Chapter 87: Growth (2)

Lee Cheon-sang's imposing presence remained as he sat in the pavilion, lazily sipping his wine.

His dragon robe casually draped over his shoulders, his upper garment loosely worn to reveal part of his chest, and his expression as indifferent as ever.

Most decisively, his overwhelming presence, which was indescribably formidable, was still unfamiliar.

'As expected.'

Xuliang's eyes deepened as he looked up at him from below the pavilion.

'I suddenly realize just how monstrous this man is.'

This became even more apparent as he improved his martial arts to his current level.

Even without consciously emitting aura, any expert would naturally exude a sharp and intense aura.

Feeling intimidated when facing an expert was due to this very reason.

Xuliang was different.

He was originally a skilled assassin at concealing his aura and had no desire to show off his strength to anyone.

His lifelong dream, which reflected his nature, also manifested in his aura.

What about Lee Cheon-sang?

'This man has surpassed even that. He's a formidable being operating on a completely different level.'

If he so desired, he could reduce his presence to that of air, or conversely, emit a pressure that felt like the sky was collapsing.

His current calm presence reflects his character.

His unparalleled transparency, his unshakable strength in the face of natural disasters, and his languid and lonely demeanor due to having achieved everything.

All these elements combined to form a unique and absolute being.

"Have you come?"

"......Yes."

"Come up."

Xuliang ascended the pavilion steps.

Lee Cheon-sang, who had been carving, suddenly looked at Xuliang as he walked up the steps.

Flash!

A fleeting glint in his eyes, unnoticed by anyone.

But it was brief, and his eyes soon returned to their calm state.

Xuliang bowed his head as he reached seven steps before Lee Cheon-sang.

"I greet you, Sect Leader."

"Sit down."

The heavy voice seemed to resonate through the air.

Xuliang sat down with a blank expression.

"......"

Suffocating silence.

Though his face remained expressionless, Xuliang's inner turmoil was intense.

'Damn it......'

A thick vein bulged on his jaw. Despite this, he clenched his teeth to avoid making a sound that Lee Cheon-sang might hear.

'Why did he call me? Why did he call me? Why did he call me?'

He had many thoughts on his way here.

'Yeah, it's about time he called me. But why this morning? Does this man not sleep? Ah! He must be old enough to not need much sleep in the early morning.'

Such light-hearted thoughts.

'It's about time he called, but why now?

Wait, what? Even if the General of the Army has the authority, there's no way the Sect Leader wouldn't know the Heavenly Horse Arsenal was opened. Could he be trying to hold me accountable?'

Such worried speculations.

'Shit... Did he really catch me?!'

...Such extremely serious concerns.

In terms of causing constant anxiety, Lee Cheon-sang was truly a tiring person.

He was a man of few words, making conversations short and his thoughts impossible to read.

He was, in essence, a personification of tedium.

While Xuliang was lost in all sorts of imaginings.

Swish.

An empty cup was placed in front of Xuliang.

"Have a drink."

Ah, yes.

Drinking in the morning is really something. Even if he loves alcohol, it's still surprising.

Xuliang politely picked up the cup.

Lee Cheon-sang poured wine into his cup and said,

"You've been training hard, I see."

"Ah? Yes, that's right."

"Apparently, you treated the Fourth quite harshly?"

His heart sank instantly.

'Grrr.'

This man definitely has something beyond imagination. Bringing up Hong Weimen out of the blue felt like a punch in the back.

He had worried about many things on his way here, but he hadn't thought about that guy.

"Yes, well... it turned out that way."

Lee Cheon-sang nodded.

"Have a drink."

The two of them drained their cups simultaneously.

It was a very high-quality and delicious wine. He had tasted it a few times before.

...But the scent that once seemed pleasant now felt like the fragrance of death.

"Would you like another drink?"

Huh?

Xuliang blinked. Lee Cheon-sang's reaction was unexpected, leaving him flustered.

"Y-Yes, that would be good."

Clank.

The cup was refilled again.

Lee Cheon-sang spoke again.

"The Fourth's Demon King Martial Art is a newly transformed version of the Red Sand Family's martial arts."

"......"

"He was a stubborn one. He had great ability. The idea of creating a new martial art at such a young age is not something anyone can do."

It's like a thorn in the throat.

"At first, it was subpar. But it gradually improved. After exactly three years, it became a rather outstanding demon art."

This man is unusually talkative today?

But I can't tell what he's trying to say. Is he implying that since I destroyed the Fourth, I should also be destroyed?

"But that's where it ended."

"......Huh?"

"A plot without the necessary power can be called talent, but it's hard to call it a success. He had outstanding talent, but he was wasting it."

Lee Cheon-sang, who had refilled his own cup, drained it.

"Someone who doesn't know their own talent is foolish. I despise the foolish."

"......"

"But those who know their talent and still settle for it are not even worth treating as human."

"......"

"That's why I was disappointed in the Fourth. He shouldn't have lived like that."

Xuliang's eyes deepened.

Lee Cheon-sang had no right to be called a good teacher, even in name. His own abilities were outstanding, but his teaching methods were the worst.

But he is a god. He doesn't need to be anyone's teacher, nor is he in a position to be one.

'That's what makes him even more remarkable.'

He doesn't care about anyone's opinions or follow anyone's orders.

He is simply aloof and proud.

"Such a Fourth fell to your hands."

"......"

"It was unexpected."

What does he mean by that?

"I knew about the Fourth's ambitions. I also knew he wouldn't be able to seize the throne. But I didn't expect him to be eliminated from the succession struggle so quickly."

Lee Cheon-sang's eyes flashed.

Seeing that look, Xuliang felt a chill run down his spine.

"I despise the foolish. But do you know who I admire?"

"......I don't know."

"Someone who exceeds my expectations."

Xuliang, who had been quietly watching Lee Cheon-sang, drained his cup.

Lee Cheon-sang refilled his cup without asking if he wanted another drink.

"You exceeded my expectations. By a lot."

"......!"

"Therefore, I admire you."

A shiver ran down his spine and spread throughout his body.

Admiration is not an emotion easily felt. Yet, this great man was saying he admired him.

I can't tell if Lee Cheon-sang is being sincere, but the fact that such words came from this absolute being was astonishing.

Grip.

Sweat gathered in his tightly clenched fist. He tried to suppress the intense emotions rising from deep within his chest.

'The First Demon of the World admires me?'

A life raised as a secret weapon of the Righteous Heaven Alliance, living as a dog for the Alliance Leader. A life so wretched that it couldn't be described as merely miserable, and now he was receiving such an evaluation from the leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect.

'...Damn it.'

The pride that came from this.

Behind that pride, a feeling of self-loathing emerged.

'Throw it away. You shouldn't feel such emotions over just a few words. If you do... you might...'

He feared he would drift further from the freedom he had always dreamed of. If he truly desired freedom, he shouldn't feel proud of the Sect Leader's praise.

Was I just setting a grand but hollow dream and blindly rushing forward, deceiving myself?

Sigh.

His eyes sank deeply. The fluctuating aura quickly settled.

Xuliang sighed.

'What kind of ridiculous self-pity is this? This giant is acknowledging me. It's normal to feel proud.'

It's a natural emotion for anyone to have.

Emotions naturally arise and fade. There's no need to self-flagellate or feel anxious about feeling a certain emotion.

Why? Because all these emotions are part of who you are.

"Hmm."

He looked up at Lee Cheon-sang again.

Lee Cheon-sang's eyes sparkled, noticing Xuliang's subtle change.

"Look. You're exceeding my expectations even now."

"......"

"Change and grow every moment. That's what makes you great."

Xuliang, who had been quietly watching Lee Cheon-sang, smiled.

It wasn't a smile he should show in front of the great Lee Cheon-sang, but he couldn't help it.

Why? He felt it was okay to smile.

And he felt it was okay to say this.

"Sect Leader, that doesn't suit you at all."

"......"

"I'm just a freak, that's all."

Lee Cheon-sang, who had been silently watching him, picked up the wine bottle again.

As Xuliang drained his cup, Lee Cheon-sang refilled it.

"Last night, the General of the Army came to see me."

"......"

"He said he opened the Heavenly Horse Arsenal."

"......"

"Did the weapons you took suit you?"

"Yes, they felt just right."

Lee Cheon-sang nodded.

"Qiluya is fierce, and Liucheng is sharp. You have good judgment."

"I wouldn't have taken them if I didn't like them."

"All weapons are like that. If you had taken something that didn't suit you, just because it was a relic, I would have been disappointed."

Finding common ground in unexpected ways.

Lee Cheon-sang, who had drained his cup again, turned to look at the pond.

Though not particularly ornate, the pond seemed breathtakingly beautiful under his gaze.

"The swords you liked, you haven't had a chance to wield them freely yet, have you?"

"Th-That's right."

Swish.

Lee Cheon-sang stood up from his seat. Xuliang also stood up, somewhat awkwardly.

"Come down."

A moment later, the two stood in an open space.

Lee Cheon-sang extended his right hand toward something.

Swoosh!

Suddenly, the sound of a string breaking was heard, and four swords were embedded in the ground in front of where Xuliang stood.

'......!!'

A skill that bordered on divine. Xuliang could only gape in awe at this incredible feat.

'I didn't feel any fluctuation in his inner strength. No one threw them to him?'

Could he have brought the weapons from the entrance purely by will? Really?

'What is this man...?'

A martial skill of Lee Cheon-sang he had never seen before.

Though it was just one move, he felt a gap that made his mind go blank. It was a realm so overwhelmingly superior that discussing the level of martial arts was meaningless.

Lee Cheon-sang said,

"This is a reward for a disciple who exceeds my expectations."

"......Huh?"

"Pick the one you like."

"......!"

Lee Cheon-sang extended his hand.

A vague gesture, as if offering something or asking him to show it.

"I will impart a technique to you."

Snap!

Xuliang, gripping one of the four swords, swung it like lightning.