Chapter 291: Do You Have a Master? (1)

The reason why Sword Master took Shin-ui and Wi Seol-ah to Jangga.

The statement that it was to make Wi Seol-ah human.

‘Does this mean Wi Seol-ah wasn’t human in the first place?’

It’s a story that raises questions.

No matter where I looked.

Wi Seol-ah was indeed human.

Wi Seol-ah said it was to seal the large vessel and power she possessed.

Hearing that, I could understand, to some extent, what that meant.

‘Presence.’

The presence that wasn’t felt from Wi Seol-ah.

Now, it’s clearly being felt.

This must be the difference.

The Wi Seol-ah I encountered after regression.

Was in a state of having no presence or trace at all.

Until she was directly visible before my eyes.

Or until her voice could be heard.

To the point where I wondered if she was even beside me.

‘Does that also connect to what was just said?’

Often.

There are humans who inherently have a faint presence from birth.

This is also considered a talent.

Most assassins, referred to as ‘Amgaek’ (Shadow Guest), possessed this talent.

Among them, someone like the ‘Amwang’ (Shadow King) was said to be born with a killing aura.

He was a figure whose talent as a Shadow Guest reached its peak.

Namgung Bi-ah also possesses such a trait.

Due to her appearance drawing attention, it was practically non-existent.

In that sense, Wi Seol-ah…

‘Was excessive.’

Not just faintly present.

I recall that it was to the point of being non-existent.

Furthermore.

The monstrous strength appearing to be from the body of an ordinary person with no internal energy…

There were several situations that couldn’t be seen as normal for a person.

From my perspective.

‘She’s the Divine Sword of the future, so maybe that’s possible?’

I had passed it off as such.

‘If Wi Seol-ah wasn’t human in the first place…’

No…

If she’s not human, then what the hell is she?

If Wi Seol-ah isn’t human, then what should I consider her to be?

I couldn’t know.

Moreover.

Even if I put aside such talk.

That doesn’t become the reason Sword Master headed to Jangga.

Closing the vessel that every living being would possess.

Leaving aside how that’s even possible.

Even if Wi Seol-ah isn’t human.

The fact that closing it would make her human.

If Shin-ui truly accomplished that, as Wi Seol-ah said.

‘Why did he have to go to Jangga?’

Because it doesn’t provide a reason to go to Jangga, leaving Gugga behind.

Shin-ui was in Gugga.

The reason to unnecessarily head to distant Jangga.

Both in my past life and this current life.

I couldn’t understand this, but.

Hearing the words Wi Seol-ah continued to tell me, I could understand why Sword Master had to head to Jangga.

-…There was a giant rock emitting a blue light inside the room.

A giant rock tinged with blue light.

It wasn’t much of an explanation.

Hearing Wi Seol-ah’s words, something came to mind.

‘Sealing Demon Stone…?’

It was an item I was well acquainted with in my past life.

It was a mystical item used by Zhuge Hyuk, Shin-ui’s grandson and known as the ‘Brain of the Demonic Cult’.

Its effect was similar to formations or barriers.

It was a peculiar item that sealed internal energy and demonic energy within a certain area.

The only person who could exert power there.

In my view, was only Cheonma.

I heard it was installed for the protection of Zhuge Hyuk, who was physically an ordinary person.

‘Was that originally an item owned by Jangga?’

Moreover, I thought its effect was merely to prevent the use of energy.

I didn’t know it could also seal energy.

‘If Shin-ui did it, is that also a form of medical art?’

I couldn’t know.

If Sword Master truly knew that Jangga possessed the Sealing Demon Stone.

And headed there.

The reason for taking Shin-ui as well.

Was that he had to utilize the Sealing Demon Stone and use Shin-ui’s power separately.

Ultimately.

It was to narrow Wi Seol-ah’s vessel and restore her presence and trace.

‘What’s the connection between this and becoming human?’

There are a few cases where one doesn’t perceive the existence of others.

One, as I explained.

Is when talent leans heavily in that direction.

Like how I feel when I see Sword Master.

Or when the difference in cultivation level is so extreme that one cannot perceive the difference.

However, this is merely faint.

It wasn’t a complete lack of presence.

An example that perfectly matches this.

‘Cheonma was like that.’

The number one expert of the Demonic Cult.

The being who dragged the Central Plains to death by unleashing a blood calamity.

Even just Cheonma taking a step would cause the surroundings to be crushed and fall silent, but.

That was when Cheonma actively projected his presence.

The usual Cheonma was different.

If that’s the case.

The statement that Sword Master wanted to make Wi Seol-ah human.

Means that Wi Seol-ah is not a person.

‘She might not be related by blood to Sword Master.’

Is what it means.

Moreover.

The question I always harbored in my heart.

Regarding the relationship between Cheonma and Wi Seol-ah.

There could be another reason.

‘…If there’s a connection, does that mean Cheonma isn’t human either?’

Even though the power seemed inhuman.

I had never actually thought they weren’t human.

‘Then what are they?’

What is Wi Seol-ah?

And what is Cheonma?

If not human.

Aren’t they different from the ‘Outsiders’ species, like the ‘Tal’ species?

‘Bullshit.’

I don’t believe only humans exist in this world.

It’s a world where monsters emerge from the Demonic Mirror Gate.

And I also know that it’s not just ‘monsters’ that appear.

Moreover, even ‘I’ myself.

Was ambiguous to be called human.

‘So, the reason Sword Master headed to Jangga was ultimately because of the Sealing Demon Stone?’

The mystical item I thought Cheonma had discovered and handed over to Zhuge Hyuk.

Was it actually brought from Jangga?

Or perhaps, was there another Sealing Demon Stone?

‘The biggest question is something else.’

The biggest question here.

In my past life and this current life.

If Wi Seol-ah’s life isn’t different.

In the past life, the Divine Sword (Wi Seol-ah) also.

Was in a state where her energy and vessel were sealed.

It might not be the case, but.

The reason I think this is simple.

‘Because the present is closer to the past life.’

The trace and presence of Wi Seol-ah that I felt right now.

Resembled more the sensation I felt when seeing Wi Seol-ah in my past life.

Reducing the energy she originally possessed, reducing it further.

A state where her presence was restored.

Then Wi Seol-ah.

Did she face Cheonma while sealed?

Wi Seol-ah, who wielded a sword even in that state and reached her peak in just a few years.

‘Then if she hadn’t been sealed…’

If she had wielded the sword without sealing her vessel.

What would have happened?

If there was a way to lift the seal on Wi Seol-ah.

Wouldn’t it be easier to stop the blood calamity Cheonma would cause?

Such a thought suddenly crossed my mind, but.

짝.

I erased it by slapping my own cheek as if giving myself a shock.

The efficient method would have been to have Wi Seol-ah wield the sword earlier.

I knew that simply making her stronger than in the past life would suffice.

I needed to realize that I didn’t unnecessarily do so.

Just because there’s a slightly more certain method now.

Rather than killing my resolve now.

I’d rather bite my tongue and die.

Wi Seol-ah had to live Wi Seol-ah’s life.

Not the life of a hero and the Divine Sword.

‘Meanwhile, what was Sword Master thinking, abruptly stopping it?’

It couldn’t be just because his granddaughter’s potential and talent were too outstanding.

Or because many people would pay attention.

There must be some other reason.

Normally.

Even if I were curious, I wouldn’t have investigated because it seemed dangerous.

‘…Should I meet Sword Master?’

If it’s related to Wi Seol-ah.

I have to find out something.

Honestly, I’m too scared to go meet him, though.

This wasn’t the time to be scared of such things.

Perhaps.

It was also something that might be related to Cheonma.

As I stood there blankly, organizing my thoughts.

“…뭐 하고 있어?”

Someone approached and spoke to me.

“…그냥 생각을 좀.”

“너 피나는데?”

“음?”

Hearing that, I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.

A little blood was smeared on it.

It seemed I had slapped my cheek too hard.

And the one who told me this was none other than Peng Ah-hee.

“뭐야, 싸웠어?”

“…그냥 넘어진 거야.”

“그거 싸우고 진 쪽이 하는 변명인데, 누구한테 졌어?”

“왜 보자마자 시비야?”

“시비는 아니고, 장난? 네 표정이 썩어있길래.”

“…”

Peng Ah-hee said that and chuckled.

It was a face I hadn’t seen in about a year.

“너도 입관해?”

To my question, Peng Ah-hee shrugged and said.

“보다시피. 안 하면 집안에서 난리 나니까.”

Indeed.

The Four Great Families were particularly sensitive about the Dragon Gate Hall.

Considering the previous Dragon Master was Peng Woo-jin, Peng Ah-hee couldn’t be left out.

“가 봤자 내가 뭘 할 수 있는 건 아닌데 말이야.”

Among the bloodlines of the Four Great Families.

Peng Ah-hee is the only one who couldn’t join the Six Dragons and Three Peaks and still lacks a proper epithet.

Because of that, she says it nonchalantly.

I knew about the epithet she would gain upon reaching the Blood Calamity in the future.

Even if it wasn’t on the level of Sword Emperor like her older brother.

“열심히 해, 너는 잘 될 거니까.”

At the words casually thrown out, Peng Ah-hee made a strange expression.

What is it, that expression is a bit irritating.

“뭐야…. 왜 그렇게 봐?”

“말이 좀 징그럽네, 지금 나 꼬시는 거야?”

“방금 네 면전에다가 쌍욕 할 뻔했어. 말 조심해.”

“미안한데, 나는 여자 많은 인간은 좀 별로라서. 게다가 우린 이미 끝났잖아.”

“…안 꼬셨다고 이 미친 것아.”

My head is already complicated, and you’re making it ache.

“우린 친구 사이가 딱 적당해. 마음만 받을게.”

“나는 지금 친구 사이도 끝내고 싶은데, 괜찮을까?”

At my words, Peng Ah-hee eventually burst out laughing.

I knew she was joking, but.

Why is she acting like this?

“너 1조 아니냐?”

“맞지, 나 1조야.”

“그럼 너네 조로 좀 꺼져 줄래?”

Did she forget the reason why we were divided into groups?

Why is she provoking me here?

“아직 시작 안 했으니까 괜찮잖아.”

“교관님! 여기 미친 것이…!”

“아! 갈게, 지금 간다고!”

As I was about to call the instructor without hesitation.

Peng Ah-hee urgently blocked me.

Why are you acting so cocky?

“아니…. 별 건 아니고 좀 신경 쓰이는 게 있어서. 말해주려고 했지.”

“뭔데.”

“…너무 이상하게 생각하지는 마, 그냥 감이니까.”

Peng Ah-hee approached me with a slightly subdued expression.

Just as I was about to push her away, thinking she was getting too close.

“신성이란 사람. 뭔가 이상한 것 같아.”

At Peng Ah-hee’s words, I paused.

“…워낙 인성이 좋다고 소문이 나 있기는 한데. 뭔가 찝찝해. 널 보는 눈이 좀 이상했거든.”

“…”

That’s unexpected.

I didn’t know Peng Ah-hee had good intuition.

Let alone coming to tell me this.

Even as she said that, Peng Ah-hee quickly added.

“대충 흘려들어, 내 감일 뿐이니까.”

Since Jang Seon-yeon presented such a polished public image.

Even though saying this might seem strange.

Peng Ah-hee went out of her way to tell me for my sake.

She and I.

Considering we started as rivals, our relationship seems to have ended well.

“…기억해 둘게. 고맙다.”

Saying that, I habitually reached out my hand.

To stroke their hair, like I did with Wi Seol-ah or Tang Soyeol.

It was an action I took unconsciously because her build was similar.

Peng Ah-hee easily caught my hand.

“어허. 마음에도 없는 여자애한테 이런 거 하면 안 되지.”

“…아, 미안 습관적으로.”

“그런 습관이면 좀 고쳐. 너, 거기서 다른 여자가 더 꼬이면. 네 주위의 예쁜 언니들이 칼 뽑아 든다?”

“…”

“아무리 봐도 여자가 꼬일 얼굴은 아니다 싶었는데. 이런 게 문제야 너는.”

“조심할게.”

At my words, Peng Ah-hee let go of my hand and smirked.

As Peng Ah-hee said, I did need to be careful.

The problem was becoming accustomed to it.

“아 참. 그리고.”

“음?”

“너 혹시, 혁 오라버니랑 무슨 일 있었어?”

“…그건 또 누군데.”

“잠룡.”

“음?”

A name that didn’t quite suit Peng Ah-hee popped out.

Why would her name come up there?

“너…그 새…. 아니, 잠룡 소협과 친해?”

“막 친한 건 아니고, 혁 오라버니랑 우리 오라버니랑 일면식이 있어서.”

Zamryong and Peng Woo-jin know each other?

This is something I didn’t know.

‘I’ve never heard Zamryong mention Peng Woo-jin.’

Were they acquainted?

“그래서?”

“아니, 너의 관해서 물어보길래.”

“나에 대해서? 잠룡이?”

“응. 그래서 무슨 일이 있었나 했지.”

Zamryong specifically went to ask Peng Ah-hee?

I wondered what it was…

Ah, there was a reason that came to mind.

“무슨 일이 있기야 했지.”

“무슨 일인데?”

“별 건 아니고.”

I recall when I arrived in Hanam.

“저번에 길거리에서 쌈박질하고 있길래 짜증나서 때려눕혔지.”

“…엄청 별거잖아.”

At my nonchalant words, Peng Ah-hee showed disgust.

No… the lunatics fighting on the street are the problem.

Am I the problem? That’s absurd.

“그럼 그것 때문인가?”

“아니, 그것 때문은 아닌 것 같기는 했는데…. 아무튼 다음에 만나면 물어봐.”

“가게?”

Having finished speaking, Peng Ah-hee walked away without hesitation.

It seemed she really just intended to deliver the news.

“가야지. 너랑 둘이 오래 있었다는 걸 알면, 내 목숨이 조금 위험하거든.”

“뭔 말이래.”

“그런 게 있어. 이 멍청아.”

Peng Ah-hee playfully stuck out her tongue at me.

And then walked briskly towards where the members of Group 1 were gathered.

Watching her retreating figure, I sighed.

‘덕분에 갑갑하던 게 좀 줄은 것 같기는 하네.’

My complicated thoughts seem to have untangled a little.

Peng Ah-hee probably didn’t approach me with that intention.

But I was grateful.

I shook my head vigorously, trying to clear my thoughts.

‘지금은 놓인 일에 집중하자.’

I had already overused a secret technique two days ago.

So using my internal energy isn’t smooth.

‘아직도 단전이 아려.’

Even though I rested and consistently practiced internal energy cultivation.

I haven’t recovered properly.

Ah, of course, even so.

‘There’s no need to use my strength in a place where little kids are playing, though.’

Honestly, I thought maybe I could just get by.

There was one fact I overlooked.

Among these numerous little kids.

There was one real monster hiding besides me.

---

Shortly after the final test for Group 2 began.

“끅….”

“물어볼 게 있소.”

I met the dark pupils, devoid of any light or shadow, of ink-black color.

The hand gripping my neck was heavy, impossible to shake off easily.

“그대.”

A chilling voice entered my ears.

“정체가 무엇이오?”

It was the ‘Paejon’.