Chapter 122: Don't You Know Why I'm Angry?
Chapter 122: Don't You Know Why I'm Angry?
I had always assumed the woman Gwi Ryeongja married was a wicked one.
However, the woman I saw before me now was far from a villainess.
"I heard you've been working tirelessly researching the Ghost Gate’s secret arts. Please, don't overexert yourself."
"I appreciate the concern, Miss Im."
At Im Hyang’s words, Gwi Ryeongja’s grin stretched from ear to ear.
"Aren't you hungry?" she asked.
"Actually, I am."
"Then let's eat before we head out."
Gwi Ryeongja, Im Hyang, and the martial artists escorting her entered the inn where we were staying. They took a seat near us, allowing their conversation to drift over clearly.
"I'll be honest with you. My parents were actually against this marriage. They said the successors of the Ghost Gate have always been so absorbed in their research that they leave their wives feeling lonely."
"Ah, that’s a misunderstanding. That will never happen, I promise you. I will never let you feel lonely, Miss."
I hadn't heard the specific details of why Gwi Ryeongja’s marriage had failed. When we last parted in my previous life, he had said his married life was an even deeper hell than the one we were in, so it seemed they had stayed together until the bitter end.
What if he really had neglected her to research the Great Regression Art? What if that was the catalyst?
Gwi Ryeongja, you can't keep that promise right now.
Of course, that might not be the reason. Judging by the way he looked at Im Hyang now, I could bet his entire fortune that he’d abandon the family business in a heartbeat if she asked him to run away with her. He liked her that much—so how did their marriage turn into a living hell?
Lee An sent me a Voice Transmission.
―Are those two the ones whose marriage you're trying to stop?
―That’s right.
―How can you stop them when they’re so in love? If you interfere now, you’ll become their mortal enemy.
Not just a mortal enemy. A blood rival for generations.
We turned our attention back to their conversation.
"My father might treat you coldly at first. Even if he does, please try to understand," Im Hyang said.
"Of course. I know well how much the Sect Leader treasures you, Miss Im."
Was it perhaps the parents who drove them apart? Finding out the reason was my first priority.
They ordered their food.
"I'm not particularly fond of stir-fried dishes," Im Hyang stated firmly.
Gwi Ryeongja was quick to respond to her preference.
"What a coincidence! I hate them too."
"Really?"
"I think we’re soulmates!"
But I saw it. I saw that split-second hesitation in Gwi Ryeongja. The fleeting look of regret that said, But I actually love stir-fry.
Poor Gwi Ryeongja. I guess you’re done with stir-fried food for the rest of your life. Then again, in his current state, he’d probably agree even if she suggested they live on nothing but Fasting Pills forever.
When they began their meal, we started our own conversation. I didn't lower my voice, intending to catch their attention.
"Do you want to get married?" I asked Lee An.
The biggest topic for people on the verge of marriage is, naturally, marriage itself. I could feel Gwi Ryeongja and Im Hyang prick up their ears.
"I’m not going to," Lee An replied.
"Why?"
"Marriage comes with great responsibility, doesn't it? I don't have the confidence to be responsible for someone else. Taking care of myself is hard enough."
I couldn't tell if that was her honest thought or if she was answering that way because she knew I wanted to stop the wedding.
This time, Lee An asked me.
"Do you want to get married, Senior Brother?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"I just want to live freely."
"What about children? Don't you want to have kids?"
"Children..."
I had been asked this question exactly once before. By Seo Jin, Gwi Ryeongja’s younger sister. My answer back then had been predictable. I was consumed by guilt and rage for being the sole survivor; children were the last thing on my mind.
"I don't have the confidence to raise them well."
"I suppose so. Not every parent raises their child well, after all."
Lee An’s expression darkened slightly. Setting aside Gwi Ryeongja’s business for a moment, I asked her the question I’d been wanting to ask.
"Do you resent your parents?"
"I did when I was little."
She had been abandoned by her parents at a very young age. She had drifted all the way to the Cult without even knowing who they were.
"And now?"
"Now, I don't think much about it. Hating them only hurts me."
I deliberately asked about her parents. I didn't want her to bury her emotional wounds deep in her heart.
It’s better to dig up what’s buried, talk about it, regret saying it, and then realize it’s no big deal because it’s already out in the open.
An emotional wound only begins to fade after going through this process several times. Burying it in the heart and trying to forget? Not a chance. No matter how deep you bury it, it doesn't rot. It doesn't disappear.
Lee An looked at me and gave a small smirk.
"My parents are probably out there somewhere, eating well and living fine."
It was then.
"I don't think so."
The person who couldn't help but interject was Im Hyang.
"I don't know the circumstances, but I'm sure your parents are hurting, young lady."
She had clear tastes in food, and she was clearly the type to speak her mind on such matters.
Lee An spoke to her softly.
"Not all parents love their children. Some see their children only as a means to make money, some beat and abuse them, and some even sell them off, don't they?"
Those last words weighed on my heart. Perhaps Lee An had lived her life believing her parents had sold her.
"That must be the case for only a tiny minority of parents. Your parents must have had other reasons."
The look Im Hyang gave Lee An was filled with pity and sympathy. Despite her simple appearance, she was someone who wore her emotions on her sleeve, even with strangers.
One could have found it offensive, but Lee An responded gracefully.
"Thank you for the comfort."
"No, I overstepped. I'm sorry."
Im Hyang apologized, and Lee An replied politely as well.
"Not at all. You spoke out of kindness, but I reacted too sensitively."
The two of them exchanged apologies. Belatedly, Im Hyang introduced herself.
"I am Im Hyang, daughter of the Im Clan Sword House."
Im Hyang introduced Gwi Ryeongja, and Lee An introduced me.
"This is my Senior Brother."
That was how she usually introduced us to new people. Since we had learned the same martial arts, it wasn't technically wrong.
"As an apology, I'd like to treat you to a drink," Lee An offered. "Since the two of you seem to have reunited after a long time, perhaps we could meet tomorrow or the day after when you have time."
Im Hyang shook her head.
"No, if anyone is buying drinks, it should be me."
Gwi Ryeongja, who had been watching the two of them insist on paying, stepped in.
"As it happens, I was planning to hold a small celebration with close friends tomorrow. I would like to invite you both as well."
"We couldn't possibly intrude on such a special occasion," Lee An declined, but Im Hyang insisted.
"No, please come. I think I’ll feel better if you do."
With Im Hyang pushing as well, Lee An accepted their invitation as if she had no choice.
"Alright, we will visit you tomorrow."
A short while later, Gwi Ryeongja and Im Hyang finished their meal, said their goodbyes, and left the inn first.
Once they were gone, Lee An boasted a little.
"Did I do well?"
"Excellent. To the point where I feel like I could leave everything to you."
"Ack! You can't do that. I still don't understand why we have to stop their marriage!"
Lee An watched them as they walked away from the inn. Even as they walked, Gwi Ryeongja couldn't take his eyes off Im Hyang.
I recalled Gwi Ryeongja’s final moments.
―Is it still hell?
―It’s an even hotter hell. I’m ashamed to ask, but please. If I don't listen to the very end, rip my manhood out.
―That much?
―Even more than that.
If I really wanted to stop it, I could, but I worried that forcing them apart now might actually make him more miserable. They say the affairs of men and women are the most difficult things in the world.
"I'm still not sure what to do either," I muttered.
*
The following afternoon, Lee An and I visited the Ghost Gate.
As we were led into the inner court by a guide, I could sense Ghostly Qi everywhere.
―Lee An, can you feel the energy to the left?
―Yes, it’s an energy I’ve never felt before.
―It’s the Ghostly Qi of the Ghost Gate.
It was a different sensation from the Ghostly Qi of the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord.
―You must be extremely cautious when dealing with those who use this kind of energy. Since you never know what might pop out, the most important thing is not to panic. If you panic, you die.
―Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.
As we entered the inner court, we saw three people talking in front of a flower garden.
Gwi Ryeongja, Im Hyang, and the one person I had wanted to see so badly: Seo Jin.
"Don't trust my brother," Seo Jin was saying. "Once he gets into his work, he wouldn't even notice if someone was having a duel right next to him. That’s my brother for you."
Taking Seo Jin’s words as a joke, Im Hyang laughed.
"I'm not joking," Seo Jin added.
"Then I’ll have to perform a spectacular duel. One so grand it’ll make him turn his head toward me."
As they chatted, they noticed our arrival and looked over.
My eyes met Seo Jin’s.
In my past life, I hadn't met her until much later. Seeing her now, she looked so unfamiliar.
So, you had a youth like this too.
She had suited the rough life of a ronin so well. She was smart, thoughtful, and loyal.
I couldn't see any trace of that woman in her current self. Right now, she was just a bright, cheerful girl who had grown up receiving plenty of love in a prestigious family.
Lee An’s Voice Transmission flew in.
―You didn't even look at those beautiful courtesans of the Heavenly Flower Pavilion like this. The way you’re looking at that woman is... different.
As expected, Lee An knew me best.
―No jealousy allowed.
―Your Highness! It’s not jealousy, it’s curiosity!
Indeed, how could the way I looked at Seo Jin be ordinary?
My friend.
In this life, I won't let you grow cold in some nameless field. You said you were satisfied with your life as you were dying, but I won't let you meet such an end. That is my promise to you as a friend.
We walked up to them. Gwi Ryeongja introduced us to Seo Jin.
Once the introductions were over, Seo Jin showed interest in Lee An.
"Your eyes are so beautiful. Why are you wearing a veil?"
I gave Lee An a look, signaling her to show her face. It’s a honey trap, Lee An!
Catching my drift, she removed her veil.
Exclamations of admiration escaped the two women’s lips, but unexpectedly, the target, Gwi Ryeongja, showed no particular reaction.
I asked Gwi Ryeongja.
"Young Master Seo, isn't my Junior Sister beautiful?"
I had intended to show him that there were other beautiful women in the world.
"She is beautiful. Truly beautiful, but... my Miss Im is more beautiful."
I could tell. Gwi Ryeongja was speaking from the heart.
They say love is blind, but this wasn't just a case of rose-tinted glasses; it was as if he were under a Soul-Seizing Technique.
I sent a Voice Transmission to Lee An.
―You're hideous! Put your veil back on.
―I already did. What is wrong with that man?!
―I tried to stop the wedding with a honey trap, but it’s not going to work.
―Why stop it when he likes her that much? It’s nice to see.
It was then. Im Hyang stared at Gwi Ryeongja with a stiff expression.
"What is it, Miss Im?"
"Don't you know why I'm angry?"
"I haven't a clue."
Gwi Ryeongja looked genuinely bewildered.
"Why can't you be honest? That young lady is clearly more beautiful. Did you think I’d be happy if you lied like that?"
She believed he was lying because even she could see that Lee An was more beautiful.
"In my eyes, you are more beautiful."
"That’s a lie, isn't it?"
"No. You truly are more beautiful to me. I can swear it to the heavens."
"Is that true?"
Only after confirming it did Im Hyang’s expression soften.
In that moment, I was certain.
From her interjecting in our conversation yesterday to what I was seeing now—she had a strong, perhaps overbearing personality that demanded confirmation on things that could easily be let go.
What if that personality began to stifle Gwi Ryeongja? Eventually, the rose-tinted glasses would fall off.
Suffocated by her, he would escape into his research of the Great Law to flee reality. And their relationship would only worsen.
This wasn't just her fault. She was showing exactly who she was without hiding it, but Gwi Ryeongja himself was failing to see it.
Even now, Gwi Ryeongja was smiling at Im Hyang as if nothing in the world could be better.
Sigh, Gwi Ryeongja. What am I going to do with you? Do I really have to rip your manhood out?