"Hey, have you seen that person over there?"
A dimly lit tavern, just another inn among many in the martial world.
A group of warriors sat around a table, sipping their drinks while occasionally glancing at someone nearby.
At the end of their gaze sat a lone young swordsman.
Dressed in a refined yet practical manner, a long black coat draped over his shoulders, and a well-crafted sword rested at his waist.
His frame was lean, almost delicate, but his poised demeanor and sharp eyes revealed that he was no ordinary wanderer.
"I feel like I've seen him somewhere before… Who was he again?"
"He's an outsider, but they say he's quite skilled. I heard he defeated a Wudang disciple effortlessly."
"Really? But he's so slender, almost sickly-looking."
"Yet, when he draws his sword, his presence changes entirely. It's like…"
One of the warriors tilted his head slightly and muttered,
"…like he moves with the flow of the sword itself."
At his table, Seo-eun silently lifted her cup, taking a sip.
She listened to the murmurs around her but remained composed, as if oblivious to their words.
She was used to such attention by now.
At first, it was bothersome, but over time, she had come to expect it.
'If they discover I am a woman, I'll attract unnecessary attention.'
The martial world was a realm dominated by men.
Female warriors existed, but they always faced an invisible wall.
"A woman practicing martial arts? What use could that be?"
"Strength is what matters in the martial world. Women should stay in the background."
She had heard such words before—even within the demonic cult where she was raised.
Nothing had changed, even after stepping into the wider world.
Seo-eun had chosen to disguise herself as a man not just to conceal her identity,
but to move freely in the martial world, avoiding distractions and being judged solely by her skill.
"If I present myself as a man, people will lower their guard. They will judge me by my swordsmanship alone."
And it worked.
At first glance, most assumed she was just a frail young swordsman.
But the moment she drew her sword, their perception changed.
She did not rely on brute strength.
Her technique was swift, her intuition keen, and she exploited every opening with razor-sharp precision.
"You there—how about sparring with me?"
A voice suddenly called out from across the room.
Seo-eun lifted her gaze.
A man had risen from his seat—his attire elegant yet functional, with a long sword strapped to his waist.
A disciple of the Mount Hua Sect.
His expression was serious, devoid of arrogance or mockery.
"I've heard rumors of your exceptional swordsmanship," he said, drawing his sword.
"I'd like to see it for myself."
A hush fell over the tavern.
Onlookers turned their attention to the two martial artists, their eyes filled with anticipation.
Seo-eun stood up unhurriedly, resting a hand on the hilt of her sword.
"Very well. But only one strike."
The Mount Hua disciple smiled.
"One strike will be enough."
The two stepped outside into the moonlit courtyard.
Their swords moved.
The Mount Hua disciple struck first, but Seo-eun did not even flinch.
Then—
There was no sound of steel clashing.
Just the whisper of air being sliced.
And then—
The Mount Hua disciple's sword slipped from his grasp, clattering onto the ground.
The match was over in a single instant.
The disciple looked down at his wrist—a faint, shallow cut.
"…"
For a brief moment, he stood still before letting out a quiet chuckle.
"Impressive."
He acknowledged his defeat.
The tavern erupted into murmurs, but Seo-eun sheathed her sword and returned to her seat as if nothing had happened.
However—
Among the gathered spectators, a few eyes lingered on her with unusual sharpness.
They were no ordinary travelers.
They were not nameless wanderers.
Their gazes held both curiosity and suspicion.
And from that moment on, Seo-eun's presence in the martial world would not go unnoticed.
An Unexpected Journey
The sun dipped below the horizon, bathing the sky in hues of amber and crimson.
Seo-eun walked alone through a mountain path, moving silently.
Though she carried a sword at her waist, she preferred to keep her presence hidden.
Attracting attention in the martial world rarely led to good outcomes.
Yet, whether she moved carefully or not, danger always found its way to her.
"Stop right there."
A rough voice rang out.
Seo-eun looked up to find five men emerging from the trees.
Their ragged armor, dirty clothes, and low-quality blades made their identities clear.
"Bandits."
She sighed inwardly but maintained an impassive expression.
The leader of the group eyed her from head to toe.
"Well, look at this one. Traveling alone but dressed in fine clothes."
"A noble brat, perhaps?"
"Think he even knows how to fight?"
They saw only a frail young man.
Even with a sword at her waist, they did not seem the least bit wary.
"Hand over your money and your sword, and we'll let you walk away."
"It's a fair deal. Just cooperate, and we won't rough you up too much."
Seo-eun remained motionless.
She did not even reach for her sword.
At that moment—
"That's enough."
A deep, authoritative voice echoed through the trees.
A figure stepped onto the path.
Tall and broad-shouldered, his robes bore the emblem of Kunlun.
At his waist rested a well-crafted sword.
He drew his blade with ease, scanning the bandits.
"So you're the ones who've been terrorizing the nearby villages."
The bandits stiffened momentarily but quickly regained their composure.
"Tch, a Kunlun bastard?"
"Great timing, huh?"
But it was already too late.
"Surrender, or face the consequences."
The Kunlun swordsman lunged forward.
His strikes were heavy, each swing carrying immense force.
His swordsmanship was powerful, each blow sending bandits sprawling.
"Kugh!"
"Argh!"
In moments, the battle turned against them.
Seo-eun merely watched in silence.
"He's good."
She assessed him calmly.
But while she observed, the bandit leader made his move.
With surprising speed, he slipped past the Kunlun warrior—
And lunged straight for Seo-eun.
"One move, and this brat dies!"
Tension gripped the air.
The Kunlun warrior froze, staring at Seo-eun with wide eyes.
The bandit leader grinned, pressing his blade against her throat.
"So, Kunlun dog, what will it be?"
"If this kid is your ally, you'll let me walk away, won't you?"
The Kunlun swordsman frowned.
"…"
But then—
"Ally?"
Seo-eun's voice was quiet and calm.
A chill ran down the bandit leader's spine.
"You're mistaken."
A moment later—
"Aghh!"
A dull thud.
His wrist twisted unnaturally, his blade slipping from his grasp.
Before he could even react, he was already on the ground.
Dazed, he looked up.
Seo-eun stood over him, adjusting her coat with quiet precision.
"I have no allies."
"Well, that was quite the display."
A voice called out from the trees.
A figure clad in a crimson robe approached, a smirk playing on his lips.
"We meet again."
Seo-eun turned to face him.
She recognized him instantly.
A Mount Hua disciple.
A man she had crossed swords with once before.
And now, fate had brought them together once again.