“You met Grandfather…?”
Those were the words Gu Huibi said to me in her quarters.
“Yeah.”
“How…?”
“He came looking for me.”
I answered listlessly to her shocked question.
My ribs still throbbed. I really should have held back a little.
“No, but suddenly?”
“Yeah. Suddenly.”
She kept asking, seemingly unable to believe it, but the answer remained the same.
“Sister. Stop asking. I was surprised too.”
Did I ever think that man… no, is he even human? Anyway, did I expect that old man Grandfather to come visit?
Thanks to him, my ribs are broken and my mood is ruined.
‘Damn bloodline.’
The Gu family elders are all out of their minds.
They’re a bunch of selfish bastards, so how could a normal person like me live comfortably in this place?
‘I should really run away or something.’
Just when I think I might feel some affection, I can’t, making this a truly shitty family.
“So…”
Trying to somehow soothe my stomach, I looked at Gu Huibi in front of me and asked.
“Sister… what are you doing right now?”
“Huh?”
At my question, Gu Huibi tilted her head and said.
“Can’t you tell? I’m cooking.”
“…”
Anyone would think I asked because I didn’t know.
‘I’m asking because I can’t believe my eyes.’
Gu Huibi is cooking rice.
Wearing comfortable clothes as if it were nothing, she made a few side dishes and casually lined them up on the table.
How should I describe this nightmarish scene?
At least I don’t know.
“…You know how to cook?”
“A little now?”
I made a dumbfounded expression at Gu Huibi answering so casually.
Perhaps finding my expression funny, Gu Huibi let out a small snort.
“It ended up like that after raising a child.”
“…What kind of motherly talk is that?”
“My, does it suit me?”
“No, not at all.”
Honestly, it kind of suits her, but it’s annoyingly irritating to answer honestly.
While I was watching Gu Huibi’s bizarre appearance.
Thump.
Before I knew it, something was placed on top of the bowl in front of me.
What is this?
I don’t know what it is. It looks like food, but…
“What is this…?”
Thinking I really couldn’t figure it out, I looked at the person who put it there.
It was the Cheonma, who had naturally taken a seat beside me at some point.
Sitting down, the Cheonma was placing things one by one in front of me.
“Stop, wait… what is this.”
“Food.”
“I can see that. I’m asking why you’re giving it to me.”
“This is delicious. It’s something you like.”
“…”
I wondered what kind of situation this was.
No, it felt like it was already too late to understand.
With no energy left to say anything, I just wordlessly grabbed the food and put it in my mouth.
‘…Huh?’
I was a little surprised after eating it.
Because it tasted better than expected.
And.
‘I ate this.’
I should have been surprised that I was eating food so casually in the presence of the Cheonma.
‘Even if I’m immune to all poisons, this is too much.’
I was completely lacking in caution.
Or maybe, it was precisely because she was the Cheonma.
‘She wouldn’t use something like poison.’
She wouldn’t use trivial methods like assassination by poison.
Because she was a woman who would personally push and slash if she didn’t like something.
Was it that she didn’t worry about such petty things?
Or was it simply because Gu Huibi was here?
I don’t know.
Not knowing, I took another bite.
“Is it delicious?”
Gu Huibi asked.
“It’s okay.”
“Really?”
Hearing my answer, Gu Huibi smiled broadly and looked at the Cheonma.
“Yeon-a, he says it’s okay.”
“Yeah.”
“…Huh?”
“Ah, Yeon-i made this.”
“…”
At Gu Huibi’s words, I widened my eyes and stared at the Cheonma.
What kind of bullshit is this again?
“You’re saying… she made this?”
“Yeah, she did well, right? She’s surprisingly good with her hands.”
As if praising her, Gu Huibi stroked the Cheonma’s hair.
The Cheonma left her body to the touch without any particular resistance.
Meanwhile, I couldn’t escape the shock from just now.
‘The Cheonma cooked?’
That Cheonma?
It was one of the most shocking things I’ve experienced in my life.
And she cooked it quite deliciously.
That was even more ridiculous.
‘It’s hard to react to anything now.’
I feel like I’m getting tired from being surprised and thinking about every little thing.
First, I put down the chopsticks I was holding.
Let’s ask about the main point before doing anything else.
That seemed like the right thing to do.
“Sister.”
“Yeah?”
“What happened with Grandfather?”
“…”
When I brought up the main point right away, Gu Huibi paused for a moment.
I stared intensely at Gu Huibi.
“Why did that old man leave her with you? What happened?”
“…Um.”
I asked once more.
It was a sign that I wouldn’t let her change the subject and would definitely hear an answer.
Gu Huibi probably knew that too, which was why she had an awkward expression.
However, since I had to hear an answer somehow, I waited for her to speak.
Finally, the quiet Gu Huibi carefully opened her mouth to me.
“The time was probably… right around when my Sword Brigade was disbanded.”
The Five Swords Brigade of the Gu family, where Gu Huibi was the Brigade Leader.
Currently, due to complicated circumstances, it is temporarily disbanded.
The exact reason was probably the internal conflicts over the position of the Young Lord of the Gu Seonmun Sect.
Because of that, Gu Huibi took a temporary break.
And belatedly, she left to wander the Central Plains.
In terms of timing, it was roughly a little less than two years ago.
“It wasn’t a particularly unusual day. It was a time when I was traveling as always.”
It was a spring day when flowers were finally blooming.
While strolling through Qinghai, Gu Huibi suddenly encountered Grandfather.
-You must take this. For the sake of the family.
The Cheonma, who looked as if she had lost consciousness, was held in Grandfather’s hand.
And Grandfather entrusted this Cheonma to Gu Huibi.
“…You just accepted that?”
Accepting it without any doubt when told to, she’s not a pushover, but what is she?
When I looked at Gu Huibi with eyes asking why she did that, she spoke to me as if feeling a little unjust.
“Grandfather said it was for the family’s business. What could I do?”
No matter how much Gu Huibi runs amok calling herself a crazy bitch, when Grandfather—specifically, the former Patriarch who was thought to be dead—says it’s for the family, it seems she had no choice.
But.
“You believed that? What if Grandfather was a fake?”
Even so, it was equally hard to understand. What on earth did she trust to do that? When I asked as if spitting out my doubts,
“How did you, Dongsaeng, ascertain that the person you met was Grandfather?”
“…”
I had to lose my words at Gu Huibi’s words.
Because those words meant it was the same as the method I had realized.
‘The resonance of the Gu Yeomhwarungong.’
Just with that, one could tell whether the opponent was of the same bloodline or not, but.
“Even so, still. If a flame like that hands you something, you should at least be wary…”
“What flame are you talking about?”
“What?”
I had to stop at Gu Huibi’s words.
She couldn’t understand the words?
‘This is.’
Sensing something strange, I asked her again.
“Sister. Do you remember what Grandfather looked like?”
“His appearance?”
“Was he not a human figure engulfed in flames or something like that?”
“Dongsaeng… did you eat something bad? Where in the world is there such a thing?”
“…”
The look in her eyes as she looked at me as if I was pathetic was dizzying.
“No, really… Grandfather’s appearance wasn’t like that?”
“Let alone flames, he was perfectly fine. He had white hair and a sturdy physique. The Patriarch resembles Grandfather a lot.”
“…”
The more I heard the explanation, the more my frown deepened.
The explanation she spat out without hesitation made it clear that Gu Huibi indeed saw Grandfather in that form.
‘What is it.’
That’s why I couldn’t understand it.
When I saw him, he was clearly something made of flames, but Gu Huibi saw him in human form.
‘He told me I hadn’t taken my place yet, so my appearance looked strange.’
But Gu Huibi saw him in human form?
‘What kind of situation is this.’
How could that be?
It was a subtle sense of alienation.
No. More than that.
“The reason?”
So what was the reason for entrusting the Cheonma to Gu Huibi?
When I asked about this, Gu Huibi spoke in a natural voice as if wondering why I was asking such a thing.
“I don’t know.”
“…What?”
“How would I know that? He just told me to look after her for a while.”
“…”
I’m going crazy.
“Sister, you’re really no help.”
I’m really going to lose my mind.
“Dongsaeng. Do you want to get hit after such a long time?”
“No… Now’s not the time to get hit by you, so I’ll pass.”
Cutting her off, I brought up something else.
“Then, why are you staying in a place like this? You could have just told Madam Mi.”
Why stay in such shabby quarters after coming all the way to Henan?
That was the question.
“Of course I told her.”
“But.”
“Why would I be here if I told her… I’m here because Mother scolded me.”
“…”
It was a perfectly flawless answer.
Of course.
She’s here because she didn’t get permission.
“On top of that, even if that wasn’t the case.”
Gu Huibi glanced at the Cheonma and said.
“That child said she wanted to be in this place.”
The Cheonma?
Did the Cheonma specifically choose this place as her location? What’s the reason?
While wondering that, I asked something else with my mouth.
“Then does that mean your sudden increase in realm has nothing to do with Grandfather?”
“Ah.”
This is Gu Huibi, who hasn’t even reached the age of Irip.
For her to reach Hwagyeong was a significant matter, and if Grandfather hadn’t done something…
Just how did she rise?
I asked because I was curious about that.
“While raising a child. I came to a realization. Then I noticed it, and it just ended up like this.”
“…”
“Isn’t it really amazing?”
Yeah, it’s really amazing.
It was the most ridiculous answer I heard today.
‘You reached enlightenment from raising a child…?’
Enlightenment isn’t some dog’s name.
If you gain enlightenment from raising a child, would all the mothers in the world be superhumans?
‘No. Is it because I don’t have a mother that I don’t know?’
Even looking at Madam Mi, while I don’t know about martial arts, her qi itself seems strong, so maybe it’s really like that-.
“…Crazy bastard.”
I snapped out of it after having those shitty thoughts.
This ultimately meant that there was no useful information from Gu Huibi.
“Then what about you.”
“Huh?”
Then, what is the Cheonma?
“Why were you caught and brought here?”
“…”
How on earth did this kid end up in Grandfather’s hands?
I clearly thought she had disappeared with the Lord of the Black Night Palace.
At my words, the Cheonma seemed to seriously ponder for a moment before bringing out an answer.
“I don’t know.”
This bitch was the same.
“When I opened my eyes, it was like that.”
“…”
While I was about to get angry at that bullshit answer.
I had to think first whether those words were really true.
Isn’t that right, there were more than a few strange parts.
“But why didn’t you run away?”
She woke up and was dragged by Grandfather’s hand and entrusted to Gu Huibi.
When she realized that, how could she not run away?
It was the biggest question that came to mind after hearing her answer.
“You could have easily run away.”
The Cheonma is strong.
Setting aside that she was using her authority, I was certain when I saw the Cheonma Divine Sword she drew while dealing with Grandfather earlier.
‘Strong.’
Considerably so.
Perhaps even stronger than me right now.
Even if the Cheonma’s disposition had changed, that was the reason she was still a dangerous element.
Along with her history of causing a Blood Catastrophe in her past life, she was an unidentified strong master.
Furthermore.
‘She’s related to the Blood Demon.’
The Cheonma has a connection with the Blood Demon. That means.
‘Wiseol-a…’
That woman who filled my head was also likely related.
My mouth instantly became bitter.
I chewed and swallowed it for now.
So in the end, why didn’t the Cheonma run away?
The moment such a question arose.
“It didn’t matter.”
The Cheonma murmured quietly as she looked at me.
“It didn’t matter?”
“Yeah. Rather, it’s good. Because I could see it.”
For words spoken with a blank, emotionless expression, it was quite emotional.
What was she glad to be able to see?
The outside world?
Gu Huibi?
Or something else beyond that?
I couldn’t know, and I didn’t bother to care.
Because what was important wasn’t the Cheonma’s sentiments.
“Then, do you also not know where Taejeol-gwi is?”
“…”
When I mentioned Taejeol-gwi, the Cheonma’s eyes shifted slightly.
“Taejeol-gwi?”
“Yeah, Taejeol-gwi.”
The formation master who created the mechanisms of the Demonic Cult.
Also.
The artisan who created artificial ghostly artifacts.
I needed him for my future plans, and I judged that the Cheonma would know his location.
Of course.
‘I don’t know if she’ll tell me or not, though.’
If it was as expected, she would definitely know but wouldn’t tell me.
If that happened, my suspicions about the Cheonma would deepen, and I had methods prepared to try in that case.
So, she definitely shouldn’t have told me.
“Uncle is in Xinjiang.”
“Yeah, as expected, she wouldn’t tell… What?”
My body stiffened at the Cheonma’s calm words.
‘Xinjiang?’
The location of Taejeol-gwi is Xinjiang?
Again?
Is Xinjiang some kind of devil’s den? They’re all flocking there.
Couldn’t those words be a lie from the start?
Setting that aside.
“Xinjiang… Xin… No, why are you telling me this?”
At the question of why she was telling me this so purely, emotion sprouted on the Cheonma’s face.
It was clear.
It was a face of disbelief.
“Because you asked.”
“…”
Right. I asked.
But why are you answering so easily?
“Ah… Sigh…”
I stopped talking and wiped my face as if exhausted.
I don’t know what’s what anymore.
I didn’t want to think about it anymore.
‘Annoying. Should I just destroy everything?’
My old personality was about to pop out without me realizing.
Feeling that, I got up.
“I’m leaving…”
“Huh? Dongsaeng?”
When I brought it up, Gu Huibi and the Cheonma widened their eyes.
Ignoring those two, I went outside.
“Thanks for the meal.”
It wasn’t empty words, I really ate well.
It was surprisingly filling.
“You’re leaving already?”
“Yeah.”
Gu Huibi spoke as if it was a shame, but my feet were already moving.
I felt like I’d lose my mind if I stayed any longer.
I had asked everything I wanted to ask, so I planned to return to my quarters for now.
I immediately closed the door and came outside.
I can see the stars piercing the night sky, but it doesn’t feel beautiful.
It means my heart was too complicated for such things to enter my eyes.
‘Why on earth is everyone…’
From Namgung Myeong to Grandfather, why are they all telling me to come to that place?
‘Honestly, I planned to ignore them and not go, even if they told me to come.’
I don’t care about them telling me to come.
I thought they’d do whatever they wanted if they didn’t like it, so Xinjiang wasn’t in the plan.
‘If the Cheonma’s words are true. I have to go, even on my own.’
If Taejeol-gwi is really in Xinjiang, the story changes slightly.
To know that, I first had to confirm whether the Cheonma’s words were true or not, but.
‘…For now… forget it.’
I didn’t feel like doing anything right now. I was exhausted, so it was better to just watch.
So I’ll return to my quarters for now.
Thinking that, I was about to make a short leap when.
“Take care.”
I relaxed my legs for a moment at the voice coming from behind.
The Cheonma, who had followed me out at some point, was waving her hand at me.
“…”
I watched it quietly.
I didn’t show a reaction or open my mouth.
Just silently.
Silently staring at the Cheonma.
The resentful existence I wanted to kill so badly. She was waving her hand at me.
The rawness coming from that still made me feel bad.
Looking at me like that, the Cheonma continued her words.
“Come again.”
Purple eyes looking entirely at me.
Was that woman really the Cheonma?
A ridiculous suspicion crossed my mind.
At that time.
“If possible, it would be nice if you came when the autumn leaves bloom.”
I couldn’t hold it in any longer at the Cheonma’s words and had to open my mouth.
“…Why the autumn leaves?”
Why autumn leaves?
For some reason, those words grated on my ears.
“Because it’s pretty then. I like it.”
“Are you saying you like autumn leaves?”
“No.”
“What?”
“Not me, you like it.”
“…”
I frowned at the Cheonma’s words.
What does she mean?
‘I like autumn leaves?’
I don’t particularly hate them, but did I like them that much?
In the first place, how does the Cheonma know that when even I don’t know it well?
“So come then.”
“…”
The Cheonma didn’t seem to care about my attitude and ended her words like that.
As if her business was done, she went right back inside.
As if possessed by a ghost, I stared at the place where she was. For some reason, my gaze lingered for a moment.
Staring for that brief moment.
“Tch.”
I leaped, containing my uncomfortable feelings.
Whooosh-!
With my body floating in the air, I felt the air for a moment.
The night sky I looked up at was bright.
And my heart felt too narrow to hold the stars in my eyes.
It was that kind of night.
******************
A day passed.
When the sun rose at dawn, I also got up.
The place I opened my eyes was, naturally, the bed in my quarters.
“…Haa.”
I sat up with a heavily scowled expression.
The reason was none other than this: I tossed and turned in my sleep after returning to my quarters.
My sleep time didn’t even exceed one shichen, and I had to ruin even that.
“Another fucked up dream today.”
It was because of the nightmares I’ve been having frequently lately.
A nightmare that makes me annoyed when I wake up, but I can’t even remember what kind of dream I had.
That was truly shitty.
Just because I lacked sleep didn’t mean my body was tired, but my mood was incredibly unpleasant.
I turned my qi with my hand for a moment and felt a throbbing pain.
It was the pain coming from my ribs.
“Hoo.”
Still, it’s better than yesterday.
My body had started to regenerate because I rested a little.
‘I should focus on lower body training today.’
It seemed better to leave the upper body alone for a while.
Just as I was clicking my tongue in regret.
Knock knock.
A presence was heard from outside.
“Young Master. Have you awakened?”
An unfamiliar voice. Who could it be?
“Who is it?”
“I am the servant, Baek Yeon.”
“Ah.”
Hearing the introduction, I remembered.
It was someone in my memory.
I was told she was one of the recent servants of the Gu family.
“What business do you have?”
Thud thud.
While loosely stretching my neck and asking, the servant spoke to me.
“Danju Baek-hwa ordered me to bring tea when the Young Master wakes up… Do you require it?”
Madam Mi sent tea from the morning? And at dawn right now?
“Bring it in.”
It felt strange. Knowing that, I brought it in for now.
When permission was given, the door opened and the servant came in.
Tap.
The moment the tip of her foot touched the inside of my quarters.
‘Hmm.’
A glint of interest filled my eyes as I quietly observed the servant.
At the same time, a sweet scent brushed the tip of my nose.
It was a scent I had smelled somewhere before. My interest was piqued.
Perhaps noticing this, the servant immediately continued her explanation.
“This is the plum tea sent by Maehwaseon to Danju Baek-hwa.”
It was the same scent as the tea I drank when I went to the Huashan Sect.
The servant carefully put down the tea, and I reached out to the tea without hesitation.
“Ah! The tea is hot, so be careful…!”
The servant tried to warn me, but I had already grabbed the teacup, and naturally, it was fine.
Grabbing it, I swallowed a sip.
“…Hmm.”
As soon as I drank it, I nodded.
Just as expected.
‘It’s poisoned.’
The plum tea contained poison.