The Path of Two Swords

[Empire Calendar 421, 5th Month, 1st]

After the knights and maids had left, leaving me alone in this so-called "safe house," I couldn't help but sigh.

Safe house? More like an abandoned fortress in the middle of a monster-infested forest.

With nothing else to do, I decided to explore.

As I wandered through the halls, I quickly realized this mansion held more than just dust and old furniture. Hidden rooms, concealed mechanisms, and even traps—why did a safe house have so many defensive measures? Was this place meant to keep intruders out… or something in?

After searching for a while, I stumbled upon something interesting—a training ground.

It was vast, easily stretching a hundred meters, with a smooth grey concrete floor. To the left, rows of training dummies stood eerily still, waiting to be struck down. Racks lined the walls, filled with all kinds of weapons, armor, and even enchanted equipment.

I stepped forward, my fingers brushing against the hilt of a well-crafted sword.

This was perfect.

Now, I could finally test something.

I took a deep breath, stepping onto the training ground. The air was still, heavy with the scent of old steel and dust. The grey concrete beneath my feet felt solid—unchanging.

I gripped the sword tightly.

Plum Blossom Sword Technique

A style of precision and grace, defensive yet deadly. I raised the sword and took my stance.

First Form—Falling Petals in the Storm

I stepped forward, my blade slicing through the air in delicate arcs, each strike resembling petals drifting in the wind—gentle yet carrying the power to cut. A technique meant to control the battlefield, to dictate the flow of combat.

I transitioned. Faster, sharper.

Second Form—Winter's Final Bloom

A thrust, swift and precise, aimed to strike vital points before the enemy could react. The technique was flawless… yet something was missing.

I stopped.

It's too light.

Even though my form was correct, my attacks carried no weight. I lacked the raw strength to make these techniques truly lethal.

I exhaled slowly, lowering my blade. That's when another thought entered my mind.

Then what about Chun Ma's technique?

I closed my eyes, shifting my stance. My grip tightened, my body lowering into a more aggressive posture.

Heavenly Shattering Demon Sword

Unlike Plum Blossom, this technique wasn't about control—it was about annihilation. A relentless storm meant to tear through anything in its path.

First Form—Demon Monarch's Descent

I moved. My blade carved through the air, a brutal downward slash that sent a gust of wind roaring through the training ground, scattering dust and pebbles.

Second Form—Heavenly Demonic Severance

A rapid series of cuts, each one heavier than the last, aiming to shatter an opponent's defense completely. The sheer force sent vibrations through my arm, the strain burning into my muscles. It felt as if the very sky would be torn apart under the weight of the strikes.

I staggered back, panting.

Damn it… My body is still too weak.

If I could combine the two techniques, find a balance between Chung Yung's precision and Chun Ma's power… then maybe—

No. Not maybe.

I have to do it.

Because if I didn't… I wouldn't survive this place.

I sheathed my sword, my body trembling from the exertion. Every muscle ached, but I couldn't stop now. Mastery over the blade is only one part of true strength.

I sat cross-legged on the cold stone floor of the training ground, closing my eyes. The air around me was heavy with silence, broken only by the steady rhythm of my breathing.

Plum Blossom Qi Cultivation Technique…

This was the foundation of Chung Yung's strength. Unlike Chun Ma's brutal demonic qi, the Plum Blossom technique focused on refinement, on harmonizing energy within the body rather than forcefully dominating it.

I guided my breath, slow and steady.

First Stage—Roots of the Frozen Bloom

I visualized a tree, its roots stretching deep into the earth. My qi flowed downward, stabilizing, anchoring me to the world itself. A cold yet serene sensation spread through my veins.

Steady. Refined.

But I needed more. I advanced to the next stage.

Second Stage—Blossoms Amidst the Snow

The cold qi began to rise, spreading outward like branches reaching for the sky. My breathing deepened as I circulated the energy, letting it flow naturally instead of forcing it. My body resisted, unused to the sensation. I clenched my fists. Endure it.

A sharp pain shot through my chest as the energy met resistance—my body still unrefined, my meridians strained under the burden of controlling both mana and qi.

I gritted my teeth, pushing through.

Minutes passed. Then hours.

Finally, I exhaled, a faint mist escaping my lips.

When I opened my eyes, the world around me felt sharper, clearer. The cold qi still lingered in my veins, but it no longer resisted my control.

It's working.

But this was just the beginning. If I wanted to reach the peak… I had to go even further.