I had to hear the reason first.
And with that, my gaze turned elsewhere.
Toward where Namgung Bia was.
It was obvious what she would be doing.
She was probably sleeping in my carriage right now.
“Has the Gu Family Head… departed?”
“Yes. He left for Sanseo first yesterday.”
“…I see. I am too late.”
What is this.
Is he trying to get revenge?
After being beaten like that, it would be understandable to feel resentful, but revenge….
‘I don’t think that will work.’
Seeing the spectacle at that time, it seemed almost impossible for Cheonjon to take revenge on my father.
Perhaps if it were a group effort. But alone…it would probably be too much, wouldn’t it.
What was fortunate.
‘That’s not the feeling I get.’
It was that Cheonjon didn’t seem to be out for revenge.
I was looking at Cheonjon with a strange expression, and he spoke to me.
“I wished to offer my thanks. It seems I am already too late.”
“Thanks?”
Hearing that, I stepped back slightly.
…After getting beaten black and blue, he says thanks? Could he possibly have a taste for being on the receiving end?
I had never thought of Cheonjon as such a perverse figure.
When I made a disgusted expression, Cheonjon held back a smile.
“You are a child of fine imagination. Do not worry, for I have no such tastes.”
“…That is a relief, but….”
“I simply wished to convey my gratitude. Had it not been for the Gu Family Head, I would not have opened my eyes.”
To think he would not have opened his eyes.
It seemed more like he was trying to make him close his eyes forever.
Leaving aside those incomprehensible words, that was not what mattered.
“Is that related to the reason you wish to go to the Gu Estate now?”
“Would that not be so?”
“…No, setting aside whether it is possible or not…. I cannot fathom why you are doing this so suddenly. You should go to the Namgung Clan. Moreover….”
It was a time when the Martial Alliance’s investigation into the Tang Clan incident had yet to produce proper results.
If Cheonjon was connected to it, he would have to undergo investigation by the Alliance side first.
Of course.
‘If Cheonjon throws a tantrum, there’s nothing to be done.’
As one of the Three Venerables, if he insisted on having his way brazenly, they couldn’t recklessly touch him.
Which meant, it was not that he feared that and sought to entrust himself to the Gu Estate.
Thus, I had to ask.
“Is there also a reason you are not going to the Namgung Clan?”
“...”
I wanted to hear the reason Cheonjon deliberately avoided the Namgung Clan.
Cheonjon, who had been silent for a moment, sent his gaze somewhere.
The direction was toward the other bloodline of the Namgung Clan.
“…Because I cannot go yet.”
Cheonjon’s eyes trembled unusually as he spat out the words.
“Until I set right my past wrongs. I shall not go to the Namgung Clan.”
Fault?
It was quite an unpleasant word to hear.
‘…Did something change after being burned by the flames once?’
Did he have some realization on the brink of death?
I couldn’t properly understand what he was saying, but I could tell there was a will to do something.
“And so to my house….”
You mean to live under our roof?
I held back from saying so.
“You mean… to stay for a while?”
“Would that be impossible? I shall fulfill the role required of a live-in guest. Though I am but an old man, I have confidence in my strength, you see.”
I had to laugh inwardly at Cheonjon’s words.
What would he do in such a role?
Was he going to act as a servant like Geomjon? I would refuse that on my end.
‘…I thought I would die from the pressure.’
Geomjon cleaned my room, chopped firewood, and helped prepare meals.
Do you know how burdensome that was?
‘I felt like vomiting every day.’
Moreover, since I couldn’t let on that I knew, pretending not to know was hard too.
And Cheonjon would do the same?
Just imagining it was exhausting.
Forcing my expression back from collapsing, I spoke to Cheonjon.
“…Before that. Are you sure you will be alright?”
“What do you mean?”
“Separate from your refusal to return to the Namgung Clan. There are people from the Namgung Clan in our party. Is that also alright?”
Was he treating his refusal to go to the Namgung Clan and the presence of Namgung Clan members in the party as separate matters?
I was curious about that.
Hearing the question, Cheonjon faltered for a moment, then soon looked into my eyes and spoke.
“It is fine. That, too, is something I must bear….”
“No. That is not what I mean.”
I cut off Cheonjon.
This old man seemed to be misunderstanding something.
“Setting aside whether you are fine, Elder. I am speaking of whether they will be fine. If they say it is not alright, what will you do then?”
“…!”
At those bluntly spat words, Cheonjon’s eyes widened.
I neither knew nor had much intention of learning about Namgung Clan affairs in the future.
But at the very least, Namgung Bia was important.
I did not know what her relationship with Cheonjon was, but if Namgung Bia was uncomfortable with traveling together.
‘I have no intention of accepting him, Cheonjon or not.’
Even if it led to a somewhat rough situation, I would not back down.
‘Because I have ample support here.’
Though Cheonjon had lost to my father, he was by no means a weak martial artist.
But I currently had support that could stop him.
‘…Paejon may not get involved, but wouldn’t Amwang help?’
Roughly, it meant I was throwing a tantrum because I had backing.
I sized up Cheonjon while tense.
Cheonjon’s expression was unusual.
Was he offended by my words? It was possible.
He probably had never heard such words before.
I watched him with such shallow concern.
“I see. I have shown another unsightly side of myself.”
The words from Cheonjon’s mouth were an unexpected reaction.
He nodded as if realizing something he had not known.
His blue eyes were clear and his breathing calm.
…Could it be that this old man took the wrong medicine, not the Poison King? The thought suddenly crossed my mind.
“I am grateful. You have given me enlightenment.”
“…No, yes….”
“I nearly caused another great disaster. It is fortunate I realized this now…. If those children say they dislike it, I shall not force myself to go.”
“...”
The corners of his eyes wrinkled deeply as he smiled lightly.
Is this person really Cheonjon?
Could he be some other dark agent in disguise?
I even had such doubts.
“…That.”
I tried to say more but soon closed my mouth.
I touched my forehead lightly and looked at Shinui.
Looking into Shinui’s eyes, I could tell.
They were eyes that seemed to ask something of me.
“Tch.”
I had to click my tongue shortly there.
“I understand your words. However, permission for this must come from the Family Head, not me, so I shall first send a letter to the estate.”
It was not a clear sign of permission.
Even if Namgung Bia said it was fine and I said it was fine.
In the end, whether to accept him or not was my father’s will.
For reference, I was also thinking of subtly writing to absolutely not accept him.
“Thank you.”
Cheonjon smiled at me as if that alone was enough.
I don’t know why that benevolent-looking face felt so burdensome.
‘When I saw him in the other world, he looked terrifyingly scary.’
Drenched in eerie killing intent.
The Cheonjon of that time, who showed his sharp features without hiding them, was nowhere to be seen.
A benevolent grandfather stood before me instead.
They say people come to their senses when beaten. Could that really be true?
I don’t know.
After cupping my hands to Cheonjon, I first moved toward the carriage.
It was not far. As I walked, I whispered quietly.
“Elder.”
-Yes.
The moment I called, a transmitted voice reached me.
I turned my gaze to find the source of the transmitted voice.
Among the servants diligently carrying luggage, I sensed something.
It seemed to be Amwang.
Normally I would not have been able to sense him, so the fact that I could likely meant Amwang was deliberately revealing himself.
-I have a request.
-Please speak.
-Could you send just one letter for me?
-Understood.
Amwang accepted immediately.
I intended to write about the matter concerning Cheonjon and send it to the Gu Estate.
To do so, I knew borrowing Amwang’s power would be the fastest.
-I will send it off at once.
He probably meant he would send members of the Cheolya Salsudae.
…To think they would use those feared throughout Zhongyuan merely as messenger birds.
It was an indescribable feeling.
Hiding such feelings, this time I asked something else.
-And… what of the request I made yesterday?
This was the main reason I had called him.
The favor asked of Amwang.
Namely, that he take Dang Soyeol as his disciple.
Regarding this, Amwang had said that rather than accepting immediately, he needed to check whether it was possible for this particular case.
Like the Paejon’s Tuapacheonmu, Amwang’s exclusive martial art seemed to require certain conditions.
-It seems possible.
I nodded at Amwang’s answer.
Fortunately, Dang Soyeol appeared to have passed Amwang’s standards.
If so.
-Please proceed according to the conditions.
-Understood.
The conversation ended there.
The condition I offered Amwang was simply that he would accept Dang Soyeol as his disciple, and that Dang Soyeol could accept or declare his resignation if he refused.
I merely wished to give him a path.
Whether to walk it or not was ultimately Dang Soyeol’s will.
I did not know if this would truly help.
Whether having him train under Amwang was truly the right thing.
I had no certainty.
Still, I only thought this was the fastest method.
‘If you only walk the righteous path, you cannot endure.’
The Poison King’s belief had made many thoughts cross my mind, but.
I knew I could not judge by that alone.
Creak.
I opened the carriage. The first thing I saw inside was Namgung Bia.
She was lying on Wi Seol-a’s lap with half-sleepy eyes.
The drowsy Namgung Bia waved her hand slightly upon seeing me.
“You’re back…?”
“You’re awfully carefree.”
No matter what had happened before, Namgung Bia’s attitude was the same.
That somehow annoyed me.
It made it seem like I was the only one who cared.
So I felt a little spiteful and flicked Namgung Bia hard on the forehead.
Thwack!
“…Ah….”
Namgung Bia, struck out of nowhere, let out a trivial reaction.
Was that a scream just now?
She even made a sound and then fell back asleep.
It was truly absurd.
Wi Seol-a, who had been stroking Namgung Bia’s hair, asked me.
“Are you done with everything?”
It used to feel the opposite.
These days, Wi Seol-a somehow looked more like the older sister.
‘…Is it because she’s grown?’
Perhaps because her height, body, and appearance had become much more mature than before.
It might also be due to the atmosphere she exuded.
“No, I have to go out again.”
The preparations for departure were not yet complete.
Since Moyong Hui-a was outside directing the preparations, I had to go help to some extent.
I had stepped in briefly because I had something to tell Namgung Bia.
-Hey.
I called Namgung Bia with a transmitted voice.
Then Namgung Bia opened her eyes slightly.
-Your great-grandfather came to see me.
“...”
At those words, Namgung Bia, who had been about to fall asleep, rose unsteadily.
Her messy hair showed she had been quite comfortable.
Perhaps because I spoke of Cheonjon.
Namgung Bia looked at me.
-He says he wishes to travel with us. What should we do. Should I refuse?
“…?”
Her eyes said she didn’t understand.
Of course.
Cheonjon suddenly wanting to join the party was a story I wouldn’t have understood either if I were in her shoes.
-If you dislike it, I intend to refuse. He said he wouldn’t go if that were the case.
“...”
The relationship between Namgung Bia and Cheonjon might be uncomfortable.
Recalling my past life, there was still a possibility of that now, so I had asked just in case.
“I don’t mind….”
Namgung Bia answered thus and laid her head back on Wi Seol-a’s lap.
“…No.”
I had subtly hoped she would refuse. But even that didn’t work.
Damn it.
‘Then in the end, do I have to hope Father refuses?’
That seemed to be the only remaining method.
Barely half a month later.
I learned that even my father had betrayed my expectations.
*
By the time the carriage preparations were nearly complete.
They finished much faster than expected.
It was partly because the servants had moved busily. It was also likely because Moyong Hui-a had stepped up.
“Should we pack food as well?”
“We have too many people for that. It would be better to stop midway and buy some.”
“Then I shall do so.”
My task amounted to answering Moyong Hui-a’s occasional confirmations.
She could have just handled it herself, yet Moyong Hui-a kept coming to check like this.
While I was looking around with my eyes.
“So are we leaving now?”
A sleepy voice came from the side.
It was Uhyeok.
I frowned at him.
“Did you just wake up?”
His state made it obvious he had come from sleeping.
As expected. Uhyeok grinned at this.
“I slept just a bit. There happened to be a sunny spot. Haha.”
“Wipe the sleep from your eyes at least.”
“Oh dear.”
At my remark, Uhyeok hurriedly rubbed his eyes.
I don’t know why a handsome fellow like him goes around looking like that.
Watching him rub his eyes diligently, I asked.
“You said you were coming too.”
“Hm?”
“To my house.”
“Ah, right. I decided to.”
Uhyeok was heading to the Gu Estate.
This had been decided according to Goeseon’s movements.
Goeseon had also decided to go to the Gu Estate.
‘…Goeseon follows Namgung Bia.’
More precisely, rather than following her, Goeseon had said he had business in Sanseo.
‘Did he say he already got permission from Father?’
Regarding staying at the Gu Estate, he had supposedly talked it over when Father came.
When had that happened? The party had grown too much without my knowing.
Moreover….
“It feels like parasites are piling up in the house…. Must be my imagination?”
“Hearing that makes me hungry. Does your house cook well?”
“…The food is indeed excellent, but there probably won’t be any for you.”
“Eheh. How could that be!”
Uhyeok was feeling particularly cheeky today.
He already loved sleeping. Should I just let him sleep forever?
Yes, let’s do that.
Just as I resolved to grab Uhyeok.
“Hyung-nim!”
A voice was heard from afar.
Wondering what it was, I looked—it was Pae Ucheol.
My eyes widened at the sight.
“What are you doing here?”
“I heard you were leaving today, so I came in a hurry.”
“Hah.”
I let out an empty sigh at Pae Ucheol’s awkward smile.
While the Pae Family and Tang Clan were close, there was still some distance.
He came all this way to see me off? No, that was possible, but.
“…How did you get in?”
This was not a situation where one could simply come in because they wanted to.
The Tang Clan was currently forbidding outsiders from entering, so how exactly did he get through?
I looked at Pae Ucheol with such doubts.
“I let him in.”
Someone appeared behind Pae Ucheol.
A man with green hair similar to Dang Soyeol, appearing to be just past twenty.
“…Great Hero Tang.”
It was Dang Juyeok, the son of the Poison King and young family head of the Tang Clan.
He smiled lightly and explained the situation to me.
“He said he wished to see Young Master Gu off, so I let him in.”
“Is that alright? Won’t the Poison King scold you?”
“Haha, the Family Head likely has no time to scold me right now.”
Meaning his own clan was being torn apart, yet he spoke with such a smile.
I thought as I looked at him.
‘Dang Juyeok….’
Honestly, he was someone I did not know well.
He had a nickname in my previous life, but I couldn’t recall what he had done.
I remembered he was not an exceptionally powerful expert.
Just an unremarkable figure.
That was exactly what I had thought.
‘It doesn’t seem so simple.’
The sensation I felt from Dang Juyeok was peculiar.
It was not about the level of a martial artist’s skill.
“…Thank you.”
“How could you thank me for this? We have received far more.”
Dang Juyeok smiled and said in response to my gratitude.
He reached out and gently patted my shoulder.
“I am grateful, Young Master Gu.”
“...”
“The Family Head is too busy to see you off. Please convey my gratitude to the Gu Family Head as well.”
“…Yes.”
“Ah, and.”
As he spoke, Dang Juyeok drew slightly closer and whispered in my ear.
“Regarding the request you made, permission has been granted.”
“Ah, that is a relief.”
The part I had separately requested from the Poison King.
This was precisely the request asking whether I could take Nahi with me.
There was also the matter of having made her into a demon. It was a situation where I needed to use the jewel.
Of course, I had to take Nahi with me.
So I had requested this separately from the Poison King some time ago, and it seemed the Poison King had accepted.
However, if there was a sticking point, it was that the Poison King’s expression upon hearing this had been strange.
He had furrowed his features deeply, looking quite displeased.
Just as I was wondering why.
Dang Juyeok spoke to me.
“It was a bit unexpected.”
“What was?”
“Nahi… while she is indeed beautiful, I never thought she was Young Master Gu’s type.”
“…Wh-what? Huh? What did you say?”