Chapter 791: Control Your Strength.

Hoooooong-!

The barrier I’d put up shook violently.

It was partly a problem stemming from my inability to control my energy properly, but the main reason was the old man’s words, which were utterly shocking.

“…What do you mean by that?”

I glared at the old man, my eyes narrowed.

Did you turn back time? The old man had definitely asked me that.

‘What is this.’

My mind, suddenly cooled, raced.

How could he know that to ask me?

No way.

‘…Is this old man a regressioner too?’

I’m already aware that there was another regressioner besides me.

Whether their nature was turning back time or coming from another world, I didn’t know.

It wouldn’t be strange if there was another person ahead of me.

Therefore, I watched the old man, filled with wariness.

Could the first leader of the Baekhwa Merchant Guild truly be a regressioner?

As I was looking at him, recalling all sorts of thoughts.

Dalkkak-.

The old man placed down the teacup he was holding and immediately continued speaking.

“I heard it in passing. The things Il Gongja has accomplished are so immense for your age that I just blurted out a thought, wondering if perhaps that was the case.”

“…”

“Seeing Il Gongja’s reaction, it seems my joke was perhaps a bit too much. I apologize.”

“…It was… a joke.”

“Hmm?”

The old man tilted his head, giving me a peculiar look.

“So, are you saying you actually turned back time?”

“No. That’s impossible. It’s absolutely impossible.”

Haha.

I said, forcing a laugh and even waving my hands dismissively.

“It was just such an absurd thing to say that I was momentarily flustered. Turning back time… that’s nonsensical, isn’t it?”

As I spoke, hiding my fluster, the old man watched me intently.

‘Is he suspicious?’

It was incredibly awkward.

Whether he knew something and was probing, or was suspicious because my reaction seemed odd, it was hard to tell.

‘Damn it.’

It reminded me of how Noyaa and others around me always said I was terrible at acting, especially at times like this.

If I had known beforehand and prepared my reaction, it would have been different. But with the sudden mention of regression, my mind went completely blank.

No matter how much I tried to play dumb, it seemed too late. Just as I was agonizing over this.

“I don’t think it’s something that doesn’t make sense.”

“Pardon?”

The old man looked at me and spoke calmly.

“Il Gongja. When you live as a merchant, you see… you see very many people.”

Pretending to listen intently, I continued to rack my brain.

“Some say they came from another world. There were also those who claimed ‘this body isn’t mine’ and were actually the greatest martial artist of the previous generation. You encounter all sorts of people.”

“Aren’t those just crazy people?”

Coming from another world, or this body not being mine-what kind of crazy talk is that?

‘They don’t seem sane?’

It was absurd talk.

“Do you believe that…?”

“I don’t believe it.”

“However.”

“But, I don’t think it’s all lies either.”

“Pardon?”

“The world is full of things more nonsensical than that. And since I am not perfect enough to have certainty, I cannot dismiss it all as impossible.”

“…”

There was an unseen barb hidden within his calmly spoken words.

“Il Gongja.”

“…Yes.”

“Although I started with a joke. Your circumstances aren’t particularly important to me.”

“…”

Cold sweat trickled down my back.

How should I describe this feeling?

It felt like a chill was blowing from somewhere, though it wasn’t cold. A chilling sensation, as if thousands of sharp daggers were aimed at me from all directions.

He knows everything.

That old man knows everything about me.

It felt like that sensation pierced the crown of my head.

‘Sseup….’

I felt this way when I faced Mukyeon too. But this feels even worse.

What should I do?

Worries flashed through my mind, but there weren’t many options anyway.

“I don’t quite understand what circumstances you’re referring to… but first, what is the reason you summoned me?”

I don’t care about that stuff. What’s the reason you called me?

At times like this, it was important to just barge ahead recklessly.

I wasn’t confident enough to properly play dumb. Besides, it wasn’t even a rational suspicion.

So I narrowed my eyes slightly and spoke. The old man watched me calmly, and soon reacted.

“Ah, right. The reason. Yes… the reason.”

The old man nodded a few times, as if he had momentarily forgotten.

“My apologies. As I get older, I keep getting this forgetful habit.”

“…”

“Right… I had summoned Il Gongja.”

What is this? Has he lost his mind?

The conversation felt like it kept veering off track.

“…Why did I call him?”

“…”

He really seems to be losing his mind?

The old man stared blankly into the air for a moment, then his eyes widened.

“Ah. I remember now….”

“…Ah, yes. That’s a relief.”

“I see. I was going to ask you something.”

“Yes… I will listen attentively.”

What was he going to ask this time?

Unlike before, I waited for his words, filled with tension.

Then.

“It’s nothing else. Il Gongja.”

“Yes. Elder.”

“Do you have any intention of becoming the head of the family?”

“…”

Once again, the old man posed an unexpected question.

“…Suddenly?”

“Yes.”

“That’s completely out of the blue.”

Do you intend to become the head of the family?

At the question asking that, my head involuntarily nodded.

“Why are you curious about that?”

My tone automatically turned sharp. The discomfort was clearly evident.

To summon me here just to ask that?

Random topics had been coming up one after another, and I was starting to get annoyed.

“I don’t understand why you’re asking, Elder.”

And after specifically asking me to spread the barrier, this is all you ask now?

“The head of the family. Well…”

Will I become the head of the Gu family?

I hadn’t really thought about it deeply.

That’s understandable, because…

“That’s not something I can decide.”

“The choice is made by the head of the family, sir.”

More accurately, it would be the influence of my father and the elders.

Even if I desperately didn’t want to do it.

It wasn’t something I could control.

Even if I didn’t want to do it.

Or even if my other sisters wanted to do it.

The decision regarding this is solely made by my father, the head of the family.

There’s nothing I can do.

‘The only thing I can do is probably run away.’

Running away from home because I don’t want to do it.

I could probably do that much.

In fact, I had done something with that intention in my previous life.

However.

“I truly don’t understand why you, Elder, are curious about this.”

Why would this old man be curious about something like this?

Especially someone I’ve never even seen in my previous life.

‘Perhaps, is he really doing this because of his granddaughters?’

That guy whose position as young master of the family was solidified.

Since that guy has been increasingly exerting influence, did he come here because that bothers him?

It seemed like the most plausible reason.

He probably wouldn’t like it.

That the child of a concubine, not even of his own bloodline, would beat the children of the main wife and ascend to head of the family.

If that’s why he came here, I really have nothing to say.

“What effect would my becoming the head of the family have on you, Elder?”

“An effect… It’s not entirely without effect. After all, my daughter is involved.”

As expected.

Is it really because of Madam Mi and Gu Huibi, Gu Yeounseo?

“If that’s the problem, I have nothing to say. As I said earlier….”

“So, if you were made head of the family, you would have the intention to accept it.”

“…”

If made head of the family, would you do it?

I had to frown at that question.

“…Well…”

It’s about time I inherited the position of young master of the family. Head of the family…

“That is also not a matter for me to decide.”

“It’s not a position one can easily obtain just by wanting it. Nor is it something one can refuse just by not wanting it.”

“…”

Would that answer suffice?

The old man’s gaze remained unchanged, despite my words spoken while hiding my true feelings.

Does this mean it wasn’t the answer he wanted?

“Il Gongja.”

“Yes. Elder.”

“Il Gongja, do you know what the head of the Gu family signifies?”

“…Pardon?”

“Before that, Gongja. My question is, do you know the exact meaning of the Gu family (俱家)?”

“Isn’t it something like, roughly, a family that sticks together?”

Like other places, what profound meaning could a family’s motto possibly hold?

It’s the same for Namgung, Moyong, and any other family. I know they don’t obsess over their mottos.

“Is that really an important part?”

“Seeing Gongja’s reaction, I asked because you seemed unaware.”

“Unaware?”

The meaning of the Gu family and the significance of the head of the family.

That I don’t know?

‘This is ridiculous.’

It’s so absurd I could almost laugh emptily.

How dare you presume to know.

How dare this old geezer, who hasn’t experienced anything, presume to know.

“Then, do you know, Elder? The meaning of my family.”

“I know at least more than Il Gongja does.”

“Then, please tell me. What exactly is it that you know, Elder?”

What on earth does he know to act so arrogantly? It’s a ridiculous situation.

So, let him just say it. I’m setting the stage for him.

“Hmm. The Gu family, you see…”

Kwaang-!

Just as the old man was about to speak. The closed door opened, and someone entered.

The one who entered with a commotion was Madam Mi.

‘Damn.’

I had spread the barrier just in case someone might intrude, but I hadn’t sealed it off. It seemed that became a problem.

Madam Mi entered with a flushed face and stepped inside the barrier.

“Madam Mi…?”

“What is this you’re doing right now?”

Before I could even ask what was wrong, Madam Mi approached the old man and spoke in a chilling voice.

At that voice, the old man also shifted his gaze and looked at Madam Mi.

“Guild Master. What is this you’re doing? Interrupting mid-conversation. This seems like you’ve crossed the line quite a bit.”

“Wait a moment…”

“It wasn’t me trying to cross the line, it was you.”

“…”

My mouth shut itself.

Had I ever felt such great anger in Madam Mi’s voice before? It was probably the first time.

“Don’t you know that’s an act of overstepping?”

“Is it wrong to try and inform someone of what they don’t know?”

“It’s wrong because you tried to inform someone of something they don’t need to know right now.”

“You’re wrong. Wrongdoing is not knowing what one should know. And the ones who created this situation are the sinners.”

“You are not the one who can judge that wrongdoing. It’s just useless meddling.”

A verbal argument began instantly, without an inch of concession. It was too fierce to be considered a conversation between a mother and daughter.

After a few more exchanges like that.

“As I said again, Guild Master. I am still talking with Il Gongja. So, would you please leave?”

When the old man spoke to Madam Mi, she immediately looked at me.

“Il Gongja.”

“Yes? Yes….”

“I’m sorry. Thank you for visiting today, but I think we’ll have to meet next time. It seems this conversation with him will take a while.”

“No… I, uh, I think I should probably hear that too-“

“Please.”

“Yes….”

I walked away without looking back. It wasn’t because she asked. It was because Madam Mi’s eyes, despite her polite tone, were intensely frightening. It seemed like a situation where I wouldn’t be able to hear more, even if I wanted to.

‘…’

Why the head of the Gu family is called Gu Clan. And. What position the head of the family holds. Whether that old man truly knows about this. Doubts arose, but I wouldn’t hear it now.

‘…Tsk.’

I considered just sitting there stubbornly, but then…

Huuk-!

After withdrawing the surrounding energy, I walked away, leaving Madam Mi behind.

“…Well then, I’ll see you next time.”

No answer came.

Hiding my lingering unease, I grabbed the door.

Deureureuk tak-!

The door closed right after.

Right after Gu Yangcheon left.

“Mujin.”

Mi Hyoran softly called someone. At that moment, energy spread out from the center of the room.

Huuk-!

The barrier had been spread once again.

Wind made of energy brushed past Madam Mi. Her neatly kept hair swayed, and her eyes, imbued with a chilling aura, turned towards the old man.

“What are you doing?”

“Do you want me to repeat what I just said?”

The old man replied while surveying his surroundings.

“It seems you’ve installed Listening Fish Stones (聽漁石).”

Cheong-eoseok.

It was a mystical item installed in a room that allowed one to hear what happened inside. Its range was narrow, the distance limit for eavesdropping was prohibitively low, and it wasn’t difficult to identify the item, so it wasn’t commonly used.

“Yes. Because I don’t know what kind of nonsense you might speak.”

“Guild Master, it seems you’ve learned such tricks while I wasn’t looking. Or perhaps.”

The old man’s colorless eyes turned towards Mi Hyoran.

“That means that child has become precious to you, hasn’t she?”

“…”

His tone changed. Hearing this, a crack formed between Madam Mi’s brows.

“To the point where you treat the father you meet after more than ten years so coldly.”

As the word ‘father’ was spoken, Mi Hyoran’s brow furrowed even more deeply.

“Are you thinking of playing the father now? It’s truly too late for that.”

The anger evident on her face was clear. Seeing that, a faint smile touched the old man’s lips.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you angry.”

“Don’t change the subject.”

“Are you that afraid of letting that child know the truth? You know as well as I do that she will eventually find out.”

The young man who had briefly faced him. The bloodline of the Gu family, and the only son of the head of the family. He recalled the fellow named Gu Yangcheon, who had been causing a stir in the Central Plains recently.

“It’s a pointless act.”

“So, did you appear here just to deliberately say that? After decades, this is what you show up for?”

“It was for both reasons. If I didn’t do this, you wouldn’t talk to me.”

“Don’t make excuses. I wasn’t the one who refused to talk and left arbitrarily.”

Hearing the reply, Mi Hyoran’s voice grew louder.

“You’re still as self-willed as ever. How dare you, someone who isn’t the head of the family, try to speak of that matter?”

Kwaang-!

Mi Hyoran’s slender hand struck the wooden table forcefully.

Jureureuk.

The cup overturned, spilling tea onto the floor. The flowing tea soon dripped onto the ground, soaking the carpet. Even while watching that scene, the old man’s attitude remained unchanged.

“Being self-willed is inherent to one’s nature, so what can be done about it?”

“Are you calling that…!”

“So you were the same. Ignoring me, your father, you chose that rock-like man of the Gu family, didn’t you?”

“…”

The rock-like man of the Gu family. When those words were spoken, Mi Hyoran’s mouth was shut this time.

“I definitely said. That he was a storm. That he could make no one bow their head, and that to achieve his destined karma, he would eventually abandon you too. One could tell that just by looking at the monster disguised as a woman next to him.”

Mi Hyoran’s arm, resting on the table, trembled for a moment.

“My brilliant daughter. You said back then. That he would overcome everything in the end.”

“…That was…”

“Now that I look back, how is it? Did that guy overcome everything as you wished?”

“…”

“It’s laughable. That guy didn’t overcome anything. Instead, he offered a vessel to contain a storm like himself. It was truly amazing. Was it perhaps to ensure his successor would carry on his karma? If so….”

“Watch your mouth.”

At the suppressed tone, the old man’s eyebrows twitched this time.

“There is no one in this world who can insult that person and that child in front of me.”

Swish. Mi Hyoran’s hand, which was on the table, dropped.

Drip-! Something dropped, beading onto the floor where the tea was flowing. They were drops of blood from Mi Hyoran’s hand. She must have hit the table quite hard, as her hand was wounded.

“That applies to you too.”

Mi Hyoran spoke as if pain meant nothing, her voice laced with venom.

“…Haha.”

Seeing that, the old man suddenly burst into laughter. However.

“You are still trapped in lingering attachment.”

The smile he held for a moment vanished quickly.

“The lingering attachment that you believe you could be by his side. You still haven’t let go of that attachment.”

“Why do you still not understand? My daughter. That is something people like us cannot do.”

Kku-uk.

Mi Hyoran clenched her wounded hand tightly. The more she did, the deeper the blood flowed.

“I told you to at least discard your inner feelings if you were going to leave, but you still haven’t discarded them.”

“I have never once thought it was impossible. And that… won’t change even as time passes-“

“How much of that time do you think is left?”

“…”

At the old man’s words, Mi Hyoran, who was speaking, choked on her breath.

“Do you think there is still time left?”

“…You.”

“Seeing the grown child of that fellow, I could tell.”

His presence, having grown uncontrollably, resembling his father. Many people would see that and consider it unreasonable. How could he possess such power at that age? How could he reach that place? Numerous people would be curious about this, but the old man wasn’t curious about such things. Perhaps it’s natural.

“There isn’t much time left.”

To inherit the karma, they had to be born as unreasonable beings.

“You know that better than anyone, don’t you?”

Generation after generation, the born members of the Gu family were such beings.

“That guy, barely wearing the guise of a human, will soon inherit the will for his karma. If his child is ready, it’s something that will inevitably happen.”

The head of the Gu family. The meaning it holds.

“Becoming a vessel to accept sin. Thus, discarding human emotions, leaving only the conviction to uphold the law.”

If that happens.

“Daughter. If that happens, do you think he will remain the person you wanted to be by his side?”

“…”

Mi Hyoran could not give any answer to the old man’s words.

“Do not hold onto hope. By then, he will no longer be the person you knew. No, he won’t even be considered human in the first place.”

Only the vessel remains. What do you think is contained within it?

“That timing will accelerate as that child gets ready… No, perhaps.”

The old man then looked at the door Gu Yangcheon had left through and murmured softly.

“…He might already be ready.”

For some reason, guilt seemed to seep into the old man’s eyes as he said that.

*****************

Seu-eueu.

In the middle of a cave where wind seeped in. The silent space, where no sign of presence could be felt, was only dark. Nothing could be seen. Not a single thing was visible.

Within such a space.

Cheolkeong.

Cheolkeong.

As if trying to eliminate the silence, short sounds mixed in. Very deep inside the space. This was the sound coming from there.

What on earth could this sound be for? The question didn’t last long.

The center where the sound was heard. In the extreme darkness where one couldn’t see an inch ahead, an anomaly appeared.

Hwareureuk-!

Sparks burst forth. The sparks that burst forth in an instant were small, but as if declaring they were by no means weak, they instantly burst light in all directions. The surroundings brightened, revealing what was inside. Only then could I understand the reason for the sound.

In one corner of the space, there was an enormous door. A door so huge it was hard to measure its size. It was enough to make one question how such a door could exist within this space.

Between the huge door, proportionate to its size, large iron chains wrapped around the door panel.

Cheolkeong-!

This sound came from the chains. The sound made as the chains shook. It’s the sound of chains desperately trying to open, screaming.

The chains blocking the tightly shut door, and the door trembling, wanting to open immediately. And.

Kugugugugugu-!

There was a figure sweating while holding onto those chains and the door. A body quite large for a human. His entire body was packed with muscle, and as much muscle as there was, his body was densely covered in scars. He was a giant like Mount Tai compared to humans, but seemed incredibly small compared to the iron chains he was holding.

Such a being was holding onto the chains with all his might, enduring. It was considerably difficult to hold on, as sweat dripped down. His arms trembled violently, his eyes were bloodshot, but the man didn’t let out a single groan.

“…”

He just put more strength into the chains he was holding. It was a firm attitude of never letting go. Just as the man was tightly gripping the chains.

Hwareureuk-!

Flames erupted, forming tendrils, and burrowed towards the chains.

Chwareureuk.

The tendrils stuck to the chains, starting to hold the trembling chains steady. The trembling chains tightened their grip on the door. Then the trembling stopped, and the sound was no longer heard.

“…”

Only after seeing that did the man release the chains. The parts he had been holding were covered in blood. The man’s hands were also mangled, their skin torn off. Although the pain must have been immense because of that, the man maintained a blank expression.

Towards such a man.

“You’re amazing.”

An old man with red eyes approached.

“To think you could actually endure this.”

At the old man’s words, the man slowly turned his head.

“You’ve arrived.”

His deep voice and expression conveyed exhaustion.

“How was it? Was it worth trying?”

“…”

Hearing the question, the man looked back at the door. The door he had been holding with all his might until just now was engulfed in flames and didn’t even budge.

“Don’t look disappointed. Honestly, I didn’t expect you could endure this much.”

“I’m not disappointed.”

“Then that’s fortunate.”

Kkeulkkle.

The old man chuckled. At the sound of laughter, the man looked at the old man, his gaze directed not at his face, but at his arm. The sleeve of his loose left arm. The old man was missing his original arm.

“Ah, this.”

Noticing his gaze, the old man said with a smile.

“Something happened, you see. Why? Are you curious?”

“I’m not curious.”

“How cold.”

“…”

Leaving the old man’s reaction behind, the man reached out his hand to the side.

Huuk-!

The martial arts uniform lying on the floor was lifted and pulled into his hand. He immediately put on the uniform. It was an incredibly indifferent reaction. Seeing that, the old man spoke.

“Your grandson has quite the spirit.”

His tone sounded as if he was just considering playing a prank.

He flinched.

At the words he heard, the man’s head moved. Seeing his reaction, the old man’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.

“That’s a more interesting expression than I expected.”

“Did you go meet that child?”

“Don’t make such a scary face. As a grandfather, I just wanted to see my grandson’s face.”

Kugugugung-!

Even at the old man’s words, the inside of the cave vibrated greatly. The battle intent radiating from the man’s body was the cause.

“What did you do?”

“Hmm.”

As if amused by that reaction, the old man wore a peculiar expression.

“If I say I did something, what will you do?”

Kugugu…gu…

The vibration stopped after the question. Was there no reaction? It seemed so, but this was a precursor.

“Kkeulkkle.”

Seeing that, the old man slightly raised his hand.

“How frightening. You might even strike this father.”

“…”

“Don’t worry. As my precious grandson, before being your child, I didn’t do anything special. I really just saw his face, so don’t get so worked up.”

At the old man’s words, the man, who had been watching him calmly, eventually turned his head, as if relaxing his body. If it weren’t for those words just now, what would have happened? What would that stubborn child have done to me? The old man was curious about that for a moment, but decided not to confirm it unnecessarily. Because that wasn’t what was important right now.

“Son.”

The old man continued.

“Don’t forget. Before that time passes, that the child must be placed in the position of young master of the family. And, before it’s too late… that you must come to this position.”

“…I am aware.”

“Yes, you must be aware.”

Hwareureuk.

Gradually, flames began to rise from the man, Gu Cheol-un’s, body.

“That is our karma.”

“…”

He didn’t utter a reply. He simply entrusted his body to the flames. There was a place he had to head to immediately, leaving this spot.

Thus, Gu Cheol-un became flames and faded from the spot.

The space where no one remained. Within it, the old man calmly moved his steps. His position was right before the door. Approaching slowly, the old man standing before the door spoke.

“How truly sorrowful.”

The old man’s expression, as he spoke those words. Unlike his words, not a trace of emotion could be felt.