Chapter 90: The Second Exchange Ceremony (3)
The mornings in the Lesser Demon Hall were always predictable.
Cheon Yura, the master of the Lesser Demon Hall, rose earlier than anyone else, straightened her robes, and swung her sword in the training grounds before the sun had risen.
And almost at the same time, Sa Biyeon appeared, stifling her drowsiness, to assist in Cheon Yura’s training.
“I’ll stop here. I can't keep going.”
“You’ve done well, Biyeon.”
Sa Biyeon sheathed her sword and stepped back.
Her palms, hidden beneath her sleeves, were still throbbing, but she never let it show.
Oblivious to the loyalty of her servant, Cheon Yura muttered quietly to herself while looking at her sword.
“I’ve come to handle a power far greater than before, but I still can’t control it precisely.”
“If it’s you, Young Cult Leader, you’ll master it soon.”
“I broke through too many walls at once. It’ll take quite some time to clean it all up and refine it.”
Right now, Cheon Yura was harboring quite a bit of dissatisfaction.
But that frustration wasn’t directed at herself—it was at others.
“Of all times, I have to deal with those idiots again.”
“I’m sure the Cult Leader had his reasons for doing this.”
“I’m sure he did. But Biyeon, you know by now, don’t you?”
Cheon Yura gave a snort as she slid her sword back into its scabbard.
“No matter who comes now, none of them compare to ‘that guy’ anymore.”
“……”
Sa Biyeon didn’t respond aloud, but inwardly, she couldn’t help but agree.
Indeed, too many things had changed during this Qinghai trip.
“Biyeon, what do you plan to do?”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t play dumb. You now possess enough ‘power’ to fulfill your dream, don’t you?”
Martial power.
It was what she had longed for more than anything.
She had planned to devote another ten years to intense training to obtain it, but she had acquired that power within the tomb of the Nine Heavens Saintess.
Of course, that didn’t mean the process had been easy.
Though only three days had passed in the outside world, the time she experienced inside that formation had felt at least a hundred times longer.
“Biyeon, right now, you possess more strength than even the eldest son of your clan. Are you going to wield that strength?”
A blunt question. But Sa Biyeon shook her head.
“I can’t. If I reveal my intentions now, I’ll be killed without even being able to resist, by the clan elders loyal to my eldest brother.”
Sa Bihwan, the eldest son of the clan, had already secured such dominance that one could practically call him the heir.
The second son, Sa Bimun, and the third son, Sa Bijun, were doing their best to catch up, but even together, they couldn’t surpass Sa Bihwan’s faction.
In that situation, if Sa Biyeon—who possessed nothing but control over the Black Hour Division—revealed her ambitions, she would be crushed like a bug.
“Personal martial strength is a last resort, something needed for the grand finale. It’s not of much use just yet.”
“That sounds like something you’d say. But if you waste your time like this, you might lose even the chance to turn things around.”
Sa Biyeon hesitated slightly before replying.
“There’s still an opportunity.”
“What is it?”
Cheon Yura showed a flicker of interest.
“This Exchange Ceremony, Young Cult Leader.”
“Who’s participating?”
“The main family is sending someone named Sa Cheongmun to the ceremony.”
“Never heard of him. Who is he?”
“He’s a direct descendant, but without any inheritance rights. However, the notable thing is that he’s a close aide to my eldest brother.”
“Is he strong?”
As expected of Cheon Yura, the first question that sprang out was about strength.
“He’s twenty-seven years old and has reached the peak of the Master Level. In our clan, he’s considered one of the most promising figures of the next generation.”
Cheon Yura frowned slightly. It wasn’t the level of his martial attainment that concerned her—it was something else.
“A rather precarious age.”
Considering the youngest participant was the mid-to-late teen Ma Jinyoon, there was indeed quite a disparity.
Still, when compared to the previous representative sent by the Sa Clan, who hadn’t even reached the First-Rate level, it was clear that the Sa Clan had put considerable thought into their current decision, at least in regard to the Cheon Clan.
However, on the flip side—
“Hmph, if that guy ends up humiliated, it’ll be a huge blow to the Sa Clan’s eldest son’s reputation.”
“To maximize the effect, the one who humiliates him absolutely cannot be you, Young Cult Leader.”
“Ah, I know.”
She hadn’t planned to do that anyway.
Whoever Sa Cheongmun or Sa Jeokmun was, they’d be dealt with appropriately without her involvement!
“Then you’ll owe Jin Yeomyung another favor, won’t you?”
“……”
Sa Biyeon’s expression clouded a little.
“I’ll repay it. Someday.”
“Well, Biyeon, whether or not you’ll ever be able to repay him is questionable.”
At her teasing master’s words, filled with mischief, Sa Biyeon puffed out her cheeks slightly.
Cheon Yura found that expression quite adorable and burst into laughter.
She laughed heartily for a while, stopping only when Sa Biyeon began to sulk.
“So, who’s coming from the other clans?”
“…From the Ma Clan and the Jin Clan, they’re keeping the same representatives.”
“The Jin Clan I understand, but the Ma Clan is a surprise. I thought they’d change.”
“That’s because the second son of the Ma Clan has gathered all the other direct bloodlines to stand against the eldest. Even if they swapped him out, it wouldn’t change much.”
“And the others?”
“The Hidden Shadow So Clan is sending So Jeongwon, who is a rank above the previously sent So Jeongbang. The Illusion Clan is sending a direct descendant named San Ryung, who’s at least a First-Rate.”
“Doesn’t sound like anything special.”
“No. Lastly, the Pa Clan is left…”
“And?”
“They’re the only ones who haven’t named a specific representative. They either gave up or are preparing a hidden trump card. It has to be one or the other.”
“If they’re sending someone, it means the person won’t be mediocre.”
“Actually, the former is far more likely. The Pa Clan’s succession line is stable, and there’s no one among their younger generation swordsmen close to your age who’s particularly well known.”
Cheon Yura snorted.
“Well, that makes sense. They’re more obsessed with blades than anyone, so this kind of event probably doesn’t interest them.”
“Yes, exactly.”
Their obsession ran so deep, their clan’s name was literally the Ultimate Blade Pa Clan.
They were lunatics who seriously suggested promoting the Sword King, one of the Five Kings, to the elder generation above the Three Supremes.
Even though among the Three Supremes was the Heavenly Demon himself!
“Ridiculous, but I have to admit, it’ll be entertaining.”
Cheon Yura felt a flicker of irritation at the Cult Leader’s actions—forcing a new candidate into the exchange ceremony even after she had dismissed them.
However, she quickly suppressed her anger.
Because it didn’t matter who came!
***
A month passed swiftly.
Originally, the new administrative officers were supposed to enjoy a few leisurely months in Qinghai Province, but their sudden return had them cursing under their breaths while focusing on their training.
I, too, spent the time not worrying about the exchange ceremony, but rather focusing on fully absorbing Yoo So’s insights.
What I had gained this time was simply too immense to properly digest in just one month, but that didn’t mean I had gained nothing.
With one day left before the exchange ceremony, I finally returned briefly to the Demonic Heaven’s Jin Clan to prepare.
“Clan Leader, has something bad happened?”
Jin Gun-ak, whom I hadn’t seen in a month, seemed visibly irritable for some reason.
But he brushed aside my concern with a wave of his hand.
“It’s nothing for you to worry about.”
“……”
Given how meticulous Jin Gun-ak usually was in managing his expressions, this couldn’t be an ordinary issue.
So I went straight to find Chief Administrator Byeok Jisang.
“Well… the Clan Leader was so upset about the exchange ceremony that he sent a formal letter of protest to the Heavenly Demon Pavilion.”
“Let me guess—it didn’t go well?”
“Exactly. He was thoroughly ignored.”
No wonder. From Jin Gun-ak’s perspective, the whims of the Cult Leader had effectively erased all the gains they’d made. Of course, he’d be seething.
And to top it off, he’d been flat-out ignored. Anyone would be fuming.
I exaggeratedly shook my head, stretching out my arms in mock disbelief.
“The outcome won’t change anyway. He’s worrying too much.”
“Ooh! Does that mean you’re planning to showcase your might again at this exchange ceremony?!”
“Showcase, my foot. Swatting a few flies doesn’t count as a display of power.”
“Ohh! Ohhhh!”
Since I wasn’t one to boast often, the Chief Administrator seemed to take my attitude as a genuine expression of confidence.
Well, he wasn’t exactly wrong!
Now that I’d said that, the Chief would no doubt run off to tell Jin Gun-ak everything. And with his sour mood lately, even a little reassurance would do him good.
Since I still needed his support, it wouldn’t hurt to soothe him a bit.
“We’ve prepared a palanquin worthy of the Demonic Heaven’s Jin Clan’s prestige. Please, let the clan’s name resound across the lands once more!”
“Just trust me, Chief.”
***
The next day, the day of the exchange ceremony dawned.
In the past, I’d deliberately dragged my feet and strolled slowly just to annoy people. But now, there was no need for that.
Riding comfortably in a top-tier Jin Clan palanquin carried by eight Master Level experts, I made my way to the Lesser Demon Hall where the Young Cult Leader awaited.
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle as I saw the crowds lingering near the hall.
‘Brought more guests than I expected.’
Looking closer, I could even spot a few ordinary laypeople among the crowd.
It was proof of just how much attention this exchange ceremony had drawn.
Just as I passed through the gates of the Lesser Demon Hall and was about to step out of the palanquin—
“Hey!”
A loud female voice suddenly struck my eardrums.
‘A lively one.’
I smirked and began heading toward the training ground where Cheon Yura was waiting.
But then—
“Hey! When someone talks to you, you should respond!”
The voice was louder this time—no, closer.
Only then did I realize that whoever it was had been calling out to me.
“Hello?”
Turning my head, I saw a young woman I’d never seen before standing there.
“…And who might you be?”
At my words, the woman’s eyes widened in shock.
“You don’t know me?”
“I don’t.”
“Seriously? For real?”
“Do I need to?”
I quickly gave her a once-over.
Hair tied into rare dumpling buns, eyes full of playful mischief. She was objectively a stunning beauty with a naturally energetic, talkative aura.
‘The kind who’d be popular anywhere she goes.’
The only unusual thing was her outfit.
Instead of the usual loose-fitting martial attire, she wore something that clung tightly to her curves—chest, waist, and legs all clearly outlined.
‘Looks like something people from the northern frontiers or Manchuria might wear.’
It was definitely not something a proper lady from a noble household would ever wear.
Especially not with a chest that big… ahem!
‘What the hell am I thinking?!’
I shook off the idle thoughts and refocused on analyzing her.
And then—
I spotted a single detail that instantly gave away her identity.
“A saber?”
Slung across her back was an enormous saber.
“Are you from the Ultimate Blade Pa Clan?”
“What, you only just figured it out?”
Her lips jutted out in an annoyed pout.
“I’m Pa Yeongyeong, here to participate in the exchange ceremony. You’re that famous Eldest Son of the Jin Clan, right? The one who made waves in the Qinghai incident?”
Her words truly shocked me.
No way.
Of all people, the Young Master of the Pa Clan had shown up in person for this exchange ceremony?!