393 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Chapter 394: The Northern Rabbit "Gu… Warrior?" "Yes?" I had to respond with an air of confusion at Moyong Bi-yeon's words. Gu Warrior? Did she recognize me? 'How?' Even if she did, the title seemed a bit off. Warrior? That wasn't exactly a term the senior White Lotus Sword would typically use for me. Feeling a bit out of sorts, I watched Moyong Bi-yeon carefully, only to notice that the strange behavior seemed to originate from her. "No, no… A warrior is more like…." More like? "Better looking…?" "What?" I couldn't help but retort to Moyong Bi-yeon's seemingly enchanted words. 'Damn.' I immediately regretted my outburst. Having just observed Moyong Bi-yeon closely, I realized she had a rather aggressive demeanor, contrary to her appearance. However, despite my worries, Moyong Bi-yeon merely gazed at me with a puzzled expression. Could it be she mistook me for someone else? 'If there’s anyone she’d confuse me with…' There was really only one person she could mistake me for. 'Father, perhaps?' I decided to probe Moyong Bi-yeon, who was looking at me with an unreadable expression. "By any chance, do you know our family head?" "Family head?" At my question, Moyong Bi-yeon's eyes sharpened. She looked back and forth between Gu Yeon-seo and me. "Could you possibly be… Sohyeomra…?" Damn. I had to close my eyes at the mention of that damned nickname. I never quite got used to hearing it repeatedly. I vowed once again to find out who on earth came up with it. To make matters worse, hearing it from someone else really made my blood boil. "I'm Gu Yang-cheon of the Gu family." I had no choice but to suppress my feelings and respond with restraint. "Oh my…?" Upon seeing my reaction, Moyong Bi-yeon suddenly approached and took my cheek in her hand. Startled, I tried to pull back, but Moyong Bi-yeon prevented me from retreating. What’s up with this lady? "So you are Gu Warrior's son?" "Um, excuse me… Could you please…?" "Now that I look at you, there is a resemblance. The eyes, for instance… and the eyes… hmm, the eyes indeed." "Ma'am…?" "Oh dear, why are your eyes injured? Such precious eyes…." Moyong Bi-yeon began rubbing my face with a mad glint in her eyes, oblivious to my words. Gu Yeon-seo looked at the scene, clearly as bewildered as I was, and I was no different. Unable to endure any longer, I swatted Moyong Bi-yeon's hand away. "What are you doing?" Although I uttered my words with a slight annoyance, Moyong Bi-yeon just smiled broadly. "You have quite the temper, just like your father. Interesting, I like that." Instead of getting angry, she just looked at me as if she were reminiscing, which only made me more frustrated. Wiping my cheeks, I posed the question to Moyong Bi-yeon once more. "Are you acquainted with our family head?" "Once upon a time, yes. Not sure if he remembers me now." The way she spoke sentimentally suggested that they indeed knew each other. What kind of relationship did they have to make her act like this? Moyong Bi-yeon continued to scrutinize me with those curious eyes. That gaze was quite burdensome. It was almost as if she was looking at my father through me. As I tried to subtly avoid her stare, Moyong Bi-yeon spoke up. "I heard rumors, but seeing you in person… you truly are unique. They say blood doesn't lie." At that moment, I sensed it. Moyong Bi-yeon was using her perception to examine me. Seriously, evaluating someone so blatantly? It was unbelievable. Inspecting an opponent with energy could easily lead to a fight, but Moyong Bi-yeon was casually sizing me up. Though it bothered me, I remained quiet, knowing her past involvement in saving Gu Yeon-seo. Was she done? Moyong Bi-yeon’s face now showed amazement. "Incredible…? I thought it was a misunderstanding, but it turns out…." She trailed off, but I knew she was referring to my mastery of martial arts. 'So the formal attitude earlier was due to a misunderstanding.' Given my martial prowess, she likely didn't expect I was just someone in the early stages of cultivation. "The areas where you surpassed resemblance… you've gone well beyond that." "Your words are flattering, but you’re too close." It might be a compliment, but we were too close for comfort. A bit of distance, no, a lot of distance would be preferable. Moyong Bi-yeon seemed to finally notice my discomfort and took a few steps back. She then spoke to me. "Sorry, I got a bit carried away because I was so happy, little brother," she said casually. “...Little brother?” I found her use of the term bothersome. Little brother, she says. As far as I’m aware, Moyong Bi-yeon was supposed to be at least— ‘Isn’t she around my father’s age?’ Although she looked young, like the Sword Queen, both of them belonged to the same generation as my father. Surely, she shouldn't be calling me little brother. It was rather presumptuous. Of course, I didn't explicitly mention this. 'Pointing it out might as well be a death wish.' The manic look in her eyes implied that bringing this up would lead to trouble. "..." I kept my mouth shut, feeling a hint of menace. Moyong Bi-yeon nodded approvingly and spoke to both Gu Yeon-seo and me. "Nice to meet you. Your names are Yang-cheon and… Yeon-seo, right?" "Yes." "It's a pity, I didn’t bring any money today for gifts…." "Oh, no need…! We couldn’t possibly accept anything from Senior White Lotus Sword… ouch?" As Gu Yeon-seo hurried to decline, I jabbed her in the side to quiet her. She gave me a reproachful look as if asking why I poked her, but I had my reasons. 'If she’s offering, why refuse? Take all you can.' Especially since this came from our father's connections. Accepting such gifts shouldn’t cause any issues. Moyong Bi-yeon's laughter echoed as she watched my reaction, "Haha! This is different from what I've heard." With that, she took something from her pocket and handed it to both me and Gu Yeon-seo. Accepting the item cautiously, I examined it skeptically. What is this? It appeared to be jade, but its purpose was unclear. "And this is…?" "It's nothing special, just a gemstone you can fit into a decorative piece," Moyong Bi-yeon replied. So, it's really nothing special then. My initial curiosity quickly turned into disappointment. Seeing my reaction, Moyong Bi-yeon laughed even harder. "How can you look so disappointed so openly?" "I'm not disappointed at all. I appreciate it, truly…." "Really! You're hilarious. This has been the most fun I've had in a while." Yeah, glad someone’s having fun. Regardless of Moyong Bi-yeon's amusement, I tucked the jade stone somewhere into my robe. Honestly, where would I even use this jade? It's hardly a decoration. Gu Yeon-seo, on the other hand, seemed deeply moved, probably because receiving something, regardless of its value, from White Lotus Sword, one of the idols among female swordsmen, was profound for her. I left Gu Yeon-seo to manage her own response and turned my attention back to Moyong Bi-yeon. As to why she was here, I thought it over and realized it wasn't exactly strange. After all, the head of the Moyong family was present in this locale. I simply hadn't expected to run into her this way. While observing me in silence, Moyong Bi-yeon spoke again. "You know…" "Yes?" "I heard that if you're really 'Sohyeomra,' then you're getting along nicely with my niece." "Ah… yes, indeed." I was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected question. Niece of White Lotus Sword. Being aware that she was the sister of Moyong's head, the niece must be Moyong Hee-ah. It seemed she was aware of my connection with Moyong Hee-ah. As I confirmed her notion, Moyong Bi-yeon smiled softly and continued, "Even if she's a bit aloof, please understand her. She's warm inside, despite her cold exterior." I nodded at Moyong Bi-yeon’s concern for her niece. Taking note of her care, I chipped in my two cents. "She’s not particularly cold." "Hmm?" There were some things that needed correcting. "Moyong Seol-bong isn't someone cold, inside or out." "..." "So, there's no need for me to 'understand' her." While my past life dealings with Seol-bong weren't all rosy, I knew she wasn't just a cold-blooded individual. Rational in her actions, she’d always suggest the optimal path for a given situation, shouldering the burden of responsibility alone. Her choices, sometimes involving sacrifice, stemmed from a desire to save more lives, ironically enough. And additionally— 'I know she cried her heart out in the quiet of the night.' Seol-bong had often suppressed her sobs to the sound of the wind when no one was watching. Moyong Bi-yeon, seemingly not offended by my words, chuckled, "... You're alright. Really alright." Although uncertain about what she found alright, Moyong Bi-yeon took a few steps back and said, "Unfortunately, I have commitments today, so I must leave. Let’s meet again, alright?" With no more topics to discuss, Moyong Bi-yeon seemed ready to leave. She’s already talking about next time? "Yes," I replied. It seemed evidently cumbersome. Still, voicing a more sociable response was manageable enough. Yet, Moyong Bi-yon must have interpreted my reply differently. "Expressing your annoyance so blatantly—you really are a humorous one, aren't you?" "...It's a misunderstanding." Her astute commentary made me wince. How does she know? I thought I was managing my expression rather well. For some reason, my inability to disguise my feelings was uproariously amusing to Moyong Bi-yeon as she couldn't stop chuckling. After a good laugh, wiping away the tears that pooled at the corners of her eyes, she spoke, "I enjoyed this. Oh, and—" There's more to say? I felt like my energy had been drained within the short span of our conversation. It's been quite a while since I encountered someone so exhausting. I wouldn't willingly engage in prolonged chats with such a person. “Hmm…” She seemed about to say something but hesitated, eventually shaking her head and saying, "No, it's nothing." "Understood." "…Aren't you curious?" "Since you've decided not to tell, wouldn't it be rude to pry further?" "Wow." Moyong Bi-yeon regarded me with disbelief before letting out a soft snort. To be honest, it was simply bothersome to ask, and it seemed Moyong Bi-yeon had picked up on that. "Anyway, let's meet again. I'll be going, alright?" "Yes, senior." “…That part isn't very entertaining." Moyong Bi-yeon frowned, seemingly displeased with my formal address. Though I had a suspicion about what bothered her. Nevertheless, I had no intention of referring to a woman of my father’s generation as "big sister." Having left me with her final words, Moyong Bi-yeon sighed slightly before leaping with formidable strength, vanishing from sight quickly. Had she truly left? Once her presence was no longer detectable from my perception, I retracted the energy barrier I had spread around us. It felt as though a typhoon had just swept past. "I’m really worn out now." Releasing a deep breath, I turned toward Gu Yeon-seo, who still appeared dazed. "Let's go too." "Oh, okay…." Gu Yeon-seo, finally snapping out of her stupor at the sound of my voice, nodded her head. Likewise, I moved, aiming to head back towards the inn. “…Thanks.” “Hmm?” A whisper came from behind, prompting me to turn. It seemed Gu Yeon-seo had said something, but I hadn't caught it clearly. Looking at her with curiosity, she simply kept her mouth shut and walked behind me, avoiding my gaze. “What did you say?” “…It was nothing.” Gu Yeon-seo refused to elaborate, keeping her distance. What was that all about? ****************** Yicheon Inn, one of the establishments under the management of the Moyong family. Run by the Moyong merchant house, it's one of the most renowned inns in Hanam. While sitting here quietly sipping tea, Moyong Hee-ah had to be taken aback by the sudden visitor. "Hello! My dear niece!" "Aunt…?" "It's been a while! You've grown even more beautiful!" The woman who suddenly burst through the door with a cheerful greeting was Moyong Hee-ah's aunt, whom she hadn't seen in years. "How did you get here…?" "Hmm? I heard my niece went through a tough time. Of course, your aunt had to come." "Ah…?" Moyong Hee-ah's aunt, the White Lotus Sword Moyong Bi-yeon, approached and playfully pinched Moyong Hee-ah's cheek. Then she exclaimed in surprise, "Oh, look at your skin! This is why youth is wonderful." "Aunt…" "I was like this when I was young too. You seem to be taking after me more than your mom and dad as you grow. Why don't you become my daughter instead?" With Moyong Bi-yeon's relentless banter, Moyong Hee-ah felt overwhelmed and her mind went blank. From a young age, Moyong Hee-ah had found her aunt bewildering. Even among the similarly strong-willed members of the Moyong family, Moyong Bi-yeon stood out with her unique personality. As Moyong Hee-ah struggled with the unexpected encounter, the White Celestial Sword master appeared from upstairs. "What are you doing?" He looked at his sister with an expression that revealed his disbelief. "Oh, greetings, family head," she chirped. "...Sister." Moyong Bi-yeon waved happily, causing a headache for the White Celestial Sword master as soon as he saw her. "Long time no see?" "What's brought you here without any notice?" "Do I need to notify anyone when I want to visit my family?" Despite her seemingly offended tone, the White Celestial Sword master replied firmly, "After years without any contact, a heads-up would be expected." His sister, who had embarked on a journey across the martial world on a whim years ago, had just reappeared without warning. Her eccentric nature was well-known, and he understood that when she decided to do something, she would do it, regardless of what anyone said. Thus, he had let her go without restraint, but he hadn't expected her to simply show up out of the blue like this. Rubbing his aching head, he asked Moyong Bi-yeon, "Your travels have ended?" "Roughly? Oh, by the way, the family head." Though a part of her greeting ruffled his feathers, he refrained from correcting her, knowing it would only exhaust him. "Go ahead." "That rascal Paeng Gom is still as clueless as ever, isn't he? You'd think he'd mature with age." "You met the Paeng family head?" "Just by chance, really." "Is everything alright?" Moyong Bi-yeon chuckled internally at her brother's concern. No matter what, blood was indeed thicker than water. "Of course, your sister is fine…." "I mean, is the Paeng family head alright?" "…What did you say?" Baffled by his response, Moyong Bi-yon shot a perplexed look at her brother. Though he noted her expression, he showed no change in his demeanor. Fully aware of what might unfold if his sister ever lost her temper, he tread with caution. "No fights broke out; we just had a minor verbal sparring." "Well, that’s a relief." "This is ridiculous." With a huffy puff, Moyong Bi-yeon swung back a chair and plopped down. "He was cute when he was younger. He grew weirder with age." "You haven’t changed a bit since your youth." "Oh, thanks for the compliment." "It was an insult." Would she ever mature? Before telling the Paeng family head to get his act together, he wished she would start with herself. Seeing her after so many years, she appeared just as she did before. Moyong Bi-yeon glanced at the White Celestial Sword master, then sipped the tea prepared by Moyong Hee-ah. "Aunt?" "Yes, Auntie." "That boy's alright." "...What?" Startled by the sudden shift in conversation, Moyong Hee-ah asked again. Smiling, Moyong Bi-yeon explained, "That boy you’ve been going around with—the one called Sohyeomra?" “…!" "He seems amusing." "Auntie, have you met Young Master Gu?" Hearing her aunt's casual mention of meeting Gu Yang-cheon, Moyong Hee-ah's eyes widened in disbelief. This was completely unforeseen. "H-how did you meet him?" "Eh? Just happened naturally, I suppose." Seeing Moyong Hee-ah's expression elicited a laugh from Moyong Bi-yeon. ‘Ah, this brings back memories.’ That familiar expression was reminiscent of past experiences. It was like seeing a reflection of her younger self, back when she was smitten with someone. 'What should I say about this?' To think the family ties mirrored so closely, it felt almost fated. Moyong Bi-yeon drifted into reminiscences of the young man she'd met earlier. 'He resembles him too much.' He bore a striking resemblance to the man she once adored wholeheartedly. Perhaps it was only natural for a son to share such similarities. Sadly, he didn't fully inherit the man’s looks, but certain features were remarkably alike. Especially the distinctive eyes of that family lineage. 'His looks aside, his talent seems to have surpassed his father’s.' It seemed as if he had exceeded the talents of his father, once heralded as a prodigious genius. '…He had reached transcendent realm, hadn’t he?' She hesitated to label it as mastery, feeling something elusive yet profound was at play. Nonetheless, the aura Gu Yang-cheon emitted was far beyond what anyone would associate with someone of mere post-cultivation power. 'Rumors were inflated, I thought, but they didn’t even do him justice.' The boy made Moyong Bi-yeon ponder many things. Including her niece, chasing fervently after someone who closely resembled the man she too once chased. 'But isn’t it better compared to back then?' At the very least, he seemed to have fewer competitors than that man. Judging by his looks, he wasn’t exactly drowning in romantic prospects. As Moyong Bi-yeon mused on this train of thought, the White Celestial Sword master interrupted. "The damned boy… I mean, you met someone from the Gu family?" Realizing her brother had been listening intently, Moyong Bi-yeon couldn’t help but burst into laughter. "You still haven’t gotten over that temper, have you?" In the past, her younger brother had been irked by her chasing after some nobody and even picked fights because of it. The outcome… ‘He ended up thoroughly beaten.’ She recalled how a young White Celestial Sword master, who couldn’t even land a hit, would be left sprawling on the ground. The disparity in skill had been significant. Considering he was now witnessing his daughter do something similar, would he really stand by idly? Surmising that this likely wouldn’t be the case, Moyong Bi-yeon addressed the White Celestial Sword master. "Family head." "Speak..." "You’re not planning on giving someone a talking to again, are you? Not paying him a visit under that pretext, right?" "..." "You wouldn’t, right? Not at your age. Surely, not a head of the family?" As Moyong Bi-yon’s words settled in, the White Celestial Sword master chose silence, sealing his lips tightly. Noting this, Moyong Bi-yeon's expression twisted in frustration. "You…" "Let's stop this meaningless banter… just tell me why you're really here." Though he attempted to deflect, Moyong Bi-yeon was visibly displeased. Whether it was the Paeng family head or her own brother, the family leaders sure had a knack for causing exasperation. "I said earlier, I just wanted to see my niece." "Oh, sister? Sure, that's believable." "This little…." Tempted to swear, she restrained herself upon remembering Moyong Hee-ah was present. She couldn't possibly hurl curses at the father in front of his child. Managing to compose herself with a deep sigh, Moyong Bi-yeon reached inside her robe and produced something. The truth was, she hadn't come here just for a simple visit. No, she had other business to attend to. "Here." "What is this?" The White Celestial Sword master took what his sister handed over. It was a letter. He was about to open it immediately, but Moyong Bi-yeon's transmission halted him. - It’s a message from the Ice Emperor. At her words, he froze momentarily. The Ice Emperor she referred to was the ruler of the frozen northern land of the Ice Palace, none other than the father of Moyong Hee-ah's mother—his former wife. With shock in his eyes, the White Celestial Sword master looked at Moyong Bi-yeon. - How did you obtain this…? - Don't make it obvious, and read it quietly. Our niece is sharp-eyed, just like me. Despite the seriousness of her words, Moyong Bi-yeon’s demeanor remained light-hearted. After finishing the remaining tea in her cup in one gulp, she rose to her feet. Moyong Hee-ah, noticing her movements, widened her gaze and questioned her aunt. "Already leaving after just arriving?" "I'll be out for a bit. Promise I’ll return quickly." Moyong Hee-ah expressed her disappointment visibly. Moyong Bi-yeon found her reaction endearing, contemplating staying a while longer, but— "I have someone to meet." Ultimately, she stuck to her decision. Moyong Bi-yeon had come here with a clear purpose, not only to deliver the letter but also to meet "that person." She wasn’t one to delay critical matters. She set off directly towards her destination—the gathering place of the Gu family.