Chapter 134: Plant Your Head On The Ground (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 134: Plant Your Head On The Ground (1)
Before following Gu Yangcheon to Hanam, Gu Jeolyub recalled his discussion with the First Elder.
-So, what exactly is my role there…?
Being sent to Hanam was an unexpected assignment. His objective was to participate in the Dragons and Phoenixes tournament. He had always believed an opportunity to compete would eventually come, but he never imagined he would be sent alongside Gu Yangcheon.
-In the Dragons and Phoenixes tournament, all you have to do is show off your talent.
That was the First Elder’s response to his question, but Gu Jeolyub knew the elder wanted more. As expected, the First Elder made an additional demand.
-Can you outshine that child?
That child. Gu Jeolyub knew exactly who he meant: Gu Yangcheon, the only son of the Gu Clan. It was a name he had heard since first stepping into the martial world, and a figure the First Elder constantly held up as a rival.
-You have to become the lord.
-We can’t let a child like him lead the clan.
When Gu Jeolyub was young, his duel against Gu Yangcheon had been pathetic. Gu Yangcheon was weak, with a foul mouth. In the end, Gu Jeolyub broke his arm—unintentionally, but his emotions had gotten the better of him. He could no longer remember why he’d been so enraged.
Despite injuring a blood relative, the clan lord punished him. The First Elder believed this was because the lord had already given up on his own son. Gu Jeolyub had thought the same back then, but now he wondered.
At the time, he shared the First Elder’s view. How could someone like Gu Yangcheon lead the clan? He, Gu Jeolyub, was clearly more capable. Without realizing it, he had adopted the elder’s mindset.
But about a year later… Gu Jeolyub suffered a miserable defeat at Gu Yangcheon’s hands. He lost to a boy he had utterly looked down upon, and in a humiliating fashion.
Why…? How?
What could have changed Gu Yangcheon so drastically in such a short time? His speech, his demeanor, even the aura around him were unrecognizable. And then there was the stunningly beautiful servant beside him. For a moment, Gu Jeolyub was captivated by her otherworldly beauty. He even considered separating her from Gu Yangcheon, thinking a bastard like him was unworthy. Now, he recognized how immature he had been.
-You can shine much brighter than that child.
The First Elder insisted Gu Jeolyub could do it easily. But was that true?
-You can, right?
The greed in the elder’s eyes pressed down on him. After a hesitation, Gu Jeolyub finally replied.
-…Yes. I’ll try my best.
It was a response that contradicted his true feelings.
…Sigh.
Several days into the journey to Hanam, Gu Jeolyub had worked hard. He endured and followed every one of Gu Yangcheon’s orders. He tried to get along with the distant members of the group. Of course, when he attempted to approach Tang Soyeol, she rejected him outright, leaving him dejected for a time.
Why does she not like me?
He knew he was handsome—certainly more so than Gu Yangcheon. Yet, for some reason, beautiful women always flocked to Gu Yangcheon’s side. Why?
…Maybe the standard for a man’s look changed, and I didn’t notice it.
He even entertained such a thought.
Now, Gu Jeolyub looked at Hwangbo Cheolwi, who was glaring back at him with fiery eyes. To be honest, his motives for intervening went beyond simply rescuing the woman surrounded by that crowd. He did want to save her, but he had another goal.
-You can shine, right?
But how? Gu Jeolyub didn’t know. So he decided to try anything he could.
“Did you really just shout at me?”
“Yes.”
“Ha…!”
With a heavy Thud-!, the giant pushed through his surrounding lackeys and strode toward Gu Jeolyub.
“Someone dares to shout? At me?”
His growling voice carried palpable pressure, a dense aura that complemented his giant frame. But it didn’t frighten Gu Jeolyub.
After his loss to Gu Yangcheon, Gu Jeolyub had made a habit of meticulously observing his opponents. He wouldn’t repeat the mistakes of that day. Thanks to that, his perception had sharpened.
This giant was weaker than him. The Hwangbo Clan was prestigious, a name he’d heard before, and the realization sent a thrill through him. It confirmed he wasn’t lagging behind the other young prodigies of great clans. This was certainty, not mere assumption.
“How dare you raise your voice towards Hwangbo when I don’t even recognize you? Do you want to get in trouble?”
Crack.
Hwangbo Cheolwi’s muscles emitted a horrifying sound. Instinctively, Gu Jeolyub’s hand went to the hilt of his sword. He was ready to draw at any moment.
This much is enough.
Wouldn’t this look rather cool? Defeating a scoundrel who harassed a woman?
I think it does, Gu Jeolyub thought.
As Hwangbo Cheolwi advanced aggressively, Gu Jeolyub began to slowly circulate his qi. The tension was so thick it could be cut with a knife.
Yet, contrary to his expectation of an explosive clash, Hwangbo Cheolwi stopped dead, a look of shock on his face. He wasn’t even looking at Gu Jeolyub.
Huh?
Gu Jeolyub followed his gaze.
Someone was descending the stairs to the first floor, her eyes fixed on them.
“What are you doing?”
It was a girl with dark green hair and a single, vividly gleaming green eye—Tang Soyeol of the Sichuan Tang Clan, the Poison Phoenix, a member of Gu Yangcheon’s group.
“Tang… Soyeol.”
Hwangbo Cheolwi seemed to know her; his voice shook slightly as he spoke her name.
Tang Soyeol looked him over with contempt before letting out a scornful laugh. “I wondered who it was, but it was you.”
“You…”
“You seemed to have grown more, but did you still not fix that stupid brain of yours?”
Despite her icy, harsh words, Hwangbo Cheolwi remained silent.
“I heard the Hwangbo Clan was sending you here. So I checked just in case…” Tang Soyeol finished with a deep sigh.
Then, Hwangbo Cheolwi suddenly faltered and dropped to his knees.
What happened? Why kneel so abruptly? Gu Jeolyub’s curiosity was partially answered when the giant shouted in fury.
“How dare you…!”
It seemed involuntary. Was Tang Soyeol responsible?
…What did she do?
Was this the infamous poison of the Tang Clan? If so, it was terrifying. Gu Jeolyub hadn’t even seen her move.
Is this… the strength of the Five Dragons and Phoenixes?
The geniuses of this generation, stars among stars. Witnessing it firsthand, Gu Jeolyub realized their true talent. He had once thought of her as just a pretty girl chasing Gu Yangcheon. Now, he saw she was utterly worthy of her title as the Poison Phoenix.
“How dare I?”
Tang Soyeol frowned instantly at Hwangbo Cheolwi’s words. Seeing her displeasure, he flinched.
“Hwangbo Cheolwi, do you know who you are speaking to right now?”
…Crack.
Hwangbo Cheolwi gritted his teeth. The Hwangbo Clan was prestigious, but it was nothing compared to the Tang Clan, one of the Four Noble Clans.
“I don’t think such words ought to be spoken by a representative of merely the Hwangbo Clan. If you lack both the talent and background, know your place. You will die if you don’t.”
To say “merely” about a clan like Hwangbo… The aura behind her sharp, thunderous criticism was terrifying. Even though her words weren’t directed at him, Gu Jeolyub’s heart raced.
“Also,” Tang Soyeol’s gaze shifted and settled on Gu Jeolyub. “You’re no different either.”
“Huh?”
“It’s only right to respectfully maintain some distance for everyone’s sake. I get why that giant did it—his brain is made of muscle—but what about you?”
“…Uh, it’s just that,”
Gu Jeolyub felt frustrated. He had only wanted to save the woman.
Ignoring his thoughts, Tang Soyeol continued harshly. “At least try to be smart if you are ugly.”
“Pffb… Cough cough!”
The person who reacted most strongly was Gu Yangcheon.
Gu Jeolyub wore a bewildered expression, as if he’d misheard, while Gu Yangcheon spat out the tea he was drinking.
“Young Master, are you okay?”
“I’m fi—Cough!”
“Towel! Towel!”
As Wi Seol-Ah cleaned up the mess, Tang Soyeol resumed her verbal assault on both young men.
Tsk-! “How pathetic… Screw off, along with your group, as quickly as possible.”
“You…”
“Will you listen only after I have burnt away your tongue? I’m quite adept at that, you know.”
Despite her innocent appearance, the aura she emitted was terrifying. Hwangbo Cheolwi’s body shook with fury, but he lacked the courage to defy the Tang Clan. He quickly stood and hurried up the stairs, passing Tang Soyeol without a word. His lackeys scrambled after him.
All that remained was Gu Jeolyub, standing there dumbfounded.
“…This is why I didn’t want to come here. Everyone is just so pathetic.”
After saying this, Tang Soyeol’s fierce expression instantly transformed at the sight of Gu Yangcheon.
“Young Master Gu~!”
She ran to the dining table with a bright smile. And Gu Jeolyub clearly saw… Gu Yangcheon wearing a slightly terrified expression as he cautiously edged backward.
Watching this, Gu Jeolyub awkwardly got to his feet.
…I guess everything was resolved smoothly.
He felt embarrassed, but it was okay; the woman had been saved. In reality, nothing had gone well for him, but Gu Jeolyub was trying his best to cope.
He cautiously approached the woman who had been Hwangbo Cheolwi’s target.
“H-Huh? That piece of—!”
He heard Gu Yangcheon say something behind him, but he was already standing before her.
“Are you okay, my lady?”
The veiled woman didn’t respond. Was she still in shock?
“I’ll take care of everything that just happened, so—”
“Sigh…”
The woman let out a deep sigh. At first, Gu Jeolyub thought it was a sigh of relief.
“La—”
“How annoying.”
His assumption shattered with her next words.
“Huh…?”
“I’m thankful for your kindne… Wait, is it even kindness?”
The voice from behind the veil was completely different from before. It was colder than Tang Soyeol’s demeanor, and far more rigid—like talking to a block of ice.
“Everything that I’ve planned is all ruined now… What a hassle.”
“My lady… What are you—”
For a brief moment, Gu Jeolyub saw the sky-blue eyes hidden beneath the veil. They glared at him fiercely.
“Do you remember what the Poison Phoenix said earlier?”
The woman slowly rose from her seat. Now that he looked properly, she was much taller than he’d expected, nearly the same height as Namgung Bi-ah, who seemed to sleep perpetually.
“About how you will die if you don’t know your place. She wasn’t lying when she said that.”
“What are you talking about so suddenly…”
“From now on, I believe you should first examine the situation closely before you act. You would’ve gotten in trouble if it weren’t for that man behind you.”
Behind? Gu Jeolyub turned and saw Gu Yangcheon.
The woman glanced around, then whispered quietly to Gu Jeolyub. “…My plans may have been ruined, but thankfully, it seems today wasn’t the day anyway. Tomorrow seems more likely.”
With that, she walked past him, leaving Gu Jeolyub struggling to comprehend her words.
She paused for a moment upon noticing Namgung Bi-ah beside Gu Yangcheon, who was watching the scene with amusement.
“…”
She flinched slightly at the sight of Namgung Bi-ah, but said nothing and continued upstairs.
As Gu Jeolyub tried to process the baffling encounter, he found himself covering his reddening ears, lost in thought.
I don’t know anymore.
He decided to stop thinking about it.
Rubbing his temples to soothe a budding headache, he returned to his seat. A gentle voice stopped him.
“Jeolyub.”
Gu Yangcheon was smiling at him.
Yes, that very same Gu Yangcheon.
“Let’s have a one-on-one talk with this Big Bro later, okay?”
“…Young Master?”
For the record, Gu Yangcheon was younger than Gu Jeolyub, both in age and appearance. Yet, no one present commented on his choice of words.
“Oh, right.” After finishing the last dumpling on his plate, Gu Yangcheon asked casually, “Do you know how to drive your head into the ground?”
“Huh?”
“I’ll teach you if you don’t. I think you need to learn.”
Seeing the grin on Gu Yangcheon’s face, realization dawned on Gu Jeolyub.
He didn’t know why, but he was positively fucked.