Chapter 177: Mission Accomplished, I Have Returned.
Chapter 177: Mission Accomplished, I Have Returned.
When I finally opened my eyes, Seo Dae-ryong was building a campfire next to our parked carriage.
“Are you awake?”
“How long was I out?”
“Long enough. Honestly, how can a martial artist sleep so soundly? Someone could have carried you off and you wouldn't have even noticed.”
“I was on guard even while I slept.”
“While snoring like that?”
I really had fallen into a deep, dreamless sleep. Of course, Seo Dae-ryong had no way of knowing that the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art would have jolted me awake the instant it sensed true danger.
“You must be hungry. Here, eat this.”
Seo Dae-ryong produced food he had bought from an inn before our departure. He was meticulous; they were all dishes I particularly enjoyed.
“After this meal, we’ll probably have to hunt for our own food.”
Eating my favorite meal after such a grueling battle felt wonderful. It might seem like a small thing, but people are often moved by these minor gestures. Thanks, Dae-ryong.
After eating my fill and washing it down with cool water, a satisfied sigh escaped my lips.
“Ah, now I feel like a new man.”
As I sat by the fire, Seo Dae-ryong handed me a container of golden wound medicine.
“Now, you should treat those injuries.”
I stripped off my blood-soaked clothes and the Ghost Tiger Armor. Then, I unwound the Supreme Heavenly Silkworm Thread and wrapped it back around the hilt of the Black Demonic Sword. The thread was stained a deep crimson, saturated with blood. I considered washing it but decided against it. The hilt of the Black Demonic Sword, wrapped in blood-stained cloth, had its own rugged, battle-worn aesthetic.
I began applying the medicine. I had avoided any fatal blows, but my body was a wreck—covered in a map of cuts, scrapes, and dark bruises.
“You’re still in your prime; what are you going to do with so many scars? Any woman who sees them will run for the hills.”
“I’ll just undergo Body Reforging later and overhaul everything at once.”
“I was going to ask how easily you think such a fated encounter comes... but then again, since it’s you, Pavilion Master, I suppose I can’t be sure.”
Once I finished tending to the wounds, I changed into the fresh martial robes Seo Dae-ryong had purchased.
“They fit perfectly. I like them.”
“You’ve worked hard, sir.”
“Our first mission was a success.”
“Our last mission was a success,” he corrected with a grin.
There are certain moments when just looking at someone makes you feel good. For instance, when my father sits in his Grand Tutor’s chair, looking down at me with that trademark dissatisfied expression, or when the Blood Heaven Blade Demon plunges his massive Heaven Extermination Great Blade into the earth and leans against it.
With Seo Dae-ryong, it’s when we exchange these silly jokes.
“Honestly, while I was waiting in the carriage, I considered charging in at least ten times.”
“If you had, I would’ve had a hell of a time trying to rescue a second hostage.”
“Then you would have grown even more. Maybe I should have gone in after all?”
Seo Dae-ryong chuckled. I laughed along with him.
Once our banter subsided, Seo Dae-ryong shared what he had been feeling during this mission.
“I keep dreaming of duels. I can still hear the cheers from the sparring stage ringing in my ears. I miss that feeling. Looking back, I think I’d rather be a martial artist who stands in the spotlight than a hidden master.”
“You’ll have to walk that path anyway.”
“Pardon?”
“Because you’re going to become a Demon Lord.”
Since the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had passed down his martial arts to him, his path as a successor was already set in stone. At those words, Seo Dae-ryong’s expression turned solemn.
“Pavilion Master. Can I really become a Demon Lord? Can I truly handle the weight of such a position?”
“Does your master look like the kind of man who would give up his seat easily?”
“No, he doesn't.”
“Then what are you worried about? If you can’t trust yourself, trust your master’s judgment.”
“Still... I can’t believe it. Me, a Demon Lord.”
I suppose it was natural. He was going from a mere investigator of the Huangquan Pavilion to a Demon Lord. It would be stranger if it felt real this early.
“I... I will work myself to the bone.”
To the fired-up Seo Dae-ryong, I spoke calmly.
“Effort is a given, but keep this in mind: they say that when you climb an uphill path, you only see the summit, but when you walk downhill, you see the world. Every now and then, remember to look back as you climb.”
Seo Dae-ryong gave me a strange, amused smile.
“You’re ten years younger than me, yet you certainly have a way with words.”
As I lay down by the campfire, Seo Dae-ryong settled on the opposite side. Lying there, watching the stars dance in the night sky, felt incredibly peaceful.
“I should go on trips like this more often later on.”
“Please make sure to take me with you.”
“You’ll be too busy basking in applause and attention.”
“I can go after I’ve had my fill of the spotlight.”
“No thanks. I’m taking Lee An.”
Seo Dae-ryong pouted. You rascal, if it were that easy, would my father be stuck in the Heavenly Demon Hall?
I slept soundly that night. The tension and fatigue that had accumulated over the long mission finally began to melt away.
* * *
We traveled by carriage until my body had sufficiently recovered.
As soon as I was healed, I sold the carriage, hoisted Seo Dae-ryong onto my back, and sprinted back to the sect using the Rapid Speed Step. At first, Seo Dae-ryong wailed that he was going to die from the sheer speed, but he eventually adapted and even started cracking jokes while being carried. It was a fresh reminder of just how adaptable humans can be.
After a long journey of running, we finally arrived at the Main Cult.
The first place I headed was the Heavenly Demon Hall.
Beyond the red carpet, far in the distance, my father sat in his Grand Tutor’s chair. Today, I felt exceptionally grateful to him for always guarding his place, unchanging and resolute.
The moment my eyes met my father’s blunt, downward gaze, my heart swelled with emotion. Fearing I might show too much, I quickly performed a deep bow.
“I have eliminated the Heavenly Mandate Society Leader and returned after completing the mission.”
“You did well. You may rise.”
As I stood, the Chief Strategist, Sama Myeong, who was standing nearby, offered his greetings.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“I heard that dealing with the Heavenly Mandate Society was no easy task.”
Since I had sent periodic missives to update them, my father and Sama Myeong were well aware of the process and the results. Of course, I hadn't included my personal grievances in those official reports.
“Don’t even get me started. I lost count of how many times I almost died. This test was far too difficult. No, it was an impossible mission!”
“I admit it. It was my mistake. I did not realize the Heavenly Mandate Society had grown into such a massive organization.”
Sama Myeong readily admitted his fault. After all, it was the Tongcheon Pavilion, which he led, that had assigned the mission.
Just then, my father, who had been watching us, spoke up abruptly.
“It seems you tried to kill our son.”
Sama Myeong and I both looked at my father in surprise. We were both shocked that my father would make such a joke in this setting, but I was stunned by something else.
Our son.
It was the first time I had ever heard those words from him. I might have heard them when I was a toddler, but as far as my memory went, this was the first time. I should have responded with a joke, but my mind went blank.
Sama Myeong smiled and said to me, “How about it? Is that enough for you to forgive me?”
He knew. He knew that I had heard the words 'our son' for the first time, and he knew how deeply it moved me.
“Send me again. Where is it this time? Is it the Under Heaven Society? Or the Heaven and Earth Society?”
Sama Myeong laughed at my bravado.
I felt good. It was just one phrase, but it was a moment I would never forget for the rest of my life. Calming my trembling heart, I asked Sama Myeong, “What happened to my brother?”
“The First Young Master has already successfully completed his assigned task and returned.”
As expected, just like before my regression, my brother had finished his task safely. The destiny that had changed was mine. A secret organization called the Heavenly Mandate Society had vanished from the Murim, and I had passed the test.
“Then we both passed.”
“That is correct.”
“Since my test was much harder, shouldn't you consider me the winner? Please appoint me as the successor!” I demanded boldly.
“That is a request you are certainly entitled to make, but wouldn't it be unfair from the First Young Master's perspective? We must also consider the possibility that he would have succeeded even if he had chosen the harder path.”
As you both probably suspect, my brother would never have been able to solve it. He likely would have lost his life if he had gotten deeply involved. In that regard, it’s a relief that I chose this side.
I kept those thoughts to myself.
“Then it’s too unfair for me, isn't it?”
“Therefore, regardless of the test results, we intend to give you a reward.”
It seemed they had already agreed on this.
“Is there anything you desire?”
Without hesitation, I looked at my father in his chair and said, “For my reward, let’s go hunting together one more time.”
My father looked surprised.
“Every time you receive a reward, you ask to go hunting with me.”
After all, the wish I had requested after winning the duel following my regression had also been a hunting trip.
“We have to catch that tiger we missed back then.”
“Very well. Let us go.”
My father readily accepted.
“We depart tomorrow morning.”
* * *
After leaving the Heavenly Demon Hall, the first place I visited was Lee An’s training ground.
I expected to find her sweating while practicing her martial arts, but surprisingly, Lee An was sitting quietly, reading a book. She was so beautiful it startled me every time I saw her, and seeing her read gave off a different kind of charm. It was a sight that would make any scholar in the world fall in love.
The thought struck me again: I definitely had to introduce Lee An to Jin Ha-ryeong at least once.
Curious about what kind of martial arts manual she was studying, I used my New Eye Technique to look closer. To my surprise, it was a collection of poems and paintings.
I spoke as I entered the training ground.
“Are you planning to quit the martial path and become a poet?”
At my voice, Lee An glanced up briefly before returning her gaze to the book.
“You’re back?”
She acted as if she had seen me just yesterday. No, even if she had seen me yesterday, she would have been more welcoming than this. I immediately sensed she was teasing me. I sat down beside her, pretending not to notice.
“Congratulations.”
“Congratulations for what?”
“I heard there’s a wedding in the works?”
Only then did I realize. That big-mouthed Seo Dae-ryong must have come by and told her everything about Jin Ha-ryeong.
“I heard your fated love is the daughter of the Murim Alliance Leader?”
“Not love, just a meeting. And not his daughter—his granddaughter.”
“They call her the Beauty of Hubei, so she must be incredibly pretty.”
“Not as pretty as you.”
“What about her personality? Is it good?”
“It’s decent enough. She wasn't raised without manners.”
“A perfect match, then. I truly congratulate you.”
“Are you done being jealous?”
“I told you, it’s not jealousy. It’s a sincere congratulation.”
“Then you should look at me while you say it.”
“I don’t want to.”
Lee An’s display of jealousy was far too cute.
“I told her, you know. That when I returned, someone far more beautiful than her would be waiting for me.”
I saw a small smile tug at the corners of Lee An’s downcast mouth.
“And what did she say to that?”
“She didn't believe me. So I’m going to show you to her next time. I’m leaving now.”
As I stood up and started to walk away, Lee An jumped to her feet.
“Where do you think you’re going! After making me wait like this!”
Lee An rushed toward me and threw her arms around me in a sudden, tight embrace. I could feel her tears falling against my shoulder. I could tell just how much she had worried about me while waiting.
“Just a moment.”
I stood there holding her for a while. Feeling her warmth made my heart feel at peace. It felt as if all my complicated thoughts were vanishing. How lucky was I to have even one person like this in my life?
After a moment, she pulled away. Perhaps realizing she had been too bold, Lee An’s cheeks flushed a deep red. She quickly changed the subject.
“The Blood Heaven Blade Demon lent me this collection of poems and paintings.”
“The Elder? Why?”
“I went to see him. There were rumors that the Demon Lords had moved for your mission. I asked him if you were alright.”
I could imagine how much she must have hesitated before visiting the Blade Demon herself.
“What would you have done if he said I wasn't alright?”
“Then I would have gone to find you. I definitely would have gone. The thought that you might die because I didn't go would have made it impossible for me to eat or sleep. I would have had to go, if only for my own sake.”
“You little worrywart. If you had come, I would’ve left you at the Murim Alliance.”
“Then I would have just lived near the Murim Alliance, running a soup shop without a care in the world.”
“If you ran a soup shop, not a single day would pass quietly.”
She burst out laughing. Her bright personality had never changed, whether she was overweight or as she was now. Her lack of wavering in the face of external factors was her greatest charm and strength.
“At that time, the Elder told me not to worry needlessly and lent me a book to read. The book he lent me then was about human life and death. Honestly, telling me not to worry while lending me a book about life and death! Anyway, I’ve been borrowing them one by one since then. But you know what’s strange? Reading these books seems to make my martial arts training go better.”
“It’s because your martial arts are finally connecting with your life.”
“My life and martial arts are connected?”
“In the beginning, martial arts improve through talent and effort. But once you reach a certain realm, your martial arts begin to reflect your life. You know how people often get stuck at a wall in their training?”
“Most people do.”
“The reason is that they cannot change their lives. A person must change for their perspective on martial arts to change, but since the person remains the same, they cannot overcome the wall blocking them.”
“Ah!”
It seemed Lee An had found her answer. It was the moment her curiosity about why poetry and philosophy helped her martial arts was finally resolved.
“Let’s talk more later. Right now, I have to go meet the master of life and death.”
As I turned to leave, Lee An spoke up spiritedly.
“Young Master, I’m so happy you returned safely.”
“It’s good to see you.”
Leaving Lee An’s quarters, I headed toward the Southern Blade Sect, where the Blood Heaven Blade Demon resided.