1208 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

“What is the secret?” I swallowed at my father's question. So, that was the objective? The very first thing he asks the moment he sees me is this, as I anticipated. Even though I expected it, actually hearing it did make my mind blank for a second. “...I thought you’d ask later. I didn’t expect you to inquire straight away.” “There's no need to waste time.” “Well... that's true.” I laughed awkwardly. Was he really that curious about the secret? Well, of course, he came to rescue me because he was curious. “Hm.” I guess it's time to reveal it. There was no way to escape anyway, and the secret itself was quite simple. “Lord of the family.” “Speak.” “I will tell you.” I spoke calmly. “I am not the child of the Gu Lord.” “...” Hearing those words, my father's eyes narrowed. “It’s troublesome that there’s such a misunderstanding, but anyway, I am not the Gu Lord's child—.” “Is that the secret?” “What?” “It’s something I already knew.” My father’s response was as calm as ever. He already knew? ‘It seemed like he had an inkling.’ Was it not just suspicion but a certainty? As I pondered this, he spoke again. “Was that the secret?” “...Oh, yes. That was indeed the secret.” I thought I had revealed quite a significant secret, but my father’s reaction bordered on disappointed indifference. “Well then, may I ask just one question?” A question? I hadn’t intended to entertain any questions, but before I could say anything, my father spoke again. “You are not the Lord’s child, but you do belong to the Gu lineage, correct?” “...” “Answer.” “...Yes, that is correct.” Denying it at this point was pointless since it had already been confirmed with substantial evidence. There was no way around it. “I see.” Having heard my answer, my father nodded in understanding. Was this it? Unfortunately, it wasn’t over yet. “Then… Baek Yangcheon.” “Yes.” “Are you the child of my uncle?” “...What?” Uncle? My face contorted at the unexpected term. All of a sudden, uncle? Which uncle...? It puzzled me. What could he mean by uncle? ‘Wait, if it's my father's uncle.’ One person flashed through my mind. ‘...Isn't it Baekhwajeong House Master?’ Shockingly, I recalled Baekhwajeong House Master, rumored to be of the Gu bloodline. Originally from the Gu family but no longer associated, I had met him only once. ‘Come to think of it.’ I remembered the conversation we had. He had asked me what duties I would undertake upon becoming the Gu Lord. ‘...’ Recalling that conversation now, I finally understand. ‘He knew.’ The obligations upon becoming and stepping down as the Gu Lord, he knew about them and left the family because of it. The pieces were coming together. Conversations I once could not comprehend now made sense. However... “...” How does it suddenly come to conclude that I am the child of the Baekhwajeong House Master? Is it just because I am not the Lord’s child that they deduce I belong to someone else? Well, the assumption is not incorrect, but still... “So, does that mean I am siblings with Lady Mi?” “You do know that your uncle is the Baekhwajeong House Master.” “...” Oops. ‘Damn it.’ I slipped. I shouldn’t have let on that I knew. Damn it. I spoke inadvisedly. “Well, that's...” “There lies the question.” “Yes?” “Lady Mi Hyoran is not your uncle’s daughter from the start, so why did you bring her up? What are you mistaken about?” “...What?” What does he mean by that? ‘Not his daughter?’ That’s a fact known throughout the entire realm. Everyone knows that Mi Hyoran, the Baekhwajeong House Master, is the daughter of the previous House Master. ‘Could it be not yet revealed…?’ Is that it, or... ‘Is there something more?’ There was a real possibility she wasn’t his daughter. Honestly, they didn’t even resemble each other. ‘If she were really his daughter…’ Her marriage to my father would have been peculiar. I didn’t care much since the world was already chaotic, but looking at it now, it does seem odd. ‘Lady Mi is not the daughter of the House Master.’ I ingrained this fact in my mind. Anyway. “...I will not answer that.” I decided not to clarify my father's misunderstanding. “...I see.” My father’s expression subtly changed at my words. At that moment— Whoosh—!! “...!” A fist swung toward me. Boom—!! “Gah!” I hastily blocked it, but the impact pushed my body back fiercely. Crack. I barely stabilized myself by stamping my foot on the ground to absorb the shock. “Ugh…” The throbbing pain in my arm was no joke. I wasn’t able to channel qi properly, taking the hit almost directly. Why the sudden assault? Was it because I did not answer his question? As I stared at my father, puzzling over the unexpected blow, he spoke. “As I suspected.” He looked at me knowingly. “You can’t use your energy, can you?” “...” He’s discovered it. “What happened?” His words made me swallow hard. I didn’t expect him to notice. “...Well.” “You're not going to answer this either, it seems.” “I thought I said I would only reveal one secret.” “...” My father stared at me intently. Was he going to hit me again? If he tried to beat me, there was nothing I could do. While I could deal with people like Yuyeon and Namgung Jin with ease, my father was on another level. Contemplating what to do, my father suddenly turned away. Seeing that, my eyes widened. “...Are you leaving?” “There’s no need to stay longer. I have many things to deal with due to recent events.” Due to matters with the Do family, my father also had his hands full. “Rest.” With those words, my father leaped away, disappearing from sight. “...Oh.” I had to stand there, dazed, watching my father's back grow distant. He really just left. * * * Another day passed. It was daytime when I stepped outside. There was a meeting awaiting me with the Gu Lord. “Excuse me,” I said as I stepped inside. The moment I entered, I squinted. The temperature of the room was higher than average. “Sit down.” Without responding, I took a seat in front of the Gu Lord. There was a profound sense of worry etched deeply on his face. “You seem to have a lot on your plate.” “Thanks to someone.” I asked out of genuine concern, but what I received was a tone filled with reproach. To be honest, I wasn’t genuinely worried either. I had my reasons too. “I was a victim as well.” “Victim, you say?” He looked at me with a skeptical gaze that screamed disbelief. “Yes, I was.” “...What do you mean by that look?” So, did he think I allowed myself to be captured on purpose? That’s unfair. ‘Half-true as it may be.’ Still, isn’t it a bit much not to believe me? Moreover— “I barely survived.” I had been trapped by Do Cheol’s schemes. Who knows what could have happened if it had continued. I tried to explain. “...” Once again, the Gu Lord’s expression showed disbelief. He seemed determined not to believe anything I said. This was really unfair. Fine. I knew better than anyone that there was no one to trust in this world. “...Forget it. It seems you won’t believe me anyway. So, what happened with Do Cheol?” What happened with Do Cheol after he was captured? At my question, the Gu Lord mixed a sigh into his response. “He’s still being interrogated.” “Interrogated...” With those words, I looked at the Gu Lord with an inquisitive gaze. “Lord.” “...” “The Do Lord mentioned that the curse upon them originated from the Gu family.” My words drew the Gu Lord’s full attention. His fiery red eyes didn’t feel as searing as before. “Do you know about this?” I inquired whether the Gu Lord had any knowledge of this matter. But— “I don’t know.” “...” A vague answer echoed back. “That’s frustratingly ambiguous.” It wasn’t a simple yes or no. The ambiguity was irritating and prolonged the conversation unnecessarily. I was about to rise, deciding to leave. “It’s a matter of uncertainty. Maybe it happened, maybe it didn’t.” “What do you mean?” “It’s not as if the Gu family hasn’t done such things before, so just because I don’t know doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.” “...” That meant even he wasn’t sure. ‘That’s frustrating, yet understandable.’ There were too many past transgressions by the predecessors, enough that he couldn't confidently deny involvement. From the standpoint of a lord, it seemed somewhat irresponsible. ‘...But it makes sense.’ As a human being, I could empathize. Thus, it was difficult to fault the Gu Lord. “...So, are you investigating?” “Yes.” “For now, you personally don’t know?” “Correct.” “...I see.” I rubbed my chin thoughtfully. So, the Lord wasn’t aware. ‘Then.’ From the conversation with the Blood Demon, I had an inkling. ‘Indeed.’ It seemed likely that the Blood Demon was involved. His reaction, Do Cheol’s words, and— ‘The matter with the Heavenly Demon, too...’ Remembering the events surrounding the Heavenly Demon there twisted something inside me. I forced myself not to show my discontent and sighed deeply. “...Lord.” “Go on.” “I have a favor to ask.” “...?” Hearing the sudden request, the Gu Lord began to tilt his head in curiosity. “I need access to the Gu family’s underground.” “...” Wrinkles formed on the Gu Lord’s brow.