Chapter 2: I Prepared to Run Away

I opened my eyes.

It was not the beggar’s hut where I always woke up.

Nor was it the ceiling of the Secret Pavilion quarters where I had laid my body after the Great War of Righteousness and Evil.

It was an unfamiliar, yet familiar ceiling.

‘I’ve regressed.’

I wasn't flustered.

Hadn't I known all along that I would regress?

The sensation of the blade that had grazed my neck was so vivid that I unknowingly stroked my neck with my hand.

It was fine.

I got up and looked at the bronze mirror in my room.

The worn-out beggar Myeong-gae was gone, and the fresh-faced eighteen-year-old Dancheon Myeong was visible.

I looked around the room.

For the quarters of me, Dancheon Myeong, the second son of a prestigious martial family that dominated Anhui Province, it was extremely humble.

It was a desolate place that seemed like it would be assigned to low-ranking servants of a martial family.

“I’m back.”

It was indeed my room.

The second son of a prestigious martial family.

It was a birth that everyone would envy, but for me, it was not so.

“Is Dancheon Myeong inside?”

A familiar woman's voice came through.

‘So I’ve returned to that day.’

The moment I had always pictured since I learned to what point in time I would regress had arrived exactly.

“Yes, I am here.”

Creak.

As I answered, the door opened.

Step.

The person who entered another's quarters so confidently was my mother.

To be precise, she was my mother on the family register.

“Well, have you given it some thought?”

The woman, Baek Yeo-hae, asked me.

There was not even a common greeting.

Her displeasure was evident, as if she were dealing with something unclean.

I didn't understand it back then, but I do now.

I was an illegitimate child born from the Dancheon clan head's affair, but for the sake of the family's honor, I had been adopted by his legal wife, making me the second son.

It must have been inevitable that her hatred, which could not be directed at the clan head, was directed at me.

“Mother, did you rest well last night?”

“Ye-yes.”

She stuttered, as if my affectionate attitude was unfamiliar.

“When you asked if I’ve given it some thought, you must mean the matter of my engagement you mentioned last time?”

“Yes. So you remember.”

But I couldn't let things go according to her intentions, could I?

“I refuse.”

“What?”

The woman, Baek Yeo-hae's, expression hardened.

“I said I refuse. I will not go through with that engagement.”

This life, I will not live it like the last.

***

“Young Master. What brings you here?”

The household servants who saw me all bowed their heads.

It might be a bit awkward for Myeong-gae, who had received gazes somewhere between pity and contempt for over ten years, but it was a daily occurrence for Dancheon Myeong, the second son of the Dancheon Clan.

Even if I was an illegitimate child, even if I was the second son who did not receive his mother's love, I was still the son of the Dancheon clan head.

“I came to see the Clan Head.”

At my words, the servant looked at me with a surprised expression before quickly hiding it.

I could guess the reason.

Though a bit twisted, I was nevertheless born with a golden spoon.

In my past life, at this time, my speech was filled with the characteristic arrogance of a direct descendant of a prestigious family.

It was a matter of course that I never used honorifics with the household servants.

It was an attitude I had corrected only after becoming a member of the Beggar’s Gang, when I realized that ‘a person’s nobility is not in their status.’

Although I would not become a member of the Beggar’s Gang in this life, there was no need to discard the lesson I had learned then, was there?

“Could you please inform the Clan Head?”

Thanks to that, my honorifics towards the servant could carry sincerity.

“The Clan Head is waiting inside.”

As expected.

What had happened with my mother had already reached my father's ears.

“Please follow me, Young Master.”

“Thank you.”

Guided by the servant, I entered the Clan Head's Hall.

I felt the servant constantly glancing at me, as if my words of thanks were strange, but I pretended not to notice.

At the entrance of the Clan Head's Hall, following the somewhat awkward family custom, I announced my presence.

“Clan Head, it is Dancheon Myeong.”

“Come in.”

Hearing the stern voice that felt welcoming, I entered the Clan Head's Hall.

The Dancheon Clan Head's Hall, though not luxurious, exuded a noble atmosphere.

A robust middle-aged man with the spirit of a martial artist sat there.

He was the current head of the Dancheon Clan, and a supreme master who was proudly listed in the Jianghu Who's Who of a thousand, Dancheon Gang.

At his silent gesture, the servant withdrew.

I knew well that ‘dismissing the servant’ meant not a meeting with the Clan Head, but a conversation between a father and a son.

“My son.”

“Yes, Father.”

“What business brings you here?”

He feigned ignorance, not asking first even though he knew what had happened today.

In this way, he resembled Chwipung-gae.

“Father.”

“Yes.”

His gaze turned to me.

In that strong gaze, I saw a hint of affection for me.

It seemed the Dancheon Myeong of the past had not recognized that gaze.

“I came to borrow some money.”

Well, that didn't mean I would do as my father wished.

***

Dealing with people like Chwipung-gae or my father was surprisingly easy.

All I had to do was confidently assert what I wanted without being intimidated by their authority.

I learned from experience that the strong, being generally composed, were more likely to view such an attitude favorably rather than with displeasure.

“Heh heh.”

Just like my father now.

“Money, you say?”

“Yes.”

“Why do you suddenly need money? I have not been stingy in providing you with all the support you need.”

I did not answer my father's words and just stared at him blankly.

I had also learned through my life as a beggar that those with something to hide would confess if you just did this.

“Ahem. Of course, it might be a little insufficient. I will make sure to be more attentive from now on.”

Why else would my quarters be so desolate when the Dancheon Clan lacked for nothing?

It was because the Clan Head Dancheon Gang was wary of his wife Baek Yeo-hae's opinion.

My very existence was the Clan Head’s original sin, so it was a natural result.

However, my father was a sufficiently sensible person, so he felt guilty towards me.

My father's guilt, this was what I could lean on.

“I have no shortage in my daily life. I just need some money.”

His gaze turned to me, as if asking if I was serious.

“The reason?”

Perhaps having read the sincerity in my expression, he composed himself and asked back in a serious tone.

I knew that though he felt guilty towards me, the head of the Dancheon Clan was not such an easy man.

If it were the me before regression, I would not have even dared to be so confident in the Clan Head’s Hall.

But this too was expected.

As a result of countless deliberations during my life as Myeong-gae, the method I chose was a frontal breakthrough.

I was confident that this was the best way.

“Shouldn't I also start preparing for the heir competition now?”

A light briefly flashed in my father's eyes and disappeared.

I paid it no mind and continued speaking.

“I am eighteen now, so you must be thinking of it in about two years? I thought I should start preparing from now on as well.”

As if he hadn't expected me to say this, interest sparked on his face.

Two years later, the heir competition would come when I turned twenty.

For the Dancheon Clan, which adopted the tradition of primogeniture not by birthright but by merit, it was a scheduled event.

It was my first and last chance, and because I had not prepared properly, I could not seize that opportunity.

“Are you confident?”

The Clan Head’s expression became grave.

“I must try.”

I will win.

“Hmm…….”

A look of caution appeared on the Clan Head’s face.

He was thinking.

Whether he could grant me such a special privilege.

The deliberation was not long.

He already knew it too.

That there was a vast gap between my brother’s background and mine, so providing this much help would not be a problem.

“It will be easier to talk since you already have an idea. That’s why I arranged a marriage for you to give you strength. Why did you refuse?”

The marriage proposal brought by my mother Baek Yeo-hae was part of my father's arrangement in preparation for my heir competition.

It meant it was for my sake.

However, he was a very patriarchal man, and he was someone who thought that a son's marriage should be handled by the mother.

My mother Baek Yeo-hae disliked me, and the marriage she arranged was not for my sake.

It was just that kind of story.

It was only after becoming Myeong-gae that I realized that the beginning of the incident that plunged me into poverty and wounded me in my past life was the result of such a trivial convergence.

Of course, I couldn't lay out all these details.

“I will do it with my own strength.”

“What did you say?”

With a determined face, I looked at the Clan Head Dancheon Gang.

“As someone who carries the name of Dancheon, I have no intention of achieving something by relying on the power of others. Especially if it is the name of Dancheon.”

The Clan Head’s expression changed.

It was natural, as this was the first time I had expressed my intention for the position of Clan Head.

“I want to grasp the name of Dancheon with my own hands. However, as my foundation is still lacking, please lend me some money.”

“Is that so.”

The Clan Head rested his chin on the back of his hand.

Just by looking at his expression, I could gauge the success or failure of this gamble.

***

“Heh heh.”

The Dancheon Clan Head, Dancheon Gang, let out his characteristic laugh.

The household servants who had long assisted him knew well that this laugh was a habit that came out when Dancheon Gang was in a good mood.

“Was Myeong always such a resolute fellow?”

A murmur, almost like a soliloquy.

“It is the great fortune of the clan.”

The Captain of the Guard, Yeo Baek, received those words.

The Captain of the Guard could be said to be the one who received the greatest trust from the Clan Head.

“Show yourself.”

At Dancheon Gang’s command, Yeo Baek was suddenly prostrated before Dancheon Gang.

“My man. I told you to be comfortable.”

“This is comfortable.”

Yeo Baek had been in charge of personal protection since before Dancheon Gang became the young clan head, so the two were already like close friends.

“What do you think?”

At that question, Yeo Baek paused for a moment before speaking.

“He is clearly the same person, yet he seems like a different person.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

Lacking in neither talent nor insight, but somewhat timid and weak.

This was an assessment of Dancheon Myeong that anyone who had watched him would agree with.

But today’s Dancheon Myeong was quite different.

The boldness to not be intimidated even in the Clan Head’s Hall.

The guts to mention the heir competition in front of the Clan Head.

And even the resolve to achieve it with his own strength.

The ideal image of a young clan head that Dancheon Gang had in mind was there.

“Has he been hiding his claws all this time? Heh heh.”

Dancheon Gang was pleased as he asked this back.

How could a father not be happy to glimpse his son’s extraordinariness?

“Hey, Yeo Baek.”

“Yes, Clan Head.”

“Would you mind keeping an eye on Myeong for a while?”

How does he use the money he took?

Dancheon Gang was curious about that.

It was with the expectation that today’s extraordinariness would not be a one-time thing.

“I accept your command.”

Yeo Baek, who understood Dancheon Gang’s intentions better than anyone, did not ask for the reason.

“I will be back.”

Leaving only those words, Yeo Baek’s figure vanished from the Clan Head’s Hall.

Dancheon Gang was lost in thought for a moment.

Yeo Baek, who had left to watch Dancheon Myeong, reappeared.

“Why are you back already?”

“That is…….”

Instead of answering the question, Yeo Baek handed a letter to Dancheon Gang.

-I will be away from home for about seven days and nights. Please do not look for me.

“Heh heh. He ran away from home?”

“It seems he left with a purpose, so wouldn’t it be more fitting to call it leaving home to pursue his goals rather than running away?”

“What’s the difference?”

Dancheon Gang smirked.

“I think he expected me to follow. That’s why he must have left a letter.”

“Heh heh. This fellow is doing things he’s never done before.”

How long had it been since Dancheon Gang laughed so often?

At that sight, the corners of Yeo Baek’s mouth naturally formed an arc.

“Shall I pursue him?”

With the information network and tracking skills of the Dancheon Clan's guard, it would not be a difficult task.

“No. Let’s just leave him be.”

When Yeo Baek looked at him with questioning eyes, Dancheon Gang continued.

“Isn’t it sometimes more pleasant to receive a gift without knowing?”

“Yes.”

With that answer, Yeo Baek’s figure vanished again.

***

Three days had already passed since I left home.

Thanks to the money I borrowed from my father, I did not go hungry and could enjoy a peaceful journey, sleeping under a roof.

They say leaving home is hardship, but compared to my beggar days, I was enjoying sufficient luxury even now.

Tap.

I moved diligently, using my movement arts to the extent my inner energy allowed.

My current level was that of a First-Rate Master.

It was lacking compared to my days as Myeong-gae when I had entered the Peak, but considering my current age, it was a sufficiently outstanding achievement.

Once one entered the realm of a First-Rate Master, releasing and shaping inner qi became difficult, but the circulation and operation of inner qi became natural, so the blades of grass trampled under my feet did not bend.

This was the so-called Grass-Stepping Flight.

“Hoo.”

Only after running for a while did I catch my breath.

This was because my inner energy was showing its bottom.

Restoring my inner energy through qi circulation was not an option as there was no one to guard me, so I started walking.

With a calm pace, many thoughts rose and fell in my mind.

Regression after death.

Refusing the engagement.

The showdown with my father.

And even running away from home.

I would never have been able to do it so smoothly if I hadn't prepared for it all.

And finally.

-Yes. I must become the Murim Alliance Leader.

The words from right before I died, along with the fishy scent of blood, came to mind.

Since it had only been a few days in my experience, the memory was bound to be vivid.

To become the Murim Alliance Leader.

For a beggar's last words, it was quite grand.

I reflected on my feelings at that time.

Was the bravado right before death a foolish impulse?

No.

I was definitely sincere.

I had witnessed the Great War of Righteousness and Evil with my own two eyes.

Since the last Great War of Righteousness and Evil was at least two hundred years ago, I was probably the only person who knew the horrors of it now.

It was a hell on earth that should not have happened.

The thought of becoming the Murim Alliance Leader was a resolution to prevent that tragedy.

However.

“Will it be possible?”

It would not be easy.

The Great War of Righteousness and Evil would happen when I was thirty.

I was eighteen now, so twelve years remained.

Since I had made countless arrangements before regressing, twelve years was not a short time.

However, being the Murim Alliance Leader or the World’s Best wasn't something I could do just because I wanted to, was it?

But I also had a weapon.

“Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art…….”

The contents that I had memorized without missing a single particle during my days as Myeong-gae naturally came to mind.

Yes.

With Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art, it would be worth a try.

My diligent steps, which had been moving along with my thoughts, stopped.

“This is it.”

Although it looked somewhat different from that time, a familiar path finally came into my view.

That's right.

I had been here before.

This was the area that Myeong-gae had explored in advance, promising this moment.

This place I had set foot in after three days was Mount Tianzhong in Henan Province.

It was the area where Immaculate Pomegranate would be discovered three years later.

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