Thud—! Thud—!

The heavy, resonating sound echoed repeatedly within the cave, shaking the ground so much that it could be felt outside. The tremors went on for what seemed like forever, though it hadn’t been that long in actual time.

Even though the time wasn’t particularly lengthy, it felt like an eternity in this relentless ordeal.

Thud—! Thud—!

I was currently in the middle of a sparring match with Paejon.

How long had we been at it? A little over fifteen minutes, perhaps.

Even though it had only been a short while, I was already drenched in sweat. It wasn’t surprising given the exertion, but the intense focus required was burning through my stamina at an alarming rate.

And more than that...

‘This isn’t even a sparring match…!’

Calling it sparring was generous—this was more akin to brutal torment. Although most sparring sessions with Paejon felt this way, today was particularly vicious.

Whoosh—! Paejon’s shoulder moved.

I didn’t have time to think; I had to react instinctively. I threw my head back just in time to avoid his fist as it swept past where my chin had been, aiming precisely at my jaw.

No sooner had I dodged that blow than I felt his leg sweep towards mine.

It was meant to throw me off balance. I dove forward, preferring to roll on the ground rather than being swept off my feet. If I’d stumbled under Paejon’s foot, it would have been game over.

And so, I kept rolling, over and over. At one point, in a burst of defiance, I tried to land a punch, only to have my face meet the wall instead.

Even though I was stronger and faster, I couldn’t even graze his clothing. What was the difference? I kept searching for an answer as I was continuously tossed around.

I still couldn’t see it. Not yet, anyway. But that just made me want to look harder.

I dodged his punches and legs as they lashed out at me, rolling my eyes to assess him from head to toe. Spending more than a second observing any one part was a luxury I didn’t have. I had to be faster.

I found it—a couple of openings.

But then...

‘This old man…’

As soon as I saw the gaps, I grimaced. They were feints.

There was no way Paejon would leave himself open like that. And the worst part? There were no other openings in sight.

Luring me into a trap while hiding any other options.

If I took the bait, it was over. And yet, knowing this, my fist was already moving forward.

I had no choice but to try. It was better than standing still.

I reached out toward the gap. Judging by the angle and speed, I should be able to reach him before he could react.

As my punch moved in toward his side—

Swish—!

An unidentifiable sensation flipped my view upside down.

Thud—!

I crashed to the ground, a burst of pain spreading from my back as I hit the dirt.

“Haa...”

And that’s how it ended... once again.

“…!”

Just as I was about to catch my breath, I jerked my head aside to dodge a fist that shot toward me.

Boom—! The fist slammed down where my head had been a moment earlier. If I hadn’t moved, I’d have been a pulp.

I jumped to my feet, glaring at Paejon as I yelled, “I thought it was over! You nearly killed me just now!”

In response to my outburst, Paejon chuckled, casually answering, “Ah, I forgot.”

“Forgot? Elder, you’re smiling right now.”

“It’s common for us old folks to smile more as we age.”

Liar. He was really trying to pulverize me just now.

His smile was tinged with a bit of regret.

This old man had definitely been aiming to wreck my face.

“You’re just taking your frustration out on me, aren’t you?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Paejon pretended ignorance, but it was obvious.

When I’d mentioned that my father had found out I was his disciple, Paejon had simply laughed it off. But once we started sparring, he came at me harder than ever.

“One of my eyes is already half-blind. Are you trying to ruin the other one, too?”

“Wouldn’t it look better if they were a matching set?”

“As if! Ow—!”

Paejon’s fist smacked the back of my head. Even though he didn’t put much strength into it, my head throbbed.

“Your attitude is getting worse by the day. You didn’t used to talk back like this.”

I was polite at first, but after taking a beating for months, who could stay pleasant?

“Judging by your expression, you’re full of complaints. But if anyone should be angry, it’s me.”

Paejon sighed as he alluded to the fact that I’d given away the fact that I was learning his techniques to my father.

He looked at me, shaking his head in disappointment.

“You couldn’t even keep that one thing hidden?”

I had nothing to say to that.

“It… it just sort of happened…”

“What do you mean ‘it happened’? I told you not to use it without permission.”

“Well, I thought I’d give it a try.”

“Then you should have used the power you already have, shouldn’t you?”

I gulped at his words. He was referring to my demonic energy, or magi.

He’d seen me turn into a demon back when I faced Cheonma. He knew I had another power.

If I had used my magi, maybe things would have turned out differently.

“I’d rather not use it if I don’t have to.”

Magi was not something I wanted to reveal to others. As I muttered that reluctantly, Paejon clicked his tongue.

“I won’t pry into your personal matters, but avoid unnecessary problems.”

“Yes, Elder.”

Paejon didn’t push further about my powers. He only seemed to care whether or not I could learn Tua Pa Cheon Mu.

I wasn’t keen on reliving those memories either.

I had pulled the magi out of him myself during one of our sessions. If I hadn’t intervened, even with Paejon’s unmatched control, he wouldn’t have lasted long.

And yet, I knew what crossed my mind at that moment. I had briefly thought of finishing him off if he noticed the truth.

Disgusting.

I’d like to believe it was the influence of the demonification, but...

‘That’s still me.’

The vile person I was is still a part of me.

“You’re lost in thought again. Are you not warmed up enough?”

“No, Elder.”

It felt as though Paejon had sensed my faint inner darkness.

Not that he’d help me with it, nor was he the type who’d try.

“Well, enough talk.”

Paejon’s tone signaled the end of the conversation, and I listened closely.

“Why did you make that choice at the last moment?”

He was asking about my decision during the sparring match.

He wanted to know why I’d attacked even though I knew it was a trap.

“It was the only gap I could see.”

That was the simple truth.

“So you deliberately chose the trap?”

“Yes.”

“Wouldn’t it have been better to aim for another spot, even if it didn’t look like an opening?”

“Well, I figured you’d expect that, so I tried to surprise you. It didn’t work, though.”

“Hm.”

Paejon didn’t seem entirely satisfied with my answer.

“It’s not a wrong choice, but... kid.”

“Yes?”

“The biggest flaw in your approach is that you don’t consider the harm it could cause you.”

The harm it could cause me?

“You’re willing to charge in, even if it means your arm or leg gets broken. You don’t care about the potential for injury or even death.”

“Oh.”

“I appreciate your fearlessness, but you need to approach real battles differently.”

I couldn’t disagree. I did have a habit of rushing in without much thought about the consequences.

In my past life, Dormant Dragon had said it was a miracle I survived with such reckless tactics.

“Well... I suppose that’s all right. I’ve found a suitable teacher for you to address this.”

“A teacher? Someone’s going to teach me?”

“And let me make it clear—do not use Tua Pa Cheon Mu in a real fight without my permission.”

He repeated his warning, his expression serious.

“Is it because I haven’t fully mastered it?”

“That’s part of it. But more importantly…”

Paejon got up, looking me in the eyes.

“If you misuse it, it could destroy your body.”

“Huh?”

His words caught me off guard. I’d never heard that before.

What did he mean by “destroy”?

Paejon explained further, noticing the confusion on my face.

“The pain you feel when you use martial arts? It’s because your body is reshaping itself to align with the techniques.”

I had noticed that since starting Tua Pa Cheon Mu training. Part of what made Paejon so incredible was this—

Changing one’s body to fit martial arts was akin to forced rebirth, creating a physique akin to a divine weapon through sheer will.

The unimaginable pain that comes with this process was beyond what a regular person could endure. But if one could bear it, the result would be invaluable.

And Paejon had created it all on his own, which was why he was so extraordinary.

“If you experience unexpected shocks or use it excessively, it could... cause some issues.”

“Like what?”

“It’s nothing serious.”

“Your face says otherwise, Elder.”

“Well, just the occasional heart stoppage or blocked meridian.”

“...”

What did he mean, “just”?

A chill ran down my spine. So this meant death or, at the very least, serious harm.

I was incredulous and demanded, “Why am I only hearing this now?”

“I told you not to use it without my permission.”

“I wouldn’t have used it at all if I’d known!”

“Bah. How was I supposed to know you’d try it in a fight?”

He seemed a bit exasperated, and I was equally baffled.

So I’d been risking death without even knowing it?

‘Maybe my father saw that?’

The reason my father had knocked me out with a single blow.

At the time, I thought it was because he didn’t want me using two energies simultaneously. But maybe there was more to it.

“Well... you got lucky this time.”

“Lucky?”

“Next time, be more cautious.”

Paejon’s attempt to brush it off was infuriating, but I didn’t have much of a leg to stand on since I had messed up too.

As I was still stewing over it, Paejon asked another question.

“When are you planning to leave for Sichuan?”

For a moment, I thought he’d caught me glaring at him.

“I’m planning to leave in about seven days, give or take.”

I’d need to confirm the exact timing with the others joining me, but around seven days seemed likely. There were a few things to wrap up in Hanan before I left.

And also...

“Think you’ll manage?”

I had plans to resolve this particular issue with Paejon here in the cave before I left.

This cave had been set up specifically for training in Tua Pa Cheon Mu, and the task Paejon had set for me was to break through the cave using only the heart of Tua Pa Cheon Mu.

“Seven days is a tight schedule.”

Though he seemed to say it with concern, the smirk on his face said he was enjoying it.

This old man wasn’t exactly a saint himself.

“I’ll just have to sleep less.”

“So calmly stated, yet oddly convincing.”

“Is that a compliment or an insult?”

“What do you think?”

“Sounds like an insult.”

“Correct. You’re catching on well.”

This infuriating old man.

Listening to his pointless jokes, I stood up. It was time to get back to work, after all. I had a tight schedule ahead.

Once I steadied my breath from the sparring match, I tapped the wall of the cave.

Then I gathered the energy of Tua Pa Cheon Mu within me.

Immediately, my entire body was wracked with pain.

A crushing sensation gripped my body, and it felt as if blades were slicing through my insides.

This was still a pain I hadn’t gotten used to.

Paejon chuckled, looking at me.

“You’re suffering, but you don’t even flinch.”

“There’s no point showing pain.”

“Truly, you’re a relentless fellow. Ah, that was a compliment.”

“Somehow, it doesn’t feel as good as the last one.”

With a sigh, I struck the wall with my fist.

Thud—! The reverberations shook the cave as Paejon turned away.

“Well, keep at it.”

I watched as Paejon walked away, preparing to leave.

“Where are you going?”

“Leaving.”

Paejon replied curtly, heading towards the cave entrance. He threw one last comment over his shoulder.

“Your father wants to see me, so I suppose I’ll pay him a visit.”

With a weary expression, Paejon walked out of the cave, leaping into the sky.

His destination was where my father was waiting.

 

Meanwhile, in an unnamed mountain in Sichuan, strange rumors had begun to circulate.

They said that a monster lived on the mountain—a creature that could speak.

Few believed the rumors, but those who had encountered it were sure it wasn’t just a rumor.

Only active at night, the beast would roar, showing off its massive muscles.

After each rampage, it left behind nothing but destruction.

When the sword guards who had gone to investigate returned from their search, they wore dazed expressions, insisting there was no monster. But the people muttered among themselves.

“They saw something terrifying and are too scared to admit it!”

“Yes, they must have been scared to death!”

And so, the fear continued to spread.

In the midst of these bizarre rumors, a man sat atop a rock on the mountainside.

For some reason, he was shirtless, showing off his well-built muscles.

It was impossible to tell his age through the thick beard and messy hair that obscured his face.

He held a freshly-cooked fish in one hand, biting into it eagerly.

In the other hand, he held a letter, his eyes focused on it even as he chewed.

As he read, he suddenly frowned.

“Stop fussing about the fish.”

He growled, looking irritated, though no one was around.

“If being a sage means I can only eat grass, then what’s the point? Why didn’t you complain when I ate that cow the other day?”

Suddenly, the object on his waist began to vibrate slightly.

The man, noticing it, shouted into the empty air.

“Hey! Don’t yell at me! Do you think I don’t want to yell back? Your temper is as foul as ever. Didn’t you say you’d lay low after saving that village? Now you’re contradicting yourself.”

He clicked his tongue in annoyance as the object vibrated more violently.

Finally, he yanked the object from his waist and flung it to the ground.

“Cool your head down there. I’ll pick you up later.”

The rod continued to vibrate furiously on the ground, but the man ignored it, chuckling as he went back to reading the letter.

Under normal circumstances, he would have bickered with it all day, but today, he was feeling unusually good.

He folded the letter and stuffed it into his belt.

The letter was short, but the contents had put him in a particularly good mood.

Today, he was happier than he’d been in a long time.

And why wouldn’t he be?

Laughing heartily, he murmured, “It’s been a while since I’ve seen his face.”

The letter’s contents? None other than the news that his troublesome disciple was coming for a visit.