Chapter 35: How Can One Forget Without Drinking (4)

People of old called it a unique barrier, and modern people call it domain expansion - this is what it was.

When a powerful martial artist creates an image in their mind, it's called mental imagery, and counting such things in my case, this scenery was inevitable.

- Do-hyeon, do you like snow?

One day, it was Yu Seolhwa who spoke to me while I watched the first snow falling outside the school window.

Originally I hated snow, but faced with her innocent expression, I had no choice but to say yes. I felt she might cry if I said no.

And,

- I like it too...!

The pure, fragile smile Seolhwa showed then. Her cheeks flushed red like plum blossoms blooming in snow were so lovely.

From that day on, I came to love the winter season.

The cold falling snow, the white breath visible when exhaling, even the warm smell of the cream-filled fish-shaped bread Seolhwa loved - all of it.

'I was surprised when I first learned Verdandi's ability "Eyes That See Truth" could be used this way.'

I had merely overheard Verdandi talking with Bi Wol. She should normally know nothing about the Heavenly Demon Cult, yet she spoke as if she had directly witnessed Bi Wol's past.

It was an application of how I had defeated the Heart Demon. If it was possible to enter someone's mental imagery world, it should also be possible to pull others into my mental imagery.

"Puhah, Master! How did you turn the ground into an ocean! This is beyond what could be called an illusion!"

Verdandi flailed in the ocean. She seemed not to know how to control herself in the mental imagery world yet.

"I asked you for what purpose you draw your sword."

I began speaking to give Verdandi teachings. This was also an important theme I had considered in the original "A Hero Must Die."

If a hero's justice becomes twisted and distorted, can it still be good?

I thought a hero wasn't good by nature, but defined by their actions.

"I don't know!"

Verdandi answered my question with a bright smile, saying she didn't know. Like a blank manuscript paper, she had lost even her reason for moving as a hero.

In the original work, she would have carried out justice to take revenge on her parents and villagers who abandoned her.

"Hasn't Master solved all our problems!"

The current Verdandi lacked that venom. Pure, if you called it pure - and therefore frightening in how easily she could be dyed in someone else's colors.

People are influenced by others as they live. This manifests as emotions like admiration, love, jealousy, envy, and changes oneself.

"I can't stay by your side forever."

"What...?"

"I'm living on borrowed time. Like a flame dying out, I can feel my life gradually diminishing."

I told Verdandi the truth. Though she had watched with worried eyes when I coughed up blood or bled from my eyes, nose, and mouth.

"...Therefore, shouldn't you figure out for yourself why you draw your sword?"

Hearing it directly from the person involved carries a different weight. When I heard about Seolhwa's death from her parents, it felt like the sky was falling.

"No! Can't we just win at this Dragon Phoenix Branch Meeting or whatever! If not me, then Senior...!"

"The opponent has prophetic abilities like me. They'll likely send out opponents who would have been most difficult for you to face if I weren't here."

I shook my head and spoke indirectly about Seolhwa to Verdandi. To them, she was like a mother and co-creator.

I thought about how much Seolhwa would love these children if she saw them, but there was a high chance she wasn't in her right mind, consumed by an Outer God.

'Otherwise, she wouldn't have specifically mentioned the "original story"...'

If not that, it could also be a means to lure me using Seolhwa. After all, she was already dead.

Thinking negatively about all possibilities - it was a habit formed to prepare for misfortunes since childhood.

"Honestly, I have no regrets in my short life. I've accomplished almost everything I could."

I spoke as calmly as possible.

Having resolved Bi Wol's dark past, prevented Verdandi's deviation, and delayed Azazel's twisted unrequited love, all that remained was to support these children on their path.

"...Master."

"What is it, Verdandi?"

Verdandi's head dropped low. She stopped swimming as tears fell drop by drop. Watching her, I saw something overlapping.

"Then, doesn't that mean there's no one drawing their sword for Master now...!"

It was Seolhwa's worried expression. Verdandi's innocent face contorted as she burst into tears.

"Well, technically there's your senior Bi Wol."

Bi Wol is like my first child. Thanks to her, I actually met Seolhwa and was able to develop our relationship.

"That child would do anything for me."

"No, Senior alone isn't enough."

At that moment, strength entered Verdandi's voice. Her body that had been constantly sinking now rose, standing on the water's surface.

"By any means necessary! Because Master must live long!"

Her face looked as if the worry that had been troubling her had vanished. Perhaps being young, she didn't understand the concept of farewell.

"Verdandi..."

People remember the empty space more than the occupied one. That's how it was with my brother, who was always like a hero to me.

When I was ostracized by children and received disapproving looks from adults for being poor, he would appear and save me.

His death completely changed my values.

"Master saved me when I was about to walk down the wrong path. I don't understand why you're suddenly talking about dying!"

Verdandi shouted while wiping away tears. Her reddened eyes and trembling hands looked somewhat pitiful.

"People must always prepare for farewells."

I steeled my heart. If I died, there was still nowhere I could entrust these children with confidence.

"The Flower Mountain Sect's Six Harmonies Sword Technique is based on basic movements observing plum blossoms. It consists of six movements: cutting, thrusting, blocking, deflecting, avoiding, and breaking."

Though originally a secret technique of the Flower Mountain Sect, in my novel it had spread to become one of the common third-rate martial arts.

I created an ice sword while examining Verdandi. Her breathing was more stable than before, and the trembling in her sword had disappeared.

Having grown accustomed to walking on water, she was now taking steps to close the distance between us.

"Like plum blossom petals falling from the sky, cutting lightly from above - First Form: Plum Blossom Heaven Cut."

Kang─!

The sword strike descended from above in a gentle curve. An attack creating the illusion of floating petals riding on Verdandi's blade.

"Ugh...!"

Verdandi tried blocking with both her holy sword and other hand, but soon collapsed under the weight behind the sword.

"Stand up and do the same, you must start by cutting all the falling petals."

I used mental imagery to plant a plum tree near Verdandi, making petals fall as I continued speaking.

"Because plum trees can take root and survive even on rocks - this form is Plum Blossom Ground Thrust."

Kang! Kang─!

I created a large rock behind me, thrust my sword into it, making numerous holes and cracks.

Just as steady water drops can make holes in rock, even third-rate martial arts could be sublimated to first-rate through diligent practice.

In this world, one's level didn't increase simply by having more internal energy. What mattered was developing forward through enlightenment and mastering martial arts.

"What power...?"

Pakang─! Kugugugugugu─!

The cracked rock slowly broke into pieces and scattered in all directions. Verdandi showed a speechless expression watching the terrain crumble like powder.

"I am still a martial artist with a title, after all."

Moreover, this was my mental imagery world. I didn't need to worry about physical limitations and could create anything for training.

"Is this how it's done?"

"Wrong. Your upper stance needs the arm higher, and for thrusting, your foot needs to come forward more."

Kagagagakang─!

I demonstrated prowess by rotating my waist and wrist as if blown by wind, spinning both sword and body completely. Verdandi looked at me in disbelief as both her thrusts and cuts were blocked.

"This is the Third Form: Plum Blossom Human Turn, modeled after plum petals spinning as they scatter in the wind. And..."

Kang─!

Taking advantage of my speech, Verdandi attempted a downward cut, which I deflected while speaking. The movement of clashing blades then lightly deflecting mimicked plum petals riding the wind.

"This is the Fourth Form: Plum Blossom Wind Strike."

Whisk, I avoided Verdandi's renewed attack with just a nod of my head, then showed how to avoid the following combination by taking one step back.

"The Sixth Form: Plum Blossom Falling Rain imitates plum blossoms disappearing in pouring rain to avoid attacks."

Finally, the Fifth Form remained,

"This is the sword you must imitate last."

It was the stance of Plum Blossom Body Break, a shattering sword that could engrave petal shapes even in rock.

* * *

'Master, why are you trying to leave us so hastily...!'

Verdandi imagined the future in her heart. A scene where she became a hero who caught the demon king and received Master Bing Yeon's praise.

Just imagining that he wouldn't be in such a future caused heart-rending pain.

"I will learn swordsmanship and defeat all those who block Master's path...!"

Her heart ached terribly.

She hated accepting reality so much.

Why does farewell come faster than happiness?

It was the first time in her life someone had looked only at her this way.

Because to her, Master Bing Yeon had become more precious than anything else.

"This is the justice I believe in...!"

Soft emotions (heart) that break hardness (strength).

For his sake, Verdandi had finally reached the point just before mastering the mystery of the Six Harmonies Sword Technique.