Chapter 70: The Walking Dead (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 70: The Walking Dead (2)
The moon shone brightly that night.
A blanket was spread out on the floor.
A single candle flickered, casting a dim light across the room.
And inside, there was only one man and one woman.
The implication was obvious to anyone.
It wasn't as if I'd never had such experiences in my previous life, so I understood the situation perfectly.
The real problem was the person sharing the room with me.
"...What are you doing here?"
Namgung Bi-ah tilted her head, confused by my question.
From any angle, it looked like she was preparing for that, but... this was Namgung Bi-ah we were talking about.
Someone as utterly clueless as her couldn't have possibly set this mood on purpose.
Knowing that, I pressed her. "They must have given us separate rooms. So why are you here?"
"...They said... there were no rooms left?"
"Who said that?"
"The sect leader..."
The Celestial Plum Blossom Sect Leader?
That couldn't be right. The Mount Hua Sect was far too large to have run out of rooms...
As I pondered this, Elder Shin's voice cut through my thoughts.
[The Lords of the Mount Hua Sect have good instincts, and they aren't shy about acting on them.]
...Weren't you the one who pretended not to know anything about Mount Hua before?
[...Life is funny that way sometimes.]
I turned back to Namgung Bi-ah and noticed she had already changed her clothes. Her hair was slightly damp.
Under the moonlight, her already fair skin seemed to glow.
She was breathtakingly beautiful.
"...Sigh."
But still, what is she thinking?
Even for someone this dense, could she truly be unaware of the situation we were in?
Staring at her expressionless face, I had to admit it.
...I'll concede that she's insanely beautiful.
The sight of Namgung Bi-ah sitting on her blanket, bathed in moonlight, was utterly captivating. The violent, cold aura the Demonic Sword had emitted in my memories was a stark contrast to the elegant beauty of the Namgung Bi-ah before me now.
Her face is a weapon.
Whether I liked it or not, I couldn't deny her beauty. Especially when we were facing each other like this...
Had I encountered her at this age in my previous life, my mind would have been a mess. I probably would have fallen for her instantly.
But what about now?
Could I keep my composure?
Honestly, I wasn't sure. That was how stunning she was.
A flood of thoughts made me frown, and I looked away. I felt I couldn't stay here any longer.
"...There seems to have been a mistake. You can have this room. I'll go sleep with the escorts."
I'd just ask for another room. Surely they'd provide one for a member of the Namgung clan.
[You idiot...]*
I knew what Elder Shin was going to say, and I had no intention of listening. My only thought was to get out, and fast. But...
-Grip
A hand grabbed my clothes, pulling me back.
I turned to see Namgung Bi-ah holding onto my sleeve with a firm grip, one I couldn't easily break.
"What are you—"
"Don't go."
She looked completely serious.
What am I supposed to say to that? Seriously, how do I even respond?
"Then, am I supposed to sleep here with—"
"Can you not?"
"Why can't I...?"
"Because you are... my fiancé."
She even seemed uncertain as she said it, her expression odd. After a moment's thought, her lips quivered slightly as she spoke again.
"I'll... just hold your hand while I sleep..."
"Huh?"
What?
...Did I hear her correctly?
I stood frozen by her shocking words, while Namgung Bi-ah herself seemed to grow calmer after saying them. Wasn't I the one who was supposed to be saying lines like that...?
"...Is that not okay?"
"Where did you learn to say something like that...?"
"...Hongwa told me it would work."
Hongwa? Wasn't that Wi Seol-Ah's servant? When did they become so close?
Seeing that her line hadn't had the intended effect, Namgung Bi-ah fell into deep thought, which I found strangely amusing. It was funny that she'd uttered those words without even understanding their meaning... and that I was the one hearing them.
I couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle, which made Namgung Bi-ah's eyes widen.
"You smiled..."
"...Sorry, I just found it funny."
"You smiled at me."
"Uh..."
I started to make an excuse, thinking she might be hurt, but I stopped.
I had to.
Because Namgung Bi-ah was smiling.
It was faint, but unmistakable.
Then, as if drawn by a spell, my hand slowly rose and reached for her cheek.
I had moved on my own.
You idiot, what am I doing?
Realizing what I'd done, I tried to pull my hand back, but I couldn't. Namgung Bi-ah had grabbed my wrist, holding it against her cheek.
I could feel the warmth of her hand.
Her cheek was cool, but my hand was warm from my Qi. However, the hand holding mine was even warmer than my own.
The expression on her face made my feet feel unsteady, and I tried my best to ignore the sensation.
Namgung Bi-ah, leaning her cheek into my palm, spoke softly.
"...Let's sleep together."
Her cheeks were noticeably redder than usual as she said it.
* * *
It was midnight.
I was exhausted from running around all day, but sleep wouldn't come easily tonight.
Moonlight streamed in through the slightly open window, illuminating Namgung Bi-ah's hair as she slept.
I lay there, watching her.
[She fell asleep quickly.]
Elder Shin appeared suddenly after a long silence.
I couldn't help but laugh quietly at his remark.
Did you go somewhere?
[Go somewhere? Don't be ridiculous. I just dozed off for a bit.]
Must have been a good nap.
[It was.]
Elder Shin couldn't actually sleep, nor could he hide. He had simply chosen to be quiet. And while I knew that, I wasn't sure whether to thank him or not. When things were heating up earlier, he had stayed silent, but the outcome clearly wasn't what he had hoped for.
After all, Namgung Bi-ah's words held no hidden meaning. She genuinely just wanted to sleep beside me.
And to prove it, she had fallen asleep almost the moment she lay down.
Maybe I should have gone to another room after all?
...She really does fall asleep fast.
Maybe her blank expression was because she slept so much? I even entertained that silly thought.
[What do you think?]
About what?
[About the girl sleeping next to you.]*
I had no immediate response to Elder Shin's sudden question. It wasn't easy to answer.
Elder Shin, knowing this, continued.
[I know what you feel for her is closer to guilt than affection.]
...
[I don't know what sin you could have committed at your age to feel that way, but you must know why she looks at you like she does.]*
I couldn't deny it. I had seen it in her eyes every time she came to me.
But... why?
Just why?
Why does Namgung Bi-ah seek me out in this new life as well?
Why does she feel this way about me, when I have nothing to offer?
Slowly, I reached my hand toward Namgung Bi-ah, who was sleeping soundly. I meant to brush aside the strands of hair tickling her face.
Just as my fingers were about to touch her hair—
— ...Is the moon up...?
The voice that haunted my memories stabbed through my heart. My hand, poised to touch her, withdrew.
That rainy night hadn't happened yet. And I was determined to ensure it never would.
The moon shining in the sky was the same. I remembered how she would gaze at it endlessly when night fell. The memory of her final moments in my arms was still vivid.
So far...
I was gradually accepting that this Namgung Bi-ah was not the same person I knew in my past life. In other words, the Demonic Sword no longer existed.
Yet, I still didn't dare get close to her.
Because what I felt for her wasn't necessarily love.
In my previous life, I was in no position to love anyone; I was too consumed by other struggles.
But what about now?
I asked myself. If things were different this time...
I knew the answer immediately, but I was uncertain. No matter what, I hesitated.
Having lost everything once, it was harder to reach out and grasp something a second time.
...It seems I'm still afraid.
Because of my past experiences, I didn't know if I should be afraid or not. I couldn't be sure of anything I did. If I messed up, I would lose everything again.
This feeling was especially strong now, living under the constant threat of death.
-Flinch
Namgung Bi-ah shifted her body closer to me. She was frowning, as if having a nightmare, so I gently poked the center of her forehead with my finger.
"...Hmm."
She made a strange sound and shifted again.
I found myself smiling unconsciously.
Only a few months had passed since my regression.
It was still difficult for me.
* * *
The night passed, and morning soon arrived.
With the distant crowing of roosters, Namgung Bi-ah woke up, struggling to move.
She was always a heavy sleeper in the mornings, finding it hard to rise.
Through her bleary, sleep-crusted eyes, she saw a figure in the room.
"You're awake?"
Gu Yangcheon was sitting there.
...Oh.
Namgung Bi-ah then remembered falling asleep beside him last night.
Thanks to that, she had slept without being troubled by any foul odors. The nightmares that usually plagued her were absent, and waking up felt easier than usual.
These feelings only emerged after meeting him. Today, having slept right beside him, the sensation was even stronger.
Gu Yangcheon looked at her and said, "I didn't expect you to fall asleep so quickly."
"...I was sleepy."
"You should wipe the sleep from your eyes first."
"...!"
Hearing this, Namgung Bi-ah quickly rubbed her eyes, but strangely felt nothing there.
Gu Yangcheon laughed. "I was joking. There's nothing there."
"...?"
As Namgung Bi-ah glared at him for teasing her, she sensed something unusual. It wasn't his aura... something else was different.
What is it?
Gu Yangcheon asked while she was lost in thought, "I'm going to get something to eat. Are you coming?"
"I'll com—... Oh!"
Then, Namgung Bi-ah finally realized what was different.
Gu Yangcheon was speaking to her casually!
When did that start?
Even the usual sense that he was trying to push her away was gone.
All in a single night.
Realizing this, Namgung Bi-ah felt a strange thump in her chest.
...Huh?
What is this feeling?
She didn't understand it.
"What's wrong?" Gu Yangcheon asked.
Namgung Bi-ah quickly shook her head. She didn't want to risk him reverting to his former distant manner by asking about it.
Gu Yangcheon slowly stood up, saying he was going to eat.
Namgung Bi-ah began to rise as well, intending to follow him, but—
"Young Master! I'm here—"
"Oh..."
Wi Seol-Ah, who had been absent the day before, suddenly appeared. She ran in with a bright smile, but froze upon seeing the two of them.
Likewise, Gu Yangcheon turned to stone at the sight of Wi Seol-Ah.
A cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
In the icy atmosphere that descended, the only one who maintained a calm expression was Namgung Bi-ah.