Chapter: 568
After meeting Woo Bong-chui-gae.
We returned to our accommodation and immediately started packing.
Contrary to our expectations that it would take a long time, things were wrapped up quickly.
[Since Woo Bong-chui-gae confirmed it, there’s no need for further discussion.]
That was what the Wudang Sword Master, who hadn’t even shown his face since we arrived at Wudang, told us.
It was simply stated that the Ark of Openness had finished its interrogation, so there was no need for any further interaction.
From the listener’s perspective, it was rather absurd.
‘You’ve seen everything, so there’s no need to keep chatting?’
He mentioned that he had come as a guest, only showing his face once before abruptly ending the visit.
Well, I suppose the inspector will be going to finish up later.
It felt as though they didn’t really want to talk to us, the latecomers.
I really wanted to believe that this feeling stemmed from my own light sense of inferiority.
But that wasn’t the only thing gnawing at me.
‘But it is a bit strange to not come visit me after all!’
I wasn’t trying to boast.
It was an objective observation, after all.
In a situation where not only I but also Geomryong, who could one day become the next Sword King, and Gu Ryeong-hwa, the known disciple of Geomhu, were present, why wouldn’t the Wudang Sword Master show his face?
This indeed posed a problem.
It implied that they didn’t want to leave a good impression on the latecomer who might take control of the Central Plains in the future.
‘Oh, the gentleman who values position so much, really now.’
What could possibly be the reason for bringing the Ark of Openness here?
While it could be for understanding the problem with the Wind and Cloud Road or the truth behind the attack…
I surmised there might be some hidden agenda at play here.
Of course.
‘That certainly was part of the intention.’
I had predicted the Wudang Sword Master’s behavior would turn out this way.
I both hoped for it and dreaded it.
‘I didn’t expect Woo Bong-chui-gae to come here in person.’
I really didn’t think that the Ark of Openness would show up in person.
At least I knew a few members from the Open Ark would come along.
‘…That’s how it should be.’
The reason I anticipated this was quite simple.
The first reason being the previous incident regarding the Wind and Cloud Road that I had mentioned earlier.
Despite repeatedly saying it, even if it wasn’t the fault of the Hwasan Sect, the Wudang needed attention, so they probably would have used the incident to spread rumors.
“[The Wudang chosen by Wind and Cloud Road.]” or something of that nature.
The issue here is… because the Wudang Sword Master mentioned the Wind and Cloud Road while trying to leverage this, Woo Bong-chui-gae had to step into action.
This was quite a tricky situation for me.
I didn’t know Woo Bong-chui-gae very well, and I felt an underlying anxiety that he could possibly catch on to something.
‘It went by easier than I expected.’
Fortunately, no issues arose. This was, quite frankly, an unexpected outcome.
And thanks to that…
‘This turned out to be rather positive.’
It wasn’t what I had anticipated, but it ended up being a fairly good situation.
The reason behind it was straightforward.
‘Not only did the Wudang get attacked, but now that Woo Bong-chui-gae is moving to corroborate it.’
This alone would stir quite the gossip.
And another vital point.
‘This seems to be what the Wudang Sword Master wants.’
I figured the Wudang Sword Master would want these rumors to spread widely.
And.
‘The Heavenly Demon who attacked here will, instead, become glorified throughout the Central Plains.’
It had to be that way.
Only then would the Wudang establishing their reputation be justified, especially since the attack had been successful.
Heavenly Demons are formidable.
They’re strong enough that a Wudang without the Wudang Sword Master wouldn’t be able to stop them.
And they happen to be a villainous entity, antagonizing the sect.
That’s the way it should be portrayed.
If they want to protect the public image of the Wudang and mobilize the sects to capture the so-called Heavenly Demon, it must be done.
Rather than a perception that Wudang was getting taken down by some random goon.
It’s far better to say they fell to a master so powerful they were beyond stopping.
‘Not too shabby.’
Looking at it this way, it’s a win-win for me. That is, up until now.
I shifted my gaze.
In the midst of the wind, beyond the trees, toward the heart of the Wudang.
I fixed my cold, piercing gaze where they resided.
‘I wish I had managed to kill a couple more.’
I had killed Woo Baek.
Ji-cheol had been corrupted and committed suicide.
But even though I had taken down both the Wudang’s present and future…
It still felt insufficient.
‘What a pity.’
I should have taken out at least a bit more.
While the plan had reached the optimal limit, it unfortunately still feels lacking.
I had the intention to kill all of the elders of the Wudang.
After all…
‘Wouldn’t that guy feel a bit relieved then?’
I smiled bitterly while reminiscing. The face of my friend, who used to annoy me by tailing me, popped into my head.
He was always a bother, and even through the insults, he never left my side.
In the end, it didn’t turn out that way.
I recall the last thing he said to me.
[Go ahead first. Thank you.]
This was spoken by the guy who bled fighting off endless monsters.
You fool.
‘What is there to be thankful for?’
The incomprehensible gratitude he expressed lingers deeply within my heart.
Why would he throw away his precious life instead of taking care of himself and allowing that useless body to be cast aside?
Had he survived, wouldn’t it have been better?
The sleeping dragon ended up dying after all.
That day, the Wudang’s brightest star lost its brilliance.
Do you know what’s laughable here?
The sleeping dragon shed a star for me.
And those who tried to bring that star down were none other than this Wudang itself.
By the time I came to understand this fact, it was far too late.
Only then did I plan to burn them alive, but at that time, the Heavenly Demon ordered me not to lay a finger on the Wudang.
Why the Heavenly Demon gave such a directive to me is a mystery.
Nevertheless, what’s pivotal is the fact that the Wudang had drove their brightest star into a corner.
What could the reason be?
Why did the Wudang need to kill their most radiant star in such a manner?
I don’t know. I don’t care either.
What I see is simply that they murdered the sleeping dragon.
So, all I really needed to focus on was that.
And the perpetrator behind this act.
‘He’s among the elders.’
While there’s a chance the Wudang Sword Master participated, it’s certain that some culprits lie among the elders.
I don’t know who exactly they are. I don’t know how many there might be.
Yet it didn’t matter in the least.
If the precise culprit remains unknown…
‘Then I just have to kill them all.’
All I need to do is eliminate all the suspicious individuals.
That would solve the issue.
“Tsk.”
What a shame.
The meticulously laid-out plan might go awry, so I’ll have to pause here.
Just like that, it was unavoidable.
‘Since I made this decision, I shall stick to it.’
When I set my mind on finishing my training and leaving, a particular rule dawned on me.
Even if I seek revenge, I must keep it auxiliary so it doesn’t interfere with what I must accomplish.
Attempting to delve into more work here would be a blatant disturbance.
So, I just need to hold back.
‘For now.’
Patience is key. I’ve prepared the timing, so I must hold back for the moment.
That mantra had to keep echoing in my head.
“Hmm.”
I inhaled sharply and gathered my thoughts.
Turning my emotions inward, whoosh-
I felt my energy swirling and my mind cooling down.
But…
Jolt.
“…Ugh…”
As I tried to circulate my energy, pain shot through my heart.
That must be due to my injuries.
The agony was stronger than I anticipated, forcing me to frown and endure it.
‘…I should probably go check in with a healer.’
Although I had initially planned to go straight to Hanam, it seemed I’d need to see Shinui first.
Given the rhythm of events already unfolding, I needed to gather not only Shinui but also those “guys” to discuss our next steps.
‘Ji-seon must have returned to Hwangbo Se-ga. I’ll inform him to come to Hanam.’
What to do with the rest of the arrangement?
Just then, as I was tidying up my clothes and rolling those thoughts around in my head…
Rustle.
“…!”
A strange sense of discomfort washed over me.
I turned my head toward the sound that broke my train of thought.
The sight before me left me breathless.
Someone was sitting at the table in a place where there clearly shouldn’t have been anyone.
“Ho ho.”
The Ark of Openness, Woo Bong-chui-gae. He was comfortably settled at my desk, drinking tea he prepared without my knowledge.
I couldn’t help but break out into a cold sweat looking at the old man.
‘When on earth did he show up?’
I hadn’t sensed a thing. Not even when the old man entered the place, and not when he was preparing tea so casually.
I felt absolutely nothing.
‘Is it because of my injury?’
Due to my disheveled energy, I hadn’t noticed the old man’s movements.
If not that…
‘Did I not sense him at all?’
There was even a chance I simply didn’t detect the old man’s presence from the very beginning. After all, he was who he was.
‘…A Wind and Clouds Ghost.’
The legendary thief that no one could catch. Considering the old man’s past, it’s entirely possible.
‘Now is not the time for this.’
I raised my hand before it got too late, intending to show respect.
“…It’s an honor to meet the Lord of Openness.”
“Ho ho. No need for such formalities. Since I dropped in unexpectedly, I shouldn’t ask for that. Rather, I’m the one who should be feeling sorry, really.”
As I tried to show respect, Woo Bong-chui-gae raised his hand to stop me.
“I hope I didn’t startle you too much.”
“…Not at all.”
Surprised? Why would I be surprised?
I stifled the words that almost slipped out.
‘Why did you come?’
Wasn’t the job finished?
Tension rose.
As I merely maintained a neutral expression, unsure of his motives, Woo Bong-chui-gae asked me.
“I came in a hurry because I have something to discuss.”
At the moment, I was genuinely bewildered about what on earth he was seeking to ask.
“Are you feeling alright?”
“Yes…?”
At Woo Bong-chui-gae’s inquiry, my body felt stiffened for a moment.
“You don’t look very well.”
“…”
Hearing Woo Bong-chui-gae’s words, my eyes instinctively narrowed.
My heart began to grow colder.
Various thoughts flickered through my mind in an instant, yet I had to try not to alter my expression.
“What do you mean by that…?”
“Ho ho.”
Woo Bong-chui-gae chuckled at my hesitant words. Though it seemed joyful, that laughter sounded like a blade to my ears.
It was cold. And it felt razor-sharp.
“You’re a child from a good family.”
Woo Bong-chui-gae remarked.
“It seems you are quite skilled at hiding with your energy, but there are still regrettable aspects.”
Swallow.
I could hear the sound of someone trying to swallow hard.
“Even if one can’t see inside, the subtle differences seen outside can’t be concealed. Like your walking, for instance.”
“…!”
“If you feel pain at the tips of your fingers, it’s bound to show some difference. Unfortunately, it seems you aren’t adept at hiding that part.”
Were these observations suggesting that despite my efforts to conceal my internal injuries with my energy, he deciphered my injuries from outward behaviors?
‘No way.’
I was exerting every bit of strength to ensure I wasn’t caught. Yet in that brief moment, I was discovered?
“I don’t really understand what you are saying.”
Despite the chaos overwhelming my insides, my voice remained steady.
“Ho ho.”
Seeing this, Woo Bong-chui-gae laughed again as if he found it amusing.
“Don’t be so tense. I only mentioned it because I was worried. If you want to hide it, feel free.”
“I assure you, I am entirely fine, my Lord.”
“Hmm.”
At first glance, it seemed as if he was trying to let it slide.
But acknowledging it here was not an option. I needed to play the oblivious card all the way to the end.
Even if I got caught.
“Sure, if you say so, then perhaps that’s the case.”
Continuing with my denials, Woo Bong-chui-gae nodded his head.
“Then, can I ask a different question?”
“…”
Before I could even grant him permission, Woo Bong-chui-gae continued speaking.
“Child, do you know if there’s one thing that can’t be properly erased even if all traces are removed?”
With that, the old man placed something gently on the table.
“…!”
I frowned upon seeing it.
Dawn.
The Wudang’s treasure kept by the Hwasan Sect.
This was the very item I had attempted to steal.
Why on earth is Woo Bong-chui-gae holding that?
Even before I could formulate such a question,
Woo Bong-chui-gae looked at me, ready to speak.
“It’s a scent. No matter how much you erase the traces, scent doesn’t easily disappear. That’s why I wanted to ask.”
After hearing that, I needed to think.
“How is it that your scent lingers on this object? Child, do you know why?”
I had to think of a way to eliminate Woo Bong-chui-gae right here and right now.
I needed to come up with something, no matter what.
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