Chapter 155: What Kind of Trash Is This. (1)

What Kind of Trash Is This. (1)

Inside the Murim Alliance’s Hall of Healing (Hall of Sincere Medicine).

Due to the martial arts tournament, there were quite a few injured individuals, so the Hall of Healing was packed with people.

“Haaack…!”

Amidst the crowd, Namgung Cheonjun gasped and opened his eyes.

“Haa… Haa!”

He let out ragged breaths continuously, and Namgung Cheonjun’s body was slick with cold sweat.

It was as if he had just had an extremely terrifying dream.

After gasping for a while, Namgung Cheonjun seemed to sense something and urgently threw aside the blanket covering his body to check his lower half.

“…W-was it… a dream?”

Everything he had experienced felt like a dream.

Especially the chilling sensation in his lower body before he lost consciousness at the end – that was a true nightmare, a living hell.

But fortunately, it seemed that wasn’t the case.

“Are you alright…?”

At the voice that reached him, Namgung Cheonjun’s head snapped around.

Beside him sat Snow Phoenix Moyong Hi-ah.

“…Young Lady Moyong?”

Namgung Cheonjun desperately tried to fix the mask that threatened to crack.

Pain surged through his entire body.

“…Kkuhh….”

It felt as if someone had beaten him with a club, his body throbbing painfully.

Only then did Namgung Cheonjun realize the reality of the situation.

The previous match wasn’t a dream.

He had.

Been defeated.

“…Unbelievable…!”

Emotions surged, and his internal energy flared for a moment, but.

Along with the throbbing pain, Namgung Cheonjun hunched over.

“Kkueuk…!”

“Young Master?!”

Not only the physical pain but even the intense agony felt in his dantian were repercussions from the match.

The backlash from having his sword paths blocked multiple times.

The internal energy he tried to unleash scattered.

The backlash from the relentlessly surging internal energy was borne by his dantian.

As a result, his exhausted body convulsed as he rolled on the floor, and his dantian screamed.

‘…To be defeated so disgracefully…!’

His resentment towards that guy grew even stronger.

What kind of dark magic did he use this time?

Even if it wasn’t dark magic, the fact that he lost to that scoundrel pierced him to the bone.

‘Does he really need to interfere with me until the very end just to be satisfied?’

I resent him.

As much as I resent him, I want to kill him.

What should I do…. How can I get that guy….

“…!”

Namgung Cheonjun’s shoulders trembled violently as he burned with intense emotions.

It was because he recalled the eyes of that guy looking down at him in the final moment.

The crimson-dyed pupils and the flames erupting as if to burn the world.

Namgung Cheonjun unconsciously grabbed his own shoulders and curled up.

‘…Hhhuuu… Hhhuuu!’

It’s fear.

This feeling of clutching his chest tightly and holding his breath was undoubtedly fear.

Namgung Cheonjun, a blood relative of the great Namgung family, was feeling fear towards that brat.

“No…. No…!”

Within those eyes shining as if ablaze.

He saw an unfathomable darkness, like the bottomless pit.

Yes, something like Pang Woojin’s eyes, no, something even deeper than that.

“Young Master Namgung…. What’s wrong….”

Thwack!

Just before Moyong Hi-ah’s hand could touch him, Namgung Cheonjun roughly pushed it away.

“…D-don’t touch me.”

Namgung Cheonjun knew that Snow Phoenix had something they wanted from him.

He didn’t know what it was for, but.

Their attitude seemed to suggest they had no intention of hiding it, making it impossible not to know.

Still, Namgung Cheonjun put on a mask with effort.

After all, Moyong Hi-ah, being from a prestigious family like his own, offered many potential benefits if kept close.

Since she seemed to desire the same, he figured it wouldn’t be a loss for either of them.

However, Namgung Cheonjun couldn’t maintain his fabricated composure in the current situation.

The fact that he had been miserably defeated in front of the sister he loved.

The fact that his opponent was the very guy who had stolen that sister from him.

And lastly, the fact that he felt fear towards such a guy.

“Why…. I was clearly… chosen, after all.”

Yes, it must be because I couldn’t properly utilize the energy that permeated my body.

That’s why I lost to that guy.

His shoulders were still trembling, but he forced himself to calm down.

I was just surprised.

He believed so.

As they had said, it was advised not to use it unnecessarily until it fully permeated the body and became one with it.

‘Besides, I couldn’t use it freely in the first place.’

He had tried to use it several times; he could definitely feel some other energy within his body, but it wouldn’t move at his will.

Even now…

‘…Huh?’

Namgung Cheonjun’s body, which had been trembling for a while, finally stopped.

It was because he felt something strange enough to cause that.

‘W-where did it go…?’

He couldn’t feel the energy coiled within his body.

“Where on earth… where did it go…!”

Moyong Hi-ah watched Namgung Cheonjun like that and withdrew her hand.

‘…Hoo.’

She erased the worried, trembling look from her eyes, returning to her usual dry, emotionless gaze.

‘He didn’t seem like this originally.

He was originally someone brimming with confidence and high self-esteem, even if a bit arrogant.

At least, that’s how he was until the banquet last year.

‘Why starting this year of all years….’

To think that he would change like this starting this year, the year I decided to approach him.

Should I describe this as ‘broken’?

I couldn’t find any other words to describe it.

-There is no way to treat it currently.

-…Either keep praying for a miracle.

-Or burn away the cold energy contained within the body…

Moyong Hi-ah tried hard to erase the memories she didn’t want to recall.

As she did, she drew out her internal energy and wrapped it around her body once more.

Only then did the chill seem to subside slightly.

‘Burn it away? How could I possibly do that?’

Is ‘Vessel Severance Syndrome’ some kind of object that can be burned away?

For a moment, a boy wielding flames flashed through her mind, but she quickly dismissed it.

After all, she knew well enough that ‘burning away’ didn’t refer to pyromancy.

It was probably just words spoken out of frustration.

Knowing that, Moyong Hi-ah couldn’t help but feel exhausted.

Because she knew time was running out.

That’s why she needed the Namgung family’s help even more.

To be precise, it would be correct to say the help of the Heavenly Venerate (Heavenly Exalted).

Her father sought to gain it by sacrificing much of the family’s assets, but she didn’t want that.

In her view, that was a last resort.

She didn’t want to cause the family to suffer such an emotional loss.

‘It should still be okay.’

Rather than certainty, it had to be that way.

Moyong Hi-ah reached out towards Namgung Cheonjun again but stopped.

Because someone had appeared.

“I’m glad you seem more alright than I expected.”

“…!”

The one who appeared, fluttering a black robe, was none other than the Young Master of the Pang family.

Pang Woojin.

He appeared suddenly and spoke to Namgung Cheonjun.

“Young Master Namgung, if you’re well enough, shall we have a little chat?”

His smiling face was that of a handsome young master with elegant features, but.

Moyong Hi-ah felt a sense of unease from his appearance for some reason.

---

Rumors are like storms.

Fierce winds and waves spread relentlessly, and from an unknowing perspective, it can be frightening.

Or perhaps, awe-inspiring.

Of course, for someone experiencing it for the first time, it might be somewhat frightening.

If you take my case as an example, I felt nothing special.

-I heard Thunder Dragon was defeated?

-I heard he lost to a much younger martial artist.

-Who? Could it be, the Jang family relative who beat Poisonous Staff?

-Hey man, rumors started spreading ages ago, why are you still talking about that?

-No, if you know, just tell me, why are you being a jerk?

-If you’re annoyed, you can go to the Dog Guild and buy the information yourself.

The defeat of Thunder Dragon Namgung Cheonjun caused much larger ripples than Poisonous Staff Tang Soyeol’s first-round loss.

That’s understandable, considering it was the quarterfinals, and the audience consisted of those sponsored by the Alliance or connected through connections.

Meaning there were many eyes watching and, simultaneously, many mouths talking.

Because of that.

From the moment I stepped off the martial arts stage, I noticed quite a few bothersome gazes.

-No way, does it make sense that someone beat Thunder Dragon? You know, Thunder Dragon from the Namgung family.

-And it makes sense that Poisonous Staff was eliminated in the first round?

-That’s because it’s the Jang family. A relative of the Alliance Leader.

-…Do you know who Thunder Dragon’s opponent was?

-Hm? Who?

-It was Sansukgu. And also, the brother of Sword Peak.

-Ah.

Why does that make them nod in understanding?

“What the hell has that crazy guy been doing….”

From what I vaguely heard, he apparently set off flames in the middle of a banquet, not even during the tournament, and burned down half the venue.

It was full of terrifying tales, like him grabbing annoying pests and burning off their hair.

The problem is that every single rumor sounded plausible, making me scared that Gu Huibi actually did it.

“…With that personality, he absolutely would.”

My head throbs.

It was convenient yet absurd that the plausibility of his misdeeds was resolved solely by the reputation of ‘Gu Huibi’s younger brother’.

“You were so cool! Young Master!”

When I returned to the tent after the match, Tang Soyeol greeted me as if he had been waiting.

“You saw all of that?”

“Of course! I saw every bit of it without missing anything!”

He seemed so cheerful, making various gestures with his hands as if trying to boast about how hard he worked.

Even though he himself was eliminated in the first round and should be depressed.

Even then, Tang Soyeol’s hands, making ‘itcha yeocha’ motions, were stained red.

Perhaps it was because he kept watching the matches in the cold weather.

I considered subtly heating the tent air with my energy and was about to use my internal energy, but.

“Hmm.”

As I tried to gather strength, I suddenly stopped.

Because the new energy wriggling inside my dantian right now caught my attention.

‘This pig-like bastard….’

The energy I drew out from Namgung Cheonjun in the last match.

More accurately, the problem was the energy that had been drawn out.

If you’re going to eat it, at least ask for permission first…. Why do you keep swallowing it whole just by touching it?

Even though it’s not demonic energy.

‘…That’s the problem.’

It’s a problem that the Urine Dragon…. no, Thunder Dragon possesses this energy, but.

Right now, the biggest problem is that I can bring forth such energy.

How? How on earth could I absorb this?

Tang Soyeol kept talking to me from the side, but I was busy giving vague answers while observing my body.

‘It’s similar, as expected.’

The energy absorbed from Namgung Cheonjun was similar to the energy I felt from Wi Seol-ah in the past.

It was closer to unorthodox energy than internal energy, and something else entirely if it were to be called purely unorthodox energy.

Although this wasn’t exactly the same either.

At least, what was certain was that it wasn’t demonic energy.

It felt closer to the opposite, actually.

‘The problem is that my body is still devouring this delicious stuff.’

Just like when purifying demonic energy, the Nine Burning Wheel Technique was rapidly swallowing the energy that had seeped into my dantian.

In a way, it seems to be treating it the same as demonic energy.

Thump.

“Huh?”

I already had a lot on my mind, and then someone placed a hand on my shoulder.

It was Namgung Bi-ah.

“What’s wrong?”

“….”

When I asked what was wrong, she slightly frowned as if displeased.

Why is she acting like this?

‘Did I perhaps miss something I should have heard?’

Namgung Bi-ah wouldn’t normally get upset over something like that.

Usually, Namgung Bi-ah is much more oblivious; there were even times I had to call her several times just to get a response.

Seeing my confusion, Tang Soyeol, unable to stand it, came closer and whispered in my ear.

“Young Master Gu….”

“Hm?”

“…Uh, soon, my sister will have her match… Ugghh”

Tang Soyeol, who was diligently relaying the information, was pushed aside.

It was because Namgung Bi-ah pushed Tang Soyeol with her hand.

Startled by the sudden action, Tang Soyeol, who was pushed away, frowned adorably and said to Namgung Bi-ah.

“Sister! Do you know how unfair that is!?”

“…No.”

“I was trying to help you! You should let this slide a little…!”

“Still…. No….”

“Damn it…!!”

What are these two doing?

As I watched the situation unfold abruptly with bewilderment, Tang Soyeol cleared his throat and adjusted his posture.

“…Since you’re done, Young Master, it’s my sister’s turn to compete now.”

“Ah.”

“Isn’t she asking for your support?”

At Tang Soyeol’s words, I looked at Namgung Bi-ah.

Namgung Bi-ah wasn’t looking my way.

More accurately, she seemed to be trying not to.

Her ears, slightly flushed and red, were noticeable.

Seeing that, I let out a wry chuckle.

“So that’s what it was?”

“……No…”

As if.

She seemed like she didn’t care about such things, but was she secretly hoping for it deep down?

‘In reality, I’m the one who just beat up her brother.’

I wondered if all sisters weren’t essentially like this.

If we’re being technical, Namgung Cheonjun, who has unusual feelings for his sister, is the weirder one, though.

“Have a good match.”

Even though I said it curtly, Namgung Bi-ah seemed satisfied and gave a small nod.

Her face was hidden by her hair, but I could roughly guess just by looking at her slightly redder ears.

I didn’t tell her to win.

Because she’ll win anyway, even without me saying it.

…Poor Gu Jeolyub, her opponent in the match, but what can be done?

Our levels are different.

I remembered Gu Jeol-yeol making a crestfallen expression as if shocked after seeing the match bracket.

As far as I recall, I saw the two of them spar a few times during the camp.

Back then, Gu Jeolyub couldn’t even brush past Namgung Bi-ah’s collar.

Knowing that, it’s understandable why Gu Jeolyub despaired at the match bracket.

‘Perhaps he’ll gain something from this too.’

It seemed I wouldn’t be the only one gaining various things.

Wouldn’t Namgung Bi-ah gain something as well?

Whether it be a name or fame.

Although she herself doesn’t seem interested in such things.

For example, during my previous life, around the time after I was called the Sword Demon Marquis.

There was even a time when I called her Sword Demon Marquis, and she asked what that was.

Namgung Bi-ah was someone even less interested in worldly affairs than I was.

Since many things have changed in this life, it seemed the time for Namgung Bi-ah to become known to the world would be hastened.

Even without that, I heard rumors that she already had something like followers.

‘…It must be a baseless rumor, right?’

That, somehow, was a little scary.

Followers? What the hell…

If they really exist, I wondered what kind of guys they even were.

Just imagining it made my skin crawl slightly.

“Young Master!”

Someone bustled in through the entrance of the tent.

It was Wi Seol-ah, whom I barely saw yesterday or today.

Following her, Hong-hwa entered and paid her respects to me.

“I’m back.”

“You’re late.”

“I apologize…. It’s my fault.”

Hong-hwa said.

She didn’t add any excuses for why she was late.

Meaning she would gladly accept any punishment if one were given.

‘I wasn’t exactly planning to punish her.’

I figured something must have happened if she was late.

As far as I knew, I heard Mu-yeon went along too.

Of course, I did slightly suspect that Wi Seol-ah might have caused trouble if something happened.

“Oh, Sister isn’t at fault. Young Master… I got lost….”

As expected, I flicked Wi Seol-ah’s forehead right after her confession.

“Oof…!”

“I sent you on an errand, and you got lost?”

“…I did wrongggg….”

Looking at her expression, she seemed to genuinely know she messed up this time.

Or maybe it was guilt because Hong-hwa was getting scolded.

I sighed deeply, then relaxed the hand I was about to flick again and stroked Wi Seol-ah’s hair.

“Anyway, the point is nothing bad happened.”

“…Yeps.”

I wondered if it was okay to just let it go like this, but.

As always, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything after seeing Wi Seol-ah’s face.

Especially since I didn’t know if I had the right to do so to this child.

“Sisterrrr!”

When I let her go, Wi Seol-ah ran and hugged Namgung Bi-ah as if she had been waiting.

Namgung Bi-ah, seemingly accustomed to it now, hugged Wi Seol-ah and stroked her hair.

At first glance, they gave the impression of close sisters.

Wi Seol-ah, who had been rubbing her face against Namgung Bi-ah’s embrace for a moment, turned her head as if remembering something and spoke to me.

“Ah…! Young Master!”

“Hm?”

“Someone was waiting outside!”

“Who?”

Waiting for me? Who could it be, Gu Jeolyub? Or maybe Pang Ah-hee?

There shouldn’t really be anyone visiting at this hour.

Before I could wonder, Wi Seol-ah provided the answer.

However, it was just a completely unexpected statement.

“The beggar uncle!”

“…What?”

At Wi Seol-ah’s words, I scowled deeply.

It was too nonsensical.

I immediately told her it was ridiculous nonsense and to stop joking, but.

“Oh my! Greetings! I am Chu-ong of the Dog Guild! My goodness…. To think I, of all people, would meet the descendants of famous prestigious families…! What an honor for this lowly life!”

Just as Wi Seol-ah said, when I went outside, a real beggar was indeed waiting.

It was a truly beggar-like situation.