1198 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Gu Cheolun of the Gu family. The Rising Dragon of Jungwon and the most promising young talent of the Murim League. Youngest deputy commander of the elite sword squad. He carried many titles and was known throughout the world as a warrior. If someone achieved the position of a Qinglong Unit's deputy commander at such a young age, what more needed to be said? It was clear that he was destined to be the world's finest in future generations. Also... '... The scion of the Gu family.' To Do Cheol, he was a source of resentment, bearing that accursed title. 'Cold yet burning.' That was the impression he gave. Gone was the Gu family's characteristic slight build; instead, he had a massive form nearly eight feet tall. Just being near him emitted such a heat it seemed to ripple the air. Contrastingly, his aura and demeanor were icily cold. The conflicting energies made him exude a jarring sense of dissonance. '... It's him, indeed.' Do Cheol was certain. 'He's the final hope of the Gu family.' Exceptional talent beyond compare. He held the potential to rise indefinitely beyond the world's imposed curses. He possessed the innate ability to fully ignite that potential. His own child, Do Yoon, wasn't much different, yet the gap was insurmountably vast. Could he, then, be the Gu family's hope and their targeted final dagger? Do Cheol believed so. "Hehe." With a smile, he folded his hands behind his back and spoke to Gu Cheolun. "So, you're the scion of the Gu family. What brings you to this humble place?" He hid his surprise. What had brought Gu Cheolun here? He couldn't make sense of it. Looking at Do Cheol, Gu Cheolun maintained his characteristic stoic expression and spoke. "I'm here at the request of someone, Lord Do." "A request, you say...?" "Is my subordinate here?" "......." The word 'subordinate' caused Do Cheol's brow to furrow slightly. He hadn't expected such a term from Gu Cheolun's lips. '... Did he give advance notice?' Had he set things up? And if so, what did it mean? "... Subordinate? What are you talking about?" He attempted to deny it for now. But then... "I was informed they would be here, and I should come to retrieve them." Gu Cheolun spoke decisively. It seemed he was right about this. '... That guy.' So he had already laid out his cards. How? Did he anticipate winding up in Do Ga? Did he possess that level of insight? 'Why would someone like that...?' If he had such awareness, why would he follow him underground? It was incomprehensible. At the same time... 'Why did he specifically call upon the scion of the Gu family?' The fact that Gu Cheolun was called upon was equally bewildering. 'Even if he doesn't wish for revenge.' Baek Yangcheon is an illegitimate child. Moreover, he concealed his identity to join the Murim League and seemed to have a purpose concerning the Gu family. It was puzzling why he chose Gu Cheolun for his own safety. As Do Cheol's brow furrowed at the strange situation, Gu Cheolun called out to him. "Lord Do." "Ah, my apologies. I was momentarily lost in thought." Summoned back to attention, Do Cheol composed his voice. "Oh, right. Now that I think of it." He spoke slowly. "Indeed, he visited earlier with my son to our main house... but after that, he didn't return to the Gu family." The fact that Baek Yangcheon visited Do Ga during the day must have been known to the Gu family. So, he brought it up, but... "After returning, he reported to me." After returning and speaking with him, he disappeared. Do Cheol silently clicked his tongue at Gu Cheolun's words. "Is that so? I haven't seen Young Master Baek since." He was going to feign ignorance and move on when... "Lord Do." "What is it—" "I never mentioned that the subordinate I'm seeking is Baek Yangcheon." "...!" Do Cheol lost his words in response. How careless of him. He was caught in Gu Cheolun's gaze. "May I come inside for a moment?" The heated air lingered. --- "Hmm." By now, have they arrived? I thought as I sat inside. If it were my father, he should be arriving around now. The timing couldn't be more appropriate. 'With my diminished senses, I can't perceive a thing.' I wanted to grasp what was happening above, but given my weakened state, nothing registered. 'Sssh.' This was annoyingly uncomfortable. I hadn't realized it when I had my powers, but now that they were gone, it felt rather burdensome. How could I be comfortable when I couldn't even break these iron bars anymore? "... I hope it goes well." I had made my request, but honestly, I doubted if he’d really come. It was back before sparring with Soi. During a brief respite after returning to the Gu family. 'Deputy Commander.' I sought out my father in the Gu family. He showed no emotion at seeing me. 'What is it?' 'Ah, I have something to ask.' Even though my father had said he wanted to figure out who I was, he didn’t seem to take any particular actions. 'A request?' He narrowed his eyes. I wondered why he started with such an expression, knowing what kind of request it could be. It stung a little. 'It's nothing big.' 'I refuse.' '... Could you at least hear me out?' Too harsh, he could at least hear me out. 'It's really nothing significant.' 'I won't listen.' Still, my father adhered to his refusal. 'I haven't concluded my thoughts about you.' 'That's one thing, and this is another.' 'It's the same.' '... Ah, you damn...' No willingness to change his mind, huh? His firm stance suggested he wouldn't ease up. 'Ssss.' I pondered. How could I make use of this old man? Was my father someone who listened to others? No. Definitely not. While I was caught up in my thoughts. 'Then, let's do this.' '...?' I suggested to my father. 'If you grant me this favor. I'll reveal one of my secrets to you.' '... A secret?' His interest piqued. 'Yes, a secret.' 'How can I trust it? You might consider something trivial a secret.' Sharp observation. It was surprising that my father thought in this way. It was a correct point too, so I went all in. 'If you're not surprised by the secret I reveal, you can kill me.' "..." "I won't resist, I'll go quietly. How does that sound?" I felt confident this was a bold offer. How would my father react? As I watched him with anticipation... "...What's the favor?" Father agreed. I smiled at that. "Oh, it's really nothing significant." I scratched my cheek as I spoke. "Later, would you mind picking me up?" "...?" It truly was a trivial request. "I'm thankful he accepted it, though." The fact that he agreed to something as simple as coming to pick me up meant he should be arriving about now. From now on... 'This falls under my father's domain.' How much of the situation can he grasp? Can he notice anything unusual? Moreover, 'Will he take action after noticing it?' That was the crux of everything, and at this moment, I had to put my faith in my father. 'In my heart, I wanted to ask my grandfather instead.' I had unresolved issues with that old man, so it felt awkward to ask him for something like this. But in hindsight, I was glad I didn't ask. 'Considering I wasn't fully aware of the relationship between the Gu family and the Do family.' If Do Cheol's words were true, it was questionable whether Gu Sungyeol even knew about the Do family. So, for now, it seemed more appropriate to rely on my father rather than calling in Gu Sungyeol. Of course, '...That's assuming my father handles things well.' Hmm. There wasn't much faith in that either, honestly. Sigh. I turned my head. It was time to look at the egg again. "Hey." I even tried talking to it. No response. Thud. Thud. I could feel a faint vibration, but that was all. What was even happening? "Do something, whatever you are." If Do Cheol had a reason for imprisoning me, it had to do with that egg. But here I sat, imprisoned without anything occurring. "Does he expect me to bond with it or something?" What am I supposed to do here? Just sit and stare at this egg? "...Hmmm." I sat cross-legged, resting my chin on my hand as I stared at the egg. "What are you?" What on earth are you? "...How are you connected to the Heavenly Demon?" Why does the Heavenly Demon's energy emanate from there? Moreover... "Why does Do Cheol's appearance mirror that of a lady?" It was all so perplexing. It was said to be a curse laid by the Gu family... 'Yet, no matter how you spin it.' The traits it exhibited weren't ones you would expect from the Gu family. It was more akin to... 'Blood Demon’s work.' The Blood Demon had cursed humans at Kumcheonyeonga, a similar vibe to this. With that thought in mind, a realization dawned on me. ‘The Blood Demon referred to the Heavenly Demon as its daughter.’ The Heavenly Demon was indeed connected to the Blood Demon. The egg before me was drenched in the energy of the Heavenly Demon. Furthermore, the curse brought upon the Do family was reminiscent of that of the Blood Demon's doing. It's as if the two were intertwined without any effort from anyone. 'Seeing it this way.' A conclusion naturally formed. Questions about the Gu family remained, of course. 'It feels like that guy’s work again.' When I stitched together all the connected paths to reach a conclusion... 'Blood Demon.' This current predicament seemed like the handiwork of the Blood Demon. Such was my speculation. At that moment, Vrooom-! "Huh?" Something vibrated from my pocket. I fumbled around to find the source. "Oh." Vrooom-!! The sensation came from the ring I had tucked away. It was the very ring the Blood Demon had given me through the Heavenly Connection.