Chapter 535: The Beginning of an Upheaval.
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 535: The Beginning of an Upheaval.
Night gave way to dawn.
To be precise, the sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon.
“Haa…”
As soon as I finished my simple morning training, I washed up, letting the wind dry my skin.
It was partly to rinse off the sweat, but more than that, I just wanted to wash something away.
It was proof of how suffocated I felt.
“…What the hell am I supposed to do?”
My mind was in chaos because of what happened last night.
-Please kill me.
The Dark King had appeared so suddenly, explained his curse, and begged me to end his life.
In the end, I hadn’t killed him.
“Tch…”
If you asked why, the reason was simple.
How could I just kill him because he asked me to?
It wasn’t that I was afraid of killing.
How could something like that possibly scare me now?
Nor did I have any particular attachment to the Dark King.
What kind of attachment could I possibly have for him?
If I had to find a reason, it was simply that it felt wrong.
I understood his wish and the problem with the curse, but for some reason, killing him felt unsettling.
I didn’t know if it was because of the curse tied to him, or because of the fact that I was a Dragon.
That was the real reason.
Besides.
Opportunities to gain information like this are rare.
It wasn’t just the unsettling feeling; I also couldn’t afford to just let the Dark King go.
He wants something from me.
What the Dark King wanted was clear.
He wanted me to break the curse binding him.
Whether that meant breaking it directly or freeing him through death.
Do you know what my first thought was when I heard that?
Can I use this?
Disgustingly, that was it.
Considering the value the Dark King possessed, I couldn’t help it.
And what’s more.
I also need to find out about myself.
He seemed to know more about Dragons than I did, and he said that because he possessed Dragon blood, he could use a power called ‘Authority’.
He said the power I used at the Heavenly Dragon Academy was that, right?
Not only that, but it seemed that power was also the reason he’d killed me hundreds of times during my training.
Meaning, it wasn’t a martial art.
The identity of that power, which never seemed like a martial art no matter how I looked at it—now that I knew, it made sense.
It was too ambiguous to be a formation.
And it was far from being a martial art, so no matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t understand.
If it was an inhuman power, on the other hand, that I could understand.
It would be better if it were some separate power, and what’s more…
Can I use it too?
If I, who was no longer human, could also use it, that would be welcome news.
Since I was desperately lacking in strength, it wouldn’t be a bad thing to fill the gap with anything I could.
The problem was…
So… what the hell is a Dragon?
Before any of that, I just had to figure out what a Dragon was.
The one who cursed the Dark King—that is, the Yeon bloodline—was presumed to be the Blood Demon.
And the Blood Demon is presumed to be a Dragon.
He called it the Dragon Emperor.
Recalling that the Blood Qi had called it the Dragon Emperor, it meant that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Blood Demon was a Dragon.
Then, what about my mother?
Judging by my father’s reaction, my mother was also an inhuman being.
I already knew she wasn’t human since he’d called her a calamity in the first place, but…
…Is my mother a Dragon, too?
I wondered if that was how I should see it.
I judged that my father recalling my mother upon seeing my changed form was likely for that very reason.
The Blood Demon is a Dragon.
If my mother is also a Dragon.
“…Could it be that all the things called ‘calamities’ are actually ‘Dragons’?”
If so, does my becoming this thing called a Dragon mean that a calamity has manifested within me?
“Hmm…”
I’m finding these infuriatingly scattered pieces of information one by one and fitting them together…
…but somehow the result feels even more fucked up.
“…Shit.”
Because no matter how I looked at it, the conclusion that I was some kind of calamity didn’t change.
In fact, it was becoming even clearer.
It was a truly shitty situation.
“This is why I should have just stayed quietly holed up somewhere instead of sticking my neck out in the first place.”
I should have stuck to my original goal, saved who I needed to save, and lived secluded in the mountains.
Why did I have to go and try to save the world, only for things to turn out like this?
It was absurd.
I tried to stop the Blood Calamity, and now I’ve become a calamity myself.
Isn’t that hilarious.
No, it’s not confirmed that I’m a calamity yet.
Should I try to have some hope?
Bullshit. As if that’s possible.
Even I knew it was a ridiculous wish.
It’s just that the one lingering question was preventing me from accepting it.
Because if I’m the calamity, then that creates a problem regarding the Heavenly Demon.
The one who started the Blood Calamity was the Heavenly Demon.
I know that, which is why I’ve been running myself ragged trying to stop the future Blood Calamity.
If I’m the calamity, doesn’t that make things strange?
For that reason alone, I can’t bring myself to believe it, even if all the arrows are pointing at me.
“…Elder Shin, is there anything you know?”
I called out to Elder Shin in my frustration, but…
[…]
Elder Shin didn’t answer.
“Hmm…”
He probably wasn’t ignoring me on purpose. I had an idea why.
Last night, from the moment he heard that the Dark King’s bloodline was cursed.
From that point on, Elder Shin’s reaction had been unusual, as if he’d received a great shock.
[…How… How could this be…?]
Was it a lament or shock? Elder Shin had uttered those words in a trembling voice before disappearing.
He probably wasn’t asleep like before; he likely needed time to think.
The Yeon bloodline was cursed by the Blood Demon.
This fact seemed to have been a considerable shock to Elder Shin.
I was curious about this part, too.
What in the world happened?
Yeon Il-Cheon, who sealed the Blood Demon and then vanished.
That man, recorded in history as a hero, had descendants who were living inhuman lives under the Blood Demon’s curse.
To serve a Dragon.
The more I thought about it, the more absurd the curse seemed.
It couldn’t be broken by death.
To break it, one had to either pass it on to the next generation or have that thing called a Dragon lift the curse.
What a wretched karma.
How wretched must it be for the Dark King to seek salvation to the point of wishing for his own death?
It was something I couldn’t quite understand.
However.
Even so.
I can’t just let the Dark King die.
Even if he begs for death because his life is agonizing, I can’t just let that happen.
Sorry, but my situation isn’t exactly easy either.
In this increasingly dog-shit situation, the existence of the Dark King is of considerable value.
And if he wants something from me…
…I have to make use of him.
Opportunities like this were rare.
It was also the kind of situation I liked best.
A useful person who wants something from me.
They’re the easiest to handle and the easiest to discard.
“…Tsk…”
But trying to use him brought up this shitty feeling again and again.
-Please kill me.
The way the Dark King had pleaded for me to kill him…
Unlike his usual expressionless face, the look he had then bothered me.
It’s a truly detestable thing to do.
To torment not someone who wants to live, but someone who wants to die.
It’s just so disgusting.
I knew all too well that for the person on the receiving end, life would truly turn into a living hell.
That was exactly what I had experienced in my past life, so how could I not know?
As someone who knew that feeling better than anyone, it was something I never wanted to do.
But even though I knew this full well, I had no choice.
I had too much to protect to worry about every little thing like that.
“…This is really pissing me off.”
Thinking about it made my blood boil.
I wasn’t angry at the situation.
It was just.
Anger at myself for using even those feelings of his.
* * *
“You’ve come.”
Right after washing my face, I headed straight for the Poison King’s residence.
Seeing the Poison King, who had grown haggard in just a day, I smiled and spoke.
“You’re not looking so good.”
He was never a fleshy person, but he hadn’t been thin either. In the short time I hadn’t seen him, he had withered considerably.
It’s only been a day…
It must mean he’d had an incredibly difficult time.
As if he knew it himself, the Poison King gave me a bitter smile and said.
“…There was just so much to do.”
The Poison King’s words, delivered with a bitter smile, were heavy.
Was it because I knew his situation so well?
He’s smiling, but he’s not really smiling.
He couldn’t help it.
An elder had died.
In fact, it wasn’t just the First Elder.
As soon as they heard the news that the First Elder had been slaughtered, the Third and Fourth Elders had tried to flee.
But they were caught by an unknown martial artist.
It was obvious who that unknown martial artist was.
…He’s been busy.
It had to be my father. He said he was going to clean everything up, and it seemed he really did it.
He didn’t come back all night; he must have been busy running around.
So, the Poison King’s appearance was probably because of that.
If an elder dies, it doesn’t just end there.
In a noble clan, what an elder possesses isn’t just a title.
Each one has their own faction to manage.
The larger the family, the larger those factions would be.
If three elders from such a prestigious family died, what would happen to the factions they managed?
They scatter and collapse.
The master of a family is the lord.
This is a matter of course, but…
…it’s obvious that the ways of the world don’t always follow that rule.
Even if the lord is the one they should pledge loyalty to, you can’t stop factions from forming around the elders directly above them.
The Namgung Clan was a prime example.
The power of the council of elders was so strong that the Sword King couldn’t wield his authority as the lord.
…In our case, my father just lets it slide.
The Gu Clan is a special case, so I’ll set that aside.
The Tang Clan wasn’t on the same level as the Namgung Clan, but there was no way the elders’ power was weak.
The vacuum created by the elders’ deaths must have become a problem.
Ultimately, it’s not the Poison King’s fault…
You couldn’t say it was the Poison King’s problem that the elders died for doing something that deserved death, but…
…the fact that he seems to lack the time and power to get it all under control is a problem.
The situation was not good.
It would be hard enough to control one faction, but he had to control three at the same time.
And on top of that, another incident has already blown up.
In an already difficult situation, something that could make the Tang Clan stagger had also occurred.
It was only natural for the Poison King to look like that.
That’s why it was strange.
Because a man who should be running around until his feet sweat was perfectly fine in his residence.
“You must still have a lot of work to do, so why are you here?”
“Because I knew. That you would be coming soon, Young Master.”
“…Hmm…?”
I had to tilt my head at the Poison King’s words.
He knew I would come?
“My memory is a bit hazy. Did I say I was coming today?”
“Not in so many words… but I had a feeling you would, Young Master.”
“Well, I’ll be…”
I don’t know what everyone sees in me that makes them predict my actions.
The annoying part is that they’re mostly right.
“So, you were waiting for me?”
“…I have my thanks to offer, and I also had something to ask.”
At that, I lightly crossed my arms.
I didn’t really need his thanks; it was the latter part that bothered me.
“Something to ask?”
“I heard my daughter collapsed while talking with you, Young Master.”
“…”
Tch.
I immediately uncrossed my arms.
Damn it.
“…There were some circumstances regarding that…”
“I’m not trying to blame you, so you don’t have to be nervous.”
“Oh, really? That’s a relief.”
“…”
Was my cheerful response the problem?
The Poison King’s expression twisted slightly.
…Hey, I just said I was relieved because you said it was fine. Why are you making that face?
“…That was mostly a joke. Now, let’s get to the main point.”
“There’s another main point?”
It seemed he wasn’t actually curious about Tang Soyeol.
Then what was it?
Just as I was narrowing my eyes and staring at the Poison King,
Shhk.
He took something out from his robes.
Huh?
I looked to see what it was, and it was a Heavenly Poison Orb.
It looked like the one I gave him. Why was he suddenly taking that out? I watched him, filled with questions.
“Young Master Gu.”
“Yes.”
The Poison King said to me.
“I know that you have more Heavenly Poison Orbs.”
“…!”
My eyes widened at his words.
…How did he know?
Did I tell him I had a bunch?
I couldn’t remember clearly, but there was no way.
I know myself well.
I might have gobbled up something that good all by myself, but there was no way I would have honestly said I had more.
So, how on earth did the Poison King know?
I stared at him with surprised eyes, unable to figure out the reason.
“Haha.”
The Poison King suddenly burst out laughing.
What’s with this guy, why is he laughing?
Just as I was wondering if he’d lost his mind.
“I was just testing the waters. It seems you really do have more.”
“…?”
I had to let out a sharp exhale at the Poison King’s smiling words.
Damn it.
I sighed and realized.
The one who had lost their mind wasn’t the Poison King, but me.
Was it because I heard too much yesterday?
I could think that, but…
…that’s not a helpful excuse.
It was purely because I was being an idiot.
“Tsk, should I give it back?”
It was too late to deny it, so I just said it like a confession.
“With a face that looks so unwilling to give it up?”
“Ah, you caught me.”
My brazen attitude seemed to make the Poison King’s expression even stranger.
I didn’t like it, but I meant what I said.
If he asked for it back, I’d have to give it.
It belonged to the Tang Clan in the first place.
…Even if Tang Jaemoon gave it to me.
Even so, I had intended to give it back if the Poison King asked.
Of course, my intention was to hide it well so that wouldn’t happen.
Damn it. To think I’d get caught so stupidly.
…Should I squirrel away maybe three orbs when I give them back?
Inwardly, I was unknowingly getting greedy.
I wanted to give it back without any fuss, but it was the Heavenly Poison Orb of all things, which made it harder.
No, three orbs should be fine, right…? I went through a lot of trouble, too.
Just as I was contemplating how to skim some off the top, the Poison King spoke.
“If you need it, you can keep it all.”
“Pardon?”
I could take it all.
At his words, I stopped all thought and looked into the Poison King’s eyes.
He’s giving me all of it?
“…”
Hearing his words, I met the Poison King’s gaze. A strange feeling washed over me.
Should I be grateful for this unbelievable consideration?
Should I be relieved that I didn’t have to give it back?
Or should I be happy about this unexpected windfall?
Unfortunately, it was none of the three.
The feeling that arose from the Poison King’s words was a chill.
My gaze had turned cold without me realizing it.
As I met his gaze with such eyes, this time, the Poison King reacted.
“…My, I was too hasty. Does this mean we’ve each made a mistake now?”
Just as the Poison King had found out what I was hiding.
This time, I had found out something from the Poison King.
“What is it?”
My low, cold voice flowed out toward the Poison King.
He was hasty and made a mistake.
That’s what he himself had just said.
He shouldn’t have offered up the Heavenly Poison Orbs so hastily.
If he was going to do it, he should have been more subtle.
That way, I wouldn’t have noticed the intention behind it. But he failed to do so.
And I noticed that intention.
“What are you planning?”
There was something.
There was something behind the Poison King’s intention in so easily offering me the Heavenly Poison Orbs.
“Young Master Gu.”
Fortunately, it seemed he had no intention of denying it like I did. Or perhaps, he was just too tired for that now.
I thought it was the latter. As if to confirm my thoughts, the Poison King spoke to me with a weary face.
“In the near future, the Murim Alliance will likely make an announcement.”
“…About what?”
An announcement? What are they announcing?
“Don’t tell me you’re announcing the incident that happened in the Tang Clan?”
Did he really write it all down and send it to the Murim Alliance?
I asked at the unexpected turn of events, but.
“That’s not it.”
The Poison King denied my words.
…So it’s not that?
As expected, no matter what, the Poison King wouldn’t have done that himself.
Just as I was about to nod at that thought.
“The announcement the Alliance will make is that the Tang Clan will be stepping down from the Four Noble Clans.”
“…?”
Something even more shocking came out.
What did I just hear?
I couldn’t easily process it.
I was sure I heard him correctly, but no matter how I thought about it, I couldn’t understand.
So I asked the Poison King.
“…Lord Tang.”
“Speak.”
“Have you by any chance taken some drugs…? Some of the strong stuff?”
“…”
At my question, the Poison King’s brow furrowed deeply.