Simpler Than Expected
The negotiations at the Demonic Cult proved far simpler than expected. The condition Mu Gucheon proposed was a straightforward spar. He declared that he would determine whether to supply materials and troops to the Martial Alliance and the Space Federation based on the outcome, and An Rok-san accepted the offer without hesitation. The scale of that support would be discussed afterward. Without delay, An Rok-san moved to the Baehwa Sect’s training grounds.
As if it were the most natural thing in the world, Mu Ryeong singled out Cindy. Cindy accepted the challenge with absolute confidence and stepped onto the sparring platform. The moment both women ascended, the male martial artists of the Baehwa Sect let out heated sighs, their gazes locked on the pair.
Cindy stood tall and straight, her wavy golden hair and sapphire eyes radiant, her explosively voluptuous breasts and figure in perfect harmony with the red qipao-style martial uniform. She looked like a goddess descended from the heavens. Across from her, Mu Ryeong—true to her title of Dark Flower—faced her opponent without a trace of intimidation, proudly displaying her own beauty. The men could no longer tell whether this was a spar or a contest to decide the greatest beauty under the heavens.
"Yes. I'm ready!"
"I am prepared, Sect Leader."
Mu Gucheon tilted his head slightly at Cindy’s English, but he quickly grasped the meaning from context and gave a nod. Interested in the martial caliber of An Rok-san and his companions, he had volunteered to serve as both judge and referee.
No killing allowed. Victory is decided by combat incapacity or surrender.
The instant Mu Gucheon’s command rang out, crimson energy erupted from Mu Ryeong’s body as she shot toward Cindy like a bolt of lightning. The force of her kick left cracks spiderwebbing across the stone floor.
The red aura belonged to the Crimson Soul Annihilation Art. Though she was the daughter of Mu Gucheon, leader of the Baehwa Sect, she had not yet been named official successor. Therefore she cultivated this art instead of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
The blood-red palm slammed into the earth, carving a colossal handprint crater. A deafening roar followed as boulders and dust exploded outward in every direction.
"Heaven and Earth Chaotic Formless Hand!"
Cindy instantly deployed the footwork of Chiu Cheonhwangmu to evade the strike, then countered with one of its signature techniques. The entire sparring platform trembled as a powerful shockwave rippled outward. A dense net of qi-infused fists spread like a spiderweb, seeking to ensnare Mu Ryeong.
It was a tightly woven trap of internal energy that few ordinary martial artists could escape. Mu Ryeong, however, was anything but ordinary.
Both palms thrust forward, releasing spiraling crimson strands that clashed violently with Cindy’s qi net. A raw contest of pure power erupted between them.
Though Cindy’s energy devoured much of Mu Ryeong’s crimson aura, the final result left only Cindy’s qi dominant. Mu Ryeong clicked her tongue and retreated swiftly. Losing a pure internal-energy clash to someone of the same generation wounded her pride, but she forced herself to refocus—this was still a spar.
"You’re incredible. Losing an internal-energy battle to someone my own age… it’s the first time, aside from my brother."
"The feeling is mutual. Honestly, you’re far beyond the level of the younger generation."
Mu Ryeong’s eyebrows twitched at Cindy’s evaluative tone, but she quickly regained her composure. She hated to admit it, yet Cindy’s strength was genuine. A single collision had been enough to reveal the gap.
"Haaat!"
"Hup!"
Explosive sounds of impact rang out—bang! clang! crash! As if by unspoken agreement, the two abandoned forms and began exchanging pure martial arts. Cindy pressed Mu Ryeong with fists and kicks drawn from Chiu Cheonhwangmu, while Mu Ryeong, though barely managing to evade, seized every opening to counterattack. The platform became a storm of punches and kicks.
Yet as time passed, Mu Ryeong felt herself gradually being overwhelmed. No matter how she searched for an opening in the fierce exchange, Cindy showed none. Physically, Cindy appeared far more composed, showing no signs of fatigue.
Is she really the same age as me…? Me—the daughter of the Demonic Cult’s leader—being pushed back like this?!
Dense blood-colored energy gathered in Mu Ryeong’s palms, thick enough to drip like liquid crimson.
"Mount Tai Collapse!"
Cindy concentrated her qi into her shoulder and charged head-on, meeting the crimson palms with unstoppable force.
The two colossal energies collided with a deafening crash. Shockwaves and violent winds swept across the training grounds. Both the martial artists of the Demonic Cult and Mu Gucheon himself watched with open astonishment.
"To drive Ryeong like that so overwhelmingly… I honestly didn’t expect much, but…"
"It is truly shocking. She is a child my husband trained with utmost devotion alongside Seong-woo… The Golden-Haired Iron Flower Cindy is impressive, yet I find myself even more curious about Elder An Rok-san—the Fist King—who forged her to this level."
Mu Gucheon silently agreed with Bang Se-hwa’s words, his eyes never leaving the duel. Mu Ryeong might not have realized it, but nothing escaped Mu Gucheon’s gaze. He had already seen the truth: Cindy possessed the skill to subdue his daughter with ease.
The even balance of their power struggle slowly tilted in Cindy’s favor. Grinding sounds filled the air as Mu Ryeong’s feet were pushed backward, carving grooves into the stone. In the end, she could not withstand the pressure. Cindy’s shoulder strike—laden with overwhelming internal energy—slammed into Mu Ryeong’s chest despite her desperate guard.
Mu Ryeong’s body flew backward, tumbling across the platform for nearly twelve meters before crashing to the ground.
Even after rolling to a stop, Mu Ryeong refused to stay down. Venom burned in her eyes. Blood trickled from her lips. Her trembling legs gathered strength, and with sheer willpower she rose once more. Facing Cindy, she spoke in a hoarse, exhausted voice.
"I… admit… defeat… Haa… haa…! I lost…"
Though her voice was weak, the sincerity of her admission brought a faint smile to Mu Gucheon’s lips. He raised his hand and declared in a booming voice.
Cindy immediately approached and helped the injured Mu Ryeong to her feet. As she supported her, the two exchanged words meant for each other’s ears alone.
"I lost this time… but next time I will win, Miss Cindy. Ouch!"
"Hoho~ I’ll look forward to it, Miss Mu Ryeong. But… you are not the first person to say those words to me~"
Cindy’s sly smile was irritating, yet Mu Ryeong could not deny the truth. Cindy had fought with full effort, and both her martial skill and internal energy were genuinely extraordinary. As she leaned on the woman who had defeated her, a new goal crystallized in Mu Ryeong’s heart: to one day surpass the Golden-Haired Iron Flower standing before her.
Mu Gucheon watched his daughter’s display with quiet satisfaction. Though defeated as a martial artist, she was already burning with the resolve to overcome that loss. After a moment, he collected himself and began preparations for the next spar.