“How does that sound?”

Bi Eujin asked, and I briefly stood there with a blank expression on my face.

What did this man just say?

A disciple?

‘He said his master is recruiting disciples?’

And on top of that, he’s suggesting that I become one?

Although Bi Eujin mentioned his master,
the person he was referring to as the master was none other than the Supreme Conqueror.

And since the Supreme Conqueror was Bi Eujin himself…
that meant he was essentially selling himself.

Watching this, I couldn’t help but think,
‘Isn’t he embarrassed…?’

The awe I felt for the figure of a true master in my past life was vanishing in an instant.

This guy… seems to be missing something crucial.

And a disciple, really?

A disciple of the Supreme Conqueror? Me?

The answer slipped out of my mouth immediately.

“I’m not doing it.”

I refused without hesitation.

“Alright, then perhaps next time… wait, what?”

Bi Eujin looked genuinely shocked, a reaction that didn’t suit him.
Did he really expect me to just agree?

It seemed rather arrogant of him.

‘Well… considering it’s not just any disciple.’

To be the disciple of one of the Three Masters,
especially of the Supreme Conqueror himself,
was no small matter.

In the martial world, becoming the successor of one of the Three Masters didn’t just mean inheriting martial arts.
It meant inheriting their reputation and status as well.
And if you had the potential,
you could even inherit their power and challenge their heights.

So it’s understandable why he’d be surprised that I refused.
But still…

‘The Supreme Conqueror…’

It’s a term that evokes a lot of thoughts.

The unique martial art that the Supreme Conqueror created
hadn’t been around for even 100 years,
just like the Moon Piercing Sword Art used by the Sword Master.

If you compare it to the martial arts of the Nine Great Schools
or the divine techniques of the Four Great Families that have evolved over hundreds of years,
you might think it’s incomplete and lacking.

‘No, that’s not right. It can’t be lacking.’

The martial prowess of the Supreme Conqueror was far from incomplete.
I can guarantee that, having seen him unleash his strikes firsthand.
I’ve never seen a more brutal and powerful martial art in my life.

And the difference between the Supreme Conqueror and the Sword Master
was that the Sword Master had modified an existing martial art to suit himself,
while the Supreme Conqueror, as he once said,
had created his martial art entirely from scratch.

‘Is that even possible?’

It’s hard to believe.
Not only did he create a new martial art,
but within less than 100 years,
he honed it to the point of becoming one of the Three Masters.

It’s beyond my imagination.

That’s why the Supreme Conqueror’s martial art is so highly revered.
Any martial artist would envy such a divine technique.

However, I don’t have the time to learn a new martial art now.

“Disciple or not, isn’t the point that I’d actually have to be able to learn it?”

I conjured a small flame on my fingertip and showed it to Bi Eujin.

Ah, damn… my dantian aches.

My body was already filled with the inner energy of Nine Flame Wheel Art,
which had reached a fully mature state.

I had nearly completed the process of assimilation.
To learn a new martial art now would mean
I’d have to build up new energy that matches the new technique.

For example, in order to use Nine Flame Wheel Art, which focuses on fire and destructive energy,
my body was already accustomed to its inner energy.

And now I’m supposed to learn a new martial art?

‘Is he trying to blow up my meridians?’

That’s a ridiculous idea.

Realizing this, Bi Eujin’s expression softened, as if he understood my reasoning.

“Oh, you don’t need to worry about that.”

He continued, acting as if everything was fine.

What? Does he really have a solution? As I pricked up my ears, he said,

“You just have to empty everything and fill it back up with new energy.”

“…You’ve got to be kidding me.”

I couldn’t help but curse out loud at his response.

This guy was far crazier than I’d imagined.

What he’s suggesting is that I empty all the inner energy currently in my body
and then refill it with the energy of a new technique.

“Don’t say such absurd things.”

He was essentially telling me to abandon everything I had worked for up until now
and start over with a new martial art.

‘That’s absolute madness.’

Who in their right mind would do that?
Especially when they’re at the peak…

‘...’

As I considered it further, another thought crossed my mind.

The way he spoke so casually—could it be that he’s actually done this himself?

It’s possible.
That might explain why he’s speaking as if it’s no big deal.

No ordinary person would even attempt such a thing.
But then again, those who reach the level of the Three Masters
are often not quite normal.

Of course, I had no intention of following suit.

“I’m not doing it. Why would I abandon everything I’ve achieved so far just to start over?”

My answer remained unchanged.

How much energy had I built up, and how much further did I need to go from here?
I wasn’t going to throw all that away just to learn a new technique.

‘I don’t have the time for that.’

Even if I wanted to, I simply didn’t have the time.

‘Sure, in his eyes, I might look like a genius, but I’m not.’

I wasn’t talented enough to start over with a new martial art
and still reach the heights he was hoping for.

The reason he was going so far, swallowing his pride,
was likely because he thought I was the perfect candidate for his martial art.

From his perspective, I must seem like some heavenly genius.
That’s how it looks to most of the top martial artists.

When they reach a certain level,
they want to show others what they’ve mastered
and pass on what they’ve built up over the years.

Not all of them have such a goal, of course,
but most of the masters I’ve known had that drive.

It’s their desire and their purpose.

Why else would they take on disciples and teach them their martial arts?

‘It’s about leaving a legacy.’

They want their disciples to spread their greatness to the world.
They want to be remembered as extraordinary individuals.

Of course, there’s also the honor of the sect
and the importance of their name, among other trivial things.

But from what I can tell, it’s all the same.
It’s a rather pointless goal.

‘Though it seems like this guy… doesn’t have that sort of motivation.’

His reasons didn’t really matter to me.

I just didn’t want to deal with unnecessary attention.

In his eyes, I probably seemed like
a Heavenly Martial Body, or something like that.
And sure, anyone might see it that way.

But I didn’t have the talent to inherit the Supreme Conqueror’s martial art,
nor did I have the time.

Time was precious, and I wasn’t about to throw it away learning a new martial art.

“Find someone else. I’m not interested.”

With that, I turned around and began walking away.

To be honest, I had another fleeting thought.

‘Couldn’t I just add another type of energy to the combination of qi, blood, and demonic energy I already have?’

Whether it was due to the effects of Heaven-Absorbing Demonic Art
or the hidden strength of Nine Flame Wheel Art, I wasn’t sure.
But even when I had several different types of energy stored in my body,
it hadn’t caused my meridians to rupture, and I could use them each separately.

Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to learn the Supreme Conqueror’s martial art?

The thought crossed my mind for a brief moment.

‘That would be a gamble…’

If I tried it just because of a whim,
I had no idea what the outcome might be.

I didn’t want to risk it.

“I hope you find a suitable disciple… no, a successor. As for me, I’m off…”

I was about to make my escape when I heard his voice from behind me.

“This is a bit troublesome. I didn’t expect you to refuse.”

Just as I was about to turn my head,
the Supreme Conqueror—or rather, Bi Eujin—was already standing right in front of me.

‘Damn.’

I couldn’t even sense his presence properly since my dantian wasn’t functioning at full capacity.
But even so, Bi Eujin had moved far too quickly.

Bi Eujin spoke to me.

“My master says it will be difficult to find anyone else but you.”

“…When did your master ever see me?”

“...”

At my pointed question, Bi Eujin hesitated for a moment.
It seemed he’d made a mistake.

“…Rumors spread far and wide.”

“Yes, of course. So, what are you planning to do now?”

Was he planning to drag me off by force?
I didn’t think he was that kind of person,
but after seeing his actions now, I wasn’t so sure.

‘Running away or hiding… that won’t work.’

From the surprise attack earlier and his movements just now,
it was clear that I couldn’t escape him in my current condition, with my dantian out of order.

As I was wondering what to do,
Bi Eujin raised his hand and showed me something.

A blue sash.

I was about to question why he had a blue sash,
when I suddenly had a strange feeling and searched my pockets.

That’s when I realized…

The sash in his hand was the one I had been carrying.
Seeing it, I let out a deep sigh and asked,

“…Are you really going to take that from me?”

Losing the blue sash wouldn’t change much.
I could always take another one from someone else
or snatch it from a monster wandering the forest.

But at my words, Bi Eujin gripped the sash tightly and said,

“I understand your position, so why don’t we make a deal?”

His tone had changed.
I wasn’t sure if it was intentional or not, but this seemed to be closer to his true manner of speaking.

I didn’t bother pointing it out.

“If you can take this sash back from me, I’ll let you be.”

Hearing his almost charitable offer, I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Why should I bother?”

“If you don’t, I’m going to follow you around and make your life miserable. How about that?”

“What?”

What was he saying?

“I’ve been watching you and gauging your reactions. It seems like you don’t really want anything to do with the Shinryong Pavilion, just like me.”

“…That’s not true. I really want to go.”

How did he know?

“It didn’t seem that way. If that’s the case, shouldn’t you want to avoid this trouble?”

The blue sash in his hand swayed, annoying me.

So he was going to use that trick, huh?

‘This guy’s more cunning than I thought.’

I hadn’t seen him as the forceful type,
but if he was resorting to this,
then maybe he really did think I was necessary.

What could his reason be?

I looked into Bi Eujin’s eyes.
It was clear he had no intention of letting me go.

This man…

He really planned on disqualifying me if I didn’t go along with his plan.

“…And what if I can’t get the sash back?”

“Assuming you’re already predicting defeat is a bit disappointing.”

“I’ve always been the disappointing type.”

I wasn’t going to fall for his playful banter.

“Surely you don’t insist on taking a disciple, right?”

“No, I’m not the type to drag someone along if they don’t want to.”

“Your master says that, right?”

“…Yes, that’s what my master says.”

He smiled brightly.

It was ridiculous.

How has no one figured him out yet?
Ah, maybe that’s why he hasn’t left the family.

“And if I can’t get the sash back?”

“If you can’t, you just have to meet my master once.”

“…You mean the Supreme Conqueror?”

“Yes.”

Meet him? I’m standing right in front of him.

‘…I can’t say that out loud.’

What could Bi Eujin’s true goal be?
Telling me to meet him when I’m already face-to-face with him…

‘Is he planning to use a decoy?’

I couldn’t be sure.

Most likely, the purpose was persuasion.
But in the immediate situation, if it was only about meeting him…

“Alright, I’ll—”

Wham!

Suddenly, a blow landed square on my face, jerking my head back.

“Guh…!”

What the hell…?

“…Oh.”

Bi Eujin, who had thrown the punch, let out an impressed sound.
I had to stabilize my body, which had nearly lost its balance.

“To think you managed to avoid some of that, even in this situation. Impressive.”

“You crazy… What the hell are you doing?”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

While I rubbed my nose, feeling dumbfounded,
Bi Eujin smiled and waved the blue sash.

“Did you really think all you had to do was grab the sash and it’d be over?”

“…What?”

“I never said I wouldn’t hit you, did I?”

This sneaky old man…

‘…Wait.’

I’ve seen this scene somewhere before.

‘Ah.’

It hit me.

This was exactly like the time when the current First Elder was still Second Elder
and he smashed Peng Woo-jin to the ground with a single blow at the Nine Dragons Meeting.

-…Didn’t you say you’d only dodge, Elder?
-Old men like me never said such a thing.

‘Birds of a feather flock together.’

All the friends of that old man were out of their minds.

Fortunately, I had only been grazed,
but the world was still spinning.

‘If I’d been hit in the jaw, I’d be unconscious by now.’

If I hadn’t moved in that brief moment,
I would’ve been knocked out cold.

“…Sigh.”

Of all the people I could have gotten involved with…

Could this really be karma for messing with Gu Juleub?

Crack.

This is frustrating.
I already had so much to do.

I loosened my body and gathered strength in my dantian.

Zzt—

The pain was still sharp,
but I could grit my teeth and bear it for now.

At least for the moment.

Sss…

I drew upon my energy.
The moment I channeled it through my dantian,
I could feel my body expanding.

If I couldn’t use my internal energy alone,
I’d have to resort to something else, even if it was dirty.

[Growl…!]

As I pulled in my energy, the beast inside me responded fiercely.

The creature had always been particularly sensitive to energy.

Blood Qi.
It was better than demonic energy for this moment.

For a quick, overwhelming strike, this was the way to go.

‘Will one strike be enough?’

I wasn’t sure.
I had to try.

“Hm?”

Bi Eujin must have sensed something from me.
His expression shifted.

Crack.

At that instant, I launched myself toward Bi Eujin.

I twisted my left shoulder and extended my arm.
The blood energy I summoned
was faster than I had anticipated.

Even Bi Eujin flinched and moved in response.
He must have noticed that my hand was aiming
for the wrist holding the blue sash.

But…

My target wasn’t his wrist.

Perhaps because I was faster than expected,
Bi Eujin was a fraction too late to realize what I was aiming for.

Thud.

By the time he figured it out,
my arm had already driven into Bi Eujin’s abdomen.

Confirming that my attack had landed, I immediately…

Whoosh!

Released a surge of energy through my fist.

Boom!

The burst of energy exploded in all directions,
whipping up the surroundings with pressure and creating chaos.

   
   
   *****************
   

Boom!

At the moment when an unknown explosion resounded from the mountain on the other side,
Namgung Bia stood in the middle of a vast plain, surveying her surroundings.

Despite the malicious stares and the foul stench surrounding her,
this was nothing new to her now.

‘...Yellow.’

The sashes she held in her possession were red and blue.
Namgung Bia needed to find the yellow sash.

And she had just found the person carrying it.

Or rather, it would be more accurate to say that they had found her.

Standing beyond the wide plain was another figure,
the source of the foul stench that filled the air around her.

Namgung Bia narrowed her eyes slightly as she examined the person.
It was a face that seemed somewhat familiar.

Where had she seen them before?

“It's a coincidence. I didn’t expect to meet you here.”
“Ah.”

It was only after hearing the young man's voice that she remembered.
He was the man who had been with Wi Seol-ah last time.

There was something else about him too…
but she couldn’t quite recall.

“Do you remember me this time, Sword Dancer?”
“...”

Namgung Bia gave no response to his words, which suggested he knew who she was.
She simply didn’t feel like answering.

Plus, she truly didn’t remember him very well.

Did he notice this?
The young man’s expression twisted slightly.

“Muttering this and that…”

His words briefly brushed past her ears.

“I don’t like this at all… truly.”

The smile in the man’s eyes faded,
and a cold, sharp look took over his face.

But only for a moment.
He quickly smiled again and spoke to Namgung Bia.

“It seems we both have something the other needs. So, how about it? Shall we exchange a few moves?”

The young man needed the red sash,
and Namgung Bia needed the yellow one.

The stench mixed with malice made her feel nauseous.

In that moment, Namgung Bia thought of her fiancé's face,
and only then did she begin to feel calm again.

Though she wanted to rush to him immediately,
Namgung Bia restrained herself.

She had to learn how to stand on her own,
so that she could be of help to him.

Namgung Bia had realized this.
So she would endure the stench and the situation.
She would overcome it all.

And then,
she would stand proudly by his side.

“...”

In response to the young man’s offer,
Namgung Bia drew her sword in silence,
pointing its tip directly at him.

Then...

Crackle—

The sound of thunder echoed, and Namgung Bia’s hair began to flutter in the wind.

“...Thunderblade Will of Heaven.”

As the quietly spoken words left her lips,
thunderbolts filled the plains, despite the clear sky above.