Chapter 463: Get lost.

Shaaa…. Shaa….

Within my hazy consciousness.

Along with an unknown sound, I feel a sensation of something grabbing my arm and pulling.

Kku-ook.

The sensation of it continuously wrapping around my arm and trying to drag me somewhere finally forced the woman to open her eyes, which she had kept shut.

“…”

My vision slowly opens up at an angle.

Dry, withered branches come into view.

I tried to move my body immediately, but for some reason, it wouldn’t budge.

Am I exhausted?

When I tried to channel strength into my dantian, a sharp pain surged. It seems my energy reserves are depleted.

“Hngh….”

Feeling the pain in my body, Magumhyeo couldn’t help but let out a groan.

I knew instantly why I felt this way.

‘…The backlash….’

The backlash from recklessly using my noe-ah.

That is what is currently filling Magumhyeo’s body.

My muscles were exhausted, and my mental and physical energy was at rock bottom.

I was in a state where I couldn’t move for a while.

“…!”

Nevertheless, Magumhyeo somehow managed to move her head to survey the surroundings.

It was because there was someone I needed to find.

‘…Where…?’

Where is he/she/they?

Magumhyeo kept searching for the person, but for some reason, they were nowhere to be seen.

Where did ‘he’ go?

As Magumhyeo searched for the person with trembling eyes, something was felt on her forearm.

Kku-ook.

A sensation was felt.

Magumhyeo lowered her gaze to examine her arm.

“…?”

Upon checking her arm, Magumhyeo’s eyes registered confusion.

And no wonder, something was wrapped around her arm.

What is this?

Shaaa….

A hissing sound was heard.

From my arm, no less.

Focusing my gaze, I could tell.

Something was wriggling.

Shaaaa…!

It’s a snake.

A snake with red scales….

‘…Blue?’

For a moment, I thought it was entirely red, but upon closer inspection, I could see a blue light gradually rising from its tail end.

No, that’s not the important part, is it?

The important thing is why such a snake is wrapped around my arm.

Not only was it tied, but I could also feel it trying to drag me.

What is its identity?

Shaaaaaa-!

It hissed as if in a hurry, trying to drag me somewhere.

Magumhyeo had to frown at the strange sensation.

What is this thing?

Meanwhile, a peculiar aura emanating from the snake was detected by my senses.

‘It’s not… a snake?’

Only then could Magumhyeo discern the snake’s true identity.

It’s a demonic beast.

It couldn’t just be a snake; I could clearly feel the distinct aura that demonic beasts possess.

Does that mean it’s an attack?

I wondered if the demonic beast intended to attack me, but somehow, that didn’t seem to be the case.

Shaaaa-!

Rather than an attack, it seemed intent on taking me somewhere.

Wondering what its intentions were, just as Magumhyeo was about to slightly furrow her brow at the incomprehensible situation.

Hwaaaak-!

“…!”

Magumhyeo’s gaze shifted somewhere.

The sky.

Boom-boom-boom!

My heart began to pound violently. My body reacted involuntarily to the immense pressure felt from afar.

Magumhyeo’s gaze wavered.

Far away, the clouds parted, and something was appearing in the sky.

‘That’s….’

Light gradually converged on one spot.

A power that felt overwhelmingly vast just by looking at it.

A condensation of enlightenment. Feeling a tingling sensation crawl up my spine, Magumhyeo placed her hand on the ground.

It was to push myself up.

Mind Sword (Shimgeom).

What was gathering in the sky was undoubtedly a Mind Sword.

Moreover, with the subtle noe-gi contained within it, Magumhyeo had to find a way to get up.

The reason my body reacted so strongly was because of that noe-gi.

In this Central Plains, the only one capable of unleashing such noe-gi, besides Magumhyeo, was just one person.

Furthermore, the number of individuals who could manifest a Mind Sword was even smaller.

Knowing that, Magumhyeo had to move.

‘…No.’

If this continues, he will die.

I tried desperately to push myself up with trembling legs.

Just then.

Hwaaaaaaaa-!

Hit by the successive waves of energy, Magumhyeo, who was halfway up, collapsed back down.

“…!”

Magumhyeo looked up at the sky again, shock filling her eyes.

Behind the Mind Sword, presumed to be manifested by Cheonjun.

Three more colossal and distinct Mind Swords had appeared.

T-t-t-tremble.

Magumhyeo realized her fingers had started to tremble.

It must be the warrior’s instinct reacting.

‘…That….’

Looking at Cheonjun’s Mind Sword gave me a sense of hesitation due to its presence, but…

That is different.

This wasn’t the fear or dread I felt now.

Only awe.

The emotion welling up in my chest was definitely awe.

Just by looking, I had an inexplicable sense, as if I could understand the meaning contained within the honed Mind Swords.

My weakened legs couldn’t support me.

What on earth could that be? Magumhyeo was certain it was a feeling she had never experienced before.

Shaaaa-!

Even as I momentarily swayed, distracted by the Mind Swords, the demonic beast binding my arm continued its efforts to drag me.

I wondered where on earth it was trying to take me.

“…Huh?”

Magumhyeo realized, to her surprise, that the direction the demonic beast was pulling her was precisely where the Mind Swords were floating.

Is it trying to drag me there?

Just as I couldn’t fathom what situation was unfolding.

[…Ri…se.]

A voice reached Magumhyeo’s ears.

No, more accurately, it wasn’t a voice heard by the ears. It’s more accurate to say it resonated directly in my head.

[Rise.]

It was the tone of someone Magumhyeo didn’t particularly like.

I usually avoided using my noe-ah if possible precisely because I disliked hearing this voice.

However.

This time, I had to obey.

[Go there immediately.]

This is the first time.

I felt emotion in the voice reaching me.

For some reason, a subtle impatience could be felt in the voice.

I forced myself to stand on my limping legs.

As I pushed myself up, my entire body throbbed and screamed in protest, but Magumhyeo didn’t utter a single cry.

There was something more important than the pain.

“Haa….”

Clinging to a consciousness that felt like it could shatter at any moment.

Magumhyeo walked.

The destination was where the Mind Swords were floating.

Magumhyeo was convinced that the person she was looking for would be there.

---

The Generation of Meteors.

They say this current generation is called that because geniuses as numerous as the stars in the sky were born.

From Shincheol’s perspective, seeing this, it was truly a laughable statement.

The Generation of Meteors and the Generation of Peace… If it brings laughter, it’s surely laughter with multiple meanings.

One was pride that their sacrifices had ultimately brought about the name ‘Generation of Peace’.

The other was the hollow laughter that erupted upon seeing the Generation of Meteors.

Do they know?

That there was also a time, unlike now, called the Generation of War and Ruin, where people struggled amidst misfortune.

Not for any other reason than having to draw swords just to survive.

And a time when they had to wield swords to protect the master-disciple system.

Also, that there was a time when raising one’s cultivation level wasn’t about dreaming of enlightenment or something great, but simply because one had to do so to survive in the world.

To protect something, strength is necessary.

Shincheol’s era was like that, which is why the young Taoist of Mount Hua drew his sword for that purpose.

The fact that one had to carry several Mind Swords on their back just to be treated as a swordsman meant…

It meant that only by reaching that level could one hold something precious within their roots.

Because if they couldn’t, they had to lose it.

Shincheol remembered his childhood vividly.

He remembered the Sect Leader, whose heart was ripped out while protecting a scholar from a Rank-100 demonic beast.

He remembered his senior disciple brother, who lost both eyes protecting Shincheol’s left arm before dying.

He recalled his martial uncle, who gave his lower body to save him from a cliff, throwing the young Shincheol with his arms.

That was the era back then.

If you lack strength, you lose.

If you cannot wield a sword, you lose far too much.

Knowing that, Shincheol wielded his sword and elevated his cultivation.

Isn’t it fortunate?

He had talent. Moreover, he had unwavering conviction.

He held onto his sword with grim determination.

As time flowed by.

One day, Shincheol managed to manifest a Mind Sword.

It was a realm reached by Shincheol, known as the Mount Hua Ghost Sword, who had just passed forty years old.

How did I feel back then?

Was I happy to have manifested a Mind Sword?

Don’t be ridiculous.

I was merely sad.

I was sad that I couldn’t manifest this sooner.

There were so many young sprouts I couldn’t protect, which is why the sorrow was overwhelming.

A Mind Sword was the ultimate technique manifested by containing such feelings.

Therefore.

“It means you have nothing.”

Shincheol looked down on Cheonjun, even while acknowledging him.

Seeing Cheonjun mesmerized by the Mind Sword, Shincheol’s expression turned cold.

“Your sword contains nothing.”

What is contained within Cheonjun’s Mind Sword?

What is his conviction?

In Shincheol’s eyes, Cheonjun seemed far too insignificant to judge.

“Your vessel, filled with desire and yet an empty shell. Does it truly deserve to be called a warrior (Mu-in)?”

Is Cheonjun a warrior?

Yes, he probably is.

For those who achieve and cultivate martial arts (Mu) and advance, they are called warriors.

However.

If I were to add the value of martial arts (Mu) within me to him.

By his standards, Cheonjun was not a warrior.

If I were to treat him as a warrior.

Wouldn’t the heroes who fought alongside me on the battlefield and now lie dead on the ground become insignificant?

The three swords floating in the sky contain Shincheol’s will.

One contains lingering regret for not becoming stronger.

Two contain the aspiration to save the world.

And the third contains the yearning for peace to arrive.

“I do not know.”

Is this world truly righteous? Shincheol could not offer certainty on this matter.

Woo-oo-oong-!

Gwijung cries out.

The accumulated sword intent grows in magnitude.

“Yet, I don’t particularly wish to know.”

Understanding the changed world was solely the task of future generations.

Shincheol’s regret was simply that he couldn’t leave behind a better world.

Kkigigig-!

The Mind Swords moved, aiming at Cheonjun.

The eyes of the plum blossom, which could not be perceived, were still clear.

Under that vast gaze, Cheonjun…

“Haa… Haa…”

Suddenly staggered, he knelt on one knee.

For some reason, his appearance felt much older than before.

The battle had not begun.

The Mind Swords were still merely floating in the air.

Pasasok.

Cheonjun’s Mind Swords slowly began to crumble.

Watching this, Shincheol clicked his tongue briefly.

It was because he knew why such a form appeared.

“How disappointing.”

He was crumbling. Cheonjun had lost his fighting spirit.

He hadn’t even properly exchanged swords yet, yet he was collapsing on his own.

Seeing that, Shincheol couldn’t hide his disappointment.

To crumble the moment he faced a greater wall, could that really be…

‘Myung. Are you truly his descendant?’

Are you truly the descendant of Noecheon Ilgeom Namgung Myung?

I couldn’t believe it.

Out of the five, the one who seemed least likely to disgrace his lineage ended up making such a huge mess.

‘Looks like he completely botched the parenting.’

It was enough to make me laugh hollowly.

He was someone who wanted to protect his clan so badly.

How could things have turned out like this?

‘…’

I felt a complex mix of emotions.

Hoooong-!

Shincheol’s Mind Swords, which had been floating in the air, also slowly dispersed.

They were erasing their traces because their role was finished.

In the first place, Shincheol hadn’t intended to fight and win against Cheonjun.

While the power granted by the Mind Swords was great, it was a bit too much to catch up to the realm Cheonjun had achieved and finish him off with just that.

Besides, killing the descendant of a close friend was inherently an awkward matter.

Of course….

‘If that rascal Myung knew, he might have killed them all himself.’

Considering Noecheon Ilgeom’s personality, it might very well have happened, but…

Simply put, even if that were the case, it wasn’t Shincheol’s role to carry it out.

Seureureuk.

The power of Gwijung held in my hand dissipated, returning to its form as Cheon.

Cheon, as if possessing its own will, slowly crawled back to my left arm, quickly binding itself and transforming back into bandages.

I could see the life draining from Cheonjun’s eyes.

For a warrior who has lost their will, that is akin to death.

Though not dead as a human, they are no different from being dead as a warrior.

‘Just for something like this.’

At most, I merely showed him a higher wall.

To collapse exhausted from that alone.

‘…I cannot comprehend.’

The more I see, the less I understand the situation.

There’s much talk about how this is an era of peace, but…

This level is just too low, far too low.

Looking at Cheonjun, the question Shincheol had been constantly pondering grew even larger.

Why are the warriors of this era so weak?

How can they be so different from the era I lived in?

I don’t know.

Could it truly be because it’s not an era of war?

That can’t be it.

Even so, such a disparity is strange.

It’s the same even when looking at the later generation disciples called the Generation of Meteors.

Compared to Shincheol’s time, the difference in the later generation disciples was clearly higher now, but…

When compared to the peak warriors called elites, their quality felt significantly inferior.

I don’t know if it’s just Cheonjun, but…

It didn’t make sense that someone called the ‘Beyond Heaven’ and one of the Three Great Masters of the Central Plains could only manifest a single Mind Sword.

Could it be because he was mixed with a mind demon (sim-ma)?

If not, what other reason could there be?

Shincheol couldn’t know.

‘I don’t know…. Ilcheon. What exactly did you dream of?’

The memory of my blond-haired friend, who vowed to lead the charge in saving the world, made my heart sink coldly.

“…You…”

Amidst the silence, as a cool breeze blew.

Cheonjun’s weak voice drifted in.

The gentleman who had seemed noble had, in a short time, degenerated into a powerless old man.

“…What… exactly… is your identity…?”

The words were uttered as if staggering.

To the question, laden with multiple meanings, Shincheol nodded.

My identity?

“Identity…”

I’ve often heard such words since long ago, but…

Each time, Shincheol’s answer was the same.

“A warrior (Mu-in).”

“…”

“I am merely a warrior.”

An answer without the slightest waver.

In Shincheol’s view, he was just one warrior.

Nothing more, nothing less.

Hearing this, Cheonjun’s head dropped.

That firm answer was as if…

It implied that Cheonjun himself was not a warrior.

This made it so that Cheonjun himself couldn’t refute it.

Cheonjun, blankly staring at the floor.

Watching him, Shincheol sighed inwardly and rubbed his chest.

I had only intended to buy time or block him.

Things somehow got complicated.

It turned out well, but the important thing is, ultimately…

‘Are you doing well?’

Because it was that wretched fellow, eyes closed, inside.

‘Tsk. Since this old geezer went to such lengths, if you don’t do properly, I’ll smack your butt this time.’

I’ll beat you until you’re bright red, thoroughly.

So, if you don’t want that.

‘Hurry up and open your eyes. You rotten bastard.’

Thinking thus, Shincheol closed his eyes for a moment.

---

Around the time all that was happening.

Ppogeul-.

A single bubble rose and popped briefly on the water’s surface.

Following the traces rising little by little, I delved deeper.

A vast, seemingly endless space was filled with water.

It was deep and wide. Strangely, no other life forms were visible.

Of course, it wasn’t that there were no life forms at all.

At the center of this place, so quiet it felt suffocating, floated a single figure, seemingly asleep.

The young man’s face was slightly contorted, as if troubled.

Was he having a nightmare?

His face repeatedly contorted intensely before relaxing again.

After a considerable amount of time passed in this manner.

Finally.

The young man’s eye area twitched slightly, and eventually, his eyelids lifted, his eyes gently opening.

“…”

This tranquil place, known as the space of the mind’s eye.

There, Gu Yangcheon, who had lost consciousness, finally opened his eyes.