---

Chapter 528 – Just Give Me a Chance

“How did you know?”

Gu Cheolun looked into the eyes of the King of Demons. A pair of deep, shadowy eyes devoid of light in the abyss.

As he quietly observed those eyes, he spoke.

“It’s not something I could possibly overlook.”

A letter from the Poison King regarding his child.

How could one not realize that there was interference from the King of Demons once it reached the Gu Clan?

Thinking back, it was a simple conclusion to draw.

The distance from Sichuan to Mount Shan is no trifling matter.

Though with Gu Cheolun’s abilities, he could arrive in a short time; generally speaking, that wouldn’t be the case.

However…

“It took only a few days to arrive after the incident occurred.”

The speed at which the letter arrived was peculiar.

No matter how quickly it was sent, time-wise, it was impossible.

Thus, it was necessary to suspect someone’s interference, and he had simply determined it to be the King of Demons.

Yet there was just one problem.

“I don’t understand.”

The King of Demons asked while looking at Gu Cheolun.

“Questions can arise, but there’s no evidence to firmly assert that I was involved.”

Just because the letter arrived swiftly doesn’t mean he was implicated.

Sure, someone could have intervened and expedited things.

But that alone couldn’t serve as the basis for Gu Cheolun to confidently assert it was the King of Demons.

When asked about it, Gu Cheolun replied calmly.

“You’re right here, aren’t you?”

Upon hearing this, the King of Demons’ eyebrows slightly twitched.

“That alone was enough to give me reason to believe.”

“Hmm.”

So that was it.

The King of Demons finally understood why Gu Cheolun had come to such a conclusion.

‘Did he notice?’

When he set off from Hanam to Sichuan, the King of Demons had blended in, using disguise techniques.

Did Gu Cheolun manage to catch on back then?

Did he refrain from showing it despite his awareness?

He looked at Gu Cheolun with newfound respect.

“Then, why didn’t you show any signs back then?”

“There was simply no reason to.”

With the King of Demons mingling among his child’s group, it could lead to numerous issues.

Meaningless, he said.

Upon hearing that, the King of Demons couldn’t help but curl the corners of his lips.

“What would you have done if I had harmed your child?”

“Is that something you would consider?”

Gu Cheolun’s words made the King of Demons chuckle.

He had already engaged in actions that could be deemed harmful.

Using his power, he had killed countless times.

However, when asked if he would do such a thing on his own accord…

“It would depend on your child’s actions.”

He had no intent to act first.

While he couldn’t outright refuse, he had no such thoughts for the time being.

“That’s good to hear.”

“Why? Do you think that little brat wouldn’t cause any trouble for me?”

Faith in his child?

“That’s not it. He is my child, but he certainly has prickly aspects.”

Those sharp thorns—Gu Yangcheong certainly had that part of himself.

Furthermore, Gu Cheolun was aware that he was partly responsible for those thorns forming.

“And?”

“Even if he has such traits, if he were to act in a certain way, I can only believe there would be reasons for it.”

He doesn’t think he wouldn’t act. However, if he does, there must be a reason behind it.

That was the kind of faith Gu Cheolun held in Gu Yangcheong.

The King of Demons couldn’t understand.

“What is different about that and faith in your child?”

“If I were to express it as faith, I’d say it’s closer to atonement.”

It’s not believing simply because he believes, but having to believe because he must.

If it’s a matter of having to, Gu Cheolun would refer to it as atonement.

Atonement for having turned his child into such a being.

Hearing this, the King of Demons asked,

“What if, because of that, I were to kill that little brat?”

No matter how much the child had intentions, there was no reason for the King of Demons to recognize that.

There was also no reason to look favorably on such courage.

Gu Cheolun would know this better than anyone.

Why would he say such a thing?

When asked about it, Gu Cheolun looked at the King of Demons and replied.

“I hope you won’t.”

Gu Cheolun hoped that the King of Demons wouldn’t.

This was not just for his child, but in other terms…

“It is also for your sake.”

Thud—

At Gu Cheolun’s words, the King of Demons’ body slightly trembled.

Refined killing intent. Not the wild and blunt aura of a martial artist, but the extremely disciplined feeling of an assassin.

Calm and quiet.

Yet condensed, so the closer one got, the more overpowering the thoughts emanating from the King of Demons felt.

“You’ve grown quite strong, enough to threaten me now.”

Don’t do such a thing for your own sake.

The meaning behind that was clear.

If he touched his child, he wouldn’t stand idly by.

The killing intent thickened over time.

An imminent situation.

Even though the King of Demons’ presence grew heavier, Gu Cheolun merely observed quietly.

At that moment.

“Hmm.”

The King of Demons suddenly released his energy, retracting the killing intent.

“Don’t worry, I have my own expectations for that little brat.”

Having eased his tension, Gu Cheolun didn’t even budge.

He recognized it was a ploy to test him.

Since the King of Demons also had his own expectations for Gu Yangcheong, he had no intention of doing anything reckless.

In fact, he needed him alive. Just as Gu Cheolun mentioned, not for Gu Yangcheong, but for himself.

‘This is a key to lifting the curse.’

The curse placed upon the King of Demons.

Specifically, a key to lifting the curse bound to his bloodline.

Gu Yangcheong would surely have the answer.

It had to be that way.

Even now, as he looked at Gu Yangcheong, the King of Demons could feel his heart racing.

‘It’s much stronger than when I first saw him.’

Resonance.

The scent of the curse he felt the moment he looked at Gu Yangcheong.

Back then, it was faint, yet now, for some reason, it felt extraordinarily vivid.

What had changed?

‘The change of the physical body. That must be the crux of it.’

Though on the surface nothing appeared to have changed drastically, something within Gu Yangcheong had transformed.

The King of Demons could sense that.

His gaze was unlike anyone else’s.

Thud.

His heart beats. Just watching causes this much of a commotion.

Initially thought to be mere killing intent, but the King of Demons recently realized it wasn’t that.

Yes, this isn’t just killing intent.

‘This is….’

“I can’t thank you enough for your kind view.”

While lost in thought, Gu Cheolun’s words prompted the King of Demons to shake his head.

This wasn’t the time for such thoughts.

“I’ve never looked at you favorably.”

That was the truth; saying he had looked favorably upon him would be a lie.

Yet whether such a response was sufficient, Gu Cheolun merely nodded.

Moreover, it was time to return to the main topic.

“Now, I would like you to answer my question.”

How did the King of Demons become involved?

That was the question.

As Gu Cheolun said, the King of Demons had indeed interfered in that matter.

While he hadn’t directly moved the letter, he merely used the Black Night Assassins to ensure it was sent more swiftly.

In that regard, no organization could claim to outrun the Black Night Assassins.

If Gu Cheolun were to ask why the King of Demons acted in such a way…

“I just did it because that brat asked me to.”

With a nod, the King of Demons provided his answer.

Following that, Gu Cheolun shifted his gaze.

What lay there was his son, being battered, and strangely cheerful Pejon.

– Aagh…! Damn it…! My bones…

– I told you to move back. How could you charge in so recklessly?

– … You just told me not to dodge earlier!

– Is that so? Is your tongue that short?

– Should I speak to my younger sibling in a formal tone? I’m still the older brother…! Elder, I’m joking. Really…

– It’s fine. Normally, getting hit teaches you a lesson. It’s a process everyone goes through. Come here. Avoiding it will only cause you more pain.

– … Damn it.

“…”

Seeing the ridiculous scene, Gu Cheolun almost turned away but forced himself to endure it.

“… Was that from Pejon?”

“Yes.”

As soon as Gu Yangcheong heard news of trouble, Pejon had asked the King of Demons to relay it to Gu Cheolun as swiftly as possible.

At that moment, the Poison King had been sending letters to the Gu Clan.

The King of Demons would’ve known, given that his influence spread throughout the Tang Clan.

He merely utilized that knowledge.

‘I thought he didn’t seem particularly interested.’

Pejon had shown more interest in Gu Yangcheong than expected.

Maybe it was because he had been searching for his disciple for so long.

Or perhaps for reasons unknown.

‘Is he fulfilling some sort of mentor role now?’

Having observed Bi Ju for a long time,

It seemed odd for a man who only thought about martial arts to act that way.

Especially asking for something for himself.

‘He has changed.’

Bi Ju was undergoing changes.

Whether that change was for the better or not, the King of Demons was unsure.

He had little interest in it.

He saw Pejon plopping down on top of the collapsed Gu Yangcheong.

Gu Yangcheong, half unconscious, was panting heavily.

Seeing that, Pejon’s hands trembled slightly.

It was proof that Pejon was also exhausted. Observing that, Gu Cheolun turned away.

“Thank you for your words. I must leave now, as there are pressing matters awaiting me.”

“Mm.”

After confirming that Gu Yangcheong’s training had come to an end, Gu Cheolun walked away without any regrets.

As he turned his back, the King of Demons suddenly called out.

“Cheolun.”

Straightening up.

Hearing his name after such a long time felt surreal.

At present, there may be few in the Central Plains who could address Gu Cheolun in that way.

Among those few, the King of Demons was one.

“I will visit soon. Please inform Gu Ryoon.”

“…”

He would relay the message to the Elder through the Clan Leader.

What a strange situation this was, but Gu Cheolun nodded without concern.

“When I return, I will convey it.”

With that, Gu Cheolun became a flickering flame before vanishing.

Left alone, the King of Demons looked back at Gu Yangcheong.

The intensity of his energy thickening.

Just watching stirred emotions within him.

Initially perceived as killing intent, then thought to be fury, but now had transformed into an even stronger feeling.

-… I’m going to die… Please come down… I really might die like this? Aagh! My head…!

– Seeing your mouth moving so energetically means you can still handle more. Get up.

“…”

As much as he hated to admit it, he could distinctly feel the emotion he was experiencing while looking at Gu Yangcheong…

It was undoubtedly awe.

 

---