Chapter 1138: Scorched World.

“……What did you say?”

My father frowns at the bullshit I heard first thing in the morning. He looked quite tired, as if he had just woken up. For some reason, his messy, bedhead hair felt rather amusing.

Seeing that, I said with a smile.

“We talked about this, didn’t we?”

The fact that he said he’d grant me one favor. Mentioning that, I spoke to my father.

“I need to go to Shanxi. As far as I know, the Commander-nim’s hometown is Shanxi.”

“…….”

Shanxi. It was not only my father’s hometown but mine as well.

“I seem to have some business over there. Could you help me go?”

“Ha……?”

My father exhaled sharply, perhaps finding my confident words absurd.

“……To Shanxi? For what business?”

“That’s a bit difficult to explain. That’s why I’m asking for your help.”

“…….”

My father’s face contorts at my words. This meant he wanted help with something he couldn’t explain the circumstances of.

“Members who have joined the Alliance cannot leave the Alliance for about half a year, except for missions. You know that, don’t you?”

“Yes. I know very well.”

I knew it all too well.

What’s funny is.

‘It was half a year back then.’

When I was struggling in the Alliance, it felt like it was three years or something.

Just half a year at this time?

It seemed something had changed due to events that occurred within that time.

‘Well, that’s fine.’

What does half a year or three years matter?

‘I don’t plan on being here for anything anyway.’

I had absolutely no intention of rotting away here for half a year or three years.

“…You know all that, yet you’re asking me to find a way?”

My father says, letting out a hollow laugh. Hearing that, I nodded confidently.

“Yes. That’s what a favor is, isn’t it?”

“Ha…….”

If he agreed, I had to make sure.

Frankly, I didn’t have any other particular requests for my father.

“…Shanxi.”

My father narrowed his eyes, lost in thought as if genuinely contemplating.

A brief moment passed.

“Do I have to give you an answer right now?”

“No. Since I said I’d be leaving within today anyway, you can give me the answer later in Henan.”

Judging by my father’s personality. If he couldn’t do this, he really couldn’t, so I wouldn’t hold onto false hope.

It’s just that.

‘If he says no, I’ll have to seek out other methods.’

I had to go to Shanxi. Legally, if possible.

Although this itself was hardly laughable enough to be called legal. It seemed like the best method. If this didn’t work out.

‘I can always break the law.’

Since when did I live my life so well by following the law? Causing chaos was my specialty, so I could always find a way.

If there’s no way, I’ll make one and do it. That was also the goal of this life.

“Anyway. I’ve delivered my message, so I’ll start getting ready now.”

Getting up, I added to my father.

“Take care of yourself. You don’t look too well either.”

“…….”

At those words, my father’s brow twitches. It must be because he was scratching the wounds he got from me last night.

No answer came. So I just closed the door and left.

‘Hmm.’

Bright sunlight hits my face. I defeated my father and won against the Heavenly Venerate.

It was a fierce and significant event for a short night, but.

‘There’s not much.’

There’s no change in emotion whatsoever. What meaning is there in defeating my father in his youth? What meaning is there in winning against the Heavenly Venerate who was completely broken and fell into demonic possession?

‘Nothing changes.’

The day when the ancestor’s words were subtly grating on my ears. That was today.

---

“Hurry up and load it!”

The warriors of the Namgung family move busily, working energetically. They were busy loading luggage onto the large carriage. Quite a lot of people were moving like that.

A little time had passed since repelling the White Mirror Gate. Now that we were certain there would be no further resistance, we were preparing to return to the Murim Alliance.

“……The food seems sufficient. Have you figured out the route?”

“Yes. We’ve prepared the most skilled drivers. And the horses too.”

Mi Hyoran was asking the personnel various things, carrying out the final confirmation procedures. As luggage was being loaded onto the large carriage.

“Shall we get on soon?”

I perceived that preparations were nearing completion and intended to board the carriage.

“You’re getting on now?”

“Yeah. This is the only place to ride anyway.”

“…That’s true.”

After chatting with Doyun, I tried to board the small, old carriage, just like last time.

At that moment.

“Baek Yangcheon.”

Someone called me. Upon checking, it was Soyi.

Was it because of the previous battle with the demonic beast? Or perhaps because she had looked favorably upon me once and then been disappointed, her gaze was quite unfavorable.

“What is it?”

As I asked indifferently, Soyi looked at me with eyes that seemed unable to comprehend.

“…Not over there. Ride over here.”

“Huh?”

Over here? Could it be…

“…That large carriage?”

“Yes.”

It was the carriage my father, Mi Hyoran, Soyi, and mother would ride in.

But.

“…Why would I ride there?”

They made us cram four people into this dilapidated carriage, and now, they’re telling me to ride in the big one? It makes no sense.

As I looked at Soyi questioningly. She added something to me.

“…It’s the carriage owner’s order.”

“The owner, you mean.”

I turned my gaze and saw Mi Hyoran talking over there.

‘Madam Mi asked for it?’

Mi Hyoran requested that I ride in that carriage. My eyes widened slightly at that fact.

‘Why?’

It was an unknown reason. As I stood still, looking at Mi Hyoran with a questioning expression.

Swish.

For an instant, Mi Hyoran’s gaze met mine. In her steady gaze, I flinched involuntarily for a moment.

‘Ride.’

Mi Hyoran mouthed those words.

“No…”

I was just as flustered by the sudden situation. I had to ask Soyi again with surprised eyes.

“Are you really telling me to ride?”

“Yes.”

“Am I the only one riding? Or are others riding too?”

“The request, for now… is just for you.”

“No…”

Hearing that, I frowned.

“So, you’re telling me to abandon Doyun and Namgung Seonbae and ride in that big carriage alone, right now?”

“Th-that’s right.”

Soyi pauses for a moment at my words. It seemed even she thought telling me to go over there, leaving my companions behind, was rather selfish.

“I’ve spent days crammed into that dilapidated carriage. But you’re telling me to abandon those I’ve grown fond of and go alone. When you yourselves have been riding comfortably in that big carriage all this time?”

“Th-that’s…”

Even though it was a carriage Mi Hyoran offered, Soyi, perhaps knowing she was being selfish by readily accepting, spoke slower and slower.

“Wow… So you’re telling me to become a selfish bastard who abandons his comrades?”

“It’s not like that… Ah… I should go ask Miss Mi again…”

“That sounds great.”

“…What?”

Soyi stops mid-sentence and shuts her mouth.

“I’ll ride, right? Ah, my back is stiff, and I was wondering how I was going to manage. This changes things. Shall I get on first?”

Without finishing my sentence, I smoothly climbed onto the carriage.

“…Huh?”

I saw Soyi’s blank expression as she watched me board the carriage.

So what?

‘What’s wrong with being selfish?’

It’s okay to be selfish to this extent. Hardship should be doubled when shared. Isn’t it a gain if one side isn’t struggling?

I thought this, looking at Doyun gazing at me forlornly from afar.

‘This is just how life is.’

I just hoped he would endure the cold reality well.

As I rested my chin politely, watching Soyi who hadn’t boarded yet.

“Hey, hey.”

“…Yeah?”

I reacted belatedly to the voice I heard. I turned my head and was startled.

“…You startled me.”

It was Mother. Mother was already inside the carriage, smiling brightly.

‘I didn’t sense her.’

It was the same this time. I hadn’t sensed Mother’s presence here.

“…What is it?”

Mother, who came close and smiled at me. Trying to hide my surprise, I asked.

“Did you eat?”

“Huh?”

Food, suddenly?

“No.”

I skipped breakfast. I didn’t really have an appetite and didn’t feel the need to eat.

But.

“Then you shouldn’t.”

Mother said to me, her face hardening.

“You must eat well. You must be hungry.”

“No. I’m not particularly hungry…”

“Here, take this.”

As if uninterested in my reply, Mother took something out from her clothes.

What is that?

‘…Food?’

Is it a rice ball? Some unidentifiable food substance was clumped together.

What is that? It was an unexpected offering.

“Eat this. Hyeon gave it to me.”

“Hyeon? Who is Hyeon…”

As I spoke, someone flashed through my mind. There was only one person who could be called Hyeon here.

“…Are you talking about Miss Hyosoyeon?”

“Yes.”

“…….”

When did she prepare something like this? It’s surprising that Hyosoyeon cooked and gave it to Mother.

“I’m fine, so Mom… No, you should eat it.”

Would I steal Mom’s food just because I had nothing else to do? I wasn’t hungry, so I didn’t really need it. Thinking so, I pushed the rice ball away, but.

“Aish! Eat it quickly! I don’t need to eat!”

“Don’t need to eat, my foot. I saw you eat an unbelievable amount last time. Eat it quickly.”

An argument ensues. Why does she keep trying to give me food? It was an argument reminiscent of when Wi Seol-ah was young.

After repeating my refusal for quite some time.

‘Agh…’

I was starting to get annoyed to death.

“…I’ll take just one bite.”

“Yeah! Great!”

Finally, holding back a sigh, I took a bite of the rice ball.

Clunk.

“…….”

The door opened, and I made eye contact with someone.

It was Father.

“…….”

“…….”

Judging by the situation, I had just taken a bite of the rice ball Mother handed me. Mother was positioned quite close, supporting the rice ball with her hand so it wouldn’t fall. I froze stiffly and stayed still.

Father’s gaze was still expressionless, but…

‘How should I put it.’

An instinct flashed through me that his expression wasn’t just expressionless. Just as I thought I should get away quickly.

“Oh my.”

Mi Hyoran appeared from behind Father and assessed the situation. And then.

“You two seem quite close.”

She let out a snort and said a word.

“…….”

At her words, the air inside the carriage felt like it instantly turned cold.