Chapter 77

EP.77 In the Gap of Snow Summer (3)

In the gap of Snow Summer (3)

I expected it to be past the hour of the rat.

It was when I was about to lie down and try to sleep, exhausted.

[To truly become a Taoist, one must forget not only the secular world but also any lustful thoughts towards the opposite sex.]

The voice of Shin Noya, speaking in the dead of night, was unusually solemn.

Perhaps it was the heaviest with emotion since I met him?

[If one gets entangled in personal feelings, one cannot reach the desired realm as a martial artist or a Taoist.]

Even as he spoke quickly, his voice remained steady.

[Do you know? Among those of the rank of elder in Huashan, very few are married. This is all for the sake of higher enlightenment.]

The head of the sect, who should be the symbol, face, and heart of the Taoist gate, does not marry, but there are occasional exceptions.

I don’t really care who is married and who isn’t.

I listened to Shin Noya’s words half-heartedly, with a indifferent expression, and asked:

‘…So what’s your point?’

[…Get lost, you damn brat!]

Shin Noya suddenly wailed.

[What could be so good about this little shrimp that he’s all tangled up in flowers? The world is falling apart….]

‘So, in other words, you’re saying that I never had a proper relationship and died, and you’re wondering what this young guy is doing? Is that it?’

[....]

‘You’re not angry for such a petty reason, are you?’

[You… bastard….]

Though I’ve never seen him, I can imagine him trembling violently.

It was a truly pitiful situation.

I could understand to some extent why Shin Noya often spews insults at me.

‘…But have you never met….’

[…!…!!…!!!…!]

“Why are you shouting…!”

“Mmm….”

“…Hmm.”

“…!”

I shrank back at the rustling sounds coming from both sides.

I was about to fall asleep, but now I’m wide awake.

In the dim room, Namgung Bia and Wiesha lay on either side of me.

Namgung Bia fell asleep immediately as she did yesterday, and Wiesha, lying next to me, eventually fell asleep after staring at me for a while.

And.

After a day of being caught up in work and not getting any sleep, I couldn’t sleep tonight either.

When I opened the door, I was surprised to see the bedding already prepared and a hand beckoning me to come in.

For a moment, I thought I was dreaming.

If someone were to ask me how I ended up like this.

First, I didn’t get to ask Namgung Bia where her quarters were.

Second, I couldn’t do anything when I saw Wiesha, who was about to cry, saying she wouldn’t be able to sleep.

‘…Why can she, but not me…?’

There was nothing I could say to that.

I could have easily said, “You’re just a servant,” but I couldn’t bring myself to say it.

I could imagine the expression Wiesha would make, and I couldn’t bring myself to say it.

In the end, there was no Sword Venerable, and I didn’t have the energy to argue, so I just lay down.

They call it Snow Summer.

A contradictory term, like snow in summer.

Is it even possible for it to be so cold in summer that it snows?

Despite the absurdity, I now understand a little of what it means.

-Swoosh.

-Swoosh.

The breathing sounds of Namgung Bia and Wiesha in my ears.

The subtle scent of their bodies made it impossible to sleep.

I didn’t even have time to feel the heat; I was so out of it that I felt cold.

I usually sleep curled up like a shrimp, but I couldn’t do that now because there was a face on either side.

[The scent of a body, quite a perverted thing to say.]

‘…Just go to sleep.’

[Have you ever seen a ghost sleep?]

‘…Ugh.’

I sat up, my body aching from lying in a strange position for a long time.

“Mmm….”

I tried to move carefully, but Wiesha, who was clinging to my arm, made a sound.

Wiesha was chewing on her messy bangs with her mouth, as if she was eating something in her sleep.

‘What are you eating?’

Is she eating noodles?

While thinking such trivial thoughts, I brushed Wiesha’s bangs into place.

When I brushed her bangs aside, I could see Wiesha’s pale skin and crimson lips.

Even though her face was not fully grown, it radiated a charming light.

‘In a few years, I’ll have to cover her face too.’

It might seem strange to cover the face of a servant, but there was no choice. She wasn’t just pretty; considering my past life, it was necessary.

In a year or two, it would be necessary.

‘If we’re still together by then…’

It’s a bitter thought.

I was thinking that Wiesha wouldn’t be with me for long.

She could leave at any time.

Now, I feel the excessive affection and attention she gives me.

But is it right for me to accept it?

I couldn’t help but think that.

“Mmm….”

Wiesha, in her sleep, grabbed my hand lightly.

Her warm palm was comforting.

“Grandpa….”

Is she dreaming about the Sword Venerable? I gently stroked Wiesha’s head, but I couldn’t sleep like this, so I slowly got up without making a sound.

I took a pillow and walked to the corner.

[You’re making a sad choice.]

‘I’m not sad at all.’

If I don’t get any sleep by tomorrow, I might die from exhaustion, whether I’m a martial artist or not.

I threw the pillow down and lay down roughly.

With the two of them gone and the scent fading, I was able to fall asleep quickly.

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

-Tweet… Tweet!

I wake up gradually to the sound of birds.

Just hearing that, I can tell it’s morning.

“…Ugh….”

I wanted to sleep until noon, but why did I wake up so early?

Swallowing my frustration, I try to get up, but something is holding me back.

‘…Am I being pinned down?’

I move around, groaning, to check.

I see Baechoongbal’s hair on top of my upper body.

“…What?”

When I finally come to my senses, I realize both my arms are taken.

Namgung Bia and Wiesha were holding me down from both sides.

‘…I came all the way to the corner to sleep, but what are they doing?’

What happened in the middle of the night?

“…Noya.”

[Don’t call me.]

“What do you mean… Did something happen last night?”

[I didn’t see anything….]

What are you talking about…?

Leaving aside Shin Noya’s strange reaction, I want to get out, but my arms are held so tightly that I can’t free them easily.

“…Why are they doing this? What if someone sees….”

Rattle.

“…That’s what I’m saying.”

Just as I said that, the door opened, and someone’s eyes met mine.

No servant would open my door without permission.

Certainly not a regular Huashan disciple.

There were only a few people left.

“...”

“…You.”

As soon as I recognized who it was, cold sweat ran down my back.

It was the person with the lowest probability among those I imagined.

The one who appeared was none other than Gulinghua.

Gulinghua silently looked at me and the two of them, and her expression worsened.

The situation was awkward, but how could I explain it?

It’s not what you think, I just held hands while sleeping?

‘…That would be convincing.’

It’s not something you can say when you wake up entangled with two girls.

I was trying to figure out what to say when Gulinghua, who seemed about to say something, frowned and closed the door again.

“…I’ll wait outside.”

The cold tone from outside the door made me realize it was too late.

In the situation, like a bomb going off, I tried to move, but I could only wiggle my fingers and tickle Wiesha’s side.

“Huhggiyak!!”

Wiesha, startled by the intensity, woke up immediately and rolled over.

As soon as one hand was free, I hit Namgung Bia’s forehead.

“...Hmm?”

Only when external pressure was applied did Namgung Bia’s eyes open slightly.

Taking advantage of the slight loosening, I freed my arms and got up, leaving the room.

Outside, Gulinghua was sitting on the veranda.

Not knowing what to say, I just rolled my eyes, and Gulinghua spoke first.

“Master wants to see you.”

“…What?”

I was taken aback by the unexpected words.

“She was disappointed that she didn’t see you last time.”

Last time, when I delivered the letter to Shin.

“Sword Empress?”

Why would the Sword Empress want to see me?

She said she was a friend of my mother, so is it because I’m her son?

“…She asked you to come see her once more before you leave.”

“…I see. Did you come all the way here just to tell me that? This early in the morning?”

“Are you crazy? Of course, I have my own business, so I came by.”

She said it with a very annoyed expression.

“But if I had known I’d see you like this in the morning, I would have come later.”

“…Why are you here in Huashan?”

“Is it strange for a disciple to visit their sect?”

“You can be strange.”

I said it because I knew she was living in a hut to take care of the Sword Empress.

After a while, Gulinghua, who had been making a face as if she had eaten a bug, sighed deeply.

“…I just stopped by for the Jihwajeon, don’t worry about it.”

“I wasn’t worried, but you came here suddenly.”

“…Shut up.”

“Are you going to the Jihwajeon?”

“Of course, isn’t it?”

“Right.”

I had planned to go down to the mansion as soon as the Jihwajeon was over, and since I had already returned the ghost and Guling