Chapter: 195 – Know Your Place (3)
“How can this be possible?”
Gu Changjun had to stare at Gu Yangcheon with his frown still deep on his face.
“Did I really mistake him for the Lord?”
No matter how sudden the situation was, mistaking Gu Yangcheon for the clan leader was unthinkable.
“Even if that brat has crossed the wall…!”
It was hazy, but it was unmistakable.
Gu Yangcheon had indeed reached the Peak Realm, surpassing the wall.
The fact that he had achieved this at such a young age, while his own grandson, Gu Jeolyub, had not, clearly suggested that heaven was not on his side.
But aside from that…
This was simply impossible.
The flames emitted by Gu Yangcheon were strikingly similar to the flames that the Lord had once displayed.
Of course, their unique energy could resemble each other since they practiced the same martial arts of their clan, but that wasn’t what Gu Changjun was referring to.
Those ominous flames could only be wielded by blood relatives.
The way he controlled that wild and untamed flame, resembling a famished beast, was something that could make anyone mistake him for the Lord.
That level of proficiency meant he was quite experienced.
“But even so…”
The quality of the flames should have been different.
No matter how much time had passed and the Lord’s power faded, it was absurd to confuse that young kid’s flames with the Lord’s.
Did that kid have such a mastery over flames?
If not…
“…My body is…”
“You seem a bit shocked, considering you aren’t saying anything.”
“…!”
“This was a return gift for what you gave me, First Elder. What do you think?”
Gu Yangcheon was smiling.
His wide smile looked rather menacing.
However, the malice hidden beneath his voice was unmistakable, creating a jarring contrast.
Gu Changjun forced a composed expression and asked Gu Yangcheon, “A gift, you say? I’m confused about why Yangcheon is so angry with me.”
“What do you mean ‘angry’ First Elder? You gifted me something, how could I possibly be angry?”
Crunch.
The sound of Gu Yangcheon stomping on the charred ground was unsettling.
“And as for anger, I can’t afford to be angry because of an animal.”
Gu Changjun’s face twisted in response to Gu Yangcheon’s blunt words.
After all, he obviously meant something else entirely.
“I see your tongue has grown sharper during our time apart. I thought you’d matured a bit. Do you truly not know who you’re speaking to?”
“How can I mature in such a short time? Moreover…”
Thud!
Gu Yangcheon kicked the staggering guard in the face, knocking him out cold.
The guard lost consciousness, blood pouring from his mouth.
“I’ve learned that pretending to be nice has its limits. You, on the other hand, received quite a solid upbringing!”
“You little…!”
Whoosh!
As Gu Changjun stomped the ground in a fit of rage, a wave of Qi spread out around him.
The impact of a martial artist reaching the Fusion Realm reverberated throughout Gu Sunmoon.
But Gu Yangcheon remained completely unfazed.
“I don’t know why you’re throwing such a tantrum, but even as a direct descendant of the clan, your arrogance is excessive!”
“I agree.”
Rather, it seemed like Gu Yangcheon was preparing to push back with all his might.
“You surely know I’m a direct descendant of the clan.”
Cracking his neck, Gu Yangcheon seemed more like a street thug rather than a noble clan member.
“Why are you continuing this utter nonsense? I specifically told you to leave me alone.”
By now, the decorum in Gu Yangcheon’s words had vanished.
The emotion embedded in his voice was fury.
And against that little boy, Gu Changjun felt a force push back against his own energy.
Despite being a martial artist who reached the Fusion Realm and Gu Yangcheon possessing monstrous talent at a young age, ultimately he was still merely at the Peak Realm.
No matter how perfectly he merged with his physical abilities, the disparity in levels was immensely significant.
This situation should never have happened.
Yet, Gu Changjun, pushing aside the surprise, could only frown, entirely aware of the reason behind it all.
Crack.
His chronic illness had made it difficult to harness his Qi effectively.
With improper Qi control, the aging process that had slowed down due to his martial realm was now rapidly taking over.
His weakened body couldn’t output even half the strength it had during his prime.
And now, he found himself struggling against a martial artist of a lower cultivation level.
However…
No one in the clan knew of this.
He was concealing this truth for his own intentions.
Only he was aware.
It was so severe that he remained silent, even knowing that the Immortal Healer was present.
“I was biding my time.”
He had made the Lord leave the clan while the Second Elder’s sight was clouded.
At the same time, the Immortal Healer remained in the clan, and thus Gu Changjun endeavored to covertly seek the healer’s aid regarding his ailment.
He’d been anticipating this meeting for a considerable time.
So Gu Changjun figured this was the perfect opportunity.
If not for Gu Yangcheon’s abrupt appearance.
“This is troublesome.”
What he had once considered merely a rocky hurdle in his path turned out to be an entire mountain hiding beneath the earth, a realization that came to him far too late.
“If I had known sooner, I would have removed him by any means necessary.”
Who could have predicted that such a young brat would obstruct his way so swiftly?
Gu Changjun composed himself and steadied his sword.
“Though, the kid is still clueless about this.”
There was no way Gu Yangcheon had any knowledge of his affliction.
This only added to Gu Changjun’s confusion.
Why was Gu Yangcheon being so aggressive?
“No matter how childish and fiery he is…”
At such a young age, reaching the Peak Realm was no small feat.
One could easily imagine that pride would swell to unbearable heights.
But Gu Changjun suspected there was a deeper reason behind this outburst.
“Could it be…?”
“Am I caught?”
“Did Gu Yangcheon uncover my dealings with the Great Lord?”
“I didn’t expect him to mess things up so badly.”
Although Gu Changjun was not well-acquainted with the Great Lord, considering their prior collaborations, he believed the Great Lord was not one to easily fail.
“It doesn’t matter if he fails.”
Even if Gu Yangcheon had figured out that the incident involving the clan was orchestrated by him, it was inconsequential.
After all, he lacked any evidence.
“What on earth is driving you to act this way?”
Judging by your expression, you seem to grasp everything while pretending ignorance, making you look quite pathetic.
“You keep blabbering with nonsense! If you’re going to come at me like this, this old man will have no choice but to…”
“Or perhaps you’re just a tad desperate?”
“What?”
Gu Changjun questioned the meaning behind Gu Yangcheon’s words, but much to his surprise, Gu Yangcheon was no longer where he seemed.
A gust of wind swept through.
Guided by instinct, Gu Changjun swung his sword in a hurry, only to find that it merely cut through empty air.
Swish! The sharp swing of his sword sliced through the air, accompanied by a brilliant flash as flames erupted and vanished, leaving merely a whisper of a trace behind.
He’s gone…!
He had aimed his sword at the presence he felt, but absurdly, only a faint ember remained.
Then where?!
Crash!
A small fist broke through the firm Qi barrier around his waist.
Despite the barrier being anything but weak, the fist pierced through like it was mere paper.
Bang!
“Ugh!”
The collision of the fist against him created a thunderous sound, causing Gu Changjun’s body to tremble violently.
Fortunately, he didn’t lose his footing and was propelled into the air.
Skrrr!
Yet, he found himself pushed backward, leaving skid marks in his wake.
Cough!
Once he managed to steady his breath, blood spat out from Gu Changjun’s mouth.
It was just one blow, and since the impact had to travel through the barrier, the damage should have been minimal. Yet, the pain radiating from his waist disrupted the flow of his Inner Qi, amplifying his suffering.
“Hah…”
Rather than being overwhelmed by the fact that Gu Yangcheon had attacked him, Gu Changjun sighed in lament at the sheer level of skill Gu Yangcheon exhibited in that one strike.
He had concealed his presence for a surprising ambush.
Additionally, he crafted an illusionary figure among the flames while masking his true presence.
And to top it off, the punch that broke through his defenses.
Gu Changjun understood the depth of mastery required for this kind of execution, and he could only be astounded by the ease with which Gu Yangcheon performed such a highly advanced technique.
He’s a monster.
Just a year had passed since Gu Yangcheon had taken up martial arts seriously.
Even if he bore genius-level talents that even the Lord had overlooked, achieving such a level made no sense.
Buzzing-
“…!”
Sensing the presence once more, Gu Changjun resumed his stance with his sword.
This presence was unmistakable now.
This time, Gu Yangcheon was practically revealing his position on purpose.
“So pathetic.”
A voice filtered through the surrounding darkness.
Amidst the roaring blaze that had previously overwhelmed Gu Sunmoon’s guards, the only discernible feature was the red gleam of Gu Yangcheon’s eyes shining brightly in the shadow.
“Even if you struck by what you claim is a miracle!”
“A miracle? You’re talking about miracles with a body that barely reacts?”
“What?”
Gu Changjun felt his heart drop at Gu Yangcheon’s mocking tone.
It seemed Gu Yangcheon knew something.
Whether it had clicked for him or not, Gu Yangcheon merely chuckled and waved off the invisible dust.
Then, plainly as if to confirm what had been said, he added, “Your body… it’s a wreck, isn’t it? Especially your heart.”
…!
Gu Changjun’s thin beard quivered.
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