Chapter 258: Before Leaving For Anhui (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 258: Before Leaving For Anhui (2)
I wonder when it was.
I think it was back when I was still suffering on the front lines.
It happened during night watch duty.
—Flame.
A voice cut through my mindless moon-gazing, and I abruptly turned my head.
—You bastard, I told you not to call me that.
—Who cares? They say you should always give your friends a nickname.
—Damn it… what kind of nickname is ‘Flame’?
—Oh? So you’re not denying that we’re friends, then?
—Screw off.
I winced, clutching my head after hearing the young man. Holding a normal conversation with that guy was impossible.
The Sleeping Dragon of the Wudang Sect.
That lunatic, supposedly the best of the Six Dragons and Three Phoenixes, might have seemed lazy and easygoing, but when it mattered, his true talent shone through—along with a personality that was anything but normal.
—Anyway, Flame, do you know ?
—Know what?
—How to survive against a pack of beasts?
—…What?
What was he suddenly going on about? Beasts? What beasts?
—Beasts? What, are you talking about Demons?
—Could be Demons. Could be people.
—You said beasts first, so what nonsense are you spouting now?
The Sleeping Dragon smiled at my response. His face was grimy with dust from his unkempt hair, but his natural good looks still made his smile seem like it could charm any girl. It’s why all handsome guys needed to die.
—I guess our little Flame is still naïve, huh?
—What did you just say, you bastard?
—Humans can be beasts, too. You’ve seen it yourself, haven’t you?
I frowned immediately. Just like now, sometimes his gaze would turn chillingly cold. Since he usually acted so aloof, seeing that look in his eyes was especially unsettling, especially when it appeared on his perpetually smiling face.
—Didn’t I tell you not to look at me like that? You want me to dig your eyes out?
—Flame, you’re the last person who should be judging others for having unkind eyes, you know.
—Shut up.
—I see your personality is still as nasty as ever.
If I kept talking to that bastard, I was going to lose my mind. Snow Phoenix—of all the people, why did that crazy woman have to pair me with him for night watch? Not that I’d ever ask her. I already knew what she’d say:
I paired you with the Sleeping Dragon because you’re incredibly weak.
I’d just get an insulting answer like that, so I decided to endure it.
The Sleeping Dragon chuckled, as if he’d found something amusing.
—Why are you laughing?
—I knew it. Talking to you is really fun.
—Not for me, so shut your mouth.
—Ubfubfubf?
—…You insane bastard.
When I told him to shut up, he started talking with his mouth closed. He really was a madman beyond imagination.
—Aren’t I doing what you asked?
—Ugh… my head hurts.
Couldn’t time speed up a little? At this rate, I was going to die from rage.
—Anyway, listen carefully.
—What is it now?
—About how to survive.
—If it’s more nonsense like last time, I’m not even going to listen.
What was it he said last time? That even when I got angry, I had to restrain myself three times. Telling me to calm down when it was the other person’s fault—I didn’t take his words seriously at all.
—Nah, this is a bit different.
—Then what is it?
—The easiest way to survive…
When the Sleeping Dragon spoke clearly, I unconsciously gave him my full attention. For him to emphasize it like that, I wondered what he was about to say. A way to survive? Did the Sleeping Dragon have some secret method?
He answered with a smile, as if to satisfy my curiosity.
—It’s to never put yourself in a dangerous situation.
—…
—…What’s with that look?
—I’m an idiot for hoping, even for a second.
—Hey, this is really important, you know.
—I’m sure it is, you bastard.
How was that any different from stating the obvious? It was like saying anyone could reach the Zenith if they trained enough. Did he think I jumped into danger on purpose?
—True, it’s not like you do it intentionally.
—…Did I say that out loud just now?
—Flame, I could tell from your expression.
—For fuck’s sake.
—Which is what makes you so fun.
The Sleeping Dragon chuckled, as if my face was hilarious. Why was he laughing at someone else’s face? Should I just punch him?
—However, you have a tendency to jump in even when you know it’s dangerous.
—What?
—Sometimes, you run into danger even when you’re aware of the risks.
—…
I couldn’t deny it. Just as he said, there had been a few times when I’d willingly charged into dangerous situations, fully knowing I’d get screwed.
—What does that have to do with anything?
The Sleeping Dragon made a strange face at my question, seeming lost in thought.
—True, you always take it the wrong way when I jumble my words.
—What are you…
—I’m telling you to think before you act on impulse. You’re going to die at that ra— Hey, this is why I didn’t get straight to the point! I knew you’d do this! Put out the flame in your hands! You’ll wake everyone up!
—Who are you calling dumb?
—I’m stating the obvious. If you know it’s dangerous, think before you act. It’s better not to act if you can’t handle the consequences.
—Worry about yourself. I’ll be fine on my own.
—…Those are the least convincing words I’ve ever heard.
In the end, our conversation concluded with me shooting flames at the Sleeping Dragon after losing my temper.
He’d occasionally spout nonsense like that. He always seemed to know when I was angry and held me back every time, and he saved me whenever I was about to throw myself into danger. At one point, I even suspected he could read my mind, but I never took his absurd advice seriously.
Of course, it was only much later that I realized his advice was actually helpful. But back then, I didn’t know. After all, humans learn through experience.
He warned me not to create a situation if I knew it would turn dangerous. It sounded simple and obvious. So why couldn’t I do it?
But then again, if I were good at it…
“…Could you back away a little? I get heated when people get too close to me.”
“…No.”
…I wouldn’t have ended up in this situation.
Tap—roll.
The dumpling I was holding slipped from my grasp because the two of them kept jostling me. In the end, I picked up another one and yelled at the two cats flanking me.
“Agh! Back off! Let me eat!”
Only after I shouted did they finally quiet down. After that, I just stared at the girls on either side of me, wondering how things had come to this.
My first mistake was taking both of them out onto the streets to escape the initial situation. The key point wasn’t that I took them out—it was that I took both girls at the same time. If I was going to do that, I should have taken only one. But if I didn’t, that would’ve caused a different problem.
The second problem arose because the relationship between the two was much worse than I’d thought.
I’d come all the way down to the streets to escape my father’s gaze, and I also wanted to try the restaurant in the Moyong Clan’s building. Since it was managed by the Moyong Clan, I was curious. The place seemed nice, and their building was better than I’d expected. The clothes and accessories they sold were high quality, too.
Because of that, most of the customers were either owners of famous merchant associations or girls from noble clans and sects. They were practically throwing money at the place. It’s probably thanks to their exclusivity.
It seemed the accessories were made directly by masters of the Tang Clan. I hadn’t expected them to make such things; I thought they only made weapons. Apparently, they also used gems in these accessories to attract women. The quality was high, and everything was displayed prominently. Won’t people try to steal them if they’re displayed so openly? The thought crossed my mind, but of course, no one would be crazy enough to steal from a Moyong Clan shop.
Things were fine up to that point, and it was interesting to see. Since she managed the shop, Moyong Hi-ah didn’t seem particularly interested, but Namgung Bi-ah showed some curiosity.
Afterwards, we ended up at an inn recommended by Moyong Hi-ah. She said the Moyong Clan hadn’t been managing the place for long. They’d already built an inn in that short time? But how? Weren’t you with me at the front lines for a year? I didn’t think Moyong Hi-ah had set this up entirely by herself, but if she’d played a part, I had to admit she was talented in such matters.
Well, that was that. But… the problem arose when it was time to eat.
“Young Master, please try this.”
“…But I’m already eating?”
“This is a new dish our chef created. He’s very confident about it.”
“I told you, I’m already eating.”
It was nice that she kept offering me food, but—
“This…”
“…I said… I’m already eating…”
—it became hard to handle when both of them kept feeding me. My stomach wasn’t a bottomless pit, and if I only accepted food from one side and ignored the other, it would cause problems.
“Young Master, I heard this is delicious, too.”
As soon as I managed to swallow one bite, Moyong Hi-ah pushed another dish toward me. I didn’t know what it was, but it looked a bit red. Just as I sighed and was about to try it—
Grab!
—Namgung Bi-ah suddenly snatched the food from Moyong Hi-ah and ate it herself.
Moyong Hi-ah was speechless, her expression dumbfounded, but she quickly snapped out of it and glared sharply at Namgung Bi-ah.
“…Sword Dancer…”
Despite Moyong Hi-ah’s icy tone, Namgung Bi-ah kept chewing the food in her mouth. Her mouth was small compared to the amount she’d taken, so it took her a while to swallow it all.
Gulp.
After finally managing it, Namgung Bi-ah gestured at Moyong Hi-ah.
“…He can’t eat spicy food.”
“Oh…!”
Namgung Bi-ah’s words seemed to strike Moyong Hi-ah like a blow to the back of the head. She clearly hadn’t been aware. And I was surprised, too. How does she know that? I wondered how she knew I was weak to spicy food when—Oh. I remembered Namgung Bi-ah handing me a cup of water at the banquet for young prodigies during the Tang Clan’s Military Exhibition. She must have remembered from back then. For her to remember something like that…
It seemed she’d eaten the spicy food in my place because she knew I couldn’t handle it. However, “…Oof.” Namgung Bi-ah wasn’t good with spicy food, either. Watching her fair skin flush red after eating it, I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
“Why would you even do something like that?”
“…Ough…”
It seemed spicier than she’d expected; she flapped her arms frantically. I couldn’t stop laughing—she looked so silly compared to her usual quiet self.
Dribble.
Namgung Bi-ah hurriedly drank the cup of water I poured for her. It reminded me so much of what happened to me in Sichuan that it felt oddly refreshing.
“…Sigh. I didn’t expect to lose in this regard, too.”
Beside me, Moyong Hi-ah wore an expression of disappointment for some reason. What had she lost?
“As expected, I can’t underestimate you… Sword Dan—”
“Hi-ah.”
After finally recovering, Namgung Bi-ah cut her off. Was this the first time Namgung Bi-ah had called Moyong Hi-ah by her name?
“What did you just… say?”
“…I.”
Thinking she’d misheard, Moyong Hi-ah tried to ask again, but Namgung Bi-ah pointed at herself and interrupted.
“Fiancée…”
“…!”
Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes widened at Namgung Bi-ah’s casual remark. She seemed to be implying that she was my fiancée, while Moyong Hi-ah wasn’t. Moreover, with the small smile now gracing Namgung Bi-ah’s face, I saw Moyong Hi-ah clench her fists in anger.
What were they trying to do instead of eating? Thanks to their antics, I, stuck in the middle…
“…I feel sick.”
…had no idea how the food even made it into my stomach.
After forcing down the meal, I stepped outside. The sun had set, and the moon had taken its place, welcoming the night. However, a lot has changed. The nights in Shanxi, once quiet just a year ago, had transformed in that short time. Bright lights filled the streets, and there were more people than before. It was hard to believe this change was due solely to the passage of time; it was likely because of the Moyong Clan’s shop built here. While I marveled that a single shop could cause such a shift, I also saw firsthand how influential the Moyong name was in business.
Now that I felt somewhat refreshed, I decided to head back after a short walk. …It’s also difficult to watch the war taking place from any further. The status quo between the girls following me remained unchanged. At this point, a physical fight might have been easier. They didn’t get along at all and were completely incompatible. But I couldn’t just force them to be friends, either…
Oh, right. Now that I thought about it, I’d forgotten something. I hadn’t asked Moyong Hi-ah what would happen to her when I left for Anhui. Father said he’d already taken care of it. …But with everything that happened, I forgot to ask her. My mistake. I should have at least asked while we were eating.
Should I go ask her now?
I turned around and looked for Moyong Hi-ah.
“Hmm?”
When I turned, I saw her staring intently at something in the distance. Following her gaze, I saw only an ordinary street. Is there something there? I moved closer to ask her.
“Hey.”
“Huh?”
She looked surprised that I’d approached her first.
“What’s going to happen to you when I go to Anhui?”
“Huh?”
“The Lord told me he’s already taken care of it.”
“Didn’t he tell you?”
“He told me to hear it directly from you.”
He could have just told me himself; I didn’t know why he insisted I hear it from her.
Hearing this, Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes widened conspicuously, and a slight smile played on her lips. It was the look she got when she was planning something.
“…What are you thinking?”
“Are you curious?”
“Huh?”
“I’m asking if you’re curious.”
“A little?”
As if she’d been waiting, Moyong Hi-ah pointed at something. I looked in the direction she indicated—the same street she’d been staring at earlier.
“Please buy me that.”
“Huh?”
“If you buy it for me… I’ll tell you.”
She was pointing at a small necklace in a street shop. It looked like a cheap accessory to me.
“What is it?”
“I just… want it.”
Moyong Hi-ah responded while looking away. Though it seemed pointless to buy it for her, I didn’t hesitate given how cheap it was. I purchased it immediately and handed it to her.
“…Ah.”
She gave a small reaction upon receiving the necklace, but it probably wasn’t because she found it pretty. There was no way Moyong Hi-ah, already adorned with expensive accessories, would be impressed by a cheap trinket like that.
“Thank you. I’ll take good care of it.”
Even so, her voice held a warmth that belied the necklace’s simplicity.
“You could’ve just bought it yourself if you wanted it that badly.”
“…It would have no meaning if I bought it myself.”
Moyong Hi-ah smiled as she said this. Hmm. Come to think of it, this was the first time I’d seen her smile so brightly like th—
Zap.
“…!”
I suddenly sensed Lightning Qi from behind. I didn’t need to turn around to know where it came from.
“…Sigh.”
Only after hearing that soft sigh did I realize I’d just made a huge mistake.