Chapter 112: The Unknown. (1)

Seongryongdae (Sacred Dragon Squad).

A sword squad belonging to the Murim Alliance, specifically a unit directly under the Alliance Leader.

Their assigned mission was the Leader’s escort and the management of subordinate sword squads, but…

They knew. They knew their mission wasn’t that.

The Alliance Leader at the time, Geomjon (Sword Master), wasn’t someone who needed an escort in the first place.

He was already a legendary sword in human form; for a sword cultivator who no longer needed a blade, an escort was utterly superfluous.

Managing subordinate sword squads was also unnecessary. Besides, that wasn’t the kind of work Seongryongdae was meant to do.

Seongryongdae, as part of the Murim Alliance, did perform basic duties like fighting against the Demonic Sect or exterminating monsters that preyed on the innocent, but…

That wasn’t their main mission. Then what was their mission?

It had been fixed since the day Geomjon gave Seongryongdae its orders.

The crack in the void threatening all beings, the Demonic Mirror Gate. What lay beyond it.

Seongryongdae’s mission was solely to investigate the Demonic Mirror.

Under Gu Cheolun, who was the leader of Seongryongdae at the time, Geomhu (Sword Empress) was also affiliated.

Besides Geomhu, renowned experts of the era were also affiliated with Seongryongdae.

As it was a unit formed under the grand pretext of protecting the populace from the Demonic Mirror, Geomhu, a member of the Mount Hua Sect, volunteered for enlistment.

At the time, Maehwaseon tried to dissuade Geomhu until the very end, but Geomhu firmly left Mount Hua and joined the Murim Alliance.

And that choice remained a regret that tormented Geomhu even to this day.

Hwaruk-!

Blazing flames rose like heat haze from Gu Cheolun’s body.

Gu Cheolun glared at Geomhu with sharp eyes and said.

“I wanted to treat you, Geomhu, as a guest.”

“I appreciate the consideration, but that is not what I desire.”

The heat grew, filling the room.

The fact that the flames, bursting through his emotions, did not harm the room or Geomhu was because Gu Cheolun was controlling them even amidst this.

Though the intense heat made it increasingly difficult to breathe, Geomhu did not don inner energy. There was no need.

Just as the flames brushed past Geomhu’s hair.

The flames enveloping the surroundings vanished in an instant. Gu Cheolun spoke to Geomhu in a much calmer voice.

“Your stubborn nature remains unchanged.”

Gu Cheolun’s tone had changed.

Gu Cheolun’s voice contained a sigh that sounded somewhat weary. Geomhu felt it and replied.

“It seems you have changed a lot, Leader.”

“I have changed, very much so.”

This was a different appearance from when Geomhu last faced Gu Cheolun to take Gu Linghwa. In Geomhu’s memory, the past Gu Cheolun was like a fiery man, much like the martial arts he used.

He accomplished whatever he set out to do.

He was a man who burned away any obstacle in his path.

But what about now?

Despite being a martial artist who had extremely honed fire arts, he gave off an atmosphere as cold as ice.

Gu Cheolun spoke to Geomhu without hiding his gaze.

“When you said you would take my daughter, I definitely told you something.”

“Yes.”

“Do not ask about my wife.”

“I remember.”

“Then, what is this you’re doing now?”

“I… I am not asking about her. Leader.”

“Changing your words doesn’t change the meaning. You know better than anyone that this wasn’t a contract made to be dismissed with wordplay.”

Gu Cheolun’s cold gaze distorted further. However, Geomhu had no intention of backing down.

It wasn’t to back down here that she had traveled to Shanxi.

“Until right after you disbanded the sword squad, there was something none of us understood. Now, it makes even less sense.”

“What are you talking about?”

“How do you understand Geomjon?”

“…”

“You must know, Leader? Since you are the only survivor who returned from the Demonic Mirror.”

“What exactly are you trying to say?”

“I am merely curious. Because now, I’ve grown numb and broken to blame anyone.”

It hadn’t been that long ago, but the accumulated karma within had rusted and disappeared with time.

Everyone who belonged to the sword squad back then would be the same as Geomhu.

“Do you remember how many members followed and believed in you?”

Even as she asked Gu Cheolun, Geomhu believed he knew the answer.

He wouldn’t have forgotten. Surely.

“Cheonhui is the same. I want to know where that child went, but knowing where she came from, I haven’t bothered to look for her.”

She must have returned to where she came from. Geomhu held onto the hope that it was so.

She came like the wind and stayed warmly by her side, so she must have been like the wind when she left.

She truly hoped it was so.

“So I ask. Leader, what exactly did you see in the Demonic Mirror?”

In response to Geomhu’s question, Gu Cheolun merely met her gaze in silence.

That dreadful space could contain anything, and one could see anything.

The Demonic Mirror was a place that mortals in this world couldn’t possibly judge with their common sense.

Time flowed amidst the silence, and Geomhu finally frowned slightly.

It wasn’t because she was upset by Gu Cheolun’s lack of response.

Gu Cheolun was just silently looking at Geomhu. Geomhu realized it around this point.

“…Leader.”

Gu Cheolun wasn’t not speaking; he couldn’t speak.

It was a sight all too familiar to Geomhu. It was something she herself was experiencing.

“…How…”

Geomhu couldn’t finish her sentence.

If Gu Cheolun had also seen and experienced the same thing as her, he wouldn’t have been able to speak.

If that were true, if Gu Cheolun had also seen that ‘tree’…

As Geomhu’s thoughts deepened, Gu Cheolun opened his mouth.

“Did you wish to find Cheonhui? If not, for what purpose did you cross the rift again?”

“…!”

“If you saw it too, there’s no need for explanation. It’s not something that can be explained anyway.”

Gu Cheolun saw it too.

Gu Cheolun must have clearly seen that dreadful something she had witnessed. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have said such a thing.

Gu Cheolun continued speaking.

“Did you ask if I understand the Elder? I do not understand. Nor have I forgiven.”

“Then, why…!”

“It’s simply because it had to be done that way.”

At Gu Cheolun’s words, Geomhu finally closed her mouth.

Gu Cheolun’s gaze was indifferent. It felt dark, as if looking into an endlessly deep hole.

“Congratulations on regaining your health. I heard my son exerted himself, so you can ask him about it.”

“…”

“I don’t know what you saw, or how far you saw, but it would be best to stop there.”

Geomhu couldn’t help but be filled with questions at Gu Cheolun’s words.

Just by looking, she had been afflicted with a restriction that felt like her neck was being squeezed, and due to the corrupt energy that dug into her dantian, she nearly lost her life without being able to resist.

If Gu Cheolun had also seen something, why was he unaffected?

The words Gu Yangcheon had spoken while treating Geomhu, that the Gu family’s inner arts could expel corrupt energy.

Perhaps, thanks to that?

‘Even so.’

Something was missing. Whether it was his contradictory words.

Or Gu Cheolun’s eyes, or even Gu Cheolun himself, Geomhu felt something was lacking.

Gu Cheolun’s inner energy is still present. If we were to speak of martial artists, Gu Cheolun is in his prime.

Geomhu felt an invisible wall, wondering if he hadn’t neglected his training after becoming the head of the family.

It was something similar to looking at a sect leader or Geomjon.

‘…Someone like that is merely at the level of a Hundred Great Masters?’

It wasn’t just a sensation perceived through qi, but Geomhu’s instincts were telling her so.

Gu Cheolun is hiding himself.

Information known to the world is infinitely weak before the truth laid bare before one’s eyes.

The flames he harbored were not merely of that extent. And whatever was hidden behind the hot flames seemed by no means trivial.

“…What made you this way, Leader?”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying, Geomhu.”

Gu Cheolun’s tone returned to normal.

It was an implicit refusal to discuss anything further.

Geomhu swept her hair back with her hand in response to his reaction.

“I will visit again…”

“If it’s a visit from Geomhu, not anyone else, I would welcome it anytime.”

His voice lacked even a speck of soul.

Even his gaze was already fixed on the letter placed on the desk. That unpleasant personality, lacking consideration for others, seemed to have evolved in a different sense.

Geomhu exited the head’s chamber.

And walked through the garden before her.

A servant followed beside her, intending to guide her, but Geomhu’s attention was entirely focused elsewhere.

Although she didn’t learn much from the conversation, she felt she had obtained a few important pieces.

-It’s simply because it had to be done that way.

Gu Cheolun’s words came to mind.

She thought that even if everyone else forgave, Gu Cheolun, at least, would not accept Geomjon.

Over ten years ago, dozens of Seongryongdae members, excluding a few like Geomhu who were bedridden, headed towards the Demonic Mirror upon the Leader’s command.

There was no hesitation.

The Leader’s command was Seongryongdae’s will, and she thought his will was to achieve peace for all.

They had gathered for that very purpose.

Time passed, and the Leader and Seongryongdae returned from the Demonic Mirror.

Geomhu couldn’t help but burst into tears upon seeing them immediately.

Out of over thirty squad members, fewer than ten returned. All had vacant expressions and said nothing.

Even after a few days, the survivors who had barely returned took their own lives. They were all experts who operated at the peak of mastery.

Naturally, none had weak minds or bodies. Yet, such individuals couldn’t endure reality and took their own lives.

Geomhu pleaded. Please, don’t die. She held onto them, saying they had returned alive, so they must live.

In the end, even the youngest disciple of Seongryongdae, a disciple of Wudang, took his own life.

Following this incident, Geomjon stepped down as Leader and disappeared. Gu Cheolun also announced the disbandment of Seongryongdae.

What happened there?

Geomhu could never find out.

However, what she learned later was.

Geomjon’s objective was, from the start, far removed from the peace of the Central Plains.

---

Sarak, sarak.

The sound of sweeping fallen leaves gathered in the courtyard could be heard.

“Did you enjoy your meal?”

After eating, I came out to find Geomjon sweeping the courtyard.

“Yes, you should eat too, Old Master.”

“Someone of my status can just grab anything to eat…”

“I’ve heard that the older you get, the more you need to eat properly. Don’t skip meals.”

“Worrying about an old man like me… Thank you, Young Master.”

“Yes…”

It was a conversation with Geomjon that I had only just become somewhat accustomed to.

Or perhaps, I had just become accustomed to Geomjon’s appearance as a servant.

“Grandpa!”

Wi Seol-ah, who came out with me, ran into Geomjon’s arms.

Geomjon stroked Wi Seol-ah’s head as she hugged him, then spoke in a rather stern voice.

“Seol-ah, were you intruding on the Young Master’s meal again…!”

“Ah… no… that’s…”

“Hmph! Your grandpa clearly told you.”

Seeing Wi Seol-ah shrink back in fear of being scolded, I quickly intervened.

“It’s alright. I actually asked her to join me.”

“Young Master…”

As I intervened, Wi Seol-ah quickly hid behind me. Although sharing a table with a servant was unthinkable in the first place.

It wasn’t something that concerned me much. It was even more so because it was Wi Seol-ah, but I didn’t particularly care whether it was Mu Yeon or Hong Wa.

I remembered how the servants were horrified when I tried to eat together during the camping trip.

It seemed less about sharing a table with the master and more about the difficulty of eating with me.

It seemed they had only recently become somewhat accustomed to it.

[…That’s your misconception.]

‘Why? They all seemed to be eating well.’

[It’s strange to be comfortable eating in front of someone as fierce-looking as you.]

This old man is saying harsh things again. The children ate just fine…

[So be grateful to those girls; that’s the strange part.]

At the Old Master’s words, I looked at Wi Seol-ah, of course, and then at the two people who were just opening the door.

Not only Namgung Bi-ah, but Tang Soyeol was also coming out.

‘I didn’t expect Tang Soyeol to show up too.’

It was around the time for dinner.

After grabbing a quick lunch and resting in my room to relieve some fatigue, it was exactly dinnertime.

As meal preparations were finishing, Namgung Bi-ah, who was in another annex, naturally joined us. Since I had come to accept it, I didn’t say anything particular.

The problem was Tang Soyeol, who followed right after.

She suddenly appeared, saw Namgung Bi-ah, and screamed “Unni!” startling everyone.

Of course, fortunately, Tang Soyeol noticed the people around her and quickly apologized, but it was still a surprising sight.

‘Did the two of them fight?’

When I saw them in Sichuan, they seemed quite close. I wondered what had happened.

As I was telling Geomjon, who was apologizing for Wi Seol-ah’s actions, that it was okay, Tang Soyeol approached me.

With hesitant gestures, she expressed her gratitude to me.

“…I apologize for my rude behavior, Young Master.”

“I was a bit surprised, but it’s alright.”

“And also for the meal…”

“I heard you hadn’t eaten yet, so I offered. Were you uncomfortable?”

“Oh, no! Not uncomfortable at all… Actually, if you call me often…”

“Young Master! Shall I bring some yakgwa?”

Just as Tang Soyeol was about to say more, Wi Seol-ah cut into the conversation.

“What yakgwa?”

“Since we ate, it’s a snack!”

“…You eat that much and still want more?”

“Hong Wa unni said that the stomach for meals and the stomach for snacks are separate.”

That’s not right, from what I see, she just eats a lot.

‘If I say this, she’ll get sulky.’

Teasing her when she’s sulky was fun, but I had to consider that there was a guest beside me.

As I happened to want something sweet, I asked Wi Seol-ah for yakgwa.

Come to think of it, Tang Soyeol was saying something.

“I apologize. What were you saying?”

“…Oh, it’s nothing…”

Tang Soyeol’s face looked somewhat dejected.

“…The servant is pretty too…”

She muttered something to herself while looking in the direction Wi Seol-ah had run off.

I was slightly scared, wondering if she was really possessed by a ghost.

Tang Soyeol, looking a bit downcast for a moment, spoke to me.

“Um… Young Master.”

“Yes.”

“You know, about the companion I mentioned earlier today.”

“Ah.”

You mean the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering?

‘Honestly speaking, it’s a bit bothersome.’

Although the name is grand, digging into the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering reveals it’s just a place where later-generation disciples compete for nicknames.

I wondered what I would do going all the way there, but since the region was Henan, I did have a purpose.

“First, I need to speak with the Head of the family, so I can’t give you a definite answer yet.”

Of course, it was something my father had to approve.

Given how many places I had traveled to this year, like Sichuan and Shanxi, I expected they wouldn’t let me out much more.

‘If it doesn’t work out, it gives me a reason to refuse.’

Since the purpose of the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering was also to build connections, it would be stranger not to send one’s children or disciples.

This damn family was doing just that.

“Then… if you get a definite answer, please let me know.”

“Yes.”

Finishing the conversation, Tang Soyeol bowed her head and headed towards her annex with her escort.

“…Are you going?”

After Tang Soyeol left, I shifted my gaze to the voice that came from right beside me.

Namgung Bi-ah was looking at me and asking. For a moment, I felt a chill run down my spine…?

“What’s with that all of a sudden? Why are you looking at me like that?”

It looks like she’s glaring slightly, or is that just my imagination?

If she’s asking if I’m going, she must mean the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. Just as I was about to answer that I didn’t know yet, Namgung Bi-ah added first.

“If you go… I’ll go with you.”

“…What?”

Namgung Bi-ah said that and then disappeared without waiting for my answer.

‘Shin No…’

[Don’t talk to me. I want to achieve enlightenment right now.]

‘…’

I considered asking something, but somehow the Old Master seemed quite angry, so I quietly shut my mouth.

After finishing the yakgwa that Wi Seol-ah brought, night finally fell.

While everyone else was asleep, I alone got up and assumed a posture. In my hand, I held a flower brought from the Black Night Palace branch.

As planned, I intended to take the flower tonight.

The demonic energy in my body had been purified, and I had gained a slight grasp on how to apply energy following the Old Master’s methods.

It should be about time I could eat it.

[You intend to swallow it whole?]

“That’s the most certain way.”

Rather than finding a way to consume it by boiling or drying it.

The most effective way to fully absorb the energy of a spiritual herb is to eat it fresh.

[You don’t know what reaction it might cause in your body. Be careful.]

I heard Shin No’s words, but I didn’t feel particularly worried.

Normally, I would have agonized endlessly over potential problems, wondering if it was safe to eat.

Somehow, I felt like it would be alright.

Without hesitation, I put the petals into my mouth, chewed, and swallowed.

[You lunatic…! Why all of a sudden…!]

“…!”

Shin No exclaimed in shock.

It was because I swallowed it all at once, when I should have been savoring it to absorb the spiritual herb’s energy.

“…Why did I do that?”

Not only the Old Master, but I myself couldn’t understand.

I swallowed it hastily as if someone had ordered me to. It felt like my will, yet also somehow different.

“…What else.”

Kung-!

Sensing something was wrong, I tried to explain to the Old Master but hastily shut my mouth.

Something began to stir within my body, emitting violent vibrations.

Something was coming.