“How was it?”
Some time had passed since I had returned to the lodgings.
It had become fully night.
I was facing the two people who had returned after finishing the trial.
“Nothing happened, right?”
“Yes.”
Wi Seol-a nodded at my question.
She seemed to be smiling slightly, as if she had found it somewhat interesting.
I didn’t ask if she had passed.
Because I had thought she obviously would. And that was indeed the case.
“What about you.”
I turned my head and looked to the side.
Next to Wi Seol-a stood Seong Yul with a rather tired expression.
“…Yes. It was the same for me….”
“No, it’s not. Your face is all scrunched up, so it looks like something happened.”
“...”
It seemed I had hit the mark.
“Did something happen?”
“…Nothing happened.”
Even though it was all written on his face, Seong Yul seemed intent on pretending he didn’t know.
Seeing that, I tilted my head and said.
“Alright then.”
If you don’t want to talk, then don’t.
“...”
But when I readily dropped my interest, Seong Yul’s expression subtly crumpled.
You little brat. I tried to be considerate since you said you didn’t want to talk, but look at the state of your expression.
“What, man. You said you didn’t want to talk.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to talk…. Nothing really happened.”
“Okay. If nothing happened, that’s good, right?”
“...”
What was he displeased about? It was something I couldn’t understand.
As I was loosening my stiff body right after finishing training, Seong Yul asked me in a questioning tone.
“But…. how did you come out?”
“Hmm?”
How did I come out?
“I came out because I finished, obviously.”
“No…. could it be, did you run away?”
“What crazy nonsense.”
Like hell anyone would run away.
Because he kept saying things that made no sense, I furrowed my brow deeply, and Seong Yul hastily added.
“But when the trial ends, everyone is supposed to wait and return together simultaneously…. When on earth did you arrive?”
“Hmm?”
I made a blank expression at his words.
“What do you mean?”
We have to gather together and go?
“…Isn’t that right?”
I had to make a bewildered face at Seong Yul’s words.
Hadn’t she told me that when I asked Bimapa? When I asked if I could go home, she said I could.
I had returned to my quarters after hearing only that, so what was this about?
“Is that true?”
As if unable to believe I was believing them, not only Seong Yul but also Wi Seol-a next to him nodded.
‘What is this.’
If those words were true, why did Bimapa just let me go?
I had never heard such a caution.
‘I don’t know.’
I really didn’t know.
Even if I wondered if there was some other intention.
‘It probably doesn’t matter.’
Anyway, others had seen that Bimapa allowed it, so if questioned, I had an excuse.
Then it should be fine. It might even be better.
“Forget that. Have you eaten?”
“We were about to eat.”
“Then I’ve prepared some separately, so go eat. You really had nothing happen?”
I asked one last time again.
For a moment at the question, Seong Yul’s pupils shook, but this time the answer was the same as before.
“…Yes. Nothing happened.”
“Okay.”
I wouldn’t ask anymore now.
“They said we can rest for the next two days. Rest well.”
Since the preliminaries last only three days, we should be able to rest for two days.
‘Then the remaining time….’
Because I had thought of something while going through the trial today, I felt I needed to talk separately with Cheol Ji-seon.
Because it seemed some changes to the plan were necessary.
********************
After sending Seong Yul and Wi Seol-a away, I went straight to find Cheol Ji-seon.
Cheol Ji-seon, whom I met again, was waiting in my room, examining thick stacks of letters one by one, having gotten them from somewhere.
Seeing that, I asked.
“What is that?”
“Reports.”
“…All of them?”
“Hmm…. About thirty percent…?”
Thirty percent of that amount were reports?
Still thinking it was a lot, I was about to let out a hollow laugh, but…
“The remaining seventy percent is probably being looked at by the strategist.”
“...”
I had to let out a dry cough at the following words.
Because it meant Jegal Hyeok was looking at an amount much greater than that.
“Why is there so much?”
“I know, right. Why is there so much?”
Spitting out the words, Cheol Ji-seon looked at me.
His eyes were brimming with grievance.
“Isn’t it because someone keeps causing things to explode everywhere, so they pile up?”
“…Ahem.”
“…It has doubled compared to three months ago. What on earth are you doing?”
There had been a lot to do since the beginning of this year.
I had increased the number of agents, and with the Divine Dragon Martial Tournament as the turning point, there was so much to change that I had to establish frameworks.
“Things have been a bit busy….”
“Hoo….”
Letting out a tired sigh, Cheol Ji-seon still diligently examined the letters.
Even though the amount was large and things had become complicated, Cheol Ji-seon didn’t seem to have any intention of giving up.
‘Of course.’
He too must be desperate in his own way.
We each had something to achieve. A relationship where we could gain things through each other.
It couldn’t be anything other than an appropriate relationship.
Knowing that, Cheol Ji-seon must have joined in this work.
“So….”
The guy who had been looking at the letters asked me.
“When are you planning to proceed with the matter regarding Lady Bongsun?”
“That title, I’ve thought since before that it really doesn’t suit her.”
Lady Bongsun? The sound of it was unbearably awkward.
Hearing this, Cheol Ji-seon said to me with a dumbfounded face.
“You’re the one who gave her that name.”
“I think the problem is more the ‘Lady’ part than the name.”
“I don’t think that’s the problem.”
Idle conversation passed between us.
At this, Cheol Ji-seon let out a deep sigh he had been holding in.
“Enough with the chitchat…. What are you really going to do?”
“What do you mean what. We have to follow the plan.”
Not much different from the beginning.
That was what I was going to do.
However, at my reaction, Cheol Ji-seon showed a somewhat skeptical response.
“Will that really work?”
At the doubtful words, I broke into a smirk.
“Why? You don’t think it will work?”
“It’s already a thing of the past. No matter how wrong the Maeng was, will a past event really have an impact?”
It was a reasonable point.
Since it was something that had long passed, even if brought up, the reaction would be skeptical.
It wasn’t just Cheol Ji-seon; Jegal Hyeok had said something similar.
That it probably wouldn’t cause a huge blow.
“The past, huh. Of course it is….”
Cheol Ji-seon’s words sounded right.
But unfortunately, there was one thing they failed to recognize.
“But, there are so many people bound up in past events. You’re one of them, aren’t you?”
“...”
At my words, Cheol Ji-seon clamped his mouth shut.
Cheol Ji-seon, who said he would revive the Jegal family.
He had the goal of clearing the false accusation the Maeng had pinned on the Jegal family and returning to the ranks of renowned houses.
Because he was holding my hand and doing this for that reason.
He too was ultimately no different from being unable to escape the past.
‘Me too.’
People cannot escape the past.
The past makes the present; how could one escape from it?
The Maeng would be the same.
As long as the Maeng remembers, it would be hard to escape this flaw.
‘They can never escape.’
Even if the Maeng forgets.
Those who learn of it will not forget. Then slowly, from the very bottom called trust, it would collapse.
Since there was clear evidence, it would do even more.
“So don’t worry about this part and just do as you were doing.”
“…Got it.”
“How is the situation in the northern Hubei?”
“I’ve done as you said. If you give the order, Lady Na will probably move immediately. However….”
Cheol Ji-seon spat out words with a rather worried expression.
“They seem to have noticed faster than expected on the Maeng’s side. From what I heard, the First Dragon Great Lord moved personally.”
First Dragon Great Lord….
‘A figure from the Dark Guests.’
He was the head of the assassination squad operated by the Maeng’s side.
Though somewhat overshadowed by the Dark King, he was an outstanding assassin.
“That doesn’t matter either.”
“It doesn’t matter?”
“Yeah.”
Yes, even if that was the case, it didn’t matter.
“Because I did it expecting that.”
“...”
I had already known a Great Lord-level figure would get involved in the matter.
Especially that the First Dragon Great Lord was the right man for that job.
“…You.”
Cheol Ji-seon, seeing my reaction, asked with widened eyes.
“…So that’s why you were going to send Lady Na?”
I burst into laughter at Cheol Ji-seon’s words.
“That’s a secret. Think what you want.”
At my words with a smile, Cheol Ji-seon slightly hid his expression.
“…Scary. Truly.”
At his expression that seemed genuinely fearful, I clicked my tongue shortly and added other words.
“That’s done. The important thing is the Do Wang side; I want to change the plan for this part.”
“Why? Is Do Wang’s strength stronger than you thought?”
“Are you crazy?”
Where would I stick that trash.
“But, you were happy that he came rolling in with his vines.”
“Right. Do Wang’s participation in the martial tournament was quite a gain.”
Since the head of the Four Great Families was personally taking the stage, there were many ways to use that.
But.
“Everything else is not a problem. It’s just that I thought of a better way. Since we have something to use, we should use it better.”
“What…?”
“It’s three assumptions for that. Listen well and remember.”
I passed a request disguised as an order to Cheol Ji-seon.
The first was countermeasures for if Do Wang clashed with me in the martial tournament.
The second was countermeasures for if Do Wang did not clash with me in the martial tournament.
And lastly.
“If Do Wang died before appearing in the martial tournament.”
“…!”
Cheol Ji-seon’s expression hardened stiffly at the words.
Seeing that, I immediately added an explanation.
“I don’t mean I will make it so. It’s just for a situation that might happen.”
The situation had to be certain.
It was a time when not even the slightest gap could be given.
I had delivered this beforehand so we could respond no matter which of these three situations occurred.
And.
“For the countermeasures for the second and third, deliver them to the Hwangbo family head as well.”
“To the Hwangbo family head?”
“Yeah. That mister needs to know in advance.”
That man especially had much to do.
“I need to lay the groundwork from now.”
That way it would be easier later.
“The rest I’ll write separately and send to Hyeok, so you just do this much.”
“Isn’t this too much for ‘this much’…?”
“Then do you want to do all the rest too?”
“I’ll work hard on just this.”
He seemed to know that the amount of his own work was significantly less than the other side.
‘Hyeok is a monster, but this guy isn’t lacking either.’
He could do it if he tried.
It was just that Cheol Ji-seon had less work ambition compared to Jegal Hyeok.
Since I had delivered all the words, I slowly rose from my seat.
Then, looking at the letters scattered all over the floor, I said to Cheol Ji-seon.
“I’ll get you a room soon. You can’t stay here forever.”
At the words that I would separate the room, Cheol Ji-seon asked as if flustered.
“…A-are you telling me to stay alone?”
“If I leave you alone, someone might come kill you, so I need to assign guards.”
“Y-yeah.”
Cheol Ji-seon’s face turned pale at the brutal words.
But this was the truth.
How brutal must this neighborhood be.
It was not something where problems could be allowed to occur if they did.
“Guards…. Hmm.”
Who should I assign? After pondering for a moment, I said without much thought.
“Until before the martial tournament it should be safe, so just use someone from the Hwangbo family side roughly…. After that, I’ll assign Bongsun…”
“L-Lady Bongsun, you say?”
At the words about Bongsun, Cheol Ji-seon flinched as he answered.
An expression as if he couldn’t believe it at all.
I understand. I couldn’t believe it either.
But what can you do.
“Isn’t there anyone else?”
“Everyone is busy.”
“You have Young Master Seong next to you! He looked strong too…?”
“She’s stronger than him.”
For now.
“That’s not the important thing!”
“What’s more important than the guard being strong? Anyway, keep that in mind. I’m going.”
“No-!”
Cheol Ji-seon tried to add something, but I had already closed the door and come out.
Fearing he might follow and pester, I quickly leaped.
In that state, I flew straight toward the next destination.
********************
So, leaving the quarters, I flew for a while with the moon above my head.
Before I knew it, I had entered a forest slightly away from Hanam.
It was the desired destination. Realizing this, I gradually lowered my altitude and landed in the forest.
Thud-!
Upon landing, it was a forest where even moonlight didn’t shine.
Dark. I had been here before, but it felt strangely darker.
‘Hoo.’
Regulating my breathing, I looked around.
Perhaps because summer was passing, the wind was somewhat cool.
As always, the sound of chirping insects was heard, and I used the sound as a guide to slowly take steps.
Chirrrrrr.
The insect chirping and the scent of grass carried by the wind softened my insides, but.
Contrary to that, my thoughts were tangled and jumbled with every step.
‘Tch….’
The reason was none other than this.
I was going to meet Gu Huibi right now.
More precisely, rather than Gu Huibi….
‘Cheonma.’
It was correct to say I was going to see the Cheonma she was keeping.
Even if Gu Huibi had a purpose, ultimately there was a more important purpose regarding the Cheonma.
So I should have gone sooner.
But I couldn’t.
Even now, it was the same.
Though I could walk faster, my feet didn’t easily advance.
Enduring that, I somehow walked on.
I don’t want to go.
I don’t want to see.
But I must go.
This dirty contradiction was fighting within my heart.
At the same time, the moment I faced last time flashed through my mind.
The Cheonma who was so different from what I knew, the pitiful eyes and voice that had looked at me.
That appearance came to mind and made my stomach queasy.
Honestly, I didn’t want to go.
Because my thoughts were not yet organized.
But.
‘I still have to go.’
There was no other way.
If I searched and searched and there was no method, then in the end, only a frontal breakthrough remained.
‘My energy….’
The energy I had used more than half of to break through the trial.
Most of it had recovered now.
I had tuned my body’s condition for a battle that might occur.
What should I ask first when I see her?
Probably I had to ask Gu Huibi about my grandfather first.
Also.
‘I have to ask about my father.’
Until the day the martial tournament began, my father had not come.
Madame Mi said not to worry, but I kept being concerned.
Perhaps Gu Huibi knew the reason.
I planned to ask that first.
Next was.
‘I have something to ask the Cheonma.’
The Black Night Palace Lord who took her.
He would have the Taejeol-gwi. I had to know his whereabouts.
If she wouldn’t tell me, there would probably be a problem, but.
I decided to figure that out when the time came.
Like that.
Plod.
While walking a short distance long as I thought of what to ask.
“...”
Thud-!
I had to stop for a moment at a strange feeling.
‘What is this.’
Why.
‘Why can’t I hear sound?’
It was a pitch-black night where only moonlight was visible.
So it wasn’t strange that it was quiet, but this was on another level.
All sounds that had been heard from the surroundings had been erased.
The cricket sounds heard just before. The wind brushing the grass blades.
Everything had disappeared.
Complete silence.
I took half a step.
“...”
My foot touched the ground, but no sound was heard.
At the bizarre and chilling sensation, I immediately raised my energy.
Kiiiiing-!
The rings of the Nine Flames Wheel Art spun, generating heat in my body.
Hwarururuk--!!
Blue flames enveloped my whole body.
At the same time, I spread my qi sense in all directions.
It covered the entire forest in an instant, but still, nothing could be felt.
“Damn it.”
What kind of dog-like state was this again?
The moment I harbored tension at the unknown situation.
“Nice flames.”
“…!”
I heard a sound.
“The color differs from the meaning, but it is brilliant in itself. Well nurtured.”
A dull and dark voice.
There was no need to move my gaze.
The voice was coming from right in front of me.
“The quality is good. I like it.”
Hwaruk.
A spark ignited.
Flames were walking toward me from the front.
Haruruk.
At a time when everything had stopped and quieted.
Flames in human form were walking toward me.
Gulp.
I swallowed dryly. Cold sweat flowed.
Kiiiiing-!!!
My heart pounded and energy surged violently.
It was resonance. My flames were resonating with that thing.
Which meant.
Did that mean the flame was the Nine Flames Wheel Art?
“Thus I am more curious.”
I wanted to say something, but my lips wouldn’t part.
“The qualification is sufficient. It overflows and remains even beyond completion, yet.”
The flame reached out its hand right before my nose.
“Why have you not yet succeeded to the legacy?”
My heart sank at the voice.
“Furthermore. Along with this….”
While stroking my cheek, the flames added.
“Why have you become an ugly non-human. My precious bloodline.”