Chapter 852: Ilcheonkyo.

Slurp.

Something was flowing from the corner of my mouth.

Ilcheonggeom wiped the corner of his mouth with a trembling hand. It was blood. Blood was flowing from the corner of his mouth.

How about the pain? The cheek that was hit felt like it was tearing apart. It felt like I had a fever, and the burning sensation was intense.

What kind of situation was this? Ilcheonggeom couldn’t understand the current situation.

I was lying down. Why was I lying down?

And. What was that gaze?

Ilcheonggeom looked up at the gaze staring down at him. Blue eyes were looking into him.

The expression was invisible on the shadowed face.

Grrrrr. The goosebumps that erupted on my body gradually tightened around my neck. As the strength drained from my body, the killing intent that permeated the surroundings began to affect me.

‘Kkkhh….’

My body stiffened from the killing intent. It was a disgusting sensation.

I somehow gathered my inner energy. As the energy spread through my body again, my breathing returned. However, the pain remained the same.

‘…Just now.’

What on earth had happened? I recalled it repeatedly, but still couldn’t understand. How could it possibly…?

Ilcheonggeom, his eyes wide with surprise, asked Gu Yangcheon.

“…You bastard. You were hiding your strength.”

KWAANG-!

“Kuhuk!”

My head snapped back from the impact.

It was the same this time. I couldn’t perceive what had hit me.

“That’s not an answer to my question.”

Gu Yangcheon grabbed Ilcheonggeom’s shaking hair, holding his head still.

“Don’t you know?”

“…W-what… what are you talking about…”

What could he possibly mean? Ilcheonggeom couldn’t tell. The only thing he could know instinctively was…

‘Something’s wrong.’

Gu Yangcheon, standing before him, was somehow strange. The smirk he usually wore was gone. He just stared at him with a blank expression.

Yet.

‘W-what is this.’

Why was this so terrifying? It wasn’t difficult to recognize that the emotion surging within him was fear.

“Hoo… hoo…”

My gaze kept darting away. I couldn’t look into those eyes for long. Because it felt like I would be devoured if I kept looking.

Finally, Ilcheonggeom averted his gaze from Gu Yangcheon.

“Mm.”

Gu Yangcheon nodded upon seeing that. And then.

KWAAANG-!

“Kk.”

He swung his fist and struck Ilcheonggeom’s head once more. It was stronger than before. Energy seemed to have seeped into it, as a blast of wind erupted the moment of impact.

Flump. Ilcheonggeom’s body collapsed limply onto the ground. Blood trickled from his nose, soaking the ground.

Seeing that, those around them fell silent.

Could it be…

‘Did he kill him…?’

‘Did he kill him?’

‘Our Great Leader killed Ilcheonggeom…?’

Everyone was thinking the same thing. Blood flowed profusely, and Ilcheonggeom was motionless, making it seem like he was surely dead, but…

Gu Yangcheon nudged the motionless Ilcheonggeom with his foot and spoke.

“He’s not dead, so take him away.”

“Huh?”

He’s not dead? Looking like that…?

“Take him and keep him alive. This guy can’t die right now.”

“…What does that mean…”

“Aren’t you going to do it?”

“…”

He can’t die ‘right now’. That phrase struck everyone’s ears.

It was calm. Yet chilling.

How could words spoken with such a blank expression be so chilling?

He had always been someone who created a sense of distance, but the Gu Yangcheon of now was vastly different.

‘A different person.’

He was a completely different person from the one I knew.

The way he was enveloped in killing intent like that, and the gaze he cast upon those around him – it was all different.

Whereas before, he had treated people properly, even if somewhat fiercely, now it was as if…

‘He’s looking at them like cattle.’

Something that didn’t even see them as human. His eyes were like those looking at a stone lying on the ground.

That was incredibly chilling.

Ilcheonggeom was carried away by the subordinates. Seeing his limp hand, he truly seemed to have lost consciousness.

Gu Yangcheon, watching this calmly, turned his head.

Not the slightest hint of emotion could be felt.

Gu Yangcheon scanned his surroundings.

Those whose gazes accidentally brushed past his trembled violently, some even losing the strength in their legs.

The killing intent had faded slightly, but it was still emanating.

“Proceed with the search.”

The voice, spoken calmly, sounded strangely loud.

The subordinates couldn’t answer readily.

However, as if an answer wasn’t needed, Gu Yangcheon looked somewhere and then crouched slightly.

“Young Master…! Wait…!”

At that action, Tang Soyeol urgently called out to Gu Yangcheon, but…

KOOUNG–!!!

Gu Yangcheon leaped straight up, kicking up an immense cloud of dust.

As he grew farther away, the killing intent that had permeated the area dissipated.

Only then did those around them begin to breathe raggedly.

“…Young Master…”

Sensing Gu Yangcheon’s receding presence, Tang Soyeol bit her lip.

---

Why did I do that? I pondered it deeply.

I shouldn’t have done that back then. At the same time, I blamed myself.

‘I shouldn’t have called him.’

I knew Ilcheonggeom was watching. So I should have avoided calling him.

Was it because of the killing intent I was emitting that he came to watch? Or did he come to watch for some other reason?

I should have figured that out first.

Even if I had called him, it would have been the same. I shouldn’t have shown that strength to him. I shouldn’t have questioned if he knew something, nor should I have lashed out just because his tone was irritating.

Didn’t I have a plan for today in the first place? I had clearly made a plan to use Ilcheonggeom.

‘Why did I do that?’

I myself ruined the work I had painstakingly prepared until now.

Truly, why did I do that? Even I couldn’t understand.

It was just…

Really, just…

‘It was bothersome.’

Everything felt bothersome.

Thinking about things. Making plans and dealing with them one by one.

I let go of the reason I had tried so hard to hold onto in an instant.

What were the eyes looking at me back then like? They were probably eyes filled with fear.

Yes, just like in my past life. The eyes of those who looked at me in my past life were like that.

Even Tang Soyeol was like that. I remember how she couldn’t look at me properly.

Because I subtly disliked that, I wanted to live differently. But I let even this go.

Why did I do that?

I had sworn never to do that, yet…

How could I have given up so effortlessly?

The justification burned away. Everything was done solely for the sake of justification.

So that even if I caused trouble, there would be no repercussions. This was the work I had done until now, solely for that purpose.

‘I don’t know.’

Now, I didn’t even want to think about that.

There was only one thing I could do in this situation.

Keeping Ilcheonggeom alive without killing him.

That was the only thing I could barely manage.

No, I didn’t even want to do that. Why should I keep such a crude fellow alive?

The guys around were the same.

There’s no need to keep them alive. Furthermore, there was no need for me to keep them around.

Wouldn’t it be better to just kill them all and go on my way?

That was the thought I was having then.

What’s funny is that I’m still thinking that’s the right thing to do.

Something’s wrong. I realized I was thinking differently than usual, but I questioned whether it was truly wrong.

‘This is the original me.’

Since when have I been altruistic and rational? If I didn’t like something, I’d destroy it without a second thought – that was me.

Holding nothing for anyone.

Containing nothing.

No, even if I did contain something, I had to do it without anyone knowing I had contained it.

Surely, it was like that…

-Do you think you’ve changed? No. You haven’t changed.

Remembering the words I heard, my eyes gradually darkened.

That’s correct. Seeing this state, I haven’t changed.

I’m just living pretending to have changed.

KOONG-!

Falling to the ground, the shockwave erupted. The middle of the forest became a mess.

The location wasn’t the west forest. Rather, the opposite side. I intended to find the kids, and the reason for coming all the way here was none other than…

“Is this the place?”

-Yes.

I narrowed my eyes at the previous message. It was Amwang.

-It’s not certain, but… The last known location was around here.

“…Understood.”

The location where Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-ah might have been. That place was here.

Amwang and the others hadn’t been watching the two constantly, so even if it wasn’t the exact location, knowing it was around here was sufficient.

Since Namgung Bi-ah herself was involved, it was highly unlikely they moved normally. Even with Wi Seol-ah involved, she likely went along with Namgung Bi-ah’s opinion.

Because the two, though seemingly different, were somewhat similar.

Grip.

Strength gathered throughout my body, starting from my heart. The opened acupoints were painful, but I paid them no mind.

I spread my internal energy sensing to the maximum. Countless pieces of information flooded in through my ears and nose.

I caught and discarded them all. That wasn’t what I was looking for.

‘Where are they.’

A minuscule trace. Something subtle that Wi Seol-ah and Namgung Bi-ah might have left behind. Or perhaps the presence of those two.

It would be best if nothing had happened, but I already knew that wasn’t the case.

The two had reached the Hwajing realm. They had even achieved a faint Sword Intent, so they weren’t easily defeated anywhere, but…

‘Something’s here.’

The Sect Leader of Gyechen was plotting something, and I was aware it was no ordinary matter. That’s why I had intended to approach more cautiously. But now that things had turned out like this… not a shred of that thought remained.

WHOOOOOSH—!!

I spread my internal energy sensing to its limit. It’s truly the limit. My internal energy sensing had become extremely heightened after consuming the White Horse Stone last time, and I pushed it to the very last extent possible.

My head throbbed, and my heart kept increasing its pace.

“…Don’t you feel anything?”

I asked Amwang while catching my breath, but…

[There is nothing yet.]

Even Amwang couldn’t easily grasp it.

Should I then assume there’s nothing?

‘No.’

There is something. I felt such certainty.

The reason was purely instinct, but I trusted it.

“I’ll search here, so can you search the other side?”

[I shall obey.]

To prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, I sent Amwang to the west while I maintained my sensing. The pain grew stronger, and its aftereffects began to affect my body.

Drip.

A stream of blood flowed from my nose. It was because I had forcibly used the acupoints, which were still swollen and unfamiliar.

‘Was it my mistake?’

Was my gut feeling that this was the right place wrong? I don’t know.

‘…Fine, let me concentrate just a little more.’

Even if this place isn’t it, I’ll do everything I can. Only then could I move on to somewhere else.

Little by little.

Even more little by little.

I increased the sensing, which had reached its limit, even further beyond mere maintenance.

The burden on my body?

I didn’t care.

While I was projecting it like that for a long time.

Hummm.

“…”

I felt something faintly from within. I immediately recalled my sensing.

At the same time, wiping the blood flowing from my nose and mouth, my eyes lit up.

“I found it.”

It was indeed this place.

---

A somewhat damp and quiet space. A faint moisture could be felt in the air I inhaled. Moreover, the space was wide and dark.

What kind of space could this be for? It didn’t seem like a naturally formed cave. That made sense, as a natural cave wouldn’t have walls this angular.

Therefore, Wi Seol-ah, leaning against the dim wall while surveying the space, spoke.

“Unni. We’ll get scolded a lot when we go back, won’t we?”

“…Yeah.”

Namgung Bi-ah affirmed Wi Seol-ah’s words. She was sure it would be like that.

Maybe we’ll get scolded quite a bit this time?

“…This is serious.”

“Yeah…”

“Couldn’t we just go back now…?”

“Seol-ah…”

“Yes.”

“…Do you… know the way?”

“…”

Wi Seol-ah fell silent at Namgung Bi-ah’s words. It hit the mark.

She wasn’t as bad with directions as Namgung Bi-ah, but something here felt strange.

‘At some point, I lost the way.’

Where this place was. How far down we had come. I couldn’t quite grasp it.

“…It feels like something’s been overlaid onto this space itself.”

“Yeah…”

Namgung Bi-ah nodded. Watching her, Wi Seol-ah let out a low sigh.

“…Really. You were the one who suggested we go back because we’d get scolded. How could you come right in?”

“…Sorry…”

Namgung Bi-ah chose an apology over an excuse. It was indeed her fault.

When she heard Gu Yangcheon mentioned, her body moved before she could think, and… that was…

“No. I’m sorry… It’s not like I can blame you either.”

Wi Seol-ah was the same. If Namgung Bi-ah hadn’t gone, she would have rushed forward anyway.

“The problem is… I don’t even know how much time has passed.”

The return time had probably long passed. Since the two hadn’t returned, the others would surely take action.

“Ideally, I hope the Young Master doesn’t move, but… that’s unlikely, right?”

“Yeah.”

The two were certain. That person would definitely search for them.

That was the worry. Worried about what kind of trouble he might cause while searching recklessly. Worried it might be their fault.

“We need to get out quickly.”

Wi Seol-ah scanned the darkness, her golden eyes shining.

‘If this isn’t it either, then where on earth could it be.’

We had already taken quite a few turns. We had gone down, and we had gone up.

If we went down, how far down did we go? If we went up, how far up did we go?

In the first place, how could such a vast space exist underground? That alone was incomprehensible.

‘We even lost the ones following us.’

We had secretly followed them by their voices, but we ended up losing the ones we were tailing midway.

With no escape route in sight, it was a desperate situation.

Just then.

Grip.

“Unni?”

Namgung Bi-ah grabbed Wi Seol-ah’s collar. As Wi Seol-ah looked back as if asking what was wrong,

“Let’s… go check it out first.”

She pointed straight ahead with her fingertip.

Before them stood a massive iron gate. A gate that seemed disproportionately huge compared to the walls and ceiling.

It was a gate they found while searching for a path. The two were hiding their presence in front of the gate.

Should we end up going inside? Wi Seol-ah pondered for a moment.

“…”

No particular method came to mind. Besides…

‘Something…’

Something is bothering me. That was the thought Wi Seol-ah had the moment she saw the gate.

There’s something behind that gate. More precisely, it felt like something was inside.

“…Shall we go?”

“Yeah.”

Wi Seol-ah and Namgung Bi-ah moved cautiously, scanning their surroundings. Soon they reached the iron gate, and the two began examining it from various angles.

To look at, it was just a rusty, old iron gate. Nothing special seemed apparent.

Especially.

“There’s no doorknob.”

There wasn’t even a doorknob, which is necessary to open a door. Then how on earth are we supposed to open it?

Should we push it open? Wi Seol-ah tentatively reached out and touched the door, thinking ‘no way’.

At that moment.

Hwaaak–!!

The door suddenly emitted light. Wi Seol-ah and Namgung Bi-ah immediately gripped their swords.

Kiiik.

The door began to open slowly, making a noise. The inside was visible through the small gap as the door opened.

“Huh?”

Seeing that, Wi Seol-ah let out a gasp.