༺ Lucky Opportunity ༻
This wasn’t exactly what I had planned when I decided to barge through the gate of the guesthouse where Namgung Jin was residing.
My original plan was more thought out. I had never planned to approach so violently as I have.
I was originally thinking of making a bet with him. Thankfully, I had something valuable on me that I could use as an exchange to prevent Namgung Bi-ah from returning to her clan.
It was the information pertaining to Namgung Bi-ah’s sword.
To say it more accurately, it was the sword that the Demonic Sword Queen had used in my past life.
As mentioned before, the treasure of a clan not only had a sort of unique power in them but it also contained symbolism, representing the clan.
This was also true for the sword that she had used in my previous life. It was a treasure that was formed by the mightiest figure of the Namgung Clan in the olden times. He was one of the five heroes who stopped the Blood King in ancient times— the Thunder Sword Namgung Myung. The sword wielded by that legendary figure was also considered to be one of the five greatest swords in the world.
The Thunder Sword.
The Lord of Heaven should have been the one in possession of the sword at this time, but it was highly likely that he didn’t have the sword on him.
It was probably in the possession of the Wudang Sect.
Monster of Wudang.
The master of the Wudang Sect probably was in possession of the sword right now.
I didn’t know how such a thing could have happened, but I got this information from the Demonic Sword in my past life.
There was the possibility of her lying to me about this. However, would the Demonic Sword really lie to me, especially when she’s not someone like Zhuge Hyuk?
I don’t think so.
This was information about the lost symbol of a clan.
And would a powerless lord of the clan like Namgung Jin just let this piece of information pass by? I had a firm belief that he wouldn’t.
「How are you going to explain to him on how you got that information?」
‘I have the plaque that the Immortal Healer gave me.’
The plaque to the Beggars Sect could likely help him out in this scenario. I didn’t know how this wooden plaque was supposed to be used, but judging by how the Sword Master had been shocked when she saw it during the trip, I highly doubted that this plaque was worthless.
I could pretend that I got this information from the Beggars Sect by mixing in some lies with truths.Expplôre uptodate stories at no/vel//bin(.)com
「But then what would you do if that Namgung guy goes to the Beggars Sect and ask them about it?」
I did have two routes I could go if he did something like that, but it was pointless thinking about it now.
“...What did you just say?”
When the sun was about to set, I asked that question to the Second Elder. Seeing the Second Elder’s solemn expression, the matter seemed to be quite serious.
“I heard that Lord Namgung had a chat with the First Elder.”
I grimaced hard after hearing the Second Elder’s words. Just by hearing it, I felt like I was able to smell something nasty brewing behind the scenes.
* * * *
After returning to my residence, I started talking with Wi Seol-Ah. It was just the usual scene.
I had already sent a servant to Namgung Bi-ah’s guesthouse to let her know that I would be arriving soon.
I also had some extra time left over after the meal.
I was now stroking Wi Seol-Ah’s hair while she was sitting on the floor, eating a yakgwa while smiling happily.
“Twintails today?”
“Sis did it for me! It’s pretty and I like it.”
Wi Seol-Ah’s hairstyle seemed to be changing every day. Since the servants just did whatever they wanted with her hair.
It seemed like today was the time for twintails.
While I was immersed in stroking her smooth twintails with my hands, Wi Seol-Ah leaned her back against me.
Seeing her antics I stroked her cheeks, Wi Seol-Ah didn’t seem to hate my touch either as she didn’t push back my hand.
“Hmm?”
While I was touching her soft and supple cheek, I felt a subtle difference in the sensations I received.
“Did you lose some weight?”
“Wha...?”
Her cheek had never been big enough to fill my whole hand, but I was sure that it hadn’t been this small either. It felt to me that her cheeks had lost a lot of their volume.
‘Now that I look at it...’
I then grabbed Wi Seol-Ah’s arm with my hand. Immediately, I became certain that she had lost weight.
Even just a few months ago she had enough fat in her cheek that it made her look extremely cute. But now... I could even see a little bit of her jawline.
“...Hmm.”
Was she eating less these days? But that shouldn’t be the case since I had seen her eat all three meals today with a bowl full of food.
Moreover, she was also enjoying the yakgwas I had given her. Seeing my strange reaction, Wi Seol-Ah asked.
“What’s wrong Young Master?”
“Nah, it’s nothing.”
...Why did she lose so much weight? Was she exercising secretly or something?
I observed Wi Seol-Ah’s body, just in case, but she didn’t seem to have any Qi within her.
‘I knew that he was being a bit too quiet.’
I didn’t really pay much attention to the First Elder as it seemed like he was keeping quiet after I beat the hell out of Gu Jeolyub...
But I guess he wasn’t being completely quiet or anything.
“It feels like I’ve been backstabbed.”
“Did something happen?”
“I was finally able to convince the Elders from the Namgung Clan for this engagement, but now it’s a bit of a problem since the lord doesn’t seem to be happy about this arrangement.”
“...I always wanted to ask, but how did you do it?”
“Do what?”
“The engagement with Namgung Clan.”
It was none other than the Namgung Clan. They were not the type of clan to involve themselves with other families. That’s why, I was always curious about how he was able to arrange an engagement with a direct blood relative of the clan.
Furthermore, not only did I already have a bad rep due to breaking off an engagement, but there were also rumors about me that painted me in an awful image. For all of these reasons, there was no way that the Namgung Clan just readily accepted the engagement.
The Second Elder was seemingly in thought after hearing my question and responded after some time.
“Knowing it will only hurt ya.”
The Second Elder was smiling as he said those words. He was definitely teasing me right now, but I didn’t pry further. For some reason, I had the feeling that he didn’t apply the usual method of arranging an engagement.
“Anyway, I should do something about this.”
“What do you mean you’ll do something...”
“How can you be so calm when you don’t even know what could happen!”
“I mean, what are you going to do about it then? It’s not like you can fight with the Lord of the Namgung Clan or something, nor can you go fight with the Elders.”
“...Oh?”
“...Huh?”
What do you mean, ‘Oh?’, why are you impressed...?
As if proving my nervousness, the Second Elder immediately stood up on his feet.
“Yangcheon, I didn’t know you could be this smart, I’ll be back in a bit.”
“Hey, where are you going? Lord Second Elder, please calm down for a second. Where are you going this late at night? Let’s slowly think about it rationa— Wait, I told you not to go!”
I quickly tried to grab his hand but the Second Elder instantly disappeared in front of my eyes, leaving only a trail of fire behind.
I even tried to chase after him using my Qi, but his presence had already vanished.
“This... This crazy old man...!”
Even after reaching this level, I was still no match for the Second Elder.
“Surely he didn’t actually go to Namgung Clan, right?”
There was no way that he was about to go there.
And even if he did go there, what could he even do?
‘...I hate how I’m still sweating cold sweat despite having such thoughts.’
That crazy old man was capable of doing something like that.
How much backup does he have for him to act this recklessly every time?
“...Sigh.”
I leaked a tired sigh and lifted my body up in the end. It was about time and I realized that sitting here and doing nothing would gain me nothing but frustration.
When I moved, Wi Seol-Ah, who had already fallen asleep while leaning on me, asked while rubbing her eyes.
“Young Master, are you going out?”
“Yeah, it seems like I’ll have to.”
“Should I come with you?”
“How can you ask that without knowing where I’m going?”
“I don’t mind wherever you go...”
I patted Wi Seol-Ah’s head and messed up her hair while she was talking, holding in her yawn from leaking out.
“Just get some sleep before Hongwa comes to you for work. I’ll be back right away.”
“Kay...”
Without being able to win against her drowsiness, she just collapsed on the floor.
I could already see that she’ll be caught by Hongwa soon enough.
After watching her for some time, I started on my way.
At that moment, Elder Shin suddenly spoke up to me.
「...There is not even a single normal guy with the last name ‘Gu.’」
‘I know right? Everyone except me is just—‘
「Stop your nonsense and continue walking.」
‘...’
I had no choice but to shut my mouth with an awkward expression on my face.