The Black Lotus Sect Leader appeared with Sama Yuryun at his side, lifting the corners of his mouth in a crooked grin.
“I heard the story, Demonic Sound Ice Witch. I hear you really crushed my kids.”
“Uh… about that…”
Seol Lihyang floundered, not sure how to respond to the Black Lotus Sect Leader’s joke. Understandably so—soone unfamiliar with him wouldn’t be able to tell whether it was a joke.
That rough air unique to unorthodox sect leaders, combined with his status, often caused misunderstandings… but surprisingly, this was his version of friendliness.
I stepped in, lightly patting Seol Lihyang’s back to reassure her, and at the sa ti, Sama Yuryun gently placed a hand on the Sect Leader’s arm.
“My lord, I understand you're pleased with a talented junior, but if you phrase it like that, you'll just end up scaring her.”
“Huha! Did it co off that way? I was just joking. I brought good news, but seeing her so tense in front of made want to tease her a little.”
The mont Sama Yuryun touched him, the Black Lotus Sect Leader consciously put away his usual roughness and gave a cheerful laugh.
I’d never thought too much about their marriage, but… it seed they were doing much better than I’d imagined.
Perhaps the tension eased because of the Sect Leader’s hearty laughter. Seol Lihyang sighed in relief and asked,
“So, um… what’s the good news?”
“What else? Didn’t I ntion it before? The banquet. The banquet!”
“It’s already ready?”
That was fast. When I asked too, the Sect Leader shrugged.
“It was only delayed because we didn’t know when you’d arrive. We had most of the preparations done long ago.”
“Then I suppose we should get ready on our end as well.”
“Preparation’s our job. You guests don’t need to do anything. Though, like I said before, you should act familiar with us.”
“If that’s all, then no problem.”
Just hand over our prepared gift again in front of everyone and pour a drink or two, and that would suffice.
As I nodded, the Sect Leader rotated his neck as if loosening it, then continued.
“Now I just need to inform those Namgung fellows… I assu they’re still in the training hall?”
“Yes. I just sparred with them, so they should still be there.”
“So the rumors are true—Bloodfire Sword Demon spars with the Sword King every day.”
“The Sword King is a rather unique individual.”
“Whew… yes, quite the odd one. There aren’t many Flowering Stage martial artists who are still sane, but he’s unusual even among them.”
He started with a sigh and ended by clicking his tongue.
That was all I needed to hear to figure it out—he hadn’t been able to find soone to spar with Namgung Jong and was now going himself.
After a brief pause, I spoke up.
“By any chance…”
“It’s private.”
“Ah, unfortunate, but understandable.”
Honestly, that’s how it should be.
A match between two Flowering Stage experts—the leader of the Black Lotus Sect and the head of the Namgung Clan.
Even if it wasn’t a duel to the death, revealing a clear winner could stir up unwanted talk.
“Then at least allow to cheer you on.”
“Hm? You’re not cheering for the Sword King?”
“I’ve never once managed to gain the upper hand against him, so I’m feeling a bit petty.”
I shrugged as I said it, and the Sect Leader chuckled, patting the twin sabers on his back.
“I wasn’t planning to go easy, but now I’ll really have to give it my all. Thanks!”
With those words, the Sect Leader and Sama Yuryun walked off, his arms swinging casually.
Even though he called it a private sparring match, he brought Sama Yuryun along—probably hoping it would help her martial insight.
Not that her lacking talent could be fixed by watching a few high-level duels…
I shook my head internally, but not for long. Seo Mun Hwarin, who had been silently watching, finally spoke in a quiet voice.
“Those two… seem happy, in their own way.”
“Hmm? Well, I suppose it’s only natural. Two people who suit each other found each other.”
“But they’re so far apart in age.”
“That’s true.”
I didn’t rember their exact ages, but—
Sama Yuryun was slightly older than Tang Sowol, and the Sect Leader, while young for a Flowering Stage expert, was still well into adulthood.
“Probably about a thirty-year age gap.”
“Hm? So not quite as much as between you and .”
“W-Why are you looking at like that?”
“It’s nothing.”
I was just barely holding back from admitting I’d been wondering if I should treat Seo Mun-Hwarin by her actual age.
“Ahem. Anyway, not only is the age gap large, but… both of them seem to have had difficult lives.”
“That’s certainly true.”
The Sect Leader who unified the constantly warring unorthodox world, and Sama Yuryun, who grew up in an abnormal family with only survival and revenge in mind.
It goes without saying their lives weren’t easy.
I understood all too well what it ant to survive in the unorthodox world. Seo Mun-Hwarin was no different.
I glanced over, and there she was—staring blankly in the direction the two had walked off in.
“Yet, even people like that… can find happiness.”
There was a hint of longing in her voice.
***
The day of the banquet.
This was an event where the display was the purpose, and in keeping with that, key figures of the Black Lotus Sect began to gather one by one.
And as people gathered, so did the rumors and idle chatter.
Most of it was grumbling about how the Sect Leader was throwing two wedding banquets for himself.
But so, having noticed our presence, began to hold their tongues.
Among the mix of familiar faces I recognized from ten years in the future and those who wouldn’t last that long, one particular rumor stood out.
A man with a grim aura, appearing before sword-wielding martial artists.
His presence wasn’t that of a man, but of a sword itself. Unconcerned with onlookers, he would draw his sword and point it without warning—
And after cutting down his target, he’d show up before another swordsman.
This ti, imitating the martial arts of the person he had just slain.
They called him Sword Ghost.
“Sword Ghost…?”
“What’s wrong, Young Lord Cheon? Is it a nickna you recognize?”
“If I do know, then I suppose I should say I do.”
Talent for mimicking techniques is rare, but not impossible to find.
I myself was born with such talent, and the now-deceased Ghost Shadow Duelist was also a natural at it.
Even among legends passed down in the martial world, there were always one or two prodigies who could perfectly replicate another’s techniques with a glance.
It’s just a matter of how much talent they had, and how long they survived. It’s a talent that resurfaces now and then.
But soone with that mimicry talent, an ominous presence, and the habit of killing every swordsman he duels—only to mimic their swordsmanship before his next fight—
There’s only one person who fits all those criteria.
Sword Ghost.
As the nickna implies, he’s considered a demon-level threat. He’s affiliated with the Demonic Cult, but he’s not quite the sa as the others.
The Demonic Cult was originally a haven for the oppressed and wronged.
But the Sword Ghost was never wronged. He wasn’t seeking justice. He simply beca obsessed with the sword—so much that the sword ruled him.
He joined the Demonic Cult because it gave him access to strong opponents, not because of any ideology. He never hard civilians and showed no interest in weaklings, so the cult welcod him.
He rampaged until things got out of hand, then retreated quietly back to the cult. And despite the chaos he caused, they praised him for “cutting down martial artists.”
In my past life, he reached the Sub-Perfection master realm, and we clashed swords several tis. He even set as his next target.
Before we could finish our match, I fell at the hands of the Heavenly Demon…
So was he active in Zhejiang during this ti?
If so, maybe this is before he joined the Demonic Cult? But he’s already being called the Sword Ghost…
After so fruitless thinking, I let out a sigh.
“Still… I’m not sure.”
“Eh? Did you maybe mistake soone else for him? It happens.”
Tang Sowol tilted her head with a puzzled look.
Right. I couldn’t rember if he was already active in Zhejiang at this point, or when exactly he earned the na “Sword Ghost.”
But even if I do run into him, I should be fine.
The Sword Ghost rose quickly to Sub-Perfection, but never crossed into the Flowering Stage—not even by the ti I died in my past life.
At this point, he may even be weaker than that.
Even if I do et him, I should be more than capable of taking him down.
In fact, it might even be a stroke of luck.
Given his nature, he would’ve stood in my way sooner or later, whether or not he joined the Demonic Cult.
The scale of these rumors was larger than I expected, but if I can eliminate him now, that would be best.
I finished sorting through my thoughts and smiled at Tang Sowol.
“More importantly, shouldn’t we head to the banquet now?”
“Yes, but… could we wait just a bit? Lihyang and Sister Hwarin aren’t ready yet.”
“All they need to do is put on the clothes we prepared. Why’s it taking so long?”
“Oh, co now. Won have their own complex reasoning. For example… maybe she wants to look pretty for you, Young Lord Cheon, but also doesn’t want to stand out too much, since she’s not the main guest of honor.”
Just listening to it makes my head hurt. But wait—didn’t you just change into sothing simple?
“Well, that’s because no matter what I wear, I’m confident I’ll look the most beautiful in your eyes, Young Lord Cheon.”
Tang Sowol suddenly leaned toward as she spoke.
With the distance between us closed, her presence felt all the more vivid. I involuntarily froze, staring into her eyes.
A confident smirk, as if she knew I liked her. Erald eyes sparkling with mischief. Her signature fragrance.
I stared blankly for a mont, then nodded.
“You’re right… You look beautiful no matter what you wear.”
“Fufu, of course.”
Tang Sowol bead, her nose in the air. Just then, Seol Lihyang and Seo Mun-Hwarin—both clearly dressed with care—appeared in the distance.
As we waited for them, Tang Sowol, standing beside , asked cheerfully,
“By the way, Young Lord Cheon, do you know where the banquet’s being held? If not, I could ask soone for directions.”
“No need. I know exactly where it is.”
Surprisingly, the venue was a place deeply familiar to . It was the building that was originally ant to beco Ironblood Hall.
Since Seo Mun-Hwarin hadn’t joined the Black Lotus Sect this ti, they must not have designated it as her residence.
A lot had changed since then, but to think I’d return to Ironblood Hall with Seol Lihyang and Seo Mun-Hwarin…
Watching the two approach at a brisk pace, I smiled and took the lead.
“Let’s head out.”
***
I must be cursed with this building.
“You’ve got to be kidding .”
One side of the banquet hall collapsed, having been sliced at a slant.
Of course, I wasn’t the one who caused it.
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