I followed Gubong as he rushed ahead.

Exiting the alleyway, we returned to the bright streets. After walking at a brisk pace, we arrived at a much larger open area.

Was this a plaza?

There was a mysterious statue erected in the center, surrounded by something resembling a circular pond.

Intrigued, Gu Yangcheon stared at it for a moment.

"This way," the disciple said, prompting Gubong to move forward with a grim expression.

I shifted my gaze to follow.

"You can’t do this!"

A loud voice rang out from up ahead.

"Raising the price out of nowhere? That’s not what we agreed upon!"

Who was shouting like that?

Looking toward the source of the noise, I saw several people dressed in familiar uniforms—the uniform of the Mount Hua Sect, just like the one Gubong was wearing.

And in front of them—

"Who dares to raise their voice at me, a mere worm?"

A man with snow-white hair cascading down his back stood there, sneering at the disciple.

He was tall and well-built, with beast-like ears. Judging by his appearance, he seemed to be of the canine or lupine variety.

"No matter what family you belong to, this is clearly—!"

Slap!

The disciple’s head snapped to the side. The man had struck him across the face.

"A wretch like you has no right to mention my family," he spat, his voice dripping with contempt and mockery.

"Know your place, you failures who fled because you weren’t chosen."

His words were laced with venom, and I tilted my head slightly in thought.

"Not chosen?" What did that mean? I was about to listen more closely when Gubong moved quickly toward them.

"Baek Doryeong."

Hearing Gubong’s voice, the white-haired man turned to look at him.

"Well, if it isn’t you."

A grin spread across Baek Doryeong’s face, curling into something smug and mocking.

"Our dear Heukya, isn’t it?"

"..."

Gubong flinched slightly at the mention of the name.

"I am Gubong of Mount Hua," he corrected firmly.

"Ah, yes, of course. I suppose that’s true now," Baek Doryeong said, nodding as if he had just remembered something.

"Though, really, isn’t a name like Heukya wasted on a loser like you?"

"..."

"It’s been a while, Gubong. I see you’re the one in charge this time?"

"That’s correct. However, it seems there’s a problem..."

"Ah, it’s nothing serious."

Baek Doryeong tapped the face of the disciple he had slapped, his fingers brushing dismissively against the red mark left on his cheek.

"This pathetic creature dared to question my words."

Watching this, Gubong reached out and pulled ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) the disciple behind him by the shoulder.

"Master..."

The disciple, his face crumpling in humiliation, looked up at Gubong.

"What’s going on?" Gubong asked.

"Yesterday, we paid the agreed-upon price in full, but now they’re demanding more money and refusing to hand over the goods unless we comply...."

Hearing this, Gubong’s brow furrowed deeply.

"Baek Doryeong. Is this true?"

"It is. Is that a problem?"

Gubong’s expression darkened further.

"Once a contract is made, changes should be discussed during the next negotiation. Forcing changes now is unreasonable."

"Unreasonable?"

Baek Doryeong chuckled coldly, his smile exuding arrogance.

"Unreasonable, you say? Gubong, your words are harsh."

"If this isn’t unreasonable, then what—"

"This isn’t unreasonableness; it’s the right of a noble."

"..."

Baek Doryeong’s words silenced Gubong.

"The strong have the right to wield their power. Isn’t that the way of the world? Surely, you of all people understand that?"

Gubong bit his lip, his expression conflicted. The familiarity between them was clear, and Baek Doryeong seemed to enjoy seeing Gubong struggle.

"Ah, let’s call it unreasonable if you’d like. But then..."

Tap. Tap.

Baek Doryeong jabbed a finger against Gubong’s shoulder, pushing him back slightly with each tap.

"What are you going to do about it?"

The disciples gritted their teeth in frustration, but no one said a word. The tension was palpable.

"Failures who couldn’t endure and ran away—what exactly do you think you can do?"

"This has nothing to do with status. It’s a matter of a contract between Mount Hua and the Baeksa family," Gubong insisted.

"A contract? Let’s be clear. Your constant begging made my father pity you, and he decided to humor you once. That’s all this is."

"Baek Doryeong...!"

Gubong’s voice rose in anger, but—

"If you don’t like it, what? Want to fight me here and now?"

Baek Doryeong’s taunt silenced him again.

"It’d be fun to relive the past, don’t you think? I’ve never lost to you before. What’s wrong? Are you scared?"

Baek Doryeong’s hand shifted from poking Gubong’s shoulder to smoothing out his clothes mockingly.

"Afraid you’ll scratch this noble body of mine and anger my family? Is that what’s holding you back?"

"Baek Doryeong...."

"Of course, you’re scared. If something happened, your little group of failures—what was it again? Mount Hua?—would be in serious trouble. That’s why you can’t do anything, isn’t it?"

Crack.

Gubong’s shoulders trembled violently. He looked like he was on the verge of exploding, but he held his anger in check.

Seeing this, Baek Doryeong smirked even wider.

"Are you angry? Then go ahead, take a swing. Let’s see what happens."

"..."

"If you want to break the contract, feel free. Try it."

Baek Doryeong’s taunting words were accompanied by a smug grin.

Gubong continued to tremble, his fists clenched tightly, but he didn’t respond. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"Of course, I doubt you’ll find anyone else willing to contract with you, even if you did."

The disciples, humiliated and seething, said nothing. Their silence spoke volumes. No one dared to refute him.

"Ah, but I consider myself a magnanimous person, so I’ll give you a chance," Baek Doryeong said, his gaze fixed squarely on Gubong.

"Gubong," he called, and as Gubong turned to look at him, Baek Doryeong spoke again.

"Kneel and beg."

"...What?"

Baek Doryeong’s words widened Gubong’s eyes in shock.

"I’m curious whether your knees are still as heavy as they were. So, how about it?"

"...What the hell are you talking about?"

"I’m saying, get on your knees here and now, beg me, and I’ll sell the goods at the original price."

"..."

"What do you say?"

Baek Doryeong sounded entirely serious. The ones who reacted were the Second Disciples, not Gubong.

"Master! Don’t do it! It’s better to give up!"

"That’s right! There’s no reason to listen to this—!"

"Shut up."

Clang!

Swords pressed against the throats of the Second Disciples.

Baek Doryeong’s guards had silently moved close to them.

"Who gave you the right to speak?" Baek Doryeong sneered at the disciples with contempt.

"Keep your mouths shut and watch. Let’s see how your master reacts."

As he spoke, Baek Doryeong stepped closer to Gubong, leaning in so that his face was right next to Gubong’s ear.

"I don’t have all day. Unlike you, my time is valuable. Decide quickly—will you kneel, or return empty-handed to your filthy hole?"

Crack.

Gubong clenched his fists so tightly it seemed like he might crush them.

His body trembled as he strained to hold himself back.

But after a few moments of shaking, Gubong’s hands gradually stilled.

Then, as if resigning himself, he opened his fists.

Had he made his decision? Or was he simply giving up?

It seemed like the former.

Proving this, Gubong’s body slowly began to lower itself.

"Hahaha!" Baek Doryeong burst into laughter as if he’d been waiting for this moment.

"Master!"

"You can’t!"

No matter how much the disciples protested, Gubong kept his mouth shut and continued to kneel.

Baek Doryeong watched him with satisfaction and said, "I knew it. This is exactly the sight that suits you best—"

Then.

"Idiot."

Gubong’s lowering body came to an abrupt halt.

"...!"

His eyes widened in shock. He hadn’t stopped of his own will—someone had grabbed his arm and pulled him back up.

"What the...?"

Gubong turned to see who had stopped him but couldn’t finish his sentence.

The piercing blue eyes staring back at him silenced him.

"I didn’t realize you were this much of an idiot. You’re even dumber than I thought," Gu Yangcheon said, his voice devoid of emotion, though laced with disgust and irritation.

"I thought you might be someone worthwhile since the old man kept sticking up for you. Looks like he misjudged you."

"...You!"

Gubong tried to protest, but Gu Yangcheon wasn’t even looking at him anymore.

His gaze was fixed on Baek Doryeong, who was also staring at him—his face twisted with rage.

"Who the hell are you?" Baek Doryeong shouted, furious at having his entertainment interrupted.

"You dare interfere? Do you have a death wish?"

Gu Yangcheon didn’t answer. He simply stared into Baek Doryeong’s eyes.

"You piece of trash—!"

Whatever Baek Doryeong was about to say, Gu Yangcheon cut him off.

"Check complete."

Without warning, he swung his hand.

Smack!

"Urgh!"

Gu Yangcheon’s slap sent Baek Doryeong’s head snapping to the side.

"Huh...?"

Baek Doryeong touched his cheek in disbelief, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

"What... What is this?"

Had he just been struck?

He—the noble Baek Doryeong—had been slapped by this trash?

Realizing what had happened, Baek Doryeong’s face contorted in rage.

"You filthy bastard—!"

Boom!

"Guah!"

Before Baek Doryeong could finish, Gu Yangcheon’s fist connected with his face, slamming him into the ground.

Crash!

The earth cracked and debris flew everywhere.

Everyone around them froze, staring in stunned silence.

"Urgh... guh..."

Baek Doryeong, half-buried in the ground, trembled violently.

"Not many outhouses around here, huh?"

Gu Yangcheon stared down at him, his voice icy.

"Maybe that’s why you’re spewing so much shit out of your mouth. Disgusting."

His expression was completely blank, devoid of emotion.

And that, more than anything, showed how truly furious he was.