Chapter 196: Know Your Place (4)
Looking at the face of the First Elder, who seemed to be in shock, I felt a wave of certainty wash over me.
As I thought.
I already knew that the First Elder was suffering from a chronic illness from my past life.
I was also aware that his time was running out even before he was burned to death by my father.
It was clear that his increasingly frantic actions were because of that.
And likewise, the reason I could suddenly reveal my fangs to the First Elder so brazenly stemmed from my awareness of his weakened state.
Though he seems somewhat stronger than I anticipated.
I gathered that from our last exchange.
Unfortunately, it appeared that he had caught wind of my presence and attempted to wrap himself in a Qi barrier, but the fact that he momentarily failed to catch my existence revealed his weakness.
Moreover, the reaction the First Elder displayed during our last clash…
To think he’s a Fusion Realm martial artist.
A martial artist who has reached the Fusion Realm exudes a Combat Qi that elevates their existence above ordinary martial artists.
Of course, this sensation could only be perceived by those who were significantly advanced or fellow martial artists at a similar level.
Combined with my experiences from my past life, I could sense a fraction of that sensation.
The First Elder’s body is corrupted.
The truth that the First Elder was indeed a Fusion Realm martial artist remained, yet judging from his current state, I noticed that his Qi flowed in a bizarre way.
Now, if I delved a bit deeper into the flow of that Qi…
It seems like it’s preventing his body from shutting down.
This was probably due to the effects of his chronic illness.
Though it’s not noticeable for now.
He seemed to be managing to maintain some semblance of vitality, keeping the aging process at bay.
Judging by his external appearance, it looked like he managed to mask it well enough that, had I not been aware of the First Elder’s condition, I might not have detected a thing.
The First Elder spoke.
You keep babbling about nonsensical things.
He sounded as if he was still playing the fool, but that didn’t matter to me.
If you can pretend to be oblivious, go ahead.
You must have been quite desperate. Among the people I know, you’re the most cunning, yet the way you handled this was quite sloppy.
Bastard! I respected you because of your bloodline! Yet here you are, getting more and more outrageous. How dare you speak like that to the clan elder!
The First Elder began to yell, but I found his outburst laughable.
Showing no restraint, I openly chuckled and presented my amusement to the First Elder.
I’m sure I mentioned something to you last time.
About that dog who not only bared its fangs to its owner but actually attacked its owner, and how it ended up.
Did I mention it died of starvation after having all its teeth pulled?
That was definitely a warning I delivered to him.
Do not mess with me.
But I wonder why he wanted to bite back.
Was my warning so amusing? That’s conceivable.
After all, who could possibly take a young boy’s warning seriously?
But I was not the one he should fear.
He shouldn’t only be concerned about my father, the clan leader, but also about the Second Elder and all those in the clan who supported me.
Certainly, father was the one he should worry about the most.
There was no way the First Elder was unaware of that, yet in the end, he decided to extend his hand to me.
Did he think he wouldn’t be caught?
That could be a possibility, but in my view…
You were so impulsive that you couldn’t worry about the consequences.
That’s all it was — plain desperation.
Right?
To my comment, the First Elder remained silent.
His past actions provided me insight into how he met his demise in my previous life, allowing me to grasp a sliver of his desperation.
Yet, being no saint myself, it felt like I was looking at my own reflection in a mirror.
Ultimately, he couldn’t contain his rampant greed within that aging, frail body.
Ha.
The First Elder, who had kept silent, finally released a hollow, defeated laugh.
You continue to spill nonsense that I can’t grasp.
Though he maintained the façade, the cracks in his mask were glaringly obvious.
Grrroooowwl—!
The Qi filling my lower dantian began to respond slowly.
At the same time, the heat within my body stirred fervently.
Ssss—
The condensation of breath escaping my mouth had nothing to do with the cold weather.
It was purely due to the heat!
So keep playing the oblivious fool; it matters not to me.
Yangcheon, it seems you are mistaken in some way.
The energy in the darkened night air was undeniably emanating from the First Elder’s Sword Force.
It felt like a heightened Sword Qi, an intensification of the already potent energy from his sword.
Despite his deteriorating body, he truly was a Fusion Realm martial artist.
The Combat Qi I felt resonating from the First Elder wasn’t something to scoff at.
I tried to ignore the beads of cold sweat running down my back due to the surging Combat Qi emanating from him.
It seems you are unaware that you have committed an irreparable act here.
An irreparable act?
I don’t know what your circumstances are, but yes, it’s understandable for you to think that I’m to blame, given our rocky relationship.
Even while I listened to his prattling, I continued to align myself, sharpening my focus.
This old fox.
However, even while he spoke to me, the First Elder was using his Qi to secure his position, ready to intercept any attack I might throw his way.
It looked like he intended to shift our conversation to misdirection.
But you have no evidence.
The tip of the First Elder’s sword trembled slightly.
This was a reaction from his Qi-infused sword.
Even without any sound of Sword Resonance, I wasn’t about to let my guard down.
Do you genuinely believe that you can escape the consequences if your father finds out about what you’ve done?
Aww, are you worried I might get thrown out?
As I replied with a faint smile, the First Elder seemed to anticipate such a response and let out a short chuckle.
So full of yourself, being the sole heir of the clan! But if it comes to that… your treatment will only worsen. You think that position will remain untouched indefinitely.
I’m not certain what strange thoughts are dancing through your old head.
What?
Why do you think I would come here without any evidence?
I could sense the First Elder’s eyes widen in surprise at my words.
Huh?
You think I’m talking nonsense?
It’s just nonsense since you’re backed into a corner! If you take this chance to apologize, I might just let this go, even though the trouble you caused is no small matter.
The First Elder seemed to think I was rambling at this point, but funnily enough, I had evidence.
What I lacked was evidence regarding the ambush against me; however, I had solid enough grounds that even if I beat the First Elder to the brink of death,
the clan wouldn’t dare speak against me.
You have not changed; you’re still a foolish old man.
As the intense heat inside me gathered further strength, my body began to heat up too.
A huge amount of steam was rising around me, and my physicality felt as if it were a volcano ready to erupt.
I’m uncertain if your illness affected your mind, but you really shouldn’t have let your greed consume you.
Bastard! You think the world is yours to command because you have the Lord and Second Elder backing you!?
Backing? How absurd.
Fwooosh!
The light red flames lifting from my body swirled in a radiant display.
Unlike the moment when just igniting a flame could almost cause me to faint, I could now conjure fire with remarkable ease.
Thanks to all that you’ve devoured, huh?
Elder Shin chuckled with a teasing undertone.
Yet, I had no counterargument.
I had to admit; I had indeed consumed a lot.
Meanwhile, the First Elder’s eyes were quaking as they gazed at the flames swirling around me.
Are you envious?
…!
Could it be that you’re envious because you can’t summon such flames?
The Gu Clan from Shanxi earned their reputation primarily from their mastery in fire arts.
That was entirely true.
Every legitimate blood relative utilized Flame Arts, excluding Gu Ryunghwa, who had joined Mount Hua.
In effect, the quickest way to validate one’s bloodline within the Gu Clan was through fire.
However, the branch families could not wield fire like this.
While the process of harnessing heat within their bodies was similar to the practices of the Destructive Flame Arts, in the end, it remained mere heat.
It indicated that not every blood relative could summon flames, even with the shared surname.
Understanding that, I grasped the nuances in the First Elder’s eyes.
After all, it resembled the emotions I recognized in others during my past life.
You bastard…
And didn’t you just claim that I had no evidence?
I slowly extended my hand towards the First Elder’s residence.
I don’t even need to drag evidence here for this; all the evidence is right there.
Ha! You truly believe there’s something for you to use? How foolish.
Ah, it certainly wouldn’t be in your room. But you’re not that dim-witted.
Then…
What of the basement concealed behind that bookshelf?
…!
At my words, the First Elder audibly gasped.
In my past life, I had known the truth.
The hidden basement was chock-full of documents and records detailing the First Elder’s activities and Gu Sunmoon’s dealings.
Such a trove of evidence that it felt as though he’d hidden it meticulously.
Although it seems like he probably got rid of the more important ones when he caught on somehow.
But that would only be a tale for a few years down the line.
What of now?
Has the First Elder prepared for the worst and disposed of all that evidence?
Judging by his expression, thankfully, that did not seem to be the case.
How do you know…
He appeared genuinely flustered.
Considering my knowledge of the myriad formations he had painstakingly layered over such concealed spaces, it was natural for him to be astonished.
Finding and unraveling this in my previous life took me at least a month.
This sort of intricate formation he had arranged must have been hard to go unnoticed.
At the crux of this all, did Father really remain clueless about it?
As in, did my father entirely overlook the First Elder’s secretive transgressions?
Honestly, I couldn’t say. Perhaps Father was playing the fool despite knowing fully well.
But that seemed unlikely as well.
Are you asking this now, expecting me to provide an answer?
I distinctly heard the sound of the First Elder’s teeth gritting together after I taunted him.
Sitting there grinning, I slowly fueled the flames surrounding me.
Don’t think of this as some child’s petty tantrum, First Elder.
The spreading Qi, rising in conjunction with the flames, began to gnaw away at the First Elder’s previously set up defenses.
This signaled that my territory was expanding.
This is a punishment from the clan’s bloodline.
With my father absent from the clan, all of the leadership responsibility fell onto the Steward.
Not onto the First Elder, who stood as the supreme elder of the clan.
And not any other elder, but the Steward himself.
This remained a law upheld by the Gu Clan for centuries after the Blood Demon War.
I had received authorization from the Steward to arrive before coming to Gu Sunmoon.
To be honest, I didn’t believe he’d say yes.
The Steward had allowed me to proceed after I briefly mentioned my plan to overthrow the First Elder, which unexpectedly fell into my favor.
I had announced my intention to deal with this matter regardless, essentially telling him to punish me as he saw fit, all while things proceeded much more smoothly than I had anticipated.
Punishment? How can a little brat like you even think of punishing me when I have done nothing wrong?
Figure that out yourself if you’re so clueless.
Signaling the culmination of the pointless conversation,
or just think of this simply as me wiping you out because I find you incredibly annoying, as even I think this feels exactly like that.
And with that,
A small sun emerged, completely enveloping the First Elder.
The greatest distinction between Peak Realm and Supreme Realm lay with the Qi of the Supreme Realm martial artist gradually merging with the body.
What was once only hidden within the dantian began to transform post enlightenment, touching the walls of awakening.
The dantian stirred from its slumber, while Qi intruded that region, fostering greater vitality.
Now martial artists could intuitively see and hear more, transforming their sensory inputs effortlessly.
This marked the start of transcending the bounds of conventional humanity.
That was the essence of the Supreme Realm.
So what then was the Fusion Realm?
Many offered answers to this question, but all were distinct.
In the end, their meanings converged.
I dared to label this state as transcending.
Becoming capable of what they once could not.
In a past life, the demonic entity bearing the Hwangbo lineage, the Silent Fist, would even reflect on it as the way toward godhood.
At the time, I dismissed it as nonsense and slapped his head, yet I later grasped the implications behind his words.
A recognition that this stage surpassed the Peak Realm entirely with genuine difference.
Upon reaching the Fusion Realm and stepping beyond it—
I reached a territory of supreme eminence.
That’s how I articulated it.
Bam!
Flames swept the ground, extending outward, enveloping the space.
The flames, as if determined to commandeer the surroundings, even instilled a fleeting dread within me.
Whoosh!
Energy cleaved through the fire.
The striking persona executed a trajectory unerringly, locking onto me with precision.
I managed to evade, as it wasn’t particularly menacing.
Whew!
Yet the force following it, borne of wind pressure, truly held substance.
You bastard!
With the First Elder’s cry, waves of heat began to whirl around us.
This heat radiated from the First Elder.
You truly seek blood! Very well! If this is what you desire, as your elder, I shall impart some lessons to you!
Your tongue hasn’t been silenced yet, has it? You continue to spout nonsense smoothly!
With a soft thud, I leaped low.
My momentum surged toward the First Elder, and flames cloaked my fist.
The Fiery Fangs of a Beast.
The technique I had once utilized in the tournament.
Roar!
A massive inferno took the shape of a wolf, sweeping through the vicinity.
The previously resilient stone surface crumbled, leaving an imprint.
If it had been a battle against another extraordinarily gifted youth as before, I’d have won with a single blow.
SHROOOOM!
However, the flames were effortlessly cleaved apart by his sizzling blade.
As sounds erupted in a chaotic explosion, I assessed the First Elder’s maneuvers.
Too easily? Not quite.
Though the First Elder’s sword was undeniably fierce and matched his martial realm,
within the minuscule intervals of his breathing,
I recognized that he was expending more energy than needed.
It must be his broken body causing him turmoil.
Which explained why a Fusion Realm martial artist appeared as he did.
Swinging a blade should never require so much exertion.
How many martial artists had I encountered in my life, reaching that stage?
Not that I could count them all reliably, but on comparing the First Elder against them…
At the very least, he no longer holds himself amongst their ranks.
Compared against formidable figures like the Azure Heavenly Sword, Namgung Jin, the disparity felt even greater.
While I may have viewed him somewhat lowly, if Namgung Jin were to sincerely engage me employing all his might, I doubt I’d last even ten exchanges without cunning, despite being capable.
That’s the essence of the discrepancy in realms.
Even ten exchanges proved to be an absurd claim.
Which ultimately reflects how far I have yet to travel.
But in assessing the First Elder’s current state?
I think I could manage.
In both reason and instinct, I could sense it.
Whip!
The First Elder’s quick blade traveled a line towards me.
It was basic swordplay, but when deployed by an adept swordsman right in front of me, it struck fiercely.
I recognized the execution distinctly.
The Red Dragon Sword.
The signature swordplay of the Gu Clan.
The power infused within this attack made it hazardous, even with mere grazes over the skin.
I could feel that heat from his sword almost despite my own emotional temperature rising.
You’re faster than I expected.
Maintaining composure, the First Elder advanced with remarkable speed.
Undoubtedly, when compared to other wielders of the same art, such as Muyeon or Gu Jeolyub, the First Elder’s movements were truly in a league of their own.
Zzzt—!
In an instant, a flash of light grazed my cheek.
Tsk.
Had it not been for the varying hesitations in his movements due to his illness, I might have been in real peril.
No more looking back than to just this moment.
Despite his broken body, he remained a Fusion Realm martial artist.
You flaunt that vigor, yet prove utterly vacant.
You’re muttering away, thinking you might win against me, aren’t you? How pitiful an old man you’ve become.
In response, the First Elder donned a faint smile, adjusting his stance.
Fwhoosh!
Simultaneously, a heavy aura of death radiated from the First Elder, mixing his rage and suffocating the atmosphere around us.
Phew.
In response, I swiped my brow, triggering a reflex from my body, leading to beads of cold sweat soaking my hair.
This won’t be easy, I take it?
[If you already know the answer, just refrain from asking.]
How unkind. Would it kill you to help a little?
[You don’t even want that, yet you still choose to open your mouth, little brat.]
After Elder Shin’s retort, I redirected my focus.
There remained an ample amount of Qi within my dantian.
Perhaps around half?
Even with the reckless expenditure of energy everywhere, I still possessed this much left, a clear indication of how much I had consumed in this petite body.
As our gazes met, the First Elder stated.
This is your last chance.
What chance?
I don’t understand how you uncovered my condition, but look closely, Yangcheon. No matter how great your talent may be, what you hold in this moment is mere bravado.
So?
But if you apologize now, I’ll accept your words and let this slide amicably.
Oh? You’ll simply brush this under the carpet if I apologize without further ado? With nothing in return?
At my quip, the First Elder scoffed with a short laugh.
And shifting his demeanor, he continued.
Unfortunately, no, that won’t be happening. For me to let you off so easily, you must fulfill certain demands first.
Ultimately, he was indicating he would only consider a reprieve if I sought his favor while saving face for him.
In the face of his greed articulated out loud with no reservations, I shot back.
And if none of this transpires as you hope?
In that case, it certainly won’t conclude positively for you.
While he wouldn’t straight out kill me as a blood relative of the clan, it signified that he had the authority to steer matters awry regardless.
What? Are you planning on targeting my friends again?
That’s not something I know about.
He remained in a resolute state of ignorance, yet would it not be quite feasible?
Ha.
I allowed a mocking chuckle to escape at the blatant intimidation radiating from the First Elder.
Though his body weakened by illness, his sharpness remained unwavering, and he made no effort to conceal the desires that festered with age.
In the end, you’re merely an animal, and at this point, you’ve lost sight of matters because of old age.
You?
Have you difficulty understanding because I’m not being subtle? I’m telling you to fuck off.
As I responded harshly, the First Elder flinched momentarily.
It appeared he hadn’t anticipated such a statement from me.
Soon after, the First Elder elevated his Qi, his expression shifting.
In an instant, his energy pressed down over Gu Sunmoon.
Despite his condition, the power he held was formidable enough to make one ponder how much more potent he had been in his healthier years.
Yet, I remained undaunted.
I even occasionally felt an outline of bitterness emerge from within me.
Or perhaps it was annoyance.
What did you just say?
Was he probing for clarity due to my unexpected response?
Or was he seeking to provoke a more favorable admission from me this time?
To which I responded without hesitation.
If you’re but a dog curling in the corner of the house, know your place!
Hah!
Suddenly, the energy that suffused the area dissipated like a fog.
No, it didn’t vanish.
That enormous aura was swiftly consolidated into the tip of the First Elder’s sword in an instant.
Very well, if you wish to proceed this way, then I’ll execute your wishes perfectly.
Responding to the First Elder’s proclamation, I too began harnessing my energy.
That seems a tad dangerous.
His already extraordinarily formidable sword transformed into a conduit capable of inflicting grave injury with even the slightest touch.
Does this old man truly harbor the intent to kill me?
If that wasn’t his goal, it was evident he was at least contemplating completely obliterating my body.
I watched him as I continued to summon my energy.
Thereafter, the First Elder began to advance slowly.
You instigated this, so accept your fate.
The overwhelming strength of his energy created an illusion where the sword appeared to glide effortlessly.
And the distortion of space surrounding him weighed heavily on the air, manifesting palpable dread.
After a mere flutter of his foot, the First Elder contemplated internally.
The Red Dragon Sword, Seventh Form.
Sword of the Transient Eclipse.
As his sword began to descend,
the moon in the night sky was cleaved in half.
You won’t die.
The cleaving movement sliced through the space where Gu Yangcheon stood.
Crack!
As the solid impact shuddered the ground, annihilation erupted around it.
The sound of destruction echoed endlessly, demolishing nearby structures in a relentless assault.
This was the art of Gu Sunmoon, and the culmination of the Sword Art.
It was a technique the First Elder had only just managed to master in his later years.
Albeit weaker than when he previously used it,
this amount sufficed.
Just barely enough to keep one from hitting the grave.
That was precisely what the First Elder wanted.
At this scale, I imagine he’ll avoid death given his current state.
As the energy continued its onslaught, the First Elder clutched his chest, gasping for air.
Huff! Huff!
Due to the needless exertion, his body succumbed to the backlash.
At this rate, he’d likely need at least fifteen days to recuperate.
…However, at this level…
It sounded like a fair exchange.
He’d acquired a plausible justification for thrashing the child of the Tiger Warriors.
And it afforded him the opportunity to dispose of all traces of evidence in his concealed basement, effectively silencing Gu Yangcheon.
This much…
Regardless!
What a deranged old man you are!
Upon hearing an abrupt voice, the First Elder struggled to lift his weary body.
That voice shouldn’t have been so distinct at that moment.
Bam!
Before he could react, a fist connected with his gut, folding him over.
No time to scream amidst the excruciating pain, another punch struck his face, yanking his neck back.
Simultaneously, his teeth burst from his mouth, spraying blood everywhere.
He had no time to grasp the surreality of what had just transpired.
All that was left in focus was fire.
But that fire appeared different than before.
…Blue?
The hue of the flames was altered.
The flames that Gu Yangcheon presented earlier had been a soft red.
Yet somehow, the color playing out in front of him now was a vibrant blue, reminiscent of a clear sky.
He couldn’t maintain his gaze for long.
Crack!
In an instant, his leg crumbled, and the body of the First Elder crashed to the ground.
Hugh…
On his knees, the First Elder could merely exhale a subdued groan.
Without the means to scream, all his teeth stripped, he could hardly emit a sound.
I told you, didn’t I?
Hearing a voice right in front of him, the First Elder raised his head slowly.
There, Gu Yangcheon regarded him coolly, enveloped in flames.
I will pull out all your teeth if you keep barking.
With that blue blaze coursing through his form.
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