886 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

The initial impression I got from reading the letter was utter confusion. From the start to the end, it seemed nonsensical. It took quite some time to wrap my head around it because it was so hard to comprehend. Eventually, after some time, I managed to understand the content of the letter. 'What kind of madness is this?' The second thought was disbelief, even after comprehending it. 'What has Father done?' Accused of a crime and imprisoned by the Meng? It was absurd. Normally, I would have dismissed it as nonsense and torn the letter to bits. It's an absurdity beyond measure. Naturally, that's how it should have been handled. The problem is... ‘This was sent by Mrs. Mi.' The owner of this letter was none other than Mrs. Mi. Bearing the seal of the Baekhwa Association, with the unmistakable insignia of the head of the association, and the unique homing pigeon used by Mrs. Mi. All these elements confirmed the authenticity of the letter. "Young master...?" Wi Seol-ah approached me with concern upon seeing my tense expression. I raised a hand to stop her. "Just a moment." "..." Wi Seol-ah couldn't approach right now. I needed to quickly process everything with a cool head, and her approach would only disrupt that. ‘What is going on?’ I needed to figure out what exactly had happened here. The first thing to consider was, 'Is this letter genuine?' The question was whether this letter was truly sent by Mrs. Mi. It appeared genuine, but trusting it entirely without reservation was difficult. ‘Could someone be impersonating Mrs. Mi?’ There's a slim possibility that someone could be imitating her, from the letter to the homing pigeon, even matching her handwriting. However... ‘That possibility is very slim.’ It's not enough to consider seriously. For now, I set it aside. ‘If that's the case.’ If Mrs. Mi herself truly sent this letter to me, what intention could she have? ‘…Father committed a crime and is imprisoned.’ That's the result. However, the letter didn’t specify Mrs. Mi's intentions behind this. Was she saying not to worry because it's nothing major? That didn't seem like the case. ‘It would have been included in the content if that were the case.’ Furthermore, if it were something minor, Mrs. Mi wouldn't have sent me a letter like this. Moreover... 'It seems Mrs. Mi knows about my father’s situation. All the more reason.' Father being captured and imprisoned by the Meng? It's incomprehensible to me. He wasn't captured voluntarily, but forcibly detained. Who... ‘Who could have captured my father?’ I know my father is strong. Likely stronger than I am now. Which means... ‘Is there someone in the Meng who could capture my father?’ Among the grandmasters, the Celestial Master isn’t involved, the Sword Master is elusive, and the Conqueror is out of the question. In other words, none of the grandmasters are involved. So who else could it be? ‘The Sword Emperor?’ Could it be the Sword Emperor, one of the top ten martial artists in the land? That possibility exists. He is stronger than me. But... ‘Would that still be true now?’ That was before I came to Sichuan. With my current rapid growth, I judged that I wouldn’t be easily overpowered even if I faced the Sword Emperor now. ‘Could they have collaborated?’ Even so, it seems unlikely. If that were indeed the case... ‘…What justified such actions?’ What justification was there to go that far? The letter only mentioned he was accused of a crime. It didn’t specify what crime, or how he was imprisoned. Does this mean… ‘Was there no need to specify?’ Or… ‘Was it because there wasn’t enough time to specify?’ The more I continued thinking, the more my insides chilled. The heart that had seemed on the verge of bursting now quietened down, and the energy that had seemed ready to explode was still. Calm before the storm. My current state was exactly that. “What to do….” “Yes?” “…What should I do about this?” I murmured while stroking my chin, my gaze fixed on the floor. The once noisy sound of loading was no longer heard. A low hum. The air quivered with the energy slowly flowing from my body. This isn’t good. It was becoming increasingly hard to hold back. ‘Think rationally.’ If I act on impulse now, it would only complicate matters. So, I needed to suppress my emotions somehow. If Father is imprisoned, what then? What might happen to him? ‘There’s no way that could happen.’ What kind of person is Father? Nothing will happen to him. Surely, there's some situation. Yes, let's just stay calm and do what I've always done. Father will surely be fine... -Live. “...” Crumple—! With pressure, the letter crumpled in my hand. “Young…” “Seol-ah.” “…!” At the mention of her name in a low voice, Wi Seol-ah flinched. “Yes...? Yes? Yes....Yes?” Though it was the first time I had ever called her name. Despite the situation, it felt crude, but it couldn't be helped. “I'm sorry, but could I ask you for a favor?” “…Oh...yes...yes? Yes, of course. Whatever, whatever you need.” Wi Seol-ah, overwhelmed, stammered her response. Surprisingly, even her bewildered demeanor escaped my notice. "When Cheol Jiseon arrives, tell him to proceed as planned, and if any issues arise, handle them with flexibility." “Oh…. Yes.” "If you see Tang Sohyeol, tell her to make sure the children come safely, and convey my apologies too." “Uh…” As I added more, Wi Seol-ah gazed at me with an increasingly curious look. It seemed she had realized something. “Young master.... Are you going somewhere?” “...” I looked up into the sky. “Yes. Something urgent has come up, so I’ll be leaving shortly.” “Yes? What do you mean…?” “Come safely. I’ll try to come and pick you up, if possible.” “Young—!" Fwoosh—!!! My body transformed into flames and took off. The presence on the ground quickly faded. The sensation of my entire being turning into fire for the first time felt strange, but I couldn’t concern myself with it now. Even though my whole body was ablaze, I felt cold inside. Or was it just my perception? Maybe my senses were dulled by overwhelming heat, making it seem as if I couldn’t grasp it. Nothing comes to mind at the moment. If there is one thing that emerges, it’s just this. ‘How much was it again?’ I tried to remember how long it had taken for Father to travel from Shanxi to Sichuan. Was it three days? Or perhaps four? The exact duration eluded me. Whatever it was, it didn't matter. 'Faster than that.' Two days. I'd fuel my entire energy to make sure I'd arrive within that time frame. With that sole thought, I willed my heart to pump harder. Whoosh—!!! The flames swiftly cut through the sky. ****************** Squeak. An unusually cold autumn day seeped into the basement. As the iron door creaked open, someone stepped inside. With deliberate steps, the figure walked down the hallway, feet echoing coldly against the stone floor. The plodding, weary gait seemed laced with irritation, and the furrowed brows displayed the old man's displeasure. Drip. Drip. Moisture from somewhere dripped down, wetting the old man's shoulders. Though most might find the damp uncomfortable, the old man paid it no mind. He simply continued toward his destination. Finally, the old man stopped in front of a barred cell. Inside sat a figure, unmoving. Even in a seated posture, the figure's imposing size was evident. At the approach, the broad-shouldered man opened his eyes. Facing him was an equally towering old man. Two crimson lights floated within the dark cell. The old man gazed at those lights and spoke. "What a pitiful sight this is. Former Clan Leader Gu." "..." "Even when you were young and reckless, you never pulled stunts like this. Tsk, tsk..." "Elder Il Jang." In response to Gu Cheolwoon’s words, the old man outside, Elder Il Jang, clicked his tongue repeatedly. "When I first heard the news, I thought it was some nonsense. Seeing it in person is unbelievable. What are you doing now?" "There were circumstances." "There must have been. That's why you’re sitting here like this." Despite Elder Il Jang's words, Gu Cheolwoon maintained a stoic face. "Just for clarity, they say you oppressed and ambushed Muk Yeon. Is that true?" "Yes." "Goodness." At the resolute answer, Elder Il Jang brushed a hand over his wrinkled forehead. "Why? If you planned to do it, why not go all the way instead of muddling things up like this?" "That was my intention." "Hahaha. Incredible." His sigh deepened another level. He’d spoken in jest, but the answer was dead serious. He couldn’t understand where such sheer audacity came from. Planning to kill the Meng’s strategist. Imprisoned for that very crime. The absurdity was palpable. But the most baffling aspect was... "If you intended it, why didn't you see it through? What's this current situation?" Elder Il Jang couldn’t comprehend. “Why allow yourself to be captured?” The situation where Gu Cheolwoon was imprisoned in the cell was perplexing. Moreover, he wasn’t even properly restrained. Simply sitting quietly within the bars. Which meant that, should Gu Cheolwoon desire, he could escape anytime he wished. In fact... "If you had wanted on that day, you could have erased the entire Meng. So, what are you thinking, staying like this?" "It was necessary." "Necessary?" Elder Il Jang frowned at Gu Cheolwoon’s response. "This incident might provoke the other elders into action. While your position may remain secure, it could lead to minor annoyances. You know that, don't you?" “Yes.” "Despite that, was it still necessary?" “Yes.” The answer was firm. It was only after hearing that response that Elder Il Jang asked what had been on his mind. "Is this related to Yangcheon?" Gu Cheolwoon's expression subtly shifted at the mention. Elder Il Jang wasn't one to miss such a change. "Cheolwoon." The tone shifted. Since Gu Cheolwoon ascended as the clan leader, they had maintained formalities until now. This was the first time in decades that informal language slipped through. "I don't know what you're planning, but is this really for Yangcheon?” “I don't know.” "What?” Up until now, his responses had been unequivocal, but this one seemed less assured. "I act with that intention, but I've never lived as a father, so I'm uncertain." "What a pathetic answer." It was a sight he had never seen before. Gu Cheolwoon had never faltered, no matter the circumstances. Even if the world stood against him. Even if unbeatable adversaries appeared before him. Gu Cheolwoon never backed down. In fact, he would often straighten his back and face everything head-on. That was Gu Cheolwoon. But now... "What troubles you so?” “That, too, I do not know.” The present Gu Cheolwoon appeared deeply troubled. A figure previously akin to a steadfast lighthouse in the dark now seemed very much human. The frustration was palpable, yet the humanity of it offered a sense of relief somehow. Feeling relief when the clan leader was imprisoned? It was baffling even to him. “Your wife is very worried.” “...” “Soon, your daughters will likely find out too. So I'll ask once more.” Across the bars, Elder Il Jang looked at Gu Cheolwoon and asked. “Are you truly alright with this?” “Yes.” Gu Cheolwoon's response regained its firmness. Moreover, "There will be no problem. Even if one arises." The red eyes alight with determination. "I will ensure it doesn't happen." “...” Even in this pitiful state, where did he find such unwavering confidence? In that demeanor, he saw someone else's shadow. 'He's similar.' Indeed, his son was the spitting image. Though had always appeared composed, a fiery spirit simmered within. ‘I had almost forgotten.’ Gu Cheolwoon wasn’t merely calm. His appearance belied a fiery, passionate nature unmatched by anyone. Thus, even the mere suggestion that someone touched his son drove him to the brink of assaulting the Meng to turn it to dust. If there was a mystery here, it was a single question. ‘Why didn’t he?’ Despite having the ability, ultimately Gu Cheolwoon did not act upon it. He was even here now, voluntarily entering a cell without being bound or restrained. ‘What on earth happened?’ What possibly transpired to lead to such a state? He wished to ask but could tell by Gu Cheolwoon’s expression the futility. ‘He won’t speak, not even if it kills him.’ That expression meant nothing would break through. He had been that way in his youth as well. Bottling everything within until he bore all alone in the end. Age hadn't changed that stubbornness one bit. Moreover... ‘…Even that part is exactly like him.’ That damned stubbornness—his son likely doesn't know he inherited it verbatim. They're so alike, almost a mirror image, except for their faces. “Hyoran mentioned she had informed Yangcheon about the situation.” “...” Gu Cheolwoon’s previously calm eyes trembled. It was the most significant reaction he'd shown. “By now, the letter must've reached Sichuan. No doubt, the boy is going through some emotional turmoil,” Elder Il Jang remarked. Gu Cheolwoon let out a quiet laugh. “That won’t be the case.” “Hmm?” “If it were him, he'd be resenting me. He might find peace of mind because of that.” “...” Whether he truly believed this or not, Gu Cheolwoon’s expression remained serene, as if genuinely relieved by the idea. '…Tsk.' Elder Il Jang clucked his tongue in frustration. “A father should know such things better than anyone.” With a sigh, Elder Il Jang spoke. “Your son is remarkably like you, probably more than you're aware.” The resemblance only grew stronger over time. If only considering temperament, the son was far fiercer. This side always appeared serene, while the son's demeanor was both fierce and visibly intense. It was concerning. 'His father ended up in this predicament because of his son...' How would the son, reputed for being more intense, react upon learning of his father's situation? ‘Would he go so far as to set fire to the Meng outright?’ No, surely not. Despite everything, he became a chief within the Meng. He wouldn’t do something irreparable, right? Such actions couldn’t be contained. Gu Yangcheon must know this too, so he wouldn’t act rashly. ...Would he? "…" Suddenly, a wave of anxiety washed over Elder Il Jang. He had a knack for accurate premonitions, especially when it came to situations like this.