Chapter 90
**
—Tap.
Nine Heavens Jade Woman Geum Seoryeon organized her papers and opened the window.
The weather was indeed nice. However, her taste was bitter. The reason was simple.
“…I didn’t pick up the sword to yearn for others’ things.”
She craved strength. She devoted her talent to achieve a level where others looked up to her.
Yet, her yearning for martial arts remained. A warrior is a creature of greed.
Isn’t it the essence of a warrior to be dissatisfied with what they have and dream of greater heights? Geum Seoryeon sincerely thought so.
But…
Even so, each warrior has their line that they wish to protect. Geum Seoryeon was no exception.
If possible, she wanted to rise high with the sword she wielded herself. She wished for nothing to be mixed in that wasn’t hers.
The pinnacle of self-cultivation in martial arts. That’s why she had also rejected the spirit pills circulating within the Manma Sect.
The same went for the Turtle Messenger Black Wild Dan.
A divine elixir of celestial quality. It’s a good story. Surely a good story. How many elixirs in this world can raise one’s realm several times just by consuming them?
However, even if one grew their body with it, their swordsmanship wouldn’t inherently improve. Only their internal energy and physique could progress; the sensations at their fingertips remained unchanged.
Of course, it was good. If she could eat it, it would be fine. But wasn’t that originally something from the Nachal Sect?
It belonged to someone else.
No matter how many excuses were made, that fact wouldn’t change.
Geum Seoryeon could clearly state that she had no interest in the Turtle Messenger Black Wild Dan.
Still, she was here… because she was a member of the Manma Sect.
“…….”
She had received much from the deputy leader of the Manma Sect, so she had to repay that kindness.
That’s why she had to do even the tasks she didn’t like.
Relationships are like that. Even the Wima Sect itself isn’t any different.
It’s a group she didn’t particularly want to lead. She wished to be led, but everything was out of her control.
Having been forcibly pushed out of the power dynamics, her current position could be seen as a kind of demotion.
Although she might have appeared favorably to the deputy leader of the Manma Sect, she knew well that she was not viewed favorably by the head.
“…Why are there so many things in the world that don’t go my way?”
She wanted to clash swords with someone. Without a single thought.
But even that didn’t go as planned. Swords that felt as empty as hollow bamboo lay scattered everywhere.
Truly martial artists were few and far between. After becoming the leader of the Wima Sect, the opportunity to mix swords disappeared altogether.
In the end, what she could do was swing a sword alone in a vacant training area. Initially for her, there was a thrill in slashing through assailants blindly…
But now, the hierarchy had solidified, and all those who could swing a sword well had sealed their lips.
A continuous cycle of boredom.
“…Isn’t anything going to happen?”
As if the heavens heard her murmur, an anomaly occurred.
“Leader. We’ve lost contact with the third squad of the Beast Slaying Team.”
“…Huh?”
“Shall we send another squad to the disappearance site?”
At her subordinate’s words, Geum Seoryeon slightly rose.
The original tasks of the Wima Sect were being handled far away at their headquarters.
There was no backlog in work, and the only documents being processed were miscellaneous affairs.
Time was overflowing…
“That’s unnecessary.”
Geum Seoryeon stood up from her seat after a long time since this anomaly had happened.
“I can handle this matter myself.”
…
One-Eyed Bird Shim Yu opened his single eye.
The front was dark. He could see nothing. It wasn’t just that the room was dark; something was obstructing his vision.
He tried to move to clear it away, but this time his hands wouldn’t budge. His legs were the same.
He was bound. To something. A rope, perhaps? He tried to summon his internal energy, but his body, restrained as it was, could not circulate it properly.
Everything was blocked.
“Wh-who are you? What do you intend to do with me?!”
“Seems like you’ve come to your senses?”
“Dan Hwa. Can you use the Spirit-Conjuring Technique?”
“Of course. But this man is… of a higher realm than I expected. There’s a limit with my makeshift formation. Please wait a moment while I finish what I was doing.”
“I feel like a hit to the head would make him spill the beans.”
“What if it bursts? I said we can’t leave evidence behind. This is the fastest way. Just wait a moment… Let me see… the axis…”
“It won’t hurt to give it a try.”
—Whoosh.
In an instant, light flooded in. Shim Yu squinted his eyes and cautiously looked around.
Two men. And one woman. For some reason, there was a sweet scent in the air.
Where is this? And why am I here?
Shim Yu quickly retraced his steps. Right. Something had happened.
It was a routine patrol, just like any other. Feeling bored, he had been chatting with a subordinate beside him. Then suddenly…
His vision had flashed. And that was it.
“Wh-who are you? What do you want from me?”
“You’re not the one to ask questions. I am.”
The large man cracked his knuckles.
“I’ll ask. Are you a spy from the Blood Sect?”
“…What?”
Shim Yu’s face hardened. The large man smirked menacingly.
“Look at this. Quite different from the previous responses, huh?”
“What—what are you talking about?!”
“Kid, that’s unnecessary. I’ll find out directly using my hands.”
“If you get too tangled up with the subordinate team, nothing good will come from it. The higher-ups of the subordinate team belong to the Wima Sect. Just wait a moment.”
“That moment might mean Mi-ryeong could die.”
“And after that, our heads might roll.”
“I’m not afraid of a mere Manma Sect.”
“But I am! Just stay still.”
“Hold on, elder.”
“…Cough.”
Shim Yu looked up at the man before him.
He was big. Not as much as the giant, but he was no lightweight either. Not just that. The muscles peeking through his clothing looked chiseled beyond mere training.
His voice was deep. It sounded like a beast growling. Although his tone was polite, there was an atmosphere beyond his appearance.
“One-Eyed Bird Shim Yu. Do you know the whereabouts of Blood Sect member Wolhyang?”
“W-what? Why are you looking for someone who disappeared a long time ago?”
“I heard you were spreading rumors.”
“R-rumors?”
“That the Wima Sect is carrying the Turtle Messenger Black Wild Dan. Why is a member of the Wima Sect spreading such rumors?”
“W-what…? How do you know…? It was definitely forbidden…”
“Even the prohibition can be unraveled with my Spirit-Conjuring Technique. No matter how bizarre your techniques may be, they pale in comparison to a true genius. A spy of the Blood Sect.”
It was over.
Shim Yu’s face stiffened. Could it be that they had gotten everyone planted secretly to spread rumors?
Shim Yu’s tone became more polite.
“Wh-what do you want?”
“L have told you already. The whereabouts of the Blood Sect member.”
“Is Yeon Mi-ryeong alive? Where is she?”
“…….”
Facing the barrage of questions, Shim Yu staved for time.
He had to escape. If he didn’t break free now and revealed all the information, he’d die at the hands of either the Blood Sect or the Manma Sect.
Right now, his whole body was bound. So, was there anyone who could save him?
…There is. The subordinate team. Since he has gone missing, another subordinate team should be searching for traces.
The sunlight streaming through the old window was bright. Daytime. It was still daytime.
It doesn’t seem long has passed since he fainted. Although he didn’t know exactly where they were hiding, they should be circling around the vicinity.
Then, the strategy was one.
“I will tell you everything since you already know everything.”
“Hm? You’re actually going to talk?”
“Yes. I will. Given the situation, it seems I have no way to escape.”
“Have you searched my pockets before coming here?”
“Isn’t it only natural?”
“Among them, there should be a blue jar. Inside it is an order.”
“If it’s a blue jar… is this what you’re talking about?”
“Wait! Don’t open it without knowing what it is…!”
—Whoosh!!!
“Uh?!”
“Ugh?!”
In an instant, a sharp sound poured out from all directions. The giant who shattered the blue jar gritted his teeth.
“Do you dare to play tricks on me…?!”
“Tricks? I told you. It’s an order.”
“Order?”
“Yes, order. My job is as the squad leader of the third squad of the Wima Sect…”
Shim Yu sensed an approaching presence rapidly.
“If something’s amiss, signal immediately. That’s my order. Blood Sect or whatever, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Hahaha!”
“You bastard…!”
—Boom!!!!
In an instant, the wall collapsed. From the pouring debris, a woman entered.
A small and cute figure, radiating an aura heavier than a thousand pounds from head to toe.
Shim Yu immediately raised his voice.
He hadn’t expected her to come, but thanks to that, a clearer path emerged.
“Leader of the Wima Sect! These people annihilated the third squad! They must be non-affiliated assailants trying to frame me and even attempting to murder me!”
“…Is that so?”
Behind her, the warriors drew their swords in unison. Although they were few in number, each one was elite.
Did she bring Wima Sect members with her? It was as if a top-tier force from the Manma Sect had been dispatched. Wima Sect members were elite beings that surpassed the peak of ordinary martial artists.
Shim Yu couldn’t help but smile widely.
“You guys are done for! Leader! These are all villains! Not only have they tried to accuse me, but they also aimed to kill me!”
“…Dan Hwa. Finish what you started.”
“I’ll take care of the head of this bastard. If we’re talking about the leader of the Wima Sect, it has to be Geum Seoryeon. I’ll take care of that. You handle the pawns.”
“Are you sure you can manage?”
“I am Huachun Quenma.”
The large man growled.
“Just in time! I was looking to earn my keep! How about I deal with these barking bastards in someone else’s home?”
“…Huachun Quenma? A minor player in Huachun Quenma?”
A smirk curled on Geum Seoryeon’s lips, which had been cynical.
“One of the fakes is genuine. It’s worth it to move personally. I don’t know why you’re doing this, but… come forth, Huachun Quenma. I’ll personally witness the Huachun Explosion Fist that can pierce the mountains with a wave of your hand.”
“To witness? You dare to say you’ll witness my martial arts? You’ve got guts! I’ll rip your intestines out!”
“Don’t rush it. Huachun Quenma. It’s been a while since I’ve had a real challenge.”
The swords unsheathed from their scabbards.
“Wima Sect. Subdue all the disorderly elements before me and make them kneel. If it becomes difficult to subdue them…”
Geum Seoryeon ordered.
“Kill them all.”
