Chapter 271: Winter Has Come (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 271: Winter Has Come (2)
The chill in the air was the first herald of winter's approach.
When the breeze grew sharp and the vibrant leaves began to wither, you knew the season had turned. It was still too early to call it full winter, but it wouldn't be long before the forest was stripped bare.
Inside the Gu Clan's training ground, a flame flickered.
The large hall was sweltering, a stark contrast to the cold outside. Giant flames circled the room, and my own fiercely blazing qi felt ready to erupt at any moment.
Don't lose focus.
I maintained meticulous control, carefully compressing and moving my qi despite the tremors threatening to tear it apart. My dantian felt squeezed from the recoil, yet my body held firm with razor-sharp precision.
Gather.
At my mental command, the scattered flames instantly converged into my palm.
Swoosh-!
A powerful gust of wind whipped through the room, tousling my hair, but I paid it no mind. My entire focus was on perfection.
"Phew…"
Only when the flames on my hand stilled did I finally open my eyes. The small, pale hand I'd seen after my regression was gone, replaced by a larger, rougher one. And resting on its palm was a small, brilliant red sphere, no larger than a fingernail.
"...I finally succeeded," I said with a sigh.
The amount of qi compressed within that tiny marble was unimaginable. It had consumed over half of my total reserves, compressed again and again. If I lost focus now, the resulting explosion would obliterate everything nearby.
Though it's not at all worth it.
Creating this marble once had drained me; with my current strength, I could only use this technique a single time.
Though, I used it well in my past life.
Back then, excluding the Heavenly Demon, I had possessed the most qi, allowing me to wield this technique without the strain of compression or control.
But … I can't do that now.
Kwak.
I clenched my fist, scattering the marble and reclaiming the qi. A wave of force shot out, shaking the entire training ground.
Flaming Sphere.
A martial skill only achievable after reaching a certain stage of the Gu Flame Wheel Art.
I reached it.
This meant my Gu Flame Wheel Art had finally advanced to the Sixth Star.
Furthermore,
Only one step to go to reach the Fusion Realm.
Just like when I was on the verge of the Peak Realm before, I now stood one step away.
…I reached this far way faster than I expected.
I had anticipated reaching this level after turning twenty, yet here I was, far ahead of schedule. Was it due to consuming vast amounts of qi and Demonic Stones? Or because I had reached the Peak Realm at such a young age? I couldn't be sure if my qi was harmonizing with my body faster or not.
…But that final step is the hardest step.
The wall blocking my upper dantian was immensely high and thick. Breaking through would take time, as I lacked the raw power to shatter it and couldn't find a crack to exploit like I had for the Peak Realm.
Still,
It's a big achievement for me to reach the Sixth Star.
My daily, consistent training was finally bearing fruit. The effort required to create this damned little marble had been immense.
"...I think I can relax a little."
It wasn't about the new martial skill itself; the fastest path to the Sixth Star had been the training involved in mastering the Flaming Sphere. It demanded precise qi control and the ability to withstand tremendous internal pressure. To endure that and master the flow of my qi?
That is training alright.
Even in autumn, I felt like I'd spent the day under a scorching sun. But I had achieved my goal, so…
"I think I can rest a little from no-"
"Young Master."
"...Hmm?" I paused while dusting myself off, hearing a voice from outside.
"What."
"I am delivering a message from the steward. The Lord wishes to see you."
"…"
A sinking feeling told me my hoped-for rest was not to be.
* * *
Following the steward's message, I entered the Lord's residence and made my way to his room. Having visited a few times now, the place felt familiar.
"You called for me."
"Yes."
My father's gaze was as uncomfortably penetrating as ever, his eyes quickly scanning me from head to toe.
"Hmm."
I noticed a subtle shift in his expression.
He noticed.
He had sensed that I'd reached the Sixth Star. His perception was, as always, keen.
Also,
Despite my advancement, I still couldn't perceive my father's aura. He was either concealing it completely, or our levels were so far apart I couldn't even sense it. Either way, his strength remained surreal.
…A monster like him is only considered to be on the same level as one of the Hundred Masters of the Central Plains?
Impossible. Having seen him in my past life, I knew ranking him alongside them was unthinkable. He was simply hiding his fangs.
"Not bad," my father said, having noted my progress.
"…Thank you." It was a compliment, but it left me cold. How trivial.
"Third child."
"Yes."
"Why do you think I called you here?"
"…"
I didn't know…?
What the –, was I caught doing something?
What could it be? Did he find out I was the one who destroyed the training ground last time? But that was hardly news anymore. Perhaps it was about the time the entire mountain was set ablaze during that "sparring lesson" with the First Elder? Honestly, that was mostly the First Elder's fault. He threw a punch at me calling it a lesson; was I supposed to just run away?
"…I'm not sure." Too many possibilities came to mind.
My father nodded, pulled a letter from his pocket, and handed it to me. "I have not called you here for a special reason."
I took the letter and opened it.
"Oh."
Inside was information I'd forgotten, consumed as I was by my training.
-Notice on entering the Heavenly Dragon Academy.
Beneath the heading was a block of text, but it all boiled down to two points:
-A blood relative who has received this letter may take the entrance test for the Heavenly Dragon Academy.
-You may not take the test if you are even a day late.
…So it came.
I knew winter was approaching and this day was near, but my focus on training had pushed it from my mind.
The Heavenly Dragon Academy, huh.
A place I hadn't attended in my past life. To be accurate, I couldn't attend because I failed the test. Damn it… Thinking back, it was embarrassing. I could have entered easily due to my background, but my foolish pride made me declare I didn't need such favors…
I failed like I deserved to.
Back then, Father said nothing, but he must have been deeply embarrassed. My eldest sister, Gu Huibi, had attended the Heavenly Dragon Academy. I heard she was ranked first or second there, and that Peng Woojin was her classmate.
All they should be doing is educating us, so why are they even ranking everyone? Were they so obsessed with hierarchy they had to rank this, too?
"You are telling me to attend, right?"
"Yes."
I'd asked hoping he'd say it was optional, but his response was firm.
…Fuck my life.
He was lenient in other matters, but not this. In my past life, he seemed indifferent, perhaps expecting me to fail.
But how can I fail this time?
I had grown far beyond the other young prodigies. This wasn't arrogance; I genuinely doubted any young talent could match my current level.
Peng Woojin would be the only one… and I'm not sure about the Sleeping Dragon.
Setting Peng Woojin aside—as he was hardly a 'young prodigy' anymore—and the Sleeping Dragon, whom I hadn't met yet, left few contenders. As for Gu Huibi, we'd never sparred seriously, but I didn't believe I would lose to her now. I could have tested myself, but the thought of making her happy by asking held me back.
Of course, the academy wasn't exclusively for prodigies, but that was its primary purpose. A gathering place for geniuses.
Though they don’t really teach you martial arts, and only prepare the young prodigies to join the swordsmen army.
To me, it seemed purely political, a venue for building connections. Most people knew this, which was why they fought to send their children there. The world had changed too much for anyone to care about justice anymore.
"You will depart in four days."
"…Understood."
Despite my reservations, I didn't argue. I had my own reasons for going—things to do and people to meet at the academy.
I also have to go to the basement.
I needed to reach the secret vault hidden beneath the Heavenly Dragon Academy. Since I had to go, I might as well take everything before the Heavenly Demon could.
Even so, I didn't expect that I would actually go.
I couldn't say I was happy about it.
"I will start preparing as soon as I return."
This had happened in my past life, and I had more reasons to attend than to avoid it, so I accepted it without resistance.
"Alright. Make sure you take good care of those who will accompany you."
"Yes… I'll make sure I… Huh?" I frowned instantly. "…Who are you telling me to take care of? Is someone else coming with me?"
Puzzled, I looked at my father. In response, he handed me another letter. When I saw the name written on it, my expression darkened further.
* * *
Four days had passed.
It was still autumn, but winter would have arrived by the time I reached Henan for the Heavenly Dragon Academy entrance. The Dragons and Phoenixes Tournament was also held in winter, but it was unlikely to conflict with the academy's opening at the Murim Alliance.
"I don't really have that many belongings, huh?" I muttered, looking over my luggage. It was much less than when I'd gone to Anhui.
"You were informed that the academy will provide everything, so there was no need to pack heavily."
"But what if I fail the test?"
"The Young Master? Fail the test?" Hongwa responded as if I'd said something absurd.
Her unwavering faith felt heavy. In the past, she would have assumed I'd fail. The fact that my servants now viewed me differently was uncomfortable.
I feel like this started happening after I got that damned title.
Ever since I was named one of the Six Dragons and Three Phoenixes in that snake-and-bird-filled tournament, my servants treated my every action as significant, whereas before they'd constantly complained. There's no meaning, guys.
"…Whatever. Please finish preparing."
"Understood."
After Hongwa bowed and left, I turned with a sour expression to the person beside me.
"I heard you are attending as well?"
The person flinched at my question.
"Yes… it turned out that way."
It was Gu Jeolyub, avoiding my gaze. My father had informed me this fool would be accompanying me.
I already know this is the First Elder’s doing.
Him coming along wasn't a major issue. Having someone to run chores was convenient.
And a bastard like him won’t fail.
At his level, Gu Jeolyub wouldn't fail the test. Though he hadn't broken through to the Peak Realm, he had reached the peak of the First-rate. All that beating I gave him had paid off. But if he came back beaten again, I'd have to destroy him properly. It would mean he still didn't know his place and let his passion override his sense.
However, Gu Jeolyub wasn't the only complication.
Namgung Bi-ah was unexpected though.
I had assumed Moyong Hi-ah would come; she'd told me repeatedly she would if I went. But as I recalled, Namgung Bi-ah hadn't attended in my past life, so her decision to come along was a surprise.
She feels like she needs to in order to live in this world, was her explanation.
But that wasn't the most pressing issue.
"…So."
Behind Gu Jeolyub, I saw someone keeping a deliberate distance, as if unwilling to come closer. Her presence was what truly made me wonder what to do.
"You are coming as well, sis?"
"…"
The girl—now a young woman—turned her head at my call. She looked like Gu Huibi but was beginning to resemble Lady Mi even more. Finally, her eyes met mine.
"…Yes."
It had been so long since I'd heard her voice. She had done everything to avoid me, but now we faced each other properly.
She was my second sister, a direct blood relative of the Gu Clan, future wielder of the Flaming Sword.
Gu Yeonseo.