824 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

823rd Chapter: The Northern Hare - Web Novel Archive Room Hwoosh. The warmth spread from the tip of Gu Cheolwoon's toes, gradually taking shape as it transformed into flames. The fire that began to burn the ground soon became a mirage. As if embodying the owner’s emotions, it blazed more fiercely. How could he not be angry? He wanted to burn everything at once. And yet, he somehow held back. Gu Cheolwoon's life could be described as one of endless patience and torment. This was the fate and burden of all the descendants born into the Gu family line. Among them, Gu Cheolwoon's life was especially so. A family born to atone for the sins of their ancestors and to inherit their burdens. In the entire history of the Gu family, there had never been another like Gu Cheolwoon. Everything about him was unprecedented. When his father still retained the title of father, he often said to Gu Cheolwoon, "There has never been someone like you in the history of the Gu family." Yes, as if to prove those words, Gu Cheolwoon was special. Despite the generally small build of Gu family descendants, his frame was exceptionally large. More impressively, upon beginning to learn the Gu Flame Wheels Technique, he quickly entered a rational state. It took him merely a year to reach the five-star level, a feat that typically took an average of five years. Just by breathing and sleeping, he grew stronger. A jest passed around that he was a genius sent by the heavens. A once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon, perhaps comparable to the legendary Yeon Ilcheon who supposedly prevented bloodshed. To the Gu family, Gu Cheolwoon was such a being - a mere shooting star, too brilliant to be confined and lose its light in the Gu family’s seclusion. Thus, his father, the current head of the Gu family, made a choice. For the first time in history, he sent a direct descendant of the family out into the world. It was an unprecedented decision. Although one could leave upon becoming the head or the next in line, releasing one so openly into the world had never happened. How could such a choice be made? He couldn’t understand. He wanted to ask, but it was too late now. The head of the family from that time no longer remained. Even calling him father or former head didn’t bring back the person he had been. It was because he had accepted the fate that the Gu family head must carry, a path Gu Cheolwoon would someday have to follow. Thus, at nineteen, Gu Cheolwoon, following the head’s wishes, entered the world. He had no particular aspirations. He merely accepted his father's wish to experience the world and return. Occasionally, Gu Cheolwoon pondered. Did the experiences from that time truly benefit him? Seeing things he didn’t need to see, experiencing what he didn’t need to go through—did it yield the correct results as his father desired? The answer that surfaced was no. Nothing in the world had changed. If anything, things had gotten worse rather than better; not a single thing improved. Only he had changed. Was that, then, the correct outcome? No. He couldn’t say that either. From the outset, right and wrong couldn't be determined. He couldn’t even judge what was right himself. Every life existed like that. Why live so intensely? What meaning exists in a belief without purpose? He neither knew nor cared to know. Simply like this, quietly, diligently—he thought he could live without calling anything a conviction. A young man who lived with such thoughts. - "Nice to meet you." One day, a fissure formed as he met a woman. Something began to fill the emptiness inside. It didn’t take long for him to realize it was emotion. Simultaneously, conviction sprouted. It wasn’t much. At first, it merely involved listening. - "Don't do that." Before doing anything, he contemplated once more and refrained if possible. - "Make sure to eat? It’s cold, be careful." - "I will." - "And don't go around hitting people." - "I won't." These small things, oddly enough, filled him up completely. Even when life turned brutal, it allowed him to endure. Without realizing it, he stopped pondering right and wrong. Once he noticed, only one thing was important to him. It wasn’t something grand you might call conviction. It was simply a wish. A mere desire to protect someone, a wish that he must protect. A promise that no matter the storm, he would protect that one person. Back then, for Gu Cheolwoon, that was enough. No, even now, it would suffice. The only difference is, it’s not just her anymore. He weathered the storms. He lived focusing on just one thing, disregarding right and wrong. Living for someone else wasn’t entirely bad. If they wished for something, he would do anything to grant it. And so... - "... Please." At the end of painstakingly created time, when he inevitably sent off the person dearer than life itself, it was also because of that. - "Please take care of the children." He echoed her final words. It was indeed a cruel request. How could he manage without her? Gu Cheolwoon swallowed the words he couldn’t utter. It was precisely as stated. Without her, Gu Cheolwoon was nothing. A useless person unable to do anything as the children fell apart and shattered. Only then did Gu Cheolwoon realize he never truly lived as a father. There was nothing he couldn’t do. If possible, he did everything he wanted to. But fatherhood wasn't something he could manage. His daughters, who began to fear him. His son, who looked at him filled with fear and resentment, left him at a loss. The empty space was enough to ruin everything. He chose to look away. Not because there weren’t other options. He chose just a clumsy way of turning away. He covered his eyes. Closed his ears. Opted not to do, even if he could. Perhaps he could just become numb as is—let himself be washed away and crumble. Such thoughts gradually crept in. He lost track of how many years had passed. Slowly, he became buried. Nothing mattered anymore. As he continued living day by day like that, - "... Would it be okay if I didn’t?" Suddenly, at a sound, he lifted his head. - "Yes, it wouldn’t be okay if not. I'll do it." His hazy gaze slowly started to regain focus. Something was different than usual. - "But do I really have to...?" - "...?" "Yes. I will go out now..." It was his son. As soon as their eyes met, his son flinched and hurriedly exited, muttering under his breath. Watching him leave, Gu Cheolwoon tilted his head in confusion. What could it be? Something felt different. And yet, he couldn't pinpoint what had changed. At first glance, everything seemed the same. His son, just like Gu Cheolwoon after that day, was clearly broken. Knowing this, Gu Cheolwoon felt helpless, tethered by chains of fear. By the time he realized it was fear holding him back, it was already too late. Yes, he had thought that way. He was already too late to turn things back. So he thought. - "Young master had a duel with the Thunder Dragon." To his surprise, change had come. - "The Thunder Dragon?" - "Yes. Moreover, he emerged victorious..." His child was transforming. Fortunately, it didn't take Gu Cheolwoon long to realize this. - "Young master did something at Shanxi..." - "Young master made waves at the Yongbong Assembly..." - "Young master distinguished himself at the Divine Dragon Pavilion..." It all happened in an instant. From the moment he noticed that his child had started to change until now. While Gu Cheolwoon remained in place, his child was preparing to stand on his own. Undoubtedly scarred and filled with resentment, it seemed, yet he was determined to endure or overcome. What mental change or process might have taken place? Could it have been the acceptance of the Sword Master and his granddaughter? Gu Cheolwoon didn't know. It wasn’t his place to pursue such topics, and what mattered was singular. The child, who might have hurt more than himself, found strength to rise so arduously. What had Gu Cheolwoon been doing all this time? - "Please take care of the children." The voice he tried to forget echoed once again. He thought there was nothing left after letting go of what he was supposed to protect, but he was mistaken. There were so many things he should have embraced earlier, and so many things he needed to protect. Yet he did nothing. Ten years of doing nothing; ten years during which the child changed while he idled. - "Father." One day, his son called him “father.” He never expected to hear it, nor did he wish for it. He felt lacking to be addressed as a father. Yet, those words somehow lodged deep within him. It was the moment he understood what he needed to protect. - "Please." The words he heard every day always felt the same yet changed every time. It was the same this time too. What does it mean to be a father? He didn’t know. He had never truly experienced it himself. Could he still learn this at such a late stage? Doubt flickered, but it was not the time for hesitation. It was already too late to hesitate. Delaying further was no longer an option. “Speak.” Thus, he had to do what he could. Since he hadn’t been able to, he must succeed now. Gripping tightly. “Urgh!” He held the throat of the old man, whom he could easily snap. “If you intend to offer excuses, discard them. Do you think I wouldn’t recognize your intentions?” Despite the overwhelming urge to burn everything, he restrained himself mightily. Pausing before acting was a habit forged over several decades. He loosened his grip slightly. “For now...” It was to hear his response. “Speak.” Based on the reply, Gu Cheolwoon would make his choice. Would he obliterate the Murim Alliance from the world, or hold his wrath in silence? As he contemplated this and watched Muk Yeon, “…Gu Patriarch.” Muk Yeon addressed him. Gu Cheolwoon’s eyebrows furrowed as he replied. “Address me properly. Do I still look like a patriarch to you?” “I’m sorry...” “I’m not here for an apology. You were supposed to give me an explanation.” Faced with Gu Cheolwoon's unwavering stance, Muk Yeon paused for a moment, contemplating how to begin, and then spoke. “…Young master was needed by the Murim Alliance. He was aware of this and he made his choice accordingly.” “So, are you trying to justify it as the child’s choice?” “Young master wanted something from the alliance. Just as the alliance desired something from him. It was merely a transactional-” “I see.” Despite Muk Yeon’s explanation, Gu Cheolwoon nodded. “As always, shifting the blame elsewhere.” Muk Yeon's eyes widened with realization. He had discerned Gu Cheolwoon’s resolution. “You are unnecessary. Just as you were then, so you are now.” Fwoosh. A spark ignited. Gu Cheolwoon’s body became engulfed in flames. He had made his choice. He would erase the Murim Alliance from the world today. He would bear the consequences of the ensuing chaos. As an unworthy father, he could at least do that much. Additionally, ‘Including the burden I carry.’ He would sever the chains and burdens of the Gu family, ensuring his son wouldn’t inherit the pointless atonement. Having made up his mind, Gu Cheolwoon released his energy explosively. The Sword King moved. A fractured sword charged with inner energy. Gu Cheolwoon moved first, sending flickers of flame with his touch. Before the Sword King could move his arm, Gu Cheolwoon’s hand had already reached his face. At that moment, Swish—!! A strong gust suddenly intervened, separating Gu Cheolwoon from the Sword King. “…!” Gu Cheolwoon withdrew his hand, frowning as he distanced himself. He didn’t need to dodge. Under normal circumstances, he would have ignored the gust and crushed the Sword King’s head. Yet, he retreated. The reason? He was interested in the source of the gust. The whirlwind that separated Gu Cheolwoon and the Sword King was undoubtedly of a vibrant golden hue. As if laden with moonlight. ***************** Swish, swish. He emerged, wiping his hands with a cloth. The fabric was heavily stained with blood, so he had to at least clean it off a bit. "Tch." He clicked his tongue shortly. His mood was sour. It wasn’t that he felt squeamish for killing someone at this point. “The information was inadequate.” He hadn’t obtained much information, and that bothered him. Despite killing quite a few, none of them uttered useful words before their end. Or perhaps, rather than withholding information... ‘Perhaps they didn’t know anything.’ These people knew nothing. For what purpose did they do this? Why were they intertwined with the Cheon An sect? No matter how many times he asked what they were up to, the only answer they gave was that they didn’t know. Perhaps they were just rank-and-file members? Their lack of information was astounding. Just in case, he even resorted to turning them into demonic beings and interrogated them, but the answer remained unchanged. Ah, there was at least one thing he managed to uncover. They were indeed part of a faction. It wasn’t anything grand—just the name of the faction. He'd have to investigate more to discover anything else, but that was the only immediate clue. The name was something like... "Ilcheon-gyo." Ilcheon-gyo (一天敎). It was a group he had never heard of, not even in past lives.