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Chapter 312: The Secret of the Dragon

The moon hung ominously in the center of the night sky.

By now, all the Gwandosaeng should have been fast asleep.

If anyone were to get caught wandering outside the lodging, it could lead to an unpleasant situation.

Moreover, the Gwandosaeng were on night watch, and the instructors often patrolled—what was going on here?

“What are you doing here?”

I asked incredulously.

No matter how I thought about it, it didn’t make sense.

Why was the Sleeping Dragon here of all places?

And besides—

‘I didn’t notice at all.’

Wi Seol-Ah was a peculiar being, so I could excuse her.

Cheonghae Ilgeom was of a realm where he might not have sensed it.

But—

‘If he couldn’t even feel the presence of the Sleeping Dragon.’

It seemed something significant was concealed around here.

That much I was certain of.

“Why are you here at this hour?”

The Sleeping Dragon tilted his head.

Without speaking, his expression revealed what he wanted to say.

“…Why am I here?”

“Oh, I was wondering whether to say it or not. It feels refreshing that you spoke it out for me.”

He grinned.

It was an overly refreshing smile.

Seeing a handsome guy’s face at this late hour was quite irritating.

“I was just curious where you were going at this hour, so I followed you… What are you doing here?”

As he spoke, the Sleeping Dragon surveyed the area around us.

At the same time, my eyes widened.

He followed me?

“Since when?”

“Huh? From the moment I saw you through the window.”

He saw me moving from the lodgings window?

‘No way.’

I wasn’t an idiot.

How much had I memorized the route in the last few days?

I hadn’t moved around carelessly enough to get caught by someone of the Late-Stage Talents.

Moreover, considering where people congregated, I had suppressed my presence.

As long as I didn’t approach someone of Cheonghae Ilgeom or Sword Demoness level, I shouldn’t get easily caught.

“You found me?”

“Technically, I didn’t see you; I heard you.”

That made no sense.

He heard me? What did that even mean?

“More precisely, rather than saying I heard you, I should say… I found a place that’s silent.”

“What are you talking about? If you’re going to say something, say it clearly. Make it understandable.”

I scratched my cheek, completely unable to grasp what he was saying.

‘More importantly than that…’

Even if I didn’t understand what he was saying, it was clear that the Sleeping Dragon had come here.

‘What to do?’

It didn’t matter for now.

He likely hadn’t realized there was a formation set up.

‘For now, I should head back.’

Time was tight as it was.

If the Sleeping Dragon had seen this…

I wouldn’t have time to wrestle with the formation.

And I couldn’t just deal with the Sleeping Dragon either.

‘…An opportunity will come again.’

It had been my fault to act so hastily.

There was nothing I could do. For now, going back was for the best.

‘Now that I know I can’t handle the formation alone, next time…’

Would I really have to bring Wi Seol-Ah and find another way?

I felt bad for the Sword Demoness, but considering the situation, it was better to ask her for help just this once.

If that didn’t work, I’d have to look for another means.

Once that thought settled, I stood up.

I turned to the Sleeping Dragon, preparing to speak.

“…I was just out for a bit of a walk.”

“That’s a pretty weak excuse, you know?”

He clearly didn’t believe me at all.

If I were in his position, I wouldn’t have believed it either.

Chuckling softly, the Sleeping Dragon took a quick glance around.

Was now the time? Should I knock him out and run?

That might just work.

A fainted Sleeping Dragon could just be tossed into the bag.

Yeah, that could work.

Just as I prepared to move…

“Really quiet, isn’t it?”

I froze at the Sleeping Dragon’s casual remark.

“What?”

“I thought it was just a misunderstanding, but apparently, it’s no illusion.”

Of course, it was quiet since it was night.

Was I that tired to lose my senses?

“Your side is unusually quiet. It’s fascinating.”

“That’s strange coming from you. It’s not a noisy time to begin with.”

I had spread an energy barrier cautiously, worried about being discovered.

Of course, it had to be quiet; being loud would create trouble.

Despite my blunt statement,

The Sleeping Dragon simply laughed.

He looked genuinely amused.

“Just a walk, you say? You really want me to believe that?”

“…I’m telling the truth; I just took a walk!”

“Maybe so.”

It was irritating for him to even feign belief.

What to do, should I hit him once?

Would he faint from just one hit?

If I didn’t control my strength right, it would be a big problem.

That aside, why was he acting so familiar?

I have memories from my past life, but to him, I was just a stranger.

Moreover,

Even in my past life, it took time to become friends, so I found the current situation a bit strange.

Is he on something? Why is he acting like this?

‘…This isn’t the time for that.’

First, I needed to return to the lodging.

After that, I’d explain the situation to the Sword Demoness.

“I’ve seen enough… it’s time for me to go.”

Just when I was about to take the Sleeping Dragon back before Cheonghae Ilgeom arrived,

He brushed past me, speaking.

“Is this the problem you were dealing with?”

“Yeah, that’s why I should head back… what do you mean?”

He gestured into the air.

“…!”

The moment I saw the tip of the Sleeping Dragon’s finger, I sucked in a breath.

“You…!”

Like what Wi Seol-Ah had shown before,

The Sleeping Dragon was definitely creating ripples in the air.

So naturally, it seemed.

Seeing that, my eyes widened in shock.

“Can you see that?”

“No.”

Immediately, the Sleeping Dragon replied.

He said he couldn’t see it.

Then what exactly was I seeing right now?

Before I could process my confusion, the Sleeping Dragon continued.

“But I can hear it, even if I can’t see it.”

“…You can hear it?”

“The sound of the flow. Even without the noise beside you, I can still hear this clearly. Unfortunately.”

Even though he spoke differently from before, his words made my head spin.

– If I can hear it, then I can slice it as much as I want.

Words from my past life echoed back as the Sleeping Dragon had cut through the formation with his sword.

It was just like when Nangong Bi did that.

‘Is it a difference in some sense that I never had?’

Questions arose in my mind.

To say geniuses are different felt off; something about the domain seemed different.

In that moment of pondering, the Sleeping Dragon ceased his hand gestures in the air.

As if he discovered something, his hand froze.

Suddenly—

He thrust his hand into the ripples.

To my astonishment, his hand disappeared into the flow as if it had penetrated a wall.

There was an unknown situation unfolding; the Sleeping Dragon still wore a smile.

Watching his face made me feel odd.

Smash—!

A sound like something breaking echoed from the void.

Simultaneously—

Zzzzzt—!

Gold, translucent like a spider’s web, branched out from the center of the Sleeping Dragon’s arm.

The range wasn’t wide, but as the gold spread slowly, it began to define a certain shape.

It looked like…

‘A door?’

A door wide enough for a single person to enter appeared to take shape.

Then—

Crash!

Before long, the sharp sound echoed as it shattered into pieces.

The fragments fell, swirling in the wind, and quickly disappeared.

What was left now was just a door that seemed to lead somewhere.

…Uh…/

As I stood there, dumbstruck,

The Sleeping Dragon dusted his hands and spoke to me.

“Looks like we both have a secret of our own now?” His bright smile felt oddly unsettling.

“We can get even closer from here on out.”

His casually spoken words sent chills down my spine.

“…What’s with that expression? Isn’t that what you were hoping for?”

“Not exactly, but that sounds kinda dirty.”

“…Dirty?”

The Sleeping Dragon seemed confused by my words, before suddenly snapping his fingers.

“Oh, I’m sorry, but I have a fiancée. I appreciate your feelings, but…”

“What on earth are you talking about, you crazy guy? Why are you apologizing?”

I also have a fiancée, you idiot…

Why the hell are you trying to distance yourself? Especially from a guy?

‘Wait. A fiancée?’

I had blurted out in anger, but the odd piece of information stuck out.

The Sleeping Dragon has a fiancée?

‘Was he engaged?’

I didn’t remember that.

I’d never heard such talk in my past life. Moreover,

‘He’s a Taoist, isn’t he?’

Can someone from the sect even get married?

Of course, some Taoists can, but…

It wouldn’t be possible for a Wudang disciple, right?

In the moment where all sorts of thoughts crossed my mind,

The Sleeping Dragon, who had been staring vacantly, called to me.

“Aren’t you going in?”

He spoke as he looked at the door in the void.

That left me baffled, replying with no clue.

“…Why do you want to go in there?”

“Because I opened it.”

“ ”

That had me at a loss for words.

It was somewhat correct; I couldn’t argue against it.

In the middle of the night,

A woman standing still in the wide field recalled a young man’s voice she’d once heard.

– Would you like to make a deal with me?

As she chuckled softly,

The woman pondered,

– What deal are you speaking of?

– I don’t know how you became aware of it, but it seems our goals are aligned.

The woman, the Sword Demoness, had to hide her surprise internally at the words of the young man, who was her disciple’s elder brother and her benefactor who had saved her life.

Her words were filled with certainty.

Was she somehow revealing her intentions clearly?

Though suspicion flickered in her mind, she couldn’t help but wonder.

‘How does that child know this?’

There was some trace left somewhere in this place, left by those from the past.

The Hero of Hwasan, one of the five heroes who stopped the Blood Calamity.

The person the Sword Demoness respected next after Maehwa Seon.

Rumors said the treasure of Hwasan Sword God Shin Cheol lay hidden.

‘I must find it.’

TheSword Demoness was not someone interested in treasures or relics of ancestors.

She had always taught Maehwa Seon to show no interest in lost, scattered matters.

Even she herself thought it was more important to train her sword or save those in danger rather than dwell on such things.

But,

– The plum blossom stone.

– Find it.

– That way, you can find a clue.

They said the plum blossom stone was concealed somewhere in Shinryong Temple.

Why such a valuable item would be hidden in Shinryong Temple rather than the Hwasan Secret could be a mystery.

Despite that, she had to seek it out.

Even if she wasn’t sure whether it was true or not.

‘For Cheonhee’s sake.’

If it involved her deceased friend, she could do anything.

In that situation, someone would suddenly suggest they had common goals.

That someone was none other than her friend’s son.

Was all of this mere coincidence?

Unlike her disciple, the Sword Demoness had not been able to take care of him.

The child persevered alone in the clan despite hardship.

All the while, he harbored a great light, growing strong.

‘What does that child know?’

She wanted to ask.

What do you know?

Compared to other late-stage talents, the gap is clearly visible.

The Sword Demoness was well aware, yet the reason she refrained from asking was likely because she believed the child didn’t wish to be questioned.

Thus, this time as well, she wouldn’t pry.

– Is it that you need my help?

To which the Sword Demoness did not deny.

The child was certain and was someone she believed she could trust at least.

It was purely a decision made out of trust.

– Yes.

– And what will I gain from this?

– Since you must have come hoping for something, if my goal aligns with yours, I will bring it to you.

He didn’t initiate a petty exchange of trust like, “How do I know you won’t lie?”

She thought such a back-and-forth was unnecessary.

– …But if my needs and yours overlap?

As this was something she couldn’t concede.

This part was most crucial.

Upon hearing those words, Gu Yangcheong took a moment to think then quickly responded.

– That’s unlikely, but if it ever happens, I will yield.

•••

Her resolute words made the Sword Demoness reflect thoughtfully for a moment, then nod.

– What must I do?

The Sword Demoness inquired, and Gu Yangcheong began to explain the matter at hand.

And here we are today.

On a bleak, windy night.

The Sword Demoness took a soft breath and awaited her target.

After waiting only a short while,

Wooong—!

The Sword Demoness felt a presence piercing through the thick energy barriers she’d set up.

“Demoness.”

Accompanied by an old man’s voice came the scent of the sea and a refreshing aura that swept past her.

The moment she sensed the presence, the Sword Demoness took her stance.

“I greet you, Sect Leader.”

“You called this old man at such an hour. Is something urgent?”

Cheonghae Ilgeom.

The one who came to the Sword Demoness’s summons was indeed Cheonghae Ilgeom.

“…I know this is an impolite act. I apologize once again.”

“It’s all right. Truth is, I had something to discuss with you too, so it’s quite alright.”

At Cheonghae Ilgeom’s words, the Sword Demoness lifted her gaze slightly, intrigued.

What had he to discuss with her?

“It seems you already know, but…”

“I presume you’re talking about ‘the child’ entering the sect.”

Kyu,—

At the words that leaped from Cheonghae Ilgeom’s mouth, the Sword Demoness momentarily mismanaged her expression, her brows furrowed.

“I thought you would know that the child of your precious student has entered the sect.”

“Is that… a problem?”

“Not at all. It’s no problem whatsoever. He’s merely a child.”

Much time had passed.

There were likely less than ten people left who still remembered her friend.

And even that number would gradually dwindle.

“Do you still think about that child?”

“Of course.”

“I see.”

At her words, Cheonghae Ilgeom briefly wore a lonely expression before shifting his words.

“Then let me ask differently.”

“…Yes.”

“Does the child know about his mother?”

“”

As soon as Cheonghae Ilgeom brought it up, the Sword Demoness’s expression shifted oddly, as if she didn’t understand his words.

Seeing that, Cheonghae Ilgeom exhaled a low sigh and stroked his beard.

“My words must have been erroneous. First, it seems you might not know…”

“…Sect Leader! What are you trying to say?”

“I wonder if I should start with a particular story first.”

As the energy barrier the Sword Demoness had set up flared up violently,

Wooong—!

An even denser wave of Taoist Qi enveloped her, making it thicker.

At the sudden energy, the Sword Demoness was momentarily taken aback.

But Cheonghae Ilgeom resumed, “Cheonhee.

Like petals falling from the sky,

Drifting down ever so gently, and then suddenly the name arrived.

When she first manifested before the Sword Demoness, it was similarly soft.

“That child is not dead.”

This time, it also stirred profound ripples within the Sword Demoness.

 

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