Chapter 674: It’s been a long time!

Time flowed, and seven days and nights passed.

Hanam was still bustling with people.

Before I knew it, it had become summer, the hottest time of the year.

Of course, even with so many people around.

I mostly stayed in my lodging without going outside.

Even when I did move, it was only around nighttime, so I couldn’t tell what was changing.

I was simply engrossed in training, waiting for time to pass.

Boom-! Boom-boom-!

A heavy steel bar fell to the floor, letting out a loud noise.

My body was drenched in sweat, and my breathing was rough and ragged.

“Hoo… hoo…”

I calmed my breathing and stretched my body.

As the weight disappeared, I felt myself become incredibly light.

At the same time.

Swoooooosh-!

The steel bar that had fallen to the ground vanished into mist in an instant.

Surprisingly, the steel bar was an object created by my power.

‘The duration has increased a bit.’

Over the past few days.

Having handled my power multiple times, I’ve experienced considerable growth.

If it’s a simple shape like the steel bar, I can maintain it for about half a shichen.

However, for things with multiple colors or complex shapes, the duration is exponentially lower.

‘Still, this alone is something.’

Objects created by my power are not much different from the real thing.

Just that alone has considerable utility.

‘The condition for use is… knowing it in detail.’

I cannot create objects I don’t know or am uncertain about.

And the more information I have, the more precisely I can create them.

‘It’s quite a decent power.’

Even though I lost Regeneration, I’m glad I salvaged this.

If I didn’t even have this, I would have been really pissed off.

“Hoo.”

I caught my breath and wiped myself down.

After doing something intensely for the first time in a while, the heat is no joke.

As I wiped myself, I casually waved my hand.

Saaaaa-!

Then, a faint energy spread from my fingertips, filling the room.

It was cold air.

The cold energy I obtained from the Ice Crystal that remained in my body.

It filled the room, starting to lower the temperature.

“Ah, that’s better. Much cooler now.”

This energy is difficult to use effectively in combat, but it’s quite useful for purposes like this.

Cooling my body with the cold air, I turned my gaze.

“Hoooo…”

There, besides me, other guys were resting, seemingly exhausted.

It was Woohyuk and Seongyul.

Seongyul was staggering as if he were about to die.

Woohyuk was panting similarly, but not to the point of collapsing.

Seeing the two of them, I said.

“Shall we call it a day for the morning training?”

“…Under…stood…”

“If it’s morning, does that mean there’s an afternoon session too?”

Seongyul answered as if accustomed to it, but Woohyuk looked at me with surprised eyes.

“So, you’re ending it with just this?”

“…Your training load has increased even more.”

“Of course, I have to increase it. My level has risen.”

“…”

I don’t understand why he’s looking at me with such surprise.

Isn’t it natural to increase the training load when your level rises?

“Ah, you’re a Taoist, so you might not know.”

Then again.

I heard that unlike ordinary martial artists, Taoists are more obsessed with enlightenment.

Once they reach a certain level, they pursue spiritual enlightenment rather than physical training, right?

‘I don’t think that’s a bad thing.’

I understand that everyone has their own way of pursuing things.

Though I don’t know if Woohyuk actually does.

“I dragged you out because I was annoyed you were cooped up in the back room. Starting tomorrow, you’re on your own.”

“…”

“Whether you follow along or not, it’s up to you.”

Woohyuk nodded slightly without answering my words.

Will he show up tomorrow too?

Judging by the vibe, it seemed like he would.

“And…”

Just as I was about to continue speaking to Woohyuk because I had something to say.

“Hm?”

“Never mind. Let’s talk about this later.”

It didn’t seem like the right time to blurt it out, so I held back.

The things that are bothering me, I should probably tell him before the martial arts tournament.

It had been about ten days since I returned to Hanam.

Woohyuk had barely shown his face since going into his lodging.

He hadn’t returned to the Wudang sect either; he was just holed up in his quarters, living a life close to disappearing.

The reason was none other than Guiseon.

‘More accurately, it’s not so much Guiseon, but rather my power’s fault.’

The power I took from Mang and passed onto Woohyuk.

Regeneration.

Woohyuk was trying to use Regeneration to heal Guiseon.

This was because of something I subtly mentioned to Woohyuk.

The words that Regeneration could heal not only one’s own body but also the bodies of others.

Upon hearing this, Woohyuk immediately sought out Guiseon and was trying to heal his arm.

Of course, it didn’t seem to be going as smoothly as he hoped.

Just looking at Woohyuk’s expression made it clear it wasn’t easy.

Nevertheless, Woohyuk seemed to be continuously trying something.

‘I hope it works out well.’

This isn’t out of some kind heart wishing for Guiseon’s recovery.

If Woohyuk succeeds in healing Guiseon, I’ll gain a lot of information as well.

‘If he succeeds… it would also mean that powers can grow the more they are used.’

Just like how I’m gradually becoming more proficient using ‘Wind’.

If Woohyuk can also achieve growth with Regeneration, it would prove that powers grow stronger with use.

Furthermore.

‘I also need to see if there are any side effects to transferring powers.’

I made Woohyuk into a Mind subject while transferring Regeneration.

He hasn’t shown any seizures related to demonic energy, so nothing strange is apparent yet.

As it was a new method, I had to continuously check Woohyuk’s condition.

‘If it turns out that using it this way is fine…’

Perhaps, like Cheonma did in the past, I might be able to distribute powers to the Minds as well.

‘No, seeing Woohyuk, it seems I can already do it.’

It’s just that I don’t have any powers left to give.

‘…Then, how on earth was Cheonma able to do it?’

If the special abilities she bestowed upon the Minds were indeed powers.

And if she gave powers in the same way I do.

‘The number of powers Cheonma possessed must have easily exceeded a hundred.’

Leaving aside how she managed to contain them all within that small body.

‘How did she gather them?’

And.

‘Why did she distribute them?’

Questions about Cheonma’s actions and doubts about her identity arose.

‘Cheonma….’

Thinking of the woman, I clenched my teeth.

Because I remembered what happened seven days and nights ago.

Since then, I haven’t visited Gu Huibi, let alone Cheonma.

I had my subordinates keep a constant watch on Cheonma, but I still didn’t go see her directly.

Word is, Cheonma already noticed their presence, but…

She apparently hasn’t bothered them or paid them any mind.

She’s apparently just doing ordinary chores, hunting, and eating.

‘Damn it.’

Cheonma doing chores.

Just imagining it is absurd.

‘What the hell is she even doing?’

What could be her intention?

Why did Gu Huibi… No.

‘That guy called Grandfather just dumped Cheonma and left, didn’t he?’

Gu Huibi said the previous family head entrusted Cheonma to him.

Is that story true?

I couldn’t know.

The fact that the person who was supposed to be dead is very much alive.

And that someone from the Gu family suddenly entrusted Cheonma to him.

This was something I intended to ask my father after meeting Gu Huibi, but…

‘…Father still hasn’t arrived in Hanam.’

Even though the Gu family members who left with him arrived first.

‘Where did Father go?’

Just when I was wondering if he was missing, Madam Mi gave me a letter, saying she received it from Father.

A single, neatly folded letter.

Inside, Father’s rough yet neat handwriting was written.

[I’ll be late.]

“Ha.”

The moment I saw it, I was utterly dumbfounded.

Anyone could tell it was a message from Father.

‘He told me to come quickly, but…’

To think that Father himself would be late.

I wondered if something might have happened to him…

‘…I’m not particularly worried.’

Recalling Father’s strength, I wasn’t too concerned.

“Hoo…”

I sighed and shook my head.

‘Things are already complicated enough, and now more issues are piling up.’

It’s not just the matters concerning Cheonma or Grandfather, but…

The problem right in front of me was the immediate issue.

‘There’s… not much time left.’

The reason I came to Hanam.

The fact that the martial arts tournament hosted by the Alliance is just a few days away.

‘Nahee already mentioned it.’

I heard the news that the construction of the tournament stage within the Alliance, which was underway, finished yesterday.

It meant it was time to start preparing.

However.

“…”

The time I had planned for had arrived, yet for some reason, my emotions were incredibly calm.

No, ’empty’ would be the more accurate word.

It’s vastly different from just a few days ago when I was building up extreme tension.

Why is this?

Why do I feel this way?

I pondered the question, and I already knew the answer.

‘It must be because of Cheonma.’

The Cheonma I met a few days ago.

No, perhaps it’s a situation where she might not be Cheonma anymore.

If, by any chance.

If Cheonma could change like Je galhyuk or Namgung Bi-ah…

‘What purpose would I have to fight for?’

The question that surfaced momentarily blackened my mind.

This is probably the reason for this emptiness.

“Ha… I’m such an idiot.”

I sighed and lamented the reason I’d finally recalled.

I should be happy if the one who would cause the Blood Calamity disappears, but am I actually feeling regretful?

‘It’s less regret… and more just emptiness.’

It was a sensation difficult to explain.

Is this what it feels like to lack a sense of crisis?

Slaap-!

I immediately slapped my own cheek.

Woohyuk and Seongyul were startled by the sight, but I paid them no mind.

‘Snap out of it.’

No matter what, things don’t change. No, they shouldn’t.

‘It doesn’t end just because Cheonma disappears.’

Maybe I thought that way before, but not anymore.

‘There’s still the Blood Demon (血魔).’

A being called the Dragon Emperor (龍帝), presumed to be one of the pure-blooded dragons.

The bastard who caused the Blood Calamity known as the Blood Demon War centuries ago was still around.

I haven’t even properly figured out what schemes he has in mind.

Even if Cheonma changes, my work remains the same.

However.

‘Even knowing that…’

The emptiness inside just won’t easily fill.

“…Tsk.”

I clicked my tongue and put on the martial arts uniform I had taken off.

“I’m heading out first.”

I told Woohyuk and Seongyul and started walking.

It was almost lunchtime.

Today, I had plans to eat lunch with Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-ah, so I needed to get moving.

‘Tang Soyeol said she had something to do.’

While Moyong Hi-ah always has things to do and doesn’t eat lunch with us, Tang Soyeol’s absence is somewhat unexpected.

I heard she’d been going out often lately.

What could she possibly be doing alone?

‘She comes back by evening, so she’ll manage.’

It’s silly to worry about a grown woman like she’s a child.

Especially since Tang Soyeol is a martial artist of the Hwagyeong level.

So, as I was heading towards Wi Seol-ah’s lodging…

“Hm?”

As I was about to open the door, I sensed someone’s presence in front of it.

“Greetings, Master.”

I slightly opened the training ground door and saw Nahee waiting there.

“What’s up?”

“I came to inform you that there’s a guest looking for you, Master.”

Hearing that, I frowned.

A guest? Right now of all times?

Why do things always happen right before a meal?

It’s so damn annoying.

“…Who is it?”

I asked, suppressing my irritation.

Then.

“It’s Beom Dong, the Commander of the Flying Dragons.”

A more irritating name popped out of Nahee’s mouth.