Chapter 127: Where Did They Go? (1)

Where did they go? (1)

The mealtime was thankfully peaceful.

Although Gu Ryeonghwa-nim hit me, it was bearable, and I was able to quickly explain away the poison Tang Soyeol-ssi so readily gifted me.

Of course, even after explaining, I couldn’t avoid the Sword Empress giving me an ambiguous smile.

Tang Soyeol-ssi seemed to truly respect the Sword Empress, as they recounted every single achievement the Sword Empress had accomplished without fail.

They even succeeded in making the Sword Empress’s ears turn bright red by reciting a famous line the Sword Empress supposedly uttered.

‘My plum blossoms do not lose to villains! Really…. The Sword Empress was quite the romantic figure too.’

Thanks to that, I couldn’t help but cringe, but it was a worthwhile time as I got to see the Sword Empress flustered, which is a rare sight.

The meal ended quickly.

The Sword Empress also seemed to not mind Tang Soyeol-ssi, as they readily accepted the conversation.

However, Gu Ryeonghwa-nim’s glare directed at Tang Soyeol-ssi was quite fierce.

[Their face was like that of a gentle puppy, but when the child gets angry, they turn into a wolf.]

‘I’m a praying mantis, yet you describe that child as a wolf? That’s a bit discriminatory.’

[Seeing you spout nonsense, it looks like you ate your conscience along with your meal….]

Perhaps it’s because they feel like their teacher was stolen? It felt like the distance between the two had grown considerably.

We concluded the meal and even had tea before finally ending the gathering.

Tang Soyeol-ssi seemed to want to stay longer for various reasons, but it seemed impossible to stay long as the Sword Empress wasn’t in good condition.

How should I put it, the Sword Empress seemed a bit tired.

Gu Ryeonghwa-nim, naturally aware of it just like I was, was subtly trying to take care of them.

In the meantime, I observed Namgung Bi-ah, who was quietly nibbling on her food alone.

Wi Seol-ah was already chattering away beside her, but Namgung Bi-ah still seemed out of it.

“Are you feeling a bit better?”

I asked this to the Sword Empress as they were preparing to leave after the meal.

“As you can see, thanks to you, I feel healthier than before.”

Even from my perspective, the Sword Empress looked like they had regained much of their health….

“Is something the matter?”

Their expression wasn’t particularly good. In response to my question, the Sword Empress reacted with slight surprise.

Since their reaction implied ‘How did you know?’, I kindly added an explanation.

“Your expression is quite troubled right now.”

“…It seems quite obvious.”

“Yes.”

Were they perhaps trying to hide it? If so, the Sword Empress was someone who shouldn’t lie.

With it being so obvious, what were they trying to hide?

“Your sibling is very worried.”

“…Oh dear.”

Gu Ryeonghwa-nim was fidgeting behind them, only looking at their teacher.

Noticing this, the Sword Empress chuckled sheepishly.

“I didn’t mean to cause worry, but it seems it’s already too late.”

“Is there some kind of problem?”

It didn’t seem like a physical issue, perhaps something happened recently?

“It’s alright. This too shall all flow naturally.”

The Sword Empress, trailing off as if avoiding the question, thanked me and approached Gu Ryeonghwa-nim.

As the Sword Empress stroked their hair, Gu Ryeonghwa-nim giggled.

They had returned to looking like a squirrel after being a wolf once more.

“Um…. Young Master Gu.”

I turned my head at the voice coming from beside me.

“I’m so glad I could have a meal with you today…!”

“You mean you’re glad you ate with the Sword Empress, not me?”

“Uh… uh… that’s not it…! Well, it’s not not that, but…”

Their stammering in confusion at my teasing was quite amusing, so I chuckled softly.

Seeing this, Tang Soyeol-ssi paused slightly and asked me.

“You just laughed, didn’t you?”

“Huh?”

“Young Master-nim, weren’t you laughing at me just now?”

“No…. Yes, if you were perhaps offended.”

“No! I wasn’t offended!”

Tang Soyeol-ssi said that and broke into a wide smile. It was such a pure smile that I couldn’t help but freeze for a moment.

It must be because I’ve seen a similar smile somewhere. It resembles the smile Dokbi used to wear.

I figured it was because they were the same person, but the weight of the smile was different from hers.

Unlike Dokbi’s deep, heavy, and weary smile, this was a smile that seemed purely born from genuine enjoyment.

[Do you regret it?]

‘What is this sudden, out-of-the-blue question?’

While playfully responding to Noyas’s words, I felt a bit weary, knowing what Noyas meant by the question.

[It seemed that way.]

‘I do not regret it.’

Ending Dokbi’s life with my own hands? That was something that had to be done.

Not for my sake, but for hers.

At that time, it was the only way.

“W-will you invite me again next time?”

I nodded at Tang Soyeol-ssi’s question.

I hesitated slightly, but Tang Soyeol-ssi smiled as if they didn’t mind.

“Just the two of us…. won’t work, right?”

“Ah….”

“I’m sorry! I got carried away and got ahead of myself. You don’t have to answer…!”

Saying that, they thrust something into my hand and ran off like a madman.

A small gourd bottle was clutched in their hand. Shaking it produced a sloshing sound, indicating something was inside.

“…What kind of poison is this now?”

I was now certain it was poison. It felt like I had received poison before parting ways last time too.

The problem was, I had no idea what it was intended for.

For now, I tucked it into my inner pocket. I could ask later.

After everyone had left, I asked a servant to tidy up and went for a stroll outside for a bit.

The Gu family’s walking paths aren’t particularly beautiful. It seems they were diligently maintained when my mother was around, but…

Now, no one seemed to be tending to them.

“Young Master-nim, what kind of flower is this?”

Wi Seol-ah, who was walking with me, asked.

It was some kind of white, pretty flower, but I didn’t know its name.

“Baekyuhwa (White Young Flower).”

Namgung Bi-ah, who was following behind, whispered.

“What? You know flower names too?”

It was quite surprising.

Of all people, Namgung Bi-ah knew the name of a flower. Namgung Bi-ah kept her gaze fixed on the flower Wi Seol-ah was looking at and continued speaking.

“It’s a flower my mom liked.”

Saying that, she approached the flower and gently sat down.

“…It bloomed here too.”

She carefully touched the flower and then asked me.

“Can… can I take this…?”

“Why would you take it? To grow it?”

“Yes….”

It wasn’t much, and giving her a single flower wasn’t difficult, so I told her she could.

Namgung Bi-ah plucked one Baekyuhwa flower and tucked it into Wi Seol-ah’s hair.

“Huh?”

When Wi Seol-ah reacted as if asking what it was, Namgung Bi-ah stroked Wi Seol-ah’s hair and said.

“It’s pretty…. My mom used to do this for me often.”

As Wi Seol-ah giggled bashfully, Namgung Bi-ah smiled slightly as well.

[…It seems like beautiful things are attached, making it shine.]

‘Suddenly getting sentimental, aren’t you.’

[Kekeke….]

After briefly stroking Wi Seol-ah, she carefully lifted another Baekyuhwa, along with its soil, ensuring the roots wouldn’t be damaged.

Namgung Bi-ah’s white hands became dirty with soil, but she didn’t seem to mind.

“You seem a bit better now.”

I asked, recalling how sensitive she had been earlier with her flushed face.

“…Yeah.”

Namgung Bi-ah nodded slightly. Her ears were still slightly red; perhaps it was the autumn breeze, or maybe the lingering effect from earlier.

“I’m okay now… probably.”

Her voice, whispering in the breeze, was so shy.

“…Do you know…?”

Namgung Bi-ah asked.

“Know what?”

“Babies…. aren’t made just from holding hands.”

“What?”

“…Just saying.”

What is she talking about all of a sudden?

She said that and walked ahead. Was it just my imagination, or did her steps seem a bit quicker?

“Young Master-nim, I’m cold. Let’s hurry!”

As I stood there spacing out, Wi Seol-ah grabbed my hand and pulled me along.

For the record, starting from this day, Namgung Bi-ah didn’t take naps in my room for quite some time.

---

A day passed, and I went to find Namgung Jin.

It was a scheduled appointment, so I went right after finishing morning training.

As expected, Namgung Jin was practicing sword forms in the training ground set up in the annex, just like last time.

The reason the surroundings were somewhat deserted was likely because the Namgung family’s warriors were still undergoing treatment.

“I’ve arranged a talk with the First Elder.”

Namgung Jin said this while swinging his sword with all his might. It seemed he was telling me this because of the favor I’d asked last time.

“It will likely be this evening.”

“Understood.”

I hadn’t asked for anything major.

I had simply asked him to give the impression that he would grant whatever the First Elder seemed to desire.

“Is it alright if you don’t return to the main family estate?”

“There’s something more important than the family’s affairs, so it’s fine.”

“…Hmm. Understood.”

Originally, I would have returned to the main family estate with Namgung Bi-ah after the engagement ceremony.

But I was held up here and couldn’t leave.

‘More accurately, I’m choosing not to go.’

What is that damned sword…

[How dare you call it ‘that damned sword,’ you brat! You, who should know a warrior’s ambition better than anyone…. Tsk, tsk.]

The foundation for an evolved sword left by Naecheon Ilgeom Namgung Myung. It was quite a peculiar situation.

Why wasn’t it passed down? Why did the Namgung family forget his sword?

While finding it fascinating that they reigned as the top sword family despite their devolved sword techniques, I couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

“Is it done now?”

“Yes.”

Since I had waited for days, Namgung Jin was starting to get impatient.

Well, with a restriction spell in place, it couldn’t just be ignored.

“I hope you’ll stick to what we discussed.”

“…Don’t worry.”

We discussed various matters, but the one point I emphasized the most was singular.

If they were to gain enlightenment on this matter.

They were to pass down the teachings to Namgung Bi-ah as well.

Namgung Jin didn’t show a particularly favorable reaction regarding this point.

What could possibly be so inconvenient about passing down teachings of enlightenment to a blood relative?

Ultimately, when I didn’t back down and pressed the issue, we reached an agreement: the teachings would only be passed down to ‘Namgung Bi-ah’.

Isn’t it laughable?

In the first place, I didn’t care what happened to anyone else; I only wanted the teachings passed down to Namgung Bi-ah.

Yet Namgung Jin insisted on adding a condition: that he himself would not teach other blood relatives.

Why? Why would he specifically include such a condition?

Various thoughts about Namgung Jin’s intentions crossed my mind, but the most likely guess was his desire to solidify his position as the family head.

To be able to do something that others cannot, or do not know how to do.

Especially if the head of the family, not someone else, were to use a more advanced form of the family’s sword techniques, perhaps he was considering its value.

‘To draw such a line, even towards his own bloodline.’

From my perspective, I had written ‘teachings,’ but it was essentially a transaction.

More importantly, since it was something that could be passed on to Namgung Bi-ah, it didn’t matter.

And the more I saw of this, the more I wanted to understand why Namgung Bi-ah made the choices she did.

Not as the Sword Demon Empress, but looking at Namgung Bi-ah now, she didn’t seem like the type of person to act that way.

“There are two main branches I will speak of.”

I did not draw my sword.

Noyas said he couldn’t do it for a while after the possession incident last time. He said it was dangerous.

Besides, I couldn’t exactly demonstrate the sword forms to Namgung Jin with my clumsy skills.

Noyas said that simply conveying the words would be sufficient.

[The Namgung sword’s lineage is broken.]

‘Lineage?’

[Yes, the branch connecting one form to the next; it’s broken so subtly that it’s impossible to grasp properly.]

‘You’re saying you can reconnect that merely through words?’

[How should I know? I’m merely relaying what Myung told me.]

‘What kind of irresponsible statement is that…?’

[It’s filled with the enlightenment of Naecheon Ilgeom. If the Namgung child fails to grasp anything even after hearing it, then that’s that.]

‘And if they fail to grasp anything and start arguing with me, what should I do then?’

[You’ll have to run and hide behind your father’s back. What else can you do?]

‘…Damn it.’

At my age, you expect me to run to my father for something like that?

No…. In this life, I am still young, but surely I have some conscience.

[Didn’t you lack conscience from the start? What dignity do you have left to uphold now?]

‘…’

As I took a breath, Namgung Jin was already listening with eyes sparkling.

It was incredibly burdensome to have a man of my father’s age looking at me with such bright eyes.

All I was doing was relaying Noyas’s words, heard by my ear, through my mouth.

“The Namgung sword is like a wave. It lives its life like lightning, but if you were to nitpick, it’s closer to a wave.”

Enlightenment is inherently abstract.

This is even more so for a swordsman aiming for the unity of body and sword (身劍合一), equating the body with the sword.

It’s a realm that past Sword Demon Empress, as well as outstanding swordsmen like Wi Seol-ah, must have reached.

Martial artists also have realms referred to by similar terms, but the feeling was different.

As I mentioned earlier, I was merely spitting out words through Noyas’s mouth.

Occasionally, I followed inexplicable instructions like ‘reach out your hand’.

“…Since you handle lightning energy, you should focus on swift and fast sword techniques, but….”

However, it wasn’t entirely abstract, as fragmented information about how to handle wrist issues or footwork in the Namgung sword path was exchanged.

The remarks related to movements were personal additions from Noyas.

The problem was.

‘It seems to be helpful.’

Waves, lightning, trees, forests – from the perspective of someone unfamiliar with the Namgung sword, listening to such talk was pointless.

I didn’t know the experiences and intentions he gained while wielding his sword.

I didn’t know how those abstract and vague words could help him.

The explanation wasn’t over, but Namgung Jin’s gaze had changed.

He slowly closed his eyes.

Did he gain something?

If so, I didn’t feel anything profound enough to be called enlightenment.

[It seems he’s not entirely a half-wit or an idiot after all.]

‘I’m not sure if this is okay.’

[I didn’t reveal everything, considering your position. The Namgung child won’t gain much either.]

I understood Noyas’s desire to pass on his friend’s sword, so I didn’t strongly object.

The silence was brief.

Namgung Jin quickly opened his eyes and immediately swung his sword.

Swish! Swish!

The subsequent sword path seemed largely unchanged from before, yet something had subtly shifted.

[It seems he succeeded in getting his foot in the door.]

Noyas added, but I couldn’t perceive a significant difference.

However, I knew something had definitely changed. That was the important part.

Namgung Jin, who had been swinging his sword for about half a beat, stopped and whispered softly.

“…Thank you.”

The warrior, who had reached the Hwagyeong realm, was dripping with sweat. All within just half a beat.

“Did you gain something?”

“Barely…. just a little bit.”

Namgung Jin continued, saying it would likely take a very long time to truly internalize this.

“I don’t know if I’ll have to discard everything ingrained in my body….”

He meant changing movements ingrained over decades.

Still, would he really intend to train this? He barely has enough time to solidify his position as family head.

[Can’t you see? He’s already captivated.]

Looking at Namgung Jin’s eyes, as Noyas said, they were filled with fervor.

[It’s small, but undeniably different. Once you know that difference, you realize how vastly different the outcome will be, so it’s too late to back down now.]

‘Why is it that everyone who wields a sword is never normal.’

[…That’s discrimination against martial arts, you rotten brat.]

‘Getting defensive, aren’t we? Just like a swordsman.’

His realm hadn’t changed, nor was there any fluctuation in his internal energy.

He had simply discovered a subtle difference in how to swing his sword.

Moreover, he said it would take at least several years to even utilize this.

In that case, isn’t this poison? That’s how it looked to me.

In the meantime, I checked again for any traces of demonic energy left on Namgung Jin’s body.

Just in case he turned hostile after gaining something.

“I hope you won’t forget our agreement.”

Namgung Jin, whose fervor hadn’t completely subsided, nodded slightly.

He looked eager to swing his sword again right away.

I checked the restriction spell once more before closing the door and leaving.

This wasn’t something that would be resolved just by teaching a little; we had agreed to meet several more times.

Would this process help Namgung Bi-ah’s life?

Even if it wasn’t a huge help, perhaps it could make a small difference.

Such a futile hope suddenly crossed my mind.

“Speaking of which…. Noyas.”

[What is it?]

“Those things I relayed to the Namgung family head earlier.”

Not the parts directly related to movements, but the abstract concepts.

I had heard those parts before.

“…Are those the words left behind by Naecheon Ilgeom?”

[Yes, those are the words left by that damn nuisance. He went around raving madly about how great his sword was.]

What kind of lunatic would go around like that about their enlightenment? I thought it was definitely exaggerated, but…

What mattered was whether those statements were truly words left by Naecheon Ilgeom.

[But why do you ask?]

“It’s nothing. I was just asking.”

The reason I asked was simple.

The Sword Demon Empress from my past life seemed to have said something similar. Even saying the exact same words, not missing a single syllable.

When was it? It was probably around the time I was asking about the unity of body and sword.

The Sword Demon Empress back then clearly said they had learned it that way.

-That’s what they said…

-…I can’t understand a single word you’re saying.

Because the explanation was like dog dung, I couldn’t understand it at all and would ask again.

The Namgung sword techniques Noyas was demonstrating were indeed similar to the sword path wielded by the Sword Demon Empress.

However, the current Namgung sword techniques are not.

I don’t know about Cheonjun, the current top expert of the Namgung family, but Namgung Jin didn’t know how to use that sword.

Furthermore, he didn’t seem aware of the problems inherent in the Namgung sword.

In that case, who did the Sword Demon Empress learn that sword from?

If not the current Namgung Jin, then who exactly?

I had simply thought the Sword Demon Empress’s talent was so high that they transcended the chronic issues alone and redefined the sword path.

But looking back now, it felt incongruous.

Could this also be a coincidence?

I just had a feeling it wasn’t.

---

The place I headed to immediately was the annex where Namgung Bi-ah was staying.

Since most of the Namgung family’s warriors were bedridden, the annex was guarded half by the Gu family’s warriors.

How ironic.

As I went to the annex entrance to send word through the waiting servant.

The door opened across the way, and Namgung Bi-ah popped out.

“…You’re here…?”

“How did you know I was coming?”

Was she watching out the window?

If not, her expression seemed a bit dazed compared to usual, as if she had just woken up.

“Were you sleeping?”

“No….”

I hadn’t come with a specific purpose; I was just concerned because she had seemed unwell yesterday.

“Did you eat?”

“…I didn’t.”

“Then let’s eat together later.”

“Okay….”

The hairpin I gave her was still serving its purpose, tying up Namgung Bi-ah’s hair.

Does she wear it normally?

Thinking that, I couldn’t help but feel a slight sense of pride, however out of place.

“How’s your body?”

“…It’s okay….”

“Then, can I touch your forehead?”

Recalling how she had avoided me last time, I asked first this time.

[Asking that so timidly….]

‘Noyas….’

[What? Why?]

‘It’s nothing.’

[Y-you…!]

Noyas got defensive without me saying anything.

I really hadn’t said a word.

At my request for permission, Namgung Bi-ah faltered and took a small step back.

Does she dislike it?

“If you don’t like it, I won’t ask again…”

“…Do it…”

Namgung Bi-ah said in a slightly trembling voice. Is this that difficult for her?

Regardless, since she gave permission, I strode forward and placed my hand on Namgung Bi-ah’s forehead.

“…You really are unwell, aren’t you?”

Her forehead was hot.

The forehead that felt merely warm when I first touched it was growing hotter.

With a fever this high, there was definitely something wrong. For a martial artist who had reached the highest level to suddenly develop such a fever.

I was about to drag her to the divine physician when.

Something touched the hand resting on Namgung Bi-ah’s forehead.

It was Namgung Bi-ah’s hand.

“It’s okay…. I’m really okay now….”

Saying that, she took my hand and gently pulled it down.

Naturally, we were now in a state where Namgung Bi-ah and I could walk hand-in-hand.

I didn’t ask what she was doing. If I had, her fair face had turned bright red.

‘She didn’t seem the type to get embarrassed by things like this until recently.’

Did she eat something really wrong somewhere? Namgung Bi-ah said, cooling her face in the breeze.

“I want to go eat….”

“Where? Your room?”

“Ah, no, my room…”

Perhaps she was genuinely flustered, as Namgung Bi-ah’s voice became much louder than usual.

What the heck? She barges into my room without a second thought, but pushes me away now?

Curious if she had hidden something in her room, I considered going in, but I had a feeling Namgung Bi-ah would genuinely get angry if I did.

Namgung Bi-ah getting angry…?

‘I am a bit curious about that, though.’

It seemed I had never seen it, not even in my past life.

As if sensing my thoughts, Namgung Bi-ah urgently pulled me along.

With my hand held, I walked as if being half-dragged.

Meanwhile, I had no intention of pulling my hand away.

Noyas seemed to curse for a moment, but I ignored it.

I obediently let myself be led and walked.

I later learned this through a servant.

I heard that several bedding items that should have been in my room had disappeared.

They seemed quite valuable, as the servant wore a crestfallen expression, but soon after, the servant went about their work as if nothing had happened.

In fact, they seemed to be in such high spirits, perhaps due to something pleasant, that they were even beaming.

They were old from use, so I didn’t really mind losing them.

But where on earth did they go?