Chapter: 34
Golden Nature Clan.
Centuries ago, they were both a master of martial arts and operated the premier marketplace in the Central Plains.
When the Gate of Demons first appeared, Yeon Il-Cheon, also known as the Iron Fist, gained fame as the leader of the Golden Nature Clan for his efforts in blocking the demon gates and expressing cooperation.
At the time, they were the most revered clan, producing the world’s strongest martial artists and controlling the flow of money throughout the Central Plains.
However, contrary to expectations that they would remain steadfast in their position, the history of the Golden Nature Clan was destined to end abruptly.
Blood Disaster.
The collapse of the Golden Nature Clan happened in an instant due to a sudden blood disaster.
The Blood King of the Blood Cult unleashed a chaotic wave of blood, spreading turmoil throughout the Central Plains.
In the end, while they did succeed in slaying the Blood King and putting an end to the blood disaster, countless clans and sects were burned and erased from existence during the struggle.
The Golden Nature was among them.
A once revered clan, known as the pinnacle of martial prowess, vanished without a trace.
How it came to be, and what exactly transpired for their disappearance remains a mystery.
There might not even be proper records left, and I never made an effort to study that history.
‘What use is knowing about events from centuries ago?’
What’s important is that they did not disappear completely without a trace.
The secret vault that the Tang Clan sought in my previous life was the evidence of that.
Given its status as the hidden treasure of the top clan at the time, many speculated it contained vast wealth and elixirs.
There were fierce battles over the vault, but ultimately it fell into the hands of the Gaecheon Clan.
While they didn’t disclose much about its contents, there were whispers of the peak-level clan leader suddenly achieving fusion rank, hinting at something remarkable.
But what if there was truly nothing inside?
‘Then I guess there’s nothing to find at all.’
I didn’t truly believe the vault would be empty, but if it turned out that way, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise.
Finding the vault itself seemed a dubious task.
I had barely three days left.
I had managed to avoid wasting time at the Military Exhibition, but that didn’t mean I had endless time to spare.
“…Damn, this place is ridiculously vast.”
The previous day, I made a lovely excuse, saying that I couldn’t show up to the Military Exhibition since I had caused a scandal.
I slipped away under the cover of night, leaving a single letter for my escorts.
I told them I would be back in about three to four days so they should leave the Tang Clan and head to that town we visited some time ago.
Muyeon would be in despair reading the letter, but there was no other option. We agreed to face the consequences together later.
Well, to be precise, it was my decision alone…
After a tiring trek of two hours of running and walking, I arrived at the site that used to belong to the Golden Nature Clan, nestled halfway up a mountain.
Its location was between the Tang and Gaecheon Clans, which made it no surprise they had conflict with one another.
While it might be a small mountain, it was far too expansive for a solo treasure hunt for the vault.
“Huff… A few days won’t cut it.”
“True! It’s so vast!”
“Seriously, am I crazy? How can I search this place alone?”
“Right! I’m also hungry!”
“Yeah… Maybe I should just head back and grab some dumplings—”
…Huh?
I turned to the unexpected voice and found Wi Seol-Ah standing there, surprisingly covered in leaves.
She tilted her head, looking adorably puzzled as I stared at her in disbelief.
A leaf fell from Wi Seol-Ah’s hair with a soft thud.
“You… You…”
“Yeah?”
“Why are you hereeee!?”
My voice echoed through the mountains.
Dumplings are delightful.
I’ve always felt that way, even in my past life. They’re an inexpensive treat, packed with meat, and the skin is always soft and fluffy.
Sure, there are small dumplings, but I always preferred the larger ones. They taste amazing hot or cold.
They’re delicious dipped in soup or fried.
What a perfect food!
I’ve never thought dumplings could be anything but delicious.
“Young Master, aren’t you eating?”
Except for now.
“…How did you even follow me here?”
After climbing the mountain, I ended up at the nearest village.
It appeared I was compelled to feed her since she claimed to be hungry.
One glance at the piles of empty plates she left behind made my head spin.
‘…How many bowls of noodles is she downing?’
I’m only on my third dumpling, but she’s…
one, two, three… four…—
‘Let’s just stop.’
I gave up counting because I feared what the number might be.
“When did you start following me?”
Wi Seol-Ah was still munching on food as she answered.
“Earlier~nom… when you left~nom…”
“Uh, just finish before you speak…”
Her cheeks looked ready to burst.
How is she even holding that in her mouth?
Eventually, Wi Seol-Ah managed to swallow everything.
“I saw you sneak out in the morning, Young Master!”
“…How?”
I evaded the watchful eyes of the guards on duty and had spent hours walking and running.
I even did a little Qiong here and there.
Putting aside how I failed to notice her shadowing me…
Just how did she manage to keep up!?
Despite my horrible stamina, I was panting up the mountain.
“Sure, you looked exhausted halfway, but I thought it was amusing, so I kept watching!”
“…Oh, thanks?”
It seemed I had a pathetic amount of Qi and my body wasn’t truly training yet.
I was still a warrior with Qi, and yet…
It was impossible for an ordinary person like Wi Seol-Ah, who was merely a normal girl, to have followed me.
But how?
I’d seen her tired after doing chores, and I’d witnessed her carrying heavy loads effortlessly.
‘…Wait, maybe that’s the anomaly.’
Is this the future Zenith’s stamina from birth?
It’s quite strange, nonetheless.
“Did you really run all this way?”
Wi Seol-Ah turned to me with a curious glance.
I followed her gaze, but saw nothing except empty tables and chairs.
“I just followed you!”
Her response made me rub my temple, my headache intensifying…
How do I send her back?
If I tell her to go back, there’s no guarantee she’ll know the way. And even if she got back to the Tang Clan, I couldn’t be sure our group would still be there.
Taking her back felt impossible, considering I could barely protect myself.
Besides, sending her back alone was risky due to her beauty. What if something happened to her?
Sichuan wasn’t exactly a peaceful area.
‘Not that I have the right to judge, since I ran off myself.’
“But why would you follow me here!? It’s dangerous!”
Wi Seol-Ah flinched at my voice.
“I’m sorry… Young Master, you looked like you were going far away… I felt anxious, so I followed.”
I, too, was helpless in this situation.
Even with my pathetic amount of Qi, I should have sensed Wi Seol-Ah tailing me.
‘I deserve a dagger in the back by now.’
Did I let my guard down too much just because the world seemed peaceful?
I thought I was cautious traveling through Sichuan, but apparently, it wasn’t enough.
What now? I don’t have the luxury of time.
Should I search for the vault with her? That feels absurd.
I can hardly manage on my own. Am I really going to drag Wi Seol-Ah with me?
Maybe I should just head back to the Tang Clan? Perhaps it’s better to return, claim I ‘randomly obtained intel on the secret vault,’ and bring Muyeon along?
Though, I doubt he’d buy that…
Damn, what should I do?
Amidst my thoughts, Wi Seol-Ah interjected with a question.
“Young Master, what are you doing here?”
“I’m here to find something.”
“A tasty dumpling?”
“Why are you suddenly talking about dumplings?”
“But, Young Master eats dumplings every day.”
“Uh… that’s sort of true?”
Lately, I’ve indeed been on a dumpling binge.
But dumplings are so good…
I exhaled, feeling somewhat defeated.
Can I really find the vault in this situation?
I’d gathered vague details about the vault’s location, but I doubted their accuracy.
“A white maple tree in the middle of summer… What kind of nonsense is that?”
Under the white maple tree, the entrance to the secret vault was located.
That was the claim from the Tang Clan back then. Honestly, it was absurd.
The Tang Clan had discovered the vault in the summer.
It’s hard enough for a maple tree to grow in summer, let alone a white one!
“Did they pass along this information misleadingly, or was it distorted?”
I assumed the latter.
After all, it’s not everyday the greatest clan in history is romanticized and embellished with fantasy.
I’m the one who stumbled here, believing that tale.
Ah, I’m such a fool.
Just like that, I felt the impulse to give up and retreat.
Wi Seol-Ah spoke up as despair began to set in.
“The white maple tree?”
“Yeah, the white maple tree… I came here to look for it.”
That must sound strange even to her.
Reflecting on it, it felt odd that no clan had been able to locate a uniquely named tree like that.
“A maple tree in summer? Doesn’t that sound strange?”
“Yeah, it looked super pretty when I saw it earlier!”
“…Yeah, you’re right-”
Huh?
What did Wi Seol-Ah just say?
“What did you say just now?”
I asked as confusion took hold.
“Why, Young Master?”
“Wait, you said you saw it—the white maple tree.”
“Yes!”
…W-Where?
Wi Seol-Ah tilted her head again.
“We looked at it earlier together!”
“What are you talking about…?”
“The tree!”
“I… with you?”
“Yes!”
Since when?
I was taken aback, unable to comprehend how I had missed such a moment.
Wi Seol-Ah, seeing my bafflement, pouted and reached for one of my dumplings, which earned her a light swat on the hand.
“Ow!”
“…You said we saw it together, the tree.”
I turned to a frustrated Wi Seol-Ah, rubbing the back of my hand.
“Yes, yes.”
“Do you remember where it is?”
I cautiously slid a plate of dumplings toward her, eager for insight.
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