Did I Hear That Right?
The atmosphere in the reception room of Hwining-dang heated up instantly. The Gale Flying Shadow Steps was the ultimate footwork technique, created by the legendary martial genius, the Sword Ghost, who had adapted and refined the footwork of the Orthodox Path. Mastering it would yield greater benefits than consuming several rare elixirs. Furthermore, because it was a footwork technique rather than swordsmanship or archery, it possessed the distinct advantage of being compatible with any weapon of choice.
The expressions of the ladies shifted in an instant. Though they were the wives of high-ranking Cheonsaryeon officials, they were also people of the Gangho who would do absolutely anything to get their hands on a rare martial arts manual.
"Is it the original manuscript, or a transcription?"
"Oh, surely it can't be the original?"
"My husband practically worships the Sword Ghost! He even collects scraps of old letters the Sword Ghost wrote to his acquaintances ages ago. I've been pestered by him so much that I could recognize the Sword Ghost's handwriting from a hundred paces away."
"My husband is even worse. He said if the Sword Ghost asked him to marry him, he'd put on a skirt and run right over. Ridiculous, isn't it? The Sword Ghost would definitely be getting the short end of the stick."
"So, Renju-buin, is the manual you are offering as the prize truly the original...?"
In truth, even if it were a mere transcription, they looked ready to fight tooth and nail for it. Such was the legendary status of the Sword Ghost within the Unorthodox Path.
Yeongso silently lifted the lid of the small side table beside her. Resting inside the storage compartment was a single, faded book.
"It is the original."
Even the lady seated furthest away sprang from her seat, rushing forward to crowd around the manual. Yeongso opened the pages, allowing them to verify her master's handwriting.
"My goodness... It really is written by the Sword Ghost."
"Renju-buin, could you perhaps show us the very last page?"
Yeongso smiled softly. She knew exactly what the woman wanted to verify. It was the drawing of a flock of red wild geese flying over a mountain ridge. Even during his time as the Alliance Leader of the Murim Alliance, the Sword Ghost had fondly sketched that very image in the corners of his personal letters and official documents. It was, in essence, his personal signature.
"It's here!"
Upon seeing the mark, the lady clutched her chest, trembling violently. Watching her react like that made Yeongso genuinely worry if the woman might stop breathing. Even the ladies who had just been mocking their husbands' obsession with the Sword Ghost wore entirely different expressions now. A distinct, wild madness flickered in their eyes.
They look like they'd gladly slaughter everyone in this room just to possess this manual...
Yeongso quickly requested everyone to return to their seats before such a bloody scenario could actually unfold. The highly charged atmosphere shattered the moment she spoke again. In truth, she had deliberately chosen this moment to speak in order to cool their excitement.
"I believe that is a sufficient explanation regarding the tournament prize. Next is the matter of the judges. I plan to act as a judge myself, alongside two of you."
The women, who had been unable to tear their eyes away from the manual, burst into fits of laughter all at once.
"Oh, I have completely misunderstood you all this time, Renju-buin! I thought you were a strict, traditional lady, but you're actually a master of deadpan humor!"
"Oh my, oh my, my stomach hurts from laughing so hard."
"You, Renju-buin? Judging a martial arts tournament? Oh ho ho ho!"
What an incredibly effective way to change the subject. Yeongso let out a faint, wry smile and waited for the laughter to subside.
"Ahahaha! Hahahahaha!"
"Are you absolutely certain this is a martial arts tournament and not a pipa recital? Hohoho!"
This is lasting a bit longer than I expected. I suppose my act of being fragile and weak was far too convincing.
"Kyaha-ha!"
Who just went "Kyaha-ha"? Who laughs like that? Yeongso glanced at the lady in question, who was laughing so hard she seemed on the verge of hyperventilating. Yeongso cleared her throat.
"While I may not practice martial arts myself, in my youth, I studied under the renowned Daoist priestess, Perfected Shi Choi of the Yongro Sect. During that time, I learned the martial arts of the Orthodox Path step-by-step."
Yeongso's voice was not loud, yet it was clear and resonant. It pierced through the air with uncanny precision, reaching the ears of her guests who were still gasping for breath. None of them realized that her voice was infused with internal energy.
"And during the three years of mourning for my late husband, I dedicated myself to studying the martial arts of the Unorthodox Path. Though I may not look it, my knowledge of martial arts is likely equal to any of yours."
"Ah, yes. Self-taught, you say... *pfft*."
Yeongso stared at the woman who was hiding her snickering behind a wide silk sleeve.
"Lady Lee, you hail from the Nangja Sect, and you are highly skilled in wielding a pair of cogged crescent-moon wheels. When you attach thin chains to them and swing them, no one dares to approach within ten paces of you."
Lady Lee looked at Yeongso with surprise. Yet, a mocking sneer still lingered on her red lips.
"It seems you have done some research on us, Renju-buin?"
"Of course. I also know that you have been stuck at the sixth stage of the Red Lotus Slaughter for a very long time. Whenever you attempt to break through to the next stage, the flow of your qi constantly bottlenecks at the Jade Pillow acupoint at the back of your head, does it not?"
Lady Lee's smile gradually stiffened.
"To clear that blockage, you even grow snow lotuses in your backyard and brew them into tea, yet your progress remains slower than expected."
"...It seems the servants in my household have loose tongues."
"On the contrary, your servants keep secrets very well. The reason I know this is..."
Yeongso smiled, her eyes curving beautifully.
"...because when you came closer to inspect the manual earlier, I caught the distinct, sweet scent of snow lotus lingering on you."
"Just from that?"
"Of course not. From the moment you crossed the threshold of this reception room, you have been unconsciously massaging your left arm. Is it not because the inner fold of your elbow constantly aches, accompanied by a deep, icy chill?"
Every trace of amusement completely vanished from Lady Lee's face. She slowly withdrew her hand from her left arm.
"While snow lotus may seem highly effective when you first begin taking it, its toxicity gradually accumulates within your body. Most importantly, its nature is fundamentally incompatible with the Red Lotus Slaughter technique you practice."
Yeongso suggested that there was a lesser-known martial art within the Nangja Sect called the One Yang Heart Method, and advised her to ask her sect leader for permission to learn it.
"The One Yang Heart Method? I think I might have heard of it once before..."
"I guarantee it. If you master it to just the third stage, the blockage at your Jade Pillow acupoint will clear."
Lady Sang, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, chimed in.
"Renju-buin's words make perfect sense. Lady Lee, you might not be aware, but although the Red Lotus Slaughter and the One Yang Heart Method seem like entirely unrelated martial arts at first glance, they actually complement each other beautifully. Specifically, the sixth stage of the Red Lotus Slaughter and the third stage of the One Yang Heart Method align perfectly. Good heavens."
Lady Sang shook her head, letting out a laugh of sheer disbelief.
"I, too, am a disciple of the Nangja Sect, yet until I heard Renju-buin's explanation just now, it had never even crossed my mind to connect the two."
Yeongso smiled back.
"I am deeply honored to receive such recognition from Lady Sang, who is so well-versed in martial arts."
Lady Sang was renowned throughout the Unorthodox Path for her exceptional martial prowess. When someone of her caliber stepped forward to praise Yeongso, the other ladies began exchanging glances, a low murmur rippling through the room.
Did she really master the martial arts of the Unorthodox Path through self-study?
Doesn't that make her a genius?
Why has she kept quiet about this until now?
How sly... That is a remarkably unorthodox way to behave.
Meanwhile, Lady Lee was entirely lost in her own thoughts. She had just been handed the key to breaking through the sixth-stage barrier that had blocked her for years.
The One Yang Heart Method, One Yang Heart Method, One Yang Heart Method... I must not forget. But why did Master never mention this to me? Or did Master not know either?
Quietly scanning her guests, Yeongso spoke up to put a definitive end to the debate.
"It is rather embarrassing to say this myself, but my husband has also acknowledged my abilities. He asked if all I did during my three years in the ancestral shrine was study. He even suggested I start physical training, though I politely declined."
Hwa Banya, the Alliance Leader of Cheonsaryeon, had acknowledged her. That settled the matter entirely. If the undisputed strongest master of the Unorthodox Path deemed her skilled enough to judge a martial arts tournament, who would dare object?
"We truly must see you in a new light, Renju-buin."
Though they remained half-skeptical, they now smiled with genuine politeness. Yeongso requested their cooperation to ensure as many women of the Unorthodox Path as possible would participate, before adding one last thing.
"Lady Dan and Lady Mo, would you two be willing to serve as judges alongside me? I shall compensate you both handsomely for your assistance."