EP.54 Plum Blossom Sword Dragon (4)
Plum Blossom Sword Dragon (4)
The gaze is sharp.
I don’t know why, but the gazes of the writers who suddenly glared at me were quite sharp.
Why are you suddenly doing this?
When I slightly raised my hand to scratch my cheek, Shin Hyun and Young Poong in front of me flinched at the same time.
‘What? Why are you scared?’
What are you doing now?
“… Ahem.”
As I looked at him with a bewildered look, Shin Hyun coughed in vain.
“…Why are you all doing this?”
“No, that….”
“… What should I say about this?”
What the heck, what are those reactions?
The volcano’s drones had been staring at me just a moment ago, but now they couldn’t meet my gaze and began to turn their heads away.
And then they whisper among themselves.
“… I thought they looked similar somehow.”
“The eyes are especially similar, aren’t they?”
“Looking at it this way, it looks a lot like Sajeo.”
“That’s why it’s harder to face each other… .”
I can hear the whispering in my ears.
I think they were just talking among themselves, but why did they suddenly turn into this in this situation?
“What on earth are you talking about?”
I finally asked.
If you keep talking like this in front of people, they won’t take it very well.
When I said it in a displeased voice, only then did Shin Hyun speak to me as if trying to sort things out.
“… That’s because everyone was shocked when they heard that Confucius was a person from the Nine Houses.”
The title suddenly changed from Sohyeop to Confucius.
What does being a blood relative of the Gu family have to do with me now?
“The older lord’s sister is a famous friend of ours….”
“My sister?”
I thought deeply about Shin Hyun’s words.
To be honest, I didn’t know much about my younger sister at this time.
It’s just that I left Sega and belonged to the Hwasan faction since I was young.
So, unlike the two older sisters who were tied to Sega, I didn’t have much contact with my younger brother.
Looking back now, it was strange that a direct descendant of a prestigious family could become a member of another sect.
I never thought about that part at the time.
Later on, my younger brother became so famous that I couldn’t help but know about him.
My younger sister who only returns to Sega once every few years, and for only a few days at that.
Looking at the time zone now, there wasn’t much to know other than that.
“…Why him?”
No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t figure it out, so I asked Shin Hyeon again.
“…greatness.”
Shin Hyun opens and closes his mouth, seemingly unable to answer.
What’s the problem that makes you hesitate like that?
“So-hyeop, I have something I really want to ask you.”
While Shin Hyun was doing that, Young Poong intervened.
“What is it?”
“… Gu So-hyeop, was the accident like that from the beginning?”
accident?
The Shin Hyeon in front is the second generation disciple, and judging by the fact that he calls him his private tutor, Yeong Poong is the third generation disciple.
Of course, my brother is two or three years younger than Yeong-poong, so I thought we might be of equal qualification.
Why is the title an accident?
“…What are you talking about?”
“No, that’s right… that.”
After hesitating for a while, Yeongpung closed his eyes tightly and asked.
“The old accident was originally a man… .”
I couldn’t hear the end of Youngpoong’s courageous shout.
This is because Shin Hyun immediately hit Young Poong’s lips with the palm of his hand.
“Ugh…!!”
Shin Hyun kicked Young-pung, who had been rolling backwards while clutching his lips that had been hit with a loud noise, sending him backwards once more.
Then, the Hwasanpa’s unmanned troops from behind began to stomp recklessly as if they had been waiting for Yeongpung.
Young-pung screams at the relentless kick.
“Ah… ahh! Sir, sir, wait a minute…!”
“Isn’t he really crazy?”
“I’m really trying to tell you this, hey! Who is this girl’s matchmaker? Who is in charge of the three disciples? Why did you teach this girl like this!”
“That’s you, you little shit!”
“Ahhhh!”
“… .”
I was speechless at the brutal sight.
Yeongpung was literally getting hit with dust.
Yeongpung just now… I think he was about to ask something…
I looked at Shinhyun and tried to ask again, but Shinhyun’s attitude was firm.
“excuse me….”
“You don’t have to worry about it.”
“No… I think I should write it.”
“No, no, you don’t have to use it. I felt like I lacked some education, but the situation fits well.”
“yes…?”
Education? Is that really education? Is it okay to treat the late index, who is called the so-called Sword Dragon, like that?
It was very different from the image of Taoism I had in my head.
I thought he would be gentle and kind, but what is this…
[As expected… . The descendants taught very well. Since ancient times, friendships between disciples should be built like that.]
“… Oh, I see.”
If this old man was the real Volcanic Sword, wouldn’t that be the problem?
It was a moment when I suddenly realized something and my heart felt relieved.
As the men of letters stepped back, Yeongpung was lying on the floor as if he had died.
I feel like I’ve lost consciousness. Will I be okay?
My worries were in vain as someone slung Youngpung over their shoulders and disappeared behind me.
“Don’t worry about it. It’ll happen soon.”
Before I could ask anything else, Shin Hyun barged in.
I feel like this is a situation where I shouldn’t ask any more questions?
“Yeah, well. Anyway… .”
“Then, Your Majesty, are you heading straight to the volcano?”
“I guess so, I have to finish the work quickly.”
“Do you have other work to do at the volcano besides delivering treasures?”
“It’s nothing special, I just need to take my little brother to Sega.”
“yes…?”
Was there something strange about what I said?
Just like before, the gazes of the writers are gathered towards me.
No, it wasn’t like before.
The eyes were much hotter and more passionate.
‘…Was the volcano originally a group of crazy people like this?’
[What the heck!?]
‘Hey, please be quiet… My head is ringing.’
[This rotten guy has nothing to criticize, so he’s criticizing other people’s sects!?]
No matter what I said, there was nothing I could do.
If I were to just consider the gazes I’m receiving right now, I think it’s fair to call it that.
Shin Hyun suddenly grabs my shoulder tightly.
“Why are you like this…?”
“Let’s go, Daehyeop.”
“What?”
In an instant, his title changed from a small swordsman to a Confucius, and from a Confucius to a great swordsman.
Not only Shin Hyeon, but also the writers who had been quietly watching from behind came flocking to me.
“We will get you to the volcano safely and quickly.”
“Is it hard for you to walk? Should I carry you? I’m pretty light.”
“Would you like me to hold your breath for you?”
“Hey! Get that horse out of my way, I can run faster than a horse!”
“Two horses are better than one, I’ll do it too.”
“… Hey.”
What should I do, these guys must be really crazy.
I answered with an almost forced smile on my face, as if I had just eaten a handful of poppies.
Fortunately, the voice came out without shaking.
“No, I think it would be better for us to just go separately.”
He said it in an earnest voice.
My words were lightly ignored, and I ended up going along with the Volcano faction.
[Hehe, your lively appearance is really lovely.]
….life.
******************
The summit of Yeonhwabong Peak, located in Hwaeum County, Shaanxi Province.
Although the season for plum blossoms to be in full bloom has passed, plum blossoms bloom in Hwasan all year round.
It is the bet held by the unmanned people of the volcano that it will not wither away.
The season was hot summer, but the plum blossoms fluttering in the wind looked like flower buds, and when I looked at them again, it resembled winter.
If you climb up the mountain path to the point closest to the moon, there is a small cabin built.
This is a place that not only the three great disciples of the volcano, but even the two great disciples cannot enter without permission.
A place where only a very small number of people, including the elders, elders, and great disciples of the volcano, can enter.
In such a place, a little girl climbed up the mountain path and carefully opened the door of a hut illuminated by moonlight.
Squeak.
I opened and dug as carefully as I could, but the old door was not what I had hoped for.
Maybe that’s why the person inside woke up and made a noise.
“Come in quickly.”
The woman’s voice was worn down by the years, but it was still beautiful and elegant.
The girl cautiously showed her face, her expression full of guilt.
The woman in that image asked.
“Ryeonghwa, why are you making that face?”
“… I’m sorry, I just wanted to see you and leave, but I woke you up, Master.”
The master smiled slightly at his disciple’s words.
Even after several years, she still had such a kind heart that I couldn’t help but give her my heart.
I carefully stretched both hands forward.
The disciple immediately ran to his master and hugged him.
He spoke to his disciple, stroking her beautiful hair.
“You must have been scared of the night road, why do you come here every day, I feel uneasy… ”
“I come because I like it… Don’t say things like that.”
To get here from the disciple’s residence, one had to run for a long time over a rough mountain path.
It must be difficult and painful for a child’s body.
The disciple climbed the mountain path every day to visit his master.
The disciple who was in his arms asked cautiously.
“Are you okay…?”
“I guess it’s because the weather is nice today, I feel fine.”
“Really!”
“Would you like to go for a walk together?”
“…yes!”
The disciple smiles brightly, as if he had been waiting for those words.
The disciple immediately took his master’s hand.
His hands were wrinkled and cold, but even that was fine with his disciple.
I left the cabin and went for a walk.
It wasn’t dark at night because the moonlight illuminated the road.
Plum blossoms are even more beautiful under moonlight.
The disciple loved the mountain path filled with plum blossoms that he walked along with his master.
Although he held her cold hand, he could clearly feel her warmth. The disciple thought it was love.
The teacher adjusted his strides so that he wouldn’t fall.
I kicked away the rocks in front of me.
I didn’t care that my pretty clothes got covered in dirt.
The master calmly strokes the disciple’s hair.
“Linghua.”
“Yes, Master.”
The master took a deep breath.
He had something to say to his disciple, but it was something his disciple did not like.
“It will soon be time to go to Shanxi.”
“… .”
As expected, the disciple kept his mouth shut at the master’s words.
A hint of anger was felt from one of his slightly furrowed eyebrows.
The master smiled faintly at that sight.
“I’m going to see my family, why do you hate it so much?”
“… .”
“Linghua.”
“… is.”
The disciple whispers softly.
The teacher did not rush, but listened calmly.
Then the disciple’s voice was heard a little more clearly.
“… It’s not like we’re family.”
It’s a voice full of moisture.
The master slowly raised his head and wrapped his hand around the disciple’s small shoulders.
“… I’m sorry.”
The master had nothing more to say at the disciple’s voice.
It was not something I could possibly interfere with.
Although he was a disciple that I had to accept because of an unforgettable relationship, I have no regrets.
Rather, it was not long before he realized that the happiness that came to him in his later years was his disciple.
If there’s one thing I regret, it’s that my body isn’t in good shape.
If only we had met a little earlier, I could have told you more and given you more hugs.
I really regretted the time.
The master hoped that his disciple would not cry and that he would find happiness in this confusing world.
Under the moonlight illuminating the volcano.
The Plum Blossom Sword Empress stroked her disciple’s hair in a lonely manner.
******************
Kwaaaaang-!
The sound of the bear’s howl causes birds hiding in the forest to fly up.
The four directions were filled with the mutilated corpses of monsters.
Namgungbia calmly collected his energy amidst the blue blood soaking the ground.
How many times have you encountered a monster?
I counted the number on my fingers, but I don’t remember anything after that.
I ran nonstop from Shanxi.
If you run for that long, you start to doubt what you are doing.
Still, I had no desire to go back.
Now that I know a more comfortable place to sleep.
Namgungbia finds her way by feeling.
To be exact, I unconsciously end up going towards the side with less bad smell.
Because of that, I often got lost.
This time it was the same, but a little different.
The bet that was full of anxiety has long since been dropped.
Of course, I had to face monsters as well as the rain that came down while I was walking.
As I traveled along the rough mountain path, things became dirty here and there, and the once clean military uniforms had long since become old and worn out.
It was a familiar thing.
Fortunately, things have improved a little since we can now face the valley.
“… There’s not much left.”
Namgungbia whispered in the forest where only trees and grass could be seen.
It’s a firm voice.
If you ask me how I can be sure, I myself would not be able to answer.
It just felt that way.
If you go this way, he will be there.
The only cozy place in a dirty and painful world.
After putting away his sword, he turned and walked away.
It was definitely this way.
Somehow I felt like this would work.
“I want to see you soon… .”
Namgungbia’s eyes widen.
I unconsciously covered my mouth with my hand as I blurted out the words.
‘…I miss you?’
why?
Because it doesn’t smell bad? Maybe that’s why.
The posture of moving forward has become slightly distorted.
Namgungbia stopped quietly and collected his thoughts.
I stood there like that for a while.
He sits there quietly for a while and then suddenly blurts out something.
“I want to see you…? I want to see you.”
Namgungbia nodded.
I don’t know why, but I felt like I wanted to see him.
That was enough.
There seemed to be no need to think of any other reason.
“There’s not much time left.”
I can feel him from far away.
It’s a certainty, not a certainty.
It still seems like a long way, but it won’t take that long.
Namgungbia, having finished her worries, took another step forward.
