---

Chapter 178: Fragment (3)

When I think of King Gwon Cheolgeum and Yeon Ilcheon.

He was a figure from the early days when the Demonic Gate opened in the Central Plains.

He rose to the position of the world’s greatest by stopping countless calamities.

Moreover, he was one of the heroes who teamed up with five martial masters to halt the Blood Demon’s calamity and bring an end to the Blood Demon War.

And that Yeon Ilcheon.

‘Is he also a reincarnator like me?’

My eyes widened at Shin Noya’s words, not shrinking back.

Isn’t this what they mean by having turned back time?

‘So…’

Suddenly, I began to understand why Shin Noya could so easily accept the idea of my reincarnation, even when he seemed to have an inkling of it even before.

If he had already experienced this before…?

Knowing someone like that does make things seem more subdued, I suppose.

‘So, there was another reincarnator besides me?’

I don’t think it’s in this era.

But if the Yeon Ilcheon of that time really was a reincarnator as Noya says…

‘How did you know that?’

– How did I know? He told me directly.

Shin Noya answered nonchalantly.

I had a lot to think about.

‘He told you directly…?’

– Before the last battle with the Blood Demon, Ilcheon told me, he said he had turned back time.

It was the second time for him.

‘Did you believe that?’

– I couldn’t easily believe it, but it wasn’t something I couldn’t believe either.

‘Why did you think that way?’

– If not, it wouldn’t even have been possible. Rather, I could understand it by hearing that.

He suppressed the surroundings with just his talent.

His back, which had single-handedly warded off all calamities.

His actions were as if he knew everything, acting without barriers.

In those last moments, Noya found comfort in Ilcheon’s words.

While I swallowed my dry saliva, Noya spoke to me as a warning.

– Don’t reveal this part to that monk.

I hadn’t planned to reveal it in the first place, yet it felt strange that Noya brought it up.

‘…Understood.’

But I didn’t go out of my way to ask and just nodded.

Right now, I was filled with thoughts of the other reincarnator.

‘If King Gwon Cheolgeum really did reincarnate, then.’

How could it be?

How did he manage to reincarnate?

I wondered if he might know the reason that I didn’t.

[Is the conversation finished?]

While I was lost in thought, Cheol-Yeong spoke up.

It seemed he knew I’d been talking to Shin Noya for a bit.

[Still with the quick wit, huh?]

[As I’ve always said, Shin Cheol, you’re oddly devoid of it, aren’t you?]

At Cheol-Yeong’s words, Noya suddenly coughed.

‘…That old man seems to be lacking in wit after all.’

He always scolded me.

[…Cheol-Yeong.]

[Yeah.]

[Are the others currently in the same situation you are?]

At Shin Noya’s question, Cheol-Yeong fell silent again.

Just like he couldn’t answer this question either, it seemed.

[…Fortunately, that’s a question I can answer.]

Cheol-Yeong spoke with his lips pursed.

[It looks like they’re looking for Ilcheon.]

[Yeah, if it’s him, he might have some answers.]

[Shin Cheol, I know what you desire, but that won’t be possible.]

Cheol-Yeong was resolute.

[Ilcheon is no longer in this land.]

[…Why?]

[…]

[You worthless brat, if you can’t answer, then why bring it up?]

[Shin Cheol, we merely couldn’t overcome our fates.]

[So? You already said that the Blood Demon dreams of revival, and then are you really going to just let it be?]

[Of course, I hoped for it. Didn’t I say you were my hope?]

What on earth could Noya mean by hope? Noya had always been curious.

Why did he have to remain in this land? What did his lost memories signify?

Ultimately, it was something that made me want to head toward Shaolin.

Because I wanted to know something.

Knowing that, I was also compelled to come here.

[What were we dreaming about, and how did this situation come to be? I don’t know.]

Shin Cheol’s voice was much calmer than before.

[Even if what we thought went wrong, I never imagined you would be someone to crumble so easily.]

[…]

He had endured hundreds of years alone, hadn’t he?

For hundreds of years, his body had soaked into a treasure.

It was clearly a different life from Shin Noya, who had just awakened from being sealed.

Had I been in his place, could I have endured Cheol-Yeong’s time?

I might have lost my mind and lived like a carp.

[If you’re looking down on me because I’m weary, well… Then there’s nothing I can do.]

[Why on earth would I look down on you?]

Cheol-Yeong pursed his lips at Shin Cheol’s words.

As if he didn’t quite understand their meaning.

Shin Noya looked at him and continued speaking.

[Evidently, I may have belittled you throughout my life, but I never looked down on you.]

[…You damn bastard?]

[If you let go, I’ll just catch it.]

Shin Noya’s casual words were surprisingly firm.

[Didn’t we promise that?]

[…You.]

[Would it have been any different even if we were in opposite positions?]

At Shin Noya’s words, Cheol-Yeong fell silent like before.

However, this silence seemed to contain an answer.

[If you’re tired and wish to rest, then rest.]

[Looks like you haven’t changed that character of yours.]

[Haven’t changed? I’m like I was yesterday.]

It was strange.

That unique scent that usually didn’t seem to be felt at all.

It was now being sensed from Shin Noya.

[If you wish to rest, then you may. If you’ve been waiting for me.]

In a calmer voice, he said.

[Sorry, it seems to be quite late.]

The one with no memories offered an apology to his friend.

What could he possibly be apologizing for? Shin Noya likely had no idea.

He said he was sorry.

How could that be?

I boasted of having lived a not insignificant life, yet I couldn’t understand this.

‘Is this the difference in vessels?’

Is this what the vessel of a hero who saved the world looks like?

It felt as though the sense of nonexistence had emerged just a little.

[So, hurry up and spill some information, you damned monk.]

‘…’

The newly sprouting shoots were immediately trampled.

[Shin Cheol.]

[Yeah.]

[Are you thinking of stopping the Blood Demon?]

[That’s a completely obvious question.]

It was a response indicating that it was a question that didn’t need to be asked.

[That was what we wanted to do, and if I failed that day, shouldn’t I be the one to do it now?]

It was truly not something to be casually said.

[Didn’t you say there was no method? You said I was your hope…?]

[Sorry, Cheol-Yeong.]

‘What is this?’

In the halted time, the faint scent of plum blossoms was felt.

The Taoist Qi in my body quieted down as Shin Noya calmed himself.

Where was this sensation coming from?

[If we lost hope, we can just regain it.]

[…]

[Haven’t we lived like that? Even if your years have flowed, I remain the same.]

[…Shin Cheol.]

The long beard of the white-haired man waved as he pointed at me.

[Is this kid your hope?]

“No.”

I rejected his nonsensical statement immediately.

Hope? What kind of frozen-over dream is that?

I contorted my expression as if I despised it most in the world.

I was busy enough as it was without taking on more work.

However, contrary to my denial, Noya spoke with a hint of a smile.

[It’s somewhat similar.]

“What kind of madness is that? What’s similar about anything?”

[Stop taking away from it.]

“I didn’t take anything out! I didn’t put anything in!”

[In any case, if it’s something similar, then you might as well just go for it.]

“Are you asking me to grab a vegetable on the way while running an errand?”

I didn’t know whether the Blood Demon was resurrecting or not.

But the mere idea of hitching onto this was not appealing.

With that Heavenly Demon and Dogo Jun to think about, I had plenty on my plate.

If the Blood Demon got involved here too, I might just lose my mind.

[This guy? After feeding and dressing him, I’ve made him somewhat usable.]

“What nonsense are you saying? I grew up fine on my own.”

I guess I hadn’t grown all that much, but I was doing alright.

After all, aside from Noya regularly swearing at me, there was nothing.

[When you needed help, you used me! Now I’m taking a crack at it!]

“Why are you causing such chaos right after waking up?”

Ah, if I’d known it would be like this, I’d have just let him keep sleeping.

Once the brief joy of seeing him passed, I was left with regret.

At my reaction, Noya clicked his tongue and quietly laughed.

[I was joking.]

That didn’t seem right. It definitely didn’t seem right.

As we were bickering like that for a moment, Cheol-Yeong suddenly spoke.

[This feels nostalgic.]

It was directed more towards himself rather than anyone else.

Shin Noya didn’t ask about it further.

It seemed he already knew the answer.

[Shin Cheol.]

[Yeah.]

[No matter what I say, you won’t give up, will you?]

[You know me well. From the start, do you think you can persuade me?]

[…]

It seemed there were no words that could come out from the blocked mouth.

[We just have to do what we have to do. Cheol-Yeong.]

[Do you really think what we’re doing is right?]

[It seems profoundly illogical coming from you, who I thought had reached the peak of discord.]

In that moment, I felt a hand touch my shoulder.

I shivered and shook off the feeling. No matter how much I tried to convince myself it was an illusion, it felt very uncomfortable.

[If you’ve resolved that it’s your duty, then what could it not be?]

[…]

Splash.

As the carp moved, the sound echoed, yet the halted world remained unchanged.

For a moment, Bul-Yeong broke the silence and spoke.

[The Blood Demon has scattered his flesh and soul across this land.]

[What do you mean by scattered? Wasn’t he sealed?]

[That was his last resort. Ilcheon chose that as the best option.]

He scattered and divided them.

The flesh, yeah, but what did it mean to cut the soul apart?

[The flesh is in the Demonic Gate, the soul is to the east, and numerous parts, including the spirit, were scattered far and wide. Especially the Blood Demon’s five senses were cut and cast into the vast sea.]

Listening to that, I utterly couldn’t comprehend. The very idea that the body and soul had been separated was incomprehensible.

Moreover, the thought of having severed the senses as well.

But the important part was somewhere else.

Shin Noya also seemed to feel the same, questioning the matter.

[…If such a method were indeed possible, how can you be certain that the Blood Demon will unseal himself?]

It was uncertain if this could even be called sealing.

It sounded even worse than simply killing him.

To the question, Cheol-Yeong fell silent.

It indicated that he couldn’t answer.

[…Alright, then you must also tell me how to deal with this.]

As Noya turned to ask something else, the long whiskers of the carp swiftly brushed past.

“Hmm…?”

Was that an illusion?

As if I sensed a subtle change, Cheol-Yeong continued speaking.

[Find Myung.]

[What? You’re saying there’s also a Myung?]

‘…If it’s someone named Myung…’

It was a name I had heard a few times from Shin Noya.

The Brain-Splitting Sword Nangong Myung.

Noya compared Myung’s techniques to those of Nangong Jin during their sparring.

In terms of evaluation, he was a dreadful and irritating person, yet undeniably talented.

…Could that person be somewhere in this form too?

The Hwasan was a rock, and Shaolin was a carp.

What about Nangong?

I wasn’t particularly curious about what he had become.

[So, you mean I should find Myung?]

[For now, that’s the wisest answer I can give you.]

[It’s not the answer I hoped for, but at least it’s good to know it’s not impossible. Then, Cheol-Yeong, where is Myung right now?]

At Shin Noya’s words, Bul-Yeong waved his tail lightly.

[I don’t know.]

[…Hmm?]

“…?”

What is this supposed to mean?

[You don’t know…?]

[How would I know? I’ve lived in this lake for hundreds of years.]

[Then what helpful information do you have, you monk!]

[Amitabha… I’ve told you several times that even if I know, I can’t say it, why can’t you understand and keep fussing about it?]

[Just grab that guy and roast him right now.]

“Roast? Why would I roast someone else’s clan treasure?”

[It’s not like it can’t be roasted! Our clan’s treasures are easily sacrificed in bets.]

“That’s true, but that’s because you’re from the Hwasan Sect….”

[What a brat…?]

As Shin Noya boiled with frustration, Cheol-Yeong subtly looked at me.

To be exact, he was probably looking at the Noya inside me.

[Shin Cheol.]

[Don’t call me calmly, you baldy.]

Shin Noya seemed annoyed as he spat out his words.

But then, upon hearing Cheol-Yeong’s next words, he fell silent.

[…It’s nice to meet you.]

..

The largest novel sharing group on Telegram.

Deepl, webtoons, novels, and more, over 100,000 files exist…

..

It wasn’t an illusion.

The scales were definitely murkier than when I first saw them.

Did Shin Noya notice this, as his previously growly voice lost some strength.

[Are you planning to go?]

Cheol-Yeong’s voice, which had seemed weary for a long time, suggested he was considering letting it go.

[Where would I even go?]

[…Huh?]

At his unexpected words, Shin Noya blurted out a confused sound.

[…Weren’t you planning to leave?]

[Leave where?]

[To the Summit…?]

[You want me to go to the Summit? What nonsense are you talking about?]

[Wasn’t the atmosphere just like that?]

Kukukuk!

Cheol-Yeong laughed loudly as he coughed.

[I wanted to, but it seems I can’t. It appears that the shackles binding me are heavier than I thought.]

[Then.]

[Well, I might be able to rest a bit.]

Wet.

The rough sound caught my ear.

As I turned to look for the source of the sound, cracks began to form in the air.

Was the bizarre situation that had been frozen finally about to break?

[Ah yeah.]

At Cheol-Yeong’s sudden call, I shifted my gaze.

As before, the once white and elegant scales had dulled to a shade closer to gray.

‘Is that still okay?’

The white-haired man no longer seemed to be what he was.

[I may not be able to read the secrets of heaven, but I’ve gained a bit of vision according to my years of life.]

Wet.

As Cheol-Yeong continued speaking, the cracks deepened, and it seemed like it could shatter at any moment.

Did the end of this perplexing situation draw near?

[It appears you have something you desire from me, but you need not worry about it.]

What a convenient statement, allowing me to hear it all without concern.

How can I not be concerned?

[This trouble began because of us in the end. It’s not something you should bear alone.]

While Cheol-Yeong kept speaking, I asked him.

“Can I ask one thing?”

[Go ahead.]

“Do you know anything about the Blood Demon?”

Perhaps it was unexpected that I would ask about the Blood Demon, as Cheol-Yeong seemed somewhat startled.

[…Yeah, I know it well. Extremely well.]

“Do you know the name of the Blood Demon as well?”

Why was I asking this?

Why was I compelled to ask something like this, I wondered, but I had to untangle the thoughts swirling in my head.

Throughout my life, not a single bad premonition I had ever thought of had been wrong.

If this was also a talent, then maybe I might be a genius after all.

Still, I hoped that this time would be different.

I finally managed to ask the question I had been holding back.

Originally, I had intended to ask Shin Noya if he knew the name, but now the question had changed form but remained the same in essence.

[Why do you ask me that? Isn’t it written in history?]

Cheol-Yeong’s words were indeed correct.

History didn’t mention the name of the Blood Demon.

Only the great achievements of the five martial artists were written, and the peace attained due to their efforts.

Not even in that moment had I thought about such a thing.

“This also may be something you cannot speak of, is it?”

[…You’re quite a special kid. Not only in visible talents but also in how you accepted Shin Cheol, and your calm demeanor around me is noteworthy.]

Having gone through so many bizarre situations made even this degree no longer surprising.

Having turned back time, what difference did this make?

[…The name of the Blood Demon… Yeah, I do know it.]

Squishing!

Standing in the shattering sky,

Cheol-Yeong clearly stated to me.

[Dogo Jun.]

At those words, I clenched my fist tightly.

The sudden breaking of blood felt like a bonus.

Damn it, my bad instincts were sending chills down my spine.

Look at that.

[That’s right, the Blood Demon Dogo Jun. Surely that was the name.]

Once again, there could be no doubt.

How remarkable!

Damn, what a troubling matter to handle.

 

---