After parting ways with my brother, I went to meet Ian.

I’m not sure why Ian suddenly came to my mind, but I probably just wanted to see the person who understands me the most.

As expected, Ian was diligently practicing again today.

She was always practicing.

Her figure reminded me of myself before the regression, when I was gathering materials for the Grand Law. I had been relentlessly focused on a single goal, never resting.

After some time, Ian finally noticed that I had arrived.

"Young Master! When did you come?"

"Just now."

"If you had been an assassin?"

"I’d be dead at least twenty times by now."

"Ah!"

I drew my sword and stepped toward her.

"Let’s try reducing that twenty times to just nineteen."

Ian’s eyes sparkled, realizing I was going to demonstrate the Radiant Sword Art.

"Thank you!"

It had been a while since I last demonstrated. I didn’t lower my level just for her; I performed it at the Eleven Star level, exactly as it was.

The difference between the level I had at my peak and now was huge. Of course, she wouldn’t feel the difference as acutely as I did. How much she felt it depended on her own accomplishments.

When I finished demonstrating the basic forms from start to end, Ian stood there, deep in thought.

I knew then that she had reached a state of Wu Wei—a state of pure, thoughtless concentration.

To not disturb her, I stilled my breathing and quietly sat in the lotus position. I couldn’t just wait passively; I had to be prepared, as I didn’t know when she would snap out of it.

I began training in the Heavenly Demon Divine Power technique. Our training resonated well together, and in the past, I had slipped into a state of Wu Wei during our training, but today, it was her turn.

After six full Shi Jin had passed, I sensed her emerging from Wu Wei.

Congratulations, Ian.

I silently congratulated her in my heart. Falling into Wu Wei for six Shi Jin was a rare achievement in a martial artist’s life.

When I looked around, the surroundings had darkened, and Ian seemed confused.

"Young Master?"

"How was it? How does it feel, your first experience with Wu Wei?"

"Wu Wei? Did I really fall into it?"

"Yes."

"I just spaced out for a moment."

"Well, in our lives, six Shi Jin is just a short time."

"Six Shi Jin? Has it been that long?"

Ian was surprised. In Wu Wei, the moment of waking up is always crucial.

"Now, perform Radiant Sword Art."

"Yes."

Ian demonstrated the Radiant Sword Art before me.

It worked—more than I expected. She had reached the Eight Star level in it.

"You just watched me perform the basic form, and yet you’ve reached this level?"

"How could it not? You’ve been practicing like a bear, so it’s only natural. Do you really think you could have done this just by watching my demonstration?"

"Even so, it’s amazing."

"All the effort you’ve put in has melted away in this Wu Wei state."

"Ah!"

I taught her, and she, with exceptional martial talent, worked tirelessly. The state of Eleven Stars had given her deeper inspiration, and most importantly, her achievement was the product of six Shi Jin of Wu Wei. It was a miraculous accomplishment.

"You shouldn’t get too excited. As you know, the early stages of martial arts development come quickly, but it slows down over time. Think of Radiant Sword Art as just beginning. Reaching Great Success is still far away, and even reaching Eight Star and forming the foundation could take a lifetime."

"I’ll definitely achieve Great Success, no matter how long it takes. Heaven has given me such a precious opportunity. If I can’t reach it, it would be pathetic and regrettable."

At the same time, the time to perform the Sacred Poison Cleansing Technique for her had come a little closer.

To safely perform the Sacred Poison Cleansing Technique without side effects, my martial skills were important, but her skill level would be crucial afterward. With weak martial skills, even the Heavenly Demon’s Sacred Sword would face horrifying consequences.

I had planned to show her the technique when she reached Foundation Stage. Once she reached Radiant Sword Art’s formation, she would be able to protect herself anywhere.

But today’s achievement meant she could reach that point much faster than I had originally expected.

"Those twenty deaths? You’ll now only face two."

Ian, overcome with emotion, bowed deeply.

"Thank you, Young Master."

"It’s nothing special between us."

"What exactly is our relationship? I’m just a lowly bodyguard. Why are you so kind to me?"

Because you threw yourself to protect me, everything began because of you.

"Ian."

"Yes?"

"When I met with my brother earlier, my heart was troubled. Do you know who I thought of? You. That’s why I’m being kind to you."

She looked at me with a face full of emotion.

"And out of the five questions, you’ve asked me twice already."

We had agreed that she would ask why I was being kind to her only five times.

"Only three left."

"I’ll save them."

"You’ve reached Eight Star in Radiant Sword Art, so be careful using it. Its power is completely different from before."

"Yes, Young Master."

"Ian. I know you’re excited, but... don’t live a life devoted only to martial training."

"Yes!"

Ian nodded enthusiastically with a big smile.

That’s why, Ian.

You’re the kind of person who nods and listens to my words with a smile, even though you’re sharp and intelligent, and even though you must have your own ideas.

You’re the kind of person I’ve always wanted by my side in life.

The kind of person who could give me different answers even if I asked the same question a hundred times.

Stay strong, Ian. Let’s reach Foundation Stage!

When I returned after meeting Ian, Hyeolcheon Doma was waiting for me, having driven his Heaven Cleaving Sword into the ground nearby.

"Why are you here?"

"I was reminiscing about the day I first met you."

"Are you trying to reverse everything now that my brother is back?"

"I thought I should let you know that I wasn’t the one who caught the fish."

He pulled out the sword and drew a long line in the dirt.

"This is where I first met you."

Hyeolcheon Doma marked the beginning of the line. He had drawn a line on the floor the first time he came to find me, poking my side with his sword.

"And now, this is where we are."

He drew a new line a little past the halfway point.

"Wow! Over halfway!"

"I barely made it. Is this something to get so excited about?"

"This is enough."

"Whether a friend or an enemy, it’s life or death. If you get too close to someone, it becomes a burden. I’m not confident I can care for them all the way, but if they cross the line and keep coming at me, that’s a problem."

I drew a line with my Black Demon Sword near the end of the line.

"To reach here, you must become like a child, right? Well, my father would have reached here, though."

This time, the line was drawn beyond where Hyeolcheon Doma had reached.

"How do you speak so well? Do you prepare all night and memorize what to say?"

"Save that for when I visit you. Not on days when you drop by unannounced."

Hyeolcheon Doma shook his head as if he couldn’t win. He had come here because of my brother.

"I’ve come to tell you something about the Great Prince."

"Please, go ahead."

"The first martial master the Great Prince will meet is likely the Extreme Evil Sorcerer. Be prepared."

His judgment was correct. The three martial masters who had supported my brother the most in the past were Ma Bu, Hyeolcheon Doma, and Extreme Evil Sorcerer.

In my previous life before the regression, my brother would commit many cruel acts when he was chosen as the successor. It wasn’t just because of his decisions. The influence of Ma Bu, Hyeolcheon Doma, and Extreme Evil Sorcerer was enormous.

Would my brother’s fate change like Hyeolcheon Doma or Ilhwa Gyeomjond? For that to happen, Ma Bu’s and Extreme Evil Sorcerer’s fates would need to change as well.

"After Ma Bu, the closest person will be Extreme Evil Sorcerer."

"Originally, it was me, but now Extreme Evil Sorcerer will take that spot. I predict that the Great Prince will meet all the martial masters except me. The only difference will be the order in which they meet them."

I nodded quietly.

"Extreme Evil Sorcerer is no ordinary person."

"I know."

How could they have earned the nickname Extreme Evil?

"We must prepare. Are you just going to wait?"

"Yes."

"You’re just leaving it?"

"As long as you and Ilhwa Gyeomjond are here, that’s all I need."

"It’s nice to hear that, but if all five martial masters side with the Great Prince, it will be hard to fight."

"Why five and not six?"

"Since the Lord of the Wind Sky Sect has arrived, the Sephiroth Sorcerer has naturally joined our side."

"Qingxian is still young and ambitious, so it’s not guaranteed. In fact, she’ll be the easiest to win over if my brother tries."

She could act like an ally, then turn against him. My brother could use her as a pawn. There were many possibilities.

"The Sephiroth Sorcerer doesn’t matter even if she’s on the other side. If my brother gets her on his side, we might use her against him in a critical moment."

"Did you think that far ahead?"

"Of course. But I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen."

It wasn’t about Qingxian; it was about the Lord of the Wind Sky Sect. I wanted to see how the Sephiroth Sorcerer would grow under his guidance.

"Then your opponent is six. No matter how strong you are, this will be difficult. No, it’s not that I’m struggling, but we need to get one martial master on our side for sure."

"Who are you talking about?"

Hyeolcheon Doma seemed to hesitate before speaking.

"That’s for smart people like you to decide."

It seemed he had someone in mind, but he didn’t want to say it. It was also a sign that he trusted my judgment.

"The Great Prince will try to move before he wins over all the martial masters."

"My brother will meet Extreme Evil Sorcerer first, not the others."

"Who else?"

I stared at Hyeolcheon Doma.

"Me?"

Hyeolcheon Doma blinked in confusion.

"Me?"

"Yes, my brother will go to you first."

"It can’t be! Doesn’t he know I’m on your side? He’ll go to the other martial masters, but he won’t come to me."

"No, even if he doesn’t go to the other martial masters, he will definitely come to you. After you, it will be the Lord of the Wind Sky Sect."

Hyeolcheon Doma tilted his head as if he didn’t believe me.

"Why do you think so?"

"My brother will want to show Father. He’ll want to show that the reason you came to me wasn’t because you were absent, but to take away a martial master he’s already lost. He thinks it will score him more points with Father than just gathering all the martial masters."

Hyeolcheon Doma slowly nodded. He didn’t argue, as it seemed plausible.

Hyeolcheon Doma stared at me and asked.

"Then aren’t you ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) worried? What if I go back to the Great Prince?"

After a pause, I answered.

"I am worried."

"Really?"

I said with a serious face, without a hint of a smile.

"Of course. Didn’t you see my brother? Giving a gift to Ilhwa Gyeomjond. It wasn’t the gift, but his meticulousness that stood out. And he’ll try to give something even more impressive to you."

Hyeolcheon Doma nodded. He was someone who knew my brother well.

"I hope you don’t leave. Whatever good proposal my brother brings, please tell me. I’ll hold him with a better proposal."

"You’re not asking me to stay out of loyalty, are you?"

"We’re not twenty-year-olds anymore, are we?"

"You’re right, aren’t you?"

"Ah, that’s true. But I’m an old soul."

I chuckled awkwardly.

"You won’t be able to take him, at least not the way you want."

"Why?"

"I’ll make a better offer, even if I have to bet everything on it. And if any weaknesses are found, you must tell me."

"Why?"

"I’ll make sure to resolve them. If you’re asking if I can, I think I’ve shown enough so far. If you want to keep those weaknesses from me, think of it this way: we’ve seen and heard it all."

Hyeolcheon Doma stared at me silently for a moment before retrieving his Heaven Cleaving Sword and standing up.

"Let’s wait and see. As you said, I’ll go to him first."

He glanced down at the line on the floor.

"Where will this line lead?"