Chapter 103: I Have a Master. (1)

…How did you know?

I thought you definitely hadn’t noticed anything about my regression.

Could it be… you were acting…? As if answering my question, Shin Noya spoke.

‘When you were devoured by the beast within your body and fell asleep, I was able to see many things.’

[What does that… ]

‘There was much I couldn’t see, but I also saw things you couldn’t bring yourself to speak of.’

[…]

‘I too have many questions now, but this is not the time to focus on such things. Don’t cause any useless commotion and just feel it.’

If I could have moved my body, I might have collapsed right then and there.

Shin Noya’s words were that shocking.

‘Instead of wavering like that, examine one more thing.’

It was a resolute statement. What could he possibly be seeing or thinking to treat me like this?

Kku-uk.

My dantian twitched.

Even though I tried not to feel it, I felt it vividly. It must feel that way because it’s so different from the methods I used.

Is this the sensation of blooming plum blossoms? It really felt like tiny plum petals were scattering around me.

Something every disciple of the Hua San Sect dreams of.

To have that unfolding within my body felt strange.

‘You are not blooming it.’

Just as I was becoming immersed in the hazy sensation, Shin Noya spoke.

‘If you intend to stop at merely blooming the plum blossoms, it is futile.’

These were the words of a master, not just anyone, who had left their name in the Hua San Sect’s history.

‘If you have bloomed it, then embrace it. The path begins from there.’

Hearing Noya’s words, I could observe a little more. Specifically, how much wind was blowing inside my body. Outwardly, I appeared calm, but inside, a typhoon embracing plum blossoms was raging.

‘Do you understand now why I told Hua San’s disciples to perfect the vessel of their bodies first?’

Even while controlling it perfectly, I could feel energy leaking out.

Is this because of my frail body?

‘I believe you know this too, that the martial arts of the Nine Families are no different.’

Like Shin Noya said, I knew it to some extent.

The end of emitting flames is ultimately to contain the heat. It makes sense when you consider that the Nine Families’ techniques maximize physical abilities by containing heat.

‘Did you really think it required using a lot of internal energy? No. It’s just that much was leaking out.’

My body moved.

It would be more accurate to say I was lifted by the wind rather than holding a sword.

It swayed.

It was surprising how much flexibility my body possessed.

‘Tsk…. To think I have to teach something I couldn’t even teach my own descendants to a wart-like creature like you.’

Despite saying that, my sword path extended forward.

Nalchak moved urgently upon seeing this.

“You…!”

Even having lost an arm, Nalchak’s speed was clearly faster.

But strangely, the sword’s edge was reaching the spot Nalchak was heading towards first.

Swish-! Sweek!

“Kkeuk!”

The tip of the sword sliced Nalchak’s body here and there. The surprisingly accurate sword targeted the tendons in his arms and legs.

However, unlike the fully bloomed plum blossoms of Yeongpung, Shin Noya’s sword only caused fragile petals to fall.

‘Don’t mistake your duty. You’ve bloomed and embraced the plum blossoms, so you are bound to return as a swordsman.’

The cascading plum blossoms are not needed.

One more brilliant leaf is enough.

Shin Noya seemed to be saying just that.

‘Your ignorant method is only possible if your internal energy is like the sea, and its end is clear, isn’t it? You know this yourself.’

In my past life, I had demonic arts, so I never lacked internal energy.

But ultimately, I couldn’t reach the Manseong.

Thinking of that high and wide wall still makes me feel overwhelmed.

‘Therefore, realize it.’

I had barely swung my sword a few times.

It was enough to incapacitate Nalchak, an expert assassin.

The one-armed man, whose tendons were all severed, collapsed on the floor, gazing into the distance with fear.

He must have been superior not only in internal energy reserves but also in speed and strength.

He had been toyed with like a plaything by a single sword.

“Monster…. You… you truly are a monster….”

I understood Nalchak’s words, spoken as if in despair.

I could understand better than anyone.

I didn’t use any more internal energy than necessary.

I even set aside the internal energy I possessed and only used the energy swallowed by the demonic artifact.

I could understand what Noya wanted to show me.

But it was too difficult a story to realize while experiencing it firsthand.

Every single joint ached. It meant there were so many muscles I hadn’t used.

Even considering the difference between a swordsman and a martial artist, it’s no excuse.

It just means I was simply underutilizing my body.

‘Do not cling to internal energy.’

[Are you using such a troublesome method just to teach me that?]

‘What else could I do when you were about to die if I left you alone? Hmph, I went out of my way to help, so don’t grumble without meaning it and at least bow in thanks.’

[…Thank you.]

I expressed my gratitude for Shin Noya’s words.

As he said, he had indeed helped, and he was trying to impart valuable teachings.

Thanks to him, the arrogance I felt from having regressed vanished in an instant.

My previous life’s achievements felt utterly meaningless.

I realized anew now just how far I still had to go.

‘Hmph.’

Shin Noya snorted and approached Nalchak.

Although it was based on teaching, I knew Shin Noya was somewhat angry.

Was it because of the Hua San disciples lying dead around them?

It was more surprising that he remained unswayed and not dominated by emotion amidst them.

“…Kill me.”

Nalchak said in a dry voice.

Nalchak even attempted to flee midway, but every escape route was blocked by the sword path.

Eventually, Nalchak’s eyes lost all hope.

He no longer craved life.

He probably knew that begging wouldn’t help.

“…It’s a shame I won’t be able to tell the Palace Lord about you. Heh heh…. But don’t get cocky; heaven is already on our side!”

“As it has always been, the children of this faction are all out of their minds.”

Fuk-!

As if tired of talking, he plunged the sword into Nalchak’s heart.

It was too insignificant a finish for the death of a peak-level martial artist.

“If I may ask, do you have any complaints about me killing you without torture?”

[It feels a bit strange hearing you speak in that tone with my voice.]

“…There are ways I can withhold my body.”

[I have no complaints.]

In the first place, torturing someone at that level of assassination is nearly impossible.

Even if you targeted pressure points, there would be countless ways to commit suicide, let alone the poison they’d have in their mouths.

Honestly, I was a little disappointed thinking there might be ways to find out, but considering Shin Noya’s feelings, it was right to concede this much.

Shin Noya moved his forearm back and forth, then said with apparent frustration.

“…To think I’m tired just from moving this much; it’s a waste of this body.”

[How much longer will you use it… ]

“Don’t rush me. I’m reaching my limit anyway.”

Saying that, he slowly walked somewhere.

Shin Noya walked towards the place where the disciples’ bodies lay.

As if unbothered by the decay and stench, he calmly knelt and closed his eyes.

I didn’t know what Shin Noya was thinking with his eyes closed, but it must be an emotion I couldn’t comprehend.

Shin Noya, who had been sitting quietly like that, spoke softly.

“It is done now. Just like you, I have many questions for you, but let’s talk about that later.”

… Thump!

My vision returned properly along with a reverberating sensation.

Fortunately, I could move my body again without any major issues.

The sensation of my consciousness being swapped was far more nauseating than I imagined.

“…Noya.”

[Yes.]

Fortunately, it seemed Noya hadn’t disappeared this time.

I moved my body slightly, wondering if there might be a problem, but there were no particular issues.

While relieved about that, I asked bitterly as I surveyed the surroundings.

“Should I take them back to the Hua San Sect?”

I asked this, looking at the corpses.

Shin Noya answered my question without hesitation.

[Don’t meddle unnecessarily. It’s not something you need to take responsibility for, and you know you can’t.]

“…”

As Noya said, I couldn’t take the corpses with me.

Of course, it might be possible if I took the time, but there were too many complexities in explaining the situation.

[That flower, just take that one.]

At Shin Noya’s words, I looked behind me.

Nalchak’s original objective was that flower, wasn’t it?

I slowly approached the flower.

My feet sank into the pool of blood, making a squelching sound.

The bubbling pool of blood was hot, but the temperature couldn’t harm me.

As I got closer, the energy grew stronger.

How on earth could a flower bloom in a pool of blood like this?

“These bastards… what exactly did they cultivate?”

There might be dozens of red flowers in the world, but I had never heard of a flower growing by feeding on blood.

If I had to think of one, there was one thing that came to mind.

“…It must be the Demonic Mirror after all.”

A hellish space where common sense doesn’t apply. If it were a plant from there, it might be understandable.

It’s unlikely for a normal spirit herb to emit such a potent aura.

What I was curious about was what they intended to do with it, where they planned to use it after creating it.

I brought my hand to the plant. Fortunately, no problems occurred, nor did the Demonic Heaven Absorption technique activate.

[You don’t even ask if it’s better to leave it as it is.]

‘Leaving it here…’

Eventually, the Martial Arts Alliance would find it.

There were many reasons why it was entangled here and there, but it wasn’t good for the Martial Arts Alliance to discover it.

Tuduk-!

With a bit of force, the flower was easily pulled out, roots and all.

As the flower was pulled out, the surrounding pool of blood instantly calmed down.

It seemed this flower was the cause of everything.

[Aren’t you afraid?]

“Afraid of what?”

[You touched something unknown, yet you show no fear.]

“…”

The Demonic Mirror, a name and memory that made me sick just imagining it, but also something intimately familiar.

Even so, I acted too carelessly just now.

‘I need to be careful.’

I examined the flower, but aside from being entirely red from petals to roots, it was just an ordinary flower.

If not for the internal energy that made my hand tingle.

With normal spirit herbs, once discovered and pulled from the ground, more than half their spiritual energy dissipates.

Moreover, unlike the leaves, the stem part scatters over time, so it must be consumed immediately.

“This one’s energy isn’t decreasing.”

That’s why it’s more frightening.

I considered burning it if there were problems upon pulling it out, but for now, I put it in my embrace.

I got out of the pool and tidied myself up.

Due to the pool of blood that had reached my ankles, part of my lower garment was stained with it.

The gradually throbbing pain in my body was also an issue.

It was probably because Shin Noya had used the body.

“Is it really okay to just leave it like this?”

[…It’s fine.]

Shin Noya’s three words held so much meaning.

I wanted to at least get rid of that foul pool of blood, but I couldn’t emit enough heat to evaporate it yet.

In the end, there was only the way to leave.

I clasped my hands in prayer for the deceased, and before leaving the cave, I approached Nalchak’s corpse and placed my hand on him.

[What are you doing…?]

Sssseuuu…!

The demonic energy Nalchak possessed was being sucked into my palm.

Looking only at the amount of demonic energy, excluding internal energy, Nalchak had less than Ya-hyeoljeok.

Seeing that, Shin Noya said incredulously.

[You said you didn’t want to do that, so why are you doing this now?]

“It seems you’ve figured out quite a lot.”

It feels like something I haven’t told Noya before.

Even while watching me absorb the demonic energy, Shin Noya didn’t seem particularly surprised.

Just how much could he have seen while I was motionless inside my body?

Furthermore, I couldn’t fathom the intentions of the one who showed me such things.

[This is also why I have so many questions for you later.]

“…I just realized that this isn’t a situation where I can afford to be picky with useless excuses.”

Ultimately, I had to consume demonic energy to calm the one rampaging inside my body, and I had to realize that the era of peace wasn’t long enough to pick and choose methods while making excuses.

Otherwise, I felt like I would lose everything.

It hadn’t been long since I purified the Sword Empress’s demonic energy, yet I had to fill my body with it again as soon as it ended.

Even knowing I had to adapt, I couldn’t help but frown.

In the end, I extracted all the demonic energy from Nalchak’s body before getting up and leaving the cave.

---

By the time I returned to the Hua San Sect, the sun was already rising.

It felt like so much had happened while the moon was out.

My body and mind were exhausted.

I needed to train to not forget the sensation when Shin Noya moved the body instead.

But right now, my mind was exhausted not only from my tired body but also from the sudden influx of information, so I just wanted to rest.

Nalchak, whose breath had ceased, was tossed among the coldly cooling corpses, covered up, and the device was left open, so the Martial Arts Alliance would discover him soon after.

Then things would get noisy again.

[What do you plan to do with the flower? ]

‘Well, considering it’s technically Hua San’s, I’m thinking maybe I should return it.’

Noya’s voice, asking the question, also sounded very tired.

As I mentioned earlier, it seemed he had accumulated more fatigue than expected.

At my words, Noya replied with a sigh.

[Don’t do that.]

That was a strange thing to say.

Considering Noya’s position, I thought he would surely want me to return it.

[In a way, we don’t know how many children might have been sacrificed for that flower.]

‘That’s precisely why we should return it, isn’t it?’

[You have no way to explain how you obtained it, and besides, the current Sect Leader would at best just plant it in the Plum Blossom Pavilion.]

Then what am I supposed to do? Is he telling me to devour it?

[You should devour it instead.]

‘Are you crazy?’

Even if it contained ominous energy, I knew the flower held a considerable amount of demonic power.

Moreover, I could feel how deep and potent the energy was, given that Nalchak called it the ‘original essence’.

But…

[You brat, you speak of having aspirations, yet you still seek justification.]

At Shin Noya’s words, something felt like it hit my head with a thud.

[Don’t use guilt-ridden hypocrisy as an excuse to hesitate. You know better than anyone what constitutes atonement, don’t you?]

“…”

How much of my memories could he possibly have seen to speak like this?

I was too afraid to ask, so my lips wouldn’t open.

Shin Noya… does he know that I destroyed the Hua San Sect in my past life?

[…Rest for now. It wouldn’t look good if anyone saw you in that state.]

“…Yes.”

My forearm, injured by Nalchak, had been roughly bandaged to stop the bleeding, but there was nothing I could do about my legs soaked in the pool.

After washing, I carefully opened the door to get clothes to change into.

“…Hm?”

[Hm?]

Something was stirring inside the room where no one should have been.

The culprit must have thrashed around, as their clothes were disheveled, revealing pale white skin.

“Why is this one sleeping here again?”

The one sleeping while hugging my blanket was Namgung Bi-ah.