Chapter 232: Battlefront (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 232: Battlefront (2)
Following Gu Jeolyub along the forest path, Bi Yeonsum arrived at the central point.
Unlike the entrance, where he had sensed nothing, a powerful presence finally washed over him as he reached the center.
It’s dense.
His reaction was brief, yet heavy with implication.
The Qi in the area was intensely concentrated, so much so that it had been imperceptible from the entrance near the Murim Alliance's camp.
Moving carefully behind Gu Jeolyub, Bi Yeonsum soon spotted a figure standing guard in the distance. Though details were unclear, the guard’s attire matched Gu Jeolyub’s, marking them as part of the same clan.
“Halt.”
The guard commanded, leveling his sword at Gu Jeolyub.
In response, Gu Jeolyub raised both hands, a clear signal of peaceful intent. Bi Yeonsum quickly mimicked the gesture.
Satisfied, the guard approached with measured steps.
Step.
“…!”
Bi Yeonsum flinched as a sharp, probing Qi lashed out from the guard—far denser and more potent than he had anticipated.
What is this…!
He realized the martial artist before him had transcended a major barrier; this was a Peak Realm expert.
A Peak Realm martial artist…?
This is absurd.
How can someone of that level be relegated to mere guard duty?
Bi Yeonsum could only swallow hard, his body breaking into a cold sweat under the pressure of the guard's Combat Qi. The sharp energy coiled around him, inspecting his every fiber.
What precise control…
The control was unbelievable.
The martial artist drew his sword slightly, his eyes flicking to Bi Yeonsum, assessing the threat he posed. Yet, Bi Yeonsum found the extreme caution puzzling. If Gu Jeolyub truly belonged here, why such stringent measures? Especially since Gu Jeolyub wasn't even wearing a mask.
After a long, tense silence…
“…Butterfly.”
Gu Jeolyub’s low voice shattered the quiet, sending a shiver down Bi Yeonsum’s spine. The word seemed random, but its purpose was clear.
A code phrase?
It had to be. The opposing martial artist must have already requested it silently.
But I never heard him… Did they communicate telepathically?
Bi Yeonsum became convinced that was the case.
“Hmm…”
The martial artist nodded, the serious pressure of his Combat Qi vanishing instantly. Only when the oppressive energy dissipated could Bi Yeonsum breathe easily again.
Pff.
Was that just the preliminary check?
The guard’s stern expression melted into a warm smile at the sight of Gu Jeolyub. Gu Jeolyub, however, only frowned, visibly displeased.
“…Stop laughing.”
“Haha! How could I not?”
“Ungh…”
“You’re the third one this month alone.”
“…I know.”
Third one? Bi Yeonsum wondered. Did it mean three people saved by the Sword of Heroic Flame?
As this suspicion crossed his mind, the martial artist posed a question to Gu Jeolyub.
“Will you be okay?”
Gu Jeolyub responded with a deep, world-weary sigh.
“…I won’t be.”
“Yet you keep bringing more people in.”
“…”
Gu Jeolyub glanced briefly at Bi Yeonsum.
“…I can’t just leave them be.”
The martial artist smiled again, seeming pleased with this reluctant answer.
Watching the exchange, Bi Yeonsum reflected. This Peak Realm martial artist was different from any he had met before. There was no trace of the typical arrogance; instead, he radiated humility and kindness.
He feels completely different from the killing intent he showed moments ago.
Bi Yeonsum marveled at the sudden transformation.
Just then, Gu Jeolyub asked, a discerning look on his face.
“…What is the Young Master doing right now?”
“Ah! I believe he went out hunting. I saw him leave after briefing the captain.”
A faint glimmer of relief crossed Gu Jeolyub’s expression.
“Phew… that puts my mind at ease.”
Though it was barely a whisper, Bi Yeonsum’s sharp ears caught Gu Jeolyub’s next muttered words.
-He’ll beat me up less if he works up a sweat out there.
The words, accompanied by a nod, were utterly incredulous. It explained why Gu Jeolyub had been trembling slightly this whole time.
As Bi Yeonsum was about to ask, the guard spoke to him.
“Brother.”
The address from a Peak Realm expert sent a fresh wave of nervousness through him. Yet, the tone was unexpectedly kind.
“If it isn’t rude, may I ask your name?”
“Ah! I-I am Bi Yeonsum of the Biseon Sect.”
“I see.”
It was no surprise the martial artist was unfamiliar with the Biseon Sect—a minor clan hidden in the remote mountains. Regardless, he smiled kindly.
“I am Muyeon.”
Bi Yeonsum felt a pang of envy at the man’s effortless confidence and profound goodwill.
“Nice to meet you, Brother Bi.”
“…Y-Yes! Nice to meet you as well.”
As Muyeon extended a hand, Bi Yeonsum cautiously reached out, uncertain of the etiquette—one hand or two?
Observing this, Gu Jeolyub interjected.
“How much longer until your shift ends?”
“Not long. Did you need something?”
“Ah, it’s nothing major… I was wondering if we could spar later.”
Muyeon grinned.
“I’m fine with that, but are you sure you can handle it?”
“Actually, about that… Would it be possible for you to be on my side later…?”
Muyeon nodded, his smile seemingly an affirmation.
Gu Jeolyub looked relieved, his trust in Muyeon clear.
“That won’t be possible.”
“…”
Muyeon’s response was silent, firm, and delivered with a suddenly serious face. After all, he valued self-preservation, too.
* * *
The camp within the forest was surprisingly well-maintained, especially considering its location at the heart of the frontlines.
It’s quite different.
The atmosphere was a stark contrast to the tense, cold distrust of the Murim Alliance camp. Here, the environment felt natural and welcoming—firm, yet not oppressive. Bi Yeonsum couldn't quite pinpoint why he felt the difference so acutely.
As they walked, Gu Jeolyub stopped abruptly before the largest tent in the camp, presumably belonging to the person in charge.
Entering cautiously, Bi Yeonsum found it empty. The captain was out.
Just as he wondered what to do, Gu Jeolyub spoke.
“…The captain isn’t here. Wait for a moment.”
“Excuse me?”
Bi Yeonsum was confused. While Gu Jeolyub had saved him, it was strange to leave a near-stranger alone in such a place.
How can he trust me? Who knows what I might do?
But Gu Jeolyub seemed utterly unconcerned. He simply brought over a chair and gestured for Bi Yeonsum to sit.
“Please wait here. I’ll be back… eventually.”
“Huh…? Shouldn’t we go together…!”
“No.”
Gu Jeolyub firmly rejected the idea.
“…I’d rather not show an unsightly spectacle to an outsider.”
“Ah… I see.”
As someone dependent on their help, Bi Yeonsum had little choice.
“Please wait a little.”
With those words, Gu Jeolyub left the tent. Alone, Bi Yeonsum sat nervously on the provided chair, rolling his eyes at the bizarre situation as he waited.
* * *
After leaving Bi Yeonsum, Gu Jeolyub headed deeper into the forest.
The person he sought was somewhere in this vast woodland, but Gu Jeolyub knew it wouldn't take long to find him.
The crunch of a branch underfoot reached his ears. The incessant chirping of grasshoppers ceased, and the demons lurking nearby hid their presence. The only thing that remained, flooding the surroundings, was an intense heat.
The oppressive warmth Gu Jeolyub felt with every step undoubtedly emanated from him. Even Gu Jeolyub, who generated similar heat, struggled to breathe comfortably. He had no choice but to intensify his Inner Qi to withstand it.
The heat grew denser the further he went. The forest's vibrant green facade began to peel away, revealing its true nature.
Ssssss-!
As a wave of Toxic Qi rushed toward him, Gu Jeolyub further reinforced his Inner Qi. This was not a place anyone could endure without being able to resist such monstrous energy.
He recalled the words he had told him.
-If you don’t want to die, then think of this whole forest as a demon.
Back then, Gu Jeolyub hadn't understood. Now, he thought he grasped a fraction of the meaning. It was a warning about the forest's inherent danger—a danger the speaker himself treated as his own backyard.
“…Sigh.”
Gu Jeolyub sighed. In the distance, he saw the sky tinged with red, as if at sunset. But it was barely past noon; far too early for that.
What, then, was it?
“I can’t comprehend his level, no matter how many times I see it.”
It wasn't a sunset. If it were, the redness wouldn't be localized to that single area. This meant a pocket of space had been dyed that hue purely by heat and Fire Qi.
An unimaginably vast amount of Qi and martial flame had colored the sky.
“…”
Gu Jeolyub smiled bitterly.
Over the past year, rolling across the frontlines, Gu Jeolyub’s own skills had improved immensely. He had begun to fill his empty sword with his own meaning, even reaching the point of Sword Resonance as his Qi control became natural.
Others called him a talented genius for achieving so much in such a short time.
But Gu Jeolyub couldn't fully share their joy. Not when he constantly had that boy right in front of him. The one who had achieved even more growth this year. The one responsible for torturing Gu Jeolyub, pushing him through the dirt until he reached his current level.
While the constant violence and absurdity had slightly altered Gu Jeolyub’s personality, he could now see clearly that he owed his progress entirely to him.
“…Gulp.”
Gu Jeolyub swallowed hard as he neared the other's territory. Past experience screamed that approaching him was a bad idea.
“…Should I just go back?”
He didn't ponder long.
Yes. He would go back. The situation could be handled later. There was no need for him to know about such a minor matter.
Having firmly nodded to himself, Gu Jeolyub turned on his heel and headed back toward the tent. His retreat was twice as fast as his approach.
“Where are you going?”
Gu Jeolyub froze mid-step at the voice from behind, a shiver running down his spine.
“Where are you going, I asked.”
At the second query, Gu Jeolyub turned his head creakily, as if his joints were rusted. There was still a significant distance between them.
How and when had he gotten so close?
What Gu Jeolyub saw when he turned around were fierce eyes, still burning red with residual heat, fixed squarely on him. A demon? No. It was Gu Yangcheon.