Chapter: 740
Splash.
I looked around at the sound of shallow waves.
Splash… Splash…
I could hear the sound, but I didn’t feel any difference.
The space was filled with ink, and I could barely see an inch ahead; the rest was pitch black darkness.
Where is this place? What is happening outside?
A fleeting question crossed my mind, but I didn’t dwell on it for long.
From my experience, I’ve realized that overthinking doesn’t reveal any answers.
As always, I just need to focus on what’s right in front of me.
With that thought in mind, I locked eyes with the old man.
‘Wow.’
He looks fierce enough to make one reconsider their life choices.
That was the thought that popped into my mind when I glanced at the old man.
Dressed in a pure white uniform with plum blossom embroidery on the chest.
At a glance, he’s a tall old man sitting cross-legged with his hand resting on his chin.
His deep crimson eyes are striking as they look down at me.
Thump.
My heart raced as I stared at him.
Thump.
Thump.
But it’s not just the thrill of emotions.
It’s energy. The energy of Noya inside my body resonates with the ‘author.’
What that implies is…
‘Could he be Noya?’
Is the old man in front of me really the Shin Noya I know?
While I was observing the old man with doubts…
[That’s quite odd.]
The old man also expressed his confusion and spoke to me.
[What in the world are you, kid? Why do you have that?]
He must be sensing the divine artifact of Shin Noya within me.
The old man wore a rather puzzled expression.
[What is your identity?]
Identity, huh?
A smirk tugged at my lips at his question.
“That’s what I wanted to ask.”
I speak in Noya’s voice while taking on Noya’s appearance.
Considering he has Noya’s aura, it’s likely that this old man is indeed Shin Noya.
But…
“What about you?”
Strangely, I didn’t think of the old man as Shin Noya.
[Who am I, you ask?]
He chuckled at my inquiry.
Wow, that smile is downright terrifying.
He really has a look that suggests he could transform into a raging storm at any moment.
[You called out to me this insistently, and yet you don’t even know who I am?]
“I didn’t chase after you that hard. Honestly, I just called you out because I was concerned, and you came right away.”
[Heh heh.]
With that laughter, plum leaves began to descend.
In this dark space, the leaves stood out like peculiar entities.
A tiny leaf landed softly on the water.
Whoooooosh.
As vibrations spread like ripples…
[I’m the 8th leader of the Hwasan Sect.]
Before I knew it, the old man had stepped down from the rock and appeared right in front of me.
[Just call me the Volcanic Sword, Shincheol.]
Being so close to those crimson eyes made my skin feel like it was bristling.
There was a creeping sense of vigilance throughout my body.
[Is that enough of an introduction?]
“…”
Just as I had suspected.
The old man introduced himself as Shincheol, and I could clearly tell he was indeed that old man.
But why exactly is he here?
“Hmm.”
Why do I keep feeling that this old man isn’t Shin Noya?
[Naturally, tell me. Kid, who are you to have been searching for me so earnestly? Also…]
The old man’s fingertips pointed toward my chest.
[Why is my energy within your body?]
Poke.
The old man’s fingertips jabbed at my heart.
And then…
Wooosh!
The energy inside me began to surge and expand within my veins.
It felt like the sensation of flower petals blooming.
It was refreshing and warm; part of me wanted to let it just be for a while.
Crunch-!
I clutched the spreading energy and contained it back within my heart.
[Hah.]
At my action, the old man let out a laugh.
I paid him no mind.
“This energy, of course, came from its rightful owner.”
[Hmm?]
“He was a cantankerous old man with an abundance of words.”
Tap, tap.
I brushed off the spot where his finger had touched with my hand several times.
[Nonsense. I’ve never given you that sort of energy.]
The old man’s brows furrowed as if confused by my words, prompting me to clarify once more.
“Yes, I never said I got it from you. I said I received it from the owner of that energy.”
[So. That energy is my energy…-]
“No.”
I cut in sharply.
“I told you, that energy isn’t yours.”
Swish-!
[…!]
The old man’s eyes widened as he looked at me.
The reason was likely that something had wrapped around my hand as I interrupted.
Return.
The treasure of the volcano, the beloved artifact of the divine Noya, was now enveloping my left hand.
[How did you…?]
“I wonder as well. Just who on earth are you?”
His appearance.
His voice.
The atmosphere he exuded.
Even the Tao energy within me continues to signal that the old man is Shin Noya.
“Why are you donning Noya’s mask?”
I couldn’t believe it.
My instincts spoke.
This old man is not the Shin Noya I know.
I had no doubts about that instinct.
[…Ha.]
The old man appeared bewildered by my unwavering words.
And at the same time…
Shreeeek-!!
A scarlet bandage manifested in the old man’s hand, taking the shape of a Braille sword.
It’s Gui-jeong.
The very Gui-jeong that had borne a crimson hue before I touched it.
[This truly is odd.]
The old man, clutching my Gui-jeong, leaned against his shoulder and continued to speak while looking at me.
[Aesong, despite not being my successor, you possess items that I had arranged. I recently handed them to this child, but just what in the world are you? Could you possibly be the child who entered first…? No. Then there’s no way I wouldn’t have known.]
Note.
Is this the one the Youngpung discovered in Seomseo?
It seems to refer to the note stating he received voices and energy from within.
[I don’t understand. What exactly are you?]
“Ask your successor what I am.”
As far as I know, it doesn’t seem possible to have separate conversations with Youngpung, but that’s his business.
“It’s unfortunate that I can’t speak with our elders either.”
This was also when the person I should have questioned was absent to lend me a hand.
“If you truly are the Volcanic Sword, what is a long-dead gentleman doing here?”
[That’s a ridiculous question.]
The old man answered without hesitation.
[I apologize for having to ask for your help due to unfinished business… It’s something unavoidable.]
“Unfinished business… Is it related to the Blood Demon affair?”
[-!]
The old man’s expression twisted at my words.
[… How do you know about that?]
“Hmm.”
It seems I was right about that.
‘What that means….’
This implies that the old man at least knows about the Blood Demon affair.
It felt strange.
‘Noya doesn’t know.’
He is a gentleman who has lost most of his memories and doesn’t know much.
To the point where it was said that he was more of a gossipy nuisance than anything else.
Of course, he did regain a bit of his senses toward the end.
But before that, he was the kind of nobleman who didn’t even know why he died.
Reflecting on that.
‘… Oh, is this really the genuine one?’
For a brief moment, I felt a tinge of concern.
Judging by instincts alone, this one seems more useful, doesn’t it?
‘Should I switch now?’
If they’re both similar characters, it wouldn’t be that big of a deal to swap…
-What the heck is this kid?
“…”
I whirled my head around.
I could have sworn I heard someone cursing in the background, even though it clearly wasn’t there.
This is downright creepy.
‘I’m just kidding. Just kidding.’
I’m so terrified that I can’t even joke.
Heh heh. Laughing to myself, I turned my head back again.
I couldn’t care less if what was in front of me was fake or real.
What I had always seen as real was real to me.
The person standing before me was a fake.
That was enough for me.
[You asked, “How do you know that?”]
“I heard it. Left and right.”
I’ve encountered it so many times that it’s practically ringing in my ears.
[You heard it…?]
“Yes. I’ve even heard it from the Buddha of Shaolin.”
That was the case with Hwang Ah-bul-yeong, whom I had met at Shaolin.
“I’ve also heard it from Dokjeolcheon of Sacheon.”
It was also from the Tang scholar I met in Sacheon.
“I even heard about the Brain Heaven Sword in the damn North Sea.”
I heard it from Namgung Myeong, who was guarding the iceberg.
“Also.”
I recited the names of those who had bothered me in the past, one by one.
But let’s leave out Senior Dang Je-moon, since he merely helped me rather than harassed me.
“I also heard it from Yeonilcheon.”
Finally, I mentioned Yeonilcheon, and the old man’s reaction became noticeable.
[…]
I could see the old man’s expression crumpling.
So I decided to deliver the final blow.
“Oh, by the way, the Brain Heaven Sword said I’m the reincarnation of the Hwasan Sword.”
[What?]
I said this while fidgeting my ears, and the old man’s expression transformed completely.
“That’s why I don’t trust you…”
[Don’t spout nonsense.]
He glared at me as if genuinely enraged.
[There’s no way my reincarnation would look as ugly as you.]
“…What the hell?”
[Aesong. Don’t speak carelessly with that mouth of yours.]
“That old man really loves to say ridiculous things, doesn’t he…?”
My mood soured considerably.
What the heck is this absurd feeling?
As I clenched my teeth and glared back at the old man.
[Yeah, I thought it was strange from the very beginning.]
The old man added as if he had figured something out.
[I thought it was odd that Guijeong didn’t heed the shaman, but now that I’ve heard your words and the last piece of nonsense, I think I finally grasp it.]
He spoke with a voice full of confidence.
Did he truly catch onto something?
[You are a spy of the Blood Demon.]
“What the hell are you talking about?”
There’s no way that’s right.
[I thought something was going off in unexpected ways. Was it really his game?]
“I get the feeling you wouldn’t believe me even if I insisted otherwise, am I right?”
[If that’s the case, then I miscalculated.]
“Guess what, I don’t believe it.”
From how things appear, it looks like things have gotten tangled up anyway.
But isn’t it pretty messed up that the reason it got twisted is because of reincarnation?
‘Damn….’
I let out a sigh without meaning to.
Whether he’s Shin Noya or not, it no longer mattered.
That had never been my original intention anyway.
“… Alright. Please tell me about the circumstances that led you to stay here. And why did you choose Yeongpung as your successor?”
[That’s a preposterous claim. I distrust you, so why would I think you’re worthy of such an answer?]
“True. We cannot trust one another.”
I acknowledged that fact. Trust was non-existent between us.
But to be fair, that didn’t concern me.
Swish.
[Hmm?]
I raised a fist toward the old man.
“But, don’t you have some questions for me as well? If so, I think our conversation would flow more smoothly.”
I grinned broadly.
“Let’s have a match.”
[…]
It was the tactic I had used on Amipa Jang Moon-in a few days ago.
The situation was pretty different, but…
This method has the advantage of being applicable anywhere.
“So let’s agree that the winner gets to ask questions.”
A clean way to resolve things for both of us.
Arguing would be futile and meaningless.
If talking doesn’t yield solutions, then this is the way to go.
Upon hearing this, the old man looked at me with an amused expression.
[Ha ha.]
Suddenly he burst into laughter and continued.
[I didn’t like anything else, but this I find amusing.]
While saying this, he thrust the Gui-jeong he held down onto the ground.
Chills!
At the sight of this, every hair on my body stood on end.
Oh… this is insane.
‘Wow. I feel like I’m in deep trouble.’
It had been ages since I felt this kind of sensation.
Even without taking any drastic actions, my survival instincts were screaming.
Is this overwhelming power just from that motion?
[Being dazzled by your own strength isn’t always good. You are powerful, Aesong. But if you’re coming to ask me for martial arts based on that belief…]
“Are you out of your mind?”
[Hmm?]
As his confidence escalated, I yelled back to correct myself.
“Well, you should hold back.”
[… Huh?]
“You’re an adult fighting a child and going full throttle? That’s pretty low, don’t you think?”
[…]
“Whether you fight with your feet off the ground or use but a fingertip; whether you hold your breath and fight with your eyes closed, do something like that!”
[…]
“Honestly, you should at least work with that!”
[…]
“Don’t you think my examples are a bit messy?”
“Are you really going to go all out? If you somehow win in that manner, I’ll be happy to talk.”
[…]
“I’ll swear, even if it’s unfair, I won’t say anything.”
The old man gave me an expression that almost looked like he was incredulous.
[… Aesong-ah, you seem to have less pride than I imagined.]
“Yeah. Caring about that doesn’t help at all.”
[That’s true.]
Noya, who called himself a god, nodded as if he found it convincing.
[Knowing your own limits is truly beneficial for survival.]
Even if he’s a fake, it felt like we were communicating at least a little.
If I said this kind of thing to the others, they’d stare at me as if they couldn’t piece it together.
[Very well.]
Whirr!
Suddenly, I heard a sound as if a goblin had been pulled from the ground. It spun around and landed on my shoulder.
It mirrored the motion from earlier, yet curiously, I could now scent the essence of plum blossoms.
[I’ll respect your request and set some conditions.]
Even in his voice, that fragrance lingered.
Could this be a sort of combat readiness?
[I can open this up. It would be my concession. If, Aesong, you manage to land even one blow against me, I shall recognize it as your victory-!?]
Before the old man could finish laying out his terms…
I hurled my spear at him with all my might.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Boom!!!
The holy spear exploded as it collided with the old man.
The ink on the ground scattered in every direction, yielding a visual representation of shock.
Is that the kind of force created when condensed energy detonates at close range?
For a moment, I thought I created some tremendous martial arts feat.
Click.
Regret seeped through as I assessed the situation.
“Oh, what a pity. I thought this would work.”
At the epicenter of the explosion, the old man glared back at me with a frown.
Still grasping the Gui-jeong in hand.
It had been a well-planned ambush, yet it fell short of expectation. I truly hadn’t anticipated there’d be even the slightest bit of damage.
After glancing around the situation, the old man fixed his gaze on me and opened his mouth.
[How utterly ridiculous… I never imagined I would experience something I did in my youth like this firsthand.]
He merely flicked dust off his clothes lightly.
Considering it had been a direct hit from the Holy Spear, is he really at this level? The gap in strength felt almost otherworldly.
As a martial artist, I felt a sense of respect building.
That feeling was conveyed to the old man through my words.
“Since I did it before you wrapped up your speech, that attack is invalid, correct? So that leaves us with nine left.”
[…]
My brazen remark was likely to draw some sort of criticism.
Now, it seemed the old man found it too tiresome to protest, as he simply shook his head.
After several shakes, he turned to me and stated bluntly.
[I think it’s time for a lesson.]
Swoosh-!
Plum leaves burst into full bloom everywhere.
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