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Chapter 276: The Generation of Yuseong. (4)

A day had passed since we arrived in Hanam.

Knowing I had time to spare, I intentionally came a bit earlier than planned.

There were about three days left until the day we would enter Shinryong Temple.

Despite my efforts to arrive leisurely, it turned out there was nothing to do after all.

“Ugh….”

“Loosen up. Aren’t you doing it right?”

“Ugh…!”

From below came a near-scream of agony.

It was Gu Jeolyub, who was diligently doing push-ups.

For the record, I was sitting on his back.

“Put some strength into your arms.”

“Ugh…!”

“Good job, let’s go a bit heavier.”

“No, wait…!”

Thud!

“Gah!”

As soon as I released my energy and increased the weight, Gu Jeolyub stumbled and fell flat on his face.

“Tsk, tsk, what’s wrong with you? If you can’t handle this, how can you call yourself a man?”

“…I can’t handle this under normal circumstances…”

“But Muyeon can do it just fine.”

Comparing him to Muyeon immediately got a reaction out of Gu Jeolyub, but there didn’t seem to be much he could do about it.

Recently, he had been particularly concerned about Muyeon.

Knowing this, I could only send him a mysteriously amused glance.

‘It must be because of Gu Seonmun.’

Since Gu Changjun’s death, the current management of Gu Seonmun was handled by Ilgeomdaeju and Elder Lee as a substitute.

Eventually, a proper leader would need to take charge of Gu Seonmun.

The most likely candidates were Muyeon and Gu Jeolyub.

After all, they were raised within Gu Seonmun.

With their outstanding talents, if a martial artist to lead Gu Seonmun was to be chosen, those two would immediately spring to mind.

Of course, while there were still plenty of martial artists who had been active in Gu Seonmun before,

when it came to potential and capability, it seemed no one stood above those two.

‘Originally, Jeolyub would have had the highest probability.’

Probabilities aside, it should’ve been Jeolyub who was actively working as the junior leader.

Yet, after Gu Changjun was dishonorably killed for opposing the Clan,

it created some problems for Jeolyub to assume the position of leader in Gu Seonmun.

‘Hmph…’

It looked like Jeolyub felt it was an unjust position as well.

He seemed eager to prove himself with his own abilities.

In that light,

‘Of all people, his rival is Muyeon?’

What a complicated opponent.

Be it talent, realm, or even temperament, Muyeon was still superior.

‘Knowing this, is he trying to push himself harder?’

If that was the case, I could somewhat cheer him on.

After all, it could be considered a form of assistance, right?

It’s basically me giving him a nudge for his own good.

‘It’s definitely not because I didn’t like what I said yesterday.’

No need for backbiting here.

I am not that petty of a person.

“Alright, speaking of which, how about a sparring match?”

“…What do you mean ‘speaking of which’? That’s a bit out of the blue, isn’t it?”

“You’re good with that, right? What a relief.”

Gu Jeolyub grimaced as if he’d just bitten into a bug.

This guy…?

I thought I was helping him out.

I mean, it would also help him unwind a bit.

What a great deal for him.

Just then, I grabbed the back of Gu Jeolyub’s neck, who was making a face as if he were about to die and dragged him toward the field behind us.

Suddenly, I sensed a presence and halted my steps.

“First Prince?”

Gu Jeolyub looked at me, puzzled by my actions.

“Pardon me.”

At that moment, I realized what was happening from a voice coming from behind.

“I see you’re awake.”

I didn’t bother turning around but spoke to the owner of the voice.

“Yes, embarrassingly, I just regained my senses.”

“Didn’t seem like I hit you that hard.”

“Haha, the journey was a bit tiring…”

Sneaking a glance back, naturally, Yeongpung was standing there.

“It’s been a while since we last met, Gu So-hyeob.”

“Indeed, it’s been a long time.”

Has it been roughly two years since we went to Hwasan?

That should be about right.

Yeongpung looked significantly different now.

He seemed taller and more sturdy. The boyish charm that once stood out now carried the proper aura of a martial artist.

“Hmmm…”

The moment I laid eyes on Yeongpung, I frowned.

Still as handsome as ever, what an annoyance.

I had thought about it before, but for some reason, handsome guys always end up being annoyingly good-looking.

Really puts me in a bad mood.

‘And…’

Subtly observing Yeongpung’s physique, it was quickly evident.

‘He broke through the wall.’

Though I hadn’t examined him closely yesterday, Yeongpung had crossed a significant threshold and reached the peak.

Knowing this brought an involuntary chuckle from me.

‘It feels like everyone is just leaping over the wall like it’s nothing.’

I can accept that my situation is unusual.

But why does it seem so easy for these guys to break through?

Normally, the peak the average martial artist would struggle their entire lives to reach is that threshold.

The moment the lower dantian aligns with the Qi and physical form.

Pushing through that shell is no simple task.

‘…This is what they mean by geniuses.’

Just a little encouragement, and they leap right over the barriers.

How could I not feel irritated?

As far as I knew, Yeongpung hadn’t even reached his twenties yet.

‘Isn’t he just a year or two younger than Nangong Bi-ah?’

Yet, in this short span of two years, Yeongpung went from being at the end of the first tier to reaching the peak.

It wasn’t too surprising, given that he was already on the edge of the first tier.

-Feel.

Ah…

Noticing my gaze, Yeongpung scratched the back of his head, looking a bit awkward.

Seeing that, my mouth inadvertently moved.

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you… It’s all thanks to Gu So-hyeob.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Unbeknownst to you, I know you’ve helped me.”

I couldn’t help but wear a somewhat incredulous expression at Yeongpung’s words.

Helped him, indeed.

If anything, I had just been annoyed by him and acted out a bit.

They say those destined for greatness find enlightenment even when they trip over a rock.

“Really, I didn’t do much.”

In reality, I hardly did anything.

I simply beat the hell out of him.

Yeongpung kept smiling as he looked at me and changed the topic.

“I actually thought I worked hard… but seeing you, I realize I still have a long way to go.”

“…”

Such awkward praise.

Moreover, it meant that Yeongpung could roughly gauge my level.

‘Impressive.’

As expected, some guys are indeed exceptional.

The Yeongpung I was looking at now was undoubtedly an outstanding character.

“But what was up with you yesterday?”

That aside, I couldn’t wrap my head around what happened yesterday.

“…Ah.”

“I didn’t think you were the type, but did you eat something strange?”

I had heard that Yeongpung had started a fight out of the blue and drawn blades.

Though there were no injuries, sparring while betting in such a crowded place was problematic.

As my questioning bore the tone of reproach, Yeongpung gave a wry smile.

He seemed to know he was at fault.

“…I was too greedy.”

…

“Greedy?”

“Yes, after crossing the threshold, it’s hard to calm down.”

I started to understand what he meant.

It was likely that as his Qi flowed and vitality surged within his body,

his desire to wield Qi uncontrollably swelled up.

Still, not being able to rein it in was clearly his fault.

Instigating a fight just because he felt riled up isn’t very clever.

He seemed to know this too, as he gradually bowed his head towards me.

“Thank you. Once again, I owe you my gratitude.”

“You don’t need to thank me.”

It wasn’t like I was doing him any favors.

In fact, considering the timing of the Sword Demoness’s appearance, she had likely been observing too.

Though I would need to ponder why she didn’t intervene.

It seemed that the martial artists from Kunlun Sect were either watching as I anticipated.

‘The new head of Shinryong Temple was Cheonghae Ilgeom, right?’

Cheonghae Ilgeom.

One of the ten greatest martial masters in Central Plains.

I had heard that the new head of Shinryong Temple was going to be managed by Kunlun Sect.

It was probably due to that.

Though I moved quickly back then, if she hadn’t interfered, how would it have been?

‘I would have been fine, somehow.’

I could have managed.

The reason I knocked out those idiots was merely because I was pissed off.

Just blocking would’ve sufficed.

That wouldn’t have been too bad.

“By the way, why are you here, Sword Demoness?”

“Ah….”

Upon my inquiry, Yeongpung’s expression turned somewhat awkward.

What’s this, was it something I shouldn’t have asked?

“I came along since there was work to attend to.”

“Work, huh.”

From his vibe, it seemed it was a matter he couldn’t disclose to me.

Yesterday, the Sword Demoness took off with Yeongpung in a hurry, so we hadn’t really talked much.

“Did you come with just Yeongpung?”

“Oh, no. I came with other seniors as well.”

Yeongpung’s reply made me nod.

That much was only expected.

As far as I knew, there were several other Three Great Disciples around the same age as Yeongpung.

Surely, they wouldn’t have only recommended Yeongpung to enter Shinryong Temple.

‘Whether he passes or not is another matter, but that seems unlikely.’

Lost in thought, I momentarily spaced out, and Yeongpung once again bowed his head to greet me.

“Today, since I saw you, I just wanted to express my gratitude and say hello briefly.”

“There’s no need to bother with that. Isn’t your neck aching?”

“…I’m fine.”

Judging from his expression, it seemed like it was hurting.

Did I hit him too hard for knocking him out?

Well, he should be fine now since he’s reached the peak.

“By the way, how’s she doing?”

“Who… Oh, are you talking about Gu Ryeonghwa?”

“Yes.”

I asked about my younger sibling.

Since the Sword Demoness was here, I was curious what Gu Ryeonghwa had been up to alone.

“She’s always busy as usual.”

“Busy, huh?”

“Yes, even without the four sage spirits, she’s receiving a lot of attention from her peers.”

From Yeongpung’s words, it seemed like she was doing quite well and being well-liked.

‘That’s a relief.’

We had been exchanging letters occasionally, but thinking back to the time I knocked her out and left…

I felt a twinge of guilt since she still included my regrets in those letters.

While I couldn’t just up and visit her from this far away…

Lost in thought, Yeongpung suddenly spoke up.

“I’m glad I could at least say a brief hello.”

“Are you heading out now?”

“It seems the seniors are waiting, so I can’t stay for too long.”

Going by his demeanor, it genuinely appeared he only came to greet me.

Watching Yeongpung make his move to leave without a second thought, I spoke up.

“Should I return it?”

This remark was about the item he had given me before we last parted ways at Hwasan.

I still had it on me.

Knowing I would meet him today, I had brought it along.

At my words, Yeongpung looked genuinely surprised.

His expression suggested he hadn’t expected I’d remember it.

Yet he quickly suppressed that and lightly shook his head.

“I’d prefer you to keep it for now.”

“…So when do I get to return it?”

I had no intentions of keeping a man’s belongings indefinitely.

At my inquiry, Yeongpung chuckled.

Understanding the underlying meaning of my words, he smiled sincerely and replied.

“I want to receive it when I stand on equal ground with you.”

“…Oh.”

His serious tone seemed genuinely heartfelt.

Yet, it felt incredibly cringe-worthy.

I tend to struggle much with that sort of thing, so it made me uncomfortable.

Who knows what goal he had in mind, but did he really mean to hold me as the benchmark?

“Then that might be tough?”

A rather realistic observation from me.

Yet, paradoxically, Yeongpung only smiled wider.

“I had a feeling you’d say that.”

He seemed to take it differently than I intended.

…As long as he was happy, I suppose that was what mattered.

“It’s a relief to meet you again, Gu So-hyeob.”

“…Yes, I’m glad to hear that as well.”

“I’ll visit you again later.”

“If you’re busy, you don’t have to force it…”

It seemed he didn’t intend to let my last comment go.

In a flash, he presented his gratitude, and off went Yeongpung.

He’ll be visiting again, huh?

‘Well, anyway, once we go in, we’ll probably see each other, whether we want to or not.’

Unless some catastrophic event were to sweep through, there was no way Yeongpung wouldn’t get into Shinryong Temple.

That went for me as well.

So irrespective of the person, whether it’s Yeongpung or Woo Hyeok, I was bound to run into them.

Now, as Yeongpung walked away into the distance, just as I was about to start moving again, I heard a voice from below.

“First Prince…”

“Ah?”

“…Could you please move over now?”

Oh right.

Remembering Gu Jeolyub, who was using me as a chair, I quickly rose to my feet.

“Sorry, I was a bit too focused for a while.”

Apologizing, I stepped aside.

Gu Jeolyub struggled to get to his feet.

Had he been like that for the duration of our conversation?

I guess it would be strange if Yeongpung had ignored him entirely.

As I stepped back, only then did Gu Jeolyub finally rise.

“…Ugh. Alright, we should be heading back…”

“Where are you going? We have to go spar now.”

“ ”

“Come on, don’t pretend you didn’t hear. Follow me.”

“…My leg.”

“What?”

“No, it’s just… The ground hurts a bit.”

“Complaining about your legs after trash-talking? You want to go back for more?”

“No, it’s just that I’m trying to… Ugh!”

As Gu Jeolyub blurted out a rebuttal, I kicked him lightly, sending him rolling on the ground.

This guy is getting bolder by the day.

I kept rolling him over until we made our way to the field and then began our intensive and rigorous sparring training.

With the energy barrier I had set up, Gu Jeolyub’s screams were surely going unheard.

 

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