episode_0145

Sun-gi was filled with intense emotions that led him.

That was the first issue mentioned by the teacher.

Well, this part could be resolved by distributing Sun-gi among various emotions or focusing on one significant emotion to concentrate, a sort of traffic control, but…

There were other issues besides this.

“You didn’t consider your ‘yo-gi.’ Or rather, should I say you didn’t expect you to show such fighting spirit in that situation? It was indeed my mistake as well. Hah, but truly remarkable. You thought just not giving up would be enough, yet instead of giving up, you tried to surpass that situation… Haha.”

The teacher seemed satisfied with my mindset, praising me warmly and explaining in detail why those emotions were problematic for Sun-gi.

It was because of my subtle physical characteristics where Sun-gi and yo-gi coexisted.

Since emotions like resistance or fighting spirit, a kind of inherent violence, were more easily responded to by yo-gi than Sun-gi, my yo-gi reacted to my last-minute defiance, but my will wanted to utilize Sun-gi, leading to a clash of energies…

After finishing the explanation, the teacher apologized repeatedly, admitting that they rushed due to their impatience without carefully considering various possibilities like my tendencies and physical traits.

But I don’t think the teacher needs to apologize at all.

I should be grateful instead…

Honestly, it’s said that people’s true nature emerges in challenging situations. Even I, beyond thinking about wanting to survive in that moment, never expected to display such a mindset. In the end, it became a precious opportunity for me to confirm that I am truly my father’s son.

“Teacher, why are you apologizing to me? As your student, I can only express my gratitude. However… um… could you possibly recreate that situation once again?”

“You…?”

So, I ended up asking the teacher to strike me again with the same sword as before.

The teacher seemed quite taken aback by my request, but…

It was inevitable.

I had no right to be playful.

My body, with its soul bound to a tiger,

always at risk of being devoured by its ‘yo-gi.’

There was never a moment to relax, so if there was even a slight possibility of growth, I had to seize it like a hungry wolf.

Fortunately, now that I know the problem, if I just focus with caution on that aspect, couldn’t I quickly gain enlightenment?

“Well… that seems unreasonable.”

However, the teacher appeared skeptical of my opinion, shaking their head.

“Yes? Why is that?”

“Well… as you know, this method was an aggressive approach to quickly awaken strong emotions on the first attempt… So, the effectiveness may naturally diminish thereafter.”

“……”

“Now that you understand all of this teacher’s intentions, it will be difficult for intense emotions to arise as before. No matter how tense you may be, deep down, you can rest assured that you will never die.”

“……”

“And… no matter how physically unharmed you may be, this act is one where the will of a divine being cuts into a person’s spirit. If this continues, it will impact your mental strength. Are you perhaps forgetting that just a moment ago, you couldn’t even move a finger due to exhaustion, despite being healed by Hee-sun?”

“……”

Ah… That feeling of powerlessness…

As the teacher pointed out, I had completely forgotten that I was immobilized in Hee-sun’s arms.

Or rather, I didn’t realize it was due to the teacher’s strike.

I just thought I was a bit surprised, causing my body to stiffen…

“Hmm… Yes, I understand why Master opposes it clearly.

The effects are minimal, and accumulating strikes only harm the mind further. It seems futile to add more, leading to mental strain with no real benefit.

Still… I couldn’t stop. I had an urgent conviction that this moment must not be missed…

“But Master, may I ask once again? While I understand your words… even if the emotions that will erupt have weakened compared to before, knowing the issues, if I focus more on that aspect, could we still succeed?”

“……”

Master seemed to ponder my words for a moment, closing his eyes in silence before speaking again.

“You have indeed succeeded in imbuing emotions into the fabric. As you say, now that you’ve also identified the issues, what you need is not training but time. In my judgment, you should rest now. Healing through meditation is by no means omnipotent… Natural recovery through rest is essential.”

“But…”

“Well, is there a limit to grasping the essence?”

“Yes…”

As I tried to speak to Master, he quickly interrupted me.

Perhaps Master understood why I was so adamant.

With a somewhat urgent expression, Master continued to advise me.

“How can I not understand your feelings? The moment of enlightenment is crucial for any monk or cultivator… However, sacrificing your body for that enlightenment is not permissible. Enlightenment will come again, even if delayed. But lost health does not return.”

“……”

Hmm… It’s quite a serious situation…

It feels like Grandfather lecturing his grandson about taking care of his health, which is somewhat peculiar.

Still, I felt grateful for Master’s concern for me.

However, even if it’s a bit regretful, I cannot give up this opportunity.

“I understand your words well, Master. But… if the delayed enlightenment arrives too late?”

“……”

“As you know, Master, perhaps I don’t have much time left. I can’t predict when the demon inside me will devour me. Moreover… the one who summoned this demon still lives openly beneath the earth.”

“……”

“I must descend to the surface soon. I must help, protect, and bring happiness to the precious people there! So please, Master, assist me in awakening!”

Thud.

I earnestly pleaded with Master, prostrating myself on the ground.

“Oh, no, why is a disciple requesting guidance from the Master in such a humble manner! Quickly, rise!”

Seemingly taken aback by my actions, Master hurried over to help me up.

Then, as if seeking approval from Hwiseon, who had been observing our conversation from the side…

Nodding.

“Well… I suppose… I understand. As a Master, I cannot impede a disciple’s progress… However, if it seems like a significant blow will occur, I will forcibly halt the training. Do you understand?”

Did Master realize that he couldn’t deter me from my course of action? Eventually, with a sigh, Master reluctantly granted my request.

“Thank you, Master! I will strive to gain enlightenment as soon as possible!”

I simply smiled with joy, expressing my gratitude by bowing deeply to the sky-like benevolence of my Master.

‘In order not to burden Master further, I must attain enlightenment with minimal effort…! So now, let’s focus on emotions as much as possible… This time, emotions should serve a purpose, and… draw in emotions that are more positive than negative…’

.

.

.

.

“Aaargh!”

Thud!

How many times has it been now?

Dongbangsak thought.

He hadn’t been counting, but it must have been well over ten times.

Briefly.”

Dongbangsak habitually gauged Heesun’s mood.

Whenever she saw her disciple collapse, she would rush over with flushed cheeks, embrace the disciple, and heal them…

Even though the disciple received healing from her more than ten times, fearing that seeing her face might weaken their resolve, they never spoke a word of complaint. They simply nodded in gratitude and rose up like a spring.

Could she possibly restrain the disciple? Despite secretly trying to talk to Heesun about it…

“(Heesun, please restrain your husband a bit. If he continues like this, he’ll catch my one and only disciple! How much did I suffer because of his stubbornness last time, tossing a rock back and forth?! Didn’t I even endure your scolding because of that? So, even now…!)”

Swish, swish…

Despite Dongbangsak’s earnest plea, Heesun only shook her head with a gloomy expression.

It was then that Dongbangsak realized.

Even if that beautiful fairy tried to hold back the disciple by the arm, the disciple would never stop.

Since she knew that, despite shedding tears, Heesun continued to heal rather than restrain…

Phew… In a short period, Dongbangsak had finally begun to understand what kind of person his disciple was after living together for some time. Could Heesun not comprehend his feelings?

Originally, the disciple must have been making such efforts because of her…

“I-I will do it again. Master, just… just once more, and I think I will understand.”

Staggering.

How many times was “just once more” exactly?

Even after receiving Heesun’s treatment, the disciple still couldn’t control their body. Dongbangsak felt as though his heart would tear apart, but…

“….”

The fiery gaze of the disciple, burning like flames, forced him to hand the wooden sword back to them.

Their wavering body suddenly straightened up, as if preparing themselves…

Dongbangsak closed his eyes for a moment, recalling the emotions contained within the disciple’s bandages.

Instincts related to survival, love and responsibility towards family, traces of reluctance led by worry, all resided within. And… the struggle to overcome danger was driven by something else entirely.

He also read the vengeful spirit hidden within the disciple’s struggle.

The regret underlying that revenge implied that, even in a situation where death loomed, the disciple had once fled.

From a master’s perspective, it was a pitiful and lamentable thing…

Since the target of that vengeance was the disciple themselves, rather than the tiger they should have sought revenge on.

Moreover, at the moment of striking the sword, the disciple’s struggle surpassed the instinct for survival, indicating that they could no longer tolerate fleeing for life…

Yes, the disciple despised the past self who had weakly fled before the tiger.

Within that seemingly bright and straight figure, cold anger and a vengeful spirit towards oneself were deeply rooted.

Thus, the disciple’s nobility shone even brighter.

Having faced such threats without breaking down and grown so admirably…

Therefore, witnessing the disciple confirm his resolve and shed tears, Dongbangsak vowed to make them stronger, ensuring they no longer ran from threats and stopped hating themselves.

However, attempting to abruptly awaken the disciple in this manner was a painful mistake on his part.

He should have engaged in more dialogue, gotten to know the disciple’s life, and approached cautiously…

“Sigh… If I had known this would make you so impatient…”

What could he do but blame himself, a novice who had become excited by the disciple’s rapid growth…

Despite having lived through countless experiences, Dongbangsak blamed himself for his inadequate practice and once again struck the wooden sword towards the disciple.