LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 162
“…”
The sudden appearance of two women.
Seo-ryeon and her bodyguard. As I blankly stared at them, I let out a sigh and said,
“Taking a midnight stroll—should something happen to you, the Alliance Leader will surely be distressed.”
“Hehe, if we’re not caught, that’s all that matters.”
Her elegant tone, with wording not typical for a righteous sect’s young lady. Feeling a bit put off, I shot her a glance, but she responded with an elegant smile and breezily dismissed my glance.
This isn’t easy.
To begin with, her visit to me at this hour was completely unexpected, leaving me no choice but to have a tangled mind.
What’s her intent?
Since she has no apparent reason to hold any animosity toward me, it’s probably not that. That leaves very few possibilities…
Could she have feelings for me?
Though the thought does seem odd, if this is truly the case, that itself could be troublesome.
I steal a look at Hye-ryeong. While smiling, she’s receiving Seo-ryeon politely, but her eyes are full of vigilance.
Mok-kyeong is much the same.
The situation is just strangely convenient.
The youngest daughter of the Martial Alliance Leader appearing in the mountains at midnight? Let’s set aside how she bypassed the Martial Alliance’s guards, but we should be suspicious first if this wasn’t her using stealth arts to approach.
I carefully asked her,
“Seo-ryeon Young Lady, do you remember our last conversation?”
“The one about the desert? The warriors of the desert?”
…She seems to remember correctly.
If it was about the desert, that would align with the conversation I had solely with Seo-ryeon in Haenam School.
“…Why don’t you sit down for a bit?”
“Could I? Is that alright?”
“Yes, it’s fine.”
Seo-ryeon took a suitable spot, her eyes turned to the bonfire as if it was something seen for the first time.
“So this is a bonfire.”
“You’ve never seen one before?”
“What business would I have to see a bonfire?”
“Miss Seo?”
“You can speak freely.”
“When sitting by a bonfire, it’s nice to stretch your hands forward! It feels cozy and warm!”
What are you talking about, Hye-ryeong? At a loss on how to diffuse the awkwardness from Hye-ryeong’s unexpected comment, Seo-ryeon quietly extended her hands toward the bonfire and said,
“Thank you, miss Im.”
“Not at all!”
What is this about?
Though a bit relieved as the tense and suspicious atmosphere started melting away due to Hye-ryeong’s usual friendliness, the uneasy ambiance remains unresolved because we still don’t understand the purpose behind Seo-ryeon’s visit.
“Miss…”
“Want to bask in the fire too?”
“I’m fine.”
You’ve gone through a lot just taking care of your midnight wandering mistress. Regardless of anything else, the alliance leader should give this bodyguard a bonus.
This qualifies for overtime pay.
“The bonfire makes me feel good; it feels different from a torch.”
“A fire is different depending on the kind. From a wildfire that consumes everything, to the hearth fire used for cooking meals, to this warm fire that chases away the cold…”
“Lord Wi certainly seems well-informed.”
…Not a lot has been shared, yet this feels like a compliment. Could she really have feelings for me?
Or is there an agenda behind it?
Being bad at picking up on such subtle hints, it’s difficult to read her intent. It would be easier to make a guess if her hostility was more overt, but in this original work, her presence hasn’t been very prominent, so it’s not easy to deduce her character even from that.
And as the plot progresses, the work deviates more and more, so it’s understandable why she wasn’t given proper development as a protagonist.
Even though, as a heroine, she should have been given at least a basic storyline.
“Knowing facts does not mean being capable. Is it alright for you to linger here?”
“Umm, father probably won’t get angry this time, will he?”
“Indeed, Miss. It’s best to return quickly so that the Alliance Leader doesn’t get upset.”
“I understand.”
As Seo-ryeon rose, we accompanied her with our farewells. She glanced back with some lingering feelings and said,
“I’ll see you at the Martial Alliance everyone…”
“Is she planning to visit again?”
Watching her distant figure fade away, I sighed for the umpteenth time.
“Things are spinning out of control.”
—
“It’s been a while, friend! And who is this young lady beside you?”
“…She’s Lord Dan, or rather, Lady!”
“Ah! So you’ve been concealing your gender this entire time?”
Elder Baek looked on in shock at Mok-kyeong, seemingly also unaware of her true gender. Mok-kyeong, slightly discomfited, nodded.
“Due to certain circumstances, I’ve been concealing my gender…”
“Hehe, it’s rare but not uncommon for a female martial artist to disguise herself as a man to avoid difficult situations. Don’t worry about it.”
True, for someone to survive in this medieval era, there are plenty of times where Mok-kyeong would have to disguise herself. It’s hazardous for a female martial artist traveling alone.
Regardless of skill, if you don’t have the backing of a powerful organization, troublemakers are bound to show up.
“Thank you for understanding, Elder.”
“Ahem, still… you’re becoming well-known. Even the Martial Alliance must be watching closely, considering the significant power of the Four Rivers Sect. To have defeated their sect leader…”
“I didn’t do it—it was Lady Mok-kyeong.”
“Ho, really?”
“…Without the help of Great Hero Wi, I wouldn’t have been able to avenge my father.”
“That’s…?”
“All I did was ensure he couldn’t run. Fortunately, Lady Mok-kyeong broke through the limit just then…”
“Hehe, the speed of you young people these days is far beyond what I can keep up with…”
The elder seems to be getting a bit existential about life right around now.
Well, seeing individuals, about half his age maybe, surpass him skill-wise, it’s only natural for any martial artist to feel some doubt.
“Even you, Elder, will eventually break through that barrier. There’s only one wall left to smash.”
From this vantage point, I can vaguely perceive the wall that the elder is struggling with. Should it break, I believe he’ll reach the supreme level, though whether he can do it alone is uncertain.
For someone like me or Mok-kyeong, it would’ve been challenging to break through this level without some rare fortune.
“This wall is too towering and thick.”
“Huge boulders are also worn away into sand by the ocean’s waves after some time. Just keep chipping away at the wall slowly, right?”
If fortune doesn’t come your way, it eventually becomes a test of endurance.
Haste will only make the barrier more formidable.
“You’re right. I have much to learn from you.”
“So do I! I’ve learned a lot from Uncle, which is how I became a peak martial artist!”
“Ho ho, the Sect Leader will surely be delighted.”
After chatting for a while, Elder Baek had duties to attend to, and we returned to our quarters.
“Since it’s been a while, let’s relax leisurely.”
“Understood, Eun-gong.”
“Got it! Let’s go shopping in town then!”
“Sure, sure.”
After giving her an offhanded response, I entered the room, set down my baggage, and slumped onto the bed.
“No idea what’s happening now.”
At this point, the timeline has diverged so much from the original that I can hardly rely on it for guidance.
I realize now that I’ll have to navigate everything by my own judgment, which makes the future seem bleak.
However, even with an uncertain path ahead, I have no choice but to move forward.
I’m struggling to figure out how to deal with Seo-ryeon’s sudden approach.
The youngest daughter of the Alliance Leader.
Which means treating her with extra care is required.
Still, why is she approaching me?
“Though she’s described as naive, she’s supposed to be quite clever too, right?”
If this naivety is part of her strategy, I wonder what her goal is.
Regardless, she’s clearly not hostile. Thus, there’s no need to be overly vigilant, especially since she doesn’t possess the martial prowess to harm me.
She also lacks any incentive to use poison.
After all, we don’t share any past connections.
Ah, I give up.
Since she seems intent on continuing this contact, I can always probe her during our next encounter.
Lying down on the bed, I closed my eyes.
“…”
“Could it be that you think I’m here to ask you about the Western Regions?”
“Well, it’s only Lord Wi who can share insights about the Western Regions, isn’t it?”
That’s correct…
“Still, visiting three days in a row…”
I assumed she would come only once in a while, never imagining she’d come for three consecutive days.
“I have plenty of time, you see.”
“…I see.”
“Does Lord Wi find my visits bothersome?”
“Bothersome? Not at all. But, I can’t help but think there must be a reason you keep coming. So, let’s lay it out honestly. Is there something you want from me?”
“How brazen of you…”
In response to my question, Seo-ryeon momentarily hesitated, averting her eyes. Then, as if making a decision, she softly spoke,
“I—”