It took me three days to extract the stagnant energy from the pond.
Not that long, but what on earth happened during that time?
“Sisters are all fools!”
Sara jumped up and down, angry. I asked while trying to calm her down.
“Okay, what happened?”
When Sara shot a glare at our group, they flinched. Specifically, it was Black Cat and Miss Yeo Il-ye who flinched, while Tang So-yeol giggled. Tang Do-yeon and Okryong seemed to be bystanders.
Sara explained the matches that had taken place two days ago.
Listening to her made my head spin. Ah, she finally caught on to what happened on the day of the ceremony. It seemed Miss Yeo Il-ye wasn’t trying to hide it at all.
“Suddenly! A wind blew through the training hall that felt like it would carry me away, and the ground froze!”
“Ugh.”
From Sara’s description, it really sounded like they were going all out.
Hmm.
Miss Yeo Il-ye had come to find me at the Outcast Inn but didn’t rush me for an answer. To be honest, I didn’t have the time to think deeply about it. The Rank Matches set up in Sacheon were quite shocking, to say the least…
I got caught up in the personal matches in Sacheon and then got lost in the discussion that led to the peak stage in Jaso-gyeong. Right after reaching it, I was kidnapped — not really kidnapped, though — by the Tang Clan and got busy resolving various matters there.
…I used that as an excuse to not give Miss Yeo Il-ye an answer for a long time.
Then suddenly, Sara brought up the news of the lip kiss between Black Cat and me… While Miss Yeo Il-ye usually accepted Black Cat’s behavior with grace, it seemed her patience had reached its limit.
“And then, sniff, the two of you ended up getting hurt…!”
“What?!”
Tears welled up in Sara’s eyes as she suddenly became overwhelmed with sadness. I patted her back to comfort her and simultaneously checked the extent of Miss Yeo Il-ye and Black Cat’s injuries.
Now that I looked closely, a bandage was peeking out from Black Cat’s sleeve.
“Black Cat Sister got her arm cut, and Miss Yeo Il-ye has internal injuries from the Nine Yin…”
“I see… It’s alright. Both of you look fine, don’t you? Okay?”
“Wah! I really hate both of them!”
It seemed that Sara was extremely shocked by the injury they inflicted on each other. If it were at the scene, she would have burst into tears. Anyway, after feeding her some tea, patting her back, and scratching her head to show all my affection, her tears finally dried up.
“I really hate pretending to be close in front of Sara and then fighting behind her back!”
…Well, no matter how much Sara interjected, could the resentment in her heart clear up all at once?
“But Sara, what did the Master do wrong to you?”
“Tang So-yeol Sister only cares about my cheeks! Hmph! I thought she was someone trustworthy since she comforted me during the matches!”
Sara slammed her hands down on the snack table, as though she felt truly betrayed by Tang So-yeol. What was this nonsense? I had seen Tang So-yeol touching her cheeks…
“That’s because I was too busy touching Sara’s cheeks.”
“Ah!”
As Tang So-yeol sat next to Sara, she quickly hid behind my back. Tang So-yeol glanced at Sara, who was giving her a wary look, chuckled, and then spoke.
“When you two were fighting and I wasn’t around, where else could she go? I comforted her a bit when she was sad during the matches, and then she rushed over to me. So I hugged her and patted her cheeks.”
“You’re the worst!”
“By the way, I told her that while Black Cat and Miss Yeo Il-ye pretended to be close in front of Sara, they were glaring at each other behind her back.”
This person… is she the type to tease people she likes and enjoy their reactions?
Anyway, I understood the situation.
The two of them had a feelings-charged match, and Sara, the cause of it all, was shocked by the results she had created. The two of them must have stopped fighting to comfort Sara after seeing her cry.
Just as I thought that everything was wrapped up, was it Tang So-yeol who stirred the pot?
“Ugh… Master. Grow up.”
“That’s right!”
“Anyway, I’ve told you everything, so you handle the aftermath well.”
Aftermath.
The aftermath indeed.
Well, that’s right. It’s time to leave Podalap Palace. While it may suppress the clashes between Sacheon and Yunnan, the appearance of Podalap Palace alone doesn’t mean that conflicts will cease.
Though they refer to the Yunnan Outcasts and the Sacheon Righteous Faction as one, in reality, they aren’t truly united, but rather sects with distinct thoughts and goals moving in a similar direction. In the beginning, they might band together out of caution, but what happens when Podalap Palace appears?
They become unable to engage in any activity within the massive framework of the Yunnan Outcasts and the Sacheon Righteous Faction. If there are no benefits to gain from the alliance, it’s clear they will maintain just the framework and scatter like grains of sand.
There’s a need to prevent any movements that could pose a threat.
Having accomplished my goal of mobilizing the experts of Podalap Palace, I needed to return to the Central Plains and observe the movements of those sects.
“Beeeee-”
I looked at Sara, who was sticking her tongue out at Tang So-yeol as she returned to the forge. In many ways, Sara resembled Black Cat. Not only in appearance, but also in her lack of experience in human relationships for her age. If Black Cat was psychologically closed off, then Sara was physically isolated.
Well, worrying about Sara’s growth isn’t my responsibility or concern. She has a home in Podalap Palace and parents who love her more than anyone—Rano Jingbu and Chai-rang.
What I worried about was whether Sara could accept parting with Black Cat.
She was angry now, but wasn’t she the one who clung tightly to Black Cat?
I was unsure.
For now, I spent some time playing with Sara without letting on my worries. I carved stones that were rolling around for some air games and told her about what happened at the Barley Lotus Pool. Sara demonstrated the martial arts she had been learning recently.
She seemed to be diligently practicing her martial arts, and when I praised her profusely, she was quite delighted.
“Magician! See you tomorrow!”
“Sure. You haven’t completely overcome the Nine Yin yet, so go to bed early and sleep in!”
“Okay!”
When it was evening and Sara returned, only then did Black Cat and Miss Yeo Il-ye approach me.
“Congratulations on your achievement, Honorable Person.”
“It seems your constitution has improved a bit.”
“Thanks, Black Cat. Thank you, Miss Yeo Il-ye.”
After exchanging simple greetings, a strange silence fell among the three of us.
Naturally, the relationship between the two who had fought bitterly was awkward… and both Black Cat and Miss Yeo Il-ye probably had grievances about my attitude too…?
“I heard the two of you had a match…”
It wasn’t unusual for Black Cat and Miss Yeo Il-ye to engage in combat since they were on the same team. They usually participated in many matches since they were all similarly skilled peak experts.
However, the “match” I mentioned was understood by both of them to not be an ordinary one.
“That’s right.”
Black Cat and Miss Yeo Il-ye’s eyes met. It seemed like their feelings weren’t completely gone, but at least it wasn’t as hostile as before entering the Barley Lotus Pool.
“…I’m reflecting on this.”
Suddenly, Black Cat spoke.
“Sara has just emerged into the world, and it was somewhat rash of me to follow her simply because she nudged me forward. I was the closest protector to her here.”
“…I feel the same way.”
Miss Yeo Il-ye opened her mouth.
“I acted on impulse without considering the consequences and ended up injuring Black Cat Sister and giving Sara a huge shock.”
Both of them seemed to feel something after seeing Sara’s tears.
“I also need to apologize to you two.”
Looking at the two, I steeled my resolve. In truth, I had no idea why the Rebirth Truck had shoved me into this Martial World. Worrying about the intentions and objectives of the Rebirth Truck was a rather unnecessary concern.
Even if one day the Rebirth Truck showed up and decided what to do with me, I had no immediate countermeasures.
Considering that it had left me alone this long, there was almost no chance of that happening.
However, the matter of this body, ‘Ho Cheon-an,’ was different.
Bloodline.
This onion-like entity that just keeps popping out was rather dubious.
Even in the spiritual essence gathered at the Barley Lotus Pool, the impurities didn’t budge an inch. The Doctor of Poison’s story about my impurities being artificially created flitted through my mind.
Where did the fifteen-year-old Ho Cheon-an come from, who was their child, and what events had embroiled him to reach this situation?
Once again, it seemed that I had to grasp that to create space in my heart.
A space to accept someone.
Just as I was about to open my mouth to convey such determination to the two of them…
“No, you don’t need to.”
“It’s alright. Senior.”
…Huh.
As I blinked, Miss Yeo Il-ye took the lead in speaking.
“I have reflected a lot after seeing Sara’s tears. The situations then and now, when I tried to express my feelings on the day of the ceremony, have changed significantly. I’ve let everything go, but Honorable Person, you have taken on a lot.”
“Suddenly, I’m reminded of all the times I’ve met you. You always looked out for me when I was blinded by revenge and threw the Gratitude Plaque at me to stop me. But on that day, while being with the Tang Clan, I witnessed what kind of burden you were carrying and still let my feelings take precedence to create such a mess—it’s really… embarrassing.”
“I see.”
Black Cat nodded.
“I’m sorry, Senior. I didn’t mean to impose my feelings on you. I was rash too. I knew what kind of person you are, so I should have known how you’d take it when I acted that way.”
“No…”
“Not no! I’m saying you don’t have to force a reply right now! Isn’t that right?!”
Black Cat yelled, seeking agreement from Miss Yeo Il-ye. Miss Yeo Il-ye looked at Black Cat for a moment before chuckling again, nodding her head.
“Yes, Black Cat Sister is right. Honorable Person, it seems you were trying to make some unreasonable promise to us.”
…Unreasonable indeed.
Currently, I was trying to stop Jeong Cheol and prevent the clash between Yunnan Outcasts and Sacheon Righteous Faction, so it might be unreasonable to dig up the secret of my origins and the source of the bloodline simultaneously.
As I fell silent, Black Cat got mad.
“Seriously! I knew this would happen! You always try to take on everything alone when we’re together!”
“You’re right. If you trusted me a bit more back then during the Black Armored Dragon, it would have been much smoother.”
“But this is my business…”
“Honorable Person, when you helped me, did you think of it as just your own business?”
I opened my mouth, trying to think of a counterargument, but at Miss Yeo Il-ye’s question, I found myself once again at a loss for words.
Miss Yeo Il-ye smiled.
“Honorable Person, just as you were angered by my feelings, I also became angry over Jeong Cheol’s actions. While you might consider his affairs solely yours, is that really the case?”
“That’s right! You’re not the only Sacheon Outcast! Besides, that jerk Jeong Cheol ruined our dear Rye-ah’s precious home!”
Is that it?
I wasn’t the only one connected to the Tang Clan. And Sacheon wasn’t solely populated by the Sacheon Outcasts.
Perhaps I had overlooked that point.
“I definitely want to hear your answer! But I also want to defeat Jeong Cheol! Oh, I don’t even know how to voice this!”
“I don’t want your answer to be something forced out of you because of the situation or pressure. Honorable Person, I want your answer that comes from your heart.”
“Yes! Exactly! So just defeat Jeong Cheol and then roll around comfortably in your room while you think it over!”
Perhaps Miss Yeo Il-ye expressed what she wanted to say. Black Cat let out a sigh of relief, looking as if her soul was unburdened, and then extended her palm to Miss Yeo Il-ye. Miss Yeo Il-ye glanced at Black Cat’s hand, displaying a confused expression.
“Now! At a time like this, lift your palm and show it!”
“Like this?”
Slap!
With a pitiful display, Miss Yeo Il-ye’s hand clapped against Black Cat’s hand, creating a cheerful sound, and while Black Cat wore a satisfied smile, Miss Yeo Il-ye’s bewildered expression from experiencing her first high five contrasted greatly.
“Thanks…”
“Whoa!”
“I’m sorry…”
“Honorable Person.”
Hey, why are they stopping me from talking? Miss Yeo Il-ye looked at my innocent expression and began to chuckle. Black Cat, too, snorted and smiled in satisfaction.
“Apologies and gratitude are all good, but what are you going to do from here on out? What’s the next plan?”
“It’s about time to slowly return to the Central Plains.”
As soon as I mentioned leaving, both Black Cat and Miss Yeo Il-ye changed to sorrowful expressions. Especially Black Cat seemed particularly upset. Given that she and Sara shared some mysterious bond,
Right now, they could feel a deeper sense of loss since her relationship with Sara was strained.
“So let’s prepare for a farewell ceremony.”
Both of their puzzled gazes fell on me.
What connects Podalap Palace and what connects Sara?
It was magic.
Therefore, shouldn’t I show some magic when parting?
“Of course, the finale should be a magic performance.”
How about trying to prepare the best magic act ever?
