Chapter 229: Going to Battle. (5)

Time flowed, and the day came to depart for the front lines.

Since the waiting period wasn’t particularly long, I didn’t even feel like I had rested.

Letters were scattered all over the floor. Carefully picking them up one by one so as not to tear them underfoot, I gathered them.

“…It seems there’s still no useful information…”

Even as I gathered them, I looked over the contents again, but seeing as there were still no noteworthy stories,

‘Either they aren’t making any noticeable moves,’

or even if they know, they’re silencing people somewhere. It was something I couldn’t easily figure out.

‘In this situation…’

It was difficult to act immediately without any specific information. If there were setbacks in gathering information, it would be better to conserve my strength and consistently gather stories about the key figures who opposed the bloodbath later on.

‘Regarding energy… The White Horse Stone would be the fastest.’

This was an era where the White Grade demonic gate hadn’t opened anymore, and the White Horse Stone I knew was practically the only magic stone that maintained its energy among them.

‘…That’s why it’s peculiar.’

Normally, magic stones lose their energy a few days after a monster dies. They don’t become purer over time like spiritual herbs, nor is it about whether the energy is maintained depending on management.

However.

The White Horse Stone that the Heavenly Demon gave me in my past life was different. The magic stone, which must have been several centuries old, still contained vast energy, and hadn’t even lost its color.

‘Perhaps it’s because it’s a White Horse Stone.’

It’s a White Grade monster that I’ve never dared to see or even imagine. There are only records stating its existence is a disaster. Since I’ve never met one, I don’t know how strong it is.

‘If I fought it alone, could I win?’

Judging by the standards of my past life, I’m not very confident. Recalling the story of Old Man Shin, who supposedly took it down alone, I felt a bit of respect, though I didn’t know why it came to mind. Old Man Shin had a rough way of speaking unlike a hermit, and he was ill-tempered, always finding fault with something, but regardless, he was an absolute martial artist who dominated an era.

‘If I were thinking thoughts like these, he would have shown up snorting with delight.’

I found myself subtly missing Old Man Shin’s quiet voice.

‘…How long was I supposed to sleep again?’

Was it a little over a year? I remember it was roughly that amount of time according to the ‘contract’ with the tenant. Was it around the time I had finished my business at the front lines?

[Grrr….]

As if sensing his story was being brought up, a low growl was heard.

‘Be quiet, I don’t really want to hear animal noises.’

As I spat that out displeasedly, it became quiet as if by magic.

I roughly organized the letters and stuffed them into a drawer. I looked around carefully, checking if I had left anything behind. Suddenly, I realized I had too many treasures adorning my body.

‘Do I have to take all of this?’

Most of them were inconspicuous accessories, but considering each item was a treasure, it felt a bit burdensome.

‘…Hmm.’

I considered leaving them locked up in the vault, but in the end, I decided to just take them. Especially since the ring of the Esteemed Pacifier was quite useful.

“Young Master.”

“Yeah.”

“Everything is ready.”

“I’ll be out now.”

Hearing the servant’s announcement from outside the door, I hurried to get moving. As I took a step to leave the room, I suddenly noticed the stitched mark on the martial attire I was wearing. The long tear, from how it got ripped, had been clumsily stitched, with the thread sticking out unevenly. Thinking I should change into new clothes, I paused, the face of the person who did this flashing through my mind. With hands that were utterly clumsy, Wi Seol-ah’s face, smiling even as she pricked herself here and there, came to mind.

-Young Master! Look at this! I’m done!

-…Isn’t this really badly done?

-Hmph… I tried my best…

As those thoughts crossed my mind, I chuckled and left the room, abandoning the idea of changing clothes.

Hongwa, spotting me as I walked towards the carriage, hurried over and said, “Young Master… that outfit… wouldn’t it be better to change before leaving?” She must have noticed the state of my clothes from afar. Hearing her, I pretended not to know, “It’s bothersome, so let’s just go.”

“But, the condition of your martial attire…”

“Are you going to be stubborn? It’s bothersome, so I’m just going.”

“…Understood.”

I could hear Hongwa subtly sighing quietly. Honestly, I felt a little sorry, but I had made up my mind, so I decided to just go.

“You’re here?”

As I arrived at the Gu family’s main gate, just as the servant said, preparations were already complete. Seeing the Moyong family’s carriage especially made me let out an involuntary chuckle.

“It looks like you’re going on a trip.”

“We’re not going for a short while.”

Moyong Heea shrugged her shoulders slightly at my words, but it still felt excessive. The number of people wasn’t that large, but there was an excessive amount of food and supplies prepared inside.

‘And.’

I glanced at the figures around the carriage. They looked like men of some age, and the energy they emanated seemed unusual.

‘Guards?’

They seemed to be guards assigned by the Moyong family to Moyong Heea. Seeing that, I asked Moyong Heea,

“…Are you really going?”

“What?”

“To the front lines.”

“Of course. It’s in our contract, isn’t it?”

She’s actually going.

‘…Ugh.’

I really didn’t expect her to go. We had agreed to exchange vital energy, but her insistence on receiving it all the way at the front lines was utterly baffling.

‘…Is the vital energy that urgent?’

If my vital energy truly helps Moyong Heea’s blocked meridians, it’s a matter directly related to her life, so she must be in a hurry. As I pondered various possibilities, Moyong Heea added with a grin,

“Young Master Gu, don’t worry.”

“I wasn’t worried.”

“…I’m not so weak as to make you worry, Young Master.”

“You seemed pretty weak.”

“…”

“Didn’t you barely withstand one blow back then?”

I could see Moyong Heea’s eyes twitch slightly at my words. Seeing that made me feel like years, no, centuries of pent-up frustration had vanished.

‘She teased me so much about being weak.’

It felt a bit embarrassing to get revenge for the teasing I endured in my past life like this, but who cares? No one will know anyway.

“…Still, I… managed to endure.”

“Hmm… Alright then.”

I could see her desperately trying not to let her expression falter. If it were me, I would have immediately made a face like I’d eaten something sour and complained. Whatever the case, that was also a talent.

While I was bantering with Moyong Heea,

Thump.

Someone squeezed between Moyong Heea and me, creating distance. Moyong Heea slightly raised the corners of her eyes as she looked at the person who intervened.

“…Sword Dancer…?”

It was Namgung Bi-ah.

“Now… stop.”

Within her usually airheaded voice, an unidentifiable coldness could be felt. Though she didn’t overtly display it, a faint, chilling aura seemed to emanate from her shoulders.

‘…She’s like a tense, sharp-clawed cat.’

That’s how she seemed to me, but perhaps she seemed somewhat threatening to Moyong Heea, as she snorted and turned away, entering her carriage.

-I’ll see you next time.

Leaving those words behind. Namgung Bi-ah, watching Moyong Heea’s retreating back, seemed relieved and subtly approached me, stopping beside me.

“What’s with that satisfied look?”

“…I… won…”

Her acting all triumphant as if she’d won some grand battle was somewhat cute, but why she felt the need to engage in such a power struggle was beyond me.

‘Is it because they both feel like cats…?’

They were quite similar. If I had to be precise, Moyong Heea had more of that feline quality.

“Speaking of which, you…”

“…Yeah…?”

“No… it’s nothing.”

I was about to ask if she really intended to follow me, but I firmly closed my mouth. I remembered Namgung Bi-ah had previously asked me not to ask such questions.

Unlike the Moyong family’s carriage, Namgung Bi-ah hadn’t really prepared anything. Perhaps Namgung Bi-ah had given prior notice, there weren’t any Namgung family members specifically at the Gu residence. I had heard she had a few servants managing her separately,

‘It seems they don’t stick close by.’

She mostly slept in my quarters, and my servants, having grown accustomed to it, were managing Namgung Bi-ah along with them. Namgung Bi-ah herself had a gentle… airheaded personality, and didn’t pay much attention to her surroundings, so even if a servant made a mistake and caused minor issues, she’d likely overlook it. She must have been quite convenient for the servants managing her.

“Even so, haven’t you prepared too little again?”

“…Huh?”

A few sets of martial attire. Spare swords. And the accessories I gave her, about that much. That was all Namgung Bi-ah had packed.

“They don’t provide food… there?”

“They probably do, but… usually, people fend for themselves.”

“I… eat things that have fallen too.”

“Please, don’t eat things like that…”

Is she really a descendant of a prestigious family? It’s strange for me to be talking about prestigious families or bloodlines, but Namgung Bi-ah seemed particularly extreme. She gave off the impression of having little interest or attachment to the world.

‘She has gotten better lately, though.’

She seems to go for walks often, and eats her meals properly. It was a stark contrast to the bloodthirsty mindset from my past life.

‘That’s enough.’

Yes, that’s enough. It would be strange to expect anything more.

“From midway, the carriage won’t be able to enter, so we’ll have to turn back. Go get some sleep first.”

“…Okay.”

Namgung Bi-ah, hearing my words, yawned slightly and got into the carriage. Indeed, from the middle of the path onwards, the terrain was impassable for carriages, requiring us to walk. It would be best to conserve stamina until then. The terrain is quite rough, after all.

“Young Master.”

“Hmm? Ah, Mu Yeon…”

As Mu Yeon’s voice reached me, I was about to greet him, but I paused momentarily upon seeing Gu Jeolyub standing behind him.

‘That guy…’

Gu Jeolyub was wearing martial attire quite different from his usual clothes. It wasn’t the martial attire worn by the Gu family members, but the uniform worn by the Sword Corps belonging to the Gu family. Seeing that, I asked Gu Jeolyub,

“Are you really going? Like that?”

“Yes.”

His voice was firm. As if he had firmly decided.

“…Alright.”

More words came to mind, but I didn’t voice them, simply nodding. If he decided to find his own path, I didn’t have the right to say anything more. At my words, Gu Jeolyub slightly bowed his head. I don’t know what choices or thoughts Gu Jeolyub will find by following me to the front lines, but if I could wish for just a little, I hope he makes choices he believes are right for himself. That way, I won’t have to kill him.

“Mu Yeon.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“Why are you coming?”

“…What?”

“You don’t have to follow.”

Mu Yeon was officially my guard, but there was no need for him to follow me all the way to the front lines. With his martial prowess reaching its peak at such a young age, and considering his tenure within the Gu family, if Mu Yeon wished, he might even be able to join the First Sword Corps.

‘Though I don’t know if the Third or Fourth Sword Corps would just let that happen.’

In any case, there was no need for him to remain in the guard corps and continue supporting me.

Did my words amuse him? Mu Yeon, uncharacteristically, covered his mouth and smiled.

“Why are you laughing?”

It’s unsettling.

“…Ah, no. It’s just that I didn’t expect you to say something like that, Young Master…”

“What’s wrong with what I said?”

I said it out of concern, so what’s so funny about it?

“…I have no intention of leaving your side, Young Master.”

“Are you crazy…?”

“What?”

“Once you’ve taken enough, you should think about moving on to better things. How much more do you intend to leech off?”

He should stop being a guard and start building his career as a martial artist. For someone with talent like Mu Yeon, that would be the better path. However, Mu Yeon seemed to have other thoughts and spoke to me.

“Right now, there is much more for me to learn by your side, Young Master.”

“…”

This one isn’t normal either, that’s for sure. There’s nothing left to learn, yet he wants to learn something from me?

‘Is he really crazy?’

I genuinely considered giving him a leave of absence. As I tried to distance myself from Mu Yeon with a slight look of distaste,

“I don’t know about other things, but you certainly seem blessed with good fortune in people.”

“…When did you arrive?”

A large hand slung over my shoulder and a deep voice.

“Heh heh…! I just happened to pass by.”

It was Elder Yi, whose body had almost fully recovered.

“Why do you always say you just happened to pass by?”

“Well, I wouldn’t be visiting if I were lying down, would I?”

“That’s true, but…”

“When your old grandpa makes the effort to come see you like this, instead of saying ‘Thank you!’, you nitpick…! Tsk tsk…”

“I think I get a headache the moment I see you, Elder Yi.”

“Shall I cure it? I’m quite good at that sort of thing.”

“That’s not healing, that’s assault. Put your fist down.”

He’s always threatening to hit me. Where exactly is he considered an old man…? He’s still terrifying.

“You said you’d be gone for a year. If you’re worried, shall I accompany you?”

“No, Elder Yi, I don’t need anyone. Please, I just want to go alone.”

“Heh heh, you have big dreams.”

Why on earth does wanting to go alone mean I have big dreams?

“That’s enough. I should get going too.”

“Are you sulking?”

“I am not sulking.”

As the conversation continued, I felt an increasing pressure in my head. Ah, my head hurts… Just as I was considering clutching my head, Elder Yi brought up another topic.

“Yangcheon-ah.”

“Yes…”

“Have you spoken with Yeon Seo?.”

“What?”

Why Gu Yeon Seo, out of the blue? I wasn’t sure what Elder Yi meant by that question. However,

“…Well, I did try to meet her.”

I made an effort to go meet Gu Yeon Seo separately. Of course, I couldn’t meet her.

“It seems she has no particular intention of seeing my face.”

“…Hmm.”

I heard from Gu Ryeon-hwa that she meets with him, but she seems to be avoiding meeting me.

‘I’ll see her someday. Whatever.’

I wasn’t in a particular hurry either, so I figured I’d meet her later and decided to let it be for now.

For reference, Gu Ryeon-hwa, right after Zhuge Hyuk left with the Divine Physician, looked somewhat dispirited. They must have been quite close.

‘Hyuk really should have talked with his brother before leaving.’

Unfortunately, we couldn’t have a proper conversation. It was truly regrettable.

“…Huh? I sense a killing intent from somewhere.”

Elder Yi stroked my thick shoulder with his large palm, as if goosebumps had risen.

“Now that I think about it, Ryeon-hwa hasn’t come out.”

“She’s probably sleeping.”

Because she came crying early in the morning, asking where I was going again, which made me feel awkward, I put her to sleep using acupoint pressure. I thought it would be better to let her sleep.

‘It’s a bit of a cowardly method, but…’

I can always buy her a gift later to make up for it. By the time I return to the manor, Gu Ryeon-hwa will likely be gone. I had also received a letter saying the Sword Empress was returning, and as soon as she arrived, I’d be leaving quickly for Mount Hua.

“I should get going too.”

“Alright, don’t get hurt and come back.”

“You be careful too, Elder Yi. Don’t get hurt again… Ah, hey! Stop trying to hit me?”

“…Hee-bi will be waiting eagerly for you. She’s really looking forward to training with her brother.”

“That’s information I really didn’t want to hear.”

“And this.”

Seeing the letter Elder Yi casually pulled out, I immediately growled.

“…What is it? Why are you acting like that?”

“What are you trying to give me this time? Don’t give it to me. That thing.”

Recalling how every time Elder Yi gave me something, it brought about disasters like exploding bombs, I really didn’t want to accept it this time.

“You won’t accept it?”

“Since I don’t know what else you’ve hidden inside, how can I trust you and accept it?”

This time, I absolutely wouldn’t accept it…

“Even though it’s about Seol-ah?”

“…”

That was my thought, but perhaps it would be okay to overlook it this once.