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Once, or perhaps several times, I’ve pondered this.

To pinpoint the moment, it was when I realized that my father was far stronger than he appeared, someone much mightier than the Three Eminent Beings.

I had often been curious about my father’s youth.

Isn’t it strange? The only thing known about him in the world was that he belonged to the ranks of the White-Grade Masters in the Central Plains.

However, when I discovered that my father could easily defeat others even among the Three Eminent Beings, it was a shock in its own right.

When was that? It must have been during my previous life when I faced the Heavenly Demon.

He was the only one to inflict a fatal blow on the Heavenly Demon, who was untouchable even to the Three Eminent Beings.

Perhaps this past experience played a significant role when fighting against the Divine Sword.

I constantly held questions about my father.

How could such a strong figure remain unknown?

Additionally, if he was indeed that powerful, what was he like when he was my age?

What kind of being had such strength in his youth?

Those questions always lingered in my mind.

Today, however, my questions were about to be answered.

<Fwooshhhhhh---!!!>

“Wow.”

The blazing red flame. Unlike my altered blue flame, its deep and substantial red is truly remarkable.

It was a genuine flame that contained the essence of the Gu Clan, refined and polished to the utmost.

Gazing at the writhing flames that looked as if they might burn my body, I couldn’t help but be amazed.

“……This is no joke.”

The quality of the heat, no less.

The combativeness and intricate control within it were astonishing.

Fwoosh.

My father’s flames underwent tremendous compression and rotation.

Of course, I could do something of that caliber too.

“But the realm is different.”

My father’s state was that of a Transformation Realm Martial Artist.

Age-wise, he wasn’t that much older than me, yet this was unbelievable.

“Is it truly the same level of control as mine?”

My fine-tuned maneuvers seemed to be superior, but this flame’s compression power was unparalleled.

The density was simply absurd. With flames of this quality, the compression of the firepower must be enormous.

While I stood there, continuously amazed, I suddenly heard.

“Such a brazen remark.”

My father spoke. I flinched as I heard his voice. I could see the change in his expression.

His brows narrowed, and a cold glint formed in his eyes, filled with Qi.

I felt daunted. His expression resembled that of when he was angry. No, it wasn’t merely a resemblance; he genuinely looked angry!

“Do you want me to back off?”

<Fwooshhhhhh---!!!>

The flames stirred. The flames that had been entwined around me danced accordingly.

“If that’s what you want.”

At my father’s words, my body reacted. I felt tension rise within me involuntarily. I was aware that, given our differing states, I would certainly win if we fought.

Yet, for some reason, I felt intimidated.

My father emanated such a vibe.

Flames were about to fly my way. Just as I prepared to react—

Stomp.

I stopped my hand. The flames swiftly wrapped around my body, but even while witnessing this, I didn’t move.

After all, there was someone to protect me.

“Hey there. What’s this?”

Creak!

With a cheeky sound, something was sliced away. It was none other than the flames, which were now dissipating in an angled direction.

Then—

“There are many watching, you know. Isn’t that excessive, entirely?”

With a swish, the glimmering Sword Intent of the Cheongyeol Sword Master separated me from my father.

“Calm down, will you? This isn’t a place for just the two of you, especially.”

Thud.

The Cheongyeol Sword Master tapped my father’s forehead with a finger.

“Deputy Lord. While being aggressive is fine, didn’t I say to temper that temper of yours?”

“……”

“Why? Do you think you’d feel better by half-killing a new recruit like last year?”

…Is that what happened? I thought I must have misheard.

Yet.

“My apologies.”

To the Sword Master’s words, my father calmly offered an apology. By then, all his Qi had already dissipated.

“Hmm.”

Only then did the Cheongyeol Sword Master sheath the sword he was holding at his waist.

Then he turned to face me.

“Baek Yangcheon.”

“Yes.”

As I responded to his call, I wiped the smile off my face to speak.

“You’ve been exceeding my expectations ever since the first time I met you. Maybe that’s why the Master of the Martial World took a liking to you.”

“Should I take that as a compliment?”

“Does it sound like a compliment?”

Swoosh. A sharp energy brushed past my back.

“Though it isn’t what I desire, given that this is the Martial Alliance, showing unexpected actions isn’t exactly favorable. However, being reckless like this speaks against your worth and potential.”

Woow.

The energy stirred. The Cheongyeol Sword Master’s presence wrapped around Nangong Jin, who was lying defenseless, and his body slowly began to rise into the air before being thrown to the Blue Dragon member nearby.

“Move him to the infirmary.”

“Understood.”

With that, they took off with Nangong Jin, who was still bleeding.

“To simplify, it means you should temper your temper. If you can’t do that, then I won’t mind if you feel like going somewhere else.”

He was saying he would kick me out if I didn’t listen.

Hearing that, I couldn’t help but smirk.

“You’re laughing?”

The Cheongyeol Sword Master frowned at my reaction.

“Oh, my apologies. I did it without thinking.”

“Is it because you don’t like what the Great Lord said?”

“No, I’ll try to temper my temper as you wish. However,”

Separate from that, there are certainly things I dislike.

“I can’t stand someone who strikes first. If they don’t, I promise to do as I’m told.”

“……”

Nangong Jin threw the first punch, getting himself beaten up.

I uttered that in such a way. Without needing to say it aloud, surely, the Sword Master already understood.

An individual at that level could not have missed Nangong Jin’s state. He likely allowed it to unfold out of curiosity about how it would play out.

“Hmm.”

What would it turn into? I observed the Sword Master’s reaction. Honestly, this kind of response was also quite unusual. How could someone beneath them complain about not being able to stand being struck first?

From the perspective of others, this was enough to be called absurd.

“Yes, I can’t deny that.”

“Great Lord!?”

The Cheongyeol Sword Master nodded as if to say he understood my words. Others around him were startled by the Sword Master’s reaction.

‘As expected.’

I knew he would respond this way.

The reason was simple.

‘That individual likes talented people.’

He had an eye for potential. The Cheongyeol Sword Master’s gaze was of such nature. Just looking at the people around him was evidence enough.

Three beings known as the Dragon and the Phoenix.

And.

‘The newcomers he brought in are all impressive as well.’

Though they might seem weak for now, their hidden energies and physical traits were extraordinary.

Observing the atmosphere in the Sword Team and the Dae Dae, I gleaned some understanding of the Sword Master’s traits.

He enjoyed filling the team with talented individuals.

Or rather, he was someone who simply liked individuals with talent.

A person who, to some extent, would overlook rudeness and arrogance.

That was how I perceived the Sword Master.

Thus, from this perspective, I would certainly hold significant value as a presence in his eyes.

So, I decided to stir things up a bit.

‘A justification strong enough to get away with causing some trouble.’

I had learned through experience that those who attack first wouldn’t be ignored, to avoid troublesome situations.

I might not know how far this would resolve matters, but I didn’t mind. What mattered was the Sword Master’s permission and reaction.

“It got a little rough, but it was fun, so that’s not bad. Now then, let’s wrap this up and move on.”

“Oh, no Great Lord…”

Other members started to move hastily in response to the Sword Master’s reaction.

“Why? Is something else wrong? Didn’t you say you’d behave yourself?”

“One, the state of Member Nangong and the attitude shown toward the Deputy Lord…”

“What does that matter?”

“Pardon?”

“The Sword Dragon lost because he was weak, and as for the Deputy Lord, I already warned him, didn’t I?”

“No….”

“Let’s stop here. It’s over, isn’t it?”

“……”

Amidst the continued remarks, the Sword Master issued a warning with a smile.

Though he wore a grin, everyone knew that smile was the last chance.

Feeling the silence in the atmosphere, the Sword Master clapped his hands.

Clap!

“Now then, since it seems settled, let’s get back to what we were doing.”

As he spoke, the Sword Master had already returned to his original seat of authority. Only then did I glance back at my father.

My father was looking at me as well.

We met each other’s gaze, the striking red eyes silently conveying everything.

After a brief moment of eye contact, it was my father who moved first.

Step.

My father slowly returned to his place, and while watching him, I too turned my gaze.

‘Ah.’

At that moment, only one thought crossed my mind.

‘He’s really damn scary.’

My father was terrifying even back then.

I had to endure all sorts of hardships to suppress that fear.

 

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