Chapter 571: To Hanam.

Getting up, the place I headed towards was the main gate of Wudang.

As I headed there, several people greeted me upon seeing me.

“Ah, Young Hero Gu!”

Yeongpung and Gu Linghua. And there stood Geomhu, carrying luggage.

“It seems you were already here.”

“Yes.”

Right after Ubong Chwigae said he would finish the interrogation.

Geomhu and the Wudang Sword Sage apparently finished talking separately and wrapped things up.

Afterwards, the Wudang Sword Sage had to move to clean up the incident that broke out at Wudang.

Therefore, since guests couldn’t keep staying in this situation, I had to leave Wudang quickly.

I shift my gaze.

Geomhu is talking with some people from Wudang a little distance away.

From the look of it.

‘Are those people Elder-level too?’

They seemed to be Elders who came out in place of the Wudang Sword Sage.

I took note.

They seem like people I’ll have to meet someday.

Just then.

“Oppa.”

Gu Linghua, who was beside me, spoke to me.

“Hm?”

“…Are we okay?”

Her way of speaking, seeming somewhat anxious, was amusing. Although she wants to appear confident, she was still young.

Sensing that, I ruffled Gu Linghua’s hair roughly.

“What are you freaking out about? Just act like usual.”

“…”

Normally, she would have shrieked ‘Kya!’ and jumped away.

She must have been quite startled, because she stayed still.

“Even Wudang said there was no problem. And your master must have said it was okay, right?”

“…Yeah.”

“Then there shouldn’t be a problem.”

There absolutely must not be.

If there happens to be any, I will burn that problem itself away.

I hate seeing this silly girl cry, that’s why.

“…Then, Oppa, where are you going now?”

“Me?”

To the question, I calmly pondered.

Whether it was okay to leave like this, and where I should go if I did.

‘If it’s my current schedule….’

Originally, I should have returned briefly to the clan.

Since I came this far, there was only one path.

“I think I’ll go to Hanam?”

“Hanam?”

At my words, Gu Linghua widened her eyes, seeming surprised.

Then.

“Young Hero Gu, does that mean perhaps….”

Yeongpung, hearing the words, came closer with his eyes shining.

“Do you intend to participate in the Martial Arts Festival?”

The Dragon Martial Arts Festival, which is held in the summer.

It was a question asking if my steps were aimed at participating in it, and I answered with a smile.

“Yes, well. It looked fun.”

“Ah!”

Hearing the answer, Yeongpung’s expression brightened, seeming excited.

“Then, we’ll get to meet later in Hanam.”

“Hm?”

At those words, I tilted my head.

“Is your master/sect leader going too?”

“Yes. I received permission from the sect leader.”

I thought, ‘Then is this one going to Hanam together too?’

“However, even for this, I think I need to go to Shaanxi first.”

“Ah.”

The precious item in Yeongpung’s arms.

Gui Jing, known as the beloved weapon of the Hwasan Sword Saint, was held in Yeongpung’s arms.

It seems he received it after finishing discussions with Wudang.

‘Hmm.’

Briefly examining that precious item, I looked at Yeongpung again.

“Then we’ll be able to meet later.”

Many words came to mind, but I deliberately didn’t say them.

Was I imagining things?

I felt a slight warmth brush past my left arm.

I deliberately ignored this too.

I just applied more pressure with the hand that was stroking Gu Linghua’s hair.

“You too. Let’s see each other next time.”

“Already…?”

When I said that as if saying goodbye, Gu Linghua replied, sounding surprised.

Hearing that, I said, as if finding it absurd.

“Then, would I chase after you all the way to Shaanxi?”

“B, But… It’s only been a few days…”

“Then, will you follow me?”

“…”

“Otherwise, just follow your master obediently.”

When I said that, Gu Linghua suddenly grabbed my collar.

As I looked, wondering what it was.

“…Then, this time… please accept my letter.”

“Ah…”

Gu Linghua said that with teary eyes.

I nodded awkwardly.

“I’ll try my best.”

Although I probably wouldn’t, I had to give a proper answer.

As I was comforting Gu Linghua like that, Geomhu came over here this time.

“Let’s go now.”

Her expression doesn’t look very good.

‘Of course.’

It wasn’t like something good happened, and she didn’t receive good treatment either, so it’s natural she’s like this.

Shifting my gaze slightly, I looked at the martial artists who came with Geomhu.

They are Taoists from Wudang.

Seeing their demeanor, I could realize why they came.

‘Those are… escorts?’

Geomhu is going along, so you might wonder why escorts are needed, but…

Since she was carrying the precious item received back from Wudang, it was appropriate for Wudang to provide direct escort for a certain distance.

They are sending a few disciples along for the journey.

They probably won’t go all the way and will return midway, but just that alone will create justification.

Wudang did its best in returning the precious item.

That kind of justification, I mean.

‘It’s just for show, looking at it.’

This seemed to be included as a reason for Geomhu’s displeasure too.

Recalling that, I too approached Geomhu and said.

“Then, I will head off first.”

When I said I was leaving casually.

Geomhu looked at me and said.

“Are you leaving already?”

“Yes, I’m a bit busy.”

“You won’t be leaving right away… Why don’t we have a meal together before you go?”

Geomhu kindly said this, but…

I had to refuse with a smile.

“Besides, Linghua…”

“I’m sorry. I’m pressed for time, so I’ll eat with you next time.”

It wasn’t meant in any particular way.

It’s just that I’m really busy.

It’s just that time is too tight.

Maybe because I said it a bit firmly, I saw Geomhu smile bitterly.

“Fine… Then I guess it can’t be helped.”

Although her disappointment was evident, she seemed to understand since I said I was busy.

Gu Linghua was still holding my collar, as if not wanting to let go, but…

“I will visit you next time.”

I carefully detached the child’s hand, and then…

Turned my back right away.

Whether it was fortunate or not, the sound calling me didn’t reach my ears.

Or perhaps, I deliberately tried not to hear.

Trying to forget somehow, I moved my steps pretending to be cheerful, but…

My toes felt particularly heavy.

---

Afterwards, after leaving Wudang, time passed.

I was walking through a certain cave.

Light dimly entered through the collapsed ceiling.

It was moonlight.

Slosh.

I continued walking, trampling through the water pooled on the floor.

Perhaps due to the humidity, moss filled the walls. Touching the wall with my fingertips, I could clearly feel the moisture.

Feeling the clammy touch, I clicked my tongue.

“Tsk, why pick a place like this of all places?”

If we’re talking distance, it could be said to be somewhere between Hubei and Hanam.

A place a little distance from Wudang.

I told them to pick and enter a place as secluded as possible, and it seemed they chose a spot where truly no one would be.

Slosh.

Ignoring the annoying sound, I kept walking.

It’s a cave I don’t know how long has been here.

Places like this are so numerous, so there was nothing special, but…

Every time I enter or exit caves like this, useless memories would come to mind.

On a day when it rained incessantly.

The memory of running then, carrying a bleeding woman on my back until my legs tore.

Recalling that time, I find myself unconsciously smirking.

Now that I’ve arrived here, passing through those memories, should I express it as having a fresh feeling in my own way?

Recalling that thought, I let out a hollow laugh.

‘It seems too peaceful to express it like that.’

I knew well that it wasn’t the word used at times like this.

“Hey.”

A voice was heard from behind.

When I turned my head, the first thing I saw was Seong Yul standing there with his characteristic pale face.

He hadn’t said a word throughout the movement, but now he finally spoke.

“What.”

“Here… for what business did you seek this place?”

Hearing those words, I let out a slight smile.

It must have looked quite strange even to that guy’s eyes.

“To meet someone.”

“…Here?”

At my answer, Seong Yul made a strange expression.

It was natural. Anyone could see it wasn’t a place to meet people.

“Tell me about it.”

I didn’t want to meet in a place like this either, but…

It couldn’t be helped.

“They said everyone was gathered here.”

Since the people were already gathered at this point.

As I brought up the words, I moved my steps again.

I clenched my fist slightly.

Vwoom-!

My internal energy moved, swirling around my body once before returning.

It was to check my condition.

‘Tsk.’

Naturally, my condition wasn’t good.

My body wouldn’t have fully healed just because a day passed, but I still had to check.

Because I had to calculate the time.

‘At most two months from now.’

The letter kept within my embrace.

And to divert the attention and position of the Wudang Sword Sage from the demonic faction.

Furthermore, the Dragon Martial Arts Festival, which is held to select the new Dragon Guard.

It meant that, at best, two months remained until that happens.

If that’s the case.

‘About a month is lacking.’

If my body is expected to take three months to fully heal.

It meant about a month was short.

‘…If it’s two months, it would recover to some extent.’

That’s not enough.

This was the most crucial turning point, and the part you could truly call the ‘start’ of the plan.

I had to create the most optimal situation possible.

‘Tsk.’

‘In the first place, it would have been better if I had adjusted a bit more.’

‘Because I inserted going to Wudang, things turned out this way.’

Originally, the plan to visit Wudang wasn’t for now.

Normally, it should have been winter of this year at the latest.

‘It overlapped with Shin Noya’s matter. Trying to proceed with both, it got a bit tangled.’

If Yeongpung, whom I suddenly encountered, hadn’t just said he became the successor of the Hwasan Sword Saint, I wouldn’t have urgently changed course to Wudang.

Then the incident of suffering internal injuries would not have happened, but…

‘It can’t be helped.’

This was something I had to see somehow.

So I diverted the plan, even if it meant overexerting myself somewhat.

Fortunately, there were results.

‘First of all, Yeongpung’s energy and the fact that the precious item Wudang possessed was real.’

I don’t know what happened in the past that they were storing the precious item there, but…

The precious item they held was real.

That means…

‘What could this thing be?’

What is this thing tied to my left arm?

If that’s real, then this one must be fake.

For this one to be fake, Shin Noya couldn’t possibly not have recognized it.

As another possibility.

‘In the first place, if there were two.’

There was also the possibility that the precious item was originally two.

Considering Shin Noya never said the precious item was one.

That possibility was sufficient.

But.

‘Something is strange.’

For that to be the case, there were many strange parts.

‘Yeongpung said he heard a voice.’

Clearly, Yeongpung had said he heard the voice of remnant consciousness left by Shin Noya.

‘Shin Noya left remnant consciousness?’

Previously.

That gentleman’s remnant consciousness was contained within my body.

Even Shin Noya was in a situation where he didn’t know why his remnant consciousness was dormant.

In such a situation, Noya left remnant consciousness warning of danger?

‘The story doesn’t add up.’

Clearly, something is twisted.

The fact that there are two Gui Jings,

The remnant consciousness Yeongpung saw,

Even the energy that Yeongpung now possesses.

It was clear something was twisted.

‘I should have investigated a bit more back then.’

Instead of sending Yeongpung back to Hwasan, I should have held onto him a bit longer and confirmed, but…

Knowing this clearly, there was a reason I sent him.

‘Anyway, we did say we’d meet again in Hanam.’

Furthermore, Yeongpung’s reactions towards me were also bothersome.

When the precious item brought by Wudang rushed towards me, Yeongpung’s reaction upon seeing it.

‘The subtle energy contained within it.’

The unpleasant sensation faintly felt from Yeongpung.

That was definitely a familiar yet shitty feeling.

Normally, I would have kept him beside me and checked him here and there, but…

‘It’s awkward to be beside him right now.’

Somehow, my instincts were telling me.

That I shouldn’t be beside Yeongpung right now.

Anyway, since he said he’d come to the martial arts festival, we’ll see each other in Hanam in the near future.

Since my remaining schedule is tight, it was a judgment I had to make unavoidably.

‘Anyway… this too would be a solved matter if only Shin Noya were here.’

It would have been a convenient story if only that ill-tempered old man were here.

It’s just regrettable that I can’t.

‘Who am I to blame?’

Even knowing this clearly, there are no words I can say.

The reason the old man in my stomach, who was loudly chattering away, disappeared was none other than because of me.

Yes, Noya isn’t here.

Shin Noya is now…

‘Probably in another world.’

It was a pact.

Clunk.

Organizing my thoughts, as I walked for a while, I eventually found myself blocked by a wall.

It looked like I should turn, but I didn’t.

I reached out my hand towards the wall without hesitation.

Then.

Woooong-!

Miraculously, my hand went through the wall.

In the first place, this means the wall itself is illusory.

Seeing that, I had to suppress a smirk.

“They’ve really done it thoroughly.”

It’s an illusion formation.

It hasn’t even been a few days since arriving, yet they laid out this level of formation in front.

“You don’t have to do it to this extent.”

Anyway, they never listen to what I say.

I immediately moved my feet.

Voom-!

My body passed through the wall.

The situation inside wasn’t much different from the outside.

If there was a noticeable difference.

It was terribly quiet.

The sound of the wind.

Even the sound of dripping water flowing down the wall.

It was a chilling silence where none of that could be heard.

I turned my gaze.

The crumbling ceiling and the moonlight coming down through the gaps were impressive.

The moss I saw at the entrance had spread wider, and…

Rocks jutting out here and there surrounded the area.

And above them.

I felt ten pairs of eyes quietly looking this way.

Three pairs were ordinary pupils, and…

All the remaining pupils were dyed purple and shone brilliantly.

Seeing that, I opened my mouth.

“Greetings seem unnecessarily bothersome.”

I’ll skip the unnecessary talk.

“Let’s get straight to the point.”

At those words, the inside of the cave shook.

It felt like killing intent, and like fighting spirit.

Rough energies clumped together and gathered in the air.

“Three months from now. We…”

Looking at them, I uttered the words. Although my tone was calm, my voice was drenched in annoyance.

The words spoken like that,

“Will attack Hanam.”