Chapter 699: Divine Dragon Martial Arts Festival.

“You met Grandfather-nim…?”

That’s what Gu Huibi said to me in my quarters.

“Yeah.”

“How…?”

“He came looking for me.”

I answered nonchalantly to the surprised question.

My ribs still ache. I really should have hit him moderately.

“No, suddenly?”

“Right. Suddenly.”

As if they couldn’t quite believe it, they kept asking, but my answer was the same.

“Noona. Stop asking. I was surprised too.”

Me? Did I think that human… No, is he even human? Anyway, did I expect that old man called Grandfather to show up?

Thanks to him, my ribs are out of place and my mood is ruined.

‘Damn bloodline.’

The Gu family gentlemen are all out of their minds. They’re all a bunch of people who only know themselves, so how can a normal person like me live comfortably in a place like this?

‘I really need to run away from home.’

I thought about trying to grow attached, but I couldn’t, which makes this a truly crappy family.

“So….”

Trying to calm my stomach somehow, I looked at Gu Huibi in front of me and asked.

“Noona… what are you doing right now?”

“Huh?”

To my question, Gu Huibi tilted her head and said.

“Can’t you see? I’m cooking.”

“…”

Does anyone ask something they don’t know?

‘I’m asking because I can’t believe it even when I see it.’

That Gu Huibi is cooking rice.

Casually, in comfortable clothes, she made a few side dishes and then just plopped them onto the table.

How should I describe this nightmare-like scene?

At least, I don’t know.

“…You knew how to cook?”

“A little now?”

I made a dumbfounded expression at Gu Huibi’s nonchalant answer.

Perhaps finding my expression amusing, Gu Huibi chuckled.

“Living while raising a child, it just happened that way.”

“…What kind of motherly talk is that?”

“Oh my, did it suit me?”

“No, not at all.”

Honestly, it kind of seemed to suit her, but answering straightforwardly felt strangely irritating.

As I was watching Gu Huibi’s bizarre sight.

Tuk.

Something was placed on a bowl that was set down without me knowing when.

What is this?

I don’t know what it is. It looks like food, but….

“What is it…?”

Thinking I absolutely couldn’t tell, I looked at the person who gave it to me.

It was Cheonma, who had naturally sat beside me at some point.

Cheonma sat there, placing something in front of me one by one.

“Stop, no…. What is this?”

“Food.”

“I can tell that by looking. I mean, why are you giving this to me?”

“This is delicious. It’s something you like.”

“…”

I wonder what kind of messed-up situation this is.

No, it feels like it’s already too late to understand.

Having no strength left to say anything, I just silently picked up the food and put it in my mouth.

‘…Huh?’

I was a little surprised after eating.

Because it tasted better than expected.

And.

‘I ate this.’

I should be surprised that I ate food nonchalantly in Cheonma’s presence.

‘Even with immunity to all poisons.’

I was too careless.

Or perhaps, it was precisely because it was Cheonma.

‘She wouldn’t use something like poison.’

She doesn’t use trivial methods like poisoning.

As she was a woman who would directly push and slash if she didn’t like something.

Was she not worried about such trivial things?

Or was it purely because Gu Huibi was there?

I don’t know.

Because I didn’t know, I took another bite.

“Is it tasty?”

Gu Huibi asked.

“It’s okay.”

“Really?”

Hearing the answer, Gu Huibi grinned and looked at Cheonma.

“Yeon-ah says it’s okay.”

“Mm.”

“…Hm?”

“Ah, Yeon-i made this.”

“…?”

At Gu Huibi’s words, I widened my eyes and looked at Cheonma.

What the hell is this nonsense now?

“This…. She made it?”

“Yeah, she did well, right? She’s surprisingly skillful with her hands.”

As if praising her, Gu Huibi stroked Cheonma’s hair.

Cheonma yielded to the touch without much resistance.

Meanwhile, I couldn’t shake off the shock I just received.

‘Cheonma cooks?’

Cheonma herself?

It was one of the most shocking things I’d experienced in my life.

She even made it quite delicious.

That was even more absurd.

‘I’m finding it hard to react to anything anymore.’

I feel exhausted from being surprised and thinking about everything one by one.

First, I put down the chopsticks I was holding.

Before doing anything else, let’s get to the main point.

That seemed like the right thing to do.

“Noona.”

“Hm?”

“What happened with Grandfather?”

“…”

When I suddenly got straight to the point, Gu Huibi paused for a moment.

I stared intently at Gu Huibi.

“Why did that old man leave her with you, Noona? What happened?”

“…Um….”

I asked again.

It was a look that clearly stated I wouldn’t let her change the subject and would definitely get an answer.

Gu Huibi knew that, which is probably why she looked embarrassed.

However, since I absolutely had to get an answer somehow, I waited quietly for her to speak.

Finally, the quiet Gu Huibi cautiously opened her mouth to me.

“It was probably around the time… my sword brigade was just disbanded.”

Gu Huibi’s Five Sword Brigades of the Gu family, where she was the head.

Currently, due to the tangled situation, they are temporarily disbanded.

The exact reason was probably the incidents that occurred internally over the position of rumor-monger for the Gu Seon Gate.

Because of that, Gu Huibi had to take a temporary break.

It was a situation where she left, intending to pursue scholarship in the Central Plains belatedly.

If we go by time, it was about a little less than two years ago.

“It wasn’t a particularly special day. It was when I was traveling as usual.”

It was a spring day when flowers were just starting to bloom.

While walking through Qinghai, Gu Huibi suddenly encountered Grandfather.

‘You must take care of this. It’s for the sake of the family.’

Cheonma, who seemed unconscious, was held in Grandfather’s hands, and Grandfather handed Cheonma over to Gu Huibi.

“…You just accepted it?”

To accept it without suspicion just because he told you to, it’s like you’re a pushover.

When I looked at Gu Huibi with eyes asking why, she said to me, looking slightly wronged.

“Grandfather-nim said it was a family matter. What could I do?”

Even though Gu Huibi acts wild like a crazy woman, it seems she couldn’t help it when Grandfather, or rather, the former family head known to be dead, spoke of it as a family matter.

But.

“You just blindly believed it? What if Grandfather was fake?”

Even so, I couldn’t understand. What on earth did you believe? I asked, spitting out my doubts.

“How did you, my brother, become so sure that the person you met was Grandfather-nim?”

“…”

I was speechless at Gu Huibi’s words.

That means her realization was the same as mine.

‘The resonance of the Gu Flame Wheel Technique.’

Just that alone allows one to know if the other party is of the same bloodline, but…

“Even so. If flames handed something over, you should at least be cautious….”

“What flames are you talking about?”

“What?”

At Gu Huibi’s words, I had to pause.

She doesn’t understand what I’m saying?

‘This is…’

Sensing something strange, I asked her again.

“Noona. Do you remember what Grandfather looked like?”

“Appearance?”

“Wasn’t it a human form engulfed in flames or something?”

“Brother… did you eat something bad? Where in the world does something like that exist?”

“…”

Her gaze, looking at me as if I were pathetic, was dizzying.

“No, really… wasn’t Grandfather’s appearance like that?”

“Far from flames, he was perfectly fine. He had white hair and a sturdy build. The family head seemed to resemble Grandfather-nim a lot.”

“…”

The more I heard the explanation, the more my brow furrowed.

Her explanation, spoken without hesitation, confirmed that Gu Huibi had indeed seen Grandfather in that form.

‘What is it.’

That’s why I don’t understand.

When I saw him, he was clearly something made of flames, yet Gu Huibi saw him in human form?

‘She told me my appearance seemed strange because I hadn’t settled in yet.’

But Gu Huibi saw him in human form?

‘What kind of situation is this.’

How could that be possible?

It was a strange sense of incongruity.

No. More than that.

“The reason?”

So, what was the reason for entrusting Cheonma to Gu Huibi?

When I asked about this, Gu Huibi replied in a tone as if asking why I’d ask such a thing, stating the obvious.

“I don’t know.”

“…What?”

“How would I know that? He just told me to hold onto her for a moment.”

“…”

I’m going crazy.

“Noona, you’re really no help.”

I’m really going mad.

“Brother. Want to get hit after a long time?”

“No…. I’m past the point of being hit by you now, so let’s skip that.”

Cutting her off, I brought up something else.

“Then, why are you staying in a place like this? You could have just told Madam Mi.”

Why are you staying in such a shabby place after coming all the way to Hanam?

That was the question.

“Of course, I told her.”

“But.”

“I told her, so why would I be here… I’m here because Mother rejected me.”

“…”

It was a perfectly flawless answer.

Right.

She wouldn’t have gotten permission, so she’s here.

“Besides, even if that wasn’t the case.”

Gu Huibi glanced at Cheonma and said.

“That child wanted to come here.”

Cheonma?

Of all places, Cheonma chose this location? What’s the reason?

While pondering the question, I asked something else with my mouth.

“So, your sudden increase in cultivation has nothing to do with Grandfather?”

“Ah.”

Gu Huibi, who hasn’t reached the age of twenty.

For her to have reached the Profound Realm was a significant feat, but if Grandfather didn’t do something…

How could she have possibly advanced?

I asked because I was curious about that.

“Raising a child… I gained some enlightenment. Then, before I knew it, this is how it became.”

“…”

“Isn’t it truly amazing?”

Yeah, it’s really amazing.

It was the most absurd answer I’d heard today.

‘Gained enlightenment while raising a child…?’

Enlightenment isn’t someone’s dog’s name.

If you gain enlightenment while raising a child, are all the mothers in the world superheroes?

‘No. Maybe I don’t know because I don’t have a mother?’

Madam Mi, too, even if I don’t know her martial arts, her Qi itself seems strong, so maybe it’s possible-

“…Crazy bastard.”

While having such a stupid thought, I suddenly came to my senses.

This meant, in the end, that Gu Huibi had no useful information.

“Then, what about you?”

“Hm?”

So, what about Cheonma?

“Why were you captured?”

“…”

How on earth did she get captured by Grandfather?

I distinctly remember her disappearing with the Black Night Palace Lord, but…

At my words, Cheonma seemed to ponder seriously, then finally gave her answer.

“I don’t know.”

This bitch was the same.

“I opened my eyes, and that’s how it was.”

“…”

While feeling angry at that damn answer,

I had to first consider whether that statement was actually true.

Wouldn’t you agree? There wasn’t just one or two strange things.

“But why didn’t you run away?”

When I came to my senses, I was dragged by Grandfather and handed over to Gu Huibi.

When I realized that, why didn’t I run away?

That was the biggest question that came to mind after hearing the answer.

“You could have easily run away.”

Cheonma is strong.

Leaving aside the fact that she was using her powers, I was convinced when I saw the Heavenly Demon Divine Sword she drew earlier while dealing with Grandfather.

‘Strong.’

Very much so.

Perhaps she might even be stronger than me right now.

Even if Cheonma’s disposition has changed somehow, that doesn’t change the fact that she is a dangerous element.

Her past record of causing bloodshed in her previous life, coupled with the fact that she is an unknown powerhouse.

Moreover.

‘She’s connected to the Blood Demon.’

Cheonma has a connection to the Blood Demon. That means.

‘Wi Seol-ah….’

She, who filled my mind, must also be involved.

My mouth instantly turned bitter.

For now, I swallowed it down.

So, in the end, why didn’t Cheonma run away?

Just as that question arose.

“It didn’t matter.”

Cheonma quietly murmured, looking at me.

“It didn’t matter?”

“Yeah. Rather, it was good. Because I could see.”

For words spoken with a blank, emotionless expression, they were quite emotional.

What was she glad to see?

The outside world?

Gu Huibi?

Or perhaps something else entirely?

I couldn’t know, and I didn’t particularly care to.

Because what mattered wasn’t Cheonma’s feelings or anything like that.

“Then, you don’t know where Taejeol-gwi is either?”

“…”

Mentioning Taejeol-gwi, Cheonma’s eyes shifted slightly.

“Taejeol-gwi?”

“Yes, Taejeol-gwi.”

The formation master who created the mechanisms of the Demonic Cult.

Also.

The craftsman who created artificial demonic objects.

I needed him for my future plans, and I judged that Cheonma would know his location.

Of course.

‘I didn’t know if she would tell me or not.’

As expected, even if she knew, she wouldn’t tell me.

If that happened, my suspicion towards Cheonma could deepen, and if so, I had prepared methods to try.

So, it should have been like that, but…

“Uncle is in Xinjiang.”

“Yeah, as expected, she won’t tell…. What did you say?”

At Cheonma’s calm words, my body stiffened.

‘Xinjiang?’

Taejeol-gwi’s location is Xinjiang?

Again?

What is Xinjiang, some demon’s den? Everyone’s gathered there.

Couldn’t that statement itself be a lie?

Even setting that aside.

“Xinjiang…. Xin…. No, why are you telling me this?”

At my question asking why she was telling me this so plainly, emotion flickered across Cheonma’s face.

It was clear.

That was an expression of disbelief.

“You asked.”

“…”

Right. I asked.

But why answer so easily?

“Ah…. Haa….”

Stopping mid-sentence, I wiped my face as if exhausted.

I don’t know what’s what.

I didn’t want to think anymore.

‘This is annoying. Should I just break everything?’

My old personality seems to burst out without me realizing it.

Feeling that, I got up.

“I’m leaving….”

“Hm? Brother?”

As I spoke, Gu Huibi and Cheonma widened their eyes.

Ignoring those two, I went outside.

“I ate well.”

It wasn’t just a courtesy; I actually ate well.

It was surprisingly filling.

“Leaving already?”

“Yeah.”

Gu Huibi said it regretfully, but my steps were already moving.

I felt like I might go crazy if I stayed any longer.

I thought I had asked everything I needed to, so I planned to return to my quarters for now.

I immediately closed the door and stepped outside.

I could see the stars piercing the night sky, but it didn’t feel beautiful.

It means my mind is too complicated to notice such things.

‘What on earth is in Xinjiang.’

Namgung Myung, Grandfather, everyone is telling me to come there.

‘Honestly, I wanted to quit everything and not go.’

I don’t pay attention to the invitations.

If they’re annoyed, they can deal with it themselves; Xinjiang wasn’t part of my plans.

‘If Cheonma’s words are true. I have to go, even if it’s of my own volition.’

If Taejeol-gwi is truly in Xinjiang, the situation changes slightly.

To know that, I first need to verify if Cheonma’s words are true or not.

‘…For now… it’s fine.’

I don’t feel like doing anything right now. It’s more accurate to say I’m utterly exhausted.

So, I’ll return to my quarters for now.

Thinking that, I was about to leap briefly when.

“Go safely.”

At the voice from behind, my legs momentarily lost strength.

Cheonma, who had followed me out unnoticed, was waving at me.

“…”

I watched it quietly.

I didn’t react or say anything.

Just quietly.

I quietly looked at Cheonma.

The hateful being I wanted to kill so badly. She is waving at me.

The faint bitterness coming from that still felt unpleasant.

Watching me like that, Cheonma continued speaking.

“Come again.”

Her violet eyes, fully focused on me.

Is that woman truly Cheonma?

Such a ridiculous doubt arose.

Just then.

“If possible, it’s good if you come when the maple leaves are in bloom.”

At Cheonma’s words, I couldn’t hold back and had to open my mouth.

“…Why maple leaves, specifically?”

Why maple leaves?

For some reason, those words grated on my ears.

“It’s pretty then. I like it.”

“Are you saying you like maple leaves?”

“No.”

“What?”

“Not me, but you like them.”

“…?”

I frowned at Cheonma’s words.

What does she mean?

‘I like maple leaves?’

I don’t particularly dislike them, but did I like them that much?

Besides, how would Cheonma know that? I don’t even know myself.

“So come then.”

“…”

Seemingly uninterested in my reaction, Cheonma finished speaking like that.

Her business seemingly concluded, she went back inside.

As if possessed by a ghost, I stared at where she had been. For some reason, my gaze lingered for a moment.

After staring for such a brief moment.

“Tsk.”

With an uncomfortable feeling, I leaped.

Whoosh-!

Floating in the air, I felt the air for a moment.

The night sky I looked up at was bright.

My heart felt too cramped and lacking in space to take in the stars.

It was such a night.

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

A day passed.

As dawn touched the rising sun, I too got up.

The place I opened my eyes was, naturally, my bed in my quarters.

“…Haa.”

I sat up, my face scrunched up.

The reason is none other than this: I tossed and turned all night after returning to my quarters.

Even though I wasn’t getting more than an hour of sleep, I still managed to toss and turn.

“Another nightmare.”

It was because of the nightmares I’d been having frequently lately.

Nightmares that make me irritated upon waking, yet I can’t even remember what I dreamt.

That was truly crappy.

Not getting enough sleep doesn’t make my body tired, but my mood is incredibly gloomy.

As I circulated my energy briefly with my hand, I felt a throbbing pain.

It was the pain felt in my ribs.

“Hoo.”

Still, it’s better than yesterday.

My body had started regenerating after a little rest.

‘Today, I should focus my training on my lower body.’

It seemed best to leave the upper body alone for a while.

Just as I clicked my tongue in regret.

Tok tok.

I heard footsteps from outside.

“Young Master. Are you coughing?”

It’s not a voice I recognize. Who could it be?

“Who?”

“I am Baek Yeon, a servant.”

“Ah.”

Hearing the introduction, I recalled.

It was someone I remembered.

They said he was one of the servants recently hired by the Gu family.

“What is the matter?”

Tuduk.

As I casually stretched my neck and asked, the servant said to me.

“Madam Baekhwa, the Hall Master, instructed me to bring tea if Young Master coughed…. Do you perhaps need some?”

Madam Mi wants tea this early? Even though it’s dawn now?

“Bring it.”

I had a strange feeling. Knowing that, I still let them bring it in.

As permission was granted, the door opened and the servant entered.

Tak.

The moment her feet touched the inside of my quarters.

‘Hmm.’

As I quietly observed the servant, a spark lit up in my eyes.

At the same time, a sweet scent brushed past my nose.

It was a scent I’d smelled somewhere before. It piqued my interest.

As if noticing this, the servant immediately continued with an explanation.

“This is plum tea sent by Maehwaseon to Madam Baekhwa, the Hall Master.”

It’s the same scent as the tea I drank when I went to the Hwasan Sect before.

The servant carefully placed the tea down, and I reached for it without hesitation.

“Whoa! The tea is hot, be careful…!”

The servant tried to warn me, but I had already grabbed the teacup, and naturally, I was unharmed.

I picked it up and took a sip.

“…Mm.”

As soon as I drank it, I nodded.

As expected.

‘It’s poison.’

The plum tea contained poison.