747 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

The time was just past noon. The sun hung high in the sky, but the day wasn't particularly hot. This was because the season was transitioning into autumn. A gentle breeze blew, causing my hair to flutter. Left untended, it could have become frizzy, but thanks to my transformation, my hair and skin were always in great condition. "That's why it's so bothersome." Slick. I grabbed my long hair and tied it back. Now it's a bit less inconvenient. With a quick adjustment, I cleared the hair from my eyes, revealing my view. The first thing I noticed was the battle arena, cracked in various places. The marks left by expert martial artists clashing were clearly visible. Even after they reinforced the arena when I rose to the rank of Eight Hardships, they seemed to squander money needlessly. Such futile expenditure, I thought. Crack. I relaxed my wrist slightly and shifted my gaze to see the people around the arena. One was a referee, tense to the extreme. Likely my fault. "Probably the aftereffects of the last fight." I didn't cause much trouble in my fight with Yeongpung, but the duel with Sinryong was different. I made quite a scene. That's probably why the referee is so on edge. "I do feel a bit sorry." But what can I do? To earn a living, you have to endure anything. Having experienced it, I knew that the martial alliance paid quite well. Judging from the armband, he seemed to be of a high rank, so he must be getting paid significantly. He better earn that money. "And then." The referee's additional reason for such tension was standing right in plain sight. Standing tall, almost eight feet, was a giant of a man. With broad shoulders and a sturdy physique threaded with dense muscles. He was Dou Wang Peng Zhou. He stood with his hands behind his back, staring at me. I could clearly sense what was different about him this time. "The man isn't fooling around with his energy anymore?" Last time, he went overboard, exuding all sorts of energies and putting on a show. This time, he was serenely composed. The subdued aura of a formidable expert still emanated, which was unavoidable, but aside from that, he kept everything else contained. So much better to look at. Without unnecessary antics, it was genuinely pleasing. However. - "Who do you think will win this time?" - "Hmm, it must be Dou Wang, no?" - "Oh, come on, So Yeom-ra defeated that Sinryong. How can you say he'll lose to Dou Wang?" - "But Dou Wang is one of the Six Seats. It would be odd for someone of post-elixir refinement to beat him." - "Then are you saying Tuolong wasn't of post-elixir rank?" - "Well, Tuolong is..." All sorts of noise pierced my ears. Listening to it all brought a wry smile to my face. "What a sorry state." How did Dou Wang come to this? For people to doubt his chances against me. It's partly because my stock has skyrocketed, but largely because Dou Wang's has plummeted. "Tsk." Maybe that's why Dou Wang's expression kept crumpling. I felt a bit bad for him. But what could he do? He should blame that Presiding One who beat him up so badly. Truth be told, while this duel's outcome was of interest, people's attention was more focused elsewhere. It was whether I would fight Tuolong, and if so, who would triumph. That was the question on everyone's mind. Tuolong, who lost to Dou Wang. So Yeom-ra, who defeated the youngest Sinryong. Since the showdown was avoided, people were even more curious. Who was the stronger fighter? Who will be the highest among those of the post-elixir level? "Haa." "I'm sick of this tiresome ranking game." Why does it even matter? "Damn old geezer." I frowned with irritation. Seeing how much interest this talk generated, it was clear the Presiding One's display was indeed shocking. "Because of him, everything got complicated." His outstanding performance made my position irritatingly cumbersome. More so because the Presiding One's forfeiture after a supposed injury ripple only compounded matters. In the end, no one will ever know who between So Yeom-ra and Tuolong is stronger. That in itself would draw attention here. That's the unfortunate part. "If only I had received all the means to resolve this." It felt like I was sharing with the Presiding One. "Did he plan it that way?" Tuolong, leaving while receiving all the praise. Could the Presiding One have predicted such a situation? "…Perhaps." He was a surprisingly sly individual. It could have been calculated. But the problem was, there was nothing I could do about it. "Regrettably, but what can I do?" The water was already spilled, and besides. "I do have a way to somewhat resolve this." It was a small solace. As I was thinking that and nodding my head slightly, the voice of Dou Wang snapped me back. "Where are you looking?" I focused back on him. "Thinking about something else when you have me in front of you." "Ah, I'm sorry. I got lost in my thoughts for a moment." I apologized honestly. Yet, Dou Wang's expression did not soften at all. "…Truly, you're insufferably arrogant. Well, as the son of that man, it's only natural you'd resemble him." "Hmm." I pressed the nails of my middle and ring fingers. Repeating each word silently, I spoke up. "While it's natural to resemble one's parents, in that sense, Lord Peng must be truly fortunate." "What?" "After all, your son doesn't resemble you, does he? In many ways. Isn't that just fortunate?" Frankly, from my point of view, Peng Woo-jin is marginally better, but it doesn't matter now. As I spoke with a smile, Mr. Peng's brow furrowed even more deeply. "It seems I'll have to rip that little mouth of yours to shut it." "That's quite a scary thing to say." "The world elevates you, and you think everything is yours? Such arrogance." Boom. Dou Wang's mace struck the ground. Even seeing it again, its size was immense. "Don't delude yourself. While there were mistakes with Tuolong, there won't be such miracles with you." "Hmm…" I scratched my cheek as I listened to him speak. "Lord Peng, you always seem to be pretending, don't you?" "Pretending?" "Why do you keep calling it a miracle? You, of all people, should know better." I noticed the slight twitch of Dou Wang's eyes as he seemed to catch my drift. "Why do you keep sugarcoating the fact that you were trounced? Does that make you feel better?" "...!" Crackling. Finally, a harsh sound escaped Dou Wang’s lips. "You got utterly destroyed, didn't you? Did you get hit in the head too hard that time? Why do you keep spouting nonsense?" I said, surveying the surroundings as I spoke. At the same time, I infused my voice with sound manipulation. It wasn't telepathy. Just enough to keep the sound from spreading. "Stop acting the fool and hold your sword properly. You're weak as hell and keep flapping your mouth. How much do you want to get beaten?" "You little...!" Creak—!! Dou Wang's muscles swelled, as if he was about to pounce. Despite that sight, my eyes were still searching all around. "The time is about... approximately one period." That's about how much time I had left. I recalled my thoughts and glanced back. To the hall where the delegates from the Middle Kingdom and the elevated were likely gathered. I gave it a glance and nodded. "That's not bad." It's satisfactory enough. With that judgment, I turned to the referee. "I think we're ready. Let's get started." "...What?" The referee looked flustered by my words. He too seemed to know that something was off with Dou Wang. "It's fine, you can start." I waved a hand as I spoke. Even as I said this, Dou Wang's aura grew thicker. "I swear." He seemed thoroughly displeased with my attitude, as his grip on his weapon intensified. "By my name, I'll crush you right here." I chuckled at his words. "That's one of the most common things I've heard... yet I've never seen anyone succeed." Those who spoke like that usually ended up one of two ways. Either under my feet or dead with their neck ripped out by my hand. Which path will Dou Wang take, I wonder? "I won't hold my breath. But I do dare to wish." Squeeze. I flexed my fist, opening and closing it several times. Then. "One period." Crack. I clenched my fist tightly as I spoke. "Just endure for that long." That was all I asked of Dou Wang. **************** During the post-elixir period of Dou Wang's life. This story dates back to when he wasn't known by his current moniker but was called the Dark Dragon (墨龍). Now referred to as one of the Six Dragons and Three Peaks, but at the time, there were only two phoenixes and five dragons. Five Dragons and Two Phoenixes (五龍二鳳). This was a story from the days when Peng Zhou was among them. It wasn't autumn but winter. It was a time when they were holding the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. Back then, Dark Dragon was more prone to anger than he is now. It was a time when the current Dou Wang raised him with utmost care, yet he was immature. He harbored an inferiority complex regarding his talents, leading to his most wayward period. Backed by one of the four great families, he had skills to match his position among the dragons, but he had barely made it. Ambitious rising martial artists from smaller families nipped at his heels. In front, the clan bloodlines posed a barrier he could never surpass. Everything was suffocating Peng Zhou. The day was right after his humiliating defeat by the Sword Dragon Namgung Jin. - You bastard...!! BOOM--!! Peng Zhou cursed vehemently, smashing a table into pieces. - To think I'd lose to such a pretty boy--!!! The memory of losing to the Sword Dragon and falling from the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. That memory repeatedly incited his fury. The atmosphere in the guesthouse was icy. Others were cowering in fear, and even martial artists dared not intervene. Though a post-elixir martial artist, Peng Zhou was also a potential successor of the Peng family. To harm him was to risk provoking the reaction of the then Dou Wang. That's why no one dared to meddle with Peng Zhou. The word around the martial world was clear: Dou Wang cherished Peng Zhou immensely. - Am I lacking something--!! Bang-! Crash--!! The memory tormented him. He had lost count of the bottles he had consumed, yet with the hardiness of a martial artist, he was far from intoxicated. Shattered bottles lay strewn across the floor. His mind was as chaotic as those scattered bottles. As he recalled being overpowered by Sword Dragon's sovereign sword form and rolling on the floor. - Aaagh--!! Bang-! Bang-!! In the midst of wrecking everything in sight. Peng Zhou's eyes landed on something. All the women who had been fawning over him moments ago had fled. At that moment when everyone else was either frightened or awkwardly pressed against the walls. Just one person. There was just one person calmly eating in the guesthouse. Quietly savoring a small bowl of noodles. So quietly that his presence went unnoticed. Gulp. The soft sound of swallowing resonated. -...Who are you? For some reason, Peng Zhou took a dislike to it and picked a fight. - In this situation, how can you eat? How! He shouted absurdly and hurled a bottle. But. Whoosh-! Thud. The diner caught the flying bottle and casually placed it back on their table. It was a seamless action. Just as Peng Zhou's expression began to crumple, the stranger looked at him. -...! Peng Zhou confirmed who it was and felt a slight shiver. Why, he didn't know. Seeing the young man's eyes, his body involuntarily tensed up. Someone of comparable age, with black hair and deeply crimson eyes. A familiar face. - Ah.... So it was you. A relative of the Goo family, was it? A bloodline that had just made its debut at this Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. A competitor who showed promising results in friendly sparring. Heard he was the Little Dragon (小龍) of Wudang. Somehow managed to luck out against that pesky foe, didn't he? His name was likely. - Goo Cheol...Goo Cheol-hyung? - Goo Cheol-woon. At the sound of the name being stated, Peng Woo-jin clicked his tongue. The voice was deep and carried significant weight. - Yes, Goo Cheol-woon. That damn brat. What the hell are you? In response to the tense words, Goo Cheol-woon nodded slightly, displaying his chopsticks. "Can't you see? I'm eating." "Do you think that's what I'm asking?!" Thud-! Thud-! Peng Zhou marched towards Goo Cheol-woon. Reaching out, he grabbed the table as if to overturn it. Creak. -...!? The table didn't budge. Instead, Peng Zhou's hands, which had applied force, merely trembled. What on earth was happening? In his confusion, Peng Zhou finally noticed why. Goo Cheol-woon's hand rested casually on the table. Could it really be because of that? It was unbelievable. This made him appear weak in terms of strength, which was impossible to accept. Regardless of anything else, he believed his strength was unmatched among post-elixir practitioners. There was no way he could be losing to someone like this... Crash-! -What!? Suddenly, the table soared into the air. Peng Zhou, thrown off balance, fell awkwardly. Thud-! The noodles splattered onto Peng Zhou's head. Crash-! Crack! The table crashed to the floor, shattering. "Such a waste." Goo Cheol-woon muttered briefly at the sight. "What a shame to lose such a good meal. It suited my taste perfectly after a long time." That was all he said, expressing regret. "...Ha... Hahaha...!!" Peng Zhou erupted into laughter. His laughter sent shivers through the onlookers. Anyone could tell he wasn't in his right mind. "You... do you know who I am?! Are you really so eager to die? I am of the Hebei Peng Clan...!" "Not interested." At Goo Cheol-woon's words, Peng Zhou's mouth shut momentarily. "You... dare...?" Screech. Goo Cheol-woon slowly rose to his feet. Peng Zhou's eyes widened as he watched. He was big. Perhaps even a bit bigger than himself, an imposing figure. "I have no interest in your name." Thump. His heart pounded loudly. Ever since he saw Goo Cheol-woon's eyes. Those piercing crimson eyes looking down at him. In that moment, for some reason, Peng Zhou felt his body instinctively shrink. "Wha... What did you say?" Not interested? "You filthy brat, are you honestly---!!" Smack-! -Urgh!? As Peng Zhou moved in anger, a sudden hand reached out and grabbed his cheeks, forcing them apart. A massive hand capable of clutching even Peng Zhou's large face with one hand. The other hand intruded into his mouth. At first, he struggled to resist in any way possible. But strangely, his body wouldn't move. It wasn't due to a blocked meridian. Despite just being held by the face, his body froze solid. Later, he realized he was being crushed by an overwhelming aura, but by then, it was too late. Back then, Peng Zhou was powerless against the bloodlust emanating from Goo Cheol-woon. Crunch-! -Krgh...? Arrgh! His molar was yanked out. Even then, he couldn't resist. As soon as the molar was ripped out, a finger grazed the vacant spot. And then. Hiss---!!! -Gyaaaahhh---!!!! The heat sizzled into his wound with intense pain. Peng Zhou's scream echoed as he writhed in agony. Unable to fight back, he endured the excruciating torment. Only after a long struggle did Goo Cheol-woon finally let go of Peng Zhou. Whoosh! Thud-! He tossed the extracted molar at him and wiped his saliva-soaked hand casually on his outfit. With an indifferent expression, he spoke. "Consider it payment for the noodles." His words sent Peng Zhou into a frenzy. -Guh... You... you... you bastard... As Peng Zhou gasped, spewing curses, Goo Cheol-woon leaned in close, locking eyes with him. "Why." "...!" "Do you have more to say?" "Ugh..." "Go on. I'm listening." He wanted to curse. To demand if this man knew who he was. To declare he was Peng Zhou of the Peng Clan. He wanted to shout and intimidate this man, but Peng Zhou could no longer move his lips. His instincts warned him. -Try saying more. If he said more, he might die. No, he would definitely die. That's what Goo Cheol-woon's eyes, and Peng Zhou's instincts, conveyed to him. "...Ugh..." Pride and rage swelled to his throat, yet ultimately Peng Zhou stayed silent. His pride did not outweigh his life. "Huff... Huff..." And so, instead of words, all that emerged from Peng Zhou were faint groans. Goo Cheol-woon observed him briefly before rising and preparing to depart. "I was right not to learn your name." In the moment he began to walk away. Peng Zhou distinctly heard it. "You're not worth remembering." He heard Goo Cheol-woon's whisper to him. Despite his crushed pride, Peng Zhou ground his teeth but couldn't utter a word as Goo Cheol-woon left the guesthouse. Crrrack. He clenched his fists tightly. He made a vow. He would kill that bastard. By any means necessary. Whether it meant borrowing the power of the family head or taking action himself. He would never forget this humiliation and would eventually exact his revenge. At least, that was his resolve. But Peng Zhou's desire was never fulfilled. Goo Cheol-woon rose far beyond reach not long after. 'Goo Cheol-woon....' The dagger of resentment borne in his heart. He even went so far as to attempt maneuvering through a marriage proposal using his own daughter. Although that too failed due to unforeseen complications. Never for a moment had Peng Zhou forgotten that time. That was why. - Hebei Peng Zhou versus Shanxi Goo Yangcheon. Just ahead. That damned youth who resembled the man. The offspring with the same accursed eyes. Even inheriting the wretched lineage's talent reminiscent of his father. Though not resembling him in appearance deeply. That distinctive aura inflamed Peng Zhou's emotions. 'If he had only groveled, I might have let it slide.' He was arrogant and detestable, just like his father. So ignorant of his place to challenge the Peng Clan leader himself. He was displeased. The rogue known as Tulong. The spawn of Goo Cheol-woon. Squeeze. -I will begin-! He would crush them. By whatever means necessary, he would tear them apart. The Silent Iron (黙鐵). Crrrr---!!! The energy around his blade gathered and solidified. Dou Wang, with all his might, leaped forth. In an instant, the distance between the two closed. As Dou Wang's blade, fueled by a multitude of emotions, surged toward Goo Yangcheon. Clang-! Swish-!! Thud-! "...What...?" Peng Zhou blinked in surprise. His hand felt curiously light. His eyes darted to his right hand. It wasn't there. The weapon that should have been clutched was missing. Where did it go? How did it suddenly...? "Damn it. Seriously." A curse pierced his ears. Whoosh-! Suddenly, Dou Wang's field of vision shifted drastically. Thud-! "Guh!" His face was stomped, drilling him through the arena floor, burying him beneath. "Aaaaagh!!" A scream of agony erupted from Dou Wang as the searing pain overwhelmed him.