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I briefly considered stopping by the next time I had business in Hubei, but then I resolved to go when the opportunity arose.

“I’ll be going out for some fresh air for a while.”

Since it was quite far and I didn’t know what awaited me there, I informed my father and mother.

“Where are you going?”

“I’ll be visiting Hubei.”

“Why Hubei?”

“While I’m there, I’d like to stop by the Martial Righteous Alliance headquarters and also make some plans for the future.”

“That’s a good idea. A man should know the wider world.”

My father trusted me completely. While my recent changes were significant, there was a decisive moment that made him trust me.

Seo Jung had informed my father that the martial artists of the Small Sword Squad genuinely followed me. My father was greatly pleased by this.

Perhaps it was because my father knew that gaining people’s trust is far more difficult than improving one’s martial arts.

Even then, my father called me and repeated the advice he had given before.

“Always maintain a respectful attitude, even towards those below you.”

I felt regretful. If my father had repeatedly given me such advice when I became the Alliance Leader in my past life, my previous life might have been different. Something other than authority might have filled that primary place in human relationships.

As I was leaving after saying goodbye, my mother followed me out and said,

“Lin came by while you were away.”

“What for?”

“She just came to greet me. I had a very pleasant time with Rin.”

She came to see my mother? I could sense that Song Hwa-rin was changing little by little as various events unfolded.

“What are your true feelings about that child?”

“It’s the same as what I’ve told you before. Right now, I want to focus on what I want to do rather than marriage.”

Of course, these feelings might change.

Right now, there were too many things I needed to do, so I couldn’t even think about love, but human hearts are unpredictable.

If I ever fall in love with someone, my heart will signal me then. It could be a new woman, or it could be Song Hwa-rin. These feelings might change later.

I was moved by Song Hwa-rin when she confronted Ma Jeongsu. I felt loneliness in Number Seven’s figure as he looked down at the pond.

Like this, it’s some ‘trigger’ that changes relationships. It doesn’t matter if it’s big or small. If it occurs properly at the right time, everything can change completely.

“Are you doing what you want to do these days?”

“Yes.”

Parents who wish for their children to find a good partner are likely most concerned about their child living a lonely and unhappy life.

So I confidently told my mother,

“Mother, I’m very happy these days.”

Only then did my mother smile.

“Well, that’s good then.”

“Before I leave, I’ll stop by the Song family mansion briefly.”

“If it’s because of me, there’s no need to do that.”

To my mother, who was trying to reduce her son’s burden, I smiled and said,

“No, I was planning to go anyway.”

I felt grateful that she had come to see my mother while I was away. I also felt concerned about Song Woo-gyeong, who had punished me by ordering me to meet Song Hwa-rin frequently for beating her up.

***

“Hahaha. Welcome.”

Song Woo-gyeong was greatly pleased by my visit.

It wouldn’t be polite to him if I didn’t at least pretend to accept the punishment he had given.

“Well, greetings are done, so hurry along to Lin.”

“Alright.”

Song Woo-gyeong almost pushed me out. Seeing how satisfied he looked, I thought I had made the right decision to come.

Su-ran guided me to where Song Hwa-rin was.

Her gaze towards me wasn’t friendly. Since it was understandable, I pretended not to notice.

When we arrived near the training ground, Su-ran stopped.

“I know it’s presumptuous of me to say this, but I’ll say just one thing.”

“Go ahead.”

“Please never do that again in the future. I beg you.”

Her face clearly showed her concern for her master.

“It won’t happen again.”

“Thank you.”

She bowed politely. At first glance, she might seem prickly and disrespectful, but I actually felt more fond of Su-ran. It must not have been easy for her to say such things to me.

But she bravely did so out of concern for Song Hwa-rin. Isn’t willingly doing uncomfortable things the true sign of caring for someone? I felt reassured that Su-ran was by her side.

Song Hwa-rin was practicing swordplay in the training ground.

When she demonstrated her techniques with her slender arms and legs, it was truly beautiful. Seeing her drenched in sweat and training hard made for a pleasing sight.

She was practicing the technique I had pointed out to her. It seemed she was studying it to eliminate her weaknesses.

“Young Master Byeok-gong has arrived.”

At Su-ran’s words, Song Hwa-rin stopped her training and walked towards us.

“You came?”

“Sorry for interrupting your training.”

“No, I was about to finish anyway.”

The swelling on her face had subsided and was barely noticeable now. Was it just my imagination? She seemed even brighter than before.

“I heard you came to our house?”

“I visited your mother.”

Come to think of it, I heard that Song Hwa-rin’s mother died when she was young. In my past life, I grew up under my mother’s care, but she grew up under her father’s.

She looked at me and said,

“Would you watch my technique once?”

“Of course.”

She demonstrated the technique from before.

“Last time, you evaded this way and broke my technique. So I thought of this method.”

She showed a slightly modified version of her technique. It was certainly an improvement that addressed the previous weakness. She had found a fairly good solution in a relatively short time.

I extended my hand in one direction without drawing my sword, just indicating the direction.

“But what if I attack like this?”

Song Hwa-rin let out a short exclamation of “Ah.” In changing her technique, a new weakness had emerged that wasn’t there before.

“So the method I found wasn’t the answer.”

I nodded.

She smiled and said,

“Thank you. I’ll think about it again.”

She could have asked me to teach her how to perfect the technique, but she didn’t. She wanted to figure it out on her own.

“So, what brings you here?”

“Punishment.”

“What?”

I relayed what Song Woo-gyeong had said when he came last time.

“Ah, Father…”

She made an expression that seemed to say, “He’s hopeless.”

We chatted about various things. Perhaps because we were more comfortable now, the conversation flowed smoothly.

We talked for about an hour before saying goodbye.

“You said you’re going to Hubei, right? Have a good trip.”

“Thanks.”

As I turned and walked away, I heard her mumble to herself from afar.

“Next time… just come without the excuse of punishment.”

She probably thought I wouldn’t hear it, but it was clearly audible to my keen ears.

Pretending not to have heard, I left the place.

***

Six days later. I arrived at a village near Tianmen Mountain.

There were several villages around Tianmen Mountain, and the one I arrived at was near Immortal Crane Peak. Although I had visited here in my younger days for martial arts competitions, it felt unfamiliar as if I was visiting for the first time.

I knew why. It wasn’t just because it was long ago. Even if I had come here ten times back then, it would still feel unfamiliar. Back then, the scenery didn’t register in my eyes. It was a time when I only focused on my opponents.

Now that I’ve come back here, I could freshly feel how rushed my mindset was back then.

Even though I had done nothing but come here, this journey was already teaching me.

Yes, let’s take it easy.

Only by living a different life can one achieve different results.

There was a small inn in the village.

Due to the lack of many guests, the owner said he ran the inn while also farming.

When I asked the innkeeper, my memory was correct. Immortal Crane Peak was the main peak of Tianmen Mountain, and it was so high and treacherous that even herb gatherers couldn’t easily climb it.

After renting a room, I rested and recovered from my travel fatigue for that day.

The next morning at dawn, I started climbing the mountain.

What could be on this mountain? What am I supposed to find?

For now, I decided to climb to the summit. Judging from the contents left in the box, I thought something might be hidden somewhere on the path to the summit.

The mountain terrain was very treacherous. Even for me, with my martial arts training, it was difficult to climb easily. Above all, finding the path was extremely challenging due to the lack of human presence.

Thinking I had found the right path, I would go that way only to find it leading down the mountain. Then, thinking another way might be right, I would climb hard only to reach a dead end.

However, I didn’t recklessly use my lightness skill to fly up.

After all, what I needed to find here probably wasn’t a flag stuck at the mountain top.

Since it was the first day, I climbed the mountain with a relaxed mindset. In the end, unable to find the path to the summit, I came down before it got dark.

The next day, I started climbing early in the morning again.

Having already experienced getting lost yesterday, I was able to climb faster and more easily today.

But when I got a bit further than yesterday, I lost my way again.

Of course, I could have used my lightness skill to overcome this section, but I didn’t. I went back down to a point that could serve as a fork in the road and then climbed up in a different direction.

This time, I climbed much further.

But again, after climbing to a certain point, the path was cut off. This wasn’t the right way either.

Of course, all of this wasn’t in vain. I was carefully observing my surroundings while searching for the path.

That night, I drank at the inn.

As he brought some side dishes, the innkeeper asked curiously,

“So, what brings you to this small village?”

“I’m trying to climb Immortal Crane Peak.”

“Immortal Crane Peak?”

“Yes. A friend of mine boasted so much about the scenery of Immortal Crane Peak that I came to see it for myself.”

“Ah, I see. That’s right. Immortal Crane Peak truly has a magnificent landscape. The rock at the summit is said to resemble a crane, hence the name Immortal Crane Peak. But the path is so treacherous that ordinary people can’t reach the summit.”

“Indeed, it is difficult.”

“Is there anyone in the village who knows the mountain well?”

“The herb gatherer in our village knows it well, but he’s currently out gathering herbs on another mountain. He probably won’t be back for about a month.”

“I see.”

I wasn’t disappointed. I had intended to find the way on my own from the start.

“The mountain has been famous for its treacherous terrain since ancient times. They say martial artists used to come here to train. I heard there was even a very famous person long ago.”

My eyes sparkled as I asked,

“Do you know who that was?”

“I heard the story from my grandfather when I was young, so I don’t remember now. I only recall that he was said to be an extraordinary master.”

“Ah, I see.”

At least one thing was certain. The person who left it was from long ago, just like the worn paper in the box.

“Here, have this and keep your strength up.”

“Thank you.”

Listening to the distant owl’s cry outside the window, I felt intoxicated more by the charm of the mountain village than by the alcohol.

Three days later, I finally found the path leading to the summit.

There was nothing at the summit. Instead, a magnificent view spread out before me. Looking down from such a dizzying height, I felt a sense of loneliness as if I were the only one left in the world.

It really felt like becoming an immortal, but the scenery couldn’t be what the paper left behind was referring to.

I felt great satisfaction at having found the path with my own strength.

Standing at the summit, I let out a shout with good spirits.

“Haaaap!”

Not long after I started descending the mountain, I discovered a small cave.

It was a cave that a person could barely crawl into, located in a position that would be impossible to find unless one looked very carefully.

I strained my eyes, but nothing was visible in the pitch-black darkness. As I was about to enter, I felt afraid.

I didn’t know if it might be infested with venomous snakes or poisonous insects. It could just be a small cave where some animals lived.

Could this be it? What should I do?

Then suddenly, a thought occurred to me.

At the very least, this cave was one that no martial artist could find. They wouldn’t bother to wander for days when they could use their lightness skill.

A cave that only those who found their own way could discover.

Perhaps that was the first test?

Alright, let’s go in.

The cave was narrow and cramped. It felt like something might jump out at any moment, and there was a terrible smell. Even I hesitated several times, thinking about turning back, so I thought no one would continue deeper into this place. Fortunately, there were no snakes or poisonous insects.

After crawling for a while, the cave gradually widened, and I was able to stand up.

I saw a bright light ahead.

When I excitedly went out towards that light.

“Gasp!”

I was startled. There was only enough space for one foot, and below was a cliff.

Looking up, I saw that the summit was above. It was the part where the crane’s tail jutted out, and beneath the protruding rock that looked like a tail, I could see a small cave.

From the summit, it was impossible to see that there was a cave below, and even if one tried to look down, the rock slanted downwards, making it invisible from that position.

Only from this cliff ledge could the entrance to that cave be seen.

I knew. The place that the paper in the box led to was that cave.

It was truly a difficult place to find. One had to find the path up the mountain, pass through a small cave that really seemed unlikely, have the courage to look up from this perilous cliff ledge with barely enough space for a foot, and finally, one more thing. One had to overcome the fear of this overhanging cliff and leap upwards.

If one failed to grab that entrance, they would fall to the bottom of the cliff.

One had to use the lightness skill, and even then, it required considerable skill.

I leaped up forcefully, soaring into the air.

The distance was further than I thought. I stretched out my waist and hands.

Grasp.

Hanging from the cliff, I let out a sigh.

I had barely reached the passage. Slowly applying strength to my arms, I climbed up. The cave entrance was larger than I had thought. At least I could stand and enter.

After taking a deep breath, I slowly walked inside.