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Chapter 196: Understanding the Topic

“You’re saying you understand the topic?”

“How could such a thing happen?”

Gu Changjun couldn’t stop staring at Gu Yangcheong with a furrowed brow.

“Did I really misinterpret?”

No matter how sudden the situation was, mistaking Gu Yangcheong for the clan leader was unimaginable.

“It can’t be possible, even if that brat crossed the wall…!”

Dimly, but clearly, it was visible.

Gu Yangcheong had indeed crossed over the wall and reached the peak.

He had reached the peak at a younger age than his own grandchild, Gu Jeolyub, which undoubtedly suggested the heavens were not on his side.

But aside from that,

this was something that simply shouldn’t exist.

The flames emitted by Gu Yangcheong were alarmingly similar to those of the clan leader.

Sure, his unique energy could resemble that of the bloodline’s martial arts, but that’s not what I meant.

That ominous flame, which only the bloodline could wield.

The way he manipulated it as if it were a part of him, wild and unruly like a famished beast.

It was definitely a level where one could mistake him for the clan leader.

That meant he was incredibly seasoned.

“Still…”

It had to be a different quality of flame.

No matter how much time passed, the clan leader should have lost his peak powers.

How could he mistake that little bloodied brat’s flames for his?

Does that mean the kid had gotten that good at handling flames?

Or maybe,

“I’m still…”

“You seem flustered. I can tell you have nothing to say.”

“…!”

“It was supposed to be a return gift for the present from Elder Lee. I see it doesn’t sit well with you.”

Gu Yangcheong was smiling.

The sight of his wide grin was oddly terrifying, but

the energy hidden in his voice made it clear there was a disconnect.

Gu Changjun desperately tried to compose himself and asked Gu Yangcheong,

“…A gift? What in the world did I give you for you to be this angry?”

“Angry? Elder Lee, how could I be angry at a gift you gave me?”

Crunch.

The way he stomped down on the charred floor was downright creepy.

“If we’re talking anger, it shouldn’t be directed at a beast, should it?”

Gu Changjun’s expression twisted at the blunt remark.

Because Gu Yangcheong was so clearly showing his hostility.

“You’ve gotten a bit more abrasive while I wasn’t looking. I heard you’d regained some sanity.”

“How could you not know who I am?”

“How long has it been since you’ve lapsed back to that insolence?”

Thud-!

Gu Yangcheong kicked the staggering disciple, knocking him out cold.

The disciple coughed up blood as he lost consciousness.

“Even playing nice, one must know whom to treat well. Your upbringing must’ve been rather strict.”

“…You brat…!”

Boom!

Gu Changjun stomped the ground in a fit of anger,

and the energy around him flared out!

The footwork of a martial artist who reached the Transformation Realm could easily expand throughout the Gu Exemplar Sect.

However, Gu Yangcheong didn’t change his expression at all.

“I don’t know what you’re up to, but even if you’re direct descendants, your arrogance is unbearable!”

“That’s just it.”

He seemed to be suppressing Gu Changjun even more, as he started emitting a powerful energy.

“You must know I’m a direct descendant as well.”

As Gu Changjun spoke, the way Gu Yangcheong casually cracked his neck somehow resembled that of a back-alley thug more than a noble bloodline.

“Why are you causing such a ruckus? I clearly advised you to stay out of my way.”

Before long, the tiny sliver of propriety in Gu Changjun’s words vanished.

Among the fiery atmosphere, the overwhelming energy poured forth.

Gu Changjun trampled the energy of the small boy beneath him.

Elder Lee was indeed a martial artist who reached the peak.

While Gu Yangcheong did possess monstrous talent that belied his age,

in the end, he was still a martial artist at the peak.

No matter how perfected his body was, there remained an overwhelming difference in realms.

This simply shouldn’t be happening.

Yet, Gu Changjun had no choice but to frown in surprise.

Because he had a vague understanding of the reasons behind it.

“…It hurts.”

The chronic illness he’d been suffering from made it difficult to wield his energy properly,

and since he couldn’t utilize his energy as he should, the aging that had slowed due to his level began to once again take control of his body.

His weakened physique couldn’t even match half the strength he once had in his prime.

At this point, even facing lesser martial artists made him feel anxiety.

However,

no one in the clan knew this.

He was hiding it for his own reasons.

Only he was aware.

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Could it be that Shin Yi stayed at the main house yet Gu Tae pretended to be oblivious, hiding in secrecy?

“He was just waiting for the right moment.”

With the clan leader out and Elder Lee’s eyes blinded for the time being.

Just then, Shin Yi was at the main house too, and he was looking to secretly find out about him.

He had been gathering information steadily on Shin Yi after all.

Now that the Gu Clan was occupied, who wouldn’t want to seize that opportunity?

Thus, at this moment, Gu Changjun thought it was the perfect time for ambush.

If only Gu Yangcheong wasn’t involved.

“This is troublesome.”

The child he thought was merely a small stone peeking out on the path was

actually a giant boulder hidden on the ground, and he realized too late.

“If I had known sooner, I would have removed it by any means necessary.”

Who could have guessed that this little brat would obstruct him so quickly?

Gu Changjun pulled out his sword and carefully straightened his posture.

“After all, he has no idea.”

Gu Yangcheong wouldn’t know about his illness.

So he was all the more puzzled.

It was baffling that Gu Yangcheong had appeared so recklessly.

“No matter how hotheaded and childish he may be…”

Reaching the peak at such a young age,

it was only natural that he would hold hubris and arrogance.

Gu Changjun found himself thinking that there must be a reason for Gu Yangcheong’s reckless arrival.

“Could it be….”

Has he been found out?

Could Gu Yangcheong have discovered the task he entrusted to the Taizhu?

“I thought he was someone who wouldn’t fail so easily.”

Gu Changjun didn’t know much about Taizhu, but reflecting on the tasks they had accomplished together,

he never thought he would easily fail.

“Even if he has failed, it’s not a problem.”

Even if Gu Yangcheong has noticed his involvement, it wouldn’t matter.

After all, there was no concrete evidence.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing barging in here?!”

“From the look on your face, you seem to have figured it out but are playing dumb. How ugly.”

“You keep spouting nonsense…! If you come out here, even this old man has to take action…”

“Or are you just anxious?”

“What?”

Gu Changjun questioned Gu Yangcheong’s proclamation.

But Gu Yangcheong wasn’t there to answer.

A brief breeze brushed through.

Reacting on instinct, Gu Changjun quickly lifted his sword and slashed through the air.

Swish-! The sharp blade cut through the space, producing a flash of light.

In its wake lay only a faint hint of flames that dissipated into nothing.

“Nothing…!”

I clearly sensed the energy I could feel before, yet it was only a small ember remaining.

“Then… where…!”

Boom!

A small fist pierced through the powerful energy enveloping his waist.

The energy surrounding Gu Changjun was no weak force,

yet the fist shattered through it like it was paper.

Bang!

“Ugh!”

The sound of physical contact accompanied by the explosion of energy made Gu Changjun’s body shake violently.

Fortunately, he didn’t lose his balance and leap into the air.

But still, as he left a mark on the ground, he had to be pushed back a considerable distance.

“Cough…!”

Blood spewed from Gu Changjun’s mouth as he struggled to catch his breath.

Just one hit, and one that shattered through his energy at that.

The pain radiating from his waist began to disrupt the energy flowing through him and prompted a reaction.

“Hah…”

More than the fact he had just been attacked,

he sighed in lament over the level displayed by Gu Yangcheong in that single encounter.

To erase his presence for a surprise attack,

and to have his essence shrouded by flames to mask his true self.

How much mastery in energy application was necessary to execute such a single assault seamlessly?

Because he instinctively understood how difficult it was, Gu Changjun could hardly contain his astonishment at how naturally Gu Yangcheong displayed such a proficiency.

“…A monster indeed.”

It had barely been a year since Gu Yangcheong’s proper activities began.

If Gu Yangcheong truly had an innate talent so profound that even the clan leader wouldn’t recognize him, it was ridiculous.

Woo Hoo.

“…!”

Gu Changjun directed his sword towards the presence again.

This time, the energy wasn’t an illusion.

Gu Yangcheong was almost transparent in revealing his presence.

“Nothing special.”

A voice pierced through the darkness.

Where were the flames he used when he overwhelmed the disciples of the Gu Exemplar Sect?

What was visible now was only the red eyes of Gu Yangcheong shining forth from within the shadows.

“…Even if you landed a hit thanks to a miracle…!”

“A miracle? With a body that can barely respond, what miracle are you talking about?”

“…What?!”

As Gu Yangcheong mocked, Gu Changjun felt his heart plummet.

It was as if he had said something he absolutely should not have.

Knowing Gu Changjun’s reaction, Gu Yangcheong merely brushed off his hands while grinning faintly.

Then he added, confirming,

“You really are damaged, aren’t you? Especially around the heart.”

Gu Changjun’s thin beard trembled.

 

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