I Became the Owner of the Heavenly Flower Palace-Chapter 69: What’s Important Lies Hidden

Gu Yangcheok’s words were a common courtesy.

Saying "feel free to visit anytime, you are always welcome" was the kind of greeting that any reputable family had at the tip of their tongue.

Though Gu Yangcheok’s gaze seemed sincere as he spoke, Jincheon answered lightly.

"Ah, yes. Thank you."

In truth, there was no reason for him to visit the Gu Yang Clan, nor did he even consider it.

All Jincheon wanted was to quickly pass through Kaifeng and head for Hefei.

Only then could he meet up with his scattered guards and worry less about possible ambushes.

"Then, I shall take my leave."

Gu Yangcheok spoke, but he did not move.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

Jincheon said to him,

"Yes. Congratulations once again."

Only after those words fell did Gu Yangcheok slowly step back.

And quietly, he turned and headed toward his seat.

The still-confused Gu Yangheon and Gu Yangjeong followed behind him.

The young grand disciple, Gu Yangjeong, kept glancing at Ilyo and Neung Gayeon, but without a word, he simply returned to his seat with Gu Yangcheok.

Jincheon, too, sensed the strange atmosphere.

‘What is this?’

Something felt suspicious.

When Jincheon turned his head to look at the Commander of the North Wind, Neung Gayeon, she spoke with a faint smile.

"A child who is good at tricks is troublesome indeed."

He couldn’t tell what she meant by that.

At any rate, no real problem had occurred, and no incident had broken out.

Having lightly finished his meal, Jincheon asked Ilyo and Neung Gayeon,

"You two really don’t need to eat?"

"Yes."

"That’s correct."

Neither Ilyo nor Neung Gayeon touched any food.

It wasn’t as if the two slender women were watching their weight, so it was surely to protect Jincheon.

Feeling a twinge of guilt, Jincheon rose from his seat.

"Let’s go."

Just as he was about to leave, Jincheon happened to spot a small liquor bottle sitting on the table.

In the past, he wouldn't have even dared order such an expensive drink.

Swish.

Jincheon slyly picked up the liquor bottle.

It wasn’t strange either—after all, if there was liquor left over, it was common practice to just take the bottle with you.

Until Jincheon, Ilyo, and Neung Gayeon left the tavern, Gu Yangcheok never once looked at them.

Jincheon and the two women exited the tavern.

Only then did Gu Yangcheok’s face twist with a grimace.

"Tsk."

Clicking his tongue low, Gu Yangheon asked him,

"...What was that about?"

His expression was grave as he asked.

Wasn’t Gu Yangcheok a master who had manifested Sword Qi, something the Gu Yang Clan prided itself on?

It was the first time seeing him act so cautiously, and the sudden expulsion of the Iron Gate Sect was baffling as well.

But Gu Yangcheok did not answer.

He merely stared intently at the empty spot Jincheon and the two women had vacated and let out a soft sigh.

"For now, we can consider it accepted as a show of goodwill, I suppose?"

The young grand disciple Gu Yangjeong asked,

"Uncle, what exactly is going on?"

Gu Yangcheok looked back at Gu Yangjeong.

He also glanced at Gu Yangheon, whose expression was filled with bewilderment.

In a low voice, Gu Yangcheok spoke.

"...I have once met the Sword Saint."

Gu Yangheon’s eyes filled with shock.

The Sword Saint was a figure whose very name shook the world.

That Gu Yangcheok had met such a being was a story that had never been told before.

"When was this?"

"Long ago. Around the time I first awakened my Sword Qi. When I was young, foolish, and full of confidence."

How could it not be so?

The manifestation of Sword Qi was the symbol of a supreme master—a force so absolute that there was nothing in the world it couldn’t cut down.

Once one awakened Sword Qi, it was only natural to feel as though the world belonged to them.

"So long ago, you say? How did..."

"It was by coincidence."

It was nothing more than an accidental encounter.

They hadn’t discussed swords, nor had they dueled.

It was merely that he had faced him—and yet, the young Gu Yangcheok had understood it unmistakably.

The absolute gap that existed between them.

The confidence that had made him feel the world was his shattered to pieces.

His youthful pride, his courage—all of it vanished, leaving behind only bitter despair and a sense of hollow futility.

Had he not known, it would have been better.

Because that realm he had seen so vividly right before his eyes looked so close—like he could grasp it if only he reached out.

Yet the boundless chasm between them was something he could not even perceive.

"And today."

Gu Yangcheok spoke in a subdued voice.

"I was reminded of that day."

Something so close yet forever unreachable.

The absolute disparity created by a simple, clear gap.

Today, Gu Yangcheok had seen it once again.

In the glint of a massive beast’s eyes, fleetingly glimpsed through the dark forest, reflected by the faint ripple he himself had stirred.

‘Ugh.’

A chill ran down Gu Yangcheok’s spine once again.

How could he not fear it? How could he not tread cautiously?

If the other so much as twitched a finger, both his life and the Gu Yang Clan’s would be as good as gone.

That was why Gu Yangcheok had decisively cast aside the Iron Gate Sect.

Even though it meant infringing upon the authority of the Clan Head, he couldn’t afford to hesitate.

He didn’t even balk at spending a fortune just to offer a single greeting.

And now the result was clear to him.

The liquor bottle he had placed near Jincheon’s seat was gone.

He had taken it.

"They were really that much?"

The voice of the young grand disciple Gu Yangjeong shook Gu Yangcheok out of his thoughts.

Gu Yangjeong furrowed his brows, clearly unable to understand.

"I mean, sure, the women might be special, but that young lord, no matter how I look at it..."

"The important things," Gu Yangcheok cut off Gu Yangjeong’s words, "are those that are not revealed."

"You think I haven’t become the Clan Head because I’m lacking in strength?"

Gu Yangheon flinched. Those were dangerous words.

But Gu Yangcheok was unconcerned.

"My loyalty to the Clan and my support for the Clan Head come from something more important."

"And what is that?"

"Realizing that," Gu Yangcheok said, "will be your task moving forward. And when you do, you will see the world differently."

Gu Yangjeong tilted his head.

Gu Yangcheok’s words seemed meaningful, but still vague and hard to grasp.

Click.

As Gu Yangcheok lifted his teacup, the young Gu Yangjeong cast a furtive glance toward the now-empty seats where Jincheon’s party had been.

Rather than Gu Yangcheok’s cryptic words, what remained etched in his heart was the sight of the women he had seen up close.

Their exotic, mysterious appearances still felt like something out of a dream.

****

That night.

After returning to the inn, Jincheon rested briefly before stepping outside again.

It was time for his training.

Rustle.

There was no one in the small clearing.

Because the inn was located by the lakeside, the surroundings were submerged in darkness, and across the wide lake, the nightscape of Jeongju could be seen.

"Ilyo."

"Yes."

"Bring me the sword."

Rustle.

Ilyo respectfully lifted the case containing the Palace Lord’s sword, Wind and Cloud.

Jincheon grasped the sword.

Suddenly, fear tried to rise up within him.

Hadn’t the ambush happened last time right after he finished training?

Could the same thing happen again?

‘Hmm.’

Gritting his teeth, Jincheon tightened his grip and drew the sword.

And immediately, he strode forward.

Step, step.

Without even steadying his breathing or calming his mind, Jincheon instantly assumed the basic stance of the Yongcheon Sword Art.

It was a simple movement—gripping the sword with both hands and stepping forward.

Swoosh.

Wind and Cloud sliced through the air as Jincheon ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) began practicing Yongcheon Sword Art.

One must not stop because of fear. Nor should one fall into thought under the pretext of calming down.

What mattered was action.

Moving one’s body, stepping forward, forcing oneself to recognize: I’m okay. I’m still moving forward.

It didn’t matter what it was.

Whether sweeping the yard, chopping firewood, or cleaning, what mattered was simply moving.

It was a method Jincheon had found after failing the Imperial Examination twice.

Right now, that something was the sword.

Swhik, swhik.

Jincheon continued to move his sword.

The sacred incantation bloomed in his chest, and his inhalations and exhalations naturally followed the movements of the sword forms.

Repeatedly practicing until it became ingrained, the actions coaxed out a response from his body.

Along with it, his mind settled calmly.

Now, the only things he could see were his sword and his sword path—no more worries, no more anxiety, no more fear.

Sarak.

Jincheon’s sword glided through the air.

And then, at a certain moment—

'Huh?'

Tap.

Jincheon stopped his sword.

He had been in the midst of executing sword techniques, but it didn’t matter.

How could he not stop?

Whooom.

Light had emerged.

It was the same light he had seen during the last ambush.

The light that had saved Jincheon at the critical moment was once again blooming from the blade of Wind and Cloud.

'What on earth is this...'

Wooooong.

Jincheon looked down at his sword.

The light, silently rising, rippled slowly along the blade.

It was so beautiful that Jincheon stood dazed for a moment, simply staring.

Then, snapping back to his senses, Jincheon turned his head.

Sarak.

Ilyo and the Commander of the North Wind, Neung Gayeon, had both dropped to one knee.

But they did not bow their heads.

In their eyes, gazing at the light blooming from Jincheon’s sword, an uncontrollable storm of emotions was swirling.

****

Jincheon’s carriage entered the Anhui region.

He had simply passed through Kaifeng without stopping, and naturally, he had not visited the Gu Yang Clan.

Jincheon wasn’t the type to actually believe a perfunctory invitation, nor did he have any reason to visit.

Ttakak, ttakak.

Listening to the sound of horse hooves striking the official road, Jincheon habitually checked the pocket at his chest where Wrath was embedded and the black cord around his wrist.

Of course, there was no real need to check—since Neung Gayeon, the Commander of the North Wind, was riding her horse right next to the carriage.

"Commander Neung."

"Yes."

She answered as if she had been waiting.

Jincheon gave a bitter smile.

'If I were to ask her about that light now, she'd probably drop to her knees and beg for forgiveness again.'

With a devastated expression, she would surely plead,

'It is not something I dare to speak of; you must inquire with the Oracle instead.'

'Even though she watches so diligently every time I train...'

It wasn’t just Neung Gayeon— Ilyo was the same.

The two of them watched Jincheon’s training without missing a single moment, as if determined not to let even an instant slip by.

In truth, it had always been that way, even before—but the emotions they could no longer conceal were different now.

The always-composed Neung Gayeon, the perpetually calm Ilyo—it was almost astonishing to see such expressions of emotion from them.

If they didn’t understand the significance of the light blooming from his sword, those feelings wouldn’t have leaked out.

"Please, go ahead."

"How long will it take for everyone to gather in Hefei?"

"For those farthest away, about a month; for those closer, around seven days."

Jincheon blinked.

"A month, you say?"

"Yes."

He had designated specific cities, limiting them to places with convenient transportation and excluding anything too remote.

Still, the guards would have to take considerable detours to arrive.

Yet the difference would only be about a month—Jincheon could hardly believe it.

"How could that be...?"

"Since it was a military order, they will absolutely arrive within the designated time."

At Neung Gayeon’s firm declaration, Jincheon had no more to say.

Whether it was possible or not, if they arrived quickly, it would only benefit him.

It meant securing safety.

"Hmm. Well, understood. Thank you."

"Not at all, sir."

Neung Gayeon offered a respectful gesture and then silently returned her focus to riding.

Ttakak, ttakak.

As the monotonous sound of hooves echoed along the road, Jincheon felt a wave of boredom.

'The only thing I can do... is one thing.'

That was to focus on the Yongcheon Sword Art.

According to Neung Gayeon, it was called “mental image training,” a method even seasoned martial artists often used, so there was no reason for hesitation.

'Hoo.'

As always, Jincheon steadied his breathing.

The sacred incantation rose within his mind, and the sword path drifted through the void.

The sword wasn’t real, and no light bloomed from it.

But because of that, he was free from all constraints.

In an instant, Jincheon was fully immersed in his mental image training.

Carried by the crimson carriage, Jincheon, hidden in silent training, continued his journey toward Hefei without pause.