Chapter 2
Years of the Great Martial War had finally come to an end.
Countless martial artists had perished in that brutal conflict, and the victors were none other than the Four Heavenly Sects led by the Demon Cult, alongside the Three Major Factions.
The absolute sovereign of the Demon Cult, Hyeok Mujo (赫戊朝), ended the long struggle, ushering in an era dominated by demonic martial power.
And now, twenty years had passed.
Two decades of time had slipped by.
Most of the orthodox sects that had formed the backbone of the martial world had either barely survived or gone into hiding, waiting for opportunities. The unorthodox factions, meanwhile, gradually expanded their influence, keeping an eye on one another.
With their common enemy—the orthodox sects—defeated long ago, the factions began to compete and develop divergent goals.
No major conflicts had erupted yet, but anyone with a sense for the martial world could feel it:
The winds of danger were stirring once again.
The martial world always had stories worth telling.
Tales of absolute masters, beautiful women—their every move drew attention. And recently, the thing on everyone’s lips, among both martial artists and civilians, was none other than the Phantom Academy.
Phantom Academy (幻影學館).
Founded two years after the Great Martial War, the academy was created by the Demon Cult itself. Its primary purpose was to absorb martial artists from the orthodox sects.
Because of this, young unorthodox masters seeking fame—or young martial artists from the weakened orthodox sects—dreamed of entering the Phantom Academy.
For them, it was the most effective way to make a name for themselves.
The academy accepted new students once every three years. By completing missions and proving their abilities, entrants could earn the rare chance to join the Demon Cult—a feat nearly impossible otherwise.
When the academy first accepted students, no orthodox martial artists dared to appear. Though defeated, joining the Demon Cult was unthinkable for their pride.
But eighteen years had passed, and by the sixth intake, the situation had changed significantly. With each passing cohort, the number of orthodox martial artists had grown to about one-fifth of the total students.
Still far fewer than the Demon Cult or unorthodox martial artists, but enough for the orthodox sects to begin admitting some of their own.
The remaining senior orthodox masters, however, still clicked their tongues at the situation.
Although the academy seemed designed for orthodox martial artists, its true purpose was to strip them of their sect identity.
And it was not entirely wrong.
Using the Phantom Academy, the Demon Cult had slowly begun absorbing the orthodox sects.
The academy was located in the heart of Sichuan Province, in Chengdu.
Already a bustling city, Chengdu had grown even busier as aspiring martial artists flocked there. Inns overflowed with guests, and merchants’ mouths stretched in delight at the surge of business.
All of this was due to the martial artists gathering to enroll in the Phantom Academy.
The main streets of Chengdu teemed with people.
Among them was one particularly striking woman.
Some people naturally shine, even in cheap, plain clothes. She was one of them.
Despite wearing ordinary attire, she stood out more than women in silk gowns or the men around her.
Her beauty was extraordinary.
Pale, flawless skin; large, deer-like eyes; a sharp nose and full lips that seemed to invite admiration. Her radiant expression only enhanced her allure.
It was as if the phrase peerless beauty existed solely for her.
Her name was Bi Seol (飛雪).
Bi Seol marveled at Chengdu’s development, eyes wide with wonder.
“Wow.”
Passing people stole glances at her as she gaped at a towering pavilion. Despite their stares, she continued to beam happily at the city around her.
Having lived in the mountains for a long time, Bi Seol had only been in the populous world for a little over two weeks. Though she should have grown used to it, Chengdu’s grandeur still left her awestruck.
As she wandered through the city, she eventually came upon a vast open plaza, with a large wall on the opposite side.
Her eyes caught the inscription above the main gate. Her smile faded, replaced with a serious expression as she whispered the words.
“Phantom Academy…”
Reading the name from a distance, she smiled again, muttering softly,
“Don’t worry, Master. I’ll complete this mission and return.”
The enrollment period lasted four days, and tomorrow would be the final day. Naturally, many aspirants would come, including Bi Seol herself, who had traveled far to enroll.
Finishing her muttering, Bi Seol stretched, then switched to a cheerful tone.
“Ah, I’ll worry about that later. First, I need to eat some dumplings.”
Her pace quickened. The reason was simple: she wanted to try Chengdu’s famous authentic dumplings, renowned throughout Sichuan.
Those who knew Bi Seol called her the “Dumpling Demon,” for she would leap out of bed at the mention of dumplings. No way would she ignore the chance to taste these famous dumplings.
She asked for directions from passersby and finally turned onto a street with a stall selling the coveted dumplings.
“Ah!”
As she turned, she lightly bumped her head against something large. Rubbing her forehead reflexively, she looked up and saw a tall man dressed in black.
She had anticipated people in the narrow street, but not that she’d collide with someone so quickly.
The man turned slowly, their eyes meeting. Though Bi Seol was tall for a woman, he still towered over her by a head.
His gaze was so intense that she froze, staring up at him. His features were striking, almost unnervingly so, and yet he showed no emotion.
The man looked down at her coolly. His eyes were unusual, filled with a strange light despite their darkness. Beautiful, yet cold.
Bi Seol quickly apologized.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention…”
The man didn’t respond, turning his gaze ahead.
‘Is he angry?’ Bi Seol wondered briefly, but the aroma of dumplings soon distracted her.
Her eyes moved past him to the stall ahead, where a long line had formed, presumably for the dumplings. She stomped impatiently, waiting her turn.
The man in black bought all the remaining dumplings, passing by her as she reached the front.
“Eh? That’s the end of the line?” she murmured, stunned.
The stall owner explained that the man had bought the last of the dumplings. Bi Seol pleaded, but he refused, uninterested in her offer.
Even as she begged, suggesting she could pay more or host a meal in return, he remained unmoved.
Bi Seol, relentless, kept speaking as he walked, and finally he stopped, staring at her.
“I said I’m not giving any.”
Bi Seol’s eyes shone with determination as she followed him into an inn, insisting she would pay for the meal and the dumplings. The man sighed and went to a corner seat, watching quietly as she ordered a feast.
Bi Seol explained why she had traveled so far, emphasizing how much she had wanted these dumplings. He only observed, silent, and Bi Seol finally fell quiet.
She noticed a small green leaf clinging to his shoulder. Without thinking, she reached up and brushed it off, and their eyes met. Time seemed to pause for a moment.
“Just a little leaf on your shoulder,” she said awkwardly.
“Unnecessary meddling,” he replied, removing the leaf and looking away.
She realized from his calm reaction that he was an exceptionally skilled martial artist.
As the inn’s attendant laid out the food, the man noticed someone outside—a white-haired elder with companions—and quickly left the inn, taking the dumplings with him.
Bi Seol stared after him, distraught.
Meanwhile, Hyeok Ryeonhwi, walking outside, noticed the small green leaf she had brushed off.
“An audacious woman,” he muttered.
Still, the Phantom Academy lay ahead. Peering at the massive structure, Hyeok Ryeonhwi remarked under his breath,
“The stench of rot… is overwhelming.”
