Chapter 535: The Beginning of Upheaval.

Night passed, and dawn arrived.

To be precise, it was just around the time the sun was barely starting to rise.

“Hoo…”

Right after briefly finishing my dawn training, I washed my body while facing the wind.

There was the desire to wash off the sweat, but I simply wanted to wash something off, anything at all.

It was also proof of just how frustrated I was.

“…What am I supposed to do?”

I was extremely troubled because of what happened last night.

-Please kill me.

The Dark King, who suddenly appeared, explained his curse to me and earnestly requested that I kill him, but.

To put it in terms of the result, I did not kill the Dark King.

“Kkeung…”

If you ask why I didn’t kill him, the reason was simple.

‘Just because he asked me to kill him, how could I just kill him?’

It wasn’t that killing people was scary.

How could such things be scary now?

Furthermore, it wasn’t that I couldn’t kill the Dark King because I had any other affection for him.

What affection would I have for him?

If I had to find a reason, I just felt uneasy about it.

I understood his wish and the issue of the curse, but for some reason, it felt wrong to kill him.

I don’t know if there was a problem with the curse bound to him, or the fact that I am a dragon, but.

That was truly the reason.

Moreover.

‘There aren’t many situations like this where I can gain information.’

Not only because I felt uneasy, but also because it felt like a waste to just let the Dark King go as he was.

‘He has something he wants from me.’

What the Dark King wanted was clear.

Wishing for the curse entangled with him to be resolved.

Whether he wanted it directly resolved, or wished for liberation through death.

Do you know what the first thought that came to mind was upon hearing this?

‘Can I use that?’

Disgustingly, that was the thought.

Even.

‘I need to know about me too.’

He seemed to know more about dragons than I did, and said that because he had dragon blood, he could use a power called ‘Authority’.

‘Did he say the power from the Dragon Palace was that?’

Not only that, but it seemed that power was the cause of him hindering my training and killing me hundreds of times.

‘So it wasn’t martial arts.’

The true nature of the power, which didn’t seem like martial arts no matter how I looked at it, made more sense once I learned about it.

It was ambiguous to call it a formation.

It was absurd to call it martial arts, so I couldn’t understand it even when recalling it continuously.

‘Rather, if it were a power beyond human capabilities, I could understand.’

Rather, if it were some kind of personal power, that would be better. Moreover, that.

‘Can I use it too?’

If even I, who was no longer human, could use it, it was a welcome story in its own way.

Since my power was sorely lacking, it wasn’t a bad prospect if I could fill it with anything.

The problem is.

‘So… what exactly is a dragon?’

Before that, I simply need to find out what a dragon is.

The Dark King, that is to say, the one who cast the curse on the Yeon family’s bloodline, was presumed to be the Blood Demon.

The Blood Demon is presumed to be a dragon.

‘He called it the Dragon Emperor.’

According to Blood Qi, recalling that he was called the Dragon Emperor, unless something unusual happens, it means the Blood Demon is a dragon.

‘Then, my mother too?’

Recalling my father’s reaction here, I could tell that my mother was also a being beyond human capabilities.

In the first place, since it was called a disaster, I knew she wasn’t human, but.

‘…Is Mother also a dragon?’

I wondered if that was how it had to be seen.

I judged that Father recalling Mother while seeing my changed appearance was perhaps for that reason too.

The Blood Demon is also a dragon.

If Mother is also a dragon.

“…Could the very thing called a disaster simply be ‘dragons’?”

If that’s the case, can it be seen that my becoming this thing called a dragon now is a sacrifice made by a disaster?

“Hmm…”

I’m finding the scattered information, piece by piece, making people pissed off, and trying to fit it all together.

“Somehow, the result felt even more fucked up.”

“…Fuck.”

No matter how I put it, the conclusion is that the fact I seem like a disaster hasn’t changed.

It’s even becoming clearer.

It was undeniably a very shitty situation.

“Because of this, I should have just stayed hidden and lived quietly in the first place, instead of acting out.”

As my initial goal intended, I should have gotten what I needed appropriately and lived hidden away in the mountains.

Why did I end up like this, acting out and saying I’d save the world?

I was dumbfounded.

‘I tried to prevent the Blood Calamity, but I ended up becoming the disaster.’

It was truly laughable.

No, it hasn’t been confirmed that I’m a disaster yet.

Should I hold onto some hope?

‘Bullshit. Would that even work?’

I knew it was an impossible wish, even thinking it myself.

It’s just that the barely held doubt is stopping me from accepting it.

‘If I am the disaster, then there’s a problem regarding the Heavenly Demon.’

The one who caused the Blood Calamity was the Heavenly Demon.

Since I know that, I’ve been running around like crazy trying to prevent the Blood Calamity that will erupt in the future.

In this context, doesn’t it become strange if I am the disaster?

For that one reason alone, even if all arrows point to me, I won’t be able to easily believe it.

“…Noya, don’t you know something?”

Out of frustration, I call out to Noya, but.

[…]

Noya didn’t answer.

“Hmm…”

He wouldn’t be ignoring me deliberately. I also knew the reason.

From the moment I heard last night that the Dark King’s bloodline was cursed.

From then on, Noya’s reaction was unusual, as if he had received a great shock.

[… How… How could that happen….]

Was it lament or shock? Noya uttered that with a trembling voice and hid himself.

He probably isn’t asleep like before; he likely needs time to think.

The Yeon family’s bloodline received the Blood Demon’s curse.

This aspect seemed to be quite a shock for Noya.

I was also curious about this part.

‘What on earth happened?’

Yeon Ilcheon, who sealed the Blood Demon and disappeared.

That man, recorded as a hero in history, his descendant was actually living a life unlike a human, having received the Blood Demon’s curse.

‘To serve a dragon.’

It couldn’t be resolved through death.

To resolve this, it must be passed down to future generations, or the dragon has to lift the curse.

‘What pathetic karma.’

How pathetic must it be for the Dark King to seek salvation, even wishing for his own death?

As for me, it’s something I don’t know well.

However.

“Even so.

‘I cannot just let the Dark King die as he is.’

Even if he finds his life unbearable and asks for death, I cannot simply let it be.

‘I’m sorry, but my position isn’t easy either.’

In this gradually worsening situation, the existence of the Dark King holds considerable value.

Moreover, if he has something he wants from me.

‘…I should make use of him.’

Such an opportunity was rare.

It was also my most favorite situation.

A useful person who has something they want from me.

They are the easiest to handle and the easiest to discard, but.

“…Tsk…”

As I tried to use this, shitty feelings kept rising.

-Please kill me.

The Dark King’s tone, as he earnestly asked to be killed…

Unlike how he was always expressionless, the expression he wore then bothers me.

It’s a truly unpleasant thing.

Not tormenting someone who wants to live, but tormenting someone who wants to die.

It’s a truly disgusting thing.

I knew well that someone who experiences this will truly have their life turn into hell.

That was exactly what I went through in my past life, so how could I not know?

From my perspective, knowing that feeling the best, it’s something I absolutely don’t want to do, yet.

Even knowing this clearly, I couldn’t help it.

To think about such things one by one, the things I need to protect had become too numerous.

“…I’m really pissed off.”

As I recalled that, anger naturally rose.

I wasn’t angry at the situation.

It’s just.

It was anger directed towards myself, who was using even the opponent’s feelings like that.

---

“You’ve arrived.”

Right after finishing washing my face, the place I immediately went to was the Poison King’s residence.

Seeing the Poison King, who had become haggard in the span of a day, I said with a smile.

“Your condition seems quite bad.”

Clearly, although he wasn’t exactly plump, he was not a thin person. In the time I hadn’t seen him, he had become very thin.

‘It’s only been a day though….’

It must mean it was a considerably difficult time.

Whether he knew that himself, the Poison King said to me with a bitter smile.

“…Because there was just so much work.”

The words the Poison King said with a bitter smile were truly heavy.

Is it because I know his situation well?

‘His smiling face isn’t really smiling.’

He couldn’t help it.

An Elder died.

Moreover, it wasn’t just the First Elder who died.

As soon as I heard the news that the First Elder was brutally murdered, the Third Elder and Fourth Elder tried to escape, but they were captured and brought back by an unknown martial artist.

Who that unknown martial artist was is obvious.

‘…He’s quite busy moving around.’

It must be Father. Since he said he’d sort everything out anyway, it seemed he really did it.

He didn’t come home all night, so he must have been busy.

So, the reason the Poison King looks like this is probably that reason.

‘If an Elder died, it’s not the end of it.’

In a noble family, what an Elder holds is not merely a title.

Each would have their own sphere of influence.

The larger the family, the bigger the scale would be.

If three Elders of such a noble family died, what would happen to the forces they were managing?

‘They scatter and collapse.’

The head of the family is the family head.

This is a natural principle, but it’s obvious that worldly affairs aren’t always like that.

Even if the family head is the one to whom loyalty must be sworn, they cannot prevent the forces from uniting under the Elder directly above them.

For example, the Namgung family was like that.

Since the power of the Elder Council was too strong, the Sword King couldn’t exert his power as family head.

‘…As for us, Father just lets it slide.’

The Nine Families are a special case, so let’s move on.

Although not as much as the Namgung family, the Tang Clan’s Elders held power that couldn’t possibly be weak.

The resulting void from the Elders’ deaths must have become a problem.

‘As a result, it’s not the Poison King’s problem…’

I can’t call it the Poison King’s problem that the Elders died because they did things worthy of death.

‘Not having enough time or strength to grasp that must be the problem.’

The situation wasn’t good at all.

It would be hard enough to grasp one force, but I had to grasp three forces simultaneously.

‘Moreover, a major incident has occurred.’

In an already difficult situation, the Tang Clan swaying due to this incident has occurred.

The Poison King ending up like this was natural.

That’s why it was strange.

The person who should be running around sweating profusely even now was perfectly fine in his residence.

“You must still have a lot of work now, so why are you here?”

“Because I knew that Young Master would be coming soon.”

“…Hmm…?”

At the Poison King’s words, I had to tilt my head in confusion.

You knew I would come?

“It wasn’t that I specifically expected it… but I figured Young Master would come.”

“Well now…”

I don’t know what they’ve all seen to predict things about me.

What’s annoying is that most of it is correct.

“Then, you were waiting for me?”

“…I had thanks to convey, and there was something I wanted to ask, so that’s why.”

At those words, I crossed my arms slightly.

I didn’t really need the thanks, but the latter part caught my attention.

“You’ll ask?”

“I heard my daughter collapsed while talking with Young Master.”

“…”

Swish.

I immediately uncrossed the arms I had folded.

Damn it.

“…There were some circumstances regarding that…”

“I’m not trying to blame you, so you don’t need to be tense.”

“Oh, really? Then that’s a relief.”

“…”

Was my innocent reaction the problem?

…No, I said it was fine because you said you weren’t blaming me, so why are you making that face?

“…This was close to a joke. Now I’ll ask the main point.”

“There’s another main point?”

It seemed he wasn’t curious about Tang Soyeol’s story.

Then what could it be?

As I was staring at the Poison King, narrowing my eyes slightly.

Swoosh.

He took out an item from his bosom.

‘Huh?’

As I looked to see what it was, it was a Poison Heaven Pill.

It looked like one of the pills I gave him, and as I was looking at it with the question, ‘Why would he suddenly take that out?’ in mind.

“Young Master Gu.”

“Yes.”

The Poison King said to me.

“I know that you have more Poison Heaven Pills.”

“…!”

At the words I heard, I had to widen my eyes.

…How did he know?

‘Did I mention I had a lot?’

I don’t remember well, but there’s no way I would have.

I know myself well.

If I had eaten that good stuff alone, maybe, but there’s no way I would have honestly said I had more.

Then, how on earth did the Poison King know this?

Unable to know the reason, I looked at him with surprised eyes.

“Haha.”

The Poison King suddenly burst out laughing.

What’s with this guy laughing?

Just as I was wondering if he’d lost his mind.

“I was just testing you. It seems you really do have more.”

“…?”

At the words the Poison King said with a laugh, I let out a gasp.

‘Damn it.’

I realized with a sigh.

That I was the one who had lost my mind, not the Poison King.

‘Is it because there were too many things I heard the day before?’

I could think that, but.

Like this, it’s no help.

It was purely that I was just stupid.

“Tsk, should I give them back?”

Since it was too late to deny it now, I just said it as if confessing.

“With such a reluctant face?”

“Ah, I got caught.”

As I came out confidently, the Poison King’s expression rather became strange.

Although I didn’t like it, the words were true.

If he asks for them back, I have to give them.

In the first place, they belonged to the Tang Clan.

‘…Even if Tang Jemun gave them to me.’

Even so, I intended to give them if the Poison King asked.

Of course, I intended to hide them well and live, but.

Damn it. To get caught so stupidly.

‘…When giving them, should I pocket just three pills?’

Inwardly, I was unknowingly being greedy.

I wanted to give them generously, but since it wasn’t just any item, it was the Poison Heaven Pill, so I felt that way even more.

‘No, three pills or so is fine, right?… I went through hardship too.’

Just as I was wondering how to skim some off, the Poison King says to me.

“If you need them, it’s okay to take them all.”

“Yes?”

You can take them all.

At those words, stopping all my thoughts, I looked into the Poison King’s eyes.

You’re giving them all?

“…”

Hearing his words, I met the Poison King’s eyes.

A strange emotion brushed past.

Should I be grateful for such unreasonable consideration?

Should I say I’m glad I wasn’t robbed?

Or perhaps, should I be happy about this unexpected fortune?

Unfortunately, it was none of the three.

The emotion I felt at the Poison King’s words was coldness.

My eyes turned cold, unknowingly.

As I met the Poison King’s gaze with such eyes, this time, the Poison King reacted.

“…Oh dear, I was hasty. If it becomes like this, did we both make a mistake?”

Just as the Poison King found out what I was hiding.

This time, I figured something out about the Poison King’s side.

“What are you thinking?”

My low, cold voice flowed out and reached the Poison King.

I made a mistake because I was hasty.

He shouldn’t have handed over the Poison Heaven Pills so hastily.

If he was going to do it, he should have done it more delicately.

Only then would I not have noticed the subtle hints contained within.

But he couldn’t do that.

I noticed the hints.

“What are you thinking?”

There’s something.

There was some intention behind the Poison King saying he’d give the Poison Heaven Pills so easily.

“Young Master Gu.”

Fortunately, he doesn’t seem to intend to deny it like I might have. Or rather, perhaps he’s tired of denying it now.

That’s what I thought.

As if to convince me of this, the Poison King, with a tired face, said to me.

“In the near future, perhaps an announcement will be made from the Martial Alliance.”

“…What announcement?”

An announcement? What are they announcing?

“Surely not, are they announcing that the Tang Clan caused trouble?”

Did they really write that down and send it all to the Martial Alliance?

At the unexpected story, I speak up, but.

“That’s not it.”

‘…Is that not it?’

As expected, no matter what, the Poison King wouldn’t have done that himself.

Thinking that, as I was about to nod.

“The story the Alliance will announce is that the Tang Clan will be demoted from the Four Great Families.”

“…?”

A story even more extreme than that burst out.

‘What did I just hear?’

It wasn’t easily interpreted.

I’m sure I heard it clearly, but no matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t understand.

So I asked the Poison King.

“…Clan Head Dang.”

“Speak.”

“Did you perhaps take medicine…? Something strong?”

“…”

At my question, the Poison King’s brow furrowed deeply.