Chapter 299: Zhuge Jinseon. (4)

It felt like his eyeballs were rolling around.

What is this? What kind of situation is this?

Cheol Jiseon.

No, his real name, Zhuge Jinseon, had to figure out the situation while diligently rolling his eyeballs.

‘What in the world is going on here?’

Where did it all go wrong?

Why was he here?

He couldn’t understand anything.

It just felt like his head was hardening.

“Would you like to try some of this?”

“You know, Gongja-nim, do you know what happened earlier?”

“…”

The sight before him was still unbelievable.

‘Snow Phoenix on the left, Poison Phoenix on the right…….’

These were people Zhuge Jinseon knew.

If you were a late-stage martial artist living in the Central Plains, you couldn’t possibly not know their appearances.

Although they hadn’t introduced themselves.

Zhuge Jinseon could recognize them the moment he saw them.

‘And… I don’t know about the other one….’

There was one more woman, impossibly beautiful.

A woman whose appearance could make you lose yourself for a moment just by looking.

“…!”

That woman was looking at him.

Meeting her icy blue eyes.

Zhuge Jinseon turned his head without realizing it.

‘…Seriously, what is going on.’

If I had to say where it went wrong.

It was greed that was the problem.

The person stuffing food into his mouth, looking exhausted amidst the women.

Approaching that person was probably the biggest mistake.

‘…I should have just diligently hunted demonic beasts.’

While taking the test.

It was a mistake to think ‘What a crazy bastard, sleeping there’ and try to approach him easily.

While everyone else was targeting each other.

If someone was lying there peacefully resting.

He must be someone significant.

Blinded by greed, I momentarily forgot that.

‘No way, it was that True Dragon.’

I just thought he was a scary-looking guy.

His identity was an unexpected heavyweight.

True Dragon (眞龍). Gu Yangcheon.

According to predictions, a martial artist who reached the pinnacle at the youngest age, and

The brother of Sword Phoenix, known as the foremost late-stage martial artist.

A dragon and a phoenix chosen from among countless soaring stars.

A late-stage martial artist given the arrogant moniker of the True Dragon among them.

The overwhelming power unseen for someone his age.

Rumors were already rampant throughout the Central Plains.

Added rumors included:

Interfering in the duel between Geom-ryong and Jam-ryong.

Possessing the level to subdue both in an instant, and

They say heroes are fond of beautiful women, don’t they?

‘…Didn’t they say he was a lecher who lived surrounded by women? And each one was exceedingly beautiful.’

The Central Plains, as always.

Was a place full of exaggerations in its rumors, so

You couldn’t easily believe anything, but

The last part was especially so.

‘Looking like that, I wondered how beautiful women would flock to him.’

The rumors were true, without exaggeration.

The sight of him enjoying the women serving him food in the middle.

Truly, a lecher in the truest sense.

That was him.

To be caught by such a guy, of all people.

Moreover, being Sword Phoenix’s brother.

There were many stories saying his temper wasn’t very good.

‘…That was even worse than the rumors.’

It was the face of a predator with prey before him.

Although he tried to be friendly, calling me a friend and such.

As Zhuge Jinseon felt it.

‘He messed with me, so I’ll torment him until he dies…!’

That’s how it looked.

My skin crawled.

Hearing him say that with that fierce face.

Honestly, I almost pissed myself.

‘The problem is….’

Zhuge Jinseon secretly clenched his fist.

Zhuge Jinseon didn’t know the truth behind why the person called True Dragon dragged him here, but

What was important was.

-Do you have a sister?

The words True Dragon said while looking at Zhuge Jinseon were the problem.

‘I hope he doesn’t know…’

Everything was filled with questions.

The moment he met True Dragon was definitely an accident that started due to his own fault, but

The subsequent actions he showed.

Made it impossible not to suspect everything.

-What’s your name.

When I told him my name.

-Add your surname too.

The image of True Dragon asking back firmly surfaced.

Grabbing his neck, saying if he wouldn’t answer.

The look in his eyes that threatened to break his arm first.

Anyone could see he was serious.

Was he really a martial artist of the orthodox path?

It was vastly different from what he knew.

‘…He doesn’t know, does he?’

About my identity.

True Dragon doesn’t know, right?

Zhuge Jinseon had to swallow the rising anxiety inwardly.

There’s no way he found out.

My objective either.

Since no one should know about my identity.

And even if, by some slim chance, my objective and identity were discovered.

I had to hide my sister, at the very least.

By any means necessary.

‘It’s… okay, they were all targets for approach anyway.’

Whether it was Snow Phoenix or Poison Phoenix.

True Dragon, if I passed the entrance exam for the Dragon God Pavilion, they were all targets for approach.

I wondered if it would work out as planned.

‘Maybe this is for the best.’

Although I was dragged here half-forcibly.

Wouldn’t this situation be better?

Moreover, True Dragon even took care of my admission by securing my spot.

It was somewhat beneficial… it must be beneficial, right?

“…Gulp.”

Meanwhile, our eyes meet.

I made eye contact right with True Dragon, who dragged me here.

The moment I met that gaze.

I felt like my breath caught in my throat.

‘…So scary.’

He should be scary, but not this scary.

Just his gaze made my legs tremble.

“My friend.”

“…Y-Yes!”

Hearing him call me ‘friend’ makes my voice tremble.

Why does he keep calling me that?

Could it be another meaning of ‘slave’ that True Dragon uses?

It must be.

I was clearly captured as True Dragon’s slave.

“Aren’t you eating?”

True Dragon picked up a piece of food in front of him with his chopsticks.

He showed it to Zhuge Jinseon and asked.

“I-I don’t have an appetite…”

“Oh? But food gives strength. Such a young fellow, tsk tsk.”

To Zhuge Jinseon’s answer.

True Dragon, as if unconcerned, stuffed the food back into his mouth.

As he did, the side dishes quickly moved.

It was the hands of Snow Phoenix and the white-haired woman.

They seemed to be switching the dishes placed before True Dragon.

‘…They’re going that far?’

What on earth is True Dragon?

To Zhuge Jinseon, it was like a fantasy.

Making it feel less real.

“Gongja-nim, aren’t you thirsty?”

“Thirsty… No, what did you put in that?”

“Nothing much. Just steeped some leaves good for digestion?”

“…What’s the name of those leaves?”

“Huiryeongcho.”

“That… That’s a poisonous herb that paralyzes the stomach.”

“Oh, come on! Gongja-nim, would someone really get paralyzed from drinking this? Seriously? I find it helps when I feel indigestion.”

“Usually, you know. They call it a poisonous herb because it paralyzes…”

It was Poison Phoenix who subtly and cheerfully offered the poisonous herb tea to True Dragon.

The situation was bizarre.

I heard True Dragon was engaged to Namgung Sega’s Sword Dancer.

‘Then, that beautiful woman….’

The white-haired beauty.

Could she be Namgung Bi-ah, nicknamed Sword Dancer?

The probability was high.

‘They called her the Number One Beauty of Anhui.’

Truly, that saying was valid.

Among the women Zhuge Jinseon had seen since birth.

She was the first person prettier than his own sister.

“Oh right, my friend.”

“Yes…”

“You don’t have to use polite speech, we’re friends, right?”

“…”

“Answer.”

“Uh… Yeah!”

Friends, my ass.

How is this friendship?

Zhuge Jinseon doesn’t know well since he has no friends, but

At least by common sense, he knew this wasn’t friendship.

‘…Save me. Sister.’

He clenched his teeth, thinking of his sister inwardly.

I must endure this too.

-Crises will always happen.

Before choosing to go to the Central Plains.

These were the words his sister had told him.

-Sister didn’t want you to go, but if you’re going anyway, please do your best, my brother.

‘…’

Since ancient times, sister’s words were always right.

It seemed the same now.

I shouldn’t have come.

Ah, why does regret always come too late?

Zhuge Jinseon could only feel regret.

“Oh right, I had your lodging moved here.”

“…Huh? No, huh? What do you mean…”

“You said you were sleeping in some stable-like place. How can you sleep there? I moved your luggage and everything, so sleep here.”

Seeing True Dragon say that with a smirk.

“…”

Zhuge Jinseon sensed his future was screwed.

That devil-like guy seems to intend to keep me by his side and truly use me like a slave.

I really picked the wrong target.

Should I run away now?

‘No…’

Not yet.

Zhuge Jinseon recalled his objective.

‘Somehow, I need to establish my position at the Dragon God Pavilion.’

Meet many people.

Build many connections.

Obtain many things.

‘Save my sister.’

And also.

Someday, reveal my surname.

And restore my fallen and tarnished surname.

This journey to the Central Plains was for that purpose.

Even amidst all this.

Zhuge Jinseon remembered what his sister had earnestly asked him.

-Jinseon-ah.

Sister, with her pale, emaciated hand, held his cheek and pleaded.

-No matter what happens, you must not use that power. Promise me, sister.

He linked his finger with her trembling pinky finger, lacking strength, and promised.

He strengthened his resolve.

‘You can do it, Jinseon.’

Zhuge Jinseon decided to forget for a moment.

Right now, he was Cheol Jiseon of Eulpyeong Cheolga.

And.

Looking at Zhuge Jinseon like that.

Gu Yangcheon’s eyes were shining.

---

Watching Cheol Jiseon’s stiff expression, I thought.

‘That guy keeps rolling his eyeballs.’

It seems he’s got a lot on his mind.

That fellow seems to be constantly churning his thoughts.

I don’t know if he’s made some resolve by now, but

‘He’s definitely hiding something.’

His reactions are unusually obvious.

He probably isn’t used to that sort of thing.

It’s very noticeable.

‘Even better.’

It was more convenient for me.

It’s good to keep him close.

‘For now, I’ll keep him by my side.’

Since I found him early, I should keep him close and try to persuade him well.

The best option would be to become friends, but

‘I’m not exactly sincere about it either, so moderately.’

There’s no way I’m good at becoming friends with someone.

I’ll try, but I’m not sure.

At least the start wasn’t bad.

We’ve progressed to being friends.

And since he said he was sleeping in some weird stable.

I used a bit of my power to move his lodging, so

He must be happy inwardly, right?

‘I feel like we’ve already gotten much closer.’

I nodded.

For me, this feels like I’m doing exceptionally well.

I’ve grown so much! Gu Yangcheon.

Making friends and all.

He flinches and startles whenever he sees me, but

That will probably resolve itself.

Maybe.

After roughly filling my stomach.

I took a sip of tea.

“…?”

My tongue tip tingled.

What is this foreign sensation?

I immediately looked towards Tang Soyeol.

Then Tang Soyeol slightly avoided my gaze.

“…Hey.”

“Hehet.”

“Hehet…?”

“No… it’s really good for digestion, Gongja-nim. Please try it.”

“If a normal person drinks this, they’ll die… they’ll die.”

I absolutely won’t drink it.

Tang Soyeol ended up giving me the poisonous tea.

“Oh, come on… they won’t die… maybe?”

Why are you hesitating? It’s scary.

“…Why do you keep trying to make me drink poisonous tea.”

“The toxicity… it increases, so there’s nothing bad about it. It tastes good too.”

“…”

Tang Soyeol wouldn’t really try to kill me by feeding me poisonous herbs like this, but

“Drinking things like this doesn’t increase toxicity, nor does it taste good.”

Unless you really stuff a handful down or

Bathe in water full of toxins, maybe.

Resistance doesn’t build up that easily.

Moreover, if you eat or bathe like that.

Usually, you die.

‘If you don’t have the Tang family’s internal energy cultivation, that is.’

The Tang family’s internal energy cultivation.

It’s the source that allows the use of poison arts, and the reason the Tang family, belonging to the orthodox sects.

Allowed them to secretly operate as assassins.

For that reason.

It’s possible for Tang Soyeol to eat and enjoy poisonous herbs like that.

‘Immunity to all poisons….’

Exactly as the name implies.

You can consider it resistance to almost all poisons.

It was the ultimate state the Tang family dreamed of.

The reason one of Tang Soyeol’s eyes was shining bright green.

Was because he was gradually getting closer to immunity to all poisons.

In my past life, the Poisonous Empress was known to have actually achieved immunity to all poisons.

Considering that.

I don’t know about martial arts, but

At the very least, regarding talent in poisons, Tang Soyeol could be considered the most overwhelming in the entire Central Plains.

‘It’s still ambiguous, though.’

Tang Soyeol is at an ambiguous level as a martial artist, but

Since he doesn’t neglect his own efforts, his level will naturally rise over time.

Won’t he eventually inherit the title of Poisonous Empress?

Of course.

‘The future will be different, though.’

I will make the Poisonous Empress’s end different.

I didn’t want her to die so miserably.

‘To save someone I killed with my own hands, with my own hands. Is that really right?’

It was a thought that raised questions.

And the guilt that surfaced whenever I saw Tang Soyeol.

That’s why I must save him even more, but

“…Anyway, I’m good, so you drink all of this.”

“Uh… Gongja-nim.”

“Why.”

“Can I drink from Gongja-nim’s cup?”

“…?”

“It was a… joke. Hehe…”

Seeing my disgusted expression.

Tang Soyeol changed the subject, saying it was a joke.

It really was a joke, right?

As if finding me a bit creepy, he patted my shoulder.

Namgung Bi-ah, who was pouring water into my cup, spoke to me.

-You know.

It was telepathic communication.

-Hm?

I answered immediately, but

This is bad.

Just communicating telepathically caused a slight pain in my lower abdomen.

-That person… what is he?

Namgung Bi-ah asked, gesturing with her eyes.

She was asking about Cheol Jiseon.

-What do you mean? I told you, he’s a friend?

I answered as if asking why she’d ask such a thing, but

Namgung Bi-ah was looking at me with clear eyes.

Her gaze suggested that wasn’t the case.

‘So perceptive.’

Anyway, despite usually being airheaded, she’s quick-witted at times like this.

Perhaps she’s just always pretending to be airheaded.

Isn’t Namgung Bi-ah always perceptive?

I even started thinking that.

Looking into Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes.

I gave my answer, seemingly unable to refuse.

-A hidden weapon.

-A hidden weapon?

-Yeah, a hidden weapon.

The hidden weapon I wanted.

To kill Jang Seonyeon.

A hidden weapon that might pierce through everything happening now.

The power he possessed was worth it.

To me, that guy Cheol Jiseon meant just that.

Therefore, I must keep him close and not let him go.

My eyes meet Cheol Jiseon’s.

He still seemed tense, so I smiled at him once.

It was meant to tell him to relax and be comfortable, but

“Ugh…!”

Seeing my smile, he flinched as if scared.

As if he’d seen something he shouldn’t have.

‘…That bastard?’

Since we’re friends, it should be okay to hit him a bit, right?

It should be fine.

Friends felt like that to me even in my past life.

I was usually the one getting hit, but

This time, it felt like it would be different.

---

Three days passed since then.

The test taken by the sect members also ended.

The day to officially enter the Dragon God Pavilion had arrived.

Fortunately, no one among our group failed.

It was perhaps natural.

Gu Yeonseo was a bit worrying, but

It seems she managed to get through it tenaciously.

Climbing towards the opposite side of the mountain where the test was held.

A mountain resembling a snake’s body appears.

Although it had a separate name.

It seemed people usually called it Snake Mountain.

It was simple, I guess. I liked that the name was straightforward.

Following the path straight up to the mountain peak.

The massive building of the Dragon God Pavilion, which I had so longed to reach, appeared.

It was damn big.

The buildings I saw in Namgung Sega or Dangmun.

All possessed majesty, but

As the capacity and significance were different.

The Dragon God Pavilion felt much grander.

Should I say it looks like a fortress?

‘It’s a waste of money, a total waste.’

Merchants and citizens probably don’t give donations for that purpose.

Why did they build it so extravagantly?

That’s all I could think from my perspective.

Going inside and following the guide.

I arrived at a place filled with people.

The aura of everyone gathered was sharp.

Famous families and prestigious clans.

Since only those filtered through the test were gathered among them.

It’s only natural that it feels different.

‘Still, they look like little kids.’

I can see sharp auras intermittently.

Those guys were definitely destined for greatness later.

And over there, far away.

I see an old man standing on the platform.

Cheonghae Ilgeom.

The current sect leader of Kunlun, and

If you were to pick sword masters in the Central Plains.

He was a master ranked within the top five.

The martial artists surrounding him also seemed to be Kunlun Taoists.

‘This feels different.’

To think I’d see that old man here like this.

He’s an old man with whom I had a connection in my past life.

Though it wasn’t a particularly pleasant connection.

After a little more time passed.

When all the late-stage martial artists gathered and the scheduled time arrived.

-Welcome, stars who have entered this Dragon God Pavilion.

Cheonghae Ilgeom opened his mouth.

To summarize.

It was a long and incredibly boring speech of admonition.

Welcome. Congratulations. Work hard. You are the future!

It was that kind of talk.

Actually, I wasn’t half listening from the middle onwards, so I don’t remember well.

It wasn’t a very important speech, so it probably doesn’t matter.

-Lastly, I shall introduce the stars who received good results in this entrance examination.

-First, Jang Seonyeon of Group 1.

At the familiar voice, I finally lifted my head.

Along with it, murmuring sounds could be heard.

-Jang Seonyeon, is that Sinseong? As expected, rumors said he was outstanding.

-He looks young too, isn’t that amazing?

-They said he had good character, and he’s handsome too, he has it all.

-I happened to be in the examination hall with him… Well, Sinseong hit the stone tablet…

It was all gossip that tickled my ears.

The people around murmured as they watched Jang Seonyeon step forward at Cheonghae Ilgeom’s call.

-But, the first person called should be the second-runner-up… Does that mean there are two more above Sinseong?

-If so, wouldn’t it naturally be Jam-ryong or Geom-ryong?

Cheonghae Ilgeom patted Jang Seonyeon’s shoulder and offered congratulations.

-Congratulations.

-…Thank you…

Jang Seonyeon bowed formally and took his stance, but

He didn’t look entirely pleased.

‘Can’t even manage his expression properly. Bastard.’

Is the second-runner-up feeling his pride hurt?

This bastard doesn’t know how good he has it.

Next, Cheonghae Ilgeom immediately called the next person.

-Next… Wi Seol-ah of Group 1.

The moment I heard it, I had to freeze.

‘…Why is her name coming up here?’

Wi Seol-ah?

It was rather abrupt.

The other late-stage martial artists also seemed to hear the name for the first time, and the murmuring grew louder at the unexpected situation.

-Who is Wi Seol-ah? Which family is she from? A sect?

-They say she surpassed Sinseong, yet it’s a name I’ve never heard.

Sarak.

Amidst such people.

Someone stepped forward.

My gaze was naturally drawn.

Wi Seol-ah had taken off the fur cloak she usually wore.

Wow.

Someone exclaimed in admiration without realizing it.

Her hair, swaying gently in the breeze, and

Her golden eyes, seeming to hold light, showed that Wi Seol-ah’s beauty had finally bloomed.

-…Ah, Geom-jon…! Geom-jon’s descendant…!

-What did you say?

-That young lady is Geom-jon’s descendant…!

Rumors were already rampant anyway.

Because word had spread that Geom-jon’s descendant had appeared.

Since it was such a conspicuous martial art.

If she used it, she wouldn’t have been able to hide it.

‘…Is it okay even like this?’

The destructive power carried by the name ‘Geom-jon’s descendant’.

Was enough to make people forget someone like Jang Seonyeon long ago.

The problem is that it’s too big.

-Congratulations.

-…Thank you.

Wi Seol-ah also expressed her thanks and stood next to Jang Seonyeon.

In that gap, for a moment.

It seemed our eyes met.

Wi Seol-ah, whose eyes met mine.

Looked at me and smiled slightly.

It felt like she was telling me she was okay.

‘This is chaos.’

This wasn’t part of the plan.

While the commotion grew with Wi Seol-ah’s appearance.

-If the second-runner-up position was taken by Geom-jon’s descendant, then who would be the last one?

Just as the question arose.

Cheonghae Ilgeom called the last name.

-Lastly. The top rank.

The final person to step onto that platform.

Since two unexpected individuals appeared.

The last one was especially important.

Because they would likely receive all the attention and focus.

For some reason, I felt a chill, like my back was getting cold and damp.

By now, I was getting a feeling.

Even though I tried to convince myself it wasn’t possible.

There was no other answer.

‘But maybe….’

It might not be, right?

-Gu Yangcheon of Group 2.

‘Maybe my ass.’

My hope was immediately shattered.

The world is always so harsh on me when it comes to things like this.

Then again, if I didn’t get it after all that crap, it would be strange.

I walked forward, filled with annoyance.

But for some reason.

Compared to when Jang Seonyeon or Wi Seol-ah appeared.

It felt eerily quiet.

Wondering why, I slightly raised my senses and found.

-…Wow… Look at his face.

-Gu Yangcheon, that means he’s True Dragon, right? Sword Phoenix’s brother…

-His sister is famous too, and True Dragon himself has quite the temper, doesn’t he?

-Look here. Shut up. We need to be quiet. Don’t want to get noticed.

“…”

It felt like the rumors had spread like dog shit.

This was all Gu Huibi’s fault.

It wouldn’t be my fault.

I thought as I walked towards the platform.

‘Refreshing start.’

Somehow, it was a damn dog-like start.