Chapter 309: Wicked Cheolyang Cheol. (2)

Inside the room, silence hung heavy.

Cheol Jiseon, sitting still and gazing into the empty air, had thoughts swirling in his head from a few days ago.

-Zhuge Jinseon, that’s the correct way to address you, isn’t it?

The clear voice seemed to echo even now.

Grind.

Recalling that, his hands instinctively clenched into fists.

At the same time, Shinseong’s smiling face flashed through his mind.

‘How did he know?’

His identity.

The fact that he was Zhuge Jinseon, not Cheol Jiseon, was a secret known to no one.

Cheol Hwan-o, who was currently staying as an instructor, knew, but…

Cheol Jiseon knew that Cheol Hwan-o was not the type of person to spread such information.

Cheol Jiseon knew this.

Then, how on earth did Shinseong know?

‘How… How on earth?’

He couldn’t understand.

How Shinseong knew about him.

Furthermore.

It wasn’t just his identity.

Shinseong knew other things too.

-H-How do you know about that…?

He exclaimed, unable to hide his trembling voice.

-Calm yourself.

Shinseong chuckled and gestured.

-How am I supposed to calm down right now…!

-If I only knew your name, I wouldn’t have sought you out.

Shinseong’s face as he said that… somehow felt intensely cold.

Even though he was clearly smiling.

At that expression, Cheol Jiseon flinched involuntarily, but… he had to try hard not to avert his gaze.

-What do you mean by that, suddenly…?

-I know you have a goal.

-…!

At Shinseong’s words, Cheol Jiseon gasped.

-It will be a very arduous path, to achieve that goal.

-…What are you trying to say?

-I will help you on that path.

As soon as he heard Shinseong’s words, Cheol Jiseon’s brow furrowed.

How he knew about his identity.

And how he knew about his goal, he didn’t know, but… that statement was even stranger.

-…Do you even know what goal I have?

That was understandable, because… If someone knew Cheol Jiseon’s goal… Shinseong couldn’t have said that.

However.

-The revival of the Zhuge family. Isn’t that what you desire?

-…!

As if mocking Cheol Jiseon’s expectations, Shinseong struck at his vulnerability.

It was a strange thing to say, coming from the son of the Murim Alliance leader.

The history of the Zhuge family… was, in a way, like a scar on the Murim Alliance.

-…How… How could you know that…

Cheol Jiseon was utterly flustered, but… Shinseong continued to speak with a smile.

-If you help me, I will help you achieve your goal.

-…For what reason are you helping me? What do you want from me?

-There are many reasons, but perhaps it’s because only you can help me with this matter.

-What do you mean by that?

What did Shinseong want from someone as pathetic as himself?

What did he hope to gain by approaching him in this manner?

Cheol Jiseon asked with trembling eyes.

Shinseong soon replied.

-Your ‘power’. I wish to borrow it.

“…Grind”

At Shinseong’s final words, Cheol Jiseon gritted his teeth.

That was the reason causing him such a headache right now.

‘How… How could he know about that.’

Since the promise with his sister.

It was a power he had lived hiding for nearly ten years.

Excluding his sister, the people who knew his secret wouldn’t even exceed three.

Moreover, they weren’t the type of people to mention anything about him.

‘They must not.’

It was imperative that they didn’t.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to trust anyone.

‘How… What should I do?’

He thought he had made thorough plans.

But everything felt like it was getting tangled up.

Where did it go wrong, and where should he start untangling it?

Cheol Jiseon squeezed his eyes shut, feeling overwhelmed.

‘…I just want to go back.’

What would happen if he refused Shinseong’s offer?

He didn’t want to imagine it, but looking into Shinseong’s eyes then, he knew.

Shinseong had no intention of giving him the option to refuse from the start.

‘Sister…’

He thought of his sister, waiting for him in a faraway place.

He had to calm himself down, even if it was just by thinking of her.

Was it true that Shinseong would help?

How exactly would he help?

Even if he was Shinseong, he was still just a late-stage disciple.

He was the Murim Alliance leader’s only son, but did he possess that much capability?

The rumors certainly suggested as much, but… the Shinseong that Cheol Jiseon had seen felt somehow unsettling.

‘…Even so, if the situation is unavoidable, I have no choice but to accept it…’

“Hey.”

Tap, tap.

Just as he was squeezing his eyes shut, trying to shift his thoughts.

Someone tapped Cheol Jiseon’s shoulder a few times.

“…!”

Perhaps it was because he was too focused.

Cheol Jiseon hadn’t even noticed someone standing before him.

“Huurk!”

Just as he was about to fall backward from surprise.

The person in front reached out and caught Cheol Jiseon.

“Ah…! Th-Thank you.”

“I must have startled you, my apologies.”

His smile was quite refreshing.

His inherently handsome face made Cheol Jiseon momentarily flinch.

Cheol Jiseon observed the person before him, wondering who he was.

‘This person?’

Cheol Jiseon soon realized who the person before him was.

That was understandable, because… it wasn’t just him; the surroundings were already buzzing.

-Wasn’t that person from another group? Why are they here?

-The clothes of a Wudang disciple and that face… It’s definitely Jamryong, right?

-Jamryong? Jamryong is here?

All the disciples in the surroundings turned their gazes towards the person in front of Cheol Jiseon.

It was understandable, given who the person was.

There was no other way.

He was one of the Six Dragons and Three Peaks.

A young sword master called the hope of Wudang.

Because he was Jamryong.

“J-Jamryong?”

“That’s right. I am that famous sleepyhead.”

As Cheol Jiseon exclaimed in surprise, Jamryong laughed again at his reaction.

“I called out a few times, but you didn’t respond, so I gave you a little nudge. My apologies.”

“Ah, no… Um, what business do you have with me…?”

“Ah, the reason I sought out young hero is none other than…”

Why would the famous Jamryong seek him out?

A tingling sensation brushed past him.

‘Could this person also…’

Know about his identity or his power?

Such thoughts flashed through his mind, and Cheol Jiseon felt preemptive fear.

However, contrary to that expectation… the words that came out of Jamryong’s mouth were completely unexpected.

“I want to join the Cheolyang Cheol Faction too. Please accept me.”

“What?”

What faction?

Cheol Jiseon frowned involuntarily for a moment.

He had heard a word he’d never heard in his life.

“What… What faction is that?”

“Isn’t it Cheolyang Cheol? Or was it Yangcheolcheol.”

Onion? Tin? What strange words are those?

Cheol Jiseon asked back, filled with confusion.

Jamryong tilted his head at Cheol Jiseon’s reaction.

“Uh, I don’t quite understand…”

“Jinryong told me. If you want to join our faction, you must find the leader and get their permission.”

A familiar resonance reached Cheol Jiseon.

Jinryong.

At that dizzying resonance, he couldn’t help but swallow nervously.

Whenever that alias was involved, not a single situation proceeded normally.

Gulp.

“…Ah, I see. Then why did you come looking for me, Jamryong…?”

He didn’t want to know what that person was up to.

Because he didn’t know what mess he’d get into if things got tangled again.

Asking with that thought in mind.

Jamryong replied.

“Huh? I came because he told me to get your permission?”

“What?”

What did he mean?

To join the place called Yangcheol-yang or Cheolyang Cheol.

Why did his permission matter…

-Jinryong told me.

-‘You must find the leader and get their permission.’

At the words Jamryong uttered with a smile.

Cheol Jiseon suddenly felt his heart sink.

‘No way, it can’t be.’

A nightmare flashed through his mind, but… He thought it wasn’t true. Surely Jinryong wasn’t that crazy.

No, he shouldn’t be. Please.

Cheol Jiseon’s firm and desperate wish… crumbled all too easily.

More than Cheol Jiseon expected.

Jinryong was indeed crazier.

“Cheol Jiseon the Mad Dog, I heard you are the leader of the faction.”

At the words Jamryong uttered calmly.

“Won’t you let me join too?”

The atmosphere around them instantly froze solid.

It felt like a blizzard had swept through, settling coldly.

“Gasp… Gasp…”

“What’s wrong?”

Seeing Cheol Jiseon struggling to breathe as if greatly shocked.

Jamryong seemed momentarily taken aback.

“Snap out of it. Are you alright?”

As Jamryong grabbed Cheol Jiseon, concerned.

The surroundings broke the silence and began to buzz again.

Of course.

The content was completely different from before.

-The leader…? Wasn’t Jinryong the head?

-Actually… I overheard Jamryong and Jinryong talking in the cafeteria earlier. Honestly, I thought it might be a lie, but was it really true?

-Mad Dog…? He looks frail on the outside, but was he actually a sleeping lion?

“It’s not true! It’s not!”

Hearing the murmurs, Cheol Jiseon shouted furiously.

Not only had such absurd rumors spread,

but he couldn’t understand why everyone was starting to believe them so readily.

“I-I’m not like that…!”

-Hey, hey! Jin Yi-seok! Wake up! Why are you suddenly fainting!

-Jin Yi-seok fainted from the Mad Dog’s roar…!

-The wicked leader wasn’t Jinryong… It was truly the Mad Dog!

“…”

The disciple who used to bully him had even fainted.

That wasn’t because of his roar,

but seemed more like a butterfly effect triggered by memories of what Jinryong had done.

But now, he didn’t care anymore.

“Ah…”

His remaining time at the Dragon Pavilion…

seemed to have gone down the drain completely.

“So, will you accept me?”

Seeing Jamryong persistently asking the question even amidst this.

Cheol Jiseon spoke.

“…Do as you please.”

His voice was utterly drained of spirit.

Forgetting about Shinseong, about himself, everything.

Cheol Jiseon, lost in a daze for a long time,

suddenly spat out words towards the empty air.

“Jinryong… You son of a bitch.”

It was the first curse Cheol Jiseon had ever uttered in his life.

---

“Huh?”

“Why do you ask, Hyung-nim?”

“Woocheol-ah, did someone curse me?”

“How could that possibly be?”

At Gu Yangcheon’s words, Pae Woocheol replied, startled.

Unless he was crazy, would he curse Gu Yangcheon to his face?

Even if he wanted to die, he wouldn’t do that.

He’d rather hang himself.

“Really? I felt like someone was cursing me.”

Gu Yangcheon wore an expression of puzzlement.

“There was no one around.”

“Right, perhaps it was a mistake.”

It could happen. Being cursed was something that had happened his whole life.

Even if it did, he didn’t pay much attention.

Of course, if he had seen it directly…

‘He would have folded them into a star shape.’

“…Nngh?”

As he had a somewhat cruel thought, Pae Woocheol, who was beside him, flinched.

He must have sensed something akin to killing intent.

“Hyung-nim.”

“Hm?”

“That Jamryong from earlier.”

“Yeah.”

Gu Yangcheon listened to Pae Woocheol’s words.

It was a sudden topic about Jamryong.

“Why did you bring up Jiseon Hyung-nim’s name?”

“Why? Was it strange?”

At Pae Woocheol’s response, Gu Yangcheon scratched his own cheek.

“No, it wasn’t strange, but I was wondering if there was really a need to do that…”

If he was going to refuse, he could have just refused.

If he was going to accept, he could have just accepted.

Why did he have to add a rumor onto Cheol Jiseon like that?

Pae Woocheol seemed puzzled by it.

‘Oh…’

Seeing that, Gu Yangcheon inwardly admired him slightly.

He really seemed smarter than expected.

“It wasn’t planned, but I thought it would be convenient if I did.”

Maximizing Cheol Jiseon’s reputation.

It was something that didn’t need to be done, but he thought it was necessary.

It wasn’t just about preventing Cheol Jiseon from being bullied,

but there was also a reason to give him a reputation.

Moreover.

“Besides, that Jamryong fellow wouldn’t have been fooled anyway.”

“What?”

At the words spoken playfully.

Jamryong wouldn’t have been fooled.

He was someone who was never easily fooled by lies from the past.

From the moment the words were spoken.

Jamryong’s expression already showed a hint of mischief.

‘His face showed disbelief from the start.’

Seeing that he was playing along, it seemed to have made him more serious instead.

It’s possible, though unlikely, that he might have gone straight to Cheol Jiseon.

Surely, even he wouldn’t have done that, right?

‘…He might have.’

He couldn’t be sure.

Because that guy might have done something like that.

In that regard, he was certainly not in his right mind.

He was strange from the start, but…

“That’s all for today.”

As he withdrew the internal energy he had raised in his body.

He said this to Pae Woocheol.

“Gack…!”

Then Pae Woocheol collapsed with a thud.

It seemed he had reached his limit.

As Pae Woocheol pleaded persistently.

Gu Yangcheon was training him in this manner.

Although it was only very occasionally.

‘Even if not in detail, I can do this much.’

Pae Woocheol was also stubbornly keeping up, so it was rather fun.

Gu Jeolyub’s reaction was better, though.

Thinking about teaching reminds me,

‘Pae-jon hasn’t approached me since then.’

Even though their groups and rooms were different.

If his goal was to take me as a disciple, I thought he would surely approach me even after arriving.

From what I hear, he seems to be living very quietly.

To what extent, you ask?

It seems even the disciples don’t really know that Two Dragons attend the Dragon Pavilion.

He seems to be living while suppressing his presence to the extreme.

Conversely, stories about the woman named Bibi attending excitedly are often heard.

She’s apparently called the Bi family’s Woodpecker or something.

I don’t know about that.

‘Gu Yeonseo…’

I heard from Namgung Bi-ah that the two have been seen together recently.

I don’t know her intentions,

but since she said there are no problems, I guess I can leave it for now.

It’s Namgung Bi-ah, not just anyone, so she’ll handle it herself… she will.

‘Probably.’

Leaving the exhausted Pae Woocheol lying down, he exited the training ground.

Once he regains his senses, he’ll go back on his own.

I already told him.

Now, it’s been almost half a month and a few more days.

It’s about time to finish adapting to the Dragon Pavilion.

As for Yeongpung, I do run into him during training,

but he’s always surrounded by people, so it’s a bit difficult to call him out.

‘Is it because he’s popular?’

Well,

with his handsome face and friendly personality, it’s only natural he’d have many people around him.

Compared to him…

‘…People look at me like I’m a beast.’

It’s unfair, but what can I do?

If I was born this way, I just have to endure it.

Suddenly, he remembered what Tang Soyeol said while looking at Yeongpung or Jamryong.

-Looking at those people makes me feel sick.

-Really?

-Yes, somehow physiologically difficult, or psychologically difficult. It’s a bit like that.

She said the same thing looking at Namgung Cheon-jun or Jang Seon-yeon.

It seems Tang Soyeol has a rejection response to handsome men.

Yet, Tang Soyeol nodded while looking at Gu Yangcheon.

-As expected… Looking at Gong-ja-nim makes me feel so refreshed. You’re the best, I feel like I could live my whole life just looking at your face!

-…

It wasn’t a compliment that made him happy at all.

Thinking such random thoughts, he moved his feet.

The remaining time before returning to his room to sleep.

Although it was a bit rushed.

He had to go.

Because there was someone he needed to meet.

The place he headed towards was the walking path.

It was the path he had taken back and forth to find Bi-go last time,

and also where he had met the person he was going to meet now.

As the distance narrowed.

A subtle floral scent drifted on the night air.

It was definitely the scent of plum blossoms.

Rich, yet somehow soft.

Slipping past unnoticed, he reached his destination.

Someone was waiting for Gu Yangcheon in the distance.

“I apologize for making you wait.”

At his words of apology, the woman turned her head.

At the same time, her long black hair swayed.

“What should I call you? Should I call you Instructor?”

At Gu Yangcheon’s words, the woman smiled faintly.

It was her characteristic gentle smile.

“It doesn’t matter. Call me whatever you like. More importantly, I want to know why you called me out this late at night.”

The woman’s identity was none other than…

one of the few masters representing the Hua San Sect,

and the Sword Master currently serving as an instructor at the Dragon Pavilion.

Looking at her, Gu Yangcheon smiled slightly.

“To get straight to the point, I have something to recommend to you, Sword Master.”

At Gu Yangcheon’s words, the Sword Master tilted her head.

Gu Yangcheon’s… one of the purposes for coming to the Dragon Pavilion,

and something he needed to find as soon as possible.

“Wouldn’t you like to make a deal with me?”

Bi-go, who was likely in the underground of the Dragon Pavilion.

He had to retrieve it before it was too late,

and for that, he needed the Sword Master’s help.