Chapter 540: The Age of Upheaval.

*

It was nearing the time when the carriage preparations would be almost complete.

It finished much faster than expected.

The attendants moved busily, and it was likely also because Moyong Hi-ah took the initiative.

“Should we pack food too?”

“There are too many people for that. It’d be better to stop and buy some along the way.”

“Then I’ll do that.”

My only job was to answer Moyong Hi-ah’s checks from time to time like this.

She could have just handled it herself, but Moyong Hi-ah would always come find me to check.

As I was glancing around with a nod…

“So, are we heading off soon?”

A sleepy voice came from beside me.

It was Woo Hyuk.

Seeing him, I scrunched up my brow.

“Did you just wake up?”

Looking at his state, he really did look like he’d just rolled out of bed.

As expected. Hearing me, Woo Hyuk grinned.

“I just took a short nap. There happened to be a nice sunny spot. Haha.”

“Wipe the sleep from your eyes.”

“Oh dear.”

At my remark, Woo Hyuk hastily rubbed his eyes.

I don’t know why someone with such good looks wanders around looking like that.

Watching him diligently rub his eyes, I asked,

“You said you were coming too, right?”

“Hm?”

“To my home.”

“Ah, right. We agreed to that.”

Woo Hyuk heads towards Gu Clan.

This was decided based on Goe-seon’s movements.

After all, Goe-seon had also decided to go to Gu Clan.

‘…Goe-seon is following Namgung Bi-ah.’

To be precise, it wasn’t so much following as Goe-seon mentioned having business in Shanxi.

‘I think he already got permission from Father.’

Regarding staying at Gu Clan, he apparently discussed it when Father visited.

When did that even happen? Without me realizing it, the group had grown too large.

Moreover….

“I feel like I’m accumulating freeloaders at home…. It’s just my imagination, right?”

“Now that you mention it, I’m hungry. Does your house cook well?”

“We do cook well, but there probably won’t be any food for you.”

“Hey now! No way!”

Woo Hyuk felt particularly sly and smug today.

He already loves sleeping, and now this. Should I just let him sleep forever?

Yeah, let’s do that.

I made up my mind and was about to grab Woo Hyuk when…

“Hyung-nim!”

A voice called out from afar.

I looked to see what it was and saw Pae Woo-cheol.

Seeing him, I widened my eyes.

“What are you doing here?”

“I heard you were leaving today, so I came quickly.”

“Hmph.”

Seeing Pae Woo-cheol smile awkwardly, I let out a sigh.

Pae-ga and Dang-mun are close, but there’s still a considerable distance between them.

He came all the way here to see me off? No, that part is understandable, but…

“…How did you get in?”

It wasn’t a situation where someone could just come if they wanted to.

Dang-mun prohibits entry for outsiders at this time, so how on earth did he break through?

As I pondered that question, looking at Pae Woo-cheol…

“I let him in.”

Someone appeared from behind Pae Woo-cheol.

A man with greenish hair, similar to Tang Soyeol, who looked to be in his early twenties.

“…Great Warrior Dang.”

It was Tang Ju-yeok, the son of the Poison King and the young master of Dang-mun.

He explained the situation to me with a slight smile.

“Since he said he wanted to see off Young Master Gu, I let him in.”

“Is that permissible? Won’t the Poison King scold you?”

“Haha, the Family Head probably doesn’t have time to scold me right now.”

Meaning his own family sect is being destroyed, yet he says it with a laugh.

Thinking about him, I mused.

‘Tang Ju-yeok….’

Honestly, he’s someone I don’t know well.

In my past life, I lived with a certain alias, but I don’t even know what I did, and I don’t recall being a particularly outstanding master.

Just an unremarkable figure.

That’s exactly what I thought, but…

‘It doesn’t seem quite like that.’

The sensation I felt from Tang Ju-yeok was strange.

It wasn’t about skill level, like assessing a martial artist’s realm.

“…Thank you.”

“You shouldn’t thank me for something like this. We’ve received much more.”

Tang Ju-yeok replied with a smile to my thanks, and reached out to gently pat my shoulder.

“Thank you. Young Master Gu.”

“…”

“The Family Head couldn’t come out as he’s busy with matters, but please convey our gratitude to your father, Young Master Gu.”

“…Yes.”

“Ah, and one more thing.”

As he spoke, Tang Ju-yeok leaned slightly closer and whispered in my ear.

“Regarding the matter you requested, permission has been granted.”

“Ah, that’s a relief.”

The thing I had separately requested from the Poison King.

It was the request asking if I could take Na-hi with me.

I had turned her into a demonic being, and the situation required using the jewel.

Naturally, I had to take Na-hi.

So, in the past, I had made a separate request to the Poison King, and it seems he accepted it.

However, the sticking point was that the Poison King’s expression seemed strange when he heard it.

He frowned deeply, looking quite displeased.

Just as I was wondering why…

Tang Ju-yeok spoke to me.

“It was a bit unexpected.”

“What was?”

“Na-hi… while she is beautiful, I didn’t think she’d be your type, Young Master Gu.”

“…What… huh? What did you say?”

I widened my eyes at Tang Ju-yeok’s strange remark.

…My type?

‘Is he crazy?’

Hearing that, I finally understood why the Poison King had looked at me that way.

That guy, could he have possibly thought I wanted Na-hi for other reasons?

“It’s nothing like that. Am I crazy?”

“Does it matter? The saying ‘heroes love beautiful women’ exists for a reason.”

“No, I’m telling you it’s not…!”

“In any case, please take good care of our foolish younger sister. I hope to use a different title next time we meet.”

“…Yes?”

“Hahaha!”

Saying that, he thumped my shoulder.

It didn’t hurt much, but somehow my chest felt heavy.

This felt wrong, so I quickly tried to clear up the misunderstanding.

Just then, Pae Woo-cheol spoke to me.

“Speaking of which, Hyung-nim.”

“Hm?”

“Where is Ji-seon Hyung-nim?”

It was a question about Cheol Ji-seon.

“Ah. That guy.”

Cheol Ji-seon, who had been staying with me in Sichuan, seemed to have changed after meeting Shin-ui. He started going out frequently.

Upon hearing that Shin-ui would be joining this trip, he barricaded himself in another carriage.

‘He probably doesn’t want to see Shin-ui’s face.’

There seemed to be an issue between him and Shin-ui.

So I even asked if he was thinking of going somewhere else,

-…I think I have to go with you.

After saying that, he clammed up.

‘I was planning to drag him along anyway.’

Cheol Ji-seon’s abilities are necessary for me.

If he had insisted on returning to his family sect, I originally intended to stop him, but since he didn’t refuse to come, it was fortunate for me.

‘Otherwise, I would have had to resort to somewhat violent methods to make him come. What a relief.’

As I nodded slightly, Pae Woo-cheol wore a somewhat disappointed expression.

“…It’s a shame. Training with Ji-seon Hyung-nim was quite enjoyable.”

“Weren’t you the only one enjoying it?”

It seemed like Pae Woo-cheol was the one dominating Cheol Ji-seon, unilaterally? And quite roughly, too.

I can still picture Cheol Ji-seon, who looked like he was dying while flailing weakly.

“I just thought Ji-seon Hyung-nim needed some training.”

“Well, yes.”

A withered body, hardly fitting for a martial artist.

A frail disposition and an incredibly timid voice.

From Pae Woo-cheol’s perspective, Cheol Ji-seon might have been frustrating.

However.

“Don’t worry.”

“Hm?”

“Since I’m planning on dominating him from now on anyway.”

“Ah.”

I couldn’t stand seeing him in that state.

In the first place, I intended to put Cheol Ji-seon through the wringer from now on.

‘He probably doesn’t know this, but…’

It might be unfortunate for Cheol Ji-seon, but if I’m keeping him close, I need to train him properly.

I planned to train him enough so he could at least function like a normal person.

As I was thinking that…

“Young Master-nim. Preparations are complete.”

Moyong Hi-ah approached and told me.

Hearing her words, I looked around, and indeed, everything was ready.

And it was done very neatly and tidily.

“…Impressive.”

Anyway, it was clear Moyong Hi-ah excelled in this area.

“Are you departing right away?”

“Yes. Let’s go now.”

There was no need to delay any further.

Although I was busy too, we needed to leave soon so Dang-mun could also proceed with their work more quickly.

I decided to depart immediately.

I clasped my hands together and performed a fist-and-palm salute to Tang Ju-yeok.

“Well then, I shall take my leave.”

This was a courtesy shown not only to Tang Ju-yeok but also to the Poison King.

Knowing that, Tang Ju-yeok quietly returned the salute.

Meanwhile, Pae Woo-cheol still looked regretful, so I vaguely told him to come to Gu Clan next time before moving away.

I immediately boarded the carriage.

Moyong Hi-ah followed and got into my carriage too.

Seeing that, I asked,

“Why are you riding here? Where is Baek-ryeon-geom Seonbae-nim?”

“Didn’t you hear…?”

“Hm? Hear what?”

“My aunt went to Shanxi ahead of us.”

“…What?”

Moyong Hi-ah said that, sounding somewhat weary.

Went to Shanxi ahead of us…?

“…Why…?”

“I don’t know either. And I don’t want to know.”

Moyong Hi-ah said it as if she was fed up, then promptly settled down next to me.

And why did Baek-ryeon-geom go ahead?

No, fundamentally…

‘You said you were my bodyguard, you old hag.’

The person who attached herself to me claiming she’d be my bodyguard forgot her role and acted on her own whim.

She was always an incomprehensible person, but now I decided to give up on understanding her.

She’s probably just a weird middle-aged woman… Thinking that made me feel better.

It was almost time to depart, so I was about to close my eyes for a moment when…

Creak-!

The closed carriage door opened, and someone rushed in.

“Haaahhh…”

The culprit was none other than Tang Soyeol.

The problem was, Tang Soyeol looked far from presentable.

For Tang Soyeol, who usually took good care of herself, her hair was disheveled, and her eyes were filled with deep exhaustion.

“Miss Dang?”

No wonder Moyong Hi-ah asked in surprise.

“…I, I’m tired…”

“…”

Seeing her, I couldn’t help but frown.

Judging by her condition, it seemed related to the Dark King.

Fortunately, she didn’t seem injured, but Tang Soyeol couldn’t even support herself properly and slumped down weakly.

The carriage wasn’t that spacious, so it felt like she was collapsing onto Namgung Bi-ah.

Seeing that, Moyong Hi-ah asked,

“…Should I give her some water?”

“I’m… fine…”

Why did you come here?

That was the question, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask.

Because I knew why Tang Soyeol ended up like this.

“Are you okay?”

This was the only thing I could say right now.

Whether she could come along, whether she had decided to go that way.

I couldn’t ask such things.

When I finally managed to ask,

Tang Soyeol looked at me with tired eyes and gave a faint smile.

“I’m fine.”

“…”

Her voice sounded tired but somehow held steady.

Hearing Tang Soyeol’s answer, I bit my lip.

I had much to say, but nothing I could voice.

Without asking further questions, I too simply closed my eyes.

Hiiing-!

Not long after, the sound of horses neighing powerfully was heard.

The carriage began to move slowly.

‘Are we heading back now.’

It finally felt real.

The reality of returning home, that is.

How long has it been since heading towards Gu Clan?

Amidst the comfort that felt hard-won, a faint sense of unease arose.

Grind-!

The wheels turned.

They seemed to turn hesitantly at first, but as the horses ran, the carriage naturally found its balance.

Closing my tired eyes, I felt that movement.

The jolting sensation and…

The feel of the wind brushing through my hair outside the window.

Even amidst the uncomfortable situation, the fact that one task was completed allowed me to rest for a moment.

Perhaps that was why.

On the road home, I was able to get some proper sleep for the first time in a long while.

And so.

Like the carriage picking up speed, time flowed quickly.