Geom Muyang, having left Mabul’s place, slowly walked through the Cheonma Sin Gyo courtyard.

He carefully observed each building, something he had never done before.

The armed guards standing watch greeted him politely.

When Geom Muyang returned their greeting, the guards exchanged puzzled glances. He was usually too busy to properly acknowledge them.

Continuing his walk through the courtyard, Geom Muyang finally arrived at the East Fist Gate.

Although it was late, the Possessor was awake.

Following his guide, Geom Muyang reached the cliff.

The Possessor standing before the cliff spoke without turning around.

“I plan to bring this cliff down with one strike. That’s my dream.”

Geom Muyang looked up at the vast cliff whose end could not be seen. It firmly declared the task impossible. Even Geom Muyang thought this would be difficult for the Possessor.

“If anyone can do it, it will be you, Possessor.”

Only then did the Possessor turn to face him.

“Welcome, Crown Prince.”

Each time Geom Muyang saw the Possessor’s terrifying face—one that even made the fearsome demons of Cheonma Sin Gyo seem tame—he felt a chill of fear.

“Sorry to visit so late at night.”

“No worries. I was awake training late.”

Surprisingly, the Possessor still attended the midnight training sessions. Since Geom Mugeuk returned from exile, he hadn’t joined yet, but Ian and Cheon Sohee had been attending regularly.

The Possessor had intended to leave if Geom Mugeuk wasn’t there, but lately he hadn’t missed any because of Cheon Sohee.

At first, Geom Muyang didn’t know, but over time he realized her talent and character made her fit to be the next Possessor. So during training, he gave her private lessons.

The Possessor enjoyed the midnight training.

Perhaps because of the young, beautiful women. Or because Cheon Sohee had absolute respect for him. Or maybe because Ian occasionally made unexpected jokes that made him laugh. For a man who had taught sincerely his whole life, this training was valuable and enjoyable.

“So, what brings you here?”

The Possessor could tell just by the late-night visit that Geom Muyang was about to make a big decision.

“You’re the only one who has officially announced support for me.”

“I don’t break promises.”

“Would you have made that promise if you had met Mugeuk first?”

The Possessor glared at Geom Muyang as if piercing him through. Unaccustomed to the Possessor’s gaze, Geom Muyang lowered his head.

“If that were the case, I would have announced my support for the Crown Prince.”

Geom Muyang was glad the Possessor answered honestly. Knowing what kind of man he was, that was why he came today.

“What kind of person is Mugeuk?”

“You know him better than I do, brother.”

“No, I don’t.”

The Possessor’s gaze returned to the cliff.

“I told you earlier what I told the Crown Prince. I said my dream was to bring down this cliff.”

Geom Muyang wondered how Geom Mugeuk had answered.

“He said he wanted to bring it down too.”

Geom Muyang realized at that moment that was the truth, at least for the Possessor.

“Maybe the one who will bring down this cliff someday is the Crown Prince. Your brother is that kind of person.”

It was probably because of this subtle difference that the gap between Geom Mugeuk and himself had formed.

“Isn’t it possible that he was lying? Or that it was just to look good to you, Possessor?”

Though a strained question he normally wouldn’t have asked, Geom Muyang was determined to be honest.

“Of course, that’s possible.”

“But why did you believe him?”

The Possessor understood Geom Muyang’s feelings. Geom Mugeuk, who enveloped everyone, was impossible for the young Geom Muyang to deal with.

“The Crown Prince showed it through his actions. He came out to the East Fist Gate and rose from White Fist to Black Fist.”

“If it were only about martial skill, that wouldn’t have been difficult!”

To the agitated Geom Muyang, the Possessor asked calmly,

“If it were that easy, why didn’t you do it?”

“!”

Geom Muyang couldn’t answer. He knew the Possessor meant it wasn’t just about martial skill. When actions follow, faith gains strength.

The Possessor’s gaze turned once more to the cliff.

After a moment, Geom Muyang asked,

“One last question?”

“Ask.”

“Do you think Mugeuk becoming Cheonma is best for the school?”

“Why ask me that?”

“Because I thought you’d be the most honest among the Majons.”

The Possessor fell silent, sensing his answer would greatly impact Geom Muyang. Still, he answered honestly.

“Before I answer, know this: regardless of my answer, my official support for you will not change.”

“Thank you.”

Without any sign of regret, the Possessor looked at Geom Muyang and said,

“I have higher hopes for the Crown Prince’s Cheonma Sin Gyo.”

Though cruel for Geom Muyang, it was honest.

That struck heavily in Geom Muyang’s chest.

“Thank you for your honesty.”

With a trembling voice, Geom Muyang bowed politely and turned away. Before leaving, he looked up at the cliff once more. Even then, he dared not imagine bringing it down.

As Geom Muyang’s back faded, the Possessor turned and walked in the opposite direction for his midnight training.

He offered no words of comfort or encouragement.

The cliff each must overcome was one only they could climb.

My brother came.

Wearing his martial robe properly and sword strapped, standing under the moonlight, he felt different than usual.

He said abruptly,

“Let’s have a match.”

I knew this meant to decide the successor by the outcome. He came even knowing he would lose.

“Fine. I’ve wanted to lose to you for a long time.”

“No joke.”

“Neither am I joking. I’m a cruel brother who tried to instill fear of the martial world in his younger brother. Getting hit a little is only fair.”

“If that’s such a grievance, then anytime.”

“Don’t act like it’s nothing.”

“But I still won’t say sorry.”

Like it was promised, we didn’t talk about fighting for successor. It felt like settling old grudges.

My brother drew his sword, and I drew mine. Except when we sparred as kids, this was the first time we aimed swords at each other.

Bi-Cheon Sword Technique versus Bi-Cheon Sword Technique.

He had achieved 10th-level Daeseong, and I had reached 12th-level Daeseong. Even without that difference, experience, skill, and inner power made it impossible for him to win.

I wouldn’t go easy. But I didn’t overwhelm him immediately, making him use every move he could.

“Be careful, I’m serious.”

My brother warned as he used the First Move of Gunchun Technique.

Sssshhh!

A beam of sword light flew to cut me in two, but my Gunchun Technique was faster and stronger.

Kraaaang!

Watching his First Move dissolve into nothingness, he was shocked.

Startled, he launched the Second Move, but my stronger Second Move neutralized it.

Third Move, Fourth Move...

The more moves, the greater his despair. He must have known I was stronger but not expected this much.

Hyeol Cheon Doma said that stepping firmly was the way for him. I agreed.

I showed all my skills so that he would despair.

That was for him. So he would never think differently. That not becoming successor was not unfortunate, but natural.

He must have been staring at a wall. A wall taller and bigger than the cliff the Possessor looked at.

When Bi-Cheon Sword Technique failed, he swung his sword and charged. He probably came knowing he would lose, but once defeat became real, he became desperate.

‘I want to be the successor!’

But that desperation could not close the gap in our skills.

Thwack.

The sword flew from his grasp to the ground.

He stared blankly at the sword for a moment, then glared at me and said,

“Actually, I was going to lose by punching.”

“Then! A man’s fist is the way!”

I sheathed my Black Horse Sword and said to him,

“But what can I do? I’m the Possessor’s disciple.”

“...Don’t use moves.”

I laughed loudly at his words. Saying that now was a good sign.

Alright, brother. I’ll definitely lose to you.

We fought with fists. Whether swordsmanship, boxing, or punching — how could he beat me?

Bam! Wham!

My fists struck his face and body.

This was punishment for the cruel brother who tried to instill fear in his younger brother. It was time to settle the grudge.

Bam! Wham!

These punches were to forgive my brother.

Even after getting beaten, he never used inner power. He could have tried to kill me in a chance, but he didn’t. Didn’t even try.

That’s why I wanted to save and bring him along. Maybe father saw it first—what kind of person he was.

And just before my weakened brother collapsed—

Wham!

His fist landed on my face.

He hit me properly. I guess I felt some guilt toward him. If I hadn’t regressed, he would have been the successor.

But brother, me becoming successor is also for you. Let’s live through this life. Whether we get along or fight, let’s survive.

Our fight—if it could be called that—ended.

Satisfied, my brother flopped backward and lay down.

Hoo, hoo, hoo.

His heavy breathing contained everything.

It gradually slowed.

Until then, I lay beside him looking up at the night sky.

Lying down, he asked,

“Can you do well?”

He probably expected me to say no, or at least hoped I’d say yes.

“I can ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) do better than any Cheonma before me.”

“Damn!”

He shouted from the ground.

“Aaaaaahhhhhh!”

He screamed like a last desperate roar. Many in the school must have heard this scream deciding our fates.

After stopping the scream, he sighed deeply, exhaling all remaining regrets.

“You really have to do well.”

“I will.”

“Don’t be cocky, successor of Cheonma Sin Gyo! No joking around!”

“You just never saw when I’m serious. Beg me to joke sometime?”

“Don’t do stuff like this!”

“Alright.”

He completely gave up on being successor. That made his question genuine.

“When will you kill me? Before that, give me enough time to settle my affairs.”

“Why do you have such negative thoughts in your head? If my darkness was planted by you, who planted yours?”

“You’re the weird one.”

He gave up on everything, but he didn’t have to. I needed him.

“You have to help me from now on.”

“Don’t say nonsense.”

“I’m serious. I don’t need a puppet brother. I don’t need a hurt and depressed brother. I need the real brother.”

I stood first and reached my hand to him lying there.

After removing the fire weapon, maybe I’d give him that hand. Who knows how we’d be then? Brother, so take my hand.

He didn’t take it, rising alone. Sitting up, he wiped his nose and said,

“Embarrassing.”

“Be proud. You have a brother who kills.”

“I want to kill you. Seriously.”

Then suddenly,

He reached out to me. It was a hand asking to be pulled up.

Seeing his extended hand, my heart tightened. There was so much to say I couldn’t.

I gripped his hand tightly. I felt his grip tighten too.

I pulled him up firmly.

After staring at me for a moment, he raised a fist and said,

“If you don’t do well as successor, you’ll get hit again!”

I laughed looking at him. It was my first smile because I liked him.

“If someone bothers me, can I call you?”

“Crazy.”

My brother walked ahead toward the Cheonma Hall.

I had told father I would take him, but he was taking me.

The guards on duty were surprised. Two brothers walking side by side late at night, both with bruised faces.

“Shouldn’t you wash up before seeing father?”

“If you go like this, everyone will know you’re the brutal brother who beats me.”

Then he said,

“When you kill me, be sure to warn me first... and tell me if anyone bothers me.”

A breeze blew, fluttering our clothes. It was the wind that announced a new beginning.