703 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

**Cheonha's Best Friend Novel, Chapter 703: North Rabbit - Web Novel Archives** **Emei Sect (峨嵋派)** The Emei Sect, a distinguished faction of justice, stands proud among the Nine Prominent Sects, reverently known as the Guapai Alliance. Unlike its counterparts, it's uniquely sustained by female disciples alone. What was the reason for this? I'm not entirely sure. Perhaps, I simply don't care to know. What I do know is that it hasn't always been this way. Post-Blood Demon Great War, male disciples were expelled, and the sect began to accept only female students. From this, one might wonder how a sect could persist within the Guapai Alliance by consisting solely of women. To me, it seemed rather inconsequential. "When you embody martial arts, gender becomes irrelevant." To the average perspective, martial artists have already transcended mundane distinctions. Once you divide by gender instead of sheer skill level, the argument becomes futile. "The real problem lies with those who underestimate women." Such allowances might exist for ordinary folks, but among martial artists, they're meaningless. That's why, distracted by seduction, they find themselves decapitated before they can react. In reality, the most troublesome during the demonic invasions in Sichuan was Emei Sect. It wasn't that they were overwhelmingly powerful or strategically brilliant; problems often arose because adversaries were enticed simply by the fact they were women. The nuns of Emei, despite their ordination, were known to grow their hair. Though not long, they preferred short or bob hairstyles. This led certain beastly men to commit unspeakable acts. "Though I controlled the Black Flame Brigade..." Exposing such behavior meant being burnt alive, hence no issues arose within the Black Flame Brigade. However, the Blades of Observation and Green Feather Brigade weren't as disciplined. Eventually, after dealing with a certain sword demon and publicly executing a Green Feather member, peace was restored. With such measures, the conquest of Sichuan nearly faced dire setbacks. "Regardless..." Disregarding such affairs, I turned my attention to the woman standing before me. She bore a bob hairstyle ending at her shoulders and a deep scar crossing her cheek. Her age seemed past thirty. "I don't recognize who she is, though." She wasn't a renowned martial artist, at least not one recognizable by her appearance. I examined the woman with the scar, an Emei disciple, and met her gaze. "What could this be about?" "...Ugh." When I tightened my grip around her throat, she softly groaned. I had disrupted her energy flow and sealed her movements. Her skill, perhaps at most, was mediocrity. I examined her body with my free hand. "...!!" Though she grimaced, humiliated, I paid it no mind. "Judging by her muscles, she's an assassin." The developed state confirmed her as such. Yet, the calluses on her hands indicated she practiced palm techniques. An assassin who was also a martial artist? A curious combination. "I'm quite puzzled. Why would a nun from Sichuan be involved in such acts?" I lightly eased my grip and posed the question. "What... are you saying...? Why are you doing this all of a sudden?" As expected, the woman feigned ignorance in response to my inquiry. I studied her face intently. Her pupils quivered uncontrollably. Her breath was ragged, and her heart pounded violently. Was it fear, or surprise? The subtle nuances were indiscernible. But one thing was clear. "You recognized me, didn't you?" The woman unmistakably identified me as So Yeom-Ra. Typically, those unaware of my true identity seldom recognized me on sight. This was deliberate, an effect of an agreement with the alliance to maintain anonymity. But she knew me instantly. "Not that surprising." Rumors, even if not widespread, occasionally reached ears inclined to listen. However. "It doesn't feel that way." Her reaction wasn't one of sheer astonishment. "The meeting itself is problematic from the start." Let's decipher the reasons behind this tangled encounter. "Could it be that the nun from Emei has some business with our Lady Pyoryeon?" "...Pyoryeon?" Pyoryeon, a branch of the Seohan Pi family, was the alias currently held by Bongsun. Moreover, she served as a bait I had cast. "Yes, bait." Eorung Sword Master, a figure shrouded in secrecy by the alliance, and of interest to a few factions, was indeed a strange matter. Decades had passed since her death, and her title had been claimed by the sect of Volcano. Was there a reason to monitor her traces and block them? If it were purely for the alliance's benefit, that's understandable. Yet, others' actions left me questioning. Eorung Sword Master was known as one without allegiance to any force. Although it was later alleged she had a backing force, I found it hard to believe. "After all, those were just the alliance's crafty schemes." I couldn't trust them. Even if it held truth, it wouldn't bother me. "If true, I could fabricate fiction." Creating evidence is always choreographed. To me, the existence of the Eorung Sword Master was merely a knife-edge. Yet. "Who could it be?" Who, apart from the alliance and me, strove to uncover this truth? This was something I often contemplated. Who might it be? Who makes these moves, regardless of their reasons? "Are they to my benefit?" More precisely, could they align with my designs, or would they become unnecessary hindrances? To unravel this, I needed bait. A bait so enticing that it would seize the unsuspecting, yet valuable enough not to be easily identifiable. I scattered this lure across the sea, and curiously, it was immediately bitten. By whom, you ask? "The Emei Sect (峨嵋派)." Guardians of Sichuan, their nuns were shrouded in myriad rumors, despite never achieving prominence before their sect's near-demise in my past life. It was they who took the bait. "...Release, please. So Yeom-Ra, why are you doing this?" Ignoring her cries, I asked the pivotal question first. "Why were you watching that child?" Outside the preliminaries of the martial arts festival, Jongsun had sensed her observing Bongsun. Specifically, she had been seen watching, according to the report from the shadow warriors stationed around. It was an instruction to inform me if anyone observed or acted strangely towards Bongsun. "What are you talking about? Who do you claim I was watching..." Even as she spoke, her breathing became more controlled. Though her heartbeat remained agitated, it was steady. "A well-disciplined individual," I mused. With such composure, discerning lies from acting became tricky. Fortunately, even if this approach failed, alternative methods were available. "Was it not the child?" I asked with a slight nod. "Then, might you have been observing the Guiyeong Wood?" "...!" A noticeable reaction. "There it is." As her senses faltered, a subtle smile played on my lips. Her eyes widened, and the controlled breath she managed so carefully was disrupted. "This... what...?" She tried to catch her breath, but it was too late. "I wondered if it was the staff Miss Pyoryeon was carrying that caught your attention." "..." "That relic, as I recall, belonged to the Sword Queen, didn’t it?" The more I probed with a grin, the more her cheek trembled, and by now, her expression was utterly shattered. Her eyes were filled with shock as she seemed to wonder how I knew. Her reaction was quite amusing indeed. "Of course, I wanted you to notice." The Guiyeong Wood, while the name might suggest it's just a type of timber, is unmistakably a rare artifact—a weapon crafted from a precious material. It takes the form of a wooden staff, with its shape alterable based on the user's will. "It could become a wooden sword or a spear, should the user desire." Its properties are akin to those of a mystical treasure. The Sword Queen was known to wield a wooden sword—likely this very branching artifact in that form. "How could you possibly know that?" Mentioning Guiyeong Wood threw her into a state of distress. "How I came to know is irrelevant. What matters is your reaction to its presence, isn’t that so?" "..." The rod Bongsun carried was embroidered with black floral designs—one of Guiyeong Wood’s distinct features. The Sword Queen must have used its handle to conceal the relic, and the Ghost Spear in my past life also kept this detail hidden. It was a revelation that came later from the Ghost Spear. This is precisely why I used the Guiyeong Wood as bait. The major reason being: "Guiyeong Wood is an artifact passed through bloodlines." The unique trait of the artifact is that only those sharing the bloodline can utilize it, similar to the thunder artifact of the Namgung family. However, the crucial distinction is: "Guiyeong Wood requires one to be a true blood relative." This was the defining feature that the Ghost Spear revealed to me. Other than the Ghost Spear himself, no one could touch the Guiyeong Wood. Thus, my reasoning became clear: "Organizations have long sought the Sword Queen’s bloodline." I knew they were keen on uncovering details about the Sword Queen, including whether she had offspring. That much was evident from the gathered intel. So how did they plan to verify these details? They likely weren’t merely looking for someone with a resemblance. There had to be a method. And I suspected it involved the Guiyeong Wood. Thus, I expressly told Bongsun to display it boldly and not conceal the emblematic carvings. Interestingly, even the alliance, which should be more vigilant, seemed ignorant of its significance. "This indicates the Martial Alliance remains oblivious to both the Sword Queen’s descendants and the distinctive traits of Guiyeong Wood." Considering this, the Emei sect martial artist who fled after recognizing Bongsun... Unkown though she may be, it was evident: "She was aware of Guiyeong Wood and its symbolic characteristics." That was the logical conclusion. "Let me ask again. Was your interest in our Lady Bong... no, Lady Pyoryeon, or was it Guiyeong Wood?" "..." No response came. She seemed to realize there was no escape, and her expression faltered. Thus, I grabbed her by the cheeks and forced her mouth open. "Geh!?" As she was caught off-guard, I sent a bit of energy into her mouth to inspect. "No poison." There weren’t any concealed poison pellets under her molars or beneath her tongue. Once I confirmed, I maintained my grip, cautious lest she attempt to bite off her tongue in a suicide attempt. "Regardless, Emei sect is undoubtedly involved..." "Grrk...ggh." "The question is, why now of all times?" The Sword Queen was known to be unaffiliated. She rose to prominence through pure swordsmanship and was without known ties to factions or clans. "What could it be?" Why should the Emei be seeking Bongsun? Or was their true target Guiyeong Wood? "Perhaps Emei once considered Guiyeong Wood their prized artifact?" It's a possibility worth considering. Instead of simply seeking the Sword Queen’s lineage, it’s feasible she might have absconded with Emei’s treasured artifact. That would motivate a long, methodical search. Such a sect heirloom would carry considerable value, indeed. "Perhaps this is pure speculation." But it’s worth keeping in mind, should it hold weight. "For now, knowing that Emei is involved is enough." This information was valuable in itself. Their quick response to the bait was immensely beneficial. "Now, onto my final matter." "Grrgh..." The woman trembled, unable to close her mouth. Unfortunately for her, my business wasn't concluded. "In truth, neither Lady Pyoryeon nor Guiyeong Wood concern me. What I ask now is of utmost importance." Obtaining answers could easily be done by forcing her into a state of compliance. However, I'd rather avoid morally corrupting others if possible. Hence my question: "This morning, I ingested poison." "..." "Was it you and your group who did it?" An involuntary flinch signaled a shift in her demeanor. And I didn't miss that. "So it's true, isn't it?" "I...it's not..." Though a garbled denial due to my grip on her cheek, it seemed she wanted to dispute my claim. I clicked my tongue at such feeble protest. "Ah, now I owe Dawang a small apology. I naturally assumed it was him." Admittedly, my second guess was correct. Though I voiced it with certainty, her denial was emphasized through her eyes. Her gaze essentially questioned how I pinpointed this fact. It is indeed a surprising revelation. Emei having used poison—without any clear evidence or motive—was unexpected. And yet. "I’ve heard a bit of gossip." Regrettably, I've come across numerous tidbits in my past life. "The Emei Sect nuns from Sichuan... It's said that they're plotting against rising male martial artists, fueling spiteful schemes." "...!" "Is that true?" It was a fabrication. This was a tale I had heard in my past life, one that hadn’t yet become a rumor in this era. It emerged around the time when the Young Swordstar was gaining fame, insinuating that the Emei Sect was conspiring against male practitioners behind the scenes. I asked her based on that rumor. The problem was... "It's been reported that similar attempts were uncovered from others, not just me." That rumor seemed to have some basis after all. "...Errgh...mmph..." There were attempts, ranging from city maids to tavern servers, and even courtesans. From the previous night to early this morning, attempts were made throughout Henan to poison tea or food. These revelations came through stealth operatives I'd deployed. While the culprits varied, they all used the same poison, and each attempt failed. They resorted to offering large sums to unskilled locals, yet they deliberately ensured the plans would fail. The shared traits were clear: "Though the perpetrators change, all targets are participants of the martial arts festival." All victims were young, emerging male martial artists whose reputations were on the rise. Ultimately, they all failed. The targets suffered no ill effects, and given they were entangled in unknown threats in a foreign place, they were wary to speak out. What was amusing was that none sought protection from the Martial Alliance. Why was that? Surely, the Martial Alliance could be trusted the most in Henan. "...It's not simply due to martial pride." It seemed even these righteous fighters didn't fully trust the alliance. What a mess. "I—It's not..." "Why go to such lengths? I'm genuinely curious." I didn't buy her denial. The notion that a rumor from my past life held true was laughable. It only left me wondering why they resorted to such schemes. Should I just transform her into a demon to compel her for answers? The idea took root swiftly. It wasn't as if the time wasn't right. Beyond information about the Eoreong Sword Queen, other leads could be extracted. Though I hadn't planned on adding more demons, practical circumstances provided a compelling justification. Should I corrupt her? Just as I pondered this, an idea sparked. The tangled web of alliances included more than a few parties. The Emei Sect and the Martial Alliance. As well as other bothersome factions. The question I needed answered was: "Do the alliance and Emei Sect cooperate?" Or are they adversaries? "Given their shared alignment with righteousness, they probably aren't enemies." Yet, complete cooperation seemed unlikely. Had they collaborated, it would be strange for the alliance to know nothing of the Sword Queen's details. Regardless of their exact relationship, "Both factions stand as adversaries to me." It was preferable to avoid getting caught between them, opting for a more straightforward approach. "Good." I concluded my thoughts with a smile. The woman trembled inexplicably at my grin. Looking at her, I tightened my grip. Crunch-! --- An expansive estate in northern Henan. It was an area under the control of the Martial Alliance, and currently used by the Emei Sect disciples. Within one of the alliance's three largest provinces, "Aaah!" A piercing scream shattered the silence. "Sister! Sister Yeonyeong has...!" All the women in martial attire turned pale as they faced the reality before them. At the center lay a woman, lifeless and cold, breathing no more. Yeonyeong, the second disciple of the Emei Sect on an assignment, was dead. "What... what is this...?!" A body suddenly discovered in the fields. As they confronted this baffling circumstance, confusion swept over them. "...Step aside." At the voice echoing from behind, all the women tensed and moved aside. An elderly woman approached Yeonyeong's corpse with deliberate steps. "..." The corpse was cold as ice. The mark on her neck indicated instant death from a single blow. Facing this, the old woman's eyes scanned her surrounding sharply. "...What happened here?" "S-She suddenly appeared while we were on watch..." "...What did you say?" Her expression twisted as she listened to the explanation. This was a space managed by the alliance, and even if not, disciples were on guard duty. Yet, how could a body appear suddenly without any obstructions? Moreover. "One of the five entrusted with last night's secret mission?" One of the five dispatched on a covert mission just the night prior? An unfathomable occurrence. Sensing something unusual, the elderly woman inspected the corpse anew. "What's this...?" She noticed something clutched in the hand of the body. She pried the object away, the dead hand crunching under her grip as it resisted, before finally yielding a letter. The elderly woman showed no concern for the crushed hand, focusing instead on the letter now in her palm. Her brows furrowed as she examined it. The letter bore the symbol of the Martial Alliance and contained a single unsettling line: [Do not approach the secrets further.] "...." Upon reading these ominous words: Frrr-! "Grandmaster!" "Be careful!" Flames suddenly engulfed the letter, burning it to ashes as she held it. "...Hah." The old woman, the Grandmaster of Emei, known as the Fist Immortal of Powdered Moon, had to grit her teeth, her face twisting in fury.