Chapter 88
Chapter 88
Gulp.
His dry saliva slid down his throat on its own. With fearful eyes, Woo Hong stared at the Pavilion before him.
It was large.
The Building, which had grown to a size incomparable to what it had been merely three years ago, stirred a strange emotion in those who beheld it.
Once again, he keenly realized it. Just how monstrous the growth of the one living inside was, and why even the First Young Master had been unable to take any measures.
Woo Hong cleared his throat and lightly knocked on the House Door with his hand.
Bang—!
“Umm?!”
The moment he knocked, a tremendous roar erupted from inside, startling Woo Hong.
Soon, silence settled over the surroundings once more. Forcing his pounding heart to calm, Woo Hong spoke.
“May I come in?”
As if answering his question, someone opened the House Door and said,
“…Who are you?”
Just as he was about to introduce himself, Woo Hong could not hide his confusion at the strangely familiar face of the man before him.
“You are…?”
A chill ran down Woo Hong’s body in an instant.
“Kang Hosan…?”
He was one of the Junior Disciples who had recently made quite a name for himself within the Unorthodox Alliance.
‘They said he had the skill to aim for victory if he participated in the Dragon–Phoenix Gathering?’
It seemed that was no exaggeration. Just three years ago, Kang Hosan had still been unable to shed the air of a greenhorn, yet now his eyes resembled those of a wild beast.
At this level, there were few of similar age who could match him.
After staring at Woo Hong’s face for a long while, Kang Hosan spoke.
“Ah, the one who got hit by the Young Master…?”
Woo Hong’s face twisted violently.
“…That’s correct.”
He could not deny it. In truth, Woo Hong had once been struck by Youngho at the Black Dragon Branch and sent flying.
“What brings you here?”
“A message from the Alliance Lord.”
Kang Hosan nodded and let Woo Hong inside.
Upon entering the house, Woo Hong could not help but admire it.
The Pavilion, the Training Ground, and more—everything had expanded to a scale that could not even be compared to the past.
“…It has changed greatly from before.”
“Well, the number of Household Members has increased.”
“Where is the Fifth Young Master?”
Kang Hosan made an awkward expression.
“Did I say something inappropriate…?”
“No, not at all. It’s just that….”
Bang—!
Before Kang Hosan could finish speaking, a Body Silhouette shot through the air like a Lightning-Like Charge.
The person embedded into the wall trembled violently, glared forward with eyes filled with Poisonous Energy, and eventually lost consciousness.
Kang Hosan gave an awkward smile.
“Today happens to be a particularly grueling training day. Please follow me for now.”
Just as Kang Hosan was about to lead Woo Hong away, a very soft and gentle voice was heard.
“Oppa~.”
When Woo Hong turned toward the source of the voice, he saw Kang Chowon—bearing not even the faintest trace of her face from three years ago.
Though she merely curved her eyes slightly in a smile, it felt as though her smile could enchant every man in the world. It was as if a seductive fragrance emanated from it.
“The person next to you is… Ah! The one who got hit by the Young Master!”
Creak!
Woo Hong ground his teeth involuntarily. It seemed that here, he was nothing more and nothing less than the man who had been punched once by the Fifth Young Master and left sprawled on the ground.
Meanwhile, cold sweat trickled down Kang Hosan’s spine, though he did not show it as he spoke.
“Chowon. I have to guide a guest right now….”
“Hm….”
Kang Chowon glared at Kang Hosan for a moment before withdrawing her gaze and speaking.
“Fine. If Oppa can’t, I’ll have to ask Jongpal Oppa instead.”
“…How about asking Unit Leader Hyeokong?”
“Unit Leader always goes easy on me.”
“…Right.”
Relieved that he would not be the one facing the impending tragedy, Kang Hosan turned back to Woo Hong.
“Please follow me.”
With a stiff expression, Woo Hong nodded. As he followed behind Kang Hosan, he thought,
‘The rumors were true.’
They said that within the Fifth Young Master’s territory, there bloomed a flower more beautiful than anything else. A flower so beautiful that it enchanted people every time—yet equally dangerous.
‘To think Kang Chowon was that flower.’
But that flower was as dangerous as she was beautiful. The blossom bristling with thorns had deadly poison smeared upon it.
‘I heard rumors that she might even be stronger than Kang Hosan….’
That much, he was not sure about.
As he slowly followed Kang Hosan, he saw a young man covered in dust, gasping for breath.
“Huff! Huff!”
“Horyeung, you still have a long way to go.”
“I know…!”
Just as Horyeung tried to charge again, Youngho raised a hand to stop him.
“A guest has arrived. We’ll continue later.”
At those words, Horyeung reflexively collapsed onto the dirt-filled Training Ground.
Judging by how his chest heaved continuously, it was evident just how brutally he had trained.
Youngho approached Woo Hong and spoke.
“We’ve met before, haven’t we?”
“…Yes.”
“Come with me. Let’s have a cup of tea.”
When Woo Hong nodded, Youngho infused Internal Energy into his voice and called out.
“Chowon. Your brother’s free.”
As soon as he finished speaking, another voice came from across the way.
“Yes! I’m coming!”
Youngho lightly patted Kang Hosan’s shoulder twice.
“Stay strong.”
“…Isn’t that a bit much?”
“Your younger sister wants to play with you. How is that not something to be happy about? Seven years ago, you couldn’t have even imagined it.”
“Ugh….”
Muttering that he could never win in words, Kang Hosan quickly fled the scene.
Ignoring him lightly, Youngho led Woo Hong toward the guest room.
“Sopyung. We have a guest. Please bring some tea.”
“Yes!”
As Youngho sat down, Woo Hong also took a seat.
“So what is it that you want to say, dragging it out like this?”
“I thought it might take time, as I must resolve all of the Fifth Young Master’s doubts.”
“Is that so? Just say what it is.”
“The Alliance Lord requests a Sparring Match with the Fifth Young Master.”
“I refuse.”
“I was told you would say that.”
“Then why ask?”
“Just in case….”
As if there were no answer to that, Youngho shook his head and said,
“And?”
“He asks that you participate in the Dragon–Phoenix Gathering.”
“Rejected.”
“He said you must attend.”
“Is it the Alliance Lord’s order? Or Master’s request?”
“He said it is a request made as your Master.”
“Then I refuse.”
“As expected, he said that at least you should attend.”
“What does that mean?”
“Just as it sounds. You need not compete in the Dragon–Phoenix Gathering, but he asks that you accompany him.”
“That’s the same thing. I’ll meet Master myself and tell him. That I won’t go. Where is he now?”
“The Alliance Lord is currently absent.”
“Ugh….”
Letting out a groan, Youngho spoke.
“What benefit does the Unorthodox Alliance gain from my attendance?”
“He said that the Fifth Young Master knows better than anyone.”
“As far as I know, there’s none. Take the First Senior Brother instead.”
“He said he cannot go because he must train.”
“And I don’t train?”
“He asked that you yield just a little….”
“You… what was your name again?”
“Woo Hong.”
“Right. Woo Hong, I understand your role. To summarize, until the words that I will go to the Dragon–Phoenix Gathering Grounds come out of my mouth, you cannot return. Correct?”
“…Yes.”
“And if I forcibly throw you out?”
“That would be the end of it.”
“Oh really?”
Just as Youngho thought, Good! and was about to throw Woo Hong out—
“My life would be.”
Woo Hong’s final words struck a chord in Youngho’s heart.
“…You really have it rough. Getting hit by me, and getting hit by Master too.”
“…Three years ago was the hardest.”
“Three years ago… was that when I killed that bitch Danpung?”
When Woo Hong quietly nodded, Youngho let out a chuckle.
“That must’ve been tough. Your superior dying all of a sudden.”
Still feeling exhilarated at the memory, Youngho laughed for a while before speaking.
“Fine. Tell Master I’ll accompany him.”
At Youngho’s positive reply, Woo Hong said with a bright expression,
“Thank you!”
“That’s enough. You may go now.”
“Yes!”
Woo Hong hurriedly rose, bowed at a perfect right angle to Youngho, and immediately disappeared.
Before long, silence filled the now-empty Guest Room. After closing his eyes briefly and sensing the air around him, Youngho spoke.
“Black Shadow.”
As if responding to his call, Black Shadow, who had been hiding within the shadows, revealed himself.
“Yes, Young Master.”
“When we go to the Dragon–Phoenix Gathering, can you avoid drawing the eyes of the others?”
“You will be discovered by experts of the Transformation Realm.”
“That’s enough. You’re coming with me.”
“I obey.”
Black Shadow slowly vanished, as though being swallowed back into the shadows.
Youngho rose from his seat and headed toward the Training Ground.
Tak! Tak! Tang!
The sound of Wooden Sword clashing against Wooden Sword, along with cries of pain, pleasantly rang in Youngho’s ears.
“Urgh!”
‘Looks like a sword struck his Solar Plexus. The air in his lungs rushed out at once.’
“Aaagh! That hurts!”
‘Shin.’
“Hey, wait, not there—!”
‘…….’
Youngho addressed those in the Training Ground.
“Alright. Attention.”
At his voice, the Asura Squad Members immediately reacted and sat properly before him, assuming attentive postures.
“Is everyone here?”
“Jongpal isn’t.”
“Hosan isn’t either.”
“Chowon isn’t here?”
“No.”
“Then the two of them must be sparring with Chowon.”
“Ah….”
Blatant relief appeared on the faces of the Asura Squad Members.
‘Thank goodness!’
‘Jongpal, thank you!’
‘Hosan, you just need to sacrifice yourself!’
Youngho smirked.
“You know the Dragon–Phoenix Gathering is coming soon, right?”
“Yes!”
“This time, very formidable Junior Disciples will appear. It might even surpass the previous Dragon–Phoenix Gathering.”
At those words, those who had not yet reached the Age of Forty swallowed hard without realizing it.
“Even so, I am certain that you all will distinguish yourselves.”
The Asura Squad Members’ eyes widened.
“You are the ones I have personally trained intensively for three years. And not a single one of you was exempt. I may have always driven you harshly, but that was merely by my standards.”
After pausing for a breath, Youngho met each of their eyes with a clear gaze and said,
“You may take pride in yourselves. You are skilled enough.”
Gulp!
For some reason, the Asura Squad Members felt as though the hardships and trials of the past were being repaid.
They had not known that having their Lord acknowledge them could feel so sweet. Without realizing it, some wiped at the corners of their eyes.
“Although I will not participate in this Dragon–Phoenix Gathering, at least you all—”
“Yes?”
Interrupting their master while he was speaking would normally be unthinkable unless it were extremely important.
Yet none present found it strange. Rather, they could not even form that thought.
“You’re not participating in the Dragon–Phoenix Gathering?”
“Flame Dragon?”
“One of the Three Dragons?!”
“You have to defeat the Orthodox Dragon this time!”
Seeing that the Asura Squad Members were more disappointed than he was, Youngho smirked.
“I don’t want to meddle in children’s fights. I only lost the last Dragon–Phoenix Gathering due to circumstances. You all know that.”
“That’s true, but….”
Though his words had been interrupted, Youngho forgave it generously and said,
“Show them in my stead. Show how strong the Asura Squad is, and how remarkable I am above you. Let not only the Unorthodox Alliance, but the entire world know.”
At that moment, everyone present knelt on one knee and said,
“We obey!”
Seeing them somewhat more disciplined, Youngho smiled in satisfaction.