Chapter 916: So in the end.

Ironically, despite Gu-bong’s earnest plea for me not to cause trouble, I naturally clenched my fist.

What the fuck is this? What’s with that look?

‘It’s making me feel like shit?’

Heat rushed through me. Should I just gouge his eyes out? Or maybe smash half his face in so he can never make that expression again?

As those thoughts flashed through my mind.

“What is it? Do you need something?”

The gatekeeper scowled at me.

“I don’t like your expression.”

This bastard?

“If you don’t like it, what are you gonna do about it….”

“Didn’t you say the situation was urgent? Hurry up and come in!”

Just as I was about to charge, Gu-bong grabbed my wrist.

At the same time, he glanced at the gatekeeper and said with a slight smile.

“My apologies. It seems the Priest is not feeling well today.”

“Priest? Who the hell are you calling Priest-!”

“Priest, hurry up and come.”

After that, he dragged me along.

Honestly, I could have broken free if I used force, but I held back for now.

Then, just like before, words brushed past my ear.

“Those Mount Hua bastards are so arrogant. Tsk.”

Hearing that, I scowled deeply.

This… something’s definitely going on.

‘There seems to be something.’

It felt like there was something I didn’t know.

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

I was pulled inside by Gu-bong.

Once inside, the crowd seemed much larger.

Should I even call this a crowd? I pondered for a moment, but it was hard to express it with any other word.

‘In any case, there are damn many living beings.’

For example, maybe like Hanam during a festival?

It was quite similar to that bustling atmosphere.

Meaning, it was an incredibly uncomfortable and overwhelming atmosphere.

After weaving through the crowd for a while, I put strength into my wrist and broke free.

“Let go.”

Thump-!

I forcibly pulled away and rotated my wrist slightly.

Twisting it around as if to loosen a stiff joint, I spoke to Gu-bong.

“Explain. What was that earlier,”

“…”

Gu-bong made an unpleasant face at my question. He seemed reluctant to explain.

However.

“You won’t talk? Should I throw a tantrum?”

But I wasn’t the type to just let things slide.

“…Kuhuk…!\”

Gu-bong flinched as if troubled. He should know by now, having seen me this far.

That I’m someone who follows through.

Knowing that, Gu-bong, who had been hesitating, finally opened his mouth with a sigh.

“…Mount Hua does not have a good standing externally.”

‘A bad standing?’ I made a strange expression hearing that.

It was meant as a signal to explain in more detail.

“I don’t know which region you hail from, esteemed guest. But in the current Myriad Realms, there are only a handful of places that view Mount Hua favorably. Perhaps none at all.”

“The reason?”

“…Do you truly not know?”

“I’m asking because I don’t know. If I knew, why would I bother asking?”

As I spoke, I thought to myself.

Ah, Shin No-ya didn’t properly explain things about me.

That means.

‘He either forgot to explain…. or deliberately didn’t. Or perhaps.’

It was something he shouldn’t explain.

It must be one of the three. From my perspective, the last reason seemed most likely.

‘But he didn’t even explain that to me?’

Is he expecting me to figure it out myself or what?

I was dumbfounded. Truly, he couldn’t be anything but a crazy old man.

Just as I was mentally cursing Shin No-ya to my heart’s content.

“…A nation, by its very nature, can only exist with the permission of its owner.”

Gu-bong started explaining the core concept.

“Permission?”

“That’s right. This Moonlit Palace, too, ultimately, could only be called a palace because the owner of the Myriad Realms granted permission.”

For a nation to exist as a nation, the owner’s permission is necessary.

‘Does this mean the owner’s permission is prioritized over the citizens? Or…’

Is something more complex required?

“But Mount Hua Sect isn’t like that, is that it?”

“….That’s right.”

“Why?”

“…”

Why was Mount Hua Sect different? I asked, my question filled with doubt.

“…”

Gu-bong stared at me silently, then spoke with a slightly stiffened expression.

“I cannot tell you beyond that point.”

“What? You were talking fine until now, so why stop?”

“Because you are not an individual of the Mount Hua Sect.”

“…!\”

His tone was so firm, I couldn’t help but shut my mouth.

It wasn’t just his words that were firm; his gaze and the conviction in his voice were solid too.

“No matter how much you are a guest brought by the Sect Leader, this concerns Mount Hua Sect’s internal affairs, and thus, cannot be revealed to outsiders.”

“What if I said I’d beat you up if you don’t tell me?”

“Even if my neck were broken or my heart ripped out, it would remain the same.”

“Hmm.”

I nodded at his incredibly firm words. He was serious.

Of course, my threat to beat him up was also serious.

“Alright, then.”

I was curious, but I didn’t push further. Pushing wouldn’t get me any answers anyway, and I understood what Gu-bong had said.

‘Indeed.’

I am an outsider.

I know nothing about Mount Hua, which Shin No-ya spent over a century building.

Even considering the sense of kinship and emotions I feel towards No-ya, they must be quite different from what Gu-bong or the people of Mount Hua feel.

I couldn’t delve into this aspect.

‘Besides.’

Even if I don’t know it now anyway.

‘I feel like I’ll find out soon enough.’

I’d be able to learn all the information I needed. The reason for this certainty was simple.

‘No-ya told me to see for myself.’

The fact that that old man sent me here means I’ll be able to find out without having to actively search.

He probably thought this would be easier.

“…”

Gu-bong seemed puzzled that I gave up without much fuss, but these reasons were enough for me.

Losing interest quickly, I asked Gu-bong.

“So, where do we go now?”

“…Follow me.”

He started guiding me again.

Cheonma and I entered the Moonlit Palace.

*********

Following along, I looked around.

The vast crowd consisted mostly of beings with animal ears or tails.

Of course, there were variations among them.

Like the degree to which they leaned towards the beast side, or the human side. You could call it the difference.

‘How fascinating.’

Setting aside their appearances, the way they acted and the atmosphere were not much different from the Central Plains.

Just like the streets of the Mount Hua Sect created by No-ya.

The streets here were also full of energy and vitality.

‘The buildings look a bit different.’

The buildings lining the streets differed in size and shape from those in the Central Plains; as far as I could see, they were shapes I’d never encountered before.

Seeing this, I could confirm it was definitely a different world.

‘…Is it another dimension?’

This was something I hadn’t considered. This place is truly somewhere else.

The unfamiliar air and sky. And even the appearances of the living beings.

Only now did it feel a bit more real.

And so, a question occurred to me only now.

‘How does communication work?’

How does language work here? It was something I’d never thought about.

Even though it’s a different world, we can communicate…?

This was the question, but I didn’t dwell on it either.

It’s good that we can communicate, right? That was the feeling.

Passing through the crowd, we entered an alley.

There were far fewer people than before.

Consequently, the atmosphere changed drastically.

‘Hmm.’

Unlike the bright street just moments ago, a dark and damp aura emanated.

Judging by appearances, it didn’t seem like we were heading towards a normal place.

After that, we walked and walked for quite some time.

Then, we came across a building that looked quite old. Though it was cracked here and there, it seemed relatively well-maintained compared to the surrounding buildings.

“…Is this really the destination?”

“That’s right.”

I couldn’t believe it, but it was true. What is this now?

As I stared at the building with a displeased expression, Gu-bong opened the door and went inside.

Creeeak-!

As he pulled the door, the sound of the old door echoed.

At that moment.

Whoong-!

‘Oh.’

As soon as the door opened, I felt a presence from inside. My eyes widened the moment I sensed it.

‘What is it?’

I couldn’t feel anything until just now, but now that the door’s open, I can sense something.

‘It doesn’t seem like a formation array. Is this also sorcery?’

It was just a guess at first, but I grew more certain as time went on.

Perhaps I’ve come to clearly understand the subtle difference between formations and sorcery? Ever since seeing the Turtle’s power, I felt like I understood something.

Entering through the open door, I saw four people inside, just as I had sensed.

As soon as they saw Gu-bong, they greeted him with surprised eyes.

“Gu-bong Sa-suk…!\”

“Have you all been well?”

Gu-bong smiled and faced them. Judging by their address, they seemed to be the second-generation disciples.

Those exchanging greetings glanced at us behind Gu-bong.

“Uh, Sa-suk…. Who are those people?”

Hearing the question, Gu-bong gave a slightly awkward smile.

“They are here to help with today’s task. They are esteemed guests of the main sect, so show them proper respect.”

Hearing that, I let out a hollow laugh.

“Says the one who had the least manners himself. Isn’t that right?”

“I don’t know.”

“…Ahem,”

Perhaps hearing the conversation between Cheonma and me, Gu-bong cleared his throat.

“Sa-suk…. And, what happened to your face…. Ah, perhaps Seol-yeong Sa-go did it again…?”

“It’s nothing like that. It wasn’t anything serious, so don’t worry about it.”

Hearing Seol-yeong mentioned, it seems he often gets beaten up by her usually.

How strange.

‘Gu-bong seems stronger than Seol-yeong.’

But seeing his stubborn and fiery temper, he probably deserved getting hit.

“Enough about that, is the preparation complete?”

Gu-bong brought up the topic, trying to steer the conversation.

After all, the main point wasn’t idle chat, but the procurement of supplies.

As soon as that topic came up, the second-generation disciples’ expressions turned strange.

Gu-bong, noticing their faces, immediately asked.

“What’s wrong?”

“Well…”

“Answer quickly.”

Prompted by Gu-bong’s urging, one of the disciples spoke.

“Well…. it seems…. there’s been a problem with the White Family.”

“What…?”

Hearing the disciple’s answer, Gu-bong’s expression crumpled.

“What do you mean?”

“Currently, there seems to have been a slight issue during the purchasing process….”

“Guide me there immediately.”

Gu-bong spoke to the disciple before the explanation was finished, and the disciple quickly started guiding the way.

‘What’s this now?’

It seems something went wrong right from the start.