Those Who Meet Must Part
A bird flew across the sky of Hangzhou.
No, it was a person, soaring like a bird.
Clad in torn black martial robes with a sword at their waist, silver hair cascading down to their hips fluttered in the wind.
The girl sped forward.
A lot of time has passed.
Upon opening his eyes, Yoo Jeong had been utterly bewildered.
It was only natural.
Even without looking in a bronze mirror, he could see and feel that his body had changed completely.
"Where is the Sword Demon?"
Even the voice that cried out had become the unmistakable, beautiful voice of a young girl.
But there was no time to examine his transformed body in detail.
"Who knows? He's probably scouring all of Hangzhou searching for my junior sister. More importantly, you... wait, a girl? Well, well. What a rare constitution. Let me examine that body of yours."
The old woman had approached him with perverted eyes.
From her insidious expression to her twitching fingers, she was repulsive.
Instinctively repulsed, Yoo Jeong had subdued the old woman immediately.
And that was when Yoo Jeong had been shocked.
His shattered dantian was now filled with an energy far purer than before, and the moment his thoughts stirred, that energy moved in perfect unison with his will.
In an instant, power surged to his very fingertips. What an overwhelming sense of fulfillment and omnipotence!
Because of this...
Though the old woman seemed to possess formidable skill, subduing her had taken no time at all.
"Y-you ungrateful brat! You wicked wench! Release me this instant!"
A single move.
At a speed the opponent couldn't even react to, he struck her pressure points, sealing her internal energy and robbing her of her freedom of movement.
The old woman had screamed raucously under Yoo Jeong's hand.
Only after calming her down could they hold a conversation, and only then did Yoo Jeong learn several facts.
First: The old woman was the junior sister of the Divine Physician, and she had used a secret technique to save Yoo Jeong's life.
Second: His transformed body and internal energy were the results of that secret technique.
Third: The reason they were being hunted by the Demonic Cult was also because of this secret technique.
Fourth: To save Yoo Jeong, the Divine Physician had acted as a decoy.
And finally...
At the news that the Demonic Cult was tearing Hangzhou apart, Yoo Jeong had immediately taken flight.
"Where are you goooing?! I need to examine your booody!"
Leaving the old woman's desperate cries behind, Yoo Jeong utilized the lightfoot technique of the Heavenly Sword Style.
And he could not contain his astonishment.
Usually, footwork, body movement, and lightfoot techniques are grouped together under the term Bo-Sin-Gyeong.
This is because these three are closely related martial arts.
However, though related, they are strictly different disciplines.
Then what is the difference, and what is a lightfoot technique?
Lightfoot, or Gyeonggong, is literally the study of making the body light.
Of course, one cannot actually reduce their physical weight at will.
Rather, it is a method to leap faster and higher, as if the body had become weightless.
Because the application of internal energy is just as crucial as physical movement, it is designated as a "gong" (study/cultivation), unlike footwork or body movement.
Naturally, internal energy was not omnipotent, so there were always limits.
Yet, the current Yoo Jeong felt no such limits at all.
Heavenly Sword Style, Lightfoot Technique:
The lightfoot technique of the Heavenly Sword Style. True to its name, light does not linger.
True to its name, which meant "light does not linger," nothing could stand in the way of Yoo Jeong once he unleashed the technique.
Ethereally, and with blinding speed.
His body surged forward exactly as his will dictated.
And so, Yoo Jeong headed toward his destination.
When Yoo Jeong arrived at Hwayeollu, where his master was supposed to be waiting, his pair of blue eyes trembled.
Murmur, murmur—
"What in the world..."
Towering, elegant, and magnificent.
Hwayeollu, one of the finest courtesan houses in Hangzhou, had completely collapsed, leaving nothing but ruins.
"Good heavens. What is this disaster?"
"I heard they got caught up in some Murim business."
"What?"
"Well, it's an open secret that this place was connected to Haomun."
"Are they the same bastards who attacked the Wulin Alliance building last time?"
People surrounded the ruins of Hwayeollu as if it were a spectacle, pointing fingers and clicking their tongues.
Hearing their chatter, Yoo Jeong pushed through the crowd and grabbed a man's shoulder.
"What you just said. Is it true?"
"Hey, what do you think you're—cough, cough. What do you mean?"
"Is it true that Murim people destroyed Hwayeollu?"
"Y-yes. I heard a mob of men wearing black capes suddenly stormed the place."
The man stammered, his eyes darting around in confusion.
At his words, Yoo Jeong gnashed his teeth.
"Those absolute bastards."
His very first thought was his master's safety.
If it collapsed to this extent, there must have been a massive battle.
Anxiety gripped him, wondering if Namgung Sua had protected his master well.
Then came the next question.
Why did the Demonic Cult attack this place?
They were the ones hunting the Divine Physician.
Their sudden strike on Haomun must be connected to the Divine Physician.
Did the Divine Physician show herself, and then the Courtesan Leader made contact?
If so, the Courtesan Leader, who surely knew the Demonic Cult's intentions, wouldn't have just sat idly by after contacting the Divine Physician.
From what Yoo Jeong had seen of her, she was an exceptionally clever woman.
I should spread my Qi-sensing to find them first... Hm?
Deep in thought trying to piece together the events, she was jolted out of her reverie by a strange sensation.
"Ahem."
"Mhm."
The eyes of the men around her, clearing their throats and shifting their gazes, had been fixed on Yoo Jeong for some time now.
Yoo Jeong's nerves were already frayed.
Feeling an inexplicable wave of disgust at their strange stares, her beautiful, delicate brows furrowed sharply.
"What are you looking at?"
Her voice rang out, instantly freezing the air.
Even without conscious effort, a subtle trace of internal energy laced her words.
That single, brief sentence carried such immense pressure that the men stealing glances at Yoo Jeong hastily averted their eyes.
Clicking her tongue, Yoo Jeong stamped her foot.
The moment her will stirred, her body shot into the air.
It was the technique of Eogi-chungso.
A skill that used internal energy to instantly propel oneself high into the air, which Yoo Jeong had used countless times before.
Normally, the sudden release of Qi would create a gust of wind, violently fluttering one's sleeves and hair.
Yet, Yoo Jeong's movement now was incredibly natural.
She looked just like an immortal descending from the heavens, leaving the commoners below in awe.
"My word... she looked so young, but she's a fairy!"
"Fairy, my foot. She's a Murim master."
"A Murim warrior can leap like that?"
"With that level of mastery, she's probably a wrinkled old hag on the inside."
Are they insane?
Thanks to her heightened senses, the idle chatter drifted into her ears even without her actively channeling internal energy.
But Yoo Jeong ignored them.
She had no time to bicker with commoners.
Drawing the attention of everyone around, Yoo Jeong leaped like a bird riding the wind.
She landed gracefully on the roof of a nearby inn.
It was the tallest building in the vicinity.
Standing atop it, Yoo Jeong spread her Qi-sensing.
She was not trying to find a human in this vast city of Hangzhou.
In the past, when the Martial Sect was divided into two major factions: the Heavenly Sword and the Earth Blade.
There was a spiritual beast that followed the Heavenly Sword Style.
For generations, the successors of the Heavenly Sword formed a spiritual bond with that beast.
White Eagle.
Recalling that connection and calling its name, she sent her Qi waves as far as possible.
Screeeech!
And then...
At the distant cry of a bird, Yoo Jeong's figure vanished in an instant.
From that day forward, rumors of the "Descent of the Moon Maiden" began to spread throughout Hangzhou.
"They say West Lake is the most beautiful sight under heaven, and indeed, its reputation is well-deserved."
West Lake.
It was once a river, but as time passed, it stopped flowing and became a lake.
Yet, its scenery was so breathtaking that people said, "Above there is heaven, below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou."
Consequently, more boats floated on West Lake than on any river.
Naturally, most of them were pleasure boats for sightseeing.
As he glided leisurely past those pleasure boats, the old man, the Sword Demon, continuously voiced his admiration for the lake.
"If only he could have seen this place, he would have loved it. What a pity, what a pity."
A small piece of wood.
Standing atop it, the Sword Demon glided smoothly toward his destination without a single tremor.
Upon seeing him, the pleasure boats hastily turned around and fled.
Crossing the River on a Single Reed!
It was the legendary feat said to have been performed by Bodhidharma of the Shaolin Temple.
Even those who knew nothing of martial arts could tell this was no ordinary feat.
And since lingering near such a person invited disaster, the tourists enjoying their leisure scrambled to escape the walking disaster that had descended upon West Lake.
"Is it that way?"
"Yes, Elder. We have detected traces of the tracking scent on that island."
A small rowboat followed behind the Sword Demon.
In it sat a trembling boatman rowing for his life, alongside a Demonic Cult warrior.
"And the others?"
"They are blockading the suspected safehouses one by one."
"Mhm. Good."
Nodding in satisfaction, he looked up at the slowly rising moon and remarked,
"The moon is quite beautiful tonight."
"The moon viewed from the Heavenly Mountains is far more beautiful, Elder."
"Haha. Of course it is. But the moon here has its own unique charm. It is good to focus on one thing, but you must not let yourself be consumed by it."
It was a brief remark.
However, knowing it was a piece of advice regarding martial cultivation, the warrior was deeply moved.
"Thank you, Elder."
"Think nothing of it. If you can internalize it, it is your own merit and the grace of the Heavenly Demon. Shall we proceed?"
"I will lead the way."
As the island drew near, the warrior in the back leaped forward first.
The Sword Demon followed behind as if taking a stroll, gliding effortlessly forward with minimal movement.
The boatman shrieked, convinced he was seeing a ghost; the Sword Demon's lightfoot technique was of an unimaginably high realm.
Even when the warrior, who had exerted every ounce of his strength to avoid being left behind, reached the destination panting for breath,
the Sword Demon, whose complexion hadn't changed in the slightest, spoke calmly.
"I see. They are further inside."
"Yes, Elder."
"You have done well. This old man will handle it from here. Stay here and keep watch."
"As you command."
Scree-ch.
The Sword Demon drew his sword and unleashed his Sword Qi.
Rumble—
A thunderous roar echoed from the distance.
Namgung Sua gripped her hilt so tightly her knuckles turned white.
"That energy... is terrifying."
At her attempt to ease the tension, the Divine Physician gave a bitter smile and nodded.
"It is the Sword Demon, after all."
The great arch-demon who had decapitated the Sword Immortal of Kunlun, Daoist Master Tae-eul.
A swordsman who had spread terror throughout the land since before Namgung Sua was even born.
His strength was beyond question.
Instead, Namgung Sua couldn't help but wonder.
How on earth did Young Hero Yoo exchange blows with a monster like that?
Of course, she knew he had been severely defeated.
She had even heard that the Divine Physician had personally begged to spare his life.
Even so, the fact that he had managed to push back such a monster, even for a moment...
Though she had heard it directly from the Divine Physician, she still found it hard to believe.
Even from this distance, the overwhelming internal energy and murderous intent made her skin crawl and her limbs go numb.
Her survival instincts screamed at her to run away immediately.
But she couldn't.
She had to buy time.
"Do you think they escaped safely?"
"We can only hope so."
The moment the signal flare went off, both Namgung Sua and the Divine Physician had urged the Courtesan Leader to flee.
It wasn't a decision made solely for her sake.
"I'm worried Aunt-Master might wake up."
"Mhm..."
The Courtesan Leader's martial arts were at a level where she would only be a hindrance in a fight.
Thus, they had sent her away with the Sword Empress.
Though she had protested, she ultimately nodded after looking at the sleeping face of the Sword Empress.
It had been about fifteen minutes since the Courtesan Leader had left, carrying the Sword Empress.
If they had successfully escaped, they would have made it out of West Lake by now.
"By the way..."
"Yes?"
"When I checked his pulse earlier, there was something unusual... Ah."
"Ugh."
The Divine Physician was about to say something.
But both she and Namgung Sua stumbled simultaneously.
An oppressive weight, as if a massive boulder were crushing down on them, filled the air.
"Good to see you, Divine Physician."
"Sword... Demon."
When had he arrived?
Having closed the distance in the blink of an eye, the Sword Demon stood about thirty feet away, looking down at them.
His sword tip pointed directly at them.
"I promised to spare your lives if you handed it over quietly. Because of your stubbornness, many precious lives have returned to heaven."
"Who would believe the words of a demonic dog from the Heavenly Mountains?"
"Fufu. Shouldn't you at least pretend to believe me right now?"
Thud.
The sound of something falling echoed behind them.
Keeping her eyes fixed on the Sword Demon, Namgung Sua stole a glance backward. When she saw what it was, she gasped in shock.
"Courtesan Leader... Aunt-Master..."
The source of the noise was indeed people.
Their pressure points sealed, both the Courtesan Leader and the Sword Empress lay motionless on the ground.
Fortunately, there were no visible wounds or signs of torture.
Perhaps due to the overwhelming difference in strength, they had been subdued and brought back instantly.
But that was cold comfort.
I was planning to distract him and escape...
At this rate, they had no choice but to fight to the death.
The Divine Physician's face darkened, clearly sharing the same thought.
"Now, are you inclined to hand over the secret technique?"
"The great Sword Demon threatening four defenseless women. Is this the will of the Martial God you worship?"
"...Haha. I see gentle words won't work on you."
"I don't even have the secret technique in the first place."
"Do you expect me to believe that?"
"You damn old fossil. I knew you wouldn't."
At the Divine Physician's blunt attitude, the old man's brow twitched.
"If the Divine Physician doesn't have it, then where is it?"
"Who knows?"
"...I suppose I'll have to sever your limbs, hang you up, and drag you through the streets of the entire city before you speak."
Demonic energy, erupting alongside his murderous intent, slowly crawled up his blade, forming a pitch-black Sword Astral.
This was the true power of a master of the Transformation Realm.
Swish—
First, I will take an arm.
The Sword Demon unleashed a lethal strike with full intent. But—
CLANG!
Thud, thud, thud—
The Sword Demon's Sword Astral was blocked.
In fact, he was forced to take three steps back to disperse the residual shockwave.
Not only the Sword Demon, but everyone present gasped in utter shock.
"What in the..."
"How dare you..."
Between the Sword Demon and the Divine Physician.
A silver-haired young woman had descended out of nowhere, standing tall.
"You dare lay a hand on my master."
And she was absolutely furious.