Jin Mu-Won sat beneath a blooming moonlit tree, his fingers gently turning a steamed bun between them as the scent of jasmine drifted in the evening air. Lin Xue sat beside him, legs folded, her eyes drifting between him and the lotus pond's reflection. She seemed unsure of what to say—though the silence between them wasn't awkward. It was weighty, like two souls standing at the edge of an unseen storm.
"So…" she said, voice barely louder than the wind. "That sword technique you used earlier. That wasn't from any sect I've seen."
"It isn't," Jin Mu-Won replied.
Her gaze lingered on his face. "You've never trained in a sect?"
"Something like that," he said, placing the bun down. "Let's just say… my teachers were not fond of public attention."
She laughed. "Secret cultivation? Sounds like something out of a legend."
He smiled faintly. It was.
---
The next morning, word of Jin Mu-Won's battle spread like wildfire. The unknown young man who shattered Luo Shen's pride had become the subject of every whispered conversation in the Jade Blossom Sect.
And it hadn't gone unnoticed by the sect's leaders.
Inside the inner sanctum of the Jade Blossom Sect, a meeting of elders was underway. Elder Mei stood before a scroll painted with the sect's history, her arms crossed.
"I believe the man is dangerous," one of the junior elders said. "His cultivation is masked, but I can sense something... unnatural. Dark."
Another elder, a veiled woman with a sword mark on her cheek, added, "He crippled a Rising Sword Pavilion disciple in public. If word reaches them, we may invite retaliation."
"And yet he saved Lin Xue and bested a Foundation Realm fighter with no weapon," Elder Mei said, her voice firm. "Such power hidden in a boy his age... What if he is a divine treasure disguised as a pebble?"
A moment of silence passed.
Elder Mei tapped the table. "Let us observe. Allow him to stay. If he is truly a threat, we'll deal with him."
The others nodded, though unease lingered.
---
Back in the guest quarters, Jin Mu-Won was training barefoot in the courtyard. His movements were fluid, almost lazy, but each shift in stance bent the air around him. The [Heaven-Devouring Manual] wasn't just a cultivation method—it was a martial language, one he spoke with the ease of a poet returning to their pen.
[Qi Circulation Complete.
Current Cultivation: Mid Core Formation Realm.
Stealth Field Active. Apparent Cultivation: Qi Refinement Peak.]
He opened his eyes.
"I knew you weren't simple," came a voice.
A girl sat on the stone fence behind him, legs swinging. Her robe was silk red with a golden phoenix pattern, and her eyes held playful fire.
[Name: Yu Fei
Status: Core Disciple of Jade Blossom Sect
Cultivation: Late Foundation Realm
Disposition: Curious
Favorability: 5 (Mild Interest)]
"You're spying on me?" Jin Mu-Won asked.
"I was walking," she shrugged. "Then I saw a mysterious man doing exercises barefoot at sunrise. Had to take a look."
"You always stalk barefoot strangers?"
"Only the handsome ones."
He snorted. "You must be bored."
"Deadly," she replied. "The elders are all talking about you. Some say you're the son of a fallen sect. Others say you're a demonic cultivator in disguise."
"And what do you think?"
She tilted her head. "I think you don't belong here."
She jumped down beside him. "You should leave while you can. Before someone decides you're worth eliminating."
Jin Mu-Won smiled. "Thanks for the warning."
Yu Fei smirked. "Don't mistake it for kindness. If someone kills you before I figure you out, I'll be pissed."
And with that, she walked off, hips swaying like a cat who knew she had claws.
[Yu Fei Favorability: +10 (Intrigued). Total: 15]
---
Later that day, Lin Xue dragged Jin Mu-Won to the sect's outer arena. Wooden training dummies, stone platforms, and dozens of disciples moved in coordinated routines. She looked determined.
"I want to train," she said. "Real training."
"You'll regret asking," he said.
"I won't."
"Then begin with this."
He pointed to the edge of the forest. "Run to the east cliff and back. No stopping. No walking."
She blinked. "That's—at least ten li!"
"Yes," he said simply. "You want strength. Start with legs. Come back before sunset."
She scowled. "You're a cruel teacher."
"And you're soft," he replied, and turned away.
Lin Xue muttered under her breath but took off running, dust kicking up behind her.
Jin Mu-Won turned back toward the platform, only to find a group of male disciples from the allied sects waiting for him.
One stepped forward—tall, silver-haired, with a crescent blade on his back.
"You embarrassed Luo Shen," he said.
Jin Mu-Won didn't reply.
"I'm Chen Wu, third disciple of the Crescent Moon Hall. My brother's friend is Luo Shen."
"Not my problem."
Chen Wu's eyes narrowed. "Let's see if your hands are still as fast without your opponent screaming first."
Jin Mu-Won yawned. "You're free to try."
The disciples backed away as Chen Wu launched forward, blade flashing in an arc aimed at Jin Mu-Won's ribs.
[Skill Detected: Crescent Fang - Mid-Grade Martial Art]
He dodged it with one step and struck with two fingers.
Snap.
Chen Wu's shoulder dislocated mid-air.
He hit the ground hard, groaning.
"Still screaming," Jin Mu-Won muttered.
The watching disciples paled.
[Public Victory: +3 Sect Reputation
Chen Wu Favorability: -50 (Hostile)
Yu Fei Favorability: +10 (Entertained)]
From the shadows, Yu Fei leaned against a tree, arms crossed, eyes gleaming.
---
That night, Jin Mu-Won walked through the garden trail lit by spiritual lanterns. He sensed movement and paused.
"You've drawn quite the crowd," Elder Mei said as she stepped out, her sleeves flowing like a waterfall.
"I just want to be left alone," he said.
"And yet fate never allows men like you peace."
She studied him in silence. "You are not from any known clan. Your cultivation is masked. And the way you move… it's as if war is your dance partner."
"I've seen my share of battles."
"More than your age should allow."
She stepped closer.
"You're either a rare genius, or something worse."
Jin Mu-Won's smile vanished. "Does it matter?"
Elder Mei looked into his eyes. "To me, yes. I protect this sect. If you ever raise your hand to harm it…"
He interrupted. "You'll kill me."
She nodded.
"I hope you succeed," he said, voice like ice. "Many tried. They failed."
She left without another word.
---
The next morning, Lin Xue returned, legs trembling, soaked in sweat, but her eyes were burning.
"I did it," she gasped. "Didn't stop once."
Jin Mu-Won gave a rare nod. "Good. Today, we start breath control."
She collapsed on the grass, grinning. "Told you I wouldn't regret it."
[Lin Xue Favorability: +15 (Determined Affection). Total: 90 — Falling in Love]
From across the field, Yu Fei watched, amused.
"You're making quite the harem," she whispered to herself.
---
Far beyond the mountains, a black-robed man knelt before a towering demon statue.
"The mark has awakened," he said. "The Emperor walks again."
Behind him, dozens of cultists chanted, blood pooling beneath their feet.
---
In the silent darkness of his room, Jin Mu-Won sat alone. He opened the [System Menu].
[System Menu Opened]
Current Level: 21
Cultivation: Mid Core Formation
Titles: Reincarnated Demon Emperor, Unknown Hero
Favorability:
Lin Xue: 90 (Falling in Love)
Yu Fei: 15 (Intrigued)
Elder Mei: -10 (Suspicious)
New Quest Unlocked: Blossom Tournament
Win the Inner Sect Tournament. Reward: 2x Stat Boost, Harem Member Attraction Increased, Unlock Hidden Legacy Room
He smiled.
So it begins.
---
To Be Continued...