Into the Black Tiger's Den
In the dimly lit halls of the Baekri Clan, uneasy voices murmured in the shadows.
"It seems the Patriarch intends to make a move."
"What? So suddenly?"
"Ever since his meeting with the Zhuge Clan, something about him has changed. It's a subtle shift—one you wouldn't notice unless you'd spent years at his side."
"Is that so? I hadn't sensed anything..."
"A great change is coming soon. If the Gold Money Hall is to survive, we have no choice but to lie low for now."
Baekri Jin, the Gold Money Hall Leader, massaged his temples with a heavy sigh. Lately the Hall had enjoyed days of perfect peace. Yet after whatever discussion the Patriarch had with the Zhuge Clan, work had suddenly flooded in from today onward. At this rate, even skimming funds would become impossible. The wisest course was to stay quiet for the time being.
"First, we need to learn exactly what the Patriarch discussed with the Zhuge Clan."
"But Elder, if we dig any deeper..."
"Fool. While the Patriarch is still within the clan, this is our final chance. Once the Sword Sovereign steps out into the world, everything ends."
First Elder Baekri Jung reacted with equal sensitivity to the Patriarch's change. Whatever words had been exchanged, the Patriarch was clearly preparing to leave the clan. This was the last opportunity. If Baekri Hyeok appeared in the Jianghu as the Sword Sovereign, the First Elder's ambitions would be finished.
They had to act, even if it meant moving hastily.
"The Patriarch didn't say a word to me either..."
Steward Taehun of the Baekri Clan wore the same anxious expression as he recalled last night's meeting. What on earth had they discussed that the Patriarch wouldn't even inform someone in his position? Though the question burned, he didn't dare investigate. After all, if the Patriarch had chosen not to tell his own steward, there was no need to provoke him unnecessarily.
"This could disrupt our plans."
Thus, contrary to Baekri Hyeok's intentions, the meeting between the Baekri Clan and the Zhuge Clan had the unexpected effect of sharpening the movements of every faction within the clan.
Meanwhile, Baekri Hyeong had made his own decision.
Today, it's the Gold Money Hall.
Compared to the First Elder's or the steward's offices, security at the Gold Money Hall was relatively light. He had already donned his black stealth clothes and pulled the hood low, completely concealing his identity. Even if he were discovered, he could simply subdue them with the Four Guardian Deities Sword and flee. Not that he intended to be caught in the first place.
Shrrk.
With his destination fixed in mind, Baekri Hyeong's small form vanished in an instant. He had used White Tiger Roaring Steps, a movement technique from the Yellow Dragon Emperor Heaven Art that channeled White Tiger qi.
A fleeting afterimage lingered where the boy had stood, the roar of the White Tiger carrying him forward like a silent gale.
Having crossed the Gold Money Hall's threshold in a single bound, Baekri Hyeong began carefully eavesdropping on the conversation inside. Thanks to his small stature, the chance of detection was extremely low. He could hear voices, but to make out the words he would need to move closer—a risky proposition.
Yet even as tension coiled in his chest, he remained perfectly still. If a master he hadn't sensed was stationed inside the Hall, getting caught listening could ruin everything.
"Hmm?"
At that exact moment, he witnessed a suspicious man slipping out through the Hall's rear entrance. Though he couldn't see clearly, the man's hurried movements suggested he was rushing to deliver information to someone.
Baekri Hyeong decided to follow him.
Where is he going?
The man panted heavily as he raced out of the Baekri Clan grounds. The clan followed a peculiar custom of allowing people to leave without interference. Since their Patriarch was the Sword Sovereign, they apparently believed no spy could cause real harm. In my previous life that very attitude led to disaster. I'll have to petition for stricter rules later.
Trailing the man, Baekri Hyeong eventually had no choice but to stop.
"The Black Path's territory..."
The area ahead belonged to the Black Path. More precisely, it was the domain of the Black Tiger Sword Gate, the foremost Black Path faction in Hubei. Turning back now would render all the time spent following him meaningless. He had to take the risk and proceed.
"Huff! Huff!"
The man who had burst from the Gold Money Hall looked ready to collapse from exhaustion, yet he refused to stop running. He couldn't afford to. After everything he had done to infiltrate the Baekri Clan, collapsing here would doom his entire family.
"Someone! Is anyone there?!"
In a final act of desperation, the man screamed at the top of his lungs. By now the Baekri Clan would have noticed his escape and dispatched troops. Or so he believed. In truth, the only person who knew of his flight was Baekri Hyeong. The information the man carried wasn't particularly valuable to the Baekri Clan anyway. Only he remained unaware of that fact.
"You've brought a tail with you."
"What?! I checked my surroundings thoroughly the entire way!"
"Your family is doing well. So hand it over quickly."
"Where are they?! You have to tell me that much at least!"
Without warning, a man radiating a sinister aura appeared and demanded information from the spy. Others with the same ominous presence stood behind him. Though terrified, the spy stood his ground defiantly.
This is troublesome...
Baekri Hyeong swallowed a bitter smile. He had ventured too deep. The enemy leader had sensed his presence. If he fled now, rumors would spread that a Righteous Path spy had been sent into Black Path territory. In the worst case, it could spark conflict between the two sides.
Therefore, Baekri Hyeong chose to listen carefully to their exchange.
"I have nothing to tell you."
"Then I won't give you anything either!"
"I'll send you to where your family is. They're probably living comfortably in the afterlife by now."
"What are you—!"
The man swung his sword without hesitation. Baekri Hyeong instantly revealed himself and blocked the strike. The spy, realizing he had barely escaped death, fled as fast as his legs could carry him.
"Ugh!"
"A mere child. Now that your presence has been detected, have you decided to wipe us all out?"
"If you're from the Black Path, what do you plan to do with information about the Baekri Clan?"
"That's none of your concern."
"Actually, it concerns me a great deal. Since things have come to this, I'll be taking my answers before I leave!"
BOOM!
When Baekri Hyeong stamped his foot, a clear and refreshing energy spread throughout the area. The man frowned at the unexpected power coming from such a small body and took a step back.
"Who are you?"
"Why would I tell you?"
"Then die."
At the man's gesture, his subordinates charged toward Baekri Hyeong. Far from being intimidated, the boy curled his lips into a smile. Killing intent pressed in from all directions. This was a true life-or-death battle. In an environment he hadn't experienced for two years, Baekri Hyeong felt a chilling thrill as he unleashed the Azure Dragon Sword Style.
The first attacker, full of momentum, lost his head in a single clean stroke. The movement was simple, yet it carried the profound scent of real combat—nothing to scoff at.
It was hardly merciful for a child from a prestigious Righteous Path clan to show. But these were fellow members of the Evil Path, and they had undergone harsh training.
"Kill them by any means necessary. There's no need to show mercy."
"Understood!"
Following their leader's command, the Evil Path warriors formed a circle around Baekri Hyeong. Yet the boy showed no sign of panic. Though his current self fell far short of the Sword Sovereign he had been in his previous life, the encirclement these men had created was nothing compared to the siege formations of the Demonic Cult.
"Haaap!"
The Evil Path took the initiative. They gradually tightened the circle until one man reached Baekri Hyeong first. But the boy had already anticipated it. He leaped high into the air, only for an archer hidden in the trees to loose an arrow at his temple.
The arrow whistled past.
"He dodged?"
"Your reaction speed is too slow."
Baekri Hyeong lightly tilted his head to evade the arrow, then dispatched the archer with a slash of sword energy. Seeing their comrade fall, the Evil Path warriors abandoned formation and charged at him in a chaotic frenzy.
This was exactly the situation Baekri Hyeong had wanted.
I have no choice but to test it here.
He inhaled deeply. The blue light in his eyes turned crimson as thick killing intent engulfed his entire body. He had converted the Azure Dragon qi of the Yellow Dragon Emperor Heaven Art into a different type of energy. The Vermilion Bird Killing Sword—a technique created to annihilate enemies without the slightest mercy—unfolded its wings with terrifying force.
A single swing sent crimson sword energy slicing through the waists of several Evil Path warriors. The raw power was unimaginable coming from a child's body.
Yet Baekri Hyeong was already suffering the technique's recoil.
Still too much?
He had drawn the Vermilion Bird Killing Sword to end the fight quickly, but his joints were already creaking. If a single swing produced this much backlash, continuing would result in serious injury. Reluctantly, he withdrew the Vermilion Bird qi, restored the Azure Dragon qi, and steadied his breathing.
"Impressive. That martial art doesn't suit your age at all."
"You're too weak. Were you planning to let your subordinates handle me?"
"Indeed. I will deal with you personally."
As the Evil Path leader drew his sword, Baekri Hyeong let out a low groan. The aura emanating from the man was strikingly similar to the mental cultivation method of the Black Tiger Sword Gate.