Ian and I continued our journey.

Our destination was the Gui Sect, the family of the Spirit Lord. Since the wedding was still some time away, we were enjoying the trip according to schedule.

Along the way, we met many people. We encountered a lecherous man targeting her, a sincere nobleman who admired her so deeply he was willing to give his life, and a wealthy old man who came with gold to propose. The lecher died, the nobleman cried, and the old man was humiliated.

Though meeting all these people was new and exciting, unexpectedly, what Ian enjoyed most was viewing the breathtaking scenery and tasting the local delicacies. People could be tedious, but everything about the Central Plains was fresh and new to her.

She tried to remember the moment as if she would never return—writing down their experiences during the trip.

“This dish is really delicious. You should try it too, young master.”

“I prefer this one.”

“That’s too spicy. If you love spicy food that much, you’ll ruin your stomach.”

“You wouldn’t survive in Sichuan.”

“I still want to try proper Sichuan cuisine.”

By now, we no longer cared about the gazes around us. Though people still glanced at her beauty, since we ignored them, they effectively ceased to exist.

“But young master, is it okay for us to play like this?”

“Why not?”

“The Grand Prince must be working to win over the demon hunters.”

“Probably.”

“What if Blood Heaven Butcher joins hands with the Grand Prince again?”

“Let him do so. How fun would it be to bring him back?”

“You’re too carefree; it makes me uneasy.”

“Don’t worry. If I’m destined to be the successor, I can take my time; if not, no matter how many demon hunters I meet, it won’t happen. Besides, ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ what I’m doing now is much more important than recruiting demon hunters.”

“What is that?”

“Feeding the caught fish.”

She pointed to herself with her finger, and I nodded.

How easily she forgot how reckless she was. If the fish wasn’t caught first, there would be no chance to catch new ones. How easily she took kindness for granted. How could she compare the gratitude of being caught first and staying with her?

She smiled and said,

“The fish has been eating well lately.”

“So don’t complain later about lack of affection or trust!”

“In that spirit, order one more dish!”

“Order everything next to it too!”

Of course, during the trip, we didn’t neglect martial arts training.

Running, jumping, sparring. Except for eating and sightseeing, we devoted all our time to training.

Lately, whenever free, I’d reflect on the essence of martial learning left by the ancestor Mansajongju.

That realization intertwined with the Radiant Sword Art’s twelve-star mastery, something was tickling me. Knowing such a tickle always leads to growth, I never neglected training for a moment.

Ian was equally focused. Especially since clearing the Ren-Du Yang Mai, she was nearing the final stage of the Radiant Sword Art’s eight-star level. With just a bit more effort, she’d reach completion.

Along with sword training, she never skipped lightness skill practice.

“Ahhh!”

Ian screamed as she fell from a cliff, but her movements were different from before. Her flailing limbs now moved calmly.

At the last moment, twisting several times, she landed. Though she staggered and fell forward, she succeeded in falling alone from the cliff.

“I did it!”

She jumped joyfully.

I landed beside her. At the last moment, as if descending invisible stairs, I walked through the air down, surprising her.

“I’ve gotten better because I kept following your jumps.”

“Are you trying to intimidate me? I made such a fuss falling down, and you’re acting like this?”

“I’m human too; I want to brag and show off sometimes.”

“You don’t have to brag—you’re already amazing.”

“Ah, keep bragging so I can keep hearing it.”

“Go ahead, I won’t get tired of it.”

She’s so devoted to me, yet she loves having fun, is cheerful, bright, smart, and values her personal life and happiness. That’s why I’m even more grateful and fond of her.

Ian drew her sword.

“Now, you owe me praise. One move, please.”

We fought fiercely.

We deliberately flew up the cliff with lightness skill while fighting. Sword energy flew through the air, and dodging it, we pushed off the cliff and flew upward.

She faced death multiple times. Falling from the cliff and climbing back, she dodged sword energy narrowly and unleashed her own, climbing again.

It was a true master-level battle. Though I set the stage and guided her, she handled it brilliantly. Her skill was improving. I felt it teaching her as well.

When we reached the cliff top again, we ended the fight.

“Since clearing Ren-Du Yang Mai, my vital energy flows and technique power have changed.”

“You know how important this moment is?”

“Of course.”

Her eyes were full of determination. Though the scenery and food were nice, she was a born warrior. Nothing compared to the joy of martial growth.

“You’re doing well.”

“Who’s your master that I can’t fail?”

Her eyes were full of gratitude and respect.

“You wanted to see the wedding, right? Beyond that mountain is where we’re headed.”

“But why are you hesitating about stopping the wedding?”

“I was asked. To stop the wedding.”

“By whom?”

“Someone who helped me greatly.”

Explaining this was difficult.

Honestly, I coldly told him to marry and live another hellish life, but I felt sorry for him.

Without the Spirit Lord, he couldn’t have regressed. I understand why he betrayed me to go there.

Who could resist the temptation of going back? Maybe he wanted to avoid that wedding, even betraying me.

The final decision would be made when I met him, but I hoped to stop the wedding if possible. He wanted it that badly.

“Is he fond of the bride?”

“I doubt it.”

No enemy was worse than that. The Spirit Lord called married life hell.

“There are also people I want to see even if it’s not a wedding.”

Seo-jin.

My only friend during my days as a ronin. Had she not told me about the Grand Regression Art, I’d never have known.

“Well, let’s go.”

I leapt from the cliff. Ian shouted behind me,

“I’m originally scared of heights! Don’t just go like that!”

But despite her words, Ian followed me without hesitation.

Night deepened at the Gui Sect.

Since becoming heir of the Gui Sect, Gui Lord Seo Gong had become so busy he barely slept.

By day, he studied the secret Gui techniques passed only to heirs; by night, he researched the Grand Regression Art. It had been the family’s longstanding wish—thousands of volumes of materials passed down through generations.

That day, he was reading late again.

A familiar voice came from behind.

“If you had studied swordsmanship this diligently, you’d be the world’s greatest swordsman.”

Seo Gong kept his eyes on the book as he replied.

“If you’d spent this time meddling, you’d be number one yourself.”

His sister Seo Jin entered.

“Don’t overdo it and get sick. If you collapse, the work falls to me.”

“Don’t worry. I promised the spirits not to be taken until this research is done.”

“The spirits I know don’t make such promises.”

Seo Gong finally looked up from the book to face her.

“Oh, my brother looks worse because he’s so tired on top of being ugly.”

“I think I’m fine.”

“That illusion only the mirror accepts, brother.”

Seo Gong laughed loudly. His sister was the one who gave him a breath of fresh air in his repetitive daily life.

Seo Jin laid a booklet on the desk.

“Here. I’ve organized everything you told me to.”

“Thanks.”

“It was hard. I’m no genius like you, brother. I have to look at things five times to understand once for you. It’s so unnecessarily difficult. Really tough.”

“I know, I know.”

Seo Gong pitied his sister. Spending her youth only researching.

She was also beautiful and outgoing. Though popular outside, she was confined to the lab recently.

Seo Jin raised a question she hadn’t before.

“Brother, do you really believe the Grand Regression Art is possible?”

“I do.”

“Even though it defies heaven’s order?”

“Still, I believe.”

Seo Gong understood why she asked.

“It’s hard, isn’t it?”

“Frustrating. If we leave this research to our children… they’ll be trapped here for life too.”

“I will succeed in my generation.”

“If you do, please do it before I get any older. Otherwise…”

Seo Gong felt his sister nearing her limit. She was originally energetic but was forced by their father’s orders. How long could she last?

Seo Jin stopped at the door while leaving.

“Okay, assuming the Grand Regression Art is possible. So what? If you go back? If you return to the past, what will you do? Lock yourself away and research again? You’ll have done regression, so will you study reincarnation next?”

“!”

“If you thought of something else… Brother, we’re living the wrong life. We should live the life we want, right now, not go back and live it.”

Seo Gong had no words.

Though he had much to say, Seo Jin no longer pressured him.

“Go to bed early. Your face looks worn out.”

After she left, Seo Gong sighed and leaned back in his chair.

His sister was right. If he lived his current life fully, he wouldn’t need to go back. But mastering the Grand Regression Art was the family’s wish. As heir, it was an unavoidable fate.

At that moment, a servant brought good news—someone long awaited would arrive tomorrow.

Ian and I arrived at an inn in the Gui Sect’s village.

Ian wore her mask at her waist and a veil covering all but her eyes.

After reserving a room with two beds, we ordered food.

When traveling, we stayed in one room. Though I asked if she was uncomfortable sleeping separately, Ian preferred it. She liked sharing stories until sleep came.

That evening, we ate on the inn’s first floor.

Nearby guests discussed the Spirit Lord’s wedding. Recently, that wedding was the town’s hottest topic.

“I never thought Gui Sect would marry into the Im Sword Sect.”

“Me neither. The Im Sword Sect has traditionally married into the sword families.”

“I heard the young lady convinced her father.”

“The union of Gui Sect and sword families is certainly interesting.”

“Ah, isn’t that the Gui Sect heir?”

Ian and I turned to watch.

A man appeared on the roadside. Seeing him stirred my heart. It was the young Spirit Lord. Since I’d seen him as middle-aged, his youthful face remained.

“Welcome, Spirit Lord.”

In my previous life, our meetings were brief but meaningful, spanning decades. I recalled the hardships finding Grand Regression Art materials.

The Spirit Lord seemed to be waiting, gazing across the road.

Soon, five or six people arrived on horseback. A woman dismounted from the lead horse, followed by warriors who appeared to serve her.

The Spirit Lord rushed toward her.

“Im Sojeo!”

She was Im Hyang, the Spirit Lord’s fiancée.

“Young master? Why are you here?”

“I heard you were coming and came to meet you.”

The Spirit Lord’s eyes dripped honey as he looked at her.

“Thank you for accepting my proposal.”

“My decision was made trusting the young master.”

“And your father?”

“He permitted it but said more time was needed.”

“I will surely change your father’s mind.”

Ignoring onlookers, the Spirit Lord declared loudly,

“I will devote myself to your happiness. No one can stop my heart for you.”

I watched, startled.

‘What? You loved your wife this much?’