Chapter 1219

< Episode 1219 > 1219. The Radiant Ascension Path

A small town came into view ahead.

As I trampled through the grass and moved forward, I halted my steps. Pulling out a scroll from my robes, I unfurled it to confirm the city’s features against the map.

‘The river flowing west of the city confirms I’m on the right path.’

The third trial of the Heavenly Horse Spirit Sect’s Demon Subjugation Hall involved carrying out individual missions. Initiates had to complete their assigned tasks within a set period and return to the Demon Subjugation Hall. Failure to return in time or mission failure would result in demotion or expulsion.

Missions were allocated based on the initiates’ performance. The easiest missions involved delivering items—more about tight deadlines than danger. These relatively simple tasks required sacrificing sleep and relentless effort.

My mission? Assassinate a retainer named Choo-jeo, the de facto master of the River Song City and the Former Family Manor.

Choo-jeo, who had been living off the Former Family Manor for two years, was revealed to be a traitor to the Heavenly Horse Spirit Sect. During the battle with the Celestial Alliance, he abandoned his comrades and fled, only to change his identity and go into hiding. However, the sect’s expert trackers eventually uncovered his location.

Choo-jeo’s cultivation level was at Earth Step Rank 2. Given his ambiguous strength, it wasn’t worth deploying the sect’s combat forces, so this task fell to me.

‘This is different from the original story. Originally, Yeom Guseok was tasked with hunting down an assassin near the Heavenly Horse Spirit Sect.’

It seems my skills surpass Yeom Guseok’s from the original, resulting in a more challenging mission. Similarly, due to the same reason, Yeon Yeha’s mission also changed. She’s currently exterminating demons near the sect.

‘The situation isn’t bad—in fact, it’s advantageous.’

River Song City is tied to the missions of Cheon Yu-un, Je Ga Mo-sun, and Seo Mun So-rye.

I reviewed the mission details written on the scroll once more before summoning lightning. Crackling blue electricity coursed through the parchment, transforming into flames that incinerated it. Brushing the ashes from my palm, I headed toward the city.

At the city gates, five warriors guarded the entrance, their gray martial robes emblazoned with the character “Former,” marking them as members of the Former Family Manor. They were diligently recording the names of those entering and exiting the city—a sign of its strict administration.

Not wanting to cause any commotion, I quietly joined the queue and waited patiently. After about an hour, the merchant in front of me entered, and it was finally my turn.

“You’re a warrior. Where do you hail from?”

A neatly groomed swordsman approached me, his friendly demeanor masking a cultivation level roughly around Gate Step Rank 6. Impressive for someone so young.

“Do I have to say?”

“I hope you understand. We’ve been maintaining these records for twenty years.”

“Something big happened twenty years ago?”

“It’s a disgraceful event for our Former Family Manor, but one that’s already widely known…”


“Very well. The Spirit of the Shadow Thief. You’ve likely heard of him, young swordsman?”

“Of course I know him.”

I also knew his face.

“Our caravan master was once victimized by the Shadow Thief 20 years ago. Since then, we’ve kept a meticulous log of visitors.”

“I’ve heard rumors that the Shadow Thief has retired.”

“Soon, a new Shadow Thief will emerge. That’s how things always go in this world.”

The Jianghu is ancient. If you trace its origins, it goes back tens of thousands of years.

Ironically, despite all those millennia, civilization hasn’t really advanced. There have been no revolutions, science and technology remain shunned. The Jianghu just flows on, endlessly repeating itself.

The title “Shadow Thief” is given to the greatest thief of the era. Should another thief steal the Emperor’s treasures, he would become the new Shadow Thief.

“Do you truly believe maintaining such a simple visitor’s log can stop the Shadow Thief?”

“It’s difficult, certainly. But surprisingly, this log helps immensely. Recently, thanks to it, we caught a merchant embezzling from the caravan and a smuggler trying to sneak goods through. And other things… it’s quite useful.”

“…I see.”

That’s when it happened.

An irritated voice interrupted from behind.

“Hey! Can you hurry up?! Don’t you see people waiting behind you?!”

It was a middle-aged merchant. Too imposing to be an ordinary merchant, with a scar across his face. Rank 3 Standing. A merchant trained in martial arts.

“Are you talking to me?”

The man glared at me.

“Who else is here right now?”

“I challenge you to a duel, risking your life.”

“…”

Silence fell.

Apparently, they didn’t expect me to suddenly issue a duel challenge. The merchant scrutinized my behavior and furrowed his brows deeply.

“Are you joking? I’m a merchant. Though I did learn martial arts in the past, I’ve already quit that life.”

“So you’re not a warrior? Anyone who learns martial arts becomes a warrior. The sword hanging from your waist proves it. Draw your blade.”

“Why should I duel you?! For the last time, I’m NOT a warrior!”

“I reject your refusal.”

I placed my hand on the katana at my side. The merchant’s face contorted violently. With no choice, he gripped his sword hilt.

“You crazy bastard! Fine! Let’s dance with blades after all these years!”

The merchant roared, unleashing his spirit.

No one could stop me or the merchant. Even the warriors guarding the city entrance for the Caravan Guild merely observed the situation.

Since the merchant accepted the duel, there was nothing anyone could do. Duels in this world are similar to medieval duels. And conflicts between warriors are common occurrences in the Jianghu.

The foolish merchant had misjudged my skills. He assumed I was at the early standing level. Hiding my true abilities proved advantageous at times like this.

“Good! Today, I shall return to my old self and taste blood on my cherished blade!”

The merchant shouted, aware of the spectators. While everyone watched with interest, I silently drew my sword.

[Using Instantaneous Movement. Remaining stacks: 6]

Demon-Slaying Sword Technique: Wind Reversal.

I moved faster than wind, brushing past the merchant. A moment later, a red line appeared on the merchant’s neck before his body and head collapsed to the ground.

The duel ended absurdly anticlimactically.

The onlookers didn’t boo me. Instead, they stared at me with eyes filled with awe. In modern times, people would scream and call the police, but this isn’t the modern world.

“…Impressive.”

A warrior from the Caravan Guild genuinely expressed admiration.

“It’s nothing special.”

“I mean it. To be honest, I didn’t even see your movement, Great Hero. Your strike was truly as fast as lightning.”

“Thanks for the compliment. Could you handle the cleanup? In return, I’ll take the gold…”


“If you want the mountain, you can have it.”

“Truly detached from worldly desires, I see. We’ll take care of the cleanup. Sir Hero, may I ask your name and origin?”

There was a brief pause.

Should I reveal my name? I reconfirm my mission. There were no conditions about hiding my identity.

“My name is Yeom Guseok. I’ve come from the Heavenly Horse Spirit Sect.”

“…The Heavenly Horse Spirit Sect, huh. Indeed, with such skills, disbelief isn’t an option. Sir Hero, why have you come to Haga Town?”

“Do I need to say that too?”

“If I’ve offended you, I apologize. But this is part of my job…”

“I’m traveling. I heard there are exceptionally beautiful courtesans in Haga Town.”

“Yeah, Haga’s courtesans are top-notch. Especially the boat rides on the river with the courtesans… It’s practically a fairy-like pastime.”

Upon hearing that, I licked my lips.

Boat rides with top-tier courtesans on the river? No way I can pass this up. Time to revise the plan. First, I’ll do the boat ride today, then carry out my mission tomorrow afternoon.

“Can I go in now?”

“Uh, normally I should collect the toll…,”

He looked at the dead merchant. His comrades were looting the dead merchant’s goods. One of them held a heavy money pouch and grinned.

“We’ve collected enough already. Just go ahead.”

“I see. Thanks for the hard work.”

“Ah, Sir Hero, may I ask your nickname?”

“I don’t have one.”

“Then may I give you one? People who’ve witnessed your skills will naturally assign you one anyway. So, I’d like to be the first to give you a nickname.”

“…Do you have a good one?”

“Lightning Sword. From now on, you’ll be known as Lightning Sword.”

“That sounds familiar somehow.”

If it were a dumb nickname, I would’ve challenged him to a duel, but since it wasn’t bad, I quietly walked into the city.

He didn’t let me go just like that. He ran beside me and whispered.

“Sir Hero, head over to that building near the river. It’s the Boi Pavilion, the best pleasure house in Haga Town. Though it’s so expensive commoners wouldn’t dare look at it, their courtesans are worth every penny. They’re talented and know how to party.”

“Thanks.”

That was great information. My anticipation for the Boi Pavilion grew. I immediately headed toward where he pointed.

…

I spent the entire night playing with the top-tier courtesans of Boi Pavilion by the river and fell asleep at dawn. When I woke up at noon, still half-asleep, I glanced around. Food, alcohol, and naked courtesans were scattered everywhere. The bodies of five courtesans were covered in my semen.

“Indeed, this is the finest pleasure house in the city. A night without regrets.”

I hired a boatman to return to the city.

The staff from Boi Pavilion were waiting on land. Their burly appearance suggested they were related to a black path sect connected to Boi Pavilion. As soon as they saw me, they bowed deeply.

“Did you enjoy last night?”

“I was satisfied.”

I threw them a money pouch. I’d already paid upfront, but this was a kind of tip.

“Thank you, Sir Hero! Please visit us again!”

“Ah, though it feels weird saying this, have you ever thought about changing the name?”

“Huh?”

“Calling it ‘Boi Pavilion’ makes me think of homosexuality. It’d be better to call it ‘Girl Pavilion.'”

“Uh…”

“Don’t like the name? ‘Girl Pavilion’ or even ‘Mol Pavilion’ would be fine. Doesn’t it sound good?”

“There are various issues with changing the name right now… But I’ll definitely convey Sir Hero’s suggestion to the boss.”

“One last thing, could you tell me the fastest way to Sungja Square?”

“Just follow this main road to the city center. The most grand and luxurious place in Haga Town is Sungja Square.”

I walked in the direction he pointed.