Chapter 223: Omen (10)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 223: Omen (10)
By the time I stepped out of the jail, the sun was beginning its descent.
My conversation with the Lord of the Hao Clan hadn't been particularly long. Once I'd mentioned the White Demonic Stone, things had proceeded smoothly. I'd gotten what I wanted from the exchange.
And I'd made sure he had nothing left to say once it was over.
But why?
I found myself with more questions than I'd started with.
-You are the owner of the Ancient Book.
Elder Mook had stared at me as he said those words. That was where it all began.
After uttering them, his previously darkened expression cleared, and he gave me the answer I sought.
-The Palace Lord is looking for an entrance.
Last time, his words had been evasive, circling the point. This time, he gave me a straight answer with surprising ease. It made me wonder what had changed his mind.
I met his gaze and pressed him.
-An entrance… you say?
-Yes. The Palace Lord is searching for the entrance that leads to the Sangcheon.
Sangcheon.
The name sent a jolt through me. Sangcheon was the third Abyss to manifest in the world, a place I had visited countless times in my past life. That was to be expected, as it was a realm the Heavenly Demon frequented. While the Demonic Cult's main base was in Xinjiang, the Heavenly Demon's true seat of power was the Demonic Realm of Sangcheon.
Elder Mook's words plunged me into deep thought.
Why?
If he was telling the truth, why would the Palace Lord be searching for the entrance to Sangcheon? More importantly, why resort to torturing the Hao Clan's Lord to get the information?
-It's because only I know how to get to Sangcheon.
-…Only you?
-Yes.
I couldn't make sense of it. There were four known entrances to the Abyss. The Gate of Demons, which tore through the air to summon monsters, was a one-way passage; no one could enter it. True, there were rare, extraordinary occasions when it devoured people, but those were exceptions.
Aside from that perpetually open gate on the battlefield, which endlessly spewed forth demons…
Jincheon, Taecheon, Sangcheon, and Guicheon. Those were the four gateways to the Abyss, to the Demonic Realm.
…Though, technically, there are six.
There was one entrance still unknown to the world—a place I'd been sucked into in my past life, thanks to Jang Seonyeon's idiocy. But that was more of an anomaly, an artificial construct. For all practical purposes, four entrances existed in the world, and most were managed by powerful factions.
The Murim Alliance alone controlled the entrances to Taecheon and Jincheon. Other groups managed Sangcheon and Guicheon. This meant knowledge of Sangcheon was already public.
So why would Elder Mook claim he alone possessed that information? And why would the Palace Lord abduct him for it?
Parts of his story didn't add up, making it hard to believe.
-The Sangcheon known to the world is not the real one.
-It's not real?
-Yes… If anyone truly knew what lies within, they would not be let off lightly unless they were permanently silenced.
That was what Elder Mook had said.
But what does that even mean?
This, too, was difficult to accept. Especially when I considered Elder Mook's identity…
Why is the old man suddenly behaving this way toward me?
Just before leaving the jail, I bit my lip, pondering his strange demeanor.
-It doesn't matter whether you believe me or not. If you truly are the owner, you will find out for yourself anyway.
Find out anyway? I hate that phrase. If I'm going to learn eventually, why not just tell me now?
-What do you mean by 'owner'? Explain it in a way I can understand.
Frowning, I watched as Elder Mook fell silent for a moment, then reached his hand out toward me.
Ssss…
-…!
Energy began to flow from his shoulder, coalescing above my own hand.
-What is this…
It started to take the shape of an object.
-…How?
Elder Mook, like Gu Huibi, was supposed to be incapable of using Qi, suppressed by Demonic Qi. Even the mighty Sword Queen couldn't break free under similar constraints. So how was he doing this?
…Maybe it's not Qi?
It didn't feel like Demonic Qi, or Blood Qi either.
Ignoring my confusion, the energy finished forming into an object. I didn't recognize it, but it resembled a seal of some kind.
As I stared in surprise, Elder Mook spoke.
-Take it, if you are curious.
-You want me to take this?
-Yes.
-What is it? Why give it to me?
-That is for you to discover.
-Pardon?
What was this old man talking about? I gave him an incredulous look, and a smile crept onto his face.
-I've given you this much, and you still want to be spoon-fed? A man should solve his own problems.
-What are you talking about? I thought this was a trade…
-A trade? You mean the White Demonic Stone?
-…Yes.
-Ah, yes. I need it. The White Demonic Stone… I did need it.
Elder Mook didn't question how I knew about the stone or that he needed it. His reaction suggested it was unnecessary.
-However, I have reached a point where I no longer require it.
-Huh?
-So, whether it's a White Demonic Stone or a White Golden Stone, you may keep it for yourself.
I'd planned to do that anyway, but his words left me bewildered. And that was the end of our conversation.
It was as if everything was now my responsibility—whether I believed him, whether I pursued the matter—none of it seemed to concern him anymore. The old man simply lost interest.
After we finished talking, he started preparing to sleep, just as he had been before I arrived.
-…Elder?
He's really going to sleep? Just like that?
-I don't think we're finished ye-
-I have said all I need to say to you. The rest is up to you.
-You call that enough? Isn't that irresponsible?
-If I take a shit in my own mouth, must I also take responsibility for that?
I'm going to lose my mind. This guy is utterly bizarre. If I had to compare him, he's similar to the Second Elder and his lot…
Oh.
-Elder.
-Tch, stop calling me alr-
-Are you, by any chance, close with our Second Elder?
-…
Elder Mook fell silent at my question. The quiet was unnerving.
-How rude. To think I would be associated with that fool.
-So you are.
-I said I'm not!
I can't believe they're friends. What has the Second Elder been doing outside the clan to have acquaintances like this? I should have known; when I asked him before if he knew Elder Mook, his reaction was suspicious.
Elder Mook lay down on the floor, clearly wanting to end the discussion, and began to snore softly. He genuinely seemed done talking.
Just as I considered leaving…
-Oh.
Elder Mook, who had been snoring, suddenly sat up and looked straight at me.
-On your way back, tell your father to come see me. I have something to discuss with him.
His voice was perfectly normal, as if he'd never been asleep.
-And that… don't lose it. Take good care of it. It is a valuable item, one you cannot find anywhere else.
I glanced down at the seal. He called it valuable, but it was covered in rust and scratches, clearly ancient.
-What even is this thing for you to…
-Snore.
-…
I seriously considered burning his hair off instead of his eyebrows, but I barely restrained myself. After observing him a moment longer, I informed the steward of Elder Mook's request and left the jail.
Oh, and I also told the steward not to feed Elder Mook today or tomorrow.
* * *
The present.
I found myself out on the streets with Tang Soyeol and Namgung Bi-ah, keeping a promise I'd made to them. Since I often came here with Wi Seol-Ah, it didn't feel special. I was only here because the girls seemed to want it.
The problem was, once we arrived, I was left behind while the three girls moved as a group.
"Sis! Over there… look!"
"Hmm…?"
"Let's go there too!"
Having left the clan several days in a row, Wi Seol-Ah was in an especially cheerful mood. As a result, Tang Soyeol and Namgung Bi-ah were being dragged around, their faces etched with exhaustion.
As I watched them…
[Why didn't you press him further?]
Elder Shin's voice echoed in my mind.
Are you talking about Elder Mook?
[Yes. There was much you could have asked. About the Ancient Book, or the Hao Clan's secret regarding the entrance to Sangcheon.]
He wasn't wrong.
[So why didn't you?]
…
I fell silent at Elder Shin's question. It wasn't that I couldn't answer, but a strange feeling held me back. At that moment, I'd felt I shouldn't ask anything more.
…Did the Hao Clan's Lord do something to me?
It was possible. After all, he had managed to use some mysterious power even with his Qi blocked by Demonic Qi.
However…
That doesn't seem to be the case.
I chose to believe it wasn't. It would be strange for an old man with such power to remain docilely in a jail cell.
[…And yet you believe he conjured an object from energy?]
I saw it happen right before my eyes. How could I not believe it?
Besides, in this life, I've experienced so many absurdities that little surprises me anymore.
A snake as large as a building… a ghost trapped within a treasure… even a talking fish… After all that, something like this barely registers.
And I've lived through a regression. What could be more shocking than that?
In a way, that was the problem. I had traveled back in time, yet there seemed to be more I didn't know than what I did. It was absurd.
Was I really that careless and simple in my past life?
I should have worked harder. A pang of regret struck me.
As I swallowed against my dry throat, Wi Seol-Ah, who had been some distance away, came hopping over and crashed into my arms.
"Young Master!"
"Didn't I tell you not to run?"
"Hehe!"
After rubbing her face against my chest, she pointed behind her. I looked and saw Namgung Bi-ah.
"Huh?"
Her hair was tied up in a strange style.
"Isn't it pretty?"
Wi Seol-Ah sounded proud, as if she'd been the one to do it. But how was I supposed to respond?
Pigtails… It was a hairstyle difficult to look at for long.
"...She looks fine no matter what you do to her."
Namgung Bi-ah herself seemed completely unbothered by her appearance. She looked at me and asked.
"Is it strange?"
"It's not… strange, I suppose?"
With a face like hers, it was impossible for her to look ugly.
Seemingly satisfied with my answer, Namgung Bi-ah nodded. Then…
"Hmm?"
She reached her hand out toward me.
Did she want me to hold it? I took her hand, but she pulled it away, as if that wasn't what she meant.
Was that not it?
[You've gotten quite accustomed to grabbing her hand, reaching for it the moment she offers.]
…Do you have to comment on everything?
[Because I dislike it. I hate seeing you receive such treatment.]
Then why don't you hold it yourself.
[…What did you say, you brat?]
Elder Shin unleashed a stream of vulgar curses, but my ears were so accustomed to it that the words didn't even register.
"Why are you holding your hand out?"
"Buy it for me."
"…What?"
How could she be so blunt? Namgung Bi-ah was outright asking me for money. Not that I minded buying her something, but it was rather sudden.
"…I didn't bring any money…"
"Then you should ask if you can borrow some, not demand that I buy it for you."
"…Receiving it… feels better."
I couldn't help but laugh at her words.
"You've become a bit shameless lately, you know that?"
"…You don't want to? Then you don't have-"
"I never said I didn't want to."
I walked past Namgung Bi-ah toward the merchant. As I was about to pay, my eyes fell on Tang Soyeol.
"What about you?"
"W-What?"
My question seemed to startle her. I'd asked because I'd noticed her looking on with envy.
"Didn't you want one too?"
"No, it's not… like th… Actually, yes. I want one too."
She started to deny it, but, unable to suppress her desire, she ended up nodding.
Seeing this, I grew curious.
Why don't any of these girls have money?
Wi Seol-Ah was understandable, but it was strange that Namgung Bi-ah or Tang Soyeol were penniless.
"Which one do you want?"
When I asked, Tang Soyeol hurried over and quickly picked one out. It seemed she'd already had her eye on it—a hair accessory shaped like the petal of a white flower.
"Is this okay?"
Tang Soyeol gave a slight nod in response. I noticed her ears had turned red. She seemed deeply embarrassed to be asking me to buy something for her.
"I'll take two of these."
"Oho! You have a good eye! That will be 50 Yuan."
"…50 Yuan for these two?"
I paused as I reached for the coins in my pocket. It was more expensive than I'd expected. For a moment, I considered backing out, but since I'd already promised, I paid up, grinding my teeth.
The unexpected expense pained me, but seeing Namgung Bi-ah's slight smile and Tang Soyeol trying to hold back a laugh was satisfaction enough.
I asked Wi Seol-Ah if she wanted something too.
"I'm happy with what you got me last time!"
She declined, saying she was content.
* * *
Night fell.
Being dragged around by three girls all day was more exhausting than training with everything I had. I wasn't joking. But I couldn't let my fatigue show, so I kept my mouth shut and accompanied them. I at least had that much sense.
Since I was entering closed-door cultivation tomorrow, I planned to relax and sort through the day's events. But just as I had changed and was about to lie down, a visitor arrived.
It was someone I'd completely forgotten about amidst the day's activities.
"Hello, Young Master Gu."
A sweet voice carrying a strange aura. A woman who belonged to the midnight hour more than the night itself.
Moyong Hi-ah had come to see me.
"I apologize for visiting so late. If it is not too much trouble, may I enter?"
I looked at Moyong Hi-ah, who spoke so cautiously, and responded with discomfort.
"…If you're sorry, could you not come at all?"
"No, I'm sorry, but I will be entering."
"…"
Then why did you ask, you crazy bitch?