There is a separate, real plan I have to bring Kang Museong and Choi Hyojeong together.
It isn't the Seongmu Tournament, but an incident that will happen before that.
The annihilation of the Northern Great Rainforest expedition.
It's called an annihilation, but strictly speaking, it wasn't total annihilation.
Because not everyone died.
At the time, the Northern Great Rainforest expedition consisted of ten Immortals and around fifty warriors.
Each Immortal led five high- and mid-ranked warriors, carrying out reconnaissance and hunting missions according to their assignments.
But an unexpected variable appeared.
There were far more monsters than anticipated, and Rakshasas were present as well.
It wouldn't have been strange if everyone had died, but the reason at least a few survived was thanks to Lee Geonha's swift action.
Lee Geonha, who had been waiting nearby, rushed into the forest with his subordinates the moment he heard the expedition was in danger, and after the battle, he rescued Choi Hyojeong.
As a result, Lee Geonha instantly became a hero, and Choi Hyojeong, who had already been fond of him, fell deeply for him.
I plan to change that.
Ideally, I'd like to reveal this information in advance and stop the expedition from departing, but doing that would require me to explain the source of my information.
One wrong answer, and all my future plans could collapse, so I can't do that.
"If the future gets twisted too much, my information could become useless."
I need to let the general flow continue while extracting only a few crucial points within it.
"More than anything, it's not good for Lee Geonha's influence to grow."
Bringing Kang Museong and Choi Hyojeong together is important, but even more important is reducing Lee Geonha's influence, even if only a little.
He may be my cousin, but the only thing he did after gaining influence was start a civil war.
Reducing Lee Geonha's influence, eliminating the reason Choi Hyojeong falls for him, and even turning Kang Museong into my ally—this is a perfect opportunity.
The fact that Kang Museong was removed from the expedition thanks to my changes to the future is also a golden chance for me.
Originally, Kang Museong would have been isolated in that forest as well.
"Let's train in front of the Northern Great Rainforest. There aren't many people there, so there won't be any controversy over favoritism. I think that's the best option."
"Do it yourself. I'm busy. Can't you see? We're preparing for the festival."
"Come on, the senior warriors are handling everything. You're just venting your frustration. Aren't you basically not helping at all?"
"I'm the chief! That's why I don't do the manual work. Giving orders is my job. And if I get distracted and something goes wrong, it's all my responsibility. Do you want to get scolded by the Grand Scholar instead?"
"I'll get scolded. So what."
"Let's not talk. Just go."
"I won't leave until you train me."
Let's push a little.
What's good about being fifteen?
Isn't that the age where you're allowed to be stubborn?
A beautiful age—fifteen.
Kang Museong stared at me as if he were sick of it, then said,
"But why the Northern Great Rainforest of all places? If you don't want attention, you could train indoors."
"That place has good energy. Feng shui-wise, it's an excellent site."
"…How someone like you came out from under Ironblood, I'll never know."
"Just trust me once. I'll really bring you closer to Immortal Hyojeong this time."
"Fine, fine. I can't tell someone who wants to train not to. I'm not doing this because of Hyojeong, so don't pull anything weird. Got it?"
Kang Museong had a sense of duty as an instructor, at least.
"Of course! As expected of our Immortal. Tough on the outside, soft on the inside—a real man."
"Now that you've got what you wanted, go. I've got a lot to do."
"Then I'll see you this evening."
I bowed and headed outside.
"That took some effort."
In the end, Kang Museong was practically my benefactor.
If he hadn't manipulated the group assignments and let me team up with Arin, my neck would have been sliced clean off by the Baekdu Sword Demon.
Now it's time to repay that favor in a big way.
To the point he'd be moved to tears.
The capital, Cheonil Castle.
Lee Geonha was walking through the spacious palace.
He looked similar to Seoha.
He resembled the sly Lee Jangwon and also shared Lee Gangjin's solid build.
These contradictory elements blended together, creating a strange aura that made both men and women turn to look at him at least once.
Leaving the palace maids who were watching him behind, Lee Geonha headed to the training grounds.
There, a young man was swinging his sword like a beast.
After finishing his training, he wiped off his sweat and spoke.
"You're finally here? Why are you so late?"
"I apologize. I came as quickly as I could, but I still ended up late."
The man snorted softly.
A noble-looking face.
The man with the aspect of a wolf tossed aside his towel and approached Lee Geonha.
"Word came from the Eunwol Group that they'll set the stage for you to shine. Come in. We need to talk in detail."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The Second Prince.
Shin Taemin.
The same age as Lee Geonha, he had kept Lee Geonha—who had topped the military examination—by his side for a long time, and Lee Geonha now acted as his right-hand man.
"They say they'll have Rakshasas and monsters attack the expedition in the Northern Great Rainforest. They'll leave a suitable number of survivors, and you'll go in and rescue them."
"I see. When will it be?"
"The operation will take place two days after the expedition enters the rainforest. Make an excuse to be waiting nearby beforehand."
"Understood."
Lee Geonha nodded.
The two of them were drawing a grand picture.
Shin Taemin's father, who should have become the next king, died young on the battlefield.
The kingdom was thrown into chaos, and calls arose to appoint the next crown prince immediately.
Naturally, the position went to Shin Taemin's older brother, the First Prince, Shin Yumin.
Shin Taemin couldn't accept that.
He couldn't accept being pushed down the hierarchy just because he was born two years later.
But his power base was far too weak to push his brother aside.
Most of the senior civil and military officials supported Shin Yumin, following their grandfather's will.
While he was pondering how to build his influence, the Eunwol Group approached him first.
They offered to make him king in exchange for official positions.
It was a suspicious organization that didn't even reveal its leader, but Shin Taemin was desperate enough to grab at any straw.
So Shin Taemin decided to take Eunwol Group's hand.
If it helped, great. If not, he could always cut them off later.
But the Eunwol Group turned out to be more competent than expected.
With their information, Shin Taemin and Lee Geonha were able to perform several heroic feats, and as a result, they had gained the support of most young military officials.
"And if there's anyone in the expedition you want to save, say it now. I'll pass the message along."
For a moment, Choi Hyojeong crossed Lee Geonha's mind.
The woman who said she liked him and even wove a handkerchief for him herself.
Her skills were decent.
Becoming an Immortal at the same age as him meant she had at least some ability.
Was she worth saving for later use?
After thinking for a moment, Lee Geonha nodded.
"I'd like Immortal Choi Hyojeong to be saved."
"Isn't she your peer? That Choi Hyojeong."
"Yes, that's right."
"So even if she's just a peer, you want to save her? But we don't have time to play around with women. You know that, right?"
"It's not that I like her. Immortal Choi Hyojeong likes me."
"So?"
"We can make use of those feelings."
Some people would stake their lives on love.
"Fine. I'll tell them to save Immortal Choi Hyojeong if possible."
"Thank you."
After Lee Geonha left, Shin Taemin smiled and ate the pastry in front of him.
"That's why I like him."
Lee Geonha acted solely for his goals, and that was his greatest strength.
If everything went well this time, Lee Geonha could become a Crimson-Robed Immortal or an Azure-Robed Immortal right away.
"Whoever it is, they're really smart."
Become a hero first.
Followers will gather on their own.
The plan created by the Eunwol Group's leader was working perfectly.
"Then I should write a reply to our leader."
With a smile, Shin Taemin picked up paper and a brush.
Lunch time.
Today's menu was cold noodles.
In summer, shouldn't you have at least one bowl of ice-cold noodles?
It was something I couldn't eat even if I wanted to before my regression.
While eating absentmindedly, I casually said,
"Starting today, I'll be training with Immortal Kang Museong for a few days, so I won't be around in the evenings. You guys should run Cheonro two or three times and train once your channels open up, got it?"
"Okay. See you later."
Sanghyeok nodded easily, but Arin flinched and spoke up.
"Just the two of you? Can't I come too?"
"You need to work on the Immovable Mind Technique."
"Yeah, that's true, but…"
Arin pouted.
I understood her impatience.
To reassure her, I said,
"It's fine. You'll be able to handle the Immovable Mind Technique on your own. You just need to set the right standard."
"I've already thought of the standard."
"Really? What did you choose as your standard?"
Knowing the standard is important.
Most monks use scriptures as their standard when training the Immovable Mind Technique.
For example, if the scripture says not to feel anger, then they must not feel anger even if their parents are killed right before their eyes.
Conversely, if it says to annihilate the enemy, they slaughter enemies without regard for age or gender.
Without a shred of guilt.
As such, the standard of the Immovable Mind Technique changes a person's temperament, actions, and thoughts entirely, so it had to be chosen carefully.
After thinking for a moment, Arin held back her words.
"I'll tell you later."
"Alright. As long as it's not a bad standard. Simple is best. If the standard is too complex, contradictions arise and training becomes difficult. For example, something as simple as 'I will not kill' could suppress your power."
The simpler the standard, the fewer contradictions.
Contradictions were the greatest obstacle for those training the Immovable Mind Technique.
For instance, scriptures often say not to take life.
At the same time, they also say to protect the good from evil, creating a contradiction.
If bandits attack civilians, is it permissible to kill the bandits?
To protect the good from evil, they should be killed.
But killing is forbidden.
Without a clear answer to such contradictions, the Immovable Mind Technique can never be mastered.
At my advice, Arin bit her chopsticks and said,
"Yeah. It's super simple."
Then there's nothing to worry about.
"Then you'll get it done quickly. I'll get going for now. If I'm late, Kang Museong will go berserk. Totally berserk."
I stood up first, carrying my tray.
If I was late, I'd just get nagged for no reason.
I had no intention of wasting my training time with Kang Museong either.
"I'll spar until I collapse from exhaustion."
Opportunities to spar one-on-one with an Immortal are rare.
I planned to gain as much real combat experience as possible this time.
After arriving at the North Gate and waiting a bit, Kang Museong showed up.
With a sigh, he said,
"Do we really have to go all the way to the Northern Great Rainforest? It'll take at least an hour just to get there."
"Think of it as lightness skill training."
"Oh? Training, you say?"
"Yes. Please lead the way."
Kang Museong smirked and walked ahead.
That man.
He's planning to run at full speed.
"Then we'll get there within half an hour."
Didn't you just say it would take an hour?
A man going back on his word…
Before I could finish my thought, Kang Museong shot forward like an arrow.
"You could at least say when you're starting."
Looks like I'll get plenty of lightness skill training too.
Arin watched Seoha leave, then spoke to Sanghyeok.
"Are you just doing the Shinro Mind Technique today?"
"Huh? Ah, yeah. I'm planning to do some different training today. Sorry. I'll head out first too."
After the break ended, Sanghyeok no longer stuck close like he used to.
They still ate together and spent time together during breaks, but it wasn't the same as before when they joked around with smiles.
Watching Sanghyeok leave the cafeteria, Yu Arin tilted her head.
"He's busy."
With no social experience, Yu Arin couldn't pick up on the subtle difference.
Training grounds.
Yu Arin found a corner and sat down alone.
The standard for the Immovable Mind Technique.
Choosing it wasn't difficult.
Just as Seoha said—a simple and clear standard.
The standard she chose was "Lee Seoha."
"Seoha would be fine as a standard."
From her perspective, Seoha was a perfect person.
He had the character to match his skill, and above all, he had saved her twice.
The second time in particular, it was as if all of Hwagang had been saved.
That was when she decided.
If she couldn't think of a perfect standard, she would make a perfect person her standard instead.
Of course, if Lee Seoha knew this, he would absolutely stop her from choosing such a standard.
"Let's begin."
Yu Arin closed her eyes.
The most important things in training the Immovable Mind Technique were a contradiction-free standard and blind faith.
Yu Arin possessed both.
And so, Yu Arin began forming her own standard.