< Episode 596 > Zhuge.
I entered the room with Sinui.
The moment he entered, Sinui frowned upon seeing the room.
"The state of this room is unspeakable…."
Hearing that, I smiled sheepishly.
Because, as Sinui said, the room was a complete mess.
The one lamp present was somehow broken.
The only piece of furniture, a table, was split in half.
Last night.
It was because I had been unable to contain my anger and smashed everything.
It was something I could have called a servant to clean up when I left, but I hadn't bothered to do so.
It was somewhat awkward to ask someone to clean up even this.
I reached out.
Bzzzt—! Energy erupted from my fingertips, lifting the scattered debris into the air one by one.
Immediately, Murong Hui-a's words from yesterday came to mind.
'Didn't she say why use Void Grasp in a place like this?'
If others saw, it would be an absurd act, but having tried it myself, nothing was more convenient than this.
It consumed internal energy absurdly, so its efficiency was a bit lacking, though.
After roughly cleaning the room, Sinui plopped down in an empty spot and spoke.
"I don't need tea."
"I don't have tea to offer you or a table to place it on anyway."
"…"
How could there be something like tea in my room?
I received many gifts from here and there, but I didn't go out of my way to carry such things around.
I didn't enjoy it, and moreover, it was a hassle.
"I have water. Shall I at least offer you that?"
"…Yes."
"Ah, I'm sorry. Now that I think about it, I don't have water either."
"…"
I answered awkwardly.
I hadn't even brought drinking water into the room.
"It's fine…. I didn't come here to drink something."
"Yes."
I was about to look for something, but at Sinui's words, I also sat down roughly on the floor.
Since there was no need to do anything else afterward, I went straight to the main point.
"So, what was it you were saying earlier?"
"…"
When I asked the question, Sinui's expression was unusual.
Seeing that, I thought.
'Didn't you say that before long, something big would happen in Hanam?'
This was not something that could be easily overlooked.
"Did you say something would happen in Hanam?"
"Yes…. I don't know when, but probably in the not-too-distant future…."
Sinui fell silent for a moment before continuing.
"Certain people will cause a great incident in Hanam."
Certain people.
"How do you know that?"
"They told me directly."
They told this directly to Sinui?
Hearing that, I fell into thought for a moment.
'So that's why you went out briefly yesterday.'
Sinui's outing yesterday.
Furthermore.
'You said there was someone to meet in Hanam.'
Was that related to this?
An existence that even the Alliance Leader couldn't easily call upon, yet Sinui came all the way to Hanam to meet.
Such an existence….
"Why would they seek you out to speak of such things?"
I asked with doubt, and Sinui's eyes grew cold.
Sinui is a physician.
Why would they call out such a Sinui to talk about an attack?
Just who are they, and what purpose do they have?
Such doubts were endless.
I asked with a strange expression, and Sinui answered me.
"It must be because I share the same bloodline as them."
"…"
Hearing the answer, my eyes widened.
The same bloodline?
That means….
'Does he mean descendants of the Zhuge family?'
I thought of it only in my head without speaking it aloud.
Sinui still wouldn't know that I knew about his family name.
'Descendants of the Zhuge family are preparing to cause trouble in Hanam?'
My head began to ache upon hearing this.
'This too is something that never happened in my past life.'
There was never a time in my past life when the Zhuge family suddenly appeared saying they would do something.
Even when the prodigy Zhuge Hyeok took the seat of strategist in the Demonic Cult and began sweeping through the Central Plains.
Even when another person of the Zhuge surname stepped up to clear the false accusations against their family and stopped Zhuge Hyeok.
There had been no information about other descendants of the Zhuge family appearing besides them.
I knew from my past life that Sinui, Zhuge Hyeok, and even that bastard Jiseon were of Zhuge bloodline.
They were people who hid their bloodline and concealed their surname.
At this point in time, it was a period when people had even forgotten whether such a surname had ever existed.
Though that was clearly the situation.
"…Forgotten specters have drawn their swords, saying they will reclaim their place."
How could such a thing happen?
I managed my expression with effort and asked Sinui.
"Just what… is the identity of the bloodline you spoke of?"
Hiding the fact that I already knew, it was a question filled with doubt whether he would actually give an answer.
Then.
"A place that once bore the surname Zhuge."
"…!"
"I am a descendant of that place."
Surprisingly, Sinui gave the answer about his surname without any hesitation.
I thought he would at least try to hide it a little. I never expected him to say it so easily.
"Zhuge… then, could it be?"
I was surprised for a different reason, but thanks to that, it wasn't hard to pretend to be surprised.
"Yes. It is the one you know."
"…"
The Zhuge family.
A clan that had held an absolute position in formations and mechanisms back when they were called one of the Five Great Families.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that most of the formations and other mechanisms in the Central Plains of that era were handled by the Zhuge family.
Because their position was so solid and unique, the people of the Central Plains believed that even if other places fell, the Zhuge family would be maintained.
But ironically, the first place to collapse was the Zhuge family.
The reason for that was also well known.
'They worshipped the Blood Demon.'
The Blood Demon who had caused the Blood Calamity and brought a storm of blood.
The Zhuge family had secretly worshipped the Blood Demon behind the Martial Alliance's back.
When the Martial Alliance uncovered that they had coveted his power, they fell in an instant.
The clan was turned into a wasteland, of course.
An extermination order was issued for those bearing the Zhuge surname.
The direct blood relatives all died, leaving none behind.
The collateral relatives who somehow survived were said to usually live while concealing their surname.
That is the current Zhuge family.
No, now it's difficult to even call them a family.
They have all been shattered and disappeared; how could one call them a family?
Recalling this fact, I looked at Sinui and asked.
"…Is it alright to tell me such a thing?"
"Why, are you planning to report it to the Alliance?"
"No, it's not that I would necessarily do so. But if I'm short on money later, I might, mightn't I?"
"Hehe. The reason is certainly like you."
Sinui said so with a laugh.
It felt somewhat like a curse.
"Very well. If you can profit by selling this old man, then do so."
"…That's not what I meant."
"However, if that happens. I hope you will at least take care of Hyeok."
"…"
You're asking for the most difficult thing. How bothersome.
It would have been easier if you had threatened me not to tell.
Suppressing a sigh, I spoke to Sinui.
"So… descendants of the Zhuge family are trying to do something. And they asked you to join them in this matter. Is that roughly what they said?"
"I suppose so."
"How did you answer, elder?"
"What do you think I did?"
This old man. He keeps answering questions with questions.
"You must have refused."
Still, I answered.
"Why?"
"Because of your temper… I mean, I thought you would because of your personality."
I had almost said 'temper' without thinking.
This old man is quite prickly, after all.
I barely corrected myself to 'personality,' and Sinui smiled faintly.
"Yes… That's right. I refused. I clearly said I would not do it."
"Yes."
'I will not get involved.' I clearly said that and left, and yet."
Sinui's eyes grew darker and darker as he spoke.
"It is not so easy."
"And so, that is why you are saying this to me."
"Correct."
"Then, I truly do not understand why you have come to me of all people."
Sinui had clearly said he had a favor to ask me.
And the story he brought up was this.
I couldn't understand it.
'There should be many people around you.'
For instance, though not trustworthy, there is Iljang-ro.
And there would be Paejon staying in quarters like these.
Even if not them, there should be more people who would move for Sinui.
Why me of all people?
That was my question.
Hearing this question of mine, Sinui said,
"I don't really know either."
He gave an even stranger answer.
"…Yes?"
"Why did I come to you? I don't really know."
Sinui had an expression that showed he truly didn't understand himself.
"Somehow, I felt it had to be you."
"Is that the whole reason…?"
"Yes. If you don't like it, say so. I have no intention of forcing you."
"…"
The reason is truly absurd.
To think he came simply because he felt he had to ask me.
How could he speak of such a grave matter with such a nonsensical reason?
I wondered if Sinui had gone senile. But.
"No… Yes."
It didn't matter anyway.
"…First, let me hear the story."
I had no intention of refusing anyway.
The Zhuge family is plotting something in Hanam.
How could I overlook such words?
I couldn't do that.
I was the one who had been trying to cause trouble in Hanam in the first place.
And in such a situation, the Zhuge family appears intending to cause an incident?
'Well, well.'
This couldn't be a more perfect situation.
Sinui seemed to be asking me to stop this.
But as I listened, I thought.
'Why would I?'
Why would I stop this good opportunity?
Not a chance.
This is a good opportunity.
All the more so in the current situation.
Sinui slowly brought out the story.
Listening to his words, I thought in my head.
How could I use this situation to my greatest advantage?
What I need to think about now.
Was only that.
****************
It was a time when night was gradually approaching.
An area some distance from Hanam.
A space located far below even that.
In a secret location that no one knew, an old man was tilting his liquor cup alone.
Gurgle.
Liquor filled the cup.
The old man gripped it and poured it into his mouth.
Not an ounce of drinking etiquette could be seen.
He might have kept it in the past, but there was no need for that now.
Because there was no one watching.
One cup, then two. Then three.
As he continued to drink, the bottle gradually emptied.
The old man, about to pour a fourth cup, suddenly thought while holding the bottle.
'How much is left?'
How much liquor was left in this bottle?
And.
How much time remained before he could break free of his shackles?
"Probably about the same."
There likely wasn't much left, just like the liquor in the bottle.
Even that.
Glug-glug—.
Only a brief moment remained before it was all poured out like this.
After shaking out every last drop, he felt the bottle was completely empty.
He didn't need any snacks.
If he chewed over the past years again and again, that would be his snack.
Leaving the empty bottle, the old man slowly raised his cup.
The liquor that filled the cup.
It was like time.
Could it be that if he drank it all, the long-awaited time would come?
A trivial thought. The old man held a smile.
As he slowly brought the full cup to his lips.
"…"
The old man had to stop his moving hand.
Vitality returned to his empty eyes, and his gaze turned fierce.
The old man stared at the liquor cup as if glaring at it.
The liquor in the cup was rippling slightly.
The moment the old man confirmed this.
"M-My lord!"
Someone burst in from outside.
"We're under attack…! Someone is attacking this place…!!"
"…"
The old man lowered the cup he was holding at the urgent voice.
It seemed.
"A guest seems to have arrived."
Despite the urgent words, the old man's eyes were calm.
"The formation guarding the entrance has been dispelled…! Our agents rushed out because of this…! But the enemy's forces…!"
"Do not act rashly."
At the old man's cold words, the man's mouth closed instantly.
"It would be unsightly to show this to our guest."
"My lord…?"
"Prepare more liquor."
At those words, the man's pupils trembled, unable to understand.
They were under attack, so why speak of liquor all of a sudden?
Now was not the time for that.
The moment he dared to convey that to the lord.
"Because a precious guest has arrived."
Thud—.
"…!"
The man's body stiffened at the sound coming from behind.
At the same time.
Whoooooosh—!
A gentle breeze blew through the passageway.
The problem was.
This place was sealed on all sides.
It was terrain where wind should not blow.
Then, what on earth was this wind?
Thud.
Footsteps gradually approached.
A leisurely and calm gait.
Thud.
It rang out unusually loud.
Whooosh.
The wind brushed the man's shoulder.
Was it an illusion? The man somehow felt the wind was heavy.
Cold sweat gradually flowed from his stiff body.
Whooosh—!
Fwick—!
The blowing wind extinguished all the flames attached to the walls.
Darkness fell suddenly.
But the darkness did not linger long.
Fwoosh—!
Flames ignited again on the lamps that had been extinguished.
However, they were quite different from the flames that had been there before.
They were purple.
For some reason, the flames emitted a purple light.
Moreover, though flames had ignited, the darkness somehow felt deeper.
Within that.
"Welcome."
A voice echoed through the space.
Clackclackclack—!
The man's mouth trembled, his teeth clacking rapidly.
Upon hearing the voice, his body began to react on its own.
It was the most basic instinct of a human.
Fear.
The emotion the man felt was clearly that.
Passing over such a man.
The old man was focused on the figure who had suddenly appeared.
Wearing a deep ink-colored martial uniform and an alien white mask.
Walking calmly with hands clasped behind his back.
Seeing that, the old man asked.
"You are an uninvited guest. What brings you to this place?"
The figure did not answer the old man's question.
He merely gazed at the old man silently.
"If you do not intend to answer…."
"Zhuge Patriarch."
"…!"
"Is that sufficient to address you?"
At those words, the old man's brow furrowed.
Not only had this place been raided, but the intruder seemed to know his identity as well.
"…Who exactly are you?"
"Who this seat is is not very important. That is not what is important here."
Thud.
The figure resumed walking and slowly approached the old man.
"M-My lord--!!"
At that sight, the stiffened man shouted and attempted to rush forward.
The old man raised his hand to stop him.
"You seem to have some purpose."
"I do. A very important purpose."
The figure stopped in front of the old man.
The old man had to furrow his brow while looking at him.
The pupils visible beyond the mask.
They were extremely displeasing.
"I have words to share with you, so this seat came personally."
"…"
The contemptuous tone came out casually.
The old man found it grating to the ear, yet he thought it suited the intruder all too well.
A figure who had not only broken through the formation guarding the headquarters but also come here alone.
He absolutely must not let his guard down.
Hiding his inner thoughts, the old man asked.
"Words to share… What might they be?"
"Before that. What should I call you now?"
"…"
Zhuge Patriarch. The question of whether that was enough.
The old man pondered for a moment, but it didn't take long to find the answer.
From the fact that he had come all this way and mentioned the Zhuge family.
He must know to some extent.
Meaning pointless probing was unnecessary.
"I am no longer called that."
"Then?"
"Cheonra Heukmangdae."
The old man said to the figure.
"That is the name of the force I lead. Therefore, the Cheonra Daepju. That is sufficient for me."
After introducing himself thus.
The old man had to sense something strange.
"Hmmm."
In the opponent's voice as he uttered this after hearing the name.
"Not bad."
Because a strangely pleased emotion was seeping into it.