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Time flowed, and seven days and nights passed.

Hanam was still packed with bustling people.

Before I knew it, summer had arrived, and it was the hottest time of the year.

Of course, even with a multitude around, I mostly stayed in my lodging, rarely stepping outside.

Even when I did move, it was only around the night, so I had no idea what was changing around me.

I was just immersed in my training, waiting for time to pass.

Thud—! Thud thud—!

A heavy rebar fell to the floor, creating a loud noise.

My body was soaked in sweat, and my breath was ragged.

“Hoo… huh….”

I calmed my breathing and relaxed my body.

As the heaviness disappeared, I felt significantly lighter.

At the same moment—

Suuuuu—!

The rebar that had fallen to the ground was instantly transformed into mist and vanished.

Surprisingly, the rebar was an object created through my power.

‘The duration has increased a little more.’

Over the past few days, after handling my power numerous times, I had seen considerable growth.

With something as simple in shape as a rebar, I could maintain it for about half a time point.

However, for complex shapes or multiple colors, the duration would decrease significantly.

‘But still, this is something.’

Objects created through my power are not that different from real ones.

Even that was of considerable utility.

‘As for the conditions of use… I know them in detail.’

I cannot create objects that I don’t know or are uncertain about.

The more information I have, the more precisely I can create.

‘What a great power it is.’

Even though I had lost regeneration, at least I managed to salvage this.

If I had none of this, I would have really been furious.

“Huh.”

I took a breath and wiped my body dry.

It had been a while since I trained vigorously, and I was pretty hot.

As I wiped myself, I waved my hand slightly.

Swoosh—!

Then, fine energy spread from my fingertips, filling the room.

It was chill.

The chill I had obtained from the Ice Spirit remained in my body.

It began to fill the room and lower the temperature.

“Now that feels nice.”

While this energy is not particularly useful in combat, it was fine for this purpose.

Cooling myself with the chill, I shifted my gaze.

“Huuuu….”

There were others besides me who looked tired and were resting.

It was none other than Woo Hyeok and Seongyul.

Seongyul looked as if he was about to drop dead, struggling to stand.

Woo Hyeok was similarly panting but not to the point of collapsing.

Seeing them, I spoke.

“Shall we stop the morning training here?”

“…Alright…”

“If it’s morning, does that mean there’s an afternoon too?”

Seongyul replied as if it were nothing, but Woo Hyeok looked at me with a shocked expression.

“So, are we done?”

“…You’ve been training more.”

“Of course, I need to increase it. My realm went up, right?”

“…”

I couldn’t understand why he was so surprised.

Isn’t it natural to increase training when your realm rises?

“Oh, you’re a Daoist, so maybe you don’t know.”

After all, I had heard that Daoists, unlike simple martial artists, are more obsessed with enlightenment.

They said once they reached a certain level, they pursued formal enlightenment rather than physical training.

‘I don’t think that’s bad.’

I understand that everyone has their own way of pursuing things.

Though I’m not sure if Woo Hyeok is like that.

“I only dragged you out because you were holed up in the back. From tomorrow, do as you please.”

“…”

“Whether you follow or not is your choice.”

Woo Hyeok nodded slightly in response to my words.

Will he come out tomorrow?

I had a feeling he would.

“And….”

Just as I was about to continue talking to Woo Hyeok,

“Huh?”

“Never mind. Let’s talk about it later.”

It didn’t seem like the right time to say what I was thinking.

If it was something important, I could always bring it up before the Martial Arts Tournament.

It had been about ten days since I returned to Hanam.

Since stepping into my residence, Woo Hyeok had barely shown himself.

He hadn’t returned to Wudang and had been living in near seclusion in his residence for a while.

The reason was none other than Gwaeseon.

‘To be precise, it was because of Gwaeseon’s power.’

The power he took from me to give to Woo Hyeok.

Regeneration.

Woo Hyeok was trying to use regeneration to heal Gwaeseon.

This was because of something I subtly hinted to Woo Hyeok.

That regeneration could heal not just one’s own body but also the bodies of others.

Hearing that, Woo Hyeok had immediately sought out Gwaeseon to heal his arm.

Of course, it seemed it wasn’t going as smoothly as he hoped.

Just looking at Woo Hyeok’s expression made it clear that it wasn’t easy.

Even so, he seemed to keep trying something.

‘I hope it works out.’

It wasn’t coming from a kind-hearted wish that I wanted Gwaeseon to be healed.

If Woo Hyeok succeeded in healing Gwaeseon, I would gain a lot of information in return.

‘If he succeeds… that means powers can grow the more you use them.’

Just as I was becoming more adept at using ‘Wind.’

If Woo Hyeok could also grow with Regeneration, it would prove that the more one uses their powers, the stronger they become.

And also.

‘I need to see if there’s a side effect to passing on powers.’

I made Woo Hyeok into a demon and passed on the regeneration.

Since he wasn’t experiencing violent reactions to the demon energy, nothing strange had appeared yet.

But since this was a new method, I needed to continue checking his condition.

‘If it turns out it’s fine to use it this way.’

Perhaps, just like the Heavenly Demon did before, I might also be able to pass on my powers to demons.

‘No, looking at Woo Hyeok, it looks like it’s already possible.’

There just weren’t any powers to give.

‘…Then how did the Heavenly Demon manage it?’

If the abilities she gave to demons were indeed powers.

If she had gifted them in the same way I am now.

‘The number of powers she possessed must have been at least over a hundred.’

How she managed to contain them all in her small frame, aside.

‘How did she gather them?’

And.

‘Why did she share them?’

Questions arose regarding the actions of the Heavenly Demon and her true identity.

‘Heavenly Demon…’

I bit my lip as I thought of that woman.

I recalled events from seven nights ago.

Since then, I hadn’t sought out Gu Huibi or the Heavenly Demon.

I had tasked some personnel to keep an eye on her, but still hadn’t gone to see her myself.

From what I heard, she had already sensed their presence.

But she ignored them, stating that she wasn’t concerned.

She was merely doing household chores and hunting for food, it was said.

‘Damn it.’

The Heavenly Demon doing household chores was almost absurd to imagine.

‘What on earth is she doing?’

What could her intentions be?

Why did Gu Huibi… no.

‘Did that old man just leave the Heavenly Demon to fend for herself?’

Gu Huibi had said the former clan leader left the Heavenly Demon in her care.

Was that really true?

I couldn’t be sure.

It was perplexing enough that the old man who was supposed to be dead was so very much alive.

Suddenly, I found it odd that a member of the Gu Clan would leave the Heavenly Demon behind.

This was something I was going to ask my father ever since meeting Gu Huibi.

‘…Father still hasn’t arrived in Hanam.’

The members of the clan that departed together had already arrived.

‘Where could my father be?’

Just as I was pondering his possible disappearance, Lady Mi handed me a letter that she said my father had sent.

A neatly folded piece of parchment.

Inside, my father’s rough yet tidy handwriting was written.

[I’m running late.]

“Hah.”

As soon as I saw it, I couldn’t help but feel ridiculous.

It was clearly a message from my father.

‘He told me to hurry but here he is, running late himself.’

I wondered if something had happened to him…

‘…But I’m not overly worried.’

Thinking of my father’s strength, I couldn’t muster much concern.

“Huh…”

Letting out a sigh, I shook my head.

‘On top of having to pay attention to many things, it seems even more has piled up.’

The issues of the Heavenly Demon and my grandfather needed dealing with, but.

There was a pressing matter right in front of me.

‘There aren’t many days left.’

The reason I had come to Hanam.

It was only a few days until the Martial Arts Tournament hosted by the clan.

‘Nahi had mentioned it.’

I had heard that the construction for the sparring arena inside the clan had finished yesterday.

It was time to prepare.

But.

“…”

As the time I had been planning for approached, my feelings were strangely calm.

No, it would be more accurate to say I felt empty.

The extreme tension I had been feeling just days ago was now nowhere to be found.

Why was this happening?

Why did I feel this way?

I questioned myself but already knew the answer.

‘It must be because of the Heavenly Demon.’

The Heavenly Demon I had met days ago.

Or perhaps it was the possibility that she might no longer be the Heavenly Demon.

If, by any chance—

‘What should I fight for if she changes to someone like Jiegal Hyeok or Nangong Bi-ah?’

My mind went blank at the thought that arose.

This was likely the reason for my emptiness.

“Ha… I’m such an idiot.”

I lamented my realization as a sigh slipped out.

I should be happy if someone who would cause a blood calamity disappears, but am I really feeling regret?

‘It’s more like I just feel empty.’

It was a feeling difficult to describe.

Is this what it feels like to lack a sense of crisis?

Crrr—!

I slapped my cheek with my hand.

Woo Hyeok and Seongyul looked startled by my gesture, but I paid them no mind.

‘Get a grip.’

Whatever it is, things won’t change. No, they shouldn’t change.

‘The end doesn’t come just because the Heavenly Demon disappears.’

I may have thought so before.

But not now.

‘Blood Demon still remains.’

Known as the Dragon Emperor and presumed to be one of the pure-blood dragons.

He who had incited the blood calamity known as the Blood Demon War centuries ago was still out there.

What schemes he may be holding remained unclear.

Even if the Heavenly Demon were to change, my role wouldn’t.

However.

‘Though I know that—’

The emptiness inside me would not be easily filled.

“…Tsk.”

With a short click of my tongue, I put on my martial robe.

“I’m heading out first.”

I relayed my words to Woo Hyeok and Seongyul and began to walk.

It was about mealtime, and today I was supposed to have lunch with Nangong Bi-ah and Wi Seol-ah, so I needed to get moving.

‘Tang Soyeol said she had something to do.’

Moyong Hi-ah was always busy and didn’t join for lunch, but Tang Soyeol’s absence was a bit unexpected.

I had heard that she frequently went out recently.

What in the world was she doing all by herself?

‘She should be back by dinner. I’ll let her be.’

It was amusing to worry about a grown woman, especially since Tang Soyeol was a Transformation Realm Martial Artist.

As I headed toward Wi Seol-ah’s residence.

“Hmm?”

As I opened the door, I sensed a presence ahead.

“I’m here to see you, Master.”

When I peeked through the training grounds’ door, Nahi was waiting in front.

“What is it?”

“There is a guest looking for you, so I came to inform you.”

I frowned at her words.

A guest? Why now?

Why is it always that something happens just before meal times?

It’s so annoying.

“…Who is it?”

I asked, trying to suppress my annoyance.

Then she replied.

“It’s Master of the Flying Dragon Beomdong.”

A name I found even more annoying spilled from Nahi’s lips.

 

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