Chapter 182: A Winter That Isn’t Cold. (4)

It’s truly a bright day.

Perhaps it’s because I personally prefer days like this, with a few clouds, over skies completely devoid of them.

A day like today seemed particularly beautiful.

‘To think I’d come to Shaolin again amidst all this….’

Originally, I had planned to finish my scheduled tasks and set off around tomorrow.

This matter caused my schedule to be pushed back by a day.

‘But I can’t exactly not go.’

Because of those expectant eyes, I had nothing to say.

Right now, both my arms were tied up.

“Young Master! Look over there!”

First, one of my arms was claimed by Wi Seol-ah.

“What is it now?”

“A sparrow!”

“…You think it looks tasty?”

“…Young Master, do you eat sparrows?”

Is there something I can’t eat…?

Wi Seol-ah held on tight, as if she’d never let go.

Hongwa tried to pry her off, asking what kind of habit that was, but…

I stopped her.

‘If it was going to be like this, I should have worn a veil too.’

It was my mistake for being so spaced out.

Perhaps thanks to shedding her constraints, Wi Seol-ah had a constant, beaming smile.

Yeah, seeing that was enough.

The other arm was Namgung Bi-ah’s territory.

Unlike Wi Seol-ah, she wasn’t linking arms with her whole body.

She just timidly held onto my sleeve as she followed, but…

From the subtle, strange expression I caught, I could tell she was quite nervous.

The fact that she couldn’t meet my gaze, unlike usual, also indicated this.

Tang Soyeol seemed displeased that she couldn’t join in, her cheeks slightly puffed out, but…

She didn’t seem inclined to say anything.

After getting off the carriage and walking for a bit, the stairs leading up to Shaolin Temple, where we’d arrived last time, came into view.

“Unlike last year, it seems they’ve done some construction on the stairs.”

That was Tang Soyeol speaking.

“They seemed a bit cracked… I guess they’ve fixed them already.”

“You’ve been here last year too?”

At my question, Tang Soyeol paused briefly before continuing.

“I had a brief matter to discuss with the Abbot.”

With Cheonan, perhaps?

Judging by Tang Soyeol’s expression, it didn’t seem like a particularly memorable anecdote.

Or perhaps, not a very good one.

Perhaps sensing her expression was a bit off, Tang Soyeol quickly put on a smile.

Certainly, unlike Wi Seol-ah or Namgung Bi-ah nearby.

Tang Soyeol and Moyong Hi-ah, having lived as proper scions of noble families, excelled at managing their expressions.

“It was nothing, Young Master. You don’t need to worry!”

‘I wasn’t worried…?’

Wondering if I’d made a strange face again without realizing it, I touched my cheek with my hand.

Kkuuk.

My left arm was gently pulled back.

It was because Namgung Bi-ah had pulled my sleeve.

“Why.”

I looked at Namgung Bi-ah as if asking what was wrong, but…

Namgung Bi-ah simply gazed at me quietly.

‘What is it?’

Seureuk.

A moment of silence, the reason unknown, passed.

Namgung Bi-ah released the hand holding my sleeve.

Then, she carefully wrapped her arms around my arm. Was this what she wanted to do?

Perhaps because the distance had closed, Namgung Bi-ah’s scent brushed against my nose.

Did she put something on? It feels different from usual.

[Hoho. A dog-like world.]

I had a feeling she’d say that anyway.

She said she planned to be quiet today, but…

Ignoring that for now, I looked into Namgung Bi-ah’s blue eyes and thought.

‘Our eyes met.’

When we first met, Namgung Bi-ah seemed a bit taller, but…

Now that I think about it, I’ve grown a bit taller now. Though it was very slight.

Perhaps sensing that.

‘…I wonder if I can grow a bit more?’

A slight wish arose.

The growth of martial artists is generally fast.

During their growth phase, the internal energy harbored in the dantian urges growth, developing a physique suitable for martial arts, but…

The difference varied from person to person.

Recalling my past life, I wasn’t that tall.

‘I was shorter than my father.’

Considering that the Gu family generally had shorter stature.

My father and Elder Lee were particularly unusual.

Even though it’s the same martial arts path, why am I like this?

‘Since it’s different from my past life, I wish I could grow a bit taller.’

It wasn’t just an aesthetic wish; I hoped to be at least six feet tall to use martial arts a little more comfortably.

While physical length isn’t everything, being taller is still more helpful for martial artists than being shorter.

Kkuuk.

As I was pondering how, Namgung Bi-ah’s grip on my left arm tightened.

“…Again.”

As if displeased, Namgung Bi-ah used her hand to turn my head towards her.

‘…You’re thinking… about something else…?’

“…”

“Focus….”

Namgung Bi-ah, saying this with a frown as if asking me not to, was…

Incredibly beautiful.

She was so beautiful that I couldn’t help but avert my gaze.

Perhaps because I avoided her gaze, the grip on my arm tightened further.

Thanks to that, the soft sensation on my arm felt even stronger.

[Did you know that?]

‘Are you going to curse again?’

[You rotten brat, do you think I curse every time I open my mouth?]

Wasn’t it…?

For someone recorded in history as a great Taoist, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him speak without curses.

[…Ahem.]

Perhaps sensing my thoughts, Shen Lao Ye coughed.

It seemed he knew he had a rough mouth too.

[Anyway…. ]

He’s trying to gloss over it subtly.

‘…Yes.’

[Even when I was alive, there was a woman called the Most Beautiful Under Heaven.]

Suddenly? The old man abruptly brought up the topic of the most beautiful woman of that time.

[She was truly a beautiful woman. Beautiful, and skilled in martial arts too.]

‘I see.’

[Her family was also impressive, making her nearly perfect.]

Her voice sounded somewhat nostalgic.

He could reminisce about the past, but why bring up such a topic now?

[However, as is the way with this cruel land, the end wasn’t exactly happy.]

The old man said so in a slightly subdued voice.

[Guard it well.]

‘…Yes?’

[Anything in excess becomes poison. That child’s appearance is like that.]

At the old man’s words, I glanced at Namgung Bi-ah.

As always, she seemed to live in a world apart.

Wi Seol-ah was the same.

Although she’s still growing now, later, and not too far from now, she too will radiate brilliance.

‘That’s not the important part right now.’

I honestly don’t know why the old man felt the need to bring this up.

Even though he usually speaks carelessly, he was the type to offer helpful advice.

[Didn’t the child gain fame?]

He wouldn’t be talking about me. It doesn’t fit the current situation.

[Not only a sobriquet, but she’s called the Number One Beauty of Anhui, you know.]

I had heard whispers that she was called that from time to time.

Namgung Bi-ah didn’t seem to care much either way, though.

Her gaze was already drawing attention, and after showing such a display at the martial arts arena, how could attention not be drawn?

‘If that’s the case, why did she ask me to teach her?’

I taught her diligently, thinking she wanted to hide her presence.

But at the arena, with so many people there, she unleashed everything and performed a sword dance.

People called Namgung Bi-ah the Sword Dancer.

Whether that would stick as her sobriquet was yet to be seen, but…

‘It’s certainly an excessive level, though.’

It seemed to have stuck due to her outstanding appearance.

Thanks to that, she was gradually becoming known not only among the younger generation but also throughout the Central Plains.

The saying that the flower of Namgung is the best in the Central Plains.

‘Guard her well?’

I was already planning to, even without the old man saying so.

I must protect her.

Unlike in my past life.

“…?”

Sensing the tension in my body, Namgung Bi-ah tilted her head.

She was about to ask something, but…

“I am Uiju, here to guide the patrons.”

She couldn’t, due to the appearance of a figure walking with calm steps.

“Wow!”

Wi Seol-ah reacted brightly upon seeing the monk Uiju introduced himself.

…She’s not reacting to his head, is she?

“Young Master, that ahjussi’s head is shiny…! Eum-eum…!”

As expected, she was about to say something disastrous, so I clamped my mouth shut.

Although she couldn’t shout it all out, Uiju must have heard it.

However, he smiled as if it were fine and led the way to Shaolin, ending the guidance just like yesterday.

“…That was close.”

Even so, to say a monk’s head was shiny right in front of him.

That was something even I couldn’t say.

‘I need to educate her later.’

I have to tell her, even if just out of fear she’ll cause trouble somewhere.

Meaning, she should only think such things inwardly.

As Shaolin was yesterday, the tour wasn’t much different.

We saw Buddha statues, saw rocks.

After wandering around a bit and stopping by the lake to see the White Crane Fish once, time flew by quickly.

‘Nothing’s happening this time.’

Unlike when Cheol-yeong spoke to me then, I felt nothing this time.

Rather, the White Crane Fish, unlike that day, wasn’t considering coming towards us.

Uiju seemed flustered, saying this was the first time such a thing happened, but…

Everyone else wore expressions that indicated they didn’t care.

It was because they weren’t the type to get lost in admiration just by seeing pretty fish.

Wi Seol-ah’s eyes sparkled brightly as she looked at the fish, but…

Somehow, I held back, anticipating the answer if I asked why she looked at them that way.

‘…I hope she doesn’t say they look delicious.’

Namgung Bi-ah seemed subtly amused, putting aside her usual vacant gaze and looking around with eyes that held a bit of vitality.

Is Shaolin that fascinating?

It doesn’t look particularly fascinating.

If anything, Mount Hua Sect looks more fascinating.

[Hmm? Why did Mount Hua suddenly come up?]

‘Isn’t that right? They’re supposed to be one of the Nine Sects… but they smell more like sweat than flowers, and training equipment is scattered on the floor.’

How is that the path of Taoism…

[That too is the noble aspiration of dedicating oneself to the martial path…]

‘Don’t force a noble facade onto it, Old Man…’

[…]

Even the Old Man seemed to know that wasn’t quite right, as he didn’t offer further excuses.

“Next…”

Meanwhile, I subtly observed the guide named Huiju, who offered a kind smile.

Fortunately, I couldn’t sense any energy from him, so he didn’t seem to be the same type as that guy.

For reference, the child named Hui-yeong, whom that guy had hidden somewhere, I found and rescued.

That guy had hidden Hui-yeong in a cave on the mountain behind Shaolin, a bit further away.

I don’t know how many days had passed, but…

Judging by the lack of major physical issues, it seemed not many days had passed.

‘I wagered so much to find her….’

Having heard she was hidden somewhere on the mountain behind, it felt wrong to just leave her, which was the reason.

As a result, my return was delayed, leading to a situation where I got scolded even more, but…

In any case, the important thing was that she was rescued.

‘Seeing as there’s no major change in Shaolin itself. Is everything okay?’

I don’t know how much the incident involving the young monk affected Shaolin, but…

At least, judging by the lack of any commotion, they seemed to have handled it.

Or perhaps, that guy had made arrangements beforehand to prevent any issues.

‘Could someone like that still be lingering in Shaolin?’

It wasn’t something I could definitively say no to.

That’s why I had to be more careful.

Hwi-i-ing!

While walking along, mixing in casual conversation, a strong wind suddenly blew.

“Eui!”

Wi Seol-ah, perhaps trying to shield herself from the wind, moved a little closer to me.

My body wasn’t particularly large, so I couldn’t fully block the wind, but…

It seemed sufficient for Wi Seol-ah.

“The wind is blowing so hard!”

“It is.”

“But it’s not cold!”

Of course, I was subtly circulating warmth around me.

Wi Seol-ah, beaming, burrowed a little deeper into my embrace.

“When I lived with Grandpa…”

Without pushing Wi Seol-ah away, I carefully wrapped an arm around her.

I wondered if she was cold.

“It was cold because we lived in the forest.”

Was this about the time she lived alone with the Sword Saint?

She mentioned living in the forest with him, didn’t she? For quite a long time, too.

Wi Seol-ah being younger than her age is likely due to that influence.

“It was very cold. That’s why I hated winter.”

With the Sword Saint’s power, she could have used internal energy to ward off the cold, but…

It likely wouldn’t compare to martial artists who use fire techniques.

Wi Seol-ah said to me, her small nose slightly reddened.

“But this winter isn’t cold!”

The grip of her hands around my waist gradually tightened.

“I hope next year isn’t cold either…!”

Wi Seol-ah said it purely out of innocence, but…

It evoked a somewhat fuzzy emotion within me.

“…Yeah. That would be nice.”

I don’t know how much of the burden you’ll face I, in my foolishness, can carry for you, but…

If I can, I want to carry more.

I hope you live a more comfortable life than before.

My wishes will have a higher chance of reaching you the more I act.

I truly hope so.

******************

Shaolin boasts a vast area, fitting for its immense funding, but…

The areas accessible to outsiders are limited, and…

The path they prepared was aesthetically pleasing, so…

Like yesterday, it concluded within a not-so-long time.

Because the time wasn’t particularly long, I wondered if we needed to go elsewhere, but…

Fortunately, the children looked satisfied.

“It was fun!”

At Wi Seol-ah’s bright exclamation, Namgung Bi-ah nodded slightly.

Tang Soyeol, having visited often, probably wasn’t enjoying it much to begin with.

“Young Master Gu.”

Tang Soyeol called out to me.

“Aren’t you perhaps feeling a bit hungry?”

“A little? Since I haven’t eaten anything.”

Having been dragged out without even breakfast right after finishing training, I was indeed a bit hungry, just as Tang Soyeol said.

At my words, Tang Soyeol grinned as if she’d been waiting.

“Then I know a delicious place, perhaps….”

“Are you Patron Gu Yangcheon?”

Tang Soyeol was about to say something to me, but someone interrupted, cutting her off.

Because of that, Tang Soyeol shot a fierce glare, seemingly unable to hold back this time, but…

As soon as she saw who interrupted, she shut her mouth tight.

It was an old man full of wrinkles.

However, there was a long scar running up to his head, and his frame, exceeding seven feet, was packed with bursting muscles, so…

‘…The Pure Victor of a Thousand Strikes?’

The old man was someone I knew.

He was among the Central Plains’ Top 100 Experts, and arguably, the figure right below the Abbot at Shaolin.

‘What business could someone like that have with me?’

I quickly paid my respects first.

His sudden appearance was startling, but it was because he had clasped his hands in greeting first.

“Yes… I am Gu Yangcheon.”

The Pure Victor of a Thousand Strikes slowly straightened his posture and spoke to me.

“The Abbot wishes to meet you, Patron.”

At the old man’s words, I clicked my tongue inwardly.

I didn’t know what it was about, but it certainly seemed like troublesome business.