In the gambling competition, I put my all into calculating my moves.
I realized through Master Un-jong that an expert of Hyeong-gyeong’s caliber could read my intentions entirely. But is it truly possible to play with no intentions in mind?
I’m not sure if such a state of egolessness exists, but regardless, I found I couldn’t achieve it, so I conjured countless techniques and variables in my mind to obscure my intentions.
I just needed to keep the left, middle, and right in my head and let my hands and mind create the universe.
When it was time for Master’s turn, I did my best to read their intentions. I managed to hold my ground even in Master’s first turn.
And I thought I successfully countered the psychological tactics following my turn.
But then I was utterly defeated in the subsequent round.
After all turns ended, when Master said I had ‘given the initiative,’ I thought I had made yet another mistake.
Oh no, I messed up again.
Just like when I excluded Yongji Maeng and followed Jeong Cheol’s group, I completely failed to consider the situation.
Until that point, I believed I had made a mistake.
“You haven’t progressed at all since you first met me.”
Upon hearing that, I raised my head and locked eyes with Master.
Even though their face was covered by a special qi technique, I felt their gaze clearly. Gazing into those hidden eyes of Master, I saw mountains, oceans, and skies.
Only then did I realize how magnificent Master truly was.
And I also realized that my current understanding was because Master had decided to reveal their true capabilities.
If Master had wished to hide, I would have never glimpsed their true character.
Master was… a person of immense stature.
Seeing Master’s true self, I suddenly wondered: if I could return to the past, before betting began, could I even win against Master?
The thought came to me as impossible.
I had forgotten how to observe my opponent.
I had been arrogant in believing that no matter who the opponent was, they couldn’t possibly be my equal.
I merely made a mistake and thought winning would be easy if I regained the initiative, only to lose instead due to the arrogance from a different clumsy error.
Master’s admonition continued.
“You fought against Jeong Cheol and lost. Did you alone lose? The lives of everyone in your group were hanging by a thread, and you lay on the ground unable to do anything while witnessing your companions’ deaths. I saw that scene unfold beside you.”
Those words truly pierced my heart.
“I thought you would have realized what it means for the weak to battle the strong. And I presumed you understood I wouldn’t always be able to protect you, so I thought you would prepare thoroughly for the day you faced Jeong Cheol again.”
I believed I had Jeong Cheol sufficiently tied down. I thought that if I shook Sadoryeon, Jeong Cheol would be immobilized and unable to act.
But Jeong Cheol moved to recruit Yongji Maeng to his side and ultimately confronted me, swinging his sword.
Even when I was knocked down by that attack, I thought it was just another one of my ‘mistakes’ to have Jeong Cheol in front of me.
“But seeing you today, I realize that nothing has changed since you first faced Jeong Cheol. You still don’t understand the significance of the weak challenging the strong and haven’t corrected your arrogant reliance on your meager talents.”
I had become arrogant without even realizing it.
I never considered that someone would strike me where I was unprepared.
Even if I had managed Yongji Maeng meticulously, my group would eventually face a similar outcome.
Without realizing my own arrogance, I pushed various actions to keep an eye on Sadoryeon, only to be hit by some backlash.
While I claimed to be weak with my mouth, I had forgotten in my heart that I was weak, so I must have paid the cruel price for it.
“At this rate, even after a hundred years, you will put your companions in danger and won’t be able to defeat Jeong Cheol.”
Master’s words left me clenching my fists.
If Master hadn’t awakened me, would I have shattered my own arrogance?
I would have merely repeated the same actions while thinking I was unlucky or careless.
…If I had realized it myself.
I might have faced failure after failure until I became a ragged mess.
Imagining that made my grip tighten.
Master was right. I might not have realized my own arrogance even after a hundred years. Thus, my group might have repeatedly been entangled in my mistakes.
I felt my nails digging into my palm, blood trickling from my grip, but I couldn’t loosen it.
I thought I might explode if I didn’t give strength to my grip against my own rage.
As I sank deeper into that anger toward myself, Master’s voice shook my mind awake.
“Come grab some leftovers and get ready. This afternoon’s training will begin.”
Seeing Master stride out with confidence as if waiting for this moment, I thought:
If it’s this person…
The one who shattered my arrogance, surely they could offer me the answers.
“…Yes!”
I resolved to put everything on the line for Master’s training.
*
Time flew by like an arrow.
“Ha ha ha ha.”
“Uwu… Noya,”
The Black Cat thought while watching the unknown laugh as they stroked Hyeok Gi-rin’s cheek.
Time had changed many things.
Right after the betting match ended, there had been a slight emotional rift between the group and the unknown. The unknown had treated Ho Cheon-an too harshly.
“How can Senior Ho be so arrogant, trusting only in modest talents! That’s nonsense! I’ll inform my elder and clear up the misunderstanding about Senior Ho’s achievements!”
While Hyeok Gi-rin, especially angered by the unknown’s actions, grumbled.
“Noya! My cheeks aren’t toys!”
“Ha ha ha ha. My bad.”
Now, they were calling the unknown “Noya” and were practically like family.
Although the unknown’s methods were a bit rough, they understood that it was ultimately for Ho Cheon-an’s sake.
“Thanks for cleaning up. Rest with some rice snacks.”
“Thank you, Elder.”
The Black Cat tidied their completely blackened hair and sat down on the mat.
Over a long time in this Array Formation, many changes had occurred.
Even the household chores that Ho Cheon-an used to take on alone were now naturally shared by the group, representing part of those many changes.
The Black Cat watched the two bickering while popping rice snacks into their mouth. As they entered, the nutty aroma tickled their nose, and the sweet taste that wouldn’t become boring with chewing came out, as it always did, with its high-quality and extraordinary flavor.
The reason the Black Cat loved rice snacks was simple. Dining at the inn was a challenge due to the moonlight being troublesome, leading to disputes.
Thus, they had no choice but to settle for preserved food or simple street snacks, with rice snacks being the most suitable substitute for meals.
Fried grains in oil make for appropriate nutrition and unlike sticky snacks soaked in sugar or honey, they’re easy to store. Plus, being a simple dish, they guaranteed at least minimal flavor in any village.
So as they enjoyed rice snacks, it became a habitual craving.
“I might just graduate from rice snacks once I get out of here.”
The Black Cat smiled bitterly as they put rice snacks in their mouth. Having grown accustomed to the heavenly rice snacks made by the unknown, how could they be satisfied with the regular ones sold in the markets?
Now, there was no pressing need to stock up on rice snacks, so like any other treat, they would casually enjoy them when the opportunity arose.
“It’s time!”
“Huh? Already? Could it be a mistake…”
“I’m certain. Hurry and help with the training!”
“Tsk. Got it.”
The unknown, who had been subtly kneading Hyeok Gi-rin’s cheek, licked their lips and nodded. Watching this, the Black Cat threw a rice snack to Hyeok Gi-rin, accustomed to the banter.
“Ugh!”
Hyeok Gi-rin, with a battle cry, reached out, and the rice snack described a parabolic trajectory before stopping in the air.
“Suspended in mid-air!”
“Cha haap!”
Blushing with exertion, Hyeok Gi-rin desperately tried to draw the rice snack into their hand. It seemed to move toward Hyeok Gi-rin but suddenly shot off in a completely different direction.
“Guh…”
A child, barely standing, surprisingly performed the technique of suspended animation!
It was a feat that could overturn the entire martial world, yet Hyeok Gi-rin frowned in discontent while the unknown chuckled and patted Hyeok Gi-rin in reassurance.
“Don’t rush. You’re just one step away from reaching the realm of Hwa-gyeong. It’s natural not to fully grasp the subtleties of victory.”
“It’s frustrating, not being able to catch!”
“Ha ha, being so close to Hwa-gyeong at such a young age, what’s the hurry? You’re doing well, just keep stacking up time as you are.”
“However…”
The unknown stuffed a piece of sweet treat into the complaining Hyeok Gi-rin’s mouth. Hyeok Gi-rin shot the unknown an annoyed glance before chewing the sweet treat.
While the Black Cat watched the two and their bickering, Tang So-yeol appeared, threw down a load of firewood, and sprawled beside the Black Cat.
“Ugh…”
“Thanks for your hard work with the firewood.”
“Ugh, that’s supposed to be that guy’s job. Why am I the only one struggling?”
Tang So-yeol rolled around on the mat and naturally moved closer to Hyeok Gi-rin, subtly reaching out.
Tang So-yeol’s target was Hyeok Gi-rin’s cheek.
Smack!
But Tang So-yeol’s hand was intercepted mid-air. Tang So-yeol pouted at the unknown for swatting away their hand.
“Why are you protecting Hyeok Gi-rin’s cheeks?”
“Hey, someone’s just begging to be let toy with while asking for training! Why are you trying to hitch a ride?”
“Seriously unscrupulous.”
“…Why are you two fighting over my cheeks?”
The Black Cat chuckled lightly as they moved aside. As they left the mat, they caught sight of two women exchanging words through the wide-open gate.
Swoosh!
The whip of Tang Do-yeon pressed against Yeo Il-ye, moving like a living snake, while Yeo Il-ye deflected it using sword techniques rather than internal power.
Both having honed only martial arts within the Array Formation, they showcased more advanced techniques than before entering the Array.
The Black Cat observed the duel between Tang Do-yeon and Yeo Il-ye before turning their gaze to a corner of the cave.
There, Ho Cheon-an sat in meditation, legs crossed in tranquility.
“Senior…”
Worry filled the Black Cat’s eyes while observing Ho Cheon-an, who hadn’t budged for three whole days.
“The understanding of a Honorable Person can be quite lengthy.”
Before long, Yeo Il-ye, who had finished their duel, approached the Black Cat and spoke.
“Hmm… come to think of it, that’s true. It took quite a while to awaken my own skills.”
“You took time to understand the sword’s intent as well. Honorable Person sure has a talent for making people wait.”
“Ha ha.”
The Black Cat and Yeo Il-ye shared a small chuckle as they looked at each other.
“How about we place a bet this time? To see when Senior will wake up.”
“Oh, that’s not bad.”
Hearing the two, Tang Do-yeon chimed in.
“It seems you two’s bet should be saved for another time.”
Confused expressions emerged on both of their faces, but understanding dawned as they turned their heads hurriedly.
Ho Cheon-an, finally emerging from three days of meditation, opened their eyes and got to their feet.
