Chapter 113
Chapter 113
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village
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Me and Miho arrived in Guanzhong before long. The distance from Henan to Guanzhong wasn't all that far, so even without using lightness skills, we made it in just five days.
As soon as we entered Guanzhong, Miho headed straight for the most luxurious inn and tried to order the most expensive dishes available.
"Where's the best restaurant in Guanzhong?"
"......"
"Hmm? You don't want to buy me a meal?"
"Can't we eat later? Just thinking about meeting Lee Gwang is giving me a headache."
Miho wagged her tail gently as she spoke from atop the bed.
"I just don't get you. Isn't this a life where you could die any moment anyway? If it were me with money, I'd gorge on the finest foods everywhere I went until I was sick of them."
"Then what if we run out of money when we actually need it? Would you want me to die and save up all over again to get here?"
"... Cheapskate."
I couldn't help but feel resigned as Miho grumbled and glared at me. So, I handed her the money left over after exchanging it with the Great Dragon Merchant Association leader.
Miho stared at the money I held out, then burst into laughter.
"It was a joke, and you took it seriously again? I could fool any human with illusions as much as I want."
I let out a sigh.
"Whatever, just use this money. If the illusions get found out, it'll be a headache later."
"You're really giving it to me?"
"Yeah."
"Hmm, I'll put it to good use, then."
Miho snatched the money with an excited look on her face. She seemed thrilled at the thought of feasting at the Jong family, the most renowned culinary clan among Guanzhong's six great houses.
"Now you can meet Lee Gwang alone, just like you wanted."
"That wasn't exactly why I gave it to you."
"Hehe, I don't particularly want to see that Lee Gwang either. My charms don't work on top experts, and it's frustrating."
"......"
"See you later, then."
Whoosh!
Miho vanished with a teleportation spell. She was probably planning to wander off on her own and show up when she felt like it.
The room felt like a storm had passed through. I lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling for a while before making up my mind.
'Yeah. What's the worst that can happen? Death?'
Even if I died here, I'd gained plenty. I could make active use of it in my next reincarnation, and maybe find a way other than devoting myself to Lee Gwang. Right now, shaking off this mental torment was what mattered.
A little later, I got up and headed for the Azure Dragon Martial Hall.
Bang Il and his brother stood guard in front of the Azure Dragon Martial Hall. From my perspective, these were faces I'd seen for over ten years, so I even felt a bit of fondness. Naturally, Bang Il, seeing me for the first time, spoke up.
"Who are you?"
"I've come to deliver a letter."
"A letter? To whom?"
"It's an urgent letter for Hall Master Triple Excellence Lee Gwang. Please show me in."
Bang Il snorted and reached out toward me.
"You little..."
Tap.
I casually evaded his hand with Thunder Shadow Step and struck the back of his neck with a hand blade as I passed. Bang Il lost consciousness in a single fluid suppression move.
As he toppled forward, I clicked my tongue.
"Fresh reaction."
The other gatekeeper who'd been watching stuttered in surprise and tried to rush into the Azure Dragon Martial Hall. He meant to shout and alert everyone of the intruder, so I closed in fast and sealed his pressure points before he could make a sound.
Thud.
"......!!"
With his movement and speech points sealed in an instant, he froze in place. I tucked my hand back into my sleeve and said,
"You'll be able to move again in about fifteen minutes. No big deal, so don't worry."
I didn't want things getting noisy, so I had no choice but to go in and speak directly. Staying out of sight, I leaped onto the rooftops and moved swiftly with Thunder Shadow Step, soon landing in front of Crouching Dragon Hall.
Standing before Crouching Dragon Hall, I gazed at the building and swallowed hard. Behind those doors lurked a being who annoyed me just thinking about him.
I took a deep breath and called out loudly.
"I am Baek Woong. I've come from afar on an errand."
No reply came for a while.
After a long silence, a familiar voice responded.
"Come in."
Creak.
I opened the door and entered. Walking into the dim darkness of Crouching Dragon Hall with tense steps, a familiar sight greeted me. A middle-aged man sat at a table, quietly pouring tea into a cup. Unlike with Sword Demon Seomun Daeryong, there was no overwhelming physique or aura, but I knew this man was one of the most terrifying people in the world.
Azure Dragon Martial Hall Master Triple Excellence Lee Gwang looked at me for a moment before speaking.
"An errand... Who sent you?"
"General Jang Kyung-ik sent this letter to you, Lord Lee Gwang."
"Hand it over."
I approached and offered the letter politely. To avoid suspicion, I hadn't opened it en route. Besides, I'd brainwashed the sender himself, Jang Kyung-ik, so I already knew the contents—no need.
"......"
Lee Gwang tore open the letter and read the contents slowly. He also examined the attached map in detail. I stood silently until he finished. Only after a long while did he speak.
"Baek Woong, was it? Your martial arts seem to stem from the Thunder God Style. Correct?"
I was inwardly surprised. Until now, I'd always declared and demonstrated it myself, but this time, Lee Gwang recognized it just by looking. I nodded and knelt on one knee, performing the Thunder God Style bow reserved for elders of the school.
"Yes. How did you know?"
"Your Thunder Shadow Step has reached a considerable realm."
An inexplicable joy welled up at his words. Lee Gwang, who was notoriously stingy with praise, had complimented my footwork. But with all the suffering he'd put me through, it wasn't enough to cheer me up—I felt my heart grow heavy again.
Lee Gwang gestured for me to rise and correct my posture before speaking.
"No need to be so tense. If you're a disciple of the Thunder God Style, you're like a junior to me. No reason for me to harm you."
"Understood."
"Where is your master, and what is he doing?"
"He has passed away. His chronic illness worsened..."
"He hadn't reached the Thunder Spirit realm? A master who could teach you?"
I let out a sigh.
"I obtained this internal art after wandering the land and stumbling upon a fortuitous encounter. It's regrettable."
"What sort of encounter?"
"I consumed a Millennium Snow Ginseng."
"Millennium Snow Ginseng...!! Indeed, an elixir of that caliber would make it possible."
Lee Gwang nodded in understanding. Meanwhile, watching him stirred complex emotions in me. The Lee Gwang before me was utterly different from the one who'd hated and tormented me to death.
Here stood a martial genius utterly indifferent and emotionless, caring only for his own affairs—a peerless expert. Far from hating me, he showed only the minimal interest required. In truth, this was Lee Gwang's true nature, so I thought to myself,
'Blind Rage. You were right... That time's Lee Gwang was the anomaly.'
The resentment hadn't fully dissipated, but reason allowed me to accept it to some degree.
As I quietly settled my emotions, Lee Gwang spoke.
"You've mastered the Thunder God Style to a considerable realm, yet how did you end up running an errand for Jang Kyung-ik?"
I decided to tell the truth here without major lies. There was a chance Lee Gwang might seek out Jang Kyung-ik later, and needless falsehoods could trip me up.
"As I wandered the land, a connection to the Hwa family led me toward Goryeo to meet the head of Radiant Divine Cult's Flame Flower Division. En route, I crossed paths with General Jang Kyung-ik, and during our talk, I agreed to this errand. After returning from Goryeo, I received the letter and came straight here to the Azure Dragon Martial Hall."
"Radiant Divine Cult's Flame Flower Division? One of the world's five great physicians, I heard. They were ostracized for ties to the White Lotus Cult..."
"Yes. Since my master was close to the Flame Flower Division head, I headed to Goryeo to meet him."
"I see."
Lee Gwang seemed convinced by my detailed, coherent account. With no sloppy fabrications, there was nothing to suspect.
After a moment's thought, he asked,
"Where do you plan to go now?"
I realized this was the crucial moment. I performed the Thunder God Style bow again and said to Lee Gwang,
"If you are a master of the Thunder God Style, I wish to receive instruction from you."
"I figured you'd say that."
Then Lee Gwang continued slowly.
"First, I'd like to check your martial attainment."
"May we use the training hall?"
"Use it as you like."
Wooong.
As I'd done countless times before, I dashed to the training hall and demonstrated all the Thunder God Style techniques I knew. Of course, I pretended not to know ultimate secrets like Thunderclap. Once the demo ended with Thunder Spirit Eight Forms, Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship, and Thunder Cloud Palm, Lee Gwang, who'd been watching, spoke.
"Impressive achievement for your age. More than enough to grant permission."
"Thank you."
"But why not use the Heavenly Thunder Infinite Spear or Ten Thousand Riders Sword Formula?"
Lee Gwang stated it as a fact that I wasn't using them. I'd feigned ignorance, but apparently it showed in his eyes. Rattled inwardly, I made an excuse.
"I've learned the forms, but my aptitude is poor—nothing worth showing."
"Show them anyway."
"Yes."
Slowly but with full power, I began unfolding the Heavenly Thunder Infinite Spear and Ten Thousand Riders Sword Formula. Knowing he'd see through my talent and be disappointed anyway freed me up mentally.
But something strange happened.
A trance unfolded before my eyes, and my body felt detached from itself—like watching from outside. It differed from when Yeo Dongbin controlled me; I could barely tell if the weapon in my hand was a spear or sword.
Booooom...
In that state, I linked spear forms and sword forms with unparalleled fluidity and speed, transitioning seamlessly to the Ten Thousand Riders Sword Formula. Strangely, upon gripping the sword, it felt like an extension of my arm—no sense of holding it. The various formulas within flowed from my fingertips as one unbroken stream, defying no rhythm.
It flowed.
The immortal sword danced.
Before I knew it, I was performing a sword dance. Centering my body, I naturally swirled the world's true energy, and sword shadows bloomed like petals. Hitherto unlinked forms connected. Amid it, I sensed Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship gradually fusing into the Ten Thousand Riders Sword Formula.
Decades of sword training, battle experience against strong foes, the intuition of Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship, fundamentals from the Sword Demon, wisdom from countless life-and-death crises—all merged into one. I realized this was the moment to surpass the 'wall.'
The final sword stroke sliced the air, unleashing a deep sonic boom.
Sweat poured from my body as I focused on internalizing the profound sensation. Forgetting I was demonstrating before Lee Gwang, I immersed myself utterly in my martial arts.
Only after a long while, regaining composure and lifting my head, did I see Lee Gwang standing there, clearly moved.
"To grasp the wonders of Ten Thousand Riders...!! A rare sight."
Swish.
Before I could respond, Lee Gwang pulled a spear from the training hall with void grasp and held it. He then began demonstrating his own martial arts. Wondering what was happening, I instantly understood why without explanation.
The pinnacle of martial arts.
Overwhelmed as a pure warrior, Lee Gwang reciprocated by sharing his enlightenment. Even as reason barely held, I widened my eyes to etch every movement.
I'd seen something similar when he taught me zealously in the past, but back then, I couldn't comprehend it.
Now was different. His movements almost made sense; I grasped their intent. Fresh from my sword enlightenment, no talent barriers hindered understanding.
Whoooong.
A massive flow swept past.
Lee Gwang's spear scattered misty light, drifting through bizarre time. His body seemed still yet moving, moving then still. The spear neither split into clones nor sped—it pursued perfect oneness with the user in a single motion.
This was art.
By the time my mind reached a spot, the motion had passed. The spear of one who'd forgotten forms unleashed ultimate killing precision on formless foes. No longer bound by Thunder Spirit Eight Forms or Heavenly Thunder Infinite Spear—this realm defied classification. Blooming thunderbolts rent heaven and earth moment by moment.
Shame washed over me. How laughable to strut before such a transcendent master claiming to learn the spear!
Strangely, past contempt and torment from him faded. As warrior to warrior, I understood why he'd raged so fiercely then.
Boom.
With a final true step, Lee Gwang ended in a thrust.
He looked at me and said,
"Another prodigy rivaling my disciple... True genius."
"......"
Is that it?
Seeing him convince himself alone, indignation surged. I wanted to correct the mistake.
"No, it's not."
"Hm?"
I stated firmly.
"I have no talent."
It might sound bizarre.
A young punk like me mastering Thunder God Style arts, just surpassing the peak realm, claiming no talent—might seem idiotic.
Yet I had to say it. Unspeakable, my soul would die.
Lee Gwang first looked baffled, then seemed to grasp something and fell silent.
"......"
I spoke slowly.
"Don't assume talent explains everything in one word. That's irresponsible."
Lee Gwang.
You smug bastard.
How many get hurt by that one phrase?
I don't need to enter the Azure Dragon Martial Hall.
Even if it wastes more time.
'I have to say this.'
I no longer saw Lee Gwang as a flawless transcendent being. He too raged fiercely, suffered, erred like any human. For humans to correct each other, courage to speak was first.
True care meant honest conveyance over concealment or deceit. This was my respect for the 'master' who'd dominated my half-life.
Lee Gwang sensed something in my words.
With a solemn face, he replied.
"I understand."
Normally, he'd dismiss it as nonsense with a sneer or ignore it. But having conversed through martial arts, he took it to heart.
Inexplicable.
How could mere words—not compensating years of torment—heal me? Yet it felt so. Years of close instruction with closed hearts, now slightly open.
"Why are you crying?"
It was true. Tears like washing away grudges streamed down my cheeks. Indescribable emotions poured forth.
"......"
"... No, I misspoke. Sorry."
Lee Gwang said awkwardly. Admitting fault and apologizing—I'd never seen it in decades. With his colossal pride, impossible. Thus, I felt no more anger, wiping my eyes.
"It's fine."
With this, I'd shed over half my resentment.
Though time-consuming, piercing the peak wall with the sword—and reentering the Azure Dragon Martial Hall—succeeded simultaneously.