Chapter 319: Ironclad (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 319: Ironclad (3)
Beneath the pale moonlight, a slender young man stood alone in the field, his eyes closed.
The fierce winter wind whipped around him, yet he remained perfectly still, untouched by the biting cold.
His mind drifted to the past.
Cheol Jiseon.
No—Zhuge Jinseon. It was when he was only ten that he first realized he was different.
One day, his fingertips began to tremble. With every movement of his arms, a strange sensation rippled through his body.
The discomfort robbed him of sleep and stole his appetite, leaving him weak as days turned into months.
What was happening?
Zhuge Jinseon searched for answers but found none.
Then, half a year later, something broke.
Unable to endure the unbearable sensation any longer, Zhuge Jinseon tore through it.
He had always known he could touch it—but he also sensed danger lurking behind that impulse.
That was why he had held back. But now, he had reached his limit.
Zhuge Jinseon’s hands were sensitive. A simple wave through the air sent mysterious tingles to his fingertips.
It was there—tangible.
And so, he ripped the strange sensation apart.
Such a thing shouldn’t have been possible for a human, yet Zhuge Jinseon did it. He simply grasped it and tore.
He didn’t understand how or why. Only that he could.
If only that had been the extent of it.
If it had…
—N-No!
…then Zhuge Jinseon would never have witnessed the calamity that followed.
—Father!
Blazing flames. Buildings being swallowed by an unseen force.
Cradled in his sister’s arms, Zhuge Jinseon cried out as chaos erupted around them. Among the buildings slowly consumed by fire was his own home—with his father still inside.
He never wanted to remember that day.
But he had to.
It was the only way to remind himself of his sin.
When he tore through that strange sensation, a crack had appeared in the air—and it began to grow.
That small crack expanded, warping into a monster that devoured everything nearby.
It was the Gate of Demons, the very catastrophe his clan had whispered about.
The space he ripped open had become a Gate of Demons.
And that wasn’t all.
Because it was a Gate of Demons, it could pour forth demons. But sometimes, like when it devoured Zhuge Jinseon’s father, the Gate itself became a monster, swallowing everything in its path.
How had he, with his own hands, summoned this world-shattering calamity?
He couldn’t understand.
All Zhuge Jinseon wanted was to escape.
After he killed his father, his mother distanced herself. His sister, who had witnessed everything while holding their younger brother, told him:
—Jiseon, no matter what, you must never use your power.
He nodded through tears, but there were days when obedience was impossible.
He resisted the strange sensations with everything he had, but once a year, the urge became unbearable. He had no choice but to release his power.
Each time, Zhuge Jinseon sought out remote mountains or deserted places. Even when no one was around, summoning the Gate of Demons and fleeing filled him with guilt—but he would never risk doing it near his sister.
He would keep her safe, even if it cost him his life.
His power was dangerous.
Though the world had grown accustomed to Gates of Demons, and people had learned to prepare, that didn’t change what he was: a walking hazard.
Moreover, the special Gate of Demons he created—the kind that sucked in everything instead of spewing demons—was so powerful that even Peak Realm martial artists were helpless against it.
So he lived in hiding.
He used a fake name.
If anyone discovered a descendant of the Zhuge Clan possessed such a power, his sister would suffer too.
Yet, he needed that power.
With Cheol Hwanho’s help, he entered the Heavenly Dragon Academy, concealing his identity and bearing the weight of his pain.
He needed strength to protect.
But I have no talent.
Zhuge Jinseon knew he lacked the talent to wield qi like a true martial artist. That was why he sought another path.
His mother tried to stop him. His sister warned him of the danger. But Zhuge Jinseon took the name Cheol Jiseon for a reason.
This year’s Heavenly Dragon Academy is said to be the greatest in history.
The Meteor Generation—an era overflowing with geniuses.
This year, all those geniuses were gathering in one place.
The pillars of the Orthodox Sect, the Four Noble Clans. Their blood relatives would assemble, along with scions of lesser noble houses.
And Zhuge Jinseon had heard that most of the Six Dragons and Three Phoenixes would be there.
The future of the Central Plains, all converging in a single spot.
I have to go.
To protect his sister. To fulfill his father’s dream of restoring their clan’s honor.
That was his goal.
It was right that he go in place of his ailing sister.
There was still time before he would need to release his power. He had calculated he could do it during the Academy break, when students returned to their clans.
It seemed like the perfect opportunity.
At least, that’s what his calculations told him.
But not every plan unfolds as expected.
Zhuge Jinseon knew that. Yet there was one crucial detail he had overlooked:
How difficult it would be to build connections at the Heavenly Dragon Academy.
Most students already knew each other before entering. And Zhuge Jinseon’s lack of notable talent made things even harder.
He was clever, but there were few chances to show it.
Here, everyone was a martial artist. In this world, martial strength was all that mattered.
The ability to open a Gate of Demons?
An incredible power—but one Zhuge Jinseon couldn’t control. One far too dangerous.
He would be lucky if the Orthodox Faction didn’t brand him an enemy.
And if his Zhuge surname were discovered…
They might well come for his head.
…Maybe I’m in more danger than I thought.
He realized this during the first entrance exam, when his spirit was crushed.
Seeing the groups formed by noble clans, Zhuge Jinseon understood he lacked the martial strength to join any of them. His situation was far worse than he had imagined.
He had no answer.
He had entered an enemy stronghold with blades pointed at him from all sides. None of his plans worked.
He fought with all his might, gritted his teeth, and barely scraped through the second exam. But the real challenge was the third.
An absurd test that required students to steal bands from each other—or from demons.
Zhuge Jinseon became certain he wouldn’t pass.
‘…’
Despair washed over him.
He had never faced another young prodigy before. Only now did he realize how weak he was.
…I’m screwed.
His sister had been his only friend. Socializing with others was a challenge. His lack of martial strength made it worse.
Building connections, my ass…
The brutal truth struck his heart again and again.
…But I can’t give up.
Giving up wasn’t an option.
He gritted his teeth and forced his mind to work.
He had to pass this third exam.
If I can’t fight… maybe I can set a trap?
Facing another young prodigy was out of the question. Perhaps he could trap a demon instead.
This exam seemed to test how one hunted demons. Zhuge Jinseon was somewhat confident in that.
…Good.
Just as he was scouting for a spot to lay his trap—
“Hmm?”
A figure came into view as he pushed through the tall grass.
A person…?
A chill shot down his spine.
Of all the rotten luck—running into someone right away!
Should he brace for battle? Could he win?
Most likely not.
But there was one odd thing…
…He’s lying down?
The person was lying on the ground in the middle of the test. His slow, steady breathing and closed eyes suggested he was asleep.
Sleeping in a situation like this?
What kind of person is he?
Definitely not normal.
…Is this my chance?
Zhuge Jinseon felt as though fate had handed him an opportunity. He abandoned his plan to trap a demon.
His opponent had the band he needed.
Sneaking forward, concealing his presence, Zhuge Jinseon reached out.
But in his excitement, he overlooked a critical detail:
No one would sleep during such a test unless they were incredibly strong.
Crack!
His vision spun as his hand drew near. Before he could react, his opponent’s hand was already around his neck.
—What are you?
The voice sounded like it had just hit puberty.
Zhuge Jinseon trembled at the boy’s icy expression.
His eyes…
D-Demon…
They reminded him unnervingly of the demons from his past.
—I asked what you are.
—I-I’m sor—
Fear choked his words. He had definitely picked the wrong person to mess with.
He might die here.
How could a human’s gaze be so terrifying…?
Was this a demon wearing a human mask?
The thought seemed absurd, but the fear was real.
That was Zhuge Jinseon’s first impression of Gu Yangcheon.
After bombarding him with questions like an interrogation, Gu Yangcheon finally seemed satisfied. He had gathered all the information he needed.
Then he asked Zhuge Jinseon to be his friend.
Zhuge Jinseon was too stunned to react.
The boy who had just terrified him with a death glare was now asking to be friends.
Ironically, this boy was the youngest martial artist to reach the Peak Realm—the True Dragon standing above the Six Dragons and Three Phoenixes.
He even helped Zhuge Jinseon pass the third exam.
At the time, Zhuge Jinseon believed Gu Yangcheon intended to use him as a slave. Servants weren’t allowed in the Academy, so he assumed Gu Yangcheon was as ruthless as the rumors said.
But over time, his opinion began to shift.
Gu Yangcheon’s words and gaze remained brutal, but he didn’t bully people without reason—well, occasionally he did—but he always took care of those on his side.
He often checked in with his friends, casually asking what they were up to.
And though he only frowned and cursed when others spoke ill of him, he turned demonic when they targeted his allies.
He was far kinder than the rumors claimed—or perhaps not kind, but at the very least, a decent person.
Yet there was something else Zhuge Jinseon learned.
Even though Gu Yangcheon called him a friend…
I’m not in his circle.
He wasn’t one of Gu Yangcheon’s true companions.
He could tell from the way Gu Yangcheon looked at him.
When had he realized?
When the Meteor Sword approached him? Or after that?
No.
It was from the very beginning.
Gu Yangcheon’s gaze had always been cold.
That was why Zhuge Jinseon said his eyes resembled a demon’s.
The eyes of a demon sizing up its prey. Calculating the perfect moment to devour and kill.
That was what he felt from Gu Yangcheon’s gaze.
The same gaze he had seen from the demons that emerged from the Abyss he once opened.
So he said it.
You plan to kill me.
He voiced his certainty.
And Gu Yangcheon’s reaction only confirmed it.
Amusement.
Gu Yangcheon was amused.
…I’m certain.
In that moment, Zhuge Jinseon knew: Gu Yangcheon really was going to kill him.
But why?
Why would he kill me? What did I do?
Did Gu Yangcheon know about his Zhuge lineage?
If he really planned to kill, how would he do it? He couldn’t possibly act within the Academy.
Is he really going to kill me?
Zhuge Jinseon wondered if he had made a mistake. Maybe he should have gone to the Meteor Sword instead.
Countless thoughts swirled in his mind, but he answered Gu Yangcheon’s question.
—…I can open a gate to the Abyss.
It was a confession.
He had no idea what Gu Yangcheon intended in that oppressive atmosphere. He confessed, hoping to survive.
Zhuge Jinseon knew killing him here wouldn’t be easy, even for Gu Yangcheon. Yet he felt that, faced with the same situation, he would make the same choice.
Gu Yangcheon was different.
Something set him apart from other young prodigies.
Was that why the Sleeping Dragon, Sword Dragon, Snow Phoenix, and Poison Phoenix all stood by his side?
“It’s too hard…”
His head throbbed.
Had he chosen correctly?
He wasn’t sure.
Chaos filled his mind—not because of how Gu Yangcheon reacted to his answer, but because of what he said next, with a smile.
—So… instead of the Meteor Sword, I—
—No, you don’t need to.
Though Zhuge Jinseon had been ready to reject the Meteor Sword’s offer to side with Gu Yangcheon, Gu Yangcheon dismissed him with a smile.
—…Huh?
Even after learning of his power, Gu Yangcheon asked no questions. He didn’t even seem to doubt it, as if he had known all along.
Then Gu Yangcheon spoke to him—to Cheol Jiseon.
—Do what you’ve been doing.
—…What?
—Do everything that Taeryung bastard tells you to.
—What do you… but I…
—Yes, I know you want to stand by my side. So I’ll let you liv—…No, I’ll let you go.
Gu Yangcheon’s smile was terrifying. Zhuge Jinseon felt he knew exactly what it meant.
—Do everything that bastard tells you. That is your task.
Gu Yangcheon said this to a confused Cheol Jiseon.
Why?
His words left Cheol Jiseon utterly bewildered.
Do everything he wants me to do?
Help the Meteor Sword in his mission to eliminate Gu Yangcheon.
That’s my task?
What nonsense is this?
Cheol Jiseon clenched his fist, understanding nothing.
He still questioned whether confessing to Gu Yangcheon had been the right choice.
But it was too late to take it back.
Then—
Rustle.
A presence stirred on the other side of the tall grass.