Chapter 373: Gathering of the Orthodox Faction (14)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 373: Gathering of the Orthodox Faction (14)
“It’s been a while.”
Gu Ryoon’s expression darkened as his eyes met the Dark King’s.
“You vanish for decades, and now you choose to reappear.”
“You seem to be doing well, Gu Ryoon.”
“Do I look ‘well’ to you?”
Gu Ryoon tugged at his robes, pulling the fabric aside to reveal his chest.
A deep, jagged scar came into view.
It was a memento from his battle against the Lord of the Black Palace.
A brief, uneasy silence fell over the cave at the sight of the wound…
Pfft.
The silence shattered as the Dishonored Venerable burst into raucous laughter.
“Hahaha! Haha!”
“How can you laugh at a friend’s injury?”
“Ahaha…!”
The Dishonored Venerable laughed until tears welled in his eyes.
“The mighty Gu Ryoon, with a hole punched through his chest. What a joke.”
“I merely… let my guard down for a moment.”
“Didn’t you once say that ‘letting your guard down is the excuse of the defeated’?”
“…”
Gu Ryoon wondered if he had truly spoken those words, but he held his tongue, knowing it was exactly the sort of thing he would say.
When his laughter finally subsided, the Dishonored Venerable spoke again.
“Who was your opponent?”
“Why? Planning to avenge me if I tell you?”
“Are you insane? Why would I go to such trouble?”
“What a wonderful friendship we share.”
Utterly unfazed by Gu Ryoon’s exasperated tone, the Dishonored Venerable took a sip of his drink.
After quenching his thirst, he posed another question.
“How severe was the injury?”
“…”
The question caught Gu Ryoon off guard.
Dribble-
Instead of answering, Gu Ryoon silently poured himself a drink.
“I’m fine. Better than ever.”
“I’m sure you are, for a man with a hole in his chest.”
“…”
“You’ve aged, Gu Ryoon.”
“That much is obvious just by looking.”
“Not necessarily.”
The Dishonored Venerable chuckled softly, while Gu Ryoon sighed in exasperation.
“If you wish, I could contact the Immortal Healer for you.”
“I’ve already met him.”
“Hmm? You have?”
The Dishonored Venerable raised an eyebrow in surprise; the Immortal Healer was not someone just anyone could meet.
“Who do you think patched up the hole in my chest?”
“…Hah, so it was that old man’s work?”
Noticing the Dark King’s empty cup, the Dishonored Venerable refilled it.
As he poured, he continued his conversation with Gu Ryoon.
“What did the Immortal Healer say about it?”
“Nothing much. Just told me I’m growing old and frail.”
“Does anyone else in your clan know what happened to you?”
“The Lord does.”
Gu Ryoon let out a dry chuckle, brushing it off as if it were nothing.
“It’s not a big deal. As long as I can eat and live comfortably, what does it matter?”
“What a joke you’ve become. Where did the once-almighty Gu Ryoon go?”
“That was a long time ago.”
The Dishonored Venerable smiled as Gu Ryoon clicked his tongue in irritation, a clear signal to stop.
“Time truly is the only thing that can erode a mighty mountain, isn’t it?”
“Enough nonsense. Pour me another drink.”
Obliging, the Dishonored Venerable refilled Gu Ryoon’s cup.
After draining it in one go, Gu Ryoon asked a question of his own.
“Any success yet?”
“With what?”
“In finding yourself a disciple, or whatever it is you’re chasing.”
“Oh, that.”
“Sigh… You should have just lived a peaceful life. Why put yourself through all this trouble?”
Every time they met, they seemed to exasperate each other endlessly.
Gu Ryoon could never comprehend the Dishonored Venerable’s choices. He was convinced his friend could have lived much more comfortably had he stayed on a conventional path.
Why had his friend sought Eternal Youth, only to chase the unreachable pinnacle of his martial art?
And even with Eternal Youth, he still hadn’t found an answer. Why not just give up?
Instead, he brushed it all aside, claiming he would find a disciple to achieve his goal for him.
“Bijuu, do you even realize how impossible it is for someone else to learn your martial art?”
The Mind Art alone inflicted excruciating pain on any who attempted to learn it.
Gu Ryoon couldn’t fathom what kind of madness had gone into its creation.
Pain inevitably breeds hesitation.
Even if there was meaning in enduring such agony, comprehending that meaning while persevering was an entirely different challenge.
“What kind of madman would endure that kind of pain to learn your martial arts?”
“Tsk. How can anyone hope to succeed if they can’t endure a little pain?”
“You could scour every corner of the Central Plains and still not find anyone as insane as you.”
Gu Ryoon was certain.
He could acknowledge that the Dishonored Venerable and his martial art were remarkable, but finding someone with both the talent and the fortitude to master it was nearly impossible.
The Heaven Destruction Art was not only agonizing to learn, but its mastery was so elusive that even the Dishonored Venerable himself couldn’t see its end.
Someone with the talent and patience required for such an impossibly demanding art?
How could there possibly be someone like that in this world?
Gu Ryoon had already made up his mind.
That was also why he wanted his precious Gu Yangcheon to learn from the Dishonored Venerable, but not actually become his formal disciple.
How could I subject such a precious child to that kind of torment?
Gu Yangcheon had already learned the Gu Flame Wheel Art, his clan’s heritage. But Bijuu was crazy enough to strip that away and force his own martial art into the boy’s body.
“How about you give up and look for a different–”
“Actually, I’ve already taken someone in as my disciple.”
“…What?”
Gu Ryoon’s eyes widened in shock.
He’d taken a disciple?
“You took a disciple?”
“Hmm? Why do you look so surprised?”
“What kind of crazy bastard would agree to learn from you?”
“…Gu Ryoon, I think you’re mistaken. I am an entirely reasonable person.”
He was one of the Three Venerables, a master who had reached the pinnacle of close-combat martial arts.
That was the stature the Dishonored Venerable held, but to Gu Ryoon, it simply looked like his friend had chosen a path straight into hell.
The Dishonored Venerable fell momentarily speechless, staring at Gu Ryoon’s incredulous face.
“Didn’t you orchestrate this whole thing from the start?”
“What are you talking about? What did I do?”
The Dishonored Venerable couldn’t understand Gu Ryoon.
It was starting to feel like they were both misunderstanding something fundamental.
“Well, obviously, it’s about–”
“Wait.”
Just as the Dishonored Venerable was about to mention Gu Yangcheon, Gu Ryoon raised a hand to stop him.
“What is it?”
The Dishonored Venerable asked, puzzled by the suddenly serious expression on Gu Ryoon’s face.
Gu Ryoon looked utterly shocked, as if he couldn’t believe his eyes.
“…Hey, where did all the side dishes go?”
“…!”
At Gu Ryoon’s words, the Dishonored Venerable swiftly turned to where the dishes had been laid out.
He discovered that nearly all the food Gu Ryoon had brought was already gone.
“Hmm?”
The Dark King glanced over, looking genuinely perplexed.
“What’s the matter?”
“What do you mean, ‘what’s the matter’? Did you seriously eat all of this by yourself? Have you no shame?”
“Then you should have joined in sooner.”
Both Gu Ryoon and the Dishonored Venerable were left speechless by the Dark King’s response.
“I don’t understand how that old bastard still has such an appetite at his age.”
“…Ugh, my head. I dragged all that here with my old, frail body, and I didn’t even get a bite.”
Completely unbothered by their complaints, the Dark King calmly helped himself to another dish.
“…Whatever. It’s not like this is the first time that bastard has pulled something like this.”
After sighing and downing another drink, Gu Ryoon turned to the Dark King with a question.
“Any progress on your end?”
The Dark King slowly lifted his head.
“I mean, have you found what you’ve been searching for all these decades?”
All three of them had their own obsessions.
Their goals were different, and naturally, their paths had diverged because of it.
After a brief silence, the Dark King responded in a calm, measured tone.
“I haven’t fully found it yet, but I may have discovered a path to it.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
The Dishonored Venerable had some idea of what the Dark King dreamed of.
“What will you do about the bastard who ambushed Henan?”
He was, of course, referring to the Black Dragon’s fate.
“That bastard. Is he connected to you in any way?”
“I’m not certain yet.”
“ ‘Not certain,’ my ass. You only got involved because you saw something special in him.”
The Dark King didn’t respond.
However, his expression was telling, and the other two quickly pieced it together.
“Are you planning to take him to your main base?”
“If necessary.”
By “main base,” the Dishonored Venerable meant the Dark King’s stronghold, the headquarters of the Night Reapers.
“Do you think torture will work on him?”
“I don’t know. I can only find out by trying.”
The Dishonored Venerable gave a small nod at the straightforward response.
The Dark King wasn’t wrong. With enough persuasion, most people would eventually talk.
They would either spill their secrets or die before they had the chance.
“I heard he’s locked up in the Alliance’s jail.”
“He is being taken to Sichuan first.”
“Sichuan…?”
The mention of Sichuan jogged the Dishonored Venerable’s memory.
There was only one reason for a prisoner to be sent to Sichuan.
“Are they planning to use the Tang Clan?”
The Dishonored Venerable suspected this had everything to do with Sichuan’s rulers, the Tang Clan.
The Tang Clan might currently be one of the Four Noble Clans of the Orthodox Faction, but those who knew their history were well aware of their dark and brutal past.
“It’ll take a long time to transport him to Sichuan. I’m surprised you’re not employing any… special methods.”
“Special methods?”
“I expected you to bring him to your own base, since you wouldn’t want to wait that long.”
The Dishonored Venerable believed the Dark King was capable of such a thing.
After all, spiriting prisoners away without a trace was the Dark King’s specialty.
The Dark King nodded in acknowledgment.
“I originally planned to do just that.”
As the Dishonored Venerable had guessed, the Dark King had indeed considered it.
“But it’s no longer necessary. I have business in Sichuan, so I’ll take him there myself.”
“Business? You have business in Sichuan?”
“Yes.”
“…You too?”
The Dark King tilted his head, intrigued by the Dishonored Venerable’s awkward tone.
‘You too?’ implied that the Dishonored Venerable was also headed to Sichuan.
“You’re going as well?”
“I have some business there, too.”
The matter was more specifically related to Gu Yangcheon, but the Dishonored Venerable didn’t feel the need to elaborate.
“Will the Lord of the Bi Clan approve?”
“And what’s he going to do if he doesn’t?”
“That is true.”
The Dark King nodded; the Dishonored Venerable wasn’t wrong.
While the Lord of the Bi Clan acted as Bi Eejin’s father, Bijuu’s word ultimately carried more weight.
So, the Dark King is heading to Sichuan too, huh.
I doubt this bastard will willingly accompany me, but it would be convenient if he did.
I’ve also got something to discuss with that kid.
The Dishonored Venerable indeed had something he needed to talk to Gu Yangcheon about.
He planned to bring it up with the Dark King.
Of course, he doubted Gu Yangcheon would be pleased.
Gu Ryoon, stuffing the last morsel into his mouth, suddenly spoke up.
“Everything is fine and all,”
At his words, the Dark King and the Dishonored Venerable turned their gazes toward him.
“…But why are you two just chatting with each other when I’m the one you called here?”
He spoke in a profoundly aggrieved tone.
* * *
When I entered the Alliance building and stepped into the meeting room, it was already packed.
At the sight, Cheol Jiseon began trembling uncontrollably, as if caught in an earthquake.
It was understandable. This building was filled with the key figures of the Central Plains.
Where can I sit?
I scanned the room, searching for a seat.
Seats were arranged for the Heads of merchant associations and the Lords of various clans and sects, but I needed to find one for myself.
Should I just sit anywhere?
Not wanting to venture too far in, I considered simply pulling up a chair and sitting near the entrance.
- Third child.
Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed in my ears via telepathy.
I turned toward the source, my expression startled, and saw a pair of bright red eyes gazing at me from across the room.
It was my father.
- Come here.
“…”
I was confused.
How had my father ended up in one of those seats?
He normally steered clear of such prominent positions.
“Yangcheon?”
Noticing my shock, Cheol Jiseon called my name.
Unsure of what else to do, I reluctantly grabbed Cheol Jiseon and headed toward the front.
As I walked, I spotted another familiar face.
Among them was Namgung Jin, the Lord of the Namgung Clan.
“It has been a while, Mas- …Son-in-law.”
“…Have you been well?”
“Fine as always. It seems you’ve been well too, son-in-law. I’m sure you’ve been showered with compliments.”
“…Indeed.”
I couldn’t believe Namgung Jin had called me ‘son-in-law.’
My ears tingled uncomfortably, but I couldn’t afford to scratch them now.
More troubling was the reaction of a few others nearby who overheard ‘son-in-law.’
One of them was…
Damn.
It was the White Heavenly Sword.
His gaze was as sharp as ever, and it seemed he still hadn’t forgiven me.
To be fair, it was understandable.
Another was the Poison King I had seen earlier that day.
He looked distinctly uncomfortable.
Had I done something to offend him? I couldn’t recall any slight against this man.
Well, I am a professional at making people hate me even when I’ve done nothing.
I didn’t dwell on it, as I was already used to such reactions.
The last person was…
…So he came too, huh.
The father of Peng Woojin and Peng Ah-hee. It was the Dao King, Peng Jeowoo.
I could understand the White Heavenly Sword’s glare, but I couldn’t fathom why Peng Jeowoo was looking at me like that.
Then again, it wasn’t surprising he disliked me, given the history between our clans.
I had insulted his daughter and broken off our engagement; he’d be crazy to like someone like me.
Apart from these four, there were plenty of other Lords representing various clans.
Among them, I recognized a few.
It appeared that all the Lords of the noble clans had gathered.
After scanning the room, I began greeting them respectfully.
“…I offer my greetings as a blood relative of the Gu Clan.”
“I-I offer my greetings as a blood relative of the Cheol Clan…”
Cheol Jiseon followed my lead, bowing respectfully.
Afterward, we carefully took our seats.
I expected the Lords around me to immediately start talking to me, but for some reason, they all remained silent.
What was going on?
Was it because the meeting was about to start?
That was a possibility, but it didn’t feel like the reason. It felt more like…
They looked scared?
For some inexplicable reason, that was the impression I got.
I must be mistaken. How could these men be scared of anything?
“…!”
A jolt of shock ran through me as I sat down.
My father was staring directly at me.
Huh? Did I do something wrong?
I started mentally reviewing all the potential troubles I might have caused under his gaze.
But how could I possibly guess, given the countless things I’d done?
I felt I might actually get sick from the anxiety.
Just as I was about to say something to him,
“Lor–”
“Good work.”
“Huh?”
After saying that, he turned his head away.
I stared at him, wondering if I had misheard, but he didn’t look back.
The only thought running through my mind after his sudden compliment was,
…Is he sick?
I wondered if my father was fatally ill.
That probably wasn’t the case.
After all, I never saw him fall ill in my past life.
Though, of course, I didn’t have the courage to ask why he’d complimented me, so all I could do was turn my head away as well.
Throughout all this,
…How annoying.
I was annoyed at myself for feeling strangely happy.
I didn’t even know why he was praising me, yet I felt pleased.
I calmed my heart and stabilized my breathing.
I was far too old to be affected by a single compliment like this.
“Yangcheon, what’s wrong?”
“What.”
“Well… You were suddenly smiling all–”
“Be quiet.”
“Got it.”
After shutting down Cheol Jiseon, who clearly couldn’t read the room, I sat quietly and waited.
I could feel the meeting was about to begin.
I wasn’t the only one who sensed it.
The once-rowdy room, buzzing with conversation, had fallen completely silent.
Step.
I heard footsteps.
Someone who had been waiting stepped up to the podium.
I didn’t need to see his face to recognize him. It was the man presiding over the meeting.
The current Leader of the Murim Alliance, Jang Cheon, the Harmonic Sword.
As he ascended the podium, he took a deep breath and began speaking slowly.
- First.
His voice, amplified by his qi, boomed across the room.
—As the leader of the Murim Alliance, I want to offer my apologies for the incident that occurred in Henan.
With those words, Jang Cheon bowed his head.
Judging by the papers in his hand, he seemed to have a great deal to say.
I watched the entire process calmly.
It might be quiet now, but it would soon become a battlefield.
Arguments about blame, praise, and everything in between would inevitably erupt.
Everyone would air their grievances, sparking endless debate.
I despised situations like this, which was exactly why I hadn’t wanted to come.
Why was I even summoned here?
I couldn’t understand the Alliance’s reason for calling me.
As these thoughts swirled in my mind,
…Huh.
I felt a piercing gaze directed at me from somewhere.
It was impossible to miss due to its intensity.
There was no doubt; someone was staring directly at me.
It didn’t take long to pinpoint the source.
It would have been strange if I hadn’t noticed such a potent stare.
It came from behind the Alliance Leader.
The gaze originated from among the Murim Alliance soldiers standing guard behind him.
As I sharpened my senses to identify the source,
“…!”
I found the answer immediately.
When I realized who it was, my heart sank.
That bastard…
The one glaring at me.
Jang Seonyeon…?
It was definitely Jang Seonyeon. The bastard I had killed in the Abyss using flames, the bastard I’d been searching for ever since returning to the normal realm.
I’d thought something had happened to him since I found no trace, yet there he was, standing behind the Alliance Leader, grinning at me with an unsettling smile.
But there was something off about his smile.
It wasn’t the same as the smile I remembered from the Jang Seonyeon I knew.
I focused on his qi, sensing that something was amiss.
I’d encountered many people who could disguise themselves as others, so I initially assumed this was another such case.
…But it’s not.
Surprisingly, I couldn’t detect the distinct qi that usually accompanied such disguises.
So what was this strange sensation I was feeling?
Then.
Tschh-!
“…Ugh…?”
An intense heat erupted in my right arm.
Pain radiated from the spot where my skin had begun to change.
Instinctively, I clutched my arm, overwhelmed by the sudden agony.
What the hell? What’s going on?
I endured the pain and looked back at Jang Seonyeon.
What I saw shocked me all over again.
Jang Seonyeon’s gaze met mine, his expression a mix of amusement and surprise, but what truly unsettled me were his eyes, now glowing with an unnatural, sinister red.