When did he first feel the wall?
He doesn't remember.
Not because there wasn't even one, but because there were countless.
His life was like that.
A life of facing endless walls, time and time again.
They say a martial artist's life is inherently so, but to Peng Zhou, nothing was more humiliating.
How could so many walls exist before him?
If they were at least seniors, he would understand, but those lined up were his peers.
The first wall he faced was the Sword Dragon.
He was the grandson of the current Patriarch of the Nangong Family, Cangtian Nangong Juetian, and a likely candidate for the position of the Nangong Family's Young Patriarch.
Being of a similar age, he was a figure constantly compared to Peng Zhou.
Since meeting the Sword Dragon, Peng Zhou had never once seized the upper hand against him.
Besides him, there were the White Dragon and the Little Dragon.
The Poison Dragon and the Sword Phoenix. And the White Phoenix, among others.
Amidst these outstanding late-bloomers, he managed to carve a place under the name Black Dragon.
Even so. Peng Zhou's treatment remained the same.
The very bottom.
A level where he barely maintained his position despite receiving the backing and support of countless families.
That was the extent of Peng Zhou's talent.
An ambiguous talent, neither here nor there.
Endlessly lacking to be called a genius, yet too high to be called a dullard.
Exactly the position an ordinary person would possess.
An ordinary person might have been somewhat satisfied with it.
But Peng Zhou did not belong to that ordinary category.
'I am... the son of Dao Wang.'
The Patriarch of the Peng Family and the current Dao Wang was Peng Zhou's father.
He was known as a martial artist with a steady disposition and outstanding attainment.
As the head of the Four Great Families, his standing was that of an immense figure.
Yet, his son Peng Zhou was constantly followed by the evaluation that he was lacking compared to him.
Tiger father, dog son.
It is a phrase used for a child who is lacking compared to their father.
Peng Zhou was a man who fit that phrase perfectly.
And to him, it was a label worse than hell.
Lacking talent as a blood relative.
Talent that failed to resemble the Patriarch.
Himself falling behind his peers, who were growing outstanding day by day.
This gradually became the reason his neck was constricted, and the cause of him falling deeper into an inferiority complex day by day.
As time flowed and flowed. Right when it reached its limit.
An incident occurred.
The Dragon and Phoenix Gathering, held according to its schedule.
A certain story got mixed into this year's martial arts tournament, which was to be no different.
It was an open declaration that the Divine Dragon would be selected at this martial arts tournament.
In the current Central Plains, the term Divine Dragon also meant the very best among the late-bloomers.
But it was also a symbol of the one who would lead the Central Plains in the future.
Thus, at a time when much more crowds and attention than usual were pouring in.
Many people harbored curiosity.
Just who would become the Divine Dragon?
Curiosity regarding that.
Would it be the Nangong Family's Sword Dragon?
Or the Murong Family's White Dragon?
Or perhaps the Little Dragon, or the Tang Sect's Poison Dragon?
Though such debates repeated endlessly, there were a few common points among them.
First, the certainty that the Divine Dragon would emerge from among the Dragons and Phoenixes, and second, the fact that the Black Dragon was not mentioned among them.
Seeing this, one could tell the remarkable standing the current Dragons and Phoenixes held.
And one could also tell the position of the Black Dragon among them.
When the Black Dragon first heard this, he couldn't contain his anger and roared repeatedly.
But an event that would make him even more furious happened not long after.
That was exactly.
The birth of the Divine Dragon.
Right after the martial arts tournament ended, the Divine Dragon was born as scheduled.
Surprisingly, it was not someone from the Dragons or Phoenixes.
The Gu Family of Shanxi.
Though it was a noble house belonging to the righteous faction, it was a family barely clinging to the tail end of prestigious clans.
A place whose name was barely known, with practically no representative figures.
From such a place.
Surprisingly, the Divine Dragon was born.
A blood relative of the Shanxi Gu Family.
Divine Dragon Gu Tiewen.
The youth who revealed his face at the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering for the first time defeated all Dragons and Phoenixes and took the seat of the Divine Dragon.
And.
That fact.
—Nonsense—!
Became the cause of Peng Zhou's suppressed anger exploding.
—How the hell did trash like you become the Divine Dragon—!
One night after the martial arts tournament ended, when everyone was preparing to return.
—It's nonsense... Why you—! Trash like you...!!
Peng Zhou, who visited Gu Tiewen late at night.
His face was flushed, heavily drunk on alcohol.
With his internal energy, he shouldn't get drunk easily.
Yet he drank an amount enough to get completely wasted.
Because he felt he wouldn't be able to endure it otherwise.
At Peng Zhou's appearance, Gu Tiewen stared straight at him.
—I see.
Then, as if he realized something, he continued.
—So it was that guy back then.
—What...?
—It took me a moment to recall.
At those words, Peng Zhou let out a gasp.
The incident at the inn in the past.
Did it mean he had forgotten him despite such an incident?
—Haha... ha...?
The corners of Peng Zhou's lips shot up.
Why did it have to be that guy?
To a place he couldn't even dare to look up to. Why did that guy get to climb up there?
Neither one of the Four Great Families nor the Nine Great Sects and One Faction.
A nameless mongrel suddenly appeared and took everything away.
He tried to kill him somehow.
If it was impossible here, then even if he had to return to his family. He wanted to deal with that guy somehow.
—He became the Divine Dragon...?
It was instantaneous.
It didn't even take a few days for the bastard to soar to a place much higher than himself.
A position he had desired and yearned for his entire life.
Yet it only took that much time for that guy to snatch it away.
—It's an absurdity.
He knew he was strong.
To the extent he ended up in that state at the inn. He knew that guy was strong, but Peng Zhou couldn't believe it.
The guy who ignored and trampled him becoming the Divine Dragon? That shouldn't happen.
—I see. So that's why.
That was why he spat out words he shouldn't have.
—Did you say the Shanxi Gu Family? What kind of scheme did you pull off?
—Hmm?
At the mention of his family, Gu Tiewen tilted his head.
—There's no way you rose through innocent means. Definitely, you must have played some schemes behind the scenes. Otherwise, it makes no sense.
Intoxicated to the point where his vision was blurry.
Amidst his poor vision, Peng Zhou continued, looking at Gu Tiewen's vivid red eyes.
—What kind of dark magic did you use! From that pathetic family that no one even recognized, how could something like this happen!
Yes, he used dark magic.
Otherwise, it didn't make sense.
—You said you were the Patriarch's son. Just what method did your father use? Or did you use one? Then tell me. Just what did you do to...
In that moment.
Peng Zhou's mouth, which had been spewing sneers, snapped shut.
—Urk.
A short cry.
With that sound, Peng Zhou felt his body tilting.
Whish—! Thud.
His vision rapidly dropped, and one of his knees buckled to the ground.
What's going on? While his perception was still failing him.
Smack—!
His head snapped to the side. What? The pain rushed in after the shock. His cheek felt like it was tearing apart.
Only then did he realize. The fact that he had been slapped.
—You bastard—!!
Peng Zhou tried to throw himself forward in rage, but.
Smack—! His head snapped to the opposite side just like that.
—Keok...!
Smack—! Slap! Smack—!
Sounds burst out consecutively. Each time, Peng Zhou's head shook rapidly.
—Keu-heok.
Trickle.
Blood flowed down to the floor through his nose and mouth.
While his cheek burned hot, Peng Zhou swallowed the blood and lifted his head.
—Are you done barking?
Gu Tiewen, with his red eyes, was looking down at him there.
It was the same gaze as at the inn, but perhaps because he was seeing it in the dark, it was even more vivid.
Trickle.
The blood flowing from his mouth ran down his neck and soaked his upper body.
At that moment, Peng Zhou could feel all his drunkenness completely fading away.
—You...!
But the rage did not subside.
To be in such a humiliating state.
As if he couldn't accept what had been done to him, Peng Zhou tried to stand up again, but.
Grab—!
—Keu-reuk!?
Gu Tiewen's large hand prevented even that.
Swish—!
—Keu-reu-reu...!
Peng Zhou's large body was grabbed by Gu Tiewen's hand and lifted up just like that.
He tried struggling, but the situation was the same as at the inn. He was subdued as if it were completely useless.
Then.
—It's a fortunate thing for you.
Gu Tiewen said to Peng Zhou.
—Because I heard a request not to kill anyone in Henan, I cannot kill you. This is a fortunate thing for you.
Goosebumps rose all over his body as soon as he heard the words.
The killing intent contained in every word started piercing into Peng Zhou's eyes, nose, and mouth.
—So it's a shame for me. If it weren't for that, I wouldn't have had to listen to this useless barking in the middle of the night.
—Le... let... go... I, I am... of the Peng Family...
Peng Zhou somehow opened his mouth trying to speak, but.
—Like I said last time, I'm not interested.
Gu Tiewen had no intention of listening.
Creak.
—Keu-reu-reuk..
His mouth was forced open.
Could this be?
A bad premonition flashed through Peng Zhou's mind.
—It's a shame to leave only one molar, so I'll make it a pair.
That premonition instantly became reality.
Crack—!
—Kkeo-eok!
The remaining molar was also ripped out.
Screech---!!!
This too was like last time. The blocked hole once again. He screamed at the crushing pain.
Right after, Peng Zhou's body collapsed onto the floor.
Gu Tiewen had released his grip.
The moment Peng Zhou tried to writhe in unbearable pain.
Boom—!
—Keu-ah-ah-ak!
Gu Tiewen once again kicked and stomped on the bastard's broken leg.
—Don't move. If I apply any more force like this, you'll never be able to use it again.
—...Keu-reu... eu-reu-reu... heuk... keu...
—Son of Dao Wang, Peng Zhou.
—...!!
At the following words, Peng Zhou's eyes widened.
Because Gu Tiewen had spat out his name.
He clearly seemed like he didn't know his name?
—You...? How do you know my na... Don't tell me, did you do this to me knowing it?
Did he reduce him to this state knowing he was a blood relative of the Peng Family?
—Ar, aren't you afraid of the Peng Family!
Even at Peng Zhou's shouting, Gu Tiewen's face remained unchanged.
—Do you think that name will protect you?
He was merely indifferent.
—If you think so, then go ahead and try.
He lowered his large stature to match Peng Zhou's eye level.
—For I fear nothing. If you can, try it all you want.
—....
Tremble... tremble tremble.
Peng Zhou immediately grabbed his arm.
He wanted to hide his arm trembling uncontrollably.
Gu Tiewen, who stared intently at that arm, stood back up and turned his back.
And said to Peng Zhou.
—From now on, I will walk away. Within that time, I'll give you a chance to ambush me.
—What... What did you say?
—If you truly want to, then try. However, there won't be a next time after that.
Peng Zhou asked back as if asking what he meant, but.
Gu Tiewen didn't say anything more.
Step.
Then, as if keeping the words he had spoken, he walked away slowly.
Peng Zhou's heart began to pound heavily as he watched Gu Tiewen's back.
Ambush him?
In this situation?
Though he thought that way, Peng Zhou's hand was already gripping his beloved sword.
The back of the bastard walking away as if he didn't care at all.
And his mouth, giving him tearing pain.
The bastard who had pulled out both his molars and given him humiliation was right there.
Could he slash him now?
If it's now, could he kill that guy?
Clank.
Force entered the handle.
To stay still after suffering such humiliation? He couldn't do that.
Making that resolution, he tried to draw his sword, but.
Halt—!
—...Keu-deu-deuk.
Peng Zhou couldn't move.
The red eyes that had faced him rose in his mind.
The image of grabbing him by the neck, and the power that crushed him. All of it remained throughout his body.
He clenched his teeth as if they would break.
He had to draw it.
He had to draw it and swing the sword at that guy.
However.
—Keu-reuk... eu... keu-heu-eu-reu...! Fuck...
Peng Zhou ultimately couldn't move and released the strength in his hand.
He had given up, seized by fear.
Then.
—What a pity. I could have gained a justification. Your incompetence saved you.
A voice came from Gu Tiewen, who had walked a fair distance away.
Thud—!
At the same time, something rolled and fell in front of Peng Zhou.
It was the one remaining molar Gu Tiewen had just pulled out.
—Take it. It's too disgusting to carry. Should we meet again next time, I hope you don't bark so carelessly.
Trembling.
Peng Zhou couldn't say anything even while hearing those words.
Until Gu Tiewen's figure disappeared.
Peng Zhou merely stayed in that spot, enduring the pain.
That is the memory.
A bitter nightmare that ensured he could never, ever forget.
Those eyes that looked down at him back then.
And the pride that was trampled, would not be forgotten for a lifetime.
So why.
"Keu-ah-eok!"
Was he suffering this state not from that guy, but from that guy's son?
It was a thought that flashed through the mind of Peng Zhou, floating in the air.