As they neared the Emei Sect’s inner grounds, an unusual heat washed over them.What is this…?Alongside the heat, an overwhelming presence could be felt—murderous in its intensity.The kind of aura that would require her to fight with everything she had just to stand a chance.Once they passed fully into the sect’s domain, the scenery changed.Trees that should have been lush and green were withered and dead, the earth cracked as if from drought.Heat shimmered off the ground in constant waves, distorting the air.Not a single nun of Emei was without sweat-soaked robes.Something was clearly wrong.Following her guide’s lead, Yeo Hwarin reached the inner grounds, where the Sect Master herself had come to greet them.“Welcome. I am the Sect Master of Emei.”“An honor to meet you. I am Yeo Hwarin, Pavilion Master of Sword Pavilion. It is my honor to see you in person, Holy Abbess.”“If I am meeting the Sword Queen, then the honor is mine.”After introductions, the Abbess asked:“What brings you to Emei?”“I have come on important business… but it seems your sect is in a difficult situation.”“Indeed. We are in no state to receive guests.”“What has happened?”The Holy Abbess gave a faint, bitter smile.“I’m sorry, but I cannot tell you.”“I may have overstepped. I only asked in case I could be of help—please don’t take offense.”“How could I not understand the Sword Queen’s intentions? But this is an internal matter. We do not wish to share it outside.”“I understand.”“You said you came for an important reason. What is it?”“There is someone who has brought the Annihilation Sword Art of Emei. He wishes to meet the Sect Master personally.”The Holy Abbess’s eyes widened in shock.“W-What are you saying? The Annihilation Sword Art?”“Isn’t it an Emei martial art?”“It is. It is the manual our sect gave to Martial Deity Heaven. But if someone claims to bring it here, they are lying. The Annihilation Sword Art is still in Martial Deity Heaven’s possession.”“He is no liar.”If the Sword Queen called him that person, then it had to be genuine.The Abbess blinked at her.“Then… someone has come from Martial Deity Heaven?”Yeo Hwarin nodded.“He is a man, so he could not come unannounced into Emei. He asked me to first seek your permission.”What kind of man would send the Sword Queen on such an errand?And she had agreed immediately—running here from far away.The Abbess’s voice trembled.“C-Could the man waiting outside the gates be… the Martial God himself?”Yeo Hwarin shook her head.“No.”Not the Martial God? Then who could order the Sword Queen about so casually?“He is the Martial God’s grandson.”“What?!”The Martial God had a grandson? And one arrogant enough to summon the Sword Queen like a servant?The thought left the Abbess displeased.To all female martial artists, the Sword Queen was an icon.And someone was treating her like a subordinate to be ordered around?She muttered before she realized it:“Anyone who treats the Sword Queen like that can’t have a good character.”At those words, Yeo Hwarin’s expression hardened.“Don’t speak so carelessly about someone you know nothing about.”“What?”“That man is my lord. I would ask that you mind your words.”“Wh-what?”The Abbess was dumbfounded.The Sword Queen had a lord—and that lord was the Martial God’s grandson?Who would believe such a thing?“Is that truly so?”“Yes. It is my joy to carry out his orders.”Yeo Hwarin smiled brightly—and genuinely.Was she brainwashed?“In any case, he has come to return the Annihilation Sword Art to Emei.”The Abbess fell into thought.After a moment, she said:“Even so, I cannot allow him in. As you can see, our situation is… difficult. Instead, I will go to him myself.”Yeo Hwarin could understand her desire not to show outsiders the sect in this state.But precisely because of that, she believed Woo Jin needed to see it.“From the look of things, there is indeed a problem. I recommend bringing him here.”“What do you mean?”“He is a transcendent being. I do not know what trouble plagues Emei, but if you ask his help, it will be resolved.”“A transcendent being?”“Yes. Trust me—invite him here.”The Abbess searched Yeo Hwarin’s gaze for signs of brainwashing.Her eyes were clear.After some thought, the Abbess nodded.“Very well. If the Sword Queen recommends it, then so be it.”“Thank you. I will fetch him immediately.”“Then I will prepare to receive our guest.” ****Yeon Woo Jin entered Emei grounds with Yeo Hwarin.“Hmm.”“What is it?”Woo Jin stroked his chin, his expression serious.“This aura… It’s the power of the Four Guardian Beasts. It seems Emei has someone with the Phoenix Constitution.”He had already met the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise—only the Phoenix remained.“The Phoenix Constitution! No wonder the aura I sensed was so unusual.”“But they are in danger. At this rate, the phoenix energy will consume them, burning their body to ash. We must hurry.”“Understood.”They moved quickly until the Holy Abbess came into view, waiting for them.Woo Jin stepped forward and saluted.“An honor to meet you. I am Yeon Woo Jin.”“I have heard of you. I am Seong Mo, Sect Master of Emei.”“Thank you for receiving an uninvited ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) guest so graciously.”The Abbess was momentarily surprised—she had expected arrogance from the Martial God’s grandson, but saw none.Woo Jin glanced toward a certain direction.“If it’s not too much trouble, could you guide me to the source of this aura?”Her expression hardened.She had just thought he wasn’t arrogant, but perhaps she was mistaken.“Why would you go there? It is forbidden to outsiders.”“If we delay, not only the one inside, but your entire sect will be engulfed in flames.”He spoke as if he already knew.“You seem to know what it is.”Woo Jin nodded.“The Phoenix Constitution.”The Abbess’s eyes widened—he had guessed exactly right.“They awakened the phoenix power recklessly, without first awakening the body’s potential—correct?”That was true.Ever since learning her disciple had the legendary Phoenix Constitution, she had tried to force the awakening.But she had not truly understood the Four Divine Constitutions.Instead of slowly harmonizing with the phoenix’s power, they had drawn it out prematurely.The result was what they saw now—phoenix fire withering all life on Mount Emei, turning it into a mountain of death.“Please, guide me. If we delay, it will be too late.”“You… know how to resolve this?”“Yes.”The Abbess looked to Yeo Hwarin, who nodded.That was enough.“Very well. Follow me.” ****Following her, they reached a deep underground chamber within Mount Emei.There, a young woman writhed in chains.“Kiiiieeehk!”Each time she thrashed, blazing flames burst out in every direction.Fwoooosh!“Be careful!”The Abbess stepped forward, projecting a wall of qi to block the flames.The fire surged past her barrier and out of the cave, spreading across the mountain and killing what life remained.Woo Jin examined the woman.Her clothes had long since burned away, leaving her naked, the chains glowing red-hot from the heat.“Chains forged from Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron. They won’t break easily.”It was the hardest metal in existence—and one that could absorb heat, which was why it could withstand the phoenix’s power.The problem was that no one could approach.Then Woo Jin began to move.“It’s dangerous to get close!” the Abbess cried.“I’ll be fine.”He walked forward slowly.The woman thrashed again, phoenix flames surging toward him like a storm.“It’s dangerous!”But Woo Jin strode on, unflinching.Fwooosh!The flames engulfed him—only to be drawn into his body.The Abbess stared in shock.A cool breeze swept the chamber where moments ago only heat had reigned.“Th-this is…”While she struggled to comprehend it, Woo Jin continued absorbing the phoenix energy and advancing.As he drew near, the energy raged even more violently.“Kiiiieeehk!”Another surge of fire flared outward—but again, it was drawn into him.From the side, Yeo Hwarin smiled.“I told you—he’s a transcendent being.”The Abbess looked at her.The Sword Queen’s gaze toward Woo Jin was filled with absolute trust.Curiosity stirred within her—what kind of man could inspire such loyalty?“Can I truly… believe in him?”“Yes. If you do, there will be salvation.”Salvation, was it? The Sword Queen truly seemed to believe Woo Jin was divine.The Abbess found herself hoping he was—so that her disciple could be saved.“Kiiiieeehk!”Another scream snapped her back to the present.She turned—and froze.Woo Jin had laid his hand on the disciple’s body.Zzzt—!White steam rose from his hand as he held her wrist, as if taking her pulse.“You know medicine?”“Not just ‘know’—my lord’s medical skill reaches the heavens,” Yeo Hwarin said beside her.“He has treated me as well.”“You were injured?”“Yes. Poisoned, falling into qi deviation, on the brink of death. He saved me—and rescued Sword Pavilion from crisis.”She looked at the Abbess.“So trust him. He will resolve everything.”The brightness of her smile made it strangely convincing.The Abbess turned back—and gasped.The disciple who had been thrashing wildly was now still.Her flushed, overheated skin was returning to its normal color.The oppressive heat had completely vanished.“Please bring something to cover her.”At his words, the Abbess quickly removed her kasaya and draped it over her peacefully sleeping disciple.Tears welled in her eyes.Her own greed had driven her beloved disciple into this suffering.She bowed her head to Woo Jin, voice trembling.“Please… please save her.”“Don’t worry. I’ll return her to the way she was.”
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