Chapter 1193: Scorched World.

Revenge against Gu Clan.

That statement snagged my attention. Do-yun said that to me with quite a chilling gaze.

“……Revenge?”

I had already heard and knew that Do-yun’s objective was something like that, but…

I hadn’t expected him to say it so openly to me.

Even.

“You want me to do the same?”

I asked back, tilting my head.

Revenge against Gu Clan. And you even want me to do the same? It was undeniably chilling.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because it would make things smoother.”

“Hmm……”

Smoother, huh…?

“That’s a bit of a dangerous thing to say.”

I glanced sideways. Namgung Jin was shouting something towards me with a very wronged expression.

Naturally, I couldn’t hear him, as the barrier was active.

“What makes you trust me enough to say that? Why did you judge that my objective would be the same as yours?”

“I heard you’re Gu Clan’s illegitimate child. Is that not true?”

“……More or less.”

I didn’t deny it.

“From the moment I first saw you at the Murim Alliance. Despite being known as a child of the Bai family, you seemed non-existent within it.”

“……”

Well now.

Hearing that, the corners of my eyes curved. This guy. When did he figure that out?

“You must have an intelligence network?”

I asked as if curious, but…

“……You’re not even a blood relative of the Bai family. Not only do you possess a mastery on a different level, but you also have many secrets, and you seem to be involved with the Vice-Commander quite often.”

Do-yun didn’t answer my question and just continued with his own point.

“You don’t seem to value the orthodox sects either. Therefore, I concluded you have only one objective.”

“And that is?”

“To see the former Young Master Gu.”

“……”

“Wasn’t that your objective?”

I was quite surprised.

This guy’s insight is sharper than I expected.

He seemed so vacant, as if doing nothing at all.

‘He was seeing much more than I thought?’

And what’s more, much more accurately.

“……Impressive.”

I praised him honestly.

After all, I was genuinely surprised.

“So. Based on that, did you conclude I held a grudge against the Vice-Commander?”

“I don’t know about that specifically. However, I concluded that you, along with the former Young Master Gu, had an objective in Shanxi. And therefore.”

“And therefore?”

“I deliberately leaked my objective.”

“……!”

Hearing that, my eyes widened.

Deliberately?

‘This guy.’

So, he deliberately leaked information about his objective, like the Divine Dragon or whatever, just to see my reaction?

“……Huh.”

This is unexpected?

“I observed your reaction. I thought if your intention was Gu Clan’s safety, you would cause trouble for me. But that wasn’t the case.”

“You took that gamble, even though I might have killed you if I had?”

“Because it was necessary.”

“You’re a crazy bastard?”

I admired him sincerely.

There was no waver in his eyes.

This guy was serious.

“Seeing this. Friend Bai. No, Baek Yangcheon. You don’t wish for Gu Clan’s safety. While you clearly have objectives related to them, it doesn’t seem like something you’re fond of. Am I wrong?”

“……Haha.”

Laughter burst out involuntarily.

He’s quite something.

I really didn’t know he was seeing things to this extent.

I had no choice but to admit it.

Not only did he lay the groundwork and observe my reaction.

He figured out my connection to Gu Clan, constructed a narrative based on the events that transpired within, and approached me once he had a certain level of conviction. That’s what it means.

“You…… are impressive?”

“Now, I’d like to hear your answer.”

“Hmm.”

I tilted my head and looked at him.

He’s impressive, no doubt.

It’s certainly something that earns admiration.

“What if I say no?”

What if I told him I harbored no desire for revenge against Gu Clan.

And what if I said I had no intention of helping Do-yun with his affairs?

When I asked about that.

“Well. Since I’ve already heard your words, I’ll have to proceed with the plan.”

“Proceed with the plan?”

I chuckled.

“Are you planning to kill me or something?”

“……”

No denial came.

It seemed like that was a possibility.

Look at this guy?

“Can you pull it off?”

This was a bluff.

Right now, I don’t know if I could win against Do-yun, who is close to the Hwa-gyeong realm.

Since I have no tricks up my sleeve, the odds are high.

‘I never thought it would turn out like this.’

I didn’t expect him to get straight to the point and even threaten me like this.

Given my past record, I judged he wouldn’t confront me this directly.

‘This is slightly beyond my calculations.’

This is an anomaly.

It means Do-yun was even more than I expected.

“Fine.”

So, I’ll have to change my approach as well.

“I understand what you’re saying.

As you said, I don’t really hold deep affection for Gu Clan.

If anything, I probably harbor more resentment.”

It’s not a lie.

I didn’t feel affection for my home, and it’s true I held much resentment.

Besides, this is a fake world anyway. I didn’t care what happened to Gu Clan here.

‘…….’

Or maybe not.

The last statement might be a bit of a lie, but let’s move past that.

“I don’t know about revenge, but I might help you with your business.”

“Then-“

“But. I need to see a proper justification as well.”

“……What?”

“Why are you trying to get revenge on Gu Clan? State the reason clearly.”

“……”

Do-yun’s eyes waver.

“Why? Did you really expect me to help without telling you this? That’s rather selfish.”

“……That’s…”

“I will tell you about that part.”

“……!”

I turned my head at the interrupting voice.

Surprisingly, the owner of the voice was the Gu family head.

‘When…?’

When did he interrupt? Never mind that I didn’t sense his presence.

‘He even penetrated the barrier.’

Making Do-yun’s barrier seem pointless, the Gu family head’s voice carried perfectly.

“Wouldn’t it be better for you to hear it directly?”

He, who strongly resembled the Black Night Palace Lord, Do-cheol, said to me with a smile.

“……Hearing it?”

“To be precise, it’s closer to seeing than hearing.

How about it? Would you like to verify?”

At Do-cheol’s words, I furrowed my brow.

“See it? What am I supposed to see?”

The source of my resentment towards Gu Clan. Seeing the reason instead of hearing it?

Just as I was about to voice my doubts about this.

“Later, around sunset. Would you come again with my son? Then I will let you know what I just mentioned.”

“You want me to come again at night? What if I run away or report this to Gu Clan?”

“Haha.”

Do-cheol laughed upon hearing that.

“It wouldn’t matter even if you did. However, I simply believe you won’t.”

“How can you believe that when you’ve never met me before?”

“I can tell by looking at Young Master Baek’s eyes.”

“Eyes?”

“Eyes filled with curiosity. When you heard my words, didn’t curiosity arise before confusion?”

“……”

“Someone like that wouldn’t likely act foolishly when faced with the truth. What do you say?”

I couldn’t deny that either.

“Night, huh……”

After pondering, I nodded.

“Let’s do that.”

“A wise choice.”

Woowooong-!

As my answer concluded, I felt the barrier dissolve.

“Thank you for coming to this humble abode.”

Do-cheol saw me off with a smile.

As soon as the barrier dissolved, Namgung Jin looked at me with a dumbfounded expression.

“……What is this supposed to be? Calling someone over just to exclude them. Are you messing with me?”

Namgung Jin, filled with irritation, started saying something, but…

“Senior, let’s go back.”

“What?”

I ignored Namgung Jin and walked away.

“This brat. Do my words mean nothing to you? You brought me here as you pleased, and now you want to leave as you please!?”

I let his whining go in one ear and out the other.

I glanced back at Do-cheol.

He was smiling gently, waving at me.

Do-yun was watching me with a rather stern expression.

‘Hmm.’

Night, huh.

While I looked forward to sunset.

I felt a sense of unease.

---

After Namgung Jin and Baek Yangcheon left.

Do-yun and Do-cheol, the ones remaining, only turned around after the two had disappeared from view.

“Let’s go back.”

“……Yes.”

Do-yun nodded at Do-cheol’s words.

Then Do-cheol looked up at the sky.

Watching the setting sun, he murmured.

“It’s almost mealtime, so I suppose I should open the gate.”

Mealtime has come.

This didn’t refer to their own mealtime.

It referred to something else.

It was the mealtime for something within the Gu family residence.

“Father.”

Watching Do-cheol, Do-yun asked.

“What is it?”

“……Will you really be alright?”

“Alright with what?”

“Bringing Baek Yangcheon here.”

At Do-yun’s words, Do-cheol chuckled.

“It was something you wanted to do, so why are you hesitating now?”

“……I don’t know.

I don’t know if it’s alright to involve him.”

“Don’t worry about it.

Your father will handle this part.”

“……”

“I have no intention of making you bear any more karma.

Managing that thing will end with my generation, so you just live your own life.”

“……However.”

“Don’t make me say it twice.”

“……Understood.”

With that firm attitude, Do-yun finally bowed his head.

“You bring Young Master Baek as soon as it gets dark.”

“Yes.”

Only after hearing the reply did Do-cheol move again.

Paying attention to his son, whose expression was grim.

Do-cheol wiped away the smile he wore.

‘The plan went awry.’

The plan I was executing went wrong.

‘……Why.’

Originally, the matter should have proceeded yesterday.

Things got complicated.

‘Why couldn’t they bring the former Gu princess?’

According to the contract, Gu Seon, the Gu family’s princess, should have come, but she didn’t.

Something seemed to have gone wrong.

‘……Taecheon.’

Do-cheol thought of his contractor and bit his lip.

He had promised to bring the Gu clan members without issue if I gave him what he wanted.

‘……Was it wrong to trust a master beyond human limits?’

He didn’t show up.

And I heard Gu Seon was still at Gu Clan.

It meant something had gone wrong.

Although Do-cheol was constantly vexed because things had gotten complicated.

‘It worked out.’

The situation turned out well.

‘Since the sacrifice came along.’

A new sacrifice has arrived.

A direct descendant of Gu Clan, yet a blood relative who hasn’t inherited the karma.

‘The Gu family head’s illegitimate child?’

Baek Yangcheon, revealed to be the descendant of Gu Seong-yeol.

He came here of his own accord.

Do-cheol recalled that and hardened his gaze.

‘This is the last chance.’

Baek Yangcheon.

He was the last chance to sever their persistent and vile karma.