Chapter 176: Pieces (2)
What the hell is he talking about?
It was an incomprehensible situation.
The Blood Demon is dreaming of resurrection, apparently.
So, is the Blood Demon alive or not?
I didn’t know what kind of individual the Blood Demon was nor what level he had reached in martial arts. However, it was absurd to think a human could live for hundreds of years, regardless of the heights they achieved.
Even if one underwent rejuvenation repeatedly, there would still be limits.
Just look at the high-level masters like the Sword Sovereign and the Heaven Sovereign, who continue to maintain their elderly appearance. It clearly showed that they likely believed losing their youth came at a greater cost than the benefits.
Not to mention, the case of rejuvenation doesn’t guarantee a prolonged life.
And more than anything…
I knew nothing about the Blood Demon.
That was the biggest issue I faced.
In my past life, I had never heard a single thing about the Blood Demon.
The fact that he referred to resurrection implied that the Blood Demon wasn’t currently alive.
Even though I was compelled to study the grand incident known as the Blood Demon War—it was a significant historical event—I had never encountered any mention of the Blood Demon resurrecting in the future.
So, does that mean even if he dreams of resurrection, it’s something far off?
Then is it something I don’t have to worry about?
[Resurrection?]
Elder Shin’s voice trembled from shock.
[How is that even possible? I heard he stopped breathing, so how can he even think about resurrection?]
Everything was contradictory.
The Light of Might claimed the Blood Demon had indeed breathed his last during their final battle, yet here it was, speaking of resurrection.
[Shincheol.]
Cheolyoung spoke up.
[The Blood Demon is not something that can be killed.]
[What?]
[You wouldn’t know, having lost your memory.]
[Cheolyoung, are you seriously going to keep saying things that make no sense?]
At that moment, my dantian churned; it felt as if something massive was stirring within me.
That was the presence of Elder Shin.
And through the emotional ebb and flow of that presence, I was finally able to grasp the immense strength that Elder Shin possessed.
So, I really wish you’d take it easy on my body!
Thanks to his presence, I felt as if I might just burst from trying to endure it.
Although I was glad to see Elder Shin again after such a long time, this was proving to be rather taxing.
Ignoring Elder Shin’s frustration, Cheolyoung continued his speech.
[My response remains the same, Shincheol.]
[Cheolyoung!]
[I have many things to say, but I am unable to do so.]
Grrr!
A dragon emitted a breath from within my dantian.
I thought it meant he was about to erupt at any moment.
While I struggled to calm the agitated energy inside me using my Qi, I suddenly recalled that Elder Shin had been managing the Taoist energy contained within me all this time.
I’m a little thankful for that.
Initially, I had naively thought he was merely paying rent for occupying my body, but I hadn’t realized how much effort he had to put in, so I owed him my gratitude.
[You say there’s nothing you can tell me? Are you joking?]
The movements of the fish slowly weakened.
His whiskers seemed to droop, and his scales lost some of their color.
There was no elegance left compared to the first time I had seen him.
[Shincheol.]
[Speak.]
[This matter was a decision we made together.]
[We? Did you just say we?]
[Yes, we.]
Considering Cheolyoung’s words, “we” definitely referred to the five masters.
The masters who had faced and contained the Blood Demon, thereby protecting the realm.
[You agreed to this as well.]
Elder Shin seemed taken aback by Cheolyoung’s words.
[I agreed?]
[Indeed, in fact, you were the most adamant about this matter compared to anyone else.]
After a brief moment of silence, Elder Shin spoke with a weakened voice.
[I… don’t remember anything.]
[Exactly, and that’s precisely why you cannot say anything.]
Cheolyoung added with a tone of lament.
[Ah, the heavens have abandoned us, Shincheol. Your current self is proof of that.]
His tone struck me as far too indifferent for someone who was supposedly the mighty Cheolyoung.
Is he really the Light of Might?
I found myself doubting his identity. I mean, he looked like a fish, and the only reason I believed he was truly the Light of Might was because of Elder Shin’s dialogues with him.
It seemed that Elder Shin sensed something peculiar as well.
[You don’t usually speak like that.]
[The shifting sands of time alter our perspectives.]
[You mean even you, who was once called the Unyielding Rock of Shaolin?]
[It’s been several centuries since then.]
Cheolyoung’s voice sounded so weary.
[I have been left here alone, enduring through the years. Do you know why?]
The white fish glided through the lake, swimming in small circles as if drawing a pattern.
[It was for hope.]
I could feel a sense of longing in his tone.
Hope, huh?
What hope was he speaking of?
For someone like me, it was an enigma.
But, it appeared that Elder Shin understood something.
He quietly awaited Cheolyoung’s next words, despite the boiling emotions within his body.
[You were like a flame that could be extinguished by the slightest breeze, yet you represented hope, one that can ignite again and again. You were our hope.]
Elder Shin responded with an incredulous expression.
[Me? Not Il-Cheon?]
[You stated that exactly at the last moment, claiming that you wanted it to be Il-Cheon and not you.]
It seemed Elder Shin still retained no recollection of that moment.
Lost memories—what could they possibly hold to keep Cheolyoung and Elder Shin anchored in this modern world?
The Il-Cheon they mentioned was someone I, despite my disinterest in history, occurred to know quite well.
Yeon Il-Cheon, the Iron Fist of that era.
He was a peerless individual of his time, and he was also the one responsible for the power I acquired in Sichuan.
Even after considerable time had passed, he was a martial artist whose name resonated across the land.
[But, did I fail in that regard?]
[…]
Cheolyoung remained silent.
No, it felt as if he couldn’t.
Unable to endure the silence, Elder Shin posed a different question.
[Our current states, you claim it’s all our fault?]
[…]
[Hah… can’t you even tell me how we ended up here?]
[Shincheol.]
[Please, just tell me, Cheolyoung… Why have I remained on this land?]
Desperation resonated from Elder Shin, yet Cheolyoung continued with his indifferent demeanor.
He simply kept swimming in circles around the lake, eliciting another sigh from Elder Shin.
Is it the prohibition affecting his speech?
It would imply that even in his fish form and the possession, the restriction remained intact.
If Cheolyoung wasn’t telling lies, that is.
I pondered how it could be possible for him to remain so tightly bound by a prohibition.
But having encountered numerous illogical occurrences, I couldn’t discount the possibility.
Glancing at Elder Shin, who appeared lost in a whirlwind of complicated thoughts, Cheolyoung spoke again as he circled the lake.
[Now it seems it’s my turn to pose a question: How did you come to be in such close quarters with that boy?]
Elder Shin flinched at the inquiry from Cheolyoung.
[The energy within that child’s body definitely resembles yours.]
[Yes, that is indeed mine.]
To my surprise, I was taken aback by his words.
While I’d surmised the chaotic energy in my body originated from the Mount Hua’s aura, was it really Elder Shin’s?
[He doesn’t even seem like a child from Mount Hua, so why are you taking shelter within him?]
Elder Shin faltered, unable to respond.
Too many events had transpired for him to summarize.
What could he possibly say?
Setting aside the fact that Elder Shin had originally been sealed within the treasure of Mount Hua, he would have to mention the current leader losing a drinking game, which led to the treasure being lost.
This kept Elder Shin from providing any answer, evidently keen to shield his old friend from embarrassment.
[It just ended up this way.]
After hearing that response, Cheolyoung didn’t press any further.
Instead, he directed his attention to me.
[Child.]
“Huh… yes?”
I jumped at the sudden address.
[I apologize for mistaking you for that old fool merely by looking at your aura.]
Although the apology seemed a bit late in coming, I nodded in acceptance.
“…It’s alright. I can understand the situation.”
I had spoken informally earlier, but now was the time to exhibit proper manners.
[I appreciate your understanding, but child, if I’m not mistaken, you seem accustomed to this type of scenario.]
The stillness in the surroundings, the talking fish…
And that very fish being the legendary Light of Might from Shaolin.
[Child, are you Shincheol’s disciple?]
I found myself stumped to answer Cheolyoung’s question.
It was awkward to claim I wasn’t his disciple.
I had learned so much from Elder Shin, insights not easily gleaned without him.
Still, being labeled his disciple for that reason alone felt inadequate.
[You’re spouting nonsense, Cheolyoung.]
Elder Shin intervened on my behalf.
[I don’t take any disciples. That was the promise I made.]
[That stubbornness persists even beyond death!]
[Stubborn? Do you think you’re different?]
[Everyone under Shaolin’s name are my children.]
[So what, you think I’ve turned my back on Mount Hua or something?]
What was with these two old men suddenly trading barbs?
Just moments ago, they’d been delving into serious topics, now they were bickering like children.
[Anyway…]
[What do you mean “anyway,” you bald old fool?]
[It seems this child’s talent has reached the sky itself. Hmm, doesn’t seem like they’ve undergone rejuvenation, yet to surpass limits at such a young age is akin to…]
Cheolyoung trailed off, his words dimming at the end.
I was on the verge of asking what he was getting at.
[Were you about to liken them to Il-Cheon?]
Elder Shin interjected, speaking for Cheolyoung.
Cheolyoung let out a frustrated chuckle.
[You had to jump in when I was trying to gloss over it.]
[Of course! The only one worthy of comparison to him is that bastard!]
Did the Iron Fist truly have that kind of talent?
I didn’t mean to imply I was remarkable; it was a unique circumstance for me.
But for someone to achieve my level at such an age, it was unfathomable without experiencing something like my regression.
Unless it’s someone like the Dragon Warrior.
He was yet another special case, though distinct from mine.
While my thoughts were briefly clouded,
-There’s nothing peculiar about it. It’s only expected he would confuse them.
Elder Shin’s voice floated to me, amid confusion.
However, there seemed to be an odd difference in tone.
Was I hearing him differently?
-That old man can’t hear us right now.
As I puzzled over this situation, Elder Shin explained.
You can do something like this?
-It isn’t that difficult.
Was it really so simple?
But… what do you mean by “it’s understandable he would be confused?”
-Given how absurdly different this scenario is, it’s only natural he’d mix things up.
What?
My eyes widened at Elder Shin’s words.
“Wait, what did you mean?”
I had to ask again.
It was utterly ridiculous.
I grappling to believe it,
But Elder Shin persisted with his earlier statement.
-That Il-Cheon fellow, like you, reversed time.
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