Chapter 21

“He’ll be out shortly. Would you like a cup of tea?”

At Shi Bi’s question, the men from the Gu Yang family who remained in the main hall shook their heads. They intended to go out and settle matters even if they had to eat first.

Gu Yangming urged them.

“No tea. Tell him to come out quickly.”

Seeing them show up unannounced and then rush him, Shin So-baek frowned and turned away.

Just then, the Shuangbo brothers abruptly entered the main hall. Liu Mingbo addressed the three men in a stiff tone.

“The eldest prince requests your presence at the annex. There is ample space there for martial arts practice.”

The three men rose from their seats and watched the Ssangbo brothers.

These men bore the telltale marks of external martial arts cultivation all over their bodies. How could this be the appearance of warriors from the merchant guild? The three exchanged glances before following the Shuangbo brothers to the annex.

The moment they arrived at the annex, their eyes widened.

The spaciousness of the place was impressive, but what stood out even more were the large screens placed to prevent disturbances during training.

The Shuangbo brothers called out from outside the screens.

“Your Highness, the Gu family has brought the warriors.”

“You wait here.”

“Yes.”

Gu Yangming said it as if he were irritated.

“That’s quite the grand gesture.”

As the three pushed aside the curtain that served as the entrance, a man glistening with sweat turned around. Since there had been no word of their arrival, it was naturally Dan Woosung, who had been immersed in his training.

Dan Woo-sung felt uneasy looking at the three.

From the perspective of a martial arts master, they were mere junior disciples.

Only after seeing them did he realize his own position was odd. There was no way these men would regard the young master of the Eunha Trading Company as their senior.

Dan Wooseong stared at the three, frozen for a moment. The words ‘I am the Kwonwang’ lingered briefly in his mouth.

To Danwooseong, the nickname “Kwonwang” held greater significance than the names of his past and present lives. He offered his greetings, anticipating the day when everyone would call him Kwonwang again, even without him saying his name.

“You must have had a long journey.”

Dan Woo-sung’s changed demeanor was undeniably domineering. Though his tone seemed stiff at first glance, it carried an air of naturalness that prevented the three from pointing out his manner of speaking. After all, today was a day where deciding the outcome by skill was more important. Gu Yang-myeong introduced himself first.

“I am Gu Yangming of the Gu Yang Clan.”

“Gu Yangyun.”

“I am Shin So-baek.”

Dan Woo-sung nodded. Just by their tone of voice, he could tell what kind of people they were.

There was the man with an air of arrogance, the man who could slyly hide himself, and the man with a somewhat unassuming demeanor. Regardless of their skill, Shin So-baek stood out the most to Dan Woo-sung.

Dan Woo-sung spoke.

“The Gu Yang Clan shall determine the method of combat.”

His attitude suggested he didn’t care how it played out, so Gu Yangming immediately retorted.

We shall fight in the order introduced. One-on-one, regardless of victory or defeat, we will engage in three bouts before reporting the outcome to our respective houses. Should you sustain injury, I will grant you time for treatment, however many days it takes. It seems the guests of the Gu Yang Hou made some idle remarks, but pay them no mind. The three bouts today will be the last.

The Gu Yang clan is a force with its pride. Dan Woo Seong also wore a somewhat surprised expression.

Gu Yangyun smiled faintly and continued his brother’s words.

“Lord Guyanghu was someone who caused many financial problems. Even when the bad news first reached the main house, it wasn’t particularly surprising. He was someone who caused trouble whenever there was an internal investigation. The martial arts contest was fair, so there’s no reason to make an issue of it. However, regarding martial arts prowess, I’ll demonstrate it through a contest before leaving.”

It was a fitting response, and he was pleased with it. Dan Wooseong nodded and looked at Shin So-baek.

Shin So-baek smiled slyly and said.

“I apologize for the unannounced visit. But let’s rest a bit. Your Highness should have a cool drink and catch your breath.”

Danwooseong looked at the three men and realized they seemed even more parched than he was. They probably hadn’t drunk any tea or water since entering what they thought was enemy territory. He asked them tentatively, as if testing the waters.

“The dried persimmon and honey are quite tasty. Would you care to join me?”

Shin So-baek stared at Dan Woo-seong for a moment before answering first.

“Let’s do that. I happen to be parched.”

Dan Woo-seong spoke toward the outside of the screen.

“Jinbo.”

“Yes.”

A thudding sound came from outside, and then Yook Jin-bo appeared, personally carrying a large pitcher filled with several cups and dried persimmons on a stand. As the burly man performed the task meant for the servants, the guests stared wide-eyed.

‘Was he a servant?’

It was difficult for them to comprehend the mindset of the Ssangbo brothers.

Danwooseong said.

“Come in, Myeongbo. Let’s drink together.”

Of course, the Crown Prince’s mindset was also unfamiliar. He meant to share with the attendants. Danwooseong had never actually thought of the Ssangbo brothers as attendants; it was merely a small misunderstanding among the three who had grown up in the noble household.

As Yook Jin-bo passed the cups, the Gu brothers, who had never said they would drink, also received cups.

Dan Wuseong personally poured the Gansu Crystal Fruit into each of the men’s cups. The five men holding the cups of Gansu Crystal Fruit stared only at Dan Wuseong. The Shuangbo brothers would only drink if Dan Wuseong told them to, while the remaining Gu Yang brothers still worried it might be poisoned.

But there was no poison.

Dan Woosung said.

“You must have had a long journey.”

Danwooseong downed the Gansu Shuijing fruit in one cool gulp, and Shin Sobak followed suit, emptying his into his mouth in one go. Next, the Ssangbo brothers and the Guyang brothers drank theirs side by side.

The Gansu Crystal Fruit was so refreshing it startled even the men from the Gu Yang clan, and its taste was simply incredible.

Shin So-baek smiled and said.

“It’s top-notch.”

Dan Woo-seong nodded.

“Let’s begin.”

Shin So-baek spoke as if taking the initiative.

“Since spectators might influence the duel, I’ll wait outside.”

Without consulting the Gu Yang brothers, Shin So-baek stepped outside the screen. The twin brothers followed silently. Gu Yang-un met his brother’s gaze and said.

“Alright, then.”

Gu Yangming, inwardly tense, waved his hand, forcing himself to feign a relaxed demeanor.

Gu Yangming stared at the young master of the Galaxy Trading Company with renewed intensity. Why did he feel he was facing not the company’s young master, but a man who had been roughly tossed about in the martial world? At any rate, he didn’t look like a man who had just luckily defeated Gu Yanghou.

With only the two of them left, Dan Woo-sung stepped back slightly and extended a hand toward Gu Yang-myeong.

“Are you ready?”

Gu Yangming stopped himself from saying he would use the staff technique. His opponent looked formidable. He planned to respond with the staff technique first, then draw his sword midway if necessary. Winning and returning was more important anyway. It was also reassuring that no one would see him due to the screen.

“Ready.”

At Gu Yangming’s words, Dan Woosung tilted his head and asked.

“By the way, you won’t draw your sword?”

He omitted the thought: You’ll regret it.

Gu Yangming replied with a peculiar expression.

“I’ll decide for myself.”

The goal was to fight three times and win three times, but Gu Yangming was already feeling the pressure.

Dan Woo-seong watched Gu Yang-myeong, who ultimately did not make the first move, and sneered inwardly.

‘That damn pride of his… I’ll take the initiative.’

Dan Woo-sung closed the distance with his Five Elements Step, unleashing a seemingly ordinary straight punch. At first glance, it was a crude attack, but it was incredibly fast. As his fist shot forward, the sound of wind cutting through the air could be heard.

Gu Yangming flinched in surprise and countered with a double-handed strike.

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A crisp pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-

Gu Yangming had his left hand overlapping his right, and his posture was low and crouched, as if he had just blocked something with all his might.

But his facial expression was truly something else.

‘What the hell?’

He seemed more stunned by the speed than the sheer force. After all, the fight could have ended with a single strike. Moreover, two distinct grooves were carved into the floor by Gu Yangming’s feet.

Then, the entire screen on the side that had lost its balance tilted and collapsed.

Gu Yangyun approached his elder brother and whispered softly.

“Brother, draw your sword.”

“Shut up.”

Shin So-baek stared at Gu Yang-myeong as if he had anticipated this.

Gu Yangming brushed his hand away and spoke with a touch of bravado.

“It’s fine. Not bad.”

Gu Yangming stepped back inside the screen, while the Shuangbo brothers were busy re-erecting the fallen poles. They looked utterly unperturbed, as if this were the most natural outcome.

From inside, the words of the Crown Prince could be heard.

“It’s good to see you again.”

Gu Yangming retorted.

“Shut up!”

“Hahaha… Come this way. Let’s meet in the center.”

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.

.

Gu Yangyun, who had been watching, suddenly took a few steps and plopped down in a suitable spot. It was a place where the shadows of the Crown Prince and Gu Yangming, reflected on the screen, were clearly visible.

Gu Yangyun crossed his arms and glared…

This time, the duel resumed with Gu Yangming’s preemptive strike.

Puff-puff-puff-puff!

Blows and strikes clashed in rapid succession, producing crisp, sharp impacts that echoed in short bursts. Simultaneously, the two figures’ shadows danced across the space. Occasionally, when fists and palms collided, a light, crisp sound rang out.

Thwack!

Gu Yangyun could tell just by watching the shadows. The Crown Prince’s footwork was superior to his own.

‘Damn it, I told you to use the sword. That stubbornness of his…’

Gu Yang-un’s gaze, which had been fixed on the screen as if trying to pierce through it, suddenly shifted toward the Ssangbo brothers. Those two gruff-looking men were staring in the opposite direction of the screen, as if completely uninterested in the duel. Curious about what might be there, Gu Yang-un turned his head—only to find, absurdly enough, nothing at all.

‘What a strange place, full of strange people.’

This was no ordinary merchant caravan. Just then, the sound of a sword being drawn made Gu Yang-un snap his head around.

‘You should’ve drawn it sooner!’

As soon as Gu Yangyun drew his sword, the shield fluttered wildly in the wind of his blade. The speed at which the two clashed grew ever faster. The Crown Prince, evading the sword with his footwork rather than unleashing attacks, seemed more formidable than his brother. Though Gu Yangyun wielded the sword, he knew his brother’s sword techniques better than anyone. Following the moves with his eyes, Gu Yangyun flashed a triumphant smile.

‘……Now, if I deploy the Wall of Swords, it will be difficult for him to block the next strike.’

Gu Yangming, deploying a sword barrier of qi that blocked his opponent’s vision while tracing an inverted triangle in the air, thrust his sword into the center of the barrier.

Judging by the shadow’s state…

Gu Yangming’s sword, thrust in a straight line, was now close to the Crown Prince’s body. But then, a deep rumbling sound echoed, and suddenly, both men froze.

Gu Yangyun found himself rising from his seat.

‘What? Is this an internal energy duel?’

Gu Yangyun’s mouth opened slightly. It seemed the Great Prince of the Eunha Group had caught Gu Yangming’s thrusting sword with his bare hands. Yet, the sword remained stuck, unable to advance, as they clashed their internal energies.

First, Gu Yanghou’s sword began to tremble, and the vibration spread to his arm.

The moment both men summoned their inner energy, the tangled energy waves shot outward in a single, swift burst. The screens hanging from the poles flapped back simultaneously with a whoosh! sound, briefly revealing the two combatants.

The sword’s blade was stained with the Great Prince’s white aura.

The curtain fell again, replacing their forms with shadows…

Gu Yangming let out a short, stifled cry as he stepped back. Anyone watching could see him stagger before barely regaining his footing, followed by a moment of suffocating silence.

The problem was that Gu Yangming’s sword was still clutched in the Crown Prince’s hand.

The Crown Prince’s voice flowed out.

“A most enjoyable duel. Your sword technique was certainly superior to your staff technique.”

Gu Yangming remained silent behind the screen.

ⓒ Yoo Jin-seong

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