Chapter 383: Well Done.

What is this hand?

Is this really Father’s hand?

If so, why is it above my head?

My head isn’t working properly, as if it’s broken.

It wasn’t just the unexpected situation, but because I knew what I had done with my own hands.

The more I thought about it, the more my breathing became ragged and my head started to spin.

As I gradually grasped the reality, my heart began to sink coldly.

-I recalled the answer.

Father spoke to me.

-I’ve thought about it continuously, but there isn’t anything that truly resonates with me.

-What do you suddenly mean by that….

-You are my son.

My eyes widened at Father’s words.

-What are you to me? That is the only answer.

The question of what I was to you.

You’re going to give me the answer to that now…?

-Please stay still. First….

-I forgive you.

I flinched at Father’s words. Forgive me for what…?

-For making me cause harm to my child with a father’s hand. I forgive you for that.

-…

I bit my lip tightly at his voice.

From where did he know my intentions?

Where on earth did he notice? Just as I couldn’t calm my wavering eyes.

Father continued speaking.

-I forgive you. However, do not forgive me.

-Now…. Is that something you say now?

A rough touch stroked my hair. It was a coarse yet awkward touch.

I wanted to push it away immediately.

Funnily enough, I couldn’t.

-Well done. Not bad.

A voice as rough as his touch pierced my ears.

-Third.

-…Yes…?

-I will ask. Did the First leave with a smile?

-…

I was speechless at the question about Gu Huibi.

-…I don’t… I don’t know.

I wasn’t avoiding the answer. I truly couldn’t remember.

The expression Gu Huibi wore at the end. How was Gu Huibi…?

-I see.

Father nodded quietly at my answer.

-Then. Remember this.

Father’s red eyes gradually began to return to black.

His hair, instead of turning black from red, was visibly turning white.

This was proof that his life force was scattering.

I wanted to do something seeing that, but I already knew. That it was too late.

-Live.

-…!

Hearing his words, my heart sank with a thud.

-Father….

I urgently called out to Father, but.

-…

Father had already breathed his last.

Without bending his knees even slightly. He remained standing on both feet, just as he was at the beginning.

That is how Father met his death.

Seeing that, it was I who knelt down.

-Ah….

Something was wrong.

This isn’t right.

I felt like I wanted to burst my own heart and die right then and there.

But I couldn’t.

-Live.

Because the words Father left behind had already bound me like shackles.

For what purpose did he say such words? Was it a command to atone by living?

If not… then for what on earth did he say that to me?

I curled up, covering my face with both hands.

I didn’t shout, nor did I wail.

I just quietly took ragged breaths.

How long had I been like that?

Tadak-

I sensed movement behind me.

-…This is….

Someone, confirming the situation, exclaimed in surprise.

It was the Sword Demon Queen.

As if she had rushed over, she approached me, breathing heavily, and asked.

-Are… you okay?

I wasn’t okay.

Not okay at all.

-Why…. The Cult Leader clearly… told you not to go….

Her words were right.

Heavenly Demon had told me not to head towards Gu Clan unnecessarily, but.

I headed here alone.

And ended up in this state.

Since I didn’t utter a word, the Sword Demon Queen looked around and spoke urgently.

-First… we need to hide…. Soon… people will arrive.

The Sword Demon Queen grabbed my shoulder.

I didn’t want to move, remaining crouched like this, but.

My internal energy was all depleted, and my body, fatigued from the battle, wouldn’t obey my will.

-Let go…. Just leave me like this….

Hearing my words, spoken as if exhausted, the Sword Demon Queen applied pressure points to bind me.

-…!

-Sorry…. But I can’t allow this.

My weakened body couldn’t break free from the Sword Demon Queen’s pressure points.

And so, I had to be taken away by her, putting distance between us.

Even as we moved quickly.

My eyes were fixed on Father’s image.

Until he grew further away and disappeared from sight.

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

I killed Father.

The memory of that time was still vivid.

‘…Damn it.’

This was the reason I couldn’t easily resent Father in this life.

And the reason I was filled with fear and guilt every time I looked into Father’s eyes.

How could I forget?

The sensation I felt in my hands back then is still clear.

Perhaps it was because the memory surfaced. My breathing started to become rough.

I even circulated my internal energy to calm myself, but even that wasn’t easy.

Seeing that, Father looked at me strangely.

It overlaps.

Father’s hair turning stark white.

And his appearance back then, his eyes returning to black instead of the current red.

“Why are you acting like this?”

“No…. It’s nothing.”

Perhaps because of the memory I just recalled. It was a bit difficult to meet Father’s eyes.

I shook my head, trying hard to erase it.

“…I understand what you’re saying, but I still need to know.”

These hidden circumstances, and Father’s sudden apology.

It was all so confusing because I couldn’t understand the story, but.

That wasn’t the main point right now.

“Please…. Can’t you just tell me?”

“…”

Father seemed to ponder how to proceed in this situation.

He stopped and fell deep in thought.

Then, before long, he gave me his answer.

“Fine. I’ll tell you.”

“…!”

Just as my face was about to brighten slightly.

“However, there’s a condition.”

“A condition?”

A condition. Father’s words made me pause involuntarily.

But it was okay. After all, he said he would tell me.

“Whatever condition it may be, I’ll do it….”

“Fight me and win.”

“What?”

Did I hear that wrong…?

I cautiously studied Father’s face, wondering if perhaps he was joking.

But his eyes held the same seriousness as always.

“You mean…. You want me to fight and win against the Family Head?”

“Yes.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

I asked again, but Father’s gaze remained unchanged.

Confirming that much, I couldn’t help but wear a look of utter defeat.

“You just don’t want to tell me, do you?”

“I said as much from the beginning.”

“…”

That’s true.

No, I almost got swept up in Father’s words without realizing it.

“Still, you should give me a condition I might actually be able to meet. What kind of….”

“Are you expecting defeat from the start? How disappointing….”

“Yes. You’re saying that knowing full well I can’t win, aren’t you? How unfair.”

“…”

“…”

Perhaps I was getting heated, but I unintentionally addressed Father casually, just like I do with others.

Am I screwed?

These were words and actions I’d never directed at Father before.

As a result, Father’s eyebrow furrowed.

It felt quite displeasing.

If it came to this, I felt like my request and everything else would truly disappear.

“I apologize. I didn’t mean to….”

“Since you dislike it so much. I shall modify the condition slightly.”

Just as I was hastily trying to apologize, Father surprisingly indicated he would change his terms.

Why…? I’m relieved I didn’t get scolded and it seems to be passing, but….

“Just once.”

“…!”

“If even a single one of your attacks lands on me. I will tell you.”

“Once…. You mean?”

“Yes, a single strike. If you can’t even achieve that, I won’t tell you where your mother is. And even if you happen to find out on your own. I will stop you by any means necessary.”

“I can accept you not telling me. But preventing me from finding out on my own is too much, isn’t it?”

As I frowned at his incomprehensible words, Father cut me off decisively.

“If you can’t even do this. You will die there.”

“…”

“There will be no further agreement. If you don’t like it, go back.”

I couldn’t fathom what place Father was guarding so fiercely.

Contained within those words was ‘worry’.

Perhaps it was because of the conversation I just had with Father.

For some reason, I felt that way.

I felt a sense of awkwardness, whether I realized it or not.

But I didn’t hate it enough to die.

Trying to calm my emotions, I asked Father.

“So, are you saying we should spar here right now?”

Father nodded at my question. Seeing that, I had to add, looking flustered.

“Uh, I just had a sparring match with Baekcheon Sword Master? I don’t have much strength left.”

“I know.”

“You know, and you still want to do it?”

“Do you refuse?”

“…Well, of course.”

Just as I was about to say ‘of course I refuse’.

There was what Father had just said.

-There will be no further agreement. If you don’t like it, go back.

“…”

In other words. If you don’t like it, don’t do it. I don’t have to.

That’s what it means, right?

Hmph.

This is absurd.

‘My Father… is quite the cheapskate, more than I thought?’

And every condition is unacceptable.

He must have set some condition because he knew I wouldn’t easily back down.

But even that condition was difficult to achieve.

Father’s current strength is immeasurable.

The important thing was that I couldn’t sense it here at all.

It meant he was strong enough that I couldn’t grasp it. Even now, having reached the Profound Realm.

The fact that I couldn’t perceive Father’s power.

Just where could he possibly be?

‘And he wants me to land one hit on such a Father?’

This is ridiculous.

It was truly preposterous.

As I stared at Father with a bewildered expression.

Father spoke to me.

“Are you not going to do it? Then go back.”

He was even provoking me.

At this point, honestly. Couldn’t he just want to spar with me? That thought crossed my mind.

Moreover.

I knew perfectly well there was no chance of winning, but.

“…No.”

“I will. Right now.”