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Chapter 287: Can’t Catch Up

After the first trial ended, there was a moment of waiting.

Enduring the boring time, I absentmindedly stared at the sky.

‘No stars are shining.’

The sun was gradually setting, but it wasn’t time for the stars to appear yet.

Watching the clouds flow, I kept the energy inside me circulating steadily.

Carefully, I avoided letting it rough against my blood Qi.

I had to guide it to the upper house.

As I gathered my energy—

Tap, tap.

The thin, thread-like tip of my energy tapped gently at the door of the upper house.

It was a very shallow and soft energy, so it wouldn’t break through the wall or cause any collapse.

But ultimately, the important thing was that I made contact.

‘It dragged on for quite a while, but somehow I got there.’

Making contact meant that I had somehow opened a path.

Now, I just needed to work on it.

‘The problem is, it takes a hell of a long time.’

Unlike before, my body wasn’t flooding with energy like a waterfall.

Thanks to Noya’s teachings, I had come to understand how crucial compression and control were.

Bit by bit, I slowly wrapped flesh around this thin thread.

To break through the solid wall, it would require incredibly hard work.

While there was a method to break through in one go due to enlightenment—

‘…Well, it’s unlikely that something like that will work at this point with my understanding…’ At least not until the Transformation Realm.

If that’s not the case—

‘Maybe I should eat the White Horse Stone.’

Deep in the underground, the White Horse Stone lay buried.

If I could find it and consume it, I might be able to force contact, but—

I preferred to save it for when I completely reached the Transformation Realm.

That way, I could take in all the energy without wasting any.

“Grr….”

As I continued to circulate the energy, a painful groan echoed from below.

“Can you keep it down?”

“…I’m… trying to be as quiet as possible.”

“Excuse me, are you talking back?”

Hearing that, I shifted my energy towards the upper house, letting the weight of my body press down.

“Gaaah!”

The chair that was Gu Jeolyub screamed before tumbling to the floor.

I couldn’t help but keep my mouth shut despite feeling that.

“Seriously, how can you not handle this?”

Gu Jeolyub wore a somewhat aggrieved expression, but it wasn’t over yet.

“That’s why you almost fell; you have no stamina.”

His face soured at my jibe.

Well, I guess so.

“Is this what you turned into after all that rolling around? What? Almost stumbled?”

“…Ugh…”

“What’s with this guy? Why can’t he keep his wits about him in a real battle? If you’re going to act like this, just take a break. I’m too embarrassed to walk around with this face.”

“I might be older than you…”

“Oh, really? Then for heaven’s sake, act your age. Heat Blade Grandmaster.”

“…Ugh.”

With no words left to say, Gu Jeolyub hung his head.

This crazy guy.

Watching from the back, I couldn’t hold back my anger.

‘Almost stumbled and abandoned the energy?’

There’s only one chance to attack the column.

Pour everything into a single move or finish it with just one strike.

That’s what it comes down to.

But the flow of energy surrounding my body shouldn’t be interrupted.

I was looking at it from that perspective.

‘This guy almost broke the flow because he panicked.’

It was just like during the Martial Arts Tournament before.

Entering a real fight seems to get him all nervous and on edge.

Somehow, instead of recovering the energy, he ended up with a cut from swinging his sword, which was a blessing in disguise.

“If you fell there, I would’ve smashed you instead of the column.”

Thud…

Gu Jeolyub’s face turned pale as he recalled what happened to the column I hit.

Let alone….

‘Gu Yeonseo passed with flying colors.’

Compared to others, he didn’t stand out or display anything extraordinary, but he still passed.

I glanced over at Gu Yeonseo, who was somewhat far away.

Her dazed expression was still present, but outlines of clarity began to form.

‘It seems she’s not chasing after the Sword Demoness’s style.’

That’s a relief.

If she gets caught up trying to follow the Bloodline of the Gu Clan’s Hwasan Sword, it would be as ridiculous as the clan chasing after the sword of a bunch of nobles.

I hoped that she only pursued the momentum of the Sword Demoness.

How successful that would be, I couldn’t say.

‘As for the others… they should manage just fine.’

Given the situation where they couldn’t move around carelessly, I had no idea how that would turn out.

They would probably be in the same boat.

Regardless, I wasn’t worried.

Even without me, they should be resilient enough to handle things.

But—

‘Wi Seol-Ah…’

Why on earth was she here?

Let alone—

‘She crossed over the wall.’

The moment I met Wi Seol-Ah after so long, I realized she was a peak martial artist.

It had only been a year or two since she, who knew nothing of martial arts, had broken through to the other side.

A level that would be terrifying to call talent.

Let alone—

‘Is this just unavoidable?’

The way Wi Seol-Ah’s trajectory was leading her ultimately to wielding a sword was beyond my control.

Even with many things having changed, my feelings towards Wi Seol-Ah remained constant.

No matter how much I struggled, could it really be any different?

That thought crossed my mind.

‘What a pain.’

While spiraling in thought, I let out a dry chuckle.

Seeing that, Gu Jeolyub made a strange expression while I pressed down on the energy surrounding him.

“Grah!”

There are plenty of things in this world that are unavoidable.

‘But I need to make the necessary changes.’

By now, late to give up.

‘There must be a reason for my return.’

Reversing time like this…

To merely brush it aside as a “miracle,” the tangled threads felt unnaturally off-putting.

I had been feeling it lately.

As if someone had an intent behind sending me back.

‘…’

It would have been better if it was just a delusion.

But as always, my bad premonitions never miss.

This life is just full of terrible luck.

“Hey, First Prince… could you please get up slowly?”

“Since I’m in a bad mood, just shut up.”

“Yes…”

As things I wanted to stay unchanged began to alter, what I wished to be changed remained as it was.

‘It’s driving me insane.’

Life was already difficult enough.

Rolling me around without giving any rewards?

What do they expect from me?’

Asking the sky wouldn’t bring forth an answer.

It’s clear that if I ask others, they’d consider me insane.

As always, I simply have to seek those answers myself.

And the answer I found was, in the end, only one.

It was simply a matter of choosing to try even if it seems impossible.

First of all—

‘Should I focus on Wi Seol-Ah and Jang Seonyeon?’

I needed to start by struggling with the parts that worried me the most.

The direction I shifted my gaze was toward the first trial’s location.

‘Seems like they haven’t gotten engaged yet.’

In my previous life, Wi Seol-Ah would have probably been engaged by now, likely around her coming-of-age period.

Additionally, it was shortly after I became a Demon.

So, it wasn’t too late to prevent it.

The problem could be—

‘What happens if I stop the engagement?’

What right do I have to interfere with that engagement?

And if I did stop it, would there be any repercussions for Wi Seol-Ah or for me?

‘In the short term, there shouldn’t be any.’

Of course, it might exist, but anything that comes to mind is something I can handle.

Aside from that, I couldn’t see any major issues.

Knowing that, the hesitation comes from—

‘Why did the Sword Sovereign go toward Jiang Clan?’

In both my previous life and this one, I had no understanding of why the Sword Sovereign felt the need to retreat to Jiang Clan.

The current Clan Leader is a Jiang, and if the Sword Sovereign had simply become a disciple of the prior Clan Leader, that could be a reason.

‘But there must be something more.’

I had to discover the reason the Sword Sovereign left the Gu Clan for Jiang.

Only then, to ensure that there wouldn’t be any repercussions for her.

That way, ultimately, I could kill Jang Seonyeon without hesitation.

While I was turning my thoughts around, I heard—

– It’s time to start the second trial, please prepare yourselves.

A voice from the instructor echoed from afar.

It seemed the waiting time, which hadn’t been short, had finally come to an end.

Since I still wanted to torment Gu Jeolyub a bit more, I felt a little disappointed.

With that, I received the information about the second trial.

As soon as I heard it, my face scrunched up in displeasure.

Back to the present.

I watched a woman in battle readiness before me and found myself at a loss for words.

The second trial was a spar against the instructor.

How is it possible that something so careless and ridiculous existed?

Considering how long the wait had been for something trivial, it was likely a test hastily crafted.

‘There must’ve been too many successful candidates.’

It was a straightforward conclusion.

Due to an excessive number of successful candidates, it seemed to be a measure taken to filter them once more.

‘The instructor is the one doing all the hard work, and yet they’re putting in this annoying test.’

If it were me, I would have just observed and disqualified lesser-powered opponents.

The righteous faction seemed to not want to bear the backlash.

But facing off against the instructor?

It didn’t feel like there was a need for some ridiculous criteria to win or anything.

If they had laid out such conditions, there would have been an uproar from the high-ranking members of the clan and sect.

Thus, even if the criteria were set lower, it shouldn’t be an easy task.

“I get that part.”

“Right.”

“But isn’t my opponent a bit strange?”

That’s fine; that’s easy.

But why is that person my opponent?

I gazed at my opponent with an intensely displeased expression.

Among the respected figures of the Central Plains, she was the most adored by the populace.

And held the title of Sword Demoness cleanly inherited through generations.

Plum Blossom Sword Queen, So-i.

That was who stood opposite me.

‘Then, why on earth?’

Though the Sword Demoness would also be an instructor, they’d mentioned she wouldn’t be showing up for this trial.

“How did you end up in front of me?”

“You seem to have heard some false rumors. I am also an instructor, so how could I not appear?”

Her calm demeanor was unlike that of a Sword Demoness, which made my eyes narrow instinctively.

“…Are you saying this is true for the honor of Hwasan?”

I pressed her, opened-eyed, as her shoulder visibly shuddered.

“…What kind of lowly martial artist would put the honor of Hwasan on the line? That’s quite a harsh statement.” “Are you deflecting my words?”

“…”

That was a lie.

It seemed she couldn’t simply lie about the honor of Hwasan, that she was indeed here to face me.

“Why?”

Thud…

The Sword Demoness said nothing.

Avoiding my gaze, it appeared she had no intention to answer.

She merely lifted her sword.

And then she spoke to me.

“Gu Yangcheong… I will start the exam now.”

“…Now, even if you speak with such dignity, it’s too late for that.”

It was clear she meant to gesture for me to begin.

It seemed the other side had already started.

I figured it might be easier, but—

‘She probably won’t let me take it easy.’

It would seem that passing would all depend on the instructor’s capability.

Due to the Sword Demoness pressing down on me, it was evident she wouldn’t be appearing to just slack off.

‘Hmm…’

What the Sword Demoness took on was not a special move.

Her sword tip merely pointed toward me.

The unwavering sword tip and the graceful gaze.

Even standing there calmly, her physical form appeared ordinary.

Yet, the weight was exceptionally intense.

Because she was a martial artist who had reached a genuine state of “Transformation Realm.”

I had only measured a handful in that realm so far.

Recalling the shadowy figure I had encountered, a high-ranking assassin from the Hwang Bo family, there was no contest.

‘There’s no comparison.’

Comparing such a minor player with her was utterly disrespectful.

While I was able to dispatch that lesser with a combination of using demon energy and relieving the tension, the Sword Demoness would not afford that luxury.

Just as peaks are not all the same, neither are the levels in Transformation Realm.

The number of divisions from that point onward is exponential.

Now, only the Sword Demoness stood before my eyes.

‘Sword Demoness…’

Just hearing that name was enough.

By the way people talk about it, simply having received that title implies she’s become the highest among the current generation of sword techniques.

Currently, she appeared to be in a teaching role here, so she seemed lower in status.

But that was merely due to her choice.

Her path in martial arts was never to be looked down upon.

“I must ask first.”

“Speak.”

“Could we keep this at a reasonable level?”

“…Hah.”

She smiled slightly at my question, then replied.

“I’ll see how it goes.”

‘Damn it.’

She definitely wasn’t planning on taking it easy.

I nodded in certainty at her reply and then—

Thud.

Jumped in immediately, charging towards the Sword Demoness.

Her surprised expression was written all over her face.

Without hesitation, I swung my fist filled with energy.

Flame Burst!

In an instant, flames erupted around me, and a storm of wind twisted with my energy surged.

The blazing flames, infused with my intent, rushed towards the Sword Demoness.

In the meantime—

Sa-ra-k!

Little plum blossom leaves were mixed in with the flames.

Crash! Boom!

Behind the plains, where the forest loomed, while the first trial continued, everyone turned their attention at the sound of the explosion.

It was quite odd for dozens of people to stop moving all at once, but the same went for the instructors holding the trials.

All were martial artists, and it wasn’t just a loud noise that would have captured their attention.

The palpable heat mixed with our energies naturally pricked their instinct to fight, making it impossible for them not to look.

Who on earth could this be?

Who could unleash such ferocity to the point of reaching so far?

The energy radiating out was suffocatingly intense.

“Ugh…”

Those of lower realms coughed incessantly, struggling to catch their breath.

As a result, the newly begun second trial briefly came to a halt.

In such a situation, losing focus was inevitable.

Watching this unfold, Tang Soyeol wore a somewhat pleased expression.

“Why do you look so excited?”

The question came from Peng Ah-Hee, who joined me in this entrance exam.

Being from the Peng family, the Shinryong Temple was a place she couldn’t avoid.

From her perspective, the incidents my brother had caused there were many.

Though she knew she would be compared, she couldn’t help but come along out of obligation.

“Just look at everyone’s expressions; how could they not be happy?”

“Why’s it such a joy for you, Soyeol?”

“How could they not be happy? I was so annoyed that everyone ignored us.”

Peng Ah-Hee simply sighed at Tang Soyeol’s responses.

Just how good could this be?

While she thought that, Peng Ah-Hee too couldn’t help but gaze towards the sharp energy flowing in the direction of the uproar.

‘…Could it really be that guy?’

Seeing Tang Soyeol’s reaction made it clear.

This energy could only be from her former fiancé.

‘This is beyond ridiculous.’

Even though she could sense the energy, she couldn’t trust it.

This was just—

‘Not just Late-Stage Talents levels….’

It had only been a few years.

The brat who used to hit her with curses and had that demonic visage had transformed into a martial master.

What a joke, huh?

While it might not mean much to others, it felt like a blink of an eye to a martial artist.

‘Learning a single set of martial techniques might take long enough to fully grasp one.’

Gu Yangcheong was breezing through all of that and heading somewhere else entirely.

He was probably standing at a height he had yet to reach.

‘It’s a bit cheap how it seems to change each time I see it.’

So I thought, and I couldn’t help but smile slightly.

While she had no regrets about the broken engagement, she felt a slight tinge of regret.

Had he shown this earlier, perhaps the engagement wouldn’t have ended.

But if his temperament had remained unchanged, he would likely have called it off regardless.

What a confusing mess, huh?

But she dismissed the pointless thoughts.

Peng Ah-Hee glanced at Tang Soyeol, who was still excited.

“Though I know you’re happy, where did that sister of yours go?”

“Hmm? Who’s that sister… ah, Bi-ah?”

I suddenly wanted to know where my current fiancé had gone.

“Yeah, I warned her not to wander around… where did she go? If she’s alone, she might get lost…”

“How big can this place be for someone to get lost?”

“…Ah-Hee doesn’t know the truth. She really might get lost.”

“Seriously?”

At first, I thought she was joking, but the look on Tang Soyeol’s face was genuinely worried.

No, no matter how lost someone is, there’s no way one would get lost in a crowd of this many people.

Peng Ah-Hee shook her head, surveying her surroundings.

All the examinations that had been carried on just a moment ago abruptly froze at the sound of—

BAM! BOOM!

Everyone was concentrated solely on the nonstop explosion.

This was unexpected.

‘Wouldn’t I have assumed he hated attention?’

Surprisingly, Gu Yangcheong, whom I perceived as someone defensive of their privacy, had acted out for everyone to see.

That was indeed quite baffling.

‘Hmm?’

In that moment, Peng Ah-Hee suddenly caught sight of someone.

It was a handsome prince.

My gaze couldn’t help but be drawn to him, but that wasn’t the reason for my focus.

‘That person….’

Someone I knew.

Though most individuals around here were from prestigious families the Late-Stage Talents who I recognized…

That particular person was different.

‘Jang Seonyeon.’

I recalled him by name rather than his title.

For some reason, the nickname didn’t sit well with me.

Of course, it was the same for Gu Yangcheong.

While I had expected Gu Yangcheong to have an appearance likened to a wild dog or an overly aggressive hound…

Conversely, I didn’t have any particular reason why Jang Seonyeon didn’t fit the name of the Holy Being.

‘What’s up with that?’

While thinking, Peng Ah-Hee pondered the reason she was particularly fixated on Jang Seonyeon.

While everyone was looking in the direction of the commotion, Jang Seonyeon was no different.

But one thing felt starkly different.

The reason my gaze was particularly drawn to him was clear.

Contrary to the admiration and surprise evident in others’ expressions—

‘Why does he look…?’

The look in Jang Seonyeon’s eyes was undoubtedly filled with self-loathing, inferiority, and an air of undeserved humility.

As the Clan Leader’s only son, possessing a striking countenance and talent alongside a well-known character…

How could someone with such a background wear such an expression?

Peng Ah-Hee fostered those doubts briefly.

A moment later—

Swish.

Jang Seonyeon turned his head and started toward somewhere, rendering his face no longer visible.

Having passed the trial already, it seems he wasn’t overly concerned.

As I secretly watched, Peng Ah-Hee found herself feeling—

“Something feels off…”

She sensed an inexplicable urge of unease.

 

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