Chapter 100 Black Dragon (2)

Chapter 100 Black Dragon (2)

Man Tong-ja, seemingly not suspecting it was something Gu Yang-jeok had created himself, examined the talisman meticulously without asking a single question.

“Good heavens, it’s incredible! Whoever made this has raised the level of talisman craftsmanship to a whole new stage!”

In this manner, Mantongzi kept uttering exclamations of admiration. He burst with pure delight, like a scholar who had just discovered a famous text.

His enthusiastic reaction was so intense it made Gu Yangji beside him feel embarrassed.

“Does that mean I’m not even on your radar?”

“Probably.”

Mantong-ja answered casually, then remained silent for the next hour.

For Guyang-jeok, this was the first time he’d seen Mantong-ja so intensely focused, so he studied him closely.

With such complete concentration, he might reveal a weakness. Putting his curiosity aside, Guyang-jeok watched what Mantong-ja was doing.

“……”

“…….”

Man Tong-ja drew talismans repeatedly, experimenting with transformations, then drew a thin blade to etch into the spirit’s skin.

Waaaaaah-!

Dae-woong, the spirit, let out an unpleasant howl as Man Tong-ja suddenly pressed the blade against him.

But he didn’t lash out at Man Tong-ja. He knew this was only a temporary experiment.

Daeung knew well that it was thanks to Mantongja that he had become a spirit creature.

After observing Daeung for about an hour, Mantongja pursed his lips.

“……Alright, seems there are no significant side effects.”

“You doubt I showed it to you to harm you?”

“I don’t know how many times I’ve shown it to you before you’ll trust me.”

Man Tong-ja offered a faint smile.

“That’s right. As you said, I recognized your potential early on and approached you. And I intended to gauge just how much skill you possessed.”

“You’re a better swordsman than I expected,” Man Tong-ja murmured his honest impression, continuing his words.

“Your attempt to counter my technique last time, and this talisman now. Your sorcery is quite something. I wasn’t unfamiliar with it, but I was still somewhat surprised.”

Gu Yangji chuckled and asked.

“Aren’t you going to ask who taught you?”

“Would I even answer? I don’t want to waste time on pointless questions.”

Gu Yangji fell silent at the coldness in Mantongzi’s words.

This was normal.

No matter how well Gu Yangji knew Mantongzi or how familiar he felt with him, he was reminded once again that he was no match for his opponent. He couldn’t hide his bitterness.

Just like in his past life, the notion that he could become close to Mantongzi in this life was nothing but arrogance.

“…I see.”

Gu Yangji stood up, a bitter smile on his face.

“Once you’ve finished examining everything, come tell me. We’ll talk again then.”

“Understood.”

Man Tongzi answered without looking back, but in truth, he was waiting for Gu Yangji to walk away.

The reason was simple. He felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

‘No matter how I look at it, this is Mosan’s style, isn’t it?’

While at Mosan, he had interacted extensively with the Eastern Left and Right Daoist Halls, but drawing talismans in this manner was something only Mosan’s lineage could accomplish.

Then why could Gu Yangji draw such a talisman?

And why, specifically, had he shown it to him?

He had long since discerned the talisman’s capabilities.

When Gu Yangji’s presence faded, only then did Mantongzi turn back with a subdued gaze.

‘Not only does this Daoist know the talismans of the Moshan lineage, but he also shows no aversion to sorcerers.’

This was a point that raised suspicion in many ways.

Moreover, if he were a martial artist, he would naturally have rebuked him for treating him so casually.

‘A Taoist who triumphed in the Nine Dragons Tournament should know how to live up to his honor.’

As he pondered this, Mantong-ja realized Gu Yang-jeok still hadn’t introduced himself, and frowned at the rudeness.

‘That bastard… Even if I started treating him casually, I didn’t expect him to do the same.’

He had seen through Gu Yang-jeok’s true identity long ago.

Even if his robe was soiled with ashes, there was no way he couldn’t recognize him.

Man Tong-ja had long since seen through Gu Yang-jeok as a member of the Huashan Sect, renowned for their profound mastery of sword techniques.

‘Did he leave his manners behind under Mount Mo?’

His subtly friendly demeanor also grated on his nerves.

Even if Mantongzhe himself approached with goodwill, pretending to be friendly, Gu Yangji’s attitude toward him felt too familiar.

Wondering if they had truly met somewhere before, Mantongzhe frowned. But if he had met such a man, it would surely have remained in his memory.

‘I really don’t know.’

The more he thought about it, the more he felt like he was sinking deeper into a quagmire.

A stranger knew the unique talisman techniques only the Mosan lineage could wield.

The way he channeled energy when deploying counter-techniques was also strangely similar to his own.

It was all too bizarre.

He wondered if he had an unknown disciple, and a hollow laugh escaped him.

“He’s a truly peculiar fellow. Never encountered anyone like him in all my years.”

Despite hearing of Mantongja’s great fame, he maintained a sullen expression throughout. Moreover, he seemed to have little aversion to displaying his martial arts skills.

Could it be he had another technique besides the Plum Blossom Sword Style?

Mantongja recalled the profound martial arts skills Gu Yangji had occasionally displayed. Then he looked at the black dragon mask hanging on the corner of a tree branch.

“……”

Wan Tongzhe approached the Black Dragon mask and slowly pulled it over his face.

* * *

“I thought meeting someone would feel joyful, but it’s awkward and uneasy.”

Moreover, a tension as if he might be attacked at any moment gripped his entire body.

Gu Yangjeok polished the blade of Chamhyun, waiting for Mantongja to return. After all, the questions he now harbored would surely be answered once he came back.

Who was this villain called the Black Dragon who appeared in Mosan? Why had he harmed the members of the Martial Alliance?

There was so much he wanted to ask Mantongja. At the same time, it seemed Mantongja also had much he wished to say to him.

‘Could the True Sword hold some greater significance?’

Among existing swords, it possessed the sharpest cutting power and most formidable aura.

Beyond that, he sensed little else extraordinary about it.

In fact, its sharpness came at the cost of low durability; he’d even experienced the misfortune of the blade bending on occasion. To prevent such incidents in the future, Gu Yangji also considered meeting the sword smith again.

‘Before that, it wouldn’t hurt to hear Mantongja’s account of Chamhyun’s history.’

Gyu Yangjeok gazed deeply into Chamhyun’s blade.

‘If Mantongja is concerned enough, it must hold some magical significance. Why did he leave it to fate?’

Gyu Yangjeok was lost in these thoughts.

Swoosh-!

The sound of trampled earth echoed as spring arrived. The speed was indescribably fast.

It felt like a tiger leaping upon its prey.

“……!”

Gu Yangji instantly straightened his body.

Gaaaah!

The man wearing the Black Dragon mask roared hoarsely. It was too deep-throated to be a human voice.

From the two piercing eyes within the mask, crimson light erupted.

Their gazes met only briefly, yet Gu Yangji’s entire body froze solid.

It happened in the blink of an eye, leaving even Gu Yangji utterly dumbfounded.

‘What the hell…!’

Gyu Yang-jeok clenched his teeth and summoned his Jia-Xia Qi.

But the Black Dragon had already closed in.

Clang!

A sharp metallic clang erupted as blade met blade.

For an instant, it seemed as if his vision was filled with crimson sparks.

The problem was that the opponent’s weapon was bizarre beyond comprehension.

Teeth.

The Black Dragon’s mouth was lined entirely with razor-sharp fangs. Moreover, they seemed incredibly hard, effortlessly blocking Chamhyun’s sword.

But Gu Yangjeok, seemingly undaunted, grinned and swung Chamhyun outward.

“What a tremendous maw!”

Clang!

At that sound, the black dragon’s expression stiffened.

The strength Gu Yangji had relentlessly honed, combined with the internal energy derived from the Ha Jin’ak and Ja So Dan, was no ordinary feat.

No matter how hard the black dragon’s teeth were, capable of blocking Chamhyun’s sword energy, they couldn’t push Gu Yangji’s body away.

Veins bulged prominently on Gu Yangji’s forearm.

This was the true value of his external cultivation, which he had never neglected.

Crack, crack.

The mask’s edges slowly tore away as the Black Dragon let out a pained groan.

“…Guh!”

Perhaps he judged he could endure no longer.

The Black Dragon swiftly backed away, creating distance from Gu Yangji.

Crack, thud.

Exposed directly to the sword’s edge, the black dragon’s mask was sliced horizontally, flakes of powder falling off in places, making it look gruesome.

Moreover, a wound inside the mask was dripping blood. It wasn’t some fake chicken or pig blood disguise.

Gu Yangji wiped the blood smeared on the sword with his finger.

He knew exactly who it was.

“I never knew Master Wantuo was so skilled at such games.”

“……”

“If you were testing my abilities, that’s enough. Even if you are who you claim to be, once I truly start fighting, you won’t come out unscathed.”

At those words, a smile flickered beneath the Black Dragon’s mask.

Soon, a voice tinged with self-mockery began to speak.

“Still, I was looking forward to seeing a bit of your martial arts. Never thought I’d be overpowered by brute force like this.”

“…….”

“Well, truly remarkable for someone so young.”

Tuck.

Mantongzi removed his mask and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.

“If you train diligently from now on, you’ll become truly formidable. What an absurdly immense talent, haha!”

“…….”

“I don’t know who your master is, but I’d like to boast a little, huh?”

Gu Yangjie gave no reply to those words. No, he couldn’t.

Everything that had allowed Gu Yangjie to reach this point had begun with Mantongja.

From the very first technique he learned, the Six Harmonies Palm, to the Moon-Defying Shadow Step, and even connecting him to reclusive masters.

He had many teachers, but the one who truly made Gu Yangji into a proper human being was none other than Mantongzi.

Gu Yangji blinked a couple of times, then gave a bitter laugh.

“Of course you’re proud. Your young disciple is being called the Plum Blossom Sword Hero, after all.”

“So you’re finally revealing your true identity. Still treating me like dirt, though!”

“Wasn’t age just a flaw to you?”

The words were out before he could stop them, and Gu Yangji immediately regretted it.

In a past life, perhaps, but this was something he hadn’t yet discussed with the current Mantongzi.

Mantongzi’s eyes widened.

“…What? Puhahaha! Do you even know how old I am to say such things?”

“That you’re much older than you appear, at least.”

At that, Mantongzi laughed as if amused.

“Even the sages dare not guess my age, yet a child I’ve known less than a week sees right through me. You’re the real Mantongzi, aren’t you!”

As Mantongja seemed poised to reveal more eccentricities, Gu Yangjeok cut him off immediately.

Continuing would likely unleash long-buried emotions he hadn’t yet processed.

“Enough of that. First, tell me what kind of talisman I asked you to show me.”

“You’re awfully impatient.”

Mantongja chuckled and beckoned Gu Yangjeok to follow him.

Thump, thump.

Unlike his earlier aggressive stride, Mantongja’s pace was now unhurried.

His gait seemed to follow some peculiar footwork. Gu Yangjeok glanced at him and mimicked it slightly.

Seeing this, the wrinkles around Mantongja’s eyes deepened.

“You’ve got some sense after all.”

“In the turbulent martial world, if you lack even that much sense, you deserve to die.”

“Ha, ha! That’s true.”

After that remark, a brief silence fell. Man Tong-ja cleared his throat.

“Do you know much about the history of Zhongyuan?”

“You asked me to tell you what that talisman is, and now you’re spouting nonsense?”

“Eheh, you dress up in fine robes but have a temper worse than a skinny dog. I’ll explain it to you, so listen carefully.”

Ahem.

Mantongzi cleared his throat again.

“In the era when Shunyangzi, the revered founder of the Southern and Northern branches now called Taoism, was active, there were many demons (魔) were rampant.“

For some reason, Man Tong-ja felt like a grandfather lecturing his grandson, and Gu Yang-je, feeling repelled, spoke in a curt tone.

”I know that. Lady Yeo slayed the evil dragon—isn’t that a feat even commoners know about?“

”But what if that wasn’t the end?”

Click.

Mantong-ja halted his steps and turned to face Gu Yang-jeok.

“What if it’s connected to the talisman I’m about to tell you about?”