Chapter 181: A Winter That Isn’t Cold. (3)

I woke up early in the morning, finished a light training session, and wiped off the sweat.

My muscles, which had started to stiffen, relaxed, and my internal energy flowed naturally, making me feel much more refreshed than usual.

As I stretched with a relieved feeling, I heard a strange sound from behind me.

“…Kkeueung…”

‘What did you even do to be groaning already?’

Meanwhile, Gu Jeolyub was lying on the floor behind me, drooling.

He probably has a decent face, but this is always his state after training.

Seeing that, I let out an involuntary sigh.

‘Why are the youngsters these days so frail….’

“…I… am… compared to First Young Master…”

‘Oh, yeah, you’re older than me, aren’t you? Then try enduring it a bit.’

“Kkeueung…”

Was it after I visited the Mount Hua Sect?

Because I followed Yeongpung’s training there, the habit stuck with me.

The Mount Hua Sect’s uniquely brutal training methods became ingrained in my body.

[Brutal, you say…! You rotten bastard.]

At the clean words devoid of any lies, the stagnant water of Mount Hua bristled. He seemed to have been hit where it hurt.

[It’s an extremely good sign!]

‘A good sign…’

Right, if it’s a good sign, then it’s a good sign.

After all, more training is good.

I glanced sideways at Mu-yeon.

Mu-yeon also looked exhausted, just like Gu Jeolyub, but he wasn’t rolling around on the floor like Gu Jeolyub.

The problem was, he wasn’t looking me in the eye.

He seemed to still be sulking because of what happened yesterday.

‘Sulking like a grown man…’

Even saying that, it was undeniably my fault, so I had no room to talk.

The only thing noticeable was the slight, subtle upturn of his lips.

That was probably because of the sword he was preciously wearing at his waist.

Was it because I carelessly gave the sword bestowed by the Alliance to Mu-yeon?

Mu-yeon, who had been full of disappointment and displeasure towards me, saw that and…

‘Do you think I’m the type of person to easily overlook something like this, Young Master?’

He spat out what was, in his own way, a justifiable retort.

But it seemed too much to refuse.

‘Wow, he really likes it.’

He seemed to be trying hard to suppress the corners of his mouth from rising to maintain his dignity, but…

From my perspective, it was obvious he was grinning.

[A sword is the most important thing to a swordsman, so it’s natural he’d react like that.]

As Shin Noyya nodded in agreement, I asked.

‘Isn’t there a saying that a true craftsman doesn’t mind the tools?’

At my words, Noyya scoffed and replied.

[Hmph, ridiculous. That’s why you can’t talk sense with fist-users, I tell you?]

‘Why are fists suddenly brought up…?’

Why is this old man suddenly saying strange things?

This is clearly discrimination based on martial arts!

[It’s common sense that better swords hold internal energy better, yet a craftsman doesn’t mind the tools? That’s just bullshit spouted by arrogant fools.]

Although it felt uncomfortable, I slightly nodded at Noyya’s words.

I knew that myself. In actual combat, the reality is that one becomes more concerned with the performance of their weapons than anyone else.

[I used the sword of the most renowned master craftsman of my time.]

The difference between needing to cut once and needing to cut twice because the sword is dull is extreme.

It was perhaps even a moment where life or death was decided.

[Speaking of which. Brat.]

‘Yes.’

[What are you planning to do about that guy…?]

At Shin Noyya’s words, I looked at Gu Jeolyub squirming on the floor.

His disheveled appearance from finishing training, along with his defiant eyes, caught my attention.

The reason for those insolent eyes.

It was because I gave the sword to Mu-yeon, so he’s acting like this because he didn’t receive one.

From my perspective, it was a rather amusing situation.

‘…Realistically, would I give that to him?’

Mu-yeon, although belonging to the Gu family and not entirely my person, is a guard.

I have a certain level of trust in him.

What about you?

‘Hey, get up.’

I approached and nudged Gu Jeolyub.

‘How long are you going to lie there?’

‘…Please don’t mind me.’

‘What, punk?’

‘Anyway, someone like me… First Young Master… Kkwaak!’

He was talking nonsense, so I casually stomped on him with my foot.

As I always say, it always bothers me when arrogant guys talk to me like that.

‘You’re someone with plenty of money, why are you whining about not getting a sword?’

‘Where do I have money…?!’

‘You’re hilarious.’

Right, you wouldn’t have any.

But the First Elder probably has plenty, right?

‘I know that guy’s assets.’

From my past life, I knew how much money Gu Seonmun, the secular branch of the Gu family, earned, and how much the First Elder had accumulated here.

Moreover, from observing how Gu Jeolyub usually lived…

This guy must have lived quite comfortably.

In a way, perhaps even more so than me, his blood relative.

[More affluent than the direct line? What on earth did you do with your life?]

Even saying that, it seems I lived rather luxuriously.

My father tended to give me things if I asked.

Although I blew through everything I received on frivolous expenses.

‘Ah, come on, stop whining.’

‘…I haven’t whined.’

As if you haven’t whined at all.

His face was already grim from the start of training. I considered stomping on him again but held back.

This guy didn’t used to have such an annoying personality.

Why is he acting like a child?

It’s understandable he’d feel that way since I teased him like I’d give it to him but didn’t.

Seeing him keep whining like this was irritating.

‘I’ll give you something similar later, so stop throwing a tantrum and get up.’

Finally, unable to stand the annoyance, I added that, and Gu Jeolyub’s eyes lit up again.

Then he got up.

As if he had been waiting.

‘What the hell?’

‘Kuh… Khm.’

As I stared at him incredulously, Gu Jeolyub coughed a few times and said.

‘…Aren’t you going to train more?’

…

I burst out laughing at his brazen response, whether he realized it or not.

This guy’s crazy.

---

After finishing training and washing my face lightly, I returned to my quarters.

Since I started in the morning, it must be past noon.

‘My energy seems fine.’

I circulated it around my body to check, but fortunately, there seemed to be no major issues.

There were already four types of energy circulating in my body.

The fact that they were circulating well within my body without causing conflict was remarkable in itself.

[What did you stuff into yourself again while I wasn’t looking?]

Noyya said, sounding incredulous.

I didn’t really have anything to say either.

[So this is that guy’s energy?]

The energy of the Blood Demon, forcibly entered during the martial arts tournament.

It was the energy used by Jang Seon-yeon and Namgung Cheon-jun.

‘What do you think of it?’

[…Hmm.]

If I had to describe its characteristics, it seemed to maximize physical abilities for a short period.

Furthermore, it enhanced martial arts, but…

The problems were its short duration. And the fact that its color changed like flames, becoming noticeable.

And the backlash the body would receive afterward was the issue.

Recalling Jang Seon-yeon, this might only apply to me.

He didn’t seem to feel the severe backlash like I did.

‘If possible, I should try not to use it.’

[Especially since it’s his energy, it’s better not to.]

I don’t know with what intention he implanted this in me,

but knowing he was the Blood Demon, I certainly didn’t want to use it.

‘He called it a gift, didn’t he?’

There’s no bullshit greater than this.

Just as demonic energy was like a brand mark to me,

this power given by the Blood Demon was no different.

‘This is one thing, but….’

I took out an item from my pocket.

Its identity was none other than the ring that Elder Yi had subtly slipped to me.

It was presumed to be an item belonging to the Hegemon.

If I delved deeper, the ring, considered a cursed artifact of the Alliance…

Surprisingly, it had shed its rusted appearance, weathered by time, and regained its original form.

When I first took it out, it was practically an antique.

For the record, I didn’t do anything.

This was an anomaly I discovered in my room last night.

[It seems that Cheol-yeong fellow did something.]

I nodded at Noyya’s words.

[Is there anything else you feel?]

‘There’s one thing.’

What I felt…

It was being able to recognize the guy wearing Hee-yeong’s mask yesterday.

I thought this incident was thanks to this ring.

[Why do you think so?]

‘It just feels that way.’

[…That’s a truly trustworthy answer.]

Shin Noyya added sarcastically to my answer, but that was genuinely how I felt.

A subtle sense, as if the ring was telling me.

It seemed this too was indeed a cursed artifact.

[So, what will you do? Are you going to return the ring?]

‘Are you crazy? How can I return this?’

It wasn’t a matter of repaying Hwang Abulyeong’s favor or it being a useful cursed artifact.

‘Just looking at it, if I return it like this, things might get complicated.’

The Blood Demon was definitely connected to the Alliance.

Though I wasn’t sure if the Alliance Leader and others knew this.

[So, you plan to snatch it up for now?]

‘Yes. I plan to keep it for now.’

Fortunately, the ring seemed to work even without wearing it.

I didn’t know if there was a difference between wearing it or not, but if just carrying it was enough, then it was fine.

More importantly.

I found out that I wasn’t the only one who could freely use other people’s faces.

And I also learned that they were spread out in more places than expected.

It was a very helpful cursed artifact in that it could detect such changes.

The last thing…

‘This book is the problem….’

A book found in the possession of the guy wearing the monk’s mask whom I encountered at Shaolin yesterday.

No matter how I looked at it, it seemed like a book detailing Shaolin’s martial arts.

It was written so clearly that even I, who knew nothing about Shaolin’s martial arts, could understand it.

‘It seems to briefly mention the characteristics. And it describes the movements well.’

There seemed to be no mention of internal energy circulation or Shaolin’s secret technique, the Hundred Pace Divine Fist (百步神拳), but…

‘Even just this…’

Just being discovered by Shaolin possessing this book was enough to cause major trouble.

The mere fact that an outsider from a completely unknown sect possessed a book detailing Shaolin’s martial arts so thoroughly was a problem in itself.

‘It seems I can’t burn it, so should I just throw it away somewhere?’

Giving it to Shaolin was out of the question.

Keeping it was too dangerous, so that wasn’t an option either.

What if I learned it?

That would be like twisting my dantian and telling me to die, so that was also impossible.

[How about selling it at a place like the Beggars’ Sect?]

That was one possible method, but there was no guarantee that it wouldn’t lead back to me.

‘Honestly, it would be easier if I knew why that guy carried something like this.’

Did he write it himself?

If so, for what purpose?

It was a martial arts manual made with considerable effort.

It looked roughly made, but anyone who read even a little of its contents couldn’t mistake it.

No matter how I looked at it, it didn’t seem like something made by Shaolin.

[If you’re going to rack your brain over it, just bury it somewhere in the woods. Don’t bother thinking so hard.]

…

That seemed like sound advice, but…

Perhaps because it was Noyya saying it, it felt quite unsettling.

‘…I really should bury it in some mountain behind the house….’

I stopped mid-sentence and quickly shoved the book into my pocket.

Because I sensed someone nearby.

Knock knock.

-Young Master Gu.

As expected. A voice came from outside the door.

It was Tang Soyeol’s voice.

‘…Just a moment.’

I coughed a few times and opened the door.

Peeking through the slightly opened door, Tang Soyeol’s deep green hair caught my eye first.

And then came Wi Seol-ah and Namgung Bi-ah.

The three people who had glared at me yesterday were gathered in front of my room door.

Wi Seol-ah rushed towards me through the slightly open door.

She hugged me tightly, so I carefully caught her to absorb the impact.

‘Why are you rushing at me like that.’

Does she really think she’s a horse?

Wi Seol-ah, who had lost weight recently and was growing rapidly, made it increasingly burdensome to hold her like this.

It was even more so because she was regaining her former self.

‘Young Master! It’s almost time to go!’

…

At Wi Seol-ah’s words, I let out a sigh discreetly. Namgung Bi-ah and Tang Soyeol behind her also had expectant looks.

Is that so… Is it time to go?

‘I haven’t even eaten yet. If we eat first, then… right? That wouldn’t be good, would it? I knew that.’

I can just eat after we get back.

Worried that saying the wrong thing might earn me the same look as yesterday, I quickly changed the subject.

If you’re asking what the situation is, the problem was that we decided to go to Shaolin together.

I had brought it up, but I didn’t realize it would be today.

‘Seriously, there are so many good places in Hanam, why Shaolin again?’

That was the most curious part, but asking about it wouldn’t get me anywhere, so all I could do was nod.

[You’re living the life, complaining about being busy yet playing around with not just one, but three women flanking you.]

…

At Noyya’s words, the corners of my mouth trembled.

If I were to ask if this looked good, I did have a bit of conscience.

[Ho ho, damn it. If only I had a physical body.]

‘If you had one?’

[What are you asking? If I could slice you up right now. I wouldn’t mind being called the Sword Demon of Mount Hua instead of the Sword Saint of Mount Hua.]

The already foul-mouthed old man was now casually threatening to kill me.

This must be because of the talk about the Moyong family woman last time….

[Gaaaaal!]

Shin Noyya screamed in my head, causing me to frown deeply.

The three people in front of me flinched.

‘Young Master…’

‘Hm?’

‘D-do you really not want to go…?’

Wi Seol-ah asked me with teary eyes.

What is she talking about? I found it bothersome, but not to the point of hating it.

‘…Your expression… looked scary.’

…

Only then did I realize it was because I had frowned.

She seemed to be gauging my reaction, afraid I truly disliked it.

And scary, of all things? That’s hurtful.

[How scary must you look for them to say that, tsk tsk….]

‘I’m already self-conscious about it, so please be quiet.’

[Look at this useless fellow talking back? I have nothing but my words left after death, how can I be quiet?]

…Whether he’s quiet or not, I’m bothered, and when he speaks, we just bicker, what should I do about this?

‘Sseup….’

Seeing the three cautiously watching me, I swallowed.

I didn’t intend to make them wear such expressions.

Meanwhile, Tang Soyeol was making strange faces and panting, so I tried my best to ignore it.

‘It’s nothing like that. I just felt like I was going to cough.’

‘Really?’

‘…Yeah. If we decided to go, we have to go.’

Who knows when I’ll come to Hanam again.

Honestly, I thought maybe we could just go separately, but…

I decided not to think like that anymore.

Because I somewhat understood why they were acting like this towards me.

‘What a burdensome blessing.’

A ticklish feeling bloomed in a corner of my heart, along with some indescribable complex emotion.

‘But, can we really go to Shaolin today?’

I meant that we needed to contact them in advance to go to Shaolin, but…

Tang Soyeol, as if waiting for this, smiled brightly and said, pulling Namgung Bi-ah’s arm.

‘We took care of that…!’

As Tang Soyeol cheerfully made a cute gesture with her fingers,

Namgung Bi-ah, who had been staring blankly, followed suit slightly,

but her expressionless face didn’t quite match the gesture.

At Tang Soyeol’s words about having resolved it, I recalled a fact I had forgotten.

‘Right, they’re part of the Four Great Families.’

I had forgotten because we ate and chatted every day,

but the Tang and Namgung families were among the Four Great Families, pillars of the orthodox sects.

These two were direct blood relatives.

Even Moyong Hi-ah secured a spot at Shaolin yesterday using her name,

so it wasn’t something those two couldn’t do.

Of course, Tang Soyeol probably handled everything herself.

Wondering if they wanted to go this badly, I asked with a wry laugh.

‘When are we going?’

‘Right now! Hongwa unnie is waiting outside!’

‘Now?’

Slightly taken aback, thinking they wanted to leave immediately,

[That… Brat.]

Shin Noyya spoke to me. His voice sounded somewhat flustered.

‘What is it?’

[Aren’t you planning to call that child?]

‘Child? Who?’

[You know, that pretty child with the Moyong surname.]

‘Moyong Hi-ah?’

At Shin Noyya’s words, I tilted my head. Why call her? We just went together yesterday.

[Ah, never mind. I was just saying, don’t worry about it.]

I was puzzled, wondering what on earth he was talking about,

but Noyya just coughed dryly a few times in response.

What is it, it’s really bothering me…?