Chapter 4: Why Are You Here? (2)

Why Are You Coming Out of There? 2

One day, even as I got older, I was still causing trouble.

There was a time when even I, looking back, thought I had caused a bit too much trouble.

It was a major incident where my father, whose expression was usually impassive no matter what happened, showed a rare look of anger, and the steward, who was endlessly lenient towards the clan’s blood relatives, even reprimanded me directly.

As punishment from the clan for that, I had to be sent to the Five Swords Sect, led by my eldest sister, and be put through the wringer for over half a year.

Of course, this damn personality of mine didn’t subside just because of that.

It was there that I properly encountered Wi Seol-ah.

It must have been a fated encounter, a bad one, for her.

And such a meeting should have happened at least half a year later, if not more.

But why is Wi Seol-ah, who should have been there, in front of me, and in my quarters no less?

The moment the sun rose and I opened the door, I nearly shat myself and collapsed upon seeing the face.

Is this a dream? Is this really a dream? Yeah, this must be a dream.

“Yeah, I did stay up late yesterday.”

It must be because I’m tired.

This is why people need sleep.

Without any lingering thoughts, I turned to go back into my quarters when I felt someone firmly pull me.

Turning around, I saw Wi Seol-ah pulling on my clothes with her slender hand.

…No way, is this real?

“I…I…”

As Wi Seol-ah stammered, trying to say something, someone appeared and slapped Wi Seol-ah’s hand.

“Ouch!”

Wi Seol-ah, letting out a short scream while clutching her stung hand, was pushed back.

My eyes widened upon seeing the person who appeared.

Wi Seol-ah alone was baffling enough, but the Sword Master (劍尊) Wi Hyo-gun was there too.

‘…Sh, shit, that startled me.’

I almost blurted out a curse without realizing it.

If I had actually cursed, I might have died of a heart attack right then and there.

Wi Hyo-gun said to Wi Seol-ah with a stern expression.

“You, Wi-ah! Didn’t your grandpa clearly tell you not to act recklessly towards the young master!”

…What?

What did he just say…?

“Hurry up and apologize.”

“I’m sorry. Grandpa…”

“Hmph! You must apologize to the young master!”

“I-I’m sorry. Young Master!”

“….”

What the hell is this crap?

As I couldn’t get my bearings amidst the storm of events, Wi Hyo-gun bowed his head towards me. Why are you doing this, really…

“I am Wi Mun, who, having received a favor from the Clan Head, will be assisting the young master starting today. I may be a frail old man and perhaps not to your liking, but I will do my utmost, so please take good care of me.”

Wi Mun? Not Wi Hyo-gun?

Wi Hyo-gun glanced at Wi Seol-ah, and Wi Seol-ah hastily assumed a demure posture.

“Fr-from now on, I, Wi Seol-ah, will be assisting the young master along with my grandfather. I ask for your kind consideration.”

Assisting? Who is assisting whom…?

“Me…?”

A wave of dizziness washed over me, blurring my vision. For a moment, I really felt like I was losing my mind.

How am I supposed to understand this insane situation?

Who is the Sword Master Wi Hyo-gun?

He is one of the Three Revered Ones of the World (天下三尊). They are chosen as the strongest among the countless martial artists in the Central Plains.

Among them, the Sword Master’s achievements were so numerous that it was overwhelming just to list them.

The Black Dragon Sword, known as the Overlord of the Demonic Sects, couldn’t even last ten bouts against the Sword Master before dying, and he was a swordsman who started as a ronin, accumulating achievements until he eventually rose to become the leader of the orthodox sects, the Martial Alliance Leader.

Leaving behind clans and sects like Namgung and Moyong, Mount Hua and Wudang, which had made names for themselves as sword schools.

He was a sword master called the Number One Sword of the Central Plains (中原第一劍) through his own strength.

At a time when the Heavenly Demon has not appeared in the Central Plains, he might very well be the strongest person in the world.

‘But suddenly, he wants to assist me?’

Why?

Why would he need to go this far, even using a pseudonym to hide his identity?

The Three Revered Ones would be welcomed with open arms anywhere among the Four Great Clans, even if they barged in at dawn.

There was no need for him to hide his identity and work as a servant in a place like this.

Receiving a favor from Gu Cheol-un…

It must mean Gu Cheol-un sent him.

‘Does Father know about this?’

This never happened in my previous life.

Back then, seeing Wi Hyo-gun was merely a fleeting encounter.

And even that, he probably didn’t think highly of me due to the messes I had screwed up.

My head hurt.

I had planned to just maintain the original flow and endure until the end of the War of Righteousness and Evil (정마대전).

The moment I made up my mind, the future I knew became twisted.

I looked at Wi Hyo-gun cautiously.

He appeared to be a small old man with a benevolent smile. If I hadn’t seen him even briefly in my previous life, I would have mistaken him for an ordinary old man.

Moreover, even now, if Wi Seol-ah weren’t here, I might have thought he was just an old man who looked similar.

‘What should I do.’

What should I ask?

Should I demand to know why they’re here? That seems a bit strange.

Pretending to know about Wi Hyo-gun’s identity would be even stranger.

So, should I act like I don’t know, even though I do?

What scares me the most is that if they are here now, perhaps many things might change.

‘Shit, where did it all go wrong?’

The only difference was that I had treated Wi Seol-ah kindly in the marketplace, unlike in the past.

But could something like that alone lead to this situation?

Should I perhaps revert to my old personality and cause a ruckus, saying I don’t need this old man or this brat?

It was when countless thoughts filled my head.

“My granddaughter…”

While I was confused, Wi Hyo-gun spoke.

“My granddaughter is still naive about the ways of the world and may seem lacking to the young master, but she is a quick learner, so I will educate her well so she can quickly gain your favor.”

At those words, I saw Wi Seol-ah holding onto Wi Hyo-gun’s robe.

Between her unkempt hair, her trembling eyes were slightly visible.

What is the source of the anxiety I see in Wi Seol-ah?

Wi Seol-ah, meeting my gaze, spoke.

“I’ll work hard…. I’ll really work hard….”

Why is she so earnest?

Why did they come to me, leaving my father’s or Gu Yeonseo’s residence?

In the end, I couldn’t help but open my mouth.

“No… Yes, I ask for your kind consideration.”

I can’t see the answer.

I had a feeling this life was screwed from the very beginning.

Wi Hyo-gun asked me to speak more casually, but…

That was probably asking too much.

---

“Are you truly alright with this?”

At the time Gu Yangcheon was practicing the Gu-Yeom Hwa-ryun Gong in his quarters.

Gu Cheol-un was having a conversation with him by a single candle in his quarters.

“What wouldn’t work? We’re not in a position to be picky about water or fire.”

“Elder, you know that if you wished it, not only the Four Great Clans but even the Alliance Leader would offer their help. There’s no need for you to go through such hardship…”

“I don’t consider this hardship, Clan Head Gu.”

Wi Hyo-gun picked up the long-cold teacup and slowly drank.

“This little thing can hardly be called hardship. I can do much more for my granddaughter. In fact, if we can avoid it like this, it might even be considered fortunate.”

“Elder.”

“Rather, I feel sorry that you, Clan Head Gu, have been burdened with a heavy request due to your connection with this useless old man.”

“Elder, I…”

“I heard that Shaolin and Wudang are looking for Seol-ah. This puts an immense debt upon you.”

Looking into Wi Hyo-gun’s eyes, Gu Cheol-un couldn’t say anything further.

“Actually, Clan Head Gu, I hadn’t even intended to seek you out. Wudang, Shaolin, what does it matter? If I decided to hole up in the mountains, even that bald monk with the Heavenly Eye wouldn’t be able to find me.”

“…Then why?”

“It’s the greed of a dying old man. I thought living alone with an old man like me wouldn’t necessarily be happy for Seol-ah, so I hoped she could experience the world just a little.”

“If that’s the case, you should at least stay at my residence. Although he is my son, that child is quite lacking.”

Gu Cheol-un couldn’t understand why Wi Hyo-gun insisted on staying in the quarters of his own son, Gu Yangcheon.

Unlike his daughters, Gu Yangcheon, being a boy, was still immature.

As a father, I wanted to correct his twisted nature, but I lacked the time due to the continuous incidents.

Moreover, when I heard they had encountered each other in the marketplace, wasn’t it I who apologized first to Wi Hyo-gun, fearing Gu Yangcheon might have said something inappropriate?

At Gu Cheol-un’s words, Wi Hyo-gun chuckled heartily.

“I had heard rumors and was worried too, but wasn’t he a much more well-behaved child? You seem to be quite ambitious for your children, more than meets the eye, Clan Head Gu.”

Wi Hyo-gun had also heard rumors about the Gu family’s third child after arriving in Shanxi.

How else could rumors about the Gu family’s young master’s violent personality have spread throughout Shanxi?

Wi Hyo-gun wondered if the Clan Head, who was so blessed with daughters, had no luck with sons.

Encountering Gu Yangcheon in the marketplace during that time was purely coincidental.

It was because I couldn’t stop my granddaughter, who was excited after a long time, and let her run.

It was then that I saw my granddaughter speak to a boy her age.

It was easy to tell the boy was from the Gu family.

The fire energy flowing within him was identical to the Clan Head’s energy.

It was a shame that the energy contained was weak compared to that of the Clan Head’s child, but it was definitely the Gu-Yeom Hwa-ryun Gong.

Gu Yangcheon’s impression, his first impression, was that his sharp, upturned eyes spoke volumes about his personality.

My granddaughter cheerfully offered the Gu family’s child a potato.

What if he was a violent child, just like the rumors said?

Wi Hyo-gun had no intention of intervening to save his granddaughter unless her life was threatened.

It was also an experience for her to realize that the world isn’t only filled with people who speak kindly.

However, contrary to expectations, the boy didn’t say anything inappropriate or do anything.

Instead, he stopped his escort, who was trying to push his granddaughter away, and offered her a sweet cake.

He even paid his respects upon seeing Wi Hyo-gun approach his granddaughter belatedly.

Seeing his shabby clothes, one would have thought him of lowly status.

‘Hyo-gun. Your self-cultivation is still lacking.’

Hearing the title Sword Master, did you think yourself a perfect human?

Wi Hyo-gun chastised himself.

He felt foolish for judging the child based solely on his face and rumors.

“That child is enough. Rather, it’s the Clan Head’s child who should be pleased with us.”

What if he had been like the rumors?

If Gu Yangcheon had done something bad to Wi Seol-ah then, would I have made a different choice now?

“…I understand, Elder. If any problems arise, please let me know.”

Gu Cheol-un couldn’t understand why Wi Hyo-gun viewed Gu Yangcheon so favorably, but he didn’t press the matter further.

As their conversation drew to a close, Gu Cheol-un asked again.

“But are you truly alright with this?”

This question was different from the first one.

Wi Hyo-gun also knew the underlying meaning and couldn’t answer easily.

“If the Abbot brought it up…”

It is said that the Abbot of Shaolin possesses the Heavenly Eye (天眼) and can read the flow of cause and effect.

Wi Hyo-gun replied with a wry smile.

“Yes, if that friend brought it up, something must happen. But can you easily understand it?”

Suddenly, the small candle flame, barely clinging on, was extinguished by the wind blowing in from the window.

“That Seol-ah will be at the center of the coming Blood Calamity (血劫), and that our Seol-ah must wield a sword to withstand the Blood Calamity.”

Wi Hyo-gun clicked his tongue and laughed.

As he spoke, I felt as if the deep wrinkles on his face were gradually deepening.

“That’s why I ran. I don’t care if it’s selfish. Why did it have to be Seol-ah? Isn’t it cruel? There are elders who revere me as one of the Three Revered Ones, and numerous prestigious families who walk around with their backs straight, calling themselves pillars of the orthodox path.”

“Elder…”

I felt the inner demon (心魔) emanating from Wi Hyo-gun, worn out by the conflict between ideals and reality.

“Instead of giving her a sword for a blood calamity that might occur, when she should be given flowers.”

Wi Hyo-gun repeatedly rubbed his wrinkled face with his dry hands.

“Therefore, even if my soul turns to ash and I die, I will never let Seol-ah wield a sword.”

This was a story that would have made Gu Yangcheon despair and beat the ground if he had heard it.