Childhood Friend of the Zenith -
Chapter 371: Gathering of the Orthodox Faction (12)
“I am Gu Cheolun.”
The air in the room grew heavier the moment he spoke.
All it took was a simple introduction.
He hadn’t infused his voice with Qi, nor did he use Qi to pressure the air in the room.
His sheer presence dominated the room, and his sharp gaze alone made everyone feel its weight.
As he took his seat at the front and introduced himself, murmurs rippled through the room.
- Gu Cheolun… isn’t he the Tiger Warrior?
- Tiger Warrior? You mean… the Lord of Shanxi’s Gu Clan?
He was the greatest young prodigy of the past and earned the title of Heavenly Dragon.
He had served as the Captain of the now-defunct Heavenly Dragon Army of the Alliance and was currently the Lord of Shanxi’s Gu Clan.
It was also said that he used to be one of the Hundred Masters of the Central Plains, but that was only in the past.
Rumor had it that he was far weaker now than he had been in his prime.
These days, however, a different title eclipsed that of the Tiger Warrior.
It belonged to a martial artist whose name had spread across the Central Plains and Henan.
The Lesser King of Hell, Gu Yangcheon.
He was the Young Prodigy who had played a role in stopping the ambush that occurred in the Heavenly Dragon Academy, and one of the key reasons the Orthodox Faction’s gathering was taking place.
Not only that, but he even earned himself a new title as he couldn’t be considered a Young Prodigy anymore.
The man seated before them was none other than the father of the Lesser King of Hell.
Not long ago, he had been better known as the father of the Sword Phoenix, but his son’s fame had since overshadowed that.
Those who knew a bit about Gu Cheolun spoke after thinking about the Lesser King of Hell.
- Like father, like son, huh?
How could a tiger give birth to a dog?
It’s no surprise, a monster can only give birth to another monster.
Though some now called him a toothless tiger or a relic of the past hiding away in Shanxi, those who had witnessed Gu Cheolun in his prime thought differently.
And now, here he was.
Many people in the room felt overwhelmed by Gu Cheolun’s presence. He didn’t even use his Qi, either.
For those who remembered his glory days, the weight of his past alone was enough to instill pressure.
It was Tang Cheongi who finally broke the silence following Gu Cheolun’s introduction.
“It has been a while.”
Decades had passed since Tang Cheongi had last met Gu Cheolun.
Afterward, Moyong Tae, wearing a clearly dissatisfied expression, cautiously introduced himself.
“…Good to see you.”
Moyong Tae obviously wasn’t fond of Gu Cheolun.
It had been like this ever since the past.
As Young Prodigies, they had crossed paths often, even clashing during Moyong Tae’s days as the White Dragon.
The Dragons and Phoenixes tournament existed back in those days too.
But Moyong Tae had long buried those memories.
His loss had been so humiliating that he preferred to forget it altogether.
To make matters worse, his older sister had pursued Gu Cheolun after falling for him, which only made Moyong Tae feel more uncomfortable about him.
Because of that,
…Like father, like son.
Moyong Tae felt as if his insides were set in flames.
For the sake of his precious daughter, he restrained himself, but he had no intention of forgiving the bastard known as the Lesser King of Hell.
I might have let it slide if it had only been about my daughter,
But according to the rumors, he had many girls around him.
Hearing this infuriated Moyong Tae, but he forced himself to stay calm.
No matter what he heard, he needed to see it with his own eyes to confirm the truth.
Truthfully, Moyong Tae’s opinion wavered slightly after meeting the rotten bastard.
And for one simple reason.
Despite him looking like that, it was astounding how many girls surrounded him. The Lesser King of Hell wasn’t ugly, but he wasn’t handsome either.
Not only that, but he also had Gu Clan’s peculiar fierce expression which made him look scary.
And yet, my perfect, precious daughter is infatuated with someone like him?
Something was wrong.
Moyong Tae believed it that way.
There was one explanation for why his daughter was so obsessed with that good-for-nothing scoundrel.
It was because of the condition she had, and only the Lesser King of Hell was capable of curing her condition.
Moyong Tae didn’t know how he managed it, but the truth was confirmed when he sent the Moyong Clan’s Elders and doctors to investigate.
He held back because of this.
He was able to hold himself back, even as he depended on that scoundrel, knowing his daughter had fallen for him in the process.
As long as he could save his daughter or bring her happiness, he was willing to endure anything.
Truthfully,
She’s happy.
It had been so long since he’d last truly seen his daughter.
And it had been even longer since he’d seen her smile so radiantly.
He believed that this was the right path to take.
This is why he held himself back against the Lesser King of Hell.
He heard that the bastard was engaged with another girl, but his daughter told him that he plans to break his current engagement for her.
After hearing this, Moyong Tae was even willing to help his daughter out for her engagement, as the Moyong Clan would soon be allied with the Gu Clan regardless.
Everything he did was for his daughter.
Having lost his wife, Moyong Tae saw his daughter as his entire world.
However,
…He had other women around him besides my daughter?
The very thought made him grit his teeth.
He’d seen it clearly for himself back then.
The girls sat around the table where Moyong Hi-ah was also sitting.
It was full of girls.
And every single one of them was just as beautiful as his daughter.
Despite Moyong Tae thinking his daughter was the best, he admitted that the other girls around her were just as beautiful.
Those beautiful girls had their eyes fixed on the door, as if eagerly awaiting the Lesser King of Hell.
Among them, one girl, in particular, caught Moyong Tae’s attention.
It was a lady with bluish-white hair and blue eyes.
Her posture and attire alone made it clear she was a blood relative of the Namgung Clan.
To Moyong Tae’s knowledge, the Namgung Clan had only one daughter.
She was known as the Sword Dancer.
As the rumors claimed, she was strikingly beautiful and had achieved an impressive level in martial arts. But none of that mattered to Moyong Tae.
The Sword Dancer was engaged to the Lesser King of Hell, and from what Moyong Tae observed, their relationship seemed much better than what his daughter had described.
This meant,
He has no intention of breaking off his engagement. He’s just toying with my daughter.’
Crack.
Moyong Tae clenched his fist tightly.
If the table hadn’t been made of stone, it would have shattered instantly.
Did he fool me back then too?
Moyong Tae was reminded of when they first met in the street.
The Lesser King of Hell had guided him when Moyong Tae asked for directions.
Moyong Tae didn’t know back then, but the bastard had responded as if oblivious to the fact the story was about himself.
He’d even gone so far as to suggest Moyong Tae break the bastard’s arms and legs.
He toyed with me the entire time, knowing exactly what was going on.
He didn’t think that the Lesser King of Hell wasn’t aware that the story was about him.
He wouldn’t be that unaware for him to not realize after all.
Moyong Tae was certain.
The bastard insulted him.
Moyong Tae briefly wondered if his judgment was clouded by bias, but he dismissed the thought immediately.
Ever since the past, he wasn’t fond of that bastard’s Clan.
Once this meeting is over…
Moyong Tae planned to visit the Lesser King of Hell after the meeting.
His daughter begged him not to, insisting she would handle it herself, but Moyong Tae could no longer restrain himself.
He had no plans to kill him though.
As tempting as the thought was, it simply wasn’t an option.
Instead, Moyong Tae planned to fix that bastard’s brain as a ‘Senior’.
Though the process might involve some violence.
As Moyong Tae sheathed his sword in his mind trying to cool his emotions,
“It’s been quite some time since we last gathered. Why don’t we discuss a rumor I’ve recently heard?”
The voice belonged to someone Moyong Tae despised even more than Gu Cheolun or the Lesser King of Hell.
It was none other than the Dao King, Peng Jeowoo.
“With all due respect, I’ve heard your son has been making quite a name for himself lately.”
Moyong Tae wondered what rumor Peng Jeowoo was referring to, though it was unsurprising that it involved the Lesser King of Hell.
“You must be proud to have a son like him, no?”
Peng Jeowoo smiled as he spoke, but Gu Cheolun turned his head and fixed him with a piercing stare.
Gu Cheolun’s fierce gaze made his expression appear icily sharp.
“He simply did well.”
Gu Cheolun replied in an indifferent tone, as though entirely unbothered.
Peng Jeowoo’s eyebrows shook a little as if he wasn’t satisfied by Gu Cheolun’s response.
Undeterred, Peng Jeowoo pressed on.
“Surely he has some powerful backing. After all, he’s still just a child.”
Tang Cheongi and Moyong Tae immediately recognized the intent behind Peng Jeowoo’s words.
Though the Lesser King of Hell was currently the talk of the martial world, the title of the greatest Young Prodigy and the Heavenly Dragon of this generation belonged to none other than the Young Lord of the Peng Clan, Peng Woojin.
Peng Jeowoo said what he said in order to lift up Gu Clan’s image while also making sure that his clan still has the higher position.
In conversations like these, both sides usually walked away with some satisfaction. But Gu Cheolun broke the norm with an unexpected response, his gaze locked on Peng Jeowoo.
“The clan did nothing for him. Everything he has, he earned on his own. I contributed nothing to his success, nor did the clan.”
His tone was serious.
Those around him couldn’t help but marvel at how decisively he ended the conversation.
This would make Peng Jeowoo end up in an embarrassing situation.
As expected, Peng Jeowoo’s expression darkened.
Tang Cheongi observed this and sighed inwardly.
That thick-headed brute hasn’t changed a bit, even at his age.
Everyone was being respectful to each other as Lords, but from time to time, he showed how dumb he really was.
He wasn’t this bad the last time we met.
Even back then, Peng Jeowoo’s mind seemed more muscle than intellect, but it appeared to have worsened over the years.
It was so bad to the point that it made Tang Cheongi wonder if Peng Jeowoo sacrificed his brain for his talent in martial arts.
To be precise, this behavior had grown worse ever since Peng Jeowoo’s son, Peng Woojin, began making a name for himself in the martial world.
Regardless of the topic, it was clear that this conversation was heading toward a fight if left unchecked.
Just as Tang Cheongi was preparing to intervene, Peng Jeowoo spoke again.
“Congratulations, if that’s really the case… but isn’t it odd? I could have sworn things weren’t like this in the past.”
Thud.
The atmosphere in the room sank after Peng Jeowoo spoke.
He was referring to when Peng Clan and Gu Clan broke their engagements.
“People outgrow their immaturity with age, and I’m glad to see it. Your son seems to have matured into a better man.”
Everyone in the room was well aware of how the Lesser King of Hell had broken off the engagement by speaking harshly to the Peng Clan’s daughter.
“Perhaps he deeply regrets his past mistakes, as he seems to be doing well with another girl now. It’s nice to see.”
Flinch.
It wasn’t Gu Cheolun who reacted to Peng Jeowoo’s words.
Instead, it was Tang Cheongi and Moyong Tae who showed visible reactions to the conversation.
Peng Jeowoo was currently crossing the line.
His comments veiled references to rumors of the Lesser King of Hell’s supposed lustful nature.
There was a rumor about him being a hero who was fond of beauty, as he had many beautiful girls around him.
Not only that, the girls around him happened to be the daughters of Tang Cheongi and Moyong Tae as well.
Peng Jeowoo had brought up the one topic everyone else had been carefully avoiding.
“A man with talent is bound to have many girls around him… It just goes to show how remarkable your so—”
“Lord of Peng. How about you stop there.”
Moyong Tae spoke without being able to hold back any further.
“Can you really afford to go on any further?”
“Why wouldn’t I? I’m not saying anything inappropriate.”
Moyong Tae felt a wave of disgust as Peng Jeowoo responded with a smug smile.
“Ah, now that I think about it, your daughter is the renowned Snow Phoenix. I hear she’s quite the talent.”
“Lord of Peng.”
“It makes sense, doesn’t it? People gravitate toward those of similar caliber. That must be why the Snow Phoenix is with the Lesser King of Hell.”
Moyong Tae’s expression hardened with every word Peng Jeowoo said.
“And the Tang Clan’s Poison Phoenix too… such a shame. If our clan’s engagement with him hadn’t been broken, then—”
Just as Moyong Tae, consumed by anger, was about to rise from his seat to confront Peng Jeowoo,
“You’re being loud.”
Swoosh…
The room fell silent at the sound of those few cold words.
The tone was far too dense, far too cold.
Peng Jeowoo froze momentarily at the sound of the voice before responding.
“…What did you just say?”
It was Gu Cheolun who spoke.
Gu Cheolun calmly sipped his tea, completely ignoring Peng Jeowoo’s question.
Peng Jeowoo’s tone sharpened as he spoke again, anger seeping into his voice.
“I asked you—what did you just say?”
Gu Cheolun finally turned his gaze back to Peng Jeowoo, unperturbed by the growl in his voice.
Then, he spoke.
“I said that you are being loud.”
“Are you addressing me right now?”
“You’re the only one making noise in this room. Is there someone else I should be addressing?”
Gu Cheolun spoke calmly as if it was obvious.
“Lord of Gu…!”
Peng Jeowoo shot to his feet, his anger flaring at Gu Cheolun’s remark.
More accurately, he tried to.
Slam-!
“…!”
In the end, Peng Jeowoo couldn’t stand.
Gu Cheolun had stopped him, his hand pressing firmly down on Peng Jeowoo’s shoulder.
“Wha…”
Shock spread across Peng Jeowoo’s face.
Gu Cheolun had a fairly big physique, but it wasn’t comparable to Peng Jeowoo.
The Peng Clan was renowned throughout the Central Plains for their unmatched physical strength.
Yet, Gu Cheolun effortlessly held Peng Jeowoo down.
Gu Cheolun addressed Peng Jeowoo, who still hadn’t fully grasped the situation.
“Peng Jeowoo.”
“…!”
“It seems you’ve forgotten the lesson I taught you in the past.”
Gu Cheolun’s expression remained unchanged, his voice calm, yet he now addressed Peng Jeowoo by name.
“How dare…!”
- I clearly told you not to bark.
“…!”
Gu Cheolun spoke to him telepathically.
- Even at your age, it seems you haven’t outgrown that pathetic habit.
“…You bastard…”
Peng Jeowoo tried his best to stand up, but the crushing weight on his shoulder pinned him in place.
Peng Jeowoo couldn’t comprehend how this was happening.
Rumors claimed the Tiger Warrior’s prime was long behind him.
Do you wish to relive your past humiliation, even now as a Lord?
Gu Cheolun’s words dragged Peng Jeowoo back to his past.
It was the time he had visited Gu Cheolun, then the Heavenly Dragon.
That day, Peng Jeowoo had insulted Gu Cheolun’s grandfather, and Gu Cheolun hadn’t uttered a single word in return.
Instead, he responded with his body.
He had shown Peng Jeowoo what it meant to hit an unyielding wall and the price of running one’s mouth.
The molar Peng Jeowoo lost that day never grew back.
Not only that, Gu Cheolun had used his flames to sear shut the hole left behind after extracting Peng Jeowoo’s molar.
This happened around when they were both barely over the age of twenty.
It remained one of the most humiliating memories of Peng Jeowoo’s life.
Craaack.
Furious, Peng Jeowoo tried once more to rise, but Gu Cheolun’s arm remained immovable.
Instead, his grasp only grew stronger.
- Peng Jeowoo.
“Ugh…”
His voice dripped with killing intent.
Gu Cheolun’s emotion was held behind his quiet voice.
It was so quiet that only Peng Jeowoo was able to hear it.
- You shouldn’t try something you can’t handle. Have you not realized yet?
Where did such a deep and dark emotion come from?
Just as Peng Jeowoo was about to unleash his Qi, unable to restrain himself any longer,
- *If you use that now,*
Your son will inherit the title of Lord of Peng… effective immediately.
Peng Jeowoo’s entire body stiffened as if turned to stone upon hearing Gu Cheolun’s words.
His son becoming the Lord of Peng meant that Gu Cheolun was going to kill Peng Jeowoo in that spot.
- Is that what you want?
“…”
Peng Jeowoo thought.
Did Gu Cheolun really believe he could get away with killing Peng Jeowoo within the Murim Alliance’s territory?
As this thought passed through his mind, Peng Jeowoo clenched his fists and ground his teeth in frustration.
He was already certain that he would lose to him.
His seething Combat Qi, his unrelenting pride, and his desperate need to break free from his humiliating past…
There were many things that would have made Peng Jeowoo stand up, but in the end, he didn’t let his pride take control.
“…”
Peng Jeowoo loosened his body.
He gave up fighting back.
After confirming this, Gu Cheolun immediately retrieved his hand from Peng Jeowoo’s shoulder.
Gu Cheolun resumed sipping his tea as though nothing had transpired, but Moyong Tae and Tang Cheongi briefly understood what had occurred in that brief moment.
Peng Jeowoo’s deeply humiliated expression was far too obvious to miss.
As the Lords wondered what they needed to do in order to lift up the mood,
Slide.
The entrance door slid open, and someone stepped inside.
It was a middle-aged man with bluish white hair, wearing a blue outfit.
He was the last Lord of the Four Noble Clans to arrive.
It was Namgung Jin, the Azure Heavenly Sword of Namgung Clan.
“Oh, it seems like I’m the la- “
Namgung Jin’s cheerful demeanor faltered, his brows furrowing as he stepped into the stifling atmosphere.
Noticing the mood, Namgung Jin broke the silence.
“Well, how should I put this? It feels as though someone’s just been scolded in here.”
Namgung Jin said this as a joke, but there wasn’t anyone who denied his words.
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