Eyes of Malice
Yeop Pung readily accepted the invitation to take part in the Autumn Hunt.
Maeng Chang-haeng made it abundantly clear that this competition was, first and foremost, about gaining experience. Neither Maeng Chang-haeng nor anyone else expected Yeop Pung to bring glory to the Cheonun Sect. Even Yi Hwawu had only managed fifth place on the winners' list two years ago — the monsters of the Military Supply Bureau were that far beyond imagination.
Maeng Chang-haeng issued Yeop Pung a single warning: under no circumstances was he to practice the Nine Heavens Cloud-Spirit Scripture out in the open. Yeop Pung already knew this well. The phenomenon of absorbing starlight into his body was far too astonishing to ever reveal to the world.
Maeng Chang-haeng had one other worry. He knew that many of Yeop Pung's peers currently distinguishing themselves among the Cheonun Sect's younger generation would be participating in this hunt — Beom Undae among them.
"Kid, you've got to put the greater good first in this hunt. Don't go causing trouble!"
Maeng Chang-haeng drilled the point into him.
"Grand Martial Uncle, what kind of thing is that to say?"
Yeop Pung raised an eyebrow in protest.
"Do I look like some neighborhood punching bag to you? I wasn't exactly popular back then, but people didn't hate me that much either."
"Heh heh...."
Maeng Chang-haeng pursed his lips, looking helpless.
Wasn't exactly popular? Yeop Pung, you're being far too modest.... The things you pulled in the outer sect back then were truly something else!
"Come on, Grand Martial Uncle. That laugh of yours seems to have some other meaning in it."
In truth, a corner of Yeop Pung's heart sat uneasy.
But didn't everyone have their youthful, hot-blooded days? He'd just been a little rough in spars, and now and then, when he won, he'd run his mouth a bit too hard. And when he won a bet, he'd simply taken all of his opponent's Spirit Cloud Herbs.... They were all wanderers of the martial world — this much should be fine, right? Fine...? On second thought, maybe not.
Only after five or six years of grinding at the bottom did Yeop Pung understand just how thoroughly his sharp, arrogant ways had earned people's hatred. In all those years, not a single person had come to visit him in the herb garden.
He steeled himself for the reunion with his old peers. No matter what happened — even if they gave him the cold shoulder — he would not be the one to provoke anyone first.
Three days remained between the announcement of the participant list and the start of the Autumn Hunt. Yeop Pung threw himself into training day and night through those final three days. At dawn on the third day, thanks to the potent effects of the Spirit Soul Pills and the incomplete Nine Heavens Cloud-Spirit Scripture, he had opened four-fifths of his third profound meridian. Another day or two, and he would reach the Three Meridians Realm.
He felt no regret. Only two days remained until his next journey through time. Two days from now he could return to the past, stay for three days, and force a crucial breakthrough. What's more, based on his previous experience, there was a strong chance the Golden Disc's second ring would fill completely after this trip. Yeop Pung's chest swelled with anticipation at what changes might come over the Golden Disc.
Clang!
Just then, a booming bell rang out from outside, summoning the disciples of the Cheonun Sect. Yeop Pung rose from his seat, opened the door, and walked out into the golden sunlight.
The plaza before the Cheonun Gate monument. Every Cheonun Sect disciple participating in the hunt had assembled. Counting the friends who'd come to cheer them on, a crowd of roughly a thousand milled about in clusters.
These participants were already the finest of the fine among the Cheonun Sect's young disciples under eighteen. Seen from a distance, every one of them was powerfully built, their bearing proud and imposing. In their own little worlds they were the ones who drew every eye. Gathered in one place like this, they naturally took each other's measure, competitive fire kindling in their hearts. On the surface, though, they observed all the courtesies — exchanging greetings, striking up conversation, weaving a warm and congenial atmosphere.
Among the crowd, Beom Undae's towering figure stood out at a glance. He was smiling as he talked with someone.
"Brother Jang, it's been a while. Your skills have improved!"
"Ah, what are you talking about. How could I possibly keep up with you, Brother Undae. Reaching the 5th Meridian Mysterious Realm — that's truly admirable.... Uh, Brother Undae, what's with your face?"
Beom Undae's facial muscles twitched involuntarily.
This was all because of that bastard Yeop Pung. Days had passed, and the bruises still hadn't faded — his face was still swollen. How the hell was he supposed to explain this?
"Haha, the wind was strong yesterday and I walked into a door. Quite the laughingstock...."
Beom Undae turned and walked away, as if he no longer wanted to talk with this tactless fellow.
He hadn't gone more than a few steps when he looked up and surveyed his surroundings, spotting the place where the most people had gathered. Some twenty or thirty people were clustered around a young man. All of them wore broad smiles, their faces bright and happy, like sunflowers turning toward the sun.
That's him....
Beom Undae's eyes flashed, and the corner of his mouth lifted faintly. He walked straight toward them, as if he had been looking for this person all along.
The youth at the center of the crowd had an angular face and long hair falling to his shoulders. His eyebrows swept upward, and he cut a rather heroic figure — except that his nose was a little large, like a small mountain rising from the middle of his face, seizing the eye whether one liked it or not.
His name was Wang Maeng. He was the strongest among the participants in this hunt, having long since reached the 5th Meridian Mysterious Realm. With Yi Hwawu and Un Cheoncheon sitting this one out, everyone regarded him as the natural favorite. The participants clustered around him all wanted to stay in his good graces so they could count on his help during the competition.
"Senior Brother Wang, you seem to get more impressive by the day. Doesn't everyone think so? Just look at your complexion. Reaching the 5th Meridian Mysterious Realm really does make a difference...."
"That's right, Senior Brother Wang. Please tell us how you trained. No matter how hard I try, I can't get past four meridians. Could you come to my quarters this evening and give me some guidance?"
"Senior Brother Wang, I heard that last time even Senior Brother Yi Hwawu came to you in person wanting to learn the Falling Shadow Sword Technique. Is that true? Has your swordsmanship already surpassed Senior Brother Yi Hwawu's?"
As flattering words poured in from all sides, Wang Maeng was beside himself with pleasure. The feeling of finally becoming number one after being the eternal second — no, third — was truly intoxicating.
"Hahaha, everyone, don't praise me too much!"
Wang Maeng rubbed his large nose out of habit and laughed heartily.
"Our bonds run deep, that's why we've ended up in this hunt together. So I, Wang Maeng, will look after everyone well and do my utmost so the Cheonun Sect can put up a good showing!"
"That's our Senior Brother Wang — so big-hearted!"
"Kyaa~ You're so cool, Senior Brother Wang!"
As the sycophantic praise continued without pause, Wang Maeng felt as if he were soaring through the sky. Just then, Beom Undae approached the front of the group with a beaming smile, clasping his fist in greeting.
"Brother Wang, it's been a while."
"Oh, Undae!"
Wang Maeng blinked.
"Huh? Undae, what's with your face?"
Is it that obvious?! Why is everyone staring at my face!
Beom Undae fumed inwardly and quickly changed the subject.
"Haha, last time I saw you was three years ago, wasn't it? Who would've thought you'd built up this much skill on Hwaun Peak in the meantime. Truly impressive. With talent like this, even the Yeop Pung of old wouldn't stand a chance against you!"
Yeop Pung...
Beom Undae noticed Wang Maeng's smile vanish the instant he heard the name, and sneered inwardly.
Hmph, Yeop Pung. The others might not matter, but Wang Maeng still holds a grudge over being publicly defeated by you and having his nose mocked. Since you dared to participate in this hunt, I'll make you plenty of "good friends"!
"Haha..."
Wang Maeng laughed awkwardly.
"Undae, don't praise me too much. You've reached the Five Meridians Realm yourself, haven't you? We'll need to join forces in this hunt!"
"Of course. I'll always trust and follow you, Brother Wang. But the old Yeop Pung is back, and I worry he might be as difficult as he used to be..."
Wang Maeng rolled his eyes upward, looking incredulous.
This bastard. Is he determined to needle me today?
True, I was bullied by Yeop Pung in the past, but that's all water under the bridge. I'm a proud disciple of the Cheonun Sect and a leader of the younger generation. And I'm a hero who will fight for the Cheonun Sect in this hunt. Someone like Yeop Pung isn't even worth my attention anymore....
Wang Maeng, who considered himself a fairly thoughtful person, didn't take Beom Undae's bait.
Just then, a murmur of voices rose from outside. People whispered among themselves.
"Look over there — Yeop Pung's here!"
"It's really that guy!"
"Haven't seen him in years, and he's still got that same punchable look on his face!"
"Tell me about it. Look at the way that bastard walks. Like he thinks the world revolves around him. Reminds me of when he took my Spirit Cloud Herbs. Damn it, wasn't that guy supposed to be confined on Nagun Peak? How'd he end up in the hunt?"
My reputation is rock bottom.
It truly was the worst possible reputation. Only upon arriving at the plaza did Yeop Pung realize he had underestimated the wounds he'd left on people in the past.
The moment he appeared before the former inner disciples, people recoiled from him as if they'd caught a whiff of something foul. Several of them, Beom Undae included, sent gazes sharp as blades his way, making no attempt to hide their hostility.
Yeop Pung was completely isolated. The instant he showed himself, more than half of the roughly thousand-strong crowd backed away. Among those who remained were some who didn't dislike him — but they too were swept up in the mood and quietly put distance between themselves and him.
In the end, an awkward tableau took shape in the plaza: one man, ringed by a thousand enemies.
A mountain wind blew through, fluttering the hem of Yeop Pung's robes, as if it had gathered up that heavy, suffocating atmosphere and given it form.
Serves you right!
Beom Undae sneered inwardly.
Yeop Pung, you dared to come back. This is the price you have to pay. How does it feel?
Surrounded by the hostility of a thousand people, Yeop Pung calmly shook his head. His expression was serene, as though he had expected all of this. Looking back, everything here was karmic retribution for what he had done. He could not blame them.
When a silence so awkward it was hard to breathe had settled over the plaza, one person suddenly strode toward Yeop Pung.