Chapter 215: Omen (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 215: Omen (2)
The sky was orange, and so was her hair.
It caught the orange light and shone brilliantly, like gold.
But that wasn’t the only reason I was startled.
Her eyes seemed colder, and the way she addressed me was too familiar—yet different from her usual tone.
-Young Master Gu.
It was the exact same way she had called me in my past life.
Did I mishear?
It sounded too clear to doubt, and I knew this wasn’t a dream.
I stood frozen, staring at Wi Seol-Ah with unsteady eyes.
“What… what did you just call me…?”
I stumbled over my words, feeling my emotions begin to spiral.
Could it be…? Was it possible that Wi Seol-Ah, like me, had also traveled through time? The thought made my heart race.
And if that’s the case… what would I do?
As I opened my mouth to question her, I hesitated.
What would I do if it were true?
What would change?
I paused, my body turning to stone.
The emotion slowly swelling in my chest was fear.
I was terrified by the possibility that she remembered my past life.
Yeah.
All the sins I had committed.
The chance that she recalled every one of them—that our current relationship would shatter if she knew.
That was what I feared.
What a fool I am.
To worry about something like this after coming so far.
I couldn’t even use my youth as an excuse.
I was just a pathetic person, and I never wanted to admit it.
My breath caught. I couldn’t finish my sentence.
I stood motionless, locked in Wi Seol-Ah’s gaze.
What should I say to her?
If my suspicion was correct, what words could possibly suffice?
A thousand thoughts raced through my mind, but in the end, I said nothing.
Only silence remained.
Then…
Drip-
A single tear traced a path down Wi Seol-Ah’s cheek.
Strangely, that lone tear seemed to accentuate her beauty, lending her a unique, sorrowful aura.
“Wha… why…!”
I was stunned.
Why was she crying all of a sudden?
Tears were hard to handle even with people I knew well—especially Wi Seol-Ah’s.
Whether she had regressed or not, I was at a loss.
Then Wi Seol-Ah spoke, her eyes still on me.
“…Why… did you leave me behind?”
Her voice was thick with sadness.
But her words brought me a flicker of relief. It didn’t sound like she had regressed after all.
Is she just… hurt?
As she wept, her expression crumbling, I could see the Wi Seol-Ah of the present in her tears.
“You took Sis with you…”
That sad, pitiful tone was unmistakably hers.
I didn’t know whether to feel relieved by that fact, or more troubled at having to console her.
“…I didn’t take her. She followed me on her own.”
“You’re so cruel…! In the end…! You still went with her…!”
How was I supposed to know she’d chase me?
I was the most shocked one here.
Who could’ve predicted she’d break through to the Peak Realm out of nowhere and follow me all the way to the Black Palace?
I had plenty of excuses, but…
“Really… you’re so cruel.”
I couldn’t voice them to Wi Seol-Ah, not while she stood crying before me. I couldn’t be that blunt.
…Tch.
I had run away at the last moment, leaving her behind.
So I’d expected something like this when I returned.
[So you expected it but didn’t worry about it—is that what you’re saying?]
…I did worry.
But that worry was buried under everything else that happened.
“Why… aren’t you scolding me?”
“Huh?”
I was confused as Wi Seol-Ah wiped her eyes. Scold her? For what?
“For calling you Young Master Gu… why aren’t you angry?”
“Eh?”
She’d used a different title.
-Young Master Gu.
Did she want me to yell at her for it?
“…What, do you want me to scold you?”
Was Wi Seol-Ah into that kind of thing? She didn’t seem the type.
She frowned slightly. “It’s not like that…”
“Then what is it?”
She turned her head away without answering, clearly sulking.
“…Uh.”
I thought for a moment about what to say. But seeing her wipe her tears, only one thing came to mind.
“I’m sorry.”
My voice was calm, but not completely steady.
“I’m sorry I left you behind.”
I repeated it in case she hadn’t heard.
“There was no special reason. I just didn’t know if it was safe to bring you. It was too dangerous.”
I hadn’t brought Namgung Bi-ah along just because she followed me—it was also because she’d reached the Peak Realm.
That meant I could worry less about her safety.
Wi Seol-Ah asked softly,
“…Is it because I’m weak?”
“Yes.”
I answered honestly.
I couldn’t protect Wi Seol-Ah all the time, and I didn’t want to take her somewhere anything could happen.
She didn’t seem shocked by my answer.
She just kept wiping her tears, not reacting much.
After a moment’s hesitation, she murmured,
“You know… I wish Young Master wouldn’t get hurt.”
“I’m fine. You can see that.”
“Then why do you always come back injured…?”
“…”
Did I? I didn’t think I had this time.
Though it’d been close.
“I… will work harder.”
“Why do you keep saying that? You’ve been working hard all along.”
That’s how it seemed to me.
She raised her voice, unhappy with my reply.
“You don’t need to know…!”
She made it sound like I was clueless.
Maybe she meant her sword training.
She had a wooden sword, but her swordsmanship wasn’t great.
I didn’t know much about the sword, but even I could tell something was off.
Which means the Sword Venerable isn’t the one training her.
If he were, he wouldn’t teach her that way.
Her swordplay was too different from what I’d seen in my past life.
Similar, but hard to explain—it felt lacking, somehow.
“So, Young Master… please don’t leave me behind again.”
That was what she really wanted to say.
“I was so scared…”
I didn’t ask what she was afraid of.
It felt awkward, for some reason.
“…I’m sorry.”
I didn’t promise her anything.
That would have been a lie.
I had no intention of dragging Wi Seol-Ah into danger. But…
I don’t think I can let her stay idle forever.
I’d already confirmed the Heavenly Demon’s existence, and I’d let both the Palace Lord and the Heavenly Demon escape.
I couldn’t let Wi Seol-Ah believe we were still living in peaceful times.
…Even if I don’t want her to pick up a sword…
I felt she needed to be strong enough to protect herself.
Not as strong as the Celestial Sword of my past life, burdened by everyone’s expectations—but strong enough to stand her ground.
The Sword Venerable would have been the ideal teacher, but he wasn’t training her.
I wonder what he’s planning.
I couldn’t figure it out.
I didn’t think the Sword Venerable would live as a servant of the Gu Clan forever.
Why was he staying? Why wasn’t he teaching Wi Seol-Ah?
It seems like he’s up to something.
I was sure the old man, one of the Three Venerables, had his own motives.
But I needed to know the details—especially after encountering the Heavenly Demon in the Misty Mountains.
I thought of that dark child, then looked back at Wi Seol-Ah, sobbing before me.
They’re different.
They were definitely not the same.
Their smiles might be alike; their strange auras might feel similar. But she and that bastard were completely different.
I can’t say they’re unrelated…
But I had to convince myself it was true.
“Young Master.”
“Huh?”
“You’re thinking about something else again… aren’t you?”
“…No, I’m not.”
She’d caught me.
This habit of getting lost in thought could be a real problem in a fight. I had to fix it.
But it wasn’t easy.
“Really? You’re not lying?”
“…Of course not.”
“That’s not true. Young Master’s face right now is the one you make when you lie…”
“Wha—what kind of expression is that?”
“A really weird one.”
“…?”
Her words were blunt, even through her sobs.
How cruel.
I watched her sniffle a few more times. The sky was growing darker.
It was getting colder, too.
I didn’t feel it much, but Wi Seol-Ah would.
We needed to head down.
“Let’s go. It’s going to get cold—”
Grab.
I tried to suggest we leave, but Wi Seol-Ah moved closer and buried her face in my chest.
I started to speak, but then I heard her quiet sniffles against me.
I fell silent, gently rubbing her small back to soothe her.
I channeled a little warmth through my hand so she wouldn’t get cold.
She tightened her grip, as if unwilling to let go.
But… she’s stronger than I expected?
It felt like my ribs might crack if I held out much longer against her hold.
An ordinary person without any qi might have actually broken.
“Let’s go for real now. Hongwa will get angry.”
Not at me—at you.
“…Mmmph.”
“I’ll take that as a yes…?”
She nodded against my chest.
Was this enough?
I hoped so.
“Let’s go.”
“…’Kay.”
I took Wi Seol-Ah’s hand to keep her from stumbling. It felt colder than usual.
Maybe because of the weather.
We walked slowly down the mountain before the sky darkened completely.
Wi Seol-Ah didn’t say a word.
She just sniffled quietly.
And I kept thinking about how her hand grew warmer, even though I hadn’t given her any heat.
* * *
While Wi Seol-Ah was being scolded by Hongwa after returning from the mountain, Tang Soyeol was still outside the clan.
She wanted to speak with Gu Yangcheon, who had just returned, but she had another matter to attend to first.
She was walking through the streets of Shanxi, where Gu Yangcheon often bought snacks.
…Phew.
The streets were bustling in every season, but this wasn’t the main thoroughfare of Shanxi.
It was the street closest to the Gu Clan, and perhaps the safest place in the city.
But Tang Soyeol gasped when she saw the structure being erected in the center of the street.
…They’re really building it?
It used to be a tavern, but that had closed down.
Now a larger building was going up, for a well-known enterprise.
Tang Soyeol knew about this business.
She’d received a letter about it, and it was famous throughout the jianghu.
The building under construction belonged to the Moyong Clan of Liaoning.
Tang Soyeol stood still, watching the work.
Then a voice spoke behind her.
“You’re early.”
“…You called me here.”
“Indeed. I did.”
A woman who suited the chilly spring night.
The Snow Phoenix of the Moyong Clan—Moyong Hi-ah—addressed Tang Soyeol.
She smiled, hiding her face behind an elegant fan that seemed out of place in the cold.
“But I didn’t expect you to come immediately.”
“Is that really true?”
“…Well, perhaps I hoped for it a little.”
Moyong Hi-ah’s subtly alluring movements captivated even Tang Soyeol, who was also a woman.
A swamp you couldn’t escape once you fell in—that was how Tang Soyeol saw Moyong Hi-ah.
“So, Lady Moyong… why did you call me here? May I have my answer?”
Tang Soyeol had been startled to receive her letter, but she hadn’t refused.
It was from Moyong Hi-ah, after all.
But she stammered slightly, still anxious to see Gu Yangcheon.
Moyong Hi-ah noticed, and her eyes curved like crescent moons.
“Let’s go inside first. It’s cold out.”
“May we?”
“Of course. I’ve heard the first floor is already finished.”
With that, she stepped into the building.
Tang Soyeol stared after her. Moyong Hi-ah paused and glanced back.
“Don’t worry. It should be good news for you as well, Lady Tang.”
“…Huh?”
Hinting that she’d explain inside, Moyong Hi-ah entered.
Tang Soyeol hesitated briefly, then followed.
And so, the conversation between the two women lasted late into the night.
* * *
It was well past midnight, but the lamp in the Gu Clan Lord’s study still burned.
Gu Cheolun had much to deal with.
The trouble Gu Yangcheon had stirred up…
The Murim Alliance’s move to finalize the agreement with the Black Palace…
The Palace Lord’s disappearance…
The incident with Gu Huibi…
And the business with the Moyong Clan.
The letters on his desk were piled higher than ever.
It was understandable that Gu Cheolun was weary after his long absence from the clan, yet his expression remained impassive.
He worked in silence.
Rustle… rustle…
The room was filled with candlelight and the sound of him opening letters.
He continued this way for a long time, until…
Pause—
He stopped.
Setting everything aside, he straightened his posture.
A guest had arrived.
“Please, come in.”
Slide—
The door opened and someone entered.
“My apologies for the late visit.”
“It’s no trouble.”
The guest who came at midnight was the Sword Venerable.
Gu Cheolun observed him. His face was haggard and anxious, his once-mighty presence diminished.
Gu Cheolun knew why he had come so late.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t support you regarding recent events.”
“It’s fine.”
Gu Cheolun knew the Sword Venerable wouldn’t act solely for Gu Huibi’s sake.
He had other business.
Gu Cheolun asked calmly,
“You’ve come because the preparations are complete, haven’t you?”
The Sword Venerable nodded wearily.
“…Correct.”
The night was quiet—strangely so.
No cricket songs broke the silence of the midnight hour.
The Sword Venerable spoke without opening his eyes.
“As soon as the Immortal Healer finishes her preparations… I will take my leave.”