Chapter 281: Entrance Exam. (1)

As soon as the rain stopped, the weather cleared up like a ghost, but.

The sun had set.

Night had already arrived.

When I returned to the inn.

It had already become night.

“Ah, Young Master Gu!”

Returning to my lodging late, Tang Soyeol appeared as if he had been waiting.

Was he perhaps waiting for me?

“You’re back late?”

“I had some business.”

“Ah, I see… Did you eat then?”

“Yeah. Sort of.”

Although I hadn’t actually eaten, I vaguely mumbled that I had.

I wasn’t in a situation where I wanted to eat anything right now.

To Tang Soyeol, who was smiling brightly and talking about what happened today.

I just gave vague responses.

“You need to wake up early tomorrow, so please go to sleep quickly.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

Right, I have to leave early tomorrow.

Damn Shinryong Hall.

Thinking about that, my otherwise decent mood immediately soured.

I tried hard to manage my expression, but in the meantime, Tang Soyeol asked something else.

“Young Master.”

“Hm?”

“Did something good happen?”

“Suddenly?”

“Yes… You seem somehow happy.”

“…Mm.”

A good thing, huh.

-I missed you.

Is it because of what I just heard?

I tried hard to suppress the corners of my mouth that were trying to turn up.

“Something like that.”

Perhaps to hide it, my tone came out more brusque than usual.

Tang Soyeol tilted his head, but.

He didn’t ask me anything further.

Leaving Tang Soyeol behind, I went up to my room and thought.

‘Where did she go?’

Because Moyong Hi-ah hadn’t been seen much for the past few days.

She often disappeared saying she had business, so she’d probably come on her own this time too.

She should come before the heat dies down, though.

Creak.

“Hm?”

Opening the door, I saw that a candle was already lit inside the room.

Thinking a servant might have lit it and left, I unconsciously took a step forward.

I belatedly noticed someone sitting on the bed.

“…Ah, startled me….”

Startled, I took a step back and looked to see who it was.

As expected, it was Namgung Bi-ah.

“What are you doing here? You startled me.”

“Since you… weren’t coming…”

“What does me being late have to do with you lying on the bed?”

I spat out the words, dumbfounded.

Only then did Namgung Bi-ah stir and get up.

Judging by the state of her hair, she seemed to have been lying down for quite a while.

She even seemed to have slept.

“Did you eat?”

“…Yeah.”

“Good job.”

I roughly took off my outer clothes and tossed them aside.

And then, as I was about to change my clothes…

“Why aren’t you leaving? Go outside so I can change.”

“…”

For some reason, Namgung Bi-ah wasn’t leaving and was sitting on the bed, looking up at me.

With the room dim and only a small candle lit.

Namgung Bi-ah’s blue eyes seemed to shine particularly brightly.

For some reason, or perhaps because she had something to ask me.

Namgung Bi-ah, who had been quietly gazing at me.

Opened her pink lips and asked me.

“…Did you meet them?”

“…!”

At Namgung Bi-ah’s question, I couldn’t hide my surprised expression.

Was she asking who I met?

There was no need to think about it.

Namgung Bi-ah’s gaze told me everything.

It seemed she had figured out that I had met Wi Seol-ah.

‘How did she know?’

Namgung Bi-ah, who hadn’t particularly left the lodging, how could she know I had met Wi Seol-ah?

It was surprising and curious, but this wasn’t the situation to ask.

She was demanding an answer.

I looked into her eyes and gave my answer.

“…Yes. I met them.”

I didn’t lie.

I didn’t want to lie to Namgung Bi-ah about something like this.

At my answer, Namgung Bi-ah just kept looking at me with the same gaze.

What kind of look was it.

I wasn’t sure what emotion she was looking at me with.

Rustle.

She closed her eyes slightly once, turned her gaze away a little, and then.

With a slightly tired expression, she pulled the blanket around herself and lay down.

“Why did you come alone…?”

To the question quietly asked from under the blanket.

I recalled what Wi Seol-ah had said to me then.

-I’ll come see you again later.

-Aren’t you coming with me?

-No.

Her answer was firm.

Even though I had gone so far as to see her face.

-I was really happy to see your face today.

-….

-See you tomorrow… Young Master… no.

Tidying her hair that fluttered in the winter wind.

Wi Seol-ah said to me with a slight smile.

-Young Master Gu.

At that light melody.

At that moment, I had to press my lips shut tightly.

‘Tomorrow.’

Wi Seol-ah had definitely said she’d see me tomorrow.

This meant that.

Wi Seol-ah was also going to Shinryong Hall.

‘It hasn’t changed.’

While it was nice to see her again, in a way.

It wasn’t entirely good news either.

Through regression, various events changed.

And while I learned things I didn’t know.

Many situations arose where even the things I wished for got tangled up.

In the end.

Wi Seol-ah’s direction hadn’t changed much.

‘Can I change it?’

Or, could I dare to handle what I’ve changed?

The terrible anxiety remained, but.

It had become impossible to turn back now.

It wasn’t a question of ‘Can I?’

It had become a situation where I ‘Must do it.’

Namgung Bi-ah glanced back and quietly watched me.

Then turned her head again.

Since she herself had gotten along well with Wi Seol-ah.

It would be natural for her to ask what happened.

Perhaps seeing my expression, she decided not to ask.

‘Everyone’s so perceptive.’

Tang Soyeol too.

Namgung Bi-ah too. Even Moyong Hi-ah.

If something seemed off about me, they’d notice it like ghosts.

But I can’t do that.

It was quite burdensome, yet.

I felt grateful and apologetic.

Watching Namgung Bi-ah’s back, I slowly opened my mouth.

“But you know.”

“…Yeah?”

“Why are you subtly trying to sleep here?”

“…”

“Get up.”

Tsk.

A short clicking sound was heard.

Namgung Bi-ah sat up.

Seeing the look on her face, as if she’d been caught.

It seemed she had intended to sneakily get away with it.

---

The guest rooms on the highest floor boasted exceptionally large sizes.

Watching the people visible beyond the raised platform, a young man swallowed a mouthful of alcohol.

Uiwha Cheongju.

It was an expensive liquor sold only in Henan.

A price that would have made anyone who heard it gasp in shock, but.

The young man, seemingly unconcerned, continued to drink.

The people walking on the street were enough of a side dish.

One cup, then another.

As he emptied half the bottle of liquor.

“Older Brother!”

The uninvited guest entered, opening the door.

The young man sighed inwardly.

Because he had hoped to rest a bit today.

Looking at the woman who had barged in with indifferent eyes.

The woman posed the same question to the young man as yesterday.

“Really, Older Brother, are you the Elder’s disciple?”

“…Ha. You’re already asking for the fourth time.”

Even though I answer it every day.

Her coming to ask again was troublesome in many ways.

More precisely, it was annoying.

“Because I can’t believe it no matter how many times I hear it.”

“Didn’t I clearly… say that I am?”

Young Master Bi Yijin answered, frowning slightly.

She finally shut her mouth, but.

Seeing her pout, she clearly wasn’t pleased.

Seeing that, Bi Yijin had to keep sighing.

‘This has become troublesome.’

I should have said it when this child wasn’t around.

This was Bi Yijin’s mistake.

“What’s with all the dissatisfaction?”

“…It’s not dissatisfaction. It’s just that I’m starting to understand how you can be strong while living so lazily.”

“When did I ever live lazily…?”

I’m living busier than anyone.

Bibi doesn’t know Bi Yijin’s situation, so she can only see him that way.

‘Tsk.’

But I can’t explain the situation.

So I had to just shut my mouth again.

“Then, when exactly did you meet the Elder?”

“…It just happened somehow?”

“Someone called one of the Three Venerables of the world… You can just meet them by chance?”

“As you live, there are days like that and days like this.”

“Anyone would think you’re over seventy. Older Brother, you’re only twenty.”

“…”

Twenty, my ass.

I’ve lived at least three times that long.

At Bibi’s words, Bi Yijin had to give a wry smile inwardly.

He hadn’t known it would turn out like this.

It was regret.

Regret for not having done otherwise.

“Still, it’s somewhat fortunate.”

“Fortunate about what?”

“There was a rumor, wasn’t there? The rumor that Elder Bi took in a disciple.”

“Ah.”

Is that what she’s talking about?

How much I laughed when I heard it.

“Honestly, I felt a bit…”

“Felt what?”

“Leaving you, Older Brother, and Brother Cheol aside… If you took someone from another family as a disciple, it would be a little upsetting, wouldn’t it?”

The person named Cheol that Bibi mentioned.

Refers to the current head of the Bi family’s eldest son.

Bi Yijin smiled faintly as he listened to Bibi.

While her words were immature, it seemed she did think somewhat of her older brother.

However.

‘I couldn’t take that idiot as a disciple.’

Bi Cheol, in Bi Yijin’s view, was an incompetent fellow.

His hot-tempered nature, resembling his father, was one thing.

He had talent in martial arts, as much as his bloodline was mixed in, but.

That level alone wasn’t enough to satisfy me.

Although I’ve been trying hard to mold him into a proper person since he was young.

Separately from that.

I didn’t want to interfere regarding martial arts.

‘If it hadn’t turned out like this, I wouldn’t have cared in the first place.’

I had no connection to the Bi family’s origins or their place.

I never intended to become the family head in the first place.

Bi Yijin, no, Bijoo.

Was simply a person whose goal was to achieve and create his own martial path.

If the current family head hadn’t begged on his knees to keep me.

Bi Yijin had no intention of staying here like this.

Moreover.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You’re still ugly today.”

“…Have you ever been hit with Older Brother’s liquor bottle?”

“I’ve hit you many times.”

“Then let’s experience it today.”

If that brat wasn’t here.

I would have abandoned everything halfway, regardless of the family head’s request.

Bibi tried to swing the liquor bottle vigorously, but.

She was immediately subdued by Bi Yijin’s touch.

Even with her arms tied up, Bibi was still talkative.

“Then, if you are indeed the Elder’s disciple, Older Brother, the rumors about Young Hero Gu must be false, right?”

Click.

Bi Yijin, who was opening another bottle of liquor.

Made a strange expression at Bibi’s question.

“Well…”

“What?”

“It’s possible he didn’t keep only me.”

“What do you mean? You said you’re the disciple.”

“Would there only be one disciple in the world?”

Heh heh.

Bi Yijin just laughed.

Bibi, frustrated, wondered what kind of nonsensical talk this was, but.

Bi Yijin had no intention of telling the truth.

Seeing her so frustrated was quite amusing, so he planned to watch a little longer.

Meanwhile, he recalled the child Bibi mentioned.

‘That Gu Lun fellow was protecting him so much.’

The child I encountered at the inn last time.

The fellow his close friend and rival cherished like a grandson.

He had a face that strongly resembled his father.

Moreover, it wasn’t just his face that was similar.

‘They say you can’t hide blood.’

When I first saw the child, Gu Yangcheon.

Bi Yijin’s heart was filled with admiration.

How meticulously he had trained.

His well-formed muscles made his body close to perfect for martial arts practitioners.

The energy contained within was so profound that even Bi Yijin couldn’t properly grasp it.

It was so much so that.

I wondered if perhaps he was someone who had gone through the same situation as me.

Reversing Age and Returning to Youth.

A pathetic curse that sacrifices everything achieved, destroys it, and merely gains time.

Bi Yijin wondered if Gu Yangcheon had also experienced Reversing Age and Returning to Youth, but.

‘If that were the case, he couldn’t have built such a body.’

Meridians weaken, and the body degenerates into a frail form unsuitable for cultivating strength.

Bi Yijin himself too.

Until transforming this wretched body into a normal one.

How much hardship did I endure.

However, Gu Yangcheon was different.

Unlike the state of Reversing Age, his body was perfect for martial arts.

It was unfortunate that his small stature reduced his reach, but.

Even considering that, he perfectly controlled his own body, which was the same.

There are only two cases where one can achieve such a body at that age.

One is a martial artist who has reached the Peak or surpassed the Profound Realm.

Returning to their youth when their meridians and body were intact, and diligently training to achieve it.

The second case is.

‘Having extreme talent.’

The first case is impossible unless the master goes back to the past, so let’s ignore it.

The case is only the second one.

‘It’s precisely because he possessed such talent from the start that he’s reached this level now.’

Upon facing him, I could tell Gu Yangcheon’s level wasn’t merely confined to the Peak.

A body with perfectly balanced proportions of physique and energy.

Furthermore, a subtly heightened sense of presence to cope with any situation.

And even the flow of energy, knowing inherently where he should head next.

It was like the appearance of someone who had already touched the Profound Realm.

‘To conceal it so well that even I find it hard to notice.’

Gu Yangcheon’s energy was at a level that even Pac-jon could only discern after observing him for several days.

I heard he hasn’t even passed his youth yet.

And he’s already preparing to reach the Profound Realm?

Let alone being on the verge of it.

Pac-jon surpassed the Peak just after passing his youth.

The other two individuals currently at the pinnacle of the Central Plains.

Considering they reached the Peak one or two years younger than Pac-jon.

No matter how outstanding the shooting stars born in this generation are.

Gu Yangcheon was already far beyond that level.

If his talent continues to bloom and develop like this.

It’s obvious he’ll become a martial artist reaching the level of the Three Venerables in the future.

‘If he does well.’

That’s why Pac-jon was keeping a close eye on Gu Yangcheon.

If he does well.

He can do it.

Bi Yijin looked out the window and smiled.

At first, I just wanted to see what kind of guy he was since Gu Lun was talking so much about him.

I ignored him, telling him to stop, as it seemed he implicitly hoped for guidance.

Secondly, just how great was he.

I was curious why rumors of him being my disciple were spreading.

Bi Yijin wasn’t angry about this.

Because he was the one who wanted a disciple more than anyone else.

However.

He had not a speck of talent.

If some guy who didn’t know his place went around claiming to be my disciple.

‘I would have folded him in half.’

I had intended to reprimand him harshly, but.

Gu Yangcheon, whom I met directly, wasn’t bad.

No, rather, he was good.

‘Found him.’

This is the moment I had longed for.

A late-blooming disciple with such a body and the talent to control such energy.

He was the one Bijoo had been searching for over many years.

That’s why Bi Yijin offered his hand first to Gu Yangcheon.

‘Why did he make that expression?’

Bi Yijin was puzzled.

When I reached out my hand.

Gu Yangcheon was inexplicably wary of me.

His eyes darting around subtly.

It seemed he was prepared to react if I were to launch a surprise attack.

Keeping each one of his companions within his senses.

It seemed he was trying to minimize any potential damage to them if a fight broke out.

The problem is.

‘Why?’

The reason remains unknown.

‘Did he know who I was?’

That would roughly explain it, but.

The chances of that were slim.

Unless that Gu Lun fellow had blabbed.

That crazy guy, while having a dog-like temper.

Wasn’t the type to carelessly spread his friend’s words.

If not, then.

What on earth did Gu Yangcheon sense from me to be so wary?

Was it just instinct?

‘If that’s the case, then all the better.’

A martial artist’s instinct should always be sharp and keen.

It must be sharp.

‘Good.’

Pac-jon took another gulp of liquor.

The more I saw, the better he seemed.

Perhaps, maybe, just maybe.

‘…I might be able to complete him.’

I don’t know if Gu Yangcheon will be able to see the completion of my martial arts.

Thinking that, the liquor went down smoothly.

As I started sipping the liquor, Bibi, who had been standing blankly, approached and pointed somewhere.

“Oh, Older Brother. Over there…”

The direction of her finger.

Was the direction Bi Yijin had already been paying attention to even before Bibi pointed.

“Older Brother, those people… they’re the ones, right?”

Bi Yijin nodded at Bibi’s question.

‘It’s Nak-geom’s faction.’

Several groups were forming ranks, cutting through the night street.

As tomorrow is an important day.

Those who needed to gather were starting to assemble.

Because of that, the streets were filled with people.

‘Hmm….’

Among them.

White martial robes with dark ink-colored patterns drawn on them.

These were martial robes proving they belonged to the Jang family, the faction of the current Alliance Leader, Nak-geom Jang Cheon.

‘Speaking of which, I wonder if that precious item got there safely.’

The precious item borrowed briefly from the Martial Arts Alliance.

Originally, when Bi Yijin attended the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.

It was something he should have delivered in person.

But he had forgotten and failed to deliver it.

He had even written a letter with excuses.

Later, that Gu Lun fellow took it, saying he’d deliver it well.

‘He must have handled it.’

Bi Yijin thought he must have done it properly and erased it from his mind.

“Then, is the person in front the one called Sinseong?”

At Bibi’s words, Bi Yijin shifted his gaze slightly.

Then, a handsome young man walking at the very front caught his eye.

“He’s handsome…?”

Bibi muttered, looking at the young man.

He has a truly handsome face.

His kind appearance, coupled with his fine facial features, gave him the aura of a well-raised young master.

“That must be Sinseong.”

A rising young martial artist lately.

Sinseong, the Alliance Leader’s son.

“He’s really handsome…”

Bibi seemed completely captivated by Sinseong’s face.

She couldn’t take her eyes off him.

‘He looks like that and is also good at martial arts?’

Perfect… just perfect.

Bibi simply nodded.

Meanwhile, Bi Yijin wasn’t paying any attention to Sinseong or whoever he was.

He seemed quite outstanding, but.

I didn’t get any particular feeling from him.

‘Hmm.’

Rather.

That guy called Sinseong, the person walking right behind him.

Bi Yijin was more concerned about that child.

Although hidden under a fur-lined cloak, making him hard to see clearly.

Judging by his figure, I could tell it was a woman.

And by the sword at her waist, I could tell she was a swordmaster.

Moreover.

‘…Look at this?’

A very faint aura felt familiar.

It had to be familiar.

Because it was the same energy that had sent me rolling on the ground several times.

The sword that seemed to contain the moon and slice the sky.

Smelling the energy brought to mind the old man who stood alone on a sharp sword’s edge, despite being called one of the Three Venerables.

Even as the thought surfaced, Pac-jon smiled deeply.

The energy emanating from the woman was definitely.

‘That old geezer.’

The owner of Moon Dance Swordplay.

‘He’s raised a monster.’

It was the energy of Sword Venerable (劍尊) Wi Hyo-gun.