Chapter 214: Omen. (1)

I swallowed hard at my father’s chilling words.

Though his tone seemed nonchalant, clear anger seeped through.

As my father rarely showed his emotions like this.

I could tell just how big of a deal this was.

‘I’m screwed.’

The consequences I’d planned to deal with later had piled up and up.

And now, they had all exploded at once.

So, rather than blaming anyone else, no matter how I put it, this was my karma.

“…An escape.”

Jerk.

My shoulders trembled uncontrollably at the word that came from my father’s mouth.

“A blood relative of Gu’s, escaping from their own family’s estate?”

“…Well…”

“Before that.”

My father cut me off before I could explain about the Heavenly Road Bead.

And then, his gaze turned towards me.

[…It’s intense. Now that I look closer, we seem to resemble each other even more.]

Even I thought so.

My father’s eyes, looking at me not with his usual indifferent expression but with emotion.

Appeared fiercer than I could have imagined.

“You killed Elder Il?”

“…Yes.”

I didn’t offer a shred of excuse.

Because I had actually done it.

“I heard you killed Elder Il, using the name of a blood relative.”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

“Do you know what that implies?”

“…I know.”

“Then, why did you do it?”

Even though I could feel the anger contained within.

My father didn’t raise his voice or scold me.

He simply wanted to know if I knew, and if so, why I had done it.

He was demanding an explanation.

His red eyes were fixed solely on me.

As if telling me not to even think about running away unless I gave a straight answer.

‘Hoo.’

Besides, I had no intention of running away.

I took a moment to catch my breath and then explained to my father.

Why I had killed Elder Il.

Why I had broken out of prison.

Ah, and I also recounted everything about the Heavenly Road Bead.

I explained this part in particular detail.

It wasn’t a particularly long story.

And it certainly wasn’t something that needed embellishment.

“…”

After the story ended.

My father, having heard my explanation, remained silent, lost in thought.

The only change was.

That his anger had somewhat subsided.

And that his raised eyebrows had returned to normal.

That alone was a significant change for me.

My father, who had been silently keeping his peace.

Opened his mouth again with a shallow sigh.

“Answer me clearly. There must be no lies.”

“Yes…”

“The ‘Bigo’ said to be in Elder Il’s quarters. Is that true?”

“Yes. It is.”

“Then how is it that you know about it?”

At this, I realized something as I looked into my father’s eyes.

‘He’s looking for justification.’

My father was currently seeking a justification for why I had no choice but to act.

Rather than doubting if my words were true.

It seemed more likely he was searching for proof that I had no other option.

‘But how do I explain that?’

I had just blurted it out, but…

Other than saying I learned it through memories from my past life, I had no immediate way to explain it.

And I couldn’t exactly present that as an explanation.

As I couldn’t provide any answer.

My father shifted his gaze away from me and continued with different words.

He cut off the topic the moment he realized it was something I couldn’t answer.

“Regarding the second matter, your contribution is significant, so it might be overlooked.”

This referred to finding Gu Huibi’s location using the Heavenly Road Bead.

And escaping prison to save Gu Huibi.

My father spoke as if this matter could somehow be excused, but…

“However.”

Of course, not everything could be overlooked.

“Even if, as you say, we find the Bigo. And even if circumstances warranted it, executing Elder Il as you pleased is a severe violation of the rules. Do you understand?”

“…I apologize.”

“I hope you realize you do not yet possess the authority for such actions.”

Not yet.

Knowing the meaning behind those words, I didn’t take them well.

It was no different than saying that no matter what I did, I would eventually inherit the position of Young Master.

“An Elder Council will be convened because of this matter.”

At my father’s words, I clicked my tongue inwardly.

This meant the Elder Council, which hadn’t been held in several years, would be convened because of this incident.

Then again, since Elder Il was killed by my hand, it was only natural it would be called.

Ah, for reference, the last Elder Council was also convened because of me.

Was it when I acted like a degenerate towards Peng Ah-hee and broke off the engagement?

‘Looking at it this way, I really am a troublemaker, aren’t I?’

Perhaps it was because, aside from the past, I’d caused more than a few incidents even after regressing.

I felt a slight pang of self-loathing.

‘Is this why I regressed…’

Of course, I brushed it off with a few grumbles.

“Know this. Elder I will not be attending this Elder Council.”

“…!”

“And I, too, will not particularly take your side, meaning you won’t have anyone definitively on your side.”

‘This is kind of a big deal.’

I knew that, just like in my past life, Elders Sam and Sa didn’t view me favorably.

Especially now, after what happened to Elder Il.

Things didn’t look like they would turn out well.

‘But Elder I is absent…’

Was this my father’s command?

Removing an Elder from the Elder Council, what kind of bullshit is this?

Seeing my displeased expression, my father added a word.

“I expect you to take responsibility for your actions now.”

A parent’s words, piercing through past transgressions, were still…

…heavy.

Even if our relationship was somewhat strained.

“I understand.”

I hid my sigh and forced myself to answer.

Not only did I have no rebuttal.

The demand for responsibility wasn’t just directed at me.

It felt like he was speaking to himself as well.

In the now somewhat quieter atmosphere.

My father shifted his gaze back to the letter and quietly told me.

“The handling of Gu Seon Gate and the punishment you will receive will be decided after the Elder Council.”

“…”

“Until then, please remain quiet.”

“…Yes, I understand.”

At the very least, until the Elder Council concluded and matters were settled.

He was asking me, begging me, to stay put.

‘Surely, I won’t cause another incident in the meantime.’

Even if I did, I had to stay still.

If I really caused any more trouble here, there would be no hope.

I probably wouldn’t be killed by my father, but perhaps all my hair would be burned off.

[‘Still, it seems you won’t be hit.’]

[‘I suppose so.’]

Even in my past life, no matter what trouble I caused.

My father never laid a hand on me.

He wouldn’t hit me this time either, but…

[‘…Having my hair burned off is unacceptable.’]

I’d rather be hit.

That was out of the question.

And Gu Seon Gate, having lost its Gate Master,

Its sole successor, Gu Jeolyub, was still young.

Elder I, who was next in line, wasn’t a swordsman, so the position would likely pass to someone else.

Or, my father might operate it concurrently until the acting Gate Master, Gu Jeolyub, was ready.

‘That Jeolyub fellow…’

That was a name I couldn’t stop thinking about.

I hadn’t seen him even once since sending him to the Medical Hall.

‘Although, it doesn’t seem like a situation where I can go find him.’

Once the matter concerning the Bigo in Elder Il’s quarters was concluded.

I would have to see him then.

Because I couldn’t just leave things as they were.

As I swallowed and soothed my bitter feelings inwardly.

My father suddenly uttered something strange as he looked at me.

“I heard you acquired a sobriquet. ‘Jinryong’, wasn’t it?”

“Huh?”

I unintentionally responded blankly, taken aback by the sudden mention of such a ridiculous sobriquet.

Why was he bringing that up now?

Honestly, it felt awful every time I heard it.

What kind of sobriquet is Jinryong?

I didn’t realize it before.

But now that I had the sobriquet ‘Dragon’ attached to me.

It felt too grandiose for a late bloomer like myself.

And frankly, I felt more like a true snake among snakes than an actual dragon.

“It’s not bad.”

“…What?”

Amidst all this, I was stunned by my father’s words.

What did he just say?

“Well done.”

He said it with a slight nod of his head.

It really seemed like he was praising me.

Seeing that made me feel incredibly awkward.

And nauseous.

‘Why is he acting like this? Did he get hurt fighting the Palace Lord?’

No, I saw him destroy everything, not get hurt.

Or maybe he ate something bad.

Putting that aside, I asked my father.

“…If you have nothing more to say, may I ask something?”

As I absently rubbed my full stomach, my father looked at me.

“It seems you have some business with the Moyong Family. What is it?”

“Moyong… Ah.”

I had just had a brief conversation with an Elder from the Moyong Family moments ago.

My reaction showed I had forgotten already.

“It’s business.”

“…Right, business. Obviously.”

Who doesn’t know that?

“I mean it’s business you don’t need to concern yourself with.”

I gave up immediately at my father’s words.

Because I knew he would never tell me more if he said it like that.

[‘Isn’t that giving up too easily?’]

[‘My past life experience comes in handy at times like these.’]

[‘What uselessly helpful experience it is…’]

Rustle-

“If you have nothing more to ask, you may leave.”

Hearing my father’s dismissal order, I immediately turned and walked out of the family head’s quarters.

As I calmly stepped outside.

The sun was beginning to set.

‘It seems they won’t put me back in prison.’

This was surely because my father had returned to the estate.

Honestly, returning to prison didn’t seem like a bad option.

‘If I go back now, hell awaits.’

If the first hell was facing my father.

The second hell involved a much more arduous schedule.

It was so bad, I’d rather crawl back into prison.

“Welcome back. Young Master. You must have had a hard time.”

As I stepped into my quarters, which felt like ages since I’d last been there.

Hong-hwa was the first to greet me.

‘…Hmm… This is bad.’

The problem started right here.

The fact that Hong-hwa, and not someone else, was here first.

Someone who would normally come running and hug me wasn’t here.

Cold sweat was already starting to trickle down my back.

Hiding my panic, I carefully asked Hong-hwa.

“Where are the others?”

“…”

At my question, Hong-hwa flinched, and I could see her eyes waver slightly.

Seeing that, I grinned and nodded.

‘I’m fucked.’

I realized I was screwed based on Hong-hwa’s reaction.

“Young Miss Namgung arrived and went into her room. She seemed tired.”

“Is that room perhaps my room?”

“Ah, yes.”

Why are you answering like it’s the most obvious thing in the world?

Why is it so natural for her to sleep in my room…?

“Young Miss Tang said she had business in Hyeon.”

“…Is that a blessing in disguise?”

“Huh?”

“It’s nothing.”

Tang Soyeol having business in Hyeon.

It was strange enough that a blood relative from Sichuan had an appointment in Sanseo.

But I wasn’t concerned about that right now.

“What about Wi Seol-ah?”

This was the first time.

I had called her Wi Seol-ah directly with my own mouth.

It might not have even happened in my past life.

I had always called her by her sobriquets like ‘Young Sword Master’ or ‘Divine Sword’.

“Ah, Seol-ah…”

Hong-hwa hesitated slightly.

Fortunately, she told me about Wi Seol-ah.

“-Seol-ah will be in the back mountain.”

My feet were already heading towards the mountain.

The sun would be setting soon, so why did Wi Seol-ah go to the mountain?

Especially since she must have heard that I had arrived.

[‘Isn’t it obvious? She doesn’t want to see your face.’]

As soon as I heard that, I felt a premonition, and Noyya confirmed it like a kill shot.

I couldn’t help but chew on my lips.

Why did this make my chest feel so tight?

It was a feeling I’d experienced too often, yet it always felt like a burdensome weight.

Hearing only that she was in the back mountain, I started climbing.

I had a vague idea of where Wi Seol-ah might be.

I couldn’t sense her presence.

Wi Seol-ah’s presence was always faint; even at her peak, she was hard to find.

Wi Seol-ah would be somewhere with the best view of the setting sun.

If my guess was correct.

It could be a cliff.

Or a mountain peak.

In the back mountains of Gu’s estate, there was only one such place.

As expected.

On a hill where the sunset was slowly unfolding.

A figure came into view.

Swish- Swish!

Accompanied by the sound of cutting through the air, a wooden sword was swinging through the void.

At first glance, it looked like swordsmanship.

But to the eye of a martial artist, it was a crude sword path with not a single correct form.

Or rather, something barely worthy of being called a sword path.

‘She said she learned swordsmanship.’

I really didn’t expect her to be swinging a wooden sword.

Stop-

Was it because I made my presence known?

She stopped her ceaseless movements and turned her gaze towards me.

‘Huh?’

Of course, the person there was Wi Seol-ah.

And the one looking at me was indeed Wi Seol-ah.

Yet, for some reason, looking at her, I felt like I couldn’t breathe.

‘Why?’

Wi Seol-ah’s hair was black with a faint brown tint.

There was no shining blonde hair like in my past life.

Her eyes, looking at me, were not gold but black like obsidian.

For some reason, looking at Wi Seol-ah, I was recalling the past, not the present.

Perhaps it was because her sunset-tinged black hair appeared slightly brighter.

Yes, that must be why I’m mistaken.

“H-hello?”

I greeted Wi Seol-ah cautiously.

Giving a small wave.

Even I thought it was a pretty pathetic greeting.

But I couldn’t think of any other way to greet her right now.

“Yes.”

Fortunately, Wi Seol-ah responded.

Her voice sounded much lower than usual.

But still, it was good that she answered at all.

“It’s been a while.”

“I know, I was in a bit of a rush before…”

It seemed she wasn’t too upset.

I tried to slip in the excuse I had prepared.

“Young Master Gu.”

“…You finished… What did you say?”