But what? Bonehead? Have those bastards gone crazy? It seems I’m not visible because Ian’s big body.
“How many times have I been through this nonsense?”
“I’m fine. It’s nothing.”
“If this isn’t anything, then what is something? Do you have to lose your family to an enemy for it to be something?”
“Young master! I’m fine.”
Ian seemed worried that I might get into trouble. Whether I get hurt or they get hurt, it ‘II be a problem, so she’s worried.
“Ian, you don’t have to worry too much. I’m not so crazy as to ruin my life because of you. People in the world are like that too. They take care of themselves.”
As we were talking, they approached closer, and Ian quickly spoke.
“Young master, it seems they didn’t come with good intentions, so it’s better to avoid them for a while.
“Ah, I should avoid it then. Avoiding wasps, avoiding dog poop, avoiding father’s thunderbolts. But they are not it.
As we were talking, the three guys stood in front of me.
“Oh? This young master is here too.”
The one who made Ian squirm earlier was Yangpo, the second disciple of Heavenly Blade Demon.
I knew what kind of guy Yangpo was. He was trash who bullied people emotionally, unlike Gongji who had reached the peak. Yeah, that kid.
My gaze shifted to the good-looking disciple among Yangpo’s followers.
He must be the youngest? Among the disciples of Blood River Blade, he had the most pure and kind personality, but eventually he committed suicide due to Yangpo’s bullying. How much did he torment him for the innocent to commit suicide? Even now, the youngest’s expression wasn’t bright. He was probably forced to come here today.
The other guy who came with him was the fourth disciple, I couldn’t remember his name, but he didn’t leave a good impression.
My gaze returned to Yangpo.
“Disregarding my escort is disregarding me.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t see this young master. You have to be big.”
“Whether I’m here or not doesn’t matter?”
“I didn’t see this young master with you.”
This ignorant guy doesn’t even grasp the essence of the conversation.
The fact that this guy can come out like this is entirely the responsibility of my father. After announcing that anyone in the school could become the successor, the specialness of being the son of the Heavenly Demon has faded a lot.
Ultimately, this is to seize the title of ‘unrivaled among the sons of Cheonma’ during such an opportunity.
“You came looking for me several times?”
“That’s right.”
“Why?”
“Do you not know? Master Gu is no longer able to practice martial arts.”
“So what? Should I nurse him? Ian, go get a rag. Let’s wipe that guy’s sweat.”
“Are you seriously taking me for a fool?”
“It doesn’t look like you’re in the mood for a serious discussion.”
Thinking he was ignored, Yangpo’s attitude became fiercer. It’s pathetic how upset he gets from a few taunts when he’s used to tormenting people to the point of death.
“If you’ve made someone a cripple, you should take responsibility!”
“I’ve heard your master was crippled?”
“Humph! That must be something you made up.”
“Oh, must you insist on denying it like that?”
“Enough with the nonsense. Apologize formally.”
I could guess why this guy came to me demanding an apology. His master hasn’t appointed successors, so his disciples try to impress him in any way they can. Yangpo wants to take credit for receiving a formal apology from me to save face for him.
“Why are you glaring at me like that?”
“I wonder if your master will really accept you as a disciple if you do this.”
“What nonsense! I came to find you for the sake of my master. To clear his grievances! Got it?”
“What grievances?”
“Although your master’s attack was excessive, you deliberately twisted his arm.”
He probably came to pick a fight, but it was a jest from the Buddha’s palm.
“Then, were Father or the Eight Demon Lords wrong?”
“What nonsense is that?”
Yangpo was taken aback when Father and the Demon Lords were suddenly mentioned.
“That’s right, isn’t it? Father acknowledged my victory and asked what my wish was. Your master didn’t object at all during that process. So what? Does it mean that the Grand Master or your master couldn’t see through my schemes?”
Yangpo stuttered in surprise.
“Th-that’s absurd! It’s not like that!”
“Isn’t it? Your words imply that the Grand Master pretended not to notice the wrongdoing.”
Yangpo’s face turned pale.
“Stop talking nonsense!”
Would he let himself be manipulated by words?
“Or do you think he’s senile? Is that it?”
“Shut up! How dare you speak so outrageously!”
Yangpo looked around at his fellow disciples, who were equally bewildered.
If he kept provoking me, he’d end up flipping the blame on the Heavenly Demon. So, Yangpo reluctantly backed off.
“I’ll leave for now, but this isn’t over.”
“Wait. You need to apologize.”
“What apology?”
“For disrespecting my subordinate.”
Only then did their gaze turn to Ian. Originally, they didn’t care much about the chubby follower of someone like me, who had lost his prior stature.
Of course, Ian wanted the matter to end here.
“I’m fine, my lord.”
“I’m not. Kneel down and apologize for insulting my subordinate. Even if it’s insincere, at least show some action. Spread the rumor that you kneeled down.”
Yangpo said with an incredulous expression, “Did you just tell me to kneel to that pig?”
“Yeah, forehead to the ground would be even better.”
“Are you out of your mind? I’d rather die than kneel. Absolutely not.”
The answer I wanted came quickly.
“Rather die? Admirable. Fine, as you wish.”
Ziing!
Yangpo was startled when I drew my sword.
“You’re truly insane.”
“If this goes on, rumors will spread throughout the school.”
Yangpo glanced around to see if anyone was watching.
“Not there, here.”
I extended my mocking grin.
“This mouth will spread the rumor. The second disciple of Heavenly Blade Demon trembled and fled from the youngest son of the Sect Leader. Even if you don’t know it, your master won’t like it. You’ll live with the label of a coward for the rest of your life.”
Yangpo’s expression hardened. He came to impress his master but ended up earning his disapproval.
“Apologize by kneeling or fight me. The choice is yours.”
“Why go this far?”
“You could come after me. You might even demand my master’s life. You could gather a mob and seek revenge. I get it. But why bother my subordinate? Why did the trash come out? Did she ever bother you? Did she?”
Instead of reflecting, Yangpo’s expression turned more sour.
“So, you’d kill me for that fatso?”
“Exactly.”
Yangpo’s eyes narrowed fiercely, and as I anticipated, he moved.
“How dare you look at me like that!”
“My subordinate is a hundred times more valuable than you. No, a thousand times… Before it reaches ten thousand—”
Before reaching ten thousand, Yangpo drew his sword.
Clang!
“Yangpo, no!”
The fourth disciple behind hurriedly tried to stop him, but Yangpo was already in a frenzied state.
“You after defeating the Gu Pyeong-ho, but soon you’ll regret it. I may not be able to kill you, but I’ll cut off an arm to avenge Gu Pyeong-ho.”
Yangpo was confident he could defeat me.
I don’t remember exactly, but around this time, my skills were similar to those of the disciples of Heavenly Blade Demon. It was all because of my brother. Growing up, I was harassed and restrained so much due to my slow-witted nature that I couldn’t properly develop my martial arts skills.
“What will you do without the San Gong Poison?”
“Don’t be ridiculous! I’m not like him!”
Yangpo attacked me aggressively.
I had experienced many times in my past life that moral character and martial skill did not necessarily correlate.
Yangpo was no exception. He displayed excellent swordsmanship compared to his trashy character. He had enough skill to challenge me at the time.
Of course, to me now, he was just as vulnerable as Gu Pyeong-ho.
But I fought him half-heartedly to avoid revealing my true strength.
Every time Yangpo attacked me aggressively, the disciples watching gasped in awe.
Meanwhile, Ian screamed loudly each time. We had an agreement not to intervene, but if not for that, there would have been several occasions when she would have jumped in.
After about twenty or so exchanges, I decided to unleash my calculated killing move.
Until now, I had been matching my movements to his, but now it was time to display the essence of the Skyscraper Sword Technique.
Like the leaves of a trembling birch in the mountain breeze, my sword swung lightly.
Swoosh!
Whoosh!
Blood splattered like scattered flowers.
My sword had pierced through his mouth and emerged from the back of his head.
Thunk, thunk.
Amidst the frozen silence, only the blood from the tip of the sword dripped.
Looking into the dying man’s eyes, I said, “You’re dying because of that mouth of yours. You insulted my subordinate with that mouth, and because you didn’t apologize with it.”
With blood spewing from his mouth as I withdrew my sword, Yangpo slumped forward.
“Yangpo!”
The priests rushed in and killed Yangpo, but he was already a lifeless body. They were shocked. They probably didn’t expect me to kill Yangpo. Of course, Ian looked even more surprised as she stared at me.
The fourth disciple shouted accusingly, “You killed him?! You really…”
“What did you expect?”
“Can you handle the consequences?”
Looking at him coldly, I said, “Your mouth is just like his.”
Perhaps remembering my earlier words about his death being because of his mouth, he shut his mouth like a clam.
“Take it as it is. If you add one more word, I will come for you tonight.”
They carried Yangpo’s body and left. That’s when I saw it. The youngest disciple was relieved. How could someone be happy when a person died?
The one who should have died after being tortured by Yangpo was now alive. While the wretch who deserved to die after poisoning the food was now dead. Destiny remains the same, but it also changes.
Good youngest disciple, bear it well and become the next disciple of Heavenly Blade Demon!
That was my wish, but it was something he would achieve with his own will and effort.
Meanwhile, Ian was staring at me with a look of having lost everything.
“You all say you’ll take care of yourselves? Don’t worry, you say?”
“It’s not because of you, so relax!”
“…But isn’t it because of me?”
“Don’t get it twisted.”
“Then why did you cause such a big incident?”
“What’s so significant about it? I just killed a guy who deserved to die.”
“Master of Blood River Blade won’t just sit back.”
“He’ll just sit back. There’s nothing to gain from intervening.”
“Are you sure?”
“Think about it. This fight started because his disciple insulted my escort. Instead of apologizing, he escalated it and ended up dead. What would he gain from getting involved? He’ll just hear criticism for raising a disciple poorly.”
“His pride might be hurt.”
“Blood River Blade doesn’t have that kind of pride.”
“How do you know?”
“I know. Your handsome master knows everything.”
Ian seemed to relax a bit by my nonchalance.
“Well, that’s a relief.”
“On the contrary, killing Yangpo benefits me. Everyone will pay attention to me. If there’s a score needed to become the successor, I just earned one point.”
