Chapter 63: Not Yours (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 63: Not Yours (2)
Arriving in Huayin City, nestled at the foot of the great Mount Hua, I had expected we would immediately begin our ascent to the sect.
However, by the time we reached the mountain's vicinity, night had already fallen, forcing us to seek lodging for the evening.
Fortunately, Huayin City, as the heart of the Mount Hua Sect's territory, was filled with people who welcomed us warmly. Finding a place to stay proved effortless.
After Shinhyun and his group helped us secure accommodations, he departed for the sect, leaving a few second-generation disciples behind to attend to us. He promised to return the following day to escort us up the mountain.
Just to be sure, I asked if it might be better to climb now and deliver the treasure sooner. He replied that the current arrangement was safer for us. I didn't fully grasp his meaning, but I decided to follow his instructions regardless. To be honest, I was exhausted and had no desire to scale a massive mountain in the dark, so I let the matter drop.
"Here are your dumplings~!"
After a short wait at the dining table, the food we had ordered began to arrive. Without hesitation, I dug in, filling my stomach to the brim.
As I was practically inhaling the dumplings at an alarming rate, Wi Seol-Ah, seated beside me, silently passed me a cup of water. She had been trying her best to look after me these past few days.
"Thanks, but you should eat some too."
"I-I'm full."
"…?"
Seeing the clear doubt on my face, she puffed out her cheeks in a pout. The sight was utterly hilarious. I reached out and pressed down on her bulging cheeks with my fingers.
Pffft-!
They deflated with a comical sound. I couldn't help but laugh out loud at the absurdity of it, which only made Wi Seol-Ah sulk even more.
"Y… You!"
"Sorry, sorry, I won't do it again."
That was a lie. I'm definitely going to do it again. It's just too funny.
While I was teasing Wi Seol-Ah, someone else sat down beside me with their food. It was Yung Pung, holding a bowl of noodles.
"…I'm disappointed in myself. I should have recommended a more delicious restaurant to you, Young Master."
Is he talking about that 'best dumpling restaurant in all of Shaanxi' he mentioned before? It was a bit of a letdown, but honestly, I didn't care as long as I could finish my business here as quickly as possible.
"Is it fine for you to not go with them?"
While Shinhyun and the others had returned to the Mount Hua Sect, Yung Pung had stayed behind with us. I initially thought it might be because of the treasure I carried, but that seemed less likely the more I considered it.
"It's not a problem…" Yung Pung replied, though he seemed somewhat dejected.
I didn't feel like probing further, so I let it go. My stomach full, I glanced over at Wi Seol-Ah and saw her still shoveling food into her mouth. When Namgung Bi-ah placed more food on her plate, Wi Seol-Ah responded with a defiant "Hmph!"
This little scene had been repeating for days. The peculiar part was that after acting this way, Wi Seol-Ah would always seem to feel guilty afterward. Then why does she do it in the first place…? She always pretended to reject the food Namgung Bi-ah offered, only to eat it moments later. It was like watching a confused little bird that couldn't make up its mind.
She was trying her best to act like she disliked Namgung Bi-ah, but her youth made her terrible at hiding her true feelings.
[Isn't it rather cute, for it to be so blatant?]
…Hmm.
As I watched her, wondering about her behavior, I found myself unconsciously placing my hand on Wi Seol-Ah's head.
…That was a lie. I just wanted to pat her head.
The moment my hand touched her small, round head, her entire body flinched. Thinking she disliked the contact, I started to pull my hand away.
-Grab-!
But before I could, Wi Seol-Ah grabbed my wrist, holding it in place.
…So she wants me to keep going, right?
Taking the hint, I continued to gently pat her head. As I brushed through her smooth, silky hair, I noticed the corners of her lips curling into a faint smile.
[I guess you are a man, after all.]
What are you talking about all of a sudden?
[Are you just pretending not to know? Your heart is being pretty honest.]*
Hearing Elder Shin's words, I focused inward and realized my heart was beating noticeably faster than usual. Did my body and mind have separate wills? Dismissing the absurd thought, I kept stroking her hair until I felt an intense gaze upon me.
"…Huh?"
Sitting next to Wi Seol-Ah, I saw Namgung Bi-ah leaning toward me, her head tilted, staring blankly. Specifically, she was staring at the hand I was using to pat Wi Seol-Ah's head.
"Why are you staring so intently?"
"…"
Namgung Bi-ah didn't answer. Her gaze remained fixed on my hand as if in a trance, making me increasingly uncomfortable. Slowly, she lowered her head, until the top of her head was facing me.
[…Woah.]*
Elder Shin sounded surprisingly shocked.
"What are you…"
A thought occurred to me: was she asking me to pat her head? I told myself that was impossible, but I couldn't think of any other reason for her behavior. Nah, no way.
Still, to test my theory, I withdrew my hand from Wi Seol-Ah's head and tentatively reached toward Namgung Bi-ah. I felt hesitant, but I had to know.
"Ah…" Wi Seol-Ah let out a disappointed sigh.
Just as my hand was about to touch Namgung Bi-ah's head—
"Someone is on the 2nd floor?"
The sound of footsteps came from the staircase. Someone was coming up to our floor.
"This voice is…"
Yung Pung, sitting beside me, began to tremble upon hearing the voice. I quickly retracted my hand, while Namgung Bi-ah turned her head toward the staircase. Judging by his reaction, Yung Pung seemed to know who was coming.
The newcomers seemed familiar, primarily because they wore the same uniform as Yung Pung. People from the Mount Hua Sect? Is it appropriate for their disciples to be descending the mountain so late at night? I didn't know their rules, but it felt improper.
"…Huh? Who else besides us—"
The man leading the group stopped short when he saw us. His gaze specifically locked onto Yung Pung. Yung Pung immediately stood up.
"…Senior."
"Hmm."
Given the address, these newcomers were also third-generation disciples. They were my first glimpse of Mount Hua's third-generation besides Yung Pung. Now that I looked closely, they did appear younger than the second-generation disciples.
"…Yung Pung." The young man in front seemed momentarily shocked upon seeing Yung Pung. Why that reaction?
"Senior, what's wrong?"
"Who is it that—" The other disciples behind him also froze when they saw Yung Pung.
What's going on here?
After an awkward silence, the young man collected himself and asked, "…Did you finish the work you were assigned?"
"Yes…"
"Where are the rest of your crew?"
"They had some business to take care of, so they went ahead. Senior Shinbyuk and Senior Shinsuk are resting on a different floor."
"I see…"
"…"
"…"
The conversation died there. Even with my poor social awareness, I could feel the uncomfortable tension thickening the air.
[…My lord, at least you are aware that you have no sense.]
…Elder Shin.
After a prolonged silence, Yung Pung seemed to remember his duties and glanced at me. "Oh, this is Young Master Gu from the Gu clan of Shanxi. He is a very important guest of our Mount Hua Sect."
Only then did the young man turn his gaze to me—or more accurately, he glanced first at Namgung Bi-ah, then at Wi Seol-Ah, before finally looking at me.
This piece of shit…?
"Uh, yes… I am a third-generation disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, Yung Sung." Yung Sung's voice trembled slightly as he spoke. Seeing him repeatedly sneak glances at Namgung Bi-ah reminded me of Yung Pung's earlier behavior.
[Stop looking at that child and turn your gaze over to your fiancée.]
Huh?
Following Elder Shin's advice, I looked at Namgung Bi-ah and found her directing a sharp glare at Yung Sung. …A glare? From this expressionless girl?
It was subtle. Only someone familiar with her micro-expressions would notice, but she was definitely glaring at him. Realizing he'd behaved indecently, Yung Sung gave a slight cough. Yung Sung straightened up and said, "There must be a reason why you were given the task of taking care of the guests… Okay, we shall go greet them as well since they are here."
"Hmm…"
"I will be going now. Rest well."
I returned Yung Sung's bow. It was clear something was amiss, given how quickly the disciples left after their perfunctory greetings. The suppressed look on Yung Pung's face confirmed the incongruity.
This scene reminded me of what Yung Pung had once told me: 'Other students don't really enjoy sparring with me.' He had said it with a gloomy expression. Is he being bullied? The Sword Dragon himself… bullied?
Elder Shin, reading my thoughts, spoke up. […This happens when someone has an abundance of talent.]
…Huh?
[There's no way a dragon can fit into a pond made for carp.]
I understood. A disciple of monstrous talent, likely the youngest of his generation, who had achieved the rank of Plum Blossom Swordsman far earlier than his peers… envy and resentment were inevitable. So that's why he's being ostracized.
I heard Elder Shin click his tongue. [Even so, for it to be this blatant… The upper echelons of the sect must be aware. The sect is being run poorly. Back in my day, it wasn't like this…!]
Why does everything always come back to you comparing yourself to them?
[Sigh… Tsk, tsk…] Despite his clicking tongue, Elder Shin's voice was tinged with genuine disappointment.
I sighed quietly and stole a glance at Yung Pung. As expected, his face had darkened considerably. Noticing my look, he forced an awkward smile.
"Let us finish our meal!" He tried to sound cheerful, but the meal ended soon after. I was already full, Namgung Bi-ah never ate much to begin with, and Wi Seol-Ah, sensing the awkward atmosphere, also stopped eating.
After the meal, Yung Pung went to where the second-generation disciples were staying. I stood to go to my room, but Namgung Bi-ah blocked my path.
"Lady Namgung?"
Wondering what she wanted, I called her name, but she merely fidgeted without speaking.
[You little shit, just reach out your arm already.]
Pardon?
[Stop trying to use your head, which doesn't function to begin with. Just reach out and pat her head.]*
Feeling that he would be seriously angry if I disobeyed, I decided to comply. I slowly reached my hand out toward her.
Namgung Bi-ah's eyes widened slightly. As my hand approached, she leaned her head forward to meet it.
But just before I made contact, a different, small, white hand darted out and began patting Namgung Bi-ah's head instead. It was Wi Seol-Ah's.
"…?" Namgung Bi-ah seemed momentarily dumbfounded by the unexpected touch, but upon realizing it was Wi Seol-Ah, she bent her knees slightly, lowering her height. She was quite tall for a woman, while Wi Seol-Ah was still short for her age, who had been straining on her tiptoes.
After patting her head for a moment, Wi Seol-Ah stopped. Namgung Bi-ah straightened up again.
"I did it!" Wi Seol-Ah declared proudly.
Seeing this, Namgung Bi-ah gently stroked Wi Seol-Ah's cheek. Then, she turned her blank gaze back to me.
Did she stop me just for this?
"…Next time…" Namgung Bi-ah began, but didn't finish her sentence. It seemed she wanted to say something, but instead, she simply turned and headed back to her room.
I was left wondering what that was all about.
[Did you see her ears?] Elder Shin asked randomly.
Ears?
[Your fiancée's ears were red.]*
Namgung Bi-ah's ears? I hadn't noticed, as she had left too quickly.
While I was still pondering her strange behavior, I heard Wi Seol-Ah mutter to herself.
"…I like sis…"
"Huh?"
"But I'm not going to let her have it." Her tone was deadly serious.
I was about to ask what she meant, as she was also acting strange, but Wi Seol-Ah quickly said, "Have a good night, Young Master!" and hopped away toward the servants' quarters.
"…Wha."
And just like that, I was left standing alone. I couldn't get used to their inexplicable behavior.
After zoning out for a moment, I too headed to my room. My mind was foggy with fatigue. As soon as I entered, I collapsed face-first into the soft bed.
I had somehow managed to get this far. Now, I just needed to complete my business here—climb the mountain, return the treasure, and bring my little sister home. I decided to worry about the details tomorrow.
For now, I'm just going to sleep.
[Sigh…]
I heard Elder Shin sigh, but I had no energy left to ask why.
I'll deal with it in the morning…
With that thought, I fell asleep instantly.
* * *
Chirp-! Chirp-!
I woke to the sound of birds chirping outside and sunlight streaming through the window. I had slept so deeply that I didn't even have my usual nightmares. I felt more refreshed than I had in a long time.
How long has it been since I slept so well?
I got out of bed and stretched; loud pops emanated from my joints.
"…Oof, that was refreshing."
"Did you sleep well?" a voice asked.
Naturally, I assumed it was Elder Shin speaking inside my head.
"Yes, did you also have a good night's sleep?"
"Yes, I don't know if it's because I'm old, but I always feel so sleepy."
"What are you talking about? What kind of ghost—" I cut myself off mid-sentence.
Something was wrong.
Was Elder Shin's voice always this clear? I usually heard him directly in my mind, but today his voice was distinct, almost as if I were hearing it with my ears. And it sounded different.
…What's going on?
Still groggy, I struggled to pinpoint what felt off when Elder Shin's voice echoed in my head, clear and unmistakable.
[…That's not me.]
…?
A cold sweat broke out on my skin at his words. Goosebumps trailed down my body as I slowly turned my head toward the source of the voice.
An old man was sitting there, smiling.
…In my room.
"Who… are you?" I managed.
The old man's smile widened. "I have lived a long life, but this is the first time I've been mistaken for a ghost…"
With each word and movement from the old man, something in my lower dantian began to stir and churn.
[…Oh.]*
Elder Shin's voice held a note of surprise. I felt the plum blossom Qi he had been suppressing begin to leak out.
Am I dreaming?
The sunlight filtering through the window seemed to carry a faint, subtle scent of plum blossoms. But it wasn't coming from outside. The fragrance filling the room was emanating from the old man himself.
He calmly stroked his beard.
"Child, I heard that Gu Ryoon sent you here."
He had spoken the Second Elder's name. I suppressed the cold sweat prickling my skin and swallowed hard.
The old man looked at me and gave a light smile, finally lowering the hand that had been stroking his beard. It was then that I saw the plum blossom emblem embroidered on his chest.
My eyes widened, shaking violently as if an earthquake were occurring behind them.
Ignoring my obvious shock, the old man introduced himself calmly.
"Nice to meet you. I am the Lord of the Mount Hua Sect, Dohwa."
My heart skipped a beat.
…Why is this man in my room?