Returning to Mount Hua with Gubong and Cheonma seemed like the most logical choice for now. There wasn’t anywhere else pressing to go, and things had gone more smoothly than anticipated, making it unnecessary to stay any longer.

I would have to return eventually, anyway.

Click.

I felt the small plaque rattling in my pocket.

It was the item given to me by the leader of that so-called Black Sect.

He’d said that with it, coming and going from Yahwol Palace would be much easier.

Even just having this was a considerable gain. More importantly, it symbolized that they were willing to listen to what I had to say.

“At least the first step went well.”

Using Gubong had been an effective strategy to establish a foundation. I had suspected some connection between him and the nobility, and as it turned out, Gubong did have a significant backstory.

“But that’s that.”

The unexpected part was elsewhere.

“The leader of that place...”

The so-called White Sect’s leader, Baek Wol or whatever his name was, couldn’t hold a candle to this man.

“Strong.”

The way he concealed his presence, obscured his surroundings, and projected illusions was remarkable. But it wasn’t just that—the man I faced directly was far stronger than I had anticipated.

“I couldn’t get a clear read on him.”

How strong was he?

How much power was he hiding?

I couldn’t gauge it at all, which only meant one thing:

He was incredibly powerful. The sharp gaze in his eyes and the overwhelming aura he exuded were no ordinary signs.

If it had come to a fight to the death...

“Hmmm...”

Even imagining it, I couldn’t predict the outcome.

It meant I couldn’t be sure if I would win or lose.

“Definitely different from Baek Wol.”

With Baek Wol, it felt like I only needed to wait until nightfall to gain an advantage.

But with this one, he already felt dangerous even before night had descended.

Which implied...

“If night falls?”

If he became stronger at night, the likelihood of losing would only increase.

“Hmmm...”

I frowned, contemplating my options.

I was deep in thought when...

“What are you doing sitting there so casually? Get out already!”

A voice snapped me back to reality.

I looked up to see the old tortoise glaring at me.

Clicking my tongue, I replied, “Why do you keep trying to kick me out? I haven’t even had a single cup of tea yet.”

“There’s a big sign outside saying we don’t accept guests, yet you barged in here anyway!”

The tortoise gripped his staff as if he couldn’t believe my audacity.

Whack!

“Guh!”

The top of my head stung as his staff connected. I rubbed the sore spot, glaring at him.

“You say you’re not open for business, yet you served tea anyway,” I pointed out, gesturing to the steaming cup in front of me.

The tortoise gave me an exasperated look.

“Who was it that threatened to make a mess if they didn’t get any tea?”

“Well, you still gave it to me, didn’t you? Last time, you just threw me out.”

I remembered clearly how he had waved his staff a few times and tossed me out of the shop. If he was so against me staying, he could have done the same this time.

But instead, he grimaced and stopped short of saying anything further.

What’s this? Does that mean he doesn’t mind me being here after all?

Perhaps he was the kind of person who grumbled a lot but secretly took care of things?

Doesn’t seem like it... but who knows.

“Fine,” the tortoise sighed deeply, sounding thoroughly exhausted.

“If you don’t have any business, finish your tea and leave.”

“Come on.”

I grinned and answered, “Would I have come here if I didn’t have ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) business? I don’t even like tea.”

“...”

The tortoise’s already wrinkled brow furrowed even further.

“Then why are you here?”

He asked about my purpose, his tone sharp.

I drained the tea in one gulp and answered, “Elder, there’s something I need to do, and I have a question for you.”

“No.”

“I haven’t even finished explaining yet.”

“I don’t care. I have nothing to tell you.”

The quick rejection left me speechless for a moment.

The tortoise was quick to catch on. His expression made it clear that he already knew what I was about to ask.

“Damn.”

I chuckled awkwardly and tried again.

“Elder, please don’t be so hasty to reject me.”

“Even if I’d help others, I won’t help you.”

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t want to.”

I wanted to learn some sorcery, but the tortoise dismissed the idea outright, shaking his nearly fingerless hand in refusal.

“Elder—”

“Don’t bother sweet-talking me with that ugly face of yours. It’s just making me more annoyed.”

“...”

That stung a little.

I kept my mouth shut, and the tortoise glanced at me, then spoke again.

“You shouldn’t set foot here.”

“‘Here’ as in... sorcery?”

He didn’t think I should get involved in sorcery?

“Why not?”

When I asked, the tortoise slammed his hand on the table and said,

“This world has already been too kind to you, but the disasters it will bring are not something I can bear.”

“What does that even mean?”

I glared at him, frustrated that he wasn’t explaining clearly.

The tortoise tilted his head as if pondering something.

“I’ve thought this since last time—it’s strange.”

“What is?”

“For someone of your caliber, you shouldn’t be this... ignorant.”

“...What?”

Was he calling me stupid?

“You can’t just call someone dumb to their face!”

“No... It’s strange. For someone of your standing, this shouldn’t be the case. Unless—oh.”

The tortoise stared at me as though he’d just realized something.

Then—

Buzz.

The tortoise’s eyes, hidden under his heavy brows, began to glow.

Whoosh!

“...!”

An unfamiliar sensation swept through my body. My heart pounded, and energy surged uncontrollably within me.

It felt as though my entire body was enveloped in a foreign presence, trying to intrude. I reflexively resisted, and only then did the sensation fade.

“Hmm.”

“What did you just do?”

I knew the tortoise had done something, but I didn’t understand what.

He looked at me, his frown deepening.

“Ah, so that’s it.”

“What’s it? Stop figuring things out by yourself and explain!”

“I see now. You’re not just being contained—you’re also being hidden.”

“...What?”

I had no idea what he was talking about.

Before I could press further, the tortoise spoke again.

“Let me ask you one thing.”

“...What is it?”

“Are you connected to the master of this place?”

“...”

The unexpected question caught me off guard.

He was asking about my mother? It was so sudden that I couldn’t help but feel flustered.

“Well... yes, I suppose I am.”

The tortoise nodded as though he had expected that answer.

“I see... That’s why.”

“Why what?”

“What is it you want to know?”

“Wait, you’ll actually tell me now?”

“Yes.”

Just moments ago, he had been adamantly against it. Why the sudden change?

Suspicious, I narrowed my eyes at him.

“But,” he added, raising one bony finger.

That hand barely even resembled a proper hand, but it was still recognizable as one.

“There’s a condition.”

Hearing that, I perked up.

“What is it?”

The tortoise’s answer left me raising an eyebrow in confusion.

*****************

“So, that tortoise finally agreed?”

After finishing my conversation with the tortoise, I went to find Shin Noya.

For some reason, he was farming behind his dwelling.

Not only that, but he seemed serious about it—he was even dressed like a proper farmer.

“...What are you doing?”

When I asked, Shin Noya glanced at me.

In his hand wasn’t a sword, but a sickle.

“Can’t you tell just by looking?”

“I asked because I can tell all too well.”

It wasn’t like I didn’t know—it was obvious he was farming.

What I wanted to know was why he was doing it now.

Straightening his back, Shin Noya replied,

“It’s the season to prepare for it. Once you start, it’s surprisingly enjoyable. How about it? Want to give it a try?”

“...No, thank you.”

I didn’t have the leisure for such things. Carefully stepping past the fields, I approached Noya and spoke.

“Anyway... I thought I’d take the opportunity to learn it, since I can.”

“Hmm... Is that so?”

Shin Noya chuckled softly at my words, prompting me to ask,

“Do you think it’s okay?”

“Hmm?”

He tilted his head in response.

“Well, the tortoise elder seemed pretty reluctant.”

It was clear he didn’t want to teach me about sorcery.

His reluctance was apparent, especially in the way he seemed to loathe my very presence.

But then,

“When I mentioned my mother, he suddenly agreed.”

“...Your mother, you say?”

“Yes. I didn’t explicitly say much, just that I was somewhat connected to her when he asked.”

“And that convinced him? Along with some peculiar condition?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm.”

Noya nodded as if understanding something.

“So, you accepted his terms?”

“They weren’t unreasonable, and I’m not really in a position to be picky.”

I had to seize the opportunity when it came.

Chances to delve into this field were exceedingly rare.

The more I experienced sorcery, the more convinced I became.

“I need it.”

To create the connection I was pursuing in martial arts, sorcery was essential.

Not just any sorcery, but something more refined and powerful than what I currently possessed.

For that,

“I need the tortoise’s guidance.”

He would know—the direction I needed to take and the path I wanted to follow.

That’s why I was so determined to learn from him.

“Then what’s there to worry about? Just do it.”

Noya’s words were straightforward and logical.

He was right. There was no reason not to, but...

“...It feels like there might be a problem.”

“Of course, there will be.”

Noya’s tone was calm.

“But does it feel like the wrong path to you?”

“...”

I couldn’t answer.

“The path is yours to choose. Whatever lies at the end, if you want to walk it, then walk it.”

He laughed softly, as if amused by his own words.

“I’ve always told you this—believe in yourself.”

“...If it were that easy, I wouldn’t be living like this.”

“It’s not easy. But—”

Noya set the sickle aside and patted me on the shoulder.

“If it’s you, you can do it.”

“...”

That inexplicable faith of his hit me squarely, leaving me awkwardly smiling.

I felt like I’d asked something unnecessary.

Or maybe hearing his response had reassured me.

The thought that I trusted this old man more than I realized embarrassed me a little.

I tried to suppress the feeling, but then—

“Ah, by the way, that girl who came back injured—how is she?”

“...You mean Cheonma?”

I frowned at the mention of her.

She was currently receiving treatment from Seol Yeong, the first disciple of Mount Hua.

Apparently, Seol Yeong also handled medical care, though I hadn’t known that before.

“She said she fought someone who was watching us.”

“Hmm...”

I made sure to say “us” instead of “me.”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s probably nothing serious.”

How badly could Cheonma even get hurt?

She’d recover quickly if left alone.

When I said that, Shin Noya let out a chuckle.

“It’s always amusing when the one most concerned says such things.”

“Who’s concerned?”

“Are you not?”

“Absolutely not.”

What nonsense. If anything, I’d be happier if she were dead.

I scowled, but Noya simply nodded with a peculiar expression.

“Alright, if you say so.”

“...Never mind Cheonma. It’s the watchers that are bothering me. Do you know anything about them?”

I asked, recalling that Noya had seemed to know something last time.

“I do. There aren’t many who could pull off something like that.”

As expected, he knew. That was a relief—at least there was some information.

“Given that they were watching, it’s probably a Yarang.”

“A Yarang?”

I’d heard that term before.

Was that the name of the watcher?

Focusing intently, I listened as Noya elaborated.

“Yes, a Yarang. One of the so-called generals your mother kept by her side.”

Noya swung his sickle again.

Swish. The sound of grass being cut tickled my ears, just as his words struck me.

“She openly declared them to be her children.”

“...What?”

At his words, my entire body froze.