Chapter 159

Rewinding time slightly, right after Mantian arrived at the Jiegal Family’s villa.

Guhae and Jiegal Yang were standing in the garden, frowning at each other, locked in a standoff.

“I won’t go.”

“I don’t want to go either. But it’s family business. Show your face.”

The wind blew, causing Guhae’s black hair to flutter to the side. No more words were exchanged.

A brief moment.

The two clashed. Palms filled with tension poured toward each other.

Cutely put, it was a game of hand-slapping.

But to the onlookers, it was enough to make their flesh tremble…

The Breathless Eighteen Palms of the Descending Dragon, a relentless barrage.

Bang-! Bang-! Kwang-! Bang! Kwawang-!

The air shook as if a dragon was roaring, the deafening sound echoing in all directions.

I shielded myself from the dust kicked up by the hand-slapping and asked Jiegal Yeon, who was nervously fidgeting.

“What’s going on?”

“Well… a letter came from the main house asking to bring Guhae back.”

From the Jiegal Family’s main house? Not Jiegal Yang, but Guhae?

I tilted my head in confusion.

“Uncle Jiegal So-Bong, the acting family head, is here. Who has the authority to do this?”

Jiegal Yeon sighed and spoke.

“Someone… higher than the acting family head… is looking for Guhae.”

In terms of position, not just power.

In the Jiegal Family, there was only one person higher than the acting family head, Jiegal So-Bong.

The true family head of the Jiegal Family, who had fallen ill and entrusted the position to his son.

Guhae’s grandfather, Jiegal Gyu-geun.

…And the man who, after his beloved youngest daughter Jiegal So-Wol died giving birth to Guhae, left her with only the Jiegal surname and abandoned her.

“Why would he?”

“Well…”

Jiegal Yeon lowered her gaze and cautiously explained the situation.

It was unclear what had caused the change of heart.

But Jiegal Gyu-geun, lying on his sickbed, had suddenly added Guhae’s name to his will and was now seeking her.

“…Rumors say his condition has worsened recently.”

Jiegal Yeon muttered softly.

Meanwhile, Jiegal Yang, who had managed to land a light tap on Guhae’s head amidst the flurry of palms, clicked her tongue in disapproval.

“Tsk! Weak as he is, he’s still a Jiegal and family.”

Then, in a softer voice, she spoke to Guhae, who was rubbing her forehead.

“I’m not asking for forgiveness or understanding. Just see his face before he dies.”

“Y-yeah. Just meet him briefly and talk—”

Jiegal Yeon also tried to persuade Guhae, but it didn’t work.

Guhae cut her off.

“I won’t go.”

Even if they were connected by blood, what did it matter to her if someone she had never met died?

Guhae’s blue eyes flashed.

With an expressionless, indifferent yet resolute face, she spoke.

“People die.”

Whether she went or not, it didn’t matter.

Jiegal Gyu-geun would die when his time came.

Her bold statement, telling them not to make a fuss, left everyone’s faces filled with shock and awe.

“Gasp!?” “Huh…?” “T-that’s…!”

Even the “Black Snake,” another Guhae within her inner world, was startled.

[Oh, my…]

And Jiegal Yang, with a nonchalant expression, lightly retorted.

“Can you say that to Mantian?”

“………!?”

Guhae’s pupils shook violently.

“M-Mantian is different. He won’t die. He’s a genius who even deceives the heavens.”

Guhae cautiously turned her head to look at Mantian.

As if she had never even imagined Mantian’s death.

Her pitifully trembling blue eyes turned toward him.

“R-right? Mantian won’t die, right?”

Everyone’s gaze focused on me.

Suddenly put on the spot, I didn’t know what to say.

‘Well, uh… even geniuses die…’

I was truly grateful for her trust, but it was a heavy burden!

But Guhae, looking at me with teary eyes, was so cute that I couldn’t help but indulge her.

Blurring my focus and deliberately ignoring the others’ gazes, I spoke.

“O-of course.”

Reinvigorated by my words, Guhae proudly turned to Jiegal Yang.

“See? He won’t die!”

At the absurdity of the situation, Jiegal Yang furrowed one brow and looked at me.

“Don’t spoil her too much. She’ll get spoiled.”

“…Yes.”

Having nothing else to say, I lowered my eyes and quietly replied.

After all that…

Back to the present.

I looked down at Guhae, who was clinging to me.

“I’ll stay by Mantian’s side! I’ll protect him!”

Usually expressionless and cool, but when she got stubborn, she could throw a tantrum like this.

Finding her adorable, I couldn’t help but smile.

In a soft voice, I spoke to Guhae.

“Guhae, go visit the main house for a bit.”

I wanted to stay with Guhae, of course.

But this was Jiegal Family business.

Jiegal Gyu-geun and Guhae needed to meet and talk at least once.

This was Guhae’s story.

And judging by the fact that Jiegal Gyu-geun had mentioned the will, there might be something he wanted to give Guhae.

Perhaps something belonging to Guhae’s mother, Jiegal So-Wol.

“It’s different from when we parted before. Now, even if it takes a little time, we can meet again whenever we want.”

Guhae peeked out from my embrace and looked up at me.

“…Really?”

“Really.”

Even without me saying it, Guhae knew we would meet again.

She was just being clingy because she didn’t want to part.

So, Guhae pouted and acted spoiled once more.

“…Hug me tighter.”

“Of course, Princess.”

I tightly embraced Guhae in my arms.

I thought she had grown up, but at times like this, she was still a cute little girl.

Of course, even when Guhae becomes a big dragon, she’ll still be cute.

‧

‧

‧

Guhae had calmed down, and now it was time to prepare for departure.

First, the first item on the list.

“Jang Sam-i!”

“As a servant and bodyguard, I guess I’m coming too. …What a hassle.”

Though Jang Sam-i complained, he didn’t seem truly displeased.

In fact, he seemed to secretly like the idea.

Well, Jeoseokhyeon was a hot spring town, so it was better than lugging stuff around here.

Anyway, Jang Sam-i would now prepare food and other necessities.

Then, the second item on the list.

I walked over and opened the door to Master Wang Miaoyang’s room.

“Snore~ Snore~ Snooore~”

It was nap time, and Master Wang Miaoyang was sleeping peacefully, her angelic face breathing softly.

Strangely, she would wake up immediately if someone else approached.

But when I was near, she would stay asleep.

Could she sense people’s presence even while sleeping?

Perhaps she considered me, her disciple, a safe person, so she remained defenseless in her sleep.

I poked her soft cheeks with my finger.

“Mm… Ugh… Mmm…”

Only cute murmurs escaped her lips as she didn’t wake up.

She was sleeping so soundly that she wouldn’t notice even if I carried her away. So, I decided to do just that.

Even on an errand, martial arts training couldn’t be skipped.

I wrapped Master Wang Miaoyang in a thin blanket and carried her on my back like a baby.

Baby Master Wang Miaoyang was complete.

With everything prepared, it was time to head to Jeoseokhyeon.

I adjusted the blanket to ensure Master Wang Miaoyang could sleep comfortably and mounted the horse Jang Sam-i had prepared, slowly moving forward.

And on Mantian’s swaying back.

Wang Miaoyang’s golden eyes fluttered open in a daze.

‘Warm back… a dream…?’

She buried her face in the comforting warmth of his back.

Though she couldn’t quite remember.

A similar warm sensation from her childhood came to mind.

Wang Miaoyang was being carried on the back of a girl who looked about twelve years old.

“Ah~ Ooh~ Aah!”

The girl’s soft purple hair, like a violet, was so pretty that Wang Miaoyang reached out and put it in her mouth.

“Ah! Don’t suck on it! It’s dangerous!”

The girl hurriedly fixed her hair, and Wang Miaoyang, having lost her pretty hair, started to cry.

“Waaah…!”

“Uh, um… in times like this… sleep well? Sleep~ sleep~ sleep~”

Ma Yang awkwardly sang a lullaby to calm Wang Miaoyang, and she gradually fell asleep to the safe feeling of the back and the soft voice.

In her subconscious memory, Wang Miaoyang’s lips twitched.

“…Ma Yang, sister.”

It wasn’t that they had a bad relationship. No, in fact, it was good.

…At least, she thought it was.

That’s why it was even more incomprehensible.

Why Ma Yang had betrayed the Jeonjin Sect and killed Master Ma Xuan.

Wang Miaoyang’s golden eyes slowly closed again.

She leaned her cheek against the warm, reassuring back and drifted off to sleep.

A recent memory, different from her subconscious one, appeared in her dream.

It was a memory and a nightmare.

Wang Miaoyang was walking, clutching her confused head.

What she saw was…

The Burning Estate.

Numerous sword marks showing that a fierce battle had just taken place.

The body of her master, Ma Xuan, lying on the ground, bleeding.

And standing in front of it.

Holding the Jeonjin Sect’s treasured sword, Yongyeon, stained with blood, with her master’s blood dripping down.

Ma Yang, smiling eerily at her.