Chapter 7: Nine Dragon Society (1)

Geomdae (Sword Squad).

The Geomdae is a group composed of warriors capable of capturing monsters that emerge from the Demon Gate. It’s something that the Nine Great Clans, the Four Great Families, as well as mid-to-small sized clans and sects, must absolutely have. By closing the Demon Gate, the Geomdae was the most crucial working entity that could receive fame, merchants’ sponsorship, and the support of the common folk. Gu Clan also had a total of five Geomdae, from the Ilgeomdae (First Sword Squad) directly under the Clan Head to the Ogeomdae (Fifth Sword Squad). Therefore, Gu Long Hoe (俱龍會 – Gathering of Dragons Club) was an event to console the Geomdae’s hard work in closing the Demon Gate, for the sake of the Gu Clan and the common folk of Shanxi. Twice a year. It was the schedule for the Gu Clan to select new Geomdae members. Since it was an event involving not only the collateral branches of the Gu Clan but also small and large sects in the Shanxi region, direct blood relatives of the Gu Clan were mandatory attendees. Therefore, it means I absolutely cannot be excused, even if I die.

“Wouldn’t they excuse me if I died?”

“Wouldn’t it be better if you didn’t die first…?”

“What about pretending to be dead?”

“If you got excused that way, wouldn’t you end up dying by the hands of the real Clan Head?”

No answer, damn it…

As I was stuck unable to do anything, Muyeon added further words.

“This Gu Long Hoe is being presided over by Elder Yi, and the message is that if you run away again this time, he’ll truly tear you to shreds, Young Master…”

“Damn… I wondered who it was…”

Among the elders who were relentlessly after me since childhood, Elder Yi was a particularly harsh old man. The point was that only if the Gu Clan Head’s only son turned out properly would the Gu Clan establish itself as a renowned family comparable to the Four Great Families in the future.

‘It’s a sense of responsibility my own father didn’t even have.’

While he was someone I could be grateful for in a way, he was also a highly bothersome figure, appearing whenever he pleased to give forced education and scoldings, despite being busy as an elder.

“Seeing as how I lived like an idiot despite all that, I guess I’m pretty amazing too.”

“Pardon?”

“Just talking to myself. So, when should we depart?”

“They said it’s being held at Cheonsil Sangga, so if we take a carriage, it shouldn’t be too far.”

“Co-hosted with a merchant guild? Elder Yi must have put in a lot of effort.”

Cheonsil Sangga is the most famous merchant guild in Shanxi. It was also a guild that had collaborated with the Gu Clan through three changes in Clan Heads.

‘I wonder what happened to Cheonsil Sangga in the future.’

Didn’t it just continue to be the number one merchant guild in Shanxi? It seemed like a place without any major issues.

Thinking it probably held no significance, I dismissed the thought. I already had too many things to handle without worrying about merchant guilds.

“Anyway, why aren’t we departing yet?”

Isn’t it a bit much that the household retainers aren’t ready when I’m done?

I felt I should say something about this, so I went to where the household retainers were gathered.

“We finished preparing quite some time…”

My mouth, about to scold them, immediately shut tight.

In the center of where the retainers were gathered, murmuring, stood Wi Seol-ah.

It was Wi Seol-ah. Not the Wi Seol-ah whose face was completely covered by unkempt hair, just smiling foolishly. She looked exactly like the her who looked down on me before I died. Since she’s the same person, it couldn’t be helped. I just hadn’t realized it due to Wi Seol-ah’s current actions and appearance. Thanks to her trimmed bangs, her previously covered face was revealed. Her translucent skin and rosy lips caught my eye. Her black eyes, holding a faint bluish tint, seemed to shine alone amidst the crowd. Now that even her carelessly worn hair was tidied up…

“Seol-ah, you’re truly so beautiful…!”

“How can a person be this pretty? When she grows up, she’ll make all the men weep.”

“If it were really up to me, with my son… Oops, Young Master!”

The retainers, who had been showering Wi Seol-ah with compliments, quickly paid their respects upon seeing me and took their positions. As I stood there, seemingly giving them a look, the woman who had been touching Wi Seol-ah’s hair came forward and spoke.

“We apologize… We have to go to Gu Long Hoe, and I thought Seol-ah should at least be dressed up a little…”

She meant that while trying to dress her up, she became so beautiful that they were mesmerized. It was hardly even considered dressing up, as it was just tidying her hair. Still, it meant she looked that good. They knew that this time it was clearly their fault, so they couldn’t do anything even if I cursed them out.

From within the group, Wi Seol-ah walked over. Wi Seol-ah walked lightly and met my gaze in front of me. Meeting her jewel-like eyes, I felt my gaze naturally drawn away. Wi Seol-ah wouldn’t know what I was thinking. It was different from her eyes, which were sharp and edgy in my past life. It was completely different from those eyes that used to look at me filled with myriad emotions.

“Young Master, the ladies said I’m really pretty.”

My heart skipped a beat at Wi Seol-ah’s slightly smiling face as she spoke. It was even more so because it overlapped with a face completely different from now, a face I probably wouldn’t be able to see again. I tried hard to calm my pounding heart, but it wasn’t easy.

“Do you think I’m pretty too, Young Master?”

In the end, seeing Wi Seol-ah speaking with a wide smile, I couldn’t say anything.

Although we were slightly delayed, everything that followed went smoothly. While I was chatting with Muyeon, the carriage was ready, and since it was just me, Wi Seol-ah, and a few attendants, we could board quickly. However, seeing Wi Seol-ah showing off her appearance to Geomjon before leaving. Geomjon, who was stroking Wi Seol-ah with sad eyes, lingered in my memory for a moment. Soon after, accompanied by a few assigned guards, the carriage departed for Cheonsil Sangga.

“Wow! It’s amazing! It’s moving!”

As soon as she got on the carriage, Wi Seol-ah was excited by the moving scenery. She said the trees were moving fast. When another attendant corrected her, saying, ‘It’s not the trees, it’s because the carriage is moving fast,’ she became even more excited. Wi Seol-ah, who was already adored, seemed to receive even more affection after her appearance changed.

It would take about two shichen (approx. 4 hours) by carriage to Cheonsil Sangga. I planned to get some sleep during that time. After planning various things, I had been training until dawn with the remaining time, so my sleep schedule had been severely lacking recently. Meanwhile, the excited Wi Seol-ah was being a bit noisy, so I handed her a yakgwa (honey cookie) and took the opportunity while she quieted down to immediately try and sleep.

The carriage, running without rest, soon arrived at Sanwolhyeon, where Cheonsil Sangga was located. The streets were packed with an obviously huge crowd, as if it were Shanxi’s biggest festival. This was revitalization for the streets, and an opportunity for the surrounding merchants. Of course, it was a mundane affair for me.

‘..I wanted to finish quickly and just train.’

It was to fix the weakness stemming from the lack of training I’d been feeling since my regression. Although every inch of my body ached from the sudden training, it was a necessary task for the future. If I don’t do it, I might die, so I have to.

Passing through the streets and reaching Cheonsil Sangga, people appeared in front of the guild to greet me. A middle-aged man with a bit of chubbiness was draped in gold silk inscribed with Cheon Il (天一). He introduced himself as the Vice-Manager of Cheonsil Sangga.

“I am Cheon Isil, Vice-Manager of Cheonsil Sangga. It is an honor to meet the small star of the Gu Clan.”

“I am Gu Yangcheon of the Gu Clan.”

Cheon Isil glanced around behind me, his eyes widening briefly upon seeing Wi Seol-ah, but it was only for a moment before he fixed his gaze back on me. Perhaps because he was a merchant, his expression management was skilled.

“Elder Yi has not arrived yet, but Miss Gu is unpacking and resting. Shall I guide Young Master Gu to unpack as well?”

“…Hmm, that would be best. Please guide us.”

Cheon Isil said he would guide us personally. It was guest quarters within the guild, and although I remembered Cheonsil Sangga being large, experiencing it again after regression, its scale was immense.

‘In a way, isn’t it larger than the Gu Clan’s estate?’

Of course, given the Clan Head’s personality, it might have been intentionally expanded. Gu Yeonseo had already arrived. Since she had already unpacked in her quarters, she probably wouldn’t come out until Gu Long Hoe began. Gu Yeonseo definitely dislikes me. If we were to meet, it would likely cause troublesome issues. Thanks to that, I felt relieved thinking I wouldn’t have to waste unnecessary energy by meeting her.

‘Surely I won’t run into her by bad luck.’

…But ‘surely’ has a tendency to catch people.

On the way to the quarters, as if I had forgotten how unlucky I’d been all along, I ran into Gu Yeonseo like a ghost.

“To have to see an unpleasant face the moment I arrive.”

That’s what Gu Yeonseo spat out the instant she saw me.

“Hello, Noona.”

“Don’t greet me, it’s annoying.”

Why don’t you just tell me not to breathe either?

Perhaps my greeting didn’t sit well with her, Gu Yeonseo opened her mouth, filled with irritation.

“I doubt you’d cause trouble even at Gu Long Hoe, but please, refrain from that at least. There’s nothing more disgraceful than a clan member tarnishing the family name.”

“I’ll stay hidden and leave quietly, so don’t worry.”

“Who said they were worried…”

Gu Yeonseo glared at me, then looked momentarily surprised upon seeing Wi Seol-ah, and scowled deeply. Then, she looked at me with eyes filled with even more disgust than before.

“They say you can’t break old habits; are you trying to do something foolish even after coming all this way?”

“…What strange talk is this all of a sudden?”

“I thought you had changed a bit recently, but indeed, people never change.”

She spewed her words out on her own and then brushed past me. Why the sudden outburst…?

Cheon Isil, who was guiding us, was instead sweating profusely. Unable to stand the atmosphere, Cheon Isil spoke.

“Ah, well, I’ve heard siblings often fight. I even got into scuffles with my sister when I was young…”

“….”

You don’t really need to console me…

Following the guide, we arrived at the quarters shortly after. The size was comparable to my private quarters in the clan, and it was clean, as if always maintained. Although I wanted to rest more, Gu Long Hoe was starting soon, so I hurried to move.

The venue, created under the leadership of Cheonsil Sangga, boasted considerable size. It’s said that merchants build things on a grand scale to showcase their wealth when they undertake a project.

‘Even considering that, isn’t this too big?’

“Wow…! It’s incredibly spacious, I’ve never seen anything this wide!”

This time, I agreed with Wi Seol-ah’s words. It was so vast, anyone would think the Martial Alliance was hosting it.

The first day would feature a festival awarding the Gu Clan’s Geomdae. The second day, eagerly awaited by many, would hold the martial arts tournament to select the Gu Clan’s Geomdae members. Fortunately, clan members do not participate in the tournament. The only thing I had to do here was observe.

“It’s really just observation, what could possibly happen?”

I really hope so.