KANG—KAKAKAKANG! KAANG!

Sweat beaded on Yu Baek’s forehead, then rolled down in a thin line.

‘Fast.’

The sword of Mount Hua pursues the ultimate extreme of speed.

Faster and more refined than any other sect’s sword—it was something to boast about.

And he, even among Mount Hua’s disciples, stood among the elite as a Head Disciple.

He couldn’t claim to be the most talented among his peers, but at the very least, he could take pride in being a Head Disciple unashamed of his skill.

So why—

“Huff... huff... huff...”

“Shall we stop here?”

Why couldn’t he keep up with a single movement?

‘It’s a sword that throws its opponent off balance. It stands shoulder to shoulder with our core arts.’

A martial technique of this caliber could rival that of Yu Pyo, the one hailed as the next First Sword of Mount Hua.

Yu Pyo...

Yu Baek tightened his grip on his sword.

He exhaled slowly, steadying his breath. His eyes flashed sharply.

“Not yet.”

“Very well.”

Yu Baek resumed his ready stance. Seolhwa too adjusted her posture.

From Yu Baek’s body, a dense, violet-hued inner energy began to flow.

‘The Purple Mist Divine Art (자하신공).’

The supreme technique of the Mount Hua Sect, passed down solely to its Sect Leader.

The essence of Mount Hua, learned only by the one destined to become Sect Leader.

For Yu Baek to manifest the Purple Mist Divine Art—it was tantamount to declaring himself the heir of Mount Hua.

‘To use the Purple Mist Divine Art...’

So now he’s finally decided to face me seriously.

If one were to ask whether Yu Baek had been treating the spar as a joke until now—the answer would be no.

However, if he had been testing Seolhwa’s abilities and only lightly exchanging blades before, now, even in a sparring match, he was choosing to fight with everything he had.

Which meant—Yu Baek was truly recognizing Seolhwa.

‘Twenty-Four Movements of the Plum Blossom Sword, Form One: Plum Beside the Path.’

Yu Baek’s sword blossomed plum petals on the dueling platform.

‘Form Two: Plum Butterfly Dance!’

The plum blossoms that had bloomed began to rise, following his sword, scattering like butterflies in flight.

‘Form Three: Plum Exhales Splendor!’

Yu Baek thrust his sword toward Seolhwa, and the plum petals surged at her in a torrent.

The sight of the petals, saturated with violet energy, whirling toward her—it was enough to dazzle the eye.

‘Beautiful.’

Truly beautiful.

It wasn’t Seolhwa’s first time seeing the Twenty-Four Movements of the Plum Blossom Sword.

In her previous life, during her final duel with the last plum blossom, Yu Gang, he had also wielded that sword art.

But Yu Gang had not been a Head Disciple.

He had taught himself the technique through an old manual left behind at Mount Hua and had executed it with considerable skill.

But watching Yu Baek now, she understood—

‘That was merely an imitation.’

That such a beautiful and noble sword art had been so vainly buried—it filled her with regret.

The Blood Cult in my past life ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ was truly cruel.

Fwoooosh...

Crimson energy began to rise around Seolhwa.

Since her opponent was giving it his all, it was only proper she treat him with the same sincerity—that was the respectful thing to do.

‘The Twenty-Four Movements of the Plum Blossom Sword—it's a worthy match.’

No—rather, facing one of Mount Hua’s supreme sword arts as her first true duel was an honor for Seolhwa as well.

Rrrumble...

For an instant, the sky trembled.

Yu Baek, at that moment, thought the world was darkening.

As if rain were about to fall—the sky turned somber, lightning flickered inside the black clouds.

‘Heavenly Thunder Divine Sword, First Form.’

Seolhwa’s blade cleaved the heavens.

She had not forgotten what she learned from Seop Mugwang.

She did not neglect even the smallest movement—each one was filled with utmost focus.

‘Dustfall Beneath Heaven!’

A movement slightly slower than before.

But Seolhwa could feel it.

Every stroke of her sword now contained her full strength.

KAGAGAGANG!

Seolhwa’s blade slashed through Yu Baek’s plum blossoms.

It pierced through them and tore them apart.

“...!”

Yu Baek clenched his teeth and barely blocked her strike—but Seolhwa’s sword had no mercy.

KWAGWAGWANG!

Like thunder crashing down in relentless waves—her assault was utterly destructive.

‘What... is this...!’

Was the Namgoong Clan’s sword always this devastating?

No—this wasn’t just destructive. It was...

‘Overwhelming.’

To the Namgoong Clan’s heavy sword, she had added the subtleties of speed and transformation—creating a sword style of staggering might.

‘How is one supposed to block a sword like this...?’

KWAANG—!!

Yu Baek’s sword couldn’t withstand Seolhwa’s strike and was flung into the air.

Unable to endure the difference in strength, Yu Baek dropped to his knees on the spot.

Rather than trying to stand, he flopped flat on his back.

The blue sky filled his vision.

“...Hah.”

Ha.

“Ha... hahaha...!”

Laughter burst from Yu Baek’s mouth.

Uncontrollable laughter.

That was when a woman’s face suddenly appeared above him, framed against the blue sky.

“Are you alright?”

She blinked her round eyes, her question tinged with both surprise and concern.

Yu Baek laughed softly and replied—

“Young miss, become the greatest under heaven.”

“...Huh?”

Yu Baek sat up.

Though he had lost the duel, he looked strangely refreshed.

“If someone like you becomes the greatest in the world, then perhaps someone like me won’t feel quite so bitter.”

Because he had now felt the gap—an insurmountable one, despite all his blood, sweat, and effort.

Seolhwa extended her hand to him.

“You flatter me.”

Yu Baek grabbed her hand and rose in one swift motion.

“I’m not the type to throw those words around lightly. But you—I believe it’s within your grasp.”

Who could so casually speak of becoming the strongest in the world?

And yet, for some reason, Yu Baek felt it—she was someone born for it.

Having crossed blades with her, he felt it all the more clearly.

“Then please, become the greatest.”

Yu Baek extended his hand to her.

Seolhwa stared at it for a moment—then took it.

To some, it might seem presumptuous to accept those words so readily.

But even without his request, Seolhwa had to become the strongest under heaven. No—she needed power worthy of that title.

Only then could she defeat the Blood Demon Cult and protect her people.

Watching her take his hand without a trace of hesitation, Yu Baek let out a hearty laugh.

His expression grew bright with joy.

“To be living in the same era as you, young miss—what a blessing. I’ll always cheer for your path.”

“Thank you.”

After a firm handshake, Yu Baek asked her—

“I heard you’re heading to Shaolin.”

“There’s something I need to look into.”

“Be careful. Shaolin is not a place to be taken lightly.”

“You know about Shaolin?”

“We’ve exchanged visits before. Every few years, we hold sparring duels to broaden our horizons.”

Though sects didn’t associate with noble clans, they did occasionally interact with each other.

Within one’s own sect, there were only so many styles to study—so sparring across sects provided valuable experience.

“Do you know the saying ‘All martial arts under heaven originate from Shaolin (天下功夫出少林)?’”

“It means all martial techniques began with them.”

“They’re a stiff-necked bunch. They act all humble and benevolent on the surface, but they truly believe they’re the best.”

“And... they’re not exactly wrong.”

“That’s what’s most frustrating about it.”

Yu Baek laughed.

Though he said it was frustrating, he didn’t seem particularly upset—another testament to his character.

‘He’s someone who can admit what must be admitted.’

Even after suffering such a crushing defeat, he hadn’t sulked—he simply acknowledged it and strove to improve.

In short—

‘Good temperament. Yu Baek deserves to be a Sect Leader.’

So this is what makes someone suited to lead a sect.

“In any case, it won’t be easy to learn what you seek. I wish you good fortune.”

“Thank you.”

“I hope someday I’ll have another chance to cross swords with you. Until then—I won’t be standing still either.”

Seolhwa smiled faintly.

She bowed respectfully to Yu Baek with a cupped fist.

“Anytime.”

Yu Baek likewise bowed to her with full courtesy.

Though the outcome had been decisive, this was a spar without true victor or loser—just a rare, joyful duel.

****

“I’ve already sent word ahead to Shaolin, but it won’t be easy to meet the Abbot,” said No Un, who had come to see her off at Mount Hua’s main gate, his expression worried.

“I couldn’t mention the incident from four years ago in the message, so I only said you would be visiting. I’m sorry—I have no choice but to leave the rest to your discretion.”

“I’m grateful just to have the opportunity to visit Shaolin at all.”

Shaolin was a sect that had no dealings with noble clans.

Normally, they would have rejected her request outright—but No Un’s status as Mount Hua’s Sect Leader had made it possible.

“I have a plan. Don’t worry too much.”

“Yes... I know you’ll do well.”

No Un hadn’t forgotten Seolhwa’s brilliance during the Secret Tomb of Ten-Thousand Li four years ago.

She was smart, and strong—he had no doubt she would manage.

“Still, Shaolin doesn’t know who you are. So I’ve called someone to deliver Mount Hua’s intent in my stead. Ah, there he is now.”

Seolhwa turned to look behind her.

In the distance, someone was swiftly scaling the rocky cliffs of Mount Hua.