If It Were You
Paeng Su-won left Samcheongjeon Hall with a light heart.
'Excellent.'
The Paeng family had seized a chance to advance another step, and he couldn't help but feel elated.
'No other family or sect would trek all the way to distant Kunlun begging for support. I'm glad I insisted despite my brother's stubbornness.'
From what he'd gauged of Kunlun's power, it would prove invaluable.
Justifications were all much the same anyway—ultimately, it came down to a clash of strength. With the Paeng family's might backed by Kunlun's martial prowess, they wouldn't fall short against anyone.
It wouldn't be outright war between factions, just friendly sparring to measure power. Paeng Su-won looked forward to the event five years hence.
'Not just Kunlun, either. I'm still working on others, so I might pull in at least one or two more forces.'
If that happened...
'Overthrowing the arrogant Namgung family—not to mention Shaolin and Wudang, who act like they're above the world—might not be impossible.'
As they'd discussed in Samcheongjeon, if things went smoothly, the alliance's masters would be dispatched to Qinghai Province to aid Kunlun.
Everyone would object, but under the banner of righteousness, they'd have no choice but to comply.
'They'll become a unit under the alliance leader's direct command. That will grant our house even greater power.'
Quite a bit of blood would flow, no doubt.
Still, it sat fine with his conscience.
It wouldn't harm Kunlun, after all.
Heo Cheong, walking beside him, clapped his shoulder with a grin.
"Feeling that good, eh?"
"Haha. You bet."
"Hope it all works out. So the suffering folk of Qinghai can smile again, thanks to us pushing back the Demonic Cult."
"...Yeah."
Paeng Su-won's cheeks warmed at his friend's pure concern for the powerless. He quickened his pace.
"What's the rush? Nice weather—let's take it slow."
"The sect leader gave his blessing, so I need to hurry back and report to my brother."
"Already leaving?"
"Regrettable, but no choice. Next time we meet, let's drink till our noses twist again."
"Ahem. Ahem. Keep it quiet, you."
"Huh? Haha, sorry. My bad."
Back at the lodgings, Paeng Gang-hwi was nowhere in sight.
"Damn. Where'd that boy go, when he's not even fully recovered?"
"With Jeong Gwang, maybe? Let's check."
In Jeong Gwang's room, only Jeong Gwang lay sleeping alone.
"Jeong Gwang. Wake up a moment."
"Yaaawn... You're back?"
"Yeah. Know where Young Master Paeng might be?"
"Hmm. About time he showed."
As they puzzled over Jeong Gwang's words, a powerful aura surged from afar.
It raced toward them at tremendous speed.
"Who the hell lacks manners charging like—huh?"
Heo Cheong flung open the door, eyes widening.
He'd assumed it was one of the weaker junior priests from the aura's intensity, but no—it was Paeng Gang-hwi, not even twenty yet.
His uncle, Paeng Su-won, gaped in stunned silence too.
'Such a strong aura. How?'
Paeng Gang-hwi ignored their shock, halting squarely before Jeong Gwang.
"Here."
"..."
"Don't get all hyped and overdo it. Rest up a few days."
"..."
"Master. He's back, so can I sleep now?"
"Y-yeah."
Paeng Gang-hwi, who'd stared silently only at Jeong Gwang, turned to the others.
"Sorry, but could you give us the room? I need to speak with Daoist Jeong Gwang."
Heo Cheong and Paeng Su-won were dumbfounded.
Calling the barely fifteen-year-old Jeong Gwang "Daoist"?
Jeong Gwang himself was the most baffled.
What's with this guy?
Did his enlightenment go too far and drive him mad?
Paeng Gang-hwi bowed politely to Heo Cheong and Paeng Su-won.
"Please."
Paeng Su-won eyed him a moment, then sent a transmission.
-Things went well—we leave soon. Wrap it up quick, whatever it is.
-Ah! Thanks for your efforts. Will do.
Paeng Su-won nodded faintly and tugged Heo Cheong along.
"Come on, Heo Cheong. Let's step out."
"R-right."
Once alone, Paeng Gang-hwi bowed deeply.
"Thank you."
"No big deal."
"Truly, thank you."
"No big deal."
Straightening, Paeng Gang-hwi gazed at the boyish Taoist before him.
Even the sullen expression ill-fitting his youth felt mysteriously profound.
The ability to solve his long-tormenting issue in one go.
And the transcendent poise not to boast of such a feat.
'A rejuvenated master? Or the incarnation of the Supreme Elder Lord?'
He shook his head at the absurd thought.
To him, one of the Nine Dragons, Jeong Gwang was an astonishing enigma beyond measure.
"Without you, Daoist, I..."
"Hey. Drop the 'Daoist,' yeah?"
"If it bothers you. Without you, young hero..."
"Ugh. Skip 'young hero' too."
Jeong Gwang waved him off, and a smile tugged at Paeng Gang-hwi's lips.
So unpretentious—truly the mark of a great Taoist.
Eccentric at times, but this must be his true face.
'A sage and an eccentric.'
Unlike his misconception, Jeong Gwang itched all over at titles like "Daoist" or "young hero."
Never dreamed he'd hear the hypocrite labels he'd mocked in his past life.
"Then casually. Thanks to you, I've shed a great worry. I'll repay this grace."
"Don't push too hard."
"Haha. The Paeng family's not that weak. Might seem trivial to you, but my power too."
Paeng Gang-hwi gazed silently a moment, then transmitted.
-When Kunlun heads to the Murim Alliance, come with us.
Jeong Gwang, clueless about the Kunlun-Paeng pact, blinked in confusion.
Misreading it, Paeng Gang-hwi smiled warmly.
This young hermit seemed utterly free of worldly ambition.
-Planning to hide in Kunlun forever, nurturing your Dao? Impossible.
Jeong Gwang wanted nothing more than to bolt from Kunlun.
-'A needle in the bag' isn't just words. Talent can't be hidden.
Jeong Gwang had long since built a wall against false humility.
-Heroes like you are fated to heed the jianghu's call.
The words tickled so much Jeong Gwang thought he'd misheard.
-...Who calling who?
"Hahahaha."
Laughing aloud, Paeng Gang-hwi grew solemn.
-Visit the Paeng family.
-Why?
-I want to repay you, however small. I'll prepare a gift.
-Not asking for more favors, right?
His face and tone screamed annoyance.
Paeng Gang-hwi chuckled dryly.
Who dared treat him—a Namgung scion and Nine Dragons member—like this?
-Haha. Maybe.
Unlike his earlier haste, leisure filled his heart now.
Not just martial insight, but a shift in spirit.
-Then, till next time.
Paeng Gang-hwi clasped his fists and opened the door.
Heo Cheong and Paeng Su-won, eavesdropping at the threshold, grinned awkwardly.
"Ahem. Ahem."
"D-done already?"
"Yes, Uncle."
"Feeling okay?"
"Of course."
Soon after, the Paeng uncle-nephew pair departed amid farewells from Heo Cheong and Jeong Gwang.
"Man. Gone so quick. Gonna feel empty for a while."
Gazing down the mountain regretfully, Heo Cheong heard Jeong Gwang.
"I'll fill that void, so no worries."
"...Disciple. You don't mean..."
With the Paengs gone,
"Urghhh!"
"Arrrgh!"
Kunlun's hellish training resumed.
Jeong Gwang slumped languidly, gazing at the sky.
Clouds raced on the wind, reminding him how swiftly time flew.
His True Heavenly Demon days hadn't felt this rushed.
Was he busier now?
Chucking softly, Jeong Gwang rose and stretched.
"Urarrat."
Whatever. More fun than his past life—that was enough.
Who knew raising people could be this entertaining?
Past him had crushed any begging for discipleship.
'Y-young cult leader! Why won't you take me?!'
'Too dumb.'
'Sob. By your standards, who in the world—'
'Plus annoying.'
'Try me—you'll change your mind. One of the sage's three joys is—'
'Sage? What's that in our cult? Murim Alliance spy?'
'Gasp! N-no! I just...'
'Shut it. More beatings.'
'Argh!'
Looking back, the beatings might've been more hassle.
'You never know till you try.'
He looked ahead.
Taoists sweated profusely, executing forms.
Kunlun arts—graceful, stylish, mighty.
"Chahap! Wayong Chulseo!"
"Hap! Jinryu Ohhaeng!"
They shouted noisy kiais and form names, soaring about.
A bit showy, maybe—but if they liked it...
Strong enough not to care.
They'd grown incomparable to two years prior.
Thanks to Jeong Gwang's flawless guidance—and their own fierce effort.
Two years back, after sparring Paeng Su-won of the Hebei Paeng Clan, Kunlun Taoists embraced Jeong Gwang's teachings fully.
Not easy, though.
'Ughhh. Soreness killing my sleep.'
'Mom... no, Primordial Heavenly Venerable. Save Kunlun and me.'
Tears soaked pillows nightly.
But dawn brought fiery focus.
Competition fueled it.
'Haha, senior brother. Your energy's waning with age.'
Swallowing tears at juniors' taunts.
'Heh. Junior, improved—but long road ahead. Keep at it.'
Grinding teeth at seniors' dismissals.
And...
'Oho, much stronger. Haha, good lad. My disciple indeed.'
'...Thanks.'
'Hm? Happy day, sour face?'
'...Sad Master's weakening with age, more than my progress.'
'...N-no, I'm...'
'Sob. Retiring now.'
'D-disciple! Not like that...'
Twisted filial piety toward hale masters drove mad training.
Interactions sparked a training frenzy, yielding satisfying results for Jeong Gwang.
He'd trained ceaselessly too these two years, elevating other facets to match his abnormally vast inner power. What more could he want?
"Hahaha! Refreshing!"
"Aye. Forms settling in—strength surges with practice."
Jeong Gwang nodded at the chuckling Taoists, heart warmed by their progress.
Time for mercy.
"Good work! That's it for today."
"Haha! Already? You too."
"Sorry to tire a kid like you. Kekeke."
Shaking his head at their bright replies,
thunder crashed from his lips.
"Tomorrow, next stage."
Chill silence blanketed the training ground.
Among dazed Taoists, only the sect leader croaked out,
"...Next stage?"
"Yes."
"...What is it?"
"Just that. Tough one—rest well today."
"..."
Jeong Gwang passed the Taoists collapsing like they'd lost the Primordial Heavenly Venerable, heading to his room.
Flopping on the bed, sleep beckoned swiftly.
Soon dreaming, he saw an immortal.
Familiar face.
Of course—he'd surely ascend.
Blissfully happy.
Jeong Gwang didn't call out.
Feared he'd vanish forever.
Instead, another called.
-Jeong Gwang!
Master?
-Jeong Gwang!
Master an immortal too? Though he's a bit...
Heo Cheong wasn't immortal in the dream.
In reality, shaking Jeong Gwang awake.
"...Ugh. What?"
"Jeong Gwang! Up! M-Master! Master he—!"
Un Hu?
Why him?
Living well as immortal... Ah!
"Collapsed suddenly!"
Heo Cheong's words clarified it.
Dream, then.
His pallor had worsened—time had come.
Folk dropped abruptly when their span ended.
His past father, himself too.
Full lifespan—no helping it.
True Taoist Un Hu might ascend as in the dream.
Congrats. Farewell.
Shared bonds—I'll offer rites now and then, though no talent for it... Huh?
Heo Cheong seized his wrist.
Jeong Gwang's brow twitched to speak, but his master was faster.
"Let's go!"
Determination pierced the bewildered Jeong Gwang.
"If anyone can... you can save Master!"
