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**

The sword refined through the duel with Bul-jun.

I refine it once more through the duel with Shin-jun.

The weight of the tip of the sword. The weight of blood.

The breath I unleash. Even if it’s not Heart Sword, even if it’s not internal energy…

One step further.

A stubbornly extended footstep.

—Kaaak!!

The duel with Shin-jun. Within it, I move again with what I possess.

I unleash and split. Burst and evade.

Synchronizing my breath with my opponent while controlling my internal energy…

With minimal movement.

Maximum results.

“…What…?!”

The scent of plum blossoms brushes against my nose. Everything moving is dyed in white.

Countless petals descend. Each one sharp like a sword.

Such things. The swirling petals gather in the hundreds…

Covering my sight in a captivating spectacle.

What can surpass that? Perhaps overwhelming power. Collecting internal energy to pierce through is the only method.

But I don’t. I focus my breath on the tip of the Ear Sword.

I strike.

All of them. Each sharp flower…

I cut them all…!

“What nonsense?!”

—Kaaak!!!

Control your power. Jeok-un. Control it to the end.

Never take your eyes off the enemy’s weapon. While moving, continue thinking.

Next action. Next movement. Next step.

Next sword. Next whisper. Next flow.

And at the end…

You must clear the path to pierce through.

—Kwadududududududuk!!!

A chilling sound flows down from the tip of the sword. I hear the story within it.

The tale between swords. The mingling of the scent of plums and the cries of blood.

And at the same time…

I break through.

Clearing thousands of petals with a single sword.

The domain of Heart Sword, into the domain of might.

—Kwaaaang!!!!

In an instant, the terrain reverts to its original state under the harsh wind pressure. The white world clears, and the scent of plum blossoms that tickled my nose disappears in an instant.

At the end stands Shin-jun, eyes wide open. Plum Blossom Divine Hyunseong. He is staring at me.

I haven’t looked into that gaze for long. I simply recalled my pounding heart and the footsteps I took forward once more.

The more I swing, the more I advance.

The gap with the Heavenly Demon grows ever closer. Not only has the speed increased, but the flow of blood also begins to surge.

Shaking off even the flow of energy, I catch my breath. I spin the sword and sheathe it.

Hyunseong sighed.

“To think I’d witness such a mad spectacle. You cut through my Heart Sword with pure might? Really… how far do you intend to rise?”

There is only one answer.

“I’m thinking of climbing to heaven.”

“…Kuhuh, what a madman!”

Hyunseong burst into laughter. He too spun his sword and sheathed it, signaling the end of the duel.

“Was it Jin Baek-cheon? A member of Reverse Heaven, Yeokseong. As someone who faced swords with him, I can say for sure.”

“What do you mean…”

“I can’t dare to assess either you or him by my standards…”

Hyunseong raised the corners of his lips.

“You won’t lose. It’s certain.”

“…Thank you.”

“Do you need thanks for sincerity? No, not at all. I only spoke as I observed and felt.”

Hyunseong glanced around the devastated terrain.

“I specifically chose a rocky terrain, yet not a single thing remains unscathed… Had I picked a forest, everything would have been turned upside down. How long would it take to recover?”

“I’m sorry.”

“No need for apologies. If you do it again, you’ll get a scab on your ears. Jeok-un. Are you planning to leave for the Former Society like this?”

“That’s my intention. After all, I came to see your face.”

“…What about after everything is over? Will you never be able to see each other again?”

I held my tongue. Hyunseong nodded.

“I won’t prevent you on your path. You’re not from here to begin with. I’m not one to tell someone who’s been abandoned once to return.”

“Thank you.”

“…However. While you are here, treat everyone’s heart sincerely.”

“Yes?”

“Just let it pass as appropriate.”

Hyunseong cleared his throat. He reached out to me.

“But you’re not leaving after just one day, right? Huh? You should enjoy some hospitality. After all, you’re a benefactor, are you not? Isn’t that so?”

“I will graciously accept the hospitality.”

“Good. Good. And if there’s some time left, teach me some swordsmanship.”

“Do I have anything to teach?”

“The situation has flipped, hasn’t it? Through our recent clash, I gained much too. To see a path even at my age… it’s truly amusing. But that’s what makes swords enjoyable, right?”

The endless path of swordsmanship.

I smiled. Genuinely.

“That’s true, Elder.”

“Truly, you are a born warrior.”

…

I spent a few more days at Huashan. The hospitality there was extravagant as he said, serving dishes I’d never experienced before in my life.

Huashan generally practiced Daoism. One should cultivate and distance themselves from worldly matters, including drinking…

Yet, to host an outsider, a benefactor of the sect, they had chosen a remote place for residence and brought meals from the Huayan region below Huashan to serve.

“Huashan, you see, aims to send positive influence into the world. But what is the reason that’s even possible? It’s due to the numerous businesses they run and the enormous income flowing into Huashan.”

“…….?”

“It’s just something for you to know. Hmmm.”

Though my time at Huashan was enjoyable, there wasn’t a reason to stay long. After the brief hospitality, I expressed my intention to leave.

Hyunseong, slightly regretful, patted my shoulder.

“I hope I can see you again before I die.”

“Bul-jun said the same thing.”

“Really? Hehe. Though I’ve hardly seen him, it seems we both have discerning eyes.”

“How embarrassing.”

“What kind of a man feels embarrassed? I won’t be going far. And I say…”

Hyunseong dropped his voice. His somewhat serious atmosphere mixed with heavy concern.

“…Can I ask for Hwa-rin’s guidance? That child doesn’t realize the exact dangers she’s in right now. It’s a precarious situation. I certainly don’t want her… to die.”

“Leave it to me. I’m on my way to the Former Society for that reason.”

“Thank you. Truly, thank you.”

With the farewell from Hyunseong, we exited Huashan. I intended to head straight to the Former Society, but…

First, a group had come seeking me.

“I am the Martial Alliance Inspector, Jeok Daehyeop.”

“…….”

Mentioning a title he no longer held, the former envoy of the Martial Alliance coughed lightly with a scheming grin.

A soft voice. He stood with warriors as though he might easily smooth talk me.

“I am Chuk Min-yeong. I came from the Martial Alliance and have been waiting to bring Jeok Daehyeop back to the Martial Alliance. Now, would you step with me back to the Martial Alliance?”

“…Do I have a reason to follow that?”

“It’s an invitation from the Martial Alliance. There’s even less reason to refuse. Of course, the title of Martial Alliance Inspector has been dissolved as per our ancient promise, but you could see this as an opportunity for a position even higher than that. If you follow me, I can promise you both wealth and fame. Moreover, this is something that the current Martial Alliance Leader personally mentioned.”

“I’m not interested in either.”

“…Hmm. Are you saying you desire something more? If that’s the case, then we can have a bit more discussion.”

“I’m truly not interested.”

The Martial Alliance envoy, Chuk Min-yeong’s eyebrows twitched. He seemed to ponder for a moment before subtly changing his tone.

“Then at least, I want to host you as a guest of the Martial Alliance, not just as the former Martial Alliance Inspector. I believe that by visiting, Jeok Daehyeop will gain something of value. It can only bring you profit, not loss.”

“Wasn’t it the Martial Alliance that sent me off to the Cheonryong Association?”

“We simply intended to heed the request of the now-defunct Cheonryong Association. They died on the spot, so we were merely attempting to send capable people. But if there has been a misunderstanding in that regard… would you not grant us a chance to clear that up?”

I stared blankly at him. His excessively bowing demeanor didn’t particularly bother me.

What troubled me more were those behind him. The warriors who seemed ready to draw their swords at a moment’s notice.

What orders did they come with? What would happen if I refused them here?

“…Moreover, I also want to invite Jinju Family as guests of the Martial Alliance. And the warriors from the Former Society as well.”

I stared at him blankly. Narin and Gwangyang whispered from behind.

“Those bastards. Master.”

“Let’s just go. There’s no need to listen.”

“There’s no need to listen,” huh?

That might be true.

I didn’t want to see the face of the Martial Alliance Leader either. I had simply been subjected to their acts and heard every nasty rumor since arriving here.

According to the revelations from the New Martial Alliance, he not only secretly formed a private armed group but also indulged in women, kidnapped civilians, and turned a blind eye to the crimes of the five major families for a price…

It had even been revealed that anyone who posed a threat to him was sent to the Cheonryong Association’s support warriors, and he had suppressed various minor powers by force as well.

A power-drunk, inhuman being. That was the true nature of the Martial Alliance Leader. Of course, in response to that, the Martial Alliance Leader claimed that the New Martial Alliance was spreading false rumors…

But hadn’t I already fallen for it once?

I was sent off as the captain of the Cheonryong Association’s support warriors.

Utilize what can be used, and eliminate what cannot without mercy. I knew that was the essence of the current Martial Alliance Leader.

And now calling me back might just be another attempt to see if there was any way I could be of use to him.

“…….”

So it’s true.

There’s even less reason to go.

But still, I chose to go now. Shin-jun Hyunseong had directly asked me, and I wanted to utilize the title of ‘Blood Lord’ that had been bestowed upon me a bit more actively.

After officially declaring my position, it wouldn’t be bad to sort out those who tried to mess with the Former Society. If I were to show everyone that I’m on the side of the Former Society…

Then even if I were to vanish one day, my reputation would serve as a protective barrier for the Former Society for a while.

Moreover, considering they were sending people after me like this, if I were to refuse again, there was a significant possibility I would be bothered for some time. They might even send people after Jinju Family to put pressure on them.

So let’s take a little longer before we go.

For the sake of the Former Society.

“…Yes. That’s acceptable.”

“S-Sifu?!”

“Let’s go.”

This will probably be the last time.

Going to the Martial Alliance.

“To the Martial Alliance.”

Let’s go.

To see what may be the last of the Martial Alliance.

 

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