The Head’s room was situated behind the students’ dormitory in the Heavenly Dragon Academy.
He was a master martial artist who was approved by the Murim Alliance, and he was appointed the Head position of the Academy as he was the most powerful martial artist who could protect the students if danger occurred.
I really have to go all around the place.
On the contrary, the instructors’ rooms were in the opposite direction, forcing to take nurous turns to reach my destination.
…He should’ve just sent straight to the Head’s room.
Why did I even bother going all the way to Cheol Hwanho?
Now I have to take all these extra turns because of it.
Rustle.
The crunch of leaves underfoot tickled my ears as I walked.
After so grumbling and walking, I found myself nearly there.
One upside was that I got to skip a lesson, having been called during lunchti.
Unless they delved deep into a topic, it was pointless for to learn it—these were things I’d already experienced in my past life.
Are there no escorts around here?
One unexpected thing was the absence of Kunlun Sect escorts guarding the place.
To be fair, there was no need for any guards when you were as strong as the Qinghai Sword.
The only one likely capable of sneaking past Qinghai Sword’s senses was probably the Sword Queen.
This ant that as soon as I approached him, I’d already entered his sensory range.
I wonder why the Head called alone.
Did he have so special reason?
With that thought, I kept moving forward.
I’ll find out when I see him.
I slowly entered the building.
Despite its exterior, the building felt larger inside. I noticed several rooms and wondered which one to enter.
Slide.
Then, a door slid open, and my eyes t the person stepping out.
“Huh?”
“Ah.”
A lady with brown hair surrounded by a golden aura
The person responsible for making feel concerned.
It was Wi Seol-Ah.
“Why are you coming out from there?”
I accidentally spoke in a loud voice.
Wi Seol-Ah looked surprised too, as if she hadn’t expected to see here.
Like her, I had to be extrely surprised as well.
I couldn’t feel her presence from inside.
Sensing the Qinghai Sword was one thing, but I couldn’t even detect Wi Seol-Ah, despite her being here.
This ant,
There is sothing that’s making everyone’s presence here faint.
Was this the Qinghai Sword’s doing?
That probably wasn’t it.
To my knowledge, he didn’t have the power to pull off sothing like this.
I had plenty of information about the Qinghai Sword.
I didn’t know much about his martial strength, but I knew about the title he has yet to get in this tiline.
Then, was it a treasure’s power?
That was the most likely.
I didn’t know what kind of a treasure it was, but it was certainly effective.
“You…”
“The… Head called for a mont.”
“The Head?”
The Qinghai Sword called Wi Seol-Ah?
Is it because of the Sword Venerable?
It’s possible the Qinghai Sword called her because she’s a descendant of the Sword Venerable.
I wasn’t sure if that’s what happened, but Wi Seol-Ah’s reaction suggested otherwise.
Embarrassnt? It was written all over her face, but why was she embarrassed after seeing ?
“…You.”
When I called out to Wi Seol-Ah with suspicion, her shoulders flinched.
“Did you cause so trouble?”
“…!”
Wi Seol-Ah lowered her head the mont she heard my words, I seed to have hit the nail on the head.
It looked like I was right.
Wi Seol-Ah was called here by the Head because she caused trouble?
I was curious about what she did to warrant being called to the Head’s room instead of the instructor’s.
No, it was more surprising that Wi Seol-Ah caused trouble in the first place.
“What kind of trouble did you- “
Just as I was about to ask Wi Seol-Ah,
Slide-
A closed door slid open by itself,
Swoosh!
And a gust of wind blew from within the room.
I could sense that Tao Qi was densely infused with the wind.
-Co in.
Then, a heavy voice echoed telepathically in my mind.
Just hearing the voice in my head felt like my whole body was echoing.
For to feel this much just from his voice, huh? The Qinghai Sword is at a much higher level than I thought.
I expected him to be weaker than the Celestial Plum Blossom, but I suppose one of the heads of the Ten Sect Alliance wouldn’t be weak.
“Wait outside.”
“…Outside?”
“Yes, I have sothing I want to talk to you about, so you better wait.”
Ensuring she wouldn’t run away, I stepped into the room before she could even respond.
As soon as my foot crossed the line that separated the room from outside,
Woong-!
“…!”
It felt as if a powerful Qi wrapped around .
The air felt distinctly different from the outside.
Cold sweat trickled down my body from the density of the Qi.
This old man.
I brute-forced my way through the dense Qi and kept moving forward.
The air wasn’t dense enough to choke , nor was I sweating because the atmosphere was unbearable.
Is he trying to kill a man?
With just one movent from the Qinghai Sword, the Tao Qi in the room turned violent.
I pressed on through the thick atmosphere.
As I walked at a steady pace, I began to see a figure seated ahead.
It was an old man, small in stature with white hair, but at my current level, I couldn’t gauge the sharpness of the sword within him.
The old man’s eyes were closed, but he was certainly looking at .
“How impressive.”
As I arrived, the old man began to speak.
“I was curious about what kind of a child you were, given the rumors,”
People called this old man by many titles, but none of them were derogatory.
He was one of the Three Fists of the Seven Steel.
He was also one of the Five Sword Masters.
The head of the Kunlun Sect in Qinghai.
And…
“The rumors hardly do you justice.”
He would soon be called the Demon of Qinghai.
One of the Heavenly Demon’s right-hand n now looked at with a smile.
******************
The Qinghai Sword.
Or rather, the Demon of Qinghai.
The old man was known by both titles during the ti of calamity.
This was around the ti when the Heavenly Demon first erged in the Central Plains.
At that ti, the Orthodox Faction held great power, and no one truly grasped the extent of the Heavenly Demon’s might.
They saw no reason to fear a naless figure claiming they would destroy the Central Plains.
No one believed a single individual could dominate the vast Central Plains; it seed an impossibility.
Yet, despite this, many succumbed to the Heavenly Demon, becoming Demonic Humans, later known as the Great Demonic Humans.
They were the first to turn to the Heavenly Demon, driven by their own greed.
However, did they make a foolish decision?
Yes, they did.
In the end, the Heavenly Demon was slain by the Celestial Sword, and the Demonic Cult ca to an end afterwards, so they certainly made a poor decision.
However, at the ti, when the true power of the Heavenly Demon was first revealed to the world, it didn’t seem so.
The first Demonic Humans.
Arguably, they were the first right-hand n of the Heavenly Demon, so they were given the strongest authority as the Heavenly Demon itself also found them to be more special than others.
For example, yes.
The Demonic Absorption Arts.
That was one of the authorities that were given.
I believed the Heavenly Demon granted this power because I was among the first to beco a Demonic Human, though it was forced upon , not sothing I chose willingly.
The old man before was also one of the first few Demonic Humans, just like myself.
The Demon of Qinghai.
I heard that the Head of Kunlun Sect turned into a Demonic Human shortly after the Heavenly Demon erged.
This was enough to bring a huge shock to the Orthodox Faction, as many believed the master to be loyal to the Orthodox Faction more than anyone.
The Kunlun Sect quickly installed a new leader, insisting that no one else would follow the Qinghai Sword’s path of corruption, but the stain on their reputation remained.
It was none other than the Qinghai Sword walking in a path of corruption.
However, I didn’t know why he ended up that way.
By the ti I had grown powerful and earned a respectable position as a Demonic Human, the Qinghai Sword had already been slain by the Sword Venerable.
One thing I rembered about him was the fact that he wasn’t consud by madness despite becoming a Demonic Human, and he saw with a pitiful expression.
That was all.
I had a rough idea of his fighting style and martial arts, but those details didn’t seem important now.
“…I greet the Head of the Academy.”
“Welco, it must have been a long trip here.”
“Not at all.”
As I spoke, I noticed a cup of tea already set before .
I wonder when he found the ti to prepare it.
“This is our second eting, after our first around ten days ago.”
“That’s right.”
I saw him the first ti during the orientation, and this was the second ti.
The Demon of Qinghai smiled as he looked at .
“The Tiger Warrior did a good job raising his son. You are outstanding.”
“Thank you.”
“Haha!”
The Qinghai Sword laughed as if he was in a good mood.
“Right.”
Then…
Swoooosh…
Tao Qi, which filled the room, began to swirl.
“Do you feel it?”
Yes, it’s quite clear.”
Slowly, but also densely.
The Tao Qi that filled the large room was endlessly threatening.
It was enough to drench my back with cold sweat that ford due to nervousness.
“How amusing… for you to feel this. Even the second-generation students struggled.”
“Could you consider stopping, as I find it almost impossible to breathe?”
…I can’t even drink the tea, you old man.
What’s the point of brewing a cup if I can’t even drink it?
As I spoke carefully, the Tao Qi around softened once again.
“I’m sorry, it seems like I went a bit too hard as curiosity got the best of .”
“No problem.”
I wasn’t fine with it, I couldn’t afford to argue with the Head of the Academy.
Why is everyone so eager to test ?
This is why I need to hold back on showing my powers.
The mont I show a bit of my abilities, rumors spread, and everyone becos a hassle to deal with.
Would it really hurt them to just leave alone?
In this damned land, being strong was a curse.
As I was ranting in my mind, the Qinghai Sword spoke.
“Yes, do you know why I called you here?”
“Yes.”
How could I not? Cheol Hwanho had already told .
After my response, I saw the Qinghai Sword putting on a more serious expression.
It seed like he was getting straight into the main topic.
“I understand that you have a heated spirit as you are at that age, but you went too far.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It hasn’t even been that long ever since the Academy opened.”
“…”
Just as I feared, no one else could have caused such trouble in less than a month since the Academy opened.
Uh, isn’t this more dangerous than I expected?
I might be suspended over this.
I did start to feel very worried ever since I was called by the Head of the Academy.
Even if it wasn’t in the rules, the Head could expel if he didn’t like my actions.
…Ugh.
Maybe this is worse than I imagined.
This wasn’t sothing I expected.
What do I do if I’m suspended like this?
What do I an what do I do, I’m just fucked.
All my plans would collapse.
If I hadn’t co here, things might’ve been different, but now I had to see my plans through.
Maybe I should kneel?
I could at the very least do that much if need be-
“Haha…!”
Lost in thought, I didn’t notice the Qinghai Sword laughing aloud at my expression.
“What an entertaining expression that is.”
“…”
Was it that noticeable?
As I wondered about what response I should give, the Qinghai Sword continued speaking.
“Do not worry. The thing you are worried about, won’t happen.”
“Pardon?”
“However, I need to at least pretend to punish you due to the position I’m in.”
“…”
“I’ll just think of it as you not being able to hold yourself due to immaturity of young age, and let this slide.”
“…Thank you.”
His words struck a nerve.
If I considered my age in my past life, I technically wasn’t young at all.
That just makes it sound like I never matured in life.
…Wait, did I?
Given my personality, I wasn’t sure I had matured.
But I was glad.
Judging by the Qinghai Sword’s tone, it didn’t seem like I was going to be suspended.
That much was enough to satisfy .
“Originally, this much would’ve been more than enough reason to suspend you from the Academy,”
Gulp.
It made gulp for an instant.
“But I’ll let it slide as I’m fond of you.”
“Tha- …Pardon? Fond of ?”
Did I mishear him?
I didn’t expect that, especially from the Head of the Academy.
“Yes, fond of you.”
“…May I ask what you an by that?”
“Is that hard to understand? It simply ans I like you.”
It left speechless.
How could he like when we barely t each other?
It’s not like I was a martial artist from Kunlun Sect either.
“…I don’t understand why you are fond of .”
“Are you unhappy because of it?”
“Not at all.”
It wasn’t like that.
It’s just that I felt scared.
How could I not be when so old man I barely knew was fond of ?
Besides, I didn’t exactly have a face that appealed to the elderly.
In fact, it would be suspicious if they did.
“I do still need to give you so form of punishnt so… Yes, sweeping the floor in your dormitory should suffice.”
“…”
“That’s an amusing expression. You look as if you don’t understand at all.”
“You are correct.”
“If you want, I could tell you why.”
“Then could you- “
“However, then I’ll take back what I said about you and go on with your suspen- “
“Thank you for liking . I will not let you down.”
I cut him off before he could finish his ‘kind’ offer.
“You are quick.”
“I hear that a lot.”
Sure, it’s nice that he likes .
Who cares why?
Satisfied with my response, the Qinghai Sword smiled.
“You aren’t too similar to your father.”
“…Now that’s a first.”
Everyone always told I looked like my father, but the Qinghai Sword’s words were sothing I had never heard before.
“Do you know my father well?”
“We aren’t completely unaware.”
Whenever I t with key figures of clans and Sects, they ntioned my father.
Because I knew how active my father used to be in the Central Plains, I wondered if these two had so sort of relationship, but how do I say this?
It felt like it went deeper than that.
As I was lost in my thoughts, the Qinghai Sword spoke to .
“I was only curious about you thanks to the rumors about the True Dragon, so you may take your leave for today.”
I tilted my head after hearing his response.
Was that it?
That was more anticlimactic than I expected.
However…
“I’ll be taking my leave now then.”
“Yes, I hope to see you again.”
I didn’t bother asking any further questions and quickly made my way out.
I was relieved that the punishnt wasn’t severe.
It was always right to run before they changed their minds.
Slide.
After Gu Yangcheon hurriedly left the room and closed the door, the Qinghai Sword stared at the door with his piercing white eyes.
He thought about the face of the young man he just spoke to.
He grew up well.
The mont the True Dragon approached the building, the Qinghai Sword was shocked by his presence.
His Qi was very great in strength.
Not only did he enter the room filled with dense Qi, but he was also able to speak in it.
That child should’ve been in Kunlun Sect.
If that was the case, Kunlun Sect might have been the birthplace of the future Zenith.
Was that disappointing?
Yes, it was.
However, he was still glad to see him.
He isn’t like his father.
He thought about the Tiger Warrior.
The young hero who sought for justice and fought against the Unorthodox Faction wasn’t capable of joking around, but his son didn’t share that trait, despite their similar appearance.
In fact, that was preferable.
That would be better for him in life after all.
Two.
-This is our second eting.
The Qinghai Sword had told Gu Yangcheon this was their second eting, but that was a lie.
This was actually their third encounter.
It’s just it was in the past and is a forgotten mory for Gu Yangcheon.
Well, it’s understandable since he was too young to rember.
He had been just a child, barely walking while holding his mother’s hand, so it was no surprise that Gu Yangcheon didn’t rember the Qinghai Sword.
The Qinghai Sword recalled his conversation with that lady in the past.
—I do not need your kindness.
—However, if there’s ever a chance in the future, I hope you treat my child well… that much is enough for .
It was long ago, and though only the Qinghai Sword rembered, he still held onto it.
He took a sip of the tea that was still warm.
Despite him brewing it himself with his unskillful hands, the taste wasn’t bad.
******************I left the Head’s room and stepped outside.
“Jeez, I’m shaking.”
Only when the cold winter breeze hit did my body finally loosen.
“…I should hold back on causing more trouble.”
I had caused trouble without thinking of the consequences, but I needed to be more careful from now on.
At the very least, I had to hold back until I finished my business here.
Though of course,
…Is that even possible?
I wasn’t confident at all.
I had many tasks to handle, so it seed unlikely I could hold back for long.
“I’m sure everything will be fine.”
I wasn’t in a situation where I could pick a different path, so I had to do it regardless.
I am glad that he let it slide though.
I wonder why he’s fond of .
I couldn’t understand the Qinghai Sword one bit.
Why would he like when we’ve barely t?
Did I unknowingly help the Kunlun Sect sohow?
That’s not it.
I never was involved with them in this life, and I never helped them in my past life either, instead, I beat up the martial artists who ca from it.
It only made more confused.
I don’t know. But it’s a good thing.
Instead of the Qinghai Sword, I had to prioritize sothing else right now.
Where is she?
I’d clearly told her to wait outside, so where had she gone?
I clearly told her to wait outside, so where is she?
Did she run?
It was possible; she tended to bolt whenever she saw .
Though of course, I planned to catch her this ti wherever she went.
Why am I playing hide and seek at this age…
Right as I had that thought, I was thankfully able to find Wi Seol-Ah.
Wi Seol-Ah was looking at sothing while crouching down in a field of grass.
What is she doing?
Was she observing ants or sothing?
She didn’t even notice approaching her because of how focused she was.
After arriving right behind her,
“What are you doing her- “
But just as I was about to speak,
Huh?
I noticed sothing strange about Wi Seol-Ah.
Wi Seol-Ah was making a strange hand movent in the air while being in a curled position.
I felt so strange sensation from the area around her hand.
Wait.
…Is she perhaps?
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