Chapter 373: Orthodox Sect Gathering. (14)

“It’s been a long time.”

Seeing Amwang offer his greetings, Guryun frowned.

“A guy who hasn’t been seen for over ten years finally shows his face.”

“You seem to have been doing well, Guryun.”

“Does this look like doing well to you?”

Guryun flipped open his martial attire, revealing his chest.

There remained a deep, unhealed scar.

It was a wound sustained during a battle with the Palace Lord of Black Night.

Seeing that, the cave fell silent for a moment….

Pfft.

Paejon, unable to hold back, burst out laughing. And quite loudly, at that.

“Hahaha! Haha!”

“Someone’s injured, and you’re laughing?”

“Ahaha…!”

Paejon found it so amusing that tears welled up in his eyes.

“That Guryun, getting a hole poked through his body. What a fine job he’s done.”

“I was just… careless.”

“Weren’t you the one who said carelessness is the excuse of the defeated?”

“…”

Had he said that? Guryun couldn’t recall, but thinking it was the sort of thing he’d say, he kept his mouth shut.

After laughing heartily for a while, Paejon spoke to Guryun.

“Who was your opponent?”

“Why, are you going to get revenge if you know?”

“Don’t talk crazy. Do I look like someone who’d do something that troublesome?”

“You truly have no friendship whatsoever.”

As Guryun retorted, dumbfounded, Paejon took a swig of alcohol.

Gulping down the alcohol as if his throat was dry.

Paejon asked Guryun.

“How badly is your body damaged?”

“…”

It was a sudden question.

Jjoreureuk.

Guryun didn’t answer Paejon’s question.

He just quietly poured himself more alcohol.

“It’s fine. I’m mostly okay.”

“You must be fine, alright. Especially when you’re walking around with a hole in your chest.”

“…”

“You seem to be getting old, Guryun.”

“That’s something one can tell at a glance.”

“Not entirely.”

Paejon said, chuckling. Guryun let out a deep sigh at his words.

“If you want, I can contact Sinui.”

“I already met him.”

“Hm? You met him?”

Paejon looked surprised at Guryun’s words. He saw Sinui?

He’s supposed to be a difficult person to find….

“Who do you think fixed my chest?”

“…Ha, was it that old man?”

Noticing Amwang’s empty glass, Paejon poured him more alcohol.

Even while doing so, he kept talking to Guryun.

“What did he say? Sinui.”

“What needed to be said? He’s a master of dealing with old age.”

“Do your family members know that you became like this?”

“The family head probably knows.”

Tsk.

Guryun laughed as if it were nothing.

“It’s not that important. What meaning does it have if it doesn’t interfere with eating and shitting?”

“My, aren’t you just the picture of health. It’s truly a wonder where the old Guryun went.”

“What are you talking about? From when?”

Guryun clicked his tongue as if telling him to stop, and Paejon just grinned.

“So, is it only time that can bring down Mount Tai?”

“Stop the bullshit and pour me some more alcohol.”

At this, Paejon poured alcohol into Guryun’s glass as well.

After downing the glass full of alcohol, Guryun asked.

“Is what you were doing going well?”

“Well.”

“I mean, looking for a disciple.”

“Ah, that.”

“Sigh, tsk tsk. Why couldn’t you just live as you were? Why did you have to do that sort of thing?”

It was equally frustrating for both of them every time they saw each other.

Guryun found Paejon frustrating. He could have lived comfortably just as he was.

His close friend had unnecessarily pursued the ultimate of martial arts, the pinnacle of martial arts, even resorting to reverting to youth.

Even after reverting to youth, if it became hopeless, he should have given up, but…

Even amidst all that, the guy was still looking for a way, casually finding disciples to see the pinnacle of his martial arts. It was truly baffling.

“Biju. Don’t you still realize how wickedly difficult your martial arts are for others to learn?”

Manifesting the Simgong bestows extreme pain.

It’s to the point where one can’t figure out how it was made.

Pain ultimately leads directly to hesitation.

Even if intent is contained within it.

Understanding it, enduring it, and practicing it are different matters entirely.

“What crazy person in the world would endure that to learn martial arts?”

“Tsk, if you can’t even endure something this trivial, what can you possibly do?”

“I guarantee you won’t find another crazy bastard like you anywhere in the Central Plains.”

Guryun guaranteed it.

He acknowledged Paejon’s martial prowess and the value of his martial arts.

But finding humans with the necessary talent and patience to learn them would be difficult.

Tuapacheonmu wasn’t just about the pain; it was an immensely difficult martial art that even Paejon, its creator, hadn’t reached the pinnacle of.

It required not just talent, but…

A person possessing the talent and patience to bear and endure the pain felt during training?

‘Where in the world could such a person exist?’

Guryun held a conviction, if not absolute certainty.

That’s why he only wished for Paejon to teach his beloved Gu Yangcheon, rather than…

…ask to be accepted as a disciple.

‘Why would I let a precious child learn such martial arts?’

Gu Yangcheon had already learned the bloodline martial art called Guyeomhwaryungong, but…

Biju, this lunatic, would gladly extract anything and force-feed his own martial arts if he wanted.

“Maybe you should give up soon and look for another way…”

“That’s why I’ve just taken on a disciple.”

“…What?”

Guryun’s eyes widened at Paejon’s words. He took on a disciple?

“You took on a disciple?”

“Hm? Why are you so surprised?”

“What kind of lunatic would become your disciple?”

“…Guryun, I think you’re mistaken. I’m actually quite decent.”

The Three Lords of the World, the apex of the martial arts world.

That was Paejon’s value, but in Guryun’s eyes, it felt like willingly crawling into hell.

Paejon was rather dumbfounded by Guryun’s shocked expression.

“Didn’t you think it would end up like this anyway?”

“What are you talking about? What did I do?”

Paejon couldn’t understand Guryun at all.

It felt like their conversation was diverging.

“Well…”

“Wait.”

Just as Paejon was about to ask something about Gu Yangcheon.

Guryun raised his hand, stopping Paejon.

“What is it?”

He asked as if asking what the matter was, but Guryun’s expression was extremely serious.

His face looked shocked, as if he couldn’t believe it.

“…Hey, where did all the side dishes go?”

“…!”

At Guryun’s words, Paejon quickly glanced towards the side dishes.

The food they had painstakingly bought was almost gone.

“Hm?”

At Guryun’s words, Amwang looked at him as if asking what was wrong.

“What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong? You crazy bastard, did you eat all this yourself? Where did you sell your common decency?!”

“Well, why didn’t you guys eat it then?”

At Amwang’s words, Guryun and Paejon wore expressions of disbelief.

“It’s a mystery why that guy’s appetite doesn’t decrease, no matter his age.”

“…Oh, my aching head. I bought this after all the trouble of coming here in my old body, and I didn’t even get a bite.”

Despite their words, Amwang merely swallowed another bite of the remaining food.

“…Forget it. It’s not the first time I’ve seen him act like this.”

As Guryun sighed and downed another glass of alcohol.

Paejon looked at Amwang and asked.

“Have you made any progress on your end?”

At his words, Amwang lifted his head.

“I mean, have you found what you were seeking over the past decade or so.”

A time when each had something they desired.

Their goals were different, so naturally, the paths they took also changed.

Amwang paused briefly at Paejon’s question.

Then, he answered in a calm voice.

“I haven’t found the perfect thing, but it seems I’ve discovered the path.”

“That’s truly fortunate.”

Paejon vaguely knew what Amwang dreamed of.

“That fellow who attacked Hanam this time. What do you plan to do?”

It was a question about the handling of the Black Dragon Sword.

“That guy. Is he related to you?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“If you don’t know, he must have moved because he sensed something.”

Amwang didn’t answer.

However, the two could only vaguely guess from his expression.

“Do you intend to take him to your headquarters?”

“If necessary.”

The headquarters Paejon mentioned was Amwang’s residence and the base of the Iron Night Killer Squad.

“Is he the type who’ll talk under torture?”

“I don’t know. We’ll find out if we try.”

Paejon nodded at the simple words.

Because it was true. Usually, people open up when you hit them.

They open their mouths, or…

They die before opening them. It’s one or the other.

“I heard he was locked up in the Alliance’s prison.”

“I’ll take him to Sichuan first.”

“Sichuan…?”

At those words, something came to Paejon’s mind.

The reason for deliberately sending him to Sichuan, so far from the Alliance…

“Are you planning to use the Tang Clan?”

He assumed it was related to the Tang Clan, the dominant power in Sichuan.

Although they were now called one of the Four Great Families belonging to the Orthodox faction, those who knew their true nature…

Knew just how dark and cruel the Tang Clan truly was.

“It should take a long time to get to Sichuan. Why aren’t you using any tricks?”

“Tricks?”

“I thought you’d take him back to headquarters since you hate waiting.”

Knowing Amwang, he was the kind of person who would do just that.

Doing such things without anyone noticing was Amwang’s specialty, after all.

Amwang nodded at Paejon’s words.

“I originally intended to, but.”

As expected.

Indeed, it seemed Amwang had been thinking just that.

“It’s no longer necessary. I have business in Sichuan, so we can just go together.”

“Business? You have business in Sichuan?”

“Yes.”

“…You too?”

Paejon asked quizzically, and Amwang tilted his head.

The ‘You too?’ implied that Paejon was also heading to Sichuan.

“Are you saying you’re going too?”

“I have business there too.”

Strictly speaking, it was Gu Yangcheon’s business, but Paejon figured it was close enough.

“Would the head of the Bi family permit this?”

“What if they don’t permit it?”

“That’s true.”

Amwang nodded at Paejon’s words. It was a valid point.

Although he was nominally Biuijin’s father and the head of the Bi family…

…Biju’s will was still predominant.

‘Amwang going to Sichuan.’

He didn’t know if this guy would accompany him, but if he did, it wouldn’t be bad.

‘I happened to have something I needed him to do.’

It was just the right moment to tell Gu Yangcheon something.

He figured he could ask Amwang for this favor.

Of course, he didn’t think Gu Yangcheon would like that.

And.

Watching them, Guryun took another bite of the remaining food and said.

“Everything’s fine and all, but…”

At his words, Paejon and Amwang turned their attention.

“…Why are you guys talking about things only you know after calling someone over?”

His voice sounded quite displeased.

---

Entering the Alliance’s interior and heading to the main hall, I saw many people already gathered.

Seeing that, Cheoljiseon began to tremble as if an earthquake had struck.

It couldn’t be helped. The people inside were filled with true heavyweights.

‘Where is my seat.’

I looked around, searching for a place to sit.

I saw several areas designated for guild leaders, seats for family heads, and seats for those from martial arts sects.

I had to find a seat for myself among them.

‘Should I just sit somewhere casually?’

Just as I was thinking I could just drag a chair over and sit nearby, not wanting to get too involved…

-Third child.

A familiar voice pierced my ear.

Turning my head towards the direction of the telepathic communication with surprised eyes, I saw fiery red eyes far in the distance.

It was Father.

-Come here.

“…”

I was flustered.

It just had to be a seat in the very front row.

How did Father end up sitting there?

He usually wouldn’t sit in a place like that.

“Yangcheon-ah?”

Seeing my flustered gaze, Cheoljiseon, who noticed, called me.

After contemplating what to do, I ended up pulling Cheoljiseon along and moved my feet.

At the seat I approached, I saw not only Father but also several familiar faces.

One was the head of the Namgung Family, Namgung Jin.

“It’s been a while… seeing… you.”

“…Have you been well?”

“As for me, I’m always the same. It seems my son-in-law has been doing well. I’ve heard quite a lot of praise.”

“…Yes.”

I never expected the word ‘son-in-law’ to come out of Namgung Jin’s mouth.

My ears were itching quite a bit, but since it was a situation where I couldn’t scratch them, I had to endure.

The problem was that a few people reacted to the word ‘son-in-law’.

One of them was…

‘Oh no.’

I wondered who it was, and it turned out to be Baekcheon Geomju.

His gaze, which flickered towards me, was still sharp. It seemed his feelings hadn’t settled yet.

Well, it wasn’t the kind of feeling that would easily settle.

Another was Dokwang, whom I saw earlier today.

His expression was full of discomfort.

Did I do something wrong? I don’t think I did anything wrong to this guy.

‘No, I specialize in getting cursed at even when I haven’t done anything.’

I’d experienced it so often that I didn’t think much of it.

And lastly…

‘…That guy was here too.’

It was Dowang Peng Jeou, the father of Peng Ujin and Peng Ahui.

I could understand Baekcheon Geomju, but why was this guy looking at me like that?

Of course, considering my relationship with him, it wasn’t strange that he didn’t like me.

After all, I had hurled abuse at his daughter and even broken off their engagement, so it would be crazy if he liked me.

Besides them, I saw several heads of unnamed families.

Among them were people I knew.

The heads of families considered prestigious in the Central Plains had almost all gathered.

Seeing them, I cautiously paid my respects.

“…A member of the Gu family pays respects to the Family Heads.”

“Th-The member of the Cheol family pays respects to the Family Heads….”

Following my greeting, Cheoljiseon also paid his respects.

Afterward, I cautiously pulled out a chair and sat down.

Normally, as soon as I sat down, the surrounding family heads would have struck up a conversation, pretending to know me.

For some reason, everyone had their mouths shut tight like mutes.

Why are they acting like this?

Is it because the gathering is about to start?

That might be the case, but it feels like more than that…

‘They look intimidated?’

I somehow got that feeling.

It must be my imagination. Who would these people be intimidated by?

“…!”

Immediately after I took my seat, I couldn’t help but jump in surprise.

It was because Father was staring intently at me.

‘What is it? Did I do something wrong?’

At Father’s gaze, I immediately wondered if I’d caused some trouble.

‘I’ve caused so much trouble, I don’t even know what I did wrong?’

I’d done so many things that I was at a loss as to what specifically I’d done wrong.

Feeling like I might choke if this continued, just as I was about to say something.

“Family Head…”

“Well done.”

“Pardon?”

Father said that to me and then turned his head away.

I thought I misheard and looked at Father, but…

Father’s gaze never turned back to me.

The thought that flashed through my mind at Father’s sudden praise was…

‘…Is he sick?’

I wondered if Father had contracted a fatal illness.

That wouldn’t happen, right?

I never saw him get sick even in my previous life.

Of course, I didn’t have the guts to ask Father why he said “well done.”

Even if it was somewhat unnatural, avoiding his gaze was the best course of action for me too.

Ironically.

‘…It was annoying that I felt strangely good.’

It was praise for no reason, yet why should such trivial words…

I calmed my racing heart and took a breath.

I shouldn’t be happy just because I received one compliment, no matter my age.

“Yangcheon-ah, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“No… it’s just… you suddenly started smiling…”

“Be quiet.”

“Okay.”

After silencing the clueless Cheoljiseon who interjected.

I waited quietly.

I could feel that it would start soon.

It wasn’t just me.

The meeting hall, which had been filled with a moderate amount of murmuring…

Had suddenly become deathly quiet.

Tteobeok.

Footsteps could be heard, and…

A person who was already waiting went up to the stage.

There was no need to see who it was. The person who went up was the one who organized the gathering and…

…Jang Cheon, the current Alliance Leader of the Martial Arts Alliance, known as Nakgeom (Laughing Sword).

The person on the dais took a moment to compose himself before slowly beginning to speak.

-First.

His voice echoed loudly. He must have amplified it using internal energy.

-As this gathering was convened due to the incident in Hanam, I offer my apologies first as the Alliance Leader.

Jang Cheon bowed his head the moment he spoke.

Judging by the scroll in his hand, he seemed to have quite a lot to say.

I watched the process calmly.

It was quiet now, but it would probably turn into chaos soon.

Arguing about this and that, assigning blame, saying ‘you were wrong,’ ‘you were right,’ etc….

The people gathered here would unleash the words they’d been holding back and start arguing.

I disliked such complicated situations, which is why I wanted to avoid coming if possible.

‘Why did they call me here?’

For what purpose did they use the Alliance Leader’s seal to summon me to this gathering?

I still didn’t know.

As that question lingered in my mind.

‘…What is it.’

I felt a gaze from somewhere.

The gaze was so blatant that I couldn’t ignore it.

I could clearly feel someone watching me from somewhere.

It wasn’t difficult to find the direction the gaze was coming from.

It would have been stranger not to feel such an intense gaze.

The direction was behind the Alliance Leader.

It came from among the figures who seemed to be the Martial Arts Alliance’s sword guards.

Wondering who it was, I slightly heightened my senses.

“…!”

I found him quickly.

And.

Upon confirming the owner of this gaze, I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach.

‘That guy….’

The one staring intently at me.

‘Jang Seonyeon…?’

It was definitely Jang Seonyeon. The guy I had burned to death in the Demonic Realm, and then frantically searched for all over the Mortal Realm after arriving.

Since not even a trace remained, I had thought something else must have happened.

Jang Seonyeon stood behind the Alliance Leader, looking at me with a grin.

Seeing that smile, I sensed a subtle difference.

Should I say it felt different from the Jang Seonyeon I knew?

The moment I felt the strangeness, I infused energy into my ‘Gwimul’ (Ghostly Item/Power).

I knew about those who lived by wearing masks, so I wondered if it was another one of those cases, but…

‘…No, it wasn’t.’

Surprisingly, I felt nothing strange from that guy.

Then what was this strange sensation?

Just then.

Chiiiiii-!

“…Ngh…?”

My right arm felt incredibly hot.

The place where I felt the pain was where my skin had changed.

Gripping my arm from the sudden pain.

‘What is it? Why is this happening.’

Trying hard to endure the pain, I looked back at Jang Seonyeon.

The moment I looked again, I had to be surprised once more.

Jang Seonyeon, seeing me contorted in pain.

Wore a surprised expression, as if seeing something fascinating.

And his eyes seemed to have turned a strange shade of red.