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As a storm raged and evening approached, after finishing our meal, I placed my hand on Moyong Hi-ah’s back in the empty carriage.

It was time to send warmth to her after a long while.

Suuuuuuu.

Could it be that it’s been so long since I sent warmth?

“…Ugh.”

Moyong Hi-ah’s back twitched slightly.

I had heard before that it felt strange.

After I sent a good amount of energy, I finally withdrew my hand.

Once the treatment was complete, Moyong Hi-ah took a deep breath.

“Haa….”

Hearing her breath, I spoke up.

“Just a few more times should suffice.”

“…I see.”

The chill I felt from Moyong Hi-ah had significantly lessened compared to the first time.

At this pace, it seemed the treatment would be complete within half a year.

‘If that happens…’

Moyong Hi-ah would be able to start her training again.

It had already been two years by the count of the years.

The time since Moyong Hi-ah had trained as a martial artist.

Two years was quite a long time for a martial artist.

It seemed she had only been doing basic physical training occasionally.

If it went on any longer, various problems would arise.

‘Though it seems like Moyong Hi-ah isn’t too worried about it.’

From the beginning, she didn’t seem to care much about martial arts, but given that the Moyong clan was clearly a martial clan, it was about time she started training again.

Especially if she was to deal with the upcoming blood calamity.

Looking at Moyong Hi-ah’s back, I decided to ask something else.

“By the way… What happened with your aunt?”

“Ah.”

As I inquired about Baek Cheon-gyeom, Moyong Hi-ah’s expression twisted slightly.

“My guard?”

I was shocked to hear that she suddenly came to serve as my guard.

I was told that she had received permission for this.

No matter how I looked at it, it was hard to comprehend.

In response to my bewilderment, Moyong Hi-ah spoke as if slightly fatigued.

“I don’t really know either… My aunt is originally a bit odd… no, she’s a unique person. Even the Clan Leader can’t quite handle her.”

“…”

So, what Moyong Hi-ah was saying was that Baek Cheon-gyeom was someone even the family had given up on. Such a statement!

Oh dear….

‘And she got permission.’

When I asked who exactly gave permission, she mentioned Lady Mi.

I had to be shocked yet again.

‘Why is Lady Mi suddenly involved?’

Not only was I surprised that Baek Cheon-gyeom had a connection to Lady Mi, but it was also strange that the one who permitted her to guard me was Lady Mi.

That thought made me sigh involuntarily.

‘As if I need a guard….’

At this point, I didn’t exactly need a guard.

What good was a guard to a martial artist who had reached the Transformation Realm?

If there were a leader or a clan head, that would be different.

Normally, once someone reached the peak, they wouldn’t carry guards around.

Yet here I was, in the Transformation Realm, and they were still insisting on having a guard, no less, and it was Baek Cheon-gyeom at that!

Considering that the bloodline of the Moyong clan was clear, having a high-level martial artist like Moyong Hi-ah guarding me felt absurd.

Did she perhaps see my troubled expression and cautiously spoke up?

“I’m sorry…”

I couldn’t help but grin at her apology.

“Why are you apologizing? You haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Still….”

Moyong Hi-ah’s face, which looked genuinely sorry, seemed somewhat cute… no, rather insignificant.

“…It’s a bit bothersome, but I’m fine.”

In truth, it wasn’t okay at all, but I thought I could manage.

I didn’t know what kind of conversation took place with Lady Mi that led to this situation, but having a highly positioned martial artist volunteering to guard me was something I could take as a positive.

‘No, it does not look good at all.’

I was trying to see the good in it.

After all, I definitely didn’t have the freedom to worry about such things.

Right now, there were more pressing matters to resolve, so I had no time to dwell on Baek Cheon-gyeom.

I looked out at the moon rising from the window. Checking its position, I realized it was about time.

Not surprisingly, as soon as I confirmed it, a voice reached my ear as if waiting for the moment.

– It’s time. Come.

“…”

Upon hearing that heavy voice, I stood up. It was the summons of the King of Demons.

As I moved suddenly, Moyong Hi-ah looked at me in confusion.

“Prince?”

“I’m heading off to train, so I’ll go on ahead.”

“Ah… Can’t you stay a little longer?”

“Sorry, but I’m in a hurry.”

I left Moyong Hi-ah, who looked disappointed, behind and quickly exited the carriage.

My destination was the same forest where I confronted the King of Demons the night before.

“…Tsk.”

As soon as I entered the forest, the same sensations from yesterday enveloped me.

My vision darkened, and my senses quickly became muddled. It was still an annoying sensation.

This was surely a reaction from the state of No-Self I had reached, but it was undoubtedly also the aftermath of the King of Demons’ martial arts.

I closed my eyes and dimmed my senses. Was this a martial art similar to a formation?

‘There’s a familiar feeling to it, similar to Red Sky.’

It felt somewhat akin to the Gu Clan’s Secret Martial Arts I used.

The sensation of Red Sky dominating a specific area felt strangely similar.

If there was a difference, it was that Red Sky was a power that aided me, while this martial energy was something that trapped my opponent.

“…Hoo.”

After arriving at my destination, I exhaled deeply.

Should I just give it up this time?

Or maybe run away instead?

I had been wrestling with such thoughts, but ultimately, I chose to face it.

‘Out of stubbornness, I must try.’

I had to confront it even if it made me angry.

After all, what kind of meaning was there in this absurd training that prevented sleep?

The Pejon wouldn’t make me do something meaningless like this, but it was hard not to feel annoyed.

‘Other people wouldn’t last a single day.’

Going through such vivid deaths several times, another individual might have their mind completely shattered before the day was over.

I found it somewhat hard to understand why the Pejon chose such an odd training method.

Even knowing that, if asked why I was plowing through without complaints…

‘Because there simply aren’t any alternatives.’

I had to trust it for now. If there was even a sliver of possibility.

I had to try as much as I could.

That might grant me a flicker of hope.

Having come this far, I stood still and straightened my posture.

Then, drawing in as much Qi as I could, I opened my eyes and said.

“Please take care of me.”

Though I didn’t hear the King of Demons respond, that was the end of my words.

Thus began the second night of death’s testing.

As time passed.

When I opened my eyes, the night had passed, and it was already morning.

Had that much time really passed?

It was the same as yesterday; the sense of time was getting increasingly strange.

“Haa….”

While lying on the floor looking at the sky, I saw the sun slowly rising.

It seemed I had lost consciousness.

How long had I fainted?

“…Hmph.”

I wasn’t sure about that.

But at least I remembered one thing.

Fifteen times.

That was the number of times I had died at the hands of the King of Demons last night.

Remembering that it had been nine times the day before, I realized the count had increased.

‘What could be the problem?’

Did the King of Demons get angry with me or something?

It felt like last night was even more vicious than before….

‘…And yet, I didn’t even brush past him.’

The important thing was that during those fifteen deaths, I neither brushed past him nor even caught a glimpse of him.

This meant I had to change my thinking.

‘There’s no chance of winning.’

I realized this would not be something resolved in just a day or two.

I didn’t know if it was the hallucination-like aura dimming my surroundings that was the issue, but even apart from that, the gap between me and the King of Demons was too wide.

It was even worse knowing that the King of Demons hadn’t undergone the Rejuvenation Technique like the Pejon.

‘What on earth am I supposed to do about this? Damn old man.’

Involuntarily, resentment towards the Pejon arose. I didn’t even understand what I was supposed to gather from this.

Even if I managed to grasp what the Pejon desired.

Could I ever reach the King of Demons?

“Haa.”

I got up abruptly.

Afterward, I repeatedly opened and closed my fist, realizing something strange.

‘Refreshing.’

Having experienced over a dozen deaths overnight, my body felt inexplicably refreshed.

Did the repeated death make me feel this way?

Maybe my body felt fresh because I had died so many times.

“…That can’t be it.”

I quickly dismissed that thought.

I knew it wouldn’t shatter my mind.

No matter what happens, my mind wouldn’t break.

It must have been that way since the moment I visited the Demonic Gate in my previous life.

I looked around.

The King of Demons, who had been somewhere nearby, was nowhere to be seen.

Just like yesterday, he would have vanished the moment morning came.

Looking at that, my first thought was.

“Should I eat first?”

I thought I should at least fill my stomach.

It had only been three days since we began our Journey to Sichuan.

I was told that in the valley where we were staying, they would only depart in the afternoon.

The waiting period felt considerably long. It seemed there was some problem with the transport.

Should I think of it as being thorough?

Even as companions, except for those from the Tang Clan, nobody could get close.

While guarding the vicinity was allowed, getting too close was not permitted.

‘It felt quite tense around here.’

It seemed there was a sharp aura emanating from the Tang Clan members, unlike a regular transport.

Since it had been a request from the leader, perhaps that explained their heightened vigilance.

Of course, I didn’t need to inquire about this. There was no need, as it was the Tang Clan’s area, and it would be strange for an outsider like me to intrude.

Glimpsing the Tang Clan’s martial artists, I walked forward.

‘Where could the others be?’

I was currently searching for my companions.

Eating alone was fine, but I preferred to have company if possible.

It had been a while since there had been so much going on, and even during meal times, it was nice to see their faces.

‘Is there really such a trivial reason for this?’

It felt odd to be searching for them for such a simple reason.

There seemed to be no other reasons coming to mind.

I guess I just didn’t want to admit it.

‘I’m just looking for them because I want to see them.’

That simple thought was something I was reluctant to acknowledge.

‘Tsk.’

I clicked my tongue slightly in my mind and continued scanning my surroundings.

Usually, by this point, Wi Seol-Ah would pop up from somewhere and greet me.

But neither Wi Seol-Ah nor Tang Soyeol was in sight.

‘What’s going on?’

Nangong Bi-ah might be asleep in my carriage or perhaps out for a walk.

Yet not seeing those two who would usually come close out of nowhere made me frown slightly.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that something might be wrong.

Not only that.

‘It feels like…’

The number of people staying at the campsite seemed relatively sparse.

Not only those from the Gu family but even the Bi clan members who often appeared were nowhere to be found.

It felt as if they were all gathered somewhere.

At this point, it might be time to extend my Qi perception.

‘Ah… how tiresome.’

Having just suffered a rough ordeal, I didn’t want to strain my senses just yet.

I let out a slight annoyance and then spread my Qi wide.

Immediately, I picked up on many presences a little distance away.

But there was something odd about it.

“…What is this?”

Not just presences.

I could also sense intense Qi.

Quickly reacting, I leapt forward.

Had a fight broken out?

If it was just the Qi, I might not have thought much of it.

But amid the atmosphere was a subtle mix of Thunder Qi. This was definitely Nangong Bi-ah’s energy.

Thud-thud-thud.

Sounds echoed from the physical bodies.

My instinct kicked in, and my body instinctively shifted into a fighting stance.

As I dashed forward, the distance between us slowly narrowed, and I began to see a crowd gathering in the distance.

I propelled myself toward them.

Bang-!

I landed without executing a roll, crashing down onto the ground.

Swoosh! Dust blew up in all directions, obscuring my vision as I created a gust of wind to clear it away.

Looking toward where the Qi surged, I assessed the situation.

“…What the?”

Around those who were circling like spectators.

Clang-!

With the sound of blades clashing, several glimmers shot through the air.

I couldn’t help but wonder what they were doing.

Nangong Bi-ah’s Thunder Qi.

Wi Seol-Ah’s Sword Energy.

In the midst of it all, I could also sense the Poison Qi quietly seeping in from Tang Soyeol.

At first, I wondered what those three were doing.

Were they engaged in sparring?

Sparring was certainly possible, but what I found puzzling was that the three energies didn’t seem to target each other—they were all moving to attack something else.

At that moment.

Wi Seol-Ah’s sword shot forward, targeting someone.

The Golden Qi surrounding the sword tip shone strikingly.

Is Wi Seol-Ah growing stronger?

The sword energy, shimmering with elegant curves, appeared very polished and refined.

However.

Grgkkk-! Clang-!

“…!”

Someone’s unsheathed blade shook the attack, and in turn, Wi Seol-Ah was sent flying back.

Just as she was about to roll on the ground from the force, Nangong Bi-ah appeared and assisted Wi Seol-Ah in her landing.

“What the heck is going on…?”

I couldn’t help but stare in disbelief.

Not only was I astonished that Wi Seol-Ah and Nangong Bi-ah were cooperating, but I also recognized the identity of the figure effortlessly deflecting their combined attack.

Receiving Nangong Bi-ah’s peculiar gaze, a woman smiled brightly.

“Wow, you girls are doing better than I expected! Big sister is a bit pleased.”

The one who was effortlessly fending off their combined attack was none other than…

Baek Cheon-gyeom Moyong Biyeon.

 

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