Chapter 498: Just Let Me Hold It Once (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 498: Just Let Me Hold It Once (5)
A heavy pressure began to build.
I could feel the shift in the air, my eyes darting around to take it in.
It’s working.
The aura radiating from the Monster of Wudang was so intense it made the hairs on my skin stand on end.
Yet, despite the chill running down my spine, my mind was spinning with perfect, crystalline clarity.
[You crazy bastard.]
Elder Shin’s voice echoed in my head, dripping with sheer disbelief.
[To think you're actually going through with this. You've truly lost your mind.]
'You helped me get this far, and now you want to back out?'
[What do you mean, I helped you?]
He had helped a great deal. After all, he was the one who told me about Namgung Myung's personality.
Ah, to be precise.
'The personality of the thing presumed to be Namgung Myung.'
Before Woo Hyuk and I arrived here, I had been agonizing over how to obtain Thunder Fang.
The reason was simple: every method I had devised beforehand had to be scrapped at the last moment.
All my various plans became impossible the instant I confirmed two things. First, that the Monster of Wudang was from the Namgung clan. Second, that the clan was likely feigning ignorance about him.
Using any of my preconceived plans would only cause problems now.
So, did that mean I should give up on Thunder Fang?
'No.'
I couldn't do that.
'I have to get Thunder Fang into Namgung Bi-ah's hands.'
For the future. For Namgung Bi-ah to ascend to a higher level with ease, Thunder Fang was absolutely essential.
'Though Namgung Myung's temper is a bit of a pain.'
Just as you'd expect from Elder Shin's friend, the old man's temper was utterly foul, even at a mere glance.
[What did you say, you punk?]
I heard Elder Shin bristle, uncannily perceptive when it came to any insult directed his way.
But it was the truth.
No, wait…
'Is the real problem that he might not be Namgung Myung at all?'
If there was a problem, it was something else Elder Shin had said on our way here, a comment that had been nagging at me.
The moment I took my first step to confront the Monster of Wudang, Elder Shin had muttered something cryptic.
—Perhaps… that fellow isn't Myung.
I’d asked him what he meant by such a random statement, but he’d just told me to keep it in mind, as he wasn't certain yet.
'If he's not Namgung Myung, then who is he?'
I had no idea, but I had to trust what Elder Shin said. It would be a problem to start doubting him now.
Besides.
'Right now, it doesn't matter if he's Namgung Myung or not.'
Even if the old man inside Thunder Fang wasn't the real Namgung Myung, it was irrelevant to my goal. All that mattered was whether I could obtain the sword.
So I kept thinking.
How could I get my hands on it?
Fortunately, as I mulled it over, I realized I wasn't completely out of options. If anything, I had quite a few. It wasn't as if I hadn't dealt with this kind of messy business in my past life.
Having done this sort of thing professionally, it wasn't a particularly difficult task for me.
The only problem was that none of the viable methods were exactly… proper.
[…That in itself is a talent, I suppose.]
'Thank you for the compliment.'
[Do you think that was a compliment?]
'If I take it as one, then it is.'
I heard Elder Shin groan as if he were about to die from a stroke, but I ignored him. I had no idea why a man who was already dead was being so dramatic.
Anyway.
Among the various wicked and unsavory methods, I decided to choose the one that seemed the least evil.
And that method was…
[Provoke him and take it…]
'Seriously, could you give the plan a less crude name?'
[Do you really think there's a more accurate way to put it?]
Still, such a vulgar name was a bit much. Even if the meaning was spot on.
"You're going to punish me, you say."
"It seems our crazy old man wants this. The man never really grew up, so you'll have to forgive him."
"I'm about to be beaten to a pulp by my friend's master. How am I supposed to understand that?"
"Haha."
The Monster of Wudang laughed at my sarcastic retort.
"For someone in your position, you look quite refreshed."
"..."
I hastily schooled my expression at his words. It seemed I had let my guard down, thinking things were going my way.
'I've gotten rusty.'
Drenched in peace, I kept making these small mistakes. I had to remember. I had to constantly remind myself that this was not the time for complacency.
As I steadied my breathing and hardened my expression, a sharp voice cut through from the other side.
[I do not understand.]
It was Namgung Myung's voice.
[Why are you not stopping him, Shincheol?]
Hearing his bewildered words, a thought solidified in my mind.
'As I thought.'
I had checked just in case, and it seemed my assumption was correct. I could hear their conversation, but it appeared they couldn't hear my exchanges with Elder Shin unless I willed it.
'Is that certain?'
Of course, I wasn't entirely sure. It was possible they could conceal their conversation as well if they chose to.
However, if I had to guess whether they would bother, I thought they probably wouldn't.
While I didn't let go of my faint suspicion, I had already decided on my course of action. This was better than acting indecisively while paralyzed by doubt.
In response to Namgung Myung's words, Elder Shin spoke with a sigh.
[Do you think this one is the type to listen just because I tell him to?]
[Ha. You call him your descendant, yet you can't even handle that much?]
[I don't think you're one to talk, Myung… and besides.]
I slowly released the energy in my body, letting it flow through me.
[It's not like the boy said anything particularly wrong.]
[…What?]
At Elder Shin's words, Namgung Myung's voice turned icy.
[The child's words were coarse, but do you think he was wrong?]
[You…]
[Hmph. Times certainly have changed. To think you've become so long-winded, Myung.]
He had given me all sorts of grief, asking if I wasn't provoking him too much. But now I could see this old man had quite a sharp tongue himself.
They said he was a swordsman who left his mark on history; his tongue was just as sharp as his blade.
[…I can hear you insulting me, so just shut up. Didn't you ask for my help?]
'Sorry…'
The ghost had sharp ears.
As Namgung Myung's anger radiated all the way to us, even the Monster of Wudang, who had been holding back, added his own words.
"Haa… Old man. You're looking a bit pathetic, so just stay quiet."
[Even you…!]
"I don't know what you're talking about, but don't ruin the mood and just be still. And."
The Monster of Wudang's gaze turned to me.
"Though it wasn't of my own will, I apologize for my previous actions."
"..."
"However, I hope you realize that your words crossed a line."
I knew. I knew I had pushed it a little too far. But this also gave the Monster of Wudang—or Namgung Myung—a justification.
A reason to fight me without any repercussions, and that…
"Especially if you want something from me."
'Damn.'
It seemed the Monster of Wudang had noticed as well.
"I'm curious. I wonder what a child like you wants by doing this. I live like a beggar, so I don't have any money…"
"I have no intention of extorting money from you, Monster."
I was rich now, too. I didn't particularly need money.
Hearing my answer, the Monster of Wudang asked with a slight smile.
"Then, what is it you want, to be acting like this?"
If I suddenly said I wanted Thunder Fang, would he understand? Given the Monster of Wudang's demeanor, he just might.
But.
"Well. That…"
It felt like a bit of a waste to do that. The reason being…
"I think I can tell you after you're done punishing me."
Because, ridiculously enough, I was starting to get an appetite for it. I wanted to fight the Monster of Wudang. My body was simmering with anticipation.
[Hah… The one who used to go out of his way to avoid a fight because it was too much trouble. The sun must be rising in the west.]
'Tell me about it.'
Was it because my body had changed? Or had I developed a useless fighting spirit while recovering my strength? Or perhaps, I simply wanted to test my newfound power.
Whatever the reason, it didn't matter.
Crack.
I loosened my body and drew up my internal energy. Now was the time to focus on my opponent.
"Sssss…"
As I was steadily accumulating heat within my body, the Monster of Wudang's voice reached me.
"…There is one thing I want to ask, though."
"What is it?"
"…Well… It's something I've been wanting to ask for a while now…"
The Monster of Wudang seemed to hesitate, as if the question was awkward to voice. What on earth did he want to ask all of a sudden?
As I tilted my head in confusion, he spoke.
"…Why does your face look like that?"
"..."
Ah.
His words reminded me of a fact I had forgotten. My face was a swollen mess from being beaten up by the Dishonored Venerable.
* * *
In the quiet space, the air changed in an instant.
The pressure emanating from the Monster of Wudang had already been overwhelming.
Fwoooosh-!
But as an unknown heat began to radiate from Gu Yangcheon's body, the oppressive feeling doubled.
'It's hot.'
The heat grazing his cheek was on another level. The energy was far denser and heavier than he had expected, and the Monster of Wudang had to suppress the urge to smile.
'Incredible.'
History was standing right there. The Monster of Wudang was certain of it. He was certain that he was witnessing a moment that would be recorded as a great stroke in the annals of history.
Looking at Gu Yangcheon, the Monster of Wudang couldn't help but think so. If he was already like this, how high would he soar later? He was the beginning of a pillar that would rise to an unseen height.
As someone watching its inception, he felt a bittersweet contradiction.
Did he feel envy for that talent? No. The Monster of Wudang was not the type to feel such jealousy in the first place.
'When the levels are this different, you don't even feel things like that.'
Jealousy was something one felt when there was a lingering regret, a feeling that you could have caught up. For something so far beyond reach, one was bound to feel awe, not jealousy.
Gu Yangcheon was exactly that. His was not a talent that could be coveted. It was the choice of the heavens. There was no other explanation.
Then what was this sense of regret the Monster of Wudang was feeling?
'That poor disciple of mine.'
It was a sense of regret for Woo Hyuk. He was worried about Woo Hyuk, who had to watch such a monster from the side. That was what made the Monster of Wudang uncomfortable.
'Ha, to think I'd be having such worries.'
He found it absurd himself. Of all things, to be worried that his own disciple would be intimidated by being outshone by a peer. Though his disciple himself didn't seem to care much about such things.
The Monster of Wudang studied Woo Hyuk's face in the distance.
'…Why does that one look so excited?'
Woo Hyuk was staring this way with unusually bright eyes. His master was on the verge of fighting his friend, yet his face was full of excitement, as if urging them to hurry up and fight. This was driving him mad.
'…Do I have bad luck with disciples?'
He had never once had such a thought until now. In fact, he'd thought he was blessed with them. But it seemed Woo Hyuk had changed somewhat, perhaps from making the wrong friend.
In that case, was that one the problem? The Monster of Wudang looked at Gu Yangcheon.
Annoying. That look in his eyes was incredibly annoying. Beyond being forced to punish him, the boy showed no fear before a fight; instead, a glimmer of enjoyment was visible in his eyes. This meant he was actually looking forward to this fight.
'Well, I'll be.'
What kind of person was he? The Monster of Wudang couldn't understand. What was the motive behind welcoming this fight? He had a vague sense that the boy wanted something from him. The Monster of Wudang had good instincts, after all. However, he had no idea what it could be.
'And what's more.'
Gu Yangcheon was a problem, but the bigger problem was…
'That I myself am looking forward to it.'
The fact that the Monster of Wudang himself was secretly hoping for a fight with Gu Yangcheon.
His senses sharpened. His fighting spirit reared its head of its own accord, and soon, it broke free of his will and began to growl. Was it because of the instinct he possessed as a martial artist, separate from his own temperament? Having met a worthy opponent, his fighting spirit bared its fangs, eager to crush its foe.
He recalled Namgung Myung ordering him to punish the boy. How had he felt then? On the surface, he had cursed Namgung Myung for making him do it.
'It was an excuse.'
But deep down, hadn't he honestly thought it was a good pretext? The Monster of Wudang saw through his own contradiction.
He wanted to fight. Was it because he was faced with such immense potential? He wanted to know just how brilliant that radiant light was. And also.
'How much brighter it could become.'
He wanted to experience it for himself.
Shhhring.
He drew his sword.
At that moment.
Fwoooooosh—!
The pressure erupting from the Monster of Wudang's body consumed the surroundings.
Wuuuuung-!
In contrast to the heavy pressure, the Sword Resonance emanating from his blade was utterly clear and pure. It was a testament to the sublime level the Monster of Wudang had achieved.
"Whoa…"
Woo Hyuk, who had been watching intently, let out a sound of admiration. Seeing that, he knew his master was about to get serious.
'Will he be okay?'
Even as he watched with interest, he was worried. His master's bizarre behavior earned him the resentment of those around him, but no one ever disregarded his sword. The elders and the Sect Leader had said that if not for his temperament, the position of the next Sect Leader would have been his for the taking.
Of course… since his temperament was unlikely to change, the current Sect Leader, the Sword Immortal of Wudang, probably wouldn't give him the position. Then again, his master didn't seem to covet the position anyway, so perhaps it didn't matter.
As the atmosphere grew increasingly tense, Woo Hyuk studied Gu Yangcheon. A straight, unbent back. An aura that seemed to have changed somewhere in the past few days. A strange dissonance, a quiet silence mixed with a fierce and chaotic personality. And a presence that didn't feel small, despite him being a head shorter than himself.
His face was a mess, as if he'd been beaten up somewhere, but even without seeing his face, Woo Hyuk could sense that something about Gu Yangcheon had changed.
'What happened to him?'
He wanted to know. He was feigning ignorance because Gu Yangcheon wouldn't say anything, but he wanted to hear what had caused this drastic change. The reason he didn't ask, however, was ultimately due to Gu Yangcheon's will, as described above. Because Gu Yangcheon did not wish to speak of it, Woo Hyuk simply kept his mouth shut.
Wuuuuung—!!
The Sword Resonance grew more intense, and at the same time, the heat thickened. Woo Hyuk reached out his hand. Something brushed against his fingertips as they stirred the empty air.
It was a sound barrier. A barrier had been discreetly erected to prevent the energy radiating from the center from reaching Namgung Bi-ah and himself. Though it had been cast without drawing attention, Woo Hyuk's exceptionally sharp hearing allowed him to 'hear' that Gu Yangcheon had been the one to create it.
Sensing this, he looked at Gu Yangcheon.
'He's going to lose.'
If the two of them fought, Gu Yangcheon would be defeated. No matter how outstanding Gu Yangcheon was, he would not be able to beat his master. Was it possible Gu Yangcheon didn't know this? No, that one knew, and he was fighting anyway. Why? Woo Hyuk couldn't figure out the reason. Gu Yangcheon was the type to blurt out everything with ease, yet swallow the truly important things all by himself.
Thinking that far, Woo Hyuk let out a sigh and looked beside him. Namgung Bi-ah was staring intently at the two of them, her gaze fixed particularly on the Monster of Wudang.
"…Are you alright?"
"..."
She didn't even glance his way, as if she had no interest in his words. Woo Hyuk chuckled at her cold dismissal.
"Sister-in-law."
"Hm?"
"Well, I'll be."
The casually tossed-out title made Namgung Bi-ah turn her head. Woo Hyuk couldn't help but laugh at her simple yet firm reaction.
"Are you alright, sister-in-law?"
"…About what…?"
"That fiery fellow is acting like that. I'm asking if you're okay."
He was about to fight his master. When Gu Yangcheon had first returned with his face in that state, Woo Hyuk couldn't forget the look in Namgung Bi-ah's eyes as she watched him.
'…Her eyes looked like she was about to slice everything to pieces.'
How could he forget the way her fingertips had trembled ever so slightly as she gripped the hilt of her sword? If he and Namgung Bi-ah had fought right then, he would have been defeated without a doubt. That was how dizzying Namgung Bi-ah's fighting spirit had been.
But now, he was about to get beaten by his master. Was Namgung Bi-ah's heart truly at ease? That was the intention behind his question, but…
"I'm fine."
"Hm?"
Surprisingly, Namgung Bi-ah gave a calm reply.
"Why?"
Just as Woo Hyuk was about to be taken aback by her answer, Namgung Bi-ah continued.
"He must have his reasons for doing that."
"..."
Her words were filled with unshakable faith. And within that gap…
"But… I hope it's not for my sake… for our sake."
A tinge of poignant sorrow was mixed in, silencing Woo Hyuk.
'This, I'm a little envious of.'
A slight feeling of envy crept up from deep within. Gu Yangcheon's greatest asset wasn't his absurd talent, but his priceless luck with women. That feeling suddenly brushed past him.
Woo Hyuk turned his head. He could see Gu Yangcheon, clenching and unclenching his not-so-large fists. The heat had already reached its peak, so things would probably erupt soon.
As he focused his gaze with that thought…
Flicker-!
As if by magic, the figures of the Monster of Wudang and Gu Yangcheon vanished.
KWAAAAAAA—!
And a sudden, deafening roar began to explode forth.