Chapter 43
At the very moment when Jaseong, under the tutelage of Baek Cheon-gwang, was intensely training in the Heaven Evading Flash Sword technique—
Guiyang, capital of Guizhou City.
A heavy silence lingered in the great hall of the Mocheon Sect.
Lamps on the walls flickered and cast enormous shadows.
From within these shadows, the cold voice of the sect leader, Murong Dangcheon, echoed through the air.
"So, a member of the Hao Sect won at the Dark Path Duel Banquet?"
At that question, the third son of Murong Dangcheon, Murong Sam, replied with his head bowed.
"Yes, sect leader. It is said to be the branch leader of the Ansun branch of the Hao Sect."
"Ansun, you say... that's not far from here."
Murong Dangcheon lightly tapped the wooden armrest with his fingers.
Even that simple gesture exuded a chilling aura of authority that froze those present.
"Do we know anything about the branch leader's origins or identity?"
"That... is still unclear. According to rumors, he always wears a human-skin mask. Because of that, there are only a handful of people who know his real face."
"As expected of the shady Hao Sect."
"One particular point is that, despite receiving the final number at the Dark Path Duel Banquet, he suppressed all participants. That's why the Dark Faction of the Central Plains is focusing their attention on him. It's also said he uses unfamiliar swordsmanship and martial arts..."
Murong Sam explained at length about Ansun, the branch leader of the Hao Sect.
Though his voice was careful, a subtle ambition shimmered in his eyes.
Yet as the third son gave his report, the youngest of the four brothers, Murong Jin, unconsciously turned pale.
'If it's the branch leader of the Ansun branch of the Hao Sect... isn't he the one who gave me gu poison from the Sound Resonance Sect? And that person even won at the Dark Path Duel Banquet...?!'
Murong Jin's limbs began to tremble.
He would need to meet him again soon.
The gu poison Jaseong had fed Murong Jin required him to take an antidote once a month.
So until now, Murong Jin had been secretly going to Ansun, obsequiously bowing to Jaseong's subordinate to receive the antidote.
'Seeing him take down the Heartless Demon so easily, I thought him a formidable expert... but to win the Dark Path Duel Banquet?! I'm doomed! Completely doomed!'
While Murong Jin was inwardly gripped by alarm, Murong Dangcheon asked another question, eyes fixed on Murong Sam.
"But why bring up the winner of the Dark Path Duel Banquet now? Even if a genius has appeared within the Hao Sect, does it really concern our Righteous Faction?"
After taking a steadying breath, Murong Sam replied.
"I've received information that the Ansun branch of the Hao Sect is close to Fierce Sky Faction."
"What?"
"There are rumors they share a very close relationship, and have secretly formed an alliance."
In that instant, Murong Dangcheon's hand gripped the armrest tightly.
A sharp crack split the sturdy wood, echoing through the hall.
For Fierce Sky Faction was the name of a mortal enemy to him.
He had previously tried to strike Fierce Sky Faction by mobilizing the Kaiyang Society, only to suffer enormous losses instead.
Because of that, the debts the Mocheon Sect owed to the martial world's lenders had multiplied even further.
"If Fierce Sky Faction presents no opening, it may be possible to attack the Ansun branch of the Hao Sect instead... That is why I have reported this to you, sect leader. Wouldn't a single branch of the Hao Sect be simple to destroy?"
Murong Sam spoke with an ambitious expression, his eyes gleaming as he sought his father's approval.
Fortunately, upon hearing these words, Murong Dangcheon nodded quietly.
"Murong Sam."
"Yes, sect leader."
"I'll assign three guards to you. Take them and go to Ansun. Uncover the true identity of the branch leader of the Hao Sect's Ansun branch."
"Understood."
"All of you have worked hard in training today. You may go and rest now."
With that, the four sons withdrew.
Murong Dangcheon remained alone in the great hall, staring out the window as he muttered.
"The Ansun branch of the Hao Sect... For such a wretched sect to win at the Dark Path Duel Banquet. The Evil Faction must be past their prime."
It was then.
Someone slipped quietly out of the darkness.
"Greetings, sect leader."
It was Faceless Ghost, Murong Dangcheon's right hand.
Half of his face was covered by a steel mask, casting a sinister shadow under the lamplight.
"What is it?"
"As you ordered, I visited Wandering Warrior Village."
"And? How was it?"
"Regrettably, there were no experts worth recruiting."
"... No experts? Aren't there supposed to be reclusive masters in Wandering Warrior Village?"
"Those with real skill were not in any mood to take sides easily, and those willing to work for money were all sub-par."
Murong Dangcheon clicked his tongue.
In truth, he was searching for a new power to replace the now-vanished Kaiyang Society.
And, since Wandering Warrior Village was brimming with sword-for-hire types willing to do anything for gold, it seemed the perfect place to seek new pawns.
"But sect leader, something peculiar is happening in Wandering Warrior Village lately."
"Something peculiar?"
"There are reports that children and martial artists have gone missing."
"Missing? Who's behind it?"
"Nothing definite, but there are rumors that Three Souls Hall (三魂堂) has established itself in a secret part of Wandering Warrior Village."
Murong Dangcheon's eyes visibly twitched.
He was even more shaken than when he heard the news about the Ansun branch's victory at the Dark Path Duel Banquet.
Three Souls Hall was a notorious Dark Path organization infamous in the martial world for human trafficking.
They kidnapped people and sold them to island markets via the harbors of Guangdong Province—a brutal group.
Because of their infamy, even Hainan Sect—a prestigious member of the Nine Great Sects—had once attempted to destroy Three Souls Hall, but failed.
Three Souls Hall was composed of a few elite, origin-unknown experts, and they frequently shifted their base, making pursuit nearly impossible.
"Three Souls Hall..."
Murong Dangcheon repeated the name several times.
For some reason, his eyes glittered with anticipation, as though facing an infamous villain was exhilarating.
After a brief silence, Murong Dangcheon spoke again.
"I hear Three Souls Hall earns a fortune from human trafficking, and they say their members sport gold bars like ornaments."
"That's right. If they really have entered Wandering Warrior Village in Guizhou City, it's a major opportunity for our Mocheon Sect. Seizing them would net us a vast haul of gold bars. We could also enhance our renowned name across the martial world."
"Perhaps."
"Pardon?"
"Can our Mocheon Sect truly capture Three Souls Hall, when even Hainan Sect—though only the lowest of the Nine Great Sects—could not?"
Faceless Ghost couldn't quite read Murong Dangcheon's mind.
Three Souls Hall was said to consist of a handful of elite experts, but Murong Dangcheon himself was a top-class master who exuded sword force.
Wasn't that why he had become the youngest elder of the great Murong family?
He could not possibly lose to a mere human trafficking ring.
With a well-crafted plan, there was every chance of success.
Yet, for some reason, Murong Dangcheon now wore a sly grin instead of an eager one.
"Faceless Ghost."
"Yes, sect leader."
"Ready your sword and prepare to set out."
"Yes...?"
"We must go to Wandering Warrior Village at once."
"... So suddenly?"
"If we move quickly, we can catch two rabbits with one stone, can we not?"
Two rabbits?
To Faceless Ghost, the words made little sense, but Murong Dangcheon grabbed his sword and his windbreaker, readying to depart.
In that moment, a cunning scheme to clear the Mocheon Sect's mountain of debt was coiling itself within his mind.
* * *
That same hour, on the outskirts of Ansun, at the main training yard.
Jaseong was, as usual, drenching his clothes with sweat as he trained in the Heaven Evading Flash Sword.
As he had declared, he produced sword ki within three days and nights.
Then, for the following seven days and nights, he trained like mad under Baek Cheon-gwang, learning the essential forms of the Heaven Evading Flash Sword.
'The technique that pierces an enemy's heart with a single flash—Heaven Evading Flash Stroke.'
*Flash!*
A burst of light shot from his blade across the training yard, splitting the straw target into pieces.
With splinters and dust flying through the air, the fragments scattered in the void.
'Sweeping away foes with a thousand forks of light that rend the heavens—Heaven Evading Ten Thousand Rays Breaking Heaven.'
Flash! Flash! Flash!
Countless beams rained down, splitting the wooden poles of the main training yard in half.
Just as described, a truly staggering sword speed, like a flash!
Jaseong practiced the twelve forms of the Heaven Evading Flash Sword, activating his Samadhi Eyes.
As Baek Cheon-gwang had said, to fully unleash the Heaven Evading Flash Sword one must control sword ki, and that required the Samadhi Eyes.
As a result, within seven days and nights, Jaseong made tremendous progress.
He grasped more than seventy percent of the profound mysteries of "Speed" contained in the Heaven Evading Flash Sword.
'It's a speed that feels as if the Heavenly Demon himself has been reborn... No, perhaps even faster...?'
Thus ten days and nights passed.
Baek Cheon-gwang's term of teaching the Heaven Evading Flash Sword had come to an end.
Light streamed through the void before Jaseong's eyes.
"It is time for me to return. Heir of the future."
Baek Cheon-gwang managed a bittersweet smile, for he now had to return to the darkness of eternity once again.
Jaseong bid farewell, his expression somewhat regretful.
"Thank you for everything."
"You, too, have done well. If you continue training as I have taught you, you will soon achieve mastery in the Heaven Evading Flash Sword. And..."
"Yes?"
"While training you, a thought occurred to me."
"What thought?"
"With your innate talent, you may reach the end of Heaven's Mandate."
"...!"
"Your martial aptitude could astound even the ascended Heavenly Demon. No matter what trials come your way, keep advancing unwaveringly."
With those final words, Baek Cheon-gwang's form gradually faded.
A stream of light surrounded him, and soon his shape vanished completely.
It was a slightly moving farewell for Jaseong.
Though this was only their second meeting, every time, Baek Cheon-gwang had given him stirring encouragement.
"... Let's meet again soon."
Gazing at the place where Baek Cheon-gwang had vanished, Jaseong whispered softly.
Then, dragging his weary body, he left the training yard.
His exhaustion was extreme—he had barely slept for ten days and nights while training.
Yet his mood was more refreshed than ever.
At last, in addition to the Heaven Evading Three Talents Sword Technique, he had mastered a new sword art.
And not just any sword art—the peerless rapid sword technique of the martial world: the Heaven Evading Flash Sword.
*Clank!*
As Jaseong drew back the bolt of the iron door connecting the main training yard to the guesthouse, a rusty metal sound echoed out.
Since this yard was his alone, the iron door was kept shut at all times so no one else could enter.
But the moment he stepped inside,
"?"
He sensed movement in the darkness of the guesthouse hallway.
Jaseong activated his Samadhi Eyes and peered into the gloom.
From within the shadows, blue-and-white "intention" radiated outward like spiderwebs.
"What are you doing there?"
Jaseong called out.
The one controlling that blue-and-white intention was none other than Gu Janghu.
He was hanging upside down from the ceiling, quietly holding his breath like a shadow.
"I was guarding you."
Gu Janghu leaped down from the ceiling with a *thump*, replying.
His black martial attire shimmered in the moonlight, exuding a sharp aura.
"Guarding me?"
"I heard you were in seclusion training beyond that iron door in the main training yard. Obviously, someone had to stand guard."
At that, Jaseong couldn't help but let out a smirk.
'Just one medal and we got a real bargain.'
Next, Lee Rin appeared.
She came carrying both hands full of sweets, her cheeks dusted with sugar.
"Great hero! You're finally out of seclusion?"
"Yes. But Lee Rin, why do you have sweets in both hands?"
"They're just so delicious! Central Plains cuisine is incredible~! Hyang-I big sis took me to a steamed bun shop earlier—their buns were unbelievably chewy!"
... Was this woman here for martial experience or a culinary tour?
He hadn't seen her for just ten days, but her cheeks seemed a bit plumper already.
'Calling Hyang-I "big sis" already? They must've gotten quite close.'
Just as Jaseong mused to himself, Hyang-I appeared from around the hallway corner.
"Leader. You've completed your seclusion training."
"Yes. Was everything peaceful while I was away?"
"Well..."
But unlike Gu Janghu or Lee Rin, Hyang-I wore a stiff expression as she approached.
Sharp-eyed Jaseong immediately noticed.
"Something wrong?"
"Elder Jang the ferryman has brought information."
"What information?"
"There is an incident taking place in Wandering Warrior Village."