Chapter 527 - Just One Hit.
The sky is especially clear today.
Staring up into the empty air, I couldn't help but think so.
I could see the sunset gradually sinking; the sight of the sky staining with colors without a single cloud was truly beautiful.
Breathtakingly beautiful, damn it all.
"Brother. How long are you going to lie there?"
I turned my head slightly at the voice.
It was Paekjon, sitting cross-legged on a rock and looking down at me.
I looked at him and asked.
"Isn't your tone a bit strange...?"
What the hell was that dogshit mixed-up way of talking?
"What is strange about it. Brother."
"..."
No matter how much I pointed it out, Paekjon refused to change his way of speaking.
Does this bastard really think he just needs to tack on "Brother" at the end of every sentence and that's enough?
It was absurd, but I had nothing to say.
"Krrgh..."
Because I had been thoroughly beaten until just moments ago.
That was why I was staring at the sky. I couldn't get up.
When I tried to force my upper body up, every joint in my body screamed in agony.
Using all my strength, I somehow managed to sit up and looked at Paekjon resentfully.
"I told you I was a patient...."
"From the way you were talking earlier, you looked fine to me. Brother."
"... You're planning on keeping that up, aren't you?"
"What do you mean, Brother?"
"..."
This old man seemed to hold a grudge far more than I had expected.
'I went too far.'
Knowing he had spent days running away because he hated losing to me, I had teased him a little too much.
I had forgotten that just because he had agreed to call me Brother didn't mean he had abandoned his pride as my master.
I messed around too much and ended up getting thoroughly beaten under the guise of a spar.
"Krr..."
It hurt more than last time.
There was definitely emotion behind this.
But the reason I couldn't complain was.
"...Isn't it hard for you?"
"What are you talking about, Bro..."
"Please stop that."
I told him to quit it because it felt like I was bowing down to him while he lay flat before me.
Only then did Paekjon snicker and rotate his wrist.
The reason I had asked if he was tired was none other than this:
'My body shouldn't be that soft.'
Getting beaten just now hurt, that was true enough.
But parts of my body where acupoints had been swollen and somewhat blocked now felt refreshingly clear.
Looking at this, I could tell.
That Paekjon hadn't simply been beating me for the sake of it.
This was definitely.
'Chugunggwahyeol.'
It had been the same when I got hit before—Paekjon's strikes usually ended up helping my body.
Because he would strike uncomfortable parts like a ghost, clearing blockages.
So it was all the more astonishing.
'How is this possible?'
Paekjon's current realm was the consummate Pinnacle.
He was someone who could have ascended to the Transformation Realm long ago, but nevertheless, he was still at the Pinnacle.
But with such a level, not only did he perfectly suppress me, who was at the Transformation Realm.
'He even performed Chugunggwahyeol in the middle of fighting.'
And it wasn't even like I had just stood there and taken it.
'...I had struggled desperately.'
I had grit my teeth and rushed in to land at least one hit, but damn it, I couldn't even graze his clothes.
'What's the problem?'
The difference in realm was overwhelmingly in my favor. Not to mention, my speed was faster.
To say nothing of strength, I likely had far more inner qi as well.
Simply put, I should have been dominant in every aspect.
'So the fact that I can't even graze him—is that even possible?'
It was simply absurd.
As I kept thinking about what the problem was.
"It is because your eyes have not developed."
As if he had known what I was thinking all along, Paekjon answered a question I hadn't even asked.
"My eyes?"
"Yes. With eyes so lowly, how can you see and dodge?"
He said my eyes were lowly?
"...Does that mean the reason I cannot reach you, Elder, is also due to the difference in our eyes?"
"That is no different. How can you touch what you cannot see?"
When inner qi harmonizes with the physical body, reaction speed increases.
Along with it, vision becomes wider and clearer, so from the standpoint of one who had ascended to the Transformation Realm, it wasn't right to say my eyes were poor.
But.
'That wasn't what Paekjon meant.'
It couldn't be taken at face value.
Look at him now—after saying that, Paekjon was watching me with an intrigued gaze.
That bastard was testing me right now.
'How annoying. He could just tell me.'
He deliberately spoke in riddles, telling me to figure it out.
That was likely his intention.
'Tch.'
Was this part of the training too?
Even if I didn't like it, I had no room to refute it.
The value of the training Paekjon gave me was that high.
Since I had actually improved incomparably from before in terms of using my body, I had no intention of complaining.
'Eyes so lowly.'
The difference between Paekjon and me.
What was it?
'...He blocks before I make contact. No, I was being blocked even before it began.'
Whether I saw or not didn't matter.
Paekjon had moved first before I even took action.
No matter how fast I was, regardless of that, Paekjon blocked me before the movement even unfolded.
When I thought to kick, Paekjon was already blocking me by striking my thigh.
Countless feints all failed.
The real strikes mixed in between were all blocked.
To break through this, unless I was so fast that Paekjon couldn't react, it would be impossible.
'On the other hand, for Paekjon to be able to read this...'
It wasn't enough that he was predicting all my movements.
Could it be that he was drawing out my follow-up moves in his head as we fought?
Leaving aside how that could be possible with a human brain.
"...Rather than my eyes being lowly, aren't you fighting with your head, not your eyes?"
"Haha."
Hearing my answer, Paekjon burst into laughter.
"What a simple answer."
"I tried my best to come up with that."
"Yes, it was simple but not bad.... You got the right answer. So then, why can't you do it, knowing the answer?"
I frowned at his words.
If knowing it meant I could do it all, I'd be the Paekjon, you bastard.
I held back the urge to say that.
Because the places I'd just been hit still hurt too much to mouth off.
"Judging by your expression, I can tell exactly what you're thinking."
"I was just thinking how respectable you are, Elder."
"What?"
"..."
"Ugh."
Didn't work after all?
As I turned my head away in disappointment, I heard Paekjon click his tongue briefly.
"I have no intention of being disappointed in you for failing at this. In a way, it's only natural."
"...Are you saying that even you had to achieve this through training, Elder?"
"No? I could do it from the very beginning."
"...Huh?"
"If I couldn't even do this, I couldn't go around calling myself a Venerable One. Tsk tsk."
The way he so nonchalantly acknowledged that he was an incredible human being.
It was incredibly obnoxious.
"What I mean is, it's not a problem that you can't do it. Of course, even if you can't do this."
A smile formed at the corners of his eyes.
Whenever Paekjon smiled like that, it sent chills down my spine.
"I will make it so you can. Therefore, there is no problem."
Those were the most terrifying words in the world.
Making you capable no matter what.
It was the same desire I had in my current life—to make things happen—but having someone else try to force it upon me was horrifying.
I asked, hiding my fear.
"...What, are you going to make me use my brain better or something?"
"What a strange thing to say. How could I possibly do that?"
"Huh?"
The very same man who had just said he'd make me capable of it despite my inability.
What was he talking about now?
"If you don't understand this part to begin with, you mustn't try to learn it with your head. It would be a waste of time."
"Then... what am I supposed to do..."
"It's a simple matter. If your head cannot do it."
Swhik—!
"...!"
A fist suddenly shot out. I twisted my body to evade it, but.
Tuk—!
My left foot, which had tried to move half a step back, caught on Paekjon's foot, and my stance crumbled.
My lower body collapsed, and I had to sit down with a thud.
Sitting there unsightly, I stared blankly at Paekjon.
Watching me, Paekjon spoke.
"You simply have to learn it with your body."
My mouth, which had been about to ask what sort of trick this was, clamped shut on its own.
'What?'
The movement just now had been strange.
The problem was, I didn't know what was strange about it.
Was it strange that I had collapsed so easily?
Or if not that, was it strange that I myself failed to grasp Paekjon's movement?
It was an enigmatic feeling. A suffocating frustration that seemed within reach yet slipped away.
[...Oho...]
Amidst it all, I heard Shin Noya's voice, sounding impressed.
Did that mean Paekjon had actually done something?
"As I've been telling you, you have a misconception about yourself."
Paekjon's voice reached me.
"With a vessel like that body, I cannot stand the sight of you looking down on yourself. Why do you see yourself as so worthless?"
"Out of nowhere... what are you talking about, Elder?"
It seemed like a random comment, but it was enough to turn my heart upside down.
And no wonder.
The body I had obtained through regression in extreme conditions was undoubtedly outstanding.
To others, it was a physique worth envying.
Even Paekjon had taken me as his disciple upon seeing it.
But.
'That doesn't mean I'm a genius.'
It might not be strange for Paekjon to misunderstand that, but I knew.
That I was not someone who could be called a genius.
The same was true even now.
I hadn't properly understood what Paekjon had told me in my head.
Looking at that, his words were not something easily understood.
"Seeing how ugly your face has gotten, you must be thinking like a fool again."
Wasn't that a bit too personal? Hearing it, I let out a hollow laugh.
"A-hya."
Paekjon called out to me.
"Whatever judgment you hold of yourself, I am not interested in reality. No matter what, in the end, there is only one thing I wish for you to realize."
"What is that?"
"That ultimately, you will be the one and only successor of me, Paekjon—this old man—and the magnum opus of my life."
"..."
How could a person spout such words so casually?
Paekjon's confidence was simply astounding.
"If you lack confidence, fill it and pile arrogance on top. Then surround it with the ability to take responsibility for it. Even if you cannot do so, it matters not."
Crack.
I saw Paekjon loosening his body as he spoke.
A chilling sensation swept over me at the sight.
I immediately got to my feet and jumped back several steps.
"If you lack something, I will fill it. If you do not know, I will teach you. If you cannot build strength, I will fill that as well. Since I have become your master, I can do at least that much. No, I must."
"...Why are you suddenly like this?"
He seemed much more passionate? Had something happened in the few days I hadn't seen him?
The old man felt somewhat more energized.
And in a very bad way, at that.
Feeling the chill, I rolled my eyes looking for a place to flee.
My instincts were speaking.
That if I was going to run, I had to run now.
Whether he knew that or not, Paekjon continued speaking to me.
Just as I was about to take off and really run.
"Your body seems ready. I said that because I thought we should gradually move on to the next step."
"...!"
At Paekjon's words, my feet stopped on their own.
The next step...
'The Second Form of Tuapacheonmu?'
Right after I had barely learned the First Form last time.
It meant starting training for the next step of Tuapacheonmu.
The problem was.
"...Right now?"
He was going to do that now? I spoke as if bewildered, and Paekjon shook his head.
"Not immediately. Your body seems prepared... but the most important thing has not yet been achieved. You must satisfy this first."
"The important thing is..."
"Did I not say so earlier? You must change your lowly eyes."
"Ah."
The reason I couldn't reach Paekjon, which he had spoken of earlier.
And.
The meaning of the strange sensation I had felt just now.
Was that what he was talking about?
Paekjon said.
That if I didn't understand, he would teach me until I did.
"If you learn this, you will at least look like a proper martial artist, unlike now."
"...Then am I not a martial artist now?"
"Hmm, I'd say you're around the level of a runny-nosed brat who gets into neighborhood scraps."
"Runny-nosed..."
[Hehe, how does he so perfectly say exactly what is in my heart?]
Somehow it felt like those damned old men were ganging up on me to mock me.
It felt like shit in more ways than one.
"If you reach that point, you won't easily get beaten wherever you go. If you get there, I will allow it."
"Allow what?"
"Calling yourself this old man's disciple. That is what I mean to permit."
In answer to my question, Paekjon spoke with a satisfied smile.
Those words meant that I would be acknowledged as Paekjon's true successor.
The successor acknowledged by Paekjon of the Three Venerables.
This was practically no different from having been appointed to the seat of the Martial King in the future, but....
"...I don't really need something like that."
"...?"
It wasn't something I was particularly interested in.
Even if he told me to go around boasting, I wouldn't talk about it anywhere; as if I'd go around telling people just because he permitted me.
'It's not that I'm embarrassed.... I guess I should say it feels slightly shameful to go around showing off.'
I felt something like that.
I am! The disciple of the great Paekjon!
That was the feeling of going around saying such things.
Just imagining it was mortifying.
The cringeworthy thought gave me goosebumps on my arms.
Hiding this, I looked at Paekjon.
I saw his eyebrows twitch slightly.
Was he angry? I quickly made an excuse.
"T-that's not to say I don't need it.... It's just that...."
"...Well. You might not need it. I wasn't telling you to go around announcing it either."
He wasn't angry?
That was a relief.
"Ah, yes. Thank you for understanding—"
Crunch.
"Hmm?"
Hearing something violent from Paekjon's arm, I turned my head.
I saw him clenching and unclenching his fist, loosening his body.
"Elder?"
"I think I explained too little about the training method earlier. Let me tell you a bit more."
"Wait. Please don't come closer. Let's talk right there. Okay?"
"If you say you cannot understand with your head. You must learn with your body. Do you know the fastest way to do so?"
"No. I don't want to kno...!"
Swhiik—! As if not hearing me at all, Paekjon suddenly thrust out his fist.
It was even faster than before.
I barely dodged.
Kwaaang—!
"Krrgh...!"
I thought I had twisted my head to dodge, but somehow, Paekjon's fist was embedded in my solar plexus.
Had it been a feint? I hadn't seen it.
My upper body folded involuntarily.
Paekjon's fist was filled with the divine art of Tuapacheonmu.
My Ganggi shattered, and it entered my body directly.
No matter how careless I had been, I had fortified my Ganggi solidly because I never knew when I'd get hit.
'...He pierced where the Ganggi was weakest.'
How he knew, I didn't know, but he dug into where the Ganggi was most weakly formed and broke through.
That wasn't the end.
Through the opening created as my upper body collapsed.
Paekjon kicked me far away with his foot.
Peong—!
I flew through the air and had to crash into a tree.
"Krr... ugh...."
I couldn't even breathe, coughing and wheezing.
From the attack I had just taken, the inner qi in my body was twisted.
The acupoints that had barely healed were acting up again.
What kind of dogshit situation was this, fixing them only to undo them again?
I looked at Paekjon with a resentful expression. He looked at me with eyes that only smiled.
"You learn by taking hits directly. That is the fastest way."
"...Dammit...."
He was sulking.
That guy was definitely sulking.
Why are all these old men so narrow-minded?
Sweat flowed from the pain, but even so, Paekjon slowly walked toward me and spoke.
"Your instinct is good. Of all the things I see in you, it is what I value second only to your physique."
I forced myself up with strength. It was urgent.
Compared to the distance, his voice sounded much closer.
I moved my body according to my senses.
First, I tried to get away.
Tak.
Blocked.
Damn...! Paekjon had already blocked my escape.
Kkuuk—! My shoulder moved.
Not by my will. It was thanks to Paekjon's strength.
Even though it wasn't something that should be pushed by force, Paekjon pushed it aside nonchalantly.
"However, I have been quite displeased with how much you rely solely on that instinct. This time, I shall tear that apart and fix it."
I exhaled my inner qi.
I tried to exert power from my heart to reveal heat.
Kuuung—!
"Kuk...!"
Paekjon pressed through and cut off my inner qi as it flowed.
The unique destructive power of Tuapacheonmu had scattered my inner qi's flow.
In the moment my body was enveloped by the backlash, Paekjon grabbed my collar and threw me backward.
While flying, I barely managed to employ a falling technique.
While I was barely trying to turn my dizzy vision.
"There is only one condition to finishing the training you will do from now on, you damned disciple."
This time too, Paekjon's voice came from right before my nose.
"Block my attack even once. If you succeed, this training ends."
"...Wha...!"
Just as I was about to shout what the hell that meant, Paekjon's knee was already coming at my face.
I raised my hand to block.
Pwang—!
But I couldn't block it all.
My head shook from the impact.
'Damn this shit...!'
Attacks poured in from everywhere.
In a state where blocking or dodging was barely possible, while I was barely managing to do just that.
Performing all sorts of movements, Paekjon spoke to me.
"Not blocking, not dodging—'stopping' it. Bear that in mind."
That voice rang out especially clearly.
'Damn it all.'
Hearing his words, I grit my teeth.
The training methods were all so sudden and shitty.
That thought crossed my mind while getting beaten.
******************
While Guyangcheon was continuously being beaten by Paekjon.
Gucheolun was watching from afar.
That is, the sight of his son being hit everywhere and rolling on the ground.
Even watching that, Gucheolun's pupils did not waver.
He merely watched with serene eyes.
Then.
"You don't intervene. Why?"
Someone approached Gucheolun's side and asked.
At this, Gucheolun looked at his counterpart. He was not surprised. He had known from the start that this person was coming.
The one who asked was a handsome man with white hair and expressionless eyes.
Gucheolun looked at him and spoke quietly.
"Because there is no reason to intervene."
"Even though your only son is being subjected to that?"
Guyangcheon was one who would one day succeed the position of Clan Head and lead the Gu Clan.
With his son in such a state, there was no reason for Gucheolun to move?
It was a strange thing to say.
"I don't think that's something for you to say, having run all the way here because you were worried about your child."
"..."
At the man's words, Gucheolun's brow furrowed slightly, but it quickly returned to normal as if nothing had happened.
The reason he did not intervene despite his son being subjected to that.
It was a simple reason.
"I have already entrusted that matter to Paekjon-nim. Moreover, I am not foolish enough to interfere in training."
"Hmm, is that so."
The man nodded at Gucheolun's answer.
It wasn't that he understood.
It was simply that since he had said so, there was nothing more to say.
A brief silence passed, and the man decided to ask Gucheolun something else.
"So, why did you call me?"
The reason the man had come here now.
It was because Gucheolun had personally called for Amwang.
To that question, Gucheolun voiced the main reason he had called Amwang.
"There is something I wish to ask you, Elder."
At that question, the white-haired man.
Amwang looked at Gucheolun.
Gucheolun's red eyes looking at Amwang shone increasingly clear.
"Why did you do it."
"What do you mean?"
At Gucheolun's question, Amwang tilted his head slightly.
It was a gesture of not knowing what was being asked.
Thus Gucheolun spoke decisively.
"The letter the Tang Clan Head sent to the Gu Clan. You were the one who intervened in that matter, were you not?"
"..."
A few days ago, the letter from Dokwang that had arrived at the Gu Clan.
The story that Guyangcheon had nearly been poisoned.
Gucheolun was saying that matter was connected to Amwang.
Amwang, hearing this.
"Hmm."
Smiled very rarely and answered thus.
"Still as sharp as ever."
At the same time as his answer, it felt as if the sky had grown a little darker.