Chapter: 364
‘Crazy.’
The first impression that struck me upon seeing him was a curse.
There was no other way it could be.
Woooooo…
The presence emanating from the body of Bi Eejin was that overwhelmingly powerful.
‘…What is this?’
As far as I knew, Bi Eejin was a peak martial artist.
No matter what sort of human was hiding within, the realm couldn’t be deceived.
‘How can this be?’
Shiver.
I felt my fingertips tremble.
It was a trembling unrelated to my intentions. It wasn’t out of fear.
I wasn’t scared.
This was pure evidence that I was being consumed by my opponent’s presence.
It meant my own existence was beginning to be devoured by the aura radiating from Bi Eejin.
This feeling was different from something elicited by a bet or a will to survive.
When one repeatedly piles up one’s experiences and attains enlightenment, those years lived naturally seep into the soul.
That was the essence of a martial artist’s presence.
It was the very vessel that one has built and expanded over time.
This is something that would only be known if one showed it.
In other words, Bi Eejin was deliberately exposing his presence to me right now.
And that presence felt like an immensely solid wall.
‘This is the Three Existences…’
Even if he had a body that had lost its peak ability and become weak, he was still one of the three strongest in the Central Plains.
The presence of the man who was called the pinnacle of the current martial arts world was profoundly high and heavy.
“Oh, yeah.”
The voice of Venerable Pae speaking to me had transformed.
The pitch of his voice had dropped significantly, and the rhythm in his speech vanished.
The smile that had barely been there completely disappeared.
Though he looked the same, he felt like an entirely different person.
“Since when did you notice?”
“It hasn’t been long.”
That was a lie.
I realized it the instant I saw him and already knew what kind of situation he was in.
There was no need to mention that.
But that wasn’t the only change in Bi Eejin.
The way he walked toward me changed gradually.
It was a minuscule change, but from a martial artist’s perspective, it was a significant alteration.
‘Is that even possible?’
A martial artist’s movements ultimately stem from the martial arts they practice.
Since each person’s lifelong honed techniques differ, even the smallest discrepancies are bound to manifest in their motions.
That’s why just by observing someone’s gait or sitting posture, one could discern whether they were a swordsman or a martial artist.
Thus, even though Bi Eejin, a martial artist, didn’t change his movements dramatically, I undoubtedly noticed the alterations.
That meant that movement was not…
This was not the movement of the Dragon Fighter Bi Eejin, but rather the movement of the Falling Respect Bi.
The black eyes of Bi Eejin turned towards me.
What I felt as our gazes met was akin to standing before an unfathomable abyss.
It was different from the chilling feel I sensed from the Dark King.
“Does anyone else know about this?”
Venerable Pae did not utter even a single word of denial in response to my question.
When I first spoke, I had projected confidence, but I genuinely had no idea he wouldn’t contradict me at all.
“None.”
“Alright.”
As he said that, Pae sat down abruptly on a rock. Even that action showed a clear difference from when he was Bi Eejin.
Unlike the time when Bi Eejin displayed noble manners and grace typical of the prestigious bloodline, his current demeanor was entirely devoid of it.
‘I guess that means he was managing the difference.’
Even accounting for that…
It seemed he was even regulating his unique habits or idiosyncrasies.
It implied he was meticulously controlling and fully directing every action he undertook.
I couldn’t help but wonder if such a level was even attainable by humans.
“If I had told someone else about this, it might have become a hassle.”
“Yes….”
While Venerable Pae was speaking, he shifted his posture, crossed his legs, and looked at me with a peculiar glint in his eyes.
Amid all this, his presence remained extraordinarily clear.
While attempting to conceal the beads of sweat trickling down, he asked me,
“How did you notice?”
The inquiry pertained to how I had recognized he was Venerable Pae and not Bi Eejin.
Even after my rebirth, I remembered nearly dying at his hands previously and that he had personally labeled me a loser.
However, I couldn’t say that outright.
So I opted for another story I had prepared.
“It’s a gut feeling.”
“…What?”
Venerable Pae looked at me with a bewildered expression after hearing my answer.
Regarding the realization of his true identity.
Naturally, he would wear such an expression since I had responded with just a feeling.
“Gut feeling? Did you just say gut feeling?”
“Yes. I sensed it…”
“Oh, yeah.”
Pae sprang back up from the rock he had been sitting on.
Upon seeing that, I instinctively took a step back.
The momentum was different.
It was a weight that far exceeded that of a peak martial artist.
“I know you’re aware of this, but I see you favorably.”
Yes, I know.
Venerable Pae definitely looked favorably upon me.
And I was aware that my noticeable talent was the underlying reason.
‘This is truly irritating.’
In other words, had I lacked talent, I wouldn’t have garnered the attention of Venerable Pae.
That was, of course, a given.
We live in a world where talent is everything, to the extent that we call ourselves “Generation of Meteors” or other ridiculous names.
What about my position in this world?
Achieving a peak at an age that is hardly mature. That alone is extraordinary.
On top of that, I had reached the realm of Hwagyeong.
If this became widely known,
What would the world think of me?
A genius acknowledged in history? That’s probably the way I’d be labeled.
‘It’s troubling.’
The more I ponder it, the more it feels like a cringeworthy tale.
Wishing to be labeled a genius like that was merely a childhood delusion.
It’s the kind of fantasy that every martial artist has mulled over at least once.
Everyone aspired to be the best in the world.
In a world where everyone dreams of becoming a master, if that fantasy truly manifests,
It could be a somewhat romantic tale.
‘The issue is that there’s no time to indulge in such romances.’
It was simply a consequence of my rebirth.
I mustn’t forget my purpose.
Isn’t the past showing us what happens when one loses sight of their true essence for just a moment?
“That’s why I’m not crushing you right away, even though you know my identity now.”
‘…That’s a frightening way to put it.’
It’s not “kill,” but “crush.”
In some respect, this was definitely a phrase highlighting Venerable Pae’s true nature.
Yet even as he spoke, Venerable Pae continued to gaze at me without taking any direct action.
I could sense it in his eyes.
He was signaling me to share the next topic.
Otherwise, he would actually take action.
From that scene, I could only let out a weary sigh.
‘This guy and that guy. In the end, is there truly such a thing as normal?’
After all, whether they were obsessed with martial arts or killing,
One must have some form of madness to reach this level.
It must be an extraordinarily challenging world for someone compassionate and soft like me to survive.
“If this isn’t a comprehensible explanation…”
“When we dueled during the entrance exam, you recognized me, correct?”
I promptly interrupted Venerable Pae’s words.
Truth be told, that was what scared me the most.
Venerable Pae threw me an uncomfortable glance, but he didn’t dwell on it.
It meant he’d allow me a chance.
It was an implicit trial to encourage me to provide further details.
“That’s when I figured it out. The non-Confucian scholar wasn’t a disciple of the formidable master, but me.”
In reality, it was hard to label it as a duel.
I was already in a weakened state.
From the start, the disparity in levels was extreme. It would be more accurate to say that Venerable Pae was merely toying with me.
‘My pride is somewhat wounded.’
Even if my pride was hurt, I had to let it go.
From the standpoint of someone who experienced being soundly defeated in a past life, I needed to accept that my body was intact following the fight.
“Is that what people refer to as a gut feeling?”
His eyes turned icy.
Surely that wouldn’t make sense to him.
When Venerable Pae introduced himself as Bi Eejin,
He had declared himself a disciple of the fallen.
I believed this was to create an excuse in case he had to use the unique martial arts of the defeated, the Tuapacheonmu.
Let’s reflect on the past life for a moment.
Had the Hidden Demon Lord never revealed himself during the bloody upheaval,
He lived so discreetly that it was likely no one ever learned of his existence.
In light of this, it seemed that Venerable Pae had a character marked by caution.
‘Thus, instead of complicating things like this, I ought to find a more sensible way.’
I took a steady breath before beginning to speak.
“That’s not all.”
It was an explanation designed long ago.
Though I hadn’t intended to utilize it for this occasion, here we are.
I had not originally planned to employ it this way…
After a moment’s hesitation, I managed to voice it with some effort.
“I have held interest in you, elder.”
“…Hmm?”
Obscenely, my throat itched as I spoke.
I couldn’t believe I was voluntarily bringing this up.
“What?”
“…You are often referred to as the greatest martial artist. I find profound meaning in the origins of your title.”
The former observation is somewhat correct.
Even though the martial arts practiced aren’t identical, both utilize fists.
When it came to Venerable Pae, he was undoubtedly regarded as the pinnacle in his field.
“That’s why I made contact with the Open to inquire about you.”
That too was factually accurate.
In actuality, I had asked Chuong, a member of the Open, to investigate his background regarding the Two Dragons.
Of course, due to the rumors circulating about him being the disciple of the Venerable, I thought it prudent to observe what his response would be.
“I’m referring to that raccoon fellow, it seems.”
“Yes.”
Venerable Pae was evidently aware of Chuong as well.
Oh, had he claimed that Chuong had been taken in by him?
In that regard, all I could do was provide a cover.
Pae, who had been deep in contemplation, soon completed his thought and remarked.
“I comprehend that you respected me and wished to see me.”
“I didn’t say anything of the sort?”
Why did words emerge that I never voiced?
Respect was a term I had never once uttered.
Venerable Pae lightly brushed aside my words, likely viewing them as futile denial.
“You are well aware that doesn’t align with the true reason, right?”
Indeed, it seemed so.
The idea of me sending someone to seek out Bi Eejin couldn’t provide complete clarity about how he understood my identity at this stage.
Yet, I felt compelled to present this story for a reason.
It was crucial for me to indicate that I had had an interest in Venerable Pae from the outset.
Now was the time to clarify the reasons I had in mind.
“I gained certainty around the time of the duel… more accurately, I anticipated it to some extent even prior to that.”
“Does that imply… you were aware of my true identity from the very beginning?”
“I wouldn’t go so far as to say certainty.”
“How so?”
Venerable Pae became a bit agitated in his response.
If I failed to clarify appropriately at this juncture, I had a genuine fear that some limb might get broken.
Fortunately,
The motivation behind my words was quite straightforward.
It turned out to be a point that bore considerable weight, far greater than expected.
There’s no better-fitting narrative than this.
“… Our Elder casually spoke about it to me.”
Simply noting that the Elder mentioned it suffices.
I could vaguely detect the link between the two men.
Looking back, Iljang-ro had been in possession of a letter of recommendation from Venerable Pae.
That clearly indicated they had met even after traversing the rebirth process.
Thus, my best chance was to leverage Iljang-ro as a point of reference.
Of course, I would need to handle the aftermath later.
‘…My apologies, Elder, but I’ll need to use you as leverage.’
What does it mean to have a supportive family?
He continuously prattles on about being a grandparent, so once in a blue moon, this should be excusable, right?
What mattered most now was Venerable Pae’s reaction.
I watched him discreetly while suppressing my nervousness and projecting composure.
After hearing my tale, Venerable Pae’s eyes widened.
It didn’t take long for him to display a reaction.
“That madman….”
Although the response was rather intense, I found relief in that intensity.
“Gu-ryun… that contemptible bastard truly….”
He clasped his forehead as if it were aching.
Seeing that, it appeared the relationship between those two ran deeper than I thought.
In that moment, I sensed more shock than anger emanating from him.
“…Did you say Gu-ryun told you?”
“I can’t say he explained it all. I merely inferred it from some casual remarks.”
If I had claimed to have divulged all, I wasn’t sure what kind of trouble might arise later, so I had to downplay it a bit.
I wasn’t sure if this would suffice.
“…Tsk.”
Venerable Pae kept clicking his tongue as if displeased.
Now that I noticed, the aura he had been radiating had entirely receded.
‘When did he withdraw it?’
It had been such an overwhelming power, yet I hadn’t even sensed its absence.
“Oh, well….”
“Yes.”
Finally obtaining composure, Venerable Pae began to converse with me again.
Did this clarify my standpoint? I wasn’t entirely certain.
“Everything’s good. You gleaned my identity somehow. Now there are more pressing matters to address, so let’s proceed.”
After listening to Venerable Pae’s words, I realized one thing.
‘It seems he doesn’t fully trust me.’
It appeared he didn’t trust every detail.
Firstly, it seemed there was something more significant for Venerable Pae than my explanation’s veracity.
“Considering that you brought up your awareness of my true identity now, should I presume you harbor alternative intentions?”
“…”
What Venerable Pae stated rang true.
I could have simply feigned ignorance and kept quiet about his dark identities.
Nonetheless, the reason I had chosen this particular moment to bring him forward and speak was for a different purpose.
“Do you recall the suggestion I made to you the last time we met?”
“I remember.”
“Is this matter then related to that suggestion?”
“Indeed.”
It referred to Venerable Pae’s proposal to me.
To put it accurately, it was the recommendation he made while leveraging Bi Eejin’s name.
Working towards becoming his disciple.
Venerable Pae had firmly stated that.
To be his disciple.
This declaration was for the sake of providing him an answer.
“Perhaps this is fortuitous. This makes it easier for us to converse.”
Venerable Pae once more donned a slightly refined smile.
“My suggestion remains unchanged from that time: become my disciple.”
Where had the serious atmosphere gone that had filled the space mere moments ago?
He now seemed somewhat enthusiastic.
Was this truly such a good thing?
I didn’t know.
‘What does he think my response will be?’
Did he truly not anticipate that I would decline? I wrestled with the decision I was about to convey.
More precisely, from the moment I received the suggestion.
The benefits of becoming Venerable Pae’s disciple were clear.
However, I was currently in no position to learn new martial arts as his disciple.
He had achieved this.
When observing merely the indolence he exhibited in my previous life, it was undoubtedly an attractive power.
It felt as if there was an insurmountable wall in front of me.
Yet the complications were glaringly evident.
To acquire new martial arts, I would need to dismantle everything I had previously accumulated.
That was outrageous.
Thus, it was a challenging situation.
The Nine-Yellow-Hairy-Lun-Gong was plenty capable of being termed a divine technique.
Consequently, just a few days prior, I had concluded there was no necessity to pursue being Venerable Pae’s disciple.
But confronting the Heavenly Horse brought a notable change.
The speed is exponentially increased compared to my last life.
I had thought that this pace would suffice.
That was arrogance.
I had grown complacent due to the compliments surrounding my ascension. Without realizing it, I had forgotten.
What manner of being was Cheonma?
‘There is no possibility of victory.’
What must I do to emerge victorious?
Day after day, I grappled with these thoughts.
No matter how I examined it, there seemed to be no feasible route to victory.
Thus, I had to discover an alternative approach.
Unless yielding was an option, I was determined to find another way.
I pondered visiting my father and asking him about possible paths forward.
Would that be enough?
I had my doubts about that.
The experiences I had gained throughout my battles,
And the lessons learned from living as a martial artist over the years also posed issues for consideration.
‘Martial arts. The foundation itself is lacking.’
The biggest problem was that my fighting technique lacked fluidity and was riddled with shortcomings.
And the individual standing before me was the perfect candidate to impart that knowledge.
Because the person reigning at the pinnacle of that discipline was none other than Venerable Pae.
“…If I may, I would like to become your disciple, Elder.”
Truthfully, I didn’t believe that merely becoming Venerable Pae’s disciple would guarantee a solution.
I was merely floundering, hopeful that this might offer some form of resolution.
Moreover, he also seemed eager for me to join him as his disciple.
I didn’t know what Venerable Pae’s objectives entailed.
I simply believed there was evident reason for the great master, who had never welcomed anyone as a disciple, to desire me so fervently.
“Before that, I would like to make a request.”
“A request?”
He tilted his head at my words.
I felt anxious that it would create discomfort, but fortunately, it didn’t seem so.
If it was a request, it was nothing extraordinary.
Right now, while I sincerely wished to receive teachings from the master,
As mentioned earlier,
I had no time to discard everything I had built until now.
In addition to that… there was something I wanted to verify further.
“I wish to keep everything I’ve built thus far and learn your martial arts, Elder.”
I meant that I wouldn’t discard the Gu Flame Wheel Technique within me, but rather, I also aimed to embrace Venerable Pae’s techniques.
Upon hearing this, Venerable Pae’s expression contorted.
What I had said was utterly preposterous.
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