Chapter 688: The Politely Mad Bastard
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 688: The Politely Mad Bastard
“What in the world have you been up to?”
I asked the Dishonored Venerable the moment I ran into him late that evening, right after I had finished my training.
At my question, he scowled.
“Is that really the first thing you ask your master after not seeing him for days?”
“Well, I figured you’d show up eventually.”
If possible, I had hoped he would have stayed away longer. Maybe seven days and nights, or perhaps half a month...? That would have been perfect. Unfortunately, the Dishonored Venerable had returned far too soon. And on top of that…
“I just didn’t expect you to cause such a ruckus.”
A very loud one at that.
“Are you aware that all of Henan has been in an uproar today?”
“Isn’t Henan always a noisy place?”
He had a point. As the most developed city in the Central Plains, it was natural for it to be bustling all day long.
The problem is that today was much, much hotter than usual.
I looked at the Dishonored Venerable, recalling the stories I had heard all day until my ears bled.
“Are you really going to participate?”
Bi Eejin, the Dragon Warrior, is entering the tournament.
That news had spread like wildfire through the streets of Henan. During the day, the gossip had been all about me, but the moment this story broke, all talk of my exploits was swept away as if by a tidal wave.
One of the Six Dragons and Three Phoenixes was entering the tournament.
In truth, that wasn’t a particularly big deal on its own. After all, Tang Soyeol, the Poison Phoenix, had already announced her participation, and the Heavenly Dragon was also expected to compete.
But the reason it was such a massive deal that the Dragon Warrior—the least known of the Six Dragons and Three Phoenixes—was participating was something else entirely.
—It was revealed that the Dragon Warrior is the direct disciple of the Dishonored Venerable, one of the Three Venerables.
The disciple of the Dishonored Venerable had been officially acknowledged. That single piece of news had kept the city buzzing all day.
However, the world didn't know the truth.
That the so-called disciple is the Dishonored Venerable himself…
I stared at the man in front of me, who was casually eating the dumplings I had bought. He seemed to be paying my question no mind, but I knew that wasn't entirely true.
“Why? Is there some reason I shouldn’t participate?”
“Doesn’t it feel like an adult crashing a children’s playground just to cause a scene?”
“Ha.”
The Dishonored Venerable burst out laughing as if he found my words absurd.
“My disciple. Do you really think you’re any different?”
“I’m just a kid, aren’t I?”
“Look at this shameless brat.”
He picked up a dumpling and let out a deep sigh. Watching him, I asked, “Elder.”
“Yes.”
“Was this, by any chance, what you were going to tell me back then?”
That day we had encountered the Heavenly Dragon. Back at the inn, he had said he had something to tell me. Could this have been it?
When I asked with that intention…
“That’s right,” the Dishonored Venerable affirmed.
So it was what he had intended to say. He was really going to tell me he was entering the tournament?
Dumbfounded, I asked, “Why do you want to participate?”
“Doesn’t it look fun?”
“You don’t like that sort of thing.”
This was a man who treated such events as child’s play and refused to engage in "fake" fights. He only sparred with me to teach me—and to vent his own frustrations. Why would a man who utterly despised fighting weaklings, even in a festival setting, want to enter a martial arts tournament?
“Sometimes, things like this are necessary.”
“...By any chance.”
“Yes.”
“You’re not going just so you can legally beat me up, are you…?”
Whoosh!
I twisted my head, dodging the flick aimed at my forehead. After dodging, I felt a chill run down my spine.
This crazy old man!
The hand the Dishonored Venerable had swung was imbued with Combat Qi.
“You dodged?”
“Were you trying to crack my skull open?”
“It’s not like you’d die from a little hit.”
“...What a morbid thing to say.”
He was right; a hit like that would probably just crack my skull a bit, not kill me, but it was still absurd to hear such words from a master.
“If I wanted to beat you, I’d just do it like this.”
“Were you trying to hit me just to demonstrate that?”
“It was easy to understand, wasn’t it?”
“...Yes, very easy.”
So easy it was starting to piss me off.
“Besides,” the Dishonored Venerable continued calmly as I scowled. “Originally, I was just going to participate for a taste, but I figured it would be convenient to spread the name a little while I was at it. What’s the problem? I’m just using what’s mine.”
He was right. No one would deny that Bi Eejin was the Dishonored Venerable’s disciple. After all, the Dragon Warrior was the Dishonored Venerable. And since both Bi Eejin and Bijuu were born into the Bi clan of Xi'an, the justification was solid.
It was just that…
“A man like you who hates this sort of thing, spreading your name…”
Even in my past life, the Dishonored Venerable had remained quiet until the war broke out. If he hadn't revealed that he had used eternal youth to become young again, others would have likely gone to their graves without ever knowing. What could possibly be so convenient about this?
Just as I was about to voice my question…
“There’s no better way to silence useless rumors.”
“...!”
His words made me swallow hard. My eyes widened slightly as I stared at him. Did he mean…
Is this because of the rumors spreading through the Central Plains?
A group called the Demonic Cult had suddenly appeared in the Central Plains. A faint rumor had begun to spread that its leader, the Heavenly Demon, was the Dishonored Venerable. The rumor hadn't spread widely yet, and because of the perception that one of the Three Venerables would never do such a thing, it was mostly being dismissed as nonsense.
Even so, it was starting to become a concern.
No way.
Could that be why the Dishonored Venerable was taking this step? If so, for what purpose? Was he annoyed by the misunderstanding?
No. He’s not the type to care about such things.
The Dishonored Venerable would sooner snort at trivial rumors than make a move because of them. Then why? As I searched for a reason, one possibility bothered me.
...Is it because of me?
It was possible the Dishonored Venerable suspected I was connected to the Demonic Cult and had decided to personally sweep the rumors away. Indeed, if it were known that the Dragon Warrior was his disciple and that he was focused on training him, it would be a convenient way to quell the current rumors.
That was a plausible reason, but…
That… that can’t be it.
It couldn't be. The Dishonored Venerable wouldn't have made a move for my sake. He seemed suspicious when he heard the information last time, but he wouldn't have taken such an action based on mere suspicion. That man just wasn't like that.
That’s what I wanted to believe.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“It’s… nothing.”
“You strange fellow.” The Dishonored Venerable smirked at my reaction. “Anyway, I’m participating, so just be aware of it.”
“...I understand.”
A tournament with the Dishonored Venerable. Will it be okay?
I was already in the process of analyzing every single participant. If the Dishonored Venerable was thrown into the mix, would it cause problems for my plans?
I’ll have to see how it plays out.
It would depend on the situation. The fortunate thing was that it didn't seem like it would make a huge difference.
“...Now I can beat you openly. Hehehe.”
I ignored the quietly muttered words. Letting out a small sigh, a thought occurred to me, and I spoke to the Dishonored Venerable.
“Ah, Elder.”
“What is it?”
“I’m just asking, just in case.” I took a short breath and continued. “Do you know about my grandfather?”
“Hmm?”
The Dishonored Venerable tilted his head. It was probably strange for me to suddenly ask about my grandfather, but from my perspective, I had my reasons.
The Dishonored Venerable is close with the First Elder and the Dark King. And the Dark King mentioned my grandfather.
If so, wouldn't the Dishonored Venerable also know about him? That was the intention behind my question.
“Well, now,” the Dishonored Venerable gave an ambiguous answer. “Should I say I know him...? That’s a good question.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly what I said. But why are you asking?”
“I was just suddenly curious.”
I couldn't tell him the detailed circumstances, so I decided to be vague.
“Didn’t your father tell you?”
“No.”
My father had never once spoken to me about my grandfather. At least, not in my memory. My father had been the Lord of the Gu Clan since I was born, and it was the same in my past life.
“Hmm…”
The Dishonored Venerable seemed to fall into deep thought. He looked like he was contemplating how to answer.
Is it something that requires so much thought?
I just wanted to know what kind of person he was, but it seemed there was something complicated about it—
“If I had to say... you’re half and half.”
“Pardon?”
I voiced my confusion at the unexpected answer. What did he mean, half and half?
“He was a man who was half your father and half you.”
“What does that even…”
“Yes, in other words.” As if he’d had a revelation, the Dishonored Venerable clapped his hands. “A gentlemanly madman.”
“...?”
“That was exactly the kind of man he was.”
He seemed quite satisfied with his own description, but…
...What the hell does that mean?
It was a statement I couldn't understand at all. To say he was half and half, and then call him a gentlemanly madman…
Since I'm the 'madman,' does that make my father the 'gentleman'? No, my father isn't like that at all.
As I racked my brain, the Dishonored Venerable continued. “If you’re more curious, don’t ask me. Ask your father, or if you see the Dark King, ask him.”
“The Dark King, you say.”
“That’s right. He would know better than I.”
“...”
With none of my questions answered, I touched my lips. My father still hadn't come, and the Dark King hadn't returned either. That meant, in the end…
I’ll have to go find Gu Huibi.
I finally have to go and ask her. That was the only conclusion left.
Right, there’s no point in putting it off anyway.
I turned my gaze toward the drawer. More precisely, I looked at the broken treasure hidden inside it, the Jade of Noble Thought. It was the treasure my father had given to Mi Hyoran.
I have to see her because of that, if nothing else.
To fix the broken treasure, I would inevitably need Gu Huibi. No, the Heavenly Demon she had with her. I had to find her, and through the Heavenly Demon, I had to find one other person.
...The Heavenly Demon will probably know.
The old man who managed the entire structure of the Demonic Cult. And also…
The man who artificially created treasures.
Taejeolgwi, the Mechanist.
The Heavenly Demon would know where he was.
* * *
Time passed, and the sun rose high in the sky. The streets of Henan were now bustling with such a dense crowd that not a single gap could be seen.
“Everyone! Be careful!”
“Don’t come too far forward! You could be hit by a horse!”
It was only natural. Even on the wide roads, countless people were coming and going, and with the paths narrowed for crowd control, it was inevitable that they would be packed together. The sight was suffocating just to look at. How could a crowd be so tightly packed without a single empty space...?
If it were me, I’d go crazy from the stuffiness.
Just watching was enough to make me want to run away. And yet, the people in the streets all had faces filled with anticipation.
The reason was…
“They’re coming!”
“Where? Where are they?”
“It’s the Emei Sect!”
It was because they could see the martial artists entering from the entrance of Henan Palace. From the entrance, horses slowed their pace, pulling carriages behind them. Watching the fluttering flag, I nodded.
The Emei Sect...
I knew of them. It was only natural, as they were a famous sect. The Emei Sect, one of the Ten Sect Alliance. One of the noble clans that had established its base in Sichuan.
A place I don't recall having any connection with.
In my past life, I heard that the Sword Demon had killed the Sect Leader of the Emei Sect during the conquest of Sichuan. Thanks to that, even if the sect wasn't completely annihilated, it came close. Other than that, I didn't have many memories of them. You could say I never considered them very important.
So I watched their procession with a somewhat indifferent gaze.
“I didn’t expect the Emei Sect to be the first to arrive.”
I turned my head at the voice from in front of me. It was Moyong Hi-ah, speaking as she sipped her tea.
Hearing her, I asked back, “Why?”
“The women of the Emei Sect are unusually proud. So I didn't expect them to be the very first to come.”
Wasn't the Emei Sect composed entirely of women?
I suppose.
Since the order of arrival was part of their own battle of wills, it was a bit peculiar. They must have their reasons. It wasn't something I was particularly interested in. It was, quite literally, a trivial matter.
The Emei Sect passed by, basking in the attention of the crowd. Following them, I could see others entering.
“Plum blossoms! It’s the Mount Hua Sect!”
My gaze was naturally drawn by the shout.
Hmm.
This time, it wasn't carriages, but purely people. A familiar uniform caught my eye. A faint scent of plum blossoms mixed with the wind. I could see plum blossom embroidery stitched onto the pure white uniforms. It was the Mount Hua Sect, known as the Guardians of Shaanxi.
I smiled slightly as I watched. “It’s been a while.”
Dozens of people entered with calm steps, without horses or carriages. At the head of the group, a benevolent-looking old man was walking.
“It’s the Celestial Plum Blossom!”
“Woah—!”
The old man’s identity was none other than the Sect Leader of Mount Hua, one of the Ten Masters of the Central Plains. The Celestial Plum Blossom.
I can’t believe he came in person.
Just like at the last Orthodox Faction Meeting, I had assumed the Celestial Plum Blossom wouldn't show up in Henan this time either. But for some reason, he had left Shaanxi and come here.
Hearing the cheers of the crowd, the Celestial Plum Blossom gave a slight wave. That only made the cheers grow louder. I was watching the scene from the window of an inn. It was a room the White Flower Merchant Association had reserved in advance, with a clear view of the street.
“It seems everyone is gathering.”
Following my lead, Wi Seol-Ah and Tang Soyeol peeked their heads out the window.
“That’s right. It’s about time for them to start arriving.”
It wasn't just the Emei and Mount Hua Sects. Most, if not all, of the Ten Sect Alliance would come, and countless masters, including those from the so-called noble clans, were on their way.
The Gathering.
The pillars of the Orthodox Faction were converging in one place, and to witness it, a crowd several times larger than the first day had gathered. The number of people was overwhelmingly greater than on any day I had seen before.
As I continued to watch the arriving groups, I asked Moyong Hi-ah, “Is the Moyong clan coming too?”
The Moyong clan was, strictly speaking, one of the Four Noble Clans, so I wondered if they would come to the tournament. She replied, “No. I heard they won’t be participating in the tournament.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Besides, they said the Lord is not in a position to come to Henan.”
“Hmm…”
The Lord of the Moyong clan, the White Heavenly Sword, isn't coming to Henan?
That’s strange.
I thought that man would surely come. As someone skilled in politics and business, I had expected the White Heavenly Sword to attend, no matter what. This was quite unexpected.
What could be more important than the tournament?
The question arose, but I shook my head to clear it. He must have his reasons.
Anyway, if the Moyong clan is also absent, that means only two of the Four Noble Clans will be participating.
There was news that the Peng and Namgung Clans would attend. As for the Tang Clan…
Tang Soyeol is participating, but... it's a bit ambiguous.
Given the current situation, the Tang Clan's standing was an issue, so the Poison King would not be coming to Henan. In reality, it was correct to say that only two of the Four Noble Clans were participating.
“Two clans... and from the Ten Sect Alliance, at least five…”
“Pardon?”
“It’s nothing. I was just thinking about something.”
The numbers seemed fine. Organizing my thoughts, I looked out the window.
“Gwidong Jingeom of the Geum Clan!”
“And there’s Mukseong Bimagwon next to him! Does that mean the Mukseong Sect is participating too?”
“Even Geumcheol Daedo is here!”
Not only the names of sects and clans, but also the titles of promising masters could be heard. The air was even becoming thick with Internal Qi as the martial artists gathered in such numbers. It was a phenomenon that occurred when so many masters assembled.
Feeling this, my perspective shifted.
They’re here.
The strong were gathering. Watching this, I couldn't help but feel the reality of it.
The Heavenly Dragon Martial Arts Tournament.
The time to raise hell at the event officially prepared by the Murim Alliance… had finally arrived.
* * *
While Gu Yangcheon was watching the crowd and cooling his head…
On a certain rooftop, someone stood looking down at the scene below. Their eyes darted around as if they found the teeming masses fascinating. The figure, with his hands clasped behind his back, observed the people and spoke.
“So many. So very many.”
Had it always been this crowded? The old man tried to recall, but it was too long ago to remember. In the first place, he had forgotten it all long ago, so it was only natural that he couldn't remember.
“There are so many, I feel like burning them all to ash.”
The words he muttered were utterly chilling. Spoken with a blank expression, they were even more so.
Should I try it right now?
For a moment, the impulse was overwhelming, but the old man did not move.
“...”
He reminded himself of his purpose. He hadn't come here just to crush some insects.
“...Right. There was a reason.”
The old man shook his head and slowly turned away. As he took a step, strangely, no sound was made.
“Where should I go?”
Where could he go to meet his ‘grandson’? Pondering this, the old man’s red eyes flashed.
Fwoosh—!!
In an instant, he became flames and vanished.