The Heaven-Slaying Sword

It took another week to reach Wuhan from Hubei, and during that time, the atmosphere of the group had brightened considerably.

The biggest factor for that above all else was because the depressed Mok Riwon had regained his spirit.

There must have been some change of heart during his conversation with Gwak Chil, but Tang Hwa-seo and Zhuge San chose not to ask about it.

After all, the fact that Mok Riwon had regained his energy was much more important than such personal matters.

“So this is the Martial Alliance Headquarters in Wuhan…!”

Mok Riwon’s eyes were sparkling as his heart pounded looking at the center of Wuhan.

At the end of his sights was the largest building he had ever seen.

And on the grand gate of that building was a name written in a splendid calligraphy.

The Orthodox Path Martial Arts Alliance.

Seeing this, Tang Hwa-seo smiled slightly and said.

“We’ll head there right away. Are you prepared?”

“Of course! How could I wait any longer after coming all the way here?!”

At his lively words, Zhuge San also laughed heartily.

“Hmm, I think forming a group will be much easier than we anticipated. No, they might even be the ones to ask us.”

“Huh? Why is that?”

“Haven’t demonic practitioners appeared? The mood in the Martial Alliance will be different from usual.”

Mok Riwon’s body trembled, and with a grave expression, he continued.

“…That’s right. Demonic practitioners have appeared.”

It may be a moment when another history of blood is written.

With such thoughts in mind, Mok Riwon shook his head and uttered full of determination.

“No, I won’t let another bloodied history happen. That’s what I learned the sword for.”

He would never allow himself to be shaken again for the same reason.

And with that resolve, he stepped forward.

“Let’s go!”

Ink Dragon Mok Riwon.

It was the induction of the one called that name into the Martial Alliance.

* * *

The Martial Alliance was quite noisy today.

It was because the Ink Dragon, Strange Dragon, and Poison Phoenix, whose whereabouts had been unknown since the Dragon Phoenix Tournament, had appeared here.

Naturally, the news was welcomed.

Since the rumors of their entrance into the Alliance, which had been circulating since the Dragon Phoenix Tournament, turned out to be true, they couldn’t help but be pleased.

Recently, as demonic practitioners began to be spotted in various places, the gloomy atmosphere of the Alliance had lightened up and become lively, at least for today.

Amidst that, someone stepped forward.

“What a relief. It was about time for us to increase our strength anyway.”

Walking down the long corridor of the Alliance was a middle-aged man.

His appearance was reminiscent more of a scholar from somewhere rather than a martial artist of the Martial Alliance.

However, from the inner qi clearly felt from his gait and sharpness in his eyes, one couldn’t simply call him a scholar.

“Are you going in person, Military Advisor?”

“It’s the Dragons and Phoenix. Who else would go if not me?”

Having said that, the Military Advisor pursed his lips for a moment to choose his words, then added one more thing.

“…Besides, I heard my nephew has come. So I have to see him at least once.”

“Haha...”

At the Military Advisor’s words, the person assisting him laughed awkwardly.

He knew.

The man who held the position as the Martial Alliance’s Military Advisor wasn’t someone who would be swayed by familial affection to the extent of kindness.

And also, someone who didn’t particularly like those who tarnished the name of his clan.

Perhaps, just as he did to his subordinates, the Military Advisor would also say words that stabbed his nephew’s heart like a knife.

Martial Alliance Military Advisor Zhuge Muyeon.

The uncle of Strange Dragon Zhuge San, and the man with the most venomous tongue in the Martial Alliance.

* * *

The reception room of the Martial Alliance was majestic.

Apart from everything else, it was because it occupied one of the buildings with the best view in Wuhan, so the scenery visible through the windows was exceptional.

And that wasn’t all.

There were traces of numerous famous people adorning the interior of the reception room, and the achievements of the Orthodox Path Martial Alliance densely lining a single wall.

These were enough to make Mok Riwon, who had never seen such a scene before, feel intimidated.

No, actually, if one were to examine the reason why Mok Riwon was so intimidated, there was something else more significant.

“I heard. Did you flirt with another woman who lost her husband somewhere again?”

“Flirt, you say? Oh my, what a hurtful thing to say. I was carrying out chivalry and righteousness.”

“Your chivalry and righteousness must be in the bosom of widows.”

“That’s not entirely wrong. But Uncle, you’ve gained a lot of wrinkles, haven’t you? The affairs of the Alliance must not be easy...”

“At least I’m not frivolous like someone.”

It was a battle of words in which no side wished to back down.

But, could this even be called a battle?

They were smiling at each other.

And the way they spoke seemed to have a hint of worry in them.

It was only the words themselves that seemed to be sharp, so Mok Riwon had no choice but to be mindful of the situation, whispering to Tang Hwa-seo.

“Y-Young Lady, shouldn’t we stop them...”

“Leave them be. Aren’t they simply family members reuniting?”

While it was questionable whether this could be considered a reunion, Tang Hwa-seo had no intention of intervening.

After all, it wasn’t every day that impudent Zhuge San got angry.

“Young Hero Mok, you should also watch carefully. This scene isn’t something you can see even if you pay for it.”

Hesitating for a moment before following her words, his eyes slowly rolled over to the two men.

Military Advisor Zhuge Muyeon had a serene expression.

His characteristic weak aura was so strong that if it weren’t for his lips moving, one might not even realize he was speaking right now.

Similarly, Zhuge San who was facing him was the same.

Although there was a vein popping on his forehead, his typical weasel-like face had a smile, so he didn’t seem angry.

“You must have nothing to do. Coming all the way here just to see my face in times like these.”

“The Martial Alliance does not neglect experts. It is more than enough reason for me to personally step out for a Dragon and Phoenix. Ah, I’m not referring to you. I don’t even know if you’re qualified to be a Dragon.”

Zhuge Muyeon said with a small laugh.

“I heard you could not even make it to the finals and boasted defeat so disgracefully.”

“Ah, well, the Fist Dragon is indeed the Fist Dragon after all.”

Zhuge San laughed heartily, filled with pretentiousness.

Seeing him like that, Zhuge Muyeon snorted and finally turned around.

What appeared on his face was a smile.

“I do apologze. It has been a long time since we’ve met, so the conversation with my nephew became quite lengthy.”

“N-No, it’s okay!”

When the attention returned to him, Mok Riwon stiffened and stood up, making a fist-palm salute.

“I am Mok Riwon! Fellow martial artists call me Ink Dragon!”

He blurted out those words unintentionally.

Mok Riwon realized a beat too late that he had uttered words he had always imagined himself saying, and his face reddened with excitement.

Tang Hwa-seo smiled at the sight and also stood up to make a fist-palm salute.

“Poison Phoenix.”

Zhuge Muyeon also stood up from his seat.

Even though he was known for his venomous tongue, he knew when not to use it.

“I am the Military Advisor, Zhuge Muyeon.”

He greeted with with the same salute, sitting down immediately after and continuing.

“I suppose your purpose in coming here is to establish a group, correct?”

The Martial Alliance was the headquarters of the Orthodox Martial World.

As such, he, who was at the pinnacle of its information network, was well aware.

Of the conflict between Tang Hwa-seo and the Tang Clan, and the choices she would make amidst that strange power struggle.

So Tang Hwa-seo avoided delving further into those matters.

It would be advantageous for her the more they grasped her situation on their own.

“Yes, at first I merely wanted to join, but on my journey here, my determination grew. After encountering demonic practitioners and experiencing a tragedy, I felt that I must contribute to establishing the foundation of the Orthodox Path.”

She said those words in an uncharacteristic manner, full of smiles and in high spirits.

At that, Zhuge San forced out a laugh and poked Mok Riwon’s waist.

Mok Riwon only looked at Tang Hwa-seo, his eyes lighting up at how cool she was.

“I had a request to make even if you didn’t anyway.”

Zhuge Muyeon said with a scholarly smile.

“We have intelligence.”

Demonic practitioners had emerged.

Not only the ones Mok Riwon’s group encountered, but all throughout the Central Plains.

They weren’t simply demonic practitioners who used Demonic Arts, but those with an affiliation— demons who had descended from the Hundred Thousand Mountains beyond Xinjiang in the west.

“It seems the Heavenly Demon Cult is on the move.”

The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

After the reign of the Third Heavenly Demon, Lee Mubaek, that name became synonymous with fear throughout the Central Plains.

As their movements were now confirmed, the Central Plains was destined to spiral further into chaos.

“It is difficult times. Therefore, we also need more heroes. Especially young heroes like the Dragons and Phoenixes.”

It wasn’t simply a welcoming remark for them.

The intent behind his words was so blatant that even the naive Mok Riwon could tell.

Zhuge Muyeon made no efforts to conceal his true intentions.

“There is a group being planned. One that will become the young face of the Orthodox Path.”

His smile deepened.

“The Martial Alliance seeks to gather the Dragons and Phoenixes. We wish to establish a new group with them.”

The Orthodox Path Martial World needed passion and hope.

“The Dragon Pheonix Squad. We would like to request your induction into it.”

The current martial world needed names to succeed the Four Stars and Six Kings.

* * *

The Inner Pavilion of Shaolin.

Fist Dragon Il-woon sat cross-legged and meditated for a long time before finally opening his eyes.

Getting up from his seat, he turned around and bowed deeply.

“What brings you to this place, if I may ask?”

There stood an elderly monk, like an ancient tree.

However, Il-woon would not have bowed so deeply if he were just an ordinary monk.

“A message came from the Alliance. Have you heard the contents?”

“I will follow the Abbot’s will.”

The Abbot of Shaolin, the Buddhist Star Won-myung.

He, the former leader of the Martial Alliance and one of the current supreme figures of the Orthodox Path, smiled.

“Your face looks like you are dying to go.”

There was a playful look on the old monk’s face, like that of a young boy.

Il-woon smiled bitterly at that.

“…I am ashamed of having so much attachment to the secular world.”

“Go.”

His head shot up, shock evident on his face.

Won-myung laughed greatly as if he found his reaction amusing.

“What does it matter if you have worldly attachments? If the will of Buddha is there, you are free to go as you wish.”

Sophistry.

And yet, such sweet sophistry.

Il-woon knew.

The words that Won-myung was current uttering were not only for the sake of justice in the martial world, but also out of pity for his own desires.

Il-woon was at a loss for word, but soon bowed down with a teary smile.

“…Thank you.”

Fist Dragon Il-woon set out into the secular world once more.

* * *

On the Golden Summit of Mount Emei in Sichuan where one of the Nine Sects of the Martial World, the Emei Sect, was located, Hyeun was carrying her bundle.

I can’t live like this anymore.

I miss the secular world too much.

She missed delicious food, exciting atmosphere, and many other things, but what she missed the most was…

Men.

I miss men.

Ripe young men.

Fortunately, Hyeun had a good excuse.

The letter sent to her from the Martial Alliance.

Hyeun intended to use that as a pretext to escape from this place.

“Hyeun, where do you think you’re trying to go?”

Startle.

Her body shook.

Her master had approached without a sound and was smiling, as if she knew Hyeun was trying to secretly run away.

She took a deep breath and thought.

I’ll definitely lose in a fight.

Persuading her definitely won’t work.

Then there’s only one way left.

“I’M GOING TO UPHOLD THE JUSTICE OF THE MARTIAL WORLD AND COME BACKKKKKK!!!”

Dash!

Hyeun fled.

As she disappeared in a flash, her master laughed heartily.

“Hmm, I didn’t even say I wouldn’t let her go. I wonder why she’s acting like that.”

“Will it be fine?”

The female monk next to her asked.

In response, Hyeun’s master said.

“Let her be. She’ll get tired of philandering around with men eventually. One has to experience everything~ to know that it’s all futile, no?”

The female monk made awkward expression at her wrinkled smile.

That bitch?

It seemed that Hyeun’s master wasn’t aware that Hyeun was the type of person who could starve for food, but not for men.

* * *

In the training grounds of the Namgung Clan.

Namgung Jincheon sheathed his sword.

As he calmed his breathing and opened his mouth, what he saw was a destructive aftermath on the floor of the training ground.

This should be enough.

He had learned all of the basic forms.

Anything beyond this would require real experience and further training on his own.

It’s time to leave.

The face of a certain man emerged in his mind.

A man who wielded an unopposable sword while smiling like a fool.

Namgung Jincheon’s fist clenched tightly.

I won’t lose a second time.

A never seen before intense desire to win was evident in his eyes.

“Big brother?”

The voice of a young girl rang out.

Turning his head, he saw his little sister, who was at least ten years younger than him.

“Soah.”

Namgung Soah crossed her arms and made a coy face.

Nevertheless, her cheeks were flushed red and her eyes were shining with curiosity, her attempt to act reserved wasn’t fooling anyone.

“Will you be leaving now?”

She even resorted to speaking more politely, which she normally never did.

This was the exact appearance she had been showing ever since the day she met Mok Riwon.

Namgung Jincheon nodded indifferently.

Then, suppressing the urge to jump up and down, she said.

“T-Then I’ll also go…”

“Stay home.”

After saying that, Namgung Jincheon walked past Namgung Soah.

Even though she was sobbing behind him, he didn’t care in the slightest.

To Namgung Jincheon, proving his sword was more important than the childish love of his little sister.

The Emperor’s Sword Form.

With a new weapon in hand, Namgung Jincheon headed towards the Martial /genesisforsaken