Chapter 664: Why is that person there?

Night passed, and it became dawn.

Gradually, the sun found its place and began to rise.

Taking in the distinct morning air, I was moving my body.

I tilted my head slightly.

Then, a dagger grazed past my cheek.

Shhheeek-! Sharp.

What’s more, since it was infused with Ki, if I were to be hit by that dagger….

‘It’ll dig in a little deep.’

My body’s durability has increased significantly, so it wouldn’t penetrate, but it would probably just stick slightly into the skin.

I didn’t check where the dagger was flying.

I just took one more step.

Giiing-!

At the strange sound, I ducked my upper body.

Wheeeek-! Though I couldn’t see it, a sword sliced past overhead.

Paaah-! Bang-!! Sword Ki erupted, and a sound echoed from behind.

The intensity and texture felt from the sound weren’t bad.

I raised my arm and swept it downwards.

Just as I was about to reach out, my foot connected with toes flying towards my face.

Paaang-!! As our internal energies clashed, a sonic boom erupted, and I immediately twisted my waist, adding more rotation.

Shweeeek-! Shwik-shwik-! Sharp attacks followed my movements.

The fluid sword path made its intentions hard to discern.

It still seemed like they were trying to erase the Kunlun flow from their sword, but its unique characteristics remained.

It felt like it could follow any feint I added.

‘Hmm.’

Watching, I raised the corners of my mouth.

The owner of the sword was Seong-yul.

That guy’s murky yellow eyes were darting around.

It started from my chest.

Checking whether my breathing was steady or not.

Then, my shoulders, arms, waist, thighs, calves, ankles, down to my toes.

In an instant, he was scanning my entire body, keeping pace.

How I moved, where the end of my movements were.

Seong-yul was continuously observing this.

I gave a slight push with my arm to create recoil, but.

Shhheeek-!! Sharp Sword Ki dug in deeply, as if sealing it off.

He had recognized it as a feint.

‘Bastard.’

His intuition is really fast.

It was good instinct.

As he went on with his swordplay, his speed increased.

Compared to his current level, the overall completeness was high.

He doesn’t fear combat and doesn’t hesitate to advance.

The killing intent forming on his sword was bothersome, but this level was manageable.

However.

“Your wrist lifts when you swing down.”

Just as Seong-yul’s eyes widened, I charged forward.

Perhaps flustered, Seong-yul changed his sword path.

“Geez.”

I just told him his wrist lifts when he swings down, yet he uses it like a ghost.

‘Tsk.’

I extended my arm.

My attack, increased in speed, lunged towards Seong-yul’s arm.

Although the flow of Ki was obstructive, it wasn’t weak enough not to break through Seong-yul’s protective Ki.

Crackle-! As my arm made contact, Seong-yul’s protective Ki shattered lightly.

“…!”

Realizing he couldn’t block it, Seong-yul hastily tried to retreat, but it was already too late.

“It’s good that your eyes roll fast, but you waste too much time.”

That becomes an opening.

Pang-! As I spoke, I struck Seong-yul’s wrist.

“Gack!”

Seong-yul’s arm was pushed away by the recoil.

Amidst it all, he somehow didn’t drop his sword.

As expected, he’s got guts.

I should praise him for that later.

‘For now. Let’s deal with this first.’

His posture was ruined by the rough recoil, revealing countless openings.

Seeing this, just as I was about to kick Seong-yul.

Shwik.

“Tsk.”

Sensing something from behind, I retracted my movement and spun my body.

Thud-thud-!!! Daggers were deeply embedded where I had just been.

Turning my gaze, I saw the tip of a blade right before my eyes.

I dodged by turning my head.

Flick-! The sword grazed me, leaving a scratch on my skin, but it healed quickly.

Simultaneously dodging, I grabbed the hand of the ambusher.

But then.

Whoosh.

“Oh?”

As I grabbed his arm, it scattered like mist and disappeared.

It was a strange occurrence.

Was it an illusion?

Watching with interest, I employed my footwork.

Shweeeek-! A dagger grazed the tip of my nose.

Shaaahk-! From the opposite side where the dagger flew, another attack unfolded.

It was an unusual sight for it to be performed by just one person.

Moreover, each movement was imbued with discipline and Ki.

It meant she hadn’t achieved her level clumsily.

‘Looks like she learned well from the Dark King.’

Looking at the woman wielding a dagger at me, Tang Soyeol, I raised the corners of my mouth.

The reason things suddenly turned out this way was because the Supreme Fist had sent a letter saying he’d be away for a few days due to business.

Thanks to that, my life was maintained, and since I had more time for training, I decided to see the skills of those two.

The result.

‘Not bad.’

I could tell that both Seong-yul and Tang Soyeol possessed strength better than I expected.

Tang Soyeol was particularly impressive.

Was it about four or five years ago?

The friendly martial arts tournament held alongside the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.

She was vastly different from how Tang Soyeol had appeared back then.

Just a few years had passed, and Tang Soyeol had transformed from a young disciple into a perfect master.

It’s a proud growth.

‘What did she do to grow this much?’

Thinking about what the average Tang Soyeol must have done to reach this point felt a bit bittersweet.

As I was dodging sword blades here and there.

Jiiing.

A chilling presence was felt from behind.

Without hesitation, I unleashed Ki energy backwards.

As expected, sword Ki was flying towards me.

Paaah-! Bang-!!! It exploded, creating friction with the sword Ki.

Simultaneously, the two began their combined attack.

If I tried to create distance, daggers and sword Ki flew at me; if I pushed forward, their combined attack aimed to counter my moves.

‘Hmm.’

This must be their first time coordinating.

Seong-yul and Tang Soyeol’s offense was incredibly sharp, as if they had coordinated for a long time.

‘Is it because their compatibility is good?’

Seong-yul created opportunities for Tang Soyeol to penetrate effectively.

Tang Soyeol cleared the path for Seong-yul to draw his sword path fluidly.

‘This is quite good.’

At this level, they could at least contend with a proficient Hwajing stage opponent.

Perhaps if that Seong-yul reaches the Hwajing stage, things will change a bit more.

I leaped slightly to create distance and nodded.

‘I think I’ve seen enough.’

After observing that much, I nodded.

There was no need to watch further.

The moment I thought that.

Thump-! I powerfully stomped the floor with my foot and shot my body forward.

Paaah-! Bang-! My body shot out like an arrow.

The air pressure surged around me, increasing my speed.

“Ah!”

“Hut!”

The two were momentarily flustered but quickly moved to counter.

Seong-yul charged forward without hesitation, swinging his sword.

However, the attack didn’t reach me.

Thwoong-! Before he could unleash his attack and gain speed, my hand reached him first, grabbed Seong-yul by the collar, and threw him straight into the air.

Whooosh-! Seong-yul’s body floated into the air and flew away.

As he tried to land somehow, I unleashed Ki energy.

“Kuhk!”

He raised his sword to block, but hit by the Ki energy, his body was pushed away even faster.

After that, I immediately rushed towards Tang Soyeol.

The method was no different from before.

Like with Seong-yul, I approached to grab Tang Soyeol, but.

“Eek…!”

This time too, Tang Soyeol disappeared like mist.

Seeing that, I changed direction and reached out towards the empty air to my left.

I firmly gripped my middle finger with my thumb.

Ttak-! I flicked him right on the forehead.

Then.

“Kyaak!”

A dull sound and a scream echoed simultaneously.

“Kkeu…eu….”

Tang Soyeol, suddenly appearing from the air, clutched her forehead and collapsed with a thud.

Her stealth techniques are considerable, but it seems she can’t hide the flow visible through her Mind’s Eye.

Afterward, Seong-yul, who had barely managed to land, tried to charge at me again, but.

Tuk.

“…!”

My fist had already connected with Seong-yul’s jaw.

Seeing Seong-yul sweating, I smirked and said.

“Done.”

After saying that, I comfortably adjusted my stance.

“Hooook…hoo…hooook….”

Only then did Seong-yul exhale the breath he had been holding, raggedly.

Checking on Tang Soyeol, I saw her lying spread-eagled on the training ground floor, resting.

Seeing that, I let out a hollow laugh.

“What did you even do to be this tired?”

You didn’t even seem to be trying properly, and you’re already exhausted?

This is absurd.

“You guys need to increase your stamina more. Honestly.”

“…It’s you, Young Master… you’re the strange one.”

Tang Soyeol retorted, telling me not to spout nonsense.

“It’s been over an hour….”

“Hm? Really?”

Has that much time already passed?

I thought maybe only half an hour had passed, but more time had gone by than I expected.

However.

“Still, isn’t it only been an hour?”

“…Yes…?”

“You need at least two hours for it to even affect your body.”

“…?”

As I spoke, Tang Soyeol looked at me as if asking what I was talking about.

Her expression suggested she couldn’t believe we’d spar for two hours.

‘Is that so strange?’

Usually, when sparring with the Supreme Fist, we do about that much.

Most of the time was spent getting beaten up, but now I’m used to it, so an hour isn’t even enough.

If I wanted to train properly, I’d spar for about two hours, and then dedicate the remaining time entirely to external martial arts training.

Spending the day using the training I learned from the Mount Hua Sect left me feeling quite refreshed at the end.

‘Even a regressionist like me trains bone-achingly hard, yet these guys are panting after this much….’

Kids these days are just so weak, tsk tsk.

I shook my head side to side and brushed myself off.

The fact that it had been an hour meant morning was approaching.

So, I said to the two exhausted individuals.

“I’ll tell you the points to fix later. For now, let’s wash up and eat.”

“…Yes….”

“…Understood.”

At my words, the two gave weak replies.

They seemed quite exhausted.

Since I had moved after a long time too, I thought I should wash my face first.

Tok tok.

“Excuse me.”

From the training room entrance, a delicate voice was heard along with the sound of knocking on the wall.

Wondering who it was, I looked and saw it was Moyong Hi-ah.

“What?”

What’s she doing here so early in the morning?

Besides….

‘She seems to have put in some effort?’

Moyong Hi-ah usually put effort into her appearance, but today she looked particularly lovely.

She seemed to have applied makeup.

Her clothes somehow felt more flamboyant than usual.

“Is training over?”

“Mm… roughly?”

I had planned to eat and then do personal training, but the morning training was over with this.

Giving an answer in that sense, Moyong Hi-ah said to me.

“Then, come somewhere with me.”

“Huh…?”

At her sudden words, I tilted my head.

…Come with me? Suddenly?

“Where?”

“There’s some guild business, and I want you to come with me.”

“That…”

“What did you say?”

Seeing Moyong Hi-ah’s expression crumple, I immediately shut my mouth.

But it seemed it was already too late.

“You abandoned me last time too, and now what?”

“No….”

“Can’t you just come with me without asking? Do you really have to ask this?”

“I haven’t asked yet….”

“You were about to.”

“…I was.”

Her chillingly cold words made me involuntarily cough.

“Who do you think I’m working so hard for…. Just follow me when I tell you to.”

“…Who am I working for?”

“For you!”

To my unintended question, Moyong Hi-ah shouted back at me in a sharp voice.

Hearing the voice, my body flinched involuntarily.

How can someone who barely reached the peak have such strong Ki pressure?

In that moment, I got thoroughly intimidated.

“Your intuition might be as lacking as your conscience, but how are you going to live if you don’t even know this?”

“…No, that…”

“Never mind. Just live without it. That way, my position becomes more secure. I should just make things inconvenient for you if you lack it. That way, I’ll be comfortable.”

“What does that mean-.”

“Just stop talking and follow me. You can indulge me for a day, can’t you? Don’t you want to? Try saying no. I won’t let it slide.”

Moyong Hi-ah glared fiercely and spoke to me.

If I refused, she looked like she’d actually bite me.

“I’ll… wash up and be right out.”

I had intended to spend time training after a long break and organizing my plans, but it seemed like trouble would ensue if I didn’t go.

So, giving up, I was about to wash my face when.

“Tch, how petty.”

Tang Soyeol, who had been languidly lying on the floor, suddenly spoke up.

Then, she barely turned her body and looked at Moyong Hi-ah.

“You did that on purpose…?”

“What?”

“You came right after training ended! Targeting the time when I couldn’t move…!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about?”

At Tang Soyeol’s indignant words, Moyong Hi-ah scoffed.

“Why would I do such a thing?”

“You did it to keep him all to yourself! I want to go too!”

“Then you can come along. I don’t mind if Miss Tang comes too.”

“Eek!”

Tang Soyeol grit her teeth fiercely and tried to get up.

However, perhaps due to the effects of the sparring, she could only groan and couldn’t even get her body up properly.

Seeing that, Moyong Hi-ah covered her mouth with her hand and said.

“Oh my… you seem quite exhausted. You should rest fully today, Miss Dang.”

“I can do it…!”

“If you’re tired, why try to get up? Eat and rest. We’ll be back soon.”

“M-Master…?”

I had said it thinking she looked tired and needed rest, but hearing it, despair dawned on Tang Soyeol’s face.

Why is she acting like that?

Is it really something to be disappointed about just because I told her to rest since she looked tired?

“That’s right. You rest. We’re just going to do our work.”

Unlike Tang Soyeol’s disappointment, Moyong Hi-ah seemed energized, her tone becoming smug.

“You… you’re too cruel…!”

“Let’s go, Young Master.”

“Uh… yeah.”

My gaze was drawn to her, looking like a squirrel who had its food stolen, but.

Grip-! Moyong Hi-ah, as if she had no time to waste, linked arms with me and started dragging me along.

As I was being dragged along limply, something came to mind, so I asked Moyong Hi-ah.

“She’s probably resting too. Should I bring her?”

I thought of Wi Seol-ah, who might be nearby.

Since we have to go out anyway, wouldn’t it be better to go together?

Namgung Bi-ah needed to rest, so she couldn’t go out, but Wi Seol-ah liked going outside, so I thought I’d feed her while we were at it.

“Hmph, as expected.”

Moyong Hi-ah smirked, as if she had expected it.

“I knew it, so I prepared in advance.”

“Oh?”

Does that mean she already arranged for Wi Seol-ah to come along?

As expected, her work efficiency is fast….

“Miss Wi won’t be coming out. I specifically ‘asked’ her not to follow today. So, even if you say that, it can’t be helped.”

“…Huh?”

Not that she had hinted for her to come out beforehand.

‘She asked her not to come…?’

Thinking ‘What kind of nonsense is this?’, I wore a dumbfounded expression.

Moyong Hi-ah saw me like that, relaxed her frowning expression, and burst into laughter.

“What’s with that foolish expression?”

“What you said is a bit strange.”

“Your expression is so fitting for a Young Master, I like it.”

“You call me foolish and then say it’s fitting for a Young Master? Is that an insult? It’s an insult, right?”

“It’s a compliment. Truly a compliment.”

As she spoke, she loosened her grip on my arm.

“Lately, I’ve been thinking it might be better if you, Young Master, remained outwardly ill-tempered and lacking.”

“Why don’t you just insult me directly? How is that a compliment in any way?”

“It is a compliment. If you stay like that, no one will know your true worth, Young Master.”

Moyong Hi-ah sighed and added.

“I’m already stressed out because you seem to know a bit too much, you know? If you learn more, I don’t know what I’ll do. So, it’s better to stay as you are.”

Telling me to remain lacking, what kind of absurd request is this?

As I frowned, thinking it was nonsense, Moyong Hi-ah walked with her arm linked, quietly adding.

“That way, my reason for being by your side will be a little clearer.”

The walking speed increased.

The moment I realized it, we were already outside the main gate.

Outside, a small carriage was prepared.

Seeing the rather small carriage, I asked Moyong Hi-ah.

“The carriage seems small?”

I thought she usually rode something twice this size. I wondered why she chose such a carriage today.

To that question, Moyong Hi-ah replied.

“That’s right. That way, the inside is cramped, making it convenient to stick close together.”

“…Huh?”

“Now, let’s hurry to work. Get in.”

Before I could ask anything, I was pushed into the carriage by Moyong Hi-ah’s meager strength. Then Moyong Hi-ah followed and sat beside me.

As she sat there, her expression, for some reason, looked the brightest it had been recently.

No.

At least until the business in the afternoon….

It certainly would have been.