Chapter 378: Baekcheon Sword Master. (2)

Truly, a person is whatever they make of themselves.

This was the thought that immediately came to mind upon seeing the White Heaven Sword Lord suddenly appear.

When he only wore rags, he was just a middle-aged man with a certain vibe.

To think a person could change so much just by wearing neat clothes and adopting a slightly put-together demeanor.

It was truly fascinating.

‘Wait, that’s not the point.’

Now wasn’t the time to be judging the opponent’s appearance.

The important thing was why he was here at this time.

The White Heaven Sword Lord, Moyong Tae, was glaring at me, exuding a murderous aura.

Seeing that, I asked Moyong Tae.

“…Why are you here, Moyong Family Head-nim…?”

“I came out for a night stroll.”

Moyong Tae’s words left me with a dumbfounded expression.

While emitting that kind of killing intent?

Moyong Tae’s current appearance was anything but that of someone out for a stroll, no matter who looked.

‘No way, does that guy really intend to kill me?’

The thought suddenly crossed my mind, but I dismissed it as unlikely.

Surely, a head of one of the Four Great Families wouldn’t suddenly show up alone like this to attempt an assassination.

He would surely realize that causing trouble like this in Hanam would lead to consequences he couldn’t handle later.

Moyong Tae would know that better than I would.

Thinking that far, I offered Moyong Tae a slight bow.

“…Understood. It was an honor to meet you, Moyong Family Head-nim. May your stroll be pleasant.”

First, let’s get out of here.

Deciding that, I tried to move my feet.

But when I turned around.

Swish-!

A brief gust of wind brushed past my face.

Shhhk-!

A chilling sound was heard, and where the wind had passed, trees were sliced and fell.

“Young Hero.”

“…”

Moyong Tae’s call made me turn my head.

He had drawn his sword and was looking at me.

A subtle sword aura and killing intent mixed, amplifying his presence.

Seeing that, I couldn’t help but swallow hard.

“I have not yet received an answer.”

“…What… answer are you referring to?”

“The answer to the question of whether you can tell me your name now, Young Hero. You haven’t given it yet.”

An answer about my name?

‘He probably already knows.’

Moyong Tae must already know everything, yet he asks for an answer?

“…”

I wondered if it was some kind of game, but Moyong Tae’s eyes were serious.

Was that sword strike just now also serious?

Regardless, the chilling atmosphere wouldn’t change.

‘No matter how I look at it, he’s not in a good state.’

It felt extremely awkward.

How should I handle this situation?

‘Father?’

Father would arrive soon.

If that happened, this situation would be resolved, but…

The awkwardness would still remain.

As I was buried in various thoughts.

“If you’re not going to answer, it’s fine not to.”

Moyong Tae slowly sheathed his sword.

What? He looked like he’d kill me any second, is he just planning to leave?

So easily?

Chak.

Moyong Tae’s blade completely disappeared into its sheath.

Seeing that, I suddenly asked a question.

“If I don’t answer, what happens?”

Hearing my question, Moyong Tae’s sharp eyes turned towards me.

The sword aura was ominous.

“I will return as things are.”

Moyong Tae’s answer gave me a strange feeling. Isn’t that good then?

Just as I thought that.

“Of course, I will take my daughter with me as well.”

“…!”

“The contract made with Gu Family will be fulfilled as is, so there will be no problem. The merchant guilds established in Shanxi will also not be revoked, so you don’t need to worry.”

“…Then, what about your daughter’s chronic illness?”

The reason the Moyong Family had provided much help to the Gu Family, and the reason Moyong Hi-ah had been sticking with me until now.

It was to treat Moyong Hi-ah’s illness.

That treatment was still ongoing.

But, taking Moyong Hi-ah away like this… meant he wouldn’t continue that treatment anymore.

To my unsolicited concern, Moyong Tae replied in a rather cold tone.

“That is a matter for our family to handle. Young Hero, you don’t need to concern yourself with it.”

“…”

It was a valid point.

Literally, it was the Moyong Family’s business, so it wasn’t something an outsider like me should worry about.

However, a strange sensation pricking my chest began to tickle my insides.

I felt quite foul.

“So, I will ask one last time. Your name, Young Hero. Can you tell it to me?”

“…If I tell you, what happens?”

“…”

The fact that simply saying my name or not was the choice presented here…

…meant introducing myself held significant meaning for Moyong Tae.

I wanted to know the reason. Moyong Tae looked at me for a moment, then placed his hand on the sword hilt.

And said:

“I do not like you, Young Hero.”

“…”

Instead of an answer, what I heard was a sudden declaration of dislike.

“I believe you know the reason.”

“…Yes.”

“Even so. If my daughter desires it so much, and you are the only way for her to live, I believe I must endure it.”

“Then….”

“However.”

Srrrng.

The sword that was just sheathed was drawn once more.

At that moment, sword aura spread throughout the surroundings.

Facing the energy sent a tingling resonance through my entire body.

White Heaven Sword Lord Moyong Tae.

Although he was the head of a prestigious family known as one of the Four Great Families.

He was said to be the least skilled among them in martial arts.

Nevertheless, the fact that the White Heaven Sword Lord was the head of one of the Four Great Families was not a lie.

‘I feel like I could be cut just by his aura.’

The sword aura flowing from him alone was this sharp.

It made sense that he was called a Sword Master who once vied for the title of Sword King in the past.

“I have no intention of entrusting anything to someone who cannot even confidently speak their own name.”

“…”

“Even if it is for that child’s happiness. I cannot accept it.”

His presence grew stronger. Reaching this point, it was impossible not to understand.

If I spoke my name here, the White Heaven Sword Lord would point his sword at me.

Whether it was some kind of test, or if he genuinely wanted to beat me up badly, I didn’t know.

What the White Heaven Sword Lord had said was particularly weighing on my mind.

-I cannot entrust anything to someone who cannot even confidently speak their own name.

In the first place, I have no memory of taking Moyong Hi-ah under my care, nor did I do anything to be responsible for. Even if I did, it was in a past life.

By now, it’s all forgotten memories.

It’s just something only I hold onto.

Moreover, I pride myself on not having done anything to be persecuted by the White Heaven Sword Lord now.

Why do I have to feel so uncomfortable?

Is it because I don’t want Moyong Hi-ah to leave?

Why? Because Moyong Hi-ah harbors feelings for me? Because, unlike in my past life, our relationship is becoming slightly better?

Or perhaps, because I need her, who tries to help me with her sharp mind?

“…”

My insides felt hot.

I tried to find the answer, but nothing resonated.

The reason was simple.

Because I already knew the answer but was trying to find a different one.

“I’ll ask one last time.”

Moyong Tae asked me, pointing his sword.

I knew it.

That answering with my name here would be a disadvantage.

The moment I spoke it, I would have to give a definitive answer regarding Moyong Hi-ah.

Furthermore, I might have to exchange blows (武) with the White Heaven Sword Lord.

No, that guy would definitely fight.

I could already feel it in his eyes.

To think I have to fight a madman pointing his sword at a junior who hasn’t even lived half his life.

What kind of dog-shit situation is this?

I am in no state to want unnecessary fights.

Especially since I don’t even know my current physical condition.

Thus, there were more than enough reasons not to do it, and more than enough reasons why I didn’t have to.

“What is your name, Young Hero?”

“…”

Just one flimsy reason crushed all of those.

It was a truly selfish reason.

The selfish and narrow-minded reason that I don’t want Moyong Hi-ah to leave.

That pathetic greed pushed aside all reason.

Therefore, when the Moyong Family Head spoke like this.

The choice I had was essentially just one from the start.

Taking a steady breath, I slowly spoke. My breathing relaxed, and the tension left my body.

Along with this, I raised my hand and formed a fist-and-palm salute.

“…A blood relative of the Gu Family of Shanxi greets the Moyong Family Head-nim.”

Hearing my words, Moyong Tae’s gaze wavered.

“My name is Gu Yangcheon. Though undeservedly….”

Watching the subtly trembling tip of his sword.

I drew the internal energy within my body.

Heat spread throughout my entire body.

As the internal energy surged from the middle dantian to the upper dantian.

I could feel my head heating up automatically.

“I… am being called Little Yama.”

It was still a nickname I found awkward to say aloud. So much so that my ears turned red the moment I uttered it.

“…”

Seeing my condition, Moyong Tae’s eyes widened like saucers.

As I showed my presence, heated up to the upper dantian.

Moyong Tae also realized what level I had reached.

Seeing Moyong Tae like that, I opened my mouth.

“If it’s alright with you, Moyong Family Head-nim.”

Heat escaped with my breath.

I knew without checking that my eyes must be glowing red.

Feeling the boiling heat.

“I request that you impart a lesson to this junior.”

I challenged Moyong Tae to a sparring match.

Moyong Tae said nothing in response to my words.

He merely looked at me and straightened the tip of his sword slightly.

And then.

Kwooooooong-!

A dense killing intent began to radiate from Moyong Tae’s body.

I took a stance. Hwarureuk-! Flames enveloped my body.

The number of rings for the Nine Flame Wheel Technique had increased by one upon reaching the Hwa-gyeong.

I expanded the rings.

The moment my body was fully enveloped in crimson flames.

I pushed off the ground first and charged at Moyong Tae.