Chapter 154 The Mind of Zhuge Xueyu

Chapter 154: The Mind of Zhuge Xueyu

Gaeyang Gate, Gaeyang, Gwiju Province.

The atmosphere at the Gaeyang Sect was currently very grim.

Over half of the Black Five, once the pride of the Gaeyang Sect, had perished, plunging the entire place into a funeral-like atmosphere.

Fortunately, the Grandmaster of the Gaeyang Sect had survived, but even so, it seemed extremely difficult for the sect to regain its former glory.

In contrast, the mood among the group from the Sunwoo Clan was not too bad.

Though some warriors had perished, the key figures—the eldest son Seonwoo Seong, the only daughter Seonwoo Yeonha, and the guests of the Jegal family, Jegal Jiyong and Jegal Seoyul—had all survived.

But that was only until the letter arrived from the Seonwoo clan.

When the letter sent by Seonwoo Jung arrived and Seonwoo Seong read it aloud, everyone was utterly horrified by its contents.

Reading the letter before the group, Seonwoo Seong stared blankly at Seonwoo Yeonha and muttered.

“Is… is this really…?”

The opening lines of the letter stated that the Seonwoo Clan had also been attacked by the Blood Cult.

But that part was manageable.

It was actually a relief to hear they had been safely repelled.

The problem lay in what followed.

Seonwoo Jung claimed to have uncovered the mastermind behind the attack orchestrated by the Blood Cultists who invaded the Seonwoo Clan.

It was none other than the Yun Clan.

The news sent shockwaves through the entire group.

Then, Seonwoo Seong read the even more shocking next part in a trembling voice, looking at Seonwoo Yeonha.

“The Yun Clan… has already become a puppet of the Blood Cult? And their attack on Gaeyang Gate was to stop Yeonha’s marriage and kill me?”

At that, everyone’s gaze instantly turned toward Seonwoo Yeonha.

Her face had begun to show signs of panic the moment the Yun family’s story came up, and when the mention of preventing the marriage was made, she turned completely pale with fear.

Seonwoo Seong asked with a look of utter shock.

“And… it was you, Yeonha, who personally asked the Yun family to stop the marriage? Is this… is this really true?”

Seonwoo Yeonha shook her head frantically, trembling violently.

“No, no, brother! I… I absolutely never asked them to stop it like this…!”

At that moment, both Seonwoo Yeonha, who had been shaking her head, and Seonwoo Seong, who had been listening, froze solid.

It was because he immediately realized what he had said and what it meant.

“…So you really did say you wanted me to stop you.”

Seonwoo Seong gave a hollow laugh with a look of utter exhaustion, then immediately moved to pin her down.

Thud!

“!”

Seonwoo Yeonha stared at him with a look of horror, but with her pressure points sealed, she could no longer speak.

Seonwoo Seong looked at his sister coldly and said.

“Father says not to inform the Gaeyang Gate of the details and to bring you back as quickly as possible. Your fate will be decided by him.”

Sunwoo Yeonha’s eyes widened in horror, filling with tears.

But now, no one looking at her offered a sympathetic glance.

Seonwoo Seong approached the dazed and distraught head of the Gaeyang Gate, comforting him while explaining that since the Seonwoo Clan had also been attacked, they must return to the clan headquarters quickly.

Meanwhile, Je Gal Seo-yul scanned Sunwoo Yeon-ha, who had been struck by the acupoint technique, and the Gaeyang Gate, now reduced to a funeral home, with a complex look.

Everything was unfolding with such urgency.

And somehow, it all felt connected to him—the one who wasn’t here now.

She suddenly recalled the pale-faced stranger in blue who had appeared like a ghost to save them.

‘Could he really be… Prince Seonwoojin?’

It was an absurd story, one that no one would ever believe.

For Sunwoo Jin, the scourge of the Sunwoo clan, to defeat that monstrous demon and save them?

But the more Jegal Seo-yul thought about it, the more certain she became that it was indeed Seonwoo Jin.

That gaze, that build, and that mysterious aura.

Zhuge Xiyu suddenly glanced at his uncle, Zhuge Zhiyong, who stood beside him, deep in thought with a grave expression.

It was because she felt she should tell him what she was thinking.

“Uncle…”

At that moment, Jegal Ji-yong spoke to her first.

“Something doesn’t feel right, Seo-yul. We absolutely cannot let our guard down.”

“…Huh? What?”

Then, with a serious look in his eyes, Zhuge Zhiyong began to explain to her.

“This uncle has believed from the start that all this stems from Sunwoo Jung and Sunwoo Gajoo’s scheme. A scheme to use us to clean up the Sunwoo family’s internal affairs and solidify the succession structure for the eldest son, Sunwoo Seong Gongja.”

At his words, Jegal Seo-yul nodded with a puzzled expression. That much he had already heard.

But Zhuge Zhiyong continued.

“That’s why I found this visit to Gaeyangmun rather peculiar. At a time when we’re driving out other factions, sending the heir apparent, Sunwoo Seong, to Gaeyangmun with Sunwoo Yeonha? It was far too dangerous.”

“Ah, I see…”

That explanation made perfect sense to Zhuge Xiyu as well.

Having actually been attacked by those Blood Cultists claiming to be from the Yun Clan, it even resonated deeply within him.

Then, Zhuge Zhiyong glanced around cautiously before carefully relaying the following words.

“But… seeing all that has happened, I can’t help but wonder if Seonwoo Gajun deliberately tried to strike down Seonwoo Seong Gongzi.”

This statement startled Zhuge Xueyu.

If Seonwoo Seong, the obvious heir apparent, were to be eliminated, then who on earth would become the heir to the Seonwoo family?

“What?! But if that happened…!”

“Yes, if that happens, the only one left to become the heir to the Sunwoo family would be the fourth son, Sunwoo Gi. He clearly cannot be considered better than Sunwoo Seong. That’s why even this uncle cannot be certain about that yet. But you see…”

Having spoken thus far, Zhuge Zhiyong sighed with a grave expression before opening his mouth again.

This uncle of mine thought it was truly astonishing that we survived unscathed. He said it was sheer luck that we could come out unharmed after being attacked by peak-level demon lords like the Bloodsucking Demon Lord Nojosong. But… the Sunwoo Clan also survived unscathed. If the Bloodsucking Demon Horse came for us, they clearly weren’t pushovers either. Could this truly be possible by mere coincidence alone? Uncle couldn’t fathom it at all.”

Zhuge Xueyu understood what he was saying.

Because Sunwoo Jin’s handsome face flashed back into her mind.

His face, which made one suspect he might have orchestrated all this…

Zhuge Zhiyong spoke with a hollow expression, as if making a solemn request.

“I intend to report all of this to the Zhuge Clan immediately. That the Blood Cult’s demonic leaders would openly attack the martial clans of Guizhou… it will surely cause an uproar. And… if even bringing us here was meant to report the Blood Sect’s appearance to the Martial Alliance, then this uncle truly makes me fear Xian Youzhong. So you must never let your guard down either. A man like Xian Youzhong would never propose a duel to hand over the Xian You Clan to us.”

At those words, Je Gal Seo-yul felt as if he’d been struck on the back of the head and went completely blank.

He was right.

Seonwoo Jin, who seemed to have planned all this, would never have considered making someone like Seonwoo Seong the heir to the Seonwoo family.

He was far too exceptional.

No, he was excessively brilliant.

So exceptional, in fact, that even his uncle, Zhuge Zhiyong—renowned within the Zhuge clan for his brilliance—had never once suspected him until this very moment.

Zhuge Seo-yul considered one possibility in his mind.

‘What if the heir to the Sunwoo family wasn’t Sunwoo Seong, but Young Master Sunwoo Jin?’

Then suddenly, I got goosebumps.

Then everything made sense.

All these events, which were systematically eliminating the forces influencing the Seonwoo family.

‘So, the heir of the Seonwoo family who will face me in battle is…?’

It was Seonwoo Jin.

The one who would face him and decide the relationship with the Cheonwoo family wasn’t Seonwoo Seong, but Seonwoo Jin.

Suddenly, his heartbeat quickened.

Just yesterday, Je Gal Seo-yul had taken victory in the duel for granted.

He had thought there was absolutely no way he could lose to someone like Seonwoo Seong.

Even if he had thought his opponent was Seon Woo-jin, it would have been the same.

No matter how much he was hiding his abilities, he never imagined he could be his opponent.

But today was different.

The image of that strange man flashed back into her mind.

‘If that monster is really Young Master Seonwoo Jin…’

The immense power he had displayed came to mind.

The sight of him slaying a peerless demon horse of equal standing with a single sword strike, and even single-handedly slaying the monstrous blood-sucking demon horse with over ninety years of inner strength.

Zhuge Xuyu unconsciously shook her head.

If he were Seon Woo-jin, the outcome was obvious.

There was no way he could ever win.

And that meant…

‘Could it be that I must become his wife and join the Seonwoo family?’

Zhuge Xueyu felt a momentary dizziness.

It was a shocking conclusion she had never imagined.

Then, her uncle, Je Gal Ji Yong, suddenly asked her in a concerned tone.

“Seoyul, are you alright? Your face just flushed bright red all of a sudden. Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

“Yes? Yes?”

At her uncle’s question, she suddenly touched her cheeks with both hands.

Then, before she knew it, she could feel her own body temperature rising hotly.

She was flustered.

Her heart… was racing.

“Ah, no, Uncle. I’m fine.”

Zhuge Xueyu hurriedly smiled to reassure her uncle.

Then she tried to calm her own pounding heart.

In the end, Je Gal Seo-yul couldn’t bring herself to tell her uncle about Seon Woo-jin.

It was for a reason she herself couldn’t quite explain.

***

“Third Young Master, did you sleep well?!”

“Third Young Master, did you rest peacefully through the night?!”

He responded with a bright smile to the soldiers bowing at a right angle.

“I slept well. Good morning.”

“Yes! That’s right!”

“Have a peaceful day, Third Young Master!”

A wry smile escaped me at the sight of the warriors, their eyes sparkling, responding loudly just because I’d acknowledged them.

This morning, every warrior I encountered had deliberately rushed up to me to greet me like that.

Just the day before yesterday, they would only reluctantly acknowledge me if our eyes met.

This change had all come about after yesterday’s fierce battle with the Demon King’s Bloodline.

‘It’s not that I dislike it, but it’s a bit bittersweet.’

It was only natural for warriors to acknowledge and follow the strong.

But even so, the bitter taste in his mouth was unavoidable. After all, relationships between people aren’t necessarily built that way.

But soon, I shook my head to clear my thoughts and started walking again.

They, too, were people I had to accept and take responsibility for.

Just as they had been in my past life.

The place I was heading to now was a detached house located on the outskirts of the Seonwoo family estate.

A place I hadn’t visited in a very long time…

My feelings as I headed there after so long felt strangely peculiar.

Because it was the place where my mother had lived so long ago.

And that place was now temporarily occupied by someone else.

Standing at the door of the annex, I asked.

“Are you awake?”

Then, a woman’s clear voice came from inside.

“Yes! Come in, young master!”

Opening the door and stepping inside, he saw the face of a beautiful woman, somewhat pale yet still radiating vitality.

“Are you feeling a bit better, Senior So?”

She replied with a playful smile.

“Hehehe, my body’s just so-so, but my heart feels wonderful. Who’d have thought the day would come when a righteous sect prodigy like Young Master Seonwoo would call me ‘Senior’.”

She answered with a faint smile.

“To the benefactor who protected my family, what does the title ‘senior’ matter? If you wish, I could even call you ‘young lady’.”

At that, she flushed slightly, then burst into laughter.

“Huh? Kyahahaha! Calling me ‘young lady’ when I’m over forty? Looks like Confucius wants to tease this auntie.”

“Not at all. You look about my age.”

That wasn’t entirely untrue.

She wasn’t exactly my age, but she truly looked incredibly young.

Not only her taut skin and appearance, but also her uniquely playful aura added to that impression.

Late twenties to early thirties?

Considering she was actually in her forties, it was nothing short of astonishing how youthful she looked.

After laughing for a while, she finally stopped and asked me with a gentle gaze.

“Thanks to you, I feel much better. You’re quite the gentleman who knows how to make a woman feel good. Now, if you have any questions, feel free to ask. That’s why you came, after all, right?”

I nodded and asked directly.

“Could you tell me about the Blood Sect’s forces operating covertly within Guizhou Province? Including the Haomen branch.”

This was crucial information for purging the Blood Sect from Guizhou Province.

Of course, Luo Sanlong, the Hao Gate Guiyang branch chief, had already provided some information, but it seemed likely that she, as the former head of Hao Gate, possessed more intelligence.

Cross-verification was also necessary.

Then she sighed and replied.

“What’s the point of hiding anything now? Most of the Hao Sect disciples who followed me instead of the Blood Sect were killed by Gu Youshang anyway. I’ll tell you everything. First, the Yun Clan will know…”

She began listing the places where the Blood Sect’s influence had spread.

My eyes lit up as I compared what she said to what I already knew.

Her account was indeed far more detailed than the information No Sam-ryong had provided.

Listening to her, I clenched my fists.

Now, at last, it was possible to completely eradicate the Blood Sect’s influence in Guizhou Province.

Of course, Gu Yushang must be dealt with first.

“…Of course, everything I’ve mentioned so far is information from several months ago, when I was still the Hao Gate Master. So the situation might have changed somewhat by now. How helpful was that?”

He answered with a faint smile.

“Of course, Senior. It was a great help.”

Then, as if suddenly surrendering, she raised both hands high and asked me.

“Well then, what happens to me now? Now that you’ve extracted all the information, will you dispose of me? Kill me? Or imprison me? This is my request—please, don’t hand me over to the Martial Alliance or the Blood Sect, okay?”

Her playful banter made me burst out laughing.

Honestly, it was hard to believe she was the Blood Sect’s Demon Head—she was such a cheerful person.

It was even harder to believe she was the infamous Demon Witch of Chaos who had terrorized the last Blood War.

But her words were undeniably true.

She was undoubtedly the Blood Cult’s infamous demon horse, and I had to decide how to deal with her.

Suddenly, I spoke to her.

“I have one question.”

“Yes, yes, ask away. I’m completely open to it.”

She was definitely strange.

The old man Seok Gyeong-dal I met last time had said he deliberately crippled himself.

To ward off the madness that came with the Blood Sect martial arts.

But how could the peerless Demoness of Chaos, Xiao Nansuo, whose cultivation far surpassed that old man Seok Gyeong-dal, be so perfectly sane?

How was that possible?

“As far as I know, practicing the Blood Sect martial arts gradually leads one to be consumed by madness. Yet you, Senior So, don’t seem like that at all. Might you know the reason?”

So Nanso let out a small sigh before answering.

“Hmm, Master Sunwoo is correct. Practicing the Blood Sect’s martial arts does indeed make one increasingly swayed by madness. One loses control of their emotions and comes to revel in bloodshed… I was no different before coming here.”

“This place… are you referring to Guizhou City?”

“Yes. When I first arrived in Guizhou City, I intended to gradually seize control of it as the Blood Demon commanded. But then…”

According to her story, she had originally been a courtesan from Guizhou Province.

The first person she encountered upon returning to her hometown was Hao Wen, the branch chief of the Guiyang Bureau, who had been her childhood friend there.

And Luo Sanlong, concerned about her descent into madness, had given her a book, claiming it contained the secret to controlling one’s mind.

And that book was one I knew well.

Hearing the title, I was startled and asked again.

“Did you say the Great Calming Heart Sutra?”

“That’s right. At first, I scoffed at it, but I did start to realize there was something wrong with me when I found myself harboring murderous intent even toward my old friend Samryong. So I decided to learn it, pretending I was being fooled. Surprisingly, as I mastered it, I was able to reflect on my past actions. It helped me escape the madness. Of course, it’s hard to believe Confucius Sunwoo would find it easy, but that Daeyeonjeongsimgyeol… it really is…”

A hollow laugh escaped him.

Who would have thought I’d hear the name of the Great Enlightenment Heart Sutra again here.

He suddenly interrupted her and asked.

“Was that Great Union of Hearts Sutra also bound together with the Iron-Hearted Dharma and the Arhat Fist?”

Her eyes widened in surprise.

“What? How did Master Seonwoo get hold of that?”

I couldn’t hold back my laughter any longer and answered with a completely brightened face.

“I’ve studied it too. That’s why I can fully trust what you’re saying, Senior.”

“What? Is that really true?”

Looking into her astonished eyes, I suddenly thought of Master Kwanggeom.

Thanks to the Great Enlightenment Heart Sutra Master released into the world, the chaotic witch So Nanso regained her senses. And that very woman protected her father against the demonic blood-thirsty Chukhotak.

It felt like some invisible thread of fate was tightly woven together.

I felt a renewed sense of gratitude toward my teacher.

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, Sonan-sa cautiously asked me.

“Then, could it be that the martial arts Master Seonwoo cultivated…?”

Her cautious gaze as she looked at me made it immediately clear what thought had just crossed her mind.

She was probably recalling the moment he couldn’t escape the Moonlit Sword Dance and tore Chukhotak to shreds.

Recalling that moment made my own back feel damp with sweat.

It was the moment I nearly got swallowed whole by the Moonlit Sword Dance myself.

I had merely deployed this Seok Hyeonwol technique, yet in that instant, I fell into a hallucinatory state and could not control myself.

Had I remained in that state even a moment longer, who knows what I might have done to Sonan-so.

‘That was truly dangerous.’

What snapped me back to my senses, ironically, was my father’s worried shout.

Hearing him shout, ‘Jina!’ snapped me back to my senses, making me realize what state I’d been in.

Suddenly, I wondered if this was why they say you should learn to drink in front of your parents.

I gave a bitter smile and replied to Sonan-so.

“What I’ve mastered isn’t Blood Sect martial arts. However, it does involve some mentally hazardous aspects, so I too rely on the Great Calming Heart Sutra.”

“Ah!”

She nodded with a bright expression.

She seemed to feel a connection knowing we both practiced the Great Calming Heart Sutra.

And that was true for me as well.

Now that I confirmed she had mastered the Great Calming Heart Sutra and escaped madness, I saw no need to harbor further suspicion toward her.

I asked her.

“So, what are your plans now, Senior? Do you have somewhere else you need to go?”

Then she answered with a slightly surprised look.

“Huh? You can just let me go? I…”

She didn’t finish her sentence, but I could easily guess what she meant.

She was probably about to say she was the Blood Sect’s Demon Witch, a notorious figure in the martial arts world.

I smiled faintly and replied.

“If the benefactor who protected the Seonwoo Clan is leaving, how could we possibly stop you? However, we would like to have you stay with us a little longer. If you have nowhere to go, might we have the honor of hosting you as a guest at the Seonwoo Clan?”

Then, the look of surprise in her eyes gradually gave way to mischief.

“Hmm, I do have a lot of places to go, but if you insist that much… Why not give it a try?”

I smiled playfully back at her as she asked that question.

“If you would grant us that favor, it would be an unparalleled honor for our Seonwoo family. We will do our utmost to serve you, Senior.”

It was a relief.

With her, I knew she could protect Father and the Seonwoo family while I was away at the front lines.

As for information about her, No Sam-ryong would handle that well.

Everything was perfect.