“‘I forgot!’” Seo Daeryong shouted. He had completely forgotten about the strategy pouch his master had given him.

“How could you forget this?”

“So that’s why the Elder gave it to me instead of you?”

“Ah! I’m saved. Finally saved!”

“Is that really so? Normally, you would have lost without incident, but opening this pouch might make you take reckless risks and die.”

Seo Daeryong flinched.

“Are you using your tactic of imagining the worst to deflate me?”

“No. This time I’m talking about a real possibility. Still going to open it?”

“Of course. Regardless of the outcome, it’s the first strategy my master left me. I have to see it.”

I opened the pouch. Inside was a scroll of paper rolled up.

I handed it to Seo Daeryong. He took a deep breath and slowly unrolled and read it.

He was surprised at its contents and, trembling, handed it back before finishing.

“L-look at this!”

It contained a secret formula for a sword technique.

It was the “Annihilation Heavenly Demon Sword Style” (멸천마도식) – the first form’s formula of the Blood Heaven Butcher’s secret sword style. Only the first form was written, not the entire sequence.

[...Although it’s the first of nine forms, it will be very helpful in fights among late-stage fighters. For parts you don’t understand, Master Lee will teach you, and he will also show you how to hide that this is my technique.]

Seo Daeryong looked half-dazed.

“Why are you so calm?”

“Because ‘Annihilation Heavenly Demon Sword Style’ is a technique passed only to official successors.”

“Of course it is.”

“Then why aren’t you surprised?”

“Why should I be?”

“You consider me not just a disciple but your master’s successor.”

Seo Daeryong’s voice trembled — the most he had since I met him.

“That’s only natural.”

“Natural? My master thinks I’m the next Blood Heaven Butcher, and that’s natural?”

“Is there anyone else among the master’s disciples worthy of becoming a Ma Jon besides you?”

Seo Daeryong was overwhelmed with emotion.

Actually, I learned for the first time just now that the Blood Heaven Butcher considered Seo Daeryong his successor. I expected it but the decision came sooner than I thought. It means Seo Daeryong truly earned his favor.

“But to pass such an important martial art via a note?”

“That’s why he gave it to me. I’m unlikely to lose it.”

So, even I was entrusted with part of the Blood Heaven Butcher’s secret sword formulas. It showed how much he trusted me.

“Aaah!”

Seo Daeryong paced around, overwhelmed.

Then I showed him the note’s last line.

“Did you read this part?”

“What part?”

At the very end, a single line was written.

[If you lose, you die by my hand.]

“Gasp!”

Seo Daeryong was startled.

I laughed instead. Of course, the Blood Heaven Butcher’s pride wouldn’t allow him to write anything less.

“Ah! The characters look especially bold, as if pressed hard. Surely he wouldn’t really kill me if I lost?”

I wouldn’t miss this perfect chance to tease him.

“Is that so? Fight late-stage fighters with your own martial art and lose? Would his stubborn pride just stand for that?”

“Ah, he might really kill me.”

Seo Daeryong held his head in his hands.

“Even if he spares me, I guess I’ll endure hellish training for a while.”

“It’ll be hellish training your whole life, Master! I have to win! Please make me win!”

“Don’t get excited. If you accidentally injure or kill Jin Sojeo, the martial alliance leader will kill you. Then you really will die.”

Since they already know who Jin Sojeo and Seo Daeryong are, Sojeo must not be harmed. They reached the finals together due to their shared goal of destroying the Cheonmyeonghoe.

“Master! Please help Jin Sojeo win without injury! Use the Annihilation Heavenly Demon Sword Style’s first form so no one knows it’s your technique!”

“Do you understand how impossible that is?”

“If not for you, I wouldn’t ask this favor.”

Only five days remained until the finals.

Fortunately, the first form didn’t seem too difficult, and clever Seo Daeryong could try it. After all, the goal wasn’t mastery but to use the subtlety of the form to defeat Jin Ha-ryeong. Just one move was enough.

“Since you’re my right hand, I have to ask. Let’s go!”

We headed up the mountain training ground. Jin Ha-ryeong, the alliance leader, and Cheonmyeonghoe were all ignored.

I thought this was the best way not to arouse suspicion from Cheonmyeonghoe. Who would imagine people disappearing to train before the finals were plotting a conspiracy? They’d think us simple rural warriors.

We focused purely on the competition. I believed it was the best way to approach Cheonmyeonghoe.

Days passed, and the day before the finals arrived.

The martial alliance was like a festival. Crowds from all over the Central Plains filled the area. Merchants came to sell goods, and martial artists performed demonstrations to promote their schools.

Scammers tried to fool novice martial artists, and pickpockets roamed.

The alliance deployed elite fighters, including the Cheongryongdan, to prevent trouble.

In the chaos, Jin Ha-ryeong entered the guesthouse wearing a hat. Asking the owner about Sword Dance Master, she heard he hadn’t come in for days.

‘Where on earth did he go?’

Before the finals, she wanted to see Sword Dance Master, to joke with him: Should I watch over you, young master, or not? She wanted to say that joke to him.

She wondered if her feelings would waver if Sword Dance Master pleaded to watch over her. For now, she had no intention, but might she be a little shaken?

Disappointed, she left the guesthouse. Given the situation, she’d change the joke: After you win, tell him, “If you had asked me earlier, I would’ve helped. Friend, where have you been?”

Finally, the day of the finals dawned.

A massive crowd gathered, and all important figures attended.

The martial alliance leader who hosted the event, heads of the alliance’s organization, and famous martial arts schools from all over the Central Plains filled the seats.

The focus was Seo Daeryong. All eyes were on whether this small school’s warrior would make history.

Especially since his opponent was the alliance leader’s granddaughter, Jin Ha-ryeong. If he won, he would become a true hero.

Of course, more people predicted Jin Ha-ryeong would win than Seo Daeryong.

When introduced by the referee, Seo Daeryong stepped onto the arena first.

His gaze was different from previous matches.

He had burned himself out for the last five days. He had never worked so hard in his life, nor would he again. He wouldn’t regret losing. No, he couldn’t lose. Just thinking about hellish lifelong training was terrifying.

Cheers erupted all around him. Seo Daeryong closed his eyes for a moment and savored the moment. It was a gift from life. After this, he might spend his life as an investigator for Hwangcheongak and the Heavenly Demon Sect. The finals of the So-ryong-jeon—an unmatched moment in his life.

Seo Daeryong glanced down at Sword Dance Master under the arena.

Sword Dance Master, arms crossed, looked up at the arena, nodded at Seo Daeryong. Seo Daeryong nodded back. Their pre-match connection was enough.

The referee introduced Jin Ha-ryeong, drawing a louder cheer.

Her gaze on the arena met Sword Dance Master beyond Seo Daeryong.

He looked at both with indifferent eyes. For some reason, at this moment, Sword Dance Master felt like a stranger—not a friend or comrade.

“Now, the finals begin!”

With the referee’s shout and thunderous cheers, the match started.

Seo Daeryong moved first. His sword technique sliced swiftly through the air.

He had only one chance to win. He had practiced for that chance without ever letting himself get hit first.

Seo Daeryong pressed fiercely, but Jin Ha-ryeong calmly defended. Her martial skill was clearly superior.

Thanks to his increased internal energy, he didn’t lose strength.

The fight remained close.

Gradually, the match tilted toward Jin Ha-ryeong.

Seo Daeryong’s attacks slowed, but Jin Ha-ryeong’s sword strikes grew faster. Seo Daeryong had to exert all his strength just to block.

His endurance was due to his effort and talent. But no skill could overcome such a clear difference in ability.

Spectators expected the match to end soon. The alliance leader watched his granddaughter with a calm heart.

Just as Seo Daeryong was pushed to the arena’s edge—

The moment arrived.

The distance between them, her foot placement, sword position, and his stance and sword—everything aligned perfectly.

Seo Daeryong seized this one chance.

Swish!

His sword created a twisted technique—the transformed first form of the Annihilation Heavenly Demon Sword Style.

It was the first time he used this move since the fight began, and it struck her off guard perfectly.

She swung her sword to block, but that was also anticipated.

Seo Daeryong’s sword twisted at a strange angle, pounding her sword repeatedly and flying to slice the fingers holding it.

At that moment, the alliance leader suddenly stood!

Clang!

Jin Ha-ryeong’s sword slipped from her grasp and flew into the air in an arc, clattering on the ground. To avoid losing fingers, she had to give up her sword.

Seo Daeryong’s sword was now pointed at Jin Ha-ryeong’s throat.

She couldn’t believe the situation. The last technique that sent her sword flying was too exquisite to counter.

Words she never wanted to say slipped out.

“…I’ve lost.”

At that moment, the referee declared Seo Daeryong the winner.

“The So-ryong-jeon champion is Seo Ryong of the Gamsuk Seo School!”

Cheers erupted everywhere. Seo Daeryong jumped off the arena like a child and embraced Sword Dance Master.

“Thank you, truly thank you.”

Tears streamed down Seo Daeryong’s face. It was the first time I ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) saw him cry. He didn’t seem like someone who cried easily, but now he couldn’t hold back.

Though he wouldn’t have won without Sword Dance Master, Seo Daeryong worked incredibly hard. His success meant the teachings reached him well.

Sword Dance Master hugged him tightly and whispered,

“Well done.”

From Hwangcheongak’s investigator to Blood Heaven Butcher’s disciple, now winning the finals against the alliance leader’s granddaughter—a true warrior’s path begun. The joy was not just in winning but in feeling this new start.

“Stop crying and get back on the arena.”

“Yes.”

Wiping his tears, Seo Daeryong returned to the arena.

Then Sword Dance Master sensed a gaze. Far away, the martial alliance leader was watching. Though too far for most to transmit telepathic messages, Sword Dance Master’s reached him clearly.

—Sorry. The friend who came with me was so sincere, I helped him train.

—What was the last technique?

—The Blood Heaven Butcher’s martial art.

Honestly admitting, the alliance leader was surprised.

—It was the Butcher’s technique?

—Yes. This friend is the Butcher’s primary disciple.

I told him intentionally. When Seo Daeryong was not an ordinary Ma Jon, the leader’s anger subsided. The alliance leader did not challenge the result further.

—Sometimes defeat can help more than victory.

It seemed the granddaughter who never knew defeat might benefit more from this loss.

—I’m only amazed by the leader’s great generosity.

Sword Dance Master’s gaze returned to the arena.

And then another moment came.

Beyond the ecstatic Seo Daeryong, one woman stood out. The woman who came to congratulate him each time he won.

Sword Dance Master noticed her gaze and expression were coldly indifferent. Having always seen her shy smile, this was unfamiliar.

She practiced softening her face. Smiled, frowned, smiled again. Then she looked up at the arena, waved, and called Seo Daeryong.

When their eyes met, she smiled brightly—completely different from the cold look before. Thanks to mind-reading skills, I clearly noticed her contrasting expressions from afar.

“Cheonmyeonghoe!”

They had been plotting all along.

Perhaps they approached not only Seo Daeryong but other finalists similarly.

To those who liked women—as women; who needed friends—as friends; who needed money—as money. Cheonmyeonghoe was no ordinary group.

Anyway, we finally caught the tail of Cheonmyeonghoe!

But joy was brief. Sword Dance Master looked at Seo Daeryong with regret. He smiled widely and waved at the Cheonmyeonghoe woman.

‘Ah, Daeryong, what to do?’

Until she reveals her true nature, I planned not to tell Seo Daeryong. Better that he acts naturally, unaware.

I’m sorry, Investigator Seo, but the more sincerely you like him, the more surely you’ll catch those scoundrels. No choice. You grow through pain!