Chapter 226: Going to Battle. (2)

Two months have passed.

The season that was the start of spring.

Had already reached its end, waiting for summer to arrive.

The brightly blooming flowers were preparing for their end.

Hooook-! Hook!

The young man swung his sword.

Above the field scorched by the blazing sun.

Drops of sweat fell plink, plink from the tip of his chin.

“Hooo…!”

The wooden sword in his hand trembled, shiver.

It was the aftereffect of strenuous training.

Leaving his legs, which looked like they might collapse any second, behind.

The young man swung his sword one more time.

Koong!

As he stomped the ground with his foot, wind pressure reached outwards.

The internal energy that permeated his body straightened the path of his sword.

Reaching its peak, the sharpness emanating from the sword’s tip soared endlessly.

Shweeeek!

Sword energy burst forth from the tip of the sword swung through the air.

Kwagagag!

It swept through the surroundings, and only after felling a few trees did he manage to end it.

“…Haaa….”

Only after stopping his movements could he let out a deep breath.

Hooook.

The internal energy that had been pressuring his body was recalled to his dantian.

The sweat-soaked young man stabilized his body while catching his breath.

‘It’s difficult.’

The young man, MuYeon, thought.

It had only been two months since reaching the peak.

The exhilaration of overcoming a wall and the excitement of reaching a new world still remained, but.

The world that unfolded after reaching the peak from the first-class level was higher and wider than that.

Now that he had reached the world he only gazed upon.

He couldn’t grasp how much strenuous training and countless realizations he would need to achieve to move to the next stage.

However, MuYeon erased his thoughts and focused on his breathing.

‘There is plenty of time. Let’s not be hasty.’

It was advice someone had given him countless times.

Of course, it wasn’t delivered with such a kind tone in reality.

-Stop showing off and just do what you see. People need to know their place; if you don’t know that and act cocky, you won’t get anywhere?

These were the words spoken to him by a boy with a fierce impression.

MuYeon, the person he served, and.

The boy who would become the greatest pillar of the Gu family.

‘…Does this mean Young Master has been living in a world like this for a long time?’

Only after reaching the peak did he feel his reverence for Gu Yangcheon deepen.

‘Young Master truly is a heaven-sent talent.’

When I first saw Gu Yangcheon, though it’s a memory from a little over a year ago.

Gu Yangcheon back then was a crude martial artist who had barely reached the third-class level, if that.

Whether something changed, or from some point on, his talent began to bloom.

He reached second-class.

And then first-class.

Before he could even properly see, he had overcome the wall and reached the peak.

Considering that was barely over a year, it must be truly unbelievable talent.

‘…There are countless people who train their martial arts their entire lives without reaching the peak.’

Seeing this, MuYeon himself was initially consumed by envy and jealousy in his heart, but.

Now, he felt a bit more at ease.

Perhaps the words the attendant Wi spoke to him that night were the turning point.

Seuk!

After finishing his training, as he was tidying his wooden sword and wiping his sweat.

Someone approached MuYeon.

“You worked hard.”

MuYeon shifted his gaze to the person speaking to him.

“…Ah. Miss Hong.”

Hong Wa, the attendant, appeared and handed MuYeon water.

MuYeon lightly bowed his head and accepted the water.

He thought it was fortunate to quench his already dry throat.

Hong Wa, watching MuYeon, carefully asked.

“Have you made any progress?”

“It’s always about the same.”

“Looking at your expression, Brother, it seems to be going okay.”

“…Haha.”

MuYeon smiled with an embarrassed expression at Hong Wa’s words, which sounded relieved.

The day MuYeon informed the clan that he had reached the peak.

Along with the Sword Brigade, the Gu Seon Sect was turned upside down once.

This was because the youngest martial artist in the history of the Gu Seon Sect to reach the peak had been born.

Moreover, the Sect Leader, the First Elder, had now died.

And with the revelation of what the First Elder had been plotting behind the scenes, one by one.

The position of Gu Jeolyeop, who was to inherit the title of Junior Sect Leader, was precarious.

Talk began to emerge that MuYeon was more than capable of leading the Gu Seon Sect in the next generation.

Considering that MuYeon originally belonged to the Sword Brigade.

Discussions also arose that he should be taken out of the guard corps and reinstated as a Sword Brigade member.

A martial artist who reached the peak was, at the very least, guaranteed a position at the level of a Sword Brigade Vice-Captain.

However.

MuYeon refused it all.

Not only did he think it didn’t suit his station.

• I have something I wish to do. Until that matter is finished, I do not wish to accept any position.

With these words, MuYeon concluded all discussions.

Of course, various Brigade Leaders and members of the Gu Seon Sect wished to hear more about this, but.

Under the influence of the Second Elder, they all chose silence.

“Brother MuYeon.”

“Yes.”

“…Are you still using formal speech?”

“…It’s just that I’m not used to it.”

Hong Wa, wearing an expression of exasperation, soon brought up another topic with MuYeon.

“I heard Young Master Jeolyeop visited yesterday.”

“Ah. Yes, that’s right.”

“Was he alright?”

MuYeon smiled bitterly at Hong Wa’s question.

“He will be alright.”

This was all he could say.

Gu Jeolyeop would be alright.

At least, the boy he had seen was a more resilient martial artist than expected.

MuYeon recalled Gu Jeolyeop, who still looked gaunt, and tried to change the subject.

“Ah, right, today, isn’t it?”

“You mean the day Young Master comes out?”

“Yes.”

“That’s right. Though I don’t know when he’ll come out….”

It had already been two months since Gu Yangcheon entered seclusion as punishment.

Time flowed by like an instant, faster than expected.

‘…Should I just pass on the message as soon as he comes out?’

Before entering seclusion, Gu Yangcheon had left MuYeon with a few requests.

The requests themselves weren’t particularly difficult, so.

It was a simple matter for MuYeon.

As always, it was unclear why Gu Yangcheon would ask for such things.

‘Young Master must always have his reasons.’

MuYeon could only think that way.

Because with his own level, he couldn’t properly understand geniuses like Gu Yangcheon.

“Ah, Brother, have you heard the news?”

“What news?”

“The one the Moyong family decided to hold this time….”

“Ah, I heard. Collaborating with the Tang family…”

“Yes. They said they’ll sell not only clothing but also accessories, so people will come from places other than Shanxi too.”

“Oh, I see.”

He vaguely remembered hearing the news.

Moreover, a direct blood relative of the Moyong family was currently staying with the Gu family.

‘It was Snow Phoenix, wasn’t it.’

Snow Phoenix Moyong Hi-ah.

She was a woman who had visited a few times to see Gu Yangcheon, so MuYeon had seen her face up close.

‘She was a beautiful person.’

She was a woman who knew and cultivated her own beauty.

Her smiles at moments, her gestures, everything about her was full of charm that attracted men.

The Snow Phoenix that MuYeon saw was such a person.

However, Gu Yangcheon only avoided her with an endlessly awkward gaze.

‘Why could that be?’

MuYeon couldn’t understand.

He wondered if there was anyone who disliked beautiful women.

‘Perhaps, is it because of Miss Namgung?’

Although Moyong Hi-ah is beautiful.

The most beautiful person MuYeon had seen since he was born was Namgung Bi-ah.

She didn’t dress up much.

Even usually, she wore comfortable clothes for training and tied her hair up.

Namgung Bi-ah, leaving that aside, possessed a beauty of a different class.

To what extent? MuYeon even felt jealousy towards Gu Yangcheon, who was engaged to such Namgung Bi-ah, even for a moment.

“…So, about that…”

“Yes?”

“If it’s okay with you, Brother MuYeon…. This time, together….”

“Oh! You were here!”

Just as Hong Wa was about to say something.

Someone approached and cut her off.

As soon as MuYeon saw the approaching person who cut him off, he immediately had to show respect.

“I, I greet Elder Yi.”

“Yes, yes, it’s been a while.”

“Yes.”

It wasn’t really a ‘while’ since he had seen him just a few days ago.

“Ah, Hong Wa was here too.”

“…”

“Hmm? Why the long face?”

“No, sir. I greet Elder Yi.”

“Uh, uh, yes…”

For some reason, Hong Wa’s expression seemed gloomier than usual.

Could she be unwell?

“It’s just that I received word that he’ll be coming out soon.”

“Ah…! You mean Young Master?”

“Yes. Will you come with me?”

“Yes.”

MuYeon nodded at Elder Yi’s words.

It was something he had waited two months for.

Hong Wa bowed to Elder Yi and stepped back.

“Then, I’ll go prepare the meal.”

Perhaps because she heard Gu Yangcheon was coming out.

Hong Wa quickly disappeared to prepare the meal.

Even then, her expression wasn’t quite right, which subtly bothered MuYeon.

“…Hmm, did this old man do something wrong?”

“No, sir. Attendant Hong just seems unwell.”

“Oh dear, I should have sent her to the medical wing.”

MuYeon chuckled at Elder Yi’s words.

He then followed Elder Yi, moving his steps.

---

If we were to go over the events of the past two months one by one.

The first is the matter concerning the First Elder’s hidden records.

As Gu Yangcheon had mentioned, there were hidden records in the First Elder’s residence.

Inside them were accumulated assets, along with.

Evidence that the First Elder had shared information with other factions.

This provided justification for Gu Yangcheon having known something and eliminating the First Elder.

Furthermore, the First Elder was stripped of his position and, at the same time, could not even receive a proper funeral.

Even if a funeral were held, he likely wouldn’t be buried in the Gu family’s ancestral tomb.

Additionally, the treatment of his descendant, Gu Jeolyeop, was also divided.

Perhaps thanks to Gu Yangcheon and Elder Yi having made arrangements beforehand.

His dantian could be protected, and he could continue to operate as part of the Gu family.

However, simultaneously relinquishing the position of Junior Sect Leader of the Gu Seon Sect.

He was prevented from doing what he could as a collateral member of the Gu family.

Gu Jeolyeop did not hold any dissatisfaction about this.

Instead, he secretly conveyed his gratitude to MuYeon, saying even this was something to be thankful for.

‘There were many other matters besides this….’

The rest were stories to be brought up when facing Gu Yangcheon.

Around the time they arrived at the location.

Several people who had arrived early caught his eye.

A woman wearing a veil in the distance.

‘Snow Phoenix has also arrived.’

She is a relative of the Moyong family who hasn’t left the clan due to business matters.

Furthermore, next to her…

“…!”

MuYeon, shifting his gaze to look beside her, swallowed a gasp.

Namgung Bi-ah stood next to Moyong Hi-ah.

In a way, this was natural.

It would be more surprising if Namgung Bi-ah didn’t appear here.

However, the reason MuYeon was surprised wasn’t this.

“…Hoo.”

Elder Yi, who came along, also let out a breath of admiration.

It was because Namgung Bi-ah, standing with perfect posture, was unbelievably beautiful.

Where was the woman who usually wandered around in comfortable martial attire with her hair loosely tied up?

A peerless beauty, so stunning it made one dizzy, was present.

‘Just by dressing up a little, she’s this much.’

Unlike usual, Namgung Bi-ah seemed to have adorned her beauty.

Although it wasn’t the level Moyong Hi-ah or Tang So Yeol usually sported, and it was lighter makeup.

It was enough appearance to overwhelm the surroundings.

Namgung Bi-ah’s head turned, and her eyes met MuYeon’s.

“…”

Kuk-buck.

Namgung Bi-ah immediately bowed her head slightly to MuYeon.

MuYeon returned the courtesy accordingly, but.

He couldn’t help the pounding in his chest.

‘…Should I make a bet?’

He considered it for a moment but soon shook his head.

“So many have gathered. That Yangcheon fellow, unlike his personality, seems to have good fortune with people.”

Elder Yi said this as if proud, as if it were his own business.

Although the number of people had changed slightly from when Gu Yangcheon entered, it was true that there were quite a few.

In a way, it was strange that so many people gathered just for him finishing seclusion and coming out.

“The time we spoke of is running short, so soon….”

No sooner had Elder Yi finished speaking.

Koo-woong.

A sound came from the entrance area.

Kkeudeudeuk.

Perhaps due to the vibrations, dust fell pitter-patter, and gradual changes occurred.

The heavy door slowly opened.

Hooook!

Immense heat rushed out from the entrance, carried by a gust of wind.

The heat, pushing away the dust and sweeping through the surroundings, clearly had something else mixed in.

‘…This is….’

The heat felt was all internal energy.

Such dense and distinct heat, all of it internal energy.

As the pouring heat subsided.

In the darkness where the inside couldn’t be properly seen.

Ttubuk.

Footsteps could be heard.

“Ah, damn it.”

Along with it, a familiar voice brushed past his ears.

As if annoyed by everything in the world.

The voice, thick with negative emotions.

Was familiar to MuYeon, yet inexplicably trustworthy.

“Now I feel like I can finally live.”

As the footsteps grew closer, the boy’s figure gradually became clearer in the darkness.

He wore the same clothes as when he first entered, but.

‘…Has his height increased a bit?’

He felt like he had grown a bit taller.

Boys of that age grow fast, but this seems a bit faster.

“Hmm? What is it?”

The boy’s eyes, as he casually swept his hair back and looked around, were still sharp.

In that moment, MuYeon flinched upon seeing the boy’s eyes.

‘Purple…?’

It was because Gu Yangcheon’s eyes were somehow tinged with a purple hue.

However.

The moment he blinked, they returned to their original color.

At that sight, MuYeon tilted his head slightly.

‘Was it a mistake?’

It was probably a mistake.

Just as he thought that for a moment.

Gu Yangcheon said with his characteristic expression of disbelief.

“Why are you all gathered like this?”

“We were waiting for you, you brat.”

“…No, why would anyone wait like this for someone coming out after being punished?”

Elder Yi approached Gu Yangcheon to pat his shoulder, but.

He stopped his steps as he got closer.

Everyone looked, wondering why.

“What’s wrong?”

“Yangcheon-ah.”

“Yes.”

“You stink.”

“…”

At Elder Yi’s words, Gu Yangcheon sniffed his sleeve and made a disgusted face.

“…What the hell, what is this smell?”

It seemed to be a rather unpleasant smell.

“At any rate, it seems much worse than poop, so let’s talk after you wash up.”

“Yes…”

MuYeon, watching that, had to cover his face, unsure of what expression to make.

It was because the situation was much more crude than expected.