Chapter 260: Anhui. (1)

Dalgeudak.

The sound of the carriage moving reached my ears.

The carriage, which had started moving swiftly, continued without rest.

Pallak.

It hasn’t been long since I returned to the family estate, yet we’re already leaving.

It’s always been like this after regressing.

I had become half-accustomed to it by now.

‘…I shouldn’t be getting used to things like this.’

How did my life become so tumultuous?

In my previous life, I’m sure leaving the family estate was implicitly forbidden.

Now, I could leave so easily.

It’s just a guess, but.

Even if I told Father where I was going right now.

I had a feeling he would permit it.

Wouldn’t he not even notice if I just ran away from home?

‘That wouldn’t happen.’

That’s stretching it a bit too far.

It’s just wishful thinking.

Pallak.

As I thought, I turned over another letter.

What I was reading inside the carriage was none other than Tang Soyeol’s letter.

He had sent one again this time, so I decided to read it while traveling.

-Young Master Gongzi-nim, are you well?

-I’m not doing well!

For a moment, I thought I’d misread it.

‘…Why does ‘not doing well’ sound so cheerful?’

This is absurd.

The letter was, as always, similar in content.

I heard he was returning to Gu Clan.

But he couldn’t go because the Poison King held him back.

It seemed like they probably wouldn’t let him go until the initiation day.

‘The Poison King…’

I don’t really know him personally.

If I had to recall, perhaps it was a bad connection.

In my past life, the Poison King particularly detested me.

Perhaps it was because he had fallen from being a righteous sect warrior to a demonic one.

Or maybe, it’s possible he just hated me.

Whatever the reason, it meant my connection with the Poison King wasn’t very good.

‘So, in this life too, I’d rather not run into him if possible.’

Tang Soyeol did mention last time that the Poison King wanted to see me, but…

If I don’t see him, that’s that.

Surely he wouldn’t actually come looking for me.

‘…Just dealing with Paejon-nim is overwhelming enough; the Poison King would be too much.’

Especially since the Poison King is a famous figure in the underworld.

Since he belongs to the righteous sects, many people don’t know him, but…

That the Tang family originally belonged to the underworld…

You can find that out with just a little searching.

Besides, the Tang family primarily uses poison techniques.

And Tang Soyeol’s martial arts, too.

They were assassination-style martial arts using hidden blades or daggers.

If you consider the Poison King, who has mastered such martial arts…

‘…If the Poison King decided to do something malicious right now, I’d die without anyone knowing.’

Of course, the Poison King wouldn’t easily do something like that.

It wouldn’t happen within Gu Clan, but…

It was a possibility.

Just as I finished reading the letter.

I felt a movement from below.

Feeling it, I said.

“Why are you moving like that?”

“…It’s uncomfortable…”

It was Namgung Bi-ah, lying down with her head on my lap.

Namgung Bi-ah was riding in my carriage as if it were the most natural thing.

Seeing her like that, I said with a hollow laugh.

“Isn’t it because you lay down right after eating?”

“…Mhmm…”

She shook her head as if denying it.

‘…Hmm.’

Namgung Bi-ah, who had left saying she was having a meal with Madam Mi, returned before it got too late.

However, judging by her expression, something seemed to have happened.

No matter how much I asked, she wouldn’t answer.

‘It doesn’t seem like she got scolded, though.’

Something did happen, but it didn’t seem like it was anything bad.

I wondered what Madam Mi had called Namgung Bi-ah for.

I was curious.

“Hey.”

“…Mhmm?”

“Are you really not going to tell me?”

“…”

As soon as I asked, Namgung Bi-ah closed her eyes.

It seemed like she was pretending to be asleep.

She wasn’t exactly good at acting, so it was very obvious.

In the end, annoyed, I pinched her cheek slightly.

I pinched her rather hard.

Namgung Bi-ah didn’t let out a single groan.

She probably intended to endure it.

“Honestly…”

Seeing that, I ended up gently stroking Namgung Bi-ah’s hair.

If she’s not going to tell me, she must have her reasons.

I looked out the window at the family head’s carriage, which was moving ahead.

Father and Madam Mi were probably inside.

For reference.

Before we left, Gu Huibi threw a huge tantrum, insisting she wanted to go to Anhui together, even if it was just under the guise of escorting us.

There was also the time Madam Mi, unable to stand it any longer, grabbed her by the ear and dragged her away.

Judging by her teary eyes when she returned…

She seemed to have been scolded until she cried.

‘What was she even trying to follow for.’

Even hearing about it made me flustered.

Wouldn’t it be strange if all the blood relatives left together?

Especially when Moyong Hi-ah was going too.

In the end, Gu Huibi was designated to stay at the family estate and look after Gu Yeonseo as a form of vacation.

I don’t know about her, but Gu Yeonseo would likely be quite satisfied.

‘What about her?’

I heard she was going along, but I didn’t hear the details about what Moyong Hi-ah would do.

I heard they had already sent a letter to the Namgung family.

‘The Namgung family must be taken aback.’

It felt like the Moyong family was suddenly inserting themselves into the engagement ceremony with Gu Clan.

It would be quite strange.

‘…After this is over.’

By the time this schedule ends, the season will likely be early autumn.

Autumn…?

Originally, this was the period I intended to go looking for Wi Seol-ah, but…

‘It’s become a bit ambiguous.’

Since she herself expressed her desire to come find me.

The situation had become somewhat uncertain.

‘Then…’

What should I do?

Practicing martial arts is a given, of course.

But I need to use my time more effectively.

“This is difficult.”

“…Hm?”

“It’s nothing, go back to sleep.”

“Okay…”

Namgung Bi-ah closed her eyes again.

I looked out the window and let out a small sigh.

‘First things first.’

Thinking about anything else was difficult, as the immediate matter at hand was quite concerning.

‘…An engagement.’

Something I never thought would actually happen.

It had arrived right before my eyes before I knew it.

It was strange enough that I would get engaged.

Let alone getting engaged to the Sword Demoness Queen.

No, maybe I shouldn’t call her Sword Demoness Queen anymore.

I thought, looking at the woman sleeping soundly with her head on my lap.

‘How did it turn out like this?’

I never expected it.

I reached out and gently brushed Namgung Bi-ah’s hair.

Her silky hair flowed softly under my touch.

Perhaps, did you know?

That you and I could end up like this.

I didn’t know.

No, maybe I vaguely knew.

On a rainy night.

The day the moon set in my arms.

Perhaps, only then did I vaguely realize.

That the existence known as the Sword Demoness Queen…

Was held deeply within me.

That’s why I thought I shouldn’t get any closer.

Hoping you wouldn’t make that choice again.

Small breaths could be heard.

She seemed to have fallen deeply asleep.

It hadn’t been long since she closed her eyes.

Looking at Namgung Bi-ah like that, I let out a short laugh.

“It must be nice being so carefree.”

Engagement or whatever.

Her seeming not to care about any of it was so like her.

And yet.

Here I was, thinking this situation wasn’t necessarily bad.

I found myself slightly amusing.

---

Time flowed, and soon, autumn was arriving.

It was still close to the heat of summer, but…

I could tell the season was changing from the breeze blowing little by little.

It would take a little longer for the fallen leaves, but…

Autumn would still come.

Just like always.

“Young Master Gu Gongzi-nim, are you tired?”

“Hm? No. I was just thinking.”

I slightly shook my head at the voice that reached me.

I wondered if having too many distracting thoughts doesn’t get better even with time.

As I shifted my gaze slightly to the side.

I saw eyes that closely resembled the sky right now.

The treasured jewel of the Moyong family.

It was Snow Phoenix, Moyong Hi-ah.

Moyong Hi-ah had left the Moyong family’s carriage and gotten into mine.

For reference, Namgung Bi-ah was, as usual, half-asleep.

At first, I thought she might not like Moyong Hi-ah riding with us, but…

Now, she didn’t seem to mind much.

…More accurately.

‘It’s probably because it’s hot.’

The heat was difficult for Namgung Bi-ah too, so unlike usual, she was slightly distant from me.

It seemed to be because my body was emitting heat.

Conversely, inside the carriage where Moyong Hi-ah, who possessed cold energy, was…

Unlike the hot weather, it maintained a rather cool temperature.

Because of that, Namgung Bi-ah didn’t seem to complain.

Meaning this was better than the heat.

Moyong Hi-ah smiled slightly as she looked at me.

“You didn’t eat much during the meal earlier either.”

“You saw that too?”

“I’m always watching.”

As she said that, a small necklace dangled from Moyong Hi-ah’s neck.

It was something I bought in the market and gave her last time.

‘She’s actually wearing it.’

If I were to sell just the earrings Moyong Hi-ah was wearing or the fan she always carried…

I could buy hundreds of necklaces like that.

‘Does she like cheaper things than I thought?’

It might not be because it’s cheap, but because it’s pretty.

Even I, whose sense of aesthetics is close to zero, thought that necklace was… well, not great.

Its appearance was incredibly simple.

“Hmm.”

“Why is that?”

“It’s nothing.”

After saying that.

I forced myself to stretch my stiff body.

We were arriving soon.

As I stretched slightly, I asked Moyong Hi-ah.

“You said you had things to do when we get to Anhui, didn’t you?”

“Ah… yes. I have things to do there, and coincidentally, I have business with the Namgung family.”

“Business?”

“Yes.”

I wondered what kind of business she had.

‘Come to think of it.’

Weren’t Moyong Hi-ah and Nyo Ryong-nom engaged?

I’m sure they were in my past life.

‘Maybe not yet?’

That could be the case.

When I found out about Moyong Hi-ah and Noe Ryong-nom’s engagement…

It was around the time they had just passed their teens.

Maybe it happened a little later…

‘Wait.’

Then what happens?

Moyong Hi-ah’s affection towards me was clear.

She herself said so.

Her actions clearly showed it.

Then.

‘Is it that affection is affection, but an engagement is still an engagement?’

Isn’t that a bit too complicated and somewhat vulgar?

It was a concept with a very high difficulty level for me.

Is Snow Phoenix originally into that kind of thing?

‘…How would I know.’

I’m not sure, but it felt like she wasn’t, yet…

If I recall my past life… it felt like that wasn’t the case either…

Geung.

‘…I just made things complicated by thinking about it.’

As stray thoughts surged, I frowned slightly.

As if sensing it, Moyong Hi-ah brought up the topic.

“Young Master Gongzi-nim? Is something really wrong?”

“It’s nothing. My head just hurts a little…”

As soon as I said it hurt, Moyong Hi-ah reached out as if she’d been waiting, extending her hand towards my forehead.

Just as her noticeably cold hand was about to reach my forehead.

Tak.

Another hand appeared and snatched Moyong Hi-ah’s wrist.

It was Namgung Bi-ah, whom I thought was asleep.

“…No.”

“Tsk.”

Upon confirming this, Moyong Hi-ah clicked her tongue briefly.

“Sword Dancer… you were awake.”

“Yeah.”

Namgung Bi-ah replied and sat up.

What the.

She was actually awake?

Moyong Hi-ah snorted lightly upon seeing that.

“I can’t let my guard down.”

“…Me neither…”

Namgung Bi-ah replied, then reached out and cupped my forehead.

It seemed she was doing what Moyong Hi-ah was about to do.

“There’s no fever, so you don’t need to touch it.”

“…It feels like there might be…”

Of course, there’s heat. I mean, it’s not a fever from being sick.

Namgung Bi-ah seemed intent on continuing to touch my forehead, showing no intention of letting go.

Finally, after I turned my face away to break free, Namgung Bi-ah withdrew her hand as if disappointed.

I brushed my forehead and asked Namgung Bi-ah.

“It’s been a while since you’ve come home. Are you okay?”

“Hm…?”

At my question, Namgung Bi-ah tilted her head.

She seemed to be pondering the meaning of my question.

Namgung Bi-ah didn’t seem to like her own family estate very much.

That’s probably why she stayed at Gu Clan instead of returning to her family estate, even though she could.

Of course, I am likely included in that reason, but…

It certainly wouldn’t be the whole reason.

Then, Namgung Bi-ah, perhaps realizing the ambiguity of my question…

Her slightly tilted eyes widened a bit.

And then, she soon gave her answer with a slight smile.

It was a smile I never quite got used to seeing.

“…I’m okay now…”

That statement implied she wasn’t okay before.

What kind of life Namgung Bi-ah had lived.

I didn’t know the details.

Moreover, I couldn’t ask unless she brought it up first.

Looking into my eyes, Namgung Bi-ah whispered.

“…Now… I’m not really scared anymore.”

Those words, whispered so quietly, somehow resonated with me.

Just as I was about to add something…

-Young Master-nim, we have arrived.

I closed my mouth at the words of the driver ahead.

Ah, for reference, the driver is not Gu Jeolyub.

I tried to bring him if possible, but…

I think he was captured by Ilgeom-daejoo because of the Gu Seon Gate incident.

‘Why did they take Mu-yeon along in the midst of all this?’

I heard they took not only Gu Jeolyub but Mu-yeon as well.

I couldn’t understand the reason.

I tried asking, but since they said it was the family head’s order, I couldn’t pry further.

Dagudag… dagudag.

The sound of the horses’ hooves gradually slowed and faded.

The horses slowing their pace must mean we were getting closer to our destination.

I poked my head out the window, and sure enough, I could see it far in the distance.

“We’ve really arrived…”

The center of the Four Great Families.

The sword-renowned family of the righteous sects, representing countless families.

We had arrived in Anhui, where the Great Namgung Family resided.

As I looked at the entrance, I suddenly recalled something.

‘…I think I forgot something?’

It feels unsettling.

I definitely feel like I forgot something.

It wouldn’t come to mind.

My mind felt stuffy, as if covered in fog.

My chest felt inexplicably itchy.

“…If I just stay still, it’ll probably come to me.”

If it were important, I wouldn’t have forgotten it.

I figured it wasn’t that important.

‘Could it really be something important?’

I chuckled and dismissed it.

And furthermore, I had forgotten the most important thing.

My bad premonition.

That it was never wrong.