Try Living Well Without Me

Mount Wudang.

Together with Shaolin’s Song Mountain, it’s a place with one of the most ancient histories in the martial world.

Naturally, it also holds significance for me.

I’ve died here three times.

Even so, it isn’t a place I’ve visited particularly often.

After all, there aren’t many villains here at Wudang Mountain.

Even if there had been villains, I probably wouldn’t have visited during this iteration anyway.

In the early stages of regression… when my goal was to overcome the situation, all villains were eliminated without exception, whether it was one of the Twelve Patriarchs like the Poison Lord or even the Blade Lord, the head of one of the Five Great Clans.

They were all from the righteous faction, but since those who were villains needed to be killed without fail to prevent future problems, they didn’t provide much help in the end.

However, as the iterations progressed… and when I realized this wasn’t a situation that could be resolved with dozens of regressions…

More specifically, since my goal shifted to “growing stronger and gathering information,” I stopped unnecessarily killing the righteous hypocrites.

Because getting entangled in troublesome situations by leaving behind evidence after killings didn’t align with my purpose.

Thus, I didn’t touch it this time either, as I’ve done consistently up until now.

Right now… I don’t have much thought. Even if I intended to kill, I could do so more easily than stepping on an ant, but I don’t want to do anything beneficial for the martial world, which has betrayed me.

I’m not interested in ruining the martial world that betrayed me, but I’m not going to go out of my way to help it flourish either.

“Miss, this is my first time coming to Wudang Mountain!”

“Is that so?”

“Ugh! I feel so excited! They say the scenery here is fantastic, and I really wanted to come see it!”

“The Wudang Sect says that looking down from their grounds makes one feel like an immortal. Since you’ve come this far, you should take a look.”

“Hehe, Uncle, you should look too!”

Jinyoung Jin appears to be in high spirits.

Being acknowledged as one of the Seven Flowers must feel good to her.

“Allow me to introduce myself as Taeryeong Jinin of Wudang, organizer of this year’s Seven Flowers Tournament. Might you be the Sword Flower from the Taewon Jin Clan?”

After climbing the familiar three thousand three hundred and thirty steps, an old man with a long beard trailing down to his toes approached us from the Wudang Sect.

He’s one of the few martial artists I respect, called Heavenly Lord, alongside the monk.

Although he didn’t break through the final barrier to reach the Divine Realm, he stands above even the Twelve Patriarchs.

In the martial world, he is recognized as the one closest to the Five Great Peaks.

In previous iterations, I didn’t hesitate to give him enlightenment and elevate his level.

“Yes, I am Sword Flower Jinyoung Jin.”

“Ah, I’ve heard much about you, young lady. Please, come in and rest.”

“Haha, if my humble name has reached the ears of Heavenly Lord, I don’t know where to put myself.”

“Ho ho, please come in. We shall pray for your blessing under the auspices of the Primitive Heavenly Lord.”

He remains as modest in his speech as ever.

I respect him because of such qualities.

“By the way, who is the person behind Sword Flower?”

Heavenly Lord poses the question to me.

Despite being a casual query, it carries weight due to his profound internal strength.

“An escort.”

“Is that so?”

Heavenly Lord scrutinizes me with an unconvinced gaze.

Is it because of the mask? Or the energy around my body?

It wouldn’t matter much if he discerned my true identity, but maybe I should have reined in my energy earlier.

“…Afterward, could you grace me with a hand, even if it’s an imposition?”

Look at this fellow.

“No, absolutely not a demand! Just a small favor from this decrepit old man.”

What would happen if I refused here?

Considering Heavenly Lord’s character, he wouldn’t nitpick or retaliate.

Yet, I don’t particularly want to avoid it.

If anyone should avoid, let them do so.

“We’ll do it later.”

“Thank you.”

“Then, I’ll take my leave.”

After responding to his courteous bow with my own salute, I head into the Wudang Sect with Jinyoung Jin.

While his unexpected gallantry as a martial artist can be somewhat annoying, much like when I abruptly challenged Blood Demon to a duel, these small acts are proof that he is a true martial artist.

Such behaviors stand out amidst the unworthy individuals who tarnish the name of martial artists.

“A, Uncle? Could it be that Heavenly Lord just discovered who you really are?”

Of course, Jinyoung Jin beside me is an exception.

“I doubt it. I didn’t exude that much energy.”

“Huh… that’s good…”

“Do you wish my identity to remain hidden?”

“Not exactly. I’m just worried about you being tired.”

“I’m fine.”

“Tch, Uncle always says he’s fine.”

Even while turning her head and puffing her cheeks, her body leans on me.

As we enter Wudang Sect together with her acting cute, a waiting Taoist calls us over.

“Is that Sword Flower? This way! We’ll show you to your room!”

He confidently led us, but after speaking with other Taoists, he looked troubled.

“Tsk… all the rooms seem to be full.”

Then he spoke again, cautiously this time, clearly indicating his awkward predicament.

“Would it be alright if you shared a room with someone else?”

Silent without a word, I simply glance at Jinyoung Jin, who then sends a mental message.

– Uncle, will you be alright sharing a room with someone else?

– I’m fine. Do as you like.

– Ugh, here he goes saying he’s fine again.

After throwing a tantrum, she gladly agrees.

“Yes, it’s fine.”

“Ah! Thank you! Please, this way!”

The Taoist quickly regains his composure and leads us to a smaller quarters.

Upon entering through the familiar Zisao Palace and Nan’an Palace after a long time, we are met with someone who was supposed to be sharing the space with us.

“…”

However, why…

“… hah.”

Is this someone I know?

Not just someone I vaguely know, but someone who was closest to me.

“You… Could it be, Jade Flower…?”

“So you are the sword flower. Nice to meet you.”

Seo-a Yuwha.

Her long, white hair and pronounced white eyes are unforgettable features.

Hence, I cannot mistake her.

“Wait… You know me? Jade Flower knows who I am? Incredible!”

“Your fame in the Central Plains is well-known.”

While I’m frozen upon seeing her, Jinyoung Jin warmly greets Yuwha.

I’ve heard that among the Seven Flowers, Jinyoung Jin doesn’t consider Yuwha a rival, so it’s not surprising.

“Who… Is this the White Blade Wanderer, by any chance? Although, you’re not wielding a sword…”

Of course, there’s no reason for me to avoid Jade Flower.

I didn’t commit any fault, so why should I avoid her?

Thus, let’s not panic.

Stay calm and respond as a White Blade Wanderer should.

“Martial hero, you see Jade Flower.”

“Indeed, you look like someone who knows why you’re such a topic.”

Jade Flower scrutinizes me with interest, like Heavenly Lord did earlier.

But different from him, it carries traces of coldness.

Even so, with someone like Jade Flower, I feel neither particularly delighted nor uncomfortable.

Because even when my reputation was tarnished, she extended her hospitality towards me.

Before meeting Jinyoung Jin, she was the only person who showed such warmth.

Not that Jade Flower was overly friendly towards me.

But now I’m not Iron Spear but rather Byul Rak, so there is no issue.

“Senior, rather than standing here idly, how about we have a light sparring session? Consider it a warm-up.”

“Spar? Hmm… sure, I have nothing else to do.”

“Excuse me, Miss, are you seriously considering a sparring session just before the Seven Flowers Tournament?”

“It’s fine. I wanted to test my moon techniques anyway. With my usual sparring partner, it’s hard to gauge my level correctly.”

“Urgh… if that’s your reason…”

Since it’s Yuwha, whose predetermined outcome we already know in the Seven Flowers Tournament, there shouldn’t be an issue.

It’s actually a good opportunity for Jinyoung Jin to gauge her martial arts skills.

Yuwha isn’t the kind to harm her.

Her perception of justice, though absolute, only applies to villains.

Jinyoung Jin isn’t a villain, so even if she doesn’t receive the gentlest of treatment, at least there will be no coldness in her approach.

“Shall we proceed then? Where’s the training ground?”

“There’s a spacious courtyard behind this building.”

Watching Jinyoung Jin grab Jade Flower’s hand and lead her away soon after entering, her friendly nature shines through once again.

When I finally catch up, Jinyoung Jin is already standing ready with her large moon blade in hand.

Whoosh! Wham!

Jinyoung Jin swings her weapon forcefully, and strong winds follow her every movement.

– Hey! You’re supposed to call it Moonlight Division, not Great Moon Blade!

Ung, Uyong Jin is noisy again. As always, I ignore him.

– Oi, this brat is treating Senior like a mere demon…! Arggh, this wounds me deeply…

Jade Flower watches intently, perplexed at the sight of someone wielding a huge axe much taller than herself.

“Are you not the Sword Flower?”

“Ah, my uncle says axes are just large swords with longer handles.”

“…I never said that.”

– Our young scion, too, is rather deranged in seeing our sacred axe as merely a sword.

You’re not exactly sane yourself.

– …

“Phew… I suppose I’ll have to stay here tonight.”

A man sighed deeply in the depths of the cave.

The White Shadow Assassin King, on a mission to deliver a message of doom to the Nangong family, found this cavern by chance.

“Still, it’s convenient to have a cave here. It’s the middle of winter, and finding a proper place to sleep hasn’t been easy…”

Although missing an arm, he was competent enough to start a fire and prepare food with just his left hand.

Survival was second nature to him after all.

“Phew, if I keep moving, I should reach my destination in a few more days.”

Though the journey was anything but easy.

Having lost his right arm, riding horses became difficult, forcing him to extend his journey twofold compared to his initial plan.

Despite all, his persistence paid off as he finally reached Anhui.

“I should eat first.”

With practiced ease, he unpacked his provisions with his left hand and roasted chicken over the fire.

Although the loss of his right arm affected the circulation of his qi, it didn’t hinder the simple task of cooking.

“Phew… maybe I’m hungrier than usual because this smells better than it usually does.”

Crackle, Thud…

Soon after, the aroma of perfectly roasted meat wafted throughout the entire cave.

Naturally, the scent reached even deeper into the caverns.

“Ugh…”

And that aroma awakened the senses of three things—neither alive nor dead—hidden deep within the cave.

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