Chapter 1192: Scorched World.

The Head of the Sanseo Do Family.

Seeing the middle-aged man called Do-yun’s father, I falter.

“What’s wrong?”

The Do Family Head looks at me, expressing his confusion.

“No… No.”

I reacted for now. But my gaze was fixed on his face. What is it? What on earth is it?

‘Why that person.’

I can’t help it. The face of the Do Family Head I’m seeing now…

‘Why the Black Night Palace Lord…’

Because he was the spitting image of the Black Night Palace Lord, who had been with the Heavenly Demon.

---

“I’m sorry I only have this to offer.”

The Family Head says awkwardly, looking at the tea served before me. At that sight, I bowed my head.

“Not at all. I was just feeling thirsty.”

“…Is this teacup even wiped clean.”

Squeeeeze.

“Gkkk!”

I preemptively shut up Namgung Jin, who was talking bullshit beside me. When I pinched his thigh, the guy let out a scream.

“You bastard…!”

“Shut up, please.”

My head was already a mess, and now this bastard is pulling some dogshit stunt. Wouldn’t you get pissed off?

After letting out a deep sigh, I looked straight ahead.

There sat the Do Family Head. Do-yun’s father, who introduced himself as Do-cheol, and Do-yun.

“Hahaha. I never imagined my son would bring friends.”

“We’re not friends-“

“I am Baek Yangcheon, belonging to the same Cheongryong University. I greet the Head of the Sanseo Do Family.”

While acting respectfully, I poked Namgung Jin’s side sharply. I figured even a crazy bastard like him would understand this much.

“…I am Namgung Jin, belonging to Cheongryong University.”

Fortunately, the guy understood. Separate from my fear that he might spout informal speech, he did show proper respect.

“Ho! If it’s Namgung Jin… aren’t you perhaps that Sword Dragon (劍龍)?”

“That’s correct.”

As Do-cheol recognized him, Namgung Jin’s shoulders suddenly puffed up. Meanwhile, he looked at me, and I thought, ‘What’s with that gaze?’ It’s kind of irritating.

‘Gonna gouge those damn eyes out.’

As I narrowed my eyes and glared, Namgung Jin casually avoided my gaze.

“I heard the news that my son entered Cheongryong University this time. I was unsure, but to think it was really true… Thinking that my son is together with young heroes, my feelings are truly fervent.”

Do-cheol spoke to us, sounding excited.

“Father… hahaha…”

Do-yun seemed embarrassed by that, busy scratching the back of his head. I thought their relationship seemed truly affectionate.

Yes, at least, visually.

‘…What could it really be?’

Even while looking at Do-cheol, only questions arose in my mind. What is that face, really?

‘Why is the Black Night Palace Lord’s face right in front of me?’

He was a little older and his beard was a bit shaggier, but that was clearly the Black Night Palace Lord.

Though his eyes were black instead of purple, it was definitely him.

‘How?’

I couldn’t understand. It couldn’t be the same person, yet they looked too identical.

‘They can’t be the same human.’

Those two cannot be the same.

As far as I know, the Black Night Palace Lord is an unorthodox sect member around my father’s age. He might look older than he is, but even so, that’s all. More importantly…

‘He was younger than that face now…’

It was impossible unless he had reverted to youth.

‘Then perhaps.’

I looked at Do-yun. Since he’s a martial artist around my father’s age, I wondered if perhaps Do-yun might become the Black Night Palace Lord in the future.

‘No.’

To think so, this one doesn’t resemble him enough. It’s impossible unless his face was completely redone.

Then what is it?

‘Is it coincidence?’

Purely by chance.

Could they have just been born with the same face? It’s not entirely impossible, but would the probability even line up?

‘It’s hard to see it as coincidence.’

Something must be entangled here.

Thinking so, I took a sip of tea.

“Does it suit your taste?”

“Ah, yes. It’s delicious.”

As I answered, I glanced sideways. Namgung Jin also seemed to like it. Fortunately, he isn’t a picky eater, is he?

“That’s fortunate. I’ve already spoken to the cook, so the food will be ready soon. Please rest for a bit. Our young master will give you a tour.”

After saying that, Do-cheol moved. I paid my respects as I watched him leave.

After closing the door that didn’t even shut properly.

Do-yun says to me with a similar expression as before.

“It’s quite shabby, isn’t it?”

“I was surprised, yes.”

I answered honestly. It was to the point where saying it wasn’t shabby would have been ruder.

“Still, it’s not unbearable or anything. They clean diligently.”

“…You mean they do it? Does the Family Head personally do the cleaning?”

“There aren’t many servants.”

The Family Head does the cleaning together because there are no servants? What kind of absurd thing is this?

I was flustered. Perhaps because my expression showed it all over my face? Do-yun’s expression turned a little bitter. Seeing that, I quickly turned my face away, but it seemed too late.

Just as it was about to get awkward for a moment.

“Ah, still, I should at least introduce you to the house. Let’s go, Senior.”

At the words that he would give a tour of the family estate, Namgung Jin slightly recoiled.

“Do I really have to? I’d be fine just sitting here.”

“Right, you should look around.”

Without listening to Namgung Jin’s reply, I picked him up and stood. There was no useless resistance. He was just showing his displeasure with his expression.

“Uh, Senior, if you feel uncomfortable, you can just sit here,”

“He’s not uncomfortable. Don’t worry, let’s go.”

“I am uncomfortable…”

“Where should we start?”

I lightly ignored Namgung Jin’s whining.

---

To be honest, I wanted to sit too. But after seeing the Family Head, I changed my mind.

Do-yun’s existence itself was strange, but seeing the Family Head made me certain.

‘There’s something in this house.’

The Do family has some secret. Such a thought wrapped tightly around my mind.

‘What could it be.’

What could be there? Frustration surged.

‘Damn it, if only I could have used Ki-sensing.’

If only I could use my Ki, this wouldn’t be so awkward. Since I can’t do anything right now, irritation surged.

“This is the training ground. It’s spacious, isn’t it?”

Meanwhile, I moved around following Do-yun’s guidance. Looking at the place he introduced as the training ground, I said to Do-yun.

“It’s spacious.”

“Isn’t it?”

“…Of course it’s spacious. This place is just an empty lot.”

“Hahaha.”

A wide empty lot behind the estate. There were just a scarecrow and a few wooden swords placed there.

Can this even be called a training ground? They’re just training in an empty lot.

“The wooden swords are rotten?”

Namgung Jin showed disgust looking at the wooden swords. It was true. Those wooden swords were rotten. He didn’t even touch them, probably because they were dirty.

“Ah, but if it’s about that much, it’ll work fine if you use it a bit more.”

“What works fine? You shouldn’t even touch something like that in the first place…”

Namgung Jin moved away, as if not wanting to go near it. Seeing that, I let out a sigh.

“The training ground is enough for now… Next is…”

Do-yun tried to lead me somewhere else again. Seeing that, I said.

“Tell me now.”

“…”

He paused.

Hearing my words, Do-yun stopped. Looking at his back, I said.

“Why did you bring me here.”

I had waited long enough. The reason for bringing me here, to his family estate. I needed to hear it soon.

“Hmm…”

Perhaps the time had come, as Do-yun gave a slightly ambiguous smile.

“Had you noticed?”

“How could I not know?”

You brought me here because you have a purpose, right? I never once considered that you brought me here merely to introduce the house.

Moreover.

‘In a place so old and shabby.’

Well, if it were a great family estate, there might be a pretext. But bringing me to this place that seems awkward to show? I couldn’t understand.

“Still, because we’re friends, I wanted to show you. Wouldn’t that work as an excuse?”

“We aren’t that close.”

“You’re so blunt, making me feel a little disappointed.”

“Disappointed? Don’t make me laugh.”

‘I know.’

Even though he calls me a friend and acts friendly, this guy doesn’t see me as a friend at all.

It’s the same now.

The gaze reflected in those smiling eyes isn’t looking at me.

There’s only interest in me as a person. Nothing more, nothing less.

And.

‘I know eyes like that well.’

I’d seen eyes like that several times before, and there were times I myself had eyes like that.

“So tell me. Ah, if this guy bothers you, tell him to leave for a moment.”

“What?”

Namgung Jin reacted, seemingly displeased by my words.

“After all the trouble you went through to bring me here, you’re telling me to leave again? What kind of crazy talk is this?”

“I didn’t tell you to leave. I asked you to step aside for a moment.”

“Do you think I’m your damn bodyguard? What kind of-!”

“Huh? Wasn’t it? I asked you to come along for that reason?”

“You crazy bastard…!”

Just as Namgung Jin was about to flare up, unable to hold back any longer.

“Senior, excuse me for a moment.”

Whoosh-!

Energy erupted from Do-yun’s body. A thin barrier enveloped us.

“Huh!? These guys-“

Namgung Jin’s shouting voice was blocked. It was a Ki barrier.

Seeing the Ki barrier spread around, I smiled at Do-yun.

“It seems like words Namgung Jin shouldn’t hear.”

“Ahaha. It’s better if fewer people know, if possible.”

“Then tell me now. What is your purpose?”

What was the purpose of deliberately bringing me all the way here? To the question that got to the main point, Do-yun’s gaze changed.

‘Oh.’

His expression disappeared. His expressionless face matched the look in his eyes quite well.

“Baek Yangcheon.”

“Yes.”

The changed address didn’t surprise me. Rather, it suited him better.

“You. What is your relationship with the Gu family?”

I wasn’t surprised even by the mention of the Gu family. I already knew about that too.

Furthermore.

“You already know.”

Do-yun must know what my relationship with the Gu family is. The rumors must have spread already.

“Is it true that you’re the Gu Family Head’s illegitimate child?”

“It just sort of happened…”

Half of that is true. It’s true I have Gu family blood, and it’s true I’m illegitimate. It’s just that I wasn’t Gu Seong-yeol’s child.

“Then, is your purpose revenge against the Gu family?”

“Hmm…”

To the blunt words, I nodded.

“Well. Is that important?”

“It is important.”

Do-yun said to me.

“My purpose is revenge against the Gu family. I sincerely hope yours is too.”

“…”

To his words, I narrowed my eyes.