Chapter 241. The Frontline. (10)
After Huangfu Cheolwi gathered the fallen ones.
The Wulin League's frontline branch.
And inside the Huangfu Clan's barracks, built a little distance away from there.
Bang!
Objects flew through the air, creating a loud racket.
A giant who seemed to fill up the not-insignificant barracks.
Was grabbing and throwing nearby objects without a moment's rest, and.
The killing intent radiating from the giant's body was incredibly thick.
"That motherfucker...!"
The desk was crushed by the giant's fist and scattered across the floor.
The man, Huangfu Cheok, ground his teeth as he recalled the martial artist he had just met.
"True Dragon...!"
Right after he came to his senses, he had heard about the identity of the one who attacked him.
True Dragon Gu Yangcheon, who swept through the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering and made a name for himself as a new rising star.
It was a name Huangfu Cheok had also heard of.
How could he not know when they called him a new dragon?
Not to mention, he was the person he considered the most wary of in the Central Plains recently.
He had heard news that he possessed incredible talent with a promising future.
However.
'He's just a late-stage expert at best.'
Just a late-stage expert at best. To Huangfu Cheok, a guy called True Dragon should have been that kind of person.
'But... that kind of bastard, dared to play with me?'
Thump!
The barracks shook from Huangfu Cheok's swinging fist.
The attendants nearby were trembling in fear from the thickly scattered killing intent and fighting spirit.
Huangfu Cheok didn't even care about this and just let out a beastly roar.
The reason he was so angry was not simply because he had lost to someone else.
'I thought there wouldn't be any more since that monster from the Peng family.'
Recalling the monster holding his breath in his own clan, Huangfu Cheok unknowingly shuddered.
An existence that seemed to live in a world of its own.
Furthermore, receiving the gaze of a predator that seemed to look down on everyone.
It was unbearable for Huangfu Cheok, who was to become the master of a prestigious clan.
So even more so.
One such guy should have been enough.
'Grit.'
Recalling the young man's epithet, Huangfu Cheok clenched his fist.
'This Huangfu Cheok...'
To be defeated by a mere late-stage expert.
'This cannot be.'
Not only the real combat experience he had gained in the Central Plains.
But also the energy he possessed and his proficiency in using it.
There was no way a mere late-stage expert could be compared to him.
No, there shouldn't have been.
'I am the one who must lead the great Huangfu Clan from now on.' Crack.
He had to lead a prestigious clan and live gaining much fame and honor, so he shouldn't leave such a stain.
'...What if I kill everyone who saw?'
Leaving only those he considered completely his own people.
If he disposed of those who weren't, wouldn't there be no rumors?
Huangfu Cheok nodded.
Because he had made up his mind to do so.
A secluded place.
Suddenly, a severe pain was felt in his arm.
It was the arm that had been twisted by that bastard earlier.
Not only did the arm that suffered from that guy not leave any aftereffects.
But it was said that it would return to normal with just a little rest.
He was lucky.
Because it was rare for there to be no aftereffects like this.
At first, he wondered if that guy had intentionally aimed for this.
'That probably isn't the case.'
Such a thing could only be done by those skilled in tormenting people through countless murders, or through torture.
No matter how outstanding that guy was.
This was not the realm of talent.
So it must have just been a coincidence.
There was no other way to explain it otherwise.
Crack!
Even the last remaining desk in the barracks was shattered by Huangfu Cheok's angry hands.
In the sweltering heat, Huangfu Cheok whispered.
"What should we do?"
Glancing back.
There stood another giant with a similar build to Huangfu Cheok.
"My brother."
It was none other than Huangfu Cheolwi, the second son of the Huangfu Clan Lord.
"...Brother."
"This Huangfu Cheok has suffered a harsh ordeal. I ask you, what should we do about this?"
"Heu..."
At Huangfu Cheok's words, Huangfu Cheolwi said nothing.
He just looked at Huangfu Cheok with an unreadable expression.
At this, Huangfu Cheok let out a dark chuckle.
Feeling the emotions drenched in that laughter too well, Huangfu Cheolwi felt a stifling sensation rise in his chest.
"What should we do with this. If it reaches Father's ears, he'd be so very pleased."
"Brother... you were just ambushed..."
"Ambush? Did that look like an ambush to your eyes?"
"It would be better to call it a demonic art instead. Then it would be much more acceptable."
No matter how much he tried to disparage and ignore it.
As long as Huangfu Cheok was a martial artist who had crossed the wall, he could tell.
Especially since he had experienced it firsthand, how could he not know?
It wasn't something like an ambush.
The perspective of looking was different.
The way the body was used was different.
It was a gap in the speed of judgment.
It was what you call a difference in level.
"That's why I'm even more angry."
Because he was crushed purely by the difference in strength.
Because he was a descendant of the Huangfu Clan, which worshipped the power of martial artists and dreamed of greater power.
He was even more enraged by the fact that he was defeated by a martial artist younger and smaller than himself.
Let alone the fact that others had witnessed that reality.
It was a reason Huangfu Cheok couldn't quell his anger.
"What should we do about this, brother."
"...First, if the Gu family sends a letter..."
"Hah."
Huangfu Cheok let out a hollow laugh at Huangfu Cheolwi's words.
"Since when did our little brother become so rational?"
"...Brother?"
"A letter... It's not bad, since if we weigh it out, our side would have the advantage."
The violence against the branch family clearly happened within the Huangfu Clan.
It wasn't something an outsider like True Dragon should have interfered in.
Not to mention he had beaten not only the blood relatives but also the affiliated martial artists to a pulp.
If they argued over justification, the Huangfu Clan would hold the upper hand.
And also, perhaps they could claim a lot of compensation and profit.
However.
"Then what about my pride?"
"That's...!"
At Huangfu Cheok's firmly spat-out words.
Huangfu Cheolwi, who was about to ask if that was really so important, couldn't bring himself to open his mouth.
To say it wasn't important.
Was something Huangfu Cheolwi himself knew very well, that pride was more important than anything else to a martial artist.
Even if it was wandering in a quagmire.
Seeing Huangfu Cheolwi unable to speak, Huangfu Cheok lifted the corners of his mouth.
"Don't worry. There won't be the aftermath you're thinking of."
Perhaps he took Huangfu Cheolwi's silence as worry for himself.
Huangfu Cheok laughed heartily.
At the same time, he thought about what was to come.
'He looked like he had crossed the wall.'
Seeing himself being suppressed.
And seeing his peak-transcending guard being shattered, True Dragon was a martial artist who had crossed the wall.
Which meant that even if they threw in the personnel they had now, they wouldn't be able to do anything.
'I couldn't kill him from the start anyway.'
If it were a family whose name he hadn't even properly heard of, it would be fine.
But the opponent was also a place strictly called a prestigious clan.
Though it might not be as great as the Huangfu Clan.
Carelessly messing with their blood relatives wouldn't do any good.
'That's why I'm saying that guy is even stranger.'
Even if he realized late that Huangfu Cheok was a direct descendant of the Huangfu Clan.
No matter how much power he had, how could he crush them so without hesitation?
'Unless he's a true madman...'
Recalling the eyes he faced then, Huangfu Cheok's shoulders flinched slightly.
It did seem like he was a madman.
'...The fortunate thing is that this is the frontline.'
Where demonic beasts are swarming.
A place where dangerous things kept happening day by day.
Being on such a frontline was the most important part.
'No matter what.'
Because it wouldn't be strange.
Rubbing his stiff shoulder, Huangfu Cheok called out to Huangfu Cheolwi.
"Brother."
"...Yes, brother."
"Do you know where the Sixth Elder is right now?"
At Huangfu Cheok's question.
Huangfu Cheolwi swallowed a groan.
Because he had a slight idea of what his brother was thinking.
Being on duty at the frontline wasn't anything particularly special.
In preparation for the Demonic Realm Gate opening late at night.
It was waiting in areas where they appeared particularly often, preparing for any potential situation.
Well, it also involved patrolling the surroundings.
They did it during the day as well as at night, but.
Doing it at night was undoubtedly more dangerous and arduous.
"...That's why I said I didn't want to do it at night."
I muttered with annoyance, looking at the moon rising in the sky.
!
!..
I don't know about the other three families.
But the Gu family didn't have many special privileges on the frontline just because they were blood relatives.
At best, it was just not having to stand watch.
But even then, if I wasn't going to do that, I had to work like this.
In the end, it was all the same.
'...What a damn shitty family.'
Even the Great Patriarch, Gu Huibi, was doing even harder work while training.
There was nothing I could say.
If I had to do it, I just had to do it.
I kept tossing and turning while letting out deep sighs.
Perhaps because my emotions were mixed in, I moved a bit too much.
The woman below me who had her eyes closed let out a sound.
"Ummm..."
Sleep talking?
I watched her quietly for a moment, then pinched her nose with my fingers.
Perhaps because her breath was suddenly cut off.
The woman made a strange sound, slowly opened her eyes, then with a half-asleep expression, lifted her head from my lap and sat up.
Seeing that, I let out a hollow laugh and spoke.
"You sure slept well. Very well."
She didn't seem to have any intention of fixing her messy hair.
Still making a groggy expression.
She slowly leaned her head against my shoulder.
"Hey."
"Ummm..."
"I told you not to come if you were going to be like this. Why come if you're just going to sleep?"
Nangong Biya didn't even pretend to hear my words and leaned on my shoulder, starting to doze off again.
She had originally gone deep inside with Gu Huibi.
It was strange that she insisted on following me when I had to stay up all night, only to end up like this.
"If you're going to come and doze off, go back and sleep. Why come and suffer?"
"...Ummm..."
"Now you're not even pretending to listen."
Dumbfounded.
Looking at Nangong Biya like that, I gently arranged her messy hair with my hand.
Between the strands, the ornament I had bought and gifted her caught my eye.
"You're still using this cheap thing."
It looked a bit worn. Should I buy her a new one?
Curious to take a closer look, I reached out my hand.
Slap!
Nangong Biya, who I thought was dozing off, grabbed my hand.
"No. It's mine."
"...Yeah, it's yours. I know."
"I won't give it to you..."
"I wouldn't take it even if you gave it. Where would I use something like that?"
Leaving her be at that sight.
I turned my head to the other person quietly looking at the sky beside me.
Because this guy was also a problem.
"Why are you here?"
"Yes...?"
The one who flinched at my question was none other than Bi Yeonseom.
"I asked why you're here."
"Ah, that... The Vice-Captain told me to go up with Young Master Gu this time."
My face crumpled at Bi Yeonseom's words, which he spat out like an excuse.
"That guy sends them running to me whatever he does."
The Vice-Captain had a habit of sticking new recruits to me whenever they came.
There were Gu Jeuyeop and Muyeon around, so why did he always pair them with me whenever something like this happened?
What did he say again.
Did he say it's easier to endure if you suffer greatly from the start?
That sounds plausible...?
"Haa..."
As I let out a deep sigh, Bi Yeonseom hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth to me.
"Um... Young Master Gu."
"Why."
"Thank you very much for what you did earlier."
At Bi Yeonseom's words, I nodded and looked at the guy.
Bi Yeonseom probably also knew it was an unreasonable request.
Since his affiliation was with the Wulin League, a request to not go wouldn't be easily handled.
Because there were clearly matters deeply entangled within it as well.
'They might have already processed him as dead. Though they might prefer our side accepting him like this.'
Of course, if they were to argue over this and that with this as leverage, it would be a loss for them too.
"...I really joined the Wulin League thinking it was a righteous faction... but compared to my expectations."
"You don't have to tell me about those circumstances. I'm not really curious."
"Ah... Yes."
That his expectations were as big as the name of the Wulin League.
That the reality was not like that.
I didn't really want to hear such common stories.
Nor was I curious about another person's life story.
Meanwhile, Bi Yeonseom was glancing at Nangong Biya, who was dozing on my shoulder.
It seemed his eyes were instinctively drawn to her despite telling himself not to look.
"...Stop staring, you'll burn a hole in her face."
"Keok... I'm sorry..."
"Look straight ahead."
"Yes...!"
Of course, as a man, it was impossible not to look at Nangong Biya's appearance, which demanded attention.
I could understand, but it didn't feel great.
I had taught Nangong Biya how to hide her presence before.
And Nangong Biya also usually used her qi to regulate it well as she went about.
But it seemed she couldn't do that when she was dozing off next to me like this.
After giving Bi Yeonseom a warning once, thankfully he straightened his posture and only looked straight ahead.
Unlike Gu Jeuyeop, he felt like someone who was strictly disciplined.
That guy would slack off at every turn, so I had to tighten his leash often.
Is it better if he's a bit better?
I'm not sure.
Maybe it's because I didn't care much.
"...Hm"
Chirp—
Thinking quietly, I took out a few letters from my inner pocket and unfolded them.
I thought they would arrive today, and they really were here.
I guess it's a relief if it's a relief.
Rustle—
I carefully looked through the letters one by one.
One was, as expected, a letter sent by Tang Soyeol from the Tang Clan.
Written with devoted handwriting.
Asking how I was doing.
If I was eating well.
Whether I had lost or gained weight, it was filled with asking about private matters.
Feeling the subtle emotions contained in those few lines gave me a not-bad feeling.
"Um...?"
Saying she should have gone there with me.
Asking what Nangong Biya, who was with me, was like, and especially whether Murong Xiya had done anything strange, the questions continued in succession.
But I suddenly paused slightly at the last line.
-Still, it's a relief because I think I'll be able to see you in a little while, Young Master.
-You'll be going this time too, right, Young Master?
"Where am I going?"
I wondered if it was the Tang Weapon Tournament held around this time at the Sichuan Tang Clan.
But that didn't seem right either.
Thinking I might have forgotten something, I racked my brain.
"...Ah?"
With a sudden realization, I flipped the letter I was holding.
Behind the one Tang Soyeol sent, there were ones written by the Haomen and the Beggars' Sect.
But right now, something else was more important than that information.
"Isn't it... still not time yet?"
Because something had come to mind from Tang Soyeol's words.
Soon reaching the end of the letters.
Finding the letter marked 'Gu', I unfolded it as it was.
It was a letter with only a few lines written on it.
But I couldn't help but pause after reading the last line.
The clumsy and simple handwriting was definitely his father's.
True to form, it was written with only the business simply stated.
-The clan's First Young Master will return from the frontline within a few days. There will be no further extension.
-Additionally, immediately upon return, he will enter the Shenlong Pavilion for closed-door cultivation.
"...Damn."
Time had flowed, and the moment had come.
A moment he had definitely not wished for.