Su-ryeon quietly brewed tea.

She knew about the tea ceremony. She had also learned all kinds of grab techniques.

Assassination meant always blending into the shadows at any time.

Among the experiences she had to endure to become the Head of Sapa, a mix of vast miscellaneous knowledge was involved.

After brewing the tea, she arranged the snacks elegantly.

Then, she lightly leaned her head against Il-ho, who was sitting quietly beside her.

“When will this be over?”

“I don’t know.”

Il-ho replied softly. Su-ryeon easily noticed that his gaze was directed toward the clearing where Jeok-un and the current leader of Shaolin had left.

Gongbaek, known as the Heavenly Seer.

And on the opposing side…

Jeok-un, the warrior who had returned from death, whose stance was now virtually incomprehensible.

Their duel wasn’t even allowed to be observed. It was technically possible to watch, but…

Jeok-un had not recommended it.

“You could sustain internal injuries.”

How high was his level to give that warning?

To be honest, she wanted to see it. She didn’t want to drop away from his side. But Su-ryeon didn’t dispute his words.

She was simply glad that he was concerned for her. At the same time, there was some desire to wait for him patiently.

In the past, waiting without hope was unbearable.

But now, she only needed to wait a little longer to see him again.

“Il-ho.”

“Yes?”

“I feel like I’ve been seeing Jeok-un more often lately.”

“Is that about the Mister?”

“It’s about you.”

Il-ho stiffened. His eyes, which had been watching the direction they had disappeared, slightly turned.

“I… don’t understand what you mean.”

“You’re making excuses.”

“It’s not an excuse; it’s really…”

“It’s fine, still.”

“……”

“It’s okay if it’s you, Il-ho. To me, you’re just like a sister, after all.”

“Please take back what you just said.”

“I just wanted to tell you. Il-ho, I think it’s okay to be together. So there’s no need to hide your feelings.”

“H-how can someone like me…?”

“Do you think he would treat people differently based on their title or fame, wealth, and power?”

Il-ho shook his head.

Su-ryeon nodded.

“He sees people as they are. So it’s okay. You don’t need to feel inferior.”

“…yes.”

“This tea is brewed quite deliciously. Here you go.”

“I-I can do it myself…”

“It’s fine. Lately, I’ve come to appreciate the joy of waiting.”

Su-ryeon slowly tipped the tea.

“Since I dream of being a virtuous wife, I have to recall all the things I’ve learned in my spare time.”

. . .

Gongbaek.

The fearsome Heart Sword.

She took it all head-on. Everything she couldn’t imagine doing previously, she achieved with a single sword.

My Heart Sword.

Bai Ya Heukju.

—KWA-BOOM!!!

The swirling Heart Sword of Heavenly Seer Gongbaek shattered in an instant. Numerous golden hands turned to dust, and Gongbaek, witnessing it, smiled in dismay.

“It seems I’ve truly surpassed it. What should I call this? The edge of Hyun-kyung? No, that’s not it. It’s a step… higher. It’s something that dares not be resisted.”

“Some would call that a transcendent realm.”

“Transcendent realm! That’s a fitting name. But hear me out. Jeok Si-ju. Your power is so immense that my Heart Sword cannot take shape. Despite my overwhelming strength tearing apart everything I have, I believe you understand, Jeok Si-ju, that the completeness of the Heart Sword is inferior to mine.”

I nodded at those words.

My Heart Sword, Bai Ya Heukju, certainly covered the Gu-mang, taking on the shape of a sword right there…

Yet, its very form was unstable, swaying all over the place. Of course, I wouldn’t struggle to win against someone like Hyun-kyung in a fight.

But if I faced an opponent of equal level and met swords?

That could lead to a fatal mistake. Because what I desired was to fully master my power for that time.

“I have nothing more to teach… nothing. Even if I wished to offer advice, I find there’s nothing I can give.”

“…is that so?”

“I’m sorry. To think I’ve only gained from you.”

“Did you gain something?”

“Isn’t it odd to see such a thing and not gain anything? Jeok Si-ju. You just called where you’re standing the transcendent realm, didn’t you? Perhaps I’m asking—do you not think you can do something beyond the Heart Sword?”

Something beyond the Heart Sword.

There were indeed unique manifestations symbolizing each level.

The peak is the sword aura.

The ultra-peak is the martial aura.

The realm of Huaxing is Yi-hyeong Ki, and…

Hyun-kyung is what they called the Heart Sword.

Then there must be something in the transcendent realm, wouldn’t you think?—that was the question.

But I shook my head in response.

“The transcendent realm is a stepping stone.”

“A stepping stone?”

“A stage for preparing something that aims upward. It is indeed the domain one could call the real end… It’s better to call it a stage of meticulously managing one’s body and mind, all to prepare for that one thing.”

“What should one be preparing for?”

In the past, I wouldn’t have known.

But now I do.

“The end of nothingness.”

“…the end?”

“I mean the limit that can be reached as a living being. Of course, this is merely conjecture.”

“What exactly is that…?!”

“I, too, only know it vaguely as the edge of that limit…”

I gazed blankly at Gu-mang. I gently wrapped my fingers around the sword-red Bai Ya Heukju.

“I can lightly mimic something that could be called the Martial Extremity Sword. Though I can hardly manage it properly.”

“The Martial Extremity Sword…?”

“Of course, it is merely a name I gave myself…”

I awkwardly scratched my cheek.

“From the moment I surpassed Hyun-kyung, the limits of my internal power vanished. Of course, the limits of my physical body remain. But upon entering the transcendent realm, I realized that within the center of that infinite internal energy was something strange that I had yet to notice.”

“Strange…? What is it?”

I slowly let the sword down.

“Something that can manipulate life and death itself. Even I cannot handle it properly yet, so I’ll simply show you what it is.”

I took a breath.

Slowly exhaled.

I closed my eyes and felt. I didn’t know how it would end up later, but right now, I had to concentrate all my senses to feel the flow of power.

Natural energy. The center of the flow gathering beyond that.

And at the center of that flow…

‘That’ exists.

A peculiar power that cannot be defined. It was unlike ordinary natural energy.

Leading the flow within the center of the natural energy…

Something small and endlessly black sparkled.

“…What?!”

As I forcibly drew out the energy, ‘that’ attached to it. Along with it, numerous energies seemed to be drawn into the Heart Sword, amplifying that flow.

A multitude of flows swirling around the sword. A pale red disk sparkled and appeared around the sword, starting to rotate.

Beyond the distortion of internal power…

The distortion of fate.

“…Huff.”

If I wasn’t careful, the entire area might get swallowed.

But I controlled it. With the help of Bai Ya and Heukju, I fused it into Gu-mang, and soon finished all preparations.

A vague something that enveloped my entire body was about to take shape at any moment.

But right after that…

It immediately unraveled.

—KWA-BOOM!!!

The surrounding forest flew away. Even without swinging it, just releasing simple energy overwhelmed the area and turned it completely barren.

Indeed, I couldn’t handle it. At my current level, all I could do was imitate it. Inside the natural energy. The internal power within internal power.

To handle such extremes.

“I can manage to imitate a bit… but it seems that’s where it ends. Going beyond that is impossible.”

“W-what was that just now…?”

“An unachievable fate. The whispers of the stars. I see it as a realm that one who aims to become something above the sky can reach…”

I sheathed the Ear Sword back.

“I can’t say anything with certainty.”

“…I never thought there would be such a realm in my lifetime. I’ve even learned of it today. For me, it seems a realm I can never reach before I die.”

“That’s something we can’t know for sure, is it?”

“Well… it doesn’t come out even if I try to put it nicely. Jeok Si-ju. Though you are not a warrior, starting today, that title must change. You are truly…”

Gongbaek chuckled heartily.

“You were destined to take up the sword from the very beginning!”

“…….”

Isn’t that the happiest thing I’ve heard in a while?

For the sword I adore, it was a statement notarized by someone who was a member of my master.

“…Thank you.”

Would the Heavenly Demon say the same?

…It would be nice if she did.

. . .

Having parted ways with Gongbaek, there was no longer a reason to linger, so I prepared to leave with a clean finish.

“Will I never see you again once I leave this time?”

“That might be the case.”

“Remember one thing. Shaolin will always welcome you. And please, before I die, do come again. I will miss that sword of yours, as well as you, Jeok Si-ju.”

“I will definitely visit you. As soon as I get the chance.”

“Thank you.”

I headed towards Huashan. It was time to meet the head of the Huashan sect.

However, unexpected interference came. While I was moving on the rattling carriage, a quick presence seeped into the vicinity.

“Stop!”

The horses neighed wildly. Su-ryeon, who had been leaning on my shoulder, opened her eyes slightly.

“Bandits…?”

Bandits.

That shouldn’t be the case.

I stared blankly ahead. The forest seemed to sway, and numerous shadows descended before us.

Among that group was a woman wearing a turned-up straw hat.

A familiar atmosphere. A familiar shape.

It was as if time had stood still, and the cute face of the girl from two years ago emerged from under the straw hat.

“Narin?”

“Sister?”

In an instant, she flinched. Her eyes widened in disbelief, then she seemed to gather her resolve as she bared her teeth.

She tossed aside the straw hat, and the energy around her began to boil as if she poured out all her internal strength.

“…You must’ve put in a lot of effort. So, Gwangyang has been fooling around too, huh? Right?”

“Sister?! How did you end up here…!? But why are you suddenly acting like this?!”

“Shut your mouth?! You dumbass, can’t even recognize a fake?!”

“A fake…?!”

“You foolish brat! The Master always treasured his sword! Like family! But right now, there’s only one blade hanging at your waist, not even two! That Head of Sapa is also being deceived!”

Fuming, Narin raised her fist.

“I’ll tear you apart myself! That deceitful Impimyeonggu! How dare you impersonate the Master… I’ll cut you to pieces!!”

 

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