The Shanxi Gu Clan is a family of Fire Arts.
This has been the case since the Gu Clan first appeared in the Central Plains up until now.
The Patriarch of the Gu Clan and its direct bloodline all used Fire Arts.
Samadhi True Fire, which ignites flames using Inner Qi.
At first glance, this resembles the Gu Clan's martial arts, but their roots are different.
A clan that existed in the Central Plains, spearheaded by the Fire Arts that manipulated flames for generations.
That was the Shanxi Gu Clan.
However.
'Not everyone of the Gu surname uses Fire Arts.'
Although it was a clan with Fire Arts at its foundation, not all blood relatives could use them.
Only the direct descendants, the lineage born to the Patriarch, could house the Nine Flames Fire Wheel Art in their dantian.
The collateral relatives who were not direct descendants would learn other Heart Arts instead of the Nine Flames Fire Wheel Art.
The Heart Arts they learned were divided into several categories.
But they shared the commonality of manipulating Heat.
Such as storing heat in the body to enhance physical abilities.
Or using it to employ sword techniques.
Even if they couldn't use Fire Arts, they applied other Heart Arts.
There were those who trained this to the extreme, producing power comparable to the direct line's Heart Art.
The former First Elder, Gu Chang-jun, was a prime example of this.
Along with the currently furious old man.
"Huuup!"
The current First Elder.
Gu Ryun of the Flame Fang Fist.
He was the same.
Kuaaaaaaa---!!!
The ground flips over from the old man's strike.
The sound and impact were immense, indicating the intensity of the blow.
Moreover.
Kwang-! Kwang kwang-! Kwaang-!!
Destructive power aside, the speed was also fast.
'Wow.'
I dodged the fist and let out an exclamation inwardly.
'The old man is still quite vigorous.'
I know the First Elder has reached the Transformation Realm.
How could I not know?
He had probably been in the Transformation Realm even before I was born.
Furthermore, the position of a Gu Clan elder was originally one that only direct bloodlines could inherit.
Only the Master of the Gu Immortal Sect could rise to the position of elder without being a direct descendant.
That old man was the one and only existence who broke that rule and rose to the position of elder.
This meant.
He held that much influence within the Gu Clan.
And it also meant he was strong enough to create such influence.
Chiieeeik-!!
I could see steam emanating from the First Elder's body.
Along with the rapidly discharged steam, his skin flushed red,
and simultaneously, the weight of the Inner Qi around him changed.
I frowned at the stifling sensation.
Hwook-!!
At that moment, a fist appeared right in front of my nose.
I turned my head to dodge the offensive.
Then, I twisted my waist.
My body rotated rapidly, and using that force, I put power into my leg.
Ppak-!
My leg struck the First Elder's abdomen directly.
The First Elder, taking the impact, was pushed back slightly.
At that moment.
Udeudeuk-!
"Heoh?"
The First Elder abruptly grabbed the tree next to him and pulled it right out of the ground.
'Crazy.'
How can he pull out a tree so easily, like pulling a radish from a field?
Furthermore.
Huuuk-!
The First Elder swung the tree he grabbed at me with all his might.
The old tree was massive, but the speed at which it flew was incredibly fast due to his immense strength.
It was obvious there was Gang Qi on it.
Dodging would be ambiguous. In this case,
'Breaking it would be better.'
As soon as I made my judgment, I infused my hand with qi and swung it.
I intended to smash the old tree with my fist.
Kwaduk-!!
'What?'
As expected, the old tree shattered from the punch. The problem was.
'There's no Gang Qi wrapped around it?'
There was no Gang Qi wrapped around the old tree. I realized it only then.
'Damn.'
That it was the First Elder's scheme.
The old tree breaking so easily actually caused my posture to stagger.
Fragments of the tree fluttered in the air.
Through that gap.
Chiieeik-!
A massive body flew in along with the familiar sound of steam.
It was the First Elder with his muscles fully bulging.
He swung his giant fist towards me.
My posture was already broken. I couldn't dodge.
Left with no choice, I raised my arms to defend.
Kwajik-! Kung!!
"…!"
My body was pushed back by a much greater impact than expected.
Kkeugeuk-!
I endured the ground and controlled the recoil.
When I barely managed to stop my body.
"...Ha."
A hollow laugh escaped me from the pain felt in my hands.
"Now, aren't you going a bit too far?"
When I asked out of absurdity, the old man in front of me tilted his head.
"What do you mean?"
What do I mean.
"I thought you would do it moderately. But you're hitting me for real?"
My arms weren't just numb, they were tingling.
This was something that couldn't happen unless he was hitting me with all his might.
'My Protective Gang Qi got shattered.'
I had gone to the trouble of covering my surroundings for a defensive stance, only for it to shatter from a single punch of the First Elder.
Seriously....
"You said it was etiquette training. If I get it twice, I'll die."
"Hmph."
Tung-! Tung-!
Even as the First Elder briefly shook off his feet, vibrations could be felt.
I was clearly the one getting hit. Yet, the old man had a look on his face as if he was utterly displeased.
What could be the problem?
As I quietly watched the First Elder, sensing something strange.
"Yangcheon, you're the one making light of this old man."
The First Elder said to me with a frown.
"What did I do?"
"This old man is working so hard for you. How can you not do it properly?"
"..."
Good grief.
Hearing the First Elder's words, I smiled awkwardly.
'...He didn't fall for it after all?'
I was trying to avoid attacking as much as possible and just let it pass.
It seemed the First Elder had figured that out long ago.
That seemed to be why he was so displeased.
However.
'I can't help it.'
For me, this was truly something I couldn't help.
'If I hit him wrong, who knows what will happen to the First Elder.'
I was still in a situation where I couldn't properly control my firepower.
If I attacked to counter in this situation, even I couldn't predict what would happen.
Because of that, I couldn't counterattack and was just casually deflecting his attacks.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk."
Perhaps that was so displeasing to him, the First Elder clicked his tongue repeatedly.
"You don't seem to have matured. In the time I haven't seen you, you've become like dried squid."
"Dried... what?"
"What is there to worry about so much that you hesitate?"
"..."
"Surely you don't think this old man can't even withstand a cotton bat from his grandson?"
I couldn't answer.
"If so, that is a needless worry."
Chiieeik---!!!
The steam felt from the First Elder's body grew denser.
"This old man is Gu Ryun of the Flame Fang Fist."
The gushing heat covered the surroundings.
"They say you've become a king, that you're being praised as a hero. There's a lot of talk, so it seems you're looking with clouded eyes."
Kung---!!!
Soon, from the First Elder's body, steam mixed with Inner Qi, and his presence gradually began to grow.
"This old man is not so weak that he can't even handle his grandson's antics, let alone discipline him."
"No, that's not what I meant... Ugh."
It was a dilemma.
For some reason, the First Elder didn't seem to have any intention of backing down.
'If he won't listen to reason to this extent, wouldn't it be right to just run?'
If talking won't work anyway, should I just bolt?
Coming this far, only such thoughts came to mind.
Since the old days, whenever the First Elder came asking for a spar, I ran away almost every day, so I thought maybe I should do the same this time.
'But it feels different.'
Back then, I ran because I didn't want to fight when I couldn't even win.
This time, my situation was the exact opposite.
I didn't want to fight in a situation where I couldn't control my power.
Nor did I want to hurt him because of it.
So, just as I was busy trying to figure out how to run away immediately.
"Looking at your expression, you're thinking of running away again if things go wrong."
"..."
Caught red-handed.
"...That's not it."
"Yangcheon."
"Yes..."
"Since when have you been so mature that you're afraid to fight this old man?"
"Shouldn't people normally not just fight like that?"
"Haha."
The First Elder burst into laughter at my words.
"I saw a yellow dog on my way here yesterday."
"A dog, all of a sudden?"
"I wonder what that mutt would bark at you if it saw you now."
"...How would I know?"
"It would tell you to stop your bullshit."
"..."
"Even a village dog would say that if it heard you."
"No, what..."
"However, even if he's a bit lacking, he's my grandson, so what can I do? I must help him."
Cutting off my words, the First Elder moved his jaw.
Every time he did, a popping sound echoed from his neck area.
"I shall give you a justification."
"...A justification?"
"That's right. If you defeat this old man... yes, how about I give you a gift?"
A gift? I frowned at the sudden remark.
"Why are you talking about a gift out of nowhere?"
"There was that shrewd old man who looked for you earlier, right?"
He seemed to be talking about the Founding Danju.
"You asked. What kind of fellow is he."
"..."
"I shall tell you that."
"...!"
My eyes widened immediately at the First Elder's words.
"And I shall also tell you one of that old man's secrets."
"...Well. Aren't you just going to tell me that his identity is the Founding Danju of the Baekhwa Merchant Group or something?"
"What kind of nonsense is that? Do you think this old man is so petty?"
"..."
"Answer."
"...Of course not."
I thought it would definitely be that, so I'm quite relieved he said no.
Anyway.
"Then, Yangcheon."
At the call, I looked back at the First Elder.
"Even after giving you this much justification. Are you still thinking of ignoring this old man?"
Hearing the question, I quietly regulated my breath.
"It seems you have some misunderstanding."
Uuuu-!
Power slowly entered my heart.
Immediately, energy spread throughout my body.
Heat rose, and my body gradually began to activate.
Feeling this, I continued speaking to the First Elder.
"I have never ignored you, Elder."
That's right, not even once.
In my life, I have never ignored the First Elder.
There were a few times I cursed him out inwardly... but I never ignored him.
That remains the same this time.
'This isn't ignoring... strictly speaking.'
Worry.
It's a word I'd be embarrassed to death to say out loud, but this is right.
I was saying this purely out of worry for the First Elder.
"I don't know why someone your age keeps asking for trouble."
"Hoh? This brat's way with words again..."
Tuk.
The First Elder, who was about to speak, suddenly widened his eyes.
Seuseuseuseu---!!!
I released the power in my body.
As I opened up my repressed body, the blocked energy escaped my control.
Saaaaa---!!!
It spread gently over my shoulders.
As expected.
'It's going out too much.'
It was a much greater amount than I had desired.
Thanks to that, the speed at which it seeped into my body was fast, but the efficiency was terrible.
"...Hahaha..."
Seeing this, the First Elder let out a hollow laugh.
If even I was surprised, how could the First Elder not be? The disbelief in the First Elder's eyes was vivid.
Seeing that, I asked.
"Elder, do you perhaps have any intention of stopping now, even at this late point?"
"What?"
At my final question, the First Elder's laughter deepened.
"Don't say useless things and just come at me. As I said earlier."
The First Elder's massive fist was aimed at me.
"This old man is Gu Ryun of the Flame Fang Fist."
"...Yes, you are."
Such stubbornness.
Looking at the First Elder like that, I continued with a sigh mixed in.
"Elder. I'll say it again, but right now I'm really having a hard time controlling my stre—"
The moment I was about to finish my sentence. Something appears before my eyes.
It was similar to before. It was the First Elder's fist.
However.
'Goodness.'
There was something quite different from before, which was that the First Elder's fist looked much slower.
The speed of my perception had changed.
Accordingly, the speed at which my body reacted also changed.
Hwook-!
Paaang--!!
The dodged fist bursts into a shockwave in the air.
Then, I dove into the First Elder's embrace.
"...Heup!"
The First Elder hastily changed his stance.
He had already thrown his punch, so it was too late to retrieve it. He tried to keep me in check using his lower body.
But by then, my fist was already touching the First Elder.
Tung-.
A brief sensation.
An unremarkable contact to look at.
However.
Uuuung---!!!
"Keugh...!?"
From the impact that followed, the First Elder's body shook violently.
The wind pressure swept through and bounced him away.
The First Elder flew quite a distance.
Seeing that, I took exactly one step.
Tuk.
The soles of my feet left the ground. Before I knew it, my body was already behind the First Elder.
"Heoh!!"
At that sight, the First Elder let out a gasp of surprise.
At the same time, he twisted his upper body to continue his offensive.
Same as before.
His fists were strong, and compared to his bulging muscles, his speed was fast.
However.
I was just a bit faster than that.
Tuk-! Tutuk-!
I swung my hands like whips and deflected his attacks.
My Mind's Eye revealed all of the First Elder's attacks.
Because the speed was fast, striking and flowing it away wasn't too difficult.
"Hahahaha---!"
The First Elder's rough laughter pounded in my ears.
What could be so exciting in the middle of all this?
Chiieeik---!!!
Steam shot out and obscured my vision.
It was an intentional act. Since the steam itself was made of Inner Qi, my Mind's Eye was momentarily obscured.
Shwiiik-!
The moment my vision was blocked like that.
The First Elder thrust his fist through the steam blocking the front.
Just before the fist, which took advantage of my carelessness, could reach my face.
Kkwak-!
"...!!"
Unfortunately for the First Elder, his fist couldn't carry out its will.
Because my hand caught his wrist and stopped it.
I felt it from the palm touching his wrist.
How hot the First Elder's body was, and also that he was trying to face me in earnest.
"..."
Feeling this, I clenched my fist.
Thump-!
The ring of flames intertwined with my heart shook wildly.
As if proportional to the power I gave, a massive energy gathered in my fist.
Tuk.
Flames sprouted from the tips of my skin.
No long thought was necessary.
Since the energy had gathered, I just needed to release it.
Uuuung--.
Following the vibration, my fist extended.
It was smooth, as if it had been waiting for this. And natural, as if someone was guiding me.
What is it?
A strange sensation crossed my mind.
This feeling.
It feels slightly different from usual.
I felt like I was floating. And it was somewhat different from my usual movements.
Not only the movements, but the energy contained within was also quite different.
It was as if I was possessed by the energy.
Could this be an enlightenment?
An enlightenment that came while I was beating the First Elder out of nowhere.
I didn't know what it was an enlightenment about, but I could tell the feeling was different.
My instinct tells me.
To remember this feeling right now.
My body feels like it's floating, yet natural. A sense of elevation that makes me feel like I can accomplish anything.
Remember this.
To do that, I had to grasp it for certain somehow.
I had to remember this sensation and finish the movement perfectly.
I knew this better than anyone.
"..."
I changed the hand I was extending and altered the angle.
My fist grazed the First Elder's chest and dug into the empty space at his side.
Kuaaaaaaa---!!!
Flames immediately erupted.
Nine Flames Sun Wheel Fang.
Azure flames erupted and swept in all directions.
The flames, much larger than usual, covered the surroundings, but surprisingly, this time, it didn't affect the terrain.
It just burned.
Watching the azure flames blazing and shining in my eyes, I regulated my breathing.
"..."
It wasn't that my breathing was particularly rough.
It was true that Inner Qi had escaped in an instant, but it wasn't to a burdensome level.
But the reason my breathing became rough was none other than.
'I missed it.'
I missed something that felt like it was about to come. That flow. That sensation from that moment.
Missing the moment that came in a flash. An emptiness from that rushed over me.
'Should I have not let it go?'
It was a moment that might not come again, so missing it must be an immense loss.
Such thoughts crossed my mind.
'I can't help it.'
There was no other way.
I couldn't have dealt a direct hit to the First Elder.
"Ah..."
Coming up to that point, I came to my senses a bit. Thinking about it, this wasn't the time for this.
"First El—"
I hurriedly checked on the First Elder. The First Elder was staring at me with a blank expression.
'Oops.'
He looked quite shocked.
Even so, was this a bit too much? I did tell him to do it properly, but did I end up crossing the line?
As I nervously gauged the First Elder's mood.
"Ha-."
"Ha?"
"Hahahaha--!!"
"...?"
The First Elder suddenly started laughing wildly.
"This brat! This brat!"
As always, he started messing up my hair like crazy.
"Amazing-! Truly amazing--!!"
"...No, w-wait a moment..."
"Hahaha-!!"
Far from being shocked, it was a reaction full of excitement.
Why on earth is he acting like this?
Did I accidentally hit his head? No, I definitely struck him from the side...?
For now, my head getting shaken around was getting tiring, so I had to stop the First Elder first.
"...No, please stop now."
"You did well."
"..."
"You worked hard."
Hearing those words, my reaction froze.
"Brat. How hard must you have lived to get to this point."
The words I was about to spit out went back in, and the hand I was trying to push away stayed in place.
Tadak.
Tadak.
Amidst the sound of the unrecovered azure flames burning away.
I realize once again in the gap where I had momentarily forgotten what was always there.
No matter how much my skills increased and my realm soared, the reason I could never act carelessly towards the First Elder.
"You really did well. Our grandson. I'm proud of you."
"..."
The only person in my life who praised me.
Because it was only the First Elder.
So, that suddenly came to mind.
******************
Right after letting him have his way with my hair.
It didn't take long for the situation to settle down.
"Hahaha, this brat-!!"
Of course, even after that, the First Elder didn't stop laughing continuously.
Was he not displeased that I defeated him?
No, at this level, it felt like he actually liked it.
Not sure what was so impressive, but the First Elder continuously slapped my back without rest. It was now reaching my limit.
"...My back's going to explode at this rate."
"Ah, right. I was in such a good mood that it seems I went a bit overboard."
"What on earth is making you so happy?"
"Hmm?"
Not only did I say things that crossed the line about controlling my strength and whatnot, but I also ended up defeating him, so I thought it would be enough to make the First Elder feel offended.
"How could I not be in a good mood?"
The First Elder seemed quite different from what I thought.
"I saw that my grandson had grown up so much. I can't help but be in a good mood."
If I were to argue, I'm not his grandson.
I was about to say that, but I closed my mouth. I knew well that now wasn't the time for such words.
"Yangcheon. How was it for you?"
"What do you mean...?"
"After moving your body, doesn't your head feel a bit clearer?"
"..."
Clear, huh.
'Well.'
I'm not sure.
My complicated thoughts hadn't disappeared. Moving around a bit wouldn't solve it.
"It does help, though."
At least it's better than before. I had that feeling.
It's not entirely bad. Just as I was nodding, thinking it was fine.
'Wait, then for a moment... hold on.'
A thought suddenly crossed my mind.
"...Elder."
"Yes?"
"I'm asking just in case."
"Go ahead, speak."
"Did you do this on purpose?"
I asked while looking into the First Elder's eyes. He started the sparring under the pretext of discipline, but in reality, he was just happy that I had gotten stronger.
Even now, the only question he asked was whether I was okay.
Which meant.
"...From the beginning, you just did this to cheer me up..."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"..."
The First Elder said with a smirk, but that actually convinced me.
No wonder he suddenly picked a fight.
'This old man?'
I was dumbfounded.
Why would a man of his age use such an unsophisticated method?
I was about to let out a sigh mixed with words.
"First Elder..."
"Ah, come to think of it, we made a bet, didn't we?"
The First Elder cut off my words like a ghost.
"This old man lost. So, as promised, I shall tell you."
"..."
A bet.
It was the condition he offered me during the sparring with the First Elder.
If I were to win the sparring...
'He said he'd tell me the Founding Danju's identity and one secret.'
It was something I was curious about.
Just what was that old man, the Founding Danju, that he spoke as if he knew about the Gu Clan.
And what was the secret he held?
I was curious about that, but.
'...Since it's coming from the First Elder, it doesn't seem like it'll be very good information.'
We were in the middle of a conversation anyway. I wanted to finish this first.
"That's not what's important right now—"
"That old man was originally a person of the Gu Clan. Moreover, he was of the direct bloodline, just like you."
"At your age, you keep... What?"
I stopped speaking mid-sentence and froze with a dumbfounded expression at the words I heard.
"...Huh?"
This was another insane story I had never heard before.