Chapter 224: Omen. (11)

Moyong Hi-ah entered the room in a typically high-handed manner.

Perhaps it was because Moyong Hi-ah had entered, but the narrow room somehow felt like it was filling with a cold draft.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes, you are incredibly rude.”

“Thank you.”

“…”

At this point, aren’t they practically begging me to curse them out?

Moyong Hi-ah had always been cold, fierce, and ill-mannered, but…

…she wasn’t someone who felt brazen.

How did she end up like this?

‘Or perhaps, this is just who she always was.’

Maybe so, but…

Whatever the case, it was a truly awkward situation.

“Well…”

“Please, speak.”

“I heard the rumors. That you made a deal with the Moyong family.”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

Even as I spoke, I observed Moyong Hi-ah’s appearance.

The scent of powder I usually noticed,

the heavy makeup,

and the ornaments she usually wore were nowhere to be seen.

Unlike her usual adorned self,

this was Moyong Hi-ah in her natural state.

‘She looks similar to how she did during the Demon Mirror incident.’

Back then, it wasn’t a situation where one could bother with adornments.

It was a situation where we had to endure today just to survive until tomorrow.

From my perspective, her current appearance looked better.

[Even while saying you disliked it, you still checked out her face.]

‘It was just visible, so I looked.’

[…Well, if someone is that beautiful, it’s hard not to look.]

Shin Noy-a mumbled this in a very quiet voice, but…

…since the words echoed directly in my mind, I couldn’t help but hear them.

‘Noy-a.’

[What is it?]

‘Have you perhaps not forgotten?’

[…Hmm?]

‘That, the Moyong family’s beautiful….’

[Hah.]

At my words, Noy-a reacted dismissively.

[How much time has passed? Did you really think I wouldn’t forget something like that? Brat. You’re more romantic than I thought.]

‘…I see. Well, that’s good then.’

I nodded slightly, accepting Noy-a’s words.

Furthermore, I decided to pretend I didn’t notice how Noy-a’s voice was trembling like crazy.

If I dug any deeper, it was obvious they’d get sulky and refuse to speak for days.

Honestly, this so-called hermit is so narrow-minded, barely the size of a mouse’s tail.

[Huh? What did you say?]

‘I didn’t say anything.’

[Really? That’s strange… I could have sworn you were badmouthing me.]

They have sharp ears too…

“First, there’s something I’d like to ask you, So-jeo.”

“Ask away. I will listen attentively.”

“…Why are you doing this?”

“Huh?”

This was something I had to ask.

“I understand the part where you said the Moyong family would build facilities in Shanxi and establish industrial bonds, while also providing public conveniences.”

“Yes.”

“From my perspective, it seems like an absurd condition…”

“That’s right. Our family pulled some strings. Is perhaps this still not enough for you?”

How could it not be enough?

The Gu family doesn’t contribute much financially.

Although they don’t pursue profit greedily to earn money,

they aren’t a place that refuses money.

‘They aren’t a place that does anything specifically to earn money.’

Others receive sponsorship under the pretext of protection from monsters,

or accumulate wealth through businesses leveraging their family traits like the Moyong family or the Tang family, but…

…the Gu family didn’t do that.

They are responsible for the safety of the Shanxi region,

but that doesn’t mean they receive significant sponsorship because of it.

Of course, due to their relationship with merchant guilds, they receive some support…

‘…but not enough to afford luxuries.’

More accurately, compared to being called a prestigious family, they aren’t exactly well-off.

“It’s not that. I want to understand what you mean by wanting to buy my ‘heat’ despite incurring such significant losses.”

“Ah.”

She wore an expression as if she had forgotten to explain.

Unlike her usual cold and alluring expression, Moyong Hi-ah put on a cute, apologetic face, but…

‘What kind of act is this?’

I knew that was just an act.

Moyong Hi-ah knows her strengths all too well.

She knew that displaying such shifts in demeanor was quite beneficial.

“Um…”

Perhaps it was because I maintained a reluctant expression even while watching her act,

Moyong Hi-ah immediately reverted to her original expression upon seeing it.

“As expected, it doesn’t work on you.”

Tsk.

Seeing her click her tongue regretfully actually put me at ease.

‘So that personality of hers hasn’t changed one bit.’

The only difference, perhaps,

is that her gaze towards me now is somewhat different from before.

“The more I see you, the more fascinating you are. Is there perhaps something wrong with you?”

“Something wrong…?”

“…No, well. Just… perhaps something wrong with your masculinity….”

“Are you sexually harassing me right now?”

“Judging by how you act towards Poison Phoenix or Sword Dancer, that doesn’t seem to be the case…”

What doesn’t seem to be the case?

What doesn’t seem to be the case, you idiot?

I let out a deep sigh looking at Moyong Hi-ah and asked,

“Let’s stop the jokes there.”

“It wasn’t a joke…”

“…Just explain what you mean by wanting to buy my ‘heat’.”

I wanted to stop this pointless chatter.

We needed to get to the main point quickly.

The longer we talked, the more I’d get swept up in Moyong Hi-ah’s words and just get angrier.

When I brought up the main topic,

Moyong Hi-ah’s expression stiffened for a moment, and she adjusted her posture.

She knelt on both knees.

Meaning, she clasped her hands respectfully, showing proper etiquette.

Seeing that, I also adjusted my own posture.

“As I mentioned before, I need the Young Master’s ‘heat’.”

“Yes, but why?”

“If you wish to hear the reason, you may have to accept a vow of silence.”

“A vow?”

I wondered what kind of story would require such a vow.

If my guess was correct,

it was likely related to Moyong Hi-ah’s ‘Severed Meridian’ condition.

“For your reference, the Gu Family Head did not hear the reason.”

“…So you’re saying he sold his son without even hearing the reason?”

“…”

Since she didn’t deny it, it must be true.

Could my father be a bigger opportunist than I thought?

As I pondered this, I said to Moyong Hi-ah,

“In that case, I won’t listen either…”

“Actually, I suffer from the Severed Meridian.”

“Hey, if you weren’t going to listen, why did you keep asking?”

“…It’s an illness where cold energy gradually fills the body unless managed with internal energy.”

I already knew, so I wasn’t planning on listening anyway.

She just had to say it herself.

Is she really crazy?

Since I had heard something I didn’t want to, I scowled in disgust.

Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes widened slightly.

“Young Master… you don’t seem very surprised?”

“After saying whatever you wanted, do I now have to act surprised too?”

“It’s not that… but that’s usually not the reaction people have.”

Honestly, even as I spoke, I felt a slight pang of regret.

I should have at least shown a little surprise.

Even after hearing about the Severed Meridian condition, I couldn’t react properly.

‘I got slightly carried away by the atmosphere.’

Was it because I was talking to someone completely incompatible with me?

Or was it because of memories from my past life?

I had to calm my slightly churning stomach by focusing my internal energy.

“…So, does that have something to do with why you need my ‘heat’?”

“Yes.”

“It’s not like I’m the only one who can use ‘heat’. Why specifically me?”

I could tell Moyong Hi-ah’s Severed Meridian wasn’t just something affected by fire.

If that were the case, she wouldn’t be living such a difficult life.

‘Besides, I’m not the only one in the Central Plains who uses fire arts.’

Not to mention my father.

There was also Gu Huibi.

Gu Ryeong-hwa belonged to Mount Hua, and Gu Yeonseo couldn’t wield flames yet, so they were out of the question.

Moreover, when speaking of fire arts practitioners today, the Gu family holds a prominent position, but…

…it wasn’t exclusive to the Gu family.

There were fire arts users even among the top hundred experts of the Central Plains.

I had to consider why Moyong Hi-ah specifically sought me out.

‘Could it be… that I’m just an easy target?’

No, that couldn’t be it.

She isn’t the type of woman to choose someone for such a trivial reason.

‘Then what is it?’

The thought that maybe only my ‘heat’ reacts with Moyong Hi-ah’s Severed Meridian flashed through my mind, but…

‘…Even so…’

I knew it wasn’t the case just from experiencing ‘that day’ in my past life.

Despite holding each other so closely.

Unlike my body, which was burning hot then, Moyong Hi-ah’s body was as cold as ice.

Although I harbored doubts about this thought,

Moyong Hi-ah’s answer was firm.

“It must be Young Master Gu’s ‘heat’.”

“…”

“I felt it last time. I felt that Young Master Gu’s ‘heat’ would suffice.”

I saw her delicate white fingers reaching out cautiously.

The fingertips that approached slowly brushed against mine.

It was a cautious touch, as if she couldn’t quite grasp it.

“…Please.”

It was a sudden plea, but…

…I vaguely understood what she was asking for.

Without saying much, I used the slight contact as a connection.

And sent a tiny bit of my ‘heat’ her way.

Hmph.

I felt Moyong Hi-ah’s body tremble slightly upon receiving the ‘heat’.

Seeing that reaction, I thought:

‘…Really?’

Is it actually working?

Why?

‘Just why?’

No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t understand.

What was different between Moyong Hi-ah then and Moyong Hi-ah now?

‘Is it because she’s younger?’

The Severed Meridian condition worsens over time, so perhaps that could be a factor, but…

…that probably isn’t it.

‘Could it possibly be… due to the changes in the Gu Flame Wheel Technique?’

Recalling things that didn’t exist in my past life, that was the only possibility for now.

If the Heavenly Demon’s power absorbs others’ energy,

I wasn’t sure if it could also take away cold energy, but…

…if it reacts to ‘heat’,

then the Gu Flame Wheel Technique’s power was the likely candidate.

‘Perhaps it pushes away the cold energy, just like purifying demonic energy?’

Thinking about the changes in the Gu Flame Wheel Technique in this life,

I could recall its power to burn and purify demonic energy, converting it into internal energy.

Since this wasn’t something that happened in my past life,

this is the only principle I can think of.

“…Hngh…”

“Ah.”

I pulled my hand away upon hearing the groan from in front of me.

Lost in thought, I had forgotten.

I quickly looked up to check on Moyong Hi-ah, but…

“I’m fine…”

Seeing her slumped over, trembling uncontrollably, it was clear she wasn’t fine at all.

“See… I told… you.”

Moyong Hi-ah, who had been groaning for a while, mumbled something in a very small voice, but…

…it was too quiet to hear.

She seemed to be trying to hide her trembling voice, but it wasn’t working out easily.

“As expected… As expected. It’s you…”

“Huh?”

Moyong Hi-ah, uttering incomprehensible words, suddenly sprang to her feet and adjusted her clothes.

“…I’ll be going now for today.”

“Suddenly?”

“Yes… I think I can’t handle anymore right now.”

What couldn’t she handle?

Although Moyong Hi-ah’s slightly staggering movements caught my attention,

there was something I needed to ask first.

“What about the vow?”

“What…?”

“You said I’d have to take a vow if I heard about your situation, Moyong So-jeo.”

It was a rather unsettling matter, but…

…now that it came to this, I had to accept it.

After all, any vow imposed by a prestigious family could eventually be broken one way or another, so it didn’t matter.

I could just accept it and then break it.

Moyong Hi-ah gave a look as if remembering what I said, then smiled slightly.

“That was a lie.”

“What?”

“It’s true that a vow is usually required… but I didn’t intend to impose one on you, Young Master Gu.”

“What’s the reason?”

When I asked why she made that choice,

Moyong Hi-ah pondered for a moment before giving me her answer.

“I thought it would be okay with someone as trustworthy as you… You probably won’t believe the same answer, right?”

“…”

Moyong Hi-ah, meeting my eyes, suddenly turned her head and covered her mouth.

It was obvious she was trying to suppress a burst of laughter.

“…I apologize. Your expression, Young Master, was quite surprising.”

Surprising expression?

It sounded like quite the insult, which put me in a foul mood.

Meanwhile, I still wasn’t sure if this was actually having any effect.

A faint coldness could still be felt emanating from Moyong Hi-ah.

“Does this really have any effect….”

“Young Master.”

“Yes?”

“Thank you. I think I should leave for today.”

This was certainly welcome news, but…

…the conversation wasn’t properly finished yet.

“…I’d love to continue our cozy chat, but…”

“It wasn’t exactly a cozy chat.”

“If I stay any longer, I don’t know what might happen to me.”

What might happen?

Moyong Hi-ah’s gaze, as she spoke, was directed somewhere.

Following her gaze, I looked towards where she was looking.

“…”

I saw three pairs of eyes peeking out and spying on us.

The fact that they were different colors made the situation feel even more peculiar.

“What are you guys doing over there?”

I asked in an exasperated voice, but…

…the eyes just stared back at me without uttering a word.

How did they even find out?

The precarious feeling sent a shiver down my spine.

“I’ll be going now, Young Master Gu. Thank you so much for today.”

Perhaps I wasn’t the only one who sensed it.

Moyong Hi-ah quickly left my room, walking faster than usual.

As Moyong Hi-ah exited the room,

she glanced at the three women and added one last remark towards me.

“That was a pleasant time. I’ll be counting on you again tomorrow night.”

“What?”

She dropped a highly misleading statement and disappeared with a light step.

“Wait… You should at least explain properly before leaving!”

Sensing disaster, I immediately tried to grab Moyong Hi-ah, but…

Squeeze.

A hand grabbed me first. Then came the voice.

“Explanation.”

At Namgung Bi-ah’s firm voice, I swallowed dryly.

Not only was Namgung Bi-ah’s expression far more stoic than usual,

but the two squirrels hiding behind Namgung Bi-ah were also a problem.

‘Haha.’

It seemed I wouldn’t be getting any comfortable sleep tonight either.