Chapter 375: Your Father Is Really Scary. (1)

“Haa…!”

My consciousness, lost for just a moment, returned as I snapped my eyes open.

‘So, I ended up losing consciousness?’

Clutching my throbbing head, I had to force myself to catch my breath.

Though it felt like mere moments, there was no telling what might have happened.

Stumbling, I managed to straighten myself up.

That’s when I realized I had been sleeping with my head on something.

Wondering what exactly I had been resting my head on, I turned my head.

“…Huh?”

“…”

I met a rough and terrifying gaze.

It was my father’s shoulder, which I had been resting my head on.

“…”

“…”

I had to spend a moment of silence, locked in a gaze with my father.

‘Shit.’

That was the only thought running through my head.

Judging by the faint mark on my father’s shoulder, I might have even drooled while sleeping.

My father watched me silently, without saying a word.

What is this? Is he expecting me to bow my head? Is this what they mean by being scolded with just a look?

My pupils trembled intensely.

I could feel myself trembling.

Was that goosebumps prickling my back?

It really seemed like goosebumps.

“I’m sorry….”

Rather than making excuses, I decided to say what needed to be said first.

In all my life, I never thought I’d end up sleeping with my head on my father’s shoulder.

My father didn’t say much in response to my apology and turned his head.

Fortunately, it seemed he wasn’t planning to scold me.

‘This bastard….’

My teeth gnashed with an addeuk sound.

I immediately turned my head to check the direction where the Blood Demon had been, but…

The Blood Demon had already vanished moments before. And it wasn’t just the Blood Demon.

The Alliance Leader and the others from the Murim Alliance who had been on the platform had also disappeared moments before.

…Which means?

I shifted my gaze from the platform to look around.

“…”

And I could tell.

The meeting had ended quite some time ago.

Everyone was already walking out.

In other words.

I had slept soundly through the entire meeting.

‘Shit. I’m really screwed.’

Considering I, a member of the Myung family, had been directly summoned to the meeting.

And that I had slept leaning on my father’s shoulder even while the Alliance Leader and the family heads were arguing.

Not only that, but I had slept like a log, drooling, and only woke up after everything was over.

Cold sweat broke out.

I couldn’t help but feel my father’s gaze.

Even as everyone else was leaving, my father lingered here.

Was it because I had been asleep?

I wasn’t sure about that.

After all, I didn’t think my father was the type of person to do that.

“…Yangcheon-ah.”

A pathetic voice called from beside me, and I turned my head.

There stood Cheol Ji-seon, looking pale as a ghost.

“…What’s wrong with you?”

“What’s wrong with me?”

Seeing Cheol Ji-seon’s expression, I had to admit I was quite taken aback.

Putting aside his pale face, his eyes were filled with resentment towards me.

“Yeah, did something happen?”

“…”

Cheol Ji-seon swayed as if his soul had left his body.

Why is he acting like this?

“…Do you know how the meeting went?”

“Don’t you?”

“Of course you don’t! You were asleep…!”

“Uh… yeah. That’s right.”

I replied sheepishly to Cheol Ji-seon’s words.

Regardless of the reason, I had indeed been asleep.

Meanwhile, knowing Cheol Ji-seon’s personality, if he was this angry with me, something major must have happened.

Just as I was about to ask what had happened…

Deureureuk.

My father stood up.

I flinched involuntarily at his action.

“It’s over, so let’s go.”

“…Y-yes, yes.”

It wasn’t me, but Cheol Ji-seon who reacted to my father’s words.

Why is he reacting first?

Watching Cheol Ji-seon quickly get up, I asked.

“What… are you doing?”

What’s wrong with him? Did he get beaten by my father while I wasn’t looking?

Even if I don’t know everything, my father isn’t the type to just beat people up, is he?

“…Let’s go. He said let’s go.”

Cheol Ji-seon even patted my shoulder, urging me to get up quickly.

What the heck is going on?

Bewildered, I also got to my feet.

Seeing the situation, I figured I had to leave for now.

Outside the hall, many people from other families and sects had gathered.

Among them, I could see Madam Mi and Gu Huibi.

And.

‘Who is that person?’

Someone with a familiar face was among them.

When I looked closer, it was none other than the Sect Leader of the Wudang Sect.

An old man known by the sobriquet ‘Wudang Sword Sage’ (무당검선 – Mudang Geomseon).

While I hesitated, my father walked towards him without any hesitation.

The Wudang Sword Sage seemed to notice my father approaching, as he turned his gaze this way.

The old man wasn’t particularly imposing in stature, but…

His gaze held a sharpness that was quite formidable.

“It’s been a while.”

“Have you been well, Clan Head Gu?”

“Yes.”

Seeing them exchange greetings, I slowly walked towards them.

Naturally, I had to offer my greetings as well.

“Greetings, Sect Leader of Wudang.”

The Wudang Sword Sage’s gaze turned towards me upon hearing my greeting.

“This is my son.”

“I see. So, this Young Hero is that Young Yeom-ra?”

“…I am being called that… perhaps too generously.”

I hesitated mid-sentence, not wanting to say it was undeserved.

What annoyed me the most was seeing Gu Huibi trying to stifle her laughter while looking at me.

‘…You crazy sister.’

Just you wait. I know the nickname Gu Huibi will eventually receive.

I’ll tease her like crazy based on this memory.

“I heard you were exceptionally talented, so I was curious. Now that I see you with my own eyes, I understand. Clan Head Gu, you seem blessed with fortunate children.”

“You flatter me.”

“To say it’s flattery would be an understatement.”

Having said that, the Wudang Sword Sage turned his question to me.

“I heard you are friends with our Hyuk.”

“Ah. Yes…. That’s correct.”

The Hyuk the Wudang Sword Sage mentioned was referring to the Hidden Dragon (잠룡 – Jamryong).

Perhaps pleased with my answer, the Wudang Sword Sage nodded.

“Friends are precious in life. Please help our Hyuk well. He’s more lacking than you might think.”

“Yes.”

I couldn’t help but laugh hollowly inside at the Wudang Sword Sage’s words.

It was vastly different from the attitude I received from him in my past life.

What did he say back then?

Something about how minds connect only when levels match?

This was the very old man who had criticized me, saying my level didn’t match the Hidden Dragon’s.

And yet now, he’s asking me to look out for him?

It was truly a moment that made me think of many things.

The Wudang Sword Sage gave a slight smile and shifted his gaze back towards Madam Mi.

It seemed the two of them had business to discuss.

“Well then… I look forward to a favorable response.”

“Yes. I will consider it positively.”

After Madam Mi’s reply, the Wudang Sword Sage bowed and headed towards the exit with his sect members.

From the feel of it, it seemed they were making some kind of deal with the Baekhwa Merchant Guild.

‘Wudang making a deal with the Baekhwa Merchant Guild.’

I wonder what the Wudang Sect, a Taoist sect, could possibly be doing dealing with a merchant guild.

“Yangcheon-ah.”

“Yes?”

“Aren’t you feeling a bit peckish?”

As I pondered this, Madam Mi asked the question out of the blue.

Peckish…?

“Ah, well…. I’m fine.”

My stomach, well, even if it was a bit hungry, my body isn’t the type to have problems after starving for a few days.

So it wasn’t really an issue.

Madam Mi nodded slightly upon hearing my answer.

What is it, did she really just ask if I was hungry?

Just as I was wondering if there was more to it, Madam Mi brought up another topic with my father.

“Yeonseo, you’re coming to pick her up, aren’t you?”

She meant going to pick up Gu Yeonseo, who was staying at the inn.

Her tone sounded like she was asking for his opinion, but…

Somehow, it felt like he couldn’t refuse.

Perhaps sensing this, my father nodded, indicating his agreement.

As I found my father’s reaction unusual, Madam Mi added a word to me.

“After it’s over, we plan to rent out an inn for a meal together.”

“Rent out an inn…?”

“Yes.”

I wondered why one would rent an entire inn just for a meal, but…

It was common knowledge that the Baekhwa Merchant Guild possessed considerable capital, and Madam Mi, its guild leader, must be immensely wealthy.

So that wouldn’t be a problem.

The problem lay with me.

‘This feels uncomfortable.’

As much as I value comfort during meals, there was no situation more uncomfortable for me than a family dinner.

Just as I was wondering if I could slip away discreetly…

“And this time…”

Madam Mi’s gaze towards me darkened menacingly.

“I want everyone to attend.”

It was a clear threat that she wouldn’t let me off if I tried to skip out.

Surely Madam Mi was just an ordinary person with no martial arts cultivation.

Yet, for some reason, I sensed an immense aura emanating from her.

Perhaps because of that?

“…Yes.”

In the end, I had no choice but to nod.

Satisfied, Madam Mi finally turned and headed towards the exit.

Watching her go, I sent a telepathic message to my father, who was about to follow.

-Clan Head-nim.

Uppeuk.

My father stopped upon receiving my telepathic message.

Although he didn’t turn around to look at me, I knew my father was waiting for me to continue.

-After the meal. Could you spare me some time?

I had many things I wanted to ask my father, so I didn’t hesitate.

-About Mother. I have questions for you, Clan Head-nim.

“…”

Upon hearing about Mother, my father turned his head slightly, meeting my eyes.

I still couldn’t discern any particular emotion in my father’s eyes.

His gaze was that calm.

My father watched me quietly for a moment.

-Alright.

With his assent, he started walking towards Madam Mi again.

Only after hearing his reply could I finally exhale the breath I had been holding.

I wondered why asking for a moment of his time had made me so tense.

It was enough to make me sweat.

“Haa….”

Honestly, this was harder than fighting someone.

And just as exhausting.

‘Anyway… that’s settled… what’s left is.’

It seems like the matter with my father is settled somehow.

Now, there was only one thing left.

I looked over at Cheol Ji-seon, who was standing blankly beside me.

“Hey.”

“Huh…?”

“Now, tell me.”

“Hmm?”

“About the meeting.”

The details of the meeting, which I had slept through drooling and hadn’t heard at all.

“What happened?”

I needed to hear from Cheol Ji-seon about what had occurred during the meeting.