Chapter 204

"What gift do you mean?"

Jaseong ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍asked, looking puzzled.

He ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍had already learned all the martial arts of the Heaven Evading Way, and reached the Profound Realm.

Having ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍surpassed the limits of the flesh, he could not even begin to guess what further gift might remain for him.

But ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍in the next moment, Lü Dongbin placed his hand on Jaseong's forehead.

Paaaah!

In ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍that instant, an indescribably clear and vast energy flowed into Jaseong's mind.

It was neither an enlightenment in martial arts nor an increase of internal power.

It felt as though the murkiness of the human soul was being washed away, and his spirit itself was being sublimated into a higher plane.

The energy flowing through his body was, at once, like the gentle warmth of spring sunlight and also like the cold, crystalline essence of perpetual snow.

"... What is this?"

"You are now a member of the Celestial Realm."

"What...?"

Lü Dongbin's voice rang out solemnly.

"Though your flesh remains in the human world, your status has already ascended to the ranks of the immortals. This is the 'qualification for Ascension to Immortality.'"

"Ascension...!"

Jaseong's eyes widened.

To become an immortal and ascend to the heavens.

It was the ultimate goal every martial artist devoted their life to attaining, and a legendary tale that only existed in myths.

That opportunity had now been granted to Jaseong.

"Time for humans passes in the blink of an eye, but time in the Celestial Realm is eternal. One day, should you desire it, you may cast off the shackles of the flesh and come to the Celestial Realm. There, you may pursue everlasting life and endless paths of the Way."

It was an astounding proposition.

A path to completely escape the fate of birth, aging, sickness, and death—to transcend and discuss the laws of the universe itself.

It was an irresistible temptation for anyone who walked the martial path.

Yet, Jaseong fell silent for a moment.

What came to his mind was not the vast truths of the universe.

The chilly night air of Black Union City, Lee Rin's bright smile, Gu Janghu's rough laughter, and the warm cup of tea Hyang-I brewed...

Those small, human scenes filled Jaseong's heart.

Reading Jaseong's feelings, Lü Dongbin smiled gently.

"There is no need to decide now. That qualification will forever remain yours. Enjoy your life as a human to the fullest. When you no longer cling to the earthly world... come and find me then."

Lü Dongbin's figure gradually began to blur. Wisps of light, like the Milky Way, gathered as if ready to soar back into the sky.

"From now on, live the rest of your days freely, with no more mandates from Heaven, no obligations. A student such as you deserves that freedom."

Lü Dongbin's last voice echoed in the night sky.

"Then, may your remaining time in this world be truly happy."

Shoooo—

The light vanished.

The Sword Immortal Lü Dongbin returned to the Celestial Realm.

Upon the city wall, only the quiet darkness and moonlight remained.

Jaseong looked down at his hands. A faint golden glow swirled in his palms before dissipating.

The qualification of an immortal.

He felt its weight, but at the same time, his heart was as light as a feather.

The burdens of revenge and Heaven's Mandate were gone.

Now, only the vast world and the freedom to roam it remained.

"All that's left now... is to keep my promise to Lee Rin."

At this moment, a smile of pure relief graced Jaseong's lips like never before.

* * *

Lee Rin's residence was in the innermost pavilion of Black Union City.

As the Young Palace Lord of North Sea Ice Palace, the city entrance was far too bustling for her.

Jaseong had made special arrangements for this place.

In the garden stood a plum tree she liked, and its gentle fragrance drifted into her room every night.

Jaseong stood before Lee Rin's door.

The hour was already past midnight, but the faint lamplight leaking beneath the door showed she was still awake.

He knocked without hesitation.

Knock, knock.

"Lee Rin."

Silence fell for a moment.

Then, the light sound of someone quickly getting up came from within, and soon the door opened.

"What is it, great hero, at this late hour? Are you hurt again? Did your wounds get worse?"

Lee Rin peered up at Jaseong with worried eyes.

Her face was as pale as a dumpling wrapper, and her large eyes shone with clarity under the moonlight.

There was a faint scent of plum blossoms in her breath.

"No. I didn't come because of my wounds."

"Then what is it? You come to startle people at all hours of the night."

Lee Rin tilted her head, letting out a nervous sigh.

Jaseong paused for a beat, then spoke in a deep, low voice.

"Do you remember? The promise we made."

At Jaseong's words, Lee Rin's expression froze.

At first bewildered, her eyes then slowly widened as she seemed to realize the meaning behind his words.

Her pupils trembled.

"When all revenge was done... we promised to travel the world together."

"...!"

Jaseong spoke.

As calmly as if he was simply predicting tomorrow's weather.

But the sincerity in those calm words struck more deeply than any passionate speech.

"Great hero..."

"It's time to keep that promise. Will you come with me?"

At that, tears glistened in Lee Rin's eyes.

She had waited so long for these words.

The man who had been a ghost of revenge, gnawing at himself, was at last reaching for someone else's hand instead of a sword hilt.

Lee Rin made a strange face, as if unsure whether to cry or laugh, then bit her lip hard and broke into a radiant smile.

"... Of course I'll go with you! Do you know how long I've waited to hear you say that? Every night I prayed you wouldn't change your mind!"

"Is that so."

"If I'm with you, great hero, I could follow you even to the depths of hell. So don't you ever think of going alone."

Lee Rin's smile, under the full moon, was like a single snow blossom in bloom.

Seeing her, Jaseong felt a tickle in his heart and gently smiled.

* * *

Starting from the next day, Jaseong set about putting his affairs in order.

In the chief's office overseeing the Murim Alliance's administration,

Every day, the desk at White Cloud Hall piled up with mountains of documents.

Everything from the existing claims of the Nine Sects-One Union, to the property disputes of the newly incorporated Evil Path Association and Four Great Clans and Seven Sects, and the allocation of relief materials to heal the scars left by the remnants of the Demonic Cult.

For Jaseong, who had once decided life and death with a single sword, these stacks of papers sometimes felt heavier than an iron cudgel weighing a thousand pounds.

"Alliance Leader, look at this. Biweol Gate sent another petition asking to get their manor back. They really are persistent."

Hyang-I set down her teacup, grumbling.

Jaseong pressed his temple and sighed.

"Hyang-I."

"Yes, Alliance Leader."

"As of today, you are appointed as the Murim Alliance's military strategist and chief administrator."

Clang!

The tray in Hyang-I's hands wobbled.

"What are you saying?"

"You've handled perfect supply and management everywhere from Hao Sect's Ansun branch to the Tianxia Association, Scarlet Lotus Hall, and even the black paths of Guangxi Province. It was also you who, in this past month, distilled the core of this mountain of paperwork and picked out the flaws in the demands of the Sect Leaders for my review. Hyang-I, you have a talent more valuable than commanding a thousand troops—a talent for moving an entire organization."

Jaseong pushed a golden seal across the desk toward Hyang-I.

"This gives you the proxy authority of the Alliance Leader. Decide and execute as you see fit. If any of the old, stubborn Sect Leaders resist, remind them that my sword is always behind you."

As Hyang-I stared blankly at the seal, the door opened, and Gu Janghu and Right Protector Gal Seo-ryeong entered.

They looked puzzled at Jaseong's sudden summons.

"You called for us, Sect Leader—or should I be calling you Alliance Leader now?"

Gu Janghu asked, and Jaseong shook his head with a faint smile.

"Call me whatever you like. Anyway, I have tasks for you as well, Right Protector Gu and Right Protector Gal."

"Tasks?"

"Right Protector Gal, I need you to incorporate Hao Sect's intelligence network into the Alliance's intelligence division. No one but you can pull that off."

"Understood, Alliance Leader."

Gal Seo-ryeong answered calmly with a cupped fist salute.

"If it is your will, I will cut down any impure movement."

Jaseong turned next to Gu Janghu.

"Gu Janghu. You are to oversee the martial forces within. Bring discipline to the still-ununified Nine Sects-One Union, Evil Path Association, and Four Great Clans and Seven Sects so that their rivalry doesn't erupt, and establish the new laws of the martial world with your sword."

"Sect Leader. Why give out these roles all of a sudden?"

"I am going to journey with Rin now."

"Journey...?"

At that, Lee Rin grinned and answered.

"It's an old promise between the great hero and me. Hehe."

Jaseong continued.

"For a while, I leave the peace of the martial world in your care. If an emergency arises, send the black hawk. The shadow of Hao Sect now reaches anywhere in the Central Plains."

Jaseong took in Hyang-I, Gu Janghu, and Gal Seo-ryeong in turn with his gaze.

Even if he was absent, these three would now be the core that kept the great wheel of the Murim Alliance turning.

Having finished all that needed to be done.

On a morning with not a cloud in the sky.

Jaseong cast off the Alliance Leader's splendid robes and changed into plain martial dress.

At his waist, as always, hung his Wicked Flame Sword.

When he stepped outside, Lee Rin was waiting at the city gate.

Dressed in a pure white palace dress, she looked like a single snow blossom.

"I've been waiting, great hero."

Beside Lee Rin stood two horses.

Their luggage was light.

Each carried only a sword, some travel money, and a bundle of pastries Lee Rin insisted upon.

"How many pastries are you planning to haul around?"

"This is an essential for travel."

"Since when are pastries a necessity?"

"Hmph. There are moments of anemia only women know about, you know."

"???"

As Lee Rin pouted and retorted, Gu Janghu approached and spoke.

"I didn't expect you to leave so suddenly, Sect Leader."

"I leave this place in your hands while I'm gone."

"It's a shame, but as it's a promise to Rin, it can't be helped. Take care on your journey. Not that there's anyone left in the Central Plains who could threaten you now."

At Gu Janghu's words, Jaseong exchanged a final, gentle farewell.

Then he and Lee Rin lightly mounted their horses.

"Great hero. Where are we going now?"

In truth, there was no destination.

From the start, it wasn't a journey meant to reach any particular place.

"Wherever the wind blows."

"... And just where is that supposed to be?"

Lee Rin sighed, but Jaseong was relaxed.

Not having a fixed destination—that, instead, felt right.

Until now, every step for Jaseong had a destination called revenge.

Every moment was spent preparing to strike down another, every journey was an advance toward his enemies.

But now, it was different.

For the first time, he was walking a road where nothing need be cut down.

Leaving the city gates behind, they looked out on a wide, open plain.

A solitary trail stretched through green grass, fading into the distant horizon.

As they rode along, Lee Rin suddenly said,

"Great hero."

"Yes?"

"You're making a face I've never seen before."

"What kind of face?"

"You look peaceful. Truly."

Jaseong didn't answer.

But without realizing it, the corners of his mouth turned up.

Peaceful.

A word that never suited the man once called the prodigy of the Red Light District, who lived like a vengeful spirit.

But for this one moment.

Riding side by side with a woman humming and nibbling pastries in the spring breeze—

"Not bad at all."

A quiet smile hung on Jaseong's lips.

Thus, the two horses sped toward the horizon.

With no set destination, no promise of return.

Toward the vast jianghu. Side by side.

* * *

World's Greatest.

This was still the hottest topic in every inn across the Central Plains.

Who is the strongest in the world—that question fascinated not only martial artists, but even common folk.

In the past, everyone believed the World's Greatest was surely the head of a great sect, a great clan, or the Lord of the Demonic Cult.

Well, it was a natural assumption.

Great sects had the accumulated prowess of centuries.

Disciples selected as infants, subjected to cutting-the-hair-and-washing-the-marrow from the cradle,

and highly advanced elixir crafting techniques.

Without all these conditions, how could anyone from anywhere else become the World's Greatest?

It was a world painstakingly structured to pass down power.

That summed up the martial world in a single phrase.

But there was one man who overturned that structure.

Neither a great sect, nor a grand clan, nor the demonic cult master.

A single individual who rose from the lowest position.

From the humble Red Light District,

from the very bottom rung of status,

possessing indescribable venom energy and mad martial talent,

he climbed upward, endlessly.

He was the prodigy of the Red Light District,

called the Calamity Sent from Heaven.

That is the story of the one called World's Greatest, Jaseong.

―End

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