Chapter 1117: Scorched World.

“No.”

At Cheon-jon’s reply, the atmosphere instantly turned cold.

A refusal? It was an unexpected answer.

‘What the-?’

I narrowed my eyes. He wouldn’t do it? That was a baffling statement.

“Are you saying you won’t provide assistance?”

Even Father couldn’t quite believe it, asking again, but…

“Yes.”

Cheon-jon’s answer didn’t change. How baffling.

‘He’s not doing this?’

It wasn’t just anything; it concerned Namgung. Furthermore, the entire Anhui region could potentially suffer damage.

It was the Crimson Demonic Mirror Gate, which lacked proper countermeasures. And this was its evolved form, the Great Demonic Mirror Gate.

It could erupt any day now. No one could predict the extent of the damage if it did. And Cheon-jon wouldn’t intervene?

‘Huh?’

No matter how I thought about it, I couldn’t understand. He couldn’t possibly be scared.

Not just me; no one understood. So, Cheon-jon looked at Namgung Jeo-hwi, not us, and spoke.

“I stepped down as the family head long ago. I plan to leave the Central Plains and live quietly. All matters like this are entrusted to the current family head, so it is not right for me to intervene.”

“…….”

Hearing that, I clicked my tongue inwardly. It sounded reasonable enough on the surface, but…

‘The old man’s playing word games.’

If you dig deeper, it’s barely coherent.

‘What? Stepped down as family head?’

It’s laughable. Anyone could see that the man who supposedly stepped down as family head still held all the real power.

Isn’t Namgung Jeo-hwi himself busy trying to gauge that man’s reaction?

‘The elders are probably the same.’

The elders of the Namgung family. They must also be the type to watch Cheon-jon’s every move.

‘Namgung Jeo-hwi’s low cultivation level must also be a problem.’

A family head of a prestigious clan who hadn’t reached the Hua Realm.

The meager prestige and power stemming from that must have held him back. Yet, the fact that he could become the family head…

‘Perhaps his abilities as a family head are outstanding, as rumored, but…’

It was obvious to everyone that Cheon-jon’s influence was behind it.

Meaning the man who claimed to have stepped down still held the reins of power.

And in that situation, he claims it’s wrong to intervene because he’s no longer the family head?

‘Yeah, right.’

It’s hard to believe. The same goes for his supposed departure from the Central Plains. That guy never left.

‘In my reality, he was secretly working for the Murim Alliance.’

I know for a fact he was working there for the next decade or so.

His statement now about not intervening in the family head’s affairs is simply absurd.

‘Is there some kind of situation?’

He was someone who didn’t even properly know about the Crimson incident.

If he knew the circumstances and still didn’t step forward…

‘There’s a reason inside there.’

The space Cheon-jon was heading towards. It seemed like there was some reason connected to it.

‘Ah, so that’s why.’

I understood. I had been wondering why he suddenly appeared before Cheon-jon could even ascend.

‘Is it to stop us?’

Even if I didn’t know what was up there, it seemed he appeared to stop us from going up.

‘Whatever it is, the important thing is…’

It’s clear that Cheon-jon won’t intervene in this matter.

‘Tsk.’

I found myself in a bit of a bind.

“……Father.”

Namgung Jeo-hwi also seemed taken aback, looking at Cheon-jon with bewildered eyes, but Cheon-jon’s gaze was firm.

“Family Head. If you truly are the family head, shouldn’t you at least prove your ability to prevent a crisis of this magnitude?”

“…….”

At Cheon-jon’s words, Namgung Jeo-hwi fell silent.

“Disperse, all of you. I cannot tolerate this any further.”

He spoke as if issuing a warning. There was nothing more we could do here.

Even if I couldn’t understand, this was Cheon-jon’s decision.

“……I will keep that in mind.”

Finally, Namgung Jeo-hwi nodded at Cheon-jon’s words.

He then turned back from the path up the mountain and returned to the Namgung family.

---

After returning to the family compound, I had a brief conversation with Namgung Jeo-hwi.

He mentioned issuing an evacuation order and preparing the forces.

Then, Namgung Jeo-hwi asked Gu Cheol-un about his intentions in this situation.

Whether he would cooperate with the Namgung family to stop the Great Demonic Mirror Gate, or…

‘Return to Hanam.’

Whether he intended to return to Hanam without helping. He asked me about it.

It was a choice. There wouldn’t be a major issue even if we returned. After all, the assigned mission was investigation.

Since we had identified the form and anomaly of the Demonic Mirror Gate, returning to Hanam as is wouldn’t pose a significant problem in terms of justification.

While this was also a matter for the Murim Alliance, the risk was high. And this was undeniably a matter concerning Anhui.

However.

‘There’s the matter of duty.’

The responsibility of duty. Whether a righteous sect’s martial artist should abandon civilians because of the Great Demonic Mirror Gate.

That part would indeed be an issue.

Of course, even if it were an issue, it probably wouldn’t be highlighted significantly.

Perhaps that’s why.

‘We don’t have much time to deliberate, so I will give you my answer before midnight.’

Father indicated he would take some time to consider, and Namgung Jeo-hwi accepted.

Afterward, all personnel gathered at Father’s quarters.

More precisely, excluding Namgung Jin.

The reason for gathering was, naturally, whether to return to Hanam or not.

Then, the moment Father began to speak.

“Let’s go back.”

Mi Hyoran was the first to answer, without hesitation.

“There’s no need to think about it. It’s too dangerous.”

Mi Hyoran’s eyes were firm.

“The Great Demonic Mirror Gate is already a problem, but Crimson? Do you know what might happen here? Especially since Cheon-jon has declared he won’t intervene.”

It was a rational statement. And not incorrect.

“Let’s go back, Young Master Gu. This isn’t something you need to get involved in anymore.”

It was a familiar yet strange way of addressing me. It was exactly how Moyong Hi-ah always spoke to me.

Just as Father was about to turn his gaze towards Mi Hyoran…

“No.”

Another voice cut in from the side.

It was So-i.

“……How can you suggest leaving the civilians behind like this? Do you know what will happen if we can’t stop the demonic creatures?”

“……Sword Phoenix.”

At those words, Mi Hyoran’s brow furrowed deeply.

“That’s a rather emotional argument. Civilians? They might be important. But where does the confidence that we can stop the demonic creatures come from?”

It was a valid point. If we could stop the creatures, fine. But if we couldn’t, we could all be swept up and die.

Even with such calm words, So-i’s reaction didn’t change.

“We might not be able to stop them. I’m not certain either.”

“Then-“

“Even so. Even so, shouldn’t we try to stop them? As martial artists of the righteous path, as the Sword Brigade of the Murim Alliance, isn’t that what we must do?”

“Ha……”

Mi Hyoran finally let out a sigh. It seemed she realized persuasion wouldn’t work.

“Sword Phoenix. I know you’re immature, but looking at this, there’s nothing we can do………”

“Miss Mi. You keep saying ‘we’ since earlier, but why exactly ‘we’?”

“……What did you say?”

“You’re not part of the Sword Brigade, Miss Mi. Fighting is ‘our’ job. Why exactly are you interfering?”

Gulp.

At So-i’s words, Mi Hyoran’s expression crumpled.

Wow. I didn’t expect her to bring that up.

‘She’s not wrong, actually.’

No matter how rationally Mi Hyoran spoke, as So-i pointed out, the ones fighting were ‘us’, not Mi Hyoran.

Bringing that up clearly ruffled Mi Hyoran’s feathers.

“Sword Phoenix. Are you done talking?”

“No. I’m just getting started. So, Miss Mi, I’d prefer if you stayed out of it.”

“You-!”

Just as Mi Hyoran was about to explode in anger…

“Stop.”

Shhh-!

Father, standing between them, spoke softly.

At his words, the two women who had been shouting fell silent instantly.

“What are you two doing?”

“……I apologize.”

“……I’m sorry.”

With growling undertones, the women lowered their heads.

Just one word and they stopped.

As I watched, feeling a sense of wonder…

“Baek Yangcheon.”

“……Yes?”

Father suddenly addressed me.

Startled, I reacted, and Father asked, his eyes flashing red.

“Do you have an opinion?”

“……Me?”

“Yes.”

An opinion. My opinion? I scratched my cheek. Well…

‘In this situation, what opinion could I even give?’

What would the original me have done?

‘Run away?’

If I were in Father’s position now, I would have run. No, rather than run, I would have ignored it. It wasn’t my business to get involved.

Refugees or whatever, they were strangers. I was never the type to care about such things.

It’s just that…

‘Not Father’s situation.’

If it were my situation…

‘I would have done it.’

I would have.

For Namgung Bi-ah’s sake. And…

‘……Considering the current situation is my fault.’

Recalling that the anomaly known as the Great Demonic Mirror Gate was my fault, I would have tried to do something.

Therefore…

“Returning to Hanam is the rational choice.”

I spoke first to Father. Mi Hyoran’s expression brightened, while So-i’s face darkened considerably.

Ignoring their reactions, I added,

“But I’m staying.”

“……Hmm?”

“What?”

“What did you say?”

“Friend Baek?”

Even Do-yun, who had been quiet until now, reacted. They seemed to have misheard, but I had spoken clearly.

“You all can go back if you want. I’m staying. That’s just how it is.”

At my words, So-i, whose expression had been gloomy, widened her eyes.