The Mount Hua festival ended in a roar of applause, cheers, pride… and confusion.
Even after the crowds dispersed, the sect leaders stayed behind in the ceremonial hall, discussing the day's events as incense smoke curled toward the wooden ceiling. Their robes swayed gently from the mountain breeze, the sky dyed in orange sunset.
The Sword Saint of Namgoong sat quietly at first. His eyes were closed, hands folded, as if meditating.
Then he opened them—sharp, hawk-like, cold.
"Mount Hua," he said softly.But the softness carried the weight of steel."Why did you hide someone like that?"
The room froze.
Mount Hua's elders exchanged baffled looks.
One elder cleared his throat."Honored Sword Saint, we… don't understand."
The Wudang elder leaned forward.
"That boy. That movement. That technique. You cannot tell me you have never seen him before."
Shaolin's monk added in a calm tone:"His martial essence was… old. As if from centuries ago."
The Beggar Sect master, half-drunk on rice wine, slammed his gourd on the table."His strike almost made me sober! That brat ain't normal!"
Mount Hua's Great Elder repeated firmly:
"We do not know that young man.It was our first time seeing him today."
The room murmured in disbelief.
The Sword Saint closed his eyes again."…Then find him."
Mount Hua's elders bowed.
"We have already sent disciples to search the mountain."
DOWN THE MOUNTAIN — DOMINIC THE TOURIST
Far below the sects, Dominic Mendez strolled into a small mountain inn—smelling of sizzling meat, hot soup, and charcoal-grilled spices.
He sat, stretching his arms behind his head.
"Man… Murim food better not disappoint."
The owner hurried over.
"Honored customer, what will you have?"
"All," Dominic said with a grin.
The man blinked. "A-all?"
"Yes. Surprise me."
Thirty minutes later…
Dominic sat at the table like a king finishing a feast—steaming bowls empty, plates polished clean.
He gave the owner a thumbs-up.
"This is legit. Respect."
The old owner puffed with pride.
But when it was time to pay, Dominic paused.
"…Wait. Murim uses coins. Not gold bars."
He reached into his inventory under the table—so nobody would question where he pulled things from—and felt a pouch.
Then a blue notification flickered in his vision.
NOTICE:5,000 G-COIN has been converted to 500,000 Gold Nyang.You are now among the richest individuals on the continent.
Dominic blinked.
"Damn. I'm bougie here too? Nice."
He asked the waiter,"How much for the meal?"
The boy held up six fingers.
"Six nyang, honored sir."
"Oh cool."Dominic opened the pouch.Pure gold coins gleamed inside.
He took one out—worth a fortune—and placed it gently on the table.
The waiter's eyes widened in terror.
"Sir—SIR! Th-this is a gold nyang!"
The entire inn went silent.
Chairs creaked.
Someone dropped their chopsticks.
Even a sleeping drunkard woke up.
"W-w-we only need six copper nyang, honored customer!"
Dominic tilted his head.
"All I have is gold. Keep the change."
The waiter froze. "A… tip?"
"Yup."
"THANK YOU GREAT IMMORTAL!"The waiter practically bowed to the floor.
Suddenly the inn erupted.
"D-did he say gold nyang?!""One of those equals three years of wages!""Is he crazy?""No—he's rich!""Can… can we rob him?"
That last whisper, barely audible, slid toward Dominic's ear like a snake.
His Sixth Sense pinged.
He sighed.
"Ahh… shit. Here we go."
He didn't stand.
He didn't move.
He simply let out—a tiny drop of killing intent.
BOOM.
The entire inn shook.
Tables cracked.Bowls shattered.Everyone except Dominic fell to their knees—clutching their chests, unable to breathe.
Some fainted.Some vomited.Some whimpered like children.
Dominic casually finished his tea.
"Idiots. You want to rob me? With that backbone?"
He stood, brushing dust from his new robe.
But the murderous aura spread far, like a tremor rolling down the mountain.
Mount Hua disciples searching the area—
collapsed instantly.
Wudang guests meditating in a nearby lodge—
coughed blood.
A Shaolin monk dropped his prayer beads.
And at the top of the festival hall—
The Sword Saint stood up abruptly.
His eyes sharpened to a predator's glare.
"That aura…"
He vanished from his seat.
The other elders stood in shock.
"W-where did he—?"
"He sensed something!"
"The Sword Saint is moving?!"
THE INN — WHERE DEATH MET STEEL
Dominic lifted the inn curtain to leave—
SHING!
A dozen swords pointed straight at his neck.
Mount Hua disciples encircled him.
"D-don't move!"
"You're under suspicion!"
"I SAID DON'T— don't… uh… move too fast."
Dominic blinked.
"…Bro. Relax. I was just tipping."
But suddenly—a white streak of sword light tore through the air.
SSSHHHHK!
It was silent.Instant.Untouchable.
The Sword Saint himself descended like a meteor.
"BOY!"
The blade came down—
Dominic casually raised two fingers.
CLINK.
The sword stopped.
Between his fingers.
Perfectly still.
The world froze.
Even the wind held its breath.
The disciples stared, mouths hanging open.
"He… caught it."
"With his fingers…"
"That wasn't even a mortal strike, that was a spiritual sword wave!"
"Our elders can't even block that bare-handed!"
Dominic looked at the Sword Saint.
"Old man, take it easy. You trying to send my head flying?"
The Sword Saint's eyes trembled.
Not from fear.
From shock.
"You… blocked that?"
"Yeah." Dominic tilted his head. "You swing too slow."
The disciples almost fainted again.
The Sword Saint withdrew his blade slowly.
"…Who are you?"
Dominic smiled.
"A tourist."
The Sword Saint narrowed his eyes further.
"That killing intent… That technique from earlier… You are no mere tourist."
Dominic shrugged.
"Maybe. Maybe not."
A Mount Hua elder rushed forward, bowing deeply.
"Honored guest—please forgive our misunderstanding.Please… come with us peacefully."
Dominic glanced at the collapsed bodies around him.
"Clean this mess first. I just wanted to eat lunch, man."
The elder swallowed.
"We will… handle it."
THE WALK BACK — A PARADE OF TERROR
Dominic walked up the mountain path, surrounded by disciples.
They had swords drawn—not at him, but toward anyone who got too close.
While Dominic?Hands behind his head.Whistling.Strolling like a man on vacation.
People on the mountain trails froze as the group passed.
"W-who's that?""A criminal captured?""No… the disciples look scared… not him."
Dominic waved at children selling rice cakes.
"Yo."
They hid.
He frowned."…damn. Tough crowd."
Behind him, the Sword Saint kept silently observing Dominic's posture, breathing, steps—everything.
And the more he observed…
The more confused he became.
His footwork was flawless.Yet casual.His gait held power far beyond Master level.Yet effortless.His breathing flowed like an immortal sage.Yet playful.
Who is this boy…?
RETURN TO MOUNT HUA
They entered a guest hall inside the sect.
Mount Hua elders sat solemnly before him.
Dominic plopped himself on a cushion, crossed one leg over the other, and stretched.
"Nice place. Good air. Bit too much incense, though."
The elders exchanged looks.
One cleared his throat.
"Ahem… young hero. May we know your name?"
"Dominic."
"And your clan or sect…?"
"None."
Murmurs erupted.
The Sword Saint raised a hand, silencing everyone.
He looked straight at Dominic.
"You performed a martial art that has been lost… for three centuries."
Mount Hua's expressions tightened.
An elder leaned forward.
"That was the Original Jade Heart Pearls. Even our patriarch cannot perform it anymore."
"How did you learn it?" asked another.
Dominic shrugged.
"Maybe I'm related to your ancestors or whatever."
The hall gasped.
A Mount Hua elder stood up abruptly.
"R-related… to our ancestors?"
Dominic waved lazily.
"Probably. Maybe. Who knows? Ancestors are confusing, man."
Before the elders could speak—
NOTICE:Quest Completed — Defeat Mount Hua Patriarch's First DiscipleReward Granted: Great Heavenly Ghost Pill + Recognition + 50 Year of Qi
The ground trembled slightly as Dominic's Qi surged upward.
The elders sensed it instantly.
"That flow…!"
"He jumped a whole stage!"
The Sword Saint narrowed his eyes.
"…You are not normal."
Dominic winked.
"Never claimed I was."
The Mount Hua Great Elder sighed deeply.
"You… are a troublemaker."
"But a talented one," added the Wudang visitor.
"An insane one," muttered the Beggar Sect master.
Dominic clapped his hands once.
"Anyway, where's my pill? I earned that thing."
Mount Hua quickly retrieved a jade box, presenting it with respect.
Dominic accepted it with a grin.
"Thanks. Let's go inside and talk. You guys owe me tea after that welcome party."
The elders glanced at each other, helpless.
The Sword Saint finally spoke:
"…Very well.Let us talk inside.There is much we need to understand."
As they led him deeper into the sect—
Disciples whispered, fearful and amazed.
"Who is he…?""Is he stronger than the elders?""Did you see him catch the Sword Saint's blade?""He might be a hidden master…""Or a demon…"
Dominic only smirked.
"Mount Hua… this is gonna be fun."