133.The Encounter Between Lee Dohyeon and the Mysterious Master

Lee Dohyeon had already found four of the designated recovery sites. Now, he set off in search of the final one. Unlike the others, this last location stood out for one peculiar reason—not because of any unusual aura or environment, but because of its ordinariness. It was a small cave on the outskirts of a ruined village, appearing completely mundane at first glance. Yet, Lee Dohyeon could sense another flow of mana there, faint but distinct.

As he explored the cave and examined the ambient energy, a sudden presence made itself known. Lee Dohyeon turned instinctively toward the source—and standing there was a figure he recognized. It was the nameless master who had once appeared at Heukwoon-gwan. Both of them displayed brief expressions of surprise, clearly neither had expected this encounter.

The woman stepped slowly into the cave, approaching him with measured grace. Her footsteps were quiet, yet carried an unmistakable air of confidence. Lee Dohyeon kept his guard up, watching her every move.

"I didn't expect to see you here again," she said. Her voice was soft, but there was an unmistakable distance in her tone—one that made it clear she wasn't someone easily approached. Lee Dohyeon studied her carefully and asked,

"What are you doing here?" His words were brief, edged with curiosity and caution. He knew she was no ordinary martial artist.

She gave a faint smile and answered slowly, "I'm investigating this place. Just like you, I suppose." Her gaze drifted to the sword in his hand, and for a brief moment, her eyes glimmered—with curiosity, and perhaps suspicion.

"That sword… It's quite unusual," she said meaningfully. Lee Dohyeon's grip on the sword tightened in response to her words.

"Do you know something about it?" he asked, his tone more direct now.

She tilted her head slightly. "Perhaps. But I don't think this is the right time to tell you," she replied with the kind of look someone wears when they know far more than they're willing to share.

Lee Dohyeon narrowed his eyes, not letting up. "Why are you here? What do you know about this sword?" Deep down, he could sense that this meeting was no coincidence. The mystery surrounding the blade seemed to intertwine with her presence.

She met his gaze, silent for a moment, then smiled. "Our paths will cross again, someday. When that time comes, you'll understand more about that sword." With that, she walked past him and exited the cave without another word.

Lee Dohyeon stood still, her final words echoing in his mind. She was more than just a martial arts master—he was certain of it now. There was a secret—one connecting her and the sword he carried—and unraveling it was becoming an increasingly important part of his journey.

After she vanished from sight, Lee Dohyeon closed his eyes, letting the recovery energy of the cave flow into him as he steadied his thoughts. The sword's secrets, and the path he must walk… it was all becoming clearer.

And with renewed resolve, he vowed—next time they met, he would uncover more. The journey toward the truth behind the sword had only just begun.

***

Chapter : The Awakening of Ego's Blade and the Secret of the Celestial Sword Demon Queen

Lee Dohyeon stood in quiet contemplation within the recovery site's cave, his breath steady as he surveyed his surroundings. Though he had come seeking the restorative energy that lingered here, it was the recent encounter with the mysterious woman that weighed heavily on his mind. Her presence, her demeanor, and the way she seemed to know something about his sword—these things stirred a deeper unrest within him.

It was then that Ego's Blade began to glow faintly in his hand. A current of energy coursed through his arm, and Lee Dohyeon felt the presence reach directly into his consciousness.

"Lee Dohyeon..."A low, resonant voice echoed in his mind. It was the sword—the will and spirit that dwelled within Ego's Blade.

Startled, but not afraid, Lee Dohyeon steadied himself. Unlike before, the blade now spoke as if it were truly connected to him—no longer a mere weapon, but a presence capable of conversation.

"The sword speaks... What's going on?" he murmured.

After a pause, the blade answered, "I felt her. That woman… she is no ordinary martial artist. I sensed traces of where I came from—Elysium—within her."

Lee Dohyeon's eyes sharpened."Elysium? The world you speak of?"

"Yes. Elysium—the world I lost. Her aura carried remnants of it. She might know something about that place," the blade said with unwavering clarity.

Ego's Blade had grown more open with Lee Dohyeon, the bond between them strengthened. But there were still things the spirit inside the sword did not reveal. Its ultimate goal was not just to return to Elysium—it intended to reclaim its original station of power there, and Lee Dohyeon's growing strength was a means to that end. This ambition remained veiled for now.

"If she holds a clue to that secret… then I need to know," Lee Dohyeon said firmly. The mention of Elysium was no longer just relevant to the blade—it was becoming a vital key in his own unfolding story.

"Yes. But be wary. She is dangerous," the blade warned. It had felt more than power from her—it had sensed a meaning behind that power, something beyond the limits of martial skill.

Indeed, the reason she could sense Ego's Blade was not because of ordinary inner energy. The Celestial Sword Demon Queen, a master of internal force and one of the peaks of the Murim, had gone beyond the norm through her studies of forbidden tomes. Her knowledge of demonic arts, ancient histories, and even the whispers of mana had heightened her senses. When she encountered the sword, she immediately recognized its alien aura—something not of this world.

"A dangerous presence… That means I have more to be cautious of," Lee Dohyeon muttered with measured caution. He didn't yet fully grasp what their encounter meant, but one thing was clear—this was no coincidence. The meeting with her would become a major turning point in his journey.

Ego's Blade chuckled softly in his mind."That's right. But I must return, Dohyeon—to Elysium. For that, you must grow stronger."

Lee Dohyeon nodded silently. The secrets of this blade were far deeper than he'd imagined. It wasn't just about strength in this world—his fate now reached into another realm entirely.

"We still have a long way to go, Ego. Whether it's Elysium or something beyond, I need to become stronger to reach it," he said with resolve, eyes locked on the blade.

The spirit within the sword was more than satisfied with the exchange. This was exactly what it wanted—to steer Lee Dohyeon toward Elysium, to nurture his strength, and eventually use it to reclaim what it had lost. Yet, it still kept its true intentions hidden, harboring ambitions to rise even further, using Lee Dohyeon as the key.

In that moment, thoughts of the Celestial Sword Demon Queen and the secrets of Elysium overlapped in Lee Dohyeon's mind, crystallizing into a new resolve. He knew it was time to uncover what lay behind the sword's true nature, what the queen was hiding, and what destiny awaited him at the end of this path.