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Chapter 580: Night Arrival

It’s been quite some time since I arrived in Hanam.

About a month, and the season was heading toward the peak of summer.

In the early morning.

I was receiving an examination from Shin Yi.

After concentrating for a while on my pulse, Shin Yi opened his eyes and spoke.

“Hmmm. Truly strange.”

“Is something wrong?”

I asked because Shin Yi’s reaction seemed unusual, and he looked at me with a curious expression.

“To think you’ve improved this much in just a month. What kind of body do you have?”

“Isn’t it because you are treating me well?”

“Haha, such nonsense. What treatment have I even done?”

“…”

That was true.

He had checked my pulse and prescribed some medicine, but according to Shin Yi, it wasn’t likely to help much.

In reality, the medicine didn’t really have much effect.

“I had expected it to take at least half a year to recover… but it looks like we won’t need to wait that long.”

“Is that so?”

Unlike my estimate of about three months, Shin Yi initially mentioned half a year.

I was doubtful about such a long recovery time.

Fortunately, it seemed my prediction was correct.

…which meant.

‘It implies that Shin Yi doesn’t fully understand my body.’

In the end, it meant only I could accurately assess my condition.

Not to the point of certainty, but if Shin Yi didn’t know, it seemed no one else in the world would either.

Anyway.

There was no need for further pulse checks, so I tidied myself up and prepared to rise from my seat.

At that moment.

“Are you getting along well with Hyeok?”

Shin Yi asked.

It was a question he hadn’t posed in nearly a month.

“Yes, we’re getting along well.”

Yeah, he must be very busy too.

“…I see.”

“If you’re worried, should I send him back?”

Of course, that was just empty talk. I had no intention of sending Jiegal Hyeok back.

He had performed better than I had expected.

As of now, he was one of the most essential people I couldn’t afford to send away.

Even if someone asked me to return him, I had no intention of doing so; I just felt the need to say something.

When I brought this up, Shin Yi smiled wryly at me.

“That’s enough. Since that child desires it, intruding any further would be unnecessary.”

“…”

I glanced at Shin Yi.

Despite pampering Jiegal Hyeok, Shin Yi seemed rather easygoing about this aspect.

That was a bit surprising.

“Just make sure he doesn’t get hurt.”

“…I’m not going to let him get hurt. It’s just casual help I’m providing.”

That was a lie.

I planned to do just that, but I couldn’t be certain.

“And…”

Shin Yi hesitated as if he wanted to add something.

From his expression, it was evident he was torn.

Seeing that, I sighed inwardly.

I already knew what he wanted to say.

“If it concerns you, should I arrange a meeting?”

“…”

“If you wish, I’ll speak with that fellow too.”

The “fellow” here referred to Cheol Jiseon.

He would probably enter Hanam soon, and it would be enough to prepare a meeting for that time.

The reason I said “I’ll speak to him” instead of “I’ll bring him” was that I wasn’t entirely confident either.

Normally, he’d be the type to understand everything, but this matter seemed different.

‘He had a fit before.’

Given that he had once angrily told me to kill him, it was unlikely the situation would unfold as I wished.

And.

Shin Yi probably knew this well too.

“…Alright.”

Having said that, he sighed, as if relieved.

“…Yes. Understood.”

Hearing that, I decided not to bring up anything further.

I could push the issue if I wanted to, but.

‘No need to.’

If Cheol Jiseon was avoiding the topic, I had no intention of dragging it out either.

I would just think about it.

‘There’s definitely something between them.’

I was merely convinced that Shin Yi and Cheol Jiseon were connected in some way.

“Then I’ll take my leave first.”

After bowing to Shin Yi, I got up.

There was no more to discuss, so it was time to go.

‘I need to train a bit and then stop by the Upper House.’

Since my body was somewhat recovered, I had to start training in the morning.

If I didn’t use my body, I would get sluggish.

I needed to start heating things up soon.

In the afternoon, I also had some requests to make at the Baekhwa Sect.

‘I need to send a letter.’

Using my assassin team would make it quicker.

However, they had their tasks, and I needed to deliver the letter in a somewhat proper manner, so I had to visit the Upper House.

As I recalled my busy schedule and turned to leave the residence,

“Aha!”

Shin Yi called out to me, possibly having something more substantial to say?

“What is it?”

“Is something bothering you?”

“Yes?”

“You look rather unwell.”

“…Ah.”

I touched my cheeks at Shin Yi’s words.

What expression could he be talking about?

I wasn’t sure about the situation, but if that was the case, I knew the reason.

“…I’m fine.”

Most likely.

“I just didn’t sleep well.”

It must be due to the dream I couldn’t remember from last night.

After parting from Shin Yi, I headed for the training grounds.

Lady Mi had arranged a separate training area within the lodging.

It was perfectly sized for physical training.

I couldn’t unleash my fire techniques, but that was enough.

I was about to stretch my body when I walked into the training area.

“Hmm?”

There was already a visitor.

Curious about who it was, I looked closer and saw it was Tang Soyeol.

Tang Soyeol was kneeling silently in the center of the training area, eyes closed.

‘Hmm….’

Seeing that made me gasp in admiration.

At the same time, a sense of tension filled my body.

The energy filling the training ground was extraordinary.

The density was suffocating. Moreover, the energy packed tightly was chillingly intense.

How should I describe it?

Clean killing intent.

That seemed to be the most accurate expression.

‘…Wow.’

Despite the killing intent filling the space, there was a distinct order felt within it.

This meant Tang Soyeol was not only aware of but was also controlling all this energy herself.

What amazed me even more was that—

‘With this much energy…’

There wasn’t a trace of poison to be felt.

Since Tang Soyeol was a Taesaeng of the Tang Clan, the energy she used should definitely be laced with poison.

Yet, there was no trace of it in the current atmosphere.

While my body had reached immunity to all poisons, I was able to sense it more clearly in contrast.

Right now, however, there was absolutely no poison present within the energy.

This meant…

‘She has reached a level where she can control poison.’

It indicated that her mastery had increased to the point of using energy without the poison seeping through.

‘In just these two years.’

Though she was at the entry level of Transformation Realm, it was still astonishing to see her reach this level while on the verge of peak mastery.

Moreover, not only had her level risen, but she had also reached a level where she could control her energy so finely.

‘What kind of training has she gone through?’

I couldn’t even imagine what kind of trials Tang Soyeol had endured.

With a slightly settled gaze, I observed her.

She was still breathing steadily with her eyes closed and seemed very focused, unaware of my presence.

Seeing this, I reluctantly held back my desire to train.

‘It seems she still has a long way to go.’

I could claim a spot there and train, but I didn’t want to do that.

I turned away.

Yes, I could train after I returned.

That was my resolve.

Exiting, I headed towards the center.

The Baekhwa Sect was located in the heart of the center, so I had to walk a bit from the lodging.

It was still early morning.

The sun had barely begun to rise, but the center was bustling as usual.

Perhaps they were starting to prepare food, as delicious smells wafted through the air.

The streets were noisy with the sounds of vendors getting ready.

It was another typical morning.

Silently, I moved through the crowd.

For some reason.

Normally, I would have been curious and looked around while strolling.

But right now, I felt like I didn’t want to see anything.

‘What is this uncomfortable feeling?’

My stomach felt uneasy and constricted.

The excuse of Tang Soyeol was the reason I hadn’t trained, and that was part of it.

I could have trained if I wanted to, but for some reason, I just didn’t want to today.

An inexplicable irritation enveloped my entire body.

‘What is it?’

What exactly was the problem.

I didn’t understand it myself.

Why a dream could evoke such annoyance.

It was probably just some silly dream I often had.

‘Am I more anxious about starting work?’

Three months until I began.

Actually, it’s closer to a month at this point.

While I was trying to take it calmly, my mind wasn’t cooperating, resulting in this frustration.

There was one thing I could figure out.

I desperately wanted to recall that dream.

Since I woke up, my entire consciousness had been fixated on that dream.

‘This isn’t good.’

There were many things I needed to do ahead.

It felt like I was wasting time on something pointless.

I shook my head to dismiss those thoughts.

“This is all because I haven’t eaten.”

Right, it’s probably because I’m hungry.

That must be it.

I changed direction.

Instead of heading toward the Upper House, I stepped into one of Hanam’s dark alleys.

Let’s fill my stomach first, I thought as I moved.

A fleeting doubt crossed my mind.

‘Then I should just go to a restaurant.’

I had naturally entered the alley, but why did I choose to come here?

I had moved without realizing it.

It was a scene where no restaurant seemed likely to appear.

The bustling crowd from the main street had vanished.

There were so few people here, it was almost deserted.

Yet, I walked on.

For some reason, my steps were leading me in that direction.

After a little more walking, I noticed an old building tucked away in the quiet alley.

“…What the…?”

Only upon seeing the building did I come to a stop.

Smoke was billowing out from the cracks of the dilapidated structure.

I tilted my head at the mixed scents of smoke and food wafting over.

‘Is there really something here?’

I could smell food coming from the back end of this alley.

Seeing that made me chuckle.

“What kind of crazy person builds a restaurant here?”

I was dumbfounded.

This street had barely any foot traffic.

Why build a restaurant in such a back alley when there was a perfectly fine main road?

While pondering that, my feet were already walking towards the restaurant.

The interior of the inn was normal.

To be precise, it was no different from the outside.

The inside was as worn down as the exterior.

Webs clung to the walls.

“Welcome.”

The sound caught my attention, and I turned to see an old woman hunched over greeting me.

Jeomsosoi wasn’t in sight.

“It’s just noodles for breakfast.”

As she spoke, the old woman shuffled into the kitchen.

…She hasn’t even asked what I’d like to eat yet.

“…Hmm.”

What should I do?

I had entered without thinking…

But for some reason, it felt like I was meant to sit down.

Sure, since I was already here, I might as well eat.

I moved toward a table.

There weren’t many seats, but there were a couple available right in front and next to me.

Still, I felt compelled to keep moving to a particular seat.

It was as if that spot was meant for me.

The farthest corner seat.

Without a doubt, it seemed the most worn-down spot.

For some reason, it felt like I had to sit there. At least, that was the feeling I got.

However.

Slurp.

Someone was already sitting there besides me.

They had already started eating.

Slurp.

A petite figure was holding a bowl larger than her head, slurping up noodles.

Whether her hair fell into the bowl or not was of no concern to her.

There were even signs of several bowls being consumed already.

I widened my eyes at that sight.

It wasn’t that I was surprised at her appetite.

I had grown accustomed to seeing Wi Seol-Ah, so it wasn’t surprising in the least.

It was just that the person eating at this table was remarkable.

“What…?”

I muttered as I watched the woman devouring her noodles without pause.

At that,

“Hmm?”

The hands vigorously using chopsticks paused, and the owner of the noodles turned to face me.

Our eyes met.

“Oh.”

The woman looked at me and reacted.

Her black hair waved elegantly as her beautiful purple eyes held a mysterious aura.

Then she lowered her bowl and beckoned me over.

“Hello.”

“…”

I was at a loss for words in response to her greeting.

No, it would be accurate to say I couldn’t even react at all.

It was understandable, after all.

Who would have expected to encounter a Heavenly Demon at a back-alley restaurant while she was slurping noodles?

 

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