Chapter 107: Half False, Half True. (1)
Returning to the lodgings, I wrapped the flower carefully in cloth and placed it in a box.
If I were to eat it, situationally, now would be the right time, but eating an unknown spiritual herb immediately after reaching a new realm was too dangerous.
[Then when do you plan to try it?]
"I suppose it would be after synchronizing my realm and physical body."
With Shin Noya's help, I gained enlightenment and reached the Peak Realm, but it was unreasonable to say my physical body was on the same level.
Just looking at it physically, Yingfeng or the great disciples of the Huashan Sect were physically superior to me.
'The Huashan Sect might be a bit like monsters, but it's not a wrong statement.'
Fortunately, even as time passed, the energy contained within the flower did not diminish.
I would check from time to time, but it was still fine. At the very least, I should be able to eat it within seven days and nights.
'First, I need to go see Plum Blossom Immortal.'
There was no need to delay further, so it seemed like the right thing to do. I stepped outside to deliver the message right away.
As soon as I came out, I met eyes with the Sword Reverend, who was sweeping the floor with a broom outside.
I didn't think he was there when I came in, but at some point, the Sword Reverend had come out to the yard.
The Sword Reverend, whose eyes met mine, reacted.
'...He must have noticed.'
Judging by the Sword Reverend's eyes, he probably noticed that I had reached a new realm.
His eyes became clearer, and the energy sense felt from his body grew broader, but still, no internal energy could be felt from the Sword Reverend's body.
'How great is the difference?'
In my past life, I didn't have much contact with the Sword Reverend. Because of that, I couldn't know exactly what level of martial prowess he had achieved.
Just borrowing the Heavenly Demon's words, he was said to be the strongest among the Three Reverends.
It was said that because I had just reached the Peak Realm, my energy hadn't settled properly, but it was a bit shocking that I couldn't feel even a handful of internal energy from the Sword Reverend.
[Is that fellow the current World's Best Sword?]
Perhaps because he had seen my memories, Shin Noya finally recognized the Sword Reverend.
'Yes.'
There was no particular reason to deny it.
[What a pity...]
'What do you mean?'
[Because I don't have a physical body, I can't properly feel his energy.]
I think I had heard that in a spirit body state, one couldn't properly feel energy.
Hearing that, since I was also a martial artist in my own way, I inadvertently wondered who was stronger between Shin Noya and the Sword Reverend.
[You rotten brat... your level of thinking is incredibly childish.]
'...I was just curious.'
If it's the Plum Blossom Immortal Sword, wouldn't it be unreasonable to call her the most outstanding swordsman of that time?
Since I don't know much about that era properly, it's a part I can't be sure of, though.
The Sword Reverend, whose eyes met mine, bowed his head to me. It was an awkward situation every time I saw him, so I vaguely accepted it and quickly slipped away.
It was just past noon, but for some reason, it felt quiet.
It seemed to be because Wi Seol-ah and Namgung Bi-ah were not visible.
To feel an empty space just because two people disappeared, a thought crossed my mind that I had changed a lot.
I didn't know if this was a good direction, though.
'Where did they go?'
Wi Seol-ah was easy to find since she would jump around as soon as she came to the lodgings, and I thought Namgung Bi-ah would be sleeping in her room, but...
The two were nowhere to be seen.
As Hongwa happened to pass by holding some work, I caught her and asked.
"Ah... Seol-ah and young miss Namgung went out earlier saying they were going to watch the Flower Contest."
"The Flower Contest?"
"Yes, the youngest miss came looking for them and said they were doing it today too, so they went together..."
So that's why they went out, it seemed Gu Ryeong-hwa had come.
'Are they proceeding with the Flower Contest?'
Which of the reasons I thought of before could it be?
If possible, I hoped it was the first reason, but my intuition kept telling me it would be a bad sign.
'How many are hiding within the Murim Alliance?'
It's not simply the Black Night Palace; other evil factions, and even the Murim Alliance, frequently send spies, but.
However, from the fact that the Naraka came at night and was dealt with immediately, it felt like the handling of the matter was excessively fast.
The more I thought about it, rather than the Black Night Palace being destroyed by the Murim Alliance...
Weight started being added to the possibility that they pretended to be destroyed.
[Are you a bit interested?]
"Yes, since it seems to be related somehow."
I wondered if it was directly related to the Heavenly Demon, but what was important was that there were things entirely different from what I only knew through records in my past life.
Not to mention the Black Night Palace trying to kidnap the Divine Doctor.
And the part where they took the disciples of the Huashan Sect to draw their blood and grow the flower.
[Then what do you plan to do?]
"You already know, don't you."
Since I made up my mind to stop the Heavenly Demon, if the Black Night Palace is connected, this is no different.
If the Black Night Palace has a link to the Heavenly Demon's appearance.
"I must sever it."
Probably, this would be the very first step.
Since the Flower Contest was proceeding, I thought I wouldn't be able to see the Plum Blossom Immortal right away, so I came to meet the Sword Empress first.
"Come in."
"I'm sorry for visiting so suddenly."
Fortunately, the Sword Empress was in her hut.
'She's gotten much younger than before.'
Her lush black hair had a glossy sheen, and her skin, without a single wrinkle left, caught my eye.
Even if I estimated generously, she looked to be in her early thirties. The Sword Empress quietly examined me and opened her mouth, looking a bit surprised.
"...It seems something happened."
"I had a small enlightenment."
"Even so... to think you could reach that level at your age, it seems heaven has bestowed a blessing on the Gu family this time."
"You praise me too much..."
[...Of course it's overpraise, the world ought to know of this wretched old man!]
With the gaze of one who had reached the Peak Realm, the Sword Empress's flesh was naturally visible.
Since she was a martial artist of a much higher level than me, I couldn't see her properly, but I could clearly tell that the power contained within her body was extraordinary.
'She's not the Sword Empress for nothing.'
Those who inherited the existing nicknames rather than being called by new ones were achieving a particularly high level.
Like the contemporary Sword Empress, or the Sword King.
The Sword Empress, noticing my gaze, smiles slightly.
"Unimpressive compared to what you thought, right?"
At the Sword Empress's words, I then realized it was somewhat rude behavior and offered an apology.
"I'm sorry... I still can't control it well."
"It's fine. I also realized that my body hasn't properly returned to the state worthy of being in your eyes."
The Sword Empress finished speaking and offered me tea. It had the same fragrance as the plum tea the Plum Blossom Immortal used to brew for me.
"The Sect Leader often gives it to me when he visits."
"Ah, so that's why..."
No wonder it smelled the same. As I was sipping the tea, the Sword Empress suddenly spoke to me.
"I wanted to say thank you one more time, so I'm glad you came just in time."
"What...?"
"Ryeong-hwa, who visited last night, had changed a lot."
Saying that, the Sword Empress seemed to be in a much better mood.
"She was smiling."
" "
"I didn't know Ryeong-hwa could smile so brightly; that sight was truly cute."
It seemed the Sword Empress had also noticed Gu Ryeong-hwa's change observed at the Flower Contest yesterday.
However, I didn't really like her attributing it to my credit.
"If it's about that, I didn't do anything..."
If anything, wasn't it me who crushed and blocked the possibilities Gu Ryeong-hwa had harbored?
To express it as a question, it was practically a conviction.
Therefore, Gu Ryeong-hwa, who overcame it alone and smiled proudly, was the remarkable one.
Whether she didn't believe my words or not, the Sword Empress was just smiling.
"Ah, Ryeong-hwa went down saying she needed to see her older brother, but seeing you, it seems you didn't run into each other."
"Me?"
I heard she came to the lodgings earlier and went to see the Flower Contest with Wi Seol-ah and Namgung Bi-ah.
Did she come to look for me? I didn't think she came to see me.
'I'll have to visit her later.'
I didn't know what business she had, but if we missed each other, I just had to go see her again.
The Sword Empress took a sip of the plum tea and continued speaking.
"When are you planning to depart for the family?"
"I'm thinking of leaving as soon as things are wrapped up, so at the latest, I plan to leave by tomorrow."
"...My, that's faster than I thought."
"Rather, I felt I've stayed too long, so I'm planning to leave quickly."
"Have you informed the Divine Doctor?"
"Ah... I will deliver the message later."
Right, I forgot.
As I froze, the Sword Empress laughed softly. At that sight, I let out an awkward dry cough.
"...I'm sorry. I must have looked too lacking."
"No. Your actions are exactly like your mother's, so I laughed without realizing. I'm sorry."
Whenever the Sword Empress mentioned my mother, she always seemed to be smiling.
Were they that close? Then again, I had never heard about the Sword Empress from my mother.
'Since it was when I was very young, it's possible I just don't remember hearing it.'
Suddenly, I wondered how the Sword Empress and my mother met and how they became friends.
'Still.'
The topic of my mother itself was uncomfortable, so I couldn't ask.
It was still difficult. I took a brief moment to steady my breath and brought up the original purpose of my visit to the Sword Empress.
"Do you remember when I told you before that I had a favor to ask later?"
"Yes, I haven't forgotten. Has the time come to ask that favor?"
"Yes, it's not a big favor."
Tomorrow, before leaving, I would visit the Plum Blossom Immortal. I planned to go with the Sword Empress then.
In that situation, what I would ask of the Sword Empress was simple.
"Just take my side for a little while."
That would be enough.
After finishing my conversation with the Sword Empress, I was slowly making my way down to see Gu Ryeong-hwa.
Feeling the cold wind little by little, I realized that summer was almost over.
"Time seems to be going too fast."
As much time had passed, I had experienced many changes, but I still thought it was slow.
I wondered if it was fast since I reached the Peak Realm in less than a year, but...
Thinking of the disaster that would strike later, it was a futile pride.
At best, a very outstanding rising star. That's about all it would be.
[You seem anxious.]
"I think this kind of urgency is also necessary."
[...That's a statement I can't carelessly deny.]
"I just have to adjust it so it doesn't become poison."
It wouldn't be easy, though.
When I had almost come all the way down the mountain, a familiar face caught my eye.
"...Hmm?"
"...!"
Perhaps because I made a sound, our eyes met. It was the boy hiding the bridge of his nose with long bangs, the Divine Doctor's grandson, Zhuge Hyuk.
'What is he doing?'
Zhuge Hyuk was wandering around carrying a basket that looked to be half his size.
What seemed to be mushrooms were briefly visible in the basket.
I thought about just passing by, but eventually, I approached and asked.
"What are you doing here?"
Zhuge Hyuk, who found another mushroom and put it in, looked at me.
Seeing him gesture with his hand as if picking up a mushroom to eat, it seemed he was gathering ingredients with the intention of eating them.
"Are you sure those are edible mushrooms...?"
Their shapes were all colorful, and no matter how I looked at them, they didn't seem normal...
Zhuge Hyuk was about to make a gesture in response to my question, but then stopped.
He picked up a fallen branch nearby and quickly wrote on the ground.
-It's okay. They're fine.
Seeing the writing on the ground, I felt a subtle emotion. It was because I had never tried to have a separate conversation with Zhuge Hyuk before.
"...How are you so sure?"
-It was written in Grandfather's book.
"The Divine Doctor's book?"
Zhuge Hyuk nodded. Does he even have a book like that?
"What are you going to do with this?"
-I'm going to fry them. And make broth too.
Just like he said earlier, it seemed he was planning to make side dishes.
From the first time I saw him, Zhuge Hyuk seemed to act not only expressionlessly but also indifferently, but for some reason, he looked excited. Because of that, I asked him without realizing it.
"Do you like cooking?"
At my question, Zhuge Hyuk's eyes widened slightly. Then he nodded vigorously.
-How did you know?
I remained silent to Zhuge Hyuk's question.
Facing each other was still burdensome. But now I was recalling a different life.
"Just, it seemed like it."
A passing memory just came to mind.
-I wanted to open a restaurant. A small and cozy restaurant. Because cooking is fun.
Meaningless words brought up when his whole body was ruined and he was on the verge of death.
Blood was dripping down, making it seem like he couldn't even speak properly, but in that situation, the guy brought up his own story clearly and methodically.
Now, it was a meaningless story. Most of what Zhuge Hyuk said in my past life were lies.
The only time he mixed the truth in his words was when he ordered the demonic practitioners to advance under the Heavenly Demon's command.
Since he was a person who packaged everything with lies until the moment he died, now there wasn't much memory of his that was trustworthy.
-I was an orphan when I was young. I had no family at all.
It was a lie. The guy had a family called the Divine Doctor.
-Still, my body was quite healthy. I had a lot of friends, too.
This was also a lie.
-Do you know? If it weren't for this situation, you and I might have become good friends.
Everything he said was a lie. Especially this part, I didn't believe it at the time either.
-Lord, do you resent me?
I answered yes. I also said I wanted to tear him apart and kill him.
The guy chuckled. Every time he laughed, blood flowed from his mouth and soaked his clothes.
-Still, if the last moment is like this, it's not bad.
The clear voice ended there. What truth could there have been in his words?
At least I thought there would be no lies about his past.
Funnily enough, his words were full of lies.
Thinking about it now, I wonder if there was any truth to begin with.
"..."
I looked at Zhuge Hyuk. How did a guy like this become a demonic practitioner? If he had been kidnapped along with the Divine Doctor, would that have been the start?
If so, since I had twisted countless predetermined events, would Zhuge Hyuk no longer become a demonic practitioner?
It was a fleeting moment, but so many thoughts crossed my mind.
When I was feeling slightly dizzy from the complicated thoughts, Zhuge Hyuk suddenly handed me an unidentified cloth pouch.
"...What's this?"
It was a sudden situation, so I wondered what it was, but when I received it and opened it, it was full of mushrooms.
When I sent a glance asking what this was, Zhuge Hyuk quickly wrote something on the ground again.
-I gathered a lot, so I'll give you some. This is delicious.
Saying that, the guy smiles broadly. I momentarily wondered if even that smile was a lie, but...
It was only for a very brief moment; I just carefully put the received mushrooms into my robes.
"...Yeah, thanks."
I thought that at least for now, it might not be a lie.
Zhuge Hyuk went back to wandering around as if there was more to gather, so I left him be and stood up.
Returning to the lodgings, it seemed the kids who went out to watch hadn't returned yet.
Since I heard Gu Ryeong-hwa had come looking for me, I thought I should go find her for now.
Before leaving, I handed the mushrooms to Hongwa.
"...What is this, young master?"
She looked at me with a very bewildered face, so I made an awkward excuse.
"I just received it as a gift, so take a look and if there's nothing weird, make something with them."
"Ah... I understand, young master."
"Hmm?"
"Are you perhaps going to pick up Seol-ah?"
"No, not particularly."
Since I was going to look for Gu Ryeong-hwa, it was roughly in a similar context, but it wasn't exactly that, so I didn't add any further explanation.
Then Hongwa let out a deep sigh.
"What's wrong?"
"...Seol-ah left without doing her work. She probably didn't know she was there and went out. When she comes back, I'm going to give her a piece of my mind."
It seemed like she couldn't get angrier in front of me, but she was holding it back, though it was showing a bit.
[Her hands are trembling.]
'She does.'
Seeing her clenched fists trembling slightly, she must be very angry.
'Cheer up.'
For some reason, I thought of Wi Seol-ah being caught by Hongwa, standing with her hands raised as punishment, and slightly cheered her on.
Murim Alliance Main Branch, the Alliance Leader's residence.
The current Murim Alliance Leader, Nakgeom Jang Cheon, was carefully reading the letter sent by the Sword Reverend.
He had already read it several times, but he was reading it more in case he missed any parts.
'...A granddaughter.'
Various things were written in the letter, but the part that raised the most doubt was regarding the Sword Reverend's granddaughter.
"This is truly strange..."
The Sword Reverend had no family. He knew that he had a daughter as his only blood relative, but she had died in an accident.
It was none other than himself who had delivered her corpse to the Sword Reverend.
Then, what is this granddaughter?
What on earth happened during the ten or so years the Sword Reverend went missing...
He heard that Wudang and Shaolin were looking for the Sword Reverend. They had also asked him to let them know of his whereabouts.
Since he knew nothing, there was nothing to tell them.
'How should I handle this?'
It seemed he was caught in quite a complicated matter. If he listened to the Sword Reverend's circumstances written in the letter, he would have to face some friction with the Nine Great Sects and One Union.
Even so, the problem was that Jang Cheon had received too much grace from the Sword Reverend to not listen to his request.
As Jang Cheon was repeatedly agonizing over it.
-Knock knock.
Someone's presence was felt. Jang Cheon carefully folded the letter and put it in his robes.
-Father. It's Seon-yeon.
"Come in."
With Jang Cheon's permission, the door opened and someone entered.
It was a handsome young man with a gentle impression.
"What brings you here?"
"I returned for a moment and came to pay my respects."
"I told you there was no need to do so since you must be busy training..."
"No. How could I not?"
Jang Cheon smiled as he listened to his son's words.
He was a son who had grown up truly polite. He was proudly without shame wherever he was put out.
Moreover, he had heard that recently he had gained considerable enlightenment and his martial prowess was rising frighteningly, so Jang Cheon thought his son might enter the vacant seat of the Five Dragons.
"Haha, yes, yes, just hearing you say that makes your father feel good."
Jang Cheon laughed heartily.
At that sight, the boy, Jang Seon-yeon, also followed with a soft smile.