Chapter 1130: Scorched World.

After the fight ended, the Namgung Family was thrown into chaos.

Suddenly, during the banquet, a figure from the Azure Dragon Brigade, who was an important person.

Moreover, the Azure Dragon Brigade’s Vice Commander, the most prominent martial artist in the current Central Plains. Shinryong and his subordinate had caused a disturbance.

Everyone’s attention was drawn to the sudden fight. Furthermore, the intensity of the fight was no joke, so it was inevitable that all eyes would be on it.

Flames erupted, and a tremendous explosion occurred. While the damage to the internal structures was considerable, the bigger issue was that the banquet was interrupted.

An even bigger problem was.

“…Young Master Lee has disappeared.”

Young Master Lee, who was at the Namgung Family. Namgung Hyung had vanished without a trace. And it wasn’t just a simple disappearance.

“He disappeared with the Brain Core…?”

Grrr-!

KABOOM-!!

Namgung Jeohui slammed his hand down on the table. The impact, imbued with his strength, split the table right in half.

“What the hell did you do!?”

He roared, his face contorting. At the Family Head’s expression, the martial artists nearby flinched. It was a reaction where his anger could be clearly felt.

“You couldn’t even stop that incompetent fool from disappearing with the Brain Core? Do you think that makes any sense? If you have mouths, at least try to say something.”

No one among the martial artists dared to speak easily at his growling words.

Grind.

Faced with the manufactured silence, Namgung Jeohui ground his teeth. He then turned his gaze to look at someone. The two people standing to the left of the Family Head’s chamber.

The ones who caused this mess and interrupted the banquet.

They were Shinryong Gu Cheolun and the Great Pioneer Baek Yangcheon.

“What on earth did you do…?”

Gu Cheolun bowed his head at the words barely managed through suppressed emotion.

“I apologize.”

“A joyous day we barely managed to create. What is this?”

“…”

It was a banquet held after repelling the Great Demonic Gate. Who could have known that a day meant to be filled with joy and fervor would be crushed like this?

Naturally, the family grounds were abuzz with all sorts of talk due to the fight between those two.

Taking advantage of that chaos, Young Master Lee disappeared with the Brain Core.

That fact was giving Namgung Jeohui a headache.

‘Damn it.’

He had thought the kid would cause trouble someday, but he never expected it to blow up like this.

‘Ungrateful bastard.’

He raised and clothed a brat who didn’t know his place. And he repays us by betraying the family like this?

Moreover, the fact that he disappeared with the Brain Core sent Namgung Jeohui’s anger soaring to the heavens.

“…Immediately dismiss the Vigo administrators and order the search party to capture Young Master Lee. Furthermore.”

Namgung Jeohui said to the subordinate, his eyes chilling.

“If the situation escalates upon discovery, it’s acceptable to sever his limbs to subdue him.”

“Your… command shall be obeyed.”

The subordinate left after receiving the order.

It was safe to say the banquet was truly over.

After giving orders to his subordinates. The Family Head looked back at Gu Cheolun and spoke again.

“I have a question for you, Vice Commander.”

“Please, ask.”

“Why did you start the fight?”

“…”

“I don’t believe you’re someone who doesn’t understand the situation well enough to fight within another family’s domain.”

Namgung Jeohui continued, suppressing his anger.

“Perhaps, was the fight intentional?”

“…”

An intentional fight. He was asking if the fight was related to ruining the banquet and Namgung Hyung’s escape.

That the noisy fight had enabled Namgung Hyung’s escape.

That seemed to be the part that greatly bothered Namgung Jeohui.

‘That’s actually how it happened.’

From my perspective as the listener, Namgung Jeohui seemed rather sharp.

Because that was indeed the intention.

‘Though Father wouldn’t know.’

Even if Father, who was fighting, didn’t know, that was my intention. After all, it was obvious that a fight between Father and Namgung Hyung would draw everyone’s attention.

If that happened, everything would get tangled up.

Namgung Hyung’s escape would be a failure.

The problem was him trying to leave with the Brain Core, and the problem was me trying to help him.

That’s why I chose this.

‘If everything was going to be ruined anyway.’

Let’s just ruin it all.’

So I chose the fight with Father.

The result wasn’t bad. Attention was drawn, and Namgung Hyung escaped in the meantime. That was the outcome.

The problem was.

‘The result is good, but….’

Now, how to clean up the mess.

Namgung Hyung escaping is fine, I get it. Up to that point, it was fine, but…

‘What do I do now?’

The problem was me, left behind.

Namgung Hyung, who ran off with the Brain Core. Here, Father had stepped in, effectively to stop Namgung Hyung and me.

If Father were to explain the situation back then, it would be a disastrous situation.

I wondered how he would respond. Just as I was focused on what Father would say. Father, who had been silent, spoke to Namgung Jeohui again.

“It was part of his education.”

‘Hmm?’

An unexpected answer came.

“What? Education?”

“Yes. During our conversation, insubordination occurred, and I intended to educate him on the matter.”

“Ha… So you’re saying the fight happened because of that education?”

“That’s correct.”

Father nodded with a completely expressionless face.

Of course.

“You expect me to believe that?”

Namgung Jeohui wasn’t someone who would believe it easily.

Even if that person’s martial prowess wasn’t strong, he was quite outstanding in terms of politics and intellect.

However.

“Yes.”

Even so, Father’s attitude remained unchanged.

“…Vice Commander.”

“Yes.”

“This matter cannot be overlooked lightly. No matter how much the Azure Dragon Brigade has helped the Namgung Family. This is strictly a different issue.”

“I am aware of that.”

“And that’s what you say despite being aware of it?”

“That’s correct.”

“Ha-!”

Namgung Jeohui’s face finally contorted. His previous words were a sufficient warning. It was the utmost warning that this matter should not be taken lightly, yet…

Even after hearing this, Father’s attitude was the same.

“I apologize for the disrespect shown to the Namgung Family. As for the compensation for the collapsed wall and destroyed buildings. I will compensate without fail.”

“…That’s not the issue-!”

Namgung Jeohui, about to shout, shut his mouth. He realized the conversation wouldn’t get through anymore.

This simplifies the matter. Father’s words meant: Sorry about the fight between members of the Azure Dragon Brigade. We will compensate for the damages incurred during the process. However, we merely fought. We have no involvement in Young Master Lee’s ‘running away’. That’s what he was explaining verbally.

Grrr-click.

Namgung Jeohui clenched his fists with one hand and pressed his temples with the other.

“Hooooo….”

He opened his eyes coolly over his softly exhaled breath and spoke to Father.

“…You may leave. As we need to conduct a proper investigation here.”

“Understood.”

“However, if anything is discovered during the investigation that contradicts your words, Vice Commander… you had better be prepared.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

He left the Family Head’s chamber with due respect.

It was still deep into the night. Even when the incident broke out, it was already past midnight. Now, it was nearing dawn.

By morning, the Namgung Family would probably be in an uproar.

As I was thinking about that. I spoke to Father, who was walking ahead.

“Vice Commander-nim.”

“…”

At my call, Father stopped walking. And he subtly sent his gaze my way.

“…Why didn’t you say anything?”

I asked, meeting his gaze as if avoiding his crimson eyes. Why hadn’t he explained the situation? I asked out of curiosity.

“Baek Yangcheon.”

“Yes.”

“Why did you help?”

“…?”

“I asked why you helped Young Master Lee.”

“…Ah.”

Why? Hearing the question, I thought for a moment. The reason I helped him.

Well…

“Just because.”

It was a light answer, but it held much within it. To be precise, it was probably because of the word ‘hell’ that Namgung Hyung uttered. I was moved by his desire and earnestness, the longing to escape this hell. I don’t know what kind of life young Namgung Hyung lived, but… I was moved by those words and acted.

As I recalled that and spoke, Father just looked at me.

“Just because.”

“…”

“Yes.”

Will I get scolded? Well, I probably deserve it. I helped a lunatic, a member of the Namgung bloodline, run off with a treasure. And my reason was just ‘because’? There was no bigger bullshit than this.

Just as I resigned myself to being scolded and stayed quiet.

“Me too.”

“What?”

Father uttered a puzzling statement. Me too? What did he mean?

As I didn’t understand, Father added.

“That’s the answer to the question you asked.”

“Ah.”

Only then did I understand. It seemed that was his answer to why he helped me.

‘…I’ve been had.’

He probably didn’t want to answer properly himself. It was a statement that shut my mouth and his own.

Tsk.

There’s nothing I can do about it now. As I awkwardly scratched the back of my head.

“Follow me.”

Father turned and started walking. I wondered where we were going, but I followed.

After walking silently for a short while, we arrived at a training ground.

Why did we suddenly come to a training ground? As I was wondering, Father strode purposefully inside.

Having reached the center, Father looked back at me. His gaze seemed to mean ‘come in’.

“…”

I cautiously walked closer to Father.

“…Why did we come here?”

I asked.

Father’s eyes flashed as he spoke.

“Repay me.”

“What?”

“Repay me for helping you.”

“…”

He wanted repayment for keeping quiet? Just like that? He said it was ‘just because’ earlier. I wondered what kind of repayment he expected out of the blue.

But then.

“Show me properly.”

“…!”

Father said to me, emitting killing intent.

“Show me your true strength.”

Giiiiiing.

The sound of gears turning could be heard.

“That is the repayment I desire.”

TUGANG-!

An aura completely different from before began to flow from Father’s body.