"To surpass the limits of humanity."
As I heard those words, my face filled with confusion. It was difficult to fully grasp what he meant.
"To take the first step towards that, one must reshape the vessel. You are undergoing that process now."
I had already sensed it.
I could feel my body changing, as well as the transformation in my movements that came along with it.
Just as Paejon said, my body was experiencing an intense and painful metamorphosis, so much so that I had thought of it as an artificial rebirth.
"The second step is the fusion of the mind and body."
"Mind and body...?"
"Once you have prepared the vessel, you must fully infuse it with your martial essence, no?"
I remembered what Paejon had mentioned before about the state of Transcendence .
He had described it as a realm where martial arts and martial artist become one. Was the fusion of mind and body different from that?
"If you’re wondering about the difference with Transcendence—there is none."
"...!"
"In fact, I designed it with that very purpose in mind. However, because it is artificially induced, its value is much lower."
So, on top of this artificial rebirth, he aimed to artificially reach the higher realm as well?
"How did he even create such a martial art?"
Listening to him, I could somewhat understand why Paejon referred to his martial art as something made to surpass human limits.
In a way, it seemed he had crafted his martial arts to touch upon the domain of the divine.
"Reaching a state of selflessness can be a double-edged sword."
He was right.
A state of selflessness may sound appealing, but it’s simply intense focus. Losing control of the body comes with it.
With one’s flow of qi moving chaotically, a poorly taken hit could disrupt all the vital points.
"However, that’s also why it’s ideal."
"What do you mean?"
"Entrusting all senses to instinct creates a state best suited for martial arts. Moreover, if you can fully control that sensation, there’s nothing better."
To think of controlling a state of selflessness completely—how absurd.
It may be a great state for enlightenment, but selflessness is called so because one forgets oneself and focuses solely on martial arts.
"How could you possibly control that?"
Though I wanted to refute his words rationally, I felt that Paejon , being who he was, might actually make it possible.
Moreover, since he said the sensation I experienced was due to Tu A Pa Cheon Gong , there was credibility to his claim.
"...That sensation, then…"
The world felt blurred, with only my movements sharply in focus.
Even without deliberate effort, the motions flowed precisely as I intended. That sensation held an immense thrill for a martial artist.
"Your expression has changed."
"...!"
"I understand the feeling, but don’t be hasty. Whether you want it or not, as my disciple, you will eventually reach that place."
"Yes…"
Paejon burst into laughter at my response.
"Didn’t you once say that you’re not particularly talented in martial arts?"
"..."
"Then and now, I still can’t agree with you on that."
With that, he gestured behind me. I turned to follow his gaze and saw the wall I had been mindlessly breaking during my selfless state.
Or rather, where the wall had been.
Sunlight streamed through the gaping hole that had taken its place.
"Don’t sell yourself short. At least when it comes to my martial art, you’re exceptional."
After five days.
Days spent training tirelessly in the cave, I finally completed the task Paejon had set for me.
I confirmed this, then collapsed to the ground, fatigue crashing over my already weary body.
As I seemed ready to pass out, Paejon spoke.
"Congratulations. Now you’re ready to learn the First Fist ( Il-gwon , 一拳)."
It sounded important.
But I didn’t really register Paejon 's congratulations; I just wanted to collapse and rest.
Closing my eyes, I was about to drift into sleep when—
"It’s time to go. Do you intend to lie there?"
His words made my eyes fly open. I pushed myself up, despite my exhaustion.
"...How much time…?"
I realized there was no time to waste. Five days had passed, and with daylight streaming in, it was likely the day of departure for Sichuan.
When I hastily asked, Paejon cocked his head to the side.
"Who knows? You could just run now."
"...Ah."
I closed my eyes in resignation at his response.
He meant I’d have to go like this, drenched in sweat and covered in dust, with my disheveled appearance.
Hurriedly, I left the cave and arrived at the predetermined location.
As expected, everyone else had already gathered.
From a distance, I spotted my father and halted for a moment, turning to ask Paejon a question.
"By the way, what did you discuss with my father?"
"Hmm?"
"You mentioned you met with him."
"Ah."
Paejon nodded at my whisper.
"I met him."
"What happened?"
"What do you mean? We met, that’s all."
I stared at him in disbelief at his overly simple answer. Paejon pursed his lips and spoke again.
"Don’t worry too much. I received your father’s permission."
"Permission?"
"Yes. He didn’t seem to mind, contrary to expectations."
I raised an eyebrow at that. Had my father really allowed me to learn Paejon 's martial arts?
"It would have been troublesome if he’d refused, but thankfully, it didn’t come to that."
"Troublesome?"
"I would have had to use force, which isn’t ideal at the moment."
My face twisted at his casual mention of using force. Was he really planning to handle things so crudely?
"Anyway, it’s taken care of, so focus on your tasks."
"Understood."
Though I felt uneasy, I decided to let it go since Paejon had said everything was fine.
For now, I was more concerned about my appearance.
"What am I going to do about this state?"
I hadn’t managed to clean up properly, so my condition was far from good. Though I’d changed clothes, there were still visible traces of my rough training.
I usually didn’t care much about my appearance, but given the circumstances, I needed to make a presentable impression.
"Damn it."
The selfless state left me in this mess. I could suppress the smell with my qi , but I couldn’t hide the disheveled look.
As I hesitantly approached, the gathered people turned their gaze towards me.
Among them were a few unfamiliar faces.
Both were middle-aged men.
As I tried to identify them, Paejon suddenly bowed to one of them and said,
"My apologies for being late."
The man on the left, a stranger, visibly flinched at Paejon 's greeting.
"Ah."
I realized who he was. That man was likely the head of the Moyong family.
Paejon lifted his head and looked at the man, who then managed a forced smile and spoke,
"Yes… please be more punctual next time."
"Yes, father."
If I hadn’t known Paejon 's identity as Moyong Biyeon’s father, the scene might have seemed odd.
Knowing the situation, however, I couldn’t help but feel a bit of sympathy for him.
"How should I put it?"
Given Paejon 's status as the highest-ranking person in the Moyong family, he was pretending to be the man’s son.
It couldn’t be an easy position for that poor man.
"And the other man?"
If one was the Moyong family head, then the other middle-aged man must be the head of the Pa family.
"I see… He looks just like Pa Woo-cheol."
He was a large, imposing figure, even bigger than Pa Woo-cheol, and exuded a powerful presence.
If he was indeed the Pa family head, then I recognized him vaguely.
He was a martial artist who had achieved a high rank similar to my father’s within the central plains.
As I looked between them, I bowed to my father.
"My apologies for being late."
"Understood."
He responded curtly, ending it there.
While things seemed to have thawed between us since last time, it was clear his personality hadn’t changed.
After all, he merely raised an eyebrow at my state before looking away.
As I awkwardly stepped back, I suddenly heard a voice.
"Yangcheon."
"...Yes?"
Lady Mi approached and addressed me.
"I heard your training was grueling, but it’s unfortunate that you’re not presenting yourself properly before important people."
"I… apologize."
Her unexpected reprimand took me by surprise. She rarely spoke to me in such a manner.
Oddly enough, I didn’t find it unpleasant.
Just as I apologized, Lady Mi reached out and touched my hair.
"Your hair is quite damaged."
"Lady Mi… My condition isn’t great right now. Your hands might get dirty."
I warned her, concerned about the dust clinging to me, but she continued to smooth down my hair without a care.
She seemed intent on tidying me up a bit, though it wasn’t an easy task.
As she fussed over my hair, she continued to speak.
"I’ll send you some good medicine. Make sure you take it regularly."
"...Yes? Yes, ma’am."
"The Tang family head will treat you well, but if you encounter any problems, seek out the Baekhwa Merchant Group in Sichuan... And..."
"..."
I could feel her words stretching on, and I noticed my father beginning to look weary.
Ignoring him, Lady Mi continued her advice.
"Lastly…"
I felt like I had heard that “lastly” multiple times now.
"Don’t get hurt."
"..."
"You don’t have to follow all my advice, but do keep this one."
Her words resonated strangely with me.
"Understood…"
Feeling a strange warmth, I let out a cough.
How could I describe this feeling?
I wasn’t sure.
Finally breaking away from Lady Mi , Paejon approached me.
"Finished your conversation?"
"Ah, yes."
"Good, good. That’s a relief."
Perhaps due to the number of people, Paejon had reverted to using Bi Jin’s mannerisms.
It was astonishing how he could change his demeanor so completely, as if he were a different person.
As I watched him, I suddenly noticed a person standing behind him.
There was something off about one of the attendants behind Paejon .
"..."
Among the attendants, one man caught my attention.
"Who is he?"
He was an ordinary-looking man with a face full of freckles.
For some reason, I felt an odd vibration in my right arm as I looked at him.
Why? What was it about this man?
"You’ve got a keen sense."
"...!"
A voice whispered in my ear, making me suppress a gasp.
The voice carried a familiar, ominous air, along with a faint sensation in my arm.
I had felt this before.
Staring at the attendant, I swallowed hard.
It made sense.
The one in the guise of an ordinary attendant was none other than the man known as the King of Assassins—
The Shadow King.