Chapter 283: Entrance Exam. (3)

“You fucking bastard.”

The surroundings fall silent for a moment at the words I blurted out without realizing. It must have been quite a shock, given how blatant the curse was, to silence the surroundings that were filled with tension and excitement. Especially if the target was the son of the famous Sect Leader. Even Gu Jeolyub, who was behind me, and Gu Yeonseo, with his blank expression, showed shocked faces. And then they subtly stepped back.

‘…These bastards….’

It seemed like they wanted to show, ‘Anyone can see that guy isn’t with our group.’ Did they forget that the martial arts uniforms we’re wearing are the same ones from the Gu Clan? To betray like that, so stupidly, and faster than anyone else. Well learned. Yeah, that’s how you should live life.

‘Still, Gu Jeolyub, I’ll deal with you later.’

You’re dead.

Heech-

Leaving Gu Jeolyub, who seemed to feel a chill and was frantically patting his own shoulder, behind me. Jang Seon-yeon, who had heard the intense curse, wore a dazed expression for a moment. Then, he slightly lifted the corners of his mouth and smiled.

“…You haven’t changed.”

No. That’s not a smile. It must be a mask, much thicker than the last one.

“It seems you still dislike me.”

“This is what they call mutual. You dislike me too.”

“How could that be? If I disliked Young Master So, why would I have bothered coming to greet you?”

“Geez, there’s no bullshit quite like this bullshit.”

Keukkeuk.

Holding back the laughter that threatened to burst out, I approached the guy.

“How is it?”

“…What are you talking about?”

“I asked, how is it.”

I move a little closer. Making eye contact, seeing his relatively handsome mug up close made me furious, but I could tolerate that much.

“Can you see it?”

“…!”

At my question, the guy’s pupils trembled as if surprised. For someone trying so hard to wear a thick mask, to falter this much. It was pathetic.

“…What are you…”

“I came closer while suppressing my annoyance. Can you see it now? You can’t, right?”

It was obvious he was rolling his eyes. Just as he had advanced in cultivation. How much my own cultivation had advanced. He must have been curious. This was the same trick I pulled on that Sleeping Dragon guy in my past life. Coming closer pretending to be nice and examining everything. The target had just changed to me. This was also something I had wanted. Of course, even so.

“There’s no way you can see it. You’re fucking trash.”

You won’t be able to see what you want to see. Not enough to be captured by this bastard’s eyes. Because I’m not that insignificant.

“…”

Kkeudeuk.

Very faintly, the sound of grinding teeth could be heard. It was fleeting, but it was close enough that I couldn’t miss it.

“Haha.”

The guy, who seemed to falter for a moment, put on his thick mask again. He has definitely improved since last time. His facade has grown stronger. Not bad.

‘That way, there’s more satisfaction in breaking it later.’

The thicker it is, the more satisfying it is to break. Whether I break it, grind it down, or burn it. The option to let him live was erased long ago. If that were the case, I would rather have bitten my tongue and died after regressing.

The surroundings are eerily quiet. It was obvious the situation wasn’t normal, so everyone felt like they were watching. Should I call it a battle of nerves?

From the perspective of others.

-Isn’t that person Shinseong? Did they get into an argument?

-Who’s the opponent? Why are they acting like that? They have a nasty temper.

-Look at his face. Do you think he’s nice? Shinseong unfortunately ran into a weird guy.

-Where is he from? I don’t recognize him… Ah, there…!

The Sanseo Clan. Seeing my martial uniform, they seemed to have figured out my affiliation. Their lips, which had been muttering slightly, closed tightly again.

-…Sword Phoenix.

At the quietly spoken alias. People nodded as if to say, ‘That makes sense.’ To think that even my crazy temper could be justified because of that person’s influence.

‘…What have you been up to?’

At this point, I wondered again what Gu Huibi had actually been doing. Just as I was about to sigh deeply.

-Wasn’t Jinryong also from that side?

-…Jinryong? That Jinryong?

If it’s Jinryong, it’s Jinryong, but what’s with the ‘that’?

-Are you saying that guy is Jinryong?

-Isn’t that the person behind him? The handsome one.

-…Ah…. Maybe. He is handsome.

It’s baffling why they judge based on handsomeness, but the reason I suddenly heard the name Jinryong was it was the Great Hero Yeolhyeopgeom, who was feeling a chill from behind.

“…Huh?”

He himself seemed flustered by the sudden attention, rolling his eyes.

-They said Jinryong wasn’t a swordsman?

-It could be a hobby.

-Yeah, that’s true.

What do you mean ‘true’, you crazy bastards. The attention drawn to me was more bothersome than I expected. I didn’t want to attract attention this early. I had planned to lie low for a while after entering. Feeling the subtle gazes directed at me. I said to Jang Seon-yeon.

“If you’re done with whatever business you had, piss off?”

“…Business.”

As Jang Seon-yeon whispered quietly.

‘Hmm?’

I sensed something. A sinister aura trying to pierce through my defenses.

‘Hah.’

Kwak.

“…!”

As something started crawling up stealthily. I clenched my fist and grabbed it tightly. Jang Seon-yeon’s eyes widened slightly. As if he hadn’t expected me to catch that.

“This bastard…”

Tuduk.

This is ridiculous.

“I’m holding back with all my might. Why are you testing my patience?”

My dantian, synchronized with my emotions, spread through my meridians to my entire body.

Woong.

My internal energy surged into my lower dantian. Heat permeated my breath.

Kwajik.

As I clenched my fist tightly, I saw the energy I held shatter and scatter. This was definitely Blood Qi (혈기). He had sent Blood Qi towards me. He still seems to rely on this damn energy.

‘This is ridiculous.’

I reached out. It was to grab the guy by the neck, but the attempt failed, contrary to my will.

Kwak!

Someone had grabbed my wrist and stopped me. The grip felt heavy. It was enough pressure to prevent me from moving forward easily.

‘Who is it?’

I looked at the opponent with cold eyes. Along with heavy eyes staring back at me.

“It’s good to see you full of vigor, but.”

Unlike the somewhat refreshed voice. His face was quite expressionless.

“There are many eyes watching, so it seems necessary to curb that a bit.”

Paejon Biju. No, it was Bi Ui-jin of the Bi Clan.

“…”

As soon as I confirmed that, I swallowed a gasp inwardly. Why this guy? Is he really planning to enter? For a grown old man to sneakily join where the kids are playing. I had avoided him so desperately, and to run into him now was truly awkward.

‘Moreover.’

I didn’t notice him approaching so closely. Even if my focus had slipped for a moment due to anger. As expected, is a Venerable different? Meanwhile, I needed to figure out why Paejon had bothered to block me. I didn’t think he was the type to interfere or care about such things.

‘What’s his objective?’

I couldn’t understand this guy’s objective. Judging by the way he looked at me. It seemed like he wanted something from me. And I couldn’t figure out what that was, which made it worse.

Bi Ui-jin, who had been watching me calmly. Still gripping my wrist, he turned his gaze to Jang Seon-yeon.

Hmimt.

Jang Seon-yeon, meeting Bi Ui-jin’s gaze, trembled inexplicably. Well, it’s overwhelming to meet the eyes of someone who seems to have absolutely no emotion.

“Young Master So. It would be best if you didn’t do anything reckless either.”

“…Turyong.”

Jang Seon-yeon also seemed to know about Bi Ui-jin, muttering quietly.

“He must know that causing trouble before the exam means he won’t even be able to take it.”

At Bi Ui-jin’s words. It felt like my head was finally starting to work.

‘Ah, you idiot bastard.’

This was an insult directed at myself. No matter how much of a bastard Jang Seon-yeon is. He wouldn’t do something so obviously. It was because I, upon seeing that detestable guy. Got enraged and failed to see properly. The guy’s objective from the start was probably to deliberately pick a fight with me.

‘Thinking to prevent me from even entering?’

I wondered if he would pull such a pathetic stunt, but it was hard to say no. Hearing this, Jang Seon-yeon said something else instead of denying it.

“…What is your connection, Young Master Bi?”

“As you can see, I have no particular connection, but my personality is just rather meddlesome.”

Hearing that, I immediately thought to myself. No way. How could someone who seems the least likely to be meddlesome be meddlesome? Finding it absurd, I just kept looking at Bi Ui-jin.

“It seems there’s nothing good to be gained for either of us, so how about we stop here.”

Bi Ui-jin said to Jang Seon-yeon with a smile. He added.

“If you don’t like that, I can be a little more meddlesome.”

The moment he spoke.

“…!”

Goosebumps shot up my spine. As soon as I felt that, I instinctively took a step back without realizing it. This wasn’t Bi Ui-jin unleashing his energy. Nor was it him emitting killing intent. He had merely spoken. But in an instant, I felt like all the hair on my body stood on end.

‘As expected.’

I had to look at Paejon with newfound eyes. Although he had undergone rejuvenation. He was still one of the three strongest in the Central Plains before the Demon Lord’s appearance. It was evident from the years he had spent as a powerhouse. Just by his aura alone, he could make me feel this way.

Jang Seon-yeon must have felt this too, as he hesitated. Then, looking towards me.

“…Hoo.”

He let out a sigh. Why the hell are you sighing while looking at my face? That feels disgusting.

“…It seems Young Master Gu is always surrounded by people.”

“What are you talking about?”

That’s a disgusting thing to say. I wanted to punch him just from the slimy emotion clinging to his voice, but my wrist, firmly held by Bi Ui-jin, wouldn’t move. Of course, it would be different if I used internal energy or exerted proper force, but ‘That seems like it would cause more problems.’ If I released this hand, something seemed likely to explode. Furthermore. Not just Jang Seon-yeon, but the gazes from the surroundings looking this way were subtle. Since Shinseong directly mentioned Turyong. Those who were paying attention here seemed to have realized that Bi Ui-jin was indeed Turyong of the Six Dragons and Three Peaks. And he was holding my wrist.

What the heck, will it look strange? I’m not close with this guy. I wanted to deny it absolutely, but I couldn’t say it because of Bi Ui-jin’s subtle gaze from the side. Jang Seon-yeon, who had looked at me for a moment, put a smile back on his face. As if the expression he showed for that brief moment had never happened.

“I just came by for a brief greeting today.”

“Quite a violent greeting. Seems like that’s your preference.”

“…I hope we can meet again next time.”

As if he didn’t hear my words at all, he ignored me, turned his back, and left for where he came from. And only then did Bi Ui-jin release the wrist he was holding.

Setting Jang Seon-yeon aside. I originally didn’t even want to talk to him, but I had to address the issue.

“Why did you stop me?”

The reason he went out of his way to block me. The fact that someone who, more than anyone, guards against attracting attention, would do so. I couldn’t understand it.

“As I said earlier, it was just meddling.”

“You don’t seem like the type to meddle like that.”

“Ho?”

At my words, Bi Ui-jin said with a peculiar expression.

“You speak as if you know me well.”

“…It’s just a feeling.”

“It’s not exactly wrong.”

The moment he spoke. Bi Ui-jin’s gaze swept over my body.

“I don’t want you to go back.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Exactly what I said.”

If I caused trouble here, the probability of returning home would be high, which meant he stepped in to stop me. If he hadn’t intervened. He knew what I would have done to Jang Seon-yeon.

Ssik.

The smile Bi Ui-jin wore was close to being fake. Though it was different from the thick mask Jang Seon-yeon wore. Regardless. His true expression was likely those eyes I saw during combat.

“I find Young Master Gong quite interesting.”

“…Pardon?”

At those words, I hastily took a step back. It was because it sounded very similar to what that crazy bastard from the Peng Clan had said. Perhaps finding my reaction amusing. Bi Ui-jin let out a short laugh.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen that expression. I thought no one would make that face in front of me anymore.”

“…Perhaps.”

“I like women.”

“Oh, really?”

Only then could I stop backing away. That’s a relief. The Peng bastard’s was a question, which was more disgusting.

“Or maybe not.”

“…”

What is this guy? This is making me feel quite disgusted.

‘Am I the type men tend to like?’

It was the same with Yeongpung. And that Sleeping Dragon guy in my past life. Somehow, it seemed like men were strangely drawn to me.