Chapter 541: Chapter 541

The wind howled outside, slamming against the walls, but the bitter cold of midwinter night couldn’t make its way in. It simply rumbled uselessly, adding to the comforting sense of separation from the world.

The large window stood like a fortress, blocking the northern wind. It basked in the lantern light that someone had lit, allowing the flickering glow to wash over it.

The shadows of two raised arms, occasionally trembling, stretched upward like brushstrokes on a canvas.

Suddenly, a young woman’s voice rang out, firm and composed.

“Lady, your arms are lowering. There may come a day when you’ll need to hold your sword stance even longer than this.”

Her small hands gently reached up again. Her voice softened.

“There you go. Well done. You’ll do even better, Lady.”

“I’m tired, Sect Master...”

A child, no older than eight, mumbled. Kneeling with perfect posture, she held her short arms high over her head.

But the woman facing her showed no change in expression.

“In the martial world, standing by your conviction is always this hard. You confronted several elders without the strength to back it up and paid no price for it—so I must be the one to teach you how the martial world works. Otherwise, we may lose you one day. This isn’t like when you smashed up the village school. You understand, don’t you?”

The child, Jeong Hye—her unusually sharp features downcast—replied with a long, drawn-out tone. She didn’t seem convinced. Just disheartened.

The feather ornament tucked into Wei Ji-myo-hwa’s jet-black hair trembled slightly.

But then a spark of determination returned to her beautiful, clearly defined eyes.

“Without great strength, you must never expose your heart so carelessly. That’s the martial world. The shadow of your uncle, Jeong Yeon-shin, won’t protect you forever. Even the nameless fields and mountain paths in this world can seem bright yet peaceful—until they turn into an abyss the moment darkness falls.”

There was a reason for all this nagging.

Jeong Hye had confronted the current head of the Peng Family.

More precisely, she had suddenly lunged at him as he passed by.

On the marketplace streets of Xi’an. At the front of the Peng Family entourage. At Peng Ga In-hu, who had brazenly insulted the acting master of the Divine Sword Corps.

—Is this child... that child? Unbelievable. I only said to watch out for Gwangya Ilmyeol!

—“Gwangya Ilmyeol” is a bad word!

—Whoever came up with that nickname had some nerve.

Peng Ga In-hu had laughed heartily like a middle-aged man and handed over Jeong Hye—who had clung stubbornly to his arm—to Wei Ji-myo-hwa.

He didn’t care whether or not the child was gnawing on his arm.

—You must be the Cloud Dragon of Woonjung. You’d at least be on par with me. Judging by that sword aura surrounding you, your reputation is well-earned. We’re both young leaders—let’s share a drink sometime.

—...I appreciate your courtesy.

—Gave me chills. Thought I was done for, messing with the niece of one of the Five Heavenly Swords. Especially with your clan having just changed hands.

Of course, that worked out quite well for me.

With those whispering, half-laughing words, the Peng family moved on.

The event was over as quickly as it began. But for Wei Ji-myo-hwa, it had been unnerving.

‘Thank goodness the Peng Clan is pragmatic and profit-driven. If it had been a short-tempered vagrant or an arrogant expert...’

This was a guest room provided by the Imperial Court.

Wei Ji-myo-hwa deliberately looked away from the child’s trembling arms. Jeong Hye needed to be disciplined. Even if it meant invoking the full weight of her authority as Head of Zhongnan Sect.

“When the hour of the Boar arrives, you may lower your arms. I’ll be visiting the Peng residence.”

“The Peng Family...?”

Jeong Hye gently lifted her small head, which was about the size of a martial artist’s fist. Wei Ji-myo-hwa stood from her seat.

“They, too, must pay a price. They insulted our sect’s benefactor in broad daylight. I intend to collect an apology. Unlike you, Lady, I have the strength to demand it.”

As she spoke calmly and clearly, the child’s face brightened. Despite the grimace from her aching arms, she managed a wide smile.

Wei Ji-myo-hwa fought the twitch at the corners of her mouth, keeping her expression straight. Then, quietly, she left the room.

The Grand Martial Meet of Tianjing.

It was a martial arts tournament open to the entire world—and also an unusually elaborate conscription event. This was because it came with the promise of extensive rewards.

The official proclamation issued by the Imperial Court was filled with enticing offers.

Foremost among them were food to endure a famine and rare, fertile land. The details were tempting enough to draw even the top-ranking escort corps and their hired experts.

The court even guaranteed the safety of the champions’ disciples and kin.

This wasn’t some small-time local martial event.

The scale was massive.

In recent years, people had been drawing swords over a single grain of rice. Naturally, the entire martial world had gathered.

All to Mount Zhongnan, where the Grand Martial Meet was underway.

“You’re saying our sect won’t be assigned quarters? I thought skill came first—is this just a game of empty prestige?”

“I trained in the Imperial Court under the Golden Lineage Eight Forms. {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} If you’d like to prove your worth, we can spar. Otherwise, show up at the appointed time.”

Petty disputes were constant.

In the midst of it all, the previously ruined Taoist temples and halls had been magnificently restored by the Iron Clan from Beijing.

The villages at the foot of the mountain were flooded with unprecedented crowds. Inns and taverns sprang up almost overnight.

Some even whispered that the new Imperial Court considered Zhongnan Sect the next great sect to rival Shaolin or Wudang.

“Why Mount Zhongnan, of all places? Is it really because of that Gwangya Ilmyeol’s niece? I heard the new Emperor and Crown Prince were closely tied to her.”

“Come on, really? I’d sooner believe they dragged in all these strange martial artists with odd techniques just to find traces of the Sword Immortal of Zhongnan.”

“Maybe. But even if someone did stumble upon the Sword Immortal’s legacy, do you think they’d just hand it over to the Court? They’d swallow it down themselves.”

“We’re talking about the Zhu imperial family. They may not find the Sword Immortal’s remains, but they’re definitely watching every martial artist on this mountain. The Eye Arts of the Court have always been unrivaled. Unless you’re a Mystic Fighter or the Drunken Beggar King, you can’t hide from their gaze.”

“Well, the Crown Prince did ascend the throne properly... so there’s probably no lost martial art. Except maybe the secret techniques of the Surnye Triple Palace.”

Everywhere on the vast slopes and villages of Mount Zhongnan, people whispered.

The mountain no longer slept at night.

It was a cacophony of voices.

No one cared when a side door creaked open halfway up the mountain.

It was a residence assigned to one of the top-ranked Zhongnan Sect disciples. It also housed a child currently delving deep into the effects of intention and thought on martial arts.

“Step by step, slow and quiet...”

Jeong Hye was halfway through her stealth footwork when her own whisper startled her.

She quickly clapped her maple-leaf-sized hands over her mouth and tiptoed on.

She hadn’t yet reached the stage where her inner intention could move her body without effort.

It was a chaotic time.

The few remaining disciples of Zhongnan, including Jeong Jung-san, were running themselves ragged without rest. There was simply too much to handle.

Children pushed forward by powerful families begging to be taken as disciples, merchant lords sneaking in at night to forge alliances, and guests with all manner of strange demands.

And with Wei Ji-myo-hwa now away at the Peng estate to settle a minor grudge—

Jeong Hye wouldn’t get another chance . She knew it instinctively.

So she climbed the mountain.

The young girl moved in quick little steps, keeping a wary eye on her surroundings.

Fortunately, Mount Zhongnan was now full of children her age. Most were prodigies brought in by noble families from Beijing.

No one thought twice about small footsteps or faint movement. Everyone was too busy preparing for duels or attending secret meetings.

I have to go again today.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

At some point, whispers had begun reaching Jeong Hye’s ears every night. They came faintly through her Baihui Acupoint—always slightly open—and flowed straight into her consciousness.

Naturally, the girl told Wi Ji-myo-hwa about it. And Wi Ji-myo-hwa, to her credit, never dismissed the young disciple’s words.

Yet when they followed the strange voice’s guidance, they found nothing. Just a rock called Howling Zero Cliff, halfway up Mount Zhongnan. It was simply a place that faced a steep ravine—nothing more.

Even so, the dreamlike pull never vanished. Jeong Hye kept climbing the mountain, and by now, all the disciples of Zhongnan had grown used to her solitary ascents.

The handprints she left on the rock were seen as part of her palm technique training. As long as she didn’t climb alone at night, no one minded.

That path had become familiar to the girl.

But tonight was different.

From both sides of the mountain path, darkness slithered like smoke. The flow was secretive and long, like shadows twisting in slow motion.

It wasn’t until Jeong Hye finally stood before the massive boulder and exhaled a breath of internal energy that—

Rough, scratchy voices echoed from every direction.

“There’s nothing here. Was it a false lead?”

“No chance. We’re in the best position to complete the job.”

“Don’t let greed for Hwan-gang cloud your judgment. It’s better we take our pay and scatter than kill each other.”

One of those voices was familiar.

—“I am Ban Mu-il of the Zhongnan outer branch. The late Ban-ak... and Dae-myung, we shared deep friendship in Kaifeng. Life is strange, isn’t it? But knowing the great elder of the main sect is so skilled in martial arts brings me comfort...”

He was the head of a subsidiary martial sect, someone who had once visited and clasped her hand, claiming to be a close friend of her grandfather Jeong Ban-ak.

Though his voice was distorted by internal energy, Jeong Hye’s senses pierced through the masking.

Her shoulders quivered. Her reaction was pure and instinctive—an innocent child meeting the raw truth of the martial world.

The twisted voice replied at once.

“...This child needs to be sent to the Sword Immortal’s side. Across the Three Paths River.”

“What the hell? Are you insane? Can you even handle it? If Gwangya Ilmyeol of the Divine Sword Corps catches wind, he’ll turn the world upside down. I’m against it.”

The men stepped out of the shadowed underbrush. Three middle-aged figures emerged, each exuding a creeping, invisible pressure.

The grass at their feet bowed flat on its own. Their qi was unmistakably that of masters.

One of them spoke with chilling calm.

“Don’t tremble over something that hasn’t happened. A simple mind-cleansing technique will make her forget all this. A small shock is enough.”

“In any case, if we obtain Tian Danguang Potassium, we won’t need Hwan-gang. Besides, that martial art was only proven in Gwangya Ilmyeol’s hands. I’ve never heard of anyone else showing true mastery with it. Meanwhile, the techniques of those northern monsters... don’t even get me started.”

The man who mentioned Tian Danguang Potassium flicked his fingers with a snap. A gust of finger wind shot out.

The dirt burst open—harmlessly—because Jeong Hye had instinctively leapt back.

Her retreat revealed a keen intuition. The three assassins looked momentarily surprised.

“A talent in the Upper Dantian...?”

“That’s bad. If she’s not brain-dead, we’re in trouble.”

Two of the men’s figures stretched like ghosts, forming a circle. Jeong Hye now stood at the center of their tightening formation. At last, a flicker of fear crossed her face.

The well-groomed man with the scholarly air—Ban Mu-il—replied slowly.

“There is someone seeking the legacy the Sword Immortal of Zhongnan may have left behind. I wondered why we were ordered to chase a mere child... but now I see. You have innate potential in the Upper Dantian and Zhongnan martial arts. If anything was hidden here, you’d have sensed it already.”

His voice carried the weight of something pressing in.

Their employer was drawing closer, like a winter wind creeping in from the north.

Ban Mu-il’s face hardened. He spoke quickly.

“That’s enough. We’ll search the place ourselves. I’m sorry... granddaughter of Ban-ak. Thankfully, your defensive inner qi hasn’t surpassed the level of the northern experts, so your passing won’t hurt much.”

Their murderous intent exploded outward like wildfire—forced and frenzied. The surrounding vegetation fell in concentric rings. And then—

All the leaves rose again, violently reversing direction.

As if struck by an overwhelming wind—one far beyond comparison.

Shock flashed across the faces of all three men.

The area around them had suddenly brightened. Nearly a hundred figures had encircled them without a sound.

All of them wore radiant golden robes.

It was the attire of elite warriors directly under the Beijing Imperial Court.

Ban Mu-il’s pupils darted.

Even within the massive encirclement, certain figures stood out unmistakably.

‘Zhongnan Sect’s Grandmaster, the Head of the Peng Family, the Head of the Zhuge Family, Gongsun Family’s acting leader, Shaolin monks, the Gold-Clad Guard’s Bu Yeong-ban, and... that man... the Grand Elder of the Imperial Court...!’

It was Jeong Hye’s personal protection force.

A tall boy dropped between Jeong Hye and Ban Mu-il. He wore a robe embroidered with plum blossoms and had a blank, expressionless face.

Meanwhile, semi-transparent, colorless petals swirled around them—sharp and darting through the air like they meant to tease the intruders’ eyes. Many of them drifted to shield Jeong Hye’s gaze.

The young Taoist said calmly,

“One’s enough, isn’t it?”

A thin red line appeared on Ban Mu-il’s throat.

His head fell with a dull thud and rolled across the cold earth.