Chapter: 919
The place I returned to after leaving Gubong behind was the same building I had just been in.
Fortunately, it wasn’t too far, and since I had memorized the route, it was easy to find. However, it took me a bit longer to get there.
The reason was simple.
I’m still angry.
There simply wasn’t enough time to shake off the frustration that had built up to the top of my head.
Damn it.
The more I thought about Gubong, the more my irritation boiled over.
I should have just hit him a little harder.
Hard enough that he couldn’t even get up or collect himself.
I should’ve wrecked him so thoroughly that it would have taken him at least half a year to recover. Not being able to do that was a source of regret.
Hoo…
I let out a sigh and ran my fingers through my hair.
Of course, that didn’t really help with the anger.
Even that kind of guy is my disciple.
I tried to look at the situation favorably since it seemed like Noya cherished him. Or maybe I was just a little regretful for having smashed him up.
What the hell is he doing?
All those mixed feelings vanished in an instant.
It happened the moment Gubong finally threw away his pride and knelt down.
Bang!
As I roughly opened the door and walked in, everyone inside jumped in surprise.
Before I knew it, there were more people gathered inside than before.
Those were the disciples I had seen earlier, along with those waiting inside.
They were busy rolling their eyes at me.
The meaning behind their expressions was simple.
Who the hell are those guys?
Although I could clearly feel that expression, I decided to skip the explanations and pointed at one of them with an annoyed expression.
“You there.”
“Uh, me?”
“Yeah, you. Come over here.”
As I kept beckoning with my fingers, the person I pointed at approached, wearing a bewildered look.
That guy was the disciple who had raised his voice and confronted the guy earlier known as Baek Do-ryeong or something.
“What was that guy just now?”
“Uh…?”
“The one called Baek something. That idiot. What’s his deal?”
When I asked about the guy right before, his expression turned puzzled.
Rather than expressing confusion over why I was asking, it was more of a how do you not know this? kind of look.
“Explain quickly.”
As I growled and frowned, he flinched and opened his mouth.
“Uh, he’s the heir of the Baek family.”
“The Baek family?”
“Yes… There’s a guy named Baekul there.”
Baekul. That seems to be the name of the guy called Baek Do-ryeong.
Okay, that’s enough of that. Moving on to the next question.
“So what is the Baek family?”
“Uh…?”
“If you ask me that again, I’ll pull your tongue out so you won’t have to speak again?”
“… They are one of the three major noble families found in the Yawol Palace.”
“Three major families… Is that impressive?”
“…Yes, that is correct. It is one of the few pure-blood families that directly receives the protection of the general.”
Pure-blood families. Ugh, that term gets on my nerves because I hear it too often, but what’s crucial is what comes after that.
“General’s protection?”
“What’s a general?”
“…?”
“Show me your expression.”
“Ah. Yes…”
He looked at me like I was some kind of fool, but when I pointed it out, he finally relaxed his expression.
Only then did I ask again.
“So, what exactly is a general?”
“You are one of the four beings under the lord of the universe…”
“Hmm.”
I squinted my eyes. They’re under the lord.
I felt quite awkward whenever my mother came up in conversation.
So, I tried to brush it off and ask again.
“… And what’s a noble?”
“It refers to the pure-blood individuals who have received the general’s protection.”
“So that pure-blood person is Baek something?”
“Yes… that’s correct.”
“So being a general or a noble is that amazing? So much that you have to shake in your boots?”
“…”
“Damn it, show me your expression.”
“… The words of those who have the country’s protection are law. It’s only natural since they are the ones chosen by the lord himself.”
Hmm.
Hearing that, many thoughts crisscrossed my mind. The fact that he said that without the slightest tremble means that what he said holds true.
The idea that things are as they are because it’s the lord’s choice might also be taken as a given here.
So that would imply…
“So here, the lord and his subordinates hold considerable power?”
They are regarded as something grander than I had anticipated.
Then…
“So why do those folks have friction with the volcano?”
“Uh….”
The disciple who had been speaking looked around nervously, seemingly debating whether to say anything.
As he hesitated, I nearly forced him to speak up.
“It’s okay. Just explain…”
A voice suddenly came from behind. It was Gubong, who had delayed behind and finally entered.
I glanced at him.
His expression was quite poor, and he seemed deep in thought.
“… The Volcano Sect… has no pure-blood members, and most of them don’t even receive the lord’s protection, so they lack much power.”
“So they don’t receive protection…”
I was unsure about the exact implications of that, but judging by the reactions of the gatekeeper and that Baek something’s response when I entered, this is clearly a significant issue in this world.
“This is also a problem created because the long-term leader took pity on us, who were lacking, and accepted us without any consideration…”
The disciple spoke with sorrow written all over his face.
“Of course, there’s the General’s protection. Since these people have gathered without the Lord’s permission… Well, the world’s eyes are…”
“So.”
I cut him off.
“So, you’re saying they see us as a bunch of nobodies, and they disregard us because of that?”
“…”
The disciple’s face contorted, as if I had just hit the nail on the head.
“So now, are you going through all this hassle just to exchange groceries?”
“It’s unavoidable… This was barely accomplished…”
“No. Everything is fine.”
There was something I didn’t understand.
Well, I get that the situation is dire and all, but…
“Does your elder know about this situation?”
“…”
“Does Shin Noya know that his disciples are going through this?” I was able to assert this part firmly.
‘He probably doesn’t.’
Given that old man’s personality, if he knew about this, he wouldn’t just stay quiet.
“… I think he probably doesn’t know the details.”
The disciple replied awkwardly, confirming my suspicions.
Just as I assumed.
Then…
“Why doesn’t he know? It seems like a structure that he can’t possibly be unaware of.”
“It must be because the head is forbidden from approaching other countries.”
The answer didn’t come from the disciple I expected but from Gubong.
“Forbidden?”
“That’s correct. The head is not allowed to approach other countries nor interfere in their businesses.”
“Why?”
“That’s the contract that allows the volcano to exist.”
“Hmm…”
Listening to that, vague memories of the last incident floated to the surface.
Was it a leader? That dark-toned brat had said something.
‘Did he mention breaking a contract or promise?’
Noya had argued that statement, saying it wasn’t true.
“So, Noya wouldn’t know since he can’t go anywhere else?”
“Correct. I don’t think the head knows… and we hope he doesn’t.”
“Why?”
I asked, puzzled by Gubong’s words. It felt strange to hear that he hoped for ignorance.
“He is the one who took us in when we had nowhere else to go and nurtured us with love… I don’t wish to burden him with further concerns.”
I nearly grimaced at the line about “nurturing with love,” but I managed to suppress it.
Then, with a straight face, I asked,
“So, is that why you keep telling me I’m the only one who should kneel?”
“…”
Gubong’s silence was confirmation.
Ha ha.
I couldn’t help but laugh at that.
I had thought about it before, and this time too, it was the same.
“Fool.”
“…”
Gubong didn’t respond to me either.
‘What? You don’t want to trouble me?’
It was no laughing matter. It was just ridiculous.
“You guys don’t know anything about that old man.”
“What do you mean…?”
“Do you really think that old man doesn’t know anything about this?”
No way!
That crafty, perceptive old man would never let something like this slip by unnoticed.
‘So that’s why you sent me.’
Now it was clear as day.
‘Damn old man.’
Are you saying he can’t handle it himself and intends to send me instead?
Ridiculous.
As I pondered that, I continued walking. At the same moment, I looked at Cheonma and said,
“Don’t follow me. Stay here quietly. If you follow, you’re really gonna be in for it.”
“…”
Cheonma, who was about to spring into action, froze in place.
As I moved suddenly, Gubong looked at me and asked,
“… Your Highness, where are you going? You should go back to the volcano right now-.”
I replied without even glancing at him.
“I’m just going to run an errand, so wait here.”
Now was the time for me to do a task that I hadn’t even been aware of before.
A huge mansion located east of the Yawol Palace.
It was called the White Family by others.
In a rush, people dashed in, creating a commotion.
“Emergency!”
“The young master is injured!”
Suddenly, chaos erupted indoors as people rushed in, carrying someone.
Baekul, the heir to the family, was brought in by his escort, face all messed up, and those who witnessed this began to panic.
“The young master is in danger! Call a healer immediately!”
“Move quickly!”
“Ugh…”
A major uproar ensued.
Baekul continued to bleed from his mouth, and the servants rushed about with pale faces.
Were they worried about Baekul getting hurt? Nah, that was utterly not important.
What they feared was not Baekul at all.
No matter how much he was the heir, he was still just that—a mere heir.
What they were truly scared of was…
“What’s going on?”
A low voice resonated, shaking the surroundings.
Upon hearing that, all the servants halted simultaneously.
At that moment…
Krrrrr—!
A low growl, reminiscent of a tiger, reverberated through the air.
An overwhelming pressure filled the space.
“Ugh… Ugh…”
“Cough…!”
All collapsed to their knees, the sensation choking their throats.
Amidst those struggling to stand, someone walked slowly.
Every time that being moved, long, white hair swept across the floor.
It was extremely long and shaggy hair.
Moreover, considering the being’s stature was slightly under eight feet tall, the hair appeared even longer.
As this presence passed through the servants, it fixed its gaze upon the fallen Baekul.
The moment they made eye contact, a vein throbbed between their brows.
“What’s going on?”
“M-Master…”
“I asked you what was going on.”
Krrrrrrr—!!
As the man spoke, a roar mixed with his voice.
The entire building quaked at that sound.
“Eek…”
The man trembled as he faced the question. His body shrunk further under the weight of terror.
“Answer me.”
“… T-that…”
Kkeeeuugh… The man pressed his claws into his trembling body. If he didn’t answer now, he would die. It was better to feel the pain.
He had to come up with a response or he’d meet death.
So the man forced his trembling mouth open and stammered.
“…Fire… volcano…”
Two words. Just saying that caused his consciousness to shatter.
Thud. The man collapsed.
“Volcano?”
The eyes of the being, hearing this, ignited in a vivid blue flame.
“Ha.”
The corners of their mouth lifted wickedly.
“Those disgusting insects dared….”
Despite having shown them mercy and kindness, they still did this?
Crash!
The being spun around, clenching its massive fist.
“Where are they now?”
“They just completed the transaction and will be leaving the palace shortly with the provisions.”
“Really?”
After hearing that, the man’s eyes flared in excitement.
“Guide me. I’ll tear them apart myself.”
The name of the being was Baekwol.
He was the head of the noble Baek family and the general of the Yawol Palace. A disciple of Liu Shi.
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