Chapter 304: Who's messing with my kid? (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 304: Who's messing with my kid? (5)
My sole reason for seeking out Cheol Jiseon was simple: I wanted to share a meal with him.
Is he doing alright?
It felt strange to be concerned about another guy, but since Cheol Jiseon was my primary reason for enrolling at the Heavenly Dragon Academy, I figured I should pay him some attention, especially since I'd been so busy lately.
It's not like we're on bad terms.
And since the guy didn't seem to mind my company, becoming his friend seemed like a decent plan.
After all, I'd helped him pass the entrance exam, secured him better lodgings, and even befriended him. I was doing everything I could for him.
This should be sufficient.
Everything was progressing according to plan.
My only nagging concern was the well-being of the others. Since we were all grouped by our specialized fighting styles, I rarely crossed paths with them. I did catch glimpses during meals, though.
Tang Soyeol always looked half-dead on her feet, and Namgung Bi-ah would sometimes wander over just to sniff me. I spotted Wi Seol-Ah a few times, too, but she never approached, even though she seemed to want to talk.
I'll just ask her next time I see her. She shouldn't be making me uneasy with that stare of hers.
Everyone was keeping to their own routines, and from the rumors, Moyong Hi-ah seemed to be the busiest of all. She certainly loved being the center of attention.
Was his room on the floor below?
As I walked, I could feel the stares of the other Young Prodigies boring into me. I'd apparently become quite famous.
And then…
"Hey! What are you staring at!"
This idiot had to go and make a scene.
Pe Woocheol, who had been trailing me, roared at the Prodigies who were looking my way. Seriously, what was his problem? More importantly, why was he even following me?
…My life.
I'd put him in his place during our first encounter, but his behavior had shifted strangely after my victory over Cheol Hwanho. Did I hit him too hard? Unlikely. I'm experienced enough to avoid causing accidental brain damage. I'd definitely roughed him up in a way that left no obvious lasting damage.
"Look at your eyes! You got a problem with our eldest brother?"
"…They're clearly staring because they have a problem. Please, just be quiet. I'm dying of secondhand embarrassment."
We weren't some gang of thugs. Was this guy seriously a scion of the Orthodox Faction? He certainly didn't act like it… right? Pe Woocheol's menacing appearance made it even worse.
"Ugh, get lost. Why are you following me?"
"Shouldn't a younger brother follow his elder at all times?"
"No. Absolutely not. Stop following me."
I was desperately praying for him to leave me alone. Should I just fold him in half and stuff him back in his dorm? Yes, that would definitely make my life easier.
It seemed I'd reached my destination just as I made that decision.
"I'll talk to you lat–"
–Do you have a sister?
Just as I was about to enter Cheol Jiseon's room, I heard a voice. I peered inside. Cheol Jiseon was talking to some nobody.
The atmosphere seems tense.
It was obvious they weren't on good terms.
Sigh, why do these kinds of bullies pop up wherever I go?
Such people are obsessed with crushing those weaker than them. It seemed Cheol Jiseon had the bad luck of running into one. With a physique too frail for a martial artist and always a step behind, he was a perfect target for pretentious bullies. I knew the type well from my past life.
The difference was, I'd fight back even if it killed me.
But Cheol Jiseon is different.
I decided to hang back and observe.
But then…
–Does your sister look like you? It'd be nice if she did. I want a lot of wives, you see. So, how about you introduce her to me?
–I'm someone who can change your life. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, you know?
It pissed me off, even though it wasn't directed at me. If it were me, I'd have ripped out that bastard's tongue and burned it on the spot.
Is he really going to take this lying down?
Even if Cheol Jiseon was kind by nature, surely he wouldn't just–
…Huh?
What Cheol Jiseon did next shocked me. His fingers began moving slowly, strangely, under the table, as if searching for something to grasp. That subtle movement was something only I would notice.
The moment I saw it, I acted.
I had two reasons. First, if he used that power recklessly, I was certain the entire area would be scorched to ashes. And second…
It's definitely him.
I was now certain. Cheol Jiseon was definitely the person I'd been looking for.
Because of that, I didn't hesitate.
I channeled my qi and greeted the bastard harassing Cheol Jiseon with a sharp kick to the chest.
* * *
Cheol Jiseon couldn't make sense of what had just happened.
What… what is going on?
Everything unfolded in an instant. Gu Yangcheon had appeared out of nowhere and turned the situation upside down. The bully he'd sent flying was still struggling to breathe, barely clinging to consciousness.
"…Cough… Huff…!"
Blood dripped from his nose as he coughed.
"W-What… What are you…!"
Even the bully seemed utterly bewildered. Once he'd managed to hold onto his senses, he lifted his head and yelled at his attacker.
"How dare you…! Are you not afraid of the consequences!?"
"Why do scum like you always say the same thing? Do you all rehearse it together?"
"You bastard…! Do you even know who I am…!?"
"Who are you?"
When Gu Yangcheon asked the question while standing right over him, the bully fell silent.
"I said, who are you?"
His voice was icy. He wasn't emitting any Combat Qi or killing intent. He was just speaking, yet the very air around him seemed to grow cold.
"…I am Jin Eesuk of the Taesan Jin Clan."
"Oh, the Taesan Jin Clan."
Seeing Gu Yangcheon clap his hands in recognition, Jin Eesuk regained some of his arrogance, thinking Gu Yangcheon understood the weight of his name.
"So, if you understood, then–"
"And where exactly is that, you bastard?"
Pow!
"Ugh!"
But Gu Yangcheon simply smacked Jin Eesuk on the back of the head, as if it were utterly irrelevant. Seeing this, Jin Eesuk's lackeys tried to intervene…
"Don't move."
…but a giant with a terrifying expression stopped them cold.
Who is that?
Cheol Jiseon watched the scene in confusion, but one of Jin Eesuk's lackeys recognized the man.
"…Pe Woocheol…?"
"What…? That's Pe Woocheol?"
Even Cheol Jiseon knew that name. While not as wealthy as the Sichuan Tang Clan, the Pe Clan was still renowned. And Pe Woocheol, a blood relative and a fairly famous Young Prodigy, was hard to miss.
"You better not get in our eldest brother's way. I might accidentally kill you."
Jin Eesuk's lackeys shrunk back in fear.
"Did he just call him 'eldest brother'?"
"Then, that person is…"
Rumors had been circulating that the notoriously aggressive Pe Woocheol had mellowed out after joining the Heavenly Dragon Academy. There was even talk that a very famous individual had taken him as a subordinate.
"Ugh, please… Didn't I tell you to go back to your room?"
Gu Yangcheon kept trying to push Pe Woocheol away, but Pe Woocheol stubbornly insisted on staying.
Finally recognizing the person before him, Jin Eesuk turned deathly pale, forgetting even his bleeding nose.
"T-True Dragon…?"
After shouting at Pe Woocheol, Gu Yangcheon turned his attention back to Jin Eesuk.
"Shall we continue our conversation?"
"W-What brings the True Dragon here…?"
"Ayo, why so polite now? I don't mind your previous manner of speaking."
Though he said it with a smile, the unspoken threat was clear: try it and die.
"What was your name again? Jin Suck?"
"Jin… Eesuk…"
"Right, Eesuck. How old are you?"
"Why are you asking such a–"
"Don't feel like answering?"
"Twenty… I-I am twenty years old."
"Old enough, then."
Satisfied, Gu Yangcheon grabbed Jin Eesuk's hand.
"Then why can't you act your age, huh? Did you doze off during your lessons?"
"…What… did you…?"
"Didn't anyone ever teach you not to bully the disabled?"
Then, Gu Yangcheon suddenly applied pressure to one of Jin Eesuk's fingers.
Craaack–!
A horrifying crunch echoed through the room.
"…!"
Jin Eesuk let out a silent scream.
"Picking on others at your age? Why are you still in the Orthodox Faction? Just screw off to the Unorthodox Faction."
"Ugh… Ough…"
"Stop overreacting. I broke a finger on your right hand on purpose because you're left-handed. Pretty considerate, right? I know."
Although Cheol Jiseon had now been officially labeled 'disabled' by Gu Yangcheon, this wasn't the time to worry about that.
H-How…
Cheol Jiseon was grateful that Gu Yangcheon had saved him from Jin Eesuk, but he never expected such brutality. The True Dragon would surely face consequences for this.
Cheol Jiseon's eyes darted around. Blocked by Pe Woocheol, the onlookers could only watch as the True Dragon dismantled Jin Eesuk.
"Ough… W-Why are you doing this…! This has nothing to do with you!"
Jin Eesuk shouted in frustration, but Gu Yangcheon only smirked.
"Nothing to do with me? He's my friend."
He pointed at Cheol Jiseon as he spoke.
Everyone's gaze shifted to Cheol Jiseon.
He's the True Dragon's friend?
Just who is he…?
They say birds of a feather flock together… does that mean he's also…?
That single phrase from Gu Yangcheon shattered Cheol Jiseon's composure instantly. He felt dizzy. Nothing made sense anymore.
"Why did you pick on my friend?"
"I didn't know he was your–"
"Woosuck, that's not a good excuse."
Jin Eesuk was now 'Jin Woosuck,' but he wasn't in a position to argue.
"You shouldn't have been doing something like that in the first place. Isn't that right?"
It was too late for excuses.
Gu Yangcheon grabbed Jin Eesuk's hand again. Jin Eesuk trembled, tears welling in his eyes. Just as he was about to scream…
"That's enough."
Someone intervened. The voice was firm and powerful.
"It wouldn't do you any good to continue."
Someone pushed through the crowd of helpless Young Prodigies and approached Gu Yangcheon. It was the Meteor Sword, Jang Seonyeon.
Recognizing him, the onlookers finally felt a wave of relief. They were glad to see him.
"This isn't even your group, Master Gu. How about you stop there?"
Pe Woocheol moved to block Jang Seonyeon with his giant frame…
"Move aside."
…but Gu Yangcheon tossed Jin Eesuk aside and stood up. Combat Qi flickered in his fierce eyes.
"Why did you interfere?"
"As I said, both sides would have been harmed if you continued."
"Ah, I guess I wasn't clear enough. Let me repeat myself."
"…Pardon?"
"Why did you choose to interfere now?"
The spectators watched with strange expressions. What did Gu Yangcheon mean?
"…What are you talking about?"
"Why did you meddle only after I crushed this Woosuck or Eesuck bastard, even though you were watching the whole time?"
"Master Gu."
"I'm sure you were watching. My friend… Hey friend, what was your name again?"
"Cheol Jiseon…"
"Yes, I'm sure you were watching Jiseon getting picked on by that retard over there."
Did Jang Seonyeon really have no idea that Jin Eesuk had been harassing Cheol Jiseon for days? Gu Yangcheon didn't believe it for a second.
This bastard is pretending to be clueless.
So why intervene now, after all the hard work was done?
"Do you think barging in like a hero changes anything? You should've done that from the start. I can't believe you're trying to look cool after I did all the dirty work."
"…I was simply waiting for Master Cheol to overcome his struggles on his own."
"Overcome my ass. What, are you his mentor? Waiting for him to 'overcome his struggles'? Couldn't even come up with a better excuse."
Gu Yangcheon was clearly getting on Jang Seonyeon's nerves. Though his harsh, condescending tone made others frown, they had to admit he wasn't technically wrong.
"Do a better job next time. Don't make pathetic excuses. Oh, unless…" As Gu Yangcheon continued, he stepped closer to Jang Seonyeon.
Jang Seonyeon tried to retreat…
Kwak–!
"…Ugh!"
But Gu Yangcheon gripped his shoulder tightly and pulled him close. Then, in a voice so quiet only Jang Seonyeon could hear, he whispered into his ear.
"Was this your doing?"
"…!"
Jang Seonyeon's eyes widened in shock. Gu Yangcheon watched his reaction, his own face expressionless, as if he'd known all along.
"It seems you have your own plans. How about I tell you something interesting? No one else knows this."
Jang Seonyeon tried to pull away, but Gu Yangcheon's grip was unshakeable. He had no choice but to listen.
"You will die here."
"…Wh…at?"
"Just letting you know."
After calmly delivering those words, Gu Yangcheon released him. He took a step back and smiled.
"Since you've volunteered to handle the aftermath, I'll take my leave. Oh, right."
He turned and fixed his gaze on Jin Eesuk.
"Ugh…!"
Jin Eesuk flinched violently under his stare.
"I'll kill you if you lay a hand on my friend again. Understood?"
"U-Understood…!"
"I'll also pull your tongue out and burn it."
With that final warning, Gu Yangcheon left the bloodied Jin Eesuk and approached Cheol Jiseon.
"Stand up. Let's go eat."
"Pardon? I mean, huh? R-Right now?"
"When else? Wait, do you not eat lunch?"
"No, that's not what I–"
Was he really just going to leave after causing such havoc? Cheol Jiseon stared speechlessly, but Gu Yangcheon seemed completely unbothered.
"He said he'd take care of the rest. Let's go."
Cheol Jiseon wondered who 'he' was, then realized he meant Jang Seonyeon. Were they friends? The atmosphere suggested the opposite was more likely.
Hesitantly, Cheol Jiseon allowed himself to be dragged away.
"Woocheol, what's for lunch today?"
"I don't know, brother."
"…At least you're honest. Fine, we'll see when we get there."
Silence lingered long after Gu Yangcheon's group had departed. It felt as if a storm had swept through.
Jin Eesuk still couldn't stop trembling, his pants now soaked. His lackeys finally rushed to his side.
"Your finger…! We need to get him to–"
"Shouldn't we report this to an instructor?"
"Then…"
Slam–!
A loud crash echoed through the room, cutting them off. Everyone turned toward the sound.
"M-Master Jang?"
The source was Jang Seonyeon. Everyone stared in shock as he stood over a table he had just shattered in half. But they gasped when they saw the look on his face.
It was understandable. The Jang Seonyeon famous for his kindness now wore a expression that resembled a demon's.