“…I apologize, but the Dark Secret Sword rejected the offer.”

“Even after you explained everything?”

“Yes. Despite explaining the plan to draw Jin Gijae-cheon out, she didn’t even consider it. Said the risks were too high without sufficient information.”

The man scoffed, exhaling a thick plume of smoke.

The subordinate, clearly on edge, continued speaking.

“Shall we take care of the Dark Secret Sword?”

“No, leave her be. She’s far too elusive, and it would take too much effort to catch her. Better to focus on other tasks.”

The man clicked his tongue and gave his orders.

“Send someone reasonable. As long as he’s cautious, we’ll consider it half-successful.”

“Yes, sir!”

The subordinate quickly disappeared. The man glanced out the window for a moment, then took another drag from his pipe.

As the smoke filled his lungs, he felt an odd sense of clarity.

“Jin Gijae-cheon, huh…”

He exhaled, letting the smoke drift up, before looking down at the brief notes on Jin Gijae-cheon on the table.

‘A supreme martial artist of the Namgung family. His martial arts are unknown. All we know is his appearance.’

A brief record of his past wasn’t much help.

A master who had appeared like a comet, his abilities were still a mystery.

‘Hwang Bo-jun can’t match Geom Bi-young and Baek Yu-ryeon.’

If the leader of the Black Lotus Sect had truly betrayed them, it would have been three against one. Estimating Jin Gijae-cheon’s strength was not easy.

His name had only surfaced a few months ago. Martial artists temper themselves in blood and flesh, so it seemed unlikely this new face, Jin Gijae-cheon, could be anything exceptional.

“Still, it’s better to confirm.”

The man’s eyes closed. According to plan, they’d never meet, but somehow he felt that a confrontation was inevitable.

 

In the Namgung family’s martial library, the Heavenly Martial Pavilion Lord, Namgung Baek, classified Flash Lightning Azure Thunder Heart Art and Flash Lightning Thirteen Sword Thunder as divine arts, with ranks of Human and Earth, respectively.

Within the Namgung family, divine arts were ranked into Heaven, Earth, and Human categories based on their power. Flash Lightning Azure Thunder Heart Art was Human-ranked, while Flash Lightning Thirteen Sword Thunder was Earth-ranked.

For reference, the Heaven-Slicing Boundless Sword Art held the Heaven rank, while the Sovereign Sword Form was beyond categorization.

“Hm. I don’t think they’re that exceptional.”

Seo-jun scratched his head when he heard the news.

It sounded unimpressive that they were classified as Human-ranked divine arts—the lowest rank—but divine arts were not trivial. (The Green Forest bandits’ Soul-Shaking Divine Art was an exception.)

Though martial arts could hardly be strictly graded, attaching the term ‘divine’ wasn’t something done lightly.

Seo-jun had crafted these arts with some effort, but they were only meant to supplement foundational arts, so being classified as divine seemed a bit much.

However, the headmaster looked at him strangely.

“That’s because your talent is extraordinary, Young Master.”

“Huh?”

“The two martial arts you created are capable of rapidly accelerating the growth of martial artists below the peak level. They’re truly worthy of being called divine. It’s often the case that exceptionally talented martial artists forget, but reaching the peak level takes considerable time.”

“Ah, I see?”

“A martial art that lets one reach the peak level swiftly—that means the time to reach the supreme level is also shortened. If a martial art like that dropped into the heart of the martial world, it’d spark a bloodbath.”

“Oh…”

He didn’t fully understand, but it sounded impressive. Praise, at least.

Seo-jun chuckled and took a sip of tea.

“Well, as long as it’s good. You said you had a favor to ask?”

“Ah, yes, that’s correct.”

The headmaster promptly bowed.

“I apologize for burdening you again after the last issue with the Black Lotus leader.”

They still hadn’t properly rewarded him.

It wasn’t that the Namgung family intended to skimp on compensation. Seo-jun simply hadn’t asked for anything yet.

Martial arts? He had enough for now.

Money? He already had plenty.

Elixirs? He’d request them if needed later.

All he really wanted was a chance to pinch Chun-bong’s cheek.

But that was something even the Namgung family couldn’t grant him.

“Oh, don’t worry about it. If you’re telling me directly, it must be urgent. Let’s hear it.”

He encouraged the headmaster with a smile.

In brief, the headmaster’s explanation was as follows:

The Black Lotus Sect, frustrated by their failures in northern Hebei, had redirected their assault to Shanxi.

Currently, there was a major battle unfolding in northern Shanxi, with forces from various sects, including members of the Namgung family, engaged.

The situation was unfavorable. Many righteous martial artists had died, and the Namgung family’s members were at risk of severe losses if things continued as they were.

“Originally, Elder Namgung Yeon was going to handle it, but there’s a squad of supreme martial artists causing trouble in Shaanxi, so she had to go there instead.”

“Oh, my aunt? I wondered why she suddenly disappeared.”

“I apologize once again…”

“Oh, not at all. It’s only right that I help.”

Seo-jun took the scroll the headmaster offered with a nod.

“Shanxi, huh…”

“Will you bring the Chunpung Unit again?”

“No, I’ll need to move quickly.”

Though the Chunpung Unit was elite, they couldn’t keep up with Seo-jun’s full-speed light footwork.

“I’ll take Jang Geuk with me.”

“The Green Forest Division?”

“No, just Jang Geuk. The others aren’t skilled enough yet.”

Seo-jun tucked the scroll away and stood. The headmaster quickly got up, looking at him with concern.

“Young Master, are you sure you’re in good health? If there’s any discomfort, I’ll find another way, whatever it takes.”

“Huh? No, I’m fine. Completely recovered.”

“I heard you returned carried by the Chunpung Unit recently.”

“Ah, that was just a rough patch. I’m totally fine now.”

“I see. Please take care, then.”

“Yes, sir.”

 

Seo-jun set off with Jang Geuk, leaving the map-reading to him.

“Lord, it’s not like a bandit would know navigation.”

“I’m bad with maps, too.”

“Hm... We’re heading for Daetong County in northern Shanxi, right?”

“Yep.”

“Well, I know the way there, so that’s good.”

“Perfect.”

“Perfect?”

“It means good.”

The pace of two supreme martial artists was astonishingly fast.

In just a few days, they reached the Yellow River, where Jang Geuk scratched his head as he looked out over the wide expanse.

“I’ll find us a boat. Just give me a moment…”

“Ha, you just don’t get it. Who are we?”

“Who?”

“Supreme martial artists!”

Seo-jun jumped straight into the river and started running across, his water-light steps carrying him. He turned back, tilting his head.

“What are you waiting for?”

“Uh... I’ve never tried water-light technique before…”

“Tsk, tsk.”

Seo-jun returned to shore, picking up Jang Geuk.

“H-Hey! Lord?”

“We’re in a hurry. Let’s go!”

“But do you know how wide the Yellow River is…?!”

With Jang Geuk under his arm, Seo-jun sprinted across the river, leaving onlookers to gape at the bizarre sight.

“What on earth…?”

“Is he an immortal?”

“Then shouldn’t we be bowing?”

Those who’d never seen a true martial artist offered prayers for a peaceful year ahead.

The most baffled, however, were the assassins.

They’d gone to great lengths to secure passage and set traps, only to watch their target cross the river on foot.

“Well… we need to change plans.”

The subordinate guards, unable to speak due to removed vocal cords, nodded as their leader scanned the map.

If they were heading to Daetong County, there were a few essential paths they had to cross.

At the speed their target was moving, they couldn’t simply follow. They’d need to pass word to Group 2, while Group 1 would travel day and night to catch up.

The odds of success were close to zero. The goal was merely to sacrifice the lives of a few assassins to make a supreme martial artist more vigilant.

The leader’s gaze darkened.

“Let’s go.”

 

Namgung Sua swung her greatsword.

She swung until her resilient skin was shredded, until the hilt was stained with blood and reeked, without a moment of rest.

Only when she could no longer stand did she realize the sky had grown dark.

She lay on the ground, staring up at the moon and stars, when she heard footsteps approaching.

“Sua…”

“…Father.”

Namgung Sua rose, meeting her father’s gaze.

“Are you worried for your husband?”

“…Yes. I know he’s strong, but I can’t help it.”

“It’s natural… Never forget that feeling… The Namgung sword does not break, but it rusts if it loses purpose…”

Namgung Jincheon sat beside her. Namgung Sua held her breath, a strange tension filling the air.

Father. Family. Though she knew his clumsy love, the awkwardness between them remained unbridgeable.

“Can you still go on?”

Namgung Jincheon stood after a while. Sua, feeling her father’s empty gaze, rose with effort.

“Yes…”

His daughter looked at him, silent and firm. Jincheon drew his sword.

“Ambition is like a shadow—the more you chase it, the further it seems. Only when you let go can you truly find your way.”

He pointed his sword at her, his daughter who resembled her mother. In facing her, he felt past memories resurface.

Still, he couldn’t look away.

The struggle was part of it. It was what being a parent, and honoring his wife’s wishes, was about.

He only desired the fulfillment of an incomplete, perfect dream.

“Show me… your sword.”

Namgung Jincheon moved his rigid fingers, determined not to let her bear the same pain.

“Protect what you cherish with your own hands…”

Father and daughter’s swords clashed.

 

Crack—

Ice splintered.

“Haaah…”

Chun-bong inhaled deeply, and shards of ice slipped into her body.

A faint smile appeared on her lips, sensing she was nearing the end of her trial.

‘Soon…’

The scion of the Golden Sword Clan would make her mark on the world.