Chapter 155: What Is This Hobo-Like... (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 155: What Is This Hobo-Like... (1)
The medical ward of the Murim Alliance was packed, filled with the many fighters injured during the tournament.
“Ugh…!”
Among the wounded, Namgung Cheonjun gasped as his eyes snapped open.
“Huff… huff!”
His breathing was ragged, his body drenched in a cold sweat as if he had just endured the most terrifying nightmare of his life. Still panting, he threw off the blanket and frantically checked his lower body.
“…W-Was it a dream?”
Everything he had experienced felt surreal, like a bad dream. Especially that final, chilling sensation he’d felt down there right before blacking out. A true nightmare.
But thankfully, it appeared it wasn't real.
“Are you okay…?”
Namgung Cheonjun’s head whipped around at the sound of the voice. Standing beside him was the Snow Phoenix, Moyong Hi-ah.
“…Lady Moyong?”
He quickly adjusted his mask, which had nearly slipped. A throbbing pain echoed throughout his entire body.
“…Ugh…”
He ached as if he’d been used as a punching bag. The reality of the situation dawned on him. The duel hadn’t been a dream.
He, the next in line to lead the Namgung Clan… had been defeated.
“…Impossible…!”
Anger flared within him, and he instinctively tried to muster his qi. A searing pain instantly shot through his body, forcing him to recoil.
“Ughh…!”
“Young Master…!?”
His dantian throbbed painfully, joining the symphony of aches wracking his frame. The memory of his opponent's counterattacks, landing after deflecting every one of his sword strikes, was vivid. The qi he had so painstakingly condensed had been scattered, and his dantian, the core of his energy flow, was bearing the brutal aftermath. His body, which had convulsed on the arena floor, now felt like it was having seizures all over again.
…How humiliating…!
His resentment for Gu Yangcheon burned hotter than ever. What kind of underhanded trick had he used this time? Even if it wasn't a trick, the mere fact that he, Namgung Cheonjun, had lost to such a lowlife was a kick in the teeth.
I see… You won't be satisfied until you've hounded me for all eternity.
He hated him to the point of wanting to kill him.
What do I do… what do I need to do to—
“…!”
His vengeful thoughts were cut short as his shoulders began to tremble uncontrollably. The memory of those two eyes from the final moment bore down on him—those fiery red eyes that looked capable of setting the world ablaze. Namgung Cheonjun involuntarily curled in on himself, clutching his shoulders.
…Hoo…haa!
It was fear. The emotion stealing his breath was undeniably, utterly fear. Namgung Cheonjun, a blood relative of the almighty Namgung Clan, was terrified of that young boy.
“This… this is…!”
Within those world-incinerating eyes… he had seen a bottomless darkness. Yes, similar to what he’d seen in Peng Woojin's eyes—no, perhaps even deeper.
“Young Master Namgung… what is wrong—“
Slap!
Just before Moyong Hi-ah’s hand could touch his shoulder, Namgung Cheonjun fiercely swatted it away.
“…D-Do not touch me.”
He knew Moyong Hi-ah wanted something from him, though he wasn't sure what. Her intentions were hardly concealed, which somehow made her motives harder to decipher. Normally, he maintained a guarded facade, seeing the advantage of having a woman of her noble lineage by his side. It seemed mutually beneficial, a shared interest.
But in his current state, that persona was shattered. He had been humiliated and defeated in front of his beloved sister. His opponent was the very man who had taken his sister away. And the fact that he felt genuine fear in the presence of such a bastard filled him with boiling rage.
“How… I was even… said to be the chosen one.”
Yes, it must have been because I didn’t have the chance to use my new power fully. That’s the only reason I lost.
His shoulders continued to shake, but he clung to this thought, trying to regain some composure. He convinced himself he was merely shell-shocked. He’d been warned not to use the new power until he had complete mastery over it.
Not that it was something I could command at will.
He had tried repeatedly to tap into that strange energy lurking within him, but it remained elusive. Just like now…
…Huh?
His body, which had been trembling incessantly, suddenly stilled. A profound and terrifying strangeness washed over him.
W-Where did it go…?
The unique energy that had previously resided within him was gone. He couldn't feel it at all.
“Where… where the hell did it go…!”
Moyong Hi-ah watched him silently before withdrawing her hand completely.
…Sigh.
The concern on her face vanished, replaced by her usual cold impassivity.
He wasn’t always like this.
He used to be arrogant, yes, but he carried an air of confidence and self-respect. Even at last year's banquet, he had seemed fine.
But why did he have to change so drastically this year…? Just when I had decided to approach him. He's ruined. There's no other word for it.
-There is no way to cure it now.
-…Just pray for a miracle to happen.
-Or maybe you should burn away the cold Qi inside your body…*
She forcefully pushed the hated memories away and circulated her qi. Only then did the pervasive chill inside her recede slightly.
Burn it away? How? It’s not a disease or an object you can simply set fire to.
The image of the boy who summoned all-consuming flames flickered in her mind, but she dismissed it immediately. She knew full well that Flame Arts couldn't cure her condition. Those words had likely been spoken out of sheer desperation. Yet, knowing that didn't stop the draining feeling of hopelessness. She didn't have much time left.
That was precisely why she needed the Namgung Clan's help. More specifically, she needed the assistance of the Lord of Heaven. Her father was willing to risk everything for the clan's gain, but to her, that path seemed like a last resort. She didn't want to see her clan fall into ruin.
I still should be fine.
She tried to reassure herself, banishing the uncertainty. She made another attempt to reach out to Namgung Cheonjun but stopped midway.
Someone had arrived.
“I’m glad to see you in a finer state than I expected.”
“…!”
The man who appeared, clad in a black uniform, was the young lord of the Peng Clan, Peng Woojin. He addressed Namgung Cheonjun after materializing as if from nowhere.
“Young Master Namgung, if you are feeling well enough, how about we have a conversation?”
He wore a kind smile, but Moyong Hi-ah couldn't shake a deep sense of unease.
* * *
Rumors spread like wildfire.
They consumed everything in their path, relentless and unstoppable. Not knowing where they would end up was unnerving, yet there was a certain marvel to it. For those experiencing it for the first time, it could be deeply unsettling.
Personally, I felt nothing.
-I heard the Lightning Dragon lost, yeah?
-He lost to a boy much younger than him.
-Who? The blood relative of the Taeryung Clan who beat the Poison Phoenix?
-You idiot, that rumor's been around, and you're still saying that?
-You could just tell me if I'm wrong. Why the insult?
-If you're mad, go buy some info from the Beggar’s Sect.*
The defeat of the Lightning Dragon, Namgung Cheonjun, caused a far greater stir than the Poison Phoenix Tang Soyeol's first-round loss. It made sense; this was a quarterfinal match, and the arena had been packed with even more spectators. More eyes, more mouths.
As a result… all eyes were on me the moment I stepped down from the arena platform.
-Does it even make sense that he beat the Lightning Dragon? We're talking about the Namgung Clan's Lightning Dragon!
-So that doesn't make sense to you, but the Poison Phoenix losing in the first round does?
-But that's the Taeryung Clan! He's the Alliance Leader's son.
-…Do you know who the Lightning Dragon’s opponent was?
-Hmm? Who?
-The Gu Clan of Shanxi. The little brother of that famous Sword Phoenix.*
-Oh.*
Wait, why did that convince you?
“What did that crazy woman do to make that a valid explanation…?”
I’d heard snippets—that she hadn't just burned the arena stage but half the banquet hall too. There were even stories about her singeing the hair off people who annoyed her, among other equally terrifying tales. The unsettling part was that my gut told me Gu Huibi had actually done those things.
“…With her personality, it makes perfect sense.”
I felt a headache coming on. It was absurd that merely being 'Gu Huibi's younger brother' was enough to make my victory believable to the crowd.
“You were so cool, Young Master Gu!”
When I returned to the barracks after the duel, Tang Soyeol was waiting, greeting me with bright enthusiasm.
“You watched the whole thing?”
“Of course! I didn't miss a single moment!”
She waved her hands animatedly, as if bragging about how closely she'd watched. Despite her early elimination, she was in high spirits, though her hands were red from the cold—a paradox next to her heated demeanor. I considered warming the air with my qi.
“Hmm.”
But I decided against it. I was more concerned about the new energy twitching inside my dantian.
This pig of a bastard…
The energy I’d absorbed from Namgung Cheonjun. To be precise, the energy that had chosen to be absorbed was the problem.
At least ask for permission before you take it… Why is devouring your first instinct?
Especially since this wasn't Demonic Qi this time.
…That’s the problem.
The fact that the Pissing Dragon—no, the Lightning Dragon—harbored such energy was one issue. But the bigger problem was that I had been able to absorb it. How? How was that possible?
Tang Soyeol kept chattering away, but I only gave brief replies, too busy scrutinizing the changes within my body.
It is certainly similar.
The energy from Namgung Cheonjun resembled what I had felt from Wi Seol-Ah in my past life. It was closer to Taoist Qi than ordinary qi, yet not quite the same. While it was hard to say they were identical… I knew one thing for sure: it wasn't Demonic Qi. In fact, it felt like its polar opposite.
The problem is that my body is absorbing this energy like it's a delicacy.
Just as Demonic Qi was purified within me, my Flame Qi was now voraciously devouring this new energy that had entered my dantian, treating it in a similar manner.
Tap.
“Hmm?”
Lost in thought, I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was Namgung Bi-ah.
“What’s wrong?”
“…”
When I asked, she frowned slightly, as if annoyed. What was her problem?
Did I accidentally ignore her or something?
That didn't make sense; Namgung Bi-ah was usually the spaced-out one, often needing to be called multiple times to get her attention. As I stood there confused, Tang Soyeol leaned in and whispered.
“Young Master Gu…”
“Hmm?”
“…Um, in a little bit, Sis’s duel is about to… Ubf!”
Tang Soyeol was suddenly shoved aside. Namgung Bi-ah had pushed her.
“Sis! Do you know how unfair you’re being!?” Tang Soyeol complained, frowning.
“…No.”
“I’m trying to help you! You should let this pass…!”
“Even so… no.”
“Ugh…!!”
What were these two doing? As I watched the bizarre scene, Tang Soyeol let out a fake cough and explained.
“…Since you’re done, it’s Sis’s turn to fight.”
“Oh.”
“Maybe she wants you to cheer for her?”
I glanced at Namgung Bi-ah. She wasn't looking at me; in fact, she seemed to be intentionally avoiding eye contact. But I noticed the tips of her ears were slightly red, and I couldn't suppress a smirk.
“So that’s what you wanted?”
“…No…”
Yeah, right. I thought she didn't care about such things, but I guess she did, deep down.
Even though I just finished beating her little brother to a pulp.
I wondered if all older sisters were like this. Then again, Namgung Cheonjun's complex feelings for his sister made him the real weirdo.
“Good luck.”
Despite my short response, Namgung Bi-ah nodded, seemingly satisfied. Her face was hidden by her hair, but her red ears betrayed her. I didn't tell her to win. She would win regardless.
…I felt a bit sorry for Gu Jeolyub, her opponent, but there was nothing to be done. They were in completely different leagues. I remembered his despairing face when he saw the bracket. During our travels, I'd seen them spar a few times; Gu Jeolyub couldn't even touch the hem of her robe. He already knew how this would end.
Though he'll probably gain something from the experience too.
It seemed this trip was benefiting more than just me. Namgung Bi-ah would also gain something, whether in reputation or fame—not that she seemed to care about such things. In my past life, some time after she earned the title 'Demonic Sword,' she once asked me what it meant when I used it. She cared even less about worldly matters than I did.
And in this life, with so much already changed, it seemed her name would spread far sooner. I'd even heard rumors that she had followers.
…But that’s just a false rumor, right?
The thought was unsettling. What did 'followers' even do? The mere idea gave me goosebumps.
“Young Masterrrr!”
Someone burst into the barracks. It was Wi Seol-Ah, whom I'd barely seen all day. Hongwa entered behind her and bowed.
“We are back.”
“You’re late.”
“I’m sorry… it’s my fault.”
Hongwa offered no explanation, implicitly accepting responsibility for any punishment.
Not that I intended to punish her.
They must have had a good reason for being late. I'd heard Muyeon went with them. If anyone had caused trouble, it was undoubtedly Wi Seol-Ah.
“S-Sis did nothing wrong. Young Master… I got lost… and—“
As expected, I gave the confessing Wi Seol-Ah a light bonk on the head.
“Ough…!”
“You were sent on an errand and you got lost?”
“…I’m sorryyyy…”
She looked genuinely remorseful, perhaps more so because Hongwa was taking the blame. I sighed, withdrew my hand from its poised position for a second bonk, and instead started patting her head.
“But nothing bad happened, I suppose.”
“…Yeah.”
I wondered if I was being too lenient. But looking at her face, I couldn't bring myself to scold her further, especially considering I probably shouldn't even dare to lay a hand on her.
“Sisss!”
Once released, Wi Seol-Ah immediately ran into Namgung Bi-ah’s arms. Namgung Bi-ah, seemingly accustomed to this, hugged her and gently brushed her hair. They looked like real sisters.
Wi Seol-Ah, nuzzling into Namgung Bi-ah's embrace, suddenly turned to me as if remembering something important.
“Oh…! Young Master!”
“Hmm?”
“Someone was waiting for you outside!”
“Who?”
Someone waiting for me? Who could it be? Gu Jeolyub? Peng Ah-hee? I couldn't think of anyone who would visit at a time like this.
Before I could ponder further, Wi Seol-Ah blurted out the answer—one I never expected.
“A hobo man!”
“…What?”
I frowned, telling her not to joke around.
“Oh! Hello! I am Chuwong from the Beggar’s Sect! Woah woah… I can’t believe I get to meet a famous noble clan’s blood relative…! What an honor this is for a poor man like me!”
But just as Wi Seol-Ah had said, a man who looked like a hobo was indeed waiting for me outside.
This was truly an unsatisfactory situation.