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When was the first time I felt a wall?

I can’t remember.

Not because it never happened, but because there were countless times.

Such was his life.

A life continuously facing endless walls.

It’s said that a martial artist’s life is inherently like that, but for Peng Zhou, it was nothing short of humiliating.

How could there be so many walls right in front of him?

If only they were seniors, it might be understandable, but the ones lined up were all his peers.

The first wall he encountered was the Sword Dragon.

He was the grandson of the Nangong Clan’s current leader, the prominent Nangong Jeolcheon, and a strong candidate for the position of lesser clan leader in the Nangong Clan.

Being of similar age, he was often compared to Peng Zhou.

Since meeting the Sword Dragon, Peng Zhou had never once claimed victory over him.

Aside from that, there were also the White Dragon, the Little Dragon, the Poison Dragon, the So Sword Peak, and the White Peak.

Despite being acknowledged among the outstanding late-stage talents, he was only referred to as the Mud Dragon.

Even so, Peng Zhou was still treated as the lowest tier.

He barely managed to maintain his position despite constant support from countless families.

That was the extent of Peng Zhou’s talent.

An ambiguous talent that was neither here nor there.

Not enough to be called a genius, yet not so lacking to be a fool.

Positioned just within the reach of ordinary people.

Perhaps a typical individual might have felt some degree of satisfaction.

But Peng Zhou was not typical.

“I am… the son of the Sword King.”

The leader of the Peng Clan and the current Sword King was Peng Zhou’s father.

He was known as a martial artist with a heavy demeanor and exceptional realm.

As the master of the Four Great Clans, he was undeniably a remarkable figure, yet his son, Peng Zhou, carried the constant reputation of being inferior.

That was the saying about a son less than the father.

Peng Zhou fit that description perfectly.

It was a label that felt like hell to him.

Inferior talent, bloodline.

A talent that did not resemble his clan leader father.

Falling further behind as his peers continued to evolve each day.

This gradually tightened around Peng Zhou’s neck, leading him into a sense of inferiority.

As time passed and limitations loomed, a certain incident occurred.

During the annual Dragon Meeting.

This year’s martial arts tournament, as usual, became mixed with a story.

There was an announcement that the new Shin Ryong would be selected during this tournament.

In the current Central Plains, Shin Ryong represented the highest late-stage talent but also symbolized the future leadership of the region.

Thus, curiosity surged as more people gathered than usual.

Who would become the Shin Ryong?

Would it be the Sword Dragon of the Nangong Clan?

Or perhaps the White Dragon of the Moyong Clan?

Could it be the Little Dragon or the Poison Dragon of the Tang Clan?

Amid ongoing discussions, a few common points emerged.

Firstly, there was certainty that the Shin Ryong would emerge from the Dragon and Phoenix lineages, and among them, the Mud Dragon was notably absent from the conversation.

This indicated the formidable standing of the existing Dragon and Phoenix, and also revealed the position of the Mud Dragon.

When Mud Dragon first heard this, he couldn’t contain his rage and roared again.

Yet, events would soon unfold that would fuel his anger even further.

That event was the birth of Shin Ryong.

Right after the martial arts tournament concluded, as predicted, the Shin Ryong was born.

To his astonishment, however, the individual did not come from either the Dragon or Phoenix lineage.

It was from the Gu Clan of Mount Shan.

Though affiliated with the Righteous Faction, it was a clan barely hanging onto the fringes of a prestigious lineage.

Little about them was known, and hardly any representatives emerged from there.

Yet, astonishingly, the Shin Ryong emerged from such a place.

Bloodline of the Mount Shan Clan.

Shin Ryong Gu Cheolun.

The first young man to appear at the Dragon Meeting overcame both the Dragon and Phoenix to sit in the position of Shin Ryong.

And that fact…

– Is absolute nonsense! –

Triggered the eruption of the pent-up anger within Peng Zhou.

– How could a worthless scoundrel like you become the Shin Ryong?! –

On a night where everyone was preparing to return post-tournament, Peng Zhou sought out Gu Cheolun.

He was visibly intoxicated, his face flushed red.

There must have been a betting situation, making it odd for him to get so drunk.

He drank enough to land in a stupor.

Anything less would have been unbearable.

As Peng Zhou showed up, Gu Cheolun stared directly at him.

– Oh, I see.

Then he spoke, as if having realized something.

– So you’re the one from back then.

– What? –

– It took a moment to recall.

Upon hearing those words, Peng Zhou let out a scoff.

A past incident at the inn.

Did he mean to say he had forgotten about him despite such an event?

– Hahaha… Huh? –

The corners of Peng Zhou’s mouth lifted.

Why that scoundrel of all people?

Sitting in a position that he, himself, dared not even dream of? Why was it him?

Neither the Four Great Clans nor the Gu Paibang.

An unknown nobody suddenly appeared and snatched everything away.

He wanted to kill him no matter what.

If it was impossible here, he would return to his own clan and take care of him.

– So you have become the Shin Ryong…?

It happened in a flash.

In just a few days, the guy ascended to a place far beyond him.

That very position he had longed for all his life.

And this scoundrel had taken it from him within such a short span.

– It’s absurd.

He knew the guy was strong.

He had witnessed it when he was reduced to such a state at the inn.

Yet, Peng Zhou couldn’t believe it.

The one who trampled him with disdain, could it be that he’d become the Shin Ryong? That just couldn’t happen.

– Ah, I understand. So that’s it.

Thus, he uttered the words he shouldn’t have.

– Did you say the Mount Shan Clan? What kind of trickery is this? –

– Hmm?

At the mention of his clan, Gu Cheolun nodded.

– There’s no way he ascended by pure means. It must be that he schemed behind the scenes. It wouldn’t make sense otherwise.

With his vision blurred from intoxication, he gazed clearly into Gu Cheolun’s red eyes.

– What sorcery have you invoked?! How could such a thing happen from that pathetic clan?!

Yes, it must be sorcery.

Otherwise, it didn’t add up.

– You said you were the son of the clan leader, right? What did your father do? Or was it you? If so, tell me. What did you do to… –

At that moment.

Peng Zhou’s mocking voice suddenly went silent.

– Ugh.

A guttural sound escaped.

With the sound, Peng Zhou felt his body tilt.

Swish-! Thud.

His vision dropped rapidly, and one knee buckled to the ground.

What was happening? In that hazy state of awareness.

Snap-!

His head turned. What is this? Pain surged in after the shock. His cheek felt like it was tearing.

Only then did he realize he had been slapped.

– You bastard-!!

Peng Woo-jin, filled with fury, lunged forward, but—

Snap-! His head got snapped back again.

– Gah…!

Snap-! Crack! Snap-!

Sounds erupted in succession, each time Peng Zhou’s head jerked sharply.

– Kuh!

Dripping down.

Blood flowed from his nose and mouth onto the floor.

As his cheeks burned, Peng Zhou swallowed his blood and raised his head.

– Have you finished barking?

Before him was Gu Cheolun, with crimson eyes staring down at him.

The same gaze he’d possessed at the inn, yet perhaps because he was now in darkness, it was even clearer.

Drip.

Fresh blood streamed from his mouth, soaking his upper body.

At that moment, Peng Zhou felt all his drunkenness evaporate.

– You…!

However, his fury did not subside.

Such a humiliating spectacle.

Peng Zhou couldn’t accept being made to look like this and tried to stand up again.

Thud-!

– Ugh!?

Gu Cheolun’s enormous hands prevented that from succeeding.

Swoosh-!

– Ugh…!

Peng Zhou’s body was lifted by Gu Cheolun’s hand effortlessly.

He struggled, but the situation was much like at the inn. Nothing he did had any effect.

At that moment.

– You’re fortunate.

Gu Cheolun spoke to Peng Zhou.

– I was told not to kill anyone in Hanam, so I can’t kill you. That is fortunate for you.

As soon as he heard those words, chills spread through his body.

The murderous intent embedded in every word began to invade Peng Zhou’s senses.

– Thus, it’s a loss for me. If it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t have had to bear your useless barking tonight.

– Let… go… I… I am… from the Peng Clan…. –

No matter how hard he tried to speak, Peng Zhou couldn’t finish.

– Like I mentioned before, I am not interested.

Gu Cheolun showed no intention of listening.

Gulp.

– Guh—

His mouth opened wide.

Could it be…?

A bad omen flashed through Peng Zhou’s mind.

– If one molar is missing, I’ll just accommodate the gap.

That ominous feeling instantly became a reality.

Snap-!

– Gah!

The remaining molar was yanked out.

Squeak—!!!

Just like before, the hole was sealed once again. He screamed amidst the searing pain.

Immediately after, Peng Zhou’s body crumpled to the floor.

Gu Cheolun had released his grip.

Just when Peng Zhou was about to thrash in unbearable agony.

Thud-!

– Aaaaah!

Gu Cheolun kicked the broken leg again, crushing it.

– Don’t move. If you exert more strength like this, you’ll never be able to use it again.

– …Ugh… Ugh… –

– The son of the Sword King, Peng Zhou.

– …!!

The next words made Peng Zhou’s eyes widen.

Gu Cheolun uttered his name.

He must have appeared as if he did not know his name, right?

– You…? How do you know my name? Don’t tell me, you made me like this knowing I was from the Peng Clan?

Did he create this situation knowing he was from the Peng Clan?

– Are you not afraid of the Peng Clan?!

Peng Zhou shouted in response, but Gu Cheolun’s expression didn’t change.

– Do you think that name will protect you?

He remained merely indifferent.

– If you think so, try it.

Lowering his towering frame to match Peng Zhou’s eye level.

– I fear nothing. If you can do it, try to do as you wish.

-…

Shaking… trembling.

Peng Zhou immediately gripped his arm.

He wanted to hide his shaking hand.

As Gu Cheolun closely observed that hand, he turned his back on him once again.

Then he spoke to Peng Zhou.

– I’m going to turn my back now. I’ll give you a chance to ambush me.

– What… What did you say?

– If you truly want to, then go ahead. But afterward, there will be no next time.

What is he saying? Peng Zhou questioned, but.

Gu Cheolun no longer spoke.

Step by step, he began walking, seemingly committed to keeping his word.

As Peng Zhou watched his retreating figure, his heart began to race.

Ambush him?

At this moment?

Though he thought that, Peng Zhou’s hand had already gripped his sword tightly.

As though he was disregarding the one walking away in indifference.

And the pain that pricked his mouth.

The one who had taken two of his molars and brought humiliation upon him was right there.

Could he take him down now?

Could he kill him now?

Creak.

Strength flowed into the handle.

To sit idly after enduring such humiliation? That was unacceptable.

With that determination, he drew his sword, but.

Stiff-!

– …Crack—

Peng Zhou could not move.

His mind recalled the harsh red gaze that faced him.

The strong grip that had held his throat, the force that had crushed him. All lingered throughout his body.

His teeth were clenched so hard they felt ready to shatter.

He had to pull it out.

He had to swing the sword at him.

One.

– Ugh… Ugh… Urgh! Damn—

In the end, Peng Zhou could not move and released his grip.

Fear had ultimately made him give up.

At that moment.

– How regrettable. You could have turned this into a noble achievement. Your incompetence has saved your life.

From a distance, Gu Cheolun’s voice drifted to him.

Whoosh-!

Something rolled to the front of Peng Zhou.

It was the last molar that Gu Cheolun had extracted.

– Take it with you. It’s too disgusting to hold. I hope that when we meet again, you won’t speak so recklessly.

Shivering.

Peng Zhou stood speechless, unable to respond.

Until Gu Cheolun vanished from view.

He remained rooted in place, enduring the pain alone.

Such was the memory.

A relentless nightmare that would never be forgotten.

The gaze that once looked down at him.

The trampled pride would never fade throughout his life.

Why?

“Ughhh!”

Why was he, not that scoundrel but the child of that scoundrel, being subjected to such treatment?

This thought drifted through Peng Zhou’s mind as he floated in the void.

 

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