Chapter 136: Long Time No See, Brother-In-Law (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 136: Long Time No See, Brother-In-Law (1)
If there was one thing to be said about Moyong Hi-ah…
It was that she was more of a strategist than a swordswoman.
Her icy demeanor was matched by a talent for swift, rational decision-making.
And the decisions she made were always correct, even under the most difficult circumstances.
While prodigies like Wi Seol-Ah played significant roles in rescuing people from the Abyss…
Realistically speaking, Moyong Hi-ah was probably the one who contributed the most.
She was a woman who never hesitated to speak her mind when it came to making logical choices.
She was, without a doubt, an invaluable ally.
However,
As an enemy, she was utterly terrifying.
But what about her now?
“Hello.”
I wondered what she was to me.
“My name is Moyong Hi-ah.”
As far as I could tell, she wasn’t on my side.
* * *
Slam!
I leaned against my door and began to think. What in the world was that just now…?
Was it a dream?
The thought even crossed my mind, since she was the first thing I saw upon waking.
Those sky-blue eyes still lingered in my mind.
She wasn’t wearing her veil.
Just yesterday, her face had been covered, but the Moyong Hi-ah I met this morning was unmasked.
Her sharp eyes and beautiful, cat-like face.
Her movements, filled with the confidence of someone who knew her own beauty better than anyone.
The Snow Phoenix, Moyong Hi-ah. It was undoubtedly her.
“…What does she want?”
That’s why I was even more curious.
Why did she come to me?
If she wanted to discuss yesterday’s events, she should have gone to Gu Jeolyub instead.
Knock, knock.
As if rushing me, a knock came from the other side of the door.
After shutting the door on her, I’d wanted to just go back to sleep, but this was Moyong Hi-ah. It was never going to be that easy.
I let out a sigh and cracked the door open.
“What is it…?”
“I wanted to thank you for yesterday.”
“If that’s the case, then shouldn’t you—”
“Shouldn’t I be thanking you? Isn’t that the right thing to do?”
Just look at her.
Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes were already filled with certainty.
Which made it all the more strange.
What could have possibly led her to believe she should be thanking me?
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”
I genuinely hadn’t done anything yesterday. I didn’t understand why she was acting this way.
After studying my reaction for a moment, Moyong Hi-ah spoke with a slight smile.
“You aren’t surprised.”
“Pardon?”
She covered her mouth with a fan. A familiar fan.
Of course it was familiar; Moyong Hi-ah had always carried it with her, even in our past life.
“It’s been a while since I’ve met someone who remains unfazed upon hearing my name or seeing my face.”
“…”
I frowned slightly.
It seemed I had chosen the wrong reaction.
“Typically, that only happens with people who are completely oblivious to the world, but I don’t take Young Master Gu for such a person.”
“It seems you know who I am.”
“Yes, I did a little research yesterday.”
Moyong Hi-ah bluntly admitted to running a background check on me, right to my face.
It was a display of confidence—she was sure she could handle any fallout, and it was also a warning that she wouldn’t tolerate any lies.
She continued with the same expression.
“It also seems you know who I am, correct, Young Master Gu?”
Her sky-blue eyes gleamed as they locked onto me.
No matter how I looked at it, this was a woman I did not want to get involved with.
She’s way too sharp.
She was intelligent, but there was something unique about how Moyong Hi-ah assessed people.
A woman with a brilliant mind that backed up her razor-sharp instincts.
It was annoying enough when someone possessed just one of those traits.
“Would that be a problem?”
“No. Not at all. As I said, I merely came to thank you for yesterday.”
“This early in the morning.”
“Morning…? Well, it’s closer to noon now, Young Master Gu.”
Was it already noon? Why had no one woken me?
[A few people did pass by you.]
Elder Shin.
[But when they saw you sleeping—and snoring—they simply let you be.]
…
I had been exhausted lately.
Constantly stabilizing the energy within my body, combined with longer training sessions and camping outdoors, had taken its toll.
I was a bit concerned that no one had tried to wake me,
…But do I really snore?
That was the most shocking revelation.
[…Out of everything, that’s what surprises you? Seriously, you brat, you really are a dumbass.]
Well, it’s quite important.
“So…”
Moyong Hi-ah interrupted my thoughts.
“I merely came today to introduce myself.”
The chill I felt probably wasn’t solely due to the weather.
“Now that I’ve met you, I can indeed sense something different about you compared to others.”
“You must be mistaken. Perhaps the cold weather has made you a bit dense…”
I wondered what she could have possibly sensed in such a short time.
I shut my mouth, realizing I’d spoken to her rudely out of habit.
Thankfully, Moyong Hi-ah didn’t seem to care.
Or, to be more precise, she didn’t find it important enough to bother with.
“I shall see you next time.”
“You really don’t need to bother—…Never mind.”
Again.
I’d almost uttered the same words I used to say to her whenever I saw her face in my past life.
I thought I’d broken that habit, but my tongue must have malfunctioned due to the cold.
Moyong Hi-ah smiled.
“Yes, I will bother you and see you next time.”
She’d heard me. Dammit.
She turned away, seemingly unaffected by my words, and began ascending the stairs to the Golden Floor, all while keeping me in her line of sight.
That meant I was a potential target.
What was the problem? Every time, something occurred that hadn’t happened in my past life, making everything difficult to deal with.
After she left, the scent Moyong Hi-ah left behind lingered.
A faint, cold breeze remained in her wake.
As expected, she still had that annoying trait.
“…Tsk.”
Moyong Hi-ah’s expressions and movements appeared entirely natural.
Her charm was different from Wi Seol-Ah’s cuteness or Namgung Bi-ah’s elegance.
It was sheer sexiness.
A sexiness that ordinary men couldn’t resist, falling right into her trap.
Her soft hand gestures and seductive stare complemented her beautiful face, making her incredibly alluring.
But I knew it was all an act.
A girl with a mouth as sharp as a sword, acting like that…
It made me feel uneasy rather than stirring my heart.
[So…]
“…Hmm?”
Elder Shin interrupted my thoughts.
And for some reason, he sounded heated.
[You’re telling me you did ‘you know what’ with that woman?]
“Why are you suddenly bringing that up?”
[This is an important matter.]
“How…?”
[It’s a matter that decides whether I should kill you or not. How is that not important?]
“…”
I rubbed my temples, overwhelmed by a sudden headache.
Had Elder Shin developed dementia?
Judging by how he seemed out of his mind, I began to worry that even spirits could suffer from it.
* * *
Since it was already noon, I quickly washed up and headed to the dining hall.
Wi Seol-Ah had called me after noticing I was awake.
“Young Master.”
“Yeah.”
“You’re eating dumplings again…?”
“Why?”
Wi Seol-Ah looked at me with confusion as I ate.
“Aren’t you tired of them?”
“You eat yakgwa all day, every day.”
“I-I don’t eat it all day!”
“Really? Should I ask Hongwa?”
“…”
Wi Seol-Ah fell silent after I used that special move on her.
She seemed to be sulking, her lips slightly pouted.
I smiled faintly and put some food on her plate as an apology, but someone unexpectedly reached out and touched the back of my head.
“What is it?”
I didn’t even need to check who it was.
There was only one person who would do that while sitting next to me.
“…Your hair…”
“Is it weird?”
“It feels spiky now…”
Namgung Bi-ah ran her fingers through my hair, attempting to tame the unruly strands.
I let her continue, finding her touch rather pleasant, and she focused harder, getting more into it.
“…Hey, wait.”
I suddenly became aware of something peculiar. I shifted slightly, causing Namgung Bi-ah to pull back in disappointment, but it was too late.
Tang Soyeol, who had been eyeing me strangely, burst into laughter.
“Ahaha! Young Master Gu…! It suits you so well.”
“How could you say such an insulting thing…”
“But… it really does suit you. It’s so cute.”
I felt a ponytail dangling from the top of my head.
I quickly tried to untie it, but Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-Ah playfully stopped me.
“Are you not going to let go?”
“Can’t you just stay like this… for a little while?”
“What do you think?”
“It suits you well, Young Master!”
Even Muyeon, who was standing guard in the back, was trying his best to hold in his laughter. They were telling me it suited me?
Gu Jeolyub, too, was covering his mouth and looking away.
“Hey, are you laughing at me?”
“N…No.”
“That didn’t sound like a ‘no.’ It sounded like you were.”
Even Gu Jeolyub, who had been feeling down since yesterday, was on the verge of laughing because of this.
You all…!
In the end, I tried to force my way out with sheer strength. But then I glanced toward an unexpected presence I felt.
The person descending the stairs was Moyong Hi-ah, her mask once again in place.
She began walking in my direction.
Moyong Hi-ah moved with calm steps, her gaze sweeping the room until it landed on me—and she flinched.
Even with her face covered, I knew she was staring at my head.
I quickly untied my hair.
“…”
Though she had seemed like she was coming over to say something, silence ensued.
[Her shoulders are shaking.]
I looked at Moyong Hi-ah’s shoulders after hearing Elder Shin.
He was right. Her shoulders were definitely shaking.
…Is she laughing?
I found it amusing that even Moyong Hi-ah was trying to hold in her laughter,
But that also meant my appearance had been utterly ridiculous, which was more humiliating.
“…Do you have something you want to say?”
“Pffb… It’s nothing.”
“It sounds like you’re laughing.”
“No way. You must have misunderstood.”
Her voice returned to normal after my suspicious remark.
Moyong Hi-ah softened her tone and turned her attention to Tang Soyeol.
“It has been a while, Lady Tang.”
Tang Soyeol frowned slightly at the sudden greeting, but her eyes soon widened in recognition.
“…Lady Moyong.”
“It seems you know who I am.”
Judging by their formal address, they weren’t particularly close.
Was it like that in my past life, too?
I rarely saw them together back then.
“…Did you arrive yesterday?”
“Yes. I was coincidentally able to receive help from Lady Tang, for which I’m grateful.”
She seemed to be referring to how Tang Soyeol had made Hwangbo Cheolwi back down yesterday.
Tang Soyeol averted her gaze, as if bothered by something.
Despite that, Moyong Hi-ah continued.
“If it’s alright, may I join you for the meal? Since we’ve all crossed paths here by fate. I haven’t eaten yet.”
“Don’t you usually skip lunch?”
“…Hmm?”
Moyong Hi-ah looked at me after I spoke without thinking.
Damn… I messed up.
This damned tongue of mine had acted on its own again, triggered by old memories.
-Aren’t you going to eat that?
-If I eat around this time, my stomach feels unwell. I always skip lunch.
-Then I’ll eat it.
-Don’t touch it. How annoying. I plan to have it for dinner.
-You should’ve said something sooner!
-You didn’t ask.
-Ugh, my head hurts. What is Wi Seol-Ah doing, not keeping this woman in check?
It certainly wasn’t a pleasant memory.
“How does… Young Master Gu know that?”
“You just look the type. I took a guess, and it seems I was right.”
“Pardon?”
Moyong Hi-ah looked shocked, suggesting she already had that habit at this point in time. I had to react swiftly.
[You really aren’t right in your head, huh.]
Elder Shin spoke in a worried tone. I, too, was starting to feel out of sorts.
Why was I like this all of a sudden?
Moyong Hi-ah stood awkwardly for a moment before turning back to Tang Soyeol.
“…”
Under the pressure of Moyong Hi-ah’s request, Tang Soyeol looked like a nervous puppy.
The way she glanced at me wasn’t to seek help, but more out of concern for how I would feel if she let Moyong Hi-ah join.
After hesitating, Tang Soyeol asked me.
“Young Master Gu… Is it alright if Lady Moyong joins us?”
Her cautious reaction made me wonder.
Did Tang Soyeol have some weakness that Moyong Hi-ah had uncovered?
“…Woah.”
That sound of surprise came from Moyong Hi-ah.
She seemed taken aback by Tang Soyeol seeking my permission.
I assessed the situation and nodded.
“It’s fine.”
Tang Soyeol let out a quiet sigh upon hearing my response.
Was it a sigh of relief?
But it seemed to carry both relief and nervousness.
Personally, I would have refused initially.
I had no reason to involve myself with her.
But there was one reason I changed my mind.
Because Moyong Hi-ah was the one who had approached us first.
It was that simple.
When Moyong Hi-ah initiated contact, it always meant she had a compelling reason.
Judging by Tang Soyeol’s reaction, refusing would have caused problems for her.
[So you did this for the Tang Clan’s girl?]
I guess you could say that.
[Then just say you did it for her. Why beat around the bush?]
I’m not entirely sure myself.
I chuckled insincerely and glanced at Wi Seol-Ah and Namgung Bi-ah, who were still eating.
I wanted to gauge their reactions since I’d allowed Moyong Hi-ah to join without consulting them,
But thankfully, they didn’t seem to mind.
Though both were keeping a wary eye on her.
Gu Jeolyub, who had been involved in yesterday’s events, froze like a statue when Moyong Hi-ah sat beside him.
For all his handsome looks, he clearly wasn’t adept at dealing with women.
“Lady Namgung… correct?”
Moyong Hi-ah ignored Gu Jeolyub and addressed Namgung Bi-ah.
Namgung Bi-ah nodded in response.
It wasn’t surprising that she knew; Namgung Bi-ah unmistakably looked like a member of the Namgung Clan.
Putting aside her striking hair and eye color…
She always wore the same blue uniform of the Namgung Clan, making me wonder if it was her only outfit.
“Nice to meet you.”
“…Likewise.”
“I apologize for joining so suddenly. Did my presence bother you?”
“A little…”
“…Pardon?”
Moyong Hi-ah asked again as if she’d misheard, but Namgung Bi-ah didn’t change her answer.
“I was a little bothered, but it’s fine…”
I was shocked by Namgung Bi-ah’s response.
She had actually answered a question that was meant to be rhetorical.
I didn’t think she’d do that.
Given her usual demeanor, I expected her to simply ignore the situation.
Moyong Hi-ah also seemed taken aback.
“…Oh, I apologize. But I’m thankful for your understanding.”
However, she quickly apologized with a smile.
The fact that she didn’t leave even after that confirmed she had a valid reason for being here.
I wonder.
I wonder what reason Moyong Hi-ah has for being here, of all places.
I don’t think it’s for Tang Soyeol.
Lost in thought, a tingling sensation prickled at my back.
I wasn’t the only one who felt it; every martial artist in the room turned toward the entrance.
The sensation was unmistakably Lightning Qi.
I was more than familiar with it by now, especially with someone who possessed it always by my side.
Compared to Namgung Jin’s Lightning Qi, it was a level lower and far more unstable than Namgung Bi-ah’s.
But it was still potent enough to capture the attention of every martial artist present.
“Oh, this Qi is…”
“I heard he would participate this year, and he really came.”
I overheard the murmurs around me.
“It’s not too surprising, since the Poison Phoenix is here too.”
“But still, I thought he wouldn’t come because of what happened with the Sword Dragon.”
Creak.
As people whispered, the door opened and someone entered.
Simultaneously, I glanced at Namgung Bi-ah.
As expected…
She seemed visibly disturbed.
The young man who entered, drawing all eyes to him, was remarkably handsome.
He bore a striking resemblance to Namgung Jin and shared the same hair color as Namgung Bi-ah.
He was one of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes, and the man destined to inherit the leadership of the Namgung Clan.
The Lightning Dragon, Namgung Cheonjun.
His arrival commanded immediate attention.
He looked different from the last time I’d seen him—stronger.
“Seems like his genitals recovered, too.”
I stared at him, feeling a twinge of guilt for what I’d done during our last encounter.
I did go a little overboard back then.
He had been so insufferable at the Tang Clan’s Military Exhibition that I broke his arm and kicked him in a critical spot.
Looking back, breaking his arm was understandable, but the kick might have been excessive.
And thinking about that, I began to understand Moyong Hi-ah’s motives a little better.
Is it because of him?
Moyong Hi-ah was also looking at Namgung Cheonjun.
That wasn’t surprising, given their history in my past life.
So the reason she wanted to join us…
It wasn’t for me or Tang Soyeol, but for Namgung Bi-ah.
That seemed the most likely explanation, and it fit all the pieces of the puzzle perfectly.
Namgung Cheonjun, exuding confidence as he flaunted his Lightning Qi, came to a halt.
He had noticed us.
More specifically, he had noticed Namgung Bi-ah sitting beside me.
“…Sister.”
When Namgung Cheonjun called out, Tang Soyeol abruptly turned her head and pretended to retch.
“Oough.”
“Lady Tang?”
“…Sorry. I feel sick when I see something so greasy.”
She gagged for a moment, then fixed her gaze on me. She let out a sigh and returned to her normal expression.
“…I feel better now.”
“Huh…?”
It was as if she’d been suffering from a hangover and miraculously recovered after consuming something refreshing.
No matter how you looked at it, this girl was definitely not normal.