Chapter 67
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: A Heart Striving Day and Night (2)
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Fortunately.
My reversal tactic to turn the atmosphere into a festive gathering everyone could enjoy seemed to have worked, so I secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Or not.
Was I just overreacting?
Come to think of it, maybe they hadn't all gathered because of the event.
Perhaps only the Wild Sword Division Lady truly took a liking to me, and the other three just happened to run into each other.
To begin with, what's the age gap between Chicken Division Lady and me?
…Thanks to her youthful regression, I'd never once voiced aloud my journalistic-level rave reviews of her ideally matured lower region.
The emergence of the me-and-Luri set menu was probably because the Alternative Tower is a famous landmark in Xi'an, and the fireworks are a renowned spectacle.
Therefore.
It might just be my self-consciousness acting up…!
That lightning bolt of realization put my mind at ease.
Yeah.
There was no need to act like a criminal, sneaking glances around like this.
"Then this disciple will head back over there."
"Hm? Didn't you flee here because you felt uncomfortable?"
"Haha. How could a bold man like me feel uneasy just because there are ladies present?"
"Madman."
Ignoring Division Leader Taek's slander, I smoothly returned to my vacated seat.
"You bastard, where the hell did you…!"
"Hey now, Taek. Watch your mouth, didn't your little sister tell you?"
"Urk…"
Sister Seol's single scolding shut up the malicious complainer.
I'd worried for a moment that my return might chill the atmosphere again.
But fortunately, nothing of the sort happened.
"Kyuu! Kwyuu!"
The squirrel dashing about everywhere, flaunting its cuteness to the max.
And.
"Here, Luri. Say ahh—ahh, that's it. Yes, Dohee, you eat some too."
"Ugh… I have hands…"
"Nyom."
Our self-appointed mother of the group, along with the two mood makers, were why things stayed lively.
Thanks to them, my mind eased a bit.
I gazed leisurely at Luri, who at the ripe old age of twenty hadn't grown up at all, brazenly perched on Mother's lap like a sparrow pecking at feed.
Hm.
Is this what filial piety looks like?
It's been ages since I last saw Mother smiling so brightly.
Anyway, good is good.
"Hey, beggar. Why the death glare?"
"…Haa…"
Suddenly, the beggar stared at my face before letting out a deep sigh.
Annoyed, I kicked his shin under the table, and only then did Unhak's eyes regain their usual spark.
"Ahem, ahem. Let's have a drink."
"Sure."
It would be rude not to partake in alcohol before these delicacies from land and sea.
As drinks circulated for various reasons here and there.
The initially awkward group began to open up bit by bit.
"As expected of the Beggars' Sect—it's the Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms over the Iron Staff Technique. I learned the early forms too, but—"
Unhak would chime in whenever martial arts came up.
"So, when this guy was little, he kept following me around going 'Eyes? Eyes?' and—"
"Hrmphgrr…"
"Oh my, oh my. Moyong Taek, you must have been so cute."
"…"
Sister Seol and Mother got chatty with family tales.
"Mm, Yunnan? Hehe, it's pretty nice! Lots of bugs, beasts, and poisonous plants, so you wander in a daze if you eat anything carelessly, but…"
"Oh dear, how could such a cute child go through all that. Come here, let me hug you."
"Hehe, Mooother…!"
The full tale of me and Narang's survival in the Southern Barbaric Beast Palace brought a solemn air at times.
Of course, there were dedicated listeners too.
"Yeah, yeah, exactly."
This body, expert in chiming agreement.
"…"
Chicken Division Lady, unable to keep up with the young folks' topics.
"Nyom."
And mukbang specialist Luri.
It was harmonious in its own way.
"By the way, is everyone entering the martial tournament?"
Sister Seol tossed out a new topic, piercing the lull.
Munching away, I answered immediately.
"Wouldn't it be embarrassing for a Peak expert to mingle with First-Rate novices?"
My words, straight from the heart.
"Hic!"
"Cough!"
Luri hiccuped.
And Moyong Taek choked.
"You lot, don't tell me…"
Weak point spotted.
Time for personal attacks.
"Ahem. Participating in the tournament and achieving high honors also raises the family's prestige—"
Moyong Taek tried squeezing out some logic to counter.
But such feeble moves couldn't beat my tongue.
"Brawling with greenhorns who can't even scatter proper sword qi… Ack!"
"Kid, do you have to phrase it like that?"
I was subdued by Chicken Division Lady before unleashing even the first form.
Hing hing.
Why only me?
…I had pondered entering the tournament myself but ultimately decided against it.
One simple reason.
No incentive.
The grand prize was, in modern terms, choice of an A-rank weapon.
I already had an awesome S-rank bow-sword, so it held no appeal.
Unlike the Mind-Image Sword Debate, where I could swing freely.
In a proper match, I'd have to use a blunted blade and fret over accidentally killing with a lethal strike?
Why bother?
No dopamine rush.
Better spend that time on another round of Mind-Image Sword Debate.
"Ugh, anyway. Hm, since we've already achieved excellence elsewhere, it's right to yield the chance to others."
"Hrm…"
Slightly disappointed reactions came back, but I maintained a dignified expression as best I could.
The pathetic Taek, who couldn't uphold a Peak expert's grace, would get a dog-like scolding back at the academy.
After that, we bantered about the tournament for a while, blooming conversation flowers.
Boom! Bang!
"It's starting now. Hehe, Xi'an's famous sight—enjoy the show."
The gunpowder rotting in the official warehouses under strict control finally kicked off its inventory-clearance event before expiring.
Or more poetically.
Flowers began embroidering the night sky.
Fireworks of every color.
Drawing myriad shapes amid thunderous blasts, spreading out.
Enraptured by the sight.
I glanced around at the faces gazing upward.
Sister Seol, smiling softly as if thawed by childlike wonder.
Narang clutching the trembling squirrel, her already big eyes wide open in awe.
Luri pretending nonchalance but sparkling-eyed, mesmerized by the sky.
Master Dohee looking up with a pure expression I'd never seen.
Mother, scanning the group like me, meeting my eyes with a warm, pleased smile.
And the two idiots too.
Looking back, though it'd only been three months since entering the academy, I'd forged quite a few bonds.
Sure, minor crises like assassins or zombie hordes.
Still, this was plenty enjoyable.
It'd be nice to continue such smooth academy life ahead, I thought.
After the long banquet from early evening finally wrapped up.
"Dohee, you're staying the night, right? Hehe. Kids, today was wonderful. Even without Sihyeon, visit often to fill this lonely heart of mine."
"Thank you for the hospitality, Madam. I'll come pay respects often."
"Yees, Mooother! I'll visit lots!"
The only one not voicing it was Luri, but she bobbed her head in minimal courtesy.
Is this Demonic Cult family education okay as is?
Sister Seol, Taek, and Unhak left as a group into the night streets of Xi'an, soon followed by me, Narang, and Luri waddling off.
"Then this one will…"
"Sihyeon, care to chat with Mother a bit? Ah, Dohee, go ahead and rest first."
"…Okay."
With all outsiders gone from the Geum residence.
"Follow me."
"Eek."
The ever-gentle smile on Mother's face gained a slight chill.
Every memory etched in my body tolled warnings of disaster if I fled now.
Unable to commit such filial impiety, I trailed her like a lamb to slaughter, eyes blinking.
Fortunately, not to the inner quarters.
She led to a pavilion in the garden, where servants tidied up.
"Your father never took a concubine in his life."
"…"
I was struck speechless by the gut-punch topic.
"What do you think the reason was?"
"Uh… Because Mother is too perfect?"
"Oh my, you."
Luckily, it earned points—Mother's lips curved slightly.
"Everyone has their own vessel. Your father's, the Geum family head's, is honestly too small even for me alone. How blessed is he?"
"That's true."
Frankly, Father doesn't deserve Mother.
"Your father can only lust after me."
Not the right answer, apparently.
Mother pouted and reached out.
I bent forward, offering my cheek easily.
"Nuuuueee…"
After kneading my cheeks to her satisfaction, she released, and my waist returned to position.
And then.
"Grow your vessel. Shortly after birthing you, I met a skilled fortune-teller named Danyu Seong. You're fated for greatness. In these times, having multiple wives isn't frowned upon."
Where'd she get scammed?
…I held my tongue.
Anyway, it was sweet talk.
"Really?"
"Yes. From what I saw, those girls today too—women are fated to flock to you. Live diligently and uprightly to hold them all."
"…?"
Something's off with this conversation flow.
"Sibak doesn't seem interested in marriage, Sirang has no news yet, and Siyu… Sigh, will she mature this time… So you must step up, Sihyeon. I'd love about twenty grandchildren."
"Pardon?"
"Around twenty."
"Pardon?"
"You're a clever child, you get it."
Mother reached out again.
I reluctantly offered my head.
Her soft hand gently stroked my hair.
Whatever else.
Chicken Division Lady and Luri—isn't that criminal?
…I held that back too.
To sober up and mull over Mother's words.
I strolled leisurely back to the East Blue Pavilion alone.
Right after arriving.
"…Geum Sihyeon?"
"Oh, Brother Nangong, what brings you here so late?"
Unlike that idiot Nangong Sang.
Nangong Hwi, one of the better Nangong Family folks in my book, popped out.
"I, uh, have something I'd like to discuss…"
Anxiously flickering eyes.
Uncertain expression.
Face tinged with guilt.
Hm.
Is Nangong Baek gearing up for trouble again?
About an hour ago, I'd wished for smooth academy days…
"Of course. If Brother Nangong has worries, I'll listen intently. Shall we move somewhere?"
My gut said it was time to harvest the networking seeds I'd sown at the Azure Heaven Society.