"Profound Martial Alliance's Baek Seo-gun."
The woman, her ash-colored hair flowing down to her nape like a lion's mane, spoke. Her orange silk robe gleamed with a luxurious sheen.
She carried a single sword and a richly adorned pouch decorated with orchid patterns, making her appearance as simple as her brief introduction.
The moment when Eternal Heaven Sword Demon defeated the Radiant Sound Twin Demons and confronted Wei Ji Myohwa. It had not been a short journey. Several days had passed.
Wei Ji Myohwa had taken advantage of a moment when the Demonic Faction forces clashed violently. The saying "an enemy of an enemy is an ally" was far too generous for the situation.
It wasn't just her life at stake, but also the life of the young Jung Hye-ah. She couldn't readily ask for help from the second-in-command of the Demonic Faction's Profound Martial Alliance.
Thus, seven days and nights passed.
There were many pursuers beyond the Radiant Sound Twin Demons. Yeoryeong Sect and the Tyrant Sword Tribe had joined forces, leaving no shortage of manpower. Hence, the Heaven-Spanning Net was deployed.
Wei Ji Myohwa hid Jung Hye-ah in a mountain cave and lured the enemies away, drawing their attention by releasing turbulent energy waves. It was her best option.
She was completely driven to the limit, even until the moment Baek Seo-gun suddenly appeared and slaughtered twenty-two men with a single technique of sword resonance.
"You've been quite good at running. Even I had a hard time detecting your presence."
"..."
The misty mountain ranges of the Jinryeong Mountains spread out like an ink-wash painting.
Profound Martial Alliance and the Zhongnan Sect were not far apart, and Baek Seo-gun had instantly recognized Wei Ji Myohwa's identity.
With the prowess of mastering her clan's divine techniques, she had recalled the facial features of a senior disciple of the Zhongnan Sect.
The Cloud Dragon Sword of Zhongnan Sect was widely known as a prodigy of the younger generation, her martial prowess, appearance, and status all exceptional.
From the viewpoint of the Cloud Dragon Sword, Baek Seo-gun was such a figure.
"...Eternal Heaven Sword Demon."
Wei Ji Myohwa moved her lips.
Even as she responded, her hand never left the hilt of her sword. She was a heir of a prestigious sect that had suffered catastrophic ruin.
Her guard was up to the extreme, her originally serene eyes now slightly raised in tension.
Her appearance was disheveled. Her once tidy garments were stained with dust and blood.
Due to internal injuries, traces of blood were visible on her lips. The noble Zhongnan swordswoman's breathing was rough, bordering on the savage.
A glimmer flickered in Baek Seo-gun's eyes.
'So, she had a connection with Lightning Genius.'
Her gaze swept over Wei Ji Myohwa's striking features, her sharp and clear eyes leaving an impression.
But what caught her attention even more was the aura encasing her entire body, sharp as if clad in icy winds.
'Maintaining a constant state of Body-Sword Unification... She's a well-forged blade.'
Cloud Dragon Sword Wei Ji Myohwa.
Even her peculiar feather ornament tying her black hair stood out, as did her waist.
Adorned with a jade-decorated belt, she carried a white treasure sword that, despite being unconventional for a disciple of Taoism, somehow suited her perfectly.
"You've been carrying a child of the Jung Clan, haven't you?"
The question came abruptly. Baek Seo-gun was not one to beat around the bush.
Her reaction was swift.
A rush of formless aura surged from Wei Ji Myohwa's entire body. It was a colorless ripple of energy.
The wave carried a sharp force, making the hem of her dusty, bluish robe stiffen as it absorbed the power.
"The master of Profound Martial Alliance, what connection does this have...?"
The Cloud Dragon Sword spoke as her inner energy flared, living up to her reputation. Her black-and-white eyes were unusually intense.
It wasn't recklessness but determination. Even if death awaited her, she would not reveal Jung Hye-ah's whereabouts.
Baek Seo-gun's lips curved into a smile.
"Quite the spirit you've got there. However, you're not worthy of hearing my story. All you need to understand is my assistance. I've personally shaken off the leeches trailing you, the Tyrant Sword Tribe, Yeoryeong Sect, and the rest. It wasn't an easy task, even for me."
The connections within the Thirteen Celestial Demons were complex and chaotic.
The Sects of the Demonic Faction had no fixed patterns to their movements.
One day, they might attack the orthodox factions, and the next, they would be embroiled in inter-sect battles. Unlike the righteous Murim world, they were far from friendly toward one another.
Still, the balance between the orthodox and demonic worlds remained. If the Thirteen Celestial Demons ever united, it was commonly believed that the entire realm's power dynamics would shift. This was a prevailing opinion among Murim scholars.
"Even so, I can't trust a martial artist from Profound Martial Alliance."
Wei Ji Myohwa's gaze was unwavering.
She would protect Jung Hye-ah. Even if it meant cautiously testing every bridge before crossing it, she would do so. If she died, then that would be fate...
Her resolve was beautiful. Lightning Genius had once described her as a true hero.
As Baek Seo-gun silently observed her, her smile deepened.
"You're a child of honor. Your spirit alone could shape the world. No wonder Lightning Genius befriended you."
"Lightning Genius...?"
Wei Ji Myohwa's eyes slightly widened. Baek Seo-gun continued calmly.
"I heard the rumors. You have ties to the Radiant Demon Squad's leader. So do I. My connection runs just as deep as yours, if not deeper. It was passed down from the previous generation, and we forged a bond through our swords."
"What are you talking about?"
"Did you ever duel him? As the top prodigy of Shaanxi, your memory should be clear, as though recalling yesterday."
Baek Seo-gun's sudden question left Wei Ji Myohwa momentarily speechless. But the short-haired Sword Sovereign paid no mind and continued.
"Whether it was with wine or tea, it doesn't matter. If you've mastered the techniques of a prestigious sect, you would've noticed Lightning Genius' peculiar habit. He would always brush the rim of his cup with his fingers before lifting it only when his companion did so. Every single time. As if it was ingrained in him, like someone raised in a household where observing others was second nature."
"...!"
"I often wondered if he did that because he was wary of me or because he was raised in such an environment. If it were just me, it would be the former. But judging by your reaction... it wasn't."
Baek Seo-gun's voice grew heavier, tinged with bitterness.
Wei Ji Myohwa's eyebrows shot up. Her expression reflected both surprise and doubt.
"I knew it."
Baek Seo-gun murmured, her long lashes lowered.
"Jung Ban-ak brings me shame, endlessly. That madman treated his child like that. If only I had been there..."
Her monologue was filled with raw emotion, shame and rage intertwined so naturally that it didn't feel awkward to voice them aloud.
Even the slight twist of her lips reflected her emotions. Wei Ji Myohwa hadn't expected such an expression from Henan's revered Sword Sovereign.
Shaanxi and Henan bordered one another. Wei Ji Myohwa had heard much about Eternal Heaven Sword Demon's reputation.
Sword Sovereign Baek Seo-gun. She was an absolute figure who didn't need to feign emotion. The rumors of her sharing drinks with Jung Yeonshin weren't lies.
Wei Ji Myohwa had shared tea with Lightning Genius numerous times when he stayed at Zhongnan Mountain. She could recall even the minute details Baek Seo-gun had not mentioned.
'He was the half-brother of Jung Jungsan.'
Had he not found peace within his household? He had always seemed like an aristocratic noble.
"...I will draw my sword. Please allow me a single step of space."
She spoke, proposing that she would lead the way with her sword drawn. It was a bold move, accepting the Sword Sovereign's aid but with conditions.
If necessary, she was prepared to thrust her sword into her.
'Her defensive energy will be solid. The most I can do is inflict minor wounds.'
Wei Ji Myohwa thought.
Her reaction speed would surely surpass hers by far. But there was no other choice. She had already left Jung Hye-ah alone for nearly three days, and the Heaven-Spanning Net of the two Thirteen Celestial Demons was closing in.
Even now, the sharp sound of a whistling arrow echoed from afar. Wei Ji Myohwa had no better option.
Baek Seo-gun didn't appear offended. She simply nodded slowly.
"Move quickly."
They exchanged no further words.
The two of them moved as though flying, heading toward an unnamed canyon deep in the Jinryeong Mountains, guided by her refined survival skills.
They descended without hesitation. In an instant, the cave nestled between the vast cliffs came into view.
The Sword Sovereign and the Cloud Dragon Sword landed on solid ground and entered the cave.
An eerie wind brushed past them like the cry of ghosts.
A faint breeze carrying a sense of emptiness brushed against their collars, and in an instant, the dimly lit stone walls surrounding them fell silent.
"Ah..."
Wei Ji Myohwa let out a sigh of relief.
The cave they reached was empty.
A faint beam of sunlight filtered in through the cracks in the ceiling, casting a silent glow on the crushed bushes where the child had once curled up.
Scattered around were fragments of shattered swords, littering the area in disarray.
* * *
Shaanxi, Xi'an.
The land stretched endlessly, with an expanse of pavilions sprawling even around Zhongnan Mountain. Its scale was unmatched by other regions in Shaanxi Province. The population was dense.
Merchants chattered as they closed their stalls, inn servants hung lanterns above the entrance at midnight, and drifters roamed the alleys searching for a place to rest their bodies.
It was vast.
Even during poor harvests, massive supplies flowed through merchant caravans and security escorts.
Being a large city that had flourished long before the kingdom's founding, it bustled with people of all classes. Even after sunset, the air was filled with diverse forms of energy.
Among them was the entrance of Xi'an's Heroic Sword, Gal Do-jin.
Bang!
He grabbed a man by the back of his head and slammed him onto a table. The impact sent a gust of force rippling through the air like wind.
Cracks radiated from the man's forehead, and the wooden table splintered into pieces, collapsing beneath him. The man sprawled out, unconscious.
"This bastard has nothing on him. Get rid of him."
Gal Do-jin, dressed in a splendid silk robe, coldly commanded with a sharp gaze.
The inn's ceiling was lined with a row of orange lanterns casting a warm glow.
This place was under the management of the Sublime Land Sect, which had submitted to the Yeoryeong Sect of the Thirteen Celestial Demons.
Gal Do-jin served as the sect's top protector. His title, Heroic Sword, was a nickname tossed around when the Demonic Faction praised their own members.
The other customers quietly continued their meals, moving their chopsticks without speaking. In recent years, with recurring bad harvests and the collapse of the Zhongnan Sect's protection, this was the norm.
In such a society, those dining at an inn weren't ordinary folk. At the very least, they were indifferent to common brawls.
A sturdy subordinate followed the order, dragging the unconscious man out of the establishment.
The boy standing next to Gal Do-jin chuckled. His sharp eyes, outlined by clear black-and-white irises, were adorned with a vivid blue hero's bandana. He was a rising figure of the dark Murim.
He was also Gal Do-jin's sworn younger brother.
The boy spoke up.
"Isn't it common to see more and more dine-and-dash cases?"
"Say it right. There are just more freeloading scumbags without shame."
Gal Do-jin replied with a detached expression.
The boy, Xi'an's Young Hero, So Yu-ryang, laughed.
"Why did you let him go alive? He tried to enjoy a feast at the best inn in Xi'an without a single coin. Shouldn't you have at least broken his arms and legs? Want me to go back and finish him off? Should I kill him and sharpen my sword in the process?"
"I told them to take him outside and kill him. We wouldn't want to ruin our esteemed guests' appetites."
"Was that really necessary...?"
"There've been a lot of complaints lately about the mess. Cleaning up costs money. Time is money."
"Ah, you're right. My thoughts were short-sighted. I've been too absorbed in training with Zhongnan's martial techniques."
"Make sure you devote extra attention to your training. The sect leader is giving you special consideration."
"My ears are starting to grow calluses from hearing that."
"You fool. The Nine Yang Unified Arts you received is a technique even the Cloud Dragon Sword of Zhongnan considered her most treasured skill. Without this recent turn of events, you wouldn't have even dreamed of learning it. So forget your useless hobbies and focus on mastering it."
"Stop sounding like a scholar. People will think you're a retired academic."
"What did you just say?"
The restoration of the Sword Immortal's Master's legacy by Lightning Genius and Zhongnan's Sword Immortal had been a topic of discussion even among the Demonic Faction warriors.
Despite many branches of the Zhongnan Sect being scattered throughout Shaanxi, no one dared speak out.
Xi'an's dynamics had drastically changed since the destruction of Zhongnan Sect.
The Tyrant Sword Tribe and Yeoryeong Sect's subordinates had infiltrated the area, taking control of merchant routes, security escorts, and shops along the main roads.
Even local officials, from sub-prefects to magistrates, had been swayed by bribes. In times of famine, all goods became precious, and even the most upright officials couldn't resist.
Xi'an's order had been newly solidified, and it had all happened in the blink of an eye.
This was evident in the silent diners at the inn. Among them were martial artists seated here and there, but none raised their heads.
It remained that way until the winter wind crept in through the reopened inn doors.
Whoosh—
A figure entered, shrouded in the transparent air. Despite his size, his footsteps carried a curious weight, making each step unusually loud.
Step.
It was a boy of considerable height.
His long lashes cast shadows, and his well-defined features radiated an unnaturally calm presence.
Then, with a creak, the door shut behind him, and his black windcoat trailed dramatically in the air.
Beneath the outer coat, a glimpse of plain white sleeves briefly showed before being concealed.
"Welcome!"
A servant, wearing a brown hemp robe despite the cold winter, stepped forward. He had been watching the banter between the Heroic Sword and the Young Hero with familiarity.
"Are you alone? It's dangerous to travel by yourself these days."
The servant smiled subtly and asked in a casual tone.
It felt oddly fitting, considering the subdued atmosphere of the inn. Everything in Xi'an had become part of its well-worn scenery.
This was a near-lawless place where the Great Ming Code had lost its meaning.
"There are three more coming. I was told to find lodging since you don't allow overnight stays here."
The stranger responded calmly.
The servant nodded with a deep smile.
"The great warriors of the Sublime Land Sect are staying here. Thanks to them, our inn still holds its reputation for serving the finest delicacies."
"Is there a room available?"
From afar, So Yu-ryang's brow twitched. The Sublime Land Sect was known locally as the acting branch of Yeoryeong Sect of the Thirteen Celestial Demons.
Their reputation was formidable. For a wandering stranger to be so indifferent suggested he didn't recognize their standing.
"A newcomer to the martial world."
So Yu-ryang clenched and released his fist.
Gal Do-jin, noticing his younger brother's slight irritation, didn't intervene.
So Yu-ryang, having mastered the Nine Yang Unified Arts, was among the strongest of his age group in Shaanxi. Simply observing the wanderer in the windcoat was sufficient.
'His appearance is rather refined. He looks healthy, well-fed, and not the least bit frail.'
Gal Do-jin thought. An unusual sight indeed.
He seemed like a young nobleman from a respectable clan, concealing his identity.
The reason was unclear. If it were trivial, his martial skills would likely be unimpressive. But if it were a serious mission, his hidden identity would likely be matched by hidden prowess.
Disciples sent on covert missions by major sects were adept at concealing their abilities to the very end.
Step.
At that moment, So Yu-ryang began striding toward the guest.
Martial artists of the Demonic Faction were closer to beasts than humans, living by the principle of survival of the fittest.
They prioritized their swords over the law and used violence to vent their frustrations, earning the label of "demonic".
To someone versed in the Four Books and Five Classics, they barely seemed human.
So Yu-ryang was no different. He was a peculiar individual.
Without hesitation, he approached the boy in the windcoat, who was calmly drinking the water the servant had poured. He smiled brightly at the stranger, who paid him no attention.
In Xi'an, anyone who disregarded the prestige of the local Demonic Faction wasn't considered a guest but an intruder. With a smirk, So Yu-ryang mimicked his sworn brother's mannerisms.
"Your behavior and speech violate the customs of Xi'an. Once you finish that drink, you'll need to learn a lesson from me. I might just start by breaking your throat…"
At that moment.
From the lips of the uninvited guest who raised his cup—
Sssss—
The wooden cup began to disintegrate into dust. The faint powder scattered like an illusion under the glow of the orange lanterns, rising until it touched his fingertips.
His smooth fingers, as if drawing in the sunset, completed the strange yet mesmerizing sight.
So Yu-ryang's footsteps halted.
"What."
The guest, Jung Yeonshin, who had shattered the cup, quietly muttered.
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