Chapter 1153: Scorched World.

I entered the hut after receiving the woman’s invitation.

The interior of the hut wasn’t much different from what I’d expected. Actually, to be precise, it was better furnished and tidier than I’d anticipated.

Everything was neatly organized, and I could even sense a pleasant fragrance.

As the cozy atmosphere gradually eased the subtle tension I felt within me.

“Please, sit comfortably.”

The woman gestured towards the table with a gentle tone.

“Excuse me.”

Without refusal, I sat down by the table. Two teacups and some yakwa were placed there.

“I don’t have much prepared… this is all I have, is that alright?”

“Just being offered something is thanks enough.”

Jjoreureureuk.

The teapot poured water into the teacups, filling them completely. A soft aroma instantly spread through the air.

‘This is a scent I’ve never encountered before.’

What kind of tea could this be? It wasn’t a leaf I had ever studied, even when I was learning poison arts under the Poison King in Sichuan.

Having seen countless medicinal herbs back then, this was a scent entirely new to me.

Just then.

“It’s tea made from Gyewulcho,” the woman explained, as if reading my expression.

“Gyewulcho?”

I should have been surprised by her words. Gyewulcho, if I recalled correctly…

“…Isn’t that a poisonous herb?”

It was one of the poisonous herbs. Although it contained a small amount of toxin, consuming enough to meet the required dosage would cause paralysis.

“That’s right. However, if you wash Gyewulcho thoroughly in stream water during this season and dry it with heat, the toxicity dissipates, leaving behind this fragrant scent.”

“……”

This was news to me. It was knowledge I had never learned from the Poison King.

‘The toxicity disappears, huh.’

Did such a property exist? While feeling doubtful, I lifted the teacup without hesitation.

“Thank you. I shall enjoy it.”

Huruluk.

Since I was immune to all poisons anyway, my body wouldn’t be swayed by such a weak toxin, so I drank it down.

Just as the aroma suggested, the taste was similar. It had a remarkably smooth and deep flavor.

“…It’s delicious.”

“I’m glad you like it,” the woman replied with a bright smile at my words. She was truly a kind and gentle-looking woman.

‘…Who could she be?’

That was the question.

Who exactly was this woman? And why was there such a space within Gu Clan territory?

‘This is the first time I’ve seen this place.’

I had never heard of or seen such a place existing since the day I was born.

Not only was the path leading here blocked, but…

‘This place didn’t even exist originally.’

Perhaps it was erased later, but back then, it was just an area overgrown with weeds and trees, nothing more.

As questions about the identity of this place and that woman began to sprout.

“So, Young Master Baek, what brings you here?” the woman asked, initiating the conversation about my purpose.

“…Ah. I was just exploring the surroundings as my feet took me. It’s my first time in this area. Since I was told I could look around freely…”

“Oh, really? Did the Chief Steward say that?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Then, you must be a guest of the Gu Clan family.”

I carefully offered my respects at the woman’s words.

“…Yes. I am Baek Yangcheon, from the Blue Dragon Unit of the Murim Alliance.”

“Oh my… the Blue Dragon Unit.”

Hearing this, the woman smiled and nodded.

“Welcome. I am Jin Yeonryeong.”

Jin Yeonryeong.

That was another name I’d never heard before. Just the fact that her surname wasn’t Gu told me she wasn’t part of the Gu Clan family.

‘…Hmm.’

Who really was she? Why would she live here, even building a small hut? The questions kept piling up.

“I apologize for inviting you so suddenly. I was just feeling a bit lonely. I suppose as one gets older, loneliness sets in.”

The woman said this to me with a slightly embarrassed smile. I waved my hand dismissively.

“Not at all. I am grateful that you welcomed me.”

“Thank you for thinking so kindly of me.”

Huruluk.

A brief silence followed our short exchange. Meanwhile, I continued to observe the woman.

‘She doesn’t seem like a martial artist.’

I couldn’t sense any ki from her. Not even her aura felt like it. She lacked that distinctive presence common among those who concealed their power.

She seemed like an ordinary civilian. Someone who couldn’t even handle a low-level monster. As for her age… perhaps past fifty? I wasn’t certain. Her face didn’t look particularly old, but the sparse white hairs scattered amongst her dark hair made her appear older.

‘Moreover.’

Her condition didn’t seem great either. It looked like…

‘She seems to be ill.’

The woman was unwell. It just wasn’t obvious.

I’m not a physician, so I couldn’t tell how severe her illness was… but based on my senses alone.

‘She looks quite frail.’

It seemed like she didn’t have much time left. That’s why she concerned me more.

The reason I came to a place I wouldn’t normally visit, and did something I wouldn’t normally do, was precisely because of this.

“Um… Madam…?”

I carefully broke the silence.

First, I needed to confirm who this woman was. Why was she in the Gu Clan territory? I was about to ask just that when…

“Is my child doing well over there?”

“Who… Huh? Child?”

Child? What child?

“Who are you referring to…?”

As I asked again, unable to comprehend, the woman, without losing her smile, said to me.

“I heard my son is currently the Vice-Leader of the Blue Dragon Unit.”

“…What?”

What did she say?

My father’s mother is the mother of the Blue Dragon Unit’s Vice-Leader?

This meant…

“Are you… Father… no, the mother of the Blue Dragon Vice-Leader…?”

“That’s right. I am the one who is Chulwoon’s mother.”

“……”

I was stunned. The mother of the father… meaning…

‘…My grandmother?’

She was my grandmother.

I…

On this day, for the first time in my life, I met my grandmother.

---

Jin Yeonryeong.

Age: Between forty and fifty.

A woman with a gentle appearance and a demeanor to match.

If I had to compare her to someone, she gave off a similar vibe to the Sword Queen I encountered in my past life.

At the very least, she possessed an aura that was rare among those around me.

Furthermore.

‘The Madam of the Gu Clan family.’

In this world, she was the Madam during the time my grandfather served as the Family Head.

Seeing her, I had much to contemplate.

‘…Grandmother.’

She was someone I had never heard of.

This was the same as with my grandfather. Someone my father had never even mentioned.

Because I had never heard of her or seen her, I had naturally assumed she was dead.

‘…So you were here at this time.’

I hadn’t thought much about it, but meeting her felt strange.

Firstly.

‘She doesn’t resemble Father.’

There was no trace of Father in her appearance.

Father was quite handsome… no, damn it, he was exceptionally handsome, and he possessed the distinctive Gu Clan family features.

‘But this woman…’

Jin Yeonryeong had none of that. She seemed like an utterly gentle being.

Moreover.

“Does the child eat his meals properly?”

“…Yes. He eats well.”

She exhibited the typical concern of a mother for her son.

“I should have packed some yakwa for him since he was going on a long journey… I feel bad that I couldn’t. Ah, does it suit Young Master Baek’s palate too?”

“…It’s truly delicious.”

She offered yakwa.

I had heard from Gu Ryun as well… Father must have really loved yakwa.

“I’m glad.”

Jin Yeonryeong smiled again at my response. It felt a bit much, but she seemed like someone who smiled a lot.

That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. She was creating a comfortable atmosphere.

‘Grandmother.’

Unlike the negative feelings I associated with my grandfather, this felt warm.

Perhaps that’s why I felt at ease.

“It looks like you’ve finished. Would you like some more?”

“Ah, no. It’s fine. This is enough…”

“Still, please have just a little more. You should eat while it tastes good.”

“…It’s not ‘a little’.”

In an instant, the yakwa piled up like a mountain on the plate. It was vastly different from the word ‘little’…

“…Ah, um… Thank you.”

For now, I reached out to take one. How long had it been since I last ate yakwa like this? Actually, I had never had this experience before.

‘I’m going to get sick of it.’

No matter how delicious the tea and yakwa were, this much was enough to make me sick to death.

Ironically, I couldn’t refuse, so I just popped one into my mouth.

As I was chewing the yakwa.

“Young Master Baek, how old are you?” Jin Yeonryeong asked me.

“…Ah, I turned twenty this year.”

I hesitated briefly before answering. I had to recall my own age.

“I see. You looked young… Do you have a family?”

“Family…?”

“Yes. Your parents, perhaps…?”

“Ah. Well…”

What should I say? After a moment’s thought, I replied.

“My father is alive.”

“Oh my…”

Technically, my mother was also alive, but it was awkward to say so, so I just left it at that.

I didn’t know why she was asking, but I answered anyway.

“Ah, I see. I’m sorry…”

“Not at all. But why this…?”

It felt a bit awkward talking about my parents to my grandmother, but I answered nonetheless.

Then, Jin Yeonryeong was about to say something when-

“Ah, it’s nothing much… just-“

At that moment.

Tak.

“…!”

I heard the sound of a spark igniting from somewhere. Goosebumps prickled my spine.

The spark came from directly behind me.

I turned my head back immediately, and there stood…

“……”

Someone was standing there. A middle-aged man clad in red martial robes. With blazing red eyes, he looked down at Jin Yeonryeong and me.

When did he appear? I hadn’t sensed him at all.

Cold sweat trickled down my back without my realizing.

Tension coursed through my entire body.

“Wife.”

The man spoke, looking at Jin Yeonryeong. His voice was deep and resonant, though not quite as much as Father’s. The moment I heard it, I recognized the familiar voice.

‘…This is.’

It’s the voice from the flame. The one who called me grandfather and told me to fulfill my duty.

The voice from the flame.

And he just called Jin Yeonryeong ‘Wife’.

‘So it’s him.’

This man…

‘It’s Grandfather.’

Which meant he was the current Family Head of Gu Clan.