Chapter 565: Why is this old person here?

I can see the sky. It was a sight I’d grown accustomed to.

I’d been beaten and left on the floor hundreds of times. This much didn’t bother me anymore.

[Disciple.]

I lifted my head at the sound.

I looked up, craning my aching neck, and saw Pajon looking at me with a strange expression.

He seemed to have something he wanted to ask. I didn’t know what.

[Why is that?]

[I was just suddenly curious about something.]

[Yes.]

[What do you plan to do from now on?]

[Huh?]

It was a truly out-of-the-blue question.

He’d just finished beating me senseless, and now he’s asking that when I’m finally trying to rest?

[What are you talking about all of a sudden? Are you trying to map out my life for me?]

[Why would I do something so bothersome?]

His expression really looked bothered.

How mean, even for a master…

[So?]

As I asked that with a dumbfounded expression, Pajon looked at me and said.

[Didn’t I definitely tell you last time?]

[Tell me what.]

If only he’d only said one or two things.

Since I couldn’t quite remember, I asked again, and Pajon spoke with a sigh.

[This much should be enough. I told you to start moving as you please, didn’t I?]

[Ah.]

Only after hearing that did I recall.

He definitely said something like that. About three months ago, maybe.

It was when I mastered the fourth form of the Two-Wave Sky-Shattering Martial Art. When I succeeded in the fourth form, Pajon told me.

[This should be enough.]

His face looked satisfied.

[Now you won’t get beaten up wherever you go.]

It had been two and a half years since I started training seriously under Pajon. Only then could I barely earn Pajon’s recognition.

[You are ready.]

[Now, go and turn the Central Plains upside down as you wish.]

Pajon said to me, with great anticipation.

Three more months passed after that, and now.

[I told you that, so why are you still here training instead of going out?]

Pajon was asking me with an incredulous expression.

…No, if anyone should be incredulous, shouldn’t it be me?

[…Are you… belittling me for training hard right now?]

Instead of offering encouragement, he’s asking why I’m training? What kind of situation is this?

I should have been dumbfounded by Pajon’s attitude.

[Didn’t you tell me before to just train until I achieved great enlightenment?]

[That’s just talk. How can a person live by just training?]

[…You.]

[What was that?]

[Nothing. It was just a cough.]

Whoosh-!

I turned my head and dodged the fist.

It was a close call. If I’d been a moment slower, my head would have been hit.

What was funny was that Pajon’s eyes showed satisfaction at this evasion.

[Oh ho? Look at this guy?]

Normally, instead of dodging, I would have just taken the hit.

Now, I could barely manage to dodge a few times.

However.

[Hey, don’t just start hitting me out of nowhere!]

Unlike how I gained the ability to dodge after my eyes opened.

At the same time, my thoughts on how great a figure Pajon was deepened.

The Inner Eye awakened by the Two-Wave Sky-Shattering Martial Art.

This was an eye that allowed a martial artist to see beforehand, by looking at the direction of the internal energy, how a move imbued with energy would be executed.

Because it allowed one to see the energy itself, not just the movements.

So, one could know in advance what movements the opponent would make, which seemed like an immense power.

There was just one problem.

[…Ugh…]

I clutched my forehead, though I hadn’t been hit, and groaned.

This was the problem with the Inner Eye.

If the Inner Eye was used for more than a certain amount of time, immense fatigue and headaches would flood the eyes.

Internal energy was like countless branches; even if you saw where the energy was headed.

Moving to match it was another story.

I’d barely used it for a few minutes, and my head already hurt this much…

[How on earth do you endure this, Elder?]

Pajon said he kept his Inner Eye active not only during all sparring matches but also most of the time during daily life.

He said he was so used to it now that it didn’t bother him anymore.

It wasn’t just the pain from using the Two-Wave Sky-Shattering Martial Art, but…

The martial arts this guy created were all incredibly brutal.

To gain power instead of suffering…

In a way, wasn’t it a power more demonic than demonic energy itself?

[Stop changing the subject and just answer.]

[Answer what.]

[I’m asking why you’re still here instead of doing what you’re supposed to be doing.]

As I was barely suppressing the headache, Pajon asked me, slightly furrowing his brow.

[The guy who wanted to go out and turn everything upside down right away. The reason you’re holed up here now. That’s what I’m curious about.]

[I’m not going out because training is just fun.]

[I’m sure that’s exactly it.]

A disciple training hard should be something to be happy about, but…

Why that guy is acting like this is truly baffling.

[And what about the schemes you’ve been plotting with your lackeys lately? Is that also because training is fun?]

[…When did you see that, too?]

[There are only three places in your estate that my eyes and ears cannot reach. If that’s the case, how could I possibly not know?]

Three places… If so.

One must be my father’s family head’s study.

If I assume another is the lodging where Heavenly Venerable stays.

The remaining one must be…

Perhaps the underground of the Nine Families.

Thinking this far, I swallowed dryly.

And then I tried to change the subject.

[Didn’t you tell me before that I could do as I pleased, whether to overthrow things or not…?]

That if I had his permission, I could do as I pleased afterward.

That as long as I didn’t neglect the training of the Two-Wave Sky-Shattering Martial Art, I could do anything.

[That’s right. I definitely said that.]

Pajon added, with a sigh.

[Seeing how you’re acting, I’m worried.]

[Me?]

[No, it’s because I’m worried about what great thing you’re planning to unleash by holding back like this. The Central Plains are worried.]

[…]

What the hell kind of bullshit is that?

I had to frown immediately upon hearing that.

[What have I done to deserve that?]

[Even if not now, you plan to do something, don’t you?]

[…Hmph.]

I couldn’t deny that.

Because I was actually planning to do something.

That’s why I’m focusing so hard on training and building a foundation separately.

Pajon said I could move now, but in my eyes, it was still insufficient.

It was still a long way from reaching my goal, but…

At least to ‘pretend’ to be ready, this much is not enough.

Just a little more.

I had to fill it in just a tiny bit more.

Only then would it meet the conditions I had in mind.

[…It’s not like I’m trying to do anything particularly grand. It’s just.]

I said, looking into Pajon’s eyes.

[There are two guys I need to screw over.]

There were two guys I had to stop somehow.

[And I thought of a way to screw them both over at the same time.]

A way to prevent the disaster that Heavenly Demon would cause, and simultaneously deal with the Blood Demon.

It was something only I could do. There was a task that fit perfectly.

When I thought about it, it was a rather simple method.

To seize the position and influence Heavenly Demon would gain, and prevent the blood calamity Heavenly Demon would cause.

Even if I couldn’t prevent the blood calamity, I would disrupt Heavenly Demon’s plans and simultaneously…

…remind the Central Plains of the danger of a blood calamity, laying the groundwork for future preparations.

Furthermore.

‘I would build the strength to face Heavenly Demon and Blood Demon.’

That was the plan I was thinking of.

It sounded impossible just looking at it, and it seemed to have more disadvantages than advantages, but…

I judged it to be worth trying.

The problem was.

‘To remind the Alliance of the future danger of a blood calamity, an incident is needed.’

Although I had subtly spread information through the intelligence agency about how to deal with red monsters.

Changing people’s perception about a blood calamity that hadn’t happened yet was impossible with just information.

Because humans are unfeeling beasts.

They tend to think foolishly easily about future events.

Therefore.

I had to find a way.

And I found the easiest way.

It was perhaps a simple principle.

If they are so indifferent to things that haven’t happened.

Then you just need to create a danger to remind them.

The one who antagonized the Martial Alliance, aiming to destroy it.

Furthermore, the being who possessed overwhelming power and influence, drawing the attention of the Central Plains all at once.

The master of the Demonic Cult, Heavenly Demon.

He, by his mere existence, made the Martial Alliance, which was rotting with injustice and unrighteousness, unite for a time.

He even made them gather unprecedented forces to wage war.

That phenomenon was created by the crisis known as Heavenly Demon.

[…So.]

If a crisis plays such a good role.

Then it’s enough to willingly create that crisis.

I could do that much anytime.

What this means is.

In this world where the ‘crisis’ has not yet appeared.

[I think I’ll put on a bit of a play.]

It means I’ve decided to become the crisis first.

---

My body is shaking.

“Oppa.”

I could hear a voice near my ear.

My eyelids were heavy, making it difficult to open my eyes.

“Wake up already…!”

It’s an urgent voice. Is it Gu Ryeong-hwa?

Confirming this, I slightly opened my eyes.

‘My wrist.’

At the same time, I tried moving my arm slightly.

Clank.

I felt something tied around my wrist.

Fortunately, it seemed the shackles were properly fastened again.

Right after vomiting a lot of blood, I wrapped myself in clothes, tidied myself up, and returned to the cell.

Since I had unleashed the aftermath, I bought myself time so people wouldn’t come to the cell immediately.

I came back in and quietly returned to the prison.

I left no traces.

If I had left any, I trusted Nari would have cleaned it up.

Returning to my original state, I sat down in the cell, and then.

After that.

‘Did I fall asleep?’

It seemed I had lost consciousness for a moment.

This was a mistake.

‘My fatigue must have accumulated much more.’

I should have somehow never lost consciousness, but…

To lose consciousness because I couldn’t withstand the body’s burden.

Hum.

I circulated my internal energy slightly to check my condition.

I could still feel my internal state was a mess.

‘Tsk….’

On the contrary, I could feel regeneration slowly happening, but the internal injuries were still there.

It seemed I would have to suffer for at least two months, if not more.

‘…If nothing else, the Fire Wheel technique is unusable.’

When I tried to create a sun in the air and bring it down, half of my energy drained from my heart.

It was because I tried to forcefully use power that didn’t match my realm, so my energy had to bear the burden instead.

‘It’s not easy.’

I thought the conditions were met somehow, but…

To be in this state after just this one time.

If I were to do this again, I’d need to use a slightly different method.

‘I need a more efficient method.’

This alone won’t cut it.

As I tried to think of another method.

“Oppa… wake up already…”

I turned my gaze towards the voice.

Ah, right, Gu Ryeong-hwa was calling me.

I immediately spoke.

“Ah, I just dozed off for a bit. Didn’t get much sleep yesterday.”

I had hidden the parts with internal injuries separately using my energy.

As long as it wasn’t noticeable on the outside, it should be fine.

Just as Gu Ryeong-hwa was about to say something to me.

“You must have been very tired.”

Another voice interjected.

I turned my head and saw Geomhu standing there.

She also looked quite tired.

It must be because of the situation just before.

I pretended not to know and smiled.

“The fact that Geomhu has come here… does that mean the work is all finished?”

Swoosh.

I casually showed my tightly bound wrist to Geomhu.

“It’s getting quite stuffy… I hope the misunderstanding is cleared up. I really didn’t steal anything, you know.”

I had to act as if I knew nothing about what had just happened.

My face was hidden by a mask.

Although my physical changes, as well as my voice, were altered, so it shouldn’t be noticeable.

Still, I had to be extremely careful.

Geomhu, hearing my words, wore a somewhat shadowed expression and spoke to me in a calm voice.

“If it were up to me, I’d release you, but not yet…”

“It’s alright.”

Cutting off what Geomhu was saying, another voice interjected this time.

As they did, someone appeared from behind.

Seeing that, I had to click my tongue inwardly.

‘I couldn’t sense their presence.’

Perhaps due to the internal injuries, my senses aren’t functioning properly.

Because of that, it seems I can’t even sense such close presences properly.

Otherwise, there’s no way I wouldn’t sense a presence right in front of me.

Let alone such a massive presence.

The person who suddenly interjected and appeared smiled at Geomhu and said.

“Rather, it’s a situation where I should apologize for my sect’s rudeness, Geomhu.”

Flap.

A wind blew from somewhere, making the old man’s robe flutter.

The pure white robe fluttered, and the large character embroidered on it also swayed.

Jeong (正).

That’s what was written on the robe.

What that signifies is none other than.

The steadfastness that expresses righteousness as oneself, and at the same time.

It means being the highest authority of the Martial Alliance, the heart of the righteous path.

The Martial Alliance Leader.

That old man’s identity was precisely that.

Sharp features and white hair that had turned completely white.

Well-groomed beard and a physique that felt trained for an old man.

Even the sharp presence felt from the old man’s body involuntarily tensed mine.

It was a presence on a different level compared to Woo Baek, who was called the Unrivaled Sword.

‘…He really came.’

The sect leader from the first sect, and a figure belonging to the Central Plains’ Ten Great Masters, the Seven Ironclad and Three Fists.

The sect leader of Wudang.

Wudang Sword Sage.

He came here to see the incident that occurred at Wudang…

“Huh?”

A strange sound that came out of my mouth.

Because of this, everyone around looked at me.

It was because this was absolutely not a situation where such a sound should come out.

I too had to swallow dryly after letting it out.

This was completely unintentional.

I really let it slip out without realizing it.

‘No.’

I couldn’t help it.

‘Why is this old geezer here?’

Upon spotting another old man standing quietly next to the Wudang Sword Sage, this sound came out.

How could I not be surprised?

As everyone’s gazes converged on me.

“Hoho.”

I could feel a line of interested gaze fixed on me.

“How curious. Very curious.”

It was an old man hunched over deeply.

His back looked very much like a hunchback.

The old man seemed to have some difficulty walking, as he held a cane.

His unkempt eyebrows even covered his eyes.

Thump.

He came closer.

Perhaps because he didn’t wash often, a faint stench could be felt.

However, no one around the old man frowned upon seeing him.

And I was no different.

The old man, who had approached me, looked at me and said.

“It’s nice to meet you. Child.”

Yes, I knew the old man’s identity.

I had thought of him just a short while ago. How could I forget?

“Do you know who I am?”

The old man asked, sounding amused.

“…I do know…”

I replied that I knew.

“Hoho. Then, try and guess.”

“…”

To the old man’s second question.

I hesitated for a moment, then opened my mouth and said to the old man.

“…I greet the Leader of the Beggar’s Sect.”

At those words, the old man’s eyebrows slightly lowered.

The old man’s identity was none other than the Beggar’s Sect, known as the ears of the Martial Alliance.

And the leader of such a Beggar’s Sect.

Woo Bong-chwi-gae, Do Bong.

Also.

‘The Wind and Cloud Ghostly Blade.’

He was the real Wind and Cloud Ghostly Blade that Wudang had tried to use.