When you see a falling star, make a wish.
As long as you can make all your wishes before the starlight disappears, what you desire will surely come true. Kang Yoon-ho realized this superstition while watching the sword of Murong Sang-a unfold right before his eyes.
The stars shine brightly.
With every flash of the sword light, a fleeting life falls away. If he could miraculously dodge that sword, he believed he would surely be given a second life and would live earnestly.
Countless lives rushed in, reflecting their last light, but Murong Sang-a’s sword was unstoppable.
Meteoric Sword Technique. Kang Yoon-ho’s eyes, watching the millennium-old swordsmanship of the Murong Family, were already filled with awe.
Despite numerous ups and downs, the family has stood strong for a thousand years. Although they had lost much of their accumulated martial arts and their might was closer to the earth than the sky, the stars continued to shine.
No, that starlight may have originated from the ground, but it would definitely rise high and shine brilliantly. The hearts of the martial artists who gazed upon the sword they aspired to burn with passion.
Murong Sang-a’s sword is glowing.
As fleeting lives extinguished and only one star remained, finishing a grand dance…
“This is the Murong Family’s sword…”
No one doubted that the woman before them was the one to lead the Murong Family in the future.
——
“Thank you! Thank you so much!”
“If it weren’t for the Murong Family, what would have happened to us…?
“Our son, because of those guys… Hoooorng!
The bandits who killed countless commoners and looted their possessions were crushed overnight. As the bandit’s assault was settled in an instant, the villagers cried tears of gratitude, endlessly praising the Murong Family.
“This isn’t right! We’ll throw a feast!”
“Quick, catch a pig! The plumpest one!”
The villagers, venting their frustrations, spat on the corpses of the bandits and rushed to prepare a feast for their saviors.
Kang Yoon-ho, seemingly troubled, politely declined, but upon the Lord and Great Lord of Spear Peak’s consent, he enjoyed the feast with a smiling face.
“Did you see the Lord’s sword? Like this, like this?”
“You think you could even mimic that?”
“They were truly in a higher league.”
“I thought a sword fairy had descended.”
“Exactly!”
The highlight of the party was, of course, Murong Sang-a’s swordsmanship. Whether they were veterans of the Spear Peak Band or newcomers, everyone applauded Murong Sang-a’s skills with emotional faces.
“Murong Family warriors! Here’s a drink for you!”
“I’ll enjoy it well!”
“To think my first outing is to take down a bandit horde. I’m glad I came.”
“Right? Seeing everyone happy makes me feel good too.”
Having dealt with the woes of so many, the newcomers of the Spear Peak Band were reveling in their first victory, and even the veterans enjoyed the cheerful atmosphere of a rewarding task.
The villagers, the veterans, and newcomers of the Spear Peak Band—all together, enjoying a joyful banquet.
But someone watched from a distance, not blending into the atmosphere.
“Is that the Great Lord of Spear Peak?”
In a slightly secluded spot where the banquet was happening, Murong Sang-a asked, noticing the presence behind her.
“You’re alone in a place like this.”
The Great Lord of Spear Peak asked, sounding regretful that she wasn’t celebrating with her subordinates.
“Let them enjoy themselves.”
She must be their star. Murong Sang-a felt no shame in hearing how brilliant and magnificent that star was right beside her.
“It’s been ages since I’ve seen the Spear Peak Band members genuinely smile.”
The Great Lord of Spear Peak looked fondly at the distant members, reddened by flames and drinks, as he spoke.
“They’re all struggling to survive.”
Rebuilding the declining Murong Family was beyond imagination.
On the outside, they had to contend with foreign ethnicities, and on the inside, they had to face the Demonic Cult and her brother. They had to strive not to falter in political battles while trying not to lose their legitimacy.
Unlike other martial factions, the Murong Family, almost like a paramilitary organization to face the foreign ethnicities, had to endure constant scrutiny from officials and other sects due to their immense power in Yodong Province.
Even if one was completely absorbed in their endeavors, it was a tough situation to preserve what they had. As though the most important value of the righteous path could be set aside.
“If it weren’t for the Lord’s efforts, we wouldn’t have seen such smiles.”
Murong Sang-a turned her gaze toward the bonfire.
“Qingyun! We’ll do it when it’s our time!”
“I saw everything. The Spear Peak Band of the Murong Family. Truly impressive.”
“See? Even the Mount Wu Taoist Master acknowledges it!”
“Hahaha!”
“I hope today’s event remains in their hearts for a long time.”
Murong Sang-a gave a strange expression and spoke to the Great Lord of Spear Peak.
“They will remember it. I still vividly recall my first outing with the head of the family.”
Murong Sang-a quietly nodded her head.
The first outing. The ideal sword the Murong Family’s warriors aspired to. Reaching out to the innocent. The feeling of victory. So much would linger in their memories.
Today’s events must become nourishment.
It shouldn’t just end with defeating the Demonic Cult. What remains in the end isn’t the strong among similar types, but a testament that the righteous path has triumphed over the Demonic Cult.
Yodong Province’s downfall. They must firmly announce that the Murong Family, as the pillar of the righteous path, has uprooted the Demonic Cult.
To do that, she must become their star.
“I’ll head in first.”
Murong Sang-a stood up, brushing off her seat.
“My Lord.”
“After the banquet, please hand them the feast money. I hope the village warmed by the Murong Family’s rescue has a cozy winter.”
“I will do it without fail.”
The Great Lord of Spear Peak bowed his head to his Lord, who was dedicating herself for the Murong Family once again.
——
“Zhangbai Sect?”
Upon returning to the family, Murong Sang-a asked an herbalist familiar with the sects about one of their names.
“Yes, that’s the name of the Taoist sect located in Mount Zhangbai.”
“It’s an unfamiliar name.”
“It’s understandable. It’s a sect from Joseon, and Mount Zhangbai is not more than a thousand miles from the Murong Family.” Since they are not a sect that engages in external activities, not many know about them.
“A sect from Joseon, huh? I don’t know much about Joseon’s martial world.”
The Murong Family’s territory was Yodong Province. Though Yodong is located in Manchuria, their influence extended to the northwestern areas of Joseon.
On the other hand, Mount Zhangbai lay to the east of Manchuria, over a thousand miles from the provincial capital of Shenyang. Murong Sang-a nodded slightly in understanding.
“I’ve heard of it from my Joseon friend.”
“From a friend of yours?”
Murong Sang-a turned her head at Qingyun’s unexpected statement.
Qingyun expressed that he had heard it from the Joseon friend he previously mentioned, looking at the herbalist.
“I heard it’s the sect that manages Zhangbai Silver.”
“Yes! Yes! That’s right! The area has many Jurchens and mountain lords, and due to the unstable border of Joseon, conflicts were rampant. It was a long time ago that the Zhangbai Sect came and settled the chaos.”
“So, there’s a story behind Zhangbai Silver.”
Murong Sang-a’s gaze subtly drifted towards her left hand.
“Since it’s from Joseon, I suppose it wouldn’t be well known.”
Seeing the herbalist bowing his head as he answered, Qingyun opened his mouth with a slightly uneasy expression.
“Is it true what they say…?”
“What are you talking about?”
“The one who proclaims to be the best under heaven. Come to Mount Zhangbai.”
Qingyun blurted out words that Kang Yoon-ho once said.
“What?!
“What did you just say?”
“Who would utter such a wild claim?!”
Everyone present widened their eyes and looked at Qingyun.
To martial artists who have practiced martial arts for a lifetime, claiming to be the best under heaven was an enormous challenge.
“Is there really such a rumor?”
Even Murong Sang-a couldn’t contain her surprise as she asked the herbalist.
“I’m not a martial artist but an herbalist, so I can’t say for sure. But I have heard that no warrior dares to tread near Mount Zhangbai.”
“Hahaha…”
Who dares to call themselves the best under heaven? The Great Lord of Spear Peak chuckled in disbelief.
“It sounds like there’s a good chance that someone Qingyun is looking for exists.”
“Right. Do you know where the Zhangbai Sect resides?”
Finally, a destination was in sight. Qingyun nodded and pressed the herbalist for an answer.
“Even locals don’t know where the Zhangbai Sect is.”
“Didn’t you say you know how to get there?”
“While I was gathering herbs, I slipped off a huge rock and got injured, unable to move. During that time, I happened to receive help from a Taoist master of Zhangbai Sect.”
“So, you received help?”
“I’ve never been in the Zhangbai Sect, but I know how to meet them.”
“That’s a relief.”
Qingyun let out a sigh of relief. If it weren’t for the Murong Family, he would have searched for days in the mountains for nothing.
“I’m not just saying this for no reason. You need something special.”
“Is it something that requires special tools, like a formation?”
Murong Sang-a asked calmly, looking at the herbalist. A sect that even nearby residents don’t know about. Could it be that a formation exists?
“It’s somewhat similar…”
The herbalist nodded, gauging the atmosphere around him.
“Tell me. The Murong Family will prepare everything.”
“If you go deep into Mount Zhangbai, there’s a shrine. If you offer a special item there, you may occasionally be able to meet them.”
“Are you saying we need to offer Zhangbai Silver?”
“Ah, no, nothing that precious.”
“Then what is it?”
If this information were true, it might be an extraordinary sect.
The Zhangbai Sect represents the martial world of Joseon.
Even the Jurchens wouldn’t dare to approach Mount Zhangbai, and the great beasts avoid the Zhangbai Sect. If what Qingyun said was true, it could be a continuation of Taoism.
Despite managing something as remarkable as Zhangbai Silver, they are still a sect that remains untouched.
And someone is proclaiming to be the best under heaven and calling to Mount Zhangbai.
What in the world would they need to visit the Zhangbai Sect? Everyone in the room observed the herbalist with tense expressions.
“You just need to bring something sweet.”
“Something sweet?”
Everyone in the room doubted their ears, but the herbalist’s words didn’t stop there.
“They especially love macarons.”
“M-Macarons?”
“If you bring freshly steamed Joseon-style ttong-karon from a cauldron, you should be able to meet them.”
A moment of silence swept over the room.
