The sky came into view again. It was a sight he had grown used to.
Being beaten to the ground countless times had numbed him to the experience.
[Disciple.]
He raised his head at the voice. His neck throbbed with pain as he lifted it to see Paejon staring down at him with a peculiar expression.
It seemed like the old master had something to ask, but he couldnât quite figure out what it was.
[What is it?]
[Iâve been wondering.]
[About?]
[What are you planning to do next?]
[Huh?]
The question came out of nowhere. Heâd just been taking a moment to catch his breath after an intense beating, and now this?
[Whatâs with the sudden question? Are you planning to map out my lifeâs goals?]
[Why would I waste my time on something so tedious?]
Paejonâs expression clearly showed how little interest he had in such matters.
What the hell? Isnât he supposed to be my master?
[So?]
Still baffled, he asked, and Paejon finally responded.
[Didnât I tell you last time?]
[What exactly?]
Considering the number of things Paejon had said, he couldnât recall offhand. With a sigh, Paejon explained.
[I said itâs about time you started doing what you want.]
[Ah.]
The memory came back to him. It had been roughly three months ago.
That was when heâd successfully learned Tua Pacheonmu, the Two-Step Sky Dance. Upon completing it, Paejon had said to him:
[This should be enough.]
Heâd looked satisfied, even proud.
[At least now, you wonât get beaten up wherever you go.]
After two and a half years of intense training under Paejon, he had finally earned the old masterâs approval.
[Youâre ready now.]
[Go ahead and shake up Zhongyuan as you see fit.]
Paejon had said this with a sense of eager anticipation.
Three months had passed since then.
[Yet here you are, still training. Why havenât you left?]
Paejon now looked at him with a mix of exasperation and disbelief.
Seriously, if anyone should be frustrated, itâs me.