Chapter 20
Cheongpyo Sword Guild.
That was the name of the guild I had heard from Songgok.
Judging by the fact that he even had a title that ordinary people wouldn’t be given, it was clear that he was recognized as a formidable martial artist even in the martial world.
Yes.
I understood that much.
“But why does he look so familiar?”
It wasn’t because of the memories of Geumjamun.
The familiarity came from my previous life as a swordsman.
I frowned at the memory that seemed like it was just out of reach.
“I don’t remember?”
The self of the divine sword knew nothing of forgetting.
It was the same with my current self.
Yet, there was no mention of Yuguk anywhere in my memories.
Then where did this sense of familiarity come from?
Unfortunately, before I could find the answer, Yuguk spotted me first.
“Geumjamun!”
His voice restrained his anger.
It was not smoke, but the fury emanating from his chest that I felt.
A question arose in my mind.
“If he came because of Gujunghoe or Doosanbaek, would he have any reason to be that angry?”
Was he acting this way because he thought we had ruined something that belonged to them?
If that were the case, he would be shameless.
But the disciplined aura I felt from him told me otherwise.
“If only Myeongan had reacted properly at this moment.”
Without much effort, I could have determined whether Yuguk was a friend or foe.
Now I truly appreciated just how powerful that ability was.
Unfortunately, aside from his name, I could see nothing from Yuguk.
I couldn’t tell if it was because we had so little connection, or for some other reason.
I couldn’t just stand there any longer, so I decided to greet him.
“Welcome, uncle.”
I wasn’t the only one with insight.
Though limited, Yuguk existed in Geumjamun’s memories as well.
In those memories, Geumjamun had always been intimidated by Yuguk.
Every time he faced him, he would receive a scolding.
No—it would be more accurate to say he interpreted Yuguk’s words that way.
Hence, Geumjamun always spoke in a stiff, timid tone toward him.
But I was different.
As a friend of Geumdamok, I showed him respect, but I did not lower myself.
Apparently, Yuguk found that surprising.
There was a spark of intrigue in his fierce eyes.
“You’ve changed a lot since the last time I saw you.”
“It feels that way because it’s been a while.”
“Has your body recovered?”
“As you can see.”
Whereas the original Geumjamun would have hesitated to answer, I responded casually.
Yuguk’s gaze changed slightly.
Moreover, the intensity I had sensed from him since I arrived had softened.
“I’m truly glad your body has recovered. See? I told you—you acted like you were going to die, but you fought and endured in the end.”
His tone was rough, but I felt the sincerity in it.
He genuinely congratulated me on my recovery.
“Recovering is commendable, but that’s not the end. A man must train his body, even if it means facing death, so that such ailments never return.”
Yuguk continued offering various advice and encouragement in his rough tone.
I began to understand how he had treated the past Geumjamun, and simultaneously, what kind of person he was.
“Before leading an organization, he is a born martial artist.”
Martial artists are usually rough. Those raised in distinguished families may differ slightly, but their temperaments are largely similar.
That doesn’t mean they lack warmth or virtue.
Yuguk before me proved that.
At the same time, this familiar feeling about him grew stronger.
“Where have I seen him before?”
But once again, the thought did not continue.
Yuguk abruptly shifted to the main point.
“Now that you’re grown, you’ll manage without my scolding. But do you know why I came to the Geumhwa Guild?”
Yuguk was a typical martial artist.
To him, being indirect didn’t suit him well.
I wasn’t fond of that either.
“It must be because of my father.”
“Correct. Then guide me immediately to where your father’s body is.”
“Before that, uncle, may I ask how you knew to come?”
“Is that important right now?”
“Yes, it is important to me.”
Yuguk glared fiercely again.
I met that piercing gaze calmly.
He intensified his aura, then directed a murderous intent.
A master who had reached full skill, his presence was threatening—but I was not so easily shaken.
Rather, he had given me time to think.
I used that time to carefully consider where I had seen him before.
It was almost disappointing how brief the pause had been.
Then, laughter and admiration that did not fit the tense atmosphere erupted.
“Hahaha! Truly remarkable! You even withstood the aura I embedded in my presence. You’ve really changed… no, perhaps this is your true self. Geumdamok, you were worried about this child! What a needless worry! Hahaha!”
There was nothing more to say.
As for Geumdamok’s fortune in children—well, I hadn’t met my two younger siblings yet, and from the situation, it wasn’t clear if it was good.
Ha ha.
When words fail, laughing is best.
Yuguk seemed pleased as he continued laughing heartily.
Then suddenly, his laughter stopped.
A stronger murderous intent struck me.
“Jamon.”
A low voice aimed at me like a dagger.
His gaze was cold and indifferent, but that only made his force more violent.
“Today, I want to leave having only praised you. So guide me to where your father is.”
I didn’t need to ask to know that was his final warning.
But that didn’t change anything.
“Uncle.”
“Yes?”
“You haven’t answered my question yet.”
“What did you say?”
“I’ll ask again. How did you know to come?”
The Geumhwa Guild was now my domain.
No one, not even my father’s close friend, could stand above me.
Perhaps he didn’t like my attitude.
“Fine. I’ll tell you.”
Despite the affirmation, Yuguk’s face twisted fiercely.
And he no longer restrained himself.
Bang!
The massive greatsword on his back was drawn and slammed to the ground.
Thud!
Startled, Songgok and the other martial artists stepped back.
Truly formidable power.
Yet Yuguk himself showed no sign of effort.
“I heard it from one under me. That’s all. Satisfied?”
“Who is that under you?”
“Do I need to tell you that as well?”
“No, that’s unnecessary.”
“Then I’ve answered, so keep your promise.”
“Sorry, but I don’t recall making any such promise.”
“Fool!”
Yuguk stepped forward with a heavy stride.
“Good! It seems words don’t reach my long-lost nephew. Then this uncle must confirm with force!”
I stood directly in his path.
“Step aside if you don’t want to get hurt.”
Threatening words and actions.
I gave a faint smile.
This felt clearer and more straightforward than exchanging words.
Perhaps, like Yuguk, I too was a born martial artist.
“Then I shall stop you by force if I must.”
I raised the Myeolak Sword toward the approaching Yuguk.
“Then let’s see what you can do.”
Yuguk snorted, planted his sword in the ground, and charged at me bare-handed.
He intended to control the outcome with his hands, but it was clearly a provocation.
“Then you’ll pay for it.”
Swish.
His palm, aiming to grab me, sliced through empty air.
At the same time, my Myeolak Sword struck for his shoulder.
Shing.
Too shallow.
Instead of his shoulder, my sword cut his sleeve.
Even that made him look surprised.
But he was a seasoned martial artist.
Instead of retreating, he reached for my sword.
Yet this too was a provocation.
And the consequence wasn’t limited to his sleeve.
Shing.
A long cut appeared across his palm.
It didn’t penetrate muscle due to his tough skin, but it was enough to make him step back.
Five steps back, he glanced at his hand and me, letting out a short groan.
“Amazing. I knew you had mastered martial arts since the first time, but to this level…”
Despite the slight injury, he admired it, making me laugh quietly.
A capricious man, indeed.
Few in the martial world were this unpredictable.
“Hmph.”
He coughed unnecessarily, as if acknowledging my skill.
Then, he tried to regain composure.
“You haven’t won yet.”
“I don’t think I have.”
“From now on, I won’t hold back, so you better be alert.”
Yuguk tried to assert his presence, but it couldn’t be the same as before.
Now, I had fully realized something.
“Yuguk is not with Gujunghoe or Doosanbaek.”
He had genuinely come to the Geumhwa Guild.
He was likely an ally.
At the very least, he was not an enemy.
However, it was clear that Gujunghoe or Doosanbaek also had supporters on his side.
A thought suddenly occurred.
“Are they really targeting only the Geumhwa Guild?”
They were capable of swallowing a major guild without much noise.
If they were greedy and powerful, would they stop at just one guild?
“Moreover, Honam Province has no other significant power centers.”
While Honam had many sects, none rivaled the major powers.
In short, to the greedy, it was like a gold mine.
Even I, if I had the power to absorb the Geumhwa Guild, wouldn’t have been satisfied with just one.
With that in mind, the picture became clearer.
“I don’t know much about Doosanbaek, but this isn’t a one-man job.”
Then it was obvious who was behind it.
Gujunghoe.
They were undoubtedly after Honam Province.
Whether they targeted the province or not, I didn’t care.
Land-grabbing was a long tradition in the martial world.
But they had touched the Geumhwa Guild.
Which was the same as touching me.
I wouldn’t let them succeed.
“At the very least, I’ll make them realize who they’ve crossed.”
With that resolve, I lowered the Myeolak Sword.
In contrast, Yuguk drew his sword from the ground.
He looked puzzled.
“Why suddenly lower your sword?”
“There’s no reason to hold it now.”
“You mean?”
“I will personally guide you to my father.”
Yuguk’s eyes widened in surprise.
He seemed eager to fight, but without justification, he had no choice but to follow my lead.
Reluctantly, he sheathed his sword and asked,
“After acting like a fortress, why suddenly this?”
I smiled.
“It seems, uncle, that we now have a common enemy.”
“A common enemy?”
“You’ll understand soon. For now, follow me.”
Still puzzled, Yuguk followed me as we headed to the guildmaster’s hall.
