“Gu Cheolwoon.”
The atmosphere in the waiting room was instantly subdued by the man's mere mention of his name.
Did his voice carry inner energy? No. Did he suppress the air with his Qi? Again, no.
It was simply the sheer presence the man exuded. Those in his gaze found themselves involuntarily oppressed by it.
After taking a seat at the head of the room and stating his name, the murmuring resumed.
"Gu Cheolwoon… isn’t he the renowned hero?"
"A hero? Could it be… the head of the Shanxi Gu family?"
He had once borne the title of Divine Dragon, one of the most talented among the younger generation. He was the former leader of the now-defunct Divine Dragon Corps of the Murim Alliance, and now the head of the Shanxi Gu family.
Though still recognized as one of the Hundred Great Masters of the martial world, his past achievements were all that remained. He was now considered to have weakened significantly.
In recent times, however, he was called by a different title. Across Hanan and beyond, he was known by a moniker that had started spreading through the entirety of the Central Plains:
So-yeomra (Little Lord of the Underworld), Gu Yangcheon.
He was the young talent who had put an end to the Divine Dragon Hall attack, the very reason and essence of this Jeongpa Gathering. Now, he had a new title, transcending the ranks of the younger generation.
The man was the father of this So-yeomra.
Previously known as the father of the esteemed Swordmaster, he was now more famously recognized as the father of So-yeomra.
And those who knew even a little about Gu Cheolwoon would say upon hearing So-yeomra’s name:
“Like father, like son.”
A tiger gives birth to a tiger, after all. It was only natural that a monster would birth another monster.
Even though he is now called a toothless tiger, or a relic of the past hidden in Shanxi, those who remembered Gu Cheolwoon in his prime couldn’t see him in such a light.
Look at him even now.
Merely his presence overwhelmed many. Gu Cheolwoon wasn’t releasing any Qi or performing any action. It was just that those who remembered him were being crushed under the weight of their memories.
As the room fell silent following Gu Cheolwoon’s introduction, Tang Cheongi was the first to speak.
“It’s been a long time.”
It had likely been decades since Tang Cheongi had last encountered Gu Cheolwoon. Moyong Tae, who had been displaying a displeased expression, also cautiously paid his respects.
“It’s good to see you.”
It was clear that Moyong Tae didn’t much care for Gu Cheolwoon. This sentiment wasn’t new; they had often crossed paths in their younger days due to their similar ages.
When Moyong Tae was known as the White Dragon, he had even fought Gu Cheolwoon once. There had been such gatherings then as well.
Moyong Tae had erased the outcome of that encounter from his memory. The defeat had been so humiliating that he preferred to forget.
Moreover, there was a time when his sister had admired Gu Cheolwoon, which only intensified his discomfort around him.
‘... Like father, like son.’
Moyong Tae was simmering with anger, suppressing it only because of what his precious daughter had said.
He had no intention of forgiving the wretched So-yeomra.
‘If it were just my daughter, I might have let it go.’
Rumor had it that he was surrounded by women. Hearing that had him seething, but he held back for now.
There was a truth to be confronted, after all. In fact, upon meeting So-yeomra, Moyong Tae had begun to change his mind slightly.
The reason?
Despite his reputation, So-yeomra didn’t have an attractive face. It wasn’t exactly ugly, but it wasn’t handsome either, and with the fierce eyes characteristic of the Gu family, he was rather frightening to look at.
And yet, his beloved daughter was drawn to him?
‘Something’s wrong here.’
Moyong Tae thought as much.
The reason for his daughter’s apparent infatuation with a scoundrel was straightforward enough.
She suffered from a congenital illness, and So-yeomra was the only one who could cure it. While Moyong Tae didn’t understand how this came to be, even the elders and physicians of the Moyong family had confirmed it.
So he tolerated it. He tolerated the idea of leaving his daughter with someone his own age.
As long as his daughter was alive, as long as she was happy, he could tolerate anything.
Besides,
‘She’s happy.’
It had been a long time since he’d seen his daughter smile like that. Moyong Tae thought it was a change for the better.
That was why he tolerated So-yeomra. He’d heard about the engagement, and though his daughter was planning to break it off, she had promised to marry him.
He could ensure the terms of the alliance with the Gu family were honored.
His daughter was all he had left after losing his wife.
But then,
‘... Even though he has my daughter, he still surrounds himself with other women?’
He clenched his teeth at the thought.
He had seen it clearly, the women surrounding So-yeomra at the inn where Moyong Heea had been.
‘Beautiful women, every one of them.’
Moyong Tae thought his daughter was unmatched, so if they were on par, they must be of exceptional beauty.
And the moment So-yeomra entered the inn, those women turned their eyes to him, as if they had been waiting for him.
Among them, one stood out: a woman with blue hair and piercing azure eyes.
Just from her attire and aura, Moyong Tae could tell she was from the Namgung family. As far as he knew, there was only one daughter among the direct descendants of the Namgung family.
They called her the Sword Dancer.
She had exceptional beauty and skill, but Moyong Tae was concerned with something else.
So-yeomra’s fiancée was that very Sword Dancer, and contrary to his daughter’s claims, they seemed to be getting along just fine.
This meant,
‘He has no intention of breaking off the engagement. He’s just toying with my daughter.’
Crack.
Moyong Tae’s arm tensed, nearly splintering the table in front of him.
‘Was he mocking me back then, too?’
He recalled their first encounter on the street, when So-yeomra had readily offered to lead the way.
Moyong Tae hadn’t known it then, but the scoundrel’s every word was directed at him, and he had only too happily gone along.
‘He mocked me knowingly.’
It was clear he had been insulted. Though his reason whispered that he might be prejudging, he could no longer hear it.
He had never liked that family.
‘When this gathering is over…’
After this, he planned to confront So-yeomra. His daughter had asked him not to, saying she would handle it herself, but as a father, he could no longer stand by.
He had no intention of killing him.
Although he wanted to, he wouldn’t.
He simply intended to teach the boy some manners as his elder. It might be harsh, but so be it.
As Moyong Tae brooded, sharpening his resolve, someone else spoke.
“It’s quite a coincidence we’re all here. I heard a rumor.”
The one who spoke was Peng Zhou, someone Moyong Tae disliked even more than Gu Cheolwoon and So-yeomra.
“Since Master Gu is here, I might as well mention it. I hear your son is quite something these days.”
Ah, of course. He was referring to So-yeomra again.
“Must be nice to have such a fine son.”
Peng Zhou smiled, but Gu Cheolwoon turned his icy gaze upon him.
“It’s just the boy doing well on his own.”
Gu Cheolwoon’s response was detached, as though it were of no consequence.
Peng Zhou, clearly dissatisfied, raised an eyebrow and spoke again.
“Well, even if he’s done well, surely it’s because someone is supporting him.”
Tang Cheongi and Moyong Tae could now see what Peng Zhou was getting at.
Although there were rumors about So-yeomra, the original prodigy of the younger generation was Peng Wu-jin of the Peng family.
Peng Zhou seemed to be praising So-yeomra and the Gu family while subtly bolstering his own family’s reputation.
Gu Cheolwoon, however, offered a different response.
“No one in the family has done anything. Everything he achieved, he did on his own. Neither I nor anyone else has done anything for him.”
It was a firm denial, one that left Peng Zhou embarrassed.
Seeing Peng Zhou’s expression twist slightly, Tang Cheongi sighed inwardly.
That damned bear was still just as stubborn.
He showed respect because Peng Zhou was now a family head, but sometimes he revealed just how empty-headed he could be.
‘He wasn’t this bad before.’
In the past, people had joked that his brain was all muscle, but it seemed to have worsened since Peng Wu-jin had begun to stand out.
Tang Cheongi was about to speak up to defuse the situation when Peng Zhou spoke again.
“That might be worth congratulating… but it seems odd. He wasn’t like that before.”
With that, the atmosphere grew even colder.
Peng Zhou was alluding to the broken engagement between the Peng and Gu families.
“People mature over time. I’m relieved to see your son has grown up well.”
Everyone knew the story: So-yeomra had ended his engagement with the Peng family’s daughter by spewing insults.
“Perhaps he regrets his mistakes now, since he seems to be doing well with other girls. It’s nice to see.”
Twitch.
The one who reacted was not Gu Cheolwoon but Tang Cheongi and Moyong Tae.
Peng Zhou was crossing the line.
After all, the rumors about So-yeomra’s womanizing were widespread.
They said he was surrounded by beautiful women, with none more stunning than Tang Cheongi’s and Moyong Tae’s daughters.
Peng Zhou was stirring up what they had been trying to ignore.
“Men with power naturally attract women… Your son must be extraordinary to be surrounded by such beauties—”
“Master Peng, perhaps that’s enough.”
Moyong Tae finally interrupted.
“Are you sure you can handle the consequences of going any further?”
“What consequences? I don’t believe I’ve said anything untoward.”
Peng Zhou smiled, and Moyong Tae felt a wave of revulsion. Peng Zhou turned to him, saying,
“Ah, I almost forgot. Master Moyong, your daughter is quite something.”
“Master Peng.”
“It seems like people naturally gravitate toward those on their level. She’s clearly an extraordinary young woman, like So-yeomra himself.”
Peng Zhou’s words made Moyong Tae’s eyes narrow.
“Such a shame. If only I hadn’t let that opportunity slip through my fingers…”
Just as Moyong Tae was about to stand, furious with Peng Zhou’s continued provocation,
“Enough.”
Thud.
The simple, chilling word from Gu Cheolwoon stopped everyone in their tracks.
The heavy, icy tone made Peng Zhou freeze for a moment. He turned stiffly to Gu Cheolwoon.
“What did you just say?”
Gu Cheolwoon took a sip of tea, ignoring Peng Zhou’s question.
“Did you just tell me to be quiet?”
Gu Cheolwoon calmly looked back at Peng Zhou and replied,
“I did.”
“Were you addressing me?”
“You’re the only one making a racket here. Do you see anyone else?”
Gu Cheolwoon’s detached demeanor was striking.
“Master Gu…!”
Peng Zhou’s face twisted in rage as he started to rise—
Bang!
But he never fully stood. Gu Cheolwoon had placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
“What the…?”
Peng Zhou’s reaction was one of shock. Though Gu Cheolwoon was well-built, he wasn’t physically superior to Peng Zhou, who came from a family renowned for their strength.
Yet here he was, held down effortlessly by Gu Cheolwoon.
“Peng Zhou.”
“…!”
“It seems you’ve forgotten what I told you in the past.”
Gu Cheolwoon’s expression remained calm, and his tone unchanged, but the way he addressed Peng Zhou had shifted.
“Wh-What…!”
“Did I not warn you not to bark needlessly? I believe I was clear.”
Peng Zhou heard the words directly in his mind, through the technique of telepathy.
“You’ve grown old and still haven’t learned to control that nasty habit, have you?”
“You…”
Peng Zhou attempted to stand, but the pressure on his shoulder was unyielding.
What was happening? He had heard that Gu Cheolwoon had long since lost his prime.
“Do you wish to relive your past shame even now, as a family head?”
Gu Cheolwoon’s words dredged up memories of the past.
He remembered the day he’d confronted Gu Cheolwoon, accusing him of being unworthy of the title Divine Dragon.
That day, Peng Zhou had insulted Gu Cheolwoon’s lineage, and the latter had responded without words.
He simply taught him a lesson with his fists, showing him the meaning of a wall, and the consequences of a careless tongue.
The molar Peng Zhou lost that day never grew back, as Gu Cheolwoon had cauterized the wound with fire. It had happened when they were barely in their twenties, leaving an indelible mark on Peng Zhou’s life.
Crack.
Overcome with indignation, Peng Zhou struggled to rise, but Gu Cheolwoon’s grip only tightened.
“Peng Zhou.”
“Urgh…”
The menace in Gu Cheolwoon’s voice was palpable, his quiet words directed solely at Peng Zhou.
“Don’t create burdens you can’t bear. Haven’t you learned yet?”
The depth of his dark emotions was unfathomable. As Peng Zhou tried to summon blade energy to his hand,
“If you draw that blade now…”
“…!”
“Then from this moment, the Peng family head will be your son.”
Peng Zhou froze.
That meant he intended to kill him right here.
“Is that what you want?”
The thought crossed his mind: Did Gu Cheolwoon think he could kill him here, right in the Murim Alliance?
As the thought surfaced, Peng Zhou ground his teeth.
It was as if he had already resigned himself to defeat.
His tumultuous energy, stubborn pride, and lingering memories urged him to stand, but in the end, Peng Zhou made a different choice.
His body slackened as he released his strength.
Seeing this, Gu Cheolwoon withdrew his hand, taking another sip of tea as if nothing had happened.
But Tang Cheongi and Moyong Tae, who had observed the exchange, could tell that something significant had just occurred.
After all, Peng Zhou’s face looked utterly humiliated.
At that moment, the door slid open, and a figure entered.
Dressed in blue martial attire with azure hair, the man was striking.
He was the last of the Four Great Families to arrive:
Namgung Jin, the Heavenly Sword King of the Namgung family.
“Well, it seems I’m the last one…”
Upon entering, Namgung Jin’s brows furrowed as he sensed the odd tension in the room.
“Hmm, it feels like someone got a scolding.”
Namgung Jin’s light-hearted remark received no objections from anyone present.