Chapter 407: Do You Want to Play with Sis a Little? (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 407: Do You Want to Play with Sis a Little? (2)
[Young Lady Mi.]
That night, when Moyong Biyeon confronted Mi Hyoran, she witnessed something she had never seen before: Mi Hyoran’s eyes widening in genuine shock.
Moyong Biyeon had always thought of Mi Hyoran as unshakably cold. Seeing such a reaction was… surprising.
Has she softened with age?
It was understandable. Everyone grew older. Decades had passed, after all. Yet, every time Moyong Biyeon dwelled on that simple fact, a profound discomfort settled deep within her. She pushed the feeling down and spoke.
[It’s been a while, Young Lady Mi.]
[…You…] Mi Hyoran began, her voice trailing off before finding its footing. [Have you been well?]
Seeing her old friend’s face after so long, Moyong Biyeon wasn't struck by changes in skin or wrinkles. The difference was in her aura.
Dignity—that was the word for it. Like a fine treasure appreciating with time, Mi Hyoran had grown into a more dignified person.
[That’s unfair.] Moyong Biyeon thought to herself.
[…Pardon?]
[Never mind. It’s nothing.]
She didn't believe he had chosen Mi Hyoran for superficial reasons. In the past, Moyong Biyeon had consoled herself by thinking it was the best decision for him. But was that truly in the past? She wasn't sure if she had ever really moved on.
As Moyong Biyeon became lost in thought, Mi Hyoran spoke again, her gaze steady.
[How have you been…?]
[I’ve been good. The same as always.]
[I sent you letters a few times, but I never received a response. Did something happen?]
[Oh…] Moyong Biyeon’s voice was soft. Those letters were likely sitting somewhere in the Moyong Clan estate. She had explicitly told the Clan Lord to intercept anything addressed to her, and he had stubbornly honored her wish.
[I’m sorry.]
It was the only response she could offer. She made no excuses, for there were none to make. It had been her own decision.
[Many things happened.]
[I see.]
Mi Hyoran simply nodded, accepting the answer without further question. She set aside her doubts, even though she would have been justified in feeling resentment. Instead, she chose peace and trust. Witnessing this, Moyong Biyeon felt a familiar certainty.
I still can't win against her.
[…You are still the same as ever, huh.]
[It’s the same for you.]
Moyong Biyeon offered a bitter smile.
[You look exactly as you did the last time I saw you.]
[…]
Since they had parted ways, Moyong Biyeon’s appearance hadn't changed at all, both inside and out. Was that something to be happy about?
She hated this feeling of being stuck, of failing to mature. Mi Hyoran’s next question pulled her back.
[Did you come to see me because you need something?]
[Hmm… I was just passing through Henan and heard you were here, so I thought I’d visit.]
[At this hour?]
[My apologies for that…]
[It’s fine. It has been a long time, after all.]
Mi Hyoran’s tone held a sharp edge, a relic of the past that time had not dulled. As Moyong Biyeon smiled awkwardly, Mi Hyoran pressed on, her voice hesitant.
[Then, did you come here solely to see me?]
[…]
[If you came for…] Mi Hyoran started.
[No.] Moyong Biyeon cut her off. [I came here only to see you.]
[…It’s not like that.]
She denied it again, but it was a lie. Her original purpose in coming to Henan had been to confront that person, but she had changed her mind. Meeting his child had likely been the reason.
Was it because the young man bore a resemblance? Or was she simply using that as an excuse, still too afraid to face him? Moyong Biyeon didn't know. The important thing was that she wasn't ready.
Sensing Moyong Biyeon’s turmoil, Mi Hyoran searched her eyes.
[…Will you be okay with that?]
[Of course. I’m always fine. There’s no problem at all.]
Moyong Biyeon smiled, masking her emotions. It was always like this. Despite the years, her feelings hadn't faded; if anything, they had only grown stronger. She had believed herself fully over him, which was why she had dared to come to Henan.
But seeing that young man had proven her wrong. She still hadn't forgotten. And with her heart in such a state, she couldn't possibly face him with a smile. It would be a disservice to both him and her old friend.
Hiding her emotions, Moyong Biyeon changed the subject.
[Oh, that’s right. Did you know? I met your daughter earlier.]
A shift occurred in Mi Hyoran’s expression. Daughter? That would mean…
[Your second daughter. Yeonseo, was it? She’s a very pretty girl.]
Mi Hyoran visibly relaxed, a wave of relief washing over her. Since Gu Yeonseo was the more stable of her two daughters, it seemed nothing bad had transpired.
[…That’s good to hear.]
[Huh?]
[It’s nothing. What happened?] Mi Hyoran asked, her tone laced with a hint of surprise.
Moyong Biyeon considered mentioning the bothersome young master from the Peng Clan she had dealt with, but decided against it for now.
[She was very pretty. She must take after you.]
[…]
Mi Hyoran averted her eyes slightly. Moyong Biyeon smiled faintly. That habit—the way Mi Hyoran reacted when embarrassed—was something that hadn't changed since their youth.
[I also met the boy who’s been causing quite a stir lately. Gu Yangcheon, I believe?]
[…!]
Mi Hyoran’s eyes widened as she stared at Moyong Biyeon. She hadn't expected to hear that name.
[How did you come to meet that child…?]
[He bears a strong resemblance.]
[White Ripple Sword…] Mi Hyoran began.
Moyong Biyeon’s smile turned wry. [Please, don’t call me by that title. It feels… off.]
[Then what should I call you?]
[You can just call me Lady Moyong, or Biyeon, like you used to. Or, if we go way back, you could always call me that bi—]
[I’ll call you Lady Moyong.] Mi Hyoran interjected swiftly.
[Understood.]
Mi Hyoran had cut her off before she could dredge up a particularly unpleasant memory. Back then, they had all been under immense stress. Now, it was merely a relic of the past. At least, that's what Moyong Biyeon told herself. She didn't know how Mi Hyoran truly felt about it.
[Anyway, the boy is quite remarkable, isn’t he? He looks just like his father.]
[…He does.]
A small smile touched Mi Hyoran’s lips at the mention of Gu Yangcheon. Moyong Biyeon noticed it immediately. As far as she knew, Gu Yangcheon had been a notorious troublemaker before gaining fame as his father's son. So why did Mi Hyoran seem… proud?
Moyong Biyeon, having never had children of her own, found it difficult to comprehend, but she recognized one thing clearly.
[You’ve truly become a mother, Lady Mi.]
[Huh?]
The Mi Hyoran before her was no longer the young lady of the past, but a mother. It was a stark contrast to Moyong Biyeon herself, who remained trapped in yesterday.
Was that the difference?
The thought inevitably led her to her niece. Her niece, pouring all her emotions into one man, was walking a path frighteningly similar to her own. Moyong Biyeon was deeply concerned.
She hoped her niece wouldn't end up like her. But could she even stop her? If she told her niece that such love was futile, would she listen?
Probably not. It was already too late; that much was clear from the look in her niece’s eyes. Moyong Biyeon knew that expression all too well.
So, what could she do? She began to ponder, seeking a way to help her niece while also managing her own unnecessary worries.
Well, that was a lie. She hadn't just started thinking. She had already formulated a plan before coming to see Mi Hyoran. Moyong Biyeon was never one for clever schemes, so the idea she had spent so long concocting wasn't particularly sophisticated. True to her nature, she resorted to a direct approach.
[So, anyway, Lady Mi.]
Mi Hyoran turned her head, attentive. Moyong Biyeon looked at her friend's confused face and asked her question.
[Does your son, by any chance, need an escort?]
[…Pardon…?]
Mi Hyoran’s brow furrowed in disbelief.
Moyong Biyeon scratched her head awkwardly as she recalled that moment.
An escort? Really?
She had been the one to suggest it, but even she knew how absurd it sounded. Her plan was twofold: to distract herself from thoughts of him by focusing on his son, and to help her niece by inserting herself into the young man's life.
The irony was not lost on her.
But what's done is done.
Moyong Biyeon decided not to dwell on the past. It wasn't in her nature. However, one thing kept nagging at her.
Now, she wandered through the camp, breathing in the morning air.
His expression was pretty amusing.
She recalled Gu Yangcheon’s face when she informed him of her new role as his escort.
He’s similar, yet completely different at the same time.
She was beginning to notice the nuances. Unlike his father, who was a master of stoicism, Gu Yangcheon was an open book. It was particularly fascinating how he made no effort to hide his displeasure. Most people would at least attempt to conceal it, but he openly expressed his annoyance.
This led her to another thought.
What did my niece see in him?
She wondered what had captivated Moyong Hi-ah about Gu Yangcheon.
Yes, he had his father's intense eyes, but in terms of pure looks, he was a definite downgrade. When she had mentioned this to her niece, Moyong Hi-ah had given her a look of such seriousness that Moyong Biyeon had never brought it up again.
He’s also not… particularly reserved.
Gu Yangcheon wasn't exactly loquacious, but he wasn't quiet either. He didn't seem to have a pleasant personality. Rumors were often exaggerated, but the part about him being disagreeable appeared to be true.
To sum it up: he had a nasty temperament, wasn't particularly handsome, wasn't very tall, and yet was surrounded by girls.
His only saving graces were his prodigious talent and his promising future as a martial artist.
It made sense for Moyong Hi-ah to want him as a husband from a strategic standpoint, but Moyong Biyeon couldn't understand why her niece had fallen in love with him.
…Why?
She found it baffling. She also couldn't comprehend his apparent luck with women.
I suppose this could be genetics, too.
Perhaps he had inherited this particular trait from his father. But still, it was perplexing.
…I guess… there… must be something.
There must be some quality in him that my niece sees. That's the only explanation.
While she had been absent from Moyong Hi-ah's life for a long time, Moyong Biyeon believed her niece was not the type to fall for a genuinely bad person. This belief was the reason she was willing to help.
However, I do feel a little guilty…
It was slightly problematic that helping her niece also served as an excuse for her own vicarious enjoyment of the situation.
Well, I'm sure it will be fine…
Moyong Biyeon continued her walk, a faint trace of discomfort lingering. She had officially become Gu Yangcheon’s escort, and now she was trying to find him.
As his guard, she should ideally be by his side at all times, but she had a reason for giving him space, which was why she currently had no idea where he was.
He specifically told me not to look for him at night, saying that's when he trains.
That was what Gu Yangcheon had firmly stated.
What fascinated her was that instead of feeling annoyed by his disrespectful tone towards a Senior, she felt… nothing. Not that she was the type to care much about formalities to begin with, but she still found her own lack of reaction interesting.
His disrespectful attitude somehow suits him. What a strange talent.
A smirk touched her lips.
She continued her search through the forest with a smile.
"Where has my precious Young Master wandered off to—…Hmm?"
As she scanned the area, a group of figures caught her interest.
"Woah…"
A smile spread across Moyong Biyeon's face as she instantly closed the considerable distance between them, her body moving like a blur.
"Hiiiyah!?"
A girl with dark green hair let out a shocked scream at Moyong Biyeon's sudden appearance. This was Tang Soyeol, the Poison Phoenix, daughter of the Poison King.
Moyong Biyeon was interested, but not because of the flustered Tang Soyeol.
Her attention was captured by the other two girls accompanying Tang Soyeol. They showed no sign of surprise. In fact, they seemed as though they had been expecting her, already poised to greet her.
Moyong Biyeon was fascinated.
Just look at them.
The Poison King's daughter was cute, but her beauty paled in comparison to the other two.
Even Moyong Biyeon was taken aback by their looks.
One was a lady with bluish-white hair and sleepy eyes that held a strange, captivating aura.
The other had brown hair streaked with gold, and her golden eyes seemed to pull one in like a vortex.
Both were undoubtedly among the top beauties of the Central Plains.
Moyong Biyeon nodded in understanding.
I see.
Their distinctive features made their identities obvious.
The white-haired girl was likely the Sword Dancer, daughter of the Sword King. The other was probably the descendant of the old Sword Emperor.
This means…
All three girls here, just like her niece, were chasing after Gu Yangcheon. Moyong Biyeon couldn't help but sigh. The boy was impossibly lucky when it came to women. It seemed he had, unfortunately, inherited this particular trait from his father in the most pronounced way.
Moreover, this one called Sword Dancer… she's engaged to him, right?
That meant she currently held the highest chance of becoming Gu Yangcheon's future wife.
With that in mind, Moyong Biyeon smiled lightly.
"Hello, pretty girls. Do you know who I am?"
Tang Soyeol was the first to respond, greeting her with respect. "The blood relative of the Tang Clan is h-honored to meet you, White Ripple Sword…!"
Wi Seol-Ah and Namgung Bi-ah also bowed their heads.
"I'm honored to meet you, Senior. My name is Wi Seol-Ah."
"…I'm… Namgung Bi-ah."
"Nice to meet you all. You can just call me 'big sis' instead of that formal title."
They were all so beautiful. Beyond their physical appearance, they possessed a radiant quality that reminded Moyong Biyeon of her own youth.
Girls in love always seemed to shine brightly, and these three were glowing like stars.
Perhaps it was because of that?
Moyong Biyeon forgot about her search for Gu Yangcheon. A playful urge to tease them welled up inside her.
"I heard you girls are friends of my niece's boyfriend, right?"
Silence.
All three girls froze at Moyong Biyeon's words. Observing their reactions, she continued.
"How lucky she is to have such pretty friends… I hope you'll all take good care of my niece. She can be a bit rude sometimes—she takes after her father—but she has a kind heart."
"By 'niece'… do you mean Young Lady Moyong?" Tang Soyeol asked, her voice flustered.
"Which Moyong? I'm a Moyong, too, you know."
"Ah, I'm sor—"
"I'm just kidding. You're right. That's my niece."
"And… when you say your niece's boyfriend… are you perhaps referring to Master Gu…?"
"Hmm? Ah, yes. That's right. Our Yangcheon."
'Our' Yangcheon?
The atmosphere among the three girls shifted palpably. Tang Soyeol coughed awkwardly, looking uncomfortable.
"Anyway, you must have been surprised by my sudden appearance. My apologies. I actually wanted to ask you something."
"…Sure."
"Have any of you seen my niece's boyfriend? I can't seem to find him anywhere."
The girls' soft responses were accompanied by a noticeably chilly aura. Despite sensing the change, Moyong Biyeon pressed on, eager to see their reactions.
"If you happen to see him, could you please tell him to come see big s—"
Just as she was finishing her sentence, she was interrupted by a firm voice.
"I believe you are mistaken about something."
"Hmm?"
Moyong Biyeon had initially thought it was the Tang Clan girl, but it was surprisingly Namgung Bi-ah who spoke.
Moyong Biyeon had pegged Namgung Bi-ah as quiet and reserved due to her sleepy eyes and hesitant speech, but the aura she projected now was completely different from their first encounter.
"What do you mean?" Moyong Biyeon asked.
"He… is not… your niece's boyfriend…"
Namgung Bi-ah stared directly into Moyong Biyeon's eyes. Her blue eyes seemed bottomless, like an endless abyss.
…Woah. Moyong Biyeon was impressed by the Qi emanating from Namgung Bi-ah.
Just look at her.
She was only one of the Young Prodigies, but her Qi was far more formidable than Moyong Biyeon had anticipated. Moreover, Moyong Biyeon could feel Combat Qi radiating from Namgung Bi-ah.
She had seemed the calmest of the trio, but perhaps the opposite was true?
Namgung Bi-ah was unleashing her Combat Qi, clearly rejecting Moyong Biyeon's statement.
Also…
Moyong Biyeon observed the other two girls. The Sword Emperor's descendant had a gaze as sharp as Namgung Bi-ah's, and the Tang Clan girl looked deeply uncomfortable, clearly reading the tense atmosphere.
How cute.
Rather than feeling disrespected, Moyong Biyeon felt a sense of enjoyment. It reminded her of her own past.
A memory surfaced—of her and Soi, who was now the Sword Master. They had done something similar when they encountered the previous Sword Master back in the day. Even knowing they stood no chance, they had challenged her.
Moyong Biyeon couldn't remember what the previous Sword Master had said at the time. Even if she could, attempting to replicate it would make her cringe so hard she might grow spikes on her tongue. So, she decided to use her own method.
"Hey, girls. Are you unhappy with what your big sis just said?"
The three girls flinched at her words. It wasn't just the question; they also felt the pressure of Moyong Biyeon's own rising Combat Qi.
However, contrary to their expectations, Moyong Biyeon's next move was unexpected.
"Sorry. I just wanted to tease you all a little, but it seems I went too far. I apologize."
The tense atmosphere dissipated slightly with her sudden apology. After all, it was the White Ripple Sword herself apologizing; what could they possibly do? It would have been easy to end things there.
But Moyong Biyeon, unfortunately, had a different plan.
She looked at the girls with a bright, almost innocent smile.
"How about we do something else instead?"
As the three girls stared in confusion, wondering what she meant—
Shiiing—
Moyong Biyeon drew her sword. In an instant, her Combat Qi erupted, flooding the entire forest with an overwhelming pressure.