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Chapter 146: Dragon Meeting (Part 4)

The Dragon Meeting.

Gu Jeolyub was born in the Gu Exemplar Sect.

His parents died tragically in the Demonic Gate when he was just five, leaving no memories of them.

In Gu Jeolyub’s first recollection, his only parent and teacher was his grandfather, Gu Changjun.

Gu Changjun, seeing Gu Jeolyub’s talent and handsome looks, coveted the position of Clan Leader of the Gu Clan.

And amidst that, there was a small dream buried deep within Gu Jeolyub, a dream even his grandfather, Gu Changjun, did not know about.

A Heroic Blade.

Gu Jeolyub wanted to become a Heroic Blade.

A true Heroic Blade who traverses the Central Plains, rescuing those worn down by evil and crises.

The spark for this dream wasn’t anything grand.

Gu Jeolyub held profound respect for a martial artist known as the Sword Sovereign.

A martial artist who achieved everything solely through his skill with the sword, Gu Jeolyub couldn’t help but admire him.

As he roamed the world, the name Gale Sword became synonymous with the reputation of a Heroic Blade.

Even taunted as a vagabond, his sense of justice was unwavering.

The countless achievements he built formed a tower that would later contribute greatly to the reverence for the Sword Sovereign.

What is heroism?

What could it be that it ignites such passionate fire within the heart?

For a young boy, it was far too complicated yet, in contrast, a very simple notion.

– A martial artist’s belief should never be crushed.

– The essence of heroic justice is allowing the heart to flow freely.

If I walk the path I desire, that is heroism.

In the distant past, when the Sword Sovereign was known as the Gale Sword.

He stood resolutely against the great Demonic Gate that opened in the slums and uttered those words.

This proclamation spread throughout the Central Plains, igniting the hearts of innumerable martial artists.

And it was also the foundation of the dream that now drove Gu Jeolyub.

To become a Heroic Blade.

No, he mustn’t.

The notion that one must allow their heart to flow freely to achieve true justice presupposed that they themselves must embody such a person.

Thus, Gu Jeolyub had to become a Saint.

At a young age, his direction was straightforward, and it posed no problem at that time.

However, as time passed and Gu Jeolyub grew, he began to see things differently.

The path toward his goal seemed to slightly veer off course.

The reason he never voiced any dissatisfaction about Gu Changjun’s ambitions alongside his own dreams was that he believed his grandfather’s will aligned with his aspirations.

Even if his life felt like it was suffocating and filled with trepidation.

The First Prince, born with noble blood, tormented the common people and abused his servants.

It made sense that Gu Jeolyub thought it better to become himself than to become Gu Yangcheong.

So, a year passed, and that day arrived.

The turning point of change and Gu Jeolyub’s greatest embarrassment.

The day Gu Yangcheong defeated Gu Jeolyub.

A year ago, when Gu Yangcheong could not even touch the hem of his garment, he still seemed so small.

His frail body and, just like that day, that low-quality speech.

What felt oddly out of place was probably his gaze.

Cold and vacant.

Like a tranquil lake devoid of any emotion, yet harboring an unfathomable abyss.

Unable to meet his eyes, his breath came in short gasps, the way he spoke felt alien to himself.

Like a rabbit trembling with fear before a predator.

‘Me? No way…!’

Unable to accept reality, he rushed in recklessly.

And as you can imagine, only a devastating defeat awaited Gu Jeolyub.

At this point, one undeniable fact became clear: Gu Jeolyub was more perceptive than he thought.

He could sense the crisis emanating from Gu Yangcheong.

– Young Master!

After winning in the martial arts sparring, Gu Yangcheong’s gaze fell on the maidens around him.

From the eyes of the maidens staring at him, Gu Jeolyub obtained a small revelation.

The young man he always considered an absolute villain might not be so simple after all.

He realized that merely dismissing others based on his own thoughts was folly, given how insignificant his perspective truly was.

‘I am not a perfect being.’

Then how can he become whole?

He did not know.

Being imperfect means he also doesn’t know the way.

What is heroic justice?

What is righteousness and what is evil? Gu Jeolyub still had no answers.

“Have I owed you something at the inn?”

He repeatedly pondered about such things but one thing was clear.

“Why is there no reply? Are you scared? Is it because you’re alone?”

It is astounding how blatant evil is clearer than good.

It cannot be mistaken.

Huangbo Cheolwi viciously taunted him, yet Gu Jeolyub simply chose to ignore him.

– True empathy is something you use when you can afford to.

– A sense of justice without responsibility is what emerges when you are alone.

The words Gu Yangcheong had said at the inn still echoed in his ears.

He had done nothing wrong.

| |…..

..

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……

It was not wrong to rise and save a woman in fear.

Knowing that, why did Gu Yangcheong’s words cling to him so tightly? Gu Jeolyub could not understand.

“If you’re going to be such a coward, why did you try to challenge me so boldly?”

Huangbo Cheolwi laughed, as if he had realized something.

“Ah, is it because of your companions behind you? Quite a few talented ladies. How could a guy like you fit in among them? You’re probably just from the Gu Clan.”

Just from the Gu Clan.

Those words pricked at him, yet he showed no sign of being bothered.

He felt it was a risk to bother with trouble again, just like last time.

‘I’m absolutely not holding back because I’m concerned about last time.’

It wasn’t a thought caused by Gu Yangcheong’s saying ‘headbutt him’.

Huangbo Cheolwi kept speaking, trying to provoke Gu Jeolyub.

“That guy sitting up ahead.”

At Huangbo Cheolwi’s comment, Gu Jeolyub’s shoulders twitched slightly.

“Is that guy surrounded by maidens the son of the Heroic Blade? Couldn’t possibly be you.”

How did he know? Asking that question seemed unnecessary.

Gu Yangcheong, wearing the representative red fabric of the Gu Clan embroidered with gold, was unmistakably the son of the Gu Clan.

Unlike Gu Jeolyub, who appeared somewhat cold and stern, his features matched that of a fierce tiger.

With slightly reddish black hair and eyes to match.

He bore all the characteristics of a warrior from Mount Shan’s Gu Clan, known far and wide.

“Why does that guy get to sit up there? Even I, Huangbo, am seated here.”

Was it bothering him?

Huangbo Cheolwi’s breathing grew heavier.

Then he smiled broadly, almost forcibly.

“It’s a funny dilemma. You’re just a no-name with no prowess using family wealth to sit with that seat.”

Gu Jeolyub’s eyebrows slightly rose at Huangbo Cheolwi’s words.

Really?

He might have believed such words in the past, but the Gu Yangcheong he had observed during last night’s camp was not that kind of person.

Not even close to the first impression he had of him.

“Looking at that, you must have endured quite a bit yourself.”

With Huangbo Cheolwi’s ambiguous remark, Gu Jeolyub found himself compelled to speak up.

“What do you mean?”

“If that young boy truly is a Heroic Blade’s son, I might understand a little.”

Why was the sickening malice suddenly shifted toward Gu Yangcheong? Gu Jeolyub understood the reason from Huangbo Cheolwi’s gaze.

It was because of the maidens surrounding Gu Yangcheong.

While Gu Yangcheong seemed oblivious, they were beautiful women serving him, hailed as the greatest beauties.

Pouring the tea as if they were waiting for it to be finished.

Cleaning up crumbs that fell from his mouth, a blank expression adorning their faces.

Occasionally, when the heat overwhelmed him, they would gently fan him.

He certainly was enjoying treatment that evoked envy even in Gu Jeolyub’s eyes.

Apparently, Huangbo Cheolwi, representative of the Huangbo Clan, was displeased not just because he was seated in a higher position, but also due to Gu Yangcheong enjoying such luxury.

‘How shameful is it to feel such inferiority.’

He couldn’t only view him with disdain since he too felt something similar toward Gu Yangcheong.

Huangbo Cheolwi went on.

“The good-for-nothing of Mount Shan, they say?”

“…”

“There’s hardly a good rumor about him, mediocre talent and brutal temperament. Said to be shockingly useless compared to his bloodline.”

“I’ve heard that too. They say he can’t even compare to my sister.”

“Me too. A stark contrast compared to father and sister. The Gale Sword left behind astonishing achievements at the banquet…”

“Besides the Gale Sword, that lady known as the Second Young Lady is no pushover either. They say her talent rivals the Gale Sword’s.”

“But, the actual son who should inherit the clan leadership turns out useless… tsk tsk.”

Huangbo Cheolwi and the surrounding individuals began to gossip negatively about Gu Yangcheong.

Unconsciously, Gu Jeolyub’s fists clenched.

Gu Yangcheong is not that kind of person.

Traveling together had made that abundantly clear.

The sheer volume of training he endured was unmatched for his age. It sent chills down Gu Jeolyub’s spine during the secret observation.

Training at a level that seemed impossible for someone his age every day.

Suffering from beatings disguised as practice, then awakening to new horizons once more.

He couldn’t even touch the hem of Gu Yangcheong’s clothes.

The way he treated his servants was unlike Gu Jeolyub had seen before; he struggled to believe it was the same person.

What kind of master would tend to a servant’s meal?

Would he bother drying off a servant’s clothes drenched by the water?

Gu Jeolyub could see the envy in the eyes of his own servant who trailed him.

‘Is Gu Yangcheong truly a wretched human?’

That’s what he believed in the past.

But now, he had no idea. Now Gu Jeolyub seemed to appear the more wretched of the two.

His breath was becoming increasingly ragged. It felt like he was being consumed by intense emotion.

It wasn’t the anger at the insults directed at Gu Yangcheong.

In fact, he wished someone would use insults towards him instead.

Yet even as he thought that, anger rose within him as Huangbo Cheolwi’s words felt directed at not Gu Yangcheong, but at himself.

Huangbo Cheolwi, without noticing Gu Jeolyub, continued.

“We also have one like that in our clan. A child born from the Huangbo bloodline, useless, talentless… Whenever I see that guy, it infuriates me.”

“Why’s that?”

“I may not like you, but compared to him, you seem competent. Don’t you feel the same? Seeing your bloodline so incapable makes one angry. Yet, you’re a commoner so it probably doesn’t matter.”

Huangbo Cheolwi had been cruelly demeaning before finally guzzling down a cup of alcoholic tea placed before him as if finally relenting.

“Of all the times to show up and just observe, you stood there quietly as a ‘man’.”

When Gu Jeolyub had an altercation with his group at the inn, it was just a casual remark about him standing back and watching.

The way he acted while intimidating women showed no signs of being cowardly from Huangbo Cheolwi, which was as unbecoming as it gets.

Gu Jeolyub sighed deeply, adjusting the sword on his waist, readying himself for anything.

He had tried his best to hold back.

But it seemed he could not endure any longer.

“People like that need to be taught a lesson. With the Martial Arts Tournament approaching, when we meet…”

“Shut your mouth.”

“What?”

A moment of silence hung thick in the air.

All those gathered around, even Huangbo Cheolwi, fell silent.

As he echoed Huangbo Cheolwi’s question, Gu Jeolyub gradually began to draw forth his energy.

“What did you just say?”

“I said I didn’t want to hear you.”

“Who do you think you are?”

“Huangbo, that’s quite a name you carry. But I doubt you’re worthy of bearing such a name.”

Gu Jeolyub’s words came out calmly, causing Huangbo Cheolwi to explode in outrage.

Bang-!

An overwhelming energy erupted around him, giving off a deep sensation uncharacteristic of Huangbo Cheolwi.

As though proclaiming he was indeed a member of a noble bloodline.

“What nonsensical utterance did you just throw my way?”

When he rose to his feet, his gigantic build was imposing. Clearly, he was a well-trained fighter.

But Gu Jeolyub felt no fear.

He had a good intuition. Thus, he could tell.

This man was undoubtedly weaker than himself.

“Who do you think you are, a hick’s blood seeking to challenge the Huangbo?”

He seemed to have forgotten the gazes of those around him as he began to emanate his energy. Yet, even amidst that, Gu Jeolyub cautiously observed Huangbo Cheolwi’s movements.

He kept talking.

“From what I hear, the Huangbo is known as the tiger of the Central Plains. How is it that your actions reflect that of a mere cat?”

Huangbo Cheolwi’s lips curled in response to his words.

“You dare insult the famed where only embers remain? You pitiful little thing, I had intended to show mercy…”

“Mercy is what a strong person shows to the weak. Regrettably, you cannot provide me with that.”

“You little…”

Ultimately, unable to suppress his anger, Huangbo Cheolwi pumped up his muscles.

A commanding aura could be distinctly felt from his enlarged physique.

In an instant, he grasped the hilt of his sword. Inside him, regret coursed through him for causing such a disturbance.

But turning back was not an option.

This was about dignity.

‘Upon return, I may face death from my grandfather.’

How ridiculous that this thought even surfaced.

Before he could shine brighter than Gu Changjun, that was now impossible.

For now, he must follow.

And someday, he would surpass the expectation of Elder Lee, all for his dream.

“I had a feeling I would dislike you even more, but now, I am determined to rip you to shreds on this spot.”

Huangbo Cheolwi took a step forward.

The energy dissipating from his feet was alarming.

‘The shoulders are trembling. The left arm.’

His eyes moved swiftly, sharpening at the slightest actions.

Ironically, Gu Yangcheong had been the one to teach him this.

—Ooh that guy is moving his thigh, isn’t he going to spring?

—N-No!

– It’s not that! He’s clearly about to leap forward.

– Ah!

‘…’

It was not a pleasant memory. Closer to torment than teaching. The journey had undoubtedly been akin to hell, yet somehow turned into a period when he could grow the most.

Huangbo Cheolwi began to move. The trajectory was something already predicted.

Dodge the left arm, aim the chin with the sword’s spine to incapacitate…

Zing-!

Just as Gu Jeolyub prepared for the maneuver, an icy sensation suddenly made him look back.

Though this choice was foolish considering Huangbo Cheolwi stood before him, he sensed danger and acted.

‘Two of them.’

The pressure that burst out from their direction,

Like a dog trying to chase after something.

Nich…!

One was the Thunder Dragon Nangong Cheonjun, whom he had briefly met at the inn.

The other was a boy named Jang Seonyeon, the one who had caused quite a stir at the banquet, claiming to be the head of the clan.

Gu Jeolyub broke into a cold sweat at the wave of pressure he felt just now.

If either of them charged at him now, he wouldn’t be able to withstand it.

‘Thank heavens.’

He was genuinely thankful for his keen intuition.

However, in the midst of this gulp, he caught something strange.

Both Nangong Cheonjun, who had rested his hand on his sword sheath, and Jang Seonyeon, who had been gearing up for a duel, now looked on with eyes wide open, gazing towards him.

‘What’s going on…?’

None of the other Late-Stage Talents surrounding them were behaving any differently.

They all looked as if they had seen a monster and couldn’t believe it.

At that moment, Gu Jeolyub realized something.

The Huangbo Cheolwi he was facing was entirely unresponsive.

Following their gazes, Gu Jeolyub turned to look at Huangbo Cheolwi once again, but what he could see was not an imposing warrior with a massive physique, but rather, Huangbo Cheolwi on his knees, collapsing in ruin.

Like sandcastles before the wind, collapsing endlessly.

At that moment, Gu Jeolyub finally saw who stood in front of him.

“I don’t understand.”

Kwang-!

Huangbo Cheolwi fell beside the boy with a fierce demeanor.

“Why am I the one getting into trouble here while you instigate? You little brat, did you come along just for this purpose?”

With an appearance that radiated annoyance, he brushed off his hands, causing Gu Jeolyub to involuntarily take a step back.

His survival instincts kicked in.

He felt no kind of qi from the boy.

What’s worse, he couldn’t even tell when he had approached.

Unlike the deliberate energy of Nangong Cheonjun and Jang Seonyeon, this boy radiated nothing.

He was nothing but a shadow.

Gu Yangcheong possessed eyes shimmering with a striking red hue as he spoke.

“Thanks for nothing.”

Gu Yangcheong’s small voice reverberated through the banquet hall.

While it was a sound regular in volume, with every Late-Stage Talent there holding their breath, it felt overwhelmingly loud.

 

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