‘Dammit. Seems like there’s some condition. Is this something only passed down to the Emperor? But wait, do I have any obligation to do anything here?’

Jin Cheonhee shifted his thoughts.

Why did I come to the archive?

‘To obtain martial arts.’

Did I achieve my goal?

‘Yes.’

Is there anything to gain from this Condor Dragon?

‘Unknown.’

Can I fulfill whatever “condition” the Condor Dragon is implying?

‘Doesn’t seem possible at present.’

Then what should be done?

‘Leave.’

Whether by exiting through the ceiling, or checking if the stairs have reappeared and retracing that wretched path, I just need to get out.

It took only the blink of an eye to reach this conclusion.

“I see. Condor Dragon. Then I’ll take my leave now.”

Yes. He’d seen one world-building hidden secret, that was enough.

Why would he need to uncover some “destiny whatever”?

-What did you say?

“I entered here without knowing anything. It seems I’ve bothered you because of that. I apologize. Later, someone who properly understands the duty… well, such a person will come. I’ll be going now.”

What’s the point in wasting time?

At that moment, the Condor Dragon stared intensely at Jin Cheonhee, then suddenly began to roar with laughter.

-Kahahahahaha! You’re serious! Truly serious! Even after seeing this Condor Dragon before your eyes, you intend to leave without any lingering attachment! Kahahahahaha! Kruhahahahahahaha!

The Condor Dragon’s laughter resonated throughout the cave, but Jin Cheonhee just sighed.

‘This Condor Dragon doesn’t seem to have any intention of harming me.’

That’s enough. Later, a legendary hero will descend into this cave during the end times, receive a divine revelation from that Condor Dragon, and draw Excalibur… ah, that’s a different genre.

“I just came here thinking there might be martial arts or something. I don’t know anything about duties or whatever. And I don’t particularly want anything from you, Condor Dragon. It seems there’s some condition, but I don’t care about that either. So I’ll leave. Take care.”

That’s right. Future chosen one.

Do well on your own.

Not my business anyway.

Just as he turned to leave.

-Wait. Stop.

Jin Cheonhee turned back to face the Condor Dragon.

-To make me laugh after thousands of years. You’re an interesting fellow. A being that scatters heavenly energy, and a body that should be dead but lives… Interesting. Truly interesting. Very well. As reward for amusing me, I’ll converse with you. If you have questions, you may ask. I’ll tell you.

Oh… really?

Perhaps because it’s a martial arts novel spirit creature, there’s something slightly similar to a sect leader of the martial world.

If he had been clamoring for information, asking what the dragon wanted in return, it would probably have said “Insignificant human. Do you think this Condor Dragon cares about such things?” and “Huh, you too ultimately covet my powers,” before turning away.

But when he said “I’ll leave,” “I don’t care,” and “I’m going back,” turning away, suddenly it’s like “Oh, this guy is cool?”

It seems that whether they’re spirit creatures or people, those living in the martial world all think this kind of behavior is cool.

It’s romantic in a way, I suppose.

Anyway, thanks for taking questions.

“Then, what is this ‘time’?”

The Condor Dragon had mentioned “time” earlier.

There’s something he vaguely infers, but it’s best to clarify first.

-It refers to the moment when the balance of all things in heaven and earth breaks, and the master of the world changes. Who is the current master of the earth? Isn’t it you, descendants of Fu Xi, and the humans you protect? However, on the day humans themselves create chaos in the world, the time comes. It’s the moment when the master of the earth changes.

Is he saying humans will bring about their own destruction?

It seems to be beyond the level of a simple orthodox-heterodox war.

-When that time comes, humans will no longer claim to be masters of the earth. The world will be washed away with human blood, and a new order and rules will be established. Even if Fu Xi provides protection by bestowing the Eight Trigrams, it cannot prevent this.

“Uh… that’s…”

-Yes. It’s the downfall of you humans. Perhaps not extinction, but the peaceful life you have now will no longer exist.

This is somewhat amusing.

From an earthling’s perspective, the humans of this martial world are not particularly close to peace.

This view is accurate coming from an inspector who just recently jointly suppressed a county police bureau chief, village chief, and bandits.

To truly enjoy peace in the martial world, one needs money, power, or martial arts.

One of these three is necessary.

And it must never waver.

If it wavers, people will drop you into a hell created by people.

‘There’s a worse hell than this?’

Then it must be a world-ending scenario.

Certainly, this Condor Dragon gentleman doesn’t seem very interested in human affairs.

There’d be no point saying “Humans aren’t actually very peaceful. In the martial world of Doshan Swordforest, they’re busy killing each other.” He would barely snort in response.

So the next question is.

“What is the reason for seeking you when the time comes?”

-To give a final chance. However, even with a final chance when the time comes, can you survive?

An extraordinary story… but, thinking coldly.

‘It has nothing to do with me.’

Anyway, Supreme Heavenly Demon has an ending similar to most martial arts novels.

Defeat the final boss, gain enlightenment, ascend to immortality, and end.

Of course, the process was extremely tragic, with no family, brothers, friends, or even subordinates left alive, all dead.

Yet although Yeo Ha-ryoon was lonely, his martial learning never ended.

Doesn’t everything end when the protagonist defeats the final boss?

Even if it’s not “the protagonist lived happily ever after.”

Isn’t “the world became peaceful thanks to the protagonist” the end of the novel?

Usually.

-Now I’ll ask something. I’ve spoken to you out of goodwill, so you’ll answer too, won’t you?

“Yes. Of course. What are you curious about?”

-What kind of being are you?

“Pardon?”

Slither-

The Condor Dragon uncoils its tail to assume a more comfortable position.

-The good karma attached to your body is at a level I’ve never seen before. It seems like you’ve done more than just save one or two lives.

“Uh… you can see such things?”

-Huhuhu, I am the Condor Dragon. I can be said to be a supreme being who observes all things.

“I… see. But… it’s difficult for me to answer that.”

-Hmm?

Jin Cheonhee crossed his arms and fell into thought.

“First of all, my profession is a physician. Saving people is my livelihood.”

-You’re saying you don’t know how many people you’ve saved?

“Well… there are people I’ve saved directly, but there are also lives saved indirectly through my production of new medicines… Ah, of course, though I’ve lowered the unit price, I’m cautious about supply. There’s no solution if resistance develops.”

From the beginning, only the unit price can be lowered; there are limits to production quantity.

It’s impossible to supply the entire vast Central Plains continent with the small production capacity of that tiny laboratory, nor should it be done.

To use the White Dragon Divine Pill, approval from a relevant specialist, specifically a court physician, is required.

Usage methods are also strictly limited.

Of course, even with these measures, powerful families would likely keep one or two on hand without much difficulty, but families with such power make up only a tiny fraction of the total population.

The White Lotus Pill’s price has been lowered to an amount that won’t bankrupt commoners, but to obtain it, one still needs a prescription from a court physician.

It’s impossible to buy them as freely as cold medicine from a pharmacy on Earth.

He’s striving to maintain balance between resistance and treatment, but this alone is insufficient, of course.

“The physicians I’ve trained also save others. I’ve published books too. I’m working very hard on soap distribution… Recently, I started distributing water purification tubes…”

As he counted each item on his fingers, he began to feel proud.

‘I’ve done a lot since coming to this world.’

It gives him a sense of self-esteem.

‘This is why people live doing good deeds.’

-Huh? Kahahahahaha! A masterpiece! A true masterpiece! Uhahaha! I see. Are you… a being who appeared to delay the time?

“Excuse me?”

-The time will definitely come. Creation and destruction is an endless cycle, an absolute principle of the universe. The end of your human world is inevitable. Do you think you can prevent it?

The protagonist Yeo Ha-ryoon will defeat the final boss and it will end, so what’s the issue?

But somehow, listening to the Condor Dragon’s words, a corner of his heart stirred.

It was the stirring of one who knows the end of the novel.

‘What if Yeo Ha-ryoon’s ascension to immortality isn’t the end?’

What happens to this world after the protagonist disappears?

No, that can’t be.

Since the novel ended, all conflicts should return to their proper place.

Isn’t that the protagonist’s job?

Jin Cheonhee shook his head.

“I’m just doing what I want to do.”

-What is it that you want to do?

“Hmm, I have to continue doing what I’m doing now. Because I’m a physician. And if I were to be a bit more greedy… I would go around eating lots of delicious food. I’d like to make some too.”

-Kukukukukuku. Save people, and eat delicious things? A purity without a hint of hesitation or delusion. It could almost be called madness. Well then, descendant of Fu Xi. Since I like you, I’ll give you a gift.

At that moment, the Condor Dragon’s horn glowed, and a round bead the size of two finger joints appeared in the air before him.

‘This looks exactly like… those big eyeball candies?’

Professor Jin used to see them sold at stationery stores in front of schools when he was young.

-It’s a part of my precious jade. Take it out and eat it. It will help you. Others won’t see any effect from eating it, so you must eat it yourself. Remember that.

He hastily grasps the bead.

“What are the effects of this…”

Splash!

Without answering Jin Cheonhee’s question, the Condor Dragon’s massive body sank back beneath the lake.

-It’s been a long time since I’ve had fun. If you’re still alive when the time comes, make sure you come find me.

Only the clear voice remained.

Swish swish swish-

Fog began to fill the surroundings again, and nothing could be seen.

However, this time, as if guiding the way to the exit, only that area was clear of fog.

The Condor Dragon’s intention was clear.

Jin Cheonhee followed the only visible path.