Chapter 576
What on earth is this situation?
I had countless thoughts swirling in my head as I watched the scene unfolding before my eyes.
No, before anything else, I first needed to comprehend what was happening rather than just think.
‘What is that?’
Why are those old folks here?
It’s one thing that there’s a god I’ve been searching for.
The villain who should be in Shanxi—why is that guy here?
‘What is this all about?’
No matter how I looked at it, nothing made sense.
I arrived at the accommodation that Baekhwasangdan had directed me to.
Not only was there a god and a devil, but what in the world is going on here?
Just when I was so flustered that I couldn’t utter a word.
The eyes of the devil, who had been laughing heartily at the fallen god, turned toward me.
“Oh.”
Our eyes met. Paejon responded with a slight smile.
“Nice to meet you. Long time no see?”
“…?”
I wondered why he was speaking in such a different tone than usual, but then I realized that Seongyul and Dang So-yeol were right behind him.
These two likely didn’t know Paejon’s true identity, hence his reaction.
“… Yes. Long, long time no see.”
Paejon smiled brightly at my greeting.
Seeing that smile made me break out in a cold sweat.
‘That gentleman.’
He was definitely furious.
One thing I learned from getting beaten up by Paejon over the years.
That is, the angrier Paejon gets, the more he smiles.
Laughing out of amusement and laughing when he’s angry aren’t the same things.
There are very subtle differences, but I could pick them up over time.
When I saw that smile, I thought, ‘Oh no.’
It was clear that Paejon was angry now.
“How many months has it been? I heard you’d be back soon. Hahaha.”
“…”
After hearing that, I thought I understood why he was so mad.
The problem was that I had said I would finish some important work and then return to Guga, but I ignored that and came straight to Hanam.
‘This…
It didn’t take that long to get here from Guangdong.
In reality, a few months had passed since I left the village.
This was because I had some things to take care of before heading to Guangdong.
‘… So that’s why he’s angry.’
If things had gone according to plan, I was supposed to take care of business in Guangdong, turn Seongyul into a demon, and then head straight back to Guga.
That was the idea, so I had written in the letter that I would return soon.
‘I messed up the schedule when I stopped by the Wudang Sect.’
That’s why I wound up in Hanam right away.
‘…Why is that old man here?’
Why is there a god and a devil here in this situation?
At that moment, when I was about to furrow my brows involuntarily due to the incomprehensible situation.
“Isn’t that obvious?”
Paejon sent me a message.
“…What do you mean?”
“There’s no way you would follow through on what you said. I knew you would come straight here.”
“…”
What he meant was… if that’s the case…
“…So you’re saying you came here yourself?”
It was unbelievable.
“No, when did you tell me to leave?”
When I was diligently training, why did you keep asking when I would be able to leave?
Now that I’m finally out, why is it happening again?
When I blurted out my disbelief, Paejon chuckled and said:
“Indeed, I told you to get out.”
“Then why are you acting this way?”
“That’s what the disciple who left said.”
Click, click.
“I’m saying this because it seems like you’re causing some ridiculous trouble.”
“…!”
My breath hitched at that statement.
‘No way.’
Does Paejon know something?
His voice was filled with certainty, as if there was some sinister subtext behind it.
Sweat trickled down my spine.
I hadn’t done anything that might get me caught. But if he knew something, how did he find out?
As I watched Paejon with trembling eyes, he nodded lightly and continued speaking.
“Obviously, you were set up so you wouldn’t get hit anywhere.”
The arrogant gaze of the devil scanned me from head to toe.
“Your condition is terrible. Tsk, tsk.”
“How did you know that?”
“What do you mean how did I know? Did you think I wouldn’t notice your mess and you’d hide it?”
That part seemed unfair.
I was pretty sure I had controlled my gambling.
After hearing Woo Bong-chui’s words, I had been paying a lot of attention to my movements.
It looked like Paejon had figured out my physical state just by looking at me.
‘Does the heart have such power?’
They say Paejon always lives with his heart open, so it seemed like there was some secret buried within him.
The problem is…
‘No, that’s not it. What’s important is how he knows I’ve been causing trouble!’
Just then, I noticed something off about Paejon.
I had to frown slightly since it seemed something had changed in him.
It was a subtle difference that was hard to pin down, but something was definitely different.
Staring at him, an idea crossed my mind.
“Elder…”
“Yeah.”
“Did you… somehow cross over the barrier?”
“Hmm.”
Upon hearing my question, Paejon gave a nonchalant reaction before letting out a low chuckle.
“Rather than saying I crossed over, it’s more accurate to say I’ve reclaimed it.”
“…!”
As soon as I heard that, my eyes widened. It was essentially an affirmative answer.
What that means is…
‘Paejon has reached the realm of enlightenment.’
Paejon, who had been at the peak of his refinement, had now apparently reached the realm of enlightenment.
No… to be precise, as Paejon put it…
‘He has regained his ground.’
It would be more accurate to say he has regained some of the ground he had once lost.
“When on Earth…”
“Hmm, it seems it was not long after you left.”
I had to swallow hard after hearing that.
You may wonder why I’m reacting this way to Paejon advancing in his level…
The reason is quite simple:
“Originally, I planned to take my time.”
I was at the point where my skills were improving, and I was beginning to get hit less by him.
The fact that Paejon’s realm had risen meant that…
“I couldn’t possibly let you escape, seeing as how rapidly you’re growing. Hehe, you’re getting so smart you’re climbing up on your own.”
Just as I thought I was close to getting out, it seemed like I was going to get beaten again.
“When did I ever crawl up again?”
“Even now, you should congratulate me on my elevation, instead of looking dissatisfied.”
That’s because your eyes are gleaming with the anticipation of beating me up.
Those words were stuck in my throat, but I couldn’t bring myself to say them.
“…Congratulations.”
Though I tried to offer my belated congratulations, Paejon’s expression only soured further.
“Hah.”
A brief sigh escaped him, making me feel like the world was collapsing.
“Since it seems your eyes are still intact, I suppose I’ll let it slide.”
“Not just my eyes, other things are still intact too.”
“If those are intact, would you like me to ‘take care of you’ instead?”
“…That might be a bit painful.”
Just when I thought things were easing up, things had turned grim once again.
Ignoring the throbbing headache, I asked Paejon.
“…So, what’s going on with that person?”
I pointed toward the god who had fainted from sheer anger.
By the way, did he actually faint?
I wondered just how mad he had to be to pass out.
‘An older gentleman, indeed.’
Paejon seemed unconcerned with the god’s state, not even bothering to look over.
“I happened to run into him.”
When I arrived in Hanam, the odds of these two running into one another were probably slim; I didn’t bother questioning him on it though.
“It’s not like we had anywhere else to go; Shin-ui asked the head of the Baekhwa Merchant Association for a place to stay.”
Hearing this sparked a thousand thoughts in my head.
‘So Mrs. Mi knew those two were staying here.’
That also meant she sent me here knowing full well about it.
In other words, I would be spending the next three months here.
It is true that I could find another place to stay if I disliked it.
‘…Would this old man just let that happen?’
The problem was with Paejon.
Staying with a god could actually be beneficial, as it could provide me with treatment.
However, living with Paejon posed several issues.
‘I was considering taking a break while I was at it. If this happens, it’s all over.’
For the past several years, I’d been holed up in Sega practicing, and this time I thought it would be nice to tackle my schedule while getting a bit of rest.
Even without that, considering my recent internal injuries, I thought it wise to seek treatment and take a small break.
Yet having Paejon around would render that impossible.
‘He won’t spare me just because I’m injured.’
Do you know what’s scary about Paejon?
If you express that you can’t practice because it hurts…
The bottom line is, he’ll find you a way to train even while you’re in pain.
Even if he claims no such training exists…
‘He’ll create one just for you.’
He’d go out of his way to come up with something new to make you work harder.
“Damn it.”
A sigh almost slipped out, but I had to stifle it.
I didn’t know what would happen if I allowed a sigh to escape in front of him.
As I continued to face Paejon like that, I felt the curious gazes of Dang So-yeol and Seongyul behind me.
Just when I thought I needed to respond in some other way.
“Let’s save the greetings for later. For now, we should unpack.”
Paejon smiled and said to me.
“In the meantime, Prince Gu, why don’t you come with me somewhere?”
“Huh? No thanks?”
My instinctive refusal made Paejon’s eyebrows twitch.
Oops. I slipped and said that without thinking.
“…I mean, I should unpack too.”
“Your stuff seems to be the least.”
“…”
I had no rebuttal since Paejon’s statement was true.
My already minimal belongings were being carried by Seongyul.
“Damn it.”
I never anticipated this would turn into a problem.
Just as I was contemplating an escape route.
“Anyway, it’ll take a while for the deity to wake up. Just follow me.”
“…”
In the end, I could do nothing but nod my head at Paejon’s gentle yet threatening tone.
—
As night fell, the street came alive.
As the sun set, brighter lanterns lit up the area.
No matter how late it got, the number of people filling the streets only grew.
It was a truly chaotic street.
As I walked through the bustling area with a skewer in hand.
“How have you been?”
Paejon, walking beside me with food, asked.
“Yeah… well.”
I replied briefly to his inquiry, and he chuckled warmly.
“From the looks of it, you’re not doing well. Your response is pretty easy.”
“…”
“Did you get into some trouble along the way?”
“…Not particularly.”
As I gave a vague excuse, Paejon immediately shot back.
“Then that means you foolishly lost control of your strength.”
“…!”
“Did you get hurt?”
He posed the question without even looking at me.
There was nothing I could deny.
“…yes.”
I confirmed the transfer of the Tuapacheonmu.
Paejon nodded upon hearing this.
“It looks like you didn’t move on to the next one.”
“…”
I awkwardly smiled at his observation.
Did he really notice that I hadn’t used my three and four techniques?
“…There really wasn’t a situation that called for it.”
“Hmm.”
After hearing my response, Paejon turned to face me.
“But that means your condition is like that?”
“…Yes.”
I had sustained internal injuries despite not having used the techniques since the transfer.
Hearing this made Paejon click his tongue.
“As I mentioned before, I promised that I wouldn’t concern myself with whatever you do after learning my martial arts.”
“I remember.”
A reminder that I was free to use the Tuapacheonmu however I wished.
“What I’m saying is, I won’t interfere with whatever you do.”
“…”
I sensed various meanings hidden in those words.
Just how much does Paejon know? It unknowingly makes people uncomfortable.
“Looking at your condition, it seems like you haven’t used ‘that.’”
After he mentioned the technique, I hesitated before answering.
“…Yes, that’s correct.”
“Good job. As I said before, unless you’re sure, don’t bring it out.”
I nodded at that stern caution. I understood why Paejon was being so firm.
“You shouldn’t use it unless it goes beyond the realm of imagination. I understand your eagerness, but don’t rush.”
“…Yes, I understand that too.”
The power of a martial art so severe that even its founder, Paejon, warns against it.
It was a force that posed a significant danger.
In fact, my insides had burst out when I once tried to use it in front of Paejon.
But…
Even with such a treacherous power,
‘I have to put it to use someday.’
I needed to make every effort to control it, as I had to use whatever tools were available.
As I soothed such frustrating thoughts, I turned to Paejon.
“Elder.”
“Yes.”
“So, what’s on your mind?”
At my question, Paejon narrowed his eyes and replied.
“You’re not bad at picking up on these things.”
Although I received that compliment, I didn’t feel particularly good about it.
That was to be expected.
The reason for their meeting as soon as they arrived here.
I thought it was because he had something to say.
I could also gather that he was being considerate because of my internal injuries and because he was allowing me to refrain from using my abilities.
Indeed, as soon as I stepped outside the residence, I could sense the wall of energy surrounding me.
This was clearly meant to protect me.
Furthermore, it indicated that there were things meant for no one else’s ears.
‘So far, we’ve had a decent conversation, but…’
The main point of his communication had yet to be breached.
There was nothing significant to say yet.
So what, in fact, was he trying to say?
‘If Paejon is this invested, it must be an important matter.’
He wasn’t going to directly call me out for making trouble, was he?
If so, how should I defend myself? Or should I simply answer candidly?
He expressed that he wouldn’t concern himself with my actions.
Surely, he wouldn’t overly bother about me making some chaos as a disciple.
Or perhaps, the opposite…
‘… What nonsense is this? He’s going to try and tie me down.’
That old man was certainly capable of that.
In a fleeting moment, countless thoughts flooded my mind.
I was already calculating an escape route, just in case.
If things went south, I would be ready to bolt.
As I was heightening my alertness, Paejon casually spoke to me.
“Oh, it’s nothing significant.”
His response, unusually hesitant for Paejon, caught my attention.
I perked up my ears, focusing intently on his unusual demeanor.
At that moment.
“The non-combatant that was discussed in the previous martial arts meeting…”
Paejon and I both turned to look in the same direction at the same time.
Something annoying had caught my attention.
I hoped it was merely my imagination, but judging by Paejon’s reaction, it seemed far from being a mistake.
And as if to prove my suspicions, not long after…
“-Aaaahhhh-!”
A loud scream echoed from a distance.
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