Chapter 507: If Only Another Life Could Be Extended
Chapter 507: If Only Another Life Could Be Extended
“I want to help too!”
The cry erupted from the burning desire deep within Seo Dae-ryong’s heart.
“I know I might be a burden. But I want to fight for Master, too.”
He couldn’t just sit and wait in a safe house while his Master was in mortal danger. It would have been better if Geom Mu-geuk had joked that he’d just make an excellent hostage for the enemy, but the Young Cult Leader simply stared at him in silence.
I shouldn’t have said anything.
Dae-ryong bit his lip. He had nearly died in that temporary dungeon if not for Jang Ho. That was still the limit of his skill. His desire to save his Master was sincere, but he couldn't afford to be a hindrance in a matter this critical.
Seo Dae-ryong forced a smile and quickly changed his tune.
“I was just talking. You know me, right? When have you ever seen me go anywhere dangerous? I’ll stay right here at the safe house and wait for you to bring Master back, Young Cult Leader.”
Having said it, his pride stung. A lingering regret remained, so he added awkwardly, “Is there really no way for one’s skills to skyrocket in just three days?”
At that, Geom Mu-geuk suddenly thrust three fingers forward and immediately took flight.
“Where are you going, Young Cult Leader?!”
But Geom Mu-geuk had already vanished from sight. Seo Dae-ryong stood there, bewildered.
Why did he hold up three fingers?
Was it because he asked if there was a way to get stronger in three days? Or was it because the meeting at the Bongsan Sword Gate was three days away? Whichever it was, did he really need to thrust his fingers out like that?
Where did he go so suddenly?
Geom Mu-geuk did not return after one hour, nor after two. He didn't return until Seo Dae-ryong let out a playful, weary lament.
“You’ve forgotten about me, haven't you? I get it now. You meant you’d be back in three days, right?”
Right then, someone landed behind him with the sharp whistle of wind.
“My Lightness Skill is far too fast for that.”
Seo Dae-ryong turned around, startled. “Where have you been—huh?”
He trailed off. Geom Mu-geuk was drenched in sweat. For someone of his martial prowess to be sweating like this... it was as if he had just fought a war.
“Did you go out and achieve the Unification of Chongqing or something?”
“If I had, I’d be drenched in blood, not sweat.”
With that, Geom Mu-geuk pulled a small box from his robes.
“What is this?”
“The answer to your question.”
“Huh? What did I ask?”
“Open it.”
Seo Dae-ryong took the box. Inside lay a pill glowing with a brilliant blue light. Even at a glance, the pill radiated an extraordinary, dense energy.
“No, I won’t! I don’t want it. I’m not taking it. I won’t take it even if I die!”
“How do you know you don't want it when you don't even know what it is?”
“It’s an elixir, isn't it? I won’t be indebted to you any longer, Young Cult Leader. Give it to a real martial artist, or give it to Commander Jang.”
“It’s not an elixir.”
“...It’s not?”
As Seo Dae-ryong remained suspicious, Geom Mu-geuk revealed the pill’s identity.
“It’s called an Explosive Energy Pill. It allows you to unleash your Demonic Arts with much greater power, but in exchange, it will shorten your lifespan. You asked, didn't you? If there was a way to get stronger in three days? Well, here it is.”
Seo Dae-ryong looked down at the pill with trembling eyes. “How much will it shorten my life?”
“It varies. It could be one year, or it could be ten.”
The brilliant blue light seemed to tempt him, as if eager to devour a human life. In that moment, the face of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon overlapped with the pill.
Master.
The fact that his powerful Master was in such a situation meant the danger was grave.
Others might stay behind, but I cannot.
The bonds between people are often forged by things that aren't grand at all. Looking back, it’s the little things—and it was the same with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
The bond had been locked tight the moment Dae-ryong realized that his fastidious Master had let his drunken self sleep in his own bed. Master could have thrown his rambling, drunken disciple into any spare room—or even a stable—but instead, he had given up his own bed.
It was decided then. I’m going to follow this man.
On the line of fate connecting him to his Master, Seo Dae-ryong took another step today.
“Who knows? When Master is truly in danger, I might be able to save him because I took this pill.”
“It might shorten your life by ten, or even twenty years.”
“It’s fine,” Dae-ryong said firmly, “as long as another life can be extended in exchange.”
Without hesitation, Seo Dae-ryong swallowed the pill. Why did this terrible medicine taste so sweet?
Since he had taken the medicine, Geom Mu-geuk hurried to help him circulate his qi.
“Melt the pill with your mental method.”
Seo Dae-ryong sat cross-legged and began his Qi Circulation. Geom Mu-geuk pressed a hand to his back, injecting a stream of internal energy to help dissolve the medicine.
One circulation, then two, then three. With Mu-geuk’s help, the medicinal effect was completely absorbed. When he finished, Seo Dae-ryong opened his eyes. His gaze was clearer and deeper than ever before. In his Dantian, he felt a magnificent internal energy that was incomparable to what he had possessed just moments ago.
After checking his condition, his first words were: “It wasn't that, was it? That strange medicine.”
Geom Mu-geuk’s relaxed smile was his only answer.
“What kind of medicine was it?”
Then, a name he hadn't expected came out.
“The Blue Jade Divine Pill.”
Seo Dae-ryong was shocked. The Blue Jade Divine Pill was an elixir even more potent than the Demon Essence Pill he had taken before. It wasn't a drug that traded life for power; it was a legendary treasure.
“Something this precious...!”
“I didn't think you’d take it if I just gave it to you.”
“Of course I wouldn't! Take this internal energy back!”
“Unfortunately, I haven't mastered the Energy Absorbing Demonic Art.”
“Young Cult Leader!” Seo Dae-ryong looked at him with trembling eyes.
“You were lucky. Fortunately, there was exactly one left in a certain place.”
Even with money, elixirs were nearly impossible to find in this era, but Geom Mu-geuk possessed the vast experience of his life before the regression. He knew better than anyone who was selling what and where. Moreover, he had the funds he had earned during this journey.
“The Elder will be pleased when he hears you were willing to shorten your life to help him. Outwardly, he’ll scold you for being a fool, but he’ll be truly moved. I’ll make sure to take the credit for telling him, too.”
Seo Dae-ryong felt both embarrassed and burdened. “Actually, I knew it was an elixir! There’s no way you’d make me take a medicine like that, Young Cult Leader. And you just made up that name on your way back, didn't you? 'Explosive Energy Pill'? How tacky. Don't think you can fool me again! I was the top student at the Huangquan Pavilion! I’m not some pushover!”
Of course, to Geom Mu-geuk, he was the biggest pushover in the world.
“That top student better be careful from now on. He just shoves anything into his mouth without knowing what it is!”
“No, I don't!”
Seo Dae-ryong was happy. His greatest weakness had been his lack of internal energy compared to the formidable Heaven Extermination Demonic Blade Form, and Geom Mu-geuk had compensated for it.
How am I ever supposed to repay this debt?
Then, Geom Mu-geuk held up two fingers.
“Wait, what does that mean? It’s two this time.”
“It means I’m going to show you the second way to get stronger in three days.”
Geom Mu-geuk went into his quarters and brought something out. It was a set of protective armor—one of the pieces he had obtained from the treasure vault the Silver Han Merchant Group Leader had given his father.
The White Scale Armor.
True to its name, it was a pure white protective vest.
“I thought it would suit you. I was planning on giving it to you anyway.”
It suited him even better today. For a man willing to stake his life for his Master, this snow-white armor was the perfect fit.
“No, I’m really fine,” Seo Dae-ryong said, waving his hands and stepping back. “Please don't make me such a shameless person.”
“I’m lending it to you.”
Of course, Seo Dae-ryong didn't believe him. He knew Mu-geuk would never ask for it back. “For how long?”
“About fifty years?”
Seo Dae-ryong’s expression said, I knew it.
Then, Geom Mu-geuk said something that made him stop retreating. “Didn't you say you wanted to help the Elder?”
Mu-geuk stepped forward and handed him the White Scale Armor. As he did, he pulled open his own collar to show what was underneath. He was wearing the Black Dragon Flying Armor.
“I’m wearing one too, so who are you to arrogantly refuse?”
“No, that’s not the point!”
“If you were serious about wanting to help your Master, put it on.”
How could he refuse when it was put like that? Seo Dae-ryong took off his outer robe and donned the White Scale Armor. Right, staying alive is the best way to help.
The burden of the gift was one thing, but the armor itself was incredible. “Ah, it’s amazing! It’s so comfortable, it feels like I’m not wearing anything at all.”
“It’s thin, but it can block most Sword Qi.”
Seo Dae-ryong drove his great blade into the ground and looked at his reflection in the steel. It felt foreign. The protective robe, the disciple of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon wearing it, and the blade reflecting it all.
“It looks good on you.”
“I must have saved you in a past life, Young Cult Leader.”
Geom Mu-geuk gave a meaningful smile. I’m sorry, but the one who saved me was Lee An. You must have saved me about two lives ago.
Mu-geuk looked toward the horizon. “Fifty years from now, when you return this to me and say you used it well—won't we laugh as we remember today? We’ll have a great time talking about the old days.”
Seo Dae-ryong’s heart swelled. “Will I still be alive then?”
“That’s why you should always wear it.”
And as if there were still one more thing, Geom Mu-geuk held up one finger.
“What is it this time?”
“The last of the three ways to get stronger in three days.”
The final gift remained.
“You’ve increased your internal energy and put on a protective robe. Now, it’s time to learn how to fight.”
Seo Dae-ryong’s eyes widened. He realized Mu-geuk was going to give him practical combat training.
“Since the Elder is your Master, I won't teach you new martial arts. But a practical duel should be fine.”
To receive a duel from the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult—this was a fated encounter that couldn't be bought with a thousand gold pieces.
Geom Mu-geuk announced the start of the duel with a playful remark. “I’m supposed to be the incarnation of greed, but I’ve given away too many precious things today. Won't I feel better after I beat you up a bit?”
Seo Dae-ryong didn't refuse. He simply stared at Geom Mu-geuk in silence.
When that first practical duel ended... Seo Dae-ryong was crying. He had tried so hard not to because he didn't want to burden Mu-geuk, but the tears poured out. Do I really deserve to be cared for this much?
“Did it hurt that much?”
Seo Dae-ryong answered without lifting his head. “Yes, it hurt so much. Do you feel better now?”
Geom Mu-geuk’s voice reached him as he sat with his head bowed. “No, this is just the beginning. Get up.”
The tears did not stop easily.
*
Standing by the window, Geom Wu-jin watched his son and Seo Dae-ryong. Hwi stood a step behind him, watching as well. He wondered what the Cult Leader was thinking.
If it were me, I’d be proud, Cult Leader. To have a son like that. It was a life Hwi could never have.
Geom Wu-jin, who had been watching his son in silence, walked slowly to the tea table and poured himself a cup. “You heard it too, didn't you? The suggestion that someone from my past might be behind this.”
“Yes, Cult Leader.”
Since hearing those words, his son’s statement had been lingering in his mind.
“Did anyone come to mind for you?”
“No, my Lord.”
Then, Geom Wu-jin spoke abruptly. “One person came to mind for me.”
Hwi looked at him with a surprised face.
“I had forgotten him entirely, but thinking back on the past years brought him to mind. There was one person who weighed on my conscience.” Geom Wu-jin toyed with his empty teacup. “He is already dead.”
“Then why do you think of him?”
Geom Wu-jin answered as he poured more tea. “Because his body was never found back then.”
Hwi’s eyes widened. If it really was him...
“So many years have passed.” Geom Wu-jin drank his tea quietly, thinking of the man who might have returned through the shadows of time.
*
The practical training continued until the morning of the third day. Except for meal times, they spent every moment—even sacrificing sleep—sparring.
This training was on a completely different level from anything Dae-ryong had experienced. He crossed the threshold of death countless times. There were so many close calls where he thought, Ah, so this is how I die.
But he didn't die. Because his opponent was Geom Mu-geuk.
The duel was solely for Seo Dae-ryong. It was teaching designed to pull him to the next realm, and then the one after that. Without saying a word, Mu-geuk corrected his flawed postures and habits. He taught him how to move and how to react. As sword and blade clashed, Dae-ryong learned with his very blood and bone.
Seo Dae-ryong felt his skills improving with every move. Though he didn't realize the full extent of it, his prowess was exploding. He had asked if there was a way to get stronger in three days as a joke; Mu-geuk had made it a reality.
The great blade on Seo Dae-ryong’s back glinted in the morning sun. The Seo Dae-ryong of three days ago and the man standing there now were two different people.
“Dae-ryong.”
“Yes, Young Cult Leader.”
“What shall we do now?”
Seo Dae-ryong could tell. He knew the heart with which Geom Mu-geuk asked this question. He knew why Mu-geuk had devoted himself so intensely to him for the past three days.
It was so he wouldn't feel like a burden. It was so he could be the one to say these words.
“We are going to save my Master now. Will you come with me?”