"Where have you been?"
The moment I stepped into the quarters, Gubong was the first to greet me with a pointed question.
Not just himâthe other disciples were also staring at me with uneasy expressions.
âJust went for a little walk.â
ââ¦All of a sudden?â
âYeah.â
â...â
Gubongâs suspicious gaze lingered on me.
He clearly didnât believe me, but so what? It wasnât like that changed anything.
If he didnât believe it, what was he going to do about it?
âWhat are you staring at? Got too much time on your hands? I doubt youâre free to be standing around like this.â
âAll because of someoneâ¦.â
âWhat?â
âNothingâ¦.â
Gubongâs expression grew troubled as he cut himself off.
It seemed like something was weighing on his mind.
âItâs good that youâve returned safely, but thereâs no way weâre leaving here anytime soon.â
His expression was grim.
âSince you already caused a commotion with Baek Doryeong, the White family is bound to have fortified their defensesââ
âThat wonât be an issue.â
ââ¦Huh?â
My confident remark made Gubong narrow his eyes.
It wonât be an issue?
âWhat do you mean by that? Why would you think soâ¦?â
âOh, I overheard something while on my walk.â
I smiled faintly at his puzzled expression and replied.
âApparently, something big happened outside.â
ââ¦?â
Gubong tilted his head, confused.
*******
In the bustling district of Yahwol Palace, the streets were far more chaotic than usual.
âWhatâs going on?â
âHow could something like this suddenly happen...?â
âHavenât you heard yet?â
Humanoids with partial beast features gathered in small groups, exchanging words in hushed tones.
Unease and tension were written all over their faces.
It couldnât be helped.
âI heard the Lord was attacked.â
âWhatâ¦? The Lord? Who would dare attack him?â
âThey said it was Lord Baek Wol.â
âWhat...?â
Among the four great families of Yahwol Palace, the White family was infamous for its violent nature.