Chapter 10 The Gathering (3)

Chapter 10 The Gathering (3)

Baek Dan-hyeon clicked his tongue as if he’d expected it.

“So the other senior brothers don’t even register in your eyes anymore?”

At the words “other senior brothers,” Gu Yang-jeok’s mind raced.

“…So it seems I wasn’t the only one recommended after all.”

“Yes.”

Gu Yangjie felt his resolve slip away.

The Nine Dragons Tournament could be summed up in two points.

It was a competition held in secrecy until now, and the battle of pride between sects was fierce.

Naturally, they would select the most highly regarded and outstanding person within the age limit.

Moreover, the Nine Dragons Tournament was a competition held outside Huashan.

No matter how powerful the sect leader was, he couldn’t act like a lone wolf.

‘I absolutely must obtain the True Spirit.’

Gu Yangji stared at the sword in his hand as if it were a thorn in his side.

Both Song Mu, who had recommended him, and the Baidanxian before him held his martial arts skills in high regard.

If his skill were lacking, the Nine Dragons Tournament wouldn’t even be mentioned.

But that didn’t guarantee they’d send him.

‘Frankly, I’m not exactly known for my saintly temperament.’

On that point, Gu Yangjeok was utterly doomed.

Already notorious for his hot-headed nature, how could he possibly win the support of the other elders?

Gu Yangji asked with a serious expression.

“Does the Grand Master’s recommendation count as more than two votes?”

“Even the Grand Master cannot force his will on every matter, great or small.”

From Baek Dan-hyeon’s words, Gu Yangji sensed that he too held a favorable view of him since the Golden Ring Society incident.

That was likely why he hadn’t flatly refused, even after Gu Yangji had revealed his ambition.

Yet, he sensed from the subtle tone that someone else enjoyed even greater support.

“Brother Yu?”

At the name that sprang to mind, Baek Dan-hyeon’s expression grew slightly uneasy.

He feared this incident might cause Gu Yang-jeok to harbor ill feelings toward Yu Jang-myeong.

‘His temperament is notoriously…’

His view of Gu Yangji had shifted slightly more favorably because of this incident, but how easily do people change?

Baek Dan-hyeon believed it was still necessary to calmly observe Gu Yangji’s transformation.

“Jie, listen without misunderstanding.”

“Misunderstanding? It’s only natural.”

Seeing Gu Yang-jeok’s calm expression, Baek Dan-hyeon exhaled a sigh of relief.

“I’m glad you see it that way.”

‘……Did he think I’d cause a scene?’

Baek Dan-hyeon’s thoughts were so clearly written on his face that Gu Yang-jeok’s expression slightly darkened.

Gu Yang-jeok knew very well.

Unlike himself, who had been problematic since childhood, Yu Zhangming had been a natural-born immortal from the start.

Moreover, his sword technique was so outstanding it stood out sharply even among the entire martial world.

It was only because it rarely manifested outwardly that he remained classified as a late-stage cultivator.

‘Come to think of it, did Senior Brother become incredibly famous around the time of the Young Masters Tournament?’

The Nine Dragons Tournament.

It must have been some monumental contest he hadn’t known about in his past life.

Gu Yangjie chuckled softly.

“But Sect Leader, nothing’s been decided yet, right?”

“It’s already half settled. Even if I were to change my mind now…”

Baek Dan-hyeon stopped mid-sentence at the sound of someone’s telepathic voice.

-Headmaster, please reconsider.

Baek Dan-hyeon found himself focusing on the telepathic message without even realizing he’d stopped speaking.

-Discipline Master, why are you defending that enemy so fiercely?

-Because I like that guy.

Baek Dan-hyeon couldn’t easily believe those words.

‘Just thinking about all the things that bastard has done so far makes even me frown…’

How could the head of the Discipline Hall possibly say he liked Gu Yangji?

Moreover, how could he nominate Gu Yangji as a candidate before the elders based solely on such personal feelings?

Baek Dan-hyeon’s mouth twitched.

-Set aside your personal feelings and tell me your reason. You know the weight of the Nine Dragon Tournament, don’t you?

-It’s where the late-stage disciples representing the nine sects belonging to the Martial Alliance compete. I know that too. But…

Song Mu paused his reply, then saw Gu Yangji had crossed his arms and smiled faintly.

‘He really is no ordinary man.’

No matter how swiftly telepathic communication was exchanged, a slight time lag was inevitable.

But for masters like Song Mok or Baek Dan-hyeon, that delay was but a fleeting instant.

Yet, Gu Yang-jeok stood there, arms crossed, waiting for the conversation taking place in an ‘unknown place’ to end.

This was something even Baek Dan-hyeon, who was exchanging telepathic messages with Song Mok himself, failed to notice.

‘Ever since he brought up the hermitage, I thought something was off… so that’s what it was.’

Song Mok formulated a hypothesis.

‘I might need to reassess my evaluation of Gu Yangjeok from the very beginning.’

His rowdy temperament, his untrustworthy mouth, and his tendency to act before thinking.

Gu Yangjeok had spent as much time in the Disciplinary Hall as the bad rumors about him suggested, enduring lengthy punishments.

So most saw him as a cocky brat who relied on Huashan’s prestige despite lacking any real skill.

Except for Yu Zhangming and a few others, nearly all the cultivators in Huashan viewed him unfavorably.

Even Bai Danxian, the head of the sect who should have remained neutral, watched Gu Yangjie with concern and a hint of distrust until the corruption in the Grand Assembly was resolved.

One.

What if everything he’d done so far was just a facade?

Song Mu recalled the sparring match from moments ago.

‘That decisive attack, that gaze showing no fear whatsoever when facing a martial artist vastly superior to himself.’

Song Mu was even renowned by the martial name ‘White-Handed Executioner’.

This wasn’t arrogance or conceit.

For a cultivator who had never truly intended to kill, especially one untouched by the martial world,

it was common for their body to freeze in the face of the ‘White-Handed Executioner’s’ aura, preventing them from displaying their full strength.

‘But not Gu Yangjie.’

Instead, he looked at Song Muk with an expression of interest.

Gu Yangjie had sensed Song Muk blocking his half-hearted martial arts display and preparing to counterattack.

And now?

Not only had he noticed the time lag caused by the telepathic transmission, but he was calmly waiting for it to end.

That wasn’t the kind of skill or behavior one would expect from someone his age.

Moreover, Gu Yangjie seemed to be calmly observing only Baek Danhyun’s expression, inferring the conversation’s content.

Song Muk was greatly impressed.

-Master, look beside you.

-……?

At those words, Baek Danhyun turned his head as if possessed by a ghost.

At that moment, Gu Yangjie chuckled.

“Is it over?”

“……Huh, ahem! Hmph!”

Baek Dan-hyeon cleared his throat loudly, feigning anger as he demanded.

“Over? What nonsense is that!”

“Weren’t you speaking with someone just now?”

“Speaking?!”

Gu Yangji tilted his head, puzzled.

“Weren’t you conversing with the elder who recommended me earlier?”

“……Hmph. So, if that’s the case, what do you intend to do about it?”

“I don’t particularly intend to do anything. I simply wish to know how the conversation concluded, and…… if an opportunity might be granted to me.”

“An opportunity?”

“Yes.”

Gu Yangjeok turned his head in the direction where Songmuk might be.

Swish.

Instantly, Songmuk stumbled, the leaves he’d been stepping on scraping across the ground.

Songmuk’s eyes flashed sharply. That was Gu Yangjeok asking him for help.

Help to break free from his past self.

As his private tutor, Song Muk was more than willing to help.

-What if Jie and Zhang Ming sparred to determine superiority?

Upon hearing that suggestion, Baek Dan-hyeon hesitated briefly.

Frankly, Song Muk’s support for Gu Yang-jeok hadn’t been enough to warrant serious consideration.

It was merely personal backing, after all.

He couldn’t override the will of over ten elders.

But…

Baek Dan-hyeon observed the emotion that had briefly made him tremble.

‘Among all the children I’ve seen until now, has there ever been one like that?’

Hearing those words just now, Baek Dan-hyeon changed his thoughts about Gu Yang-jeok.

Ability.

Or experience.

The fact that Yu Jang-myeong and one or two others quietly seized the Geumhwan Trading Company without incident was the former.

The fact that he went for the Hwasanpa matter but resolved it under the pretext of being a merchant named Baek Cheon was clearly the latter.

‘Especially since he gained strong suspicions about the Geumhwan Trading Company’s corruption at the Plum Blossom Pavilion.’

This implied he was also well-versed in miscellaneous knowledge.

Baek Dan-hyeon sent a subtle telepathic message to Song Mok.

-Indeed, as Wonju said, there is reason to place hope in the enemy.

-…….

-Wonju?

At those words, Song Mok withdrew his spiritual sense from Gu Yang-jeok.

-No. If the Grand Master also thinks so, I can only be grateful.

-I too have come to see Wonju differently.

Songmuk blinked once.

-I’m not quite sure what you mean…

-His attitude toward Gu Yangjeok, who could be considered the biggest troublemaker—not just seeing him as a ‘troublemaker,’ but treating him like his own disciple.

Baek Dan-hyeon felt proud of Songmuk.

-That Wonju is my disciple, and that he has grown into a sage who judges people more justly than I do, and that he is in the Disciplinary Office… it feels especially reassuring today.

Songmuk felt deeply moved by Baek Dan-hyeon’s words.

He almost completely forgot that Gu Yang-jeok had glanced this way for a moment.

At that moment, Gu Yang-jeok asked Baek Dan-hyeon.

“Um… then, may I speak briefly with Senior Brother and return?”

“Yes. I shall hear the details directly from you and Zhang Ming.”

“Thank you, Sect Leader.”

Bowing and stepping back, Gu Yangji went straight to find Yu Zhangming.

* * *

Gu Yangji headed there upon hearing from a disciple that Yu Zhangming was in the midst of training.

He had no intention whatsoever of showing him any mercy.

Now that he had a chance to quickly regain his strength, he was determined to bring down even Yu Zhangming, no matter what.

‘Besides, my current strength isn’t even at a level where I need to hold back.’

A drop of tension dripped from Gu Yangji’s clenched fist.

Just as he had shouted at Zai Meng, Yu Zhangming’s cultivation was already at the very edge of the top tier.

He was at the point where, if he gained just the right insight into strength, he could immediately reach the pinnacle.

The current gap in their levels? Even among top-tier practitioners, it was like heaven and earth.

‘If only he could shed that pushover personality, he’d be truly formidable.’

Gu Yangjeok felt proud that such a legendary figure was his senior brother, and he felt a surge of competitive spirit.

As if sensing this.

The ceaseless echo of sword cries ceased, and Yu Zhangming turned his head.

“Ji’a, what brings you to the training grounds?”

“Senior Brother, it’s about the Nine Dragons Tournament…”

“Ah, that’s right. Why ask?”

“I wish to participate. So…”

“Is that so?”

Yu Zhangming answered crisply.

“Then do as you wish.”

“A sparring match… what?”

‘What did Senior Brother just say?’

Gu Yangjie tilted his head in momentary bewilderment.

‘Does he even know what he just said?’

Even when Gu Yangjie repeated the question, Yu Zhangming’s answer remained concise.

“I said to let you go.”

Yu Zhangming waved his hand dismissively.

“I’ve lost interest in such places. I’d rather you go and gain experience with martial artists from other sects.”

“What is the reason?”

“Right now… I feel like I want to settle my mind a little here at Huashan rather than go out.”

“…Is that so.”

Hearing this, Gu Yangji felt he understood the sentiment behind Yu Zhangming’s concession.

Hadn’t Yu Zhangming attended countless other competitions and gatherings until now?

Naturally, he must have met all sorts of people for various reasons.

‘Probably only those desperate to curry favor.’

What thoughts would arise from meeting only those seeking his favor?

Yu Zhangming’s words pierced that delusion.

The martial world is not built on principles or justice.

It is a society governed by a harsh code where only the strongest warriors survive, let alone find peace.

He had realized this through the affairs of the Golden Ring Conference.

‘Senior Brother is troubled.’

Only then did Gu Yangji understand why Yu Zhangming was now yielding to him so readily, without hesitation.

Yu Zhangming’s capacity was truly vast.

Had he been merely a petty man, it would have been evident in his past life.

Few martial artists remained to the end in a crumbling sect, prepared to die.

Especially if that person possessed skills revered as peerless mastery, they would inevitably be swept up in temptations like being asked to take charge of a major sect’s protection.

But Yu Zhangming held firm to the very end.

This competition is to replace such a man.

Gu Yangji spoke with a confident voice.

“I will return having elevated both my own honor and that of Huashan.”

“Well now, seeking to elevate your own honor too. You priests are truly full of ambition.”

Drip, drip.

Yu Zhangming smiled faintly, beads of sweat forming on his brow.

“I trust you.”

Leaving those words behind, Gu Yangjie descended from Huashan immediately.

And two hours later.

Gu Yangjeok showed no patience for the rat-like enemy before him.

“Who the hell are you?”