
Amidst the faint criticism in the onlookers' eyes, Nangong Bia was looking only at me.
Perhaps because of her continuous intense movements, sweat beads were moistly forming on her forehead.
She didn't seem to care about that, merely wiping the sweat about to flow down her chin with her sleeve.
"...Huh?"
Nangong Bia, who kept meeting my gaze, suddenly widened her eyes as if startled by something.
Then, she even threw away her wooden sword and ran toward me.
Nangong Bia grabbed the hem of my clothes with both hands and pulled me sharply, then brought her face close and sniffed me.
"...What! What are you doing!?"
I panicked and tried to push her away, but Nangong Bia was persistent.
For some reason, her expression contained panic, and despair?
'Why does she look so desperate?'
Nangong Bia, who was wriggling in my arms with trembling eyes, seemed to calm down a bit and slightly backed away to create some distance.
Then, as if her legs lost strength, she flopped down on the spot.
"Why are you acting like this, are you hurt somewhere?"
"Thank goodness..."
After sniffing like that for a while, her expression relaxed as if she felt relieved.
Was it an illusion that she seemed to be sweating more cold sweat now than the sweat she shed while swinging the sword?
It seemed to be pouring out too much, so I gently wiped it away with my clothes.
Then, Nangong Bia wrapped her trembling hands around mine.
Carefully pulling my captured wrist, she brought the tip of her nose to it.
I wondered why she was doing this.
"Do I smell?"
Does it smell like sweat? Something did happen earlier, but I didn't engage in such intense movements.
At my question, Nangong Bia quickly shook her head.
"...You don't smell at all."
In Nangong Bia's words as she said that, I felt an indescribable sense of relief.
After staying like that for a long time, Nangong Bia unsteadily got up.
I must have pondered hundreds of times inwardly what to do about this, whether to pull my hand away or say something.
In the end, since she looked so serious, I chose to just leave her alone for now.
[If you had chosen another option there, you wouldn't be human.]
"Is your training all done?"
"...Yeah."
"Is it okay not to do more? It seems like there's still a lot of time."
"...Since you're here, I'm not going to do it anymore."
Does that mean she won't do it anymore because I came?
I wondered if there was any need to go that far, but trying to understand Nangong Bia's thoughts was always a loss for me.
Nangong Bia quietly turned back, picked up her wooden sword, and approached my side.
"Did your hand... get hurt?"
"It just got a little scraped."
I felt like everyone who saw me was asking about it.
Nangong Bia, who was staring at it intently, spoke in a voice that sounded disappointed.
"...I was going to ask you to spar."
"..."
...Suddenly, I felt glad I was hurt.