Two weeks after that day, on one of the peaks of the Ten Thousand Mountains.
The morning was calm.The air was gentle, and the sky was clear.
Shing Yuan walked between the peaks accompanied by the three Guardians.
One of the peaks held a very small pavilion with no walls, barely large enough for three people to sit inside.
A massive stone wall blocked access to the summit.
The Great Guardian and Shing Yuan stood before the door set in the middle of the wall.
Great Guardian:
"Are you ready? You have barely recovered from that battle."
Yuan:
"…I will do my best."
The Guardian opened the door, and Yuan stepped inside.
Right Guardian:
"Will he be able to pass the trial?"
Left Guardian:
"I wish I knew what truly happens inside."
The Great Guardian looked on with concern and spoke.
"This place… is the pinnacle of illusion magic.
It was created forty-eight years ago by one of the Magic Thrones.
He came from the continent of Astarion specifically at the request of the Sect Leader.
Those who enter will see a scene shaped by the world of their own mind.
If they overcome the challenge and reach the Sect Leader, the trial ends."
Left Guardian:
"So… it could be a field of beautiful flowers… or a sea of blood."
Right Guardian:
"In that boy's case… it will be hell."
And indeed—
The moment Yuan entered, the scenery of the peak changed.
He found himself in a ruined civilian land.
Burned houses.
Corpses scattered everywhere.
A sea of blood surrounded him.
The pavilion vanished from before his eyes.
Yuan's expression did not change.
He simply began walking forward.
Outside—
Great Guardian:
"But my concern is not this… it is the other one."
Right Guardian:
"That Jin's trial is set on the highest peak instead of the court… that is—"
They fell silent.
No one spoke after that.
Their expressions alone were enough to understand what was to come.
⸻
One week later, in a room within the main palace of the Sect.
Jin was lying on the bed when he suddenly awoke.
Jin:
"Huh? Where am I?"
He rose and began examining his body.
Jin (astonished):
"Where… where did the poison marks and minor wounds go?"
He looked into the mirror and found his face completely intact.
Jin:
"How did this happen? Did someone give me the Tower's Great Healing Elixir?"
The door opened.
An elderly man with a gentle face entered, holding several needles and two bottles.
Elder:
"Oh? You're awake, young man."
Jin:
"Who are you?"
The elder placed the items on the table and spoke calmly.
"I am the Demonic Physician, Hwa Myung-soo."
Jin was startled; his eyes widened.
He glanced around the room.
He had expected something dangerous, but—
The room was clean, simple, and filled with medicinal herbs.
The Demonic Physician laughed softly and spoke with a smile.
"Yes, that is the reaction people from outside the Murim always have when they meet me.
You truly wrong me."
Jin:
"I'm sorry, but I believe you understand the situation."
Physician:
"Hahaha, yes. Because of the title 'Demonic Physician,' outsiders believe it to be literal.
Do not worry, young man. Relax."
Jin:
"How much time has passed?"
Physician:
"Nearly three weeks. You pushed yourself far too hard.
Your skin was deformed by poison, and your internal organs were almost crushed.
Yet your recovery speed was astonishing. You seem to be of great lineage.
Had it been someone else, they would have awakened after three months at the very least.
Because of your body, I was able to heal you."
Jin looked at his body again and smiled bitterly, thinking to himself—
Great lineage? Why do people keep saying that to me?
Jin stood and bowed.
Jin:
"Thank you, Physician. You truly went through much trouble for me.
I will prepare to leave now."
The Physician spoke with concern.
"No. Take your time until your body fully recovers, then leave."
Jin:
"Why?"
Physician:
"Because… when you leave, you will be going to meet the Sect Leader."
Jin was startled.
Jin:
"Huh? The Sect Leader? Why? And what does that have to do with my treatment?"
Physician:
"When you have fully recovered and step outside, you will understand.
Come—let us go to the garden and have some tea."
⸻
A short while later, on a bench before a water basin in the garden.
Jin and the Physician sat with a tea tray between them.
The Physician poured the tea.
Jin:
"Why do elders always enjoy talking to me?"
The Physician chuckled lightly and replied.
"Young man, it has nothing to do with age or appearance.
When you reach my age, you will sense a person's essence.
You will no longer seek their looks or surface traits—it becomes instinctive.
Right now, I feel as though I am speaking to a man in his middle years,
even though you speak recklessly like any youth. Hahaha."
Jin smiled and thought—
So… is this how elders feel?
Elder Ildir, Borin, Yun Hai… were they all thinking something like this?
Jin spoke again.
Jin:
"Physician, why is the Demonic Sect different from what people believe?"
Physician:
"Hm. It seems you came from Earth, despite your distinctive features."
Jin:
"Yes."
Physician:
"Then you must have imagined it the way Earth's people wrote of it in their fantasy stories.
Well… it truly was like that in the past."
Jin:
"Then what changed?"
Physician:
"The current Heavenly Demon. He is unlike all his predecessors.
He did not seek to unify the Murim or merely strengthen the Sect.
Instead, he introduced new things—such as the Friendly Tournament
and the creation of the second Academy Cave."
Jin:
"So… was the cave engraved with the Lesser Art created by him?"
Physician:
"Yes. In the beginning, only the primary cave existed. He created the second one afterward."
The Physician hesitated.
"Hm… young man, your facial features—
I feel as though I have seen someone exactly like you in the past…"
A telepathic voice interrupted, filled with threat.
(Stop this conversation immediately.)
The Physician's eyes widened, and worry appeared on his face.
Jin:
"Perhaps it is just coincidence. Many humans resemble one another at times.
And I come from a very distant land."
Then he smiled bitterly and thought—
Imagine your face, Aileen.
He smiled softly to himself.
She truly resembles her.
The Physician looked at him and spoke.
"Yes… you are right."
And so—
The boy lost yet another chance to learn the truth about himself.
⸻
End of Chapter