TBNFD 41

Chapter 41

And so, today marked the gathering of all disciples—both direct and collateral—of the Namgung, Jegal, Sacheondang, Habuk Paeng, Hwangbo, Sima, and Moyong families at the academy. Those who had unpacked their belongings in their respective lodgings were invited to a banquet held that evening in the academy’s largest dining hall. It could be considered a chance for everyone to familiarize themselves with one another.

“I wonder how much they’ve grown—especially those children we interacted with when they were young,”

Dowi said as he approached Sayeol. Sayeol was dressed in Namgung-style martial attire, which seemed to sadden Dowi somewhat. The daughters of other families would surely arrive adorned in lavish clothing and ornaments, yet Sayeol had nothing of the sort.

“You need not pity me. We are warriors,”

Sayeol replied.

“You speak the truth,” Dowi said, though he could not hide a tinge of bitterness. In truth, Sayeol did have ornate clothing she could wear from when she left her family, but she had little desire to. For her, a sword and her hairpin were all that mattered.

Time passed, and evening arrived, marking the start of the banquet. Fortunately, Wol was able to attend as a guest of the Namgung family.

Wol wore a gray long coat previously provided by the Geum family, which matched his composed demeanor. He had been presented to the Jegal family as Sayeol’s escort. Though the Jegal family mocked the idea of a young lady needing an escort to participate in sparring, they did not pay much attention. After all, everyone would know soon enough during the friendly matches.

Sayeol half-styled her hair with a hairpin and wore her sword at her side as she headed with her group toward the dining hall. Quite a few people were already gathering in small clusters. Eight were selected from each of the seven families, so the number was not insignificant. Naturally.

Sayeol and Dowi were seated at the table arranged by the Jegal family, though there was only one seat for direct descendants.

“This is…”

Dowi furrowed his brows sharply. Sayeol shook her head.

“Brother, please calm yourself. I cannot be considered a direct descendant.”

“Sayeol…”

“There’s nothing we can do about it,”

Sayeol said. She did not want to waste energy on such matters—more accurately, she found them bothersome. She took a seat at the table for collateral family members. Simply not being treated as an ordinary disciple was already fortunate.

Once everyone had gathered and taken their seats, a solemn atmosphere settled over the hall. Understandably so, as this was a gathering of the direct descendants of each family, and a certain weight was unavoidable. The Jegal family, having organized this friendly match, rose from the seat of honor.

“Thank you all for participating in this friendly gathering,”

said the young head of the Jegal family. His presence carried the same coiled intensity as a snake. Thanks to a tip from the young head’s cousin, people expected some trickery, making him appear rather foolish—but as the head of one family, he was not someone to be underestimated. That was as it should be.

“My father is unwell, so I am presiding over this friendly match. I will do my best to ensure everyone’s comfort,”

he said, raising his cup. The others followed suit, lifting their glasses, and then he spoke.

“To friendship!”

“To friendship!”

Everyone echoed the toast, drinking from their glasses. Sayeol only brought the cup to her lips and placed it aside without drinking. Wol, seated a short distance away, seemed to do the same. “For friendship,”—what a joke. In reality, it was merely a gathering where everyone solidified their positions by sticking together.

Since Sayeol would soon leave her family, she was not comfortable in such settings. However, she was not foolish enough to ignore that the support of these families and the Gu Eight Factions would be necessary to capture Cheonma. This was why she remained seated.

—Are you uncomfortable?

At that moment, Dowi, watching her from a nearby seat, asked her through telepathy. Sayeol brought her teacup to her lips and responded.

—I’m fine.

—I’m sorry. I…

Dowi seemed apologetic, implying that if he had taken more interest in political matters, even an illegitimate child like Sayeol could have been seated as a direct descendant. But Sayeol paid no mind to this, answering through telepathy:

—It’s natural. Do not worry.

—I see…

As the two conversed through telepathy, the atmosphere gradually loosened, and people began chatting over their drinks. At that moment, Danghye of the Sacheondang family, seated directly opposite, spoke with a displeased expression.

“You two still seem very close,”

“Eh?”

Startled by the sudden comment, Dowi looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“You still take care of that child, despite her being merely illegitimate.”

“…Please watch your words, Lady Danghye.”

“Brother Dowi has always been like that, even when you were young.”

“…That kind of title here…”

“What of it? This is a gathering meant for camaraderie,”

Danghye replied, opening her fan. Partially hiding her face behind it, she narrowed her eyes at Sayeol. Sayeol sipped her hot tea, moving only her eyes to glance at her. Danghye’s gaze sharpened.

“…You seem quite different from before,”

“Is that so?”

Sayeol’s calm tone caused Danghye to raise an eyebrow. This was the girl who, as a child, could not even meet her gaze properly. Yet, during the years they hadn’t met, Sayeol had learned to treat Danghye very neutrally. Not only that, she was so indifferent that it felt as if she didn’t even acknowledge her presence.

“You are so composed—I am curious how you will perform in the martial arts contest.”

“There is nothing to expect,”

Sayeol replied, seemingly modest but in truth signaling that she had nothing to show to someone like her. Danghye, failing to detect her true meaning, tilted her head and made a delighted sound. She blinked repeatedly at Dowi, her expression softening when looking at him despite the slight lift in her eyes.

“I hear, Brother, that you have surpassed the ultimate barrier this time. Congratulations. Among our later-generation indices, we may finally have the youngest reaching the peak.”

“…Not really,”

Dowi replied in a subdued voice, thinking of Sayeol and Wol. Danghye seemed slightly confused as to why such a heavy tone followed her compliment but quickly collected herself.

“There is tea from the Western Regions. Would you like to try some?”

Sayeol realized at once why someone who seemed to have little connection to her was looking at her in such a way.

‘She seems to have feelings for Namgung Dowi.’

Bored, she brought the teacup to her lips. Human jealousy was inherently ugly. Remembering what she had seen in her previous life, she frowned. But Danghye’s actions were still tolerable—merely cute. In the past, the rivalry she endured had been deep and dark.

Tap.

“I’m fine. I’m busy training anyway.”

“Not even time for a cup of tea?”

Dowi set down his teacup, speaking rather coldly. Danghye raised her head haughtily but the corners of her eyes drooped, showing her displeasure. Sayeol lowered her gaze, uninterested in meddling in the childish rivalry between them.

“Go ahead, then.”

“Eh? Sayeol, what did you say?”

“Go have the tea.”

Danghye blinked widely at Sayeol’s words. Dowi, perhaps embarrassed, rubbed his cheek briefly. He didn’t look very inclined, so Sayeol silently sighed.

“Since I am curious about the tea, you may go try it.”

“Very well, if that’s the case.”

That should satisfy her.

Thinking so, Sayeol turned her gaze to Danghye, whose face showed clear frustration. Hmm, what could be the problem?