Chapter 34
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Return - 2
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"Hmm... What a shame."
After meeting with Namgung Hye, I went straight to find Namgung Hyeok.
And when I told him I was leaving soon, he openly smacked his lips in regret.
"Why not stay a bit longer?"
"I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize. You have your own circumstances, after all. It's just a pity. I feel like I haven't properly repaid you."
"I've received plenty."
I'd already gotten the Azure Clarity Pills, not to mention the promise of support from the Namgung Family. For a single action on my part, that was more than generous.
But Namgung Hyeok seemed to think differently. He groaned for a long while before finally nodding.
"Well, can't be helped then. So, you're leaving tomorrow?"
"Tonight, actually."
With Sword Heaven Peak left empty for so long, and Hina worrying, Yu Ye-ryeon wanted to head out quickly. I couldn't very well make her wait an extra day.
Namgung Hyeok looked even more regretful at my words but didn't try to hold me back further.
I exchanged farewells with him and headed to where I'd been staying.
I planned to grab my things and go right away. But when I arrived at the hall, I ran into an old man standing there.
"Hye said you're leaving."
"Elder."
It was Namgung Cheon. Stroking his white beard, he spoke curtly to me, then nodded and slowly drew his sword.
"Show me."
I knew exactly what he meant without asking. He wanted to see the Immortal's Path—the sword that had snapped Namgung Hye out of her daze.
I nodded and took my stance.
Then the thrust began.
As the all-encompassing sword unfolded, Namgung Cheon blocked it effortlessly and nodded.
"If you get the chance later, stop by the Emei Sect."
"Emei Sect...?"
The sect of nuns in Sichuan, right?
It appeared in the novel too. One of their disciples was even a heroine.
I wondered if I'd meet her this time, but shook my head.
Unless I was enrolling in the Heavenly Martial Hall, meeting her wouldn't mean much.
"Why do you suggest Emei Sect?"
"Go there and show them this."
He tossed me a jade plaque from his robes. It was intricately engraved with the image of Guanyin Bodhisattva.
"What's this?"
"Emei Command Tablet. It lets you ask the Emei Sect for one favor, anything at all."
Such a precious item? As I looked surprised, he pointed at the tablet and continued calmly.
"At my age, I'm not trekking to Sichuan to boss the Emei Sect around. It'll be more useful to you than to me."
"Uh..."
"And ask them to show you the Formless Sword Style. Witnessing it once will help you."
Formless Sword Style. One of Emei Sect's techniques—even Wi Cheonryong couldn't surpass it in the novel.
It was the sword style used by their sect leader, Abbess Hyejeong, right?
I wasn't sure how seeing it would help me. But this was advice from the Sword Saint himself. I couldn't ignore it, so I nodded and accepted the tablet.
"Once you've seen the Formless Sword Style and gained insight, come find me again. I'll take another look at your sword."
"Thank you."
That ended the conversation. With nothing more to say, he just nodded once and turned away.
But as he started to leave, he paused and glanced back.
"If you think there's nothing more to learn from Sword Heaven, come find me anytime. Soaring Heaven is vast—it can embrace anything."
"Thank you."
I doubted there'd ever be nothing left to learn from Sword Heaven, but it was still a considerate gesture.
Best to simply express my gratitude.
I bowed my head, and Namgung Cheon watched me for a moment before leaving with the same curt demeanor.
Emei Command Tablet, huh... Sichuan. Sichuan... I was headed there anyway this time—maybe swing by on the way?
After my meeting with Namgung Cheon, I entered the hall and packed my things. All I'd brought were some cooking tools, so it didn't take long.
As I stepped out, thinking that was it, a woman was waiting in front of me.
Namgung Hye.
"Why are you out here?"
"You're leaving, right? Felt like I should at least see you off. Why? Too much?"
"Not at all. I'm grateful."
Who'd turn down a friend seeing them off? I shook my head, and Namgung Hye smirked before coming to my side.
"So? What's next for you?"
"Who knows... More training, probably."
"Training, training, training... You're always working hard, huh?"
"Gotta. Oh, and I decided not to go to the Heavenly Martial Hall."
"What? Why?"
She looked genuinely shocked, eyes wide like a rabbit's, and pressed me urgently.
"Something more important than the Heavenly Martial Hall came up."
"No way... What a shame. Ugh... Should I skip it too?"
Namgung Hye shook her head with a deep sigh.
That wouldn't do. For me, wandering the land for spirit herbs and getting stronger took priority over the Heavenly Martial Hall.
But she was different.
She had family duties on top of growing stronger. Building connections with the younger generation at the Heavenly Martial Hall was crucial for that.
"You sure you're okay with it?"
"Sigh. Of course not."
She seemed to know it too. Still, her regret was real—she kept sighing heavily.
"Even without the Heavenly Martial Hall, we'll see each other plenty."
Without Wi Cheonryong, who knew how things would play out, but the Hall's activities often overlapped with Blood Cult movements.
I'd be dealing with the Blood Cult anyway, so I'd cross paths with their warriors for sure.
We could meet then.
"And you come to Jinhyu often, right?"
"Yeah, but..."
"There you go. What, worried you won't know anyone at the Hall? Feeling lonely?"
"Not to brag, but I have my own connections."
To me, with my few contacts, it almost sounded boastful...
Maybe she caught my awkwardness, because a sly smile crept onto Namgung Hye's lips.
"Don't worry. As your first and closest friend, I can hook you up with some connections."
"Thanks a ton."
"No problem."
After that, it was nothing important. Just casual chit-chat, the kind you could have anywhere. But even that seemed to delight her.
She kept smiling brightly until we reached Flower Heaven Tower, when her face fell.
"What now?"
"Just sad. Sad. Um... Friend."
"Yeah?"
"Can I hug you? Just as friends. Friends."
She really emphasized "friends." Well, hugs between friends should be fine, right?
I opened my arms, and Namgung Hye stepped in, wrapping me lightly.
The pull was strong. For a light hug, she burrowed deep, arms around my waist, face pressed to my chest as she whispered softly.
"Don't get hurt."
"Not planning on it."
"You seem like a kid left by the water, chasing butterflies without a care. Makes me anxious."
She worries about the weirdest things. I patted her back. How long we stayed like that, I couldn't say. It felt long, so I tried to let go, but her grip on my waist didn't loosen.
"Mm. Just a bit longer..."
She nuzzled my chest a little more before finally releasing me.
"Satisfied now?"
"Mm. Not quite. One more..."
"Later. Later."
Yu Ye-ryeon was waiting—I needed to hurry. I gave Namgung Hye's back a light tap, and only then did she step back.
"When will we meet next?"
"Dunno. I made a ton of Western Confectionery this time—should last two months easy? Come when it's gone."
"Mm. Okay. I'll do that."
Smiling faintly, hands behind her back, she took another step away. Her soft brown eyes fixed on me as she spoke.
"Take care till then. By the way, hope Sword Heaven doesn't mind me coming around."
"Doubt it... Worst case, we meet outside?"
"Oh? That work? Yeah, let's do that. Hehe. I'll stay at Jinhyu Tower and wait."
I didn't think Sword Heaven would mind, but considering her ties to Namgung Cheon, better not to clash often. I nodded, and she set a date before finally seeming content.
"Alright, I'm off. See you next time!"
"Yeah. Take care."
With that, Namgung Hye walked away, and I entered Flower Heaven Tower. I asked a servant and headed to Yu Ye-ryeon's room, knocking on the closed door.
"I'm here."
"Come in~."
Her voice was as cheerful as ever. I opened the door and went in. She was sitting cross-legged but rose lightly, stretched like a cat, then approached me.
And then.
"...What's that smell?"
Sniffing and tilting her head, her expression hardened slightly. She came closer, pressing her face to various spots on me.
"Ohooo..."
"What's up?"
"So that's how it is...? This is fun...?"
What's so fun about it?
And for "fun," her face looks downright scary...
"Can't we both have fun?"
"Nope~."
She stuck out her tongue, expression softening, then grabbed my hand lightly and pulled.
"Hurry and take the summoning pill so we can go."
Pausing to hold her breath, she turned back with a grin—looking thoroughly amused—and continued.
"Home. To our home."