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**

“…….”

Glorious madness.

But I have seen this madness before.

“Come in.”

The person who had lightly weighed down on me with her words. A woman whose outline I couldn’t even sketch out after staring for a while.

Ilma.

She was similar to her.

“…….”

Something…can’t be drawn.

Ever since I encountered others, I thought about how to reach them, but…

Not now. I can’t even form an outline.

“Your judgment is correct. Yet, there are moments where one must raise their sword. Everyone has their own position, right?”

Yeokseong, Jin Baek-cheon leisurely rummaged through his things. He pulled out a drink and took a swig.

“You’ve been sent here on orders… and I’m not that different. Your master is different and desires different things, so we inevitably collide. Now, go tell them to run. I know better than most that dealing with a revenge-seeker is less fun than you might think. The blade of an opponent charging at you with no rational thought isn’t as sharp as one might believe… it’s often much better when they’re vigilant. Even the fun is greater on that side.”

“…….”

“Oh. Want a bite?”

I tried to calculate.

If there was a chance, I was ready to try anything. I even considered asking my party for help.

But…nothing is visible.

The masters I had encountered up until now had their domains somewhat visible…

But now, it was completely shrouded.

It isn’t just Hyun-kyung. It’s different from the groups of masters I faced.

“…Where are you standing?”

“Those who are outsiders… They’ve never reached the top, so they foolishly group everything as one, you see. But if the reverse heavens’ Yeokseong were like the masters or the Lord of Cheonryong Association… or the Master of Sado Clan, would this current situation be possible?”

“…….”

“Not all Hyun-kyung are the same. We stand above that. To explain it adequately…”

His playful tone carried weight.

“It would be more appropriate to refer to it as the Transcendental Realm.”

Jin Baek-cheon disappeared.

In an instant, like fog. From that very spot…

As if he had never been there at all.

“……”

I hugged Sua, who was trembling. She must have vaguely sensed it too.

The helplessness before a predator.

That it was an opponent far beyond the warriors faced until now.

“Ah, dad… n-no… we can’t… we can’t…”

“…….”

“Let’s run together… dad… we can’t… that’s…”

“It’s okay.”

A runaway.

That could be possible. There might be an option like that.

But no matter how lighthearted he acted, it didn’t seem like he would speak out of both sides of his mouth.

The moment I try to flee, that overwhelmingly strong warrior will chase after me, tearing apart everything I have.

Choices might seem apparent, but they didn’t truly exist.

It was merely granting a moment’s respite.

“…Let’s walk a bit.”

I got off the carriage. I asked the nearby soldier to hold the reins for a moment.

Since I was walking with her, our party that noticed us jumped off the carriage.

“What’s going on? Why are we walking? Wait… Sua? Why are you crying?”

“Wh-what happened?”

I turned to look at my party. Each and every one of them was a precious connection to me.

It might have started a bit tumultuous, but now, they were all different people.

So I didn’t want to lose them. In any form.

“Seol-ran.”

“Hmm?”

“Please take care of Sua.”

“…What’s going on? Explain it.”

“Let’s break ranks and return to where we were.”

“I didn’t hear what you just said! Explain it to me. Why are you doing this all of a sudden?”

“I encountered the reverse heavens’ group. One of the Heavenly Eight Martial Artists.”

Eun Seol-ran flinched.

“…And?”

“It’s on a different level. Compared to me. Compared to anyone standing here. The very name of that master… it would lose its luster before that person.”

“…What?”

I pushed beyond Eun Seol-ran’s hesitation. I looked back at the rest of the party.

Though the enemy had shown mercy, I had no idea how long that would last. So I said what needed to be said briefly.

First, I reached for my disciples. I grabbed Gwangyang’s and Narin’s shoulders.

“Gwangyang.”

“Yes, yes?”

“It’s good to swing your sword strongly, but it’s also important not to be overly tense. I’m not saying to let your guard down completely. Maintain a middle ground. Establish a firm pivot that won’t waver, and build around it.”

“Mas-master… w-what’s going on all of a sudden…?”

“Narin.”

“Y-yes?”

“Don’t doubt and move forward. It’s okay. Just because you are different from others doesn’t mean you’re wrong. I guarantee you that your path is correct. You will undoubtedly become an excellent master.”

“Mas-master… why are you suddenly saying this… like I’m going to die soon…?”

I turned my head to look at Bai Hyun.

“Bai Hyun.”

“Yes…?”

“The Sword of Huashan is said to be beautiful. Each of its techniques is famous for resembling exquisite flowers. But that’s not all there is to it. The beauty lies in the flowers being natural. There’s no need to be too entangled in the techniques. They don’t represent your entirety.”

“…Mas-master…”

I looked at Gu Hwa-rin.

I smiled faintly.

“Hwa-rin.”

“…Yes.”

“It might be better to pursue a different path in Jianghu. We should choose a safer place to go next. And I’m sorry, but… could you watch over those children until they become proper warriors?”

“…W-what on earth did you encounter…?”

“Can you promise me that?”

Gu Hwa-rin swallowed hard. She nodded slightly.

“Leave it to me…”

“Thank you.”

I bowed. I met Su-ryeon’s gaze.

“I’ve received a great deal of help. Su-ryeon.”

“…….”

“I can’t hold my head up high compared to how much I’ve received from you, Su-ryeon.”

“I did it willingly.”

“…I’m just grateful that you said that. Il-ho. Are you doing well? Take care.”

“…Yes.”

I tried to turn my head.

But Su-ryeon grabbed my sleeve.

“If you want, I’ll stay with you.”

“I don’t want that.”

I gently pulled her hand away. I quietly patted Su-ryeon’s head.

“…If I’m your father, shouldn’t you listen to me?”

“…That’s so unfair. You only want to use me when it suits you…”

I met the gazes of the four from the Demon Cult. With tangled tales, they were those with whom deep connections were formed.

I took a step ahead of them.

I could hear Sua’s sobbing. But my conversation with her would be the last.

Before that, I wanted to make promises one by one.

A bit selfishly, for her sake.

“Ryeong-ryeong.”

“L-let’s fight together. Whatever it is, we can do that, right? Just like with Eungmin… right? We can just do that, right…? We defeated the Blood Demon, so we can defeat anything. I’ve gotten stronger… much stronger than before… You know that, right…?”

Ju Ryeongryeong held my hand.

“W-why do you speak as if you’re going to die…?”

I could feel her trembling.

I held her hand tightly to stop it from shaking.

“You don’t need to worry. I plan to win.”

“…Where is this… that of someone claiming they will win…?”

“Ryeong-ryeong.”

I quietly placed my hand over hers.

“May I entrust Sua to you?”

“…….”

“The opponent made a promise, but I have no idea how they will act once it’s all said and done. They could kill me and pursue you. So… only to the side of Ilma… please safely bring Sua there. I beg you.”

“W-we’ll go together…”

“I’ll win and then follow you. After all, it’s nearly certain that he will be with Yeong-wol, so taking down those two will essentially wrap up the mission. After a delay, I will also be able to return. Ryeong-ryeong is simply leaving a bit early.”

“…Really…?”

“I promise.”

I looked back at Black Danhwa. She shook her head at me with a stiff expression.

“I’m not going.”

“…Danha.”

“I said I’m not going. Don’t force me to send you. Sua? She’s a smart child. I care about her to an extent. But not as much as you do. Stop with your nonsense. No matter who the opponent is, if you and I are together, we might be able to overcome it. So don’t say anything more than that.”

“The opponent can completely erase their presence. Until they spoke, I had no idea of their existence. They can secure a position as a ghost, so they are naturally skilled in stealth.”

“…….”

“Please. Danhwa. Your Demon Spirit Illusion Technique would help in shaking off any pursuit. Please lead the party. I will follow immediately after things are resolved.”

“…No.”

“Danha.”

“…You’re really pissing me off… Why do you insist on saying things that make me want to curse…? Ugh…”

Black Danhwa gritted her teeth. After shouting multiple times, she seemed to give up and rubbed her face.

“…You said you’ll follow, so do that. By any means.”

“Of course.”

Baekma glanced around for attention. She stealthily grabbed my sleeve.

“Th-that’s not it, right? Brother? I mean, this is just like that time before, right? Huh? Just like back then? Right? We managed it somehow, didn’t we? So it’s similar to that, right? We’ll make it work, right?”

“…That’s right.”

Baekma. I placed my hand on her head. Slowly stroking it down, I wiped away the tears that had gathered at the corners of her eyes.

“Don’t worry and go with them. Okay?”

“…B-but why do you talk as if you’re going to die?”

“I will live. Just like always.”

“But… but…”

“It’s okay.”

After petting her a few more times, I turned my head.

Eun Seol-ran looked up at me.

“…Is the opponent really that strong?”

“It may be lacking.”

“Even with four masters from Huaxing as escorts, you still think it’s lacking?”

“Yes.”

Eun Seol-ran.

She lowered her voice.

“…What are the survival probabilities?”

“…….”

“Tell me. What are they?”

“I don’t know. But…”

I moved the hilt of my sword.

“Have I not kept my promises up until now?”

“…What?”

“I will follow. Senior. Don’t worry, just go ahead first.”

“…….”

Eun Seol-ran clicked her tongue.

“…If it’s a lie, I’ll kill you twice.”

“Sure.”

“Let’s go. Everyone pack up. We’ll break ranks naturally.”

“W-wait a moment! Seol-ran unnie! No matter what, this is…!”

“Shut up. Ryeong-ryeong.”

Eun Seol-ran pulled Ju Ryeongryeong along.

“He’s never spoken a foolish word. Don’t act spoiled. For your sake, and for that guy’s too.”

The party started moving. With many glances back, I nodded silently.

Sua ran up to me. Her trembling voice remained.

“Ah, dad… dad… th-that means…”

“…Sua.”

I hugged her. I stroked her head to conclude the unfinished conversation we had.

“I… wasted more time than I thought. But not now. I’m living more fully than ever.”

Our first encounter may have been by chance.

But what followed was incredibly happy.

I found you, child.

Being able to be together with you.

“…Ah… ah…”

“Don’t waste your time. Those older sisters will take you to my benefactor. To the person I trust most. That person will look after you.”

“Dad will… come, too…”

“I will follow. Don’t worry and go ahead first.”

“Really…?”

“Right.”

I patted her small head.

A genius in martial arts. Also a hard worker.

But what resonates most isn’t just those.

I interlocked my fingers with my daughter’s. Making a promise, albeit briefly.

“I’ll follow no matter what… so don’t worry. It’s not a lie.”

“……”

Sua nodded. I quietly watched my party until that nod disappeared from view.

There wasn’t a grand farewell. Those who had been following me, to avoid raising unnecessary attention, naturally slowed their steps and broke ranks.

The glances exchanged were complex. I was certain I was making a similar expression as well.

…Perhaps.

I felt I may have made a promise I could not keep.

Even so, I should try to do what I can.

“Is it over?”

“It is over.”

Death, perched nearby, whispered.

I drew my sword. Against a warrior standing at a place where I could no longer dare to reach, much higher than the Heavenly Demon.

He smiled.

“A warrior in prime condition. Very good. But to truly clash swords, you’ll have to strive ceaselessly beyond this point. Grow stronger amidst death. Jeok-un. To the extent that I can be satisfied.”

 

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