The daily routine at Shinryongwan isn’t all that complicated.

Right after waking up, you go through about an hour of morning training.

After breakfast, sword training begins.

Each instructor is assigned based on the student's knowledge level.

The instructor decides whether to hold theory lessons or some other form of training.

Personally, I despised theory lessons the most.

“And as a result… when dealing with blue-ranked monsters, removing the magic stone minimizes the risk of an explosion after the creature’s death…”

‘How many times do I have to hear this?’

It wasn’t like I didn’t already know this stuff, which made it all the more boring.

The other students weren’t much different.

They probably learned theory at their clans or sects, too, but most of them were more accustomed to physical training.

For them, theory lessons were like a special kind of hell.

They all kept their mouths shut, but internally, they were probably waging a significant battle.

A battle against sleep.

“Grrr…”

Next to me, Pa Woo-chul was pinching his thigh repeatedly to fight off sleep.

It looked like he might start bleeding...

...Actually, I think he’s already bleeding.

‘Hmph…’

I couldn’t help but wonder why such extensive education was needed just to hunt monsters, but in reality, this was essential.

This wasn’t an era where martial artists fought other martial artists.

Now that monsters were the main enemy, such knowledge was crucial for safe and efficient hunting.

‘…I regret it, in a way.’

When I became a demon…

Or even before that, when I was rolling around as part of the Murim Alliance.

There were more than a few times when I almost died due to my lack of knowledge about monsters. Of course, I learned through painful experience, so now it’s fine.

‘Learned a lot the hard way, damn it.’

I once found myself inside the mouth of a red-ranked monster, counting its teeth.

Honestly...

You could learn about green and blue monsters through knowledge, but what about red ones?

There was no real answer for those.

No one alive today had experienced a red-ranked monster.

The Demon Gate hadn’t opened to that level yet.

This meant...

I was the only person in this era who had encountered a red-ranked monster.

Assuming I was the only one who had gone through the strange experience of regression, of course.

That’s why it’s pointless.

The other students listen to the theory lessons halfheartedly for the same reason.

Even if a group of green monsters swarmed, they could easily handle them.

As for blue monsters, anyone above a first-rate martial artist could take them on, as long as they weren’t careless.

Though individual characteristics and dangers vary...

Once you’ve developed your energy, the chances of being harmed are slim.

In other words, it’s not that dangerous.

Even in my case...

As long as I’m not surrounded by blue monsters from all sides, it won’t be that risky.

Unless there’s a mutated creature involved, of course.

Even during the year I spent on the front lines, it wasn’t particularly dangerous.

In fact, it was convenient because the monsters could feed that beggar in my stomach.

If I had to say something was dangerous, it was when Gu Heebi got angry—that was far more dangerous.

In that sense...

This is a time of peace.

Monsters are still around.

The Demon Gate continues to open regularly.

But now, responses to monsters have become quite fast.

Although reports of civilian casualties still come in regularly, most people consider it inevitable.

They chalk it up to bad luck.

That’s how they move on.

A time of peace?

I see it more as a time of forgetfulness.

After all, this situation has been going on for centuries. People have become complacent, thinking everything will continue as it is.

‘Not that it matters.’

It’s not like I was unaware of this era’s complacency.

I glanced around at the students fighting off sleep.

They were all here to inherit their families’ legacies or climb the ranks within their sects.

Building connections and pursuing a more comfortable life...

But none of them knew.

When the bloodshed begins, everything will fall apart.

Green monsters, blue monsters...

Red ones are on a completely different level, making this theory meaningless.

‘Two or three years from now.’

The red monsters will start to appear in full force around then, following the emergence of the Heavenly Demon.

The first appearance of a red monster was only a few years away.

Where was it again?

Was it in Sichuan? Xi’an? Or was it Qinghai?

It had been so long, and the appearance of the red monsters had caused such an uproar across the central plains that my memory was hazy.

“Click.”

It was important information, and I had forgotten it.

‘…When the red monsters appear, formations will collapse.’

Even a peak martial artist who hasn’t fully mastered their stage can’t face a red monster alone.

In this vast land...

How many perfected peak masters are there?

Even if you counted all the martial artists and categorized them by age, there would barely be a thousand.

Out of all the martial artists spread across the central plains, a thousand.

Could that number withstand the rebellion of the red monsters?

It wasn’t until the system had just barely solidified that they began to hold them off, but by then...

The world would already be engulfed in flames.

‘It’s troublesome.’

If we’re lucky enough to stop the Heavenly Demon, we might barely scrape through, but if not, the same fate awaits as in my past life.

Creak.

The chair groaned as I leaned back and closed my eyes in thought.

‘I’ll have to gradually release the information.’

The weaknesses and details of the red monsters.

I’d have to slowly spread that information to the world.

Of course, most would dismiss it as nonsense.

Only a few would believe it.

Still, that’s the best approach.

Should I inform the Beggar Sect?

Or maybe Hao Mun would be better suited for this.

“…Brother.”

Or perhaps I should anonymously pass it to the clans and sects...

“Big brother.”

“…Ah.”

I snapped out of my thoughts at the sound of a gruff voice.

“Are you okay?”

It was Pa Woo-chul.

“What? Is it over?”

“Yes, it just finished.”

It seemed the theory lesson had ended.

It was supposed to take about an hour, but after zoning out the whole time, it had passed quickly.

“You don’t look well, big brother. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

I felt stiff.

Since I couldn’t focus on the lesson, the time spent spacing out had increased.

‘No rest, not with training, anyway.’

After discovering what seemed to be the location of the vault, I’d been using my morning training time for personal training.

The internal injuries were still there, but most of them had healed, so it was safe to resume training.

Though it was just mental cultivation.

‘It’s not easy.’

I needed to advance as quickly as possible.

Maybe it was because of my impatience, but the barrier was proving difficult to break through.

It was odd.

‘Everything seems in place.’

My physical body is slightly lacking, but my internal energy is sufficient.

After all, I’ve consumed so much that it would be strange if my internal energy wasn’t enough.

At this point, I should be able to break through easily.

‘What’s holding me back?’

For some reason, I couldn’t break through the barrier.

One reason that came to mind was that I hadn’t reached my current state in a conventional way in my past life.

‘…Ugh.’

Unlike those who advance through enlightenment and long training...

I had used the Demonic Celestial Absorption Technique to forcibly increase my energy and ascend.

It was as if the sheer amount of internal energy had shattered the barrier.

Since I advanced in such an unorthodox manner, breaking through properly now was proving difficult.

‘…I could resolve this if I got the White Marble Stone.’

If I could get the White Marble Stone and absorb its energy, this would be resolved in an instant.

As I mentioned before, though...

I wanted to acquire the White Marble Stone after reaching the peak state.

That way, I could absorb all its energy properly.

If I got greedy, I’d lose more than I gained.

So, I had to be patient.

‘I’m impatient. This isn’t a good situation.’

I can’t go back to my old ways.

If I do, the end will be all too clear.

Moving forward, I need to find a more upright method to build my power, but that makes me anxious.

‘If only Old Man Shin No was here.’

Hah.

Just thinking about it made me chuckle.

After living however I pleased, now I find myself wishing for a mentor to guide me.

It seems I’m really cornered this time.

“Big brother?”

“Yeah, I’m tired. Let’s go eat.”

I stood up.

Thinking about things without a solution wouldn’t help.

All I could do was continue doing what I had been doing.

‘No time to be confused, just focus on the task at hand.’

No time to lose confidence, either.

What a wonderful life. Miserable as it is.

“Woo-chul.”

“Yes, big brother?”

“Nothing important was covered, right?”

“No, as usual, nothing special.”

“...”

It might not have been anything important for me, but wouldn’t it be important for you?

I looked at Pa Woo-chul in disbelief, and he clapped his hands as if he had just remembered something.

Clap!

His hands were so big that the sound echoed loudly.

“Oh, it’s not much, but… the instructor said we’re done with theory and moving on to practical training…”

“You were here.”

Just as Pa Woo-chul was about to relay the information, someone interrupted, stepping in front of me.

“Hm?”

I looked to see who it was.

First, I noticed the striking features of his face.

Then, the sword at his waist.

His uniform, symbolizing the Wudang Sect, made his identity clear.

“We’ve met before, haven’t we?”

The handsome young man smiled as he looked at me.

One of the few people in this world I could trust.

“…Jamlryong.”

Jamlryong Woo-hyuk.

“If it’s not too much trouble, care to join me for a meal?”

An old friend from my past life had come to visit me.

   
   ******************
   

Jamlryong Woo-hyuk.

One of the few close friends I had in my past life, and at the time, he was among the top late-stage warriors in the Six Dragons and Three Peaks.

He was also the most anticipated disciple of Wudang.

Despite his lazy and indolent personality, the sharpness he displayed when wielding a sword made him stand out even more.

And later, during the Demonic Battlefield Incident, I came to realize one thing with certainty.

Jamlryong wasn’t lazy.

He wasn’t indolent.

In fact, I learned he was always on edge, always alert.

Even in that hellish situation, the reason so many were able to survive was because of people like Wi Seol-ah, who was called the "Small Sword Saint," Jamlryong, and Seolbong, who kept moving tirelessly.

—“Just endure it three times.”

—“Hey, flame-head.”

I still sometimes remember his annoyingly handsome face, the way he used to cling to me and tease me endlessly.

It seemed like he found endless joy in pestering me, sticking by my side even when I spat out harsh, angry words.

The guy who laughed and took it all in stride was nothing but a madman in my eyes.

A madman.

—“Go ahead. I'll catch up in a bit.”

A man who threw away his own life because of a fool like me.

He was certainly a madman.

—“Let’s have a drink once we’re out.”

Those memories haunt me, making them impossible to forget, even now.

“Hey, did you know the food here is actually pretty good?”

“That’s... not meat, right?”

“It’s delicious. Want some?”

“...No, you eat it.”

A Daoist eating meat.

From what I knew, Wudang didn’t allow the consumption of meat.

Is this okay?

“...Master, please…”

A younger disciple, likely his junior, was on the verge of tears.

It seemed it wasn’t okay.

‘Even back then, they tried to stop him, but he still ate it.’

It was a memory from my previous life.

I remembered how the golden boy of Wudang, who was expected to uphold all their values, ate any and all kinds of meat without hesitation.

“Disciple.”

“…Yes?”

Jamlryong turned to his junior, Woo Ihyeon, who had been trying to stop him and spoke seriously, as if he had something important to say.

“Do you know what the most important rule of Shinryongwan is?”

“…What is it?”

“Forget your background and name, and live as a student of Shinryongwan.”

“And so?”

“So, while I’m here, I’m not a Daoist.”

“…And so?”

“Since I’m not a Daoist, shouldn’t it be okay for me to eat meat?”

“…Do you really think that’s okay?”

“If you’re upset about it, why don’t you call the Headmaster?”

“Wow, he’s seriously crazy.”

To bring up the Headmaster of Wudang like that.

Is he really a Daoist?

I watched and nodded to myself.

The young Jamlryong was still a madman.

He was like this from the beginning. Somehow, that was comforting.

But that aside...

“So, why did you come to find me?”

“Hmm?”

I had to ask.

One of the reasons I came to Shinryongwan was to see Jamlryong, but I hadn’t sought him out due to being caught up in other matters.

I didn’t expect him to find me first.

‘Does he still hold a grudge from the last time I beat him?’

Paeng Ahee had mentioned that Jamlryong had asked about me, though I didn’t know the reason.

Could it be that he’s still upset about me interfering in his duel with Yeongpung?

‘He’s not the type to hold grudges, though.’

At least, not from what I remember.

“You must have a reason for seeking me out so suddenly, right?”

“I do. But first, Gu Sohyeop, can I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“Why are you speaking informally?”

At Jamlryong’s words, the surroundings grew quiet in an instant.

It sounded like a rather sharp remark.

“I’m older than you, aren’t I?”

“That’s true.”

By two or three years, if I recall correctly, Jamlryong was indeed older than me.

“Then why are you speaking informally to me?”

—“Then why are you speaking informally to me?”

I heard his voice twice.

It reminded me of a similar conversation we had in my past life.

Back then, I was even more insolent than I am now.

There was no way I would’ve spoken politely to Jamlryong.

And at that time...

Just like now, he had asked the same question.

Back then, I was so full of pride that I couldn’t swallow it.

—“If you don’t like it, speak informally too.”

It was the kind of response that, if heard by another martial artist, would warrant immediate violence.

It was the kind of tone where, if someone overheard it, they’d have every right to beat me senseless.

But instead of hitting me...

Jamlryong had laughed and replied.

“Sure.”

Just as he did in my past life.

That carefree answer, the same as before.

The people around us seemed even more surprised than I was.

Woo Ihyeon stared at his senior in disbelief, frowning.

And the others, too, looked at me as if to ask why I was behaving this way.

No matter how bad I’d acted before, I’d never behaved like this.

But Jamlryong didn’t seem to care about the gazes around him at all and continued speaking to me.

“Now that we’re on the same level, are we friends?”

His lighthearted words left me feeling oddly deflated.

It was exactly the same as before, and I found myself feeling ridiculous.

He hadn’t changed at all.

The only difference...

—“What are you talking about? Get lost.”

“Yeah.”

...was my answer.

“…What? I didn’t think you’d agree so easily.”

Jamlryong looked genuinely surprised by my reaction.

I hadn’t intended to refuse him, after all.

Ignoring his somewhat disappointed expression, I pressed on with my question.

“So, now that we’re friends, why did you come to find me?”

“To see my friend?”

“Save the pointless jokes for later.”

I had no intention of letting him deflect with his playful attitude.

“Does that mean you’ll entertain my jokes later?”

“You want to get beaten before or after you speak?”

“Why isn’t there an option where I don’t get beaten?”

Jamlryong chuckled in disbelief.

The people around us stared, confused by the absurd conversation.

They couldn’t understand how the conversation was progressing like this.

I didn’t know either.

It had always been this way between us, ever since my past life.

“Anyway.”

After a moment of laughter, Jamlryong’s expression changed, and he got to the point.

“I heard a rumor that you’re forming a faction.”

“…What?”

I frowned immediately.

A faction? My faction?

What faction?

I stared at Jamlryong, dumbfounded, but he continued without hesitation.

“Let me join.”

“In the faction...?”

Jamlryong nodded.

His request was so absurd that I was left momentarily speechless.

He came all this way to ask to join my faction?

For such a ridiculous reason...?

‘Why would he?’

He’s one of the people I’d expect to be least interested in Shinryongwan’s politics.

I couldn’t understand why he would go out of his way to ask this.

“Well?”

His voice wasn’t exactly quiet, and the students around us, eating their meals, were all staring at us.

After all, he was asking to join Jinryong’s faction—the so-called “Evil Dragon.”

As I observed their curious gazes, a thought crossed my mind.

There wasn’t really any reason.

I just wanted to mess with him a little.

Might as well use the opportunity to dispel some rumors while I’m at it.

“…Sorry, but I can’t accept you into the faction.”

“…!”

Jamlryong’s eyes widened in surprise, clearly not expecting a rejection.

“H-How come?”

“Because it’s not up to me.”

“What?”

“Our faction... I mean, the… uh…”

I took a moment to think.

It couldn’t be long.

“Yeah, the Cheolyangcheol Faction. To join, you’ll need approval from our leader.”

“…Cheolyangcheol Faction? Leader?”

For the record, “Cheolyangcheol” was a name I came up with on the spot, combining Cheol Jiseon’s “Cheol,” Gu Yangcheon’s “Yang,” and Pa Woo-chul’s “Cheol.”

I regretted it immediately.

There had to be a better name, but of all things, I ended up with that?

“Big brother, we had a different name—urk!”

I pressed my foot down firmly on Pa Woo-chul’s foot to stop him from talking.

—“Jinryong... isn’t the leader?”

—“Then who is it? Who controls the Evil Dragon?”

The students around us murmured.

I hadn’t used any sound-blocking techniques while talking.

For the record, Mo Yong-hia, Dang So-ryeol, and Namgung Bi-ah weren’t even looking this way.

They must have realized I was just fooling around from the start.

They’d seen this so often that they didn’t bother reacting.

Keeping a straight face, I turned to Jamlryong and continued.

“…The Mad Dog, Cheol Jiseon.”

“…!”

“To join our Cheolcheolyang Faction—”

“Big brother, wasn’t it Cheolyangcheol?”

“…To join our Cheolyangcheol Faction, you’ll need his approval.”

Jamlryong’s eyes widened further.

Perhaps he found this shocking.

After darting his eyes around, he asked me.

“…Who is this person?”

“He exists.”

Jamlryong’s reaction wasn’t particularly interesting, but the students eavesdropping on our conversation were clearly intrigued.

A new rumor about the “Mad Dog” Cheol Jiseon was being born right before their eyes.