Chapter: 573
I stepped out of the cave and strolled through the forest.
I had no idea what time it was, but judging by the position of the moon, it seemed to be the heart of dawn.
“Shall we take a break here?”
It was a thought I uttered while walking for a while.
He didn’t respond. I simply stopped and waved my hands on the ground.
Hwaruk-!
Sparks burst from the tips of my fingers, igniting the fallen pieces of wood.
Next, I summoned the surrounding fragments into the air.
With that, the bonfire was completed.
The darkness brightened slightly. I sat around it and spent some time there.
A rabbit was wandering nearby, so I caught it and roasted it while I waited.
Knock knock! Knock knock!
As I watched the rabbit slowly cooking, I contemplated.
‘I should reach there within seven days.’
At this speed, it should take roughly that long to arrive at Hanam.
If it were the usual situation, I would have been minimizing my sleep to hasten the journey.
I would have arrived within at most three days, but that wasn’t possible now.
‘I tell you, my physical condition is quite the mess.’
I had to conserve my body as much as possible while moving.
‘If only I had some brains… tsk.’
If that guy were here, I’d have arrived in just one day instead of three.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t rely on him either.
He was currently sent to Ji-seon. Given how things had turned out, I had little choice but to foot it for now.
In some ways, it might actually be better for me to take it slow while managing my injuries, too.
Thinking about that brought a smirk to my face unexpectedly.
‘Can you believe my body is a wreck after just doing that once?’
I had exaggeratedly overused it without any caution, but seeing the state I was in after just one use made me consider a lot.
There was still a long way to go.
I couldn’t let myself be this disheveled.
‘That doesn’t mean I can control it,’
I could use it stronger than this, at least.
Adjusting it lightly at this point was impossible.
So then… what’s left?
‘I need to grow.’
I must become powerful enough to use it without worry.
‘I imagine if I finish that, everything should be alright.’
If I could properly utilize what I intended to create, it would alleviate some issues.
Of course, better than both of those…
‘Elevation to a higher realm.’
It was about breaking through barriers and reaching a higher level.
The problem is,
‘Is that as easy as pie?’
It was a realm I couldn’t reach even with my overwhelming powers in my past life.
Transcendence.
It’s a place that cannot be reached through mere betting.
With trivial enlightenment, one cannot even attempt entry.
You can’t try to contain it in a shabby vessel.
You must master martial skills and perfect your mind to make them entirely yours.
The Buddha proclaimed that if one wishes to see the Transcendence, that is the condition.
What this means is,
‘That means it’s still far.’
It meant I had quite a journey ahead.
Most martial artists typically die without ever reaching the final stage.
If you lack talent, you won’t even make it to the peak.
‘They say that even if you count all the menstrual cycles, you wouldn’t make thirty.’
Among numerous warriors, he was one of the very few who reached there.
Now, being just twenty, attempting to aspire for such heights was absurd.
Even though I was aware of this truth.
‘I still have to do it.’
In the end, it was something I had to pursue.
Crunch.
I clenched my fist.
Simultaneously, realization struck.
‘Where have I come to now?’
I had invested three full years trying to regain the power of my past life.
In doing so, I didn’t just fill it with inner strength; I gained additional dimensions while trudging along with the defeat.
So, how far have I come?
If viewed objectively,
‘About eighty percent. Maybe a tad less.’
Even having soaked up every bit of opportunity, it’s still roughly eighty percent.
It’s amusing.
And yet, it felt alarming.
‘That means the efficacy of the Demonic Absorption is that impressive.’
The strength that had pulled me, wrapped in gloomy emotions instead of enlightenment, right to the brink of Transcendence.
Using the Demonic Absorption would mean strength could be amassed easily.
But,
‘I don’t need that kind of hollow strength.’
I know full well that kind of power will never get me to my goal.
Steady and heavy—that’s the kind of approach I require at this moment.
‘… Conversely.’
I was slapped with a situation where I needed to accelerate what is inherently slow-paced.
‘I have to do something, somehow.’
Just what in the world can I do?
I still found myself in a state of constant worry.
Around the time I succeeded in completing the shell of Hwarinseong.
When Paejon observed this, he remarked,
“At least you’ve taken the first step. Now fill it in.”
Having successfully constructed my mental imagery, it was time to fill in the incompleteness.
This also hinted at completing the uncharted territory of my imagination.
‘If I do that, you promised to reveal the eternal secrets.’
What a ridiculous assertion that was.
It was claimed that the Tuapacheonmu was composed of a total of seven essential disciplines.
Now that I’ve concluded the four forms, I was supposed to advance to the five.
Yet the requirement was the completion of the mental domain.
What sort of dreadful prerequisite is this?
‘So, does that mean the final discipline must reach the Transcendent Realm?’
It genuinely seemed like that, and that notion was frightening.
If it were a defeat, it indeed would have been that way.
That’s what Tuapacheonmu conveyed to me.
Achieving a synthetic metamorphosis.
Forcing one’s way into the realm of nothingness.
Constructing a deep mind to glimpse a new world.
And now, I was advancing further and solidifying my mental image.
As the name suggests, it’s a journey of two-way struggle.
‘The power to transcend humanity and shatter the heavens.’
I began to grasp the meaning behind the Tuapacheonmu as explained by Paejon.
That old man…
‘Is he really thinking of becoming a god?’
That doesn’t seem like it’s a joke at all.
They said he’s consumed by martial arts—that’s precisely what rings true.
How deranged do you have to be to create something like this?
‘Did he create things like this yet still lose to the Heavenly Demon?’
Despite producing the bizarre martial art known as the Tuapacheonmu, did he still fall to the Heavenly Demon?
When I observe this.
Had Paejon not been burdened by that chaotic mingling of existence, perhaps the state of the world might have shifted slightly.
Now, it was merely useless pondering.
‘In a moment marked by such foolish ideas.’
I had to mull over what I should undertake as I move forward.
“Ha….”
I exhaled a heavy sigh and reached out.
It was the moment I was about to gobble down the well-cooked flesh for some sustenance.
At that instant.
“…Where do you plan on going now?”
Seongyul, who hadn’t spoken a word during our travel, initiated a conversation.
I pulled out the meat and regarded him.
“I told you.”
I was headed to Hanam.
I definitely said that.
“Is that what you’re saying?”
“I have to go right now.”
There’s no benefit in delaying.
If necessary, I could handle matters along the way, but right now, proceeding forward is the best choice.
‘I have things to accomplish in Hanam.’
I needed to arrive early to get the job done.
“Why are you asking? What’s the main point?”
That was my question for Seongyul.
If he was curious about the destination, that could be reasonable.
But I knew Seongyul’s inquiries weren’t merely casual.
He must have been laying out some groundwork.
There was undoubtedly more he wanted to ask me.
As expected.
When I opened a line of dialogue with a question, Seongyul instantly plunged into the crux of the matter as if he had been waiting for it.
“… The Master mentioned he would tell me how to utilize me.”
“That’s correct.”
That’s what I had told Seongyul back at the shaman’s place.
“I still don’t quite get it.”
“Hmm.”
“I also don’t understand what you intend to do.”
I thought I had explained sufficiently, yet Seongyul still seemed lost.
Or maybe.
He might not want to understand.
“Three months later. You stated there would be an attack on Hanam.”
“Right.”
That’s why we need to head out now.
“Are you going to attack Hanam… Does this mean you’ll be assaulting the Murim Alliance?”
I didn’t even bother to answer that.
It was something that didn’t require a response.
Attacking Hanam was no different from declaring war on the Murim Alliance.
Once I silently affirmed his query, I noticed Seongyul’s gaze slightly shift.
“…Why?”
Why indeed.
I pondered briefly over Seongyul’s inquiry.
The reasons were overwhelmingly plenty.
The simpler my answer, the better it would be.
“Because it’s just begging to be razed.”
“…!”
“There are countless reasons to destroy it, yet it seems no one wishes to do so, so I’ll take charge of it.”
Do I need another reason beyond that?
I merely wished to tear it down. Since I wanted to ruin it, that’s what I would do.
“…”
Seongyul remained unresponsive after hearing my answer.
He simply looked at me with quivering eyes.
Seeing this made me chuckle.
“Why? Is it that you don’t want to do it anymore?”
Despite claiming he would do anything necessary, including taking lives, was he hesitating now?
“That’s not it….”
“If you’re unwilling, just say it. If you want, I’ll let you go.”
I would let him leave if that was the case.
Of course, that didn’t mean I’d allow him to go wherever he fancied.
Despite appearing fine on the outside,
that guy was a warrior from his previous life. There’s no way I could just let him go like that.
I keep him by my side because I think he might be able to pressure the Thousand-Sal-Seong with his words.
If he’s hesitating now,
‘Then I should either turn him into a weapon or eliminate him right now.’
I would dispose of him without any hesitation.
But,
‘Not being shaken isn’t necessarily bad.’
I wasn’t even sure why he was wavering.
If it was due to the reluctance to kill or an apprehension to attack the main sect, the Alliance,
that, in its own right, might not be bad.
On the contrary, the real problem lies with the maniacs who take orders and seek a thrill in killing.
Thus.
‘Should I give him some justification?’
Rather than dealing with Seongyul, I considered providing him with some legitimacy.
“You, listen.”
“…Yes.”
“The ability to discern lies. Does that apply to me as well?”
This was something Seongyul said back in the shaman’s presence.
It meant he could sense the lies of others.
My question was whether that applied to me, too. Upon asking, Seongyul hesitated for a moment before looking at me.
His pupils were shaking.
Why the uncertainty? I observed quietly with a perplexed mind, and Seongyul finally said to me.
“…Well… I’m not sure.”
“Hmm?”
I couldn’t help but tilt my head in confusion.
You’re not sure?
After hearing Seongyul’s comment, I pondered it for a short while.
‘Was it because I hadn’t lied to him as of yet?’
It dawned on me that I hadn’t actually lied to Seongyul before.
Is that why? Or maybe.
‘Is there something else?’
Who knows? But it didn’t matter.
I could always verify it.
‘How perfect—this will be the justification I was about to offer.’
It was precisely the right moment to confirm what I was going to say anyway.
I quickly turned towards Seongyul and said.
“Then, can you assist me in verifying whether what I stated is true or not?”
“What…”
“Do you know? The Cheonghae Ilgeom has died.”
Saaaa.
As soon as I mentioned Cheonghae Ilgeom, Seongyul’s atmosphere changed drastically.
A tint filled his eyes as the air became heavy.
It seemed my words triggered his rage.
However, I didn’t halt.
I continued with a grin.
“That’s due to the Murim Alliance.”
Saaaaaah-!
As soon as I blurted that out, dark energy started to seep from Seongyul’s body. Watching this unfold, I inquired.
“What do you think? Does this sound like a fib?”
“…Now… what are you saying…?”
Seongyul’s yellow eyes steadily darken, should I continue pushing?
I think he had effectively restrained himself since our very first encounter, but I wondered how it would unfold if he lost control.
Moreover.
‘Let’s see how much I can restrain him using compelling words.’
Besides, this was a remote area.
And no matter how much I said I was injured, I thought I could handle at least this much.
With that intention clear, I closely monitored the surging killing intent radiating from Seongyul.
Sarak.
“…?”
Suddenly, I felt something behind me.
“What do you mean? Explain right now…”
“Quiet down.”
“…!”
Seongyul’s growing demeanor disintegrated instantly.
“Cough…!”
His form shattered and the recoil struck him fiercely.
As a result, Seongyul’s body faltered.
When Seongyul wobbled from the unexpected jolt.
I, too, winced at the pain radiating from my heart.
Just like Seongyul, this rebound derived from unleashing powerful words.
The hastily thrown-out words incurred far worse damage than if I had prepared properly.
But there was no other choice.
‘What in the world?’
I sensed something in my core. Subtle yet undeniably present.
Herein lies the crux.
The presence felt decidedly close.
Not even ten steps away.
Seeing how near it was, what could it mean that I only just felt it?
It suggested that the opposing level was quite formidable.
‘This is troubling.’
My body was in a weakened state, making my senses unreliable. Even so, the opponent’s strength was rather elevated.
‘Who are you?’
Who on earth could it be?
Who is quiet enough to approach me like this?
‘A shaman?’
It didn’t seem like a shaman. The conditions strongly suggested otherwise.
‘Then, an opening?’
That’s the most probable reasoning.
Even though Ubongchuigae had cast seals, it was still possible for a person to tag along.
However…
‘If it genuinely were an opening, I doubt I would have been inspected this closely.’
If they were observing from a distance, it wouldn’t fit for them to come this closely to me.
The implication of such proximity indicated that,
‘They’d woven through Nahi’s watchful eye.’
It was likely Nahi was somewhere in this forest, keeping an eye on things.
I didn’t sense anyone observing her.
What that suggests is this opponent managed to reach so near past her presence.
Woohoo-!
I summoned energy throughout my body.
A faint pain throbbed at my heart, yet I brushed it aside.
What kind of fellow are they?
I had to ascertain that.
Whoaah.
As I began to expand my senses widely and move briskly at the same moment.
Hah-!
“What…?”
As my perception expanded, so too did the ominous presence manifest.
That’s it.
‘Right behind me?’
It’s literally right at my back.
As soon as I realized this, I gathered energy in my hands and pivoted around.
In an instant, without a second thought, I was ready to unleash flames.
“Wang-!”
“…!”
The moment I turned, someone raised their hand while emitting a cute sound.
As I beheld the scene, my eyes widened.
The first things registering were her petite stature, raised hand, and light green hair.
She was looking at me with round eyes.
The glimmering orbs within those large eyes were striking.
I could only stare blankly at her.
Because she was completely unexpected.
As I gazed at her, wearing a perplexed expression, she tilted her head in return.
“Aren’t you surprised?”
“…Hah.”
Her tone bore a hint of regret, eliciting an involuntary sigh from me.
“I worked hard on this surprise… Ugh…”
The girl who appeared amidst my senses was someone I knew well.
After a brief silence, I was the first to break it.
“…It’s been a long time.”
At that, she smiled brightly.
Still radiating warmth and kindness.
“Yes, I’ve missed you a lot, Your Highness.”
On a moonlit night that unfolded at its peak,
the wild Tang Soyul suddenly materialized before me.
And it was entirely out of the blue.
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