Chapter 137: Long Time No See, Brother-In-Law (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 137: Long Time No See, Brother-In-Law (2)
Namgung Cheonjun approached, the crackling aura of Lightning Qi that had surrounded him now completely withdrawn. The fact he could suppress it so effortlessly meant he had been flaunting it on purpose.
He really does love being the center of attention.
I couldn't exactly fault him for it. That particular trait seemed to be a hallmark of the Namgung Clan.
[It reminds me of when I first met Myung.]
The Thunderous Sword?
[Yes. He pulled the same stunt when he was younger. I had to… educate him on his manners.]
…You did what?
How could the old man talk about something so violent as if it were a fond memory? If the Thunderous Sword had possessed a similar attitude, then an irritating personality was probably just a Namgung family trait.
As I mulled this over, I noticed Moyong Hi-ah watching Namgung Cheonjun closely, just as I'd expected. That wasn't strange. In my past life, the two had been engaged.
[Wait, so you did ‘that’ with a woman who was already promised to another? You scoundrel…!]
I had a good reas—Wait, why do you always steer the conversation back to this?
Was it just me, or had Elder Shin been exclusively talking about that woman for the last few hours? To be precise, Moyong Hi-ah wasn't engaged at this point in time. Their betrothal was arranged after they emerged from the Abyss.
I wondered if she would have still gone through with it if she'd retained her memories from that place.
She probably would have.
That was just the kind of person she was. Someone who could manufacture feelings for someone if it served her goals.
-What are you talking about? ‘Manufacture feelings’? Why not just say ‘act’?
-…A fool like you wouldn't understand even if you died. Are you sure you don't have a rock for a brain?
-You crazy bitch… You started this conversation, so why insult me? You have a death wish?
-The last time you tried to confront me, you ended up on all fours, yet the fire in your words remains unextinguished. Strange, considering how quickly it vanished during our duel, like a candle flame.
-Hey, you piece of…!
-Good heavens, they're fighting again! Someone stop them!
-Let go of me! I'm going to burn that witch to ashes for real this time!
-Where is the Young Sword Queen!? We need to stop them, quickly!
…
A headache bloomed just thinking about those times. Why had I been like that back then? Those memories were filled with nothing but irony and embarrassment. And now, they belonged to me alone.
For a very, very long time.
No one else who survived the Abyss retained any memory of it. Except for me. What had happened there… what we did for years to survive and endure… the relationships we forged, the tears shed for one another… no one remembered a thing.
That was the deal.
“Sister.”
“…Hey.”
Namgung Cheonjun addressed Namgung Bi-ah as soon as he reached us. She greeted him with her usual casual wave. But that simple act made the area around us erupt into murmurs.
“Sister? Did the Lightning Dragon just call her ‘sister’?”
“Does that mean she’s a blood relative of the Namgung Clan? Woah…”
“What’s going on?”
Thanks to him, every eye in the room turned in our direction. Ugh, this was the last thing I wanted.
…Well, the barrier I put up was a complete waste.
I sighed inwardly. It hadn't been anything grand—a large-scale barrier at my current level would have been too obvious. Instead, I'd woven a subtle veil that slightly obscured our presence, aiming to make us blend in just a little more. It was necessary, given the company I kept; the girls naturally drew attention.
But now it's pointless.
There was no un-ringing this bell. I could feel numerous gazes fixed on us from all directions. Most weren't focused on me, but on the others. The naked greed in those stares was unmistakable. It made sense; most of these young prodigies hadn't yet learned to conceal their intentions. I couldn't really blame them. In their position, I might have been the same.
Namgung Bi-ah shifted closer to me. While Tang Soyeol and Moyong Hi-ah might have been accustomed to this, it was likely a new experience for Wi Seol-Ah and Namgung Bi-ah.
I circulated my Qi. I hadn't wanted to draw more attention, but I couldn't just stand by.
Swoosh-!
A wave of oppressive Qi rippled through the hall. Those who had been staring and whispering suddenly coughed, cleared their throats, and looked away. They understood the warning. There was a slight, heated edge to that wave that made it sharper, but that wasn't my doing.
I glanced at Gu Jeolyub, my eyes widening slightly.
Noticing my look, he hesitated for a moment before speaking. “…Is this also a problem?”
The Qi wave had come from him. Judging by its strength, he must have exerted a significant amount of energy.
“No,” I responded to the seemingly nervous Gu Jeolyub. “You did well.”
I would have done the same if he hadn't. Gu Jeolyub then awkwardly averted his gaze, as if surprised by the praise.
[Even after all your cursing, he didn't hold it against you.]
Just as Elder Shin said, my perception of Gu Jeolyub was beginning to shift slightly.
I guess he's not entirely a bad person.
It seemed I had judged him too harshly just for being the First Elder's grandson.
“Lady Tang is here as well.”
“Hello…”
“It seems you’ve only grown more beautiful.”
Namgung Cheonjun smiled. Any young woman would be pleased to receive such a compliment from a handsome man like him. However, Tang Soyeol’s smile seemed unusually strained, as if she was forcing herself to maintain it.
“Th…ank you.”
Her voice trembled slightly, but to an outside observer, it would simply look like she was flustered by Namgung Cheonjun’s charm.
“And you are…”
“My name is Gu Jeolyub.”
Gu Jeolyub stood instantly and introduced himself. Namgung Cheonjun paused for a fraction of a second upon hearing the name, but his expression smoothed over immediately.
“Nice to meet you.”
Gu Jeolyub looked genuinely excited. This guy? It was a clear display of how ordinary prodigies regarded the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes. I wondered if his admiration would hold once he learned Namgung Cheonjun’s true nature.
Finally, Namgung Cheonjun turned his attention to me, his smile still in place.
“It has been a while.”
While he spoke to me, my eyes were on Moyong Hi-ah. He had asked who Gu Jeolyub was, but he was completely ignoring her. I didn't think he was just greeting us in order; it felt deliberate.
Is he ignoring Moyong Hi-ah on purpose?
She seemed utterly unfazed, as if accustomed to the treatment. They weren't engaged yet, but had they met before? The four noble clans likely interacted frequently. Namgung Bi-ah was the odd one for having been hidden away most of her life.
“…I heard you were engaged. Congratulations.”
Setting that thought aside, Namgung Cheonjun offered his congratulations. It rang utterly insincere. I caught a slight twitch in his smile that confirmed it. I was glad to see he was still the same.
Was he trying to be friendly now?
No way.
That was something I'd never believe. I returned his smile.
“Yep.”
My short response caused Namgung Cheonjun’s eyebrow to twitch almost imperceptibly. But I wasn't finished.
“Long time no see, brother-in-law.”
For an instant, the mask slipped. His composure cracked.
“Oh wait, is it sister-in-law, actually?”
His expression shifted entirely. I was, of course, alluding to the incident where I'd kicked him in the groin, implying he'd lost his manhood. However, he quickly regained his calm demeanor. This was unexpected. The Namgung Cheonjun from before would have reacted immediately. Yet here he was, still smiling.
“Yes, since we will become family soon.”
What's with him?
He seemed to be restraining himself with immense effort, but I didn't know why. It was better for me if no conflict erupted, but still… Had Namgung Jin said something to him? That seemed unlikely, as Namgung Cheonjun probably hadn't been at the clan when Namgung Jin returned.
“Let us become good friends, and leave our past behind.”
Fine words. But was it really that easy? Even I struggled with that.
I'm not looking down on Namgung Cheonjun… Well, I am, but…
The look in his eyes told me he hadn't changed one bit. I prayed he could keep his emotions in check until the end.
I don't think I could go easy on you a second time, my little Cheonjun.
So I truly hoped he could hold it in.
* * *
The meal concluded after that. It had been practically over by the time Moyong Hi-ah joined us. I'd been worried Namgung Cheonjun might try to sit with us, but unexpectedly, he only glanced briefly at Namgung Bi-ah before heading up to his room. Afterwards, Moyong Hi-ah bid us a respectful farewell and followed him.
Her goal was Namgung Cheonjun, after all.
I was curious about her intentions. Despite targeting him, her reaction upon seeing him had been oddly subdued. It was as if she deliberately chose not to react. Though I could be misreading it. The Moyong Hi-ah of now was much younger than when I'd first met her in my past life. Back then, she'd seemed devoid of emotion, but perhaps a trace of naivety remained at this age.
The reason I couldn't be sure…
Was because I'd been fooled by that terrifying woman too many times. Pretending to cry was child's play for her. Even with her cold voice and words, she was better than anyone at hiding her true feelings.
If I had to pinpoint one problem, it was her body. A disease. That ailment played a significant role in Moyong Hi-ah ending her life in the future. I didn't know the specifics.
She herself said it wasn't the Nine Yin disease.
The Nine Yin disease was a common affliction. In the past, it was incurable; it caused a person's Qi to flow improperly due to an excess of dark energy, obstructing its pathways. These days, it could be cured with remedies derived from the beaks of Firebirds—a type of Red Demon—or other medicines with similar fiery energy. Such treatments were expensive, but the Moyong Clan was no backwater family; they certainly had the resources. Which meant her condition was something else entirely.
[How unexpected.]
Elder Shin spoke as I pondered.
“What is?”
[Judging by how you talk about her, your relationship was a mess, yet you're so concerned. Do you harbor feelings for her without realizing it?]
“…Of course not.”
As Elder Shin said, our relationship had been a mess. Worse than a mess. But there had been one glimmer of light.
-I needed your flame. Though it's pointless to think about now.
Moyong Hi-ah had spoken bitterly that night, and I believed she told the truth.
-This isn't a sacrifice. And even if it is… you shouldn't have to bear it alone!
Her shout at the end probably hadn't been a lie, either. Yet, I couldn't say her words had left a deep impression on my heart. Forgetting them amidst the overwhelming tasks that awaited after surviving the Abyss was likely part of the reason.
“I'm not here to help her.”
I already had my hands full protecting those around me. It would be nice if Moyong Hi-ah became an ally, but that wasn't the goal of this trip. It was too early to categorize her as friend or foe.
Too many unnecessary thoughts are filling my head because of her.
I pushed it all aside and stood up. Thinking about it now wouldn't provide any answers. I just needed to focus on what I came here to do.
“Should I go train?”
I directed the question to Muyeon, who was waiting outside the door. He looked surprised, as if he hadn't expected me to leave my room.
“I already told you there's no need to stand guard right outside the door.”
“…Young Master, an escort normally—”
“Don't start. Look around. Does anyone else have their escorts stationed right outside their door?”
To emphasize my point, the hallway was empty except for Muyeon. This was a point of pride for young prodigies—a way to show they weren't weak and needed no protection. In my eyes, it was pointless posturing, but it served as a convenient excuse now.
“Instead of nagging me, why don't you come train with me?”
“…Understood.”
Muyeon ceased his objections and fell in behind me. Since Bacheonmaru was a lodging for young prodigies, there was a training area at the rear of the building. I probably couldn't practice any martial skills there with so many eyes around, but physical training would be fine. Moving my body had always been the best way to clear my head of complicated thoughts.
On the way to the training area with Muyeon, I also collected Gu Jeolyub, who had been lounging in his room.
“Why me…?” he asked, confused.
“It's nice to train together. Am I wrong?”
Truthfully, I just wanted to make him sweat a little after seeing how excited he'd gotten over Namgung Cheonjun. Gu Jeolyub, ever serious about training, followed without further complaint.
As we approached the training area, Muyeon spoke up.
“Oh, Young Master—”
“Hmm?”
“I heard something earlier—”
“Young Master Guuuuu!”
Before Muyeon could finish, a thunderous voice echoed from a distance, shaking the very air. Was that voice calling for me? I glanced at Gu Jeolyub, since we shared the same surname, but he looked just as clueless.
“Then who…?”
As I turned to find the source, someone was suddenly standing right in front of me. Muyeon didn't even have time to draw his sword. The speed was enough to catch even me off guard.
“Ahh! I really wanted to see you! It's been so long!”
The young man beamed, grabbing my shoulders and shaking me vigorously. I could tell he was happy, but this was a bit much.
“Oh wait…”
This felt familiar. I wasn't talking about the person, but the situation that was threatening to rattle my brains loose. It wasn't hard to figure out who it was. Why was he here? I thought he had long since graduated from the 'young prodigy' stage.
The man I hadn't seen in months still had the same slender frame that seemed ill-suited to his surname. His black uniform and the distinctive ring on his finger left no room for doubt.
He was the Heavenly Dragon, a future Sword King. And currently, the young lord of the Peng Clan.
“Young Lord Peng… Could you please let me go? Jeez, stop shaking me!”
It was Peng Woojin.