After that, the flow went the same as past life.
The Sleeping Dragon Forces were infiltrated.
Imugi disguised as one of the 27 leaders. Everything went like Seol-Hwi remembered and the results did not change.
While two months passed like that, Seol-Hwi devoted himself to climbing to the Supreme level.
It took almost a year in the previous life, but this time he decided that he could finish more quickly. Because the last time he was going to trial and error, and now he knew what to do. So he went straight for training, and about three months later, he felt the change.
Kukukn!
The body was changing. The process of reconstruction with body twisting within, even the bones changing—
Seol-Hwi could never get used to this. Even after it was over, it felt so odd that he was trembling in pain.
What was different from before was that instead of trying to endure the pain crashing on his body, he endured it mentally.
As a result, he got a great change. After half a year of coming out, he reached Supreme Demon.
“Any news?”
That evening—
Seol-Hwi called Songhwa and asked.
After getting to the Supreme Demon level, he looked for letters and news around, but he found nothing.
“I followed the orders Master gave, but… there hasn’t been any news for several months.”
“…Is that so?”
At this Seol-Hwi fell into trouble. He could not understand.
From the Earth Demon’s point of view, the letter’s contents were too advanced, so it would take time to verify it.
But—
“Subordinates?”
“That too.”
“Let’s see…”
Seol-Hwi closed his eyes for a moment and organized everything that he had seen in the previous life. In the past, the time he wasted climbing to the Supreme Demon was close to one year.
In the meantime, there had to be information about the death of the Earth Demon.
He was looking for the contents of that time.
Right, it was the part where the First Disciple suddenly went to the central plains to kill people.
Then it could be understood why they did not send any news. It was because it seemed that the Earth Demon had not yet faced the situation where the Third Disciple was killed.
“Nothing can be done. Let’s wait a little longer.”
“Yes, Master.”
Seol-Hwi sat cross-legged. Then did he think of something?
“Songhwa.’
He called out as Songhwa was about to leave.
“Yes. Master, please speak.”
“The star you mentioned before.”
“…Yes.”
He could see the face of Songhwa darkening. Maybe he did not want to speak about it.
“It is nothing. You said it was going to be death in two years… could it happen within two years? No matter how much I endure, I will die in two years?”
Seol-Hwi continued to ask.
His death. If it cannot be avoided, he wanted to know when and what was happening.
“According to the signs of Master’s zodiac, there are two things happening. I don’t know when but a big crisis will come from two directions.”
“…I see.”
If he did not make the best moves, it would not be two years, and he has a fate of dying before that.
“I am sorry,”
Songhwa mumbled.
Foretelling the fate of someone was never an easy thing, and it was not easy to speak about the death of someone close.
“No, thanks.”
But Seol-Hwi smiled again. It was because he knew better than anyone that the life he was taking now was difficult.
It was about two months after meeting with Songhwa.
“Master.”
One day, Songhwa hurriedly entered Seol-Hwi’s room and handed a letter to him.
[Six days later. Mount Hwangga. See you there.]
The map was drawn. The place where he had abandoned them was displayed.
Finally…
As soon as Seol-Hwi saw it, he clenched his hand. No matter what the Earth Demon thought, this was the first chance to talk.
“Songhwa, listen carefully.”
Seol-Hwi spoke, asking Songhwa.
“You and Imugi should clear everything up until I come.”
“Uh? What do you…”
“Too long to escape. Anyway, if I don’t come back, then leave the place quickly.”
“…I understand. I will tell Imugi-hyung right away.”
“Right.”
Seol-Hwi left those words behind and prepared.
If it was six days, then he had to move right away.
What should be focused on in this life?
Before arriving at Mount Hwangga, he thought a lot. No matter how much he thought about it, what he needed to do in this life was to tip his fate in the right direction.
A future where his subordinates live, that is the way to avoid bad outcomes.
In the end, the meeting with the Earth demon has come.
As long as he did not move under the Second Disciple, even if he chose to touch the First Disciple, his fate would be changed by the Second Disciple.
In the end, if he wanted to survive, he must make sure that the Second Disciple was not the one he sides with.
Since the Fourth Disciple could not stand on his own, he had concluded that standing with the Second Disciple was good.
“Phew.”
Seol-Hwi arrived at the place on the map. He did not use a carriage or any means of transportation, he walked all the way.
This is where I came with my subordinates in the past…
There was no one around. In the middle of that, he was taken aback at the sudden thing.
“Did I come too soon?”
After confirming once that this was the place, Seol-Hwi stayed silent. What will the reaction of the Earth Demon be?
This was unexpected.
He knew of himself to be a disciple of Chun Miryeo, so he allowed leisure regarding Seol-Hwi, but if he asked how he knew the truth, then maybe use Songhwa.
And he could be distrustful of himself.
For example, drawing the plan that Seol-Hwi was the spy of someone else and actually came under the Earth Demon for a purpose.
The future was also ahead, but Seol-Hwi knew too deeply about the sensitive information the disciples alone held.
And if he spoke of how the First Disciple would act, then he can be suspected as siding with the man and fooling the Fourth Disciple.
But do not assume everything. This has to be solved by meeting with him.
Seol-Hwi thought so.
In the worst case, even if the Earth Demon tried to subdue him, he would not be defeated that easily.
Now… he’s coming.
Seol-Hwi sensed someone coming. And he listened to the steps.
Four? Five?
It seemed like escorts, and as they got closer, Seol-Hwi got up.
He was still the lord he served.
Kiik
The door to the thatched house opened with the Earth Demon there and he smiled brightly.
“Seol-Hwi. It has been so long.”
“You are here, Lord.”
Seol-Hwi bowed, in a way the reason was to seem like he had not changed from before.
Seol-Hwi knew of this man’s bitter death in his last life, so he felt complicated.
“Um? Why are you looking at me with such sad eyes?”
“Ah, I apologize.”
“You too. Right… should we sit?”
Seol-Hwi brought him a chair and the Earth Demon sat down. Seol-Hwi walked to the other side.
And as soon as he sat, the Earth Demon smirked.
“As expected.”
“Uh?”
“You crossed that… huge wall.”
“…You can feel it?”
Seol-Hwi was surprised when the Earth Demon recognized it at once.
“Yes. I knew as soon as I saw you that you are no longer the same.”
The Earth Demon was not in a situation where he was at his best. Even so, if he recognized it, that meant he too grew. And now his body would be more useful.
“…I had no intention of lying.”
“True. It looks like it happened recently.”
The Earth Demon could easily see through him and continued.
“Actually… this is fast. The speed of your growth in martial arts is shocking. Still, Supreme Demon? As expected of her disciple, you have natural talent too. I am envious.”
“…”
Seol-Hwi could not answer it. He could not deny that he was not so he stayed silent.
From the Earth Demon’s point of view, he would look like a lucky guy. The Earth Demon was someone suffering from crossing his own limitations on the body.
“Seol-Hwi do not worry too much.”
“…Uh?”
So, as he stood a little stiff, it looked like the Earth Demon misunderstood it.
“If I doubted you… I wouldn’t have come to see you. Knowing the future. I was surprised at first but it isn’t strange when you have Songhwa, that child next to you.”
“…Thank you. For trusting me.”
It was different from the truth, but Seol-Hwi did not bother to refute it.
“Well, I have one question. Why bother helping me?
“If everything you say is right. There is no reason for you to be on my side. If you take this to the Second Disciple… you will be given honor so why?”
“…”
Seol-Hwi was silent.
Soongafter he looked out the window and said,
“Because the future the Second Disciple sees is not the one I want.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Life means to live with hope, even if it is an abandoned one. The Second Disciple is one who enjoys watching others suffer and loves to see the blood of others. Would I be happy with wealth from such a person?”
“Huh. You are speaking like an old man. Is that all?”
“How could it be? Besides, there is one more thing. I, too, haven’t been able to find out how to live long.”
“…What do you mean?”
“When we look into the sky, you find unexpected things. The Earth Demon’s fate and mine are similar.”
“Well, you know the future so try changing it?”
“Unfortunately, mine doesn’t change.”
“Huh, is that so?”
The Earth Demon did not ask for more.
His was a fate which could not be changed no matter how much he tried to.
Even those who can change the future will know that this cannot be touched. The Earth Demon asked,
“…How is Kangho?”
“Uh?”
“Just. I am curious. Heaven above and lands below. I heard Hangzhou is a nice place at night and day too.”
“…”
Seol-Hwi did not answer.
It was because he did not think the Earth Demon would ask such a question. Judging from the position he held, he should have been able to enjoy anything that he wanted.
“Ending days with good drinks and good sights in view. Wouldn’t that be a nice life?
“Any luck in romance?”
“Haha. Wouldn’t wishing for that be a luxury…”
Silence fell.
Both stopped talking and looked at the window. Then,
“Now tell me.”
The Earth Demon asked,
“How do you plan to convince me?”
To fight with the Second Disciple, he was asking why he should do it.
“There should be something more certain than just the facade of the First Disciple’s plan.”
At that, Seol-Hwi gave the answer he had prepared,
“It is for the life of the remaining subordinates.”
“…That is good enough.”
Shhh
The Earth Demon got up and turned to walk out.
He’s convinced?
He felt nervous at how easily things went.
“…Seol-Hwi.”
The Earth Demon stopped and called out to him.
“Yes, Fourth Disciple.”
“Perhaps… we might not be able to change the world no matter how hard we try.”
“…Uh?”
“You aren’t the only ones who can read stars.”
Saying that, the Earth Demon walked out.
“…”
Seol-Hwi sat still.
It was because the last words the Earth Demon said went around his head.
No, Earth Demon too…
Those last words—
They meant something.
If he knew how to read the stars, does that mean he saw his own fate?
What did it mean to not change the world?
Seol-Hwi fell into doubt.
What was in the future that the Earth Demon saw to say that?
At least at this time he could not know anything.
