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Chapter 245: An Unexpected Companion. (1)

<BANG!

<CRASH!>

Huangbo Cheok’s massive body rolled forcefully across the floor, smashing everything around him.

“Ugh…!”

His enormous form, nearly eight feet tall, crashed to the ground helplessly, creating a scene of absolute chaos.

In the aftermath, Huangbo Cheok curled around his injured arm, groaning in pain—the same arm that had still not healed properly from his previous fight with Gu Yangcheong.

“Huff… huff…”

Leaving the trembling Huangbo Cheok behind, Gu Yangcheong casually pulled a chair from the scattered debris and sat down.

Crossing his legs, he watched Huangbo Cheok, who met his gaze with wide, quivering eyes.

“…How did you find me…?”

“Are you surprised to see me here?”

His nodding head seemed all too fitting, radiating an air of superiority that was palpable.

Huangbo Cheok clenched his teeth, feeling increasingly uneasy as he imagined what it would take for this guy to have found his location.

The silence was broken by a loud <CLINK>.

As Huangbo Cheok’s mind swirled with questions, something dropped next to him, rolling into view.

When he recognized the object, he swallowed hard.

‘What the hell… How did he get his hands on this?’

It was none other than the Huangbo clan’s seal.

Although slightly burnt, it still unmistakably belonged to the Huangbo family.

“Familiar, isn’t it?”

As Gu Yangcheong spoke nonchalantly, a shiver ran down Huangbo Cheok’s spine, yet he struggled to maintain his composure.

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about. How do you have this?”

“Don’t know? It’s the seal of the Huangbo family. You’re quite well aware of that.”

“Yeah, it was a gift you sent me yesterday.”

Huangbo Cheok felt cold sweat gathering on his back at those words.

Did he mean…

‘Elder Yuk… has been compromised?’

A momentary thought crossed his mind—had Elder Yuk been bribed?

But he quickly corrected himself.

‘…Elder Yuk is a martial artist who has reached the Transformation Realm.’

Though he had attained that realm later in life and had only accepted the elder title for his efforts, he had spent decades living under the Huangbo name, surviving in the dark underbelly of the Central Plains.

A martial artist who had fought his way through an ordinary life and managed to reach the Transformation Realm, how could it be that he succumbed so easily?

Huangbo Cheok took a cautious look into Gu Yangcheong’s eyes.

However, he soon felt the need to avert his gaze.

Facing the sinister red glow emitting from his shadowy visage filled him with an unshakeable fear that rose up to his throat.

What is this guy?

How does this young punk exude such an unsettling vibe?

His mind went blank.

As he struggled to calm his trembling gaze, Gu Yangcheong finally spoke again.

“I didn’t think we were close enough to exchange gifts, to be honest.”

His voice struck down like a hammer, as if he could sense Huangbo Cheok’s unease.

The ambiguous tone between a boy and a young man carried a calm yet chilling aura.

It wasn’t something he was putting on for show.

Huangbo Cheok could tell that this energy was genuine.

He intentionally ignored that stare and forced his trembling throat to speak.

“…I have no idea what you’re talking about…”

“Ha, you’ve got to be kidding me.”

Huangbo Cheok stumbled over his words, and Gu Yangcheong let out a sharp click of his tongue.

<WHAM!>

Huangbo Cheok, unable to dodge, rolled again across the floor from a swift kick.

Trying to stand, but—

<THUD!>

“Ugh!”

Gu Yangcheong stomped down on his chest, pinning Huangbo Cheok to the ground.

‘…I can’t move?’

Instinctively, he attempted to draw out his internal energy to resist, but it felt as if his Lower Dantian had turned to stone, refusing to budge.

Did this short encounter cut off all my energy?

“Why do these punks always act like they don’t know what’s going on? Why do they keep doing useless things?”

“Grrr…”

“Seriously, those of you from prestigious houses have lost all sense of normality. How did everyone end up so rotten?”

He spoke as if he had no self-awareness of being part of such a family himself.

Huangbo Cheok felt like his chest might crumble under the increasing pressure of Gu Yangcheong’s foot.

Amidst the pain, he glanced toward the barracks exterior.

Even as sounds of struggle echoed within, not a single soul approached the area.

‘Is this an energy barrier…?’

There was a high likelihood that an energy barrier had been set up to prevent sounds from escaping.

If not—

‘…Then everyone might be dead.’

While he hesitated to believe that, the malicious energy radiating from Gu Yangcheong made it hard to deny.

Just how could someone emit such a frightening aura?

“Why is that?”

Gu Yangcheong asked calmly.

This wasn’t a question of curiosity or inquiry.

It was a statement filled with conviction.

‘Is this really the truth, that Elder Yuk is dead?’

Had this young punk actually killed a martial artist of that level?

While Huangbo Cheok struggled to find his voice, Gu Yangcheong kept directing his words at him.

“This isn’t the first time I’ve gone through something like this. It’s a bit bothersome after a long time, that’s all.”

“Your expression—it’s like you’re deep in thought, huh?”

“…How… can I convince you not to kill me?”

<PLUNK.>

Gu Yangcheong’s eyes widened slightly at Huangbo Cheok’s words.

And a grin crept onto his face.

“You’re not as dumb as I thought.”

He looked satisfied.

The wicked nature in that smile felt suffocating to Huangbo Cheok.

What is this guy?

‘Who exactly am I dealing with?’

The panic blanketing his thoughts was gradually turning dark with fear.

This situation must be terrifying.

<RIP!>

As Gu Yangcheong lifted his foot from Huangbo Cheok’s chest, he gasped for air, finally able to breathe again.

“Cough… haah…”

Breathing heavily, he looked around, only to find Gu Yangcheong had already settled comfortably back into his chair.

“I’m beginning to think you’re not that dim after all, so why did you engage me first?”

“…It’s because you approached me, Huangbo.”

“Well, judging by how you’re talking, I think you might actually be quite brainless.”

“Right… do you even know who you’re messing with?”

At Huangbo Cheok’s words, Gu Yangcheong let out a light laugh.

“Kid, do you think you have any idea who I am?”

<CHSH!>

“Seriously, talking to a muscle-brained idiot like you makes me feel like my own brain is turning to mush.”

With a sigh, dark energy began to press down heavily inside the barracks.

Gu Yangcheong remained seated, while Huangbo Cheok struggled to rise, kneeling under the oppressive force.

Just how intense was this energy?

His body felt like it was trembling in terror.

“Try to convince me.”

The icy tone in his voice made Huangbo Cheok breathe shallowly.

“Like you said, I’m thinking of killing you.”

The murderous intent woven into his words confirmed that he was completely serious.

Just how was he planning to resolve such a situation if he were to take the life of a Huangbo family member?

Did he think there wouldn’t be consequences?

Or was he simply embarking on this reckless adventure, ready to accept whatever comes next?

Either way, Huangbo Cheok understood that the circumstances were dire for him.

No matter how you look at it, he was on the brink of death.

If this man had truly killed Elder Yuk, then he was indeed above and beyond his expectations.

Huangbo Cheok realized he’d made a grave mistake in underestimating his opponent, but it was already too late for regrets.

A cold bead of sweat rolled down his cheek.

Swallowing dryly, he gazed at Gu Yangcheong.

For some reason, Gu Yangcheong turned his gaze toward the opening of the barracks, but quickly returned his focus to Huangbo Cheok.

With no sign of anyone arriving outside, Huangbo Cheok let go of a breath he didn’t know he was holding.

‘…The future head of the Huangbo family? Dying here of all places?’

While he had yet to officially claim the position of Lesser Clan Leader, the health of the current clan leader was clearly failing.

He knew his day was approaching.

He had been eagerly awaiting that day for so long, and now he couldn’t just die in a place like this.

“Convince me not to kill you, then.”

“…What do you want?”

“Well, that’s up to you to find out.”

The audacious way he said this made Huangbo Cheok grit his teeth.

He had to find a way out.

But in this moment, what could he even do?

If he could somehow muster up energy and miraculously escape in the direction of the Martial Alliance, perhaps there was still hope.

“Hey…”

“…!”

“Quit overthinking, or else I’ll snap your legs first.”

‘Not just break, but pull right off?!’

Huangbo Cheok found himself stunned, but Gu Yangcheong was far more fierce.

Most importantly, the intensity of his words struck fear deep into him.

“You can’t decide?”

With a predatory smile, Gu Yangcheok took a moment to relish Huangbo Cheok’s visible turmoil.

Huangbo Cheok felt utterly speechless.

No, he wanted to reply but was silenced by overwhelming fear.

“What… is happening?!”

In his panic, as his breath started to falter, Gu Yangcheong finally spoke again.

“Would you like me to provide you with some options?”

The way he spoke with a smile made Huangbo Cheok realize how much he had been manipulated.

Not only had he been told to persuade him, but clearly something was already set in place.

“For now, let me ask you.”

Huangbo Cheok regretted the situation he found himself in.

He recalled how clueless he had been.

Today was supposed to be a day where he resolved the final issues on the front lines.

He had intended to bring Gu Jeolyub and Muyeon along, already reporting his plans in advance.

“Oh, there seems to be a problem…!”

<CRASH!>

“While I can’t say I know what’s going on with the Heat Blade, is there a chance I could take their place?”

Gu Yangcheong chuckled at Huangbo Cheok’s irritated expression.

At this moment, he was tired of the situation that kept flipping on him.

However, no matter where his gaze strayed, he found the bright smile on the woman next to him grating.

“Gu Gongja, if we take too long, the night might pass us by. Unless you want that to happen… I’m absolutely fine with it.”

…Ugh, really.

Was she out of her mind at this time of night?

The woman—Moyong Hi-ah—continued spouting nonsense.

Now, he had to think hard about how he ended up in this ridiculous situation.

 

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