Suddenly, such a thought occurred to me. How did this novel end?
According to the flow of the story, it all started when I, Moyong Sowol, died and Moyong Do left the clan.
Moyong Do goes through all sorts of hardships and becomes stronger by eating spirit herbs. In the process, he becomes antagonistic towards Hyuk Dojin, and an unbridgeable gap forms between the two.
The novel's perspective was focused on Moyong Do. Even the Murim Alliance Leader, who could be called our enemy now, was a good person in the novel.
He treated Moyong Do well and poured all his capabilities into him. In the part I read, his exact intentions weren't shown, but the Murim Alliance Leader wanted Moyong Do to become stronger.
Thinking about it now, it seems the Murim Alliance Leader hoped Moyong Do would grow and keep the Black Dao Sect in check. He may have tried to find a solution by raising Moyong Do because it was a shackle he couldn't escape with his power alone.
But I couldn't confirm that. In the end, I didn't know Namgoong Baek's true intentions.
Then, if the content had flowed as it was, how would this story have ended?
Since Moyong Do was the protagonist, I guessed it would have ended with justice prevailing.
But what if it was the opposite? What if Moyong Do was ultimately defeated in the fight against the Black Dao Sect and the Central Plains fell into their hands?
Then would these struggles now have any meaning?
"What are you thinking about?"
A sharp voice reached my ears as I was lost in thought. When I raised my head slightly, Jeok Biwol was smiling.
"What are you pondering so deeply?"
"Just this and that."
As I evaded since it wasn't something worth answering, Jeok Biwol rubbed her chin and made a nasal sound.
Even though I turned my gaze away from Jeok Biwol, her gaze still stung. Jeok Biwol had often given such gazes before, but now it was more blatant. I had no choice but to raise my head and look at her.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Do you have something to ask?"
"No. I'm just curious."
"Curious?"
Jeok Biwol spread her fingers and lightly tapped the table.
"A person who seemed ordinary when we first met achieved the Flowering Realm in just a few months, it's unbelievable even seeing it with my own eyes. What's the secret? Did you really achieve the Flowering Realm just by eating spirit herbs?"
"I think this is the third time you've asked that question, but as I've said repeatedly, that's the secret. That's all there is to it. If you thought I had gained some great enlightenment and expected spiritual awakening, I'm sorry but that's a misunderstanding."
I didn't know exactly how I had achieved the Flowering Realm either. Every time numerous doctors and people took my pulse, they said that when the pure energy sleeping inside my body was exerted, I would achieve a high realm.
Also, someone said that since I had already opened the conception vessel, if I went back and just opened that door again, I would reach the Flowering Realm.
But not knowing how to do that, I had been going in circles, and this time I was finally able to open that door.
"Is that really all?"
However, Jeok Biwol persistently inquired as if she couldn't believe my words. I don't know how many times I've answered. I stared intently at Jeok Biwol's eyes.
"Why? Do you want me to tell you if there's something else?"
"Yes. Tell me."
"What would you do if I told you? You, as someone from an evil sect, need to reach the Demonic Realm, not the Flowering Realm. Although the two realms are evaluated on the same level, the training methods to reach those realms are different. So even if I tell you, it doesn't seem like it would be particularly helpful."
The main martial arts of the Golden Blood Sand Sect was poison. It was completely opposite to the righteous sects' martial arts based on purity. So, there was no meaning in me telling her.
Jeok Biwol should know that too, so does she have another intention in persistently inquiring? Jeok Biwol showed her palm at my words.
"Ah, of course it wouldn't mean much if I heard it. But there's someone else who needs it."
"Someone who needs it? Who is that?"
"Who else?"
Jeok Biwol jerked her chin to indicate behind. I saw Moyong Do coming down the stairs and conversing with people. I slightly narrowed my brows at his appearance and looked back at Jeok Biwol. She was grinning.
"...Are you talking about my brother?"
"Who else would I be talking about? Right now, Hero Moyong Do, your brother's skills are certainly outstanding among the successors. But compared to supreme masters, he doesn't have such overwhelming skills. He's an excellent successor, but something is lacking. I think you can fill that gap."
"..."
"As you know, Hero Moyong Do has potential. Even if you don't tell him, he'll surely surpass the Flowering Realm. But if you help him, couldn't he rise faster? What do you think? It's not a bad idea, right? Don't you agree?"
Her words weren't wrong. It was true that if Moyong Do reached the Flowering Realm when masters were scarce now, it would certainly increase our fighting power and be helpful in battles in many ways.
However, the Flowering Realm wasn't a unit of power that could be expressed numerically.
If it could be reached just by being told, everyone would reach it. But searching through martial arts history, there weren't more than 100 people.
It was difficult to see Moyong Do suddenly achieving that realm just because I added a word.
"...You're right. Your words have a point."
"Then..."
"But this isn't something that can be done by just telling. Rather, telling might even be a hindrance."
"What do you mean?"
"Just as a partially frozen river is more dangerous than an unfrozen river when crossing, knowing something half-heartedly is worse than not knowing at all. There's certainly a bigger difference between the two realms than distinguishing heaven and earth. It's not something that can be done just because someone else tells you."
Jeok Biwol made a displeased expression at my explanation. Judging from her expression, she seemed to think I was being petty.
Facing her expression that seemed to say 'Can't you tell your brother just that one thing?', I stood up from my seat. Jeok Biwol relaxed her expression.
"Where are you going?"
At her question, I jerked my chin and approached Moyong Do. As I approached Moyong Do with my back to Jeok Biwol's gaze, he turned his gaze towards me.
"Then, take care."
Moyong Do greeted the person he had been talking to, then smiled at me.
"You look good. Did you rest well?"
"Very well. How about you, brother?"
"Thanks to Miss Jeok Biwol taking care of me, I was able to rest comfortably."
I inwardly sighed at Moyong Do's words. Perhaps because he's been sticking close to Jeok Biwol a lot lately? Jeok Biwol's name was often mentioned from his mouth.
It wasn't that Jeok Biwol was particularly bad, but I couldn't help feeling somewhat strangely concerned.
"But, it seems the Young Cult Leader hasn't woken up yet."
His gaze passed over me and looked up to the second floor.
"They said he needs to rest deeply for about one more day. They said his consciousness will likely return by this evening or tomorrow morning, so we have to wait. With Eun Do staying by his side, there shouldn't be any problems."
"That's fortunate. I was worried because his injuries looked severe, but I guess masters don't die easily after all."
I lowered my gaze while quietly watching him smile faintly. Despite being in a safe place, he was holding a sword in his hand.
Was yesterday's incident shocking? He was on guard even in a situation where he could relax.
"Brother."
"Yes?"
"Would you like to spar with me after a long time?"
"Spar?"
He opened his eyes wide. I smiled at Moyong Do and nodded.
"Yes, spar. We used to do it often in the past. How about doing it lightly to revive old memories and loosen up your body?"
"I don't mind, but..."
Moyong Do continued carefully, seeming conscious of me. As soon as I heard his answer, I reached out and grabbed his collar.
"Then let's go right away. There's an open space behind here, so we can do it there."
"W-Wait...!"
I practically dragged Moyong Do to the backyard. It was a quiet open space with no one around. After closing the door and taking off my outer coat, I drew my sword.
Moyong Do was still standing awkwardly with a bewildered face at my sudden request for a spar.
"What are you doing? Are you going to do it like that?"
When I tilted my head slightly, Moyong Do finally came to his senses, took off his cumbersome clothes and hung them up, then drew his sword. We distanced ourselves while aiming our swords at each other in light clothing.
"It's been a while, this too. I never thought I'd be able to face you and spar with you again like this, brother..."
"I feel the same. I never thought you'd become healthy and be able to hold a sword like before. No, I thought even having a conversation under the sunlight like this would be impossible..."
"Life is unpredictable, isn't it?"
At my words, Moyong Do chuckled and nodded. After smiling slightly at him, I hardened my expression. Moyong Do also hardened his expression and examined me with a serious face.
I examined his condition while keeping our distance. Certainly, I could feel that Moyong Do was strong. But that strength was far from the specialness of the Moyong Do I knew.
If I were to mention Moyong Do's current level, it would be enough to easily name about 200 people in the Central Plains. Of course, even the level he had achieved at his current age was an unbelievable realm, but it wasn't enough.
"Then, shall we start..."
As soon as Moyong Do's voice came out while we were checking each other, I immediately rushed in. I swung my sword diagonally while quickly charging. Moyong Do blocked my sword, seeming surprised.
"What...!"
"Let's do it like a real battle. There's no time for greetings in a real battle. Think of me as an enemy and face me sincerely."
With those words, no more conversation was needed. I also continuously launched attacks to master the still awkward movements of my body.
I had reached the Flowering Realm almost through an irregular method. Since I hadn't reached the Flowering Realm through long training and enlightenment from lengthy meditation, handling my body was still awkward.
Even using the same martial arts as before, the flow became smoother and the destructive power became heavier. At the same time, the inner power accumulated in my body was considerable, enough to use light martial arts all day long like an inexhaustible spring.
My movements were also concise, and I could implement all the movements that had previously only been thoughts.
Giving enlightenment to Moyong Do was important, but in the end, I had to get used to my own body too. Therefore, this spar now was training that helped both of us.
How long had we been crossing swords with our mouths tightly closed? Moyong Do, unable to withstand my attacks, flew away and sat down, exhaling roughly.
I exhaled while looking at his face drenched in sweat. Had I really become stronger? I had hardly ever been out of breath while facing a master like Moyong Do.
I had never been flustered by Moyong Do's attacks, except for when I moved excessively to forcibly adapt to my body.
Moyong Do sat on the ground and looked up at me.
"You're strong. Is this the realm of the Flowering Realm?"
"It's still just the entrance though."
"Haha, to think it's this much even at the entrance. I can't even dare to imagine how strong you'll become when you grow."
He burst into laughter and shook his head. I stared blankly at him sitting there, then sat down on the ground myself, and Moyong Do opened his eyes wide.
I wiped the sweat flowing down his cheek with my sleeve. Moyong Do stared blankly at my action, then made a strange expression and put on a bitter smile.
At his change of expression, I tilted my head, and Moyong Do's voice flowed quietly.
"On the day you left the clan, I ran aimlessly thinking I had to become stronger to see you again. I thought I had to protect you. But you were a strong child who knew how to protect yourself, and in the end, you surpassed me and now you're giving me teachings."
"..."
"It's true that I'm happy to see you grown up enough that I don't need to protect you anymore, but somehow I feel a bit empty. I've lived only with the thought of protecting you for life... Now I might need to be protected by my younger sister."
He shook his head.
"I guess it's time for me to return to Liaoning now."
"...How could that be?"
I shook my head at Moyong Do's quiet murmur. Meeting his eyes looking at me, I reached out and received his palm, smiling lightly.
"Whether I'm strong or not, you said you would protect me, so you have to keep that promise for life. That doesn't change. So, don't say such things."
"But..."
"Moreover, how can someone who's about to become an uncle show such a weak appearance?"
"Uncle?"
He muttered with a blank face and glanced down at my belly. His gaze was tinged with bewilderment. I smiled slightly and nodded.
"You might be hearing the word uncle this winter, brother."