The Cunning Treasure Hunter

The Reception Hall.

Inside the room given to Vera and Aiden, Vera sat alone.

Aiden, Edwin, Crescent, and Galen had all gone to meet with the people of Celestial Sword Sect.

Vera had quietly excused herself.

She had said she would stay in the room, and Aiden had permitted it.
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Sitting cross-legged on the floor, Vera found herself overwhelmed by her thoughts.

Dark Emperor, the internal strife of the Everstone Clan, the conflict with the Celestial Sword Sect...

Death.

And death.

And more death.

"…Haa."

To be honest, it was exhausting.

When she resolved to seek revenge, she had known that it would be burdensome. She had braced herself for it.

But even knowing it in advance…

It was hard.

It was like bracing yourself for the pain of heated iron searing your skin. That foreknowledge didn't mean you could suppress the scream.

It was the same now.

She was tired, utterly drained.

"I haven't practiced energy Circulation for quite some time now."

She forced her exhausted body to rise and began clearing her mind.

Drawing energy from her core, she circulated it evenly through her meridians, letting her thoughts sink deep into her inner consciousness.

It was always the same.

A surface she could touch with her hands and feet, like water.

And the Black dragon, gazing down at her.

Vera glanced at the place where the enormous black snake had once been.

Nothing was there.

As if it had never existed.

"…Come here."

She beckoned to the Black dragon, and it lowered its head into her embrace, nudging her with childlike persistence.

It rubbed its face against hers, poked her with its horns, and demanded attention.

"Alright, alright. I'll pet you as much as you like…"

Back then, she had felt both gratitude and guilt.

Its weakness was her weakness.

She had realized that when she faced a vast, shadowy force she couldn't comprehend.

When the snake had struck the Black dragon down in one overwhelming blow.

It was then she understood how powerless she truly was.

"Rrrr…"

Their thoughts intertwined.

Sharing a mind was like that.

Vera hugged the Black dragon tighter.

Its tough, resilient skin.

The rhythmic pulse of muscle and bone beneath it.

The warmth that radiated through her whole body.

And the profound kindness she felt deep in its heart.

Why was the Black dragon, a divine beast born of the Soul Harmony Realm, given such a distinct personality?

If it had merely been a tool of strength, it might have been closer to the true essence of martial arts.

But for someone like Vera, that wouldn't have sufficed.

She needed someone who could provide her with warmth at any time.

Someone who would stay by her side, no matter how often.

Someone who would embrace her as many times as she needed.

A person might be imperfect and unpredictable, but…

A divine beast with a shared mind allowed her to form a bond without hesitation.

Even if she had lost her parents at a young age, left hollow and sorrowful.

"…So that's why."

It was clear to her now why she always ended up in this inner space during energy Circulation.

Why the Black dragon was friendly and shared its heart with her.

Why, in this mental space, the Great Circulation of energy occurred without any conscious effort.

It was a form of rest.

A command to take a break.

At least during energy Circulation, if nothing else.

"…Rrrr."

The life of someone with Celestial Blade Star was filled with bloodshed, hardship, and trials.

Killing others.

Being threatened by others.

It was a life far removed from anything mundane, peaceful, or simple.

Such a life led to exhaustion.

If her inner nature had been filled with malice, it might have been easier.

She would have seen killing and bathing in blood as its own reward.

But Vera wasn't like that.

And the great master of Mount Suncrest Sect who had crafted this Soul Harmony Realm…

He must have believed that anyone learning his martial arts had suppressed their malice through environment and education.

So he created a way to provide for them.

A reward, like life-giving rain, to keep them from succumbing to their darker impulses.

And martial artists always practiced energy Circulation.

This Soul Harmony Realm acted as a reward—a mental peace—during that process.

So that those who denied their own malice, those who faced trials and hardships imposed by fate without any reward, wouldn't give up on themselves.

"…Thank you."

Vera gently scratched the Black dragon's chin with her small hand.

She wasn't sure if it liked that, but her intuition told her to do it.

Luckily, it seemed to enjoy it.

It twisted its body so vigorously that it seemed almost frantic.

A faint smile escaped her lips.

She felt something warm deep in her chest, a sensation that tickled somewhere near her heart.

"I'll visit more often. Alright?"

"Rrrrr."

The sound it made was a low, restrained growl.

But Vera already knew.

It was trying to maintain its dignity.

Though, considering how it had wriggled so enthusiastically after just a few scratches, that dignity might not last very long.

"I cannot accept this."

Aria stood abruptly, her chair screeching against the floor.

"Aiden! You're willing to use your disciple as bait? How could you…?"

"Just because my voice is calm does not mean I am not angry, young lady."

Her lips pressed tightly together as she glanced at her father, Edwin. Even the two martial artists from the Celestial Sword Sect turned their attention to him.

It was the Void Fist Clear Peace, the elder of Celestial Sword Sect, who spoke first.

"Yet the leader's suggestion is the most practical, though I admit it does not sit well with me."

"Elder!"

"young lady, think about it. For one who dreams of vengeance, what sweeter bait could there be than their target?"

In summary, they proposed using Vera as bait to lure Dark Emperor.

Rationally, it wasn't a flawed plan.

How long could they protect her?

Would they keep her hidden in the Everstone Clan for the rest of her life?

Though Edwin swore that not even Dark Emperor could penetrate the mechanisms and formations of their clan, no one could be certain.

"Aiden, say something!"

Aria bit her lip. At this moment, she resented Aiden more than ever.

He had once been the leader of Reverse Heaven Unity, yet he had handed that role to her. Was it just so she could make decisions like this?

"This matter…"

Aiden finally opened his mouth, speaking slowly.

Both Master of the Void Fist Clear Peace and Celestial Sword Sect Fist Disciple Dominic turned their attention to him, as did Edwin, Crescent, and Galen.

"…is not ours to decide."

Aiden stood up as well, though his movements were far more measured than Aria's.

The chair slid back quietly as he rose and clasped his hands in a martial salute to the room.

"I am aware that there are wise and brilliant elders present here, but…"

Aria could not guess what he intended to say.

If they didn't make the decision, who would? Surely not someone who wasn't even present.

'Ah.'

She realized the answer at that moment.

Aiden glanced briefly at her, silently confirming her realization. Then he spoke aloud what she had just understood.

"This is Vera's decision to make."

Whether she would allow herself to be used as bait.

Whether she would risk her life.

If outsiders made this decision for her, it would be nothing more than arrogant benevolence.

It was her life, her choice, her decision.

Moreover, she was now recognized by Aria, the leader of Reverse Heaven Unity, as one of their martial artists.

Not only that—she was a peak master, having reached the threshold of peak mastery.

"Your disciple has already surpassed the initial stage of peak mastery?"

The question came from the Void Fist Clear Peace.

Aiden responded respectfully.

"Yes, Elder. That is correct."

"And she is fourteen years old?"

"That is correct."

"Has she ever taken a life?"

It was an unusual question for a Daoist master, his lips curling into a faint smirk.

But it was a crucial point.

To offer one's life without ever having taken another's—such a choice could be seen as external coercion.

But for someone who had already killed, it was different.

For someone who had taken lives, such a decision carried the weight of a true martial artist.

"She has taken three lives."

"That is sufficient. I am in favor."

"And you, Dominic?"

The burly man known as Celestial Sword Sect Fist Disciple nodded.

"Three is more than enough, Master."

Aria watched this exchange in stunned silence.

What did it matter that she was only fourteen?

She had already been chosen as the blade to slay the Sword Master, and that choice had been made by none other than Aria herself.

She had already killed three people and walked the path of a martial artist.

Now, Vera was beginning to claim the responsibilities and rights that came with her actions—age be damned.

"What does the leader of the Everstone Clan think?"

"My opinion aligns with that of Elder of the Void Fist. One who wields a blade, who has taken lives, and who has reached such a level of mastery is no ordinary individual."

Aria slumped into her seat, her hands pressing against her temples.

Aiden also sat down slowly, the discussion at an end.

Now, it was time to bring Vera into the conversation.

Edwin raised a hand, calling to his sons.

"Crescent, Galen."

"Yes, Father."

"Speak, Father."

"Bring Vera here."

The two brothers stood, offering a martial salute before leaving the room and closing the door behind them.

At the table, Aria pressed her temples harder.

"…She will say yes, Aiden."

"I know."

"And yet, you're still going through with this?"

"There is a vast difference between being commanded and choosing for oneself. Surely you understand that?"