After resting for a few days in Ilyang County, we discussed whether or not to say goodbye to Yoran before departing for Mount Hua. Since both the eldest and The Lecher said they didn’t know what to do, the decision fell to me.

Truthfully, I didn’t know what to do either, so we stepped outside the Zaha Inn and quietly watched the setting sun.

If she were the type of child who could be lied to, we probably would’ve exchanged farewell words.

But we all knew she was a disciple who couldn’t be lied to.

The proper way would’ve been for the masters to simply say, “We’re going to Mount Hua,” and leave it at that.

But we wondered if even that would hurt Yoran, so we needed time to think. The eldest stared at the sky as its colors shifted moment to moment, and The Lecher remained silent.

After a while, The Lecher asked me.

“Should we leave quietly at dawn?”

“No.”

“Then what should we say?”

“Honestly, there’s no one else we can speak freely to except Yoran. Let’s just say what we want to say. Even if our farewell hurts her, so be it.”

Everyone carries wounds.

And if this experience makes Yoran stronger, I had no intention of treating her like a child.

She’s a disciple, so we should treat her as such.

As we remained silent for a long time—

Yoran came out unprompted, placed a chair next to us, and sat down.

The eldest spoke first.

“Yoran.”

“Yes, First Master.”

“We’ve rested well these past few days. Now, the masters will head to Mount Hua to deal with the Cult Leader who visited Ilyang County some time ago.”

“Understood.”

The eldest simply stated it plainly. As soon as he finished, The Lecher chimed in.

“Recite the incantations every morning and evening. Got it?”

“Yes, I’ve been doing that already.”

“What about breathing cultivation?”

“For the first three years, I’ll do it once at noon. Even if I want to do more, I’ll restrain myself.”

The Lecher nodded.

“When learning Ice Arts, the most important thing is to avoid internal injuries. You need to take it slow until your body adjusts. Even I practiced with extreme caution, and I still occasionally suffer from sudden chills.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Yoran asked me.

“Third Master, have you finished devising the strategy?”

I turned to look at her and said,

“Strategy?”

“Yes.”

It seemed that from her perspective, I was the one in charge of strategy.

“...The Cult Leader will need time to tie up his affairs as well. The official name of the cult is the Heavenly Demon Cult. Long ago, their main base was outside the Central Plains. It’s now referred to as the old headquarters. If he summons masters from there, it’ll take time for them to join him.”

“Oh, so he’s not going alone?”

“Of course not. It’s impossible for him to handle us alone. There’s no master in the world who can handle the four of us at once. So he’ll need to bring allies.”

“I understand.”

“The masters will begin training on Mount Hua, each aiming to surpass our current level. So it may take a while for us to return.”

“Yes.”

Yoran looked at me.

“Master, then... couldn’t the four of you just fight the Cult Leader together?”

“I’ll think about it.”

“It seems unfair to me.”

“What is?”

“His subordinates treated him like a god. Even I could tell he became strong with the help of the cultists. While it may seem cowardly for four to gang up on one, isn’t it the same as facing the entire cult at once?”

I couldn’t help but be impressed.

“Our disciple’s too smart. What do you think, eldest?”

The eldest nodded.

“She’s not wrong.”

I gave it some thought and replied to Yoran’s point.

“In any case, this master will scheme well enough to prevent any deaths. Even if it’s not all four of us, once I perfect the Zaha Divine Art, the Cult Leader won’t be my match.”

“Zaha Divine Art? You named a martial art after yourself?”

“It’s a technique only I can use for now, so I named it on purpose. No one else in the world can perform the same martial art. Even if you inherit the Fourth Master’s Ice Arts, it’ll become something entirely different once it develops further. When you feel you’ve surpassed him, give it a new name.”

“Fourth Master might be sad, though?”

“Not at all.”

The Lecher added,

“He’d be proud.”

Yoran turned to the eldest.

“When you return, please teach me the sword.”

The eldest nodded.

“Alright.”

The Lecher stood up and gestured to Yoran.

“Yoran, let’s go for a walk.”

“Yes.”

With his hands behind his back, The Lecher began strolling slowly with Yoran. I remained with the eldest, quietly exhaling. Soon, a familiar face appeared in the distance—it was Geum Cheol-yong from Dragon Head Forge, who had come after hearing we’d returned.

“Uncle Geum.”

Uncle Geum bowed respectfully to the eldest first.

“First Master, it’s been a while.”

Then he turned to me.

“Lord, I’ve been waiting for your return.”

“Hm, did I have an outstanding tab?”

Uncle Geum looked back and gestured. Vice-master Yong-gae of the forge brought over a long wooden box and placed it on the table.

“Lord, it’s been a while. My big brother and I prepared a gift.”

When Vice-master Yong-gae opened the box, a pure white longsword lay inside. The scabbard was adorned with a white dragon, and the hilt was shaped like a dragon’s head, naturally.

I looked at the sword and said,

“So it’s finally complete?”

Uncle Geum nodded.

“I’ve been hearing tales of your feats every now and then. There’s no need to say who made it.”

I grasped the longsword and drew it.

Just from the blade’s surface, it was obvious whether it was a mediocre sword or a masterpiece. And this was clearly the latter. If it had felt shoddy, I would’ve sheathed it immediately, but I had to draw it to the end.

The balance was perfect.

The thickness of the blade was just right, and the slope of both edges was ideal.

Even the tip was flawlessly finished.

The sword embodied the effort Uncle Geum and Vice-master Yong-gae had poured into it.

With this, Dragon Head Forge wouldn’t go hungry no matter what job they took.

I asked Uncle Geum,

“What’s the name of this sword?”

“That’s for the Lord to decide. Right now, it has no name. But, well, since your inn’s name is like that too, maybe... the Zaha Divine Sword?”

“Divine Sword, huh...”

Brother Deuk-soo came out of the inn and greeted Uncle Geum.

“Ah, you’re here. Oh? Is this the legendary Zaha Divine Sword? Let me see.”

Brother Deuk-soo widened his eyes and examined the blade.

“Wow, amazing. It’s like it was meant to be. I heard from the Lord that the Cult Leader took his sword last time.”

Uncle Geum nodded.

“Really? Then there’s no need to feel regret anymore.”

The eldest spoke from the side.

“Let me see it.”

He took the so-called Zaha Divine Sword, drew it, and examined the blade for a long time. After briefly exchanging glances with me, he spoke.

“Forge Master Geum, your skills have improved. This is not a blade that can be easily made.”

Uncle Geum smiled brightly.

“Thank you.”

The eldest continued,

“I’m not sure if the Cult Leader will personally use a sword, but officially, he possesses the Heavenly Demon Sword. Most weapons wouldn’t withstand it. So we need gear that can endure not only the sword, but the internal energy he pours into it.”

Uncle Geum nodded in agreement.

“You’re absolutely right.”

The eldest went on.

“In truth, the Lord and we will likely face the Cult Leader soon.”

“Pardon?”

“Though we’re grateful for your gift, we can’t head to Mount Hua with a sword that might break during combat. Fortunately, my current sword doesn’t lose out to the Heavenly Demon Sword in terms of durability, so I’ll test this one first. It’s only proper before a great battle.”

And the eldest was right.

Uncle Geum agreed.

“You’re right.”

The eldest drew the Lightbringer Sword with his left hand and, without a word, struck down on the Zaha Divine Sword. Knowing his temperament, he would’ve applied equal force with both hands. A metallic clang rang out—and nothing happened.

Nodding as if gauging the strength, the eldest struck again.

With a clear metallic sound, the blade of the Zaha Divine Sword snapped cleanly.

I looked at the broken sword, then at the eldest’s expression, and finally at Uncle Geum’s. Previously, he looked like he might faint from shock, but this time, he furrowed his brow and calmly observed the broken blade.

“......”

The eldest spoke.

“Forge Master Geum.”

“Yes.”

“Though it broke, it wasn’t a low-quality sword. No one in your forge could’ve broken it—because there were no high-level masters there. So this was likely the best you could make.”

“That’s true.”

“Just like in martial arts, becoming the best at sword-making is incredibly difficult. Which makes sense. The swords that come close to being the greatest in the world can’t be made easily, even by a forge with generations of heritage. The Heavenly Demon Sword and the Lightbringer Sword have survived in the demonic path without breaking for ages. You can imagine how durable they must be.”

“Yes.”

The eldest gave Uncle Geum a calm smile.

“From what I see, you’re just one step away now. Once you reach that point, you’ll be a craftsman recognized across the world. And since that broken blade is your creation, I’ll return it to you.”

The eldest held out the broken Zaha Divine Sword, and Uncle Geum received it.

Raising a finger, the eldest spoke in a gentle, advising tone.

“One step left. It won’t be easy. Getting this far is already amazing, but now you must cast aside all your past errors and compromises—the mindset of ‘this should be good enough’—and reexamine every step from start to finish. A broken blade like this should just be called Zaha Sword. Calling it Divine Sword is arrogant.”

Uncle Geum nodded.

“Understood.”

“I’ve rambled on like I know everything, but I’m not even sure I’ve grown this quickly myself. Still, it’s good to see you again.”

Sharing a glance with Vice-master Yong-gae, Uncle Geum replied in a more relaxed tone.

“Thank you, First Master.”

The eldest said,

“When you return, start by making regular longswords. Earn money with solid weapons, and use that wealth to focus on making legendary blades.”

Uncle Geum responded.

“Yes. I’ll start again from the basics, and once I’ve honed myself thoroughly, I’ll challenge the Zaha Sword again.”

Brother Deuk-soo spoke.

“Stay for a meal, won’t you?”

Uncle Geum shook his head.

“Not today. I’ll return another time. Then, First Master, Lord. We’ll take our leave.”

“Take care.”

I watched Uncle Geum and the Vice-master walk away and said,

“Next time, I think they’ll really make a true divine sword.”

The eldest nodded in agreement.

“I think so too. It wasn’t a bad blade. It just fell short of completion. Like us.”

I nodded as well.

“Like us.”

Replaying the eldest’s words in my head, I couldn’t help but smile. Even if the blade breaks, as long as the swordmaker’s resolve remains unbroken, that’s what makes it an unbreakable conviction. The same goes for me.

Within me, I now carry an unbreakable Zaha Divine Sword.

...

After taking Yoran for a long walk around Ilyang County, the Lecher returned with her to the area near the Zaha Inn. During the stroll, he ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) carefully explained what she needed to watch out for when practicing Jade Blossom Ice Art. For the difficult parts, he had her memorize them first and then repeated them back through her own mouth.

She was such an exceptionally bright disciple that memorization posed no issue.

Some things are only understood through practice, which made memorizing first all the more important—he conveyed this clearly.

There was so much to teach that the walk felt far too short.

The Lecher stopped with Yoran to look at the lights of the Zaha Inn.

“Yoran.”

“Yes, Master.”

Looking at her, the Lecher said,

“I’ll share a secret I’ve never told anyone else.”

“Yes.”

“As you know, the First Master and I walk different martial paths.”

“Yes, I know.”

“I don’t know what others think, but I’ve never overestimated my own martial arts.”

“What do you mean by that, Master?”

The Lecher sat down to meet her eye level.

“The Heavenly Demon Cult is called a demonic cult.”

“I know.”

“Long ago, they killed everyone who had learned Jade Blossom Ice Art just to discover its incantations. But even as they died, none of the inheritors spoke a word. No one betrayed it. They were so stubborn that even that wretched cult gave up. You might not believe it now, but believe your master’s words. Jade Blossom Ice Art is a divine technique. Once mastered, it has no rival. Whether it’s the strongest in the cult or the top of the Martial Alliance, no one can stand against one who has fully mastered it. And I vowed never to overestimate my skills until I had reached mastery. That’s why I’ve never shown its full power.” 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

“Yes.”

“When I go up Mount Hua, I’ll show the Cult Leader the end of Jade Blossom Ice Art.”

“Yes.”

“This Fourth Master intends for no one to die. So don’t worry too much while you stay in Ilyang County.”

He caught the tear that fell from Yoran’s eye and froze it in his fingers as he said,

“When I reach the end, I’ll show who the true strongest is—on Mount Hua. Yoran.”

“Yes, Master.”

“From now on, freeze every tear that falls. What’s the strongest martial art?”

“Jade Blossom Ice Art.”

The Lecher nodded.

“When it’s just us two, let’s call it Jade Blossom Divine Art. It’s a secret from the rest of the world.”

Yoran nodded.

“Understood.”

And so the Lecher shared everything about Jade Blossom Ice Art with Yoran.

Jade Blossom Ice Art is Jade Blossom Divine Art. And once mastered, it has no rival.

It wasn’t something made up to comfort a young disciple—this was the truth.