Chapter 415: He/It has come. (Revised)

Beomtteok.

The moment I opened my eyes, wham! I shot my upper body upright. Immediately after, I circulated my internal energy to check my physical condition.

Woo-oong– Only after the internal energy that had left my dantian circled my body once with a swish, could I finally exhale the breath I’d been holding.

Haa.

‘Fortunately, there are no problems.’

My body didn’t feel any particular issues.

If I had to nitpick, maybe my head hurts a little?

That’s just the headache I always live with, so it’s fine.

After confirming my condition was stable, I clicked my tongue briefly inwardly. It was because the situation right before was coming back to me.

‘Tsk… At best, I only managed to illuminate the surroundings.’

The situation right before meant unfolding the secret technique, Jeokcheon, to push back the Demon King’s domain.

Jeokcheon is also a type of expanding heat-based domain.

I thought maybe it was worth a shot, so I tried it, but…

In the end, I couldn’t push it back.

It seemed to vibrate, as if barely blocking the Demon King’s domain’s power, but that was all.

What a shame.

As that thought crossed my mind, I let out a chuckle.

‘What a shame, my ass.’

It wasn’t even close to being a situation worth regretting, so why was I feeling regretful?

It’s just baffling why I acted on pointless competitive spirit.

What if I had provoked the Demon King’s mood and something terrible happened?

Maybe I just lost my mind for a moment.

‘This damn temper of mine.’

If there’s anything that doesn’t change even as my cultivation level rises and I get older, I suspect it’s my temper.

Lost in a humorous thought, just as I was about to get up with a slight smile…

“Why are you smiling like you did something right?”

A voice came from in front of me.

I raised my head and looked in the direction the voice came from.

The Demon King stood to the side, arms crossed, and the one who spoke to me was the Pedestal Lord, looking at me as if I were absurd.

Confirming that, I spoke in a calm voice.

“I did well. I did exactly as you told me to, so what’s the problem?”

“Haa…”

Hearing my answer, the Pedestal Lord scowled.

Although I got a little intimidated by his expression, I had to say what I needed to say.

“As you said, I reached the Demon King. What’s the issue?”

The Pedestal Lord, upon hearing this, finally spoke to me in a voice filled with exasperation.

“…You live life constantly on the line, so I put you in there to foster flexible thinking and coping skills. I never expected you to act even more violently.”

“Flexible thinking?”

That statement, rather, made me speechless.

In a situation where I had to die every single day, what kind of flexible coping was there?

“It meant you should look around instead of just charging ahead.”

“Isn’t teaching it in this manner a bit strange?”

“I too didn’t anticipate you breaking through it in this manner.”

How was I supposed to awaken flexible thinking after being tormented by the Demon King for a whole month?

Surely, the Pedestal Lord hoped I would realize something from this training, and…

While I did gain something, when I think about whether it was truly useful training, it doesn’t quite feel that way.

“…I told you to stop violent actions. I didn’t expect you to use an even more violent method…”

“Isn’t it enough as long as I accomplished it, no matter how?”

“Yes… You’re right about that part. It seems I was mistaken.”

I wondered why that old man was admitting his mistake for once.

“Ah-ya, you are a far crazier bastard than I thought. This is an unforeseen mistake on my part.”

“…”

Who is calling whom a crazy bastard now?

It was the most absurd thing I’d heard all year.

I have to be called crazy by that guy? This is truly ridiculous.

Forcing down my bewildered feelings, I asked the Pedestal Lord.

“…So, what now? Since it wasn’t the way you wanted, should we do it again?”

“No, there’s no need. At this point, it’s right for me to give up.”

Give up. The words ‘give up’ from the Pedestal Lord, especially concerning martial arts, struck me as unusual.

“…Is that alright?”

“Once you reach this point, you can’t help but know. That there’s a method suited for you, other than this one.”

“…Mm.”

“I won’t particularly concern myself with this part, so do as you wish.”

Saying that, the Pedestal Lord swallowed his further words.

Should I be happy? About the Pedestal Lord giving up.

‘It doesn’t seem bad.’

He must have judged that there was no need to fix it, hence his decision to give up.

Viewed that way, it’s not a bad thing.

So it means I can just do as I please?

Just as I nodded, thinking that was probably the case…

The Pedestal Lord asked me something else.

“But. How did you know?”

“Know what?”

“That the bat bastard’s technique was different from reality.”

“…Ah.”

The Pedestal Lord wasn’t talking about anything else.

That power the Demon King unleashed.

While it looked like the Demon King merely created a domain with his energy, the reality was different.

On the night I fought desperately against the Demon King, my body was actually asleep.

I don’t know the principle behind it, but the sensations I’d been experiencing felt like a dream.

‘Though I wonder if there are dreams that vivid with pain.’

From my perspective, it was close to a dream.

That was also the reason I kept dying and coming back to life.

If you ask how I knew this…

“…After enduring it for over a month, I vaguely realized it.”

During that time, if you die hundreds of times, you naturally come to understand such things.

After all, a person dying and coming back to life doesn’t make sense.

‘Coming back to the past after dying is possible.’

But this… let’s put that aside.

Dying and coming back to life dozens or hundreds of times like this was impossible in reality.

Furthermore.

‘The fact that the fatigue was minimal.’

When I opened my eyes around sunrise, when training ended, the fact that only mental fatigue remained, not physical, could also be cited as an example.

Seeing that he made me undergo training where I died like that every night, I thought he was truly insane.

Looking at this, it meant that rest was somehow incorporated.

Thinking about that made it even more incomprehensible.

‘What kind of power is that, exactly?’

It felt strange to call it martial arts, and different from a formation array.

The biggest question was.

When exactly did I fall asleep, having been subjected to the Demon King’s power?

Surely something must have happened for me to be affected, but I had no memory of the process.

This meant I was affected so naturally…

‘What could it be?’

No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t figure it out.

What method the Demon King used, and what kind of power it was.

‘That’s probably why it’s even scarier.’

Having experienced it once, I think I understand better now.

That the Demon King is in a place I, at my current level, wouldn’t dare even look at.

I glanced sideways at the Demon King.

If that guy is at this level…

Where are the Three Venerables, including the Pedestal Lord in his prime?

Where is the Heavenly Demon who killed all three Venerables?

And where is the Divine Sword that killed such a Heavenly Demon?

‘…Haha.’

I still have a long way to go.

I realized it anew.

Just how long and arduous the path I intend to take is.

I carefully got up.

It was nearing sunrise, so I planned to prepare for training.

My body is fine.

Unlike the harsh treatment I endured in the world the Demon King created, I had slept soundly in reality.

‘…Of course, the mental fatigue is unavoidable, though.’

I don’t know about my mind, but at least my body felt relaxed.

Moreover.

‘Was it the Pedestal Lord who was loosening my muscles every night?’

Every time I woke up, I was subtly aware of changes in my muscles.

It seemed likely that the Pedestal Lord was performing the ‘Pushing Palace, Passing Acupoints’ technique on me every night.

Because the only person here who would do something like this for me was the Pedestal Lord.

I had felt this even during sparring.

The reason I didn’t express any complaints to the Pedestal Lord, even though he drove me crazy like he was taking out his frustration…

…was because I knew the Pedestal Lord was intentionally channeling his internal energy to strike the acupoints, preventing muscle damage.

Seeing this, it seemed the one who couldn’t sleep at night wasn’t me, but rather the Pedestal Lord.

These were the reasons why I cursed the Pedestal Lord only in my mind but stubbornly followed his orders.

Because he was an old man who was endlessly sincere about raising disciples.

‘Doing this every single day must be taxing even for him.’

‘Pushing Palace, Passing Acupoints’ isn’t an easy technique either.

It’s an action that requires delicate control of internal energy to avoid damaging the opponent’s acupoints.

Even if his body, which had reached the Martial Grandmaster realm, was imperfect, it must have been difficult for the Pedestal Lord, whose body was still at its peak.

Despite that, the Pedestal Lord was infusing energy into my body daily without showing any signs of exhaustion.

Knowing that, how could I possibly slack off on training? I have to keep going until I succeed.

As I got up, the Pedestal Lord also brushed himself off and stood up.

“Your eyes displease me. Were you cursing me in your mind again?”

“This time, it was praise.”

“The word ‘this time’ implies you were cursing me before, doesn’t it?”

“…”

Oops.

I fell right into the old man’s wordplay.

A slight cold sweat trickled down.

Instinctively, I scanned for where to dodge if the Pedestal Lord threw a punch.

Habits are terrifying.

I’ve been beaten so much that I now think about things like this.

Pang-!

“Crazy…!”

I twisted my head to dodge the outstretched fist.

The Pedestal Lord looked at me with surprise.

“Oh… you dodged. You seem to have improved a lot.”

“…What are you doing?”

“Since you looked like you were already expecting me to hit you. I obliged your expectation.”

“…”

Saying it like that, I had nothing to retort.

Because I really was expecting it.

“Anyway.”

“You say ‘anyway’ after trying to hit someone.”

“Then, shall I continue?”

“Please continue what you were saying. I will listen attentively.”

“Hoho, you damn brat…”

The Pedestal Lord chuckled heartily, then quickly turned serious.

Every single one of his expressions was frightening.

Because it was hard to grasp what was genuine.

“Anyway… although it wasn’t the way I hoped, you finished the assignment regardless, so as promised.”

The Pedestal Lord said that and lightly tapped my chest with his fist.

“I will teach you the first form of Tuapa Cheonmu.”

‘Finally.’

At the Pedestal Lord’s words, I let out a sigh of relief inwardly.

Could it be that I can finally learn that damned martial art properly?

“When do we start?”

Given the situation, perhaps training would start in the afternoon?

Learning martial arts from someone else like this is rare for me, so it’s quite novel.

In my past life, the only things I learned were the verses and heart method of the Nine Fiery Wheel Technique.

Otherwise, I learned alone, or occasionally Elder Il would visit and offer advice.

To my question, the Pedestal Lord tilted his head.

“When do we start?”

“Huh?”

“Of course, we start now. What do you mean ‘when’?”

“From now?”

Training starts now? That’s too sudden.

The moment I felt slightly flustered by the Pedestal Lord’s decisiveness…

I saw a strange smile form on his lips.

“Don’t worry, as it’s the first form, it’s not particularly difficult.”

“…Yes.”

That wasn’t exactly what I was worried about.

I just didn’t like that he was starting so abruptly.

Moreover, the Demon King who was beside me had disappeared.

He seemed to be right here just a moment ago?

“You seem displeased. Would you prefer to do it later? I can accommodate if you wish.”

Hearing that, I briefly considered learning slowly from the afternoon, but as the saying goes, strike while the iron is hot.

I decided it would be better to save time.

“No. I’ll start now.”

“I like your answer.”

After hearing my reply, the Pedestal Lord nodded repeatedly.

So, is he going to teach me the forms slowly now?

But…

‘Why isn’t he moving away?’

Contrary to the Pedestal Lord’s words about teaching me, he remained right in front of my face.

He even kept his fist pressed against my chest.

Seeing that, I questioned him.

“Elder?”

“Learning the forms isn’t difficult. I’m confident about that. Among all the forms across the Central Plains, this one is the easiest.”

The Pedestal Lord just kept explaining.

“…This one?”

That was a rather strange statement.

Anyone who has witnessed Tuapa Cheonmu even once would marvel at its complex and flamboyant forms.

Even I, who almost died by the Pedestal Lord’s hand in my past life, knew his martial arts were undeniably something beyond reason.

How could the Pedestal Lord say the first form was simple?

Just as I was pondering that…

The Pedestal Lord spoke to me.

“It’s simple. If you experience it directly with your body, you’ll learn it quickly.”

“Huh?”

“With your guts, you should be able to learn it well.”

…What did I just hear?

“What is th-“

Just as I was about to ask again, thinking I must have misheard…

Woong-!

“…!”

From the fist pressed against me, I felt a familiar internal energy.

It was the aura of the Pedestal Lord’s Tuapa Cheonmu.

At that chilling sensation, I looked at the Pedestal Lord.

“Ah, just a heads-up. Keep your wits about you. Unlike the training with the bat bastard…”

Before the Pedestal Lord could finish speaking, I instinctively twisted my body.

At the same time, I began layering protective energy around my body.

“You might actually die.”

As he finished speaking, the Pedestal Lord’s fist gained power.

A heavy impact spread outwards with vibrations.

Feeling that, I realized.

The nightmare had ended.

Only for hell to be waiting.

---

Around the time Gu Yangcheon began rolling around extensively somewhere in the forest.

Swish-! Swish!

The white-haired woman was alone in a quiet clearing, wielding her sword.

She had moved so intensely that a few strands of hair clung to her sweat-dampened cheeks, but…

…the woman continued to swing her sword as if she didn’t care.

Swish-!

Sword energy imbued with lightning left traces in the air.

Combined with the dawn air, it looked somewhat beautiful, but the movements and emotions contained within the blade were far from it.

Papap-!

The subsequent footwork and swift sword strikes would have elicited admiration from onlookers, but…

…the woman wielding them had eyes full of dissatisfaction.

‘…No.’

Too slow.

That’s how the woman saw her sword.

Moreover.

‘Weak.’

Infinitely weak, even.

Her sword path was seamless, and her footwork was adequate, but…

…the woman couldn’t be satisfied.

‘…With this…’

With mere mediocrity like this, I can’t stand by his side.

Recalling this, Namgung Bi-ah bit her lip.

Soon, even the sword she was thrusting stopped.

“Haa… Haa…”

Her ragged breaths escaped through her lovely lips.

How long had she been moving since the beginning?

She had spent the night gripping her sword, forgetting even sleep.

Yet, the suffocating feeling within Namgung Bi-ah remained unresolved.

The woman who once loved wielding her sword was now gripped by an unknown mental affliction.

‘…’

Feeling a sudden pain, Namgung Bi-ah scowled and checked her hand.

Was it because she was applying too much force?

Her palm was slightly torn.

What should I do?

How on earth can I…

‘…protect that person…?’

Namgung Bi-ah had to furrow her brows deeply as she thought of Gu Yangcheon.

He was precisely the cause of the mental affliction she was experiencing.

Gu Yangcheon seemed endlessly pitiful and precarious.

That’s how Gu Yangcheon appeared to Namgung Bi-ah lately.

Gu Yangcheon, who always acted confidently and without hesitation, was gradually being crushed by something unknown, growing weary.

Even while clearly seeing that. There was nothing she could do.

That weighed heavily on Namgung Bi-ah.

‘I can’t protect anything….’

Around the time the Dark Night Palace Lord attacked the Dragon God Pavilion.

Namgung Bi-ah felt her own weakness.

At that time, Namgung Bi-ah couldn’t do anything.

Only after making Tang Soyeol sacrifice himself could they barely escape the crisis, and…

…I repeatedly had to be saved by him.

In such a situation,

‘What was I…’

What was I, really?

The reason I swung my sword so much was because I wanted to escape the stench of the world, and…

Now, by being by his side, I could escape that stench.

If that’s the case, then now, what is Namgung Bi-ah swinging her sword for?

‘…Because I want to be by his side…’

Namgung Bi-ah found the answer through self-questioning, but…

Something was missing.

However, it was okay not to be convinced herself. That answer was enough for her.

‘I… have to protect him…’

She wanted to protect him, who seemed precarious and unstable.

No matter how outstanding and strong he appeared to others, Gu Yangcheon didn’t seem that way to her.

Gu Yangcheon looked like he wanted to collapse at any moment,

but I could see him forcing himself to endure because he had so much to protect behind him.

Recalling that, Namgung Bi-ah gripped her sword again with her injured hand.

‘…What must I…’

How can I possibly protect him?

It was impossible for someone as weak as herself.

She couldn’t even brush past the Dark Night Palace Lord, let alone the White Lotus Sword, and…

…she was defeated even by the swordmaster known as the Sleeping Dragon.

In this state, who could possibly protect anyone?

Jureureuk.

Blood flowed from the lips Namgung Bi-ah was biting.

It was because she couldn’t stand her own incompetence.

“…I can’t… go on… like this…”

She had to find a way.

A way to become stronger.

And a way to stay by his side and protect him.

She sought it.

Padeudeuk.

She swung her sword once more.

Her body was already exhausted, but Namgung Bi-ah didn’t stop.

At the same time, she recalled.

The conversation she had with her father in Hanam land, a few days before departing for Sichuan.

“‘Your great-grandfather wishes to see you.'”

Before returning to Anhui, Namgung Jin spoke to Namgung Bi-ah.

He said that the Heavenly Venerable, the absolute authority of the Namgung family and one of the Central Plains’ Three Venerables, wished to see Namgung Bi-ah.

“‘As your journey happens to reach Sichuan, he said it’s fortunate.'”

“‘…Why…?'”

To her question of why the Heavenly Venerable considered her trip to Sichuan fortunate…

Namgung Jin replied thus.

“‘As he also has business in Sichuan, go and pay your respects.'”

“‘…'”

Recalling the conversation at the time, Namgung Bi-ah thought.

Perhaps if it were her younger brother, but Namgung Bi-ah had little acquaintance with the Heavenly Venerable.

She thought she might have seen him from afar a few times, but she had met him face-to-face only a handful of times.

However, Namgung Bi-ah had already made up her mind to meet the Heavenly Venerable.

“‘I must become stronger.'”

As the sky of the Namgung family, and a person who reached veneration through this swordsmanship…

She thought that perhaps the Heavenly Venerable might open another path for her.

I will become stronger.

I had to become much stronger.

To protect him, I couldn’t remain at just this level.

Thinking so,

Namgung Bi-ah continued to swing her sword.