Chapter 31: Only Three Times (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 31: Only Three Times (1)
Two hours before the incident.
I entered the dining hall with the two crazy Namgungs. A quick scan of the room confirmed that the gathering was exclusively for the younger generation; the only person who looked to be over twenty was our host, Tang Jooyeok.
Sichuan cuisine was famous for its bold flavors, particularly its intense spice. The table was laden with dishes, but the pungent, peppery aroma that assaulted my nose was almost overwhelming.
Just smelling this is going to give me a stomach ache.
Fortunately, there also seemed to be milder options prepared for those with a lower tolerance for heat. I spotted dumplings amongst the spread.
Eating dumplings, even here in Sichuan… …Maybe that’s not so bad?
Tang Jooyeok smiled at the assembled guests before summoning members of his family to taste each dish, one by one. It was a customary practice for the Tang Clan, masters of poison, to demonstrate that the food was safe. Though, I wondered how much that gesture actually did to put anyone at ease.
“It is a humble meal, but I hope you enjoy it,” Tang Jooyeok said.
Once he spoke, everyone slowly began to eat. It occurred to me then that I’d come here without telling Wi Seol-Ah. I hoped she wouldn’t be angry…
Hm… I was fairly confident she could take care of herself.
Hm…… I reached for a dish with my chopsticks, but my hand froze mid-air.
Tang Soyeol, seated beside her brother, wasn’t eating. Instead, her eyes were locked intently on me.
…This is going to make me lose my appetite. What is her problem now?
I found myself in a cycle of picking up a dumpling and putting it back down, unable to eat under the heat of Tang Soyeol’s unwavering stare. The whole situation was irritatingly familiar; this was exactly how she had acted in my previous life. She would just stare without saying a word.
I remembered once being so annoyed that I snapped at her. The absurd part was that she had immediately burst into tears right in front of me. All I did was tell her to stop staring, and she started crying…
Sigh …It seems I’m destined to endure her staring in this life, too. Did she hold some kind of grudge against me? I was certain I hadn’t done anything to offend the Tang Clan.
Maybe she just didn’t like the way I ate dumplings?
…Or is it my face? People often said I had an unpleasant expression, so I was used to that.
Finally deciding to ignore her, I grabbed a dumpling and ate it.
Cough!
Fuck!
I nearly spat it out the moment I bit into it.
Why the hell is it so spicy!?
My guard had been down. If I spat it out here, everyone would definitely stare. As I wrestled with the fire in my mouth, someone next to me slid a glass of water toward me.
It was Namgung Bi-ah.
Startled, I quickly took the glass and gulped down the water.
What in hell did they put in these dumplings?
After draining the glass, I sighed in relief and turned to Namgung Bi-ah. “Thank you.”
She nodded in response and carefully placed something on my plate. I looked down to see a piece of deboned grilled fish.
I stared at it, confused.
“This one isn’t spicy…” she said quietly.
“…Huh?”
“It looked like you couldn’t handle the spice…”
Were they all watching me?
“I’m thankful, but why are you speaking to me informally all of a sudden…?”
“…Young Master.”
“…”
Is she looking for a fight?
I studied her face, but her expression held no malice.
Then why is she acting like this? I didn’t appreciate being treated like a child, but since she seemed to mean no harm, I couldn’t really make an issue of it.
-Crack.
I turned toward the sound of something breaking. It was the pair of chopsticks in Namgung Cheonjun’s hand.
Tang Jooyeok looked over, surprised. “Ah, it seems you were given a faulty pair.”
“No, it’s just that I tend to use chopsticks rather harshly,” Namgung Cheonjun replied.
“I apologize, Cheonjun. I’ll bring you a new pair right away.”
“There’s no need, Brother Tang. I should be the one to apologize for breaking your property. I’ll be more careful next time.”
After offering this polite reply, his gaze flickered to me. At that moment, I made a point of eating the fish Namgung Bi-ah had given me. His eyes trembled visibly.
What part of this is so important that it makes him this angry? I honestly couldn’t understand him.
I ignored him for the rest of the meal, sticking only to the mild dishes, and the dinner soon concluded.
I wanted to leave immediately, but Tang Jooyeok hadn’t invited everyone just for the food. The dining hall contained members of the Namgung Clan, the Gu Clan, and other local guests. It wasn't a grand event, but the underlying goal was likely to foster a small alliance among those present.
After the meal, most of the conversation was directed at Namgung Cheonjun. As a scion of one of the Four Noble Clans, this was unsurprising. Initially, some people tried to speak with Namgung Bi-ah, but their efforts quickly died off after encountering her terse, impassive replies.
“Yes…”
“Ah…?”
“Hm…”
With responses like that, any interest in conversing with her swiftly evaporated.
The Gu Clan was also considered on par with the Noble Clans, so a few people approached me. I engaged with them briefly, maintaining a subtle smile all the while. Watching the number of people surrounding Namgung Cheonjun, I felt a vague sense of admiration. Dealing with that many people would exhaust me instantly, but he seemed to thrive on it.
It really is his specialty.
As I sat mindlessly, waiting for the event to end, I felt someone sit down beside me. I turned to find it was Tang Soyeol.
“…?”
She let out a fake cough and took a sip of tea, pretending nothing was wrong, but I noticed the tips of her ears were slightly red. She was acting as strangely as she had during the meal.
“Lady Tang.”
“Eh? Yes?”
“Do you have something to say to me?”
“N-No…!? I-I don’t.”
Hm, it really seems like you do…
As I stared at her with furrowed brows, her ears turned an even deeper shade of red. She suddenly lowered her gaze, as if she could no longer bear my scrutiny.
Do I really look that scary? If I’m that bad, she doesn’t have to sit next to me. Why is she acting like this?
“Cough… Cough…” Tang Soyeol suddenly started coughing, as if she was choking.
After recovering, she hesitated for a moment before leaning in to whisper quietly. “Young Master Gu, do you… perhaps have anyone you li—”
“Brother Tang, is that the training area down there?”
Her fidgeting whisper was abruptly buried by Namgung Cheonjun’s voice. He was pointing toward a large building visible through the window.
Since Tang Soyeol had been trying to ask me something, I turned back to her. “Lady Tang, what were you saying?”
“…It was nothing,” she said, but she was now shooting a death glare at Namgung Cheonjun.
Well, if it’s important, she’ll ask me again.
Tang Jooyeok responded to the question. “Ah, that’s a training area restricted to members of our Tang Clan. Did I not show you the last time you visited?”
“It is quite large to be used solely by the Tang Clan.”
“Well, we maintain it meticulously… but it sees little use, as most of us prefer our private training grounds.”
Namgung Cheonjun studied the building with a strange look. “May I take a look? I would like to see it once.”
“Hmm… Well, it seems the conversations here are winding down. Would everyone like to take a look?”
Finally, the final course.
If I had known this would involve so much hassle, it would have been better to sneak away from home and come here in secret. That would have been the cleverest way.
I never thought I would associate the word “clever” with the second elder in my life. What a strange turn of events.
* * *
The inside of the training area was cleaner than I had expected. Though rarely used, it was clearly maintained well. Compared to the training ground where I had beaten up Gu Jeolyub, this one was at least four times larger.
Was it really necessary to build it this big?
…Oh, maybe that’s why they don’t use it. An excessively large space could diminish training effectiveness.
The place had little to recommend it besides its size, but as martial artists, everyone seemed fascinated. The floor was constructed from a hard, unfamiliar material, seemingly impervious to sword slashes.
Was it made so large for practicing ranged poison techniques? But then, shouldn’t the walls be easier to penetrate?
“It’s very grand,” Namgung Cheonjun remarked as he looked around.
“Our ancestors built it, believing bigger was better… but I can’t say I share that view.”
“Such a fine training area… It’s a shame it sits unused.”
“It’s generally more effective for individuals to train separately. This place is mostly used for competitions.”
“Competitions, huh.”
“Soyeol and I used it often when we were younger. She was always challenging me, determined to win… But now that she’s grown up, she’s lost interest.”
“Brother!” Tang Soyeol yelled from her spot beside me. Then she shot me a sidelong glance.
Namgung Cheonjun picked up a wooden sword from a rack on the wall and swung it a few times. Despite his attitude, his movements were flawless, even with minimal effort—a testament to why he was called the Lightning Sword.
“Now that we’ve eaten, how about a brief spar to help digest our food?” he proposed.
Everyone’s eyes lit up at the Lightning Sword’s offer. The chance to duel him was a rare opportunity, and excitement filled the air.
But then, out of nowhere…
“How about it? Young Master Gu.”
“…Hm?”
Did I mishear?
I hadn’t. Namgung Cheonjun was staring directly at me, the wooden sword held casually in his hand.
“Young Master Gu, would you like to spar with me?”
“Me?”
My hearing was fine. He had specifically chosen me. I could see right through his intentions.
This motherfucker.
He was looking for an excuse to vent his pent-up anger. Naturally, I had no interest in accepting such a pointless challenge.
“I’m not goin—”
Just as I began to decline,
“No!”
“!?”
A voice cut me off. Everyone turned to look.
It was Tang Soyeol.
Her face flushed bright red, as if she herself was surprised by her outburst. But she pressed on.
“Young Master Cheonjun and Young Master Gu have an age gap, which means a difference in experience! How would it be a fair duel? What if his f-face gets hurt…”
“It’s alright,” Namgung Cheonjun said with a smile, playing the part of the gracious senior. “We won’t use our Qi. It will be a learning experience for us both.”
I smirked internally.
Learning experience?
No Qi?
He just wanted an excuse to beat me up. I didn’t understand his obsession.
I decided to address him directly, letting a hint of emotion color my words. “Is it even possible?”
“What is?”
“You say ‘learning experience,’ implying you intend to teach me. But is it possible for you to do that without using your Qi?”
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. I, a virtual nobody, was openly questioning the capability of Namgung Cheonjun—a member of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes, the son of the Azure Heavenly Sword, Namgung Jin himself.
Seeing the conversation veering into dangerous territory, Tang Jooyeok quickly intervened. “Young Master Gu, Cheonjun is your senior. Aren’t you being too harsh—”
“Of course, I’m capable,” Namgung Cheonjun interrupted, his smile tight. I could see the veins bulging in his neck as he suppressed his anger. “If you like, I can duel you using only one foot.”
“Then let’s do it,” I said.
A long time ago, someone advised me to always hold my anger three times. They said my fiery temperament was ill-suited for a world where survival depended on knowing one's place.
My response was always the same.
That guy is being such a dick.
But if you act like a dick in return, you’re both just dicks.
Then I’ll be a dick! How can a person always hold in their anger?
What kind of logic is that—why is the conversation even like this!?
Besides, isn't it a compliment? I use flame martial arts; being called 'fiery' fits.
If it’s nothing severe, just hold your anger three times. Then you will be able to survive.
I never really listened to that advice… until those words became that person’s final wish. After that, I tried my best to follow it. In a world like this, knowing your place was indeed important.
“I think I held it in three times already,” I murmured.
I stood facing Namgung Cheonjun in the center of the training ground.
I think it’s been three times since he crossed the line.
Maybe more? It feels like more than three.
Even better if it is.
The fucker was still smiling, brimming with confidence that he couldn’t lose. Or perhaps he was just happy to finally have a chance to hit me.
“I’ll let you have the first attack.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
I wasn’t going to decline. It had been a while since I’d fought without using Qi.
He slowly picked up a sword from the ground, moving deliberately to lull me into a false sense of security. I stepped forward and threw a basic straight punch.
-An expected outcome. His expression said it all as he dodged with a slight tilt of his head.
I swung my fists mindlessly, putting no technique into my attacks.
Not that I’m able to right now, anyway.
The only sound was my fists cutting through the air.
After effortlessly dodging a few punches and a sneaky kick, Namgung Cheonjun spoke. “It’s my turn, as it seems I’ve seen all you have to offer, Young Master Gu.”
I didn’t respond.
He began his assault. As expected, his movements were fast and sharp.
“Woah…”
“He’s this fast even without using Qi…”
Murmurs of praise came from the spectators.
His swordplay deserved the acclaim. His form was flawless, each swing carrying speed and precision. I barely dodged one attack after another, but he wasn’t frustrated. This was the outcome he had anticipated.
Suddenly, Namgung Cheonjun shifted his weight. I saw the slight tension in his shoulder. His third attack came swiftly, leaving no time to think. The first two had been feints; this was the real strike, aimed at my shoulder.
Then, I extended my hands.
-Pow!
-Thump-tok!
“…Huh?”
The sound escaped Namgung Cheonjun’s lips. He looked down at his empty hands, then at the wooden sword now rolling on the floor.
“…What the?”
I looked at him with a bored expression. His movements held no more surprises for me. “What are you doing?”
His eyes trembled at my question.
I dared say I knew more about the Namgung sword style than he did at this point in time. I had lost count of the times I’d personally subdued the Demonic Sword when she went berserk. I had witnessed Namgung Bi-ah practicing her swordplay deep into the night countless times. Her technique back then had already far surpassed the current Namgung style, exposing its inherent weaknesses.
Of course, the Namgung Bi-ah of this era was just watching with a blank look on her face. But the ultimate master of the Namgung Clan, the one who would eventually surpass the current clan leader and destroy the entire clan, was none other than her.
Comparing the swordplay of the future Demonic Sword to his…
Namgung Cheonjun’s shoddy display had only served to highlight every weakness in the Namgung style. Without the use of Qi, there was no chance of me losing.
I spoke to him as he stood there in shock. “Are you not going to pick that up?”
If not, then I guess I’ll go next.