Chapter 654: Back to the Central Plains.

Before heading to the Central Plains, it was around the time night had fallen.

I sought out the Palace Lord in the middle of the night for my final schedule in the Northern Sea.

“This place has been accessible only to the bloodline members generation after generation, especially those destined for the position of Palace Lord.”

The place I found, holding a single lantern at night, was an underground passage located on one side of the royal castle.

I don’t know why there are so many underground areas here.

I was walking deep into it, following the Palace Lord’s guidance, when suddenly the Palace Lord spoke to me.

“Young Master Gu.”

“Yes.”

“I have something I want to ask.”

“Please speak. I will listen attentively.”

“Why did you try to save Bi-oe-gun?”

It was a rather abrupt question to ask while walking through the darkness.

I took a moment to steady my breath and looked at him, saying,

“In what sense are you asking?”

“The literal meaning. I matched my words after seeing your intentions, but I don’t understand.”

Hearing the Palace Lord’s words, I nodded.

As expected.

‘My intended reaction was correct.’

The confrontational atmosphere when I met the Palace Lord.

Just as I had predicted back then, it was true that the Palace Lord had intended such a situation.

It meant he deliberately reacted that way, knowing I needed Wu Hyuk.

“If I say it’s because we’re close, would that reason be insufficient?”

“How does it sound to you, Young Master?”

“It seems a little insufficient, but…”

I wondered if there was anything more to add.

No, if I were to look for it, there would be more.

“Looking at his condition, it seems like he’d be useful if I took him.”

Wu Hyuk had undergone forced assimilation through the energy Mang had instilled. He became much stronger, and since demonic energy was injected, the probability of him betraying me is low. There was nothing more trustworthy than a relationship built on loyalty.

“There happened to be a suitable task to entrust him with, and the situation was just right, but…”

Moreover, Wu Hyuk is a figure from the Mu Tang sect. And while his current status is ambiguous, he was originally the disciple who received the most attention. As it stands, although the Mu Tang master Gwaeseon’s actions and disposition are strange, he would normally be considered the next sect leader without question.

Just looking at that alone. Simply having Wu Hyuk by my side was considerably useful.

As the disciple of the next sect leader.

And the current Mu Dang’s foremost late-stage disciple.

Considering he possesses outstanding talent, capable of contending with elders in terms of cultivation level at an age not yet reaching twenty, Wu Hyuk is someone whose value is immense when considered in terms of connections.

I could provide more than enough explanations as to why I had to take Wu Hyuk, but

‘Even setting those aside.’

My intentions likely wouldn’t change.

“Ultimately, there isn’t much beyond the reason I stated at first.”

I saved him because he’s my friend. Any other reason would just be an excuse chasing after justification.

“Even if it makes the Palace Lord uncomfortable, it’s burdensome to find any other reason.”

“…I see.”

After my words, the Palace Lord remained silent.

Normally, it would have been impossible to bring Wu Hyuk like this. Perhaps it was possible because the Palace Lord chose to overlook it.

‘If it came down to it, I might have really charged in, as he said.’

The fact that I didn’t need to meant the Palace Lord had intentionally let it slide.

‘Should I thank him?’

I pondered for a moment, but I knew it was meaningless. Whether it’s an apology or gratitude. These are not words I should say to the Palace Lord right now.

Not only did his daughter rebel after being consumed by ice, but she ultimately met her death. Amidst the turmoil in the palace due to the war’s aftermath, the scoundrel who participated in that incident is about to be let go alive and well, instead of being beheaded.

It was obvious the Palace Lord’s feelings couldn’t possibly be good.

‘It’s quite astonishing that he’s guiding me normally right now.’

What kind of heart is he walking with right now? I couldn’t understand it at all.

If it were me, how would I have been?

Well, I didn’t particularly want to imagine it.

“…I wish to ask one last thing.”

“Please speak.”

“Do you have a set goal, Young Master?”

“Yes?”

Suddenly?

‘A goal?’

A goal. It was such a sudden question that I was slightly taken aback, but I quickly found an answer.

“It’s nothing grand.”

It wasn’t originally, but perhaps it was something I had to do upon regressing.

“There’s something I need to do, so while I’m at it, I thought I’d save the world as well.”

To block the Blood Demon and the Heavenly Demon, and simultaneously prevent the Blood Calamity.

That was the goal I was currently pursuing.

As I mentioned this, the Palace Lord walking ahead suddenly chuckled.

“Haha… You said it wasn’t grand, yet those are quite magnificent words.”

“I just said it grandly because it’s a goal.”

It was also something I said intentionally to be taken as a joke.

The Palace Lord didn’t look entirely convinced either.

Just as we were about to walk again.

“Then, what will you do after that goal is completed?”

“…”

At the words that flowed in, my toes stopped abruptly.

‘Next?’

What will I do next.

Those words gave me a sense of inexplicable uncertainty.

When it’s all over.

‘After finishing what needs to be done…’

What I will do after completing all the necessary tasks.

I tried to recall it, but nothing came to mind right away.

‘I don’t know.’

Perhaps I’ll just sleep comfortably.

It was still uncertain.

As I touched my lips with a blank expression, the Palace Lord glanced at me and added,

“It would be good to think deeply about it at least once. It’s not my place to interfere, but… Young Master…”

Beyond the darkness, I could feel the Palace Lord’s light blue gaze.

“You seem somewhat buried, you see.”

“…”

After this remark, the Palace Lord and I exchanged no further conversation until we reached our destination.

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

The place we arrived at afterward was a large underground room.

Inside, it was filled with unknown books.

Along with the cool breeze, the old papers gathered to create a unique scent.

From my perspective, who never studied worth a damn, it was also a scent I truly disliked.

I took out a book and examined it.

There was no title written on it.

Curiosity piqued, I gently opened it.

Sryruk.

“Ah, that one has a spell cast on it, so if someone not of the bloodline opens it, there will be probl- You’ve already opened it.”

“…Couldn’t you have told me just a little earlier?”

“I didn’t expect you to open it right away.”

“I apologize. I did it without thinking.”

What should I do? Should I close it again?

As I wore an awkward expression, the Palace Lord said,

“Since you’ve opened it anyway, how about it?”

“…What about it?”

“Can you read the text?”

At the Palace Lord’s words, I looked at the book.

The densely packed characters caught my eye.

How on earth can they write this small?

“Yes, I can see it very well. Enough to give me a headache.”

Perhaps it’s because I’ve always disliked reading. Just looking at it irritates me.

“I see. It seems you can see it.”

“Why? Shouldn’t I be able to see it?”

“That’s right.”

“Yes?”

“That item is designed so that those who are not of the bloodline cannot see it.”

Uh… but why can I see it so clearly?

Just as I wondered if something was wrong.

“However, it seems to be a meaningless matter for Young Master Gu anyway.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Hearing my question, the Palace Lord approached me and took the book I was holding.

Sarak.

The sound of turning pages tickled my ears.

“You said you wanted information about spells, Young Master.”

“That’s correct.”

“Then, before that, do you know what spells are?”

“…I don’t know in such detail, but…”

Recalling what I’d heard.

“Something brought by dragons (龍)… That’s what I heard.”

It was said that dragons brought the unknown power called spells itself.

“That is correct. Spells are originally something brought by dragons.”

Having said that, the Palace Lord closed the book he was reading and placed it on the desk.

Clap-!

He lightly clapped his hands.

At that moment.

Hwareuk-!

The lamps attached to the wall lit up. Naturally, it wasn’t something I did.

Was it lit with energy? It felt somewhat subtle for that. It lacked the traces to be called Sam-mae-jin-hwa (True Fire of Samadhi), and since I didn’t feel any heat from the Palace Lord, it wasn’t alchemy either.

It was something else.

“…That just now.”

“That’s right. This is also a spell. Judging by your expression, you seem to have recognized the difference immediately.”

I did recognize it. I understood that something felt different. However.

‘What is different?’

I couldn’t grasp that subtle something.

Haha.

Seeing me like that, the Palace Lord chuckled.

“Doesn’t it seem strange?”

“Yes, it’s very strange.”

“Indeed. That is what spells are.”

“Yes?”

“A power that somehow doesn’t make sense. That is what spells are.”

“That explanation is quite lacking.”

It was lacking, and then some. A power that doesn’t make sense? As an explanation, it sounded like utter nonsense.

“Before that, may I ask why you wish to know about spells, Young Master?”

“Hmm.”

I had to remain silent for a moment after hearing the question. It wasn’t because it was difficult to answer. I just wanted to explain a more plausible reason, but no matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t.

The reason I wanted to know about spells, honestly, wasn’t anything grand.

“Because it looked like it could be useful.”

“…Hmm?”

“Since it was information I didn’t know, I thought it would be good to be aware of it.”

The difference between knowing and not knowing was important. As it was something I hadn’t heard of or seen in my past life, I thought it might be convenient if I knew about it.

Hearing my words, the Palace Lord showed no noticeable reaction. He simply raised his hand lightly.

Seuk.

Then, movement was felt from the bookshelf.

Tuk.

Among the gathered books, one book slid out and flew into the Palace Lord’s hand.

Afterward, holding the book in his hand, the Palace Lord asked me again,

“How did you see this one?”

“See what?”

“Did it seem like a spell was used? Or…”

“You used internal energy manipulation.”

This time, it wasn’t like a spell, but rather manipulating objects from thin air.

“Oh.”

At my decisive answer, the Palace Lord reacted as if pleased. Seeing that, I had to harbor a question.

Why is he reacting like that?

“You’re quick-witted. Or perhaps, you guessed.”

“Guessed? I can see it so clearly.”

“Hmm?”

Although they looked similar, it was distinctly the flow of energy. The spell shown earlier had a completely different flow.

Hearing my answer, the Palace Lord tilted his head while looking at me.

“How curious.”

“What is?”

“When I experienced the same thing back then, I responded that it seemed somewhat different. Hearing this, my father, the previous Palace Lord, assessed that I had a talent for spells.”

It seemed too different to just say ‘somewhat different’?

“Looking at that. While not certain, it seems Young Master Gu possesses outstanding talent in spells.”

“…Hmm, is that so?”

Talent, huh.

Hearing his words, I inwardly smirked.

‘Is there even a single thing I’m good at?’

I lived my whole life hearing all sorts of things like ‘dullard’ or ‘idiot,’ so it would be quite strange if something were discovered now.

And not just anything.

‘Not martial arts, but this unknown power called spells.’

It wasn’t a particularly welcome feeling.

As I entertained trivial thoughts, the Palace Lord handed me the book he had brought.

“Read it.”

I immediately took the book and opened it.

It was no different from before. It was still filled with dense characters, naturally causing my brow to furrow. However, since I was told to read it, I decided to at least try reading it.

“Hmm?”

Suddenly, I noticed something strange. It was the strangeness of myself reading it line by line.

This…

‘Why can I read it?’

I heard that the characters themselves are different between the Northern Sea and the Central Plains, so why am I reading it without any issue?

Noticing this, I looked back at the Palace Lord.

“As I mentioned earlier, spells belong to dragons, and that book also has a spell cast upon it. A spell that only allows bloodline members to read it.”

“…Does that mean I can read such a book?”

“It would be correct to assume that barriers made of spells do not affect you. Because you are a dragon.”

So, does this mean that being able to read it is also the power of spells? If it was blocked by spells, shouldn’t this also be unreadable?

‘Power brought by dragons…’

It seems to mean it was brought by Mang or the Blood Demon. For what purpose did they bring this?

‘Besides, thinking about it, Shin-ui also mentioned it once.’

Not just in the Northern Sea, but Shin-ui had also spoken about spells in the Central Plains.

‘It was when healing Zhuge Hyuk’s neck.’

Around the time Zhuge Hyuk was being treated using the Baek-geup Ma-seok.

I watched the process as promised. Shin-ui placed Baek-geup Ma-seok on the floor, drew numerous unknown symbols, sat Zhuge Hyuk in the center, and kept his eyes closed for hours.

Was that also ‘spells’?

Seeing that Zhuge Hyuk’s neck was ultimately healed, I could tell something was done.

An unreasonable power that defies logic.

It was definitely something different from martial arts.

“Information about spells. The reward I promised you, Young Master, is what you now hold in your hand.”

At his words, I looked at the book again.

“…This one book?”

With books filling the surroundings like that, just this one? I looked at the Palace Lord as if asking if it wasn’t too stingy.

“Don’t look at it like that. I am breaking the Ice Palace’s ancestral laws to hand this over.”

Is he telling me to be grateful that I can at least see this much?

Tsk.

“Furthermore…”

As the Palace Lord continued speaking, I began reading the text written in the book once more.

“The book you hold, Young Master, contains the method for accumulating rings in the heart, which is most crucial for using spells.”

The explanation entered my ears. Simultaneously, my eyes were immersed in the text.

‘Rings in the heart. It looks quite similar to the incantations for cultivating inner energy arts.’

Most inner energy arts involve storing the surrounding energy in the dantian and converting it into internal energy. Gu-yeom Hwa-ryun Gong used the internal energy created that way to emit heat. Even though the branches of martial arts from other families or sects might differ, they wouldn’t be fundamentally different from this.

However.

‘This thing called rings…’

Starting by building a foundation in the middle dantian. It was also strange that it focused on the middle and upper dantian while disregarding the lower dantian.

‘So I need to do this to use spells or whatever?’

Should I give it a try?

“Therefore, even though I cannot show you other books according to the rules…. I thought it right to show you at least the starting part.”

‘The incantation goes like this, let’s see…’

“Unfortunately, I cannot let you take that with you. Even with the Palace Lord’s authority, this is the best I could do.”

The Palace Lord kept saying something, but I ignored him and focused on the flow.

“I can permit you to copy it. If you start writing now, you should be able to finish before departure. However, it would be best not to try and learn it immediately. It took the previous Palace Lord half a year to master this…”

‘Next, I should send this… to the middle dantian…’

Using the incantation, I moved a minute amount of energy and wrapped it around the heart area.

Then.

Dalkkak.

As I felt a sense of something filling up, I felt a shallow ring forming in my heart, just as the name suggested.

“Even I, who was praised for my talent, took a good three months, so rather than rushing…”

“Done.”

“I’ve formed the ring. Fortunately, it wasn’t difficult. Ah, may I read the next one too? Since I only received one, it feels like there’s still quite a bit of time left.”

“…”

At my words, the Palace Lord’s expression inexplicably crumpled.

I felt like I was seeing that expression a lot today.

Why?