Chapter 10

After returning to the headquarters, Minji was faced with a monotonous daily routine. The members of the five major organizations, which form the main force of the Black Sect, always do the same things: training, training, and more training. Whether it was solitary practice or group training to form battle formations to face the enemy, it was continuous training. To rise in the Black Sect, one needed to have stronger martial arts than others, so everyone endured it.

Every day, ten people would perform the Ten Absolute Demon Sword Formation (十絶魔劍陣), three times a week, 100 people would perform the Hundred Wolf Sword Formation (百狼劍陣), and once a week, 1,000 people would gather to practice the Thousand Wolf Sword Formation (千狼劍陣).

Moxiang, who had always practiced martial arts alone, initially found there was much to learn. However, after a few days, he became indifferent as everything became too trivial. He even thought that it would be better to practice alone rather than waste time on such trivial sword formations. However, even if the training seemed unnecessary for emergencies, it had to be consistently endured. Moreover, if he himself were to be absent, the 100 members he led would not know who to command in the Thousand Wolf Sword Formation, so he had no choice.

One day, he called the deputy and gave instructions.

"From now on, you will lead the main group in the sword formation. I would also like you to lead the regular training."

The deputy showed reluctance and opposed.

"But, Chief, that goes against the rules. The children who receive all the instructions from me might not coordinate well with the Chief during actual large battles."

"It's fine. When the time comes, you can command, and I will step back."

"But..."

"Stop making excuses and do it. My head is about to explode from the thoughts that have been bothering me!"

"Understood, I will follow your instructions."

However, his shallow scheme was immediately exposed. Thinking that everyone was in the same uniform, he believed it wouldn't be noticeable, but the keen eyes of Iron Extreme Light (鐵極光) of the Thousand Mile Lone Traveler (千里獨行) detected it. As soon as the training ended, Iron Extreme Light called Moxiang. Moxiang sensed his anger even before reaching the Thousand Mile Lone Traveler. So, he cautiously greeted him.

"I greet you, Chief."

The Chief, perhaps aware of his subordinates around, suppressed his anger and began to speak.

"What were you doing?"

"Excuse me?"

"What were you doing during the scheduled training time?"

"Practicing."

"Is it more important than the sword formation training?"

"..."

"Answer quickly!"

"Yes."

"Hmph, if that's the case, I will test the extent of your meager practice. Follow me."

The Thousand Mile Lone Traveler headed to the training ground where the Great Thousand Wolf Sword Formation was performed. Moxiang and his subordinates had no choice but to follow.

'This old man is really angry. What should I do?'

At the middle of the training ground, the Thousand Mile Lone Traveler slowly drew his sword and coldly shouted.

"Quickly, draw your sword."

"I respectfully request a duel with you, Chief."

"Stop talking nonsense and draw your sword quickly!"

The Thousand Mile Lone Traveler, who seemed to be at the peak of his anger, showed a nervous reaction even to Moxiang's formal greeting. Moxiang slowly drew his sword, Muhun.

"Come on, show me the power of the sword techniques you have learned. If they are powerful enough, I will forgive you."

Hearing the words of forgiveness, Moxiang no longer hesitated and gathered his inner energy. The sword hummed like a dragon, and a bluish mist began to spread around. Seeing this, the Thousand Mile Lone Traveler was shocked and exclaimed.

"My goodness, is that sword energy? No, this is a tangible form, it's a sword beam! It's a sword beam!"

The sword beam had already extended about 10 feet (about 3 meters) and obscured Moxiang's figure in the bluish mist. As the energy approached him, the Thousand Mile Lone Traveler could not remain calm. He felt something was off, but there was no turning back. He raised his sword, gathered his inner energy, and struck the approaching sword beam. Sparks flew as he managed to cut off a part of the sword beam, but it quickly reformed and continued to extend. The Thousand Mile Lone Traveler leaped back two feet and, with a fierce battle cry, unleashed a sword technique.

"Ha!"

The sword technique he used was the Blood Dragon of Flowing Clouds (流雲血龍) from the Heaven's Blood Dragon Sword Technique, performed with 10th-level power, creating 10 red blood dragons that clashed with Moxiang's sword beams. Despite the tremendous noise and swirling energy, the Thousand Mile Lone Traveler's blood dragons could not penetrate the thick bluish energy barrier.

The enraged Thousand Mile Lone Traveler gathered even more inner energy and launched another sword beam. This time, even larger blood dragons flew out. Suddenly, Moxiang emerged from the bluish energy barrier, charging forward with the Muhun sword to strike the blood dragons. At this moment, the Muhun sword glowed blue, with a 5-inch (about 15 cm) thick blue energy radiating from the blade. The red sword beams, which could pierce anything, collided with the glowing Muhun sword and were deflected with a loud noise. Seeing this, the Thousand Mile Lone Traveler's eyes widened even more, and he spoke in a weak voice.

"Even sword control technique (御劍術)..."

A sword beam is a tangible energy condensed from a sword, more powerful than sword energy or sword wind. The only way to block a sword beam is with another sword beam or a sword control technique. A sword control technique is a skill that only those who can fully control a sword can use, extracting all the abilities of the sword using their inner energy. It is a legendary martial art that can cut through steel like butter with an ordinary iron sword.

There is also a slightly inferior skill called the energy-infused sword technique (御氣充劍術), which involves infusing a sword with energy (御氣) to attack the opponent (劍). While it lacks the glowing radiance of a sword control technique, it can emit various glows depending on the practitioner's level, though its power is less than that of a sword control technique. When a sword control technique is used, nothing can resist it. If the opponent has an excellent or divine sword, they can block a sword control technique with an energy-infused sword technique. However, if the opponent uses a sword control technique with a divine sword, it is difficult to block because the power of the sword control technique increases with the quality of the sword.

As one becomes more proficient in sword control techniques, they can use their inner energy to maintain the sword control technique while launching the sword to attack experts up to 100 feet away. This is called the energy-guided sword technique (以氣御劍術) and is considered the pinnacle of sword techniques. It is the highest level of sword mastery, along with the heart sword (心劍). The energy-guided sword technique is different from the energy-moved sword technique (御氣動劍術), which involves using inner energy to move a sword to harm others. Only a sword control technique or a sword beam can block an energy-guided sword.

If there is anything that can defeat a sword control technique, it is the heart sword (心劍), a legendary skill that is a higher level of martial art than a sword control technique. It is also a form of sword beam, requiring immense inner energy, but it consumes much less inner energy than a sword control technique because it maximizes the sword's abilities.

Moxiang, regardless of the Thousand Mile Lone Traveler's shock, thrust his sword straight at him using the sword control technique. Now, the Thousand Mile Lone Traveler had only two options: block the incoming sword or thrust back to achieve a mutual destruction (同歸御盡). However, it was impossible to block a sword control technique with anything other than a divine sword. So, the Thousand Mile Lone Traveler gritted his teeth and thrust back. Moxiang, seeing the Thousand Mile Lone Traveler's sword coming, quickly turned his body and used the momentum to slash at the opponent's lower body. The Thousand Mile Lone Traveler also instantly turned his body and thrust at Moxiang's dantian.

As the close combat began, each move was a mutual destruction technique. The Thousand Mile Lone Traveler could withstand Moxiang's sword control technique only because of his terrifying agility. If his agility were even slightly slower, he would have already admitted defeat. However, the Thousand Mile Lone Traveler, though he did not say it, deeply felt that he had already lost. While he was sweating and breathing heavily, Moxiang remained calm and focused on each move.

After 30 seconds of close combat, Moxiang leaped back about 12 feet, held his sword downward, and bowed.

"Your sword skills are truly remarkable. I have learned much. Thank you for your guidance. Can you now forgive me?"

The Thousand Mile Lone Traveler knew that if the close combat continued, one of them would be seriously injured or even killed, and that person would most likely be himself. Moxiang's body, while using the sword control technique, moved with incredible flexibility and speed, following the Thousand Mile Lone Traveler's movements and disorienting him. When the opponent bowed, the Thousand Mile Lone Traveler realized that Moxiang was giving him a way to save face. So, he reluctantly sheathed his sword and responded.

"Hmph... I didn't know your sword skills had advanced to this level. I apologize for not recognizing your abilities earlier. From now on, you don't need to participate in all the training."

"Thank you, Chief."

"Let's go..."

With that, the Thousand Mile Lone Traveler led his subordinates back to his quarters. He knew that the results of this duel would be reported to the sect leader that day. The sect leader had many eyes and ears within the sect. If the report reached the sect leader, Moxiang might be promoted to a higher position. Therefore, he had conceded as much as possible to avoid future conflicts. If Moxiang were to be promoted above him, it would be a headache.

Two weeks later, Moxiang received a summons from the sect leader.

"I greet you, Sect Leader."

"Ah, I've heard you've been training diligently. I've called you here to assign you a task."

"Please give your orders."

"Hmm, let me explain."

Then, Red Eyebrow Killer Smile (赤眉殺笑) Hel Wu Xiang (赫武相), who was standing beside the sect leader, began to speak. Hel Wu Xiang was a figure who rose to prominence after Red Eyebrow Flame Prince Ying Wang Ying retired. By a strange coincidence, both of them practiced the Red Blood Beast Demon Technique, giving them the common trait of red eyebrows. Hel Wu Xiang, known for his murderous smile, was praised as the greatest mind of the Black Sect.

"You are familiar with the operations in Luoyang. Recently, our sect has been secretly expanding its influence. We are not creating unnecessary branches but expanding various businesses. Among these, the three escort agencies we opened in Luoyang have been quite effective, and we have started various businesses under different names. However, by a fortunate coincidence, our business operations have clashed with the Order of Commands (諸令門). The Order of Commands is a small faction with about 200 followers, but its leader is a remarkable person. You may not know much about the martial world, but it is a sect led by the Lightning Sword Emperor (雷電劍皇), one of the Three Emperors and Five Kings. If more time passes, they might realize our intention to establish a foothold in that area. That's why I'm entrusting this to you."

"Do you mean to eliminate the Lightning Sword Emperor?"

"Yes. Use any means necessary to eliminate him within a month. Without their leader, their influence will wane. The sect has about 20 great experts, but without a leader, they will lose their momentum."

"But if I assassinate such a high-level expert, the aftermath will be..."

"You don't need to worry about that. Among the high-level experts of the righteous sects, only a few are in easily identifiable positions. Therefore, to enhance our sect's status, it is necessary to eliminate him. The martial world is vast, and even if there are high-level experts comparable to the Three Em