Chapter 963: Lost Soul.

I head towards Yawal with Shin Noyasi.

That fact felt strange.

And for good reason.

‘…This old man could actually go…?’

Because I thought Shin Noyasi never left the Hua San Sect.

In fact, even though Hua San Sect’s treatment in Yawal was terrible, Noyasi didn’t step forward.

It might also be that the disciples didn’t bother telling Noyasi about it.

‘I was expecting this.’

Noyasi vaguely understood the situation too. That’s probably why he asked me.

But the fact that he only asked me without going himself…

‘I thought he was in a situation where he couldn’t go.’

It was somewhat incomprehensible that he’s saying he’ll go now.

Then why wasn’t he going until now?

With such questions in mind, I stepped outside my quarters.

As Shin Noyasi and I came out together, Gu Bong looked at Noyasi with a strange expression.

Then Noyasi spoke to Gu Bong.

“I’m going to Yawal for a bit.”

“Yes…? Ah, Sect Leader! What do you mean…!”

Gu Bong’s eyes widened as if horrified.

Judging by his reaction, it was indeed strange for Noyasi to go to Yawal himself.

“Why would you do that…! You should have just ordered me…!”

“It’s fine. This old man is just going for a stroll, so don’t worry about it.”

“But…!”

“Hmph.”

When Shin Noyasi spoke with a frown, Gu Bong finally shut his mouth tight.

“…Then I will accompany you. Please permit me that much.”

As Gu Bong spoke earnestly, Shin Noyasi, hearing this, chuckled and nodded.

“Alright, let’s go out for a bit after a long time.”

Once Noyasi permitted it, Gu Bong finally let out a deep sigh.

Watching that, I narrowed my eyes.

‘What is it.’

What could possibly make him so reluctant.

I was curious, but I didn’t ask for now.

I could tell from his expression. Even if I asked Noyasi, he wouldn’t answer this part.

‘Tsk.’

I clicked my tongue and moved my feet again.

For now, going to Yawal was the priority.

---

Leaving Hua San, I set out on the road to Yawal.

It was a path I had traveled several times before, so I knew it by heart.

This time, leaving that aside, there was one place I needed to head to for a moment.

A vast, open field. In that place was a somewhat messy area.

It was the place where Yarangi and Cheonma had just fought.

“Hmm.”

Seeing it, Noyasi suddenly let out a hum.

“They really fought like savages.”

“…”

To his words, I didn’t speak either, but I agreed inwardly.

“How much must they have scattered to still have residual energy like this.”

Looking at the air, Noyasi let out a hollow laugh. The reason I, and Noyasi, reacted like this was none other than this.

Clearly, although some time had passed since the battle ended, energy remained in the air.

Normally, it should have disappeared long ago.

For this much to remain, just how much must they have unleashed.

‘…Anyway.’

I was dumbfounded. While I had nothing to say about fighting with firepower,

the energy Cheonma left behind was even more absurd.

‘This is like, a level where they didn’t even try to control it.’

There was no pressure, no compression, nothing.

The power of internal energy lay in how much and how quickly the energy circulating in the body was rotated.

From the moment I understood rotation and the pressure that came from it.

My firepower explosively increased.

The reason my power grew stronger as the amount of internal energy increased was also that.

Rotation.

Compression.

Friction.

If these three methods could determine how effectively a martial artist could use their techniques,

‘…This is just…’

the aftermath left by Cheonma didn’t feel like any of that at all.

This means that.

‘They produced such power without using all three.’

Cheonma fought without using the three methods. Simply using the amount of energy and its power.

It’s absurd.

‘Does that even make sense.’

This is no different from preparing arrows meticulously to hit a target, then not using the bow at all and just throwing them with brute force.

How inefficient an act that is.

It’s power that clearly yields no efficiency whatsoever, yet Cheonma was doing it.

Then, indeed.

‘…Was the Cheonma of my past life like this too?’

Was she like that in her past life too?

I thought about it carefully.

I didn’t see Cheonma fighting battles directly that often.

Mostly, I only heard them as victory reports.

They said she killed all Three Saints.

They said she killed another master.

How she led victories across countless battlefields.

I only heard such things.

‘…That’s right? I didn’t really see her fight that many times.’

It’s not that I never saw it.

I caught a glimpse when she killed Mae Hwaseon at Hua San Sect.

Besides that, I didn’t fail to see her fighting battles.

That’s why.

‘She didn’t fight like this back then either.’

Her energy was endless.

She knew how to endlessly apply that vast energy and how to use it strongly.

More than anyone else.

Naturally. If she wasn’t good at these things,

‘there’s no way she could have killed the Three Saints.’

No matter how strong Cheonma was, this was a separate matter.

She was skilled.

The one I saw was like that. Not just skilled, but outstanding in every aspect.

Could a human dare to kill her? She was so strong that the thought of defeat never crossed my mind.

But the current Cheonma was different.

‘Everything is clumsy.’

Even the way she moved her body.

She possessed vast energy but didn’t know how to utilize it.

Is she truly Cheonma?

My perception of her was gradually crumbling.

‘Even though the time when Cheonma properly appears is still years away in the Central Plains where I was,’

Could she truly become the Cheonma I knew in that short time?

It was impossible within the realm of common sense.

Of course, it’s a situation where it’s long past the point of recalling common sense, but.

No matter how I thought about it, this was strange.

‘What the hell is this.’

What could it be? What on earth is that Cheonma?

I couldn’t understand it at all.

Just then.

“So, are you not bringing that girl?”

Shin Noyasi asked about Cheonma.

Hearing that, I bit my lip slightly.

“…Yes. She’s not much use even if I bring her….”

Besides.

‘It’s a bit awkward right now.’

For some reason, it was difficult to face Cheonma. Strangely.

“Anyway, that’s how it is….”

I vaguely stated it. Since I glossed over it without properly explaining the reason,

Shin Noyasi looked at me with a strange face, but I lightly ignored him.

“…Let’s go now.”

I had seen all I needed to see.

In the first place, I didn’t come to see the traces of battle because of Cheonma.

It was for the residual power of Yarangi.

I came to feel that.

‘This isn’t felt either.’

Nothing I actually needed could be felt.

Unlike Cheonma, this meant they controlled their energy masterfully.

‘Sip.’

It was disappointing, but it didn’t matter.

After all.

‘I am confident.’

I already believed Yarangi was the divine sword.

This was just to add certainty to my certainty.

Even without this, my mind wouldn’t change.

“…Let’s go.”

I said it once more. At my words, Noyasi moved his feet.

I moved following him.

Gu Bong was watching me and Shin Noyasi with somewhat worried eyes.

---

After some time, we arrived at Yawal.

As we approached the gate, the scenery was still the same, but I could feel the security had intensified compared to last time.

Just as I was about to pass by, looking at it.

“Ah, right.”

I looked at Noyasi as if I had forgotten.

“Noyasi.”

“Hm?”

“That. What about the ears and tail?”

“Hmm? Ah.”

At my question, Noyasi realized belatedly. Thinking about it, Noyasi had neither ears nor a tail.

“Oh dear, I forgot. I should have stopped by that turtle fellow.”

Noyasi scratched his head as if troubled.

Seeing that, I asked.

“Shall I do it for you?”

“Hm? You’ll do it?”

“I learned that.”

“…What?”

At my words, Noyasi’s eyes narrowed. Does the fact that I learned it not sound believable?

I chuckled and reached out my hand. My hand touched Noyasi’s chest.

And then.

Saaah-!

Not long after, ears and a tail appeared on Noyasi’s head.

“Huh?”

At their form, Noyasi let out a gasp as if surprised.

“Aheya…. When did you learn this.”

“I glanced at it last time and copied it. It wasn’t difficult.”

“…Copied it just by looking?”

“Yes. Why don’t you try it later, Noyasi? It was simple.”

“…Uh. Yeah.”

Noyasi nodded vaguely with a slightly disgusted look at my words.

What is it.

I felt like I was seeing that expression often lately.

Is it my imagination? No. It doesn’t feel like my imagination.

Although this part bothered me a bit.

‘Putting that aside. For some reason, casting spells on Noyasi isn’t difficult.’

Compared to how damn hard it was to cast spells on Cheonma,

casting spells on Noyasi was simple.

What could be the difference? I was curious for a moment, but.

“…Pass.”

Currently, entering the castle was the priority, so I erased it from my mind.

The gatekeeper’s permission was granted.

Although the signs of vigilance were evident, the pass I held made it convenient to break through that vigilance.

It could almost be called an invincible pass.

“…That…”

I felt Gu Bong pause for a moment after seeing my pass. Ah, right.

‘That guy…. He’s the son of that family.’

It was a fact I had momentarily forgotten. Pretending not to notice, I put the pass away and walked.

As we went inside, Noyasi looked around briefly.

“It hasn’t changed much here.”

“…Have you been here before?”

“Of course. What do you take me for.”

Noyasi frowned, looking at me.

“Was the last time ten years ago?”

“…”

Isn’t that too long ago…? Ten years is enough time for several mountains to change.

I shook my head and looked for the way.

‘First.’

Naturally, I’ll go to the Black Family first.

I needed to get information there and wait until night.

Also.

‘Where could Yusa be.’

I have a bit of business with Yusa too. It’s uncertain whether that guy will show up.

My prediction is that he likely will show up, but.

As I said, it was just a prediction.

‘…Let’s go.’

Recalling the plan, I moved my steps towards the Black Family.

My steps were somewhat quick.

I had to get closer to Yarangi and Mother as quickly as possible.

Just as I was about to move, thinking that.

Sssak.

Someone passed by my side.

They were people wrapped in cloth, so their faces couldn’t be seen.

But.

“…!”

The moment they passed my side, my head followed them unconsciously.

It was an action driven by instinct.

“…What?”

I stared in that direction with eyes wide as saucers.

Furthermore, I reached out my hand to grab one, but.

Kwak-!

“Stop.”

A dry hand grasped my wrist.

“Calm down.”

It was Noyasi.

Noyasi stopped me.

“But…!”

“If you don’t want to die here. Stay still. Now is not the time.”

“…”

Shin Noyasi was warning me with an expressionless face.

With the pressure in his voice and the energy felt from his arm, I barely managed to stop my body.

However, my trembling breath hadn’t returned.

‘That was definitely….’

The two people who just passed.

Though their faces weren’t visible, my heart pounded at the glimpse I caught.

‘Mother…?’

Just now.

It felt like Mother had passed me.