“So… you are asking for help for the Fourth Disciple?”
Cho Ah-ran, Ack Bi along with Seol-Hwi were sitting in one place in a triangle and having a conversation.
Perhaps because both of them were hit by Seol-Hwi’s martial arts, they did not mention each other’s martial arts or talk about which one was better.
When the atmosphere subsided from cold to warm, Seol-Hwi hurriedly asked them that.
“Yes. I don’t know if Master knows about it, but the other disciples of the Heavenly Demon laid a solid and strong foundation before the power struggle even began. There are countless known warriors who have joined them, but not a single one supports the Fourth Disciple, let alone having a group of elders to look after him.”
Seol-Hwi carefully spoke and looked at them. It was because he could be hated by these two for even mentioning the situation at the sect.
Fortunately, they did not speak out against it. However, the evaluation of the Fourth Disciple was harsh.
“Then the Fourth Disciple doesn’t have the talent to be the Heavenly Demon. If there is that much of a gap in the power struggle between the disciples… would us helping make any difference?”
Ack Bi’s remarks were true, and Cho Ah-ran followed,
“Power isn’t something you get with exceptional talent and brains on your side. It’s only when you can give benefits to the people you have, can you gain that power. However, in order to do that, you need a huge ‘foundation’ to realize it, and you need the right ‘achievements’ to make the people below understand.”
“…”
“My disciple. Do not wait for such a guy and switch to another disciple immediately. This is a waste of time and effort.”
“That…”
When Seol-Hwi paused for a while, both his masters looked curious about it, and Seol-Hwi said,
“The Fourth Disciple… he is the Heavenly Killing Star.”
“What?!”
“…!”
In an instant, the two of them had expressions of incredulity on their faces. Seeing that, he thought the rumors about the Fourth Disciple had not spread much.
Or maybe it was because his Masters were in reclusive training was why they did not hear anything about it. After a moment of silence, the conversation continued with Cho Ah-ran’s question,
“That guy, how old is he?”
“I don’t know his exact age, but he seems to be over 20.”
“What?! And he is still alive?”
“Yes.”
“…Huh!”
Cho Ah-ran looked quite surprised, and Ack Bi moved a little closer to him and said,
“Haha. It is hard to even guess that someone with such a birth would live past 16 let alone reach 20. When the Fourth Disciple chooses to release his strength, how strong will he be then?”
“The strength… How much will it be?”
Just in time, Seol-Hwi revealed a thought he had been curious about.
The Earth Demon’s strength, he wanted to know how strong he would be from the perspective of a warrior and a master instead of only just guessing about it.
At that, not Ack Bi but, Cho Ah-ran said,
“Disciple. Usually, such people born under that star die at their own fate by the time they reach 16. It is said that the power which reaches the sky is what they hold.”
“Are you talking about the Supreme Demon level?”
“At least it will not be lacking. But living while hiding that power is a great thing. Moreover, with each year, it is a power that will become stronger.”
“Then… there is a possibility to reach Profound Demon?”
“Maybe.”
“Ah.”
Seol-Hwi felt goosebumps rise. He expected that he might be able to catch the Heavenly Demon, but it was just a thought. However, listening to their words, it did not seem so impossible.
“Hmm.”
The conversation was halted, and Ack Bi looked away like he was thinking about something.
“Well, if it is the wish of the disciple there is nothing I wouldn’t do.”
As if he made up his mind, he agreed right away and Seol-Hwi turned to the other, who smiled.
“If we move to the Fourth Disciple, there will be some uncomfortable situations for us, but there is no reason why we shouldn’t go just because of that. It is past the age to notice the people around…”
“…”
At those words, Cho Ah-ran began to ponder again. Then she looked at Seol-Hwi and asked,
“Do you have to go there?”
Seol-Hwi felt it, a serious tone unlike her.
No, maybe this was her true self.
“There are certain things that must be done under the Fourth Disciple.”
“Is that so?”
At that, Cho Ah-ran nodded.
“Then… I will go too.”
“Ah, Master…”
“No matter what the process is, you are my first disciple. How can we be your master and refuse your request?”
She nodded and Seol-Hwi felt excited.
In the situation where he was asked to bring Cheon Miryo, the situation could be salvaged with such warriors.
It was because he thought that this alone was enough.
“Then prepare.”
“…?”
“How long will he wait? Let us leave immediately.”
There was no such thing as luggage.
A sword Cho Ah-ran handed over along with shoes and clothes were all given by the warriors, and he roughly wore them.
Wheeing
On the snowy mountain, it was still a very cold land. Ack Bi was in the lead with Cho Ah-ran and Seol-Hwi behind.
After a while, Seol-Hwi realized something was odd. The direction they were going in, they were moving to the northwest.
“Master. It doesn’t seem like the road to the main sect.”
Unable to hold back his thoughts, he asked, and Ack Bi said,
“Of course. The destination isn’t there.”
“Uh? What do you mean?”
At those words, both masters stooped. And Cho Ah-ran said,
“Firstly, there is a place we need to stop by.”
“And that is?”
“The northern end of Kunlun Mountain, the pagoda mountain.”
“…!”
Seol-Hwi was doubting his ears. This was a familiar place, no, a familiar name.
It was because it was one of the two places where traces of ice arts had been found.
This is bad.
Seol-Hwi felt a chill run down his spine. If his two masters were on the way to visit Cheon Miryo, they would tell the truth.
And then they will know he was not her disciple.
Seol-Hwi was a bit worried and was following after Ack Bi, who was walking ahead. Seol-Hwi then said,
“Master, actually I have something to tell you.”
Ack Bi nodded at that.
“What is it?”
“Actually, I am…”
Seol-Hwi was about to speak, but was startled. He tried to speak out, but the words would not come out.
Were they not the warriors who knew him as disciples of Cheon Miryo? In a situation as such, if he said he lied, there was no way they would just accept it.
But.
“Are you trying to say that you aren’t her disciple?”
“…!”
Seol-Hwi eyes moved to Cho Ah-ran, who was behind Ack Bi.
“What are you so surprised about? It is a problem… everyone is aware of, that she doesn’t take disciples. Well, she couldn’t have suddenly changed her mind, but… that is what people who don’t know her say.”
“Then… why me…”
“Why did we turn a blind eye? When did we do that?”
“Uh?”
When Seol-Hwi looked shocked, Ack Bi stepped ahead and said,
“Didn’t we torture you for several months already? In the morning and evening. Actually normally you would give up and leave… but you endured it.”
“And we liked you more after that. Even though your mouth was full of lies, you were more sincere than anyone else when it came to learning.”
It was practice close to torture.
It seemed that they did not intend for him to grow at first.
Well, if he thought about it, the training was definitely significantly more abnormal than usual.
“Master. If you knew the ugly side of this disciple, shouldn’t we not see master Cheon Miryo?”
Of course, Seol-Hwi’s goal was her, but there was no need to attract her with the lies exposed. And weren’t these two already skilled warriors?
“Do you know who the Fourth Disciple can trust?”
“Uh?”
Seol-Hwi was a bit confused at Ack Bi’s question. He realized that being able to fully trust someone was different.
“Didn’t you say the other disciples already have people? In a situation like this, the question is if we have someone who can protect the Fourth Disciple. And if they can be trusted…”
“That…”
There was a need for such a person and was that not why he was taking the both of them?
“If the Fourth Disciple doesn’t want to be pushed out by other disciples, being a good enough warrior wouldn’t work. Moreover, if they put on a defensive front, traitors will appear.”
“…”
“But with someone like Miss Cheon Miryo on our side, the story would change by a lot. It will be a silent warning to the other disciples and a huge confidence boost to the subordinates of the Fourth Disciple.”
Ack Bi looked at Seol-Hwi and said,
“Because she is the most famous person in the sect after the sect leader.”
Ah.
Seol-Hwi understood it now. The Fourth Disciple needed a warrior, but more than that, he needed someone to be a foundation of power on his side.
Cheon Miryo was the one who raised the name of the sect by being in Kangho.
She had the power to grab the attention of anyone with her force.
“And…”
Cho Ah-ran got close to Seol-Hwi and put her hand on his shoulder.
“She is probably the one who can show you the path to Profound Demon.”
Seol-Hwi could not deny it anymore.
And even though it had been just months, it was the moment when he learned a little bit about what kind of people his masters were.
The mountain was steep.
In addition, they had to walk through the snow which came up to their ankles, and harsh cold wind was slowing down their speed.
Above all, these conditions and it being hard to breathe had the effect of preventing most people from even moving.
But, it was not a hindrance to those who were warriors, especially those who were superior to normal ones. Quickly, stepping onto the highest peak, Ack Bi said,
“There should be a cave in the middle of the road leading to the mountains here.”
His masters were thinking about the location of Cheon Miryo. Hearing that they had been here several times, Seol-Hwi did not ask anything and just followed them.
Uh?
As they said, in the middle of the slope down the mountain path, a cave of considerable size could be seen.
Seol-Hwi, who quickly entered it, was shocked after just a few steps in.
“Woah!”
What caught Seol-Hwi’s attention was the tall ceiling. It was several times higher than the height of the Great Pavilion which had six floors. In addition, this place made it look mysterious and made one want to explore it more.
Meanwhile, Ack Bi who had gone far ahead, said while looking at Cho Ah-ran,
“She wont come out even if we call her right?”
“Probably.”
“Then, in the end, that is the only way. Although I am afraid of what will…”
“Tch tch. A named warrior who has a disciple to his name. If you are scared then get out, I will do it.”
“Who said I was scared?”
After arguing for a while, they sat down looking at each other. Soon after, they made a bet, and as promised, they raised their internal energy towards the wall at the same time.
Kwang! Kwakwakwang!
With the Supreme Demons doing it, the entire cave shook like it would explode from the inside out.
“Master…”
When Seol-Hwi, who was shocked, approached them and called out—
The both of them told him,
“Stay out of the way.”
“Continue to watch it.”
And the next attack—
Kwakwakwakng!
As the energy was being freely thrown out, the walls crumbled with part of the cave collapsing.
And they did that for a while.
“Well then, shall we wait a day or so?”
“Then I will go find something inside.”
“Ah, me too.”
The two warriors went inside. Seol-Hwi stood in an awkward position and then laid down on the ground when his masters went out.
“Haa…”
He had no idea what was happening.
They said to wait for a day…
So he closed his eyes.
He did not have anything to do, so he was passing the time. Was it when he was falling asleep?
When he opened his eyes, he sensed someone looking down at him.
“Who are you?”
It was a woman.
One with a slender neck and white skin with no freckles. And this unspoken ecstasy—
Was an unparalleled beauty he had never seen before.