Chapter 922: So in the end.

“Where on earth did you go?”

As soon as I entered my quarters, Gu-bong said this, looking at me.

Not only that, but the other disciples were also looking at me with anxious eyes.

“I just went for a little walk.”

“…Suddenly…?”

“Uh-huh.”

“…”

At my answer, Gu-bong gave me a suspicious look.

It seemed he didn’t believe me at all.

Naturally, nothing changes just because of that.

What’s he gonna do if he doesn’t believe me?

“What are you staring at? Do you have a lot of time? You shouldn’t be wasting time like this?”

“Because of who…”

“What?”

“No…”

Gu-bong started to speak but then made a troubled expression.

It seemed something was bothering him.

“It’s fortunate that the esteemed guest has returned, but… we won’t be able to leave right away…”

His expression was quite grim.

“Perhaps, now that you’ve messed with Lord Baek, the Baek Clan has already set up an ambush-“

“That’ll be fine.”

“…Hm?”

At my confident words, Gu-bong narrowed his eyes. It’ll be fine?

“What do you mean…? How can you think that…?”

“Ah, I heard a bit while I was out.”

I answered Gu-bong’s question with a smirk.

“It seems like something pretty big happened outside.”

“…?”

Gu-bong tilted his head.

*******

The bustling street of YaWol Palace was filled with a much more chaotic atmosphere than usual.

-What’s going on?

-How did this happen all of a sudden…?

-No, haven’t you heard yet?

Humans, who were half-beast in appearance, were gathered together, talking.

An unknown anxiety and tension could be felt in their eyes.

It couldn’t be helped.

-I heard the leader was attacked.

-What…? The leader? Who exactly was attacked?

-From what I heard, it was the Baekwol leader…?

-Huh…?

The four clans that make up YaWol.

The master of the Baek Clan, known for their particularly violent temperament.

A warrior who, blessed by the moon, rampaged with such ferocity and savagery that people said their mere sight sent shivers down their spine.

Everyone had to be surprised that it was Baekwol, of all people, who was attacked.

Moreover.

-I heard they could barely resist.

-The Baekwol leader, you mean?

-Yeah, and apparently it wasn’t even a surprise attack?

-That’s impossible…

The rumors gradually spread.

The speed at which it flowed outward, trickled down, and penetrated the crowd was incredibly fast.

-Then, who on earth was the attacker?

-Who knows? I heard from one of their servants… what was it again. Ah.

Heavenly Demon (Cheonma).

-That’s what they said.

-Heavenly Demon…? What is that…

Amidst the murmuring voices here and there.

Gu-bong kept frowning.

“…This is.”

What in the world is going on?

Faced with the strange scene, Gu-bong couldn’t understand it at all.

‘…Baekwol was suddenly attacked?’

If it’s Baekwol.

‘It must be the head of the Baek Clan?’

A person with rough, long hair and blue eyes, a staunch believer in pure bloodlines. That was the Baekwol Gu-bong remembered.

-A half-breed. Useless.

“…”

A low voice pierced Gu-bong’s thoughts.

It felt like hidden memories were resurfacing.

‘…Kkeudeuk.’

He clenched his fist and shook his head. What story was he recalling from back then?

There’s no need for that anymore.

He had changed. He was different now from back then…

-You just ran away.

“…”

Gu Yangcheon’s words intruded.

Recalling that, Gu-bong shut his eyes tightly.

“Hoo…”

The sigh he let out was terribly deep.

As Gu-bong paused, his mind slightly dizzy.

“Like I said earlier.”

Heumchit.

Gu-bong’s body trembled at the voice he heard.

Because it was the same voice that had just surfaced in his mind.

“Do you have time to slack off like that?”

“…”

“It seems we need to go right away. Don’t you think?”

At Gu Yangcheon’s point, he opened his eyes which he had closed.

That was certainly the case.

‘…The situation has turned out favorably.’

Not just anything, but he had beaten up a noble.

Moreover, it was the Baek Clan, directly linked by contract.

Lord Baek already didn’t think highly of him…

He had expected him to use this incident to undermine him.

‘If it’s a situation like this.’

If their leader was attacked and messed up, they wouldn’t have time to worry about such things.

That’s why Gu-bong frowned.

‘…How could things turn out like this?’

The timing of the incident was strangely perfect.

As if some magic had been used to allow them to leave without any trouble.

“…No way.”

Gu-bong stopped walking and looked at Gu Yangcheon.

It couldn’t be, right?

‘…Did that guy attack Baekwol?’

Could it be that he attacked Baekwol intentionally to create an opening?

Such a thought crossed his mind, but.

‘That’s impossible.’

Gu-bong immediately denied it. That was too far-fetched, no matter how you looked at it.

He’s the head of the Baek Clan.

As far as strength goes, he’s known to be an incredible warrior.

‘The esteemed guest defeated him?’

And in such a short time? Gu-bong didn’t think so.

But.

‘…No way….’

He couldn’t entirely believe that wasn’t the case either.

Gu-bong looked at Gu Yangcheon with suspicious eyes, but.

“What are you looking at? Look forward.”

“…”

As Gu Yangcheon growled, his gaze naturally lowered.

Feeling that, he flinched.

Why am I so intimidated?

His pride was hurt, but he didn’t turn his head back.

As he approached the entrance he came through, the chaotic atmosphere was clearly visible.

“Move! We have to find the guy!”

“Don’t let anyone out carelessly!”

The guards, who were manning the gate, were also searching everywhere with tense expressions.

Seeing that, Gu-bong frowned.

‘If it’s like this… I don’t think we can get out.’

Although they wouldn’t be directly caught, now that an attack had occurred, they would inevitably have to control who went in and out.

In a situation like this, would it really be possible to get out?

As Gu-bong paused in doubt.

“Excuse me.”

“…!?”

Out of the blue, Gu Yangcheon spoke to the guard.

Since the guard was already busy, his expression crumpled when Gu Yangcheon spoke to him.

“Who the hell are you?”

“Ah, I need to go outside. I was wondering if I could leave now.”

At Gu Yangcheon’s words, the guard’s expression crumpled even further.

“Can’t you see the current situation? There’s no way you can leave-“

“Ah, come on now.”

Gu Yangcheon stopped mid-sentence and handed something to the guard.

The guard flinched after receiving it.

“…Hmmph…”

“We have a proper contract, and we received the goods cleanly. Wouldn’t it be okay for us to just leave?”

“…Contract? What… Ah.”

Mid-sentence, the guard checked Gu Yangcheon’s clothes.

“You’re from Hwasan, came for groceries?”

“That’s right. We’ve already finished the job… Is there any way?”

“Even so… the way business is handled…”

“Hey now… Don’t be like that…”

As he spoke, he slipped another item into the guard’s hand.

“…Ahem…”

After receiving it, the guard’s expression gradually softened.

“You know, what power does Hwasan have to attack the leader?”

“…That’s true, I suppose.”

“So, don’t be like this, be flexible… You know.”

“Ahem…”

Perhaps persuaded, the guard subtly moved aside and gestured towards the entrance with his hand.

“–Check properly.”

Then, he pretended not to see and looked elsewhere.

It was an unspoken signal to pass quickly.

“That’s it.”

Gu Yangcheon erased his expression and waved his hand towards the disciples.

“Let’s go.”

What happened? Gu-bong couldn’t understand the sudden turn of events.

How did that work? It was absurd.

They pulled the cart and came outside.

The disciples still had bewildered expressions.

How did we even get out?

Seeing everyone’s confusion, Gu Yangcheon said.

“We got out, so isn’t that good? Why are you all hesitating?”

“…No, esteemed guest. What exactly…”

At Gu-bong’s question, Gu Yangcheon clicked his tongue, Tsk!

“Originally, there’s nothing that can’t be done with a polite request in this world.”

“…That can’t be true.”

If it were such a peaceful world, things wouldn’t have ended up like this. Gu-bong said firmly, but.

Hearing this, Gu Yangcheon merely laughed.

“That’s because you weren’t being kind.”

“What the-“

“Kid. Kindness isn’t an attitude.”

Gu Yangcheon made a shape with his fingers and showed it to Gu-bong.

He formed a circle using his index finger and thumb.

It was called ‘Manryugwijong’ (All things return to their origin).

Or perhaps the immutable law.

“It’s money.”

If the world isn’t kind, it’s because you lack money.

Gu Yangcheon had given money to the guard.

“…”

Hearing that, Gu-bong’s expression soured.

That means.

“You mean you gave a bribe…?”

“A bribe? I told you, it was kindness?”

“No…”

Gu-bong stopped himself before he could finish speaking.

Fine, whatever. It’s fine that he got past them by giving a bribe.

“…But where did you get the money?”

How on earth did he get the money to give to the guard?

As far as Gu-bong knew, Gu Yangcheon shouldn’t have had any money.

He was someone who didn’t even know what YaWol Palace was just moments ago, so how could he have money?

Perhaps.

“Did you steal it…?”

Did he take the money by force?

At Gu-bong’s words, Gu Yangcheon narrowed his eyebrows.

“What are you talking about, you crazy bastard? Steal what? Do you think I’m some thug?”

“…”

“…What’s with that look? Why aren’t you denying it? Shit?”

“…”

Why aren’t you denying it? Is he asking because he doesn’t know?

“Then did you steal it…”

“You wanna get hit?”

“…”

If it’s neither, then what?

If he didn’t steal it or take it by force, where on earth did he get the money?

“Tsk, I got some. It won’t cause any problems, so stop worrying about it.”

Gu Yangcheon clicked his tongue and moved forward.

Gu-bong still looked at him suspiciously, but there was no actual cause for suspicion.

He didn’t steal it, nor did he take it by force.

It’s just that.

‘I made it.’

He made it using Mang’s divine power.

He briefly looked up the form and value of money.

It wasn’t that difficult. It was just a bit tedious because it was different from the Central Plains.

That’s what he gave the guard before coming out.

‘It’s probably disappeared by now.’

The money he gave away would have disappeared over time.

The guard probably thought he lost it or got robbed and is having a fit.

‘Well, we got out somehow.’

He looked back. They were getting further away from the fortress called YaWol Palace.

‘…It seems.’

He felt like he’d have to go again.

As he recognized this and started to move again.

“…Darkness born of the heavens.”

“…”

“Son of myriad realms.”

The Heavenly Demon muttered, only loud enough for me to hear.

This crazy bastard.

He tried hard to ignore it and barely managed to move his feet.

********

Hwaruk.

Around the time the wall-mounted lamps barely illuminated the darkness.

A man dressed in scorched black clothes was walking hurriedly.

The man seemed quite rushed, biting his lip as he moved, and he arrived in front of a large door.

“Hoo.”

He took a quick breath to compose himself, hiding his haste.

Then.

Ttok-ttok-.

The man carefully knocked on the door with his hand.

Despite announcing his presence, silence continued.

Ttok-ttok-.

He knocked twice again.

Silence again this time?

Just as the man was about to knock again.

-Who is it?

A voice came from inside the door.

At the dry, muffled voice, the man swallowed nervously and said.

“It’s Yeom-eon, Leader-nim. I have something urgent to tell you…”

-Come in.

Kkiiik-!

The door opened as soon as permission was granted.

The man didn’t open it.

Yeom-eon pushed his trembling toes into the space beyond the door, which opened on its own.

Hwaaaaaaaa.

At that moment, the light vanished.

A profound darkness enveloped Yeom-eon.

All he could see was a table in front of him.

And someone sitting there.

Painted black, and blacker still, their face was completely hidden.

He wasn’t curious.

After all, Yeom-eon immediately knelt, not daring to look at the figure.

It was pure darkness.

If one looked at it for too long, they too would be painted black.

“What is it?”

The darkness asked.

Hearing that, Yeom-eon replied, hiding his cold sweat.

“…The Baek Clan leader was attacked and is currently bedridden.”

“Hmm?”

The darkness showed interest in Yeom-eon’s words.

“Baekwol?”

“Yes… that’s correct.”

“By whom?”

If attacked, by whom were they attacked?

It seemed more curious about who committed the act than the fact that Baekwol was attacked.

“…We haven’t been able to identify the culprit yet.”

Couldn’t find out. At those words, the air stirred slightly.

The leader must be displeased.

Sensing that, Yeom-eon quickly added.

“Bu-but, that’s not the main issue.”

At Yeom-eon’s words, the air calmed. It wasn’t stopping.

It was waiting.

As if urging him to speak.

“Today… a member of the Baek Clan’s bloodline met misfortune.”

“Bloodline? Are you talking about that idiot?”

Despite being of noble blood, he was an incompetent fool who didn’t even need his name memorized.

“That’s right.”

“And?”

“But… regarding that incident…”

Yeom-eon swallowed hard, his mouth dry, and said.

“The First Young Master… is said to be involved.”

Uwoong.

“Kkuhk…! “

Yeom-eon gasped, clutching his chest mid-sentence. The surroundings shook violently.

“Is that so?”

In the words spoken by the darkness.

“Interesting.”

Despite the calm tone, somehow, anger was deeply infused.