Chapter 53: Subduing Demon Hall

I was on my way back to Jinrang Valley, situated near Luoyang, to meet Mangnyang. Still seven days' journey away from my destination, I suddenly spotted massive dark clouds rolling in across the horizon.

"What the hell? Are those rain clouds?"

Thanks to my exceptionally keen eyesight, I spotted them before anyone else could, but they were truly enormous. At a single glance, it was obvious this was a colossal tempest laced with violent thunderclouds. It looked as though it would engulf the area where I stood within less than an hour. Laden with tremendous moisture, anyone caught in its direct path would be absolutely deluged by a merciless downpour.

Of course, no matter how swift and refined my lightness skill, I couldn't outrun clouds moving by the very will of the heavens. Realizing this, I diverted my path and headed into a nearby village. Spotting a few residents gathered near the entrance, I spoke up to them.

"Would it be all right if I took shelter from the rain here for a bit?"

All eyes immediately turned to me. The villagers looked at me with expressions of sheer bewilderment.

"Rain? In this perfectly clear weather, what on earth are you..."

A middle-aged man, who had been resting under the shade of a large tree after spending hours working the fields, burst out laughing at my absurd request. But before he could utter another word of mockery, a sharp, heavy wave of humidity abruptly struck my nose. Gradually, the villagers began noticing the pitch-black clouds gathering in the far distance, one by one, swallowing the blue sky.

"It's rain! It's actually rain!"

"A disaster is coming! Hurry and gather the dried crops before they are ruined!"

The village instantly dissolved into a panic. Everyone rushed frantically to secure their crops and livelihood. The middle-aged man, who had been standing completely dazed by the sudden shift in the weather, turned to me and shouted over the rising wind.

"Kid! I-I'm sorry for laughing, but give me a hand! We need to get these heavy sacks inside the storehouse, quick!"

"Of course. Does that mean I can shelter from the rain and cold here for the day?"

"Yeah! I'll even feed you a warm meal from my kitchen, just hurry!"

I moved like lightning. Instantly, I began hoisting his sun-dried sacks, swiftly carrying them indoors. Before the man could even catch his breath a few times, the heavy sacks were all safely stacked inside. He stood frozen, staring at me in absolute shock. It was no wonder—to his common sense, two or three grown men would have strained for ages to move that much weight, but I had handled the entire load in seconds. Seeing that there was still time to spare before the sky opened up, I leaped back outside to help the other panicked villagers as well.

Rumble—

Crack!

Soon, a violent thunderstorm battered the village with fierce, unrelenting rain. It was no ordinary shower; the sheer volume of water falling from the sky was unnatural. Fortunately, the village had many well-prepared, sturdy buildings, so the initial structural damage wouldn't be too severe as long as the water kept moving.

The middle-aged man who had let me into his home wiped the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠thick sweat from his brow, looking out at the deluge with a sigh of relief.

"Whew... I am truly grateful to you, young man. Anyway, you're strong as an ox. How on earth did you know a storm like this was coming?"

"I just have good eyes for reading the signs."

"Right. You are a strange one. Well, there's porridge warming in the kitchen; I'll bring it out so you can recover your strength. You can stay the night here where it's safe."

The man walked over to the hearth, but after a while, I heard him cursing under his breath as he struggled with the firewood.

Crackle...

"Damn it... The fire won't catch at all. The wood absorbed too much moisture."

"Hold on a moment. Let me try."

Stepping forward, I channeled my Thunder Spirit Qi down into my palm and directed it toward the hearth to kindle the damp firewood. As I forced the crackling, electric flames halfway onto the stubborn wood, the man scrambled backward, his face twisted in utter shock. To his everyday common sense, lighting wet firewood in such a manner was an absolute impossibility.

"Huh... Are you perhaps a martial artist from the Murim?"

"I am just a wanderer, traveling the lands and training to perfect my skills."

"Anyway, thank you. Do you have a final destination in mind?"

"I am heading toward Jinrang Valley. I originally planned to walk all day without stopping, but it looks like my schedule has been thoroughly derailed by this storm."

The middle-aged man replied with a serious expression.

"Jinrang Valley is incredibly far from here. Traveling there in this kind of weather is going to be exceptionally tough and dangerous going."

"It is not really that much of a problem for me."

"Oh, right! Since you are a powerful martial artist with a sharp mind, I'll tell you something good that might benefit you."

"Oh? What is it?"

He glanced around the room furtively, ensuring no one else was listening, and lowered his voice to a whisper.

"If you cross two mountains from this village, there is a place called Jangryeong Valley. Word is the master of that valley is an incredibly wealthy man, but he is extremely eccentric. He loves posing bizarre, highly complex riddles to anyone who visits him. If you manage to solve them, he rewards you with a fortune in gold."

"Gold just for solving simple riddles?"

"Yeah! Lately, scholars and martial artists who possess incredibly sharp minds have been heading over there quietly in search of wealth."

"Hoo..."

I found the rumor quite intriguing. Gold isn't cheap; it is the ultimate symbol of wealth and a constant source of dispute. Handing it out so freely for mere intellectual games was odd. At the same time, my instincts told me that Jangryeong Valley was no ordinary place. If even a common villager had heard rumors of unchecked 'gold,' then bandits, thieves, or greedy local sects would have targeted that wealth long ago. Yet, I hadn't seen any suspicious martial movements through these areas. The valley's master clearly possessed the hidden power and martial prowess required to protect his fortune and punish the greedy.

'Well... That is none of my business right now. Meeting Mangnyang is far more important than any amount of gold.'

I had already seen plenty of gold bars while dealing with the treasures of the Seven Luminaries. Seeing wealth no longer sparked an ounce of greed in my heart; my mind was entirely consumed by the necessity of heading to Mangnyang with the relic. The mysteries of the valley could wait; I wanted to hurry onward the moment the weather cleared.

That day, I ate their humble food and stayed comfortably with the family, enjoying their warm hospitality. But the next morning, things took a turn for the absolute dire.

Splash—

The sound of rushing water echoed everywhere. The rain showed absolutely no sign of stopping; instead, it had intensified into a mad fury. Rising at dawn, I stepped outside to find the village streets submerged ankle-deep in muddy water. The villagers had woken early and were frantically bailing water away from their doors, floundering in sheer panic.

Splash!!

"Move faster! Bail the water before the foundations rot!!"

"Old So's house is completely flooding—what do we do? Someone help them!"

"Uwaa!! The river alongside the village is overflowing—how can we stop this..."

They were entirely helpless. It made perfect sense: the village's primitive drainage pathways could handle an occasional heavy rain, but this relentless torrent would inevitably overflow the river and flood ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠every single home. In the worst-case scenario, they would have to abandon their ancestral homes just to survive with their bare lives.

'This won't do if I just stand by and watch.'

Feeling a sense of responsibility toward these people who had sheltered me, I decided to step up. There had been no rain like this in my memory, and since I had stayed here, I owed them my aid.

I surveyed the layout of the area, carefully eyeing the natural drainage paths and blockages.

'If I break that massive rock formation and clear a path, the water will drain away. I can guide the floodwaters aside...'

With a definitive decision made, I rushed down and shouted to the milling, terrified crowd.

"Everyone, step back! I will handle the water."

"What? A young kid like you, how can you possibly..."

"No more useless chatter—move back now if you want to live!"

Infusing my inner qi directly into my shout, the villagers flinched in profound shock. I didn't mean to harm or subdue them—it was just an exhibition of my martial presence—but to mere civilians, my voice boomed like a crack of thunder over their heads. As they scrambled backward to give me room, I gathered my qi into my palm, focusing my mind completely.

"Haaaa..."

Dropping into a rock-solid horse stance, my qi concentrated to its absolute peak. A visible heat haze began to rise from my body, and crackling energy surged around my arms. At the height of my focus, I unleashed the Thundercloud Palm's Array Breaker technique directly toward the blocking terrain ahead.

Boom!!

The thunder roared violently. The rocks and massive boulders within five paces shattered into a million flying pieces. Even a boulder the size of a grown man fragmented into dust in an instant as a small hill's side collapsed. The stagnant village water instantly rushed into the newly forged channel, and the knee-deep flood dropped to ankle-level within moments.

Rumble.

The torrents gushed away like muddy rivers. The valley-like terrain eased the burden of the storm with just that single breach. A few heads of cattle that had been nearly swept away were guided back to safety by the receding waters.

"......!!"

"Woooah!!"

"Thank you—we are truly grateful to you, young hero!!"

Seeing the water recede like a rapid tide, the villagers wept and danced with joy. The immediate danger of drowning had passed. But as I looked up at the weeping sky, I knew this wasn't ending anytime soon—this deluge would last for at least three days and nights. The massive storm was exactly as I had predicted.

I addressed the crowd, my voice carrying over their cheers. "Is the village chief here?"

"That's me."

A sturdy-looking elder in his sixties stepped forward, his expression grave despite the relief. I told him bluntly:

"This relief is only temporary. Gather your families, pack your light belongings, and evacuate immediately."

The chief hesitated, his voice tinged with sorrow. "Hmm... Is there really no other way? Must we leave our homes?"

"You have at most two hours to pack, or a safe exit from this valley will become impossible. If you stay, casualties among the elderly and weak are absolutely certain as the waters rise again."

"We have no choice..."

The chief turned back to his people and shouted with a heavy heart.

"Everyone! Evacuate now! Hurry and grab only what you can carry!"

"Aigoo... All our wealth and hard work, gone in an instant..."

"Forget about luxuries! Thanks to that boy, we have saved our lives, and that is enough!"

Sorrowful but understanding the gravity of the situation, they packed in a hurry. I dashed about the village helping them carry heavy burdens, checked with the chief to ensure no stragglers were left behind, and then we left the flooding village together.

Rumble.

From a high, safe vantage point, we watched the village submerge and disappear beneath the muddy waters. The faces around me darkened with grief. Fortunes and homes were lost in mere moments. But as the chief had said, their lives were saved—they bit their lips and endured the pain without loud complaints.

I asked the chief as we walked alongside the displaced crowd. "Do you have a place to stay?"

"None... There are seventy souls in this group. Dark and difficult times lie ahead for us."

"You should report this flood to the local magistrate and request government aid."

He chuckled bitterly with a look of profound cynicism. "I highly doubt those bigwigs in their fancy offices will listen to us... Remote, poor villages like ours are always ignored and left to rot. Furthermore, no neighboring village will willingly take in seventy starving mouths in this weather."

"...You can always rebuild after the rain stops."

"Sigh... Continuous exposure to the cold rain without proper shelter will weaken the children and elderly to the point of death before the water clears. I truly do not know what to do."

The villagers were trapped in a cruel dilemma. Even if they returned after the storm, the lost crops meant they would be restarting from absolute despair and facing eventual starvation.

I pitied them deeply and desperately wanted to help them more, but I was powerless here. The legendary Seven Luminaries relic rested silently in my bosom—but what earthly use was an ancient artifact in a situation as wretched as this? As I remained silent, the chief reached out and grasped my hand tightly.

"Our young hero's grace will never be forgotten by our people. We will keep walking and manage somehow. I will lead them."

"Where will you go?"

"The neighboring villages are likely in the same mess... We will head toward the open Jibak Plain. It is high, flat ground, so we can set up temporary shelters there and think about our next move."

The chief looked at me with a sad, grateful smile and squeezed my hand. "Young hero, you have already been delayed enough by our troubles. Go your way now. Please, take care of yourself."

"......"

I looked at them and realized that following them wouldn't change their harsh reality, yet I couldn't bring myself to abandon them just yet. I said softly,

"There is no rush for me anyway—I'll accompany you a bit further and help secure your camp."

"Really?! We are so incredibly grateful to you..."

For the next two days, I followed the group through their arduous march. I stayed at the front to clear fallen trees that blocked the muddy path, shattered potential landslides before they could strike anyone, and even infused my own true qi into the shivering, weakened children and women to bolster their fading vitality and protect them from illness.

Upon finally arriving at the Jibak Plain, we spent half a day setting up tents under the shelter of the dense trees. Because the terrain drained exceptionally well, they managed to avoid the worst of the weather and settled in with relative safety.

The chief grasped my hand once more, tears streaming down his face with genuine joy.

"Uheheuk... Thank you. Not a single casualty among us—it is an absolute miracle. Without you guiding us, over ten of our old and young would have surely died... Truly, we are eternally grateful to you, young hero!"

"There is no need for such praise. Just be careful when you eventually return; the muddy paths will be blocked for a long time."

"We will be careful. Detouring around the rough areas will be easy now that we are safe here thanks to you. Uheheuk..."

"It was no trouble at all."

I had gained no money or material reward from this entire endeavor, but performing this unintended good deed brought a wry, self-deprecating smile to my face. I had never considered myself a naturally chivalrous man or a hero of justice, but when I possessed the ability to help, my body simply moved on its own to protect the weak.

'Why am I acting like this lately? How foolish... I am wasting time on things that do not concern me.'

Normally, in my past lives, I would have shrugged off such problems lazily and walked away. This shift in my nature felt odd and unfamiliar. Wiping his tears away, the chief leaned in and whispered to me with an intense, warning expression.

"...Young hero, I heard some of the villagers talking about Jangryeong Valley and its rumors earlier. I am afraid someone might have accidentally put that reckless idea into your head out of nosiness about other places..."

"Why are you telling me this now? What is wrong with that valley?"

His sudden warning held unexpected weight, so I listened closely. The chief continued in a hushed tone:

"Do not go to Jangryeong Valley under any circumstances. I have a cousin who lives as a martial artist in the Murim, and he sent word that the valley is nothing but a deathtrap for the unwary. The rewards are entirely real, yes, but dozens of brilliant minds and powerful fighters have died miserably after failing the three riddles posed by the master. The valley lord's martial arts are supposedly extremely strong and utterly merciless."

"......!!"

"Our young hero saved our lives, and we want you to live. Please visit us again when we are resettled so we can properly repay you."

"Sure. Farewell, chief."

Parting ways with the villagers, I set off alone, walking down the muddy road that was finally beginning to clear as the storm broke. Using my Thunder Shadow Step to glide over the hills and cut the distance, I pondered the chief's words.

'The lord of Jangryeong Valley... Solve the riddles for wealth, or fail and die... It feels as though a bizarre, dark secret is hidden away there. The surrounding region completely lacks the influence of any major sect, so the existence of such an unchecked, powerful anomaly is highly suspicious.'

But I simply grinned to myself, muttering aloud as I accelerated my pace,

"Next time."

I had already faced more than enough near-death crises from my exploration of the Seven Luminaries ruin. I wasn't about to risk my life for mere passing curiosity. Later on, when my skills have reached their peak and I am fully confident in my power, I will return to uncover the truth. Because of the storm and my detour, my journey to Jinrang Valley had been delayed by over seven days, with broken roads and damaged villages marking my entire route.

Fortunately, Jinrang Valley itself was exceptionally well-prepared for natural disasters. Its solid dikes and defensive barriers were intact, and the structural damage was minimal. This was to be expected; Mangnyang, a master of formation arts and defensive engineering, had clearly fortified his personal base against the worst elements long ago.

I climbed the long stone stairs to meet him at last.

This time, there would be no distractions or delays to keep me from my goal. Surprisingly, however, as I reached the porch of his home, I found him entertaining a high-profile 'guest' and consulting with him intensely.

"...So, by my judgment and astrological calculations, though the current omens appear ominous and bear a touch of misfortune, they are clearly following the natural heavenly cycle... There will be no further frost or disasters to plague your lands this year."

Sitting opposite him, a fat middle-aged man dressed in luxurious silk robes nodded with deep admiration and relief.

"Hmm... Indeed, as expected of the great Mangnyang Seonsa..."

"Rest easy. This is not a lasting misfortune or an eternal curse; the land will fully recover by next year... For now, simply ease the unrest among your peasants by offering them concessions and aid, and everything will pass smoothly."

"I will handle it immediately according to your guidance. Thank you for your profound advice."

"Hahaha... It is no trouble at all... Eh?"

Deep in their conversation, Mangnyang suddenly spotted me standing at the entrance of the porch. He bolted upright from his seat and shouted in a flustered, defensive tone:

"Who are you?! How did you manage to breach my Misfortune Formation and walk up here entirely unscathed?!"

Clang!

Clang!

"Stand where you are! Who go there!"

"State your identity and purpose immediately or face death!"

The silk-robed lord's four bodyguards drew their swords with practiced speed, stepping forward to shield their master. I immediately tensed, analyzing their internal qi and قتالية stances—they were certainly first-class experts, but their overall strength was merely on par with elite escort captains. They were far above ordinary civilians, but utterly average by the true standards of the Murim.

'Are my standards becoming too high lately? My constant encounters with peak experts like the Gold Guards have thoroughly spoiled my eyes, causing me to look down on solid fighters.'

With a wry smile, I raised my hands in a peaceful gesture and said calmly,

"I am a guest who came to request a service as well. I have no intention of causing trouble or fighting. I will gladly wait outside until your prior guest finishes his business."

Mangnyang seemed to realize something as he stared closely at my face. He quieted down, his panic fading, and whispered a few urgent words into the ear of the middle-aged lord. The lord nodded, waving his hand toward his men with authority.

"Sheathe your swords. This boy does not bear the aura of an evil martial artist or an assassin. Stand down."

"Yes, milord."

The guards sheathed their weapons with disciplined caution. The 'milord' rose from his seat and cupped his hands respectfully toward Mangnyang.

"Thank you once again for your invaluable time, Mangnyang Seonsa. I will ensure proper gratitude and lavish gifts are delivered to Jinrang Valley once my affairs are settled."

"No need to trouble yourself, milord. I am simply glad I could be of assistance during this crisis."

"Heh... Let us go!"

The rhythmic sound of their footsteps echoed as the lord and his guards descended the stairs, leaving the property. I turned my eyes toward Mangnyang, who sat back down on the porch. He began fanning himself slowly with his hand fan, staring back at me with a sharp, probing gaze. Then, he spoke in a tone laced with suspicion.

"To breach my defensive Misfortune Formation entirely unharmed... you must be a noble and exceptionally capable warrior. Tell me, what business brings a martial artist of your caliber to seek out Mangnyang Seonsa in his secluded valley?"

"......"

In that exact moment, a violent, unstoppable surge of complex emotions rushed through my chest, completely choking me.

'Ah...'

I knew absolutely everything about this man sitting in front of me. I knew his title as Mangnyang, the cherished and brilliant disciple of the grand master. I knew he possessed no physical martial arts whatsoever, yet held a genius intellect and an unrivaled strategic mind. I knew his love for study, his habit of idling about in laziness, his fondness for women, and his constant grumbling about hard work—even though he would readily risk his life to protect the innocent against evil. I knew he was a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠grand strategist, a former imperial astronomer, and that the fan he held so carelessly in his hand was actually the legendary 'Treasure of the Five Flowers and Seven Metals Fan.'

But to him, right now, in this current life... I was a total stranger he had never laid eyes on.

My nearly single, most trusted comrade from my past life—the man who had met his end by my very own hand—seeing him alive and well before me choked the breath from my lungs. My throat burned with a bitter, agonizing ache; I wanted nothing more than to fall to my knees under his feet, wailing and weeping to atone for my horrific crime right then and there.

[Heh... It was fun while it lasted, wasn't it?]

That resigned, peaceful smile he gave before his death flashed vividly through my mind.

The raw sensation of severing his neck and taking his head with my sword was permanently etched into my soul, an unforgettable weight.

But I forced my features into composure, desperately holding back the tide, and said in a low, controlled voice,

"I am... Baek Woong. I have come here specifically to commission your unique services, Mangnyang."

"Hoo, a warrior of your undeniable presence carrying a big job, no doubt. Speak freely, I am listening."

He mistook my قتالية intensity and gravity for that of an old, battle-hardened veteran who simply possessed a youthful appearance. I approached him calmly and spoke with absolute clarity.

"...I need you to decode and interpret this ancient oracle bone script."

I reached for the ancient, weathered sword I carried and slowly drew it from its sheath.

Zing—!!

I infused a concentrated amount of my inner power into the blade. An intense, brilliant blue glow instantly erupted from the metal, revealing the complex, ancient scripts and symbols engraved deeply into its surface. Mangnyang's eyes went wide with sheer shock, and his fan slipped from his hand as he stammered comically,

"Th-this, th-this is... what on earth is this?!"

He practically snatched the sword from my hands, falling to his knees on the floor. His eyes devoured every single inscription with a hunger and obsession akin to a child finding a lost treasure. A pure, childlike passion gleamed in his eyes as he studied the weapon. After a long period of silent, breathless study, he managed to calm his breathing, looking up at me while trying to mask his excitement.

"O-of course, I can absolutely decode and translate these ancient texts but... what about the fee? What is my payment?"

"Your fee..."

He cut me off instantly, waving his hands flusteredly. "This is a monumental and highly complex task; it cannot be finished overnight. It requires intense research and study. Hmm... I will make a special exception just this once! A massive sacrifice for you! I will decode it entirely for free, without a single coin of payment!"

His extreme agitation and immediate refusal of money revealed that he had instantly recognized the legendary value of this sword and its undeniable connection to the secrets of the Seven Luminaries—or perhaps he saw the weapon itself as a priceless historical treasure. It was completely natural for a sorcerer-scholar of his caliber to crave the opportunity to study such an artifact.

Looking at his transparent excitement, a bitter, wry smile formed on my lips.

"For free? I am deeply grateful for your immense generosity. In that case, I will leave the sword in your care, and I will return to you years from now to receive the decoded texts."

He could barely hide the ecstatic, joyful grin that threatened to break across his ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠face. He was utterly pathetic at controlling his expressions when it came to books and artifacts, showing absolute bliss. For a scholar like him, simply having the permission to hold and study this sword for years was the greatest reward possible.

"Hahaha! Leave it to me and don't worry about a thing. I will decode it with absolute perfection. But tell me, when do you plan to return and retrieve it?"

"......項目"

"Hey? Are you listening to me?"

I found myself entirely unable to meet his pure, honest eyes. I felt the suffocating weight of my words before they finally managed to force their way past my trembling lips.

"I will return... when I am strong enough to overcome my deep shame and atone for my sins."

"Huh...? Are you some kind of poetry fan? That is nothing but vague cloud-talk, I don't understand a thing."

"......"

Mangnyang stood utterly baffled by my cryptic, dramatic response, while I clamped my lips shut, desperately biting back my tears. Mangnyang grumbled lazily as he returned to his seat, fanning himself once more.

"Anyway~ My work suddenly piles up out of nowhere. The local branch lord wants me to read the stars and calculate the future, and then eccentric martial artists like you visit to hand me legendary, complex tasks. My only goal in this life was to enjoy absolute leisure, but it looks like that is going to be tough~"

"I am sorry for bringing more trouble to your door."

"Oh, it's not meant for your ears~ Hahaha, anyway, just make sure you return in the future! I will have it thoroughly decoded by then, and you will see the results of my genius."

The emotions in my bare, miserable chest began to boil and overflow...

The pathetic cowardice of my past and my fear of facing the truth boiled within me like liquid fire...

Hearing his familiar, good-natured laugh caused the tears to stream from my eyes in an unstoppable torrent, despite my desperate attempts to hold them back and hide my utter disgrace. I had endured so much pain and survived countless horrors up until this moment, but seeing the man I had murdered alive and laughing shattered my defenses completely. I had sworn to myself that I would rarely cry or show weakness, but this flood of tears broke through the dam entirely.

"I am so sorry...!!"

Thud.

I dropped heavily to my knees before his shocked expression, bowing my head until my forehead pressed against the dirt floor, my entire body shaking with violent, agonizing sobs. Mangnyang became completely flustered, utterly terrified and unsure of how to handle this bizarre outburst from a powerful warrior. He shouted in a panic, trying to calm me down.

"Eh?! J-just a joke—please don't cry! Geez, what on earth is wrong with you all of a sudden...?"

I wept bitterly, unable to stop.

My horrific sin and the memory of my crime against this noble man were manifesting clearly before my very eyes.

The heavy, agonizing price of my past foolishness and lack of power was sitting right in front of me, alive and laughing.

Remembering the countless failures, the bitter defeats, and the agonizing struggles I had endured across my long path to obtain power, I felt a deep rage at my own stubborn, useless self, and I surrendered entirely to the grief.

"Then... I will see you... in the future..."

"Farewell, Baek Woong. Have a safe journey."

Wiping the tears away with my sleeve, I rose with heavy steps and began descending the stone stairs, leaving his quiet home behind.

As I walked away from the valley, a myriad of complex thoughts and regrets clashed within my mind, but a single, undeniable truth solidified in the depths of my heart:

The past is entirely irreversible; it cannot be rewritten or changed.

All I can do now is give my absolute utmost and forge ahead without ever looking back.

'I must advance and grow stronger, as fast as humanly possible.'

I felt no regret or hesitation for leaving a legendary, priceless weapon in his possession. Rather, I felt a sense of relief and profound gratitude that I could compensate his soul in this life, offering a treasure that perfectly matched his genius and passion. Relinquishing this artifact had served to solidify my resolve and harden my will into iron.

I will return to him one day when I am powerful enough, entirely unashamed and free from the weight of this disgrace.

And when that day comes, I will stand before him and confess my horrific sin, telling him the truth of what I did in that lost timeline.

With that definitive vow made, I resolved to stake my very life and soul on the brutal, unyielding training that awaited me within the Azure Dragon Hall.

Stagnation and standing still will solve nothing, nor will it ever grant me forgiveness or atone for my past crimes.

'I will succeed this time, and I will not let failure break me again.'

Even if it means I am brutally killed or tortured across my attempts by the master of the Triple Excellence, Lee Gwang—even if I end up dead by a stroke from Jin So-cheong—I will grit my teeth, endure the agony, and give everything I possess to master the ascending arts of the Murim!

I will spend decades training if that is what it takes, without a single moment of rest!

For that is the only true way to overcome failure, to atone for my sins, and to obtain the ultimate power required to protect those I love.