1139 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

The tense and desolate atmosphere within the carriage, fortunately, didn't last long. It appeared that his intention was merely to check on either the condition of the carriage or my mother's wellbeing. After ensuring everything was fine, he quickly shut the carriage door and left. It was only the situation at hand that made me anxious. "......That's enough now." When I spoke up, weary from consuming more, my mother tilted her head. "Are you full?" "Yes." Honestly, I wasn't that full. Warriors tend to eat a lot due to the physical demands on their bodies, and a few rice balls weren't enough. The truth was, it was simply getting bothersome. "Alright. Then the rest is mine?" "......Please, be my guest." I genuinely hoped that was the case. I couldn't understand why my mother insisted on sitting next to me, persistently offering food. And it seemed I wasn't the only one having trouble understanding. Soi, who was also in the carriage after my father and Mi Hyo-ran left, commented with a curious look in her eyes. "......That's interesting." "What is?" "It's the first time I've seen that lady share her food with someone else." "......" Is her appetite really that big? To be fair, judging by what I've seen her eat before, she did seem to have quite an appetite. It's almost like... 'Like Wi Seol-Ah.' Ever since my return, it reminded me of the time I first met Wi Seol-Ah. Her voracious appetite was remarkable, and those times are now a reflection of her tendency to share what she was eating with me. Why was that...? 'Do I look like I'm starving?' I've always thought I ate fairly well, so I wasn't sure why people kept offering me food. Anyway. '......It should be fine.' Though my father seemed a bit concerned while inspecting the carriage interior. I figured it would smooth over. Surely, he wouldn't misunderstand, right? Believing that, I asked Soi, "So, when are we departing?" "The vice-leader mentioned he had a bit more to discuss with the Namgung Lord, but once they're done, we'll leave right away." "Hmm......" Hearing that, I glanced out the window. I could indeed see my father and the Namgung Lord conversing in the distance. The Namgung Lord appeared to have aged overnight, fatigue evident in his demeanor. Considering the sheer number of issues that arose just at dawn, it was no surprise. 'What are they discussing?' I felt tempted to heighten my senses and eavesdrop. 'But no, I shouldn't.' With my mother nearby, my enhanced senses always seemed to act up. Then, I caught sight of Namgung Lord handing my father a letter. From the movement of his mouth, I deduced: '......Please take care of it for the Sword Elder......' It seemed to be a letter bound for the Martial Alliance. I could understand from just the lip movements, which at least was something. As I tried to eavesdrop further, Tap, tap. "Hmm?" Someone tapped on the carriage. Looking down, I saw Hyun So-yeon. "What is it?" "You're leaving?" "Yes." "Shouldn't you at least say goodbye? After all, we did spend the night together." "......What nonsense......" "Spent the night?" Soi reacted first to Hyun So-yeon's words. Upon hearing them, she hugged my mother and pulled her away from me. "Eek!" "......Why are your eyes like that? It's not what you think." "Not what I think? Last time, you came to my quarters at dawn, and we went to my room together, didn't we?" "Damn." It seemed she was referring to the time I sought answers about Namgung Hyung. "That's different." "How so? There's nothing incorrect about what I said." "That's......" It was because of the affair involving Hyun So-yeon and Namgung Hyung. I closed my mouth, realizing it wasn't something I should blurt out. "Tch." Clicking my tongue briefly, I averted my gaze, leading Hyun So-yeon to laugh. "Ever since last time, I've had this thought." "......What is it?" "Baek Gongja, despite appearances, you're a kind person, aren't you?" "What nonsense is that?" She abruptly came and jabbed at me, now transitioning to absurd compliments? I wish she'd take a better look. Soi next to me was making quite a face in response to hearing this. "I'll stop the teasing here. I just thought I'd poke a bit since you were leaving without a word. Leaving without a farewell seems a bit much, doesn't it?" "This is ridiculous...... We're not exactly in a relationship that requires greetings." "Not in a relationship that requires greetings? Like I said earlier, we spent the night toge—" "I'll head inside. It was an honor having a lovely time together. Please take care." I quickly intercepted her before more nonsense could follow and said my farewell. Finally satisfied, Hyun So-yeon laughed. The problem was, 'Sure, she's smiling.' But beneath her smiling face lurked unmistakable traces of worry and exhaustion. "......I truly mean it when I say take care." "So the rest was a lie?" "Half of it was?" "Haha......" Hyun So-yeon chuckled briefly, then leaned in closer as if to confide something. "Baek Gongja." "Yes." "The beautiful and graceful fiancée of yours back home. Please take good care of her." "......Pardon?" "Don't get distracted, and treat her well. Her personality is as lovely as her face, right? Usually, when someone is as pretty as you say she is, they tend to have a good personality too." "......" Is she really lovely? I seriously doubted it but refrained from voicing it. "......I'll handle it." "Alright then. Since we've bid our farewells, I'll be going first. I have some matters to discuss with my fiancé as well." "Yes." Finishing her words, Hyun So-yeon turned around and walked away. As she sauntered off, she paused, turning her head slightly to glance back at me. "See you again, sometime." Leaving those words, she continued on. "......" See you again? She really had to say that? I honestly wasn't inclined. That was my genuine thought. As if the storm had passed, I felt entirely drained. I closed the window without catching a glimpse of the conversation between my father and Namgung Lord. "Gosh......" Exhausted. It felt more tiring than the battle with the Heavenly Elder. As I leaned back in my chair, half lying down, a sharp gaze met me. What now? I glanced over quizzically and found Soi staring at me with disdain. ......What was it with her now? "......You have a fiancée? And yet, with Miss Hyun......?" "No......" "Beast......" The thought of trying to explain myself sifted through my mind, but I gave up. It was all too tedious. Wishing to do nothing more, I merely closed my eyes. Thud. The door swung open again. I heard my father and Mi Hyo-ran entering. "We're leaving." Father, having finished his talk with the Namgung Lord, announced it casually. At last, the affairs in Hanam were concluded. It was a matter that seemed simple yet wasn't, that had now come to an end. And I would once again move my body back to Hanam. * * * Time passed. Several days had gone by since we left Anhui for Hanam. As usual, no significant incidents occurred. We managed to arrive back in Hanam in relative peace. "Identity confirmed." As soon as we arrived in Hanam, we accounted for everyone and entered the allied camp. Given my status as deputy of the Blue Dragon Division, there weren't any troublesome issues. The only difference from our departure was... "……It's reported that a white-ranked monster appeared in Anhui." "In Anhui...? Not a red-ranked, but a white-ranked monster, you say?" "Yes, it was apparently quite a significant event." Rumors about Anhui had already spread throughout the camp, and everyone was conversing about the white-ranked monster. "……A white-ranked monster, of all things." "Fortunately, they say there was little to no damage." "A white-ranked and no damage? How...... Oh, did the Heavenly Elder intervene, perhaps?" When one thinks of Anhui, naturally the Heavenly Elder's figure comes to mind. Considering he was in Anhui, it was expected that he'd handle the white-ranked monster. "Surprisingly, they say the Heavenly Elder didn't move." "What? Not the Heavenly Elder? Then who...?" "That's uncertain. They haven't properly identified the person. Some unknown expert apparently dealt with the white-ranked monster." "Is that even possible? Was the white-ranked monster not as strong as expected?" "No. Rumor has it... that this unidentified expert is on par with the Three Masters...... ugh." The person who was speaking clapped a hand over their mouth. To equate someone with the Three Masters was something one should not recklessly say. The Three Masters are symbols and the pinnacle of the righteous faction. As such, aligning someone with them is not a comment to be made lightly by those in the martial world. Consequently, no one took the rumors entirely seriously, but... 'It's spread all the way here.' Hearing it brought a strange expression to my face. It was astonishing that the rumors spread so fast. To think that what happened in Anhui has already reached Hanam. 'Maybe it's because those who witnessed it were quite a number.' That could very well be. The number of people who witnessed the event in Anhui wasn't small. With even hundreds partaking in the assault, it wasn't surprising that rumors would spread rapidly. "Wait here." Father instructed the personnel. "I will report to the Sect Leader, so wait here momentarily." "Understood." We paused at the entrance to the Sect Leader's chamber. Mi Hyo-ran and Mother had vanished for some time. Only Do Yoon, Nam Gung Jin, Soi, and I remained. 'Is he reporting directly to the Sword Elder?' Typically, one would report to the head of the Blue Dragon Division before the Sect Leader. Heading straight to the Sword Elder implied a matter of significant importance. 'Well, at least Anhui is sorted out.' Regardless, one task was finished. Having completed the mission and returned, I considered allowing myself a slight relaxation. Though issues surrounding Shanxi, the Blood Demon, and individuals like Do Yoon and Mother still lingered, it wasn't a complete relief. 'I should take a breather.' Considering the wealth of information gathered, taking a moment to organize it might be beneficial. As such thoughts lingered, I decided to take a deep breath. Then. Hiss. 'Hmm?' Something felt amiss. A sensation of searing heat. An overwhelming presence. 'What is this?' Even with my senses dulled, the palpable presence made me turn my head unwittingly. At that instant. "Look who it is!!! Hahaha!!!" A booming voice accompanied as someone rushed toward me. There was no murderous intent. Hence, my reaction was a tad slow. Wham! "Ugh!?" A massive hand gripped my shoulder tightly. "Isn't this our esteemed young lord!! Hahaha!!! Once I heard you arrived, I rushed right over... huh?" "......Uh?" A burly middle-aged man with a loud voice. Seeing him made me freeze. Likewise, upon looking at me, the man paused as well. With still-gloomy hair sprinkled with sporadic white strands. A towering frame over eight feet tall, adorned with burning red eyes. A fierce appearance yet an inexplicably familiar figure. A man I knew better than anyone else was standing there. While I stared at him blankly, the middle-aged man asked, bewildered. "......Who are you? You're not Cheol Woon, are you?" "......" The middle-aged man... It was none other than. '……First Elder?' Gu Ryun of the Gu family. In his younger days.