Chapter 319: Cheoljiseon. (3)

A night when the moon had risen.

A somewhat gaunt-looking young man stood in the middle of a plain, eyes closed.

Even though the winter wind was blowing fiercely.

The young man didn’t move an inch, keeping his eyes closed and exhaling.

He was recalling the past.

Cheoljiseon.

No, it was around the time when Zhuge Jinseon was just past ten years old that he realized his peculiarity.

From some day onwards.

Zhuge Jinseon’s fingertips would tremble.

Every time he moved his arm, he felt a sensation of an unknown foreignness tickling his entire body.

Due to that unknown discomfort, he couldn’t sleep for months.

With goosebumps rising to his throat and tension, he skipped meals, and his body grew weaker and weaker.

What on earth was happening to him?

Zhuge Jinseon pondered and endured for a long time.

But the reason was unknown.

As about half a year passed like that.

Things came to a head.

The uncomfortable foreignness that Zhuge Jinseon felt.

He couldn’t bear it any longer and ended up tearing it off.

From the moment he realized he could snatch this.

He had endured because he knew that when it came to that, a dangerous situation would unfold.

Zhuge Jinseon had endured until now.

Perhaps reaching his limit.

He finally caused trouble.

Zhuge Jinseon’s hands are sensitive.

When he waved his hands in the air.

He felt an unknown, uncomfortable texture.

That was the spot.

Zhuge Jinseon could tear that spot apart.

One might ask how one can tear apart empty air.

But Zhuge Jinseon could do it.

He just had to grab it and tear.

He didn’t know why it was possible, but Zhuge Jinseon could do it.

Rather, if only.

It would have been good if it had ended with just being able to do it.

If so.

-Ah, no!

Zhuge Jinseon wouldn’t have had to witness the disaster.

-Father!

In the raging flames.

Residences being swallowed by something.

Watching that horrific process.

Zhuge Jinseon had to scream, held by his sister.

The place slowly being devoured was the residence he lived in.

And his father was inside.

It was a past he didn’t want to remember.

Yet, he had to somehow keep it in his memory.

So that he could keep recalling his sins.

The moment he couldn’t bear the foreignness and tore the air with his hands.

The torn space, after a split second, spread out enormously.

What was a small rift.

Grew in size.

Before long, it gnawed at its surroundings, turning into a monster.

What people in the world call a Demonic Mirror Gate.

Space evolves into a Demonic Mirror Gate.

Is that all?

As a Demonic Mirror Gate, it also spewed out demons.

Just as it devoured Zhuge Jinseon’s home and his father.

The Demonic Mirror Gate itself could transform into a monster and swallow the entire space.

How could a human create a Demonic Mirror Gate, called a natural disaster?

It’s unknown.

This was the truth Zhuge Jinseon continuously pondered and wished to escape.

After killing his father with his own hands.

His mother wouldn’t even look at Zhuge Jinseon.

His sister, who watched their father die while holding their screaming younger sibling.

Said while holding the sibling.

-Jinseon-ah, you must never use your power.

Zhuge Jinseon nodded, crying for days.

But contrary to his sister’s earnest wish.

There were many days when Zhuge Jinseon couldn’t endure.

He tried to endure the discomfort and foreignness.

But there were times he couldn’t.

If you consider the frequency.

It was roughly once a year.

A period when he absolutely couldn’t endure without using his power.

Around this time, Zhuge Jinseon would find a deserted mountain or a specific area, use his power, and disappear.

Even if there were no people around, creating a Demonic Mirror Gate and disappearing.

It was a guilt-ridden act.

But he couldn’t do it where his sister was nearby.

He wanted to protect his sister, even if he died.

His power was dangerous.

No matter how accustomed he was to Demonic Mirror Gates, or how much the casualties had decreased in this era.

His power being dangerous was no different.

Moreover.

Demonic Mirror Gates that didn’t spew out demons but sucked in the surroundings and swallowed them as a demonic mirror.

Were on a level that even peak masters couldn’t easily escape.

That’s why he lived more desperately hiding it.

Just like the reason he hid his surname.

The moment it became known that he possessed such power and was a descendant of the Zhuge family.

Not only he but also his sister might suffer a terrible fate.

Yet, he needed power.

While hiding himself, concealing his power, and enduring.

It was the same reason I, who amusingly asked Cheol Hwan-o, ended up coming to Sinryongguan.

To protect, power is necessary.

‘But I have no talent.’

Zhuge Jinseon knew himself that he lacked talent in martial arts to raise his own strength.

So, he needed a different kind of power.

His mother tried to dissuade him as if trying to kill him.

And even though his sister vehemently warned him it was dangerous.

That was precisely why Zhuge Jinseon insisted on using the name Cheoljiseon to come here.

‘This Sinryongguan is the greatest in history.’

The generation of meteors, from which countless geniuses pour out.

And the time when such a generation of meteors gathers the most is precisely now.

The pillars of the orthodox sects called the Four Great Families.

All the bloodlines from there gather.

Bloodlines called the offspring of prestigious families.

Descendants of renowned houses.

Furthermore.

Currently the vanguard of the later generation martial artists.

It was said that most of the Six Dragons and Three Peaks, who are expected to lead the future Central Plains, were gathered.

Truly, the future of the Central Plains was there.

‘I must go.’

To protect himself and his sister.

To reclaim their surname, which was his father’s dream.

And to change and reclaim the corrupted history.

It was the path to achieve that.

Rather than his sister, who was physically weak.

It was right for him, who could manage himself even if it became dangerous, to go.

The time for his power to go berserk was still ahead.

The calculated timing.

Was the point when the Guan closed temporarily, and the Guan students returned to their respective families.

He would just need to release the accumulated power then.

That was the initial calculation.

The problem was.

That calculations often don’t match expectations.

Zhuge Jinseon also knew this, yet didn’t think of it deeply.

One fact that Zhuge Jinseon had overlooked was.

That building connections just by going to Sinryongguan wasn’t easy.

Their existing relationships, already formed before entering the Guan, and so on.

To penetrate that place and secure a position.

Zhuge Jinseon’s value as a person wasn’t outstanding.

And the lack of martial prowess to be recognized beyond his value was the problem.

He admitted to himself that he had a rather brilliant mind.

But there weren’t enough situations to express it.

These people are martial artists after all.

It’s an era where outwardly visible martial prowess is the answer.

Can open a Demonic Mirror Gate with one’s hands?

It’s undeniably absurd power at first glance.

Not only is it poorly controlled.

It’s power like a double-edged sword, and an utterly ominous ability.

From the perspective of the orthodox sects, it would be fortunate if he wasn’t targeted for elimination.

Especially if his surname, Zhuge, were revealed…

It wouldn’t be strange even if his head were cut off.

‘…Am I actually in a very dangerous situation?’

What he realized about the truth was.

During the first trial, when his passion cooled upon confronting reality.

Along with his desperate martial prowess.

And when he realized he couldn’t squeeze into the ranks of the prestigious families.

Only then could Zhuge Jinseon understand how bleak his situation was.

There was no answer.

He had entered a den of enemies filled with blades.

But none of his methods worked.

He gritted his teeth and struggled somehow.

He managed to pass the second trial.

The third trial was the problem.

Stealing an opponent’s sash.

Or finding a sash attached to a demon – a ridiculous test.

Zhuge Jinseon was certain.

That he wouldn’t be able to pass this trial for real.

‘…’

It was a despairing sense of reality.

While thinking how weak he was.

He belatedly realized he hadn’t properly faced peers among the later generation martial artists, which was why he didn’t know.

‘…Shit.’

His only peer was his sister.

It was difficult to even converse properly with others.

And in a situation where his martial prowess was mediocre.

What connections could he possibly have…

The cruel reality dug into Zhuge Jinseon’s heart like madness.

‘…I can’t give up.’

He had to grit his teeth.

At the same time, Zhuge Jinseon racked his brain.

Because he had to pass the third trial.

‘I can’t use my power, so should I set traps?’

Excluding the option of hunting later generation martial artists.

It would be better to use the terrain to set traps and catch demons.

Judging by the content of the third trial.

It seemed to be a test that also assessed how demons were hunted.

He was rather confident in this aspect.

‘…Alright.’

To prepare traps immediately.

Just as he was looking for suitable terrain.

“Hm?”

Zhuge Jinseon’s vision, as he pushed through the bushes, caught sight of.

Someone.

‘A person…?’

Tension shot up Zhuge Jinseon’s spine.

How unlucky, to encounter someone right away like this.

Should I prepare for battle? Can I win?

The possibility of not winning is likely high.

What’s fortunate, at least…

‘…They’re lying down?’

In the situation of taking the trial, the opponent was lying on the ground.

Exhaling slowly with eyes closed.

It somehow felt like they were sleeping.

Sleeping in a situation like this?

‘What kind of person are they?’

They certainly aren’t sane.

‘…Is this, then, an opportunity?’

Perhaps due to the sudden discovery.

Zhuge Jinseon, who had intended to set traps and catch demons.

Thinking it was unexpected luck.

Approached the opponent.

Because, coincidentally, they also had the sash he wanted.

Zhuge Jinseon, carefully suppressing his presence.

Approached right up to the opponent’s face and reached out.

If there was something the excited Zhuge Jinseon failed to recall at this moment.

In such a blood-soaked trial ground.

A person who possessed the guts to lie on the ground and openly try to sleep.

The problem was that he didn’t consider the question of whether such a person would truly be weak.

Kwaduk!

Just before his fingertips touched the opponent.

Zhuge Jinseon’s vision instantly inverted.

Before he could even perceive it, it was the opponent’s hand that gripped Zhuge Jinseon’s neck.

-Who are you.

A voice that sounded uncomfortable, as if just hitting puberty.

At the chilling emotion contained within.

Zhuge Jinseon couldn’t help but tremble uncontrollably.

Their eyes were like…

‘A, a demon…’

The gaze of the demons he had faced.

It resembled them unnervingly.

-What are you.

-I, I’m sorry…

Crushed by fear, he couldn’t even speak properly.

I messed with the wrong person.

I might die if I’m not careful.

Human eyes can be this terrifying…

Ah, perhaps they’re a human wearing a demon’s mask?

He knew it was a strange thought.

But that’s how terrifying it was.

This was the first impression Zhuge Jinseon had of Gu Yangcheon.

Gu Yangcheon, who questioned Zhuge Jinseon as if interrogating him.

Whether he had obtained all the desired information.

He showed a momentarily satisfied expression and spoke to Zhuge Jinseon.

He said they should be friends from now on.

To the suddenly changing situation.

Zhuge Jinseon couldn’t even react properly.

The person who had been glaring fiercely and demanding just moments ago.

Suddenly proposed friendship, leaving him dumbfounded.

What was amusing was.

That this person’s identity was the youngest peak martial artist in recent times.

And that he was the True Dragon, called the superior among the Six Dragons and Three Peaks.

And that he even helped him pass the third trial, as if keeping his word.

Even at that time, Zhuge Jinseon.

Thought Gu Yangcheon intended to treat him like a slave under the guise of friendship.

Since one couldn’t enter Sinryongguan with attendants, he was sure Gu Yangcheon planned to use him as an attendant.

He thought there was no more wicked person than him, just like the rumors.

He judged so.

However, the True Dragon he met beside him was a slightly different person from Zhuge Jinseon’s delusion.

His words and eyes were fierce.

But he didn’t provoke without reason…

Well, there were people who provoked in that manner, but…

When he considered them his people, he seemed to try and take care of them.

He sometimes went to check directly on what his companions were up to.

While he would frown and curse once upon hearing gossip about himself.

The moment he heard someone badmouthing his companions.

It was as if the return of a devil was upon them.

He would often crush the opponent.

Much kinder than the rumors… well, if not kind.

He thought he might be a decent person.

However.

There was one more fact Zhuge Jinseon could discern from seeing Gu Yangcheon like that.

That he himself, called a friend and kept by his side.

‘I am not within him.’

Was not actually Gu Yangcheon’s companion.

That’s how it felt.

And that’s how his gaze was.

When did he realize it?

The moment Shinseong came looking for him?

Or after that?

No.

To be precise, it was from the very beginning.

Because Gu Yangcheon’s gaze towards him had been like that from the start.

When he first saw him.

That’s what he meant when he said the eyes resembled those of a demon.

With prey in front of his eyes.

The eyes of a demon staring for a long time.

Furthermore, because he could always kill.

Eyes contemplating how to devour it.

Gu Yangcheon’s gaze towards him resembled those eyes.

From beyond the Demonic Mirror Gate he had torn open.

The gaze of the demon he had faced once was also the same.

That’s why he uttered it.

‘Because you intend to kill me.’

In the conversation with Gu Yangcheon. To turn his suspicion into certainty.

It was a remark casually thrown out.

And.

Confirming Gu Yangcheon’s gaze towards him at that moment.

Zhuge Jinseon was certain.

Interest.

The emotion Gu Yangcheon momentarily held in his eyes.

‘…I’m sure.’

At that moment, Zhuge Jinseon truly realized Gu Yangcheon intended to kill him.

Why?

If he intended to kill, then why?

What had he done?

Or, did Gu Yangcheon also know he was of the Zhuge surname?

If he intended to kill, how did he plan to do it?

He couldn’t do that within the Guan.

Does he really intend to kill?

Could it be his own delusion?

Instead of this, was it really right to go to Shinseong?

Amidst all sorts of such thoughts flashing through his mind.

Zhuge Jinseon answered Gu Yangcheon’s question.

-I… can open Demonic Mirror Gates.

It was almost a confession.

He couldn’t read the situation at all.

And sensing the aura emanating from Gu Yangcheon.

It was a statement he uttered unconsciously, wanting to live.

Thinking about it now, even if Gu Yangcheon decided to kill him.

He knew it wouldn’t be easy.

But perhaps even if that situation arose again.

Zhuge Jinseon felt he would make the same choice.

Gu Yangcheon was different.

There was something different about him compared to other later generation martial artists.

That’s why beings called the Sleeping Dragon, Sword Dragon, Snow Phoenix, Poison Peak, etc.

Are they by Gu Yangcheon’s side?

“This is difficult…”

His head throbbed.

Is this the right way to do things?

He had committed the act, but had no certainty.

The reason Zhuge Jinseon was so confused.

Was not only because he couldn’t gauge Gu Yangcheon’s reaction.

But also because of what Gu Yangcheon said with a smile after hearing about his power.

-So… from now on, rather than Shinseong.

-No. There’s no need for that.

Rejecting Shinseong’s offer.

And his intention to go to Gu Yangcheon. Gu Yangcheon smiled brightly and waved his hand.

‘…Huh?’

Upon hearing he could open Demonic Mirror Gates.

Not even questioning how he could do such a thing.

Nor asking if he really had such power.

As if he already knew from the start.

Gu Yangcheon spoke to Zhuge Jinseon, no, Cheoljiseon.

-Finish what you were doing.

‘…What?’

-Next to that Jang bastard, do everything he tells you to.

‘What does that mean… I….’

-Yeah, I know you want to come to my side. I’ll save you… no, I’ll listen to you, so.

The smile Gu Yangcheon wore was frightening.

Because he vaguely felt he understood the meaning behind that smile.

-Next to that bastard, do as you’re told. That’s your job.

Towards Cheoljiseon, who didn’t understand.

Gu Yangcheon clearly said so.

‘Why?’

And Cheoljiseon still didn’t understand those words.

Do as I’m told?

Join Shinseong’s intention to eliminate Gu Yangcheon?

That’s my job?

‘What on earth are you talking about.’

With an unknown tremor.

Cheoljiseon clenched his fist.

Was it really right to have told Gu Yangcheon?

His thoughts still wavered.

Nevertheless, since he had already spoken it.

He couldn’t take back his choice.

Just then.

Rustle.

A presence was felt beyond the bushes.