The Sword Squad is a group of martial artists capable of capturing the demons that emerge from the Demon Gate. It is an essential group that every major and minor clan and sect must have.
The Sword Squad is the most crucial entity that can earn fame, support from merchants, and the backing of the common people by closing the Demon Gate.
The Gu family, in particular, has five Sword Squads, from the First Sword Squad directly under the family head to the Fifth Sword Squad.
Therefore, the Nine Dragon Society (俱龍會) is an event to console the efforts of the Sword Squad in closing the Demon Gate for the benefit of the Gu family and the common people of Shanxi.
It is held twice a year, and it is also the schedule for the Gu family to select new members for the Sword Squad.
Not only the collateral branches of the Gu family but also the large and small sects in the Shanxi region participate, so the direct bloodline of the Gu family must attend.
In other words, it's something I can't avoid even if I die.
"Wouldn't they let me off if I die?"
"Wouldn't it be better not to die before that…?"
"Pretend to be dead?"
"If you do that and skip it, won't the real family head really kill you?"
There's no answer, damn it...
Since I can't do anything, Wuyan adds a comment.
"This time, the Nine Dragon Society is being organized by Elder Li. He said that if you run away again, he will really tear you to pieces…."
"Damn… I thought it was someone…."
Among the elders who couldn't stand me since childhood, Elder Li was particularly severe.
It was said that the only son of the Gu family head must be properly raised to ensure that the Gu family becomes a prestigious family on par with the Four Great Clans in the future.
'That's a responsibility my father never took on.'
In a way, he is a very grateful person, but as an elder, he is so busy that he always appears whenever he has a chance to give me forced education and scold me, making him a very awkward person.
"After all that, seeing how I lived like an idiot, I must be pretty amazing."
"Excuse me?"
"Just talking to myself. So, when should we leave?"
"Since it's being held at the Thousand Days Market, it won't be too far if we take a carriage."
"Is the market co-hosting it? Elder Li must have put in a lot of effort."
The Thousand Days Market is the most famous market in Shanxi. It has collaborated with the Gu family through three generations of family heads.
'What happened to the Thousand Days Market in the future?'
Didn't it just continue to be the top market in Shanxi? It seemed like there were no major issues.
It probably doesn't matter, so I stopped thinking about it. There are already too many things to deal with without worrying about the market.
"By the way, why aren't we leaving yet?"
Now that I'm done, isn't it a bit too much that the servants aren't ready?
I felt I should say something, so I went to where the servants were gathered.
"It's been a while since the preparations were finished…."
My mouth, which was about to complain, quickly closed.
In the center of the place where the servants were gathered and chatting, there was Wixia.
Wixia.
Not the Wixia who used to cover her face with unkempt hair and grin foolishly.
She looked exactly like the Wixia who looked down at me before I died.
Of course, it's the same person. I just didn't realize it because of her current behavior and appearance.
Her face, which was hidden by her unkempt hair, is now visible thanks to her neat bangs.
Her transparent skin and crimson lips catch my eye.
Her black eyes, which contain a faint blue, seem to shine alone among the many people.
Now that her messy hair is neatly styled….
"Wixia, you're really beautiful…!"
"How can someone be so beautiful? When you grow up, you'll make all the boys cry."
"Really, if I could, I'd want to marry her to my son…. Oh, Young Master!"
The servants who were showering Wixia with compliments quickly took their places and bowed when they saw me.
As I stood there, giving them a look, a woman who was touching Wixia's hair stepped forward and spoke.
"I'm sorry…. We need to go to the Nine Dragon Society, but I thought I should at least make Wixia look a bit better…."
She was so beautiful that she lost her mind while doing it.
It was hard to call it "making her look better" since all they did was tidy her hair.
But that's what it means.
They clearly knew it was their fault, so they would have to take whatever I said.
In the meantime, Wixia walked over.
Wixia walked up to me and looked at me.
Her gem-like eyes made me feel like my gaze would naturally turn to her. Wixia wouldn't know what I'm thinking.
Her eyes are different from the sharp ones she had in my previous life. They are entirely different from the eyes that looked at me with various emotions.
"Young Master, the sisters say I'm very beautiful."
Wixia's slight smile as she spoke made my heart sink.
It was a face I would never see again, completely different from now.
I tried to calm my thumping heart, but it wasn't easy.
"Is Young Master also saying I'm beautiful?"
In the end, I couldn't say anything when I saw Wixia smiling widely.
******************
Although we were a bit late, everything went smoothly after that.
While I was chatting with Wuyan, the carriage was ready, and since only a few attendants, including Wixia, were going, we could quickly board.
Just before we left, I noticed Jian Zun, who was showing off his appearance to Wixia, and he had a slightly sad look as he stroked Wixia, which left a bit of an impression.
Then, with a few guards assigned, the carriage set off for the Thousand Days Market.
"Wow! It's amazing! It's moving!"
As soon as we got in the carriage, Wixia was excited by the moving scenery.
She said the trees were moving quickly. When another attendant corrected her, saying, "It's not the trees, it's the carriage moving quickly," she became even more excited.
Wixia, who was already adorable, seemed to be even more adored with her new look.
It would take about two hours by carriage to reach the Thousand Days Market. I planned to get some sleep during that time.
I had been making plans and practicing until dawn, so I had been lacking sleep recently.
While Wixia, who was excited, was a bit noisy, I gave her some sweets to quiet her down and quickly fell asleep.
******************
The carriage, which didn't stop, soon arrived at Shan Yue County, where the Thousand Days Market is located.
The streets were crowded with people, as if it were the biggest festival in Shanxi.
This was the activation of the streets, and for the surrounding merchants, it was an opportunity.
Of course, it was a boring event for me.
'I was hoping to finish quickly and practice.'
It was to make up for the lack of practice I've been feeling since my return.
The sudden intense training made my whole body ache, but it was necessary for the future.
I might die if I don't do it.
As we passed through the streets and reached the Thousand Days Market, people appeared in front of the market to welcome us.
A middle-aged man with a house of a certain size was wearing a golden silk with "Thousand Days" (天一) written on it.
He introduced himself as the deputy manager of the Thousand Days Market.
"I am Tian Yishil, the deputy manager of the Thousand Days Market. It is an honor to meet the little star of the Gu family."
"I am Gu Yangtian of the Gu family."
Tian Yishil glanced around behind me and his eyes widened slightly when he saw Wixia, but he quickly fixed his gaze on me.
As a merchant, he had excellent facial control.
"Elder Li has not arrived yet, but Miss Gu is unpacking and resting. I will guide you to unpack your luggage, Young Master Gu."
"…Hmm, that would be best. Please lead the way."
Tian Yishil said he would personally guide us.
He said it was a guest room in the market, and I remembered the Thousand Days Market was large, but after my return, I realized it was even more extensive.
'Isn't it wider than the Gu family estate?'
Of course, it's probably because the family head intentionally didn't expand it.
Gu Lianxue had already arrived.
She had arrived early and unpacked, so she wouldn't come out until the Nine Dragon Society started.
Gu Lianxue clearly dislikes me. If we meet, it will probably be troublesome.
Fortunately, I won't have to waste energy on unnecessary encounters.
'What are the chances of running into her by bad luck?'
...Bad luck usually finds people easily.
On the way to the guest room, as if to remind me of my bad luck, I ran into Gu Lianxue like a ghost.
"To have to see an unpleasant face right after arriving."
That was what Gu Lianxue said as soon as she saw me.
"Hello, Sister."
"Don't greet me, it annoys me."
Why didn't she just tell me to stop breathing?
Gu Lianxue opened her mouth with a lot of annoyance, as if my greeting bothered her.
"I doubt you'll cause trouble at the Nine Dragon Society, but please, at least refrain from that. There's nothing uglier than a blood relative disgracing the clan's name."
"I'll stay hidden and leave quietly, so don't worry."
"Who said I was worried…."
Gu Lianxue spat at me and then, upon seeing Wixia, was momentarily surprised before her expression turned sour.
Then she looked at me with even more disgust than before.
"Is it true that you can't break old habits? Are you still trying to do useless things even here?"
"…What are you talking about?"
"I thought you had changed a bit recently, but people don't change, after all."
She spat out her words and then quickly passed by me.
Why is she suddenly ranting…?
Only Tian Yishil, who was guiding us, was breaking out in cold sweat.
Unable to bear the tension, Tian Yishil spoke.
"Yes, I've heard that siblings often fight. I used to fight with my sister when I was young…."
"...."
I don't need your consolation….
Following the guide, we soon arrived at the guest room.
It was as large as my private quarters in the clan and was clean, as if it was always maintained.
I wanted to rest more, but since the Nine Dragon Society was about to start, I moved quickly.
The venue, organized under the leadership of the Thousand Days Market, was quite large.
They said that the size of the venue reflects the wealth of the market, so they make it as large as possible.
'Isn't it too large, even for that?'
"Wow…! It's so wide, I've never seen anything this wide before!"
This time, I agree with Wixia.
It's so wide that anyone might think it was organized by the Martial Arts Alliance.
On the first day, a banquet will be held for the Gu family's Sword Squad.
The second day, which many people are waiting for, will feature a sparring competition to select new members for the Gu family's Sword Squad.
Fortunately, the bloodline members do not participate in the sparring.