Chapter 148 – Fate (2)

“Hiding our tracks and finding a safe place to recover is the best option.”

Samamang’s injuries won’t be resolved quickly, but fortunately, I can completely expel the poison within a day.

So just one day. If we can evade pursuit and hold out for just one day.

“I understand. It seems like that’s the best option, as you say, Witch of the Brain and Soul. However, right now, I…”

“Hehe. Don’t worry.”

Samamang’s characteristic gentle smile that puts the viewer at ease. Since the battle, I’ve been wearing a fierce expression, thinking that I’m in danger… but as expected, this side suits Samamang better.

“My injuries are severe, but I’m not in a state where I can’t move right away. I’ll take care of hiding our tracks, finding a place to spend the night, and moving to Sohyeop, so just focus on recovering.”

“…Okay.”

Huh? Is Samamang still a bit fierce?

Samamang sits me down under a relatively clean tree stump and takes a cross-legged position next to me.

Woong-

And the surrounding natural energy flows towards Samamang. They’re probably trying to alleviate the injuries through energy cultivation.

Right now, Samamang can’t even walk properly, so this is the first thing we need to do.

Slightly closed eyelids, a firmly closed mouth, and dirt, dust, and bloodstains. Despite the traces of battle, Samamang’s composure remains intact.

The mature atmosphere, which is completely different from Hong Yeon-hwa’s cuteness or Paeng Soso’s coquettishness, sometimes makes me lose my mind.

I stare at Samamang’s face absentmindedly for a moment. After a short period of energy cultivation, Samamang suddenly stands up and starts to mess up the surroundings.

Choosing the ground carefully, dragging their feet to leave a footprint similar to a Buddhist monk’s, and even rummaging through the corpses with scattered weapons around them.

Their injuries may not have completely healed yet, but they seem to be able to sense their surroundings and move their body. That’s a relief.

One by one, the things that allowed me to infer the flow of the battle, although a little slow, disappear.

Of course, since I can’t see, they weren’t that sophisticated. They might cause a momentary confusion, but they’ll be found out soon.

But we only need to hold out for a little while, and that’s the same for this side too. This should be enough.

“Phew. It’s all done. Well then, Sohyeop, excuse me for a moment.”

After finishing their own distraction, Samamang grabs my arm and lifts me up as if supporting me…

“Huh?”

“Please stay still.”

They lift me up and put me on their back.

The contact area is wider, so even though I know it can’t be helped, I feel a little embarrassed.

Trying to hide my embarrassment, I ask in a slightly playful voice.

“Is it not heavy for you? I mean, I’m tall and muscular.”

“Oh? Even without using my inner energy, the body of a top-notch martial artist is sturdy. You should know that too, Sohyeop.”

“Uh, how would I know that?”

Samamang speaks in a strange way, taking steps in a peculiar manner.

“Seems like you’re not aware.”

“What are you talking about?”

As I’m carried on their back, I feel Samamang’s breath tickling my ear. It’s slightly uncomfortable, and Samamang shivers for a moment.

“Ahem… Congratulations, Sohyeop, for reaching the peak of perfection.”

“…What?”

The peak of perfection? Me? How?

I’m confused, and Samamang adjusts my position by shaking their body.

“You don’t believe me, do you?”

“Well, I mean, I did feel like I suddenly got stronger… but I don’t think I’ve reached the peak of perfection, have I?”

The Simsang Sword, one of the abilities of the Mu Ryeong Shin Gong. When holding it, I can recall memories of my swordsmanship and move more skillfully.

Since the realization I had during the trial of the movie was also contained within it, I could remember it too.

However, due to the nature of the Mu Ryeong Shin Gong, which amplifies the user’s strength, it doesn’t mean that I’ve reached the peak of perfection just because I can face a master of the peak of perfection head-on. Maybe I’m just at the edge of the peak? And if I expand my body with the Mu Ryeong Shin Gong, I might be able to reach the peak of perfection.

In fact, until I gained the final realization, I barely kept up with Sura Hyeolbu and Dongsoo, even with Samamang’s help.

But Samamang raises their head upon hearing my story. Their hair tickles my nose.

“Until the middle, Sohyeop was right. But at the last moment… You definitely reached the peak of perfection.”

“Really?”

Samamang chuckles at my bewildered reaction, and we deviate from the path we were on.

Since we’ll only find a nearby village if we follow the road anyway, they’re probably looking for a hiding place.

As Samamang navigates through the untouched mountain forest, they nod their head.

“That’s right. And what do you think is the difference between the peak of perfection and the edge of the peak of perfection, Sohyeop?”

“Is it about how well you handle your inner energy, or how naturally you handle it like your own body…?”

At least according to Hong Yeon-hwa’s martial arts, that’s how it’s divided. From third-rate to first-rate, it’s based on how well you handle your body, and the peak of perfection and the edge of the peak of perfection are based on how well you handle your inner energy. And Hwakyung and Hyunkyung are divided based on how skillfully you handle your mind.

“That’s right. And at the moment when you were attacking Sura Hyeolbu with all your might, you definitely reached the level of Shin Geom Hap Il. At least, that’s what it looked like to me.”

“That’s…yes. You’re right.”

“Shin Geom Hap Il isn’t just about being good at handling a sword. Sohyeop, at that moment, you were able to move your inner energy as you pleased, not just the sword.”

“Ah.”

That strange sensation I felt last. The sword that moved as I wanted it to, transcending form and capturing the desired technique.

That’s how I added the weight of Mount Tai to every sword strike.

To be more specific, I fine-tuned the use of my inner energy in real-time to achieve the effect of Mount Tai no matter how I swung the sword.

But isn’t this only possible when I hold the sword in my mind?

…No, that’s not it.

Even without the assistance of the Mu Ryeong Shin Gong, the realization remains. I might be able to do something similar now even without the sword in my mind.

Of course, I’ll be much weaker…but anyway, I’ve crossed the threshold of the peak of perfection.

Honestly, I’m a little dazed.

Of course, if I think of it as a state I’ve achieved after dying countless times, it’s natural…but really?

Am I really at the peak of perfection?

When I remain silent for a while, Samamang speaks first.

“Has Sohyeop already passed the age of adolescence? Perhaps Sohyeop might reach the level of great masters like Dalma Daesa or Jang Sam-bong.”

“I don’t think it’s to that extent…”

“Hehe. Do you really think so? Most martial artists spend their entire lives training and never reach the peak. Even the heirs of famous families who have mastered the martial arts of ascension become geniuses if they reach the peak around the age of adolescence. If they reach the peak before or after that, they become the most talented candidates who can become the head of the family even with a woman’s body.”

Was that just Samamang’s story?

It’s true. Just look at the Third Young Master of the Paengga family. He wasn’t appointed as an elder in his hometown just because he was a martial artist at the peak of perfection.

Being a martial artist at the peak of perfection is such a rare and powerful force.

But now, at just 20 years old…no, almost 21 on my upcoming birthday, am I really at the peak of perfection…?

My mind goes back and forth, feeling dazed.

Whether Samamang knows my state or not, they keep praising me without a break.

Later on, I’ll be so embarrassed to listen that I won’t be able to say anything and just stutter.

But the bigger problem was something else entirely.

No matter how strong Samamang’s power was, when they carried me, their posture was bound to be unstable because I was bigger than them.

So I would move my body in between to stabilize myself, but in doing so, my arm would stick out too far and become swollen.

As a result, every time I took a step, my swollen arm would brush against Samamang’s chest, which was already bulging.

At first, I thought it might have been accidental, but now I can’t pretend not to notice it anymore.

Squish, squish.

I can feel the softness on my fingertips every time I take a step.

Surely they’re not intentionally guiding my hand to touch their chest, they’re just too busy praising me to notice.

It’s a bit awkward to say anything about it, so I keep my mouth shut and try to think good thoughts.

I overlooked the fact that the intense energy that rises up against the poison also makes my senses, especially my sexual senses, more sensitive.

The warmth that touches my whole body, the sweet scent of blood and earth that can’t be hidden, the slender yet soft body, and the plushness of the breasts that regularly bounce my hand away.

Once I start to consciously notice a woman’s charm, my body starts to react involuntarily.

Tip-toe.

The lower back that slowly tilts its head up. As it is already a huge creature, it cannot be hidden in this close state.

I feel a little guilty about thinking of Samamang in this way, and I close my eyes tightly in anticipation of the embarrassment that will soon come.

But…

“There’s a small cave over there. If we cover the entrance, it should be fine. What do you think?”

“Uh? Y-yes…that should be fine.”

As if they didn’t feel anything, Samamang just fixes my body that’s slipping down.

As a result, the lower back presses against my buttocks naturally.

“Ugh.”

“Sohyeop? Are you in pain somewhere? Or is there something uncomfortable…?”

“N-no, I’m fine. I’m just feeling a bit tired.”

“If there’s any problem, please let me know anytime.”

Samamang’s soft voice tickles my ear.

And for some reason, a creepy intuition passes through my mind, giving me goosebumps.

…They really didn’t notice, did they?