Namgung Cheon stared at Yun Jongseung with placid eyes.
Perhaps because he had clashed with so many humans in his past life, he could now get a rough reading of their character just by looking at their face.
So, what about Yun Jongseung?
A typical scumbag.
An arrogantly raised chin, eyes looking down as if to ignore their opponent, and a mouth twisted up slightly only on the right side.
His blatantly dismissive expression was so obvious that it was impossible to see him in a good light, even if he tried.
"Are you Yun Jongseung?"
At Namgung Cheon's abrupt question, Yun Jongseung's caterpillar-like eyebrows shot up.
His surprise was evident.
It was only natural.
In the past, Namgung Cheon couldn't even meet Yun Jongseung's eyes.
But now?
Are you Yun Jongseung?
"Haha! They said you lost your memory, and it must be true!"
"So it seems."
A stiff way of speaking.
Namgung Cheon truly seemed to have become a completely different person.
The right corner of Yun Jongseung's mouth curled up even further.
The brat who used to tuck his tail and cower whenever he saw him was now holding his head high and talking back.
'This... is interesting. He really must have lost his memory.'
He had just been getting bored of tormenting Namgung Cheon.
But now, the paper that had been worn out from all kinds of scribbling had become a blank white sheet.
Wasn't this the perfect chance to rediscover his passion for bullying?
Meanwhile, Bokseong couldn't wipe the anxious look from his face.
He could tell just by looking at Yun Jongseung's expression how wicked his thoughts were right now.
It was as if the malice he couldn't quite hide was seeping out of his face.
Amidst the subtle tension, Yun Jongseung spoke.
"I heard you died and came back to life, so I came to visit, but you seem perfectly fine. Why are you sweating so much?"
"I was training."
"Wow, even training. You really seem fine. In that case, should we do that again after so long?"
"That?"
Yun Jongseung grinned and nodded.
"Yeah, that."
"What is that?"
"You know. We did it often, you and I. Even at the academy. We got along so well, after all."
Namgung Cheon smirked.
He knew Yun Jongseung's words were bullshit.
Got along?
It was more like one-sided torment and thorough exploitation.
On the other hand, Yun Jongseung was dumbfounded by Namgung Cheon's smile.
'He's... smiling?'
Even if he lost his memories, the instinctive fear of him should have remained.
It seems he had been too soft on him.
How else would he dare to smile at his words?
His hands were itching.
Namgung Cheon stared at Yun Jongseung and asked again.
"So what is that?"
"What else? A spar."
Just as he'd thought.
These young bastards.
They were just thinking of using the spar as an excuse to beat him to death.
Well. The pretext of a "spar" would make for a good excuse to the adults.
Namgung Cheon smiled viciously.
'So, this is how you bastards tormented my son. I should be bowing in gratitude for you setting up such a "legitimate" stage for me.'
The moment Namgung Cheon cracked his neck, ready to step forward, the answer came from an unexpected place.
"You can't! Absolutely not!"
Namgung Cheon and Yun Jongseung turned their gazes at the same time.
Bokseong, looking extremely anxious, continued.
"Uhm... that is... our Gongja-nim has only just recovered his energy. But a spar? That is absolutely out of the quest—!"
Peo-eok!
"Ack!"
A fist flew in an instant, and Bokseong grabbed his nose, tumbling to the floor.
Yun Jongseung flicked his bloody fist and muttered coldly.
"This crazy pig bastard has no manners. Do you look down on me? Where does a mere servant get off interrupting? Interrupting."
"G-gongja-nim... that's not it, a spar is danger—"
"Are you a pig bastard, so you can't understand human speech?"
Peok! Peok!
Yun Jongseung began to kick Bokseong, as if he'd made up his mind.
"A mere servant dares to defy my words! Twice...!"
Tak.
In that moment, Yun Jongseung noticed Namgung Cheon grabbing his shoulder and spun around.
He had intentionally swung his arm wide, but didn't Namgung Cheon quickly take a step back?
'He dodged?'
As Yun Jongseung's eyes widened, Namgung Cheon jutted his chin toward Bokseong.
"Shouldn't you stop? Any need to waste your strength before the spar even begins?"
"Does that mean... you'll do the spar?"
Namgung Cheon shrugged.
"You asked for it, didn't you? Since it's a spar requested by a friend I haven't seen in a while, I should gladly accept."
"Friend? Pfft. Hahaha!"
Yun Jongseung suddenly burst out laughing.
Friend?
The brat who couldn't even meet his eyes was calling him a friend?
Fine. I'll make you regret losing your memory.
Yun Jongseung hid his inner thoughts and smiled broadly.
"Right, good thinking. I got a little worked up unintentionally. My apologies."
"It's fine. I think I'm about to feel sorry too."
"What?"
Just as Namgung Cheon was about to say something, Bokseong interrupted again.
"Gongja-nim! You can't! Your body isn't even fully healed, what do you mean, a spar! Absolutely not!"
Bokseong was even shedding tears.
Namgung Cheon glanced at him.
So this guy, at least, genuinely cared for my son.
Namgung Cheon walked over to Bokseong and patted his shoulder.
"Why are you sniveling like a wimp?"
"Gongja-nim...?"
"Don't worry. It's just a spar with a friend who came to visit, right? It'll be quite fun."
For a moment, Bokseong didn't know why, but Namgung Cheon looked like a full-grown adult.
Namgung Cheon looked back at Yun Jongseung.
"But are you going to be okay? I've changed a bit."
"Changed?"
"I've gotten a little stronger. Shall we say I gained enlightenment after crossing the threshold of death and coming back?"
Now Bokseong's jaw dropped open, as if it would hit the floor.
Yun Jongseung's eyes also went wide, and he was speechless for a while.
Ha, look at this crazy bastard.
Did he get so nervous he's gone mad?
Or did he lose his guts along with his memory?
'Well, it doesn't matter.'
As they say, an earthworm is more satisfying to step on when it squirms.
Go ahead, squirm.
The more you do, the more thoroughly I'll crush you.
Yun Jongseung's mouth twisted.
"What news could be more welcome than a friend becoming stronger? To think the day would come when I'd learn a lesson from you. I'm deeply moved. Please, I hope you'll teach me a lesson."
"Sure, if you want it that badly."
"Good, then we should use wooden swords, right?"
"As you like."
The implication was that a real sword would be fine too.
Yun Jongseung was flabbergasted but chose a Mokgeom (wooden sword) from the Geomjoadae (sword stand) in the corner of the room.
This was by no means a courtesy.
It was because a wooden sword was better for beating someone up with abandon.
If he used a Jingeom (real sword) and caused an irreversible injury, it would be difficult to make excuses to the adults, even if it was a spar.
And so, the two men, each holding a wooden sword, went out to the Anmadang (inner courtyard).
Bokseong was anxiously stomping his feet.
'Gongja-nim, why on earth did you accept the spar?'
This must be because he lost his memory.
'This is no time to just stand and watch.'
Shouldn't he run to the Gajucheon (Family Head's Office) as fast as possible and tell them?
Someone had to show up and stop this ridiculous spar immediately.
Bokseong, while watching the two, stealthily backed away and then bolted toward the Family Head's Office.
'I have to tell them, quick!'
Meanwhile, Yun Jongseung was staring blankly at Namgung Cheon, who stood opposite him.
The quiet moonlight settled on the inner courtyard.
In Namgung Cheon's eyes, as he faced him, there was no fear.
If anything, they gleamed like a predator aiming for its prey.
Ha! That crazy bastard...!
A strange tension flowed.
Wait, tension?
No way.
There's no way I'd be tense in front of a pushover like this!
His atmosphere definitely seemed to have changed a bit, but a person can't change overnight.
Yun Jongseung suppressed his rising irritation and spat out.
"Well then, I shall learn a lesson from you."
"Sure, sure. Hurry up and learn."
Namgung Cheon grinned.
That crazy bastard! That smile will turn to tears!
Taat!
In an instant, Yun Jongseung kicked off the ground and shot forward.
He had no intention of yielding the first move.
He wanted to stomp on that arrogant face right now.
'Hmph! His stance is a mess!'
As expected, Namgung Cheon hadn't even taken a proper Gisu-sik (opening stance).
Yun Jongseung intended to completely break Namgung Cheon's left shoulder with this one strike.
How dare he?
Gained enlightenment after dying?
You spaced-out bastard, I'll make you gain that "enlightenment" again!
Shiiik!
Yun Jongseung, having reached Namgung Cheon's chest, swung the wooden sword straight down.
At that moment, Namgung Cheon's eyes flashed.
Simultaneously, a red light rose from Yun Jongseung's Danjeon area, amplified in his chest, and began to spread rapidly.
The red energy, as if showing the flow of Qi within the body, moved in an instant along the Sutaeyang Sojanggyeong (Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian).
Finally, the red light reached the wooden sword and fell, as if illuminating the path it would follow through the air.
Of course, this was a phenomenon visible only to Namgung Cheon, who possessed the Chogyeon Pagongan.
For a brief second, Namgung Cheon looked intrigued.
'The Chogyeon Pagongan is still intact!'
That meant the Chogyeon Pagongan wasn't a physical talent, but an Ineung (special ability) handled in the realm of the Yeong (Spirit).
In any case, this wasn't bad.
Finally, the wooden sword followed the red path and fell, just as it was about to strike Namgung Cheon's shoulder!
Seuseuseuk.
Namgung Cheon's form vanished like a mirage, letting the wooden sword flow past.
In an instant, Yun Jongseung's pupils widened.
Ttaak!
The wooden sword struck the ground, and the impact vibrated painfully up his palm.
"Keut!"
Grinding his teeth, Yun Jongseung swung the sword up in a diagonal slash.
Hwiiiik!
But once again, the wooden sword cut only empty air.
Hwik! Hwik! Shiiit! Hwik!
He unleashed a flurry of strikes after that, but the wooden sword only hit the air every single time.
At first, he thought he was just unlucky.
But as his strikes continued to miss, Yun Jongseung's pupils began to tremble.
'Why? Why can't I hit him!'
It was really just by a hair's breadth, wasn't it?
If he were hitting completely empty air, he would at least acknowledge his opponent's skill, but Namgung Cheon was continuously dodging by a razor-thin margin.
'You bastard, how long do you think your luck will last!'
Clenching his jaw, Yun Jongseung put all his strength into a diagonal slash.
'This time, he definitely can't dodge!'
It was, in its own way, his finishing blow.
It was also a sword technique the Hwangsan Yun Family prided itself on.
Just as he thought, Namgung Cheon couldn't dodge this time.
Instead, he raised his wooden sword and met it head-on.
Ttaaak!
A dull sound echoed as the wooden swords collided.
Yun Jongseung's pupils shook violently.
'...He blocked it?'
Impossible.
What in the world happened to Namgung Cheon?
How could the world's biggest wimp?
"Keu-ik!"
As his eyes wavered, he saw Namgung Cheon, their swords locked, grinning a maniacal smile.
"Why so serious?"
"Wh-what?"
"You should be enjoying this."
"Y-you, you crazy...!"
Shiiiit, ttaak!
Again, sword and sword clashed.
The impact was so strong that Yun Jongseung felt his palm was about to be torn apart.
"Keut!"
But Namgung Cheon's expression was filled with ecstasy.
Seeing that face, which felt tinged with madness, Yun Jongseung even felt a sense of dread.
But he couldn't possibly lose to a pushover like this!
If a rumor about this got out, he'd be too embarrassed to even show his face at the academy.
The more he thought, the more mortifying and enraging it was.
Yun Jongseung, thoroughly incensed, hissed through clenched teeth as they remained locked.
"You, be honest. You didn't really try to kill yourself, did you? You just faked the whole thing to cause a scene, right? Because you didn't want to go to the academy."
"Now that's a fresh interpretation."
"Why is a bastard who committed suicide so perfectly fine? Does a dead guy coming back to life even make sense? Then again, a bastard like you doesn't even have the courage to kill himself. Am I wrong?"
In an instant, Namgung Cheon's expression turned ice-cold.
Seeing the sudden change, Yun Jongseung felt a chill run down his spine without even realizing it.
Finally, Namgung Cheon spoke.
"Hey, Byeongshin (Idiot/Moron)."
"Wh-what?"
Yun Jongseung's eyes shot open in disbelief.
At first, he thought he must have heard wrong.
But wasn't Namgung Cheon staring right at him?
His eyes were so deep and dark that he felt cowed.
"Do you think you need 'courage' to kill yourself?"
"..."
"What you need for suicide isn't courage, it's 'giving up.' Real courage is only needed for living."
"...!"
"And trash like you, who make people give up on life... you're the real, vicious murderers who kill without lifting a finger."
Peo-eok!
"Keok!"
Struck in the shoulder by the wooden sword, Yun Jongseung staggered back.
Immediately, Namgung Cheon swung his sword like a thunderbolt.
Ttaak!
"Ack!"
Yun Jongseung's palm was torn, and his wooden sword was knocked out of his hand.
Falling onto his backside, Yun Jongseung looked up with an expression of disbelief.
'How is this guy... like this...?'
Namgung Cheon glared down at Yun Jongseung and said coldly.
"Now, it's time for your Cham-gyoyuk (True Education)."
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