Chapter 281

[Do you really see me?]

“......”

At those words, I narrowed my eyes. What the hell was this situation? I stared at Seongheon floating in front of me and lost my voice.

...A ghost?

A ghost. The translucent body, the atmosphere—it all screamed it.

Seongheon was a ghost right now.

Did he die?

Was Seongheon, who’d been alive until daytime, dead now? My eyes trembled.

I forced myself to cool my head. I needed room to think—needed to read the situation.

[Heh, heh, heh.]

Seongheon laughed as he watched me freeze.

And watching that, I understood.

He didn’t die.

Seongheon hadn’t died. This was—

A living spirit.

A living spirit.

The form a soul takes when someone hasn’t died yet, but has reached the edge of death.

I could feel he still had life force.

A spirit that still carries life force is a living spirit.

Which meant—

Seongheon isn’t dead.

It just meant his soul had slipped out.

Once I had that much straight, I spoke.

“...Sect Master.”

[Oh. So you’re finally answering.]

“What is going on?”

A moment ago I’d almost screamed. Him suddenly appearing as a living spirit—

[Isn’t it strange? It is for me, too.]

“No...”

[Lately, when I fall asleep, this happens sometimes. I never imagined there’d be someone who could see me.]

[Tsk.]

Someone reacted to Seongheon’s words. Yoo Cheongil, arms crossed, face twisted.

[All kinds of nonsense. If you’re going to die, die properly. What’s with this half-assed limbo act?]

[Heh, heh, heh...]

Seongheon just laughed at Yoo Cheongil. It looked like the two of them had already talked.

[So that’s how you saved your disciple. I didn’t expect you to use a method like this.]

[“Method”? More like you got a leash around your nose.]

[Even dead, you’re still lucky.]

[Lucky my ass. Does this look like luck to you?]

Even with Yoo Cheongil snapping, Seongheon only smiled.

[Luck. Whatever it is, you’ve managed to leave a trace of yourself behind.]

[You’re spouting crap—]

“...Both of you, pause the chitchat. This matters more.”

I cut them off and asked Seongheon.

“...Sect Master, you end up like this often?”

[Yes. Sometimes, when I fall asleep, I become like this.]

“How long has it been happening?”

[Hmm... about a year, I think?]

“...A year.”

I bit at my fingertip, thinking. A year.

It started a year ago—becoming a living spirit whenever he sleeps.

I focused on that.

A living spirit slips out when someone’s between life and death.

If that had lasted an entire year, then his body had been bad for a long time.

I knew he felt like a walking corpse, but...

To think it was bad enough to produce a living spirit. Too many unexpected things kept piling up.

[Still, you’re lucky. I never thought you’d be able to see me.]

“Most people wouldn’t call this ‘lucky,’ sir....”

For me, it was closer to a curse than luck. But from his perspective, maybe it was.

Either way—

He saw it.

That was the problem. The fact that I could see ghosts—Seongheon had found out.

That stuck in my throat.

What do I do?

With Yoo Cheongil, it didn’t matter if it got exposed—he was already dead.

Seongheon is different.

Seongheon was different. Not just because he was a living spirit—

A living spirit should be a vegetable, usually.

Life clinging on, but no mind.

That was how living spirits usually worked. But Seongheon said he became one when he fell asleep.

Which meant—

He can wake up.

He was still a living person.

...Damn.

This was bad. My secret was out. And if it went further, it meant he’d learn my connection to Yoo Cheongil, too.

What do I do?

I was genuinely stuck—

[Heh, heh, heh.]

Seongheon’s laughter drifted over.

[Don’t worry.]

“...Pardon?”

[I know what you’re worried about. But you don’t need to care.]

“What are you—?”

I didn’t understand. Seongheon continued, smiling—

“Huh?”

And at that, my eyes widened.

*****

CHIRP—! CHIRP CHIRP!

Birdsong. I cracked my eyes open. Morning had come.

Light leaked in. I rustled and sat up.

“Hoo....”

[You’re up.]

“...Yes.”

Rubbing my eyes, I got up. I didn’t know the exact time, but it was obviously morning.

I stood, joints creaking, and started changing clothes—

Knock, knock.

Movement outside.

—Are you awake?

A man’s voice.

“Ah, yes. I’m up.”

—May I come in for a moment?

“Come in.”

The moment I allowed it, the door opened. A young man about my age appeared.

“I am Taeyong, a third-generation disciple of Mount Hua. Until you depart, Bang... I will be attending you.”

“...Ah. Yes. Please take care of me.”

He looked like he’d come to handle guest service. Third-generation disciple meant he was around my age.

“They say your party is gathered. Shall I escort you now?”

“Yes. Let’s go.”

With Taeyong guiding, I moved. He led me to a dining hall near the residences.

“Ah, Bang....”

Cheon Eujin and Thunder Dragon spotted me and greeted me.

Do Hyeong looked like he’d already finished eating. Cheon Hyein didn’t even glance this way, just kept quietly stuffing rice into her mouth.

“You all woke up early.”

“The sun’s already overhead. You’re the one who got up late.”

“......”

Cheon Hyein picked a fight in her usual curt tone. I ignored it.

Wow.

I glanced at the table and barely held back a laugh.

No meat.

Maybe because it was a Daoist sect—there were vegetables everywhere. Did Mount Hua not eat meat? I’d never bothered to check.

“Ahem.”

I gave an awkward smile and picked up my spoon.

Just as I was about to take my first bite of breakfast—

“The Sect Master said he’d like to have a small conversation about what comes next. Would that be alright?”

“...Yes. Understood. I’ll go.”

I nodded at Taeyong.

Come to think of it—

We didn’t have a banquet yesterday.

They’d said we’d meet in the evening after we arrived, but it must’ve gotten canceled after that.

I’d heard it was because of “the situation,” but—

—Looks like my body caused trouble again.

If I believed what the Sect Master had said as a living spirit, that was probably the reason.

...Yeah.

My head was a mess. I shoveled down the food anyway.

Even with everything, food still went down.

*****

Afterward, I took the party and headed somewhere else—not the small, shabby residence we’d seen yesterday, but a building at least twice as large.

A reception hall, probably.

“Come in.”

“We pay our respects to the Sect Master of Mount Hua.”

“Commander. It’s been a long time.”

“Have you been well?”

The Small Moon Unit Leader, who hadn’t been at breakfast, stepped forward and greeted first. Even though I was the one responsible, this felt... correct.

“You could have rested. You’re always working hard.”

“It’s simply what must be done.”

“A fine sight.”

At the Sect Master’s words, the Small Moon Unit Leader gave a shallow smile.

“You worked hard coming so far. Originally, I should have welcomed you warmly yesterday, but this old man had many matters and couldn’t. I offer my apologies.”

The Sect Master bowed his head.

“No, Sect Master. Please don’t....”

“It was something I had to do, so it’s fine. Please only understand.”

Everyone hesitated at that soft, monotone manner.

Even in a small gesture, there was an unspoken weight.

Light—but not light.

That was the impression Plum Blossom Single Sword gave.

“Originally, it would be best if the other elders came out as well to greet honored guests... but Mount Hua’s circumstances aren’t exactly good right now.”

“What happened?”

That was me.

“Ahaha. The main sect has a small difficulty, that’s all.”

Plum Blossom Single Sword laughed and brushed it aside. It felt like a clear signal: don’t ask further.

Hmm.

I nodded.

“Anyway, thank you for bringing our disciple here so safely. I heard the report. They say something major happened in Henan.”

“That’s correct.”

“A truly regrettable thing. I would like to help, but this old man had nothing he could do. It’s deeply lamentable.”

“.......”

I repeated it in my head.

He’s drawing the line again.

Once more, Seongheon drew a boundary.

He couldn’t do anything. He couldn’t help.

Past or present—

He’s saying it hasn’t changed.

In other words: don’t bother him.

...Huh.

Yesterday, too—this wasn’t going to be easy.

But I was seeing something beyond what was visible.

Is it real?

Watching Seongheon’s reaction, I remembered what he’d said last night.

—Don’t worry.

When he realized I could see ghosts, he’d said—

—I know what you’re [N O V E L I G H T] worried about. But you don’t need to care.

He told me—

—I won’t remember the conversation we had now.

—Pardon?

—When I wake up, I forget everything I did in that state. I’ll think of it like a dream. A faint, shallow dream.

—...Like that?

He’d claimed he couldn’t remember anything from when he was a living spirit.

Whether that was true, I still didn’t know.

But looking at Seongheon—who genuinely seemed to know nothing about yesterday—I remembered what he’d said next.

—So, kid.

Back then, Seongheon—

—I know you need my help. So.

—Won’t you grant me a request?

He’d offered me a deal.

A deal the waking Seongheon wouldn’t even remember.

*****

A forest path in Shaanxi. Far from Huayin County, and closer to Zhongnan than Mount Hua.

A residence set along that forest path. An old man walked toward it.

And the moment he reached the place—

“You’ve come?”

Someone waiting inside greeted the visitor with a smile.

On the worn table draped in cobwebs sat fragrant tea that didn’t match the place at all.

Seeing the cups, the old man asked:

“Looks like you had a guest.”

An empty cup caught his eye. Human warmth still clung to it.

“Ah. I had a conversation partner. Another guest needs to come, so he left in a hurry.”

CREEEEAK.

As they spoke, the man pulled out a chair and sat.

“Sword Demon is dead.”

The old man said it the moment he sat down.

“I heard. Died stupidly—head chopped clean off.”

“No matter how many golden seals he plastered on himself, I can’t accept Sword Demon dying. And to....”

The old man’s eyes turned cold.

“To a child that young.”

“Death always comes suddenly, doesn’t it? Sword Demon isn’t any different. Ah—speaking of which....”

With a smiling squint, the man asked:

“Plum Blossom Commander. They say you saw the child yourself. How was he?”

The old man was Sacred Wind.

He tilted his head slightly.

“He was strong. Clearly power no one his age should have.”

“Ohh. That’s a good evaluation.”

“But.”

Sacred Wind flicked the teacup.

CRACK—! CLINK!

The cup shattered and soaked the tabletop.

“He doesn’t look like he has something that could kill Sword Demon.”

Drip. As tea ran down, the man’s expression hardened.

“Ah... that was an expensive cup....”

At that, Sacred Wind rose.

“The plan is proceeding well. So don’t get any foolish ideas.”

“How could I use foolish tricks against the great Plum Blossom Commander? I’m too scared to try. Still, if we ever do need to do something—”

The man looked at Sacred Wind.

“Everything is for Heaven-Breaking.”

“.......”

“Isn’t that the same for you, Commander?”

“Tsk—”

Without answering, Sacred Wind turned his back and left.

Watching the old man go, the man let out a small snort.

“Disgusting old bastard.”

The words echoed quietly, and the man only took another sip of tea.

*****

Outside the residence, Sacred Wind ran a hand back through his hair.

This is going to be annoying.

A meaningless anomaly.

Everything was already nearing the final stage.

And of course it’s now.

The arrival of the Small Moon Unit.

And even the Small Moon Unit Leader was with them.

If it had been just some brats, he wouldn’t have cared. But with the Small Moon Unit Leader, it was different.

So the Moon Knight, huh. Looks like the Blue Moon Sect Master really cares.

He hadn’t expected them to send even the Small Moon Unit Leader along.

Did the old man really see a second Yoo Cheongil in that runt?

Absurd.

Anyone who’d seen Yoo Cheongil even once would know.

That runt can’t become Yoo Cheongil.

To become that kind of impossible monster, you needed presence—density.

Bang Sungyeon could never become Yoo Cheongil.

The Small Moon Unit Leader was irritating.

But—

That’s all.

Sacred Wind didn’t bother hiding the way his gaze lowered.

It’s already too late.

Whatever happened, an anomaly arriving this late wouldn’t change the result.

No matter how it turned out—

Mount Hua is mine.

Mount Hua Sect would become his.

And if anyone got in the way—

You just erase them.

Erase them in front of you. That was all.

With that thought, Sacred Wind walked on.

The destination was always the same.

His Mount Hua.