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Morning broke.
As the disciple attending the master Sagong Hee, I stood at her back and accompanied her to the formal greeting with Mount Hua Sect.
"You have come a long way, Taiji Flower."
The one who greeted Sagong Hee was none other than Mount Hua Sect's current leader, Purple Mist Sword Yang Gi-baek.
'A Peak Realm expert!'
The Violet Mist Divine Art flowing from his middle-aged body was formidable. But at the same time, I felt a little sorry for him.
Annihilation.
In the future, they were people who fell far too easily to the Blood Jiangshi. No matter how hard Seol Jungmae, Seon Ju-hee, or the Plum Blossom Sword Formation tried to stop them, they were forcibly sealed away in the face of the Blood Jiangshi's overwhelming power.
They were annihilated.
'Unlike how the Taiji Sword Empress brought the Taiji Wisdom Sword to Wudang Sect and gave them a lifeline, Mount Hua didn't have that.'
In the far distant future.
When the Blood Calamity occurred, a peerless prodigy emerged from Mount Hua Sect. He mastered two martial arts that no other Mount Hua disciple had achieved, reaching their extremes and becoming a master of the Harmony Realm.
Six Harmonies Divine Sword.
And Infinite Taiyi Sword.
The reason a master who perfected two of Mount Hua's most famous martial arts didn't protect the sect was because he was a member of the Blood Cult that destroyed Mount Hua.
"...I've been late with introductions. This is my disciple Jawooyang, and this is my junior brother, Ja Cheong-ha."
"It is a pleasure, Lady Taiji Flower."
"......."
A young man with a benevolent smile who greeted her warmly, and a sharp-faced young man whose personality seemed problematic at a glance. The former was the sect leader's direct disciple, 'Jawooyang,' and the latter was the sect leader's junior brother—the disciple the previous sect leader took in his old age, 'Ja Cheong-ha.'
Both were tall and exceptionally handsome, and I could see why the rumors said women across Shaanxi lined up wanting to marry them.
'Though not as much as me.'
The two pretended not to, but they were flaunting their handsome faces, and Sagong Hee exchanged pleasantries with them.
[My lord, their level seems similar to mine? I want to spar with them quickly.]
Unaware that she was simply pleased to find opponents whose martial levels were close to—actually slightly lower than—her own, the two men secretly rejoiced at Sagong Hee's apparent interest and struck up a conversation.
'Both are Peak-level experts.'
If they had entered the Nine Dragons Struggle for Supremacy with a favorable bracket, both were skilled enough to earn a place among the Nine Dragons.
"Oh my, really?"
"Yes. When you see my Seven Absolute Plum Blossom Sword, Taiji Flower, you too will fall in love with the elegance of Mount Hua's swordsmanship."
"...My own sword art is not inferior."
Even at a glance, their levels were so evenly matched that it was obvious why they wounded each other to the point of mutual destruction, naturally preventing them from joining the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.
'Their bad blood goes way back.'
The disciple of the current sect leader, and the disciple of the previous sect leader.
By age, Jawooyang was older; by generation, Ja Cheong-ha was higher. The ill-fated relationship between the two, inevitably filled with conflict, carried on into the future and ended with them stabbing each other in the heart.
'But I have no reason to care about jealousy between men.'
Whether they fought and squabbled, or whether one of them married Seon Ju-hee, none of it mattered to me.
I might have felt a little interest if one of them were a woman, but even if one was a swordsman of the Blood Cult, any interest would vanish the moment I knew he was a man with a member.
'My interest is solely in the maiden Seon Ju-hee.'
Anyway, the one who fails to become sect leader, unable to overcome his inferiority complex, will become a warrior of the Blood Cult, and will desperately try to steal Seon Ju-hee and the seat of the sect leader he could never claim.
Will that be Jawooyang in this life, or Ja Cheong-ha?
Either way, I will take Seon Ju-hee's virginity.
'And if I get a little greedier, I could even take Seon Ju-hee herself, not just her virginity.'
Her martial arts level was weaker than others, but Seon Ju-hee showed exceptional talent in raising children.
All the children she taught became first-rate experts on average by the time they reached adulthood, and even fully grown warriors reached the Peak and Transcendent Realms under her guidance.
Regrettably for Mount Hua, none of them ever surpassed Seon Ju-hee, but when the Blood Cult first entered Mount Hua, I was genuinely shocked.
- Fuck, is this Shaolin Temple or something? What's this bullshit with the One Hundred Eight Plum Blossom Swordsmen!!
The Blood Cult's first offensive was temporarily halted because 108 Peak-level Plum Blossom Swordsmen charged out.
I dare to assert that in the field of teaching, Seon Ju-hee would rival even my own master.
However.
Tap, tap, tap, tap.
I felt a chill when I recalled the reality of Seon Ju-hee I had glimpsed last night. No matter how positively I tried to think, the image of a woman under her blankets, calling Sagong Hee's title while playing with herself—
"My disciple, what are you thinking about right now?"
"Ah."
I snapped back to my senses at the touch of Sagong Hee's hand grasping mine.
"My apologies, I was lost in thought for a moment."
"Ohoho, my disciple is thinking of other things while standing right beside his master...."
Sagong Hee subtly glanced toward the empty seat up ahead. I did not miss the opening she created.
"Three people are famous as Plum Blossom Swordsmen, but only two are here, so I was trying to recall who the third one was."
"Ahem. That child is currently bedridden, in very poor health."
She would be sick, all right. Mostly in her mind.
'I'd hoped Seon Ju-hee would appear, but it can't be helped.'
Had she come, I would have prepared to take her virginity, but unfortunately, she did not attend, so there is nothing to be done.
'Then, since I'm here anyway, I'll just have to take care of something else instead of Seon Ju-hee's maidenhead.'
I sent a signal to Sagong Hee. She nodded at my signal and began to speak.
"The Plum Blossom Swordsman who was looking for me, is it perhaps...?"
"Indeed. I am ashamed to say... Seon Ju-hee. That child grew ill from wanting to see you so badly."
Purple Mist Sword's face flushed red. Summoning Taiji Flower for such a reason would be quite shameful for him as well.
"I see... Very well. I shall meet with her. But I have a condition."
"A condition... speak it."
Sagong Hee pointed to the two Plum Blossom Swordsmen.
"I heard that the swordsmanship of you two is outstanding. Since I've made the rare trip all the way to Mount Hua, I can't just pass by now, can I? What do you say? In private, without telling anyone else."
Sagong Hee glanced meaningfully at their swords.
"How about a sparring match?"
Both Plum Blossom Swordsmen shot up from their seats.
* * *
While Sagong Hee went off to spar with the two Plum Blossom Swordsmen.
I excused myself back to the guest quarters, claiming I felt unwell. This was a ruse to move alone, and I grasped the layout of Mount Hua Sect, swiftly slipping into the shadows all around it.
'I, Bandit Demon, will become me.'
From now on, I am Bandit Demon, and I will become one with the shadows. You couldn't quite call it assassination, but I moved through the darkness with the stealth of someone who could cut an emperor's throat in the Imperial Palace.
My goal was to steal a treasured sword of Mount Hua Sect.
'Silver Rainbow Sword.'
If Wudang had the Jabo Sword, then Mount Hua had the Silver Rainbow Sword. It was a treasured sword the future leader of Mount Hua would wield, but right now, it was just an ordinary sword with no owner.
'It was discovered before Mount Hua Sect was raided.'
The Silver Rainbow Sword was a blade that appeared in the future when the Blood Calamity occurred. The reason I knew this was because the Blood Cult Leader showed a certain interest in it.
- Even if the sky splits in two, I will not speak! Kill me instead! Even if you defile me as a Blood Jiangshi, I will never reveal where the Silver Rainbow Sword is!
The Blood Cult Leader tried to learn the Silver Rainbow Sword's location even by violating Seon Ju-hee as a Blood Jiangshi. Seon Ju-hee initially endured even the forced violation, but in the end, she succumbed to the Blood Cult Leader's threats.
- If you don't speak willingly, I will hand your husband and disciples over to the Blood Women. Confess if you don't wish to see the corpses of your Mount Hua warriors drained of energy and killed by the Blood Demonic Twelve Moons.
- Wife...!!
- Master...!!!
When her husband and disciples' lives were on the line, Seon Ju-hee finally gave in. She could endure her own body being insulted, but she could not stand her family being harmed.
- The Silver Rainbow Sword is....
The Blood Jiangshi violated Seon Ju-hee, and the Blood Cult Leader learned where the Silver Rainbow Sword had been.
Right before the Blood Cult's surprise attack, Seon Ju-hee was said to have been called by a Taoist in her dreams and obtained the sword. Led by some mysterious energy, she searched for a cliff in her dreams and discovered the treasured sword in a cave on Mount Hua.
- Ah, so that too was a fortuitous encounter. Very well. Everyone but Seon Ju-hee, get out of here.
- Blood Cult Leader! If we let those wretches live, they will surely return for revenge!
- Shut your mouth. If they come for revenge, you can just kill them all.
In exchange for the information on the Silver Rainbow Sword, the Blood Cult Leader released every warrior except Seon Ju-hee.
Contrary to her usual self, who detested the White Path's laws of destiny—falling off a cliff and surviving, sparing an enemy only for them to gain a fortuitous encounter and return stronger, or attacking a weakened sect just to have some troublesome hidden hermit pop out—the Blood Cult Leader sometimes acted out of character.
The Silver Rainbow Sword was a prime example.
The Blood Cult Leader personally climbed the mountain, taking Seon Ju-hee to the very spot where she obtained the Silver Rainbow Sword, and gazed up at the sky with melancholy eyes. It wasn't just the Silver Rainbow Sword; such incidents happened occasionally.
'In any case, the Silver Rainbow Sword is on par with the Jabo Sword and the Crouching Dragon and Phoenix Chick Swords.'
As a memento of visiting Mount Hua, I would be taking the Silver Rainbow Sword. Even though it was a sword found on Mount Hua, it was simply a fine blade, and it would soar if I wielded it with the Taiji Divine Art.
Jabo, Crouching Dragon, Phoenix Chick.
Sagong Hee needed one last sword.
'I was already wondering which sword to use, so this is perfect.'
If Sagong Hee hadn't been looking for me on Mount Hua, I would have gone to find another sword, but Mount Hua called us here for some absurd reason, so they must take responsibility for it.
'It's a sword that would just rust away here for over a decade anyway. No one can say anything if I take it.'
Maybe the Blood Cult Leader might see Sagong Hee using the Silver Rainbow Sword and come looking for us? If she seeks me out, and I provide what the Blood Cult Leader desires, she would surely not start the Blood Calamity.
"This place hasn't changed."
While I was thinking, I had already arrived at my destination.
A wide peak stood tall atop a sheer cliff face. In the hollowed-out space, like the crater of a real volcano, a single old stone building, looking centuries old, was surrounded by a spring.
'This is where Seon Ju-hee almost became a Moon Maiden.'
On top of the altar, just like with the Twin High Condor Swords, a single sword was planted. The straight sword had a silver blade and a handle as deeply crimson as a plum blossom—it was unmistakably the Silver Rainbow Sword.
In the future, at this very altar from which the Silver Rainbow Sword was drawn, Seon Ju-hee died.
The Blood Cult Leader wanted to make Seon Ju-hee both a Blood Woman and a Moon Maiden, but Seon Ju-hee refused to become the Blood Cult Leader's possession to the very end. Ultimately, Seon Ju-hee was killed by the Blood Jiangshi.
'She was a woman whose will was attractive—physically compliant to the point of death, yet never surrendering.'
If her martial arts had been at the Harmony Realm, if she had been a woman suitable for absorbing yin to nourish yang, I would have included Mount Hua as an option when I left Anhui.
'If fate brings us together, I'll claim her then. For now, I'll just take the Silver Rainbow Sword and her virginity.'
Step, step.
I strode forward toward the altar, about to reach out for the Silver Rainbow Sword—
"Truly fascinating. Your body is still young, but your mind is already complete. And your internal energy has already surpassed three gapja?"
"......!!"
At the tingle of Sword Qi ringing behind me, I undid my Body Transformation Art.
"This is why I hate the White Path—and among them, the Nine Sects and One Gang, and among them, the Five Great Sects."
"Huh, may I ask the reason?"
"Because sometimes, a madman capable of slapping around the Ten Great Masters of the World pops out of nowhere."
"Kuhahaha!!"
My opponent, an old man, laughed heartily at my words. His laughter was so loud it felt like the whole mountain would shake.
"Indeed! I wholeheartedly agree! As befits one who has reached that realm without even undergoing Return to Youth, you know the principles of the world all too well!"
The world.
Not "under heaven," but "the world."
'He's someone who knows.'
"......May I ask your name?"
"Though it would be proper for me to introduce myself first, very well."
The white-haired old man with a kindly face offered me a martial salute. A sword of pale violet hung at his waist.
"I was once called Jeok Seong-ja."
"...Fuck."
A curse slips out on its own. Along with it, a sigh.
"I never thought I would actually meet a Sword Immortal."
A man who, in the future, had already ascended and did not appear during the Blood Calamity.
But in the present, this far in the past, he was alive and well like this.
A being so ancient that I had completely excluded him and a few other "exceptions" when I counted the Thirty Great Masters of the World.
"Hoho, it is a title from 120 years ago. I wonder how you know it."
"Because I know the history of Mount Hua's First Sword, the man who was once the greatest sword in the world."
My gaze involuntarily fell to Jeok Seong-ja's sword. Because the blade at his waist was the very sword that the future Sky-Shattering Divine Sword Dokgo Yeon would use once to drive a Blood Jiangshi to the brink of death. Though it was used only once and broke, never to be wielded again.
"Is that the Flying Smoke Sword?"
"You even know the Flying Smoke Sword. Have you perhaps been reincarnated? You are so thoroughly 'mixed together' that I cannot find your origin."
Aside from the fact it was not reincarnation but regression, he had almost perfectly seen through my essence.
"But it seems I still haven't heard who you are."
"Sky-Soaring Lust Demon."
At my words, the Sword Immortal furrowed his brows. His eyes were sharp, as if piercing right through me.
"...That is not your true essence, is it?"
"If that is how I wish to live, then it soon becomes my essence."
Clink.
I drew the Silver Rainbow Sword. The blade was simply planted there; it had no special condition like requiring true qi to be poured into it.
Because the Sword Immortal before me was the qualification to take the Silver Rainbow Sword, the sword's current master.
"You certainly won't just hand it over, so let's have ourselves a good, clean bout."
"Hohoho!"
The Sword Immortal seized the Flying Smoke Sword.
"It has been so very long since I have faced someone like myself. Please understand."
"Understand what?"
"That I cannot control my age and my heart keeps pounding so. I will be unable to hold back my power."
Mount Hua, the summit of a nameless peak.
"Shall we duel?"
A plum blossom fragrance that could not possibly exist in this season thickly stung my nose.