Chapter 850: Ilcheonkyo.

Jureureuk.

A sensation of something flowing made me frown.

I lowered my head.

My chest. Specifically, the part around my heart was pierced.

I saw someone’s hand. It was the hand of the person who had pierced my heart.

I shifted my gaze with difficulty and looked at the face.

The owner of the hand was none other than myself. More precisely, my past life self.

Pusyuk.

As the hand pulled out, blood spurted.

“Kkeok.”

Blood trickling from my mouth, I knelt down.

Due to the difference in height, the guy looked down at me.

Then, he moved his hand and brought it before me.

[Next time, bring the answer.]

[If not, you’d be better off taking your own life.]

After finishing his weighty words.

Hwaahwak–!!

Black flames swept over my head.

---

My eyes flashed open as I sat up.

“…Huk….”

I gasped raggedly for breath and clutched my chest. After fumbling around a few times, I let out a sigh.

Fortunately, my chest was intact.

However.

“…Kkeu….”

My whole body throbbed, letting out groans of muscle pain.

No, it hurt far more than mere muscle pain.

This wasn’t so much muscle pain as…

‘…It feels like my acupoints are swollen.’

My acupoints all over my body were swollen. Feeling the pain, I realized the situation from before.

“Ah. Son of a bitch.”

I recalled what had happened at the end. The part where I came to my senses and just collapsed.

And also, the part where I vomited blood while forcibly suppressing my energy.

Remembering that, I loosened my clothes. The marks were still clearly visible on my upper body.

They were the traces of fingers being directly inserted.

‘…It seems mostly healed.’

The marks were just marks. The wounds had mostly healed. My body had become so robust that injuries like this were no problem.

Seeing this, I let out a low breath.

‘The method worked.’

My energy was rampaging too violently, and I was worried about what to do, but fortunately, the method worked.

The method of managing energy by inserting fingers into the body.

This was something the Heavenly Demon of my past life had done to me. I wasn’t sure if it would work since I’d only experienced it a few times, but…

Gritting my teeth and doing it, I somehow managed.

‘It actually worked.’

Even I find it absurd, but… Anyway, thanks to that, I survived.

I could have easily fallen into demonic cultivation or exploded to death. I survived by the skin of my teeth.

While feeling relieved about this…

“…Fuck.”

I had to curse as I recalled the reason for my energy’s rampage.

The reason it happened was none other than…

The idiot from my past life whom I met after consuming the Spirit Pill.

I fought that guy, and…

I lost in the end.

“…Damn it.”

After losing and opening my eyes, my energy became tangled and started to rampage. Because of that, I had to suppress my energy first without even having time to understand the situation.

That doesn’t matter. Ah, it’s strange to say it doesn’t matter, but… What’s important isn’t my life, but rather…

“Why did I lose?”

Why on earth did I lose?

I had to question that.

I couldn’t comprehend the outcome of that fight.

“I was definitely stronger.”

My cultivation level had already surpassed that of my past life’s Black Flame Idiot.

I was confident I wouldn’t lose if we fought, yet…

I lost that fight.

Why?

“Was it because I couldn’t use flames?”

The sealing of the Nine Flame Wheel Technique.

That would be the problem, if it was a problem.

In the fight, I couldn’t use fire techniques.

But.

‘Is that really the reason?’

Even so, it doesn’t make sense.

‘Getting beaten up that badly just because I couldn’t use flames?’

He used fire techniques, and I couldn’t. Even so, it was too one-sided a defeat.

I wondered if maybe he was much stronger than I knew, but…

‘No.’

That wasn’t it either. He was no different from his past life cultivation level.

If that’s the case, then the reason is purely one thing.

‘I just lost.’

I lost to him based on skill.

It means I couldn’t defeat him in my past life, and because of that, I was killed.

Ppudeuk.

I ground my teeth.

“Son of a bitch.”

Why? What was the problem, exactly?

Who even is that guy?

The reason I can’t use the Nine Flame Wheel Technique is definitely because of him.

I don’t know why my past life self is like that, but…

‘Why now of all times.’

I got heated.

It was a point where I had glimpsed the path towards Great Enlightenment.

And yet, just now, the Nine Flame Wheel Technique got sealed.

“Time is of the essence.”

I had to regain that feeling before I lost it again.

But some idiot like that is blocking me? And I can’t even win?

It was enough to drive me crazy.

“…Sseueup.”

What should I do?

My instincts were telling me.

That no matter what, I had to face him again.

So then.

“…I have to fight again, what else.”

I’m pressed for time, so there’s no room to hesitate.

I wanted to go find him right away.

The problem is…

“…Was today the day I was supposed to meet Ilcheonggeom?”

Ilcheonggeom, whom I met last time disguised as the Gyecheon Sect Leader.

It was around the time I told him I’d see him next.

If I meet him again like this…

And if I can’t win…

‘All my plans, or whatever, will go down the drain.’

I realized that meeting him wouldn’t end peacefully.

Should I try even knowing that?

If it were up to me, I’d forget the plans and just go meet him again to tear him apart.

That’s what I thought, but…

“Damn it.”

Contrary to my thoughts, my body was already moving.

It’s not like my martial arts are completely blocked.

There were too many things to do ahead.

It means I can’t just cling to my pride like before forever.

As I thought that and moved my aching body…

[Much has changed.]

“…”

His words brushed past my ears.

[With so much having changed, do you think you yourself have changed?]

Those were the words he said while ripping off my left leg.

[Don’t delude yourself. You only thought you wanted to change. In reality, you haven’t changed at all.]

[You are still ugly and weak.]

The words he spat while beating me all over were clearly audible even through the pain.

“Son of a bitch.”

I said, frowning.

It was words directed at him, but also at myself.

Why, I wonder?

[Why are you alive?]

Why couldn’t I answer any of his words?

And.

“What exactly do you want from me?”

What answer was he looking for?

I couldn’t know anything.

---

I moved my body to face the Poison King. It was because I had something to say along with expressing my gratitude.

“…Where on earth are you planning to go?”

Hearing my words, the Poison King spoke as if it were absurd.

“Do you even know what state you were in when you collapsed?”

“Yes. I remember. You must have been very surprised, thank you for taking care of things.”

It was sincere.

I heard that right after I collapsed, the Poison King took me to a physician.

Also.

“I heard you deliberately didn’t inform Miss Tang. I thank you for that as well…”

He said he sent me to Meng beforehand without informing Tang Soyeol separately. From my perspective, I was most grateful for that.

Because if Tang Soyeol had heard, she would obviously have worried.

Knowing that, the Poison King must have done this for me.

“The physician said your acupoints were quite exhausted. He also said you should rest for a few days if possible, so why are you moving right away like this?”

“My body isn’t bad either. I’m too busy to stay long. I will properly express my gratitude when I visit you next time.”

“You…!”

“I apologize for causing you worry.”

Even as I said it, I felt it was inappropriate. Not only did he bring me here after I collapsed, but he also showed much consideration, yet leaving immediately upon waking up made me seem quite inconsiderate.

Moreover.

“Are you still not going to explain?”

It was even more so because I couldn’t say anything to the Poison King.

Why I suddenly needed the Poison Pill. Why I collapsed after taking it.

Leaving aside that I could somewhat trust the Poison King, it was an action I had no excuse for.

“…I’m sorry. I’ll explain when I get back.”

“…”

“I promise.”

By this point, I should have made at least a simple excuse.

‘Then the plan….’

Meeting Ilcheonggeom with Amwang. After scattering his mind one last time. Should I meet the Gyecheon Sect Leader separately?

‘In that process, I could subtly leak information about Ilcheonggeom in advance.’

This way, I could maintain the precarious relationship between the Gyecheon Sect Leader and Ilcheonggeom. And make them meet after sowing seeds of suspicion between them?

‘No… If I do that, the task I assigned to Cheoljiseon will get messed up in the middle.’

So, should I buy more time? But the situation isn’t good for buying time.

‘I can’t even properly check my own body, and I’m going to extend the time? How would I even extend it?’

Okay, let’s say I extend the time. Would extending it solve anything?

I barely have any Red Magic Stones right now, so I need to make the Poison Pill again…

Whatever I do, it’s tight.

I must constantly accomplish tasks while securing justification. Things can’t get tangled.

There were just too many things to do.

‘Damn it, what should I do…?’

I need to sort out the tasks ahead. At the same time, I need to check my physical condition. And while doing all that, I must also consider the justification so there are no problems when this is over.

My head throbs.

I covered my forehead. I wanted to erase these thoughts immediately, but I couldn’t.

‘…I need to sort this out.’

I have to sort it out, even if I don’t want to.

I’m not Moyong Hi-ah, nor Zhuge Seon, let alone Cheoljiseon.

I’m not smart, so there will be errors, and I need to ensure I can handle those errors even if they occur.

To do that, I must reduce my sleep and reduce myself.

I chewed my tongue absently.

Recall it.

Recall it somehow.

Please, I must recall it somehow…

“Gongja Gu-!”

“…!”

I froze stiff at the rough shout.

Turning my eyes, I saw the Poison King looking at me.

Only then did my mind clear up a bit.

“Are you alright?”

“…Ah. I’m sorry… I was just lost in thought.”

I replied with a forced smile. A bad habit struck again. I sighed inwardly and continued to regulate my breathing.

“…I’m truly sorry. I’ll explain the circumstances when I visit you later…”

“Gongja Gu.”

“Yes…?”

“Are you really alright?”

“Yes?”

I wore a dumbfounded expression at the Poison King’s words. It was very brief.

“…Ah, yes. I really am alright. I was just spacing out because I had a lot on my mind.”

“…”

Despite my words, the Poison King wore a subtle expression, as if he couldn’t believe me.

And that expression was the one I hated the most.

“My daughter mentioned something today.”

A face showing concern for me. It’s the expression I least want to see in the world.

“She said your condition hasn’t seemed good lately.”

“…I don’t quite understand what you mean. I’m perfectly fine, though.”

“It was time I barely managed to secure… My daughter talked about you all day. I wasn’t feeling good about it at all. But.”

Even as the Poison King spoke, he kept looking into my eyes.

“Now that I see you, I can understand my daughter’s feelings a little.”

With that look, he asked me again.

“…Are you really okay?”

“…”

Jilgeong.

I keep biting my tongue.

I don’t know what he’s asking if I’m okay about. Also, I don’t know why he’s asking if I’m okay.

The guy who suddenly showed up, made a mess, and caused a ruckus. Moreover, asking if I’m okay to someone who’s arbitrarily wielding his beloved daughter around.

From my perspective, I couldn’t understand the Poison King’s feelings at all.

Therefore, there was only one answer I could give.

“Yes. I am okay.”

I was okay.

No.

I had to be okay.

---

I was exhausted.

My mind and body were both exhausted.

That was the only thought crossing my mind as I left the Tang Clan and took a step forward.

I hadn’t slept a wink yesterday either, yet somehow, the sun had already set.

My body tingled with every step. My swollen acupoints hadn’t fully healed yet.

I had only barely managed to gather my energy, and my heart had also taken some strain.

Even if that weren’t the case.

‘Fatigue has accumulated.’

I could tell that fatigue had built up in my body itself.

No, if it’s not physical strain, is it mental fatigue?

‘Should I rest a bit?’

Is it time for a rest? Perhaps so.

However, I couldn’t rest.

“…Hoo.”

I wiped my face, managing my expression.

Today, sleeping was out of the question anyway.

‘First. The priority is Amwang.’

Let’s go find Amwang once I arrive. And then, handle things one by one according to the plan.

Holding back a sigh that threatened to escape, I took another step.

‘Endure.’

I won’t collapse.

I resolve to endure like that.

However, if there’s one thing I wish for…

‘…I need to see the kids.’

Before doing anything else, I felt I needed to see the children’s faces.

It’s not like I’m going to do anything by seeing them.

Just seeing them would be enough.

That would allow me to take another breath, and even if I felt like stopping, it would let me take a couple more steps.

“Haha.”

After thinking about it, I burst into laughter without realizing it.

It’s absurd.

‘When they were telling me not to follow them so much.’

They were shouting not to come near me not long ago, but now that I’m following them, is it good?

It was truly contradictory.

Even knowing that, I wanted to see them somehow.

Only by doing so could I endure the present.

Before I knew it, the Sichuan Branch Office appeared in the distance. As soon as I saw it, I straightened my hunched shoulders.

At the same time, I returned my breathing to normal and managed my expression.

“Great Leader-nim!”

As soon as I arrived, a member ran up.

I waved my hand slightly and smiled.

“I’m a bit late. Sorry.”

I felt awkward.

I had assigned a lot of work, but the Great Leader himself had gone out in the morning, collapsed all day, and returned late at night, so I had no grounds to question where he had been.

“…Still, nothing major happened, right?”

“Great Leader-nim… Something big has happened.”

“What?”

“Member Namgung and Member Wi… have disappeared.”

At those words.

Ttuk-

Something I had barely held onto inside snapped.