When I met Sama Myung and returned to my residence, someone was waiting for me in the yard.

It was Hyeolcheon Doma, who had planted his great sword in the ground and was sitting against it, drinking.

On the way back, I had a sudden feeling he might be here. Seems we've reached the point where such premonitions come true.

“Have a drink.”

“Gladly.”

I accepted the drink he offered and emptied it coolly.

“It feels great to drink with you again after so long, Elder.”

“You’ve been drinking plenty with the drunkards, haven’t you?”

“Almost none. You made me abstain until we cut down those behind-the-scenes bastards.”

“Is that so?”

Hyeolcheon Doma showed a surprised expression.

“The world of a drunkard is a mysterious one, isn’t it?”

At my joke, he smiled faintly and took a sip.

After pouring drinks for each other and enjoying a few rounds pleasantly, Hyeolcheon Doma finally spoke.

“The Leader will grant your request.”

“Why do you think so?”

He looked down at his cup and answered.

“If I were the Leader, I would have granted it.”

Was it really that simple? Hyeolcheon Doma had a unique intuition about Father. He was also the first to notice Father had moved for Martial World Unity this time.

“I just met with Commander Sama Myung. He says, just as you said, that Father will likely permit it.”

Despite his prediction coming true, Hyeolcheon Doma neither rejoiced nor acted superior. He seemed both pleased and worried about this exile.

“Are you glad to go out with the Leader?”

“Yes, I am.”

Just the thought of going on exile with Father made me happy. But I must not forget:

No matter how much it is with Father, our enemy is Hwamu-gi.

After sealing Cheonma Sect and the Martial World Alliance and Satan Alliance, Hwamu-gi walked endlessly toward the pinnacle of martial arts with constant training.

No matter what tyranny the Twelve Zodiac Kings who followed him caused, he never officially appeared in the Martial World.

In other words, he was not someone who pursued worldly greed.

Why did he kill the three leaders of the Martial World? What kind of life did he live before, and what will he live after?

I regret not learning more about him while focused on gathering materials for the Great Law.

At the time, I was afraid approaching him might ruin things, so I tried to keep my distance. I thought once I regressed, I could fix everything.

One thing is certain: he is by no means an ordinary person.

That’s why he might stay hidden until all the Twelve Zodiac Kings die, or suddenly appear out of nowhere.

Perhaps because of this Hwamu-gi, my way of life was set as it is now.

Ignoring him, I live my life doing my best.

Even if I wanted to respond tailored to him, I couldn’t.

So Hwamu-gi, you adjust to my life!

Just as pre-regression me was like that, it won’t be easy for you to respond to me. I’m also someone who defies common sense and expectations.

Lost in thought for a moment, Hyeolcheon Doma suddenly said something unexpected.

“A Leader with a son like you is blessed.”

It was the first time since we became acquainted that he said something like this. I almost joked that of course, as the one playing Cheonma, he’d be ranked high on the list of lucky fathers, but since this was the first time hearing such words from Hyeolcheon Doma, I asked seriously.

“Do you really think so?”

“Who in the whole sect would be this happy to go out with the Leader?”

“Well, the same in the whole Martial World.”

“Then don’t act too recklessly once you’re out.”

“Are you worried about me?”

Hyeolcheon Doma shook his head, then nodded, then shook it again.

“He does everything better than me, so who would worry about whom? But…”

He looked at me.

“To me, you’re still a green kid.”

How could I not understand his feelings? The reason older people feel uneasy about young ones is because of experience. We certainly made ridiculous mistakes back then.

That’s why he worries. Afraid I might make a mistake going out with Father alone. Maybe the reason I haven’t made mistakes so far is because I’ve been saving up for this moment.

“I’m not a kid.”

“To me, you are.”

“Yet you want to go back to my age.”

I often sense his nostalgia for youth. He always denies it like this.

“My phlegm won’t clear.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want to live this life again.”

His longing for youth was sincere, and this also sounded genuine.

“Then live differently.”

“We’re the same person, how can we live differently?”

“You will. Because you’ve lived this life well.”

Hyeolcheon Doma looked at me silently, drained his last cup, and stood up. He pulled out his great sword planted in the ground and bid farewell.

“Travel well.”

“Yes, Elder.”

As he walked away, I called out.

“This time, I will go out with Father and see many things. So please, Elder, see many beautiful views too.”

Hyeolcheon Doma looked back at me and said firmly,

“I already live that way.”

From his gaze, I felt it. That I stand within his scenery.

After Hyeolcheon Doma left, I entered my room and immediately unfolded the Space-Time Shift Technique.

The Twelve-Star Great Completion of the Nine Flames Martial Arts cannot be achieved in five years, even by me. Absolute time for martial training is necessary.

Still, I promised five years because I trust the Si Cheon Secret Technique.

The Si Cheon Secret Technique initially gave triple time, but after steady practice with less sleep, it increased to quadruple time. Meaning, while others train one time unit, I can train four times as much.

Moreover, my internal power greatly increased on this Northern Sea trip, making training even easier.

I must somehow raise the time gained from the Si Cheon Secret Technique to ten times. But as the realm rises, training becomes harder and progress slows. Only effort is the way.

From the First Form, Annihilation Form, to the Dark One-Sword of Nine Flames Martial Arts, I performed all in sequence.

Then I used my mind technique to replenish internal power and calmed myself.

Now, for the first time, I intend to execute the Fifth Form of the Nine Flames Martial Arts.

Going out with Father, there will surely be a chance to learn the essence of Nine Flames Martial Arts from him. I want to be able to perform the Fifth Form by then.

The Fifth Form of Nine Flames Martial Arts: Soul-Cutting Demon Strike.

The Fifth Form was dangerous even in training. It’s said a slight mistake could cause fatal injury or death to the practitioner. Therefore, I concentrated more than ever before when performing it.

You must perform it with the mindset that a mistake means death.

I recited the hand seals of the Fifth Form and slowly drew my sword.

At that moment,

The surroundings changed. Like before a typhoon, the sky and environment darkened and became eerie.

Then silence.

Not just any silence. An absolute silence that swallows all the world’s noise. Even in the middle of a noisy battlefield, all sound would vanish.

At the moment I struck with my sword—

Shush shush shush shush shush shush shush shush shush!

Ten streams of sword energy poured vertically from the sky.

Pak pak pak pak pak pak pak pak pak pak!

The sword energies struck the ground around me!

They made thin but deep holes in the earth, so deep the bottom couldn’t be seen.

It was literally a lightning strike descending on the enemy’s crown.

Since it was the first time, the sword energies didn’t embed exactly where I wanted. Two streams fell right beside me, almost hitting me.

Among a human’s vital points, the hardest to defend is the crown.

Even a protective qi is hardest to guard there. Imagine sword energy striking like lightning at the crown.

Moreover, the sword energies are not ordinary. Infused with the essence of Nine Flames Martial Arts, they tear through even protective qi and slice vertically through the opponent’s head. Of course, the internal power consumption is huge, so it’s not a technique to use lightly.

Lastly, the essence of Soul-Cutting Demon Strike is that it is a technique for fighting multiple enemies. For now, there were ten streams, but as the realm rises, their power and number increase.

Imagine dozens of sword energies descending simultaneously like heavenly punishment, piercing dozens of enemy heads.

How many enemies could Father strike with Soul-Cutting Demon Strike at once?

Twenty? Fifty? A hundred?

I have yet to experience the form of the Great Completion of Nine Flames Martial Arts.

The second Soul-Cutting Demon Strike followed.

Shush shush shush shush shush shush shush shush shush!

Sword energy lightning poured vertically again.

Pak pak pak pak pak pak pak pak pak pak!

Still, the sword energies were a little off my will. Overall, they shifted slightly away, but one stream fell closer than before. A truly dangerous form.

I took a deep breath and calmed my mind.

They will never fall on me. Believe in me!

Without this belief, mastering this death technique is impossible.

I performed the Fifth Form repeatedly.

The sword energies still threatened my life, escaping my will, but it was fine. Repeated training would protect me more safely than any protective qi.

My nights were long.

Three days later, Sama Myung came to my residence.

“Commander, welcome!”

“Have you rested well?”

“Yes, I rested thoroughly.”

Actually, that should have been my answer.

Is martial arts training really rest for a warrior?

Until just moments ago, I was immersed in training within the Space-Time Shift Technique.

For the past three days, I have honed the Soul-Cutting Demon Strike, and now I can strike where I want to some extent. Accuracy is lacking, but at least I’m past the stage that made my heart pound in fear.

Sama Myung’s visit was to deliver one piece of news.

“The Leader has officially given permission.”

Sure enough, Sama {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} Myung’s prediction was accurate.

“Thank you! It’s all thanks to your efforts, Commander.”

Had he opposed it firmly, I wouldn’t be going now. Even if Father wanted it, the Commander’s strong opposition would not be easily ignored. It was surely thanks to Sama Myung’s concession.

“During the exile, the Leader will be considered as undergoing closed-door training. We debated whether to inform the Martial World Alliance and Satan Alliance, but decided not to in case of leaks.”

Father’s safety was paramount, so this was a natural decision.

He added one more precaution.

“And the Cheonma Guard will secretly follow.”

Led by Hwi, they are the best Martial World guards always accompanying Father wherever he goes.

Though I really wanted to go with Father alone this time, I couldn’t insist. Since Sama Myung conceded, I also had to yield. Instead, I proposed a compromise.

“Then only Uncle Hwi will follow.”

I guessed the reason Sama Myung wanted to send guards.

Besides the important mission of protecting Father, it was probably to maintain regular contact with headquarters. Knowing when and where Father moves allows the headquarters to prepare for emergencies.

But Hwi alone could handle that easily.

“Anyway, the guards will follow discreetly from a distance, so there’s no need to worry.”

“That’s not the reason. If they’re watching us, they’ll focus on Father’s supposed closed-door training. The timing wouldn’t fit. If they suspect a disguise, they’ll definitely watch the Cheonma Guard. And if they notice their absence, they’ll figure out Father is on exile.”

Of course, I don’t think the enemy has spies inside Cheonma Hall. I’m trying to go out as quietly as possible.

I expected more persuasion, but Sama Myung readily agreed.

“Very well. Only Lord Hwi will go.”

I feigned surprise.

“Commander, you planned to send only Uncle Hwi from the start.”

“If only Lord Hwi goes out, the Little Pill Master would find some other reason to go out alone with the Leader.”

“Oh! I’ve read you like an open book.”

Sama Myung laughed at my sigh.

“The destination is Seomseo.”

Seomseo is quite far from here, so I will have enough time with Father.

“It’s not urgent, so take your time.”

He didn’t mention the mission, as if I would find out upon arrival.

It was his way of saying: don’t think about the mission until you arrive, enjoy your time with Father.

“How will you travel?”

“By carriage, walking, however I feel at the moment.”

“I’ll prepare accordingly.”

Finally, he informed me of the historic first exile’s schedule.

“The departure is tomorrow. You’ll slip out with the early morning transport carriages going outside.”

After meeting Sama Myung, I went to Father’s residence.

“Father, I’m here.”

Then Father’s voice came from inside.

“What is it?”

“I came to see you to speak about something.”

After a moment, Father opened the door and stepped out, somewhat flustered, unlike usual.

“This is your first long exile since becoming Leader, isn’t it? I’ll help you pack. Aren’t I an expert traveler?”

“Enough.”

Father refused curtly and turned away. I felt he treated me differently today, and through the closing door, I saw the room.

Clothes were spread over the bed, and a large travel bag was there. Various other things were scattered around.

Father was packing!

I thought he sent Sama Myung to my place to proceed secretly without calling me to Cheonma Hall, but actually, he was busy preparing for the trip.

Father was looking forward to this journey as well.

I smiled brightly and shouted from outside the door.

“Father, don’t forget to bring your pajamas!”