377 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Title: "The World's Greatest Martial Artist's Childhood Friend" - Chapter 378: Northern Hare The entire inn has been rented out for a family meal. At the head of the table, as expected, sat my father. Next to him was Lady Mi, and the empty seat next to her seemed to belong to Elder Iljang. Koo Hee-bi and Koo Yeon-seo were also seated. Koo Yeon-seo, in particular, had reddened eyes, suggesting she had been crying. That was fine, though. Crying was understandable. Whether Koo Yeon-seo cried out of joy upon seeing Lady Mi after a long time or for another reason, it wasn't of much concern. The real issue was... ‘Why are they here?’ My concern lay elsewhere. This was supposed to be a family dinner, yet there were some unexpected faces present. What on earth were these people doing here? First and foremost... ‘Why is Namgung Jin here…?’ Namgung Jin, the head of the Namgung Clan, also known as the Sky Sword King. He was seated nonchalantly near my father. At first, I thought my eyes were deceiving me. Why on earth is he sitting there? Not only Namgung Jin but next to him sat Namgung Bi-ah. Namgung Bi-ah waved at me as I walked through the door. ‘Alright, this much is understandable.’ Since we are engaged to the Namgung Clan, it made sense for them to attend a family meal. I hadn’t expected it, but it still made sense. ‘…But why is she here?’ The real problem was Wiesel-ah, seated beside Namgung Bi-ah. Her expression was obvious—she seemed as confused as to why she was there as I was. Our eyes met, and her gaze was filled with a desperate plea for help. ‘Seems like she got dragged here.’ By whom, though? But regardless, wasn't it odd for my father to have permitted someone to bring her...? ‘…Ah.’ Father knew Wiesel-ah was the granddaughter of the Sword Sovereign, perhaps that was why? But still, it seemed unlikely that Father himself invited her. At that moment... -…I brought her. A whisper reached my ear—it was from Namgung Bi-ah. -You brought her? Wiesel-ah? -Yes... -Why? -Is that...a problem? Namgung Bi-ah spoke as if she saw no issue with it, but I couldn't fathom why she thought it was appropriate. -…No, it's just... -I got permission...from. -From whom did you get permission? -Mother.... I couldn't help but frown slightly at Namgung Bi-ah’s response. Lady Mi approved this? ‘Why would Lady Mi…?’ My gaze naturally drifted towards Lady Mi. As soon as I turned my eyes, Lady Mi looked back at me. Just as I was about to voice my curiosity, Lady Mi spoke first. “Were you planning to stand there forever?” “…I’m sitting down now.” I moved and took a seat opposite Namgung Bi-ah. That was practically the only spot left. Unfortunately, Wiesel-ah was seated right next to Koo Hee-bi. And thus, Koo Hee-bi began to inch closer and engage Wiesel-ah in conversation. “You...” “Y-yes?” “Have we met before?” “…!” Wiesel-ah shivered at Koo Hee-bi’s words. And understandably so. Wiesel-ah had indeed encountered Koo Hee-bi in the past. When I returned from my trip to Sichuan and arrived at the Gu Clan, Koo Hee-bi, who had been on sword duty, had also returned home. It was less than a year since my regression back then. Upon seeing Wiesel-ah, Koo Hee-bi had told me, - Give her to me. Koo Hee-bi had wanted Wiesel-ah, who was assisting me, for herself. When I told her that was nonsense and refused, she nearly set my hair on fire. Rather a harsh memory to call nostalgic. Remembering those times, Koo Hee-bi spoke to Wiesel-ah again. “Cute little thing. Don’t you remember me?” “W-wait a moment.” “It's nice to see you, but why is our little cutie here?” Koo Hee-bi seemed to have found a delightful prey, hugging and patting Wiesel-ah all over. Wiesel-ah shot another desperate look begging for help, but there was nothing I could do about this situation. Then. Namgung Bi-ah suddenly spoke to Koo Hee-bi. “…Um.” “Hm?” Koo Hee-bi frowned at Namgung Bi-ah’s words. Koo Hee-bi wasn’t particularly fond of Namgung Bi-ah. ‘She doesn’t dislike her, but she finds her uncomfortable.’ Even when I was being punished at the frontlines, Namgung Bi-ah often followed Koo Hee-bi around. Despite Koo Hee-bi’s evident disdain. Namgung Bi-ah, unbothered, would stick by Koo Hee-bi, exploring battlefields or helping eliminate monsters. Was Namgung Bi-ah secretly fond of Koo Hee-bi? That Koo Hee-bi…? ‘Why…?’ No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t understand. Yet the reality was as it was. “…Me too.” “What?” Namgung Bi-ah presented her hair, as if asking to be petted too. Koo Hee-bi was momentarily dumbfounded. I was equally bewildered, never expecting her to ask for such a thing. And then Koo Hee-bi, her face wrinkled in displeasure, decisively refused. “No. You’re too grown-up to be cute.” “…!” Her words were firm and rejection unequivocal, and she returned her attention to Wiesel-ah. Namgung Bi-ah’s face paled, struck by the rejection. Watching this made me think. ‘By grown-up, she must mean height.’ That must be it. ‘But that’s not what’s important right now.’ The absurdity of the situation made me forget what was important for a moment. I quickly transmitted a message to Namgung Bi-ah. -So…did you bring that one too? Namgung Bi-ah, whose spirit seemed crushed, looked at me in confusion. As though asking who I was referring to. I pointed to the person at the far end of the table with my fingertip. There sat a handsome young man radiating pure joy, oblivious to the awkward atmosphere. He was the most unexpected presence for me. “Wow. I was hungry, so this is quite exciting.” Despite the uncomfortable vibe, the young man smiled brightly. It was U-Hyuk, the promising Dragon Aspirant. I recalled how startled I had been. Why on earth was a disciple of the Wudang Clan sitting here of all places, digging into this meal? Just when I was beginning to question the absurdity of this situation, Lady Mi seemed to notice my confusion and addressed me. “I invited Young Master Woo.” “Lady Mi, you did?” So, it was Lady Mi who brought the promising dragon here? “Yangcheon mentioned you’re friends with him. Is that not so?” “…Yes, that’s correct.” I was wondering why the dragon was here, and it turned out Lady Mi had brought him along. And my father actually allowed it…? Considering that Elder Cheol Jiseon permitted it, the dragon's presence was understandable, but still…? “With Namgung Jin approving of your friend, he accepted quite gladly.” “Oh, I see…” Lady Mi smoothly resolved my last concern. It was obvious why Namgung Jin wasn't bothered—he had a vested interest in staying on my good side. ‘That man…’ Namgung Jin was in a position where he needed to maintain goodwill with me, so he easily gave his approval. The notion of this meal being a family dinner had transformed into something else entirely. Creak. The door at the back opened, and Elder Iljang appeared from outside. “Oh my, I thought I might be late.” “…Elder?” “Hm?” At my call, Elder Iljang looked at me, wondering why I had called. The reason I called out to him was quite simple. ‘...Why is that draped over your shoulder?’ Because Elder Iljang had Cheol Jiseon slung over his shoulder like laundry. “Why do you have… Never mind.” I was about to ask but decided to hold my tongue. At this point, it felt like I should just let things unfold as they would. Determined to stop trying to make sense of the situation, I decided to simply focus on filling my belly. ****************** The mealtime passed without much incident. Granted, there wasn't much that could happen while eating. However, with so many people, conversations naturally sprung up. Mainly, Namgung Jin and Elder Iljang did most of the talking. They inquired about how the Celestial Sword was faring. Why Namgung Cheonjun hadn’t arrived... Ah, for reference, the reason Namgung Cheonjun didn’t attend was the same reason he couldn’t come to Shinryong Hall. I had commanded him to stay away from Namgung Bi-ah, so he couldn’t come to Hanan even if he wanted to. Meanwhile, Koo Hee-bi was continually keeping Wiesel-ah in her embrace. She must have taken a considerable liking to her. Despite having heard that Wiesel-ah was a descendant of the Sword Sovereign, her attitude remained unchanged. Amidst this, the notable one was the dragon. Cheol Jiseon was sneaking her food like someone hiding it in their nose, while the dragon was eating with unabashed delight. ‘…Please, you mad fool…’ Isn’t it a little too much for a Taoist to be holding and tearing into chicken drumsticks with both hands? Even my father, who typically isn’t interested in others, was watching the dragon closely. Yet, I refrained from picking on him because... The dragon’s condition didn’t seem ideal. His usual sleepy eyes and silly smile were there, but something was subtly different. Him being here, out of Wudang, was strange in itself. ‘Granted, my family’s acceptance is odd too.’ I wasn't sure what was going on, but it was clear the dragon wasn’t doing well. Especially after losing his martial brothers in the recent attack. I had noticed his darkened silhouette in the aftermath. Every time I conversed with him afterwards, he'd smile, pretending to be fine. But I could tell that smile was forced. He’d often worn that smile in the Demon Realm. During the meal, when I addressed him, he’d respond as though everything was alright, but... ‘It’s unsettling.’ I couldn’t shake off the discomfort. After hastily finishing his meal, the dragon bid farewell and disappeared. Did he really come just to eat? ‘This is ridiculous.’ Watching him leave made me feel a bit foolish for worrying. I thought he had something to say to me... Anyway, the meal ended like that. Since it was merely a meal after all, not much critical was discussed... ‘Ah.’ There was one significant conversation. During the meal, Namgung Jin asked my father a question. - When do you think we should hold the wedding? That nearly made me choke on my food. I didn’t expect he'd bring that up. It wasn’t a problem per se. I was of an age where marriage was conceivable. For Namgung Bi-ah, if not for being a martial artist, she might have been late given her age. Therefore, it wasn’t surprising for Namgung Jin to raise the topic. He just didn’t anticipate the chill it would cast over the room. Wiesel-ah looked as if the ground had trembled beneath her feet. Koo Hee-bi’s glare at Namgung Bi-ah intensified. And Namgung Bi-ah, without any overt reaction, just kept her eyes fixed on me. The weight of her gaze was palpable. She wasn’t expecting an answer from me, but the situation was undeniably burdensome. In this tense moment, my father spoke to Namgung Jin. - The child is still busy, so perhaps once things settle down, we can consider it. Thankfully, it was a postponement. He deflected with talks of irrelevant gossip and my impending journey to Sichuan. ‘Someday.’ Someday, a proper discussion will arise. What am I supposed to do then? Moreover, ‘The position of the young patriarch.’ In my previous life, I assumed the role of the young patriarch of the Gu Clan immediately after surpassing my coming-of-age ceremony. In this life, if nothing major interrupts, or even if something does, I will likely assume it again. Perhaps even sooner than before. ‘I considered running away to avoid it.’ As far as I’ve come, the situation has tangled far more than I predicted, especially given the truths I’d been unaware of. I have come to realize our family is involved in numerous entanglements. Escape is no longer a viable option. Given the circumstances, must I accept this burden? ‘If there was a way out, I’d have taken it already.’ For now, no other options were visible. Even with several years ahead, time was ever fleeting. As the pile of tasks continued to grow, I wondered if it was just my imagination that they seemed to be increasing. ‘I wish it was just an illusion.’ I let out a deep sigh, inhaling the crisp night air. The nightscape of Hanan was still brightly lit. “Ugh…” Then, someone came out of the inn. It was Wiesel-ah, with an exhausted expression. I glanced at her and inquired, “Are you okay? …You don't seem okay.” “…I’m fine.” Judging by her worn-out look, she must have been pestered by Koo Hee-bi all day. “It seemed like you barely ate.” “No, I ate a lot….” “You’re lying.” I barely saw her finish one bowl, which was hardly much… Normally, she would have eaten at least five. “Namgung Bi-ah brought you here?” “Oh, yes. My sister suddenly took me out saying we had somewhere to go and brought me here. I’m sorry for the trouble.” “…It’s no trouble, don’t worry about it.” I wasn’t sure about the others, but I certainly didn’t think of her as a nuisance. Hearing that, Wiesel-ah widened her eyes momentarily before smiling brightly. “I’m glad to hear that.” Satisfied with my response, she gave a joyful smile that was difficult to gaze at for long, much like Namgung Bi-ah’s. “There’s something I’m curious about.” “Yes?” “Is your grandfather not coming?” “...” Talking about the Sword Sovereign made Wiesel-ah fall silent immediately. I’d noticed it before, but she always darkened at the mention of her grandfather. ‘She doesn’t seem to know either.’ The attacker was none other than the Eternal Black Dragon Sword. Given the connection he had with the Sword Sovereign, I thought he might attend this gathering, but he hadn't shown up. Watching her, I asked softly, “What are you going to do now?” “I…” “Are you going back, or…” Will you come with me? I offered the question but knew this wasn’t something I could decide for her. Wiesel-ah appeared hesitant to respond, possibly hoping I’d suggest she come along. “Think about it.” I wanted her decision to be her own. After some hesitation, Wiesel-ah started to say something, but... - Where’s my little cutie? “Eek…! I have to go, Young Master…!” “Ah, sure, I’ll see you later…” Startled by Koo Hee-bi's voice from behind, Wiesel-ah disappeared without waiting for my reply. She appeared quite harassed. To the point where she’d want to escape like this. Watching her leaping away swiftly, I heard someone else approaching. “Um.” Someone there to have a word with me. “How have you been?” It was Namgung Jin. I knew he’d been watching me for a while, but I had been pretending not to notice. “…Ah, yes, it’s been a while.” “Ahem…” Meeting Namgung Jin after some time, his demeanor seemed slightly different. The usual dislike hadn’t entirely vanished, but it was somewhat dulled. ‘…Or perhaps he’s here to ask for another teaching.’ If that was the case, it’d be a big problem. It wasn't within my knowledge to provide him with instruction. Initially, it was something the old master had taught him. The second time, I had only relayed something I’d heard from the Demon Sword Queen in the past. I really had nothing more to offer him, which was quite troubling. Then Namgung Jin spoke to me. “Firstly, congratulations.” “For what?” “I heard you received a new title.” “…Ah, yes.” Is that a congratulation? It felt rather backhanded. Trying to stave off this feeling, Namgung Jin subtly moved closer and began to speak. “That…” “I have an appointment with the clan head. I’ll see you later.” I abruptly cut him off and quickly departed. Getting held up by him would have been quite inconvenient. This might cause issues later, but dealing with it now wasn’t an option. Using my father as an excuse, I made my escape. Hopefully, he wouldn’t follow. Thankfully, he seemed not to. As I kept watch for Namgung Jin’s presence, I headed to a predetermined location to meet my father. Meanwhile, Namgung Jin lingered and watched as I left, before turning his gaze to the inn entrance. After quietly watching for a moment, he spoke softly. “Are you sure you’re okay not going with him?” Namgung Bi-ah appeared in response to his words. Approaching her father, she lightly parted her lips. “…He has matters to attend to.” “I see.” A brief silence passed. The relationship between father and daughter hadn’t progressed much. The long-standing issues were evident, and neither seemed eager to address them yet. “Miss Il,” he called out. “Yes?” Responding to her father, Namgung Bi-ah listened closely. “…As you wished, I relayed it to him.” “….” “He returned an answer before we head to Hanan.” Upon hearing Namgung Jin’s words, a curious expression appeared on Namgung Bi-ah’s face. Who was it Namgung Jin referred to? It was none other than... “Your great-grandfather wishes to see you.” One of the three revered elders. The Celestial Sage, Namgung Jeolcheon. He was seeking Namgung Bi-ah. ****************** After leaving Namgung Jin, I headed to an open space in Hanan. I had already arranged to meet my father here. All I had to do was wait until he arrived. I wondered when he would appear. He likely wouldn’t be too late. What should we discuss once we meet? ‘Perhaps I should start by asking where Mother is?’ This was, without a doubt, the most important question. The beast within me, the advice to hold the divine sword’s aura inside – all were tied to my mother. Furthermore... - The Abyssal Pit resides within you as well. It was something the Blood Demon had mentioned while looking at me. Did my mother really place such a formidable entity inside me for a reason? What were Mother’s intentions in doing so? To uncover the truth, I’d have to meet my mother, who was said to be alive somewhere. ‘Besides, there's the issue of the Blood Demon.’ The Blood Demon, who had taken over Jang Seonyeon’s body, would often manifest through her, but this recent encounter felt fundamentally different. Moreover... The strange changes on my arm seemed somehow connected. ‘He called the pain hostility.’ The Blood Demon recognized the pain I felt during the gathering as hostility directed towards itself. This meant the Blood Demon was aware of the changes occurring within me. ‘He mentioned having to alter his plans after seeing what happened to me.’ What exactly are the Blood Demon's plans or thoughts? As my suspicions about this grew, Ssshhh... I sensed a presence behind me. ‘Is that Father?’ He arrived sooner than I expected. As I turned, expecting to see him, “Uh…?” The presence wasn’t my father. The quiet, almost imperceptible presence seemed like my father’s because he was skilled at masking his own, but the person who appeared was unexpectedly someone else entirely. Dressed in pale blue martial robes adorned with his distinctive embroidery. His waist was laden with a sword and ornate accessories that suggested immense value. Gone was the shabby man in worn clothes and a straw hat, replaced by this impeccably groomed middle-aged gentleman before me. “Pleasure to meet you.” The man spoke to me. “…What brings you here?” Schwing. The man, Bai Tian Jian Master Mo Yong-tae, silently drew his sword while looking at me. And he spoke. “Are you ready to tell me your name now?” “...” I couldn’t help but frown at his actions. Why is this man doing this again...?