Chapter 63

EP.63 It's Not Yours. (2)

It's Not Yours (2)

I thought we would go straight up to Huayin County, where Huoshan Sect is located, but when we arrived, it was already late at night, so we hastily found a place to stay.

Since Huayin County is centered around Huoshan Sect, when the scholar in plum blossom robes appeared, not only the waiter but even the innkeeper came out to welcome us, saying, "Welcome, please come in."

Thanks to that, we were able to get a comfortable room.

After finding a good place to stay, Xin Xian and the others said they would come back to pick us up the next day and left a few disciples behind before heading up Huoshan.

When I asked if it would be better to go now because of the demons, they said this was safer.

I don’t really understand what they meant, but since they said to do it this way, I agreed.

I was tired anyway, and I didn’t have the confidence to climb such a high mountain right away, so I decided to keep quiet and rest.

“Dumplings are ready~!”

Sitting at the table, the food I had ordered started to arrive one by one.

I didn’t need to look at anything; I just needed to fill my stomach first.

After eating a couple of dumplings and chewing, Weixuea next to me handed me a cup of water.

Lately, she has been particularly enthusiastic about something.

“Thanks, but you should eat too.”

“I’m full.”

“…?”

When I looked at her as if she was telling a ridiculous lie, Weixuea puffed out her cheeks.

Finding her expression amusing, I pressed her cheeks.

A funny sound, “Puuu!” came out.

Finding it hilarious, I laughed out loud, which made Weixuea pout.

“S-S-Si!”

“Sorry, sorry, I won’t do it again.”

It was a lie.

Of course, I would do it again; it was too fun.

While teasing Weixuea, someone appeared next to me with food.

It was Yingfeng, holding a bowl of noodles.

“...I’m disappointed. I should have recommended a better place.”

He was probably talking about the place he mentioned before, which was said to have the best dumplings in Shanxi.

While I was honestly disappointed, I wanted to finish quickly and return, so it didn’t matter.

“Is it okay if I don’t go up with you?”

When Xin Xian and the others went up Huoshan first, Yingfeng stayed behind on his own initiative.

Since the demons were important, I thought it made sense, but it didn’t seem like that was the case.

“It’s fine...”

I could sense an uncomfortable feeling in Yingfeng’s eyes.

It didn’t seem like something I should ask deeply, so I pretended not to notice.

When I thought I was full, I looked at Weixuea, who was still eating enthusiastically.

Watching her, Namgung Bia quietly placed something on her plate, and Weixuea made a snorting sound.

Lately, this has been a recurring feeling.

The problem is that after doing it, she seems to feel guilty and subtly checks Namgung Bia’s reaction.

If that’s the case, why do it in the first place...

Weixuea pretended to be annoyed but quietly ate what was placed on her plate.

She seemed conflicted.

It seemed like she was trying to act annoyed about something she didn’t like, but her gentle nature prevented her from doing it properly.

[Isn’t she cute, being so obvious about it?]

‘...Hmm.’

Seeing her struggling, I couldn’t help but put my hand on her head.

Actually, the previous statement was an excuse; I just wanted to touch her.

When my hand touched her, Weixuea shivered.

Thinking she might not like it, I was about to pull my hand away.

But then,

Weixuea used her hand to stop mine from pulling away.

‘...This must be a request, right?’

Thinking she didn’t mind, I gently stroked her head.

Feeling her soft hair, a smile bloomed on Weixuea’s face.

[You’re a boy, aren’t you?]

‘What are you talking about all of a sudden?’

[Are you pretending not to know? Your heart is being honest.]

Focusing on what Xin Nuo said, I realized my heart was beating faster than usual.

Was my body reacting differently from my mind?

Trying to ignore it, I continued to touch her hair, but I felt someone’s gaze.

“...Huh?”

Weixuea stretched her neck and looked at Namgung Bia with a blank expression.

She seemed to be looking at my hand stroking Weixuea’s head.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“...”

Namgung Bia didn’t answer my question.

She just kept watching my hand.

It was quite uncomfortable.

Namgung Bia slowly lowered her gaze.

As she did, her head naturally lowered, revealing her scalp.

[...Wow.]

Xin Nuo let out an exclamation.

“What are you doing...”

Watching her, I suddenly thought, ‘Could she be asking me to stroke her head?’

It seemed unlikely, but there was no reason for her to act this way otherwise.

‘Nah, probably not.’

Thinking it might be the case, I extended my hand that was stroking Weixuea’s head towards Namgung Bia.

I hesitated for a moment, but I did it just in case.

“Aah...”

Weixuea made a disappointed sound.

Just as my extended hand was about to touch Namgung Bia’s head,

“Is someone on the second floor?”

We heard someone climbing the stairs towards us.

“That voice...”

Yingfeng beside me shuddered.

Someone was coming, so I pulled my hand back, and Namgung Bia turned her head towards the stairs.

Judging by Yingfeng’s reaction, it might be someone he knows.

The clothes of the people climbing the stairs were familiar.

They were the same as Yingfeng’s.

‘Are they from Huoshan Sect?’

Is it possible for Huoshan Sect’s scholars to come down the mountain at this late hour?

I don’t know much about the sect, but it seemed like it could be a problem.

“...What? Who else is...”

The young man leading the group stopped when he saw us.

More specifically, he stopped when he saw Yingfeng sitting next to me.

Yingfeng also stood up immediately when he saw him.

“...Senior Brother.”

‘Hmm.’

Seeing Yingfeng call him Senior Brother, it seemed they were both third-generation disciples.

This was the first time I saw a third-generation disciple other than Yingfeng.

Looking at him, he definitely seemed younger compared to the other third-generation disciples.

“...Yingfeng.”

The young man seemed momentarily surprised when he saw Yingfeng. Why was he so surprised to meet a fellow disciple?

“Senior Brother, why are you...”

“Why is someone here...”

The other disciples following behind also stopped when they saw Yingfeng.

What’s going on with this atmosphere?

While the strange atmosphere continued, the young man asked Yingfeng.

“...Did you finish your task?”

“Yes...”

“Where are the other Senior Brothers?”

“They had other matters to attend to and went up first. Senior Brothers Xin Bi and Xin Shi are on other floors.”

“I see...”

“...”

“...”

The conversation paused for a moment.

Even if I’m not very perceptive, I could tell this was a very awkward situation.

[...Great, I knew you were clueless.]

‘...Xin Nuo.’

Yingfeng hesitated for a moment, then quickly regained his composure and looked at me.

“This is Junior Brother Ouyang Qian from the Gu family. He is an important guest of Huoshan.”

Hearing Yingfeng’s introduction, the young man finally looked at me.

Actually, he looked at Namgung Bia first, then Weixuea, and finally at me.

This guy...?

“I, I am Ying Cheng, a third-generation disciple of Huoshan.”

Ying Cheng’s voice was trembling.

Especially when he glanced at Namgung Bia, it reminded me of Yingfeng.

[Don’t just look at that girl, check on your fiancée.]

‘Huh?’

Hearing Xin Nuo’s sudden comment, I looked at Namgung Bia, who was glaring at Ying Cheng.

...Glaring? Can this airhead actually glare at someone?

It was very subtle.

But having seen her for a while, I could notice the slight change in her expression, which someone meeting her for the first time might not.

But it was definitely a glare.

Realizing his behavior, Ying Cheng cleared his throat and spoke again.

“The Senior Brothers must have their reasons for entrusting you with a guest... Well, since the Senior Brothers are here, we should go and greet them.”

“Yes...”

“I’ll go first. Please rest comfortably.”

With a bow, I returned the gesture.

As the disciples moved, their actions seemed to carry multiple meanings.

I could sense this from Yingfeng’s somewhat gloomy expression.

At that moment, I recalled something Yingfeng had told me before.

‘The other disciples don’t really enjoy sparring with me.’

I remembered Yingfeng’s gloomy face when he told me this. Is he being ostracized? The Sword Dragon of Huoshan...?

As if reading my thoughts, I heard Xin Nuo’s voice.

[...This is because his talent is too outstanding.]

‘...Huh?’

[If a dragon appeared in a pond where carp swim, they wouldn’t easily mix, would they?]

I understood what he meant.

A senior disciple with outstanding talent, and considering Yingfeng’s age, he must be almost the youngest.

To have achieved the position of Plum Blossom Sword Master at such a young age, it must be burdensome, or even enviable, and not viewed positively.

So, is he being ostracized?

Tsk, tsk, I heard Xin Nuo’s tongue clicking.

[No matter what, for it to come to this... The upper echelons must know, yet... The sect is in a bad state. It wasn’t like this in my time...!]

‘Why do you always end up back at this point?’

[Tch... Tsk]

Even as he clicked his tongue, there was a hint of regret in Xin Nuo’s words.

Seeing this, I sighed inwardly and secretly glanced at Yingfeng.

His face indeed looked a bit darker.

Noticing me looking, Yingfeng gave an awkward smile.

“Let’s finish eating!”

Despite his bright voice, the meal ended quickly.

I was already full, and Namgung Bia didn’t eat much.

Weixuea, who is usually perceptive, didn’t eat more because the atmosphere was strange.

After the meal, Yingfeng left to join the other third-generation disciples.

I also got up to go to my room, but Namgung Bia blocked my way.

“Miss Namgung?”

When I called her, she kept looking at me as if she had something to say, but hesitated to speak.

[Brat, just reach out your arm.]

‘Huh?’

[Don’t overthink it; just reach out your hand.]

Following Xin Nuo’s advice, I extended my hand.

His voice sounded like he would get angry if I didn’t, so I did as he said.

As I slowly extended my hand, Namgung Bia’s eyes widened.

As my hand approached, she even lowered her head.

Just as my fingertips were about to touch her, another hand suddenly appeared and stroked Namgung Bia’s head.

It was Weixuea’s pale, fair hand.

“...?”

Surprised by Weixuea suddenly messing with her hair, Namgung Bia looked flustered for a moment, but seeing it was Weixuea, she even bent her knees more.

Perhaps she felt sorry for the tall Namgung Bia and the small Weixuea, who was on tiptoes.

After a while, Weixuea moved away from Namgung Bia.

Namgung Bia also lifted her head when Weixuea stepped back.

Weixuea said with a proud look,

“I did it!”

Seeing this, Namgung Bia gently stroked Weixuea’s cheek.

Namgung Bia looked at me with a blank expression again. Was this the reason she blocked my way?

“...Next time...”

Namgung Bia started to say something but then closed her mouth.

It seemed like she had more to say, but she just went into her room without saying it.

I was confused by this.

[Did you see her ears?]

Xin Nuo suddenly interjected.

‘Ears?’

[Your fiancée’s ears were bright red.]

Namgung Bia’s ears?

I didn’t notice such a thing when she went into her room.

What was she trying to do?

“...Sister is good, but...”

“Huh?”

I heard Weixuea muttering to herself while standing there blankly.

“But I won’t give it to Sister.”

It was a firm voice.

I was about to ask what she was talking about when Weixuea quickly said, “Good night!” and ran off.

She was probably going to the room where the servants stay.

“...What.”

I stood there alone after they both left.

Their behavior was changing bit by bit, as if they were affected by the heat, making it hard to adapt.

After standing there for a while, I also went to my room.

I was too tired for my mind to work properly.

I buried my face in the soft bed as soon as I entered.

We’ve come this far.

Now, all that’s left is to finish the task and return.

I need to return the demon and see my sister, but I’ll think about it tomorrow.

First, I need a good sleep.

[Sigh.]

I heard Xin Nuo sigh, but I didn’t have the energy to ask why.

I’ll deal with it when I wake up...

With that thought, I quickly fell asleep as the drowsiness overcame me.

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

Chirp! Chirp!

I slowly opened my eyes to the sunlight and the sound of birds chirping through the window.

I must have slept deeply, as I didn’t have the usual nightmares I have every day.

Thanks to that, I woke up feeling refreshed and clear-headed.

How long has it been since I slept so comfortably?

As I got up and moved my body, I heard a cracking sound from my joints.

“...Ah, I feel refreshed.”

“Did you sleep well?”

I thought it was Xin Nuo asking, so I replied,

“Yes, did you sleep well too, Master Nuo?”

“Of course, maybe I’m just old and sleep a lot, but I always sleep well.”

“What do you mean, ghosts don’t sleep...”

I closed my mouth.

Something was off.

Did Xin Nuo’s voice sound like this?

Usually, it felt like it was in my head, not my ears.

Today, it sounded unusually clear and different.

‘...What is this?’

Before I could fully grasp the situation, Xin Nuo appeared.

[...It’s not me.]

...?

Sweat trickled down my back as I turned my head towards the source of the voice.

There, sitting in my room, was an elderly man with a gentle smile.

“Who... are you?”

The old man chuckled.

“I’ve lived for quite a long time, but being treated like a ghost is a first...”

With every word and movement of the old man, the energy in my dantian stirred.

[...Oh dear.]

At the same time, I heard Xin Nuo’s surprised voice. It felt like the energy of the plum blossom he was suppressing was leaking out.

Was I hallucinating?

The sunlight coming through the window seemed to carry a faint scent of plum blossoms.

The old man calmly stroked his beard.

As I gradually woke up, I began to feel it.

This wasn’t the scent coming from outside the window.

The room was filled with the scent of plum blossoms, which was coming from the old man.

“I heard you were sent by Juzhang.”

The name of the elder came naturally from the old man’s mouth.

I swallowed a dry mouth, trying to hide my cold sweat.

The old man smiled slightly at me.

He then lowered his hand, which had been calmly stroking his beard.

Only then did I notice the plum blossom pattern on the old man’s chest.

Seeing it, my eyes widened