After returning from the hunt, I went to the Training Grounds to practice the secret technique my father taught me.
From practicing how to imbue the wind with my energy, to releasing several streams of energy at once.
It felt like a waste of time to eat, so I made do with beef jerky.
I replaced sleep with energy circulation.
The more I trained, the more I realized how important this skill was.
To be able to detect an enemy planning an ambush was like having a spare life.
I trained diligently throughout.
I had experienced countless times that in life, if you don't walk today, you'll have to run tomorrow.
After being immersed in training for a few days, I left the Training Grounds.
I could now freely imbue the wind with my energy, and I had increased the number of streams to three or four.
Lee Ahn was waiting at the entrance of the Training Grounds.
"Young Master, you should rest now and have a proper meal."
"I told you to go about your business. Why are you here?"
"Protecting you is my duty, Young Master."
It seemed she had been guarding the entrance the entire time I was training.
I felt that a bit of shock therapy was needed to change this stubborn girl's mind.
"Is truly guarding this door really for my sake?"
"What do you mean?"
"If someone were to ambush me, what would you do?"
"I will throw my body in the way to block it."
"If you die taking a blade for me to protect me, how do you think I'd feel? Would I be happy to have survived? Should I dance in the middle of the Training Grounds?"
"You wouldn't… but it's better than dying. Besides, you can't dance well."
"It's a selfish sacrifice that only values your own feelings."
I didn't want to attach a word like 'selfish' to her noble spirit of sacrifice.
But with her, I had to use this kind of shock therapy.
The problem was, it wouldn't work.
"Yes, yes. From now on, please call me a selfish girl who only cares about her own feelings."
"Lee Ahn, do you truly want to protect me?"
"Yes."
"Then start training your martial arts right now. So that when the moment comes where you truly have to protect me, don't just passively block. Kill the opponent!"
If she became stronger because of it, that strength would become a cornerstone for her own happiness.
She didn't take my words as a joke and quietly nodded her head.
Just then, someone shouted from a distance.
"Hey, you lump of fat!"
I turned to see three people walking towards us.
They were the disciples of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
"Is the Second Young Master not out today either?"
From the looks of it, they must have come by several times while I was training.
But, what? A lump of fat? Have those bastards lost their minds?
It seemed they couldn't see me, hidden behind Lee Ahn's large frame.
"How many times have you had to put up with this crap?"
"I am fine. It's nothing."
"If this is nothing, then what in the world is? Does your family have to be annihilated by an enemy for it to be something?"
"Young Master! I am fine."
Lee Ahn was worried I might cause trouble.
She would worry if I got hurt, and she would worry if they got hurt.
"Lee Ahn. You don't have to worry so much. I won't go crazy enough to ruin my own life over you. It's the same for everyone in the world. Everyone knows how to look out for themselves."
In the meantime, they came closer, and Lee Ahn spoke quickly.
"Young Master, it seems they haven't come with good intentions. It would be best for you to leave for a moment."
"Of course, one should avoid things. Avoid hornets, avoid dog droppings, and avoid father's thunderous rage. But not them."
Just then, the three of them stood before me.
"Oh? The Second Young Master is here as well."
The one who had been taunting Lee Ahn was Yang Po, the second disciple of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
I knew exactly what kind of person Yang Po was.
Like master, like disciple; he was trash in a different sense than Gu Pyeong-ho, who had used the energy-dispersing poison.
This guy was famous for looking down on people and tormenting them psychologically… yes, that boy.
My gaze shifted to the handsome one among the disciples who came with Yang Po.
He was probably the youngest, right? Among the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's disciples, he had the kindest and most compassionate nature, but he ended up taking his own life due to Yang Po's hellish bullying.
How relentlessly must he have been tormented for a martial artist to commit suicide?
Even now, the youngest one's expression was not bright.
He was probably dragged here against his will today.
The other one who came along was the fourth disciple.
I couldn't remember his name, but I didn't remember him as a particularly good person.
My gaze returned to Yang Po.
"Insulting my guard is the same as insulting me, no?"
"My apologies, I did not see the Second Young Master. She is quite large."
"Whether I was here or not doesn't matter, does it?"
"I'm telling you I didn't see you were with her."
This ignorant fool couldn't even grasp the core of the conversation.
The fact that he could act like this was entirely my father's responsibility.
After the announcement that anyone in the sect could become the successor, the special status of being the Heavenly Demon's son had faded considerably.
He was just trying to take this opportunity to earn the title of 'one who doesn't bow even to the Heavenly Demon's son'.
"You've come looking for me several times?"
"I have."
"Why?"
"You ask because you don't know? My junior brother Gu is now in a state where he can no longer practice martial arts."
"So what? Should I nurse him? Lee Ahn, go get a rag. Let's go wipe his sweat."
"Second Young Master! Do I look like I'm joking?"
"We aren't on terms to be having a serious conversation."
Perhaps thinking he was being ignored, Yang Po's demeanor turned fierce.
It was laughable that a man who tormented others to the point of death would get so upset over a few taunts.
"If you cripple a man, you must take responsibility!"
"Did you hear that your junior brother used energy-dispersing poison?"
"Hmph! That must have been something you people fabricated."
"Oh, so you're going to insist on that?"
"Enough with the other talk. Apologize officially."
I could guess why he came to me demanding an apology.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon had not chosen his successor.
So his disciples tried their best to curry favor with him.
Yang Po was trying to earn merit by getting an official apology from me, thereby saving the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's face.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I don't know if your master will really make you his successor for doing this."
"What nonsense! I came to see the Second Young Master for the sake of my junior brother. To clear his name of the false accusations! Understand?"
"What false accusations?"
"Although my junior brother's attack was excessive, you intentionally crushed his arm."
He might have thought he had a point in coming here, but it was just a child's tantrum in the palm of a Buddha.
"Then does that mean my father and the Elder Eight Demon Sovereigns were wrong?"
"What foolishness is this?"
With the sudden mention of my father and the Eight Demon Sovereigns, Yang Po was startled.
"Isn't it so? My father acknowledged my victory and asked me what my wish was. Your master didn't protest at all during the process. So what does that mean? Are you saying the Cult Master and your master lack the judgment that even you possess?"
Yang Po was so flustered that he started to stutter.
"W-what kind of sophistry is this? That is not so!"
"But it is, isn't it? Your words imply that the Cult Master knowingly covered up the fault of his own blood, don't they?"
Yang Po's face turned deathly pale.
"Don't speak such nonsense!"
How could he ever win against me with words?
"Or do you think he's gone senile? Is that it?"
"Shut up! How dare you be so insolent!"
Yang Po looked back at his martial brothers, but they were just as flustered.
One wrong move and he would be accused of criticizing the Heavenly Demon, so Yang Po reluctantly backed down.
"I will withdraw for today, but this matter is not over."
"Wait! You should apologize before you go."
"Apologize for what?"
"I'm telling you to apologize for the rude remarks you made to my subordinate."
Only then did their gazes turn to Lee Ahn.
From the start, the Second Young Master's fat subordinate was of no concern to them.
Of course, Lee Ahn wanted the matter to end there.
"I am fine, Young Master."
"I'm not fine. Now, you dared to run your mouth at my subordinate, so kneel and apologize. Since your apology won't be sincere anyway, at least show it with your actions. Let the rumors spread that you knelt."
Yang Po said with a look of disbelief.
"Are you telling me to kneel to that pig of a woman?"
"Yes, and it would be even better if you pressed your forehead to the ground."
"Second Young Master, are you insane? I'd rather die than kneel."
The answer I wanted came quickly.
"You'd rather die? How manly. Fine, I'll grant your wish."
Chaang.
When I drew my sword, Yang Po was startled.
"You really are insane."
"If you leave like this, rumors will spread throughout the Main Sect."
Yang Po looked around to see if anyone was watching.
"Not there, right here."
I pouted my lips obnoxiously.
"This mouth right here will spread all the rumors. That the second disciple of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon got scared and ran away from the Second Young Master. I don't know for sure, but your master won't be too happy about it. You'll live with the label of a coward for the rest of your life."
Yang Po's expression hardened.
He had come to impress his master, but now he was on the verge of being disdained by him.
"Kneel and apologize, or fight me. The choice is yours."
"What is the reason for doing all this?"
"You can come to me. You can demand I save your junior brother. You can even come in a group to get revenge. I understand all of that. But why are you picking on my subordinate? Where does 'lump of fat' come from? Did you ever buy her a meal?"
Instead of reflecting, Yang Po's expression grew even more unpleasant.
"So you really mean to kill me for that fatso."
"Correct."
Yang Po's eyes narrowed fiercely, and he moved just as I expected.
"Just who do you think I am!"
"My subordinate is a hundred times more precious than you. No, a thousand times, no…"
Before it could reach ten thousand, Yang Po drew his blade.
Chaang.
"Senior Brother, you mustn't!"
The fourth disciple behind him hurriedly tried to stop him, but Yang Po had already lost his temper.
"Second Young Master, you may be conceited after defeating my junior brother Gu, but you will soon regret it. Since you are the Cult Master's son, I cannot kill you, but I will cut off an arm to avenge my junior brother."
Yang Po was confident he could defeat me.
I couldn't remember exactly, but it seemed my skills around this time were on par with the disciples of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
This was all because of my brother.
He had tormented and checked me, a Heavenly Martial Body, since I was young, so I could never properly develop my martial arts.
"What will you do without your energy-dispersing poison?"
"Don't be ridiculous! I am different from junior brother Gu!"
Yang Po launched a preemptive strike, pressing me hard.
In my past life, I had experienced many times that a martial artist's character and their martial skill were not proportional.
Yang Po was no exception.
He displayed a blade technique that was far superior to his garbage-like personality.
He had enough skill to be a worthy opponent against the me of that time.
Of course, to the me of now, he was a one-move opponent, just like Gu Pyeong-ho.
However, in order not to reveal my true skill, I fought him as if we were evenly matched.
Every time Yang Po pushed me back, his junior disciples who were watching let out cheers.
On the other hand, Lee Ahn let out a short scream each time.
Since it was a duel they had both agreed to, she couldn't jump in, but if not, a situation where she would have jumped in several times had unfolded.
After more than twenty exchanges of patience, I unleashed the killing move I had planned.
Until now, I had been matching my opponent's movements.
Now, it was time to display the essence of the Flying Heaven Sword Technique.
Like a willow leaf swaying in a gentle breeze, my sword trembled lightly.
Whoosh!
Puk!
Red blood burst out like a spray.
My sword had pierced through the bastard's mouth and come out the back of his head.
Drip, drip.
As everyone stood frozen in silence, only the blood from the tip of my sword dripped down.
Looking into his eyes as they lost their vitality, I said.
"You're dying because of that mouth. That mouth insulted my subordinate, and it's also that mouth that refused to apologize."
With that mouth, you killed your kind junior brother, and it's a mouth that would have killed many more in the future.
So, this is where you stop.
As I pulled out my sword, Yang Po coughed up blood from his mouth and collapsed forward.
"Senior Brother!"
His junior disciples rushed to check on Yang Po, but he was already a cold corpse.
They were horrified.
They probably never imagined I would actually kill Yang Po.
Of course, Lee Ahn was even more shocked as she looked at me.
The fourth disciple shouted accusingly.
"You killed our Senior Brother? Second Young Master, you really…"
"What did you expect?"
"Do you think you can handle the consequences?"
I looked at him and said coldly.
"Your mouth is just like your senior brother's."
Remembering my earlier words that he had died because of his mouth, the man shut his like a clam.
"Tell them exactly what happened. If you add a single word that wasn't said, I will visit you at night."
They carried Yang Po's body and left the place.
At that moment, I saw it.
The youngest disciple's look of relief.
How bad must it have been for him to be unable to hide his joy even when someone died?
The one who was supposed to die after being tormented by Yang Po would now live.
The chef who put energy-dispersing poison in the food died as he was supposed to, but the youngest disciple of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon who was supposed to die would now live.
Fate sometimes stays the same, and sometimes it changes.
'Good youngest disciple, endure well and become the Blade Demon's successor later!'
That was my hope, but that was something he had to achieve with his own will and effort.
Meanwhile, Lee Ahn was looking at me with an expression as if she had lost the whole world.
"You said everyone looks out for themselves, didn't you? You said not to worry, didn't you?"
"It's not because of you, so fix your expression!"
"…It is because of me, isn't it?"
"No, it's not, so don't misunderstand."
"Then why did you cause such a huge incident?"
"What's so great about this? I just killed a man who deserved to die."
"The Elder Blood Heaven Blade Demon won't just stand by."
"He will. There's nothing to be gained by stepping forward."
"Will he really?"
"Think about it. The cause of this fight was his disciple insulting the Second Young Master's guard. He died for being stubborn when he could have just apologized. What would the Blood Heaven Blade Demon gain by getting involved in this? He would only be criticized for raising his disciple poorly."
"Couldn't his pride be hurt?"
"The Blood Heaven Blade Demon does not have that kind of pride."
"How do you know."
"I know. Your handsome Young Master knows everything."
At my relaxed attitude, Lee Ahn finally seemed to relax a bit.
"Well, that's a relief."
"On the contrary, killing Yang Po is beneficial to me. Everyone will be paying attention to me. If there were points needed to become the successor, then I've just added one."
Having crushed Gu Pyeong-ho in a duel and now killed Yang Po, all eyes in the sect would be on me.
"Don't tell me you thought that far ahead?"
"Of course. It was a matter of killing a disciple of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. Do you think I would have killed him just because I was in a bad mood?"
I had left a strong impression on my father during the hunt.
I had to keep that momentum going.
"Lee Ahn, insulting you is insulting me. So, don't say you're fine in a situation like that again."
"My thoughts were short."
"We will be worrying about far more important problems from now on. Will the owner of the trash get angry because I cleaned it up? This kind of petty and useless worry ends today."
A wave of emotion flickered in Lee Ahn's eyes as she looked at me.
"You're serious. Young Master… you've really changed."
"It's also a reason for you to change."
The changes in me over the past few days were enough to bring about a change in her.
Lee Ahn nodded her head.
"I will change too. I will become stronger!"
It won't be as easy as it sounds.
She will probably hesitate, look back, and struggle many times.
Changing a person's life is never an easy thing.
Even my seemingly easy change was only possible because of my entire past life.
"And Young Master, thank you for today. When you took my side earlier, I was so happy. Truly."
"Of course you should be thankful. Don't ever forget what happened today!"
She smiled.
It wasn't just a smile, but a beaming smile, one so wide that her eyes vanished into her cheeks.
Yes, smile like that.
Now that I have regressed, you can live your life smiling like that.