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Chapter 576: The Miracle of Shaolin

What in the world is going on?

I had to wrap my head around the situation unfolding before me.

No, first I needed to understand more than think.

‘What the heck is that?’

Why are those old men here?

And isn’t that Shin Yi, whom I was looking for?

Why is the Master of the Martial World here in Hanam instead of Mount Shan?

‘What is happening?’

No matter how I looked at it, it was utterly bewildering.

I arrived at the lodging I requested through the Baekhwa Sect, only to find not just Shin Yi, but also the Master of the Martial World present. What the heck was going on?

Just then, as I stood there in shock, the Master, who had been laughing at fallen Shin Yi, turned his gaze toward me.

“Oh.”

Our eyes met, and he responded with a slight grin.

“Good to see you. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

“…?”

I wondered why he was acting so differently, but then I realized Seongyul and Tang Soyeol were right behind him.

They likely didn’t know the Master’s true identity, so that would explain his reaction.

“…Yes. It’s been a long, long while.”

At my greeting, the Master beamed with joy.

Seeing that smile made me break into a cold sweat.

‘That guy.’

He was definitely angry.

After getting beaten by the Master over the years, I discovered one thing: the angrier he got, the more he smiled.

There was a difference between laughing because something was funny and laughing out of anger.

It was a subtle distinction, but enough to recognize once you paid attention.

Seeing that smile, I thought, ‘Crap.’

The Master was clearly furious.

“How long has it been? I heard you would return soon. Ha ha.”

“…”

Hearing that made it dawn on me why he was so angry.

According to him, I’d said I would finish things up and return to the Gu Clan, but I ignored that plan and headed straight to Hanam instead.

‘This is bad…’

Traveling from Guangdong to here didn’t take too long, but still, it had been several months since I left the Gu Clan.

I had things to handle before going to Guangdong.

‘…So that’s why he’s like this.’

According to the original plan, I was supposed to finish my business in Guangdong, transform Seongyul into a Demonized one, and then head back to the Gu Clan straight away.

Since that was the plan, I had written that I would return soon in my letter.

‘But stopping by Wudang threw everything off.’

Because of that, I’d come straight to Hanam.

‘…Why in the world are both Shin Yi and the Master here in this situation?’

It was incomprehensible, and my brow furrowed involuntarily.

[It’s a straightforward situation, isn’t it?]

The Master sent me a thought transmission.

[…What do you mean?]

[Given your track record, I knew you wouldn’t follow instructions and would come straight here.]

[…]

If that was the case…

[…So, you came here directly because you predicted that?]

Since he knew I wouldn’t listen, he came on his own. It was simply absurd.

[No, weren’t you the one telling me to get out sometimes?]

When I was diligently training, I was asked every day when I would leave.

Now that I was finally going out, why the sudden change?

I couldn’t help but blurt out my confusion, prompting the Master to chuckle in his distinctive way.

[Yes, I indeed told you to go out.]

[Then why are you acting like this?]

[It’s because the disciple who went out is causing a ruckus.]

Cluck.

[It seems like you’re getting into some nonsense.]

[…!]

My breath caught at the words I heard.

‘No way.’

Could the Master know something?

His voice held a certainty that marked it as significant.

Cold sweat broke out.

I hadn’t done anything that should attract attention. If he had found out, how did he know?

As I gazed at him with uncertain eyes, he nodded slightly and continued.

[I thought you wouldn’t be getting into fights too openly.]

His arrogant gaze swept over me from head to toe.

[Your condition looks dreadful. Tsk, tsk.]

[How did you know that?]

[Know? What is there to know? Perhaps you should have tidied up the mess you made instead of hiding it.]

That remark felt quite unjust.

I was indeed trying to manage my problems.

After listening to Woo Bongchwigae, I had been quite cautious about my actions.

It seemed that with just his observation, the Master had gauged my condition.

‘Does the Heart Eye possess such power?’

The Master lived with his Heart Eye open all the time, so perhaps there was a secret hidden there.

The problem was.

‘No, more importantly, how does this man know I’m getting into trouble?’

As I pondered that in my confusion, I flinched at the unsettling sensation creeping up on me.

It felt like something was off about the Master.

The difference was subtle, almost imperceptible, but something had definitely changed.

Seeing that made a thought flicker through my mind.

[Master….]

[Yes?]

[Could it be…]

I hesitated for a moment before pressing on.

[…Have you surpassed a wall?]

[Hmm.]

The Master showed a fleeting reaction at my question, then smiled softly.

[It’s more accurate to say I’ve reclaimed something than to say I’ve surpassed it.]

[…!]

I widened my eyes at the words. That was effectively a confirmation, implying that the Master had now reached the Transformation Realm.

The Master, who had previously remained at the peak of his powers, had now stepped into a new realm.

Or rather, to put it accurately as the Master did,

‘Reclaimed his realm.’

He had regained a portion of the power he had lost.

[When did this happen…?]

[Hmm, I think it was not long after you left.]

After hearing that, I couldn’t help but swallow hard.

You might wonder why I reacted so strongly to the Master’s advancement, but the reason was simple.

[Originally, I was planning to take it slowly.]

Right when I was finally figuring out my own advancements and starting to get less beaten by the Master, learning that he had improved his abilities meant—

[With you growing so rapidly, I couldn’t afford to wait. Ha ha, with your head getting bigger, you began crawling instead.]

Just when I thought I might escape the constant beatings, it seemed I would be met with more.

[When did I start crawling again?]

[You should be congratulating me on reaching a new level, and yet your eyes are full of complaints.]

Well, it was because you were excited about the idea of hitting me again.

This was a thought that lingered on the tip of my tongue but was never voiced.

[…Congratulations.]

I tried to express a belated congratulations, but the Master’s expression soured even more.

A short sigh escaped him, revealing his displeasure.

[At least your eyes still seem alive, so I’ll let it slide.]

[Not just my eyes; other things are still functioning.]

[If they are functioning, should I kill them instead?]

[…It does hurt a bit.]

Just when I thought I had gotten a slight reprieve,

Here I was again, in this miserable predicament.

Ignoring the throbbing headache, I asked the Master.

[…So, what’s the story with this person who’s fainted out of anger?]

I gestured toward Shin Yi, who had indeed fainted.

How furious could he be to faint like that?

‘And he’s not exactly a young man.’

It seemed the Master didn’t care about Shin Yi, not even glancing his way.

[We bumped into each other by chance while I was here.]

I couldn’t help but think about the slim odds of Shin Yi and the Master crossing paths in Hanam, but I refrained from asking further.

[We both found ourselves with nowhere to go, so Shin Yi asked the Baekhwa Sect Leader to set up a place for us.]

Hearing that made a ton of thoughts race through my mind.

‘Does Lady Mi know those two are staying here?’

That could mean she had intentionally sent me here, knowing full well.

In other words, I would have to spend the next three months in this place.

I could choose to look for a different lodging if I didn’t like it, but—

‘Would this man just let that happen?’

The Master was the issue.

Staying with Shin Yi would still be alright since I could receive treatment, which was a positive element.

However, staying with the Master brought various problems.

‘I was thinking about taking a break during this visit, but that ship has sailed.’

After spending years holed up in the clan training, I was looking forward to handling my tasks while getting some rest.

But considering my recent internal injuries, I figured it would be prudent to recover a bit too.

However, having the Master around nullified that possibility.

‘He would never let me off for having internal injuries.’

Do you know what makes the Master terrifying?

If I said I couldn’t do something because I was hurt, he would simply find another training routine that I could manage while in pain.

Even if I claimed there was no suitable training available,

‘He would just create something new to make me use it.’

‘Damn it.’

I wanted to sigh, but I had to hold it in.

If I exhaled too loudly in front of him, who knew what might happen?

As I continued to face the Master, I could feel the curious gazes from Tang Soyeol and Seongyul behind me.

Just as I was considering a different way to respond, the Master spoke up with a smile.

“Let’s save the greetings for later. First, it’s best to unpack your things.”

The Master said, beaming at me.

“During this time, Gu Gongja, let’s go somewhere together, shall we?”

“Eh? I don’t want to!”

I instinctively protested, causing the Master’s eyebrows to raise in surprise.

Oops. I didn’t mean to blurt that out.

“…Um, don’t I need to unpack first?”

“Your stuff looks the least like it belongs to anyone here.”

“…”

I had no arguments; he was right.

Given my meager belongings, they were essentially all carried by Seongyul.

‘Damn it.’

Who knew this would become a problem?

As I contemplated ways to turn the tables, the Master added,

[After all, it’ll take a while for Shin Yi to wake up. Just follow along obediently.]

“…”

In the end, mixed with the Master’s somewhat threatening yet kind voice, I had no choice but to nod in agreement.

The street welcomed the night.

As the sun set, bright lights illuminated the streets even more.

No matter how late it got, the number of people crowding the streets kept growing.

It was an incredibly bustling scene.

Amidst this chaos, I found myself strolling while holding a skewer of food.

“Have you been well?”

The Master asked while walking beside me, holding food as well.

“Yes… well, sorta.”

I answered briefly to his greeting, and the Master chuckled.

“It doesn’t look like you’ve been well. You sure know how to keep your answers short.”

“…”

“Did you get hit somewhere after finally going out?”

“…Not really.”

As I spat out my excuse, the Master glanced at me and said,

“Then you mean you simply couldn’t control your strength, huh?”

“…”

“It’s bitter, isn’t it?”

Though he didn’t even look at me, his words hit home.

There was no denying that.

“…Yes.”

I confirmed regarding my practice of the Tua Pacheonmu technique.

The Master nodded knowingly.

“It seems you were wise enough not to use the next phases.”

I awkwardly smiled, realizing he’d noticed I hadn’t used the next phases of the technique.

“…It wasn’t really the right time to use it.”

“Hmm.”

The Master’s head shifted toward me upon hearing my response.

“Yet your body ended up like this.”

“…”

I hadn’t used it since the implantation and yet ended up injured.

Hearing this made the Master click his tongue.

“As I told you before, I won’t be involved in whatever you do once you learn my martial arts.”

“I remember.”

It was clear; I could use the Tua Pacheonmu however I wished after mastering it.

“The meaning behind those words holds true. I won’t interfere no matter what you do.”

“…”

I sensed multiple meanings behind those words.

How much did the Master really know? It felt unsettling.

“From your state, it seems like you haven’t used ‘that’ technique.”

When the Master threw out his observation, I hesitated for a moment before admitting.

“…That’s correct.”

“Good. Again, I stress, do not use it unless you’re fully confident.”

His warning was firm as he said that, and I nodded. I understood why he was so cautious.

“That technique cannot be used unless it’s related to the Realm of the Heart. I understand your desire; however, you cannot act hastily.”

“…Yes, I’m aware of that as well.”

The Tua Pacheonmu technique, which the Master had created, was a dangerous technique.

In fact, I once attempted to use it in front of the Master, which led to my internal injuries.

But regardless of its risks,

‘Someday, I’ll have to use it.’

I needed to put all my efforts into mastering it, as it was time for action.

As I quelled my feelings of urgency, I decided to ask the Master a question.

“Master.”

“Yes?”

“What did you want to discuss?”

The Master squinted at my inquiry and replied,

“You’re quite perceptive.”

I didn’t feel particularly pleased at that compliment.

It was perfectly natural.

The reason we even met at this time was that he had something to say to me.

Moreover, my injury could have been a consideration, allowing me to avoid using thought transmission.

In fact, as soon as we stepped out of the lodging, I could feel the energy barrier from the Master surrounding us.

This was clearly a move made with me in mind.

Furthermore, it also suggested that there were matters meant to be kept private.

‘Thus far, we’ve talked, but…’

The main point still hadn’t emerged.

There seemed to be no preparatory remarks.

So what in the world did he want to say?

‘If the Master is this concerned, it must be something important.’

Could he possibly intend to directly mention my reckless behavior?

If he did, what would my excuse be? Or would it be better to respond honestly?

Since he’d said he wouldn’t pry, surely he wouldn’t care if a disciple made some mistakes while wandering about.

Or worse…

‘…Would he try to bind my joints together for such trivial things?’

Given the Master’s nature, that was entirely possible.

In that brief moment, a myriad of thoughts raced through my mind.

I positioned my escape route just in case things went south.

As I heightened my sense of vigilance, the Master finally spoke.

“Oh, it’s nothing special.”

The Master uncharacteristically hesitated before tossing that comment out.

I perked my ears, focusing on his words.

At that moment.

“The martial arts tournament that my previous sect is hosting…”

The Master started speaking, and at the same moment, I sensed something annoying in the atmosphere.

I hoped it was just my imagination, but the fact that the Master reacted proved otherwise.

And just to confirm my fears, it happened moments later.

-AAAAAAAH-!

A loud scream erupted from a distance.

 

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