Chapter 249
Drip…
Cold sweat trickled down his back.
His tightly clenched fist trembled subtly, filled with strength.
This was proof that his body was in an extreme state of tension.
Hwangbo Cheolwi himself was aware of his own nervousness.
…I can’t bear to look into his eyes.
He couldn’t dare to meet the gaze of the person sitting in front of him with crossed legs.
Even Hwangbo Cheolwi, a member of one of the most prestigious families, found it impossible.
As that thought flickered through his mind, Hwangbo Cheolwi had to sweep it away.
It’s all pointless now, anyway.
The world was vast, and in that world, the Hwangbo family name held great weight, yet he realized he was far too small to live up to it.
He felt erasing such ingrained thoughts would take far too long.
The thick, suffocating aura that lingered inside the cramped tent.
In the oppressive heat, Hwangbo Cheolwi pondered how on earth he ended up here.
Why did I come here…?
His original objective was murky, but it was clear that he had come to see him.
Hwangbo Cheolwi moved his stiff neck, forcing himself to look at the figure before him.
The one who had overwhelmed his strong and fierce brother, Hwangbo Cheok.
True Dragon…
Gu Yangcheon.
That was the title and name of the person facing him.
Hwangbo Cheolwi knew, from the scene he had witnessed through the crack in the door.
At that moment, he met Gu Yangcheon’s gaze.
And he saw Gu Yangcheon smile at him.
Did this person really kill Elder Liu?
Hwangbo Cheolwi was aware that his brother, Hwangbo Cheok, had sent that Elder Liu to Gu Yangcheon.
If something displeased him or posed a problem, he would eliminate it by any means necessary.
That was Hwangbo Cheok, and Hwangbo Cheolwi thought that Gu Yangcheon had simply been unlucky by crossing paths with him.
…Is that really the case?
As he had this thought, a peculiar unease washed over him when he thought about how Hwangbo Cheok had sent Elder Liu to deal with Gu Yangcheon.
That was the dilemma.
Could Elder Liu truly do anything to Gu Yangcheon?
…And I thought it was a ridiculous concern.
Elder Liu was a martial artist of the Fusion Realm.
Having reached the Fusion Realm, it wouldn’t be long before he ascended to the ranks of the Hundred Masters of the world.
He had been given the status of Elder by his clan due to such hard work.
Yet, Gu Yangcheon was merely a late-bloomer.
He bore the title of “Dragon,” but he was still just a rising star, just beginning to make his name in the martial world.
Why had he entertained such thoughts?
…I just don’t know why those thoughts crossed my mind.
As he continued to dwell on that question,
“Here I thought the Hwangbo clan was all about bears.”
Gu Yangcheon’s voice caused Hwangbo Cheolwi’s spine to stiffen.
“But I guess that’s not entirely true.”
…True Dragon.
Boom…!
As soon as Hwangbo Cheolwi spoke, the table next to him exploded, sending him sprawling to the ground.
Hwangbo Cheolwi swallowed hard as he watched the wreckage crumble.
“I don’t particularly like being called by my title, you know. Next time, it’ll be your chin that gets smashed, alright?”
Even though the tent was cramped, there was still a bit of distance between Gu Yangcheon and Hwangbo Cheolwi, so it wasn’t like he could reach out and strike him.
This meant something had happened as Gu Yangcheon moved, but Hwangbo Cheolwi couldn’t see what he did at all.
…To think that even with my own eyes watching, the difference could be so vast.
He wasn’t sure, but Gu Yangcheon seemed to be a good couple years younger than him.
Was it a difference in talent?
The vibe Gu Yangcheon exuded.
The stare directed towards him.
Even the subtle aura of dominance surrounding him.
To call this talent is terrifying beyond compare.
It was far too daunting of a level for Hwangbo Cheolwi to comprehend.
As Hwangbo Cheolwi nervously swallowed his saliva and read the room, Gu Yangcheon posed him a question.
“Why did you come here?”
…About that.
“Keep it straightforward. I’m a bit busy right now.”
Given the commotion and bustle outside, that was somewhat predictable.
…Are you leaving?
“I’m heading back. I can’t just stay here forever.”
While he made it sound like a good thing, something else seemed to be bothering Gu Yangcheon; his expression wasn’t exactly pleasant.
“Then what brings you here?”
…
“Did you come here because I pounded your brother into the ground?”
…!
Hwangbo Cheolwi found himself gasping at the audacity, not expecting such bluntness.
Gu Yangcheon had looked him over from head to toe after throwing that line out.
It was as if he were calculating him.
“Let’s be real, you didn’t come here to complain out of brotherly loyalty.”
Complain?
Having seen how Hwangbo Cheok fared against Gu Yangcheon, Hwangbo Cheolwi knew better than to attempt any complaints.
…That’s not why I came.
“Thought as much. If that were the case, you’d have been better off snitching to your clan.”
Hwangbo Cheok had encountered threats from Gu Yangcheon, the scion of the Gu Clan.
Moreover, it seemed Gu Yangcheon had pulled off some underhanded moves.
His taking a couple of lines of text back to the family was all it would take.
In doing so, Hwangbo Cheok would be reduced to a mere fool, defeated by a young prodigy and even threatened by him, but overall, things would work out.
After all, the Hwangbo Clan was a noble one.
But Hwangbo Cheolwi wouldn’t do that.
Even while watching his brother being beaten down and threatened by Gu Yangcheon, he simply remained an observer.
But why?
…Why?
Why did Hwangbo Cheolwi feel a strange satisfaction as he watched his brother fall from grace?
He couldn’t quite grasp it.
“Hey. Focus up.”
…!
“Why do these bastards always zone out on me? Do I look like a joke?”
…N-No, not at all.
Who in the world would mistake Gu Yangcheon for a joke?
He could hardly imagine anyone thinking that way.
“So, why did you come?”
…I came because I wanted to ask the True, uh, Brother Gu something.
“You used to speak to me informally, yet now you’re suddenly courteous? It sends a chill down my spine.”
…
It’s because I’m scared I’ll get my ass kicked…
Hwangbo Cheolwi didn’t dare voice that thought; it might just come true.
Amidst the cold sweat rolling down his back, Hwangbo Cheolwi queried Gu Yangcheon.
…Why didn’t you capture me?
That day.
They had locked eyes, and he could definitely have captured him without a hitch.
Thus, Hwangbo Cheolwi sought to understand why Gu Yangcheon hadn’t made a move.
Then,
Ha-.
Gu Yangcheon laughed briefly. Why was that amusing?
“You should thank me for letting you go. What made you come all this way to ask that?”
…I felt like it was something I needed to know.
“That’s not it.”
What…?
Gu Yangcheon leaned forward a bit.
Was he intrigued by something?
If not, what did he mean?
As Hwangbo Cheolwi found himself increasingly bewildered, Gu Yangcheon carefully continued speaking.
“You’re not here just out of curiosity; you came with expectations, didn’t you?”
…!
“Am I wrong?”
The gentle tone of Gu Yangcheon turned lethal, stabbing right into Hwangbo Cheolwi’s heart.
It felt like those daggers plunged deep, reaching his very core.
“Don’t sugarcoat it; be direct. I find that a bit tedious.”
Hwangbo Cheolwi found himself at a loss for words.
When did I realize?
When did he understand that the prestigious blood of the Hwangbo that he once held in such high regard was, in reality, nothing special?
When did he begin to feel shame for his sense of superiority based on bloodlines, looking down on others as lesser?
When did it start?
Hwangbo Cheolwi couldn’t recall.
And when he felt embarrassed for his brother, pondering whether things could continue like this, his clarity began to crumble and pile up chaotically.
“So speak plainly.”
Gu Yangcheon thrust the final dagger into Hwangbo Cheolwi.
“Honestly tell me that you wish for my assistance, so you can take charge since you find your brother insufferable.”
His words were blunt, yet the weight they carried was incomprehensibly heavy.
“It’s strange that you’d come to ask me of all people, but that’s what you truly want, isn’t it?”
Hwangbo Cheolwi wanted to reject that notion at once.
The infighting for the position of Young Lord had been going on for years, and he had long since pulled out of the fray.
He had talent, yet compared to others, it wasn’t remarkable, and he lacked the privilege of being the eldest son.
Moreover, without any support, his situation was far from favorable.
In such circumstances, how could he even think about striving for the position of Young Lord?
Yet, despite that line of thought, he found himself addressing Gu Yangcheon.
…Can you assist me?
His voice trembled, but his words were resolute.
“Hmm…”
Upon hearing this, Gu Yangcheon regarded him with a strangely amused expression.
To Hwangbo Cheolwi, it felt as though he were standing on a balancing scale.
And on the opposite side…
Hwangbo Cheok seemed to be looming over him.
Still, he had no regrets about what he had said.
He didn’t understand why, but the glint in Gu Yangcheon’s eyes held none of the hostility he had felt when looking at his brother.
Shit-flavored stew or stew-flavored shit?
That dilemma plagued my thoughts as Hwangbo Cheolwi departed.
Hwangbo Cheolwi was the shit-flavored stew, while Hwangbo Cheok was the stew-flavored shit.
Neither option was appealing.
But if I had to choose, the shit-flavored stew might be the lesser evil.
If I had to pick, Hwangbo Cheolwi might just be the better option.
I intended to use Hwangbo Cheok and then toss him aside anyway, which is why I infused him with demonic qi—so I could dispose of him whenever necessary.
Hwangbo Cheolwi was slightly different from what I had anticipated.
I didn’t know much about him.
Certainly, I recognized him as a member of the Hwangbo Clan.
Considering I had no memory of him from my previous life, it meant he never really made a name for himself.
This implied he hadn’t distinguished himself in any notable way, so he likely wasn’t that significant of an individual.
The Young Lord, huh.
I found it strange why both him and his brother clung so desperately to the position of Young Lord.
It was a heavy burden full of responsibility, not to mention annoying.
They just don’t understand the privilege of having an option to choose.
Those poor fools probably don’t recognize how lucky they are to be given choices.
I’ll deal with those Hwangbo issues later.
I acted as though I could aid Hwangbo Cheolwi, but in truth, I lacked any significant influence.
If I were to place a blood relative in the Young Lord position, I’d need enough backing to pull something like that off.
I might be able to pull it off if I were among the Three Venerables.
If I were one of the omniscient Three Venerables or part of the Four Emperors and Five Kings, all noted leaders of the Unorthodox Sect, perhaps such a thing would be feasible.
This just meant I didn’t have the capacity for that right now.
Though I could probably extend him a little help.
That too would be a future problem for me.
I merely hope that Hwangbo the Fat keeps a close watch on the Silent Fist.
I had advised both Hwangbo Cheok and Hwangbo Cheolwi to treat the Silent Fist kindly, and I trusted they would do so.
It was amusing how I was now looking after my former subordinate, filling me with a strange sense of fulfillment for this unnecessary act of kindness.
But I ought to act while the thought is fresh. I might forget later on.
I couldn’t afford to help each and every person I encountered, so I offered assistance one by one as I crossed paths with them.
Otherwise, I’d be pushing my limits…
“Young Master, preparations are complete.”
“Got it.”
A day rolled by.
As I was loosening up my body, a servant came over to inform me.
“Can we proceed immediately?”
“Yes. We’ve contacted the Alliance, so they’ll be bringing the carriage around.”
“They should simply let me go without all this hassle.”
I had to make a stop at the Murim Alliance branch at the frontline to go through verification.
It was a bother, but as I was nominally affiliated with the Orthodox Sect, it was necessary.
Tsk, tsk.
I clicked my tongue in irritation and turned to the person next to me.
“Do you have to go through it too?”
“We handled it already.”
It was Moyong Hi-ah, her face concealed by a mask.
“You’ve done it already?”
“All we needed was to send a message.”
…This damn world.
Since the Moyong Clan was one of the Four Great Families, their procedures ended with a mere message, unlike my own clan.
Influence is everything.
What a loathsome world we reside in.
“Then does she also not have to do it?”
I pointed to Namgung Bi-ah, who was wandering in my direction half-asleep.
Moyong Hi-ah flinched at the sight of Namgung Bi-ah approaching.
“…The Sword Dancer doesn’t have anyone from her clan with her, so she likely has to attend personally.”
“How annoying. They always complicate things in odd ways.”
As I continued to grumble, Namgung Bi-ah approached and rested her chin on my shoulder.
In the past, it would have been convenient since I was slightly shorter than her, but now that I was taller, it must be a bit awkward for her.
Yet Namgung Bi-ah didn’t seem to mind, doing this every so often.
“Didn’t sleep well?”
Namgung Bi-ah shook her head in response.
“Then why do you look so drowsy?”
…I’m tired…
“How can you be tired after sleeping well? If you’re sleepy, just go take a nap over there.”
…Okay.
After hearing my suggestion, Namgung Bi-ah started to move but suddenly shifted her gaze towards Moyong Hi-ah.
As their eyes met, they both stared at one another intently without looking away.
I wondered what was going on since they seemed to be in that state longer than I’d expected.
…Hmph.
Moyong Hi-ah let out a derisive snort and turned away, heading towards where the other members of her clan were gathered.
Watching that unfold, Namgung Bi-ah lightly clenched her fist and whispered to me.
…I won.
…Huh?
What did you win?
A staring contest…?
Seemed like they were having some strange competition, but with Namgung Bi-ah’s unusual reaction, I decided not to pry further.
After all, I had more crucial matters occupying my mind.
“I had no intention of taking a vacation…!”
That exclamation came from Gu Huibi, who was being sent off by other members of the swordsmanship brigade.
She always whined every time she was sent off, and it was driving me up the wall.
As I watched that spectacle unfold, I let out a heavy sigh before approaching her.
“Stop whining. Weren’t you the one who said you wanted to join me?”
“My brother can manage just fine… so why am I being dragged into this?”
“Did I invite you along? That was Father’s decision. Seriously, how could the eldest daughter be scheming to avoid coming?”
The fact that Gu Huibi was returning to our family with me had nothing to do with whether or not she received any returning orders.
It stemmed from the simple fact that I stumbled upon an order for her return buried among some messages.
You’re not escaping this time.
I pondered why Gu Huibi was so reluctant to return to the family, even going as far as ignoring an order, but thinking about Mi Hyoran’s personality shed some light on Gu Huibi’s behavior.
Only she could master control over Gu Huibi, like catching a rat.
But still, the continuous complaints were excessively vexing.
“C’mon, let’s get going already!”
In the end, only when I physically pulled Gu Huibi along did we manage to set off for the Gu Clan.
Additionally, Gu Jeolyub was once again at the helm of the carriage.
Seeing him ready to drive the carriage without needing me to instruct him felt refreshing for the first time in a while.
How wonderful would it be if he displayed such promptness in other matters? I’ll have to put him to work later.
Hmm…!
Suddenly sensing an ominous air, Gu Jeolyub scanned his surroundings.
He was extremely perceptive in such instances.
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