1193 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Vengeance against the Goo family. That statement pierced through his thoughts. Do Yoon spoke to me with a particularly chilling gaze. "…Revenge?" I had heard before that this was Do Yoon's objective, but I hadn't expected him to state it so openly to me. Moreover. "Are you hoping that I wish for the same?" I tilted my head slightly in question. Revenge against the Goo family. And he hopes that I share the same sentiment? Words couldn't be more chilling. "Yes." "Why?" "Because it would make things a bit easier." "Easier, huh…?" "Easier, you say?" "Those are dangerous words." I subtly glanced to the side. Namgung Jin was shouting something towards me, looking rather frustrated. The barrier was up, so naturally, I couldn't hear him. "What makes you so sure to make such statements? Why do you assume that I have the same goals as you?" "I heard you're an illegitimate child of the Goo family. Is that not correct?" "…More or less." I didn’t deny it. "From the first moment I saw you at the Martial Union. For someone claiming to be from the Baek family, your presence within was conspicuously absent." "…" Oh? Hearing his words, I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. This guy, when did he figure that out? "Do you have an information network?" I asked out of genuine curiosity. "You're not truly a member of the Baek family's bloodline. You possess an unfamiliar level of skill, harbor many secrets, and seem frequently entangled with the vice-leader." Do Yoon didn’t answer my question but continued with his own observations. "Nor do you seem to place any significance in the orthodox side. So, from my perspective, your objective became clear." "And that is?" "Fixating on the vice-leader from the Goo family." "…" "Was that not your aim?" I was considerably startled. His perceptiveness outstripped my expectations. I thought he was idle, doing nothing. 'He's been observing much more than I thought.' And with such accuracy, too. "…Impressive." I admitted honestly. I was indeed surprised. "So, you assumed I held a grudge against the vice-leader?" "That, I do not know. However, I judged that you have purposes related to the Goo family and Shanxi. Hence." "Therefore?" "I deliberately leaked my objective." "…!" My eyes widened in response to those words. Deliberately, you say? 'Is that so?' So, you purposely mentioned Shinryong and your motives to gauge my reaction? "…Wow." This is unexpected. "I wanted to observe your reaction. If your intent was for the Goo family's well-being, I thought you might take action against me. But that doesn’t seem to be the case." "You were willing to gamble knowing you might die if I reacted violently?" "It was necessary." "You crazy bastard!" I sincerely marveled at him. No trace of hesitation in his eyes. This guy was the real deal. "In light of this, Baek Jinwoo. No, Baek Yangcheon. You do not seek the well-being of the Goo family. It’s clear you have objectives related to them, but it doesn’t appear to be borne of affection. Isn’t that so?" "…Haha." I couldn’t help but laugh. He was remarkable. I truly hadn’t realized he was observing to this extent. I had no choice but to acknowledge it. He laid the groundwork, gauged my reaction, and after ascertaining some certainty through the events within the Goo family, he approached me. "You… you're quite something." "I’d like an answer now." "Hmm." I nodded, staring at him. Impressive is impressive. There are certainly things that are awe-inspiring. "What if I said no?" If I claimed I had no grudge against the Goo family. And further, if I said I had no intention of aiding Do Yoon in his endeavors, what would he do? When I inquired about that. "Well, having already spoken, I would have to take action." "Take action?" I chuckled. "Would you try to kill me?" "…" He didn’t deny it. It seemed to imply he might. This guy? "Do you think you can?" That was a bluff. I couldn’t say for certain if I could defeat Do Yoon, who was nearing the pinnacle of Huagyeong, right now. Given that my body was unable to use even a grain of its potential, it was highly possible I couldn’t. 'I didn’t expect things to escalate like this.' I hadn’t anticipated that he would dive right into the main issue and even threaten me. Given the past demonstrations of my strength, I assumed he wouldn’t confront me so head-on. 'This is unforeseen.' Do Yoon was turning out to be a different kind of person than I had anticipated. "Fine." So, I too must adjust my approach. "I understand your words. As you've pointed out, I don’t hold much affection for the Goo family. If anything, resentment runs deeper." It's not a lie. I didn’t hold any sentimental ties to the family, and it was true that there was much resentment. Furthermore, this was, after all, a false world. It didn’t matter to me how the Goo family of this place turned out. '…' Or maybe that last statement is somewhat of a lie. But let’s skip that part. "I’m not sure about revenge. I might help you with your cause." "If so—" "But, I need to see valid justification." "…What?" "Why are you seeking revenge against the Goo family? Tell me the reason clearly." "…" Do Yoon’s eyes wavered. "Why? Did you expect me to help without knowing even that? That’s a bit selfish." "…That…" "I'll explain that part." "…!" A voice interrupted, and I turned my head. Surprisingly, the speaker was the head of the Do family. ‘When…?’ When did he interrupt? It’s understandable if I didn’t sense his presence. 'Even pierced through the barrier.' The voice of Do Cheol, undistorted by Do Yoon’s barrier, was crystal clear to my ears. “Wouldn’t it be better to hear it directly?” Do Cheol, who bore an uncanny resemblance to the Lord of the Black Night Palace, spoke to me with a smile. "Hear, you say?" "More accurately, it's closer to seeing than hearing. How about it? Would you like to confirm it?" I frowned at Do Cheol’s words. "Seeing? What would I be seeing exactly?" The source of the grudge against the Goo family. Seeing it instead of hearing about it? As I was about to question this. "At twilight, please come back here with my son. Then I will show you exactly what I mean." "Returning here again at night? What if I decide to escape or inform the Goo family? What then?" "Haha." Do Cheol laughed at the question. "It wouldn't matter if you did. However, I don't believe you will." "And how do you know that?" "I can see it in Baek Gongja's eyes." "My eyes?" "Eyes filled with curiosity. When I explained, instead of being taken aback, curiosity surfaced first, didn't it?" "…" "Someone like that wouldn’t likely act frivolously when faced with the truth. Wouldn’t you agree?" I couldn't deny it. "At night, then…" After some contemplation, I nodded. "Alright, I'll do that." "A wise choice." Wooong—! With my response, I felt the barrier dissipate. "Thank you for coming to this unworthy place." Do Cheol said with a smile as he saw us off. As soon as the barrier disappeared, Namgung Jin looked at me in disbelief. "…What is the meaning of this? Bringing someone here only to exclude them. Are you playing games?" Namgung Jin was full of irritation as he tried to speak his mind. "Senior, let's head back." "What?" Ignoring Namgung Jin, I started walking away. "This brat. Do my words no longer mean anything to you? You bring me here at your whim, and now you’re leaving as you please!?" I let his whining enter one ear and exit the other. Turning back, I glanced at Do Cheol. He was waving at me with a gentle smile, while Do Yoon watched me with a somewhat stiff expression. 'Hmm.' At night. I was eager for the sun to set, but I couldn’t shake off a foreboding feeling. * * * Once Namgung Jin and Baek Yangcheon had departed. Only after they were completely out of sight did Do Yoon and Do Cheol finally turn around. "Let's head back." "…Yes." In response to Do Cheol's words, Do Yoon nodded. Then Do Cheol looked up at the sky. Gazing at the setting sun, he murmured. "It’s almost mealtime, so it’s time to open the door." Mealtime. This wasn't referring to their own meal. It was for something else. It was mealtime for something within the Do clan. "Father." Watching Do Cheol, Do Yoon asked. "What is it?" "…Are you truly okay with this?" "What exactly?" "For bringing Baek Yangcheon into this." Do Yoon’s words elicited a small chuckle from Do Cheol. "Is it only now that you hesitate about something you wished to do?" "…I’m not sure. Whether he should be involved." "Don't concern yourself. I’ll handle this matter." "…" "I have no intention of burdening you further. I will end this all in my generation. You need only live your life as you see fit." "…However." "Don’t make me repeat myself." "…Understood." With Do Cheol's firm stance, Do Yoon finally lowered his head. "You should bring Baek Gongja here once night falls." "Yes." Only after hearing this confirmation did Do Cheol begin to move again. Though he remained mindful of his son’s troubled expression. Do Cheol wiped the smile off his face. ‘The plan has gone awry.’ His previous plans had been thwarted. ‘…Why?’ Everything was meant to occur the previous day. Somehow, things had tangled up. ‘Why couldn’t they bring the Goo maiden?’ Based on their agreement, Goo Seon, the maiden of the Goo family, should have arrived, but she didn’t. Everything seemed to have gone awry. ‘…Taecheon.’ Do Cheol bit his lip recalling his contractor. He had promised that with the right offerings, he’d bring the Goo family members without issue. ‘…Was it a mistake to trust a non-human master?’ He hadn’t shown up. And word was that Goo Seon remained within the Goo family. Something had definitely gone wrong. The setbacks were causing Do Cheol constant distress. ‘It’s fine.’ The situation was improving. ‘A sacrifice has arrived alongside him.’ A new sacrifice had presented itself. A direct descendant of the Goo family, yet untouched by that burden. ‘An illegitimate child of the Goo head?’ Baek Yangcheon, who had been revealed to be the blood relative of Goo Sung Yeol. He had come of his own accord. Do Cheol focused his gaze intently. ‘This is the last chance.’ Baek Yangcheon. He represented the final opportunity to sever the toxic and burdensome legacy that plagued them.