Chapter 550: Shaman.

“Oppa?”

As the unfamiliar address sent a slight chill down my ears.

The other party seemed quite flustered too, staring at me with wide eyes.

Eyes that were already large had become even rounder.

“Why are you here, Oppa?”

To Gu Ryeonghwa’s question, I too had to frown.

“That’s what I wanted to ask.”

Why is she here?

“Why are you here?”

“You’re the one who should be asking that.”

We were in a situation where we looked at each other in disbelief.

Who would have thought I’d run into family here of all places?

Moreover, I was seeing Gu Ryeonghwa for the first time in quite a while.

She was family, technically, but she had left for the Daoist sect.

Given the distance, we wouldn’t see each other unless there was a special occasion.

‘How many years has it been?’

I think the last time I saw her was four or five years ago.

Perhaps because of that time that had passed, Gu Ryeonghwa looked quite different upon our reunion.

The young girl with chubby cheeks was gone.

She had become a woman who exuded a certain maturity.

‘Hmm.’

What should I call that?

If Gu Huibi or Gu Yeounseo had appearances with the Gu family’s characteristic sharpness,

Gu Ryeonghwa’s appearance had a softness coexisting within it.

It was exactly…

‘She looks like Mother.’

Her appearance reminded me of my mother from my memories.

As I looked over Gu Ryeonghwa’s face,

Gu Ryeonghwa was scrutinizing my face for the same reason.

No, her gaze seemed more focused on my body than my face?

“…Oppa.”

“Hm?”

“Why… why did you get so big?”

“…What?”

Gu Ryeonghwa’s voice sounded as if she couldn’t comprehend.

Big? I wondered what she meant by ‘big’,

But looking into Gu Ryeonghwa’s eyes,

‘Ah.’

It seemed she was talking about my height.

My current physique, though I’d reduced it somewhat, wasn’t small.

‘Did I reduce it too little?’

My body had become quite large during the shedding process,

And although I tried to adjust it to fit my original body,

It wasn’t easy.

‘Everyone around me is just so tall.’

The people around me were significantly taller than average,

So judging by eye was difficult.

Perhaps that’s why Gu Ryeonghwa looked so taken aback.

“Well, I guess I grew a bit from eating and sleeping well.”

“It’s not ‘a bit’… You’ve gotten really big.”

For some reason, Gu Ryeonghwa looked quite indignant.

It seemed she really didn’t like that I had grown.

Admittedly, Gu Ryeonghwa, whom I’d just seen, was on the shorter side, despite her good proportions.

‘She seems about the same height as Tang Soyeol.’

It can’t be helped.

Most people born into the Gu family tend to have smaller physiques.

It’s only people like Iljang-nim or Father who are unusual; historically, there haven’t been many tall individuals.

Even in my past life, I couldn’t even reach 6 feet.

It was quite a small build for a male warrior.

Considering that, it’s understandable that Gu Ryeonghwa is short.

Therefore, I had no choice but to ignore Gu Ryeonghwa’s disgruntled look.

“…So, why are you here?”

At my question, Gu Ryeonghwa frowned slightly.

Just as she was about to say something,

“Sago (Martial Aunt).”

A voice calling Gu Ryeonghwa came from behind.

This was the presence I had sensed earlier.

At the call directed at her, Gu Ryeonghwa pursed her lips.

I looked at Gu Ryeonghwa, then shifted my gaze to the owner of the voice.

Across the ground illuminated by the moon, a young man walked towards us.

It was clearly nighttime, yet it felt as if light was accumulating solely in that direction.

Hwi-iing-.

Moreover, the wind blowing from the young man’s direction carried a subtle floral scent.

This surely wasn’t a mistake.

“It’s been a while.”

The young man said, smiling as he looked at me.

Tall stature, an incredibly handsome face, and such a deep smile.

It was still an infuriatingly smug face.

Looking at him, I said,

“…Yeongpung Dojang.”

The young man’s identity was none other than…

The youngest Plum Blossom Sword Master produced by the Hua San Sect, and currently holding the position of Sword Dragon, a disciple of the later generation.

Yeongpung, the Hua San Sword Dragon.

“Haha!”

At my call, Yeongpung chuckled sheepishly and walked over.

“I didn’t expect to see you here. Have you been well?”

Yeongpung approached me with his characteristic gentle smile.

“Yes, Dojang…”

As I spoke, I glanced briefly at Yeongpung.

“It seems you’ve been doing quite well. Very well, in fact.”

“Hahaha…”

Even as I spoke, I was inwardly quite surprised.

‘Well, look at this guy?’

It was because Yeongpung’s cultivation level was unusual.

‘He’s right before the wall?’

Yeongpung, who had barely reached the peak just a few years ago,

Was now astonishingly close to the Hua Realm.

Moreover.

‘His energy has deepened considerably too.’

The Hua San Sect’s Daoist energy had become incomparably deeper.

“…What have you been doing?”

I hadn’t intended to ask, but at this point, I couldn’t help but be curious.

What on earth had he been doing at the Hua San Sect to change this much?

As I asked with that question in mind,

Yeongpung replied, without losing his sheepish expression,

“I didn’t expect you to notice right away. As expected of Young Master Gu.”

“It doesn’t seem like something one could miss.”

It’s absurd.

If Yeongpung had tried to hide his level, perhaps.

But right now, Yeongpung wasn’t hiding it; he was practically broadcasting it.

‘How could I not notice something that huge?’

His amplified presence.

An immense energy was radiating from Yeongpung.

‘That’s why I noticed.’

The reason I could sense someone approaching from afar.

It was the current Yeongpung.

How could I not notice him radiating such energy?

“Ah.”

Hearing my words, Yeongpung reacted as if he suddenly realized something.

“…Oops, it seems I made a mistake.”

As Yeongpung said that, his energy gradually began to subside.

The wind around us lessened, and the floral scent quietly disappeared.

Once all the energy vanished, I understood how Yeongpung had been radiating such power.

“It seems you haven’t long since gained enlightenment.”

“Haha…”

Yeongpung chuckled awkwardly.

It appeared he had experienced a breakthrough recently and grown rapidly.

That must be why he couldn’t control his energy and was displaying it so openly.

Sigh.

Seeing that, Gu Ryeonghwa, standing beside me, let out a sudden sigh.

Then, looking at Yeongpung, she said,

“…Please, I told you to hide your energy.”

“Sago, was I that obvious?”

“Of course, you were!”

Gu Ryeonghwa glared at Yeongpung with an exasperated expression.

“Don’t you remember how many monsters were drawn to us because of your energy, Sajil, on the way here?”

With a warrior’s energy being that strong, it seemed monsters sensed the presence and attacked.

“I apologize. I tried to hide it, but… it’s not easy.”

As Yeongpung said apologetically, Gu Ryeonghwa also pursed her lips, seemingly having nothing more to say.

It seemed she knew he wasn’t doing it intentionally.

“Forget it… Sajil took care of all the monsters anyway.”

“No. Sago also tried…”

“I have my conscience too, so you don’t need to say that.”

“…Yes.”

At Gu Ryeonghwa’s firm words, Yeongpung shut his mouth tightly.

Watching that, I finally spoke up.

“So, what’s the deal between you two?”

No matter how I looked at it, it was a peculiar pairing.

Yeongpung, the third disciple, accompanying Gu Ryeonghwa, the second disciple. That is.

Putting that aside, it was strange for the two of them, who should be at the Hua San Sect, to be in distant Honam.

“Well…”

As Gu Ryeonghwa was about to answer my question,

“It’s the Sect Leader’s order.”

Yeongpung interjected, as if cutting off Gu Ryeonghwa.

“The Sect Leader?”

“Yes.”

If Yeongpung is talking about the Sect Leader, he must mean Hua San’s Plum Blossom Immortal.

“The Plum Blossom Immortal sent you two here?”

“Yes.”

The third disciple, who finds it difficult to leave the sect,

And Gu Ryeonghwa, the second disciple, but so young, mixed together?

It was a combination that made no sense logically.

As such.

I wanted to ask more, but I didn’t.

It was because I understood the implication of Yeongpung’s words.

‘The fact that he specifically mentioned the Sect Leader…’

‘Means this is a major internal sect matter that cannot be discussed without the Sect Leader’s permission.’

That meaning was implied.

‘It probably means he’s trying to block any prior inquiries.’

Once I grasped that, my interest immediately waned.

“Alright. That’s enough then.”

I replied nonchalantly, and Yeongpung smiled faintly at me.

“…Young Master Gu, you haven’t changed.”

Haven’t changed? There’s probably no one who has changed as much as I have.

“That’s a compliment, right?”

“Yes, I believed at least you wouldn’t have changed, Young Master. It’s a relief.”

It didn’t quite feel like a compliment, though.

I decided not to nitpick.

“…So, why are you here, Oppa?”

At the words that followed, I looked at Gu Ryeonghwa.

“Shouldn’t you be in Shanxi, Oppa?”

I pondered for a moment what to answer,

But since nothing particular came to mind, I decided to just answer as it came.

“Me? Well, I ran away from home.”

“What…?”

As someone born a prodigal, there couldn’t be a simpler explanation.

“I felt like getting some fresh air. So, I ran away.”

As I said it bluntly, Gu Ryeonghwa’s expression changed immediately.

It looked somewhat pitiful.

“Oppa…”

“…I was going to go back soon. I’m heading home right now, you know?”

Honestly, I’m considering going straight to Henan instead of home, but…

It probably doesn’t matter.

Gu Ryeonghwa wore a look of disbelief at my words for a moment, then turned her eyes, glancing around.

“What are you doing?”

“Then what about Unni?”

“Unni?”

When I asked what she meant, Gu Ryeonghwa replied with a matter-of-fact expression.

“If you’re here, Oppa, doesn’t that mean Unni is here too?”

“…No, I mean…”

I stopped myself before I could speak.

‘Which’ Unni is she talking about?

I knew that if I said it, any remaining affection Gu Ryeonghwa might have for me as family would completely disappear.

As I stammered, unable to speak, Gu Ryeonghwa said impatiently,

“I mean Unni Bi-ah.”

“Ah.”

Only then could I nod.

So she meant Namgung Bi-ah.

“Isn’t Unni here?”

“She…”

Went quite far away.

As I briefly considered whether I should say this,

“I haven’t heard from her in years. I thought if you were here, Oppa, Unni might be too…”

“Huh?”

Gu Ryeonghwa’s words made me frown.

“Heard from her? What do you mean?”

“Huh? Ah, I occasionally exchange letters with my Unnis. Unlike ‘someone’, my Unnis actually reply.”

“…”

Hearing Gu Ryeonghwa’s words, I wore a dumbfounded expression.

‘Someone’ must refer to me.

After all, I never replied whenever Gu Ryeonghwa sent something she called a letter.

It was bothersome, and I didn’t have much to say when writing.

But.

‘…Who exactly was she exchanging contact with?’

Putting aside the fact that Namgung Bi-ah was in contact with Gu Ryeonghwa,

I had to focus on the word Gu Ryeonghwa used.

Gu Ryeonghwa clearly said ‘Unnis’, not ‘Unni’.

“‘Unnis’? What are you talking about? Who exactly are you in contact with?”

To my question, Gu Ryeonghwa looked at me as if asking why I was asking,

“Unni Bi-ah and Unni Seol-ah… Unni Soyeol too, sometimes…”

She started listing names one by one.

The string of names made my head ache slightly.

“Ah, but the one I talk to the most is Unni Hi-ah.”

“…”

Even Moyong Hi-ah was on the list.

“Last time, she even came over and we ate together.”

“What, what? Who did you eat with?”

“Unni Hi-ah.”

Moyong Hi-ah and Gu Ryeonghwa ate together.

I could understand it for Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-ah, since I’d seen them at least once.

But Tang Soyeol and Moyong Hi-ah had never even met each other, so when were they contacting Gu Ryeonghwa?

And also.

‘When did she go to Shaanxi?’

Amidst her busy life, when exactly did Moyong Hi-ah go to Shaanxi?

Without my knowledge.

The revelation of completely unknown facts sent a dizzying sensation through me.

“Ah, Oppa.”

“Huh…?”

As my eyes darted around, Gu Ryeonghwa sidled up and asked me,

“Is it true that Unni Hi-ah is getting married next year…?”

“…What the hell?”

“Then what about Unni Bi-ah…?”

“What nonsense is this? Who said that?”

“Unni Hi-ah said… she thought she might be getting married next year…”

“I’m going crazy. Seriously.”

What kind of nonsense has she been spreading to this kid?

Who is marrying whom?

If Moyong Hi-ah really said something like that to Gu Ryeonghwa,

‘I’ll have to catch her and talk.’

I need to confront her directly and ask.

Of course…

‘…I can’t do it right now.’

Moyong Hi-ah was currently pursuing a business venture with Madam Mi,

And additionally, she was carrying out a task I requested, making it difficult to see her often.

Lately, I’ve been lucky to see her face maybe once a month.

So.

‘I’ll have to interrogate her when I see her later.’

I need to find out what she’s been up to behind my back.

As I was planning to catch Moyong Hi-ah and scold her,

Gu Ryeonghwa’s expression in front of me crumpled slightly.

“…Did I… say something I shouldn’t have…?”

“No, it was very useful information.”

“I feel like Unni will scold me later…”

Gu Ryeonghwa nervously rolled her eyes, then shifted her gaze to the person behind me.

It was Seong Yul, watching us from a distance.

“Is that person perhaps… your friend, Oppa?”

“Hm?”

“The… Shaman Sleeping Dragon, they called him…”

At Gu Ryeonghwa’s words, I frowned.

“How do you know that?”

How did Gu Ryeonghwa know I was acquainted with the Sleeping Dragon?

To my question, Gu Ryeonghwa made a ‘slip-up’ expression and gave me an awkward smile,

“Unni…”

It seemed the information came from that darn ‘Unni’ again.

I wonder which Unni it is this time.

Just thinking about it gave me a headache.

“He’s not that guy.”

“He’s not?”

“Does he look like a Daoist to you?”

Of course.

Woo Hyuk is quite problematic to call a Daoist,

But for now, I decided to play dumb for the sake of explanation.

I looked at Seong Yul and gave Gu Ryeonghwa a rough explanation.

“He’s just an acquaintance. Nothing to worry about…”

“Seong Dojang?”

“…Hm?”

As I was making excuses about Seong Yul,

Yeongpung, standing beside me, spoke up while looking at Seong Yul.

Freeze.

At Yeongpung’s words, Seong Yul flinched and shuddered.

His face showed considerable surprise.

Seeing Seong Yul’s reaction, I wondered if the two knew each other.

‘What’s wrong with him?’

He was nervously darting his eyes.

Seeing that, it seemed…

They had some kind of unusual relationship.

*

Saa-aaaaah-!

Snow flew wildly in the gusting wind.

The fierce blizzard made it impossible to see even an inch ahead.

It was truly a blade-like cold.

No matter how many layers of clothes one wore, the body would freeze soon enough.

People called this land the Land of Extreme Cold.

There wasn’t a day without snow falling on this land,

And a place where the wind never stopped to bring spring.

This was such a land.

Beyond that land.

Kuaaaaaaah-!

A colossal roar pierced the sound of the wind.

Kurureung-!

The ground shook with a deafening sound.

Kung-! Kung-kung-!

Upon the earth shaking as if from an earthquake,

A figure clad in thick fur clothing was walking.

The destination was the epicenter of that immense sound.

Kurururureung-!

Kuaaah-!

One might feel fear from the continuous explosions of sound, but,

He merely continued to walk slowly.

After walking a bit further, an unknown smell of burnt gunpowder began to emanate.

Kureureu-! Kuaaaaaaaa-!

The sounds had become much rougher, but he could tell from the smell of gunpowder and the noises,

That it was nearing its end.

Sensing that, his steps quickened.

Walking a little further,

Kurururureung-!!

Along with the loudest roar yet,

Kuuuung-!

Something fell, and the ground shook with a thud!

At this, the young man could see.

Far away, upon the ravaged ground,

A colossal monster resembling a monkey, covered in red fur, lying defeated.

The smell of gunpowder also originated from it.

“Wow.”

Seeing it, the young man couldn’t help but utter an exclamation.

“You certainly did some burning. Were you taking out your anger?”

The young man spoke in a nonchalant tone,

But no answer came.

Naturally, he wasn’t speaking to the already dead monster.

The young man’s gaze was directed not at the monster, but at the woman standing atop it.

As if she didn’t feel the cold, wearing only a loosely draped outer garment,

Her white hair tied back and tidily arranged.

Her snow-like skin was striking, but the gaze in her eyes was colder than the current weather.

Looking at him, the young man said,

“Do you know how long I searched for you? Samae.”

“…”

The young man continued to speak, but the woman still didn’t look at him.

Her reaction was as if she couldn’t hear him.

However, the young man didn’t stop.

“I understand you’re upset because we departed late. But what can be done? Bing Gungju still had matters to attend to.”

“…”

“Master and Baekryeon Geom Seonbae were making such a fuss. I don’t know why it’s always my job to find you, Samae.”

“…”

“Did you get lost again? Honestly, next time, please leave a trail of breadcrumbs so I can find you easily.”

“…”

Despite the continued ignoring, the young man persisted, but the woman remained still.

Seeing that, the young man finally let out a deep sigh.

“Jesu-ssi. Could you at least listen…”

“…Why…?”

“…”

To the response that finally came, the young man had to cover his forehead.

“…Damn it.”

The curse his close friend always used habitually.

Woo Hyuk somehow felt he understood why his friend used it.

Woo Hyuk, sighing repeatedly, turned back to the woman and spoke again.

“…The Gongnyeo is looking for you, Jesu-ssi.”

“The Gongnyeo…?”

The woman’s expression was filled with bewilderment.

She couldn’t understand why the Gongnyeo would be looking for her.

“Well, from what I heard.”

Woo Hyuk continued,

“Yangcheon said he was curious about that friend…”

“…!”

“If you don’t want to go, Jesu-ssi, I can make up an excuse… right?”

Woo Hyuk paused mid-sentence.

It was because the woman who was right in front of him moments ago had vanished.

Just then.

“I’m going.”

Hearing a voice from behind him, Woo Hyuk quickly turned his head.

In the direction he looked, the woman was already walking as if ready to leave immediately.

“…”

Woo Hyuk stared incredulously,

But the woman was already walking away.

Seeing that, Woo Hyuk said,

“Jesu-ssi. That’s not the right direction.”

“…”

At Woo Hyuk’s correction, the woman changed direction,

But that direction was also wrong in Woo Hyuk’s eyes.