Chapter: 698
This is closer to oral tradition and tales than to history.
That’s the story.
A very distant past.
Once upon a time, a goblin, missing his hometown, committed a sin.
Because of the sins he committed, the framework of the world was crushed, and its dimensions were distorted.
From within, beings who broke the laws began to pour out.
In a split second, rules were shattered.
The broken rules started breaking down the laws established by the world.
Countless lives were lost because of this.
If you attribute it to punishment, it seems colorless.
It is more accurate to simply call it an accident.
Yes, it was an accident.
An accident caused by ignorance.
One.
The consequences of that accident would only have been more serious.
–Gyaaaah!!
–Please, save me!!
There was a clamor of screams.
The world was drenched in blood.
–It’s a monster!
Unidentified beings appeared and devoured humans.
The world was soaked in death.
The goblin witnessing this had to shed tears and put out the fire.
After all, he had just crushed the world with his own hands.
The world was also enraged.
Not because innocent people died.
God was angry because the laws he established had been broken.
When the rules are violated, the world begins to crumble.
Upon seeing this, the world said:
We don’t need a broken world.
So it starts anew.
That was the verdict the world ultimately rendered.
Thus, the goblin thought.
I can’t return to my world like this, and I have to just watch as the world falls apart.
What should I do then?
The goblin pondered again.
First, I need to close the door that was releasing those beings.
In other words, I must close the door and beg the world for mercy.
Because the sin is my own.
So I asked for mercy.
Thinking like that, the goblin ultimately closed the door.
Closing the door wasn’t difficult.
Enduring it afterward was a different matter, but literally, closing it wasn’t that hard.
With the door closed, the goblin approached the world.
I will somehow resolve my errors, so please grant me leniency.
In that longed-for moment.
The world surprisingly granted the goblin’s wish.
Instead of erasing the world immediately, it would give a chance.
While saying this to the goblin, a single sin was imposed upon him.
If the goblin accepts this, the world will grant a chance to both him and the world.
Those were the conditions.
Since the goblin had no real options, he accepted without hesitation.
Fortunately, the world didn’t utter lies.
It granted a chance, just as it stated.
If there was a problem.
The punishment that the world imposed on the goblin was much harsher than expected.
Even if the goblin comes to regret it later.
The issue with this sin was that he could never stop it by himself.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
A feast of energy unfolded before me.
A flow of soot-black, muted colors danced in the air.
Even in the dark forest, a darker energy prevailed.
I gazed at the small back in that unconventional view.
The familiar garb of the Kuga academy adorned their form, with long black hair flowing.
The eyes staring at me were as beautiful as someone else’s.
The purple irises within evoked both hatred and beauty in a contradictory thought.
Heavenly Demon.
I frowned as I stared at the back of the woman once referred to as a calamity in her previous life.
It was a small and delicate form.
In the past, it seemed so large, but now it appeared so small.
“What are you?”
I asked in a faltering voice; the Heavenly Demon glanced at me before turning her head away.
Then she looked straight ahead.
In front stood my grandfather.
“Hmm.”
Though engulfed in flames and barely recognizable, he had a human shape and referred to himself as my grandfather.
Even if that weren’t the case, the resonance of the Gu Flame Wheel Technique made it clear.
The very flames were not only those of the Gu Flame Wheel Technique.
When recalling how he attempted to take the Gu Flame Wheel Technique from me, it added plausibility to his identity as my grandfather.
‘I wonder how he managed to obtain this.’
Ultimately, I realized I was in a very perilous situation.
In that moment.
–Clang!
The sound of insects reached my ears.
The silence that had fallen began to recede.
The wind brushed against my cheek.
Faded senses gradually resurfaced—what did this mean?
Did my grandfather ease his hold?
Or did something twist with the appearance of the Heavenly Demon?
As doubts began to sprout.
“That’s right.”
My grandfather spoke while looking at the Heavenly Demon.
“You were here. I forgot about you for a moment.”
The nod of his head triggered memories of someone similar.
It was uncomfortably akin to my own behavior.
No, do I look like him?
“An outsider’s aura. It’s been a while since I’ve seen one. How have you been?”
“…”
At my grandfather’s words, the Heavenly Demon extended her left hand.
Then—
Shhhhhh—!!!
The black energy floating in the air began to gather in her hand.
The moment I felt it, a jolt shot through me.
It was a staggering amount of energy.
The compressed and condensed energy gradually began to shape at the tips of her hand, resembling a sword.
It was a power with which I was all too familiar.
It was something the Heavenly Demon had often wielded in her past life.
She never spoke or referred to the name of that power back then.
The orthodox faction had ridiculously named it the Heavenly Demon Sword.
Well, it was worthy of such a title. With just one swing, she transformed the terrain.
Fwoosh—.
In no time, the sword was complete.
Cheonma pointed the tip at my grandfather.
And declared.
“Vanish.”
“…”
“This is not a place for you.”
“Ha ha.”
The grandfather chuckled at Cheonma’s words.
“This is truly….”
At that instant.
Rumble—!
“Ugh…!”
My heart began to race like mad.
It was because the Gu Flame Wheel Technique I had retrieved from my grandfather surged.
It was hot.
The flames coursed through my blood and spread throughout my body.
Hiss—!
Because of this, heat began radiating from my body, causing significant pain.
“How dare a mere dreg issue a guest order to me?”
My grandfather’s voice had an uncharacteristic venom, perhaps spurred on by irritation.
Was the flame reacting to that?
“Anyone in this land could tell me to leave, but you are not one of them.”
Swish.
As I stepped forward, the air around me rippled violently.
Whoosh—!
Simultaneously, the temperature surged.
My skin burned as if the forest had caught fire.
“Such an abomination.”
Kuuuuu—!!
The bubbling energy nearly choked me.
I struggled to rein in the wild current of power.
Still, it resisted.
‘This is infuriating.’
I gritted my teeth.
In the meantime, my grandfather was advancing slowly toward Cheonma.
In turn, Cheonma moved her sword with gradual intent.
Were they trying to initiate combat?
‘What a headache.’
In such an absurd scenario, I could only spit out curses.
My grandfather suddenly appears and starts spouting baffling nonsense, while Gu Flame Wheel Technique begins to go haywire.
This dreaded being, whom I loathed, prepared to defend me with her sword.
Was she trying to protect me?
The Heavenly Demon?
‘What on earth?’
This is genuinely absurd.
It’s simply ridiculous.
Could circumstances spiral any more out of control?
Crack.
I clenched my fists.
With that, I struck my chest hard.
Boom—!!!
Smack—!
“Hmm.”
“…!”
The loud sound drew Cheonma’s attention back.
The force unleashed from my body sent explosive winds roaring outward.
“Cough!”
Thud.
Blood trickled down.
I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.
“Whoa, damn… That hurts like hell.”
Maybe in my rush, I lost control.
I rubbed my chest, realizing—damn, my rib is out of place.
It hurt so much I ended up sighing.
I should have taken it easy.
The only silver lining was that after hitting myself like that, my Gu Flame Wheel Technique calmed down.
That was better than having a broken rib.
Thanks to that, I could move around somewhat.
Surprised, both of them stared at me.
Ignoring them, I stepped forward.
As I walked, I pulled Cheonma back by her shoulder.
“…!”
The startled Cheonma widened her eyes, but kept her gaze lowered.
“Get out. Don’t interfere.”
This is a family affair.
It wasn’t a situation for outsiders to intrude.
Taking deep breaths, I noticed my grandfather responding with apparent surprise.
“How did you break free?”
The surge of the heart’s storm.
He glanced at me, curious.
“Perhaps it’s because I’ve become an outsider that I could handle your flames for a while—.”
“Why are those flames over there?”
Spit.
I spat on the ground; red substance splattered everywhere.
“They’re my flames.”
The flames I nurtured through hardship and care throughout my life.
“Look at who you’re trying to claim as yours. I’ve endured so much just to harness them.”
“Heh.”
While stifling my creaking body, I posed a question to my grandfather.
“The honorable grandfather, claiming to be a grandfather, can’t offer anything to his grandchild, yet seeks to snatch it away. Did you eat my age through your backside?”
All pretense of manners had evaporated.
If they don’t respect me, then I won’t feel obligated to respect them.
I could retrieve the flame.
Although the oddity of it unsettled me, I didn’t want to lower my head.
“If you wish to take it, go ahead.”
“Child, you seem to misunderstand. If I wished, I could take an infinite number of seeds…”
“Then I’ll just ensure you perish right here.”
“…!”
Stating that I’d die made my grandfather’s mouth snap shut.
“What did you say?”
“If you take it, you’ll meet your end.”
“…”
Just as expected.
When I wagered my life, my grandfather’s demeanor shifted.
As predicted.
‘Looks like you might need me?’
My grandfather required me.
Whether I was referring to my body or who would become the heir didn’t matter.
What mattered is that this was a situation where I couldn’t afford to die.
“…sigh…”
Upon hearing, my grandfather let out a hollow laugh.
Seeing that, I acted instantly.
“Do you think I can’t?”
I nodded in affirmation before gripping my neck.
“If you’re going to snatch it, then take a shot.”
“…”
My flames could be taken.
My grandfather and father had met, and although I knew nothing of their conversation, they mentioned a year’s grace period.
This implies that during this span, I couldn’t access the Gu Flame Wheel Technique.
If that occurs.
‘Everything will descend into chaos.’
Every plan I had crafted would be dismantled.
It was a scheme weighed against the realm I’d painstakingly established.
If the Gu Flame Wheel Technique were sealed, it’d mean curtains.
‘That simply won’t do.’
If such was the case, I might as well accept my death here.
I asserted that, and my grandfather froze for a moment, locking eyes with me.
No words passed between us.
It wasn’t quite a gaze.
It was merely a flame.
Following that moment of silence.
“…Ha ha.”
My grandfather broke into laughter.
“Hahahaha-!”
Whoooosh—!!
With each laugh, the atmosphere trembled.
This wasn’t the pressure of energy.
Somehow, it felt subtly different.
“That’s amusing. That kid raised their child in a lively manner.”
If he refers to that kid, does he mean my father?
So to claim they enjoyed raising him sounds like an insult? Well, it feels like an insult to me.
“I never thought you’d try to negotiate with the life at stake.”
“Negotiation is a fine term. To be precise, I’m being threatened and throwing a fit.”
It was humorous to hear him cluck his tongue.
“This side of you is remarkably similar to my father.”
My grandfather reacted like such a situation had arisen before.
He then addressed me.
“Very well. I shall not take the flame, taking your will into account.”
He declared to not take my Gu Flame Wheel Technique. Thank goodness.
I refrained from exhaling a sigh of relief.
“However.”
My grandfather’s speech was not complete.
“Nevertheless, the period remains one year.”
“…What’s within that? Just to come to Xinjiang?”
“Indeed. To be exact, you shall arrive post-ascension.”
“Why must I?”
“Because that’s our duty.”
I scowled upon hearing that.
What the hell?
“What lies there that requires my presence?”
“The Door.”
“Door?”
“I guard the door. It’s our task.”
The words my grandfather spoke of the door.
What could that imply? I hadn’t given it much thought.
Due to my lack of luxury, I couldn’t contemplate deeply.
“It’s been a year.”
He reiterated the time frame as if reminding me to remember.
“Before that time elapses, reach your rightful place.”
Ascend Gu’s line and seek Xinjiang.
That was what my grandfather desired.
So I asked.
“What if I refuse?”
What becomes of this if I don’t?
To that inquiry,
“If you want to, go ahead.”
My grandfather replied with a nonchalant tone.
“If you can.”
“…Yeah.”
That sentiment was even worse than instructing me not to try.
Regardless of any means, I couldn’t escape.
Such sentiment was starkly evident in my grandfather’s words.
There I was, grinding my teeth and wrapping my fists.
“Also, I hope you take good care of ‘that’ as well.”
My grandfather’s gaze diverted from me toward Cheonma.
“Because it’s a precious key for us.”
“A key?”
“Indeed, a key to lock the door so it may not be opened again.”
I narrowed my eyes.
A key? The Heavenly Demon?
“You said you entrusted her to Gu Hee-bi. What was your intent?”
My grandfather brought Cheonma and entrusted her to Gu Hee-bi.
Where did he find her, and why? I couldn’t help but ask.
When my grandfather mentioned the key to the Heavenly Demon, did that imply a link between the Gu family’s karma and the Heavenly Demon?
In response to the query, my grandfather nodded as if responding to my habitual question.
“It is a matter of necessity. Precious things ought to be placed where they can be seen.”
Obligation of necessity.
The statement about keeping it in plain view intrigued me more than the initial explanation.
He entrusted it to Gu Hee-bi. That statement only added to my unease.
“Since I’ve finally seen your face today, I shall take my leave.”
My grandfather, finishing his words, searched the void.
It was the emptiness of nothing.
“It seems like a guest is coming for me.”
While looking towards it, my grandfather continued speaking to me.
“Child, remember this well. As long as the flame exists, I will watch over you.”
So.
“Till our next encounter.”
With that, my grandfather spoke.
Whoosh—!
In an instant, he vanished in a burst of flames.
“…”
Only the patch where he had stood was blackened beneath the lush grass of the forest.
As soon as he disappeared, I felt the cold air creep in, biting my lips.
“This is genuinely ridiculous.”
Not only did he come suddenly, but he also started claiming ludicrous things before vanishing.
‘What? Some polite lunatic?’
As I shivered recalling my grandfather, I cringed.
‘Polite? No, he’s a total lunatic.’
What in the world was polite about that? If that was being proper, the world truly went mad.
Now, talking about karma feels as if matters I had postponed are now being pushed ahead.
‘A year?’
I recalled the timeframe that my grandfather had given.
‘Should I just flee?’
At this point, I didn’t need to remain in Gu’s household.
In a situation where concluding the blood feud took precedence over continuing the karma, simply leaving would suffice.
[If you want to, go ahead.]
My grandfather’s words echoed in my thoughts.
An undeniable certainty that I couldn’t escape settled like a rock in my stomach.
Hah…
Then, as I washed my face with one hand, I sighed.
Thud—!
The pain from my chest made me click my tongue.
It was the aching reminder of those ribs from earlier.
‘Guess I’ll be sore for about three days.’
Given my heightened recovery speed, it should take three days.
I believed it would heal in that time frame.
It was something I could ignore, but just in case, let’s pursue assistance.
With those thoughts, I turned around.
Upon turning, I locked eyes with purple hues.
That’s right. I had almost forgotten that I was with the Heavenly Demon a moment ago.
“…”
Cheonma, grasping her shoulder, stared at me with an unreadable expression.
Why was she holding that shoulder?
‘Did I grab it too hard earlier?’
Was I too rough when pulling her back?
‘I didn’t grip that hard though.’
As I observed her in speculation.
“Meal?”
Cheonma abruptly spoke up.
“Are you going?”
“Yeah. I’m heading out.”
I had initially arrived to see Gu Hee-bi and Cheonma, but now I didn’t wish to linger any longer.
Let’s head back.
I figured I needed to return home to reflect and perhaps get some rest.
But the moment I aimed to walk past Cheonma.
Grip.
Cheonma grabbed my arm, stopping me in my tracks.
“What?”
I glared at Cheonma, annoyance boiling over.
“Food.”
Cheonma made an unexpected request.
“…What?”
“Eat before you go.”
“What kind of nonsense is this?”
Why should I eat with you?
It’s a sure thing I’d choke on it.
After all this trouble, would I even want to eat?
With my appetite completely diminished, I’d planned to shove her off, yet…
“Your sister will be waiting.”
The mention of my sister made me pause involuntarily.
“Why’s she coming?”
“She said she’d pick you up before coming out.”
Did she mention me upon leaving?
“…Oh.”
“Sister. I made something delicious. Let’s go.”
Referencing Gu Hee-bi, Cheonma tugged at me.
Though I had the urge to turn around, I felt compelled to yield to her words regarding Gu Hee-bi.
‘Well, this works out.’
Since we’re this far along, let’s complete the entire affair.
With that thought, I closed my eyes.
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