Chapter 886: I missed you.

The first thing I felt upon reading the contents was that I couldn’t understand it.

From beginning to end, I wondered what this was all about. I couldn’t comprehend it at all, so it took a long time to understand.

As time passed, I finally managed to understand the letter.

‘What is this crazy nonsense?’

The second thought that came to mind was that even if I understood it, I couldn’t believe it.

‘What is Father doing?’

Imprisoned for a crime against the Alliance? It was absurd. If it were originally like this, I would have dismissed it as bullshit and torn up the letter.

There was no bigger bullshit than this. It was something I naturally should have dismissed as such.

The problem was.

‘That Madam Mi sent this.’

That the sender of this letter was none other than Madam Mi.

The Hundred Flowers Merchant Group. Moreover, a letter clearly bearing the Merchant Group Leader’s seal and the carrier pigeon Madam Mi uses.

The culmination of all those factors indicated that this letter was real.

“Young Master…?”

Seeing my stern expression, Wi Seol-ah approached. I raised my hand briefly, stopping Wi Seol-ah.

“Just a moment.”

“…”

Wi Seol-ah shouldn’t approach right now.

I needed to quickly cool my heated thoughts, and it would be difficult if she approached now.

‘What is it.’

What happened?

What in the world is going on?

I had to think about that.

The first thing I needed to check was.

‘Is this letter true.’

Whether the letter was truly sent by Madam Mi. It looked real, but it was hard to trust it completely.

‘There’s a possibility someone impersonated Madam Mi.’

From the letter to the carrier pigeon. There’s a possibility they even copied the handwriting. However.

‘That possibility is slim.’

It’s not a possibility worth considering. So, for now, I dismissed it.

‘If so.’

If Madam Mi really wrote and sent this to me, what intention is contained within?

‘…Father was imprisoned for committing a crime.’

This is the result.

But Madam Mi’s intention wasn’t written within it.

Is she saying it’s nothing serious, so don’t worry? I didn’t think so.

‘If that were the case, it would be in the contents.’

Besides, if it were nothing serious… Madam Mi wouldn’t have written and sent me a letter like this.

Furthermore.

‘Since Madam Mi seems to know about Father too. All the more reason.’

Father was captured by the Alliance and imprisoned? I couldn’t understand it.

Not that he let himself be captured, but that he was captured and imprisoned.

Just what…

‘Just who could have Father?’

I know Father is strong.

He’s probably stronger than me right now.

That means.

‘Is there anyone in the Alliance who can capture Father right now?’

Of the Three Venerables, not Heaven Venerable, Sword Venerable is missing. Path Venerable is impossible.

In other words, none of the Three Venerables are involved.

Who else could it be?

‘Sword Emperor?’

Could it be the Sword Emperor, one of the Ten Great Masters of the World?

If it’s him, it’s possible.

Because he’s stronger than me.

However.

‘Is it still like that now.’

That was before I came to Sichuan.

Now that my cultivation has rapidly increased, I judged that I wouldn’t be pushed back much if I fought the Sword Emperor.

‘Did they perhaps combine forces?’

Even so, it doesn’t seem possible.

If that were truly the case…

‘…What’s the justification?’

What could have been the justification for going that far? The letter only stated that he committed a crime.

It didn’t specify what crime he committed or how he committed it to be imprisoned.

This means…

‘Was it unnecessary to write it?’

Or perhaps.

‘Was there not enough leeway to write it or not.’

As my thoughts continued, my insides sank coldly.

My heart, which had been beating as if about to burst, grew quiet.

The tension that felt like it was about to explode subsided into stillness.

The calm before the storm.

That was exactly how my body felt right now.

“What should I do….”

“Huh?”

“…What should I do about this.”

I muttered, stroking my chin. My gaze was fixed only on the floor.

I couldn’t hear the noisy sounds of loading the luggage.

Woong.

The air trembled with the energy that slowly began to flow from my body.

This isn’t good.

It became increasingly difficult to endure.

‘Think rationally.’

It would be troublesome if I acted based on my emotions right now.

So, I had to suppress my emotions somehow.

So Father was imprisoned, what of it?

What could happen to Father?

‘That’s impossible.’

What kind of person is Father that something would happen to him?

There must be some circumstances.

Yes, let’s not worry and just do as we were doing.

Father would surely be fine….

-Live.

“…”

Kkugit-!

My grip tightened, and the letter I was holding crumpled.

“Young….”

“Seol-ah.”

“…!”

When I called her name in a low voice, Wi Seol-ah flinched.

“Yes…? Yes? Yes…. Yes?”

I had never called her name before.

It felt cheap to call her name in this situation, but I couldn’t help it.

“I’m sorry, but could I ask you for one favor?”

“…Uh… yes… yes? Yes, yes. Of… of course. However, however much you need.”

Wi Seol-ah, completely flustered, stammered. Surprisingly, I didn’t even notice her appearance.

“Later, when you see Cheol Ji-seon, tell him to proceed as planned, and if any problems arise, to handle them flexibly on his own.”

“Ah…. Yes.”

“When you see Tang Soyeol, tell him to bring the children safely. And convey my apologies.”

“Uh….”

As I added more, Wi Seol-ah looked at me with a subtle expression. She seemed to have realized something.

“Young Master…. Are you perhaps. Going somewhere right now?”

“…”

I stared into the empty air.

“Yeah. Something urgent came up, so I’ll be going ahead.”

“What? What do you mean….”

“Come safely. I’ll pick you up if possible.”

“Young-!”

Hwa-reureureureuk-!!

My body transformed into flames, and I shot upwards.

My presence on the ground vanished in an instant.

It was the first time I had transformed my entire body into flames, so the sensation was strange, but I didn’t care right now.

Even though my whole body became fire, my insides still felt cold.

No, perhaps I’m just thinking it feels cold?

I might not be able to grasp it because I’m too heated.

Nothing comes to mind right now.

If anything comes to mind, it’s just one thing.

‘How long was it.’

How long did it take Father to travel from Shanxi to Sichuan?

Was it three days?

Or was it four days.

I don’t remember correctly.

It doesn’t matter.

‘Faster than that.’

Two days.

Even if I have to burn all the energy in my body, I will arrive within that time.

With only that thought, I put strength into my heart.

Hwa-reureureureureureuk-!!

The flames rapidly cut across the sky.

---

Kkiiik.

A basement that felt particularly cold on an autumn day.

Someone entered, opening the iron gate there. The figure walked down the corridor, stepping on the cold stone floor.

Beyond the slow steps were feeble footsteps.

A sigh that seemed somewhat annoyed and furrowed brows indicated the old man’s state of mind.

Ttuk. Ttuk.

Water droplets flowing from somewhere dampened the old man’s shoulders.

It should have been damp, but the old man seemed unfazed. He just walked towards his destination.

Finally, the old man stood before a cell.

Inside the cell, someone sat still.

Even while sitting, his large build was palpable.

The man, sitting quietly with his large frame, opened his eyes at the presence.

Before him stood an old man as massive as the man himself.

Two red lights appeared within the dark cell.

Seeing those lights, the old man spoke.

“Your appearance is truly pathetic. Head of the Gu family.”

“…”

“Why are you doing something you didn’t even do in your reckless youth. Tsk tsk….”

“Elder Il.”

At Gu Cheol-un’s words, the old man before the cell, Elder Il, repeatedly clicked his tongue.

“When I heard the news, I thought it was some nonsensical talk. But seeing you in person is absurd. What are you doing right now?”

“Something happened.”

“Something must have happened. That’s why the Gu Family Head is in this state, isn’t it.”

Despite Elder Il’s words, Gu Cheol-un merely maintained a blank expression.

“First, I must ask, Muk-yeon. They say you oppressed and ambushed that old man. Did you truly do that?”

“Yes.”

“This is maddening.”

At the firm answer, Elder Il rubbed his wrinkled forehead.

“Why? You should have just killed him. Why leave it ambiguous and end up like this.”

“That was the intention.”

“Hohoho. Damn it.”

His sigh deepened immeasurably. I said it as a joke, but I didn’t expect such an answer.

I don’t know why he’s so defiant.

The fact that he tried to kill the Alliance’s strategist. And being imprisoned for that crime is absurd enough. But the most absurd thing here is.

“If that was the intention, you should have gone through with it. What is this state you’re in now.”

Elder Il couldn’t understand.

“Why did you let yourself be captured.”

Gu Cheol-un being captured inside the cell. That didn’t make sense.

Moreover, he wasn’t even properly bound. He was just sitting still inside the cell.

This meant Gu Cheol-un could escape anytime he wished.

No, fundamentally.

“If the Gu Family Head had wished, it would have been possible to erase the main Alliance that day. But why are you like this? What are you thinking?”

“It was necessary.”

“Necessary?”

Elder Il frowned at Gu Cheol-un’s answer.

“Due to the current events, the other Elders will act. Of course, even so, the Gu Family Head’s position won’t be shaken. But it might cause some troublesome matters. You know that too, Family Head.”

“Yes.”

“Knowing that, it was still necessary?”

“Yes.”

It was a firm answer. Only after hearing that did Elder Il ask what he was thinking.

“Is this about Yangcheon?”

Upon hearing this, Gu Cheol-un’s expression shifted subtly.

Elder Il wasn’t one to miss such a thing.

“Cheol-un-ah.”

His tone changed. He had maintained formality since Gu Cheol-un became Family Head, but this was the first informal address in over a decade.

“I don’t know what you intend to do, but is this for Yangcheon?”

“I don’t know.”

“What?”

He had answered firmly until now, but somehow that last answer lacked conviction.

“I am acting with that thought in mind. But since I’ve never lived as a father, I cannot be certain.”

“That’s a pathetic answer.”

It was a sight I had never seen before. Gu Cheol-un was someone who never broke, no matter what happened.

Even if everyone in the world became his enemy.

Even if an insurmountable opponent stood before him.

Gu Cheol-un never broke.

Rather, he would brace himself and face them with dignity.

That was Gu Cheol-un.

But.

“What troubles you so much.”

“I don’t know that either.”

The current Gu Cheol-un looked deeply troubled.

The man who was like a lighthouse in the darkness now seemed quite human.

It was frustrating, but seeing him like a human brought a sense of relief.

Relief, while the Family Head is captured in a cell.

I found it absurd even thinking about it myself.

“Your wife is very worried.”

“…”

“Perhaps, in the near future, your daughters will find out too. So I ask again.”

Elder Il asked, looking at Gu Cheol-un through the bars.

“Are you truly alright.”

“Yes.”

Gu Cheol-un’s answer became firm again.

Furthermore.

“Nothing has happened. Even if something were to happen.”

Strength entered his raised red eyes.

“As always, I will ensure it doesn’t happen.”

“…”

Even in this state, where does such confidence come from?

In that appearance, someone seemed to overlap.

‘He resembles him.’

He truly is his son.

I wondered how such a fiery child came from that calm fellow.

‘I had forgotten for a moment.’

Gu Cheol-un wasn’t calm.

He only appeared that way; he was a fiery person more than anyone.

That’s why he must have intended to storm the Martial Arts Alliance and smash it to pieces just for touching his son.

If there’s any doubt about that, it’s only one thing.

‘Why didn’t he do it?’

Even though he could, Gu Cheol-un ultimately didn’t go and do it.

He was even brought into the cell there without being captured or bound.

‘What in the world happened.’

What could have happened to bring things to this point?

I wanted to ask that, but seeing Gu Cheol-un’s expression, I knew.

‘He looks like he’d rather die than speak.’

With that expression, no words would get through. It was the same in his youth.

Didn’t he just stew in his own feelings alone until he ended up bearing everything?

He’s gotten older, but that stubbornness seems to remain.

And on top of that.

‘…He inherited that too.’

He probably doesn’t know that his son inherited that damned temper as if copying it.

The two resemble each other far too much.

Ah, except for the face.

“Hyoran said something. She said she informed Yangcheon of the situation too.”

“…”

Gu Cheol-un’s usually calm eyes twitched. It was the biggest reaction.

“By now, the message has probably arrived in Sichuan. Then, that child must be suffering emotionally too.”

At Elder Il’s words, Gu Cheol-un let out a very low chuckle.

“I don’t think so.”

“Hm?”

“If it’s that child, he’ll likely resent me. So he’ll probably be at ease.”

“…”

Whether he truly thought so, Gu Cheol-un’s expression was serene. As if it were rather fortunate because of that.

‘…Tsk tsk.’

Elder Il clicked his tongue in frustration.

“How can a father be so ignorant?”

Elder Il said with a sigh.

“Your son resembles you terribly. Though you don’t seem to realize it.”

It’s as if they grow more alike the more time passes. No, if we’re talking about temper, the son’s side is much worse.

This one appears calm, while that one’s very demeanor is intense.

That’s why I was more worried.

‘His father ended up in this state because of his son….’

What will the son, who is even worse, do when he finds out his father is like this?

‘I wonder if he’ll just go and set the Alliance ablaze without a second thought.’

Nah. That can’t be it.

Still, would someone who became the Grand Master of the Alliance really do that?

If that happened, it would truly be unmanageable.

Gu Yangcheon wouldn’t be unaware of that, so he wouldn’t act like that.

…Right?

“…”

Elder Il suddenly felt uneasy.

It was because bad premonitions usually turned out to be correct. Especially in matters like these.