Chapter 409: What Are You Doing? (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 409: What Are You Doing? (2)
Silence.
Everyone watched the unfolding scene, minds racing as they tried to process what had just happened.
Only a few seconds had passed, but the silence felt unnaturally long, stretched thin by the weight of their collective astonishment.
Then, someone spoke, shattering the quiet.
“Unbelievable.”
That single utterance broke the dam. Words began to pour out from the others as if they had been holding their breath.
“What was that just now? Did you see that…?”
“He pushed back… the White Ripple Sword herself!”
It had been a spar between martial artists—a fierce exchange of blades and clashing Qi. Though no killing intent had been present, the intensity was such that no one dared to interrupt. They had all watched on nervously, half-expecting something to go terribly wrong.
Yet, not a single person had been able to step in and stop it.
“No way…”
“I’d heard the rumors about his skill, but to see it with my own eyes…”
Shock widened every eye as they watched the young man charge fearlessly into the storm of clashing swords as if it were nothing.
That young man, now pinching the space between his eyebrows as he glanced around, was currently the most famous martial artist in the world.
“The Lesser King of Hell…”
Gu Yangcheon, the Lesser King of Hell.
He was the one who had defeated the prisoner now being transported to Sichuan—the same prisoner who had ambushed the Heavenly Dragon Academy. Ruthless against the enemies of the Unorthodox Faction, he had become a hero renowned for his honor.
By now, he was stepping beyond the realm of a mere prodigy and into the territory of a true master.
“…The rumors said he’s reached the Fusion Realm. Could that be true?”
“Impossible. Don’t you think that’s exaggerated? Reaching the Fusion Realm before twenty? It can’t be done.”
“Then how do you explain what just happened…”
“…Well.”
The man who had spoken out of jealousy, a fellow martial artist, fell silent at his companion’s retort. He couldn’t deny the sheer impressiveness of the Lesser King of Hell’s display—he had felt it himself. In fact, he hadn’t even been able to fully comprehend everything that had transpired in that brief, explosive moment.
“But even so… the Fusion Realm?”
Reaching the Peak Realm at such a young age was already a monumental achievement, but the Fusion Realm? The man couldn’t bring himself to believe it. It was a natural reaction, born of human jealousy—an emotion many in the crowd shared.
This, in itself, was proof of the Lesser King of Hell’s transcendent talent. He was so gifted that even seasoned martial artists who had trained for decades felt a sting of envy.
Yet, there was something even more unbelievable than his talent.
He pushed back… the White Ripple Sword.
Even with his outstanding gifts, what he had just done crossed a line. He hadn’t just broken through her Sword Qi; he had physically repelled her. And just who was the White Ripple Sword?
She was one of the most talented swordswomen of her generation, a candidate to become the next Sword Queen after the previous one’s passing. She ranked among the top five master swordswomen in the world.
Though her name had lost some of its luster after years of inactivity, no one could deny her status as a top-tier master.
And yet…
That young man…
How could anyone explain him being able to stop the White Ripple Sword? The watching man found no answer, and neither did anyone else.
Meanwhile, the focus of all those gazes, the Lesser King of Hell himself, was cursing inwardly.
…I fucked up. I’m seriously an idiot.
He cursed his own impatient nature for causing trouble yet again, unable to hold back when he should have.
* * *
I glanced around. The crowd was massive. Damn it.
I lamented internally at the sight. Many different clans had joined this trip to Sichuan, and with the main objective being prisoner transport, there were plenty of people around—but it felt like most of them had gathered right here.
Judging by their shocked expressions and hushed whispers, this was definitely not a good situation.
-That’s the Lesser King of Hell…
-The Lesser—
My annoyance grew each time I heard my title repeated.
Regret joined the annoyance, quickly curdling into resentment aimed squarely at those who had caused this mess.
What are they doing so early in the morning?
I frowned deeply and looked at the girls on the ground. When my eyes met those of the three standing, I saw their shoulders flinch.
Without using my voice, I shaped the words with my lips.
I’ll talk to you guys later.
They seemed to understand, immediately avoiding my gaze.
Setting the three troublemakers aside for the moment, I turned my attention to the woman standing dumbfounded on the opposite side—and the one still sitting on the ground, staring vacantly in my direction.
The White Ripple Sword, Moyong Biyeon. I couldn’t help but frown at the sight of her.
What’s wrong with this woman?
I couldn’t understand why someone of her age and experience would cause a scene like this.
It wasn’t about the spar itself. Martial artists spar; it’s what they do, especially when they don’t get along. I understood that completely—sparring is a way to learn and grow.
And a master offering pointers to her juniors? The juniors would usually welcome such an opportunity. But this had nearly turned dangerous.
There were too many problems with what had just happened.
Her swordplay had been too fierce for a simple spar.
But that I could overlook. The real issue was the Qi she had gathered in her blade at the last moment.
Was she trying to kill them all?
If her intention was merely to scare the girls, she had gone too far. If I hadn’t intervened, that built-up Qi would have likely been unleashed. And if that had happened…
I don’t think they would’ve died.
But it would have been more than enough to create a bloody mess.
Ugh.
The thought sent a strange, aching sensation through my arm. It seemed I’d taken some damage from the encounter. Thankfully, it wasn’t a deep wound, nor was it from a blade. I let out a quiet breath of relief.
It was close.
To an outsider, it might have looked like I’d blown everyone away after charging into the center, but the reality wasn’t nearly so cool.
I’d known they would all stop if I intervened, so I’d used that moment to redirect their momentum, sending them flying in opposite directions. It might sound impressive, but I was the one who ended up acting as a shield, taking the brunt of the force.
“Sigh.”
I was already exhausted, and now I had to deal with this.
Hiding my aching right arm, I set up a sound barrier around us and spoke to the White Ripple Sword.
“…Care to explain what just happened?”
Only then did she seem to return to her senses, her eyes refocusing. She had looked completely out of it.
“Oh…”
Belatedly realizing the situation, the White Ripple Sword stood up with a slight reaction. I kept my gaze locked on her as I continued.
“Senior.”
“Hmm?”
“I’m curious if this was included in your duties as my escort.”
Her eyebrows twitched at my mocking tone. I wondered if I’d angered her, but I pressed on regardless.
“Uh… about this…”
“If you’re my escort, your job is to protect me. I don’t understand why you were crossing blades with my people.”
“…”
“Or were you trying to hurt them?”
I knew I was being disrespectful, especially given our age difference, but my nasty personality wouldn’t let me stop. I had to say what was on my mind.
The White Ripple Sword bit her lip and frowned at my harsh words. I was a little worried her sword might now be aimed at me, but the truth needed to be said.
“What were you thinking? Was there a reason for causing such a scene in front of all these people?”
She hesitated for a moment before responding, and her answer was rather shocking.
“…I happened to run into these girls and thought I’d play with them a little…”
Hearing her embarrassed tone and seeing her avoid eye contact, I was rendered speechless.
If she’d said she was trying to teach them something through a spar, I might have let it slide. But to admit she did it for fun?
“Aren’t you a bit old to be playing with children?”
“…Ugfh.”
She flinched as if I’d struck a nerve.
Despite her youthful appearance, she was my father’s age. She wasn’t someone who should be clashing swords with girls in their twenties out of boredom.
What surprised me more was that she seemed more embarrassed than angry at my mockery.
Though, I suppose that’s to be expected.
In a way, it was obvious. People her age are usually filled with pride and would have flown into a rage at my words. Yet the White Ripple Sword only seemed ashamed.
It’s understandable, though.
She should be embarrassed. She’d nearly caused a serious incident during a simple spar. If I were in her position, I’d have kept my head down for days.
Her reaction was unexpected, but it wasn’t the important point. I didn’t care about her intentions or what kind of person she was.
The important thing was that she had almost injured three of my people. With that in mind, my tone turned cold.
“Even though Lady Mi approved you as my escort, I’d like you to stop if you’re going to act on your own like this.”
“What…?”
Her expression changed instantly.
Was it really so hard to understand? I was telling her to stop being my escort and to leave if she planned to do things her way. I hadn’t needed or wanted an escort in the first place. She was already a hindrance; this was for the best.
“I’ll be contacting Lady Mi soon. I hope you at least enjoy the rest of the trip.”
“W-Wait, hold on…!”
I turned away after finishing. I didn’t want to drag out the conversation—I had no idea what was going on in her head.
She seemed to panic, but I released the sound barrier and started walking away. I didn’t want to stay any longer under everyone’s stares.
Oh, right. I glanced at the girls, who were sighing in relief as if I’d forgotten them.
“I’ll see you guys later.”
“…”
Seeing their near-sobbing expressions, I quickly left the scene. I didn’t necessarily plan to scold them; I just wanted to know why this situation had occurred in the first place.
Though, of course, I couldn’t promise I wouldn’t get angry.
* * *
Putting the morning’s events behind me, I spent the afternoon training by lifting a heavy boulder.
I’d heard we were departing in the afternoon, so I planned to repeat this light physical training until then. Of course, my focus wasn’t fully in it.
“Phew…”
I took a breath and lifted a boulder much larger than my body. I wasn’t using Qi, relying solely on physical strength. As time passed, sweat gradually covered me, and I felt a sense of satisfaction.
I’m feeling satisfied because I’m sweating… what in the world?
If my past self could see me now, he’d call me insane. I remembered cursing endlessly at Yung Pung for his brutal training methods, and here I was, doing the same thing as if it were nothing.
As I continued lifting the boulder,
Slam-!
Woo Hyuk, training beside me, threw his boulder to the ground and spoke up.
“I heard something big happened this morning. What was it?”
He asked while wiping sweat from his forehead. So, this bastard hadn’t been there?
“…Every martial artist was there watching. Why weren’t you?”
“I don’t like noisy places.”
He doesn’t like noisy places, huh? He was exactly the same in my past life.
I considered giving him a brief explanation but decided against it. I didn’t want to remember the incident.
“It wasn’t anything special.”
I gave him a short reply and returned to my training. Woo Hyuk seemed to want to ask more, but when he saw I had no intention of elaborating, he went back to lifting his boulder, lips poked out in a pout.
Why is this bastard pouting like that? Does he want me to shove his lips back in with my fist?
Just as I was about to curse at him, Pe Woocheol chimed in.
“You say it wasn’t special, but you were extremely cool back there.”
“You were watching…?”
“Wherever you go, I shall follow.”
“…”
What a creepy guy.
I really couldn’t understand why all the guys around me acted so strangely.
…Well, I guess it’s not exclusive to guys.
The thought reaffirmed my belief. Yeah, I’m the most normal one here. Mhm. Indeed.
As I nodded to myself,
“…I-I can’t go on any longer…”
Cheol Jiseon, who had been training with us while shaking uncontrollably, collapsed to the ground. Pe Woocheol looked down at him.
“Brother Jiseon… I know you can do two more sets.”
“That’s not possible…! Two more!? I can’t!”
“I see. It seems I was mistaken.”
“Right? What’s impossible is impos—“
“You had the energy to yell that loudly. It seems you’re capable of three more sets. Let’s do it.”
“Aghhh!”
What were they even doing? I didn’t know, but I knew I didn’t want any part of it.
Just as I was about to look away and return to training, I felt a presence approaching from a distance. I immediately turned my head toward the source.
“This is…”
Woo Hyuk noticed it moments after I did.
We saw a woman with black hair landing softly nearby. I naturally cringed.
“…White Ripple Sword.”
It was none other than the White Ripple Sword, appearing suddenly. Judging by this…
Does she have something to say to me?
It seemed most likely she’d come about the morning’s events. Was she finally angry about my disrespect?
That would be a problem.
To be honest, it was strange she hadn’t gotten angry earlier. Even if I was right or wrong, there was a bullshit rule in the Central Plains that allowed elders to become furious after being mocked.
I sighed and began to think.
Maybe she’ll let it go if I apologize.
I had been angry at the time.
I’m sorry for being disrespectful. I had no other choice.
I considered saying something like that while bowing. But just as I was about to execute my plan, I noticed a strange expression on the White Ripple Sword’s face.
She looked angry, but also… in a hurry?
Wait. Was she going to swing her sword at me like she did at the girls this morning?
Uh oh, that might be a problem.
I gulped nervously, hoping that wouldn’t be the case. As she drew closer, I grew more tense. I didn’t know the White Ripple Sword well, but I knew enough to understand she was unpredictable.
Just as I was about to greet her respectfully, my mind full of worry, she moved faster than I could react once she was close enough.
Shit!
An ambush?
I immediately charged my Qi to defend myself, but something entirely unexpected happened.
The White Ripple Sword suddenly grabbed onto my pants.
“What…!”
I looked down in shock, wondering what the hell was going on, and she shouted while staring up into my eyes.
“I’m sorryyyyy! Forgive meeee…!”
“…Wait…!”
The White Ripple Sword began howling while clinging to my pants.
Woo Hyuk, Pe Woocheol, and Cheol Jiseon, who were watching, all stared at me with strange looks in their eyes.
Amidst the chaos, Cheol Jiseon whispered quietly.
“…Now the White Ripple Sword too… wait, but isn’t there a bit of an age gap though…?”
That damned phrase rang especially clear in my ears.
To make matters worse, the other bastards near him nodded in agreement after hearing it.
A major misunderstanding was unfolding.
“Hey! It’s not like that…! Can you please let me go!? What’s wrong with this woman!?”
“I’m sorryyyyyy!”
I shouted out, but no one seemed to believe me.