The Legend of the Northern Blade

Within the grounds of Heaven's Summit stood a grand pavilion called the Wisdom Flower Pavilion. Entry required passing through two imposing doors and completing three rigorous rounds of inspections.

This was where Seomoon Hye-Ryung stayed whenever she needed to remain at Heaven's Summit. Here, her every need was catered to, from the well-kept rear garden and training field to the spacious halls, with countless attendants, guards, and bodyguards ready to serve her at any moment.

However, what she truly valued most about the Wisdom Flower Pavilion was its strategic advantage. From this location, she could observe the intricate flow of information at a glance.

After all, the Wisdom Flower Pavilion was one of the central hubs of the Seomoon Clan's intelligence network. While it was smaller in scale than the Seomoon Clan Estate, nearly all information that made its way to Heaven's Summit passed through the Wisdom Flower Pavilion. This allowed her to effectively gather intelligence and formulate strategies from here.

"As expected, the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Clans, as well as the martial artists of various mid-sized sects have all gathered," she murmured softly as she read the letter in her hand.

Soon, Heaven's Summit would open its colossal gates, welcoming even the martial artists waiting in Wuhan and Heaven's Village. Like a starving beast that could never be satisfied, it constantly craved more warriors.

Its insatiable greed was so intense that it disgusted even Seomoon Hye-Ryung, a figure renowned across the jianghu.

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With so many martial artists arriving at once, incidents and accidents were constant. Managing even a few dozen individuals was already challenging in practice, let alone handling a crowd of martial artists who were used to settling disputes through force. As a result, the Outer Hall and Inner Hall of Heaven's Summit stayed on high alert.

"A guest?"

"It's Miss Chae Hwa-Yeong of the Thunder Sect."

"Sister Yeong?" A smile spread across Seomoon Hye-Ryung's lips. "Show her in."

"Yes!"

The door opened, and Chae Hwa-Yeong, a sturdy woman with a spear slung across her back, strode into the room. Her tanned skin and muscular physique were striking, surpassing even most men in strength and athleticism. With broad shoulders, keen, shining eyes, and firmly set lips, she possessed the fierce aura of a panther.

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The Thunder Sect was renowned for its domineering spear techniques and the devastating power of its explosives. Although it could not rival the influence of the Nine Great Sects or the Five Great Clans, the Thunder Sect had carved out its own formidable domain, commanding respect from all.

As the only daughter of Chae Gwang-Ho, the sect leader of the Thunder Sect, Chae Hwa-Yeong was an exceptionally talented spear user. Even among the young martial artists Seomoon Hye-Ryung had recruited into the Azure Dragon Society, her skills stood out from the rest.

Chae Hwa-Yeong approached Seomoon Hye-Ryung. "Good afternoon, Unnie," she greeted.

"Welcome, Sister Yeong."

Noticing the paper in Seomoon Hye-Ryung’s hand, Chae Hwa-Yeong sighed. Seomoon Hye-Ryung’s relentless pursuit of information, worldly trends, and knowledge was something that even a martial arts genius like her found difficult to comprehend. She often wondered how so much insight could fit within that small head.

Unlike most people who joined the Azure Dragon Society because of Dam Soo-Cheon, Chae Hwa-Yeong joined because of her unwavering loyalty to Seomoon Hye-Ryung. The bond they shared went far beyond the usual bonds between fellow members.

"You're is still the same as ever, Unnie," Chae Hwa-Yeong remarked.

Seomoon Hye-Ryung put the letter aside. "If my work were taken from me, what would I have left? Now, what brings you here?"

"Do I need a reason to visit you?"

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"Of course not."

"Well… I did come here because there was something I wanted to talk to you about."

Seomoon Hye-Ryung's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Is that so?"

"Unnie, are you aware that some members of the Azure Dragon Society met privately last night?"

"What?"

Seomoon Hye-Ryung frowned. She had been so focused on Heaven's Summit that she had neglected the internal affairs of the Azure Dragon Society. Missing a secret meeting was no trivial oversight! 𐍂

"Who led that private meeting?"

"Mr. Jwa Moon-Ho of the Three Rings Sword Sect."

Seomoon Hye-Ryung clicked her tongue, easily guessing why Jwa Moon-Ho had called the newer Azure Dragon Society members together.

"As expected, it was Mr. Jwa. His ambitions always seem to exceed his capabilities. Who else attended this meeting?"

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"Master Hyun Gong-Hwi, a member of the Seven Young Skies, Mr. Namgung Il-Geom of the Namgung Clan, and a few other significant young masters."

"Hmm…" Seomoon Hye-Ryung's expression hardened. Namgung Il-Geom and the others did not concern her too much. However, Hyun Gong-Hwi was a different matter altogether. As a peer among the Seven Young Skies, he demanded special attention.

Chae Hwa-Yeong grinned slyly, as if she had more to tell.

Seomoon Hye-Ryung asked, "So, what happened?"

"What do you mean, what happened?"

"You know what I mean. Tell me."

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"Actually…" Chae Hwa-Yeong explained the events that had transpired at the Yellow Crane Tower.

Seomoon Hye-Ryung's eyes widened with shock. "Is that true?"

"Yes, I heard it directly from a friend who witnessed it."

"So Master Hyun, Mr. Namgung, and Mr. Jwa joined forces and still ended up defeated?"

"Yes. Mr. Namgung even pissed his pants. It was a complete disaster."

"!!!"

All three men were renowned experts of the Azure Dragon Society. Their defeat, even after joining forces, was a serious blow to the society's prestige. The Azure Dragon Society was only recently on the rise, and couldn't afford any blemishes. If news of this incident were to spread, it would severely hinder their advancement.

"Who was it that managed to take down all three at once?"

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"I cannot recall his name clearly, but he went by the alias Northern Blade."

"Jin Mu-Won!" Seomoon Hye-Ryung shouted, standing up without realizing it.

"Unnie, do you know him?"

"You're certain this person really is the Northern Blade? There's no chance of a mix-up?"

"I'm sure."

"Damn it!"

Sometimes, a single name could evoke ominous visions and uneasy feelings without any clear explanation, and to Seomoon Hye-Ryung, Jin Mu-Won was one such name.

Ever since she had heard about the Northern Blade, he had constantly lingered at the edges of her thoughts. For reasons she could not understand, just hearing his name unsettled her and left her feeling unusually irritable.

"Is the Northern Blade Jin Mu-Won inside Heaven's Summit right now?"

"I'm not too sure about that, but he's definitely staying somewhere in Wuhan."

"Where is Mr. Jwa right now? Summon him at once."

"Well…"

"What is it now, Sister Yeong?"

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"Ah, well…"

"Speak up!" Seomoon Hye-Ryung shouted, frustrated.

Jin Mu-Won sat confined in a prison operated where those captured by the Outer Hall were held before being sent to the Sentencing Hall to receive punishment.

Despite being surrounded by iron bars, Jin Mu-Won displayed no anxiety whatsoever, and Snow Flower remained cradled in his arms.

Typically, prisoners were not permitted to keep their weapons, but Jo Chun-Gwang had not dared to take Snow Flower from Jin Mu-Won, fearing that such a transgression might cost him his life.

This resulted in the strange spectacle of a prisoner still holding his sword.

Throwing furtive glances at Jin Mu-Won, the Outer Hall martial artists whispered among themselves.

"Squad Leader, did we arrest the wrong person?"

"Yeah, he's way too calm. Maybe he has someone influential backing him."

"I agree!"

Upon hearing his subordinates, Jo Chun-Gwang's expression darkened. He had served the Outer Hall for over a decade, met countless martial artists, and prided himself on his ability to accurately assess them.

No matter how strong they may be, most people cower in front of Heaven's Summit, and this is especially true if they're locked behind bar. Staying composed should be nearly impossible even for a martial master with a powerful background!

…Now that I think about it, I know next to nothing about this guy.

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A shiver ran down Jo Chun-Gwang's spine. He had obeyed orders to arrest this scary man, but it just dawned on him that he knew nothing about him, not even his name.

"Hey…" he began, about to ask the man's name, when the door to the prisons slammed open.

A middle-aged man, likely around forty, leisurely sauntered down the prison hallway. He was Dan Un-Gang, the Hall Leader of the Outer Hall, known for his fiery personality and exceptional martial arts skills.

Jo Chun-Gwang immediately greeted politely, "Hall Leader."

"Fourth Squad Captain, I heard you captured the criminal?"

"Yes, sir!"

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"Hmph! Shall I take a look at the fearless man who dared to cause trouble in Wuhan?"

Dan Un-Gang leaned close to Jin Mu-Won's cell to get a closer look at him, when he suddenly reared backward.

"Hey, Fourth Squad Leader, why does that guy still have his sword? Why didn't you confiscate it when you locked him up?"

"T-That's…" Jo Chun-Gwang stammered, looking troubled.

Dan Un-Gang's expression darkened. "Useless fool…"

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He moved closer to the cell holding Jin Mu-Won.

"Hey, you. I heard you killed people in Wuhan. You are not expecting to get off scot-free after murdering people right under Heaven's Summit's nose, are you?"

Jin Mu-Won raised his head and locked eyes with Dan Un-Gang.

Seeing those deep, unflinching eyes that resembled a silent, motionless ocean, like the oppressive stillness right before a storm, Dan Un-Gang let out an involuntary groan, "Ugh!"

Jin Mu-Won said coolly, "I did not realize that defending myself against assassins was a crime."

"Shut up! Do you have any proof that the people you killed were assassins?"

"In what other situation would someone suddenly face an attack from dozens of masked martial artists dressed in black at the same time?"

"That is for us to determine. Until we learn the truth, you will stay here."

"Who will oversee this investigation?"

Dan Un-Gang bared his yellowed teeth in a grin. "I will handle it personally. I will pry into the truth so deeply that not even a speck of dust remains."

Jin Mu-Won narrowed his eyes. "Did Jwa Moon-Ho put you up to this?"

Dan Un-Gang's anger flared, as if he might burst into the cell at any moment. "Who said anyone asked me anything? Are you accusing me, Dan Un-Gang, of accepting bribes?"

"Are you ready for what is to come?"

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"What?"

"I'm asking if you're ready to face the consequences of your actions."

"Are you threatening me, you bastard?"

"Whether I'm threatening you or not, you'll find out soon enough," Jin Mu-Won replied plainly.

Dan Un-Gang's face twisted in rage. "You think you can intimidate me with your pathetic background, Jin Mu-Won?"

"You know my name?"

"Listen. Your name and your so-called Northern Blade title mean nothing to me. Here, I am king!"