Published at 26th of January 2026 9:36 am

Chapter 354

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Whirrrrr...

The sound of the waterwheel spread quietly at dawn. Night had passed and it was just before the sun rose.

Dampness seeped into the gentle air.

Shhhhhk!!!

A flash tore through the dawn.

Crack!!

"Ghk!"

I staggered, barely blocking with the wooden sword. It was unmistakably a wooden sword, but unbearably heavy. Even though its tip was blunt, it was almost unbearably sharp.

I reeled. Unable to bear the weight, my upper body was pushed back. In that instant

"Power."

Smack!

"Urgh!"

With that one word, a blow struck my thigh. Even with Moon Eye activated, I couldn't trace its path.

No, I had traced it, but I couldn't keep up.

That's how fast and precise his sword was.

Yes, precise. That made it all the more mysterious.

'There are clearly very few possible paths.'

Virtuous Moon Sword Path. It showed me very few possibilitiesat most one or two. Far less than the options I could see from other opponents...

'But even seeing so few possibilities is meaningless.'

I couldn't block what came at me. There was no point, especially since I could hardly even see it properly.

Snap!!

"Kuark!"

My crown ached sharply.

"Keep your thoughts short."

Smack! Now it was my forearm.

"Expend unnecessary strength sparingly."

Whack!

Next came a blow to the knee.

Ah, damn, that one I could have dodged.

Despite trying to move somehow, perhaps because of the strike to my knee, I slumped. My strength had drained away.

Thud.

One knee hit the ground and, as I hurried to get up

Tap.

The tip of the wooden sword was already at my chin.

"... Damn."

"......"

I lost. Utterly, pathetically, without landing a thing.

I was frustrated, but not humiliated. My opponent was a being so exalted that I scarcely dared look up at him.

"I lost, elder."

Sword Emperor.

At my words, he withdrew his wooden sword.

"Pathetic."

Then, in a flat tone, he threw an insult. I scratched my cheek awkwardly, hearing it.

"Your thoughts are already elsewhere. Do you think there's any meaning in motions performed like that?"

"... I'm sorry."

"Tch."

Sword Emperor clicked his tongue briefly and turned his back. He seemed really displeased. Rightly so.

'I just can't focus.'

The training with Sword Emperor I'd resumed after returningI just couldn't concentrate at all.

Thoughts of the Shadow Sovereign and other matters weighed on my mind.

"That's enough. Next time, do better."

He left those words and vanished. After all the trouble to come back and watch my training, I'd done a shoddy jobno wonder he was irritated.

'At this rate, he might refuse to train me anymore.'

It wouldn't be the end of the world, but this was still a sort of fortuitous encounter. A little wasteful, really.

No matter how much Sword Emperor disliked me...

'It'd be a shame to lose it just like that.'

The moment I thought that

Well.

Yu Chun-gil, who'd been watching, spoke to me in an amused tone.

"What?"

You really think that old man dislikes you?

"Doesn't he?"

He clicks his tongue and blatantly shows he hates mewould he like me then?

From what I see, I think he actually likes you.

"... What?"

That was baffling. Sword Emperor liked me? He didn't seem that way at all.

Seeing me frown deeply, Yu Chun-gil chuckled and continued.

He's got a temperament and stubbornness that touch the heavens. He's picky and doesn't trust people easily. The kind of guy who lives for his own excellence.

"Like you, grandpa?"

Yeah, like me... Hey, what was that?

"So, then?"

Yu Chun-gil gave me a flat stare, but when I ignored his gaze, he wrinkled his nose and added,

... Because he's so full of himself, he doesn't give out chances easily.

"Chances?"

Right. He doesn't bother teaching anyone, thinking it's meaningless. If someone doesn't get it, he never explains twice.

"... Ah?"

But look at you.

Yu Chun-gil nodded toward the place where Sword Emperor had left.

"What about me?"

Despite your cleverness, you're awfully slow at picking things up and always messing around, yet he keeps teaching you. That high-and-mighty guy, no less.

"......"

It hurt. This time, his words truly stung.

I don't know why, but that guy seems to like you. Why though? There are plenty of talented folks everywherewhy care for a hopeless fool like you...?

"Not being able to sincerely understand that hurts a bit. Grandpa, you're clinging to me right now too."

That's just because you're my only option. If I had another, I'd have ditched you already.

"... This is why you should never take in stray evil spirits."

What did you just say?

"I'm kidding. Your hearing is sharpshould have put it to better use somewhere else..."

If you're not going to stop, why act all scared every time?

Yu Chun-gil gave me a speechless look. As I saw that, I chewed on his words.

'The Sword Emperor actually likes me?'

Why?

Admittedly, as Yu Chun-gil said, I wasn't exactly good at following instructions. More accurately, I understood, but my body couldn't keep up.

I'd surpassed what my head could calculate. From here on, it was truly the realm of natural talent.

The world of those who excel even without being taught.

I'd set foot in the domain of geniuses. Swinging a sword without thinking (as the Sword Emperor wanted), or having the body react first in certain situations

Trying to 'understand' that was futile.

That's why training felt so arduous now.

'Why would Sword Emperor...'

That Sword Emperor actually liked methis was something I couldn't comprehend.

"Why?"

So I asked.

How would I know.

Yu Chun-gil didn't seem to know either.

Right. This old man was never any help when it really mattered.

I got up indifferently.

I could feel muscle aches all over. As I registered the soreness, I thought,

'... Someone who lives for his own excellence, huh?'

A man who lives for his own brilliance.

But for such a person

'He teaches well.'

As clueless as I was, his teaching was skillful. A if.

'Like someone who has raised disciples for a long time.'

As if he had painstakingly instructed someone over many years.

'But as far as I know...'

Sword Emperor had no disciples.

Then,

Thump, thump.

I grabbed my swelling forearms and flexed them a few times. The swelling went down, and the pain eased.

"... Hm."

Yu Chun-gil's eyes widened at the sight.

You...?

Seeing his reaction, I laughed.

It surprised me too, honestly.

"... Looks like I've received a gift."

It seemed I had received something from Sung Hun. The issue was

'Whether it was a gift, or just his karma being pushed onto me, I can't say.'

Anyhow, I had gained something.

Something truly important.

***

As dawn faded and morning arrived,

Inside Mount Hua Sect, people busily prepared deliveries.

There were as many carriages as when I first arrivednot many, and not much cargo either.

"We're all set."

The disciple preparing the goods reported. Hearing that, Chun Hye-In nodded.

"Division leader, I think we can leave now."

At her words, the Small Moon Division leader immediately turned toward me.

"Teacher."

"... Ah, yes. I'll just pass along a message and return."

They now called me "teacher" openly. Before anyone could catch on, I quickly excused myself.

'This is crazy.'

I'd tried to spare them embarrassment since they used to find it awkward, but with them acting so boldly, it made me uncomfortable too.

'... Was Radiant Moon Annihilation really that impressive?'

I only did what Yu Chun-gil told me to do. Maybe it was something extraordinary.

Or perhaps

'Defeating the Plum Blossom Division leader might have been a big deal.'

It might not have been just performing Radiant Moon Annihilation, but also winning against her while mastering it.

Either way, it was a good thingbut for me, it was extremely uncomfortable.

Didn't you say you liked having people to tease?

That's only fun when the other person hates it.

... You lunatic. Is that what a proper person says?

Yu Chun-gil was appalled. But that's just human nature.

"Moon Hero."

Yeo Hyuk greeted me.

"Taoist."

"... Ah, I heard you're leaving soon."

"Yes. But before that, I'd like to see the acting Sect Leader."

"He's waiting for you."

Yeo Hyuk guided me. As we walked the short distance, we chatted.

"I heard you'll be electing a new division leader."

"... Yes. I expect one of the elders to take the role."

"What about the Sect Leader...?"

"I wish Elder Il would take it, but... he keeps refusing."

"Huh? Why?"

Refusing the Sect Leader's seat? When Plum Blossom Division Leader sought it so earnestly, it was strange to reject it.

Seeing my reaction, Yeo Hyuk smiled bitterly.

"He said the burdens attached to the seat are too heavy to take on now."

"......"

After hearing that, my scattered thoughts settled.

'... Karma, huh.'

Karma staining the seat.

Sung Yun must also feel there's too much now for him to take that place.

'Not bad.'

He seemed like a good man.

In that case

'He'll probably end up getting it.'

The current acting Sect Leader. I thought he'd likely be the one to obtain the position. The one most fearful and hesitant often does.

"I hope fortune favors Mount Hua."

"... Thank you."

Just words of comfort. Not much help to Yeo Hyuk, really.

'It'll take a long time for Mount Hua to recover.'

Sung Hun, the Plum Blossom Division Leader, and the traitor elders are dead, which shook the foundation badly.

It'll take time to restore what's left and firmly reestablish their roots.

'Still.'

It's a relief the embers were saved before all was lost.

It could have been burned completely.

At that thought, I wondered,

'... Really?'

Was everything burned?

Even if only ashes remained, weren't seeds left behind?

Looking at Yeo Hyuk or Yu Yun, I felt that maybe, even after burning, there would be wicks able to reignite.

That sort of feeling.

"Welcome."

"Excuse me."

I opened the doorSung Yun greeted me.

"You must be busy preparing to leave. What brings you here?"

"Still, I thought I should at least say goodbye."

"I should be the one coming to you for that apology. Forgive me."

"Not at all."

I understood. Just seeing the stack of letters and his exhausted face, I could tell.

Today, I would be leaving Shaanxi for Henan.

This meeting was for that.

"I wanted to give you this."

I pulled out a letter and handed it to him.

"This is...?"

"Information on the remaining spies."

"...!"

At my words, Sung Yun's eyes widened.

"Whether you believe me or not, whether the information is accurate, is entirely up to Mount Hua. I hope it helps in any case."

"... Hohoh."

He clasped my hand in his weathered one.

"... Thank you."

"No, not at all."

"If Moon Hero ever needs strength... Mount Hua will always stand with you."

"Even just hearing that is enough."

"I mean it."

Swish.

Sung Yun opened a drawer and handed something to me.

"This is...?"

"It's called the Plum Blossom Amulet."

A wooden plaque. Fashioned from plum petals, with a light pink gem at the center.

"It's given to Mount Hua's benefactors. Anyone holding itas long as they wishMount Hua will answer any request."

"...!"

My eyes widened at those words.

"Are you saying the Sect Leader left this for me?"

When I asked if Sung Hun left it, Sung yun smiled and shook his head.

"No."

"Then?"

"This is something I personally wished to give to you, Moon Hero."

"... Such an honor?"

Why give something so precious?

"The current Mount Hua has nothing worthy to offer you. But in the near future, I believe you will become someone even greater. When the time comes, Mount Hua will assure that it can be your strength."

"......"

It was a vow, a pledge to himself.

<>"Are you sure you should give this to me?"

"If not to you, who else could I give it to? Please, accept it."

"......"

After only a moment's hesitation, I grasped the Plum Blossom Amulet.

"... Thank you."

The object in my hand was cold.

But somehow, I felt a warmth inside.

It was probably just my imagination.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

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