Chapter 198: Beads of the Heavenly Road. (1)

The Bead of Cheonro. (1)

The bandage covering the eyes was thick with dust.

Seeing it stained red, there were clear signs of having bled profusely.

Looking at it, the probability was high that the eyes were already unable to see.

“The lass is calmer than I thought. Tsk, tsk.”

At the old man’s words, Gu Huibi frowned.

The situation was already terrible, and with the appearance of an unexpected figure, it was only natural that she couldn’t let her guard down.

“Who are you?”

“If I tell you who I am, would you even know?”

A withered body and deep traces of torture.

Despite that, the creaky, chuckling laughter grated on her ears.

Gu Huibi quickly assessed her own condition.

‘Restraints.’

One on each leg, and one on each arm.

The internal energy in her dantian wouldn’t budge an inch.

‘Are my pressure points sealed?’

If it were pressure point sealing, she would have at least known.

That uncomfortable sensation is impossible not to notice.

‘If not.’

If not, what could it be? With her dantian fine and it not being pressure points, she couldn’t fathom why her internal energy wouldn’t move.

Gu Huibi focused her mind, trying to move her internal energy somehow.

Even if she couldn’t reach the middle dantian, it would be enough if she could move it even a little.

As she focused all her mental energy on her dantian…

“…!”

Gu Huibi curled up from the unbearable, nonsensical agony felt in her dantian.

“Hngh…!”

It wasn’t just pain; it was a foreign sensation, like something gnawing at her entire body.

Though she wanted to scream right away, Gu Huibi forced her mouth shut.

“Amazing. That’s not something you can endure just by trying.”

The old man continued to watch Gu Huibi from the front, merely chuckling.

“…You…”

At his tone, which seemed to know her situation, Gu Huibi immediately glared at the old man.

The old man continued speaking, looking at Gu Huibi like that.

“It would be better not to wear such a venomous expression; I’m not the culprit, you know.”

“…Can you see?”

“Does it seem that way?”

“No… that’s impossible.”

“That’s right. I’m a blind person who can’t see anything.”

It was contradictory talk.

After spewing words as if he could see, he called himself blind.

The bandage covering his eyes was too contradictory.

“If you cannot see, eventually there are things you can see.”

Gu Huibi scoffed at the old man’s words.

The old man being here in this situation suggested he was no ordinary person.

But now wasn’t the time to worry about that.

“Do you know about the current situation?”

At Gu Huibi’s words, the old man made a strange expression.

It was a look as if he found it curious.

“Why is that?”

“Truly, you’re a peculiar child. To ask me something like that in this situation.”

“Because there’s no one else here but you, old man.”

“Knowing what I might do, you’re asking questions first?”

Gu Huibi replied curtly to the old man’s words.

“Didn’t you say you weren’t the culprit?”

Gu Huibi was still curled up, unable to shake off the earlier pain.

“Do you believe those words?”

“Does it make a difference if I don’t believe you?”

“Huhuh.”

The old man, laughing emptily, slumped down in front of Gu Huibi.

To eyes accustomed to the darkness, the old man’s appearance became clear then.

The restraints on his feet were larger and more peculiar than her own.

“I’ve heard rumors, but you’re an even crazier child than that.”

“Do you know me?”

“Of course, I know you well. How could I not? The Sword Phoenix of the world.”

The greatest late-stage genius after Peng Woojin.

The treasure of the Gu family, and the perfected form created by the heroic figure.

Her fiery temper and sharp tongue…

…couldn’t be hidden even by her beautiful appearance, but…

…she was said to possess the talent to quell all those flaws; the little flame of Shanxi.

That was the Gu Huibi the world knew.

“Just as I heard, you’re not right in the head.”

“You speak too carelessly when someone’s right in front of you.”

The old man quietly watched Gu Huibi like that.

Since his eyes were blind, perhaps it was more accurate to say he perceived.

‘Should I call her calm, or reckless?’

A woman who seemed just past her youth shouldn’t normally react like this when faced with such a situation.

No matter that Gu Huibi was a martial artist, she seemed unnecessarily composed.

‘Or perhaps, she was trying hard to appear composed.’

The old man didn’t bring this up verbally.

Because there was no need to say it.

“This place is the Black Night Palace.”

Gu Huibi’s body flinched at the old man’s words.

Seeing her eyes narrow and elongate as she gnashed her teeth…

“It seems you already knew this much.”

Gu Huibi chewed her lips at the old man’s words.

Because it was something she had somewhat expected, just as the old man said.

‘Then, that man….’

Gu Huibi recalled the end at the front line.

It was the moment she received Elder Yi’s help due to a crack forming in an unknown demonic realm.

In that split second, Gu Huibi felt an oppressive, terrible presence surrounding her.

Pushed away by Elder Yi’s hand without even time to draw her sword, she saved her life.

Recalling the memory itself was torture.

Leaving behind Elder Yi, who was engaging in battle against a disaster-like entity.

At that time, she herself was too incompetent.

Not only could she not help, but she couldn’t even escape as if tied to the ground; that useless image remained in her mind.

How many times had she swung her sword to avoid becoming that kind of person?

Though much time had passed and she had overcome barriers to reach her peak…

…she was still incompetent.

The old man spoke to Gu Huibi, who remained silent.

“It seems you saw the Palace Lord.”

Gu Huibi’s eyes widened greatly at the old man’s words.

“How I knew is simple. The only one who can reduce a martial artist’s body to that state is solely the Black Night Palace Lord.”

“…So, not being able to use my internal energy is because of that person?”

The expert Elder Yi was fighting with all his might.

The sight of him receiving each heavy punch and devastating the surroundings…

…was truly a monster.

Was that truly the master of the Black Night Palace, called the Five Demonic Emperors?

“You can use your internal energy. Didn’t you try to use it earlier?”

Gu Huibi perked up her ears and focused at the old man’s words.

He seemed to be referring to the pain felt when trying to force it.

“If you can endure that pain and backlash, you will be able to use it. But whether a human can do that is another matter.”

“…”

In the end, it meant she couldn’t use it.

“…I need to find another way.”

“Are you thinking of escaping?”

“Because I can’t just stay stuck here.”

“Your courage is admirable, but it won’t be easy.”

Ignoring the old man’s words, she looked around a bit more.

A space surrounded by iron bars.

Moonlight streamed in through a tiny gap in the wall.

Seeing that, she could barely guess it was night.

‘How much time has passed?’

Setting time aside, she wondered if the Five Swords and Elder Yi were okay.

Her mind was a mess.

She didn’t even know why she was here.

“… Sigh.”

Gu Huibi swept her hair back, trying to calm herself down.

She had to maintain her composure in any situation.

That was the duty that came with holding the position of Sword Division Captain.

It was also what her father had told her.

It meant controlling her fiery temper.

It was a saying that gave Gu Huibi much to think about.

‘If it were now… what should I do?’

Her sword was gone from her waist, and her internal energy wouldn’t move.

Alone with the old man in the thick darkness, between the iron bars.

“As I said earlier, you’re making me anxious, so stay still.”

“…Are you truly blind, old man?”

“When you’ve lived this long, you should have a few tricks up your sleeve.”

Should being able to know the situation even with eyes covered be called a trick?

The old man just chuckled lightly.

“I was lonely, but now that I have a conversation partner, it’s fine.”

“You’re truly nonchalant, even in this situation.”

“For me, it has become a hopeful situation, so it can only be good.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“The fact that you are here means the heroic figure might make a move, doesn’t it?”

Upon hearing her father’s alias coming from the old man’s mouth…

…Gu Huibi had to frown.

“I don’t know why my family head’s alias is mentioned there.”

“Since his daughter was dragged here, naturally, the father will make a move.”

At the old man’s words, Gu Huibi let out a hollow laugh, as if finding it absurd.

“I don’t know what dream you’re having, but my family head is not that kind of person.”

Favoring someone just because they are a child.

Nor was he someone who tried to give more of something.

He didn’t particularly cherish them.

If there had been affection in the first place.

His own mother too.

His younger brother’s mother wouldn’t have just left them like that either.

“So throw away any hope like that.”

“…”

At Gu Huibi’s firm words, the old man said nothing.

He was just staring at Gu Huibi with eyes that could see nothing.

“Why are you looking like that?”

“To say ‘look’ to a blind person, those are truly terrible words.”

She wasn’t in the mood for such petty wordplay.

Gu Huibi found the old man’s seemingly nonchalant personality unknowingly unsettling.

Since there was no time for arguing, she tried to ignore it and organize her thoughts.

Then, the old man said to Gu Huibi.

“Child, it seems you don’t know your father well.”

Gu Huibi sighed at the old man’s words.

“If you’re going to talk about things like not knowing my father’s love…”

“…you seem to not know how the heroic figure reacts when family is threatened.”

Gu Huibi frowned at his subtle words.

“Old man, about my father… Do you know?”

“Well, I’m not sure.”

But judging by his tone, it sounded like he knew something.

After saying that, the old man dragged his restraints and slumped against the wall.

“My body is tired, so I’ll rest first. Try whatever you want.”

“What you just said…”

“If you’re worried about your safety, you don’t need to worry.”

Not to mention the Palace Lord and others, no one will be able to lay a hand on you for a while.

“Oh, and…”

The old man slowly reached out his hand and pointed to Gu Huibi’s waist.

Gu Huibi checked her waist to see what the old man was pointing at.

“…!”

She immediately understood what the old man meant.

What Gu Huibi was wearing at her waist was from before she last parted ways with Gu Yangcheon.

It was the same as the lucky pouch she had given to Gu Yangcheon.

“Along with what’s inside, let’s talk about your questions tomorrow. Tsk tsk, when you get old, you should just die. My body is old, so I get tired easily.”

“…Old man, what is your identity?”

“Unlike me, a child with perfectly fine eyes asking strange things? Can’t you tell by looking? I’m a person, just a person.”

“That’s not what I’m asking.”

“I’m tired, so stop asking. I don’t have a name, so call me Elder Muk from now on. It’s bothersome, so don’t call me today.”

After finishing his words, the old man snored loudly, as if for Gu Huibi to hear, and truly fell asleep.

Gu Huibi, left alone, tore open the lucky pouch at her waist with trembling eyes and put it in her bosom.

It seemed others hadn’t discovered it while she was being brought here.

This was fortunate in a way.

Conversely, Gu Huibi was filled with worry.

The bead inside the lucky pouch.

What it was, and its purpose and use.

Gu Huibi sincerely hoped her younger brother wouldn’t realize.

Because this was a precious item that allowed its possessors to track each other’s location.

---

Around the time Gu Huibi was anxiously examining the lucky pouch.

Gu Yangcheon was facing Elder Yi.

Bandaged here and there, Elder Yi, who had slumped onto the floor, said to Gu Yangcheon in front of him.

“You look terrible.”

To his voice, spoken as if incredulous.

Gu Yangcheon also replied calmly.

“If you’ve woken up, you should just stay lying quietly in bed. Why have you come?”

Fortunately, Elder Yi seemed to have regained his senses.

Shinui had said he would wake up soon.

But I didn’t expect him to wake up this quickly.

Even if the surgery was perfect, this was purely thanks to Elder Yi’s unbelievable regenerative power.

Elder Yi clicked his tongue and said at Gu Yangcheon’s words.

“Since you couldn’t come, this old man came himself, didn’t he?”

As Elder Yi said, Gu Yangcheon was not in a situation to go see him, even if Elder Yi had woken up now.

That’s understandable because.

The place Gu Yangcheon was currently in was a prison.

The Gu family’s prison, that is.

“Well, I’ll be out soon, you’re quite impatient.”

“Out soon my ass! After causing such a mess, you’re thinking of getting out quickly?”

“It won’t take long.”

Gu Yangcheon just replied listlessly at Elder Yi’s scolding.

“Elder San and Elder Sa said they would fix your mind, using this as an excuse.”

“Ha, fix who? People who aren’t even active anymore.”

Unlike Elder Il and Elder Yi, who worked for the clan.

They were elders who no longer actively participated in clan affairs.

Those people are picking on me now?

‘Damn old geezers.’

“That’s why, you rascal! Why would you cause trouble when I couldn’t help!”

Gu Yangcheon just pouted at Elder Yi’s scolding.

Although there was justification for killing Elder Il, this was strictly something only he knew.

Even if he had received temporary permission, albeit unofficial, from the Steward.

Ultimately, he had killed an elder within the clan, so he had to receive punishment, even as a blood relative.

‘It would be fine if Elder Il’s basement were discovered.’

How to proceed was difficult, as his father wasn’t in the clan, forcing him into this situation.

“How is your body?”

“I’m fine.”

“They said a hole was pierced through your chest; it’s impossible you’re fine.”

“This brat? If you weren’t going to believe me anyway, why did you ask?”

Elder Yi kept letting out hollow laughs at Gu Yangcheon’s words.

“Do you intend to keep acting like this?”

“What can I do? My father isn’t here.”

“Do you want me to use my strength a bit?”

“The strength Elder Yi uses would literally be brute force to escape, so it’s fine.”

“…”

Seeing his reaction, it seemed he really intended to use brute force to escape.

Why is a person who isn’t even well acting like that?

Realizing this wouldn’t work either, Elder Yi brought up another topic.

“Your children are very worried.”

“…”

“Especially, the child who is your attendant is crying every day.”

He seemed to be talking about Wi Seol-ah.

“…I’ll handle that myself.”

It was regrettable, but it couldn’t be helped for now.

Because this was something that needed to be done clearly.

Gu Yangcheon, putting this aside, looked at Elder Yi and asked.

“Please tell me, Elder Yi.”

“What are you talking about?”

“About Sister Huibi.”

“…”

“I know you came to tell me about that. What happened?”

“You weren’t like this before; you’ve become unnecessarily perceptive.”

Gu Huibi being kidnapped and Elder Yi being on the verge of death.

Elder Yi deliberately seeking out Gu Yangcheon as soon as he regained his consciousness was probably related to this.

Elder Yi looked at Gu Yangcheon like that, hesitated, and opened his mouth.