Chapter 177: Fragment. (3)

Thinking about the King of Iron and Gold, Yeon Ilcheon.

He was a figure from the early days when the Demonic Realm opened in the Central Plains.

He was the person who rose to the position of Number One Under Heaven, defending against countless calamities.

Also, he was one of the heroes who joined forces with five masters to defend against the Blood Demon’s Blood Calamity and bring an end to the Blood Demon War.

That Yeon Ilcheon.

‘A regressor like me?’

My eyes, widened at Old Man Shin’s words, did not shrink back.

What else could the words about rewinding time mean if not this?

‘So….’

Suddenly, I felt I understood a little about how he could accept it so easily, even when Old Man Shin knew about my regression, or when he showed signs of realizing it to some extent even before that.

‘If he had already experienced this…?’

If he knew someone like that, and his situation was relatively calm… it was understandable regarding Old Man Shin’s reaction.

‘Does that mean there was another regressor besides me?’

I thought it wouldn’t be in this era, but…

If Yeon Ilcheon back then was truly a regressor like Old Man Shin said…

‘How do you know that?’

‘-How else? He told me directly, so I know.’

Even though Old Man Shin answered indifferently, I had to think about various things.

‘…He told you directly…?’

‘-It was what that Ilcheon fellow told me, told us, before the final battle with the Blood Demon.’

‘That he had rewound time.’

‘That this was his second time.’

‘Did you believe him?’

‘-It wasn’t easy to believe, but it wasn’t impossible to believe either.’

‘Why did you think that?’

‘-Because it was a level that couldn’t exist otherwise; rather, listening to it helped me understand.’

‘His majesty that crushed those around him with talent alone.’

‘And the back he showed, defending against all calamities alone.’

‘And the way he acted without hesitation, as if he knew everything.’

At the words Yeon Ilcheon uttered in his final moments, Shin Cheol could find solace.

While I swallowed dryly, Old Man Shin spoke to me as if warning me.

‘-Do not reveal this part to that bald monk fellow.’

I had no intention of revealing it in the first place, but rather, it seemed strange that Old Man Shin brought this up.

‘…Understood.’

But I didn’t bother asking, and just nodded.

Because right now, more than that, my mind was filled with thoughts of another regressor.

‘If the King of Iron and Gold truly regressed.’

‘How, exactly?’

‘How did he regress?’

‘I wondered if perhaps he knew the reason I didn’t know.’

[Is the talk finished?]

While I was thinking about this and that, Cheolyeong spoke.

He seemed to know I was talking with Old Man Shin briefly.

[You’re still quick-witted, aren’t you.]

[As I’ve always said, you, Shin Cheol, are strangely lacking in it, didn’t I say?]

At Cheolyeong’s words, Old Man Shin suddenly let out a series of coughs.

‘…He pretended to be incredibly quick-witted.’

It turns out that old man too seemed to lack much wit.

He cursed only me every day.

[…Cheolyeong.]

[Yes.]

[Are the other fellows too, in a state like yours right now?]

To Old Man Shin’s question, Cheolyeong remained silent again.

Thinking that he couldn’t answer this question either, just as I thought that,

[…This is an answer I can thankfully give.]

With his mouth opening and closing, Cheolyeong continued speaking.

[You seem to be looking for that Ilcheon fellow.]

[Yes, because he might provide an answer.]

[Shin Cheol, I understand your wish, but it won’t be possible.]

Cheolyeong was resolute.

[Because Ilcheon is no longer on this land.]

[…Why?]

[You damned bastard, if you can’t even answer, why did you even talk?]

[Shin Cheol, we simply couldn’t overcome fate.]

[So? You yourself said the Blood Demon dreams of resurrection, after saying it yourself, are you saying you’ll just let go now?]

[I hoped you wouldn’t; didn’t I tell you, that you were the hope.]

Why was I the hope? I was always curious.

Why I had to remain on this land, and what my empty memories truly meant.

Ultimately, what made my steps turn towards Shaolin.

Was because I wanted to know something.

Knowing that, I too headed here without hesitation.

[You guys, we. I don’t know what on earth we dreamed of for this situation to arise.]

Shin Cheol’s voice, unlike before, had become rather calm.

[Even if what we thought went wrong, I thought you weren’t the type to crumble easily from such things.]

[…]

Hundreds of years, did he say he endured alone?

Permeating the body of a demonic beast for hundreds of years.

Unlike Old Man Shin, who was clearly sealed and only now awakened, it was a different life.

If it were me, could I have endured Cheolyeong’s time?

My mind would have broken long ago, and I might have lived like a carp.

[If you’re looking at me, exhausted, with pity, then so be it…]

[Why would I look at you with pity?]

At Shin Cheol’s words, Cheolyeong gapes.

As if not understanding the meaning.

Old Man Shin looked at him and continued speaking.

[Even if I looked down on you and treated you poorly my whole life, I never saw you as pathetic.]

[…That damned flat-nosed bastard?]

[If you were to let go, I would simply take over.]

The words Old Man Shin uttered nonchalantly were truly firm.

[Didn’t we promise to do so?]

[…You.]

[Even if you and I were in opposite positions, would it truly have been different?]

At Old Man Shin’s words, Cheolyeong was silent, just like before.

However, this silence clearly contained an answer.

[If you’re tired and want to rest, then just let you rest.]

[You still haven’t gotten rid of that personality, have you.]

[Still? I am the same as yesterday.]

Strange.

Usually, not even a whiff could be felt of that unique Dao aura.

It could be felt from the current Old Man Shin.

[If you wish to rest, then rest. If you were waiting for me.]

In a much calmer voice, he spoke.

[I’m sorry, it seems I’m quite late.]

The one with no memories offered an apology to his friend.

What he should apologize for, Old Man Shin clearly wouldn’t know.

He spoke the apology.

How could that be?

Though I prided myself on living for quite some time, it was something I couldn’t understand.

‘Is this the difference in capacity?’

‘Is the capacity of a hero who saved the world like this?’

A presence that wasn’t there seemed to have appeared just a little.

[So hurry up and spit out some information, you damned bald monk!]

‘…’

The budding sprout that was rising was immediately trampled.

[Shin Cheol.]

[Yes.]

[Do you intend to stop the Blood Demon?]

[You ask the obvious.]

It was a reaction as if asking something incredibly obvious.

[What we tried to do was that, and if I failed that day, shouldn’t the current me do it?]

It’s really not something to say so nonchalantly.

[Didn’t you say there was no way? That you were the hope…]

[I’m sorry, Cheolyeong.]

‘What is it?’

In the frozen time, a faint plum blossom scent was felt.

The Dao energy in my body, as Old Man Shin calmed down, had subsided.

Where was this coming from?

[If hope is lost, then we just need to regain it.]

[…]

[Haven’t we lived like that? Even though your time has passed, I am still the same.]

[…Shin Cheol.]

The White-scaled Carp’s long whiskers emerged from the lake and pointed at me.

[Perhaps, this child is your hope?]

“No.”

I immediately denied such ridiculous words.

What hope? What damn hope?

As if I wanted to do it the least in the world, I contorted my face.

I’m already busy as hell, why are you trying to give me more work?

However, contrary to my denial, Old Man Shin spoke with a smile.

[It’s roughly similar.]

“What crazy talk is this? Similar in what way?”

[Hey, stop leaving that out.]

“Leave what out? I didn’t even put it in!”

[If you’re going to do something similar anyway, why not do it together?]

“Like asking me to buy vegetables on the way to run an errand, are you speaking?”

Although it was the Blood Demon, whose resurrection was uncertain,

getting involved in this unnecessarily was not something appealing.

Even without this, because of guys like Cheonma and Dokgo Jun, I have a lot to think about.

If the Blood Demon gets involved here too, my head might explode and I’d die.

[Look at this guy? I made a useless fellow somewhat useful by feeding and clothing him, and now…]

“What nonsense are you talking? I grew up fine on my own.”

I guess I didn’t grow up perfectly fine,

In reality, Old Man Shin didn’t feed or clothe me; didn’t he just curse me out all the time?

[He used me whenever he needed me! Now I want to use him a bit too!]

“Why are you making such a fuss, right after waking up from sleeping all day…?”

Ah, if it was going to be like this, I should have just let him keep sleeping.

After the brief moment of gladness upon meeting him, regret came flooding in.

At my reaction, ‘Tsk tsk!’ Old Man Shin chuckled quietly.

[It was a joke.]

It doesn’t seem like it, it really doesn’t seem like it…

As we were bickering briefly like that, Cheolyeong interjected.

[That’s a familiar sight.]

This wasn’t directed at anyone; it was closer to a monologue.

Old Man Shin didn’t bother asking about this remark.

He seemed to already know the answer.

[Shin Cheol.]

[Yes.]

[No matter what I say, you won’t give up, will you.]

[You know that well. In the first place, can you say something to persuade me?]

[…]

From his tightly shut mouth, it seemed no words could come out.

[I am simply doing what must be done. Cheolyeong.]

[Is that truly what we should be doing?]

[Coming from you, whom I thought had reached the highest level of Buddhism, it’s truly nonsensical.]

Suddenly, I felt the touch of someone’s hand on my shoulder.

I shuddered and vigorously shook off my shoulder where I felt the hand. Even if it was a delusion, it felt very unsettling.

[If you’ve decided in your heart that it’s something you must do, then what else could it be but what must be done?]

[…]

Splash.

Following the carp’s movement, the sound was heard, but the frozen world remained unchanged.

Bulyeong, who had been silent for a moment, broke the silence and spoke.

[The Blood Demon cut his flesh and soul and scattered them on this land.]

[What do you mean, scattered? Didn’t you say it was a seal?]

[That was the best option. It was the final measure that Ilcheon fellow chose.]

Cut and scattered?

Even if the flesh is one thing, how can one cut a soul?

[His flesh went to the Demonic Realm, his soul to the East, and countless parts, including his mind, were cut and sent in all directions. Especially, the Blood Demon’s five senses were cut and scattered into the sea.]

Hearing it, I couldn’t understand it at all. That flesh and soul were separated.

Not to mention the mind, but also that the five senses were cut off.

However, the important part was something else.

Perhaps Old Man Shin felt the same way as me; he asked about the doubt.

[…If such a method were possible, how can you be sure the Blood Demon will break the seal?]

It was even questionable if this could be called a seal.

It sounded worse than killing.

To the question, Cheolyeong remained silent.

This meant he couldn’t say.

[…Fine, then can you also tell me how?]

The moment Old Man Shin asked something else, the carp’s long whiskers swiftly brushed past me.

“Hmm…?”

Was it a delusion?

Before I could even feel the subtle sensation, Cheolyeong continued speaking.

[Find that Myung fellow.]

[What? Does that mean there’s a Myung fellow too?!]

‘…If the name is Myung.’

It was a name I had heard from Old Man Shin’s mouth several times.

The Lightning-Breaking Heavenly Sword, Namgung Myung.

In the duel with Namgung Jin, Old Man Shin recalled the movements of the Lightning-Breaking Heavenly Sword and made a comparison.

If I were to evaluate him, he’s an annoying and irritating fellow, but a man with definite talent.

…Is that person too, somewhere right now, in a state like this?

Hwasan was a rock, Shaolin was a carp,

What would Namgung be?

Whatever it was, I wasn’t particularly curious.

[So, finding that Myung fellow is all that’s needed?]

[For now, that’s the wisest answer I can give.]

[It’s not the answer I wanted, but yes. It’s fortunate there’s a way… So Cheolyeong, where is that Myung fellow now?]

To Old Man Shin’s words, Bulyeong said, moving its shimmering tail.

[I don’t know.]

[…Hmm?]

“…?”

What is this nonsense?

[You don’t know…?]

[How would I know that, having lived in this lake for hundreds of years?]

[Then what useful information do you have?! You bald monk!]

[Amitabha… How many times have I said I can’t say even if I know, why can’t you understand and keep causing trouble?]

[Kid, grab that guy and roast him right now.]

“Roast what? How do you roast another sect’s sacred beast?”

[What can’t be roasted! Our household’s sacred beast is easily thrown around for drinking bets.]

“That’s because it’s Hwasan Sect, so maybe…”

[What did you say, you bastard…?]

While Old Man Shin couldn’t contain his indignation and raged, Cheolyeong, knowingly or unknowingly, was looking at me with a subtle gaze.

I suspected he might actually be looking at the Old Man Shin inside me.

[Shin Cheol.]

[Don’t call me politely now, you bald bastard.]

Old Man Shin spoke gruffly, as if angry, but…

…at Cheolyeong’s words that followed, I shut my mouth tightly.

[…It was nice meeting you.]

It wasn’t a delusion.

Clearly, compared to when I first saw him, his scales had become duller.

Perhaps Old Man Shin noticed that; his growling voice lost some of its strength.

[Are you planning to leave?]

Cheolyeong’s voice, which had seemed exhausted for a while.

Recalling the words that it seemed time to let go, Cheolyeong thinking of leaving…

[Leave where?]

[…Huh?]

At the unexpected words, Old Man Shin suddenly blurted out a dumbfounded sound.

[…Weren’t you planning to leave?]

[Where to?]

[Ascension…?]

[Ascension for a Buddhist? What kind of ridiculous talk is that?]

[The atmosphere suggested just that.]

Kekekeke!

Cheolyeong laughed heartily, opening and closing his mouth.

[I intended to go, but I cannot. The chains that bind me seem to be no light matter.]

[Then.]

[However, I think I can rest a bit.]

Tzereok.

My ears reacted to the rough sound.

Immediately looking in the direction of the sound, cracks began to appear in the air.

Was the strange situation that had been frozen finally about to break?

[Child.]

At Cheolyeong’s sudden call, I shifted my gaze.

The scales, which had looked white and elegant, had become somewhat dull, making them close to gray.

‘Is that okay?’

It seemed the White-scaled Carp was no longer that.

[I cannot read the heavenly signs, but according to the years I’ve lived, what I can see has increased a bit.]

Tzereok tzereok.

As Cheolyeong’s words continued, the cracks deepened, and it began to look like it would shatter any moment.

Perhaps it was because the end of this convoluted situation was drawing near.

[Shin Cheol seems to have something he wants from you, but don’t bother worrying about it.]

After making me listen to everything, it was quite a convenient thing to say.

How can I not worry about this?

[This harsh karma ultimately began because of us. It’s not a problem for you to bear.]

While Cheolyeong continued speaking, I asked him.

“May I ask just one thing?”

[Ask away.]

“You said you knew the Blood Demon.”

Perhaps he didn’t expect me to ask about the Blood Demon.

Cheolyeong’s reaction seemed somewhat surprised.

[…Yes, I know well. I know him far too well.]

“About the Blood Demon’s name, perhaps, do you know?”

Why?

I wondered why I was asking such a thing, but…

As I listened to Cheolyeong’s words beside him, I had to unravel the thoughts that had swelled up in my mind.

The bad premonitions I’ve had in my life have never been wrong, not even once.

If this too is a talent, I might belong to the genius category.

Even so, I truly hoped it wouldn’t be this time.

The question I had held back, I could finally ask at the very end.

Originally, I had intended to ask Old Man Shin if he knew his name.

And now, though the question had changed form, the essence was the same.

[Why are you asking that? Isn’t it written in history?]

It was as Cheolyeong said.

History didn’t record the Blood Demon’s name or anything like it.

Only how the five martial artists achieved great deeds, and the peace they gained because of it were recorded.

It was a part I had never found strange, not even for a moment.

“Is this also, perhaps, something you cannot speak of?”

[…What a truly peculiar child. Setting aside the visible talent, the fact that you accepted Shin Cheol, and the way you weren’t surprised seeing me.]

Because I had experienced so many strange situations,

now, something like this, was nothing to be surprised about.

[…The Blood Demon’s name… Yes, I know it.]

Tzereok tzereok tzereok!

In the crumbling sky.

Cheolyeong spoke to me clearly.

[Dokgo Jun.]

At those words, I clenched my fist.

The grinding of my teeth was a bonus.

Damn it, my sense for predicting bad things was creepily outstanding.

See?

[Yes, the Blood Demon Dokgo Jun. That must have been the name.]

It wasn’t wrong this time either,

how outstanding is that?

In a damn annoying way, though.