Chapter 236: Battlefront (6)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 236: Battlefront (6)
The past year had brought significant upheaval to the Central Plains.
First was the fall of the Black Palace.
Though the precise details remained undisclosed, word had spread far and wide that the Murim Alliance and the Gu Clan had joined forces to eradicate them. The destruction of a major Unorthodox Sect was cause for celebration for many.
However, the exact reasons for the Murim Alliance's conflict with the Black Palace, and the specific role the Gu Clan played, were shrouded in mystery. The fates of the Black Palace's ruler and its martial artists remained unknown. Yet, because the news was disseminated by the Beggar’s Sect and the Alliance itself, people readily accepted it. In the end, the elimination of an evil force was a good thing, and most had little interest in the finer details.
The second major change was the reappearance of the Plum Blossom Sword Saint.
After being missing for years, she finally returned to the Central Plains in all her beautiful and formidable glory. Mount Hua offered an explanation for the Sword Queen's absence: it was her choice, and they had respected it. While perplexing, the Sword Queen herself seemed to affirm this statement. In the end, people were accustomed to Mount Hua's eccentric ways, and they were simply glad she had returned.
The third change was the Dragons and Phoenixes Tournament.
The problem was that most of the young prodigies known as the Six Dragons and Three Phoenixes, the leaders of the current generation, did not participate. This tournament, which attracted dozens to hundreds of talented individuals annually, was expected to feature these elite figures. Yet, last year's event was in a sorrier state than the one before.
Each of the Dragons and Phoenixes provided their own excuses. The Sleeping Dragon claimed the long journey was too exhausting, while the Snow Phoenix sent a letter stating she was occupied with her clan's affairs. As for the Sword Dragon, Mount Hua declared on his behalf that he was in seclusion following a moment of enlightenment. The Dragon Warrior and the True Dragon didn't even bother to send a letter.
Consequently, the only ones who participated were the Lightning Dragon and the Poison Phoenix. Although the Meteor Sword, who had achieved great success the previous year, also attended, most considered the tournament meaningless without its main attractions.
Thanks to that, everyone is being strong-armed into participating this year.
Well, having only two of the Dragons and Phoenixes show up is rather pathetic.
Not that I had any right to complain, since I hadn't even sent a letter, but I never expected only two would go.
…I should have given it more thought when Moyong Hi-ah told me she wouldn’t be attending either.
The Snow Phoenix's absence was likely because of me, but I hadn't anticipated the others would skip it as well. Because of that, force was used this year to preserve the Murim Alliance's reputation.
Though I’m probably still not gonna go.
Whether by force or not, the Gu Clan never concerned itself with such matters.
Slide.
I stepped out of the tent and caught the peculiar scent of the midnight air. It didn't seem like much time had passed since sunrise.
“Ugh…”
Amid the stillness, a noise from inside my tent tickled my ear. I turned my head to look.
…When did she sneak in there?
Curled up in a corner, fast asleep, was Namgung Bi-ah. I’d sent her to her own tent after feeding her last night, so what was she doing here?
…
A wave of absurdity washed over me, but I was already half-resigned to it. This was far from the first or second time she’d done this.
“…I’ll have someone wake her later.”
The one thing I did manage was to stop Hongwa as she passed by and ask her to rouse Namgung Bi-ah.
“Oh…!”
Hearing my request, Hongwa peeked inside the tent. She then looked at me as if to ask why Namgung Bi-ah was in there again, but her accusatory stare didn't change the fact that I had no answer.
“I saw Lady Moyong leave a little while ago… but I didn’t expect Lady Namgung to be here as well…”
“What?”
“Huh?”
“Moyong… She left from this tent?”
“Yes…”
“But why wasn’t I aware of that?”
Moyong Hi-ah left from my tent?
Just when did she come and go?
Are they cats, coming and going as they please?
Someone might think they had nowhere else to sleep.
How absurd.
The best tent here was undoubtedly Moyong Hi-ah’s. The one I slept in was large, but still ordinary. It was only due to my status that I was allowed to sleep alone and avoid night watch duties. Beyond that, the tent and its bedding were nothing special. Not that I cared; I didn't even mind sleeping on the floor.
I’ll let Namgung Bi-ah slide, but what’s the deal with Moyong Hi-ah?
It had been some time since Namgung Bi-ah started claiming my bed, pretending she didn't know any better, so I could understand her actions. But why did Moyong Hi-ah come?
Is she not bothered?
The Moyong Hi-ah I knew was pickier than anyone, so I couldn't understand why she would willingly come to a tent like this.
“Did I not give her enough heat?”
That’s not it.
I regularly transferred heat to her at least once a week. Furthermore, judging by the fact that she was absorbing more heat than before, I almost believed her condition was nearly cured.
It certainly seems that way, especially given the recent luster of her skin.
She appeared remarkably well. If her complexion had once been sickly pale, it now glowed with a vibrant whiteness. Her skin had improved significantly.
It seems like heat has started coursing through her body.
Could she be fully cured? No, that probably wasn't it. If she were cured, why would she still come to me for heat?
Anyway…
After leaving Hongwa, I headed off to find Moyong Hi-ah, intending to ask why she had been in my tent. However, after walking a short distance, I noticed someone approaching.
Upon closer inspection, I recognized the figure as Gu Jeolyub. He flinched upon seeing me and tried to change course.
This fucker?
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“…!”
“We made eye contact, so don’t even think about pretending you didn’t see me.”
Startled, Gu Jeolyub reluctantly trudged toward me. He no longer bothered to conceal his disdainful expression.
This bastard has changed a lot too, huh?
How delightful.
“…I greet the Young Master.”
“Yes, and I also greet the Sword of Heroic Flame. I trust you have been faring well.”
“Ugh…”
Gu Jeolyub muttered under his breath in response to my playful remark.
Sigh, he used to be so proud of that title when he first got it.
“Are you returning from somewhere?”
“I was on my way to rest after my shift.”
It seemed he had just finished his night watch. I nodded in acknowledgment.
“Then we can train together.”
“Huh?”
“I assume you have some free time now?”
I had been on my way to see Moyong Hi-ah, but that could wait. Gu Jeolyub appeared flustered by my proposition.
“Uh, Young Master…?”
“Yes?”
“I said I was returning from my night watch…”
“I heard you quite clearly.”
“…Then what did you mean by what you just said…?”
“Since you’ve completed your night watch, it means you have a lot of time now.”
“How does that make sense?”
“What are you going to do after you return?”
“…Sleep.”
Indeed, sleep was necessary after a night watch. But I had other ideas.
“Will you only sleep for the rest of your life?”
“Pardon?”
“Well, sleep is something you can do even after death.”
Gu Jeolyub’s expression twisted, as if asking what kind of bullshit I was spouting. Yet, my mind was already made up.
“Or should I just make you sleep forever? I’m quite good at doing that.”
As I said this with a bright smile, Gu Jeolyub’s face contorted to its absolute limit.
* * *
The midnight hour had long passed, and the sun had reached its zenith, bringing our light training session to an end.
Thud!
A resounding thud echoed through the forest.
Flutter!
Birds hiding in the trees took flight in a fluttering frenzy. The sound came from a boulder being dropped to the ground.
“Huff… Huuuff…”
Gu Jeolyub collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath. His clothes were drenched in sweat, and his trembling hands and feet testified to his exertion.
Seeing his state, I also threw down the boulder I had been holding.
Slam!
The sound was much louder than Gu Jeolyub's had been. The boulder I was holding was twice the size of his. Unlike Gu Jeolyub, who looked like a drowned rat, I only had a few droplets of sweat on my forehead.
I stared at the half-dead Gu Jeolyub.
“You managed to endure until the end today, huh?”
“Huff… Huff huff…”
He seemed to want to respond, but lacked the strength.
I examined Gu Jeolyub’s body and nodded.
Seems like his body is almost ready.
The foundation for Gu Jeolyub to ascend to the Peak Realm was just about set. To be fair, after putting him through so much, it would be weirder if it weren't.
At this rate, he’ll ascend before the summer’s end.
To break through their wall, martial artists needed enough Qi to break into the Middle Dantian. However, possessing a body capable of enduring the process was even more important. Of course, it was also possible to overcome a wall without destroying one’s body through extreme Qi control. For example, people like Namgung Bi-ah or Gu Huibi lacked the physical foundation but broke through with sheer talent.
He might be capable of that as well.
Gu Jeolyub was talented enough to be called a genius, so such a method might work for him. Nevertheless, having a durable body was safer and better for his long-term prospects.
The shortcut I took isn’t ideal for the long term.
That's why I put him through hell every time I ran into him. However, this bastard always tried to avoid me, oblivious to my well-intentioned actions. It couldn't help but piss me off.
“Now that I think about it, it’s rather annoying… maybe I need to increase the intensity of our training sessions?”
“Whaaa…?”
“I’m doing all this because I want you to succeed, Little Brother.”
Although Gu Jeolyub was older than me, he didn't seem to mind me calling myself the big bro. Then again, it seemed he stayed quiet mostly out of fear of being beaten if he commented.
Anyway…
He would die for real if I continued, right?
If I made him roll around any longer, Gu Jeolyub might truly lose his mind. I decided to give him a pass.
“Unfortunately, we’ll have to stop here for today.”
Gu Jeolyub let out a long sigh, visibly relieved.
Was he really that happy to be excused from training?
I, too, despised training in the past.
I was in no position to judge him. As I gazed at his relieved expression, I added another comment.
“Oh, it seems like Sis plans to train with you later.”
“…Pardon? What do you…!”
“That’s all. I’ll be leaving first.”
“Y-Young Master!”
Gu Jeolyub called out desperately, but I had no intention of stopping. His pitiful expression was undoubtedly because Gu Huibi’s training was far harsher than mine. She was known for pushing people to the brink of death. Gu Jeolyub knew that fact all too well, which was why he was begging me to save him. But I had matters to attend to; it was already past noon.
If he’s going to do this later anyway, perhaps I should’ve gone a bit easier on him.
I felt a tinge of guilt…
Eh, he’ll probably manage somehow.
I swiftly dismissed such thoughts, placing unwavering faith in Gu Jeolyub.
Good luck, Gu Jeolyub.