The Legend of the Northern Blade

"What do you mean, Mu-Won was arrested?" Tang Gi-Mun's roar echoed throughout the mansion.

He had just returned from Heaven's Summit, only to be met with the shocking news of Jin Mu-Won's imprisonment. It was no wonder fury had overtaken him.

"All he did was defend himself against assassins! How is that a crime? Are you suggesting he should have quietly allowed them to kill him? And what were you doing while they dragged Mu-Won off?"

Ha Jin-Wol sipped his tea calmly. "Please calm down, Hyung-nim."

"Calm down? How can I stay calm under these circumstances? How are you so calm!?" Tang Gi-Mun scowled at Ha Jin-Wol, who still held his teacup as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

Ha Jin-Wol set his teacup down. "To be honest, Mu-Won getting arrested might not be an entirely bad thing. There's no need to be so agitated."

"Not a bad thing? How can you say that? Do you truly not understand what kind of place Heaven's Summit is? Even calling it a dragon's den is an understatement. The atrocities that take place on those grounds are beyond any outsider's imagination. Moreover, since Mu-Won is locked in the Outer Hall's prison, proving his innocence and freeing him is no simple task. Are you really that blind to the hardships he'll have to face in there?"

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Every organization had its procedures, and Heaven's Summit, being colossal, was no exception. Now that Jin Mu-Won was imprisoned in the Outer Hall, the Investigation Department was bound to dig up every detail about Jin Mu-Won and reveal it to the world.

Although Jin Mu-Won was an incredibly powerful martial artist, he still lacked support. If his secrets were exposed now, Heaven's Summit, known for eliminating potential threats, would not hesitate to destroy him completely. After all, that was how it maintained its iron grip over the jianghu for so long.

As someone who knew these facts perfectly well, Tang Gi-Mun's outrage came as no surprise.

Ha Jin-Wol, however, smiled faintly, seemingly unconcerned. "I understand what you're concerned about, Hyung-nim."

"Then why are you so relaxed?"

"I am relaxed precisely because I understand."

"Ha! I have no clue what you're talking about. What if this ends in disaster?"

"Uncle, why don't we first listen to what Scholar Ha wants to say?" Tang Mi-Ryeo interjected.

Tang Gi-Mun shut his mouth and stared at Ha Jin-Wol, as if demanding an explanation.

Ha Jin-Wol stood up and walked to the window. Through it, he could see Heaven's Summit, massive and imposing, its grandeur evident even from dozens of miles away.

He reached out as if to grasp Heaven's Summit in the palm of his hand.

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"It's truly immense. Since the dawn of the murim, I doubt any single faction has wielded as much power as Heaven's Summit."

"Isn't thinking of Heaven's Summit as a single entity a bit of a stretch?"

"Back when it was founded, Heaven's Summit was truly an alliance, but now, it has become completely self-sufficient, allowing it to expand easily even without the support of other sects."

"Hmph!"

"Heaven's Summit has become a giant, autonomous monster. Every time it loses people, it simply sucks in countless martial artists from the jianghu to bolster its ranks. It's no longer a mere microcosm of the jianghu, but the jianghu itself. Do you think that's normal?" ʀ�

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Heaven's Summit was no longer just an alliance of factions dedicated to maintaining peace in jianghu. It had become the ruling power over the entire jianghu, and no one seemed to find this strange or troubling.

In Ha Jin-Wol's view, this situation was unthinkable. Martial artists, who prided themselves on valuing freedom and rejecting constraints, had willingly submitted to Heaven's Summit's control. This was a clear sign that the jianghu had strayed far from its intended path.

"As time passes, Heaven's Summit will only deepen its grip over the murim, and no one will be able to break free from its grasp."

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

"Jin Mu-Won. Only that man has the power to disrupt the current jianghu's system, even if just slightly."

"What has that got to do with letting Heaven's Summit arrest him?"

"How else would he get into Heaven's Summit? Besides, I wanted him to understand it from the bottom level."

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"You did that on purpose?"

"Every system tries to conceal its flaws at all but the lowest levels. I do not know what Mu-Won will witness or experience, but he will undoubtedly learn something there, and that understanding will help him grow stronger."

"Jin-Wol…" Tang Gi-Mun sighed. He finally understood that Ha Jin-Wol was orchestrating something so immense he could not fathom it. At least, whatever the plan entailed, Ha Jin-Wol had no intention of bringing harm to Jin Mu-Won.

He felt ashamed that he had allowed himself to become so flustered, even momentarily.

Ha Jin-Wol grinned wickedly. "Mu-Won is more extraordinary than you give him credit for. His actions so far speak for themselves. Whoever pulled him into this mess will soon regret their folly."

They'll get their comeuppance. Although our side took some damage, I'll make sure the one who started this ends up shedding tears of blood.

Ha Jin-Wol grabbed a coat hanging on the wall and put it on.

Tang Gi-Mun blinked in confusion. "Where are you going?"

"Since my beloved younger brother is locked up in prison, I must pay him a visit. He may need a meal delivered, but unfortunately, I'm not really sure what he likes."

Wearing a grim expression, Seomoon Hye-Ryung left the Wisdom Flower Pavilion with Chae Hwa-Yeong and three guards in tow.

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She had already learned all she needed about Jwa Moon-Ho's tricks and how matters had developed. Although he had attempted to do things discreetly, he could not deceive her sharp eyes.

So, Jin Mu-Won is currently locked in the Outer Hall's prison? Before passing judgment on Jwa Moon-Ho's transgression though, I need to verify Jin Mu-Won's situation.

Her heart pounded furiously. The path from the Wisdom Flower Pavilion, through the Grand Training Hall, and toward the Outer Hall's prison felt much longer than usual.

Chae Hwa-Yeong glanced at Seomoon Hye-Ryung's flushed face. For some reason, the woman who always remained unshaken in any situation now seemed noticeably uneasy.

Is Jin Mu-Won really such a remarkable person? she wondered, but she dared not voice it.

They passed through two gates and reached the Outer Hall's prison. Constructed from massive blocks of stone, it loomed ominously over them.

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"Stop!" a prison guard barked, stepping forward to block Seomoon Hye-Ryung's path.

Chae Hwa-Yeong stepped in front of her and asked, "Where's Hall Leader Dan?"

"Who are you to ask about the Hall Leader?"

"Summon Hall Leader Dan at once. Tell him that Miss Seomoon Hye-Ryung, one of the Seven Young Skies, wishes to visit a convict."

The Outer Hall guards let out involuntary gasps. Seomoon Hye-Ryung was a member of the Seven Young Skies and the granddaughter of Seomoon Hwa, one of the Nine Skies. Within Heaven's Summit, her status was so exalted that a single word from her could decide a lowly guard's fate. Naturally, they did not even dare to meet her gaze.

"P-Please wait. I will fetch Hall Leader Dan immediately," the guard stammered.

Seomoon Hye-Ryung said impatiently, "That will not be necessary. A man named Jin Mu-Won was arrested yesterday and imprisoned here, right? Show me to his cell."

"What? Why…"

"Must I explain myself to you? Just lead the way."

"U-Understood. Please follow me."

The Outer Hall guard flinched at Seomoon Hye-Ryung's curt reply and quickly moved on. Normally, he would have asked permission from Outer Hall Leader Dan Un-Gang first, but Seomoon Hye-Ryung had enough authority to disregard such formalities.

He pushed open the heavy iron door and led Seomoon Hye-Ryung into the prison.

As she walked further inside, her frown deepened. The musty smell and damp air in the corridor were grating on her nerves.

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Eventually, after winding past countless iron-barred cells, they reached a group of men standing with their backs to them.

"Hall Leader!" the guard cried out in relief.

"What is it?" Dan Un-Gang snapped.

"Sir, we have a guest."

"A guest?"

"Miss Seomoon Hye-Ryung of the Seomoon Clan is here."

"What?" Dan Un-Gang's eyes went wide. "Miss Seomoon, what brings you to such a humble location…?"

"I have heard that Jin Mu-Won is being held here. I wish to see him."

"What?" Dan Un-Gang gasped in shock. Jin Mu-Won had just been incarcerated last night, and even though he had been discreet about it, the news had somehow gotten out. "A-About that, Master Jwa gave clear orders not to allow any visitors…"

"Are you suggesting his orders outweigh mine?"

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"That's not what I meant…" Dan Un-Gang hesitated, visibly conflicted. Jwa Moon-Ho had not merely asked a favor, he had dangled a life-changing opportunity before him.

Seomoon Hye-Ryung scowled. "Hall Leader Dan, it would be unwise to turn me into your enemy. I am quite serious."

Seomoon Hye-Ryung's mellow tone echoed like thunder in Dan Un-Gang's ears. He immediately shed the lingering regret that clung to him. Jwa Moon-Ho's promise had been tempting, but not tempting enough for him to risk provoking Seomoon Hye-Ryung.

"Understood, Miss Seomoon," Dan Un-Gang said, moving aside to reveal a cell crafted from iron bars as thick as a child's arm.

A man stood inside, hugging a sword.

"All of you, leave," Seomoon Hye-Ryung commanded, her voice trembling despite herself.

Everyone stared at her, perplexed.

"Did you not hear me? Leave. That includes you too, Sister Yeong."

"U-Understood."

"Yes, Unnie!"

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Dan Un-Gang and his subordinates filed out, followed by Chae Hwa-Yeong and the guards.

Once they were gone, Seomoon Hye-Ryung approached the cell, her shoulders trembling faintly.

Sensing her arrival, the man slowly lifted his head. His features stood out sharply even in the dimness.

Seomoon Hye-Ryung's pupils wavered. "Y-You?"

Jin Mu-Won fully raised his head and studied Seomoon Hye-Ryung's face for a moment. "It has been a while, Miss Seomoon," he greeted.

"Master Jin… it really is you. Oh my goodness!"

Just as Jin Mu-Won had recognized her after ten years apart, Seomoon Hye-Ryung instantly recognized him too.

He really survived. The rightful heir of the Northern Army, the Northern Blade Jin Mu-Won.

Seomoon Hye-Ryung clenched her fists so tightly that her nails bit into her palms. The Northern Blade was already known as a martial arts prodigy, but add the fact that he was also the rightful heir to the Northern Army, and the situation became problematic.

Even the smallest stories became romanticized over time, and this was especially true for the Northern Army that had once fought against the Silent Night. Conspiracy theories suggesting there was more behind the Northern Army's astonishingly swift downfall were already in circulation.

With the reappearance of the Silent Night and the emergence of the rightful heir to the Northern Army, a massive storm threatened to reshape the murim.

Seomoon Hye-Ryung grit her teeth. "So you survived after all, Master Jin."