Chapter 40: Way Back (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 40: Way Back (3)
“…So what brings you all here?”
A grimace twisted my face as I stepped inside the building. I’d desperately hoped my senses were playing tricks on me, but of course, they weren’t.
Tang Soyeol, who had been delicately picking at her meal, froze solid the moment she saw me. Namgung Bi-ah, meanwhile, just kept eating with that vacant look of hers, pretending not to have noticed my arrival. And then there was Wi Seol-Ah, who simply slid onto the bench beside them and started helping herself to the food as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
…Alright, fine. I can understand this.
Wi Seol-Ah’s actions made a twisted sort of sense. I could even—to a certain extent—comprehend Namgung Bi-ah’s presence, having grown accustomed to her bizarre, albeit irritating, whims.
But Tang Soyeol.
Why is she here?
She was actively avoiding my gaze.
“Lady Tang.”
“Y-Yes!?”
She jumped as if I’d struck a gong. All I did was say her name.
“What brings you here?”
“…I-I just happened to be passing by.”
“…Passing by?”
What were the odds? The reclusive Young Lady of the Tang Clan, who never left her family’s grounds, suddenly decides to take a stroll and ends up in this exact, remote spot? At the exact same time as everyone else? And I had only just arrived myself.
I decided to ask, just to be sure. “Were you waiting for me?”
“N-No! What possible reason would I have to wait for you!?”
She denied it with such fervor, her hands waving in protest, that I had to agree. It did seem far-fetched.
“You’re right. So I’ll ask again: why are you here?”
“…”
Tang Soyeol fell silent, fresh excuses failing her.
Why are they acting like this? I’d never been able to figure her out in my past life, either.
…Does she have a crush on me?
I immediately dismissed the thought. Unlike Gu Jeolyub or Namgung Cheonjun, my face wasn't going to earn me any favors. Besides, I was fairly certain I wasn't her type.
And even in the minuscule chance that she did…
A memory surfaced: Tang Soyeol meticulously torturing a man with a poison needle no larger than her pinky nail. I hadn't been her victim, but I remembered the look on her face. It was… too much for me.
Yeah, she must be here on some sort of business…
I sincerely hoped she’d conclude it quickly and leave.
I turned my attention to the Namgung Clan’s resident lunatic.
“Lady Namgung.”
“…?”
“What brings you here?”
“…Hmm?”
Hmm?
Her expression clearly said, ‘Why are you asking something so obvious?’
I prayed I was misreading her.
“Farewell…”
“Pardon?”
As usual, her terse reply grated on my nerves. What did she mean by ‘farewell’? Did she want to say goodbye? Or was it some kind of code word, like the one she’d used for hunting people in my previous life? To my eyes, she still perfectly fit the image of a woman who hunted humans for sport. Of course, I was trying my best to see her differently.
Which is why I pressed her. “Farewell…?”
“I… never said goodbye.”
“Oh! Uh, I’m here for the same reason!”
Tang Soyeol chimed in hastily after Namgung Bi-ah’s response.
Ah. So they came because they never properly bid me farewell.
But… why?
“I explained my situation to the Tang Clan’s Young Lord. You didn’t hear about it?”
“…I did,” Tang Soyeol replied in a faint voice. Namgung Bi-ah just continued to stare at me, her face a perfect mask of innocence, as if she saw nothing wrong with her actions.
…Well, I suppose it isn’t a capital offense.
Maybe I was overthinking it. Everything had concluded peacefully, so perhaps they bore no ill intent. In the end, they were just here because of a missed social courtesy.
…Right. A good thing is a good thing.
It would be rude of me to scorn people who went out of their way to see me off.
But I really, really didn't want to get entangled with these madwomen. I cannot stress that enough.
“Thank you for coming all this way. It was good to see you. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.”
I replied with the utmost politeness, hoping they would take the hint and leave immediately.
They did not.
Instead, both women stared at me with strange, unreadable expressions.
I guess that wasn’t the response they wanted…
But then, what did they want?
Setting that aside, I asked Namgung Bi-ah about something that had been nagging me since I sensed her. “Lady Namgung.”
“Hmm?”
“Why are you still in Sichuan? The Tang Clan’s Military Exhibition is over. Where is the rest of your clan?”
“Cheonjun said he had business… He said he was waiting for someone.”
Namgung Cheonjun had business here? Well, I shouldn’t be surprised. Even I had my reasons for being here; he must have had his own. What surprised me was something else.
“And he just let you come here? He didn’t follow you?”
It was shocking to see her alone, without her obsessive brother shadowing her every move.
“Hmm…? He allowed it… He said you wouldn’t be here anyway…”
He allowed it?
I’d assumed a maniac like him would never permit her to wander off alone. The fact that he’d personally granted permission—and even stated he wouldn’t come himself—was baffling.
“But, Lady Namgung…”
“…?”
“Did you forget the deal we made last time?”
“Hmm?”
We’d made a deal: she would leave me alone in exchange for my real name.
“I didn’t.”
She answered confidently, almost proudly, as if remembering the agreement was a great accomplishment.
But… if you remember, why are you still here?
“Then why are you here?”
“Why…?”
“You said you wouldn’t annoy me.”
“I never annoyed you…?”
Oh, for fuck’s sake.
She genuinely didn’t seem to understand that her mere presence was an annoyance.
I guess it’s my fault for not being specific enough during our deal…
I’m an idiot for not spelling out the details.
“And what about speaking formally to me?”
Namgung Bi-ah paused, her eyes rolling thoughtfully before she spoke. “…Young Master.”
“…”
Should I just punch her?
I seriously considered it. At this point, it felt like she was practically drawing her sword and challenging me. Every conversation with her gave me a headache.
How did I deal with her in my previous life?
Oh, right… I never spoke to her.
…How clever I was.
That seemed to be the only correct answer.
As I massaged my temples, Tang Soyeol, who had been listening quietly, began to fidget. She looked like she wanted to say something, but I decided to ignore her. She’d probably speak up on her own if I pretended not to notice.
“U-Um.”
Just as I predicted.
“Yes?”
“When you return to your clan… H-How long will it be before you come back to Sichuan?”
“I’m not sure…?”
Would I even come back here…?
I probably would eventually, but certainly not anytime soon. It would likely be years.
I gave her my honest answer.
“T-That’s not good… That’s too long.”
Tang Soyeol seemed to wrestle with her thoughts for a moment before reaching a conclusion. “Do you… have a favorite poison?”
“…Pardon?”
“Or perhaps… some dagger techniques…?”
“…Dagger techniques…?”
Did I hear that correctly? I swear she just said ‘poison.’
Tang Soyeol looked stunned by my reaction. “I-I knew this wasn’t right. But my brother said it would work…”
“Lady Tang… Are you feeling unwell?”
She looked like she was suffering from a severe headache.
At that moment, a hand sneaked toward the plate of dumplings between us, breaking the awkward atmosphere. I smacked it away without even looking.
“Are you finished with your own food?”
“…Yeah.”
Wi Seol-Ah answered while rubbing her reddened hand.
Then order another serving. Why must you always target mine?
I sighed and pushed the plate toward her. I didn’t have much of an appetite anyway. Wi Seol-Ah happily dug in.
Then, from the side, Namgung Bi-ah’s chopsticks darted toward the same plate. I intercepted them immediately.
“Please order your own. Don’t take from others.”
Namgung Bi-ah stared at me with that blank expression. Her pupils seemed to sharpen the moment I acknowledged her.
“I… have a question, sir.”
“You’re using formal speech now…?”
“That… What happened there?”
She slowly pointed toward my lower dantian. Like Muyeon, she had sensed the change within me. Tang Soyeol seemed oblivious to such things, but Namgung Bi-ah was different.
“I had a minor breakthrough.”
That was the simplest answer.
Telling her about the Golden Nature Clan’s hidden treasure and the giant serpent that granted me power…
Hm.
…She’d probably believe me.
She might be one of the few people who would, but there was no point in explaining.
Namgung Bi-ah simply nodded. Then her eyes lit up.
That was never a good sign. There was usually only one thing that followed such a reaction from her.
“Then what about a du—”
“I refuse.”
Her eyes widened comically at my instant rejection.
“No way…!”
It was rare to hear her speak so clearly.
What is she thinking? Why challenge me to a duel when she usually only bothers other swordsmen? I don’t want this kind of attention.
“I’ve already wasted too much time and cannot stay any longer. Therefore, I cannot duel you.”
As I said this, I felt Muyeon’s accusing glare burning into my back from behind.
Yes, I know it’s my fault we’re late. Please stop staring…
“Ahem…!”
I feigned a cough and stood up. Now that I’d eaten, I needed to get moving before sunset. The journey here had been long, and the return trip would be just as tedious. The mere thought of it bored me to tears.
Just as I was about to leave, Tang Soyeol suddenly produced something from her pocket.
“Please, take this…!”
It was a small, unmarked bottle and a letter.
“What is this?”
“It’s an invitation to next year’s Military Exhibition…”
“And you’re giving this to me because…?”
“I-I wish to maintain good relations with the Gu Clan! It’s nothing more than that…”
Our clan received invitations every year, but one delivered personally by a main family member carried a different weight. It signified a genuine desire for my attendance. I was at a loss.
Does she really have a crush on me?
“And this bottle?”
Is it medicine?
Tang Soyeol smiled when I asked. “It’s a poison I’m quite fond of… A gift. Please feel free to use it if you ever decide to train with poisons.”
I nodded slowly.
…This girl isn’t normal either.
I was sure of it now.
It was difficult to refuse her gift outright, so I stowed it in my pocket for the time being. I was confident I could concoct an excuse to skip next year’s exhibition. I would make sure of it.
“Anyway… I must take my leave. I hope you both enjoy the rest of your day.”
“Let us meet again.”
Namgung Bi-ah gave a slight wave, bidding me farewell. A flicker of reluctance must have shown on my face as I accepted it.
“Uh, yes… We shall meet again.”
I started walking away after returning the farewell, my discomfort palpable. Tang Soyeol also said goodbye, though she remained frozen like a statue. Wi Seol-Ah trailed after me, her cheeks stuffed with an impossible amount of food.
How does it all fit in her mouth…?
Is it finally over?
Can I finally go home?
Physically, I felt fine, even energized by the increase in my qi. But mentally, I was utterly drained. I walked toward the carriage with a weary, half-limping gait.
* * *
Namgung Bi-ah watched Gu Yangcheon’s retreating figure.
She recalled what he had said to her.
-Why are you speaking informally to me?
Now that I think about it… why did I do that?
Gu Yangcheon was younger than her brother, Namgung Cheonjun. That didn’t give her the right to disregard formalities. And yet, speaking to him so casually had felt… comfortable. Why was that?
Namgung Bi-ah tilted her head in confusion, unable to understand even her own actions.
“Uh…”
Tang Soyeol’s voice broke her reverie.
“Hmm?”
“…Do you… perhaps like Young Master Gu?”
“…Huh?”
Namgung Bi-ah didn’t understand the question.
Like?
“Like?”
“Eh? Uh, what I mean is, um…”
Tang Soyeol seemed startled by her own query. Her face flushed red, and she gradually fell silent. It appeared she didn’t know the answer herself.
‘Like’.
What did that mean?
Did she mean a girl liking a boy?
If she asked herself if she liked Gu Yangcheon as a man, the answer felt like ‘no’. But she was undoubtedly interested in him as a martial artist.
He was completely different.
The Gu Yangcheon she first met.
And the Gu Yangcheon who broke her younger brother’s arm.
Were they even the same person?
She didn’t know. That was the frustrating truth.
I wanted to spar with him, but he refused instantly…
If someone asked her right now if she could defeat Gu Yangcheon, she felt she could say ‘yes’.
But that feeling only applies to right now.
It was shocking, even to her, that she couldn't properly assess him.
Putting that aside, the simple fact that Gu Yangcheon didn’t produce a foul odor…
He’s a person who occupies a space in my mind…
“…Maybe I do like him?”
The words slipped out unconsciously. Upon hearing them, Tang Soyeol looked as if she were about to cry.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing…”
Tang Soyeol mumbled quietly to herself, ‘There’s nothing I can do if my rival is her…’
What does she mean by ‘there’s nothing she can do’?
“What about you, Soyeol?”
“Huh…?”
“That letter. You were supposed to give it to me.”
“Oh…!”
The invitation letter Tang Soyeol had given to Gu Yangcheon was originally intended for her. Ever since they’d first met, it had always been that way. But this time, Tang Soyeol had given it to someone else. Curiosity prompted Namgung Bi-ah to ask.
“…I, uh…”
Tang Soyeol stammered, startled by the question. Her stuttering had gotten worse lately.
What’s wrong with her? Is she sick?
The scent Tang Soyeol gave off was very faint, almost negligible if one wasn't actively trying to smell it. That made her comfortable to be around. Namgung Bi-ah hoped she wasn’t ill.
“I… wanted to become closer to him.”
“I see.”
“I’m sorry… You’re disappointed, right?”
“Hmm? I’m fine.”
She could attend the exhibition even without a personal invitation from a main family member. Namgung Bi-ah saw no reason for disappointment.
“Shall we go back…?” Tang Soyeol asked, her tone laced with dejection.
What is she so disappointed about?
Namgung Bi-ah had many questions.
“Yeah.”
She began to walk back with Tang Soyeol. Without Gu Yangcheon here, she would have to return to that place filled with horrendous stenches. But she was used to such a life. So Namgung Bi-ah didn’t feel disappointed.
Thankfully,
I have a feeling we’ll meet again soon.
That was the inexplicable sense she got. And Namgung Bi-ah’s predictions had a habit of coming true.