The remark that one had wished to transcend the limits of humanity.
Hearing those words, my face became filled with questions.
Because it was difficult to properly grasp what he meant.
“The first step toward that was to tear down and rebuild the vessel. That is the process you are undergoing.”
I had already been feeling it.
That my body was gradually changing. Moreover, that accordingly, changes were occurring in my movements.
Just as Paejon said, an intense transformation accompanied by pain was occurring in my vessel.
So much so that I had even called it an artificial bone-transformation rebirth.
“After that, the second step is the blending of the mental image and the physical body.”
“Mental image and physical body…?”
“If the vessel has been prepared, must you not now fill it completely with mind art?”
“That…”
I recalled the realm of “Transcendence” that Paejon had spoken of before.
He had definitely called it a state where martial arts and the martial artist became one.
If it was the blending of the mental image and physical body, was it different from that?
“If you are thinking of the difference from Transcendence. It is not different.”
“…!”
“Rather, because this was created intentionally with that in mind, it cannot be otherwise. However, because it has been artificially forced upward, its value will be distinctly lower.”
That insufficient with a mere bone-transformation rebirth, one is artificially made to reach a higher realm?
‘How on earth could such a martial art be created?’
Just from hearing the explanation, I felt I could understand why Paejon had called his own martial art one created to surpass the limits of humanity.
In other words, it felt as though this martial art wished to touch the domain of the divine through martial arts.
“Rather, reaching the No-Self Realm itself could, in a way, be called a double-edged sword.”
It was exactly right.
The No-Self Realm might sound nice, but it was nothing more than a state of hyper-concentration. It was no different from losing control of the body.
Moreover, since the flow of inner energy became erratic, if one received an attack wrongly, there was even a risk of all one’s acupoints twisting.
“However, that is precisely why I deem it all the more fitting.”
“What do you mean…?”
“Having entrusted all senses to instinct, I mean that it is rather a state more suited to using martial arts. Furthermore. If you were able to fully control the sensations of that time. Nothing could be better.”
To perfectly control the No-Self state that had been surrendered to instinct.
It was an absurd notion.
There was nothing better for attaining enlightenment, but.
Why else would it be called the No-Self Realm?
It was called the No-Self Realm because it was a state where one forgot oneself and focused solely on martial arts.
‘How are you supposed to control anything in that state?’
By rational thought, I wanted to immediately refute Paejon’s words, but.
On the contrary, I also felt that perhaps it was possible precisely because he was ‘Paejon’.
Moreover.
According to Paejon’s words, the sensation I had experienced meant it was the aftereffect of the Tuapacheonmu.
That lent credibility to what he had just said as well.
‘...So that sensation was.’
The whole world felt hazy on one hand.
Within it, the only thing clear was the movement unfurling outward.
That sensation of flowing in the direction I wanted even without intent.
It was a feeling of considerable ecstasy as a martial artist.
“Your expression has changed.”
“…!”
“I can tell what it feels like, but as I have repeatedly said, do not think impatiently. Even if you do not wish it, since you have become my disciple, you will reach that place.”
“Yes….”
At my answer, Paejon burst into a hearty laugh.
“Did you not once say that you were not particularly talented in martial arts?”
“...”
“Then and now, I am not one to agree much with your words.”
Saying so, Paejon pointed behind me with his hand.
Following the tip of his hand, I turned my gaze.
The wall I had been madly destroying upon reaching the No-Self Realm was visible.
No.
In the place where the wall should have been, a gaping hole was open, and sunlight was streaming in.
“Do not judge yourself lacking. At least when it comes to my martial art, you are outstanding beyond compare.”
Five days.
The result of being cooped up in a cave, staying up through the nights, and immersing myself in training.
In the end, I was able to finish the assignment Paejon had set for me.
Immediately after confirming it, I staggered and collapsed onto the ground.
Because a wave of fatigue crashed over my already exhausted body.
Seeing me on the verge of collapsing at any moment, Paejon spoke.
“Congratulations. Only now can you learn the One Fist.”
It seemed to be something important, but.
For the moment, Paejon’s congratulations did not reach my ears.
Because I only felt like falling over and lying down right now.
I quietly closed my eyes.
Thinking I should rest just a little, and on the verge of falling asleep just like that.
Paejon spoke to me.
“It is about time you departed. Can you afford to collapse like that?”
Hearing those words, my eyes snapped open.
My exhausted body now irrelevant, I hurriedly raised my upper body.
“…Right now…. how much time….”
Come to think of it, I was in no state to be sleeping like this.
If five days had passed and it was now daytime with the sun up.
That meant it was the day of departure for Sichuan.
When I asked urgently, Paejon tilted his head.
“Well? If you run there now, shouldn’t that suffice?”
“…Ah.”
I had to squeeze my eyes shut at Paejon’s words.
Those words meant.
That I would have to go drenched in sweat and dust, in a disheveled mess.
******************
When I hurriedly escaped the cave and arrived at the place I had been told about beforehand.
As expected, everyone else had gathered except me.
Spotting my father from a distance, I paused and asked Paejon.
-…Come to think of it, what happened with the talk with my father?
-Hmm?
-Didn’t you say you met him before?
-Ah.
Hearing my transmitted voice, Paejon finally nodded.
-I met him.
-What happened?
-What do you mean what happened? I simply met him.
-….
Is this something to answer so simply? Looking at Paejon with a dumbfounded expression, he pouted his lips and spoke to me.
-Don’t worry too much. I have properly received your father’s permission.
-Permission?
-Contrary to expectations, he was unbothered.
-….
At those words, I had to harbor doubts. Did he mean Father had permitted me to learn Paejon’s martial art?
-It would have been a bit troublesome if he had refused, so it’s a relief.
-Troublesome?
-Using force would be a bit excessive right now.
-….
At Paejon’s casual remark that he had tried to resolve it by force, my expression crumpled.
What kind of ignorant statement is this….
-Anyway, it is all settled, so don’t worry and just do what you must do.
-…Understood.
It felt rather unsettling, but since Paejon himself said it was fine, I decided to let it go for now.
I didn’t particularly care as long as there were no problems.
What worried me more right now was.
‘What should I do about this mess?’
I was worried about my appearance, which I hadn’t been able to take care of properly due to haste.
Having been unable to wash properly, and drenched in sweat, my condition was far from good.
I had somehow changed clothes, but traces remained, making my outward appearance quite unsightly.
Honestly, I was not one to care much about outward appearance.
But the occasion demanded propriety.
‘…Damn it all.’
To think that damn No-Self Realm would reduce me to this state.
I somehow used my inner energy to hide the smell, but I couldn’t conceal my miserable state.
Approaching with slightly hesitant steps, the gazes of the gathered people turned this way.
Among them, I saw a few unfamiliar faces.
Both were middle-aged men.
The moment I tried to figure out who each was.
“I apologize for being late.”
Paejon, who was beside me, abruptly bowed his head to someone.
It was the unidentified middle-aged man on the left. The middle-aged man who received Paejon’s greeting had trembling eyes.
‘Ah.’
Seeing that, I could tell.
That this man was the Patriarch of the Bi clan.
At that ambiguous reaction, Paejon raised his head and looked at the man.
The man flinched and then forced a smile, speaking to Paejon.
“…Th…at’s right. Be careful next time….”
“Yes, Father.”
Had I not known Biuijin’s true identity, I would have thought it a strange reaction.
But knowing his true identity, the patriarch somehow looked pitiful.
‘What should I even call this?’
To say that Paejon’s current position was the highest existence in the Bi clan was no exaggeration.
To have such a person disguised as his son, and to even have to put on this act.
That man’s heart must not be feeling too well either.
‘Then the other figure.’
If one was the Patriarch of the Bi clan.
Then the other middle-aged man seemed to be the Patriarch of the Pae clan.
‘That’s right. He looks exactly like Pae Ucheol.’
He was a man of intense impression, with an even larger frame than Pae Ucheol, who was already big.
If he was the Patriarch of the Pae clan, he was someone I vaguely knew.
A martial artist who had risen to the ranks of the Hundred Supreme Experts of the Central Plains alongside my father.
While observing such a man, I too bowed my head to my father.
“…I apologize for being late.”
“Very well.”
To my words, Father ended it with a simple, clean response.
I had wondered if he had softened a bit after the last incident, but it seemed Father’s fundamental personality had not changed.
At most, one of Father’s eyebrows twitched slightly as he looked me over.
As expected, it seemed my condition did not look good even in Father’s eyes.
Smiling sheepishly and about to step back slightly.
“Yangcheon.”
“…Yes?”
Lady Mi, who was nearby, abruptly approached and called out to me.
“I had heard that your training was arduous, but this is a place where you meet important figures; your bearing is somewhat lacking.”
“I… apologize.”
At those words, I had to feel somewhat surprised.
Because it was almost the first time Lady Mi had scolded me like this.
Funnily enough.
That scolding was strangely not unpleasant.
The moment I spat out an apology, Lady Mi’s hand grazed my hair.
“Your hair has become quite damaged.”
“Lady Mi… my condition is not good right now, so your hand will get dirty.”
I warned her not to touch me because it was full of dust.
But Lady Mi touched my hair here and there with an unconcerned expression.
She seemed to be trying to fix it into some semblance of order.
But since my condition was so poor, that too would not be easy.
While struggling with my hair, Lady Mi continued to speak to me.
“I will send good medicines through people, so do not skip them and take them.”
“…Yes? Yes….”
“Surely the Patriarch of the Tangmen will treat you generously, but if a problem arises, seek out the Baihua Merchant Guild in Sichuan… and also….”
“...”
Somehow, it felt like her words were growing longer.
A faint weariness began to settle in my father’s eyes as he listened from the side.
Not seeming to care about that, Lady Mi continued.
“…Lastly….”
Those words were quite long.
Was it my imagination that I had already heard the word “lastly” about four times?
“Do not get hurt.”
“...”
“It is fine if you do not keep what I said earlier. But I would be glad if you kept only this.”
Lady Mi’s words strangely seeped into my heart.
“Yes….”
As I answered, a vague feeling made me let out a hollow cough.
What should I call this feeling?
I didn’t really know.
Barely escaping Lady Mi, it was Paejon who approached me.
“Did you finish your conversation well?”
“Ah, yes.”
“Haha. That is a relief.”
Perhaps because there were many people around, Paejon had returned to the manner of speaking that Biuijin originally possessed.
Truly, his tone and expression were as if he had become a completely different person. How could he do that?
As I looked at Paejon with admiring eyes.
Suddenly, before I knew it, my gaze went to the figure standing behind Paejon.
The reason I abruptly directed my gaze toward the attendants was none other than this.
There were several people standing there who appeared to be attendants.
“…?”
Because among those attendants, there was someone my eyes were drawn to.
‘What is this?’
An ordinary-looking man with freckles covering his cheeks.
For some reason, as I looked at him, a strange vibration was felt in my right arm.
Why?
When I was examining him carefully, wondering what he could be to cause this.
-You’re quick to notice.
“…!”
A voice transmitted directly to my ear.
At the voice I heard, I had to forcibly suppress the gasp threatening to burst out.
The thick killing intent in the voice and the subtle feeling in my arm.
It was a sensation I had experienced before.
I had to gulp as I looked at that attendant.
I couldn’t help it.
The true identity of the one wearing the guise of that ordinary attendant.
-Not bad.
The Lord of the Night, the martial artist called the King of Assassins.
It was the Dark King.