Chapter 919: So in the end.

The place I returned to after leaving Gu Bong was the building I had been in just before.

Fortunately, it wasn’t too far, and since I’d memorized the way there and back, finding it was easy, but… it ended up taking quite a while to finally arrive.

The reason being.

‘I’m still not over it.’

Because there wasn’t enough time to vent the rage that had reached the top of my head.

‘Damn bastard.’

The more I thought about Gu Bong, the more annoyed I became.

‘I should have just beaten him more.’

Enough to the point where he couldn’t even get up, couldn’t even come to his senses.

I should have messed him up so badly that he wouldn’t be able to recover for at least half a year. Not being able to do so became my lingering regret.

“Hooouuu….”

I sighed and swept my hair back.

Of course, that didn’t help my anger subside.

‘Someone like that is considered a disciple.’

Since he seemed to be someone Noy-nim cherished, I tried to see him in a better light. Or rather, I was slightly regretting having beaten him up so badly, but…

‘Why bother with such an idiot?’

All those feelings vanished in an instant.

It was the moment Gu Bong finally threw his pride away and knelt.

Bang.

I roughly pushed the door open, and the people inside were startled.

By then, more people had gathered inside than before.

They were the disciples I saw earlier, along with those waiting inside.

They were busy rolling their eyes as they looked at me.

The meaning behind their expressions was simple.

‘Who the hell are those guys?’

I could clearly feel that kind of look, but I put aside any explanations and pointed at someone with an annoyed expression.

“You there.”

“Uh, yes? M-me?”

“Yes, you. Come here.”

I beckoned him repeatedly with my finger, and the guy I pointed at approached with a bewildered look.

This guy was one of the disciples who had raised his voice against that guy called Baek Doe-ryeong earlier.

“What was that guy earlier?”

“Yes…?”

“You know, Baek whatever. That idiot bastard. What was he?”

When I asked what the guy from earlier was, his expression turned quizzical.

It was less a ‘Why are you asking that?’ look and more a ‘How could you not know that?’ expression.

“Explain quickly.”

As I growled and scowled, he flinched and opened his mouth.

“He’s… he’s the successor of the Baekseok family.”

“The Baekseok family?”

“Yes… His name is Baek Wool.”

Baek Wool. That seemed to be the name of that Baek Doe-ryeong fellow.

That’s settled, so next…

“What is the Baekseok family?”

“Yes…?”

“If you ask again, I’ll pull out your tongue so you can’t.”

“…They are one of the three great noble families existing in Yae Wol Gung.”

“Three great… Is that impressive?”

“…Y-yes. They are one of the few pureblood-maintaining families and receive the direct protection of a General…”

Pureblood-maintaining. The phrase, which I seemed to hear rather often, was bothersome, but the important part was what came after.

‘The General’s protection?’

“What’s a General?”

“…?”

“Your expression.”

“Ah. Yes…”

Seeing as he looked at me like I was an idiot, I pointed it out, and he finally relaxed his expression.

Only then did I ask again.

“What is a General?”

“They are the four beings who serve under the Master of Man Gye…”

“…Hmm.”

I narrowed my eyes. Serving under the Master.

Whenever talk about my mother came up, it was quite awkward to react.

So, I tried to ignore it and asked the next question.

“…And nobles?”

“It refers to the purebloods who have received the General’s protection.”

“And that pureblood fellow is Baek whatever?”

“Yes… That’s correct.”

“Are Generals or nobles really that great? Enough to make people tremble like that?”

“…”

“Fuck, your expression.”

“…In this land, the words of those bearing the protection are law. Since they are chosen by the Master, it’s only natural.”

Hmm.

Hearing that, various thoughts crossed my mind. The fact that he said it without a hint of trembling meant that what he said was true, and the idea that it’s natural because the Master chose them must also be considered natural here.

That means.

‘The Master and those under them here hold a significant position.’

They are treated as something far greater than I imagined.

In that case.

“Why do guys like that clash with Hwasan?”

“That is…”

The disciple who was speaking glanced around nervously. He seemed to be contemplating whether he was allowed to speak.

As he kept hesitating, just as I was considering forcing him to speak,

“It’s alright, please explain….”

A voice came from behind.

It was Gu Bong, who had entered belatedly after opening the door.

I glanced at him.

His expression was quite sour, and he seemed to be deep in thought.

“…The Hwasan Sect… has no purebloods within its ranks, and the majority haven’t even received the Master’s protection, so they don’t possess much power.”

“Haven’t received protection, you say…”

I didn’t know exactly what that meant, but judging by the reactions of the gatekeepers I saw earlier and that Baek whatever guy, I knew it was a pretty big deal in this world.

“This is also a problem that arose because our Sect Leader, pitying our deficiencies, accepted us without rest…”

The disciple’s eyes were filled with sadness as he spoke.

“Not only the General’s protection, but also because people who haven’t even been permitted by the Master have gathered… the public’s perception…”

“So.”

I cut off the disciple’s words and said.

“You think it’s pathetic that only a bunch of riff-raff are gathered here, so you ignore us. Is that what you’re saying?”

“…”

As if confirming my statement, the disciple’s face contorted.

“So you’re suffering that humiliation even just for exchanging groceries?”

“It can’t be helped… We barely managed to get through this much…”

“No. Okay, that’s all fine, but.”

There was something I didn’t understand.

Protection, Generals, whatever the hell. I understood that things weren’t great, but…

“Does your Sect Leader know about this situation?”

“…”

Did Shin Noy-nim know that his disciples were going through this?

I could answer that part with certainty.

‘He wouldn’t know.’

Knowing that old man’s personality, if he had known, he wouldn’t have stayed quiet.

“…I think he probably doesn’t know the specifics.”

As if proving my point, the disciple answered evasively.

Just as I thought.

If so.

“Why wouldn’t he know? It seems like a structure where he couldn’t not know.”

“It’s probably because the Sect Leader… is forbidden from accessing other countries.”

It wasn’t the disciple who answered, but Gu Bong.

“Forbidden?”

“Yes. The Sect Leader is not only barred from accessing other countries but is also prohibited from intervening in matters.”

“Why?”

“Because that is the contract that allows Hwasan to exist.”

“Hmm…”

Hearing that, I vaguely recalled something that happened before.

Was it the leader? That black ox bastard said something.

‘He said something about breaking a contract or a pact?’

Noy-nim had argued with him about that, saying it wasn’t the case.

“So Noy-nim can’t go anywhere else, which is why he wouldn’t know?”

“Yes. The Sect Leader wouldn’t know… and furthermore, I hope he doesn’t.”

“Why?”

I asked Gu Bong, my question filled with doubt. The statement ‘I hope he doesn’t know’ sounded strange.

“He embraced us when we had nowhere else to go and raised us with affection… I don’t want to cause him any more worry.”

I almost made a contemptuous face at the mention of being raised with affection, but I held back.

Then, with a blank expression, I asked.

“So, that bullshit about ‘if only I kneel, it’ll be fine’ is for that reason?”

“…”

Gu Bong’s silence was an affirmation.

Haha.

Seeing that, I burst out laughing.

I thought it before, and the same applies now.

“Idiot.”

“…”

Gu Bong didn’t say anything even after my words.

‘What? “I don’t want to cause him worry”?’

It’s not even funny.

I’m genuinely dumbfounded.

“You guys, you know nothing about that old man.”

“What…”

“Do you really think that old man knows nothing about this matter?”

As if that were possible.

There was no way that shrewd and cunning old man would ever be like that.

‘So that’s why he sent me.’

Now I finally understood clearly.

‘That damn old man.’

Does he mean he’s making me do it because he can’t?’

It’s absurd.

Thinking that, I started walking.

At the same time, I looked at Cheon Ma and said.

“You stay put and don’t follow. If you follow, you’ll really be screwed.”

“…”

Cheon Ma, who was about to move anyway, stopped abruptly.

As I suddenly moved, Gu Bong looked at me and asked.

“…Sir. Where are you going? You should return to Hwasan right now-“

Without looking at him, I replied to his words.

“Wait here, I’m going to earn my keep.”

More than that right now, it was time to run an errand I didn’t even know about myself.

**********

A massive mansion located east of Yae Wol Gung.

It was the place others called the Baekseok family.

People rushed into the place, shouting.

“Emergency-!”

“The young master is injured…!”

Chaos suddenly erupted inside as people carried someone in.

Baek Wool, the family successor, was carried in by guards with his face in a mess, and those who saw him rushed over in a panic.

“The young master is in critical condition! Call a healer immediately!”

“Hurry up and move!”

“Kkeueueu….”

A great commotion broke out.

Baek Wool was continuously bleeding from his mouth, and the servants, faces pale, had to run around everywhere.

Were they worried about Baek Wool being injured? No.

That wasn’t important at all.

What they truly feared now was…

“What happened-“

A low voice echoed, shaking the interior.

Hearing that, all the servants simultaneously stopped moving.

At that moment.

Krrrrrrreung-!

A low growl, like that of a tiger, was heard.

Along with it, killing intent enveloped the surroundings.

“Kkeuk… Kkeugeuk…”

“Keoheok…”

Feeling a pressure tightening around their necks, everyone knelt.

Amidst those unable to stand properly, someone slowly took a step forward.

Every time he moved, snow-white hair swept across the floor.

It was extremely long and coarse hair.

Moreover, since the being’s stature was just under eight feet, the hair appeared even longer by comparison.

The being, having passed through the servants, looked at the fallen Baek Wool.

The moment he saw him, veins bulged on his brow.

“What happened?”

“L-Leader…”

“I asked what happened.”

Krrrrrrrrrr–!!!

As the man spoke, a roar mixed into his voice.

The entire building shook with that voice.

“Hieek…”

The man who heard the question trembled violently.

His body was gradually being crushed by fear.

“Answer me.”

“…Th-that is…”

Kkeugeugeuk…. The man dug his nails into his trembling body.

If he couldn’t answer now, he would die.

It was better to feel pain.

He had to answer somehow.

Otherwise, he would die.

So, the man forced open his trembling lips and said.

“…Hwa, Hwa…san…”

Two syllables.

He uttered just that, and his consciousness faded.

Thud.

The man collapsed onto the floor.

“Hwasan?”

The being’s eyes, upon hearing the word, burned blue.

“Ha.”

The corners of his mouth curled up roughly.

“Those vermin dare…”

Even after I took pity on them and showed them generosity, they pull this stunt?

Kwaak-!

The being clenched his large fist and turned around.

“Where are those guys now?”

“They just finished their transaction, so they should be leaving the palace soon with the f-food supplies.”

“Oh really?”

Hearing that, the man’s eyes slanted upwards.

“Guide me. I need to go find them and tear them to shreds myself.”

The being’s name was Baek Wool.

He was the head of the noble Baekseok family, a General of Yae Wol Gung, and a disciple of Yu Sa (Liu Si).