Chapter 21: Why is he venturing out again…? (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 21: Why is he venturing out again…? (1)
The Ancient Gu Clan of Shanxi. A small branch lineage belonging to Gu Changjun, uncle of the Tiger Warrior, it formed but a minor part of the greater Gu Clan.
If the Gu Clan were the shield of Shanxi, then the Ancient Gu Clan was its sword. This was largely because most of the martial artists from the Ancient Gu Clan were transferred over to serve as the Gu Clan's swordsmen.
While some swordsmen were selected through the Nine Dragons Tournament, the majority who joined the Gu's ranks hailed from this ancient branch.
-Slap!
A sharp crack echoed through the room. Gu Jeolyub’s head snapped to the side with the force of the blow.
Drip.
Blood trickled from his lips as the scolding continued.
"You incompetent brat."
"...I apologize."
"You couldn't even beat a single child. And instead, you were utterly humiliated."
From Gu Jeolyub's perspective, the situation felt bitterly unfair. He'd had no idea Gu Yangcheon was hiding such power. But voicing such thoughts to Gu Changjun was unthinkable.
"You imbecile… You lost because of a mere servant!?"
-Slap! Slap!
With each strike from Gu Changjun, Gu Jeolyub's head jerked violently. He had no choice but to endure it.
"Why did you fail?"
Gu Jeolyub struggled to form a reply. But feeling the chill in Gu Changjun's gaze, he forced his mouth open.
"It's true the servant distracted me, but Gu Yangcheon's skill was real. I never lowered my guard."
Gu Jeolyub clenched his fists until they trembled.
His pride was in tatters.
He'd been forced to acknowledge Gu Yangcheon's ability after being so thoroughly dominated. He could no longer afford to look down on him.
The movements he'd witnessed were genuine. It wasn't a fluke, nor was it due to his own carelessness; it was pure, unadulterated skill.
How many exchanges had there been? Three? Four?
The bitter irony was that he surpassed Gu Yangcheon in both physical strength and Qi. Yet, he had still been defeated, and in the most disgraceful manner.
Gu Jeolyub gritted his teeth, trying to hide the tremor in his lips.
"Then," Gu Changjun spoke, his voice cold. "You should have at least broken something."
"...Grandfather?"
"We are in the Ancient Gu Clan. Address me by my title."
"I apologize… my Lord."
The tone was so frigid it raised goosebumps on Gu Jeolyub's skin. The stare that accompanied it was no less intimidating.
"Clean. No injuries, no marks. I can't find a single thing."
Only minor bruises remained from the duel. Gu Jeolyub's face had taken significant punishment, yet his body bore no visible signs.
It meant Gu Yangcheon had controlled his power perfectly, disabling his Qi while inflicting pain without leaving lasting damage.
A technique used by the Unorthodox Factions for torture.
Gu Changjun stroked his long beard, deep in thought. He'd heard from spectators that the Second Elder had intervened to prevent Gu Yangcheon from causing further harm.
Gu Ryoon… You interfere with me yet again.
What was his problem? The Second Elder was always like this. He constantly pushed Gu Yangcheon into training, neglecting his duties as an elder to focus solely on grooming him as the Young Lord.
Gu Changjun despised that about Gu Ryoon. He loathed the notion that mere bloodline entitled someone to become the future Lord. How could someone with no talent and a wretched temperament possibly sit upon that throne?
No, it was precisely because of that bloodline and that temperament.
-Tsk
Gu Jeolyub flinched at the sound.
"I don't like how things are progressing."
Gu Changjun had heard rumors that if pressured further, Gu Yangcheon might actually strive for the Lordship.
How dare he?
The very idea forced Gu Changjun to suppress his rage. The reason the current Lord of the Gu Clan couldn't easily dispose of him, despite being fully aware of his ambitions, was Gu Changjun's position as master of the Ancient Gu Clan.
The Gu Clan might rule Shanxi, but the Ancient Gu Clan was its sword.
What is the Gu Clan without its blade?
The current Lord was powerful. The Tiger Warrior was in his prime. But his views… they diverged sharply from those of Gu Cheolun, the Tiger Warrior himself. Gu Changjun knew this.
He, too, was constrained from acting recklessly because he was still a member of the Gu Clan.
But that brat, who possesses only half of Gu's blood, dares to threaten him?
"What should I do?" Gu Changjun's gaze fell upon Gu Jeolyub.
His grandson… a truly talented child. There was a reason he was compared to the Sword Phoenix. He even reminded him of his deceased son.
That was precisely why Gu Yangcheon needed to remain pathetic—a necessary step for Gu Changjun to achieve his long-cherished goal.
When he'd heard Gu Yangcheon defeated Gu Yeonseo, he'd written it off as a fluke. Gu Yeonseo had talent, but she was prone to error. However, the recent duel risked altering public perception of Gu Yangcheon, especially at this critical juncture.
That's why he had sent Gu Jeolyub. If Gu Yangcheon accepted the duel, it would reveal his foolishness. If he refused, that too would work in Gu Changjun's favor.
But he had realized too late: Gu Yangcheon had already become a problem. A significant one.
"Jeolyub."
"Yes, my lord?"
"What would you do if a massive boulder blocked your path to a destination?"
"I would find another way around."
"Wrong. That is how you achieve nothing and arrive at the wrong place." Gu Jeolyub lowered his head, unable to meet the dark, cold intensity in Gu Changjun's eyes.
"If you can push it aside, do so. If not… you must destroy it."
But the timing wasn't right. It was too early; preparations were incomplete. However…
"If this continues, I will have no choice but to destroy him."
Gu Jeolyub fought to keep his body from trembling with fear.
* * *
"You went too far."
The Second Elder spoke to me after I had finished washing up following the duel.
"About what?"
"At the end there. What were you planning to do to Jeolyub?"
"I was going to break his arm."
Just enough to confine him to bed for a month. Martial artists healed quickly thanks to their Qi, so I didn't think it would cause permanent issues.
The Second Elder let out a sharp breath. "If you had done that, the First Elder would have lost his mind."
"So what? I have no intention of becoming Lord anyway."
"Tsk! Why would you say such a thing? You carry the Lord's blood; you are the only—"
"Yes, the only son. Which is the sole reason I'm even permitted within the clan grounds."
I was more aware of this fact than anyone. I'd lived it thoroughly in my previous life. No matter what I did, no matter how I lived, I always ended up as the Young Lord. Would this life be any different? I hoped so.
"That's why I ultimately held back."
If I'd had a choice, I would have gladly handed that accursed Lord position to that brat Gu Jeolyub. The title held no interest for me; I knew exactly what becoming Lord entailed.
Under no circumstances would Father ever pass the title to Gu Huibi or Gu Yeonseo. I knew that, too. It wasn't about me being his son; it was simply how things worked.
I found the First Elder laughable. He knew nothing of my ambitions, my goals, and here he was, trying to steal away something I never wanted in the first place. The one who truly wished to escape was me.
However,
I still need the clan's name.
When will I be able to let it go?
With so many other problems piled up, I've buried this particular conundrum deep in my mind.
"Young Master! Here, your clothes!"
Wi Seol-Ah approached with fresh clothes, as if she'd been waiting.
As I dressed, I studied her.
I wonder when she'll start learning the sword.
She was meant to be a disciple of the Sword Venerable, so surely she would learn from him… And yet, she spent her days with the servants, learning to clean and cook.
Is it really wise to teach a future Zenith how to do housework…?
"Where did your grandfather go?"
"Grandpa said he's going to make a bear."
"A bear…? What bear?"
If we were talking about bears, we already had one nearby—the Second Elder. I shot a quick glance his way. He seemed to guess my thoughts, as one eyebrow twitched upward. I swiftly averted my gaze.
"He said he's going to make an eagle, a chick, and a bear."
"...Are you talking about those wooden sculptures outside?"
"Yes!"
I'd noticed recently that wooden animal sculptures had begun appearing outside.
The Sword Venerable made all those?
They were so expertly carved I'd assumed they were purchased.
So, the future Zenith is learning housework, and the current Zenith is whittling wooden animals.
Is this really alright?
…It doesn't seem right, no matter how I look at it.
"You sculpted it so well, grandpa!"
I watched Wi Seol-Ah's face as she pointed at a wooden horse sculpture, beaming.
Did she always have this kind of personality?
She was so different from the Wi Seol-Ah I remembered from my previous life. I told myself it was because she was still young, but the discrepancy was unsettling.
My first real encounter with Wi Seol-Ah in my past life had been in the winter of this very year. What had she been like then? Was it the same as now?
Why can't I remember?
I wasn't sure. What were these faint memories? The Wi Seol-Ah I vaguely recalled was starkly different. She was like a sharp sword given human form. Anyone who came too close risked being cleaved in half. She pushed everyone away with an icy gaze.
"Young Master, are you crying?"
Startled by Wi Seol-Ah's words, I quickly rubbed my eyes. They were dry.
"What do you mean, crying? You scared me."
"No… It looked like you were."
"I'm not. Now, go over there and have some yakgwa."
I bopped her lightly on the head with my fist. With a short yelp, Wi Seol-Ah scampered away.
I sighed as I watched her go. The Second Elder chuckled at the sight.
"You two seem to be having fun."
"Does this look like fun to you?"
"Doesn't it?"
"...Now that you mention it, I suppose it does."
I wasn't fond of the way the Second Elder looked at us, as if we were his adorable grandchildren.
"Second Elder, will you honor your promise and grant my request?"
His face soured at my words. "...I suppose I must, since I gave my word. What is it you wish to ask?"
I had only one request. I needed to go to Sichuan within the month, and I intended to ask for his help.
If anyone knew a way for me to get to Sichuan, it would be him.
Of course, I still needed a plausible excuse, but this was the fastest route.
But the Second Elder's expression turned strange upon hearing my request. He looked… perplexed. Was it because I wanted to go to Sichuan?
"It's difficult for me to explain why I need to go to Sich—"
"No, that's not the issue…"
"Huh? It's not?"
It wasn't? Why wasn't he curious?
The Second Elder continued, "Hmm… This old man simply can't understand your request."
His next words were even more shocking.
"Can't you just run away? Why do you need to find a way to do it…?"
"…"
It was a stark reminder of what the old man's own youth must have been like.
* * *
Slice, slice.
An elderly man was carving a piece of wood. It was none other than the Sword Venerable. Woodworking was one of his hobbies.
"You've come, Lord Gu."
"How have you been, Senior?"
The visitor was Gu Cheolun, Lord of the Gu Clan.
"Regarding your request… The Beggar’s Sect seems to have found some clues."
The Sword Venerable's hands stilled at Gu Cheolun's words. It should have been good news. But seeing the Lord's expression, he asked, "...What is it, Lord Gu?"
Gu Cheolun's face was grim. After a moment's hesitation, he spoke. "...The Immortal Healer is currently in Anhui province."
Crack.
The knife in the Sword Venerable's hand shattered. A wave of Qi erupted from his body. Sensing the danger, Gu Cheolun swiftly erected a Qi barrier around the area.
"So…" The Sword Venerable's voice trembled violently. "...Must you go to such lengths, Heavenly Venerable?"
Gu Cheolun closed his eyes. The Sword Venerable was weeping.