---

Chapter 198: The Topic at Hand

“Let’s talk about the topic, shall we?”

A flame resembling the clear blue sky enveloped my body, illuminating the dark surroundings.

Creeeak—

…

Behind me, the aftermath of Elder Lee’s downward slash with his sword still lingered.

Watching the devastation around me made my shoulders tremble slightly.

A direct hit from that was surely fatal.

Blaming my current state, I thought, ‘I didn’t want this.’

Gazing at the azure flames coiling around my body made my stomach churn.

The energy injected into me by the Blood Demon, it was a strange force once wielded by Jang Seonyeon.

I called it Blood Qi.

Blood Qi massively enhances both body and martial prowess.

This power, somewhat similar yet different from Demon Energy, transformed my flames into a deeper shade of destruction and drastically improved my physical form.

Just employing it had clarified the differences; it was truly an absurd force.

However, the downsides were glaringly obvious.

Using this energy caused my Lower Dantian to drain rapidly.

Despite surrounding myself with flames, my energy, which had been stable, began thin like this.

‘The cost-efficiency is terrible.’

Of course, this power allowed me to turn the situation to my advantage, but that didn’t make it any less welcome.

‘I had to use it or risk danger.’

In the past, I had sworn never to use Demon Energy, but once I realized there were no alternatives, I stopped caring.

However, utilizing someone else’s energy felt profoundly uncomfortable.

If it belonged to some unknown entity, it was even worse.

‘I promised to keep it hidden as much as possible.’

Especially since the color of my flames was turning noticeably different.

I couldn’t casually deploy it anywhere.

Above all…

Thud—!

As soon as I reclaimed the flames surrounding me, I felt a reactive backlash in my body.

I had to grit my teeth to hide it from showing.

I had to be cautious lest my expression fell apart.

‘This is insane… It hurts like hell.’

Even during my return journey, I had used my energy to comprehend it strategically during training, but this was my first time experiencing its backlash in real combat.

But still…

This was a bit too much.

‘I thought I was somewhat used to pain.’

My body might not agree, but I figured my mind was tough enough.

Yet, this was excessive.

‘Indeed, I can’t use it frequently.’

If it ended with just the backlash, that wouldn’t be too bad.

But at this level, my body would definitely succumb to strain.

Currently, I was desperately trying to conceal my slightly trembling arm by crossing them behind my back.

Despite that, I was quite aware of how great this force’s power was.

‘Even if I haven’t reached that level yet…’

Although I hadn’t broken through to the next realm, I had gotten close, even if just for a moment.

Recalling Elder Lee demonstrating top-tier power at the peak was evident.

‘…If used at an even higher plane, will it be similar?’

The thought crossed my mind, but I quickly shook my head.

There’s no way that’s how it would be.

The exalted realms couldn’t be simply accessed through such underhanded methods.

Gurgle… Blood…

Blood dripped from Elder Lee’s mouth as he knelt before me.

I hid my trembling palm and stared at him.

Disheveled hair and a crumbled physique, the elderly man’s trembling eyes glaring at me were pitiful to behold.

Once a powerful member of the Gu Clan and leader of the Gu Exemplar Sect was now undone.

Watching him lie in ruins didn’t bring me any satisfaction, no matter how much he had threatened me.

“Hahh…”

Only a sound of air escaping Elder Lee’s lips lingered.

That was all that remained of his vigor, now dissipated.

“What you have done can surely be uncovered by searching inside.”

“Don’t… don’t do it…”

His faltering words were difficult to decipher, but I could sense his feelings.

“After coming this far, you intend to struggle pathetically? Don’t even try.”

“Why… why are you…! You little brat…!”

“Indeed, why have I ended up like this? What a tragic affair for you.”

Those words were merely a casual utterance.

Even if I lived recklessly, Elder Lee’s fate was already sealed.

His impatience had merely led to this situation.

I casually spoke to him as he poured out his emotions.

“Gu Exemplar Sect leader Gu Changjun.”

Upon my call, Elder Lee’s gaze trembled violently.

“By collaborating with outside forces and harming the clan, let alone attempting to take the life of a blood relative, you are hereby stripped of your title.”

“What right do you, a mere brat, have to conduct such matters…!”

“Does it really matter? If you were to bring the Lesser Clan Leader’s position back right now, would anything change?”

Even if you say you cannot do it, nothing will transform.

Elder Lee probably knew this too.

If my father returned to witness this, would Elder Lee’s position change that drastically?

“I’ve… served the family diligently all this time! How could you, a mere brat, execute my sentence!”

Certainly, Elder Lee had accomplished much during his decades of service at the helm of the Gu Exemplar Sect, wielding the Gu clan’s sword, striving to bring peace to Mount Shan.

His influence was undeniably significant; however…

“That doesn’t give you the right to overstep the bounds you should not.”

“What do you know…?”

“I have no interest in your noble history.”

Being in a position unreachable by branch relatives, no matter how hard he tried.

Whatever hidden past he held was irrelevant to me.

“I don’t need to know that.”

Regardless of the life Elder Lee lived, that was his own journey.

The choices he made were issues only he must bear.

Once the trembling caused by the backlash subsided, I immediately reached out and grasped Elder Lee’s neck.

Trying to resist, he attempted to siphon my energy to twist his body, but he soon coughed up blood.

It seemed Elder Lee was also failing to respond properly.

“…Let go…! No matter how much you are the clan leader’s son, you can’t just do as you wish! The clan’s laws are clear…!”

“Someone who knows the law so well, why did you do such foolishness?”

I tightened my grip and surging energy flowed into him.

Elder Lee had to die here.

Letting him go would mean there’d be very few chances of survival after my father came.

‘I saw him ignite flames.’

Having witnessed Elder Lee dodge my strike before and counter to activate Blood Qi, I couldn’t afford to let him live.

“At least, you won’t die as painfully as last time.”

In my previous life, my father slowly burned him alive while he was still conscious.

There was no need to expend energy to go that far again.

As I intensified my grip, ready to snap his neck—

“First Prince!”

The voice calling from behind me made my body go rigid.

Elder Lee’s reaction was no different.

“Ah… No.”

Elder Lee let out a wretched sound as he watched the figure behind me.

As if he didn’t want to show such a state.

And I felt the same.

‘How did they know to come?’

Turning in surprise, I saw Gu Jeolyub gasping for breath, standing there.

Before things escalated, I had instructed Muyeon to keep Gu Jeolyub’s attention occupied.

How had Gu Jeolyub arrived at the Gu Exemplar Sect?

‘What’s important is not that right now.’

Before me, my grandfather was bleeding profusely while I held him in my grasp.

“Ha… Ha…!”

Gu Jeolyub’s eyes were trembling, reflecting the horrifying scene.

Breathless, he was left speechless, struggling for words.

“F-First Prince. W-What is happening…?”

“Tsk.”

Seeing that, I clicked my tongue and turned my head away.

What a deplorable situation.

A situation I didn’t want to face if I could help it.

[Kiddo!]

Ah…

Hearing Noya’s voice urging me for a decision, I let out a heavy sigh.

This was precisely why I had tried to divert my gaze.

I tightened my grip on Elder Lee’s neck even more.

Crack—!

A heavy sound echoed as the light faded from Elder Lee’s eyes.

Then, his limp body collapsed to the floor.

“G-Grandfather!”

Gu Jeolyub rushed over, kneeling beside Elder Lee in a panic.

His voice trembled, filled with sorrow, which bothered me a bit.

“Gu Jeolyub.”

But I hid any such feelings and called out to him.

At my call, Gu Jeolyub raised his trembling head, locking eyes with me.

His face was flooded with tears, and emotions whirled within him.

I could have identified the feelings if I tried, but right now, I had to turn away.

“Elder Lee has been stripped of his position and can no longer act, thus you, as the heir, must take his place.”

“…What do you mean? What the hell happened here?”

“No objections will be entertained.”

“First Prince…!”

Gu Jeolyub shouted at me, but I merely stared at him with indifference.

As I met his gaze, Gu Jeolyub’s face contorted as he drew his sword.

“If you draw that, I’ll have no choice but to kill you.”

Gu Jeolyub flinched at my words, his body froze.

Naturally, I was radiating enough killing intent that no one could endure it.

“This overwhelming presence…! Why…!”

Even amidst this chaos, Gu Jeolyub struggled to act.

It was evident he could barely comprehend his circumstances or emotions.

A boy not yet a full adult flailing in desperation.

Watching him, I reached out and swiftly struck his neck, knocking him out cold.

With no response, Gu Jeolyub collapsed, and I approached to support him.

[Looks like you don’t intend to kill the kid.]

‘…’

[Have you grown attached to this boy?]

I remained silent at Noya’s comment.

Shortly after, through the door, countless presences approached.

It seemed like the clan members had finally arrived, albeit belatedly.

I placed Gu Jeolyub on the ground and turned away.

[Nothing as dangerous as feeble compassion. You must know this is the best approach for both you and that kid.]

‘…’

[Your choice, but I won’t say more. You will surely regret it.]

Noya’s words led me to brush my hair back with a sigh.

Considering the number of regrets weighing on me, adding one more wouldn’t make a noticeable difference.

For now, I decided to think that way.

To be precise.

I had to apply that mentality internally.

Deep within the Black Night Palace’s dungeon.

A woman who had lost consciousness gradually opened her eyes.

“Ha!”

The moment she regained consciousness, she quickly scanned her surroundings.

In the dim room, iron bars loomed before her.

There was a peculiar void that conveyed the current predicament.

‘…Where am I?’

The woman, Gu Huibi, anxiously struggled to recall her last memories.

She needed to remember how she ended up here.

And more urgently, where this place was.

“…!”

Fortunately, her recollections returned swiftly, but right after, Gu Huibi had to grit her teeth.

Visions of the absurd martial artist from the battlefield who had barged in, and of Elder Lee who fought her way to protect her.

And the powerless version of herself came flooding back.

…Damn it.

She remembered Elder Lee, who had ultimately succumbed to the enemy’s blade while desperately trying to defend her.

And then losing consciousness right after.

Such a helpless memory.

It was the most despised version of herself.

Wracked with guilt, Gu Huibi turned her head to examine her surroundings closely.

“Where is this…?”

First, she needed to find a reason for the mysterious situation thrust upon her.

However, glancing around, she could discern only one thing.

“A prison…?”

Surrounded by iron bars, it was undeniably a cell.

As Gu Huibi wore a look of utter confusion, a voice rang out from nearby.

“Quit fussing and just sit still.”

Gu Huibi, who had sensed no presence, quickly tried to distance herself.

“Ugh…!”

But her bound limbs caused her to tumble to the ground.

“Haha, I knew you would do that.”

Clang.

The sound of metal scraping against the floor approached Gu Huibi’s direction.

As the noise grew closer, Gu Huibi steadied her breath and prepared for battle, but for some reason, her energy refused to mobilize.

‘Blood blockage…?’

It seemed as though her energy had been blocked from flowing despite her Dantian being intact.

As the sound drew near, Gu Huibi gradually acclimated to the darkness and caught a glimpse of a figure approaching her.

It was a man—an elderly one.

With a frail, emaciated body, the signs of torture were evident all over him, and most strikingly, his eyes were bandaged.

 

---