Chapter 136: Long Time No See, Brother-in-Law. (1)

It’s been a while, brother-in-law. (1)

To recall a bit more about Moyong Hi-ah.

She was more of a strategist than a Sword Master.

Just as her cold tone and expression suggested, she always made rational, swift judgments, and those judgments were always the correct answer, even in difficult situations.

The reason why more people than expected were able to survive the Demonic Realm was, ultimately, because the outstanding late-stage cultivators of the time, including Wi Seol-ah, had banded together, but…

Looking back at the results, Moyong Hi-ah was likely the most helpful.

A woman who always spoke without hesitation, seeking the right path and the rational direction.

She was undoubtedly the most helpful person when she was on your side.

However.

Conversely, when she became an enemy, she was also a woman who inspired endless fear.

So, what about now?

“Hello.”

Which side was she on, in my eyes?

“My name is Moyong Hi-ah.”

As far as I could tell, she wasn’t an ally, at least not yet.

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

Tak-!

Closing the door, I reviewed the situation. What was that just now…?

‘Was it a dream?’

If this was the scene I saw upon waking, it was no wonder I’d think it was a dream.

The sky-blue eyes I met were still lingering in my vision.

‘She took off her veil.’

Just yesterday, she had covered her entire face, but the Moyong Hi-ah I just met was bare-faced.

A cat-like face with slanted eyes, looking alluring.

Confident movements, as if she knew better than anyone that she was beautiful.

Snow Phoenix Moyong Hi-ah. It was definitely her.

“…What is it?”

That’s why it’s even more puzzling.

Why did she come looking for me?

If it was about yesterday’s events, she should have sought out Gu Jil-yeop, not me.

Knock knock-.

The sound from beyond the door continued, as if urging me to make a decision.

I wanted to shamelessly close the door and go back to sleep, but considering who it was, that wasn’t going to be easy.

In the end, I sighed and opened the door slightly.

“What is it…?”

“I came to express my gratitude for yesterday.”

“If it’s about that, it wasn’t me…”

“It should be directed to Young Master Gongja, shouldn’t it?”

Look at this.

Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes were already filled with certainty.

That’s why it’s even stranger.

What on earth could she have been thinking to reach that conclusion?

“I don’t quite understand what you mean.”

In reality, I hadn’t done much yesterday, and I had no idea why she was reacting like this.

Watching my reaction closely, Moyong Hi-ah spoke with a smile.

“You’re not surprised.”

“Pardon?”

She then covered her mouth with a fan. It was a fan I recognized.

It couldn’t be helped, as Moyong Hi-ah had always carried it even in my previous life.

“It’s been a while since someone reacted so lukewarmly upon hearing my name or seeing my bare face.”

“…”

I frowned slightly at Moyong Hi-ah’s words.

It seemed I had reacted incorrectly.

“Usually, people like this are outsiders with no interest in the world. But Young Master Gu doesn’t seem like that kind of person.”

“It seems you know who I am.”

“Yes, I did a little investigating yesterday.”

Moyong Hi-ah was confidently stating that she had looked into my background.

This was confidence that she could handle any problems that arose, and a declaration of war against accepting any futile lies.

Moyong Hi-ah continued speaking with the same expression.

“Conversely, it seems you also knew who I was, Young Master, didn’t you?”

Her sky-blue eyes sparkled as she looked at me.

Indeed, no matter how I looked at it, she was a woman I didn’t want to get involved with.

‘She has unnecessarily good intuition.’

She might have a sharp mind, but fundamentally, Moyong Hi-ah’s perspective was different from others.

A woman with the brains to back up her outstanding intuition.

It’s annoying enough to have just one, let alone both.

“Is that perhaps a problem?”

“No. It’s not a problem at all. As I said earlier, I just came to express my gratitude.”

“This early in the morning?”

“It’s closer to noon than morning, Young Master Gu.”

Has it gotten that late already? Why didn’t anyone wake me up.

[A few people did stop by.]

‘Elder.’

[But when they saw you snoring away, they all just left.]

‘…’

I had been quite tired lately.

I had to regulate the energy within my body, and enduring the significantly increased training hours while camping had taken its toll.

The fact that no one woke me even after coming into my room was also…

‘…I snore?’

That was quite a shocking statement.

[…To think that’s what shocks you in this situation, kid, you really are crazy.]

This is important, you know.

“So.”

While my mind was racing, Moyong Hi-ah’s words pulled me out of my thoughts.

“I just came to see your face today.”

The chilling atmosphere I felt along with her words wasn’t solely due to the cold weather.

“Now that I see you, Young Master, you do have a certain unusual aura about you.”

“That’s your imagination. Perhaps your head has become a bit dull from the cold…”

What could she possibly perceive in this brief encounter?

Meanwhile, I realized I had spoken harshly out of habit and shut my mouth.

Fortunately, Moyong Hi-ah didn’t seem to mind.

It wasn’t that she didn’t mind, but rather, she didn’t seem to consider it important.

“Then I’ll see you next time.”

“You don’t have to… No, that’s not it.”

There she goes again.

Whenever I see her, the words I used in my past life pop out.

I thought I had corrected that, but maybe my tongue malfunctioned because of the cold.

Moyong Hi-ah said with a smile.

“Yes, I’ll see you next time, whether you like it or not.”

She heard that. Damn it.

Moyong Hi-ah, who claimed to have no lingering feelings, turned away.

Then, as Moyong Hi-ah ascended to the Gold Floor above, my gaze followed her.

This meant I had entered her line of sight.

What could possibly be the problem? It was always complicated whenever a problem arose that differed from my past life.

The lingering scent Moyong Hi-ah left behind reached my nose.

The slightly remaining cold breeze was her doing.

As expected, that troublesome constitution of hers seemed unchanged.

“…Tsk.”

Moyong Hi-ah’s expressions and actions, which she deliberately displayed, were utterly natural.

It was different from the allure hidden within Wi Seol-ah’s cuteness or Namgung Bi-ah’s purity.

Seduction.

For an ordinary man, it would have been enough to lose his senses and fall into a swamp. Such potent seduction.

Her gracefully moving gestures and alluring gaze, combined with Moyong Hi-ah’s beautiful face, showcased numerous charms, but…

I knew it was all an act.

‘She’s the type to spew sword energy from her mouth, yet look at that acting.’

So, instead of my heart pounding, I felt a chill.

[So…]

“…Hmm?”

Just as Elder Shin was lost in thought, he interrupted.

His tone sounded somewhat irritated.

[Are you saying that you and that woman did… that?]

“Why did it suddenly veer in that direction?”

[This is an important matter.]

“In what way…?”

[It’s a matter that puts me at a crossroads of whether to kill you or let you live, so how could it not be important?]

“…”

A sudden headache washed over me, and I rubbed my face dry with my hand.

Has Elder Noyan developed dementia?

Seeing Elder Shin acting so out of his mind, I genuinely worried if ghosts could also get dementia.

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

Since it was noon, I quickly washed my face and headed out for a meal.

Wi Seol-ah came to call me, perhaps knowing I had woken up.

“Young Master.”

“Yeah.”

“Are we eating dumplings again…?”

“Why?”

As I was diligently eating, Wi Seol-ah asked with a blank expression.

“Aren’t you tired of them?”

“You eat the medicinal cakes all day without getting tired, too.”

“H-It’s not all day!”

“Oh, really? Should I ask Hongwa?”

“…”

Using my trump card, Wi Seol-ah pursed her lips tightly.

Seeing her lips slightly pouted, she seemed to be sulking.

I chuckled slightly at that, then placed a piece of food onto her plate as an apology. Just then, someone patted the back of my head.

“What is it?”

I didn’t even check who it was.

After all, there was only one person who would do something like this while sitting next to me.

“…Your back hair…”

“Is it weird?”

“It’s gotten coarse…”

Namgung Bi-ah was gently stroking it, her hands slightly damp.

It seemed she was trying to tidy up my somewhat messy hair.

Since her touch felt pleasant, I let her manage my hair, and Namgung Bi-ah seemed to be having fun, becoming more focused.

“…Hey, wait a second.”

Then, sensing something strange, I tried to move, and Namgung Bi-ah pulled away regretfully, but the deed was already done.

Tang Soyeol, who had been watching with a peculiar expression, burst out laughing when she saw me.

“Ahaha! Young Master Gu…! It suits you so well.”

“What kind of unpleasant joke is that?”

“But… it really suits you. You’re so cute.”

It felt like I had a ponytail right on the crown of my head.

Every time I shook my head, I felt the dangling sensation, and I quickly tried to let down my hair, but…

Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-ah playfully blocked me.

“Are you not going to let go?”

“Can’t you just stay like this… for a moment?”

“Do you think that’s possible?”

“It suits you, Young Master!”

Mu Yeon, who was standing guard behind us, was also trying to suppress his laughter. Suits me?

Gu Jil-yeop, sitting in front of me, had his lips tightly shut and his head turned away.

“Hey, are you laughing?”

“N-No.”

“It doesn’t seem like ‘no’. You look like you’re laughing.”

Perhaps still upset about yesterday’s events, even Gu Jil-yeop, who hadn’t said a word, found my appearance amusing.

‘These guys…!’

Finally, I tried to break free, even if it meant using force. At that moment, I sensed a presence and shifted my gaze.

Descending the stairs was Moyong Hi-ah, her face once again hidden by a veil.

She immediately approached this way.

Moyong Hi-ah, approaching with calm steps, glanced around briefly before looking at me and flinching slightly.

Even though she was veiled, I clearly felt her gaze land on the crown of my head.

Seeing that, I quickly let down my hair.

“…”

She approached as if to say something, but the silence stretched on.

[Your shoulders are trembling.]

At Elder Shin’s words, my gaze also turned towards Moyong Hi-ah’s shoulders.

I could see it. Her shoulders were indeed trembling slightly.

‘…Could she be laughing?’

It was amusing to think that Moyong Hi-ah, of all people, might be trying to hold back laughter.

But the fact that my appearance just moments ago was that bad was even more pathetic.

“…What is it?”

“Kuh… No…”

“You seem to be laughing.”

“That’s impossible. You must have seen wrong.”

At my remark, her voice quickly returned to normal.

Moyong Hi-ah cleared her throat briefly, then spoke not to me, but to Tang Soyeol.

“It’s been a while, Miss Dang.”

At the sudden greeting, Tang Soyeol frowned, but her eyes quickly widened.

She seemed to have recognized who it was.

“…Miss Moyong.”

“You recognize me.”

Judging by the way she addressed her, they didn’t seem particularly close.

Was it the same in my past life?

I certainly hadn’t seen the two of them together.

“…Did you come yesterday?”

“Yes, I happened to receive help from Miss Tang yesterday. Thank you.”

She seemed to be referring to when Tang Soyeol overwhelmed Hwangbo Cheolwi and forced him to retreat. Tang Soyeol didn’t meet Moyong Hi-ah’s gaze, looking somewhat uncomfortable.

Even in such a situation, Moyong Hi-ah persistently spoke to Tang Soyeol.

“If you don’t mind, since we’ve met like this, may I join you? I haven’t eaten yet either.”

“You don’t eat lunch, do you?”

“…Hmm?”

Moyong Hi-ah’s gaze shifted towards me at the words that slipped out unintentionally.

‘Oh no… A mistake.’

My foolish tongue moved on its own again.

It was because useless memories kept surfacing.

-Aren’t you eating that?

-If I eat at this time, my stomach feels bad, so I always skip lunch.

-Then I’ll eat it.

-Don’t touch it. You’re annoying, I’ll eat it later tonight.

-Then you should have said so first!

-My head hurts. Where’s Wi Seol-ah, you crazy bitch, why aren’t you managing her?

It was definitely not a pleasant memory.

“How… does Young Master know that?”

“You just look like the type. I guessed, and I was right.”

“Pardon?”

Seeing Moyong Hi-ah’s surprised expression, as if wondering if it was still the case, I quickly replied.

[You really can’t get a grip.]

Elder Noyan also seemed to find something strange and spoke worriedly. I thought so myself.

Why am I suddenly acting like this?

In the meantime, Moyong Hi-ah created a subtle atmosphere for a moment, but without further comment, she looked back at Tang Soyeol.

“…Um.”

As Moyong Hi-ah requested to join them, Tang Soyeol fidgeted like a dog needing to relieve itself.

Her gesture towards me felt less like asking for help and more like she was gauging my reaction.

After hesitating for a moment, Tang Soyeol asked me.

“Young Master Gu… Is it okay if I join Moyong So-jeo?”

It was quite a contrast to the fierce demeanor she had shown yesterday.

Her reaction was so cautious that it made me think.

I wondered if Tang Soyeol had perhaps been caught in some compromising situation by Moyong Hi-ah.

“…Oh.”

The small exclamation came from Moyong Hi-ah.

She seemed surprised by Tang Soyeol asking for my permission.

I calmly observed the situation and nodded.

“It’s fine.”

At my response, Tang Soyeol let out a small sigh.

Was it a sigh of relief?

If so, it contained both relief and anxiety.

I, too, would normally have refused.

There was no need to make things uncomfortable.

However, the reason I changed my mind was simple.

Moyong Hi-ah had approached first.

Solely that.

When Moyong Hi-ah takes the initiative to approach someone, there’s always a reason for it.

And judging by Tang Soyeol’s reaction, if I had refused, there would have been some kind of problem.

[Are you saying it’s because of the child from the Tang family?]

‘If you want to put it that way, yes.’

[Then why beat around the bush so much to say you were trying to be considerate?]

Yeah, why indeed.

I let out a short laugh and subtly glanced at Wi Seol-ah and Namgung Bi-ah, who were eating on either side.

I wanted to see their reactions since I had accepted Moyong Hi-ah’s request to join them without consulting them, but…

Fortunately, neither of them seemed particularly bothered.

Of course, I did notice their gazes directed towards Moyong Hi-ah.

Gu Jil-yeop, the protagonist of last night’s events, seemed frozen like a stone, perhaps due to Moyong Hi-ah sitting next to him.

Despite his handsome face, his tolerance for women seemed quite lacking.

“Namgung… So-jeo, is it?”

Moyong Hi-ah, having taken her seat, spoke to Namgung Bi-ah, leaving Gu Jil-yeop behind her.

At Moyong Hi-ah’s call, Namgung Bi-ah nodded slightly.

As for how she knew, Namgung Bi-ah looked like she belonged to the Namgung family to anyone.

Setting aside her distinctive hair color and eyes.

Perhaps because she always wore the same clothes, she always wore the blue martial attire of the Namgung family.

“Nice to meet you.”

“…Yes.”

“I apologize for suddenly joining you. Is it inconvenient?”

“A little…”

“…Pardon?”

Moyong Hi-ah asked again, as if she hadn’t heard correctly, but Namgung Bi-ah’s answer didn’t change.

“It’s a little inconvenient, but it’s okay…”

At Namgung Bi-ah’s words, I had to suppress my surprise inwardly.

Namgung Bi-ah had responded affirmatively to a statement that was merely meant as a courtesy.

‘She’s not usually like that.’

Considering Namgung Bi-ah’s usual personality, she would have simply overlooked it without paying it any mind.

Moyong Hi-ah, hearing this, seemed slightly taken aback, but…

“…Oh dear, I apologize. Thank you for your understanding.”

She quickly apologized and let out a small chuckle.

The fact that she didn’t storm off even in this situation suggested there was definitely a reason.

‘What could it be?’

A reason for Moyong Hi-ah to deliberately approach this side.

It didn’t seem to be about Tang Soyeol, though.

As I was racking my brain, I felt a tingling sensation from behind my back.

It wasn’t just me who felt it; all the martial artists seated at the tables on the first floor of the inn turned their gazes towards the entrance.

The energy I felt through my senses was definitely Lightning Qi.

It was an energy I had become quite accustomed to by now.

After all, there was a martial artist proficient in Lightning Qi nearby.

It was far inferior to Namgung Jin’s Lightning Qi, and more disorganized than Namgung Bi-ah’s.

Still, it seemed sufficient to draw the attention of the surrounding martial artists.

“Oh, this energy.”

“I heard he was participating, so he must have really come.”

The murmurs from the surroundings were clearer than expected.

“Poison Peak is here too, isn’t it? It’s not strange.”

“Even so, I thought he wouldn’t come, given what happened with Sword Dragon.”

Creak.

As if responding to the people’s words, the inn door opened, and someone entered.

Simultaneously, I checked on Namgung Bi-ah.

As expected, Namgung Bi-ah also had a troubled expression.

The newcomer, bathed in everyone’s attention, was an overwhelmingly handsome young man.

He resembled the middle-aged Namgung Jin, with the same hair color as Namgung Bi-ah.

One of the Five Dragons, Three Peaks, and the confirmed heir apparent to the Namgung family’s young master position.

Lightning Dragon Namgung Cheon-jun.

He appeared in the inn, exuding his presence.

Judging by the aura emanating from his body, his level seemed to have improved since our last meeting.

“Looks like his groin has healed too.”

I glanced at him with pity, recalling the incident during our last encounter.

‘I might have been a bit excessive back then.’

He had been so defiant during the Tang family battle tournament that I had broken his arm and kicked him in the vital spot.

Thinking back now, breaking his arm was one thing, but the vital spot was a bit much.

As I recalled that, I began to understand Moyong Hi-ah’s purpose.

‘Was it because of him?’

Moyong Hi-ah’s gaze was also fixed on Namgung Cheon-jun.

Considering the relationship between Moyong Hi-ah and Namgung Cheon-jun in my past life, it wasn’t strange.

‘Then the purpose of her request to join… was it…?’

Was it not Tang Soyeol or me, but Namgung Bi-ah?

It felt like everything fit perfectly.

Namgung Cheon-jun, who had been scattering Lightning Qi all around as he appeared, confidently walked forward but suddenly stopped.

It seemed he had spotted this side.

More precisely, Namgung Bi-ah next to me.

“…Sister.”

Namgung Cheon-jun called out somewhat wistfully. Seeing that, Tang Soyeol suddenly turned her head and gagged.

“Ugh.”

“Miss Dang?”

“…I’m sorry. I get nauseous when I see cheesy things.”

After sputtering for a moment, she stared intently at my face. Then, she let out a deep sigh, and her expression quickly returned to normal.

“…I feel better now.”

“Yes…?”

Her reaction was like someone recovering from a hangover after drinking hot soup.

As far as I could tell, she was the most abnormal one here.