Clank.
The air was thick with a damp, musty odor mixed with the metallic tang unique to iron.
There was a small window, but not a single sliver of light filtered through. Only a tiny lamp on the wall cast a faint glow around the area.
Something about this felt familiar. The familiarity made me chuckle quietly in helplessness.
Crack.
I lifted my hand, trying to move, only to feel something obstructing me. Cuffs were tightly binding my wrists.
"…"
I frowned at them. As if mere handcuffs could actually hold me back. Examining them closely, I began to get a sense of what these cuffs were made of.
"They really went all out on this."
The kind of aura and strength embedded in this item was unmistakable.
"Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron…"
These cuffs were undoubtedly made of Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron. Nothing less could bind a martial artist of transcendence-level strength or higher.
"Looks like they mixed it with something inferior, though…"
After all, Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron isn’t exactly lying around everywhere, and it wouldn’t make sense to use pure Cold Iron for a mere pair of cuffs.
"Well, there’s probably more of it now than there used to be."
If this was the world of the past, there would indeed be more Cold Iron here than in the timeline after my return.
In its original state, Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron was so rare that even astronomical sums couldn’t secure it.
Around four or five years from now, a trading house in the Zhejiang region would discover a mine filled with Cold Iron, leading to a huge increase in its supply.
Of course…
In the process, that trading house would mysteriously vanish after an ambush, or it would be secretly circulated by the Martial Alliance and then discovered later.
All kinds of incidents would follow, but ultimately, it was true that Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron became more abundant than before.
Which is why it was now even being used in handcuffs.
"…Unbelievable."
Even a tiny trace of Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron would elevate a sword to legendary status. Yet here, in this era, it was mixed into handcuffs.
It was utterly absurd.
"I’ll have to take a trip to Zhejiang when I get back."
Even though I had a mountain of things to do, the main reason I hadn’t paid much attention to money was because of this. I didn’t know all the future, but I remembered the major events.
And, naturally, I remembered the history of Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron.
The worry was that, with the timeline so altered, relying on my knowledge of the future might lead to unforeseen complications.
At this point, even with all the information I knew, I couldn’t fully trust it.
"But it seems I can’t afford to ignore it, either."
This was Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron, after all. It would be incredibly useful for the future, and leaving it behind felt like a waste.
I thought about it as I looked at the cuffs, but a sense of futility washed over me, and I slumped against the wall. After all, this wasn’t the time to be thinking about such things.
Sigh…
I looked up at the wall again.
Then— clunk! —the movement beneath me caused my body to lift slightly off the floor. Feeling the uncomfortable vibrations, I muttered under my breath.
"Damn… who’s driving this thing like a lunatic?"
It was a harsh comment, but no kinder words would come out.
That was my situation. I was currently inside a moving carriage.
I couldn’t see anything, but judging from the environment and the sensations, it was clear enough.
The vibrations continued, the floor shook, and I ground my teeth.
I was currently being transported to a Martial Alliance unit.
I looked down at the cuffs binding my wrists and let out a heavy sigh.
"This isn’t right…"
How did things end up like this?
"How, you ask? There’s no point in asking."
There was no need to think it over. The reason I ended up like this…
…was entirely because of my own doing.
******************
BOOM-!
A sudden rumble erupted from the dark clouds that had gathered in the sky.
Within the blackened clouds, a crackling energy of thunder pulsed, ready to strike the ground at any moment, filled with rage.
Could this truly be a phenomenon caused by a human? The power emanating from it even stirred a sense of awe within me.
I looked toward the warrior responsible for this scene, and a name surfaced in my mind.
‘Thunder Queen (뇌후).’
It was another name for Mageomhu, and the one I thought suited her best.
Her control over the power of thunder had reached such heights that it could disrupt the natural order itself. This was the level that those who practiced expansive martial arts and energy manipulation aimed to reach.
An ultimate martial artist who had trained her energy manipulation to the extreme, reaching unity with the Divine Sword.
I recalled something Paejon once spoke of—he referred to it as the realm of transcendence.
He described it as a state of becoming one with martial arts, transcending its limits.
Watching Mageomhu now, I couldn’t be certain, but it seemed she had either reached that level or was on the verge of doing so.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to display power like this.
RUMBLE…
The area of dark clouds expanded, and the thunderous aura around Mageomhu thickened even further.
It seemed she was deciding to unleash her full power, as the energy radiating from her was anything but ordinary.
"What the hell is she doing?"
I swallowed hard as I watched her.
What could be making her react this way?
It was surprising enough that Little Sword Star had expressed interest in me, but Mageomhu’s response was even more shocking.
"Wait, they’re after me—why is she reacting like this?"
Maybe she was angry that her newly appointed subordinate was being taken away?
"Her?"
It didn’t make sense. Mageomhu wasn’t the type to care about others, let alone a newcomer. She had no interest in people and was hardly one to protect her own.
"Then what is it?"
I narrowed my eyes, observing Mageomhu as she unleashed her energy furiously.
This was serious.
"Could she have figured out who I am?"
There was a slim chance of that, but if so, how could she have known? There was no way to tell.
I had sealed my fire energy, my appearance was entirely different, and the Black Flame Demon was still alive and well.
Even though I had undergone a return, it was impossible for Mageomhu, who hadn’t, to recognize me.
"...Mageomhu."
The rippling aura of thunder spread around her, and no one seemed more shocked by this than Little Sword Star.
She must have realized that Mageomhu’s intent to kill was genuine.
Crackling!
The aura of lightning encased Mageomhu’s blade, and the energy she exuded seemed ready to explode as she began walking toward Little Sword Star.
With a frown, Little Sword Star also started gathering her energy.
"Whoa?"
I widened my eyes in surprise.
Was she actually planning to face Mageomhu head-on?
"Are they seriously about to fight?"
The atmosphere was lethal.
Although Mageomhu belonged to the Demonic Sect, she wasn’t someone who relied on demonic energy.
This meant that she wouldn’t be affected by Little Sword Star’s Anti-Demonic Power.
In fact, Mageomhu was the only one in the Demonic Sect who could fight Little Sword Star purely with her skill alone.
This meant that if a fight broke out, it would be a brutal, bloody battle.
Swish.
A few energy forms emerged behind Little Sword Star, shifting into the shape of swords.
She also held a sword in her other hand.
Dual swordsmanship.
In one hand was her cherished sword, and in the other, an energy-formed sword.
Countless blades hovered around her back, moving in the form of her unique technique, the Moonlight Sword Dance.
Her eyes sharpened even further as she faced Mageomhu, speaking in a cold voice.
"Mageomhu, do you intend to fight right here?"
"If that’s what you want."
Mageomhu’s response was firm, undeterred by Little Sword Star’s words.
"Even the Majestic Lord remains silent, so why do you feel the need to interfere?"
The Majestic Lord, the one responsible for the demons here, stood back, watching the two of them without a word, as if curious to see how things would unfold.
That bastard… He’s just watching instead of intervening.
"Damn bastard, may your heart explode and kill you."
I cursed him silently, fury burning in my gaze.
Even as Little Sword Star spoke, Mageomhu showed no sign of stopping. She looked ready to spill blood at any moment.
The thunderous aura spread through her white hair, altering its color.
The same transformation happened to her deep blue eyes, once like the sea, now taken over by the presence of the Thunder Queen.
Mageomhu approached Little Sword Star, her voice calm and resolute.
"That doesn’t matter."
"…"
"None of it."
"What do you mean…?"
Little Sword Star was visibly shaken by Mageomhu’s answer.
"The important thing is, you’re trying to take something from me, and I have no intention of letting that happen."
"…!"
Mageomhu’s words, usually slurred or hesitant, were clear and unwavering, and Little Sword Star’s eyes widened.
Her gaze grew colder.
"I have no intention of giving you anything right now."
"Mageomhu…!"
BOOM!
Thunder gathered in the sky above.
As the tension escalated rapidly, the energy of the surrounding martial artists surged. Cheonjon was still standing with his hands clasped behind his back, but I could feel an unusual energy emanating from him.
It meant he was ready to step in if needed, yet the Majestic Lord showed no signs of intervening.
He seemed content to simply watch, though I could tell from his look that his mind was racing with thoughts.
I felt the same.
"What now?"
I was completely in the dark.
Why was Mageomhu so furious, and why did Little Sword Star—the Martial Alliance itself—want me?
I didn’t know why things had escalated to this point, but one thing was clear.
"If I don’t act now, this will turn into a disaster."
I sprang to my feet.
Even as the crackling thunder threatened to tear me apart, I didn’t hesitate. I didn’t know what Mageomhu was thinking, but I knew she was seeing me in a different light.
Was it a faint sense of certainty mixed with fear?
I pushed through the thunder and reached for her wrist.
"…!"
Mageomhu turned her fierce gaze on me, but as soon as she saw who I was, the raging energy around her began to dissipate.
The dark clouds above began to clear, and the scattered killing intent diminished.
All that remained was her gaze, fixed on my hand holding her wrist.
Zap.
A faint stinging pain spread across my wrist. Checking it, I noticed blood trickling from a burn left by the lightning.
Mageomhu’s gaze flickered as she saw this.
I met her gaze, piecing things together in my mind.
Mageomhu was treating me differently. Despite our contact, she hadn’t drawn her sword to cut me down.
She hadn’t even brushed away my hand holding her wrist.
With this realization, I spoke to her.
"It’s okay."
"…"
"I’m fine, so calm down."
Even as I spoke, I watched her cautiously, uncertain of her reaction.
The energy raging within her gradually subsided, and Mageomhu returned to her normal self.
I confirmed this and turned my attention to Little Sword Star.
"So, you say you want me?"
She flinched slightly, clearly not expecting me to address her so directly.
I clicked my tongue in annoyance at her reaction.
Cheonma had clearly warned them not to cross the border into Sichuan.
And yet, they’d gathered their full power to pursue me, even involving Cheonjon and Little Sword Star, suggesting they were willing to wage a war if necessary.
But why?
"How would I know?"
What mattered here was that I was the one causing all the trouble.
And it meant that someone wanted me.
"A person capable of moving both Little Sword Star and Cheonjon in a situation like this…"
Someone like that was behind all this.
If they specifically requested me, it meant they had at least a vague understanding of my situation. And that meant…
"I’d better find out who they are."
They might know something about this unfamiliar world.
It was clearly a dangerous situation, but I couldn’t allow Mageomhu and Little Sword Star to start a fight, nor let a war break out over this.
At this point, I had only one choice.
"…Let’s go."
For now, I would go along.
Right now, that seemed like the best option.
******************
Presently,
I was locked in a pitch-black carriage, handcuffed, with only a single lantern dangling on the wall, casting faint light.
All I could feel was the rough jostling of the carriage beneath me.
"Where exactly are they taking me?"
Were they transporting me all the way to the Martial Alliance’s headquarters in Henan? That was too far. It would take at least a month by carriage, so that couldn’t be the case.
"Did I really make the right choice?"
Twisting my body here and there, I wondered. Acting on impulse, it wasn’t necessarily the best choice, but it was the best I could make at the time. When I volunteered to go on my own, Mageomhu tried to stop me.
But the Majestic Lord intervened.
I understood his intention. They knew the Martial Alliance wanted me, and he didn’t want Little Sword Star getting injured in a needless battle.
"If it were me, I wouldn’t have done that."
Even though the Majestic Lord was essentially me, I couldn’t help but question the choice he made.
If it were me, I would’ve fought to keep someone the Martial Alliance was so determined to obtain.
But was it because I’d changed after returning? Or was it something else?
"I don’t know."
What I was sure of was that this world was different from the one I remembered.
That was the problem.
"It’s subtly different."
Something was off. Not just about the Thunder Child—an unusual energy was lingering everywhere.
"Sigh."
If I tried to overlook it, it would only make things worse. Things never resolved easily for me.
"Life really is…"
At this rate, it felt like luck had abandoned me entirely.
"What do they want me to do, anyway?"
They called this trial "Regret."
According to Tangje Gate, I would have to make choices, but it didn’t matter what those choices were.
Up until now, there hadn’t been a single moment where a choice seemed obvious.
What do they want from me? Why put me in these situations?
The longer I thought about it, the more frustrating it became.
“Hah…”
I spent the entire day sighing.
Rumble! Thump!
The carriage jostled heavily, and then I felt it gradually slow down.
Then—
Creeeeak.
The carriage door opened, and a sliver of light pierced through. I squinted into the brightness and saw, first, a glint of golden hair.
“…Please step out.”
It was Little Sword Star, opening the door. Trying to keep my composure, I asked, “We’ve already arrived?”
It felt like just a day or two, not even enough distance covered. We were there already?
Stretching my stiff body, I stepped out.
It was night.
I could feel their gazes. Members of the Martial Alliance stared at me with barely veiled contempt and disgust, all directed at me as a “demon.”
Ignoring their looks, I glanced around.
"Cheonjon is nowhere to be seen."
I couldn’t tell if he was hiding somewhere or on guard nearby. It was beyond my level to detect him.
“Follow me…”
Leaving only that, Little Sword Star took the lead. She led us into a dark forest.
“…”
I followed her in silence.
No other martial artists seemed to be joining us. Were we going alone?
After a while, I decided to speak up.
“Excuse me.”
She paused slightly, glancing back at me.
“Could you remove these?”
I lifted my handcuffed wrists as I spoke. She looked at me as if I’d spoken nonsense.
“My dantian is sealed anyway, so could you at least—”
“No.”
Her firm answer left no room for argument. If I were her, I wouldn’t have removed them either.
“Then could you at least tell me who wants to meet me?”
“…”
She didn’t respond. Her gaze, golden and silent, held something unreadable, a hint of hesitation I didn’t understand.
Just as I was wondering why she was looking at me like that—
“What’s your name?”
She asked suddenly, catching me off guard.
I didn’t expect her to ask for my name out of the blue.
Feigning nonchalance, I dodged the question.
“You’re asking my name after coming specifically to get me?”
“All I sensed was… the energy within you.”
Only then did I understand why she’d chosen me specifically.
Was it the resonance?
It must have been the resonance with the Divine Sword’s energy. That was likely the reason she singled me out.
This meant she was aware of someone who resonated with her energy—that is, she knew I was here.
"What’s going on?"
How had she known? My curiosity deepened.
“…”
As I contemplated, she seemed ready to ask me something else when—
Shhh—!!
“…!”
An unknown chill crept up behind me. I felt a shiver down my spine as I turned to look.
And there—
Crack!
A rift suddenly split open in the air.
Little Sword Star remained calm, as though she’d expected this.
It was unmistakably a portal to the Demon Realm.
A rift appeared out of nowhere, and I frowned as someone emerged from beyond it.
Tap—
A graceful, measured step.
A woman wearing a veil over her face emerged from the portal. Staring at her, uncertain of what to think, I watched as she approached.
Then—
Swish.
She bowed her head to me unexpectedly.
“I greet the one from the beyond.”
Her words, laced with a strange honorific, made me furrow my brows in confusion.
The woman lifted her head and said,
“I am Muhui.”
Muhui (舞姬).
That was how she introduced herself.