The Sunflower Manual

Rumble.

The ruined remains of Hwayeollu began to shift.

Rumble, rumble—crash!

"Whew."

An old man rose from beneath the collapsed pillars and heaps of brick. The pristine scholar's robes he had worn so neatly were now shredded to tatters.

"How utterly absurd."

They say that when a man's fury transcends all limits, it turns to laughter. The old man—the Sword Demon—threw his head back and roared. His eyes burned like baleful stars, ablaze with demonic qi.

"They intended to bring the building down from the very start."

That crude poison powder had merely been the fuse. They hadn't used it to poison him; they had used it as a catalyst for the explosion. Igniting it with a fire striker, they collapsed the building to cut off his escape.

Mechanical traps.

Even if the explosion failed, they would have used mechanical traps to bring the structure down. The Sword Demon was well-acquainted with such mechanisms. They were self-destruct arrays designed to bury secrets, manuals, or elixirs rather than let them fall into enemy hands. There were several such buildings back in the Tianshan Mountains.

In other words, they had lured him here on purpose. If their plan succeeded, they would kill him; if not, they would sever their own tail to escape pursuit.

"Arrogant fools."

To think they could bring down the Sword Demon with such petty tricks was the height of hubris. Indeed, he was completely unharmed. Just before the blast, he had suppressed the erupting force with his massive internal energy. Any falling debris that posed a threat was sliced and shattered by his sword qi.

A master who had cleared the Great Pass of Life and Death and achieved the Union of Heaven and Earth was a monster far beyond normal comprehension.

Even so...

"I must admire her sheer ruthlessness."

The branch leader of Hwayeollu. She was likely a courtesan—a woman who painted her face and sold smiles. Yet, the sheer resolve required to draw up a plan that would obliterate her subordinates and her entire foundation in one fell swoop... for that alone, she deserved his praise.

But admiration was one thing; obstructing his path was another.

"Shadow Wolf Three."

Whoosh.

"Yes, My Lord."

"Any casualties?"

"...One of our men, who was already heavily injured from the clash with Hyeoljeonmun, failed to escape."

"I see. A pity. To die so pointlessly... how will he face the Great God? Tsk."

Though his tone was casual, his eyes burned with fury. While not his direct disciple, the deceased was a member of the Cult whom he had personally instructed. He was a loyal soldier, handpicked for this covert mission. It was deeply irritating that such a man had lost his life in such a trivial affair.

"What of the pursuit?"

"...It seems they have changed their clothes. However, the scent of the tracking incense has seeped into their skin. If we close the distance, we will easily be able to track them."

"Are you certain?"

"Yes. We detected a faint trace of the scent near an entrance that appears to be a sealed secret passage."

"Very well. Then we must narrow down the search area..."

"Shall we disperse our forces to the city gates?"

"No. An old man's intuition tells me these rats will try to hide in plain sight. For instance..."

The Sword Demon slowly turned his head. He stared in a specific direction.

"A place crowded with people enjoying boat rides—especially outsiders."

West Lake.

"Minimize the forces sent to the outskirts. We search West Lake first."

"Understood!"

"I had no idea such a place existed on West Lake," Namgung Sua marveled, cradling the Sword Empress in her arms.

The safehouse of Haomun was located on a small artificial island in the southern part of West Lake, created by joining several smaller islets together.

"When you have the scenic beauty of West Lake and the beautiful women of Hangzhou, wine and delicacies are a must. But returning to the shore in the middle of a boat ride ruins the mood, so we set up kitchens and restrooms on these islands."

"And Haomun manages them?"

"Yes. We try our best not to get directly involved in turf wars... but we couldn't let a place like this slip through our fingers."

"Did the other sects and merchant groups just let you ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠have it?"

West Lake was famous nationwide. Merchants would gladly draw swords to secure even a fraction of its lucrative trade. Would they really just overlook such a prime location?

"West Lake is under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Court. Because of the principle of non-interference between the government and the Murim, any sect or merchant group backed by them must ultimately obtain permission from the Imperial Court. And in those bidding wars, the side with the most information always wins."

The Branch Leader chuckled softly before continuing.

"Still, the nail that sticks out gets hammered down. We don't step forward unless it's absolutely necessary. Now, this way."

They entered a kitchen. The Branch Leader fiddled with a cabinet before easily sliding the massive piece of furniture aside.

A lush green path was revealed. Stepping through, she gestured for them to follow.

"Is this..."

"Yes. Welcome to the Zhejiang Branch safehouse. This is the first time I've ever brought an outsider here. You must promise never to speak of it."

The Branch Leader spoke with deliberate cheerfulness. As they followed her, the crisp, refreshing scent of bamboo tickled their noses.

"It's an exquisite location."

"Isn't it? I put quite a bit of effort into making it as cost-effective and practical as possible."

Once the group stepped inside, the Branch Leader pulled the cabinet back into place. It was exactly as she had described. A vast bamboo forest stretched out before them. Trees and rocks lined the perimeter, serving as a natural screen. Any gaps were filled with buildings like the kitchen they had just passed through or high walls, seamlessly isolating the area from the outside world.

"Because of the Imperial Court's surveillance, we couldn't set up any grand formations, but this should buy us enough time. At least until the person you mentioned arrives, Lady Namgung."

"Yes. My master is scheduled to arrive in Hangzhou by tomorrow at the latest."

"Your master..."

"She is currently the Commander of the Phoenix Squad."

"Ah! Hwahwa-nachal! The one who fought the Iron-Blooded Broken Saber for hundreds of exchanges and emerged victorious?"

"Yes."

Namgung Sua silently prayed to her eccentric master, who carried a horse-chopping saber larger than her own body on her back. Please, Master, move quickly just this once.

But her thoughts were soon interrupted.

"Now that we've arrived at the safehouse... may I ask a question?"

The Branch Leader's sudden inquiry made both Namgung Sua and the Divine Physician flinch. They could easily guess what she was going to ask.

"I could have sworn I heard you refer to that young lady as... the Sword Empress. Did my ears deceive me?"

The Branch Leader looked at the girl, who had fallen asleep from sheer exhaustion after crying.

"Well..."

Namgung Sua's eyes trembled. Should she tell her? Frankly, the Branch Leader and the Divine Physician were already in the same boat. The Divine Physician had seemingly figured it out without even being told.

If it's the Branch Leader...

Though they had only known each other a short time, she felt she could trust her. Since Namgung Sua herself had been brought to Haomun's secret safehouse, she felt inclined to share the truth. But...

Ultimately, she was a member of an information guild. And a Haomun member at that. Furthermore, the Sword Empress's condition was a matter of grave importance that could trigger a war with the Ice Palace if leaked. And above all...

Young Master Yoo.

Remembering the promise she had made to him in Muo Valley on Mount Kuaiji.

"I'm sorry," Namgung Sua said, shaking her head. A refusal to answer.

Yet, a smirk played on the Branch Leader's lips.

"Lady Namgung, you mustn't show such a reaction to people like me. It's no different from a confession."

Namgung Sua realized her mistake. Instead of immediately playing dumb, she had remained silent before offering an apology. How else would her opponent interpret that? But a sudden thought crossed her mind, and she quickly composed her expression.

"I wonder."

"Oh, what a shame."

She caught on. Watching the Branch Leader murmur in disappointment, Namgung Sua realized the truth. As expected, she had been testing her.

Namgung Sua's demeanor shifted. Seeing her draw a firm line to protect her secrets, the Branch Leader spoke with a hint of disappointment.

"And here I thought we had become quite close. I'm heartbroken."

Sniff, sniff. The Branch Leader feigned tears, dabbing at her eyes with her sleeve. But the playfulness was short-lived.

"Don't worry. I won't even tell my father about that young lady."

"Why?"

"There are many reasons. If I had to pick one, perhaps it's because I want to become friends with you and the young master?"

The Branch Leader, now remarkably calm, reached out. She gently stroked the sleeping Sword Empress's silky hair, a soft smile gracing her lips. It was a genuine smile, entirely different from the forced cheerfulness she had displayed until now.

"Besides, the person I met wasn't the Sword Empress. She was just a cute little girl."

"...I see."

"Pardon? Ahahaha! Did you think I was testing you again? How cruel. By the way, was there a reason you were looking for the Divine Physician?"

"Ah. Yes. Divine Physician, under the circumstances, could you please examine her?"

—I was told she has suffered from amnesia since her rejuvenation.

She sent the message via sound transmission as she handed over her grand-aunt. The Divine Physician let out a low groan at the unprecedented revelation.

"Let me take a look."

Just as the Divine Physician took the Sword Empress into his arms—

Murmur, murmur.

BANG!

A commotion echoed from afar. At the same time, a red flare painted the sky. The moment she saw it, the Branch Leader's face contorted. It was an expression of pure dread.

Gripping her willow-leaf saber, Namgung Sua asked, "Could it be?"

"...Yes. It seems they've caught up to us."

That flare was Haomun's signal. And it meant only one thing: the Demonic Cult had reached West Lake.

A secret chamber. A biting chill filled the pitch-black space, where not a single ray of light could penetrate. Frost had already coated the walls.

The source of this freezing air was the figure lying in the center of the room. Or rather, could it even be called a person? Wrapped tightly from head to toe in pristine white bandages, it barely maintained a human shape, showing no signs of movement.

The cold radiated from this very figure, and the sleeves of the old crone standing beside it had long since frozen solid. Yet, the crone wore a wide, ecstatic grin. This freezing chill meant that the secret technique she had performed was working perfectly.

Like a child waiting to open a gift, she was practically bursting with excitement.

"Hurry, hurry. Show me."

Before she began the secret technique, the child's dantian had been completely shattered, his internal energy leaking out like water from a sieve. She had nearly worked herself to the bone trying to patch it up.

Once known as the Poison Fairy, she was now an elder master of medicine and sorcery known as Ssangjeol-papa. Even with her vast skills, she had been forced to expend her own innate qi.

Thank goodness the boy had some sort of divine energy slumbering in his meridians, though heaven knows what he ate to get it. If not for that, I might have failed even after exhausting my innate qi.

She had used her innate qi, but it wasn't out of affection or any deep bond with him.

"Hmph. If it weren't for my junior sister's plea, I would have prepared this far better."

But what choice did she have? To perform her newly discovered secret technique, the Gyuwha-bojeon, she required countless rare herbs and ingredients. To obtain ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠them, she had been forced to swallow her pride, return to the sect she had severed ties with long ago, and beg her junior sister for help.

She had finally succeeded in gathering the last ingredient in Hangzhou. But somehow, the Demonic Cult had caught wind of it and swarmed her, desperate to steal the secret manual.

"Hurry up and show me the results. Once I confirm it, I'm taking my junior sister and leaving this wretched place for good."

The Demonic Cultists, who had even coerced the local unorthodox sects to aid them, were incredibly persistent. But the darkest place is always under the candle. Fortunately, because the Divine Physician had handled all the legwork, the Cult seemed entirely unaware of Ssangjeol-papa's existence. In fact, when she chose to hide right under their noses, they had been left utterly bewildered.

She had been biding her time, waiting for the perfect opportunity to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠slip out of Hangzhou, but the sudden intrusion of this boy had completely upended the situation.

"I don't understand why he went into such a frenzy over this sword. Tsk."

The sword the young martial artist had been holding was, at a glance, an extraordinary blade. Frustrated because she couldn't fathom why he had risked his life for it, she swung the sword in irritation.

Hummmmm—

The blade vibrated, letting out a sharp cry of resistance. Ssangjeol-papa tossed it aside and clicked her tongue.

"What a demonic ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠thing. A mere tool possessing its own spirit. It's a cursed object, a divine relic... Huh?"

As she grumbled, the flow of true qi suddenly shifted, as if responding to the sword's cry.

It began with the large acupuncture needles. To control his rampaging Yang energy and open his acupoints to absorb the extreme Yin qi required for the technique, she had inserted needles all over his body. A total of 365 needles began to push outward.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

In an instant, they were expelled like hidden weapons. Startled, Ssangjeol-papa hastily swept her sleeves, deflecting the needles flying toward her.

What in the world...?

She had expected this to take at least another day. Was it because his previous cultivation realm was already so high? The transformation from the secret technique was already beginning. Starting with the largest needle inserted into his Baihui point, the surrounding natural qi was violently sucked into his body.

"Hah!"

To resist the immense pulling force, Ssangjeol-papa stamped her foot and concentrated her internal energy into her lower body. Thud! Her foot dug into the stone floor, carving a groove before she finally stabilized herself. It was the Thousand-Catty Weight technique.

"What a tumultuous display!"

Rebirth. She had never achieved that supreme realm herself, but she had witnessed it before. Yet, the sight before her now was entirely different.

Clearing the Great Pass of Life and Death and achieving the Union of Heaven and Earth. Internal energy flowing endlessly through the Conception and Governing Vessels, the Baihui and Yongquan points wide open, allowing the natural qi to circulate without obstacle. When Heaven, Earth, and Man are in perfect harmony, one reaches the Divine Realm.

Rebirth was merely an optimization process to better absorb the energy of heaven and earth. Having already achieved the harmony of the Three Powers, there was no need to absorb natural qi so violently. Staring at this scene that defied all common sense, Ssangjeol-papa's eyes filled with ecstatic delight.

"Oh! Truly, it is the legendary Sunflower Manual!"

How much time passed? The absorption of energy finally ceased. The surroundings fell so silent it felt as if the entire world had ground to a halt. Even Ssangjeol-papa held her breath, watching in silence.

The bandages slowly turned stark white.

Crumble.

Like frost melting in the morning sun, the bandages wrapped around his body turned to dust and scattered.

"Phew."

A silver-haired girl emerged amidst a plume of frosty white breath. She spoke.

"Where is the Sword Demon?"

The eyes of the girl, Yoo Jeong, flashed with a brilliant blue light.