Chapter 127
Translator: penny
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: Dating the Sword Phoenix
"Undeservedly, I'm in a relationship with Hiya."
As soon as my introduction ended, a hush fell over the room.
Disbelieving stares poured in from every direction.
Even Moyong Hui, who had entrusted her waist to me, was looking at me with that same expression.
'Hiya, what am I supposed to do if even you give me that look?'
Of course, the meaning behind Moyong Hui's gaze was different from everyone else's.
While the others shot me looks that screamed, "You, with the Sword Phoenix?", hers felt more like, "Did this guy eat something funny? He's not the type to say stuff like this..."
I've been brushing it off vaguely every day, so it's no wonder she's surprised by this public declaration.
'Well, it's not like I can hide it forever anyway.'
Living in the Murim Alliance, it'll all come out eventually.
Anyone could tell just from the way Moyong Hui calls me.
And I sure as hell can't tell her to stop using "Gaga" and pick something else.
So it was better to lay it all out right here.
'Plus, it cheers Hiya up a bit.'
The one who broke the sudden silence was the Earth Dragon—no, Earth Dragon Peng Dokjo.
"Haha, judging by the Sword Phoenix's reaction, it doesn't sound like a lie... Namgung hyung must feel pretty salty!"
Namgung Chan looked utterly flustered at Peng Dokjo's boisterous words.
"Ahem, Peng hyung! What kind of talk is that?"
"Come on, no denying it now that we're here. Everyone knows you and the Sleeping Dragon have a thing for the Sword Phoenix."
It was what I'd expected, but their conversation confirmed it.
'Namgung Chan, you've got good taste.'
It wasn't all that surprising, really.
No young guy in his right mind wouldn't like a perfect woman like Moyong Hui.
'Pretty face, top-tier martial arts, great background, sweet personality. And... those killer curves.'
She was every element a man could want, all wrapped up.
And that was the very Moyong Hui nestled against me.
Still, Peng Dokjo casually mentioning the Sleeping Dragon irked me a little.
'Zhuge Wei liking Hiya? That's unexpected.'
Thinking back to my past life, the guy had lived as a bachelor his whole life.
Right up until he commanded Heaven's Net as the Murim Alliance's Chief Strategist and took me down.
He must've been in his late fifties by then.
So I'd just assumed he wasn't interested in women at all.
But if that was the case, it changed everything.
Unlike Namgung Chan, who married another woman after Moyong Hui wed Cheon Woojin and had a daughter named Namgung Cheong.
Was the reason he never married because he couldn't get over the one he loved?
'What a creepy bastard.'
I couldn't wrap my head around it.
Come to think of it, Namgung Chan had said he learned we were here from Zhuge Wei.
'Tch, might need to pay him a visit sometime.'
While I mulled over Zhuge Wei, Moyong Hui smiled and scolded Peng Dokjo.
"Earth Dragon orabuni, that's such a mean joke. As if Chan orabuni and the Sleeping Dragon like me."
Was she saying that to spare Namgung Chan's embarrassment, or did she really not know...?
But her next action made it clear she genuinely had no idea.
"Besides, I'm going to be Gaga's from now on."
Moyong Hui blushed and leaned her head against my chest.
If she'd done that knowing how Namgung Chan felt, it'd be straight-up teasing.
Sure enough, sparks flew from Namgung Chan's eyes.
'Tsk tsk, just like Baek Rihyeon.'
That guy had been insanely jealous at first too.
Now he seemed to have given up and just looked envious.
The other two, meanwhile, looked utterly shocked.
"To think the Sword Phoenix had this side to her...!"
"Whoa... Hiya unnie...?"
It perfectly captured Moyong Hui's usual reputation.
I smiled warmly and offered them seats.
"You said Peng so-hyeop and Namgung sojeo? Come on, don't just stand there—have a seat and make yourselves comfortable."
Namgung Sua didn't hesitate and sat right between Moyong Hui and Namgung Chan.
It made sense; she was here to see Moyong Hui, after all.
'Sitting between me and Namgung Chan would've been way more awkward.'
Peng Dokjo, though, eyed the remaining spot before glancing around awkwardly.
He cleared his throat and lightly tapped Namgung Chan's shoulder.
"Namgung hyung, if it's not too much trouble, mind shifting over one seat?"
Seemingly used to it, Namgung Chan moved to the spot next to me.
And just like that, Peng Dokjo claimed the seat beside Namgung Sua.
'That guy's into Namgung Sua.'
Not surprising at all.
She was a captivating woman.
'Still... is he a rival or what?'
Normally, Peng Dokjo should've been way more annoying than Namgung Chan or Zhuge Wei.
Moyong Hui was solidly mine now, but Namgung Sua was someone I still needed to win over slowly.
But looking at his face, I wasn't worried at all.
Unless she had rock-bottom standards.
'If you trampled an Earth Dragon with a carriage, it'd look just like that.'
And Namgung Sua's reaction put my mind even more at ease.
Even with Peng Dokjo sitting right next to her, she didn't spare him a glance.
Hell, she even seemed...
'A bit annoyed?'
When Namgung Chan moved aside, the corners of her mouth twitched upward ever so slightly.
Yet her voice stayed steady as she smiled at Moyong Hui and asked,
"Unnie, just a few months ago back at the Moyong family estate, you were complaining about being bored. When did you snag such a fine boyfriend?"
They must be pretty close; apparently, they'd been exchanging letters even after Moyong Hui returned to Shenyang.
Moyong Hui smiled bashfully at Namgung Sua's words.
"Actually, it's been less than half a year since I met Gaga."
"Whoa, really? Just half a year?"
Namgung Sua marveled, her eyes drifting to Moyong Hui's waist.
More precisely, to my hand still wrapped around it.
Namgung Chan, who'd been quiet until then, glanced at my hand and cleared his throat.
"Ahem, Mok so-hyeop, was it? Hiya looks uncomfortable. How about letting go of your arm now?"
Uncomfortable my ass—she was loving it.
Great excuse, though; guy's clearly projecting.
Instead of obliging, I pulled Moyong Hui even closer.
"Hiya, you uncomfortable?"
"Of course not. If it's what Gaga wants, I'm fine. Do whatever feels good for you."
With Moyong Hui giving the green light, Namgung Chan's face flushed a bit.
Then Peng Dokjo—the guy who'd just gotten his seat—chimed in to help him out.
"Ahem... I get that you're dating, but out of consideration for a poor soul like me without a girlfriend, maybe save the PDA for when you're alone?"
He'd invoked consideration, so I had no choice but to release Moyong Hui's waist.
I could've ignored him and kept going, but...
'Truth is, I was getting uncomfortable too.'
We weren't sharing a chair; we each had our own, which made the position awkward as hell.
I'd started it for dramatic effect, then kept it up to mess with Namgung Chan.
Mission accomplished—I wanted to relax now.
I let go of Moyong Hui's waist and called the waiter.
"Clear the table here and take our orders."
We wiped away the traces of Cheon Woojin and Baek Rihyeon, then ordered fresh snacks and drinks.
I'd considered switching spots, but the food here suited my taste.
The others seemed to be regulars anyway.
"Hiya unnie, remember that time we were drinking here and some guys suggested joining us?"
"Oh, come on, Sua! Why bring that up now?"
Moyong Hui glanced at me slyly.
Namgung Sua covered her mouth and giggled.
"What's the big deal? We didn't even join them. And even if we had, it's all in the past. Mok so-hyeop gets it, right?"
Water under the bridge, so I should understand?
Sure, for the girls only.
If I found out who those guys were, though, they wouldn't get off easy.
But I kept that to myself and laughed heartily.
"Haha, of course. What's a little table-sharing? I'm just glad to learn more about Hiya's past."
"As expected of the man unnie chose—such an open mind. These days, guys obsess over a girl's past while ignoring their own. They act like men and women can't even sit together at seven."
The main conversation was between Moyong Hui and Namgung Sua, the two women.
I chimed in now and then.
Peng Dokjo tried desperately to join in...
"Changbong, I feel the same as Mok so-hyeop. What's the harm in sharing a table? Aren't we doing it right now?"
"Ah, yeah."
Namgung Sua cut him off with a curt affirmation.
Yet Peng Dokjo grinned contentedly, like he'd won something.
'What a champ.'
Does he not realize he's being brushed off?
Or is one word enough to satisfy him?
Either way, the guy's pathetic.
No need to see him as a rival.
And the other one, Namgung Chan, wasn't even trying to join the chat.
He just sat there quietly nursing his drink, sighing now and then.
He looked so damn pitiful.
'Heh heh, must be eating him up inside.'
I smirked inwardly at him and raised my glass.