Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!
Looks like I overslept today. I woke up to the sound of an unidentified bird alarm chirping away in the sky between dawn and morning.
Well, I guess it was to be expected. After all, I had quite a sweat during yesterday’s gambling match with Wi Ji-cheon. If Wi Ji-cheon hadn’t left a gap at the last moment, I might have been completely defeated.
Figuring out Wi Ji-cheon’s psychology during the gamble wasn’t exactly easy either. I mean, we were talking about racking up 500 bets here. I was totally wiped out yesterday; no matter how much I’ve trained my body, it must’ve been worn out.
“Yaaaawwn~”
Just as I was stretching lazily in bed, trying to chase away the fatigue lingered in my body, someone knocked on the door.
Knock, knock!
“Senior! Are you up?”
“Ugh, yeah.”
Black Cat barged in. She looked at me, all twisted up on the bed, with urgency in her eyes.
“Heavenly Demon is waiting for you!”
“Oh.”
I hadn’t made any promises with the Heavenly Demon, but I immediately grasped the situation.
Brain Crystal.
It seemed like the Heavenly Demon came looking for me this morning to bestow the Brain Crystal. I sprang up like a spring and dashed after Black Cat to the Training Hall.
In the center of the Training Hall, I spotted the Heavenly Demon conversing quietly with Wi Seoryeon. Now that I think about it, this is the first time seeing Wi Ji-cheon somewhere other than the Heavenly Demon Pavilion.
As I processed that thought and rushed over, Wi Ji-cheon turned slowly towards me.
“Have you managed to recover from your fatigue?”
“I’m sorry! I thought you were waiting…”
“No, no. Your condition is more important today, isn’t it?”
I nodded at Wi Ji-cheon’s words. A quick shrug of my shoulders revealed that my body didn’t feel too bad. Mentally, perhaps because I had a good sleep, I felt alright, too.
Crack!
The Brain Crystal materialized in Wi Ji-cheon’s hand.
“Have you made your determination? I can give you some time, so if you need to prepare your mind, just let me know.”
I shook my head.
I had made that determination six months ago, on the day I proposed the gambling match to Wi Ji-cheon. Since I had steeled myself back then, there was no reason to hesitate now after running nonstop for the past six months.
“Please. Right away.”
Maybe my resolve was communicated, for Wi Ji-cheon calmly nodded. I settled into a lotus position, and Wi Ji-cheon held out the Brain Crystal toward me.
“I hope you achieve great accomplishments.”
I quietly nodded, and Wi Ji-cheon slowly pushed the Brain Crystal towards me.
The Brain Crystal approached me at a deliberate pace.
Crack.
The moment that Brain Crystal finally touched my body, the Qi of the 경운심법 (Gyeong-un Shin-beob) within me stirred violently.
Upon entering my body, I realized just how small the energy inside the Brain Crystal was.
It was likely just a fraction, a tenth of my qi, maybe even less.
It was like adding a drop of water to a cup that was already full.
But that single drop of water possessed such intense power that it sent ripples through the still water inside the cup.
A tiny Brain Crystal.
The immense pulsation emanating from that Brain Crystal filled me with awe.
Thus, I didn’t resist the energy pouring from the Brain Crystal.
No, I mimicked it.
With a minuscule amount of energy, I wanted to make the operation of the Brain Crystal my own while wielding the energy of my hundreds of times greater Gyeong-un Shin-beob.
The flow constituting the Brain Crystal was still unrivaled, and despite my efforts to imitate it, my Gyeong-un Shin-beob paled in comparison.
Brrrring!!
Little by little, the two energies began to sync with each other.
Or rather… they began to merge.
The energy of the Brain Crystal and the Qi within my body were essentially both Gyeong-un Shin-beob energy and simultaneously the energy of ‘Ho Cheon-an.’
If Wi Ji-cheon’s Black Dragon Qi was oil and the Brain Crystal was water, then both the energy of the Brain Crystal and my own energy could be thought of as water.
Water mixing with water made sense, and thus I felt a bit of regret.
While the Qi flowing within me evolved by absorbing the principles of the Brain Crystal, the Brain Crystal, which had once filled me with wonder, was slowly losing its luster as it merged with my qi.
Enthralled by that beauty, I desperately endeavored to refine my qi.
To align the flow of my energy as closely as possible to the ideal flow of the Brain Crystal.
Thus, I wanted to preserve even a little of the wonder left by the Unknown Elder’s Brain Crystal.
More.
Just a little more.
I wanted to keep the beauty of the Brain Crystal left by the Unknown Elder.
It was that desire that surged within me as a martial artist.
With only that thought echoing in my mind.
I threw myself into harmonizing the flow of my energy.
Crack! Crackle!
The Brain Crystal continued to spew energy relentlessly.
Observing Ho Cheon-an, Wi Ji-cheon spoke in a soft voice.
“What are your thoughts?”
Wi Ji-cheon’s question was directed at Wi Seoryeon and Black Cat.
Black Cat promptly responded to Wi Ji-cheon’s inquiry.
“I think we should take turns guarding.”
“Is that so.”
Wi Seoryeon looked at Black Cat and said.
“Won’t we need alternating members? It could take several days.”
“That’s fine.”
“Come on, there’s no need to be modest.”
“I already said it’s fine.”
“Players yield. I will guard at night, so you can rest at night.”
*Is anyone actually listening to me?*
Black Cat narrowed her eyes at Wi Seoryeon as if to convey this meaning, but Wi Seoryeon merely turned her head away nonchalantly.
Wi Ji-cheon saw the corners of Wi Seoryeon’s mouth twitch slightly.
“Then I’ll leave it to you.”
“No…”
With Wi Ji-cheon’s nonchalant words hammering down the arrangement for the two to take turns guarding, Black Cat stumbled over her words. Though she was dissatisfied, she couldn’t muster the courage to protest against the Heavenly Demon.
It raises a question of why the Heavenly Demon feels fear while the Heavenly Demon doesn’t.
Having that thought in mind, Wi Ji-cheon chuckled.
Well, that was a relationship that could exist.
“Just rest! I can handle it alone!”
“Oh dear…”
The two of them started bickering quietly, making sure to keep their voices down for the sake of Ho Cheon-an, as Wi Ji-cheon returned to the Heavenly Demon Pavilion.
In front of the Heavenly Demon Pavilion, one person awaited the Heavenly Demon.
It was none other than Jeong Cheol.
“Heavenly Master! Heavenly Master! Greetings to the supreme lord of the new school.”
“Be modest.”
As the Heavenly Demon looked at Jeong Cheol, a sudden thought struck him.
*“It has been a long time.”*
A lot had happened in the meantime.
He grasped hands with the Unknown Elder, who was fading just before the energy of the Array Formation ran out.
In that process, remnants of the Brain Crystal were left in his hand, and to keep the unspoken promise made with the Unknown Elder, he remained locked up in the Heavenly Demon Pavilion.
Three months passed with that.
Suddenly, Wi Seoryeon returned with Ho Cheon-an from the Demon Sect. Since then, he had spent another three months wrestling with the Brain Crystal.
Finally, he had succeeded in extracting the Brain Crystal completely.
Following that, he gambled with Ho Cheon-an for six months.
*“Has it already been a year since he competed with Ho Cheon-an’s Master?”*
The past year had been a time of enjoyment for Wi Ji-cheon. He met the Unknown Elder with whom he could discuss the techniques of the martial arts, joyfully solving the tasks left by such an elder.
Not only that.
He learned about how to see the world and enjoyed climbing the mountain of gambling while mingling with his daughter, and had refreshing matches with Ho Cheon-an.
So lost in enjoying each day, he could only realize how much time had passed upon seeing Jeong Cheol.
Jeong Cheol, whose level was already at a higher realm.
It was precisely because Jeong Cheol’s power had grown that Wi Ji-cheon couldn’t help but acknowledge time had indeed passed.
“Have you achieved something?”
In response to Wi Ji-cheon’s question, Jeong Cheol replied.
“I have beheld absolute martial prowess, and as a result, my perspective has expanded a little.”
*“Is that so?”*
Martial artists at such a high level like Jeong Cheol find it hard to improve their skills easily. Even if they sweat profusely every day honing their martial arts, often they remain stagnant for five or even ten years.
Considering that, Jeong Cheol’s growth was prodigious.
However, if he had seen the Unknown Elder’s teachings, then it could easily be believed.
Wi Ji-cheon had also gained achievements by solving one of the Unknown Elder’s teachings.
“The reason I called you here today is to give you an answer regarding the matter you previously reported.”
Jeong Cheol’s eyes sparkled.
“I’m all ears.”
Wi Ji-cheon spoke bluntly.
He informed Jeong Cheol that he had met the Unknown Elder through his report, and conveyed the unspoken promise made with the elder.
Furthermore, he mentioned that Wi Seoryeon brought Ho Cheon-an to the Demon Sect and explained what kind of bets have been exchanged in the last six months.
Having heard all of that, Jeong Cheol clenched his fists and trembled slightly.
In essence, it meant that the Heavenly Demon and the Heavenly Mother had provided a foundation and time for Ho Cheon-an to grow.
With eyes filled with anger, Jeong Cheol gazed at the Heavenly Demon, who met Jeong Cheol’s gaze calmly.
“While you supported Ho Cheon-an, what is your intention in calling me and saying this?”
Wi Ji-cheon uttered a word that Jeong Cheol couldn’t ignore.
“Compensation.”
Jeong Cheol’s expression brightened.
“While I cannot guarantee that I will convey information about Ho Cheon-an’s Master to you, it is true that I have treated you poorly as a collaborator of the Demon Sect, and also that I placed you in a difficult position.”
“….”
“Thus, I will make amends. If you have a wish, please tell me.”
Jeong Cheol hardened his heart and began to think.
Wi Ji-cheon was the Heavenly Demon.
He was someone who never bent his head to others.
Even when acknowledging a mistake he made, he opted for compensation instead of an apology, all while looking down on others with calm indifference.
What good would it do to engage in an emotional battle against someone like him?
*“That would be a pointless endeavor.”*
Even if I hypothetically received an apology, nothing would change.
A heavy silence fell over the great hall.
Eventually, Jeong Cheol spoke.
“I can no longer stay calmly in the Demon Sect, so I will be leaving.”
“That is your freedom. What of the compensation?”
“I will take the compensation when I visit the Demon Sect again in the future.”
Again, a heavy silence returned to the great hall. Unable to tolerate watching Wi Ji-cheon lost in thought, Jeong Cheol attempted to persuade him.
“Allowed.”
Wi Ji-cheon’s consent was granted.
Jeong Cheol sighed deeply, looked up at Wi Ji-cheon, and then performed a salute.
“Heavenly Master! Heavenly Master! I look forward to the day we meet again.”
“Take your leave.”
“Honor.”
Wi Ji-cheon watched Jeong Cheol’s departing figure from the Heavenly Demon Pavilion, realizing that while most people would be unable to suppress their frustration under such circumstances, Jeong Cheol had restrained himself and was awaiting future opportunities.
*“I’ve got a formidable opponent in Ho Cheon-an.”*
Leaning against the throne, Wi Ji-cheon recalled the figure of Ho Cheon-an he had just seen.
How much achievement would Ho Cheon-an, having obtained the Brain Crystal, attain?
Would he be able to challenge Jeong Cheol, based on that achievement?
Even Wi Ji-cheon couldn’t easily predict the outcome, and it was also something Wi Ji-cheon had no power to intervene in.
*“Do well.”*
With these thoughts, Wi Ji-cheon leaned back against the throne.
Jeong Cheol and Ho Cheon-an.
The flame of their confrontation, which had been in a lull, was starting to ignite once again.
