613 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Title: Chapter 613: In the Midst of a Conspiracy What’s going on? Why is she reacting like that? "A fiancée, he says… Do you even know who it is?" "How would I know that? I’ve only heard there is one." "Oh…" She didn’t look well. Though I’m not sure why, it was clear she hadn’t known about the fiancée. Does he really have one? "This isn’t important now, let’s move on." "But, I feel like there's more to say…!" "Do you have any other suspects?" He asked, quickening his pace slightly. In response, he felt Yuri tighten her grip on his collar. Suspects, he had asked Yuri this when they first arrived in the North Sea. Given the situation had become this tangled, it seemed likely there would be a traitor among the bloodline. Was there anyone she suspected? When asked, Yuri had previously said there wasn’t. "But things might have changed now, right?" “...” It was now certain there was a traitor among the clan members. Hence, he asked once more. “…There is someone.” Yuri’s response was peculiar. "Is there really someone on your mind?" It seemed like something did cross her mind. “…No." "I’m serious. If you don’t tell me, I’ll really leave you here." "..." He was truly serious this time. If she was unwilling to speak about even this, it was better to just leave her behind. "Hmm." Still, there was no answer. He was about to release his grip and let her fall carelessly when. "It’s, it’s nothing certain." That’s when Yuri finally spoke up. "It’s just... a suspicion…" "What’s with the embellishments? I’ve been asking since earlier if there was someone you’re suspicious of." He didn’t ask for the right answer, just for potential suspects. "..." Yuri hesitated a moment before finally speaking up. “…Lee Gongja.” "Lee Gongja?" Isn’t he supposed to be the second son of the palace chief? "Why?" "He seems the most likely..." He nodded slightly, acknowledging Yuri's reasoning. It was a convincing argument. Typically, the first son inherits the position, and if the second son's skill surpasses the first, it's a common tale for them to draw their sword in pursuit of the position. If Lee Gongja had a grudge, aiding a rebellion isn't a stretch. It was a plausible assumption, but. "That’s not the only reason for your suspicion, is it?" "..." Judging by Yuri’s reaction, there seemed to be more to it. Upon further questioning. “…Lee Gongja has always been discontent." Of course. As expected, Yuri elaborated on her reasoning. "Il Gongja was set to inherit the minor palace master position, but… in terms of talent, Lee Gongja was more exceptional." "So he was dissatisfied." "Yes. He often lamented that he couldn’t become the palace chief due to predetermined circumstances since birth." Having observed that, when talk came of traitorous blood, did Lee Gongja come to mind? 'Certainly enough reason to suspect.' The talented second son. The first son, less capable but inheriting the position due to birthright. The disgruntled second son igniting a rebellion. 'It's a tale heard too many times.' He nodded. It was information worthy of retaining. He slightly firmed the grip he’d intended to release. "Ha…" At that, Yuri sighed. Perhaps realizing she was in danger. As noticed before, she seemed quick-witted. The time could be at most half an interval. As the energy thickened, he increased his speed slightly. "…Can I ask you something?" In that pause, Yuri posed a question to him. "What is it?" Would she inquire about the engagement from earlier? Just as he was thinking that. "How did you emerge from the hideout?" "What?” The unexpected question almost disrupted his focus. "What do you mean by how did I emerge?" He asked, puzzled. "How did I get out? I just left, didn’t I?" Baffled by the absurdity, he spoke, and Yuri’s expression shifted oddly as she continued. "In the hideout… there was a high-level spell cast. Without being blood-related or knowing the exact paths, it would be difficult to freely enter or move around…." “...What?” At Yuri's words, he furrowed his brows. A spell? Not an enchantment but actual spellwork. ‘Something like Shin Ui used.’ A few years back. It was a technique he had seen when curing Jegal Hyeok with the white horse stone. Unlike others, it was something akin yet distinct from enchantments. It didn’t involve intricate calculations like an enchantment. With a few waves of one’s hand, mystical phenomena unfolded. Shortly after, the sacrificial white horse stone disappeared, and Jegal Hyeok was able to speak. Though Shin Ui remained unconscious for over two weeks after, it undoubtedly was a wondrous power. How could that be possible? Even when asked, Shin Ui provided no answers. ‘That was present in the cave?’ And I didn’t notice it at all? Not only was it not difficult to navigate, but I even found the entrance easily and left without issues. ‘…Wait.’ At that thought, the moment with Baekryeonggeom leaving came to mind. On the day I left, I recall Baekryeonggeom not following for some reason. At the time, it seemed like she had no intention to hold back. ‘Was it just that she missed the chance?’ If she missed the opportunity to catch me, it made sense. Moreover, ‘Something felt off about the lack of guards.’ The number of guards within and outside the hideout seemed minimal. Initially, I thought the forces were limited due to hasty retreat, but. If attributed to the spell, it aligns well. The problem is. ‘Why didn’t I sense it?’ If what Yuri said was true, I should have felt something. Why did I feel absolutely nothing? Just as questions brushed by. Tap. He had to halt his steps. “What, Goo Gong—?” “…Quiet for a moment.” He cut off Yuri’s questioning. “It looks like we’ve arrived at our destination.” “What?” Yuri’s eyes widened as she heard his words. “…Here?” “Yeah.” “But there’s… nothing here?” The snowstorm continued to rage under the dark sky, obstructing visibility. Snow stretched out in every direction on a vast plain, so it was natural for Yuri to look confused. "No, this is the place." I was certain. As I reached out my hand and swept it around in front of me, Woong-! I felt something with my fingertips. At first, I thought it was a barrier. But no, it was more like the sensation of waves. Is this an enchantment? Or something else? I wasn't certain yet, but one thing was clear. 'Can I actually feel this?' An incredibly faint sensation was becoming vividly perceptible all over my body. It was strange that Yuri wasn’t able to feel this. Normally, I wouldn't have been able to sense it either. Not when Namgoong Bi-A tore apart the Heukya Palace's enchantment or when U-Hyeok found the entrance to Shing Dragon Pavilion's chamber. So, if I could feel it now... It seemed like... "Tsk..." With the enlightenment from my heart, something changed within me. Fascinating. ‘Is this what it feels like?’ I never understood when people talked about hearing or smelling something in enchantments. But now, I kind of... ‘No, I still don’t get that part.’ Even though scents and sounds remained elusive, I could at least understand a vague hint of it. Directing the question to Yuri, I asked. "Do you know where we are?" "...No, I don’t." She shook her head. There was nothing but fields of snow all around, so it wasn't like recognizing the place was obvious. We had been walking, relying solely on the energy surrounding us, so it was understandable she wouldn’t know. "Are you sure this is the destination?" "Yes." It’s beyond this point. Woong-! Woong-! I could undeniably sense a vibration beyond this threshold. Hoooo- I unleashed my energy, letting it spread out around us. I did this in case there might be enemies nearby, but unfortunately, I didn't sense any. I waved my hand a few more times through the rippling waves. Then I tried to delve a bit further, but— Pajijik-! An inexplicable pressure pushed my hand back. "Hmm." What to do? I couldn’t simply walk through. 'Can I find a way to slip through like they did?' Could I carve through it with a sword like Namgoong Bi-A or U-Hyeok had done? I stared intently at the ripples in front of me with that thought. ‘No matter how I look at it, I can't see anything to cut through....’ Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any such thing. Then what should I do? I can’t just pass by it. There doesn’t seem to be any gaps to punch through. Should I try to dismantle it? I was certain that trying would be futile, and even if successful, it wouldn’t happen by tonight. Then what to do? Should I turn back as things are? ‘That’s not an option.’ Having come this far, I wouldn’t turn back. Especially when I could feel the vibrations from beyond, how could I possibly leave? Neoya was felt just beyond this barrier. Now that I knew that, returning wasn’t an option. “Goo Gongja…?” I twisted my waist slightly. Clenched my fist. ‘Can I do it?’ I didn’t know. Even as I assumed a stance, doubts plagued me. How to use it, and whether I could use it again—I hadn't had the chance to figure it out since regaining my senses. I just believed. Believed that I could do it. That was all I could hold on to. “When you've no options…” Go with the simplest method. If I can’t figure it out with my head, just break it. That’s the method that suited me best. Woong-! Something flowed from my heart, wrapping around my fist. Instantly, an enormous emptiness flooded in. Feeling it, I said, “Just go with primal simplicity.” I drove my fist toward the waves. Shimkwon (Heart Fist). Hwaaaak-! A cataclysm erupted from my fist. ****************** Kuuung---!! For a brief moment, an immense vibration rippled through the surroundings. Because of this— “…!” Namgoong Bi-A, who had been sleeping lightly, woke with a start. She bolted upright, eyes looking somewhere distant. "Ah...?" Namgoong Bi-A's eyes widened briefly. And understandably so. The 'mask' she had lost—the putrid stench that had begun to return— Was nowhere to be felt anymore.