Until just moments ago, all sorts of idle chatter could be heard from my surroundings.
In an instant, everything went quiet.
No, rather than saying the sounds had died, perhaps I should say the gazes had multiplied.
It felt like heaps of eyes were piling up in this direction.
‘Fucking hell.’
I was facing the exact damned situation I had wanted to avoid the most.
I had come on the very first day to avoid ending up like this. Meaning I had completely screwed it up.
‘That bastard, really.’
I had to stare at the damned man who created this situation and furrow my brows.
A handsome young man with black hair and black eyes came into view.
For a family “from that side” known to be full of burly brutes, his unblemished physique and exquisite features were impressive.
Someone had once said that man was a mutant.
They weren’t wrong.
For someone with such looks to be born into the “Paeng family”—a clan said to be full of rough and eccentric martial artists—he was definitely a mutant.
‘Paeng Ujin.’
The young man was the young lord of the Paeng family.
He was Paeng Ujin, the former Divine Dragon.
‘No. Should I call him Piseongdo now?’
What was it again? I heard Paeng Ujin had changed his epithet after resolving some incident or another.
I didn’t know the details.
It wasn’t something I had been particularly interested in.
The problem was that said Piseongdo was now approaching me with a bright smile.
“It’s been a long time!”
“...”
“I don’t know how long it’s been. I believe it’s been about three or four years. Isn’t that right, Young Master Gu?”
Damn it all.
His voice was loud enough to crush the noise from the surroundings.
Thanks to that, the idle chatter disappeared, but subdued murmurs began to arise.
“Piseongdo… isn’t he the current young lord of the Paeng family?”
“To think I’d see the successor of a prestigious family from the very first day. What luck.”
“But who was Piseongdo just acting familiar with? Does anyone know?”
“From what Piseongdo just said, I’m certain he mentioned the Gu family of Shanxi….”
The voices of doubt soon changed.
“If it’s the Gu family of Shanxi, isn’t that one of the great families of the Martial Alliance? And… ah!”
One of the men, as if having realized something, looked at me and shouted.
“Little Yama!”
Fuck.
“If he’s a young man from the Gu family! Who else but Little Yama!”
“Little Yama? If it’s Little Yama…!”
“Are you talking about the young hero who stopped the massacre at the Divine Dragon Hall?”
“That young man is Little Yama?”
Perhaps recalling the story that had barely quieted down, all the gazes that had been directed at Paeng Ujin became fixed on me.
Not just ordinary people, but even the martial artists registering for the Martial Arts Tournament looked this way.
Was my epithet really that famous?
Since I hadn’t heard any rumors, I had thought it had more or less died down.
‘Well, if even so-and-so of the Flash and what’s-his-name of the Wind Forest are famous, I suppose that’s possible.’
It was a world where even unheard-of epithets were recognized, after all.
“That man… is Little Yama?”
“He doesn’t look that strong… no. His face looks strong.”
“It’s not just strong. It’s scary. And quite a bit, at that?”
“Why are his eyes shaped like that?”
“Hey! Who was that last one?”
When I growled and shouted, the onlookers flinched and scattered.
Looking at a person’s face and asking why it’s shaped like that… just let me catch you.
‘I remembered your face.’
I ground my teeth and let out a sigh.
Then I looked at the one who had caused this mess.
“Hahaha.”
He let out that characteristic laugh of his, as if delighted by something.
I hadn’t liked that bastard since our very first meeting, but to think he’d stick me with such a huge mess.
I lifted the corners of my lips, which refused to rise, and barely managed a smile.
“Hieek!”
“Such a terrifying smile…!”
‘Damn it.’
Trying to smile had the opposite effect. So I decided to just act as usual.
“Young Master Paeng.”
“It is truly good to see you. I hadn’t expected to meet you here.”
“Are you also participating in the Martial Arts Tournament, Young Master Paeng…?”
“Indeed. I heard such a grand festival was being held, and I simply couldn’t resist.”
To think Paeng Ujin would participate in the Martial Arts Tournament.
‘I thought he had no interest in these things.’
He couldn’t resist because it was a festival?
‘Well, thinking back to our first meeting, it’s not particularly unusual for him to do strange things.’
The one called the young lord of a prestigious family had brazenly declared he’d participate in the Nine Dragons Assembly and become the sword commander.
Seeing that, I had known immediately that he wasn’t a normal person either.
Moreover, since Paeng Ujin was also a martial artist, his participating in the Martial Arts Tournament was, in a way, only natural.
However.
‘The problem is that he’s the young lord.’
The young lord of a great family literally meant someone who would become the next family head.
‘Therefore, if the young lord shows weakness, it is itself a blow to the family.’
There was no need to even speak of the family head; the young lord was no different.
As one who would become the face of the clan, whether the young lord was incompetent or strong would greatly influence the family.
‘If he’s acting so recklessly, does that mean he’s confident?’
Or perhaps, like me in my previous life, he had thrown away such pride to the dogs.
If it were him, it seemed entirely possible.
“I had been waiting in excitement at the thought of perhaps seeing Young Master Gu. Seeing you like this makes me so glad.”
“What do you mean, excitement.”
“How could I not be excited? The world seems so bright now that I see you!”
The surroundings buzzed at Paeng Ujin’s words bordering on praise.
“…Excitement? That’s a rather delicate word for men to use with each other.”
“I hear Piseongdo isn’t engaged yet. Could it be…?”
“You crazy bastards!? No!”
I shouted, seeing that a ridiculous misunderstanding was forming.
Who in the world are you creepily trying to link together!
When I yelled abruptly, Paeng Ujin in front of me tilted his head.
“Why so?”
“It’s nothing. I just heard some bullshit.”
While talking to Paeng Ujin, I waved my hand behind my back.
It was a signal to the registrar to quickly hand over what I needed.
The registrar seemed to catch on and urgently placed something in my hand.
It was a wooden plaque embedded with a small gem.
It was a mark indicating that registration was complete.
“Th-that… an explanation about the plaque….”
“I already know, so that’s fine.”
“Huh?”
Without listening to the explanation, I put the plaque into my bosom.
“The plaque was only recently made by the Alliance side, so you really should listen to the explanation…!”
“I already know. It’s for identity verification, right?”
As if showing off, I infused the gem embedded in the wooden plaque with internal energy.
At that, a faint light entered the gem.
At the same time, the gem on the desk also lit up.
“Done?”
“Ah, y-yes….”
The gem in the plaque was linked to that gem.
It was an item made by the Alliance to more reliably verify a person’s identity.
‘The fact that an item that should have appeared a year or two from now has already appeared…’
It was probably a change brought about when the Wudang Sword Immortal became the Alliance Leader.
Most such items were created in Wudang, after all.
‘I should finish quickly and get out. Tch.’
Since it came to this, I’d just escape before more words were exchanged.
With that thought, I tried to wrap things up and leave.
“Well then, Young Master Paeng. It was nice meeting you. Let’s meet again next time.”
The moment I gave Paeng Ujin a rough greeting and tried to leave with quick steps.
Grab—!
Paeng Ujin caught me as I passed by.
“Young Master Gu. Where are you going? For us to meet again like this is fate!”
“No… I have some business to attend to—”
The moment I tried to shake off his hand and escape.
‘Hm?’
The grip on my sleeve wouldn’t come loose.
His strength was considerable.
I could force it if I wanted, but seeing as he wasn’t using much strength either.
‘Oh-ho.’
A strange air could be felt.
‘Gu Huibi was the same, and now this guy too…’
It seemed Paeng Ujin had risen in realm as well.
He had already been at the consummate Peak, but judging by the feeling, it was no longer at that level.
Had he even touched the Transformation Realm?
Thinking that, a hollow laugh naturally escaped from within.
‘Anyone and everyone is ascending, just like dogs and cattle.’
If true, it was a truly absurd situation.
The Transformation Realm was not a place one could easily reach; it was a realm that a talented martial artist might or might not attain after a lifetime of training.
Why was every person I met at this level?
The stronger I grew in this life, the more it felt like other people were rising in level alongside me.
‘It’s so fucking unfair.’
While someone trains to the bone, they’re all ascending by devouring every fortuitous encounter they can find.
Bastards called geniuses, every last one of them.
“Hah….”
I sighed and applied a little force.
Pop—!
Though I felt some dissonance, I could easily break his grip.
“Oh…?”
Then Paeng Ujin let out a short exclamation.
He hadn’t expected me to break free so easily.
“It is good to see you after so long, but I have some business to attend to.”
“But it’s just about noon. How about we have a meal together?”
I had to grimace the moment I heard it.
‘A meal? This bastard?’
We’re not even that close, and I’m supposed to eat with a man?
‘I’d choke. I’d rather not eat.’
It was an absurd notion, so I tried to pass by.
“No, I’m fine—”
“There’s a famous restaurant nearby known for its dumplings. Wouldn’t it be nice to go together?”
“…Dumplings?”
I stopped the words I was about to spit out and looked at Paeng Ujin.
…Did he say dumplings?
‘No… get a hold of yourself.’
I erased the desire that had momentarily flared up and shook my head.
No matter how much I loved dumplings, this wasn’t it.
“I’m sorry, but let’s eat next time—”
“The dumplings are served!”
“…Huh?”
Just as I was about to speak to refuse.
When I came to my senses, my body was already inside some inn.
“...”
Could it be that my body hadn’t listened to me and followed him?
Unable to overcome the temptation of dumplings?
Could there be such an absurd thing?
Moreover.
“It seems to your liking. What a relief.”
“Damn it.”
My hand was already picking up and eating dumplings.
They’re delicious. Freaking delicious.
‘Why did it have to be this place?’
Tasting the dumplings, I realized. It was a place I knew.
How could I not? This was one of my favorite restaurants in Haenam.
When I had no appetite, it was also a place where Moyong Huia would often buy from for me.
It was a place I would come to eat alone when I had nothing to do, yet Paeng Ujin had brought me here.
“I’ve been here a few times. The food here is truly excellent.”
Bastard… regardless of how much I dislike him, the man knows how to eat dumplings. I like him a little.
“Yes, they are delicious.”
“If you like them, I’ll ask for takeout when we leave. For my Young Master Gu, I can afford at least that much.”
“Then please order ten.”
“…That’s a bit more than expected.”
Paeng Ujin made a bitter expression upon hearing the number.
He must have plenty of money, yet he makes a face over this.
‘I only said half of what I wanted since he offered to buy.’
If I were alone, what would ten be? I probably would have packed twenty to go.
Calling it ten was purely out of consideration.
“Would you like some alcohol as well?”
“No. I somewhat dislike alcohol.”
“Oh, that’s rather unexpected.”
Is it?
“Do I look like someone who likes alcohol?”
“No, not necessarily. It’s just refreshing to meet someone who flatly says they don’t drink.”
“I don’t want to ruin my appetite with something tasteless.”
I had been like that since my previous life.
There were days when I craved alcohol, but I had never drunk it for enjoyment.
I only drank it when the Heavenly Demon offered it, or on days when I couldn’t endure without drinking; I hadn’t often wetted my lips with alcohol alone.
“Then let us enjoy our meal.”
“You may drink, Young Master Paeng.”
“I don’t like alcohol either.”
“Huh?”
“But why did you ask if I wanted some…?”
“I don’t drink, but if Young Master Gu drank, I was going to match you with a glass or two. But since you don’t drink, I truly like that. Might we not even share the same palate?”
“That’s a truly creepy thing to say.”
It was more of an appetite-killer than alcohol.
As I scrunched up my face and took another bite of dumplings, Paeng Ujin asked me something.
“The Hidden Dragon doesn’t seem to be around? I heard you traveled together.”
“Is there such a rumor?”
“It’s not quite a rumor, but I’ve heard as much.”
What kind of dog-shit nonsense is “it’s not a rumor, but I’ve heard it”?
“I had wanted to see his face after so long. A pity.”
Real regret was visible on Paeng Ujin’s expression.
Seeing that, I thought.
‘Come to think of it, I heard they knew each other.’
I seemed to have vaguely heard so.
I didn’t know how close they were, but I had heard that Paeng Ujin and Uhyeok knew each other.
“After all, he is a Taoist, so he probably can’t eat dumplings. Calling him would only show him regret.”
“...”
Hearing his words, they didn’t seem very close.
‘Seeing as he doesn’t know that guy devours meat.’
Although Uhyeok was a Taoist, he used to casually devour all manner of rare delicacies.
Seeing as Gwiseon did the same, he had probably learned it from his master.
‘…No matter how much I think about it, none of the people around me are normal.’
Recalling the people I called friends made my head ache.
As expected, this was a world where a normal person like me couldn’t survive with his sanity intact.
I had to stay alert. At this rate, I felt like I’d become a weirdo too.
Thinking so, I nodded.
While biting into a dumpling.
“Wouldn’t it be fine to call him? A Taoist can eat dumplings too.”
“…Hm?”
This time, even Paeng Ujin’s expression subtly changed, as if my words were strange.
Right. Even that Paeng Ujin found it strange for a Taoist to eat meat. So Uhyeok and Gwiseon, who actually did so, were indeed crazy people.
Moreover.
“In a world where even monks eat meat… what’s wrong with a Taoist eating it?”
The same applied to the person eating rice on the other side.
Clatter—!
Upon my words, someone eating quietly in the corner flinched.
At that reaction, Paeng Ujin’s head also turned.
An awkward emotion floated on his face.
“…This is… I was trying to pretend I didn’t see.”
It seemed Paeng Ujin had tried hard to pretend he hadn’t seen.
But I didn’t want to.
How could I see that and not tease him?
“In matters like this, acknowledging it openly makes the other person more comfortable. It’s a form of consideration in its own way.”
“…Is that so?”
At my words, Paeng Ujin widened his eyes as if hearing something he didn’t know.
“I shall do so from now on. Thank you for the good teaching.”
“Don’t mention it.”
I waved my hand dismissively and then sent my gaze over while speaking.
“Stop pretending you didn’t hear and just come over here?”
“…Kuh… *cough!*”
He seemed to have choked on his food, as a particularly loud cough was heard.
Then, a young man finally turned his head this way at my words.
He must have eaten quite vigorously, as oil glistened around his lips, and within the cloak he had seemingly tried to hide himself in, golden irises were clearly visible.
Seeing that, I broke into a smirk.
“We meet again?”
“...”
The greatest rising star and hope of Shaolin, who was called the youngest master of the Transformation Realm of the present era.
The Divine Dragon, Yu Yeon, suddenly crumpled his face at my words.