Chapter 115: Let's Make a Bet (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 115: Let's Make a Bet (1)
Did I hear that correctly?
No matter how I thought about it, those words shouldn't have come from his mouth.
I stared at my father in confusion, but the moment he finished speaking, his gaze shifted away from me.
"Father."
"I'm listening. Speak."
"By any chance... do you and the Lord of the Namgung Clan not get along?"
My question elicited a reaction. His eyes, which had been fixed on the documents atop his desk, turned back to me.
"Why would you think that?"
"It's just a feeling."
Judging by the reactions of both Namgung Jin and my father, I had the distinct impression that their relationship was less than cordial.
Did something happen between them?
Father didn't answer my question. He simply stared at me for a moment before looking away again.
He neither confirmed nor denied it.
"I originally intended to tell you this tonight, but since you are here, I may as well say it now."
So he's going to ignore my previous question.
I never expected to get an answer, and pressing the issue would only cause me trouble.
"First, the Heavenly Pill I promised you."
"Yes."
I had completely forgotten about that.
He'd promised it as a reward if I succeeded in bringing Gu Ryunghwa back from Mount Hua.
With all the things I've consumed recently, it totally slipped my mind.
From Mount Hua's treasures to Demonic Qi, and the flower from yesterday—I had absorbed an overwhelming amount of Qi in a very short time. A veritable war was now raging inside my body as a result.
Furthermore, I still had the herbs I'd obtained from Celestial Plum Blossom.
"It would be poison to me right now."
It seemed Father had realized that as well.
Having absorbed the flower's Qi just the day before, my energy reserves had swelled even further. I was still in the process of stabilizing the turbulent Qi coursing through me. Adding more to the mix would be difficult.
As I pondered what to do, Father suddenly asked, "Did you break through the wall?"
I straightened up at the unexpected question. Though he wasn't looking directly at me, I could feel him inspecting my condition.
Lies are useless against him, and it seems I've already been found out. Not that I intended to lie about something like this anyway.
After a moment's hesitation, I replied, "I did."
"Hm."
Father nodded at my response.
"Good work."
His lips twitched slightly as he spoke. It was surprising; I had never seen my father make such an expression before.
Is he... happy?
That said, his expression was still terrifying.
"You may have reached a higher level than others your age, but do not let that breed arrogance. Simply continue as you have been."
"Yes, I understand."
"I can give you the Heavenly Pill as promised, if you wish. But is there something else you would prefer?"
Since the pill would be of little use to me now, it would be better to request a different reward. Alternatively, I could just take the pill and consume it later.
"I'll need some time to think about it."
Father nodded once more, clearly agreeing to grant me more time.
I waited for him to continue, thinking he was organizing his thoughts, but he remained silent.
What's going on?
He surely had more to discuss than this, so why wasn't he saying anything?
There was my fight with Ya Hyeoljeok on Mount Hua, how I cured the Sword Queen... events far more significant than my breakthrough. I had even mentioned them briefly in my letter and prepared excuses for our face-to-face meeting.
Yet my father asked nothing.
"Is there something more you wish to say?"
He was the one who asked, seemingly wondering why I was still standing there.
"That's what I want to know. Why aren't you asking me more questions?"
"About what?"
"The things I wrote in my letter."
It had taken me four days and consultations with Elder Shin to draft that letter. But my father seemed utterly indifferent.
As if to prove it, he replied promptly, "Everything was written in the letter, as you said. What is the problem?"
"Is that all?"
"There is no need for pointless questions. You may leave, as we have covered the important matters."
Instead of interrogating me further, he dismissed me. He truly had no intention of asking anything else.
While I was relieved to avoid making excuses, it also bothered me. I never expected him to show so little interest in everything that had happened.
I knew Father was always like this, but isn't this excessively careless?
It felt somewhat ridiculous.
Anyway, since things had turned out well and I was about to leave, I remembered one more matter and brought it up immediately.
"Father, about the Dragons and Phoenixes Tournament."
He didn't respond, but I continued anyway. I had recalled Tang Soyeol's wish to attend the tournament with me.
Frankly, I mentioned it fully expecting him to deny the request.
"Lady Tang expressed a desire to go to the tournament with me. Would it be acceptable if I accompanied her?"
"The daughter of the Tang Clan?"
"Yes."
I had already left the clan twice this year. Compared to my previous life, where I was practically confined to the estate before becoming young lord, this was a significant change.
Furthermore, sending me to the Dragons and Phoenixes Tournament, an event teeming with important figures? There was no way that would be possi—
"It's fine. You may go."
"I figured you wouldn't allow it, so shall I decline her re—... Wait, what?!"
"We have already received the invitation. I will arrange for escorts to accompany you."
"Why?"
"Hmm?"
Father made a strange expression when I questioned him.
Why are you the one making that face?
"Why are you permitting me to go?"
"You are acting strangely. I approved because you asked."
"Because it's strange! You don't mind me leaving the clan just like that?"
"Do as you wish."
"What in the...?"
The situation was developing oddly. This isn't how it was supposed to go. Why is he agreeing?
He was behaving far differently compared to my past life, and the discrepancy left me utterly dumbfounded.
What's the issue?
He wouldn't change this much simply because I'd reached the peak realm, though his expression remained as impassive as ever. It seemed something within him had shifted, but I couldn't pinpoint what.
"Anything else?"
"No, nothing."
"Then you may take your leave."
I finally rose to my feet and prepared to leave. It was then that Elder Shin suddenly spoke up.
[You're not saying you won't go.]
The Dragons and Phoenixes Tournament?
[Yes. Even though you said you wanted to avoid long trips.]
Hmm...
As Elder Shin noted, I wasn't fond of leaving the clan again, and I detested long journeys even more...
But the Dragons and Phoenixes Tournament in Henan was important. It wasn't excessively far, and I needed to meet someone there regardless. I had been waiting for an opportunity like this, as I lacked a valid reason to go. This was a perfect chance.
There were still a few years until the main event, but it was better to handle things early.
Though it did bother me slightly that I had to go with Tang Soyeol. Oh well.
As I pondered this, Elder Shin asked me.
[Henan, huh? Is the Shaolin Sect still in Henan?]
Of course the Shaolin Sect is in Henan.
The Shaolin Sect of Henan was one of the Ten Sect Alliance and held the most influence within the Orthodox Faction. The fact that the Murim Alliance headquarters was located in Henan was proof of that.
While they didn't have any promising young prodigies at the moment, in a few years, they would produce a talented disciple who would ascend to the vacant position of the Dragon after Peng Woojin. I had a rather deep connection with that individual in my past life.
[If you go to Henan, can you visit the Shaolin Sect?]
Visit the Shaolin Sect? Why?
[There is something I wish to see. Merely seeing it will suffice, so please go.]
And I just need to go and look? Nothing more?
[Yes. Don't worry, observing is enough for me.]
The Murim Alliance and the Shaolin Sect weren't too far apart. This was the first time Elder Shin had made such a request of me. If all I had to do was go and observe, it shouldn't be a problem.
After quickly organizing my thoughts, I was about to exit my father's study when he suddenly spoke from behind.
"Wait."
I turned around at the sound of his voice.
"Prepare yourself. We have an engagement in two hours. I will send you the location."
"An engagement? So suddenly?"
What engagement? I had planned to visit the Immortal Healer.
As I stood there confused, Father continued. My expression shifted the moment I heard his next words.
"Don't be late. It's your engagement ceremony."
Ugh...
Just hearing it was exhausting.
* * *
After leaving my father's study, I headed to the guesthouse where Tang Soyeol was staying.
Martial artists from the Tang Clan stood guard outside. They greeted me respectfully upon my arrival and made no move to stop me.
Even as a member of the Gu Clan, they wouldn't normally grant me such easy access. Had Tang Soyeol informed them about me beforehand?
As I approached the guesthouse, someone came running toward me.
"Young Master Gu!"
"Hello."
I hadn't even entered, yet Tang Soyeol had somehow learned of my arrival and ran out to meet me—barefoot, no less.
"Lady Tang! You should at least wear your shoes!" her servant shouted from behind.
"Oh... right."
Only then did Tang Soyeol seem to realize her state of undress. Her face flushed crimson, and she hurried back inside, returning a moment later.
The Tang Soyeol who returned was much calmer and more composed, but I was at a loss for how to react, having already witnessed her earlier disheveled appearance.
[Just go with the flow. That's probably best.]
Heeding Elder Shin's advice, I smiled at her.
"Thank you for coming to see me."
"It was no trouble. I had something to discuss with you anyway."
"Something to discuss? What might that be...?"
When I told her that my father had approved her request to accompany me to the tournament, she was initially shocked, but soon began jumping for joy.
"W-What...! Really?! Is this true?"
"Huh? Yes... Father said it was fine."
Was she really that happy? It was rare to see a direct descendant of a noble clan behave so exuberantly.
I think Namgung Bi-ah mentioned she would come too.
She'd said she would join me if I went, but I didn't know if that still held true now that Namgung Jin was here at the Gu Clan.
"When should we depart? What should I wear? What should I bring...?"
"Lady Tang, let's calm down first—"
"I didn't bring many things since I came here in a hurry... Is there a particular poison you lik—... Oh, you already said you don't."
The smile I had forced onto my face nearly cracked.
Normal people don't like poison in the first place, woman...
Do all members of the Tang Clan carry poison around to drink? Do different poisons have different flavors or something?
I had met a member of the Tang Clan who became a demonic cultivator in my past life, but I didn't recall him carrying poison around like that. I only knew their resistance to poison was far greater than the average martial artist's.
I supposed Tang Soyeol, given her obsession, must be immune to thousands of poisons.
My thoughts grew complicated as I watched Tang Soyeol, her cheeks flushed red, smiling creepily while clutching her face.
She really seems to like me.
It was impossible not to notice, given how blatant she was being.
[Indeed. You finally notice after she makes it so obvious.]
...
I hated how Elder Shin always had a snide remark ready.
But why does she like me?
I couldn't figure it out no matter how long I thought about it. The only time I had seen her in this life was during my visit to the Tang Clan's Military Exhibition. We hadn't spoken much, nor had we met since. I could find no reason for her to develop feelings for me.
After observing her for a moment, I spoke.
"Lady Tang."
"Y-Yes?"
"You know that I'm engaged, right...?"
"Oh."
[You crazy bastard...! How can you say it so bluntly!]*
Elder Shin shouted at me, but I didn't know how else to phrase it. It was true that I was engaged to Namgung Bi-ah, and it would be a lie to say I had no feelings for either Namgung Bi-ah or Wi Seol-Ah.
While Tang Soyeol's request provided a perfect excuse to attend the tournament, if she truly had feelings for me, letting the situation continue would lead to numerous complications.
[You only choose to be rational at times like this... You couldn't be more distasteful.]
Elder Shin... You just don't like me, do you?
[And you're only perceptive at times like this... Tsk!]*
I knew my words would hurt Tang Soyeol. Even if she had no feelings for me, they were offensive, implying that I assumed she liked me. It was something I shouldn't have said to her face, whether my assumption was correct or not. But I said it anyway because I didn't want to beat around the bush.
Tang Soyeol stared directly into my eyes, her gaze tinged with sadness and disappointment. She bit her lip for a moment before saying, "It's... fine."
"Huh?"
Before I could ask what she meant, she spoke again, her voice filled with determination.
"I can do it. I can."
"...W-What can you do?"
Tang Soyeol spoke with her fists clenched, as if she had resolved herself. The problem was, she never actually specified what she could do.
Furthermore...
[This wretched world, what does it intend to show me?]*
A certain Taoist muttered under his breath, feeling utterly betrayed by the turn of events.