Heaven's Way Does Not Flatter
When people saw fire burn, they named it a flame—a fire flower. Perhaps they did so because its flickering form resembled a flower in full bloom.
Yoo Jeong thought to himself that flames possessed a hypnotic magic. They captured one's gaze with their brilliant colors and shifting shapes, prompting those who watched to trace old memories or paint pictures of the future. Like a mirror reflecting the present, the fire served as a looking glass into both the past and what was yet to come.
Yoo Jeong was no exception. *Crackle, pop.* The sound of firewood burning down and sending sparks into the air. The chirping of night insects and the rustling of tree branches weaving into the noise. It was a scene straight out of his memories, yet one crucial piece was missing.
"Young Hero Yoo."
At the sound of the voice calling him, Yoo Jeong, who had been searching his memories for that missing piece, snapped out of his reverie.
"Yes?"
Only then did he tear his eyes away from the mesmerizing flames and turn his head. A woman whose hair was still damp, as if she had just washed, stood before him. She was his companion, his guide, and his junior sister-disciple, Namgung Sua.
They were on their way to the Wulin Alliance Headquarters after leaving Hangzhou. Night had fallen before they could find an inn, forcing them to camp in the wilderness. Adjusting her mask, she asked,
"What are you thinking about so deeply?"
"I wonder."
"Shall I guess?"
"...I was thinking of Master."
Yoo Jeong's master. The woman once revered as the Sword Empress was no longer of this world. She had achieved enlightenment and ascended to the heavens—an ultimate dream shared by all martial artists.
"Back in Hangzhou, it seemed like you had put all of that behind you."
Namgung Sua brushed off a wide, flat stone, draped her cloak over it, and sat down opposite Yoo Jeong. Her eyes held a trace of surprise. Yoo Jeong let out a soft chuckle at her reaction. It wasn't a scoff, but a natural smile born from the memory of their chaotic days in Hangzhou.
"I didn't exactly have the luxury of idle thoughts back there."
"That's true. Everyone was rather... intense."
It was just as Namgung Sua said. Their daily life in Hangzhou could be summed up in a single word: chaotic.
"We had that old crone and the Divine Physician constantly lunging at me, wanting to touch my body and run experiments."
"And the Hwayeolluju kept wearing out our doorstep, visiting constantly despite claiming to be so busy."
"For someone who says that, you seemed quite pleased whenever she dropped by."
"That's..."
Namgung Sua's cheeks flushed a delicate pink. Whether it was from the heat of the campfire or embarrassment, only she knew. Definitely the latter, Yoo Jeong concluded silently.
And with good reason. The Hwayeolluju had made it her mission to instill feminine grace in Yoo Jeong, constantly bringing over various women's accessories. As the mistress of a courtesan house, most of her gifts were cosmetics and beauty products. Every single time, Namgung Sua would sit nearby, quietly observing the mistress's antics with keen interest.
"There's nothing wrong with dressing up."
"I am a martial artist before I am a woman."
Feeling self-conscious, she averted her gaze and tilted her chin up slightly, her eyes reflecting the vast night sky. She spoke softly.
"I like to think I have some talent, but the experts of the Murim are as numerous as the stars above." She stole a glance at Yoo Jeong. "It would be a lie to say I have no interest in such things. But I have more important matters to attend to. That is why... that is why I choose to let it go."
Hearing her quiet, honest confession, Yoo Jeong tilted his head.
"I wonder. Is that truly the right path?"
"Pardon? Well, of course. To master martial arts..."
"Of course, focusing on your martial arts is important," Yoo Jeong said, gently cutting off Namgung Sua's counterargument. "But your identity as a woman is just as important as your identity as a martial artist."
That was how Yoo Jeong had always lived. Yoo Jeong the martial artist, and Yoo Jeong the guardian caring for a young girl. He had never abandoned either role, holding both in equal regard.
"Human life isn't a simple transaction where forcing yourself to give up one thing guarantees you'll gain another."
"...Perhaps you can speak so easily because you possess such monstrous talent, Lady Yoo."
Her voice was slightly strained. Unbothered by the faint trace of envy in her eyes, Yoo Jeong replied calmly,
"That might be true. But even in the short time I've known you, I believe Namgung Sua is someone capable of doing both. That's just what I think."
At those words, Namgung Sua let out a soft groan. Hearing such high praise delivered so directly made her blush with embarrassment, and she nervously adjusted her mask.
"In any case, even if you do attain great martial power that way, won't you look back later and regret the pieces of yourself you threw away?"
Yoo Jeong believed he had done his absolute best. Even if there had been shortcomings, he had poured his entire soul into his duties, which was why he felt no regrets after his master's ascension. He believed it was that very lack of regret that allowed him to steel his resolve to fulfill his promise to her.
Namgung Sua quietly chewed on his words for a moment before offering a mischievous smile. "Then why did you refuse to let them dress you up, Lady Yoo? It suited you quite well."
This time, it was Yoo Jeong's turn to be flustered. "That's entirely different."
"Why? You just told me to accept myself as a woman."
"Well..." Yoo Jeong raised his hands. They were delicate and beautiful, with pale, jade-like skin and slender fingers completely devoid of calluses. "My body may be female now, but to be honest, I still don't quite understand it."
When his hand drifted down to touch his own chest, Namgung Sua let out a startled, high-pitched gasp. Yoo Jeong, however, remained perfectly serious. "Does simply having these make me a woman?"
It was an unprecedented, bizarre phenomenon. A man's body had completely transformed into that of a woman. The Holy Hand Divine Physician, who had examined him, confirmed that his body was indistinguishable from any other woman's—meaning he could experience menstruation or even carry a child. Yet, a person is defined by more than just their physical form. Yoo Jeong tapped his temple twice as he continued.
"I lived as a man for nearly twenty years, and I always believed I was one. It isn't easy to suddenly abandon that identity."
"..."
"Just as I told you, Sua, it's about minimizing regret. I don't want to be quick to give up on who I am."
"Do you think there's a chance you can change back?"
"Honestly, I think the chances are slim. But they did give me hope."
The Divine Physician and Ssangjeol-papa had been the first to leave Hangzhou, departing immediately after finishing their examinations and various experiments on Yoo Jeong.
"I understand your wishes. Though this is unprecedented, the Sunflower Manual didn't just fall from the heavens."
"Heheh. If we gather more information and grasp the underlying principles, the reverse might just be possible. Since it turned a man into a woman, shouldn't there be a way to turn a woman back into a man?"
With those parting words, the two had set off to investigate the secrets of the Sunflower Manual. Recalling their departure, Namgung Sua spoke with a tinge of worry.
"What if they are pursued by the Demonic Cult like we were?"
"I worry about that too. But the Hwayeolluju promised to assist them, and neither of those seniors is an easy target."
"That is true."
Surprisingly, the Hwayeolluju had not only kept their movements a secret but had also offered the full support of the Haomun. The revelation she had made at the time was quite shocking.
"Does a branch leader possess that level of authority?"
"Fufu. This humble one does not. However, my father certainly does."
"The King of Shadows..."
"One of the Nine Sovereigns and Ten Venerables."
The Nine Sovereigns and Ten Venerables. It was a title coined by gossips who loved categorizing martial artists—representing the ten most powerful masters in the world, also known as the Ten Strongest Under Heaven. It was shocking enough that the leader of the Haomun was one of them, but to learn that the Hwayeolluju was his daughter had left both Namgung Sua and Yoo Jeong utterly stunned.
"Is he strong?"
"From what I've heard, while the leader of the Haomun is incredibly powerful, his mind is what truly makes him terrifying."
"Well, now we know where she inherited her intellect."
Indeed, reflecting on the Hwayeolluju with the knowledge of her connection to the King of Shadows shed a whole new light on her actions.
"It was suspicious from the start that she had two Peak Experts serving as her bodyguards."
"And yet, you beat those experts to a pulp and put on a display of force right in front of the King of Shadows' daughter, Lady Yoo."
Yoo Jeong cleared his throat awkwardly at Namgung Sua's teasing. Still, he had a perfectly valid excuse.
"She suddenly brought up Master and you. I had to react."
"I know. I wasn't trying to blame you. In the Murim, one must never let down their guard. You did the right thing."
Namgung Sua stared intently at Yoo Jeong as she spoke. A brief silence fell between them. Yoo Jeong's ears twitched slightly, but he remained quiet, leaving only the crackle of the firewood and the chirping of insects to fill the night. Ultimately, it was Namgung Sua who broke the silence.
"...Anyway, I had no idea you felt that way."
"It wasn't exactly something to bring up out of the blue. Besides, Hangzhou was far too chaotic. By the way, why is your master traveling separately?"
"She said she sensed an unusual undercurrent and went to investigate."
"An unusual undercurrent?"
"She apparently had a clash with martial artists from the Four Black Lotus Alliance on her way to Hangzhou."
"The Four Black Lotus Alliance... that's the unorthodox sect you mentioned last time, right?"
"Yes."
"But isn't the Beggar Sect keeping them under strict surveillance?"
"My master found that highly suspicious as well."
Had the Beggar Sect's surveillance failed? Or did the Four Black Lotus Alliance possess hidden strength? To find out, Hwahwa-nachal had set out to investigate personally.
"Unorthodox martial artists near Hangzhou..." Yoo Jeong stroked his chin. "Then I wonder if those guys over there are from the Four Black Lotus Alliance too?"
"What? Young Hero Yoo, what do you mean by—"
"Ah, well, I just heard a bunch of swords being drawn at once."
At his casual, nonchalant tone, Namgung Sua leaped to her feet. "Why didn't you say so sooner?!"
"Why?" Yoo Jeong simply blinked and asked back.
"Because obviously..."
The rest of her sentence caught in her throat like a thorn. *Because we might get ambushed?* Their group consisted of a Peak Expert and a master of the Transformation Realm. *Because we should save those in trouble?* That was far too idealistic a principle to preach to Yoo Jeong. In truth, Namgung Sua herself was not the type to recklessly meddle in others' disputes. As she stood there hesitating, unable to find the right words, Yoo Jeong let out a soft chuckle. His hand was already resting on the hilt of Cheonru.
"Since my junior sister-disciple insists, I suppose we must go look."
"Wait a moment. Didn't you just go on about living as a man for twenty years, Young Hero Yoo—no, Lady Yoo?"
"Age is just a number."
"Unbelievable. You've learned nothing but slyness from the Hwayeolluju."
"Yet, she was secretly pleased by his change in attitude. Smiling, Namgung Sua grabbed her willow-leaf saber and followed him.
"I am Baek Mo of Mount Hwang! Why do the brothers of the Green Forest block the path of our Hwangro Merchant Group?"
On the road from Hangzhou to Anhui, a merchant caravan and a band of bandits stood in a tense standoff. The man who appeared to be the leader of the caravan stepped forward to speak first, prompting a massive brute from the bandits' side to step out in response.
"Isn't it obvious? If you want to pass through these mountains, you must pay the master of the land."
"May I ask for your esteemed name, brother?"
"Bwahahaha! Boys, look at this fellow! Setting out on a trade route without even recognizing me, Black Yama Jeong Gwal! How utterly pathetic!"
The giant roared with laughter, and his bandits quickly chimed in.
"You're absolutely right, Chief!"
"That merchant's eyes are nothing but decorations!"
In contrast to the bandits' boisterous amusement, the faces of the Hwangro Merchant Group grew pale. They had heard of the chief's name and title. Black Yama Jeong Gwal, Chief of the Black Flame Bandit Camp. His camp, the Black Flame Bandit Camp, was a recognized member of the Seventy-Two Camps of the Green Forest, even if they occupied the lowest rank.
"So you are the heroes of the Black Flame Bandit Camp! But why do you block the path of our Hwangro Merchant Group?" The merchant leader maintained his composure and continued the negotiation.
"As I said, it's only natural—"
"Our merchant group has established ties with the heroes of the Mount Hwang Camp! Why would the Black Flame Bandit Camp, a fellow member of the Seventy-Two Camps, oppress us?"
At the merchant leader's words, Black Yama's expression hardened. "Established ties," he had said. Of course, this did not mean they were sworn brothers. For a merchant group, having ties with bandits simply meant they paid a regular toll in exchange for safe passage through the territory. Furthermore, the Mount Hwang Camp was ranked far higher than the Black Flame Bandit Camp. For the currently weakened Black Flame Bandit Camp, they were an opponent they could not afford to provoke.
But I cannot back down now. They had spent a massive amount of their accumulated wealth while relocating their camp. With his men's discontent slowly rising, this caravan was their first catch. He could not let them go. Steeling his resolve, Black Yama bellowed,
"Do you have proof of your ties with the Mount Hwang Camp?"
"Right here!" The merchant leader pulled a brass medallion from his robes.
"Very well. You are indeed brothers of the Mount Hwang Camp." Black Yama nodded, letting out a forced, hearty laugh. The merchant leader felt a wave of relief, believing the situation would resolve peacefully. But his expectations were quickly shattered.
"Therefore, if you show some goodwill to your newly met brother, I shall treat you as family and let you pass."
"...How much do you want?"
"Leave one of your wagons behind."
"Nonsense!" The merchant leader cried out, unable to contain his shock at the outrageous demand. He instantly regretted his outburst, but it was too late. The atmosphere turned ice-cold in an instant. The escort guards of the caravan and the bandits drew their weapons in unison. Some of the bandits even raised loaded bows.
"You must have lost your mind."
"Forgive me. I have been dealing with many troubles lately, which made me react too harshly. But surely, a whole wagon is far too much!" the merchant leader pleaded. Do you have any idea how many jars of Shaoxing wine were loaded onto a single wagon? The Hwangro Merchant Group specialized in transporting and selling fine liquors between Anhui and Zhejiang. Losing an entire wagon of Shaoxing wine would severely disrupt their contracts. He desperately tried to resume negotiations, but...
"Bwaha, bwahahaha! It seems you truly take this Black Yama for a fool. Boys!" At his signal, the bandits aimed their arrows directly at the caravan. Though the escort guards had drawn their weapons, they did not dare to make a move.
We didn't even hire many guards for this trip. This is bad. They had never anticipated that the Black Flame Bandit Camp would suddenly relocate. Because the Hangzhou branch of the Haomun had suffered a devastating blow, they had been unable to gather any local intelligence. As the merchant leader bit his lip in mounting anxiety, a sudden sound made everyone's eyes widen in sheer disbelief.
*Flutter.* Two figures descended from above, their contrasting black and white robes billowing in the wind. The elegant contours and graceful silhouettes visible beneath their martial attire made it clear they were beauties of the highest order. Every eye on the battlefield locked onto them. Then, a clear, resonant voice rang out.
"Sheathe your swords."