Chapter 372: Orthodox Sect Gathering. (13)

Around the time the Sega’s waiting room was in the midst of a storm.

Gu Yangcheon found himself in quite a bothersome situation.

“Look how skinny you are. Are you even eating properly?”

“The condition of your clothes isn’t good.”

“I told you, big sis. Eat your meals properly. Aren’t you not growing taller because you don’t eat?”

“I’ll have some good quality martial attire specially ordered for you, so take it with you.”

The words coming from both sides made my head throb.

Since they said there was still some time before the gathering started, I came out for a stroll.

And as soon as I came out, I ran into these two people, of all people.

“Little brother. Why so quiet?”

“…Why are you even here, big sis? Aren’t you busy?”

I heard you were coming, but I didn’t expect you to actually show up.

In response to my question, someone let out a soft chuckle.

The one who laughed was my sister, Gu Huibi, known as the Sword Phoenix.

It was a face I hadn’t seen in about a year.

“Of course, I’m busy. But since I carved out my precious time to come here, you better be grateful.”

“You didn’t have to. Why didn’t you just keep your precious time and not split it?”

“Do you want to die?”

Gu Huibi spat out rough words and ruffled my hair wildly.

Seriously, why did this busybody, active with the Sword Brigade, come all the way here?

They could have at least gone to Gu Yeonseo instead of me.

If not that, they could have done something else. Why did they come all this way to this remote place?

Someone blocked Gu Huibi’s arm, which was wildly ruffling my hair.

It wasn’t me. The one who blocked was Madam Mi.

“So many people are passing by. Why are you acting so undignified? Did your mother teach you to behave like that?”

At Madam Mi’s sharp rebuke, Gu Huibi flinched.

“…I apologize.”

“How can you treat your grown younger brother so carelessly?”

“He’s just a bit cute….”

“Don’t make excuses.”

“Yes….”

Gu Huibi couldn’t move an inch at Madam Mi’s words.

It was truly astonishing.

That the lunatic could shrink down like that.

Then, Madam Mi carefully fixed my messed-up hair.

I don’t know where the comb came from, but she was tidying my tangled hair.

“Since it’s an important occasion, you need to pay attention to your appearance.”

“…Yes.”

“While training as a warrior is good, I hope you understand that you also need to groom your outward appearance to fit the occasion.”

“I apologize.”

Amidst my hair being tidied, I felt a sickening sensation and had to bite my tongue slightly.

Madam Mi was doing this considering the Gu family’s position and the merchant guild’s standing, but…

I had to erase such useless thoughts.

“I’ll have someone send clothes for you later, so don’t forget to wear them.”

“I’ll remember that.”

“Alright.”

Perhaps the tidying was finally finished, Madam Mi put the comb back in her pocket.

She examined me from head to toe.

Was she checking for any problems?

After checking meticulously, Madam Mi let out a slight sigh and asked me.

“I heard a lot happened.”

“It wasn’t a lot, just a few things happened.”

“Were you injured anywhere?”

“As you ca…. No, I wasn’t.”

I tried to speak as usual but organized my words before spitting them out.

I found it somewhat difficult to use my usual tone with Madam Mi.

“That’s a relief.”

“…”

Even though it was a statement without much meaning.

For some reason, those words stirred a warmth within me.

Was it because I found out my mother was alive?

Recalling that far, I erased my emotions and asked Madam Mi.

“…Madam Mi.”

“Yes.”

“Where is Father?”

“He went to the waiting room ahead. He said there was something he needed to sort out beforehand.”

“Sort out?”

Sort out what? Are they planning to work even here?

Then again, this could be considered work in a way.

“Don’t you need to go too, Madam Mi?”

Just like Father, Madam Mi was attending from the merchant guild’s perspective.

There should be a separate waiting room for the Guild Master.

There was no need to linger outside.

Of course, I wasn’t going inside the building either, but still.

At my words, Madam Mi’s expression turned slightly cold.

“If I go, it’ll just be pigs stuffed with money. I don’t particularly want to mingle there.”

“…Ah, I see.”

It was a much scarier statement than I expected.

I brushed my slightly chilled arms a few times and scanned my surroundings.

“Speaking of which, I don’t see Elder Iljang?”

I thought he said he was coming with us, but Elder Iljang wasn’t visible.

When I expressed my confusion, Gu Huibi was the one who answered.

“Elder Iljang said he had some business to attend to.”

“Business in Hanam?”

“He said he was going to see his friends?”

“…?”

At Gu Huibi’s words, my brow furrowed involuntarily.

With the situation like this. He’s going to see his friends instead of coming to see me?

This old geezer… really lives life as he pleases.

Amidst that, a thought struck me that Elder Iljang would absolutely do something like that.

Because I thought Elder Iljang could totally do that.

‘Friends in Hanam, amidst all this. Who could they be….’

As the thought crossed my mind.

Several people currently staying in Hanam came to mind.

Even though I thought it couldn’t be, my mind had already found the answer.

“…Hmm.”

If my guess is right. Elder Iljang might have gone to see Pae-jon.

Because I knew the two of them had connections.

‘That could get tricky.’

When Pae-jon asked how I knew about his identity, I had sold out Elder Iljang.

It was something I revealed, thinking I’d clean it up later.

If things go like this, Pae-jon might find out if I mess up.

‘So what do I do now?’

What do you mean ‘what do I do’? I’m fucked.

I knew I’d be screwed later, but I didn’t expect to be screwed this soon.

‘Hmm…. I’m screwed.’

Surprisingly, giving up brought a sense of calm.

All I could do now was hope Elder Iljang wouldn’t meet Pae-jon.

“Little brother. What’s wrong? You look upset. Are you hungry?”

“…Do you think I’m you, big sis? Do I look upset when I’m hungry?”

“Suddenly throwing punches with your mouth. My little brother? Are you trying to make me angry, sis?”

“It just means you’re honest with your emotions, which is fine.”

“Enough. Who’s that?”

Gu Huibi pointed a finger at someone.

When I looked, it was Cheol Ji-seon, standing at a distance and watching nervously.

When Gu Huibi pointed at him, Cheol Ji-seon flinched.

“Who are you? Why are you lurking there watching?”

“Hikk…!”

“Come here… Gyaak!”

As Gu Huibi tried to call someone over as usual, Madam Mi stomped on Gu Huibi’s foot.

While Gu Huibi groaned in sudden pain.

Madam Mi smiled slightly as she looked at Cheol Ji-seon.

“I apologize. My daughter hasn’t received enough education yet.”

“Ah, no… it’s alright….”

“Is that so? I heard you’re my son’s friend?”

“Ah… yes. I am Cheol Ji-seon of the Cheol family. I’ve heard much about you.”

“Hey, heard what? When did I ever say….”

“It’s nice to meet you.”

Madam Mi spoke amidst my interrupted words.

“You said you’re Young Master Cheol, right? Please continue to befriend my child.”

“Y-yes….”

Cheol Ji-seon replied, unsure of what to do at Madam Mi’s words.

Perhaps pleased with that reaction, Madam Mi nodded.

Seeing that kind of reaction.

A thought suddenly crossed my mind: if Mother were here, wouldn’t it be just like this?

It was truly an unnecessary and uncomfortable sentiment.

‘…As expected, I should ask Father after the gathering ends.’

It was something I planned to ask once I returned to Gu Clan, but…

Since Father is in Hanam now, I should ask him while I’m at it.

About Mother’s whereabouts, and also about the upcoming Gu-yeom Hwa-ryun Gong.

After thinking that, while Gu Huibi was teasing me a bit more.

Someone from the Maeng faction appeared and delivered a message.

“They say the gathering will begin shortly.”

Hearing that, I got up.

Cheol Ji-seon seemed to have regained his nervousness, which had eased, as his shoulders trembled.

So I just grabbed him and pulled.

Just as we were about to head to the venue.

“Yangcheon-ah.”

Madam Mi called out to me.

I was startled by her call.

It was the first time in years she had called my name.

“Yes…?”

“Once this matter is over. Do you plan to return to Sega?”

This matter.

It was a question asking if I would return to Sega right after the gathering ended.

I pondered for a moment.

In the current situation, returning to Sega would be better in many ways, but…

Because of that, there were several things I needed to do.

“No.”

At my refusal, wrinkles formed between Madam Mi’s brows.

Seeing that expression made me flinch, but…

I also had things to do.

Not only do I need to receive training from Pae-jon, but there are also things I must do simultaneously.

This part was something already discussed and concluded with Pae-jon.

“I don’t think I’ll be returning to Sega.”

“…It seems you have somewhere else to head to.”

“Yes.”

Thinking of the destination in my mind, I told Madam Mi.

“Sichuan. I have some business there.”

Along with the White Horse Stone.

Sichuan, where the secret records of the Geumcheon Yeon family were located.

I intended to head there immediately after my schedule ended.

Ah, right. There was something I hadn’t mentioned yet.

“Friend. Did you hear what I just said?”

“Huh? That I’m going to Sichuan?”

“That’s right. I hadn’t told you yet, but you’re coming too.”

“…Huh…. Huh? Wait, what?”

“You agree? Alright then.”

Cheol Ji-seon replied to my words as if he misheard, but…

It was already far too late.

---

The back mountain of Hanam.

Gu Ryun, Elder Iljang of Gu Clan and known as the ‘Grievous Fist’ in the Central Plains, was climbing the mountain.

“…These crazy bastards.”

Grinding his teeth.

As the huge old man wore a demon-like expression, the surrounding wild animals would often flinch and flee.

Never mind why he was climbing the mountain.

Gu Ryun’s hands were full of food.

“To make an old geezer like me run errands for food.”

If I were just a little younger, I would have grabbed them and beaten them senseless.

Thinking thus, Gu Ryun felt his situation was truly arduous.

Because he met the wrong friends, he was suffering this fate.

Gu Ryun, who had been climbing for a while, finally found a cave that seemed to be his destination.

“…What is this place?”

The moment Gu Ryun surveyed the area around the cave, his body involuntarily flinched.

It was clearly an artificially made cave.

Because traces of intense killing intent remained throughout the cave.

Moreover, the energy felt somewhat familiar.

This is…

‘Is this the work of Biju, that crazy bastard?’

Biju, known as Pae-jon.

His energy could be felt throughout the cave.

To dig out a cave with bare hands.

‘They say he got younger, did his brain get younger too?’

Perhaps so.

Seeing this, Gu Ryun became certain.

That he would never undergo rejuvenation, even if he died.

I’d rather live until I’m smearing shit on the walls than ever undergo rejuvenation.

Lately, I’d considered living longer because the actions of that grandson-like fellow were amusing, but…

Recalling the state of my friend who started this nonsense, I shook my head.

Gu Ryun didn’t realize.

That this cave wasn’t made by Pae-jon, but by Gu Yangcheon, whom he thought of like a grandson.

Following the torches embedded here and there, unknowingly.

In the distance, I spotted the damned guys already having a drinking party.

Unlike his own aged self, one fellow had the appearance of a middle-aged man.

And another looked like he might be in his early twenties.

“You’re late. Gu Ryun.”

Pae-jon, spotting the approaching Gu Ryun, greeted him with a wide smile.

A wine glass was already in his hand.

And there was one more person welcoming Gu Ryun like that; upon confirming the additional person, Gu Ryun immediately threw all the food as if told to receive it.

The man similarly accepted the food nonchalantly and spread it on the ground.

After spreading all the food.

“It’s been a while.”

The man offered his greeting to Gu Ryun.

The white-haired, white-eyed man.

Was the Dark King (Amwang).