Chapter 154: Friendly Martial Arts Competition (7)
The fiery sphere enveloped the entire arena stage.
No one could fathom how much Qi was used to create a flame of such magnitude.
The blazing heat blocked the view of those around.
And it made it impossible for anyone to see what was happening inside that fiery sphere.
“What the hell? What’s going on?”
“I can’t see…!”
“Show us already! What’s happening over there!”
The audience, watching with trembling eyes, began to murmur restlessly.
It all happened in an instant.
The Lightning Dragon began to rise, looking exhausted, but Gu Yangcheon had suddenly trapped him inside the flames.
The roaring flames obscured their view of what was going on inside.
Thanks to that, even the judge from the Alliance was looking flustered, unsure of what to do.
“Isn’t it impressive?”
A young man watching from a distance said with a smirk.
He watched the arena with a grin, as if enjoying a pleasant breeze.
“I didn’t think it would be this intense, but it seems I was wrong again.”
The young man’s black outfit fluttered in the breeze.
How intriguing.
He had never felt such excitement before.
That boy always ignited a fire in his heart. Just look now—he had once again surpassed expectations.
‘Could I win if I fought him?’
It still seemed possible.
‘For now,’ at least.
As the young man in black, Peng Woojin, tried to calm his racing heart, the boy beside him frowned.
“Did you bring me here just to say that?”
The one with the cold tone was none other than Jang Seonyeon.
Peng Woojin glanced at the boy and smiled faintly.
“Of course not, would I call the busy Young Master about something so trivial?”
“Then what is it?”
“I just thought it would be fun to watch this together?”
In the end, it felt like mere nonsense.
Hearing Peng Woojin’s words, Jang Seonyeon frowned.
Seeing that made Peng Woojin chuckle softly.
“It was a joke.”
“I know.”
“Tsk, how boring.”
“Let’s get to the point. I can’t stay here much longer.”
Peng Woojin’s expression turned serious upon hearing Jang Seonyeon.
It was the same face he wore when speaking to Namgung Cheonjun.
Jang Seonyeon felt his breath becoming tight from a sudden shift in the atmosphere.
‘Did he bring out his Qi? But it doesn’t feel that way.’
‘So it must be just his presence.’
“I came looking for you because I had a question.”
“Ask away.”
“Why did you summon the Young Master of the Namgung Clan?”
At this, Jang Seonyeon’s eyes widened.
He met Peng Woojin’s gaze for a moment before turning away slightly.
“Because he was needed.”
“That pitiful talent of his?”
“The Lightning Dragon is not pitiful.”
Peng Woojin burst into laughter at Jang Seonyeon’s response.
“Don’t pretend like that. You might make me nauseous.”
“…Young Lord Peng, I suggest you be cautious with your words.”
“Why? Are you offended that a mere Young Lord from the Peng clan is speaking like this to you?”
Peng Woojin’s words were sharp.
His tone had shifted drastically from how he spoke to Gu Yangcheon.
It now felt cold, devoid of humor.
“Young Lord Peng.”
“I don’t believe you’re in the dark about this. Correct? All the pieces laid out are for you.”
“What are you getting at?”
“Well, I don’t really have anything to say. I’m not in a place to give you advice, nor am I here to sympathize.”
“Then what do you want?”
“If I had to pinpoint it, it would be consolation?”
“What the-?”
Peng Woojin’s gaze wavered back from Jang Seonyeon to the arena.
A smile began to bloom on his face, as if it had been waiting for the right moment.
“What do you see?”
“…”
Jang Seonyeon looked towards the arena at Peng Woojin’s questioning.
Despite the distance, the fierce flames were unmistakably visible.
A whisper of Peng Woojin’s voice echoed in his ears again.
“I think you know your place, Young Master Jang. Though the Lightning Dragon might not understand that.”
‘Is he saying that I’m still lacking?’
Jang Seonyeon’s mask, carefully crafted, always cracked in front of this man.
Was it because he had a talent for finding exactly where it hurt?
“That boy will gain a lot from this.”
“I understand that. He seems like a talented individual.”
Peng Woojin smiled slightly in response to Jang Seonyeon’s unamused tone.
“Is that all?”
“What more do you want?”
“I told you—I simply wanted to offer consolation.”
“For what, exactly?”
“For the numerous things you won’t glean from this match.”
At those words, Jang Seonyeon flinched.
In an instant, blue energy flickered in his eyes.
The air around them grew heavy as his Qi began to surge.
“I advise you to be careful with your words.”
“Ooh… how terrifying. It seems I’ve really angered Young Master Jang.”
Even though Jang Seonyeon exuded more Qi, Peng Woojin’s expression remained unchanged.
He even started to chuckle, as if unfazed by the tension.
Seeing this, Jang Seonyeon reluctantly reined in his Qi.
He had acted in anger for a moment, but he knew he couldn’t challenge Peng Woojin just yet.
“It seems young lord Peng isn’t particularly fond of me.”
Peng Woojin responded chuckling to Jang Seonyeon.
“No way! Of course not. I think quite highly of you, Young Master Jang.”
Such absurd words.
Given their prior conversations, believing him was impossible.
“You’d find it hard to believe, but it’s true. We may not share a brotherly bond, but I think you have potential to shine like a star.”
Although it could be too late for Peng Woojin to say that, he decided not to elaborate further.
“As you said, this isn’t something I can easily believe. Your attitude towards me has been negative since our first meeting.”
“That was just me being kind. What? Are you expecting me to shower you with affection?”
When Jang Seonyeon heard this, he removed his mask for the first time, revealing a scornful expression.
Disgust was written all over his face.
“Don’t worry, Young Master Jang, you’re not that important to me.”
Peng Woojin wasn’t lying.
He did have a certain fondness for Jang Seonyeon.
He truly believed that young man had the potential to shine brightly one day.
The real issue was…
‘Next to a star shining even brighter, he just seems dimmer in comparison.’
That was the sole reason.
“Be honest. You’re just taking out your frustration on me because you dislike me.”
Jang Seonyeon’s sudden words made Peng Woojin raise an eyebrow.
“Are you upset because the Lightning Dragon, whom you once deemed devoid of talent, got the clan’s baptism before you?”
“Wow…”
For the first time, Peng Woojin looked genuinely surprised.
It wasn’t because Jang Seonyeon had guessed his thoughts correctly.
He was more surprised by the fact that Jang Seonyeon had thought of it that way.
“That’s just a huge influence from the Lord of Heaven… As for the Meteor’s intentions—”
“I think you’re misinterpreting something, Young Master Jang.”
At Peng Woojin’s cold voice, Jang Seonyeon fell silent.
“Whether it’s baptism or Meteor, I have no interest in either of them.”
“What do you mean—”
“I’m sorry, but I’m strong without that crap, and I’ll only get stronger. I will rise higher than anyone has ever climbed.”
His words dripped with arrogance and were filled with confidence.
The overwhelming presence he exuded grew even stronger.
Jang Seonyeon gulped, feeling increasingly nervous.
Just as Peng Woojin knew Jang Seonyeon’s true self to an extent, Jang Seonyeon also understood Peng Woojin somewhat.
He was an abyss.
No one could comprehend what he thought—it felt like a bottomless void.
This darkness seemed interminable.
What was even more unsettling was the fact that he didn’t bother to hide it.
“…Or do you really think I could lose to that young man over there?”
“Let me turn that question around: do you believe you can win? Against that monster?”
Monster.
A term Peng Woojin, often cruel in his judgments, bravely used in reference to someone.
Gu Yangcheon.
A name that already set off alarm bells in Jang Seonyeon’s mind.
Where did he arise from?
All Jang Seonyeon knew was that he was the son of the Gu Clan.
The Gu Clan of Shanxi.
A rather bothersome clan.
Even the chief of Shaolin, who could read the heavens’ laws, advised not to provoke Sword Phoenix, who was only second to Peng Woojin, solely because she had the Gu clan’s bloodline.
‘But even then, he’s just an average martial artist.’
Even if he crossed his barriers, Jang Seonyeon didn’t feel any fear.
He would acknowledge the talent: yes; more than that? Not really.
Even if Peng Woojin spoke highly of him, Jang Seonyeon didn’t believe Gu Yangcheon deserved such praise.
The incompetent Lightning Dragon was merely humiliated because he didn’t know how to wield the abilities given to him by his clan.
‘…Still, it was unexpected that the Lightning Dragon was defeated.’
Jang Seonyeon had expected a much closer match.
He never expected such a straightforward victory.
His back started to tighten.
The tension in his muscles was an involuntary response, just watching the duel unfold.
As if that boy over there posed any real threat.
Peng Woojin glanced at Jang Seonyeon, then turned his gaze back to the arena.
‘What did he do?’
With that tiny question lingering in his mind.
‘How did you realize, Young Master Gu?’
Peng Woojin wasn’t very knowledgeable about the baptism that took place underground in the Murim Alliance.
Nor did he seek to know more.
But he could feel something unsettling.
That cold energy.
It seemed that others couldn’t perceive it either, but it was likely due to their lack of talent.
‘So, does that mean you sensed it too?’
Gu Yangcheon was different.
Peng Woojin was convinced he had sensed the same energy.
His actions proved it.
As soon as the Lightning Dragon began to summon the powers, Gu Yangcheon had lunged forward with his true strength.
‘It might not even be his true power.’
The level that Peng Woojin had once clearly seen in Gu Yangcheon now appeared hazy.
If even he, with a keen eye for sensing abilities, struggled to see through it…
‘Good. Very good.’
Just like with the Tiger Warrior and the Sword Phoenix, the Gu Clan of Shanxi was a nest of dragons.
He craved it.
If the situation permitted, he would have willingly given up his status as the Young Lord to join the Gu Clan.
That was why he tried to join the Gu Clan’s swordsmen after he ran away from his own clan.
Though it ended in failure.
Flinch—Flinch—
The persistent twinge in his abdomen kept bothering him.
Peng Woojin had to suppress his excitement and of his roaring Qi.
How long had it been since he felt this way?
It must have been the first since the last time he parted ways with the Sword Phoenix at the Heavenly Dragon Academy.
His life felt gray.
It had lost its colors, rendering him numb.
Rather than being a problem with his eyes, the way of seeing the world was a tendency he had adopted.
This sight made his life dull.
Even his extraordinary potential brought him uninterest.
But now and then, there existed rare moments when colors appeared.
They were like beams of light through his monotonous life.
These colors were the sole reason why Peng Woojin could withstand such boredom.
Jang Seonyeon, who stood alongside him, was shining as well, but it seemed far weaker than before.
Perhaps he had done something different.
However, that boy had a uniqueness about him.
Not only did he shine fiercely, but those around him began to glow too.
Could it be contagious?
‘Even those who lacked color are starting to show their colors.’
Tang Soyeol was a prime example.
The girl, who once only had one glowing eye, now radiated brightness throughout her entire body.
And it was clear this change stemmed from that boy.
This sensation was new; that was why it felt immensely powerful.
The process of infusing colors into a colorless existence…
It couldn’t be more enchanting.
‘If such miracles can exist…’
Could Gu Yangcheon potentially infuse color into him as well?
Lost in thought, Peng Woojin watched Gu Yangcheon as he produced overwhelming flames.
After all, the darkest thing in his gray world was none other than himself.
“What the hell is this bastard?”
I relaxed my grip on Namgung Cheonjun’s neck.
“Why the hell is he pissing himself?”
This was ridiculous.
I had rushed in, overwhelming him with the chilling energy I radiated.
But I didn’t expect it to end this way.
“…What the…?”
It might have been a bit rough, considering the urgency, but I never thought he would actually pee himself.
Especially not a blood relative from a noble family.
“You were so full of pride, yet you do this?”
He even fainted.
What a complete chaos!
“Now what do I do…?”
I didn’t have time to interrogate him.
I had to remember that I was in the midst of a duel witnessed by many.
And this fool peed himself during such a moment.
Oh, for crying out loud…
It didn’t matter to me if he passed out or peed himself. Lucky for him! Our Cheonjun will surely get a new nickname after this.
Instead of the Lightning Dragon, I think “Pissing Dragon” suits him much better.
“I shouldn’t be dwelling on this right now.”
It was a humorous thought, enough to elicit a chuckle, but I wasn’t in a good situation.
I had put up a wall to shield what was inside from the outside view, but maintaining it consumed far more Qi than my initial attack.
So, I couldn’t hold it for long.
Setting aside the amusement, I immediately placed my hand on Namgung Cheonjun’s body.
It felt kind of disgusting to touch him all of a sudden, but the situation was urgent.
‘…As expected.’
Inside Namgung Cheonjun, I could sense a different kind of energy.
‘This isn’t… Demonic Qi.’
It wasn’t Demonic Qi.
Which I already suspected.
If it had been Demonic Qi, I would’ve felt it the moment I laid eyes on him.
However, this energy was similar yet different.
And, I knew this energy quite well.
I’d experienced it enough times that it felt somewhat familiar.
“…Wi Seol-Ah.”
I inadvertently blurted out that name.
This energy felt quite reminiscent of what I had experienced from Wi Seol-Ah in my previous life.
To be precise, it felt softer than that.
It was just like—
It reminded me of how the current Black Palace’s Demonic Qi seemed weak and inferior compared to Heavenly Demon’s Qi.
“But why?”
Why did the energy that reminded me of Wi Seol-Ah’s arise in this place?
Why did this guy possess such energy?
While I pondered these questions, the flames encircling me began to thin.
It was slowly because my Qi was running low.
“…Damn it!”
I still had so many questions unanswered.
Using up the remaining Qi, I heated it and applied it to Namgung Cheonjun.
The unmistakable stench of urine hit my nostrils, but I was somehow able to dry his clothes.
‘Not that I give a damn about him.’
Honestly, I didn’t care if people called him the Namgung Clan’s Pee-boy, or even “Pissing Dragon”…
But the real issue was his surname, Namgung.
With it bringing to mind the woman who always slept beside me, this was my final shred of kindness towards him.
Just as Namgung Cheonjun’s clothing was about to dry entirely,
Sssss-
“…!!”
I suddenly jumped up and distanced myself from him due to the strange sensation in my arm.
Then, the wall of flames that had blocked the spectators’ view abruptly vanished.
I could feel everyone’s gaze upon me again.
The judge and members of the Alliance quickly dashed in-between us to check on Namgung Cheonjun and me.
I stood there unharmed…
And Namgung Cheonjun was lying down, seemingly lifeless.
The victory was clear to see.
I made sure to pull my punches, so he should be fine physically.
Although the last hit might have been a bit heavy and problematic for him.
“…The victory in the quarterfinals goes to Gu Clan’s Gu Yangcheon.”
With those short words resonating through the air,
The crowd erupted into deafening cheers and applause, understanding the significance of the declaration.
–!!
The uproar from the crowd drowned out any legible words.
This was what I aimed for from the very start.
I came here hoping to make a name for myself, even a little bit; it was my most important reason for being here.
But once I heard the crowd cheering around me, I realized.
That my name had been imprinted in their minds.
Yet, whether that thunderous cheer felt like it was splitting my eardrums or felt like an echo of fame I hadn’t experienced in my younger days…
None of it mattered right now.
Because I was doing everything I could to withstand this chilling sensation that crept up my arm and was beginning to spread throughout my body.
I tried blocking it, but it sank into my abdomen, unwelcome yet all too at home.
Yes.
I had absorbed something foreign from Namgung Cheonjun’s body, something that wasn’t even Demonic Qi.
“…Oh please, you crazy pig!”
I was already going insane feeling as if my body was a shelter for all these other entities…
But another one just decided to join the party.
“Why am I eating this when it’s not even Demonic Qi…!! Stop already, for heaven’s sake!”
My sudden outburst made the judge flinch in surprise.
But I regrettably couldn’t afford to care at that moment.
In the split second of chaos that just erupted,
I had to sweep my face with my hand amidst the roaring applause.
And,
[He… He…]
Whether it was a figment of my imagination or not,
I could’ve sworn I heard a mocking, satisfied laughter somewhere nearby.
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