Chapter 218: Omen. (5)

Omen. (5)

‘How long has it been?’

I hadn’t seen Gu Jil-yeop since that time I killed Elder Il, at the very least.

Not that I went out of my way to look for him.

Because I thought seeing his face itself was the problem after that.

‘Since I couldn’t do anything even if I went.’

Should I have apologized, perhaps?

I couldn’t do that.

It wasn’t something I’d done impulsively enough for that, and besides.

If I was going to do that, I shouldn’t have killed him in the first place.

I looked at Gu Jil-yeop with somewhat flustered eyes.

His face, gaunt compared to before.

And his appearance, clearly worn down by considerable emotional distress.

‘To think he’d come looking for me.’

I knew I’d have to face him eventually regarding matters related to the Gu Seon Gate.

The Elder Council had concluded, so I had planned to visit him soon, but…

Conversely, I never expected Gu Jil-yeop to come looking for me.

Swoosh.

The guy slowly approaches me.

One step at a time, slowly.

‘…Hmm.’

Given the circumstances, it was possible Gu Jil-yeop might do something to me, but…

I simply watched Gu Jil-yeop, remaining still without making any move.

Just then.

Wi Seol-ah tried to step in front as if to protect me, so I quickly grabbed her shoulder.

Telling her not to.

“Young Master Il-gong.”

“Yes.”

After what felt like a longer-than-usual moment.

Gu Jil-yeop stood before me.

“…I have something I wish to ask.”

Hearing he had something to ask, I inwardly questioned it.

It seemed Gu Jil-yeop hadn’t intended to do anything to me.

Of course, even if he had intended something, I wouldn’t have let him get away with it.

For him to want to ask me something amidst all this.

“Ask away.”

Although I had given my permission.

Gu Jil-yeop’s lips wouldn’t open easily.

I waited patiently for Gu Jil-yeop’s lips to part.

After waiting a little longer, Gu Jil-yeop’s lips finally opened.

“…Why did you do it?”

I could see his lips trembling as he spoke.

“Hmm.”

To suddenly ask, not with resentment.

Nor with angry curses.

But to ask me for the reason.

‘I heard he hadn’t left his room all this time.’

I had been subtly hearing news.

That after Elder Il’s death, he’d performed the funeral rites and then locked himself in his room.

“Why did I do it?”

“…Yes.”

“Didn’t you hear? Why I did it?”

“No, I heard.”

Just as he said, he probably heard it long ago. Perhaps from Elder I, or maybe through Mu-yeon or another Sword Guard.

It wasn’t a small matter, so there must have been plenty of talk going around.

“Then why ask? You said you heard everything.”

“Because I felt I needed to hear it directly.”

Strange.

Gu Jil-yeop’s eyes were still fixed on me.

The emotions contained within couldn’t be hidden, boiling over outwardly.

Those boiling emotions certainly wouldn’t cool down for years to come.

Even in that situation, Gu Jil-yeop was asking me for the reason.

Of course, he might have chosen this approach because he couldn’t do anything to me, but…

‘Does that mean he won’t run away?’

I wondered if ‘running away’ was the right term for this, but…

Regardless, Gu Jil-yeop had come to face me directly.

Recalling that, I spoke to the young man.

“Your grandfather crossed a line I couldn’t overlook.”

Contrary to my thoughts, my voice came out firm.

“He didn’t just target me alone; he involved those around me. Furthermore, he was becoming a poison to the Sega.”

My words were spoken flatly, without inflection.

I brought up a story that was undeniably cruel to Gu Jil-yeop.

The consideration of speaking indirectly wasn’t something I intended to use right now.

“Because I couldn’t overlook it, I took matters into my own hands.”

“…”

“If you thought you’d hear something different from me, I’m sorry, but there’s nothing else.”

I didn’t know what words Gu Jil-yeop had hoped to hear when he came to me, but…

This was all I could say to him.

After listening to my words and staring at me silently, Gu Jil-yeop replied as if answering.

“I didn’t have any specific words I hoped to hear.”

“Then?”

“It’s because I don’t really know.”

“You don’t know?”

Hearing Gu Jil-yeop’s words, I frowned slightly, not quite understanding.

What was it he didn’t know?

“I… don’t know what I should do from now on.”

“And that’s why you came to me?”

“…No. That’s not it.”

I could understand him feeling lost, with so much shaken.

However, if he sought me out to resolve it…

That was truly regrettable.

‘Foolish kid.’

What conclusion was he hoping to find from me?

What did he hope to gain by seeking out the one who killed his grandfather?

It seemed Gu Jil-yeop himself didn’t know.

Right, at best, Gu Jil-yeop was a greenhorn who hadn’t even passed twenty.

And now, he was just a boy unable to endure this overwhelming situation.

I asked Gu Jil-yeop.

“Do you resent me?”

“Yes.”

Gu Jil-yeop’s answer was without hesitation.

“Do you want revenge?”

“…”

This time, there was no answer.

It looked like he wanted to affirm it, but…

It didn’t seem easy for him.

“No?”

“…Yes, I do.”

“Then why hesitate?”

Was it because he hesitated to say he wanted to kill a member of the Sega family?

If you look at it that way, it might be possible, but…

Conversely, if it were me, I wouldn’t have hesitated.

‘Could I stay sane with the enemy who killed my family right in front of me?’

I didn’t know how I’d react now, but…

At least at Gu Jil-yeop’s age, I wouldn’t have been able to.

As I wondered how he could be like that…

Gu Jil-yeop answered regarding this.

“…Because it goes against the agreement.”

“Agreement?”

That was a rather abrupt statement.

An agreement?

“If truly, the Gate Master… my grandfather did what you, Young Master Il-gong, mentioned.”

Gu Jil-yeop’s precarious shoulders trembled slightly.

“…It is because I am not in a position to resent you, Gong-ja-nim.”

He hadn’t hidden his ambition.

Not only had he committed malicious acts against direct blood relatives to make his grandson the head of the family.

But he had also been plotting behind the family’s back.

If all those words were true.

Gu Jil-yeop was saying he wasn’t in a position to resent me himself.

Does that mean he was experiencing confusion seeing himself resentful despite that?

It was something I couldn’t understand.

“You’re being complicated.”

“…”

“I don’t know why talk of an agreement suddenly came up, but there’s nothing I can do for you.”

Whether Gu Jil-yeop resents me.

Or truly harbors murderous intent, there’s nothing I can do about it.

Even if he harbored resentment, I wouldn’t care.

Or, if he harbored murderous intent.

‘I’d kill him.’

I would kill him.

Not twice.

The consideration I could offer was not to provoke Gu Jil-yeop right now.

Elder Il had been buried after his death.

However, he wouldn’t be able to enter the ancestral tomb where the final resting places of important figures of the Gu family were gathered.

Because one couldn’t place someone who had committed crimes there.

If Elder Il’s crimes were properly revealed.

Gu Jil-yeop’s treatment as well.

It was uncertain what would happen if he inherited his grandfather’s karma.

Even if Gu Jil-yeop were innocent.

The karmic debt of blood that this damned land imposed was unavoidable.

Minimizing the damage from this.

That was the extent of what I could do.

‘I don’t know if he’d want this, though.’

Considering Gu Jil-yeop’s disposition, which I glimpsed briefly, I suspected he probably wouldn’t want it.

“What have you decided about the Gu Seon Gate?”

“…Elder I said he would temporarily take charge.”

“Elder I?”

I was slightly surprised by Gu Jil-yeop’s words.

Elder I, who had nothing to do with swordsmanship, would take charge of the Gu Seon Gate?

Perhaps he was only managing it, and someone else would handle the main events?

‘It’d be better than it falling into the hands of Elder Sam or Elder Sa, though.’

It was a rather random piece of information.

“Are you okay with that, though?”

“…Because I lack the strength. I don’t have the skill or qualification to be the Gate Master.”

Gu Jil-yeop was indeed the prospective Gate Master, but…

That was strictly because he was Elder Il’s grandson.

It was true he had outstanding talent, but…

That wouldn’t solve everything.

“I don’t know what state of mind brought you here, but I cannot show you the way.”

“…”

“Moreover, it’s strange for you to ask me for guidance.”

It wasn’t right for me to tell Gu Jil-yeop what to do now.

Conversely, it was also strange for him to seek something from the person who killed his grandfather.

Let alone resent me.

“I do feel sorry towards you, but that’s about it.”

Regardless of what kind of person Elder Il was.

Since I killed a blood relative.

I did feel sorry about it.

“If you want to resent and hate me, then do so. I’ll accept it.”

I wouldn’t take responsibility, but…

I could accept it.

I didn’t know what choice Gu Jil-yeop would make because of this, but…

Hearing my words, Gu Jil-yeop, without lifting his darkened expression, simply muttered.

“I… I don’t know.”

“Then think about it. What you want to do.”

I couldn’t apologize any further to Gu Jil-yeop.

Nor was I in a position to offer comfort.

Or impart any teachings.

Even if I went back to the past, I doubted I would have made a different choice other than killing Elder Il.

‘Even if I let him live, I wouldn’t kill him with my own hands. I would have ultimately made him die.’

Perhaps by crushing his dantian and letting him die slowly.

Or perhaps by using other means to tighten the noose around Elder Il’s life.

Just as my choice was.

Elder Il’s choice wouldn’t have been any different.

Gu Jil-yeop, gazing only at the ground with a thoroughly shadowed face.

Tiredly, he swept his hand across his face.

I continued to watch Gu Jil-yeop’s appearance.

Without uttering a single word.

As only the wind blew softly.

Gu Jil-yeop, biting his lips intermittently, slowly asked me.

“…I heard you are heading to the front lines.”

“When did you hear that again?”

The topic just came up, where on earth did he hear it?

“Elder I told me. That Young Master Il-gong would be going to the front lines.”

“What?”

What did this mean?

Elder I had told him in advance that I would be heading to the front lines?

This meant…

‘…Father and Elder I had already discussed this?’

It meant they had already arranged to send me to the front lines as punishment for this matter.

‘For someone built like a bear, he’s quite cunning.’

He was probably still furious about my escape from prison after disobeying him.

And I had been subtly avoiding him too.

I looked at Gu Jil-yeop and asked again.

“So, why is that relevant?”

In response to my question, Gu Jil-yeop said to me with a tired expression.

“I want to go with you as well.”

“What? Go where?”

“To the front lines where you, Young Master Il-gong, are going.”

“Are you out of your damn mind?”

What kind of nonsense is this?

He wants to go to the front lines with me?

“What’s your intention?”

“I want to follow you to find that out.”

“Are you really out of your mind?”

He wants to go with the person who killed his grandfather.

‘Is he trying to book an assassination attempt on me in advance?’

If that wasn’t the case, I honestly couldn’t understand what Gu Jil-yeop was thinking when he said that.

“What I should do… I want to decide after that.”

Whether to live resenting me, or to live seeking revenge.

Or perhaps accept it and move on.

The boy, confused and unable to find his way, seemed to have finally decided to face it, but…

“Ha.”

For me, Gu Jil-yeop’s decision was simply baffling.

Because it was a choice I wouldn’t have made.

“…Do as you please. Though I don’t know if the higher-ups will even permit it.”

If it were in the past, maybe.

But now, with our relationship in shambles, there was no way they’d send Gu Jil-yeop, who might harbor ill will towards me, alongside me.

Even if, by some chance, this were permitted.

“I said I’d accept resentment, but I have no intention of accepting anything beyond that.”

As I said earlier.

If he harbors anything more than that.

I will cut him off too.

Having finished the conversation.

Gu Jil-yeop, who had been watching me silently, slightly bowed his head and turned, walking away.

Behind him, I noticed several martial artists who seemed to be from the Gu Seon Gate.

They were likely there to protect Gu Jil-yeop, or perhaps they followed him out of concern that Gu Jil-yeop might do something to me.

[How soft-hearted.]

As I watched Gu Jil-yeop’s retreating back, Shin Noyah spoke to me.

‘Are you saying I should have killed that brat then?’

[I wouldn’t have, but aren’t you different, you whelp?]

The words struck deep into my heart.

Indeed, if it were the past, I would have killed Gu Jil-yeop without hesitation long ago.

When I killed Elder Il.

But I didn’t.

Gu Jil-yeop might harbor resentment towards me and become a stumbling block later on.

Even though we could no longer have a good relationship, no matter what happened.

I didn’t want to kill Gu Jil-yeop if possible, as long as he didn’t cross the line.

The desire to live differently from the past came first.

Secondly, it was because I felt pity seeing him ruined by the karma of blood relations.

Because I had experienced that myself.

[That’s why I say you were lenient.]

‘I suppose so.’

My current actions, in a situation where the calamity called a blood feud is rushing towards us.

Were indeed leaving embers behind.

However.

“…I wanted to indulge in a little greed like this.”

[Tsk.]

Noyah said nothing further after that.

Squeeze.

Feeling something wrap around my hand, I looked down.

Wi Seol-ah was gently holding my hand.

“Young Master… are you okay?”

“Why, do I not look okay?”

“Yes… you look troubled.”

“Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

I didn’t know why Wi Seol-ah saw me that way, but…

I was fine.

As always, I had to be fine.

Stroking Wi Seol-ah’s hair as she looked at me worriedly.

I spoke into the empty air.

“So, please tell me now.”

It looked like no one was there, but someone was.

Rustle-.

From behind the bushes next to the trees, a large figure appeared, making one wonder how he had hidden there.

Perhaps his body hadn’t fully recovered yet.

It was Elder I, wrapped tightly in bandages.

“Compared to before, your senses have become a bit sharper.”

“Isn’t it strange that you were hiding there in that condition?”

Even saying that, Elder I’s stealth skills were quite excellent, more so than expected.

I wouldn’t have known even now if his energy hadn’t been detected.

“Is there a reason you told him about the front lines?”

“He asked, so I told him.”

“And you didn’t tell me?”

“Why would I tell that grandson, who doesn’t listen to a lick of his grandfather’s words, something like that out of fondness?”

“…”

As expected.

Elder I still seemed displeased about my escape from prison.

As I scratched my cheek, feeling slightly apologetic, Elder I continued speaking.

“I know you asked me to look favorably upon Jeolyub.”

“…Cough.”

How did he know? I had secretly told my father.

“Is that why you decided to take charge of the Gu Seon Gate?”

“It’s better than Elder Sam or Elder Sa taking charge, so I agreed. I’m only managing it. As for the martial arts of the disciples, the Head of the First Sword Division said he would take responsibility.”

“The Head of the First Sword Division?”

Through swordsmanship, the strongest person within the Gu family was the Head of the First Sword Division.

I didn’t know how he compared to Elder Il during his prime, but…

That was the case now.

‘The Head of the First Sword Division… maybe that’s okay.’

Thinking of him, he was a much better person compared to others.

At least he wasn’t someone who would scheme behind people’s backs.

“Are you feeling any better?”

“My, you ask rather quickly.”

“It’s better than not asking at all… Put your fist down, Elder I. You’re injured, aren’t you?”

The old man, whose body wasn’t even fully healed, seemed to have lost none of his temper.

“I’m fine, really. This much is just something a dab of ointment will fix.”

“…Is your ointment some kind of ‘Gongcheongseokyu’?”

If applying that could heal anything, why would there be doctors in the world?

“Speaking of which, you brought quite an unusual guest with you.”

“Ah.”

At Elder I’s words, I recalled the old man who was likely in the Gu family’s prison right about now.

‘I forgot about the Hao Gate Master.’

I had momentarily forgotten about the Hao Gate Master I brought back from the Heukya Palace.

“What’s the story behind that?”

“Perhaps, Elder I, do you know him as well?”

At my question, Elder I stroked his beard and cleared his throat.

“Just someone I saw briefly in passing. He looked like a bum, so I figured he’d end up like that.”

‘Elder I knew about the Gate Master too.’

Why did they know so much about the Hao Gate Master, about whom there was supposedly no proper information?

‘In any case, this isn’t a normal household.’

It was a moment that further solidified my conviction.

“He’s an old man we found in the Heukya Palace, and Father said to bring him along.”

In times like these, making excuses using Father’s name was convenient.

As expected, mentioning Father, Elder I nodded without much else to say.

“…In that case, the Family Head will handle it.”

Whether he would contact the Hao Gate.

Or use him for other purposes was unknown, but since Father had already noticed the Gate Master.

It was something beyond my reach.

“Putting the guest aside.”

Elder I, cutting the conversation short, took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to me.

“I didn’t know you had connections with the Gaebang.”

“The Gaebang?”

Suddenly, the Gaebang?

Wondering what he meant, I accepted the letter.

The letter Elder I gave me bore an imprint indicating ‘Gaebang Information’.

‘This is….’

With the name written small beneath the seal.

I could tell who sent the letter.

Chu Ong.

It was a letter from the future King Geol, handed to me.

‘I knew a letter would come, but…’

It was sooner than expected.

What information would it contain?

If it was information about Muk-gwon and Pae-jon, which I had requested in Hanam…

‘If possible, I hope it’s about Pae-jon.’

If I had to choose, I hoped for information about Pae-jon rather than Muk-gwon.

Because that was the more urgent matter.

‘I hope there are no particular issues.’

Chu Ong’s letter to me contained a brief message.

-Jinryong Gong-ja… kill…

-No problem.

“…”

Putting aside the first line, which seemed unfinished and erased.

Seeing the second written line, I carefully folded the letter and put it in my pocket.

Then, nodding, I whispered.

“Looks like he got caught.”

I figured I could forget about Chu Ong for a moment.

He’d probably be fine on his own. He was King Geol, after all.