Chapter 213: It’s Ruined.

I noticed something was wrong right from the gates of Gu Clan.

Along with sensing several unknown presences.

Because a chaotic atmosphere could be felt within Gu Clan.

“They aren’t martial artists from the main family?”

It wasn’t strange that several martial artists from other clans within Gu Clan were gathered, as this had been ongoing for months.

Especially since Tang Soyeol, a direct descendant of the Sichuan Tang Clan, was staying here.

The Tang Clan’s martial artists were staying at Gu Clan for protection, but…

this felt different.

‘Their inner energy feels sharp.’

This was a unique aura felt from sword masters like Namgung Bi-ah or Gu Huibi.

Since the Namgung Clan’s martial artists didn’t stay separately by the clan head’s order…

it would only be the Gu Clan martial artists emitting such an aura, but…

it was different from Gu Clan’s unique aura.

I had felt it right from the marketplace.

Unbeknownst to others, amidst the chaotic atmosphere, subtle changes were occurring.

There were changes in the commercial district where changes were almost impossible.

Because of that subtle difference, I couldn’t help but notice.

And I could tell the cause was an external influence, not from Shanxi.

‘It seems someone has arrived.’

Looking around, I saw several unfamiliar faces.

Their light cyan martial attire, adorned with decorations that seemed ornate yet not messy, was particularly eye-catching.

‘That kind of appearance… it must be from that side?’

One of the Four Great Clans.

The ruler of Liaoning, famous for its swordsmanship along with the Namgung Clan.

The Mo Clan.

I distinctly remembered them giving off that kind of vibe.

‘What is it?’

If they were indeed from the Mo Clan, what business could they have at Gu Clan?

It seemed I wasn’t the only one who noticed, as Gu Huibi, who was riding on my back, looked at them and said,

“Aren’t those the Mo Clan’s gigolo brothers?”

“Gigolo brothers…”

“They look disgusting. So effeminate.”

Gu Huibi’s words made me laugh incredulously.

Look at her, spewing insults just because she looks fierce herself.

Of course, I couldn’t think of any rebuttal to her statement.

In reality, the Mo Clan’s martial artists, regardless of gender, tended to be rather overly flamboyant for martial artists.

‘Anyway, what’s going on?’

I hadn’t heard any news about guests arriving from the Mo Clan.

Of course, I had also done something akin to escaping prison, and my father had been away from the clan, so it was possible I hadn’t heard the news.

Just then.

From among them, I saw someone gracefully walking towards us.

A faint chill emanated from her fluttering steps.

Coupled with her flowing hair and alluring eyes, it was impossible not to know who it was.

However, I was puzzled as to why she was at Gu Clan.

“Hello. Young Master Gu.”

Snow Phoenix, approaching with a slight smile,

possessed her usual beauty, but for some reason, her complexion seemed healthier than before.

“We meet again. Have you been well?”

“…Why are you here?”

To my bewildered question, Moyong Hi-ah merely offered a faint smile.

Anyone else might have found it a pure, heart-igniting smile,

but having lived through sights I wish I hadn’t in my past life, I immediately understood the meaning behind that smile.

‘What a fake smile.’

It was the expression Moyong Hi-ah made when she was lying or…

trying to force herself to hide her emotions.

‘Seriously, why is she here again?’

Does she think Gu Clan is some kind of gathering spot for them?

Three of the Four Great Clans are gathered here.

I was starting to dread that maybe even that brat from the Peng Clan would show up.

As I watched with a slight frown, Gu Huibi added,

“Snow Phoenix? Why are you here?”

“…Sword Phoenix.”

“It’s been a while. Not cold today?”

As Gu Huibi said this with a grin, Moyong Hi-ah’s facade wavered slightly.

Are those two on bad terms?

Given that Gu Huibi is called Sword Phoenix, they must have met at the Yong Bong Tournament or something,

but the atmosphere wasn’t exactly pleasant.

“…I heard you had some business.”

“It wasn’t anything major.”

“It looked like something major from here?”

“Oh, really?”

Moyong Hi-ah retorted to Gu Huibi’s somewhat sharp tone without backing down.

Yep, they’re definitely not on good terms.

Meanwhile, Gu Huibi, despite being unable to move properly and being carried, certainly had the guts to pick a fight.

“So, why did you come?”

“Do I have any reason to tell you?”

“What did you say?”

“You’re not the Clan Head, let alone the prospective Young Clan Head…”

Saying that, Moyong Hi-ah glanced at me.

As if preparing for a power struggle, Gu Huibi’s lips curled upwards.

“Well, well…? Your words are full of thorns?”

“I’m not wrong, am I?”

The atmosphere kept getting tense.

It was so tense that even Namgung Bi-ah, who usually didn’t care about such things, subtly hid behind me.

“I came to Gu Clan for business. Not for a visit.”

“Business?”

Business…?

The fact that Moyong Hi-ah came for business meant it was related to the Mo Clan.

‘Why would the Mo Clan specifically?’

Speaking of the Mo Clan of Liaoning.

As one of the Four Great Clans, they were putting effort into suppressing the demonic realms,

but their true specialty was business involving silk and satin fabrics made from moth-type demonic beasts.

Moreover, the clothes made using these were beautiful and durable, making them quite popular among upper-class women.

In other words.

The Mo Clan had almost no business ties with Gu Clan.

‘We don’t really associate with that kind of business.’

Being a reclusive clan that primarily used heat and alchemy,

there was no particular need to connect with the silk or accessory sectors.

The same applied to trade.

Which made it even more perplexing.

‘What business could the Mo Clan possibly have with Gu Clan.’

No matter how much I tried to recall, I couldn’t figure it out.

Anyway.

“We’re here, so can you get off now?”

“Brother, we’re not quite there yet.”

“You can walk fine, sister. Just get down already.”

Just because her body had weakened didn’t mean she couldn’t walk.

I clicked my tongue and dropped Gu Huibi as if tossing her aside.

As expected, Gu Huibi landed perfectly fine and pouted slightly, expressing her displeasure.

“Even so, isn’t tossing me around so carelessly a bit much?”

“Be grateful I didn’t just throw you.”

“This kid’s gotten rude and ill-tempered. I didn’t raise my brother like this…”

“What are you talking about? I raised myself.”

Anyone would think she raised me like a mother.

Leaving Gu Huibi muttering behind, I looked towards the main house.

Putting aside Moyong Hi-ah’s presence here,

if she came for business, it’s likely someone high up from her clan came along, not just Moyong Hi-ah…

My father, upon arriving in Shanxi, sped up slightly and headed straight for Gu Clan.

He must have thought we had reached a safe zone.

‘Could it be… Father knew beforehand?’

That guests had arrived at Gu Clan.

Wondering if that was the case, I tried to ask Moyong Hi-ah,

but Moyong Hi-ah was conversing with Namgung Bi-ah.

“It’s been a while. Miss Namgung.”

“H-hello…”

“Ah, should I call you Sword Dancer now?”

“…?”

At Moyong Hi-ah’s words, Namgung Bi-ah tilted her head.

She probably wondered what ‘Sword Dancer’ meant.

‘…She probably doesn’t even know her own alias.’

Many people received aliases during this Yong Bong Tournament,

but the three most talked-about rising figures were…

One was me, of course, who obtained the Dragon alias.

The second was Jang Seon-yeon, known as the Divine Saint.

And the third was Namgung Bi-ah.

Namgung Bi-ah, the Sword Dancer (劍舞姬 – Sword Dancing Maiden).

It was an alias gained thanks to the sword dance she displayed at the martial arts tournament and her inherent beauty.

Although other grandiose names related to her appearance, like ‘Anhui’s Number One Beauty’ or ‘The World’s Number One Beauty,’ were vaguely attached,

ultimately, ‘Sword Dancer’ was the one prefixed.

Though Namgung Bi-ah herself didn’t seem interested at all.

‘…What will happen now?’

In my past life, even after becoming a demonized individual, Namgung Bi-ah’s skills were recognized, and she inherited the alias Sword Empress.

That’s why she became the Demon Sword Empress (魔劍后).

Of course, this happened because Gu Huibi, who was the likely successor to the Sword Empress title, died,

but I have no intention of driving Gu Huibi to her death this time around.

If that’s the case, will Namgung Bi-ah also not inherit the name Sword Empress?

Such a question arose.

‘Actually, it’s a good thing.’

I don’t know about Namgung Bi-ah, but for me, it was definitely good.

The name Sword Empress for her…

was like a pickaxe lodged deep in my heart, refusing to budge.

‘Actually, in terms of talent… it’s ambiguous, but.’

Gu Huibi, hailed as Gu Clan’s treasure bestowed by heaven,

was one of the most outstanding rising figures of her generation.

She was already a sword master at her peak when I regressed,

and as she gradually gained practical experience, she would naturally grow into a top-tier female powerhouse if no anomalies like in her past life occurred.

She might even reach heights far beyond my expectations.

However.

When assessing Namgung Bi-ah’s talent, compared to Gu Huibi,

unlike in the past, I wasn’t sure anymore.

‘She’s a monster too. An incredible one at that.’

In my past life, Namgung Bi-ah was one of the demonized individuals who hadn’t received demonic arts from the Heavenly Demon,

but along with her beloved sword, the Namgung’s treasured artifact, the Thunder Fang (雷牙),

she had reached profound heights solely through her own skills, meaning her talent was exceptional from the start.

However, having actually sparred with Namgung Bi-ah during her rising figure days, I realized she couldn’t be defined merely by that.

Namgung Bi-ah’s talent was truly overwhelming.

‘…Reaching the peak at that age is one thing.’

Her sword path, much clearer now compared to when I first met her.

Her application of inner energy, capable of using the Emperor Sword Form effortlessly.

And furthermore, the abundant inner energy supporting it.

Just looking at this alone.

Unlike me, who was covered in regressions and lucky encounters,

Namgung Bi-ah was someone achieving everything solely through her own talent.

‘This is why geniuses… I don’t like it.’

A flicker of jealousy, which I thought had almost disappeared, began to surface.

The creeping emotion pricked at the area below my dantian.

[It’s unsightly, put it back.]

Shin No-ya rebuked me in a voice filled with exasperation.

‘Ugh….’

[How old are you, yet you’re still so immature? She’s your person, you should embrace and cherish her.]

He was right.

I knew it better than anyone, but my incompetent nature wouldn’t change; the feelings kept bursting out uncontrollably.

I shook my head, trying hard to dismiss it.

Right now, I needed to deal with the people I saw at Heukya Palace.

And I had to focus on purifying the demonic energy within Gu Huibi’s body.

‘…Besides.’

Since I had made a hasty escape from prison, I was quite worried about how I should face the kids back at my quarters.

‘I’ll have to avoid Elder Lee for a while.’

He surely knew I’d escaped against orders, so I didn’t know what fate awaited me if I got caught.

“Ah, right!”

Moyong Hi-ah, who had been chatting briefly with Namgung Bi-ah,

soon approached me slightly and spoke.

“Young Master Gu.”

“Yes?”

Her expression, smiling with lowered eyes,

maximized Moyong Hi-ah’s unique charm, but…

‘Seriously, why is she acting like that?’

For me, it only amplified the distance rather than causing any flutter.

Why does she keep wearing that scheming expression?

All the women involved with me seemed abnormal in one way or another, so I couldn’t help but feel wary.

Especially since she was the most cunning among them, it made me even more cautious.

Whether she noticed my distance or not, Moyong Hi-ah calmly continued,

or rather, she tried to.

“It’s just that… I have something to say….”

“Young Master.”

If only the steward hadn’t interrupted.

“Young Master, the Clan Head has ordered you to come to the Clan Head’s chambers immediately.”

“…”

The steward’s words made my breath catch.

I immediately realized why I was being summoned.

‘It’s here.’

The time for scolding.

Perhaps because I expected it, a slight cold sweat seemed to form on my forehead.

As I stood there trembling unconsciously, the steward turned to Gu Huibi and said,

“We will escort the Young Lady to the medical wing.”

I saw a Gu Clan martial artist approaching from behind.

It seemed they intended to help Gu Huibi.

Seeing that, Gu Huibi replied nonchalantly,

“You don’t need to escort me, I can walk on my own.”

As if proving her words, Gu Huibi brushed off the dust from her body and began walking properly on her own.

Wait, if she could walk so fine, why was she riding on my back?

‘She’s definitely crazy about tormenting me.’

In any case, it was clear that I was the only normal one with the surname Gu.

Leaving Gu Huibi behind, the steward cautiously addressed Moyong Hi-ah,

“The Mo Clan’s Fourth Elder has also finished their conversation and has been shown to their resting place. Young Lady Mo, please head there as well.”

Moyong Hi-ah nodded slightly at the steward’s kind words.

It seemed Moyong Hi-ah had something to say to me,

but she didn’t seem inclined to bring it up again.

“The situation doesn’t seem favorable right now, so I’ll visit again next time. Young Master Gu.”

Ah, did she just sense that something strange was going on?

She’s quite perceptive.

[Kid, just looking at your expression tells me how terrible the situation is.]

‘…’

Namgung Bi-ah looked at me with a worried expression and then quietly uttered a single word.

“Hang… in there.”

“…Yeah, thanks.”

Namgung Bi-ah clenched her fists and offered her encouragement,

but it offered no comfort whatsoever.

The hell that lay ahead had erected too high a wall,

preventing her words from reaching my heart.

Without even resting my exhausted body, I headed straight for the Clan Head’s chambers.

For some reason, it felt like I always ended up here after going somewhere.

Entering the familiar yet suffocating room,

my father sat at his desk, facing me as always.

How could someone who had just finished camping and a long journey look so serene?

I couldn’t comprehend it.

The only difference was…

…the corners of my father’s eyes were slightly raised.

Anyone could tell that meant something bad.

My father, who had been examining a letter, opened his mouth without sparing me a glance.

“Third Son.”

“…Y-yes?”

“You’ve caused quite a bit of trouble.”

I knew it instantly.

‘…Shit.’

In my father’s calm voice,

lay a significant amount of suppressed anger.