Chapter 489: Do you need it?

An envoy went to Gu Clan.

At Naha’s words, I swallowed hard.

‘What should I do…?’

Along with it, cold sweat flowed.

This was because it was a part I hadn’t expected at all.

The Poison King’s reaction, in a way, was the most normal thing a head of another clan should do.

A blood relative from another clan, who came as a guest, was harmed within his own clan.

Immediately informing the blood relative’s family about this was a natural duty he had to perform, but…

‘He’s actually keeping it.’

Most people would be busy hiding it when something like this happens.

It was problematic for the two clans to hold ill feelings towards each other, and furthermore, it was a matter that could cause issues for the position Dangmun held.

It was natural to try and handle it quietly.

But the Poison King actually upheld it, which only made me flustered.

‘Is he the type of person to uphold something like this?’

I thought he wasn’t.

Honestly, I still think so.

I knew the Poison King was a much cleaner figure than expected, but it was still difficult to see him as a clan head untainted by the secular world.

That means…

‘Does he have some kind of intention?’

I don’t know yet.

And, if possible, I hoped this wouldn’t become a problem.

‘…Nothing will happen, right?’

He must have included the news that I ate poison but was fine. He would have.

Moreover.

‘Even if my father sees this, nothing major will happen.’

It had to be that way.

Because if something happened, it would be troublesome.

Already, there had been too many incidents since I returned, so if this piled on top, who knows what would happen.

So… please, let nothing happen. I desperately wished for it, but…

I realized, just a few days later, that this was a world without gods to hear such prayers.

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

Although Sichuan has various districts, the most representative streets ultimately depend on how close they are to Dangmun.

Even if it’s not Dangmun itself. Like Paega, which can be called Sichuan’s representative noble family.

Because there are many other sects and famous noble families nearby.

As this is a world where demonic gates run rampant, being close to representative noble families offers significant advantages.

By offering them sponsorship funds, one can come under their protection.

Especially since Dangmun handles the commercial districts as well as Moyong Sega.

The districts of Sichuan were as vast and well-managed as Henan, which has the alliance.

“Brother!”

Just as I arrived in the district, a large fellow greeted me as soon as I entered the street.

It was Pae U-cheol, whom I hadn’t seen in a while.

“It’s been a while.”

“Hahahaha! Have you been well?!”

Pae U-cheol, showing a bright expression on his fierce face, tried to hug me.

I slightly shifted my body and threw Cheol Ji-seon, who was beside me.

“Oof!? Wait…!”

Due to the sudden throw, Cheol Ji-seon couldn’t react and was hugged by Pae U-cheol.

Sorry, but I don’t have a preference for being hugged by guys, you see.

What’s funny is that Pae U-cheol just hugged Cheol Ji-seon as if he didn’t care about that.

“Have you been well too, Hyung Ji-seon!”

“Aack…! Wait… just a moment…!”

Cheol Ji-seon cried out as if in distress, but Pae U-cheol didn’t seem to hear.

“Can… we just leave that there?”

Woo Hyuk, who had gotten lost and wandered for two days before returning, said this while watching the situation.

“Leave him be, he looks happy.”

“He looks happy…?”

I could see Cheol Ji-seon, on the verge of fainting from Pae U-cheol’s embrace.

I thought that was also a form of happiness.

Or maybe not.

As I sniffed the air like that, Woo Hyuk looked at me with a strange expression.

Feeling his gaze, I asked.

“Why.”

“Are you okay?”

“What about?”

“You ate poison, didn’t you.”

“Ah.”

How did he know?

I chuckled at Woo Hyuk’s words. Wondering how he heard that again.

“I was just a bit hungry.”

“You ate more poison because you were hungry?”

“It tasted good.”

“…”

At my answer, Woo Hyuk stared at me like I was crazy.

To be honest, the taste wasn’t bad, that was true.

‘Ah, this is bad.’

I remembered how Tang Soyeol used to say it was delicious whenever she offered poison tea.

I wondered if I had developed a resistance to poison, causing this.

For now, I should pretend I don’t know.

“Did you… talk things through properly?”

“Um….”

I asked if he had talked things through with Gwe-seon, but Woo Hyuk wore a slightly hesitant expression.

“Why.”

“No, nothing happened.”

He had an expression like something definitely happened, yet he said nothing did.

I wanted to press him, but I decided not to.

“But, you know.”

“Hm?”

“The guy who said he’d leave if he met his master, why is he still here?”

“…”

At my words, Woo Hyuk flinched.

Did he think I’d forgotten? Not a chance.

Hearing me, Woo Hyuk immediately went ahead and started whistling loudly.

“Ah… I’m hungry, what should I eat? Should we eat meat?”

That’s another pointless trick.

And here this supposed Taoist wants to eat meat again…

Sighing slightly at his ridiculous attitude, I followed along.

I didn’t necessarily intend to kick him out, but his behavior was irritating.

As I walked on, pretending not to notice.

“Oh right, my master said to bring you again.”

“Huh?”

At Woo Hyuk’s words, I tilted my head.

Gwe-seon told him to bring me?

I recalled how Namgung Myung had kicked me out last time, and a question arose.

‘It wouldn’t be Namgung Myung’s words… So Gwe-seon called me of his own volition.’

It was unknown why Gwe-seon called me again.

However, it didn’t matter.

‘I was planning to go back anyway. This is a good excuse.’

I was planning to visit him in the near future anyway.

It was even better that he called me first.

“When do I need to go by?”

“…He didn’t say. Considering my master’s personality, maybe within about seven days?”

“…He’s quite relaxed.”

“Haha!”

I wondered where that sly personality came from. Seeing Gwe-seon, I kind of understood.

Furthermore, seeing Woo Hyuk laugh like that reminded me of something I’d been curious about for a long time.

“Speaking of which. How did you end up becoming his disciple?”

The lazy genius of Wudang. How did the sleeping dragon, Woo Hyuk, become Gwe-seon’s disciple?

I was subtly curious about that.

“…Hm.”

Hearing my question, Woo Hyuk seemed to ponder for a moment, then answered with a slight smile.

“It wasn’t anything particularly special… Just.”

His smiling face somehow seemed refreshing, and perhaps nostalgic.

“Let’s try to get along well, us abandoned humans… Something like that, roughly.”

“What are you talking about?”

This guy is talking in a way that makes no sense either. Since he didn’t seem inclined to explain, I just walked ahead.

Leaving Woo Hyuk behind, I headed towards where the women were gathered.

Jerk.

As I approached, I saw someone flinch.

It was Tang Soyeol.

As she had promised to go to the district together, Tang Soyeol was part of the group, but…

Since the incident last time, I felt like Tang Soyeol was slightly avoiding me whenever she saw me.

Why…?

Putting Tang Soyeol, who kept hesitating, aside for now.

I first spoke to another person walking around, sightseeing in the district.

“Having fun?”

“Ah, yes!”

Wi Seol-ah smiled brightly at my question.

She looked much more mature than when I first saw her, but it seemed this part remained.

‘She looks colder and colder.’

As if her past life’s appearance hadn’t disappeared anywhere, Wi Seol-ah’s looks matured day by day.

Also, her unique cool aura was emanating from her.

Just like the Divine Sword of her past life.

However, because she laughed a lot, the corners of her eyes were slightly upturned.

That made a considerable difference.

As I gently stroked Wi Seol-ah’s golden hair, someone next to me spoke.

“What’s going on?”

It was Moyong Hi-ah.

It felt like I hadn’t seen her face in a while, so I was a bit glad.

Hiding that feeling inwardly, I asked Moyong Hi-ah.

“What?”

“That.”

At Moyong Hi-ah’s gesture, I looked around.

“Ah.”

Then I understood what Moyong Hi-ah was referring to.

She must have meant the martial artists subtly scattered around.

Not only on top of buildings, but also amidst the crowds of ordinary people.

Martial artists hiding their presence were hidden everywhere.

All of them were Dangmun members.

They seemed to be martial artists deployed by the Poison King.

Looking at them, I thought.

‘Is it to protect me? Or to monitor me?’

Probably both.

Since I was harmed within Dangmun, there must be an intention to protect me, and given what I said, there’s also the purpose of monitoring my actions.

I turned my gaze back to Moyong Hi-ah. It would be troublesome to stare for too long.

“You don’t need to worry about it.”

“What on earth have you been doing….”

Moyong Hi-ah said, pinching the bridge of her nose, and I felt a bit wronged.

“Hey, I told you I ate poison. Shouldn’t you be worried first?”

At the time, Namgung Bi-ah, Wi Seol-ah, and Moyong Hi-ah were all present in the annex.

But the three of them showed no particular concern.

I mentioned it, feeling a bit disappointed, but Moyong Hi-ah replied with an indifferent expression.

“…Young Master. How could we believe that act?”

“…”

At Moyong Hi-ah’s words, Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-ah next to me nodded.

Ouch, that hurts. Was it really that obvious?

‘It wasn’t just obvious, you idiot.’

Noya, who had been quiet, interjected like a ghost.

“No, I really did eat poison….”

“We didn’t think you’d swallow that without any ulterior motive. Even if you seem reckless, you’re the most cautious person. Aren’t you?”

“…”

Damn it.

At Moyong Hi-ah’s words, I couldn’t utter a single word.

“You’re planning to stir up trouble again, aren’t you?”

“It’s not that big of a deal…”

“Then it must be a huge deal.”

“Are you even listening to me properly?”

“Yes.”

Moyong Hi-ah said, lightly brushing her hair back.

“Seeing as you can’t give us a proper explanation, I understand it’s something dangerous.”

“…”

“And you won’t answer even if we ask. I know that well.”

Cold sweat flowed. Every word pierced me coldly.

As always, I shouldn’t talk with Moyong Hi-ah for too long.

Because I knew I would lose no matter what I said.

So, I had no choice but to use the method Woo Hyuk used on me.

“By the way. Where did White Lotus Sword go?”

“I know you’re changing the subject. I’ll let it slide just this once? My aunt went out because she had someone to meet.”

“…Uh, right. Thanks.”

Finally, I let out a cough and scratched the back of my head.

It didn’t work at all, damn it…

As I continued walking awkwardly, Moyong Hi-ah, who was subtly fanning me with her fan, asked.

“So, Young Master, where are we going now?”

It had been some time since we entered the district, and we were just kept walking, so she was asking.

It wasn’t just Moyong Hi-ah; everyone seemed curious, and their gazes converged on me.

Feeling those gazes, I pointed forward with my hand.

“We’re almost there. It’s right up ahead.”

“What’s up ahead…. Ah?”

At my gesture, Moyong Hi-ah looked up and let out a short sound.

She seemed to have instantly realized where I was heading.

There was a large building straight ahead, which I knew to be the second largest building in this district.

The largest would be the trading company most deeply allied with Dangmun.

The second is…

“Baekhwa Sangdan…?”

It was the Sichuan branch of Baekhwa Sangdan, run by Madam Mi.

“So the business you had… was with Mother’s… no, with Branch Master Mi’s trading company.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

Did her title sound strange just now? Was I mistaken?

It wasn’t important right now, so I decided to let it pass.

“I don’t plan on eating dinner there. I have some schedule to keep.”

The reason I specifically came all the way to the district to find Baekhwa Sangdan.

As I mentioned last time, it was to sell off the items I had safely stored in my possession.

‘If I just sell them carelessly, it’ll get troublesome.’

After all, considering the price and the fact that they were quite rare items, trying to sell them anywhere could cause trouble.

Because if even a rumor spread, it would become bothersome.

‘So Yeomra wore Night-Shining Pearls dangling around….’

If such rumors spread, annoying groups might flock to me.

I don’t necessarily think it’s dangerous.

‘It’s just annoying to deal with.’

It’s simply tedious to deal with them one by one.

Moreover, since I had previously used Madam Mi’s name, selling the Night-Shining Pearls to Baekhwa Sangdan was a not-bad advantage, partly to ease my conscience.

In the part where it eases my conscience, that is.

‘Youngster, are you saying you actually feel guilt?’

‘Of course. I’m human too.’

‘You aren’t anymore.’

‘…’

Fuck.

You really know how to twist the knife, don’t you.

Sighing deeply inwardly, I headed towards the entrance of the trading company.

“I’ll be back soon, so everyone wait downstairs. It won’t take long.”

Right after telling my companions, I reached out to open the door of the trading company.

Kkiik.

“Huh?”

Before I could even grab the doorknob, someone opened the door and appeared.

“Eung?”

“Oh?”

The person who appeared as the door opened and I made eye contact, we both reacted.

Because they were people I knew.

An old man who looked fierce, having entered old age, and a skinny young boy.

Seeing them, I said in surprise.

“Shin-ui?”

The individuals were none other than Shin-ui and Zhuge Hyuk.

Just as I wondered why they were suddenly coming out of Baekhwa Sangdan.

‘What is it?’

I had to wonder, looking at Shin-ui.

Shin-ui’s gaze, which seemed surprised upon seeing me, had somehow fixed on someone else, not me.

Following that gaze, I looked back.

‘Huh?’

There.

Was Cheol Ji-seon, frowning as he looked at Shin-ui.