Omen. (9)
It was already the day before entering closed-door cultivation.
With only a day left, there was no special schedule,
but there were a few personal matters I needed to resolve.
First was the matter regarding Tang Soyeol.
Not only the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering, but the Martial Arts Tournament had also ended, so Tang Soyeol had to return to Sichuan.
However, Tang Soyeol was still staying at the Gu Family.
In Nangong Bia's case, it was a special situation.
And she herself didn't seem to have any intention of returning either.
Tang Soyeol was a slightly different case.
When I asked such a Tang Soyeol when she was going back,
she casually answered that she wouldn't.
"You're not going back?"
"Yes."
"...Why?"
"You know why."
At Tang Soyeol's words, I scratched my brow.
She meant she wasn't going back because of me.
'Is she serious?'
It wasn't about whether Tang Soyeol's feelings for me were genuine or not.
It was about whether she truly intended not to return to Sichuan.
"That's not something that goes as you wish."
"Right?"
'Right?' my foot.
As I stared at Tang Soyeol in disbelief,
she smiled slightly and spoke to me.
"To be honest, I should have returned to Sichuan. I just wanted to stay, but if I kept staying, my father might come find me himself."
"...The Tang Family Head?"
"Yes, since he cherishes me so much..."
Was she saying the Poison King would personally come to Shanxi and drag Tang Soyeol back?
That was quite terrifying.
'The Poison King's love for his daughter was famously immense, but...'
How extreme must it be, considering the reason Tang Soyeol, a direct descendant, could act as a martial artist without marrying was because of the Poison King's intimidating presence.
Although the Tang Sect also had elders and other higher-ups,
the Poison King's power was so strong that they were virtually meaningless.
'That's exactly why I wished Tang Soyeol would go back to Sichuan.'
How on earth could she stay at the Gu Family?
As I wore a troubled expression, Tang Soyeol smiled brightly and said,
"There's a way for everything, so you don't have to worry!"
What way...?
"My father will probably like it too. It's something he's been wanting in his own way."
"What exactly did you do to make him say that?"
"I've decided to collaborate with the Murong Family."
"...Hmm?"
At Tang Soyeol's words, I paused while trying to drink my tea.
'Collaborate?'
Collaborating with the Murong Family out of nowhere?
'Is there any reason for the two places to collaborate...?'
The Tang Sect primarily dealt with poison and iron.
Right now, if one were to pick the greatest masters of iron in the Central Plains, most of them belonged to the Tang Sect.
Excluding the Black Night Assassination Squad, led by the Dark King.
The only assassination squad directly operating under the Murim Alliance was the Tang Sect's.
Conversely, the Murong Family.
was certainly a Sword Family, but.
unlike the Nangong Family, it didn't solely focus on swords.
The Murong Family produced silk based on the threads of moth-type demonic beasts,
and made high profits by manufacturing and selling clothing using them.
Perhaps because it was made from demonic beast threads, it didn't wear out easily,
and its outstanding quality allowed them to fetch high prices.
Since only the Murong Family knew how to manufacture and produce it,
they rarely engaged in commercial collaborations with other places.
'But suddenly collaborating with the Tang Sect.'
This obviously didn't happen in my past life.
Where would the two families have a reason to collaborate?
Moreover, the items they produced were completely opposite.
'The Murong Family is already doing so well in that field... If they were to collaborate, it would be a welcome thing with both hands.'
For a family that knew the value of silk and clothing.
They would never refuse the Murong Family's collaboration.
Even my own father, right now.
..
!
!
Didn't the Murong Family sell off their only son on the condition of establishing their industrial base in Shanxi?
Of course... I also eagerly accepted after seeing the transaction terms.
"Because of this, I do have to briefly visit Sichuan... But I'll probably go while you're away, Young Master."
Meaning, while I'm in closed-door cultivation.
Two months was quite a short time to travel to Sichuan and back.
'Anyway, she's saying she will go and come back.'
Tang Soyeol's words ultimately meant that, regardless of what happened, she would return to Shanxi.
"A collaboration with the Tang Sect..."
The Murong Family suddenly wanting to collaborate with the Tang Sect, let alone open a business in Shanxi where there was no particular efficiency.
Such a sudden change was still difficult to handle.
'Is Tang Soyeol planning to use this as an excuse?'
It seemed like she wanted to use this as an excuse to stay in Shanxi.
But that wouldn't be as easy as it sounded.
There was no way Tang Soyeol wouldn't know that.
'It seems like there's something else.'
It looked like she had something else that would allow her to return to the Gu Family beyond this.
As I looked at her with eyes intending to dig a little deeper,
the quick-witted Tang Soyeol brought it up first.
"Ah, regarding the collaboration. Even if it's you, Young Master, I don't think I can tell you. It's a contract!"
"...I wasn't curious."
[You were extremely curious just a moment ago, and now you're spouting shit from your mouth?]
'Shit...?'
I felt dizzy for a moment at the quite vulgar language.
Perhaps it was because she liked the collaboration with the Murong Family.
Unlike being tormented by Nangong Bia or Wi Seol-ah,
Tang Soyeol wasn't bringing up any particular topics to me.
Rather, she seemed to be in a good mood lately.
"Oh, right, Young Master."
I shifted my gaze at Tang Soyeol's call.
It was subtle how she seemed shy, her ears reddening and her body shrinking back.
"It's nothing else but... If you don't mind. Would you like to go to the market together..."
"Ah."
She was asking if we could go to the market together before I entered closed-door cultivation tomorrow.
I had things to do afterwards, but going out for a bit after it ended wouldn't be a problem.
I was about to tell Tang Soyeol right away that we should do that.
At that moment.
"Um..."
"Yes."
Hmm?
It wasn't me who gave the answer.
At the answer coming from nearby, Tang Soyeol and I moved our gazes simultaneously.
"...Let's... go together."
Standing there, for some reason, was Nangong Bia, with her blue and white hair tied up in a braid.
"What are you doing here?"
"Hmm?"
"Where did you pop out from?"
"I was training... and came..."
Only then did Nangong Bia's appearance catch my eye.
Clothes soaked in sweat, revealing her body line, likely from training hard.
And even the somewhat sultry surrounding air, intertwining with her qi.
"I just... finished..."
'No, it looks like she ran here in a hurry.'
Looking at her breathing and body movements, it somehow seemed like she had come here urgently,
but if she said it wasn't so, then it must not be.
Nangong Bia asks me.
"Are you... going out to the market?"
"Are you going too?"
"Ye-ah..."
At Nangong Bia's answer, I glanced slightly at Tang Soyeol.
Sure enough, Tang Soyeol was making a sullen expression as if she didn't like it.
Seeing that, all I could do was lightly scratch my cheek; there was nothing else I could do.
'Whoever's side I take here, it's going to blow up.'
My few survival instincts were telling me so.
I just had to watch quietly.
[This can't be...]
As I stood there blankly, Noya suddenly showed a surprised reaction.
'Why are you reacting like that?'
[To think you'd develop such perceptiveness... I guess I need to see where the sun is rising from tomorrow.]
'...'
Why is this old man always like this?
Pushing aside my slightly dizzy head.
I said to Tang Soyeol and Nangong Bia.
"Going out is fine, but."
"Yeah."
"Yes."
"...I need to go somewhere first."
Their expectant gazes were truly burdensome.
Amidst this, when I said I needed to go somewhere, Nangong Bia anxiously grabbed my sleeve slightly.
It seemed she thought I might run away again.
"Where...?"
Looking at such a Nangong Bia, I answered.
"I have to visit the prison for a bit."
Hearing my words, Nangong Bia tilted her head and said to me,
"Again?"
"..."
Again...
It hurt a little.
With the permission of my father, the Family Head, and the guidance of the Chief Steward, I visited the prison.
My purpose was, of course, the old man imprisoned there.
Snore—
Even while walking down the corridor, the sound of snoring could be heard from far away.
Visiting with doubt,
the old man was lying sprawled out as if the cold prison floor was his bed.
*Snore...*
What the, why is he sleeping so well?
"Gruuuuh..."
He was even grinding his teeth.
"Elder, why don't you wake up."
"Gruh..."
I raised my voice to call the old man, but he didn't seem to hear me at all, only tossing and turning slightly.
Seeing that, I whispered quietly.
"...Would he wake up if I burned his beard?"
"Uuugh... I'm tired..."
Right when I was thinking of waking him up in a rather unconventional way.
As if he had been listening, the old man woke up.
The awakened old man looked around, then spoke in a tired voice.
"I was sleeping well... A guest has arrived."
The old man's appearance wasn't much different from when we first met.
Except that instead of his ragged clothes stained with blood and dust.
He was wearing neat new clothes.
The old man's gaze turned this way.
"Did you come to tell me I can slowly leave now?"
It was a quite shameless remark.
"Unfortunately, that's not my domain."
"...Sheesh. Tch. Why are you making things so troublesome, locking up an old man like this?"
The old man was the Haomen Lord who was at the Black Night Palace. I heard they threw him into prison as soon as they brought him to the Gu Family.
He was adapting and living better than expected.
I approached the iron bars of the cell where the old man was.
"I have something to ask you."
At my words, the old man made an annoyed expression and straightened his posture.
His eyes were covered so his face wasn't clearly visible, but looking at the corners of his mouth, I could tell.
•
That it was a face saying he was truly annoyed to death.
"You lock me up here and ask questions, but I'll actually answer."
"What do you mean lock up. You came here on your own two feet."
When you asked me to let you out, I let you out, but anyone looking would think I caught you.
"If you're going to save me! You should at least release me!"
"You're asking me to hand over my liver too...?"
He was from the Evil Faction, and not just that, the Lord of Haomen. From the standpoint of a Righteous Faction Family, how could they just let him out?
It was a relief enough that they hadn't reported it to the Alliance yet.
"Then when exactly do you plan to release me."
"Why are you asking me that?"
Only my father would know that.
Maybe he doesn't even plan to release him.
"...Said you escaped from a snake pit, only to get bitten by a tiger of all things..."
"Save your lamentations for next time, I have something to ask."
"Your personality is dogshit, only saying what you want."
"What did the Black Night Palace Master want to gain from you to lock you up there?"
"Now you're even ignoring my words."
Exactly like his father.
I heard the silent old man add with a hollow laugh.
"Child, do you think I would say to you what I haven't even said to them?"
If he kept his mouth shut enduring such harsh torture.
he wouldn't just blurt out such a crucial matter.
"You probably won't, no matter what."
"Then why does a brat who knows that come all the way here to ask?"
"To be exact, I was thinking of making a deal."
"Hah."
At my words, the silent old man let out a laugh.
In a voice that seemed dumbfounded.
"You're making a deal with me?"
"Yes."
"Let's hear it. What are you planning to wager? Money? Women?"
"Since I want to hear information, I plan to wager information as well."
*Keul-keul-keul!*
At my words, the Haomen Lord laughed even louder.
It seemed he found it very funny.
Well, proposing to trade information with the head of an intelligence organization that stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Beggar Sect.
It would be funny.
"It seems you know who I am."
"I know a little."
"No, child, you definitely know exactly who I am. It certainly seems that way."
"What is there to see for someone who can't even see?"
"...Your way of speaking is even more hopeless than my sister's."
Beyond the bandages tightly wrapped in cloth, I could feel the silent old man's gaze directed at me.
"...It's just fascinating. It looks endlessly light and soft. Yet conversely, it looks too heavy and hard."
"I'm young, so I don't quite understand difficult words."
"I cannot understand. Child. What exactly are you."
The question was incredibly strange.
What exactly am I?
"As you can see, the son of this house."
At my unenthusiastic answer, the silent old man fell silent for a moment.
Then let out a phlegmy chuckle.
"It was a tasteless Q&A. Alright, let's hear it. What kind of information are you planning to hand over in this trade."
Information that the Haomen Lord would covet.
To be honest, I didn't know much about this.
I hadn't been very interested in my past life, and
even when Haomen started their business through their fight with the Black Night Palace,
I didn't care much about worldly affairs and just passed over it.
However, regarding an incident that occurred in Haomen after this happened, I did have some knowledge.
Though I wasn't sure if this was information the Haomen Lord would covet.
"White Demonic Stone."
At the words that popped out of my mouth.
"...!"
I saw the Haomen Lord's shoulder tremble slightly.
The expression that had a hint of a smile changed,
and the surroundings grew quiet.
It wasn't a change caused by my energy, but simply because the old man's aura had shifted.
Watching that, the silent old man asked me.
"Just now... what did you say?"
Looking at the old man's reaction, I had to examine whether it was an act or not.
Regarding why the silent old man showed such a reaction.
I had to keep two possibilities in mind.
'One is the possibility of it being an act.'
For an old man who had survived by listening to all sorts of stories to express his surprise so obviously.
I definitely had to leave open the possibility that it was an act.
'Second is that it's something that important.'
The possibility that this information was significant enough to make the old man reveal such a side.
White Demonic Stone.
Or White-grade Demonic Stone.
It was a demonic stone that could be obtained by killing a White-grade demonic beast, which couldn't be hunted now.
"I just thought perhaps you might be curious about where the White Demonic Stone is."
At the edge of the northern lands, beneath the sea, the White Demonic Stone would be hiding.
The one guarding that place was so strong that it was a place no one could visit yet,
but I knew where the White Demonic Stone was.
'Although I wasn't the one who found it.'
The ones who found it were Haomen.
Haomen spent countless sacrifices and a long time to find the White Demonic Stone that hadn't disappeared for some reason,
and succeeded in acquiring it.
And.
'It was snatched away by the Heavenly Demon.'
Why he needed the demonic stone was a mystery.
The demonic stone Haomen possessed fell into the Heavenly Demon's hands not long after,
and he threw it to me, calling it a gift.
I didn't know if my current story could shock the Haomen Lord,
but I hoped it would.
'Even though I have no intention of handing it over.'
Even if I gave the information. If I recalled the experience of absorbing the White Demonic Stone in my past life.
I had no intention of handing it over.
Let alone when I recalled the power I had gained from it.
The silent old man kept his silence without saying a word.
Asking how on earth I knew that,
or saying he didn't know what I was talking about.
He didn't say a single word that he would have immediately brought up.
As I endured that uncomfortable silence for a moment,
"...I see. Now I understand."
The silent old man finally spoke.
As if he had realized something.
"So you are the owner of the Ancient Tome."
It was a truly unexpected, out-of-nowhere remark.
"...What?"