Chapter 8: Nine Dragons Day (2)

༺ Nine Dragons Day (2) ༻

There was not much time left before the Nine Dragons Ceremony began, and I was being held hostage by a bear-like man.

The man spoke to me.

“You aren’t running away this time, huh.”

If someone were to have the nickname “Giant Mountain”, it would definitely be him.

He seemed to be at least 8 feet tall, and his wide shoulders only made him look bigger.

He had white hair and some wrinkles on his face, which gave an inkling as to how old he was.

However, he was a martial artist before he was an old man.

He was the second Elder of the Gu Clan, Gu Ryoon.

“You would always run away when you saw me, so what brings you here?”

“You said you’ll split me in half if I don’t come... And how can I miss the Nine Dragons Ceremony?”

“Oh? You’re talking back to me now.”

The Second Elder with his huge hands ruffled my hair.

The Second Elder was always obsessed with me, probably because of the fact that I was the only son of the Gu clan.

Him not controlling his power made it so that my head would shake along with him scrambling my hair.

‘I-I feel like throwing up...”

When I was about to pass out, Gu Yeonseo appeared. She was my saving grace.

Gu Yeonseo cringed when she looked at me, but then immediately fixed her expression and respectfully greeted the Second Elder.

“Greetings, Second Elder.”

“Oh! My Yeonseo came!”

The Second Elder let me go when he saw Gu Yeonseo and took out a yakgwa.

I feel like I’ve seen this before...

“This troublemaker never has days when he’s cute. You must be tired after coming all the way here. Grandpa didn’t bring anything as he was in a hurry... Do you want some yakgwa?”

Gu Yeonseo, with a slight smile, declined the offer.

“Sorry, I’m not feeling too well right now...”

“Oh no...! I must call the medics!”

“It’s no problem, Second Elder, I’m just nervous for the event. I’ll gladly take the yakgwa next time.”

Gu Yeonseo bowed respectfully and left to get changed.

“She’s so polite and respectful, unlike someone here.”

“May I visit the doctor as I’m about to faint from you shaking my head?”

“That’s easily cured by rubbing some spit on it, so be quiet.”

...What is this discrimination?

I felt a bit sad as it was a bit unfair, but I just let it go as he was a man with a unique personality.

“Second Elder, let me have the yakgwa if you’re not going to eat it.”

“I’ve been telling you ever since, but you need to eat less. It’s ridiculous for the son of Gu Clan to be so greedy for a yakgwa.”

“But, you were just about to give yakgwa to the daughter of the Gu Clan. And what does being a child of the Gu Clan have to do with yakgwa...”

“Yeonseo deserves it as she trains consistently. On the other hand, you just eat, poop, and sleep.”

“It won’t be me that’ll be eating the yakgwa, so it’s fine.”

With that said, I got the yakgwa from the Elder. Obviously, I was going to give it to Wi Seol-Ah.

Whenever I see yakgwa, I’m now reminded of Wi Seol-Ah. Is it because of how I saw her enjoying it so much?

I saw Wi Seol-Ah and other servants approach us as I got the yakgwa.

When the servants respectfully bowed their heads towards us, Wi Seol-Ah imitated the movement.

The Second Elder signaled with his hand that there was no need.

Wi Seol-Ah then hopped towards me.

“Young master! There are so many people outside!”

“Of course, it’s a ceremony.”

“They are selling dumplings, beef skewers, and noodles!”

“...Weren’t you just talking about how many people there are? Why is it suddenly now about food?”

“But the dumplings...”

Wi Seol-Ah suddenly stopped talking and hid behind me in shock.

I turned around, wondering what had made her do that, and saw the Second Elder staring down at her.

It was scary as hell considering that this was a 8 feet tall man with mountainous shoulders.

Plus, the Gu Clan’s bloodline were known to have scary and sharp eyes, so they never had the best facial expressions.

“...Second Elder, it’s scary for people when you just stay still and stare like that.”

“Hmm...”

“What’s the matter, sir?”

“That child is your concubine?”

“...What are you talking about? Look at her clothing, sir. She’s a servant.”Gett your favorite novels at no/v/e/lbin(.)com

‘I don’t think anything happens in this Nine Dragons ceremony.’

I do remember the ‘incident’ that would happen in the winter, but I don’t remember anything happening in the spring’s Nine Dragons Ceremony.

When the clapping came to a stop, I took my leave alongside the guides of Heaven.

* * * *

A festival for the Gu Clan swordsmen was hosted after nightfall.

There were tons of foods and drinks prepared by the Heaven market as this was a festival.

The leaders and the co-leaders of each swordsmen refused the drinks at first as they had to act according to their positions, but the Second Elder said it was fine for them to drink for today.

With that said, the swordsmen celebrated even louder than when they were rewarded with medicine and money.

“What a mess.”

They were humans too, so it was natural for them to strive for drinks and greasy food, it’s just that they were normally restricted.

Now that the Second Elder had removed that restriction, the atmosphere skyrocketed, and it all became messy.

As I got up, planning to step out of the market to get some fresh air, Muyeon followed as if he had been waiting for me.

“Hmm? Why are you following me and not drinking with them?”

“How can an escort drink? The festival is for the swordsmen and not me, so I’m fine.”

“Huh. Aren’t you a part of the swordsmen anyways?”

Muyeon stopped at my words.

Martial artists that acted as an escort for the Gu Clan were also a part of the swordsmen. That meant that Muyeon was also associated with the group.

“Uh... I...”

“Well, whatever. Want to look around the streets?”

I changed the subject as he seemed to be struggling trying to weave an answer, not to mention, I wasn’t curious enough to pry any further, nor was it my business to do so.

“The legendary Pavillion is obviously going to be big, but, to be honest, seeing the magnitude of this place in person is still awe-inspiring.”

These streets were much livelier than the streets of the Gu Clan, with lights turning on after nightfall.

Could a street of this caliber rival the streets of Anhui or Shanxi?

I felt bad for Muyeon who followed behind me, ready to protect me in case of any danger, but I couldn’t help but enjoy the experience.

As I wandered aimlessly through the streets, watching people walk around peacefully, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace and calm.

It was as if the disaster that had befallen my previous life hadn’t occurred yet.

“Should I buy some dumplings?”

I was reminded of Wi Seol-Ah’s constant talk about dumplings.

“For that servant, right?”

Muyeon immediately referenced Wi Seol-Ah as I murmured about buying dumplings.

“Not just her. The others will also be happy if I buy some for them.”

Might as well buy some for the other servants too. Muyeon looked at me with a satisfied and proud expression.

“Young master is definitely different from the rumors. They say that you shouldn’t judge a person according to their rumors. I still have a lot to learn.”

“What are you on about? I’m only buying dumplings. Wait, how long have you been my escort for...?”

“A little under 15 days.”

...I guess he became my escort a little before I resurrected. Makes sense why he was saying that.

I didn’t know whether to see this as him being lucky, or me being lucky.

It would seem like my escort changed every other day along with Muyeon, as I didn’t have much to recall about Muyeon.

“Young master, I think they are selling dumplings over there.”

When I turned in the direction Muyeon was pointing to, the smell of freshly steamed dumplings wafted towards us, making my mouth water despite my lack of hunger previously.

“That place looks good, let’s go there.”

I didn’t hesitate.

As I was walking towards the dumpling store,

“Madam, it’s dangerous for you to wander around like this.”

“You worry too much, it’s Nine Dragons Day. What could possibly happen with so many swordsmen of the Gu Clan here?”

I saw a familiar face.

“That’s why I’m worried... What if you run into the young master of the Gu-”

“There’s no way that would happen. There are so many people here.”

Damn it. She shouldn’t have said that...

Right as she said that, our eyes met.

When she saw me, she stiffened like a rock.

The female escort behind her was also astonished.

The girl had hair coming down to her shoulders and eyes that were as dark as obsidian.

She also had a black ring on her finger.

It was hard to see the symbol that was on her ring, but I knew what that ring symbolized because I already knew who she was.

The Peng Clan of Hebei.

The girl who used to wield a katana, hails from one the Four Noble Clans. She is the Young Lady of Peng Clan.

And my ex-fiancée.