Chapter 59 : Dream

Chapter 59: Dream

Yang Hyo-myung couldn’t stop smiling upon seeing Jang Woo-hyun after such a long time.

Although he had been Jang Woo-hyun’s first teacher, that had only been at the very beginning.

In fact, later on, he had received the improved Tiger Form Sword as a gift, which was essentially a lifelong debt of gratitude.

Practically dragging Jang Woo-hyun by the arm, Yang Hyo-myung led him to a nearby village, and the two settled into a small inn.

“I was a little worried earlier when I saw the vacant look in your eyes. It’s unlikely given your skills, but I thought you might’ve fallen into Qi Deviation.”

Yang Hyo-myung was the one doing most of the talking.

“How have you been? You’re not injured, are you? I’ve heard a lot of rumors about you.”

He continued speaking with a proud expression on his face.

Jang Woo-hyun, pleased to see him after so long, smiled and replied briefly.

“Have you been well?”

“Me? I’ve had a few hardships, but I’ve been well. All thanks to you. My skills have improved a lot.”

He laughed heartily.

It was understandable.

Not even two years had passed since they parted ways, yet Yang Hyo-myung had reached the threshold of the Master Level.

From a Second-rate Martial Artist, he had grown that much in such a short span of time.

Though still not comparable to Jang Woo-hyun, it was an incredible rate of growth under normal circumstances. It wasn’t something achievable just by receiving an improved martial art.

‘He must’ve worked tirelessly.’

Given Yang Hyo-myung’s level of talent, that was the only possible explanation.

He must have trained diligently and gone through many real battles.

“After you left, I closed up the martial hall and headed into the Martial World. I’m sure it looked foolish to others, an old man running around like that, but you started learning martial arts late too—so why not me? So I jumped right in.”

His journey through the Martial World resembled that of a warrior’s pilgrimage.

He wandered across the Central Plains, sometimes joining small skirmishes as a Wandering Warrior, sometimes hunting down bandits, and at other times subduing evil-doers within his ability.

“That’s when I heard about you—declaring war on the Asura Sword Sect. The moment I heard it, something surged inside me. Fighting a massive sect alone… Isn’t that every man’s, every martial artist’s dream?”

But unlike the fire burning in his chest, Yang Hyo-myung admitted he had been extremely worried.

The Asura Sword Sect was one of the Ten Demonic Paths.

No matter how skilled Jang Woo-hyun was, Yang Hyo-myung didn’t believe he could overcome such numbers, so he headed to Guangxi Province, hoping he could at least offer some help.

“I wasn’t sure how much I could help, but I thought I could at least take down one or two of the Asura Sword Sect warriors aiming for you. So I moved the moment I heard the news.”

This wasn’t empty flattery for Jang Woo-hyun’s sake.

Yang Hyo-myung was absolutely the kind of person who would do just that.

The first meaningful connection Jang Woo-hyun had made in the Martial World.

Truly a good person. Without him, Jang Woo-hyun wouldn't have made it this far. That much was certain.

“When I finally entered Guangxi, they told me the battle was already over. I don’t know how to describe that feeling… There was a bit of emptiness, but mostly, I was just thrilled with what you had accomplished. I hadn’t done anything, couldn’t even lend a hand.”

Once the fight with the Asura Sword Sect was over, Yang Hyo-myung lost his purpose again.

So he continued his travels through the Martial World until he heard new rumors about Jang Woo-hyun.

“They said you showed up in Chengdu, Sichuan. Coincidentally, I was planning to head to Sichuan, so I changed direction, hoping I might run into you.”

It turned out that today’s meeting wasn’t entirely coincidental.

It happened because Yang Hyo-myung had been looking for him.

“I was worried we’d miss each other again, so I’m glad we met like this. Let’s eat—my treat today.”

There was neither expensive food nor fine liquor, but Jang Woo-hyun enjoyed the meal more than he had in a long time.

Sharing a meal with a good person made even the blandest dishes taste better.

Yang Hyo-myung kept talking about his journey, and Jang Woo-hyun eventually began to share his own story.

Starting with the Demon Extermination Sect, passing through the Shangguan Family, arriving at the Silver Flower Trading Company, and then the battle with the Asura Sword Sect.

As the story progressed, Yang Hyo-myung became so excited he thumped the table and drained his glass in one go.

That was how captivating Jang Woo-hyun’s tale was.

Jang Woo-hyun, too, was finally able to speak honestly to someone after a long time.

Aside from the missing Chul Geuk-jin, Yang Hyo-myung was the only one in this world who knew he hadn’t been training in martial arts for very long.

And so, the two spoke all through the night.

Tap.

With the last glass emptied, their conversation ended as if it had all been a dream.

When Yang Hyo-myung stood up, Jang Woo-hyun followed.

Dawn was beginning to break.

Being a small village, there was no one walking around in front of the inn.

“Where are you headed now?”

“I… don’t know.”

Jang Woo-hyun had lost his goal and will.

Meeting Yang Hyo-myung had brought him briefly back to his senses, but once they parted, he feared he’d fall back into lethargy and emptiness.

Seeing this, Yang Hyo-myung clasped his fists.

“I am Yang Hyo-myung, Hall Master of the White Tiger Martial Hall.”

“…Hall Master Yang?”

Jang Woo-hyun looked puzzled at the sudden gesture, but Yang Hyo-myung simply smiled and bowed.

Yang Hyo-myung thought this might be their last meeting. And if it was, he wanted to give Jang Woo-hyun a proper farewell.

“Thanks to Great Hero Jang’s help, I was able to improve my family’s martial art. I will never forget this grace for the rest of my life.”

“And with the martial art taught to me by the peerless swordmaster Jang Woo-hyun, I will help others and continue to walk the path of a righteous warrior—carrying the spirit of defiance that didn’t cower before even the greatest sects.”

Without releasing the salute, Yang Hyo-myung shouted.

“Great Hero Jang! Thank you!”

Jang Woo-hyun saw himself reflected in Yang Hyo-myung’s eyes.

Empty gaze. Weakened gestures. A man who had lost his purpose.

And in the dim light of dawn, he saw his past self shining through Yang Hyo-myung.

—It was a dream.

—Yes, I had wanted to learn martial arts for a long time. It wasn’t that I wanted to become a hero or a grandmaster. At my age, that’s not the kind of thing one dreams about. I just wanted to learn martial arts, and now I’ve finally fulfilled that dream.

The day he first entered the White Tiger Martial Hall.

The image of Jang Woo-hyun that Yang Hyo-myung had admired so much was now right before him—but through someone else.

It had been a dream.

A dream he had held since falling into this world.

He had wanted to learn martial arts.

Not to become a Martial Artist or enter the Martial World, but simply to practice martial arts in a world where it existed.

When did it all start to change?

He needed to climb higher. Move forward.

‘That wasn’t how it started.’

He had just wanted to learn martial arts.

That alone had brought him joy.

The way to move upward? What comes after the Absolute Realm?

‘Is that really all that important?’

Besides, there couldn’t be just one way forward. It wasn’t a set path.

—People are all different. How could there be only one way? I have my way. You have yours.

He remembered what Pyo Deuk-won had said.

Why had he become obsessed with just one thing? So what if it wasn’t Beyond the Heavens? He hadn’t even seen all of the Central Plains yet.

He hadn’t visited Shaolin or Wudang—two of the most iconic sects in this world.

And even the places he had been—Guizhou, Guangxi, Sichuan, Qinghai, and Xinjiang—he hadn’t explored thoroughly.

There were still many places left to visit.

Not just the Central Plains and the Martial World, but other regions and countries in the Western Territories as well.

He had given up far too easily—like a fool.

As he organized his thoughts, Jang Woo-hyun swept away the lethargy that had wrapped around him.

His eyes were once again shining.

"Now that's more like you."

The one who noticed the change first was Yang Hyo-myung.

Jang Woo-hyun also clasped his fists and bowed.

"I am Jang Woo-hyun. I first learned martial arts at the White Tiger Martial Hall, and that’s what allowed me to come this far."

Seeing the change in him, Yang Hyo-myung smiled.

"Even today, I’ve learned from you, Hall Master. As I was taught at the White Tiger Martial Hall, I will not grow arrogant or lazy. I will continue to train steadily, step by step. Thank you, Hall Master!"

The person standing here now was not the invincible swordmaster known as Unrivaled Sword, but a man who, long ago, had first begun learning martial arts at a late age.

Now, the slowly rising sun illuminated both of their faces.

In an empty street, the two men looked at each other and smiled.

“Ha ha ha ha!”

After parting ways with Yang Hyo-myung, Jang Woo-hyun burst into movement, displaying his light footwork as he ran like mad.

He had decided not to cling to things anymore.

Looking back, just adapting to this world had taken him seven years.

He had only been practicing martial arts for about two years. He hadn’t even spent half the time adjusting before trying to move too far ahead.

Now he intended to see more, experience more. As he thought about traveling again, certain people came to mind.

Hwang An and Jin Ha-un.

To meet them again, Jang Woo-hyun turned toward Mount Qingcheng.

With each step, the scenery blurred past behind him. In less than a day, he arrived near Mount Qingcheng, where he encountered a familiar face.

“Great Hero Jang?”

It was Pung-yu, a Taoist of Mount Qingcheng and Jin Ha-un’s martial uncle, who widened his eyes in surprise upon seeing Jang Woo-hyun appear so suddenly.

“It’s been a while.”

“Uh, y-yes, it has. I heard you’d left…”

“I think I need to see Ha-un again. Where should I go? And is Hwang An with him, by any chance?”

“Yes, the two of them are together. You should head directly to Mount Qingcheng—no, wait. Please stay here, I’ll bring them to you. If you climb the mountain yourself, things could get noisy. This way, please.”

Pung-yu led Jang Woo-hyun to a local inn.

“Senior Brother! Senior Brother!”

He called out, and a chubby man emerged.

“Pung-yu? You said you were leaving earlier, why are you back?”

“This person needs a room. Quickly, now. He’s a guest of our martial uncle.”

“A guest of our martial uncle? Who is it that’s causing all this fuss?”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Jang Woo-hyun.”

“Jang Woo-hyun? A guest of martial uncle, and your name is Jang Woo-hyun, then—ack!”

The man jumped up in shock. He also knew Jang Woo-hyun’s name.

“A-a great honor! Great Hero Jang! I never imagined I’d meet you in person!”

Only after seeing the man’s reaction did Jang Woo-hyun understand what Pung-yu had meant when he said things would get noisy if he climbed the mountain.

Unbeknownst to him, Jang Woo-hyun was now one of the most famous figures in the Martial World, considered a hero and idol by many young martial artists.

Mount Qingcheng was no exception.

“This is Senior Brother Lee Sang, an external disciple and also the owner of this inn. Senior Brother, quickly prepare a room for Great Hero Jang. I’ll head to the mountain and return shortly.”

Pung-yu quickly left the inn, and Jang Woo-hyun was guided to a small annex with a slightly overwhelmed expression from Lee Sang.

‘Where should I go first?’

Left alone, Jang Woo-hyun paced inside the annex, pondering his first destination.

Henan Province, where Shaolin resided; Hubei Province, home to Wudang Mountain and Wuhan, the center of the Central Plains; or perhaps Anhui Province, where the prestigious Namgung Clan was based. Now that he thought about it, there were so many places to visit, he couldn’t decide easily.

“I’ll just ask them once they arrive.”

He muttered to himself, then stopped in front of the bookshelf, picked out a book, and stepped outside. He figured he’d read while waiting.

Classic of Mountains and Seas.

The title written on the cover of the book. Jang Woo-hyun was hoping to find the name of the monster he had encountered recently.

Sarak.

He flipped through the pages one by one, studying the illustrations of monsters.

Starting with Ong-hwa, which he had seen many times, there were also Dark Circle, Cursed Beast, Heavy Fang, Two-Wing, Spirit Fox, and many other monster names and depictions. However, there was no mention of a white monkey.

‘Not in here?’

He kept flipping pages, but then the book shifted from monsters to descriptions of strange lands.

The Country of Gentlemen, where people traveled with two tigers; the Country of Flame, where people emitted fire; the Country of Artisans, where people had only one arm but exceptional craftsmanship—things he had never seen or heard of before.

As he kept reading, Jang Woo-hyun suddenly looked down at his hand.

“Huh?”

His hand looked strange.

It had turned transparent—he could see through to what was behind his palm.

Startled, he clenched and unclenched his fist a few times.

It returned to normal, but when he repeated the motion, it turned transparent again.

And in that moment—

Jang Woo-hyun realized what was about to happen.

Maybe it was because he had cast off his lingering attachments and obsessions after meeting Yang Hyo-myung—or perhaps it was always meant to happen—but either way, time was running out.

The wall in front of him was beginning to collapse.

“…Damn.”

Rushing into the room, Jang Woo-hyun grabbed a brush and ink, then pulled out a martial manual from his robe.

Heaven-slaying Divine Armor.

The supreme martial art left behind by Chul Geuk-jin.

In the manual, Jang Woo-hyun recorded his realizations and understandings. He wanted to leave a letter for Hwang An and Jin Ha-un, but there was no time.

After writing everything down, Jang Woo-hyun sat in a chair and crossed his legs in meditation.

He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.

With a few breaths, his body began to shine.

Unlike before, the surrounding energy did not surge violently. It gathered naturally—like wind, like flowing water—surrounding him gently, then dispersing again.

It was as if the energy of heaven and earth was embracing him.

As his breathing continued, a sphere of light emerged from his Dantian.

It rose toward his chest and gradually grew larger.

The sphere expanded until it enveloped his entire body. It was as though he had entered an egg made of light.

Within that glowing sphere, Jang Woo-hyun’s body began to change.

It wasn’t just a transformation—it was complete reconstruction, from fingertips to toes.

As if he were becoming something other than human.

Some time passed.

The glowing sphere that had wrapped around Jang Woo-hyun slowly shrank and then entered his body.

His radiant body dimmed and lost its glow.

As he gently clenched his fist, a pillar of light suddenly burst skyward, as though piercing the heavens.

When the pillar of light vanished—

Jang Woo-hyun, who had soared with it, was nowhere to be seen.