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Although it was an endless cliff with no visible way down, I was smiling contentedly.

If I blocked off that lower cave I had climbed up through earlier, no one would ever discover this place.

I looked up. A rock shaped like a crane’s tail was hanging down.

From now on, I would enter and exit through that way.

I leaped up, soaring into the air. Lightly grasping the edge of the upper rock, I jumped once more.

With a flawless movement, I landed on the tail-like rock. Although the rock sloped downward, I didn’t lose my balance.

I had the confidence that comes with solid internal force.

Even if I fell from this cliff now, I wouldn’t die. I could use my sword to scrape against the cliff while falling, reducing my speed, then fall again, repeating this process.

I had enough internal force to make that possible, and I had the treasure sword Heavenly Creation Sword.

In fact, this was a method I used to train intensively in my prime. Although not from a cliff this high, I would jump from incredibly high cliffs.

Back then, I truly experienced what it meant for one’s heart to tighten, and there’s no better training for improving concentration.

Walking to the center of the rock, I took out the secret manual from my chest. It was the Immortal Crane Secret Art I had brought from the secret chamber.

Facing the cool breeze, I began to memorize the secret manual there.

Since I already knew the movements of the five techniques from the figurines, I could understand the content more easily.

The Immortal Crane Secret Art is a martial art that uses the entire body to face opponents. It’s a kind of body technique and fighting technique. Of course, fists and feet are central.

However, the crucial attacks weren’t punching and kicking. Those were rather used as feints to deceive the opponent or for defense, while the actual killing blows came from attacks with the shoulder, knee, or elbow.

For instance, striking with the elbow when the opponent expects a punch, or smashing the opponent’s body with the shoulder when they anticipate a kick.

One might wonder how strong that could be, but with body weight and internal force behind it, that single blow could shatter all the bones in the body.

I executed the techniques while moving my vital energy according to the secret manual.

Bang! Pabang! Bang!

As internal force was imbued into each move, the movements came alive.

After performing the five techniques in succession, I felt that this was no ordinary martial art. It was a level above the Peerless Wind God’s Fist I had learned from the Fist King’s secret manual before.

Although it consisted of only five techniques, it was a martial art with a well-balanced offense and defense, and one that became more powerful the more it was practiced, an extremely progressive martial art.

Of course, the power of a martial art varies greatly depending on who learns it and how well they master it.

But there’s certainly an objective level.

The Immortal Crane Secret Art was a martial art comparable to the Soul-Chasing Asura Sword Arts I had learned. I could feel that a great master of martial arts had poured his late-life insights fully into these five techniques.

What kind of deceased person left behind this martial art?

I became curious once again.

Previously, I had gained some insight because of Number Seven in the carriage. After that, I had been feeling the need to learn a martial art that didn’t match with sword techniques, and now I had obtained a martial art that fit perfectly.

After repeating and memorizing it several times, I burned the secret manual. Peerless secret manuals always bring trouble, and when the time comes to pass it on to someone else, I can write it down again.

There was one thing I shouldn’t forget. All of this serendipity was possible because of the sacrifice of the deceased who selflessly abandoned his own desires for future generations.

O deceased one, I don’t know what you wished for. But I think what I intend to do isn’t far from what you might have hoped for. Please watch over me from now on.

As I was coming down from the summit, I stood in front of the small cave I had discovered earlier.

I slowly drew my sword.

The internal force in my danjeon, approaching two lifetimes’ worth, stirred.

Woong.

As I injected my internal force, the Heavenly Creation Sword vibrated.

As the sword cut through the air, a stream of sword energy was emitted with a soft wind-like sound.

Swoosh!

The next moment!

The flying sword energy suddenly split. Like a falling comet breaking into pieces, the sword energy divided.

Chwaaak!

The split sword energy rapidly divided again.

Chwaaak! Chwaaak!

Two became four, four became eight, eight became sixteen.

In an instant, the sword energy, split into sixteen strands, rained down around the cave entrance like a shower.

Rumble!

Rumble!

The cave collapsed completely.

The power didn’t decrease just because the sword energy split. It was as if sixteen strands of sword energy with the original power flew simultaneously.

Moreover, they didn’t just fly in a fixed direction, but I could direct them where I wanted.

Think about it. How could anyone possibly block sixteen strands of strong energy flying towards their vital points all at once?

This is the Fourth Initial Technique, Soul-Stealing Fear.

This was why I had worked so hard to reach one lifetime’s worth of internal force.

The only weakness of the Fourth Initial Technique was one thing: Because it’s a martial art that no one else can imitate, it can be recognized as my technique.

The area, now that the dust had settled, looked as if a landslide had occurred and the mountain had collapsed.

Now, no one will accidentally find the way to the mysterious cave. The only way to get there is to jump down from under the tail of Immortal Crane Peak.

Since no one who climbs to the summit would do such a thing, the secret chamber has become a space known only to me.

Even if I were to teach someone how to enter, there aren’t many people in the world with the lightness skill to jump from that overhanging cliff and fly into the entrance.

Coming down the mountain, I bid farewell to the innkeeper.

“The scenery was truly exceptional.”

“I’m glad you were satisfied.”

“Thanks to you, I had a good rest.”

“Please visit often.”

“I will.”

Although the innkeeper’s words were the usual farewell to a guest, I would probably come often. Of course, I wouldn’t need to stay at this inn.

After leaving the inn, I headed not towards home, but to Wuhan, where the Martial Righteous Alliance headquarters was located.

***

A man entered the office of Sima Cheon, the Commander-in-Chief of the Martial Righteous Alliance.

The man’s name was Cho Byeok[1]. He was Sima Cheon’s right-hand man, the very one who had previously received a secret order to find Cheon Hajin’s Asura Bright King Sword.

“How did it go?”

Cho Byeok answered Sima Cheon’s question.

“We secretly searched around Gal Sa-ryang, but couldn’t find the Asura Bright King Sword.”

Sima Cheon frowned.

“It seems he hid it very well.”

“It appears so.”

Sima Cheon clearly believed that Gal Sa-ryang had embezzled the sword. Unlike other swords, the Asura Bright King Sword was worth finding by any means.

He had a long-standing relationship with Ma Bong-gi. He had done many things for the Heavenly Blade Sect.

But such a past doesn’t guarantee the position of Commander-in-Chief. Since he was chosen as Commander-in-Chief, he needed to show some ability.

Cho Byeok carefully said,

“But there’s one thing that bothers me.”

“What is it?”

“With the change of the Alliance Leader, the Alliance Protection Regiment Leader also changed.”

“That’s right.”

“Could he possibly have it?”

Since the Alliance Protection Regiment Leader is responsible for guarding the Alliance Leader, it was reasonable to have such suspicions.

Sima Cheon had already considered this.

But he didn’t think the Alliance Protection Regiment Leader had taken the sword. When he read the report about Baek Pyo, he didn’t seem like someone who would do such a thing.

“He was very loyal to Cheon Hajin. Such a person wouldn’t have stolen the Alliance Leader’s possession.”

“What if Gal Sa-ryang entrusted the sword to him?”

“Gal Sa-ryang?”

Sima Cheon tilted his head.

“Were they that close?”

“I know their relationship wasn’t bad.”

Sima Cheon soon shook his head.

“He wouldn’t have entrusted the Asura Bright King Sword to someone else, even if it were another item. He must have hidden it somewhere we can’t find.”

The value of the Asura Bright King Sword was immeasurable in terms of money. For Sima Cheon, it was unimaginable to entrust something so precious to someone else.

‘Still, you never know.’

There were odd people in the world that he could never understand.

“Where is he now?”

***

Upon arriving in Wuhan, I first stopped by the Wind Tavern.

Since I had come all the way to Hubei, I wanted to see Gal Sa-ryang and Baek Pyo, and also learn about the current situation in the Martial Righteous Alliance.

Baek Pyo recognized me.

“Didn’t you come once before?”

“That’s right. You have a good memory.”

“I can’t forget. You were my first customer. Didn’t you drink at that seat?”

I remember when I first came, I ordered the same drink and side dishes I used to have when I was the Alliance Leader, sitting in the same seat. I recall Baek Pyo’s surprised and moved expression.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Haha, welcome. Please have a seat.”

I sat in the same place as last time.

Then my eyes caught sight of wooden shield and sword decorations hanging on the wall.

“The interior has changed.”

“I made those to pass the time.”

“They’re very nice.”

“Thank you for the kind words.”

Seeing Baek Pyo again made me feel at ease. I even felt a sudden desire to take him to Shandong.

“How’s business?”

“Haha, it’s enough to make ends meet.”

“Do you have a family?”

“Yes. I have a wife and a son.”

“That must be nice.”

Then Baek Pyo lowered his voice and said,

“Be careful.”

“About what?”

“I heard there’s a saying: Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, and half-closed after marriage.”

Ah, that’s what I told Baek Pyo before he got married. Who would have thought I’d hear these words from Baek Pyo again?

“It means to choose your partner carefully.”

Baek Pyo winked at me.

I smiled and asked,

“Do you regret getting married?”

“Not at all. I’m very happy.”

Among the Martial Righteous Alliance warriors I knew, Baek Pyo was the most family-oriented. He truly loved his wife and child.

“What would you like to drink and eat?”

“Please give me the same as last time. Do you remember?”

“Of course.”

After Baek Pyo brought the drink and some simple side dishes, he started preparing the main dish.

After watching him for a while, I suddenly asked,

“Are you happy?”

Baek Pyo stopped chopping for a moment and looked at me. Yes, there probably weren’t many customers who asked such questions. He must be a bit surprised and flustered.

Baek Pyo smiled and said,

“Yes, I’m happy.”

I couldn’t tell if he was truly happy or just saying so, but Baek Pyo looked happy.

At that moment, someone entered the Wind Tavern.

The man who entered without hiding his cold aura was Cho Byeok.

Cho Byeok glanced at me. Since I usually thoroughly concealed my aura, I would probably look like an insignificant customer to his eyes.

Soon after, another person entered.

I was shocked when I confirmed who it was. It was Sima Cheon.

Of course, I knew Sima Cheon’s face, and so did Baek Pyo.

“Commander-in-Chief!”

“You recognize me?”

“Of course. You may not remember, but I’ve met you a few times before.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“What brings you here… Ah, please have a seat first.”

Sima Cheon sat down.

“I heard you opened a tavern here while passing by chance, so I dropped in.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Give me some alcohol.”

“Yes.”

With a flustered look, Baek Pyo hurriedly prepared alcohol and side dishes.

I was more nervous than Baek Pyo.

Sima Cheon dropped by while passing by chance? He cares about someone who has already left the Martial Righteous Alliance? Nonsense. He’s a person who thoroughly looks after his own interests. He might take care of a dog raised by the Martial Righteous Alliance, but he’s not someone who cares about people who have left.

Then?

He came with some purpose.

What could it be?

Sima Cheon casually asked Baek Pyo, who brought the alcohol,

“Have you met former Commander-in-Chief Gal?”

“He visited once.”

“Oh? He came here?”

“Yes. He gave me an opening gift.”

“You two must have been close.”

“Yes, we were close.”

Baek Pyo answered honestly without lying.

That’s right, Baek Pyo. You’re doing well. Never lie about things that will be revealed if investigated.

Lies should be inserted in the tiny gap between truths and truths.

Like cartilage between bones.

Just as everyone forgets the existence of cartilage because they only see flesh and feel bone, that’s how lies should be told.

Sima Cheon asked various questions. Why did you want to do this work, how many customers do you have in a day, do you have any thoughts of returning?

He asked questions that someone visiting for the first time might naturally ask.

After chatting for about an hour, he stood up.

“I’m busy today, so I should get going now.”

“Thank you so much for coming. Please take care.”

As Sima Cheon was about to leave, he abruptly asked,

“By the way, didn’t Commander Gal leave anything with you?”

It was truly a sudden question, so sudden it could be called an ambush.

Baek Pyo calmly answered,

“He didn’t leave anything with me.”

Sima Cheon, who had been staring intently at Baek Pyo, smiled.

“Do well with your business. The alcohol taste is very good.”

Sima Cheon and Cho Byeok left the Wind Tavern.

My heart had already cooled down.

I couldn’t tell if Sima Cheon had noticed something just now. Anyway, that doesn’t matter. The fact that he came here means that Baek Pyo is already involved in the incident.

I want Baek Pyo to live happily. Even if I can’t make him my person, if he’s happy, I don’t intend to bring him along.

Being such a person, I absolutely didn’t want Baek Pyo to be caught up in these filthy power struggles.

Although I don’t know what Sima Cheon came looking for, I should handle this matter and leave for Baek Pyo’s sake.

After emptying the last cup, I said with a smile,

“The alcohol tastes so good, I’ll have to come again tomorrow.”