Chapter 1217: Scorched World

Hwaruk.

A blazing ember. I widened my eyes watching it.

-Do not react.

Gu Seongyeol’s voice startled me. I shifted my gaze and looked around. Gu Seon and Soi didn’t seem to notice this.

‘Can they not see it?’

It seems my vision is blocked.

‘So you can make it invisible.’

I listened to Gu Seongyeol’s words and stayed still. He told me not to react, and I obeyed.

-The previous family head will move to find you,

“…….”

That was something I already knew. It was the very reason I’d been having trouble until now.

-You can buy time, but it won’t be long. Since there are constraints, if you consider the time, it won’t be long either.

“…….”

-Be careful.

Careful. Hearing that, I suppressed a groan. I wondered if being careful would even solve the problem.

‘I need to find some energy somehow.’

Even when I’m strong, I don’t know what will happen. In my current state, it would be incredibly difficult. It meant I could just burn to death in an instant.

‘Still, I should be grateful they’re buying me time.’

I don’t know how much time it will buy or how they’ll buy it, but it’s something to be thankful for.

-Furthermore.

Gu Seongyeol continued speaking.

-I will handle the part you requested, so don’t worry about that either.

“…….”

I nodded slightly. I had previously mentioned something about Do-yun, and this meant he would grant that request.

‘That’s a relief.’ Just as I was about to relax thinking that.

-That’s all I have to say. Now, go.

Tuk.

“Huh?”

With a brief reaction, the ember in front of me extinguished.

“Yeah? What’s wrong?”

“……No, nothing.”

I didn’t expect him to just say what he needed to and cut it off. I let out a hollow laugh, ignoring Gu Seon’s puzzled look.

‘……Honestly.’

The Gu family members are never normal. Was this what they call a farewell?

‘Yeah. It’s better this way.’

We weren’t close enough for pleasantries. No bond like that had been formed.

Just then.

Kkiik.

Someone entered as the carriage door opened. It was my father.

“Prepare yourselves.”

“Ah, yes.”

After lightly boarding the spacious carriage, my father spoke, and immediately, the sound of a whip cracked, followed by the horses’ whinnying.

Hiiiying-!!

The carriage started moving.

Right.

It meant it was time to drag this pathetic body back to Hanam.

* * *

Hiiiying-!!

Gu Seongyeol watched the few carriages gradually moving away amidst the sounds.

Then, a sudden thought crossed his mind, and Gu Seongyeol chuckled lightly.

“Tsk… The Grand Elder will surely be furious.”

Thinking of Gu Ryun, who happened to be away from home at this time, a thought of ‘Oops’ flashed through his mind.

As he thought that, calmly watching the carriages visible through the window gap, someone next to him spoke to Gu Seongyeol.

“Family Head-nim.”

“…….”

At the Steward’s words, Gu Seongyeol looked at him.

“Is it alright to let them go like this?”

“Is there a problem?”

“Because the previous Family Head-nim won’t approve.”

“He probably won’t.”

What severe punishment would be given to someone who defied his will? I was truly curious how the Master of Flames would react.

However.

“I am not afraid.”

Not scared. Not fearful either. It was merely a question. Why the previous Family Head-nim was so sensitive about it.

I don’t concern myself with the affairs of the Central Plains.

That was the aftermath of the prohibition, and the matters here were solely meant to be entrusted to me.

“Then, was it alright to just let him go?”

“What answer are you expecting?”

“……Just.”

Baek Yangcheon. Was it a problem that I did nothing and just let him go? Gu Seongyeol chuckled at the Steward’s words.

“He’s someone who has traversed the Gu family’s underground. Don’t you know what that signifies?”

“…….”

At Gu Seongyeol’s words, the Steward closed his mouth.

“The one who actually traversed it seems unaware. At least, we are. And you, even more so, should know well.”

The Gu family’s underground.

The necessary condition to go there.

“It’s not a mere seal.”

The seal received upon becoming the Young Family Head. That is merely proof. Proof and evidence of becoming the Young Family Head. That’s all it was.

The real condition.

“One who is a direct descendant of the Gu family and has received validation from the Family Head.”

Becoming the Young Family Head means having a body that will inherit the Gu family’s legacy.

It had to be a body that shattered the heavenly prohibition.

Yet, Baek Yangcheon had already met the conditions.

The meaning of this was simple.

“He has already received the will of the Family Head.”

Although that Family Head might not be me, Baek Yangcheon must have someone who passed on the Young Family Head’s legacy to him.

The problem is.

“But he isn’t the Young Family Head…”

He shattered the burdensome body and the heavenly prohibition, yet he didn’t ascend to the position of Young Family Head.

What this signifies is rougher than expected.

“It means someone else is carrying the Young Family Head’s legacy.”

It’s probably the Family Head himself who broke the prohibition.

“……How could that be possible?”

Gu Seongyeol frowned. It was a legacy he himself couldn’t handle, so he passed it to his child.

He’s handling that simultaneously?

‘……Just what.’

What kind of being is he?

Gu Seongyeol pondered this question as he watched the carriages gradually disappear.

* * *

Time passed. Several days flew by, and we were nearing our arrival in Hanam from Shanxi.

“Ugh, I’m so bored.”

Gu Seon poked his face out the carriage window, grumbling continuously.

“It’s really not fun. Why is it so boring? Shouldn’t something interesting happen? How can it be so…”

“Be quiet.”

I cut him off mid-sentence.

“Be quiet for a bit.”

“Aww, whyyyy.”

Gu Seon whined and came closer. I pushed him away with my foot, creating distance.

If it were just once, I’d tolerate it, but he’s been like this for days, so how could I possibly put up with it?

“We’ll arrive soon. Just stay put.”

“That ‘soon’ has already been days.”

“Do you think we can cover that distance instantly?”

If I had my energy, we’d arrive in a day, but this was a carriage. It was natural to be bored.

“Aaaah. I’m bored! Play with meee!”

“Ack! Get off!”

I forcibly peeled Gu Seon off me as he tried to cling on. I shot glances asking for help, but neither Soi nor Father was looking this way.

‘These petty people?’

Those who had suffered from Gu Seon for days saw me become the target and decided, ‘Good riddance,’ ignoring me. Damn it. They say you can’t trust anyone in this world.

“Why is he so strong, anyway?”

It wasn’t easy trying to push him away. Even without my energy, why is this so difficult? He’s damn strong, really.

“Get oofff!”

I finally pushed him off and took a breath. He’s a formidable opponent, truly.

“How can you keep clinging on even when I push you away? Are you crazy?”

“Our family bloodline is all about grit.”

“That’s hilarious.”

That was the first time I’d heard that. Where does the Gu family have grit?

“Just stay put. We still have a day’s journey ahead.”

“A daaay!?”

Gu Seon yelled.

“You said there was only a little left earlier!”

“This much is still ‘a little’. What more do you expect?”

He seemed to have absolutely no patience.

“Krrr.”

He’s starting to act like a dog. Now he’s even making growling sounds.

“……Vice Family Head-nim.”

“What is it?”

“Could you stop your own sister?”

Why am I the only one suffering? I said that with a look implying just that, but…

“It’s fine. If you think about it, she’s your sister too.”

“…….”

This guy used a cheap trick.

“Krr!”

“Ah, get off already…!”

Gu Seon, who had targeted me, was about to lunge again. Just as I was about to gather strength to deal with him.

“……!”

“……Huh?”

Cheolkeok!

Kung!

Suddenly, Soi drew her sword, and Father leaped out of the carriage. Seeing that, I pulled Gu Seon towards me.

“Eok!?”

I immediately took a protective stance, shielding him behind my back.

I couldn’t feel it, but I understood from their reactions.

A short while later.

Hiiiying-!!

The moving carriage stopped with the horses’ whinnying.

‘What is it?’

I narrowed my eyes.

“Ugh, move aside a bit.”

The crumpled Gu Seon tried to push me away, but I didn’t budge.

I couldn’t hear anything. Only then did I slowly stick my head out the window.

‘……A person?’

Someone appeared in front.

It was a woman who had stopped the carriage. She looked to be in her late twenties.

‘Who is she?’

I stared at the woman with puzzled eyes. She was an unfamiliar face. Definitely someone I’d never seen before. The sword at her hip indicated she was a warrior.

‘……Strong.’

Even without feeling her energy, I could tell. Judging by her aura, she was a powerhouse.

Moreover.

“Well, look who it is.”

Paejon, who had been lying down in the carriage, got up and even greeted her familiarly. It was a bonus that the man who refused to get up for days now looked somewhat excited.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen your face.”

The woman smiled at Paejon’s words.

“It’s nice to see you again, Bijoo.”

The woman called Paejon’s name so casually. Seeing that startled me. Who is she? To speak like that to the great Paejon? It would be impossible unless she was of considerable standing and age.

Who could she possibly be? Was there such a woman in history? I tried recalling famous heroines, but none came to mind.

Just then.

“Indeed. It has been a while.”

Paejon called her,

“Sword Empress.”

“……!”

At those words, my eyes widened like saucers.

‘……Sword Empress?’

Sword Empress. He called her Sword Empress, not Soi.

This means… ‘No way…?’

There was indeed a Sword Empress before Soi, a historically quite famous figure.

‘Eul-yeong Sword Empress?’

Commonly known as the Sword Empress of Ruin.

The woman historically called the worst Sword Empress ever was standing right before my eyes.