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Chapter 199: The Orb of Heavenly Road (1)

The bandages covering my eyes were laden with dust.

Seeing it stained red indicated signs of a significant blood loss.

When I thought of that, there was a high chance I had already lost my sight.

“The young one from the family is surprisingly calm. Tsk tsk.”

Elder Muk’s words made Gu Huibi frown.

In a situation as dire as this, it was only natural to be on guard due to the unexpected arrival of an unfamiliar figure.

“Who are you?”

“Do you think knowing who I am will help?”

A skeletal body with deep torture marks.

Nevertheless, the old man’s cackling laughter was oddly irritating.

Gu Huibi quickly assessed her condition.

‘Restraint Device.’

One on each leg, one on each arm.

The energy in her Lower Dantian was not moving at all.

‘Is it Blood Qi?’

If it truly was Blood Qi, then at least she would know that much.

That uncomfortable feeling was something she couldn’t ignore.

‘If not, then what?’

If not, then what could it be? Her Lower Dantian was fine, and if it wasn’t Blood Qi, then she couldn’t understand why her energy wasn’t moving.

Gu Huibi concentrated her mind, trying to move her energy no matter what.

Even if she couldn’t reach the Middle Dantian, if she could move it just a little, that was something.

As she focused all her mental energy on the Lower Dantian—

“.••!”

A shockwave hit her, causing Gu Huibi to curl up her body.

“Ugh…!”

It wasn’t just pain; it felt like something was gnawing at her entire body.

She wanted to scream immediately, yet Gu Huibi forced herself to keep her mouth shut.

“Amazing, isn’t it? Just holding back doesn’t mean you can endure it.”

The old man merely continued to chuckle while watching Gu Huibi.

“…You…”

Her expression, as though she understood her situation, made Gu Huibi glare at the old man.

Seeing that look, the old man continued.

“It would be better not to wear that sinister expression; I’m not the culprit, you see.”

“…Can you see?”

“Does it look like I can?”

“No… it can’t be.”

“Correct, I am indeed blind, unable to see a thing.”

It was a contradictory statement.

How could he speak as if he could see, yet call himself blind?

The bandages over his eyes were far too contradictory.

“There are things that can be seen even when unseen.”

At the old man’s words, Gu Huibi let out a chuckle.

Given his presence in this situation, he seemed to be anything but ordinary.

But this was not the time to worry about such matters.

“Do you know about the current situation?”

The old man gave a strange expression at Gu Huibi’s words.

It was as if he found it curious.

“What do you mean?”

“Surely, you can’t be unaware of this situation.”

“Why ask me something like that when I’m the only old man here?”

Gu Huibi responded curtly to the old man’s words.

“You said you weren’t the culprit, didn’t you?”

Gu Huibi was still curled up from the earlier pain.

“Do you believe that?”

“Would it make a difference if I don’t?”

“Ha ha.”

The old man let out a tired laugh and plopped down in front of Gu Huibi.

With her eyes accustomed to darkness, the old man’s figure began to come into focus.

The Restraint Devices on his legs were larger and more peculiar than her own.

“I’ve heard the rumors, but you are indeed a more insane child than I imagined.”

“You know me?”

“Well, I know quite well. How could I not? You are the infamous Gu Huibi, the Sword Phoenix.”

Late-stage talents following Peng Woojin.

The Gu Clan’s treasure and the perfect creation made by the heroes.

Fiery personality and sharp tongue.

Though she couldn’t hide her beautiful appearance, she was known to possess the ability to suppress all those flaws.

That was how the world recognized Gu Huibi.

“You truly have lost your mind, it seems.”

“You’re speaking too casually with someone right in front of you.”

The old man silently gazed at Gu Huibi.

Though his vision was lost, should he say he felt keenly aware?

‘Should I call it calmness, or should I say it’s recklessness?’

For a woman who seemed to have reached adulthood, her reactions were unusual for someone in this predicament.

No matter how much Gu Huibi was a martial artist, she appeared overly calm beyond necessity.

‘Or perhaps she was trying hard to act unfazed.’

The old man didn’t speak this thought aloud.

After all, it was unnecessary to say it.

“This place is the Black Night Palace.”

At the old man’s words, Gu Huibi flinched slightly.

Her eyes widened as she bit her lip.

“You already knew this much, I see.”

Gu Huibi bit her lip hard, acknowledging the truth in the old man’s words.

She had somewhat expected this part.

‘Then that man…’

Gu Huibi recalled the last moments at the front lines.

The mysterious Demonic Gate, where a crack had formed, leaving her relying on this Elder’s help.

In that fleeting moment, Gu Huibi felt a suffocating presence pressing down around her.

She had barely escaped with her life thanks to Elder Lee’s timely intervention, not even having the chance to draw her sword.

Recalling that memory alone was sheer torment.

Facing a calamity in battle while watching Elder Lee fight, she had been utterly useless.

She had not only failed to help him but was bound to the ground, unable to flee, a completely worthless figure etched in her mind.

How many times had she swung her sword to prevent becoming that person?

A significant amount of time had passed, and even if she claimed to have reached the peak, she remained powerless.

The old man broke the silence, addressing Gu Huibi.

“It seems you have seen the Gungju.”

At the old man’s words, Gu Huibi’s eyes widened with surprise.

“It’s simple to know how: only the Gungju could have reduced a martial artist to such a state.”

“…So, it’s that person who has rendered me incapable of using my energy.”

Elder Lee had faced off against a martial master head-on.

Her opponent was a monster that ravaged the surroundings, blocking each of her heavy punches.

Was that the owner of the Black Night Palace, known as the Demon Lord?

“You can still use it. You tried to move it earlier, didn’t you?”

The old man’s words made Gu Huibi perk up, focusing intently.

It seemed to refer to the pain she felt when she’d tried to move it.

“If you can endure that pain and rebound, then you will be able to use it. Whether a human can do such a thing remains to be seen.”

“ ”

Ultimately, that meant she couldn’t use it.

“…I have to find another method.”

“So, you’re thinking of escaping.”

.

!

………

“I can’t just stay cooped up here.”

“Your courage is commendable, but it won’t be easy.”

Ignoring the old man’s words, Gu Huibi examined her surroundings a bit more.

A space surrounded by iron bars.

Moonlight faintly seeped through a tiny crack in the wall.

By that, she could barely guess that it was night.

‘How much time has passed?’

Time aside, was the Five Sword Team and Elder Lee alright?

Her head was a mess.

She couldn’t even remember why she was here.

«

* ”

•••Ugh—

Gu Huibi brushed aside her hair, trying to calm herself.

No matter the situation, she had to maintain her composure.

That was a thought that came from both her position as the Clan Leader and what her father had once said to her.

Although it meant managing her fiery temperament.

It was a statement that instigated a great many thoughts for Gu Huibi.

‘So what should I do now…?’

There was no sword at her waist, and her energy wouldn’t move.

In the thick darkness, just her and the old man between the iron bars.

“As I said before, it’s unsettling; just stay still.”

“…Elder, are you really blind?”

“If you survive long enough, you should have a sense of awareness.”

Could it be that he had some way to understand the situation even with closed eyes?

The old man simply laughed heartily.

“That you were a bit of a conversational partner, it’s fine.”

Even in this situation, he remained annoyingly calm.

“For me, this has turned into a rather hopeful situation.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“If you’re here, it means the heroes might move too, don’t you think?”

Hearing the old man’s mention of her father’s title, Gu Huibi frowned.

“Why would my Clan Leader’s title come up in this context?”

“If his daughter’s been kidnapped, it’s only natural for the father to take action.”

At the old man’s words, Gu Huibi let out a hollow laugh.

“I don’t know what dreams you’re having, but he wouldn’t be that kind of person.”

He wasn’t the sort to favor his children.

Nor was he someone who’d try to give more.

He didn’t hold her in high regard; if he had any feelings at all.

At the very least, if there had been affection, he wouldn’t have treated her mother so poorly.

“Then toss aside such hope.”

“…”

The old man said nothing more to Gu Huibi, merely observing her with his sightless eyes.

“Why do you look at me like that?”

“Is it incredible that a blind man is looking at you?”

This kind of wordplay did not amuse her.

Gu Huibi found the old man’s overly calm demeanor to be somewhat unsettling.

There was no time for petty quarrels, so she deliberately chose to ignore him and try to organize her thoughts.

At that moment, the old man spoke to Gu Huibi.

“Child, you seem to know little about your father.”

At the old man’s words, Gu Huibi sighed.

“If you’re going to speak of my father’s love, then…”

“You seem unaware of how the heroes react when family is involved.”

His cryptic remarks caused Gu Huibi to frown.

“Elder, do you know anything about my father?”

“Honestly, I can’t say I know him well.”

However, the tone implied that he might know a bit more than he let on.

After speaking, the old man leaned against the wall, letting the Restraint Device weigh on him.

“I’m tired and will rest first, so feel free to do as you will.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“If you’re worried about your safety, you need not. The Gungju, along with others, won’t harm you for the time being. Oh, and…”

The old man slowly reached out, pointing to Gu Huibi’s waist.

Gu Huibi looked down and quickly understood what the old man was referring to.

She was wearing a pouch she had received from Gu Yangcheong, just before their final separation.

“Let’s talk about what’s inside that pouch tomorrow. Tsk tsk, old age makes one weak; I tire easily.”

“…Elder, what is your true identity?”

“Unlike me, isn’t it strange to ask something that a child with fine eyesight would know? I’m merely an old man.”

“That’s not what I’m asking.”

“Since I’m tired, stop asking. I have no name, so just call me Elder Muk going forward. Don’t bother me today.”

With that, the old man snored, as if to fall asleep instantly.

Left alone, Gu Huibi tightened her grip on the pouch, trembling.

It seemed no one had discovered her during her arrival.

In some ways, this was fortunate.

Yet conversely, Gu Huibi felt a rising worry.

The orb within the pouch.

What it was, and the purpose and use it held.

Gu Huibi hoped desperately that her younger brother would remain oblivious.

This was a treasure that enabled the holders to sense each other’s positions.

As Gu Huibi anxiously examined the pouch, Gu Yangcheong was facing Elder Lee.

The old man was slumped on the ground with bandages wrapped around him.

“Why such a state?”

With exasperation apparent in his voice, Gu Yangcheong coolly replied.

“If you’ve awoken, shouldn’t you remain quietly in bed? Why are you here?”

Fortunately, Elder Lee seemed to have retained his senses.

It had been said he would awaken soon, but no one expected it to be this fast.

No matter how perfect the surgery was, it was fundamentally due to Elder Lee’s absurd regeneration ability.

After Gu Yangcheong’s words, Elder Lee clicked his tongue and said, “Are you saying I came here just because you didn’t visit me?”

As Elder Lee suggested, Gu Yangcheong found himself in no position to visit Elder Lee, even though he had suddenly woken.

Part of that was because of where Gu Yangcheong currently was.

He was in the Gu Clan’s prison.

“Maybe I’ll be out soon; you don’t need to rush me.”

“Out soon? After the mess you’ve made, are you actually thinking of getting out quickly?”

“It won’t take long.”

“Elder Lee and Elder Lee are planning to use this as an opportunity to fix your head.”

“Ha, fix whose head? They’re just a bunch of old folks who aren’t active anymore.”

Unlike Elder Lee and Elder Yi, who were involved in clan affairs, the old men were now irrelevant to clan roles.

Those old bastards, looking to punish me now?

‘Damn those old men.’

“Why are you causing trouble when I can’t help you?”

Elder Lee’s roar made Gu Yangcheong pout his lips.

While there was justification for having killed Elder Yi, it was entirely his secret.

Even if he had temporarily received the “permission” of the Head Officer, ultimately, it was an act of killing within the clan, and still warranted punishment.

‘If the underground hideout of Elder Yi is found, it would be fine.’

No matter how this would proceed, without his father, it left him stuck in this situation.

“How’s your health?”

“I’m fine.”

“They said you had a hole in your chest, how can you be okay?”

“Why ask if you’re not going to believe me?”

Gu Yangcheong’s question made Elder Lee chuckle.

“Do you seriously plan to stay like that?”

“What can I do? My father is away.”

“Do you want me to use my strength for you?”

“Elder Lee would probably use his strength literally.”

 

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