Published at 4th of October 2026 7:49 am

Chapter 1153: The World of Ascension (83)

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Having accepted the woman’s invitation, I stepped into the hut.

The interior was not far from what I had expected. No, to be precise, it was actually tidier and more well-organized than I had anticipated.

Everything was meticulously arranged, and a faint, pleasant fragrance lingered in the air.

Just as I began to relax, letting go of the subtle tension I had been holding onto—

"Please, have a seat."

The woman gestured kindly toward the table.

"Pardon my intrusion."

Without hesitation, I took a seat by the table. Soon, two teacups and some traditional sweets were placed before me.

"I'm afraid I don't have much to offer... I hope this is alright."

"Just the fact that you're offering is more than enough. Thank you."

A soft trickling sound filled the air as the teacups were filled with tea. A rich aroma instantly spread through the room.

‘This scent... I’ve never encountered it before.’

What kind of tea was this? Even during my time learning poison techniques from the Poison King in Sichuan, I had never studied leaves like these.

Back then, I had seen countless medicinal herbs, yet this was an entirely new fragrance to me.

At that moment—

"It’s tea made from Gaeulcho leaves."

As if reading my expression, the woman offered an explanation.

"Gaeulcho?"

I was genuinely surprised at her words. If it was Gaeulcho, then...

"...Isn't that a poisonous herb?"

Indeed, it was. While its toxicity was relatively mild, consuming it in sufficient quantity would lead to paralysis.

"That's right. However, if you wash Gaeulcho leaves properly in valley water during this season and dry them with heat, the toxins dissipate, leaving behind this fragrant aroma."

"......"

That was the first time I had ever heard such a thing.

Even the Poison King had never mentioned this knowledge to me.

‘So, the poison can be removed, huh...’

Did such a property truly exist? Though I was skeptical, I raised the cup without hesitation.

"Thank you. I’ll enjoy it."

Sip.

In any case, my body was immune to all poisons, so something like this wouldn’t affect me.

As I had expected from its aroma, the taste was just as pleasant. It was exceptionally smooth, carrying a deep, rich flavor.

"...It’s delicious."

"I'm glad you like it."

At my words, the woman smiled warmly. She exuded an air of kindness and tranquility.

‘...Who is she?’

That question lingered in my mind.

Who was this woman?

And why did a place like this exist within the Gu family’s territory?

‘I’ve never seen this place before.’

Since birth, I had neither heard of nor seen a place like this.

The path leading here was blocked off, and—

‘This place wasn’t supposed to exist in the first place.’

Even if it had been erased later, this area was supposed to be nothing more than overgrown weeds and trees.

What was this place? And who was this woman?

As those questions started to take root in my mind—

"So, young warrior, what brings you here?"

The woman was the first to ask about my purpose.

"...Ah. I was simply wandering around, exploring the area. This is my first time here, so I was told I could look around freely..."

"Oh my, I see. The General Overseer said as much, did he?"

"That's correct."

"Then, you must be a guest of the Gu family."

At her words, I respectfully nodded.

"...Yes. I am Baek Yangcheon, from the Azure Dragon Division of the Martial Alliance."

"Oh my... Azure Dragon Division."

Upon hearing my introduction, the woman smiled and nodded knowingly.

"Welcome. My name is Jin Yeonryeong."

Jin Yeonryeong.

Even her name was unfamiliar to me.

Judging by the fact that she wasn’t a Gu, it was clear that she wasn’t part of the Gu family.

‘...Hmm.’

Who was she?

And why was she living here, in this secluded hut within the Gu family’s territory?

Just as my curiosity was growing—

"Forgive me for inviting you so suddenly. I was feeling a bit lonely. I suppose that happens as one gets older."

The woman spoke with a slightly embarrassed smile. Hearing that, I lightly waved my hand.

"Not at all. I’m grateful for the warm welcome."

"Thank you for saying so."

Sip.

After that brief exchange, a moment of silence followed.

During that time, I quietly observed the woman.

‘She doesn’t seem to be a martial artist.’

I couldn’t sense any internal energy from her.

Not only that, but she also lacked the distinct presence that those who conceal their strength usually had.

She truly seemed to be an ordinary civilian—a person who wouldn’t even be able to defend herself against a low-level beast.

As for her age... perhaps past fifty?

I wasn’t entirely sure. Her face wasn’t particularly aged, but strands of white hair peeked through, making her seem older than she probably was.

‘Furthermore...’

Her condition wasn’t great.

Most likely—

‘She’s sick.’

The woman was unwell.

She didn’t show it outright, but I could sense it.

I wasn’t a physician, so I couldn’t determine how severe it was, but judging by my instincts—

‘It looks serious.’

She probably didn’t have much time left.

That was what had drawn my attention.

I had come to a place I never would have otherwise visited.

I had done something I normally wouldn’t have done.

And all because of that.

"Excuse me... Ma’am, may I ask—"

I cautiously broke the silence.

I needed to find out who this woman was and why she was here.

Just as I was about to ask—

"How is my child doing there?"

"...Pardon? Your child?"

Child? What child?

"Who are you referring to...?"

I couldn’t comprehend her words, so I asked again.

Still smiling, the woman responded.

"I heard that my son is serving as a Deputy Commander in the Azure Dragon Division."

"...Excuse me?"

What?

Her son was a Deputy Commander in the Azure Dragon Division?

That meant...

"You’re... the mother of the Azure Dragon Division’s Deputy Commander?"

"That’s right. I am Cheolwoon’s mother."

"......"

I was stunned.

If she was my father’s mother, then that meant—

‘...She’s my grandmother?’

She was my grandmother.

And on that day—

For the first time in my life, I met my grandmother.

**********

Jin Yeonryeong.

She appeared to be somewhere between forty and fifty years old.

A woman with a gentle demeanor that perfectly matched her outward appearance.

If I had to compare her to someone, she reminded me of the Sword Queen I had encountered in my previous life.

At the very least, she carried an aura that was rarely found among those around me.

Moreover—

‘The Mistress of the Gu Family.’

In this world, she was the mistress during my grandfather’s time as the head of the family.

Seeing her made me ponder many things.

‘...So she’s my grandmother.’

I had never heard of her.

Just like my grandfather, she was someone my father had never even mentioned.

I had neither seen nor heard anything about her, so I had naturally assumed she was dead.

‘...So she was alive at this time.’

I had never given it much thought before, but now that I was meeting her, it felt strangely surreal.

For now—

‘She doesn’t resemble Father.’

There was nothing of my father in her features.

My father was rather handsome—no, damn handsome—but still retained the characteristic traits of the Gu family.

‘But this woman...’

Jin Yeonryeong had none of those traits.

She simply looked like a kind and warm-hearted person.

Furthermore—

"Has my child been eating well?"

"...Yes. He eats properly."

She had nothing but the demeanor of a mother worrying about her son.

"I should have packed some traditional sweets for him since he was traveling far... It’s been on my mind. Oh, do they suit your taste?"

"...They are truly delicious."

She prepared sweets for him.

Gu Ryun had mentioned it before—my father really liked these sweets.

"I'm relieved to hear that."

Jin Yeonryeong smiled once again at my response.

She seemed to smile a lot.

Not that it was a bad thing. If anything, it created a pleasant atmosphere.

‘Grandmother.’

Unlike the negative emotions I associated with my grandfather, this was comforting.

Maybe that was why I was feeling at ease.

"You seem to have finished. Would you like some more?"

"Ah, no. This is more than enough—"

"Still, have just a little more. You should eat when something tastes good."

"...This isn’t ‘a little more.’"

In the blink of an eye, the plate before me was piled high with sweets.

There was an enormous difference between her definition of ‘a little more’ and mine...

"...Ah, um... T-Thank you."

I reached out to take one.

When was the last time I ate sweets like this?

Actually, there was no last time—I’d never had them before.

‘This is going to be a struggle.’

No matter how good they tasted with tea, this was too much.

Yet, oddly enough, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse.

So I just stuffed one into my mouth.

As I was chewing—

"How old are you, Young Warrior Baek?"

Jin Yeonryeong suddenly asked.

"...Ah, I turned twenty this year."

I hesitated briefly before answering.

I had to recall my own age first.

"I thought so. You do look young... What about your family?"

"My family...?"

"Yes. Your parents, perhaps?"

"Ah... well..."

What should I say?

After a brief moment of contemplation, I answered.

"My father is alive."

"Oh my..."

Technically speaking, my mother was also alive, but...

It was too complicated to explain, so I left it at that.

I had no idea why she was asking, but I answered nonetheless.

"I see... I apologize if that was intrusive."

"It’s alright. But why do you ask...?"

It felt a bit strange discussing my parents with my grandmother, but I still responded.

Jin Yeonryeong seemed about to say something when—

"Ah, it’s nothing much... I was just—"

At that moment—

Crackle.

"...!"

The sound of a spark igniting.

A shiver ran down my spine.

It came from right behind me.

I turned my head instinctively—

And there—

"......"

Someone was standing.

A middle-aged man in red martial robes.

His eyes burned crimson as he looked down at me and Jin Yeonryeong.

When had he arrived?

I hadn’t sensed his presence at all.

Cold sweat trickled down my back.

Tension gripped my entire body.

"Madam."

The man addressed Jin Yeonryeong.

His voice was low and deep—not as much as my father’s, but still unmistakably strong.

And the moment I heard it, I recognized it.

‘...This voice.’

The voice of flames.

The same voice that once looked at me and told me to fulfill my duty as an heir.

The voice of flames.

And just now, he had called Jin Yeonryeong Madam.

Which meant—

‘It’s him.’

This man was—

‘My grandfather.’

The current Head of the Gu Family.

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