Chapter 244: Unintended Companion (1)
Bang!
Crash! Thud!
Hwangbo Cheok’s body rolled forcefully on the floor, shattering everything in his vicinity.
“Ughh…!”
At nearly eight feet tall, his colossal frame helplessly tumbled across the ground, causing significant chaos.
In the midst of this turmoil, Hwangbo Cheok groaned, cradling his previously injured arm as he lay sprawled.
His arm was still not fully healed from the fight against Gu Yangcheon.
“Hghhh… Huff…”
Ignoring Hwangbo Cheok, who wheezed in agony, Gu Yangcheon casually plopped himself down on one of the chairs scattered around the room. With his legs crossed in a relaxed manner, he regarded Hwangbo Cheok, who met his gaze with trembling eyes.
“…How did a bastard like you…”
“Surprised to see me here?”
Gu Yangcheon’s confident demeanor was quite fitting.
The air around him radiated superiority, enhanced by his condescending gaze, which made Hwangbo Cheok grit his teeth in frustration for having averted his eyes.
How on earth did this brat manage to find this place?
Just how?
Clink.
As Hwangbo Cheok pondered, something thudded beside him and rolled over.
“…!”
Upon recognizing the object, Hwangbo Cheok had to suppress a gasp.
What the hell… How did that end up in this bastard’s hands?
It was none other than the seal of the Hwangbo Clan.
Although it had slight scorch marks that deviated from its original appearance, there was no mistaking it.
“Familiar, isn’t it?”
At Gu Yangcheon’s casual remark, a chill ran down Hwangbo Cheok’s spine, but he fought to maintain his composure.
“…I don’t know what you’re talking about. How did you get this?”
“Can’t figure it out?”
“It’s the Hwangbo Clan’s seal. I’m fully aware of it.”
“Yeah, that was the gift you sent me yesterday.”
At Gu Yangcheon’s words, cold sweat dampened Hwangbo Cheok’s back.
Those words meant,
The Sixth Elder… was defeated?
For a moment, he considered whether the Sixth Elder had indeed fallen, but he promptly adjusted his thinking.
…But the Sixth Elder has reached the Fusion Realm, hasn’t he?
Even if he only achieved that level late in life and used hard work to secure the Elder position, the Sixth Elder spent decades in the Central Plains flaunting the Hwangbo name.
What’s more, he was a martial artist who survived the darkest corners of the Central Plains.
He was a fighter who reached the Fusion Realm despite the notorious struggles an assassin faced in elevating their status.
So how could this have happened?
Hwangbo Cheok slowly raised his head to meet Gu Yangcheon’s eyes.
“…!”
But he had to look away immediately.
The instant he caught a glimpse of the fiery red glimmer in Gu Yangcheon’s shadowed face, an indescribable terror surged up to his throat.
What is this bastard?
How can such an immense aura come from a young brat like him?
Hwangbo Cheok’s mind went completely blank.
As he struggled to calm his trembling eyes, Gu Yangcheon broke the tense silence.
“I didn’t think our relationship was close enough to exchange gifts.”
The voice dripped with pressure.
Caught between boyhood and manhood, it evoked a calm yet dense killing intent.
Hwangbo Cheok recognized that this was not an intentional display; it was simply how Gu Yangcheon always carried himself.
While neglecting to meet Gu Yangcheon’s eyes, Hwangbo Cheok managed to stammer out a response.
“…I’m… not sure what you’re…”
“Tsk.”
As Hwangbo Cheok began to explain, Gu Yangcheon clicked his tongue in irritation.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
In an instant, a kick landed, and Hwangbo Cheok rolled across the floor again, unable to dodge.
Desperate to rise,
Bam!
“Kggh!”
But Gu Yangcheon pressed down firmly on his chest, effectively pinning Hwangbo Cheok into the ground.
…Why… can’t my Qi respond?
He instinctively tried to summon his Qi to fight back, but for some unknown reason, his Qi felt as rigid as a rock and wouldn’t budge.
Had he somehow blocked the flow of his Qi in just such a short time?
“Is playing dumb a specialty of bastards like you? I wonder why you keep doing pointless things.”
“Ughhh…”
“Why is it that noble clan scions are never normal? Every single one of you is so glaringly flawed.”
He spoke as if he wasn’t from a noble clan himself.
Press.
“Urghh…!”
The crushing weight delivered by Gu Yangcheon made Hwangbo Cheok feel as if his chest could implode.
While enduring the intense pain, Hwangbo Cheok glanced past the confines of the tent.
Despite the ruckus of Gu Yangcheon sneaking up to this spot, no one drew near the tent.
Another Qi Barrier…!?
It was rather likely that Gu Yangcheon had created a barrier to muffle any sound from escaping.
If that wasn’t the case…
…Then he killed everyone.
While Hwangbo Cheok pondered over this, he couldn’t dismiss the grim reality reflected in Gu Yangcheon’s eyes.
To exude such an overwhelming air of murderous intent…
“Why did you do that?”
Gu Yangcheon inquired.
It was not a question of skepticism or confirmation.
It was a statement laden with certainty.
Could it be that the Sixth Elder is genuinely dead?
Did this brat really kill a Fusion Realm martial artist?
As Hwangbo Cheok found himself at a loss for words, Gu Yangcheon continued, maintaining his steady gaze on him.
“This isn’t my first rodeo, but it’s becoming a bother since it’s been a while.”
“…”
“Look at your expression. What could you possibly be thinking about?”
“…What must I do to not die by your hand?”
Pause.
Gu Yangcheon’s eyes widened slightly at Hwangbo Cheok’s response.
A smile broke across his lips.
“Not as dumb as I thought, are you?”
His expression conveyed satisfaction.
Hwangbo Cheok found it hard to breathe under the chilling smile that radiated malicious intent.
What sort of being is this?
What is this bastard I have to face?
His mind, once clear, bogged down into darkness.
It was needless to say that the fear behind it was evident.
Sss
With that, the foot that had pinned him down was lifted away, allowing Hwangbo Cheok finally to catch his breath.
“Cough… Huff…”
As he gasped for air and surveyed his surroundings, he found Gu Yangcheon reseated.
“You don’t appear as dimwitted as I thought, so I have to wonder why you felt the need to meddle with me?”
“…It’s because you were the one who first laid your hands on me.”
“Maybe you are a tad bit stupid, given what you said.”
“Do you… even grasp who you’re currently engaging with?”
Gu Yangcheon smirked slightly at Hwangbo Cheok’s rebuttal.
“You foolish brat, do you really know who you’re messing with?”
“…”
“This is why I shouldn’t waste my time talking to those whose only skill lies in muscle. My brain starts to feel like it’s rotting.”
With Gu Yangcheon’s next heavy sigh, the dense energy surrounding the tent intensified.
Gu Yangcheon remained seated as Hwangbo Cheok struggled to rise but was compelled to kneel under the weight of suffocating Qi.
The energy felt so oppressive that it was as if his Qi was being crushed by fear.
“Convince me.”
Hwangbo Cheok inhaled deeply with the chilling command hanging in the air.
“As you said, I intend to kill you.”
The chilling tone carried intent that unmistakably conveyed Gu Yangcheon meant what he said.
But how?
How could he cope with killing a blood relative of the Hwangbo Clan in such a place?
Did he not comprehend the consequences that would follow?
Or did he have plans to manage whatever fallout arose?
Regardless, the situation was bad for Hwangbo Cheok.
Because whatever the response, it couldn’t be good for his life.
If he had truly slain the Sixth Elder, it meant he was dealing with a combatant far superior, verging on the monstrous.
It was too late for Hwangbo Cheok to realize the mistake he had made prior, but it didn’t matter anymore.
As cold sweat trickled down his cheek, he swallowed dryly and looked at Gu Yangcheon.
Gu Yangcheon momentarily glanced outside the tent before refocusing on Hwangbo Cheok.
Hwangbo Cheok desperately wished someone would show up, but that was not the case.
If anyone had arrived, Gu Yangcheon would not seem as calm as he appeared now.
With a sense of being cornered, Hwangbo Cheok thought,
…I’m supposed to be the future leader of the Hwangbo Clan, and I’ll die in a place like this?
Though he had not officially been appointed the Young Lord yet, he was aware that the current head of the clan had seen better days.
He had been eagerly awaiting that moment and couldn’t imagine perishing here.
“So convince me, and ensure that I don’t take your life.”
“…What is it that you desire?”
“That’s for you to figure out.”
Gu Yangcheon’s expression, indicating he would wait for that, made Hwangbo Cheok grit his teeth.
He needed to find a different way, but at that moment, what could he possibly do?
Just as he thought about trying to dart towards the Murim Alliance with all his might, feeling it might lead to his salvation,
“Hey.”
“…!”
“Stop with the scheming. I’ll rip your legs off if you even think of running.”
He didn’t even say he would break his legs; he’d tear them right off.
Hwangbo Cheok was known for his sharp tongue, but Gu Yangcheon’s words struck deeply.
Above all, the sincerity behind that remark sent a chill down his spine.
“Can’t you make a decision?”
Hwangbo Cheok could not retort as Gu Yangcheon spoke with an evil grin.
He tried to utter something, anything, but his mouth had instinctively sealed shut.
…What is happening here?
In his panic, breath suddenly became hard to maintain,
“Then I suppose I could offer you a choice?”
Hearing Gu Yangcheon say this with a smile, Hwangbo Cheok realized that while he was told to persuade, there was something specific Gu Yangcheon had been after right from the start.
“I’ll start by asking.”
Hwangbo Cheok regretted his previous ignorance, especially the moment he had dared to cross paths with Gu Yangcheon.
“Between the Hwangbo Clan and your own life…”
He regretted not recognizing sooner that he was dealing with a devil.
“Which is more precious?”
Hwangbo Cheok would likely regret this until his dying breath.
A day passed.
Night had fallen, and I strolled slowly through the forest.
Meeting with Hwangbo Cheok required a significant expenditure of Qi, and I felt the fatigue lingering across my body. However, it was at a level where I could recharge my Qi effectively.
Yet, that wasn’t what truly mattered at the moment.
Should I have just killed him?
I mulled over the day’s events while clearing my hands.
Initially, my plan was to end Hwangbo Cheok’s life, but my mindset shifted along the way.
The reason was straightforward.
…I can’t just keep killing everyone who annoys me.
I realized my killing intent had been intensifying recently, and considering the changes in my Demonic Qi, finding control seemed essential.
I can’t afford to live as a Demonic Human like this.
This was a chance I couldn’t let slip away.
At this rate, I would unknowingly become a Demonic Human, especially with my growing disinclination towards killing.
Not that I ever really hesitated.
This wasn’t an issue of ethics or morality.
If I cared about such principles, I wouldn’t have behaved the way I did in my previous life, nor would I have burnt people alive in this one.
It all boiled down to letting emotions cloud my judgment rather than executing death rationally.
Looking at how Hwangbo Cheok acted towards me, keeping him alive was uncomfortable, but outright killing him felt tricky.
What if Hwangbo Cheok died?
I thought about keeping him alive for the sake of Silent Fist’s revenge, yet the lifespan of the Hwangbo Clan was rather short.
I not only knew that the current Lord of the Hwangbo Clan was in poor health, but also that the clan would face ruin once Hwangbo Cheok assumed leadership.
In that sense, killing Hwangbo Cheok now might even be more beneficial…
I recalled the gaze watching from the slit of the tent door.
Hwangbo Cheolwi, observing his brother knelt before me.
…How curious.
Although I felt his presence, I had done nothing regarding Hwangbo Cheolwi because his gaze at his brother seemed odd.
Hwangbo Cheolwi quietly observed, then exited without a word when our eyes met.
I pondered whether he had inform others about what he witnessed, but my intuition told me he likely hadn’t.
It was more probable he would seek me out soon. No, he was certainly going to do just that.
As I gazed up at the moon that continued its ascent, I found the emptiness in the part of me that housed the Demonic Qi unexpected.
Before leaving him, I had infused both a shackle and Demonic Qi into Hwangbo Cheok’s body.
The amount of Demonic Qi I inserted was greater than I had anticipated, and this would likely haunt him, acting as a shackle.
This method wasn’t far removed from what the Heavenly Demon used to execute.
This isn’t a good sign at all.
The discomfort lingered as I thought about it.
This meant I had obtained the ability to replicate what the Heavenly Demon could do.
…Though I’m not exactly there yet.
I lacked the power to simply explode someone’s heart at will.
The Heavenly Demon could do that with a mere flick of a finger, but I could only make it work by infusing a large amount of Demonic Qi while employing a shackle on someone.
Setting aside how tedious this is… The issue lies in the fact that I can’t control it.
Whether the Demonic Qi feasts on a martial artist’s body or restricts movement like I did with Hwangbo Cheok, I now possess multiple ways of manipulating my Demonic Qi.
That’s the core issue at hand.
It felt sickening.
How did I end up in this position?
Could it be that my Demonic Qi evolves as my level rises?
That seemed plausible.
If this baffling Power of mine grows stronger in tandem with my own strength,
Now that’s quite the bother, huh?
This meant I couldn’t even rejoice in my growth, leading to increasingly uncomfortable feelings.
“…Hah.”
I exhaled a weary sigh.
Nothing seemed to flow according to my desires, leaving me immensely drained.
“Well, that’s all well and good.”
I scoffed dismissively.
I understood the things that happened to me.
Yet what was my situation right now?
This was utterly incomprehensible.
After whispering to myself, the person by my side reacted.
A pleasant fragrance tickled my nostrils, yet a coolness caressed my neck simultaneously.
Feeling that tingling sensation, I turned to my companion and asked,
“…Why are you here?”
“Pardon?”
“I haven’t seen you in days. Why the sudden appearance?”
I was on the brink of being overwhelmed by my own convoluted thoughts, but the dark cat that walked beside me, portraying an air of oblivion, was really getting under my skin.
The dark cat responded.
“Did you not hear?”
“Yeah, I didn’t.”
“It appears the Heroic Sword didn’t communicate the message. I wonder why? It’s not like him at all.”
“…You.”
My expression twisted disturbingly upon hearing her act oblivious.
Today was the day I intended to tackle my final task on the front lines, and I had thoroughly planned who my companions would be.
They should be aware that I planned to team up with Gu Jeolyub and Muyeon.
“Ah, it seems like there’s been some sort of hiccup…!”
“…”
“I don’t understand the circumstances surrounding the Heroic Sword… but is it alright if I step in instead?”
Why does this girl speak so brazenly?
And where did Muyeon scamper off to?
Putting aside everything that irritated me, I sighed loudly while contemplating the girl’s smiling face.
I was sure she heard my exasperated sigh, yet her smile stayed unyielding.
“Sir Gu, if we take any longer, the night will slip away from us. If that’s what you wish… I’m more than fine with that.”
“…I’m going to lose my mind.”
It appeared she’d gone bonkers in the middle of the night.
This girl—no, Moyong Hi-ah—continued to spew nonsense, and I desperately needed to rationally process the situation that led me here.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.