"I heard you broke the arm of the Thunder Dragon."
As soon as I entered the family head's room, my father said this.
Without even a greeting or a question about my well-being, he just blurted it out.
"...Why did you have to ask?"
He was always like this, but he was truly consistent.
What should I answer? Should I tell it as it is?
"No, I didn't break it, just slightly damaged it…."
That was the best I could come up with after some thought.
It seemed like the same thing, but I felt I had to say something.
Fortunately, my father didn't seem to care much about my answer.
"Why did you do it?"
This was the important part.
He must have already heard everything, but he wanted to hear it from me directly.
I took a deep breath and slowly spoke.
"Thunder Dragon challenged me to a duel, and I accepted. Then, he used lethal moves, so I retaliated accordingly."
It was a simple explanation, but that was all there was to it.
I provoked him because he kept being arrogant, but the one who made the mistake was him.
"Thunder Dragon used lethal moves?"
"Yes, we agreed not to use internal energy, but he infused it into his wooden sword. I could also feel his killing intent."
"Any witnesses?"
"There were many people around."
Perhaps only the young master of the Tang family could have truly felt it. Tang Xiaoyue was also there, but she looked dazed after it ended, so I didn't trust her.
My father nodded at my answer.
"That's enough."
He's always so calm.
Even when I told him I beat Thunder Dragon, his reaction was just this.
I've rarely seen my father flustered, whether it was when I became a demon, when my bloodline members died one by one, or even when he himself was dying.
I stood there, enduring the heavy atmosphere, and my father suddenly said something unexpected.
"It seems you've achieved something."
"...What?"
This was something my father once said to Gu Yanxu at a dinner.
Ironically, this time I was the one hearing it.
Even though I suddenly advanced to the third rank, my father didn't seem particularly concerned.
He was really too calm.
"That's good."
"...Thank you."
I tried to suppress the corners of my mouth from curling up at such a trivial compliment.
How old am I to be so happy about a single compliment….
'Perhaps I've never heard such words before.'
Have I ever been complimented? Probably not.
That's why I so easily got lost in such a trivial sentiment.
My father briefly understood the situation and didn't say anything more.
Does he not think I'm lying?
He folded the letter he was reading and brought up another matter.
"If there was a conflict with the Nangong, you must have met your fiancée, who was there."
"..."
Here it comes….
Ah… fiancée.
Why does this make me so uneasy?
I swallowed the saliva that had gathered in my mouth and asked my father, trying to hide my trembling voice.
"Can I ask what's going on?"
"What do you mean?"
"About the engagement with the Nangong. I want to know how it's progressing."
No matter how I think about it, this is too sudden.
Not only did it not happen in my previous life, but with the Nangong?
My confusion aside, my father casually said:
"It was decided by the council. It's not a bad thing for you."
"..."
No, it's not….
What could have happened to make me engaged to Nangong Bia?
I was deep in thought when my father's voice came.
"Even if the engagement with the Pang family had to be broken, I don't think you'll mess up this time."
Did he realize I didn't like the engagement?
From his words, I could tell he was giving me a second chance.
There was nothing I could say at this point.
I had to keep quiet.
Rustle.
The sound of the letter being folded echoed quietly in the family head's room.
I stood silently, waiting for the next words.
Since my father didn't tell me to leave, it meant he still had something to say.
Tap tap.
The sound of his ring finger tapping the table.
A habit that comes naturally when he's thinking about something.
Seeing this, I frowned.
A habit I share with him. A resemblance to him.
At such times, I feel a bit dizzy, realizing I am indeed my father's son.
"It's almost the height of summer."
I snapped back to reality at my father's words.
What's this about all of a sudden?
"Yes, it's summer."
I could already feel it getting hotter.
But why is he saying this all of a sudden?
Summer…?
"Soon, the Dihua Battle will begin on Huashan."
My heart sank at my father's words.
The mention of Huashan made me feel suffocated.
I remembered the Huashan that burned and disappeared in my previous life.
'...Don't think about it.'
I calmed my racing heart with deep breaths.
My father, seeing my state, asked:
"Is something wrong?"
"Nothing. What do you mean by that?"
My father didn't answer but handed me the letter he was holding.
I carefully took it and unfolded it.
The words written on it made me frown.
I immediately asked my father:
"…Why are you giving this to me?"
"Bring her."
"Why me…?"
"Because you have to."
What kind of unreasonable request is this?
I frowned and asked my father:
"Do you know I just came from Sichuan?"
"I'll make sure you can leave in about a week."
"Is there no option to refuse…?"
What kind of dog's life is this, being asked to go far away right after coming from Sichuan?
I thought he might be feeling the heat, but a martial artist who cultivates fire energy doesn't care about heat.
'Has he had some change of heart?'
The Gu family doesn't let their members wander around freely.
Gu Xibei stood out because of her exceptional talent.
I was different.
While it's not uncommon for young masters to travel to gain experience, I was still young and hadn't become a young master yet, so I didn't understand why they wanted to send me out.
Moreover, the higher-ups wouldn't be happy if I went out.
I thought my father felt the same way, but now he's asking me to go so far?
"Lord, even if you say that, asking me to go to Huashan right away is a bit…."
"If you don't like it, you don't have to go."
"Really? Then I won't go…."
"However, if you do go, I'll open the secret vault and give you the Taixian Pill."
"…Of course, as your son, I'll go. I'll leave right away. Should I go now?"
The mention of the elixir made me answer without thinking.
...Was I too materialistic?
The slightly frowning look in my father's eyes made me feel a bit guilty.
But the Taixian Pill was irresistible.
An elixir just below the level of the Shaolin Summoning Pill, it could grant 20 years of internal energy if properly absorbed.
This must mean he's willing to open the secret vault and give it to me if necessary.
Thanks to a stroke of luck, my internal energy has increased significantly, but compared to the past, it's still not much.
Ultimately, both my body and internal energy are still in urgent need of improvement.
"…Can I go in a week?"
I thought a week might be a bit short to prepare.
"Do you need more time?"
"Can I go in ten days?"
My father nodded, as if agreeing with my suggestion.
He then returned his gaze to the letter.
What could be so interesting to read?
'Ten days.'
Fortunately, I got the extension.
This means I have ten days in Shanxi, which is painful as I have to leave again right after arriving, but the Taixian Pill makes it worth it.
It was strange that my father would bring up the Taixian Pill for such a task.
He's not one to make empty promises, so it must be important, but is it important enough to offer the Taixian Pill?
My father pointed to the door with his hand.
"Your business is done. Go rest."
"Yes."
I also felt a bit uncomfortable staying longer.
This means I have to visit Haomen in a few days and combine it with my training, so I need to move quickly.
'Huashan.'
The memory of the plum blossoms that bloomed beautifully in the sky remains in a corner of my mind.
The image of everything burning is also etched in my memory.
But can I dare step into Huashan?
'Don't think about it.'
It's not good.
If I start thinking about it, there's no end.
This won't happen now.
As always, I have to deal with it alone.
'Just finish the task and come back.'
Focus only on the task given to me.
I closed the door of the family head's room and thought about the task my father gave me.
It was to bring back the youngest member from Huashan.
******************
When I returned to my quarters, Elder Li and Gu Xibei were already gone.
They caused a commotion and then disappeared when I came back.
Of course, I was relieved to return to a peaceful place.
I headed to my room to change clothes and saw Jian Zun holding a broom from a distance.
Jian Zun also noticed me and respectfully bowed.
...It's been a while, but Jian Zun's presence is always intimidating.
"Hiing…."
...Huh?
I heard a familiar cry and shifted my gaze to Jian Zun's back, where I saw Weixuea kneeling with her arms raised, standing in punishment.
It reminded me of how I stood in punishment in front of Gu Xibei earlier.
"Why is she doing that again…?"
Tears streamed down her eyes, looking very sad.
Yet, Jian Zun ignored the crying Weixuea and continued his work.
I quickly realized why.
Ah, she followed Gu Xibei to Sichuan without permission.
She must have been caught and punished as soon as she returned after being absent for a month.
"Master…."
Oh, I made eye contact with Weixuea, who was looking at me for help.
Weixuea looked at me with a pleading gaze, but there was nothing I could do.
'...Running away was a bit too much.'
Even if I wanted to help, it would be difficult, especially since the one punishing her is Jian Zun.
It would be too much to ask for help in this situation.
"...It's cold at night, so finish your punishment and go inside."
I said this to Jian Zun, feeling I should say something.
Jian Zun smiled kindly and replied:
"Yes, thank you for your concern, Master."
"...You're welcome."
It's summer, so it's not cold.
My lame excuse made Weixuea look shocked.
"Master…!"
"Hey! Who said you could raise your voice while being punished!"
Weixuea whimpered like a puppy at Jian Zun's scolding.
I'm sorry.
But there's nothing I can do. It's your choice, so you have to deal with it….
I pretended not to notice and went into my room.
Weixuea called out to me sadly from outside, but I ignored her and covered my ears.
I was tired and wanted to lie down.
The events of the day, from the engagement to Huashan and Gu Xibei, had drained me.
It would soon be night, so it's fine to take an early nap.
I lay down, feeling exhausted, and sensed movement outside.
"It's me, your attendant, Hongwa."
"What is it?"
"I came to ask if you'll have dinner."
"…I don't have much of an appetite, so I won't eat."
The attendant nodded and left.
I thought about eating some buns, but I really had no appetite.
All I wanted was to sleep.
Maybe I'll eat something late at night, or practice under the moonlight.
After sending the attendant away and lying down, I regretted it within half an hour.
I was sleeping soundly when someone opened my door and shouted: