Thrush – Episode 307: Why Are You Coming Out of Here? (1)
The path leading to the Hall Master’s office of Sinryong Hall was located behind the disciples’ quarters.
The figure of the Hall Master was a master recognized by the Martial Alliance, and as the strongest martial artist in Sinryong Hall, his presence there implied that he could protect the hall disciples the fastest should a dangerous situation arise.
‘So I have to go all the way around for this.’
Conversely, the instructors’ quarters were on the opposite side, so getting to the Hall Master’s office from there required quite the detour.
‘…If this was the plan, he should’ve just said the Hall Master called me from the start.’
Why did I bother going to Cheolhwano?
My route’s a complete mess.
Crunch.
The sound of trampled autumn leaves tickled my ears.
I grumbled as I walked, but before I knew it, I had almost arrived.
If there was any benefit to the current timing, it was that, having answered the Hall Master’s call outside of lunchtime, I could skip one training session afterward.
Unless it was a theory delving into extreme depths, I had already experienced most things in actual combat, so most of what I could learn now was meaningless anyway.
‘No guards?’
What was unexpected was that no other Kunlun martial artists were standing guard for the Hall Master.
But then again, if one had reached the level of Cheonghae Ilgeom, there would be no need to bother with guards.
In Sinryong Hall right now, the only human capable of breaking through Cheonghae Ilgeom’s qi sense and entering the Hall Master’s chamber would, at best, be the Sword Empress.
Which meant—
The moment I stepped onto the path leading up, it was no different from having already entered his qi field.
The fact that the Hall Master called me separately—
There must be some other reason.
With that thought, I continued walking.
I’d find out when I saw him anyway.
I slowly entered the building.
It looked a bit wider inside than its exterior suggested, and I could see several fairly large rooms.
Just as I was wondering which door to enter—
Squeak.
A door opened from inside, and I ran into someone.
“Huh?”
“Ah.”
A woman with brown hair tinged with gold.
The very person who had been getting on my nerves lately.
It was Wi Seol-ah.
“Why are you coming out of here?”
I spoke a little louder than I’d meant to.
Wi Seol-ah looked surprised, as if she hadn’t expected to run into me here either.
Just like her, I was quite startled inwardly.
‘I didn’t sense any presence inside.’
I could understand missing Cheonghae Ilgeom, but I hadn’t even detected Wi Seol-ah’s presence, which had only just appeared.
Which meant—
‘There’s something nearby that obscures qi sense.’
Was it Cheonghae Ilgeom’s power?
Probably not.
At least, as far as I knew, he didn’t possess such an ability.
I knew more about Cheonghae Ilgeom than I’d thought. I didn’t know much about his martial arts, but I even knew the nickname he had yet to obtain.
‘Then, is it a Ghost Object’s power?’
That seemed most likely.
I didn’t know what kind of Ghost Object it was, but it seemed quite effective.
“You…”
“The… the Hall Master called me for a moment.”
“The Hall Master?”
Cheonghae Ilgeom had called for Wi Seol-ah?
‘Is it because of the Sword Sovereign?’
Wi Seol-ah was the descendant of the Sword Sovereign, so Cheonghae Ilgeom might have called her separately.
I didn’t know if that was truly the case, but judging by Wi Seol-ah’s reaction, it didn’t seem to be.
Embarrassment? Something like that was clearly visible on her face.
Why would she be embarrassed to see me?
“…You.”
When I called out to her suspiciously, Wi Seol-ah’s shoulders flinched.
“Did you cause some trouble?”
“…!”
Wi Seol-ah seemed struck right on target by my words and hung her head low.
It seemed I was right.
‘Wi Seol-ah caused trouble and got called by the Hall Master?’
Not even ending at the instructor level—what kind of circumstances would bring her all the way to the Hall Master?
No, more than that, the fact that Wi Seol-ah had caused trouble was more baffling.
“What kind of trouble did you—”
Just as I was about to ask her what happened—
Squeak.
The closed door opened on its own, and—
Hwoooosh!
Wind blew from inside the door.
I could tell at once.
The wind was thickly mixed with dao qi.
“Come in.”
A heavy voice transmission struck like a blow to the head.
Even merely hearing the voice made my entire body resonate.
And this was just from hearing a voice transmission.
‘It seems Cheonghae Ilgeom’s level is higher than I expected.’
I had underestimated him, thinking he was beneath Maehwaseon, but of course—the leader of one of the Nine Great Sects couldn’t possibly be weak.
“You, go out and wait.”
“…Go out?”
“Yes. I have something to say to you, so wait right there.”
Having nailed her down so she couldn’t run away, I stepped into the room before Wi Seol-ah could say anything.
The gap between the entrance and the room.
The moment my toes touched that threshold—
Oooong—!
“…!”
I felt a massive energy envelop me.
The very quality of the air was different from outside the door.
Cold sweat flowed instinctively from the overwhelming energy.
‘This old man.’
Ignoring the heaviness with effort, I moved my steps.
The air wasn’t so heavy that I couldn’t breathe, and the reason I was sweating wasn’t because it was too hard to endure.
‘Is he planning to kill someone?’
Because I knew how cruel a weapon the dao qi filling the room could become with a single gesture from Cheonghae Ilgeom.
Feeling the tingling energy, I took another step.
Walking neither fast nor slow, I soon saw the figure sitting before me.
An old man with pure white hair and a frail, small body—
Yet how sharp a blade he held within that small frame was something I couldn’t quite gauge at my current level.
The old man had his eyes closed, but he was definitely looking at me.
“Remarkable.”
When I had almost reached him, the old man’s mouth opened.
“There have been so many rumors. I was curious how outstanding a child you might be.”
There were many words with which to introduce this old man.
Whichever one you chose, none would be considered lacking.
One of the Ten Great Masters of the Central Plains.
One of the Chilcheol Samgwon.
Or a master called one of the Five Great Sword Masters.
The sect leader of the Great Kunlun Sect, established at Qinghai.
And—
“Rather, the rumors are trivial in comparison.”
The person who would later be called the Cheonghae Demon Sword and become the limb of the Heavenly Demon was looking at me and smiling from the front.
Cheonghae Ilgeom.
Or—
Cheonghae Mageom.
In the era of the Blood Calamity, those were the only two nicknames by which the old man was called.
When the Heavenly Demon had just appeared in the Central Plains—
Among those who didn’t know how powerful the Heavenly Demon was, the righteous faction’s forces were overwhelming, and they saw no reason to fear an unnamed figure declaring he would sweep through the Central Plains.
They believed one outstanding person couldn’t sweep through the vast Central Plains martial world, and in reality, it was close to impossible.
But—
Even among such people, there were certainly those who received authority from the Heavenly Demon and became demons.
People collectively called such beings—
Taemain.
The first demons who foolishly succumbed to desire and entered under the Heavenly Demon.
There had always been those who made wrong choices stained by greed.
But had they truly made foolish choices?
Yes. They had.
In the end, the Heavenly Demon was slain by the Divine Sword, and the demonic cult’s Blood Calamity ended in failure, so their choice had clearly been a mistake.
But around the time the Heavenly Demon’s might began to be known, the position of the Taemain was a different matter.
The first demons—
In other words, the first limbs of the Heavenly Demon.
This seemed to hold great meaning even for the Heavenly Demon, for among the countless demons that would spring up later, they were granted the strongest authority.
For example—
Yes.
Mado Cheonheupgong.
That could be given as an example.
The demonic art implanted in my body—even if it had been forced upon me regardless of my will—I had been a demon who fell near the very beginning, so I figured the Heavenly Demon had bestowed such a demonic art for that reason.
And—
The old man before me was also a primordial demon like me.
‘Cheonghae Demon Sword.’
Not long after the Heavenly Demon appeared, I had heard the tale that the Kunlun sect leader had fallen and become a demon.
The fall of a master who had been thought to be on the side of righteousness more than anyone else had been enough to send shockwaves through the righteous faction.
The Kunlun Sect immediately raised one of its elders as the new sect leader and took measures to claim that Cheonghae Ilgeom’s fall was unrelated to them, but the public gaze was far from favorable.
After all, it was none other than Cheonghae Ilgeom who had fallen.
I didn’t know why he had fallen.
By the time I became a demon, achieved rapid growth, and gained some standing, Cheonghae Demon Sword was already dead, beheaded by the Sword Sovereign.
If I had any memory of it, it was that Cheonghae Demon Sword wasn’t particularly steeped in madness for a demon, and—
He had merely felt pity for me, who had become a demon.
That was all.
I roughly knew what martial arts Cheonghae Demon Sword used and how he fought, but it wasn’t important information.
“…I greet the Hall Master.”
“Welcome. You must have had a hard time coming here.”
“Not at all.”
Even as I answered, a cup of tea was already placed before me.
When had he brewed it?
“I saw you roughly ten days ago. This is the second time, is it not?”
“Yes.”
Once when he introduced the first and second-ranked disciples. And once more now.
Cheonghae Demon Sword looked at me and smiled.
“Hohyeop raised his child incredibly well. Truly a prodigy.”
“Thank you.”
“Heh heh!” Cheonghae Ilgeom laughed, seeming pleased.
“Indeed.”
Then, suddenly—
Hoooo….
I felt the dao qi filling the room move.
“You feel it, do you not?”
“Yes. I feel it very well.”
Slowly, yet heavily. The dao qi filling the spacious room was infinitely threatening.
Sweat ran down my back from the tension, enough to soak it.
“Interesting… You feel this. Even my first-class disciples had trouble sensing it.”
“I’m getting rather suffocated. Could you please stop?”
…I can’t even drink tea, you old man.
If this was going to happen, why did you even pour it?
When I spoke carefully, the surrounding dao qi changed to become much gentler.
“My apologies. Curiosity got the better of me, it seems I overdid it.”
“No. It’s fine.”
It wasn’t fine at all, but even I couldn’t bite the Hall Master, so I had to endure.
Why does everyone try to test me whenever they see me these days?
This is why I shouldn’t have shown off.
Just because I strutted around a bit, rumors spread, and every person I meet does something to me.
Would it kill them to just leave me alone?
In this damn world, being ambiguously strong was always a problem.
While suppressing my irritation, Cheonghae Ilgeom spoke.
“Yes, the reason I called you. Do you have any guess?”
“Yes.”
Since I was already coming after hearing from Cheolhwano, there was no way I didn’t know.
When I gave my answer, Cheonghae Ilgeom’s expression grew slightly more serious.
He seemed ready to get to the main point.
“You are at an age where passion burns hot, so I understand living fervently, but your actions were excessive.”
“I apologize.”
“Especially so shortly after entering the hall.”
“ ”
Indeed, at a point when not even a month had passed since Sinryong Hall opened, there likely wasn’t another soul running around causing a ruckus like me.
‘Uh, is this more dangerous than I thought?’
I might actually get expelled at this rate.
Being called directly by the Hall Master had become quite ominous.
Even if it wasn’t against the rules, if it didn’t align with the Hall Master’s thoughts, I could be kicked out.
‘…Tch.’
Ah, is this a bit dangerous?
This wasn’t something I had considered.
What would I do if I got kicked out like this?
‘What would I do? I’d kill him.’
All my plans would go awry.
Unless I hadn’t come at all; now that I was here, I had to proceed as planned.
Should I try kneeling?
Something like that—if necessary, I could do it as much as needed…
“Tsk tsk…!”
While all sorts of thoughts flashed through my mind, Cheonghae Ilgeom laughed upon seeing my expression.
“Your expression is something to behold.”
Damn.
Did I show too much?
While I was worrying about how to broach the subject, Cheonghae Ilgeom continued.
“Do not worry. What you are worried about will not come to pass.”
“Yes?”
“Position demands that I discipline you where discipline is due.”
“ ”
“Thinking that you are young and could not control your overflowing vigor. I intend to let it pass this once.”
“…Thank you.”
Hearing that made my conscience sting quite a bit.
If you added my previous life, my age wasn’t exactly young.
If you thought about it that way, didn’t that just mean I was immature?
‘…Is that right?’
I couldn’t bring myself to deny it.
Seeing my temperament even at this age, it did seem that way.
Still, it was a relief.
Judging by Cheonghae Ilgeom’s reaction, it didn’t seem to be expulsion.
That was enough.
“Originally, showing signs of throwing the entire hall into chaos would be enough for the Hall Master to expel you.”
Gulp.
I swallowed dryly.
“I shall let it pass with my favoritism.”
“Tha… Yes? Favoritism?”
Did I mishear?
This wasn’t a word that should come from the mouth of the Sinryong Hall Master.
“Yes, favoritism.”
Qiu… May I ask what you mean?
“Was it a difficult tale? I mean that I favor you.”
This is a nonsensical story.
When had he ever seen me to say he favors me?
I wasn’t even a Kunlun martial artist.
“…I don’t understand why you would favor me.”
“Do you dislike it even if I give it?”
“That’s not it.”
It’s just—
I’m scared.
How could I not be scared when an old man I barely know says he favors me?
Moreover, I wasn’t even the type old men would dote on.
If someone said they doted on me, it was more a matter for suspicion.
“As I must administer nominal punishment… Yes. Go sweep the floor behind the quarters where you stay.”
“…”
“What an amusing expression. An expression that shows absolutely no understanding.”
“That is correct.”
“If you wish, I can tell you why I do this.”
“Then please tell m—”
“However, the favoritism I just mentioned will be as if it never happened, and the expulsion procedures will…”
“Thank you for liking me. I will do my best to meet your expectations.”
I cut him off before he could finish.
“Quick-witted.”
“Something I hear often.”
Yes, it’s good if he likes me. What else?
What did the reason matter?
Perhaps pleased with my answer, Cheonghae Ilgeom spoke, holding back laughter.
“You do not resemble your father much.”
“…That is the first time I’ve heard that.”
At least in appearance, anyone could tell I was my father’s son.
Cheonghae Ilgeom’s words were something I was hearing for the first time since birth.
“Are you well acquainted with my father?”
“We are not unacquainted.”
Whenever I ran into important figures of sects or great families anywhere, talk of my father often came up.
I knew my father had been active in the Central Plains for a long time, so I had assumed he had some acquaintances, but—
How should I put it?
It felt somewhat deeper than that.
While I was pondering this question, Cheonghae Ilgeom spoke.
“Today, I merely called you out of curiosity regarding the True Dragon of whom rumors are rampant in the Central Plains, so you may take your leave now.”
I tilted my head inwardly at his words.
Is this the end?
It was far more anticlimactic than I expected.
But—
“I shall take my leave now.”
“Yes. Let us meet again next time.”
Without asking anything further, I bowed and quickly moved my steps.
For now, it was enough that things had gone over smoothly compared to the trouble I caused.
Before he could add anything else, running away quickly was the best course.
Squeak.
After hurriedly closing the door and leaving, Cheonghae Ilgeom watched the door Guyangcheon had exited through with pale eyes.
Recalling the face of the young man he had been conversing with only moments ago.
‘He grew up well.’
From the moment he started coming toward the Hall Master’s building—
At the moment the True Dragon’s energy was caught in his qi sense—
Cheonghae Ilgeom had to feel surprise.
Because the energy he sensed was so pure and gentle.
Moreover, not only had the youth sensed his energy upon entering the room, but he had even spoken while feeling it.
‘A child like that should have been in Kunlun.’
If that had been the case, the Kunlun Sect might certainly have become a sect to which the world’s greatest master belonged in the near future.
Was he regretful?
He was regretful.
But he was glad.
‘He does not resemble his father.’
He recalled Hohyeop.
The young hero who had embraced righteousness and chivalry and expressed malice toward the evil faction—
He had been someone who knew no jokes, but his son, appearance aside, didn’t seem to resemble him in personality.
Rather, that was good.
It was better for living in this world.
‘Twice.’
—This is the second time.
What Cheonghae Ilgeom had said about seeing Guyangcheon twice—
That was a lie.
Precisely, this was their third meeting.
However—
It was merely a past not present in Guyangcheon’s memory.
‘He was too young. It couldn’t be helped.’
He was a child who had just started walking while holding his mother’s hand, so it was only natural that Guyangcheon couldn’t remember Cheonghae Ilgeom.
Cheonghae Ilgeom recalled a conversation he had with a certain woman in the past.
—“The Sect Leader’s grace is not something I need.”
—“If there is ever a chance for my child, please look upon him kindly just once… That would be enough.”
It was so very long ago.
The only one who remembered it now was Cheonghae Ilgeom, but even so, he still remembered.
He took another sip of the still-warm tea.
For something brewed with his clumsy hands, the taste wasn’t bad.
I came out of the Hall Master’s office and outside.
“Damn, I’m shaking.”
Feeling the winter wind blow, I finally felt my tension release.
“…I should cut back on causing trouble from now on.”
It was something I had rushed into without looking before or after, but now I had to be more careful.
At least until I finished everything, I needed to endure.
Of course—
‘…Can I?’
It wasn’t something I was confident about.
The plans ahead weren’t exactly small matters either.
It seemed difficult for things to keep passing over so nicely.
“It will work out somehow.”
Since there was no other path to take, worrying was pointless anyway.
First, it was fortunate that I had gotten through this.
‘Just why does he say he favors me?’
I couldn’t fathom Cheonghae Ilgeom’s intentions.
When had he even seen me to say he favors me?
Had I somehow helped the Kunlun Sect without knowing?
‘That’s not it.’
I had no involvement with them in this life.
In my past life, I had beaten up Kunlun martial artists; I had never helped them.
That’s why I was even more clueless.
‘I don’t know. Good is good.’
For now, I had to prioritize something other than Cheonghae Ilgeom.
‘Where is she?’
I was currently looking for Wi Seol-ah.
I had clearly told her to wait outside. Where could she be?
‘Don’t tell me she ran away?’
Lately, Wi Seol-ah seemed to run away whenever she saw me.
Perhaps that was the case.
Of course, if she had run away again this time, I planned to hunt her down at her quarters or wherever, but—
At our age, playing tag like this…
No sooner had I thought that than, fortunately, I was able to find Wi Seol-ah before long.
Wi Seol-ah was crouched in a nearby bush, looking at something.
‘What is she doing?’
Was she watching ants on the ground?
She seemed so focused that she didn’t notice me approaching.
After coming right up behind her—
“Hey, what are you doing here—”
The moment I tried to speak—
‘Huh?’
I discovered something strange about Wi Seol-ah.
Wi Seol-ah was crouching, making incomprehensible hand gestures in the air.
Where her hands moved, an indescribable sense of alienness could be felt.
‘Wait a minute.’
…Could that be?
!
!