Chapter: 326
“…Were you waiting for me?”
In Jang Seon-yeon’s voice, as she spat out the words, there was a very subtle tremor.
“Not for long. I arrived just now.”
The words came out with a smile. Jang Seon-yeon had to frown at that.
What that meant was, in the end, he had been waiting for her here.
‘How did you know…?’
Jang Seon-yeon was puzzled.
“Why are you surprised?”
At the question from Gu Yangcheon, who had been waiting for her, Jang Seon-yeon raised her head.
“You were looking for me for the same reason, weren’t you?”
“…!”
“Your reaction is amusing. Ah, so you were still like this around this time.”
Jang Seon-yeon decided to ignore Gu Yangcheon’s mysterious remarks and focused on what was in front of her.
–For the same reason.
When that phrase crossed her mind, she recalled something Gu Yangcheon had said in their previous group.
-You will die here.
Those were the words that Gu Yangcheon had spoken directly to her. Clenching her fist slightly as she remembered.
“That’s a hard statement to understand.”
“You’ve got that look on your face that says you understand better than anyone else. If not, why would you come looking for me? Go on. You need to catch that monster.”
“…”
Listening to Gu Yangcheon’s words, she instinctively ground her teeth.
Was it because of his unique way of speaking? Or perhaps the sneer hidden within?
Maybe it was the malice he openly directed at her?
Or could it be that he stood in her way from start to finish?
It was hard to say if it was due to Gu Yangcheon’s talent.
‘No.’
It’s not that it was hard to understand.
She simply chose to ignore it.
Jang Seon-yeon already knew the reason.
His very existence was the problem.
A talent that seemed to go against celestial will, combined with the malice aimed directly at her.
From the moment she laid eyes on him.
Until now, and into the future, he would block her path.
Jang Seon-yeon had to be ahead of everyone.
She had to shine brighter than anyone else.
That annoying guy had been ahead of her from the beginning until now,
And not only was he ahead, but he was shining even brighter.
Even if she borrowed from her information book or opened her mouth.
Even those had their limits.
What’s more, there was a trend of him gradually stepping away from those openings.
How could she possibly endure that?
That guy was like a colossal obstacle in her way.
With her trembling fists hidden, Jang Seon-yeon spoke to Gu Yangcheon.
“Isn’t that the same for you, Young Master Gu?”
“What?”
“I mean that you were waiting for me too. Don’t you also have to catch monsters?”
At her words, Gu Yangcheon smirked.
“True. We do need to catch that monster.”
“Then right now…”
“I’m trying to catch you. This very moment.”
Jang Seon-yeon frowned at Gu Yangcheon’s words.
Because there were no signs of monsters around.
“You’re saying they wear a human guise, but not everyone is human. If you get caught in your instincts and forget your true intent just to rampage, then that’s what makes you a monster.”
Gu Yangcheon’s words, delivered with a smile towards her, always pried deep into the core hidden beneath her intentions.
The emotions in his eyes were all too apparent.
His attitude reflected that, too.
It was frustrating to see him act freely while disregarding what others thought.
She, on the other hand, was busy wearing a mask, always conscious of the gazes around her.
How could he behave like that?
How was it that so many others gathered around him, despite such reckless actions?
Was she mistaken?
The more she pondered that, the more Jang Seon-yeon disliked him.
She wasn’t mistaken.
It had to be this way.
“Do you intend to kill me or something?”
In response to Jang Seon-yeon’s words, Gu Yangcheon sounded astounded.
“Why act like a victim now? You really are an amusing kid.”
Jang Seon-yeon, who had calmed down her emotions after hearing Gu Yangcheon’s words, looked into his eyes and asked,
“I still don’t understand.”
“What do you mean?”
“Why does Young Master Gu dislike me? What wrong did I commit towards you?”
Jang Seon-yeon felt wronged.
Gu Yangcheon could sympathize with that sense of injustice.
It was true that he carried the blood of the Blood Demon.
And he had certainly climbed through ranks using questionable methods.
But at least, up until the martial arts tournament, he hadn’t significantly harmed Gu Yangcheon.
Sure, the methods were a bit rough around the edges.
Her innate talent was quite exceptional.
Even without that manipulation, one could wonder if Jang Seon-yeon could have reached the peak before her youth was up, just as she had done now.
Indeed, Jang Seon-yeon was a genius.
But to just outright say that she was utterly hated…
Gu Yangcheon’s declaration of dislike might be difficult for Jang Seon-yeon to fathom.
“I’m too lazy to explain it all. Is it too much to just say I don’t like you?”
It was a hassle to detail every single reason.
What benefit would come from pinpointing the reasons behind his dislike?
‘Will you even grasp it if I talk about my past trials?’
Alternatively, it meant that the current Jang Seon-yeon had yet to commit such sins.
In reality, there were those she hadn’t killed in this life, simply because they differed from whom she had encountered in her previous life.
Of course.
“You hate me too. So let’s keep it consistent.”
That didn’t mean that included Jang Seon-yeon.
“What would you do if I did that?”
“Now you’re not even denying that you dislike me?”
“…Want to have a life-or-death duel right here? Is that what you’re suggesting?”
“Life and death aren’t ideal. But do you have confidence?”
Gu Yangcheon laughed, his words light.
Jang Seon-yeon’s face warped further.
A smile that had seemed friendly fell apart so easily.
“…Or do you intend to assassinate me? With instructors from Shinryonggwan all around?”
“Yeah, that’s what I was thinking. I was curious about how you planned to deal with me.”
Although she had eliminated her presence, there were instructors surrounding them nonetheless.
Click.
Gu Yangcheon shifted his gaze to look past Jang Seon-yeon.
And there it was.
Cheol Ji-seon.
The surroundings appeared strangely peculiar.
In Cheol Ji-seon’s state, one could never fully mask one’s presence.
It seemed something else had been layered over it.
‘What’s this?’
It was somewhat ambiguous to call it suppression, with a few odd twists embedded.
‘Sound technique?’
Curiously, it seemed to pertain to the ear’s domain.
Upon closer inspection, a dull buzzing sound echoed through the area.
Observing this, it looked as though Cheol Ji-seon was executed expertly, distracting the instructors to arrive here.
If the same took place as in her past life.
Then it seemed it was the same type of maneuver this time too.
That raised an interesting question.
Jang Seon-yeon stated that instructors were everywhere.
If they did something unexpected like this.
Does she have a plan for self-defense?
‘He’s always been one to ensure every leading edge has an escape route.’
That is to say, he had left an escape route for himself, just in case.
Someone like him wouldn’t act impulsively without thorough consideration.
Having thought that far, Gu Yangcheon turned his gaze back to Jang Seon-yeon.
“I said you don’t get why I dislike you?”
“…”
“If I really must clarify why I abhor you, it’s because I can see your future too clearly.”
“What…?”
“It may seem buried, but the dirty desires you harbor are so immense they’re blatant.”
Gu Yangcheon, who had sat on a large rock, continued his speech while looking straight at Jang Seon-yeon.
“Doesn’t every review index look grim?”
“…”
“You think you’re better than others, that everyone will kneel before you, right?”
It had been that way in a previous life; would this time be any different?
“After graduation, you’ll join the Murim Alliance, right? Being the chief’s son, you’ll begin at the bottom as a mere swordsman. It’s good for your reputation, so it checks out.”
With every word Gu Yangcheon spoke, the expression on Jang Seon-yeon’s face shifted.
“Soon after, you’ll rise quickly, so being at the lower ranks won’t matter… The rumors will take care of the rest.”
“…How do you know that?”
Jang Seon-yeon covered her mouth.
She almost exclaimed, “How do you know that?” in her surprise.
Gu Yangcheon continued, ignoring her reaction.
“What will happen after that? You’ll play the good-hearted role, rescuing innocent civilians suffering from the monsters. Thus far, all’s well and good.”
Going out to save people.
That sounded like somewhat noble intentions.
No matter how much of a mess Jang Seon-yeon was, if that was the intention, consideration could be granted.
But Jang Seon-yeon is still Jang Seon-yeon.
“The monster attacks; you’re going to orchestrate those, aren’t you?”
“…!”
“I figured you might.”
Jang Seon-yeon widened her eyes, stunned.
This was entirely out of the blue.
In her previous life, while Jang Seon-yeon was indeed a powerful warrior, she was considerably outclassed compared to Wi Seol-ah, the youngest Great Master.
The reason Jang Seon-yeon, revered as the “Meteor Sword,” rose to prominence among others was simply due to dramatic moments when she appeared during crises, exterminating monsters and rescuing citizens from the Demonic Portal.
There had been too many such instances.
The populace hailed her as a new hero.
Even if the son of the clan leader, they looked up to Jang Seon-yeon highly.
On the contrary, Gu Yangcheon was aware of the truth.
In the end, what they witnessed as monster strikes, and Jang Seon-yeon’s rescues were merely an elaborate play scripted entirely by her.
Though to be accurate, it would slightly differ in phrasing.
The people devoured by monsters truly did perish while Jang Seon-yeon merely pretended to be a hero using the situation to her advantage.
To emphasize this point:
“…What do you mean by that…”
Jang Seon-yeon’s face trembled after hearing Gu Yangcheon’s implications.
“Your delusions seem excessive, Young Master Gu. How could a person even pull something like that off?”
“I can’t say for sure what you will do; it’s merely a guess,” he replied.
When Jang Seon-yeon asked how a mere human could exploit the Demonic Gate, the answer was alarmingly close.
Right behind her.
Someone who could freely open and close the Demonic Gate.
‘Zhuge Liang?’
Whether it was Cheoljiseon or Jegalchihee, she couldn’t determine if they were cross-dressing or appeared in woman’s clothing.
What was certain was, with them, Jang Seon-yeon grasped the swift climb in rank.
The world was always in search of heroes.
Those who were good looking and mighty enough.
Jang Seon-yeon rapidly ascended as a youthful hero, rescuing people from the Demonic Gate.
What lay within was simply pushing people’s lives to the slaughter through monsters and the Demonic Gate,
Utilizing them to boost her own reputation.
Of course, Gu Yangcheon’s reason for disliking Jang Seon-yeon wasn’t solely captured in that act.
One might argue it was wretched behavior; however, from the outlook of a person with no faith in those within righteous sects,
Hearing something like that wouldn’t incite shock or disillusionment.
Simply, he thought.
That Jang Seon-yeon was undeniably like that back then.
And, whether she was any different now was another query.
Gu Yangcheon recollected.
-What did I do to you so wrong?
At the same time, he cogitated.
It was necessary to have eliminated them from the very start.
The reason for sparing Jegal Hyuk, the masterminded brain of the demonic sect and Heavenly Wanderer.
What would justify the necessity for killing Jang Seon-yeon now?
Looking at Jang Seon-yeon, whose head was bowed in silence.
Gu Yangcheon suddenly opened his mouth.
“Alright. I’ll grant you a chance.”
“…”
Jang Seon-yeon flinched at Gu Yangcheon’s remarks.
“If you go back now without doing anything, I might consider looking upon you favorably.”
Was he searching for a justification to spare Jang Seon-yeon?
No.
It was merely a desire to rid himself of the contradictions.
To save Jegal Hyuk while slaying Jang Seon-yeon.
Back then, it was a straightforward rationale.
She was not the Cheon Yu-rang he knew.
She was just a mere child.
And that turned into the reason for him to view her as Namgung Bi-ah, rather than the Demon Sword Lord.
She was not the Demon Sword Lord.
But rather a common person seeking normalcy.
Gu Yangcheon wasn’t some sage.
He was well aware of that himself.
The ones meant to be destroyed would indeed meet their end.
He was merely one of those leading the pack.
Yet still, he wanted to ascertain.
“How’s it going?”
Jang Seon-yeon remained with her head lowered, silent.
What choice would she make?
With a touch of curiosity, he awaited Jang Seon-yeon’s response.
Gu Yangcheon finally broke the silence he could no longer bear.
“What’s your response…?”
“It no longer matters.”
Only then did Jang Seon-yeon finally raise her head.
“…!”
Upon seeing her lift her head, Gu Yangcheon was momentarily struck dumb.
Her expression?
It was as blank as a slate.
It wasn’t the distorted face from before.
Nor was it that smiling mask she had worn previously.
Only sheer neutrality remained.
Emotion was absent from Jang Seon-yeon’s countenance.
At that moment.
Crack-!
“What’s this…!”
A strange occurrence began at the ground where Gu Yangcheon stood.
The floor started to crack, fracturing as it did.
Whom!
The pressure from below swept through the area.
Something unfolded.
As she gazed at it, Jang Seon-yeon spoke to Gu Yangcheon.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen this. It certainly is an extraordinary sight.”
“You…!”
Even as Gu Yangcheon attempted to move,
Was it because of this peculiar event on the ground?
His body, it became rigid.
“You won’t be able to move easily.”
That thing that was breaking through on the floor,
It was said to possess the power to restrain even the mightiest of masters.
As Jang Seon-yeon confirmed that Gu Yangcheon was unable to move,
She casually exhaled lightly.
“Of course, it’s wise to remove you. You’ve been a thorn in my side since day one.”
Gu Yangcheon’s eyes widened in surprise—perhaps stemming from the unexpected constraint.
“Did you intend to kill me from the beginning?”
“Yes. I didn’t like how you looked at me.”
Jang Seon-yeon, as if in exhaustion, casually swept back her hair.
“I truly disliked how the insignificant ratings of a petty clan were able to appraise me like that.”
“…”
“Besides, I don’t want to admit this, but you’re absurdly strong.”
With that statement, Jang Seon-yeon gave a light smile.
“It’s all quite irritating…”
The face now free of the mask was entirely different from how she had presented herself at Shinryongwan.
“Earlier, there were many instructors around. Did you ask them what they were going to do?”
“You…”
“I also found that pretty tricky, so I decided to simply toss everything upside down. Conveniently enough, I found someone on my wavelength. It’s not something you’d be worried about since you’ll fade away soon anyway.”
The cracks continued to spread.
They began to take shape.
It was odd that it formed on the ground.
That form unmistakably resembled the Demonic Gate.
An intricate Demonic Gate birthed by others.
Jang Seon-yeon couldn’t help but marvel at the discovery.
“As I thought… I was lucky to find this. I can see this being of great use in the future.”
She felt a wave of satisfaction.
Far beyond her expectations.
Just by observing, the overwhelming energy and atmosphere caused Jang Seon-yeon to shudder involuntarily.
Is Gu Yangcheon really trapped, unable to move even an inch?
‘Didn’t I say I wouldn’t let you off the hook?’
She really wanted to bend him to her will.
In the end, she couldn’t quite bring him to kneel.
But she felt content with this.
At the very least, she could erase him from her sight forever.
If that transpired, even if it were a falsehood, the world’s perception would…
“Is this enough?”
“…What?”
When the entire Demonic Gate had opened.
A tranquil voice—a stark contrast to before—invaded Jang Seon-yeon’s ears.
“What did you just say?”
“Hey, you can close it now.”
As her perception shifted to Gu Yangcheon’s voice,
Whoosh!
Gu Yangcheon, who had stood upon the Demonic Gate, suddenly vanished from Jang Seon-yeon’s view.
There’s no way he should be moving…!
Gurk!
Jang Seon-yeon’s vision wobbled, her body shook violently.
When clarity finally returned, she found herself grabbed by her neck, being dragged up onto the Demonic Gate.
“This… this… what’s happening…!”
“Phew, what a relief.”
Gu Yangcheon, still resolutely holding onto Jang Seon-yeon’s neck, wore a bright smile.
“If you had truly gone about without doing anything, I might’ve faced a bit of a hassle.”
“Uh… how?”
Crackle-crackle-!
While Jang Seon-yeon was aghast at the current predicament,
The Demonic Gate below began to shift and writhe.
It resembled a deep, murky swamp.
Or perhaps a massive maw gearing up to swallow them whole.
“Are you surprised at how it moves?”
“Let me go…!”
“That’s what perplexes me. I can still move. Oh, but that’s not very relevant.”
“Let go of me this instant! If this continues, you will too!”
Regardless of Jang Seon-yeon’s pleas,
Gu Yangcheon merely laughed.
“I was planning to jump in anyway. Weren’t you aware?”
“What do you mean by that…!”
“Shall we go on a little trip together?”
With laughter dancing in his words, Gu Yangcheon spoke just as—
Graaahk—!
The Demonic Gate beneath them ferociously enveloped both individuals.
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