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**

I took out the Ear Sword and carefully started maintaining it.

I washed away all the fatigue from my body. Not only had the energy I’d sent out amplified, but it had also drawn a portion of nature’s energy to support me.

It was no exaggeration to say that I was here because of them. I felt indebted, so I took my time to polish the swords slowly.

The Ear Sword Bai Ya was somewhat cold but smooth.

The Ear Sword Black Pearl was rough but very warm.

The contrasting personalities of the two swords. Being possessed enough to have their own consciousness, I expressed my gratitude slowly so they could feel it.

Eun Seol-ran, who was watching, clicked her tongue.

“Anyone would think they’re your lovers.”

“That’s not far off.”

“What?”

“Since they helped me, I should cherish them in return, right?”

“…Don’t you think someone might misunderstand that?”

“I’m not trying to hide my feelings. The Ear Swords have always supported me on my journey, so I can’t help but treasure them. I’d rather be misunderstood.”

The torn remnants of the Blood Wind began to regenerate slowly on their own. The shredded remains had taken shape once again, returning from a bloody hue to a deep black.

What about the Blood Sword? Even after enduring such turmoil, and swinging it without drawing upon my internal strength, not a single piece had cracked. Indeed, there was meaning to the fact that the unparalleled Yajang had personally reinforced it.

I managed each item I owned meticulously. Then, I suddenly noticed the commotion beyond the closed tent and took a quick glance.

“What is everyone doing outside?”

“They said your face is terrifying.”

“Excuse me?”

“Well, we know what you look like, so it doesn’t matter, but your disciples are different, right? They probably haven’t seen you like this before. Gu Hwa-rin too… Su-ryeon and Il-ho? It seems they find it a bit hard to face you.”

Sounds erupted from beyond the closed tent.

“No, it’s not like that! Really, not at all!”

“Master! It’s a misunderstanding! It’s just… umm…!”

“It’s… it’s probably amazing, right? Isn’t that so, disciple?!”

“Y-Yes! It’s amazing…!”

“…It was a sight I hadn’t seen before. When we fought together before, I was focused on other things.”

“…….”

I stood up and hid the curtain covering the door. I looked down at the fidgety gazes.

“Did it scare you all?”

“……”

They nodded in unison. I felt a multitude of distant eyes glancing at me.

Ever since returning to the castle, no applause or praise had greeted me. Yet, there was no fear or dread either.

Everyone merely distanced themselves. However, they weren’t completely gone, lingering nearby just to watch me.

Heavy stares. They were so numerous that I could feel them even while hidden in the tent.

“…I apologize if I startled you. But there was no other choice. This was the best opportunity to minimize damage and train the swords at the same time.”

“…You used the battlefield as a training ground? What kind of madness…”

“I had to do something mad. Given the situation where it was almost certain that the one who overwhelmed the First Sword of Sapa was present… I had to earn a sword that could surpass that. Even if it meant pushing it a bit.”

“Even if it means engaging in a slaughter, one can’t just increase the level of their martial arts blindly, can they?”

“I can.”

“But how…?”

“Because my martial arts are somewhat unique.”

“…….”

Gu Hwa-rin trembled and asked, “W-Was it… painful?”

“It was.”

I didn’t mix lies into it. If I said it didn’t hurt, that would be a lie.

“But I could endure it.”

“How…?”

“I’ve been good at enduring since the old days.”

“…….”

“Anyway, you don’t need to worry. Just because I’ve left the battlefield doesn’t mean I’ve changed. My sword will never be directed at you. So, you don’t have to be too scared.”

The group exchanged glances. They hurriedly flocked back to me.

“Th-That’s not it! Master!”

“So you really are strong, huh? It feels like I’ve seen a sky I can’t reach…!”

“I-I’m just impressed! Master! Really! But that… how is your body not dying…?”

“You have no reason to worry about that!”

“Is it a kind of respect for witnessing such a magnificent scene… um… it feels like seeing a great master rampaging. For us girls, it’s also a chance to reflect on our own martial arts.”

“…….”

Il-ho met my gaze. She had been cautiously checking her surroundings but quietly whispered through the veil covering her mouth.

“I-I know that you aren’t such a person…”

Even the one with the heaviest mouth said that, relieving my worries a bit. I was able to smile slightly.

“I was somewhat worried. Since there was so much blood… I thought you might be scared.”

“…….”

“I’m grateful for you to say that. I would appreciate it if you treated me the same as before.”

The brief commotion ended. I listened to my enthusiastic disciples’ tales before re-entering my private tent.

The four members waiting from the Demon Cult sighed. Eun Seol-ran, as if she was finally about to speak up, narrowed her eyes.

“I thought I knew your level, but… I was completely mistaken. When did you reach such heights? Now I can’t even dare to clash swords with you.”

“You’re overestimating me.”

“No, I’m serious. You mentioned ‘union of spirits,’ right? Using the four energies as one. Then… I can understandFire and Cold energy, but how did you manage to use the remaining Demon and Blood energies?”

“I did.”

“What? How? I didn’t see any of that!”

I grabbed the Ear Sword again. I began gently brushing its surface once more.

“I pondered at Huashan. How could I properly use the transformed sword that Ilma taught me? And why was the form of my Yi-hyeong Ki not clear?”

“…And then?”

“In that process, fortunately, I realized that I already knew the answer to that. Upon realizing that I already knew it, I was able to apply it much more freely. Thus, I realized I could combine your energies into one, and that I could also split the combined four into separate elements.”

“I can understand that much, but… isn’t that a bit far from your current answer?”

“And with the energies that separated, I discovered that through the Ear Sword, I can change one kind of energy into another.”

“…….?”

I explained simply.

“So… Demon energy and Blood energy, Yin energy and Yang energy. I can change the properties of those different energies into one at any time I wish. A peak of transformation where changing properties is entirely free… shall I say?”

“…….? Is that really possible?”

“Of course, it’s impossible without these two. That’s only possible because I have them. Unfortunately, transforming into Demon energy isn’t possible. The only one that hasn’t drawn yet is the Ear Sword that won’t allow it…”

I glanced at the last Ear Sword that hadn’t been drawn from the moment it had arrived.

Ear Sword Gumang.

When might I draw this?

Putting that small question aside, I finished my words.

“Anyway, with Blood energy entirely from my strength, I can alter the properties of Yin and Yang energies by borrowing the powers of the Ear Swords. That is the transformation sword ‘Yunhon Sasa.’ One of the two swords I comprehended at Huashan.”

“…What a monster…”

“Is the Blood Sword really that impressive? No, it certainly lives up to its name… wow, you’ve even given wings to a beast…”

“Cool!”

“So what’s the other one?”

The other one.

That would be something I properly learned along with mastering Yi-hyeong Ki.

“It’s the seventh form of the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Technique.”

“…Seventh…? What is that?”

“That’s…”

Something that couldn’t be explained in words.

The ultimate end of internal strength. A type of nature that has connected with my Yi-hyeong Ki.

I brushed the explanation off with a laugh.

“It’s hard to explain. I’ll show you later.”

“Are you looking forward to it?”

“Of course. Seol-ran, do look forward to it.”

Just as I was about to wrap up the conversation and take a rest, the Earth Dragon Commander called for me separately.

“…Great Hero Jeok, you are indeed… someone greater than I thought. I want to ask just one thing. Did you come here on your own or were you sent?”

“I was sent.”

“Was it to contain the Martial Alliance Leader? I see. They must have judged that they can’t have someone like you beneath them. You were abandoned by the Martial Alliance…”

The Earth Dragon Commander wiped his face.

But the next moment, he couldn’t hide the rising corners of his lips and beamed widely.

“I truly didn’t expect you to block that great army by yourself! Hahaha! What luck! A blessing for the Cheonryong Association! I heard that after this event, you’re going to officially retire from the Martial Alliance… would you consider joining the Cheonryong Association? If you come in, I’ll really watch your back openly!”

“That’s alright.”

“You have time, so think it over carefully! Hehehe… Anyway, because you’ve bought us time this time, our main force is heading this way. The enemies’ morale has significantly plummeted. They will likely be confused about whether they should breach here or not for a while.”

The Earth Dragon Commander inquired mildly.

“But… what’s this ‘undying body’? Did you perhaps eat something precious? Or do you possess some divine things…?”

“It’s similar. But the healing power consumes internal strength, so it’s not infinite. Just a moment ago, I was in the balance between life and death.”

“A strong martial artist with powerful divine things! Do you know what the soldiers are saying about you outside?”

“…What are they saying?”

“Something so extraordinary that the name ‘Mukseong’ is hidden! There are already several captivated by your sword’s tip. They’re saying that the transformation at the tip is free and that you’ve got four mysterious swords… they even say you need a higher title than Mukseong, referring to you as the ‘Mixed Origin Four Swords’! I partly agree with that too. Such a remarkable person shouldn’t be simply called Mukseong… It’s unacceptable! Mixed Origin Four Swords Jeok-un! What a cool title!”

Waving his hand enthusiastically, the Earth Dragon Commander caught my hand and swung it around.

With burning eyes, he made a firm promise.

“However, one experience like before is enough. Watching your back, I felt emotions that I had forgotten bubbling up. To leave the gate to a non-member of the Cheonryong Association… it’s utterly shameful! So I’ll definitely participate next time as well! The fifteen hundred warriors of the Cheonryong Association will join you! Let’s drive out the remnants of Sapa together! Great Hero Jeok!”

“…Uh… understood…?”

“At this age, to dream of rising again… your sword is truly astonishing! A sword that makes me remember dreams I’d forgotten! I’ll show you a sword worthy of your own! I even look forward to the war… I’ve gone completely mad! But it’s not a bad thing! Hahaha! You know, back in my day…!”

The Earth Dragon Commander, filled with enthusiasm, rambled on about the past. I quietly listened to his stories.

Even though it was late at night, I could feel the heat lingering in the allied camp. The soldiers on guard who met my gaze approached awkwardly.

“Uh, Great Hero Jeok…!”

“Yes?”

“It’s an honor to be on the same battlefield!”

Such words poured out almost daily. When supply time came, unlike others, the supplies were stacked considerably high.

In a daze, as I expressed my gratitude, they all replied in unison like parrots.

“I’m the one honored!”

What is this, not even treating me like a living god?

As days went by, the distance between me and the soldiers decreased. When I respectfully replied in honorifics while walking around, some men openly sparkled their eyes.

“It’s not just talent, but also modesty!”

“Is there anyone else in the world like such a warrior…?”

It felt overwhelming. I scheduled a day to ask them to treat me just like anyone else, but they fervently refused my request.

“How could we treat the Great Hero like everyone else?!”

“I don’t want to do that!”

“Eat more! This is from me too!”

“…….”

Sua, who had been trailing behind me, proudly puffed up her shoulders.

“My daddy is so amazing!”

“Sua, you too must stop…”

“Everyone, please do a cheer for us!”

“…….”

In the meantime, the enemy’s formation changed moment by moment.

It seemed to reflect their flustered emotions as the state of the camp fluctuated, with some moving as if they were about to withdraw, while at other times, voices were raised as if internal conflicts arose.

But that, too, was temporary. Eventually, they solidified into a singular form.

“…It seems they’re preparing to move again with a deathly resolve.”

The retreating enemies appeared to be leading their troops back out.

As if this time, they intended to truly bring it to an end.

 

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