Taking the First Step into the Jianghu

When Namgung Sua had returned to Muo Valley, those were the words she delivered.

She had claimed she would act as their guide and messenger. However, Yoo Jeong knew there was another motive behind her presence: surveillance.

Even so, he had accepted her company because, as she said, his own experience in the Murim was practically nonexistent.

Namgung Sua, on the other hand, was a Peak Expert of a similar age to him, yet she was already the Vice Commander of the Wulin Alliance's elite forces and had traversed the Jianghu on secret missions. She had proven her capabilities and earned recognition.

Thus, Yoo Jeong welcomed her assistance. The fact that the Heavenly Sword and Earth Blade lineages were practically sister sects also played a significant role in his decision.

But right now, Namgung Sua was failing to perform her role.

Of course, anyone would have reacted the same way to such a sudden, shocking sight.

"…Miss Namgung?"

"My head feels like it's about to explode right now, so please give me a moment."

Before them lay a blackened ruin. Only ashes that would crumble at a single touch remained, leaving no trace of the original structure. Yet, a snapped wooden plaque told the story of what this place once was.

Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.

Once the capital of the empire, it was renowned for its breathtaking scenery and beautiful women. Naturally, heroes and wealthy merchants flocked to Hangzhou like butterflies to flowers.

With this influx of people and capital, Hangzhou's entertainment districts flourished. The lights never went out, and the scent of perfume and wine never faded.

As the poets said: Above is Heaven, below are Suzhou and Hangzhou!

It was a city everyone wished to visit at least once, and today, countless travelers were passing through Hangzhou's gates as usual.

"Jeong-ah. I want to wash."

"I do too, Master. Let's go to the biggest inn and wash with warm water."

"Really? Not cold water?"

"Of course. And after we wash, we'll eat meat."

"Ooh. Meat."

Yoo Jeong's group was among the crowd.

His master kept scratching her head, fidgeting with her topknot cap. Worried her silver hair might be exposed, Yoo Jeong quickly lifted her into his arms and coaxed her.

"Hangzhou's cuisine is famous for its flavor," Namgung Sua chimed in. "The renowned Dongpo pork is excellent, and fish dishes like West Lake vinegar fish and Longjing shrimp are exquisite."

"Dongpo pork?"

"Master, it's the meat Mr. Jang sometimes brought to us at the inn," Yoo Jeong explained.

"Wow! I love that! Jeong-ah, let's go quick!"

"Yes, we'll go soon. But you have to be quiet until then, okay?"

"Mph! Got it, Jeong-ah. I'll be quiet."

Startled, his master quickly clamped both hands over her mouth. Her wide, round eyes were incredibly adorable. Yoo Jeong hugged her tightly and turned to Namgung Sua.

"Miss Namgung. Where should we head first?"

"I plan to head to the Wulin Alliance branch first."

"…Meat," a small murmur came from his arms.

"Can we not stop by an inn first?" Yoo Jeong asked.

At his quiet question, Namgung Sua wore a conflicted expression. Although only her eyes and mouth were visible beneath her mask, Yoo Jeong could read her emotions clearly. Perhaps he had grown accustomed to her after traveling together.

"I would love to do that. But this is my first time in Hangzhou as well. I planned to visit the branch to gather information on the Divine Physician, and while I was there, ask for recommendations on the best inns and restaurants."

"Aren't there inns everywhere?"

Hangzhou was massive. With such a high volume of travelers, lodging was bound to be abundant. Even now, just past the city gates, signs advertising various inns were visible everywhere.

However, Namgung Sua shook her head firmly.

"Places with too many tourists often have terrible inns. Would you really feed Aunt-Master mediocre food?"

Her argument was strangely persuasive. Yoo Jeong let out a quiet sigh. She was entirely correct. He couldn't possibly serve mediocre food to his master here in Hangzhou. Besides, it wasn't even his money.

"Master, if you wait just a little longer, they say they'll serve us the most delicious meat. Can you wait?"

At his whisper, his master—who was still holding her mouth shut—nodded vigorously, her previous gloom vanishing instantly. She nodded so hard that Yoo Jeong had to hold her cap to keep it from falling off. At the mention of the "most delicious meat," her blue eyes sparkled like a starlit lake.

But perhaps the journey had exhausted her. Soon, her breathing slowed, and she fell fast asleep. Yoo Jeong adjusted his posture to ensure she wouldn't slip.

"…Why are you staring at me like that?"

"It looks like a child holding a child."

"Ha. A child?"

Their gazes clashed. But due to their height ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠difference, Yoo Jeong had to look up slightly. Does she think I'm a child just because I'm short? Yoo Jeong's brow furrowed.

"Come to think of it, I've been calling you Young Hero Yoo, and you've been calling me Miss Namgung. Since we are from sister lineages, I think it's time we settled our martial seniority."

Namgung Sua suddenly went on the offensive, perhaps remembering the various ways he had annoyed her during their journey.

Seniority. Unlike the unorthodox sects or the Demonic Cult, where strength determined everything, seniority was of utmost importance in the Orthodox Murim. It was the foundation of a sect, akin to a clan's lineage, and one of the core elements that defined their righteousness.

Thus, a junior defying a senior was treated as a grave offense—insubordination or betraying one's master—and could lead to severe punishment, even expulsion.

Of course, the Heavenly Sword and Earth Blade lineages, being single-successor traditions, had weaker structures, but seniority was still seniority.

"I am twenty-one. How about you, Young Hero Yoo?"

Namgung Sua revealed her age first. Yoo Jeong's lips twitched. He was twenty, a year younger than her.

"How can seniority be decided by age? Shouldn't it be based on our masters' seniority and when we entered our respective sects?"

Yoo Jeong quickly deflected, bringing up rules he had read in hero chronicles.

Faced with his unexpectedly logical counterargument, Namgung Sua stroked her lips with her index finger.

"You have a point."

Yoo Jeong watched her blankly for a moment before quickly twisting his body to avoid colliding with a pedestrian. He realized once again that Namgung Sua was indeed a beauty. Even under that bizarre mask, her loveliness was undeniable.

Flawless white skin peeked out beneath the cat mask. Above it were pale pink lips that looked as if they had been painted by an artist, slender fingers, and clean, white teeth that showed whenever she spoke. The white martial robes embroidered with blue tassels suited her perfectly, radiating the elegance of a prestigious noble family.

Even the usually indifferent Yoo Jeong found himself occasionally distracted by her.

Clearing his throat to shake off the awkwardness, Yoo Jeong continued.

"Yes. I began learning martial arts from my master ten years ago. So, shouldn't I be the Senior Brother?"

"So you are younger than me."

"…Does that matter?"

"Hehe. No. It hasn't been ten years for me, but as you said, shouldn't our masters' seniority matter as well?"

Just as Yoo Jeong had done, Namgung Sua deflected the topic when it turned unfavorable. In this back-and-forth battle, Yoo Jeong smiled confidently.

"Then I am undoubtedly the Senior Brother. My master is stronger, so her seniority must be higher."

"Orthodox Murim seniority isn't decided simply by strength. We will have to ask Aunt-Master when she wakes up."

At that, both of them fell silent. Would she even know? The question crossed Yoo Jeong's mind.

"…Or I could ask my master later."

"Hwahwa-nachal-nim?"

"Yes. She currently leads the Phoenix Squad in the Wulin Alliance. She said she would be coming to Hangzhou soon to pay her respects to Aunt-Master."

"I see. I've wanted to meet her as well."

The Earth Blade lineage. The master of the Beoncheon Jiroegong.

How strong was this Aunt-Master he had never met? Yoo Jeong had watched the flawless, perfect martial arts of the Sword Empress since childhood. Ordinary experts could never satisfy his standards.

Yet, she was a master of the same sect and generation as his master. Her disciple was already a Peak Expert, so his expectations were naturally high, and a competitive urge stirred within him.

Namgung Sua smiled bitterly as she watched Yoo Jeong caress his sword hilt with his free hand.

He isn't looking at me, his peer. He's looking at my master.

She knew he had fought Goegelgae. Although Goegelgae was considered an eccentric even within the Alliance, his martial arts were profound. He was a Super-Peak Expert, one of the few in the vast Jianghu who could manifest an incomplete Sword Force.

To push such a master to his limits, and even corner him into a desperate situation...

To Namgung Sua, who had been hailed as a genius her entire life, the talent of the man standing beside her was incomprehensible.

On the outside, he just looks like a small, delicate boy.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"By the way, when do we arrive at the Wulin Alliance Hangzhou branch?"

"Ah."

At Yoo Jeong's voice, Namgung Sua snapped out of her thoughts.

The crowd had grown significantly. Despite reaching the heart of the city, there was still no sign of their destination, prompting Yoo Jeong's grumpy question.

His priority was to feed his master the best Dongpo pork and prepare to find the Divine Physician. But their progress was dragging, and his frustration made him ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠urge her on.

Namgung Sua fell into deep thought before finally speaking.

"That's strange."

She tilted her head, habitually stroking her lips.

"It should be right around here."

"Is it tucked away in some corner?"

"No. It's a five-story building right on the main street. It should be clearly visible from here..."

Namgung Sua's gaze swept the surroundings before slowly settling on a specific spot.

In the distance, there was a strangely empty space. The buildings on either side of it had blackened outer walls, as if they had narrowly escaped a raging fire.

Sensing an ominous premonition, Namgung Sua dashed forward.

She reached ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the spot in an instant. Blocked by a crowd of onlookers, she leapt onto a nearby wall to look down. The sight left her utterly speechless.

"What in the world..."

Before her lay nothing but unrecognizable ashes.

"Damn it. Is this for real?"

Namgung Sua wasn't the only one left dumbfounded by the total destruction of the Wulin Alliance Hangzhou branch.

"Yes, Boss. It's completely reduced to ashes."

"Fuck. Who the hell dares to touch the Wulin Alliance in Hangzhou like this?"

"I heard they sliced up the Beggars' Sect bastards too."

"…They seemed dangerous, but they really have nothing to lose."

As the saying went, Above is Heaven, below are Suzhou and Hangzhou. But the brighter the light, the darker the shadow.

Where there were men drinking and gambling with women, there were always those ruined by ruinous debt.

Jeon Gyeon was a man who preyed on Hangzhou's slimy underbelly, sucking the lifeblood of others to grow his Blood Battle Sect.

Of course, other sects mocked them, calling them the "Snot-nosed Money Sect" instead of the Blood Battle Sect, sneering at their petty loan sharking.

Despite the humiliation, Jeon Gyeon lacked the strength to retaliate, so he simply bowed his head and bided his time. That was when a group of mysterious figures approached him.

They were a group of suspicious figures clad in black capes. They had given him a single elixir pill as an advance payment, and by consuming it, Jeon Gyeon had instantly become a First-class expert.

Blinded by greed, Jeon Gyeon had searched frantically for the Divine Physician just as they ordered.

"But fuck. I just told them the Wulin Alliance was getting in the way and delaying things, and they wiped out the entire branch overnight?"

It had been a mere excuse. Would the Wulin Alliance even care about a minor sect like the Blood Battle Sect, which was mocked even by other unorthodox groups?

He had only said it to deflect their blame, but the Wulin Alliance branch had been annihilated in a single night.

"Those bastards. They definitely did this to show me."

The message was clear. A warning.

They could wipe out the Blood Battle Sect whenever they pleased. It was a threat to produce results before they met the same fate.

"Damn it. I thought I grabbed a golden rope, but it was a rotten one. Hey, what are you doing!"

"Yes, Boss?"

"Mobilize all our money and men! Find that old bastard of a Divine Physician right now!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Damn it. Shit. Fuck. We're really screwed."

Trembling with anxiety, Jeon Gyeon bit his nails.