No response came.
"......."
Jeong Yeon-shin looked down at the wild boar for a moment, his gaze still sharp as he scanned his surroundings.
It was eerily silent.
The ground, covered in dry pine needles and fresh white snow, concealed the presence of the uninvited guest.
The vast stillness made it difficult to pinpoint where the hidden figure was.
Not a single breeze stirred, and yet, the individual had entirely suppressed their qi flow with the mastery of Banbaek Guijin, blending seamlessly into the surroundings.
What’s the range of their sword control?
He pondered. This was the stance a warrior must take when encountering another warrior in the wilderness.
It was even more necessary when facing sword control, which far outstripped the speed of ordinary swordplay.
Crunch.
The snow crunched beneath his feet. He had subtly shifted his stance in accordance with Hwanikbo’s footwork formula.
Ma Gwang-ik watched cautiously, resting his hand lightly on the sword pulse.
What is their intention?
Sword control was a technique of the highest order.
Even though he had activated Sicheonbeop, he had been unable to deduce the mysteries of Gui Baek-shin's flying sword technique.
That was no surprise. Igeoggeom was the realm of imprinting one's will onto the blade.
It was a step beyond mere internal energy techniques—a refinement that warranted the title of immortal for those who achieved it.
Strangely familiar.
Even if a sword control technique left little residual qi in the air, a faint reverberation of power always lingered.
Jeong Yeon-shin’s acute perception, which read qi waves as clearly as sword intent, caught onto that faint remnant.
Instantly, he recalled Yeongcheon Sword Demon of Sim Mu-ryeon. Sword control was not a technique commonly seen.
"Come out, Sword Demon."
He spoke. He had already witnessed the death of Seonryong and the injuries of two senior Black Rank warriors.
The shocking sight of Jin Myeong-jo’s devastating Shinhyeol Geukma wound still lingered in his mind, making his voice sound somewhat dry.
"I won’t turn my back and walk away with you behind me. Come out and talk."
As a Shingeom Danju of the Ipwang Sect, Jeong Yeon-shin had to uphold strict discipline.
With his location already determined by a warrior of extreme mastery, turning his back was not an option. His words reflected that stance.
"......."
Silence stretched for a moment.
Then, irritation slowly crept up his Baihui Point.
Updated from freewёbnoνel.com.
What the hell is this?
Then, it happened.
"You are... a very kind child."
A woman’s voice rang out, slightly husky.
Wooom.
A heavy sword hum reverberated from the far right sky. Jeong Yeon-shin immediately looked up.
A lofty swordswoman descended, riding upon her blade.
"You said, I won’t turn back with you behind me... You held onto those words in your heart, didn’t you?"
She had an air of mystery about her. The spectacle of sword flight made even the Sword Masters of the Unorthodox Path seem like immortals.
The wind splitting against her sword made a sound like a fine silk robe fluttering, blending strangely well with the rough intensity of Baek Seo-goon.
She spoke again, not meeting his gaze.
"If this is about Gui Baek-shin, there is no need for repayment."
Her voice was low, murmuring.
What is she talking about?
Jeong Yeon-shin only half-listened as he kept his eyes fixed above.
Yeongcheon Sword Demon, Baek Seo-goon.
Her hair, turned pale by the properties of her martial art, was still cut short.
Even though Jeong Yeon-shin’s black hair had grown long enough to reach his shoulder blades, the gray strands at the ends of her hair still swayed just below her nape.
As if time had frozen since the day they first met.
It was an appearance difficult to maintain unless trimmed regularly. The second-in-command of Sim Mu-ryeon was originally said to have worn her hair wild, like a lion’s mane.
Did I end up creating an unnecessary advantage back then?
The insight of the present-day Ma Gwang-ik shone through with years of refinement.
There was no other way to think about it. Feeling the chill of Bukmyeong Sword against his fingertips, Jeong Yeon-shin furrowed his brows slightly.
She’s wary of close ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) combat.
An ultra-grandmaster who was meticulous in everything was a difficult opponent to defeat.
Breaking down their defenses and analyzing the structure of their Qi Defense took tremendous effort. That was even more true when the opponent was the second-ranked swordswoman of Sim Mu-ryeon.
"I have heard about you even from the Headmaster of the Mount Hua Sect. Tell me why you’re following me. Do you want to duel to the death?"
He asked. He still maintained a posture just before assuming his sword stance.
Sssk.
Baek Seo-goon’s leather shoes touched the ground.
The fact that the snow did not collapse beneath her feet was remarkable. She had reached the realm of Treading on Snow Without Leaving a Trace.
From sword flight to Boshin-gyeong, she was more like a Lightfoot Grandmaster than most Lightfoot Grandmasters themselves. Perhaps the martial arts she had mastered were of the same lineage.
"I have no reason to fight you to the death. At least, not yet."
"Then give me a reason."
Jeong Yeon-shin, standing motionless, pressed for an answer.
The Sword Master’s demeanor was different from before. She was no longer the carefree woman who had once poured him drinks and laughed.
It was hard to find the Sword Demon of Sim Mu-ryeon in the face that tilted slightly downward.
"......."
Her breathing was drawn out hesitantly. White mist formed at her lips before dissipating.
Had Jeong Yeon-shin activated Jonggeuk-roe, the lotus would have disappeared by now. He might already be massaging his muscles from the aftereffects.
What is this?
His wariness grew at her continued refusal to meet his gaze. Had Yeongcheon Sword Demon blended time itself into the domain of her blade?
The Sword Emperor of Sim Mu-ryeon, Gunwang Mu-je, was said to dominate time and space itself with his Immovable Sword.
If she doesn’t answer again, I’ll have to strike first. She’s an opponent where activating Jonggeuk-roe is inevitable.
Just as Jeong Yeon-shin was about to speak again—
"I am."
The Sword Master of Hanam Province spoke first.
"I... was your father, Jeong Ban-ak’s... personal servant."
The hesitancy in her voice made the reason clear. A woman who had risen to the heights of prestige with a single sword was now revealing her origins.
She was a sword ghost of the Unorthodox Path. How difficult must it be to confess her past to the son of her former master?
There was no deception in her approach.
The upper Dantian of Jeong Yeon-shin’s mind remained still, unlike when he confronted those with malice.
Unlike in his younger, rash days, he had gained greater control over his Cognitive Abilities as he aged. Yet, at this moment, his instincts reacted with nothing.
That meant it was the truth.
However, Ma Gwang-ik did not concern himself with the emotions of Sim Mu-ryeon’s Sword Master.
He did not need time to accept it. He had something else to ask first.
He spoke immediately.
"I already knew you had ties with the Jeong Household. You mentioned it before."
His tone was calm. He spoke as if it was no significant matter.
Baek Seo-goon’s lips twitched slightly. She had spent a long time in Xian, traveling with Jeong Household’s second son.
She knew the environment in which Jeong Yeon-shin had grown. The bearing he displayed now stemmed from a life of prolonged subjugation, molding him into someone overly considerate.
"Ah."
The look in his eyes as he silently watched her overlapped with the stance he had taken when executing Gija Jaeng Seon.
The boy who had once burdened both Sword Demon Baek Seo-goon and Servant Baek Seo-goon with endless contemplation had, upon their reunion, effortlessly let her disgrace slip through his fingers.
Baek Seo-goon’s lips parted slightly.
"...You are different from Ban-ak. You are the greater vessel. Your face will soon reflect that as well."
"That’s nonsense. Have you ever met my mother?"
"No. Jeong Ban-ak’s wife left before their marriage. After obtaining the Heart Technique that would become my true martial foundation, I abandoned the family that raised me."
"Then that's that. Live well. I won’t cut you down today."
The timing was unfavorable. Leaving it at that, Jeong Yeon-shin quickly withdrew his attention.
Ak Su-rim and Senior Jin of the Blood Recovery Division were waiting for him. If he were to be drawn into a prolonged engagement with the Sword Master, the outcome would be uncertain.
"The boar—thank you."
Ma Gwang-ik’s gaze briefly skimmed over Yeongcheon Sword Demon before shifting toward the dead beast. Baek Seo-goon felt it keenly.
At the same time, the Sword Spirit floating beside her wavered slightly. Sword Control was a technique that was heavily influenced by the wielder’s state of mind.
He still seeks to repay debts to the very end. With such refined mastery, if he were a Black Rank warrior of Ipwang Fortress, he would have already targeted my throat.
In that moment, Seomye of the Jeong Household seemed like a fortress more impregnable than any citadel.
If she wanted to uphold her pride as a Sword Master, she needed to earn the favor of the current Ma Gwang-ik. But no matter how she looked at it, she found no opening. She had to say something—anything.
"I’m sorry. I judged you carelessly and spoke out of turn. I should never have mentioned Ban-ak when speaking to you. You grew into your own person, without him...."
"I was raised by my mother. It’s not something you need to concern yourself with. If you were my father’s servant, you would have ended up as my brothers' caretaker, not mine. We were never meant to be connected."
Thunk.
Jeong Yeon-shin hoisted the wild boar’s foreleg onto his shoulder.
"Among the servants assigned to me, there were no great talents. But they all had remarkable hearts—some indifferent, others warm."
"......."
"Do not move until I have walked a hundred paces. The moment I sense a shift in your presence, I will take it as an attack."
Step.
As he stepped forward—
"Sword control."
"What?"
"I will teach you sword control."
***
The Martial Arena of Shanxi
"The Dragon-Calling Sword of Azure Heaven Sect, please step onto the stage!"
A man in scholar’s robes called out from the fragmented, battle-worn martial arena.
Rather than cheers, murmurs filled the venue.
Despite the chaos that had broken out earlier, many still remained in the arena.
Most were influential noble families seated under shaded canopies, merchants seeking connections with the martial world, or wanderers drawn to rare spectacles in a world where entertainment was scarce.
In times of famine, crowds composed of powerful individuals did not easily disperse.
Thud, thud, thud—
Yet, a significant number of people were now leaving, kicking up dust as they descended the hill.
Some messenger birds, almost like mystical creatures, soared into the sky, carrying tightly rolled documents.
Scribes furiously penned letters, their lips moving as they muttered, prioritizing accuracy over secrecy.
"The Black Rank of Ipwang Fortress has appeared... The current Ma Gwang-ik... Eon Ga-jeil-gwon has been slain... Ipwang Fortress's Shin Geom Corps has mobilized northward, potentially clashing with the Zhuge Patriarch..."
"I must ask the Elder about the repercussions of a Shin Geom Corps Vice Commander being slain."
"Write this: Closely monitor the movements of Ipwang Fortress's headquarters in Hoguang. Track every change in carriages and riders. Even if their mouths bleed from exhaustion, I want a report within forty days."
"Do not fret over nothing. They're being overly cautious. Ipwang Fortress cannot afford to spare more than three commanders right now. Instead, send a letter to Zhuge Patriarch's Moonlight Sect explaining that we could not prevent Eon Ga-jeil-gwon's death. Say we did everything in our power to stop Ma Gwang-ik. Quickly!"
The voices carried even to the hillside beyond the martial arena.
For Tae Yeom-ryong, whose power was beyond measure, every word was clear.
From his vantage point, overlooking the gathering of Shanxi’s noble families, he lazily scratched his chin and tilted his head.
"Why do you look so dejected? You said you resembled your brother, Salhyup. Are you his direct kin while he’s a branch family member?"
"It's the opposite...."
Hуeon Won-chang shook his head.
"Now’s not the time to talk about it. My thoughts are in disarray."
"Suit yourself. Just keep your pockets safe."
Taeyeomryong chuckled and turned away. Hуeon Won-chang reached behind his back, as if knowing in advance, and caught a flying letter.
The moment he unfolded it, bold, soaring brushstrokes greeted him.
"You’ve grown well. Meet me at the manor where we once trained in Ghost Feeding Technique. You may bring companions. I know where Zhuge Paelyun established Moonlight Sect’s stronghold."
It was a letter from Salhyup.
***
Dusk settled in.
The snow-covered ground reflected the moonlight in a pale, hazy glow.
Crackle, pop.
The campfire crackled loudly, yet there was no scent of burning wood.
The Luminous Method Wheel Qi had dried the fuel with mystical precision, leaving only warmth.
In the irregular silence, the fire's glow deepened.
"Not exactly a dignified sight."
A man leaning against a tree suddenly spoke.
His complexion looked even paler against the black fabric pulled up to his neck.
Still clad in battle-worn black robes, he had draped his long cloak over his shoulders like a blanket—the attire of the current Ma Gwang-ik.
"They say parts of that robe were woven from Celestial Silk. At least it serves some purpose. And we’ve managed to escape Zhuge Patriarch’s domain."
Seated across from Ak Su-rim, Jeong Yeon-shin responded calmly.
Despite his deep internal energy, his senior's body temperature continued to drop.
Yet Jin Myeong-jo, scion of an esteemed bloodline, was gradually recovering.
The wounds inflicted by the Zhuge Patriarch had been near-fatal.
"Regenerative abilities... I probably won’t ever learn them. Even with training, it must have taken decades to refine...."
It was truly remarkable.
"You are refraining from Blood Absorption, aren’t you?"
"Animal blood suffices."
"Most cannot resist such violent impulses."
"A petty notion. Do not compare your senior’s discipline to that of some blood fiend. Wonpyeong’s Lone Swordmaster carries a noble dignity."
Jin Myeong-jo replied coldly.
His tightly wrapped black robes made him resemble a massive bat, yet his demeanor exuded more refinement than most noble families.
With such poise, it was inevitable that many juniors would admire him.
Jeong Yeon-shin, eyes gleaming in the firelight, suddenly spoke.
"I have something to tell you both."
"Hmm?"
Ak Su-rim, who had been nodding off against a tree trunk, stirred.
She spoke in a sluggish, teasing tone.
"Are you talking about that swordsman I was just about to skewer?"