Chapter 147: How To Properly Dig A Grave
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 147: How To Properly Dig A Grave
The very next day, I made my way to the central grounds of the Murim Alliance.
I wasn't the only one heading in that direction; other young prodigies were converging there as well. After all, they had come to Hanam for this very purpose.
Today was the day of the Friendly Martial Arts Competition.
This was the Flower of the Dragons and Phoenixes tournament—the main event that drew the young talents of Murim to the Alliance at this time of year.
The name might sound cheerful enough…
But since it was hosted by none other than the Murim Alliance, the tournament represented a massive opportunity for everyone involved.
Excelling here meant securing lasting fame for oneself.
I had witnessed this firsthand in my past life.
It was easy to understand when you considered how formidable the current Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes had become in the future.
Though, to be fair, they didn't become powerful solely because of their fame. Rather, they gained fame because they had already become powerful.
That was the crux of it.
Still, this perspective wasn't entirely wrong either.
If someone managed to gain fame by proving their worth in this tournament…
It meant they were a young prodigy destined for greatness in the years to come.
“…Phew.”
I let out a sigh that vanished quickly into the cold air, a faint discomfort settling in my chest.
I couldn't help but feel out of place here.
In the end, I came here.
It was a little past noon.
The sun should have been high in the sky,
But all I saw was white snow drifting down.
Around me, young prodigies were beginning to gather, much like they had yesterday.
Participation in the tournament was a matter of personal choice.
Those who didn't wish to compete were free to abstain.
Even though the tournament was the centerpiece of this gathering, the primary goal of the event was to provide a banquet where young talents could mingle.
Nevertheless, everyone had opted to participate.
It was only natural. They had come here precisely for this purpose.
Martial artists were known for their tendency to show off and boast about their strength.
While there were certainly masters who secluded themselves in the mountains, training endlessly to reach the next martial realm…
The vast majority fell into the former category.
This was especially true for those in their youth.
They definitely wouldn't be able to hold back.
The thought of hiding their power wouldn't even cross their minds.
Even Yung Pung, for all his talent, carried a certain arrogance.
It puzzled me that three of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes had chosen not to participate in the Dragons and Phoenixes tournament.
It implied they had more pressing matters to attend to.
As I'd mentioned earlier, Gu Huibi was busy with her clan duties, and the Sleeping Dragon likely skipped it due to his reclusive nature.
But Yung Pung was a different story.
I had thought he would enjoy an event like this.
Did something major really happen at Mount Hua?
I can't recall anything significant occurring at Mount Hua around this particular time.
I wracked my memories, but nothing came to mind.
“Gu Clan’s Gu Yangcheon of Shanxi… Are you rea—”
The guide checking me in suddenly gasped mid-sentence.
The reason was obvious.
It was most likely because of the recommendation letter from the Dishonored Venerable that accompanied my invitation.
Initially, I had brought it thinking it would be helpful.
But rather than assisting me, it had only become a burden.
The letter from the Second Elder, which I had expected to work in my favor, had done nothing of the sort.
Instead, a strange rumor had begun to circulate about me.
A nonsensical rumor, at that.
“Young Master Gu, are you truly the Dishonored Venerable’s disciple? I think I heard that earlier as well.”
I let out a sigh upon hearing Tang Soyeol's words.
I'd been greeted with that same nonsense as soon as I woke up this morning.
Who was whose disciple, they said…?
“Are you?” she pressed.
“Do I look like I am…?” I replied, my tone incredulous.
Tang Soyeol simply smiled brightly. “If Young Master Gu says no, then it's a no.”
Her smile was so radiant it left me momentarily speechless.
“How… How did such a rumor even start?”
“Well, usually when someone receives a recommendation letter from a well-known figure, the information tends to spread quickly.”
“But isn't it supposed to remain confidential…?”
Information regarding recommendation letters was meant to be kept secret unless the letter's owner chose to disclose it.
And these hypocrites dared to call themselves the Orthodox Faction.
“I'm more astounded that people actually believe such a thing.”
“Well, it's not entirely unbelievable, is it?” Tang Soyeol countered, as if my words were strange.
“Recommendation letters aren't given out to just anyone, you know?”
“…Well… That's true,” I conceded.
It was problematic because I couldn't tell her the actual contents of the letter.
Admitting that I had brought a letter with my name on it, when the contents weren't about me at all, would only cause more confusion.
Especially since it was a letter written by none other than a Heavenly Venerable.
“The most significant issue would be the martial art you displayed yesterday,” Tang Soyeol added.
I fell silent for a moment upon hearing that.
Was the fact that I had knocked out Hwangbo Cheolwi last night really the problem?
Maybe I should've held back a bit.
To be honest, I had acted rather recklessly.
The first issue was that I had been too fixated on Jang Seonyeon, barely controlling my power.
The second issue was my obsession with the idea of impressing the other young prodigies to capture their attention.
But did the rumor spread just because of that?
Even if it had, what was the connection?
The only link between me and the Dishonored Venerable was that we were both martial artists who favored using our fists.
This wasn't a rumor that could simply be left to run amok.
The false claim of me being a disciple of a Heavenly Venerable was a serious matter.
It wouldn't have been a problem if it were true…
But the problem is that it's not.
This could potentially damage the Dishonored Venerable's reputation. Even though he had chosen to live in seclusion…
He might view this as a problem and come looking for me one day.
After all, some random guy was being called his disciple.
…Maybe I could use the Second Elder as a shield?
It was that old man's fault to begin with, so it would be justified.
The same went for the ring as well.
Oh, damn it, the ring…
I'm going to lose my mind for real.
Was there nothing that worked out in my favor?
As I clutched my head against a sudden throbbing pain, Tang Soyeol approached me quietly.
Then, she suddenly spoke in an unusually polite voice. “I honestly thought that you were only handsome…”
“What…?”
“But you even possess such martial strength… You're just perfect…!”
What was wrong with her now?
“Lady Tang… I suggest you see a doctor as soon as possible. I know a skilled physician; would you like me to introduce him?”
The Immortal Healer might have a rough personality, but he was the best doctor in the world.
Even if he complained, he always did his best to heal his patients, so it should work out.
After all, Tang Soyeol seemed to need his help more than anyone else at the moment.
“Right? My Young Master is the best! Oh, Young Master, I brought some dumplighhh…”
I pinched and stretched Wi Seol-Ah's cheek as she appeared, buzzing with excitement.
I really needed some healing time.
“How could life be so unfair to me.”
There were far too many ups and downs.
I had thought I just needed to cause a bit of trouble here, but wherever I went, catastrophe was waiting for me. It really made me wonder if I needed to see an exorcist.
Elder Shin isn't back yet either…
Elder Shin had disappeared when my emotions spiraled out of control, and even after a full day, he had not returned.
If there was one difference from last time…
I still felt a faint connection to Elder Shin, as if he hadn't completely vanished.
Though I'm not entirely sure.
A vague, indescribable feeling assured me of that much.
I had felt nothing like this back at Mount Hua.
Still, it did alleviate some of my worries. Of course, it would be problematic if my intuition turned out to be wrong.
“Hnghh…”
“Oh, sorry.”
Lost in my thoughts, I had stretched Wi Seol-Ah's cheek for too long.
When I finally let go, she began rubbing her slightly reddened skin.
“Hngh…”
“Sorry, something was on my mind.”
“Why were you touching my cheek if you were trying to think…?”
“…”
She was a clever girl…
She used to be so naïve not long ago.
But Wi Seol-Ah seemed to have become sharper recently.
Humans were bound to grow, and Wi Seol-Ah was no exception.
But it's going to be less fun to tease her now.
In the future, if Wi Seol-Ah changed into the person I knew from my past life…
It would be a welcome change…
But also a bit disappointing.
After all, only the current Wi Seol-Ah could display these adorable expressions.
“…What about her?” I asked, hiding the emotions I didn't want to confront.
Even though I hadn't specified who, Wi Seol-Ah answered as if she already knew. “Sis Bi-ah is sleeping back in the barrack!”
“She's sleeping again…? Is there ever a moment when she isn't tired?”
I had gotten a good look at her daily routine since we spent so much time together.
Namgung Bi-ah's life seemed rather simple: sleep, eat, train, and then sleep some more.
Occasionally, she would wake up and come to me like a cat seeking attention.
Which made me wonder if she had some kind of underlying issue.
“She said she didn't sleep well yesterday.”
“I don't believe that for a second.”
There was no way a sleepyhead like her didn't get good sleep.
As I said that, a sudden thought crossed my mind, and I asked Wi Seol-Ah, “When you said she's sleeping in the barrack, do you mean mine…?”
“Hmm? Yeah!”
“…I see. I figured.”
I had practically given up at this point.
I guess I was like honey to her…
“But I do think we should bring her soon. There isn't much time left until they make the brackets,” Tang Soyeol suggested, sounding accustomed to such situations.
Namgung Bi-ah would obviously participate in an event like this, so we did need to fetch her.
As I made my way toward the back of the building, I noticed rows of barracks set up for the many young prodigies.
This was also where we were expected to stay during the four days the tournament lasted.
Normally, they wouldn't have provided us with such accommodations.
Is this because of Jang Seonyeon again?
Bacheonmaru, the barracks—none of these were things I had experienced in my past life.
Though it was entirely possible I had simply overlooked them back then.
As I walked, I sensed numerous eyes on me.
Their gazes are so piercing my face might develop holes at this rate.
Thanks to the rumor that had spread this morning and my display yesterday,
It was evident that more people were paying attention to me compared to the day before.
“…That boy.”
“Is the rumor really true?”
“But even so, to claim he's the disciple of such a figure…”
“However, doesn't it make sense? If he's the disciple of none other than the Dishonored Venerable, then his performance yesterday would be explainable…”
I'm not.
I'm really not, you guys…
I wish I could just shout that I'm not.
It was almost amusing how I now had to find a way to explain to everyone that the rumor was false.
But I figured it would be much better to visit the Alliance Leader later and have him announce it himself.
I needed to see him again anyway because of the ring I had found in the purse.
“Sigh…”
I let out another sigh, trying to find some comfort in my current situation.
Ugh, I couldn't wait to go back home.
I had felt this way at various points during the trip, but now it was the only thing on my mind.
Ignoring the whispers around me, I arrived at my assigned barrack, only to find Namgung Bi-ah already waiting outside.
I wondered what was going on. I had expected her to be lying down inside, fast asleep.
Hmm?
My curiosity was immediately satisfied.
I saw the person talking to Namgung Bi-ah.
The Lightning Dragon, Namgung Cheonjun—that Namgung bastard was right here.
“…Sister, why are you acting like this?”
“Let me go…”
“I'm struggling to understand why you're suddenly treating me worse than a stranger. The same goes for the barracks. We have our own assigned quarters, but why do you keep coming here instead? This could also be troublesome for the Gu Clan, you know.”
“…”
Namgung Bi-ah turned her head away after listening to Namgung Cheonjun, her gestures clearly indicating she didn't want to hear any more.
Her actions caused Namgung Cheonjun's expression to darken.
“I don't understand what the problem is… Is it, perhaps, because of Young Master Gu?”
At the mention of my name, Namgung Bi-ah's expression shifted slightly.
“As I expected. Did Young Master Gu change you like this? What meaning does that mere engagement have for Sister to—”
Hearing him speak so dismissively of her engagement, Namgung Bi-ah's eyes sharpened.
Keep in mind, this was Namgung Bi-ah, who usually appeared completely emotionless.
“Don't… speak so rudely.”
“Sister!”
Namgung Bi-ah forcefully freed her arm from Namgung Cheonjun's grasp.
“Watch your words, Cheonjun… And I'm sorry, but I'm not going…”
Namgung Cheonjun couldn't control his expression after her stern words and clenched his teeth.
But he didn't seem ready to give up so easily, as he tried to grab Namgung Bi-ah's arm once more.
“Brother-in-law, we meet again, eh?”
I called out to the Namgung bastard with a bright voice, stopping him in his tracks.
“…!”
Namgung Cheonjun frowned instantly upon hearing my voice, but he restrained himself when he noticed Tang Soyeol standing next to me.
“Are you here to play or something?”
“…Young Master… Gu.”
“Then you should've said something. I didn't prepare anything.”
Others might not have noticed, but I could see it clearly.
Namgung Cheonjun was forcefully suppressing a storm of emotions with his Qi.
“You're even standing in front of my barrack. Perhaps you have something to say to me?”
I spoke with a smile, trying to put him at ease so he would spill everything.
However, Namgung Cheonjun only looked uncomfortable, his eyebrows trembling ever so slightly.
Why? I was even making an effort to be kind.
“I heard my sister was here, so I came to visit her.”
“Then it seems you're done here.”
“Yes…”
He didn't argue because Namgung Bi-ah clearly had no interest in continuing the conversation.
Namgung Cheonjun knew that, and with so many onlookers, there wasn't much more he could do.
“…I will visit again next time.”
He made the promise to Namgung Bi-ah as a last resort, but she continued to avoid his gaze.
After leaving Namgung Bi-ah, Namgung Cheonjun slowly passed by me.
“Don't be so full of yourself,” he whispered.
As expected, he used Qi to make his voice as soft as possible, ensuring no one else could hear.
“Do you think it'll be the same this time, just because of a previous miracle made of stacked coincidences against me?”
I chose not to respond and simply listened.
“You do seem to have talent, but that's it. You are nothing in a real battle. So you better pray that you don't face me in the duel. And if you do, I suggest you surrender.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't know what I'll do to you.”
He walked away after quietly snarling those words.
He was able to deliver such harsh threats while maintaining his composure.
Which proved it wasn't his first or second time doing something like this.
What to do?
I had originally planned to be as nice as possible to him, if only for Namgung Bi-ah's sake.
But if he was going to act like that, I couldn't do anything about it.
“I feel like kids these days are getting better at digging their own graves.”
It was truly disappointing.
As I was thinking, Tang Soyeol started to groan softly next to me.
Was she acting like that just because she saw Namgung Cheonjun again?
If so, there might indeed be something wrong with her.
Maybe I really should take her to see the Immortal Healer.
As I shook my head while staring at Tang Soyeol…
Namgung Bi-ah approached and leaned her head against me.
Both her breathing and her overall demeanor seemed more exhausted than usual.
“You okay?” I asked.
Namgung Bi-ah nodded slightly.
“If you're tired, maybe you should rest and skip the tournament.”
She shook her head this time.
It seemed she wanted to participate despite how she felt.
It was surprising to see her express her thoughts so clearly, given her usual reserved nature.