Chapter 681: Dragon Figurine (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 681: Dragon Figurine (2)
A table full of men, yet not a drop of alcohol in sight.
It was a truly peculiar scene.
Perhaps because it looked so out of place, I could feel the people around us sneaking glances. I ignored their stares and took a sip of the tea in front of me.
‘It’s probably not just because of the lack of booze.’
The reason we were drawing so much attention wasn't just the missing alcohol.
“Isn’t that the Great Saint Blade?”
“I heard rumors he was spotted at the Alliance recently. So it was true.”
“He’s just as handsome as they say.”
Part of it was because of Peng Woojin, who was quietly working his chopsticks across from me.
“Then is the one next to him the Lesser King of Hell?”
“Lesser King of Hell? Where did that come from all of a sudden?”
And the other part was because of me, sitting there eating dumplings with them.
“I heard the Great Saint Blade acknowledged a certain young man. They say he’s none other than the Lesser King of Hell.”
“Is that man next to him the Lesser King of Hell? I can’t see his face clearly…”
“No, the one next to him.”
“Next to him? You mean… gasp!”
“I heard the Lesser King of Hell was a ferocious-looking brat, and I wondered how much they were exaggerating, but… it’s really true.”
What’s true?
What the hell is true?
I wanted to stomp over and confront them, but I held back. I was used to this kind of treatment by now. To think I’d actually grown accustomed to this crap—it was just plain sad.
“That’s right. The young man who was once called the youngest to ever reach the Fusion Realm… Of course, in the end...”
I couldn’t hear the rest, but it was easy to guess what they said. They probably claimed it was a lie or a baseless rumor, or something along those lines.
I didn’t feel much of anything. I had never bothered to confirm or deny it; in fact, it was better for me now that the rumors had faded.
The problem was…
“Hey, your chopsticks are shaking.”
“…!”
…that the guy next to me was having a much stronger reaction than I was.
“What’s wrong?”
“…It is nothing.”
He pulled his face cover down even further, as if terrified his identity would be revealed.
“If you were going to be this scared, why did you even come out to eat?”
“Haha, don’t be so hard on him.”
Peng Woojin cut in, his hand moving slightly as he pushed the plate of dumplings toward the monk.
“Young Master Gu, he must have wanted to eat these quite badly to have come all this way. I can fully sympathize.”
“Thank y—”
“How delicious must they be for him to come here, going against his very principles? It’s something no one—at least no one we’ve seen so far—would have dared to do. Doesn’t this prove that this place’s dumplings are absolutely incredible?”
“...”
“...”
I see. It was a backhanded compliment. A high-level jab I hadn’t even considered.
‘…This guy.’
There was definitely something to learn from him. I felt like I could pick up a trick or two. I couldn’t even tell if he was being sincere or not, because Peng Woojin’s expression was the very picture of earnestness.
He tilted his head as he looked at the monk, who was trembling while clutching his chopsticks.
“Why aren’t you eating? Please, feel free to have as many as you like.”
“Th-thank… Thank you.”
The damn monk, though still shaking, snatched up a dumpling with his chopsticks and shoved it into his mouth. The moment I saw that, I spoke up.
“He’s actually eating it. You can still stomach that in this situation?”
“Kh…”
For a second, he looked like he might spit it out, but he forced it down and kept chewing. Seeing this, I knew exactly what state this bastard was in.
‘His attitude is: I’ve already been caught, so I might as well finish the meal.’
Since he’d been found out, he was determined to eat no matter what. That much was clear. Did he really want them that badly? What was so special about these damn dumplings…?
‘…Though I’m not one to talk.’
I watched the monk—no, the Heavenly Dragon—devour the dumplings, then moved my own chopsticks to snag one for myself.
Clack.
“Huh?”
“…Hm?”
Our chopsticks collided. I realized then that there was only one dumpling left.
“Put it down nicely,” I told the Heavenly Dragon. “I’ve been letting you have them until now.”
The Heavenly Dragon replied without missing a beat.
“…Patron. This meal is being provided by Patron Great Saint Blade. To say that you have been ‘letting me’ have them doesn’t seem quite right.”
“Oh?”
Look at this bastard.
“You’ve been stuffing your face this whole time; you should give one up. A monk shouldn’t be so greedy, should he? You’re not supposed to covet material things.”
“Of the nine dumplings, Patron Great Saint Blade ate three, and you, Patron, ate three. Therefore, this dumpling belongs to this humble monk.”
“You cheap bastard, you were actually counting?”
When did he even have the time to count them? As I stared at the Heavenly Dragon with a dumbfounded expression, the corners of his lips twitched upward ever so slightly.
Was that a sign of victory? Seeing that, I spoke in a dejected voice.
“In the first place, is it even right for a monk to be eating dumplings here? Meat-filled ones, at that?”
“…!”
When I brought up the fundamental issue, the Heavenly Dragon flinched, his body trembling. It seemed even he felt a pang of conscience.
This was my chance.
Whoosh!
“Ah!”
While the Heavenly Dragon was hesitating, I quickly popped the last dumpling into my mouth. At that, the Heavenly Dragon made a face as if the sky had fallen. No matter how I looked at it, it wasn’t an expression a monk should ever make.
‘What on earth is in these dumplings?’
No, what the hell is it about meat that makes Taoists and monks act like this?
‘I can understand Woo Hyuk.’
That bastard was always a weirdo, so I could let it slide.
‘But what’s with this one?’
I couldn’t understand the guy in front of me at all. What the hell was he doing here?
‘And of all places, it had to be here.’
Just like the first time I saw him, our second meeting was also at this shop. I think we met while eating dumplings back then, too. And now, it was dumplings again.
‘…For a monk, he sure knows the taste of meat.’
Just as Peng Woojin said, this place’s dumplings must be something else.
“Another plate of dumplings here, please!”
“Coming right up!”
Seeing the empty plate, Peng Woojin placed another order, and the Heavenly Dragon’s expression instantly brightened.
“Did you come here starving?” I asked.
“…No.”
“Doesn’t look like a ‘no’ to me.”
When I kept picking on him, the Heavenly Dragon stopped responding. It seemed he was just going to ignore me and focus on the food. I let out a small chuckle and took a sip of tea.
As I watched him in silence…
“So, that young man is the Lesser King of Hell, you say.”
“He was once famous, called the True Dragon… I don’t know why there are no rumors about him these days. What’s more…”
The man speaking paused for a moment, then continued.
“Don’t they also say he was called the youngest to reach the Fusion Realm?”
Flinch.
At those words, the monk’s hand trembled as he ate his dumpling.
“Hey! You there. You actually believe that baseless rumor?”
“No, I’m just saying that’s what the rumor was. For such a massive rumor to have spread, it seems too quiet now…”
The whispering voices tickled my ears. They thought they were being discreet, but they couldn’t fool my developed instincts.
“Isn’t it probably because he’s been inactive?”
“Even so... something feels...”
I was about to lean in to hear what they would say next when—
Woooong!
“Hm?”
I felt a sudden energy envelop our surroundings. It was a sound barrier. But the energy it contained was unusual—remarkably pure and clean.
‘An energy like this means…’
I immediately looked to my side.
“What are you doing?”
“...”
The Heavenly Dragon was the one who had created the barrier. It seemed he had done it to block out the noise from the other tables.
“What is this?” I asked, waving my hand through the air.
Peng Woojin and the Heavenly Dragon must have heard the whispering, too. The fact that he went out of his way to put up a sound barrier because of the talk about me meant…
“What, are you trying to be considerate or something?”
“That’s not it…”
The Heavenly Dragon avoided my question and looked away. I didn’t know what he was thinking. I tilted my head, staring at him.
“So… Young Master Gu.”
Peng Woojin, who was beside me, suddenly spoke up.
“Why haven’t you visited my clan’s home?”
“…All of a sudden?”
What kind of random question was this? The sudden topic change made me frown.
“Did I not give you a pass? I asked you to be sure to visit.”
“Ah.”
Only then did I remember. Come to think of it, I did receive something.
‘It was a black wooden pass.’
He had definitely said I would receive special treatment if I went to the Peng Clan with it. Several years had passed since I received it, but I had never once set foot in the Peng Clan’s territory.
“I didn’t really have a reason to go. I’ve been busy, too.”
I had been pushed and pulled all over the place, barely managing to save my own skin. How could I have leisurely visited someone in the midst of all that? I really didn’t have the time. That was the simple truth.
‘Though I wouldn’t have gone even if I had the time.’
Why would I visit the Peng Clan? We weren’t on particularly good terms, and for all I knew, they were probably grinding their teeth at the mention of my name.
“I’ll go later, when I really have time.”
“Hmm… I’ll be waiting.”
“Don’t wait too hard…”
This was so burdensome it was driving me crazy. Why the hell was this guy so obsessed with me?
“…So, Young Master Peng, are you really planning to participate in the tournament?”
Feeling annoyed, I deliberately changed the subject.
“Hm? Of course. I’ve already registered.”
As he spoke, Peng Woojin showed me a wooden pass. It was proof of registration, the same kind I had. Looking at it, I continued.
“Why?”
“It’s not strange for a martial artist of the Orthodox Faction to participate in a tournament held by the Alliance, is it?”
He had a point, so I had no rebuttal. Just as Peng Woojin said, it wasn’t strange at all.
“Especially since they’re boasting it’s the greatest of all time. How could I not be excited!”
The greatest tournament of all time. That was the phrase the Murim Alliance used when they announced this event.
‘That’s not a lie, either.’
Looking at the scale of the tournament and the rewards they had prepared, it was indeed the greatest of all time. From the Daehwandan pills prepared by Shaolin itself… to one of the Five Great Swords of the Central Plains that the Alliance had kept in storage, the treasure known as the Golden Sky Dragon Sword.
Besides those, there were various other rewards that would make anyone’s eyes widen, like uniforms made of rare silk from the Moyong Clan and support from the Murim Alliance’s merchant associations for the next three years.
‘But what the martial artists here consider most important is…’
…probably the matter concerning the Heavenly Dragon Army, the strongest unit in the history of the Murim Alliance, which was said to have disappeared in the past. It was a place where all the masters symbolizing the Orthodox Faction had once passed through—a symbol in itself.
Its fame had faded, but the Murim Alliance had announced the revival of the Heavenly Dragon Army, starting with this tournament. And the rewards included something related to it.
‘They said that martial artists who achieve outstanding results would be allowed to join the Heavenly Dragon Army, didn’t they?’
I didn’t know how many they would pick, but that was what the Alliance had stated. In other words, this tournament was ultimately for the establishment of the Heavenly Dragon Army.
The Heavenly Dragon Army: the symbol of the Orthodox Faction and the sword of the Murim Alliance. For martial artists who live and die by fame and honor, it was something they would covet above all else.
And for good reason.
‘Because they say that, generation after generation, the Captain of the Heavenly Dragon Army became the Zenith Under the Heavens.’
I didn’t know about the current era, but that was said to be true in the distant past. The time when that legend probably stopped being true was…
‘Wasn’t that around the time the Sword Venerable was the Alliance Leader?’
The Sword Venerable had once led the Heavenly Dragon Army. He later rose to the position of Alliance Leader, but though he was called the Zenith of Swords, he was not the Zenith Under the Heavens. In the end, the Heavenly Dragon Army was disbanded. So it was safe to say that the tale had come to an end.
However.
‘Still, the martial artists won’t care.’
The Captain of the Heavenly Dragon Army becomes the Zenith Under the Heavens. To inherit the legacy contained in that story, martial artists would flock to it like moths to a flame. After all, that’s what the martial artists of the current Central Plains were like.
“So, does that mean you’re also interested in that, Young Master Peng?” I asked, fiddling with my teacup.
He smiled and replied, “That’s right. Wasn’t it for the same reason that you registered for the tournament, Young Master Gu?”
“Mm.”
I let out a low hum. First of all, I honestly didn’t care much about the Daehwandan pills or the treasure sword.
Daehwandan pills? My internal energy was already overflowing, and I still had the Heavenly Poison Orb. Furthermore, since I had the original recipe, what use would a few pills be? I was even in the process of digesting the energy of the ice crystals. When it came to internal energy, I was no longer lacking. They say the more the merrier, but I was at a point where I wasn’t sure what would happen if it increased any further.
‘Forget the pills, then what about the Five Great Swords of the Central Plains?’
That was also meaningless. I already had a sword of that level wrapped around my left arm. Besides, I wasn’t a swordsman in the first place, so I had no interest. Even if they had offered Fist Wraps, it would have been the same. The treasure itself wasn’t my concern. It certainly wasn’t for silk clothes or merchant support.
In that case, only one thing remained.
‘The Heavenly Dragon Army.’
Thinking of it, I smiled and said to Peng Woojin, “Yes, I’m not entirely uninterested.”
That was all I needed. That was why I had bothered to participate in this tournament.
‘Right.’
Only the Heavenly Dragon Army. Or to be more precise…
‘I need a position.’
A very heavy one. A position so big, heavy, and broad that it could completely hide me.
At my words, Peng Woojin’s expression turned peculiar.
“Hmm. I see.”
Even as he replied, his expression was unreadable. Peng Woojin’s eyes had been like that since I first met him—eyes that, despite his lighthearted demeanor, made it impossible to know what he was truly thinking.
It was a stark contrast to Peng Ah-hee, who was honest and cheerful. Even his father, the Lord of the Peng Clan, seemed transparent, albeit in a bad way.
‘Maybe that’s why I can’t help but be wary of him.’
That look of his kept making me draw a line. That was the kind of man Peng Woojin was to me.
“...”
“...”
Perhaps because the conversation had ended, an awkward silence fell. An uncomfortable quiet where no one spoke. Should I say something? Just as I was about to open my mouth…
“Your food is here!”
The waiter arrived with the dumplings we had ordered. Thanks to him, the tension dissipated.
“Oh!” Seeing the dumplings, Peng Woojin put on his characteristic smile again. “They look delicious. Let’s all eat.”
At Peng Woojin’s words, chopsticks began to move. Forgetting the atmosphere from a moment ago, we resumed our meal.
As we were enjoying our food, I felt a particularly uncomfortable stare. Wondering if it was Peng Woojin, I checked, but it wasn’t him. It was the Heavenly Dragon. He was sneaking glances at me with a somewhat troubled look in his eyes.
And for some reason, that stare continued until we finished the meal.
* * *
After the meal, I stepped outside with a satisfied look. It was just past noon, so the day was still bright and sunny. I looked up at the sun high in the sky and nodded.
‘I can get in an afternoon training session.’
The timing was good. At this rate, I felt I could concentrate on my training today. I was just thinking that I was falling behind, so this was a relief.
“That was delicious. As expected, this is the best place in Henan.”
As I stood outside, Peng Woojin followed me out. It seemed he had paid the bill. The Heavenly Dragon followed behind him, and seeing him, Peng Woojin said, “Hey, I said I was treating. Why did you do that?”
“…It is fine. It was only right that I pay my share.”
From the sound of it, the Heavenly Dragon had paid for his own portion. He could have just let me treat him, but he insisted on paying.
‘It probably doesn’t matter. Shaolin must be loaded.’
They weren’t a place that would be shaken by the price of a few dumplings. And as the greatest prodigy there, he probably received an allowance from all over.
‘Looking at it this way, they talk about achieving a state of no desire, but there’s no place more greedy than Shaolin.’
They were secretly involved in all sorts of businesses, and having established their base in Henan, there was no place as contradictory as Shaolin.
“Was it good?” I asked the Heavenly Dragon as he came down, and he let out a short, dry cough. I could see the satisfaction in his eyes. It must have been good.
“I’m glad everyone enjoyed it.”
Peng Woojin, having procured a toothpick from somewhere, walked over while picking at his pearly white teeth.
“Now that we’ve eaten, what are your plans, Young Master Gu? If you have no plans, how about a walk somewhere…”
“I’m going back to train.”
“…I see. I cannot interfere with your training.”
I thought he would be clingy, but when I honestly said I was going to train, Peng Woojin nodded.
“This was a very nice meal. I hope we can do this again sometime.”
“…Yes, when the time is right.”
“Haha! Such a cool response! That’s why I like you even more!”
Every single word he said gave me the creeps. This bastard must be doing it on purpose, right?
“Young Master Peng.”
“Yes, say whatever you wish.”
“Let me say this again: I like women. Besides, I’m engaged.”
“Hm? I’m aware.”
He had an expression that said, ‘Why are you asking something so obvious?’ In a way, that look was reassuring.
“That’s a relief… You’re the same way, right, Young Master Peng?”
“It seems the next time we meet will be at the tournament. I’m so looking forward to—”
“Answer me.”
Shit. Why did he have to change the subject right at this moment? As I took a step back in disgust, Peng Woojin burst out laughing.
“Hahahaha. A joke, it was a joke.”
“Hahaha. Right?”
“Probably.”
“Fuc—”
“Well then, since everyone is busy, I’ll be on my way. I’m quite a busy person myself. Hahaha!”
The man who had just asked me to go for a walk was now saying he was busy and leaving. How was I supposed to take this? A wave of exhaustion washed over me, and I had to cover my forehead with my hand.
“It was a pleasure meeting you, Young Master Gu, and… you as well.”
Peng Woojin looked at the Heavenly Dragon and was about to call him a monk but stopped himself. It was probably because there were quite a few people around. As Peng Woojin bowed his head in a gesture of respect, the Heavenly Dragon awkwardly received it. Since he couldn’t use the etiquette of his order, the Heavenly Dragon just bowed his head in return.
‘What a mess.’
Watching them, I wondered what the hell this whole spectacle was.
“Well then, I’ll really be going now. It was a pleasure to meet you. Truly, truly.”
“Yes. Take care.”
He seemed a bit clingy, so I practically pushed him away, and only then did Peng Woojin turn and leave. Surprisingly, he didn’t hesitate as he walked away. And so, Peng Woojin disappeared into the crowd.
Now that it was just me and the Heavenly Dragon, I looked at him and said, “I’m leaving.”
“...”
I uttered the short phrase and took a step. I didn’t have much to say to this guy. Just as I was about to walk away, thinking about the order of my training…
“…Why didn’t you say anything?”
Suddenly, I heard the Heavenly Dragon’s voice. I turned my head to look at him.
“Are you talking to me?”
“...”
There was no reply, but the Heavenly Dragon was definitely looking at me. Seeing that, I asked again.
“About what?”
“Just now… about what the others were saying.”
“Huh?”
What was the Heavenly Dragon trying to say? I didn’t understand, so I tilted my head.
“Ah.”
Something flashed through my mind. I think he meant what the customers had said earlier.
[So, that young man is the Lesser King of Hell, you say.]
[Don’t they also say he was called the youngest to reach the Fusion Realm?]
[Isn’t it probably because he’s been inactive?]
Those were all things they had said. Wondering if he meant that, I asked the Heavenly Dragon, “What was I supposed to say about it?”
Was there any reason for me to get involved?
“Was I supposed to go over and flip their table or something?”
Just because they were talking about me and ruining my appetite? Should I have flipped everything over?
‘What for?’
From what I heard, it wasn’t even much of an insult. At least, not by my standards. But was it something worth getting worked up over for the Heavenly Dragon? A guy who serves Buddha didn’t seem like the type to get angry over something like that.
‘The fact that he put up the sound barrier, too. Was he bothered by it or something?’
Maybe something had gotten on his nerves, and that’s why he was acting like this now.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s not a big deal… The food was good, so let’s just forget it and go our separate ways.”
I said my piece and turned my gaze away again. Then, I started walking toward my destination.
“…That is not it.”
His words continued, forcing me to frown. Annoyance was rising. Why was this guy being so bothersome? Especially after happily stuffing his face with dumplings. With my irritation mounting, I snapped without turning my head.
“Then what the hell is it?”
“The part about the youngest Fusion Realm master being a baseless rumor.”
Halt.
“…Patron, why did you not deny it?”
Hearing his words, I looked back at the Heavenly Dragon.
“Wow.”
The annoyance that had been rising just moments ago vanished, replaced by a hollow laugh. The thoughts I had about the Heavenly Dragon until just now were also erased.
“You,” I said, looking at the Heavenly Dragon. “You’re not as much of an idiot as I thought.”
“...”
Hearing my words, the look in the Heavenly Dragon’s eyes turned chillingly cold.