Chapter 199: Marble of Celestial Captivation (2)
The frontlines were traces of calamity.
They were evidence of history from days gone by, and it was proof that what many were calling a hard-won peace was, in truth, far from complete.
With the Gate of Demons left wide open and lands ravaged by the creatures of darkness, this was not a place where ordinary humans could survive.
It was also a perilous region teeming with countless demonic entities.
For years, under the pretense of minimizing further damage, the Murim Alliance had been collaborating with martial artists from the Orthodox Faction to manage the frontlines.
Coincidentally, the frontlines weren’t too far from Shanxi.
The Second Elder was able to arrive swiftly after receiving a letter from Gu Huibi.
“I can definitely see the cracks now.”
Standing before the gigantic, gaping Gate of Demons,
this land was different from others as it was strictly managed by key figures of the Gu Clan.
And only the Gu Clan was assigned to oversee this particular area.
“What brings you here, Second Elder?”
It had been a month since the Second Elder arrived at this location, after receiving the letter from Gu Huibi.
Returning late from dealing with demons elsewhere, Gu Huibi asked the Second Elder upon seeing him.
The Second Elder chuckled at her question.
“Didn’t you call for this old man, Huibi? When my lovely granddaughter calls, how can I not come right away?”
“…I specifically asked you to call a professional because I noticed some irregularities.”
“And that’s why this old man is here! When you say professional, who else would it be but Gu Ryoon?”
_Looks like he’s trying to manipulate things to get out of the clan._
_I’m just amazed at how an elder of a clan can act like this._
_I’m worried my little brother will pick up on this!_
“Hmm? Did you say something?”
“Nothing at all. I really appreciate you coming, Second Elder, considering how busy you must be.”
Regardless of the situation, the Second Elder was indeed a professional.
As a martial artist at the Fusion Realm, he was undeniably beneficial.
“By the way…”
The Second Elder stroked his beard while gazing at the Gate of Demons.
“This is the first time I’ve seen something like this.”
Normally, a Gate of Demons would shimmer with mixed colors, and it should appear to be swirling.
However, what lay before him was different.
Not only had it turned a deep black, but there were also evident cracks surrounding it, as if the area was splintering.
“Are other gates in different regions like this too?”
“No, this one is unique.”
“…Hoh.”
The Gu Clan managed a total of three sites.
This specific location had the smallest Gate of Demons.
“Are there other problems aside from this?”
“Other than the color change and the cracks, there’s nothing else… for now.”
After listening to Gu Huibi, the Second Elder nodded.
“First, I must report this to the Lord. Perhaps it might be the time when a True Gate of Demons is set to open.”
“Has there been no contact from Shaolin?”
“Even if the Heavenly Eye hasn’t mentioned it, we still can’t afford to be unprepared for the unexpected.”
Trusting Shaolin and the Heavenly Eye blindly wasn’t an option.
With that, the Second Elder fell into pensive silence.
_How peculiar._
Lately, it felt like unusual events were occurring more frequently.
As the saying goes, good and bad often happen simultaneously.
The family troublemaker he worried about had awakened latent abilities and ascended, joining the ranks of masters, having burst past his barriers.
If the kid wished, he might stand out enough in the tournament to gain fame.
_I did tell him to go stir up trouble, but now I’m worried._
It was a fleeting moment of regret.
After all, he would have made trouble just as well even without the encouragement.
“Um…”
While the Second Elder was lost in thought, Gu Huibi called out to him gently.
Without a moment’s hesitation, the Second Elder answered, “Yangcheon is doing well.”
“…Gah!”
At the mention of Yangcheon, Gu Huibi’s expression shifted oddly, as if wondering how he knew her question.
“Was that what you were about to ask?”
“No, well… yes.”
The Second Elder clicked his tongue at her awkward reaction.
This child was truly something else.
In the world, she was renowned for her fiery temperament, yet when it came to her brother, she transformed entirely.
“You should ease up on the worry. You’re not his parent, and you can’t cradle Yangcheon forever.”
“How can you say that when you were the one most anxious for Yangcheon?”
“Back then, he was still confused.”
“But my little brother is still just a child!”
That was undeniably true.
Despite his recent actions suggesting maturity, Gu Yangcheon was still a child—which was easy for them to forget.
Yet, the Second Elder remained steadfast.
“He will be the lord one day; if he’s taken flight, it’s time to let him go.”
It seemed Gu Huibi grasped that sentiment, for she didn’t respond further.
It was all but confirmed that Gu Yangcheon would become the lord.
Though the Second Daughter, Gu Yeonseo, and the First Elder might disagree, differing opinions wouldn’t change the outcome.
Even if Gu Yangcheon himself held a different opinion.
Moreover, even though Gu Huibi had extraordinary talent and abilities, she could never replace Gu Yangcheon.
That was well understood by her.
From the outset, Gu Huibi had no desire to head the clan.
She preferred to run away from such burdensome responsibilities.
“I just hope he doesn’t bear heavy burdens.”
“I hope the same, but no one else can shoulder them for him.”
That was what it meant to be a lord.
While someone could stand by his side, they could not share the weight of his responsibilities.
The current head, Gu Cheolun, illustrated that perfectly.
He bore the heavy burdens silently.
“The tasks you’re handling now will eventually fall to him as well.”
“I know.”
All Gu Huibi wished was for her brother to lead an easy life.
As she mulled over her thoughts, the Second Elder addressed her in a weary tone.
“Why don’t you extend some of that love to Yeonseo too?”
“Huh? But I do!”
Gu Huibi believed she showed love equally to Gu Yangcheon, Gu Yeonseo, and Gu Ryunghwa.
But upon seeing her confused expression, the Second Elder could only shake his head.
_It doesn’t seem that way._
The difference in how Gu Huibi spoke to Gu Yangcheon compared to Gu Yeonseo was glaringly obvious.
Gu Yeonseo likely noticed it too, possibly explaining her aversion to Gu Yangcheon.
“We frequently exchange letters. She seems to be doing well.”
“…No, never mind.”
Realizing the conversation wouldn’t lead anywhere, the Second Elder opted to change the subject.
While keeping an eye on the Gate of Demons, Gu Huibi added, “I just hope he doesn’t get into trouble in Hanam.”
Her voice hinted at concern, making the Second Elder respond incredulously, “You caused plenty of trouble there yourself, Huibi.”
He had been astounded to hear how she nearly turned the Ritual of Dragons and Phoenixes into a sea of fire.
The news reached the usually stoic clan lord, who scolded Gu Huibi for it.
To that, Gu Huibi retorted in frustration.
“They were so full of themselves, I just had to teach them a lesson!”
“You should have heard how shocked I was when I learned you burned all their hair off!”
“I should’ve sent them to Shaolin while I was at it!”
“Where did you inherit that temper from… wait a minute.”
With a sigh as if lamenting, the Second Elder sensed something was off in their conversation.
Turning his attention to Gu Huibi, he asked, “By the way, how do you know Yangcheon went to Hanam?”
“…!”
“I don’t recall mentioning that to you?”
Gu Huibi’s rare shocked reaction caught the Second Elder’s attention as cold sweat trickled down her cheek.
“Huibi?”
“I wasn’t saying that! I just… thought he might be…!”
Before she could finish her excuse, Gu Huibi was suddenly shoved down by the Second Elder’s forceful push.
Thud!
“Second Elder! What are you doing?”
As Gu Huibi regained her footing, her eyes locked onto the Second Elder—only for her to freeze in place.
Darkness cast itself over the desolate ground.
It hadn’t been there before and arrived without warning.
Moreover, she felt an unsettling aura.
Gu Huibi hadn’t sensed it until now, which implied she only realized the enormous presence after the darkness appeared.
She wondered what havoc would have ensued had the Second Elder not pushed her and protected her.
A chilly sensation crawled up to her shoulders, and Gu Huibi tried to draw her sword, but her frozen body wouldn’t comply.
In that profound darkness, she could see light in the distance.
It was the Second Elder channeling his warmth.
His body glowed red with heat, creating an illusion that he was enveloped in flames.
Faced with an overwhelming force that made it difficult to breathe, Gu Huibi felt relief the moment the Second Elder unleashed his energy.
As the Second Elder infused heat into his Qi, a voice echoed, “It’s been a while, Flaming Fist.”
This was uttered by a figure shrouded in darkness.
Recognizing the man, the Second Elder clenched his teeth.
“What brings you here?”
“I didn’t expect to find you here.”
“You bastard!”
The shout of the Second Elder reverberated.
Then, cracks began to appear in the land.
The Second Elder’s steel-like physique swelled, and even Gu Huibi, skilled in fiery techniques, began to feel the heat emanating from him.
“I distinctly remember you swearing to never show that revolting face of yours again.”
After a brief silence, the man grinned at the Second Elder.
“Oh, that loathsome promise? I’ve decided to break it, as I have far too many tasks to handle.”
“What did you say?”
Even as the Second Elder questioned him, the man looked around, lost in thought.
When the man’s gaze landed on Gu Huibi, a broad smile spread across his face.
“Found you.”
Not a glimmer of light was visible in his black eyes.
Their darkness was as strange as the shadow that enveloped him.
Upon realizing that the man’s target was Gu Huibi, the Second Elder launched a powerful punch.
Bam!
With one punch, the surroundings were swept away.
With that single strike, he possessed enough power to reshape the very terrain.
The fierce heat coming from the Fusion Realm martial artist rushes forth and aims for the man.
“Guh!”
But before the punch landed, the encroaching darkness engulfed both the man and the Second Elder.
The calamity that arrived was terrifyingly abrupt.
_But in the end, I couldn’t save Huibi._
That was the last thing the Second Elder left for me.
His expression, when he finished speaking, was filled with an indescribable despair.
_Is the Palace Lord really on the battlefield?_
The Black Palace Lord was known for rarely leaving the Palace.
His martial arts draped him in darkness, a technique characteristic of the Palace Lord.
Though I had only heard of it, I had never witnessed it firsthand.
_Never mind that; why did they take Gu Huibi?_
The Palace Lord personally showed up to bring Gu Huibi to his realm.
Setting aside that something like this had never transpired in my past life, it nearly cost the Second Elder’s life, compelling Father to take an army with him on a journey.
_I don’t understand._
This was truly a dire situation.
After all, I had no information to work with.
_[That’s why you couldn’t ask anything.]_
_It wasn’t the right time to ask._
Despite my burning curiosity regarding the letter from the Dishonored Venerable, the mysterious ring, and the reasons for the Second Elder’s actions, the gravity of the situation and the Second Elder’s demeanor silenced my questions.
_And what about Gu Jeolyub?_
I also wanted to inquire about the situation outside, but that was off-limits right now.
_Even if the other elders stirred to action, it shouldn’t be too dangerous._
However, the real issue was, I was limited to my current space and unable to act.
_[Why not just leave?]_
As Elder Shin said, I could escape at any moment.
It wasn’t that I was restricted in my Qi, nor was I bound by any restraints.
This was merely a temporary punishment, as the steward put it.
Yet, no matter the circumstances, it was true I had killed the First Elder.
And until they could establish a justifiable reason for my actions or until Father returned to the clan, I needed to remain here.
The formations set by the First Elder in the basement were exceptionally robust.
Moreover, given that the clan’s current strength was comparatively weak, breaching these formations wouldn’t be straightforward, but I didn’t expect it to take long.
_I wonder if everyone is doing fine._
This happened right when I returned to the clan, so I hadn’t even had a chance to see their faces.
According to the Second Elder, Wi Seol-Ah was crying every day over it.
Although she usually fluctuated between laughter and tears, knowing she was crying continuously was genuinely unsettling.
Namgung Bi-ah and Tang Soyeol were likely just staying calm, right?
I hoped for that.
“The main concern is…”
Even if Father left the clan, would he even be capable of locating them?
My understanding of the Black Palace was limited; thus, I had practically no details regarding their whereabouts.
What little I did know didn’t pertain to the Main Palace, rendering those details largely futile.
In my previous life, I heard that the Black Palace was destroyed by the Murim Alliance.
_What should I do…?_
I began stirring in my thoughts about what to do in this situation.
It was already the early hours of the morning, and instead of sleeping, I could better utilize this time training my martial arts. Still, focus was beyond me now.
In my restlessness and constant repositioning, the talisman tied to my waist fell to the ground.
Rather than due to my movements, I surmised the string had simply worn out over time.
As I reached down to pick up the talisman, a marble tumbled out of the small pouch.
It glimmered with a scarlet hue.
“Oh, this is…”
Recognition hit me at once.
It was the item Gu Huibi had given me, telling me to keep it on my waist always.
She ominously warned me that if I left it behind, I might die, so it had been a habit to keep it on me.
Yet, I had forgotten all about it until just this moment.
While trying to scoop the rolling marble, my hand jerked in pain and halted.
Tsk.
A sharp stinging came, and I noticed blood seeped from my hand.
It appeared to be an old injury from fighting the First Elder, but I only became aware of it now.
Since it wasn’t deep, I dismissed it and retrieved the marble.
“It seems remarkably costly for something supposedly bought from a peddler.”
_[Indeed, it must not be a cheap item.]_
This marble sparkled too brilliantly to be considered mere junk.
Having examined the marble momentarily, I was preparing to tuck it back into the pouch when—
Vroom—
“Hmm?”
_[Oh?]_
The marble emitted an odd sound and began vibrating rapidly.
Bzzz-!
“What in the world is this?”
Thinking it might explode, I nearly hurled it away.
But the marble released a soft glow and promptly stopped its buzzing, as if nothing had happened.
While inspecting the marble, I couldn’t help but express my astonishment.
“What on earth did that crazy woman acquire this time?”
She claimed it was a lucky charm, yet here it was, a vibrating marble? What a bizarre item.
A chill ran down my spine for some inexplicable reason.
After clicking my tongue, I intended to place the marble back into the pouch, yet my body froze at a peculiar sight.
“Eh?”
The view before me had suddenly transformed vividly.
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