The journey to the Jade Blossom Sect took three days, but it felt like a slow march through a child's painting to Jin Mu-Won. The forests were peaceful, the rivers calm, and the skies open and blue—far too quiet for a man whose last memories were painted in screams and fire.
Lin Xue, his temporary companion, spoke often. About the sect. About her dreams. About the tournament that was soon to begin. Her voice was soft, occasionally filled with admiration, especially when she glanced at Jin Mu-Won's calm face.
"You really don't talk much, do you?" she finally said on the second evening, as they camped beside a brook.
Jin Mu-Won sipped cool water from a stone cup he carved himself. "I listen better than I speak."
She hugged her knees beside the fire. "I want to be strong. Strong enough that no one can ever force me to run again like that day."
"You have good bones," he said. "But talent is nothing without will. If you're serious, I'll show you how to cultivate properly."
She looked up, startled. "You'd... train me?"
"I'll owe many women in this lifetime," he said half to himself. "Might as well start early."
[Lin Xue's Favorability: +15 (Excited Hope). Total: 55 — Affection Growing.]
---
Jade Blossom Sect Gates – Day Three
The Jade Blossom Sect was built into the side of Emerald Petal Mountain, a place as serene as it was prestigious. Tier-three sect. Medium influence. Known for its all-female inner core and mastery of healing and spiritual qi techniques. Jin Mu-Won vaguely remembered destroying one of their sister sects during the Second Grand War.
Ah, nostalgia.
They arrived at the outer gate, where two female disciples blocked their path. One, tall and fair with jade-colored eyes, narrowed her gaze.
"Outsiders must state their name and business."
Lin Xue bowed. "Senior Sisters, I am Lin Xue. I was accepted three months ago but delayed due to personal circumstances. This man—he saved me from bandits. Please allow him entry just for today."
The taller one scowled. "No men beyond the outer court."
Jin Mu-Won gave her a lazy glance. "Then I'll wait here."
Lin Xue turned to him and whispered, "I'll speak to Elder Mei. She's kind. Maybe she'll make an exception."
As she dashed inside, a voice called out from behind the walls. "Who dares disturb the peace of the Blossom Gate?"
A robed figure floated down—a middle-aged woman with sharp phoenix eyes and a cultivator's grace. Elder Mei.
Lin Xue ran to her. "Elder! Please, allow him into the outer guest quarters! He saved me from three sword bandits."
Elder Mei glanced once at Jin Mu-Won and stiffened.
Her sharp gaze bored into him.
"Name."
"Jin Mu-Won."
A pause. Her breath hitched, ever so slightly.
She bowed her head. "Come. You are welcome within our walls."
The two gatekeepers gasped but said nothing. No one questioned Elder Mei.
As they walked side by side, she whispered low enough for only him to hear.
"That name... is a name from ancient heresy."
He smiled. "Maybe. Maybe I'm just named after a story."
Her lips twitched. "Then why do I sense Demon Qi buried under a mortal shell?"
He chuckled. "Must be your imagination."
She said no more.
But her eyes never left him again.
---
Guest Quarters, Jade Blossom Sect
That evening, Jin Mu-Won sat cross-legged on a bamboo mat, eyes closed, refining his qi. The Heaven-Devouring Manual flowed through his mind, converting the ambient qi into dark energy only he could contain.
Suddenly—
Bang!
The doors slammed open. A proud voice called out, "So you're the so-called hero Lin Xue won't stop talking about?"
Jin Mu-Won opened one eye.
A young man stepped in. Handsome, with sharp brows and the emblem of the Rising Sword Pavilion on his robes.
System alert flashed.
[Name: Luo Shen
Sect: Rising Sword Pavilion
Cultivation: Peak Foundation Realm
Disposition: Hostile
Favorability: -20 (Jealousy)]
Jin Mu-Won's eyebrow lifted. "And you are?"
"Her fiancé," Luo Shen declared.
Lin Xue's voice shrieked from behind him. "Liar! My parents arranged that when I was thirteen and I already told them I won't agree!"
Luo Shen scoffed. "You think saving her from a few bandits gives you the right to play hero? I challenge you. Tomorrow. The Blossom Ring."
Jin Mu-Won stood, walking slowly toward him. "You want to fight me?"
Luo Shen sneered. "Unless you're a coward."
Jin Mu-Won looked at Lin Xue. "You want me to fight him?"
She hesitated. "I... I don't want you hurt."
Jin Mu-Won smiled gently. "Then watch how I crush him in three moves."
---
Next Day – Blossom Ring Arena
Students and elders gathered around the jade-ringed platform. Most had come to see the arrogant nobody Lin Xue had dragged in be humbled by the Pavilion prodigy.
Elder Mei stood in the judging seat. "This match is sanctioned. First to fall or yield loses."
Luo Shen leapt up, drawing a silver sword. "Prepare yourself."
Jin Mu-Won didn't even raise a weapon.
Gasps echoed.
"He's going unarmed?"
Luo Shen launched forward, sword striking like a lightning bolt.
Jin Mu-Won sidestepped with ease, grabbed his wrist mid-strike, and snapped it with a flick.
Crack.
Luo Shen screamed.
Jin's hand slammed into his chest, sending him flying out of the ring like a broken kite.
Silence.
Utter, stunned silence.
Elder Mei stood, voice ringing out. "Winner—Jin Mu-Won."
System pinged again.
[Public Victory Achieved. System Reward: +3 Strength, +10 Sect Reputation, +1 Hidden Observer Favorability Increase.]
[Lin Xue's Favorability: +20 (Blushing Adoration). Total: 75 — Affection Deepening.]
---
Later that Night
Lin Xue found him by the lotus pond, moonlight dancing on the surface. She held a cloth-wrapped object in her hands.
"I… made you food. It's not much, but…"
He took the bundle. Warm buns. Steamed rice. Herbal soup.
He smiled, softer this time. "It's been centuries since someone cooked for me."
"Centuries?"
He froze.
But she only laughed nervously. "You mean… it feels like it's been that long, right?"
He nodded slowly. "Yes… something like that."
She sat beside him, her shoulder brushing his.
For a moment, they said nothing.
Only the wind spoke, carrying whispers of old fates and new desires.
---
Somewhere Far Away…
In a blood-red hall carved into a cliff of obsidian, a man wrapped in black flames opened his eyes.
"The Demon Emperor... has returned."
---
To Be Continued...