“Ugh…!”
I blinked my eyes open, regaining the consciousness I had lost for a mont.
‘Did I actually pass out?’
My head throbbed as I tried to steady my breathing. It felt like only an instant had passed, but there was no telling what had happened during that ti.
I struggled to get to my feet, realizing that I had been sleeping on sothing.
Wondering what I had been resting my head on, I turned my head.
“…Huh?” “...”
I found myself staring into a pair of harsh and intimidating eyes.
It was my father’s shoulder I had been lying on.
“...” “...”
We shared a silent mont, locking eyes in complete silence.
‘I’m screwed.’
That was the only thought in my mind. I even noticed a faint trace of drool on his shoulder. Apparently, I had drooled in my sleep.
My father remained silent, just watching .
Was he waiting for to apologize? It felt like he was scolding with his gaze alone.
I could feel my body trembling. It was so noticeable that I wondered if it was fear that made my skin crawl.
It seed like that was the case.
“I’m sorry…”
Rather than trying to explain myself, I decided to apologize first. I never imagined I’d end up sleeping on my father’s shoulder in my life.
My father turned his head away without saying anything in response to my apology. Fortunately, it seed he had no intention of scolding .
‘This bastard…’
I ground my teeth. I quickly turned to look in the direction where the Blood Demon had been.
He was gone. It wasn’t just the Blood Demon. The leader and other mbers of the Martial Alliance who had been on stage were also nowhere to be seen.
…Does that an?
I shifted my gaze to look around the stage area.
“...”
And I quickly realized. The eting had already ended. Everyone was moving towards the exit.
In other words,
I had been sleeping throughout the entire eting.
‘Damn. I’m seriously screwed.’
As a direct mber of a noble family summoned to this gathering, I had not only slept through the leader and the sect heads’ discussions but even drooled all over my father’s shoulder, only waking up after everything was over.
Cold sweat dripped down my back.
There was no way I could ignore my father’s gaze.
Even though everyone else was leaving, my father had stayed back. Was it because I was still asleep?
I wasn’t sure. My father didn’t seem like that type of person.
“…Yangcheon.”
I turned my head to the familiar voice beside . There was Cheol Jiseon, looking completely pale.
“…What’s with you?” “What’s with ? What’s with you?!”
I was taken aback by Cheol Jiseon’s expression. He looked like he was full of resentnt toward .
“What? Did sothing happen?” “...”
Cheol Jiseon wobbled, as if his soul had left him. What was wrong with him?
“…Do you know what happened during the eting?” “I don’t, do I?” “Of course, you don’t! You were sleeping…!” “Oh…yeah. I was.”
I answered awkwardly to Cheol Jiseon’s words.
After all, it was true that I had been sleeping. But the fact that he was this angry with ant sothing serious must have happened.
I was about to ask him what had happened when—
Screeech.
My father stood up. His sudden movent startled .
“It’s over. Let’s go.” “…Y-Yes.”
It wasn’t who answered but Cheol Jiseon. Why was he the one responding first?
As I watched him stand up quickly, I asked,
“What’s wrong with you?”
What’s going on? Did my father hit him while I was asleep or sothing? Although my father wasn’t the type to hit people recklessly.
“…Let’s go. He said we’re leaving.”
Cheol Jiseon nudged my shoulder, urging to stand up quickly.
What the hell?
Still bewildered, I got to my feet as well. Seeing the situation, I decided it was best to leave.
Outside, other sect mbers and martial artists were gathering. I could spot Lady Mi and Gu Hee-bi among them.
And—
‘Is that…?’
Amidst the crowd, I recognized a familiar face. It was none other than the Sect Leader of Wudang.
Known by the nickna, the Sword Immortal of Wudang, he was an elder.
While I stood there hesitating, my father approached him without hesitation.
Noticing my father’s approach, the Sword Immortal of Wudang turned his sharp gaze toward us.
He wasn’t particularly large, but his eyes held a keen, piercing presence.
“It’s been a while.” “I hope you’ve been well, Gu Gaju.” “Yes.”
Seeing them greet each other, I walked over slowly, feeling it was only right for to pay my respects as well.
“I greet the Sect Leader of Wudang.”
At my greeting, the Sword Immortal of Wudang turned his gaze to .
“This is my son.” “Ah, so this is the Little Lord of the Underworld I’ve heard about.” “…That’s a bit of an exaggeration…”
I reluctantly halted my words, finding it hard to downplay the nickna.
The most irritating part was seeing Gu Hee-bi stifling her laughter as she watched .
‘You crazy sister…’
Just you wait. I knew the nickna Gu Hee-bi would eventually earn. I’d make sure to tease her about it rcilessly in the future.
“I’d heard much about his prowess. Now that I see him with my own eyes, it’s clear. Gu Gaju must be blessed with a remarkable child.” “You flatter .” “If anything, that praise may not be enough.”
The Sword Immortal of Wudang then directed his question at .
“I hear you’re close with our Hyuk.” “Ah. Yes…that’s right.”
The “Hyuk” he ntioned referred to the Sleeping Dragon.
The Sword Immortal seed pleased with my response, nodding.
“A true friend is a rare treasure in life. Please continue to look after our Hyuk. He may be lacking more than you think.” “Yes.”
I managed a weary smile in response, finding this interaction far different from how he treated in my past life.
What did he say back then?
Sothing about needing to be of the sa rank to understand each other. This old man, who once looked down on for not matching the Sleeping Dragon’s level, was now asking to watch over him.
So many thoughts raced through my mind.
The Sword Immortal glanced toward Lady Mi, as if he had business with her.
“Well then… I look forward to hearing good news.” “Yes. I’ll consider it positively.”
With a courteous bow, the Sword Immortal left with his sect mbers, heading toward the exit.
It seed like they had so sort of deal with the Baekhwa rchant Group.
‘Wudang dealing with the Baekhwa rchant Group?’
I couldn’t fathom what kind of business a Taoist sect like Wudang had with a rchant group.
“Yangcheon.” “Yes?” “Are you hungry?”
Lady Mi’s sudden question interrupted my thoughts. Was I hungry…?
“Well, I suppose I’m fine.”
I wasn’t particularly concerned. Even if I was a bit hungry, missing a al wouldn’t hurt .
Lady Mi nodded slightly at my response. Was she just asking out of curiosity?
Just as I began to wonder, she turned to my father with another question.
“Shall we go pick up Yeonseo together?”
She was referring to fetching Gu Yeonseo from the guesthouse. Though it sounded like a question, it felt like there was no option to refuse.
Sensing this, my father also nodded in agreent.
I thought my father’s reaction was a bit unusual. At the sa ti, Lady Mi addressed with another remark.
“After that, I plan to rent out a guesthouse for a al together.” “Rent out…a guesthouse?” “Yes.”
It seed a bit excessive just for a al.
But everyone knew that the Baekhwa rchant Group had significant financial resources, and Lady Mi, the head, was likely one of the wealthiest individuals. So, it wasn’t an issue.
The problem lay with .
‘That sounds uncomfortable.’
als with family were always awkward for . As I contemplated an escape, Lady Mi’s gaze hardened.
“This ti, I’d like everyone to attend.”
It was a statent that didn’t leave room for refusal. Though Lady Mi was an ordinary person, she exuded an intimidating presence.
That was enough to make submit.
“…Yes.”
Lady Mi turned and headed toward the exit, satisfied with my response.
I was about to follow when I sent a ssage to my father.
-Gaju-nim.
My father paused at my ssage.
Though he didn’t turn to face , I knew he was listening.
-After the al, could I have so ti with you?
There were things I needed to ask him about.
-It’s about Mother. I have so questions for you.
My father slightly turned his head, his eyes eting mine. I couldn’t discern any emotions in his gaze.
He watched for a mont before responding.
-Alright.
With that answer, he resud walking toward Lady Mi.
Only after hearing his reply did I exhale the breath I had been holding.
I had been so tense over a simple request that I was practically sweating.
“Hah…”
Honestly, dealing with matters like this was more exhausting than fighting soone.
‘Anyway… That’s settled. Now, what’s left is…’
It seed things were resolved with my father. Now, there was only one thing left to do.
I turned to Cheol Jiseon, who was still standing beside .
“Hey.” “Huh…?” “Spill it.”
“Spill what?”
“The eting.”
I had missed the entire thing while sleeping and drooling.
“What happened?”
I needed to hear from Cheol Jiseon about what had transpired during the eting.
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