Chapter 256: The Letter You Sent (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 256: The Letter You Sent (2)
The words, scrawled in a rough and unpracticed hand, left me momentarily speechless.
I never expected to receive a letter from Wi Seol-Ah, much less one she had written herself.
And more than that…
She knows how to write?
That was my first thought.
Having lived secluded in the mountains with the Sword Venerable, I had assumed she was illiterate.
But if this was truly from her, did that mean she had learned to write just to send me this letter?
If that were the case, then the paper in my hand felt infinitely heavier.
Rustle.
I carefully unfolded the letter.
Though burning with curiosity, my movements were slow and deliberate, contrary to my impatient nature.
-Are you doing well, Young Master?
-I am doing fine.
Hehe.
Her penmanship was terribly uneven.
Yet, there were no signs of corrections or erasures.
It seemed she had simply started over each time she made a mistake, until this final version was produced.
-I’m sorry for leaving without a word.
Yeah.
You really should have told me.
At the very least, you could have left a letter like this one.
-Was the Young Master sad when I disappeared?
Sad, huh.
-Honestly, I hoped you felt that way, at least a little.
Was I sad?
Hmm.
Now that I thought about it, I suppose I was.
Even now, I sometimes feel a certain emptiness.
Wi Seol-Ah, who woke me every morning with her booming voice.
The face that would constantly pop up, curious about what I was doing.
The girl who sought me out at mealtimes, insisting she wanted to eat together.
Young Master, are you okay?
And that voice of hers, always laced with concern.
But now, all of that was gone. Perhaps that was why it felt so hollow.
It’s only been a year.
Almost a full year.
It was such a short time, yet I couldn't understand why I felt this way.
Had I grown so accustomed to her presence that I started to feel important?
Did her absence shake me so deeply because I thought I had become someone special to you?
It seems I’m still immature.
Despite all I’d been through, I remained a shallow person.
I knew from the start that you would leave one day, and yet here I was, acting like this.
The letter wasn’t long, so I continued to read it slowly.
The contents were simple.
I’m doing well.
The food here isn’t very good.
The scenery is nice, but the Gu Clan’s mountains were better.
She wrote about her daily life.
However,
It feels like she’s forcing herself.
It sounded as if she was insisting she was fine just so I wouldn’t worry.
-Oh, and I’ve started learning how to wield a sword from Grandpa.
From the Sword Venerable?
So she’s finally begun her formal training.
Wait…?
Then who was teaching her back at the Gu Clan?
I had always assumed it was the Sword Venerable instructing her.
Was she learning on her own?
But Wi Seol-Ah always spoke about it as if she had a teacher.
-It’s fun. Grandpa says I’m very skilled.
Of course you are.
Considering the Wi Seol-Ah from my past life, it was obvious.
She wouldn’t have earned the title Celestial Sword without immense innate talent.
-I’ve grown much taller. Grandpa got sad, saying I might soon be taller than him.
Given that the Sword Venerable isn’t particularly tall, it was still surprising to hear Wi Seol-Ah had grown that much.
Was it true?
Her being small was nice, though.
If everything in this letter was accurate, I might be a little disappointed.
-I’m learning a lot of things.
-I’m sad to be so far from the Young Master.
-But I was told it is necessary for the future.
The phrasing of that last line made me frown.
Did the Sword Venerable tell her that?
Did he have a compelling reason for saying so?
-I’m going to learn even more.
-Then, I can protect the Young Master.
“Who’s protecting whom?”
A smirk touched my lips as I read her confident words.
“…Protect, my ass.”
Rather than protecting anyone, I hope you live for yourself this time.
In your past life, you lived to shield others. I want things to be different now.
Protect me, huh.
The words felt incredibly weighty.
-I want to see you.
As did the ones that followed.
-Does the Young Master want to see me too?
And these as well.
Your affection feels so heavy.
And for me to be worthy of hearing such words from you…
To simply accept your feelings…
I don’t know if I’m allowed to.
While it was pathetic that I felt happy she missed me, I was also afraid.
-I really want to see you.
-So please wait for me.
-I’ll definitely come to see the Young Master.
Reading those lines, so full of her emotion, I let out a laugh that was also a sigh.
Yet you don’t ask me to visit you?
After saying all that, not once did she request that I come to her.
She only wrote that she would come to me.
…It feels like she’s telling me not to come.
For some reason, that’s the impression I got.
It was as if she was insisting I not seek her out until she returned.
-Goodbye.
After reading the final line, I carefully folded the letter in half and slipped it into my pocket.
On the surface, it was a simple letter of regards, but it was difficult to see it as just that.
“…When did this arrive?”
“I believe it came about three months after you left for the frontlines.”
So, it had been nearly a year.
Had nothing else arrived since?
“Are you planning to go?”
“…Where?”
The First Elder asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“Qinghai is far, but it’s not an impossible journey.”
He had told me Wi Seol-Ah’s location before.
Qinghai.
Beyond being home to the Kunlun Mountains and the Ten Sect Alliance, it was also the territory of the Alliance Leader, the Taeryung Clan.
“I’m curious why you don’t just go yourself.”
Why don’t I go?
To be honest, the reasons not to go outweighed the reasons to go.
How could I possibly interfere with a decision made by the Sword Venerable and Wi Seol-Ah herself?
Of course, I could have ignored all that and concocted some excuse.
And if I couldn’t find a reason,
I could just go anyway.
“Judging by your expression, you’ve considered it at least once.”
“Ahem…”
Just as the First Elder said.
While I had looked for reasons not to go, I had also, in the end, searched for reasons to go.
…Originally, I thought of visiting her if I had to go to the Heavenly Dragon Academy in Anhui.
That was the plan.
It was risky, but not entirely impossible.
That was certainly my intention.
-I’ll make sure to come see the Young Master.
“…I’m not sure yet.”
Hearing my response, the First Elder simply stared at me with a strange look.
It was a gaze mixed with pity, as if trying to read my thoughts.
After a moment, he sighed and turned his attention to the Hao Clan Lord, who was sweeping the floor.
“If you say so.”
“I feel somewhat insulted by that response.”
“It’s nothing. Anyway, did you accomplish what you came here for?”
“…Yeah, somewhat.”
I had come here initially to argue, but the encounter had been defused by all these unexpected developments.
…Regarding the Dishonored Venerable.
As the First Elder said, even if he claimed he would come, it wouldn’t be immediately.
And if necessary, I’ll just run away.
If he wanted to see me, I’d just have to stay out of sight.
Though, even if I tried, I didn’t know if I could actually avoid him.
Let’s not think about it for now…
Thinking about it would only make me miserable, so I decided to set it aside.
“Then, I’ll take my leave.”
“Hmm? Leaving already?”
“Yes, I need to see my father.”
“Hmm… Alright, if the Lord has summoned you. Visit longer next time.”
“…I’ll consider it.”
Staying here too long was ill-advised. I had no intention of doing so.
Forcing my heavy body to move, I bowed respectfully to the First Elder and departed.
I needed to speak with the Hao Clan Lord as well, but he seemed to be hinting—perhaps out of embarrassment—that now wasn’t the time. I decided to visit another day.
Since he was staying at the First Elder’s residence, I could come back tomorrow or the day after.
Does he have no intention of returning to the Hao Clan?
Though his identity was a secret, he was still the clan lord.
I wondered if he could afford to stay here indefinitely,
But it should be fine since father has approved.
If it were a problem, father would have reduced him to ashes already.
After a final glance at Elder Mook, I began making my way back toward the main clan grounds.
Elder Mook’s sweeping stopped the moment Gu Yangcheon left.
Only Gu Ryoon remained, lying on the floor with a sour expression.
“Kids grow up fast, but he’s changed quite a bit,” Elder Mook remarked, watching Gu Yangcheon depart. A strange emotion tinged his voice.
“Do not lay your eyes on him.”
Hearing the greed in that tone, Gu Ryoon spoke heavily.
Furthermore,
Swoosh,
Heat began to permeate the small house.
“What the–? Are you thinking of beating up your weak old friend now?”
“You know my personality. You should know I’d do just that.”
“It seems your temper hasn’t cooled with age.”
“Go back to where you belong after a while.”
“Your coldness hasn’t changed either.”
The affection he had shown Gu Yangcheon was gone, replaced by Gu Ryoon’s characteristic sharpness.
Elder Mook knew this was the true nature of the Flaming Fist.
Knowing Gu Ryoon’s real title, Elder Mook didn’t press further.
“It wasn’t greed.”
“What a blatant lie.”
“…Fine, for a split second, I thought he might get along with my daughter! Is that so bad?”
“You old fool, that’s the definition of greed. How old is your daughter, anyway?”
“…Over thirty, I think?”
“My grandson already has a young, beautiful fiancée. Screw off.”
He even had a pool of options. For some reason, Gu Yangcheon had astonishing luck when it came to women.
“…Hmph.”
Elder Mook snorted in disappointment, but Gu Ryoon ignored him completely.
Dismissing Gu Ryoon, Elder Mook simply stared in the direction Gu Yangcheon had gone, his eyes now calm.
He is burning stronger than before.
Compared to their last meeting, Gu Yangcheon’s presence was far more potent.
Was it because he was the Tiger Warrior’s son?
No.
Rather than that…
It’d be more accurate to call him the child of a noble yet bewitching monster.
He didn’t know how much he had inherited from his mother, but if it was a significant amount, this was the expected result.
While it was a shame his younger sister seemed not to have inherited as much, it was good that at least one of them had.
I pray that he continues to grow like this.
Elder Mook earnestly wished that the flame born this way would one day burn away the burdens plaguing this land.
“Hey! Your hands aren’t moving!”
“If you’re not satisfied, do it yourself!”
Unable to hold back any longer, Elder Mook charged at Gu Ryoon with his broom.
Somewhere in the west, a middle-aged man sweated as he climbed a steep hill.
“…Fuck, this is a brutal path!”
His shout startled the birds nearby into flight.
Watching them go, the man—Chuwong of the Beggar’s Sect—pondered how he had ended up in this situation.
“…Fuck.”
The curse came out instinctively whenever he thought about it, but there was no one around to scold him.
Rustle.
It had been a year of trampling branches and wandering through forests.
Tricked by the True Dragon, he had fled to the west about a year ago.
…If I hadn’t gone back then.
Things would be much better.
It meant a full year of running like this, without a single day’s rest.
He was sick of complaining, but if he didn’t vent about his miserable circumstances, he didn’t think he could survive.
How had the Fighting Dog of the Beggar’s Sect come to this?
Chuwong let out a deep sigh.
After what felt like an eternity walking through the woods, a small hut became visible in the distance.
…Haha, fuck.
At the sight of it, Chuwong grew intensely nervous.
He didn’t want to go there, but his feet wouldn’t stop.
If he did, he had no idea what that monster would do to him.
He arrived at the hut.
Creak.
Pushing the door open, he saw someone already waiting inside.
“…Hehe, Master, I am here.”
Despite his large frame, Chuwong became meek before the figure seated in the chair.
It was a survival tactic he’d mastered, though the man before him seemed not to care.
“You are late.”
Hearing those heavy words, Chuwong hurried forward, begging for mercy.
“Ah, I… had a lot of work, so I’m a little late.”
The young man glanced at Chuwong, then closed his eyes.
Wouldn’t I win if I struck his head right now?
Chuwong considered the thought for an instant, but immediately dismissed it.
If it were that easy, he would have done it long ago.
Unfortunately, the person before him wasn’t someone such a cheap trick would work on.
…Crazy fucker. Who said this guy was one of the weaker Six Dragons and Three Phoenixes? I’ll find the bastard who spread that rumor and kill him!
After being toyed with for a year by the man known as the Dragon Warrior, Bi Eejin, he was clearly far beyond a mere young prodigy.
He was in a league entirely separate from those youngsters.
Just where did someone like this come from?
If he had to compare, perhaps the Peng Clan’s Dragon, Peng Woojin, or the Sword Phoenix, the greatest of their generation, might stand a chance.
Then what about the True Dragon?
Chuwong thought of Gu Yangcheon, the True Dragon who had sent him here, but the comparison was difficult.
Whoever it was, both were undeniable monsters.
Bi Eejin spoke, his eyes on Chuwong. “The letter I wrote. Did you send it properly?”
“…Yes, I sent it immediately.”
“And there’s no response yet?”
“Haha… t-that’s right.”
Hearing this, Bi Eejin frowned as if displeased.
“…Hmm.”
Was something bothering him?
Sensing the bad atmosphere, Chuwong flinched when he saw the frown.
When Bi Eejin felt like this, things never ended well.
Thankfully, he had a solution.
Before Bi Eejin could act, Chuwong spoke up. “Oh, Master!”
Bi Eejin’s cold, black eyes fixed on him.
Chuwong froze under that terrifying gaze, but his momentum carried him forward.
“…The youngest Young Lady was looking for you earlier, Master.”
“…”
The youngest Young Lady.
As expected, mentioning her caused Bi Eejin’s expression to soften slightly.
The ill-tempered man had a strange weakness when it came to the youngest child.
“I believe she wanted to have a meal togeth…”
Before Chuwong could finish, Bi Eejin stood up.
He was likely heading down to the town to find her.
Chuwong had luckily run into a blood relative of the Bi Clan earlier; she was a godsend.
Thanks to you, I’ll live another day…!
She had saved him from likely being strung up in a tree.
Bi Eejin began to move. “Come to me immediately if you get a response.”
“Ah, of course! I’ll be there in an instant!”
“You know what happens if you run away again, right?”
“Y-Yes…”
A shiver ran down Chuwong’s spine as he recalled his last escape attempt.
“Oh, burn this on your way back.” As he passed, Bi Eejin handed Chuwong a letter.
“This is…?”
“I’m glad I’ll be able to meet them sooner than expected.”
“Huh?”
Confused, Chuwong turned, but Bi Eejin had already vanished.
A moment later, Chuwong opened the letter. Inside was a single, utterly unexpected line:
-Scheduled to enter the Heavenly Dragon Academy.
“…Eh?”