Chapter 529 - Just Grip Me Once.
"Ugh... every bone in my body aches..."
Right after finishing training with Paejon, I returned to my quarters with a staggering body.
That damned old man, I don't know how much he made me roll around—my arms and legs are trembling.
["Then you shouldn't have run your mouth so much."]
I had to let out a hollow laugh at Noya's words.
Come to think of it, this damn mouth of mine was the problem. If I hadn't talked back, it probably would've ended quickly.
'... I held back quite a bit, in my own way.'
["You call that holding back...?"]
Noya spoke as if dumbfounded.
At that level, I really held back a lot. Why is he surprised?
'How could I not be upset about not landing a single hit?'
If it couldn't be solved with the Baktu Arts, I had to provoke him with my mouth at least.
Thanks to that, I got hit two or three times when I should've been hit once, but I had to do it to feel relieved inside, so what else could I do?
*Thud, thud.*
"Damn it..."
As I walked, I heard a sound from my bones.
The place where my bone was hit earlier still hurt.
It was only natural since it was a pain that made my whole body ring.
That damned old man, he didn't look like he had any intention of holding back.
'Even so. How can I not even graze him?'
Whatever I tried to do, I was blocked, flipped, and thrown down every time.
If I tried to move my internal energy, he cut it off; if I tried to take a stance, Paejon was already approaching ahead of me.
I could feel a wall.
Beyond mere realm, Paejon made me feel the wall of a martial artist.
Well, he was the one who completed his martial arts and reversed his age.
Making me feel such a wall was only natural, but.
'... Just how am I supposed to solve this?'
It had become quite a problem now.
'Block him?'
The homework Paejon gave me was the problem.
Something I had to obtain before training in the Toapachunmu technique.
If I recall, Paejon said I need to raise my eye for seeing.
He said if I could block Paejon's movements even once using this, the training would end.
It sounded easy.
'It's damn hard.'
When you actually try it, you realize there's no answer.
In a situation where every means is blocked, how can I block rather than dodge or defend?
'Ugh....'
Trying to do this against Paejon was absolutely not easy.
'Since Paejon knows that too, is that why he set the period like that?'
Around when the training ended, Paejon, who was sitting on top of me, said to me:
"It'll take about a year to roughly get the hang of it."
He said this training would take roughly about a year.
Moreover, it's not even finishing the training—it would take a year just to get the hang of it?
Then, does that mean I have to get beaten up like this every day for a year?
'... I'm totally fucked.'
I had to break into a cold sweat imagining the hellish training that would unfold.
[Tsk tsk.]
At this, I heard Noya's laughing voice.
'Don't just laugh. Please help me...?'
["Help? What are you talking about?"]
"I'm talking about raising one's eye. What does it mean?"
I was curious about what Paejon demanded of me.
Noya definitely knew.
After all, Noya had exclaimed in admiration when the training started, so he must know.
[Hmm.]
In response to my question, Noya let out a slight groan as if troubled, then spoke to me.
["I don't think this is something I should advise you on."]
He refused.
It was a rare situation. When I asked Noya something, he had never not told me—he might curse me out, but he always told me.
So rather than feeling bad, questions arose first.
"May I ask the reason?"
["Originally, I was thinking of explaining it a bit. But from what I see, that man's training method seems more suitable for you."]
"...Then shouldn't you tell me more?"
Apart from the training method, I can at least understand the meaning.
That's what I asked with that intention.
To this, Noya's answer wasn't much different from before.
["This training, brat, is only meaningful if you realize it yourself."]
"That's the part I hate the most."
Figure it out yourself.
Find out yourself.
It was something I had heard to the point of sickness in this life.
However, even so, it was hard to argue against.
"Seeing even Noya say this, there must be a meaning."
If both Paejon and Noya came out like this, it truly meant I had to figure it out myself.
While getting beaten up for a whole year, that is.
'Should I just run away?'
That thought crossed my mind naturally.
I know I won't run and can't run, but I just thought about it once.
"Haa."
Letting out a sigh, I entered my quarters.
Time had already turned to night.
Had Father come? Looking around, it seemed he hadn't arrived yet.
'Come to think of it, I didn't see what happened to the Tang Clan.'
Right when the Tang Clan was being completely overturned.
I was busy getting thrown down by Paejon, so I couldn't see the situation.
'... Tch.'
I needed to know how things were progressing to plan my schedule in detail.
'I'll have to ask Murong Hiya later.'
Murong Hiya, who had left as if realizing something.
I felt I should go ask her tomorrow at the latest.
I had to go anyway to treat Murong Hiya's cold qi.
'... But will it be okay to do it now?'
The worrying thing was, since I was in a Shedding state, whether my current flames would have a bad effect on Murong Hiya's body.
This too, I would eventually have to find out by trying directly.
'Hmm...'
Because of the slightest chance, it wasn't easy.
Funny, if it were the past, I would have just done it.
Am I hesitating now because I've grown a bit attached?
'Yeah, that's why I'm hesitating.'
Knowing it makes it feel even shittier.
My baseness and selfishness were truly annoying.
'I need to take care of the things I've started within a few days.'
The Tang Clan matter, of course, and also Tang Deok and Na Hi's matter.
And my position with Shinui.
And organizing the fortuitous encounters I had gained.
There was a lot to do. What was fortunate was:
'My body has been sorted out to some extent.'
My body, which hadn't adapted to my increased internal energy, had improved considerably thanks to the training with Paejon.
If I set a time during the night and cleanly sorted it out once, I could probably reach the desired level.
If that happens.
'I'll have to take the Dokcheondan.'
Absorbing the accumulated Dokcheondan to gain energy.
I had decided to give the White Horse Stone to Shinui, so even if I gave that up, I had to take the Dokcheondan.
Moreover.
'I have to give some to Tang Soyeol too.'
I had to set some aside for Tang Soyeol, who had said she wouldn't use jewels to get stronger. She said she'd solve it herself, but I wanted to give her something.
Even if I had Dokcheondan stashed away, Dokwang wouldn't say anything about it.
What would he say when I'm looking out for his daughter? Surely not.
'Even if he did, I wouldn't care.'
I could just say I already gave them away and had none left.
'For now, I'm tired, so let's rest.'
After getting beaten up for several hours, I was really at my limit now.
I had to lie down on the bed and sleep quickly.
Tomorrow, Dokwang would surely finish his work and deliver word to those staying here.
I predicted it would be a request to leave the Tang Clan soon.
Since such an incident had occurred, it was only natural that staying here would be strange.
This meant there wasn't much time left to stay in the Tang Clan.
'... Since there's nothing left to do, it doesn't matter.'
It bothered me a bit that I couldn't visit Pae Ucheol's main house, but honestly, it wasn't that important, so I could let it go.
Just as I was roughly finishing my thoughts, I was gradually approaching my quarters.
*Woo-woong.*
"...?"
Suddenly, I felt a reaction from my body.
Near my heart?
It was a sensation of clanking as if resonating with some energy.
It felt like it was pointing somewhere.
What is this?
"...Shaah..."
Ttolttoli, who had been in my embrace, poked its head out to check the situation.
What is this guy now.
"Hey, where were you?"
"Shaah?"
"You little... You ran away when I was getting beaten up, when did you sneak back in?"
When I was getting thoroughly beaten by Paejon, it had disappeared without a trace.
When did it get into my embrace?
"Shaah."
Ttolttoli stuck out its tongue and tilted its head as if it couldn't understand what I was saying.
You understand everything and only pretend to be a snake at times like this?
Your master was getting beaten up, and you couldn't even help.
["It takes after you completely."]
'...'
I roughly glossed over Noya's scornful words, grabbed Ttolttoli, and threw it into my room.
"Shaahah-!"
Though Ttolttoli screamed at being suddenly thrown, I closed the door just like that.
"That's your punishment. Stay quiet inside."
Saying that, I turned my steps.
I wanted to lie down and rest right away.
But the energy that kept resonating as if existing here was extremely irksome, so I had no choice.
In the end, I had to move to check it.
The distance wasn't very far.
A small clearing behind the quarters.
It was easy to find—how could I not know when I could feel the energy along with dense fighting spirit?
I landed lightly in the clearing and looked ahead.
"...What are they doing now?"
I saw people suddenly engaging in a martial arts match in the center of the clearing.
*Chaeng-!*
Swords clashed, and a sharp sound rang out.
The air continuously exploded from the friction of internal energy.
Wind kept gusting around from the wind pressure caused by this.
The ones creating this scene were none other than Nangong Biya and Uhyeok.
The two, having created sword auras, clashed fiercely with each other, continuously exchanging sword strikes.
Perhaps because they were quite serious, fierce sword marks were being left in the air.
"There you are."
Hearing the voice, I looked to the side and saw Gwiseon approaching with a smile.
So this guy was here too.
No, why is he still here?
"I was wondering where you'd gone, good of you to find your way here... why is your face like that?"
"My face... don't worry about it."
"No, how could I not worry. It looks similar to last time?"
My cheek, hit by Paejon, was swollen.
It was true that it was better than last time. But it hurt just the same.
Ignoring Gwiseon who was looking at me with a strange expression, I asked.
"What's that, what are they doing all of a sudden?"
Why were they having a match there?
And so fiercely at that.
To this, Gwiseon answered.
"Well, my niece said she had something to check. My disciple is humoring her."
"Something to check?"
At Gwiseon's words, I looked at Nangong Biya.
What was she checking? With this question, I checked Nangong Biya again.
"...Huh?"
Nangong Biya's appearance had changed.
Her white hair had become even whiter, and I could see lightning energy permeating her hair. Not only that.
The energy faintly surrounding her whole body was lightning energy.
The sword in her hand was...
'Nei-a?'
It was Nei-a.
Nei-a was in Nangong Biya's hand, showing off its brilliant blade.
'She can use it.'
Seeing that, I unknowingly became sentimental.
At the end of the match during the day, Nangong Biya had proven that she could use Nei-a.
Thinking back on that, of course she should be able to use Nei-a.
But, the current Nangong Biya herself must have been uncertain whether she could use it or not.
It was just amazing that she had thought of taking it.
How was she so confident?
She couldn't have used such a method if she weren't confident.
*Kiiing-!*
Nei-a wailed.
At this, the lightning energy grew endlessly stronger.
*Kureureung-!*
The sound of thunder came from Nangong Biya's sword.
*Kang-!*
"...!"
As the swords clashed, Uhyeok was sent flying.
'This is Nei-a's power.'
The blade devours internal energy and repels the opponent's attack.
It was something I had felt when using Nei-a.
At this, Uhyeok's expression crumpled.
His swordsmanship was clean, and his Tao energy swelled distinctly as if proving the Sleeping Dragon was a genius, but.
*Kureureureung-!*
He seemed to have difficulty enduring the continuously pouring lightning energy.
Perhaps because of that, Uhyeok gradually began to be pushed back.
And not long after.
"...Well then, I lost."
He had to admit defeat as Nangong Biya's sword reached his neck.
"Not easy. Haha!"
Last time Uhyeok had beaten Nangong Biya, but this time it was the opposite.
Apart from Nangong Biya's continuous growth, it was likely thanks to Nei-a's power.
The amazing thing was that even after losing, the Sleeping Dragon kept smiling as if he didn't care much.
He was originally that kind of guy, so whatever.
'Why does she look like that?'
Nangong Biya actually looked even worse.
*Huuuu...*
Nangong Biya's body slowly returned to normal.
The lightning energy seeped into Nei-a, and she quickly regained her original appearance.
Then Nangong Biya turned her head this way.
Our eyes met.
"...Ah...."
Nangong Biya, having found me, quickly avoided my expression and approached.
'Oops.'
Seeing that, I thought about running away inside.
Because it was still a bit embarrassing to face Nangong Biya.
"...You're here...?"
Approaching as usual, Nangong Biya asked me.
It seemed I was the only one who cared.
"Uh... yeah... uh...."
What is this stupid answer.
Having given such a stupid answer even by my own standards, Nangong Biya widened her eyes and reached her hand toward my face.
"...Your face... why is it like this...?"
"No, I... rolled around a bit during training."
It wasn't wrong. I did roll around. Though it was at someone else's hands.
"..."
"It's fine. Don't worry. It'll heal if I put some saliva on it."
It was a wound that would really heal soon.
Nangong Biya, who had been looking at my face with worried eyes, nodded shortly.
She didn't seem to understand but didn't look like she'd ask further.
And she handed Nei-a, which she had been holding, to Gwiseon.
Receiving Nei-a, Gwiseon asked.
"How is it. Niece, do you like it?"
"..."
Realizing what that meant.
The thing she wanted to check—was it about Nei-a? To see for sure whether she could use it or not?
'She seemed to use it well.'
Since I saw her using Nei-a without any problems. If things went well, Gwiseon might give Nei-a to Nangong Biya.
Then I wouldn't need to ask Gwiseon for Nei-a.
A situation that seemed somewhat convenient.
At this time, Gwiseon spoke to Nangong Biya.
"If you want, I can hand it over to my niece. Though there is a slight problem...."
Oh....
The exact situation I had hoped for. If this happened, I could really let Nangong Biya possess Nei-a faster than in her previous life.
It was a good situation.
While I was thinking that.
"...No... thank you."
Nangong Biya shook her head at Gwiseon's question of whether she liked Nei-a.
"Hmm?"
At this, not only I but also Gwiseon widened his eyes.
"...I don't... need it...."
Nangong Biya's words saying she didn't need Nei-a.
"What do you mean..."
Just as I was about to speak without realizing it.
[...Ahh....]
A voice came from Nei-a.
"...?"
It seemed to be Nangong Myeong's voice.
It was a voice somehow desperate and filled with thirst.
An old man making such a voice gave quite an unpleasant feeling.
I wondered why, but this wasn't even the end.
[...Ahh... pl-please.]
Inside Nei-a, Nangong Myeong spoke to me with an extremely desperate voice.
[M-me....]
What in the world was he trying to say?
The moment I looked at Nei-a with strange eyes.
[P-please just grip me once.]
"...Huh?"
[Please...! Grab me and touch me...!]
"...What?"
At Nangong Myeong's words shouted as if he couldn't hold back, I unknowingly had to step back.
They were words that made me feel like absolute shit.