Chapter 262: Anhui. (3)

Upon arriving at the Namgung family residence, the first thing I was shown was the guest quarters.

Servants took my luggage to unpack it for me.

Meanwhile, I took the time to look around.

‘…This place looks nicer than my own house?’

That much was certain.

Guess it really was a family with money who knew how to spend it.

Even the place they offered as guest quarters was quite something.

Of course, given our relationship, they wouldn’t have given us just any ordinary place, but still.

Even accounting for that, it was undeniably luxurious.

I took a brief look around the pond.

The koi swimming inside had beautiful scales on each and every one of them.

The pond was large, and with so many koi, they must have constant upkeep.

“This is just splurging money, pure splurging.”

The maintenance costs alone seemed astronomical.

That was the extent of my appreciation.

My sensibility for such things had dried up long ago, so there were no particular feelings to be had.

Right now, I had more pressing matters to consider.

‘The engagement ceremony is in a few days.’

The engagement ceremony, which I expected to happen immediately upon arrival, was scheduled for a few days later.

Well, it would have been strange to proceed with it immediately while I was exhausted anyway.

‘Why the need for a delay of several days?’

It was a bit puzzling.

I wondered why it was necessary.

Of course, given the awkwardness of waiting for an engagement ceremony,

I suppose I should be grateful for the extra time, but…

‘Several days.’

It was true that the engagement ceremony was postponed due to my personal issues.

But for that reason alone, the Gu family had personally traveled to the Namgung family.

This meant that with everyone’s eyes focused on us, it was quite a concession on our part.

Just the fact that the Gu family had come to the Namgung family…

In the eyes of others, it would mean the male party had traveled to the woman’s household.

They would read unnecessary meaning into it.

‘They’ll probably start spewing nonsense about me being a live-in groom or whatever.’

They might even interpret it as an implicit admission that the Gu family was weaker than the Namgung family.

That’s just how it is.

Giving meaning to every little thing like this.

Damn it, why does this accursed world have to be difficult in every aspect?

Anyway.

Normally, if someone came all the way here in person, telling them to wait several days could be considered quite rude.

Indeed, when I first heard the news.

I saw my father’s expression stiffen slightly.

‘They must be talking right now.’

Since the family heads went to have a discussion.

They were probably talking about this very matter.

As long as the situation was explained properly, there shouldn’t be a problem.

‘Is there something going on?’

I just hope I don’t get entangled in some troublesome situation.

Every time I go somewhere, trouble erupts, so I really wish I could just visit quietly.

Of course, I already knew that things were slightly askew, making a quiet visit unlikely.

‘Damn it.’

It wasn’t about anything else, but the matter concerning the Namgung family head.

What should I do? What must I do?

Judging by his gaze earlier, he didn’t seem like he planned to let me go easily.

Honestly, it was remarkable that I had managed to hold out for over a year.

He knew the flaws in my martial arts.

And he probably thought I was the only one who knew how to fill those gaps.

It was entirely possible, but…

For Namgung Jin, known as the Sword King,

to still have such a craving by now…

He must have practiced the small differences I mentioned using Old Master Shin’s words, but couldn’t progress beyond a certain point.

‘…What should I do?’

I said I would let him know back then.

But that was when Old Master Shin was present.

He was an expert in swordsmanship.

Moreover, he was someone who had directly witnessed Namgung Myung, the Thunderous Heaven Sword, who led the Namgung family’s golden age.

Lamenting the decline of the Namgung family’s swordsmanship.

It was Old Master Shin himself who stepped forward, offering to teach me directly.

Yet, that Old Master Shin was now dormant within my body.

‘But what can I possibly teach him?’

I’ve never held a sword in my life, except for playing with a wooden sword when I was young.

What could I possibly teach Namgung Jin?

‘I’m going crazy.’

Thanks to this, I was worried sick about what excuse I could use to get out of it.

‘Hey. You saw the situation, right? Wake up quickly.’

[…Rung?]

‘Stop pretending you just woke up and wake up Old Master Shin.’

Judging by the immediate reaction to my subtle call.

That beastly fellow wasn’t actually asleep.

‘You saw everything and are pretending not to know?’

[Grrr?]

‘…This is driving me insane.’

That guy, who always played dumb, was incredibly annoying.

But there was a reason I couldn’t push him further, even while he acted like this.

Before Old Master went to sleep in the first place.

We had discussed what would happen if this guy didn’t wake Old Master up.

He clearly said back then.

That after a year had passed.

Old Master would be able to wake up on his own.

It was a promise like that.

If his words were true, then it meant Old Master was likely choosing not to wake up right now.

‘Given the current situation, is there any reason he wouldn’t wake up?’

If Old Master is watching this unfold.

There’s a chance he’s deliberately not waking up just to screw me over….

…Hmm.

‘The probability of that is quite high?’

Thinking back on Old Master’s behavior until now.

He was definitely the type of old man who would do such a thing.

‘It makes me even more annoyed thinking he’d do it just to mess with me.’

I bet he’s probably awake right now, chuckling to himself.

If that’s the case, I wish he’d just wake up already.

‘Even setting aside Namgung Jin’s issue.’

There was another matter that required Old Master Shin to wake up immediately.

‘…I need to ask about the Thunderous Heaven Sword too.’

Back then, when I searched for him in Hanam.

Hwang Abulyeong Cheolyeong, Shin Noy’s friend and a former hero whom I met at Shaolin Temple, had said something.

He said that not only himself, but also Namgung Myung, the Thunderous Heaven Sword, currently possessed consciousness with his soul residing somewhere.

If that statement was true.

Naturally, I assumed he would be within one of the Namgung family’s treasures.

‘…Of course, there are exceptions.’

Considering there was one treasure that roamed outside the clan’s territory, it wasn’t a certainty.

Especially when you consider that Namgung Myung was most likely within that wandering treasure.

‘Thunder Fang (뇌아).’

The divine sword of the Namgung family, known as the fang that contained lightning.

It was used by Namgung Myung, the Thunderous Heaven Sword.

Currently, for reasons unknown, it is possessed by Wudang Guiseon, a martial artist from Wudang.

Furthermore, in my past life, it left Wudang Guiseon’s hands.

And was also used by the Magic Sword Marquis.

‘If a soul were to be imbued, it would naturally seem to be there, but…’

It’s impossible to be completely sure.

Given the fame of the Namgung clan, it’s unlikely they only have one such treasure.

However, the situation is such that I cannot freely go and see those treasures.

‘Whatever the case, Old Master needs to wake up before I can discuss anything.’

Even at this moment, Old Master remained silent.

I don’t think he disappeared.

As always, I could feel Old Master’s presence within my dantian.

He was just very quiet.

“Hoo…”

Under the unusually scorching sun, I let out a deep sigh.

I had only come with a moderate sense of tension,

but it turned out there were more issues tied to the Namgung family than I anticipated.

While racking my brain over the complicated situation.

“Hmm?”

I suddenly turned my head and glanced behind me.

It was an ordinary sight with a few trees, but…

I focused my eyes slightly and peered between them.

‘What is it?’

It was because I felt like something was watching me.

Just in case, I raised my Ki and heightened my sensory perception, but…

“Is it my imagination?”

My Ki sense detected nothing.

Especially considering the spot where I felt the gaze wasn’t far away.

I should have been able to feel it.

I even moved closer to directly examine the spot where I felt it.

Still, only trees stood there, nothing else unusual.

“What the heck, this is creepy.”

It felt too distinct to be mere imagination, but…

No matter how much I searched, there was nothing there.

Just as I was considering searching a bit more.

“Young Master, the banquet starts soon.”

Hongwa appeared from a distance, informing me of the schedule.

“…I’ll be right there.”

“I’ll prepare.”

“Okay.”

In the end, I couldn’t investigate further and moved on,

but my gaze remained fixed on the trees.

For some reason, the start of my first day felt quite unsettling.

---

Inside the Namgung family estate, in the quarters of a certain daughter, there was finally someone after a long time.

The room, empty for the past few years, had its owner return.

“Miss, may I style your hair?”

The maid cautiously spoke to her mistress.

Although she had served the same mistress for nearly ten years,

she actually didn’t know much about her.

She was someone who stayed in her room and disliked people visiting,

or perhaps, she was someone who hid herself away somewhere, concealing her existence.

Even the maid who was closest to her didn’t know much about her.

All she knew was that…

her mistress was an incredibly beautiful person, and…

that she spoke very little.

Although she was technically assigned as her personal attendant,

she was no different from any other maid.

Because her mistress disliked being with people, no one could get close to her.

So, the maid felt an unusual sense of concern for her mistress, who had returned after so long.

However, she had to prepare for the banquet,

and since the Namgung family head had instructed her to ensure proper preparations,

the maid suppressed her trembling and asked her mistress.

As she nervously watched for cues,

the mistress glanced slightly at the maid and spoke.

“…Please do.”

Upon hearing the voice, the maid’s eyes widened considerably.

“Ah…! Yes, yes.”

The maid couldn’t help but be surprised.

It was the first time her mistress had responded verbally.

Not just her face,

but her clearly audible voice was also this beautiful.

The maid’s cautiously extended fingertips…

brushed against the snow-white hair.

She was surprised once by the silky texture of the hair,

and twice by the smooth, white skin that remained pristine despite the summer heat.

‘…Such a refined lady.’

It was a question.

I heard she had even acquired an alias after venturing into the Central Plains, so why…

did the Family Head not favor such a beautiful daughter?

“…Excuse me…”

“Yes?”

As the maid carefully styled her hair and assisted with makeup,

the mistress’s voice surprised the maid once again.

It was the first time she had initiated conversation, too.

“What is it, Miss…?”

Had she made some mistake?

She wondered if it was a major mistake that prompted her mistress to speak first, but…

“Your name…”

“Yes?”

“…What is… your name?”

The mistress asked for the maid’s name.

It was an unexpected question, so she wondered why she was asking, but…

Answering was the priority.

“…Okji. My name is Okji.”

The voice that answered trembled.

The maid felt a bit embarrassed by her rustic name, but…

The mistress remained expressionless upon hearing it.

“Okji.”

“Yes. Miss.”

“…I’ll remember it.”

“Yes…? Ah, yes… Thank you.”

The mistress, Namgung Bi-ah, repeated her maid’s name.

Ten years.

It had been ten years since she first saw this maid, but…

only now did she remember her name.

Despite the considerable time that had passed.

Namgung Bi-ah realized now that she hadn’t known her maid’s name.

No, that wasn’t right.

She hadn’t known because she hadn’t wanted to know.

Namgung Bi-ah closed her eyes, feeling the touch on her hair.

Her life had been like hell, submerged in stench, so…

she hadn’t been in a state to remember anyone.

Now, hearing someone’s name…

she had the leisure to remember it.

“…I’m sorry.”

“Yes?”

Namgung Bi-ah uttered an apology.

An apology to someone whose name she didn’t even know.

She slowly regulated her breathing.

Her own home was still filled with stench, but…

it wasn’t suffocating and life-threatening like before.

This might be because her own cultivation had advanced,

or conversely, it could be because ‘his’ cultivation had advanced.

Whatever the case.

It was still true that she had taken a step away from her hellish life.

“Excuse me…”

“Yes, Miss.”

“…Should I… wear that…?”

Okji looked in the direction Namgung Bi-ah’s hand pointed.

It was a box containing several ornaments,

items the Namgung family gave to their blood relatives to use, but…

Okji had never once seen Namgung Bi-ah wear them.

“Um… what do you mean by ‘good’?”

“Would… a man… like it…?”

With the words whispered shyly,

Okji had to swallow a gasp inwardly.

She had never imagined her mistress would ask something like that.

Her faintly reddened ears and cheeks, perhaps from embarrassment,

and her eyes, which clearly wanted to hear the answer, were so beautiful even to a woman like herself.

Then, a thought struck her.

‘…Does she like her fiancé that much?’

Just how amazing must he be?

For someone like her mistress to wear such an expression.

Okji suddenly became curious.

“Would you like to… try using it?”

“Okay…”

Namgung Bi-ah nodded slightly in response.

She hadn’t paid attention in the past, but…

Now, Namgung Bi-ah knew she was beautiful.

This was just an objective assessment; she didn’t place much significance on it.

Even if others felt it and approached her, it wouldn’t mean much to her.

Only one person.

It was enough if only that person saw her as beautiful.

So, if possible, she wanted to be even more beautiful.

If this was her strength,

she hoped to use it to catch his eye more.

Someone came to Namgung Bi-ah’s mind.

The face of a woman often seen with him recently.

“…”

She was a beautiful person with a cold aura.

Unlike herself, she knew how to dress up.

A cool person admired by others for her abilities.

‘She’s different from me.’

She felt a burgeoning emotion.

And yet, it felt heavy and stifling.

Namgung Bi-ah realized these feelings were jealousy and inadequacy.

Instead of striving for higher swordsmanship to escape the stench,

perhaps now she had the capacity to feel such emotions.

It wasn’t a pleasant feeling.

It felt like the only thing she possessed was the title of his fiancée.

“I have to… try harder.”

“Miss? What did you just say…”

“N-no… it’s nothing…”

Namgung Bi-ah shook her head.

She then recalled another event from earlier that day.

Although those around her seemed oblivious,

when her father and my father were talking…

Namgung Bi-ah had felt another gaze.

Her younger brother’s gaze, seemingly looking at her from afar.

More accurately, it wasn’t a gaze.

It would be more accurate to say she smelled him.

Squeeze.

Just thinking about it made her feel suffocated.

She wanted to believe it was her imagination, but…

something was definitely different.

In the slightly more comfortable stench compared to before,

only her brother’s stench had intensified.

Even though there was a distance, Namgung Bi-ah could clearly feel that difference.

It meant it had worsened considerably.

‘…I hope… nothing happens.’

Namgung Bi-ah closed her eyes and wished for it.

For her younger brother, who had always doted on her,

and for him, who had come to this place.

She truly hoped nothing would happen.

“It’s all done.”

At Okji’s words, Namgung Bi-ah slowly opened her eyes.

She felt an unfamiliar sensation by her ear.

It was probably the earrings she had chosen earlier.

Namgung Bi-ah then took out another ornament from her pocket and asked Okji to put it in her hair.

Okji complied without any particular questions.

The ornament was a hair accessory he had bought for her long ago.

‘…This is enough.’

Then, she felt a sense of peace.

What was so special about a mere ornament?

Namgung Bi-ah slowly stood up.

It was time to head to the banquet hall now.