I slowly opened my eyes that had been closed. As I turned my head to look at the scenery visible through the small window, the sight of white powder scattering in all directions came into view.

“Snow.”

Is this the first snow of the year?

I stared blankly at the falling snow for a moment. Seeing the snowflakes getting thicker, it doesn’t seem like it will stop until the afternoon, so it will probably pile up a lot.

As winter continues with snow falling like this, the year will change and more time will pass, and at some point it will become warm. Then the mountain gate will be adorned with all kinds of plum blossoms, as it has been every year.

The buds form when the snow has not yet melted, they bloom when it gets warm and the snow melts, fruits form when it gets hot, and leaves fall – that natural flow. The universal law that governs the changes and development of all things in the universe and the world.

‘It’s the natural trajectory of life, as long as one doesn’t unintentionally go against it like me. A cycle that repeats every year as long as the tree itself doesn’t die…’

It was when I had thought that far without meaning to.

I felt as if a flash of light passed through my mind for an instant.

‘The cycle of life.’

And everything that derives from that cycle…

I slowly adjusted my posture and closed my eyes again. It was to prevent my vision from interfering with the ongoing thoughts.

It’s not just plum trees that repeat periodically. Maybe all living things do. Furthermore, even the world might.

I’m not sure if this place follows the exact physical laws of Earth, but given that day and night change and seasons differ, it means this planet is also rotating on its axis and revolving around the sun.

Then, as long as the sun doesn’t disappear and the Earth doesn’t vanish, it will continue.

It is a cycle that continues endlessly without interruption.

No, perhaps even if the cycle is broken, that too is part of the flow?

There may be another life born anew from the breaking of the flow.

Heaven and earth, the four directions, combining them into the six harmonies.

The flow of all life continuing in that world. All things living based on cycles.

‘Plum blossoms are really just a small part, but…’

It’s possible to realize the principles of all things even from that small part, so I needed to understand that possibility.

‘The reason many say the sword of Hwasan is splendid is probably because it’s a sword technique created while observing plum blossoms, but furthermore, it’s because all cycles repeat but their forms are never exactly the same.’

But the foundation that makes those diverse repetitions possible is the firmly supporting world. Therefore, it’s a prerequisite to be able to embody the way of the six harmonies.

‘In a way, even me living twice is possible because this world exists…’

With that thought, I slowly opened my eyes.

“…Hmm?”

And I realized that the training room had become strangely brighter. It felt like I had overslept and woken up with my body feeling good and even my vision clearer.

No, wait a moment.

‘My body feels good?’

Looking out the window, it was still snowing, but the sun seemed to be high in the sky, definitely brighter than morning.

It means it’s afternoon now, but unless I really just slept from early morning until now, something must have changed. I instinctively realized that I should do something, so I closed my eyes again and this time moved my inner energy to regulate my breathing.

‘The vessel has grown larger… That kind of feeling?’

The amount of inner energy in my dantian hadn’t increased, but I felt like I could handle it a bit more properly. After finishing the circulation, I opened my eyes and suddenly let out a small laugh.

“To this extent?”

I felt good that what I had been pondering was resolved, but I was a bit bewildered.

‘In a way, I just sat with my eyes closed, lost in thought for a long time.’

As I was sitting blankly looking down at my hands, I heard a presence from the outer corridor. Just as I raised my head, the door opened immediately.

“Master?”

“Yes.”

It seemed he had been waiting outside the door for some time, though I wasn’t sure since when. I looked up at him with wide eyes. Master smiled gently and spoke.

“It seems you’ve had an achievement. Congratulations.”

“Ah, thank you…”

I answered, feeling dazed. Then Master made a complicated expression I think I’d seen once before and came closer.

“As I always say, you could be a bit happier. Is it perhaps because you don’t feel it this time?”

“Well, yes. I don’t feel it.”

“But you do feel that something has changed, right?”

“Yes, I do.”

As I nodded, Master gave a wry smile as if he couldn’t help it.

“Has a lot of time passed?”

“It’s now the hour of the Horse (午時).”

“So I’ve been here for over three double-hours…”

“Is that what’s important? You should be happy about your realization. I’m proud of you too.”

At this point, it seems like I’m really starting to feel it. Only then did I smile like someone who had achieved something.

“Thank you.”

“Good.”

Master reached out to grab my arm and easily lifted me up. After brushing my hair back, he stroked my cheek a few times and asked.

“Aren’t you hungry? It’s lunchtime, so we should eat first.”

Come to think of it, I did feel a bit low on energy.

After eating and coming out to the training ground, I heard from Master, who had come out before me and was waiting, about what had happened while I was holed up in the training room.

“Actually, when it was time for you to come out of the training room but you didn’t, Ha Hyun was a bit surprised.”

“Ah.”

One of my disciple’s traumas. A senior disciple who doesn’t come out when it’s time to leave the training room…

As I let out a small sigh, Master also sighed.

Perhaps because he discovered the curse on my mind at that time in such a way and witnessed me nearly dying at a young age right before his eyes, even now, years later, Ha Hyun tends to panic more than necessary if I show any strange reactions.

I know it’s not my fault, but it still makes me feel guilty.

“Is he alright now?”

“Well, fortunately this time he seemed relieved to know that you were just deep in thought without any problems. It was Ha Hyun who informed me about your situation. Still, you should tell him directly that you’re fine when he comes soon.”

“Yes…”

“Then, until Ha Hyun arrives, would you like to tell me what you felt?”

“Yes.”

So I exchanged questions and answers with Master for a while. Unlike usual where Master teaches and I learn, this time I spoke and Master listened.

Since some of what I felt was related to my past life, I couldn’t reveal everything, but there was still enough to say even after leaving out what needed to be omitted.

After listening to everything I said, Master nodded.

“As I’ve always felt… you think deeply. As long as you don’t get buried too deep in it, it’s definitely an advantage.”

“I’m working on that aspect too.”

“Of course, I know. You’ve always been a child who improves day by day.”

He lightly smiled and patted my shoulder a few times.

“Especially these days, it’s even more admirable to see that you’ve gained more composure compared to before. You’re doing well.”

And just as the conversation was ending around that point, as if on cue, I saw Ha Hyun approaching the training ground from over there. Just as I had spotted him, it seemed Ha Hyun had also noticed me, as his usual pace gradually quickened.

Soon after arriving nearby, Ha Hyun immediately asked a question.

“Senior, are you alright?”

But I had somewhat expected this. I quickly replied.

“I’m fine. Really fine. Actually, I’m better than before.”

“Phew.”

So, couldn’t this help alleviate his trauma a bit?

Ha Hyun, who had let out a small sigh, seemed relieved and then turned to look at Master as if to confirm one last time. When Master nodded, he looked back at me and greeted.

“Then that’s good. If you’re better than before, you must have had some realization. Congratulations.”

“Mmm.”

While I felt a bit unreal at first when praised by Master and then simply felt good, hearing congratulations even from Ha Hyun made me feel somewhat awkward.

But the congratulations I was to receive didn’t end there.

Though I had been in the training room from morning to afternoon, so the day was almost over, it was evening when all the nominally remaining schedule had ended. I received a message from the Great Elder to come to the Medical Pavilion.

‘Come to think of it, he would have naturally heard the news.’

I was relieved anew that I wasn’t carried to the Medical Pavilion this time. It wasn’t such a situation to begin with, though.

‘But to call at this hour?’

It seemed like he could see me briefly when the day breaks tomorrow, or he could just send a congratulatory message without needing to call me.

Thinking such thoughts, I headed to the Medical Pavilion for now.

And when I arrived.

“Here, this is a spirit pill for you.”

“…Pardon?”

An unexpected development unfolded that I couldn’t help but be surprised.

As I looked at the Great Elder with wavering eyes, he casually put the box down on the table. Then he continued his explanation in an nonchalant voice.

“It’s called the Plum Blossom Pill, a slightly better item than the Jade Plum Pill you ate when you were young. Since you’ve grown quite a bit and your level in mental techniques is outstanding for your age, you should be able to absorb the medicinal effects just fine with this.”

“Great Elder, but why are you suddenly giving me such a thing…”

“Why? Didn’t you have an achievement?”

That’s true, but isn’t this too generous to be just a simple congratulatory gift?

My doubt must have shown on my face, as the Great Elder clicked his tongue lightly and shook his head.

“I know you lack a sense of reality since you’ve grown up for a long time in an environment where your disciple is your only peer.”

“Sense of reality?”

“Yes.”

The Great Elder stared at me intently. Someone who didn’t know him might think he was glaring, but by now I knew that what was contained in those eyes were emotions like pride or concern.

“Both you and your disciple, whatever the connection may be, have outstanding talent that’s hard to find at a similar level among those of a similar age.”

Of course, that was a fact I knew very well. Even if I couldn’t perform properly in actual combat, I couldn’t help but feel my body’s talent was outstanding every time I used it.

As I tilted my head, the Great Elder laughed as if in disbelief.

“You think you know that much, right? But both you and your disciple are the same in being so indifferent even while knowing. No matter how much praise and accolades you receive from others, don’t you just think ‘I see’ and go about your days nonchalantly?”