Myeol Ji-ryun (1)
“Yeom Sa-won is coming here too?”
Ak So-gun and Je-gal Hyeon were stunned by Baek So-cheon’s report.
“Yes. Yeom Hwa-sin appeared in person and said so.”
They had already learned through an urgent messenger bird, before Baek So-cheon’s return, that Yeom Hwa-sin had shown up in the Jung-kyeong border region. They had been intensely curious about what the two might have discussed at length, but they never dreamed it would be something like this.
“What in the world is going on?”
At Je-gal Hyeon’s question, Baek So-cheon explained the situation they hadn’t known about.
“It seems the Black Heaven Alliance sent matchmakers to the Blood Cult first.”
“Ah!”
The two instantly grasped what was happening.
In other words, the Blood Cult had rejected the marriage proposal from them and sent matchmakers to the Murim Alliance instead. There was no way the hot-tempered Black Heaven Alliance would just sit idly by.
“The Blood Cult is truly bold.”
At Ak So-gun’s words, Je-gal Hyeon replied.
“They know they’re the decisive factor in determining the outcome of this war.”
Ak So-gun now turned to Baek So-cheon.
“But why is Yeom Sa-won coming here?”
They all knew his temperament was foul, but what did he plan to do by coming to the Murim Alliance?
“He said the winner of a martial duel would marry Myeol Ji-ryun. He mentioned a duel-before-marriage.”
“Good heavens!”
The mention of a duel-before-marriage left the two men shocked.
Je-gal Hyeon guessed the Black Heaven Alliance Lord’s intent.
“He wants to test your skills!”
The thought that flashed through Baek So-cheon’s mind was maybe. Or rather, it didn’t quite seem that way.
Yeom Hwa-sin was not one to trust others. He had already confirmed personally that Baek So-cheon had no inner power.
So why send his son to check again?
“There’s no way the Blood Cult would accept a duel-before-marriage. If they were wary of the Black Heaven Alliance, they wouldn’t have sent matchmakers to us in the first place.”
The two nodded in agreement with Baek So-cheon’s words.
“He must know that.”
“Yeom Sa-won might be using the duel-before-marriage as an excuse to try killing me.”
“You?”
“We’ve already crossed paths twice as enemies.”
Once when eliminating Go, and again when he interfered in the Jeol-gang Province matter.
It was a very plausible scenario. Since Yeom Sa-won believed Baek So-cheon had no inner power, he’d be confident he could kill him. No matter how much of a wastrel he was, he was still the official heir to the Black Heaven Alliance.
“He’s not stopping his son in this situation?”
“On the contrary, he’s probably egging him on.”
In any case, since the two knew Baek So-cheon had recovered his inner power, the problem lay there.
“Yeom Sa-won’s arrival might expose that you’ve regained your inner power.”
If he came at Baek So-cheon with lethal intent, he might have no choice but to reveal his martial prowess.
Baek So-cheon nodded. It would be best if it stayed hidden as long as possible, but even if it came out now, it didn’t matter. In one or two months, spring would arrive.
Without some special enlightenment or fortuitous encounter, reaching Great Success in the Thousand-Handed Asura God Sword by spring was impossible.
“For now, let’s meet Myeol Ji-ryun first once she arrives.”
They needed to accurately gauge the Blood Cult’s intentions.
Baek So-cheon devoted himself to martial training until her arrival.
Spring was coming, and the situation was changing rapidly, impossible to predict even a step ahead. It wouldn’t be strange if he had to reveal his martial arts tomorrow.
Fortunately, his training in stolen moments, even skimping on sleep, was bearing fruit.
First, the Immovable Wisdom King Heart Method had advanced from the fifth stage straight to the sixth. He had reached the fifth and immediately progressed to the sixth.
Previously, it had never happened like this even up to the fourth stage. He thought it would take much more time, but surprisingly, he reached the sixth easily. He figured the qi circulation and meditation in Yong-cheon had helped.
The Wind God Movement Technique had reached the fourth stage.
Considering the time he’d been learning it, it was lightning-fast progress.
Breathing, running. Since they were fundamentals, the growth was swift. And because Baek So-cheon’s basics were so solid. By his estimate, reaching Great Success in these two arts was only a matter of time.
The Thousand-Handed Asura God Sword was mastered up to the ninth form.
The sixth form still eluded his understanding.
Baek So-cheon didn’t force it.
Instead, he practiced the Heavenly Thunder Nine Fists. He believed that mastering other arts would naturally reveal the way.
Starting with the first fist, Wind Flow Cloud Mountain, it flowed smoothly into the second, Wind Well Wild Food. The forms grew fiercer, linking to the third, Wind Wave Electric Strike, then exploding in the fourth, Moon Bright Star Shine.
Unleashing his inner power freely, the might of the Heavenly Thunder Nine Fists was tremendous.
Now he was beginning to learn the fifth fist, Ten Thousand Li Vast Sky. With the minimum required inner power of twenty years, its power was on another level from the start.
Practicing the fifth fist made him regret focusing solely on swordsmanship.
If not for the once-in-a-lifetime archenemy Yeom Hwa-sin, he really would have taken his time mastering both arts slowly.
Now, it was all part of the effort to break through the sixth sword of the Asura God Sword…
…!
In that instant, a thought suddenly flashed through Baek So-cheon’s mind.
Ah! That’s not right!
He realized his approach was wrong.
He had thought about this before. When he realized Yeom Hwa-sin had reached the Diamond Indestructible Body. He had become aware that, despite pushing his body to the limit, he hadn’t attained that realm.
Back then, he’d thought perhaps the ultimate goal of training lay elsewhere.
The same applied to the Heavenly Thunder Nine Fists.
He wasn’t learning it just because the Thousand-Handed Asura God Sword was stuck—he needed to pursue its own pinnacle.
Only then could he bear proper fruit. A small difference in mindset would lead to vast differences in the end.
If it didn’t work, he could just combine the arts he’d learned so far to deal with opponents. Realistically, that’s what the situation demanded.
Yes, more calmly.
His impatience stemmed partly from Yeom Hwa-sin, but also from another reason.
He kept imagining his own ‘happiness.’
Defeating Yeom Hwa-sin, leaving the Murim Alliance to find happiness.
No. I can’t think like that in advance!
His mindset from the final stages of the previous war would help more.
Fight with all I have… and if I lose, I die. I’ll have done my best. No regrets, no lingering attachments.
Baek So-cheon didn’t know.
That these shifts in mindset were subtly and ceaselessly influencing his martial progress.
Myeol Ji-ryun arrived at the Murim Alliance.
It was the first time since the Alliance’s founding that the Blood Cult Lord’s daughter had officially visited.
They expected a grand procession, but surprisingly, her escorts were minimal.
Just two guardians: one old man and one young man. Yet the auras they exuded were bizarre and unique.
With Myeol Ji-ryun in the lead and the two following, the three entered Yun-ryong Hall.
Waiting inside were Ak So-gun, Baek So-cheon, Je-gal Hyeon, and On Byeok-hwa.
Myeol Ji-ryun was an strikingly exotic beauty. Her impression was clear and pure, her gray eyes adding an air of mystery.
Myeol Ji-ryun approached and greeted Ak So-gun.
“Pleased to meet you, Alliance Lord.”
Her calm, steady voice conveyed confidence.
The two men behind her simultaneously cupped their fists in greeting. The elder introduced himself first.
“I am Rap-sa, escorting the young lady.”
“Pa-jeong.”
Just the fact that Rap-sa and Pa-jeong had brought the Blood Cult Lord’s daughter alone proved their prowess. Of course, it hadn’t yet been confirmed if Myeol Ji-ryun was truly his daughter.
Ak So-gun welcomed Myeol Ji-ryun’s group warmly.
“You must be tired from the long journey.”
The Murim Alliance side introduced themselves in turn.
Once greetings ended, Myeol Ji-ryun’s gaze turned to Baek So-cheon.
“You’re younger than I expected.”
“Thank you.”
He sensed an undeniable charisma from her. She had undoubtedly inherited her father Myeol Saeng’s martial arts.
Baek So-cheon subtly checked if she was under the Soul Subjugation Art or attempting to use it.
She wasn’t under it, and surprisingly, there were no traces of her having learned it.
“What do you think of me?”
Confidence laced her question.
“I had no expectations at all. I’ve never even heard rumors about you.”
“And your first impression now?”
To her provocative question, Baek So-cheon replied flatly.
“You’re beautiful.”
“Really? It sounds like flattery.”
“Correct. There are too many incomprehensible things to focus on you.”
Naturally, Baek So-cheon shifted to the matter at hand.
“I understand your cult is allied with the Black Heaven Alliance.”
“Us? News to me.”
Her response was so natural it almost made him wonder if she truly didn’t know.
“You’re not interested in your alliance’s political situation.”
“I can barely handle myself.”
Whether honest or bold, she answered without flinching each time.
Now On Byeok-hwa spoke up.
“I have a question too.”
“What is it?”
“If you want an alliance through marriage, shouldn’t the partner be Alliance Lord’s son, Ak Seo-pyeong?”
“Of course.”
“Then why choose Hero Baek? I heard you’ve never met.”
“But I’ve heard the rumors. You’re probably the warrior with the most rumors I’ve heard in my life—even more than my father or Alliance Lord Ak here.”
Myeol Ji-ryun’s gaze turned to Baek So-cheon.
“That’s why? It doesn’t feel like our first meeting.”
She smiled with a slight eye crinkle—a clear sign of favor, a seduction.
On Byeok-hwa pressed.
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
“Isn’t it enough? As a woman yourself, Pavilion Lord On, you understand. Marrying a hero like Hero Baek has been my dream since childhood.”
“I see.”
It was a plausible reason, leaving no room to probe further.
Now Baek So-cheon spoke to her.
“You must not have heard this rumor.”
“Which one?”
“That I lost my inner power.”
Myeol Ji-ryun stared straight at Baek So-cheon.
“I knew.”
“And still, you want to marry me? I’m no hero anymore, nor will I ever be.”
“It’s fine. Once a hero, always a hero.”
Her expression gave no clue to her true intentions.
Ak So-gun said to her,
“You’ve traveled far and must be weary. Rest well today, and we’ll talk more later.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
As she turned to leave, she asked Baek So-cheon,
“Hero Baek, how about lunch tomorrow? You can show me around.”
“Sure.”
She politely bowed to Ak So-gun and the others before following the guide out.
Once she was gone, On Byeok-hwa spoke first.
“She’s no ordinary girl.”
A feeling only women could sense. Beyond her calm exterior, she detected a formidable spirit, martial skill aside.
“She definitely has some agenda.”
Baek So-cheon followed up.
“Whatever it is, she’s not being honest, at least.”
She hadn’t even mentioned the Black Heaven Alliance matchmakers.
Of course, they hadn’t revealed everything either—like Yeom Sa-won’s impending arrival.
“What did you think, Pavilion Lord Baek?”
To On Byeok-hwa’s question, Baek So-cheon gave an enigmatic reply.
“I didn’t see her.”
He shouldn’t look at the woman before him.
What he needed to see was what lay behind: the hidden intentions of those ruthless parents who sent their children into enemy territory without hesitation.
Baek So-cheon said to everyone,
“I’ll find out if there’s more to it.”