Childhood Friend of the Zenith - Chapter 263

Chapter 263: Anhui (4)

I arrived at the banquet hall with the guidance of a servant from the Namgung Clan.

It was a huge building located in the center, at least five times bigger than the banquet hall in the Gu Clan.

Isn’t this way too big for so few people?

The number of people inside made the building seem unnecessarily large.

By the time I arrived, I not only saw that all tables were set up, but both the Lords and Lady Mi were already here waiting.

They seemed to have arrived at least a few minutes ago.

Why did they come so early?

Food hasn’t been fully served yet, and I saw some unfamiliar faces sitting near Namgung Jin.

Are they the Elders?

I saw two very old men who had a sharp presence, indicating they were extremely skilled swordsmen.

They seemed to be the Elders of Namgung Clan.

Are they here for the banquet?

When I looked with curiosity, the old men’s gaze aimed towards me.

Their blue eyes gave off an indistinct atmosphere.

Would it be correct to say that this was the peculiar aura of Namgung Clan?

While persevering under their gaze, I walked forward.

I slowly walked forward with integrity, and when I arrived in front of Namgung Jin and father, I stopped.

“Thank you for inviting me to the banquet.”

Then I lowered my head and showed respect.

I only said it out of respect.

It’s already a hassle enough, so the banquet doesn’t make it any better.

“It must’ve been a long trip to come all the way here. Have a relaxing stay.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

After hearing Namgung Jin, I raised my lowered head.

Both of us weren’t being honest with each other, so it was rather uncomfortable.

I especially felt Namgung Jin’s desire through his eyes.

The person who wants the banquet to end more than me, is this guy right here.

Namgung Jin probably felt more desperate than I did.

Just what kind of enlightenment did he gain from Elder Shin for him to show such eyes like that?

I understand that enlightenment is a way to quench a martial artist’s thirst.

There was no way that I didn’t know, since I was a martial artist myself.

Even I might show such a reaction if I found someone that could fix my flaws.

But a hassle is still a hassle.

Just because I understood how he felt, didn’t mean that it wasn’t a hassle anymore.

More importantly,

I can’t solve his issues right now...

Even knowing Namgung Jin’s desire, I couldn’t do anything to help him.

It was because this damned old man seemed to have no intention of waking up.

If Elder Shin wasn’t here, I couldn’t give him what he wanted.

The only sword art I saw from Namgung Clan was the one that the Demonic Sword showed in my past life after all.

Though that seemed extraordinary.

In the end, it meant that it was different from the Thunder Sword’s sword that Elder Shin saw.

After leaving aside Namgung Jin’s gaze and greeting with father and Lady Mi, I went to an empty seat and seated myself there.

It was clearly my spot and judging by how there was another empty seat across mine, that seemed to be Namgung Bi-ah’s seat.

Has she not arrived yet?

Namgung Bi-ah didn’t seem to be here yet.

She didn’t fall asleep, did she?

That was certainly a possibility if I thought about her personality.

During all of this,

I tried my best to ignore it, but I felt gazes from around me.

I didn’t turn my head to check, but it felt like the gazes were on me, observing me.

Is it the Elders? Or is it someone else?

I didn’t know what they were trying to see in me, but I knew for sure that it felt very uncomfortable here since it was someone else’s clan.

Do they think that I won’t notice them?

That was understandable.

If it was me from last year, I probably wouldn’t have noticed.

I felt like shit, but I didn’t want to use my Qi in reaction to this.

I knew that things would turn into a mess if I did that.

I slowly drank the tea which was served in front of me.

It was an attempt to calm myself, but then I felt a presence from outside the banquet hall.

Shortly after, the servant waiting by the door spoke.

“The Young Master is entering.”

I glanced at the door after hearing the servant.

Young Master huh... the Young Master of Namgung Clan could only be that bastard.

I thought he wasn’t in the clan since he didn’t show himself on our arrival, but he unexpectedly was.

His own sister returned to the clan, yet he didn’t come out to greet her.

It wasn’t like him at all.

Has it been one year?

We hadn’t seen each other since the Tournament of Dragons and Phoenixes, so it must’ve been over a year.

Our Pissing Dragon has made his appearance.

Someone began to enter through the banquet hall's entrance.

I looked in that direction.

It was a handsome young man with bluish white hair and blue eyes who resembled a young Namgung Jin.

The bastard’s handsome face was the same as ever.

I don’t like it.

Me getting angry whenever I saw a handsome face was the same as ever as well.

I observed the bastard from the corner of my eyes.

It wasn’t for a special reason, I just wanted to check if he changed at all.

When I observed him, I did see a change which was surprising.

I frowned my eyebrows a little and observed Namgung Bi-ah since I didn’t understand what she was talking about, then Namgung Bi-ah asked with a slightly reddened face.

-Do I... look pretty?

She asked me with her head turned around as if she couldn’t make eye contact.

Hearing such an unexpected question, I hid my shock and observed her.

This was a question she asked me before in the past.

However, she didn’t hesitate to ask back then nor did she avoid eye contact.

It was the same question, but her attitude was different.

Seeing her full of embarrassment and nervousness made me feel that she was filled with emotions.

-...Uh... Hm.

Unlike her, I was still just a retard that had gone through no changes.

I didn't expect her to ask such a question, so I couldn't respond while she struggled to meet my eyes.

I wondered if I needed to give a great reaction and thought hard about what to say, but only one thing came to mind.

-...You look pretty.

This was all I could say because I wasn't good with words.

Thankfully though, she seemed to be satisfied with my response because Namgung Bi-ah smiled hearing it..

She looked relieved.

I could feel her happiness, which warmed me inside.

Seeing her smile made me smile too.

I didn’t know why, but it just happened.

Throughout all of this, Namgung Cheonjun watched Namgung Bi-ah quietly.

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

The banquet ended without anything special happening.

The Lords didn’t enjoy drinking that, and martial artists at their level wouldn't be affected by alcohol anyway.

It was simply a celebration for the Gu Clan's arrival.

It didn't last long because of this.

It wasn’t that enjoyable anyways.

I still feel a bit sore thanks to all those gazes.

I tapped my shoulders with my hand.

Was it because of all the gazes from everywhere around me?

I felt a bit exhausted.

They should’ve eased off on watching me, instead they became gradually more blatant.

Because I pretended to not care, it felt like many martial artists were watching me, not just the Elders.

I didn’t know what they wanted to learn from observing me, but it definitely didn't feel good.

“...Sigh.”

As soon as the banquet ended, I left and took a walk.

As I walked to enjoy the breeze, someone next to me spoke.

“Are you tired...?”

“I’m fine.”

Namgung Bi-ah was next to me as well.

I originally planned to go back to my place, but Namgung Bi-ah asked me to take a walk with her.

Thanks to that, I was able to stop Namgung Jin from approaching me.

I was going to run away after telling him that I’m tired, but this is better.

My eyes naturally went to Namgung Bi-ah's head as she spoke to me in a careful tone.

Between her beautifully tied hair, I noticed the accessory I bought her.

Noticing the accessory, I asked Namgung Bi-ah.

“Are you going to continue using that?”

“...Hmm?”

“You could throw that away and use a different one if you want.”

It was much cheaper than her other accessories, so I asked if she'd prefer something more expensive.

“...”

But Namgung Bi-ah suddenly looked like she was hurt by what I said.

Huh?

“...Sorry.”

Seeing that, I naturally apologized.

It was the first time I’d seen such an expression from her.

“...Okay.”

Her expression went back to normal thanks to my quick apology, but the atmosphere had become awkward for some reason.

Did I do something wrong?

The street, illuminated by lamplights and moonlight, looked exceptionally beautiful, but the awkward situation distracted me from appreciating it.

“I think I said something wrong...”

I thought about giving her an excuse.

I couldn't forget the expression Namgung Bi-ah had just shown.

I was about to speak,

“It’s a night with a very bright moonlight.”

But I stopped when a voice interrupted us.

Across the street, in a spot where faint light barely blocked out the darkness, I heard a voice from there.

"I couldn't greet you properly earlier, so I came looking for you."

That was what the uninvited guest said.

His words were respectful, but I noticed the clear mask he wore, which made me feel sick.

“How have you been?”

I turned to face the bastard.

As I looked in his direction, I saw clear blue eyes watching me from the darkness.

Then, he spoke while looking at me.

“Brother-in-law.”

It must’ve felt like he chewed on blades while spitting out those words, yet the uninvited guest, Namgung Cheonjun, maintained his smile.

Seeing him like that, I accidentally responded.

“What the fuck is that bedwetter saying?”

Oh.

That was a /genesisforsaken