Chapter: 134
Thump on the head. (1)
Before setting off to Hanam following Gu Yangcheon, Gu Jeolyub recalled the conversation he had with the First Elder.
—So, what exactly is my role there…?
The sudden assignment to Hanam was unexpected.
Moreover, the purpose was none other than to participate in the Tournament of Dragons and Phoenixes.
He had thought that he would eventually get the chance to take part in such a tournament.
However, Gu Jeolyub never imagined he would be going with Gu Yangcheon.
—In the Tournament of Dragons and Phoenixes, all you have to do is show off your talents.
The First Elder responded to Gu Jeolyub’s question like this, but…
Gu Jeolyub was well aware that it wasn’t just that.
As expected, the First Elder had more to say to Gu Jeolyub.
—Can you outshine that child?
That child.
Gu Jeolyub knew exactly who the First Elder referred to.
The only son of the Gu Clan, Gu Yangcheon.
A name he had heard countless times since he began to develop his own talents.
And certainly, a figure that the First Elder incessantly emphasized as his rival.
—You must become the lord.
These words were something Gu Jeolyub had heard repeatedly.
—We can’t allow a child like him to lead the clan.
During his younger days,
the duel against Gu Yangcheon was pathetic. Gu Yangcheon was significantly weak.
He always had disturbingly foolish things to say.
At the end of their duel, Gu Jeolyub ended up breaking Gu Yangcheon’s arm. It wasn’t intentional, but it contained a lot of emotions.
Why he was so furious back then was, for the most part, a forgotten tale now.
Although he had broken the arm of a blood relative, the lord didn’t lay a single punishment on Gu Jeolyub.
The First Elder declared that it was because the lord had already given up on his child.
Back then, Gu Jeolyub accepted it that way, but now he can’t help but wonder whether that’s truly the case.
At that moment, Gu Jeolyub had similar thoughts to that of the First Elder.
Could it really be okay for a child like Gu Yangcheon to become the lord?
If anything, he believed he was the better choice.
I could certainly perform much better. It seemed he was already unwittingly adopting the philosophy of the First Elder.
Then, after about a year…
Gu Jeolyub was thoroughly defeated by Gu Yangcheon.
Defeated by a boy he had previously looked down upon with disdain. And in such a disgraceful manner too.
—Why…? How?
What exactly occurred within such a short span of time that Gu Yangcheon could have transformed so drastically?
From the way he spoke to his mannerisms. The very aura he emitted had completely altered.
And the beautiful servant who had been beside Gu Yangcheon at the time.
For a brief moment, Gu Jeolyub was captivated by her stunning beauty.
However, part of him also wished to separate that servant from Gu Yangcheon.
After all, he had no idea what a ruffian like him might do.
Of course, now, he recognized how misguided his judgment had been back then.
—You can shine much brighter than that child.
The First Elder had said this.
He claimed it was possible and that it wouldn’t be difficult.
But was it truly possible?
—You can, right?
The sinister ambition in the First Elder’s gaze constricted Gu Jeolyub.
Staring into those eyes, he hesitated before finally responding.
—…Yes. I’ll do my best.
It was a response that contradicted his true feelings within.
…Sigh.
How many days had it been since they had come to Hanam? During that time, Gu Jeolyub had made an effort one way or another.
He endured and tolerated every verbal jab from Gu Yangcheon.
He also made an effort to blend in with the crew, who seemed to keep their distance.
Of course, as he tried to get closer to Tang Soyeol, he was met with a glare filled with disdain that had him sulking for a while.
—Why does she dislike me?
Gu Jeolyub was aware that he was at least a fair bit handsome.
At least more so than Gu Yangcheon.
Nevertheless, Gu Yangcheon was surrounded by a plethora of beautiful women.
What on earth was the reason for that?
—…Has the standard for men’s appearances shifted without me realizing?
He even found himself thinking along those lines.
With fiery eyes, Gu Jeolyub glared at Hwangbo Cheolwi.
To be frank, his intention hadn’t solely been to save the woman beset by that group.
He certainly had that desire, but his fundamental aim was different.
—You can shine, right?
How exactly was he supposed to shine? Gu Jeolyub had no idea.
So, he simply tried to do whatever he could.
“Did you really just shout at me?”
“Yes.”
“Ha…!”
With a thud- a giant began pushing through his entourage towards Gu Jeolyub.
“Someone dares to yell? At me?”
With a growl accompanying his words, Gu Jeolyub felt a weight pressing down on him.
An intimidating force that complemented the giant’s physique, yet it didn’t strike fear into Gu Jeolyub’s heart.
After his loss to Gu Yangcheon, he had developed a habit of keenly observing his opponents.
This was simply a precaution to avoid making the same mistakes as that day,
And as a result, he had gained a broader perspective.
That giant was weaker than him. The Hwangbo Clan was a prestigious family he had heard of at least once. Therefore, Gu Jeolyub couldn’t help but feel a slight thrill of excitement.
After all, it implied he wasn’t lagging behind the young prodigies of prominent families.
This was no longer intuition but had morphed into certainty.
“How dare you raise your voice towards Hwangbo when I don’t even know who you are? Are you looking to get reprimanded?”
Crack.
Hwangbo Cheolwi’s muscles produced a frightening sound. Gu Jeolyub instinctively grasped the hilt of his sword hanging at his waist.
Prepared to draw it at any moment.
—This much is sufficient.
Didn’t this scenario seem rather cool? Defeating a thuggish man for harassing a woman?
—Seems like it does. Gu Jeolyub thought to himself.
As Hwangbo Cheolwi approached with fury, Gu Jeolyub slowly began channeling his Qi.
The situation was tense, nearly at the breaking point.
However, contrary to Gu Jeolyub’s expectation of a fiery clash,
Hwangbo Cheolwi halted, shocked.
His gaze was not fixed on Gu Jeolyub.
Huh?
Gu Jeolyub followed Hwangbo Cheolwi’s line of sight and spotted someone coming down the stairs while glancing towards them.
“What’s going on here?”
A girl with dark green hair and one eye glimmering in green.
She belonged to Gu Yangcheon’s entourage, the Poison Phoenix of Sichuan, Tang Soyeol.
—Tang… Soyeol.
Hwangbo Cheolwi seemed to recognize her, calling her name in a slightly trembling voice.
Tang Soyeol met Hwangbo Cheolwi’s gaze with contempt before letting out a scoff.
“I was wondering who it was, and it turned out to be you.”
“You…”
“You seem to have grown taller, but did you not fix your foolish mentality?”
Despite Tang Soyeol’s cold remarks, Hwangbo Cheolwi remained silent.
“I heard your clan was sending you here this time. So I was checking… just in case.”
Tang Soyeol sighed deeply as her words trailed off.
Then, Hwangbo Cheolwi staggered and suddenly dropped to one knee.
What could have occasioned this? Why did he suddenly kneel? Gu Jeolyub’s curiosity intensified when Hwangbo Cheolwi shouted furiously.
“This little girl dares to…!”
It seemed it wasn’t his intention to kneel. So, was Tang Soyeol responsible for this?
—…What did she do?
Is this the infamous poison of the Tang Clan? If so, that’s a frightening matter to comprehend.
After all, Gu Jeolyub hadn’t even witnessed what Tang Soyeol had done.
—Is this… the legendary strength of the Five Dragons and Phoenixes?
The renowned geniuses of this era, resembling stars among stars.
Gu Jeolyub gained a new understanding of how formidable their abilities truly were.
Previously, he merely considered her a pretty girl trailing after Gu Yangcheon.
However, he now recognized her as the true prodigy she was, called the Poison Phoenix.
“How dare you?”
Tang Soyeol’s brow furrowed instantaneously upon hearing Hwangbo Cheolwi’s words.
At her reaction, Hwangbo Cheolwi flinched.
“Hwangbo Cheolwi, do you know who you are speaking to right now?”
…Crack.
Hwangbo Cheolwi gritted his teeth after hearing Tang Soyeol’s words.
While the Hwangbo Clan held a certain level of prestige, they were hardly a match for the Tang Clan, one of the Four Noble Clans.
“It doesn’t seem wise for a representative of someone as lowly as Hwangbo to say such words. Please, knowing your limits is advisable; disregard it, and you might just die.”
To attach the word “lowly” to a clan like the Hwangbo was bold.
The dread radiating from her sharp and thunderous accusation was palpable.
Despite not being the target of her words, Gu Jeolyub felt his heart racing.
“And…”
Tang Soyeol’s piercing gaze found Gu Jeolyub next.
“You’re no exception.”
“Huh?”
—What?
“It’s only proper to keep a respectful distance from each other, especially before the Tournament. I understand that stone head can be excused for acting so since his brain is likely made of muscle, but what is your excuse?”
…Uh, it’s just that,
Gu Jeolyub felt a storm of frustration swirling inside. All he wanted was to rescue the woman from Hwangbo Cheolwi’s bullying.
Completely indifferent to his thoughts, Tang Soyeol continued her verbal onslaught.
“Heaven forbid you be ugly, at least be smart enough.”
Pffb… Cough cough!
The one who reacted most substantially to Tang Soyeol’s harsh words was Gu Yangcheon.
Gu Jeolyub was left with a dazed expression, as if he couldn’t believe what he just heard, while Gu Yangcheon choked on the tea he had been drinking.
“Young Master, are you alright?”
“I’m fi- Cough!”
“Towel! Towel!”
As Wi Seol-Ah scrambled to clean up the mess, Tang Soyeol cast a look of disdain at Gu Jeolyub and Hwangbo Cheolwi.
—Tsk-!
“How disgraceful… Get a move on and take your group away quickly.”
“You…”
“Will it only register with you after I burn your tongue? I’m quite capable of that, you know. Very much so.”
With an innocent appearance challenging her fierce demeanor, the atmosphere around her was distinctly foreboding.
Hwangbo Cheolwi’s body trembled with fury.
Yet, aware of the disparity in power with the Tang Clan, he promptly rose to his feet and passed Tang Soyeol, dashingly taking his leave.
Hwangbo Cheolwi’s gang hastily followed after him,
And in the deathly silence that followed, Gu Jeolyub remained there with a shocked expression.
—…This is why I didn’t want to come here. What a pathetic situation.
As he uttered those sentiments, the once ferocious Tang Soyeol cast her gaze upon Gu Yangcheon.
“Gu Young Master~!”
She rushed towards the dining table with a bright smile illuminating her face. And Gu Jeolyub couldn’t help but notice…
Gu Yangcheon, with a slightly terrified expression, was stepping back.
Observing this scene, Gu Jeolyub got up awkwardly.
—…In a way, things have resolved themselves smoothly.
Although it was embarrassing for him, Gu Jeolyub felt a strange satisfaction in that the woman was ultimately rescued.
Truth be told, nothing had gone right for him, but he was too flustered to acknowledge the absurdity of it all.
Gu Jeolyub cautiously approached the woman Hwangbo Cheolwi had been distressing previously.
“H-Huh? That punk…!”
He caught a glimpse of Gu Yangcheon saying something behind him, yet Gu Jeolyub had already reached her.
“Are you alright, miss?”
The woman beneath the veil remained silent. Was she too shocked to speak?
“I’m here to handle everything that just happened, so—”
Sigh…
The woman exhaled a deep breath. Gu Jeolyub initially thought it was a sigh of relief.
“L-Lady…”
“How troublesome.”
However, his assumption shattered miserably when her next words struck like ice.
“Huh…?”
—I’m glad your goodwill… but, wait, is it even goodwill?
Her voice from behind the veil was entirely different from earlier.
It was cold, practically exuding from her frozen demeanor.
It felt akin to engaging a block of ice in conversation.
“Everything I worked for is now completely destroyed… How bothersome.”
“Miss… what do you mean?”
For a fleeting moment, Gu Jeolyub glimpsed a flash of sky-blue eyes under the veil.
Moreover, those eyes were ablaze with anger.
“Do you recall what the Poison Phoenix mentioned earlier?”
The woman slowly rose from her seat.
Now that he looked closer, she was far taller than he anticipated.
Comparable to Namgung Bi-ah, who always looked like she was asleep.
“Not knowing your place can get you killed. That’s as true as it gets.”
“What’s all this about so suddenly…?”
“From this point onward, it would be prudent to assess your surroundings before acting. had it not been for that man behind you, you would’ve been in a much more dire situation.”
Behind…? When Gu Jeolyub turned around at her words, he spotted Gu Yangcheon.
The woman attentively checked her surroundings then whispered softly,
—…Although things have become messy, thankfully, today doesn’t seem to be the day after all. Tomorrow appears to be more suitable.
Leaving Gu Jeolyub, who couldn’t comprehend her words, in the dust, she made her exit.
Pausing momentarily, she glanced at Namgung Bi-ah, who was watching them as if thoroughly entertained.
“…”
Though she flinched upon seeing Namgung Bi-ah, she said nothing further and continued up the stairs.
As Gu Jeolyub struggled to digest the bewildering encounter, he found himself shielding his reddening ears, thoroughly lost in thought.
—I have no idea anymore.
He resolved to cease any further contemplation.
As Gu Jeolyub returned to his seat, massaging his throbbing temples due to the headache-inducing incident, a gentle voice reached his ears.
“Jeolyub.”
Gu Yangcheon was smiling at Gu Jeolyub, his expression warm.
Yes, that very same Gu Yangcheon.
“How about we chat one-on-one, Big Bro, later on?”
…Young Master?
For additional clarity, Gu Yangcheon was younger than Gu Jeolyub, in both height and appearance.
However, no one around seemed to pay any heed to his statement.
“Oh, right.”
After finishing the last of the dumplings, Gu Yangcheon turned to Gu Jeolyub and inquired.
“Do you know how to drive your head into the ground?”
“Huh?”
“If you don’t, I’ll teach you. It seems you should know how.”
Understanding dawned upon Gu Jeolyub as he observed Gu Yangcheon’s grin.
He couldn’t tell why, but he realized he was well and truly screwed.
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