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One night passed, and once again, dawn broke.

As the night flowed into the moment the sun rose, I stepped out of the residence.

I took a deep breath of the fresh air and looked around.

Things that hadn’t been visible before became apparent.

The sounds of birds chirping and the subtle cries that gently reached my ears from the morning.

– Ki!

– Ki!

It was evident that someone had begun their morning training, and my Qi perception heightened as I observed.

It wasn’t much different from what I saw yesterday. Beings that hardly looked human were gathered together practicing their swords.

– Higher! Don’t relax your lower body!

In front, an instructor yelled, keeping an eye on the disciples.

Even amidst the sweat-filled atmosphere, Plum Blossom Leaves continued to flutter down.

If there were hardly any artificial appearances, I wouldn’t doubt them being the Hwasan Sect of the Central Plains.

– Ha! Ha!

– Ki!

– There! Put strength in your arms!

– I’m sorry!

– Not concentrating? If you’re going to use it like that, you don’t need to be here!

– S-Sorry!

“…”

What did they just say they didn’t need?

A rough comment floated by, or perhaps I misheard it…?

“What are you staring at?”

At that moment, I heard a voice from behind and turned my head. Shin Noya was stepping out from the residence with a tired expression.

“I was just watching since it was visible.”

“Is it enjoyable to watch the children struggle?”

“Yes. Seeing others’ hardships is the best.”

“…Your expression says otherwise.”

“Don’t you enjoy it as well, Noya?”

“Right.”

Shin Noya nodded as if in agreement.

Indeed, nothing was quite as enjoyable as watching someone else struggle.

Smirking, I looked over the training grounds again.

“How exactly has the system been set up?”

What kind of method is employed for training, I mused as I asked.

“It wouldn’t be called a system, really. It’s just set up arbitrarily.”

“…What do you mean by ‘arbitrary’?”

“Just the simple stuff. Teach one or two people, then tell the lower-ranked ones to teach the same way.”

“Ahh.”

It was indeed a very simple method.

Moreover…

‘That’s a dangerous method.’

It was the easiest but riskiest way to manage a sect.

Even if one delivered the correct teachings, the problem would be how many could accept it as-is.

‘It seems it isn’t terribly bad, though.’

Looking at the intensity of the training and the state of the disciples, thankfully, it didn’t seem like it would present any issues.

“…Hmm.”

I began to wonder what level of mastery the instructors possessed.

Just as I was about to ask Noya again,

“Noya…”

I had to stop mid-sentence. Noya’s expression was off.

Was it pouting? Or maybe his demeanor was twisted with annoyance.

Whatever it was, it was a strange sight.

“…”

Seeing that, I sighed inwardly, for I knew the reason for his state.

“Are you still sulking?”

“Who’s sulking?!”

As I pointed it out, Noya shouted back, clearly not sulking, as was obvious from his previous demeanor.

“Why are you so upset over something that wasn’t even your loss?”

“Who’s upset?!”

“Well, if you’re not upset, then what’s this about? Did your pride get hurt or something?”

I turned my head.

Whoosh—!

Kwah—!!!

“Damn…?”

I barely dodged the fist aimed my way, but the pressure from that punch sliced through the air.

It felt odd, like everything was moving slower than usual, but perhaps it was packed with energy.

I looked at Shin Noya, bewildered by his behavior.

“Dodged?”

This guy had the audacity to state it confidently to me.

“If I hadn’t dodged, I would have died. Are you out of your mind?”

“You’re underestimating yourself. One punch like that won’t easily kill me.”

“Are you joking?”

“This punk…?”

As Noya raised his fist again, I shouted in a hurry.

“Ah! If you’re going to argue, take it up with the loser! Why are you venting on me?”

“I didn’t lose!”

“You did lose!”

Bang—!

“Gah!”

In the end, I took a hit with considerable force, causing me to drop to the ground.

“Guhhh…”

Clutching my head in pain, I glared at Shin Noya.

“Just wait… Once I get stronger, you’ll see what happens next.”

“Hmph, do you think you can even reach my toes?”

“Except, I won, right? Oh, sorry.”

Anticipating the atmosphere turning hostile, I apologized desperately.

Damn old man, he really doesn’t get jokes.

‘I feel so wronged.’

Why do I have to go through this?

I felt utterly wronged, and the reason for Noya’s fury was none other than—

‘…Because I won against Noya in the sparring duel.’

It was due to another Shin Noya, who had been dormant within Yeongpung.

I had fought him during the Shinryong Martial Arts Tournament and emerged victorious.

Last night, during our slow conversation, I had even mentioned it to Noya.

Upon hearing this, he let out a huff.

What was funny was—

-…I lost?

He seemed uninterested in the fact that he had another self and Gui Jeong; for him, the fact that he had lost was what mattered.

– Yes. You were thoroughly beaten and crying.

The outcome of the spar was my victory.

I managed to pull off a win entirely by surprise.

‘Although, it was likely that he let me win…’

I was aware of it.

That duel was more about him playing with me.

No matter how much I caught him off guard and took advantage, it was only possible because Noya allowed it.

‘If Shin Noya wanted, my neck would surely have been severed with his sword.’

I had known that back then, and now it felt even clearer.

Noya could have killed me anytime he wished.

Of course, there was a significant difference between the Noya from then and the Noya I faced now.

Yet, this fact didn’t seem to change anything.

However, putting that aside.

“Why do you keep getting angry at me?”

Upon hearing those words, Noya began to throw jabs my way.

“It’s just infuriating that I lost to this little brat.”

“So, it’s just you venting your anger?”

“Yeah.”

“How noble of you, old man.”

“You sent someone packing out of anger yesterday; I’m merely airing mine through words. Isn’t that better?”

“…Bringing up past events is a low blow.”

You’ve left me speechless.

“At least I had some justification; this has none.”

“Why not?”

“Uh?”

You have a justification? I waited eagerly to see what excuse he would bring up.

“My mood not being good. That’s my justification.”

“…”

That was genuinely a ridiculous reply.

Ah, my head hurts…

“…This is getting ridiculous.”

I held back a sigh as I said that.

“Why don’t you focus on anything important other than just that?”

There had been numerous significant statements made yesterday, but it seemed those held no weight with this man.

Among them especially stood out.

“Does it not astonish you that I am the reincarnation of Noya?”

A remark I once heard from the Sword of Heavenly Rain.

Specifically, the fact that I had been the reincarnation of Noya.

Or was it that I had been in a body that should have been reincarnated?

That should be utterly shocking, yet Noya didn’t seem to give it much thought.

“What does that trivial matter matter?”

“Trivial… Trivial matter?”

How on earth could that be trivial? It’s absurd.

At that moment.

“Nope.”

Noya seemed to find something unusual in his own words and suddenly pondered.

Sure, even he realized that the statement sounded ridiculous.

“If that’s the case, then the resemblance might lend credibility to the claim, so I feel a bit dirty about it.”

“Seriously, just die already.”

I was a fool for expecting something from this man.

I rubbed my face with one hand repeatedly.

“Ke ke ke ke.”

Noya, having spouted that, laughed as if he found it amusing.

Then Noya wiped the smile off his face and asked me a question.

“Kid.”

“Yes?”

“Rather than asking me, shouldn’t you be surprised that you don’t seem that shocked at all? Isn’t what I said incorrect?”

“…”

I averted my gaze, feeling somewhat ashamed.

“Your expression confirms it. You’ve already either vaguely predicted it or…”

Noya clasped his hands behind his back.

“You already knew.”

“…”

Hearing Noya’s words, I bit my tongue repeatedly. Meeting his gaze was difficult.

The specific look in his eyes, the one that assured he knew everything, was quite bothersome.

It was mildly unpleasant even while I was a soul, but facing it directly made it worse.

“I didn’t know.”

How could I know? Honestly, I didn’t even predict it.

Nonetheless, the reason for my reacting this way was…

‘It didn’t matter in the end.’

Yes, it seemed I should view it that way.

Whether it was a prediction or certainty, that didn’t really matter.

I simply thought it didn’t matter to me.

In fact, if it were a reincarnation of such an existence, perhaps my value might rise a little more.

Maybe I could get just a bit closer to those I wish to protect.

Those thoughts and feelings were what mostly muted the intensity of that revelation.

Simply put.

“Hm, really?”

I would rather die than convey such thoughts to Noya.

‘Ultimately, was this also predetermined, or something like that?’

The fact that I ended up with the Plum Blossom Stone that contained Noya.

The fact that Gui Jeong ended up in my hands.

That I got wrapped up in this whole affair.

Was everything predestined?

Such thoughts have been flitting through my mind more and more lately. And—

‘If not…’

What if none of this was predetermined, but rather, it was all someone’s intentions?

I’ve been dwelling on some rather frightening scenarios lately.

Which made me feel anxious.

I feared that everything I was currently doing might just be in vain or possibly the result of someone’s design.

That kept bothering me.

‘Erased.’

I frowned and attempted to erase those thoughts. They were useless anxieties with no value.

“Whew.”

With a deep sigh, I shifted my gaze to the distance.

Attempting to change my thoughts as I looked around, my eyes caught a glimpse of the enormous tree I had seen previously.

Wasn’t it called the Divine Tree?

“But Noya.”

“What is it?”

Pointing at the Divine Tree, I asked him.

“They say you planted it yourself… Is there a Plum Blossom Tree here too?”

Among the trees I had never seen in the Central Plains, this large Plum Blossom Tree was truly fascinating.

Especially since he claimed to have planted it himself; it raised even more questions.

In response to my queries, Shin Noya averted his eyes with a smile.

“Ah, that one? Obviously not.”

“Wait? Then what is that…?”

“That, is the essence of the feelings of the one who planted the seed. Since I planted it, it bloomed as a Plum Blossom. If someone else had planted it, it would have resulted in something different.”

“Is that truly possible?”

The growing from the person planting seems unusual to me.

“That’s why it’s called the Divine Tree. Originally, it’s strange for a tree that size to even exist here.”

“…That is true.”

“It’s more extraordinary than it looks.”

Noya seemed quite proud as he gazed upon the Divine Tree.

“I cherished it greatly, making it incredibly difficult to steal.”

“Wow, that must have been quite the struggle—Wait? What?”

Upon hearing his words, I quickly turned my head.

Stole?

What did he mean?

“Ah.”

In response to my words, Noya adopted a sheepish expression.

“Didn’t I mention it before?”

With a sudden realization, he pointed toward the Divine Tree and said.

“Originally, that belongs to your mother, the Master of Mankye.”

“…What?”

“But I stole it and planted it in the ground. Thanks to that, for about fifty years, I had been fighting and fleeing. It was quite a hassle.”

“…”

Noya casually spouted craziness without a care.

‘Wow, damn it.’

When I heard that, the thought crossed my mind.

‘Should I just run now?’

It seemed I made a poor choice initially.

 

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