Chapter: 362
A day has passed.
The night when I nearly met my end at the hands of the Dark King has gone by, and fortunately, I am still alive.
I woke up on the bare floor, with not even a sleeping bag in sight.
Although the environment was not at all suitable for sleep, it didn’t matter since I had no intention of sleeping anyway; I had been cross-legged in meditation instead.
“Ha.”
After keeping all the heat trapped and rolling around all night, hot air mixed with my breath as I exhaled.
“Damn…”
My physical condition was relatively refreshing.
My body has adapted to the point where going days without food or sleep is no problem.
However, reconstructing the tangled thoughts in my mind was another story.
This was all due to the Dark King I had faced at night.
The gap between him and me is something I can’t really change.
He is a figure who has reached the pinnacle of his field, and if you were to select a master, he would undoubtedly be among them—even including the Three Masters!
There are things beyond my reach.
No matter how many times I experienced defeat, it hardly shook my resolve.
Of course, I should be grateful just to have survived.
However, the real issue was the conversation I had with the Dark King last night.
“The Dark King is a descendant of Yeonga?”
He never answered, but based on the circumstances, it was no different from an affirmation.
Still, I must acknowledge that there’s always the possibility that it was a lie.
“How ridiculous.”
It’s been hundreds of years since the lineage has been wiped out.
In terms of years, it was extinguished much earlier than the Zhuge clan.
And now, if you claim that there’s a successor alive…
“…It’s not impossible, but it’s hard to believe.”
There could be a successor.
Even in the Zhuge clan, many live hidden identities.
Even around me, I can think of at least three who come to mind.
So, in that sense, there could be plenty of descendants of Yeonga.
“But what are the chances that the successor is operating as the King of Assassins?”
The Dark King even seemed to have some ulterior motive in mind.
I felt it when he was pressing me like a threat.
“If the Dark King truly is a descendant of Yeonga…”
Swish.
As I lightly rolled up my sleeve, the remnants still visible caught my eye.
“What does this have to do with anything?”
The reason the Dark King threatened me was due to this—along with the energy I felt from the beacon, including the mark on my arm.
What’s crucial here is that he “felt” it.
Including energy that I thought had vanished.
He even seemed to grasp a secret about my arm that I had never revealed to anyone.
Even if the Dark King isn’t really the descendant of Yeonga…
“I am sure he feels something unusual about me.”
But I have no idea what that is. There are clearly four energies swirling about my body.
If we consider the energy the Dark King spoke of, does that mean there are five?
“What the heck? It’s like a trash can, with everything mixed in!”
I really can’t understand what my body is doing when there’s so much on my plate already.
On top of that, the Dark King called this a “curse.”
Curse.
Just hearing the word sends chills down your spine.
“What is this to merit the title of a curse?”
It looks too serious to just be a skin change.
I haven’t experienced anything that feels like a change, considering it’s only been a few days since I discovered it.
However, judging by the Dark King’s reaction, I can only expect this isn’t a positive thing.
“When I tried to ask him something, he just spoke what he wanted and vanished.”
The Dark King vanished instantly right after the conversation ended, as if he had confirmed everything with me.
I still have so many questions piling up.
Damn it.
Should I just be grateful for not dying?
While I was trying to look on the bright side, my frustration boiled.
“Seriously… Why are all these so-called masters so damn individualistic?”
No, to my eyes, you have to be selfish and cruel to reach such heights.
Yet, I wasn’t in a position to hunt down the Dark King again.
If he has made up his mind to hide, there’s no way I would find him.
In this state of helplessness, I glanced at my forearm again.
“Should I go meet a god?”
I wondered if he would know something.
Since we had some acquaintance, I thought he might be willing to help.
Of course… it was just a wishful thought, since he’s not an old man I casually meet.
For now, I took a step.
“Let’s eat first.”
The sun had risen, and I realized I hadn’t eaten a proper meal in days.
I didn’t feel particularly starved, but I figured that if I shoved something into my mouth, it might clear my distracting thoughts.
Towards the food distribution area I went.
Given the circumstances, it was hard to find anything decent to eat.
The instructors and healthy trainees appeared to be receiving any remaining rations.
If anything stood out, it was that…
“I see several unfamiliar warriors.”
There were a few people with wide-open eyes examining the surroundings.
Given their attire…
“They are from the Blind Clan.”
From the pattern on their scabbards to the uniforms they wore, they were undoubtedly warriors of the Blind Clan.
They seemed to be having a serious conversation with the instructor while surveying the situation.
I raised my awareness a notch.
– Support has been sent from the main unit…
– Probably from the Biryong Corps…
– Even the Lord has…
– The person who led this effort…
As the black veil blocking the surroundings disappeared, it seemed proper contact had taken place with the Blind Clan.
Then today, help should be arriving.
And in addition…
“There’s going to be chaos.”
It was clear this bit of news would spread like wildfire across the Central Plains.
The rogues who attacked the Shinryonggwan.
The bloodlines of the prominent families that fell because of them.
Even if the Gu mansion is officially an information hub for the righteous factions, not all mouths could be silenced.
Involvement wasn’t just with the Four Great Houses; the Old School was in the mix too.
So from the perspective of the Blind clan, it might just be a certain death.
That’s why the expressions of those dispatched from the Blind must have looked so sour.
It was no surprise; the situation was clearly not in their favor.
I would need to reach out to each of the families who suffered because of this.
That would also be a problem.
“Maybe the news has already reached them.”
It’s hard to say for other places, but at least at the level of the Gu Clan or the Four Great Houses,
it’s possible they received information before the Blind Clan even made contact regarding the situation.
I glanced over and grabbed a few rations.
I couldn’t really tell whether the food was rice balls or some sort of pastries.
At this point, I just wanted to fill my stomach, so I hastily accepted whatever was handed to me.
“Thank you…”
The trainee who was about to hand me food randomly said something unexpected.
Hearing that, I responded with a confused expression.
“Are you talking to me?”
“Yes, this is meant for Prince Jinryong.”
‘Who is this guy?’
It was an unfamiliar face.
I could tell he was from the same Han-do group based on his appearance, further indicating he was likely a fighter, but…
I generally don’t retain faces well, so…
This really was someone I’d never seen before.
“I’m sorry, but do we know each other?”
At my words, the young man smiled bitterly.
“You might not remember me; you were busy, Your Majesty.”
“Hmm?”
“I… was about to be killed by the Sapa warriors when Jinryong saved me.”
“Oh.”
This was right after my encounter with Cheonma.
It was during that time when, overwhelmed with various frustrations, I was creating havoc around me.
But at least I could catch the attackers and burn them.
A few instances happened like this.
“I wanted to convey my thanks.”
“It was just a coincidence. No need for formalities.”
I had merely crossed paths with him as I was passing by.
That was all it was.
“Still, it remains an unchangeable fact that it was Prince Jinryong who saved me.”
“…”
“I was incredibly helpless. After all that training, to be nearly killed—while fortunate to still be alive, the thought of being able to help feels pointless…”
When he uttered those words, I looked into the young man’s eyes.
The flame within had extinguished.
It meant that the fire he possessed as a warrior had died out.
“That…”
“I had heard rumors about you while in the academy and harbored prejudices. I didn’t realize you were a hero who would illuminate the wartime. I apologize for that.”
The more I listened, the more my throat felt constricted.
I felt a wave of nausea as my eyebrows instinctively knitted.
I wasn’t the kind of person who should receive such sentiments from the young man sitting before me.
“What kind of ridiculous rumors have spread… I hardly did anything.”
If anything, I thought I was the one who created this situation.
If somehow this scenario unfolded that shouldn’t have, I would hold that blame.
The young man took my words merely as an attempt at modesty; he just smiled.
Only then did it dawn on me why the people around me had been looking at me strangely since the attack.
Those who had been gazing at me with fear themselves.
Would this be the reason their gazes had shifted?
It was unsettling.
“… Don’t treat me like that.”
I was not someone of such stature.
My headache began to pound again.
“… Thank you.”
“…”
To the young man, I said nothing in response to his apology that followed again.
I simply accepted the rations and turned away.
That young man would not live as a warrior much longer.
The flame within him was extinguished; it likely wouldn’t blaze again.
I was bothered by the gratitude in his eyes and the fact that he thanked me.
I could no longer bear to watch.
I didn’t want to hear it.
Grabbing the food, I continued on my way.
Surprisingly, even though I hadn’t eaten anything, I felt uncomfortably full.
I could distinctly feel the gazes fixated on me.
I ignored them, moving past the crowd in search of someone.
Fortunately, I found her quickly.
Her appearance is indeed striking.
Amidst the hustle of people, I spotted a woman with her eyes closed, perched on a rock.
It was Wi Seol-ah.
“What are you doing?”
I approached gradually. It seemed Wi Seol-ah sensed my presence, and she shifted slightly to the side, making space for me.
It was an invitation to sit beside her.
I took a seat next to her naturally.
“How are you feeling?”
“…I’m okay.”
Her voice was slightly tired.
She opened her eyes, looking at me.
“What about you, Prince?”
“I’m fine.”
As I answered, I took a bite of food. Just as I expected, there was no taste at all.
Then, I handed over a portion of the food I had brought to Wi Seol-ah.
“Ah…”
“Eat. You must be hungry.”
“…”
Seeming to hesitate about refusing, Wi Seol-ah ultimately accepted the strange food I had offered her.
She took a careful bite but soon, her brows furrowed.
It seemed her reaction was quite unfavorable.
“I guess you still prefer sweets. Is it really that horrible?”
“Oh, no… I just got a bit of a surprise.”
I couldn’t suppress my chuckle at her adorably flustered reaction.
“Sorry.”
Then, unexpectedly, she presented me with an apple.
“Huh?”
“I feel sorry for leaving you alone.”
“…”
Even with the Dark King barging in, we really couldn’t help how things went.
‘That’s an excuse too.’
Had I wanted to, I could have sought out Wi Seol-ah anytime.
Just not a day later.
“It’s fine.”
Wi Seol-ah took another bite of my apple.
Her brows furrowed again.
Why does she keep forcing herself to eat this when she finds it so atrocious? Wait a minute.
“When did you finish eating?”
“Huh? What is this…? Hey! Where did it go?”
It seemed she had only eaten two bites, yet the food that Wi Seol-ah held had vanished.
It wasn’t small; it should’ve taken more than a few bites to finish.
At least it was reassuring to see that her appetite remained unchanged, even in this situation.
It felt abnormal that I was relieved by that.
Coming close to laughter, I held it in with great effort.
If I laughed now, I suspected Wi Seol-ah would get genuinely angry.
Trying to cover my flushed ears in embarrassment.
Wi Seol-ah swallowed the last of her food and suddenly turned to me.
“Did your sister… leave comfortably?”
“…”
That made me smile bitterly. I wondered how long she had hesitated to bring that up.
I inwardly questioned, What do you know?
What exactly has she said up until now?
“Comfortably… well.”
I couldn’t force myself to ask, though.
After hearing my response, Wi Seol-ah lowered her head deeply.
“Do you… know who she is?”
“…I have a vague idea.”
The term “vague” hints that it’s not complete knowledge.
“Then do you know about me too?”
“I don’t know the specifics….”
Maybe she hadn’t said anything about it. That’s quite possible.
Knowing too much could do more harm than good.
“Want me to tell you?”
That was a statement loaded with implications.
About my secrets. About my discussions with her.
If Wi Seol-ah was genuinely curious right now, I could open up.
However, upon hearing my statement, Wi Seol-ah shook her head.
It was unexpected. I had presumed she’d show some curiosity.
“You don’t want that from me, Prince.”
“…”
“If you were her, she would have said the same.”
“You’re not her. You’re free to do as you wish with your life…”
“True. I’m not your sister. But since you prefer not to know, I won’t pry. That’s just how I feel too.”
I was caught off guard by her resolute interruption in our dialogue.
“I will be different from my sister.”
“…”
That statement invoked a whirlwind of complex thoughts.
I hoped it would be so, yet I wondered if it was even possible.
“My sister wished it that way, and I hope for it too.”
Her words had a weight that was surprisingly heavy.
“Still, if there’s one similarity… it is that both my sister and I have the same feelings for you, Prince.”
While Wi Seol-ah’s expression displayed sorrow,
her demeanor was undeniably confident, as if she had overcome something.
“Thank you, Prince, for coming to see me.”
It was almost humorous.
I smiled at her joyous expression.
Instead of laughing, I simply shoved more food into my mouth.
“Will I be able to see you again, sister?”
“Yeah. We’ll definitely meet again.”
I answered without a second thought, receiving Wi Seol-ah’s remark which sounded more like a daydream.
This time, she seemed genuinely surprised.
“I’ll make it happen, you know.”
I rose from the rock, grasping Wi Seol-ah’s hand.
As I held her hand, she flinched.
I then said, “Let’s go.”
“Uh… where to?”
She looked as if she was expectant, and I vaguely understood what Wi Seol-ah yearned for.
Unfortunately, the ensuing plans did not include that.
“I have to go check on the children.”
Upon hearing my statement, Wi Seol-ah’s expression crumpled in an unusual manner.
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