Chapter 235: Battlefront. (5)

As the sun set and the afterglow faded, night arrived.

A faint breeze swept through the forest of the frontline.

As the pale moon floated in the sky, moistening the ground thickly.

Sararak-

Bathed in the dense light, Moyong Hi-ah walked along the forest path.

Despite the weather gradually growing warmer.

Moyong Hi-ah’s clothes were still thick.

Separately, her bright white skin was still cold, but.

Unlike last year, her body had changed, now knowing warmth.

The night breeze, which had only felt chilling, could now be felt as a pleasant wind.

Little by little, very little by little.

While Moyong Hi-ah closed her eyes and felt the wind.

‘I heard you called for me.’

Someone cautiously approached Moyong Hi-ah, speaking.

Surprisingly, the other party was Gu Jeolyub.

Sensing the presence, Moyong Hi-ah opened her eyes and examined Gu Jeolyub.

Gu Jeolyub looked somewhat tired and was slightly drenched in sweat.

‘You must have been training.’

‘Just… loosening up a bit.’

While answering, Gu Jeolyub subtly avoided Moyong Hi-ah’s clear gaze.

If Gu Jeolyub were to pick the most difficult people here.

The first would be that demon bastard.

The second would be Dae-ju, the First Princess.

And the third would be Snow Phoenix, standing before him now.

‘…Hooouuu.’

Look now.

Covering her mouth with a fan.

In the darkness seeping through the gaps in the moonlight, Snow Phoenix’s sky-blue eyes shone coldly.

For some reason, Snow Phoenix’s eyes, as Gu Jeolyub faced them, were accompanied by fear.

‘Does the First Young Master know.’

That Snow Phoenix’s eyes usually look like that when she gazes at others.

Constantly judging the value of others.

Continuously checking if they are helpful or harmful to herself.

While wondering by what right she judges the value of others.

Her unique aura made it seem perfectly natural.

Among the blood relatives of the prestigious families Gu Jeolyub knew.

Snow Phoenix was the most fitting person for the name ‘prestigious family’.

‘I don’t know why a woman like that is like that towards the First Young Master.’

Ironically.

Not only her cold gaze, but also Snow Phoenix’s unique, unattainable high-class aura.

Disappeared as if they never existed in front of the First Young Master.

‘The only one on this earth who doesn’t know that is probably the First Young Master.’

Gu Jeolyub let out a quiet sigh and adjusted his clothes, which had become disheveled from sparring.

‘…May I ask why Miss Moyong sought me out?’

‘Ah, it’s nothing major.’

Sging-geut.

Moyong Hi-ah smiled slightly as she looked at Gu Jeolyub.

It was a captivating smile that would surely have charmed him in the past.

But looking at it now, for some reason, it was only frightening.

‘We have something to talk about, don’t we?’

Snow Phoenix spoke in an unusually gentle voice.

Gu Jeolyub could tell.

That uttering that voice itself.

Signified a more terrifying situation.

‘That… what are you talking about…’

‘I saved you, didn’t I?’

‘…!’

At Snow Phoenix’s words, Gu Jeolyub’s mouth, which had been trying to speak, shut tightly.

Separately, Snow Phoenix continued speaking.

‘The warrior from the Alliance. You left him there on purpose, didn’t you? Knowing I would come.’

‘…That…’

‘Yeolhyeopgeom is also more cunning than I thought.’

I’ve been found out.

It was a move I made to avoid getting beaten.

Moyong Hi-ah seemed to have figured it out instantly.

‘Did she come even knowing that?’

Since I actually escaped thanks to Moyong Hi-ah’s help.

It must be true that she came knowing.

While Gu Jeolyub hid his cold sweat and concealed his trembling pupils.

‘It was because I happened to have free time, and I thought it would be nice to see Young Master’s face, so I did it.’

Pallang.

Moyong Hi-ah slowly waved the fan she was holding and approached Gu Jeolyub.

‘Now that I think about it, if you give something, you should receive something in return, right?’

‘I don’t really understand what you’re saying…’

‘If you don’t understand, shall I go to Young Master Gu and tell him what Yeolhyeopgeom did?’

‘I will achieve what you desire, risking my life.’

‘Yeolhyeopgeom is always enthusiastic, which is nice to see.’

At her smile, which flashed again, Gu Jeolyub unconsciously swallowed dryly.

‘…Just what is it you want from me.’

‘Ah, it’s nothing much. Originally… I thought I wouldn’t need this, but seeing you earlier, I realized I had to.’

‘Huh?’

‘…I knew you were that dense, but living with you, it’s even more so.’

Kkeudeuk.

Although her face was hidden by the fan, it wasn’t visible.

Clearly, a crunching sound could be heard from beyond the fan.

Of course, Gu Jeolyub pretended not to hear.

Moyong Hi-ah, quickly changing her expression.

Said to Gu Jeolyub with the same captivating smile as before.

‘I’d like Yeolhyeopgeom to help me a bit. It’s not difficult; it’s something you can certainly do?’

‘…If, uh, if I refuse… what happens…’

‘Are you curious?’

At the words spoken out of caution.

A chill could be felt from somewhere.

Even if not as much as Gu Yangcheon, it was a chilling coldness that Gu Jeolyub, who contained warmth within his body, could feel.

‘I sincerely hope you are not curious.’

Looking at Moyong Hi-ah speaking with a smile full of amusement.

Gu Jeolyub nodded slightly.

‘…I need to change the ranking.’

He was certain.

That this woman was more dangerous than the demon bastard.

---

The past year on the frontline.

Was not exactly a good time.

For a martial artist belonging to a righteous sect, the frontline could be seen as the least desirable place to come.

Among those places, the area where the Gu family’s Five Swords operated was close to the center.

The year spent rolling around there, even speaking generously, wouldn’t have been a harmonious time.

Pasasak.

After the sun set and night arrived.

I walked through the forest with light steps.

The forest, once shrouded in miasma, making it hard even to breathe.

Now had no particular effect on my body.

Rather, it absorbed the unique energy emitted by the demonic creatures, making me more active.

It is right not to get used to such power.

But conversely, it is true that it helps in controlling it.

[Geureureung….]

Especially lately, perhaps because my sleep has decreased.

It’s been a great help in dealing with this damn beast who wakes up constantly to complain about food.

‘Why is it whining for food right after waking up? I fed it earlier.’

[Geureung….]

Because a demonic gate had just opened near the forest.

I went out myself, caught demonic creatures, and fed them all at once.

Yet it’s already acting hungry, as if it had digested it.

‘No, it’s not hungry, it just wants to overeat. Right?’

[…Kkeureung.]

A creature that can last weeks or months on a single feeding.

Is acting like this after being fed heartily recently.

‘If you act like this, I might stop giving you what I give.’

When I said that with a hint of annoyance.

The creature’s continuous mumbling sound became quiet as if by magic.

Seeing that, I clicked my tongue inwardly.

‘It only understands when I get angry.’

Whether human or beast.

Discipline was the answer.

Tuk-!

Lightly stepping on a branch, I leaped into the air.

Time had passed, my body had become tougher and larger than before.

Perhaps because the energy contained within my body had become extraordinary, it felt infinitely light.

‘After eating that much. Of course, it should be like this.’

Since coming to the frontline, I’ve consumed all the energy possessed by the demonic creatures.

It shouldn’t be the same as before. Yes.

Of course, not just the energy.

If I were to find parts that have changed from before.

First, the purification of demonic energy was much faster than before.

Preventing the demonic energy that entered the body from running wild.

And what purifies the energy and allows it to be used internally.

Is the Nine Flames Wheel Technique circulating within my body.

Perhaps it’s because I consumed so much demonic energy amidst this.

The speed at which the demonic energy within my body was purified had become much faster than before.

‘Is this also martial arts, meaning the more I use it, the more it improves?’

Although it’s a crappy thing to say even as I think it.

Other than this, there wasn’t anything else that came to mind.

‘I can’t figure it out.’

Putting aside the beast cub inside my body.

Why the Nine Flames Wheel Technique can purify demonic energy.

Although it’s better for things to work out than not, like ‘good is good’.

Still, it was incomprehensible.

As my level rises.

As my capacity widens, filling it with internal energy.

Until the overflowing internal energy seeps back into the body.

Seeking a higher level through the repetition of long periods of honing.

Repeating that tedious and arduous process.

If there’s one thing I’ve come to know.

‘…That always hungry tenant.’

The one hidden deep in my dantian.

Is not in some other specific space.

Nor is it within the Demonic Heaven Absorption Technique, which I thought was the power of the Heavenly Demon.

I thought perhaps it was within the Nine Flames Wheel Technique.

The presence faintly felt within my internal energy.

For some reason, it made me think so.

[Geureung…?]

‘It knows like magic when I’m talking about it. Anyway.’

I haven’t learned much about that guy.

The day I finished my seclusion last year.

All I learned then was its ‘name’.

Why it’s inside my body.

Arbitrarily adjusting the energy that seeps into my body.

And also, whether it’s unknowingly regulating things to prevent my body from breaking.

I still couldn’t know.

That’s why I need to end this damn cohabitation quickly.

‘When on earth does Old Man Shin plan to wake up.’

It’s been well over a year.

Summer is almost here.

Which means the period the Old Man decided to sleep through is slowly coming to an end.

‘Tsk.’

Moreover, it’s about time to stop staying on the frontline.

The time to return to the family had arrived.

‘I could have returned much earlier, though.’

Ironically, considering I cleaned up and stopped the incident that broke out half a year ago.

Although the punishment of staying on the frontline was withdrawn.

I personally sent a request to my father saying I would remain on the frontline.

‘Because there were things left to handle.’

When I sent the letter back then, did I say I was staying because it was something a member of the Gu family must do?

I almost died of cringe while actually sending it.

Duty as a family member, my ass.

I’m busy trying to survive, what the hell is the Gu family to me?

The reason I endured and stayed on the frontline, even though I could have left much earlier.

Was ultimately because of me.

Of course, it was also somewhat fun to mess with Gu Jeolyub more than I expected.

‘This won’t last much longer either.’

Maybe a month, or perhaps shorter.

If my prediction is correct.

Tutuk!

After leaping through the air swiftly for quite some time.

I sensed the presence of others far away.

Roughly ten to fifteen people.

Among the group, where each person was a well-trained martial artist.

Two individuals with particularly outstanding energy could be felt.

One had a burning aura, as if ablaze.

The other had a terrifyingly sharp lightning aura.

‘Looks like there are no issues.’

After confirming their energy was stable, I let out a slight sigh.

It seemed they weren’t injured anywhere.

Composing my expression appropriately.

I leaped lightly and plunged into the approaching group.

Tuk-!

‘Oh.’

The person at the very front exclaimed as if welcoming me upon seeing my arrival.

‘Little brother, seems like your big sister missed you a lot? Coming so eagerly.’

The woman who spoke such dog-like words with a smile.

Was Gu Huibi, the eldest daughter of the Gu family, known as the Sword Peak, the foremost among the Six Dragons and Three Peaks.

‘You say creepy things the moment you see me.’

Her black hair, fluttering in the breeze, still had a great sheen.

The internal energy contained within her body had become deeper.

A shallow aura could be felt in her seemingly casual gait.

This was proof that Gu Huibi had grown stronger over the past year.

‘Was everything alright while you were gone, sis?’

‘Nothing much happened. Except for some guy going out and picking up another person?’

Whether she understood the meaning of my words.

Wrinkles formed between Gu Huibi’s brows.

‘…Again?’

‘Again.’

‘That kid is really persistent. Picking someone up every time they go out. Shall I have a talk with them for the first time in a while?’

Seeing Gu Huibi speak as if amused, I had to send Gu Jeolyub words of encouragement inwardly.

Although I torment and bully him more.

He should know that thanks to that, Gu Huibi isn’t directly tormenting Gu Jeolyub.

‘If he knew that, that bastard would bother me less.’

In my opinion, Gu Jeolyub was an ungrateful fellow.

Tsk tsk…

I personally stepped up to help him improve his level.

Sometimes keeping him company so he wouldn’t be lonely.

And even stepping in to handle things when trouble arose.

‘Why does that bastard get so intimidated whenever he sees me?’

Back in my day.

You shouldn’t treat your benefactor like that…

Thinking about it makes me pissed off?

‘I guess I need to increase the intensity of the bullying.’

When we get back, I’ll double it.

‘I’m very touched, little brother. That you even came to greet me this late at night.’

‘It was just my turn.’

‘Are you shy?’

‘…Sis, did you hit your head or something?’

She looked fine physically.

I thought maybe she had severely injured her head to that extent.

‘I’m telling you again… it was just my turn…’

Ttubeok.

My mouth, which was about to speak while enduring the annoyance, closed.

For a moment, it felt like the blowing wind had also stopped.

Just from the sound of a woman’s footsteps.

Those forming the group moved their bodies, creating space for the woman to walk comfortably.

As if making way.

Seu-eu…

The stopped wind began to blow again.

The moonlight shone as if illuminating the woman approaching this way.

Her blue-white hair, struck by the light, shone faintly as if embracing the moon.

How beautiful.

She looked as if she were made of the word ‘beautiful’.

‘…’

I simply gazed at such a woman.

Moving my gaze, I examined the woman from head to toe.

Despite the journey involving battles, her hair was undamaged and shone even brighter.

The Gu family’s martial attire, worn for ease of movement, was not marred anywhere.

It was enough to mistakenly think she hadn’t fought at all.

But the lightning aura faintly felt along her shoulder line clearly indicated that the woman had engaged in combat with full force.

‘That must be it.’

That’s probably why this large group could return without a single person getting injured.

The woman approached this way with an expressionless face.

Making eye contact with her eyes, which held a blue light as if embracing the sea.

I also opened my mouth.

‘Food.’

Unlike the emotions contained within, it was a truly blunt question.

Even I thought it was quite unremarkable.

Hearing my words, the woman took another step closer.

Her gaze, which had been at eye level.

Had now shifted to a position where I looked down on her.

In response to my question, the woman slowly opened her mouth to answer.

‘…I haven’t eaten…’

It was a very short and somewhat hesitant way of speaking.

‘I told you to eat properly if you’re going to move around.’

‘…Sorry…’

‘When we get back, go eat. I saved some.’

‘Okay…’

She takes another step closer.

Such light steps.

Along with an unknown floral scent brushing past my nose.

Why is that?

The flower I thought had bloomed long ago.

Was blooming more brilliantly as time passed.

To a level I couldn’t possibly handle.

The woman approached until she was within arm’s reach.

And slightly lowered her head.

Her hair swayed gently, and the crown of her head came into my view.

‘…’

It was a sudden gesture, but.

I knew why she was doing this to me.

Because it was a habit that had become particularly strong over the past few months.

While paying attention to the strange gazes of those behind her.

As if resigned, I raised my hand and gently stroked the crown of her head.

The hair felt by my fingertips was still soft.

‘You worked hard.’

‘…Yeah.’

Adding unremarkable words.

As I withdrew my hand, feeling a bit awkward.

The woman, Namgung Bi-ah, lifted her head again.

‘…Mm.’

Making eye contact, I had to swallow slightly.

Because Namgung Bi-ah, meeting my gaze, was smiling.

‘I told you not to smile carelessly.’

‘Yeah…?’

‘I told you not to just smile anywhere. It’s a weapon.’

Given Namgung Bi-ah’s appearance, it was indeed a weapon.

A very powerful weapon at that.

In response to my words, Namgung Bi-ah replied, looking somewhat wronged.

‘…I didn’t smile anywhere…’

‘Then what is this now?’

‘…It’s in front of you…’

‘…’

I asked for nothing.

Feeling a strange heat rising in my ears, I turned my head and looked back the way I came.

‘…Let’s go back.’

Because I felt awkward just standing there.

As I scratched the back of my head, feeling ticklish.

-What bullshit.

‘…’

I heard someone muttering from a little further behind.

It was definitely Gu Huibi’s voice.

Although I heard it all.

I deliberately ignored it and started walking.