I felt crushed by his overwhelming presence.
Now I understood what that phrase truly meant.
The heat radiating from Gu Cheolwoon was suffocating. The forest, once alive with the songs of insects, fell silent, and the animals lurking around had already fled.
Crackle, crackle.
Though spring had just barely shaken off the lingering chill of winter, the spreading heat made it feel as if everything around us was boiling.
Struggling to breathe, Moyong Tae forced himself to speak as he looked at the figure before him.
“…Ho Hyeop.”
At the mention of the title, Gu Cheolwoon’s gaze shifted to Moyong Tae. His dark red eyes and gradually reddening hair were intense enough, but his presence kept growing.
Moyong Tae swallowed in shock as he looked at Gu Cheolwoon.
‘Was Ho Hyeop always this strong?’
The rumors had said his prime was long gone, yet this level of presence…
‘Was he hiding his strength all this time?’
It was said that the tiger who once ruled the land had become weak with age, but if he had been concealing his power all along, Moyong Tae could see why. The legends of his former glory weren’t unknown to those of his generation.
He was once known as the strongest among the young prodigies and the youngest leader of the Dragon Sword Squad.
At that time, the Sword Lord had declared that Ho Hyeop would be the strongest under heaven.
That title— the Strongest Under Heaven —was one every martial artist dreamed of. And when the most prominent Sword Lord made such a declaration, people believed it.
However, with the Dragon Sword Squad’s annihilation and the Sword Lord’s retirement, Ho Hyeop withdrew to the family estate, leaving his name to fade with time.
As the years passed and generations changed, his name slowly lost its luster. The terror he once instilled in the demonic sect faded, and he became known simply as the head of the Sanseo Gu Clan.
When his child, Sword of Heavenly Flame, began to make a name, rumors spread that he had failed to recover from the injuries suffered during the Magyeong Gate Incident and that his prime had passed.
After stepping down from his post, he only appeared to wield his strength in battles against the Demonic Gate in Sanseo, so such rumors spread further.
But now, seeing the current Gu Cheolwoon, Moyong Tae was sure those rumors were false.
The man before him was far more than just a figure lingering at the bottom of the Hundred Strong List.
Moyong Tae was himself a martial artist who had reached the Flame Boundary and had a place among the Hundred Strong.
Yet even he could only concede defeat in the face of Gu Cheolwoon’s sheer presence and heat.
To suggest such a person ranked near the bottom of the Hundred Strong?
‘It’s nonsense.’
The mounting pressure made him clutch his chest.
“Lord of the White Sky Sword.”
“…Huff… Huff…”
Gu Cheolwoon advanced on Moyong Tae, who was drenched in cold sweat.
“I asked you—what is this nonsense?”
His voice was deep, resonating with a calm fury that belied its unchanging tone.
“Will you not answer me?”
“…Huff…”
It wasn’t that Moyong Tae didn’t want to answer—he couldn’t. Yet Gu Cheolwoon extended his hand, indifferent to Moyong Tae’s plight.
As Gu Cheolwoon’s hand neared his face, Moyong Tae felt death approaching.
But just before that large hand could touch him—
“…Father.”
Gu Cheolwoon’s body froze, his head turning towards Gu Yangcheon.
Hearing himself called ‘father’ was a title Gu Cheolwoon hadn’t heard from Gu Yangcheon in nearly a decade.
Gu Yangcheon approached and spoke to him.
“I’m fine.”
Though he, too, struggled to breathe in the heat, his words continued.
“Lord Moyong was only giving me guidance. Please, release your suspicions.”
Gu Cheolwoon looked at Gu Yangcheon in silence.
Despite feeling uneasy under his red gaze, this time, Gu Yangcheon held his ground.
After a few seconds, Gu Cheolwoon lowered his hand and straightened up.
“Huff.”
Moyong Tae finally exhaled, freed from the crushing presence and heat that had held him.
As Moyong Tae caught his breath, Gu Cheolwoon addressed him.
“Lord of the White Sky Sword.”
Hearing his name, Moyong Tae wiped his sweat and raised his head.
“Is what he says true?”
Unsure how to respond, Moyong Tae briefly considered Gu Yangcheon’s intervention. His pride warned against it, but he didn’t know what Gu Cheolwoon would do otherwise.
Even though he doubted the man would kill him, Gu Cheolwoon’s previous actions suggested otherwise.
Gritting his teeth, Moyong Tae answered.
“…Yes.”
Gu Cheolwoon took a step back, seeming to give Moyong Tae room to stand, and said in a detached tone,
“My apologies. I acted without understanding the situation.”
There was no real remorse in his voice. Moyong Tae knew that Gu Cheolwoon understood the protective stance Gu Yangcheon had taken.
Nevertheless, Gu Cheolwoon’s apology was a way of choosing to move past the incident. Recognizing this, Moyong Tae bit his lip and stood.
“…I also acted rashly. Let’s not dwell on it.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
They exchanged insincere apologies and thanks, and Moyong Tae glanced at Gu Yangcheon, who was watching with a complicated expression.
Just then, Gu Yangcheon’s telepathic message brushed Moyong Tae’s ear.
…I apologize. Since this doesn’t suit you, I’ll formally visit next time. ‘...’
He wondered what Gu Yangcheon expected by saying he would visit formally next time. Despite his lingering displeasure, Moyong Tae could not argue with him now.
Enough. …! Gu Yangcheon’s eyes widened at the change in Moyong Tae’s tone. Though he could see it as disrespect, Gu Yangcheon didn’t mind.
There’s no need to come. But…. Next time, I’ll visit you. …. Was that a threat, meaning he’d be back to kill him?
Just as Gu Yangcheon’s lips began to twitch, Moyong Tae continued.
I’ll bring my daughter next time, so prepare yourself. ... I haven’t acknowledged you yet. Yes. And I won’t in the future. Understood. The mention of his daughter implied that their next encounter would not involve drawn swords. Maybe that was a slight concession.
Moyong Tae then offered Gu Cheolwoon a formal salute.
“…Since it’s late, if you permit, I’ll take my leave.”
“Very well.”
“Though I hadn’t intended this, I’ll visit again to apologize properly for putting your son in danger.”
Gu Cheolwoon nodded, allowing Moyong Tae to disappear with a sigh.
Once Moyong Tae’s presence faded completely,
Woong—
Gu Yangcheon sensed a barrier forming around them, likely one Gu Cheolwoon had placed.
“…”
He glanced between Gu Cheolwoon and the barrier with a perplexed look.
After scratching the back of his head briefly, he turned to Gu Cheolwoon.
“Patriarch.”
“Yes.”
“Why did you intervene?”
The question lingered as Gu Cheolwoon seemed to consider his answer.
“You had been watching the entire time.”
Gu Yangcheon’s observation surprised Gu Cheolwoon, who slightly widened his eyes.
Father had been watching all along. I was sure of it.
“Why did you pressure Lord Moyong?”
He must have seen everything, the exchange and the duel I initiated with Moyong Tae.
For proof, Gu Cheolwoon responded with a hint of surprise.
“How did you know?”
That was confirmation. Although I hadn’t felt his presence, I was certain.
“It seemed like something you’d do.”
“…”
“You wouldn’t forget a promise, nor would you arrive late.”
I had requested to speak with him about my mother. We were supposed to meet here after dinner. I knew he would be here first.
And my hunch was right.
“So why did you do it?”
He could have intervened sooner, if that was his intention. With the strength he had just displayed, it would have been easy.
‘Just how powerful is he?’
Even now, having reached the Flame Boundary, I still couldn’t fully grasp his strength. I knew he far exceeded the Lord of the White Sky Sword.
Though I could infer from past experiences, I had rarely seen my father display his true prowess directly.
This was only the second time.
The first was in the Black Abyss Palace, and now, seeing his overwhelming presence.
I had only witnessed his power twice, but it was enough to be certain.
My father was strong.
Strong beyond my wildest imagination.
“…Why did you intervene when you did?”
As I asked, my father’s hair began to return to its original color. The heat lingering in the air gradually dissipated.
Only then could I finally catch my breath as he replied.
“It was simply something that needed to be done.”
“Something that needed to be done?”
“Yes.”
What did he mean by that?
“I had no intention of intervening initially.”
“Then why….”
“Because he intended to fight you seriously with his sword.”
“…!”
“Isn’t that reason enough?”
Because Moyong Tae intended to duel with me for real. If it had only been guidance, he might have let it pass.
He had intervened because Moyong Tae was crossing a line.
“…Does that mean you really intended to kill him?”
I remembered the heat gathered in his hand. Had it covered the Lord of the White Sky Sword’s face, the consequences would have been terrifying.
But thankfully, this time, my father gave a slight shake of his head, denying it.
“I was only gathering justification. Even if you hadn’t stopped me, I would have found another way.”
“…”
He had weighed the situation, showing his anger but also gathering reasons that would force the Moyong family into a submissive stance.
Realizing he’d calculated all this, I found my father a bit terrifying.
“…I understand, but was that really okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve hidden your strength all this time. Was it fine to show Lord Moyong now?”
If he’d been hiding his power, there had to be a reason. Was it okay to reveal it so openly now?
To this, my father seemed puzzled.
“Third.”
“Yes.”
“You seem to misunderstand something.”
“Excuse me?”
He looked at me with his characteristic sharp gaze and brushed his hair back with his large hand.
“I have never once hidden myself.”
“…!”
His words made me catch my breath. He had never hidden?
“I simply had no reason to reveal it.”
“But the rumors…”
“Do you think the words of others matter?”
“No.”
“Nor do I. This was just a matter of using my strength where it was needed—nothing more.”
I hadn’t known that.
So he hadn’t hidden his power on purpose. He simply hadn’t felt the need to refute the rumors.
His statement was a shock to me.
‘…I didn’t expect that.’
It made sense, knowing his character, but I hadn’t anticipated it.
As I was processing this,
“Third.”
He called to me.
“Yes, Patriarch.”
“You’ve crossed the wall.”
“…”
His sudden statement made me swallow hard. He was directly pointing out that I had reached the Flame Boundary.
“…Yes.”
“When did you cross it?”
“A little over two months ago.”
“I see.”
Gu Cheolwoon nodded, showing no other reaction.
My father could be so consistent. Even when I surpassed myself, he remained steady.
“Well done. You’ve done well.”
“Thank you… Huh?”
His praise surprised me, and I looked at him.
By the time I looked, he wasn’t even looking at me.
Was his gaze misaligned, or what?
“Patriarch…?”
“You said you had questions for me.”
“Ah, yes.”
I wanted to ask where he was looking, but he changed the subject.
I guessed he didn’t want me to ask.
Finally, I swallowed and remembered why we were here alone.
Right, the main question.
I turned to him with my query.
“Patriarch.”
He met my gaze, his red eyes locking with mine.
“I heard my mother is still alive.”
“…”
His shoulders twitched at my question.
I watched his reaction and continued.
“…Do you know where she is?”
“…”
He remained silent, scrutinizing me with a long pause.
Was he trying to figure out how I knew? Why I was suddenly asking this?
As I was pondering my own answer, he finally spoke.
“Yes.”
“…!”
“I know.”
His response made my heart race.