Seol-Hwi thought about the lives that would continue in the future.
Cheon Miryo, who was once his first goal — finding her was the toughest task.
Rather, it felt impossible.
Through hundreds of deaths and repeated failures, he slowly grew tired.
And now, he had come to terms with it.
Why did Cheon Miryo’s master, the man referred to as the Saint say it would be so difficult?
It took quite a few lives to truly understand and acknowledge it.
There were hundreds of attempts which ended in failure and left him frustrated. Tired of repeating it over and over only to fail again, he looked somewhere else.
That was his life now.
Fulfilling the dreams of the subordinates which they could not achieve in the past — when he tried it himself, it felt warmer and cozier than expected. It felt like returning to a hometown he had forgotten.
But what was next?
“…”
A sudden feeling of emptiness came over him.
If he never found Cheon Miryo, should he prepare himself to fight the Absolute being?
Then, from where and by what means? Hundreds of lives had gone by and he still had not forgotten that day. There was a huge gap between them. He was like a force of nature, a being which went beyond all understanding.
It was too much.
The more he thought about it, the darker his future looked. That distant feeling was weighing on Seol-Hwi’s shoulders, feeling like he had entered a cave which never ended.
If he had not known about the strength the Absolute being held, he would have somehow been able to get ready for a fight.
The peak of it, and beyond that the Demon God, it all felt like a dream now.
Even if he devoted the rest of his life to training, what chance of success would he even have?
Is this what the AI meant?
What Sa Yu-kang seemed to say — it was said that it was a problem he had faced too many times.
It was at a time when Seol-Hwi did not understand it. It was impossible for him to imagine it with his emotions being torn at the time.
There was no longer any hope of gaining anything, and the chances of success fell slim. A level of evilness which could not be overcome even if one walked the path of justice for the next 500 lives or even 5,000 lives.
This was what he felt like, Demon God — The state the Absolute achieved.
Nevertheless, was it really right to strengthen one’s resolve and live one’s life slowly with the tenacity to defeat him?
Rather, the dreams which have never been realized — would it not be better to save the lives of the subordinates who stayed together with him in the Supreme Pavilion a long time back, or to make their dreams come true?
“What are you so worried about?”
At that moment, someone came up to him from behind.
Seol-Hwi could tell who it was without looking.
“Seo Ryeong…”
She sat quietly next to him. Suddenly, a fragrant smell passed by his nose which made him feel relieved.
“No matter what the worries are, you don’t have to shoulder them alone. Now we are all in this together.”
Seol-Hwi nodded at those words.
Right, this was what he said when they came here, to overcome things together.
And if there was anything one wanted to do in the future, they should speak of it.
“I forgot for a moment there. That we are together.”
“Right, do not forget from now.”
Seo Ryeong evoked this nostalgic feeling with every single word. Before he knew it, he found peace in the heart.
If he could stay with her—
His depressed spirit felt restored. A person who made him feel better simply by sitting next to him.
Shh
“…!”
Seol-Hwi’s eyes widened as he looked at her like that. Suddenly, Seo Ryeong came over and placed her hands on top of his.
And she calmed him.
“Is it alright to say that I like you now?”
“…”
Seol-Hwi could not say anything. There was a good feeling in her words, and also with what she had done.
Right, it is around now…
The time he spent with Seo Ryeong while going through crises. And then he came to Kangho with her, when they shared the same feelings.
Like ink seeping into the paper, her feelings would grow.
It was no longer one sided for Seol-Hwi.
“…Is it wrong?”
Seo Ryeong, who watched his reaction, felt a bit odd and pulled back her hand.
Kuak
Seol-Hwi caught the failing hand and gazed at her.
“No, it isn’t that it is wrong.”
“…?”
“That… if you had delayed it longer, I would have said it.”
He vowed to live this life like this. By protecting his subordinates so that they realize their dreams.
Others’ dreams were heard, but Seo Ryeong’s dream was obvious too. And it felt like this dream was similar to his.
“Miss, let us live together.”
“…!”
This made Seo Ryeong tilt her head. She looked embarrassed.
Seol-Hwi moved close to her face as he said,
“Us, together.”
Shh
As he spoke, he placed his lips on hers. It was late, but he still felt like he could protect her.
A life with her.
Spring and summer had passed, and fall had now come.
Seol-Hwi’s family moved, and they were able to get this fairly large house. It was a peaceful day without any trouble.
Meanwhile Kangho was turning noisy.
Stories of demons coming and attacking homes and the warriors of the justice faction punishing them came to even the most remote places in the countryside.
Here, the demons are of course the warriors sent by the First Disciple. And, without a doubt, the warriors were of the Justice Faction.
In reality, it was this disgusting deal between the two organizations. One between the Demonic Sect and the Justice Faction, but those who did not know only thought of Mount Hua’s bravery in defending them.
The direct disciples of Mount Hua were wearing Mount Hua’s robes while walking around in Sichuan, and their strength grew with new disciples coming in.
“You called?”
After finishing a simple meal, Yorim stood in front of the door. This is because Seol-Hwi wanted to see him.
“Come in.”
When the permission was given, he quietly entered.
Shhh
As if showing a person’s character, the room had a quiet atmosphere despite its nature.
It was not often, but every time he visited, there was something which calmed the study room and put his mind at ease.
“Sit down. I think this will take a while.”
Seol-Hwi pointed to one side and guided him, and he walked over and sat down.
On this dark blue desk made of solid wood with a writing table on one side, something caught his eye. And then, he saw a warm teacup.
Yorim asked after looking around,
“What did you call me for…”
“It is something urgent. Let’s talk over a cup of tea.”
Yorim smiled, he finally found some composure. He thought it must be some urgent matter because he suddenly asked to be met in a different room, but it seems that was not the case due to the atmosphere.
Huh.
He took a sip of the tea like he asked,
“How are you feeling these days?”
Seol-Hwi asked.
“Things are good. I am satisfied with settling down and living like this,”
Yorim responded.
“Good. It is better than before.”
“It should be because of the change in the environment. If we stayed at the sect, don’t we often find ourselves being taken over by the demonic nature around us?”
“Well, that is true.”
Seol-Hwi started with Imugi and taught them about the Taiji arts. The goal was to harmonize their internal energy, and the emotions they pursue to the highest stage.
But that was just a starting goal for them. In fact, there was something more important than that. It was of course the control of demonic energy.
The fundamentals of the Demonic sect’s arts were warlike. And so if one learned it, their spirit to win would get higher.
This was fine for the most part, but when things got out of hand, they would be unable to control that, and run wild without thought.
This was probably because people who emitted the same demonic energy, rivals or members of the sect, were always in conflict.
So, when they withdrew from the sect and moved to a village, their violent nature had gone down.
Here, Seol-Hwi felt that teaching Taiji would have the right effect on their minds. It was not simply the martial arts they improved in, but they were able to hide their demonic nature which came from learning the demonic arts.
“Thank you for the hard work. Now, take it.”
After a moment of silence, Seol-Hwi placed this small box he had prepared in advance on the desk.
“This…”
After taking a look inside it, Yorim was shocked.
“Well, it isn’t much. I just wanted to get something.”
“What do you mean nothing, how many buildings can buy with this?”
“Isn’t your job already difficult? This is just for what I haven’t paid you yet.”
“…I think you need to be desperate to let go. Seeing how clearly you prepared things this much.”
“It is tough. It is like everything else, but didn’t Imugi take most of it? I originally planned to give it a month or two before handing it down, but I didn’t think it would take more than half a year.”
“…”
“…”
Clack
Yorim no longer refused it. He accepted the box full of silver and gold things and lowered his eyes for a moment.
“Is there a reason why you are doing this for me?”
“That…”
Seol-Hwi smiled at him and, like he expected the question, said,
“If you are a warrior, wouldn’t it be natural to want an open place to train at, Yorim? I feel like you are the kind of person who needs to experience a lot of things. I have no doubt that you will be a better person than me, be it in martial arts or as a person.”
“…”
“If you want you can enjoy music like Imugi. Then, we can meet in an unknown guesthouse.”
“That will not be a nice meeting though.”
“Well, wouldn’t it be better than stopping? The new woman you have met must be waiting for you.”
“…!”
For a moment, Yorim looked confused. And Seol-Hwi had this naughty look.
“Think about it, who let me know?”
“Yes…”
“Looking at your expression, it looks like you want to grab them by the collar, but it is too late now. It was of course Imugi.”
“Huh…”
Yorim touched his forehead. Six months back was before he even confessed his feelings to this woman. And he already thought ahead so much?
It was clear that Imugi was interested in such things. At least when it came to the other gender. Should he laugh or be angry?
Yorim had this complicated expression on his face, and after a while, he carefully raised his gaze and spoke,
“Captain, everyone else beside me…?”
“Do not worry. Jeok Song said he will stay here because he wants martial arts, and Yong Jin too. Well, since he leaves the house often, we can assume he is liking it.”
“Well, he does like doing things his way…”
As Yorim laughed, Seol-Hwi smiled. They exchanged smiles for a moment.
“Then, I will tell everyone and get ready to leave…”
“Go now.”
“Uh? We have been together for so many years, wouldn’t it be nice to at least say goodbye?”
“Then you should.”
“…?”
“Everything is waiting. Outside.”
Those words made Yorim turn his head. As soon as he opened the door.
“Oh! Finally going?”
“Did you come to get your share? If you could tell how much… be it small or large.”
Yong Jin looked at him with a bright smile and Jeok Song asked with a doubt.
“Don’t say strange things to people who are leaving,”
Seo Ryeong told Jeok Song.
Standing in front of them, Yorim greeted them.
“Captain…”
And finally he said as Seol-Hwi came,
“I will go and come back safe.”
“I will never forget what you have given me for the rest of my life.”
“…”
Yorim prepared everything he could and said it all. And then, he turned back and asked,
“Captain, can I bow to you?”
“We aren’t sajae sahyung, so why…”
“Please accept this.”
Thud. Thud.
He bowed down low in front of everyone to show the utmost respect a disciple would have for his teacher.
Seol-Hwi smiled back.
“We will meet again one day.”
After paying his respects, he got up.
“Right, bonds like this will not be broken so easily. If you remember me sometime, please stop by.”
“…Yes.”
Yorim bowed again. And then looked at Seo Ryeong as he smiled.
“Now that I think about it, I have some good news for you.”
“…What?”
“Congratulations in advance.”
“…?”
“…?”
Seol-Hwi tilted his head.
And he soon turned his head to Jeok Song and Yong Jin, but they looked dumbfounded too.
“Even if Miss doesn’t know it yet. But I have been watching the symptoms closely, and they are pretty similar.”
“…?”
“Then.”
Yorim left after saying those subtle words, and thanks to that, everyone turned to Seo Ryeong.
“…Ah.”
And after a bit of thought, she gasped, covering her mouth and everyone turned their eyes elsewhere, to Seol-Hwi.
“Ugh.”
He let out a short groan too.
He immediately knew what Yorim was talking about.
