The Cunning Treasure Hunter

Aria raised her hand.

She was not saying that she would go herself.

"I will send Caleb instead."

"…He is your bodyguard, Aria."

Edwin spoke in a low, firm voice.

No matter what blades Reverse Heaven Unity forged to strike at the Sword Lord, his daughter's safety was his foremost priority.

But Aria shook her head.

"I will stay by Crescent's side. That is no different, is it?"

Yet Edwin remained resolute.

As the leader, he had a decision to make.

"No. Crescent, you will go to Silver Crest. Galen, you will accompany him."

"…You want me to go? And Galen as well…?"

Crescent's eyes widened.

The intention was too obvious.

Soon, the Everstone Clan would become the battleground against Dark Emperor.

It was clear that their father was sending them away to safety.

But no one objected.

Both Crescent and Caleb were on par in strength.

Galen, on the other hand, was barely at the peak of first-class martial arts—against Dark Emperor, he was effectively powerless.

If the difference in strength remained the same regardless of who was sent, who could demand that the leader sacrifice his heirs?

"…It makes no difference, Brother."

Galen spoke in a quiet voice.

Then, his gaze shifted to Vera.

A young monster.

Compared to her, he was indeed insignificant—no better than dead weight.

By removing himself, he could at least eliminate the risk of being taken hostage.

And beyond that…

There was another, more selfish reason.

"In that case, I wish to bring Clara as well, Father."

The leader's brows furrowed.

For a moment, a silent standoff ensued between father and son.

Yet Galen did not back down, even against the pressure of a Kingdom of Harmony grandmaster.

"…Fine. Take her with you."

"What of Mother?"

Crescent asked with concern.

Edwin merely chuckled.

"Do you think your mother is the type to flee danger?"

"But still…"

"Actually, you reminded me—Vera, could you meet with my wife?"

Caught off guard, Vera blinked.

Then, she slowly nodded.

"It is not a difficult request. But why…?"

"She wishes to thank you personally. My wife hails from the Eastern Mountain Fiery Blade clan."

Eastern Mountain Fiery Blade clan Residence.

Vivian, the matriarch of the Everstone Clan, was in deep sorrow.

News of the downfall of a branch family of the Eastern Mountain Fiery Blade clan, her birthplace, weighed heavily on her heart.

But the worst of it was…

The death of one, and the betrayal of another.

"Valen… What were you thinking… Haa."

A sigh escaped her lips.

Just then, a knock came at the door.

A middle-aged man clad in red robes.

It was Marco, the leader of the Crimson Sleeve Division.

"Matriarch, the warrior from Mount Suncrest Sect has arrived."

"Send them in."

"As you wish."

Soon, the doors slid open.

The visitor was none other than Vera.

"…Mount Suncrest Sect's Third Generation Disciple, Vera, greets the leader of the Everstone Clan."

A small, snow-white fist formed into a martial salute.

For a moment, Serene was stunned.

In the martial world, there was something called martial bones.

Those with sturdy frames and well-developed physiques were naturally suited for combat.

Yet the girl standing before her was far too small and frail.

Even among the young, those who trained in martial arts tended to have solid builds.

But this girl…

She looked more suited to dancing than to fighting.

Her limbs were slender, her skin pale like porcelain, her hair flowing like fine silk.

Of course, internal energy cultivation could allow a person to transcend their physical limits.

But still—

Was it truly possible for such a delicate child to have surpassed the threshold of Peak Mastery?

"So you are the one who journeyed to Eastern Mountain Fiery Blade clan?"

"That is correct."

She had heard rumors of a young and beautiful martial prodigy.

It had only been two months since she had defeated Theron.

Anyone paying attention to the rising martial artists of the younger generation would have heard of her by now.

And yet, Vivian could not fully rid herself of doubt.

"…Please, take a seat."

Rising to her feet, Vivian gestured to a wooden chair.

Vera sat as instructed.

The cushion beneath her was embroidered with intricate patterns, stuffed with soft cotton.

Meanwhile, Vivian picked up a porcelain kettle, seating herself across from Vera.

"Do you enjoy tea?"

"When I was younger, I often drank it with my parents."

"…I see."

For a fourteen-year-old girl to say "when I was younger"...

Vivian struggled to find a proper response.

An awkward silence followed.

In the end, it was Vera who spoke first.

"By any chance, are you related to Valen, the Great Hero?"

As she placed dried tea leaves into a teacup and poured hot water, Vivian's hand paused for a moment.

Then, with a bitter smile, she replied.

"…He was my elder brother."

"That must be difficult for you."

"One of my brothers is gone. The other… is dead."

The brother who had died—she meant the head of the branch family.

Vera remembered his son, Alec.

And she remembered their first encounter—

How she had nearly cut him down in their first meeting.

"Valen grieved deeply after Darian died, but… I never thought he would defect to the Demonic Cult."

Her voice trailed off as she poured the first steeping of the tea into a warming cup.

A faintly translucent green liquid swirled within the fine porcelain.

"Drink. This is yin tea, cultivated near Silent Frontier in Bright Peace."

"…Alright."

Vera quietly looked down at the teacup in her hands.

The delicate cracks in the glaze absorbed the tea, forming intricate patterns.

A Kiln tea set from the Northern Dynasty.

Originally crafted for the imperial court, if it were an authentic piece from that era, it would be an invaluable treasure.

Even if it were a recent replica, it was still of exceptional quality.

This was not a cup given to just any guest.

She inhaled the steam rising from the cup.

The aroma was rich and floral.

Taking a sip, she tasted a bitter edge that melted into a smooth, subtle sweetness.

"…This is fine tea."

"Vera."

"Yes."

"If, by chance, you ever come across my brother while wandering the martial world…"

Tap.

The sound of a teacup being placed on the table.

Vivian's gaze turned firm, resolute.

"Could you stop Valen?"

"…Are you asking me to—"

A Kingdom of Harmony grandmaster who had betrayed the righteous path and defected to the Demonic Cult.

Even if he had not practiced Demonic Martial Arts,

The mere fact that he had aligned himself with the Bright Councilor of the Demonic Cult meant he was already marked for elimination.

And if he had cultivated demonic arts or acted on behalf of the Demonic Cult…

The reputation of the Fiery Blade clan would be utterly destroyed.

For years, Valen had served as a loyal enforcer under the current Heavenly Unity Leader, raising the prestige of the Eastern Mountain Fiery Blade clan to the level of the Five Great Clans.

But if he stood on the Demonic Cult's side…

His fall would be even greater than his rise.

"Yes. Kill him."

Vivian looked into Vera's eyes.

Silently, Vera finished her tea and placed the cup down.

"…I will do as you ask."

"Thank you."

A woman of fifty bowed her head deeply.

And Vera returned the gesture, bowing in turn.

Deep Within Mount Celestial Sword Sect,

A cave belonging to no one.

Inside, Jordan, the Young Blade of the Heavens, lay sprawled on the ground.

"Agh, I'm dying here."

"I warned you not to use Sword energy recklessly. This is exactly what I expected."

"Elder, must you be so harsh?"

The old man standing over Jordan let out a short laugh.

Then, from his worn satchel, he began pulling out various medicinal herbs.

He wore tattered, rugged clothes like a simple herbalist.

A staff made from carved bamboo rested at his side.

His long white beard and hair were carelessly tied together.

He was a wanderer, a man of the wild.

This was none other than Immortal Pharmacist.

The one who had saved Jordan when his meridians were severed and his core shattered.

"Why don't you just die already? Do you think medicine that stabilizes a shattered core grows like weeds on the roadside?"

"I trust in Elder Everstone's skills."

"Hmph! Maybe I should just stomp on your belly and be done with it."

Grumbling, Immortal Pharmacist shuffled over to the stone stove in the cave's corner.

He poured water over a mix of herbs, placing the pot over the fire.

Watching him, Jordan sighed.

"…Elder."
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"What now? You're really testing my patience today."

"I'm sorry."

A moment of silence.

Then, Immortal Pharmacist turned to look at him.

"And why are you apologizing?"

"Because I have failed your expectations."

For once, Jordan spoke humbly—something he rarely did with anyone else.

"I promised you that if you healed me, I would become the sword that slays the Sword Lord."

"Haha! Did you really think I believed that nonsense?"

His words were dismissive, but the bitter smile on his lips said otherwise.

He had hoped.

Twenty years ago, he had saved Jordan.

Now, at thirty-one, Jordan had surpassed the mid-stage of Peak Mastery.

He stood at the same level as Suncrest Sword Dragon Thorn, the strongest of Mount Suncrest Sect's Late Generation Disciples.

Back then, he had been certain.

That he would reach Kingdom of Harmony within ten years.

That within another ten years, he might even step into Heavenly Enlightenment Realm.

But that had been nothing but arrogance.

He had overestimated his talents.

And the consequences had been devastating.

Immortal Pharmacist was now seventy-seven.

His medical expertise was unrivaled, but his internal energy was insignificant.

At this rate, he would not live long enough to see the Sword Lord fall.

"…But you believed in me."

"I did. I did… back then."

"But in return, I bring you news that may interest you."

"Forget it. I've given up. No one will be strong enough to kill the Sword Lord. Unless the Heavenly Demon himself is reborn, ha!"

For the past few years, he had secluded himself in Celestial Sword Sect, focusing on creating the Primordial Transcendence Pill.

A medicine that had restored Jordan's body twenty years ago.

A pill ranked above both the Iron Fist Sect's Great Rejuvenation Pill and Mount Suncrest's Purple Elixir.

A medicine known only to the Reverse Heaven Unity, a secret never revealed to the outside world.

And for what?

So that he could one day forge a blade strong enough to cut down the Sword Lord.

But now, even he was beginning to doubt.

"…There is a child who has reached the same level of martial skill that I did—at the age of fourteen."

"…What did you just say?"

A pill that required twelve years to make.

For decades, he had believed that only by creating this medicine could a warrior be forged strong enough to kill the Sword Lord.

But now—

Someone had reached that level naturally.

At the age of fourteen.