Chapter 163: The Thing I Want to Show You. (3)

The Thing I Want to Show. (3)

Thump… thump… thump…!

Hanam, the deep basement of the Murim Alliance Fortress.

The sound ringing in my ears remained the same.

Following the torches embedded in the wall, I slowly moved my steps.

The descending stairs still seemed endless.

The continuous sound became noise, tightening my chest.

“Your expression isn’t looking too good.”

At the question coming from ahead, Namgung Cheonjun swallowed hard.

It was because there wasn’t a trace of emotion in it to be called concern.

“…Are you teasing me right now?”

“How could that be? Why would I tease Young Master Namgung? It wouldn’t be much fun anyway.”

A man clad in black from head to toe.

Peng Woojin let out a slight smile.

“It’s just a little amusing.”

Although Namgung Cheonjun couldn’t see Peng Woojin’s expression as he was only looking forward, he could tell.

That Peng Woojin wasn’t smiling, despite his voice.

“…What’s so amusing?”

“How could it not be amusing? When the Thunder Dragon of the world is trembling so much.”

“Who… is trembling…!”

Namgung Cheonjun, who was about to shout back, shut his mouth tightly.

It was because Peng Woojin had turned around.

Meeting his obsidian-like eyes, the heat boiling inside me vanished as if killed by a mouse.

As if I were scared.

Grrr-

Perhaps due to his pride being crushed, Namgung Cheonjun quietly ground his teeth.

“What are you so afraid of?”

Peng Woojin’s expressionless face, and his calm voice that resembled it.

Namgung Cheonjun found it hard to endure that.

Peng Woojin stared quietly into Namgung Cheonjun’s eyes before speaking.

“I don’t understand. Is it the problem of defeat?”

“…!”

“Seeing your expression sour immediately, it seems like this is also fifty-fifty.”

Peng Woojin’s casual remarks dug deep into my heart, inflicting wounds.

More precisely, it felt like stabbing a wound once more.

Namgung Cheonjun had lost the martial arts match against Gu Yangcheon.

And it was a devastating loss at that.

Even the great Namgung Cheonjun couldn’t find any excuses.

Because it was truly just a difference in skill level.

The human Namgung Cheonjun didn’t want to admit it, but the warrior Namgung Cheonjun had already acknowledged it.

That the realm Gu Yangcheon had achieved through martial arts (武) was far higher than he could imagine.

‘…That bastard.’

Even as he cursed inwardly, Namgung Cheonjun’s chest still churned.

Because the worry about whether he was in a position to say such things continued.

More than anything.

‘…The energy disappeared…’

The energy I had barely received had vanished from within my body.

Namgung Cheonjun couldn’t help but contort his expression.

‘Where on earth did it go?’

It was the power that would allow me to surpass the current dragons by far.

Because I had felt it, albeit momentarily, during Gu Yangcheon’s match.

Namgung Cheonjun couldn’t forget that exhilaration.

That’s why I desire it even more.

‘Why… why… why did it disappear?’

The longing became thirst, making my throat dry.

Especially since I had tasted it once.

If I had only that, whether it be the Sleeping Dragon, the Sword Dragon, or the Sword Peak…

I might even be able to surpass Peng Woojin right in front of me.

I desperately missed the power I had lost right before my eyes.

Peng Woojin glanced away after watching Namgung Cheonjun like that.

‘How boring.’

It’s an utterly murky color.

No, it couldn’t even be called a color anymore.

The youth who had shone even a little had now lost all his light.

At the same time, Peng Woojin completely lost interest in Namgung Cheonjun.

He had no business with someone devoid of light.

However.

‘He said his divine energy disappeared.’

I recall Namgung Cheonjun, who seemed the epitome of arrogance, wailing.

His face, falling into despair saying his power was gone.

How unsightly.

Relying on external power, not one’s own, to move forward.

How far does he think he can go with power obtained that way?

‘He doesn’t even know what he looks like.’

It was also something that didn’t matter much anymore.

Whatever methods they used, Peng Woojin didn’t really care.

He had no particular interest.

Separate from that.

He was slightly intrigued by the fact that the power had disappeared.

Although his interest in the Thunder Dragon itself had waned, the situation was peculiar.

‘He said he used it before his body adapted to it. Perhaps that was the problem?’

Since it hadn’t fully settled, did all the energy get consumed and disappear?

It was a plausible statement, but Peng Woojin felt a doubt.

A doubt about whether that was truly the case.

Peng Woojin clearly remembered the appearance Gu Yangcheon showed Namgung Cheonjun in the final moment of the match between Gu Yangcheon and the Thunder Dragon.

The dark aura that sent chills down his spine.

The faint, fishy killing intent raging inside, though not outwardly expressed.

Peng Woojin could definitely feel it.

Could that truly have been the true form of the boy who wore an expression of annoyance, as if everything was bothersome?

Or perhaps, even that wasn’t his true form?

Peng Woojin was curious.

About the existence known as Gu Yangcheon.

‘What on earth are you hiding, Young Master Gu.’

Peng Woojin touched the corner of his mouth with his hand.

As expected, the corners of his mouth were turned up.

‘Troublesome.’

He had to control himself, lest his fighting spirit overflow.

Just how long has it been since I felt such fighting spirit?

The constant surging made my body uncomfortable.

However, even this discomfort was something Peng Woojin had wished for.

With such brilliance before his eyes, how could he not be moved?

It was only natural, in a way, that laughter emerged and fighting spirit flickered.

‘What a shame.’

Peng Woojin wanted to face Gu Yangcheon’s brilliance right before his eyes immediately.

Since he couldn’t do that now, he must desire it even more.

Just like the dying Thunder Dragon behind him.

I went down a little further after that.

After a short while, the entrance finally appeared.

A giant door glowing with a blue light.

It was puzzling that there wasn’t even a guard despite it being a highly secret space.

Peng Woojin knew they hadn’t placed any guards because such people weren’t necessary.

As expected, when Peng Woojin and Namgung Cheonjun approached the door, the giant door began to open on its own as if it had been waiting.

KUUUUUNG-!

The door opened with a massive resonance.

“Welcome.”

From within the door, a woman appeared with light footsteps and welcomed the two.

Peng Woojin looked at the woman.

Her face was hidden by a veil.

What was strange was that even when I tried to use my internal energy to see, her face was invisible.

This meant she was absolutely not an ordinary person.

Peng Woojin asked the woman.

“Is the Leader here?”

“The Heavenly Eye (天眼) has not arrived yet.”

“Hmm…”

I thought she would surely be here already.

“She left word that she has matters to discuss with Nakgeom and will be late.”

Peng Woojin glanced back.

Namgung Cheonjun was sweating profusely, perhaps due to his impatience reaching its peak.

As I watched, wondering what to do, the woman answered instead.

“Please come in.”

Peng Woojin showed a surprised expression at the woman’s words.

“I heard one isn’t supposed to enter carelessly. Why are you allowing it?”

“The Dancing Maiden (무희) has permitted it. She said it’s alright to escort the two of you inside.”

At the woman’s words, a spark appeared in Peng Woojin’s eyes.

“That meticulous woman, you say?”

A somewhat sharp remark.

From Peng Woojin’s perspective, knowing how important the Dancing Maiden was to the woman, it was a remark that crossed the line slightly.

However, the veiled woman showed no reaction even after hearing Peng Woojin’s words.

“I shall escort you.”

She merely repeated herself in an emotionless tone.

At that sight, Peng Woojin slightly shook his head.

“Still as uninteresting as ever.”

As Peng Woojin, seemingly having lost interest again, passed the woman and entered the door, Namgung Cheonjun hastily followed.

Shortly after the two entered the darkness.

“…”

The woman stared at the stairs the two had descended for quite some time.

As if there was something there.

The woman, who had been watching quietly, turned around again and walked towards the inside of the door.

Finally.

KUUUUUNG!

The giant door closed, and darkness returned.

---

The Four Great Battles concluded, and night soon arrived.

My body wasn’t particularly tired.

But I was mentally exhausted.

It was because the gazes directed at me had changed significantly.

It was because I had defeated the Water Dragon and crushed Snow Phoenix.

Not just the later disciples, but even the gazes from those around me were becoming increasingly burdensome, so how could I not be tired?

‘This kind of feeling always wears me out.’

Of course, the gazes I felt in my past life were the opposite, so my feelings differ, but…

In the end, the exhaustion was the same.

I’ve experienced too much to get excited over things like this…

“Young Master, Young Master!”

“Hm?”

“Is something wrong?”

Wi Seol-ah asked, rubbing her head against my shoulder.

She seemed to like the hair accessory I gifted her and the faint floral scent.

“No… Why?”

“Because you look happy!”

“…”

At Wi Seol-ah’s bright words, I covered my mouth with my hand.

Was I unconsciously excited?

‘…I’m getting goosebumps.’

Was I getting carried away just because I got attention for beating children?

Thinking that way made me feel utterly pathetic.

Just as my mood was about to turn sour, a jade-like hand reached out and cupped my forehead.

“What?”

“…Suddenly… your expression… turned bad…”

It was the hand of Namgung Bi-ah, lying in bed.

At her words, I couldn’t help but smile.

I wondered who was worrying about whom right now.

“You don’t need to worry, just lie down properly.”

As I spoke, I examined Namgung Bi-ah.

A sword wound across her chest.

Even though she was a top-tier martial artist and the wound was shallow.

It was still a level that could have been dangerous if things had gone slightly wrong.

The doctor said there wouldn’t be a scar, so I guess that’s fortunate if it’s fortunate.

Namgung Bi-ah didn’t seem to care much whether a scar remained or not.

Rather, Tang Soyeol had thrown a fit, saying she shouldn’t let that happen.

“…I want to go out.”

At Namgung Bi-ah’s sudden words, I shook my head firmly.

“No.”

“Why…?”

“Just looking at you, I know you’ll head straight to the training grounds the moment you get out.”

“…”

“…Even with those eyes, the answer is no.”

The moment Namgung Bi-ah saw me after I finished my match earlier, the first thing she said was that she wanted to go out.

If she just wanted to go out, I might have let it slide.

But seeing her eyes searching for her sword, it was clear training was her goal.

‘Why is she looking at me like that?’

Where did she learn to look up at someone so pitifully?

Lately, both Wi Seol-ah and Namgung Bi-ah seemed to have realized they were pretty and started using their looks.

When I firmly refused, Namgung Bi-ah immediately reverted her expression.

Then she added, sounding disappointed.

“…Soyeol said… you’d listen well if I acted like this.”

“Unnie… I’m pretty sure I didn’t teach you to use it like that?”

As if proving the saying ‘speak of the devil’, Tang Soyeol appeared.

She was huddled up, perhaps because it was very cold outside.

Glancing at her, I asked.

“Where have you been?”

“Ah… I went to see Miss Moyong.”

As I listened, I subtly released some warmth around me.

Tang Soyeol’s expression softened slightly, perhaps feeling the cold recede a bit.

Seeing that, I asked.

“Moyong? You mean Snow Phoenix?”

“Yes.”

As I felt last time, it seemed like there was something between Tang Soyeol and Moyong Hi-ah.

They don’t seem close.

If anything, it felt like Tang Soyeol was somewhat unilaterally trying to gauge her reaction.

‘Did she get bullied?’

But thinking that way, Tang Soyeol didn’t seem like the type to back down easily, considering how she handled Hwangbo the Chubby earlier.

Because her friend Peng Ah-hee had personally said that Tang Soyeol had quite a personality.

Her appearance seemed the most different from her personality.

If Wi Seol-ah were a puppy and Namgung Bi-ah a cat…

Tang Soyeol was closer to a squirrel.

“Squirrels are naturally quite feisty…”

“Huh?”

“No, nothing. What about food?”

“I haven’t eaten yet, I was waiting to eat together…”

Tang Soyeol said this and smiled shyly, perhaps feeling embarrassed.

“Ooh? Are we eating?”

Perhaps because food was mentioned, Wi Seol-ah’s eyes lit up.

As if I had been waiting for this, I started fiddling with Wi Seol-ah’s cheeks.

“Ooooh…”

“…They’ve shrunk again.”

“Ooh…?”

I knew it the moment I touched them.

That Wi Seol-ah’s cheek fat had decreased further.

Thanks to that, her appearance became brighter day by day, but it was a shame that the tactile sensation diminished.

“Are you sure you’re eating two bowls each meal?”

“Noooo… I ate three bowls earlier…”

“Then why are you like this? What are you hiding in your stomach?”

With the amount you eat daily, why are you losing weight?

I clearly told you to make sure you eat snacks too.

As I was engulfed in questions, Tang Soyeol said, looking bewildered.

“Young Master… You haven’t felt Seol-ah’s stomach, have you? Where could she hide anything? She’s so skinny.”

“Wouldn’t it be weirder if I touched it?”

Tang Soyeol nodded at my words, agreeing.

Then Wi Seol-ah grabbed her clothes with her hand and said.

“My stomach? Should I show you?”

“…What… What good would that do? Stay still.”

Seeing her about to lift it up immediately, I hastily pulled her hand down.

It’s not like we’re the only ones in the infirmary. What is she trying to do?

“I thought you seemed curious…”

Was it because I refused?

Wi Seol-ah pouted.

She’s pouting over something she shouldn’t be pouting about.

I considered flicking her forehead but ended up just ruffling Wi Seol-ah’s hair with my hand.

And then I asked.

“How was Snow Phoenix?”

Regarding Moyong Hi-ah’s condition.

“Huh? Ah, there weren’t any major issues. I think it’s better that her family’s clan is taking care of her rather than the infirmary.”

That would indeed be better than the infirmary.

Considering the illness Moyong Hi-ah has.

As far as I know, her attendant, who always stays with her, is also famous in the medical field.

She was one of the dozens of disciples produced by the Divine Physician.

‘I did moderate it somewhat, so her body shouldn’t be injured.’

Thanks to that, I had to use more internal energy than expected, but it turned out well in the end.

Actually, thinking of Snow Phoenix’s situation, having struggled onto the martial arts stage…

I wanted to exchange a few blows, but Snow Phoenix was so out of it that I had to finish it quickly.

‘I don’t know why she was like that, though.’

Unlike in my past life, perhaps it’s because she’s young now?

The Snow Phoenix in my memory was a woman who didn’t know the meaning of panic.

She was a cold woman, like one standing alone in a snowfield.

A woman who wasn’t even perplexed in the face of her own death.

In my memory, the only time Snow Phoenix was ever flustered was just once.

And recalling that it was also because of me…

I couldn’t help but be slightly concerned.

‘If Elder Shin were here, he would have cursed profusely.’

It’s obvious.

That old man would have probably said something like, ‘What, another woman?’

‘When does he plan on waking up?’

He wouldn’t have disappeared somewhere.

Perhaps due to my increased cultivation, I could clearly sense the Elder’s presence within my body.

It’s been several days since I met Jang Seon-yeon.

The fight with the Blood Fiend could be understood, but…

Could it be that he’s sleeping this long just because of an emotional issue?

‘It’s frustrating that I can’t figure anything out.’

The fact that I don’t know my own body.

Was truly exasperating.

“You know…”

At the voice that broke through my thoughts, I snapped back to attention.

“Can I… come see tomorrow?”

Namgung Bi-ah asked me cautiously.

Tomorrow… she must be talking about the martial arts tournament.

“Where are you planning to go in that condition?”

“I can move…”

I knew why Namgung Bi-ah wanted to train immediately.

Having gained such enlightenment, how could she not want to move?

If it were me… No, if it were me, I wouldn’t have, but…

‘If it was an enlightenment that might dissipate at any moment, perhaps I too would have told her to move.’

From my perspective, Namgung Bi-ah wouldn’t have forgotten the flow of that moment.

Even now, the sword path from that moment was endlessly swirling in her eyes.

She must want to swing it right away.

The reason she’s holding back is probably because of my words.

If it were up to me, I’d want her to rest tomorrow too.

Even if it seemed overly protective, seeing the wound on her chest made it hard to speak the words.

“Tomorrow…”

Still, knowing she was suppressing her instincts as a warrior solely because of my words, I felt I couldn’t interfere further.

“If you’re careful… it’s fine. You can move.”

In the end, I gave her the answer she wanted.

Perhaps because I gave permission?

Namgung Bi-ah broke into a smile as if she had been waiting.

‘There was also something I wanted to show her.’

Just as she had shown me something.

I also had something I wanted to show her.

Though the meaning might be slightly different.

And so, the next day.

I faced Jang Seon-yeon on the martial arts stage.

It was the moment I had been waiting for so eagerly.