Chapter 90

Chapter 90

An atmosphere so suffocating it naturally stole one’s breath pressed down on the people around them.

Some even shuddered involuntarily under Cheon Muback’s savage gaze, which made it impossible to take even a single step.

Youngho spoke with a relaxed smile.

“Why did you come to me specifically?”

“We’ll meet in the finals.”

“I distinctly recall you saying the same thing at the last Dragon–Phoenix Gathering….”

Setting down the cup of water he had been drinking, Youngho continued.

“But did you even make it to the finals back then?”

Crack!

The situation had changed greatly from before.

Four years ago, Youngho had clearly been the one driven by desperation, while Cheon Muback had been the one at ease.

But now it was the opposite.

Youngho looked at Cheon Muback, who was glaring at him fiercely, and said,

“I’m not in the mood to fight right now.”

At his perfectly executed needling words to the very end, Kang Hosan and Kang Chowon couldn’t help but admire him inwardly.

‘He’s a master!’

‘That’s what a real master looks like.’

Whether in words or in actions, he never lost.

“Come outside.”

At the bold declaration, Youngho’s eyes turned cold for an instant as he looked at Cheon Muback.

A chill ran through the air.

Though it was merely a glance, goosebumps rose from the tips of the toes to the crown of the head.

Cheon Muback bit down hard on his lip. Youngho stared at him for a moment with eyes as dark as the abyss before speaking.

“Are you saying we should settle it right now?”

“…Yes.”

Even as goosebumps prickled across his skin, Cheon Muback did not retreat in the slightest.

‘Stubborn bastard.’

He had thoroughly crushed him before so that he would fall into despair, yet it seemed that incident had instead become Cheon Muback’s driving force.

‘He’s grown ridiculously strong.’

To be honest, Youngho even felt that Namgung Cheon might lose to him at this point.

He was no longer at the level of a Junior Disciple; he seemed capable of standing among the elders of a Great Sect.

‘Still below me.’

At the end of the day, he was still just a brat.

A sneer curved Youngho’s lips.

“I won’t be attending this Dragon–Phoenix Gathering.”

“…What?”

Had he just heard something impossible? Cheon Muback’s bloodshot eyes widened.

“You’re not participating in the Dragon–Phoenix Gathering?”

“That’s right. I’m merely a spectator. Surely you wouldn’t pick a meaningless fight with someone who isn’t even participating?”

Among those taking part in the Dragon–Phoenix Gathering, it was possible to provoke one another out of competitive spirit.

It was an unspoken rule of the Murim that had continued for hundreds of years.

Cheon Muback clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white as he spoke.

“…The Flame Dragon won’t be attending the Dragon–Phoenix Gathering?”

“I didn’t realize you’d cling so desperately to such a childish nickname. Think whatever you like. I have no reason to fight.”

“…Do you even know what the prize for this Dragon–Phoenix Gathering is?”

“No. I don’t know anything. You may leave now.”

At the continued attitude of treating him like air, Cheon Muback glared at Youngho with fury blazing in his eyes.

But soon, his anger-smoldering expression gradually relaxed, and he broke into a grin.

“Fine. It doesn’t matter if you don’t participate. You and I are destined to clash anyway.”

“Hmm?”

Before Youngho could ask why, Cheon Muback had already turned on his heel and strode out of the inn.

Only then did the people inside finally release the breaths they had been holding.

“That was the Demonic Dragon just now, right?”

“The pressure was overwhelming….”

Those inside the inn began discussing Cheon Muback. Some cast occasional glances at Youngho, yet not a single word about him left their mouths.

It was likely because he had conversed so calmly with Cheon Muback—the Demonic Dragon—as if it were nothing.

After all, Cheon Muback’s presence moments ago had been the most oppressive in the entire place.

Slurping up the beef noodles the inn attendant had brought him, Youngho said,

“Why do you both look so drained?”

He had asked Kang Hosan and Kang Chowon because their eating seemed half-hearted, and it appeared he had asked the right question.

At his words, Kang Chowon immediately opened her mouth.

“He’s just too strong.”

Youngho’s eyes widened in apparent shock at her statement.

“Our Chowon has grown quite arrogant, hasn’t she?”

“Pardon?”

The unexpected response made Kang Chowon flinch. Chewing on his noodles, Youngho said,

“For someone not yet of Coming-of-Age Age to be thinking of defeating a man nearly forty… honestly.”

Only then did Kang Chowon realize what she had implied, and her earlobes turned red.

“Th-That’s not what I meant….”

“So you’ve grown stronger than Hosan and now nothing’s in your sight, is that it?”

“Young Master, why bring me into this?!”

When Kang Hosan shouted in protest, Youngho burst into laughter.

“You should’ve worked harder. Harder.”

“This isn’t a matter of effort!”

Kang Hosan’s reaction amused Youngho so much that he continued chuckling.

“Anyway, this one’s gotten too strong and can’t see anything anymore. Since it’s been a while, shall we do some ‘practical combat’ training?”

At the words that left Youngho’s mouth, even Kang Chowon—who loved training more than anyone here—turned pale as she spoke to him.

“I-I’m sorry. Young Master, I was being arrogant, wasn’t I?”

“It’s quite pleasing to see you flatten yourself so quickly for the sake of survival. Still, come out early tomorrow at dawn. I’ll devote my precious time exclusively to you.”

Kang Chowon looked blankly at Kang Hosan, but even he—who cherished his younger sister dearly—quietly avoided her gaze, lest the stray spark land on him instead.

Unconsciously, Kang Hosan recalled his own past ‘practical combat’ training with Youngho.

Death.

Youngho’s ‘practical combat’ training was extremely simple.

To feel death.

Feel death, and feel it again, and yet again. If one explained it like that to others, they would never understand.

Only those who had experienced it could know.

Youngho let out a low chuckle.

“Still, you should be grateful you’re far weaker than me. Look at Horyeung—I can’t even give him practical combat training.”

At that, Horyeung wore an awkward expression.

“I still feel death, you know…?”

“You can resist.”

“…Yes.”

“Try feeling death without being able to do anything. Do you know how utterly powerless that makes you feel?”

Horyeung looked at Kang Chowon with pity in his eyes.

At least Horyeung’s situation was somewhat better. Kang Chowon and the others could not even react, nor could they prepare themselves—they could only feel fear at the sudden sensation of death.

After finishing their meal, Youngho’s group headed toward the inn that Cheonung had previously selected.

Thanks to Cheonung arranging matters for Youngho’s convenience, they were able to secure lodging quickly this time, unlike before.

As the Asura Squad members unpacked their belongings inside their quarters, Youngho spoke to Sopyung.

“Sopyung, if there’s somewhere you want to go, go ahead.”

“What about you, Young Master?”

“I’ll just sleep.”

“Then I won’t go either. I’m your maid—I should diligently attend to you!”

“You’re still a child.”

Sopyung puffed out her cheeks.

“Young Master, you’re young too!”

“You’re not yet of Coming-of-Age Age, so I can’t quite hear you.”

“Ah! Seriously! There’s only a three-year difference between us!”

“Still not of Coming-of-Age Age, are you?”

While Youngho teased Sopyung—

“Young Master.”

Elder Hyeok approached and spoke.

“A disciple of the Hainan Sect wishes to see you.”

“Hainan?”

“Yes.”

“Let him in.”

“He hasn’t even given his name yet.”

“It’s probably Tanyeong. I did him a favor—makes sense he’d come looking for me.”

“Don’t tell me… the State of No-Self…?”

“That’s right. The one who entered the State of No-Self while sparring with me.”

“I see….”

Elder Hyeok nodded as if that explanation sufficed.

Soon, Tanyeong entered the annex and looked at Youngho.

“It’s been a while.”

As Tanyeong greeted him, Youngho returned the smile.

“When my Master said the Hainan Sect had produced the future Sword King, I did not quite understand. But seeing you now, even ‘future Sword King’ seems somewhat insufficient.”

“I made much progress thanks to you, Young Hero. I believe my efforts were not in vain, but your help was significant.”

“That achievement is yours. There is no need to lower yourself so much.”

“Thank you for saying so, but….”

Tanyeong stared at Youngho intently before clearing his throat.

“As expected, I still cannot perceive it. I thought I had grown quite strong.”

“I haven’t been idling around either.”

Realizing he had unintentionally belittled Youngho’s efforts, Tanyeong hurriedly spoke.

“I-I apologize. That wasn’t my intention….”

“I know. I’m not bothered.”

“By the way….”

Tanyeong failed to hide his astonishment as he looked toward Kang Hosan and Kang Chowon.

He was genuinely surprised. Before arriving, he had seen a few members of the Unorthodox Alliance.

They had been high-level martial artists in their own right, yet here he already saw two individuals who were his equals—or perhaps even stronger.

Seeing Tanyeong’s amazement, Youngho smiled in satisfaction.

“They’ve grown much stronger than before, haven’t they?”

“Yes. Even before, when I saw him withstand Namgung Cheon’s attack, I thought he was no ordinary talent. But to have grown to this extent….”

“Do you not remember Hosan?”

“Ah? Well, that….”

As Tanyeong looked apologetically at Kang Hosan, the latter thought inwardly,

‘That just makes it more irritating.’

Kang Hosan laughed lightly.

“It’s fine. I don’t mind.”

“No. My gaze was drawn more toward you.”

“…Pardon?”

Was it that unexpected? Kang Hosan stared blankly at Tanyeong.

Understanding that look to mean continue, Tanyeong gave an awkward smile.

“I felt you were the same type as me. That’s why my eyes were drawn to you.”

“What does that mean…?”

“It means you have talent, but you don’t yet know how to properly use that strength.”

When Youngho interpreted it, Kang Hosan looked at Tanyeong with a twitch of his brow, as if asking whether that was accurate.

Tanyeong nodded.

“That’s correct.”

At a glance, it could easily have sounded like a provocation. That was precisely why Kang Hosan was even more surprised.

‘How does he know what Master and Young Master always tell me…?’

Of course, Youngho and Horyeung had criticized him far more harshly than that. Youngho had likely softened the wording considerably this time.

‘Is he really the same type as me?’

Otherwise, how could he identify his flaw so clearly?

For the first time, Kang Hosan looked at someone of the same kind with a flustered expression, and Tanyeong returned a look that seemed to say he understood everything.

“I understand. It is my first time meeting someone like myself as well.”

Youngho nodded as though this worked out perfectly and said to the two of them,

“If it’s about martial arts, it would be better for Hosan to speak with him from now on.”

“What? Young Master?”

“Just do as I say.”

Tanyeong appeared indifferent, but Youngho shoved Kang Hosan lightly from behind.

“You don’t have any friends. Take this opportunity to make one.”

“What are you—!”

Kang Hosan was about to retort, but unfortunately, there was an outsider present.

That meant he could not behave as usual. Catching sight of Horyeung’s terrifying gaze, he instinctively shut his mouth.

Soon, practically pushed out the door by Youngho, Kang Hosan stared at him in disbelief.

“I hope you have many fruitful discussions about martial arts.”

With that, Youngho closed the door, silently cheering for Tanyeong and Kang Hosan’s budding friendship.

Returning to his seat, he spoke with an expression that suggested he found everything in the world bothersome.

“Finally got rid of one nuisance.”