Chapter 31: Just Bear It Three Times. (1)

Endure It Three Times (1)

Two hours before the incident occurred.

This was the point when I entered the dining area amicably with that crazy Namgung bastard.

It seemed the dining area was only for the late-stage disciples who sought out the Tang family, as the only one who looked past the age of majority was the family head.

Sichuan people particularly prefer intense flavors, and among them, they are famous for their spicy taste.

The food was spread out so abundantly that the table legs seemed ready to buckle, and the moment I sat down, the pungent aroma assaulted my nostrils with overwhelming intensity.

‘Just smelling it makes my stomach churn.’

Of course, there were milder dishes served intermittently for the guests, so I figured I could just eat those.

Dumplings again, even after coming all the way to Sichuan…….

…Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad?

The Tang family head glanced at the assembled guests with a slight smile, then called his household members to have them taste the food one by one.

Given the Tang family’s characteristic use of poison, it was an unspoken courtesy to ensure the safety of the guests and the food before they ate.

Of course, whether that actually inspires trust is another matter.

“It is nothing special. Please enjoy your meal.”

As the Tang family head spoke, everyone slowly began to eat.

I didn’t tell Wi Seol-ah I was coming, I hope she isn’t sulking?

‘….Hmm.’

I wasn’t sure, but I figured she’d take care of herself and eat well.

Even as I slowly moved my chopsticks towards the food, I kept hesitating.

It was because of Tang Soyeol, who sat next to the Tang family head, not eating but glaring at me.

‘…I’m going to get indigestion at this rate.’

Why is she acting like that again?

Under Tang Soyeol’s inexplicable, burning gaze, I repeatedly picked up and put down a dumpling.

Tang Soyeol used to look at me with that same gaze whenever we crossed paths in my previous life.

She never spoke, just kept glaring, so eventually, I got fed up and cursed at her, asking why she kept doing that.

Absurdly, Tang Soyeol burst into tears right in front of me.

I mean, I just asked her why she was glaring, why was she the one crying?

‘But I have to watch her act like this in this life too….’

Does she have some kind of grudge against me? She shouldn’t have any connection to the Tang family.

Does she dislike me eating dumplings?

…Or maybe she just doesn’t like the way I look?

I’ve heard people say I have a bad impression my whole life, so it doesn’t bother me anymore.

I tried my best to pretend I didn’t notice and barely managed to pick up and eat a dumpling.

Chomp!

‘…Shit.’

The moment I chewed the dumpling, I almost spat it out.

Why is this so spicy? I almost got completely overwhelmed by letting my guard down.

The problem was the stares I’d get from everyone around me if I spat out food here.

As I was pondering what to do, someone next to me offered a glass of water.

It was Namgung Bi-ah.

I was momentarily taken aback, but since it was urgent, I took it and drank.

What did they put in this to make the dumpling this spicy? After barely swallowing, I thanked Namgung Bi-ah.

“Thank you. So-jeo.”

Namgung Bi-ah gave a slight nod as if to say ‘you’re welcome’ and carefully placed something onto my plate.

When I wondered what it was, she had peeled the flesh off some unknown grilled fish and placed it there.

As I looked at it, wondering what it could be.

“This isn’t spicy….”

“…Yes?”

“I figured you couldn’t handle spicy food….”

Was she watching all that?

“I appreciate it, but why the sudden informal speech…?”

“…yo.”

“….”

What’s this? Is she trying to pick a fight?

I glanced at her, wondering if she was randomly trying to provoke me, but her expression didn’t seem to indicate that.

Then why is she acting like this?

I felt a bit uncomfortable being treated like a child, but since she didn’t seem to have bad intentions, there wasn’t much I could say.

Crack.

Suddenly hearing something snap, I checked and saw that the chopsticks in Namgung Cheon-jun’s hand had broken.

The Tang family head looked at it and said in surprise.

“Ah, it seems these chopsticks were in poor condition.”

“No, it’s just that I tend to grip my chopsticks a bit tightly.”

“Sorry, Cheon-jun, I’ll bring you another one right away.”

“You don’t need to worry about it. Tang Hyung-nim, I apologize for carelessly breaking your property as well. I’ll be more careful.”

After showing such courtesy, he glanced sideways at me.

As if to spite him, I popped the side dish Namgung Bi-ah had given me into my mouth.

Seeing that, the corner of his eye twitched.

Why would something like this make him so angry? I couldn’t understand it at all.

Ignoring his gaze and picking only the relatively less spicy foods, the mealtime ended quickly.

I wanted to just eat and run, but from the Tang family head’s perspective, this invitation wasn’t just for a meal.

It was a gathering of the Namgung and Gu families, and likely other Sichuan sects and clans friendly with the Tang family.

Perhaps, even if not grandly, it was intended as a small gathering for fostering camaraderie.

After the meal ended and the conversation began, most questions were directed at Namgung Cheon-jun.

Naturally, as the direct descendant of one of the Four Great Clans, pillars of the righteous path, he received concentrated attention.

Naturally, many questions were also showered upon Namgung Bi-ah, but her characteristic curt replies and emotionless, blunt tone quickly ended the questioning.

‘Yes….’

‘Ah…?’

‘Hmm….’

When she gave non-answers like these, how could others continue to engage her in conversation?

Since the Gu family was also a prestigious clan in its own right, someone approached me to converse. I just smiled appropriately and brushed it off.

Talking with so many people seemed like it would quickly exhaust me, but that Namgung guy seemed to be enjoying it instead.

‘It’s his calling, truly his calling.’

As I spaced out, waiting for it to end, I felt someone sit beside me.

Wondering who it was this time, I looked and saw it was none other than Tang Soyeol.

“…?”

Tang Soyeol cleared her throat once and drank her tea as if nothing was wrong, but I could see her ears were slightly red.

She seemed strange, just like during the meal.

“Tang So-jeo.”

“Uh…. Yes?”

“Do you have something you want to say to me?”

“No…! I, I don’t.”

That’s not true, she looks like she has a ton to say.

As I frowned and glanced at her slightly menacingly, her ears turned even redder.

Then, as if unable to bear it any longer, she averted her gaze.

Do I look that scary? If so, there’d be no reason for her to sit next to me.

Seriously, what is the reason for this?

“Ahem…. Ahem….”

Tang Soyeol kept clearing her throat, as if she had a blockage in her neck.

After hesitating for a long time, Tang Soyeol quietly whispered to me.

“Young Master Gu, perhaps…. do you like….”

“Tang Hyung-nim, is that training ground down there?”

She was trying to ask something nervously, but Namgung Cheon-jun’s voice drowned her out.

I looked to see what it was, and he was asking about the large building visible outside the window.

Wondering if she had been trying to ask me something, I asked Tang Soyeol again.

“Tang So-jeo, what was that?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Despite saying it’s nothing, she’s glaring at Namgung Cheon-jun like she wants to kill him?

‘If it was important, she’d ask again.’

The Tang family head answered Namgung Cheon-jun’s question.

“Ah, it’s a training ground exclusively for clan members. Did I not show you last time you visited?”

“That large?”

“We maintain it regularly…. Although, honestly, no one uses it after building it, since everyone has their own training grounds.”

Namgung Cheon-jun looked at the training ground with a peculiar expression and said to the Tang family head.

“I’d like to take a look. May I?”

“Hmm…. Well, it seems the conversation is over. Shall we all take a look around together then?”

Is it finally the end?

Thinking about it now, if I knew there would be this much troublesome stuff involved, wouldn’t it have been better to run away from home, as Elder Yi suggested?

Wasn’t that practically the wisest course of action?

‘To think a day would come when I’d consider Elder Yi wise.’

I thought it would never happen….

Following the guide, the inside of the training ground we descended into was cleaner than expected.

They said they didn’t use it, yet they maintained it, and indeed, it was kept tidy.

It looked easily four times larger than the training ground I used when beating Gu Jeolyub.

Was there really a need to build it this large?

‘…Ah, that’s probably why they aren’t using it.’

If it’s too big, it’s inefficient for that very reason.

Although it was a training ground with nothing much to see besides its sheer size, perhaps because everyone here was a martial artist, they had the most interested expressions I’d seen today.

The floor was made of a hard material.

It didn’t seem like ordinary stone was embedded there. Even using sword energy wouldn’t easily leave a mark.

Was the reason for its size perhaps due to the Tang family’s specialty in handling hidden weapons? If so, shouldn’t the walls have been made of a material that weapons could easily embed into?

“It’s incredibly spacious.”

“Our ancestors intended for it to be used largely if possible…. I don’t really understand it myself.”

Namgung Cheon-jun looked around here and there, saying.

“It’s such a great training ground…. It’s a shame it’s not being used anymore.”

“There are times when individual training is more efficient. This place isn’t usually for training, but rather used as a sparring ground.”

“Sparring, I see.”

“There was a time when Soyeol spent ages trying to beat me here…. But now that she’s grown up, she doesn’t seem keen on sparring anymore.”

“Oppa!”

Tang Soyeol, standing beside me, yelled out sharply.

Then she glanced sideways at me.

Namgung Cheon-jun took a wooden sword hanging on the training ground wall and began swinging it a few times.

Setting aside his personality, the name ‘Brain Dragon’ wasn’t undeserved; even his casual movements felt upright and proper.

“Since the meal is over and we could use some digestion, how about a short sparring match?”

At Brain Dragon’s suggestion of a sparring match, the eyes of the others lit up.

A sparring match with Namgung’s Brain Dragon – everyone could feel their excitement at this rare opportunity.

But why so suddenly?

“What do you say? Young Hero Gu.”

“…Huh?”

I must have misheard something.

As if certain I would agree, Namgung Cheon-jun looked at me, holding the wooden sword.

“Won’t you have a sparring match with me?”

“Me?”

I thought I misheard, but I didn’t. And he specifically pointed at me.

His intention was obvious.

‘This bastard?’

He must be angrier than I thought and wants to vent his frustration somehow.

Of course, I had no intention of doing so.

I was about to politely refuse when.

“I won’t….”

“No!”

“Huh?”

Everyone’s gaze turned towards the person who cut me off and shouted abruptly.

It was Tang Soyeol.

Tang Soyeol herself looked momentarily bewildered, her face flushing bright red.

Still, she seemed determined to say what she needed to say and continued.

“Cheon-jun Oppa and Young Master Gu have an age gap and a skill gap, so how could they spar? What if, what if your face gets hurt?”

“It’s fine. We won’t use internal energy on each other, and couldn’t we essentially do it in a teaching-sparring format?”

Namgung Cheon-jun said, putting on a friendly smile.

His words made me let out a hollow laugh.

Teaching-sparring?

Not using internal energy?

Reading his mind, he just needs an excuse to beat me up.

Why is that bastard so hell-bent on getting me?

I asked Namgung Cheon-jun.

“Is it possible?”

My tone carried a hint of emotion.

“What is?”

“If it’s teaching-sparring, it means you intend to impart knowledge to me. My question is whether you possess the level to teach me without even using internal energy.”

At my words, the others gasped in surprise, swallowing nervously.

To Namgung Cheon-jun, son of the Namgung family head, the Azure Sky Sword King (蒼天劍王) Namgung Jin, and the current Brain Dragon among the Five Dragons and Three Peaks.

A late-stage disciple whose name hasn’t even spread yet was questioning if you, Namgung Cheon-jun, were at a level to teach him.

At this, the Tang family head, sensing the situation turning awkward, quickly intervened.

“Young Hero Gu, no matter what, Cheon-jun is your senior. Your words are a bit much….”

“My level is more than sufficient. If you wish, I can even face you without using one of my legs.”

Namgung Cheon-jun’s face was smiling, but the tension in his neck showed how much anger he was suppressing.

“Fine, then.”

Tsk.

A long time ago, someone told me to endure things three times.

They said I was too fiery for a place where knowing your limits was key to survival.

My answer was always the same.

‘That bastard is acting like a dick.’

‘If you act the same way just because he’s being a dick, aren’t you just being a dick together?’

‘Then I’ll just live like a dick. How can a person just endure everything?’

‘What kind of bullshit is that… Wait, why do my words keep turning into this!’

For a martial artist who wields fire arts as their foundation, isn’t being fiery actually a compliment?

‘If it’s something trivial, just endure it three times. If you do that, you’ll surely survive.’

I never ended up listening to that advice….

So, sometime later, after those words became the dying wish of a dead man, I’ve tried my best to abide by them.

It was a world where the saying ‘know your limits’ was deeply ingrained in one’s very being.

“I think I’ve endured about three times now.”

In the center of the training ground, Namgung Cheon-jun and I stood facing each other.

I think I endured that Namgung guy crossing the line about three times.

Or maybe not? Did I endure more than three times? If I did endure more, then I guess I did my best, which is fortunate.

He was still smiling.

His expression was full of confidence, convinced he could never lose.

Or maybe he was just excited by the fact that he could legally beat me up.

“I’ll yield the first move to you.”

“Alright.”

I had no intention of refusing. It was a leap without any stakes for the first time in a while.

He slowly picked up the sword he had lowered.

He was probably picking it up slowly just to tease me.

I approached him and threw a punch. It was a standard straight punch, without any special tricks.

‘As expected.’

Namgung Cheon-jun tilted his head to dodge, his face seemingly saying just that.

I swung my arm with a mind devoid of thought. I didn’t mix in any particular body techniques.

‘I can’t do them yet, anyway.’

All that could be heard was the sound of my flailing arm cutting through the air.

Namgung Cheon-jun, having easily dodged the subsequent kick that followed the punch, said.

“I think I’ve seen enough. I shall begin now, Young Hero Gu.”

I didn’t reply.

Namgung Cheon-jun immediately swung his sword.

As expected, it was fast and sharp.

“Oh….”

“He’s not using internal energy, yet he’s this fast….”

Admiration leaked from the other late-stage disciples watching.

Even to them, Namgung Cheon-jun’s swordsmanship was admirable.

The arc cutting through the air was unwavering. It contained both speed and Namgung’s inherent sharpness.

The first sword strike, the second strike – I narrowly dodged the sword. However, there was no surprise on his face.

He must have intended it that way from the start.

Namgung Cheon-jun put force into his lower body.

I could see the movement extending from his neckline towards his shoulders.

Without giving me time to think, Namgung Cheon-jun launched the third sword strike.

As expected, the previous movements were feints; this was the real attack he was aiming for.

It was a sword aimed at my shoulder, not my head which could have ended it in one blow.

Seeing it, I reached out my hand.

Clack!

Thump-!

“…Huh?”

It was Namgung Cheon-jun who made the sound.

He examined his hand. The wooden sword he was holding rolled across the floor.

“…What the.”

I looked at Namgung Cheon-jun with bored eyes.

I had no more thoughts on his movements.

“What are you doing?”

At my question, Namgung Cheon-jun’s pupils trembled slightly.

If I may be so bold.

I probably know more about Namgung swordsmanship than he does.

How many times did I wrestle with the crazed Sword Marquis to stop her?

How many times did I witness Namgung Bi-ah swinging her sword late at night?

At that time, her sword had already transcended the chronic weaknesses inherent in the Namgung family.

Of course, the current Namgung Bi-ah was just watching with a blank expression.

She, who surpassed even the current family head and annihilated the Namgung clan, was Namgung’s greatest master.

Compared to the sword the Sword Marquis wielded back then….

The Namgung swordsmanship displayed by the current Namgung Cheon-jun is merely an empty shell full of weaknesses.

Furthermore, without internal energy, there was no reason why I couldn’t win.

I looked at him, flustered, and said.

“Aren’t you going to pick it up?”

Then I’ll go.