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The place where Gu Bong returned to was the building he had just left.

Fortunately, it wasn’t too far, and since he had memorized the way, it was easy to find. However, it ended up taking him quite a while to arrive.

The reason was simple.

“I can’t calm down.”

There wasn’t enough time to get over the anger that surged to the top of his head.

“Damn bastard.”

The more he thought of Gu Bong, the more irritation bubbled up.

“I should have just beaten him harder.”

He should have made sure he couldn’t even get up, knocked him out cold for at least half a year. Not having done so was a lingering regret.

“Huuh….”

He sighed and brushed his hair back.

Of course, doing so wouldn’t actually relieve his anger.

“How could that guy be a disciple?”

He tried to think positively since it seemed like Noya cared for him. Or perhaps, he regretted not smashing him up a little.

“Why do I even care about such a fool?”

All those feelings vanished in an instant.

It was the moment when Gu Bong finally threw away his pride and knelt.

Bang.

As he harshly opened the door, everyone inside jumped in surprise.

By now, more people had gathered inside than before.

The first disciples he’d seen and those who’d been waiting inside were all there.

They were hurriedly rolling their eyes at him.

The meaning behind their expressions was simple.

“Who the heck are they?”

That expression was clear, but he didn’t bother explaining and pointed to one of them with a frustrated face.

“You there.”

“Eh, yes? Me?”

“Yeah, you. Come here.”

As he gestured repeatedly, the guy pointed out approached with a bewildered expression.

He was the disciple who had been raising his voice against Young Master Baek earlier.

“What was that guy from before?”

“Uh…?”

“You know, the one with the last name Baek. That idiot. What’s his deal?”

When he asked about the previous guy, the disciple’s face turned puzzled.

His expression was more like asking why he was inquiring than actually wondering how he didn’t know.

“Explain it quickly.”

As he growled and frowned, the disciple flinched and opened his mouth.

“He’s… the heir of the White Family.”

“The White Family?”

“Yes… It’s the place where a man named Baek Ul is.”

Baek Ul. That seemed to be the name of that Young Master Baek.

That aside, moving on to the next question.

“What is the White Family?”

“Um…?”

“If you ask back again, I’ll just rip out your tongue?”

“…The White Family is one of the three noble clans in Yawolgung.”

“Three… is that a big deal?”

“Um… yes. They’re one of the few families that maintain pure blood, receiving the master’s blessing…”

Maintaining pure blood. The term felt strangely annoying as he seemed to hear it quite often, but what bothered him more was the latter part.

The master’s blessing?

“What’s a master?”

“…?”

“Your expression.”

“Oh, um….”

When he pointed out that they were looking at him like he was a fool, he finally relaxed his face.

Then he asked again.

“What’s a master?”

“You are a being under the Master of Mankye…”

“Mm.”

He narrowed his eyes. Being under the Master.

Whenever conversations about his mother would come up, it always felt quite awkward.

So, he tried to ignore that and asked the next question.

“…And what about the nobles?”

“Nobles refer to those with pure blood who have received blessings from the master.”

“And this pure blood guy is who?”

“Um… yes, that’s correct.”

“Is being a master or a noble really that great? Is it worth trembling so much?”

“…”

“Damn, your expression.”

“…The words of those with the master’s blessing are law. It’s only natural, since they are chosen by the master.”

Hmm.

Hearing those words, various thoughts crossed his mind. The way he was saying it without even a hint of trembling means it must be true.

The idea that being chosen by the master is natural must be considered normal here.

Which means.

“The presence of being the master and those under him are quite significant.”

They treat it as something far greater than he had initially thought.

Then.

“Why do such people clash with Hwasan?”

“That is…”

The disciple who was about to speak hesitated. It seemed he was pondering whether it was okay to say it.

As he continued to hesitate, the thought of making him speak by force occurred to him.

“Feel free to explain…”

A voice came from behind him. It was Gu Bong, who had just entered through the door.

He glanced at him.

His expression looked quite rotten, as if he was deep in thought.

“…The Hwasan Sect lacks pure blood within and is comprised mostly of those who have not even received the master’s blessing, so they aren’t very powerful.”

“They haven’t received the blessing…”

He wasn’t entirely sure what that meant, but judging from the reactions of the gatekeeper and that Baek guy, it seemed like a big deal in this world.

“This is also a problem that arose because the Sect Leader looked down on us and accepted us without pause…”

The disciple’s eyes were filled with sorrow.

“Not only the blessings of the general but because there are those who haven’t even received the master’s permission… The gazes of the world…”

“So, you’re saying.”

He interrupted the disciple.

“You think it’s foolish to underestimate the bunch of half-wits just because they’re a crowd.”

“…”

The disciple’s face contorted, as if he knew it was true.

“So you’re enduring all this just for a few food supplies?”

“It’s inevitable… At least we managed to squeeze through this much…”

“No, it’s fine, but.”

There was something he didn’t understand.

It’s all about blessings, generals, and nonsense. He knew their situation was dire, but…

“Does your Sect Leader know about this situation?”

“He…”

Did Shin Noya know that his disciples were experiencing all of this? He could confidently conclude that.

“He probably doesn’t know.”

Given the old man’s personality, if he knew, he wouldn’t just stand idle.

“…I think he doesn’t know in detail.”

To prove that, the disciple replied awkwardly.

Just as he thought.

If that was the case…

“Why doesn’t he know? It feels like there shouldn’t be a structure where he can’t know.”

“The Sect Leader… is forbidden from approaching other nations.”

The answer came not from the disciple he was speaking with, but from Gu Bong.

“Forbidden?”

“Yes. The Sect Leader is not only forbidden from approaching other nations but even intervening in related work.”

“Why?”

“That is the contract that allows Hwasan to exist.”

“Hmm…”

Hearing that, vague memories began to resurface from the previous incident.

Was it the Duryeong? That black-haired bastard had mentioned something about breaking a contract or a pact.

Noya had argued that it wasn’t the case.

“So, Noya must not be able to go anywhere and thus wouldn’t know?”

“Indeed. The Sect Leader likely wouldn’t know… And it’s for the better that he doesn’t.”

“Why?”

It was strange that Gu Bong hoped he wouldn’t know.

“It’s because he’s the one who has embraced us without a place to go and cared for us… I don’t want to cause him any more worry.”

The mention of caring for them almost made him snicker in contempt, but he held it back.

Then, with a nonchalant face, he asked.

“So you’re saying that I’m the only one who has to kneel, is that the reason?”

“…”

Gu Bong’s silence was an affirmation.

Ha ha.

Seeing that, he burst into laughter.

As he thought before, it was the same this time.

“What a fool.”

“…”

Even after his words, Gu Bong had no reply.

“What? You don’t want to trouble him?”

That’s not even funny. It was ridiculous.

“You lot know nothing about that old man.”

“What do you…”

“Do you really think the old man knows nothing about this matter?”

There’s no way that’s possible.

That sharp and crafty old man wouldn’t let something like that slip by.

“Why did he send me then?”

Now, he finally understood.

“Damn that old man.”

Was he trying to make him do something he couldn’t do himself?

What absurdity.

He moved his feet, thinking that. At the same time, he spoke to the Heavenly Demon.

“Don’t follow me; stay here quietly. If you do, it’ll truly end badly for you.”

“…”

The Heavenly Demon, who had been about to move, froze in place.

Suddenly moving, Gu Bong looked at him and asked.

“…Noble Person, where are you going? You should return to Hwasan immediately—.”

Without even glancing at him, he answered.

“I’m just going to earn my keep, so wait for me.”

Right now, it was time for him to carry out a task he hadn’t even known about before.

A massive mansion located to the east of Yawolgung.

It was known to others as the White Family.

There, people rushed in urgently, making a commotion.

“Emergency—!”

“Younger Master has been injured…!”

Suddenly, chaos erupted inside as people carried someone in.

The heir of the family, Baek Ul, was brought in, his face in complete disarray, and those witnessing it panicked and gathered around.

“The Younger Master is in critical condition…! Get a healer immediately!”

“Hurry up already!”

“Ugh….”

A great uproar ensued.

Baek Ul was bleeding profusely, and the servants were running around with pale faces.

Were they worried because Baek Ul was hurt? No, that wasn’t important at all.

What they truly feared wasn’t Baek Ul.

No matter how much he was the heir of the family, he was still just an heir.

What they were truly terrified of was…

“What happened!?”

A low voice shook the premises.

Hearing it, all the servants froze in their tracks.

In that moment.

Grrrrr—

A sound akin to a tiger’s growl echoed softly.

Along with it, killing intent enveloped the surroundings.

“Ck… cough…”

The sensation tightening around their necks made everyone kneel.

While those present struggled to stand, someone slowly walked forward.

With every step, long, white hair swept across the floor.

It was a very long and rough mane.

Moreover, considering the being’s stature was just a bit over eight feet, the hair looked even longer.

As that presence passed through the servants and gazed down at the fallen Baek Ul.

At that sight, veins bulged on its forehead.

“What is going on?”

“Mas… Master….”

“I asked what happened.”

Grrrrr—

As the man spoke, the roar mixed in.

The entire building trembled at that voice.

“Yikes…”

The body of the one being questioned shook violently. Fear was crushing him slowly.

“Answer me.”

“…It… was….”

Grrr… His trembling body raked its nails into his palm. If he didn’t answer, he would die. It was better to feel pain instead.

He had to force out a response. If not, he would die.

So he opened his trembling mouth, forced himself to speak.

“…Hwa… Hwasan….”

Just two syllables. He barely managed to say that before his consciousness faded.

Thud. The man collapsed onto the floor.

“Hwasan?”

Upon hearing those words, the being’s eyes ignited with a blue flame.

“Ha.”

The corners of its mouth twisted harshly upward.

“How dare those insects….”

Even after being shown mercy, did they dare pull such a stunt?

Crunch—

The being clenched its massive fist and turned around.

“Where are they now?”

“We just finished the transaction, they’ll soon be taking the food supplies out of the palace.”

“Is that so?”

As it heard the answer, the corners of its eyes lifted slyly.

“Guide me. I need to go there and tear them apart myself.”

The being’s name was Baek Wol.

He was the head of the noble White Family, the general of Yawolgung. He was the apostle of Yusa.

 

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