I Will Make You a Super Peak Expert
Sa Wol had lost her entire family.
On a day thick with fog, her clan burned to ashes overnight, and her beloved family members all turned into lonely spirits. The house that had stood at the height of glory went up in flames, and its place became a cursed land pointed at with fingers of scorn.
The innocent child who chased butterflies, the girl who smiled brightly trailing after her big brother—she died that day.
Twelve years old.
The age when emotions should burst forth like fireworks for others. Sa Wol practiced erasing her feelings first. She learned to not bat an eye even when people died horribly right in front of her, and the same when she herself committed atrocities.
That was how she sharpened her blade from the very bottom.
Someday, to plunge it into the back of the Sado family that had orchestrated it all.
So after finishing everything, she had hoped to at least offer a cup of liquor at the crude grave she had made.
Fortunately, Sa Wol had talent. She herself didn't know it well, but it was talent vast enough to rival even the Heavenly Demon's overwhelming genius.
Her thirst for revenge never died out. It burned on like the eternal flame symbolizing the Divine Cult. If anything, it grew bigger with time. She had served as a dog for the Sado family and witnessed all their deeds.
Her own clan must have been used and erased in the same way.
She hated everyone in the Sado family. She wanted to wipe out their bloodline. And the one she hated most was right before her eyes.
Sado Gwang.
There were no guards. It felt like she could reach out and crush his throat right then.
But...
"Greetings, Young Master."
Sa Wol knelt. She had no choice.
Damn it...
A gu poison slumbered in Sa Wol's heart. Its parent host was with Sado Hwan, but Sado Gwang had another parent host he could control.
He's definitely wrapped in treasure artifacts and devices.
Sado Gwang cherished his body morbidly.
Such a man wouldn't appear alone before Sa Wol without any precautions. Moreover, a formation had been set up in her room without her knowing. There was no guarantee another wasn't here.
Treasure artifacts, devices, formations. Things hard for Sa Wol to detect meant she couldn't take him out in one strike.
If she failed to kill him in one blow, she would die.
"...I was looking for you, Young Master."
"I know. It must have been quite humiliating. With the other families just waiting for a chance to tear you down."
Sado Gwang spoke as if he had anticipated the whole affair. No, it felt like he knew exactly what uproar had unfolded outside.
"I'll ask you."
Sa Wol bowed her head at Sado Gwang's words.
"What are the odds you could kill Sado Hwan?"
Sleep is fair to everyone.
No matter how tough you are, no one beats their eyelids. Even the greatest people need sleep.
Not just anyone can pull off the Napoleonic sleep method. Napoleon could because he was Napoleon. Even he probably wasn't healthy. Surviving on four hours a day? Maybe once or twice, but every day? Impossible, in my opinion.
Super Peak experts supposedly need only an hour or two, but that's because they half-sleep while circulating qi.
Point is, everyone needs proper sleep.
"So please, let's sleep. Punishment Cave, meeting the Heavenly Demon, fighting—it all happened today. I'm exhausted."
[...Awake?]
"How can I sleep with you clattering around?"
[That wasn't my intent.]
Not his intent, sure—going in and out of the scabbard, clank clank rattle rattle.
Not like some puppy whining to pee.
"Haa..."
I sat up in bed. As if waiting, Pa Cheon zipped over and settled before me.
"What's wrong? Why the fuss?"
[It's your brother.]
"Yeah, my brother. What about him?"
[Is he really a bad person?]
"You saw him with your own eyes. Did he seem good?"
[What's the definition of a bad person?]
Pa Cheon continued.
[Anyone who carries a sword in the martial world, anyone who can take a life, should know their own life can be taken too, right?]
"Were the ones the family head killed sword-bearing warriors, or powerless commoners?"
[Well...]
"Doesn't change if it's the family head's doing. You think your brother didn't foresee that mess?"
Sado Gwang probably predicted it all from his seat. Or cackling somewhere, thinking, 'Just as I expected. Everyone else is inferior trash except me.'
If there were psychiatrists in the martial world, they'd diagnose severe narcissism. That's how he lived—puffed up on his own genius, yet ironically tormented by his body.
"Anyway, I get you're confused, but sleep."
[Casual bastard. How can anyone sleep in this situation? I can't sleep; I have to think.]
"No sleep means sickness. Is this body mine or yours?"
[...]
Threatening(?) Pa Cheon with the "my body or yours" logic always works. Just like Sado Gwang, he treasures his body obsessively.
"Sleep. No talking. No rattling."
[Tch.]
Honestly, I felt bad for him. Humans drown dilemmas in booze, sleep it off avoidantly, and sometimes they fade a bit. Constant thinking without sleep must suck.
But I had my reasons too.
First-rate, Peak experts wander casually. Even the maids fetching wash water are experts. Maintaining the act every second before them drains stamina like crazy.
I might be the one avoiding with sleep.
Thus, I sought slumber. One perk of this wuxia world over modern life: no lights or distractions ruining sleep. Drowsiness hit, and I was about to drift off—
[Monster!]
"...Huh. What."
[Suspicious presence!]
At his words, I bolted up. Crisis snapped the Super Peak facade back on over the sleep fog. Pretending calm, I lit the candelabrum.
Illuminated was...
"Deputy Commander."
Sa Wol. She emerged from the shadowy corner, god knows when she'd slipped in.
Her vibe screamed trouble.
"What's this in the dead of night?"
Sa Wol's face was her usual blank mask.
"...Commander."
Frankly, I flinched. Chills crawled up my spine.
Sa Wol was Peak realm. One step from Super Peak—if given the trigger, she could realize her intent and wield gang qi anytime.
Once her heart demon cleared, she'd hit Super Peak soon, probably.
I'm no martial expert, but Murim Return's lore is drilled in. Super Peak means imposing your will on the world.
Escaping self-doubt and turmoil. For Sa Wol, her heart demon filled that role.
Anyway, a prodigy like her, armed mostly in assassination arts.
Her ghosting in at night? Spooky as hell.
If she meant to kill, I'd be dead already.
So she had a purpose.
"...I found the Young Master."
"My brother?"
"...Yes."
Blank face, sure. But something felt off, subtly uncomfortable.
I'd peg Sa Wol's TOEIC at 800+. Mostly expressionless, but disliked tasks get delayed replies by a beat.
Like now.
Every response lagged, like she needed time to brew.
"Where is he?"
"...This letter."
Sa Wol handed me the missive.
Forgotten Soul Valley
[I've been to Forgotten Soul Valley as a kid. It's near the Third Demon Realm. The valley links like a formation, always shrouded in fog year-round.]
Obvious.
Trap.
He'd hidden while I was in Punishment Cave.
Unaware of the situation, I'd seek him for appearances—and I did.
My only force: Black Shadow Corps.
They scattered hunting Sado Gwang.
Meaning Sado mansion held only his forces, free to strike me.
Except Sa Wol.
Even she weakens in Forgotten Soul Valley.
Her unresolved fog phobia heart demon. Think Sado Gwang doesn't know?
I had zero pieces to play.
Worst and lesser evil—two choices trap.
If I go to Forgotten Soul Valley:
Sado Gwang tests if I'm real Super Peak. Exposed instantly.
If not:
Confirms body swap. Explains control slips.
Either way, doom.
Genius, prepare, I thought—arrogant oversight.
Should've clocked it when he let me go to Punishment Cave so easily.
Like earth creatures blind to globe's curve from vastness.
Genius vision too broad for average me to spot.
If not Murim Return diehard, I'd flail clueless to death.
In other words:
Solutions remain.
And that solution—
Sa Wol.
Hinged on her.
To survive, gamble time.
"Till when does he want me?"
"...Before Tiger Hour ends."
3 AM. Four hours spare.
"Follow me."
I changed to training robes, grabbed Pa Cheon, headed out.
Not Forgotten Soul Valley.
Straight to Sado Gwang's residence.
Sado Gwang's place was eerily silent, not a rat in sight. Absurdly unguarded.
He'd taken all his forces to Forgotten Soul Valley, apparently.
Normal times, other clans riot over warriors moving.
But Sado family head grabbing even civilians hunting his son? News spread Third Demon Realm-wide. Warriors shifting? Expected.
Chilling the more I think.
Making himself trap's core.
Anyway, slipped in easy.
Sado Gwang's room: legless furniture, low table, low side desk, low bookshelf—stark minimalism otherwise.
I approached a bookshelf. Found the book.
Heavenly Demon Chronicles.
Records past Heavenly Demons. Common everywhere in the Cult. Pulled it out.
Rumble.
Bookshelves slid, revealing new entrance.
[This...]
What else? Secret room.
Murim Return rules by cliches. Villains need secret rooms. Sado Gwang couldn't escape.
Sensing entry—maybe treasure artifact—candles auto-lit, illuminating.
Space like 1,000 sq ft apartment: bookshelves crammed, central desk nook.
[How'd you know...?]
Don't try understanding. I'm a monster.
Couldn't say protagonist finds it later.
Sa Wol's face flashed rare awe—first time here too.
"Sa Wol."
My next words bloomed shock on her face, first time ever.
"Before Tiger Hour, I will make you a Super Peak expert."
"?!"
Acting as the Heavenly Demon