Chapter 255: Letter You Sent. (1)

If I were to recall Defeated Venerable Paejon Biju.

I don’t know that much.

In the first place, Paejon himself was a figure who had disappeared due to the aftermath of Banro Wandong, living without any intention of revealing himself.

At that time, he was someone who wouldn’t have shown himself unless the Heavenly Demon caused the Blood Calamity.

It would be stranger if I knew the details.

‘Even so.’

It wasn’t that I knew nothing at all.

I had encountered him several times during the war.

I had actually sparred with Paejon.

If I were to describe my impression of him.

‘A monster….’

When I recall that time.

It was a memory that let me understand why Paejon was called the strongest in the martial arts world.

Monster.

If I were to find a person that word suited best, wouldn’t it be Paejon?

‘He was unbelievably terrifying.’

His appearance alone was enough to make one flinch.

Amidst the onslaught of demons and monsters pouring down like a boiling tide, from those who received the Heavenly Demon’s mark and the monsters.

I recall a warrior standing serenely alone.

Wearing clothes torn and ruined into rags.

His hands held nothing.

Moreover, the warrior was alone.

I heard later that.

‘The ones who unnecessarily joined me were just a hindrance.’

‘It was more convenient to go alone,’ or so he said.

It was truly a statement that represented his personality.

The warrior.

Was serene even while watching the disaster surge like a tsunami.

I don’t know what he was thinking while watching that, but.

I probably will never know for my entire life.

The warrior simply stared straight ahead silently.

And clenched his fist.

It wasn’t a special move.

Because he really just clenched his fist.

Then, he slightly bent his upper body.

And put strength into his lower body.

It was the simplest, most basic stance.

Except for being clean and without any frills.

It was a basic stance, no different from any other.

His gaze didn’t waver.

Finally, his fist, extended calmly with recoil,

Accompanied by a short whistling sound of wind.

‘Created a hellscape.’

What happened?

I couldn’t properly see that moment.

All I could tell was that.

With just one short strike.

The world had flipped upside down.

When I confirmed the situation that unfolded,

Amidst the crushed and torn corpses.

Those ink-black eyes were looking straight into mine with a clear gaze.

-Now, come down now.

Starting with the words whispered out.

Paejon and I clashed.

If it hadn’t been for the intervention of Sword Master Ma, who was hunting the righteous sect members elsewhere in the meantime.

I would have died on the spot.

Paejon was that strong.

Even with his weakened meridians and body from the aftermath of Banro Wandong.

However he managed it, Paejon looked like a powerhouse for whom the title ‘Venerable’ was not awkward.

‘He was a crazy human.’

What kind of lunatic would think of jumping alone into the middle of an enemy unit to kill everyone?

It was even more astonishing that he succeeded so casually.

Crushing the earth with a single step.

And making a large hill disappear with one punch.

Making the word ‘Defeated’ (Pae 敗) in Paejon seem unfitting.

Meaning, in reality, he was a figure who didn’t suit defeat at all.

Truly a monster.

That was my impression of Paejon.

Even if the Heavenly Demon’s troops and the unit I was in charge of hadn’t been there.

Paejon’s dignity, somewhat blurred due to his disappearance, was proven once again that day.

And that kind of person.

‘Is coming to find me now?’

In person?

Coming on his own two feet?

Haha.

‘I’m fucked.’

Seriously fucked.

How did things end up like this?

‘What do you mean ‘how did things end up like this’? There’s no ‘how.”

I had known the cause all along.

The person who gave me this letter must be the problem.

Gritting my teeth.

I moved my steps, grinding my teeth.

My schedule afterwards was to go see Namgung Bi-ah, then meet my father, but.

Now is not the time to worry about such things.

In the dense forest behind the Gu family’s estate.

I see a large house in its center.

This is the first time I’ve come here in this life.

In my previous life, it was a place I’d visited unwillingly.

For someone belonging to a notable family, even holding the position of Elder,

It was quite cramped.

Moreover, he didn’t particularly keep any guards or servants.

This was something that revealed the personality of the person residing here.

Passing through the small garden within the residence.

Hurrying up the path with heavy footsteps.

Entering the building, I found the room where signs of life could be felt.

Creak!

I flung it open.

It was a rather impolite action, but.

I couldn’t hold back this time.

‘What kind of messed up letter is this…!’

As I opened the door, intending to demand what this was,

I was momentarily speechless upon seeing another person inside.

‘Oh, Yangcheon, what have you done?’

Thump.

As he spoke, Elder Il casually placed the stone in his hand onto the board.

‘…Ugh.’

In response, I heard the person on the opposite side groan as if displeased.

The problem was.

Who that groaning person was.

‘Why is this guy here again?’

He was someone I was already trying to find, wondering where he’d gone.

Let alone finding him, I never expected him to be randomly playing Go in Elder Il’s residence.

The old man’s identity was.

It was the Hao Clan Master, who had been in the Black Night Palace prison with Gu Huibi.

Since I had put him in the Gu family’s prison right before leaving for the front lines.

I was planning to ask my father about what happened to him later anyway.

…Why is this guy playing Go in Elder Il’s residence?

The old man, who had been groaning for a while.

Seemingly unable to find a solution, he said to Elder Il.

‘…Just let me take back my move once.’

His voice trembled, truly pathetic and desperate.

Furthermore, I saw Elder Il’s lips curve upwards vertically upon hearing this.

He seemed extremely pleased.

‘…If you wish for that, shouldn’t you fulfill the promise we made?’

Contrary to his expression, his tone was heavy, unlike Elder Il.

Does one really need to ask for a move reversal in Go with such a serious voice?

The atmosphere made even me, who had barged in to argue, pause for a moment.

The old man, upon hearing this, also.

Trembled uncontrollably.

What kind of promise could it be…

‘…I… can’t… play.’

‘…Huh?’

I think I heard something strange.

Without even a moment to think, Elder Il shouted.

‘Louder!’

‘I… cannot play Go… better than Gu Ryun…!’

‘Tsk! Your voice is too quiet!’

‘Ngh…! I! Cannot play Go… better than Great Hero Yeom Ah-kwon…!’

Finally, after the Hao Clan Master spat it out like a shout.

Elder Il nodded as if satisfied.

‘Good. Seeing your passion, I shall allow you to take back my move.’

‘…You damn bastard, making me do it…! Just you wait…!’

‘…’

What the…

What on earth are these guys doing?

As if they didn’t even care that I was here.

The two old men started playing Go again.

Only after I snapped back to my senses and intervened.

Could the intense heat of the Go board finally cool down.

---

After roughly wrapping up the situation, I sat in Elder Il’s room.

Elder Il came in with tea and sat opposite me.

‘Unfortunately, there were no snacks.’

‘Why didn’t you just order a servant?’

‘Since all I have left is time and my body, why would I bother?’

Elder Il said it as if it were nothing, but.

As it was a residence that, while not large, was somewhat big enough to live alone,

It seemed somewhat overwhelming for Elder Il to manage alone…

‘Ah.’

Just as I was thinking that, I saw someone diligently sweeping the floor on the porch.

It was the Hao Clan Master, who had been playing Go with me earlier.

‘Hey! Sweep it cleanly!’

‘This guy…! Speak after looking at my body! Do I look like I can put any strength into it?!’

Indeed…

To exaggerate, Old Man Muk’s body had a waist no thicker than Elder Il’s forearm and arms as thin as fingers.

It didn’t seem like he could put any strength into it, even if he tried.

‘No. That’s not the problem.’

I suddenly came to my senses and asked Elder Il.

‘Why is Old Man Muk in your residence, Elder Il?’

‘Hmm? Ah, Yangcheon, you must not have heard.’

‘Is there some other reason…?’

‘I just told the Clan Head that I’d take him in, so please give him to me.’

‘What?’

‘Since I was feeling lonely being alone, and that guy also had nowhere to go, I said I’d keep him.’

‘…Are you saying that like you just brought home a stray puppy?’

He’s the head of the Hao Clan, a demonic sect, one that rivals the Kaebang in terms of information.

Elder Il taking out such a person and keeping him in his residence,

And Old Man Muk, who was obediently sweeping the yard after being sent over, was also strange.

‘…This truly crazy household.’

The more I dug, the more I realized not a single person was normal.

‘No… that’s… never mind.’

There seemed to be easily dozens of points to argue about.

If I were to pick a fight over each one, I felt like I’d die of frustration, so I decided to let it go.

Elder Il must have had his reasons for doing so.

He must have…

‘…More importantly. Elder, what on earth is this?’

‘Hm? What are you talking about?’

‘This letter.’

I first asked Elder Il about the letter that Paejon must have sent.

That was the reason I came here in the first place.

‘This? Why?’

‘Why do you ask…?’

Why do you ask, you idiot.

Elder Il tilted his head as if asking what the problem was.

Seeing that reaction, I started to think maybe it wasn’t a big deal.

‘This… isn’t this a letter sent by Paejon?’

At my words, Elder Il took the letter.

‘Ah, this?’

‘Isn’t it?’

‘It is.’

Haha.

Damn it, it really was.

As if checking my expression, Elder Il added.

‘Why are you worrying so much? It just says he’s coming to see my face.’

‘…Wouldn’t it be strange not to worry?’

‘What is there to worry about?’

‘If Paejon comes to see me, will there really be no trouble?’

‘Trouble? What trouble could there be…’

The Elder, mid-sentence, suddenly shut his mouth and subtly avoided my gaze.

‘Elder, why are you avoiding my eyes?’

‘Did some dust get in my eye?’

‘Why are you changing the subject?’

This old geezer…!

As I persistently pressed him, the Elder slightly distanced himself and continued speaking.

‘Anyway, Yangcheon, you worry too much, that’s your problem. Others would be desperate to see your face once, to receive your teachings once.’

As Elder Il said.

The position of the Three Venerables of Heaven in the current Zhongyuan held overwhelming dignity.

As the saying goes, they were warriors who had reached the highest position attainable through human body and talent.

The Three Venerables (San Zun) represented the current Zhongyuan martial arts world.

They were individuals capable of destroying a large faction with their own strength.

Of course, none of that was helpful to me.

‘How do you know someone like that, Elder?’

‘As I lived, my connections just widened a bit.’

Starting with the Sect Leader of Mount Hua.

The Hao Clan Master of Shinui.

And on top of that, Paejon.

It was baffling how this guy’s network of connections had formed.

‘Is it true that he used to joke about having ‘played around’ in his youth?’

What on earth did he do to form such connections?

‘Well now, don’t worry. It’s probably not like he’s coming right away. He probably just mentioned it casually. Kkuhaha!’

It certainly wouldn’t be a situation where he could come immediately.

Paejon himself probably wouldn’t want to show his current state.

However, Paejon was a person who kept his word no matter what.

At least, as far as I knew.

There was only one thing I knew that he failed to keep.

‘The promise to kill the Heavenly Demon.’

Excluding that, he kept every word he uttered.

So, if he said he was coming to see my face.

‘…It means he’ll come see me someday.’

I thought maybe he’d really just come, see my face, and leave,

But the premonition that he wouldn’t grew stronger.

In fact, my bad premonitions had never been wrong.

Annoyingly so.

‘If I get involved with you, Elder… things just never work out.’

‘Look at this brat…? I cleaned up your shit, dressed you, raised you, and you have the nerve to say anything to your grandpa?!’

‘When did you ever clean up my shit! You probably tormented me until I couldn’t shit.’

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a fist flew towards the top of my head.

If I hadn’t dodged quickly, I would have been hit and staggered like before.

‘Again! Again! Throwing a punch first, you have such a wicked heart!’

‘Your body grew, so your words should have softened, but you’ve only gotten quicker with your tongue!’

As Elder Il got up, intending to move properly.

I quickly put distance between us.

This time, I had no intention of taking a hit like before.

I came here to argue, I can’t just get beaten up.

‘Hmph! After all the trouble I went through to deliver it, you’re ungrateful.’

‘If it was something like this, you shouldn’t have given it to me…!’

‘Judging by your reaction, it seems you haven’t looked at the other one.’

‘What?’

‘After all the trouble I went through to put it in your hand.’

At Elder Il’s words, I stopped talking and showed my confusion.

The other one?

What kind of…

‘Now that I think about it. I think there were two letters.’

The letter Elder Il handed me wasn’t just one.

I was so shocked by the first one that I didn’t even think to look at the other.

‘What could the other one be…’

I carefully folded Paejon’s letter and put it in my pocket.

Honestly, I wanted to just burn it, but if I burned it out of anger, I wouldn’t be able to clean up the mess.

Following Elder Il’s mention, I took out the other letter and unfolded it.

I unfolded it, filled with worry, wondering if this one would also contain strange content.

‘…Huh?’

As soon as I opened the letter, a gasp escaped me.

-To my young master.

The words, written in clumsy handwriting, made my strength momentarily drain away.

The other letter.

Was none other than one sent by Wi Seol-ah.