Following my father into the dining hall, I noticed that some people were already gathered there. The group wasn’t much different from the previous night’s dinner crowd, but I couldn’t see Iljang-ro or Cheoljiseon.

Cheoljiseon probably bolted, and as for Iljang-ro, who knows where he went. As we entered, everyone’s attention shifted to us.

The screech of chairs echoed as a few people stood up. It was Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-ah.

Both of them were glaring at my bruised eye with an intensity that burned hotter than any flame.

“Who...?”

Her question was simple—who did this to me?

Although Namgung Bi-ah’s tone was casual, her emotions were anything but, which made Gu Yeonseo, who sat nearby, flinch.

I waved a hand dismissively and said, “It’s nothing.”

“Liar.”

Namgung Bi-ah’s firm response was quickly supported by Wi Seol-ah, who nodded in agreement.

“It’s definitely a lie. If the young master says it’s nothing, it usually means it’s something big.”

I had to endure a mix of emotions at their reactions. Just how do they see me to assume that every minor mishap is actually a big deal? Do they think I’m constantly getting into trouble?

‘...’

The sad part was that I couldn’t definitively deny it.

“Who... did this?”

Namgung Bi-ah looked ready to draw her sword right then and there. And what would she do? She just recently recovered—what could she possibly achieve?

“What would you even do?”

“Teach them a lesson...”

“Teach them a lesson?”

“Yeah.”

I had to stifle a laugh at her words. Even I couldn’t “teach them a lesson,” so what exactly did she plan to do?

I appreciated the thought, but there was no way she could manage that. I was still chuckling when Namgung Bi-ah came closer and gently touched my bruised eye.

The concern in her touch felt warm, despite her cold hands.

Wi Seol-ah also approached and began to check other parts of my body, searching for additional injuries. It was embarrassing, given that people were watching.

“I told you I’m fine! Stop it! People are staring.”

Only when I raised my voice a little did they both step back, though their eyes were still filled with concern.

It’s just a bruise; why such a big reaction?

Wi Seol-ah took a step back, looking shaken, and mumbled, “If the young master ended up like this, then the opponent must’ve been quite formidable.”

I nodded in agreement. “They were. Incredibly strong.”

“How terrifying must they have been...?”

“Terrifying, indeed.”

“Were they a bad person...?”

“No, not really... I wouldn’t say they were bad.”

I couldn’t give a clear answer, but I sensed my father’s presence behind me. I knew I shouldn’t tease them any longer.

“It was Father.”

“...Excuse me?”

Both of them froze at my words, and their gazes shifted.

Now they were looking between my bruised eye and my father, who had greeted neither of them.

My father didn’t show any particular reaction. He simply observed them as they watched me with concern.

Maybe that made it even scarier.

Soon after, they turned back to me with reproachful eyes, as if asking why I hadn’t told them sooner.

‘They were just about ready to “teach someone a lesson.”’

They redirected their reproach toward me so quickly. It was a bit unfair and frustrating from my perspective.

 

After quickly finishing breakfast, I made my way to the familiar cave. Not only did I need to catch up on training, but I also had some business with Paejon.

“I’m here.”

The moment I stepped inside, the strong scent of alcohol hit me. I wrinkled my nose at the overpowering smell and looked around. Empty bottles were scattered everywhere.

How many were there? It seemed like there were too many to count by hand.

“You’re here.”

Paejon stood in the center, surrounded by the empty bottles.

“What’s all this?”

I pointed at the bottles, and Paejon chuckled.

“It’s been a while since I shared a drink with an old friend.”

“This looks like more than just a few drinks.”

“Once you get into the mood, it’s easy to lose track. You’re too young to understand that yet.”

I shook my head at his words. I’d never been one for drinking, not even in my past life.

I didn’t have anyone to drink with. The most I’d done was raise a glass alongside Magumhu while he sipped his drink, admiring the moonlight.

“By ‘old friend,’ do you mean Elder Il?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Those old men must’ve gone all out. The amount of bottles suggested there were more than two people involved. Maybe they had more company?

Paejon noticed my reaction and laughed, waving his hand.

Suddenly, a powerful wind erupted from him.

Whoosh!

The wind swept through the entire cave, then blew outside. Amazingly, the alcohol stench vanished.

‘That’s impressive as always.’

I looked at Paejon in awe. He had incredible control over his abilities.

I could create wind too, but... The wind Paejon generated had selectively removed only the air with the smell, leaving everything else intact.

The bottles and stones on the floor weren’t disturbed, only the air. How did he manage that?

Paejon noticed my gaze and asked, “Want me to teach you?”

“Is that something I can even learn?”

“Most couldn’t, but you might be able to.”

“I’ll pass.”

“Really? It’s quite a useful trick. Shame.”

He clicked his tongue as if disappointed. I could tell it was useful, but my refusal had a reason.

‘That old man overestimates me.’

Whenever Paejon taught me, he’d often say, “You can do it.” What he meant was that he thought I could do anything he could.

He seemed to believe, “Since you’re like me, you can handle it too.”

In other words, he saw my potential as being on par with his. That was a lot of pressure for me.

From what I’ve observed, Paejon is a true genius.

He’s one of the rare few among the talented martial artists of Zhongyuan.

Sometimes, during training, he’d grumble things like:

• Why can’t they manage that? Young people lack the resolve. If you set your mind to it, you can do it.

 

Whether it was technique or reading an opponent’s moves, Paejon would say that if you focused, you could do it.

This old man didn’t seem to realize that if it were that easy, anyone could be a master.

‘Easy, my foot.’

There wasn’t much I could say to him about it.

He’s someone who created new martial arts and even started over at an old age. Despite that, he rose to be one of the Three Masters.

That’s Paejon.

Like the rest of the Three Masters, Paejon is a rare genius in history. To me, his expectations were overwhelming.

I’m just a mediocre talent, not a genius.

“But, kid.”

“Yes?”

“What happened to your eye? Looks like you got hit somewhere.”

“You don’t seem like someone who’d get into fights easily... so how did you end up like this? Oh, well, it’s amusing, so I don’t mind.”

It’s funny, so he doesn’t mind? What kind of nonsense is that?

“It’s from a sparring match with my father.”

Paejon’s eyes sparkled with interest.

“You mean the Gu family head?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm. That explains it. So, how was it, sparring with your father?”

“There’s not much to say.”

“I couldn’t even touch him.”

Paejon’s expression shifted to one of subtle curiosity.

“Your father hasn’t changed, I see.”

“Do you know much about him?”

“A little.”

“How so?”

“If you’re asking how, it’s because people like your father are rare. But what about you? How much do you know about him?”

“To be honest, I’m not sure.”

If I were asked how much I know about him, I’d have to admit, not much. I only know he’s far stronger than his reputation suggests.

‘Come to think of it...’

A question suddenly came to mind about Paejon.

“Elder.”

“Yes?”

“Why didn’t you offer to take my father as your disciple? Did he not meet your standards?”

I don’t know my father’s full potential or how far he’s reached. But I thought he’d fit Paejon’s ideal student better than me.

Paejon was always urging me to train, so why not my father?

Paejon stroked his imaginary beard and replied, “That’s a strange thing to wonder about. Why are you curious?”

“Just because.”

“Hm…”

After a moment’s thought, he continued, “When I met your father, I hadn’t yet reversed my aging process.”

So he hadn’t been searching for disciples at that time.

“Later, I did consider it, but I dismissed the idea immediately.”

“May I ask why?”

“It would’ve been pointless.”

What did he mean by that? Did my father not meet his standards? Paejon continued before I could ask further.

“Your father was already one with his martial art.”

“One with his martial art?”

I couldn’t grasp his meaning, so I asked again.

He explained, “Have you heard of Sword-Mind Unity?”

“Yes, I know of it.”

Sword-Mind Unity.

It’s when a swordsman becomes one with the sword. The self and the sword become indistinguishable, achieving a state of harmony.

It’s a dream for any swordsman, more than merely reaching a high rank.

Those who attain it are often considered masters, and it’s said they can wield invisible swords, known as the Mind Sword.

In my past life, Magumhu had reached that state.

“Becoming one with martial arts means going a step beyond that.”

“A step beyond...?”

“It’s when you fully understand the martial art. Your body isn’t just a vessel for it; it is the martial art.”

Paejon’s words were filled with weight I couldn’t quite grasp.

“They call this Transcendence. But you don’t need to worry about that yet.”

“Transcendence...”

Why? Paejon’s words puzzled me.

I’d never heard of this before in my past life. It seemed important, so why was this the first I’d heard of it?

“So my father reached Transcendence?”

“As far as I could tell, yes. That’s why I couldn’t offer him the position.”

So, only those who have reached such a level would Paejon consider worthy. Does that mean my father has reached that level?

‘I should ask him about it later.’

I decided to ask my father at some point. With that in mind, I had another question for Paejon.

“Then, Elder, have you reached Transcendence?”

“...”

As soon as I asked, I regretted it.

His expression twisted slightly. Did I offend him? He sighed and responded, “Do you know the minimum requirement to reach Transcendence?”

“I don’t.”

“Mastery of martial arts.”

“Oh.”

Only now did I understand why he looked the way he did.

“I haven’t reached it. That’s why I’m curious. What lies beyond my martial art?”

“So you’re using me to find out?”

“You’re getting cheekier with your words. I’m not ‘using’ you, you brat.”

But it seemed I was right.

He didn’t refute it.

‘Transcendence.’

Achieving mastery in martial arts was the minimum requirement. I had more questions, but I held them back.

Asking if that meant my father was stronger than him would be too forward.

‘So the minimum requirement is mastery in martial arts.’

The bar seemed impossibly high. Whether it was the Flame Wheel Technique or Tua Pa Cheon Mu, these were all difficult martial arts.

And yet, mastery was only the minimum requirement for Transcendence?

‘I’m not ready for that.’

For now, my goal was to raise my Flame Wheel Technique to nine stars, rather than chase something as elusive as Transcendence.

“That’s enough chit-chat. Let’s start warming up.”

Paejon twisted his wrist as he spoke.

Warming up meant sparring.

No tricks allowed, only techniques. I’d been sparring with him for months, and I had yet to win.

Today would be no different.

As I braced myself for another beating, I suddenly remembered something.

“Elder.”

“Yes?”

“I almost forgot to mention.”

“Is there something else?”

“It’s no big deal.”

“Go on.”

“My father would like to see you.”

“...Huh?”

Paejon looked genuinely surprised.

“Out of nowhere? Why?”

“Oh, nothing much.”

I scratched my head awkwardly at his reaction.

“He found out I’m your disciple.”

“What...?”

“I tried using your martial art during our duel. He figured it out immediately.”

Ha!

I tried to downplay it, but the truth was that I’d messed up.

“So he wants to meet you. Is that alright?”

At my words, Paejon's face twisted in displeasure.