812 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

After concluding the conversation with Muk Yeon, and choosing the personnel for the upcoming campaign, I sought out Elder Il Jang right away. I explained the situation to Elder Il Jang in preparation for the matters at hand. “So, you’re saying you’re going to Sichuan.” I nodded in response. “Yes. It seems likely.” “You’re certainly keeping busy.” “Somehow... that’s how it turned out.” The mere mention of traveling to Sichuan instead of returning to Shanxi elicited a wry smile from Elder Il Jang. It wasn’t surprising that I seemed to be spending more time outside than at home. “If that’s what you want, I won’t stop you... but are you sure about this?” “...Hmm.” I scratched my cheek at Elder Il Jang's words, which carried a different meaning. “It’s just that the other elders might become troublesome.” Soon, it would be time for me to assume the position of successor. Announcing my travels under such circumstances might naturally face resistance. “Well, we’ll manage somehow.” I wasn’t too worried about it. No matter how much the elders protest, the turmoil won’t be significant. If there was one issue... “But in your opinion, Elder Il Jang, is it better to simply head to Shanxi?” The opinion of Elder Il Jang seemed particularly important, so I asked nervously. He responded. “Would it change anything, asking after you’ve already decided?” “...” A rather accurate point. “If that’s what you want, then do it. Ultimately, you’ll be the one to bear the consequences.” He delicately implied that it wasn’t the best choice. I knew well enough that it might not be the optimal decision on my own. Seeing my hesitant expression, Elder Il Jang sighed. “What’s with that look? You didn’t expect this old man to bear the burden for you, did you?” “No, it’s not like that. And even if I asked, you wouldn’t do it, would you?” “Of course not. Why would this old man do that?” He wasn’t wrong. When you undertake something, you handle the consequences yourself. This was no different. Whether it was resistance from the elders or the timing seemed illogical, the ripple effect at the end would be entirely my responsibility. ‘So it seems dragging this out longer would be difficult.’ I had much to consider, yet time was scarce. This was why I needed to move even more persistently. At that moment, Elder Il Jang spoke. “All well and good, do as you wish and give it your all. But still, shouldn’t you attend to what you must?” “Yes?” While speaking, Elder Il Jang pointed somewhere with his finger. Following the direction of his pointing, something came into view. “...” Someone was glaring our way with a fiercely angry expression. It was none other than the fourth of the Gu family, Gu Ryonghwa. “I hear you haven’t shown your face here even once since arriving. Is that true?” “I was a bit busy...” I was aware that Gu Ryonghwa had arrived with the Mount Hua Sect. I knew, but I hadn’t gone to see her. There was simply too much in my schedule. Most importantly... ‘I forgot.’ ...Yes, I had forgotten. The day Yeong Pung had brought up Gu Ryonghwa’s name. I had said I would go see her then, but... ‘...I don’t think I ever went, did I?’ I probably didn’t go. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have such a sulky expression. Her face was radiating a tremendous sulkiness. But since it seemed I was the one in the wrong, I had a hard time even stealing glances at her. Gu Ryonghwa, whom I observed surreptitiously, seemed much more mature than the last time I saw her. She didn’t appear to have particularly grown taller, but her demeanor seemed to have changed. ‘Hmm.’ Did she find a man? Unconsciously, I clenched my fists. ‘Who the hell is he?’ Which scoundrel could it be? Suddenly, I was curious. Oh, I was just curious. I wasn’t planning to do anything. ‘When I visited the Mount Hua Sect last time, wasn't there someone with odd eyes... Could it be him? Probably among the Three Great Disciples...’ Even if I couldn’t change anything by knowing, I was simply curious. It's natural to be curious about a relative’s love life. Knowing wouldn't actually lead to me doing anything, but... ‘As long as I don’t act on it.’ Accidents can happen by chance. Yes, indeed. ‘Should I just find out his name?’ “...Cheona.” ‘Maybe Yeong Pung knows his monastic title, and after finding out... I could ask Na Hi to send someone—’ “Yangcheon.” “Yes?” Lost in thought, I was snapped back to reality by the call. “What is it?” “What did I do?” “Your face looks like you’re about to beat someone up. It’s frightening, so ease up a bit. With such a nasty expression, it’s like you’ve become a ghost...” “...” Hearing that, I almost coughed up blood. Calling someone a ghost? This elder used to call me his grandchild; why such harsh words now? “...I was just spacing out for a moment.” “If you space out twice, someone’s going to die.” “...” Overwhelmed by the continuous jabs, I finally stood up. Any longer, and the stress would get to me. As I got up, I felt a reaction from the front. It was from Gu Ryonghwa's direction. She seemed startled, perhaps wondering if I would approach her. ‘Hmm.’ I had originally intended to go over anyway. At this stage, it would be strange not to go. “Hey.” Flinch. At my call, Gu Ryonghwa visibly flinched. However, her expression didn’t change. “Hey.” I called again. Her eyes narrowing, she finally opened her mouth. “...What.” At least she responded. Relief accompanied the acknowledgment. Despite her irritated tone, she replied albeit grudgingly. “Are you mad?” “I’m not mad.” “Not mad? Your cheeks puffed like that says otherwise.” “…!” Startled by the comment, Gu Ryonghwa quickly stroked her cheeks. Then her eyes rolled about vigorously, as she realized her own swelling. “…T-this is just swelling.” “Swelling? Why. Did someone hit you?” Who could it be? I’ll rip out their joints and pickle them. "What do you mean, 'got hit'? That's not it." "Fine, if you say so." I replied nonchalantly as I settled next to her. As soon as I sat down, Gu Ryonghwa subtly shifted away, creating some space between us. "What do you want?" "I just wanted to sit next to you, that's all." "Why sit here? Go away." "I'll sit where I please since I'm using my own seat. Who says you have a right here?" "This is my spot." "How is it your spot? If anything, it's Mrs. Mi's spot." "..." Gu Ryonghwa pressed her lips together tightly. Truthfully, the current lodgings of the Gu family were under Mrs. Mi’s ownership. Moreover... "Aren't you with the Mount Hua Sect? Technically, I should be calling this my spot..." "I'm leaving." "It was just a joke." As she attempted to stand up, I gently pulled her back down to her seat. "I was just trying to lighten the mood." "You always lighten the mood like this, brother?" "Why? Isn’t it okay?" "I pity your sisters." "..." What did she mean by that? I felt a strange sense of guilt. In any case, though I had somewhat managed to calm Gu Ryonghwa down, we ended up sitting silently side by side for a bit. After a brief pause, I spoke hesitantly. "Hey, I'm sorry." Gu Ryonghwa turned to look at me. "What are you sorry for?" "For saying I'd visit and then not showing up?" "Hmph. I wasn’t particularly worried about that." Who was she kidding? Her face clearly showed her mood had improved after my apology. I couldn't help but wonder who she got her inability to lie from. "I just... was busy, you see. It wasn’t like I intended not to visit." Trying to ride the wave of the conversation, I attempted to explain quickly. "I know." "Huh?" Gu Ryonghwa responded. "I know you're busy." "...How would you know?" "There's no one in Hanam who doesn't know how busy you are, brother. All I hear is people saying they've seen you here and there. Just how much are you running around?" "..." ...Was that so? I didn’t think I was roaming about so much, but, apparently, people had been spotting me quite often. 'I should be more careful.' Clearly, there were more eyes on me than I expected. "So... how’s your health?" Gu Ryonghwa asked. "Huh? My health?" The question seemed sudden. "...I heard you got injured. Are you alright?" "Oh." She must be referring to the incident with the hundred-level magical beast. "As you can see, I'm perfectly fine." "..." Despite my answer, Gu Ryonghwa scanned me up and down with skeptical eyes. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?" "Are you really okay?" "I said I'm fine. Look, if I were in pain, I wouldn’t be able to move around like this..." "Then why didn't you come see me?" "There's that, I might still be a bit hurt." "..." "..." I glanced away. It felt like I had fallen into a trap. This girl has gotten clever while I wasn't looking. As I struggled to find a response, Gu Ryonghwa sighed and spoke. "It’s fine... It's not like I wanted to see you or anything. I just asked. It's not like I was really dying to see you." Right, we were never all that close. It was believable enough that I nodded my head in agreement when— "Considering how you reportedly came running when you heard Yangcheon got injured..." "Elder, what are you talking about?!" From the back, Elder Il Jang chuckled and added more to the conversation. Gu Ryonghwa shouted, her face turning crimson. "W-when did I do that? I didn’t...!" "Really? Because according to the servants..." "Elder...!!" "Alright, alright. I must have misheard." "..." In the end, Elder Il Jang backed off, unable to withstand Gu Ryonghwa's cries. But it was already too late. ‘...When did she come by?’ This was something I hadn’t heard about. I looked at Gu Ryonghwa upon hearing this revelation. She was busy avoiding my gaze, her face reflecting the embarrassment. ‘Hmm.’ It seemed like it was true. And perhaps because of that revelation, a slight guilt rose within me. The reason why I hadn’t seen her visits was obvious. ‘There were times I was unconscious. And perhaps when Gu Ryonghwa visited, she might not have been let in.’ When I was resting, it was Moyong Hee-ah who looked after me, so she would have known if Gu Ryonghwa came by. But the fact that she hadn’t said anything might have been... ‘Her own choice.’ Assuming that was correct seemed reasonable. “If you came, you should have come up to me.” “...I said I didn’t come.” Feigning ignorance, she seemed determined to deny it until the end. So, I decided not to push any further. After all, I hadn’t gone to visit her either, so what right did I have to pry? “Right, you didn’t come.” “You don’t look convinced.” “I believe you.” “Okay…” And silence returned once more. We were used to this quiet exchange. More accustomed to sitting together in silence than engaging in conversation. We couldn’t return to how things once were, but not speaking ill of one another was a significant change. Contemplating that, I steadied my breathing when Gu Ryonghwa suddenly spoke. “Hey.” “Yes?” “I’m thinking of going back to Shanxi.” "What?" I widened my eyes. Going back to Shanxi? “Not permanently. I’m thinking of spending the rest of the time I have left in Shanxi… Mrs. Mi wishes it, and the Head of the sect gave her permission as well.” Ah, so she wasn’t going back permanently. It seemed she intended to take a short break for the remainder of the year. Yet, amidst all that, there was one detail that surprised me. “Mrs. Mi wished for it?” “Huh? Yeah.” The part related to Mrs. Mi was unexpected. “You... You’ve been talking with Mrs. Mi?” “Huh? Oh, sometimes?” I was taken aback. I hadn’t imagined that Gu Ryonghwa communicated with Mrs. Mi at all. Even if occasionally. As I stared, astonished, Gu Ryonghwa looked back at me with a puzzled expression. “Why are you so surprised?" “It’s just... surprising. I thought you...” I thought she’d resent Mrs. Mi. I held back my words. She had left because she hated her home. And if she found freedom in her departure, that was enough. That had been my assumption all along. As I looked at her with that strange gaze, Gu Ryonghwa spoke softly, her eyes lowered. “I don’t hate her.” "..." Even though I didn’t speak the last words, Gu Ryonghwa understood what I was trying to say. "...It's not like she did anything wrong. It's just a bit awkward and distant between us. Isn't that the case for you too?" "..." "And really, if anyone should hold resentment, it should be her towards us. But..." Gu Ryonghwa hesitated, adding cautiously. "She doesn't resent us, so what reason do we have to hold a grudge...?" Hearing her softly spoken words, I unconsciously swallowed hard.