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Chapter 596: Jiegal

Shin Yi entered the room alongside me.

The moment we stepped inside, he frowned at the state of the room.

“This room looks like a disaster….”

Hearing that, I awkwardly chuckled.

As Shin Yi pointed out, the room was indeed in utter chaos.

The only lamp I had was inexplicably broken.

And the one piece of furniture, the table, was split in half.

Last night, I had lost my temper and smashed various things in my room.

I could have just called a servant to clean up before leaving.

But I deliberately chose not to.

It felt a bit awkward to ask someone to clean up after such a mess.

Reaching out, I summoned energy from my fingertips, and the scattered debris began to levitate in the air.

The words of Moyong Hi-ah from yesterday suddenly echoed in my mind.

“Did I say something ridiculous about using Void Substances in a place like this?”

It was certainly odd to an outsider, but experiencing it firsthand made it incredibly convenient.

Although it did reduce my efficiency a bit as I was devouring the bet.

Once I had tidied the room somewhat, Shin Yi plopped down on the empty space and spoke.

“I don’t need any tea.”

“There’s no table to serve tea on anyway.”

“…”

There was no way I had any tea in my room.

I received plenty of gifts from various people, but I didn’t carry such things around.

I neither enjoyed them nor wanted the hassle.

“I have water. Would you like some of that?”

“…Sure.”

“Oh, my apologies. Upon thinking it over, I don’t even have water either.”

“…”

I awkwardly responded.

I hadn’t even put out drinking water in the room.

“Forget it… I didn’t come here to drink anything anyway.”

“Yes.”

Thinking about finding something, I sat down haphazardly on the floor, too.

There was no need for anything more, so I dived right into the main topic.

“So, what were you saying earlier?”

“…”

As I asked, Shin Yi’s expression turned serious.

Seeing that, I thought, ‘He mentioned something significant might happen in Hanam soon.’

This was not something to be taken lightly.

“Did you say something would happen in Hanam?”

“Yeah… I don’t know when, but it shouldn’t be too far off….”

Shin Yi fell silent momentarily before continuing.

“Someone will cause a huge incident in Hanam.”

“Someone?”

“How do you know about this?”

“They told me directly.”

They told Shin Yi directly?

I pondered for a moment.

‘He said he was just going out for a bit yesterday.’

Shin Yi’s outing from yesterday.

Plus, ‘He mentioned he’d meet someone in Hanam.’

Could that be connected to this?

A figure whose identity is often hard to pin down directly came all the way to Hanam to meet someone.

Who could that be…?

“How did you encounter such a person to discuss this?”

As I questioned him, Shin Yi’s eyes turned cold.

Shin Yi is a physician.

Why would a physician be approached to talk about an ambush?

Who are they, and what purpose do they have?

Those questions began to swirl in my mind.

After making a peculiar expression and asking, Shin Yi replied to me.

“It’s probably because I share the same bloodline as them.”

“…”

I widened my eyes upon hearing that.

Same bloodline?

That means…

‘Are you talking about the Jiegal Clan’s descendants?’

I thought it silently in my head without voicing it.

Shin Yi likely didn’t know what I understood about his last name.

‘Are the Jiegal descendants planning something in Hanam?’

Hearing that made my head throb.

‘This wasn’t something that happened in my previous life.’

In my previous life, the Jiegal clan never just appeared out of nowhere to create incidents.

When Jiegal Hyeok, the genius, sat in the position of the Demonic Sect’s planner and began to sweep through the Central Plains.

Even when another person from the Jiegal clan tried to uphold the Jiegal Hyeok’s honor by stopping him.

There had been no information about any other Jiegal clan descendants making moves.

While I had experienced my previous life to know that Shin Yi, Jiegal Hyeok, and even that guy, Ji Sun, are all of Jiegal blood.

They live their lives hiding their lineage and last names.

Right now, I could barely recall whether such last names even existed.

Yet, amidst these circumstances…

“…Forgotten specters are drawing their swords to reclaim their lost places.”

How did this happen?

Trying to maintain my expression, I asked Shin Yi.

“Just what is the identity of the bloodline you mentioned?”

Hiding that I already knew, I asked, curious whether he would reveal an answer.

Then, he stated, “It was once a place that bore the Jiegal last name.”

“…!”

“I am a descendant of that place.”

To my astonishment, Shin Yi casually answered regarding his last name.

I expected him to at least try to keep it a secret, but here he was, spilling it so easily.

“The Jiegal… if that’s the case.”

I was shocked for another reason, but it wasn’t hard to pretend to be surprised.

“Right. The place you are familiar with.”

“…”

The Jiegal Clan.

A family that held an absolute position concerning formations and organs, once referred to as the Five Great Clans.

Most formations and organizations in the Central Plains during that era were under the Jiegal Clan’s purview.

Their standing had been so solid and unique that even if other places crumbled, people believed the Jiegal Clan would endure.

Ironically, the first to collapse was indeed the Jiegal Clan.

The reason for that was well known as well.

‘They worshipped the Blood Demon.’

The Blood Demon, who caused a Blood Calamity and instigated a storm of bloodshed.

The Jiegal Clan secretly worshipped the Blood Demon and attempted to gain his power, leading to their swift downfall when the Martial Alliance uncovered the truth.

Naturally, the clan was reduced to ruins.

A massacre decree was issued against anyone bearing the Jiegal last name.

The direct bloodline was exterminated, leaving no survivors.

The surviving collateral branches usually hid their last names.

That is now the Jiegal Clan.

No, it’s hard to even call it a clan anymore.

Since they have all disbanded and vanished, how can it still be called a clan?

With these thoughts, I turned to Shin Yi and asked.

“…Is it okay for you to tell me such things?”

“Why, are you planning to report this to the alliance?”

“No, not specifically, but who knows, if I end up needing money later, I might.”

“Haha. That’s a reason fitting for you.”

Shin Yi chuckled, and it felt undesirably like an insult.

“Alright then. If you can gain a profit by selling this old man out, go ahead.”

“…I wasn’t really saying that.”

“However, if you do, I just hope you’ll at least look after Hyeok.”

“…”

You’re making me do the most challenging of tasks. How troublesome.

It would have been easier to threaten me to keep quiet.

Suppressing a sigh, I addressed Shin Yi.

“So… the Jiegal Clan’s descendants are planning something, and you’re asking me to get involved. That’s essentially what you meant, right?”

“That’s likely the case.”

“And how did you respond to that?”

“What do you think I would have said?”

This old man keeps responding to my questions with questions.

“You’d have refused.”

Yet, he still provided an answer.

“Why?”

“Based on your temperament… I assumed that’s how it would’ve gone.”

Unintentionally, I almost let slip about his stubbornness.

This old man must be quite cantankerous.

I barely managed to describe him as temperamental, receiving a faint smile from Shin Yi.

“Right… That’s true. I did refuse. I clearly stated that I wouldn’t get involved.”

“Yes.”

“I said I wouldn’t get involved, yet…”

As he spoke, Shin Yi’s expression darkened further.

“That’s not as easy as it sounds.”

“That’s why you’re bringing this up with me.”

“Exactly.”

“Then, I fail to understand why you specifically came to me.”

Shin Yi certainly claimed he had a request.

And this was the subject he brought up.

That part didn’t make sense to me.

‘There should be many people around.’

Right now, even if not trustworthy, Elder Lee was here.

The Master of the Martial World was likely here too, and there should be others willing to act for Shin Yi.

So why me of all people?

That was the puzzlement in my head.

Upon hearing my thoughts, Shin Yi said, “I don’t know either.”

He offered a stranger answer.

“…Huh?”

“I don’t know why it had to be you. I just had this feeling it should be you.”

“Is that your complete rationale…?”

“Yeah. If you don’t want to, just say so. I don’t intend to pressure you.”

“…”

The reason is utterly absurd.

You came because you felt like it had to be me.

What kind of nonsensical reason leads to something this significant?

Could Shin Yi be losing his wits? That thought crossed my mind, but…

“No… I see.”

It didn’t matter.

“…For now, I’ll listen to what you have to say.”

After all, I didn’t intend to refuse.

The Jiegal Clan is scheming something in Hanam.

How could I possibly pass up hearing that?

I couldn’t.

Especially since I was the one planning to stir up trouble in Hanam.

In that situation, the Jiegal Clan was about to make a move?

‘This is quite interesting.’

It wasn’t a bad turn of events.

It was even more so in a situation like this.

As Shin Yi spoke slowly and laid out the details, my mind started racing.

How could I turn this situation to my favor?

What I needed to focus on now was solely that thought.

As night slowly crept in, far from Hanam, somewhere even further down.

In a secretive location unknown to anyone, an old man was drinking alone.

Glug glug.

The drink filled his cup.

The old man grasped it and chugged it down.

No sign of any valuable pretense.

Perhaps he used to maintain his dignity, but there was no need for that anymore.

With one drink, then two, and even three, the bottle steadily emptied.

As he reached to fill his fourth cup, the old man suddenly pondered while holding the bottle.

‘How much is left?’

How much has he left in the bottle?

And also…

How long until he breaks free from the shackles?

“Probably, not much.”

Like the drink left in the bottle, there wouldn’t be much left.

That moment…

Glug…

The seconds remaining until he could down it all would be fleeting.

After draining the last drop, he felt the bottle was finally empty.

He didn’t need any snacks.

Savoring the past years would suffice as his appetizer.

Leaving behind the empty bottle, the old man slowly lifted the cup.

Filled with a drink, it was reminiscent of time.

Perhaps, if he consumes this entirely, the awaited time would arrive?

What a trivial thought. The old man chuckled.

Just as he was about to sip from the overflowing cup.

“…”

The old man had to freeze his moving hand.

Life sparkled in his normally empty eyes, and his gaze sharpened.

He glared at the cup of drink in front of him.

The liquor within the cup sloshed slightly.

The moment he confirmed that…

“G-Great Lord!”

Someone rushed in from outside.

“There’s been an ambush…! Someone has attacked this place…!!”

“…”

The urgent voice made the old man set the cup down.

Looks like…

“A guest has arrived.”

Despite the urgency of the message, the old man remained calm.

“The formation around the entrance has been dispelled…! Some of our members rushed out, but… the enemy’s strength…!”

“Do not act rashly.”

The old man’s chilling words made the man shut his mouth.

“It’s uncomfortable to make an appearance before a guest.”

“Great Lord…?”

“Prepare more drinks.”

The man, confused, blinked at what seemed to be an incomprehensible statement.

They had just been ambushed, yet he was suddenly talking about drinks.

Now was not the time for such matters.

Just as the man was about to express his disbelief–

“It seems a precious guest has arrived.”

Clop clop.

“…!”

At the sound from behind, the man stiffened.

At that very moment…

Huuuuuh!

A soft breeze wafted through the passage.

What’s the problem with that, you ask?

This was a place completely sealed on all sides.

Which meant that the breeze shouldn’t be blowing here.

So then, what was this wind?

Clop.

Footsteps drew nearer.

A slow and steady approach.

Clop.

They echoed unusually loudly.

Huuuuuh.

The wind brushed against the man’s shoulder.

Was it just his imagination? The man felt strangely heavy with that breeze.

Cold sweat began trickling down his stiffened body.

Huuurk—!

Pik—!

The wind snuffed out all the flames along the walls.

Sudden darkness enveloped the area.

Yet, the darkness didn’t linger for long.

Whoosh—!

From the darkness, flames reignited behind him.

However, the flames were strikingly different from those that had originally burned bright.

It was a purple hue.

For some reason, the flame radiated a violet light.

Moreover, as the flames flickered, the darkness felt even more profound.

Within that darkness, a voice echoed across the space.

“Long time no see.”

Clap clap clap clap—!

The man’s mouth trembled as his teeth clattered rapidly.

Upon hearing the voice, his body started reacting on its own.

It was a basic instinct of humanity.

Fear.

What the man felt was undoubtedly that.

Ignoring the man behind him, the older figure was solely focused on the newcomer.

Clad in heavy dark-colored martial robes and wearing an odd white mask.

Walking calmly with arms crossed behind him.

Seeing that, the old man inquired, “An unexpected guest. What brings you here?”

With no response to his inquiry, the figure simply regarded the old man in silence.

“If you won’t answer….”

“Jiegal Clan Leader.”

“…!”

“Is it sufficient to call you that?”

The old man’s brows furrowed at the statement.

Not only had they ambushed this place, but they also seemed aware of his identity.

“Who exactly are you?”

“It’s not really important who I am. What matters here isn’t that.”

Clop.

The figure resumed their steps, approaching the old man slowly.

“G-Great Lord–!!”

Seeing the figure coming closer, the paralyzed man shouted and attempted to rush over.

The old man raised his hand to stop him.

“It seems you have some purpose here.”

“I do. A very important one.”

The figure stopped right in front of the old man.

The old man narrowed his eyes in response.

The gaze from under the mask was exceedingly grating.

“I have something to discuss with you.”

“…”

The casual tone grated against the old man’s ears, though it seemed utterly fitting for the figure.

Having breached the formation laid out around their headquarters, this individual had the audacity to approach alone.

He could not let his guard down.

Concealing his intent, the old man asked, “Something to discuss… what might that be?”

“Before that, how should I refer to you now?”

“…”

Jiegal Clan Leader. Is that what I should be called?

The old man hesitated momentarily, but it didn’t take long to think of a suitable answer.

Considering they had come all this way to mention the Jiegal Clan, it was safe to assume the individual knew a bit.

There was no need for unnecessary probing.

“I can’t be called that anymore.”

“Then?”

“Cheonraheukmangdae.”

The old man stated, “That’s the name of the force I lead. So you can call me Cheonra Clan Leader.”

After that introduction, he couldn’t shake off a peculiar feeling.

“Mmmm.”

Listening to the name made the figure remark, “Not bad.”

There seemed to be a strange hint of amusement in that voice.

 

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