Chapter 187: An Unsatisfactory Act (2)
We were just about to board the carriage for our trip to Shanxi.
The bustling atmosphere that was overwhelming when I first arrived had noticeably diminished now that the tournament was over.
This only reflected how much interest people had in the tournament.
If the Young Prodigy Tournament had garnered this much attention, I couldn’t imagine how wild the Heavenly Dragon Tournament would be.
I definitely won’t be attending that time.
I wasn’t particularly fond of crowded places.
On that day, I would rather stay holed up in the clan and focus on my training.
“People have always enjoyed watching fights ever since ancient times.”
Elder Shin’s choice of words was a bit crude, but it was indeed true that people loved seeing physical contests.
But seriously, I didn’t come here to see this nonsense.
I was in a rush to get into the carriage when I spotted two idiots blocking the way, which gave me an immediate headache.
“Jeolyub, I won’t lose next time.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
“Right, you should visit Hwangbo Clan sometime…”
It seemed Hwangbo Cheolwi was sending off Gu Jeolyub, as he had heard the news of Jeolyub’s departure.
Watching them pat each other’s backs and shake hands was quite… awkward.
Why are they acting so chummy?
Why were they friends all of a sudden?
It seemed that a story had unfolded between them without me even being aware.
But seriously, what in the world?
Didn’t these two used to fight like cats and dogs?
If I left them alone, they’d probably continue talking for ages.
So, in the end, I decided to step in.
“What are you two grown men doing hugging each other? Can you get lost already?”
As I growled and strode over, they both startled and instantly let go of each other.
Amidst all this, Hwangbo Cheolwi stiffened, unable to meet my gaze.
“Ahem.”
He cleared his throat awkwardly, as if trying to gauge the situation, so I called him out.
“Hey.”
“…Yes? Oh, um, what’s going on?”
“Why are you acting scared?”
“I’m not scared! What kind of nonsense is that?”
When I raised my hand, Hwangbo Cheolwi flinched.
“Yeah, you look like you’re not scared at all.”
Did something happen to him after I punched him last time?
Why did he become so timid?
“Who’s going to think I nearly killed you? Quit being so scared—I’m not going to hit you again.”
“Hey! The mighty Hwangbo doesn’t fear anything! I just let my guard down back then…”
“Want to have a proper fight then?”
…
I had only made that comment in jest, but immediately, Hwangbo Cheolwi’s face fell.
Seeing him crumble like that was genuinely amusing.
“I was just joking.”
I threw in a quip that Peng Woojin had once used.
It must’ve struck a sore spot—Hwangbo Cheolwi started huffing in anger.
Of course, it didn’t seem like he could really scream at me like he did last time.
In the midst of it, thinking of Peng Woojin…
“Ah, now that’s a familiar line!”
Peng Woojin suddenly appeared.
“Did you perhaps wait for me? I guess our minds are connected!”
“When did you arrive, Young Lord Peng?”
Peng Woojin casually threw his arm around my shoulder.
I immediately showed my disgust and wriggled free from his grip.
Meanwhile, Hwangbo Cheolwi’s expression morphed into pure shock at Peng Woojin’s unexpected appearance.
Even someone as proud and cocky as him seemed to recognize who Peng Woojin was.
Ignoring my reaction, Peng Woojin smiled brightly at me.
“Congratulations, Young Master Gu! Oh, wait, should I start calling you True Dragon now? I knew you’d succeed!”
Peng Woojin didn’t seem to care about Hwangbo Cheolwi’s presence and focused solely on our conversation.
“Could you not call me by that title?”
“What’s wrong? Isn’t it cool? The Alliance themselves certified you as a real dragon!”
“I find that title quite embarrassing, you idiot.”
He probably didn’t realize how awkward it sounded to be declared the Heavenly Dragon.
“This Brother Peng watched all your fights without missing a second! And oh, how amazing it was…”
“Why are you naturally referring to me as your brother? We’re strangers, Young Lord Peng.”
“I’m disappointed about that… Maybe you should consider taking back my pretty little sister? She’s bound to have a hard time due to her fiery personality. If you take her back, we’d be family naturally…”
“You crazy bastard!”
Ugh!
Before Peng Woojin could finish, someone swiftly approached and sent him flying with a kick.
No need to think twice about who it was—it was clearly Peng Ah-Hee.
“I should’ve figured it out the moment you ran in first! Why are you spouting nonsense as soon as you arrive?!”
“Ah… Ah-Hee, it seems like your brother got hit in a particularly bad spot…!”
“Who cares if he got hit there! It’s not like he’ll ever have the chance to use it!”
Damn, that’s a bit harsh.
After getting kicked, Peng Woojin finally managed to rise.
From how he struggled, it became clear he had indeed taken a significant blow.
“What a treatment to give to your elder brother.”
“And you think I treated my little sister any better?”
“I was merely trying to connect you with a great man! What’s the problem with that? A tournament winner is surely worthy!”
“This guy really is crazy; what do I do with him?”
“What’s the big deal about breaking off an engagement? Just redo the engagement like last time…”
“Brother, next time it won’t be a kick but rather a stomp that crushes it to bits.”
…
Even with that, Peng Ah-Hee managed to quiet even Peng Woojin. That indicated to me that she was quite capable.
Once he finally shut his mouth, she let out a sigh and spoke to me.
“Sorry, it seems like the crazy bastard of my clan has caused some trouble again.”
“Uh, no problem…”
She had already done enough damage; I didn’t feel the need to add anything.
Even being the young lord of his clan, he was called a crazy bastard by her.
Clearly, Peng Ah-Hee had a lot of frustration bottled up inside.
“Are you going back now?”
“Yep. Aren’t you also planning to return?”
At my question, Peng Ah-Hee shook her head, glancing over at that madman Peng Woojin.
“Seems like he has a lot of unfinished business in Hanam, so I doubt we’ll be heading back anytime soon.”
As she spoke, I recalled that Peng Woojin had indeed come here for some business matters.
I had taken that information lightly back then, but the recent links to the Blood Demon and the Meteor group made me reconsider.
It doesn’t seem like he has any Blood Qi.
Blood Qi was the energy that Jang Seonyeon and Namgung Cheonjun possessed.
Having no better term for it, I decided to refer to it as Blood Qi.
Thankfully, it appeared that Peng Woojin didn’t possess any Blood Qi.
And considering how he didn’t turn evil in the future…
Should I take it that he was never involved with those bastards?
That simple thought might seem easy to finalize, but it certainly wasn’t that straightforward.
“Ah, by the way, you still have that black pass, right?”
“Black pass?”
“The one my brother gave you.”
“Oh, you mean that black card?”
The card that Peng Woojin had handed to me around the time the Nine Dragons Ceremony concluded.
“I still have it. I think I put it somewhere in my room.”
Did I stash it in my drawer?
My memory didn’t quite serve me.
Peng Ah-Hee let out a disbelieving laugh at my vague reply.
“That’s not something that should be treated so carelessly!”
“Want me to return it then?”
“It’s not something you can just easily give and take back like that. Seems like you are a bit like my brother with how casually you are about all this.”
“You really have a way with words, don’t you? Wanna fight? I’m not afraid to hit a girl.”
How could she say that so casually?
The slight positive impression I had of Peng Ah-Hee crumbled entirely.
“Hey, I’m still here, you know!”
“Why are you eavesdropping? Cover your ears already!”
Peng Woojin chimed in with a sad tone, only to be promptly ignored.
“Anyway, take that black pass with you later, along with Soyeo—I mean Lady Namgung and Soyeol.”
As Peng Ah-Hee began inviting me to her clan, her tone shifted abruptly as she noticed something behind me.
I wondered why she’d acted that way, but nothing caught my eye.
Except for the sight of Namgung Bi-ah napping with her chin rested on Wi Seol-Ah’s shoulder?
I turned back to Peng Ah-Hee and replied,
“I’ll see.”
Considering my current busy schedule, I wasn’t sure if I could find time to visit Peng Clan.
“So, you’ll make it if you have the chance? I’m good at waiting, Young Master Gu.”
“I should inform you that if I do come, it won’t be to see you, Young Lord Peng.”
“Then you’re meaning to come!”
Even a short exchange with him felt dizzying, as though I was about to get a headache.
I could swear the Sword Emperor I knew in my past life was not like this.
Maybe this guy also went through the Abyss and woke up one day completely different.
I found myself thinking that way.
If my hunch was right, I hoped he’d change sooner rather than later.
“Hey, Young Lord Peng.”
“What’s up?”
“I ask this now, but are you here to bid me farewell?”
“Why else would I have come here?”
Good point.
However, the problem was why a young lord of a clan was acting this way toward me.
He claimed he had watched all my battles.
But I hadn’t seen him during any of them—where on earth had he watched them from?
“Oh, there’s something I wanted to ask.”
“What is it?”
“I think I asked the same question around this time last year too, but are you planning to go to Heavenly Dragon Academy?”
He suddenly brought up the topic as if it had popped into his head.
I knew that the Heavenly Dragon Academy would be opening next year.
“I’m not sure.”
But I just didn’t feel any urge to go there.
Attending the Heavenly Dragon Academy was typically a necessity for those who aimed to combat demons.
But I really don’t want to waste my time going there.
My goal wasn’t to hunt any demons.
Although the clan might pressure me to attend, all I had to do was position myself firmly enough so I wouldn’t have to go.
That meant establishing myself strongly enough to refuse.
“Your face tells me that you don’t seem to want to go much.”
“Well, that’s not entirely false.”
He was sharp.
As I slightly avoided his gaze when replying, Peng Woojin continued conversing with a grin.
“But it’s true that there’s nothing for Young Master Gu to gain even if you went.”
…
“It seems Young Master Gu is well aware of his value. That’s good to hear.”
What he said sent chills down my spine, and it felt unsettling.
Ew, gross.
“But aside from that, I genuinely hope you get to visit the Heavenly Dragon Academy.”
This contradicted what he had said earlier.
“You said I wouldn’t gain anything there—so why are you saying that?”
“It’s just a feeling I have? Either way, I know that Young Master Gu won’t listen to my words, so don’t worry too much about it.”
In truth, I barely registered anything Peng Woojin said.
His words went in one ear and out the other.
However, I realized I needed to start reconsidering this matter a bit differently this time.
Heavenly Dragon Academy, huh?
It might not be a useful destination for me at the moment, but it wasn’t entirely without benefit either.
Underneath that place, there were artifacts that resembled treasures.
They were items I’d only have access to in the future war against the Demonic Cult.
Yet the dilemma lay in questioning whether or not those artifacts would be necessary for me.
More accurately, I had to evaluate the value of attending the academy for the artifacts against the luxury of time gained by not attending.
For now, there’s no need to think it over.
Since the academy’s opening still lay ahead, there was no rush.
“Young Master.”
From behind, Hongwa cautiously approached and whispered to me.
“It’s about time for us to leave.”
“Understood.”
Upon hearing Hongwa, Peng Woojin stepped back slightly.
Despite being interrupted by a servant, thank goodness he didn’t seem offended.
“I might’ve taken up too much of your time.”
Instead, he grinned and waved his hand, signaling me to leave.
“I suppose we might be closer by the next time we meet. I’m looking forward to that.”
Why are you saying such disgusting things? Don’t count on it.
And why did he presume that we’d see each other again so soon?
“Brother, you should really get a move on too. You said you didn’t have much time left.”
Peng Woojin nodded at Peng Ah-Hee.
“Oh, right. I’ll be taking my leave, Young Master Gu. Have a safe journey back.”
“Yeah, you too.”
You’re really not even going to stop me? That’s cold!
Peng Woojin began to slowly walk away after my response.
More accurately, he seemed to be dragged off by Peng Ah-Hee’s hand rather than leaving on his own.
It felt like a whirlwind had just swept past.
“There’s quite a special character living under the Peng Clan.”
Elder Shin, who had been quiet throughout all this, finally chimed in.
I found myself agreeing with his point.
“We should be off as well. And you should really leave already.”
Hwangbo Cheolwi and Gu Jeolyub were gazing at Peng Woojin as if entranced.
“What’s got you looking?”
“…Young Master, that’s Peng Woojin. I think it’s more perplexing that you’re talking to him so casually.”
“The ex-Heavenly Dragon… his very presence feels utterly overwhelming.”
I clicked my tongue at their remarks.
To the two of them, the title of Heavenly Dragon clearly weighed heavily.
Or perhaps I was simply too dull to care.
“Enough with the strange talk; just get in.”
I kicked Gu Jeolyub, who stood there looking dazed, and hopped into the carriage.
Gu Jeolyub let out a scream from the back, but I ignored him for now since I was too tired.
With that settled, I asked,
“Where the heck do you think you’re going?”
“…Yes?”
I halted Gu Jeolyub, who was about to climb aboard another carriage.
Meeting my gaze, he appeared confused.
“You’re driving the horse; why would you switch to a carriage?”
I questioned, watching as his expression soured.
“Did you forget?”
“N-no, it’s just….”
“You’ve really forgotten? Guess I have to beat you up again like last time—”
“Yay! Time to ride the horse!”
Gu Jeolyub hastily dashed to the horse and scrambled into the saddle.
“You should’ve done that from the start! How dare you try to sneak out!”
Having settled that, I sank comfortably into the seat of the carriage.
“Master, are you tired?”
Wi Seol-Ah, seated beside me, asked as she observed me.
Namgung Bi-ah was already perched asleep with her head resting on Wi Seol-Ah’s shoulder.
“I’m a little tired.”
“Did you not sleep well?”
“It’s just that my mind gets exhausted whenever I converse with people who aren’t in their right frame of mind.”
“Well then! You should come here too, Young Master!”
Wi Seol-Ah adjusted her position, solidly offering her shoulder for me to lean against.
Even though Namgung Bi-ah probably felt heavy on the other side.
I hesitated momentarily but eventually gave in, pretending I couldn’t resist it.
I was just too tired to refuse her offer.
“It feels soft.”
Wi Seol-Ah’s shoulder was softer than I had imagined.
It felt like I could drift off right away.
I closed my eyes, resting against Wi Seol-Ah’s shoulder.
And soon after, the carriage began its journey back to Shanxi.
As the carriages took off, returning to the Gu Clan,
there were figures lurking, keeping watch over the carriages from the rooftop of a building.
“The target has started to move. We will proceed with the operation as planned.”
At the words of a man whose face was hidden by a black mask, the concealed figures around him began to move in unison.
Their movements came across as suspicious, yet the people in Hanam seemed oblivious to them.
Which meant they were well-trained individuals.
These maneuvers didn’t escape the keen eyes of Peng Woojin, who was observing from afar.
“Who could it be?”
His expression was different from when he was talking with Gu Yangcheon—now notably more relaxed.
“Who could they be?”
It was the first time Peng Woojin laid eyes on such a group.
They had caught his attention since he began his conversation with Gu Yangcheon.
Though their presence was discreet, it was easy for Peng Woojin to pick them out with his keen sight.
Because individuals like them typically have a murky aura.
“Hmmm…”
Their reactions indicated they were likely targeting Gu Yangcheon.
“How dare they.”
He didn’t know why they were after the boy, but it irked Peng Woojin considerably.
The annoyance rose to the point where he wanted to charge at them right away and deal with them.
Yet,
Peng Woojin quickly quelled that urge and turned away without a second thought.
As if he had never been interested, his expression shifted instantly.
At first, he wrestled with the thought of intervening, but he conveyed his conclusion after speaking with Gu Yangcheon.
Just like him,
Gu Yangcheon was also aware of their presence.
This realization settled as a certainty.
Peng Woojin noticed the direction of Gu Yangcheon’s gaze and aura moving steadily towards a specific point.
Though he puzzled over why Gu Yangcheon showed no outward reaction.
“Then this is not an issue for me to interfere with.”
If Gu Yangcheon had a plan in mind, he needed to restrain himself.
Gu Yangcheon was destined to shine brighter; Peng Woojin couldn’t let a shadow fall on his light.
No firewood was necessary for a fire that could already burn so brightly on its own.
“Nevertheless, I’m somewhat disappointed.”
It piqued Peng Woojin’s curiosity to know why Gu Yangcheon left them be, leaving him regretting that he couldn’t see it through to the end.
He longed to sneak after them and witness it, but acting on that impulse might lead to Peng Ah-Hee causing another commotion.
“This meeting may have been brief, but I hope to see you shine even brighter when we next meet, Young Master Gu.”
With a wish for Gu Yangcheon to glow more luminously upon their next encounter, Peng Woojin vanished, transforming into a black wind.
The breeze headed towards the Murim Alliance.
Where the Chief Abbot of Shaolin awaited.
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