Chapter 483 - Goeseon (The Strange Immortal).
Time passed, and by the time I came out of the Patriarch's chamber.
It was already a point where noon had long since passed.
Considering that it hadn't even been past noon when I entered the Patriarch's chamber, we must have conversed for quite some time.
'Hmm.'
I glanced at the sky, then surveyed the Poison King's residence behind me.
'What a shame.'
The reason I was left wanting despite such a long conversation was that I hadn't gained much from my talk with the Poison King.
If I had to count gains, it was that I could gloss over the Dokcheon Lake affair as an accident.
And talk about the origins of the Dokcheon Pill and what to do with it.
I had also roughly fabricated the reason I was heading to Sichuan and told the Poison King.
I had answered by mixing this with the circumstances of how I obtained the Dokcheon Pill.
And in the process of answering this.
'I had to sell out Lady Mi, but... it'll be fine, right?'
It was something I blurted out, recalling how Lady Mi had told me to use her name if I needed it before leaving Hanam.
I happened to acquire the Dokcheon Pill from the White Flower Merchant Guild.
In the process, I learned talk of the Heavenly Martial Physique Creation Plan.
And that it was still being carried out.
These were the things I told the Poison King.
'That wasn't a believing face.'
Of course, the Poison King didn't believe everything, but the Dokcheon Pill, which I had actually obtained, was right there before him.
Moreover.
'The Heavenly Martial Physique Creation Plan. That must have been the problem.'
The problem was likely that I knew of a plan unknown to the world, secretly conducted within the Tang Clan.
And if there was one more thing that bothered him here.
—I understand all that, Young Master Gu.
—Yes.
—...Then what is your intention in insisting on intervening in this matter? Is this the will of the White Flower Merchant Guild?
Setting aside obtaining the Dokcheon Pill, why did I insist on personally gouging out the Tang Clan's rotten parts?
That must have been his greatest question.
And it was the most uncomfortable part for me to answer.
If I obtained the Dokcheon Pill, I could just take it and pretend I didn't know.
There was no need to step up like this just because I discovered the Tang Clan's dirty side.
Even so.
The reason I still insisted on stepping forward.
The Poison King seemed more curious about that than the Dokcheon Pill before him.
Depending on how you looked at it, it was only natural, but.
'He's better than other people.'
Seeking the reason beyond rather than the treasure immediately before him.
Thinking of the orthodox faction that had rotted and withered away, unable to do this obvious thing, the Poison King remained exactly as I had first judged him.
'The most Patriarch-like Patriarch.'
A man who focused more on being a clan head than a martial artist.
However.
'His vision is strangely not broad enough.'
If I looked a little closer.
'Is he purposely closing his eyes?'
Somehow, that's how it felt.
—I have only one reason.
I brought out one answer to the reason the Poison King had asked.
I had prepared several answers. I could have also tailored a situation to match, but.
This was the one thing I didn't want to spit out as a lie.
—Because I believe the young lady of Tang is involved in this matter.
—...!
When talk of his daughter came up, the Poison King's expression changed drastically.
—Let me say this again. I am not asking for the Patriarch's permission. I merely.
I am not interested in your permission.
It was a declaration that I would see this matter through since Tang Soyeol was involved.
—I only hope that the Patriarch is unrelated to this matter.
—....
The Poison King's gaze was unusual. He seemed to be weighing whether this matter was true or not.
Perhaps because the problem of the Dokcheon Pill before him had also arisen, his expression grew even darker.
'At this rate, it'd be a disaster if I told him I knew the Dokcheon Pill's formula.'
I planned to have it anyway, regardless.
The ingredients couldn't be used right away, and it wasn't time to use it yet.
Whether he was seeking the truth in my words, or was confused by the unexpected matter.
The Poison King made an expression filled with various emotions.
—...I think... I need some time to think.
Having said that, he requested that I leave.
'Time to think.'
He had called it thinking, but it was obvious he would seek the truth of the matter.
Judging from this alone.
'Does this mean the Poison King is unrelated to the matter?'
In the end, this meeting had been to probe whether the Poison King was involved or not.
I hadn't yet gained certainty about this, but.
'I suppose I can think of him as uninvolved for now.'
It seemed acceptable to see it that way for the time being.
Perhaps that was a small relief.
If even the Poison King had been involved in this matter.
'I would have had to kill him too.'
I would have had to think separately about how to kill him, but.
For some reason, it didn't seem very difficult.
So it was a relief. It meant I didn't have to kill the Poison King.
'What I need to find out now is...'
If a Tang Clan elder is scheming in the background.
Which bastard is acting where and how.
I thought I would have to look into this separately.
As I tilted my head and organized my thoughts.
[Do you not think it could be otherwise?]
A familiar voice sounded in my head. It was Shin Noya.
'It seems you can appear now.'
[Indeed, it also means your inside has quieted down.]
'That's a relief.'
Shin Noya, who had exerted all his strength to prevent the vessel from breaking.
Because of that, he had been unable to appear and remained only in my mental image, but now he seemed able to appear again.
Do you not think it might not be so?
The answer to Shin Noya's question was simple.
'That was the request Lady Tang Jemun made. Must I doubt it separately?'
[...]
I tried teasing him by calling her 'Lady,' but Shin Noya showed no particular reaction.
Rather, one might say a gloomy atmosphere was felt.
'Did something happen?'
Had something happened while I had lost consciousness?
The question arose, but I didn't ask outright. Because his demeanor strongly suggested he didn't want to be asked.
'Besides, it would be a relief if that weren't the case... but no matter how I look at it, it doesn't seem unrelated.'
The request Tang Jemun had made of me.
It was to cut out the twisted and rotten parts of the Tang Clan.
The moment I heard this, it was obvious what the rotten part was.
Even more so with the words that Tang Soyeol might be involved.
Seeing this.
I couldn't help but recall the Poison Consort of my previous life.
Had she truly experienced something in the future Tang Clan?
If so.
'I can't let it be this time.'
I don't know what might have happened.
I had to cut off the bud in advance this time to prevent such a thing.
My intention in asking Tang Jemun if she was alright was precisely the question of whether it was truly alright, since I might have to kill her own kin.
Even knowing this meaning, Tang Jemun nodded and gave her permission.
This was not a matter of whether I could or couldn't.
Since Tang Jemun had personally mentioned Tang Soyeol.
To me, it meant it was something I had to do.
To do that, knowing properly what the current situation was came first.
Fortunately.
I had the best possible card.
"So."
I looked behind me and spoke.
Someone who heard my words flinched, shoulders trembling.
It was Nahi.
Looking at her trembling, perhaps frightened of me, I said:
"I think there's quite a lot I need to hear from you."
Nahi, hearing this, still couldn't meet my gaze.
The only answer she could give was to nod.
Because I didn't allow any other answer.
******************
Immediately afterward, my steps headed to where the kids were staying.
It was the place I had wanted to go to first and foremost.
I simply regretted that I couldn't due to so many things having happened.
Walking at quite a brisk pace.
Sounds were heard from afar.
Swish—! Shhht!
The sound of swords being swung.
I didn't separately heighten my senses.
There was no need to, as I could hear and see well enough.
'Hmm.'
Rather, having failed to adapt to my senses that had risen sharply, it was even uncomfortable.
[Hah, you say such boastful things so nonchalantly.]
'...What can I do when it's true?'
I knew it was something others might envy, but I had no time to get caught up in such things.
I just had to adapt quickly.
That was all I had to keep in mind for now.
By the time I arrived there, I could confirm who was making the continuous sounds.
It was Wi Seola and Namgung Bia.
'...'
I had occasionally seen the two sparring, but.
Perhaps because of all we had been through.
Watching the two continuously sweating and crossing swords, various thoughts crossed my mind.
'What a shame.'
The greatest emotion was regret.
Whether it was the Little Sword Saint then.
Or the Demon Sword Queen then.
If only we hadn't parted so suddenly, I would have wanted to talk a little more.
Was this lingering attachment?
It was probably exactly that.
Thinking of Namgung Bia in particular made my heart ache.
'In the end... I couldn't say it.'
There were words I couldn't bring myself to say because I got swept up and disappeared.
It weighed on my mind and hurt terribly.
Moreover.
My gaze shifted to Wi Seola.
'The color has faded further.'
Her hair, which had been strongly brownish, had brightened further and was approaching blonde.
At this rate... within two or three years at most, it would turn into brilliant blonde hair.
I slowly examined Wi Seola's condition.
Sweat flowed profusely, her hair clinging to her skin.
Though her breathing was rough as if tired, her eyes remained fixed on the tip of Namgung Bia's sword.
Perhaps due to stamina, her arm trembled, but when she swung her sword, the trembling vanished.
She swung her sword endlessly in that state.
Her sword was filled with earnestness.
Earnestness for what? That much I couldn't tell.
Moreover, looking at Wi Seola, I couldn't help but feel a strange sensation.
'I'm going crazy.'
Because every time I looked at her, someone with black hair would flit across my mind along with the Divine Sword.
The Heavenly Demon.
I was recalling the Heavenly Demon without realizing it.
'This is insane, really.'
This was all because of what Tang Jemun had said to me.
Because she had spoken so meaningfully, a question about her had taken root in a corner of my mind.
'So much that I think of the Heavenly Demon?'
Was I really going crazy?
To think of someone I must kill and eliminate while looking at Wi Seola.
There was no answer other than madness.
"...Huu."
They froze!
At the sigh I let out as if tired, the two stopped moving.
"Ah! Young Master?"
Wi Seola and Namgung Bia confirmed it was me and immediately approached.
Seeing that, I smiled awkwardly and said:
"It's been a while."
"Huh? We saw you yesterday."
"Ah."
Had we?
Right, I think we did.
I had met them the day before heading to the lake.
From my perspective, it had been several days, so it just felt different.
As I scratched the back of my head at that subtle time difference.
"Hmm?"
"Huh?"
The two approaching me widened their eyes.
What was that reaction? Did I smell like something?
"What's wrong?"
"..."
I asked what was wrong, but without any other reaction, the two just looked me up and down.
Then Namgung Bia and Wi Seola exchanged glances.
"...Something..."
"Yeah...."
What is it.
What is it that you're talking about like only you two know?
Meeting them after a long time, I felt quite disappointed that this was how they reacted.
"Hey... what are you doing right..."
"Ah, so you were here!"
Just as I was about to speak with disappointment, someone cut in with a bold voice.
There was only one person with such a voice, so I furrowed my brows and looked at the speaker.
The guy who met my eyes covered his mouth in surprise and said:
"Oh... a look of contempt... That's pretty savage...?"
"Do you want to die...?"
"Of course I want to live. Who would want to die?"
The one slithering away like a cunning snake was, of course, Uhyeok.
"Huh?"
Uhyeok, who had been grinning widely, stopped his smile for a moment.
And began looking me up and down like Namgung Bia and Wi Seola.
Seriously, what is it.
Did I really smell strange or something?
"You've changed somehow?"
I flinched unconsciously at Uhyeok's light remark.
No way, did he notice?
'There's no way....'
Even I could see that my body, having undergone the Body Metamorphosis Technique, showed no signs of change compared to before.
That Uhyeok would notice that?
As I looked at Uhyeok with slight panic without realizing it, he shook his head lightly and spoke:
"Did you get taller? Haha, no way, right?"
"..."
Seeing this guy after a long time somehow made me want to hit him even more.
...Should I hit him just a little...?
"Oh dear...."
The moment I thought that and raised my hand.
He suddenly moved and hid behind Namgung Bia and Wi Seola.
That bastard?
"Hey, aren't you coming out?"
"You'll hit me if I come out."
"If you don't come out, it won't end with just hitting."
"So you're not saying you won't hit me even if I'm dead?"
I was thinking of folding him into a star shape.
Perhaps sensing my intent, Uhyeok urgently spoke to the two.
"Sister-in-law, please save me... That guy says he'll kill me."
At Uhyeok's words, Namgung Bia and Wi Seola's ears perked up instantly.
This guy is hopeless.
"You're really dead..."
As I raised my right arm to grab Uhyeok.
Swoosh.
Namgung Bia suddenly extended her palm toward me and said:
"...Stop."
"...?"
"Violence is bad."
At Namgung Bia's sudden words, I made a blank expression without realizing it.
Whose side is she on right now?
The fact that it wasn't just Namgung Bia who was absurd.
"That's... right. Violence is bad, Young Master."
"You too...?"
I came to see them after so long only to be shocked by these betrayers.
What the hell is this situation? In a situation I couldn't grasp.
Naturally, my resentment turned to Uhyeok.
"...Damn."
Perhaps feeling that emotion too, Uhyeok made an 'uh-oh' expression.
"I might actually die at this rate! Haha!"
Sensing killing intent, Uhyeok slowly slipped sideways.
Should I grab him now? Fold him into a crescent moon shape?
Yes, let's fold him. While I'm at it, a crane shape would be nice too.
"Wait... wait!"
"Save your excuses for after I've folded you."
"Fold what! Do you think I'm paper!?"
"You're pretty much the same."
"We're nothing alike!"
Just as I grabbed Uhyeok by the collar to fold him this way and that, he shouted urgently:
"A letter came from my master!"
I froze.
I barely stopped my body at Uhyeok's shout.
'If it's this guy's master...'
He must be talking about the Wudang Gwiseon, the one said to possess the Thunder Child.
"From your master?"
"Yeah, he told me to come today."
"But."
"What do you mean, 'but'? You said you wanted to go together. I came all this way for that, and now you're suddenly trying to kill someone?"
Ah.
Uhyeok's words brought me back to my senses.
Right. In my previous conversation with Uhyeok, I had definitely said we should go see the Wudang Gwiseon together.
Recalling that, I let go of his collar.
Then Shin Noya spoke to me.
[If you speak of the Wudang Gwiseon, is it not the one said to possess the Thunder Child?]
'Yes.'
The Wudang Gwiseon was the current owner of the Thunder Child and one of the famous eccentrics of the Central Plains.
Why he possessed the Thunder Child, and why the Namgung family didn't bother to retrieve it, were questions in themselves.
I glanced.
I slightly turned my eyes to look at Namgung Bia.
'Hmm.'
In any case, I had to meet him.
Since I intended to hand the Thunder Child to Namgung Bia.
It just so happened that I also had business with the Thunder Child itself.
Thinking that far, I got up.
"Can we leave now?"
"..."
Uhyeok made an absurd expression seeing me switch the mood so lightly.
But he didn't nitpick.
Because he expected he'd get hit if he did.
Uhyeok looked at me, dusted off his clothes, and spat out:
"The distance is about an hour if we run."
"Won't take long. Let's go."
"...Ah, but before that."
As I was about to move, Uhyeok grabbed my shoulder with a somewhat worried air.
"It's a real request."
"Hmm?"
A request.
A word not commonly heard from Uhyeok's mouth.
I looked at him, wondering what he was going to say.
And I had to immediately furrow my brows at the words that burst from him.
"...You're not going to fight or bite him, right?"
"..."
I bit him then and there.