〈 Chapter 568 〉 To Hanam.
After meeting Ubongchwigae.
We returned to our quarters, and before long, immediately began packing.
Contrary to my expectation that it would take a while, the matter had been concluded swiftly.
[Since Ubongchwigae has confirmed it, there is no need for further discussion.]
Those were the words conveyed to us by the Wudang Sword Immortal, who had not even shown his face since coming to Wudang.
It was a simple message stating that since the Leader of the Gaibang had finished the interrogation, there was no need to see us further, but.
From the listener’s position, it was truly absurd.
‘So once we’ve seen all there is to see, we’re no longer needed?’
We had come as guests, yet he showed his face once at the beginning, and that was the end of it.
Well, the Sword Empress would go as a representative afterward to finish the conversation.
It felt as though he simply did not wish to speak with us juniors.
I wanted dearly to believe this was merely my own petty inferiority complex.
But that was not the only thing that grated on me.
‘Even so, not coming to see me is rather strange.’
It was not arrogance.
It was an objective judgment.
Not to mention me—here was Guryeonghwa, who was revealed to be the disciple of the Sword Dragon and the Sword Empress, who might become the next Sword King—and yet the Wudang Sword Immortal did not show his face?
This was somewhat problematic.
It meant he had no intention of leaving a good impression on juniors who might one day dominate the Central Plains.
‘For someone who places such importance on his standing.’
What was the reason for bringing the Leader of the Gaibang all this way?
Perhaps it was to investigate the matter of Pungun Gwido or to learn the truth behind the attack.
But I judged that there was another intention hidden beneath it all.
Of course.
‘That was an intention in itself, though.’
I had anticipated that the Wudang Sword Immortal would act this way.
I had even hoped he would.
‘Though I never thought Ubongchwigae himself would come.’
It was only that I had not expected the Leader of the Gaibang to appear personally.
At the very least, I had known that members of the Gaibang would come with us.
‘…Because it had to be that way.’
The reason for this prediction was simple.
First, it was because of the matter of Pungun Gwido I had spoken of before.
As I had said repeatedly, even if it were not because of the Huashan Sect’s affair, Wudang needed attention, so they would have tried to spread rumors using the Gaibang.
With words such as, [The Wudang chosen by Pungun Gwido.]
The problem was… in trying to use this, the Wudang Sword Immortal had mentioned Pungun Gwido, causing Ubongchwigae to move.
From my position, it was quite a troublesome matter.
Ubongchwigae was someone I did not know well. There was a chance he might catch on to something, so I had been inwardly anxious.
‘It passed more easily than expected.’
Fortunately, no problems arose. This was truly an unexpected turn of events.
And thanks to that.
‘It turned out to be a good thing, instead.’
It was not what I had wished for, but it had become a favorable situation.
The reason being.
‘Not only was Wudang attacked, but Ubongchwigae moved to verify it.’
This alone would become quite a rumor.
And more importantly.
‘The Wudang Sword Immortal wants this.’
He would want such rumors to spread far and wide.
And.
‘The Cheonma who attacked this place would instead be packaged and spread throughout the Central Plains.’
It had to be that way.
Only then would it justify Wudang being attacked, and even the attack having succeeded.
Cheonma is strong.
Strong enough that Wudang, without the Wudang Sword Immortal, could not stop him.
He is also a villain who stands in opposition to the Alliance.
It had to be spread in that manner.
To preserve Wudang’s image and to move the Alliance to catch that bastard called Cheonma, it absolutely had to be done that way.
Rather than the perception that Wudang had fallen to some nameless riffraff.
It was far better to say they had fallen to a powerful expert they could not stop.
‘Not bad.’
If I looked only at that much, it was also beneficial to me. Up to this point, that is.
I turned my gaze.
Toward the center of Wudang, beyond the trees, amidst the blowing wind.
With chillingly sunken eyes, I stared at the place where they were.
‘I wish I had killed one or two more.’
I had killed Ubaek.
I had corrupted Jicheol into a demon and driven him to suicide.
I had killed two of Wudang’s present and future.
Yet it was not enough.
‘A pity.’
I should have killed a few more.
That had been the best possible outcome according to the plan, so it could not be helped, but a pity was still a pity.
I had intended to kill all of Wudang’s elders.
Only then.
‘Wouldn’t that bastard’s heart be somewhat eased?’
Recalling the past with a bitter smile, the face of that friend who used to follow me around constantly, pestering me, came to mind.
He always annoyed me so much that I cursed him every which way, yet he never left.
But in the end, he did not do so.
His last words to me came to mind.
[Go first. Thank you.]
Words spoken by that bastard as he bled, blocking the swarming demonic creatures.
You crazy bastard.
‘What the hell are you thankful for?’
The incomprehensible gratitude he had spat out remained deep in my heart.
He should have abandoned this useless fool and looked after himself. What did he think he was doing, throwing away that precious life?
If he had survived by doing so, I might have understood.
But Jamryong died in the end.
That day, Wudang’s most brilliant star lost its light.
Do you know what’s funny here?
Jamryong fell like a star for me.
Yet the ones who made that star fall were none other than this very Wudang.
By the time I learned this truth, it was already far too late.
Only then did I try to burn them alive, but at the time, Cheonma had ordered me not to touch Wudang.
I could not fathom why Cheonma had given me such an order, but.
In any case, what mattered was that Wudang had driven Jamryong to his death.
Why?
Why had Wudang had to kill their own most brilliant star like that?
I do not know. I do not know, nor do I care.
All I see is the fact that they killed Jamryong.
So, I only needed to focus on that.
And the culprit who orchestrated this matter.
‘Is among the elders.’
It was uncertain whether the Wudang Sword Immortal was also involved, but there was certainly someone among the elders.
I did not know exactly who. I did not know how many.
But it did not matter.
If I did not know exactly who the culprit was.
‘I just have to kill them all.’
I simply had to kill all those I suspected.
Then the matter would be resolved.
“Tch.”
A pity.
I had to stop here, lest the plan I had established go awry.
It could not be helped.
‘That is what I decided. I must abide by it.’
When I resolved to finish my training and leave, there was a rule I had set within myself.
Even if I took revenge, I would treat it as secondary, ensuring it did not interfere with what had to be done.
Trying to do more here was clearly an obstruction.
So I endured.
‘For now.’
Endure for now. I had prepared my opportunity, so endure for now.
I had to repeat that to myself.
“Hm.”
I let out a short breath and composed myself.
I circulated my energy to cool my emotions. Hummm-!
As my energy flowed, I felt my head grow cold and clear.
However.
A sharp pang.
“…Nngh…”
When I tried to circulate my energy, pain flared near my heart.
It was probably due to internal injuries.
I had to furrow my brows and endure pain stronger than expected.
‘…I will definitely have to visit the Divine Physician once.’
According to schedule, I had intended to go straight to Hanam, but it seemed I would need to see the Divine Physician midway after all.
Since things were already picking up speed, not just the Divine Physician, but I had to gather ‘them’ and speak with them as well.
‘That bastard Jiseon would have gone to the Hwangbo Clan. I will tell him to come to Hanam.’
What to do with the rest.
While I was arranging my clothes, lost in such thoughts.
Rustle.
“…!”
A sense of strangeness brushed past me.
I turned my head at the sound.
My breath hitched at the sight before my eyes.
Someone was sitting atop the table in the quarters where there should have been no one.
“Hol hol.”
The Leader of the Gaibang, Ubongchwigae Dobong. He was sitting on my table before I knew it.
Having even brewed tea, though I knew not when he had prepared it.
I broke into a cold sweat seeing the old man.
‘When on earth… did he appear?’
I had not sensed him at all. Not the old man entering the quarters, not even up to the moment he brewed tea so nonchalantly.
I had felt nothing.
‘Is it because of my internal injury?’
Had I failed to catch the old man’s movements due to my disrupted senses?
If not.
‘Did I not sense him at all?’
It was possible I had been unable to sense the old man’s presence from the very beginning. Given who he was, after all.
‘…Pungun Gwido.’
The legendary thief whom no one could catch. If I recalled the old man’s past, it was certainly possible.
‘This is no time for that.’
I raised my hand before it was too late. To pay my respects.
“…I greet the Leader of the Gaibang.”
“Hol hol. That is enough. I came suddenly, so there is no need for that. Rather, I should be the one to apologize.”
As I showed courtesy, Ubongchwigae raised his hand and stopped me.
“It seems I have startled you. My apologies.”
“…It is nothing.”
How could I not be startled?
I swallowed the words that tried to leap out.
‘Why has he come?’
Was his business not finished?
Tension rose.
Not knowing his intentions, I was managing only my expression when Ubongchwigae spoke.
“I came here in haste because I have something to ask of you.”
Just as I wondered what he was going to ask.
“Are you well?”
“Excuse me…?”
At Ubongchwigae’s question, I felt my body stiffen in an instant.
“You did not look well.”
“…”
My eyes naturally narrowed at his words.
Moreover, my heart turned ice-cold.
All kinds of thoughts flashed by in an instant, yet I had to struggle not to change my expression.
“What do you mean, all of a sudden…?”
“Hol hol.”
Ubongchwigae laughed at my forced words. Though it certainly appeared so, that laughter sounded like a blade to me.
Cold. And sharp.
“Child of the Gu Clan.”
Ubongchwigae spoke.
“You seem skilled at concealing things with your energy, but there are regrettable aspects.”
Slurp.
The sound of him swallowing spread especially loudly.
“Even if one cannot see the inside. One cannot hide the minute differences visible on the outside. Walking posture, for example.”
“…!”
“If pain is felt even in your fingertips, it inevitably shows in your bearing. Regrettably, you do not seem skilled at hiding such things.”
He was saying that although I had concealed my internal injuries by circulating energy, he had predicted I was wounded from my outward actions?
‘Impossible.’
I had been using all my strength to avoid being caught. To be found out in that short a time?
“I do not know what you mean.”
Unlike my insides falling into disarray, the words I spat out held no tremor.
“Hol hol.”
Seeing that, Ubongchwigae laughed again, as if amused.
“Do not be so tense. I merely spoke out of concern. Hide it if you wish.”
“I am truly fine, Leader.”
“Hm.”
It seemed like words to let the matter pass.
But this was not something I could admit. I had to pretend ignorance until the end.
Even if I had been caught.
“Very well. If you say so, then it must be so.”
At my continued denials, Ubongchwigae nodded.
“Then, may I ask you something else?”
“…”
Before I could even permit the question, Ubongchwigae continued.
“Child. If there is one thing that cannot be properly erased even if all traces are wiped, do you know what it is?”
Saying so, the old man placed something lightly on the table.
“…!”
I had to furrow my brows seeing it.
Yeomyeong.
The treasured object of Wudang that had been kept by the Huashan Sect.
The treasured object I had tried to steal this time.
Why did Ubongchwigae have that?
Before such a doubt could even flash by.
Ubongchwigae looked at me and spoke.
“It is scent. No matter what traces are erased, scent does not easily disappear. So I wished to ask.”
Hearing his words, my mind raced.
I had to think.
“How is it that your scent remains on this treasured object? Child. Do you perchance know the reason?”
A way to kill Ubongchwigae right here, right now.
I had to think of one, no matter what.