Chapter 218: Omen (5)
‘How long has it been, I wonder?’
I hadn’t seen Gu Jeolyub since the time I killed the First Elder. Not only did I not seek him out, but I also thought it would be better if I didn’t see him at all.
‘It’s not like I could’ve done anything to help him.’
Should I have apologized?
I couldn’t bring myself to do that. It wasn’t an impulsive act, and if I were going to regret it, I would never have killed him in the first place.
I looked at Gu Jeolyub, a little flustered. His face looked gaunt and worn, as if he had gone through a significant struggle.
‘I never expected him to come looking for me.’
Eventually, we had to cross paths over matters related to Gu Sunmoon. After the Elder’s Meeting had concluded, I had intended to visit him sooner or later, but I certainly didn’t expect Gu Jeolyub to come to me instead.
Swipe.
He slowly approached me, one careful step at a time.
‘…Hmm.’
Considering the situation, I wasn’t sure what Gu Jeolyub might do, but I refrained from acting and merely observed him.
In that moment, Wi Seol-Ah tried to step in front of me as if to protect me, and I quickly grabbed her shoulder, signaling her to back down.
“Young Master.”
“Yeah.”
After a moment that felt surprisingly long, Gu Jeolyub finally stood before me.
“…I would like to ask you something.”
His request intrigued me. He didn’t seem to have any intention of attacking me—not that I’d let it happen anyway—he just wanted to ask something.
“Ask.”
I gave him the go-ahead and waited patiently for him to speak. After a few beats, Gu Jeolyub finally opened his mouth.
“…Why did you do it?”
His lips trembled slightly as he spoke.
“Hm.”
His question wasn’t filled with blame, nor was it fueled by anger or curses. He simply sought a reason.
‘I’ve heard he hasn’t left his room for some time.’
I had indirectly kept tabs on him; after the First Elder’s funeral, he had secluded himself in his room.
“Why did I do it?”
“…Yes.”
“Didn’t you already hear? The reason behind my actions?”
“Yes, I have.”
He likely heard it from the Second Elder, Muyeon, or other clan members. It was a significant incident, so their discussions must have circulated widely.
“Then why do you ask? You already know.”
“I felt the need to hear it directly from you.”
Strange.
Gu Jeolyub’s eyes were still fixed on me, emotions boiling beneath the surface. But even despite his evident turmoil, he asked for a reason.
Of course, he likely chose this path understanding he couldn’t lay a hand on me.
‘But does it mean he isn’t going to run away?’
I wasn’t sure if I could even label it as running away, but regardless, Gu Jeolyub fundamentally came to confront me directly. I put forth my response.
“Your grandfather crossed a line I couldn’t overlook.”
My voice came out colder than I anticipated.
“He not only targeted me but also those around me. Additionally, he was turning into a poison for the clan.”
I spoke plainly, my words harsher than the tone I used. It wasn’t a time for niceties in my choice of words.
“I had to intervene because I couldn’t let him act unchecked.”
“…”
“If you were hoping for a different answer from me, I apologize, but there is none.”
I really didn’t know what Gu Jeolyub expected when he sought me out; nevertheless, this was all I could provide.
He stared at me in silence.
“I didn’t expect any other answer.”
“Then?”
“I just asked because I don’t know what to think.”
“You don’t know? About what?”
I frowned slightly, puzzled by what he meant. What was it that he didn’t know?
“What I should do going forward… I don’t have the answer.”
“So you came to me for an answer?”
“…No, that’s not it.”
I understood that many facets were shaking within him, a path lost.
However, if he really sought me for answers, that was a foolish choice.
‘Foolish brat.’
What conclusion did he expect to reach? What was he looking for from the person who had just killed his grandfather?
It seemed that even he himself did not know the answer.
Well, he was only a young boy, not even twenty years old—just a kid overwhelmed by the harshness of reality.
I asked him, “Do you resent me?”
“Yes,” he replied, displaying no hesitation.
“Do you wish to have revenge?”
“…”
This time, he fell silent. He seemed like he wanted to agree but couldn’t let it out easily.
“Is that a no?”
“…Yes.”
“Why then did you hesitate?”
Was he frightened to express his desire to kill a direct blood relative of the clan? I could somewhat understand that, but if I were in his shoes, I would have unleashed my feelings already.
‘How could I maintain my sanity in front of the person who killed my family?’
At my age, I had some grasp on control, but I imagined that at Gu Jeolyub’s age, I wouldn’t have been so composed.
As I pondered how he managed to rein himself in, he finally responded.
“…Because it contradicts justice.”
“Justice?”
Justice, you say? Quite a topic to drop out of nowhere.
“If everything you said about the First Elder… about my grandfather is true,” he shuddered slightly, “my resentment towards you wouldn’t be justified.”
The First Elder did not hide his ambitions. He manipulated events to ensure his grandson would become the Young Lord, working behind the scenes for his own benefit.
If all this were factual, Gu Jeolyub believed that his resentment toward me could not be justified.
So, was he feeling a conflict as he still held resentment inside? I couldn’t understand.
“How complicated you are.”
“…”
“I don’t know why you’re suddenly bringing up justice, but frankly there’s nothing I can do for you.”
Whether Gu Jeolyub resented me or not, whether he wished to take my life, I couldn’t offer any resolve for those internal disputes.
I wouldn’t care even if he resented me, and if he truly sought revenge…
‘I’ll have to kill him.’
There wouldn’t be a second chance then.
The best I could do for him was to keep my hands off him at this moment.
The First Elder had been buried, but I knew they wouldn’t allow me near the graves of important figures of the clan.
They couldn’t risk allowing a sinner like me to enter.
If the First Elder’s sins were unveiled, Gu Jeolyub might face the repercussions as well.
He could fall under the weight of debts for his grandfather’s sins.
Even if he had committed no wrong, that’s the cruel reality of this world, which would leave nothing to be changed.
The only thing I could do was minimize the harm he would endure. That was my utmost limit…
‘Though I doubt this brat would even want that.’
Judging by the essence of Gu Jeolyub I had gleaned from our brief encounter, it seemed rather unlikely.
“What have you decided regarding Gu Sunmoon?”
“…The Second Elder said he would take over temporarily.”
“The Second Elder?”
I was slightly taken aback by this.
The Second Elder, who had no sword-related skills, being put in charge of Gu Sunmoon?
Would he be handling just the administration while someone else took care of the major tasks?
‘Well, it definitely beats leaving it in the hands of the Third or Fourth Elder.’
But it seemed rather arbitrary.
“And you’re okay with that?”
“…I’m powerless. I lack both the ability and qualifications to be the Lord.”
Gu Jeolyub was indeed the Young Lord of Gu Sunmoon, but only because he was the First Elder’s grandson.
He showed talent, yet that alone wouldn’t solve everything.
“I don’t know why you sought me out, but I can’t help you find the right path.”
“…”
“Furthermore, seeking guidance from me in the first place is odd.”
Given that I was the one who had taken his grandfather’s life, him asking me for advice seemed absurd.
“There’s a part of me that feels sorry for what happened to you, but it only goes so far.”
No matter how dreadful the First Elder had been, he was still Jeolyub’s family. In that regard, I did feel a sense of pity.
“If you wish to resent me or feel hatred, then go right ahead. I can take it.”
I won’t take responsibility for it, but I’d accept it at least.
However, I had no idea how Gu Jeolyub would respond after my words.
Hearing my response, Gu Jeolyub simply muttered quietly with a grim expression, “I… don’t know.”
“So, think it through. Reflect on what you truly want to do.”
I couldn’t apologize any further to Gu Jeolyub. I wasn’t in a position to comfort him or impart any wisdom.
Because even if I were to rewind time, I would still end up killing the First Elder.
‘Even if I spared him, I would merely delay his death. He would end up dead eventually, just not by my hand.’
Whether I had pierced his abdomen to let him die slowly or employed another method, the end result wouldn’t change.
Just as my choices would remain unaltered, the First Elder wouldn’t have acted differently either.
With a heavily shrouded face, Gu Jeolyub rubbed the fatigue from his eyes with his hand.
I simply watched him, saying nothing.
As the gentle breeze blew, Gu Jeolyub, biting down on his lip, cautiously asked me.
“…I’ve heard you’re heading to the battlefield.”
“Where did you hear that?”
This conversation was fresh; how could he have picked it up so quickly?
“The Second Elder told me that the Young Master will be going to the battlefield.”
“What?”
What on earth was he talking about? The Second Elder had already informed him that I would be taking part in the battle?
Could it be that…
‘…Father and the Second Elder have already agreed on this?’
It seemed they had already decided to send me to the battlefield as a form of punishment.
‘How petty of him, unlike his bear-like physique.’
He was probably still fuming over my escape from prison.
In fact, I had been intentionally avoiding him lately. I looked at Gu Jeolyub again.
“So, what’s your point?”
His worn-out countenance came into view as he replied with a sense of exhaustion.
“I want to go too.”
“What? To where?”
“To the frontlines where the Young Master is going.”
“Are you out of your mind?”
What sheer nonsense was he spouting?
He wanted to accompany me to the frontlines?
“What’s your aim?”
“…Aim? I want to find… that.”
“Seriously? Have you lost it?”
He wanted to stick with the very person who had killed his grandfather.
‘Is he trying to schedule an assassination on me early?’
If not, I honestly couldn’t fathom what prompted Gu Jeolyub to utter such words.
“I want to figure out what I should do for myself… afterwards.”
Whether he’d choose to live burdened with resentment or live seeking revenge. Or perhaps he’d take neither path, letting what happened go and live on.
This boy, caught between conflicting feelings, seemed to have resolved to confront his problems.
‘Sigh.’
But as I regarded his decision, I found it challenging to grasp Gu Jeolyub’s resolve. It was a choice I wouldn’t have made.
“…Do as you wish. Though I highly doubt the higher-ups will allow it.”
In the past, it may have been different, but now our relationship was in a shambles, and there was little chance they would permit Gu Jeolyub to be at my side, especially if he harbored ill intentions.
And if, by some rare chance, they did grant approval…
“I may have said I’d accept your resentment, but I have absolutely no intention of accepting anything beyond that.”
As stated previously. If he carried anything heavier than mere resentment…
I too would cut ties.
Once he had laid everything on the table, Gu Jeolyub gazed at me for a moment, lowered his head slightly, and turned away to walk off.
I spotted several martial artists from Gu Sunmoon trailing behind him, likely there to protect him or to keep a close watch on what he might do around me.
[You’re too soft-hearted.]
As I observed Gu Jeolyub’s disappearing figure, Elder Shin chimed in.
‘So, are you implying I should have killed him then?’
[Well, I wouldn’t do it myself. But you, brat, are different.]
Those words stung.
It was true; if it had been before, without hesitation, I would have killed Gu Jeolyub without a second thought, just like I had done with the First Elder.
Yet, I didn’t.
Even realizing the potential for Gu Jeolyub to become a thorny issue due to any ill feelings toward me—regardless of how our relationship unfolds—I wanted to avoid killing him as long as he respected certain boundaries.
I made two choices in this regard:
First, I wished to live differently from my past.
Second, I found it pitiful to end his life simply due to his family’s background.
After all, I had experienced something similar myself.
[That’s why I’m saying you’ve become soft.]
‘You’re not wrong.’
Indeed, my current actions kept a flicker of flame alive, even while a catastrophe loomed not too far ahead.
But…
“…I wanted to be a bit greedy in this life.”
[Tsk.]
Elder Shin fell silent after that.
CLENCH.
I felt something wrapping around my hand; when I glanced down, I saw Wi Seol-Ah gently holding onto it.
“Young Master… are you okay?”
“Why? Do I not look okay?”
“Well… you appear to be having a tough time.”
“Don’t worry, I’m perfectly fine.”
I didn’t know why I appeared so to Wi Seol-Ah, but I was fine.
Like always, I needed to maintain my composure. As Wi Seol-Ah cast me concerned glances, I affectionately patted her head and addressed the empty space around us.
“So, could you please enlighten me now?”
Though it seemed no one was around, someone was indeed present.
Rustle.
From a cluster of tall grass near a tree, a massive figure emerged, leaving me wondering how he had managed to hide there.
It seemed the Second Elder hadn’t fully recovered as he was still wrapped in bandages.
“You’ve become more perceptive than before.”
“Isn’t it odd for you to be hiding there, given your size?”
Even as I spoke, the Second Elder’s concealment skills were impressive; had I not sensed him just now, I wouldn’t have noticed him at all.
“Was there a reason you relayed information about me heading to the battlefield to that brat?”
“He asked, so I told him.”
“Yet you didn’t inform me?”
“Why would I bother telling you when you don’t heed your grandfather?”
“…”
As expected, the Second Elder was still miffed regarding my prison escape.
Feeling a bit guilty, I scratched my cheek while he continued.
“I know you’ve asked for Gu Jeolyub’s well-being.”
“…Huh?”
How did he know? I had told only my father in secrecy.
“So, is that why you’ve opted to oversee Gu Sunmoon?”
“I only chose to do so because it’s better than the Third or Fourth Elder taking charge. I’m merely managing things; the responsibility of training martial members falls to the captain of the First Army.”
“The First Army’s captain?”
In the realm of swords, the strongest of the Gu Clan was the captain of the First Army.
I wasn’t sure how he would measure up against the First Elder in his prime, but as of now, he certainly held the title of the strongest.
‘Well, if it’s the First Army’s captain, it should be fine.’
Judging by that, he was a far more reliable individual than others I could compare to. At the very least, he wouldn’t be plotting something behind the scenes.
“Is your health in better condition?”
“Geez, you’re quick to inquire.”
“It’s better than not asking at all. …Would you mind lowering your fist? You do realize you’re a patient, right?”
The old man still kept his fiery temper even in his ill condition.
“I’m fine; a wound like this heals up with a little saliva.”
“…Is your saliva some sort of miracle remedy?”
What need would there be for an Immortal Healer if such a thing existed?
“Anyways, you seem to have brought along an interesting guest as well.”
“Oh.”
The Second Elder’s words reminded me of the old man currently locked away in Gu Clan’s prison.
‘I almost forgot about the Lord of the Hao Clan.’
I had completely overlooked the Lord of Hao Clan I had brought from the Black Palace.
“What happened?”
“Could it be someone that the Second Elder also knows?”
The Second Elder cleared his throat and stroked his beard in response to my question.
“It’s a person I briefly encountered. I guessed he would end up like that due to his behavior.”
‘So he knows about the Lord of the Hao Clan as well.’
How is it that numerous individuals were aware of him when not much was known?
‘This household certainly isn’t normal.’
It felt clearer to me now.
“It was an old man I found in the Black Palace; my father told me to take him along.”
In moments like this, it’s wise to use the old man as an excuse.
As expected, mentioning my father caused the Second Elder to nod along without uttering a word.
“…If that’s the case, then I suppose the Lord will take care of it himself.”
I had no clue if he would connect with the Hao Clan or utilize him for something else. Given that my father had already taken an interest, it was unlikely I could get involved directly.
As we set aside the topic of guests…
The Second Elder suddenly pulled a letter from his sleeve and handed it to me.
“I didn’t expect you to have connections with the Beggar’s Sect.”
“Beggar’s Sect?”
Out of nowhere, the Beggar’s Sect?
I took the letter from him, trying to piece together what he meant, only to find a seal from the Beggar’s Sect stamped on it.
‘This is…’
By checking the small name written beneath the seal, I realized who had sent this letter.
Chuwong.
It was a letter from the future Beggar King sent to me.
‘I anticipated a letter coming my way, but it arrived sooner than expected.’
What information could it possibly contain?
If it was regarding the Silent Fist or the Dishonored Venerable that I had previously asked about back in Hanam…
‘If possible, I hope it’s about the Dishonored Venerable.’
If I had to choose, I would prefer information about the Dishonored Venerable since it was far more urgent for me.
‘I just hope there aren’t any issues.’
In the brief letter from Chuwong, the message was succinctly written.
– True Dragon… Save m…
– No issue.
…
Aside from the line that looked like it had been erased mid-sentence, upon reading the second line, I cautiously folded the letter and tucked it away.
Then, giving a nod, I whispered to myself.
“Sounds like he’s been caught.”
I guess I could forget about Chuwong for a bit.
He’s capable enough; he’s the Beggar King after all.
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