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"You seem to be doing alright." "...Yes."

After finishing the duel, my father looked the same as always. The only odd thing was that he deliberately turned his back to me.

"Why are you turning away, Father?" "It's nothing." "Is my face really that funny to you?" "...No."

'He's definitely not looking at me because he's amused.'

If even my father can't bear to look at me for long, then what kind of state am I in?

'And why didn’t that snake, Woo Hyuk, say anything about it?'

That guy is a bigger problem. Gu Hee-bi burst into laughter the moment she saw me. If my father also found it hard to look at me, then Woo Hyuk must have known too but chose to keep quiet.

'He definitely did that on purpose.'

It was obvious that he hadn't said anything so I’d look ridiculous. If it were him, there’d be no doubt about it.

I decided to focus on my father for now and asked a few questions to get the conversation started.

"Training away from home—is something going on?"

Normally, my father never trained outside. Even within the Gu family, there’s a separate training ground reserved for the family head, so there’s never been a need. It was clear that he didn’t usually train in other regions.

"I just couldn’t sleep, so I thought I'd give it a try." "It looks like you've been at it for quite a while."

I could tell from the lingering traces of heat around us. The heat had stayed around for quite some time.

Just couldn’t sleep, huh. Maybe he stayed up all night? The thought crossed my mind.

"Third." "Yes." "Where did you learn that power?" "..."

My father jumped straight to the point. Skipping over pleasantries like morning greetings or whether I'd eaten—it was so typical of him, cutting to the chase.

'Classic Father.'

In a way, it was precisely like him.

"Power? What power are you referring to?"

I tried to feign ignorance...

"Tua Pa Cheon Mu." "..."

I had to bite my tongue at the way he casually dropped that name.

"It’s Paejon’s martial art, isn't it?" "...No."

Sure, I drew on some internal energy to shield my body, but I got struck down before I could even really use it. How did Father know about it?

Did he figure it out just by looking?

"Did you really manage to hold two different kinds of inner power within you?" "Well... it just sort of happened."

There were actually four or five of them, not just two. But I figured this wasn’t the time to bring up the full details, so I kept it to myself.

Father finally turned back toward me.

"You seem fine even with two kinds of inner power within you—there must be something to it."

He wasn’t so much asking why, as much as he was trying to confirm the result and understand the reason.

"Yes... when I tried, I found I could do it." "Did Paejon suggest you try it?" "No. Not at all. I insisted on learning them together because I couldn't give up on the family’s martial arts." "...Hmm."

He didn’t seem too pleased with my answer, but it was the truth. I really couldn’t let go of our family’s martial arts, and it was true I had insisted.

"Family head." "Speak." "Then, did you knock me out yesterday because I tried to use two kinds of inner power?"

I wondered if he knocked me out to keep me from overloading myself.

"Yes."

From his answer, I knew it was true.

Well, seeing me suddenly draw on another kind of inner power could certainly have looked like I was trying to off myself.

I turned my head away awkwardly, but then he spoke up again.

"When did you start learning it?" "It hasn’t been long—only a few months." "Then Paejon must also be here in Hanan." "..."

Oh, did I slip up? I suddenly felt a bit uneasy about what I’d just revealed.

"Since it’s your choice, I won’t say anything more. If there’s no issue with learning it, then go ahead." "...Yes." "But if you see him soon, let him know I wish to meet with him before too long." "Understood."

I could already imagine the sour look on Paejon's face when I delivered that message, but there was no avoiding it now. After a deep sigh, I turned to my father.

"Um... Family head." "Yes." "So, does that mean the bet is off?"

He gave me an odd look.

Yesterday’s duel was supposed to earn me some information about my mother.

In the end, I hadn’t landed a single hit, so I lost the bet. I knew that, but I thought I’d cling to it one more time, just for the sake of it.

'It’s better to beg than to act tough.'

That’s not really my style, but I figured it was worth a shot.

"You’re acting lighter than I expected." "...Ahem."

He was asking why I was dragging out a finished conversation.

Even I felt a bit embarrassed, but it wasn’t something I could easily let go of, and besides, bringing it up now wasn’t completely without purpose.

"Family head, you said you’d only use one hand yesterday." "..."

His eyebrows twitched noticeably at my words. From that, I knew.

He understood exactly what I was getting at. I remembered clearly what I’d seen.

"Then why did you use your right arm?" "..."

The arm he used to hit me yesterday had been his right one.

"Am I right?"

He still didn’t say anything. His scowl was intimidating, but I could tell that his expression held a hint of surprise.

"So I won the bet, didn’t I?" "..."

He remained silent. He had likely hoped to brush this off, but there was no way I’d let that slide. I’m always quick to call out others’ actions, so of course I’d catch this.

Before the duel, he’d sealed off his right hand. But in the end, he’d used it, which meant I’d won.

I watched to see how he’d respond.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about." "Wow."

I couldn’t help but be impressed. I never thought I’d see the day my father would backtrack like this.

"Is that how you’re going to play it?" "But, since you seem so disappointed, I’ll give you one more chance." "What do you mean? Who said I was disappointed?"

He was trying to wiggle out of it.

Why would I be disappointed?

I stared at him, then almost chuckled to myself. If he was acting like this, then it meant...

"...You really don’t want me to go there, do you?" "I thought I’d made that clear from the start." "But I have to go. No matter what." "..." "Even if you try to stop me, I’ll find a way through."

I have to go. No matter what it takes.

I can’t just leave the Divine Sword sealed within me, and I need to find out what’s ahead.

This wasn’t something that would change, even if he tried to stop me. So I spoke to him, filled with resolve, and he went silent for a moment before answering.

"Very well."

"Excuse me?"

Very well? I was caught off guard by his response.

"If you’re so determined, I’ll set a condition."

His next words made me frown.

"Another duel?"

I knew I couldn’t win. Yesterday’s gap made that certain.

Unless I reclaimed every bit of power from my past life, there was no way I could stand up to him now.

It’d take time to regain my old strength.

"It’s not a duel." "Then what?"

"How far along is your current mastery?" "Seven stars."

Well, technically, just the beginning of seven stars.

The Flame Wheel Technique advanced along with my Hwahyeong, enabling me to reach that point.

"Reach nine stars. If you can do that, I’ll tell you."

"...Nine stars?"

Nine stars—that had been my peak in my past life.

So he’s saying he’ll tell me if I reach my past strength?

'It’s not quite the same as before.'

It’ll be different this time around. Back then, I was more focused on growing my demonic energy than on our family’s martial arts. If I focus now, I’ll reach it much sooner.

It’s not a bad proposition, but...

"May I ask why... specifically nine stars?"

The condition was oddly specific, and I was curious. He answered without hesitation.

"That’s the minimum you’ll need to survive."

"..."

His words left me speechless.

Whatever this place was, it must be immensely dangerous if that’s his condition.

'That’s all I can get from him about the arm.'

There was no use pressing him further.

I already knew the duel itself had been a concession on his part. Trying to push beyond this was pointless.

'Nine stars...'

Although I’m currently two stars away, the gap will only grow as I progress.

"...Understood. I’ll ask again once I’ve reached nine stars."

I had no choice but to agree for now.

I may need to find another way as I increase my mastery. He nodded at my response.

And then—

"..." "..."

An awkward silence settled between us.

It was quite an uncomfortable silence. I debated whether to stay or leave when he spoke again.

"Third."

Surprisingly, he continued the conversation.

"Yes." "Have you eaten?"

His question took me by surprise. It was familiar.

'Where have I heard that before?'

It didn’t take long to remember.

'It’s something I always ask.'

I’d often ask that in a gruff way, checking if he was alright and eating properly.

"I... haven’t eaten."

"Alright."

With that, he walked past me.

"Then let’s go eat. Come along."

"..."

I watched him walk away. It sounded as if he was inviting me to breakfast.

As I thought about it, I slowly began to follow him.

"Yes, Father."

His shoulders twitched slightly at my words. I wondered if I'd said something strange.

But he didn't say anything.

And in the silence that followed, I found that, unlike before, it wasn't uncomfortable.

It was strangely comforting.