A chill ran down his spine.

Yubaek’s hand trembled slightly.

‘I... can’t gauge it.’

In the martial world, when referring to a martial artist’s realm, those who have reached the realm of Transcendence are said to have attained the state of rohwahsuncheong (炉火纯青).

Rohwahsuncheong.

A phrase that means one has reached such skillful mastery that their martial arts have become complete.

Martial artists at this level are difficult to read from the outside.

Because they have mastered the art of suppressing their energy.

As such, those in lower realms may sometimes mistake a Transcendent expert for an untrained ordinary person.

That’s how expertly they control their presence.

‘But... are you telling me this young lady has reached the Transcendent Realm?’

The same level as himself?

Age may not matter in the martial world, but the time spent in training and the level of attainment are inevitably proportional.

Sure, there are differences in talent...

‘But this goes beyond talent...’

Yubaek’s hand clenched tightly into a fist.

Seeing that, Seolhwa tilted her head slightly.

“What’s the matter?”

“...It’s nothing.”

I envy her.

Truly, I do.

Yubaek turned toward Seolhwa and offered a martial salute.

“My lady.”

“Yes?”

“If time permits... might I one day request a sparring match?”

Seolhwa’s eyes widened slightly.

A request for a duel from Mount Hua’s Head Disciple.

It was no easy thing to ask that of someone significantly younger both in age and seniority.

Yet the way he lowered himself to request it now was proof that he truly acknowledged her.

Seolhwa likewise offered a martial salute in return.

“It would be a tremendous honor to cross swords with the Flowing Cloud Sword.”

“And for me as well.”

To exchange swords with someone who may one day be the strongest of this entire generation—that was an honor for any martial artist.

“Then please, if the time arises during your stay at Mount Hua, call on me anytime.”

“I will.”

They walked in silence for a time until Yubaek came to a stop in front of a pavilion.

It was Mount Hua’s main hall.

As if to indicate his role as guide was over, Yubaek stepped back.

Seolhwa bowed politely to him and stepped into the pavilion.

“Welcome!”

Mount Hua’s Sect Leader, Jade Plum Sword Noun, greeted Seolhwa with a bright face.

He even rose from his seat to welcome her, and Seolhwa responded with a respectful bow.

“I greet the Sect Leader of Mount Hua.”

“Yes, yes! I’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival. Please, sit, sit.”

Seolhwa pulled out a chair on the right side of the long table and took her seat.

Noun, who had been working from his desk, rose and seated himself at the head of the table.

“Have you been well? Just looking at how much you’ve grown, I can already see the joy on your grandfather’s face.”

“Thank you. And have you remained in good health, Sect Leader?”

Noun shook his arm and let out a hearty laugh.

“Thanks to you, I’ve been in excellent health. I don’t recall a time when I’ve felt this light in body.”

She recalled how, four years ago, Noun had been suffering from an inexplicable boil.

Seeing him so healthy now, after crushing the Fifth Blood Lord’s scheme, she truly felt that Mount Hua had turned its fate around.

“I’m glad to see you’re well.”

“And I owe that to someone. It’s only proper that I protect what I’ve been given.”

Noun laughed kindly with a generous smile.

“And you, it seems, have been tirelessly training. Have you really already reached the Transcendent Realm?”

Seolhwa did not hide it—she gave a small nod.

Noun’s face lit up even more brightly.

“What a blessing to the martial world! I recognized your martial talent from a young age, but I never imagined you’d grow so brilliantly. You are truly the future of the martial world.”

“You flatter me.”

“No flattery at all. No one your age has ever achieved such a feat. There’s no need for such humility.”

Noun was sincerely overjoyed at her accomplishment.

Even though she wasn’t a disciple of Mount Hua, he was genuinely glad that such an outstanding martial artist had emerged in the world.

‘The Sect Leader of Mount Hua truly loves the martial world.’ 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

More than anyone, he worries for its future and remains vigilant against threats.

It was partly because, four years ago, he had learned of the Blood Demon Cult’s existence through Namgoong Mucheon.

“Much has changed within Mount Hua. As many have disappeared, many new ones have arrived.”

Those who had disappeared.

They were Nomon, once Mount Hua’s greatest sword.

The disciples who had lost their lives during that day four years ago.

And those who left Mount Hua afterward.

Among them was also—

A man who, in a previous life, had remained at Mount Hua to the bitter end. But in this life, he had chosen to leave Mount Hua for its sake.

Yugang.

“Mount Hua has essentially been granted new life, and as long as we have strength, we will do our duty to the world.”

Noun already knew the reason Seolhwa had come to Mount Hua.

“What can I help you with?”

A qi barrier was drawn around the room.

It was Seolhwa’s doing.

Noun was briefly surprised by the strength of the barrier, but Seolhwa quickly spoke.

“Why did Mount Hua receive a Great Rejuvenation Pill from Shaolin four years ago?”

“I tried to find out myself but had no way to. All I know is that Nomon met with Shaolin’s Abbot, and after that meeting, Shaolin sent word they would provide the pill.”

Meaning he had no idea what was said during that conversation between Nomon and the Abbot.

“Would it be possible for me to speak with Daoist Nobaek?”

“I’ve already asked Nobaek, and he knew nothing. But if you wish, you may meet him as much as you like. Wait here a moment.”

Noun left Seolhwa and exited the room.

He returned in less than a quarter of an hour.

Soon after, Nobaek arrived.

He sat across from Seolhwa.

“I greet the Daoist of Mount Hua.”

“So you wanted to see me?”

Though he had stepped back from the front lines four years ago, Nobaek’s presence was as sharp as ever.

Proof that he had not neglected his training.

“I have questions about the day Mount Hua received the Great Rejuvenation Pill from Shaolin.”

Having already spoken about this in the past, Nobaek glanced toward Noun.

But Noun simply nodded.

“...Ask.”

“Was it Elder Nomon who went to receive the pill?”

“Nomon went ahead. I and three Plum Blossom Swordsmen followed behind.”

“All five of you met with Shaolin’s people?”

“Only Nomon faced Shaolin directly. The rest of us waited five li (2 km) away.”

“Then you don’t know who from Shaolin appeared that day?”

“Correct.”

Only Nomon had seen the monk from Shaolin. Thus, no one else knew who had delivered the pill.

“When was the pill discovered to be missing?”

“On the way back to the sect, after we’d reunited with Nomon. We defeated the Black Path and returned safely to the main gate, but the pill was already gone.”

It must have been passed to the Black Path during battle, made to seem as if they ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ had stolen it.

It was a dark night, in a forest where visibility was poor. It wouldn’t have been hard to deceive the others present.

Seolhwa deliberated.

She knew better than anyone what happened after the pill was passed to the Black Cloud Faction.

So what she truly wanted to know wasn’t the whereabouts of the pill.

“Did Mount Hua ever give anything to Shaolin in return for the pill?”

“No.”

“Shaolin never demanded anything either?”

“That’s right.”

“You said Nomon was the only one in contact with Shaolin?”

“Yes.”

“Did Nomon continue to correspond with Shaolin after the pill exchange?”

“!”

Nobaek and Noun looked at each other at the same time.

Shaolin had provided Mount Hua with a Great Rejuvenation Pill.

Mount Hua must have provided something in return for such a deal to take place.

Since Shaolin never made a public demand afterward, they had assumed Nomon had repaid them somehow.

But did Nomon really repay the debt?

“Now that you mention it, it did seem like he continued corresponding with Shaolin after the exchange. At the time, I assumed it was to acquire another pill after losing the first...”

“Would someone who tried to annihilate Mount Hua go to such lengths just to save me?”

Nomon had been the one to hand the pill over to the Black Path with his own hands.

Would he really have tried to acquire another one just for Noun’s sake?

“Then are you saying Shaolin never received any compensation for the pill?”

“I don’t know.”

Nobaek and Noun’s expressions grew grave.

“If that’s the case, then it’s a serious problem.”

From Shaolin’s point of view, they had given away the Great Rejuvenation Pill and received nothing in return—what must they think of Mount Hua?

“If we’ve overlooked this, the relationship between the two sects may have quietly deteriorated.”

If Shaolin held a grudge against Mount Hua over this...

“I don’t think you need to worry about that.”

Noun and Nobaek turned to Seolhwa.

“Why do you think so?”

“If Shaolin intended to get something in return, they would’ve sent someone years ago. But they’ve remained silent all this time.”

So then, why?

“Are you saying Shaolin knows what happened at Mount Hua four years ago?”

“At the very least, they must know that Nomon is no longer part of Mount Hua. But that doesn’t mean they’ve forgotten.”

They had given away a Great Rejuvenation Pill—the most revered elixir in the Central Plains—and received nothing in return.

It must have been a matter grave enough to warrant such a price.

Yet the problem had never been resolved, and remained buried to this day.

‘And I think I know what that problem was.’