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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: cyno
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Mount Hua.
Alongside Shaolin’s Mount Song, it is one of the most ancient and revered sites in the martial world.
Naturally, I have deep ties to this place.
I’ve died here three times, after all.
Though it’s not a place I visit too often.
There aren’t many evil people here on Mount Hua.
Then again, even if there were, I wouldn’t have bothered coming this time.
In the early cycles of regression—when my goal was simply to “overcome the situation”—I slaughtered every evil person I came across.
It didn’t matter if they were one of the Twelve Supreme Masters like the Venomous Venerable or the head of one of the Five Great Families like the Daoist Venerable.
They weren’t useless—they were part of the orthodox sects, after all—but eliminating every last villain was necessary to avoid future complications.
But as the cycles progressed… and I realized this wasn’t something that could be resolved in a few dozen regressions…
Once my goal shifted to “growing stronger and gathering information,” I stopped going out of my way to purge hypocrites from the orthodox factions.
Dealing with the aftermath—fabricating evidence, cleaning up loose ends—was too much of a hassle for my purposes.
So, just like in previous cycles, I left them alone this time.
Now… I don’t even think about it. If I wanted to kill them, it’d be easier than crushing ants. But I have no desire to do the martial world any favors.
I won’t go out of my way to destroy the world that abandoned me, but I’m not about to prop it up either.
“This is my first time at Mount Hua!”
“Is that so?”
“What should I do? I’m so excited! I’ve always wanted to come here—they say the view is breathtaking!”
“They say looking down from Wudang makes you feel like an immortal. Since we’re here, you might as well enjoy it.”
“Hehe, you should look too, Mister!”
Jin Gayoung seems to be in high spirits.
Being recognized as one of the Seven Blossoms and invited to the Seven Blossoms War must have her thrilled.
As we ascend the familiar Three Thousand Three Hundred Thirty Steps, an elderly man with a long, flowing beard approaches us.
The Heavenly Venerable of Wudang—one of the few martial artists I respect, alongside the divine monk.
Though his progress is hindered by a thin barrier preventing him from reaching the pinnacle of martial arts, he is a transcendent figure even among the Twelve Supreme Masters.
The world calls him the closest to the Five Peaks of Heaven.
In past cycles, I never hesitated to share insights that helped him break through his limits.
“Ah, you must be the Sword Blossom from the Taiyuan Jin Family?”
“Yes, I’m Jin Gayoung.”
“Ah, I’ve heard much about you. Please, come inside and rest.”
“Haha, I can’t believe someone as insignificant as me has reached the ears of the Heavenly Venerable. I don’t know where to put myself.”
“Hehe, please, come in. May the blessings of the Primal Heavenly Venerable be with you.”
Still as humble as ever.
This is why I respect him.
“By the way, who is the person behind the Sword Blossom?”
The Heavenly Venerable turns his gaze to me.
A simple question, but the weight of his profound internal energy gives it gravity.
“A bodyguard.”
“…Is that so?”
He scrutinizes me with doubtful eyes.
Is it because of the mask? Or the aura of my internal energy?
Not that it matters if my identity is exposed, but perhaps I should have restrained my energy.
“Later, if you’ll indulge this old man… might I request a spar?”
This guy…
“Ah, I’m not forcing you! It’s just a humble request from a feeble old man.”
What if I refuse?
Knowing his temperament, he wouldn’t hold a grudge or seek retaliation.
But I don’t particularly feel like avoiding it.
If anyone should be avoiding anything, it’s them.
“Later.”
“Thank you.”
“Then, if you’ll excuse me.”
I return his bow and enter Wudang with Jin Gayoung.
I don’t dislike his abrupt, martial artist-like eccentricities.
Though they can be startling—like when he suddenly challenged the Blood Demon to a duel—each of these quirks is proof of his true martial spirit.
Unlike others who disgrace the title of “martial artist.”
“Ah, Mister? Did the Heavenly Venerable just figure out who you are?”
Of course, Jin Gayoung is an exception.
“No. I didn’t emit enough energy for that.”
“Phew… That’s a relief…….”
“Do you not want my identity revealed?”
“It’s not that. I just don’t want you to be bothered.”
“I’m fine.”
“Tch, you’re always ‘fine.’”
She puffs her cheeks but leans against me.
As we enter Wudang with her clinging to me, a Taoist attendant calls out.
“Are you the Sword Blossom? This way, please! We’ll guide you to your quarters!”
Confidently leading us, he exchanges a few words with other disciples before his expression turns troubled.
“Ah… It seems all the rooms are full.”
After another hushed discussion, he cautiously asks:
“Would you mind sharing a guest house with another guest…?”
His tone is apologetic, clearly uncomfortable with the situation.
I glance silently at Jin Gayoung, who sends me a sound transmission.
– Mister, is it okay if we share with someone else?
– I don’t mind. It’s up to you.
– Tch, ‘I don’t mind’ again.
After a brief pout, she readily agrees.
“Yeah, no problem!”
“Ah! Thank you! Please follow me!”
The Taoist quickly regains his cheer and leads us to a guest house.
Passing by the familiar Zhaogong and Nan’an Palaces, we finally enter the assigned quarters.
“……!”
The person we’re supposed to share the space with comes into view.
But why—
‘…Hah.’
Of all people, it’s her.
Not just someone I know casually, but one of the few I’ve been closest to.
“Huh? W-Wait, are you… Okhwa?”
“You must be the Sword Blossom. It’s a pleasure.”
Seo Okhwa.
Her long, snow-white hair and deep, pale eyes are unforgettable—unmistakably hers.
“Y-You know me? The Jade Blossom knows who I am? No way……!”
“Your reputation precedes you in the Central Plains.”
While I stand frozen, Jin Gayoung eagerly greets her.
I’ve heard she’s the only one among the Seven Blossoms whom Jin Gayoung doesn’t see as a rival, so this isn’t surprising.
“And you are… the White Daoist, perhaps? Though you’re not wearing a robe.”
Of course, I have no reason to avoid Okhwa.
I’ve done nothing wrong—why should I hide?
Stay calm.
Respond naturally.
Like the White Daoist would.
“The martial heroine, Okhwa. An honor.”
“I can see why you’re a topic of discussion.”
She studies me with keen interest, her gaze similar to the Heavenly Venerable’s—though laced with a sharper, more ruthless edge.
Still, Okhwa falls into the category of people I’m not uncomfortable around.
Even when rumors swirled around me, she was one of the few who sheltered me.
Before Jin Gayoung, she was the only one who did.
That doesn’t mean she’s friendly toward me, though.
But right now, I’m Byurak, not Cheolbin. No issues there.
“Senior, instead of just standing around, how about a spar to warm up? Nothing serious.”
“A spar? Hmm… Alright. I’ve got nothing better to do anyway.”
“Wait, Miss. The Seven Blossoms War is right around the corner—you want to spar now?”
“It’s fine. I’ve been wanting to test my Moonlight Axe techniques anyway. Sparing only with you makes it hard to gauge my progress.”
“Hmm… If that’s your reason…”
Well, the outcome of a match between her and Okhwa is already decided anyway.
If anything, this is a good opportunity for Jin Gayoung to assess her own skills.
Okhwa isn’t the type to injure her recklessly.
Her sense of “absolute justice” applies only to evil—and Jin Gayoung isn’t evil.
At worst, she’ll be cold, but not hostile.
“Shall we go? Where’s the training ground?”
“There’s a large courtyard in the back. That should do.”
Jin Gayoung grabs Okhwa’s hand and drags her out almost immediately.
Watching them, I’m reminded again of how effortlessly sociable she is.
I follow them out and find Jin Gayoung already facing Okhwa, her Great Moon Axe drawn.
Whoosh—! Thud!
She swings the massive axe with force, each motion stirring a powerful gust.
– You brat! It’s the Moonlight Axe, not the “Great Moon”!
Jin Wuyong, having woken up at some point, starts complaining again. I ignore him.
– This little… Now you’re treating your father-in-law like a nuisance?! Ah, my poor daughter…!
You’re not exactly sane either.
As Jin Gayoung swings her axe—as large as she is—Okhwa tilts her head in confusion.
“I thought you were the Sword Blossom?”
“Mister says an axe is just a sword with a long handle and a big blade.”
“…….”
I never said that.
– Our descendant isn’t quite right in the head either. Comparing a sacred axe to a mere sword…
Says the ghost.
****
“Sigh… Guess I’ll rest here for tonight.”
A man’s weary sigh echoes through the cave.
The One-Armed King, on his way to the Namgung Family to deliver the Assassin’s message.
“Didn’t expect to find a cave here. Lucky—it’s the dead of winter, and finding shelter isn’t easy…”
Despite having only one arm, he manages to start a fire and prepare food.
Survival is second nature to him by now.
“Just a few more days of travel.”
It hasn’t been an easy journey.
Losing his right arm made riding a horse difficult, so the trip took twice as long as planned.
But after relentless travel, he’s finally reached Anhui.
“First, let’s eat.”
With practiced movements of his left hand, he unpacks his belongings and retrieves a chicken to roast over the fire.
The loss of his arm limits his ability to circulate qi, making internal energy use strenuous, but cooking is no challenge.
“Hunger really is the best seasoning… Tastes better than usual.”
Crackle, pop…!
Soon, the rich aroma of roasting meat fills the cave.
Naturally, it reaches deep into the cavern’s recesses.
“Grrrr…….”
And there, in the darkness, the scent stirs the senses of three things—neither alive nor dead.
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