I scratched my cheek and continued.
“Anyway… yeah, something like that. Honestly, it’s just an excuse. The truth is, when I saw you all fighting earlier, I saw the future of the Thorn Gate Sect. You’re all outstanding.”
Even though the other side was outnumbered, every single one of them was a skilled warrior.
The fact that they held their ground and fought to a draw against such opponents showed how capable they were.
“That’s why I’m investing in that future.”
Warrior Yun Eul nodded as if he understood what I meant.
“I understand. We’ll accept Chief Eun’s grace.”
Then, as I glanced at the man whose false skin mask had been ripped off, leaving him bloodied, a sudden thought struck me.
“When exactly did the sect leader start falling ill?”
Yun Eul hesitated for a moment before replying.
“Since the beginning of this year.”
“Has that man been serving by the sect leader’s side?”
“Yes. He’s one of the disciples who attends to him.”
“Then summon Heo Cheong, the physician known as the White-Haired Painter-Physician in Hubei. Have him examine the sect leader.”
“Why him?”
“Because, as far as I know, there’s no one better than him when it comes to detoxification.”
“…Detoxification?”
Yun Eul’s face immediately stiffened.
There’s no way he didn’t understand what that meant.
I nodded.
“Yes. It’s poison.”
Inside a guestroom of an inn.
Eun Jin-ho sat on the bed, his face dark and gloomy.
“Seo-ho…”
He could still feel the sensation of Seo-ho’s hand gripping his arm.
And the moment Seo-ho smiled and let go.
‘Why… did you let go…?’
The bruise on his shin from when Seo-ho kicked him was still there, blue and swollen.
“Damn… he kicked me good.”
It was probably because he looked so clueless and frustrating.
For years, he’d been worried because Seo-ho’s health was poor.
But at some point, he recovered.
Jin-ho had been so relieved back then.
His little brother… so bright and confident.
And now… he was dead.
It hurt so much just thinking about how he would have to tell the family.
But even more unbearable was the fact that he’d never see his brother again.
He buried his face in the blanket and started sobbing.
Just then, chaos erupted outside.
“Huh? H-Huh? Y-Young master Eun Seo-ho?”
“Gasp! No way! How are you alive— No, wait, never mind that— Escort Chief! Escort Chief Mak Chung!”
“Squad Leader Jeong Chung! Chief Eun Seo-ho is back!”
“Chief Eun Seo-ho has returned alive!”
‘What…? Seo-ho’s alive?’
He fell from a cliff that looked like a thousand-zhang drop… how could he be alive?
He had to see it with his own eyes.
Only then would he believe it.
He shot up and threw the window open.
Then he jumped straight out the window.
It was the second floor, but for someone trained in martial arts, it wasn’t a problem.
As he landed in the inn’s courtyard, he saw someone entering.
That familiar handsome face.
Those clear, determined eyes.
It was Eun Seo-ho.
No doubt about it.
Seo-ho was smiling at him.
The same smile he had when he let go of his hand.
“I’m back, Jin-ho.”
That exact same smile.
“You were worried, huh? Sorry for maki— Urgh!”
This time, Jin-ho kicked Seo-ho’s shin hard and yelled.
“You idiot! What the hell were you thinking pulling that stunt?! Try that again! Just try it! I swear I’ll… I’ll chase you to the afterlife and beat the crap outta you!”
“Sorry. Really… I’m sorry.”
But I didn’t say I’d never do it again.
“Wait… you’re not holding a grudge from when I kicked your shin in that fog, are you?”
Feeling annoyed at his younger brother’s cheekiness, Jin-ho kicked his shin one more time.
Thud!
I stared out the carriage window, watching the scenery go by.
It was familiar.
Getting off the boat and riding a carriage toward the merchant group brought back all sorts of emotions.
I explained to everyone how I survived.
Honestly… I didn’t even know how I was still alive.
So I told them the simple version—that I just woke up lying there perfectly fine.
And that I ended up with this little guy sitting on my lap.
I didn’t mention the Silver Mist Sword.
Just in case. You never know with people.
The sword was now tucked safely in my pouch.
Even after explaining everything, people still looked confused.
But Mak Chung stepped in and settled it.
“It must’ve been the blessing of the mountain spirit. That mountain has always been said to have one.”
“Seems like that must be it.”
“That’s probably how you ended up with that mystical creature too.”
Everyone accepted it.
It was the only explanation for how I survived.
I looked down at the creature sitting on my lap, staring at me with those sparkling eyes.
‘Do you know what really happened?’
It felt like it did.
But since it couldn’t talk…
Off to the side, Palgap was snoring like a broken bellows.
The result of him insisting on washing the creature himself.
Seriously though… impressive.
It’s not easy to tire out someone like Palgap.
Thanks to him, I now knew the creature’s real fur color was a faint pinkish white.
We rode on like that for a while and finally arrived at the Eunhae Merchant Group.
“Palgap.”
“Mmmnya…”
“Palgap, wake up.”
“Mmmnya… hey you… you better serve our young master well… mmmnya… our young master’s… really amazing… mmmnya…”
What… what is he even saying?
Also, why were Seo Wu and the two escort guards nodding like they agreed?
Guess I’ve got no choice.
I signaled to the creature on my lap.
It sprang up, then kicked Palgap in the face with its hind leg.
Whack!
Then it landed gracefully back on my lap, sitting there all prim and proper like nothing happened.
Even faking innocence while looking down at Palgap.
‘You really know how to put on an act.’
Palgap jolted awake and glanced around in shock.
“Come at me! You little—”
“Get up.”
“Huh?”
“We’re home.”
As we stepped out of the carriage, the family who had been informed of our return came out to greet us warmly.
Especially now that Jin-ho, who had been missing, had returned. The joy was even greater.
“Jin-ho!”
“Sob… Jin-ho, my son… do you know how worried your mother was?”
Watching them made my conscience sting a little.
I nearly ended up making them hear news of my death instead.
Squad Leader Jeong Chung would give the report later about me falling off the cliff and making it back.
Just then, Deputy Yeo Chang-ui approached me.
“You’ve arrived.”
“Yeah.”
“Then please come to the Virtuous Wind Department right away. There’s quite a backlog of work waiting for you.”
Wait, seriously? I barely survived and made it back, and now I have to work without even resting?
Who the hell’s the head of the Virtuous Wind Department?
…Oh. Right. That’s me.
.
.
.
The next morning.
Even though I went to bed late after finishing everything last night, my wake-up time didn’t change.
After finishing my Qi circulation, right on cue, Master walked into the training hall.
“Master, you’re here.”
“Good morning.”
Master looked at me and continued.
“I heard from Escort Chief Mak Chung. You fell off a cliff and miraculously survived.”
“…”
I quickly lowered my head deeply.
“I sincerely apologize for causing you such worry.”
“No need. It’s a blessing you returned alive.”
When Master glanced over at Palgap and the two escort guards, they immediately stepped out as if weighed down by invisible pressure.
Normally, it’s natural for others to leave when martial arts are being taught, but today, even Palgap was sent out.
“Congratulations on reaching Peak.”
“Ah… you knew.”
As expected, Master was sharp.
“It seems you achieved enlightenment, and it’s likely related to that spiritual creature you obtained.”
Spiritual creature…
I reached into my sleeve, pulled the little guy out, and held it forward.
“You mean… this one?”
“Kui?”
Master stared at the creature for a long while. The creature blinked up at him blankly.
When I glanced cautiously at Master’s face, I noticed his eyes trembling.
“So… there was still one left.”
“Pardon?”
Does Master… know what this is?
“What… exactly is this thing?”
“That’s a Ice Guardian Beast (寒護獸). It’s a spiritual creature that once guarded Snow Wind Palace.”
Snow Wind Palace…
“This creature is instinctively drawn to the unique cold Qi of Snow Wind Palace. That’s probably why it approached you.”
“Huh?”
“In truth… my family’s martial arts you practice… haah…”
Master let out a heavy sigh.
“It is… the martial art of Snow Wind Palace.”
Master looked straight at me as he spoke.
“You seem to know what Snow Wind Palace is.”
“I’ve only heard of it in rumors.”
“Then you know enough.”
The look in Master’s eyes was unbearably sorrowful.
No… it was more like longing.
No, there was also anger mixed in.
I was curious why Snow Wind Palace was annihilated… but I couldn’t ask.
It would’ve been cruel.
“So… that’s why you told me not to reveal where this martial art came from.”
“I’m telling you this because I trust you will keep this secret.”
“I will live up to your trust.”
Still… Master being from Snow Wind Palace… I had no idea.
Not in my past life either.
I had always wondered.
The martial art I learned was so overwhelmingly powerful compared to others.
And the name of the internal art itself was Supreme Yin Ice Sea Divine Art (太陰氷海神功).
A name grand enough to be called a Divine Art wasn’t given lightly.
At last, I understood the reason.
Is this why Master made everyone leave the training hall?
Master composed himself and continued.
“The Ice Guardian Beast… this little one… loves money.”
Ah…
So that’s why it swallowed my silver tael.
I was worried at first, but turns out… it was food.
“It has an exceptional sense of smell for money. It chooses wealthy owners to live with because it survives by eating money. And the money it smells isn’t just the money you currently have—it can smell the money you’ll earn in the future.”
I looked at the little thing sitting on my palm.
So… if it chose me, it really picked the right owner.
I’m not going broke anytime soon.
“By the way… did you give it money already?”
I nodded.
“Yeah. It looked like it was asking for some, so I pulled out a silver tael and it swallowed it right up. But how did you know?”
Master chuckled.
“Because it’s stuck to you like glue.”
Master continued.
“Once it receives money from someone, it serves that person as its master for life. And it never accepts money from anyone else.”
“That’s… reassuring.”
“There’s no limit to how much money it can eat. But just one silver tael a month is more than enough.”
“Is there anything else I should be careful about?”
“Nothing. It’s a clever creature that takes care of itself. It’s pricey to maintain, but it’s worth every coin.”
“Alright. Then I’ll take good care of it.”
I nodded and turned to the creature.
“Hey. I’m about to practice swordsmanship, so go over there for a bit.”
Master shook his head.
“No need. It’s fine if it stays here. There’s no weapon in this world capable of harming that creature.”
“Huh?”
“You’ll understand more about it later.”
“Um…”
I called Master quietly.
“Yes?”
“The thing is… this creature isn’t the only thing I brought back from the cliff.”
“…?”
I pulled out the Silver Mist Sword I’d been secretly keeping.
Master was once from Snow Wind Palace.
Then surely, he would recognize this sword.
As expected, the moment Master saw the Silver Mist Sword, his eyes flew wide open.
“This is… no… it cannot be… is this the Silver Mist Sword?”
I’d seen Master surprised before… but never like this.
“Seems like it.”
I explained everything to Master.
How I followed this creature into the cave and found the sword.
The fight with the crazed warrior.
Reaching the No-Self State and breaking through to Peak.
How the sword came into my hands, the warrior’s final words.
And how the fog vanished when I sheathed the sword.
Lastly, I pulled out the identification token and letter I had taken.
“These were on his body.”
Master took the token, running his fingers over the inscription: Yu Deok-jin of Snow Wind Palace.
Then he unfolded the letter.
Moments later… his face twisted.
I knew that expression.
It was the face of someone whose family had been annihilated.
I had worn that same expression in my past life.
–TL Notes–
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