Chapter 395: I Don’t Feel So Good. (2)

Right after hearing about the Poison King’s death threat (?) through Tang Soyeol. After finishing a meal where I couldn’t tell if I was eating with my mouth or my nose, I immediately moved my feet.

Even as I walked out onto the street, I wracked my brain on how to refuse the Poison King’s invitation. But no story that could convince him came to mind.

‘It’s really just going to be a meal, right.’

I think so.

The probability is certainly quite high, but I couldn’t help but feel a chill run down my spine, whether I realized it or not.

‘Surely, he wouldn’t actually try to poison me.’

Even though he’s skilled in poison arts, I knew he wouldn’t do something like that to me, even so.

There were the rumors spreading through the world, and since he’s known as a doting father, I was a bit uneasy too.

Normally, I would have thought that someone like the head of one of the Four Great Families wouldn’t act thoughtlessly…

‘…Thinking of Baekcheon Geomju, that old man, it’s not quite like that.’

I realized that the heads of the Four Great Families were all abnormal.

They certainly didn’t seem like that in my previous life.

Was it that I didn’t know? Or has something changed?

‘It’s not like things have changed.’

No matter how much changes, it would be strange for something like that to change too.

It must be that I just didn’t know they were originally strange people. It definitely had to be that way.

Otherwise, the future of this Central Plains… No, it’s a doomed future to begin with anyway.

“Haa.”

The people I get involved with all seem to be lunatics, so sighs just come out naturally.

Meanwhile, the meal with the Poison King, though I wanted to skip it, I couldn’t just do that.

It’s also because the ruler of the Sichuan land I intended to visit is the Tang Clan. Furthermore, the fact that Tang Soyeol excitedly went to talk about it when he heard I was going to Sichuan.

Looking only at this, if I just didn’t want to see him, I could just not see him. It wouldn’t have mattered much if I didn’t go with him.

Moreover, the Poison King also had another purpose for the trip to Sichuan.

‘It’s a situation where I’m taking a prisoner.’

The prisoner who was confined beneath the Martial Alliance.

The martial artist from the Demonic Sect who attacked the Dragon Gate Hall this time, and his associates, the person known as Black Dragon Sword, who played a significant role in spreading my name throughout the Central Plains.

It was the Poison King’s job to capture them and take them to the Tang Clan.

Recalling that, my expression slightly soured.

‘He uses such brutal methods.’

The reason for going out of their way to leave Hanam and take a prisoner all the way to Sichuan. If I try to recall that, I can’t help but frown.

If it were for torture, it could easily be done in Hanam, but even then, there are always those who won’t spill anything. The Tang Clan was a place that could make even those guys spill their guts.

Now, the Tang Clan is called one of the pillars of the Orthodox Sect, but the reason it can be called that is ultimately… because they took on the dark and murky tasks that the Orthodox Sect couldn’t do.

Most of the Central Plains either don’t know this, or perhaps implicitly condone it.

I know.

In my previous life, when the Demonic Cult occupied Sichuan. Immediately after killing the Poison Empress with my own hands, the place I headed to was the Tang Clan’s underground.

There, where I went to follow the Heavenly Demon’s orders.

I had to witness a piece of hell.

If even I, who had been through thick and thin, called it hell, it must have been a sight I didn’t want to recall.

It’s impossible for the Poison King, the clan head, not to know about that.

For that reason, I couldn’t help but view him with unease.

Even the Tang Clan’s characteristic gentle-looking eyes and appearance. After seeing the truth buried underground, they seemed like a chilling mask.

The Martial Alliance also knows the Tang Clan’s secrets, so they must have asked the Poison King to send them to Sichuan.

Looking at it this way, I could reaffirm that the Martial Alliance is also not a completely clean place.

‘It’s only natural.’

No place can survive being purely clean.

I know that better than anyone, but I just don’t like getting close to that truth.

‘Tsk.’

Even so, I couldn’t refuse this meal with the Poison King. The reasons I shouldn’t go, listed above, are all significant, but the reason I have to go boasts a much larger magnitude.

‘Seriously, nothing helps. Fucking world.’

The most important reason I’m heading to Sichuan. It was to obtain the White Horse Stone, a means to solidify my incomplete Hwagyeong and further raise my cultivation level. And to obtain such a White Horse Stone. The permission of the Tang Clan was necessary, none other than them.

Therefore, I couldn’t carelessly refuse the Poison King’s dinner invitation.

Originally, I would have asked Tang Soyeol to somehow get me out of it…

‘If things turn out this way, there’s no choice.’

As there’s no other way, the meal with the Poison King is unavoidable.

Thinking so, I sighed and continued to move my feet.

Before I knew it, I had arrived at my destination, so now I had to focus on the task at hand.

The meal with the Poison King was in the evening, and I had business to attend to during the day.

The people blocking the gate checked me and moved aside. It seems they had received prior notice.

I also gave a slight bow and opened the door to enter.

As I moved, I cast my gaze upon the chests of the guards.

Martial robes embroidered with white patterns resembling wind ripples.

Seeing that meant they were Taoists of Kunlun. Because there was only one sect in the Central Plains that wore such embroidery.

Passing the entrance, I felt similar energies from various places. All were the senses of Kunlun Sect’s Taoist energy.

While sensing them, I continued to move forward.

The reason I came to a place teeming with Taoists like this. It was to meet the old man beyond the door ahead.

Deureureuk.

Carefully opening the door and entering. An old man, half-raised on his bed, greeted me.

“You’ve come.”

An old man with white hair and wrinkles settled warmly in every corner of his face.

It seemed his hand was cut off above the wrist on one arm, though I didn’t know where it went.

Even so, the old man waving to me with his remaining arm was none other than…

Cheonghae Ilgeom.

---

After carefully sitting down.

I received the snacks and tea offered by the Taoist.

“Have you been well?”

“Yes. I apologize for calling you out when you must be busy.”

“Not at all.”

How long has it been since we last met?

It’s probably been about a month. We crossed paths a couple of times after the incident, but this was the first time Cheonghae Ilgeom personally summoned me.

Cheonghae Ilgeom, wearing his characteristic smile, spoke to me.

“I hear your name is everywhere these days. Is that true?”

“…It’s not… quite to that extent.”

Although I denied it, it was actually true.

I heard that in the back alleys of Hanam, children even created a dog-shit game called ‘So-yeomra play.’ If they had caught my eye, I would have given those brats a couple of bumps on their heads. It was a shame I couldn’t see it myself.

If I had found them, I wouldn’t have let them off.

As if knowing or not knowing my feelings, Cheonghae Ilgeom chuckled.

“You did a great deed, so it’s not a bad thing for that to happen.”

“…Yes.”

If I were to see it favorably, I would. But for me, it’s just unsettling to see that the rumors were orchestrated by the Alliance.

Forcing down my displeased feelings, I then asked Cheonghae Ilgeom a question.

“Are you feeling alright?”

“Of course, better than ever.”

“I see.”

Cheonghae Ilgeom said it as if nothing was wrong, but I couldn’t believe it at all.

Not to mention his severed wrist. Seeing him confined to bed like this afterwards, his internal injuries seem quite severe.

‘…Moreover, the situation isn’t exactly great right now.’

Dragon Gate Hall belongs to the Alliance, but the one in charge of managing it this time was the Kunlun Sect.

Therefore, they couldn’t avoid the moral responsibility for the damage caused by Black Dragon Sword’s attack.

The Alliance Leader, Jang Cheon, stepped down from his position due to this incident, and according to rumors circulating.

‘Cheonghae Ilgeom also intended to step down from his position as Sect Leader.’

This is not a confirmed matter. It was just a rumor.

Furthermore, Kunlun had taken considerable measures after the accident.

They gathered the martial artists who died immediately after the accident and held a small funeral.

It was also the people of the Kunlun Sect who shared information about each martial artist and managed the bodies so they wouldn’t decay until people from the victims’ sects or families arrived.

From my perspective, they had fulfilled their moral responsibility with this, but the public’s perception doesn’t seem to be quite like that.

The Martial Alliance, along with incompetent prestigious sects. Sects that are mere shells, etc.

Rumors disparaging Kunlun were becoming particularly numerous.

So, according to them, are Cheonghae Ilgeom and Kunlun truly incompetent?

‘Well…’

At least I don’t think so. I just don’t know what others think.

Thinking that far, I first asked Cheonghae Ilgeom.

“Sect Leader.”

“Yes.”

“What is the reason you summoned me?”

The main point, why he suddenly called me. I was curious about that.

Hearing my question, Cheonghae Ilgeom promptly took a sip of tea.

He seemed to need a moment to gather his thoughts, so I didn’t rush him either.

A moment passed like that. Cheonghae Ilgeom opened his mouth to me.

“The reason I summoned you is, first and foremost… to express my gratitude.”

“…Didn’t you already say that a while ago?”

It was what Cheonghae Ilgeom said to me right after he regained his senses.

Thanking me for saving the children.

At that time, it was truly unpleasant to hear, and it’s the same now.

“Gratitude is something you continue to express as long as the feeling remains.”

“I’m fine, so you don’t have to…”

“Furthermore. I believe expressing gratitude isn’t just done through words.”

Just as I was about to say, half in disgust, “Please don’t do that.”

Cheonghae Ilgeom, simultaneously with his words, took something out of his robe and handed it to me.

“What’s this?”

It’s a round object painted gold.

It’s roughly the size and shape of a coin. I don’t quite know what it is.

As I looked at it with a questioning expression, Cheonghae Ilgeom uttered the rest.

“I heard you’re heading to Sichuan in a few days. Is that correct?”

“Huh? Ah, yes, that’s right.”

Where did he hear that now?

I don’t know why, but I felt like everyone I met knew I was going to Sichuan.

“This… is a token of my gratitude that I can give you. I prepared it because I heard you’re going to Sichuan, so please accept it.”

Does it mean it’s useful in Sichuan?

If so, it might be better to accept it, but the justification for receiving it was the problem.

“I cannot accept something like this, Sect Leader.”

I didn’t deserve to receive such a thing.

Many people had died due to the changed circumstances caused by me.

Seeing them, anger surged, and I just killed the scoundrels of the Demonic Sect.

Those who survived thanks to that? They are merely those who should have lived anyway. Conversely, those who died are those who should have lived.

In such a situation, do I have the right to receive this?

I thought I didn’t.

Perhaps because of my answer, a brief silence ensued.

Cheonghae Ilgeom, looking into my eyes, stroked his beard with his remaining hand and said.

“There’s an inexplicable sense of guilt lingering.”

“What is making you so small?”

Cheonghae Ilgeom asked, but I couldn’t answer.

Not to anyone.

Perhaps realizing I wouldn’t answer.

Cheonghae Ilgeom let out a slight puff of air and calmly opened his mouth.

“I don’t know the reason, but if you refuse to accept it as a token of gratitude, then accept it simply as a gift.”

“…A gift, you say?”

“Do you remember when I said in the past that I favored you?”

“Yes.”

Around the time I was admitted to Dragon Gate Hall and met Cheonghae Ilgeom privately.

It was what he said to me.

“That I favored you.”

“Then think of this as proof of that and accept it.”

“But.”

“Hmph. Are you trying to embarrass an old man even more?”

“…”

Cheonghae Ilgeom said, frowning slightly. Seeing that, I silently picked up the gold token and put it in my robe.

Having said that, Cheonghae Ilgeom seemed satisfied and smiled again.

“Keep that item with you and use it when you arrive in Sichuan.”

“Use it? Where exactly am I supposed to use it…”

To my question, Cheonghae Ilgeom told me the location.

“…!”

The moment I heard it, I couldn’t help but be surprised and open my eyes wide.

It was understandable, because the location Cheonghae Ilgeom told me to use the gold token was…

…none other than the location of the White Horse Stone.

‘How on earth?’

As I looked at him, bewildered as to why Cheonghae Ilgeom would suddenly talk about ‘that place.’

The old man, with a strange expression, said to me.

“I hope this helps you a little on your journey.”

“…”

Seeing the faint yet deep sincerity in Cheonghae Ilgeom’s eyes, I had to bite my lip slightly.

Perhaps sensing my expression, Cheonghae Ilgeom, watching me, added with a smile.

“Please reach peace. Not peace for others, but peace for yourself.”

‘Peace.’

I don’t know what meaning he intended by ‘peace’ for me, but for me, it’s still a distant word.

“…Thank you.”

Nevertheless, I bowed to Cheonghae Ilgeom with a bit of sincerity. I didn’t have the courage to ask what he meant.

Cheonghae Ilgeom seemed content with that and briefly patted my head.

Many thoughts flashed through my mind at the old man’s words. Peace…

It’s still a distant word, but someday.

I truly hoped that I too would reach it someday.

That place called peace.

---

So it became evening, and I had to frown, recalling Cheonghae Ilgeom’s words.

‘Peace, my ass.’

I once again realized that it was a word that didn’t suit me at all.

The table, laden with food enough to break the legs, looked appetizing to anyone, but…

I hadn’t taken a single bite.

Because it wasn’t a situation where I could eat something like that.

The middle-aged man in front of me, holding a teacup and looking at me.

The master of the Tang Clan, the Poison King, spoke to me.

“I’ll ask again, Young Master Gu.”

Fortunately, it seemed the food wasn’t poisoned, but the intense desire in the man’s eyes was instead choking me.

As I barely managed to hold back a groan.

The Poison King said to me.

“Do you have any intention of taking our Soyeol with you?”

Only then did I realize.

That this meeting was far more burdensome than I had expected.