The Legend of the Northern Blade

Chapter 171: Stirring up a Storm (3)

In the middle of Heaven's Summit, Jin Mu-Won and Shim Won-Yi stood face to face, while Geum Ju-Sang and the the Investigation Department martial artists watched from a distance.

"Has it really been seven years?" Shim Won-Yi greeted, though his eyes betrayed his hatred and resentment.

Jin Mu-Won nodded curtly. "I believe so."

"To think that you managed to live while hiding all this time… You really are something," Shim Won-Yi said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "I guess you also hid the fact that you were a martial artist back then. Heh! Was I completely fooled by you?"

"I had to survive. I don't think what I did was wrong."

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"That's right, struggling for survival is not a crime. From the standpoint of someone who was deceived, however, it certainly doesn't feel good."

"Why would I deceive you?"

"Was it not deception? You thoroughly hid the fact that you practiced martial arts from me, and I foolishly failed to see through your lies until the end."

The Northern Blade, huh.

A brilliant swordsman who had already proven himself a threat to the Seven Young Skies by defeating Hyun Gong-Hwi. Still, Shim Won-Yi could not acknowledge Jin Mu-Won… no, he refused to acknowledge him.

The mere thought of people putting Jin Mu-Won on the same level as himself disgusted him. The only rival he recognized was Dam Soo-Cheon.

Accepting that someone of his generation was held in higher esteem than himself was not something he could easily bear. Even more so when that person was the last heir of the Northern Army he had looked down upon.

At the very least, I cannot acknowledge you. Not in the world I live in.

Shim Won-Yi clenched his fists tightly, as if he was preparing to hit Jin Mu-Won at any moment.

"If you think struggling to survive is a crime, then I have nothing more to say to you, Young Master Shim. I will not apologize for 'deceiving' you either," Jin Mu-Won said firmly.

"Hmph! I never expected an apology from you. I only came today to see that arrogant face of yours. In any case, even if I do nothing, you don't have much longer to live."

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"We'll see about that."

"Do you really think you can survive after causing such a stir in Heaven's Summit? It would have been better for you to hide in the harsh northern plains for the rest of your life. If you had done that, you might have lived in misery, but at least you would have survived." ṜАƝốΒÈs̈

"Is that how you would want to live?"

"How dare you curse me?" Shim Won-Yi's eyebrow twitched.

"We are not in a relationship where we have to respect each other, are we? So let me ask you again. Is that how you would want to live? Would you be content to spend your whole life on the run, barely clinging to life?"

"Hmph! That will never happen to me."

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"I thought the same thing ten years ago. I believed that all the unhappiness in the world had nothing to do with me. But fate… sometimes it twists in ways we never expect, regardless of our intentions. There is no guarantee that such a turning point will not occur in your life as well.

"You're talking nonsense. Who could possibly twist my destiny? From the very beginning, I have been different from the likes of you. Such a thing will never happen to me."

"You should never take the word 'never' lightly."

"You insolent bastard!" Shim Won-Yi roared, unable to contain his fury any longer.

The martial artists of the Investigation Department flinched at his powerful qi-infused voice, but Jin Mu-Won, who received the full force of his killing intent, didn't so much as blink.

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Shim Won-Yi's qi surged like a tidal wave, rushing toward Jin Mu-Won. Although it was invisible, Jin Mu-Won could clearly sense its shape.

It seemed that in Shim Won-Yi's eyes, he was still the same person he was seven years ago. A little boy hunched over by the weight of his killing intent, hiding like a mouse to survive, a pitiful figure from a harsh past.

WHOOSH!

He released his own aura. As if sword qi had been condensed into a single point, the intense wave not only severed Shim Won-Yi's qi in an instant, but also invaded his body through his pores.

"You bastard!" Shim Won-Yi snarled, alarm clouding his face as he quickly gathered his internal energy to expel Jin Mu-Won's qi.

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Jin Mu-Won had responded to his provocation with an overwhelming show of force, and the unexpected counterattack wounded his pride.

RUMBLE!

The surrounding air trembled as Shim Won-Yi summoned even more qi.

Geum Ju-Sang, who had been silently observing, finally stepped forward, saying, "That's enough. Stop this at once."

"Hall Leader Geum!"

"I allowed you to talk, not vent your personal grudges," Geum Ju-Sang warned.

To him, Shim Won-Yi was the only one preparing to fight. He hadn't sensed Jin Mu-Won silent shadow qi counterattack at all.

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Shim Won-Yi's expression soured. "But…"

"Attacking Lord Jin now would be a direct challenge to the authority of Heaven's Summit. I would prefer that you not make such a mistake," Geum Ju-Sang interrupted coldly.

"…Understood. It seems I was too rash."

Shim Won-Yi reluctantly stepped back. Although he was a member of the Seven Young Skies, Geum Ju-Sang was one of the real powerhouses of Heaven's Summit.

There were too many eyes watching him. If he acted recklessly, his hard-earned reputation could crumble in an instant.

Regardless, his enmity towards Jin Mu-Won did not fade in the slightest. Were it not for Geum Ju-Sang's presence, he would have attacked the man already.

"The next time we meet, you will kneel at my feet and beg for your life."

"Or maybe the opposite will happen."

"You dare…!" Shim Won-Yi gritted his teeth, barely able to contain his anger.

Meanwhile, Jin Mu-Won simply shrugged nonchalantly and walked past him.

Shim Won-Yi watched as Jin Mu-Won left with Geum Ju-Sang and the others.

"Just wait and see. I will make you the most wretched person in the world," he swore to himself under his breath.

He was not the type to forget a grudge, no matter how small.

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The new cell Jin Mu-Won was assigned to was the most secluded solitary confinement unit in Investigation Department's prison. Visits by outsiders were absolutely prohibited and even Heaven's Summit members were forbidden from approaching.

Most people dreaded the thought of solitary confinement, but Jin Mu-Won felt differently. This was a perfect chance to practice his martial arts without an audience.

Deep down, he sensed that the time was ripe for his martial arts to advance to the next level. If he made good use of his time, his skills could skyrocket.

He stepped into the solitary cell willingly. As he entered, the heavy iron door shut with a dull thud.

Geum Ju-Sang stood still for a moment, silently watching the solitary cell Jin Mu-Won had just entered. "I trust you will withstand this trial, young Lord of the Northern Army," he whispered.

Shortly after Jin Mu-Won was locked up in the Investigation Department's prison, the main gate of Heaven's Summit swung open.

The moment that countless young martial artists had been waiting for had finally arrived, and they poured out of Wuhan and Heaven's Village like a massive exodus.

A huge notice was posted on one of the walls near the gates, attracting everyone's attention.

One martial artist took it upon himself to read the notice aloud. "For the next five days, an event will be held to select martial artists for the Demon Hunters! Only those endorsed by at least three esteemed figures of the murim or who have attained widely recognized and exceptional accomplishments need apply. What the hell?"

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The martial artist who read the notice was enraged by the absurd requirements. If the requirements were as stated, then the barrier to entry was far too high.

How many individuals in the current murim could genuinely be considered renowned figures? Moreover, requiring not just one, but three recommendations was like saying that only those from prestigious backgrounds were welcome.

Besides, how many young martial artists in the jianghu had accomplished feats worthy of being called "widely recognized and exceptional"? Even if there were some, they were probably from noble martial families or major sects.

"What on earth is this? Are you saying that people like us who don't have strong backgrounds can't even enter Heaven's Summit?"

"Exactly! We came expecting a fair chance, and now they are imposing these outrageous conditions!"

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Angry and frustrated voices erupted from all directions. Soon, the crowd's grievances swelled into a resounding outcry that echoed off the fortress walls of Heaven's Summit.

"Give us a fair chance!"

"We have the right to join the Demon Hunters!"

The angry voices unsettled the Outer Hall martial artists guarding the main gate. They too agreed that the selection criteria for the Demon Hunters were too stringent.

However, as members of Heaven's Summit, they could not just stand by and watch the chaos outside their stronghold.

One of the guards shouted, "Everyone, calm down! This is Heaven's Summit! We cannot allow any further disturbances!"

"We just want a fair chance! Isn't this way too unreasonable?"

"This matter is beyond our control. Please remain calm."

"What? So we're not even allowed to express our opinions? What the hell?"

The atmosphere became increasingly tense. At this point, even the smallest spark would be enough to trigger a riot.

At that moment, Dan Woon-Gang, the Outer Hall Leader, stepped out from inside Heaven's Summit. "What is all this commotion?" he asked.

"It's about the qualifications for the Demon Hunters selection…"

"Hmm!" Dan Woon-Gang cast a cold glance at the young martial artists gathered at the main gate. Normally, they would have avoided his gaze, but now they met his with defiant anger.

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Even Dan Woon-Gang could sense the gravity of the situation. He smiled. This reaction was exactly what he had expected.

He shouted in a clear, resounding voice, "I fully understand your grievances! The leadership of Heaven's Summit agrees that the conditions are too harsh! Therefore, we have decided to open the doors a little wider, just for you! However, there is still one condition!"

"What is the condition?"

"Although the world has yet to hear about it, a traitor's descendant currently resides in this fortress!"

"A traitor's descendant? I have never heard of such a person in the jianghu before."

"Surely you all remember what happened ten years ago!"

"Ten years ago… You mean the Northern Army?"@@novelbin@@

"Indeed! The Lord of the Northern Army, who was meant to stop Silent Night, instead conspired with them and betrayed the jianghu! At that time, Heaven's Summit showed great mercy and spared the Lord of the Northern Army's child! Now, that same child is plotting to betray the Central Plains to the Silent Night once again!"

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"That cannot be… Do you have any proof?"

"Is proof even necessary? The moment the Lord's son appeared, the Silent Night also resurfaced as if they had been waiting for him! Besides, isn't the selection of the Demon Hunters taking place because of the Silent Night?"

As Dan Woon-Gang's voice grew louder, the martial artists gathered at the gate began to listen more intently to his impassioned words.

"Who is this child of the Lord of the Northern Army?"

"You all must have heard his name at least once! He is Jin Mu-Won, also known as the Northern Blade!"

"The Northern Blade, Jin Mu-Won? Is he truly the heir of the Northern Army?"

Shock spread across the faces of the assembled martial artists.

The Northern Blade, Jin Mu-Won, was one of the most discussed young martial artists in the current jianghu. The revelation that he was the heir of the Northern Army was shocking enough, and the allegation of his collusion with the Silent Night was even more startling.

The murmuring in the crowd grew louder. Some of them stopped listening to Dan Woon-Gang and immediately began to denounce Jin Mu-Won.

Seeing this, Dan Woon Gang smiled in satisfaction. As expected, following the Elders' orders brought immediate results.

"By the way, what does Jin Mu-Won have to do with us qualifying to join the Demon Hunters?" someone asked.

"Heaven's Summit will hold a public trial to determine Jin Mu-Won's fate, and you are all invited to attend as witnesses! Participating in the resolution of a jianghu criminal is undoubtedly a great achievement! And of course, it will count as one of the credentials necessary for admission to the Demon Hunters!"

Dan Woon-Gang's words sent shock waves through the crowd.

The murmuring among the martial artists swelled to a deafening cacophony.