Chapter 116

After a storm had swept through.


After Namgung Cheon left, a silence enveloped the Sima Family villa.


“……”


There, the current head of the Sima Family, Sima Bu, sat with his eyes closed, lost in thought.


…And Sima Bu’s loyal servant.


Jang Sambung, the Iron Roc, stood awkwardly in this atmosphere.


‘Why is this guy so unusually gloomy?!’


Normally, he would have shouted to sprinkle salt immediately, calling anyone who came to talk nonsense a madman.


It was strange.


“Um… Master… Salt.”


Just before Jang Sam could ask, “Shall I sprinkle it?”


“In the past, I had no qualms about scheming and killing people.”


Sima Bu’s mouth opened, and a self-confession close to a soliloquy flowed out. In his wolf-like amber eyes, the flames of burning houses flickered.


“I had to survive. I had to become strong to avenge my mother.”


I used whatever I could, and devoured those who stood in my way.


“In the shadows, I fought fiercely with the black wolves, killing and expanding my power to rebuild the family.”


Sima Bu’s voice trembled slightly.


“…But lately, I don’t want to do that anymore.”


“Huh?”


At the unexpected weak voice of the always strong pack leader, Jang Sam’s mouth hung open stupidly.


Unlike a dirty human like me…


The faces of his beloved wife and child floated in Sima Bu’s mind.


“The Sima Family’s Yangjihwa Plan… I said it was for Cheon’s sake…”


A self-deprecating hypocrite’s laugh escaped.


“But in truth, it was for me. I didn’t want to live in shame anymore.”


The image of the red-eyed girl, Yeonghwa, as a child also came to mind.


I deceived my wife for gold. I deceived my child. …I deceived an innocent woman who couldn’t see the world.


I hurt my daughter.


“…It’s a shameful life.”


In the past, I wouldn’t have thought like this.


I have no interest in the chaotic times to fulfill my ambitions… or the title of a feudal lord.


A sigh escaped.


I just wanted to live peacefully with my family.

***


At the Martial Alliance banquet attended by the esteemed members of various sects.


An ordinary junior disciple would be cautious of the senior martial artists’ reputations.


“……”


“…It’s been a while.”


But to Guhae and Yeonghwa, who were in love, it didn’t matter at all.


Water and fire.


Guhae, with her winter sea-like blue eyes and expressionless face, glared at her opponent.


Unfazed.


Yeonghwa, with her relaxed, friendly smile, but her beautiful red eyes showed no movement.


Fortunately, both had been somewhat persuaded by Mantian.


They weren’t about to fight openly like last time.


But that didn’t mean they fully accepted each other.


They continued their heavy standoff, exuding silent pressure.


Guhae’s loyal sparrows, Jjaekbong and Jjaekhwang, perched on her shoulders, frowned and glared at Yeonghwa.


“Jjaek! Jjaejjaeck!!”


Of course, it didn’t look threatening at all. Yeonghwa’s expression softened, and one eye squinted in confusion.


“What’s that? Those chubby… sparrows? Pigeons?”


“They’re not pigeons… they’re sparrows.”


…And then Guhae, feeling offended, turned away first.


“Master, calm down.”


“Let go! Let go! That girl disrespected our Jeonjin Sect!”


A little distance away, while introducing themselves and greeting according to Martial Alliance procedures.


An elder from some family said, “Jeonjin Sect? Is that some minor sect?”


Hearing this, Wang Miaoyang, angry and struggling, was held back by Mantian, who was trying to calm her down.


“…What?”


But Guhae’s steps were blocked by Yeonghwa.


“Stop.”


Yeonghwa also wanted to cling to her beloved brother. She wanted to act spoiled without caring about others’ eyes.


…But she couldn’t.


Because she was the official wife. Supporting her husband from behind was also a wife’s role.


“Listen carefully. This is an important place for my brother.”


Though it seemed old-fashioned, for Mantian, who would inherit the Sima Family, it was a place to build helpful connections.


She raised her index finger and kindly explained to Guhae, sharing knowledge she learned from her mother at the Zoroastrianism main palace.


“If you cling or show affection, it could harm my brother’s reputation. Understand?”


“No, I don’t.”


And she was neatly ignored by Guhae. Because to Guhae, others’ opinions didn’t matter.


What mattered was her desire to be with Mantian.


“…Huh?”


Blinking her eyes, Yeonghwa watched as Guhae naturally took the seat next to Mantian.


“Yep! Mantian’s side is mine. Mantian-Guhae.”


She showed her cute shark teeth and a victorious smile.


Kyaa~ Baby! Big win!!


At this frustrating yet enviable sight.


‘This… this girl! Does she think I don’t want to cling to my brother?!’


Trying to maintain composure, but unable to hide her emotions, her eyes trembled slightly.


Finally unable to hold back, Yeonghwa also approached Mantian.


“O, Oppa, wouldn’t it be good to take a break?”


She made an excuse to be together.

***


I decided to take a break as Yeonghwa suggested.


“Phew~.”


Being the center of attention is nice… but being dragged around like this is tiring.


…And more importantly, there were people I needed to take care of more than greeting the old folks of the Martial Alliance.


I looked at the people sitting around the round table.


Guhae, Yeonghwa, Sososo, Wang Miaoyang, Poong Ran, and.


“Sama Mantian! I heard what people around are saying!”


The princess of the North Sea Ice Palace, who had naturally taken a seat following Sososo.


“Being called the ‘King Tiger’ by the juniors of prestigious families! Amazing! The king among tigers~!!”


I corrected her misunderstanding with a deflated voice.


“That’s not the king (王) character, but the crippled (㑌) character. They’re mocking me as a crippled tiger.”


Well, naturally.


Though not a dragon’s name, suddenly barging into the Dragon and Phoenix Association, some people were displeased with me being called the ‘Smart Tiger.’


Glancing down, I looked at my right leg.


So, rather than ‘Smart Tiger,’ I was more often called ‘Crippled Tiger’ to mock my physical appearance.


“Uh… but, but! The crippled (㑌) character still has a small king (王) character in it! That’s amazing!!”


…Is that meaningful?


I didn’t really care. Feeling sorry for unintentionally mocking me.


Sososo calmly spoke up instead of the babbling Wolhwa.


“That’s right. No matter how much petty people belittle and demean, a noble remains noble.”


Contrasting her usual expressionless face, a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.


“Lord Sima is an amazing person.”


With a smile that showed more than simple respect, she looked at Mantian.


It was undoubtedly the face of a girl in love.


“…….”


Perhaps a woman’s intuition? At this sight, Guhae and Yeonghwa’s eyes narrowed slightly.


Yeonghwa made the first move.


“Namgung’s young master thinks highly of my brother. It’s a wonderful friendship.”


Pointing out Sososo’s public identity as a young master, a man, she tested the reaction.


“…Friendship. No matter how it looks, it doesn’t matter.”


But Sososo remained unshaken.


“Moon sinks deep in the night’s third watch – the moonlight is dim at midnight.”


“Two hearts know what two hearts know – only two people know their own hearts.”


No longer hiding her feelings.


“-Right, Lord Sima.”


With a shy yet somewhat seductive smile, she sought agreement.


“……!!”


Though it surprised everyone sitting here…


The most surprised was me. I managed to keep my expression in check.


Publicly, what couldn’t be revealed, she declared as if it were hers from behind.


Tap- tap-.


Under the table, out of others’ sight. A small foot touched my leg.


It was Sososo’s foot.


Small and cute, but having mastered the Emperor’s Sword Form at a young age.


The little emperor of Namgung.


Namgung’s Little King, Sword Dragon, Namgung Sososo.


No longer just enduring, she joined the battle for the official wife.


In the air, the gazes of Guhae, Yeonghwa, and Sososo clashed.


A heavy atmosphere flowed again across the table.


Thinking this wouldn’t do, I decided to intervene and put on a little show.


To lighten the stiff atmosphere.


“By the way… how about we all have a meal together while taking a break?”


Poong Ran, who had been quiet until now, stood up with a bright smile.


“I’ll bring some simple snacks and drinks.”


“It’s hard to go alone. Let’s go together.”


Though unofficial, following the Martial Alliance procedures as the Dragon and Phoenix Association winner.


Feeling sorry for not taking care of them after calling them, I walked with Poong Ran towards the long table with food.


…And Guhae, Yeonghwa, Sososo.


The dragon, saintess, and emperor, with a poor little seal caught in between.


“Um… um… while waiting…!”


Wolhwa carefully took out dice and a dice board from her pocket.


“W, want to play dice? It’s fun….”