Chapter 568: To Hanam.

After meeting Woobong Chwigae-nim.

We started packing our bags almost immediately after returning to our quarters. This was because, contrary to our expectation that it would take a long time, things were handled quickly.

“[Since Woobong Chwigae-nim has confirmed it, there’s no need for further discussion.]”

That was the message conveyed to us by the Wudang Geomseon, who hadn’t shown their face since we arrived at Wudang. It was a simple statement, essentially saying that since the Leader of the Kaebang had concluded the interrogation, there was no need for further meetings. However, from our perspective, it was a truly absurd statement.

‘So, they’ve seen all they needed to see, and now we’re unnecessary?’

We came as guests, yet they were saying that after showing their face just once at the beginning, that was the end of it. Mind you, Geomhu would eventually go as our representative to conclude the talks, but… It felt like they didn’t really want to converse much with us, the later generation disciples. I really wanted to believe this was just my own petty inferiority complex talking.

But that wasn’t the only thing bothering me.

‘Still, it’s a bit strange that they wouldn’t even come to see me.’

I wasn’t trying to brag. This was an objective assessment. With me, and even Geomryong, who might become the next Sword King, and Gu Ryeonghwa, who is known as a disciple of Geomhu, present, the Wudang Geomseon wouldn’t show their face? This was quite a problematic situation. It meant they weren’t intending to make a good impression on the later generation disciples who might one day rule the Central Plains.

‘Someone who values their standing so much, you’d think.’

What was the reason for going out of their way to bring the Leader of the Kaebang? It might have been intended to investigate the matter of the Pungun Gwido or the truth behind the attack, but… I suspected there was another motive hidden beneath that. Of course.

‘That was a motive of sorts, too.’

I had anticipated the Wudang Geomseon acting this way. In fact, I had hoped for it.

‘Though I didn’t expect Woobong Chwigae-nim to come personally.’

I just didn’t expect the Leader of the Kaebang to show up like this. At the very least, I knew some members of the Kaebang would accompany him.

‘…Because that’s how it should be.’

The reason for this expectation was simple. The first reason was the matter of the Pungun Gwido I mentioned before. As I kept saying, even if it wasn’t because of the Mount Hua Sect’s issues, Wudang needed attention, so they likely intended to use the Kaebang to spread rumors. Something like, “[Wudang, chosen by the Pungun Gwido].”

The problem was… that in trying to leverage this, the Wudang Geomseon mentioned the Pungun Gwido, which prompted Woobong Chwigae-nim to act. From my perspective, this was quite a troublesome development. I didn’t know Woobong Chwigae-nim well, and there was a possibility he might notice something, which made me inwardly anxious, but…

‘It passed more easily than I expected.’

Fortunately, no problems arose. This was truly an unexpected situation. And, thanks to that.

‘It turned out for the better, actually.’

It wasn’t what I had hoped for, but it turned into a somewhat favorable situation. The reason being:

‘Not only was Wudang attacked, but Woobong Chwigae-nim acted to confirm it.’

This alone would surely create quite a buzz. What’s also important is:

‘That the Wudang Geomseon wants this.’

The Wudang Geomseon must be hoping for such rumors to spread far and wide. And then.

‘The Cheonma who attacked this place will likely be packaged and spread throughout the Central Plains.’

It had to be that way. Only then would there be justification for Wudang being attacked, and even for the success of that attack. The Cheonma is strong. So strong that Wudang, without the Wudang Geomseon, couldn’t stop them. And they are villains who oppose the Alliance. That’s how the story needs to be spread. If they want to protect Wudang’s reputation and mobilize the Alliance to capture this Cheonma fellow, they absolutely must do so. Rather than the perception that Wudang was defeated by some nameless grunt. It’s much better if the perception is that they were defeated by an overwhelmingly powerful expert.

‘Not bad.’

Up to that point, it was beneficial for me too. If it stopped there, that is.

I shifted my gaze. Amidst the blowing wind, towards the heart of Wudang beyond the trees. I stared at where they were, my eyes chillingly calm.

‘I wish I had killed one or two more.’

I killed Woobaek. I corrupted Jicheol into a demonic being and made him take his own life. I killed two pillars of Wudang’s future and present, but… It still wasn’t enough.

‘What a shame.’

I should have killed a few more. It was the best I could do according to the plan, so it couldn’t be helped, but the regret remains. I had intended to kill all of Wudang’s elders. If I had done that.

‘Wouldn’t that have eased that guy’s anger a bit?’

I recalled the past with a bitter smile. The face of my friend, who used to follow me around annoyingly, flashed through my mind. He always annoyed me, earning all sorts of curses, yet he never left… But in the end, he didn’t. I remembered his last words to me.

“[Go on ahead. Thanks.]”

Those were the words of a guy bleeding while holding back countless demons.

Fucking idiot.

‘What was there to be thankful for?’

His inexplicable gratitude remained deep within my heart. Why did he throw away his precious life, trying to do something, when he could have just abandoned a useless idiot like me and looked after himself? If he had survived by doing so, maybe. The Sleeping Dragon ultimately died. On that day, Wudang’s brightest star lost its light.

Do you know what’s ironic about this? The Sleeping Dragon fell like a star for me, but… the ones who caused that star to fall were none other than this Wudang. By the time I learned this fact, it was far too late. Only then did I try to burn those bastards to death, but at the time, the Cheonma had ordered me not to touch Wudang. I don’t know why the Cheonma gave me such an order, but… What matters is the fact that Wudang drove the Sleeping Dragon to his death. Why? Why did Wudang have to kill their brightest star like that? I don’t know. I don’t know, and I don’t care. All I see is the fact that they killed the Sleeping Dragon. So, I just needed to focus on that.

And the culprit behind this scheme…

‘Is among the elders.’

It’s uncertain whether the Wudang Geomseon was involved, but there’s definitely someone among the elders. I don’t know exactly who it is. I don’t even know how many there are. It didn’t matter anyway. If I don’t know exactly who the culprit is.

‘I’ll just kill them all.’

I just need to kill all the suspicious ones. That would solve the problem.

“Tsk.”

It’s a shame. That I have to stop here, lest my carefully laid plans go awry. I couldn’t help it.

‘I decided that, so I must stick to it.’

When I decided to leave after finishing my training, I had set a rule for myself. Even if I sought revenge, I would keep it secondary, ensuring it didn’t interfere with the tasks at hand. Trying to do more here would be a clear obstruction. So, I must endure.

‘For now, at least.’

Let’s endure for now. I’ve prepared for the right time, so let’s endure. I had to keep telling myself that.

“Hmm.”

I took a short breath and composed myself. I circulated my internal energy, cooling my emotions. Woong-! As the energy flowed, my head felt refreshingly cool. However.

Zzzzt.

“…Ghh…”

As I tried to circulate my energy, I felt a pain in my chest. It was probably due to internal injuries. I had to grit my teeth and endure the pain, which was stronger than expected.

‘…I guess I need to visit a physician.’

According to my schedule, I was supposed to head straight to Hanam, but it seems I’ll need to see a physician midway. Especially since my plans have gained momentum, I need to gather ‘them’ and discuss things, not just see a physician.

‘Since Jiseon must have gone to the Hwangbo Clan. I’ll have someone tell him to come to Hanam.’

What about the others? As I was tidying my clothes and pondering this,

Sarak.

“…!”

A foreign sensation brushed past me. I turned my head at the sound. I had to hold my breath at the sight before me. Someone was sitting on the table in the quarters where there should have been absolutely no one.

“Hoho.”

The Leader of the Kaebang, Woobong Chwigae Do-bong. He was somehow already sitting on my table. He had even prepared tea, though I had no idea when. I broke out in a cold sweat looking at the old man.

‘Seriously… when did he appear?’

I hadn’t sensed anything at all. Not when the old man entered the quarters, nor even when he was casually brewing tea like that. I felt nothing.

‘Is it because of my internal injuries?’

My disrupted energy flow prevented me from sensing the old man’s movements. Or perhaps.

‘I didn’t sense him at all.’

There’s also the possibility that I couldn’t sense the old man’s presence from the start. Given who he is, that is.

‘…Pungun Gwido.’

The legendary thief no one could catch. Recalling the old man’s past, it seemed entirely possible.

‘Now is not the time for this.’

Before it was too late, I raised my hands. It was to assume a formal posture.

“…Greetings to the Leader of the Kaebang.”

“Hoho. It’s alright. I came rather suddenly, so you don’t need to do that. Rather, I am the one who should apologize.”

As I offered my respects, Woobong Chwigae raised his hand, stopping me.

“You seem startled, and I apologize.”

“…No, you are not.”

Wouldn’t I be startled? I swallowed the words that threatened to burst out.

‘Why has he come?’

Wasn’t the business concluded? My tension mounted. As I maintained my expression, unsure of his intentions, Woobong Chwigae asked me.

“I came in such a hurry because I have something I need to ask you.”

Just as I wondered what he could possibly want to ask.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes…?”

At Woobong Chwigae’s question, my body froze stiff for a moment.

“You looked quite unwell.”

“…”

Woobong Chwigae’s words made my eyes narrow involuntarily. Furthermore, my heart sank, growing cold. All sorts of thoughts flashed through my mind in an instant, yet I had to try my best not to change my expression.

“What are you suddenly talking about…?”

“Hoho.”

Woobong Chwigae chuckled at my strained words. He certainly looked like he was laughing, but the sound of his laughter struck me like a blade. It felt cold, and sharp.

“Child of the Gu family.”

Woobong Chwigae spoke.

“You seem adept at concealing things with your energy, but there’s a slight flaw.”

Hulook.

The sound of swallowing echoed unusually loudly.

“Even if one cannot see the inside, subtle differences visible from the outside cannot be hidden. For example, your gait.”

“…!”

“Even the slightest pain in your fingertips would show a difference. Unfortunately, it seems you’re not skilled at hiding such things.”

Did he deduce that I was injured from my outward actions, even though I concealed my internal injuries with my energy?

‘No way.’

I was doing my utmost to avoid revealing this. And yet, I was discovered in such a brief moment?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Despite the chaos inside me, the words I spoke were steady.

“Hoho.”

Seeing that, Woobong Chwigae laughed again, as if amused.

“Don’t be so tense. I only said it out of concern. If you wish to hide it, then do so.”

“I am perfectly fine, Leader-nim.”

“Hmm.”

It sounded like he might let it slide at first glance, but… I couldn’t admit it here either. I had to keep pretending ignorance until the very end. Even if I had been found out.

“Fine. If you say so, then so be it.”

Woobong Chwigae nodded at my persistent denials.

“Then, may I ask you something else?”

“…”

Before I could even grant permission, Woobong Chwigae continued speaking.

“Child. If you erase all traces, is there one thing you cannot erase properly? Do you know what it is?”

Saying that, the old man casually placed something on the table.

“…!”

Seeing it made me frown.

Yeomyeong.

It was a treasured artifact of Wudang, kept by the Mount Hua Sect. The very artifact I had tried to steal this time. Why was Woobong Chwigae holding that? Before such a question could even cross my mind. Woobong Chwigae looked at me and began to speak.

“It’s the scent. No matter what traces you erase, a scent doesn’t disappear easily. That’s why I wanted to ask.”

Hearing him, I racked my brain. I had to recall.

“How your scent came to remain on this artifact. Child. Do you happen to know the reason?”

A way to kill Woobong Chwigae right here, right now. I had to figure it out somehow.