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“Nope.”

The atmosphere instantly turned icy at the Heavenly Lord’s response.

Rejection? It was an unexpected answer.

‘What the heck?’

I narrowed my eyes. He’s saying he won’t do it? That’s baffling.

“Are you saying you won’t help?”

Even my father, seemingly unable to believe it, asked again.

“Yep.”

The Heavenly Lord’s answer didn’t change. This is awkward.

‘He’s really not gonna do it?’

This isn’t just any small matter—it could affect the entire Nangong Clan, or even all of Anhui.

And it’s not just any threat—it’s the Red Demon Gate, which could evolve into the Great Demon Gate. Who knows when it might erupt? If it does, no one can predict the scale of the damage. And the Heavenly Lord won’t intervene?

‘Huh?’

No matter how I think about it, it doesn’t make sense. It’s not like he’s scared.

Since no one, including me, can understand, the Heavenly Lord looks at Nangong Zhehui and speaks.

“I stepped down as Clan Leader long ago. I plan to leave the Central Plains and live quietly. Matters like these have been entrusted to the Clan Leader, so it’s not right for me to intervene.”

“……”

Hearing that, I clicked my tongue inwardly. On the surface, it sounds reasonable, but…

‘This old man’s playing word games.’

If you dig deeper, it’s all nonsense.

‘What? Stepped down as Clan Leader?’

It’s laughable. Anyone can see that this guy still holds the real power, even if he’s “stepped down.”

Just look at Nangong Zhehui—he’s busy trying to read this old man’s mood.

‘The elders are probably the same.’

The elders of the Nangong Clan—they’re likely also keeping an eye on the Heavenly Lord’s mood.

‘And Nangong Zhehui’s low level is also a problem.’

A Clan Leader of a great house who hasn’t reached the Transformation Realm.

The lack of honor and power that comes with that must be holding him back. Yet, he became Clan Leader because…

‘Well, maybe he’s competent as a Clan Leader, but…’

It’s obvious to anyone that the Heavenly Lord’s influence played a role.

So, this guy who “stepped down” still holds the real power, and now he says it’s not right for him to intervene because he’s not the Clan Leader?

‘Yeah, right.’

Hard to believe. And the claim that he’s left the Central Plains? No way. He definitely hasn’t left.

‘I was the one secretly working for the Martial Alliance in reality.’

I know he’s been active for the past decade or so.

So, saying he won’t intervene in the Clan Leader’s affairs now is just ridiculous.

‘Is there something going on?’

This guy didn’t even know much about the Red Demon Gate.

If he knows the situation and still won’t act, then…

‘There’s a reason behind it.’

The space where the Heavenly Lord resides—it seems like there’s something there.

‘Ah, that’s why.’

It makes sense now. I was wondering why he showed himself before we even reached him.

‘Is he trying to block us?’

Even if I don’t know what’s up there, it seems like he appeared to stop us from going up.

‘Whatever it is, the important thing is…’

It’s clear that the Heavenly Lord won’t intervene in this matter.

‘Tsk.’

This is getting tricky.

“…Father.”

Nangong Zhehui, also feeling the same way, looks at the Heavenly Lord with a bewildered expression, but the Heavenly Lord’s eyes are firm.

“Clan Leader. If you truly are the Clan Leader, shouldn’t you prove your ability to handle at least this level of crisis?”

“……”

Nangong Zhehui falls silent at the Heavenly Lord’s words.

“Step back. I can’t tolerate anything beyond this.”

It was a warning. There’s nothing more we can do here.

Even if it doesn’t make sense, this is the Heavenly Lord’s choice.

“…I will keep that in mind.”

In the end, Nangong Zhehui nodded to the Heavenly Lord’s words.

And just like that, we descended from the mountain path and returned to the Nangong Clan.

* * *

After returning to the clan, I had a brief conversation with Nangong Zhehui.

He mentioned issuing evacuation orders and preparing the clan’s forces.

He also asked Gu Cheolun what he intended to do in this situation.

Would he cooperate with the Nangong Clan to stop the Great Demon Gate, or…

‘Return to Hanam.’

Would he choose to return to Hanam without helping? He asked about this.

It was a choice. Even if he returned, it wouldn’t be a big problem. His original mission was just investigation.

Since he’s already grasped the form and anomalies of the Demon Gate, returning to Hanam wouldn’t be a major issue in terms of justification.

It’s still the Martial Alliance’s business, but the risk is high, and it’s also Anhui’s problem.

However…

‘There’s a moral aspect.’

Moral responsibility. As a martial artist of the righteous faction, can he just leave civilians behind in the face of the Great Demon Gate?

That part is a problem.

Of course, it’s not like it’ll be a huge deal.

Maybe that’s why.

‘I don’t have much time to think, so I’ll give you an answer before midnight.’

My father indicated he’d think about it briefly, and Nangong Zhehui accepted that.

Afterward, everyone gathered at my father’s residence.

Except for Nangong Jin, of course.

The reason we gathered was, of course, about whether we should return to Hanam or not.

At that moment, as Father was about to speak.

“Let’s go back.”

Mi Hyo-ran was the first to answer without hesitation.

“There’s no need to hesitate. It’s too dangerous.”

Mi Hyo-ran’s eyes were resolute.

“The Great Demonic Gate is already a problem, and now it’s red? Who knows what could happen if we stay here? Especially since the Heavenly Lord declared he wouldn’t intervene. It’s even more reason to leave.”

Her words were rational. And not wrong, either.

“Let’s go back, Prince Gu. This is no longer something you need to involve yourself in.”

It was a familiar yet unfamiliar title. It was exactly the tone and title Moyong Hi-ah always used with me.

Just as Father was about to look at Mi Hyo-ran after her words.

“No.”

Another voice chimed in from the other side.

It was So-i.

“…Are you saying we should just leave the civilians behind? If we don’t stop the demon beasts, who knows what could happen? How can you make that choice?”

“…Sword Peak.”

At those words, Mi Hyo-ran’s brow furrowed deeply.

“That’s too emotional. Civilians? Sure, they’re important. But where does your confidence come from that we can stop the demon beasts?”

It was a valid point. If we could stop the demon beasts, maybe. But if we couldn’t, we could get dragged into it and die.

Even in the face of such calm reasoning, So-i’s reaction didn’t change.

“We might not be able to stop them. I’m not certain either.”

“Then—”

“Even so. Even so, shouldn’t we still try to stop them? As martial artists of the Righteous Faction and the Sword Team of the Martial Alliance, isn’t that what we should do?”

“Ha…”

Mi Hyo-ran finally let out a sigh. It seemed she realized persuasion wasn’t going to work.

“Sword Peak. I get that you’re stubborn. But no matter how you look at it, there’s nothing we can do…”

“Miss Mi. You’ve been saying ‘we’ since earlier, but why are you saying ‘we’?”

“…What?”

“Miss Mi, you’re not part of the Sword Team, are you? Fighting is ‘our’ job. Why are you butting in?”

Gulp.

At So-i’s words, Mi Hyo-ran’s expression twisted sharply.

Wow. I didn’t expect her to bring that up here.

‘Well, she’s not wrong.’

No matter how rationally Mi Hyo-ran spoke, as So-i pointed out, it’s us who fight, not Mi Hyo-ran.

That must have struck a nerve with Mi Hyo-ran.

“Sword Peak. Are you done talking?”

“No. I’m about to start. So, Miss Mi, I’d appreciate it if you stepped back.”

“You—!”

Just as Mi Hyo-ran was about to explode in anger.

“Enough.”

Swoosh—!

Father, who was in the middle, spoke softly.

At his words, the two women who had been loudly arguing instantly fell silent.

“What are you two doing?”

“…Sorry.”

“…I’m sorry.”

At the growling tone, the women bowed their heads.

One word, and that’s all it took.

Watching that, I felt a sense of awe.

“Baek Yangcheon.”

“…Yes?”

Suddenly, Father turned to me.

Startled, I reacted, and Father’s red eyes flashed as he asked me.

“Do you have an opinion?”

“…You mean me?”

“Yes.”

An opinion, huh.

My opinion? I scratched my cheek. Well?

‘In this situation, what would my opinion even be?’

What would I have done if it were the old me?

‘Would I have run away?’

If I were in Father’s position now, I probably would have. No, not run away, but ignored it. It’s not something I’d bother with.

Refugees or whatever, they’re people I don’t even know. I was never the type to care about such things.

But.

‘If it’s not Father’s situation.’

If it were my position.

‘I would have done it.’

I would have.

For Nangong Bi-ah’s sake. And.

‘…Seeing as the current situation is my fault.’

Remembering that the Great Demonic Gate incident was my fault, I would have tried to do something.

So.

“Returning to Hanam is the rational choice.”

I first gave Father my opinion. At that, Mi Hyo-ran’s expression brightened, and So-i’s face darkened sharply.

Ignoring that, I added.

“But I’ll stay.”

“…Huh?”

“What?”

“What did you say?”

“Baek, my friend?”

Even Do-yun, who had been quiet until now, reacted. Everyone seemed to think they misheard, but I said it clearly.

“You all can go back if you want. I’ll stay. Just because.”

At my words, So-i, who had been darkening, widened her eyes.

 

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