Chapter 1213: Scorched World

“……That.”

I lost my words for a moment. I tried to say something, but nothing came out after that.

What did I just hear?

“What are you trying to do?”

“Break off the engagement.”

So I didn’t mishear? I had hoped maybe I did, but nope. Damn it.

“Break off… an engagement?”

Namgung Jin requested a breakup. Did he say that to Hyeon Soyeong?

‘Yeah, that could happen.’

Well, it couldn’t happen. But realistically, since neither Namgung Jin nor Hyeon Soyeong had feelings for each other, it could happen.

‘……Why did it have to be.’

I swallowed dryly and asked.

“You said I was used as the reason?”

“That’s right.”

“Namgung Jin…?”

“Yes.”

My head started to ache. I’m the reason for the broken engagement?

“He brought up the time we were together and said that since we’d both be unhappy, we should break off the engagement and go our separate ways.”

“……And what did you say?”

“What’s there to say? I said no.”

She said, shrugging her shoulders. She was surprisingly calm for a woman asked to break off an engagement.

“Are you okay?”

“Okay, what?”

“You were still asked to break off the engagement.”

“Well. It wasn’t like I didn’t know, so I wasn’t that surprised.”

Still, it was strange how nonchalant she was despite being asked to break off the engagement.

Just then.

“Besides, it’s not like we can break off the engagement anyway.”

“……”

Hyeon Soyeong said it as if she was certain.

“Why do you see it that way?”

“Why else? Young Master Baek, would you think differently if you were in my situation?”

“……”

I couldn’t answer. Because she was right.

‘I wouldn’t.’

In this situation, I wouldn’t bother. Namgung Jin wants it? What difference would that make?

‘Namgung Jin’s family is a prestigious house.’

The real deal among the real deals. The Namgung family.

The reason they chose Hyeon Soyeong was because her background was suitable enough, and they had already proceeded with the engagement.

‘They wouldn’t go through with it, even just to consider public perception.’

Even if the man’s side wanted it. They weren’t at a level where they could just discard Hyeon Soyeong. And even if not.

‘It’s the same with Namgung Jin himself.’

No matter how recklessly he acted, he knew his limits. Knew his place, perhaps? He was intimidated by his own family and knew he wasn’t someone who could defy their will.

‘He’s not a crazy bastard like me.’

Having gone through a broken engagement with the Peng family once. Unless he’s as crazy as I am, he wouldn’t break it off.

‘Namgung Jin is fake.’

He’s got fake madness. If he truly wanted to break off the engagement.

‘He would have slapped her face already.’

He would have slapped the other person’s face, or they would have hit each other. That’s what I did.

Of course.

‘I took a lot of damage though.’

I got beaten to a pulp.

Although, thanks to that, the engagement was broken off.

Seeing that.

‘This guy is weak.’

Namgung Jin’s choice was incredibly weak. Since he couldn’t do anything himself, he was passing the decision onto Hyeon Soyeong.

‘If he had even a shred of feeling, he would have acted more strongly.’

Since there are no feelings between them, it’s dragging on like this.

The problem is…

‘That I’m involved somehow.’

This wasn’t good.

“Ugh, I hate getting involved in troublesome things.”

There’s nothing more annoying than getting tangled up in something like this.

As I held back a sigh.

“Don’t worry too much.”

Hyeon Soyeong said, patting my shoulder.

“After all, Young Master Namgung won’t do anything.”

“That’s not exactly what I’m worried about. I just hate being misunderstood.”

“Misunderstood…?”

Hyeon Soyeong chuckled.

“It’s not entirely a misunderstanding, is it?”

“What did you say?”

“Well, I know you don’t have feelings for me. But it was a situation where Young Master Namgung could misunderstand.”

“……I have no interest in you.”

“I know. I can tell just by looking at your eyes.”

“My eyes?”

Why my eyes? As I asked, puzzled, Hyeon Soyeong said, sounding exasperated.

“You keep looking like you’re longing for someone. And it’s clear that person isn’t me. That’s subtly unpleasant, you know?”

“When did I ever… “

“If you miss someone that much, just go meet your fiancée. Stop looking for them in me.”

“……”

I froze. Hyeon Soyeong said it casually, but her eyes were serious.

“I’ll handle Young Master Namgung’s business myself. So don’t worry about that either.”

“I didn’t seek you out solely for that reason.”

“Yes. You wouldn’t. I don’t know you well, but I know you’re not that selfish a person.”

Saying this, Hyeon Soyeong turned her back.

“Anyway. Don’t worry about it. I can handle my own affairs.”

“……”

After saying that, Hyeon Soyeong went straight into her quarters.

Watching her back, I held back a sigh.

‘Tsk.’

Don’t see something else in me.

Those words struck a chord.

But.

‘How can I not?’

It was hard not to. I wouldn’t have, normally.

‘But I can’t right now.’

Now that I know Namgung Bi-ah is inside her body, for whatever reason, I can’t help it.

That’s why I keep worrying about it, and the problem is that Hyeon Soyeong noticed.

‘Tsk.’

I scratched my head.

‘Why her…?’

Why did she have to enter that body?

She resembled her so much, it made it worse.

“Agh.”

Hyeon Soyeong had already gone inside. Annoyed, I turned my back too.

Seeing Hyeon Soyeong was done. Because there was someone else I needed to see next.

* * *

A place not entirely dark. I see someone sitting hunched over, blocked by iron bars.

A slumped body, chains bound all over it. Seeing that, I asked.

“You’re looking quite rough?”

Cheolgeureok.

The person sitting slumped before me reacted to my words.

“……Kkulkkulkkul.”

Blood mixed with the laughter. I could smell blood. He looked utterly exhausted. Looking closely, his body seemed twisted in places.

“……Why? Did you come to watch my downfall?”

“Not really to watch. I just have something to ask.”

“Something to ask… from me?”

“That’s right.”

Teolsseok. I sat down in front of him.

The person in front of me was the head of the Do family. Do Cheol.

He had been perfectly defeated after taking a blow from the Battle Lord. And was imprisoned in the Gu family’s jail.

“I apologize for seeing you in such a pathetic state.”

“No need to apologize.”

I had already received permission from the family head. To ask him something.

“There’s something I want to ask.”

“Do you think I’ll answer?”

“Well, it’s fine if you don’t. But it’d be nice if you did.”

I had really just come to ask.

“Why. Do you have any questions about the Gu family’s actions?”

Do Cheol asked, his eyes gleaming. Hearing that, I laughed.

“Questions? Why would I?”

“What?”

“Whether they did it or not doesn’t matter. It has nothing to do with me.”

“Ha……”

“What I’m curious about isn’t your story or your goals or anything like that.”

I wasn’t interested in that.

What I was curious about was.

“Your face.”

“……Hmm?”

“It resembles someone I know. But it looked exactly the same.”

“……”

Do Cheol’s body stiffened at my words.

Observing his reaction, I asked.

“Do you know something?”

“……Heheheh… hehe.”

Do Cheol let out a laugh instead of answering.

“……You… what is your identity?”

“I am me. Don’t you already know that much?”

“That’s not what I’m asking. You saw the same face?”

Heheheheheh.

Laughter filled the space.

“What are you laughing at?”

“It’s strange… If you just saw someone who looked alike, you could think that. But you’re asking me with doubt in your voice. How is that not strange?”

Do Cheol’s gaze was clearly sharp.

“What are you? How could you possibly survive in that place? Aren’t you of the Gu family bloodline?”

“I came here to ask, why are you asking me questions?”

I nodded.

“Anyway. I sensed something strange about your appearance. What is it? Just answer my question.”

“……Hahaha, didn’t I say it earlier? Did you think I’d answer?”

“You won’t? Then fine.”

I stood up without hesitation.

If you’re not going to tell me, then fine. What can you do? If they won’t talk, what choice do I have?

Thinking that, I said to Do Cheol.

“Well then, shall I kill your son?”

“……What?”

Do Cheol’s eyes widened at my blunt words.

“No, isn’t that right? Since you won’t answer, I have to do what I have to do.”

“You…!”

Cheolgeong-!

The chains shook. Do Cheol tried to lunge at me, but his broken body and bound limbs wouldn’t allow it. It seemed his energy was also sealed, as his body wouldn’t obey him.

“How can someone from a righteous sect use such crude threats!”

“Righteous sect, my ass. Says the old man who pulled strings from behind the scenes, spewing crap.”

I dug into my ear as if I’d heard something filthy.

“You know your son was captured too, right?”

Do Yun is here too. Since he was captured directly, of course that’s the case.

“Maybe if I go rip off an arm and throw it at you, you’ll talk. I’ll be right back, then.”

“Wait……”

Hearing that, I stopped.

Hearing that, I asked with a wide grin.

Seeing my smile, Do Cheol gritted his teeth and said.

“……You. What exactly are you? What is your identity?”

“Me?”

Identity.

Hearing that, nothing specific came to mind. Ah, wait, there is one thing.

Haven’t I heard a certain word often lately?

Recalling it, I said to Do Cheol.

“Calamity.”

“……”

Do Cheol’s pupils trembled madly.