Chapter 539: The Age of Upheaval.

Amidst the bustle of several carriages being prepared.

I had to scowl at the words Cheonjun spat out.

“Where are you planning to seek refuge…?”

I’m sure he said Gu Clan.

Gu Clan…?

‘…Where else could Gu Clan be.’

I thought hard, but no other Gu Clan came to mind.

There might be others if I looked…

There was no way I didn’t know the Gu Clan Cheonjun was talking about was the only one.

“Elder.”

“Speak.”

“Why the hell… no, what is the meaning of this sudden statement?”

I barely managed to stop the curse from bursting out.

Good job. I’ve grown so much; if it were the past, I would have just yelled it out.

I carefully chose my words, trying to maintain decorum.

“Why would you come here, leaving your own perfectly fine home?”

Who was this Cheonjun before me?

He was the elder called the de facto master, surpassing the Three Lords and leaving behind the Sword King, the Nangong Family Head.

To put it more bluntly, he was someone who could rule the Nangong Family like a king.

And yet, he insists on seeking refuge at Gu Clan.

And that too…

‘…After getting beaten up by Father just a few days ago?’

Cheonjun had been utterly crushed by Father just days prior.

The image of Cheonjun engulfed in flames was still vivid in my memory.

‘Fortunately, his body seems unharmed.’

Unlike how he burned so fiercely.

Cheonjun was in pristine condition, with no trace of what had happened.

Rather…

‘He seems clearer somehow?’

The dark, heavy aura I sensed from him was gone.

Replaced by a clear, refreshing feeling.

Should I call it crisp? What should I call it?

‘It’s the sensation I felt from Father or Pac-jon.’

It was a subtle sensation, separate from his presence, felt for some reason.

The important thing is that it’s an aura that wasn’t originally felt from Cheonjun.

Looking at Cheonjun like that, I glanced at Shin-ui beside me.

Shin-ui was looking at me with a rare, somewhat troubled expression.

It seemed to contain a hint of apology.

‘What in the world is going on.’

Shin-ui was heading to Gu Clan due to the pact made with Baekma-seok and me, so that was understandable. But Cheonjun?

‘Is this really my year of the Three Calamities?’

I’d met all Three Lords, whom one supposedly rarely sees in a lifetime, and…

It seemed they would all end up having stayed at Gu Clan.

Anyone else might call this a fortunate encounter, immense luck…

‘…Bullshit.’

To me, it just looked like a pile-up of bad luck.

I wanted to just flat-out refuse, but…

“I’d like to hear the reason first.”

I had to hear the reason first.

As I did, my gaze shifted elsewhere.

Towards where Nangong Bi-ah was.

It was obvious what she’d be doing.

She’d be sleeping in my carriage right now.

“Has Gu Family Head… left?”

“Yes. He left for Shanxi yesterday.”

“…Is that so. I’m too late.”

What is it?

Is he trying to get revenge?

It’s understandable to feel wronged after being treated like that, but revenge…

‘Doesn’t seem possible.’

Seeing the scene back then, it seemed almost impossible for Cheonjun to get revenge on Father.

Maybe as a group… but individually… it would probably be too much.

The fortunate thing is.

‘It doesn’t feel like that.’

That Cheonjun doesn’t seem motivated by revenge.

As I looked at Cheonjun with a strange expression, he spoke to me.

“I wanted to express my gratitude. It seems I’m too late.”

“Gratitude?”

Hearing that, I subtly increased the distance between us.

…Gratitude after getting beaten up so badly? Does he perhaps have a preference for getting hit?

I never thought Cheonjun was that kind of perverted person.

Seeing my disgusted expression, Cheonjun chuckled.

“You have quite the imagination, child. Don’t worry, I’m not that kind of person.”

“…Well, that’s a relief, but…”

“I genuinely just wanted to convey my thanks. If it weren’t for Gu Family Head, I wouldn’t have been able to open my eyes.”

‘Wouldn’t have been able to open my eyes’?

It felt more like they were trying to make him close his eyes forever.

Leaving aside the incomprehensible words, the important thing wasn’t that.

“Are you saying that relates to why you intend to go to Gu Clan now?”

“Wouldn’t it?”

“…No, setting aside whether it’s possible or not… I just don’t understand the reason for this sudden decision. You could just go to the Nangong Family. Moreover…”

The investigation by the Murim Alliance regarding the Tang Family incident hadn’t properly concluded yet.

If Cheonjun was involved, he would be subject to investigation by the Alliance.

Of course.

‘If Cheonjun throws a tantrum, there’s nothing that can be done.’

As one of the Three Lords, if he acted defiantly, they couldn’t just mess with him.

That means he isn’t seeking refuge at Gu Clan out of fear.

So I had to ask.

“Is there also a reason why you won’t be going to the Nangong Family?”

“…”

I wanted to hear the reason why Cheonjun was specifically avoiding the Nangong Family.

Cheonjun, after a moment of silence, cast his gaze somewhere.

The direction was towards where other Nangong family members were.

“…Because I cannot go yet.”

Cheonjun’s eyes, as he spoke, were noticeably trembling.

“Until I correct my past mistakes. I will not go to the Nangong Family.”

Past mistakes (過誤)?

It was a rather unpleasant thing to hear.

‘…Did getting burned by flames once cause some kind of change?’

Did he realize something right before death?

I didn’t fully understand what he was saying, but I could tell he had the will to do something.

“So to my house…”

You mean you want to freeload, right?

I stopped myself before saying that.

“You mean… you want to stay for a while?”

“Is that not acceptable? I will fulfill the role of a guest retainer. Though I am an old man, I am confident in my strength.”

I couldn’t help but let out an internal scoff at Cheonjun’s words.

If that’s the role, what exactly would he do?

Is he trying to be a servant like Geom-jon? I would refuse that.

‘…I almost died from the burden.’

Geom-jon cleaning my room, chopping firewood, and helping with meal preparations.

Do you know how burdensome that was?

‘I felt like I was going to throw up every day.’

Moreover, I couldn’t acknowledge it, so pretending not to know was difficult.

And Cheonjun wants to do that?

Just imagining it was exhausting.

Forcing my expression back into place, I said to Cheonjun.

“…Before that. Are you alright first?”

“What do you mean?”

“Setting aside your decision not to return to the Nangong Family. There are members of the Nangong Family among my companions. Are you alright with that aspect?”

His decision not to go to the Nangong Family.

And the presence of Nangong family members among my companions – was he treating them separately?

I was curious about that.

Cheonjun paused briefly upon hearing my question, then looked me in the eye and said.

“It’s fine. That too is something I must bear…”

“No. That’s not what I mean.”

I cut Cheonjun off.

It seemed this old man was misunderstanding something.

“Setting aside whether you are alright, I’m asking if they will be alright. What will you do if they are not?”

“…!”

Cheonjun’s eyes widened at my blunt words.

I didn’t know anything about the Nangong Family’s affairs, nor did I intend to learn much about them in the future.

But Nangong Bi-ah was important.

I didn’t know her relationship with Cheonjun, but if he was someone Nangong Bi-ah would be uncomfortable traveling with…

‘I have no intention of accepting him, Cheonjun or otherwise.’

Even if it led to a somewhat rough situation, I wouldn’t back down.

‘I have considerable backup on my side.’

Although Cheonjun was defeated by Father, he wouldn’t be a weak martial artist by any means.

But I had reinforcements now to counter him.

‘…Pac-jon might not get involved, but wouldn’t Am-wang help?’

In short, it meant he was acting spoiled because he had backing.

I observed Cheonjun, my tension rising.

Cheonjun’s expression was unusual.

Was he offended by my words? It was possible.

He probably hadn’t heard such things anywhere else.

As I watched him with mild concern.

“I see. I’ve shown my incompetence again.”

The words that came from Cheonjun’s mouth were an unexpected reaction.

He nodded as if realizing something he hadn’t known.

His blue eyes were clear, and his breath was calm.

…I suddenly wondered if this old man, not Dok-wang, had taken the wrong medicine.

“Thank you. You’ve given me enlightenment.”

“…No, yes…”

“I almost caused another major incident; it’s fortunate I realized it now… If those children dislike it, I won’t go.”

“…”

Wrinkles formed around his eyes as he smiled slightly.

Was this really the Cheonjun I knew?

Could another Am-gyeak be disguised as him?

I even harbored such suspicions.

“…That.”

He started to say something more but closed his mouth.

He lightly stroked his forehead, looking at Shin-ui.

I could tell by looking into Shin-ui’s eyes.

His gaze seemed to be asking for something.

“Tsk.”

I had to click my tongue there.

“I understand what you’re saying. However, since the permission for this must come from the Family Head, not me, I will first send a letter to the clan.”

It wasn’t a clear approval.

Even if Nangong Bi-ah agreed and I agreed.

Ultimately, accepting or rejecting it depended on Father’s decision.

For the record, I intended to subtly write a message urging him not to accept.

“Thank you.”

Cheonjun smiled at me, seemingly content with just this.

I don’t know why that kind, benevolent face felt so burdensome.

‘He looked terrifyingly scary when I saw him in the other world.’

Cloaked in chilling killing intent.

Where was that Cheonjun who didn’t hide his sharp demeanor?

A benevolent grandfather stood before me.

They say people mature after getting beaten up. Could that really be true?

I don’t know.

After bowing to Cheonjun, I headed towards the carriage.

It wasn’t a long distance; as I walked, I whispered quietly.

“Elder.”

-Yes.

As soon as I called out, I heard a telepathic message.

I turned my gaze to locate the source of the telepathic message.

Among the servants diligently carrying luggage, I sensed something.

That must be Am-wang.

Normally I wouldn’t have been able to sense him, but the fact that I could now meant Am-wang was likely intentionally revealing himself.

-I have a request.

-Speak.

-Could you send a letter for me?

-Understood.

Am-wang accepted immediately.

I intended to write about Cheonjun’s situation and send it to Gu Clan.

And I knew that borrowing Am-wang’s power would likely be the fastest way to do so.

-I will dispatch it immediately.

He probably meant he’d send members of the Cheolya Sal-su Dae.

…Using people who make the Central Plains tremble just by hearing their name as carrier pigeons.

It was an indescribable feeling.

Hiding those feelings, I asked about something else.

-And… what about the request I made yesterday?

This was the main reason I called him.

The matter I had requested of Am-wang.

It was asking Am-wang to take Tang Soyeol as his disciple.

Regarding this, Am-wang had said that rather than accepting immediately, he needed to confirm if it was possible.

Like Pac-jon’s Tu-apa Cheon-mu, Am-wang’s unique martial arts seemed to require some conditions.

-It seems possible.

I nodded at Am-wang’s reply.

Fortunately, Tang Soyeol seemed to have passed Am-wang’s criteria.

If so.

-Just fulfill the conditions.

-Yes.

The conversation ended there.

The conditions I presented to Am-wang were simply that he accept Tang Soyeol as a disciple, and if Tang Soyeol refused or declared surrender, he should accept him then.

I merely wanted to offer one path.

Whether he would grit his teeth and pursue it was ultimately Tang Soyeol’s decision.

I wasn’t sure if this would actually be helpful.

Was it the right thing to have him train under Am-wang?

I wasn’t certain.

Still, I saw it as the fastest method.

‘Just going the right way won’t be enough to endure.’

Dok-wang’s beliefs sparked many thoughts in me, but…

I knew I couldn’t consider only that.

Screech.

I opened the carriage door. The first thing I saw inside was Nangong Bi-ah.

She was lying on Wi Seol-ah’s lap, her eyes half-closed in sleep.

Nangong Bi-ah, dozing, saw me and gave a slight wave.

“You’re back…?”

“You’re certainly peaceful.”

Regardless of what happened last time, Nangong Bi-ah’s attitude was the same.

It was subtly irritating.

It felt like I was the only one bothered.

Feeling a bit annoyed by that, I flicked Nangong Bi-ah on the forehead.

Thwack!

“…Ah…”

Nangong Bi-ah, hit out of the blue, gave a feeble reaction.

Was that supposed to be a scream?

She even made a sound before falling back asleep.

Seriously, I’m dumbfounded.

Wi Seol-ah, who was stroking Nangong Bi-ah, asked me.

“Are you done?”

It felt the opposite in the past.

Lately, Wi Seol-ah somehow seems more like the older sister.

‘…Is it because she’s grown?’

Was it because her height, body, and appearance had become much more mature than before?

It might also be due to the aura she gave off.

“No, I have to go out again.”

Preparations for departure weren’t finished yet.

Moyong Hi-ah was directing preparations outside, so I had to go help to some extent.

The reason I came in briefly was because I had something to tell Nangong Bi-ah.

-Hey.

I called out to Nangong Bi-ah telepathically.

Nangong Bi-ah then opened her eyes slightly.

-Your great-grandfather came looking for me.

“…”

At those words, Nangong Bi-ah, who had been drifting off, stirred and sat up.

Seeing her messy hair, she seemed to have been quite comfortable.

Was it because I mentioned Cheonjun?

Nangong Bi-ah looked at me.

-He said he wants to come along. What should I do? Should I refuse?

“…?”

Her eyes showed incomprehension.

That made sense.

Cheonjun suddenly wanting to join us was something I wouldn’t have understood if I heard it myself.

-If you don’t want him to, I’ll refuse. He said he won’t go if you feel that way.

“…”

Nangong Bi-ah’s relationship with Cheonjun might be uncomfortable.

Recalling my past life, there was still a possibility of that, so I asked just in case.

“I don’t mind…”

Nangong Bi-ah replied like that and then laid her head back on Wi Seol-ah’s lap.

“…No.”

I had subtly hoped she would refuse, but even that didn’t work.

Damn it.

‘So in the end, I have to hope Father refuses, don’t I?’

That seemed to be the only remaining option.

Just fifteen days after this.

I would learn that even Father had betrayed my expectations.