Chapter 79: More Fox Than Expected. (1)

For a few seconds, I squeezed my eyes shut and cowered.

Since there was neither the expected impact nor noise, Gu Linghua slowly opened her eyes.

She thought the first thing she’d see would be the tip of a wooden sword.

What Gu Linghua saw first upon opening her eyes was someone’s back.

It wasn’t a particularly broad back, but it was definitely a figure from her memory.

Hwareureuk-

She felt a vaguely familiar sound and a sweltering heat.

The wooden sword that had been swung towards Gu Linghua was now caught in someone’s hand.

Before she could even process the situation, the heat filling the surroundings subsided.

The owner of the back spoke.

“What are you doing?”

At those words, the woman who had been sparring momentarily avoided his gaze.

Gu Linghua, who hadn’t grasped the situation and was spacing out, saw the face of the person who had saved her.

A boy with fierce eyes, giving off an impression of intense irritation.

It was her older brother, Gu Yangcheon.

---

‘I thought my hand was going to break.’

My hand is tingling.

I jumped in recklessly into a situation that felt like it would turn into a disaster if I didn’t intervene, but I didn’t intend to barge in so aggressively.

Namgung Bi-ah was surrounded by sword energy, but its intensity wasn’t that strong.

Still, if I hadn’t used my internal energy, my arm would have been smashed to bits.

“What are you doing?”

At my question, Namgung Bi-ah avoided my gaze.

Is she admitting that she went a bit overboard?

“Why would you even draw sword energy against a child?”

Namgung Bi-ah still didn’t answer.

It seemed like some conversation had passed between the two, but I couldn’t hear it properly.

Namgung Bi-ah, who had been hesitating, opened her mouth with a look as if she was sulking.

“…She said I was ugly.”

“What?”

“I’m not ugly though…”

What is she suddenly talking about?

Did Gu Linghua call Namgung Bi-ah ugly?

‘…She wouldn’t be the type to have eyes that hurt that badly?’

Surely, Gu Linghua was on the prettier side, even considering she was family.

Especially since she didn’t have the Gu family’s characteristic sharp, piercing eyes, which might have made her seem that way.

Still, it was far from enough to say anything bad about Namgung Bi-ah.

I looked at Gu Linghua and asked.

“Did you call her ugly?”

“…What nonsense are you talking about?”

“So, what kind of nonsense is this right now?”

Something feels off about this conversation.

Gu Linghua looked at me with a strange expression.

“Why?”

“…What’s your relationship with that person?”

“That person?”

Her glance was directed towards Namgung Bi-ah.

…Hadn’t I mentioned it?

Right, I hadn’t.

“Ah… well…”

“Fiancée.”

Just like last time, Namgung Bi-ah cut me off again.

Gu Linghua froze at Namgung Bi-ah’s firm three words.

She looked back and forth between Namgung Bi-ah and me with wide eyes, her expression gradually hardening.

It was like a look that said, ‘…Why, of all people?’

To be precise, it was more like, ‘How could someone like you be with someone like her…?’ wouldn’t that be more accurate?

Whatever the case, it left a bad taste in my mouth.

“…You came all the way here with your fiancée?”

“We didn’t come together… We met on the way.”

We really did meet by chance on the road.

From Gu Linghua’s perspective, she might be wondering how such a coincidence could happen on the road from Shanxi to Shaanxi.

…But it was literally the truth.

Gu Linghua, who had been spacing out, suddenly looked at Namgung Bi-ah with a hazy expression, as if something had occurred to her.

“Fiancé… So?”

Namgung Bi-ah, meeting her gaze, was expressionless as usual.

Gu Linghua brushed herself off, stood up, and approached Namgung Bi-ah.

I almost stepped forward again, thinking she might pick a fight because of what just happened.

Surprisingly, Gu Linghua bowed deeply to Namgung Bi-ah.

“Thank you for the map.”

Unlike her dust-covered appearance, she performed the courtesy neatly.

Namgung Bi-ah watched her for a moment, then gently brushed off some grass stuck to Gu Linghua’s shoulder with her hand.

Gu Linghua flinched slightly at the touch but quickly spoke up.

“…I apologize… for speaking carelessly.”

Why is she glaring at me while saying that?

As Gu Linghua apologized, Namgung Bi-ah followed up with her own apology to Gu Linghua.

“…I’m sorry too…”

What the…?

Why are they suddenly making up on their own?

As I stood there bewildered by the incomprehensible situation, Gu Linghua suddenly dashed off.

“Where are you going?”

“Mind your own business!”

She yelled irritably, clearly displeased about something, then gave Namgung Bi-ah another slight bow before running down the mountain.

After I went out of my way to save her…

“Why is she acting like that…?”

It was truly baffling.

After Gu Linghua left, Namgung Bi-ah approached me.

She looked somewhat embarrassed.

“…I didn’t intend to hit you directly.”

I chuckled at her words, which sounded like an excuse.

“I know.”

I knew that the sword energy contained within the blade, the subtle pressure she exuded, and the target of her sword were ultimately just threats.

Nevertheless, I had stepped in unnecessarily, so it was partly my fault.

Seeing Namgung Bi-ah standing there awkwardly, I asked.

“Why were you acting like that with her?”

“…We were just sparring…?”

“…Right, that sounds like you.”

How could someone be this obsessed with sparring?

I genuinely wondered if she, too, was possessed by a ghost like me.

Namgung Bi-ah suddenly asked me.

“Um…”

“Yeah?”

“Is she someone you know…?”

I briefly wondered what Namgung Bi-ah was asking.

Looking at her gaze, it was in the direction Gu Linghua had gone.

Ah, had I never mentioned it to Namgung Bi-ah?

I casually replied as if it were no big deal.

“She’s my sister.”

“…Huh?”

I don’t think I ever introduced her…

Was she acting like that without even knowing she was my sister?

It’s true, they didn’t look alike at all, so that could be the reason.

The problem was Namgung Bi-ah’s expression upon hearing my words.

In both my past and current lives, I had never seen Namgung Bi-ah display such a distinct expression.

“…What’s wrong?”

I had to ask, didn’t I?

It was the first time I’d seen her make a face like that.

How should I describe it? It looked like despair… or maybe surprise.

It was a face mixed with a variety of emotions.

Of course, it didn’t seem like a particularly good expression.

“…Ma…”

“Ma?”

She started muttering something to herself, but it was so quiet I couldn’t hear it clearly.

So I moved a little closer.

“Ma…man…”

“What did you say?”

“Man…aged.”

Three words whispered softly.

I couldn’t quite grasp what was ruined, but…

I decided to just dismiss it, figuring Namgung Bi-ah was just being her usual weird self.

---

The next day arrived.

Fortunately, we were able to secure another room yesterday, so I could sleep comfortably on the third night.

Namgung Bi-ah looked somewhat dazed for some reason and didn’t say much, but Wi Seol-ah wore a displeased expression.

Of course, it bothered me a little, but perhaps because I had spoken to Hong Wa in advance, she was naturally dragged away and disappeared when it was time for bed.

Thanks to that, I could finally get a good night’s sleep after a long time.

Shin No-ya’s nagging was a bit loud, but I was tired enough to endure even that before falling asleep.

Feeling refreshed, I headed out for morning training with Yeongpung, thinking maybe this time would be okay.

If I felt this refreshed, maybe I could endure it? That was the thought.

I was wrong.

I wondered if this crazy sect wasn’t just torturing us under the guise of training.

Torturing ourselves, no less.

Returning to my quarters with trembling legs, I collapsed onto the floor.

Due to the influence of my cultivation technique, I shouldn’t feel heat or cold easily, nor should I sweat much.

To be drenched in sweat like this…

They expect us to do training at this absurd level every single day?

It truly was a perverted sect.

[…You damn brat?]

Shin No-ya cursed under his breath, clearly displeased, but I didn’t pay him any mind.

It had become second nature to just let his words go in one ear and out the other.

A cup of water was placed beside me as I lay there groaning, soaked in sweat.

Wi Seol-ah had approached unnoticed and handed it to me.

“Young Master, are you okay…?”

“No… I’m not okay.”

I lay sprawled out, completely exhausted.

Suddenly, I realized Namgung Bi-ah hadn’t been around since morning, so I asked Wi Seol-ah.

“Unni went out earlier!”

she replied.

I wondered if she was off somewhere swinging her sword.

Not only my legs but my hands were trembling as I quickly grabbed the cup and drank.

Seeing how sweet the water tasted, I must have been incredibly thirsty.

As I drank, Wi Seol-ah came over with a towel and wiped the sweat from my hair.

It was a pointless gesture since I’d have to wash up anyway, but I appreciated the thought.

“Thanks.”

“Should I bring more water?”

“No, water’s fine.”

I forced my aching arms to move and pushed myself up.

As I sat down heavily on the floor with a groan, Wi Seol-ah leaned her shoulder against mine.

“What the…?”

“You can lean on me!”

“On you?”

“Yeah!”

Did I look that exhausted…?

She told me to lean on her.

Even though I tease Wi Seol-ah every day about being chubby and round, she looked quite thin on the outside.

She looked so delicate, like she might blow away if you poked her.

Of course, her occasional displays of superhuman strength for chores were inexplicable given her build.

But knowing it was Wi Seol-ah, I just let it slide.

I leaned slightly, and just as expected, Wi Seol-ah didn’t budge.

What a strange body she has.

[Are you enjoying this?]

Shin No-ya’s words almost made me burst out laughing.

Enjoying this?

At his words, I quietly looked at Wi Seol-ah.

Wi Seol-ah, with her usual expression, was quietly gazing at the pond inside the quarters.

Was she fascinated by the koi in the pond?

‘Surely, she isn’t thinking about eating them, is she?’

But given what she usually says, I felt a bit uneasy.

Even if she was, she wouldn’t actually eat them… probably.

…Or would she?

As I continued to lean on her, Wi Seol-ah turned her head and looked towards me.

Making eye contact with me, Wi Seol-ah immediately broke into a bright smile.

Her smiling eyes, curved like crescent moons, and the upward tilt of her lips momentarily made my mind go blank.

We were so close that her smile hit me full force.

‘…Her face really is a weapon.’

Should I make her wear a veil starting now, not years later?

Even dressed as a servant, she was like this; knowing how she’ll be when she grows up, it was even more concerning.

It’s not like I can keep Wi Seol-ah hidden in my arms forever.

Not just because of her beauty, but for many other reasons too.

That’s why I had a question.

What on earth were they thinking?

Sword Master, and Father, too.

“Young Master.”

“Yeah?”

I responded to her call, but her next words didn’t come.

Wi Seol-ah had called me but just kept staring.

As she stared, I felt like I was being sucked into her obsidian eyes.

Why was she just staring silently?

After staring for a while, Wi Seol-ah started to say something.

“Gu So…!”

Yeongpung appeared cheerfully.

Didn’t I experience this before…?

Am I mistaken?

At Yeongpung’s appearance, I straightened up from where I was leaning.

Seeing that, Yeongpung darted his eyes around, unsure of what to do.

“What’s going on, Senior Disciple?”

“…No, uh… I apologize. I seem to have interrupted.”

“…Huh? No, I wasn’t doing anything.”

[I was holding my breath and everything… And this damn foal…]

Even as we spoke, Yeongpung remained visibly flustered.

I thought it might be because of me, but he wasn’t looking my way nervously.

He seemed to be glancing towards Wi Seol-ah?

Puzzled by Yeongpung’s reaction, I looked at Wi Seol-ah’s face, but she was just smiling as usual.

“Senior Disciple…?”

“Ah… well, training is over, so I thought we could have a meal together, that’s why I came…”

Yeongpung’s words made me tilt my head.

Why come here specifically, leaving the other disciples behind?

Don’t disciples usually eat together?

I figured there might be some reason.

Since I had to eat anyway, I figured it was fine.

“Ah, well, I think I need to wash up first, so please have a seat.”

I needed to wash off the sweat, after all.

“Yes…?”

“You won’t have anywhere else to go outside, so couldn’t you just wait here for a moment?”

“No, I’ll just lie on the ground or rest up a tree. Just come out quickly, take your time.”

“…Those are all extreme and contradictory options?”

Why is he rambling like that?

“Anyway, just sit and wait for a moment. I’ll be right back.”

“Wait…!”

I thought I heard Yeongpung calling from behind, but I was hungry, so I figured I should hurry and wash up and dashed off.

‘Yeongpung seems off today.’

Did he lose his mind from too much training?

That seemed like the most likely explanation.

As I was heading to wash, Shin No-ya suddenly brought up Wi Seol-ah.

[…You couldn’t see Yeo-a’s expression?]

“What expression?”

[Are your eyes like knot-holes? You can’t even see that properly.]

What does he mean?

As far as I saw, she was just smiling, so what exactly did Shin No-ya see?

[…Or perhaps she deliberately hid it? She looks like a puppy, but she’s quite the fox, much more than I thought.]

What is this old man talking about…?

I laughed it off, assuming he was just spouting nonsense as usual.

Because no matter how I looked at it, Wi Seol-ah didn’t give off a foxy vibe.