Chapter 358: The Celestial Sword (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 358: The Celestial Sword (3)
Her words, carried on the spring breeze, left me speechless.
What did she just say?
Had I heard her correctly?
I had definitely heard Wi Seol-Ah’s words, yet my mind seemed to reject them outright.
It was only natural.
The statement was simply too bizarre to comprehend.
“What… did you just say?”
“…”
Wi Seol-Ah’s expression turned bitter.
But rather than dwell on her reaction, I needed confirmation. Now.
“The one responsible for my regression…?”
The being that had sent me back… was…
“The Heavenly Demon?”
The very monster who had dragged my life from the depths into a hellish existence, the leader of the Demonic Cult, the calamity destined to ravage the Central Plains.
That creature was the one who brought me back?
No matter how I turned it over in my mind, it made no sense.
“Master Gu…”
“Explain. Explain what you mean. Right now.”
“…”
I grabbed Wi Seol-Ah by the shoulders, urging her to speak. My grip must have been tighter than I realized, because she winced in pain. Seeing this, I loosened my hold and took a half-step back.
“…Please, calm down.”
“That’s a tall order. How can I possibly calm down after hearing something like that?”
“…”
“You know why I’m doing all of this.”
The reason I endlessly pushed myself, rolling in the dirt. Why I poured every ounce of focus into my training, pushing my limits and sacrificing sleep.
I was certain the Wi Seol-Ah standing before me understood.
“…Master Gu.”
To kill the Heavenly Demon and prevent the coming calamity.
That was the purpose of this life.
It wasn’t for my own sake. If I cared only for myself, I would have lived out my days in peaceful seclusion in the mountains. Honestly, that might have been the better path.
But I endured it all not for my own peace, but as an apology to those who had lived and died for me.
And yet…
“…Why would the Heavenly Demon do such a thing?”
Ever since Yeon Il-Cheon had questioned whether my regression was mere coincidence, I had harbored my own suspicions. I had begun to believe there was a puppeteer behind my return.
But if the Heavenly Demon was truly the one who sent me back, as Wi Seol-Ah claimed, did that mean this was all part of its plan? Had it foreseen my actions and everything that would unfold in this life?
The thought left me deeply conflicted.
“Master Gu…”
“Is that the truth?”
“…”
“Did the Heavenly Demon… truly bring me back?”
I wanted her to say no. I hoped it was a poor joke to lighten the mood.
But instead, Wi Seol-Ah responded firmly.
“…That’s right.”
“If I am incapable of such a feat… then she is the only one who could have done it.”
“…What?”
I bit my tongue, trying to process the implications.
Her words were layered with meaning. They implied that neither she nor the Heavenly Demon were human, but rather higher beings, like the World Tree, capable of manipulating time itself. Furthermore, it meant Wi Seol-Ah was fully aware she was not human.
“…You.”
“I think you already knew, Master Gu.”
“…”
I did know. I might not have known in the past, but I was certain now that Wi Seol-Ah was not human.
Reading my expression, Wi Seol-Ah smiled. Was my face really that amusing?
“I’m glad.”
What was she glad about?
“…Despite knowing that, you still treat me the same.”
I frowned. “Is that a reason for me to treat you differently?”
At my response, her eyes widened briefly before she smiled, covering her mouth with a hand.
“That’s true. I don’t know why I was even afraid.”
I noted how her shoulders seemed to relax, but my focus remained on our conversation.
“…When you said only the Heavenly Demon was capable of that… was that just speculation?”
“No. I am certain.”
“How…? How can you be so sure?”
Wi Seol-Ah had killed the Heavenly Demon. That was an undeniable truth. I had met my own end in a Murim Alliance prison cell just days after that event. The timeline didn’t add up if the Demon was already dead.
Yet, she was certain.
Avoiding my gaze, Wi Seol-Ah answered.
“Of course I know.”
“…What does that mean?”
“That is simply our nature.”
Her casual certainty stuck in my mind.
“What are you? What is your relationship with the Heavenly Demon?”
They had to be connected. Just looking at them, the resemblance was uncanny. They were mirror images of one another, differentiated only by hair and eye color. Could such a thing truly be a coincidence?
“If I had to explain my relationship with her… it is difficult to give a single answer.”
“What do you…”
“It’s just that… instead of ‘us,’ there should have only been one.”
“Do you have to speak in riddles? You know I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed.”
“…I’m sorry. Please try to understand.”
Wi Seol-Ah gave a pitiful smile and held my wrist. I felt my frustration mounting, my voice growing rougher. Her touch helped, but the anger simmering beneath the surface hadn’t fully abated. I was holding back, not wanting to ruin our reunion.
So it’s true? The Heavenly Demon brought me back?
If Wi Seol-Ah was correct, then it seemed so. But that raised more questions.
Even putting aside the question of the Heavenly Demon’s power, the World Tree—the world’s original ruler—had been imprisoned in another dimension as punishment for bringing Yeon Il-Cheon back. Its very existence and records were erased.
If the Heavenly Demon was responsible for my regression…
How is the Heavenly Demon still allowed to exist?
What exactly was the being I saw that day? Was it possible to avoid such a punishment?
And more than anything…
If it had that kind of power, why bring me back? Why not itself?
According to Wi Seol-Ah, only the Heavenly Demon was capable of this.
Does that mean…
The Heavenly Demon is stronger than Wi Seol-Ah?
I had always wondered. The Celestial Sword was immensely powerful. I’d never fought her myself, but it was clear that Wi Seol-Ah in her prime was a force beyond reckoning. I would dare say no martial artist could defeat her.
But the Heavenly Demon… was the Heavenly Demon truly weaker than the Celestial Sword?
If someone asked me, I wouldn’t know how to answer. That entity seemed to exist on an entirely different plane. When I heard the Heavenly Demon had been killed and the war ended, a part of me felt peace, but another part couldn’t help but wonder… how?
“The more I learn, the more questions I have.”
Just when I think I’ve grasped a piece of the puzzle, the world throws another mystery at my feet.
“It’s as if the world is waiting for me to uncover its secrets.”
“…”
Wi Seol-Ah remained silent as I vented my frustration.
“Couldn’t you at least stop keeping secrets from me?”
“…Master Gu.”
“You said you don’t hate me. You said you were sorry. So then…”
“I’m sorry…”
Wi Seol-Ah apologized again.
“I wish I could tell you… everything you wish to know.”
“Then why can’t you?”
“…”
If she knew, she should just tell me. I wanted to know what this damned world wanted from me. I needed to understand why the Heavenly Demon brought me back.
She should just say it. But she hesitated.
“How about you just—”
“I don’t have much time left.”
“What?”
Her words stopped me cold, freezing the demand on my lips.
“What did you say?”
Wi Seol-Ah offered a bitter smile, observing my reaction.
Not much time left?
“What do you mean? You don’t have much time?”
“…I no longer have the strength to tell you everything. Speaking of the Heavenly Demon was my limit.”
What was she talking about? I was more confused now than when she first mentioned the Demon.
No time left?
“…I’m sorry. I wish I could have told you more.”
“Wait… What does that mean? Are you going to disappear?”
“I held on as long as I could. I also do not wish for this child’s body to suffer any longer.”
The Wi Seol-Ah before me had confessed she was only borrowing this body.
“…Then, what about the other you? The one native to this timeline?”
“I put her to sleep for a while. One day, she will learn these things too… but it is not yet time for her to know.”
“Wait, are you saying you are actually disappearing? For good?”
“…”
“Answer me!”
She didn’t answer, but her smile told me everything.
Then, Wi Seol-Ah placed her cold hand on my cheek.
“I’ve never seen that expression on your face before.”
What expression was I making for her to say that?
“I’m happy… that I got to see this side of you.”
“How long? How long do you have left? A few years?”
“…”
“A year? A month?”
If not that, then surely she had a few days. Anything less would be unthinkable.
“Master Gu…”
“Is this what you meant when you said I would regret it?”
“Not exactly… I didn’t think you would feel sad just because I am leav—”
“What could be sadder than this?”
“…”
Wi Seol-Ah hesitated at my firm response.
“Can’t you just return to resting inside the body? If that’s the case, then go and rest.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Damn it… Stop apologizing and think of a way!”
I wanted to scream, but I forced myself to hold back. I didn’t push her hand away. I just stared into Wi Seol-Ah’s trembling eyes.
What kind of expression was I making? I knew it wasn’t a normal one.
Wi Seol-Ah smiled again as she looked at me.
“Stop smiling… How can you smile at a time like this?”
“How could I not?”
Her hand stroked my cheek.
“You are worried about me.”
“…Should I curse you out instead?”
“We are this close, and I am even stroking your cheek.”
“…”
“Do you know that?”
She smiled so beautifully I was rendered speechless.
“This was my dream. I probably wanted this more than I wanted world peace.”
Her voice trembled.
“But I wonder why it took me so long to realize.”
“…Then it’s not too late to start now. If you don’t disappear…”
As I spoke, Wi Seol-Ah’s eyes softened into a smile.
“That would be too greedy.”
“Who cares if you’re greedy? Everyone lives with some kind of desire.”
She had probably lived her entire life without a single selfish wish. That was the Celestial Sword’s way. So who would blame her for indulging in a few desires now?
I wanted her to understand, but Wi Seol-Ah just shook her head.
“…It is a regret of mine, too.”
As she spoke, she slowly withdrew her hand.
“I have been too greedy. I even once thought about taking full control of this child’s body.”
“…”
“Could you bring yourself to tell me to do such a thing?”
The answer in my mind wouldn’t make it to my lips. The Celestial Sword taking permanent control of the Wi Seol-Ah of this timeline… In some ways, it seemed possible since they were the same person, but were they truly identical? I couldn’t answer.
“I knew you wouldn’t be able to.”
“…I.”
“That’s why I’m glad. You’ve always been this way.”
“…You.”
“This life belongs to her alone. I have no right to interfere, which is why I regret meeting and speaking with you like this.”
Wi Seol-Ah took a step back.
“My regrets are starting to fade.”
“…Your regrets?”
“I always wondered how different my life could have been if our first meeting had been different. But that regret is fading, thanks to this child.”
“…”
“I know it is because of your efforts. But that only deepens my regret.”
She had been watching all my efforts until now.
“Because of that, I cannot stay here any longer.”
“What does it matter? If you don’t want to interfere, then just watch.”
“Not only can I not do that… but even if I could, it would be another act of greed, my own selfish desire for happiness.”
She moved farther away.
I tried to step forward, to follow her, but I couldn’t.
“…!”
Wi Seol-Ah’s body began to shimmer faintly. A wave of anxiety crashed over me. For some reason, an invisible force held me in place, preventing me from getting closer.
The lady stared at the man.
Even as her vision blurred, his face remained vividly clear.
The man called out to her. “Hey…! Wait!”
He seemed stunned by the sudden turn of events.
So he can make that expression, too.
She had seen so many new sides of him today. It made her happy.
Suppressing her emotions, she spoke.
“I didn’t want our farewell to happen like this. I knew my time was short… and I didn’t want you to find out, either.”
Because everything about her, even her existence, could become a shackle binding him. That was how she felt.
“…Even so, I’m glad that seeing me one last time made you happy.”
Defying fate and altering her destiny had burdened her soul, and she knew punishment awaited once this was over. She feared it, but didn’t let it show.
She looked into his eyes. His expression was in turmoil. Were those tears gathering at the corners?
Surely not. After all, she had never seen him cry.
No, he might have cried when she died.
She wondered if he had cried when the Demonic Sword died. Even now, a childish jealousy clung to her.
With that thought, she spoke.
“I have no right to ask anything of you… but I have two requests.”
The man struggled against the invisible force as she spoke. It was painful to watch, but she knew he couldn’t break free. This was the world correcting an alteration. It was impressive enough that he could even stand and witness it.
“Please take good care of this child…”
She didn’t add, ‘as much as you couldn’t for me.’ She didn’t want to burden him further.
And one more thing.
“…And please, call this child by her name.”
The man, Gu Yangcheon, who had been straining to move, paused.
Not once. Gu Yangcheon had never called anyone by their name in his life. That included himself. No one knew why.
The lady assumed it was because he didn’t want to hold anyone so precious that he’d feel compelled to speak their name. Just like her, he was ruled by fear.
She felt selfish and ashamed to make these requests, knowing that. Yet, in this final moment, she allowed herself this indulgence. By mentioning only this child and not the other girls around him, she permitted herself one last selfish act.
Pssss…
She felt herself beginning to break apart. It wasn’t her physical form, but the very fabric of her soul fading away.
So this is what it feels like for a soul to shatter.
I wonder what will remain of me once I’m gone. Whatever it is, he likely won’t be there.
That… might be quite sad.
Despite the thought, she smiled.
She still held countless regrets. There were so many things she hadn’t been able to say. She never told him how badly she had wanted to see him, nor could she voice the most important thing.
She liked him. She had dared to love him.
But she couldn’t bring herself to say the words. She knew how conflicted he would feel if she did, so she kept them locked inside.
This much was enough for her.
I am sorry for you.
She directed the thought to her younger self, asleep within the body. There was so much she wanted to tell this child, but her time was gone. In some ways, she was envious. She envied her younger self for being able to live the life she never had.
With that final thought, she closed her eyes.
Then…
Craaaack-!
With the sound of reality tearing, a warm hand reached out, grasped hers, and pulled her back.