Some might say.
How many things could I possibly have left to fear now?
A Ten Great Expert—and at that, having risen to the upper ranks.
If we consider only martial artists as opponents, there were perhaps ten or so remaining, including hidden experts above me.
So long as it wasn't at the Three Venerables level, I was confident I could escape alive regardless of the situation.
So, honestly, one might think there isn't much left to fear, but.
'…Power isn't necessarily the entirety of fear.'
Schemes and strategies could be shattered by greater strength, but there were certainly things that could not.
People possess memories.
Memories etched so deeply they cannot be forgotten sometimes manifest as nightmares.
Things branded to last a lifetime.
If I were to name a prime example, Father was such a thing to me.
Ah, though of course, even in terms of martial power, I still couldn't see any chance of winning.
Anyway….
Whatever the case, the part of a human that feels fear is not strength alone.
For me, that included Father, of course, and the people of my household.
To be exact.
'I suppose it wouldn't be wrong to say that was all of it.'
There were things I hadn't acknowledged before, but having come to this point, I was slowly beginning to.
I was still buried in those memories.
Having become a dragon, that part had improved somewhat.
Around the time I faced Gu Huibi.
The reason I could resolve to face her without fear was likely this as well.
However, it would be premature to say I had completely escaped it.
It had merely become easier to endure.
That would be the correct way to put it.
No, that was definitely the case.
Because I knew that, I had tried to flee quickly.
I needed to grab my roughly packed belongings and hide somewhere first.
Thinking so, I was about to launch myself away, but.
Kwaang—!!
Suddenly, the door burst open roughly from outside my quarters.
At the same time.
"Hahahahaha—!!"
The moment I heard the old man's rough laughter, my body trembled.
"Oh my, who is this—! If it isn't our Sage King's esteemed grandson! Hahahaha—! Your complexion looks excellent!"
"…"
Damn. Crap.
It seemed it was already too late.
******************
This is a story from when I was young.
The time was around thirteen in my previous life, I believe.
The situation was that I had caused quite a severe accident even by my own reckoning, and rather than Father, it was the First Elder—at the time, the Second Elder who heard of it first.
Since I had been more exceptional than anyone at being thoughtless, as always, far from feeling guilt, I was merely venting my annoyance to the fullest.
The location was the rear mountain behind the Gu estate.
Led by the Second Elder's hand, I was dragged there.
A brightly spread plain came into view.
It wasn't very tidy since it wasn't maintained, but it wasn't bad to look at.
[Our grandson. Do you know about that?]
Looking at such a scene, the Second Elder asked me.
[You haven't even said anything, how would I know? And. I am not the Second Elder's grandson.]
I answered with a deep frown.
Thinking about it now, it was an answer that couldn't be anything but awful.
'Was it? I feel like I'd answer the same way even now?'
If I had to force a distinction, back then it was probably filled with deeper malice.
I was always growling at people.
It was a time when I didn't allow anyone to approach me.
So I hadn't looked kindly on the Second Elder, who tried to push in even more.
[Is that so? That's a shame. Hahaha—!]
The more I acted that way, the more the Second Elder merely laughed it off as if he didn't care.
He did so then as well.
[Why did you drag me here? Untie this quickly.]
My body was tied tightly with rope.
I could untie it without issue now, but back then I was just a helpless child.
I screamed and wailed as if hating the suffocation, but the Second Elder paid it no heed, looking only at the plain ahead.
[…Damn it. I said untie this!?]
In the end, unable to hold back my anger, I cursed.
Only then did the Second Elder look this way.
The Second Elder's smile was still there.
However.
I should have noticed even then.
That there was a hint of anger mixed into that smile.
[Yangcheon.]
[Untie this right now—!]
[Why did you do it.]
[Why aren't you untying this!? If you don't, I'll kill everyone…!]
[Why did you do it, Yangcheon.]
[…Damn…! What did I! What did I do—!]
[That child nearly died.]
At the Second Elder's words, my mouth shut for a moment. Those words were the reason I had been dragged to this mountain.
Yes. Back then I had nearly killed someone.
The victim was probably my attendant.
I don't remember clearly, but I believe she was a woman about two years older than me.
That child had collapsed after being hit on the head by a ceramic piece I threw. They said she might have died if not treated properly.
[Why did you do it.]
The Second Elder asks for the reason.
Why did I do it? Good question. Why did I do it?
It's not that I don't remember. I knew the reason.
Simply because the food brought to me tasted bad. That was purely the reason.
For that sole reason I threw a tantrum, and this happened in the process.
[They say the child regained consciousness after treatment. However. She probably won't be able to work as your attendant anymore. Most likely, she won't work in our household any longer either.]
The Gu family, taking responsibility for an incident caused by a blood relative, gave her far more money than was appropriate.
They said they helped her so she could live out the rest of her life after treatment.
This was information I looked up in my later years.
[…So what?]
I raised the corners of my mouth mockingly.
[Good for her. Someone who couldn't even work properly got money too. Thanks to me.]
Heh heh.
I laughed as I spat out the words.
I don't know how ashamed and ugly I was inside back then.
Throwing the ceramic piece hadn't been intentional either.
I had been acting up as usual, but the ceramic piece was heavier than I thought. Unable to control my strength, it flew off in an unintended direction.
That's how the accident happened.
Honestly, I had thought it was fortunate she survived, but.
[It's just one attendant gone. Is that such a big deal?]
The words that came out were different from my inner thoughts.
[If she had done her job well from the start, I wouldn't have done that. How could such a worthless thing attend to me… Can't you attach a better child next time—!]
I shouted as if throwing a fit.
Louder and fiercer, as if trying to hide my shameful inner self.
That's how I was back then.
[So untie this right now—! I said untie it right now—!!]
I struggled and thrashed about, but the rope was so sturdy it didn't loosen at all.
[Kkeueuk—!!]
In the end, unable to control my body, I rolled on the ground.
The ground full of pebbles was unbearably stinging.
A situation where I might get injured.
[Unt…untie me—!]
Even in such a situation, the Second Elder remained the same.
[A mere attendant.]
The old man stroked his beard with his large hand and nodded.
[That's right. It could be so. To you, she might be just a mere attendant. If you say that child is of an unworthy bloodline, that is correct.]
The so-called noble consciousness. The Gu family was a clan that had risen to the ranks of prestigious families. No matter how much they tried not to show it, a prestigious family is a prestigious family.
Thus the Second Elder also possessed such consciousness to some degree.
However.
[But her lack of nobility is not reason enough for you to treat her carelessly.]
As if it were a reason separate from that, the Second Elder looked at me and continued.
[Then, are you saying I should care about a mere attendant?]
[Worry about her or not, that is up to you. At the very least, it means don't create troublesome matters.]
[Troublesome matters?]
[Yes, because you did something useless, the family had to spend excessive money on that child. This cannot help but be damage to the clan. What is this if not damage?]
Don't cause damage to the clan by stirring up an incident without justification, as if a child's life and death don't matter.
The Second Elder's words were such.
[…Ha?]
At the slightly absurd words, I let out a hollow laugh.
[Yangcheon. Do you know why this old man dragged you here?]
[How would I know that? Untie this first right now, you damned old man—!]
[It's simple. To give you punishment.]
Punishment. Hearing those words, my eyes flared like fire.
[What punishment—! I didn't do anything wrong!! That worthless wench did her job wrong….]
[I told you. The problem is not that you harmed the child.]
Sweuk.
The Second Elder moved his thick arm and grabbed me.
I was lifted lightly, as if picking up a sack.
[If something makes you angry, not holding it in is also a method, but Yangcheon, your line is far too low. Furthermore, with such a shallow temper, you are causing harm to those around you. This is the reason you are being punished.]
[What nonsense! I am a blood relative of the Gu family—! Why should I be punished!]
Thinking back, my ears burn.
Of course, I hadn't said that out of pride in being a Gu blood relative.
They were empty words spat out because I had to say something.
Tools used to somehow vent my emotions. That was exactly how it felt.
[Someone like you punishing me? Why should I accept that—! Let go of this—! Untie. Untie me right now—!]
I poured it out without cease, but.
[I have no interest in your thoughts. This is purely a punishment handed down by this old man.]
The Second Elder finished speaking and flung me away.
[Ueoeok!?]
I flew far away and fell to the ground with a thud—!, rolling away.
Bound by rope, I couldn't stop myself with my own strength.
After my body barely stopped.
[Kkeueueu….]
I raised my dizzy head and looked around.
The place I had arrived at after rolling for a while was the middle of the plain.
Since it was a summer day, it was especially hot. The ground was heated to the point where my body felt like it was burning.
Back then, my Guyeomhwaryun Gong was only at the 1-star level, so I had almost no resistance to heat.
[…What is this… what is this…]
Why had I been suddenly thrown here? While I was bewildered.
[I pondered over what punishment to give.]
The Second Elder spoke to me from afar.
[I thought it best to keep it simple.]
[What do you mean! Are you not going to untie this right now!?]
[At that age, you should be able to do something independently. Try untying it yourself.]
[What do you mean—!]
[Well then, I'll come back in three days. Take care.]
[What?]
Having finished speaking, the Second Elder immediately turned around and walked away.
I looked at him and shouted in confusion.
[H-hey, untie this—! Ah, no! Take me away! What am I supposed to do here—!!]
Body tied up tight.
Scorching sun. A mountain peak.
By any measure, this was a state far removed from survival.
He's just leaving and coming back in three days? Is this a lie?
I looked as if I couldn't believe it, but the Second Elder was already out of sight.
[Hey, dammit. Cursed old man!! Come back right now—!!]
The words I shouted soon returned as an echo.
The Second Elder truly did not appear again.
And exactly three days later.
At the moment when, hiding from wild animals, I was slowly dying from deep thirst and hunger, the Second Elder lifted me from the bushes and said.
[If the same situation happens again, it won't be three days, but seven days and nights.]
At the words spoken with a smile, I couldn't say anything.
I wanted to curse him out plenty. Unfortunately, I didn't even have the strength for that.
A level close to abuse rather than punishment.
How could a clan elder do such a thing to a blood relative?
I heard about this later—the Second Elder had apparently been punished somewhat for this matter.
He didn't step down from his elder position, but his standing had fallen behind the Third and Fourth Elders.
Meaning that even as the Second Elder, he shouldn't have been able to treat me so recklessly.
He must have known that perfectly well.
Yet that old man's attitude toward me didn't change whether he was punished or not.
If I caused excessive trouble, he punished me.
And he himself received punishment too.
I caused trouble.
He came, gave punishment, and received it himself.
That was the repetition of events. Having experienced it countless times, at the time I was busy avoiding the Second Elder.
He was someone who would drag me off to train at the drop of a hat and come to scold me when I caused trouble.
Perhaps it was that Second Elder who I thought might be worse than Gu Huibi.
"You rascal—! You—! Not a single word of contact! Really—!! You certainly have a talent for startling this old man, hahahaha—!!"
That old man hadn't particularly changed even now.
"…My head… my head is shaking."
The First Elder was stroking my head with all his might, and my head swayed from the recoil.
"Hahahaha—!!! You seem unusually tall? I had a feeling this would happen. You're your father's child, so how could you not grow? You were saving it for later—! Well, you were too small—!"
"…"
A height grown from the Shedding. Still, I was shorter than the First Elder, who was close to eight cheok.
But even that seemed to please him, and the First Elder was smiling broadly.
Seeing that made my chest ache a little.
'…It's because of the Shedding.'
If I hadn't done it, I would have been much shorter than this.
It hurt even more because it reminded me of my father, who was a large man.
"Have you eaten?"
"…I was going to, but I lost my appetite."
"Tsk tsk. What's a young man doing skipping meals? You're at an age where you should still be growing, you need to eat!"
"…"
And who do you think made me lose my appetite?
Seeing the First Elder patting my shoulder without knowing my inner thoughts, my stomach felt even more twisted.
'In the end, I couldn't escape.'
Damn it.
I had tried to flee the moment I heard the news. Unfortunately, I couldn't.
"This place is nice too."
Because the moment I tried to flee, the First Elder had burst into my quarters like a ghost.
Thanks to that, I was in this state.
"I suppose I'll stay here too."
At the First Elder's words, a disgusted expression formed on my face involuntarily.
"What kind of scary words are those? I refuse."
"What's there to refuse about? Let's take a bath together with this old man after a long time, hmm?"
"I hate it even more. That's a creepy, spine-chilling thing to say, isn't it?"
"This rascal? Acting bold just because you've grown up. This is how we build affection…. Ah."
The First Elder, who had been spewing nonsense, suddenly looked at me as if realizing something.
And then he smiled, but.
'…Ah, shit.'
A smile filled with intention.
I had a feeling of what was going to come out.
"I see. Since you are the great Sage King, you wouldn't want to bathe with an old man like me. That makes sense."
'Rotten.'
As expected. He brings up the alias.
"Mhm. After all, since you are the great Sage King."
"…That's not it."
"An outstanding and great Sage King cannot do such things with a worthless old man like me."
"I said that's not it."
"Since you are a great, outstanding, and illustrious Sage King, even eating or bathing…."
"…"
I covered my forehead with my hand as he ignored me, not listening at all.
'This is why I….'
This is really why I tried to flee.
'Damn it.'
It was plainly obvious that he would tease me the moment he saw me.
Moreover, he was the type who could do so all day without rest, so I had wanted to flee even more.
The Patriarch was the same.
These days, the way he snickered every time he saw me was utterly infuriating.
With another person who teased me just as much having arrived, how could I be at ease?
'Huuu….'
Holding back the rough sigh escaping me, I asked the First Elder, who was still teasing me.
"…So, why have you come?"
"Hmm? Why, the great and resplendent…"
"Ah, please stop that."
Only when I spoke with my face deeply scrunched up did the First Elder stop.
He looked full of regret, but fortunately didn't continue.
"I heard you weren't coming. Why did you come all the way here?"
Currently, there were people from the Gu family who had arrived in Henan first, but.
There had been no news that the First Elder was coming among them.
Originally, the First Elder didn't go outside the main family often. Moreover, he was someone who didn't come toward Henan.
Unless there was a particularly major matter—other than the incident related to the Divine Dragon Hall a few years ago, he was someone who didn't bother moving for no reason.
So what had he come for this time?
I asked with that meaning.
"Why else. I heard you went through a great ordeal, Yangcheon, so I came."
At the answer that followed, my eyes blanked for a moment.
"I heard you fought a great battle. Is your body alright?"
"…Ah."
Had the reason really been me?
"You look like there's nothing hurting. I can't tell if you're unhurt or hurt. If you're hurt, are you receiving proper treatment? I heard there's a divine physician around you…. Don't trust that man too much. Truthfully, he has some quack-like aspects to him."
"…"
Words poured out without cease.
Among them, calling the best physician of the Central Plains a quack was jarring, but putting that aside.
"…I'm fine."
Knowing that most of those countless words were concern, I felt extremely awkward.
Could it really be true that he came immediately upon hearing news of me?
'Shanxi to Henan isn't exactly close.'
How many days had passed since the incident occurred? If he came after hearing the news, it was a timeframe where he would have had to rush without rest to barely make it.
Surely that must be it, but could an old man like the First Elder rush here in one go, no matter how vigorous he was for his age?
If that was really true, a fluttering feeling welled up inside, and an uncomfortable sensation brushed past me.
"…What did someone your age do that for. You should have just stayed home."
So I spat out words I didn't even mean.
"Hehe. You could have just said I went through a lot. That tone of yours is still the same."
"That's not it."
"Yes, yes."
Pat.
Nodding his head, the First Elder once again stroked my head.
The rough hand was still uncomfortable, but I didn't bother resisting.
"Ah, right. I heard on the way here, Yangcheon."
"…Yes."
"I heard you became the Great Lord of the Alliance. Is that true?"
"…It turned out that way."
I hadn't even properly taken up the position yet, and I caused quite an incident on the first day, but still.
"Hmmm."
"Why do you ask?"
The First Elder let out a hum after hearing my words.
I wondered why he was doing that so suddenly. It didn't seem like he had asked to tease me?
'…Ah, could it be.'
Was the problem that I had accepted the position of Great Lord without consulting the Gu family?
'Certainly.'
That was indeed a problem.
I had accepted the conditions and become the Great Lord, but there was still a complicated matter for me.
If I accepted the position of Great Lord here, there would be a problem with receiving the position of Young Clan Head when I returned to the main family.
Because of that, I should have consulted separately with Father and the elders, but.
'…I forgot.'
I had been so busy lately that I had completely forgotten for a moment.
As such, it was a situation where the First Elder might express difficulty and order me not to take the position.
'Since I've already done it, I have to see it through.'
Half a year.
Since things needed about half a year according to plan, I worried about how to persuade him.
While I was deeply concerned, the First Elder carefully opened his mouth.
"This has become quite troublesome."
It seemed my guess was correct.
"That's what I was saying… First Elder."
"If this happens… I'll get caught that I'm banned from entering Henan because of an accident I caused."
"I had my circumstances too…. What did you say?"
"Hmm?"
"Yes?"
I stopped speaking and looked at the First Elder.
A brief silence passed.
"Oops. A slip of the tongue—!"
Kung!
The First Elder tapped his own head with his fist, putting on a cute act.
"…"
It really wasn't cute at all.