Chapter: 565
The sky is visible. It’s a view that has become familiar over time.
I’ve been beaten and laid on the floor hundreds of times. At this point, it no longer mattered.
[Disciple.]
I raised my head at the sound.
As I lifted my achy neck to look up, Paejon was gazing at me with a peculiar expression.
It seemed like there was something he wanted to ask, but I couldn’t figure out what it was.
[Why are you doing that?]
[I suddenly have a question.]
[Yes.]
[What do you plan to do in the future?]
[Huh?]
This was an incredibly random question.
I was just about to take a break after being beaten up so badly; why on earth was he asking me that?
[What are you talking about all of a sudden? Are you trying to give me some sort of life guidelines?]
[Why would I bother with something so troublesome?]
He looked genuinely annoyed.
Honestly, how rude! Still, he is supposed to be my master…
[But?]
With a baffled expression, I asked that, and Paejon looked at me and said.
[Didn’t I clearly tell you last time?]
[What did you say?]
He should have said just one or two things!
When I asked again because I couldn’t quite recall, Paejon sighed and began to elaborate.
[This is enough. Didn’t I tell you to start moving as you wish?]
[Oh.]
Only after hearing that did it hit me.
I definitely said something like that. It was probably around three months ago.
This was when I learned the Tuapacheonmu technique. After I succeeded, Paejon told me.
[This should be enough.]
He looked as if he was satisfied.
[I won’t go around getting beaten up anymore.]
It had been two and a half years since I started training seriously under Paejon. Only then was I finally able to gain his acknowledgment.
[I’m ready.]
[Now, turn the Central Plains upside down as you wish.]
Paejon spoke to me with an eager look, like he was genuinely anticipating it.
Three more months have passed since then.
[Even after saying that, why haven’t you gone out and just practiced?]
Paejon was staring at me with an incredulous expression.
…Well, if he thinks it’s ridiculous, shouldn’t I be gone by now?
[…Are you implying that I am practicing hard right now?]
It’s not like he’s cheering me on. Why is he asking why I’m training? What a bizarre situation.
I was left dumbfounded by Paejon’s attitude.
[Did you not say before that I should only practice until I become a Grandmaster?]
[That may be the case. But how can a person live just by practicing?]
[…That’s a bit much.]
[What?]
[Nothing. Just clearing my throat.]
WHEEK-!
I turned my head and dodged a fist aimed at me.
That was close. If I had been even a moment later, my head would’ve been knocked!
The hilarious part was that this evasion seemed to bring satisfaction to Paejon’s gaze.
[Oh? Is this kid trying to dodge?]
Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t have avoided it but just taken the hit.
Now I’ve barely made it to the point where I can dodge a few punches.
But…
[Hey, didn’t I tell you not to hit me randomly?]
Unlike when I opened my eyes and managed to dodge, I started to realize just how impressive Paejon was.
The mind’s eye awakened by the Tuapacheonmu.
This was an ability that allowed a martial artist to first see how and in what way the internal energy would be manifested and its direction.
It allows you to perceive the energy itself, rather than just the movements.
Since you can see what moves your opponent will make in advance, it certainly looks like tremendous power.
However, there is one problem.
[…Ugh…!]
I groaned as I rubbed my forehead, which felt like it was getting crushed.
This was the problem with the mind’s eye.
When I used it for an extended period, I often faced crushing fatigue and headaches.
The energy was like countless intertwining branches. Even if I see where the energy is headed first—
Moving in sync with that was an entirely different story.
I hadn’t been using it even for a few minutes yet, and my head was already pounding…
[How on earth do you endure this, Master?]
It was said that Paejon used his mind’s eye during all his martial arts activities and most of daily life.
He mentioned getting so used to it that it no longer bothered him.
The pain that comes with using Tuapacheonmu too…
The martial arts techniques created by this fellow were ridiculously intense.
Instead of just causing pain, he was gaining strength.
In some ways, it felt more magical than magic itself.
[Don’t change the subject, just answer.]
[What are you talking about?]
[I’m asking what you plan to do in the future.]
As I struggled to calm my still-throbbing head, Paejon pressed me with his slightly furrowed brows.
[You wanted to go out and turn things upside down, yet you are still holed up here? That’s what I want to know.]
[I just find training fun, that’s why I’m not going out!]
[I guess that’s somewhat true.]
You’d think a master would be pleased if his disciple trained hard!
I really couldn’t fathom why he was acting this way.
[You’ve been conspiring with those goons lately. Is that really because you find training fun?]
[…When did you see that?]
[There are only three locations in your clan where my eyes and ears cannot reach. If that’s the case, do you really think I wouldn’t know?]
Three places, huh… That means—
One would be my father’s family mansion.
One would be the refuge where the Heavenly King stays.
The last one is…
Probably the basement of the Gu Clan.
As I thought this through, I swallowed hard.
Then, I tried to change the topic.
[Didn’t you tell me to do whatever I want as long as I don’t break the rules…?]
You said it was okay as long as I didn’t neglect my training in the Tuapacheonmu.
Paejon had said to do as I wish once I got his permission.
[Well, yes, I did say that.]
Paejon sighed and added,
[But seeing how you’re acting, I’m getting worried.]
[About me?]
[No, I’m worried about what kind of big trouble you seem to be planning. I’m concerned for Central Plains!]
[…]
What exactly does he mean by that?
I couldn’t help but frown the moment I heard it.
[What have I done that would make you say that?]
[Even if not right now, aren’t you planning something?]
[…I’m thinking of greatness.]
I couldn’t bring myself to outright deny it.
Because I truly was aiming to make something happen.
That’s why I was fervently training and also laying down other foundations.
Paejon said it was time for me to make my move, but to my eyes, I still felt unprepared.
I was still quite far from what I wished to achieve.
At the very least, I didn’t feel ready to properly ‘pretend’ even.
Just a bit more.
I needed to add just a smidgen—
Then I would meet my own conditions.
[…]
[I’m not trying to pull off anything spectacular. Just.]
I said while looking into Paejon’s eyes.
[There are two people I’m dying to prank.]
There were indeed two individuals whom I had to take care of.
[I’ve come up with a way to prank them both at the same time.]
To prevent the Heavenly Demon from causing trouble and to deal with the Blood Demon simultaneously.
This was precisely something I could undertake.
If I thought about it, it was rather straightforward.
I planned to strip the Heavenly Demon of the position and power he would gain, thus thwarting the bloodshed he would unleash.
Even if I couldn’t prevent the carnage, I could disrupt his plans at least.
Moreover, it would serve to remind the Central Plains about the dangers of such bloodshed and prepare them for the potential threats in the future.
Plus.
‘I will be gathering the strength to face both the Heavenly Demon and the Blood Demon.’
I was formulating a plan along those lines.
It sounded utterly ridiculous upon first glance. It seemed weighed down by more disadvantages than advantages.
But I deemed it worth a shot.
If there was a flaw.
‘In order to remind the alliance of the impending danger, such an incident is essential.’
Although I had subtly spread information regarding how to tackle the red monsters through my intel networks…
Simply altering the perception about a calamity that hadn’t even occurred yet was unthinkable through information alone.
Humans are beings of indifference.
When considering future matters, they tend to err on the side of being foolish.
Therefore.
I had to seek a solution.
And I had stumbled upon the easiest method.
Perhaps it was simply a matter of common sense.
If they remain so indifferent to something that hasn’t transpired…
I just needed to create a situation to invoke that danger.
To openly defy the Murim Alliance and aim for its downfall.
Moreover, I would pit myself against a being with overwhelming might and influence, who held authority over the borders of the Central Plains.
The Heavenly Demon, master of the Demonic Cult.
His mere existence managed to force the decaying Martial Alliance to unite for a moment.
They mustered unprecedented strength and waged a war.
That was the phenomenon triggered by the crisis called the Heavenly Demon.
[…So.]
If such crises can play an essential role in such ways.
If I’m willing to create that crisis, then it’s a piece of cake.
I could do that much.
This implies that I am still within a world where a ‘crisis’ has yet to manifest.
[I’m thinking of trying my hand at some theatrics.]
Thus, I have resolved to become the crisis myself.
My body swayed.
“…Hey.”
I could hear something murmuring near my ear.
My eyelids felt heavy, making it hard to open my eyes.
“Wake up…!”
It was an urgent voice. Is it Gu Ryeong-hwa?
I slightly opened my eyes to investigate.
‘Wrist.’
At that moment, I moved my arm faintly.
Clink.
I could feel something bound to my wrist.
Fortunately, it seemed the shackles were fastened properly again.
After spitting out quite a bit of blood, I returned to my haven, adjusting my clothing and gathering myself.
Since I had already stirred up a ruckus, I killed some time to prevent anyone from arriving at the prison right away.
Quietly, I slipped back inside and returned to my cell.
I left no trace behind.
Even if I had, I trusted Nahi to have cleaned it up.
With that, I sat back down in the cell, appearing just as I’d left it.
Next.
‘Am I asleep?’
Seemed like I had momentarily lost consciousness.
That was a mistake.
‘I must have been more exhausted than I realized.’
Regardless, I should have ensured I didn’t lose my mind.
To lose consciousness simply because I couldn’t bear the fatigue was unacceptable.
Ugh.
I gently turned my energy to gauge my condition.
My insides still felt like a mess.
‘Tsk…’
While I could feel some healing taking place, the damage was still very much present.
It looked like I was going to have to deal with this for at least a couple of months.
‘…Although it’s no big deal, Hwarinseong is definitely a no-go for now.’
Trying to create a sun in the sky drained half my energy from the core.
It was because I had forced myself to use power that didn’t match my level, leading my energy to take the backlash in return.
‘This isn’t easy.’
I thought I had met the conditions, but—
Just this one time caused this much trouble.
If I were to undertake this again, I’d need to try a different approach.
‘I need a more efficient method.’
Doing it this way simply won’t cut it.
As I attempted to think of another way…
“…Brother… please wake up.”
I shifted my gaze in the direction of the voice.
Oh, right, Gu Ryeong-hwa was calling me. I involuntarily muttered.
“Oh, I just dozed off for a bit. I didn’t rest well yesterday.”
I hid the injured areas with my energy.
So long as it didn’t show on the outside, I was fine. Just then, Gu Ryeong-hwa seemed ready to say something to me.
“You seem really tired.”
Another voice chimed in.
When I turned my head, Geom Hu was standing there. He also appeared pretty worn-out.
Must be due to the earlier situation.
Feigning ignorance, I smiled.
“Your Excellency the Sword’s presence here means the work is all done?”
Rustle.
I subtly showed my tightly bound wrists to Geom Hu.
“I’m starting to feel a bit suffocated… I really hope the misunderstanding gets cleared up. I didn’t steal anything, really.”
I needed to maintain the illusion of innocence regarding what had just transpired.
The mask concealed my identity.
It shouldn’t be noticeable since my physical form, and even voice, had changed.
However, I still had to remain alert.
After hearing my words, Geom Hu wore a somewhat somber expression and spoke softly.
“I want to let you go, but not just yet….”
“It’s alright.”
As Geom Hu began to say something, another voice cut in.
Then someone emerged from behind him.
I had to refrain from clicking my tongue, watching that unfold.
‘I couldn’t sense their presence at all.’
Perhaps due to my injuries, my senses were impaired.
So much so that even a presence this close eluded my detection.
Otherwise, there’s simply no way I wouldn’t have noticed someone so near.
Especially not someone whose presence was that pronounced.
The unexpected newcomer appeared with an amiable smile for Geom Hu.
“It’s actually a situation where I should be apologizing for the rudeness of my disciples. Your Excellency.”
Flap.
A gust blew from somewhere, causing the old man’s robe to flutter.
With the pure white robe waving, the large letters inscribed upon it swayed too.
Correct.
It had been written like this.
Justice signifies the resoluteness with which one expresses oneself.
It denotes the uppermost rank in the Murim Alliance, the center of the Justice Faction.
The leader of the Martial Alliance.
That was the true identity of the old man.
With sharp features and hair that had turned completely white.
His well-groomed beard and the toned physique contradicted the typical frailty expected of age.
Moreover, the sharp sensations emanating from the old man were causing my body to tense involuntarily.
A presence on a whole different scale compared to the Woo Baek, known as the Sword of Holy Spirit.
‘…He really did come.’
The first sect leader and member of the top ten masters of the Central Plains, the Chilcheolsamkwon.
The chief of the Wudang Sect.
The Wudang Sword Master.
He had come to witness the incident that transpired at Wudang…
“Huh?”
A strange sound escaped my lips unbidden.
As a result, everyone around turned their gaze toward me.
This was definitely not a situation where such sounds should emerge.
I swallowed the unexpected remark. This wasn’t at all intentional.
It had slipped out without my conscious effort.
‘No.’
It was almost inevitable.
‘Why on earth is that old man here?’
Upon spotting another old man quietly standing next to the Wudang Sword Master, I blurted out again.
How could I not be surprised?
With all eyes focused on me.
“Hol hol.”
I felt a solitary gaze linger on me, intrigued.
“It’s fascinating. Quite fascinating indeed.”
The old man, hunched over, seemed to have great difficulty in posture; his back resembled that of a hunchback.
He was holding onto a cane, struggling to maintain balance.
His unruly eyebrows almost covered his eyes entirely.
Thud.
He took a step closer.
A subtle whiff of unwashed odor lingered in the air as he approached.
But nobody around him, not even me, frowned at this sight.
If they knew the true identity of the old man, none would dare make such a face.
The old man, inching closer, looked at me.
“Nice to meet you, my child.”
Yes, I knew the identity of that old man.
I had thought of it just moments ago. How could I forget?
“Do you know who I am?”
The old man’s eyes twinkled with glee, as he asked this.
“…I do….”
I answered honestly.
“Hol hol. Then, let’s see if you can guess.”
“…”
At his second question, I paused for a moment before finally speaking up.
“…I meet the Lord of Openness.”
At that, the old man’s eyebrows twitched downward slightly.
The old man’s true identity is Gaebang, known as the Ear of the Murim Alliance.
And that ark of openness.
Ubongchui (the Lord of Openness).
Of course.
‘The Wind and Clouds are Like a Ghost.’
It was the genuine Pungun Gwido that the Wudang had intended to wield.
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