As the tension rose, all eyes turned to Il Won with suspicion. Even the disciples from Mount Hua Sect gave him wary looks.

Trapped and desperate, Il Won scrambled to clear his name. Junior Uncle, Senior Brothers, do you really believe what hes saying? I swear Im innocent!

Then what about the smell of alcohol on you?

Thats

Answer me! the Seven Star Sage bellowed, his voice booming across the deck and making bystanders clap their hands over their ears and reel.

Y arent you reading this at northbladetldotcom?

Damn it! Il Won grimaced in frustration, before suddenly running to the edge of the deck.

Caught off guard, the Mount Hua Sect disciples belatedly dashed after him, but Il Won was already next to the railings, eying the river below. If he jumped, the Mount Hua Sect wouldnt be able to follow him.

However, just then, a figure materialized before him.

Argh! Il Won growled, clenching his teeth. Standing in his way was Jin Mu-Won, the man who had exposed his murder of Chang Woon and branded him a traitor.

With a flash, he drew his sword with his left hand, just as Jin Mu-Won had foreseen, and thrust at Jin Mu-Wons throat.

CLANG!

Jin Mu-Won, just inches away, coolly parried with his scabbard, sending Il Won staggering with the force of the block, then brutally kicked Il Won in the stomach.

Ugh! Il Wons scream echoed throughout the boat as he tumbled back onto the deck, his body convulsing.

The Mount Hua disciples quickly surrounded him, and the Seven Star Sage stepped forward, his voice heavy with sorrow. Although he and Il Won werent well acquainted, he knew Il Won to be a gentle spirit, seemingly incapable of violence. Just what was his motive for poisoning Chang Woon?

Why did you do it? Why kill Chang Woon? he asked.

You ought to read this at northbladetldotcom.

Overcome with emotion, Il Won struggled to speak, but eventually, he propped himself up and met the Sages eyes. Elder, Im sorry, he apologized.

Why? What were you missing?

I wanted to die a disciple of Mount Hua. Please remember that, Il Won confessed, his voice breaking.

Il Won the Seven Star Sage murmured, his voice thick with grief.

Just then, Il Wons cheeks reddened.

Stop him! Jin Mu-Won shouted, leaping toward the young Taoist.

What are you doing? the Seven Star Sage yelled, slashing at Jin Mu-Won.

Jin Mu-Won tried to circle around him, too pressed for time to strike back, but the other disciples formed a barrier and stood in his path.

That was their mistake.

BOOM!

Il Won shook violently, then collapsed, having reversed his own qi to destroy his heart.

Il Won, what have you done? the Seven Star Sage wept bitterly. The double loss was a blow too deep for words, filling him with unspeakable grief.

Im sorry Elder Il Won gasped, his final breath slipping away.

Jin Mu-Won sighed. Had it not been for the interference, he might have stopped Il Wons suicide. Still, he couldnt fault the Mount Hua disciples; they too were deeply affected by the tragedy.

The Seven Star Sage stood in silence, gazing at Il Wons motionless body, his mind swirling with dreadful thoughts and overwhelming sorrow. Just who or what drove this boy to such madness? he whispered.

He didnt believe that Il Won was acting alone, of his own free will.

Why arent you reading this at northbladetldotcom?

Having been orphaned, Il Won had joined Mount Hua at the age of ten and had never left it since. There was no sense in him murdering his Junior Uncle, Chang Woon, on his first ever outing.

The Seven Star Sages eyes fixed on Jin Mu-Won, bristling with rage. Its because of him. It all began when Chang Woon met this man.

What did you tell Chang Woon? Why did he have to die?

Sage?

Out with it! What did you discuss? Why did he have to die?

We talked about life, nothing more.

Dont lie! The Seven Star Sages voice, heavy with inner qi, resonated powerfully, striking fear into those around him without inner strength.

northbladetldotcom welcomes you.

Immediately, Tang Mi-Ryeo and Nam Soo-Ryun stepped up to protect Tang Gi-Mun and Ha Jin-Wol from his wrath.

Speak! What did Chang Woon say? Why did he have to die?

I too would like to know. Though our meeting was brief, I saw in Taoist Chang Woon a man of greater integrity than most. I am curious why Taoist Il Won would assassinate him.

So you claim no involvement in Chang Woons death?

That is correct.

I dont believe you!

The Seven Star Sages energy surged across the deck, violently rocking the boat in a stunning display of power by an elder of the Mount Hua Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects.

Hold your senses, Seven Star! Hes not your enemy! Tang Gi-Mun shouted, but his words were lost on the Sage.

Ha Jin-Wol tugged at Tang Gi-Muns sleeve, his eyes wide. Its pointless. Hes looking for a scapegoat, he said, then mumbled to himself, His mind has been consumed by his own inner demons.

AHHHHH! The Seven Star Sages roar tore through the air as he charged at Jin Mu-Won.

His disciples shouted after him, but he was deaf to their desperate cries, his attention fixed solely on Jin Mu-Won.

SWOOSH!

The Sages sword lashed out at Jin Mu-Won, but this time, Jin Mu-Won didnt dodge.

northbladetldotcom welcomes you.

CLANG! CLANG!

Sparks scattered as Jin Mu-Wons scabbard clashed with the Sages blade. Wielding the 36-Strike Plum Blossom Sword Technique, the sage created illusions of plum blossoms with each swing of his sword. Although he could only manifest eighteen blossoms in total, it was enough to endanger everyone on the deck, especially the untrained bystanders.

Jin Mu-Won swiftly drew Snow Flower and unleashed his own aura.

Ugh! The disciples of Mount Hua Sect reeled back, overwhelmed, but it was the sight that followed which truly shocked them.

With the grace of a dancer, Jin Mu-Wons sword traced elegant arcs in the air, scattering the plum blossoms one after another.

What? How?! The Mount Hua disciples exclaimed, unable to believe their eyes.

Jin Mu-Won was effortlessly countering the famed 36-Strike Plum Blossom Sword Technique, a feat thought nearly impossible given its complexity and the sects centuries-old mastery.

Yet, besieged by his inner demons, the Seven Star Sage continued his relentless assault, unleashing one powerful attack after another. In an instant, the Plum Blossom Fragrance and Unmoving Plum Blossom techniques surged toward Jin Mu-Won.

Jin Mu-Won narrowed his eyes. The 36-Strike Plum Blossom Sword Technique was the pinnacle of the Mount Hua Sects martial arts. Executing even twelve blossoms brought considerable prestige, and fifteen or more garnered immense respect.

This made the Sages achievement of summoning eighteen blossoms even more remarkable, especially considering he managed it amidst his inner turmoil and unbridled rage.

Gripping Snow Flower firmly, Jin Mu-Won dove into the Sages plum blossom domain. A gust of wind rushed toward him, and he sliced through it effortlessly. Another flurry of blossoms followed, but each one wilted under his deft slashes.

Amidst the clash of sparks and the whirl of sword winds, it was Jin Mu-Wons overwhelming control alone that averted catastrophe on the deck while the Seven Star Sage wildly brandished his sword, depleting his energy with reckless fury.

The duel wore on until, at last, the Seven Star Sage, exhausted of his inner qi, fell unconscious. Jin Mu-Won had precisely gauged the Sages energy, skillfully neutralizing him without causing harm to him or anyone else.

Junior Uncle!

Elder!

The Mount Hua Sect disciples, initially hesitant, rushed to their fallen leader. As Chang Gong supported the Seven Star Sage, he cast an apologetic glance at Jin Mu-Won and offered a slight bowthe deepest respect he could musteras a silent acknowledgment of the young mans role in saving both the civilians and his senior.

No one had imagined that a martial artist of the Seven Star Sages caliber could be subdued without injury, but Jin Mu-Won proved all of them wrong.