Chapter 321: Practical Training. (1)

The incident occurred at the point where dawn was transitioning into morning.

Perhaps it was because the elemental training had become more frequent lately.

As a result, I had been sleeping in more.

Since it felt a bit much to force myself awake.

I had also told Pae Woo-cheol to wake me up later if possible.

I thought this day was no different.

“Hyungnim…. Hyungnim.”

Hearing the sound, I casually opened my eyes.

Thinking it was about time to get up.

My body felt heavy as I tried to lift it.

It had been particularly like this lately.

I wondered if my physical condition was strange, but I didn’t feel anything particularly off.

It seemed mostly due to mental fatigue.

“…Hoo.”

I let out a deep sigh and sat up.

Even though I didn’t want to, I had to get up.

As I pushed myself up and barely opened my eyes.

Someone appeared before me.

Is it Pae Woo-cheol?

Or perhaps another housemate?

“…Hm?”

Surprisingly, it was neither.

If it were Pae Woo-cheol, he wouldn’t have such a delicate body.

I rubbed my eyes, which wouldn’t open easily, and looked at the person.

The sunlight filtering through the window frame was warm. The light descending through the frame seemed to indicate morning.

It felt as if it were illuminating only one person completely.

“…You.”

Kneeling on both knees.

The one who greeted me in a demure posture was none other than Wi Seol-ah.

Her subtly golden-brown hair and.

Golden eyes, which seemed half-closed, caught my attention.

No, this isn’t right.

Now isn’t the time to be admiring Wi Seol-ah’s appearance.

‘Why is she here?’

I wondered if it was a dream, but it wasn’t.

The situation confirmed it.

Not just Pae Woo-cheol. The men gathered in the room had stopped their movements.

And were staring at Wi Seol-ah.

Their pupils were all shaking.

Their frozen state, as if unsure of what to do, was striking.

What the heck.

What is this situation?

I immediately looked at Pae Woo-cheol, who had woken me.

That big guy seemed just as flustered by the situation,

but noticing my gaze, he quickly approached and whispered in my ear.

It seemed he wasn’t yet at the level where he could use telepathy.

“What’s going on here?”

“…She suddenly said she had business with you, Hyungnim….”

“Did you open the door for her?”

“When I said you were sleeping… she said the noona would wait inside….”

“Even so, you actually let her in? There are several guys here.”

And what’s with the ‘noona’ anyway?

Wi Seol-ah must be several years younger than Pae Woo-cheol.

I was even younger than Pae Woo-cheol.

Didn’t Pae Woo-cheol exceed the age of twenty?

“…I apologize. It was sudden for me too.”

While Pae Woo-cheol awkwardly scratched the back of his head.

Wi Seol-ah, who had been silent, interjected.

“I insisted on coming in. Young Master Pae is not at fault.”

Hearing ‘Young Master Pae’ come from Wi Seol-ah’s lips.

Pae Woo-cheol’s face lit up.

He looked pleased.

Thwack-!

“Gkuh!?”

Not liking his expression, I lightly kicked Pae Woo-cheol’s shin.

His large body immediately crumpled, and he clutched his shin.

He’s such a baby, kicking so lightly.

“You’re quite the actor, aren’t you, my Woo-cheol.”

“…Hyungnim, I think it actually cracked?”

I ignored Pae Woo-cheol, who spoke with a tearful face.

Leaving Pae Woo-cheol aside, I looked back at Wi Seol-ah.

“What is it?”

“…I have something to say to you, Gongja-nim.”

Something to say.

‘She said she needed time to think.’

The end of my conversation with Wi Seol-ah the other day.

Was her asking for time, saying she needed to think.

How many days had passed since then?

I had decided to respect Wi Seol-ah’s request.

After staying put for a few days like that.

Wi Seol-ah came to find me herself.

That part is fine.

Everything is fine, but.

The problem is why she came so early in the morning.

“What is it you wanted to say?”

I regretted it the moment I spoke.

It’s nice to see you after so long. You look quite healthy.

Did you eat breakfast?

I should have asked such trivial things politely.

But the tone that came out of my mouth was incredibly brusque.

I figured this wouldn’t change even until I died.

To my question.

Wi Seol-ah’s head tilted up slightly.

Her golden eyes were looking directly at me.

The innocent gaze she had when she served me.

Seemed to remain slightly,

but it was almost gone.

The thought that it was a little disappointing crossed my mind.

My head was still hazy.

Should I say I felt somewhat dazed?

My body had reached its peak, so I shouldn’t be overwhelmed with fatigue just from lack of sleep.

It had been a bit strange lately.

Deciding it wouldn’t do, just as I was about to circulate my internal energy to drive out the fatigue.

Wi Seol-ah spoke to me.

“I like you.”

“…Huh?”

Hearing the voice in my ear.

I unintentionally let out a foolish sound.

“What did you just….”

“I like you.”

As if I had misheard.

Ignoring my attempt to ask again.

Her words, spoken once more as if to confirm, hit me.

Something heavy dropped into my foggy mind, scattering the haze.

“You….”

Wi Seol-ah, having spoken, had a composed expression.

Seeing that, I was stunned for a few seconds.

What should I say?

My mind was filled with such thoughts, and no words came out.

Breaking through the invisible wall blocking my mouth.

I finally managed to ask a question.

“What is this sudden declaration?”

My voice was trembling slightly as I spoke.

“I’ve finished thinking.”

“Thinking?”

“Yes. Thinking.”

She said she had many concerns.

And asked for time to think.

And this is the answer she gives?

What is this?

Could this really be a dream? That seemed more realistic.

‘What is this…?’

I observed Wi Seol-ah as she spoke. Looking closely, I finally noticed.

Wi Seol-ah’s ears, which she wore a composed expression.

Were flushed a bright red.

“…”

Seeing that, I met Wi Seol-ah’s eyes again.

“Well….”

I felt I had to say something, so I repeated words in my mind.

In those brief seconds, I thought of thousands of possible answers, searching for just the right word.

Just as I was about to speak it aloud.

“So, that’s how it is…. Please take care of me from now on.”

Before I could utter my chosen word, Wi Seol-ah suddenly said that.

She bowed her head deeply, then abruptly stood up.

“Uh… huh?”

Her visible ears were even redder.

I tried to call out to Wi Seol-ah urgently, but she quickly moved her feet and bolted.

She was so fast I couldn’t even call her name.

“What the….”

Only after Wi Seol-ah’s footsteps running down the hallway faded away outside the door.

Could I begin to comprehend the situation that had just unfolded.

‘What did she just say?’

Did she say she liked me?

I was sure she did.

While I stammered as if malfunctioning.

“Hyungnim.”

Pae Woo-cheol casually spoke to me.

“…Uh… uh… why?”

It seemed not just my head but my mouth had frozen, as my reply didn’t come out normally.

Pae Woo-cheol had a serious expression.

He slightly lowered his head and spoke again.

“Excuse me…. Hyungnim.”

“Speak.”

“…May I hit you just once?”

“Go ahead…. What the hell?”

Seeing my scowl, Pae Woo-cheol quickly backed away.

This must have been the turning point.

Wi Seol-ah’s behavior becoming somewhat strange.

---

I skipped morning training, naturally.

After attending the theory lecture.

Lunchtime arrived quickly.

I heard there was something messy packed into the afternoon training.

It seemed like an early lunch for that purpose.

Whatever, I don’t mind.

“What’s for lunch today?”

“I don’t know….”

“Yeah, I’m used to that too now.”

Asking Pae Woo-cheol, who probably hadn’t memorized it anyway.

Had become a minor routine.

From my perspective, he eats everything well, whatever comes out, so it was clear he wasn’t memorizing it.

“I think I heard it was meat.”

“Then you won’t be able to eat it.”

“The old saying goes, ‘You shouldn’t skip meals.'”

While chatting with Pae Woo-cheol, Jamryong subtly joined in.

Starting a few days ago, Jamryong began joining us for meals, pretending not to notice.

Although I wasn’t actively stopping him.

There was a slight issue.

“…Can you please pay some attention to how others look at you?”

“I didn’t expect you to say that to me.”

Jamryong said, sounding incredulous.

I let out a deep sigh.

The reason I brought this up was simple.

As Jamryong is strictly affiliated with the Taoist sect.

There’s a separate meal distribution for those who cannot eat meat.

But this guy is shamelessly piling meat onto his plate….

“Hey…. Your fellow disciples look like they want to kill you?”

“Fellow disciples? They’re just strangers. Don’t mind them. I’m an only child, you know.”

No, they look like disciples of the Wudang sect?

Every time this happens, I wondered if Jamryong was truly crazy.

Living like this, why haven’t they kicked him out of Wudang?

‘…Is it because of his talent?’

Could that really be it?

After all, talent like Jamryong’s isn’t something you can just find anywhere.

It would be a waste to kick him out just for causing trouble.

“Oh! Chicken.”

Look at him, excited because meat is served.

I wonder if he’s really a Taoist practitioner.

‘…According to Elder Shin, Huang-a Bulyeong of Shaolin also ate grilled meat and drank alcohol when he was young.’

In fact, compared to people who act pure on the outside but act foolishly behind the scenes.

It’s possible that Jamryong, living instinctively like this, might be purer.

“Hyungnim….”

“Why.”

“Aren’t you taking too much? You don’t look like you can finish it.”

“If there’s leftovers, you’ll eat them.”

“That sounds like a very good idea.”

Pae Woo-cheol grinned at my words.

As we walked around in a group like this, I could hear whispers from behind.

-Did Jamryong really join that group…?

-Cheol-cheol-yang? Even Wudang’s Jamryong was swayed. How could this happen…!

-Wait. Cheol-cheol-yang? Wasn’t it Cheol-yang-cheol?

-That’s not the important part.

-The name isn’t important?

-I heard Geom-ryong is also hanging out with Jin-ryong lately….

“No way?”

-Then what about Gwang-yeon Cheol Ji-seon, who commands three of the Six Dragons….

Rumors that made my head spin were spreading.

Meanwhile, the rumors about Gwang-yeon Cheol Ji-seon just wouldn’t die.

No wonder Cheol Ji-seon gets so angry.

It seemed I wasn’t the only one hearing these rumors.

Jamryong, while calmly getting his food, chuckled.

“So now, are we Cheol-yang-cheol-hyeok?”

“You’re sneakily adding to it.”

“So what? It’s just a made-up thing, so why not include one more?”

Hearing him say it was just made up.

It seemed he knew I was joking back then.

As expected, his intuition is damn fast.

“But is it really okay?”

To my question, Jamryong tilted his head slightly.

He looked like he didn’t understand what I meant.

“If you get involved like this, it might cause trouble later.”

“Ah.”

I knew well how much the Wudang sect leader cared about others’ opinions and reputation.

Especially since Jamryong was favored by such a sect leader.

Would he really approve of him hanging out with troublemakers like us?

That was my question, but.

“I don’t care. It’s fun, isn’t it?”

Jamryong remained nonchalant. As expected, this guy is definitely not normal.

“And.”

“Hm?”

“Being able to eat quietly is a huge blessing.”

“Look at the crowd in the dining hall. Do you think you can eat quietly?”

Since we arrived a bit late, it was already crowded.

Quietly? Bullshit.

At my words, Jamryong chuckled.

And took more food.

He even took more meat.

I shook my head at the sight.

Finding seats was never difficult.

Because Moyong Hi-ah, quick in these matters, had already secured a spot in a corner of the dining hall.

The ones gathered there were three of the Four Great Families. Since it was a gathering of young ladies from the Namgung, Moyong, and Tang clans.

It was extremely rare for anyone to join their table.

Even if someone tried to join.

A few sharp words from Moyong Hi-ah or Tang Soyeol would usually make them retreat.

Occasionally, Peng Ah-hee would appear and eat with Tang Soyeol, but.

Even that was rare.

Ultimately, the remaining seat was confirmed for me, who had just appeared.

“What are you doing?”

“Hm?”

Just as I was about to sit down, as always.

Moyong Hi-ah’s cold voice flew towards me.

“Doing what?”

“Why are you sitting down without permission?”

She was colder than usual.

The already cold girl had become even colder.

What’s wrong?

“Hmph….”

Seeing her turn her head away sharply, I realized I must have done something wrong… Ah.

Due to Moyong Hi-ah’s sudden change in attitude, I finally understood.

“Sorry, I had something going on back then.”

The last time I had asked to meet Moyong Hi-ah because I had something to discuss.

It was because I had broken my appointment with Moyong Hi-ah due to Cheol Ji-seon’s summons.

She seemed to be angry about it.

Right, I hadn’t gone to see her after that.

…She has a point.

“Sorry.”

As I apologized once more, Moyong Hi-ah turned her head back towards me.

“…Next time, I’ll really get angry.”

She seemed somewhat appeased by my apology.

She forgives surprisingly easily.

In my past life, I was caught like a rat.

After her words, I apologized again.

And sat in the empty seat in front of them.

Jamryong and Pae Woo-cheol, who had been watching, also sat down.

I naturally sat next to Namgung Bi-ah, who was half asleep.

When Jamryong tried to sit next to me,

Namgung Bi-ah subtly got up and gestured.

The gesture was directed at Jamryong.

“There… seat…. is.”

“…Hm?”

“Seat. Is there.”

“Ah, there is a seat. My apologies.”

At Namgung Bi-ah’s indication, Jamryong moved one seat over.

A seat? Is someone else coming?

“Who else is supposed to come?”

“…Mm….”

After saying that, Namgung Bi-ah leaned her face on my shoulder again, looking sleepy.

Her fine hair got in the way while eating,

but since this kept happening, I barely paid it any mind anymore.

While I was naturally eating.

Moyong Hi-ah, sitting opposite, suddenly spoke to Jamryong.

“It’s been a while.”

She said it with a smile,

but somehow, there were thorns in her words.

Jamryong seemed to feel it too, as he coughed dryly mid-meal.

“…Kuhum. Your voice sounds quite different, doesn’t it?”

“It’s natural when the person is different.”

“…Ah, yes. Well… It’s nice to see you again, Young Lady Moyong. My greetings are a bit late.”

At Jamryong’s words, Moyong Hi-ah took a sip of tea.

What’s with these two? Have they met before?

“When I visited, you said you had no intention of going or joining either side.”

“…Well. Indeed, human affairs are unpredictable, aren’t they?”

Ah.

‘Well, she said she was gathering disciples for the Guandao… is that it?’

Among the factions spreading within the Dragon Hall, the largest is Moyong Hi-ah’s.

Scholars stick with scholars.

Merchants stick with merchants.

Apparently, people with similar backgrounds tend to group together.

When I first arrived, Moyong Hi-ah mentioned she was gathering people like that too.

It seemed she had approached Jamryong as well.

Jamryong apparently refused to join.

After saying he wouldn’t go anywhere.

It seemed she wasn’t pleased that he ended up here.

“My apologies.”

Jamryong apologized, which was rare.

Moyong Hi-ah closed the fan she was carrying and smiled slightly.

“It’s alright. It would be fortunate if it’s towards Young Master Gu, rather.”

“…Haha.”

“If you had gone elsewhere, I would have buried you….”

“Hm? What did you say?”

“Just kidding. Hoho.”

From my perspective, she was definitely not kidding.

It was the closest to the truth among Moyong Hi-ah’s words I’d heard before.

Jamryong also seemed to sense the danger, as a slight sheen of sweat appeared on his brow.

Even that crazy guy seems quite intimidated by Moyong Hi-ah.

Then again, in my past life, Jamryong always avoided her too.

When he got caught after causing trouble, he’d sell me out.

…Thinking about it makes me angry.

I felt like I had a fire burning inside.

Just as I was about to take a sip of water Namgung Bi-ah poured.

Creak.

Someone sat down next to me.

Namgung Bi-ah said there was someone else coming.

Is that who it is?

I looked up, wondering who it was.

Along with the presence, I sensed a familiar floral scent.

“Oh.”

It was Wi Seol-ah, who had visited me that morning.

She always avoided eating with me whenever I visited her.

What’s the occasion today?

As the question arose, I examined the food she brought.

‘She brought food like a mountain.’

Every side dish was in large quantities.

Wi Seol-ah seemed to notice me looking,

and said with a slight blush.

“…Because you said it’s good to eat a lot….”

It was because I kept telling her to eat more.

She brought a lot.

“If, if you don’t like it. Should I take some out?”

“Take what out? You have to eat it all.”

“…Yes.”

Reassured by my words, Wi Seol-ah sat down and started eating.

There was no mention of what happened earlier,

she just ate.

I wondered if Wi Seol-ah had already forgotten,

but her ears, redder than in the morning, proved otherwise.

‘…Did Namgung Bi-ah call her?’

Since Namgung Bi-ah was the one who said someone else was coming.

She must have known.

Namgung Bi-ah simply closed her eyes and leaned on my shoulder.

“…I thought we were short one person, so I was happy. Tsk.”

In the meantime, Moyong Hi-ah quietly whispered.

It was an uncomfortable mealtime, whether they knew it or not.