---

Drip.

I frowned at the sensation of something flowing.

I lowered my gaze.

My chest. More specifically, my heart area was pierced.

A hand was visible. The hand of the person who stabbed my heart.

Struggling to shift my gaze, I looked at the face.

The owner of the hand was none other than me. To be precise, my previous life self.

Swish.

As the hand withdrew, blood spurted out.

“Cough.”

I knelt, blood spilling from my mouth.

The guy looked down at me from high and low.

Then he moved his hand and brought it in front of me.

[Next time, bring an answer.]

[Otherwise, just end your own life.]

With those heavy words,

Whoosh—!!

The black flame swept through my head.

I opened my eyes wide and got up.

“…Huh…”

I took rough breaths, clutching my chest. After a few moments of fumbling, I sighed.

Fortunately, my chest was intact.

However.

“…Ugh…”

My whole body throbbed with muscle pain.

No, it was much worse than mere muscle pain.

This felt more like…

‘…a sensation of blood qi swelling.’

My entire body throbbed with blood qi. I realized the previous situation while feeling the pain.

“Oh. Damn it.”

I remembered what happened last. Coming to my senses, I had collapsed right there.

Also, I recalled the moment I forced my energy down while spitting blood.

Thinking of that, I loosened my clothing. The marks remained on my upper body.

It was a trace of where my fingers had dug in.

‘…It seems I’ve mostly recovered.’

The marks were just marks. Most wounds had healed. My body had improved enough that this level of injury was no problem.

I let out a low breath while looking at it.

‘The method worked.’

I had worried about how to manage the overwhelming energy, but thankfully, the method worked.

Sticking my fingers into my body and controlling the energy.

This was what the Heavenly Demon had done to me in my previous life. I had doubted I could do it since I had only experienced it a few times.

But I somehow managed to pull it off with gritted teeth.

‘So this is possible.’

Even I found it ridiculous, but thanks to that, I survived.

I could have easily faced true enlightenment or exploded. I barely made it out alive.

Amidst my relief,

“…Damn it.”

I had to curse as I remembered why my energy had exploded.

The cause was none other than the Spirit Pill I had consumed.

I had fought that bastard from my previous life.

And lost in the end.

“…Dammit.”

When I opened my eyes after losing, my energy had tangled and started to erupt.

Thanks to that, I had to suppress my energy before I even had a chance to understand the situation.

That wasn’t a problem. Well, it’s strange to say it’s not a problem, but what mattered more than my life…

“Why did I lose?”

Why on earth did I lose?

I had to question that.

I didn’t understand the outcome of that fight.

“I should have been stronger.”

My realm had already surpassed that of the black flame embodiment from my previous life.

I was certain I wouldn’t lose if I fought again.

Yet I lost in that encounter.

Why?

“Was it because I couldn’t use flames?”

The Flame Wheel Technique was sealed. If that was the issue, then it would be a significant problem.

In that fight, I couldn’t use fire techniques.

But.

‘Is that really the reason?’

Even if that was the case, I couldn’t understand.

‘Couldn’t I get beaten that badly just because I couldn’t use flames?’

That bastard used fire techniques, while I couldn’t.

Even so, it was an overly one-sided defeat.

Maybe that bastard was far stronger than I knew.

‘No.’

That wasn’t it either. He was no different than the realm from my previous life.

Then the reason was purely one.

‘I simply lost.’

I lost to him in terms of skill.

I couldn’t beat the version of him from my previous life. That meant I was killed by him.

Crack.

I clenched my teeth.

“Damn it.”

Why? What exactly was the problem?

That bastard, what was he?

The reason I could not use the Flame Wheel Technique was definitely because of him.

I didn’t know why my previous self was like that…

‘Of all times, why now?’

I was furious. At a point where I could barely see the path towards greatness.

Yet, my Flame Wheel Technique was sealed right now.

“Time is urgent.”

I needed to regain that feeling before it slipped away.

But that bastard was blocking me? And I couldn’t win?

It was maddening, enough to drive me insane.

“…Sigh.”

What to do.

Instinct urged me to see him again, no matter what.

Then,

“…I need to fight him again.”

There was no time to waste. I was desperate, wanting to seek him out again.

The problem was.

“…Was today when I see Il Cheonggeom?”

The last time was when I met Il Cheonggeom in the guise of Gyecheon Sect Leader. That was when I had said we’d meet again.

If I meet him again like this… and lose that way…

‘All my plans will go to waste.’

I learned that meeting him wouldn’t end peacefully.

Knowing that, should I still try?

As much as I wish to crush him again,

“Damn it.”

Despite my desires, my body was already in motion.

It’s not that I couldn’t say that my martial arts were sealed.

There were far too many tasks ahead.

I couldn’t continue to be prideful like before.

As I thought about moving my painfully weary body,

[Many things have changed.]

“…”

His words brushed past my ears.

[Since so much has changed, do you think you’ve changed yourself?]

That was what he said while pulling out my left leg.

[Don’t be deluded. You only thought you wanted to change. You haven’t changed at all.]

[You’re still ugly and weak.]

The words he had spat out while thrashing my body resonated clearly even amidst the pain.

“Bastard.”

I frowned and spoke.

It was words directed at him but also at myself.

Why was that?

[Why are you still alive?]

Why couldn’t I respond to his words?

And.

“What exactly do you want from me?”

What kind of answer did he expect?

I had no clue at all.

I moved to confront the Poison King. I had to express my gratitude and discuss what I needed to say.

“…Where exactly are you going?”

The Poison King replied as if he found my words ridiculous.

“Do you know in what state you collapsed?”

“Yes, I remember. I must have surprised you; thank you for taking care of me.”

I was sincere.

I heard that immediately after I collapsed, the Poison King took me to a physician. Also.

“I also heard that you purposely didn’t inform Tang Soyeol. Thank you for that as well…”

I understood that he had sent a message in advance without notifying Tang Soyeol. I appreciated that the most.

If Tang Soyeol had heard, it would have been obvious she’d worry.

The fact that he was aware of this meant he was considerate towards me.

“The physician said your blood qi was in quite a drained state. He said you could rest for several days, so why would you move so soon?”

“My health is fine, and I have pressing matters. I’ll express my gratitude properly next time I see you.”

“You…”

“I’m sorry for worrying you.”

While saying that, I felt it was a ridiculous situation.

He came all the way here after I collapsed and had treated me kindly, yet here I was, preparing to leave immediately.

Moreover.

“Will you not explain anything?”

I couldn’t say anything to the Poison King, which made it all the more frustrating.

I couldn’t understand why he suddenly needed the Poison Heavenly Pill. What exactly had happened that made me collapse?

Although I could still trust the Poison King, my own actions felt utterly unexplainable.

“…I apologize. I will come back and explain everything.”

“…”

“I promise.”

At this point, I needed to create a simple excuse.

‘Then regarding the plan…’

I could meet with the King of Demons and Il Cheonggeom, then scatter the guy’s spirit before having a separate meeting with Gyecheon Sect Leader?

‘In the process, I could subtly drop hints about Il Cheonggeom’s situation.’

That way, I could maintain a delicate relationship between Gyecheon Sect Leader and Il Cheonggeom, instigating suspicion to meet again.

‘No, that would mess with the task I set for Cheol Jiseon.’

Then, should I buy more time? The situation didn’t allow for it.

‘My body is barely able to hold up as it is; buying time? How should I extend that time?’

Sure, let’s say I extended that time. Would that even solve anything?

Right now, I barely had enough Red Demon Stones to recreate the Poison Heavenly Pill…

Whatever I did, it was a tight squeeze.

I had to secure justification while constantly managing tasks. I couldn’t afford to get tangled up.

There were too many tasks at hand.

‘Damn, what to do…?’

I needed to sort out the tasks before me. Meanwhile, I had to assess my own condition.

While doing so, I also needed to ensure my justification remained intact when this was all over.

My head throbbed.

I pressed my forehead. I wanted to wipe my thoughts clean right then and there, but that wasn’t possible.

‘…I need to organize.’

Even if I didn’t want to, it was necessary.

I’m not Moyong Hi-ah or Je Gal-seon. Heck, I’m not even Cheol Jiseon.

I’m not intelligent enough, so there will be mistakes. But I have to ensure I can handle those mistakes.

To do that, I needed to cut back on sleep and myself.

I bit my tongue.

Think! Somehow think!

I needed to think somehow…

“Gu Gongja-!”

“…!”

The raspy shout made me freeze in place.

I turned to see the Poison King looking at me.

Only then did I regain my senses.

“Are you alright?”

“…Ah. I’m sorry…. I have so much on my mind.”

I answered while forcing a smile.

My bad habit was creeping back in. Sighing inwardly, I continued to breathe deeply.

“…I’m truly sorry. I will explain later when I come to see you…”

“Gu Gongja.”

“Yes…?”

“Are you really alright?”

“Excuse me?”

I made a blank expression at the Poison King’s inquiry. It was just for a moment.

“…Ah, yes. I’m really fine. I just zoned out for a moment because I had so many thoughts.”

“…”

The Poison King seemed skeptical even of my words, his expression delicate.

And that expression was the face I hated most.

“My daughter told me today.”

A face of concern directed at me. The very expression I detested the most.

“She said that lately, you haven’t been in good condition.”

“…I don’t quite understand what you’re saying. I’m fine.”

“After finally making some time for you… My daughter spoke of you all day. It was rather uncomfortable.”

Even while saying that, the Poison King kept his gaze fixed on me.

“Now that I look, I can somewhat understand my daughter’s feelings.”

With those eyes, he asked me again.

“…Are you really alright?”

“…”

I felt an urge to gnash my teeth.

I didn’t know what he meant by “alright.”

Also, I didn’t understand why he was asking if I was alright.

That bastard who suddenly barged in and caused chaos, and even manipulated his beloved daughter, was questioning me about my well-being?

I couldn’t grasp the Poison King’s mindset at all.

Therefore, the only answer I could provide was one.

“Yes, I am alright.”

I was fine.

No, I had to be fine.

I was exhausted.

My head and body were completely worn out.

As I left the Tang Clan, the only thought on my mind was that.

I hadn’t even slept a wink the previous night, and yet the sun was already setting.

Every step I took made my body feel numb. The blood qi that hadn’t completely healed was still present.

I barely managed to gather my energy, but my heart was still under strain.

Even aside from that.

‘Fatigue has mounted.’

I could tell my body was fatigued.

No, was it physical fatigue? Or was it mental fatigue?

‘Maybe I should take a break.’

Could it be that I needed rest? Perhaps that was the case.

But, I couldn’t afford to rest.

“…Huff.”

I wiped my face and attempted to manage my expression.

What else could I do today but rest?

‘First priority is the King of Demons.’

Once I arrived, I needed to visit the King of Demons. Then, tackle my tasks one at a time.

I held back a sigh that was about to escape and took another step.

‘Endure.’

I wouldn’t break.

I promised myself that I would endure.

However, there was one thing I wished for.

‘…I need to see the kids.’

Before doing anything, I felt I needed to see their faces.

Looking wasn’t going to accomplish anything.

It was enough just to see them.

With that, I could take a breath once more, and even after feeling like stopping, I could take a few more steps.

“Haha.”

After recalling them, I unexpectedly burst into laughter.

It was absurd.

‘When did I tell them not to follow me?’

Just a while ago, I’d been fussing about them not following. Now that they did follow, was that a good thing?

It was a true contradiction. I knew that, yet I wanted to see them all the same.

That alone was enough for me to endure the present.

Before long, the Sichuan Branch came into view. Upon spotting it, I straightened my slumped shoulders.

Simultaneously, I restored my breathing to normal and managed my expression.

“Great Lord!”

As soon as I arrived, a member rushed towards me.

I waved my hand lightly and smiled.

“Sorry for being so late.”

I felt a bit awkward.

I had plenty of tasks lined up, yet as the Great Lord, I had gone out in the morning, fainted, and only returned at night. There was no excuse for that.

“…But, nothing particularly happened, right?”

“Great Lord…. There’s a big problem.”

“What?”

“Nangong Dae Won and Wi Dae Won have… disappeared.”

At those words,

Thud—

Something that had been barely holding inside me shattered.

 

---