'What is this intent...?'
Jaseong stared at the violet intent with a puzzled look.
Unlike the thread-like intent emitted by humans, the intent from the Wicked Flame Sword took the form of a swirling vortex.
'... Since awakening the Samadhi Eyes, I've seen many forms of intent, but this is hands down the first time I've witnessed one like this. As the legends say, did the Eight Great Treasures of the martial world truly contain special powers...?!'
Unconsciously, Jaseong's heart beat faster.
He had become stronger faster than anyone else, having survived countless real battles in the martial world, but he still felt a mad craving for power.
Because to utterly annihilate his enemies, he had to become the World's Greatest.
For someone like Jaseong, possessing a divine weapon imbued with special power was like a gift from the heavens.
'... What power is hidden within this Wicked Flame Sword? What sort of strength is it that even successive Evil Path Association Leaders could not unlock it?'
His eyes brimming with anticipation, Jaseong closely examined the Wicked Flame Sword.
No matter how intently he looked, however, he could not decipher the meaning of the violet intent that radiated from the sword.
He needed to understand that to uncover both the special power dwelling in the sword and how to use it.
Even when he asked Gun Hanmaek, he got little beyond a few clues.
"The past Evil Path Association Leaders only used the Wicked Flame Sword as a symbol. I heard they never used it in actual combat."
"Why?"
"No matter how famous a sword may be, using the blade that has served for generations as the Association's insignia in battle could result in it being damaged, and that would be a problem. And it isn't as if it's the only fine sword in existence."
"... I see."
"In any case, that settles your commission fee. Now, keep your promise."
Gun Hanmaek spoke again.
At those words, Jaseong nodded solemnly and replied.
"I swear upon the name of the Hao Sect's Ansun Branch. I will find the one responsible for harming the Evil Path Association Leader, no matter what."
Truthfully, Jaseong was also puzzled.
Who had killed the Evil Path Association Leader and thrown the entire unorthodox faction into chaos?
It was as much a riddle as the violet intent from the Wicked Flame Sword.
'Someone crossed the vast Zhang River using a movement skill and killed the Evil Path Association Leader, one of the Five Great Evil Ones, in less than half a shijin. There aren't many experts in the Central Plains with such martial arts prowess. Who could he be? And why did he kill the Association Leader?'
Absently stroking the Wicked Flame Sword, Jaseong fell deep into thought.
Somehow, it felt as if this sword, the Association Leader's death, and the changes stirring in the martial world were all linked as one.
* * *
After obtaining the Wicked Flame Sword—both the Evil Path Association Leader's Seal and one of the martial world's Eight Great Treasures—Jaseong sent Gun Hanmaek back to the underground prison.
He then convened behind the main hall, in a secluded rear garden, to discuss the future with Gu Janghu and Lee Rin.
"Just now, Hyang-I received a carrier pigeon. The guardian general, three hall lords, and five hundred men of Guangxi Province's dark path are set to arrive here in three days and nights."
"Oh, that's great news. Once they arrive, our control of the Tianxia Association will be complete, right?"
Just as Lee Rin said.
Jaseong's goal had been to seize control of the Tianxia Association, the largest underworld group in the Central Plains.
He'd captured the Tianxia Association Leader, Gun Hanmaek,
defeated rivals like the Black Star Sect, the Twin Dragon Clan, and Poison Valley,
and secured the Wicked Flame Sword, the Association Leader's Seal—control of Tianxia Association was all but achieved.
"But, branch leader. We still have the Blood Cult left."
Gu Janghu interjected then.
"If you remember big sis Hyang's last carrier pigeon, didn't it say there are a considerable number of Blood Cult agents inside the Tianxia Association?"
"That's true."
"We'll only be able to fully relax when they've been thoroughly weeded out..."
"There's no need to rush."
"?"
"The Blood Cult is the largest faction among the Four Great Clans and Seven Sects of the unorthodox sects. If the three of us tangle with them carelessly right now, we could be poking a hornet's nest."
"I see..."
"That's why, until the guardian general, three hall lords, and the Guangxi Province underworld forces arrive, it's best we wait. Everyone should rest until then."
They certainly needed a chance to catch their breath.
Jaseong's group had been in non-stop pursuit and battle for some time.
"Finally, rest time!!"
With a bright grin, Lee Rin immediately gave orders to the North Sea Ice Palace's guardians.
"Nursemaid. Bring a tub filled with hot water to my room. I've been fighting non-stop and my jade-like skin is covered in blood and sweat. I'm so sticky."
True to her status as the Young Mistress of the North Sea Ice Palace, Lee Rin was a neat freak.
Having run around day and night for days without a bath, she was understandably desperate for one.
Meanwhile, Gu Janghu sat quietly, regulating his breath and circulating his internal cultivation method.
He needed to settle his inner ki, which had been disturbed by the fight with Kang Ryong.
Jaseong, too, had been short on time to refine his internal energy lately, so he considered practicing with Gu Janghu.
But suddenly, something occurred to him.
Namely, the unexpected windfall from the Tianxia Association black market.
'Come to think of it, I still have the ingredients for the Heaven Evading Alchemy.'
He opened his pack.
A fresh, forest-like fragrance tickled his nose.
Inside were ingredients like Dang-Gui, Cheongun Leaf, Baekhwa Bell, and Fire Dragon Grass imbued with the energy of a volcano.
'I've gained so much from this Tianxia Association expedition. The Wicked Flame Sword, the Heaven Evading Alchemy ingredients... I can become even stronger.'
Jaseong took the materials into his room.
He intended to immediately begin Heaven Evading Alchemy to forge the Celestial Realm elixirs.
But as soon as he entered the inner chamber—
"... Hm? Great hero??"
A surprising scene unfolded.
Lee Rin, about to immerse herself in a steaming wooden tub, was in full view.
By candlelight, her fair skin and the elegant curves from her chest to her waist and hips were plainly visible.
"... Lee Rin. Why are you here?"
"That's what I want to say! This is my room!"
"No way."
"Stop talking and get out! What are you staring at?!"
Lee Rin, now fully submerged in the warm bath, yelled.
Jaseong coughed awkwardly and shut the door.
He soon realized his mistake.
"... My room was next door."
He couldn't believe he made such a silly mistake.
He must have been exhausted in mind and body after the recent battles.
Jaseong finally entered an unoccupied room for certain.
Then, he began the Heaven Evading Alchemy.
Saa―
The first step was crafting the container.
Setting an earthenware bowl before him, Jaseong spread his hands.
Golden ki flowed from his fingertips into the vessel, carving a spiral path of internal power.
The second step was melting the ingredients.
Carefully, Jaseong placed Dang-Gui, Cheongun Leaf, and Baekhwa Bell into the container.
Channeling the Heaven Evading energy along the path of inner force—
Fwoosh!
The ingredients slowly began to melt amid golden flames.
Now only the final step remained.
'Heaven and Earth in Harmony, unity of Medicinal Nature...'
Reciting the mnemonic formula of Heaven Evading Alchemy, Jaseong harmonized the external ki with his inner ki.
With that harmonized force, he blended the melted ingredients into one.
After a time, once the heat inside the bowl cooled, a greenish-blue, shiny pellet was left within.
"... An Azure Spirit Pill is done. Took about two shikcheong, maybe."
Jaseong repeated the process several times.
He produced six Azure Spirit Pills in total.
Next was Meridian-Clearing Powder.
An elixir that opens blocked meridians and smooths energy channel circulation.
This was actually the medicine Jaseong most desired.
Unlike Azure Spirit Pill, which only restored energy, Meridian-Clearing Powder could raise the martial arts level of whoever took it.
"With the ingredients I have now, I can make two doses of Meridian-Clearing Powder... Gu Janghu already took it last time and opened his meridians, so there's no need for him to have another... I guess that leaves Lee Rin and me."
Maybe gifting it to Lee Rin would be proper compensation for earlier, he mused.
Soon after, Meridian-Clearing Powder was complete in his bowl.
It was a softly glowing white powder, seeming no different than moonlit sand.
"Well, let's try it."
Jaseong tossed one dose of Meridian-Clearing Powder into his mouth.
He crossed his legs and chanted the higher cultivation method, the mnemonic formula of the Heaven Evading Soul Transformation Formula.
Saaaaa―
Thanks to Meridian-Clearing Powder's energy, his internal channels heated up intensely.
As an elixir designed to open blocked vessels, all his blood vessels wriggled in response.
To maximize its effects, Jaseong activated his Samadhi Eyes.
Within slow-motion time, he minutely controlled the Meridian-Clearing Powder's energy, clearing minute veins around his Ren and Du meridians.
Kwarung! Kwarung! Kwarung! Kwarung!
As the capillaries opened up, he could feel his inner power spreading evenly to every nook and cranny.
It was as if a blocked waterway had been opened and clear water now flowed everywhere; Jaseong's internal energy began circulating smoothly throughout his body.
Before, only the main channels were clear, but now even every tiny branch was connected.
Because of that, he could exert much more refined and powerful strength with the same amount of inner force.
Saaa―
About five shijin later,
Jaseong opened his eyes.
A tranquil smile spread on his lips.
'I can feel my ki circulating so much more smoothly than before... I'd already cleared quite a few vessels thanks to the Thousand Year Ice Crystal, and now they're completely open. Let's test it out.'
He immediately went out to the clearing behind the main hall.
Drawing his sword, he lightly performed a Heaven Evading Flash Sword form.
Kwaa! Kwaaa!!
Though used lightly, the air split with a loud tearing sound.
Thanks to his opened veins, inner power surged efficiently into every part of his body, boosting both speed and force.
Excited, Jaseong unleashed the Heaven Evading Flash Sword even more intensely.
Then, suddenly—
Kazizik― Clang!!
The unexpected happened.
The sword hilt trembled, and then, like shattered glass, the blade scattered in all directions.
"......!"
In that moment, Jaseong's eyes froze.
This shattered sword was the last memento left to him by his eldest brother and sister-in-law.
Now that it was broken, it was natural for his heart to sink.
It was a pity, but honestly, it was inevitable.
Jaseong had fought countless powerful foes with this sword.
He had preserved it with powerful Sword Ki and Sword Aura, but this was its limit.
A cheap marketplace blade simply could not withstand the power of Jaseong, now an expert.
That was why experts were so obsessed with famed swords.
"......."
He gathered up the broken pieces of the blade from the ground, setting aside his earlier excitement.
Memories came to mind.
The day he first found the sword.
After his eldest brother and sister-in-law died, when he returned alone to the empty home, he found the sword and a letter left there.
[Our young master. How is guard work treating you? Escort missions must be tiring.
Whenever you worked yourself to exhaustion, we always felt so sorry.
We're sorry we couldn't do more for you, as your big brother and sister-in-law.
But we've scraped together our savings bit by bit to prepare this.
Sometimes you might run into bandits while on escort journeys...
If you keep this sword, we hope it'll keep you safe, even just a little. Hehe.
We hope you'll achieve your dream of becoming an escort warrior. Your big brother and I will always cheer you on!]
At that time, Jaseong was nothing more than a junior guard.
For his sake, his brother and sister-in-law had bought a priceless sword despite living a humble life.
They just wanted their one and only little brother to be safe during escort journeys.
'... Big brother, sister-in-law. Are you doing well up there? I'm doing fine, so don't worry about me.
And... I'm nearly there. Soon, I'll soak those bastards in blood. Just wait a little longer.'
Jaseong gently held the fragments of the broken sword to his chest.
Though it could no longer serve as a weapon, it was still his greatest treasure.
And at that very moment, something was watching Jaseong.
The Wicked Flame Sword, lying on one side of the main training yard where Jaseong had set it down, was buzzing!—as if in response.
—Is it five hundred years? I've finally met someone to my liking.