Fragment. (4)
Crack-! Thud thud!
The long, thin cracks finally shattered, and fragments fell to the surroundings.
"Ninth Young Master?"
Reacting to the voice from behind, Moyong Hui-a was looking at me with a questioning expression.
I shook my head to dispel the floating sensation.
I could feel the wind.
I could smell the grass that surrounded the area.
The stopped time began to flow again.
'...Did time really stop?'
When I saw it, I didn't think that was the case.
Seeing as I was swaying and my mind was dazed, could it be a manifestation of Hwangong (Illusion Arts)?
Leaving Moyong Hui-a's sky-blue eyes behind, I surveyed the lake.
There, the white fish that had spoken on Cheol-yeong's behalf was quietly staring at me.
'The color has returned.'
The scale color of the carp, which had become murky in the stopped world,
had already returned to white.
The white fish stared at me quietly with a gaping expression, but soon swam away and disappeared somewhere into the lake.
"Benefactor, is something the matter?"
I shook my head at Hui-yeong's question.
"...No. Just a momentary dizziness..."
I stopped mid-sentence and quietly looked at Hui-yeong.
Hui-yeong seemed to be wondering why I was looking at him with such eyes, but
I observed Hui-yeong for a moment.
'What is this?'
It was strange.
It felt like a different world had unfolded, a subtle sensation.
[What is the matter?]
I heard Shin Noya's voice.
It was proof that, thankfully, the situation just now wasn't entirely an illusion.
"Benefactor?"
At Hui-yeong's call, I struggled to compose my expression.
"It's nothing... nothing at all. Where to next?"
Perhaps because of what just happened.
It seemed like some change had occurred within me.
I began to see things that were previously invisible.
..
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Hui-yeong's guidance continued after that.
The pavilions and beautiful buildings that appeared after passing the lake
showed how brightly Shaolin had shone in history in the days gone by.
The beautifully arranged backgrounds
were truly like a painting.
While passing through such streets, Moyong Hui-a suddenly spoke to me.
"It's really pretty."
It was almost the first time she had initiated a conversation with me since entering Shaolin.
I looked at Moyong Hui-a and said,
"Is this your first time visiting Shaolin?"
"No, I've visited a few times for business."
Well, considering she's a bloodline of a prestigious family, I doubt there would be anyone who hasn't visited Shaolin.
"What about you, Young Master?"
"About what?"
"Isn't it beautiful?"
"It's pretty. I have eyes, after all."
A well-arranged environment is inherently pretty.
Our family doesn't particularly manage such things.
We just keep it neat and unobtrusive, that's all.
"I don't really like things like this."
At Moyong Hui-a's words, I glanced at her.
Saying she doesn't like things like this.
I already knew.
That she didn't really care for beautiful scenery like this.
Especially in the cold winter.
"Is that so?"
"Yes, I know it's pretty, but it's not something I particularly resonate with."
Saying that, she subtly moved closer to my side.
I thought she was just sticking close, but recalling my past life, it was a part I couldn't easily understand.
Because I remembered her shuddering just from being near me.
Just as I was about to ask Moyong Hui-a, who was acting like that, why she kept sticking to me—
[...Another woman increased.]
I closed my mouth at Shin Noya's interrupting remark.
It was a very familiar, yet long-unheard phrase.
'I was wondering why you hadn't said that.'
[What is with this wench who increases her presence even when she knows.]
'When did I increase her...'
[Right, you didn't increase them, they just grew on their own. Right?]
Since there was definitely a part of Noya's words that was right, I had no particular counterargument.
'...At least tell me why you slept for so long.'
Ignoring Noya's petty picking.
I asked about this first.
Judging by the time, about seven days and nights had passed.
Because I didn't think it was enough of a shock to make him sleep for that long.
'Did something happen?'
At my question, Noya answered in a deep voice.
[What are you asking? I went through all the hardships there are.]
'Hardships?'
What hardships could he be talking about.
Hadn't he just been sleeping?
As if reacting to my simple thought, Shin Noya shuddered and said,
[...You have no idea how much the guy in your body ran rampant.]
'Ran rampant?'
[Yeah, he was snarling so fiercely. He finally quieted down a while ago, but I couldn't come out.]
By "a while ago," did he mean when that Nyo-ryong bastard stole the Qi from me and gave it to Jang Seon-yeon?
'A beast, huh...'
I recalled Dokgo Jun calling the entity inside my body the master of the Abyss during the final sparring match.
How did he know what was inside my body.
Even I myself didn't know the identity of this entity.
Above all.
Dokgo Jun.
Hwang-a Bul-yeong said.
That the Blood Demon's name was Dokgo Jun.
The owner of this unknown energy currently rolling around in my body was Dokgo Jun,
and it seemed Dokgo Jun had some connection with the Murim Alliance.
Was he truly the Blood Demon?
'Noya.'
[Yeah, don't worry too much. You held on better than expected....]
'I have something to ask about Dokgo Jun.'
[...What?]
When I brought up Dokgo Jun, Shin Noya's voice abruptly changed.
I explained to Noya as calmly as possible about what had happened in the past.
Namgung Cheon-jun's energy.
The sparring match with Jang Seon-yeon, and the appearance of Dokgo Jun.
While explaining this quite lengthy process, Noya didn't say a word.
He just silently listened to my words until the end, and only then—
[Haa....]
He let out a small sigh.
'What do you think?'
[It's peculiar.]
It was neither a yes nor a no.
Peculiar?
'What do you mean by peculiar?'
[The name and the situation clearly point to him. The problem is that it doesn't seem to simply be that way.]
A more detailed explanation was needed.
[If it's the guy I know, he wouldn't use this kind of method....]
'Are you saying he might not be the Blood Demon?'
[No.]
Noya answered firmly to my question.
[The one you saw is definitely the Blood Demon.]
The voice saying so was exceedingly calm, but
I could feel it.
The heat contained within that calmness was far too hot. As if it would explode at any moment.
[Just as Cheol-yeong was anxious about, the bastard had already taken root in this land.]
Cheol-yeong had said.
That the Blood Demon's body and power had shattered into fragments and scattered across the world.
And that he was now dreaming of resurrection, but in reality, it meant the Blood Demon had already resurrected.
[However, isn't it strange to see it that way?]
Noya said.
[Given his personality, there would be no need to go out of his way to hide his existence.]
'What do you mean?'
[How strong do you think the martial artists of today are?]
Following Noya's words, I thought of those who had reached the pinnacle of the Central Plains one by one.
Not only the Three Venerables, but also the five masters of the Evil Faction called the Sama O-je.
Every single one of them was a figure who had reached the pinnacle as a martial artist.
[Such people, all died in the future.]
By the hands of the Heavenly Demon.
[Even to your eyes, isn't it an absurdly ridiculous strength?]
The strength of the Heavenly Demon who killed all the Three Venerables of the World, and either placed the Sama O-je under his feet or killed them.
It was definitely an incomprehensible power. Too much to consider him a fellow human.
[This was the same for the Blood Demon.]
An existence that faced all five who had reached the Absolute Realm at the time and yet couldn't be killed in the end.
That was the Blood Demon.
[His martial prowess was overwhelming. Even if I think about the Heavenly Demon who will appear in this era later, I can definitively say that the Blood Demon would not be inferior to him.]
He might even be stronger.
'...So it's to that extent.'
If the existence known as the Blood Demon was so great that he could dare be compared to the Heavenly Demon,
Noya was saying that it was strange for him to have resurrected and yet be hiding now.
[Therefore, it seems he hasn't properly regained his strength yet.]
It was Noya's belief that if he had regained his strength, the Blood Demon would never have left the current world as it was.
Since they said he shattered himself into pieces and scattered them across the world.
He wouldn't be able to resurrect easily, but.
The problem was ultimately the fact that the existence known as the Blood Demon was entangled with the Alliance.
'Considering that I only found out after regressing. He must be hiding it quite well.
What could be the problem?'
And another thing.
'Did the Heavenly Demon truly not know this?'
I thought not.
That absurd existence couldn't have been unaware of this.
'Perhaps the reason the Heavenly Demon tried to attack the Alliance is also intertwined with this.'
Noya had once said.
That the existence known as the Blood Demon resembled the Heavenly Demon.
Now, I began to suspect that these two might have a connection.
[To know more about this, as that bald bastard said, we eventually have to find that Myeong fellow to learn anything more.]
'Even so, you said we don't even know his location.'
How are we supposed to find him when we don't know where he is.
In response to my words, Shin Noya said with a sneer.
[Looking at him, that timid bastard is obviously holed up in the Ghost Treasure, so just look for that first. You have your wench, and the family head guy is also in your hands, so wouldn't it be easy?]
'...Wench...'
[Don't flinch there, you look pathetic.]
As Noya spat out words as if it was disgusting, I smoothed it over with a few fake coughs.
The Namgung Family's Ghost Treasure...
Would the Noecheon Il-geom truly be there?
[Even if it's not there, we will find it somehow.]
Perhaps because he had heard the story from meeting Cheol-yeong, Shin Noya seemed to be filled with even more enthusiasm.
Feeling something was intense, I immediately asked Noya.
'Don't tell me I have to find it?'
[Then will I find it?]
At the overly confident words, I let out a hollow laugh.
He's really crazy...
Funnily enough, the reason I didn't bring this up and rebel against it was
because I felt that the matters entangled here were definitely not unrelated to me.
The words Dokgo Jun had said to me were like that,
and his energy being similar to Wi Seol-a, who would later be called the Divine Sword, was as well.
There were more than one or two suspicious things.
"...Young Master."
'Then first... return to the family and...'
"Ninth Young Master!"
I heard a loud voice while I was lost in thought and quickly turned my head to the side.
Poke!
The moment I turned my head, something poked my cheek.
Wondering what it was, I saw it was Moyong Hui-a's finger.
"You're finally looking this way."
She seemed to be trying to say it in a fresh way, but
perhaps due to her unique alluring atmosphere and cold air, it didn't suit her at all.
"...What are you doing right now?"
I said to her with an utterly bewildered expression, but
she still had the corners of her eyes curved and was smiling slightly.
"I kept calling you, but you wouldn't look this way."
"Then you should have just tapped my shoulder."
"That's a bit rude."
But poking someone's cheek is fine...?
Not caring about my slightly stiffened expression, Moyong Hui-a continued speaking.
"You must have some urgent business. You've been walking around blankly since earlier."
"Something came up."
"Have you finished your business in Shaolin?"
I nodded at Moyong Hui-a's words.
The business for visiting Shaolin in the first place was Noya's request,
and though I didn't know if meeting Cheol-yeong was Noya's wish,
for now, this was enough to consider the business finished.
However.
"I thought I had roughly finished one,"
I said, looking at the little novice monk yawning blankly in front of us.
"but it seems another one has come up."
Removing my gaze for a moment, I said to Moyong Hui-a.
"Miss Moyong."
"Yes."
"Do you have business with me?"
"Yes."
It was an overly confident answer.
Well, she deliberately made it so obvious, how could I not know?
"What business? It's not like you're interested in me."
"Why do you think that? I could be interested."
Moyong Hui-a, interested in me?
Even if the sun rose from the ground instead of the west, that didn't seem likely.
[...Damn bastard.]
Shin Noya whispered quietly.
He must be lamenting seeing this right after waking up.
'Ah, Moyong...'
Suddenly, I recalled what Cheol-yeong had said.
Did he say Shin Noya used to follow around a woman from the Moyong family?
And that he lost her to Noecheon Il-geom...
"Ugh...!"
A slight groan escaped me along with the pain of my dantian tightly constricting.
This petty old man, seriously...!
[...It'd be best to forget that bald bastard's lies.]
'Why should I forget it if it's a lie...? Noya, did you really Moyong...'
[Shut your mouth right now!?]
I couldn't see Shin Noya's face, but for some reason, I could tell his face was flushed red.
It definitely was.
"Young Master? Are you hurt somewhere?"
"...No. I guess something I ate earlier didn't sit well."
I struggled to straighten my hunched back. And then I continued the conversation I was having earlier.
"Anyway, it doesn't seem like you're interested in me, Miss."
"Why do you think that?"
"Because you don't have that kind of look in your eyes."
At my resolute answer, Moyong Hui-a's eyes widened slightly.
I felt it might be a bit much to judge based on eyes alone, but
I knew Moyong Hui-a fairly well.
"I don't know what you want, but if you have business with me, it would be better to just tell me straight. I don't really like things like this."
Since I knew her original appearance, her putting on such a facade in front of me was truly uncomfortable.
I spoke as if drawing a clear line as firmly as possible, and Moyong Hui-a didn't give any answer to that.
'What is it, really.'
She did seem to have become slightly crumpled.
If I had to compare, it felt like a wet cat.
But, that too could be an act.
Without waiting for an answer, I moved my steps.
After I took a few steps, I felt a presence of Moyong Hui-a following me.
Walking a little more following Hui-yeong like that, we arrived at the entrance we first came in.
Hui-yeong put his hands together as if seeing us off and gave us a greeting.
"I hope that the meaning of Buddha has been conveyed to you both even a little."
"You worked hard."
"If you wish to look around more, please feel free to come. Then."
With those final words, Hui-yeong turned around and left.
I looked at the back of the little novice monk and moved my steps down the stairs.
Moyong Hui-a also slowly followed me down.
I asked her,
"Is another attendant waiting below?"
Perhaps because I suddenly spoke to her, Moyong Hui-a's answer came somewhat late.
"...Yes, an attendant should be waiting."
Turning around and briefly examining Moyong Hui-a, her ears were red.
She must already be sensitive to the cold. Why did she bother following me?
'And without even telling me the reason.'
I didn't know what business she had, but if she wasn't going to say it, I had no intention of prying.
I looked at her with reluctant eyes and then blurted out,
"Could you lend me your hand for a moment?"
"Pardon?"
At my words, Moyong Hui-a reached out her hand with a bewildered expression.
I remembered Namgung Bi-a's hands and ears turning red from the cold before.
'Tsk.'
I took her hand and infused heat into it.
"I don't know why you're doing this when you're so sensitive to the cold. Don't do things that make yourself suffer. It's a nuisance to others too."
Because I knew a little about her constitution.
I knew the heat of Hwagong wouldn't help her, but
-Because when I'm next to you, it feels a little less cold.
Useless memories overlapped and came to mind, making me meddle a bit.
Perhaps because of the heat felt in her hand, Moyong Hui-a flinched and shivered.
I knew her insides wouldn't get warm anyway.
How many seconds did I hold her hand?
When I thought I had given her enough heat, I immediately let go of Moyong Hui-a's hand.
"Please go first. I left something at Shaolin, so I think I'll have to go back for a moment before returning."
"Ah...! Wait!"
Moyong Hui-a tried to tell me urgently, but I ignored her and ran back up to Shaolin.
Because of that.
"As expected..."
I couldn't even hear Moyong Hui-a's whisper.
Hui-yeong is a young novice.
Picked up by a Shaolin martial artist since birth, he had lived as a Buddhist disciple.
With a gentle heart and no small talent for martial arts, he was a child loved by many in Shaolin.
He was good at guiding, and since Hui-yeong himself liked dealing with people, he worked hard.
If he's that good at it, no wonder people looked for Hui-yeong every time they came up to Shaolin.
Right after finishing the guidance, Hui-yeong grabbed a broom and moved.
Because he now had to sweep the floor and then go for martial arts training.
Thud.
While passing through the forest inside Shaolin holding a broom.
At the presence felt from behind, Hui-yeong turned around.
"Oh? Benefactor."
There stood Gu Yangcheon, whom he had guided around Shaolin today.
Since he had even seen them off, he thought he had gone down, but
it seemed he had come back up because he had some business left.
Hui-yeong saw Gu Yangcheon, smiled slightly, and said,
"By any chance, do you have some business left..."
"Hey."
Hui-yeong flinched at Gu Yangcheon's voice, which interrupted his words.
That was only natural, because for the young Hui-yeong to handle, Gu Yangcheon's voice was far too terrifying.
The sticky murderous intent smeared in his voice made Hui-yeong's legs tremble instinctively.
"B-Benefactor...?"
"Hey, where did you put it."
"What do you mean by that... Ugh!"
In the gap where Hui-yeong was trying to ask with a trembling voice, Gu Yangcheon rushed like lightning and grabbed Hui-yeong by the neck.
"Keok... Kek-kek!"
Squeeze!
Hui-yeong choked due to the pressure on his neck, but Gu Yangcheon only glared at Hui-yeong with burning eyes.
"B-Benef... *gurgle*... -or... Save... me..."
Hui-yeong was terrified and begged to be saved, but
"We're old acquaintances, right?"
The trembling body stopped at the words that came out of Gu Yangcheon's mouth.
At the same time, Hui-yeong's screams, which he had been spitting out while drooling, also stopped.
"You saw me. Right."
At the Gu family a few months ago.
At Gu Yangcheon's words spat out as if with certainty,
Hui-yeong's terrified face instantly turned expressionless.
Soon, Hui-yeong's small face twitched and began to change.
Although gruesome appearances overlapped, the entity that had been Hui-yeong inside said to Gu Yangcheon,
"How did you know?"
Crack-!
At those words, Gu Yangcheon put strength into his hands without hesitation and snapped the bastard's neck.