The Legend of the Northern Blade

"What? Why is that man in prison?" Myeong Ryu-San asked, frowning. He had been secluded in his room, focusing solely on training, when the news of Jin Mu-Won's imprisonment arrived.

Jin Mu-Won was a wall he had to overcome, a mountain he had to climb, but most shocking of all, he was the heir to the Northern Army.

Even as a country bumpkin from the western Sichuan plateau, Myeong Ryu-San knew how extraordinary the Northern Army was. One of his childhood dreams had actually been to fight alongside them against the Silent Night.

"That man is the legitimate successor of the Northern Army?"

Myeong Ryu-San felt a strange tightness in his chest, like he was pathetically small and insignificant. Feeling upset, he left his room and walked down the eastern lakeside path, his mind churning with complicated thoughts.

Frustrated, he kicked at a pebble on the ground.

"What? So that's why that guy was training so hard?! Fuck! How can I possibly beat him now?"

Just then, a dark shadow loomed over him. Looking up, he saw a strong woman with a spear on her back staring down at him.

"Are you Master Myeong Ryu-San of Sichuan?"

"Follow me. Someone wants to meet you."

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"What?" Myeong Ryu-San raised an eyebrow in confusion.

Unfazed, the woman continued, "You won't regret meeting this person. I guarantee it."

"What do you mean, you guarantee…"

"You don't believe me?"

"It's not that I don't believe you, but that I don't even know you. Why don't you start by telling me who you are?"

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"I am Chae Hwa-Yeong of the Thunder Sect."

Myeong Ryu-San stiffened. He had never heard the name Chae Hwa-Yeong before, but he knew about the Thunder Sect. Although they were not one of the Nine Great Sects, they were still a powerful sect he couldn't even dream of approaching. ŕ

"Why would the Thunder Sect…"

Chae Hwa-Yeong smiled confidently. "It's not the Thunder Sect, but someone else who wants to meet you. Trust me, you won't regret meeting her. It could even be a huge opportunity for you."

Myeong Ryu-San frowned. What makes her so sure?

Still, he could not suppress his curiosity, so he ultimately nodded.

Smiling as if she had expected his agreement, Chae Hwa-Yeong turned around. "Come with me."

Myeong Ryu-San followed Chae Hwa-Yeong to a small pavilion on the eastern side of the lake.

A woman with deep, mysterious eyes and dazzling beauty sat on the pavilion, the breeze from the lake gently ruffling her hair.

Myeong Ryu-San gulped unconsciously. His instincts told him that she was no ordinary person.

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"Unnie! I brought him, just like you asked," Chae Hwa-Yeong said politely.

The woman, Seomoon Hye-Ryung, turned to look at Myeong Ryu-San and smiled in a dignified manner. "Greetings, I am Seomoon Hye-Ryung of the Seomoon Clan."

"I-I'm Myeong Ryu-San."

"Pleased to meet you, Master Myeong. Compared to what I've heard, you're even more handsome in person."

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"Thank you." Myeong Ryu-San bowed his head. He always argued freely with Jin Mu-Won and Ha Jin-Wol, but strangely, he felt bad about acting that way with the elegant Seomoon Hye-Ryung. "Wait, Seomoon…? Are you…"

"Yes. I'm honored to be one of the Seven Young Skies."

"As expected! I knew you were an extraordinary lady."

"You flatter me. Please, take a seat. My neck hurts from looking up at you."

"O-Okay!" Myeong Ryu-San hastily sat down across from Seomoon Hye-Ryung.

Now that they were at eye level, he could see her face better, and he gulped again. It was his first time seeing a woman as beautiful as a celestial maiden up close.

Seomoon Hye-Ryung's smile broadened at the sight of his flushed face. "I've been wanting to meet you, Master Myeong."

"Me?"

"Yes."

Myeong Ryu-San gaped in shock.

The martial artists guarding the Outer Hall prison welcomed an unexpected but familiar visitor.

"Well, well! Look who it is. Mu-Sang-hyung!"

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"Long time no see," Seo Mu-Sang greeted back.

As a former member of the Outer Hall, the martial artists recognized Seo Mu-Sang and welcomed him warmly, not knowing that he was now the Head Inquisitor. They only knew that he was managing an inn in Heaven's Summit after retiring from active duty.

"What brings you here, Mu-Sang-hyung?"

Seo Mu-Sang offered the baskets he was holding to the Outer Hall martial artists. "I just happened to think of you while on a stroll, so I decided to pay you guys a visit and bring you gifts."

"What's this?"

"Food I made at the inn, especially cooked for you lot."

"Hyung-nim!" The Outer Hall martial artists exclaimed, looking deeply moved.

The baskets were filled with rare and delicious food and alcohol, so they were ecstatic and hungry, but since Dan Woon-Gang had given strict orders, they couldn't leave their posts and could only eat it on the spot.

"Is it really okay for us to eat this, Hyung-nim?"

"Of course. Isn't this place like home to me? If I don't take care of you, then who will?"

"Thank you, Hyung-nim. We won't forget this kindness."

"Eat it before it gets cold."

"Yes, sir!"

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The Outer Hall martial artists hastily began to eat.

Seo Mu-Sang watched them for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Being here brings back memories. Do you mind if I look around?"

"Feel free, Hyung-nim. We're not strangers."

"Thank you. I'll take my time, so enjoy your meal."

"Yes, Hyung-nim!"

Leaving the martial artists to their meal, Seo Mu-Sang began to explore the Outer Hall. When he was sure that no one else was around, he snuck into the prison.

Passing through the dark corridors, his heart pounded in excitement and trepidation, until finally, he reached his destination.

Found him.

Inside one of the cells, a man sat cross-legged, eyes closed, seemingly one with the darkness. Seven years ago, he had the build of a skinny child, but now, he was a fully grown man.

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Still, Seo Mu-Sang recognized him instantly.

"M-My… Liege," he stammered. He tried to remain calm, but he couldn't stop his voice from quivering.

Jin Mu-Won opened his eyes.

The moment he saw those deep eyes, Seo Mu-Sang shuddered. Gripping the bars of the cell, he shouted, "My liege!"

"Mu-Sang-hyung."

"My liege! Finally!"

Seo Mu-Sang fell to his knees, clutching the bars, his shoulders shaking with emotion. It was their first meeting in seven years, but he had never forgotten Jin Mu-Won in all that time. His body was in Heaven's Summit, but his heart was always with Jin Mu-Won.

Hot tears streamed down his cheeks, and Jin Mu-Won's eyes also reddened.

"You've lost weight," Jin Mu-Won whispered, doing his best to hold back his tears.

"I heard many things about you, but I couldn't come see you because I was trapped at Heaven's Summit."

"I figured as much."

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Seo Mu-Sang forced a smile. "You've grown up. You're a real man now."

He had been keeping up with every bit of news about Jin Mu-Won, but he hadn't known that Jin Mu-Won was imprisoned until last night, when someone from the Black Moon Society informed him about it.

"What happened? Why are you in prison?"

"Well, things just somehow turned out like this."

"Heaven's Summit is in chaos because of you. The leaders and the elders are meeting to discuss what to do with you, and even the Demon Hunter Selection has been postponed."

"Not surprising."

"Did you reveal your identity on purpose?"

Jin Mu-Won nodded silently.

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Seo Mu-Sang frowned. "Why? You should be keeping a low profile right now."

"The smartest person in the world advised me to make myself known. Besides, I don't want to hide my identity in Heaven's Summit."

"The smartest person in the world? Are you talking about the Triune Scholar Ha Jin-Wol?"

"You know about him?"

"I've been collecting every bit of information about you, so naturally, I also looked into him. Seomoon Hye-Ryung is extremely wary of him."

"If I'm not around, go to him for advice."

"Understood, my Liege."

Seo Mu-Sang smiled. Seven years ago, he couldn't gauge Jin Mu-Won's strength, and now, he couldn't even guess at it. Although he believed that he himself had reached a certain level, everything about Jin Mu-Won was hidden, like a hazy fog.

That made him ridiculously happy.

My liege has grown into a great man.

His judgment seven years ago had not been wrong. Jin Mu-Won's appearance had changed, but one thing remained the same: his deep eyes that were as vast as the ocean.

The reputation of the one he had chosen now echoed through the jianghu, but Seo Mu-Sang knew that this was only the beginning. Just the thought that he could rock the jianghu alongside Jin Mu-Won made his blood boil.

Noticing the aura that Seo Mu-Sang was exuding unconsciously, Jin Mu-Won remarked, "You've gotten a lot stronger."

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"I'm ashamed that it took so long, but I think I can finally wield the Blue Cloud Sword Technique freely now."

For the past seven years, he had dedicated himself to the Blue Cloud Sword Technique, which others dismissed as a third-rate martial art, and had reached an unprecedented level of mastery.

Jin Mu-Won smiled. The first sword he had chosen had broken through his limits through harsh training.

"You've worked hard," he praised.

"Not at all. It was my duty. I'll be by your side from now on."

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"If you follow me, only hardship awaits. Are you sure?"

"I've trained in martial arts to walk that path with you. I won't back down because it's hard or tiring."

"Thank you, Mu-Sang-hyung."

Seo Mu-Sang abruptly fell to one knee. "I, Seo Mu-Sang, your first sword, will cut down everything in your path! Command me as you will, my liege!"

His voice echoed through the prison.