Chapter 37: In Search of Vigo. (5)

In Search of Vigo (5)

This is an event that happened before Machul came to Vigo chasing Yangcheon Gu.

With disheveled hair and a messy room, his one arm wrapped tightly in bandages, the one screaming monstrously was none other than Namgung’s Thunder Dragon, Namgung Cheonjun.

“Fuck… Fuuuuck!”

Whenever Namgung Cheonjun screamed and threw a tantrum, objects shattered one by one, and the servants beside him flinched and trembled.

As soon as Namgung Cheonjun regained his senses, he was engulfed in uncontrollable rage.

“Son of a bitch… He definitely used sorcery.”

Otherwise, it couldn’t be explained.

What was that bastard’s name again? Gu Cheonyeop or Gu Jeolyeop?

The Dangbyeong War Council only allows direct blood relatives to participate.

If the situation didn’t allow it, they wouldn’t come, but they wouldn’t have sent branch family members.

That was an unspoken rule between the martial clans.

Speaking of the Gu family, it was the martial clan of Ho-hyeop and Sword Phoenix.

I heard there was one son among Ho-hyeop’s children, so it must be him.

Grind.

Namgung Cheonjun clenched his teeth.

‘What kind of sorcery did he use?’

At first, it was just a level of annoyance.

I didn’t like the fact that he accompanied my sister for several days either.

I just didn’t like that guy who was unknowingly receiving attention from my sister.

A descendant of Ho-hyeop, a skilled martial artist, or Sword Phoenix, whom I disliked but was chosen as the most promising successor.

His martial prowess was unremarkable, and his internal energy was so lacking that I could discern every bit of it.

Despite that, I didn’t like how he had an inexplicably languid expression and subtly looked down on me.

So, I just intended to torment him a little.

Meaning, he should know his place.

Letting my guard down? Was there any need to take that kind of person seriously?

Yes, that’s why I let my guard down.

But that alone wasn’t the reason I lost.

To think that I would end up in this state. I couldn’t stand it.

Namgung Cheonjun was certain.

“It was sorcery…”

What kind of sorcery? How? That wasn’t important.

If it wasn’t, then we just had to make it so.

His groin still aching, Namgung Cheonjun burned with even more rage.

“Machul.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Upon hearing Namgung Cheonjun’s call, Machul immediately composed himself.

If he called him like this, there was only one reason.

It was an order he’d received hundreds of times before; would this time really be any different?

Namgung Cheonjun asked.

“The method.”

A short question. Yet, a question that held so much.

Machul couldn’t easily answer.

Because the situation wasn’t exactly favorable.

The Gu family’s guards were more skilled than expected.

Among them, one unknown young man seemed particularly outstanding. He was likely the personal guard.

A level that wasn’t particularly inferior even when compared to his own master, the Thunder Dragon.

It was questionable how such a skilled martial artist hadn’t gained renown yet.

Of course, the Gu family was particularly shrouded in secrecy in that regard.

Compared to myself at the peak, it was a level where I’d lose about twenty out of a hundred fights.

To break through such defenses and bring Young Master Gu or deal with him? In such a short timeframe, it was practically impossible.

“Machul.”

Namgung Cheonjun urged Machul for an answer.

Although his master always acted like a mature, affectionate, and kind person.

In Machul’s view, Namgung Cheonjun had a stronger, childlike side that couldn’t stand things not going his way.

Like right now.

Kku-uuk

A strange pressure tightened Machul’s chest.

It was due to the restriction imposed upon entering the Namgung family.

In exchange for easily obtaining martial arts and elixirs and living under the Namgung name, they had to be loyal to the clan.

Even though he reached the peak martial artist level more easily than others, it was also the reason he volunteered as a guard for the clan.

Under the increasing pressure, Machul swallowed once and barely managed to spit out an answer.

“…I will look into it.”

As his wavering answer registered, the tightening pressure disappeared.

Namgung Cheonjun grinned at Machul’s answer.

Then, he patted Machul’s shoulder.

“I always trust you, Machul. I know you’ll bring good news this time too.”

“…Yes.”

It’s not a great situation.

He had answered, but could he really pull it off?

As if mocking his anxiety, the opportunity arrived sooner than expected.

Because the target he was secretly watching had left the Tang Gate alone in the early morning hours.

Before becoming a guard, Machul was skilled in stealth techniques, so infiltration was something he was confident in.

At most, how much effort would it take to deal with just one young master?

‘Why is he leaving alone at this hour?’

From Machul’s perspective, that was the biggest question.

Could it be a trap?

If so, what kind of trap would it be?

The only presence I could sense was that of the Gu family’s young man.

Then why is that boy running breathlessly at this early hour?

Where on earth is he headed?

Machul decided to observe a little longer.

Since he was in a position to carry out his mission at any time, he wanted to satisfy his curiosity.

After walking and running for over two hours, he arrived at the mid-slope of Geum-a Mountain, a short distance from the Tang Gate.

‘Is this it?’

I wondered what he had climbed up here with such difficulty to find, but there was nothing.

‘Around here…’

It’s a perfect situation for kidnapping.

My master would prefer that over dealing with him quietly.

Now’s the chance while he’s alone…

“Why are you hereeeee!”

Machul, who was about to make his move, couldn’t help but freeze at the boy’s shout.

Beside the boy, another girl had appeared without him noticing.

‘When exactly…?’

It was something I had checked the entire way here.

I hadn’t sensed any presence other than the boy’s beside him.

Was someone else tailing them? If so, there’s no way I wouldn’t have noticed.

Especially if it was such an ordinary girl.

‘…What is it? Is someone else here?’

It was a situation that could be easily handled. He must possess outstanding martial prowess, having beaten my master.

Even so, Young Master Gu was below the first-rate level, including his internal energy.

And even with a girl who looked like a servant accompanying him, it wouldn’t make a difference.

Even in such a situation, Machul couldn’t rashly step forward.

It’s strange.

All the senses in my body seemed to be warning me not to act.

The two descended the mountain and entered a restaurant.

While eating, I eavesdropped on their conversation.

Young Master Gu seemed to be looking for a white maple tree.

A maple tree in midsummer, and a white one at that… What could this possibly mean?

Then, suddenly, the girl looked back while eating.

Machul flinched at her gaze.

Was it a mistake? Though it was only for a moment, the girl’s eyes were definitely looking at me.

‘It’s a mistake.’

Like Young Master Gu, I peered into the girl’s body, but she was just an ordinary person with no internal energy.

It was just a coincidence upon coincidence.

Ignoring the tingling sensation, I thought so.

Meanwhile, the girl mentioned she had seen the tree Young Master Gu was looking for.

At her words, Young Master Gu asked.

“Do you remember where that is?”

He seemed to have found something.

What followed were scenes Machul himself couldn’t believe.

The mountain climbed at night, the white maple tree finally found, stairs leading underground.

Numerous night-shining pearls adorning the walls.

Vigo, whose true nature was unknown.

Inside it, a monstrous beast in the form of a giant snake.

Machul couldn’t comprehend the situation. Things had happened too suddenly.

Could this be considered a fortunate encounter?

I don’t know how Young Master Gu knew about this, but…

Ultimately, it would circle back to benefit me.

Everything would go back to my master, but perhaps receiving his favor would slightly loosen my restrictions.

But then.

What in the world happened?

“Huoop…. Heok….”

Machul clutched his cleanly severed shoulder, repeatedly trying to stop the bleeding with his internal energy.

‘..Why isn’t the bleeding stopping?’

Even pouring in peak-level internal energy, the bleeding wouldn’t stop.

It was like a dam had broken, with blood flowing out profusely.

When, how, by what method could she have unleashed such a sword strike using that tiny dagger?

In the midst of it all, Machul couldn’t even catch a glimpse of how the girl swung her sword.

This is dangerous. I need to escape immediately.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Machul’s eyes trembled at the voice that seemed to pierce his heart.

Slowly, slowly, his head lifted.

At the figure standing before him, Machul couldn’t breathe properly.

“I gave you quite a few chances.”

The girl said.

With those few words, Machul’s shoulder felt heavily pressed down.

Where the black hair she had when I first saw her was, now…

Brilliant golden hair, as if pure gold had been poured over it, now rested there.

“What… What is going on…”

“Since you weren’t picking up the hints, I even helped trigger your intuition.”

What on earth is that?

The majesty of an absolute being capable of crushing a martial artist beyond the peak so easily.

How could this possibly be described?

Machul couldn’t know.

What he could be sure of was that the aura emanating from the girl was not internal energy.

Then what should this be called?

“You should have run away sooner.”

At the girl’s words, Machul asked with difficulty.

“Who are you, noble one….”

“Someone you don’t know.”

“If you knew I was tailing you from the beginning, why did you leave me be?”

“I never left you be. I even showed you ample generosity.”

Only then did Machul understand the inexplicable anxiety and intuition he had felt all along.

“Someone like you, why…”

Machul bit his lip.

Banro-hwandong (返老還童), the culmination of enlightenment experienced by martial artists spoken of only in legends.

Could the person before me possibly be a martial artist who reached that level?

If so, why would they volunteer to be a servant to someone like that?

The girl said.

“I don’t take questions… because time isn’t that long.”

I still want to pet them a bit longer.

The girl said that in a small voice.

“The reason I showed generosity is because this is my first time killing.”

“…What are you talking about?”

I could feel it from that unwavering sword strike.

She might have committed massacres, but never killed before? That couldn’t possibly be true.

The girl ignored Machul’s question and continued speaking.

“At the very least, I wanted to leave this part to my own choice. But it turned out in a direction I didn’t want. I’m sorry.”

A sudden apology; Machul thought the apology wasn’t directed at him.

How can I survive?

Thoughts raced through my mind, but the girl’s steps were faster.

The thought of confronting her had long been abandoned.

I have to run.

While the girl was talking to herself, I drew all the internal energy in my body at once.

I had pushed myself to the extreme too quickly, potentially damaging my innate energy, but this wasn’t the time to worry about that.

Just to survive and return.

That was the only thought: to return and report everything that had happened.

Machul immediately turned, unleashing his internal energy, and kicked off the ground. He intended to flee straight back to the Tang Gate.

But something was wrong.

His gaze, which should have been facing the entrance, was inexplicably directed at the floor.

It was even getting closer.

‘What is this….’

Machul harbored the question, but that was the end of it.

Thump, roll-roll.

The head of Namgung’s promising peak expert rolled across the floor of Vigo.

He had died futilely from Wi Seol-ah’s single sword strike.

Watching this, Wi Seol-ah casually sheathed her sword and waved her hand, engulfing Machul’s body in flames.

After a very brief moment.

He vanished without a trace, as if he had never been there in the first place.

[…Now… give it back already…!!]

Wi Seol-ah chuckled lowly at the voice piercing her ears.

“I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to come out for a while now, so could you bear with me a little?”

[It’s my body, you know…]

“That’s right, it’s your body… All the time now, and all the time in the future.”

Wi Seol-ah approached Gu Yangcheon, who lay sleeping as if dead, and stroked his head again.

“…I’ll really give it back now. I think this is enough.”

It’s agonizing.

Everything she did now felt that way to Wi Seol-ah. They say there’s nothing more painful than belated regret.

Old sayings were never wrong.

Wi Seol-ah poked Gu Yangcheon’s cheek and laughed.

[..Tsk…]

Hearing the petulant complaint in her ear, she quickly withdrew her hand.

-Are you leaving?

The snake, crumbling behind her, asked.

“I have to go to sleep. I think I overdid it.”

How long would it take until she appeared next? It seemed like it would take a long time.

-…Do you know what kind of being you are?

At the snake’s question, Wi Seol-ah smiled slightly.

“Yes, just a little bit.”

Wi Seol-ah knew a little about herself. She had just realized it too late.

-It will be arduous work.

“I know.”

-I see… May your future be blessed.

“…Thank you. You worked hard. Sleep well.”

Perhaps it was because of Wi Seol-ah’s words. The snake’s massive body crumbled and disappeared instantly.

Watching this, Wi Seol-ah slowly lay down beside Gu Yangcheon.

She gently poked Gu Yangcheon’s brow, which was furrowed as if having a nightmare.

Soon, Wi Seol-ah closed her eyes as well.

******************

Some time later, Gu Yangcheon finally opened his eyes.

“…What is this place?”

It was an unfamiliar ceiling.