Chapter 76: Cold in the Midst of Summer (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 76: Cold in the Midst of Summer (2)
That stench.
Namgung Bi-ah had wondered about it since she was a child. Why was she the only one who could smell that revolting odor? To her, it was like living in a personal hell—a relentless torment that made eating, speaking, and even sleeping a struggle.
Is there even a way out?
She felt as though she were wandering through a thick, suffocating fog, one that reeked of decay. Yet within that misery, there was a single solace: her sword. Swinging it gave her a taste of freedom, a fleeting escape from the foulness that clung to her world. She became obsessed, training relentlessly, pretending that with each movement of her blade, the stench would retreat.
But it always returned, stronger than before, especially when she was near others. She began to wonder—if she could master the sword completely, would the odor vanish for good?
Driven by that hope, she sought out stronger opponents, challenging them one after another, and dedicating every spare moment to her training. Yet as she grew older, the stench within her own home seemed to thicken. She withdrew further from people, recoiling from the greed, jealousy, and desire she could sense within that foul cloud.
Maybe those emotions are the source?
She wasn’t sure. It felt deeper than that. Over time, she lost the ability to express herself. She couldn’t remember the last time she had smiled. Perhaps it was the day her mother died, taking that part of her with her.
Even blocking her nose with her hands did nothing. The stench persisted. She dreamed of living alone on a mountain, but her clan would never allow it. And as the days passed, the people around her—especially her brother—seemed to decay from within, their eyes filling with ugly emotions.
She wondered if she was merely clinging to a fragile hope. Every day felt like standing at the edge of a cliff.
Then she met him.
For the first time in her life, the stench vanished. The fog that had shrouded her existence lifted, leaving only peace in its wake. He was sharp-tongued and perpetually annoyed, always telling her to keep her distance. Yet in his presence, she found comfort. He carried none of the greed or desire she saw in others—only a strange guilt, a quiet desperation when he looked at her.
She wanted to ask him what he was searching for, why he watched her as though seeing someone else. But the words never came, and his intentions remained a mystery.
It reminded her of a question Tang Soyeol had recently asked: “Do you perhaps like Young Master Gu?”
At the time, she was certain she didn’t. It wasn’t love.
But now?
She asked herself, but no answer came. The question felt more complicated than deciphering the stench itself.
While training on the mountain, she saw him again. The first thing she noticed was his injured hand. Alarmed, she rushed toward him—only to detect a faint trace of the familiar stench.
It was slight, but unmistakable.
For a moment, her world crumbled. Desperate, she grabbed him, inhaling deeply, praying it wasn’t true. He was her only refuge—the one person who allowed her to eat in peace, sleep without nightmares, and even tolerate being around others. She was finally learning how to be human again. She couldn’t lose him.
Thankfully, the odor was gone. It had just been her imagination.
Relieved, her legs gave way, and she collapsed. He approached and gently wiped the cold sweat from her face. She clung to his arm, pressing it to her nose, terrified of losing the peace he brought.
So this is despair.
The comfort he offered had taught her the fear of loss. She vowed never to let him go. The title of “fiancé,” once meaningless, now felt like a blessing she would never find again.
She imagined a life without him—a return to the suffocating stench she loathed. Could she really go back?
Holding his hand tightly, she knew the answer.
* * *
Namgung Bi-ah seemed unwell, so I had no choice but to escort her back to the lodge.
Why is she sweating so much?
They say not even dogs catch colds in summer… Did she catch a flu? For a martial artist, that seemed unlikely. A body fortified by Qi, especially someone of her caliber, shouldn’t be so vulnerable. I suggested she see a doctor, but she just shook her head and went to wash up.
“Young Master! Young Master!”
When dinnertime arrived, Wi Seol-Ah glued herself to my side. She nearly burst into tears when she saw my injured hand, and I had to calm her down. Lately, she’d become obsessed with cooking, bringing me food despite the Mount Hua Sect already providing meals. The sect’s offerings were simple—typical Taoist fare—but I wasn’t picky as long as it filled my stomach.
…It’s been a while since I had dumplings.
I made a mental note to buy some next time I visited the market, though that wouldn’t be anytime soon. Getting down the mountain and back up was a hassle.
I took a bite of the mysterious dish Wi Seol-Ah had prepared. She watched me with eager eyes, making the whole experience uncomfortably intense. The moment it touched my tongue, I had to fight the urge to spit it out.
“Salty.”
“…R-Really?”
Tears welled up in her eyes instantly. Knowing how hard she’d worked, I patted her head and smiled. “I’m kidding. It’s tasty.”
“You’re so cruel, joking like that…!”
“I can’t help it. Your reactions are always so entertaining.”
I’d grown accustomed to touching her hair now. Had I become less hesitant? She leaned into my hand, her round, puppy-dog eyes blinking up at me.
“Bfefgh!”
“…Whoa, it stretches!”
What a strange sensation. Now I understand why Gu Huibi was so surprised when she pinched her cheeks.
“Beghh…”
“Sorry.”
Wi Seol-Ah glared at me, rubbing her reddened cheeks. I might have pulled a bit too hard.
“Where is Elder Wi?” I asked, assuming she hadn’t traveled to Mount Hua alone. I expected the Sword Venerable to be with her, but he was nowhere in sight.
“Grandpa said he’ll return after taking care of something!” she replied, still rubbing her cheeks.
“…Taking care of something, huh.”
What business could the Sword Venerable have in Shaanxi that would make him leave Wi Seol-Ah here alone? I wasn’t worried, just curious. Why had the Sword Venerable come? And why was the Immortal Healer here? Not to mention Zhuge Hyuk being the Immortal Healer’s grandson…
“…Why are there so many complications?”
The disappearance of the Mount Hua Sect’s members, the state of the Plum Blossom Sword—each incident alone was enough to shake the martial world. Combined, they created a storm of trouble. I had a feeling there was a common thread connecting them all.
“Young Master.”
“Hmm?”
“Your face is ugly again…”
“…What did you say?”
It had been a while since anyone insulted my looks, though being called a “mantis” previously had toughened me up. “Don’t say things like that to people.”
“Why…?”
“…Because genuinely ugly people would be hurt by it.”
“But you do look ugly when you make that face…”
“…Right.”
Her words felt like a dagger to the heart. Pretty girls, I swear. She’d only said it because I was frowning over all these complications. I made a mental note to teach her some tact later.
[…I think she said it because you really do look ugly…]
Please be quiet.
My heart was already bruised, and now you’re pouring salt on the wound…
I finished my meal with some greens and asked Wi Seol-Ah to check on Namgung Bi-ah, who hadn’t come out for dinner. Afterward, I decided to take a walk.
-Hya!
-Mind your legs!
-Your arms are slacking!
The third-generation disciples were training outside, likely preparing for an upcoming tournament. I’d be returning to my clan around the time it concluded. According to Yung Pung, the event lasted only a day or two.
I prayed nothing would go wrong during that time.
The real problem is the Demonic Qi I sensed earlier.
Those flies from the Black Palace. But calling it “Demonic Qi” felt too generous—it was crude, imperfect, like a cheap imitation of what I’d felt from the demonic cult. I doubted it was connected to the Heavenly Demon.
[Are you thinking about those guys from earlier?]
“…Yes. Something about them bothers me.”
[Are they famous?]
“Not exactly famous, but they’re not exactly secretive, either.”
The Black Palace’s leader was a prominent figure in the Unorthodox Faction. Even after the Black Dragon was slain by the Sword Venerable, the Lord of the Black Palace remained unfazed.
Was I too careless?
I’d assumed they’d be wiped out by the Murim Alliance in a few years, but now I wondered if they were the true origin of the Demonic Qi, not the Heavenly Demon.
“I can’t ignore this, especially since I let one of them escape.”
[They probably know the Mount Hua Sect leader has been informed. They won’t act recklessly.]
Still, I doubted they’d take this lying down. The Celestial Plum Blossom would handle the rest. I had bigger things to worry about.
It was impossible to find reliable information on the Black Palace here in Shaanxi. As I pushed the thoughts aside and headed back to the lodge, someone came running toward me.
“Young Master Gu!”
It was Yung Pung, drenched in sweat from head to toe.
What the hell…?
“Master Yung Pung…?”
“Are you heading out to train after dinner?”
“Huh? No.”
“The night air is refreshing. You’d feel great if you trained tonight!”
“…Oh, I see.”
Did this guy train from dawn till dusk without stopping?
[I like him the most out of the group. With his talent and dedication, he’ll undoubtedly become the Mount Hua Sect’s strongest martial artist in the future.]
As Elder Shin had enthusiastically pointed out, Yung Pung was destined to represent the sect—unless some maniac decided to wipe Mount Hua off the map.
…Damn.
“Did you say something, Young Master Gu?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
“I see… If you’re free, how about some light training after dinner?”
Even after the intense drills he’d put himself through all day, he looked energized, eager for more. I’d planned to just lie down and rest after the day’s events, but his enthusiasm was contagious.
“Let’s go, then.”
Well, a little exercise won’t hurt. I’ll sleep better afterward.
…I regretted that decision within minutes.
* * *
The Mount Hua Sect was insane.
“…Ugh…”
The “light” after-dinner training I’d been tempted into ended with me fleeing before it was halfway done. Who in their right mind carries a boulder up a cliff? And that was just one of many brutal exercises. My muscles screamed in protest, but Yung Pung seemed to be enjoying himself.
How could someone like him ever hit a wall? Did something happen?
[Are you sure it’s not because you stimulated him during your duel?]
“Who changes that much after one fight?”
[You’d be surprised.]
If our duel had sparked this transformation, I was glad it was for the better—but it was also unsettling how quickly he’d changed.
When I told him I couldn’t take anymore and was leaving, Yung Pung looked disappointed but said he’d train a bit longer before returning. I barely heard him as I stumbled down the mountain.
My body had reached its limit—exhausted from the day’s events and pushed even further by that “light” training. I returned to the lodge, washed up with cold water, and changed into clean clothes. All I wanted was to collapse into bed. After last night’s poor sleep, I was looking forward to a deep, uninterrupted rest.
That was my thought as I slid the door open—
“Young Mast—!”
-Slide, Tap—
“…?”
I shut the door immediately, without thinking. I could’ve sworn I saw Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-Ah inside…
It was just a hallucination, right…?