Chapter 199: Beads of the Heavenly Road. (2)

Beads of the Heavenly Road. (2)

The frontline is a remnant of disaster.

It is proof of history from days gone by.

And it was evidence that the peace many spoke of, the peace they claimed was barely established, was in reality, far from complete.

The demonic gate that refused to close, and

regions devastated by monsters.

This was a place where ordinary humans couldn’t possibly live, let alone survive.

It was also a dangerous area teeming with countless monsters.

Under the pretext of reducing further damage, the Martial Alliance

had been managing the frontline for several years, collaborating with the Alliance members and martial artists belonging to the orthodox sects.

Coincidentally, the frontline wasn’t too far from Shanxi.

Elder Yi arrived shortly after receiving Gu Huibi’s letter, not long after.

“Indeed, I can see the cracks.”

Before my eyes was the massive demonic gate, wide open.

Unlike other places, this area was managed directly only by the key figures of the Gu family.

And it was solely the Gu family that was granted the authority to manage these specific regions.

“How did Elder Yi-nim come to be here…?”

It had been a month since Elder Yi arrived at the frontline, where Gu Huibi was.

Gu Huibi, who had returned late after dealing with monsters elsewhere, asked Elder Yi.

Seeing Gu Huibi like that, Elder Yi let out a hearty laugh.

“Didn’t you call for this old man, Huibi? When my lovely granddaughter calls, this old man must come right away!”

“…I asked you to call an expert because I saw abnormal symptoms.”

“And that’s why I came! When it comes to experts, isn’t Gu Lun-nim the one?”

It was obvious he’d used a trick to get out of the family’s affairs.

It was truly astonishing how a person who was an Elder could act like that.

‘I’m scared my brother might learn from that…’

“Hm? What did you say?”

“It’s nothing. Thank you for coming despite your busy schedule, Elder Yi-nim.”

Regardless of the circumstances, Elder Yi was indeed an expert, and

his martial prowess alone, being a martial artist who had reached the Hwayeong realm, meant he could only help, not hinder.

“By the way…”

Elder Yi stroked his beard while looking at the demonic gate before him.

“This is the first time I’ve seen a case like this.”

Normally, a demonic gate mixed with various colors would shimmer, making its depths unknowable, but

what was before him was different.

Not only had the color changed to a deep black,

but cracks seemed to have appeared around it.

“Are the gates in other regions like this too?”

“No. Only this one is like this.”

“…Hoho.”

The Gu family manages three separate locations on the frontline.

This was the place with the smallest demonic gate among them.

“Are there any other problems besides this?”

“Other than the color change and the visible cracks around it, there haven’t been any issues yet.”

Elder Yi nodded after hearing Gu Huibi’s explanation.

“I’ll have to report this separately to the family head. It might be because it’s time for the true demonic gate to open.”

“Didn’t you receive any contact from Shaolin?”

“Even if Cheonan didn’t mention it, we cannot afford not to prepare for the unexpected.”

After all, one cannot simply trust Shaolin, or Cheonan.

Elder Yi didn’t follow up with any further words.

‘How peculiar.’

Lately, it felt like inexplicable events were happening frequently.

It was as the saying goes, good and bad things happen simultaneously.

The black sheep of the family, who was the cause of Elder Yi’s worries,

awakened his dormant talents and soared.

Before he knew it, he had surpassed barriers and entered the ranks of masters.

If that fellow wished it, he could likely stand out at the martial arts tournament and gain fame.

‘I told him to go cause trouble, but I am worried.’

It was a situation that brought about a slight, albeit unregretted, feeling of regret.

Telling someone who causes trouble even when told not to, to go cause trouble instead.

“Um…”

While Elder Yi was lost in thought,

Gu Huibi called out to Elder Yi in a subtle voice.

Elder Yi, seeing Gu Huibi, answered without hesitation.

“Yangcheon is doing well.”

“…Gulp!”

Gu Huibi’s expression changed strangely at Elder Yi’s words, as if asking how he knew.

“Weren’t you trying to ask about this?”

“No, yes…”

Seeing Gu Huibi’s embarrassed expression, Elder Yi clicked his tongue.

That child was truly zealous.

In the Central Plains, rumors were already rampant that Gu Huibi’s temper was quite foul,

but when it came to her brother, she transformed.

“You should worry a little less. You aren’t his parent, and you can’t hold Yangcheon in your arms forever.”

“What do you mean, when you are the one who doted on Yangcheon the most?”

“That was when the child couldn’t get his act together.”

“My brother is still a child.”

That was true.

His actions lately were so unchildlike that I kept forgetting, but

Gu Yangcheon was still too young to even be called a young man.

However, Elder Yi did not budge.

“He is destined to become the family head someday, so if he has taken flight, we must let him soar.”

“…”

Gu Huibi seemed to understand this point, as she didn’t utter any further words.

Gu Yangcheon becoming the family head was a foregone conclusion.

Although the family head’s second daughter, Gu Yeonseo, and Elder Yi seemed to have different thoughts,

their differing opinions wouldn’t change the outcome.

even if Gu Yangcheon himself didn’t think so.

No matter how high Gu Huibi’s talent and exceptional abilities were,

she couldn’t replace Gu Yangcheon.

She knew that well.

Besides, Gu Huibi herself had no ambition for the position of family head.

Gu Huibi intended to leave the family someday rather than live burdened by such cumbersome responsibilities.

“I only wish that child doesn’t have to carry a heavy burden.”

“I wish the same, but I cannot carry it for him.”

That is the nature of a family head’s duty.

One can be by their side, but cannot carry the burden together.

One only needed to look at the current family head, Gu Cheolun.

He silently accepted the burden placed upon his shoulders.

“What you are doing now will, in the end, circle back to become his task.”

“I know.”

Just until then.

She simply wanted her brother to have an easier time.

As if reading Gu Huibi’s thoughts, Elder Yi spoke to her in a weary voice.

“…Why don’t you share some of that sentiment with Yeonseo?”

“Huh? I adore her just the same.”

Gu Yangcheon, Gu Yeonseo, Gu Ryeonghwa.

Gu Huibi believed she was giving love in a perfectly normal way.

Gu Huibi wore an expression asking why he would say such a thing, leaving Elder Yi no choice but to shake his head.

‘No matter how I look at it, it doesn’t seem right.’

Elder Yi could clearly see the difference in Gu Huibi’s attitude towards Gu Yangcheon and Gu Yeonseo.

Gu Yeonseo knew that too well, which was probably why she looked at Gu Yangcheon with such malice.

“We exchange letters often. He seems to be doing well.”

“…That, no. Never mind.”

It was obvious the conversation would go in circles if he continued,

so Elder Yi decided to let it go.

As they continued observing the state of the demonic gate, Gu Huibi added,

“He’s so immature; I just hope he doesn’t cause any trouble when he goes to Henan.”

Elder Yi responded with disbelief to her worried words.

“…Huibi, didn’t you cause quite a few incidents yourself when you went?”

How surprised was I when I heard you almost turned the Dragon Phoenix Gathering into a sea of fire?

The stoic Gu family head himself had to take Gu Huibi away and scold her.

Gu Huibi protested indignantly.

“…He was pestering me without knowing his place, so I just taught him a lesson.”

“When I heard you burned off all his hair, my heart sank, you know?”

“I should have sent him to Shaolin while I was at it, since I burned it all off.”

“…Who on earth does he take after with such a temper… Wait a moment.”

Elder Yi, sighing and lamenting, paused as he noticed something odd in the conversation.

He then looked at Gu Huibi and asked,

“But how do you know Yangcheon went to Henan?”

“…!”

“I haven’t informed you of such news yet, have I?”

Gu Huibi showed a rare look of panic at Elder Yi’s sharp words.

She averted her gaze, which had been steady, and a trickle of cold sweat ran down her cheek.

“…Huibi?”

“It’s not that. I was just thinking it might be…!”

Gu Huibi tried to hastily explain, but had to stop herself.

Because Elder Yi’s sudden movement forced her to roll onto the floor.

Thump!

“Elder Yi-nim…! What is this…!”

Gu Huibi, having stumbled away and barely regained her footing, looked towards Elder Yi and froze.

It was because darkness had descended upon the dry ground.

It was truly a sudden appearance, as if it hadn’t been there before.

Moreover, such an ominous presence.

Gu Huibi hadn’t sensed its presence until the moment it appeared. She had only just noticed such a massive presence.

What would have happened if Elder Yi hadn’t pushed her aside to protect her?

A chilling shiver ran down her spine from her shoulder.

Gu Huibi tried to draw her sword immediately, but her frozen body wouldn’t obey.

Light could be seen from within that distant darkness.

It was Elder Yi, emitting heat.

His body, flushed red by the heat, gave the illusion of being enveloped in flames.

The presence that had been suffocating even Gu Huibi’s breath allowed her to barely breathe thanks to Elder Yi’s aura.

As Elder Yi unleashed his heat and raised his fighting spirit, a voice could be heard.

“It’s been a while, Yeomakwon.”

This was what the man shrouded in darkness said to Elder Yi.

Elder Yi looked at the man and clenched his teeth with a grunt!

“…Why are you here, you bastard?”

“I didn’t expect you to be here, though.”

“You bastard!”

Elder Yi’s roar echoed all around.

The ground, which had been still, began to crack and fracture.

Elder Yi’s steel-like body swelled, and the surrounding area began to fill with heat, so intense that even Gu Huibi, who practiced fire arts, felt the warmth.

“You clearly promised not to show that disgusting face of yours again?”

At Elder Yi’s words, the man fell silent for a moment before breaking into a smile.

“Ah, that pathetic promise? I’ve decided to break it now; there’s just too much to do.”

“…What?”

Despite Elder Yi’s repeated question, the man looked around as if he didn’t care.

As he surveyed his surroundings, the man’s eyes landed on Gu Huibi.

Upon spotting Gu Huibi, the man broke into a wide smile.

“Found you.”

There wasn’t a single speck of light or shadow in his black eyes.

Like the darkness he wore, the man’s pupils were bizarre.

Just as Gu Huibi vaguely realized she was the man’s target,

Elder Yi threw a punch.

Kuwung!

The surroundings were swept away by a single punch from Elder Yi.

It was a strength so immense it changed the landscape with just one blow.

The heavy internal energy of a Hwayeong realm martial artist surged forth, riding the heat to attack the man, but

“Kkeuk!”

Before the fist could connect, the man’s darkness enveloped both him and Elder Yi.

Thus, the emerged disaster was far too sudden.

******************

-And in the end, he couldn’t protect Huibi.

These were the words Elder Yi left me with after finishing his explanation.

The expression Elder Yi wore as he finished speaking was one of utter despair.

‘…The Palace Lord appeared at the frontline?’

The Black Night Palace Lord, famous for never leaving his main palace.

His martial arts, which seemed like he was shrouded in darkness,

were definitely characteristic of the Black Night Palace Lord’s martial arts.

I had only heard about them; I hadn’t actually seen them.

‘Setting that aside, why Gu Huibi?’

The fact that the Black Night Palace Lord personally appeared and took Gu Huibi.

Putting aside that this never happened in my previous life,

because of it, Elder Yi nearly died,

and my father even left the family estate with his sword guards.

‘I don’t even know the reason….’

It was a truly terrible situation.

Because there was nothing I could understand.

[That’s why you couldn’t ask anything.]

‘…It wasn’t the situation to ask.’

What happened with the recommendation letter from the Sword Saint, and what was that ring?

There were many things I wanted to ask, like why,

but considering the expression and atmosphere Elder Yi had just shown, there was nothing I could ask.

‘About Gu Jeolyeop too….’

I wanted to know how things were unfolding outside, but

it wasn’t possible right now.

‘Even if the other Elders made a move, it wouldn’t be too dangerous, but’

the current situation, where I had to stay put, was the problem.

[Why don’t you just leave?]

Like Shin Noyah said, I could break out right now.

My internal energy wasn’t blocked, nor was my body bound by restraints.

It was merely a show, according to the Steward.

Regardless, I had killed an Elder.

Until the justification for doing so was clearly established,

or until my father returned, I had to remain here.

The formation Elder Il had planted underground was incredibly robust,

and moreover, the Gu family’s current strength was relatively low, making it difficult, but

it didn’t seem like it would take excessively long.

‘I wonder if the kids are doing alright.’

As soon as we returned to the family estate together, trouble erupted, and I couldn’t even see their faces properly.

According to Elder Yi, Wi Seol-ah was crying every day.

Wi Seol-ah seemed to laugh a lot, and cry a lot too, but

she wasn’t one to cry that much, so I was more worried.

Wouldn’t Namgung Bi-ah and Tang Soyeol just be staying quiet?

I truly hoped so.

“More than anything, the problem is….”

My father said he went out with his sword guards, but whether he could find them was doubtful.

The information I currently have about the Black Night Palace is limited,

and even then, there was almost no mention of their location.

The few things I knew weren’t about their main base, called the Main Palace (本宮). Moreover, they were information of little use right now.

In the past, I only heard that the Black Night Palace was simply destroyed by the Martial Alliance.

‘How can I….’

I tossed and turned, wondering what I should do about this.

It was already past midnight, and if I were to sleep, I might as well have practiced my internal energy cultivation, but

I was too distracted to focus.

Perhaps it was because I tossed and turned fretfully for a long time.

The pouch tied to my waist suddenly fell to the floor.

It seemed the string had worn out rather than me tossing and turning.

As I reached to pick up the pouch again, a bead rolled out from inside.

It was a small bead with a reddish-orange hue.

“Ah, this.”

As soon as I saw the bead, I remembered.

It was definitely something Gu Huibi had tied to my waist, telling me to carry it carefully.

She said I’d die if I left it behind, so I carried it without thinking.

By now, I had even forgotten I had something like this attached to my belt.

As I reached for the rolling bead, I flinched and stopped.

“…Tsk.”

Because a stinging pain shot through my hand, and blood was flowing.

It was likely a wound from my fight with Elder Il, but I only noticed it now, after everything was over.

It wasn’t very deep, so I ignored it and picked up the bead.

“Considering you bought it from a street vendor, it looks quite expensive.”

[I know, right? It doesn’t seem like cheap stuff.]

It was too brilliant to be a cheap raw stone.

After examining the bead briefly, I tried to put it back into the pouch, but

Woong-

“Hm?”

[Huh?]

A strange sound came from the bead, and it began to vibrate rapidly.

Jiiing-!

“What’s wrong with it now…?”

Thinking it might explode, I considered quickly throwing the bead far away, but

the bead emitted a faint light for a moment before stopping its movement as if nothing had happened.

As I examined the bead, I said in disbelief,

“…What the hell did this crazy person buy?”

She called it a lucky charm, but it’s actually a vibrating bead – what kind of bizarre item is this?

It gave me an unsettling feeling, whether I realized it or not.

I clicked my tongue and was about to put the bead back into the pouch when I turned my eyes and froze completely.

“Huh?”

Because my vision had drastically changed.