Chapter 182: A Winter That Isn't Cold (4)

Chapter 182: A Winter That Isn't Cold (4)

A Winter That Isnt Cold (4)

The day was exceptionally beautiful.

Perhaps it was because I had a fondness for the sky adorned with a few clouds, like it was today, rather than one without a cloud in sight.

As such, today seemed quite beautiful in my eyes compared to most other days.

And to return to Shaolin on a day like this

My original plan was to prepare to go back home either today or tomorrow since I was done with everything here, but thanks to this, that plan was delayed by a day.

But its not like I could just not go.

Their eager gazes left me with no choice, so my legs and arms were practically tied at this point.

Young Master!

Wi Seol-Ah seized one of my arms.

What, why do you keep calling?

A sparrow!

Are you thinking it looks tasty?

Young Master eats sparrows?

I mean, is there a rule that I cant?

Wi Seol-Ah was holding my arm tight with no intention of letting go.

Hongwa tried to get her off of me, saying that it was disrespectful, but I stopped her.

If I knew this was going to happen, I would have insisted she wear a mask.

It was my fault that I was careless.

Wi Seol-Ah, on the other hand, seemed very happy that she didnt need to wear the uncomfortable mask.

Fine, at least youre happy.

My other arm was occupied by Namgung Bi-ah.

She didnt hug my arm entirely like Wi Seol-Ah did and she was following along while timidly holding onto my sleeve; her anxious expression gave away her nerves.

Unlike usual, she couldnt meet my gaze.

Tang Soyeol slightly puffed her cheeks with disappointment for not being a part of the duo, but she didnt voice her frustration.

After getting out of the carriage and walking for a little, I spotted the staircase leading to the Shaolin Temple.

It seems like theyve done some construction on the staircase.

Tang Soyeol spoke as such.

I remember it had a bunch of cracks but it seems like theyve fixed it already.

You came here last year too?

To my question, Tang Soyeol stayed silent for a moment before answering.

I just had something to discuss with the Shaolins Chief Abbot.

With the Heavenly Eye, you say?

Judging by Tang Soyeols expression, it didnt seem to be the most memorable moment for her.

Either that or it wasnt a good memory.

Tang Soyeol must have sensed her expression worsening because she quickly put on a smile.

Unlike Wi Seol-Ah or Namgung Bi-ah beside me, Tang Soyeol and Moyong Hi-ah, who lived like true nobility, were skilled at managing their expressions.

It wasnt anything special, Young Master Gu. You dont need to worry about me!

I never worried about you, though?

I also made a weird expression by accident, so I absentmindedly rubbed my cheek.

Pull-

My left arm was gently tugged back.

It was because Namgung Bi-ah had pulled on my sleeve.

What.

I looked at Namgung Bi-ah, wondering why she was doing that, but Namgung Bi-ah only stared at me without saying a word.

Whats up with her?

Slide.

The incomprehensible silence passed and Namgung Bi-ah let go of my sleeve.

Then she carefully wrapped her arms around my arm. This was what she wanted to do?

As Namgung Bi-ah got closer, I could smell her scent.

Did she spray something? It felt different than usual.

[Haha. This dog shit world.]

I knew he was going to say something like that.

I couldve sworn he had promised to stay silent today.

For now, I decided to ignore it and focus on Namgung Bi-ahs blue eyes.

Our eye level.

Back when we first met, I remembered Namgung Bi-ah being slightly taller, but looking at it now, I was a tiny bit taller than her. Although the difference was minimal.

Observing this, I thought

Could I grow a little more?

I began to hope.

A martial artists growth was faster than that of an ordinary person.

The presence of Qi within ones body accelerated their development toward a physique suitable for martial arts.

However, this process varied for each person.

And thinking about my past life, I wasnt particularly tall.

I was shorter than Father.

Considering that most members of the Gu Clan were on the shorter side, Father and the Second Elder were exceptions.

Im a fist fighter like them, so why am I like this?

Since this life is different from my past life, I hope that I grow a little taller.

I desired this not only for aesthetic reasons but also because it would be more practical for my martial arts practice.

While I understood that height wasnt everything, it was generally advantageous for a fist fighter like me to be taller rather than shorter.

Pull-

While lost in these musings, Namgung Bi-ah held onto my left arm more firmly.

Again.

Namgung Bi-ah, who didnt seem satisfied, used her hand to turn my head around so that my sights were on her.

You were thinking about something else right?

Focus

Namgung Bi-ah told me to do that while frowning her eyebrows.

And that made her look all the more beautiful.

To the point that I couldnt take it anymore and had to look away.

As I turned away, she clung to my arm even tighter.

How did such a place belong to a Taoist clan?

[That just means they are devoted to martia-]

Stop trying to make it sound like a cool thing, Elder Shin

[]

It seemed even Elder Shin agreed with my assessment, as he remained silent.

Next up

During this, I glanced at the guide named Eejuu, who had a kind smile on him.

Judging by how I couldnt sense the energy, it thankfully seemed like he wasnt the same type as the bastard I saw yesterday.

Also, I found and saved the child monk named Heeyoung after dealing with the bastard.

The bastard hid Heeyoung in a mountain cave some distance from Shaolin.

I didnt know how many days he had spent in that cave, but judging by the state of his health, it didnt appear to be an extended period.

I dont even know how much Qi I used to find him.

I couldnt simply leave after hearing that bastard had hidden the child on a mountainside because I knew it would weigh on my conscience if I did.

However, this delay had caused me to return late, resulting in even bigger trouble.

Even so, I managed to save the kid, so I didnt mind.

Considering how Shaolin didnt seem to have changed that much, was it okay?

I didnt know how big of an impact it caused for Shaolin to lose their child monk.

However, since I hadnt heard any news about the incident, it seemed likely that Shaolin had handled the matter discreetly.

Either that, or theyd made sure no bastards like that remained in Shaolin any longer.

I wonder if there are more bastards like that in Shaolin.

I couldnt be certain.

Hence, I needed to exercise caution.

Swoosh!

As I continued walking, lost in my thoughts, a sudden gust of wind blew forcefully.

Oooah!

Wi Seol-Ah stuck closer to me to avoid the wind.

I couldnt entirely block the wind due to my relatively small stature, but Wi Seol-Ah seemed satisfied enough.

The wind is blowing like crazy!

Yeah.

But its not cold!

Of course not, I was emitting heat around me, after all.

Wi Seol-Ah nestled herself closer, wearing a smile.

Back when I lived with Grandpa

I didnt push Wi Seol-Ah away and instead wrapped one arm around her. It was because she seemed cold.

It was cold because we lived in a forest.

She was talking about back when she lived only with the Sword Venerable.

She said that she lived in a forest with just the two of them, for a long time.

Her youthful appearance, compared to her age, likely stemmed from that experience.

It was really cold. So I didnt like the winter.

I imagined that the Sword Venerable might have been able to ward off the cold using his Qi, but it likely wasnt as effective as the Flame Arts used by martial artists.

Wi Seol-Ah spoke to me with a slightly reddened nose.

But this winter isnt cold!

Then her grip around my waist tightened.

And I hope next years winter isnt cold either!

Wi Seol-Ah might have uttered those words without much thought, but they warmed my heart and filled me with a sense of warmth.

Yeah. I hope the same.

I didnt know how much burden I could carry for others when I felt incompetent myself, but if I could, I hoped that

You would live a much more peaceful life than the past.

And since that wish of mine would depend on my actions, I sincerely hoped it would come true.

******************

Shaolin had a huge land, thanks to all the support and donations, but entry to outsiders was limited and the tour only covered the most picturesque areas.

As a result, the tour ended rather quickly.

Considering how short the tour was, I wondered if I had to bring them somewhere else, but thankfully, they all seemed satisfied.

It was fun!

Along with Wi Seol-Ah shouting brightly, Namgung Bi-ah also slightly nodded.

Tang Soyeol probably came here often, so I doubted whether she enjoyed it as much as them.

Young Master Gu.

Tang Soyeol called my name.

Are you hungry by any chance?

A little? I didnt eat anything after all.

As Tang Soyeol had correctly assumed, I was indeed hungry after being dragged to Shaolin without having a meal following my morning training.

Tang Soyeol then smiled as if she was anticipating my response.

Then I know a good restaurant, so would you like to-

Are you Young Master Gu?

Tang Soyeols words were abruptly cut off by an intruder.

Because of that, Tang Soyeol put on a fierce face as she couldnt hide her irritation this time, but when she saw the person who had interrupted her, she shut her mouth.

It was an old man with lots of wrinkles.

He had a long scar extending to his head and was over 7ft tall with a body that looked like it was about to explode with muscles.

The Mighty Staff?

This old man was someone I knew.

He was one of the Hundred Masters of the Central Plains and held a high position within Shaolin, ranking just below its Chief Abbot.

What does this man want with me?

I showed respect to him first.

I was confused as to why he appeared so randomly, but I had to show respect as he greeted me first.

Yes My name is Gu Yangcheon.

The Mighty Staff slowly straightened his body and spoke.

The Chief Abbot wishes to meet you.

I clicked my tongue after hearing the old man.

I didnt know what it was, but I had a strong feeling it was going to be quite a hassle.

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