Chapter 87: Purple Color (2)

Jjoreureuk.

In the deep, pervasive darkness, only the sound of water echoed.

Lined up expressionlessly on both sides of the corridor stood figures.

At the far end, a man seated in a massive chair quietly swallowed a mouthful of tea.

Tuk.

The teacup merely touched the floor, yet the sound of its impact, kung, resonated through the space.

Soon after, the teacup crumbled.

The man quietly revealed his presence and opened his mouth simultaneously.

“The Shaanxi branch was annihilated.”

Someone answered the man’s question.

“That is correct.”

“Who was in charge?”

“Ya Hyeoljeok-nim.”

“Hmm….”

The man quietly closed his eyes.

Ya Hyeoljeok.

As far as I recall, he was definitely a peak martial artist who had reached the perfected level.

He hadn’t reached the Hua Jing realm and had remained at the same level for a long time, but his proficiency would have been that much higher.

Conversely, due to issues like his ignorant temperament and attitude, he was originally affiliated with the main palace but was demoted.

Originally, it was a situation that would have warranted losing his head, but his loyalty to the Palace Lord and his martial prowess were recognized, allowing him to retain the branch leader position even after being demoted.

He shouldn’t have been someone easily defeated.

“Did Mae Hwaseon make a move?”

“It doesn’t seem so.”

“Well, that old geezer from the back room couldn’t possibly have been that quick.”

Perhaps the Mae Hwaseon of the past, but now he’s just a toothless tiger.

“The original essence from the Mount Hua side isn’t that crucial, but… the Divine Physician is a bit problematic.”

There were many other things, so it wasn’t particularly important.

That’s why it was entrusted to an ignorant fellow like Ya Hyeoljeok.

Thinking it was progressing somewhat, I thought it was fine and sent him regarding the Divine Physician too.

It was a mistake.

It would have been better to send a martial artist from the main palace.

‘Just raised unnecessary vigilance.’

I considered bringing in another physician, but seeing as they all failed in the end, the Divine Physician was the only one left.

“The traces?”

“…When we tried to check the branch, the Mount Hua sect had already stormed in, so we couldn’t properly investigate. However, judging by the faint traces of battle…”

It means a small number of people, or perhaps just one person, cleared out the branch.

And all at once.

The report says Ya Hyeoljeok died outside the branch, but even so, dozens of personnel must have been stationed at the branch.

‘But if those personnel were wiped out in a single night, that’s a different story.’

Moreover, the absence of battle traces…

‘Did the Dark King (Am Wang) even appear?’

The master of the Iron Night Killer Corps, who can kill anyone they wish.

Unless it was another master of dark arts comparable to him, such a massacre would be impossible.

“Who did you say killed Ya Hyeoljeok?”

“Currently, it seems the Mount Hua sect is concealing the information, delaying confirmation, but the intelligence we’ve obtained indicates it was a late-stage disciple.”

“A late-stage disciple?”

A seasoned peak martial artist, by a mere late-stage disciple?

It was the most baffling thing I’d heard all day.

If it’s Mount Hua, could it be Geomryong?

Mount Hua’s genius who snatched the moniker Geomryong from the Namgung clan.

I heard he hadn’t even passed his twenties.

Has he reached that level already?

‘He’s too fast, way too fast.’

He doesn’t seem to be in a position to warrant concern yet, but if that were the case, he might catch my eye a little.

“Find out as soon as possible.”

“Understood.”

“The Divine Physician…”

If it’s certain the Divine Physician is within Mount Hua’s embrace, trying to seize them immediately would cause many problems.

Even so, the Divine Physician needed to be secured.

The most certain method would be for the Palace Lord to move personally, but I couldn’t leave my post right now.

“Dispatch Nachal. Order them to capture the Divine Physician as quietly as possible.”

“Understood. I shall order them to depart immediately.”

The one who received the order quietly disappeared, and the Palace Lord opened his eyes, which had been closed in the darkness.

Eyes with a faint purple hue gazed down at the crowd.

Those who bowed their heads trembled under that grim gaze.

‘Now, just a little further to the final piece.’

Only a few steps remained until reaching the desired destination.

Everything is for my own sky.

As the ominous clouds gradually deepened, the man closed his eyes once more.

---

Another day passed, and finally, I could move my body.

Although mild pain remained, it was negligible compared to the intense agony I felt when I first regained consciousness.

The demonic energy circulating within my body was almost gone, and they said my body had mostly healed.

Some time after the Divine Physician conveyed that I could return to my quarters.

Mae Hwaseon visited.

“I’m sorry…”

Mae Hwaseon’s face held a mixture of emotions.

It probably wasn’t common for the sect leader of a faction to be so consumed by gloom.

“It’s alright.”

That was all I could say.

In reality, even though the Mount Hua sect was involved, the actions weren’t taken for their sake.

“…I heard from Taiyi that your condition has improved significantly. Is that true?”

“Fortunately, I heard that it is.”

“If that’s the case, the options I can offer you have increased considerably…”

Is this about the spirit pill mentioned last time?

If it is, I was ready to gobble it down without hesitation.

My body was weak, after all.

“I heard you weren’t gravely injured. It’s fortunate; it’s such a sad thing for someone else’s precious child to perish in this land.”

Somehow, even while saying it was fortunate, the emotion conveyed in his words didn’t seem directed solely at me.

It didn’t seem like the right situation to ask what was wrong, so I maintained my silence for now.

I should ask Yeongpung about it later.

“I apologize that despite an outsider being injured in another sect, you, as the sect leader, have made so few appearances…”

“…No, it’s fine.”

I wasn’t injured, compensation would be provided, and moreover, I received treatment from the foremost physician in the Central Plains.

It wasn’t really a problem.

Besides, I had a separate matter I needed to ask about.

I intended to visit him later to discuss this matter.

‘…The delay in days due to being unconscious is a bit of an issue.’

I had been held back for too long.

I had planned to leave after the Jehwajeon ended because of Gu Ryeonghwa, but Gu Ryeonghwa expressed her intention not to return to the clan.

I wanted to leave around yesterday.

I had already been held back for four more days.

Come to think of it, shouldn’t the Jehwajeon be happening around now?

The timing seems right based on what I heard.

“Sect Leader, is it perhaps the Jehwajeon period right now?”

At my question, Mae Hwaseon’s eyebrow twitched slightly.

“Originally… this is the correct timing, but due to some matters, it has been postponed for a few days. It will begin shortly.”

I concealed my surprise inwardly at Mae Hwaseon’s words.

Postponed one of Mount Hua Sect’s few major events?

‘It must be quite a significant event.’

Suddenly, I recalled hearing about the incident where disciples went missing.

Could it be because of that?

Other things could have happened, but that’s all I know for now.

“I apologize for disturbing you while you rest, old man. I’ll visit again later, so please rest comfortably.”

“No, sir. Since my body has recovered, I will visit you next time.”

At my reply, Mae Hwaseon offered a slight smile.

Even that smile looked rather tired.

“Once you feel a bit better, try going outside. I saw someone waiting for you.”

“Me?”

Mae Hwaseon said that and went outside, and following his words, I also got up.

Who could be waiting?

Could it be Namgung Bi-ah or Wi Seol-ah…?

Those two visit so often anyway that I’ve told them to stop coming, so it might not be them.

Could it be Yeongpung then?

‘It’s a bit awkward for a guy to visit, so who could it be… Old Man…’

I stopped my thought, which was about to call out.

Shin No-ya isn’t here right now.

Thinking that way gave me an awkward feeling.

‘…Where on earth did he go?’

I treated him like a demon, but now that he’s gone, do I feel disappointed?

It was an indefinable, ambiguous feeling.

He was just a noisy old man who came along with Mount Hua’s energy.

‘Is this also an effect of the demonic energy?’

Since the demonic energy that suddenly started circulating in my body calmed my spirit, could Shin No-ya’s disappearance be related to that?

‘He came and went as he pleased.’

…Should this really be called spirit subjugation?

Or perhaps he might just be asleep.

If possible, I hoped it was the latter.

Four days after waking up, I finally stepped outside the building.

Setting aside the fact that it was early morning, where was this place?

It seemed to be within the Mount Hua sect grounds, but it was a building I’d never seen before.

The infirmary?

“Ah!”

“Hmm?”

As I looked around, a sound came from somewhere.

Shifting my gaze, I saw something behind a tree.

Could that possibly be hiding?

“What are you doing back there?”

“…”

The one exuding an unknown presence behind the tree was Gu Ryeonghwa.

With an ambiguous expression, as if she hadn’t expected to be discovered, someone pushed Gu Ryeonghwa out.

“Ugh…!”

It was Namgung Bi-ah, her arm wrapped in bandages.

Gu Ryeonghwa was still hesitating, seemingly having something to say.

“What’s wrong?”

“…What.”

She avoided my gaze when I asked.

Namgung Bi-ah approached Gu Ryeonghwa and stroked her back.

At Namgung Bi-ah’s touch, Gu Ryeonghwa coughed a few times and then spoke.

“…Are, are you okay?”

“What?”

“…I asked if your body is okay!”

I was slightly startled by the sudden shout.

Why is she shouting all of a sudden?

“…I’m fine.”

Ironically, it was Namgung Bi-ah, not me, who had suffered significant external injuries.

“…Right.”

Gu Ryeonghwa, saying that, tried to bolt as if escaping, unable to bear it, but Namgung Bi-ah caught her.

“Un-unnie.” (Sister/Older female)

“No.”

She called out pleadingly, but Namgung Bi-ah’s stance was firm.

I just watched silently.

It was because I didn’t know what to say.

Eventually, Gu Ryeonghwa seemed to give up and stood before me again.

Her trembling shoulders were quite striking.

“Tha…”

It was a voice as small as a mouse dropping.

It was so quiet I considered using internal energy just to hear it.

“…Tha, thank you!”

As if waiting for that moment, Gu Ryeonghwa yelled out loudly.

So she could shout like that too.

Perhaps embarrassed by what she said, Gu Ryeonghwa promptly ran off.

This time, Namgung Bi-ah didn’t bother trying to catch Gu Ryeonghwa.

“…Did you hold her back just to let me hear this?”

When I asked, Namgung Bi-ah nodded slightly. I scratched my neck awkwardly.

I was grateful, but…

It wasn’t strictly necessary.

Because I had something I needed to say to Gu Ryeonghwa before hearing that.

Still, Gu Ryeonghwa’s words were likely sincere.

I knew what kind of heart Namgung Bi-ah had put into it.

“Thank you.”

That’s why I could say it calmly.

This was probably the first time I’d ever said that to Namgung Bi-ah, even spanning across my past life.

Hearing my words, Namgung Bi-ah froze, perhaps surprised by the unexpected statement.

Was it that surprising a thing to say?

“Why are you acting like this again…”

Seeing she seemed strange, I tried to speak to her, but Namgung Bi-ah suddenly sprinted up towards the mountain.

“Where are you going… Come back before the meal!”

I shouted belatedly, but I wonder if she heard.

With bandages wrapped around her arm, she wouldn’t be going for training.

And somehow, Namgung Bi-ah’s ears were flushed red as she ran.

---

Returning to my quarters after a long time, I was surprised to find Geomjon there.

Seeing him, I was startled without realizing it.

Geomjon, who had been sweeping, looked at me and bowed his head.

“I apologize for being unable to work during this period, Young Master.”

“…I, it’s alright. I heard the Clan Head permitted it, so did you finish the work well?”

“Yes… Thanks to the Clan Head’s consideration, I finished it well. I heard you were injured too, Young Master. Are you alright?”

“Fortunately, I wasn’t badly hurt.”

Geomjon smiled slightly at my answer, as if relieved.

I offered words of encouragement and moved on.

No matter how often I saw him, Geomjon remained an imposing figure.

Mae Hwaseon, who is said to be of a similar level to Geomjon, somehow feels more approachable.

Still, with Geomjon back, it seemed I could finally start preparing to return to the clan.

‘Where did Wi Seol-ah go?’

Usually, as soon as she notices, she rushes over to greet me, but she didn’t come out this time.

‘Is she perhaps being held by Hongwa?’

In such cases, she wouldn’t be able to appear even if she wanted to, so maybe that’s why.

Thinking she was probably fine, I decided to head into my room first.

It was time to properly organize my thoughts on what to do after returning to the clan.

---

Geomjon quietly watched Gu Yangcheon’s retreating back as he entered the room.

‘He’s changed strangely.’

Gu Yangcheon, whom I saw after a few days of arriving in Shaanxi, had changed somehow.

This time, I couldn’t be sure if it was for the better or worse, but in a peculiar direction.

Energies that shouldn’t coexist within one body were gathered, intertwined like a loop.

How that was maintained was something even the world’s Geomjon couldn’t comprehend.

Last night, I heard from Mae Hwaseon that Gu Yangcheon had killed a disciple of the Black Night Palace.

Furthermore, I heard the opponent’s cultivation level wasn’t low either.

In Geomjon’s view, Gu Yangcheon wasn’t yet capable of defeating a martial artist of that level.

Could my eyes be mistaken about this as well?

His growth rate was excessive, even for the son of a chivalrous hero.

‘Truly anomalous.’

I already knew that Gu Clan itself held many things, but even so…

“Grandfather.”

At Wi Seol-ah’s voice, which suddenly reached him, Geomjon turned around.

Wi Seol-ah stood behind Geomjon.

It was his granddaughter whom he hadn’t seen in a while, but even when he returned, Wi Seol-ah had a thoughtful expression on her face.

Nevertheless, she was his beautiful and cute granddaughter.

Geomjon wore a pleased smile.

“Yes, yes, what is it?”

“Grandfather…”

“Why the long face?”

At Geomjon’s question, Wi Seol-ah hesitated before finally speaking.

“…I want to learn martial arts.”

Tuk!

At Wi Seol-ah’s words, the broom Geomjon was holding fell powerlessly to the floor.