Chapter 194: Know Your Place (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 194: Know Your Place (2)
Gu Sunmoon.
It was the entity often called the Sword of the Gu Clan.
As the Guardian of Shanxi, Gu Sunmoon served as the clan's greatest pillar, the primary reason the Gu Clan maintained its standing among the noble families.
Its purpose was to raise armies of swordsmen to fend off demonic threats.
In safeguarding the peace, it earned its revered titles: the Sword of the Gu Clan and the Guardian of Shanxi.
While there had been exceptions—like recruiting outsiders during the Nine Dragons Day—the core of its military strength was always cultivated from within Gu Sunmoon itself.
The First Elder was one of its most prominent figures.
Muyeon, who had nearly reached the Peak Realm despite being just over twenty, was a product of Gu Sunmoon.
And then there was Gu Jeolyub, a genuine genius who also hailed from its halls.
Considering that almost every significant swordsman in the Gu Clan, with the sole exception of Gu Huibi, originated from Gu Sunmoon, it was clear this branch was one of the clan's most vital roots.
This realization made me think that perhaps Father tolerated the First Elder's ambitious schemes precisely because of the man's importance to that foundation.
Or maybe it was because I had been too incompetent to properly inherit the position of Young Lord, and many—like the First Elder—wanted Gu Jeolyub to take my place.
Frankly, either reason seemed understandable.
I could understand it a bit now as well.
With the passage of time, I had come to understand Father a little better.
But even so…
Even back then, I simply couldn't comprehend why Father allowed the First Elder's troublesome behavior to continue.
I recalled a moment, later than the present, when the First Elder finally crossed a line and Father summoned his flames.
The anger in those flames was unmistakable.
A conflagration so vast it threatened to engulf the entire Gu Clan.
The memory of that overwhelming power remained vividly clear.
After witnessing that, I knew the rumors—calling him an old tiger, a man past his prime—were utterly false.
Yet, I found it strange that Father had waited until that particular point to act.
Despite understanding the First Elder's influence, I struggled to fathom why Father refrained from severing a branch that was so blatantly rotten.
How could he grant so many chances after all the trouble caused?
I would have overturned him immediately.
I could never have done what Father did.
I remembered the Sleeping Dragon's advice to endure three times.
That was my limit.
* * *
“…I greet the Young Master.”
Gu Sunmoon was situated a fair distance from the main Gu Clan estate, though the journey wasn't arduously long. It was simply farther than a typical branch clan would be.
As I arrived before its gate, the martial artist standing guard offered a greeting. He was clearly a member of Gu Sunmoon.
“You know who I am?”
“How could I not recognize the Young Master?”
I had wondered what I would do if he didn't recognize me. Thankfully, my notoriety seemed to preclude that possibility.
[Fair point. Who else has a face as fierce as yours?]
Elder Shin's sudden insult about my face was irritating, but I chose not to retort this time.
“I'm here to see the First Elder.”
“Ah, the Head is not receiving any guests at the moment.”
“A guest…?” A strange feeling settled over me. “I could have sworn you said you knew who I was.”
“That's correct. You are the Young Mas-”
“Do I look like a guest to you?”
I saw the guard's lips twitch at my response. He seemed more annoyed than afraid.
“It's not that… but the timing isn't—”
“What about the timing?”
“It's rather late. I think it would be best if you returned after making an appointment…”
As he spoke, an uninvited itch crept up my neck, and I scratched it absently.
How should I describe this feeling?
…Oh.
I didn't need to think hard. It was pure annoyance. Despite my efforts to remain measured, only one retort surfaced.
“How dare you treat your master this way?”
“Pardon?”
My patience had been thin all day. How could I control my temper when the first thing I saw upon returning was the mess that had been made of my clan? To put it bluntly, my house was being torn apart.
“Do I look like someone who needs to make an appointment?”
“T-That's not it, but—”
“Stop trying to think and make the right choice. Who exactly do you see standing before you?”
This had always been a puzzle to me. Gu Sunmoon was a branch of the Gu Clan. Yet, Father had gone to great lengths to ensure they were treated fairly, even discreetly restricting visitor access to their compound.
Was it because they were the Sword of the Gu Clan? Or was it simply adherence to ancestral virtue?
I, too, refused to discriminate based on branch status. I'd rather eat an extra bowl of rice than bother with such pointless distinctions.
However, excessive leniency was bound to cause problems.
As I was witnessing now.
“When a dog isn't treated like a dog, it forgets its place and tries to climb above its station.”
“What are you…!”
Before he could finish, the guard crumpled to the ground. I stepped over his fallen form and pushed the gate open.
Creeak—
As the gate swung inward, I sensed the martial artists inside turning their attention toward me.
“Young Master?”
“Why is he here…?”
Their bewildered gazes met mine, perplexed by my sudden appearance. So I answered them in a kindly tone.
“Where is the First Elder? I've come to see him.”
It was a simple repetition of my initial query.
The martial artists began to glance around nervously, fidgeting, uncertain how to handle the situation. The looks they exchanged spoke volumes.
“If you won't answer, I'll find him myself.”
With that, I began to move. I didn't really need to search; I'd been here before. The First Elder resided in the mansion at the highest point of Gu Sunmoon. I just had to head there.
However…
“Young Master.”
Just as I expected, someone blocked my path. A man who appeared to be in his thirties. Judging by the Qi he emanated, he was a First-Rate martial artist.
“The First Elder is currently…”
“Resting at this late hour? You want me to turn back?”
“…”
“But given how active he's been lately, meddling here and there, he seems to have plenty of energy.”
A subtle frown creased the man's features as I addressed him with a smile. He clearly didn't appreciate my words.
“Please mind your language. He is the Head of this branch clan.”
“And I am the son of the Main Clan. Did I say something incorrect?”
“Even as a blood relative of the main family, you should not speak ill of the head of a—”
Haha!
I couldn't contain my laughter at his harsh, offended tone. Nor did I need to hear the rest.
“That's enough. I'm not in the mood to play games tonight.”
I tried to move past him, tapping his shoulder dismissively…
But the man grabbed my arm to stop me.
“I told you, you cannot…!”
Pow-!
The moment his hand touched my shoulder, a brutal sound echoed as he was sent flying.
Thud!
His large physique soared through the air before crashing to the ground, rolling several times before finally stopping.
“Ugh…!”
As soon as he came to a halt, he vomited blood onto the earth, his body shuddering, a hand clutched to his stomach. The impact clearly hadn't fully subsided.
And yet, I had gone exceptionally easy on him. If that madman from Wudang saw this, he'd be shocked, saying I'd finally become understanding—meaning he wouldn't have to babysit me anymore.
I slowly walked toward the man.
Step.
Simultaneously, Qi flooded my body, concentrating within my dantian.
Blaze.
As I advanced, flames erupted from my form. Passionately burning with a light red hue, they swirled around me, forming a ring that began to rotate at a frenetic pace.
“Even a dog raised in a house knows its master.”
With each step, the ring of fire expanded.
Consuming my Qi at a rapid rate, it grew with a roaring intensity, radiating heat in all directions.
“But you fools keep baring your fangs, ignorant of your place.”
The heat permeated the surrounding area, filling the large courtyard.
“If that's the case, it seems you don't truly recognize who stands before you.”
I knew this branch was a festering pit, but I hadn't expected to be greeted by actual dogs.
“If you truly disapprove of me proceeding.”
“Ugh…”
“Then, as you wish, I won't go to the old man directly.”
As the light red flames, infused with my Qi, rose higher, they began to fill the sky.
The night over Gu Sunmoon was vanquished.
“If I'm not the one to go, then I'll simply make him come to me.”
A single gesture of my hand set the red sky into motion.
The guards scrambled into battle stances upon seeing the inferno above…
But it was far too late for them.
I slowly lowered my hand…
And the sky cascaded down upon them.
* * *
Slam!
Clatter-
“…Hmm?”
The teacup, once full, began to shake. The tranquil air carried traces of a disturbance—a breeze and vibrations that unmistakably signaled the massive use of Qi.
“…What is this?”
The First Elder of the Gu Clan, the Blazing Rain Sword Gu Changjun, rose immediately. The Qi he felt emanating from outside his room was so threatening it was shocking.
“Could it be—”
Clang-!
A violent tremor from outside caused the teacup to tumble from his table, shattering on the floor tiles, cold water spilling everywhere.
But unable to care about such trivialities, Gu Changjun flung the door open and stepped outside.
“…!”
He was immediately met by a searing heat that made it hard to breathe, and a storm of flames. Despite their light red hue, he recognized them as the Flame Arts of the Gu Clan. They were especially familiar to Gu Changjun; there was no way he could mistake them.
“Who in the world is…!”
Although he began to ask, his thoughts swiftly converged on the only possible culprit. Only one person in the Gu Clan could summon such immense flames while exerting such overwhelming pressure with Combat Qi.
…I'd heard he wasn't even in the clan.
The Tiger Warrior, Gu Cheolun.
One of the Hundred Masters of the World.
The Lord of the Gu Clan.
He was the only one capable of conjuring such flames. That was Gu Changjun's conclusion. The flames seemed slightly weaker than in the past, but that was the only explanation that made sense.
But why now?
Gu Changjun pondered why Gu Cheolun would suddenly storm into the branch clan and wreak havoc.
…Was I discovered?
Various possibilities flashed through his mind, but none seemed significant enough to warrant the Clan Lord's personal intervention.
Except, perhaps, for leaking Gu Huibi's information.
Having reached this thought, Gu Changjun descended the stairs and strode toward the epicenter of the flames.
What greeted him was a scene straight from hell.
Martial artists of Gu Sunmoon lay scattered across the ground. Those still conscious trembled uncontrollably, as if in the grip of profound terror.
Witnessing the devastation, Gu Changjun couldn't help but clench his teeth.
Did he wait for our main force to be absent?
The Clan Lord and the high-level martial artists of the main family were currently away—on an order given by Gu Cheolun himself. While Gu Changjun had stationed capable fighters here, it was no surprise they were powerless against the Clan Lord.
My Lord…!
While he had expected Gu Cheolun to act, given his own daughter's involvement, Gu Changjun was still taken aback by the sheer, unexpected coldness of the assault.
Gritting his teeth, Gu Changjun drew his sword. He couldn't fathom why the Tiger Warrior would attack this place, but he couldn't simply stand by and watch.
“My Lord…! What is the meaning of this—”
Gu Changjun's words died in his throat. For the moment he revealed himself, the flames engulfing the area began to retract, swirling back toward their center.
As the inferno receded, the silhouette of a figure at its origin became visible. And when the last of the flames was drawn back…
Upon the blackened ground…
Gu Changjun, staring at the figure standing at the center, found himself unable to close his gaping mouth.
Night returned as the flames vanished. And the boy with eyes glowing red beneath the darkness fixed his gaze on Gu Changjun.
“I'm often told I resemble Father. For you to make such a mistake, I don't know whether to be flattered or offended.”
He bore a resemblance to the Tiger Warrior, but it wasn't him.
“You…!”
No, Gu Changjun would have preferred it to be the Tiger Warrior. Because this incompetent child should never have been capable of standing there, looking like that.
“It's been a while, First Elder.”
The boy, whose black hair had transformed into a fiery red, grinned at Gu Changjun.
“What do you think of the gift?”
Contrary to his expression, his voice resonated with an unnerving coldness.