812 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Translated and Implemented Instructions ### Chapter 812: Childhood Friend of the Zenith (천하제일인의 소꿉친구) After finishing my conversation with Mok Yeon (묵연), I selected the people who would participate in the upcoming expedition and immediately went to find Elder Il (일장로). I explained the current situation to Elder Il, preparing for the tasks ahead. "So, you're saying you're heading to Sichuan (사천)?" I nodded in response. "Yes, it seems that way." "You're moving quite busily." "It just happened to turn out like this." Instead of returning to Shanxi (산서), my journey led me to Sichuan first, which prompted a chuckle from Elder Il. It indeed seemed strange, given that I spent more time wandering outside than at home. "I'm not going to stop you if that's what you want... but are you sure about this?" "Well..." I scratched my cheek as I pondered his words. His inquiry wasn't without reason. "Other elders might cause some trouble." Soon, I would need to take the position of Family Head (소가주). Announcing my intent to depart when such responsibilities awaited was bound to spark some opposition. "Well, I'll figure it out somehow." I wasn't overly concerned. Even if the elders grew restless, the disturbance wouldn't be significant. The real issue was... "But Elder Il, do you think I should just head to Shanxi instead?" His opinion seemed rather important, prompting me to ask with some trepidation. Elder Il replied with a sigh. "Why bother asking after you've already decided?" "…" He was quite right. "If it's something you want, then go ahead. After all, you're the one who has to handle the consequences." He diplomatically stated that it might not be the best choice. I was aware it wasn't the optimal decision. Observing my slightly hesitant expression, Elder Il let out a small sigh. "What's with that expression? Surely you didn't expect this old man to shoulder the burden for you, did you?" "It's not that. Besides, even if I asked, you wouldn't do it, would you?" "Of course not. Why would this old man do that?" He was right there as well. When you cause a problem, you handle it yourself. That was the situation here too, whether it was opposition from the elders or the untimely nature of my departure. The repercussions that would follow were entirely my own to bear. 'And so, prolonging this is difficult.' There were many concerns but not much time to address them. It was a reason to push myself even harder. At that moment. "Fine, do whatever you wish if you want it that much. But, you know—" "Yes?" "You should still pay attention to certain matters." Saying so, Elder Il pointed somewhere with his finger, directing my gaze. "…." Someone was glaring daggers at me, looking rather displeased. It was none other than the fourth of the Gu family, Gu Ryeong Hwa (구령화). "I heard that since arriving here, you haven’t shown your face even once. Is that right?" "I've been a bit busy…." I knew that Gu Ryeong Hwa had arrived with the Mount Hua Sect (화산파). I was aware but just never went to see her. My schedule was quite packed, and above all—that’s right, I had forgotten. I thought of visiting Gu Ryeong Hwa when Yeongpung (영풍) had mentioned her arrival. But then… I hadn’t gone, had I? I probably didn’t. Hence, her face was filled with frustration, her expression a collage of resentment. Yet, knowing I was at fault, meeting her eyes was daunting. I found myself sneaking glances at her. It seemed Gu Ryeong Hwa had matured quite a bit since I last saw her. She didn’t appear particularly taller, but something about her aura had changed. ‘Hmm…’ Could she have found someone special? Involuntarily, I clenched my fist. ‘Who could it be?’ Who would it be, I wondered. Just idle curiosity, honestly. I didn’t have any intention to act. ‘There was some odd fellow when I visited the Mount Hua Sect before, wasn’t there…’ Could it be him? He was probably one of the third-generation disciples… ‘Well, I suppose she could have a relationship...’ Though knowing wouldn’t change much, it was just pure curiosity. Family matters like love could pique one’s interest. ‘Nothing I would act on, really…’ As long as I didn’t get involved. Casual accidents can happen—right? ‘So maybe just finding out a name...’ "Yangcheon (양천)." ‘Perhaps asking Yeongpung could uncover the details, and after finding out... I could ask Nahi (나히) to—’ "Yangcheon." "Yes?" Lost in my thoughts, I snapped back to attention at his call. "What’s the matter?" "Me? Nothing, really." "Your face looks like you’re about to beat someone up. It’s terrifying. Loosen up your expression. With that ghastly look, you’ll outmatch any ghost." "..." At that, I almost choked on my own breath. Calling me a ghost, he, who often referred to me as a grandchild, had some sharp words today. "I was just daydreaming for a moment." "Daydream twice, and you’ll end up killing someone." "..." Faced with this relentless verbal assault, I reluctantly stood up. Any longer, and I’d succumb to an emotional outburst. As I stood, I felt a reaction from the front—from Gu Ryeong Hwa’s direction. She seemed startled, perhaps thinking I was approaching her. 'Hmmm...' Originally, I planned to go over. At this point, not approaching would be more awkward. "Hey." She flinched. Despite my call, her expression remained unchanged. "Hey." Upon calling her again, her eyes narrowed and her lips parted slightly. "…What?" But at least she responded, thankfully. Her voice was quite displeased. It was blatantly apparent she was reluctantly acknowledging me. "Are you mad?" "I'm not." "Not angry, huh? But from the looks of your cheeks, you’re definitely mad." "…!" At my observation, Gu Ryeong Hwa hastily touched her cheeks. She realized the swelling was evident even to herself. "...It’s just... they're swollen." "Swollen? What, did someone hit you?" Who could it be? Should I pluck their joints and pickle them? "...I didn’t get hit, it’s nothing like that." "Alright, if you say so." Translated and Implemented Instructions I spoke curtly and then settled down beside her. As soon as I sat, Gu Ryeong Hwa (구령화) moved slightly away. “What do you want?” “What do you mean, what? I’m just sitting here.” “Why are you sitting here? Go away.” “Well, I decide where I sit. What’s it to you?” “This is my spot.” “Why is it your spot? If we’re being technical, it’s Lady Mi’s (미) spot, isn’t it?” “…” Gu Ryeong Hwa pressed her lips together, unable to argue. Currently, the place where the members of the Gu family resided was indeed Lady Mi's property. Moreover. “Aren’t you with the Mount Hua Sect? If we’re splitting hairs, it’s more my spot than yours…” "I'm leaving." "I was just joking, just joking." I quickly held Gu Ryeong Hwa down when she got up to leave, having teased her a bit. "I was just trying to lighten the mood." "Do you always try to lighten the mood this way, Brother?" “Why? Isn’t it okay?” “…I feel bad for your sisters.” “…” What does that even mean...? It felt like a sharp sting to my heart. In any case, I succeeded in keeping Gu Ryeong Hwa seated, and we sat in silence for a while. Eventually, the moment passed. "Um. I'm sorry." I awkwardly offered an apology first. Gu Ryeong Hwa looked at me at my words. "What are you sorry for?" "For saying I'd come see you and then not doing it?" "Hmph. I don't really care about that." Not caring, my foot. Her mood visibly improved after the apology, which was plain as day. I wonder whom she takes after to be so transparent in her deceit. "Well… it wasn’t that I didn’t want to come; I was just busy..." Seizing the opportunity, I quickly tried to add an explanation. “I know.” “Huh?” To my surprise, Gu Ryeong Hwa spoke up. “I know you’re busy, Brother.” “…How do you know?” “Is there anyone in Hanam who doesn’t know how busy you’ve been? People everywhere are saying they’ve spotted you. How much have you been wandering around?” “…” …Had I really wandered that much? There seemed to be occasional witness accounts. ‘I guess I’ll have to tread more carefully.’ It seemed I needed to pay more attention; there were more eyes on me than expected. “So, um… is your body okay?” Gu Ryeong Hwa asked me. “Huh? My body?” Though I was momentarily confused by the sudden question, she clarified. “…I heard you were injured. Are you really alright?” “Oh.” She was probably referring to the incident involving the Hundred-Class Demon (백급 마물). “As you can see, I’m perfectly fine.” “….” I gave her a reply, but Gu Ryeong Hwa only scrutinized me with a skeptical look. “What? Why are you staring like that?” “Are you really okay?” “Seriously, I’m fine. Look, if I were hurt, would I be walking around like this...?” “Then why didn’t you come to see me?” “…That’s valid. I suppose it still hurts a bit.” “…” “…” I averted my eyes. I felt like I’d fallen into a trap. This girl had gotten a lot smarter since last I’d seen her. While I fumbled for a response, Gu Ryeong Hwa sighed deeply. "It’s fine... It's not like I really wanted to see you. I was just asking. I didn't particularly want to see you so much." To be fair, it wasn't like we were ever close. It was a rational statement, so I nodded in agreement. "Despite that, I heard that you rushed over as soon as you heard Yangcheon was hurt." "Se, Senior Elder! What are you saying!" From behind me, Elder Il laughed and spoke more, as Gu Ryeong Hwa jumped up, her face burning red. "When did I do that? I didn’t do such a thing…!" "Really? Because according to the servants…” "Elder...!!" "Hmm. Perhaps this old man misheard." “…” Unable to withstand Gu Ryeong Hwa’s outburst, Elder Il changed the subject. But it was too late. ‘…When did she come to see me?’ That was something I hadn’t been told. Hearing it, I looked at Gu Ryeong Hwa. She was avoiding my gaze, her face still flushed. ‘Hmm.’ It seemed to be true. A sense of guilt began to rise within me. It was evident why I hadn’t seen her when she came. ‘There were times I was unconscious, and when she came, I might not have been there.’ During those times I was resting, Moyong Hee-ah (모용희아) took care of me; she might have known if Gu Ryeong Hwa visited. It seemed she didn’t pass on that information to me. ‘Was it Gu Ryeong Hwa’s wish?’ That was the likeliest explanation. “You could’ve come inside if you wanted to see me.” “…I said I didn’t go.” Pretending otherwise, she seemed intent on maintaining her denial, so I didn’t press further. I couldn’t say I had visited her much either, so I had no grounds to pry. “Right, you didn’t come to visit.” “You don’t believe me, do you?” “I do believe you.” “Alright then…” And once again, silence enveloped us. It was a familiar quietude. We had grown accustomed to being silent rather than holding conversations. There was no going back to the way things were, and the mere absence of spiteful words was already a significant change. As I took a deep breath, musing over these thoughts. "Hey." Suddenly, Gu Ryeong Hwa spoke. "I think I might head back to Shanxi." “What?” My eyes widened. Go back to Shanxi? “Not for good. I’ll just spend the remaining time this year in Shanxi... Besides, Lady Mi wanted that, and the sect leader permitted it too.” Ah, so she wasn’t leaving permanently. It seemed she was just taking a break for this year. However, one thing caught me by surprise. “Lady Mi wanted that?” “Huh? Yeah.” It was the mention of Lady Mi that surprised me. “Do you... talk to Lady Mi?” “Huh? Uh, sometimes?” I found it unexpected. I thought Gu Ryeong Hwa didn’t have any conversations with Lady Mi at all. Even if it was sometimes, they had talked. Gu Ryeong Hwa looked at me with puzzled eyes as I marveled at this revelation. “What’s so surprising…?” “It’s just interesting. I thought you….” I had thought that she would hold some resentment toward Lady Mi. But I swallowed those words. She left home because she disliked it. If she found freedom away from home, that should suffice. That’s what I had believed all this time. Gu Ryeong Hwa observed me with a slightly softened gaze and said quietly. "I don't hate her." "…" Even though I hadn’t uttered the rest, Gu Ryeong Hwa seemed to intuit what I was pondering. "She hasn’t done anything; it’s just awkward and distant. Don’t you feel the same way?" “…” Translated and Implemented Instructions "And besides, if there was any reason for resentment, it should be her resenting us. But." Gu Ryeong Hwa hesitated before adding. "She doesn't hate us. So there's no reason for us to hate her, is there...?" Hearing her words flowing so naturally, I found myself swallowing slightly without realizing.