[What are you?]
The moment the Hermit, the White Lotus Sword, and Namgung Bi-ah left the residence, Shin Noya spoke, his question directed at Thunder Fang.
Still half-dazed from hearing that Namgung Bi-ah was heading to the North Sea, I had asked Namgung Myung about it, but he gave no response.
As silence stretched, anger began to bubble within me. By then, I was already half out of my mind.
The boiling heat and fury surged to the very top of my head. It was an uncontrollable rage.
Looking back now, it seems strange. Even though the situation was unexpected, it wasn’t something that should have made me this angry.
My emotions, difficult to manage at the best of times, always seemed to get in the way.
The real problem, though, was that even knowing this, I still couldn’t control them.
[What are you?]
Before I could shout in frustration, Shin Noya’s interjection cooled me down a little.
"What are you?" His question echoed in my mind.
I recalled the words Shin Noya had directed at Namgung Myung a day or two ago.
[You are not Myung.]
Watching Namgung Myung’s agitated reaction, Shin Noya had eventually declared firmly:
[You are not Namgung Myung.]
If that wasn’t Namgung Myung, then who—or what—was it?
[…Tch tch…]
After Shin Noya posed his question, a faint laugh emanated from Thunder Fang.
[…What do you mean, "What am I," Shin Cheol? Surely you jest.]
[Do I look like I’m joking?]
Woom.
Heat surged in my chest—but it wasn’t mine. A faint scent of plum blossoms began to flow through my meridians.
Light yet profound, clear yet dense. It was unmistakably Shin Noya’s aura.
[You are not Myung. Am I wrong?]
[…Hah…]
Namgung Myung chuckled softly, seemingly amused by the firm accusation.
[Then who do you say I am? I am Namgung Myung.]
His voice was sharp, as if dismissing the absurdity of the claim. Shin Noya, however, remained resolute.
[You may have fooled your descendants, but do you think you can deceive us?]
[Shin Cheol…!]
[You are not Namgung Myung.]
Woooooom—
As Shin Noya spoke, Thunder Fang began to tremble violently in my hand.
[Don’t spout nonsense. I am Namgung Myung. If I am not Namgung Myung, then who am I?]
The vibrations intensified, shaking my hand as faint sparks flickered in the air. Lightning qi was emanating from Thunder Fang.
[After all these long years, do you mean to mock me? You?]
[Yes, it must have been an incredibly long time.]
Shin Noya’s memories were fractured, filled with gaps like broken shards. He had mentioned waking up one day to find himself sealed within the artifact, a story that diverged from the official history.
According to the records of the Mount Hua Sect, the Flame Sword of Mount Hua ended his life as the sect leader after fulfilling his role.
Yet in our conversations with his lingering will, it was clear that something in that history was amiss.
Somewhere along the line, things had been twisted.
Whether it was the actions of those connected to the Celestial Abyss or the Blood Demon, something had gone terribly wrong.
And it seemed like Shin Noya was the one most preoccupied with uncovering the truth.
[Yes, it’s been a long time. What could someone who hasn’t experienced such a span possibly understand?]
Namgung Myung’s voice dripped with anger. It wasn’t the first time.
Previously, he had reacted similarly, his fury directed at Shin Noya, who had not endured the same passage of time.
[You still know nothing.]
The anger was understandable. Anyone who had remained a lingering will for countless years, waiting for someone who might never come, would likely have gone mad.
But—
[You’re right. I don’t know.]
Shin Noya’s response carried a different weight.
[However, I do know one thing—you are not Myung.]
[You insolent…!]
[It must have been a very long time, long enough for mountains to crumble and cities to rise upon their remains.]
Shin Noya’s words cut through the air.
Even the Arhat of the Yellow Cliff, after centuries, had been left weary and clinging to his sanity, while others, like the leader of the Tang Sect, endured lifetimes of bitterness to preserve their legacy, only for it to rot in the end.
It had been an unfathomably long time, one that had eroded and corrupted much of what once was.
For those who once sought to save the world, had this world ever been worth saving? It was a miracle they hadn’t all lost their minds.
And yet—
[You should know this better than anyone.]
Why, then, did Shin Noya refuse to acknowledge that voice as Namgung Myung’s?
That was the question that lingered in my mind.
Shin Noya’s voice deepened.
[Time erodes all things. If you have lost your true self, so be it.]
[And you use that knowledge to insult me?]
[Even the steadfast Iron Shadow lost his hope. What choice did you have?]
[Then why—]
[But even so.]
There it was.
Something in the air shifted. A cold sweat ran down my back.
The atmosphere was heavy, suffocating. This wasn’t just about Namgung Myung.
‘Shin Noya’s presence.’
It was his emotions influencing the environment.
‘Damn.’
Realizing this, I was once again struck by how extraordinary this old man was.
A mere fragment of his will could exert such an overwhelming presence.
In this moment, his usual gruffness gave way to something else entirely.
In the stifling silence, Shin Noya spoke again.
[At the very least, he never lost his convictions.]
[…!]
[And I feel no such conviction in you. So I ask again: Are you truly Namgung Myung?]
His voice carried an unshakable certainty, the kind born of experiences and bonds that I could hardly comprehend.
Namgung Myung fell silent.
Was it because he couldn’t answer? Or because he wouldn’t?
[...Do you even know how many years have passed? And you still say such things?]
Namgung Myung’s voice was dry, tinged with bitterness.
Even if he once had conviction, time had long since eroded it.
[What’s so strange about that?]
[How dare you—how dare someone who hasn’t endured this time speak of such things?]
Namgung Myung’s frustration was palpable, and I understood his anger.
To endure such hardship, only to be confronted by someone who had awakened after centuries, questioning your transformation—it was infuriating.
But—
‘There’s something off about this.’
Even as Namgung Myung spoke, a peculiar unease clung to his voice.
Shin Noya must have sensed it, too.
[Conviction can be lost. I won’t deny that.]
[…]
[But if you had lost it, that should have been the end of it.]
[What are you saying?]
Shin Noya’s voice seemed to lower.
[If you were to abandon your conviction, that should have been all you did. But instead, desire has taken its place.]
[…!]
[Will you deny that as well?]
The air grew heavier once more.
Desire replacing conviction—what did that mean?
I couldn’t understand, but Namgung Myung seemed to.
[All I feel from you is desire—a lust to restore the Namgung family, a desperation to fix your broken swordsmanship. Nothing more.]
[And what’s wrong with that? In a world this broken, was I supposed to simply stand back and wait, clinging to peace? Where is the justice in that?]
Namgung Myung’s argument was logical. It wasn’t unreasonable.
But Shin Noya’s response was unwavering.
[That’s true. Anyone else would have done the same.]
[Then why—]
[But not Namgung Myung.]
His words were firm, resolute.
[There’s something Myung always said. If you’re truly Namgung Myung, you’d know it.]
[…]
[Do you remember it? He said it even as his body was soaked in blood.]
Namgung Myung remained silent.
Was it because he didn’t know? Or because he couldn’t bring himself to say it?
[“A Namgung sword must stand as a king’s blade, protecting the people. A sword that protects no one has no purpose.” That’s what he always said.]
A ruler without subjects is meaningless.
Shin Noya’s words were sharp, carrying an undeniable truth.
[If Myung had lost his convictions, he would have ended his own life then and there. Replacing them with desire? What a laughable idea.]
I finally understood.
Shin Noya’s cold and quiet demeanor wasn’t because his emotions had withered away.
It was because he was so furious that he had grown calm.
[So, stop mocking my friend.]
The weight of his words pressed down on me, leaving me breathless.
I wanted to say something, to interject, but Shin Noya’s overwhelming presence silenced me.
I couldn’t help but marvel at his unwavering belief.
‘How can he be so certain?’
Even if his friend had fallen, he believed so transparently, so absolutely, that this wasn’t him.
What kind of life had he lived, to form a bond so profound?
[Once more, I ask: Who are you?]
[Shin Cheol…]
Namgung Myung’s voice trembled. Was it from fear? Or resignation?
After a long pause, he finally spoke.
[I… I am Namgung Myung.]
It was the same as before.
[That truth will not change, no matter what.]
[This insolent—]
[But…]
[…]
[I am not the original.]
Shin Noya froze, his anger cut short.
[What did you just say?]
‘Original?’ What did he mean?
Eyes wide, I waited as Namgung Myung continued.
[I am the lingering regret left behind by the original Namgung Myung, created for the sake of the Namgung family.]
[…]
[Then where is the real Myung?]
Shin Noya’s voice, for the first time, faltered.
And Namgung Myung answered.
[The North Sea. He’s in the North Sea.]
Of course, it had to be that accursed land again.
******************
I opened my eyes.
For some reason, my heavy eyelids annoyed me.
"…Ugh…"
I staggered as I tried to sit up, moving my arm and feeling a peculiar soreness in my muscles.
‘What the hell?’
As I straightened up, I clutched my head, trying to think.
When did I lose consciousness? Was everything up until now just a dream?
The conversation between Namgung Myung and Shin Noya... no, it didn’t feel like a dream.
I vaguely remembered hearing about the North Sea, grabbing Thunder Fang, and storming off.
Then there was the sparring match with Namgung Bi-ah.
I used Thunder Fang, didn’t I?
‘Yeah, that’s right. I used it.’
I remembered trying out the weapon, pushing my qi into it, and somehow managing to wield it.
Then came the sparring match… and I lost.
Yes, I lost. I lost to Namgung Bi-ah.
Thinking I could outmatch her in swordsmanship with a weapon I didn’t even understand, I fell for a feint and was defeated.
And then—
‘…’
Smack!
A vivid memory of something brushing against my lips surfaced, and I reflexively slapped my cheek.
My face burned with heat.
I remembered up to that point—damn clearly, too.
But what’s this now?
Why had I passed out and woken up like this?
‘…No way.’
Had I fainted just because of that kiss?
That would be… problematic.
‘That’s way too embarrassing…’
Fainting over something as trivial as a kiss? No, that couldn’t be it.
If it turned out to be true, I’d bite my tongue and die right now.
‘Should I just do it? Maybe that’s the best option.’
As I seriously contemplated this ridiculous thought, Shin Noya’s voice chimed in with utter exasperation.
[Stop being an idiot. That’s not what happened.]
‘It’s not? Then what? Why was I lying down like that?’
[The backlash from using Thunder Fang, you fool.]
‘What?’
Backlash?
Shin Noya’s words triggered a delayed memory.
Right after Namgung Bi-ah’s surprise kiss, I had stood frozen for a few seconds. Just as I moved to react, it struck.
-Urgh…!
I had clutched my chest, overwhelmed by an unbearable pain in my heart.
And shortly after, I blacked out.
‘…So that was backlash from using Thunder Fang ?’
[Of course. Why would you try to wield something so incompatible with you?]
But there hadn’t been any apparent issues while I was using it.
‘Aside from consuming a ton of qi, it didn’t seem like it caused any harm… Was the backlash really that severe?’
[Do you think it makes sense for such a powerful artifact to have no repercussions?]
‘But… Gui Jeong —’
[Didn’t you yourself say Gui Jeong is less efficient than Thunder Fang ?]
‘…’
There was a sharp edge to his words. It seemed the old man was holding a grudge over my earlier comparison of the two artifacts.
‘…Fine, I’m sorry about that.’
[Tch.]
Even after my apology, Shin Noya didn’t seem inclined to let it go.
Setting that aside, his explanation wasn’t entirely unreasonable.
The energy I felt when wielding Thunder Fang was immense. It would have been stranger if there were no backlash for such enhancements.
‘So it wasn’t just about draining qi, then.’
The problem was that I had never seen the Demon Sword Queen suffer this kind of pain after using Thunder Fang.
‘Sure, I’d seen her look exhausted from overexertion, but she never showed signs of this level of agony.’
That could only mean the problem was unique to me.
The reason?
‘I was forcing myself to use something incompatible….’
As Shin Noya had pointed out, this was likely a side effect of wielding an artifact not suited to me.
It made sense.
Using a weapon designed for lightning qi with my fiery energy was unnatural to begin with. The fact that I could even use it was remarkable.
‘If I’d known this would happen, I wouldn’t have used it.’
Regardless of the artifact’s capabilities, it wasn’t efficient for me. Using it out of curiosity had nearly cost me dearly.
‘Still… how did I even manage to use it?’
Setting the backlash aside, understanding how I could wield Thunder Fang was the real question.
As I pondered this—
[Kid, now’s not the time for that.]
‘What?’
[Look to your side, will you?]
What was he talking about?
Following his suggestion, I turned my head.
And there—
"…Huh?"
Seated and sipping tea was my father. Across from him sat Moyong Hee-ah, Wi Seol-ah, and Namgung Bi-ah, her head hanging low.
‘...’
Taking in the scene, I nodded slightly and lay back down on the bed.
This had to still be a dream.
Closing my eyes, I decided to wait it out.
It took all of ten seconds to realize it wasn’t a dream.