The Sword Saint seemed to have a lot of interest in me, but he didn’t speak to me right away.

He must have decided it was more important to handle the official business first.

Before long, amid the Dang family’s senior figures, the clan head stepped forward and greeted the Sword Saint.

In a very polite tone, like he recognized him.

“It's been a long time. Have you been well?”

“I’ve done nothing but waste away the years. Looking at you, it seems you’ve crossed the wall as well. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

In terms of standing, the Sword Saint was higher, but he still treated him with respect because the other party was the clan head.

“You can likely guess why I came here in person.”

“Of course.”

“I’ll speak again after the Alliance’s business is concluded.”

After saying that, the Sword Saint withdrew, giving a look over his shoulder.

At that, a man stepped out from the Murim Alliance delegation.

He was skinny all over and undersized, his cheeks hollow, dark shadows heavy around his eyes.

But his eyes shone with intelligence, and his posture was disciplined.

The man offered the Dang clan head a respectful bow.

“My name is Sima Gyeong. I serve as the deputy strategist.”

“I’ve heard the Murim Alliance’s brain is truly remarkable.”

“You flatter me. I’m nothing but an inadequate man who can’t even keep hold of one subordinate.” 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

As he said that, Sima Gyeong looked at Zhuge Soso.

So it really was true that she’d secretly run off and come here.

And now he was here to take her back.

Of course, there was no way the Murim Alliance delegation had moved for only that.

There was a strong chance a bigger reason existed.

After we relocated, Sima Gyeong got to the point.

“I heard there was a major clash with the Blood Cult.”

“It seems they made extensive preparations in anticipation of an all-out battle with our main house. Fortunately, thanks to help from Hyeseong and Dragonslayer Academy, we were able to overcome a dangerous crisis.”

As he spoke, the clan head introduced the people present, and Sima Gyeong examined each of us carefully, nodding.

“So that’s what happened. To think there were so many heroes I did not know—truly, this can only be called a blessing for the martial world.”

“I agree.”

Sima Gyeong’s demeanor became more serious.

“I suspect that in the process of repelling the Blood fiends, you obtained an artifact.”

“That Ghost Demon fellow did leave behind a soul-summoning bell.”

“Have you decided how to deal with it?”

The clan head casually pointed to me.

“Our benefactor said he needed it, so I transferred it to him.”

“......!”

At the unexpected answer, Sima Gyeong’s eyes widened.

Then he stared at me and spoke.

“Your name was Kim Ho, was it.”

“That’s right.”

“I want to confirm why you need the soul-summoning bell.”

If there was a risk I would use it the wrong way—or that it would fall into the wrong hands—he meant to stop it.

I answered calmly.

“I plan to use it to break through a few arrangements.”

In other words: a hidden piece.

It’s incredibly useful in dungeons tied to spiritual phenomena.

It was an answer that made a certain amount of sense, but Sima Gyeong still looked worried.

“The spiritual energy and evil aura contained in the soul-summoning bell exceed imagination. Even merely possessing it is like getting your clothes damp from a fine drizzle... little by little, you’re affected.”

“Of course, I’ve prepared countermeasures as well. But it’s difficult to say them here.”

With the Sovereign mental barrier, I’d obviously be fine.

I just couldn’t go broadcasting it to everyone, so this was all I said.

The clan head added a word at the right moment.

“I can vouch for him on that matter. You may set your worries aside.”

“......Is that so.”

Sima Gyeong let out a low hum.

Even so, in his eyes, there was still worry and distrust.

“And that isn’t the only issue. Sooner or later, it’s a foregone conclusion that the bell’s whereabouts will become known. You’ll become the target of countless demonic masters—no matter how powerful Dragonslayer Academy is, can a second-year truly bear that?”

“I accepted that from the start.”

“Please reconsider once more. Even for the time being, entrusting it to the Alliance may be the safer choice.”

Sima Gyeong’s words had some merit, and there was sincerity in them.

But in reality, it wouldn’t be so simple.

‘Would the Murim Alliance really spit out what it swallowed so easily?’

If I asked for it back later, they’d definitely stall with something like, ‘Your strength still isn’t sufficient~’ and drag it out.

Or it would simply disappear and its whereabouts become unknown.

Like pocket money your mom takes “to save for you” when you’re a kid.

‘Even if they kept their promise, there’s no reason to entrust it.’

If it’s for world peace, I need to obtain the hidden piece and get stronger as fast as possible—why would I add delays by handing it off?

So I refused, politely.

“I will consider your suggestion, Deputy Strategist. But I don’t think my decision will change easily.”

Sima Gyeong was about to speak again when the clan head cut in.

“Let me make this absolutely clear. Transferring the soul-summoning bell was entirely this clan’s will. If you pressure him in any form, we will not stand by and watch.”

“......!”

He said he’d be my backing, and then he went and declared it outright in an official setting.

Sima Gyeong seemed to mull it over for a while, then bowed his head.

“......If that is the clan head’s will, then I understand.”

The biggest issue was settled for now.

After that, the senior figures on both sides discussed the situation in Sichuan, the damages, and the Murim Alliance’s support.

When the meeting ended, the Sword Saint dismissed every Murim Alliance member except Sima Gyeong and his own grandson.

It meant he intended to have a very confidential conversation, so the clan head likewise sent out most of his own household.

Mo Yonghyeonseong looked at the clan head and began.

“I’ve heard rumors you’ve been searching for various special items and martial arts.”

“It’s to repay our benefactor.”

“To never forget a debt is indeed a virtue of a prestigious clan. However, what troubles me is...”

Mo Yonghyeonseong trailed off.

Then his pressure heavily pressed down on the room.

“...I heard your list includes our family’s [Dipper-Shifting Star-Transposition].”

[Dipper-Shifting Star-Transposition] was one of the Mo Yong family’s inherited martial arts.

Its effect was similar to [Ihwa Grafting], yet different.

[Ihwa Grafting] changes the flow by placing my weapon against the opponent’s weapon.

On the other hand, [Dipper-Shifting Star-Transposition] diverts the flow of long-range attacks made from internal energy or various kinds of energy.

And there was one more important point—

‘It’s a lower skill of [Heaven-and-Earth Great Shift].’

There were a few substitutes besides [Dipper-Shifting Star-Transposition], but as a single skill it was the strongest, so I’d mentioned it to the clan head.

Of course, from the Mo Yong family’s perspective, it was like the neighbor openly searching for their family heirloom, so it was understandable they’d find it absurd.

Mo Yonghyeonseong continued.

“As a martial artist, you cannot possibly be ignorant of the principle that one must not covet another’s martial arts—yet you act with such recklessness. I came in person to learn the details.”

And if the rumor was true, he was likely here to lodge a formal protest.

The clan head nodded readily.

“I know it was rude and improper. Even so, it was our benefactor’s request, so I did not refuse.”

“By benefactor, you mean...”

As if realizing something, the Sword Saint turned his gaze toward me.

The clan head confirmed it with a slight tilt of his chin.

Then the Sword Saint asked me directly.

“Then answer me. Why did you demand [Dipper-Shifting Star-Transposition]?”

“I wished to meet a master of the Mo Yong family.”

“If the rumor reached them, they wouldn’t not come. Still, it seems it wasn’t a good method.”

The efficiency was insanely good, but hadn’t I bought myself a huge amount of hostility from the very first meeting?

Thankfully he was a fairly gentle grandfather. If he hadn’t been, he might have started swinging his sword right away.

I offered him a respectful bow.

“You’re right. I think I was rash. I apologize.”

“Let us postpone accepting that apology. You still haven’t answered my question.”

If I’d asked for [Dipper-Shifting Star-Transposition] just to draw out a master—

What did I intend to do once I drew him out?

I answered calmly.

“In truth, [Dipper-Shifting Star-Transposition] was my goal.”

“...?”

“However, I wasn’t after the formula. I only meant to ask for a demonstration.”

“...A demonstration?”

A strange expression flickered across the Sword Saint’s face.

“Yes. Not long ago, the Sword Empress demonstrated [Ihwa Grafting] for me, and I learned a great deal from it. So I thought seeing [Dipper-Shifting Star-Transposition] might be helpful as well.”

“...That happened, did it. That nasty old hag even does favors for juniors.”

“Contrary to the rumors, her character was admirable.”

If she heard that, she’d grab me by the collar and snarl, ‘Hey! You! You bastard!!’

But unfortunately, the Sword Empress was very far away.

By now, wouldn’t she be clearing dungeons with Go Hyeonwoo?

At this point, the Sword Saint seemed to have calmed down considerably.

He’d thought the Dang family was picking a fight, but it turned out it was just a youngster’s rashness.

It was like how a celebrity feels when dealing with an overzealous fan.

‘A martial arts demonstration isn’t exactly difficult.’

One look wouldn’t suddenly create a countermeasure, either.

‘Of course, it can be copied.’

Inherited martial arts are a problem when an outsider learns them and gets found out, but in many cases they aren’t unique skills.

Meaning: if he demonstrates it, # Nоvеlight # I can use it too.

Without noticing this wicked scheme, Mo Yonghyeonseong fell into thought for a moment.

Then he faced me and spoke.

“It’s a bit irritating, but for the sake of fostering the next generation, it’s better to have a generous heart. Especially if that old hag did it.”

“Thank you.”

“However, before that, I want to measure your vessel. Whether you are worth demonstrating [Dipper-Shifting Star-Transposition] for—and furthermore, whether you are qualified to protect the soul-summoning bell.”

“Are you suggesting a spar?”

“A martial artist speaks with the sword.”

A spar with an S-rank powerhouse.

If I ran for my life and counterattacked with everything I had, the Sword Saint would likely acknowledge me.

But on the other hand, there was also the chance it wouldn’t satisfy him.

All the more because I wasn’t a pure martial artist, but a mage.

Fortunately, I had a method that was easy, fast, and one hundred percent certain.

So I asked the Sword Saint a question.

“With your indulgence, would it be acceptable if I put forward a proxy?”

“Isn’t this a spar meant to see your capability?”

“You won’t find the answer lacking.”

“......”

At my cryptic words, the Sword Saint fell silent for a moment, then glanced at the clan head.

Based on everything he’d seen so far, if I asked, the clan head would likely step forward as my proxy without hesitation.

And chances to spar against a Dang family master were rare.

—Perhaps that’s what he concluded, because the Sword Saint slowly nodded.

“Very well. However, I will set a stricter standard.”

“That is exactly what I want.”

With the spar decided, everyone in the room rose to head for the training grounds.

But then the Sword Saint frowned and asked,

“...What is this?”

In a corner of his vision, a notification message must have appeared.

[An Invitation from the Sovereign has arrived.]

[Will you accept the invitation?]

[Accept/Decline]

“Didn’t I tell you? I said I’d put forward a proxy.”

When I answered with a gentle smile, the Sword Saint looked rather confused.

He’d expected the clan head to step up, but now, what was this invitation?

“If I accept, I can meet that person?”

“Yes.”

“...Truly, this is something I cannot make sense of. At least, you don’t seem like someone who would lie—so I’ll believe you one last time.”

The Sword Saint selected Accept and calmly closed his eyes.

But it wasn’t long before he snapped his eyes open—

“Ku-Weegh—!”

He vomited up an entire bowl of blood.