CHAPTER 511: EPILOGUE EARTH DEMON (8)

Seol-Hwi’s steps quickened toward Heavenly Library. His heart raced at the thought that he could finally meet the real Seol-Hwi.

“What kind of person is he?”

Having repeated countless lives, his childhood memories had faded, but now he could finally confirm them.

Moreover, he would learn more about the person named Seol-Hwi.

“Have you arrived?”

As he entered the Heavenly library, librarian Du Hong greeted him warmly.

“Let’s get to work.”

Seol-Hwi gestured briefly and headed underground.

The sound of footsteps grew clearer as he descended the stairs, and soon he saw a boy.

‘He really is the same.’

Facing his past self stirred strange emotions. Seol-Hwi also looked at him with a complicated expression.

“So someone was here.”

Naturally, the words Earth Demon once said to him slipped out of his mouth.

“Is there something on my face?”

“Ah, no!”

Seol-Hwi answered nervously just like his past self. Even his clumsy, foolish demeanor was identical.

“What should I call you?”

“Please call me Seol-Hwi…!”

“Ah, yes.”

Seol-Hwi nodded and suddenly noticed his awkward posture.

His clothing was somehow unnatural.

‘Could it be…’

An instinctive thought came to him. He walked to a bookshelf and looked around.

Among the scattered bookshelves, he found what he was looking for.

‘As expected, the Three Basic Essence Martial Scripture is missing.’

It was surprising.

The hidden martial arts book he had accidentally discovered in the past now seemed to be the very book he had originally found.

At the time, he thought he found it through the system window, but that was not the case.

‘Perhaps this action is a predetermined fate.’

This fact implied many things.

Seol-Hwi being here might not be due to Jang Dal’s intention.

Rather, it was more likely that Goo Jong-myung’s killing of Seol-Hwi was part of his plan.

‘Then, when I was killed? From what point did Jang Dal intervene?’

Curiosity chained itself, but there was no way to know the answer now.

He refocused on the conversation with Seol-Hwi.

“Seol-Hwi, what are you doing here?”

“I was ordered to organize the books.”

“Ah, I see.”

His answer sparked more curiosity in him.

If he asked the same question Earth Demon once asked him, how would the Seol-Hwi before him react?

“Then, have you ever seen the book called Three Basic Essence Martial Scripture?”

“…!”

‘He’s flustered, just like I was back then.’

The martial arts book hidden in his bosom.

He would likely hesitate to reveal it, fearing he might misunderstand him as trying to steal it like his past self.

What answer would he give in such a situation?

‘Two choices roughly came to mind here.’

“…”

Silence flowed. Seol-Hwi half lowered his head and said nothing, but he waited calmly for his answer.

“I have never seen that book.”

“…!”

His words brought a wave of surprise in him.

It was the same answer he gave in the past.

Even though the Supreme Pavilion Lord had taken him under, perhaps because he hadn’t learned any martial arts separately yet, his answer remained the same. ṝÄ𝐍Ó𝖇Ëṩ

‘He is just like me…’

Despite the passage of time, the memory was vivid because that moment completely changed his life.

The thrill of discovering true martial arts for the first time, and the confusion of having to hide it.

Everything came back vividly.

‘Since it’s come to this…’

Seol-Hwi grew deeper curiosity toward the Seol-Hwi who gave the same answer as his past self.

He wanted to test him more, so he started a more provocative conversation.

“Ah, I just remembered where it is.”

As expected, Seol-Hwi was greatly flustered at those words.

“W-Where is it?”

Seol-Hwi could clearly feel his fear and tension, as if he were looking at his past self.

“You’re holding it.”

“…!”

Seeing Seol-Hwi freeze with wide eyes, he recalled his past memories and slowly approached.

Then, like Earth Demon did back then, he spoke.

“Just kidding. I was teasing you mischievously.”

The playful teasing was exactly the same.

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He stayed there and talked more with Seol-Hwi.

As time passed, their conversation became natural.

The initial tension gradually eased.

But strong doubts still lingered in his mind.

‘When did this Seol-Hwi meet death? What kind of life did he live in a world without me? Was he killed by the Supreme Pavilion Lord, or by someone else…?’

“Are you perhaps the Earth Demon?”

He was surprised by Seol-Hwi’s question breaking the silence.

It was because it exactly matched what his past self had said.

‘Truly, the more I know, the stranger all of this gets.’

He nodded calmly.

“That’s right.”

“Sigh.”

Seol-Hwi showed a look of helplessness at those words.

Then he knelt and bowed his head.

“I lied to you, Master. I actually have the Three Basic Essence Martial Scripture you were looking for. I will accept any punishment you give me.”

Hearing Seol-Hwi’s confession, memories of past clues came to mind before anger.

First, ‘Are you not the Earth Demon?’

Second, ‘I have mastered the Three Basic Essence Martial Scripture you sought.’

Lastly, ‘You seem no different from my situation.’ seemed the same.

‘In the end, the reason for choosing different clues was a prank made by Jang Dal.’

Only now did the situation start to fit together.

Jang Dal must have set traps like this to test players who entered Seol-Hwi’s body.

Thinking this, he suddenly wondered if the Supreme Pavilion Lord’s particular dislike of Seol-Hwi was also Jang Dal’s interference.

“It’s okay. I already know.”

“…Yes?”

Seeing Seol-Hwi flustered, he spoke gently.

“Since it’s come to this, learn that martial art.”

“…Is that alright?”

“But there’s a condition.”

Understanding his personality required more than just conversation.

A more definite and interesting test was needed.

“Learn that martial art and deal with the one who troubled you.”

“The one who troubled me…?”

“Before coming here, there must have been someone who troubled you, Seol-Hwi.”

“…”

“Do you remember?”

Seol-Hwi hesitated briefly, perhaps due to the sudden proposal.

Then he quietly answered.

“…Jeok Myung.”

“Good.”

Seol-Hwi turned away like that. As he approached the stairs, he spoke again.

“I’ll give you one month.”

Now, the Seol-Hwi of this world would begin his first challenge.

Seol-Hwi wondered if he would walk the same path as him or pioneer a completely different one.

‘What kind of appearance will he show?’

Whatever choice he made, he wanted to see his path.

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Heading to the office at the top of Heavenly Library, he sat down and pondered for a moment.

‘How far can he really grow?’

Now that he had obtained the secret manual he desperately wanted, he was curious how far he would grow.

‘Unless his body is suitable for demonic energy, there will definitely be limits.’

Seol-Hwi was curious about his growth potential but did not have high expectations of him.

Judging by Sa Yu-kang not mentioning Seol-Hwi specifically in the past, he probably did not survive long.

His constitution would also hold him back.

“Come to think of it, where is Seo Ryeong at this point?”

Seeing Seol-Hwi made him miss Seo Ryeong.

Roughly calculating, she would appear between two and a half to three years.

And if he did not intervene directly, sadly, she would end her life at the Martial Test Island.

‘Creating a world where one can freely use their abilities… is not an easy task.’

People who had direct ties with him in past lives.

Those he owed his life to, those who showed him kindness, or those he loved.

His goal was to let them live faithfully and happily in this life.

But as time passed, his worries deepened. How far should he intervene? What help is needed or unnecessary?

Life is a series of trials and pain; perhaps taking away their trials would be poison to them.

‘I’ll reconsider after becoming the Cult Leader.’

For now, he could only seek the best answer; whether it was right or wrong, time would tell.

One thing was certain: if any of the disciples except him became Cult Leader, the main sect would be in danger.

An absurd situation like the Central Plains invasion could occur, so it would be better if he became Cult Leader to control the situation.

Tap.Tap.Tap.

“Rumors sure travel fast…”

At that moment, he sensed footsteps.

Seol-Hwi could easily guess who was coming here.

Swish!

A woman entered boldly as soon as he opened the door.

And the one who started firing questions at him recklessly was the Third Disciple, Ah Ryeong.

“How did you do it?”

Naturally, she was asking about recruiting the recluse warrior Dam Cheon.

He was called the best martial artist in Hidden Demon Pavilion and had resisted many disciples’ persuasion; But he, the rookie and Fourth Disciple, accepted him as his subordinate, so she must have had mixed feelings.

“I am the master of the hall after all.”

“Master or not, how did you do it!”

True to her personality, she snapped sharply.

Her face was full of anxiety, completely opposite to the relaxed look she showed with other disciples before.

“Shall we sit down and talk first?”

“Do you think I came here to dine with you now?”

“Exactly. If it’s about your curiosity, sajo, I will honestly tell you everything here. Isn’t that what you want?”

“Th-This…”

She hesitated as if to say something.

Having bowed her head and promised to tell everything, she probably saw no need for argument.

“If you say useless things, then be prepared to die.”

She sat opposite him with a warning tone.

“Are you curious how I persuaded him with words? Or do you think I couldn’t persuade him and wonder what trick I used?”

Her eyes narrowed at his words.

Making it clear, she naturally reacted negatively.

“I’m curious about what trick you pulled.”

“I thought so.”

Seol-Hwi nodded and continued,

“I resolved it through conversation.”

“What?”

“I persuaded him through conversation.”

“You mean that talking…”

“It worked for me.”

Ah Ryeong’s anger surged visibly.

She looked ready to attack, but he knew it was just a threat.

She understood better than anyone that this was Heavenly Killing Star’s territory.

“Actually, I wanted to speak to you directly, sajo.”

“…?”

Seol-Hwi looked at her straight and said,

“From the perspective of the four senior disciples, someone like me is insignificant. Just the Heavenly Killing Star, and a shabby force like the Hidden Troops—At best, a few quick retainers to carry out missions.”

“…You seem to know your place?”

“Of course. I know very well.”

Seol-Hwi began.

“Moreover, I know how to behave going forward. Where hei must attach myself to survive. The Great Sahyung, End Demon, wouldn’t even glance at someone like me, nor would the second sahyung. But you, sajo, are a bit different.”

“What are you trying to say?”

This was the moment.

Seol-Hwi spoke with determination.

“Sajo Ah Ryeong, will you accept me as your subordinate?”