Click-.
Click-.
What can be heard in the quiet room is merely an unknown small noise.
The subtle sound tickling the ears was slightly irritating, but it did not cross the line worth pointing out.
It was in that ambiguous position.
Nangong Jin listened to the tickling noise and kept his eyes closed.
Normally, he would have pointed it out with a feeling of dislike, but right now, even that time was a waste.
In his mind, he had to review the movements he had quickly comprehended.
How the wrist should move, how much force the waist should exert, and simultaneously, where the toes should point.
Around the time he passed his twenties, he was bringing back out the basics he had erased from his mind.
He had to erase all of that and overlay it with the newly acquired. It would probably take a very long time.
Nangong Jin, who was concentrating on his thoughts, snapped his eyes open at the sound of a chair pulling out from in front of him.
Perhaps he had focused too deeply, as he hadn't noticed the presence that had approached right before his nose.
"I heard you've had some incidents lately."
"It has been well resolved."
The thin old man sitting before his eyes, Guxian Munju Gu Changjun.
He was the First Elder of the Shanxi Gu Family, an old man known by the alias Huolujiejian (Fire Absolute Sword).
"It is truly unexpected. That the Family Head would seek out an old man like me."
"The unfinished conversation from last time weighed on my mind, so I came looking for you."
"Oh... I would welcome it with both hands."
The First Elder said so and grinned.
'What a snake-like old man.'
A chilling sensation rang his intuition.
To Nangong Jin's senses, he was the one who least fit the Gu Family.
The Family Head, Haoxia, had a dirty temper, but he didn't scheme in the shadows.
If he had to break something, he broke it. He charged head-on; he wasn't the type to look for another way.
Now it seemed to have changed a lot, but since his dirty temper was the same, perhaps nothing had actually changed.
'He even had a son exactly like himself.'
Gu Tieyun's son not only looked exactly like his father, but also had a matching personality.
Now he couldn't be called a bastard anymore, though.
Be that as it may, not only Gu Tieyun but also Gu Yangtian was a person who suited the Gu Family.
Not to mention a fiery disposition, they also possessed monstrous talent.
The more he thought about it, the more Nangong Jin's stomach hurt.
Because the children Gu Tieyun produced each had bizarre talents.
Not to mention Jianfeng, the current number one late-stage expert.
The second child, a girl, was also said to have an outstanding level according to rumors.
Not much was known about the fourth child, but since he heard they joined the Huashan Sect, their level wouldn't be low.
And Gu Yangtian.
He was at a level Nangong Jin couldn't even explain.
It was too lofty to be called mere talent.
In the history of the Central Plains, the martial artists who had crossed the wall at Gu Yangtian's age could be counted on one hand.
Because even his grandfather, the foremost of the Nangong Family, Tianzun, was said to be his son Nangong Tianjun's age when he reached the pinnacle.
'As expected, he belongs to that place.'
A secretly created group under the Martial Alliance.
Nangong Jin's grandfather called that place Liuxing (Shooting Star).
'Gu Tieyun, pretending not to be until the end.'
He said he wouldn't be associated with such a place, but in reality, he was already connected to them.
How did he do it, information that couldn't be uncovered even with his own influence.
Had they already made an agreement with the Beggar's Sect? Considering all the rumors about Gu Yangtian were wrong, that possibility was high.
'The restriction is the same.'
Nangong Jin thought as he felt the restriction bound to his body.
This resembled what the Martial Alliance primarily used.
The way it was used was inefficient, and rather than a restriction, it was closer to a contract, but...
It was clearly using the framework of what the Alliance used.
Moreover, despite its crude method, he could intuit that its effect was so strong that it couldn't be easily undone.
If he returned to the family and saw his grandfather, Nangong Jin thought he would have to look into Liuxing in detail.
"From what I heard last time."
The First Elder opened the conversation first.
"I heard you set the engagement ceremony schedule on an auspicious day."
"It was well resolved in a harmonious atmosphere."
Compared to when he faced Gu Tieyun in the past, it was definitely a harmonious atmosphere.
"It is truly an unexpected part. I never dreamed that the Nangong Family would proceed with an engagement with our Yangtian..."
Our Yangtian.
To Nangong Jin's ears, compared to the affectionate title, the tone was somehow cold.
Listening to that, Nangong Jin spoke.
"I heard the Second Elder of the Gu Family put in some effort. It's also my first time seeing such a good reaction from our elder side."
"..."
When the Second Elder was brought up, the First Elder's expression changed slightly.
It quickly returned to normal, but it was a sufficient reaction for Nangong Jin to grasp.
It seemed he didn't welcome the engagement with the family very much.
His relationship with the Second Elder didn't seem very good either.
Nangong Jin took a sip of tea and organized his thoughts.
"As you mentioned earlier, there was a bit of an incident."
"I heard. That you bore an unfortunate false charge."
"Indeed. The situation is truly regrettable."
Originally, when Nangong Jin had his first conversation with the First Elder, the First Elder had other thoughts, and if those thoughts aligned well with his own, he thought he could pull him to his side.
But just from the circumstantial evidence regarding the incident that occurred in the Nangong Family, it seemed unlikely to happen.
If it was indeed the First Elder who tried to hold him back.
It was no different from their connection already being severed.
To sever it, circumstantial evidence was enough. There was no need to be dangerously entangled anymore.
Even so, Nangong Jin didn't change his expression.
"By any chance, is there something you desire?"
"Family Head?"
At Nangong Jin's words, the First Elder asked back, seeming flustered.
It felt like he hadn't expected this side to bring up such a thing.
The First Elder's hidden expressions and cultivated movements were skilled, but the ambition seeping through them was dark and damp.
It wasn't at a level that could be hidden.
It was strange to Nangong Jin that such a figure was kept quietly by his side.
If it were the Gu Tieyun of the past, he would have burned him alive long ago.
'This is not something I need to worry about.'
Whatever he was thinking, it was meaningless now.
-Just pretend to play along moderately.
He recalled the words Gu Yangtian had said.
What was the intention, to urge carelessness, or to confirm Nangong Jin's restriction?
Futile.
There wasn't enough leisure to think about such things right now.
Nangong Jin smiled and said to the First Elder.
"The path we wish to take might perhaps be the same."
At Nangong Jin's words, a faint light entered the First Elder's eyes.
A day passed since he taught Nangong Jin the sword.
"I heard you two had another conversation this time."
"Where on earth do you keep getting such information?"
Around the time he finished training and was chatting with Wei Xueer, the Second Elder visited.
Wei Xueer was diligently wiping his sweat with a towel, and the Second Elder appeared with a sullen face and continued speaking.
"It seems they've formed some kind of connection after all."
"Is that so?"
"Young Master, you're covered in sweat!"
"...Um, could you wipe a little more gently?"
Feeling the rough texture of the towel coming in, he stopped Wei Xueer.
She was rubbing so hard it felt like his facial skin would peel off.
Of course, he had sweated that much too.
He thought he wouldn't sweat once his mental art reached the stage of Danseong (Core Completion).
[It means you are that unaccustomed to it, so work harder.]
'Yes... I guess I need to work hard.'
The training of compressing internal energy and moving it delicately was still difficult.
Making the unfamiliar familiar was the most difficult thing for a martial artist, but conversely, it was also the most thrilling.
Because it was feeling something new and becoming a stepping stone for growth.
'Is Nangong Jin also going because of this kind of feeling?'
It felt like I could understand just a little. Setting my mind aside, the Second Elder fumed and shouted.
'"Is that so?" he says, this brat!'
"If we met anyway, what else would I do? I just have to let it be."
...
I considered telling the Second Elder about the matter with Nangong Jin, but the less said, the better.
When I showed a nonchalant reaction, the Second Elder suddenly tried to flick my forehead, so I moved and dodged.
"Oh, you can dodge no...ugh!"
Barely dodging it, I couldn't avoid the second strike, and with a bang! I sat down.
...I really thought my head was going to split open.
"This old man is dying of worry, and this grandson of mine!"
"Why would I be your grandson...!"
Strictly speaking, the bloodline might be connected, but it wasn't to that extent.
"I raised you while cleaning up your poop, and look at this ungrateful brat!"
As he tried to flick my forehead again, I pushed Wei Xueer forward.
"Hmm?"
At that, the Second Elder halted. No matter what, he couldn't do anything to the granddaughter of the Sword Venerable.
"Please stop hitting me, and what happened to your visit to the Nangong Family last time?"
I was referring to the time he suddenly disappeared during our conversation, saying he had to meet an elder of the Nangong Family.
It had only been a week, yet the Second Elder was here.
It didn't seem like there was enough time for a round trip.
When I brought that up, the Second Elder's face instantly turned awkward.
"...Don't ask. I just got scolded by the Family Head anyway."
"Elder, are you getting scolded by my father?"
"Quiet... How did I get caught? I moved secretly so I wouldn't be found out, did you tell on me, Yangtian?"
He started looking at me with suspicious eyes.
I was dumbfounded. Did he think going and coming back secretly with that massive physique made any sense?
"Look at your size, Elder... Do you think you can hide just because you want to?"
"Look at this brat. In my youth, this old man competed in stealth techniques with Anwang."
"Yes, yes, I'm sure you did."
"Grandpa Lun, did you get bigger again?"
When Wei Xueer asked innocently, the Second Elder forced a smile and said.
"No... This old man can't grow anymore."
"No, I think you got bigger."
"Is that a compliment?"
"Yes! It's cool when you're big!"
"...Right, thank you."
At Wei Xueer's bright innocence, the Second Elder eventually smiled awkwardly.
Even so, a contest of stealth techniques with a master known as the King of Assassins—there was no bragging quite like that.
"Anyway, seeing that the old men of Nangong are also hushing up this matter, it seems there is a problem."
I thought it was a matter of course that it wouldn't work, but the Second Elder found it strange that it didn't.
No matter how much the Second Elder was an old man packed with muscles, he was a more rational person than he looked.
When he made such a judgment, it meant there was something else.
"And I heard there was also a problem with that Sword King fellow, is that alright?"
"You even found that out?"
"Didn't I tell you? The family has many eyes and ears of this old man."
"It's somewhat fine."
The biggest problem he thought of was the life and death of the servant.
A scar would remain on his face, but he heard he could be kept alive without threat to his life.
Since it was none other than the Divine Doctor who said so, it could be trusted.
He was still unconscious, but I planned to visit him once he regained his senses.
In the meantime, the Second Elder continued speaking in a voice that seemed displeased.
"If you have such a lukewarm reaction, Yangtian, this old man will take care of it himself."
"Can't you just stay still... I understand."
Why does this old man always raise his fist at the drop of a hat...
I felt like I had to get stronger quickly just to avoid getting hit by that.
As I half-playfully tucked my neck in, the Second Elder let out a deep sigh and brought up another topic.
"And, I heard you're going to attend the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering. Is that true?"
"Did you hear it from the Family Head?"
"Yes."
"Probably, it seems so."
"When are you planning to depart?"
"I'm thinking of going a bit early, so I'm considering departing in about seven days."
The Dragon and Phoenix Gathering is held at the end of the year, so leaving around that time would allow me to arrive a little early.
"You're planning to go much earlier than I thought."
"Because it's better than being late."
At first, it felt like I was attending while being pushed by Tang Xiaolie's request and my father's permission.
Considering Old Man Shin's wish and the value of the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering to some extent, it was necessary.
And, there was someone I personally wanted to see.
I figured they would probably attend the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering around this time.
The Second Elder quietly looked at my face, then raised the corners of his mouth and said.
"Looking at your expression, it seems you don't plan on staying still."
"I don't know what you mean."
"Right, if you've reached that level, you should run wild at least once."
The Second Elder continued speaking as if he was already convinced, not caring at all that I was feigning ignorance.
...He's a more fox-like old man than he looks.
Like the Second Elder said, I did plan to cause some trouble at the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering, but I wasn't going to run wild on a large scale.
Thinking about future events, there was just a need to make my name known to some extent.
Fame or name value would be a bit easier if I revealed what I had done so far, but...
Getting more deeply entangled with the Black Night Palace would be a headache right now.
The most convenient and easy method was, after all, the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering. Because it was a place where even small things were blown out of proportion.
For example, there was a story that when Nangong Tianjun attended his first Dragon and Phoenix Gathering, lightning struck from a clear sky, celebrating the emergence of a new star.
Lightning from a clear sky... It's a story that sounds like it came out of a legend.
Because of this, I wasn't thinking that I would gain nothing if I went.
It wasn't arrogance.
Honestly, even rolling around there right now felt like a level that pricked my conscience.
Because in a way, it was like acting tough among babies.
[If others knew, your face would turn bright red.]
'...So isn't it a relief that others don't know?'
[Must be nice. Because others don't know.]
'Ugh...'
I couldn't make any rebuttal against Old Man Shin's mocking tone full of laughter.
At times like this, I just had to act shamelessly.
The Second Elder spoke to me with a smiling face.
"Since the Family Head allowed it, go and bite off what you want with peace of mind."
"Am I some kind of beast? Bite off, what am I biting..."
"Well, you do look like a beast."
"..."
Saying that, the Second Elder took something out of his bosom.
As soon as I saw it, I knew what it was.
It was the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering invitation that Tang Xiaolie had shown me last time.
"Did you receive this, Elder?"
"Uh... If so, then I suppose."
"What's with that ambiguous answer, you're making me anxious..."
Did he not get it from my father?
My invitation would have already arrived at the Gu Family, so I thought he brought that.
The Second Elder spoke as if that wasn't the case.
"It's not an invitation, but a recommendation letter."
"A recommendation letter? For me?"
"I got it just in case, but if I knew it would come to this, I would have brought something more stylish."
Normally, a recommendation is usually given by a sponsor of a late-stage expert.
In Tang Xiaolie's case, the Tang Family Head would naturally have done it.
I don't know about Nangong Fei.
Nangong Jin probably gave his recommendation to Lei Long.
In my case, I was supposed to receive it from my father.
I'm not sure if Gu Lianxi, who has finished his closed-door training and is secluding himself in his quarters this time, will attend, but...
'But who wrote me a recommendation letter?'
If it were a martial artist who had made a name for themselves at the elder level right now, it would be possible to write one, but was there any need for the Second Elder to write it instead of my father?
The recommendation letter for the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering is from master to disciple, from parent to blood relative.
In a way, it's like a certificate saying, "I am sponsoring this child," or "I am protecting this child."
Who would be the person to do such a thing for me?
Furthermore, my few rumors right now wouldn't be very good, so they would have written it even while bearing the damage to their own reputation.
"Take it. I received it the year before last, and I'm somewhat glad it could be used like this."
At the Second Elder's words, my forehead wrinkled slightly.
The year before last...?
Then that means it was a point before I regressed.
I had no memory of receiving such a recommendation letter in my past life.
I carefully received the letter.
And as soon as I saw the letters written on the letter, my body immediately stiffened.
It couldn't be helped.
Only one character was written on the letter.
Bai (Defeat).
"Elder... this."
I asked in a panic, but the Second Elder was smiling proudly.
There was only one reason why such an overwhelming pressure could be felt from a shabby single character written in black ink.
This letter was.
From one of the Three Venerables of the World and the Master of the West.
Baizun. It belonged to Biju.