Chapter 63: It’s Not Yours. (2)

It’s not yours (2)

I thought I’d head straight up once I arrived at Hwa-eum County, where the Mount Hua Sect is located, but…

By the time I arrived, it was already late at night, so I quickly found lodging.

Perhaps because Hwa-eum County centers around the Mount Hua Sect, as soon as a scholar dressed in plum blossom robes appeared, not only the waiter but even the owner came out and welcomed me, saying ‘Welcome.’

Thanks to that, I was able to secure a room comfortably.

Shin Hyeon and his group secured good lodging, then left a few second-generation disciples behind, saying they would come pick me up tomorrow, and headed up to Mount Hua first.

When I asked if it wouldn’t be better to go right away because of the demonic creature, they said this was safer.

I didn’t understand what that meant, but since they told me to do so for now, I replied that I understood.

I was tired anyway, and frankly didn’t have the confidence to climb that high mountain, so I kept my mouth shut and decided to rest.

“Dumplings are here~!”

As I sat at the table, the food I had ordered began to arrive piece by piece.

Without needing to look at anything else, I decided to fill my stomach first.

As I picked up and chewed a couple of dumplings, Wi Seol-ah next to me handed me a glass of water.

Lately, she seemed to be trying particularly hard at something.

“Thanks, but you should eat some too.”

“I-I’m full.”

“…?”

Seeing me look at her as if asking what ridiculous lie I was telling, Wi Seol-ah puffed out her cheeks.

Finding her appearance amusing, I squeezed both of Wi Seol-ah’s cheeks.

A funny sound, ppuu-!, came out.

Her reaction was so funny that I burst out laughing, and Wi Seol-ah immediately got sulky.

“Sss… Sssi!”

“Sorry, sorry, I won’t do it anymore.”

It was a lie.

Of course, I’ll do it again next time; it’s this fun.

As I was teasing Wi Seol-ah like that, someone appeared next to me with food and sat down.

It was Yeongpung, holding noodles.

“…It’s a pity. I should have recommended a tastier place.”

Was he talking about the place he mentioned last time, the one said to be the best for dumplings in Shanxi?

Honestly, that was a bit disappointing, but my desire to finish quickly and return was greater, so it didn’t matter.

“Is it alright that you’re not going up with us?”

When Shin Hyeon and the others went up to Mount Hua first, Yeongpung volunteered to stay by my side.

I thought it made sense since the demonic creature was important, but it didn’t seem like that was the reason.

“It’s fine…”

I could sense an unspoken discomfort in Yeongpung’s eyes.

It didn’t seem like something I should pry into, so I pretended not to notice for the time being.

When I felt reasonably full, I looked at Wi Seol-ah and saw she was still diligently putting something in her mouth.

Namgung Bi-ah, watching her, subtly placed something on her plate, causing her to snort, ‘Hmph!’

It had been feeling like this lately.

The problem was that after doing so, she’d glance nervously at Namgung Bi-ah, as if feeling apologetic.

If she’s going to act like that, why does she do it in the first place…

Wi Seol-ah pretended to dislike it, but then subtly ate the food placed on her plate.

She seemed indecisive.

It looked like she was trying hard to act reluctant about things, as if she didn’t like something.

But because she had a tender heart, she couldn’t even do that properly.

“[Isn’t it rather cute, how obvious she is?]”

“…Hmm.”

Watching her struggle with things not going as planned, I unconsciously reached out and placed my hand on Wi Seol-ah’s head.

Actually, the previous thought was just an excuse; I just wanted to touch her.

When my hand touched her, Wi Seol-ah flinched.

Thinking she might dislike it, I tried to pull my hand back immediately.

Grab!

Wi Seol-ah stopped my hand from pulling away with her own.

“…This means she wants me to, right?”

Thinking she wouldn’t dislike it, I gently stroked her hair.

As I touched her soft hair, a fluffy smile bloomed on Wi Seol-ah’s face.

“[You really are a boy, aren’t you.]”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“[Are you pretending not to know? For someone like that, your heart is quite honest.]”

Focusing on Shin No-ya’s words, I realized my heart was pounding harder than usual.

Was my body reacting differently, separate from my thoughts?

As I tried to ignore it and continued stroking her hair, I felt someone’s gaze from somewhere.

“…Hm?”

Next to Wi Seol-ah, Namgung Bi-ah poked her head out and stared blankly at me.

More precisely, she seemed to be looking at the hand stroking Wi Seol-ah.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“…”

Namgung Bi-ah didn’t answer my question.

She just quietly watched my hand.

It was quite uncomfortable.

Namgung Bi-ah slowly lowered her gaze, which had been fixed on my hand.

As she did, her head naturally tilted down, revealing the top of her head.

“[…Wow.]”

Shin No-ya let out an inexplicable exclamation.

“What are you….”

Watching her, I suddenly wondered, ‘Is she perhaps asking me to stroke her head?’

I thought it couldn’t be, but there was no other reason for her to suddenly act like this.

“Ah, surely not.”

Wondering if that might be the case, I extended the hand that was stroking Wi Seol-ah towards Namgung Bi-ah.

I hesitated for a moment, but it was just in case.

“Ah…”

Wi Seol-ah made a sound, seemingly disappointed.

Just as my outstretched hand was about to touch Namgung Bi-ah’s head.

“Who did they say was on the second floor?”

The sound of someone climbing the stairs towards us could be heard.

“This voice…”

Yeongpung, beside me, flinched.

Sensing someone approaching, I retracted my hand, and Namgung Bi-ah turned her head towards the stairs.

Seeing Yeongpung’s reaction, I wondered if he knew them?

The clothes of those climbing the stairs were familiar.

They were the same clothes Yeongpung wore.

“Are they from the Mount Hua Sect?”

Can scholars of the Mount Hua Sect come down the mountain this late at night?

I don’t know much about sects, but I thought it might be problematic.

“…What is it? Who else besides us…”

A young man leading the way stopped abruptly upon seeing us.

More precisely, he stopped after seeing Yeongpung sitting next to me.

Yeongpung also immediately stood up upon seeing him.

“…Hyung-nim.”

“Hmm.”

Seeing Yeongpung call him ‘Hyung-nim,’ he seemed to be a fellow third-generation disciple.

He was a third-generation disciple I hadn’t seen before, excluding Yeongpung.

Seeing him like this, he was definitely a young man who looked relatively younger compared to the second-generation disciples.

“…Yeongpung.”

The young man seemed momentarily flustered upon seeing Yeongpung.

Why was he so flustered seeing a fellow disciple?

“Hyung-nim, why are you acting like this?”

“Who is it that…”

The scholars following behind also stopped upon seeing Yeongpung, just like the young man.

What is this atmosphere?

As the strange atmosphere persisted, the young man asked Yeongpung.

“…Did you finish the task well?”

“Yes…”

“Where are the other Sa-hyung-nims?”

“They had matters to attend to and went up first, and Sa-hyung-nim Shin Byeok and Sa-hyung-nim Shin Seok are on a different floor.”

“I see…”

“….”

“….”

The conversation paused briefly like that.

Even if I might lack tact, I could tell this was a very awkward situation.

“[…Good heavens, so you knew you lacked tact.]”

“…Shin No-ya.”

Yeongpung hesitated for a moment, then looked at me and quickly regained his composure.

“Ah, this is Young Master Gu Yangcheon of Gugga. He is an important guest of Mount Hua.”

At Yeongpung’s words, the young man finally looked towards me.

No, more accurately, he looked at Namgung Bi-ah, then at Wi Seol-ah, and then at me.

This guy…?

“Ah, yes… I am Yeong Seong, a third-generation disciple of Mount Hua.”

Yeong Seong’s voice trembled.

Especially seeing him glance furtively at Namgung Bi-ah, I could see Yeongpung’s own nervousness reflected.

“[Don’t just look at that kid; look at your fiancée instead.]”

“Hm?”

At Shin No-ya’s sudden remark, I glanced towards Namgung Bi-ah and saw her glaring at Yeong Seong.

…Glaring? That clueless girl glaring at someone?

It was very subtle.

Still, having seen her for a while, I could notice the change in her expression; it was a small change that someone seeing her for the first time might miss.

But it was definitely a glare.

Yeong Seong seemed to realize his awkwardness, coughed lightly, and opened his mouth again.

“The Sa-hyung-nims must have had a reason for entrusting you with the guest… Yes, since the Sa-hyung-nims are here, we should go greet them too.”

“Yes…”

“We’ll take our leave first. Please rest well.”

I returned the fist-and-palm salute from Yeong Seong.

The scholars moving immediately after the greeting seemed to carry various implications.

I could sense it from Yeongpung’s somewhat dejected expression beside me.

Only then did I recall what Yeongpung had told me before.

“The other disciples don’t really enjoy sparring with me.”

I remembered Yeongpung telling me that with a shadowed face.

Is he being ostracized? The Sword Dragon of Mount Hua…?

As if reading my thoughts, Shin No-ya’s voice was heard.

“[…It’s something that happens because his talent is too outstanding.]”

“…Yes?”

“[Imagine a dragon appearing in a lake where only carp swim; it’s impossible for them to mix easily.]”

It wasn’t that I didn’t understand what he meant.

He was such an outstanding senior disciple; judging by Yeongpung’s age, he must be the youngest among them.

Having obtained the position of Plum Blossom Sword Master at an age much younger than theirs, they must feel burdened, perhaps jealous, and wouldn’t view him favorably.

Is that why he’s suffering something akin to ostracization?

Tsk tsk, I heard Shin No-ya click his tongue.

“[Even so, to end up like this. The higher-ups couldn’t possibly not know about this… The sect is really going downhill. It wasn’t like this in my day…!]”

“Why do you always circle back to that?”

“[Aish… Tsk tsk]”

Even as he clicked his tongue, Shin No-ya’s words held a hint of pity.

Seeing that, I sighed inwardly and secretly glanced at Yeongpung.

As expected, his complexion seemed a little darker.

Yeongpung seemed to notice me looking, and gave an awkward smile.

“Let’s finish our meal!”

He tried to say it cheerfully, but the meal soon ended after that.

I was already full from eating plenty.

Namgung Bi-ah tended to eat little.

Wi Seol-ah was also perceptive, and sensing the awkward atmosphere, she didn’t eat any more.

After the meal ended, Yeongpung left for where the second-generation disciples were.

I also got up to head to my room, but Namgung Bi-ah blocked my path.

“Miss Namgung?”

I called out, wondering what was wrong, and Namgung Bi-ah kept looking at me as if she had something to say, but hesitated and didn’t speak.

“[Kid, just stick out your arm.]”

“Hm?”

“[Stop using that useless brain of yours and just reach out your hand to the head.]”

Following Shin No-ya’s instruction, I reached out my hand.

His voice sounded like he’d get angry if I didn’t do as told, so I did as he said for now.

As I slowly reached out my hand, Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes widened.

As my hand approached, Namgung Bi-ah even lowered her head.

Just as my fingertips were about to touch, another hand suddenly popped out and stroked Namgung Bi-ah’s head.

It was Wi Seol-ah’s fair and pale hand.

“…?”

When Wi Seol-ah ruffled her hair, Namgung Bi-ah showed a moment of surprise, but seeing it was Wi Seol-ah, she lowered her knees even further.

Perhaps seeing Namgung Bi-ah, who was tall for a woman, and Wi Seol-ah, who was still small, standing on tiptoe looked pitiful.

After stroking for a while, Wi Seol-ah pulled away from Namgung Bi-ah.

Namgung Bi-ah also looked up again as Wi Seol-ah moved back.

Wi Seol-ah said something with a proud look on her face.

“I did it for her!”

At that, Namgung Bi-ah gently stroked Wi Seol-ah’s cheek.

Namgung Bi-ah looked at me again with a blank expression.

Was this really why she blocked me?

“…Next time…”

Namgung Bi-ah started to say something but closed her mouth.

She seemed to have more to say, but she didn’t say it and just slipped into her room.

I wondered what on earth that was all about.

“[Did you see her ears?]”

Shin No-ya interjected out of the blue.

“Ears?”

“[Your fiancée’s ears were bright red.]”

Namgung Bi-ah’s ears?

She ducked down so quickly that I couldn’t even check things like that.

As I pondered what she might have wanted to do.

“…I like older sister, but…”

“Hm?”

I heard Wi Seol-ah, standing blankly, muttering something to herself.

“I’m still not giving her to you.”

It was a rather resolute voice.

She seemed to be saying something strange all of a sudden too, so as I was about to ask what she meant.

Wi Seol-ah quickly shouted ‘Good night!’ at me and disappeared with quick, light steps.

She was probably heading to the room where the attendants gathered.

“…What the…”

I stood there alone in the space where both of them had disappeared.

I wasn’t sure if they had caught a heatstroke or something, but their behavior kept changing little by little the further we went, making it hard to adapt.

After spacing out for a while, I also found my room and went inside.

It was because I was too tired, and my brain wasn’t working properly.

As soon as I entered, I buried my face in the soft bedding I saw.

I had come this far.

All that was left was to finish the task and return.

There were still big tasks ahead, like returning the demonic creature and seeing my younger sister, but…

I decided to think about those tomorrow as well.

For now, I need to sleep soundly.

“[Sigh.]”

I heard Shin No-ya sigh, but I didn’t have the energy to ask why right now.

I’ll see when I wake up…

Thinking that, I quickly fell asleep as drowsiness washed over me.

---

Chirp! Chirp!

Sunlight streaming through the window and the chirping of birds announcing the morning made me slowly open my eyes.

I must have slept so deeply that I didn’t have the nightmares I usually had every day.

Thanks to that, I woke up feeling refreshed and invigorated.

How long has it been since I slept this comfortably?

I sat up my sluggish body and moved it around, hearing creaking sounds from every joint.

“…Ah, I feel refreshed.”

“Did you sleep well?”

It was a voice I heard while half-asleep.

I naturally assumed Shin No-ya was asking.

“Yes, did you sleep well too, No-ya?”

“Of course. Perhaps it’s because I’m old and just sleep more, but I always fall asleep easily.”

“What are you saying, how can a ghost sleep…”

I stopped talking and shut my mouth.

Something was strange.

Did Shin No-ya’s voice always sound like this?

Usually, it felt like it echoed in my head, not my ears.

Today, it was particularly clear, and the voice felt different.

“…What is it?”

As I couldn’t properly grasp the situation due to still being half-asleep, Shin No-ya appeared.

“[…It’s not me.]”

“…?”

At No-ya’s words, cold sweat began to trickle down.

A chill ran down my spine, and I turned my head towards the source of the sound.

There sat an old man with a benevolent smile.

…In my room, no less.

“Who… are you?”

The old man chuckled lowly at my question.

“I’ve lived quite a long time, but this is the first time I’ve been treated like a ghost…”

With every word the old man spoke, every small movement he made, the energy in my dantian stirred.

“[…Oh dear.]”

At the same time, Shin No-ya’s flustered voice was heard.

It felt like the plum blossom energy I was trying to suppress was leaking out.

Was it my imagination?

I felt like a faint scent of plum blossoms was mixed with the sunlight coming through the window.

The old man calmly stroked his beard.

As I woke up more and more, I began to feel it.

This wasn’t a scent drifting in from outside the window.

The plum blossom scent filling the room was coming from the old man.

“My child, I heard Gu Lun sent you.”

The name of Elder Yi flowed naturally from the old man’s lips.

Hiding my cold sweat, I swallowed dryly.

Seeing me like that, the old man gave a slight smile.

Then, he calmly lowered the hand that had been stroking his beard.

Only then could I see the plum blossom pattern drawn on the old man’s chest.

Upon discovering it, my eyes shook rapidly as if an earthquake had struck.

As my trembling eyes shook, the old man introduced himself.

“It’s nice to meet you. I am the sect leader of Mount Hua, named Do Hwa.”

At the old man’s words, I gasped.

…Why on earth is this guy in my room?