1144 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

It was all ruined. That was the first thought that came to mind. 'Ah, I'm really screwed this time.' I was in a bind. I never expected that strange artifact to pop up here. ‘I didn't even know it existed.’ Although the Gu family stored fewer artifacts compared to other families, it didn’t mean there were none. But I didn’t remember each and every one of them. The reason I knew about this one, however, was quite simple. ‘Because it’s truly an odd thing.’ It’s a device that can confirm whether the spell caster and the target share the same bloodline or not. The fact that it could do such a thing was rather fascinating. The amusing part was that this artifact was rented out for a hefty price by families keen on borrowing it. When a family situation was in a significant mess, this device was often needed. Because of these stories, I remember it quite well. ‘To think that I…’ That I would end up using it one day. I frowned as I watched blood flow over the orb. The Orb of Bloodlines. That was the condition for its use. The caster breathes energy into the orb. The target’s blood is then added to confirm. During this process, the orb reacts and emits light. ‘…Yes, just like this.’ The orb shimmered with a golden light. There was only one reason for its brilliance. ‘It means the bloodlines match.’ It was proof that the owner of the energy and the owner of the blood shared the same family line. "You, it’s quite lively, this glow. Is it not?" "..." I frowned at Gu Ryun’s beaming statement and let out a sigh as I released the orb from my grip. “Damn… Annoying old man.” "What was that?" Gu Ryun responded to my comment. "Heh. Look at this brat." Just as Gu Ryun was beginning to show mild annoyance at my frustrating remark, he laughed heartily. "This temperament... It does seem like you’re from the Gu family. Hahaha!" Even now, he found amusement in the situation. Truly, he was a strange old man. Moreover, "Judging by your reaction, you already knew, didn’t you?" "…" Due to my sour expression, Gu Ryun deduced a few other things as well. 'Damn it.' Why did this have to appear here? And furthermore, 'Paejon was the one carrying this?' Looking at the fact that he brought it back from Paejon, it made me question why Paejon would even need it. ‘I can’t quite understand why he’d bother to have it... But that isn’t what’s important right now.’ "…Haa." How much does he know? I couldn’t fathom why Gu Ryun came all the way to confirm this. ‘Is it just because of how I look?’ I didn’t understand. I couldn’t comprehend why he suddenly needed to verify this. ‘…Why would Father…’ It was strange that my father would provide his blood if Gu Ryun asked for it. As I was losing myself in these thoughts, "The orb glowing so brightly indicates that the blood is strongly linked…" The intensity of the Orb of Bloodlines’ glow measures the similarity in the shared blood. Such a lively glow suggests a significant connection. Of course, ‘After all, I am his son.’ Direct descent. As the only son, if my father's blood was mixed, such a result was inevitable. Gu Ryun, surely aware of this, grimaced deeply. "You…" "…" Gulp. As I met Gu Ryun’s gaze, "…Are you the clan head’s illegitimate son?" "…" I almost lost the strength in my knees. I barely managed to steady myself and regain composure. 'Yes, it makes sense they’d think that.' Naturally, it would be preposterous for them to consider me the son of my father in this situation. So, from Gu Ryun’s perspective, I must be the clan head’s—a grandson’s—illegitimate offspring. Especially since, ‘I was told I look quite like him.’ Having been told countless times that I resembled my grandfather, I could understand Gu Ryun’s position. Since I remained silent, Gu Ryun seemed to take my lack of response as a confirmation, and his expression hardened in real-time. "…That. Even if he is a madman, he isn’t the sort to act so frivolously…" "…" His assessment of my grandfather was rather peculiar. The phrase ‘madman’ particularly grated on my nerves. Thud-! Gu Ryun grabbed my shoulder abruptly. His grip was surprisingly strong. “Who is your mother? Someone from the Baek family? How could a child of the Baek family and Gu family exist…?" "It hurts. Please let go." “Oh, I apologize.” Gu Ryun quickly loosened his grip at my words. I felt a subtle change in demeanor. “It’s inconvenient for you to act presumptuously, but I see no reason to inform you.” I spoke with undisguised displeasure. "Hmm…" Knowing he hadn’t acted appropriately, Gu Ryun awkwardly pursed his lips. “I understand your position, but we had to confirm…" "Why the need for confirmation?" I summoned memories. Recalling my childhood. When my mother vanished, and I was broken from the lack of love from my father, I applied it to the current scenario. My voice dropped naturally. "It’s meaningless. There’s no need to know such things. I am not a Gu, I am from the Baek family." "…" "For someone who was abandoned, does the original place even matter? I don’t believe it does." The words flowed more naturally this time. Initially, when acting, it didn’t stick, but overlaying genuine emotion changed that. Saying this, Gu Ryun’s expression shifted rapidly, showing a tint of sorrow. “I’m not sure why you felt the need to confirm, but there is no need to concern yourself further. I intend to do the same.” "No…" "If you’re done here, I’ll take my leave." As I was about to walk away, leaving Gu Ryun behind, with a quivering gaze, "Wait…!" Gu Ryun extended his hand. It seemed he intended to catch me. Feeling this, I prepared to push off aggressively. I intended to swiftly increase the distance and make my escape. "That’s enough." Thud-! A figure appeared, grabbing Gu Ryun’s wrist firmly. It was Paejon. "Why this behavior? It’s unseemly for someone of our age to act so disgracefully." He appeared with a flourish of his robe, positioning himself between Gu Ryun and me. Seeing him, Gu Ryun’s expression tightened considerably. "Biju." "Gu Ryun. I wondered what you were in such a rush to take, and here you are causing a commotion." "Do not interfere. This is a family matter." "Oh, a family matter, you say." Paejon chuckled at Gu Ryun’s words. "My disciple is involved, after all. How can I just stand by as a master?" With this justification, Paejon’s demeanor changed, making Gu Ryun curl his lips. "He's hardly been your disciple for long. Is it necessary for you to intervene?" "In that case, it wouldn’t be much different for you, would it? How long have you known he was your family to be acting like this? Especially when he’s against it." "Acting?" An aura of heat radiated from Gu Ryun. Oh… I had sensed it from the start, but Gu Ryun in his prime exuded a presence of a different caliber. "It would be wise to watch your words." "How much clearer can I be? Again, beyond this is overstepping." Paejon didn’t flinch from the heat. He didn’t even emit any energy. "Don’t cross the line meaninglessly, Gu Ryun. Surely you haven't grown senile with age. You must know this." "……." At Paejon’s calm reprimand, Gu Ryun bit his lips. "…Biju." "Yes." "Were you aware of it all along?" Huh? This time, Gu Ryun’s question twisted my expression. What was he talking about? "Were you aware that this child was of the Gu family?" Gu Ryun’s question made me tilt my head. Ah, is he suspecting Paejon knew all along because of his calmness? I suppose one could see it that way. But I assumed it was just typical of Paejon’s nature. Then— "Yes." Huh...? Paejon, maintaining a straight face, nodded. "What?" "It’s not something I knew deliberately. It was just a vague feeling." What vague feeling? This lunatic… It was flabbergasting how he could lie without changing his expression. "So there's no need to get hasty. We were going to discuss this matter anyway." "…What do you mean?" "You," Paejon said. Thud-! Paejon patted my head with his large hand. It was a rough and rugged touch. "I intended to head to Shanxi anyway. I hear your precious Shinryong agreed to it." "…What?" Gu Ryun’s gaze shot to me at Paejon’s words. "Is he telling the truth?" "…." Damn it. I sent a resentful glare at Paejon. Why did you tell him that? "…Yes. I have some business there." "Hmm." Heading to Shanxi was indeed correct. Upon hearing that, a realization dawned on Gu Ryun’s face. Going to Shanxi meant heading to the Gu family’s territory, as he interpreted it. And since that was the truth, I didn’t bother to correct him. I just didn’t want Gu Ryun to know about it. Paejon had mucked things up. Why did he do such a thing? As I eyed him curiously, "That's why I’m going too." "What?" "Pardon?" Paejon’s words widened my eyes. He’s going too? "…Where?" "To the Gu family, where else?" "Why?" "Why else? Didn’t I mention it? There’s plenty to teach you." "…." It seemed he was referring to something about carnivores, presumably. "…You’re saying you're joining just to teach that?" "Of course not. I also happened to have some business with the head of the Gu family. It’s convenient." "…." Paejon nodded as if my opinion was of no consequence. "So, Gu Ryun. You'll have to come back later. As for us now…" Thump. This time, it was Paejon who gripped my shoulder firmly. "It seems we fellows have more to discuss, don’t we?" "…." Paejon’s words made me roll my tongue within my mouth. …This was turning out to be one ordeal after another.