Chapter 168: True Dragon (2)
“He’s apparently now being called the True Dragon.”
“Who? The victor of this tournament?”
On the day of the finals, the atmosphere in the tavern was hotter than ever.
It was always like this on the last day of the tournament, but this time the heat was different.
Could it be because a new dragon had been born?
Or was it because this tournament had produced more talents than ever before?
Or perhaps it was simply that the thrill of the boy’s performance in the arena hadn’t worn off yet.
Amidst this, a man quietly chimed in.
As if he didn’t like the fiery excitement around him.
“True Dragon? Isn’t that name a bit arrogant? A real dragon, they say…”
“Then does that mean other dragons like the Lightning Dragon or Sword Dragon are just fakes?”
“I hear this year’s winners were nothing but kids who barely have any hair yet, so how impressive could their fights be?”
“Look at this guy.”
At the man’s mumbling, others let out an exasperated sigh.
Just as someone was about to jump in and say something…
“Just leave him be; that Kim Chung didn’t come because he was too busy pretending to work, and is just throwing a tantrum.”
“Did I say anything wrong? The Sword Dragon, Water Dragon, not to mention the Sword Phoenix, none of them showed up. What’s so enjoyable about this tournament…?”
The man named Kim Chung simply continued downing his drink with a frown.
Seeing this, Merchant Cheon couldn’t help but chuckle.
‘He really is salty.’
It was no surprise considering how charged the atmosphere had been.
It made sense that he would be grumpy about missing out on the fights.
‘Should’ve just come when I asked him.’
Merchant Cheon could see this coming when Kim Chung refused, brushing it off by saying there was no point in going since half of the notable figures weren’t even there.
But contrary to expectations, this tournament was far from lacking.
Merchant Cheon would dare say this was the most impressive tournament he had ever witnessed.
How could it not be?
Three young prodigies earned titles at their debut, one of them even being crowned the True Dragon.
“But what’s with this True Dragon nonsense anyway…?”
“I think it’s pretty cool; what are you all getting so worked up about?”
“I heard he still has a long way to go before he hits twenty, so I’m sure such a lofty title fits him just right.”
“Who cares about age? If he’s worthy, then he deserves to be called that.”
“That’s exactly why it doesn’t make sense. Sure, he has talent… but I’m sure if you watched the tournament, you’d know the Murim Alliance had to cook something up to-”
Kim Chung looked around for agreement, but only received mocking smiles.
“The Murim Alliance pulling strings behind the scenes? Stop making me laugh.”
“I get that you’re saying this because you didn’t see the fight, but you really are a stubborn one.”
“So, do you all believe that this young martial artist deserves to be called the True Dragon?”
Merchant Cheon decided to speak up himself.
“More than enough.”
“Merchant Cheon?”
Kim Chung looked at Merchant Cheon in shock.
That was because Merchant Cheon was not the type to jump into conversations like this.
Merchant Cheon’s gaze was firm as he looked at Kim Chung.
“You might not see the true value of that boy because you didn’t witness him in action, but at least I did.”
When he saw the finals, he was left speechless.
Even someone like Merchant Cheon, who didn’t even know the meaning of the word ‘Martial’ in Martial Arts, could tell the boy was on a completely different level compared to the other finalists.
Moreover, his own son, who was watching the fights with him, said he would give up on martial arts and work in the shop instead.
It was because he felt he wouldn’t be able to compete among such talents.
And Merchant Cheon respected his son’s choice; he would’ve made the same decision in his place.
‘Talent can be terrifying, especially in situations like these.’
A merchant’s talent lies in their ability to see others.
They buy low and sell high.
There are countless things in this simple principle that are integral to a merchant’s virtues.
And perhaps the most fundamental skill is finding value among cheap things.
‘Unfortunately, I fall short in that regard.’
Merchant Cheon was aware of his limitations.
If he had possessed such an instinct, he would’ve been a well-known merchant in Hanam, not just a small-time trader running a humble shop.
Still, it wasn’t as if he had no sense at all.
Having survived in this field for long enough, he had developed some discernment over time.
“You say it’s a bit arrogant for him to be called the True Dragon? I think otherwise.”
“So you believe he deserves such a title?”
“Deserves? Honestly, it feels insufficient.”
Merchant Cheon couldn’t help but wonder about one thing.
Why hadn’t the Murim Alliance granted the boy the title of Heavenly Dragon?
From Merchant Cheon’s perspective, the performance that the True Dragon displayed was far more compelling than what Peng Woojin had offered at his debut.
‘I’ve heard whispers that the Heavenly Dragon title was already taken; is that true?’
That was a rumor circulating across all lands.
That someone had already been appointed to the Heavenly Dragon title.
‘That can’t possibly be true.’
As the tournament wrapped up and the Alliance Leader came out to commend everyone,
Merchant Cheon took a close look.
He recalled that at the time, Jang Seonyeon, who was being referred to as the New Star, had become the opponent of the True Dragon.
‘How could he keep that composed face after his child was defeated in such a humiliating manner?’
For Merchant Cheon, who had witnessed how Jang Seonyeon had been beaten, the sight of the Alliance Leader maintaining the appearance of a leader rather than a father who had just seen his son’s defeat was surprising.
This was why Merchant Cheon couldn’t bring himself to believe the rumors.
“Kim Chung. Stop embarrassing yourself already. Sit down and let’s talk about something else.”
‘Acting childish at this age just because you missed a tournament, really?’
‘Though I’d probably regret it for life if I hadn’t been able to see it.’
Merchant Cheon could empathize with Kim Chung’s feelings.
A martial artist who would redefine the era had been born in this tournament, regardless of who observed it.
For someone of this world, there was probably nothing more disappointing than missing out on witnessing that transformation.
Merchant Cheon mentally visualized the boy’s face.
‘True Dragon…’
The boy he only knew by surname was now being recognized as the True Dragon of the Shanxi Gu Clan.
This had all occurred within only three days of his first entry into the martial world.
Merchant Cheon pondered whether this would echo widely across the realm.
But thus far…
‘I’m a bit concerned about his expression at the very end.’
Merchant Cheon recalled the boy’s face, which seemed too heavy for someone so young.
The child who had just become champion of a tournament that all other young heroes could only dream of wore a rather unique expression.
While others remarked on how cool he looked with his nonchalant demeanor, it was clear he didn’t seem thrilled just because he had won a mere tournament.
Some claimed that a genius would behave uniquely, but it didn’t sit right with Merchant Cheon.
In a vast field far removed from the tournament arena…
I stood there alone, quietly watching the snowfall.
The snow gently piled up, leaving traces on the ground…
However, my mind was far from simple.
– Dok Gojun is searching for you.
At the duel’s climax, the name that the bastard had dropped stuck in my ears.
‘Dok Gojun.’
It was the first time I had heard that name.
In both this life and my previous one.
Neither did it belong to any clan, nor did it signal any faction.
It was truly a name I had never encountered until now.
‘Who is it… Who could it possibly be?’
Who might it be, I wondered.
The one who had dared to speak to me through Jang Seonyeon…
How could anyone pull off such a stunt?
Was he a being similar to Elder Shin?
But somehow, it felt different, and it led me to conclude otherwise.
That presence gave me the shivers, like a sword pointed directly at my head. It was entirely different from Elder Shin’s essence.
If I had to compare, it felt akin to the mysterious aura of the Heavenly Demon.
‘It might be excessive to liken it to the Heavenly Demon, but there were undeniable similarities.’
The Heavenly Demon, often deemed a God, radiated a far greater power, but the feeling was undeniably close.
I began to wonder what that bastard hiding within me truly was.
‘Damn…. Can’t the universe just let me live a peaceful life?’
Every time one problem wraps up, another rears its head, complicating everything further.
With the burden of all that I already bore, it felt unbearable.
If gods truly existed, they certainly were not on my side.
“Why not say something? Stop keeping your mouth shut.”
My voice, choked with frustration, was swept away by the gentle breeze.
In a deserted expanse where I stood alone, it was anything but mere ramblings.
“You were so talkative before, so why the silence now?”
The entity that appeared during the last moments of the tournament and seemed to consume the energy.
I attempted to address that enigmatic existence nestled inside me, but since Jang Seonyeon had lost consciousness, it returned to its mute state.
“It’s infuriating…”
I’d thought about it as just a curse that came with my regression.
Demonic Absorption belonged to the Heavenly Demon, so discovering side effects wouldn’t surprise me.
Despite having struggled through that time, it appeared I still hadn’t escaped the Heavenly Demon’s grip.
But recently, it felt like there was something more complex at play.
“Do you have any demands? Why are you causing such trouble for me?”
I couldn’t help but speak harshly, burdened by the overwhelming thoughts in my mind.
Did Jang Seonyeon have this power from the beginning?
Or had he meddled with something to distort the course of events?
‘Though the chance of me simply not knowing is quite high.’
Many things I learned post-regression contradicted what I understood from my previous life; this was probably no different.
‘Who is the puppeteer behind this?’
Not only were the Black Palace simulating defective Demonic Qi, but they were also performing dubious activities to cultivate some peculiar flower.
Jang Seonyeon was also scheming in the shadows.
While I didn’t particularly care if this was right or wrong, I was definitely no hero.
Yet, the fact that I remained unaware of all this troubled me.
‘What’s my next move?’
Now that I was aware, should I start plotting a response?
I also needed to consider the possibility that they already had intel on me, given that the bastard possessing Jang Seonyeon seemed familiar with my identity.
Engulfed by this overwhelmingly complex situation, I clenched my teeth and yelled out.
“Tell me what you want! Only then can I think about whether to oblige.”
I again took a shot at the entity residing in me.
Of course, even if it did respond, I had no intention of granting its wish.
Nonetheless, I felt that just hearing anything from within might ease my mind a bit.
“Sigh…”
I rubbed my palm against my face.
Then I went through the motions of washing my face repeatedly.
Given that I had wrapped up most of my intentions for the trip to Hanam, not feeling any better must’ve stemmed from this.
‘A gift, huh.’
The last thing that bastard, Dok Gojun, said about the gift.
It didn’t take long for me to realize what he meant.
With a smirk, I questioned,
“So you consumed everything else fine, why are you holding back now?”
The energy I had taken from Jang Seonyeon.
To be exact, the energy that Dok Gojun had gifted me was not getting purified properly in my body.
Just like how Demonic Qi occupied a space within my dantian, it too seemed to have claimed its territory.
‘Is it even being purified correctly?’
My Fire Qi purged Demonic Qi the moment it was absorbed, just like munching on a snack.
So what about this energy?
‘No clue.’
I didn’t sense it undergoing purification.
Instead, it felt more like it was merging with my Fire Qi.
I gently caressed my abdomen, gradually building my strength.
Fsss…
Energy began to channel through my veins and spread throughout my body.
This was a fundamental step to reinforcing my body with Qi.
Typically, this would’ve been where it ended unless I employed Gu Clan’s technique of using heat for further enhancement.
“…Sigh.”
Yet, as I delved deeper into my dantian, I felt a force coiling within, fusing itself into my Qi.
Then, as if on cue, I felt my physical prowess surge almost instantaneously.
This was the “gift” that Dok Gojun had mentioned.
Just as Jang Seonyeon and Namgung Cheonjun did, I too could now wield the energy they had utilized.
‘This is insane.’
This wasn’t a statement of joy.
Rather, it was made out of discomfort; it felt like I had shackled myself anew.
One unfamiliar energy was already overwhelming enough.
No, even just having one was a bit challenging.
Evidently, by moving my body slightly, I could tell that.
This wasn’t merely supportive energy; it carried its own complications.
I sensed my energy being consumed at an absurd speed, yet returning overwhelming power in exchange.
In addition, it didn’t end there; my physicality was enhanced beyond expectations.
Fwoosh.
I merged some of this energy into my Qi and produced a flame in my hand.
Since I had seen Jang Seonyeon strengthen his martial skills, I wondered if I could do similar feats.
“…What the hell.”
Upon seeing the flame ignite in my hand, I couldn’t help but curse.
Rather than the bright flame radiating Taoist Energy, it glowed with a scorching blue hue.
“This will definitely turn heads.”
Just its color gave the impression of sorcery.
I couldn’t believe it altered the flame’s color.
“If my father sees this, how on earth would I explain it?”
What would others from our clan think if they caught wind of this?
What could I possibly say?
Should I admit to having dyed my flames with a gift acquired from Hanam?
‘Ha! Hilarious.’
My head began to throb.
Bam!
I clenched my fist and extinguished the flame.
Then, summoning it again,
Fwoosh-
‘It has returned to its original form.’
The flame reverted to its expected hue.
It appeared that the outcome depended on how I utilized the energy.
‘I think I can keep it hidden if I try.’
In the midst of unfortunate circumstances, this was a small blessing. Having calmed the energy and intending to head back,
“…!”
I suddenly felt dizzy, my body threatening to sway.
Fortunately, it was merely a fleeting sensation, and I managed to regain my stance.
‘Is this the backlash from using the energy?’
Just a brief bout of usage and the recoil was this significant.
Now, I understood why Jang Seonyeon had been so adamant about not employing it.
Yet, one thing perplexed me…
If memory serves, considering how much energy Jang Seonyeon had wielded and the length of time he used it, one would expect a considerable backlash.
Yet he appeared to be perfectly fine.
‘Either I’m receiving disproportionate recoil, or I’m using too much energy.’
Regardless of which it might be, it didn’t change the fact that I was stuck in a sticky situation.
However, even facing such circumstances, I had to put on a brave front.
“…I won’t fall apart over this.”
No matter how hard the universe tried to break me, it was still better than my past life.
No one I cared about died in this world, and I was granted the opportunity to confront those whom I held grievances against in my previous life.
Thus, I could withstand this much.
“I’m exhausted…”
While I felt fatigued, the chill of the wind bore down on me as if testing my resolve.
Was it particularly cold today?
Or, perhaps I missed the comforting presence of Elder Shin, if only a fraction?
Not just nostalgia; I had questions for Elder Shin.
For some reason, a hunch told me he might know something pertaining to Dok Gojun.
Although, I couldn’t pinpoint why I felt that way.
‘So please wake up already, old man.’
After conducting a few more experiments with the new energy, I returned to the guesthouse.
The sun had long set, and following the tournament’s end, the place felt rather empty.
There were still some events on the agenda, like the Alliance Leader’s congratulatory speech for the victor and the semifinal between Namgung Bi-ah and Moyong Hi-ah, but they didn’t seem to hold much importance.
‘Makes sense, considering they only care about who comes in first.’
In any world, that would be the case, but this world particularly fixated on hierarchy.
“Oh! Young Master!”
The moment I walked into the guesthouse, Wi Seol-Ah came rushing over and flung herself into my arms.
“Oof…!”
Her tackle was surprisingly forceful enough to elicit a grunt from me.
Perhaps due to practicing with the energy for an extended time, I felt achy, even from Wi Seol-Ah’s hug.
‘…Or maybe she’s just gotten tougher?’
“Uh…Um…Young Master, are you alright?”
Since I had let out an unusual noise, Wi Seol-Ah stared at me with concerned eyes.
I smiled back, trying to show that I was fine.
“I’m good. Just a bit surprised, that’s all.”
“When Young Master has that terrifying smile, it usually means something’s up…”
“…What’s that supposed to mean, you little rascal?”
Terrifying…? I thought I had made quite the effort to smile.
As I pinched Wi Seol-Ah’s cheek for that comment, another voice chimed in from nearby.
“Has Young Master Gu returned…?”
It was Tang Soyeol. I soon noticed Namgung Bi-ah sleeping with her head resting on Tang Soyeol’s lap.
“Oh, your sister fell asleep waiting for you just now.”
“Are you sure she wasn’t just dozing off the whole time?”
“I-I swear!”
“…Alright.”
No matter how hard I tried, I found that hard to believe, but let it slide for now.
“Oh right, the Beggar’s Sect was looking for you earlier.”
“Beggar’s Sect?”
Upon hearing Tang Soyeol, thoughts of Chuwong immediately sprang to mind.
He must have come looking for me as soon as he heard about my win.
“When I arrived, it seems like he was already chatting with Seol-Ah.”
“This girl?”
Ugh…
Wi Seol-Ah was having a conversation with Chuwong, huh.
It must have made for an interesting sight, leaving a slight pang of regret for not witnessing that.
‘Because they were my comrades in my past life.’
The King of Beggars, the Celestial Sword, and several others who were all incredibly strong individuals.
Since he was one of the few individuals the Celestial Sword Wi Seol-Ah held in high regard, their meeting had to carry significant meaning.
Assuming, of course, they retained their memories.
‘At this point, he’s just an ordinary hobo.’
“He asked that when he comes back, we let the True Dragon know that Chuwong from the Beggar’s Sect came in search of him.”
“Thanks for letting me know. I’ll be sure to pass that along when I see him later-”
I was about to respond to Tang Soyeol when something unusual pricked my ears.
“What dragon did you just say?”
“True Dragon!”
In excitement, Tang Soyeol enthusiastically reiterated.
“…True Dragon?”
Could that be referring to me?
‘Seems like it is.’
Just the sound of that title sent chills up my spine.
‘Though I must admit, the title from my previous life was much worse.’
I guess being a True Dragon was an upgrade.
“Is Young Master Gu not happy?”
“Should I be…?”
“Of course you should!”
So I really have to be pleased for being lumped in with these prodigies?
As an adult, feeling joy over such things felt quite embarrassing.
Tang Soyeol kept gazing at me with eager eyes, so in the end, I just conceded and pretended to express happiness.
“Wow… I’m so happy…”
“…Wow…Young Master Gu… You genuinely look like you have no soul.”
I tried my best…
However, I chose to ignore Tang Soyeol’s hushed remark that claimed, ‘Even his expressionless face is handsome.’
Meanwhile, Wi Seol-Ah was peering outside the guesthouse, her gaze fixed on the sky.
She was looking westward.
Towards none other than the Murim Alliance, where Jang Cheon and Jang Seonyeon were.
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