Seol-Hwi was confused. He couldnât really decide which of the two choices were better.
â¶ Iâve never seen that book.
But he was literally holding it.
â¶ Iâve learned the martial arts in that book.
He couldnât say that.
8⊠7âŠ
Unfortunately, time was ticking. Yet Seol-Hwi continued to withhold his choice.
4⊠3âŠ
Because he was afraid. His life could be balanced on this choice. The existence of this young manâto be precise, âfrightened him.
â· Iâve never seen that book.
â¶ Iâve learned the martial arts in that book.
I have no choice but to leave it in the hands of heaven. Seol-Hwi chose the first one, the lesser of the two evils.
-Continuing
âAh, you havenât seen it?â The young man nodded and closed his eyes. It seemed like he would leave it at that.
âIâll look for it,â Seol-Hwi anxiously added.
âAh, would you please? I donât remember where I put itâŠâ Seol-Hwi was relieved when the young man smiled brightly.
Fortunately, heâd managed to overcome this hurdleâthe man didnât pay attention to what he was holding.
âAh!â The young man clapped just as Seol-Hwi stepped away. âI just remembered where I put it.â
âW-where?â
âYouâre holding it.â The young manâs face went serious.
For a moment, there was a suffocating silence.
Step. Step. The young man approached and Seol-Hwi could only watch.
âHahaha.â The young man suddenly stopped and laughed out loud. âItâs a joke. I was messing with you.â
ââŠHuh?â
âAh, you said youâre new here? Iâll leave you to your work. My name is Bu Il-Gi.â The young man beamed with amusement. With a light bow, he turned away and headed towards one of the numerous shelves.
Who is heâŠÂ Seol-Hwi just stood there with a blank expression. He couldnât distinguish if that laughter or behavior was genuine or not.
More than a few people were suspicious. It could be because heâd entered the Heavenly Library at such a young age.
First, this book. Seol-Hwi shuffled his thoughts aside and moved to the bookshelves. If the man wanted to talk to him again, then holding this book would put him in danger.
ââŠSo, you came here on the recommendation of the Lord of the Supreme Pavilion?â
After two hours, Bu Il-Gi had come to stand next to him.
âYes, thatâs right.â Seol-Hwi didnât stop organizing the books.
âThat is surprising. That man really doesnât have the personality to ask someone for such things.â
Seol-Hwiâs eyes narrowed. âThat manâ. Bu Il-Gi was both younger and higher-ranked than the Lord. He could infer a lot about this man.
âNo. He treats me well.â Seol-Hwi frowned. He might end up in an embarrassing situation if he spoke the truth.
âAh, he treats you so well that he let you, a warrior, go crippled for life?â
Seol-Hwi spun around to face him, but he still had his head in his book.
âAh, I apologize. I didnât mean to look into your file. I was just curious as to who became the new library official⊠haha.â Contrary to his words, the man didnât look the least bit apologetic.
It didnât even seem like he remembered why heâd come here. He came looking for one book, and now he was holding a completely different book.
âWell, at least it wasnât your throat, right? Even rolling in a field of shit is better than being dead. In the future, though, youâll lose the chance of learning new arts from the Academy.â
This bastardâŠÂ Seol-Hwiâs face contorted. This man was obviously trying to bait him.
Who is he� While the other man was busy taking his jokes too far, Seol-Hwi was delving into the core teachings of the Academy.
There were twelve institutionsâfour Institutes and eight Hallsâat the heart of the sect. Below them were the five pavilions and the factions. That meant there were certainly people higher-ranked than the Lord of the Supreme PavilionâŠ
âYou must be at a loss?â The man closed his book with a snap.
âHuh? WhatâŠâ
âA young man who refers to the Lord of the Supreme Pavilion as âthat manâ.â
Seol-Hwiâs face darkened. Was he using some kind of mind-reading?
âNo. How could I dareââ
âEnough. Itâs a natural thought.â The young man casually returned the book to the shelf.
âNow tell me.â
ââŠHuh? About what?â
âThe White Light Demonic Arts. How far did you learn?â
The young manâs eyes bored into him, shadows of deep emotions flitting between his laughing visage. Seol-Hwi couldnât look him in the face.
Does he know? Seol-Hwi didnât say anything. He couldnât figure out what he could afford to divulge.
âI donât understand what youâre talking about.â Seol-Hwi quickly made up his mind.
ââŠAh? Is that so?â
âYes. As you can see, I canât even use my right arm. You must know martial arts is essentially based on the yin-yang of humans and the five elements. The accumulation of energy in the dantian is only possible when the body is centered. Is there any martial arts that I, a cripple, could dare to learn?â Seol-Hwi attempted a bluff. It was even true, to an extent.
âAh, I see. When you put it that wayâŠâ
It seemed like Seol-Hwi had fooled him.
âBut if what you said is true⊠Then you must be making a joke out of me.â
Cold sweat ran down Seol-Hwiâs back. The more he talked, the less he understood this man. A feeling of dread was wrapping around his heart.
âThen, do well.â The young man returned to the cheerful demeanor heâd had at the beginning.
It was like having a dagger aimed at his heart.
Seol-Hwi was enormously relieved when the young man walked away. He felt like heâd barely managed to escape a crisis this time.
Huh? Why isnât he leaving? Again, the man stopped.
No, he didnât stop.
What now? Seol-Hwi was shocked. The conversation was over; why was he being asked now?
But a person heâd never have expected appeared.
â¶ Arenât you the fourth disciple of the Heavenly Demon, the Earth Demon?
The fourth disciple of the Heavenly Demon, rank 30. Why would someone near the peak of martial arts appear here?
â¶ Actually, I did master the White Light Demonic Martial Arts from the book you were looking for.
This isâ! The second option made Seol-Hwi even more anxious. Bu Il-Gi would think he really was âmaking a jokeâ out of him!
â¶ You seem to be in the same situation as me?
WhatâŠÂ The last one made Seol-Hwi lose it. There was no point in even lookingâthis wasnât even a choice!
â¶ Arenât you the fourth disciple of the Heavenly Demon, the Earth Demon?
â· Actually, I did master the White Light Demonic Martial Arts from the book you were looking for.
â· You seem to be in the same situation as me?
Thereâs no need to think about it. Seol-Hwi picked right away.
-Continue.
The young man halted. Seol-Hwi stared intently at his back; he had a feeling this was going to determine his fate. It could end very, very badly.
âYouâre pretty good.â The young man broke the tense silence first.
Was that good? Or bad?
âI donât know how you found out, but it wonât change anything. I am just someone who has been dragged into this power struggle.â
Fortunately, it seemed good.
Unexpectedly, the young manâs voice seemed to have completely lost energy.
âForgive me. I disrespected you without realizing.â
Just by being in the library and not the training hall it was obvious: the public was only focused on the first, second, and third disciples at the forefront.
âPhew.â The young man, the Earth Demon, went on his way.
And then he stopped again.
â¶ Actually, I did master the White Light Demonic Martial Arts from the book you were looking for.
â· You seem to be in the same situation as me?
Why does this keep popping up!? Choices, again. And the ones he hoped heâd never have to choose. This nightmare wasnât done with him just yet.
Damn it! Again, Seol-Hwi had to take the lesser evil.
-Continue.
âAh, is that so?â The young man responded casually. What would he do now?
âI guess you want to die.â He drew his sword and turned around. His face was openly disgusted.