Chapter 236: Battlefront. (6)

If there have been changes in the Central Plains over the past year.

Several major points can be picked out.

The first is the annihilation of the Black Night Palace.

Although the exact details were not announced.

News spread through the Central Plains that the Martial League and the Nine Families had joined forces to drive out the Black Night Palace.

It was an event that many people rejoiced over, as the Black Night Palace, one of the great powers of the unorthodox sects, had disappeared.

However.

Why the Martial League suddenly engaged in battle with the Black Night Palace.

And why the families involved were specifically the Nine Families were details not clearly known.

Moreover, although the Black Night Palace had collapsed.

In fact, including the Black Night Palace Master, who was the leader of the organization.

And what happened to the other martial artists of the Black Night Palace, the detailed circumstances of which had not been revealed.

Simply because the League said so.

And because the Beggars’ Sect spread the word along with it.

People simply believed.

In any case, the annihilation of the unorthodox sects was a good thing, so.

Whatever the story contained within might be.

It probably wasn’t particularly important to others.

The second was the return of the Plum Blossom Swordswoman.

The Plum Blossom Swordswoman, the renowned woman of the Central Plains who had been missing for the past few years, having disappeared without a trace, revealed herself.

Even appearing as beautiful and strong as before.

Regarding why the Swordswoman had not shown herself until now, Hua San stated:

“-It was her choice, so we simply respect it.”

They offered incomprehensible words.

The Swordswoman also appeared to agree with this.

Furthermore, just as Hua San Sect had been until before.

It was the tendency to let somewhat unusual statements pass without much issue.

After all, the conclusion was that the Swordswoman had returned.

The third was.

The issue with the martial arts tournament held last time.

If you ask what the problem was.

It was because most of the Six Dragons and Three Peaks, who led the current post-generation talents and were called the core, did not attend the martial arts tournament.

The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, where tens to hundreds of post-generation talents participate.

It was an unspoken rule that the Dragons and Phoenixes of the era would attend the annual banquet, but.

Starting from the year before last, when half of them were absent.

Last year, the situation was even more severe.

Fittingly described as the most outstanding level of Dragons and Phoenixes in history.

Perhaps because each had such strong opinions.

Sleeping Dragon sent word that he wouldn’t go because the distance was far and tiring.

Sword Peak sent a letter stating he wouldn’t go because he was busy with work.

Snow Phoenix also sent word that he would not attend due to family matters.

Hua San relayed the news that Sword Dragon had entered seclusion after gaining enlightenment during training.

Even Fierce Dragon and True Dragon didn’t send a letter.

As a result, the only Dragons and Phoenixes who attended the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering were Thunder Dragon and Poison Phoenix.

Divine Star, who had gained great rewards at the martial arts tournament the year before last, also participated, but.

Most people said, “What meaning could a festival have with all the jewels missing?”

‘Thanks to that, everyone’s going to get dragged to this Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.’

Even so, two people? What’s with just two people?

I have no right to say that, having not even sent a letter myself, but still, I didn’t know only two would go.

‘…I should have thought about it when Moyong Hi-ah said she wouldn’t go.’

The reason Snow Phoenix didn’t go is probably likely because of me, but.

I didn’t know the other guys wouldn’t go.

Because of that, and considering the Martial League’s position, compulsory attendance will probably be enforced for this year’s Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.

‘Even so, I don’t think I’ll go.’

Compulsory attendance or whatever, since when have the Nine Families cared about such things?

Swoosh.

As I opened the tent entrance and came out, I sensed the subtle fragrance characteristic of dawn.

It seemed the sun had risen not long ago.

“Mmm…”

Meanwhile, a sound tickling my ears could be heard from the edge of the tent.

As I turned my head and looked at the source of the sound.

“…When did that one crawl in again?”

Curled up sleeping in a corner was definitely Namgung Bi-ah.

I had fed her last night and sent her back to her own tent, but.

Why was Namgung Bi-ah here?

‘…’

While thinking it was absurd, I was now half resigned to it.

It wasn’t the first or second time she’d done that.

“…Wake her up later.”

The only thing I could do was grab Hong-wa, who was passing by, and ask her to wake her up.

“Oh my…!”

At my words, Hong-wa looked inside the tent.

And looked at me with an expression as if asking, ‘Is she there again?’

I couldn’t give her an answer just because she looked at me like that.

“I saw Young Miss Moyong leaving earlier…. I didn’t expect Young Miss Namgung to be here too…”

“What?”

“Huh?”

“Moyong… Did she leave from here?”

“Yes…”

“But why didn’t I know?”

Moyong Hi-ah left my tent?

Just when did she come in and when did she leave?

‘No, do they really think they’re cats? Why are they coming in as they please.’

Anyone would think I don’t have a place to sleep.

‘It’s absurd.’

The best tent in this area is none other than where Moyong Hi-ah stays.

Where I sleep is somewhat large in size, but.

At best, it’s just a regular tent.

As I am of the bloodline, I can sleep alone and don’t have to stand guard duty.

Other than that, the condition of the bedding or tent was not particularly good.

Besides, since I can sleep well even on the ground, it didn’t really matter, but.

‘Even giving Namgung Bi-ah the benefit of the doubt a hundred times, what about Moyong Hi-ah?’

Namgung Bi-ah used to sneakily steal my bed and sleep as if nothing happened since way back when.

Even if I overlook that a hundred times.

Whether Moyong Hi-ah was coming and going was something I couldn’t know.

‘Isn’t she uncomfortable?’

Since she’s Moyong Hi-ah, who is extremely picky.

I couldn’t understand the reason for her deliberately coming and going to a tent like this.

“Did I give her less internal energy?”

That’s not it.

I was giving it diligently once a week.

Even judging by the fact she was gradually accepting more internal energy, unlike before.

It seemed her constitution was almost recovered.

‘Lately, seeing her complexion looking good, it really seems like it.’

It looked too good, perhaps too good.

Her skin before was closer to pale.

Now she had vibrant white skin, so she must have improved a lot.

‘Lately, her body seems to be getting warmer too.’

If it’s to that extent, isn’t she practically recovered?

Probably not.

Even if she’s fully recovered, why would she accept internal energy?

Anyway.

Leaving Hong-wa behind, I started walking to go find Moyong Hi-ah.

It was to check why she came and went from my tent.

As I walked, I saw someone walking towards me from far away, trudging along.

Wondering who it was, it turned out to be Gu Jeolyub.

Gu Jeolyub, who was walking, must have spotted me and flinched.

He also tried to casually change direction.

‘Look at this bastard?’

“Where are you going?”

“…”

“We made eye contact, so where are you going?”

At my words, Gu Jeolyub slowly approached with a thoroughly disgusted expression.

It seemed he wasn’t hiding his expression anymore.

That guy has changed a lot.

Good to see.

“…I greet Young Master Il.”

“Yes, I too greet Great Warrior Fiery Blade. Have you been well?”

“Ugh…”

At my words, full of teasing, Gu Jeolyub swallowed hard.

He liked it so much when he first heard the nickname.

“Where are you coming from?”

“I’m going to rest after finishing my shift.”

Seeing that, he must have been returning after standing guard duty.

Listening to that calmly, I nodded.

“Then we can go train together.”

“What?”

“You said you have free time. Right?”

I was on my way to see Moyong Hi-ah, but.

I can see Moyong Hi-ah later.

At my words, Gu Jeolyub continued speaking with a repeatedly flustered expression.

“No, Young Master Il…?”

“Yeah.”

“I just finished guard duty and told you I was heading back now….”

“I heard you. I heard you loud and clear.”

“…But what did you just say?”

“Since guard duty is over, it means you have plenty of time now.”

“How does that follow?”

“When you go back, what are you going to do?”

“…That’s a good thought.”

Right, if guard duty is over, you should sleep.

But my thought was a bit different.

“After you sleep that sleep, are you not going to sleep for the rest of your life?”

“What?”

“You can sleep even after you die.”

At my words, Gu Jeolyub wrinkled his expression as if asking what kind of bullshit that was, but.

I had already made up my mind.

“Or else, let me sleep forever? I’m good at that.”

At my words, said with a smile.

I could see Gu Jeolyub’s expression crumpling to the point it couldn’t be wrinkled any further.

---

Time passed dawn and became noon.

Even the training that started lightly could roughly be concluded.

Thump!

A heavy sound fell in the middle of the forest.

Flap flap!

Birds that had been holding their breath in the trees flew up, and the sound echoed.

This was the sound that occurred as I placed the rock I was holding on the ground.

“Haa… Haa…”

Gu Jeolyub lay sprawled on the ground, gasping for breath.

His martial arts uniform was already soaked in sweat and looked damp.

His hands and feet trembling showed he had suffered considerably.

Seeing that, I too casually threw the rock I was holding onto the ground.

Crash!

It was twice as loud as the sound Gu Jeolyub made placing his.

That’s understandable, because the size of the rock I was holding was already twice as large.

Unlike Gu Jeolyub, who was like a drenched rat.

I only had a few beads of sweat moderately on my forehead.

Seeing Gu Jeolyub practically dying, I asked.

“You lasted the whole time today?”

“Haa… Haa…”

He seemed like he wanted to answer something, but.

It didn’t seem like he was in a condition to answer.

I examined Gu Jeolyub’s body here and there and nodded.

‘His vessel seems almost ready.’

Gu Jeolyub’s vessel was roughly prepared for him to reach the pinnacle as a martial artist.

After all, it would be strange if he hadn’t improved after I’ve been pushing him like that for a year.

‘At this rate, he’ll break through before summer ends.’

For a martial artist to break through a bottleneck, they need internal energy that penetrates the lower dantian, but.

More importantly, the physical body capable of enduring the process was crucial.

Of course, with the power to control internal energy extremely well, it’s possible to break through the bottleneck without the body collapsing.

For example, even if Namgung Bi-ah, Gu Huibi, etc., have insufficiently prepared physical vessels.

They can still break through the bottleneck based on their innate talent.

‘If that guy tried, he could too.’

Gu Jeolyub is considered a genius in his own right.

In a way, this method might be possible, but.

For safety, and to solidify their foundation when they reach higher levels later, building the physical body first was crucial.

‘Shortcuts like mine aren’t very good later on.’

That’s why I push him like this every time I see him.

Unaware of this kind older brother’s heart, this bastard tries to avoid me every time he sees me, which is really damn annoying.

“Now that I think about it, it’s annoying… Should I increase training time?”

“Eek…?”

“This is your older brother doing all this for your own good.”

Gu Jeolyub is actually older, so calling me ‘brother’ is a bit off, but he didn’t seem to mind.

He probably stayed quiet fearing he’d get hit if he protested, but.

Anyway.

‘If I push him more, he’ll really die, right?’

If I were to push him for a little more training here.

Since I didn’t know if Gu Jeolyub might really lose his mind.

I decided to let it go for now.

“It’s a shame, but we’ll have to stop here for today.”

At my words, Gu Jeolyub seemed relieved and let out a big sigh.

Could resting from training be that good for a martial artist?

‘I too, in the past, hated training like hell.’

On this point, I wasn’t in a position to criticize Gu Jeolyub.

I saw the relieved Gu Jeolyub and added a remark.

“Ah, my older sister is planning to train with you later.”

“…What? What do you mean…!”

“Just letting you know. I’m leaving now.”

“Young, Young Master!”

Gu Jeolyub called out to me urgently, but I had no intention of stopping.

The reason he made such a desperate face is probably because training with Gu Huibi is much tougher than training with me.

Gu Huibi was the type to push people literally until they died.

Gu Jeolyub knew that too, so he called out to me as if begging for his life, but.

Unfortunately, since it was past noon, I had things to do.

‘If I knew I’d have to do this again later, maybe I should have pushed him less.’

While that thought crossed my mind.

‘Well, he’ll endure it somehow.’

With full faith in Gu Jeolyub, I erased the thought from my mind.

Go, Gu Jeolyub.