Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Ambush at Mount Hua
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Sima hyung finished his conversation and emerged looking somehow relieved. Her expression was as refreshing as if an aching tooth had finally fallen out. It was impossible not to feel puzzled by the sight.
"Why did the old man call for you?"
"Hm, he said he had something to tell me too. He already seemed to know I was coming."
"He seemed like a pretty eccentric fellow... Did the talk go well?"
"Yes. He was incredibly kind? He gave me a lot of helpful advice in many ways."
I'd known it from the start, back when he was going on about "in my day." That Sima hyung fellow, for all his talk of being a Daoist, sure went soft around women.
"Are you heading back to the Namgung Family now, Young Master?"
"That's right. I've been away for far too long already... With my business finished, it's about time I returned. What about you, Miss?"
"I have to go back too. I left in such a hurry that there's a pile of things I set aside."
It was unexpected.
I'd thought she'd say she'd follow me. Yet Moyong Hye's face, as she gave that answer, held a subtle leisure. A smile that reminded me of when we'd first met at the Moyong Family's training grounds.
And then the return to formal address. She'd been half-forcing herself to call me "Oppa," but now she was deliberately creating distance again by calling me "Young Master." What on earth had Sima hyung told her?
"Then let's travel together until we leave Shaanxi Province. We can part ways near Mount Hua."
"Hm? Wouldn't it be faster for you to head down toward Wudang Mountain?"
"There's a reason I can't go that way. I'll explain the details later if there's a chance."
Of course, as Moyong Hye said, the straight-line distance made going via Wudang quicker. But I'd sworn never to even spit in the direction of Wudang Mountain. If I passed nearby and saw those Daoists strutting around, there was no doubt I'd pick a fight.
"Alright, then we'll travel together until Mount Hua."
"Let's depart right away."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The reason Moyong Hye suddenly changed how she addressed me.
It was, of course, Sima hyung's advice.
-You can't come across as a little sister.
At first, I didn't understand what he meant. But his subsequent explanation made sense.
-The position of younger girl, little sister, is already taken by Namgoong Yeonhui. And far earlier than you, at that. Even if you give off a similar vibe, the kid will just be indifferent.
In short, it was a matter of mental image. The deeply ingrained view of Namgoong Yeonhui as a little sister in Yi Se-woong's mind. Sima hyung's claim was that she needed to show off her own unique charm that didn't overlap with that.
-Carry yourself with leisure. I'll guarantee your future.
Moyong Hye had listened to Sima hyung's pearls of wisdom over a long time. Her trust in him had now become almost faith-like. The conviction from the immortal who could see the future. She resolved to follow his words completely.
'I have to endure.'
She was glad when Yi Se-woong suggested traveling together to Mount Hua. Even if just a little longer together. But she couldn't show it. She had to become a woman with a subtle leisure, not some impulsive girl rushing in eagerly.
'Why does Mount Hua have to be so close?'
Of course, that didn't make the regret disappear. They hadn't even had much conversation with Yi Se-woong, yet they'd already arrived near Mount Hua.
"We've arrived already."
"So it seems. Now I have to head east."
"Thanks to you, Young Master, it was a comfortable trip."
"I wasn't bored either, so that was good."
It was time to part.
When would they meet again? Moyong Hye had no choice but to heed Sima hyung's words and look forward to next time. She extended her hand to him, unable to hide her regret. A farewell greeting. A reluctant handshake to endure the long wait.
The moment Yi Se-woong reached out toward Moyong Hye.
"Surround him!"
A booming shout rang out, and hostility spread thickly. Yi Se-woong channeled internal energy to shove Moyong Hye's shoulder. She was flung back, widening the distance. As if they'd been waiting for that moment, four shadows charged at Yi Se-woong. It was the Moyong Family's pursuit squad.
Front, rear, left, right.
Sword strikes piercing in from all directions, surrounding him.
They seemed accustomed to joint attacks; the blades extending toward Yi Se-woong each had staggered timings.
Clang! Claaang! Clang!
Yi Se-woong raised his sword tip to parry them one by one.
'Parrying thrusts?'
The pursuit squad stumbled back, balance broken. Moyong Jun, at the lead, panicked. Thrusts were point attacks. The natural response was to swing the sword to control the area. That would create openings for follow-up strikes. The linked attacks, timed even down to the thrust moments, crumbled against Yi Se-woong in an instant.
'They said he was peak beginner level!'
He could tell just from clashing swords once. This man was no pushover. Not on the level where Moyong Cheon could compete.
'Uncle didn't send me for nothing.'
He discarded the thought that this was overkill suppression. At Moyong Jun's gesture, the pursuit squad charged at Yi Se-woong one after another.
One strike, one retreat.
Each time he swung his sword, the squad members were repelled. Movements as unimpeded as sweeping the courtyard with a broom.
'He's smiling?'
Even after repeated attacks, Yi Se-woong showed no signs of fatigue. If anything, he looked like he was enjoying it. Wiping the sweat from his forehead and grinning sent chills down their spines.
'Capture alive will be tough.'
This was no opponent they could toy with. At Moyong Jun's signal, the squad members charging at Yi Se-woong withdrew in unison.
"End it in one go."
As Moyong Jun commanded, the pursuit squad began channeling their internal energy. In response, Yi Se-woong manifested his sword aura.
Like a bowstring drawn taut, tension strung tight between them.
Neither side could move easily, as the first to act would shatter the balance.
A truly hair-trigger situation.
"What the hell are you doing! Stop right now!"
A lion's roar thundered in their ears.
At Moyong Hye's shout, everyone froze.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "What did you say? Say it again."
"That is..."
"Kidnapping? Do you think that makes any sense?!"
Moyong Jun's voice crept in like a dead mouse. Moyong Hye yelled in disbelief at her cousin's explanation.
"How do you read that letter and conclude I was kidnapped?"
"Uncle Moyong Hak deciphered the code in Sister's letter..."
"Is it that hard to read it as written?"
Moyong Hye felt utter despair.
"And you just swing your swords out of nowhere? Are you insane?"
"He was trying to lay hands on Sister..."
"Are your eyes just for show?!"
Her mind felt tangled. The moment all her carefully prepared plans crumbled. Moyong Hye struggled to contain her rising fury.
"What do you think the Young Master will think of the Moyong Family now!"
"..."
"The eldest son toys with his fiancée, and when we barely forgive him, you come charging back. Then you swarm in and ambush him? I'd sooner believe our family held a grudge and tried to assassinate him!"
Moyong Hye had never imagined her family would go this far just because she was away.
Did they all eat something bad as a group?
"Apologize to the Young Master properly."
"We're sorry, Young Master!"
"We're sorry!"
The Moyong Family warriors bowed their heads in unison. Yi Se-woong watched them with an air of detached resignation somewhere in his eyes.
'That's the Moyong Family for you.'
His evaluation of the Moyong Family had already plummeted through the basement floor long ago. There was no point trying to understand. How could anyone read the minds of madmen?
'Should I ask Namgoong Hyeok to cancel it, compensation or whatever.'
He just hoped never to get entangled with them again. Following Wudang Sect, the Moyong Family had firmly taken a spot on his avoidance list.
"Young Master, I'm truly sorry."
"Hoo... No, it's fine."
"I have no face..."
"Why would it be your fault, Miss."
It's your house's idiots who are the problem. Yi Se-woong barely swallowed his last words, but at his sighing appearance, Moyong Hye's resolve crumbled.
If only he'd gotten angry. His indifferent attitude. The way he looked at her almost pityingly felt like a declaration of giving up.
"I'll make sure to address this incident."
"Please don't."
"Young Master..."
"I understand your feelings fully. So let's leave it at this."
As if that would happen!
Even after that, she kept seeking forgiveness, but all she got back was Yi Se-woong's refusals born of resignation.
"Miss. Really, it's okay. Please lift your head."
"..."
"Next time, let's meet with smiles."
Yi Se-woong extended his hand for a handshake, as if trying to lighten the mood. Accepting that consideration weakly, Moyong Hye gripped his hand and resolved herself.
'I have to overturn the family.'
She'd been too complacent.
Even back at the family, there were people watching Yi Se-woong with unkind eyes. She'd thought it was just because he'd slighted the family. She hadn't considered it worth worrying over.
She should have acted when she noticed. They must have interfered to create this absurd situation.
'So that's why the Immortal told me to tighten up the family first.'
She had to root them all out. Her plan to gradually take control of the family ended here. Even if it caused some noise, she wouldn't hesitate. Having parted from Yi Se-woong in the worst possible way, Moyong Hye steeled her determination.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The main gate of the Namgung Family.
Darkness had already fallen, with only lanterns barely illuminating the area. Namgoong Yeonhui scanned the surroundings by the faint light.
'When will Gaga come?'
She was waiting for Yi Se-woong.
In case he arrived at a time she hadn't noticed.
Every evening, preparing to greet him at the main gate had become Yeonhui's routine.
'I miss him.'
The longing was hard to bear. Even not knowing when he'd arrive, she paced in front of the gate because it helped her endure, even if just a little.
'Father is too much.'
She'd opposed him going to the Moyong Family too. She'd only stopped because Yi Se-woong's will was so firm. She'd been relieved by the letter saying things resolved well, but she resented her father for meddling so he couldn't return right away.
'Is Gaga thinking of me too?'
She'd guessed it would be tough for him to endure. But not like this. The days waiting for him dragged on, wearing her down. Under the same sky, yet unable to meet. Frustrated, she idly scraped the ground with her toes.
'I should head in now.'
Today wasn't the day either. As she turned to return to her room, leaving her regret behind. A long shadow stretched at her feet.
"Gaga?"
She looked up, and there he stood before her eyes.
What should she say when they met? She'd pondered it deeply while waiting, but the moment she saw Yi Se-woong, her body froze. What to do. She'd planned to welcome him as if nothing had happened, as if it hadn't been hard at all.
'He's grown so thin.'
He looked exhausted. Yi Se-woong, with a somewhat deflated smile. He approached silently and pulled Yeonhui into an embrace.
"Eek?"
She let out a dazed sound without thinking. Would she look foolish? That worry lasted only a moment. As Yeonhui hugged him back, who was crushing her in his arms, she said.
"You've worked hard, Gaga."
A short phrase.
Warmth spread through their touching bodies.