After finishing my conversation with Mukyeon and selecting the personnel for the departure, I went straight to the First Elder.
I explained the situation to the First Elder for the work ahead.
"So. You're saying you're going to Sichuan."
I nodded and answered.
"Yes. It seems that way, I'm afraid."
"You certainly do move about busily."
"Somehow…. it ended up that way."
At the words that I had to go to Sichuan rather than returning to Shanxi, the First Elder let out a hollow laugh.
I was roaming outside far more than staying home, so it must have looked strange.
"If it's what you want, I have no intention of stopping you…. but will you be alright?"
"…Hmm."
At the First Elder's words, I lightly scratched my cheek.
His asking if I would be alright meant something else.
"The other Elders might make trouble."
It was about time I took the seat of the Young Family Head. In this situation, for me to declare that I would carry out the duties of the Family Head while gallivanting outside, there would naturally be some backlash.
"That will work out somehow, won't it?"
I didn't really mind that much.
No matter how much the Elders raised a fuss, the disturbance wouldn't be great.
There was one problem, however.
"However, what do you think, First Elder? Would it be right to just go to Shanxi?"
The opinion of the First Elder standing before me seemed rather important.
So I asked, carrying some tension, and the First Elder spoke.
"You've already seen everything through and now ask; what difference would it make?"
"…"
It was a very valid point.
"If you wish to do so, then do it. After all, bearing the burden is also your task."
He was implying that it wasn't a good choice.
I myself knew that this likely wasn't the best option.
When I made a slightly bitter expression at that, the First Elder let out a hollow sigh.
"What is that expression? Surely you aren't hoping that this old man will shoulder the burden in your stead. You aren't, are you?"
"It's not like that. Besides, even if I asked, you wouldn't do it, would you?"
"Of course not. Tsk, tsk. Why would this old man do such a thing?"
That was also true.
If you caused trouble, you bore the consequences yourself. This was no different.
Whether it was backlash from the Elders, or overextending myself given the timing.
The rebound at the end of it all was something I would have to endure alone.
'That’s why I can’t drag it out any longer.'
There was much to worry about, and far too little time given for it.
That was why I had to move even more desperately.
Just then.
"All is well. Whatever you intend, if you wish it, work hard at it. But, you know."
"Yes."
"Still, there are matters you ought to pay mind to, should you not?"
As he spoke, the First Elder pointed somewhere.
Following his finger with my gaze, something came into view.
"…."
Someone looking this way with her brow deeply furrowed, as if furious.
It was none other than the fourth child of the Gu family, Gu Ryeonghwa.
"I heard that since coming here, you haven't shown your face even once. Is that so?"
"I was just a bit busy…."
I had known that Gu Ryeonghwa arrived with the Huashan Sect.
I knew, but I simply hadn't gone to see her.
My schedule had been packed, for one thing. And above all.
'I forgot.'
…Yes, I had forgotten.
The day Yeongpung came and mentioned Gu Ryeonghwa.
Even then, I had said I would go see her once, but….
'…I don't think I went after that?'
I probably hadn't.
So that's why she had that expression. A face absolutely plastered with spite.
But since I was the one at fault, I could hardly look at her easily.
I was barely stealing glances, so to speak.
Gu Ryeonghwa, seen that way, had matured much more than when I last saw her. She didn't seem particularly taller…. but her atmosphere felt different.
'Hmm.'
Did she get a boyfriend?
Without realizing it, I clenched my fist.
'Which bastard?'
What kind of dog bastard could it be? I was suddenly curious.
Ah, I mean, I'm just curious. I have no intention of doing anything.
'There was a weird-eyed fellow when I went to the Huashan Sect last time….'
Could it be him? I think he was among the third-generation disciples….
'Well, she can date too, can't she.'
Even if I knew, nothing would change, but I was really just curious.
Since it's the romance of my blood relative, it's natural to wonder, isn't it?
I truly wouldn't do anything even if I knew, but….
'It's fine as long as I don't do it myself.'
Accidents can happen by chance.
Yep. That's right.
'So, shall I just find out his name.'
"…Cheon-a."
'I think I can ask Yeongpung about Doho, and once I find out…. tell Nahi to have someone–.'
"Yang Cheon-a."
"Yes?"
I stopped thinking and came to my senses at the call.
"What is it?"
"What have I done?"
"You wear the face of a man plotting to drown someone right now. It's terrifying, so avert your face. You already have ill-favored features, and wearing such an expression makes you no different from a ghost…."
"…"
Hearing those words, I nearly spat up blood.
What was this old man, who called me his own grandson, doing saying such hurtful things?
"…I was just spacing out for a moment."
"Space out twice and you'll end up killing a man."
"…"
Under the continued assault, I finally rose to my feet.
If I listened any longer, I'd come down with an illness from anger.
As I stood, I felt a reaction from before me.
It was from Gu Ryeonghwa's direction.
She seemed to flinch, as if startled at the thought that I might approach her.
'Mmm.'
It was true that I had already intended to go over to her when I stood up.
Having come this far, it would be odd not to go.
"Hey."
She flinched.
At my call, Gu Ryeonghwa's body shook.
But her expression remained unchanged.
"Hey."
When I called again, her eyes narrowed slightly and her closed lips parted.
"…What."
At least she answered. That was a relief.
Her voice was quite poor. It blatantly showed that she was answering reluctantly.
"Are you angry?"
"I'm not."
"You are. I can tell because your cheeks are puffed up."
"…!"
The moment she heard that, Gu Ryeonghwa hurriedly stroked her own cheeks.
Then she rolled her eyes vigorously. She must have realized that they were puffed up even to herself.
"…Th-they're just swollen, that's all."
"Swollen? Why? Did someone hit you?"
Which bastard?
I'll rip his joints out and pickle them.
"…Hit? I didn't get hit. That's not it."
"If not, then never mind."
I said bluntly and casually sat down beside her.
The moment I sat, Gu Ryeonghwa inched away.
"What."
"What do you mean. I just sat next to you."
"Why are you sitting here. Go away."
"I'm sitting with my own ass. Who are you to stop me?"
"This is my seat."
"Why is this your seat? If we're being technical, this would be Madam Mi's seat."
"…"
Gu Ryeonghwa pressed her lips tightly shut.
In truth, the residence where the Gu family members were currently staying belonged to Madam Mi.
On top of that.
"Aren't you a Huashan Sect disciple? If we nitpick further, it's more right for me to claim this place…."
"I'm going."
"It's a joke, a joke."
Since she tried to get up immediately after being teased, I caught her and sat her back down.
"I was just trying to lighten the mood."
"This is how you lighten the mood…?"
"What? Isn't it fine?"
"…I pity your older sisters."
"…"
What did that mean…? I felt a sudden sharp pang in my chest.
Anyway, I had somehow succeeded in getting Gu Ryeonghwa to stay, and after that we sat together in silence for a brief while.
Thus, a moment passed.
"Um. Sorry."
I was the first to offer an awkward apology.
At my apology, Gu Ryeonghwa looked at me.
"What are you sorry for?"
"For saying I'd come see you and then not coming?"
"…Hmph. I don't really care about that."
Like hell she didn't care. It was plain as day on her face that she felt better after the apology.
I couldn't figure out who she took after to be so bad at lying.
"I… was just busy, that's all. I wasn't avoiding you on purpose."
Trying to ride the momentum and quickly add an excuse.
"I know."
"Huh?"
To that, Gu Ryeonghwa said.
"I know. That you're busy."
"…How do you know?"
"Is there anyone in Henan who doesn't know you're busy? I hear nothing but people saying they saw you here and there. Just how much are you roaming around?"
"…"
…Was it? I didn't think I was roaming around that much, but it seemed there were occasional sightings.
'Then I should move about more carefully.'
It seemed I needed to be more cautious. There were more eyes than expected.
"So… are you alright? Physically?"
Gu Ryeonghwa asked me.
"Huh? Physically?"
I wondered what she was suddenly talking about.
"…They said you were injured. I'm asking if you're okay."
"Ah."
She seemed to be talking about the time with the hundred-grade demonic beast.
"As you can see, I'm perfectly fine."
"…"
Even after I answered, Gu Ryeonghwa merely looked me up and down with doubtful eyes.
"What? Why are you staring?"
"Are you really okay?"
"I said I'm fine. Look, if I were hurt, moving around like this would be impossi–…."
"Then why didn't you come see me?"
"…Ah, that. I think I am still a bit hurt after all."
"…"
"…"
I averted my eyes slightly.
It felt like I'd fallen into an interrogation trap.
This brat, she's gotten a lot smarter since I last saw her.
Unable to answer and fumbling about, I heard Gu Ryeonghwa sigh and speak.
"Forget it… It's not like I particularly wanted to see you. I was just asking. I didn't really want to see you that badly either."
It's not like we've been close from the start.
It was a convincing point, so I nodded, but.
"For someone who says that, I heard you came straight away when you heard Yang Cheon was injured."
"E-Elder! What are you saying!"
From behind, the First Elder clicked his tongue and added more, and Gu Ryeonghwa shouted with a flushed face.
"Wh-when did I? I didn't do that…!"
"Really? For someone who didn't, the servants' words say otherwise…."
"Elder…!!"
"Ahem. Yes. It seems this old man must have misheard."
"…"
In the end, unable to overcome Gu Ryeonghwa's outcry, the First Elder changed his words, but it was already too late.
'…When did she come?'
It was something I had never heard. Hearing this, I looked at Gu Ryeonghwa.
Gu Ryeonghwa was busy avoiding my eyes with her reddened face.
'Hm.'
It seemed to be true after all.
Perhaps because of that, a slight sense of guilt welled up inside me.
The reason I didn't see her despite her visiting was obvious.
'I had lost consciousness, and when she came, she probably wasn't allowed in.'
At the time, it was Murong Hui-a who was tending to me, so she might have known that Gu Ryeonghwa had come.
Yet she hadn't mentioned it.
'Was it Gu Ryeonghwa's intention?'
It seemed quickest to assume so.
"If you came, why didn't you come see me?"
"…I told you I didn't come."
Seeing her feign ignorance, she would probably deny it to the end. So I didn't press further.
It wasn't as if I had gone to see her either, so what right did I have to pry?
"Right, so you didn't come."
"You don't look like you believe me."
"I do."
"Okay…."
And silence fell again.
It was a familiar stillness to us both.
A relationship where sitting quietly had become more comfortable than conversation.
We couldn't go back to how things once were, and the mere fact that we weren't speaking words filled with hatred toward each other was already a huge change.
As I thought thus and caught my breath.
"Hey."
Gu Ryeonghwa suddenly spoke to me.
"I think I'll go back to Shanxi."
"What?"
My eyes widened.
Back to Shanxi?
"Not going back completely. I was thinking of spending the remaining time in Shanxi…. Um, Madam Mi wanted that too. The Sect Leader has also given permission."
Ah, so she didn't mean going back for good.
It seemed she meant to rest a bit for this year.
But if there was one surprising thing among this.
"Madam Mi wanted that?"
"Huh? Yeah."
It was a story related directly to Madam Mi.
"You… talk to Madam Mi?"
"Huh? Uh-huh. Sometimes?"
It was unexpected.
I had thought Gu Ryeonghwa didn't talk to Madam Mi at all. So she had, even if only occasionally.
While I was surprised by that, Gu Ryeonghwa looked back at me strangely.
"Why are you so surprised…?"
"No, it's just a bit fascinating. You…."
I thought you hated Madam Mi.
I swallowed those words.
She left home because she hated it.
If she had found freedom where she went, that was enough.
That was what I had thought until now.
When I looked at her with strange eyes, Gu Ryeonghwa spoke with slightly lowered eyes.
"I don't hate her."
"…"
I hadn't spoken the latter words, yet Gu Ryeonghwa had realized what I was going to say.
"…It's not as if she did anything to me. It's just a little awkward and distant. Isn't it the same for you?"
"…"
"And. If anyone should hate, it should be her hating us. But."
Gu Ryeonghwa added hesitantly.
"She doesn't hate us. So we have no reason to hate her…?"
At her flowing words, I unknowingly swallowed dryly.