Chapter 276 The Generation of Deutyuseong. (4)
A day had passed since arriving in Henan.
I had deliberately arrived earlier than the scheduled date to give myself some leeway.
There were about three days left until the day to enter the Shenlongguan.
I had purposely hurried so I could arrive leisurely, but...
There wasn't really anything to do even if I arrived early.
"Ugh..."
"Your posture is collapsing. Straighten up."
"Kgh...!"
At my words, a groan close to a scream came from below.
It was Gu Jeolyeop, who was doing push-ups with all his might.
For reference, I was sitting on his back.
"Put proper strength in your arms."
"Kgh...!"
"Good job, let's go a little heavier."
"No, hol—!"
Thump!
"Cough!"
As soon as I released my qi to increase the weight, Gu Jeolyeop wobbled and flopped flat on the ground.
"Tsk tsk, how can you not even endure this much? You're a grown man."
"...This is something... most people wouldn't be able to endure..."
"Muyeon did it just fine."
Comparing him to Muyeon made Gu Jeolyeop react immediately, but it seemed he had no particular way to counter it.
Lately, Gu Jeolyeop seemed to be paying noticeably more attention to Muyeon.
Knowing that vaguely, I couldn't help but send him a peculiar look.
'It must be because of the Guseonmun.'
After Gu Changjun died, although the First Sword Squad Leader and the First Elder were currently managing the sect as acting Sect Masters,
Someday, a proper Sect Master had to lead the Guseonmun.
Right now, the ones with the highest probability were Muyeon and Gu Jeolyeop.
They were originally people who learned and grew up in the Guseonmun.
And since they were two highly talented individuals,
If they were to choose a warrior to lead the Guseonmun in the future,
Those two were the most likely candidates right away.
Of course, there were several warriors who had been active in the Guseonmun from the beginning,
But considering only potential and possibilities, there seemed to be no one better than these two.
'Originally, Gu Jeolyeop would have had the highest probability.'
Probability or whatever.
Normally, it would be right for Gu Jeolyeop to take the position of Vice Sect Master and act as one,
But since Gu Changjun rebelled against the Sa Family and met a dishonorable death,
There was somewhat of a problem with his bloodline, Gu Jeolyeop, sitting in the Sect Master's seat of the Guseonmun.
'Hmm...'
It seemed Gu Jeolyeop himself also thought it was an unjustified position,
And he wanted to achieve it with his own skill.
If that's the case,
'Of all people, why did his competitor have to be Muyeon?'
He was truly a subtle opponent.
In terms of talent, realm, and even disposition, Muyeon was still superior.
'Is he trying harder because he knows that?'
If that was the case, I could somewhat cheer him on.
Besides, wasn't this also a form of help in its own way?
I'm rolling him for his own good.
'It's definitely not because I didn't like what he said yesterday.'
It's not out of spite.
Because I'm not that narrow-minded of a person.
"Alright, since it came up, shall we have a spar?"
"...What came up? That's way too out of the blue."
"You're okay with it too? That's a relief."
Gu Jeolyeop makes a face as if he swallowed a bug.
This bastard...?
I was trying to help him.
And relieve some of the pent-up stuff while I'm at it.
How great is that.
I grabbed the neck of Gu Jeolyeop, who was making an expression saying he'd rather die than go,
Just as I was about to drag him to the field behind us,
I suddenly felt a presence and stopped walking.
"First Young Master?"
At my action, Gu Jeolyeop looked at me with questioning eyes, but
"Excuse me."
At the voice that soon came from behind, he seemed to finally realize why I was doing that.
"It seems you've woken up."
Without bothering to turn around, I said to the owner of the voice.
"Yes, embarrassingly, I've just come to my senses."
"I don't think I hit you that hard."
"Haha, the journey was a bit tiring..."
I slightly turned my head to check,
And sure enough, Yeongpung was standing there.
"It's been a long time, Gu Sohyeop."
"Indeed. It has been a while."
Has it been roughly two years since I went to Huashan?
It must have been about that much.
Yeongpung had changed significantly from back then.
He seemed a bit taller. From his exterior that used to emphasize his boyish charm,
His body was now well-built, showing the proper aura of a martial artist.
"Hmm..."
As soon as I saw Yeongpung's face, my frown deepened.
He's still handsome, so annoying.
I thought of it before, too.
Why is it that talented bastards also have handsome faces?
Quite displeasingly, I might add.
'On top of that...'
I casually examined Yeongpung's body and could tell right away.
'He crossed the wall.'
I couldn't examine him properly yesterday, but
In the time I hadn't seen him, Yeongpung had crossed the wall and reached the Peak Realm.
When I realized that, a hollow laugh escaped me without me knowing.
'It feels like every Tom, Dick, and Harry is crossing it.'
My situation is far from ordinary, so I'll give myself a pass,
But what makes these bastards cross the wall so easily?
The Peak Realm is a level that an ordinary martial artist would struggle to cross even after training their entire life.
The point where the middle dantian is pierced and qi and the body are synchronized.
Since it's a realm where one shatters their shell once,
It's not a place that can be pierced just by effort and desire.
'...That's why these so-called geniuses...'
I gave them a little push and they cross it that smoothly.
How could I not be pissed off?
As far as I know, Yeongpung also hasn't even passed his early twenties yet.
'Isn't he a year or two younger than Namgung Via?'
Such a Yeongpung had risen from First-Class to the Peak Realm in just a little over two years.
Since Yeongpung was originally at the end of the First-Class realm,
It wasn't completely strange for him to reach the Peak Realm now, but...
"Umm..."
Ah...
Perhaps Yeongpung also sensed my gaze,
He scratched the back of his head as if slightly embarrassed.
Seeing that, I opened my mouth.
"Congratulations."
"Thank you... It's all thanks to Gu Sohyeop."
"What did I do?"
"I know you helped me, whether you realize it or not."
I couldn't help but make a reluctant expression at Yeongpung's words.
Helped, huh.
I guess you could say I helped in my own way,
But honestly, I just beat him up because I didn't like him acting so arrogant.
They say guys who are meant to succeed gain enlightenment even from tripping over a rock.
"I didn't really do anything."
I really didn't do much.
I just thoroughly beat him up.
At this, Yeongpung kept smiling and then
Brought up something else while looking at me.
"I thought I worked quite hard myself... but seeing Sohyeop, I realize the path I still have to go is far ahead."
"..."
It was an incredibly awkward compliment.
Moreover, it meant Yeongpung could somewhat gauge my level.
'Impressive.'
As expected, a monster is a monster.
The Yeongpung I was looking at right now was definitely a monster.
"But why did you do that yesterday?"
That aside.
I couldn't understand the incident he caused yesterday at all.
"...Ah."
"He didn't seem like the type to do that. Did you eat something wrong, Dojang?"
From what I heard, Yeongpung was the one who suddenly picked a fight and started a sword fight.
Although they said there was no lethal intent,
Starting a spar mixed with betting in such a crowded street was a problem.
At my question containing reproach, Yeongpung gave a faint smile.
It seemed he knew he was at fault too.
"...It's because I was too greedy."
"..."
"Greedy?"
"Yes, ever since I crossed the wall, I haven't been able to easily calm my mind."
At Yeongpung's words, I felt like I vaguely understood the reason.
As qi seeps in and vitality surges in the body,
It seemed like he was saying his fighting spirit was springing up on its own.
Still, not being able to control it was this guy's fault.
Losing his mind to his energy and picking a fight wasn't a good thing to do.
Knowing that himself, Yeongpung slowly bowed his head to me.
"Thank you. I'm receiving Gu Sohyeop's help again this time."
"There's no need to thank me."
I wasn't the only one watching at the time.
Moreover, seeing the timing of the Sword Empress's appearance,
It was highly likely that the Sword Empress was also watching.
I had to think about why she didn't intervene, but
By the feel of it, it seemed like a warrior from the Kunlun Sect was also watching.
'Didn't they say the current Master of the Shenlongguan is the Cheonghaeilgeom?'
Cheonghaeilgeom.
He was one of the Chilcheolsamgwon, the Ten Great Masters of the Central Plains.
I had briefly heard a rumor that the Master of the Shenlongguan this time would be managed by the Kunlun Sect.
It was probably because of that.
I did move quickly, but
What if I hadn't intervened?
'They would have somehow stopped it.'
They could have stopped it.
Knocking these bastards out was just something I did because I was pissed off.
Just stopping it would have been enough.
That wouldn't have been bad either.
"By the way, why is the Sword Empress here?"
"Ah..."
At my question, Yeongpung made a somewhat awkward expression.
What, was it something I shouldn't have asked?
"She... said she had some business, so I came along."
'Business.'
From the vibe, it seemed like business I shouldn't be told about.
Yesterday, the Sword Empress just roughly took Yeongpung and left, so we didn't talk for long.
"Then, did you come alone, Dojang Yeongpung?"
"Ah, no. I came with my other senior martial brothers."
I nodded at Yeongpung's words.
It was an obvious story.
As far as I knew, there were a few more third-generation disciples around Yeongpung's age.
Surely they wouldn't have only recommended Yeongpung for entering the Shenlongguan.
'Whether they pass or not is a different story, but that probably isn't the case.'
As I was momentarily lost in my thoughts,
Yeongpung bowed his head again and gave his greetings.
"I came for a moment today because I heard Sohyeop was here, to give my greetings along with my thanks."
"Why do you have to be so bothersome? Doesn't the back of your neck hurt?"
"...It's fine."
Seeing his bad expression, it must hurt.
Did I hit him too hard to knock him out?
Well, since he must have reached the Peak Realm, he'll heal quickly.
"Is that kid doing well?"
"Who... ah, are you perhaps referring to Gu Sago?"
"Yes."
I asked about his younger sibling.
Since her master, the Sword Empress, was here, I was also curious about what Gu Linghua was doing alone.
"Sago is always busy."
"Busy?"
"Yes, even though the Little Fourth Uncle is not here, Gu Sago still receives a lot of attention from the martial uncles."
Judging by Yeongpung's words, it meant she was receiving much affection and doing well.
'That's a relief.'
We occasionally exchanged letters, but
Perhaps because she still minded the fact that I knocked her out on my own before we parted last time,
Gu Linghua was still writing her resentment at the end of her letters, so I was a bit concerned.
But I couldn't go all the way there just to see her face.
While I was thinking that, Yeongpung suddenly spoke up.
"I'm glad I could at least give you a brief greeting."
"Are you leaving now?"
"My senior brothers are waiting, so I don't think I can stay for long."
From the vibe, it seemed he really came just to give his greetings.
Seeing Yeongpung about to leave without any lingering regrets, I blurted out.
"Shall I return it?"
These words.
Previously.
Before parting ways with Yeongpung at Huashan.
Were about the item Yeongpung had given me.
I had kept it.
Since I knew we would meet this time, I had brought it along.
At my words, Yeongpung made a greatly surprised expression.
It was an expression saying he didn't know I would remember.
Then, hiding his inner expression, he slightly shook his head.
"I would like you to keep holding onto it for now."
"...Then when will you take it back?"
I don't have the taste to keep holding onto another man's belongings.
As if he knew the meaning behind my words, Yeongpung smirked.
And then, with a rather honest voice as if he meant it, he said.
"When I stand on equal footing with Sohyeop, I would like to receive it then."
"...Oh."
The words he spat out with a serious expression seemed truly genuine, but
...It was incredibly cringey.
I was quite weak to this kind of stuff, so it was a bit awkward for me.
I didn't know what goal he had set,
But why did he have to aim for me of all people?
"Then it'll be a bit tough?"
It was a somewhat realistic piece of advice.
However, perhaps that rather pleased him, as Yeongpung only smiled wider.
"I knew you would say that."
It seemed like he took it differently somehow, but
...If he likes it, then it's fine.
"It's a relief we met again, Gu Sohyeop."
"...Yes, I'm glad it's nice to meet again."
"Later, I will come visit you again later."
"You don't have to if you're busy..."
Perhaps he didn't intend to hear the last answer,
He just gave his greeting and left.
Meet again later?
'Yeah, once we enter, we'll see each other even if we don't want to.'
Unless a massive natural disaster strikes,
There was no way Yeongpung couldn't enter the Shenlongguan.
And the same went for me.
We would probably see each other once we entered.
Whether it's Yeongpung.
Or that bastard Woo-hyeok.
After Yeongpung went off that far away,
Just as I was about to move again,
A voice came from below me.
"First Young Master..."
"Yes...?"
"...Now... could you please slowly get off me?"
"Ah, right."
Recalling that I was using him as a chair at Gu Jeolyeop's voice, I slightly raised my body.
"Sorry, I was focusing for a moment."
As I apologized and moved my body,
Gu Jeolyeop groaned and stood up.
Was he like this the whole time I was talking with Yeongpung?
It would be stranger for Yeongpung to not notice that...
When I moved off him,
Only then did Gu Jeolyeop get up.
"...Ugh. Alright. Now we should go back too..."
"Where are you going? We're going to spar now."
"..."
"You bastard, stop pretending you didn't hear me. Follow me."
"...Foo—"
"What?"
"Nothing. My... soles hurt a bit."
"You're cursing, what soles? You want to get beaten?"
"No, you heard it all anyway, so why pretend you didn't... Agh!"
Gu Jeolyeop, who was speaking, rolled on the floor from my kick.
This bastard is getting more out of line day by day.
I kept rolling the rolling guy and moved to the field.
Then, I started an education under the guise of a spar.
Since I had meticulously set up a qi barrier up to the edge, Gu Jeolyeop's screams probably wouldn't be heard.