The Legend of the Northern Blade

Chang Hye and Chang Gung trailed closely behind the Seven Star Sage as they navigated through Heaven's Summit, both looking more serious than ever. They eventually arrived at a pavilion with a sign that read "總管府"—the Central Administration Hall.

The Central Administration Hall was where the financial affairs of Heaven's Summit were managed. They handled the massive amount of money needed to run the organization, and made even more by investing in businesses all over the jianghu. Through these efforts, Heaven's Summit's wealth had grown exponentially, so much so that no one could even estimate the extent of their wealth.

Naturally, the security at the Central Administration Hall was exceedingly strict. Countless first-class martial artists guarded it around the clock, making it an impregnable fortress.

One of the guards, clad in a purple martial arts uniform with a huge dao at his waist, stepped in front of the Seven Star Sage, exuding an overwhelming aura of power and intimidation. "Hold it right there! This is the Central Administration Hall. Those without prior appointments are forbidden from entering."

He was Jeong Yeol-Gwak, the Captain of the Purple Tiger Corps tasked with guarding the Central Administration Hall. No one could enter or leave without his permission.

The Seven Star Sage stepped forward. "I am the Seven Star Sage of Mount Hua Sect. I have an appointment, so please check your guest register."

"Please wait a moment."

Soon a soldier of the Purple Tiger Corps came running with the register. Jeong Yeol-Gwak checked it, then bowed to the Seven Star Sage. "I have confirmed your appointment, Seven Star Sage, and I apologize for my rudeness earlier. Lately, many people have been showing up unannounced, so I was being cautious."

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"It seems so. Now, please proceed inside, the Chief Administrator is expecting you."

"Very well, keep up the good work."

The Seven Star Sage, along with Chang Gung and Chang Hye, passed through the doors and entered the Central Administration Hall.

Jeong Yeol-Gwak watched them for a while before turning back to his men. "All of you, stay alert."

"Yes, sir!"

As the hub of Heaven's Summit's operations, the Central Administration Hall was enormous beyond words, larger than most medium-sized sects. Its grounds included three halls, four large warehouses, a massive training ground, and a rear garden with artificial hills.

"Hmm!"

"Wow!"

As they walked through the Hall, Chang Gung and Chang Hye couldn't help but exclaim in admiration at the immense scale. Such a grand complex was rare even in the Mount Hua Sect. It was hard to believe that this was merely a single Central Administration Hall.

The Seven Star Sage entered the largest building, and a servant who had been waiting guided him to the innermost chamber.

When the group opened the door, it revealed a room large enough for dozens of children to play in. The room was decorated with an antique elegance, the walls lined with rare artifacts that ordinary people might never see in a lifetime, and the wide windows offering a panoramic view of Heaven's Summit.

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Inside the room, a man dressed like a scholar, wearing a white robe and a scholar's cap, was moving a small brush over a piece of paper in front of him. Apparently in his late fifties, he couldn't hide the signs of time, his hair graying and his forehead etched with deep wrinkles. Nevertheless, there was not a trace of impurity in his clear, deep black eyes, which made his age seem irrelevant.

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He was Gwan Dae-Seung, the Chief Administrator who oversaw the actual affairs of Heaven's Summit, the real governing authority behind Heaven's Summit's vast operations, and one of the most influential figures in the jianghu.

Whether he noticed the Seven Star Sage's arrival or not, Gwan Dae-Seung continued working, while the Seven Star Sage remained silent, patiently waiting for him to finish.

Finally, Gwan Dae-Seung stopped writing and folded the paper neatly. After placing it in an envelope and sealing it, he looked at the Seven Star Sage and said, "You have arrived, Seven Star Sage. I apologize for my rudeness. I had to give an urgent order regarding the budget allocations."

"No worries, such things happen frequently when handling major affairs. Everyone knows how busy you are, Chief Administrator Gwan."

Gwan Dae-Seung flashed a friendly smile. "Thank you for your understanding."

Seeing him like this, the Seven Star Sage was convinced that the jianghu's assessment of him was correct. Even though Gwan Dae-Seung effectively led the colossal organization known as Heaven's Summit, there were no rumors or scandals surrounding him. He was known for his humble and unpretentious nature, never looking down on anyone, and it was widely believed that he was impartial and handled matters fairly and objectively.

"So, what brings you to see me, Seven Star Sage? Is it regarding the Demon Hunter Selection?" Gwan Dae-Seung asked.

"No, actually…" The Seven Star Sage detailed the series of events that had occurred on the Yunmeng Marsh Riverboat.

As he listened, Gwan Dae-Seung's expression grew increasingly grave. "So, you're saying that individuals bearing a two-faced asura tattoo are operating covertly within the jianghu?"

"Yes, and I believe there are more of them in the jianghu besides the ones we've encountered."

"Hmm… If that's true, then that's a very serious problem."

"Does Heaven's Summit have any information on such an organization?"

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"As you know, Seven Star Sage, all of Heaven's Summit's intelligence resources are currently mobilized to monitor the movements of the Silent Night. Therefore, we're somewhat vulnerable regarding events occurring within the Central Plains."

The Seven Star Sage frowned bitterly. "Because of this incident, a first-class disciple of the Mount Hua Sect has died. On behalf of the Mount Hua Sect, I formally request Heaven's Summit to investigate the organization that uses a two-faced asura as its symbol."

"Hmm… This matter does not seem to be something that I can decide on my own. I will report it to the Nine Skies and take appropriate measures," Gwan Dae-Seung replied solemnly.

"I'll entrust this to you, Chief Administrator Gwan."

"Of course, it's my duty. No need for thanks."

The Seven Star Sage's expression relaxed a bit. He knew that with Gwan Dae-Seung on the case, a thorough investigation into the organization symbolized by the two-faced asura would surely be initiated.

Chang Woon, please wait just a little longer. I'll definitely clear your name.

The Seven Star Sage gave Gwan Dae-Seung a clasped hands salute and then exited.

Gwan Dae-Seung gazed silently at the retreating figure of the Seven Star Sage. Once he was completely out of sight, the faint smile on Gwan Dae-Seung's lips faded away, and his demeanor and aura changed as if he were a different person. The relaxed smile, warm as a spring breeze, vanished without a trace, replaced by an expression as unreadable as iron, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.

He looked out the window at the vast expanse of Heaven's Summit. The endless land of absolute powerhouses, the ideal world of martial artists that he had painstakingly constructed, lay stretched out before his eyes.

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Jin Mu-Won sat cross-legged in the back garden of the mansion, Snow Flower resting gracefully on his lap. Shortly after returning from the Yellow Crane Tower, he had begun meditating.

This city was practically enemy territory. Far more people were hostile to him than friendly, and their power was beyond anything he could imagine.

Among the martial artists here, there wasn't a single person who wasn't a master, nor was there anyone who didn't have strong connections. If that wasn't bad enough, most of them were his potential enemies.

Therefore, after meeting the mysterious old man yesterday, Jin Mu-Won felt the need to reevaluate his martial arts.

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Since his journey from the northern regions, his martial arts had improved dramatically. He was a completely different person compared to before, and as a result, he had now lost sight of his own limits.

He needed to calm his excitement and clearly understand his abilities. Only then could he make levelheaded judgments and respond appropriately to any situation.

First, the Art of Ten Thousand Shadows.

His primary martial art, the Art of Ten Thousand Shadows, encompassed the collective knowledge of the successive Lords of the Northern Army. However, it remained incomplete, making Jin Mu-Won a trailblazer. Despite that, its vast content was difficult to master, and its combat techniques were still far from fully refined.

Jin Mu-Won activated the Art of Ten Thousand Shadows, allowing the shadow qi that lay dormant deep within his qi center to flow through his body.

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SWISH!

Like ink spreading silently, the shadow qi permeated his entire body without a trace. Even though Jin Mu-Won was using his inner arts, no one in the manor noticed. As the shadow qi moved, his All-Encompassing Cognizance also awakened.

The range of his senses began to expand. From ten meters to twenty meters, then to thirty meters. Even with his eyes closed, the movements of insects and the falling leaves were vividly depicted in his mind.

This was his sphere of influence, the space where he could fully exert his potential.

Approximately thirty meters.

He already knew this. This was the limit he had reached previously.

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Is that all? My limit, the limit I'm imposing on myself…

Jin Mu-Won gritted his teeth and poured more power into his inner arts, but still, the range of his senses didn't extend beyond thirty meters. Nevertheless, he didn't give up.

I don't need to double or triple it. If I can just expand it by even one meter…

To grasp this one possibility, Jin Mu-Won poured all his energy into circulating his qi. Cold sweat ran down his back, but he was so absorbed in the Art of Ten Thousand Shadows that he didn't even notice.

How much time had passed? Suddenly, Jin Mu-Won leapt to his feet and broke into a sword dance.

Snow Flower carved through the air, and the light reflected from the sword shimmered in the pre-dawn sky.

Jin Mu-Won danced around the garden at a terrifying speed, unleashing the Shadow Blade of Destruction while incorporating the Flowing Stream Foot Technique. Like flowing water, his movements were sometimes savage like a raging torrent, and sometimes gently swirling like a small creek.

Jin Mu-Won swung his sword again and again in the sea of tranquility, the only sounds being the slicing of the sword through the air and the fluttering of his clothes.

In the distance, Myeong Ryu-San was hiding behind a wall, watching Jin Mu-Won with wide-open eyes and clenched teeth and fists.

"T-That guy…"

Someone much stronger than him was practicing martial arts past midnight and into the wee hours of the morning.

SWOOSH! WHOOSH!

Every time Jin Mu-Won swung his sword, Myeong Ryu-San felt a chilling sensation as if his own chest was being cut. It was so terrifyingly sharp that he couldn't help but shiver.

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"Why is such a master still training at this hour…"

Just a few hours ago, Myeong Ryu-San had been ecstatic about finally being able to project his qi externally. Overjoyed at the thought of becoming a master himself, he had even enjoyed a celebratory drink.

On the other hand, Jin Mu-Won was still immersed in martial arts at this hour.

In the darkness, Jin Mu-Won's swordsmanship seemed mesmerizingly beautiful.

Myeong Ryu-San's face flushed with shame.

At that moment, Ha Jin-Wol approached him. He had also come out and seen Jin Mu-Won immersed in martial arts.

"Why on earth is he…" Myeong Ryu-San muttered to himself.

He couldn't understand it with his common sense. If he had Jin Mu-Won's martial prowess, he would have spent every day indulging in pleasure and luxury.

Ha Jin-Wol replied, "Did you think he was lucky? That he was chosen? No, what he has is the unwavering conviction of someone who has lived every day as if it were his last for over a decade."

"……"

"Never speak ill of him again. The path he has walked is not so easy that he should be belittled by one who has not lived to the fullest. The strength of the Northern Blade is a tower built by constantly toeing the line between life and death. What about you? What kind of mindset do you live with every day? Do you truly have any conviction in your heart?"

"……" Myeong Ryu-San couldn't answer.