Chapter – 12
“Moonsea Sword Technique?”
The name sounded familiar.
‘Somehow, it sounds expensive.’
Dori recalled that one of the top-ranked fighters had used the Moonsea Sword Technique. Naturally, a question arose.
“Mother! I have a question!”
“Go ahead.”
“Usually, the Peng Family uses saber techniques, right? I thought you would teach me something like the Five-Tiger Saber Technique…”
The Five-Tiger Saber Technique was rough and coarse but extremely powerful—a martial art representative of the Hebei Peng Family in the game.
Although anything taught by Mother Hyun-kyung would be good, Dori couldn’t help feeling curious. Seeing Dori’s expression, Jusohui smiled gently.
“That’s a good question. Of course, if you want, I could instruct your father in the Five-Tiger Saber Technique. But haven’t you already reached the pinnacle as a swordsman?”
“That’s true.”
Although sword and saber techniques may look similar, they are completely different weapons. Handing a giant six-foot-long saber to someone trained in swordsmanship would be troublesome.
“Moreover, the Moonsea Sword Technique is suitable for a woman’s flexible body. In many ways, it is the martial art most advantageous to you right now.”
“Oh.”
“It’s also a secret manual of the Hae-nam Sect.”
“Ah… wait? A secret manual?”
Dori’s eyes widened.
“Can you really pass down another sect’s secret manual? And how do you even have the Hae-nam Sect’s secret manual?”
“Well, my master was the Grandmaster of the Hae-nam Sect. Although I am part of a lineage now, at one time I was even offered the position of sect leader.”
“Whoa.”
What is this, an overpowered character setting?
A princess fleeing palace intrigue was taken in by the Hae-nam Sect’s grandmaster, became an unparalleled expert in the martial arts world, and later married the Hebei Peng Family’s head, who was more than a decade younger?
If I had known the story was this interesting, I wouldn’t have skipped reading it. Dori scratched the back of her head and shouted after a moment of thought.
“Then I’ll study diligently!”
“How admirable, my child.”
Even though she hadn’t done anything yet, Jusohui’s eyes were filled with warmth.
She patted Dori with loving hands as she handed her the real sword.
“Let’s start with the first chapter. Take the sword.”
“? Usually, shouldn’t I start with a wooden sword?”
“For ordinary people, yes. But at your level, even if you struggled all you wanted, you couldn’t even graze my sleeve.”
Hearing that, Dori’s expression filled with competitive fire.
“Well, we’ll see about that!”
Two hours later, Dori groaned after being beaten by Jusohui all day.
“Weren’t you supposed to be fond of me, Mother?”
“I am fond of you, which is why I teach you strictly. Seeing you so lacking tears my heart into a thousand pieces.”
“Ugh.”
Dori whined, but Jusohui was sincere.
She didn’t really want to be so harsh. Instinctively, she would have wrapped Dori in blankets and kept her safe from any cuts forever.
Jusohui had the power to do just that.
She could trap Dori, and there would be no escape.
But that wouldn’t be proper upbringing.
Loving a child isn’t just protecting them—it’s about letting them grow freely.
Having spent her youth in both the imperial palace and the martial world, Jusohui understood this well.
She also knew that true freedom cannot come to the powerless.
‘That day—’
She remembered her daughter, rolling in the dirt, bruised and bleeding.
A treasure she wanted to keep safe and only look at herself.
…Should I just lock her away forever?
“Mother! Where should I put the sword? Let’s eat together!”
But the pretty little face suddenly came close.
In most circumstances, such proximity would not be allowed. Yet, with no caution, Jusohui met Dori’s eyes unguarded.
“? Hehe.”
Seeing Dori’s innocent smile, the obsession and dark shadows in Jusohui’s heart lifted.
“Leave the palace. Since your mother and brother are weak and powerless, that is the only way you will survive.”
She remembered leaving the Hae-nam Sect with a secret manual long ago.
Her mother, who had been just a minor concubine at the time, also had strong maternal love, which was why she sent her daughter away.
Now it was her turn.
Jusohui held Dori’s hand with a resigned smile.
‘I guess I have to let her be free.’
But a parent’s duty remained.
To provide a safe place where a weary child could return anytime.
‘Also, Iah should soon return from her travels.’
Watching her daughter, Jusohui also thought of her son, who would return before summer. Ideally, she wished the siblings would reunite before Dori left.
“Brother Yeon!”
A cheerful voice called.
Eon Mu-hyeok turned at the familiar presence. He had sensed it earlier, and, sure enough, the expected person was beside him.
“Long time no see. It seems your skill has improved greatly.”
“Recently, I’ve surpassed a small barrier and entered the mid-pinnacle stage.”
“Mid-stage!”
The man’s eyes widened in surprise.
“At seventeen, already mid-pinnacle? Among late-stage talents, you may be the fastest. If this continues, you could even aim for the next ‘Strongest in the World.’”
“I’m not so sure it will be that easy.”
“Huh?”
This man, who had always been arrogant about his own talent, raised an eyebrow, surprised at seeing his brother unsure of himself.
“What’s the matter, Brother Yeon? Did you meet a hidden young master?”
“…Don’t you know?”
When he asked, Eon Mu-hyeok looked confused.
“?”
“?”
The two tall men exchanged questioning glances.
Finally, Eon Mu-hyeok spoke first.
“Didn’t the Swordmaster search for your younger brother? I thought you were of the same age, but it seems you’ve already reached the late-pinnacle stage…”
“What?”
“Indeed, the Swordmaster is unparalleled. Even your grandfather had to yield to him.”
“Wait, say that again.”
The surprised man grabbed Eon Mu-hyeok’s shoulder, staring at him as if to force clarity.
“What did you just say?”
“That the Swordmaster searched for your younger brother?”
“…Younger brother?”
The young master of the Peng Family froze.
He could hardly believe it.
“My younger brother has returned?”
At the same time.
Far away, across Hebei and Shanxi, beyond the desolate desert, lay the distant land of Xinjiang.
In a building of the Shin Sect, a woman lay with a displeased expression.
“What did you say?”
“The Sochonma’s whereabouts cannot be determined despite searching.”
“Ridiculous.”
Bang!
A sharp reprimand fell with the snap of a fan, sending Ma-du into cold sweat.
It was common for Sochonma to travel for a few months. Yet ten months had passed without a sign. The atmosphere of the sect grew tense, nearly like walking on thin ice.
This was because Cheonma, the master of the Shin Sect, constantly radiated killing intent. In a few months, the number of deceased disciples piled up.
Even so, one remained calm—Geum Tae-won.
Despite his youth, he was known as a mastermind.
“Excuse me, Master. May I speak?”
“What is it?”
“Since the sect’s origin is so far away, it takes too long for search teams to go and return. At this rate, we may never find Sochonma.”
“What do you want to suggest?”
“The Shin Sect’s strength is considerable. Perhaps we could extend our reach to the Central Plains.”
If the master’s foster daughter had been harmed in the Central Plains, it would provide a strong pretext for intervention. A parent’s wrath is a powerful justification.
Cheonma pondered the suggestion, then rose from her seat.
The Ma-du standing beneath also stood. Under everyone’s attention, Cheonma revealed a fierce smile.
“If the child is missing, naturally, a mother must search. That is your intent, right, mastermind?”
“…Yes.”
“Good.”
Cheonma Dokgo-yeon.
Renowned for annihilating the illustrious Dokgo family and removing them from the Five Great Families.
The centuries-old master gazed out the window with a cruel gleam in her eyes.
“Wait just a little, Hyun-ah.”
This mother would make sure she found her child.
