Chapter 227: Going to Battle. (3)

Arriving as if dragged along, I washed my body.

I took off my dirty clothes and changed into new ones.

My original clothes were so bad that washing them wouldn’t even get rid of the smell, so I had to burn them.

‘I guess they were really soaked in sweat.’

Because the heat inside the training hall was so intense.

Even my body, which had learned fire arts, was constantly dripping with sweat.

‘…I really thought I was going to die….’

I could endure environmental changes based on terrain if I grit my teeth, but…

I couldn’t help but get thirsty from sweating so much.

Because of that, I had to drink so much water.

‘I’ve never gone through such hardship.’

Since it was seclusion training, honestly, I thought another half a year might have been okay, but…

I had to decline such a place.

I’d been to a place like this in my past life too.

Maybe it’s because what I feel in this life is particularly different.

‘Still.’

My two months of seclusion weren’t just a waste of time.

Kkuuk.

Every time I clenched and unclenched my fist.

I could feel the internal energy in my body fluctuating.

It stabilized the energies that were previously scattered.

I felt the energy I originally possessed become a bit denser.

Of course, I hadn’t reached the Hwagyeong stage beyond the Jeongjeong level.

Hwagyeong isn’t a wall that can be overcome in just two months.

‘It’s a shame, but…’

It was funny to even feel regret.

What could I possibly gain in just two months?

I changed the flow of my internal energy to be more consistent.

And I made the energy sent to my lower dantian flow more smoothly.

For now, even this much was considerable progress.

“Thanks to that, my body has improved a bit.”

Maybe it’s because I’m thoroughly imbued with internal energy.

I feel like my body’s growth is particularly faster than in my past life.

If my limbs grow longer, I can gain significant efficiency in actual combat, so…

It was actually a good thing.

‘I hope I grow bigger than in my past life.’

It was a possibility.

With my current growth rate, wouldn’t I grow bigger than in my past life?

“Young Master.”

Just as I finished changing my belt and all other preparations.

Muyeon called me from outside the room.

“I’m coming out now.”

I checked if any lingering stench remained, but thankfully, it seemed I had gotten rid of it all.

‘To think I had to use my internal energy just to get rid of this.’

It was to the point where I wondered how concentrated the stench had to be to smell this bad.

Deureureuk.

As I opened the door and stepped out, Muyeon, who was waiting, slightly bowed his head towards me in greeting.

“You must have had a hard time.”

“What hardship are you talking about?”

Anyone would think I’d been in seclusion for years.

I chuckled and looked at Muyeon.

His posture was still impeccably upright and proper.

He was subtly radiating his internal energy around him, as if he had begun guarding me.

However, I could tell that the level at which he controlled that energy was distinctly different from before.

“Looks like you worked hard.”

“…Not really.”

“What do you mean, ‘not really’? Humility is one thing, but too much makes you unlikeable.”

Considering only two months had passed.

The level I felt from Muyeon now was bound to be extraordinary.

When a martial artist first breaks through a barrier.

They often can’t adapt to the newly opened senses and the way their five senses rise in conjunction with their internal energy.

And they tend to fail at controlling the energy filling their lower dantian, letting it run wild.

Most people take at least a full year to learn control, but…

Muyeon was controlling it in just a few months.

As expected, this showed that Muyeon also possessed outstanding talent.

‘Of course, Namgung Bi-ah is an exception here.’

Namgung Bi-ah, who controlled it nonchalantly right after breaking through the barrier, had to be considered separately.

Those types are such monsters that it’s almost awkward to even call it talent.

Muyeon chuckled sheepishly at my words.

“These are the things you asked for.”

“Ah.”

Muyeon took out a few letters from his pocket and handed them to me.

These were things I had asked Muyeon to handle before I went into seclusion two months ago.

I had some inquiries for certain merchant guilds and the Hao Moon.

Fortunately, it seemed they arrived within the timeframe.

As I was about to immediately open the letters I received.

“Also, the Family Head sent word for you to visit him as soon as you’re ready.”

“…Tsk.”

It seemed I had to see my father first.

---

Normally, I would have had to go to the Family Head’s office to see my father.

But for some reason, this time I had to go somewhere else.

I was told via message to go to the meeting room, which was only opened when guests visited.

‘What’s going on?’

Following the steward with a somewhat leisurely pace.

I quickly arrived at the destination.

Kkiiik.

The door opened, and my father was sitting in the spacious meeting room.

And furthermore.

‘Why is she here?’

I caught a glimpse of Namgung Bi-ah sitting at a table set with refreshments on one side.

“Come in.”

As soon as my father gave permission, I entered the room and surveyed the seating.

Seeing the empty seat next to Namgung Bi-ah, it was obvious that was my seat.

I carefully took my seat.

As soon as I sat down, a faint floral scent wafted from Namgung Bi-ah’s side.

Glancing over, she seemed quite different from her usual self.

‘Did she put on some makeup?’

Perhaps it would be more accurate to say she looked a bit dressed up.

No, that must be it.

As I subtly observed Namgung Bi-ah.

My father spoke to me.

“It seems you’ve made some progress.”

His nonchalant words made me flinch inwardly.

I thought I had hidden it well, but it seemed my father noticed the moment he saw me.

“I had a small realization.”

I deflected with a plausible excuse.

It wasn’t a lie.

It was a realization, in a sense.

My father didn’t ask further questions and simply nodded.

Feeling a bit stifled and thirsty, I moistened my throat with tea.

My father got straight to the point.

“I summoned you because of the engagement schedule with the Namgung family.”

“…Ah.”

Oops.

The engagement ceremony we were supposed to have after the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, back at the family estate.

Honestly, I had completely forgotten about it.

With various incidents popping up, should I say I’d pushed it aside somewhere?

‘…Sseup….’

No wonder Namgung Bi-ah was here.

It was about the engagement.

Back then, I had planned to slip away when the time was right.

I hadn’t expected to be tied down like this.

As I looked somewhat troubled.

My father suddenly looked at Namgung Bi-ah and spoke.

“I apologize to you, Miss Namgung. Although incidents occurred within our family, we ultimately caused trouble for the Namgung family as well.”

“No… that’s not true. It was a major incident.”

“I will convey this matter separately to the Namgung Family Head.”

The fact that the Namgung Family Head hadn’t come despite the schedule likely meant my father had sent a letter to the Namgung family beforehand.

Namgung Bi-ah, receiving my father’s apology on his behalf, paused for a moment before speaking.

“…Family Head.”

“Speak.”

“Could you please lower your tone…?”

I, who had been listening quietly, flinched.

I hadn’t expected Namgung Bi-ah to say something like that.

My father also seemed surprised, his eyes widening more than usual.

However, he quickly returned his expression to normal.

“I will do that after the ceremony is properly concluded.”

Setting aside the fact that Namgung Bi-ah was much younger.

He meant he wouldn’t let his guard down, as she was strictly an outsider.

Namgung Bi-ah showed a slightly disappointed expression at my father’s words.

But she quickly resigned herself, as if accepting it couldn’t be helped.

The line she drew was far too clear from the start.

Seeing that, I subtly interjected.

“Then what’s the schedule?”

If the ceremony was delayed, I needed to know the consequences.

“It was originally planned to be held at the Gu family estate, but as a measure of responsibility, the ceremony will proceed at the Namgung family estate.”

Usually, the wedding ceremony is held at the groom’s family estate, but…

This meant they would hold the ceremony at the Namgung estate, taking responsibility for what happened at the Gu estate.

‘…Is that okay?’

On the surface, it didn’t seem like a major issue.

However, it was a marriage alliance between two families, with many eyes watching.

The fact that the ceremony would be held at the Namgung estate.

Could be seen, in a way, as me entering the family as a live-in son-in-law.

Regardless of the underlying intention, that was the public perception.

That’s why most families, especially when marrying into a prestigious one, wouldn’t yield this point.

‘Although the Gu family doesn’t really care much about such things.’

My father’s statement was quite shocking.

Of course, I didn’t particularly care either.

Live-in son-in-law or whatever. What would any of that matter once the Blood Calamity began?

“…Then when…?”

“The timing will be after you return from the front lines.”

It was delayed much more than I expected.

After returning from the front lines.

Including the time to reschedule, that meant over a year later.

‘A delay is good, but…’

I couldn’t help but glance at Namgung Bi-ah.

Glancing at her, she was listening to the conversation with her usual impassive expression; there were no other tells.

“We have already concluded discussions with the Namgung family.”

“Already?”

This wasn’t a meeting to discuss what to do next.

It seemed to be a meeting purely for notification.

Regardless, since the delay was ultimately due to me.

I had nothing to say.

As I cautiously observed Namgung Bi-ah.

“…I am fine.”

Namgung Bi-ah said, looking at my father.

“As long as it’s not a broken engagement, anything is fine.”

“…”

I could feel subtle emotions mixed within her calmly spoken words.

That’s why I felt more self-conscious.

“I am truly sorry about this.”

“No. Thank you for your concern.”

My father nodded at Namgung Bi-ah’s words.

And I clearly heard it.

My father quietly mutter, ‘Fortunately, she didn’t take after her father.’

I could sense a hint of his deep-seated aversion towards Namgung Jin.

I wondered what on earth had happened in the past to make their relationship so bad.

After that, a few brief exchanges occurred, but.

They weren’t particularly important conversations.

After some time had passed.

“The discussion has concluded, so Miss Namgung, I apologize, but could you excuse yourself for a moment?”

At my father’s request, Namgung Bi-ah gracefully rose.

It was a composed gesture I rarely saw from her.

‘If she can act like that, why does she act so differently usually?’

It was always a question whenever I saw her act like this.

It made me wonder if she was even the same person.

“…I’ll… go… wait… first…”

As soon as she turned her back to my father, she reverted to her usual expression and tone.

Namgung Bi-ah exited with light steps.

Left alone with my father in the room, a heavy silence descended.

Why did he send Namgung Bi-ah away?

‘…Did I do something wrong again?’

It was a moment that naturally led me to ponder what trouble I might have caused this time.

While I remained silent, just swallowing.

My father abruptly spoke to me.

“I have confirmed the First Elder’s records.”

That was intriguing news.

After all, I had information, and two months had passed, so it was likely the story had surfaced by now.

“So, what happens now?”

“We’ll need to verify how much of the issues within the records are factual, but…”

Including the dismissal of the First Elder.

It’s sufficient to justify the reassignment of the Gu Seon Gate’s management and provide grounds for the trouble I caused.

That was roughly what my father was saying.

Would the elders’ positions change accordingly?

Like the Second Elder becoming the First Elder, for instance.

Although positions aren’t strictly determined by rank, it was a plausible scenario.

While listening quietly, I thought of something I wanted to ask my father.

“Family Head. May I ask something?”

“What is it?”

“Did you truly know nothing?”

At my question, my father paused his hand reaching for the tea.

And directed his gaze towards me.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m asking if you, the Family Head, truly knew nothing about the First Elder’s schemes behind the scenes.”

Did my father really know nothing?

That couldn’t be the case.

What I was curious about was the extent of his ignorance.

“…”

For a few seconds, our eyes met calmly.

My father swallowed a mouthful of tea without offering any reply.

Seeing that, I broke eye contact first.

Because I knew he wouldn’t answer.

“…When should I depart for the front lines?”

“After you’ve cooled your body, depart immediately. Your sister has already left.”

“My sister?”

Gu Huibi went to the front lines first?

I doubted whether she had fully recovered.

“You can hear the details from the steward.”

“…Understood.”

At my father’s dismissal, I stood up and walked out first.

The reason I didn’t press further with my questions.

Was that my father wasn’t asking me any further questions either.

Even if I were to pry.

It wasn’t like I expected my father to say anything, but…

‘About seven days and nights, perhaps.’

I figured I could probably stay at the family estate for about that long.

I had to wrap up various matters within that time.

‘First, just getting to the front lines is the problem, though….’

Spending a year there was the biggest issue, but…

Now, however, there was a part of me that welcomed it a little.

Since it’s the front lines, there would be many monsters.

Which also meant it was a place where I could acquire many magic stones.

Although I would have definitely avoided it before.

My feelings had changed regarding this matter.

‘…Because I need to feed that thing.’

I had to feed the tenant occupying my stomach.

And furthermore, I felt the need to increase my energy reserves.

After all, if I was going to roll, I needed to make efficient use of it.

“Hmm?”

As I exited the building and stepped outside.

Namgung Bi-ah was standing on the path leading to my quarters.

“You said you’d wait, were you here all along?”

“…Yeah.”

“Why are you out here instead of inside?”

“Just because…”

Her light steps turned towards me.

With every step she took, I sensed an inexplicable floral scent.

Seeing her like that, I chuckled and said.

“You ran away earlier saying I smelled bad.”

“…”

As I made that joke, Namgung Bi-ah’s brow furrowed slightly.

Around the time I finished my seclusion training.

Namgung Bi-ah, who had approached me, frowned and said.

‘-…You stink.’

I heard it clearly.

The words Namgung Bi-ah said while looking at me.

“Do you know that hurt more than you think?”

“…It wasn’t that smell…”

“If it wasn’t the smell, then what was it?”

“…The stench.”

“That’s what people usually call a smell.”

Then again, even I could smell how foul it was.

So, it didn’t matter if Namgung Bi-ah reacted that way.

‘…It did sting a little, though.’

As I walked steadily forward, Namgung Bi-ah subtly moved closer and wrapped her arm around mine.

“What are you doing?”

“…”

Seeing her avoid my gaze without a word.

It seemed she was bothered by my comment about being hurt.

‘I could just say it was a joke, but…’

Her cautious expression was amusing, so I decided not to say anything.

As we walked together and neared my quarters.

“By the way, where did that girl go? I don’t see her.”

I asked about someone I hadn’t seen since emerging from seclusion.

Wi Seol-ah, who should have rushed to me much earlier, was nowhere to be seen for some reason.

“Did she go out somewhere?”

That might be possible, but…

I thought she wouldn’t have done that on the day I emerged.

As I was about to enter my quarters with a question in mind.

“Huh?”

Namgung Bi-ah, who was holding my arm, suddenly stopped.

Causing me to stop as well.

“What’s wrong?”

I tried to see what was wrong, but Namgung Bi-ah was just looking at me with a subtle expression.

“…What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Seol-ah…”

“Hm?”

Namgung Bi-ah, wearing a very cautious expression.

Said very quietly, as if gauging my reaction.

“…She’s gone.”

The moment I heard those words.

I felt like my breath caught in my throat.