I looked at my aunt with a surprised face.

My aunt’s face was as radiant as a blooming flower.

She had been like this ever since my father returned. Her expression looked so happy as if she was on a cloud, making me at a loss for words.

‘Marriage, well, I guess I’m at that age now.’

The children of the noble families around my age were generally preparing for marriage.

So it was natural for me to receive a marriage proposal as well.

I hurriedly changed my clothes.

Then, I spoke to Ji Cheon Wu.

“You can come in, Ji Cheon Wu.”

As soon as I said that, I saw Ji Cheon Wu slowly entering.

His face was stiff as if he had received a shock somewhere.

Trembling eyes.

Ji Cheon Wu asked my aunt.

“Where did the marriage proposal come from?”

“It came from the Dan Li family. It’s from their second son, Dan Rin Seong.”

Nam Gung So So, who said that, looked somewhat satisfied. If it was the Dan Li family, it would have satisfied my aunt’s eyes.

Especially since I heard that Dan Ri Seong from there was showing such outstanding prominence.

‘She must be even more pleased since it’s located in Anhui Province.’

My aunt probably wanted me to take over the Nam Gung family in her heart.

‘It’ll be a little more convenient if it’s a family located nearby.’

Moreover, Dan Ri Seong was known for his good personality.

‘I also heard that the prestige of the Dan Li family has been rising these days.’

I narrowed my eyes.

That was the strange thing.

In the Heavenly Demon World, the Dan Li family was not a particularly famous place. I remember Dan Ri Seong appearing as just an average extra as well.

How did they suddenly become strong?

‘Did the original work change?’

It wouldn’t hurt to be careful. There must be a reason why Dan Ri Seong, who was evaluated to have ordinary talent in the original work, began to display outstanding abilities. I had no intention of proceeding with that marriage anyway.

But I felt the need to observe Dan Ri Seong.

So I answered my aunt.

“I’m not thinking about marriage yet.”

At my answer, my aunt’s face fell. In contrast, a look of joy was evident on Ji Cheon Wu’s face.

However, with my next words, the situation of the two reversed.

“But I’d like to see what kind of person he is at least once.”

I saw Ji Cheon Wu asking my aunt with a serious face.

“By any chance, is this Dan Ri Seong guy handsome?”

Why is he suddenly obsessed with the fact that he’s handsome?

‘Even in the original work and in real life, I’ve never seen anyone more handsome than you, Ji Cheon Wu!’

Seeing Ji Cheon Wu’s earnest face, my aunt muttered. She was full of playfulness.

“Well, he was quite handsome.”

At those words, Ji Cheon Wu’s face hardened.

I heard him muttering softly.

“I’ll have to take care of it.”

What in the world are you going to take care of?

The dagger uncle seriously advised me while looking at such Ji Cheon Wu.

[If you leave that guy alone, your path to marriage may be blocked.]

It was then. Father’s voice was heard from outside the door.

“Lin, may I come in?”

I exclaimed in surprise.

It was because I rarely had conversations with my father alone.

“Yes, yes! Please come in.”

My father, who entered the room, and Ji Cheon Wu’s eyes met.

Ji Cheon Wu carefully bowed his head to my father in greeting. My father smiled faintly and accepted his greeting. But even so, my father’s gaze was thoroughly scanning Ji Cheon Wu.

Ji Cheon Wu was accepting his gaze with a tense look.

[As expected, he noticed it.]

‘What? What is it?’

[The way that little one looks at you.]

My father and Ji Cheon Wu had an awkward relationship.

Ji Cheon Wu found my father difficult, and my father didn’t know much about Ji Cheon Wu.

My father carefully opened his mouth to me.

“I came to have breakfast together.”

Today was the day when grandfather and the family of the noble house were going to have breakfast together.

It seemed that my father had come to take me with him to that place. I felt a lump in my throat.

The time between us was something that could not be filled. My childhood had already passed, and the time for my father to play the role of my father had also passed.

But I could feel it from my father’s actions.

‘He’s trying.’

I was similar to Ji Cheon Wu as well. In other words, I found my father awkward.

My father also found me difficult in the same way.

‘We still need time.’

But there was something I realized through the match with Ji Cheon Wu. That I didn’t need to find my father difficult.

I slowly stood next to my father.

Then I carefully held his hand.

I saw my father making a surprised expression while looking at me. But soon a joyful smile appeared on my father’s face.

‘I should also try like my father.’

My heart felt warm.

Like Nam Gung Hwa Su, I also had someone to whom I could act spoiled.

[This is the timeline separator]

I was on my way to have breakfast with my father. The dagger uncle, as if he was concerned about the conversation between my aunt and me, carefully said to me.

[Although I don’t like that Ji Cheon Wu guy, I still prefer him over someone I don’t know. Don’t you also like Ji Cheon Wu?]

He continued.

[Are you thinking about that Dan Li family guy because of your son-in-law? Because you have to do that to become the family head. Ji Cheon Wu is the second young master of the Demonic Sect…]

‘I have no intention of taking over the family.’

At my words, the dagger uncle trembled his dagger. For the first time in a while, a warm energy lingered on my hand.

[You’re saying you have no intention of becoming the family head?]

‘Yes, my dream is to defeat the Blood Sect and just live well. Wandering the jianghu while helping people, like that.’

I was going to do it if someone I liked appeared. But I had no intention of doing it out of obligation.

‘Elder Brother Yu Cheong is diligent and cares about the family more than me.’

I also liked our family. But unlike Nam Gung Yu Cheong, I had no intention of living only for the family.

If there was someone more suitable to be the family head, it was Nam Gung Yu Cheong.

So I had no particular thoughts about marriage either.

The dagger uncle continued.

[Then, you won’t accept Ji Cheon Wu’s feelings either?]

I couldn’t give a definite answer.

‘Just in case.’

I still don’t know what the future holds.

I may end up not surviving.

Yes, I know.

I was able to confirm it even more through the last match.

The feelings Ji Cheon Wu has for me.

But that’s why I couldn’t be more certain.

What feelings do I have for Ji Cheon Wu?

[This is the timeline separator]

Breakfast time was peaceful.

Grandfather, Father, and me.

My aunt and Nam Gung Yu Cheong. All five of us gathered.

My aunt looked around with a moved face.

“The day has come. The day when our whole family is together.”

She looked strong but had a tender heart. She was also tearful to that extent.

Nam Gung Yu Cheong comforted her as she sobbed. My aunt didn’t say a word about my uncle.

‘Even if she hated my uncle, it must have been a shocking event for my aunt.’

Even if she thought he was a terrible person, he was my aunt’s elder brother.

The fact that such a person dragged his younger sibling to hell must have been undeniably shocking.

The meal time was peaceful throughout.

My aunt began to explain to my father how wonderfully I had grown up.

About how I won the Chunha-je and various other things.

Grandfather and Father silently listened to my aunt’s words.

My father cautiously suggested to me.

“You’re wonderful, Lin. It wouldn’t be bad to have a match with me.”

“A match?”

“Yes, I’d like to see your skills once.”

A match with my father.

I quietly covered my mouth.

To hide my grinning face.

[This is the timeline separator]

After breakfast, Dang Hwa Ryeong came to see me.

“Lin, congratulations. On the Azure Dragon Swordsman’s return.”

“Dang Hwa Ryeong?”

I looked at him with a puzzled face. Behind Dang Hwa Ryeong’s back was a bundle of luggage.

As if he would leave the Nam Gung family at any moment.

Sensing my gaze, Dang Hwa Ryeong frowned and spoke as if he was also dissatisfied.

“There’s an urgent matter at the family, so I think I’ll have to go right away.”

“That’s sudden.”

“Well, it can’t be helped.”

I opened my mouth to Dang Hwa Ryeong.

“I hope nothing happens.”

I thought of Dang Mun Gi, whom I had met not long ago. He also had a haggard complexion. Was Dang Hwa Ryeong leaving related to him?

[It’s a matter you can’t interfere with.]

The dagger uncle muttered regretfully.

“I hope you take care as well. Now that the Azure Dragon Swordsman has returned, I hope only happy things happen.”

With those words, Dang Hwa Ryeong left for the Sacheon Dang family. He was leaving in a hurry without even properly saying goodbye to Ji Cheon Wu and Sin So Gyeong.

I couldn’t answer Dang Hwa Ryeong’s words by saying it would be so.

There were too many threats in this world to answer like that.

And I received a letter.

It was from Je Gal Yu Ryong.

Miss Nam Gung, there is news that Hwa Su has been sighted.

I read the letter he wrote with a calm face.

Since the news came from the Gaebang, it must be true. Please be careful.

It was news that the missing Nam Gung Hwa Su had appeared.