Chapter 747: Start.

The time was a little past noon.

The sun was high in the sky, but it wasn’t too hot.

This was because the season was already shifting into autumn.

My hair fluttered in the wind blowing softly.

It should have been dry since I don’t take care of it at all, but thanks to my complete transformation, my skin and hair are always in good condition.

‘That’s probably why it bothers me.’

Swish.

I grabbed my long hair and tied it back.

Now it’s not so bothersome.

After tidying it up roughly, the hair that had been covering my eyes was cleared, revealing my vision.

The first thing I saw was the martial arts stage, cracked here and there.

The traces of martial artists of the Hwagyeong-level clashing were clearly visible.

They said they reinforced the stage further upon reaching Palgang, but where on earth do these people spend their money?

I thought it was a truly pointless use of funds.

Thud.

As I slightly loosened my wrist and raised my gaze, leaving the stage behind, I saw people this time.

One was the referee, whose tension was extremely high.

The reason was probably largely my fault.

‘It must be the aftermath of the last battle.’

While I didn’t do much damage in the fight with Yeongpung. The martial arts match with Sinryong. The incident I caused there was quite significant.

That’s likely why the referee is so tense.

‘I feel a bit sorry, but.’

What can I do?

If you’re going to live off your salary, you have to do anything.

I know because I’ve done it; the money the Murim Alliance gives isn’t that little.

Seeing the armband, he looks like someone at the level of a unit commander, so he’s probably getting paid quite a lot.

Then he should earn his pay.

‘And.’

Another reason why that referee is so tense.

I slightly turned my gaze to see the main culprit.

Gooooo.

A giant close to eight feet tall appears.

Broad shoulders and a body packed with solid muscle.

It was Do-wang Peng Zhou.

He was looking at me with his hands behind his back.

I could clearly feel the difference in him from last time.

‘That guy. He’s not messing around with his energy anymore?’

Last time, he was spewing all sorts of energy and pulling ridiculous stunts.

This time, he’s just calm.

The subtle aura of a strong practitioner was still there, but that’s unavoidable, so I’ll let it slide.

All the overflowing energy was gathered and contained within him.

Right. It looks so much better like that.

It was nice to see him not doing pointless things.

However.

-‘Who do you think will win this time?’

-‘Well. Even so, isn’t it Do-wang?’

-‘Oh, So Yeom-ra is the one who defeated Sinryong. Surely he won’t lose to Do-wang.’

-‘Even so, Do-wang is one of the Six Seats. For someone like that to lose to someone of the Hu-gi-ji-su level is a bit…’

-‘Then does that mean Tu-ryong wasn’t Hu-gi-ji-su level?’

-‘…That’s because Tu-ryong is Pae-jon’s…’

All sorts of noise pierced my ears.

Listening to them one by one, I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.

‘How pathetic.’

How did Do-wang end up like this?

To think people are unsure about the odds of winning when fighting me.

This is partly due to my value skyrocketing, but it’s largely because Do-wang’s value has plummeted.

‘Tsk.’

Perhaps knowing that, I could see Do-wang’s expression continuously crumpling.

It’s regrettable, but.

What can I do? You should blame Pae-jon who beat him like that.

Besides.

Honestly, while people’s interest is on the outcome of this match, it wouldn’t be wrong to say it’s more focused elsewhere.

That is, who would win if I fought Tu-ryong.

This is what many people are currently curious about.

Tu-ryong, who won against Do-wang and then lost.

So Yeom-ra, who came up after defeating Sinryong, said to be the youngest Hwagyeong.

Since the matches were rearranged, the two couldn’t fight each other in the end, making them seem even more curious.

Who is stronger between the two?

Who truly is the supreme among the Hu-gi-ji-su level?

‘Hmph.’

I’m utterly sick of this ridiculous ranking game.

What’s so important about that?

‘Damn old man.’

I frowned, filled with annoyance.

Seeing how such talk draws so much attention, it means Pae-jon’s performance must have been quite shocking.

‘Thanks to that, things got complicated.’

Because I showed too outstanding a performance, my position became troublesome.

Even the aftermath of my internal injuries is more so because Pae-jon forfeited.

Won’t it end up being something we never find out?

Who was stronger between So Yeom-ra and Tu-ryong. People would never know until the end.

If it becomes like this, the interest shifts to this side.

That was disappointing.

‘If possible, I should have taken it all.’

It feels like I shared it half and half with Pae-jon.

‘No way, did he plan this?’

Tu-ryong, who left at the peak of his applause and received all sorts of praise.

Could Pae-jon have perhaps anticipated this action?

‘…Maybe.’

He’s surprisingly full of slyness.

It’s possible he did it all calculated.

The problem is. I can’t even question it.

‘It’s a pity, but what can I do?’

It’s spilled milk already, and also.

‘There’s a way to resolve it to some extent.’

That was the fortunate part. As I thought that and nodded,

“Where are you looking?”

Do-wang’s voice made me refocus my gaze.

“Are you having other thoughts right now, with me in front of you?”

“Ah, I apologize. I got lost in thought for a moment.”

I apologized honestly.

However, Do-wang’s expression didn’t ease at all.

“…You truly are exceedingly arrogant. Well, it’s natural to resemble your father, being his son.”

“Hmm.”

My middle and ring finger nails, one by one.

I repeated the words inwardly and spoke.

“It’s natural for a child to resemble their parent, but… From that perspective, it’s quite fortunate for you, Peng gajunim.”

“What?”

“Your son doesn’t resemble you, Peng gaju. In many ways. Isn’t that truly fortunate?”

Honestly, from my perspective, Peng Woo-jin is only slightly better, but it doesn’t matter right now.

As I said that with a smile, the man’s brows furrowed immensely.

“It seems I’ll have to rip that small mouth of yours to make you quiet.”

“That’s quite a scary thing to say.”

“Does the world elevating you make you think everything is yours? Truly arrogant.”

Thump.

The end of Do-wang’s polearm hit the floor.

Even seeing it again, it was enormous.

“Don’t misunderstand. I made a mistake with Tu-ryong, but the same miracle won’t happen for you.”

“Hmm…”

Hearing that, I scratched my cheek.

“Peng gaju keeps pretending not to know.”

“Pretending not to know?”

“Why do you keep thinking it’s a miracle? You know it best yourself.”

I saw the corner of Do-wang’s eye twitch slightly at my words.

He seemed to have caught on to what I was saying.

“Why do you keep sugarcoating getting utterly thrashed? Does that make you feel better?”

“…!”

Grind.

Finally, a rough sound came from Do-wang’s mouth.

“You got fucking destroyed. Did you hit your head hard back then? Why do you keep saying weird things.”

As I spoke, I scanned my surroundings.

At the same time, I layered soundproofing onto my voice.

It wasn’t sound transmission. It was simply preventing the sound from spreading.

“Stop showing off and just hold your sword properly. Why do you keep flapping that weak mouth of yours? How much more are you going to get beaten?”

“This bastard…!”

Screeeeech—!!!

Do-wang’s muscles bulged as if he was about to charge immediately.

Even while watching that, my eyes were still scanning all around.

‘Time… Roughly one Igak.’

That was the remaining time. Recalling that, I looked behind me.

It was the location of the pavilion where the Daesangdan, who received support from the Central Plains, and the exalted ones were gathered.

I took a quick look there and nodded.

‘Not bad.’

That should be fine.

Having judged that, I looked at the referee.

“It seems you’re ready. Let’s start soon.”

“…Yes…?”

At my words, the referee showed signs of panic.

The referee seemed to know well that Do-wang’s condition was strange.

“It doesn’t matter, so you can start.”

I said, waving my hand.

Even as I said this, Do-wang’s killing intent deepened.

“I swear.”

As if my attitude displeased him greatly, the hand holding the polearm began to tremble roughly.

“On my name. I will crush you right here.”

Hearing that, I chuckled.

“That’s one of the phrases I hear very often… but I’ve never seen anyone succeed with it.”

Usually, guys who talk to me like that end up one of two ways.

They end up crushed beneath my feet.

Or they have their heads severed by my hand and meet their death.

So, which one will Do-wang be?

“I won’t expect anything. I merely dare to ask.”

Squeeze.

I repeated clenching and unclenching my hands a few times. Then.

“One Igak.”

Snap.

I said, clenching my fist.

“Please just hold on for about that long.”

That was all I asked of Do-wang.

---

Do-wang’s Hu-gi-ji-su days.

This is from when he was called Muk-ryong (Ink Dragon), not his current title.

Now they are called the Six Dragons and Three Peaks, but back then, there were only two Phoenixes and five Dragons.

Five Dragons, Two Phoenixes (O-ryong-i-bong).

This is the story of the day Peng Zhou belonged there.

The time was winter, not autumn.

It was the period when the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering was in full swing.

Muk-ryong back then was more hot-tempered than now.

It was also a time when the contemporary Do-wang doted on him, so he hadn’t fully matured.

It was also a time when he had inferiority complex regarding his talent, making him the most rebellious.

Receiving support from the prestigious families called the Four Great Clans, he possessed the skill to ascend to the Dragon level, but.

It was a position he had barely managed to reach.

The Hu-gi-ji-su from the mid-tier families trying to overtake him from behind.

The blood relatives of the prestigious families blocking him, making it impossible to overcome them from the front.

Everything was pushing Peng Zhou to the brink.

That day, it just so happened to be the day after Peng Zhou was utterly defeated by Geom-ryong Namgung Jin.

-You fuuuuckiiiing…!!!

KWA-WANG–!!

Peng Zhou smashed the table, spitting out rough curses.

-Me… Me, to that damn parasite–!!!

The incident of being dropped from the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering after losing to Geom-ryong.

Recalling that event, Peng Zhou continuously spewed out his rage.

The atmosphere in the inn was chilling.

Others were cowering in fear, and the martial artists couldn’t rashly step forward.

This was because Peng Zhou was a Hu-gi-ji-su, but also the next Young Master of the Peng family.

If harm were done to him, no one knew how the contemporary Do-wang would react.

Because of that, no one could touch Peng Zhou.

It was widely known throughout the Central Plains that Do-wang cherished Peng Zhou dearly.

-What… What am I lacking that–!!!

BANG-! CRASH–!!

The memories were tormenting.

The number of sake bottles he drank was uncountable, but being a martial artist, he didn’t get drunk easily.

Sake bottles shattered and lay scattered on the floor.

Peng Zhou’s mind was as chaotic as those bottles.

He recalled his own appearance, being suppressed by Geom-ryong’s Emperor Sword Form and rolling on the floor.

-Ughhhhhh–!!!

BANG-! BANG-!!

While smashing this and that.

Something caught Peng Zhou’s eye.

The women who had been fawning over him next to him had all fled just moments before.

At a time when everyone else was either scared of him or found him unpleasant and sticking to the walls.

Just one person.

Only one person in the entire inn was eating his meal as if nothing was happening.

He had ordered a small bowl of somyeon and was eating it quietly.

He was so quiet, I didn’t even realize he was there.

Gulp.

When only the faint sound of swallowing echoed.

-…Who the hell are you?

Peng Zhou, displeased by that, picked a fight with him.

-In this situation, can that even go down your throat? Can it?!

Peng Zhou threw a sake bottle, making a baseless demand.

However.

Whoosh-! Thump.

The person eating caught the flying sake bottle and casually placed it on his table.

It was a natural action.

Just as Peng Zhou’s expression crumpled at that action.

The opponent looked at Peng Zhou.

-…!

Peng Zhou confirmed his opponent and trembled slightly.

I don’t know why. The moment I saw the youth’s eyes, my body froze involuntarily.

He was around my age, with black hair and strikingly red eyes.

It was a familiar face.

-Ha… I was wondering who it was. It’s you.

I believe he was from the Gu family bloodline.

He was a blood relative who appeared for the first time at this Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, and he was showing good results in the friendly martial arts tournament.

I heard he luckily defeated that unlucky bastard, Mu-dang’s So-ryong?

His name was probably.

-Gu Cheol… Gu Cheol-hyung?

“Gu Cheol-un.”

Peng Woo-jin clicked his tongue at the voice that spoke the name.

The voice was deep and carried significant weight.

-Right, Gu Cheol-un. That damn bastard. What are you?

To the irritable remark, Gu Cheol-un nodded and showed his chopsticks.

-Can’t you tell by looking? I’m eating.

-Who do you think is asking about that?!

THUMP-! THUMP-!

Peng Zhou approached Gu Cheol-un.

He then grabbed the table. He tried to flip it over, but.

Creak.

-…!?

The table wouldn’t budge.

Instead, Peng Zhou’s hand, which he applied force to, only trembled.

What was happening?

As Peng Zhou looked around in confusion, he finally understood.

The hand of that guy named Gu Cheol-un was placed on the table.

Could it be because of that?

He couldn’t believe it.

Doesn’t this make it seem like he’s being overpowered?

It was absurd.

If nothing else, in terms of strength, he was the best among the Hu-gi-ji-su.

There was no way he would be pushed back by someone like this…

Hwa-ak-!

-Hup!?

The table suddenly lifted and shot up into the sky.

Off-balance from the recoil, Peng Zhou fell ridiculously.

Pitter-patter-!

The somyeon poured down onto Peng Zhou’s head.

CRASH-! CRUNCH-!!

Then, the table fell to the floor and shattered.

-Oh dear.

Seeing that, Gu Cheol-un uttered a single sentence.

-What a waste of food. It was something I enjoyed after a long time.

That was all he said, sounding regretful.

-…Ha… Hahaha…!!

At this, Peng Zhou burst into laughter.

The people around were terrified by his laughter.

Anyone could see he wasn’t in his right mind.

-You bastard… Do you know who I am to act like this now?! Do you really want to die? I am from the Ha-buk Peng family…!

-I’m not interested.

At Gu Cheol-un’s words, Peng Zhou’s mouth snapped shut for a moment.

-You bastard…?

Screeeech.

Gu Cheol-un slowly stood up.

Seeing that, Peng Zhou’s eyes widened.

He’s big.

His massive build might even be slightly larger than his own.

-I’m not interested in your name.

Thump.

His heart pounded heavily.

It started from the moment he looked into Gu Cheol-un’s eyes.

Red eyes looking down.

The moment their eyes met, Peng Zhou inexplicably felt his body shrinking.

-Wh-what…?

Not interested?

-This lowly bastard, how dare you speak–!!!

KWA-AK-!

-Gak!?

Peng Zhou bristled and tried to move his body, but.

A suddenly outstretched arm grabbed Peng Zhou’s cheeks and spread them apart.

The huge hand held Peng Zhou’s large face with just one hand,

and the other hand was shoved into his mouth.

At first, he tried to struggle somehow.

But strangely, his body wouldn’t move.

His pressure points weren’t even held. He was just grabbed by the face, yet his body stiffened.

Later, he would belatedly realize he was being crushed by killing intent, but by then, it was too late.

Peng Zhou at that time.

Could do nothing against the killing intent radiating from Gu Cheol-un.

CRUNCH-!

-Kkeureok…!? Kkeueueuk!!

His molar was pulled out.

Even then, he couldn’t resist at all.

Afterward, a finger touched the spot where the molar had been removed.

And then.

Chiiiiiiik—!!!

-Kkeoeoeoeoeoeo—!!!

Heat cauterized his wound.

Peng Zhou screamed in pain.

He writhed in pain, unable to resist.

After struggling like that for a long time, Gu Cheol-un finally released Peng Zhou.

Whoosh! Thump-!

He threw the extracted molar at him and casually wiped his saliva-soaked hand on his clothes.

With an indifferent expression.

-I’ll consider this payment for the somyeon.

The words he uttered calmly.

At those words, Peng Zhou had a seizure.

-Huk… Kkeu… You…. You… You bas…tard….

As Peng Zhou gasped and spat out curses, Gu Cheol-un approached and met his eyes.

-Why?

-…!

-Do you have anything more to say?

-“…Go ahead. I’m listening.”

He wanted to curse him out.

Didn’t he know who I was? That I am Peng Zhou of the Peng family.

He wanted to shout like that and reign over the guy, but.

Peng Zhou couldn’t open his mouth any further.

His instincts were telling him.

-I said, speak. Say more.

If he said more, he might die.

No, he would definitely die.

Gu Cheol-un’s eyes and Peng Zhou’s instincts said so.

-…Kk… Kkeuk.

Pride and anger surged to the tip of his throat, but Peng Zhou ultimately shut his mouth.

His pride wasn’t more important than his life.

-Huu… Huu….

Thus, Peng Zhou, who only let out groans instead of words.

Gu Cheol-un watched him for a moment, then slowly stood up again.

-It’s good I didn’t hear your name.

As he slowly walked away, Peng Zhou could clearly hear.

-You weren’t worth remembering.

Gu Cheol-un’s whisper to Peng Zhou.

Peng Zhou ground his teeth in humiliation, but he couldn’t utter a single word until Gu Cheol-un left the inn.

Grind grind.

He clenched his fists.

He vowed.

I will kill that bastard.

I will kill him somehow.

Whether I return to the clan and borrow the House Head’s strength, or step up myself.

I will not forget this humiliation and will surely execute him someday.

He resolved himself to that, but.

Peng Zhou’s wish did not come true.

Because not long after that, Gu Cheol-un flew off to a place far too distant.

‘Gu Cheol-un….’

The blade of resentment held in his heart.

That resentment reached the point where he tried to use his daughter for a marriage arrangement.

Even that plan failed due to complications, but.

Peng Zhou never forgot that moment.

That’s why it was even more so.

-Ha-buk Peng Family’s Peng Zhou versus Shan-xi Gu’s Gu Yangcheon.

Appears before me.

The young child who resembles that damned bastard.

The son of that bastard who had those eyes back then.

Even possessing brilliant talent like his father, a damn bloodline.

Although his appearance doesn’t deeply resemble him.

His unique aura stimulated Peng Zhou’s emotions.

‘If he had at least crawled on the floor, I might have let it slide a little.’

Perhaps resembling his father, he had an arrogant and disgusting personality.

He also didn’t know his place, daring to defy me, the head of the Peng family.

I don’t like it.

That punk called Tu-ryong either.

Or this son of Gu Cheol-un.

Squeeze.

-Start-!

I will break him.

I must tear him apart somehow.

Muk-cheol (Silent Iron).

Geeeeeeing—!!!

Black energy gathered and strengthened on the polearm.

Grasping it, Do-wang leaped with all his might.

The distance between the two instantly closed.

The moment the polearm, filled with all sorts of emotions, poured towards Gu Yangcheon.

Kkang-!

Whirrrrr-!!

Thump-!

“…Huh…?”

Peng Zhou thought.

That his hand felt light.

His eyeballs rolled.

He checked his right hand.

It was gone.

The polearm that should have been held was nowhere to be seen.

Where did it go? Suddenly, where did that…

“Ugh, fuck. Seriously.”

A curse drilled into his ear.

Whooosh-!

In an instant, Do-wang’s vision drastically changed.

Kwaduduk-!

“Kkeo-heok!”

His face was stomped on by a foot, piercing through the stage and burying itself.

“Kkyaaaaaak!!!”

A scream erupted from Do-wang from the intense pain.