Chapter 182: A Winter That Isn't Cold (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 182: A Winter That Isn't Cold (4)
It was an exceptionally beautiful day.
Perhaps it was because I had always preferred a sky dotted with a few clouds, like today's, over one that was starkly clear. To my eyes, this made the day more beautiful than most.
And to be returning to Shaolin on such a day…
My original plan had been to prepare for my return home today or tomorrow, since my business here was concluded. But thanks to certain circumstances, that plan had been delayed by a day.
Not that I had much choice in the matter.
Their eager gazes left me no room for refusal; my hands were effectively tied.
“Young Master!”
Wi Seol-Ah latched onto one of my arms.
“What is it now? Why do you keep calling me?”
“A sparrow!”
“…Are you thinking it looks tasty?”
“…Does Young Master eat sparrows?”
Well, is there some rule against it…?
Wi Seol-Ah clung to my arm tightly, with no intention of letting go. Hongwa tried to pry her off, citing disrespect, but I stopped her.
If I had known it would come to this, I would have insisted she wear a mask.
My own carelessness was to blame.
Wi Seol-Ah, for her part, seemed thrilled to be free of the uncomfortable mask.
Fine. At least you’re happy.
My other arm was occupied by Namgung Bi-ah.
Unlike Wi Seol-Ah, she didn’t hug my arm outright. Instead, she followed alongside me, timidly holding onto my sleeve, her anxious expression betraying her nerves. Unlike her usual self, she couldn’t bring herself to meet my gaze.
Tang Soyeol puffed her cheeks slightly in disappointment at being left out of the duo, but she kept her frustration to herself.
After alighting from the carriage and walking a short distance, the staircase leading up to the Shaolin Temple came into view.
“It seems they’ve done some work on the staircase,” Tang Soyeol remarked.
“I remember it being full of cracks… but they’ve repaired it already.”
“You came here last year as well?” I asked.
Tang Soyeol was silent for a moment before answering. “I just had some matters to discuss with the Chief Abbot of Shaolin.”
About the Heavenly Eye, I presume?
Judging by her expression, it didn’t seem to be a fond memory. Perhaps it was even an unpleasant one.
Sensing her own darkening mood, Tang Soyeol quickly plastered on a smile. Unlike Wi Seol-Ah or Namgung Bi-ah beside me, Tang Soyeol and Moyong Hi-ah, who lived as true nobility, were adept at controlling their expressions.
“It was nothing special, Young Master Gu. Please, don’t worry about me!”
I wasn’t worried, though…?
I found myself making a strange expression and absentmindedly rubbed my cheek.
Tug-
My left arm was gently pulled back. Namgung Bi-ah had tugged on my sleeve.
“What?”
I looked at her, wondering why, but she just stared back wordlessly.
What’s with her?
Slide.
After a moment of incomprehensible silence, Namgung Bi-ah released my sleeve. Then, she carefully wrapped both arms around my arm. Was this what she wanted all along?
As she drew closer, I caught her scent. Had she applied some perfume? It smelled different than usual.
[Haha. This dog-shit world.]
I knew he would say something like that. I could have sworn he promised to stay quiet today. For now, I decided to ignore him and focus on Namgung Bi-ah’s blue eyes.
Our eye level…
When we first met, I remembered Namgung Bi-ah being slightly taller. But now, I was just a tiny bit taller, though the difference was minimal. Observing this, a thought crossed my mind…
…Could I grow a little more?
A spark of hope ignited within me.
A martial artist’s growth is faster than an ordinary person's. The Qi circulating within the body accelerates development toward a physique ideal for martial arts. However, this process varies from person to person.
And considering my past life… I wasn’t particularly tall.
I was shorter than Father.
Given that most members of the Gu Clan were on the shorter side, Father and the Second Elder were the exceptions. I’m a fist fighter like them, so why am I like this?
Since this life is different from my past, I hope I grow a little taller.
I desired this not just for aesthetics, but for practicality in my martial arts. While height isn’t everything, it’s generally more advantageous for a fist fighter to be taller.
Tug-
Lost in my thoughts, Namgung Bi-ah tightened her grip on my left arm.
“…Again.”
Seemingly unsatisfied, she used her hand to turn my head, forcing my gaze back to her.
“…You were… thinking about something else… right?”
“…”
“Focus…”
She frowned as she said this, which only made her look more beautiful—so much so that I had to avert my eyes.
As I turned away, she clung to my arm even tighter, allowing me to feel the softness against my arm.
[Do you know?]
Are you going to curse at me again?
[You rotting piece of shit, do you think cursing is the only thing I know how to do?]*
Aren’t you, though…? For someone hailed as a great Taoist in history, I’ve never heard him speak without lacing his words with profanity.
[…Ahem.]
Elder Shin let out a fake cough, having picked up on my thoughts. It seemed even he was aware of his coarse language.
[Anyway…]*
So he’s trying to act like nothing happened.
…Yes.
[Back when I was alive, there was a woman known as the Zenith of Beauty.]*
Suddenly? For some reason, Elder Shin started talking about the most beautiful woman from his era.
[She was a peerless lady. Not only in beauty, but she also excelled in martial arts.]*
I see.
[Her lineage was impressive too, making her practically perfect.]*
He sounded nostalgic. It’s fine to reminisce, but why bring this up out of the blue?
[However, the harshness of this world denied her a happy ending.]*
Elder Shin’s tone darkened.
[Protect her well.]*
…What?
[Anything, if too great, can become a poison. That girl’s beauty is a prime example.]*
I glanced at Namgung Bi-ah after hearing Elder Shin’s words. As usual, she seemed lost in her own world. Wi Seol-Ah was no different. She was still growing, but in the near future, she too would shine brilliantly.
But that’s not the point right now.
I didn’t understand why Elder Shin was bringing this up. Though he often seemed to yell at me, he occasionally offered valuable advice.
[This child has gained fame, you know.]*
He didn’t seem to be talking about me, given the context.
[She’s not only earned a title but is also being called the greatest beauty of Anhui.]*
I had heard such rumors from time to time. Namgung Bi-ah herself didn’t seem to care. With the attention she attracted, it was natural she’d gain more admirers after her performance in the fight.
Then why did she ask me to teach her in the first place?
I taught her how to conceal her presence, as she seemed to wish, yet she deliberately revealed herself in front of that crowd, displaying her sword dance for all to see. Consequently, people began calling Namgung Bi-ah the “Sword Dancer” after her fight. I wasn’t sure if this counted as an official title.
But it does seem a bit excessive.
It appeared to be a result of her combined talent and beauty. Thanks to that, the phrase began to spread throughout the martial world, reaching not just young prodigies but anyone remotely involved.
Namgung’s Flower, the most beautiful in the Central Plains.
But protect her well?
Even without Elder Shin’s reminder, I intended to. I will protect her. Unlike in my past life.
“…?”
Noticing my body tense slightly, Namgung Bi-ah tilted her head. She was about to ask me something when—
“My name is Eejuu, and I will be your guide today.”
A man with calm footsteps appeared, interrupting her.
“Woah!”
Wi Seol-Ah brightened up at the sight of the monk named Eejuu.
…She wasn’t reacting that way because of his head, was she?
“Young Master, that man’s head is shiny—Uuff…! Uofgh…!”
As expected, she was about to say something incredibly rude, so I quickly covered her mouth. Though she didn’t finish her sentence, Eejuu likely got the gist. Yet, he responded with a forgiving smile and gestured for us to follow him toward Shaolin, just like yesterday.
“…That was close.”
Telling a monk he has a shiny head right to his face is something even I wouldn’t dare say.
I’ll have to teach her a lesson later.
I was worried she’d cause trouble elsewhere if I didn’t. I needed to tell her to keep those thoughts to herself.
The tour of Shaolin was much the same as yesterday. We visited the statues and observed the rocks. After wandering around and admiring the White Fish of Purity in the lake, time seemed to fly by.
And nothing happened this time.
Unlike yesterday, when Cheolyoung spoke to me, I sensed nothing unusual. In fact, the white fish didn’t even approach us, unlike before. Eejuu was confused, as this was a first, but the rest of the group remained unfazed. They weren’t the type to be impressed by mere fish.
Wi Seol-Ah’s eyes sparkled as she looked at them, but I had a hunch why, so I refrained from asking.
…I hope it’s not because she thinks they look tasty.
Namgung Bi-ah, meanwhile, seemed to be enjoying herself. Her usually vacant expression was now full of life. Did she find Shaolin fascinating? It didn’t seem particularly so to me. If I had to choose, Mount Hua felt more special.
[Hmm? Why mention Mount Hua all of a sudden?]*
How could I not? They’re part of the Ten Sect Alliance… yet the place reeks more of sweat than flowers, with training equipment littered everywhere.
How does such a place belong to a Taoist clan…?
[That just shows their devotion to martia—]*
Stop trying to make it sound cool, Elder Shin…
[…]*
Even Elder Shin seemed to agree, as he fell silent.
“Next up…”
I glanced at our guide, Eejuu, who wore a kind smile. Thankfully, I sensed no energy from him, unlike the bastard I encountered yesterday. I had found and rescued the young novice named Heeyoung after dealing with that scoundrel. He’d hidden the boy in a mountain cave some distance from Shaolin. I didn’t know how long Heeyoung had been there, but judging by his condition, it couldn’t have been too long.
I have no idea how much Qi I expended to find him….
I couldn’t just leave after learning the bastard had hidden a child on the mountainside; it would have weighed on my conscience. However, the delay caused me to return late, leading to even bigger trouble. Still, I’d saved the boy, so I had no regrets.
Given that Shaolin seems unchanged, I suppose it turned out alright?
I didn’t know how significant the loss of a novice would be for Shaolin. But since I’d heard no news of the incident, they likely handled the matter discreetly. Either that, or they’d ensured no such bastards remained within Shaolin.
I wonder if there are more like him here.
I couldn’t be sure. Hence, I needed to stay cautious.
Swoosh!
As I walked on, lost in thought, a sudden, forceful gust of wind blew.
“Oooah!”
Wi Seol-Ah pressed closer to me to avoid the wind. My relatively small frame couldn’t block it completely, but she seemed satisfied enough.
“The wind is blowing like crazy!”
“Yeah.”
“But it’s not cold!”
Of course not—I was emitting heat around me, after all.
Wi Seol-Ah nestled closer, smiling. “Back when I lived with Grandpa…”
I didn’t push her away. Instead, I wrapped an arm around her, as she seemed cold.
“It was cold because we lived in a forest.”
She was talking about the time she lived alone with the Sword Venerable. She said they had lived in a forest, just the two of them, for a long time. Her youthful appearance, despite her age, likely stemmed from that experience.
“It was really cold. So I didn’t like winter.”
I imagined the Sword Venerable could ward off the cold with his Qi, but it probably wasn’t as effective as the Flame Arts used by martial artists.
Wi Seol-Ah spoke to me, her nose slightly reddened. “But this winter isn’t cold!”
Then she tightened her grip around my waist.
“And I hope next year’s winter isn’t cold either…!”
She might have said it without much thought, but her words warmed my heart, filling me with a sense of comfort.
“…Yeah. I hope so too.”
I didn’t know how much of a burden I could bear for others when I felt lacking myself, but if I could, I hoped…
…that you would live a much more peaceful life than in the past.
And since that wish depended on my actions, I sincerely hoped it would come true.
* * *
Shaolin possessed vast lands, thanks to ample support and donations, but access for outsiders was limited, and the tour covered only the most scenic areas. As a result, it ended rather quickly.
Considering its brevity, I wondered if I should take them somewhere else, but thankfully, they all seemed satisfied.
“It was fun!” Wi Seol-Ah exclaimed brightly. Namgung Bi-ah gave a slight nod as well. Tang Soyeol probably visited often, so I doubted she enjoyed it as much as the others.
“Young Master Gu.” Tang Soyeol called my name. “Are you hungry, by any chance?”
“A little? I haven’t eaten anything yet.”
As she had correctly guessed, I was hungry after being dragged to Shaolin right after my morning training without a meal.
Tang Soyeol smiled, as if she had been anticipating my response. “Then I know a good restaurant. Would you like to—”
“Are you Young Master Gu?”
An intruder abruptly cut off Tang Soyeol’s words. Unable to hide her irritation this time, she put on a fierce expression, but upon seeing the interrupter, she shut her mouth.
It was an old man, his face etched with wrinkles. A long scar stretched across his head, and he stood over seven feet tall, his body bursting with muscles.
…The Mighty Staff?
I recognized this old man. He was one of the Hundred Masters of the Central Plains and held a high position within Shaolin, ranking just below the Chief Abbot.
What does he want with me?
I showed him respect first. Though confused by his sudden appearance, I had to reciprocate his greeting.
“Yes… My name is Gu Yangcheon.”
The Mighty Staff slowly straightened his body and spoke. “The Chief Abbot wishes to meet you.”
I clicked my tongue internally upon hearing this. I didn’t know what it was about, but I had a strong feeling it would be a hassle.