After a bout of storm had swept through and evening approached, once the meal was finished as well.
I was placing my hand on Moyong Hui-a’s back inside the completely empty carriage.
Because it had been a while since I needed to send heat into her.
Suuuuu.
Perhaps because it had been so long since I sent heat.
“…Ngh.”
Moyong Hui-a’s back trembled faintly.
I had heard before that the sensation was strange.
Only after sending a considerable amount of energy did I withdraw my hand.
Only once the treatment was fully over did Moyong Hui-a exhale the breath she had been holding.
“Haah….”
Listening to that breath, I spoke.
“A few more times should do it.”
“…It seems so.”
The cold energy felt within Moyong Hui-a had diminished substantially compared to the beginning.
At this rate, it seemed all treatment would be finished within half a year.
‘If that happens.’
Moyong Hui-a would be able to resume training again.
By simple count, it had already been two years.
That was how long Moyong Hui-a had gone without training as a martial artist.
Two years was a considerably long time for a martial artist.
Even when she did anything, it seemed to be only basic physical conditioning.
If we waited any longer, problems would arise in many ways.
‘Though Moyong Hui-a herself doesn’t seem to care much.’
She had never shown much interest in martial arts to begin with, but given that the Moyong Clan was indisputably a martial family, Moyong Hui-a would have to start training again soon.
All the more so to cope with the blood tribulations to come.
Looking at Moyong Hui-a’s back, I decided to ask about something else first.
“That aside… what happened with your aunt?”
“Ah.”
When I asked about Baeknyeongeom, Moyong Hui-a’s expression twisted slightly.
“She said she was my guard?”
How surprised I had been to hear that she had come straight to me claiming to be my guard.
She said she had received permission for it.
No matter what I heard, it was not easy to understand.
To this question, Moyong Hui-a spoke to me as if slightly exhausted.
“I don’t really know either…. My aunt has always been a bit strange… no, a peculiar person. Even the Family Head can’t do anything about her.”
“...”
In other words, what Moyong Hui-a was saying was:
That Baeknyeongeom was someone the family had given up on.
Good heavens….
‘And to think, she received permission.’
When I asked who in the world had given such permission, Baeknyeongeom mentioned Lady Mi.
I had to be surprised once more.
‘Why did Lady Mi suddenly pop up?’
It was surprising enough that Baeknyeongeom and Lady Mi had a connection.
That Lady Mi was the one who had permitted her qualifications to be my guard—it was a strange situation no matter how I looked at it.
Recalling that, a sigh escaped me.
‘Guard my ass….’
By now, I was hardly in a situation that required a guard.
What use was a guard to a martial artist who had reached Hwagyeong?
Unless one held the position of Alliance Leader or Family Head.
Usually, even those who had reached the peak did not take guards around with them.
But a guard while in the state of Hwagyeong, and Baeknyeongeom at that?
With the direct bloodline of the Moyong Clan clearly present, what sense did it make for an expert of the Moyong Clan to act as my guard?
Perhaps seeing my troubled, furrowed face.
Moyong Hui-a carefully spoke to me.
“I’m sorry….”
At that apology, I let out a bitter smile.
“Why are you apologizing? It’s not your fault.”
“Even so….”
Moyong Hui-a’s face, rarely looking truly sorry, felt somewhat cute… no, trivial.
“…It has become a bit annoying. But it’s fine.”
Honestly, it was not fine at all, but I figured it would work out somehow.
I did not know what conversation had passed between her and Lady Mi to bring about this situation, but I thought perhaps I could view it positively that a high-standing expert had volunteered to be my guard.
‘No, I don’t see it positively at all.’
I was trying my best to view it positively.
And there was a reason for that.
‘This is not a situation where I can afford to care about such things.’
There were matters I needed to resolve first before that, so I did not have the leisure to think about Baeknyeongeom for long.
I looked at the moon rising outside the window. Judging by its position, it was about time.
As soon as I realized that, as expected, a voice sounded in my ear as if it had been waiting.
—It is time. Come.
“...”
Hearing the heavy voice, I rose. It was Dark King’s transmission.
At my sudden movement, Moyong Hui-a looked at me with puzzlement.
“Young Master?”
“It’s time to go train, so I’ll be going first.”
“Ah… couldn’t you stay a little longer?”
“Sorry, it’s a bit urgent.”
Leaving behind Moyong Hui-a, who looked at me with disappointment, I exited the carriage and moved quickly.
The destination was the same forest where I had faced Dark King last night.
“…Tch.”
The moment I entered the forest, the same sensation as yesterday swept over me.
My vision darkened and my senses were thrown into disarray in an instant. It was still an irritating sensation.
There was surely the backlash from having reached the state of no-self, but seeing this, it was definitely the aftermath of Dark King’s martial art.
It covers the eyes and darkens the senses. Was it a martial art similar to a formation?
‘Looking at it, the feeling is similar to Jeokcheon.’
It felt somewhat similar to the secret technique of Guga that I used.
Quite similar to the feeling of Jeokcheon, which dominated a certain area with heat.
If there was a difference, it was that Jeokcheon was a power that aided me, while this martial art was a power that hindered the opponent.
“…Huu.”
After arriving at the destination, I exhaled deeply.
Until I came here, I had been repeating the dilemma of whether to stop.
Or whether to just run away, but in the end, I chose to face it.
‘Even if it’s out of stubbornness, I have to try.’
I had to endure, if only out of anger.
What meaning was there in this kind of training that kept a person from sleeping?
Paejon would not have me do this without meaning, but I could not help being angry.
‘If I were anyone else, I would not last a day.’
He was making me experience such vivid death countless times. Were I another person, my mind might have collapsed before a day had passed.
I could not quite understand Paejon, who had chosen such a bizarre training.
If asked why I grumbled so little and persevered despite knowing that.
‘Because there are no other options anyway.’
For now, I had to trust him. If there was even a sliver of possibility.
I had to try as much as I could.
Only then might there be even the slightest bit more hope.
Having thought that far, I stood still and straightened my posture.
Then, I raised my ki perception to its utmost limit.
Opening my eyes, I spoke.
“I ask for your guidance.”
Dark King’s answer did not come, but with those words.
The second day of the Night of Death began.
******************
Time passed like that.
When I opened my eyes, the night had passed and morning had already arrived.
Had it already gotten so late?
Just like yesterday, my sense of time was gradually becoming strange.
“Haah….”
Lying on the ground and looking at the sky, I could see the sun slowly rising.
It seemed I had lost consciousness.
Just how long had I been unconscious?
“…Ssik.”
I did not know about that.
But I remembered at least one thing.
Fifteen.
That was how many times I had died to Dark King this night.
Remembering that it had been nine times the day before, the number had increased.
‘What is the problem?’
Had Dark King gotten angry at me?
Somehow, it seemed more brutal than the day before….
‘…I could not even graze him.’
The important thing was that during those fifteen deaths, I had not even found Dark King, let alone grazed him.
Seeing this, I needed to think differently.
‘There is no chance of winning.’
I realized this was not something to be resolved in a day or two.
I did not know if the problem was the illusion-like martial art that darkened the surroundings.
Leaving that aside, the gap between Dark King and me was simply too vast.
It was all the more problematic because Dark King had not undergone a regression like Paejon.
‘How the hell am I supposed to handle this. Like a damn old man.’
Resentment toward Paejon sprang up naturally. I did not even know what I was supposed to gain here.
Even if I obtained what Paejon wished for.
Would I even be able to reach Dark King?
“Ha.”
I sprang to my feet.
After that, I repeatedly clenched and unclenched my fist, and had to realize a strange feeling.
‘Refreshed.’
Despite staying up all night and experiencing over ten deaths, my body felt refreshed, as if I had slept deeply.
Had my mind snapped from dying so much?
Perhaps that was why my body felt refreshed instead.
“…That cannot be it.”
I immediately denied the thought I had just had myself.
Because I knew. My mind would not break from something like this.
No matter what happened, my mind would not break.
Surely it had been so ever since I returned from the Demon Realm in my previous life.
I looked around.
Dark King, who must have been somewhere, was nowhere to be seen.
Just like yesterday, he had disappeared the moment morning came.
Seeing that, the first thought that came to mind was.
“Shall I eat first?”
It was the thought of filling my stomach first.
******************
It was now the third day since starting the journey to Sacheon.
They said we would depart from the valley we were staying in only in the afternoon.
The waiting period felt quite long. It seemed there was some issue with the transport.
Perhaps that meant they were being that thorough.
On the transport team’s side, even those traveling with them could not approach except for members of the Dang Clan.
They said guarding the vicinity was possible, but getting very close was impossible.
‘They did seem quite on edge.’
For a normal transport, the members of the Dang Clan visibly exuded a sharp vigor.
Was it because it was a request from the Alliance that they were more focused?
Of course, I did not bother asking about this part. There was no need to, and from there on it was the Dang Clan’s domain, so it would be strange for an outsider like me to pry.
I moved my steps while glancing at those Dang Clan martial artists.
‘Where are the kids?’
I was currently looking for the other members of the party.
I could have just eaten alone, but I preferred eating together if possible.
Was it because I had been so busy with one thing or another lately that I wanted to see their faces even at meal times?
‘Could such a trivial reason be right?’
I could not quite understand myself for searching just for that reason.
No other reason came to mind.
I simply did not want to admit it.
I just did not want to admit that simple reason: “I am looking because I want to see them.”
‘Tch.’
I clicked my tongue inwardly and continued looking around.
Usually, around this time, Wi Seol-a would pop out from somewhere and act familiar.
But Wi Seol-a was nowhere to be seen, and neither was Dang Soyeol.
‘What?’
Namgung Bi-a might be sleeping in my carriage or off for a walk somewhere.
But since I could not see the two who usually approached me stealthily even when I was staying still, my brows furrowed slightly.
Because I wondered if something had happened.
It was not just that.
‘Somehow.’
The number of people staying at the campsite seemed relatively empty.
Not only the members of the Pae Clan, but also the members of the Bi Clan that I occasionally saw were nowhere to be seen.
It felt as if they had gathered somewhere.
At this point, I thought I should spread out my ki perception.
‘Ah… what a hassle.’
Having just been through a rough time, I had wanted to let my ki rest a little if possible.
With slight irritation, I spread my ki perception wide.
Then, I immediately sensed the presence of many people at a spot not far from here.
But something was strange about it.
“…This is—”
Not just their presence.
Fierce fighting intent was also caught by my ki perception.
The moment I felt that, I leaped quickly.
Had a battle broken out?
I might have dismissed it if it were only fighting intent.
I could feel faint lightning ki mixed in the air. This was definitely Namgung Bi-a’s energy.
Thud, thud—.
A sound came from within my body.
Following my instincts, my body shifted into a battle stance on its own.
As the distance rapidly narrowed, I could see people gradually gathering in the distance.
I shot my body toward that place.
Boom—!
Without performing any landing technique, I landed as if slamming straight into the ground.
Thudududuk—! Dust scattered in all directions and smoke covered my vision, so I generated wind pressure to clear it away.
Looking in the direction where the fighting intent surged and surveying the situation.
“…What?”
At the center of people surrounding them as if watching a spectacle.
Clang—!
Along with the sound of blades clashing.
Several flashes of light arrived simultaneously.
Within it, ki of different kinds clashed as if fighting for territory.
Namgung Bi-a’s lightning ki did so.
Wi Seol-a’s sword qi did so.
And between them, Dang Soyeol’s poison qi subtly wedging itself in could also be felt.
At first, I wondered what those three were doing.
Were they sparring?
They could be sparring, but what puzzled me was:
Those three energies were not targeting each other but were moving while targeting something else.
Then.
Wi Seol-a’s sword shot out, targeting someone.
The golden qi enveloping the sword tip was especially vivid.
Had Wi Seol-a grown even amidst all this?
The sword qi soaring with graceful curves appeared quite refined, but.
However.
Screech—! Clang—!
“…!”
Her attack was deflected by someone’s swung sword, and eventually Wi Seol-a was sent flying.
Unable to overcome the recoil, the moment Wi Seol-a was about to roll on the ground, Namgung Bi-a appeared and helped with her landing.
“What is that…?”
Watching that, I had to send a bewildered gaze.
It was surprising enough that Wi Seol-a, Namgung Bi-a, and Dang Soyeol were attacking together.
Because I had confirmed the figure moving leisurely while receiving their combined attack.
Receiving Namgung Bi-a’s strange gaze, the woman smiled brightly.
“These pretty girls are better than I thought? This unnie might be a little pleased.”
The identity of the one receiving their combined attack was none other than
Baeknyeongeom, Moyong Biyeon.