Chapter 508 - Just Let Me Hold It Once.
Show me the process and result of you using the Baekma Stone on Jeogal Hyeok.
That was what I had demanded from Sinui.
Honestly, I was curious. The item known as the Baekma Stone was no different from an incredible miracle elixir to me, but.
That was only because I possessed the authority known as the Demonic Heaven-Devouring Art.
To other ordinary people, it was nothing more than a white rock.
However.
"To think they would do something with this."
The existence of another usage for the demon stone was of considerable interest to me.
Of course, even so….
"I hadn't exactly been trying to find out in this manner."
This wasn't something I had wanted to learn by force.
As I'd said before, this was more according to Noya's will than my own.
"What was it that he said again."
Before I went to find Sinui, Noya had personally told me to make this demand.
It was strange. Noya had found my actions absurd, but he had never given me a direct order like this before.
He had said it was uncomfortable for someone already dead to meddle in the affairs of the living.
"This must mean it's something important."
If Noya was going this far, it must mean it was that important.
Without much argument, I decided to carry it out.
To speak only of the results afterward.
"Half a success, I suppose."
Half a success. That was exactly how much I could say it was.
The reason I called it half a success was because, first and foremost, Sinui had expressed refusal at my words.
The reason was that even if she obtained the Baekma Stone, it would be difficult to put the matter into practice immediately.
Even though she said that, within her words I sensed that she couldn't fully trust me, and that she felt uncomfortable showing me the act.
I was about to accept and move on from here, but remembering that Noya had stepped forward, I pressed on a bit more firmly.
When I pushed a little further using the Baekma Stone as leverage, Sinui fell into contemplation with a deep sigh.
She didn't think for very long.
About enough time for me to take a sip of tea.
Precisely that amount of time passed, and then Sinui presented me with conditions.
The first condition was that she wanted to do it in a safe place, and the second was that it would take time to acquire the remaining materials after the Baekma Stone.
The third was.
"A restriction."
A restriction that forced silence about this. Sinui said she would plant it directly into my body.
A restriction placed by a physician.
Would it be different somehow? A faint curiosity stirred.
The problem was that when it came to that point, Noya stopped me instead.
["There is no need to go further than this. It is not something you need to find out to the point of having a restriction placed on you."]
Noya told me to stop, but having come this far, I had no intention of backing down.
"I will do it."
Disregarding Noya's words, I answered Sinui.
Then Sinui nodded at me as if exhausted, as though she had finally given up.
That was the end of the discussion.
If it was a safe place, I could choose the Guga estate. Though our house didn't look very safe either.
If I had to choose, it was better there.
As soon as the talk ended, I handed the Baekma Stone over to Sinui.
Since the conditions hadn't been fulfilled yet, handing over the Baekma Stone could be dangerous, but I trusted that Sinui, not being me, wasn't a human who would gobble it up and run.
Perhaps because it was a Baekma Stone she had barely obtained. Sinui was looking at the Baekma Stone with eyes that finally seemed relieved.
Was it really that important? Important enough to obtain while undergoing something like this from me.
"Can that really restore Jeogal Hyeok's voice?"
If that really happened, what would become of things? Recalling Cheonyurang from my past life, bitter feelings welled up inside.
Really.
"Could I have not killed him?"
Jeogal Hyeok was a sort of crossroads.
He was the signpost acknowledging and accepting that this place was a different time, away from the memories of my past life.
He was also the starting point from which I tried to live a different life than back then, and tried to accept those around me.
Not having killed Jeogal Hyeok held that meaning for me.
However.
"Will it really be okay?"
It simply became a worry.
Whether it was really alright, whether Jeogal Hyeok would truly not become a danger later on.
If there was even a small chance, wouldn't it be better to kill him now?
Just as my insides gradually grew cold the more I thought about it.
"…You."
Sinui's voice was heard quietly.
"You have absolutely no prospect about you, and your temper is vile and ugly to look at, but."
"…Why are you suddenly cursing at me like this?"
My face furrowed at words that stabbed in sharply, as though daggers were being plunged deep.
Was she scolding me for throwing my weight around with the Baekma Stone? Wondering if that was the case, I was about to wrinkle the bridge of my nose when—
"I do not see you badly."
"…"
My body stiffened slightly at those calm yet resolute words.
Because it was completely different from the curses she had spat out earlier.
"One whose own body cannot stand straight, yet tries desperately to look after the children nearby."
That wasn't it. Rather, I was using and exploiting them again and again.
Because that was the only way to survive later.
"And the foolish guilt and hesitation you hold within while acting shamefully toward others."
I never had such things.
I beat those who deserved beating and discarded those who deserved discarding.
My nature is dirty so I have no memory of holding back; just what did she see to say such things?
I wanted to retort immediately, but the words wouldn't easily leave my mouth.
Why?
"Because knowing such things, I think there must be a reason you turned out this way too."
What I had done to Sinui with the Baekma Stone.
Sinui was saying that she believed there was a reason even for that.
Perhaps because I heard that. The thorns protruding from my hands felt especially sharp.
Swallowing the surging pain, I spoke to Sinui.
"…You are severely delusional. It's simply because I am a bad person. You are attaching strange reasons to it."
No matter what reason I acted toward Sinui, I must not attach reasons to it.
Whatever the reason, the responsibility for my actions lies with me.
I shouldn't have moved hoping that Sinui would understand that.
I bear all things.
That was the right way.
At least for me.
In Sinui's pupils as she looked at me like that, I somehow felt sympathy.
The thorns lodged inside grew larger.
I ignored and swallowed them down.
It was a few seconds, the time spent exchanging glances with Sinui.
As soon as that brief time passed, Sinui turned her head and spoke to me.
"If you say so, then it must be so. If the conversation is finished, leave."
I carefully rose at those words. I had finished what needed to be said for now, and whether to take Sinui to the Guga estate was a matter to discuss next time.
Since the sun had set and evening had come, I had to hurry back to my room.
"…Because Father will be waiting."
Ah, I don't want to go. That thought suddenly flashed through my mind.
With a dying expression, I tried to leave Sinui's quarters when—
"This is a warning toward wicked you."
Just before I left, Sinui let words flow to me.
"…Yes? A warning?"
"Tianzun. That old man is here. Be careful."
"…"
Tianzun is here?
For a brief moment, I expressed some surprise internally at such an out-of-the-blue appearance.
After that, I barely held back laughter at Sinui's words.
"Sinui, isn't that usually not a warning but rather worry?"
"Get lost!"
"Yes."
With a faint smile at the roar, I opened the door.
Before leaving, I slightly bowed my head to Sinui in courtesy and left.
Creak. Slam.
Immediately after the door closed, I set foot on the path back to my quarters.
The sun had set, and lanterns were lit everywhere along the path.
Was it because of the conversation we had at the end?
It felt like a stone had been placed inside me.
"…Tch."
Could it be said that Sinui had forcibly dredged up emotions that usually sank down easily?
The emotions from when I had been worrying about whether to kill Jeogal Hyeok.
The aftermath lingered, leaving things unpleasant and stifling.
Smack!
I slapped my own cheek hard. Since I had hit it rather strongly and tasted blood, I roughly wiped it with the back of my hand.
"Get a grip, you pathetic bastard."
Ever since my body changed, I had felt that something was different mentally.
I wondered if this wasn't the biggest effect.
The more that was the case, the more I had to get a grip.
I couldn't let my mind be devoured.
"Think about who I am."
It wasn't some philosophical concept, nor some vain attempt to find the meaning of existence.
The Madman of Guga.
Don't forget that simple and clear nickname. I thought of only that.
[…Kid.]
"Please don't call me that. I'm perfectly fine."
I could feel worry bound within Noya's voice.
I asked him not to do so.
Because I would not crumble from something like this.
It wasn't because I was strong.
It was simply that I must not crumble, so I did not crumble.
I walked on. I stabilized my mind and body, even twisting my expression and straining myself to endure.
This should be enough.
By the time I thought so, I had arrived at the quarters where I was staying.
"…"
I halted.
The moment I entered the quarters, I stopped.
I felt it.
"It's hot."
For some reason, I could feel that the temperature had risen only within the quarters.
Feeling that hot energy, I cautiously went inside.
The attendants outside looked at me and arranged themselves in courtesy, but their expressions were full of tension.
Where had the Tang Clan guards who protected the quarters gone? I didn't know.
It wasn't the time to worry about such things.
I went up the creaking stairs and grabbed the doorknob to open it.
The room was definitely dark, but somehow an illusion that it was distinctly bright came over me.
I saw teacups. Two teacups placed on the table.
And someone sitting quietly with a neat posture.
Even with only the red eyes visible between the dark shadows, I could tell it was Father.
"…"
Feeling that, I slowly took a step.
Then.
Fwoosh!
The room instantly brightened. Small flames kindled in the air.
They were small in size but considerably bright.
Bright enough to make one's eyes furrow slightly.
Enduring that, I looked toward Father.
Father did not send his gaze toward me, but immediately took something out from his bosom.
"…!"
I had to swallow a hollow breath upon seeing it. Because the object Father had taken out was none other than a Night Pearl.
Why is that coming from Father…? My pupils trembled as if an earthquake had struck at the startling appearance, when—
At that moment, Father turned his head and looked at me.
Facing those blood-red eyes, my body stiffened of its own accord.
With my mouth forcibly silenced, I swallowed dry saliva.
Father spoke to me.
"Sit."
"…"
At those words, my stiffened body moved on its own and I slid into a seat in front of the table.
My knees bent and my hands gathered properly without my realizing it.
And Father before me, lifting his teacup and taking a sip.
Just as an atmosphere that felt suffocating began to form, with the carelessly dropped Night Pearl lying between us.
Tap.
Father, having lightly drunk his tea, set down the teacup and spoke.
"Explain."
"…"
Upon hearing that, I thought.
No matter how I looked at it, I should have run away long ago.
******************
Explain.
I didn't have many words laid out in response to Father's demand.
I spat out the words as slowly as possible.
Because while speaking, I had to internally mix in various things.
I had thought up excuses beforehand, but I couldn't afford mistakes when spitting them out.
"Even so, it's just an excuse."
Damn it.
I hadn't expected him to bring even the Night Pearls I had handed over to the Baekhwa Merchant Guild.
When on earth had he gone there?
Because of that, I had to reorganize my words even as I spoke.
And so, the explanation (excuse) I gave Father was.
First, I had accidentally fallen into a lake and discovered the Tang Clan's Secret Vault there.
There, I obtained a large number of Night Pearls and Poison Heaven Pills, and after consuming the Poison Heaven Pills obtained there, I underwent a bodily rebirth.
I even brought the Night Pearls out and sold them to the Baekhwa Merchant Guild.
A problem occurred.
I obtained information that the Tang Clan was up to something strange in the Secret Vault.
It seemed my comrades were in danger of getting caught up in it, so I told the Poison King in order to stop the affair.
"…"
Even as I continued speaking, word by word.
Internally, I realized I was screwed.
The story was full of contradictions and loopholes.
The fact that one doesn't undergo bodily rebirth so easily just by eating Poison Heaven Pills. And why I would go all the way to Poison Heaven Lake just to fall into it.
Also, having fallen into the lake, how I discovered the Secret Vault.
And how I discovered the circumstances of the Tang Clan plotting in a Secret Vault that had appeared who-knows-when.
The more I spoke, the more I felt I was screwed.
From Father's perspective, he might have wondered what kind of bullshit this brat was spewing and slapped me.
Moreover, selling the Night Pearls obtained from the Tang Clan's Secret Vault to a merchant guild.
Was no different from admitting I had stolen goods from there.
"…Damn it all."
I had acted because I didn't think Father would come, but if I had known things would turn out like this, I would have used a different method even if it took time.
"What do I do?"
Having barely finished speaking, I watched Father's mood.
Father listened silently throughout the story, not interrupting a single word.
Only when the story was completely finished did he take a sip of tea.
Father, moistening his lips, looked at me with slightly narrowed eyes and moved his lips.
In that moment, my body had to contain all sorts of tension.
I would be scolded. I had no memory of being hit by Father since the last duel. I wondered if one more would be added in this life.
Hoping to be hit a bit less painfully, I averted my eyes here and there when—
"How is your body?"
"…Yes?"
The words that came from Father's mouth were somewhat unexpected.
He's asking how my body is?
"I heard you underwent a bodily rebirth. How is your condition?"
"…Well."
I was momentarily flustered by the completely unexpected question.
"…Sinui… took my pulse. She said my body's condition was good…."
It wasn't a lie. I had actually just returned after being examined by Sinui.
"I see."
Perhaps satisfied with my answer, Father nodded and opened his narrowed eyes.
The problem was that it was only for a moment.
Squeeze.
I felt a sign of tightening around my heart. The air reversed.
As I widened my eyes at the inexplicable sensation.
"The matter of someone being poisoned is also true, it seems."
Father said.
"Third."
"Ugh… yes."
"What you did to give the Poison King justification and handled the matter differently was well done, but."
Ggggck.
My shoulders were pressed down.
The pressure emanating from Father was crushing my body.
"…Damn."
I thought I had grown much stronger, yet to think I still couldn't overcome even a single bout of pressure and had to bite my lip.
"For that, the fact that you tried to consume poison yourself means I must scold you."
"…I… am sorry."
Ah, so I am getting scolded after all.
The moment I thought so and gulped.
Sruk.
Father suddenly rose. Wondering if he was getting up to beat me, I raised my head.
"However."
Father's gaze was not directed at me, but toward outside the door.
"Before that, it seems there is someone else I must punish first."
"…Patriarch…?"
I called out to Father at the strange atmosphere, but he answered not and quietly headed for the door.
Huwook! The door opened on its own without a hand touching it.
Creak.
The moment Father took a step outside the door.
FLASH!
"…What?"
Light poured down.
I could clearly see.
The dark sky above with the moon rising changing into a blue sky in an instant.
The sun.
At this hour, it was something that should naturally be asleep.
It had appeared in the air before I knew it.
At that absurd sight, I couldn't say anything.
"Wait."
Father looked at me with his characteristic expressionless face, like mine, and spoke.
Huwook.
Father's black hair slowly dyed. Red hair, the same color as his pupils.
It was Father's combat stance, which I had never seen even in my previous life.
"I shall return before the tea grows cold."