MTLNOVEL Chapter 559
When the Martial Alliance caught wind of No Mountain’s blood report, no less than the esteemed Hall of Literature’s academic advisor was the one spreading the news.
This was a revelation that sent shivers down the spines of the Martial Alliance’s leadership.
Heart Consumption Technique, Blood Sect, and of course, the Cheonhwa-geom.
The Heart Consumption Technique is crucial.
The Blood Sect is also critical.
But above all, Seomun Qing wielding the Cheonhwa-geom was the singularly most important matter at hand.
Why? Because instead of asking for help, that Cheonhwa-geom actually requested the Martial Alliance to stay out of it.
It’s a strong desire to shoulder the burden alone, to prevent an even larger bloodbath or potential all-out war.
How admirable, how mature!
At merely twenty-one, a martial artist at this age is usually still a reckless child, boasting about their strength.
It’s the typical reason why young martial artists in the Martial World often misbehave in their early twenties, puffed up with pride, looking down on others, losing themselves in petty squabbles, and then crying when they get knocked down.
But look at the Cheonhwa-geom!
Despite being a prodigy rewriting records for the youngest Supreme Martial Artist, not an ounce of arrogance shines through.
(Mind you, not everyone may share this opinion.)
A model student excelling at their studies, she greets elders with a gracious demeanor, a beautiful smile, being both polite and cheerful, chatting away without a hint of distress.
Lately, the old masters have been chattering away about how having a granddaughter like Seomun Qing is their biggest wish for their old age, poking their disciples in the ribs like kids.
There’s simply no one else quite like this lovely girl in the world.
And she’s also a sight for sore eyes!
Not to mention, when it comes to making friends, she doesn’t discriminate between noble families and ronin, making connections without caring for backgrounds or factions.
She does despise villains though and turns a blind eye to injustice, proving herself a confident martial artist despite her youth.
What kind of organization is the Martial Alliance?
Isn’t it a gathering of martial artists seeking harmony on the righteous path and striving for peace in the world?
The presence of Seomun Qing embodies the spirit of the Martial Alliance itself.
And this was the news during such a time.
Naturally, chaos was to ensue within the Martial Alliance.
If Qing had urgently called out for help, shouting “Help! Help! Save the Cheonhwa-geom!” the mood in the Martial Alliance would have been quite different!
As it turns out, she’s still just a child, naïvely mistaking the seriousness of the situation, leading to a massive stir up.
They say she’s the youngest Supreme Martial Artist, but isn’t the magnitude of this particular crisis unprecedented?
But?
A single misstep could dye the world with blood, so the Martial Alliance implores everyone to refrain from hasty actions.
This is my mess to clean up; I’ll handle it and come back on my own.
How could the adults just sit by after hearing such words from a child they must protect?
However, the way big organizations work, the response didn’t happen at the speed of lightning like roasting beans over a fire.
If they sent out a half-baked group, it’s just like martial artists to attack those that seem easy targets.
Gathering the masters and calling for a fighting unit, a total of three hundred martial artists from ten combat squads assembled.
Three hundred might sound like a lot, but it’s akin to a mobilization order from the orthodox sects.
Among them, three combat squads of about a hundred made their way to No Mountain to trace the Blood Sect’s footprints based on the Cheonhwa-geom’s statement.
Meanwhile, seven combat squads of over two hundred headed for Hangzhou to rescue the Cheonhwa-geom.
At this point, an unmatched master in the Martial Alliance, Mo Yongseong, sprinted over upon hearing his runaway daughter had caused chaos, only to find she had made a bigger mess here than he’d expected.
Thus, with Mo Yongseong as the leader, the Martial Alliance’s large-scale rescue team set off from Gaebong!
They sped down the canal on a fast-moving ship.
However, just as they neared Suzhou, they caught sight of some high-ranking official’s boat passing by, complete with drums beating and the sound of musicians singing, throwing a fine banquet on board.
Typical of the government officials!
Even at a time when the world teetered on the brink, they were living it up carefree.
Little did they know the drumbeats signaled… well, more like they were a tad too late.
—-
Gaebong District is a city etched with the disgrace of a great martial artist from the past.
Only at the peak, and barely at that.
What’s the big deal about barely being a Supreme Martial Artist? It’s a bit embarrassing to be showered with petals and receive unnecessary congratulations.
Oh, if I had my legs under me, I would kick a blanket off in frustration!
How could a person even reach the peak? And then surpass it?
Anyway, Gaebong!
Gaebong boasts the pride of the Martial Alliance.
There’s a wagon headed toward the Martial Alliance.
The Martial Alliance’s official verifying identities at the gate opened the door wide and rushed off in a hurry, abandoning his post.
The wagon, without a guide, naturally made its way to the Martial Alliance’s most honored guest hall, the Muchen Pavilion.
Those snobby folks at Muchen Pavilion!
They’re notoriously known for barring entry to unannounced guests, always turning them away—yet this time they greeted with open arms.
“Hey, look who’s a big deal! Did you behave while I was gone? If there was some trouble caused by unruly guests, just say the word. I’ll give them a good whacking!”
Who would dare to act out in the heart of the Martial Alliance like that?
But they welcome such playful banter with overflowing gratitude and charm, so it’s only natural they would immediately hand over the best spot at the top of Muchen Pavilion.
The Qing party had settled in, intending to greet the clan leader of the Martial Alliance after sending word.
But then? The clan leader?
“Hey, you!”
“Ah! Seomun Qing, I see the clan leader! How have you been?”
Qing was trying her best to push herself up from the bed.
“Oh dear, don’t get up; just lie down. What on earth happened here?”
While she tried her best to appear fine, even a master like Jo Hyun-ryang couldn’t ignore how pitiful she seemed.
This foolish girl!
Even pretending otherwise, her eyelids fluttered, and her breath hitched, putting up a brave face in front of the elders was simultaneously touching and frustrating.
Jo Hyun-ryang was aghast.
They had barely formed a rescue team, and now it looked like people were off sightseeing instead of actually rescuing her!
She had managed to walk back on her own, which was baffling enough.
Still, Qing insisted on propping herself up.
Jo Hyun-ryang stopped her, even if it meant not getting up to offer his respects, and she scratched her neck bashfully with a sheepish smile.
Jo Hyun-ryang let out a sympathetic sigh.
Aside from her thin, pale hands, the rest of her body was all bandaged up, right to her neck, with patches glued haphazardly to her face.
“Hehe, it’s just superficial wounds that will heal with a good rest,”
Still, it was a relief that her voice was steady, which indicated she wasn’t in critical condition.
And most importantly, the Qi she released was very vigorous, making it evident she had already grown significantly within just a few days.
It was said that a great man could astonish everyone with his growth in just three days, yet this lovely girl seemed to possess an aura beyond comprehension, akin to facing a master of Transformation.
“Hey, kid? Did you… perhaps enter the realm of demons?”
Jo Hyun-ryang’s thought process was straightforward.
At twenty-one, having reached the Supreme level last year, it would be impossible for her to suddenly reach the realm of Transformation.
Sure, it’s an incredible feat to jump a stage in just one year, but it’s indeed historic!
But if she were to spiral into the realm of demons, now that could explain her deplorable condition.
Jo Hyun-ryang had seen just how vile martial artists could become under the influence of divine skills; it could turn them into beasts, disregarding righteousness.
So, amid bloodshed and chaos, if she was now supported by friends, the dire desperation pushing someone to the entrance of demons, that could very well lead to a fight for survival.
Had Jo Hyun-ryang not fallen to the lure of the demon realm himself?
After a few days of getting thrashed, he had contemplated throwing everything away, reaching the fateful entrance of demons, where the gruesome reality left him shaken.
And if the allure of that demonic pathway were lethal, he wondered if he would have fallen to it had there not been a woman involved.
He had finally realized that being within the realm of demons did not provide a pass to mistreat women while also recognizing the world’s inequities, making him back down.
“Ah, no, that’s not it.”
“I’m not pointing fingers at anyone. Overcoming the trials of the demon realm is tough, but you’re just twenty-one. You still have plenty of time—sixty or seventy years more. It’s not impossible to achieve. The fact that you’ve managed to resist temptation speaks volumes about your character, which I have no worries about.”
It was hard to comprehend who he could be talking about, but Jo Hyun-ryang’s words were kind, dripping with sincere comfort.
The way he addressed her when dealing with a potential demon was far too generous for someone who had reached the orthodoxy level.
“I feel bashful speaking in front of the clan leader, but I achieved a small breakthrough, and I’ve touched upon the essence of harmony with just a bit of luck.”
With that, a vibrant aura spread around.
It wasn’t a dangerous technique—just the sound-blocking method of elite martial artists shielding their secrets.
“Hmm, I’m not doubting you, but would it be possible for you to share your insights about the three elements?”
“I saw I, you, and us. Since I exist, I have friends, and because I have friends, I exist. It’s how we come together to create our world. Hehe, it’s a bit embarrassing…”
The essence of harmony involves comprehending your trinity. One must be attuned to the three elements’ synergy.
“Good! I is kindness and you is wisdom; yet you too have kindness, and so do I, thus all come together to form the heavens, and your world shall flourish, able to embrace the entire world!”
Relaying the three elements to a martial artist below the Transformation level holds little benefit, and can sometimes be a hindrance.
One must realize it for themselves; if one is too focused on the three elements, it can take ages for them to achieve harmony, and they might just get stuck reciting the basics.
Jo Hyun-ryang’s curiosity was piqued.
Wait, Transformation? The essence of Harmony? At twenty-one?
What was I doing at twenty-one?
Being all self-important at the peak while drinking and partying with girls and, oh—realizing that I had my head up a beautiful woman’s skirt instead of keeping it on the path, I should’ve known there was a chance it was some lunatic chasing after me.
In any case, Transformation?
Is this even real?
No, if my understanding’s shaky and my view of the world’s limited, it only makes sense that I’ve seen a minuscule part of reality.
And yet she redefined all that? How does that even make sense?
Could she possibly have dwarfed my own sight by a century or more, even though she’s only, what, four or five years younger?
Jo Hyun-ryang’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“Clan Leader?”
“Ah, right! The pride of the Martial World, truly remarkable, and most sincerest congratulations!”
“Thank you. I still have a long way to go.”
“No, no way! Downplaying it is simply inappropriate; if you think you’re lacking, where in the world are the non-lacking individuals? Don’t think everyone’s a fool!”
“Yes…”
Qing’s response faltered, looking more downcast with each word.
Jo Hyun-ryang realized he had been overly enthusiastic.
“Cough, I mean, this is great news! Hearing it fills me with confidence for the future of our Martial Alliance—how do I even express this joy?”
“Thank you. It’s all thanks to the great genius of the campaign!”
“Huh?”
Jo Hyun-ryang paused, the glint of realization hitting him as he registered her mischievous jest, leading to a hearty laugh and a warm smile.
“See? You really have a way with words. However, um…”
Jo Hyun-ryang’s expression turned serious.
“Have you made your achievements known to the world yet?”
“As much as I’d like to, Je-gal, I mean, Je-gal Lee-hyun said it would be better if I kept it under wraps for now, so I’ve only told my closest friends.”
“Right, that child’s words may be a bit… excessive, but there’s certainly merit to it. That was a good choice.”
Even someone ranked among the world’s top ten masters felt a tinge of jealousy at her brilliant achievement—just imagine how others would feel!
It would be fortunate if envy ended there.
Many forces oppose the orthodox Martial World.
In times like this, she was genuinely treading the path of the Number One in the World so precisely that one had to wonder if they would truly let such a young prodigy be?
It’s not just any Number One in the World.
She carries the lineage of the legendary Great Master Mucheondae, the very being who didn’t cause chaos for the sake of chaos. The impact of such an absolute master and what calamities they could unleash is something everyone is well aware of.
Would they really let her be?
Especially given how the Imperial Family’s been sharpening their blades against the Martial World? After all, it was offered up by this very child!
Truly, a great blessing for the orthodox Martial World.
Jo Hyun-ryang’s gaze deepened.
Of course, even if she made her success known, it wouldn’t be too big of an issue.
A twenty-one-year-old being a master of Transformation? Ridiculous. Sounds awfully ludicrous, doesn’t it?
No one would believe it. But either way.
“Whether or not to announce it to the world is something you should discuss with your mentor. An outsider like me would be too presumptuous to interfere here.”
“Come on, you’re no outsider! You’re a revered elder of our sect, and in terms of personal matters, you’re basically my mentor!”
At her mischievous smile, Jo Hyun-ryang’s heart skipped a beat!
Every word she spoke was simply delightful!
What on earth has heaven done? How could it create both Cheonhwa-geom and the likes of a lunatic like me?
How could he be granted such a lovely disciple!
This is just absurd! It shouldn’t be happening!
Must I really be disciplining her!?
I better get on my way to find some sticks… spiraled down to never-ending trouble.
Of course, Jo Hyun-ryang and Jo Hak-che might feel a bit indignant at the thought.