Chapter: 648
There isn’t much to call a great memory.
It was around the time when my younger sister ran away to the Central Plains, and I appeared in that distant land to catch her.
Questions followed.
How could a princess, who should have stayed in the palace according to the pact, go all the way to the Central Plains?
At that relatively young age, Yoochun couldn’t understand.
In the distant future, it was only when he realized that it was his father’s love for his daughter that he finally understood the former princess.
Even so, Yoochun wouldn’t have been able to make such a choice.
After all, he was closer to the princess than he was to his father.
It was hot in the Central Plains at that time.
Was it summer?
Such scorching weather made Yoochun feel multiple things.
He didn’t have to wear thick fur coats, and the cold that seeped deep within his body felt a bit better. It was truly a mysterious sight.
Should I say he felt a fleeting glimpse of lost romance?
Though the expression on the face of the princess then remained dark, the young little princess was brimming with excitement.
A new land.
Scorching heat.
People who seemed a bit more relaxed.
All of this felt like a mystical experience to Yoochun.
At least.
Until he met him.
Boom–!!
Thud-!!
A tremendous wave stormed from the distant direction of Mt. Tai.
The current ruler of the Central Plains was said to be an old man known as the Geomjon (Sword Lord).
The King of the North Sea was now facing him in a battle of strength.
He hadn’t officially visited the Central Plains, and friction had led to an unavoidable fight.
At that moment.
The little princess was face to face with another man.
[Allow me to meet the Little Princess of the North Sea.]
He was a man with black hair and red eyes.
He appeared to be around Yoochun’s age.
The man, donned in a light blue mantle signifying his affiliation, looked at Yoochun while casually holding his hands behind his back.
Yoochun also locked eyes with him.
Before long, the man introduced himself.
[I am Gu Cheol-woon, the new dragon leader of the Murim Alliance.]
A natural sense of alertness arose.
The cold within him for some reason manifested as hostility.
Not sensing anything from his opponent, instinct compelled him to increase his energy on its own.
Boom—!!!
A loud roar echoed from the northern Mt. Tai.
Hearing this, Yoochun frowned and said.
[Get out of the way.]
At this point, the leader and his father, the princess, were engaged in a fierce battle.
There was something he had to do amidst it all.
He was to eliminate the blood relatives of the Moyong who had taken his sister and bring her back.
That was the order given to Yoochun.
Reacting to Yoochun’s stance, Gu Cheol-woon replied.
[That can’t be allowed.]
His demeanor was obviously indifferent.
[Your sister has already become a member of the Moyong family. As the lord, I must protect the people of Moyong according to the leader’s orders. Therefore, I cannot move aside.]
[Are you so bold as to block my path? Is that what you mean?]
Yoochun chuckled at Gu Cheol-woon’s attitude.
[I have no interest in the name of the place called Maeng. We just handle things according to the laws of the North Sea.]
[I don’t know about the North Sea’s laws.]
[So? Are you saying I should just follow your commands?]
[No. You all are outsiders, so there’s no need for you to adhere to the laws of the Central Plains.]
Rumble—!!!
The wind pressure intensified gradually.
Yoochun felt impatience creeping in with a furrowed brow.
[It simply means each of us must play our part.]
Gu Cheol-woon looked at Yoochun with wide eyes.
[This lord cannot move aside. You have things to pursue, so if you want, go ahead and try.]
[Huh?]
Try to take it wherever you’d like.
Yoochun sensed an air of arrogance, as if he was practically invincible. It was heavy with pride.
That tone was irking Yoochun more and more.
[Do you really think the Sword Lord can defeat the princess?]
[Hmm?]
Gu Cheol-woon tilted his head at Yoochun’s words, wearing an expression of confusion.
Looking at that face, Yoochun was convinced.
Just as he guessed, these guys didn’t understand a thing.
[No matter how exceptional the Central Plains folks may be, they’re just humans in the end. You can’t beat us.]
Reflecting on it now, he was embarrassed by his tone.
He was saying it because he thought the world belonged to him at that time.
That’s why he regretted it.
If he’d known a little more about the world back then, he wouldn’t have these memories now.
[The princess will soon come here and take care of that old man. Once that happens, you’ll meet your ultimate demise. It might be better to step aside before that, don’t you think?]
[Hmm.]
Despite Yoochun’s words, Gu Cheol-woon kept tilting his head.
No matter how much he listened, he always felt perplexed.
After pondering this a couple of times, Gu Cheol-woon finally broke his silence and spoke to Yoochun.
[I have to ask. Are you really that weak?]
[What?]
[Why do you believe that you won’t be able to break through before the princess arrives?]
[…!]
Yoochun swallowed at Gu Cheol-woon’s unexpected question.
It was a curveball.
Why did he think he would wait until the princess arrived?
As Yoochun’s body stiffened, Gu Cheol-woon continued speaking undeterred.
[Moreover, you seem to be under a misunderstanding. We should correct that too.]
Thud—!!
Thud—!!
The landscape continued to shatter as masters clashed. Gu Cheol-woon kept his gaze focused in that direction.
[Even if the leader loses, you won’t achieve what you desire.]
[…What?]
[As long as the lord stands before you with both eyes wide open, this will be your last step.]
[…]
Yoochun had to remain silent for a moment at that casually spoken statement.
He couldn’t grasp its meaning.
[…What did you say?]
[It seems your hearing is quite poor.]
Gu Cheol-woon frowned slightly at Yoochun’s reaction.
[I really don’t like repeating myself…]
Swish.
Gu Cheol-woon let go of his grip behind him.
At that moment, bare hands were in view.
[You cannot pass through here. If you don’t wish to die, you should leave this instant… ]
[…!]
[Would it be easier to understand if I say it this way?]
[This punk…!]
Just as Yoochun scowled and was about to raise his cold aura in response to Gu Cheol-woon’s words…
Fwoosh–!!!
Flames erupted from Gu Cheol-woon’s body.
The surrounding atmosphere turned unbearably hot.
The flames were intensely red.
It looked as though blood was igniting.
At that response, Yoochun couldn’t help but raise his head.
[The sky…!]
The blue sky was slowly becoming enveloped in red.
Amidst his astonishment at this strange phenomenon…
[What are you doing?]
Gu Cheol-woon’s voice reached him.
[Are you not coming?]
When Yoochun looked down at the sound again…
[Then I will come to you.]
Already, Gu Cheol-woon’s large hand was reaching towards Yoochun’s face.
At that instant, as he observed his hand, he prepared to move.
Crash—!!
Yoochun’s consciousness started to awaken with an inexplicable sound.
Clap-! Crash-!!
-… Is this hitting too hard?
– There’s nothing better than this to wake someone up.
A voice could be heard. Whose voice is that?
– What if his teeth break?
– I don’t know.
– Hm?
– I wouldn’t have known had they existed from the beginning, would I?
– Disciple.
– Yes?
– You really are crazy.
– Isn’t it thanks to having a good teacher? Just joking. Could you please take your hands off me?
For reasons unknown, Yoochun’s eyes creaked open slowly to this dreadful banter.
It wasn’t the noise that woke him; it was the odd pain he felt on his face.
“Ugh…”
Yoochun let out a pained groan as he opened his eyes.
“Oh, you’re awake. See? This is the magic of direct hits, isn’t it? Why can’t you trust what people say?”
“…No, why is this even happening?”
Yoochun turned his gaze toward the astonished voice in front of him.
Someone was staring at him, hand slightly raised.
Through his blurred vision, he could see familiar features.
Black hair, slightly visible blue eyes, and piercing eyes that seemed to bore into him.
Realizing this, Yoochun asked.
“…Gu Cheol-woon?”
“Eh?”
The face of the person who was called crumpled.
“I can tell you haven’t regained your senses just yet. Should I hit you a bit more? No, how about I touch you?”
“Changing the words doesn’t soften the meaning.”
Next to him, stopping the young man was another young man, similar in age.
He wore a somewhat disapproving look.
With great effort, Yoochun managed to lift his upper body as he tried to shake off the bewilderment.
“Ugh…!”
However, his physical condition wasn’t great.
While he wasn’t in tip-top shape beforehand, it shouldn’t have been this agonizing.
His entire body felt as if it were in excruciating pain.
“It would be wise to take it slow. There are likely quite a few broken places.”
“…Phew…”
Yoochun finally looked at the voice’s owner.
He thought it was Gu Cheol-woon, but it wasn’t.
“…Gu Gong-za…”
It was his son instead.
“Are you alright?”
Gu Yang-cheon, son of Gu Cheol-woon.
To his question, Yoochun remained silent.
He was mistaken.
Their facial features were similar, but something felt different.
That was why he briefly mistook him for Gu Cheol-woon.
“Is it okay if I ask what happened?”
“Day…?”
“I heard that the princess was eaten by Bingjeong.”
Eaten by Bingjeong, you say?
At those words, Yoochun suddenly recalled the sequence of events.
Clearly, he had been with Bingjeong.
It seemed he was observing Bingjeong just after Gu Yang-cheon had left for a brief period.
Why did that happen? He wasn’t sure.
But Yoochun had no choice but to stay put.
As a little more time passed… Bingjeong began to emit light…
Eventually.
“Ugh…”
Jabbing pain surged in his temples as Yoochun rubbed his forehead.
“Phew… Phew.”
Yoochun, or rather, Binggungju, endured the headache as he breathed slowly.
Air infiltrated through his nose and mouth.
Sensing this, the princess’s eyes widened slightly.
“…What is this?”
The air felt unusual.
The unfamiliar discomfort he typically felt was absent.
No, should he say he felt discomfort only because he didn’t feel unusual?
“Cough.”
As Binggungju appeared to sense something, Gu Yangcheon blew a cough.
“Cough… Um….”
His gaze began shifting as if he were fidgeting.
“Well, there’s no need to dwell on it. Right now, you look pretty unwell, so let’s prioritize getting you treated.”
Gu Yangcheon seemed to forcefully change the topic, starting to support the princess.
Seeing this, Pae-jon, who was standing nearby, looked at him incredulously.
Gu Yangcheon shot a frantic look at Pae-jon, as if he worried he might say something.
“What are you doing? If you have two hands free, can’t you at least carry that heap… No, the Black Lion General?”
“You knocked him out, and now you want me to carry you?”
“What? There was only a slight accident.”
“If you have two accidents, you’ll end up in pieces.”
“Isn’t it the case that if an accident occurs twice, it becomes a disaster?”
“…”
It was a somewhat fitting statement.
At this, Pae-jon sighed and turned away.
He then slightly turned his face and said to Gu Yangcheon.
“By today. Provide a full explanation.”
“…”
Gu Yangcheon nodded at the resolute tone.
Once he confirmed the reaction, Pae-jon walked toward the Black Lion.
“Hm?”
Someone was already carrying the Black Lion.
It was Seongyul.
“Are we good to leave now?”
Pae-jon nodded at Seongyul’s unyielding expression.
He was perceptive and quick-witted without needing to be told.
Judging by his manner, he seemed to be the type who quietly fulfills his tasks without any complaints.
‘It’s puzzling why my disciple doesn’t measure up to that.’
The one he barely groomed in his later years wouldn’t listen, had a nasty temper, and showed no respect for his mentor.
Blessings regarding disciples appeared to be scant.
‘…If only the talent he possessed was a bit mediocre, I would have sent him packing immediately.’
It was ironic that such a character bore tremendous potential.
Initially, he thought the young lad might be slower to grasp skills relative to his peak level.
The guy who hadn’t even reached maturity had reached his zenith, and with time, he brushed against a higher realm.
In the Murim Alliance, it seemed this fact was concealed albeit unbeknownst to him.
It was safe to assert he was likely the youngest to attain this hallmark in history.
He truly was a genius like no other; however, Gu Yangcheon exuded an inexplicable lack of confidence.
Correspondingly, for martial skills, he didn’t seem particularly adept, leaving Pae-jon with questions.
Yet, what truly mattered was how much pain one could endure while training the “Tuapacheonmu” and the potential of the underlying physique to accept it.
Pae-jon had shrugged the significance aside.
What if it was slightly unpolished?
If it doesn’t function, he can fix it.
Years rolled by with this outlook.
Nonetheless, even Pae-jon’s thoughts evolved over time.
‘That lad is a genius.’
He was convinced.
While he might have lacked in martial arts, he possessed an eerie level of control when indulging in bets.
Although he didn’t seem conscious of it yet, his capabilities were astonishing, even by Pae-jon’s standards.
He seemed blissfully unaware of how challenging it was to ignite and extinguish a colossal flame.
Martial arts that yielded explosive effects as chemical warfare could only be attempted by those blessed with innate talent.
This made them especially demanding martial arts in terms of using bets.
Just having ample stock of energy doesn’t mean one could effortlessly release air pressure.
If unleashed recklessly, the danjeon would undoubtedly suffer injury.
Yet, Gu Yangcheon nonchalantly concentrated or restrained firepower.
Simultaneously, he guided it gently to avoid undue physical strain.
Moreover, if Gu Yangcheon’s energy was strikingly copious, it should have been increasingly burdensome.
‘That guy appeared fine.’
As volume increases, the effort amplifies too.
If absent, it simply isn’t there.
Gu Yangcheon seemed to face no apparent difficulties regarding this.
Pae-jon felt shivers rise within him as he beheld Gu Yangcheon’s previous display.
The energy surging from all directions.
Could any mere mortal possibly bear such immense quantity?
Moreover, wielding violence was monstrous in its own right, especially when it’s not your own…
‘He applied control without any issue.’
That sight, although hard to admit, was remarkable.
With a minor misstep, the energy would have exploded, and its subsequent detonation would have been insurmountable, even for Pae-jon.
On that fine edge, Gu Yangcheon danced gracefully, as if he were oblivious to the danger.
He toyed with the energy, exhibiting disdain for any sense of crisis. Eventually, he collected it all in one spot, shoving it into his mouth.
‘What a lunatic.’
Pae-jon chuckled while reminiscing about this.
Over eighty and counting.
To others, it seemed an extensive life, while to himself, it felt rather brief.
Living that life, he took pride in believing there was no one who surpassed him in martial arts.
It remains unchanged till today.
Pae-jon knew his natural endowment well.
It seemed he might have considered himself the best several decades ago.
However.
Things had shifted a bit.
As he pondered the brief display of martial prowess exhibited by Gu Cheol-woon, the head of the Gu clan, as well as the eye-catching acrobatic show from his disciple, many thoughts crossed his mind.
‘I cannot grasp that household.’
What a coincidence that they share a surname while being father and son.
Could it be that heaven and earth have cast some blessing upon their house?
While it was absurd, expectations surged once more.
‘What would occur if my disciple realizes his potential over time?’
Such questions revolved in his mind, yet he refrained from sharing them.
‘…I’d rather not alert him, lest he becomes insufferably arrogant.’
Pae-jon detested people with low self-esteem, but he loathed the conceited ones even more.
‘In any case, he’d likely come to realize it soon enough. For now, it’s best to let it be.’
Even his father, Hohyeop, must have known, yet chose to remain silent on that subject.
As his mentor, there was no necessary pressure to intervene.
‘But looking at it that way, why hasn’t the old man voiced anything?’
Given the level of understanding one would have as a father, he was damned sure he understood his child’s talent.
This left him puzzled.
‘Could it be…’
As the thought crossed his mind, Pae-jon found himself lost in contemplation.
‘He wouldn’t consider it a talent worth mentioning because it seems so inherent to him, right?’
When he contemplated Gu Cheol-woon’s silence, a flicker of hope crossed his mind, leading to Pae-jon to shake his head, discarding that thought.
‘Such an absurd possibility couldn’t hold water.’
It sounded ludicrous, even to himself.
Pae-jon patted Seongyul’s shoulder before making his way onward.
Since no one was likely to come, he decided to head toward where the others were.
Swoosh—!
“Hm?”
Suddenly, darkness cast a shadow over the ground.
A shadow loomed overhead, shutting out the surroundings. Pae-jon diverted his gaze toward the peculiar sight.
It wasn’t only him. Seongyul and Gu Yangcheon had also turned their eyes to the source of the shadow.
Their only difference? Gu Yangcheon appeared far more irritable.
“That damn brat.”
He swore while staring up at the sky.
“He wouldn’t show his face despite my calling, and now that it’s all done, he finally shows up.”
Growl—!
In response to Gu Yangcheon’s words, the being that shrouded the sky uttered a roar.
Its cry was as primal as that of a beast yet grander in magnitude.
A creature so massive it could obscure the entire sky radiated its presence.
Its long, thick body writhed around.
When that being drew near in the air, Gu Yangcheon narrowed his eyes.
“What is that?”
It all felt a bit off.
Growl—!!
The ground trembled under the resounding roar. Gu Yangcheon spoke up.
“…Why has it grown so large?”
The name was Ddol-ddol.
Age: three.
The already sizable creature had grown even larger than before.
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