When faced with an opponent who was impossible to defeat, the feeling that arose at the moment of resignation was, surprisingly, a sense of relief.
For whatever reason, the relief that all my trials were finally over washed over me.
Though my efforts until now had come to naught, it didn’t matter since I had at least glimpsed the horizon of a new level.
Anyway, with the Celestial Demon gone, it made no difference whether my martial arts reached a new level or not since there’d be no use for it anymore.
And so, I believed.
I happily let my happiness circuit loop around…
How beautiful is the moon against the night sky?
Its gentle rays radiate an ethereal grace.
Within them, a single beam of purity, which I find truly beautiful.
In my past, I never had the leisure to gaze upon the moon.
The moon was always there, come rain or snow, apocalypse or rewind, it stayed steadfast in its place.
But I couldn’t see it. My life was too harsh to admire the moon’s noble countenance in peace.
However, I can see it now.
Evidence that a gentle breeze now blows through my heart.
– You’re crazy. I can’t bear to listen to your sappy nonsense.
“Is that so?”
– That’s right, you fool. What’s this nonsense about not having time to look at the moon? You just need to look up to see it, so what’s this foolish talk?
“It’s pitiful that the elder doesn’t know how to enjoy romance.”
– Romance my ass.
To Lord Woo-yong Jin, it probably appears as a trivial act.
No matter others’ opinions, if I feel this way, what does it matter?
– Phew, it’s good that you’ve found some empty space in your heart, but it seems to be filling up with strange water.
“If it doesn’t harm others, does it really matter?”
– Tut tut, you craft some nonsensical arguments.
“Isn’t it the truth?”
Woo-yong Jin grabbing his neck in agitation.
Watching his irritated reaction is somewhat amusing.
However, I wonder how different I am from the Blood Demon if I take pleasure in tormenting others.
– Phew, you’re hopeless.
Since he’s cursing me as well, I’ll let it slide with a smile.
I continued walking endlessly…
Swish.
The night air was refreshing, and the scent of the brush was fresh. It seemed as though the wildlife was aware of my presence, as I saw none.
It was a pleasant stroll. A perfectly peaceful night.
If I had been unable to seek mercy from the Celestial Demon, this peace would not have existed either.
“I once thought that all my struggles were in vain… But now, gazing at nature rather than humans, my heart has changed.”
The fools in the martial world were still in conflict.
For fleeting tranquility, for wealth, power, and fame, the complacent beings of the martial world lived fiercely.
Meanwhile, often engaging in shameful acts they’re too embarrassed to mention.
They’ll only realize the futility of it all once they stand at death’s door. The dull and foolish beings.
In contrast, how leisurely is the nature.
Though, there are creatures in this nature that live fiercely, nature itself is truly peaceful.
The phrase “Great Peace Under Heaven” fits perfectly. Though, it’s not due to the ruler currently in power.
“Hmm.”
Still, I don’t regret all the previous years.
Even the people who dined at Sir Shim’s house today, they wouldn’t have been there if I hadn’t reverted. We wouldn’t have formed these connections.
Indeed, there is no reason to blindly hate humans. Though my vision was clouded for a while by seeing only the unpleasant parts.
Humans are beautiful.
The disgusting ones are not humans but beasts in the guise of humans. It’s unfortunate that there are so many of them.
Rustle.
“Hmm?”
At that moment, an unfamiliar voice echoed in the distance.
A sound far unsuitable for the serene night.
What could stir up such noise on this quiet mountain?
Approaching cautiously, curiosity piqued, each step brought me closer to the source.
Yet, something felt amiss.
“…? Why does this energy…”
The energy emanating from the direction of the commotion was something I knew well.
One energy, heavy like Mount Tai, nestled within fiery and watery currents.
And another, stealthy, agile, tracing the lines of dark shadows.
The energies of Gayoung Jin and Hong Ryun.
– Well, it seems something has happened.
No, what business could Gayoung Jin and Hong Ryun possibly have meeting here in this late hour?
As I approached hurriedly, their agitated conversation reached my ears.
Their tones were quite heightened.
As I unintentionally eavesdropped, without realizing, I found myself intruding on a conversation I shouldn’t be privy to.
The issue was that I had unknowingly come too close to withdraw discreetly.
My only course of action was to suppress my breathing and blend my upper body into the brush to listen.
“So, you’re telling me to go away quietly?”
“What nonsense is this? What did you just say?”
“You clearly said it just now! You told me to stay away from you!”
“Girl, understand your place. If you don’t know it and act wildly, your mind will go astray.”
The content of their conversation was concerning, and I instinctively stifled my presence.
It felt as if I shouldn’t be hearing this.
“Moon Blossom, you don’t even have a place to ‘go away’ to. You and I are not on the same plain to begin with.”
“What did you say?”
“How could Our Honored One even look at someone who hasn’t even reached adolescence? From the start, He doesn’t even see you as a woman.”
“What…! Can you take responsibility for that statement? How can you possibly know how He sees me and what are you basing that on?”
Listen, Gayoung, I absolutely don’t see you as a woman.
We have a significant age gap, so what are you even thinking?
And neither do I view Hong Ryun as a romantic interest.
“You can see it, can’t you? Go back and drink more mother’s milk if you are so young.”
“Eh…! My mother has passed away! Don’t speak so carelessly!”
“What do you want me to do? My mother also passed away a long time ago.”
“…!”
“Surely, you didn’t believe my statement literally just now? Good heavens, your comprehension skills have deteriorated so much. What I’m saying is, grow up and come back.”
“Who doesn’t know that?”
“Didn’t you bring up the topic of the mother just now? Are you trying to act as though you didn’t now?”
Hold on a moment.
Both of you are getting too emotional. Shouldn’t you stop now?
I was aware that the relationship between Gayoung Jin and Hong Ryun wasn’t too amicable.
Though the reason was somewhat unclear, they seemed to be jealous rivals.
…No, the reason isn’t unclear. I’m simply uncomfortable acknowledging it, so I’ve been ignoring it.
“EEEK! Are you really challenging me to this? Let’s make a bet on who scores higher with you!”
“No, I will not engage in such a childish bet with someone as immature as you. As I’ve already said, we aren’t even worthy rivals.”
Now, if you truly think that, you shouldn’t be debating with Gayoung so late at night.
The faint sound of Hong Ryun’s heartbeat was racing louder than Gayoung’s.
Despite outwardly appearing calm while provoking Gayoung, it was evident she was more nervous.
Upon closer inspection, droplets of sweat could be seen trickling down the nape of her neck.
…Why is she so tense?
“Therefore, become an adult first. How can someone who hasn’t even undergone the coming-of-age ceremony approach someone thirty-six?”
“I’ve heard love has no age!”
“Who said I’d stop you from meeting? I’m saying wait until you become an adult.”
“What? So if I reach adulthood, you won’t interfere?”
“Would I interfere with adults seeing each other? Not at all.”
“Oh… then….”
Hong Ryun grinned slyly as Gayoung unconsciously nodded.
“However, by that time, the ‘Primary Spouse’ position will already be determined.”
Gayoung’s expression quickly hardened.
Though she was merely a peak expert, the chill in the air surrounding her was palpable.
“Haha! Young girl, while you wait to grow up, I’ll be making my moves with the Sword Sage! You might try desperately for a secondary position later!”
Hong Ryun’s playful mocking only distorted Gayoung’s face further.
I wonder what the Taiwon Jin Clan people would think if they saw their esteemed leader emitting such strange noises.
– Heh heh, my neck hurts.
“Elder…”
– Did I produce descendants to endure this? I feel a sense of self-disgust and frustration.
“Haha, it’s normal.”
Surely this was a tranquil night.
Or perhaps, it could be more intense than any battlefield, a fleeting thought crossed my mind.
A man with a shaved head threw a single punch.
This was the same punch that had shattered countless swords, spears, and blades.
A relentless, undefeated punch.
“Are you the recent martial world sensation, Law Dragon?”
A middle-aged man with a goatee approached the bald man, bowing.
At his waist hung a sheathed weapon that could not be hidden.
“Indeed, but may I ask who you are?”
The man’s voice was firm and steady.
“I am known as the Southern Yang Swordsman from the Southern Lake Sect.”
“Ah! The renowned Southern Yang Swordsman, famed across the martial world!”
“And, the next opponent for Law Dragon Monk Zap-ping who has recorded an undefeated streak in the hundred-person martial matches.”
The middle-aged man smiled.
The monk, Zaping, responded with a cheerful smile.
It had been several months since leaving Shaolin Temple for the hundred-person martial matches to honor his father. During this time, he had faced numerous martial artists without a single defeat.
“Normally, I would come to you, but why have you made such a long trip?”
“Haha, as an elder, it’s proper to meet the younger generation halfway.”
“Hundreds of miles isn’t usually considered ‘halfway.'”
“Truthfully, anticipation for a bout with our promising disciple made my legs restless.”
Zaping understood.
In the tingling sensation running through his body from the training punches he had just thrown.
There was no pretense in the Southern Yang Swordsman’s words.
Zaping immediately formed a fist salute.
The spirited pose made the Southern Yang Swordsman’s eyes gleam in interest.
“You look quite exhausted; are you sure you’re okay?”
“I haven’t trained so weakly that I’d collapse from this small obstacle.”
“Oh, what a resolute attitude.”
‘Youngsters these days may have extraordinary martial arts skills, but they often lack spirit and determination, this one is impressive.’
The Southern Yang Swordsman who had weathered the decade-long war of bloodshed.
Naturally, to him, the new generation of martial artists appeared as mere novices who hadn’t experienced the harsh battles he had.
Except for the daring and spirited Law Dragon before him.
“Then, let’s begin as you wish.”
“It’s what I hoped for.”
Swish!
The Southern Yang Swordsman drew his blade. Its noble technique seemed like a vast ocean of energy directed at Zaping.
“Dragon Towards South Sect!”
With a powerful shout, the Southern Yang Swordsman leaped into the air and charged straight at Zaping.
‘I’ll engage with all sincerity, without dampening your spirit!’
The sentiment of caring for a junior.
‘After focusing solely on training since the war has ended, a worthy opponent like this has appeared!’
The spirit of a martial artist.
But—
‘The Southern Yang Swordsman was once a renowned swordsman who dominated the Southern Sect, must go all out from the start!’
“Hundred-Paces Divine Fist!”
“What!?”
The Southern Yang Swordsman’s heart was shattered when Zaping immediately unleashed his ultimate technique, known far and wide.
Since he had to embark on his hundred-person martial matches, traveling across different regions, Zaping devised this method to conserve stamina.
If he could defeat anyone in one strike, he wouldn’t have to expend too much energy.
Not to mention, no one had been able to withstand even that one strike until now.
BOOM!!
Crashed!
“Kugh!”
A massive impact thundered down.
The Southern Yang Swordsman’s sword technique couldn’t withstand the terrifying destructive force.
“Senior, are you alright?”
“Kuh…! Hah, hah….”
The Southern Yang Swordsman, propelled several zhangs away and slammed into the ground, was breathing heavily.
His mouth was wide open as if at any moment he might lose consciousness from the shock.
“This… indeed, the Shaolin martial arts are too powerful.”
“Kuh… Z, Zaping, you… are…”
“I am unworthy to face a senior; through excessive martial arts, I’ve merely achieved victory out of embarrassment.”
Zaping knelt on one knee before the Southern Yang Swordsman, humbly voicing heartfelt words.
There appeared to be no pretense; it seemed he truly believed them.
“Fortunately, you haven’t broken any bones or suffered internal injuries. With a bit of rest, you’ll recover soon. Then! I shall continue on my way.”
Zaping bowed vigorously and departed quickly. Much of his journey was still ahead.
Watching his retreating back, the Southern Yang Swordsman mentally rehearsed words he couldn’t vocalize due to the pain.
‘No, it’s not Shaolin… you’re just simply strong…’
From the start of his martial journey, Zaping recorded an undefeated streak, unaware of his own strength and plunged into a grand illusion.
