The Flight to Transcendence
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Urgent footsteps rang out. Before long, the Sect Leader and the Jigeom Sect’s key figures came hurrying in, one after another.
“Hyeonseong! What happened?”
For a moment, I realized my mistake.
This is bad...
The force that had erupted when I broke into the Transcendence Realm had spread across the entire sect. And once the Sect Leader and the elders felt it, they rushed here.
Swish.
I glanced down and saw that the floor of the training ground beneath my feet was webbed with cracks. The trees around us had also been battered by the surging qi, shedding leaves in a frenzy. After something that dramatic, it would have been stranger if no one had noticed.
Quietly reining in the boiling tide of inner energy within me, I looked at the Sect Leader.
“Master, I have reached the Transcendence Realm.”
The Sect Leader’s eyes widened little by little as he stared at me. Not only him, but the elders who had followed him all wore the same expression—shock and disbelief tangled together on their faces.
“The Transcendence Realm...”
One of the elders murmured in a trembling voice.
“How can this be...”
I calmly sheathed my sword and said, “I gained an unexpected insight in actual combat against a beast.”
The Sect Leader opened and closed his mouth several times before he finally managed to speak.
“Hyeonseong... you really are...”
His voice was full of emotion, full of pride. For a small sect like Jigeom Sect, producing a Transcendence Realm expert was something beyond imagination.
“Mm...”
“Ah...”
The elders who met my gaze awkwardly turned their heads away. They were the same men who had tried to corner me not long ago.
“Congratulations, Hyeonseong.”
But soon the elders all offered their congratulations in unison. Deep in their eyes, complicated emotions swirled.
Envy and fear, mixed together.
By now, I had become an absolute existence in Jigeom Sect—someone no one could touch. Then I felt two cold gazes staring at me from behind the elders.
Jang Semin and Jang Sejun.
Their faces were pale.
Especially Jang Semin, who stood there with his fists clenched tight.
He’s jealous. And scared, too.
I gave them a light smile, then returned a casual martial salute.
“Thank you for your congratulations.”
That night, a covert meeting took place in a quiet detached building within Jigeom Sect.
“Hyung, we can’t just sit still and let this happen.”
Jang Sejun said in a trembling voice.
“The Transcendence Realm... even Father will end up taking Hyeonseong’s side.”
Jang Semin’s face looked twisted even in the darkness.
“That bastard Hyeonseong is deliberately putting pressure on us. You saw that smile today, didn’t you? He’s looking down on us completely.”
“Then what are we supposed to do? Is there anyone in the sect who can still lay a hand on Hyeonseong?”
At Jang Sejun’s desperate question, Jang Semin grit his teeth.
“There’s a way.”
“A way?”
“We borrow outside power.”
A sinister light flashed in Jang Semin’s eyes.
“There’s been a rumor going around that powerful beasts have been appearing more and more often in the Hubei region. I heard the Martial Alliance is putting together an extermination force to deal with them.”
“No way...”
“That’s right. We leak information about Hyeonseong to the Martial Alliance.”
Jang Sejun’s face brightened.
“That’s a great idea! If the Martial Alliance drafts Hyeonseong away—”
“Then we’ll be able to wipe our hands clean without lifting a finger. If he’s forced to fight strong beasts, there’s no telling whether he’ll come back in one piece.”
“Won’t Father be angry if it turns out we were the ones who tipped them off?”
“As long as we’re not caught. How many people saw Hyeonseong reach the Transcendence Realm?”
The Sect Leader and all the elders already knew of Hyeonseong’s cultivation level. Even if the information reached the Martial Alliance, there would be no reason to single out only Jang Semin and Jang Sejun.
Jang Sejun hesitated at his brother’s scheme.
“But... if he really dies... wouldn’t that be a loss to the sect? I mean, he is bringing in a huge amount of benefits for us right now.”
“This is Hyeonseong’s own doing. He chose to step into something dangerous like beast hunting.”
Jang Semin let out a cold laugh.
“Besides, if Hyeonseong disappears, we can absorb all the talent that follows him—Duseong, Hwaung, and even that Jinwu bastard. Every gifted person loyal to him can be ours.”
In the end, Jang Sejun nodded.
“Fine, Hyung. But we need to be careful about it.”
“Of course. I’ll put together a perfect plan.”
The two brothers kept whispering about their scheme in the darkness.
***
The next morning, I was training in the practice yard as usual. I had reached the Transcendence Realm, but I still needed to stabilize it.
Shiiing—
I drew my sword and slowly unfolded its forms.
The complete shape of Kunlun Thirteen Swords sliced through the air, tracing a beautiful arc.
“Eldest Brother!”
Duseong approached me. His face was full of excitement and awe.
“Congratulations, truly! The Transcendence Realm... that’s incredible.”
Hwaung came running up as well.
“Eldest Brother, do you think we’ll ever reach a realm like that?”
I smiled gently.
“If you work hard enough, nothing is impossible.”
Then Zhuge Hyeonggeon appeared in the distance, walking toward me at a brisk pace with an unusually excited expression.
“Young Master Hyeonseong! You’ve reached the Transcendence Realm? Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“Truly remarkable. To reach that realm at such a young age... everyone in Murim will be watching you now.”
“You flatter me. There are surely many among the younger generation of the major sects who are more skilled than I am.”
“That only makes it more impressive. A small sect like this... ah, my apologies.”
“It’s all right. It’s true that Jigeom Sect is small.”
Zhuge Hyeonggeon’s eyes sparkled.
“Young Master, I’d like to make a proposal.”
“What sort of proposal?”
Zhuge Hyeonggeon glanced around before lowering his voice.
“Could we speak privately? It’s an important matter.”
I told Duseong and Hwaung to go on ahead, then went to a quieter place with Zhuge Hyeonggeon.
“So what is this proposal?”
Zhuge Hyeonggeon spoke with a serious expression.
“How would you feel about establishing a workshop for mass-producing beast defensive talismans?”
“A workshop?”
“Yes! Not only beast defensive talismans, but I’d also like to study all sorts of applications involving beasts. For that research, I absolutely need your help.”
I fell into thought for a moment.
A workshop, huh...
In fact, Zhuge Hyeonggeon would later establish exactly the kind of workshop he was talking about now. And the one to found it would be the Zhuge Clan. From a workshop led by Zhuge Hyeonggeon, the methods for using beast byproducts would be systematized.
Right now, he was suggesting that we create that workshop together.
And I had no reason to refuse. I was already planning to leave Jigeom Sect, so Zhuge Hyeonggeon’s proposal couldn’t have come at a better time.
“What exactly is your plan?”
“First, you need to become independent from Jigeom Sect. Of course, peacefully.”
Zhuge Hyeonggeon continued cautiously.
“At your level, there’s no need to be tied to any single sect anymore. In fact, building an independent force would be far more advantageous.”
“Interesting.”
“And Duseong, Hwaung, and Jinwu—those three must come with you. Especially Jinwu. His skill in preparing medicinal materials, combined with beast defensive talismans, would create an enormous effect.”
Zhuge Hyeonggeon’s proposal was detailed and meticulously thought through.
“What if we place the workshop near the Zhuge Clan? We could provide protection and technical support.”
“Would the Zhuge Clan really agree to something like that?”
“Of course! I’ve already secured approval from the clan.”
He spoke with absolute certainty.
“The Zhuge Clan won’t let go of talent like yours. We’ll give you the highest possible treatment. Your independence will be respected, while you still receive strong backing.”
I nodded.
“It’s a good proposal. But I can’t decide so hastily.”
“Naturally. Please think it over carefully and decide when you’re ready.”
Zhuge Hyeonggeon left, pleased. Left alone, I sank into deep thought.
It looks like the time has come to leave Jigeom Sect.
Now that I had reached the Transcendence Realm, there was no reason to remain here any longer. If anything, people like Jang Semin and Jang Sejun would only become more troublesome.
And Zhuge Hyeonggeon’s proposal isn’t bad either.
An alliance with the Zhuge Clan would be a major help in my future plans.
But there are things to be careful about.
The Zhuge Clan was also a force that moved for its own benefit. I couldn’t trust them completely. That problem could be handled if I secured firm guarantees of independence.
I returned to the training yard and called Duseong and Hwaung over.
“I have something important to tell you both.”
“Yes, Eldest Brother.”
“Soon, we’ll be leaving this place.”
Their expressions made it clear—they had already seen this day coming.
“Yes, understood. But where are we going?”
“It isn’t decided yet. But I think the time has come for us to step onto a bigger stage.”
I looked at my two disciples and said, “You’ll follow me, won’t you?”
Duseong answered first.
“I’ll follow you, Eldest Brother. Wherever you go.”
Hwaung nodded as well.
“Me too. Wherever Eldest Brother is, that’s where we belong.”
I smiled with satisfaction.
“Thank you. Then let’s start preparing.”
***
The next day, I was summoned unexpectedly and headed to the Sect Leader’s quarters. When I arrived, a heavy silence hung in the room.
“Hyeonseong, you’re here.”
Across from me sat a middle-aged man in black robes. The man, who had introduced himself as an emissary from the Martial Alliance, was observing me with sharp eyes.
“So you’re Young Master Hyeonseong. I’ve heard much of your reputation. I am Gwan Cheol, head of the inspection division of the Martial Alliance’s Hubei branch.”
“Greetings. I’m Hyeonseong. What brings you here to see me?”
Gwan Cheol took a sip of tea before continuing.
“I hear that among the beast hunters currently active in Hubei, you’re the one drawing the most attention. In particular, rumors have reached even the Martial Alliance that you single-handedly slew the Profound Class beast, Spectral Fanged Hound.”
I answered calmly, “The rumors are exaggerated. I was just lucky.”
“How modest. But it’s true that you saved the Zhuge Clan’s Young Master Hyeonggeon, isn’t it?”
So they already knew about my connection with the Zhuge Clan. The Martial Alliance’s intelligence network was more extensive than I had imagined. Gwan Cheol leaned forward and got straight to the point.
“I’ll be blunt. The Martial Alliance has decided to assemble a large-scale beast extermination force. And we’d like to offer you the position of deputy commander.”
Deputy commander... that was a fairly high position.
“You’d entrust such an important role to someone as young as me?”
“If you have the ability, age doesn’t matter. Your accomplishments in beast hunting are already proven.”
The Sect Leader, who was listening beside us, wore a complicated expression. Pride and regret were mixed together on his face. Then the door flew open, and Jang Semin and Jang Sejun stormed in.
“Father! What is the meaning of this?”
Jang Semin protested harshly.
“Hyeonseong is a disciple of our Jigeom Sect. How can you make a decision like this without the sect’s permission?”
Jang Sejun chimed in as well.
“That’s right! Something this important should go through the elders’ council!”
The Martial Alliance emissary turned his cold eyes on the two of them. The Sect Leader was startled and snapped at them.
“Do you even know who you’re speaking to, and still dare to be so rude?”
Under that overwhelming presence, Jang Semin and Jang Sejun flinched. The Sect Leader let out a tired sigh.
“Semin. Sejun. Step outside.”
“But Father...”
“I said step outside!”
At his shout, the two of them retreated reluctantly. As they turned and headed for the door, I caught the twitch of their mouths. I clicked my tongue inwardly.
Hah... those bastards...
I understood the situation immediately. But since I was already preparing to leave Jigeom Sect, this had actually given me a better excuse.
“I’m sorry. The children were rude.”
“It’s fine.”
Gwan Cheol looked back at me.
“So, what will you do?”
The Sect Leader looked at me with a pleading expression. If I refused, the Martial Alliance wouldn’t force the issue. I pretended to think it over for a moment, then spoke.
“I have one condition.”
“Go on.”
“I’d like to bring my hunting party with me—Duseong, Hwaung, and the physician Jinwu.”
Gwan Cheol frowned.
“The extermination force is made up of elites from each sect. Those whose skill hasn’t been verified—”
“If I can’t go with them, then I won’t go at all.”
At my firm reply, Gwan Cheol thought for a moment, then nodded.
“Very well. We’ll make a special exception, in light of Young Master Hyeonseong’s abilities.”
“Thank you.”
“Then once preparations are complete, please report to the Martial Alliance’s Hubei branch.”
After Gwan Cheol left, the Sect Leader looked at me and said, “Hyeonseong... do you really have to go?”
“Yes, Master. This is a good opportunity for me.”
The Sect Leader gave a lonely smile.
“I see... I can’t stop you from moving on to a larger stage.”
I made my expression as regretful as possible and said to him, “I wanted to remain in the sect, but I’m sorry things turned out this way. It seems... someone deliberately leaked my information to the Martial Alliance.”
The Sect Leader’s pupils shook violently.
“W... what?”
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