Chapter 117: Let’s Make a Bet. (3)

Let’s Make a Bet. (3)

Not long after starting our conversation, Namgung Bi-ah and I found ourselves walking on eggshells.

What should have been a polite conversation filled with pleasantries was instead unfolding with the sharp tension of a battlefield.

“Have you been well?”

“Me? I’ve been fine.”

It started with a simple greeting. So far, so good.

A greeting is pretty standard, right?

The problem arose right after.

“That’s a relief. Judging by your complexion, I thought you might have been having some trouble. It seems I was mistaken.”

I swallowed hard at my father’s words. The words themselves seemed fine, but his expression and tone made it clear this wasn’t genuine concern.

He was simply mocking Namgung Jin’s characteristic arrogant face. Namgung Jin responded nonchalantly.

“Speaking of which, Gu family head, your eyes looked troubled, making me wonder if you were upset about something. But then again, I realized that’s just how your eyes are. How fortunate.”

Thorns. Their words were packed with them. It was as if they weren’t even trying to hide it, speaking half-blatantly.

You’d think they could hold back a little in a situation like this….

I was particularly taken aback, having never seen my father speak to someone like that before. He definitely wasn’t usually like this.

Namgung Jin, as if not finished, added to the conversation.

“If that’s not your usual expression, perhaps you have some troublesome issues bothering you here and there?”

“Troublesome issues? What might you be referring to?”

“Well, perhaps issues with your children, or something like that?”

‘…Well, look at this guy?’

Namgung Jin was subtly mocking my father by using me.

Damn it, I was the only one causing trouble in the Gu family. While everyone knew my older sister, Gu Huibi, had a terrible personality, her talent and skill allowed her to overcome it, making it perceived as the charm of a gifted martial artist.

But me?

I wasn’t making a name for myself, and regarding my cultivation, I hadn’t actively tried to publicize it, so things were quiet.

This was mostly how I wanted it, but to have it used against me like this.

My father raised an eyebrow slightly at Namgung Jin’s words and took a sip of tea. Was his throat dry?

‘That doesn’t seem right.’

My father’s lips curved slightly as he drank his tea. Though hidden by the teacup from the front, I could see it.

That was definitely not the smile of a loser. After swallowing the tea, my father spoke.

“If that’s considered a problem, then yes, it is.”

Namgung Jin tried to offer a slight smile at my father’s words, but his expression soured instantly at what followed.

“My foolish son, being young and immature, committed a terrible act against Young Master Thunder Dragon. I will apologize on his behalf.”

‘Wow….’

I muttered in admiration. My father was quite the player.

My father’s words essentially meant, ‘Do you know that my son, who is much younger than yours, beat him up?’

It was as if my father was saying, ‘Your son is a total pushover, isn’t he?’

“I heard Young Master Thunder Dragon is as brilliant as you, Namgung family head. I worry if he might have been hurt by this incident.”

As are you.

It felt like he was saying.

Grind-!

As expected, a cracking sound came from the dining table where Namgung Jin was sitting. I figured they’d have to replace the table tomorrow.

The attendants now had more work to do.

“Ah… you. You haven’t changed a bit, Gu family head.”

“Thank you for the kind words. I’m relieved to see you haven’t changed either, Namgung family head.”

Zzzzt-!

It felt like an invisible current was flowing between the two men.

[So that’s where your unpromising way of speaking comes from. You had a role model after all.]

‘…’

I couldn’t easily refute Shin No-ya’s words, though I knew it wasn’t true.

I hadn’t grown up close enough to learn from my father, nor were we on particularly good terms. In my past life, conversations with my father were extremely rare.

I heard often that I resembled him in appearance, but never regarding personality.

What I heard endlessly was that I should resemble my father at least half as much.

This was also a significant factor contributing to my own twisted nature.

‘In the end, that’s just an excuse.’

I made all my choices. The responsibility for them lay with me.

I wanted to live with a clear understanding of this.

Anyway. Both my father and Namgung Jin seemed intent on continuing their pointless verbal sparring, showing no signs of stopping their one-upmanship.

Sensing the atmosphere growing increasingly strange, I subtly intervened. It felt like this would never end if left unchecked.

“Excuse me… Are you not planning to discuss the engagement?”

Whether they heard me or not, a brief silence fell between the two men. Namgung Jin eventually cleared his throat and changed the subject.

“…When would be a good time?”

“Do you have a preferred time?”

As if their earlier snarling was just an act, they instantly moved on to discussing plans nonchalantly. Were they separating public and private matters?

[Wouldn’t you say they’ve already blurred that line considerably…?]

‘…Right?’

Well, maybe they’re finally getting serious. He is a family head, after all. Surely he won’t do anything more here.

“First, regarding just the ceremony, any time is fine. As for the wedding itself, as long as it’s not too late, that’s acceptable. My daughter is getting on in years.”

The mention of the wedding caught me slightly off guard. While Namgung Bi-ah was perhaps a bit late for marriage compared to other scions of prestigious families, it wasn’t particularly late for a martial artist.

Especially for a female swordmaster of Namgung Bi-ah’s caliber, her physical aging would be slower, and purely based on talent, delaying the wedding or even skipping it altogether would have been acceptable.

‘He couldn’t possibly not know that.’

At Namgung Jin’s level, he surely knew about Namgung Bi-ah’s talent with the sword. Yet, Namgung Jin seemed somewhat rushed.

‘Is there a particular need to expedite the wedding?’

Is there some problem within the Namgung family?

My father nodded at Namgung Jin’s words. Then, he looked at me and asked.

-Do you wish for it?

I had to suppress my eyes widening involuntarily. Using telepathy out of the blue.

Did he not think I was capable of telepathy?

After considering how to respond, figuring he’d know anyway, I replied via telepathy without hiding it.

-I believe it’s still too early.

-I see.

Rather than him asking me via telepathy, the mere fact that he ‘asked’ for my opinion was more surprising.

This had never happened before. Moreover, was it okay for me to answer like this?

“If possible, I’d prefer the wedding to take place after our child secures the position of Young Master.”

“…Are you saying it’s already confirmed?”

“Yes.”

My father answered nonchalantly to Namgung Jin’s somewhat flustered question. The title of Young Master itself signifies the person who will inherit the position of family head.

Therefore, it wasn’t something to be spoken of lightly before securing the position, but my father spoke as if it were of no consequence.

Perhaps that’s what differentiates us from other families.

“When exactly would that be?”

“I believe it should be at least after reaching adulthood.”

“Then the time…!”

Namgung Jin shut his mouth before he could retort. He knew that rushing the timeline wouldn’t yield a positive response.

He seemed to have his own reasons, but he wasn’t forcing the issue. Likely because he knew it would be disadvantageous to him.

Given that he’s from the Namgung family, perhaps he vaguely knows what position I’m expected to inherit.

Namgung Jin sighed deeply and said.

“…Hmph. Alright. Then, when would be good for the engagement ceremony?”

“Since you have no specific preference, around next spring should suffice.”

“Understood. I will discuss this matter with the elders and send you a letter separately.”

“I hope for a favorable outcome.”

They had bickered endlessly, losing track of time while trading barbs, but the discussion about business concluded in an instant.

Food was served, and drinks were brought out for the family heads, but only Namgung Bi-ah was eating.

I wasn’t in the mood to eat anything given the atmosphere, and my father only drank tea, not touching anything else.

Namgung Jin flatly stated, ‘I have no hobby of drinking with people I find unpleasant.’

In the end, Namgung Bi-ah was the only one diligently using her chopsticks.

‘…You can still eat amidst all this.’

Perhaps due to her oblivious nature, not caring about others’ reactions, she was eating about ten times more demurely than usual, but still, she could eat in this situation.

‘Is it because she usually hangs out with Wi Seol-ah?’

I thought that might be the case.

“Then, considering the next meeting is in spring, I shall take my daughter and depart.”

At Namgung Jin’s words, Namgung Bi-ah’s chopsticks stopped abruptly. Namgung Jin noticed this too, glancing sharply at her.

“I have no intention of letting you act recklessly any further. Normally, I would have severely punished you, but given the circumstances, I’ve generously overlooked it. You understand this much, don’t you?”

“…Yes.”

Namgung Bi-ah, who had been eating fine, stopped chewing as if her appetite had vanished. It was understandable, given that accompanying me was essentially an unauthorized runaway from her father.

Seeing her dejected expression, I couldn’t help but feel concerned.

[Dejected…? To me, she looks the same. What makes you think she looks dejected?]

Shin No-ya said it as if he didn’t understand, but I could clearly see a change in her expression. Subtle shifts around the corners of her eyes and mouth were evident.

Despite saying she would accompany Tang Soyeol to the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly, it seemed Namgung Bi-ah had no other options now.

As I watched Namgung Bi-ah, Shin No-ya asked me.

[What are you planning to do.]

‘What do you mean?’

Shin No-ya responded with a half-mocking tone.

[Don’t pretend you don’t know, not even with me. You’ve already cooked up some plan, haven’t you.]

‘Hmm.’

Shin No-ya was right that I had thought of something, but it wasn’t quite a grand plan.

Based on the situation so far, I just felt I’d reached a point where my father might overlook some trouble.

[What kind of trouble are you planning?]

‘Nothing major.’

I intended to do what I do best.

‘I’m thinking of picking a fight.’

The conversation ended there. The discussion about the schedule was brief: the engagement ceremony was set for spring, and the wedding date would be decided later.

The reason for the uncertainty was Namgung Jin stating he needed further discussion with the elders.

From that statement, I could infer.

‘The family head’s authority isn’t that strong.’

Namgung Jin’s influence within the family wasn’t that significant, despite his name as the Sky-Piercing Sword King.

It was quite peculiar, considering his limited decision-making power regarding my engagement with Namgung Bi-ah and other matters.

‘Is it a matter of the Heavenly Venerate (天尊)?’

One of the Three Venerates, the strongest martial artist among those currently bearing the Namgung surname. I recalled the old man who, in the future, failed to prevent the Namgung clan’s destruction and was killed by the Heavenly Demon.

‘No need to worry about that yet.’

The meal concluded, and Namgung Bi-ah rose to follow Namgung Jin.

Namgung Bi-ah’s gaze was fixed on me.

It looked regretful. Or perhaps apologetic?

Apologetic for what?

For wanting to come but being unable to? Or for leaving me behind?

Considering the short time we’ve spent together, it’s unlikely she’d feel abandoned.

She must simply be disappointed. Whether that disappointment stems from affection towards me or from the freedom she barely obtained, I couldn’t say.

What mattered was that Namgung Bi-ah was looking at me with such eyes.

And I’m sorry, but.

I had no intention of letting her go now.

Shin No-ya asked, a smile playing on his lips at my thoughts.

[When did you decide to push her away again?]

‘I know, right.’

How did it come to this? Even I think human hearts are fickle.

I didn’t want to grab it for fear of losing it, but now that it’s in my hand, I don’t want to let go.

Isn’t that arrogant, fickle, and petty?

‘I know, but still.’

As my father also rose, I picked up and ate a dumpling before me. It was my first meal of the day.

Chewing the dumpling, I said.

“I think I’ll indulge my greed a little.”

Shin No-ya said nothing to my words.

I guessed his response was probably along the lines of, ‘Whatever floats your boat.’

---

Time passed after the conversation, and as night fell.

Having received a report from his subordinates, Namgung Jin cut the meeting short and headed towards the annex.

His face was deeply contorted in a fierce scowl, and the Namgung family’s internal energy, mixed with lightning, emanated from his body, reflecting his emotions.

‘…How dare this unweaned brat.’

Grrr.

Namgung Jin was showing restraint, knowing who the true master of this land was.

He had endured pointless disputes and patiently tolerated the Gu family’s fledgling disciple running wild without fear, like a newborn cub.

Even the arrogant Namgung Jin harbored a sliver of gratitude for the burden the Gu family carried.

Still, even so.

This was clearly crossing the line.

Crash-!

The entrance to the annex was roughly forced open as Namgung Jin arrived.

“…!”

He hadn’t even reached the annex yet, but the heat carried on the wind grazed Namgung Jin’s nose from afar.

Namgung Jin’s eyes widened naturally.

Inside the annex, numerous Namgung martial artists lay unconscious on the floor. Those who were relatively unharmed were barely holding onto consciousness, vomiting onto the ground.

“Wh-!”

As Namgung Jin was about to unleash a furious roar, his gaze fell upon someone. The source of the blazing heat dominating the annex.

A pair of crimson eyes watched Namgung Jin from the center of a fiery ring.

The familiar presence made Namgung Jin flinch involuntarily.

‘…Gu Cheol-un?’

No, that wasn’t Gu Cheol-un. But it was similar.

Not the toothless tiger he was now, but Gu Cheol-un as he was back then, known as the Flame Ghost.

The master of the flames spoke to Namgung Jin.

“You’ve arrived. Namgung family head.”

It was a thin voice. The vocal cords of a boy who seemed not to have even gone through puberty.

Namgung Jin already knew who it was from the report, but he didn’t want to believe it.

That such an absurd being was born into the Gu family bloodline.

“The situation is unfolding a bit strangely, so it’s awkward to say this, but…”

The flames subsided.

‘…No, they aren’t subsiding.’

The heat, along with the menacing flames dancing around, all flowed back into the boy’s body.

All the heat vanished, leaving only the boy standing in the center.

The black hair seen earlier was gone, replaced by a deeper red hue and crimson eyes that were the spitting image of Gu Cheol-un.

“Let’s make a bet, shall we?”

Gu Yangcheon looked at Namgung Jin and smiled.