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Chapter 200: Orb of Heavenly Road (2)

The front line is a trace of calamity.

It proves the history of days gone by.

What many are saying is that the so-called peace we have just established is, in fact, not complete.

This is evidenced by the open Demonic Gate and the regions devastated by demon beasts.

For an ordinary human, that place is not even habitable.

It’s a region fraught with danger, swarming with countless demon beasts.

For the sake of reducing these damages, the Martial Alliance has collaborated with martial artists affiliated with the Righteous Faction to manage the front line.

Coincidentally, the front line wasn’t too far from Mount Shan.

After receiving the letter from Gu Huibi, Elder Lee was able to arrive shortly after.

“Indeed, I can see the crack.”

Before him stood the massive, gaping Demonic Gate.

Unlike other places, this particular site was directly managed by key figures of the Gu Clan.

And only the Gu Clan was assigned to oversee this specific area.

“Why has Elder Lee come here…?”

It had been a month since Elder Lee arrived at the front line, where Gu Huibi was stationed, and Gu Huibi, returning late after dealing with demon beasts, asked upon seeing Elder Lee.

Seeing her, Elder Lee chuckled.

“Weren’t you the one who called me, Huibi? When a beautiful granddaughter calls, how can this old man not come right away?”

“…I just asked for an expert because I thought there were signs of abnormality.”

“And that’s exactly why I came! When you say ‘expert,’ don’t you mean this very Gu Ryoon?”

It seemed he had devised a plan to escape the Gu Clan’s apprehension.

It was truly astonishing how this elder could behave in such a manner.

‘What if my younger sibling sees this…’

“Hmm? What did you say?”

“Nothing at all. Thank you for coming even though you must be busy, Elder Lee.”

Regardless of the situation, Elder Lee was indeed an expert.

Even if he was merely a martial artist who reached the Transformation Realm, his presence was undeniably helpful.

“By the way…”

Elder Lee stroked his beard as he gazed at the Demonic Gate before him.

“This is quite unusual.”

Typically, the Demonic Gate would quiver and shimmer with mixed colors that were difficult to perceive.

But what lay before him was different.

Not only had the color altered to a deep black, but there were visible cracks as if something had struck it.

“Are the gates in other regions similar to this one?”

“No, this one is unique.”

“…Oh?”

The Gu Clan manages three gates separately on the front line.

This was the smallest of them.

“Are there any other issues?”

“Other than the color change and the visible cracks, there hasn’t been much else yet.”

Elder Lee nodded as he listened to Gu Huibi’s explanation.

“First, I need to report this to the clan leader. It could be the time when the true Demonic Gate may open.”

“Didn’t you receive any contact from the Shaolin side?”

“Even if Cheonan didn’t mention anything, we can’t afford to overlook any possibilities.”

He couldn’t entirely place his trust in the Shaolin or Cheonan.

Elder Lee refrained from voicing the subsequent thoughts that came to mind.

“Curious…”

Lately, it felt as if the occurrence of unknown events had increased.

As the saying goes, good and bad things happen simultaneously.

The delinquent in the house, which had caused Elder Lee much concern, had suddenly awakened his dormant abilities and soared high.

Before long, he had crossed the wall to reach the realm of masters.

If desired, that kid could definitely stand out in the Martial Arts Tournament and gain fame.

“Well, I did say to go cause some mischief… but I can’t help feeling worried.”

There was a tinge of regret that wasn’t quite regret forming in his heart.

He told that kid not to fool around, yet he had encouraged him to do the very thing he warned against.

“Uh…”

While Elder Lee got lost in thought, Gu Huibi called him gently.

Without hesitation, Elder Lee responded while observing her.

“Gu Yangcheong is doing well.”

“..What?!”

Gu Huibi’s expression changed weirdly at Elder Lee’s words, as if questioning how he knew.

“Weren’t you going to ask about him?”

“No, I wasn’t…”

Seeing Gu Huibi’s awkward expression, Elder Lee clicked his tongue.

That child was indeed nothing short of a tragedy.

In the Central Plains, there was already rampant gossip regarding Gu Huibi’s family lineage.

If it involved her younger brother, people changed entirely.

“Don’t stress over that sort of worry. You aren’t their parent, and you can’t protect Gu Yangcheong forever.”

“Coming from the one who used to protect him the most, what kind of talk is that now?”

“Well, that was when he was still young enough to need it.”

“Yet he’s still a child.”

That was true.

Lately, his behavior had been so childish that it was easy to forget.

Gu Yangcheong was still at an age where you could consider him a youth.

Yet Elder Lee remained adamant.

“Remember, he will be clan leader one day, and if he has taken flight, it means it’s time to let him go.”

“…”

Gu Huibi seemed to understand, opting not to say more.

It was a given that Gu Yangcheong would become the clan leader.

While Gu Yeonseo, the second daughter of the clan leader, and Elder Lee appeared to have different thoughts on the matter, their views wouldn’t change anything.

Regardless of Gu Yangcheong’s own thoughts.

No matter how distinguished Gu Huibi was, she could not substitute for him.

She was aware of that.

Initially, Gu Huibi herself had no desires regarding the position of clan leader.

But now, she simply wanted to leave the confines of the family and soar out into the world.

“I only wish for that child to not bear a heavy burden.”

“I wish that too, but I can’t grant you that.”

That’s simply how the duties of a clan leader are.

While they might be present, they cannot shoulder the load together.

Looking at the current clan leader, Gu Cheolun, was proof of that.

He silently accepted the burdens placed upon him.

“Even what you’re doing now, in the end, it will circle back to him.”

“I understand.”

It was simply before this that—

She just wanted her younger sibling to find ease.

Seemingly reading Gu Huibi’s thoughts, Elder Lee spoke to her in a weary tone.

“…Why don’t you share that concern a little with Yeonseo too?”

“Eh? I am taking care of both.”

Gu Yangcheong, Gu Yeonseo, and Gu Ryeonghwa.

Gu Huibi was doing her best to give them all a fair share of her affection.

Seeing her expression questioning why he brought that up, Elder Lee could only shake his head.

‘No matter how you look at it, it doesn’t seem like it’s true.’

Elder Lee understood all too well from the difference in how Gu Huibi treated Gu Yangcheong and Gu Yeonseo.

Perhaps Gu Yeonseo was merely aware of how Gu Huibi looked at Gu Yangcheong, which might explain her bitterness.

“We’ve been exchanging letters frequently. It seems they’re doing well.”

“…Not that, it’s fine.”

It was clear extending the conversation would lead to a stalemate.

Elder Lee decided to let it slide.

As they continued watching the state of the Demonic Gate, Gu Huibi added.

“I just hope he doesn’t get into any trouble in Hanam.”

Commenting with worry, Elder Lee responded incredulously.

“…But weren’t you the one who caused a lot of trouble back in the day?”

He recalled how surprised he was when he heard that she almost turned the Dragon Meeting into a sea of flames.

How shocked the stoic clan leader must have felt when he reprimanded Gu Huibi for that.

In defense, she retorted indignantly.

“…I only dealt with them because they were mocking without knowing their place.”

“When I heard all the swords got burned, I was worried sick.”

“I should have just sent them to Shaolin instead.”

“…Whose temperament do you take after to be like that… wait a minute.”

Letting out a sigh while lamenting, Elder Lee suddenly felt a troubling shift in the atmosphere.

Quickly, he turned to Gu Huibi and asked.

“By the way, how did you know Gu Yangcheong went to Hanam?”

“…!”

“I haven’t told you anything like that yet, have I?”

With Elder Lee’s sharp words, Gu Huibi rarely displayed a flustered expression.

She averted her gaze, and a thin bead of cold sweat trickled down her cheek.

“…H-Huibi?”

“It’s nothing, just a feeling I had…!”

Gu Huibi hurriedly attempted to explain but found herself speechless.

Elder Lee’s sudden movement had caused her to hit the ground.

Thud!

“Elder Lee…! What is happening right now…!”

Gu Huibi, having regained her footing from the distance, turned to Elder Lee and froze.

Darkness settled upon the dry earth unexpectedly.

It wasn’t something that had always been present; its appearance was truly abrupt.

What’s more, the ominous aura it exuded was palpable.

Gu Huibi hadn’t sensed anything until that very moment; she realized the immense presence looming.

Had Elder Lee not pushed her aside to protect her, who knows what would have happened.

A chilling sensation ran up her spine.

Gu Huibi immediately reached for her sword, but her body wouldn’t respond.

In the depths of that unfathomable darkness, there emerged a radiant heat.

Elder Lee was the source.

His body, tinged a crimson hue from the heat he radiated, gave the impression of engulfing flames.

The oppressive presence that had almost suffocated Gu Huibi suddenly dissipated thanks to Elder Lee’s aura.

As he ignited the flames, channeling his energy, a voice emerged.

“It has been a while, Yeon-Ah Gwon.”

The man cloaked in darkness spoke to Elder Lee.

Elder Lee gritted his teeth as he gazed at the man.

“…What are you doing here?”

“I didn’t expect to see you here either.”

“You scoundrel!”

Elder Lee’s roar reverberated, shaking the surroundings.

The ground itself began to split and crack.

His iron-like frame was swelling, causing the heat to rise to a level even Gu Huibi, skilled in fire techniques, could feel.

“Didn’t you vow never to show that disgusting face again?”

At Elder Lee’s words, the man paused briefly before breaking into a smile.

“Oh, that wretched vow? I just woke up from it; I have too many things to do now.”

“…What?”

Despite Elder Lee’s follow-up question, the man paid no attention, casually scanning the surroundings.

As he did, his eyes landed on Gu Huibi.

The moment the man spotted her, he broke into a wide grin.

“Found you.”

His black eyes held not a trace of light.

Dark as the shadows that enveloped him, the man’s gaze was unsettling.

As Gu Huibi vaguely grasped that the man’s target was her, Elder Lee lunged forward.

Boom!

With one punch, the surroundings were swept away.

His single strike held enough power to reshape the very landscape.

The heavy aura of the martial artist, who had reached the Transformation Realm, surged like a flame, striking the man.

Cough!

Just before the punch landed, darkness enveloped both the man and Elder Lee.

In this manner, the eruption of calamity came upon them suddenly.

—And ultimately, he failed to protect Gu Huibi.

What Elder Lee had foretold became merely a fleeting shadow of despair.

‘…The Gungju has appeared at the front line?’

The Black Night Princess, known to be motionless within the Black Night Palace.

Her martial prowess, seemingly shrouded in darkness, was a characteristic of her techniques.

Although he had only heard about her, he had never seen her in person.

‘But why Gu Huibi?’

The fact that the Black Night Princess had personally emerged and sought Gu Huibi implied a deeper connection.

This was certainly an occurrence unseen in his past life.

The gravity of the situation caused Elder Lee to feel he had nearly met his end.

His father had mobilized the Sword Team to confront the Gu Clan.

‘And I know nothing of the reason…’

It was genuinely a most unfavorable scenario.

He had no idea what was happening.

[No wonder I couldn’t inquire about anything.]

‘…It’s not the time to ask questions.’

What had become of the recommendation letter from the Pejon, and what about the ring?

There were so many questions he wished to raise.

But considering Elder Lee’s previous expression and the atmosphere, he felt he could not voice a single query.

‘As for Gu Jeolyub…’

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I wanted to know how the outside situation was evolving.

However, that wasn’t feasible right now.

‘Even if the other elders take action, it’s unlikely to cause significant danger.’

The problem was the current state they needed to endure.

[Why not just leave?]

As Shin Noya stated, it was indeed possible to break through at once.

It wasn’t as if his breathing was blocked, nor was he bound by a restraint device.

It was merely under the orders of a higher officer as a show.

Regardless, he did indeed kill the elder, and the justification was crystal clear yet to be revealed.

Until his father returned, he had to remain here.

Given the solidity of the formations Elder Lee had laid underground,

And considering the Gu Clan’s current reduced combat power, it wouldn’t be an easy endeavor. However, he didn’t think it would take excessively long either.

‘I wonder if the children are doing well.’

Upon returning to the clan, a ruckus ensued, and he hadn’t even seen their faces properly.

According to Elder Lee, Wi Seol-Ah had been crying daily.

Though Wi Seol-Ah was known for her laughter, as well as her abundant tears, he worried she might not have been crying that much.

Nangong Bia and Tang Soyeol probably weren’t causing any trouble, were they?

He sincerely hoped so.

“Most importantly…”

While his father moved his body, he pondered whether they could even find him.

The information he had on the Black Night Palace was quite limited.

And even the little he knew didn’t pertain to the actual fortress known as the main palace.

It ranged from being near to utterly useless information.

In his past life, all he’d heard was that the Black Night Palace fell to the Martial Alliance’s hand.

‘What should I do?’

He tossed and turned, trying to come up with a plan.

By now, dawn had arrived, and it seemed more beneficial to engage in meditation training.

However, focusing was already a challenge.

After some time spent tossing and turning, a pouch tied to his waist suddenly fell to the floor.

It appeared that the string had worn out rather from moving around than the tossing itself.

As he bent to retrieve the fallen pouch, a small orb rolled out.

“Ah, this is…?”

At the sight of the orb, memories flooded back.

It was unmistakably the object Gu Huibi had tied around her waist, telling him to keep it safe.

She had warned that if left unattended, it could lead to death.

Unable to contain himself, he had unconsciously carried it around.

Now, he had completely forgotten it was even tied to his belt.

Just as he was about to grasp the rolling orb, he hesitated, his hand trembling.

“…Tsk.”

A sharp pain shot through his hand, and blood began to flow.

It seemed to be a wound inflicted by an earlier battle, only now gaining his attention.

The cut wasn’t particularly deep, so he ignored it and picked up the orb.

“It looks expensive for something bought from a merchant.”

[Indeed. Seems it isn’t cheap after all.]

Given its pricing, the orb felt far too exquisite to be a mere trinket.

He examined the orb momentarily, intending to place it back into the pouch.

Zoom—

“Hmm?”

[Eh?]

Suddenly, he heard a strange sound emanating from the orb, and it began to vibrate rapidly.

Zing—!

“What’s going on with this thing…?”

He thought of tossing it away, fearing it might explode.

But the orb emitted a brief flash of light before it returned to stillness, as if nothing had happened.

Observing the orb, he couldn’t help but remark incredulously.

“…What on earth did this crazy person bring home?”

He had initially been told it was a luck charm, only to find it vibrating like some bizarre object, raising alarms.

As he attempted to put it back into the pouch, he turned away, but then stopped.

“Huh?”

The scenery in front of him changed drastically.

 

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