Chirp—
Only the sound of water echoed in the deeply settled darkness.
Figures stood expressionlessly in a line on both sides of the passage.
At the end of it, the man sitting on the massive chair quietly swallowed a sip of tea.
Clack.
The teacup had merely touched the floor, yet the qi in the space rumbled with a heavy thud.
Soon after, the teacup crumbled to dust.
The man quietly revealed his presence and simultaneously opened his mouth.
"I heard the Shanxi branch was annihilated."
Someone answered the man's question.
"That is correct."
"Who was in charge?"
"It was Yahyeoljeok."
"Hmm."
The man quietly closed his eyes.
Yahyeoljeok.
In his memory, he was definitely a peak martial artist who had reached the level of maturity.
He hadn't reached the Hwagyeong (Flower Realm) and had remained at the same level for a long time, but his proficiency would have been that much higher.
Conversely, his ignorant temperament and attitude caused problems, making him a demoted figure despite belonging to the Main Palace.
Originally, it was an offense worthy of beheading, but his loyalty to the Palace Lord and his martial prowess were acknowledged, allowing him to retain the position of branch master even after being demoted.
He shouldn't be someone who would be easily dealt with.
"Did Maehwasun make a move?"
"It doesn't appear so."
"Well, that old man in the back room couldn't have been that swift."
If it were the Maehwasun of the past, maybe, but now he was just a toothless tiger.
"The grudge against the Huashan side isn't that important, but... Shin-ui is a bit troublesome."
There were many other things, so it wasn't strictly important.
That was why it was entrusted to someone ignorant like Yahyeoljeok.
Since there seemed to be some progress on the matter, I thought it was fine and sent someone regarding Shin-ui too, but...
It was a mistake.
It would have been better to send a martial artist from the Main Palace.
‘I only raised useless vigilance.’
Even when I considered bringing in another doctor, seeing that they all eventually failed, the only one left in the end was Shin-ui.
"What about the traces?"
"...When I tried to check the branch, the Huashan Sect had already rushed in, so I couldn't see properly. However, considering that the traces of battle aren't deep..."
It means a small number of people, or even a single person, cleaned up the branch. And in an instant at that.
According to the enemy's account, Yahyeoljeok was said to have died outside the branch, but even so, dozens of personnel would have been stationed at the branch.
‘But for that personnel to be annihilated in an instant.’
Even if the level of the deployed personnel was low, if it happened overnight, it was a different story.
Let alone the fact that there were no traces of battle.
‘Did the Anwang (Dark King) appear?’
The master of the Cheoyasalsudae, who could kill anyone if he wished.
Or unless it was another master of dark arts comparable to him, such a massacre was impossible.
"Who did you say killed Yahyeoljeok?"
"It seems he is currently hiding in the Huashan Sect, so confirmation is delayed, but according to the information found, he is a rising star of the later generation."
"A rising star?"
A skilled peak martial artist killed by a mere rising star?
It was the most baffling story he had heard today.
If it's Huashan, could it be the Sword Dragon?
The genius of Huashan who took the title of Sword Dragon from the Namgung bloodline.
He heard the fellow was barely past twenty.
If so, has he already reached that level?
‘Too fast, way too fast.’
He didn't think the boy was someone to pay attention to yet, but if so, he might stand out a bit.
"Find out within a short period."
"Understood."
"Shin-ui..."
If it was certain that Shin-ui was within Huashan's embrace, capturing him immediately would cause many problems.
Even so, Shin-ui needed to be captured.
The Palace Lord moving personally was the most certain method, but he couldn't leave his position right now.
"Send the Nachal. Order them to capture him as quietly as possible."
"Understood. I shall order them to depart immediately."
The one who received the order quietly disappeared, and the Palace Lord opened the eyes he had closed in the darkness.
His pale purple irises looked down at the crowd.
The people bowing their heads under that dark gaze trembled.
‘Only a little left until the last piece.’
Only a few steps left to his desired place.
Everything for his own sky.
The man closed his eyes again in the gradually thickening dark clouds.
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....
As one more day passed, I could finally move my body.
Shallow pain remained, but compared to the excruciating pain I felt when I woke up, it was at the level of a tickle.
The demonic energy circulating in my body was now almost gone, and they said my body was mostly healed.
A short while after Shin-ui told me I could return to my quarters.
Maehwasun visited.
"I'm sorry..."
Various emotions were contained on Maehwasun's face.
It wouldn't be common for a sect leader to be so immersed in gloom.
"I am alright."
That was all I could say.
In reality, even though the Huashan Sect was involved, my actions weren't for them.
"...I heard from the Taeui (Grand Physician) that your condition has improved a lot, is that true?"
"Fortunately, I heard so."
"Then the options I can give you have increased a lot..."
Was it about the spiritual pill mentioned last time?
If so, I was thinking of just taking it.
Since my body was weak.
"I heard you weren't badly hurt. That's a relief, for other people's precious children to lose their breath on this land is too sad."
How should I put it, even as he said it was a relief, the emotion contained in his words didn't seem to be directed solely at me.
It didn't seem like a situation where I should ask what was going on, so I kept silent for now.
I'll have to ask Yeongpung later.
"Even though you're an outsider injured at another sect, I'm sorry I haven't shown my face much as the sect leader..."
"...Not at all."
I wasn't badly hurt, they would compensate me, and I even received treatment from the best doctor in the Central Plains.
It wasn't really a problem.
And I had a separate favor to ask.
I was planning to visit him later to talk about this part.
‘...Passing out and delaying the days is a bit of a problem.’
I was tied up for too long.
Because of Gu Ryeong-hwa, I was going to leave after the Jehwajeon ended, but since Gu Ryeong-hwa declared she wouldn't return to the family...
I wanted to leave around yesterday.
Four more days of being tied up had already passed.
Come to think of it, wasn't this around the time for the Jehwajeon?
It seemed to match the period I heard.
"Sect Leader, is it currently the period for the Jehwajeon?"
At my question, Maehwasun's eyebrows tremble slightly.
"Originally... this is the right time, but something came up and it's been delayed for a few days. It will start soon."
I hid my surprised heart at Maehwasun's words.
He delayed one of Huashan's few big events?
‘It seems like a pretty big deal.’
I suddenly remembered hearing about disciples going missing.
‘Is it because of that?’
There could be other things, but all I know for now is that.
"I'm sorry this old man bothered you while you're resting. I'll visit again next time, so rest comfortably."
"Not at all. Since my body is fully healed, I will visit you next time."
At my answer, Maehwasun smiles a little.
Even that looked a bit tired.
"If you feel a bit better, go outside for a bit. I see someone waiting for you."
"Me?"
Having said that, Maehwasun went outside, and following his words, I also got up.
‘Who's waiting?’
‘Namgung Bia or Wiseol-a...’
Those two already came so often I told them to stop, so it might not be them.
‘No way, is it Yeongpung?’
‘It's a bit uncomfortable for a guy to visit, then who... old...’
I stopped the inner thought I was about to call out.
Shin No-ya wasn't here right now.
Thinking like that, I felt something awkward.
‘...Where the hell did he go?’
I treated him like an evil spirit, but now that he's disappeared, do I feel disappointed?
It was an unknown, ambiguous feeling.
He was just a noisy old man that came along with Huashan's qi.
‘Is this also the influence of demonic qi?’
The demonic qi that suddenly started to circulate in my body calmed the qi, so was Shin No-ya's disappearance related to that?
‘He came as he pleased and leaves suddenly too.’
‘...Should this also be considered subjugation?’
Or maybe he's just asleep.
If possible, I was hoping for the latter.
I came outside the building four days after waking up.
Setting aside the fact that it was early morning, where was this again?
It seemed like I was inside the Huashan Sect, but it was a building I'd never seen before.
‘The medical hall?’
"Hmm?"
While looking around, I heard a sound from somewhere.
Moving my gaze, I saw something behind a tree.
‘Is it hiding?’
"What are you doing there?"
"..."
What popped out from behind the tree with an ambiguous presence was Gu Ryeong-hwa.
She had an expression like she didn't expect to be caught, and someone pushed Gu Ryeong-hwa out.
"Ugh...!"
It was Namgung Bia with one arm bandaged.
Gu Ryeong-hwa was still hesitating as if she had something to say.
"What's wrong?"
When I asked, she avoided my gaze.
To such Gu Ryeong-hwa, Namgung Bia approached and stroked her back.
At Namgung Bia's touch, Gu Ryeong-hwa coughed a few times and said,
"...A-Are you okay?"
"With what?"
"...I'm asking if your body is okay!"
She suddenly shouted, making me slightly surprised.
‘Why is she shouting suddenly?’
"...I'm fine."
Rather, the one who suffered more external injuries wasn't me, but Namgung Bia.
"...Yeah."
Having said that, Gu Ryeong-hwa couldn't bear it and tried to run away like escaping, but was caught by Namgung Bia.
"S-Sister."
"No."
Calling out desperately, but Namgung Bia's attitude was firm.
I just watched quietly.
Because I didn't know what to say.
Eventually, Gu Ryeong-hwa seemed to have given up and stood in front of me again.
Her trembling shoulders were impressive.
"Th—"
A mouse-dropping sized voice.
It was so quiet that I even thought about using inner qi to hear it.
"...Th-thank you!"
As if she had been waiting for that moment, Gu Ryeong-hwa shouted loudly.
‘So she could shout like that.’
Maybe embarrassed by what she said, Gu Ryeong-hwa ran away.
This time, Namgung Bia didn't bother to catch Gu Ryeong-hwa.
"...Did you hold her back just to let me hear that?"
When I asked, Namgung Bia nodded slightly. I scratched my nape with an awkward feeling.
I was thankful, but...
It wasn't really necessary.
Before hearing that, I had something to say to Gu Ryeong-hwa first.
Still, Gu Ryeong-hwa's words must have been sincere.
And I knew what kind of heart Namgung Bia did it with.
"Thank you."
So I could spit it out nonchalantly.
Probably the first time I've ever said it to Namgung Bia in my entire past life.
Hearing my words, Namgung Bia freezes as if she heard something unexpected.
‘Is it that surprising?’
"Why are you acting like that again..."
Her condition seemed weird, so I tried to talk to her, but Namgung Bia suddenly ran up the mountain.
She looked very urgent.
"Where are... come back before meals!"
I shouted belatedly, but did she hear?
With her arm bandaged, she probably wasn't going to train.
And how should I put it, Namgung Bia's ears were flushed red as she ran away.
Returning to the quarters after a long time, surprisingly, Geomjon was there.
Seeing that, I was startled without realizing.
Geomjon, who was sweeping with a broom, bowed his head to me.
"I apologize for not being able to do my work during that time, young master."
"...It's fine. I heard the family head allowed it. Did you finish your work well?"
"Yes... Thanks to the family head's consideration, I finished it well. I heard you were injured too, young master, is your body alright?"
"Fortunately, I wasn't badly hurt."
At my answer, Geomjon smiles slightly as if relieved.
I told him to work hard and moved my steps.
No matter how I look at him, Geomjon was a difficult existence.
Maehwasun, who is of a similar level to Geomjon, feels somewhat more comfortable.
Still, since Geomjon returned, I could finally start preparing to return to the family.
‘Where did Wiseol-a go?’
Usually, she notices right away and runs to greet me as soon as I arrive, but she didn't come out this time.
‘Is she caught by Hongwa?’
In that case, she probably couldn't come out even if she wanted to.
I thought she was doing well and decided to go into the room first.
It was time to properly organize what to do after returning to the family.
Geomjon quietly watched the back of Gu Yang-cheon entering the room.
‘Something has strangely changed.’
Gu Yang-cheon, whom he saw for the first time in a few days after arriving in Shanxi, had changed.
This time, in a peculiar direction where he couldn't be sure if it was a good direction or not.
Qi that shouldn't dare exist in one body were gathered together and woven like a ring.
How that was maintained was a part that even the world's Geomjon couldn't understand.
Last night, he heard from Maehwasun that Gu Yang-cheon killed an evil faction member of the Heukyapgung (Black Night Palace).
He also heard that the opponent's realm wasn't low.
In Geomjon's view, he thought Gu Yang-cheon wasn't yet at the level to defeat a martial artist of that level.
‘Was my eye wrong this time too?’
It was too excessive growth even for the son of Hohyeop.
‘Truly heterogeneous.’
He already knew that the Gu family itself was a place that contained many things, but even so...
"Grandfather."
At Wiseol-a's voice suddenly heard, Geomjon turned around.
Wiseol-a was standing behind Geomjon.
It was his granddaughter he hadn't seen in a while, but just like when she returned, Wiseol-a had a face deep in thought.
Even so, she was his pretty and cute granddaughter.
Geomjon contained a pleasant smile.
"Yes, yes, what is it?"
"Grandfather..."
"Why?"
At Geomjon's question, Wiseol-a hesitated before speaking.
"...I want to learn Namugong."
Clatter.
At Wiseol-a's words, the broom Geomjon was holding fell powerlessly to the floor.