Volcanic Age

Zhou Xuchuan had to prevent as many casualties as he could during the Seven Swords War. If he failed to do so, the Great War of Good and Evil, the trigger for the Era of War and Chaos, was likely to begin.

The trigger for the Great War of Good and Evil was quite simple.

The Martial Alliance and the Evil Valley, who had both participated in the Seven Swords War, ended up forming countless grudges by killing one another.

Although the members haven't changed much, this is definitely different from the Seven Swords War in my previous life.

The location itself had shifted away from the Tomb of the Ominous Demon. There weren't any of the mechanisms or traps that had plagued the insides of the tomb.

Unlike before, this war wouldn't last a year.

Due to the terrain of the Tomb of the Ominous Demon, the battlefield of the original Seven Swords War was plagued by the mechanisms and mazes of the tomb, naturally leading to extended battles.

Since that wasn't the case this time, the war wouldn't last as long as it had in Zhou Xuchuan's previous life. However, there could still be a significant number of casualties.

Zhou Xuchuan also had to be careful about the Dark Heavens Association's involvement. They would undoubtedly try to cleverly manipulate the situation through their spies and troublemakers.

To obtain the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic, Zhou Xuchuan needed to participate in the Seven Swords War. However, that didn't mean he could just go in as he pleased.

Even if he were to join the war under the name of the Mount Hua Sect and his reputation as the Phoenix Slayer, he would be kicked out for not being one of the Seven Major Powers.

That was why he had borrowed the reputation of the Poison Phoenix, and, as expected, he was able to receive a reply asking him and the others to wait briefly.

Some time ago…

People greeted Zhou Xuchuan as he and his party arrived near the Tomb of the Ominous Demon.

"Ho! Master Zhou!"

There was even a familiar face, someone he knew from before.

"Chu Lian."

Zhou Xuchuan smiled and raised his hand in greeting.

There had been ten escort warriors when he had raided the Three-Eyed Godly Thief’s treasury, one of whom had been Chu Lian, the only woman among them. Now, she was one of the Ten Gale Swordsmen.

No one looked down on Chu Lian just because she was a woman. There were more than a few people who had their throats cut at her hands. Even at a glance, one would immediately be drawn to her perfect muscles that were no less defined than those of most men, and her scars were so intimidating that even he felt a little threatened.

“It’s been a while.”

Before leaving Jiangxi, in addition to the information regarding Wu Qu and Wu Zhenhua, he also added that he needed reinforcements from the Gold Will Sword Sect.

Thus, Chu Lian had brought along nine warriors from the First Corps.

"Master Zhou, you're speaking too politely. I heard that you've dropped the polite speech with Wang Orabeoni. Please do the same with us."

"Yes, please, Master Zhou!"

The gale swordsmen behind Chu Lian shouted in agreement.

"Then why not?"

“Zhou Xuchuan readily agreed.

"The Second Gale."

Tang Hui immediately recognized Chu Lian the moment she heard her name.

"And you are…"

Instead of answering, Tang Hui just removed her veil.

Gasps filled the air. The warriors from the Gold Will Merchants stared, mouths agape. Even Chu Lian blinked repeatedly in awe of Tang Hui's beauty.

“Wow, this is my first time seeing one of the Phoenixes, she really is so damn pretty.”

"You exaggerate. Besides, you're also beautiful, Second Gale."

“What’s so beautiful about a muscular lady?”

Chu Lian smiled bitterly.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Muscles that are well trained and solid, befitting of a warrior. Scars that prove your experience. Above all, your confident attitude. If that isn't beautiful, then what is?"

Tang Hui praised her in an unusually soft tone as Chu Lian coughed in embarrassment.

Zhou Xuchuan exchanged a few more greetings with the others before getting to the point.

"You've most likely guessed it, considering we've come all this way, but I've called you here to participate in the Seven Swords War. If you're not willing and want to go back, you can do so now. I swear that you will not be penalized for doing so."

"He knew that you'd come like this, Master Zhou, so the Head Merchant has already asked us multiple times beforehand. You don't have to worry about us."

"Good. Then, let me introduce everyone. This is the Poison Phoenix, Young Lady Tang from the Sichuan Tang Family."

"Then are those people next to you the guards of the Tang Family?"

"Yes. And over here is Chu Lian of the Ten Gale Swordsmen and warriors of the First Corps of the Gold Will Merchants. Oh, that's right, now the Gold Will Sword Sect."

"It's nice to meet you."

The ten members of the Gold Will Sword Sect cupped a fist politely.

While the Tang Family warriors didn't look too pleased, they didn't openly complain and offered them a greeting in return.[1]

From their perspective, warriors from a place like the Gold Will Sword Sect were nothing more than mercenaries who had sold their honor and reputation for money.

They had little respect for such people. It was only because Tang Hui didn't say anything that they kept their mouths shut.

The members of the Gold Will Sword Sect were used to receiving such looks, so they ignored it. None appeared to be bothered.

"Now, the reason we've joined forces is to prevent the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic from falling into the hands of the Evil Valley or the Demon Cult."

"...?"

Chu Lian's face twisted in confusion, clearly wondering what the hell Zhou Xuchuan was talking about.

"...?"

The Poison Phoenix also frowned, puzzled.

"I wanted to participate in the Seven Swords War to protect the peace of the murim, but I couldn't do it alone. That's why I've asked for your help—"

The two women cut him off sharply.

"Master Zhou, please don't joke around and be straight with us. Aren't we joining the war in order to get something?"

“Zhou Xuchuan. I don’t know what you’re up to, but tell me the truth.”

“…?”

Zhou Xuchuan closed his mouth and tilted his head, genuinely confused.

"Well, no, there's nothing like that?"

“Hahaha! Master Zhou! That was a funny joke!” a Gold Will Sword Sect warrior laughed loudly.

"Peace? Hmph. Why are you telling such obvious lies?"

"Oh, is it perhaps to improve your reputation?"

The reactions of those around him dumbfounded Zhou Xuchuan.

“No, I'm serious!"

The peace of the murim really was his goal.

Destroying the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic and dealing with the spies of the Dark Heavens Association hiding in each force—weren't both of these actions directly related to maintaining peace?

Well, in the latter case, that wasn't something he could explain.

"Then, could the mission be confidential?"

Chu Lian didn't take Zhou Xuchuan's words at face value.

To the Ten Gale Swordsmen, Zhou Xuchuan was the mastermind who had first discovered the Three-Eyed Godly Thief’s secrets and tried to keep them for himself.

Didn't he even go so far as to join hands with money-obsessed Li Yicai without ever informing the Daoists of his sects, who were like family to him?

From their perspective, Zhou Xuchuan was a yangban who had deviated from the Righteous Faction.[2]

"While I'd like to twist your mouth until you spit the truth out, considering you seem to have your reasons, I'll hold back this time. In return, answer me properly next time."

To Tang Hui, Zhou Xuchuan was exactly as Chu Lian thought, a man who solely acted for his own benefit.

Even helping Wu Zhenhua had ultimately been to borrow Wu Qu’s strength, not to help the sick.

Given that everything Zhou Xuchuan had shown them so far was worlds apart from this "save the world" hero act, none of them believed him when he talked about world peace. They just laughed it off.

"No, it's real. Peace in the murim. Peace in the murim!!!" Zhou Xuchuan shouted, as if he’d been wronged.

"Peace in the murim? Is there some sort of cipher I'm missing or something?"

Chu Lian thought hard about what the Head Merchant had told her before she left.

Zhou Xuchuan just kept his mouth shut and pouted.

"Ha…. I called people I trust to come help, and here I am, with no one who believes me!"

***

Sichuan was not far from Shanxi, a distance easily covered by a homing pigeon, allowing a full conversation in as little as two days. The Expressing Immortal had sent news of the Poison Phoenix's desire to participate to the Poison King, asking for an explanation of what was going on.

After all, it would be a disaster if she joined without him fully understanding the situation and then ended up dying a violent death from an arrow or worse.

While the Poison Phoenix was one of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes and thus had incredible martial prowess, all the warriors participating in the Seven Swords War were extremely skilled, therefore, the battlefield was not a safe place.

“The Poison King has responded.”

“What did he say?”

"He said it wasn't the will of the Family, but rather the Poison Phoenix's personal decision. He won't be sending any reinforcements and he doesn't care if she wants to participate in the war, so do as you wish."

"Ha… I've heard the Poison Phoenix was cruel to his own children…"

Immortal Shang Ming and Nangong Caiying exchanged looks of disbelief.

When it came to the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes, one's bloodline were considered to be of the greatest importance.

To think that the Poison King would treat the Poison Phoenix, not some incompetent child that he had given up on but one of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes, with such indifference.

"Have you heard of the phrase, a lion throws its cubs off a cliff?"[3]

Tang Hui smiled faintly.

The moment she did, as if living proof of her being Sichuan's number one beauty, all the warriors in the barracks flinched in awe.

Immortal Shang Ming and Nangong Caiying were old and had incredible cultivations, and they were barely able to maintain their composure by circulating their cultivation arts.

Immortal Shang Ming sighed deeply while stroking the white beard that reached down to his navel.

“Are you sure it’s alright?” he asked anxiously.

He was still uncomfortable with sending a youngster with such a bright future out into the war. Although he had tried to persuade Tang Hui several times, her will was firm.

"Yes. Don't worry, I'm not here alone. I have Young Master Zhou from the Mount Hua Sect and the warriors of the Gold Will Sword Sect with me."

Tang Hui turned to the side.

There, Zhou Xuchuan stood, calm and reserved.

He and the others reported their participation and members as soon as they arrived, and immediately went to greet Immortal Shang Ming the moment he called for them.[4]

The Great Void Swordsman.[5]

Zhou Xuchuan glanced at Immortal Shang Ming and recalled his past memories. He knew the man before him well.

Countless demonic cultivators had lost their lives at his hands, and the Demon Cult would grit their teeth at the mere mention of his name. Not only was he skilled in martial arts, but his leadership skills were also extraordinary. He had truly been a thorn in the side of the Dark Heavens Association.

He was an apex master who often stood fast and stopped the Demonic Path's advance from Xinjiang. Despite being old enough to leave such matters to the next generation, he had stood firm until the end, sacrificing himself in the battle against the Dark Heavens Association.

“Hmm?”

Immortal Shang Ming tilted his head when he felt Zhou Xuchuan's gaze on him.

“Is there something on my face?”

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I was so taken aback by meeting the renowned Sect Master of the Kunlun Sect that I lost myself. Please forgive this junior's rudeness," Zhou Xuchuan apologized politely. Not only was his attitude restrained, his respect was also genuine.

It wasn't an act.

Immortal Shang Ming was a hero whom Zhou Xuchuan had once admired.

He was someone who, after much effort, became the Master of the Kunlun Sect and went on to sacrifice everything for his disciples.

"Hmm…"

Immortal Shang Ming looked at Zhou Xuchuan curiously.

They say the Poison Phoenix was defeated twice by a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect. Could this child be that disciple?

Immortal Shang Ming looked at Zhou Xuchuan, but he found it difficult to gauge his realm fully.

The two actually had similar levels of cultivation. However, while martial artists with similar cultivations could generally tell each other's realms, Zhou Xuchuan's cultivation was hidden through the Violet Haze Divine Art's unique ability to stay hidden.

Zhou Xuchuan knew that his cultivation would become suspicious if he completely hid his strength. Still, he was able to avoid such issues by controlling his aura appropriately and tricking people into believing his cultivation was lower than it really was.

"Good, then I accept. While I'm still not sure if this is a good idea, can I really stop you when you want to fight for the sake of the Martial Alliance? Do as you please."

"Even the Gold Will Sword Sect?” Nangong Caiying asked, seemingly dissatisfied.

"The Gold Will Sword Sect doesn't want any compensation. They were just worried about this becoming a bloodbath."

Zhou Xuchuan lied shamelessly.

If the members of the Gold Will Sword Sect participated in the Seven Swords War, they would receive a reward from the Gold Will Merchants.

"I thought that the relationships within the gangho weren't what they used to be, but it seems I was mistaken. In that case, I'd gladly accept their aid."

***

The Martial Alliance camp grew noisy.

“The Poison Phoenix!”

"Wow! She's really beautiful!"

Every time Tang Hui walked by, the men held their breath. Her beauty captivated everyone around her instantly.

“Then that guy must be the Phoenix Slayer!”

“The Phoenix Slayer of Mount Hua Sect!”

“I envy you, Phoenix Slayer!”

Zhou Xuchuan cringed every time he was called the Phoenix Slayer.

“What's wrong, Young Master Phoenix Slayer.”

Tang Hui smiled, one corner of her mouth slightly raised.

What a strange feeling.

He could feel the envious and jealous stares. He knew better than anyone what the onlookers were thinking.

As if he was looking at himself in a bronze mirror, memories of the past came flooding back.[6]

The Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes.

The title given to the greatest of the younger generation.

How envious he had once been, standing far away, watching their backs.

Yet, being envied for standing beside the Poison Phoenix wasn’t entirely a good thing.

“Ahem!”

As he made his way back to the others, a group stopped him.

“Hello, Young Lady Poison Phoenix!”

It was a group of about fifteen young men and women. While they all seemed somewhat similar in appearance, their uniforms were clearly different.[7]

“It is an honor to meet the Poison Phoenix of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes. My name is Gao Canzheng.”

‘Who is he again?’

It wasn't a familiar name.

"Oh, so it's Great Hero Little Mount Tai. It's nice to meet you.”

Tang Hui answered his question for him.

Gao Canzheng was the Little Sect Master of the Mount Tai Sect of the Five Mountain Sword Sects Alliance.

Seeing Tang Hui recognize him, Gao Canzheng looked at Zhou Xuchuan proudly.

‘And what do you want from me??’

Zhou Xuchuan really couldn't understand what Gao Canzheng wanted.

"What can I do for you?" Tang Hui asked with a smile on her face. Zhou Xuchuan tutted to himself at her smile.

‘Tsk, tsk. He might be forced to eat poison if this isn't anything important. Please, I hope you say something relevant.’

Zhou Xuchuan was worried about Gao Canzheng.

“Ah, before I explain, let me introduce the others.”

As Gao Canzheng spoke, the two men and women on either side of him stepped forward.

"This is Great Hero First Bud Sword."[8]

“Nice to meet you. My name is Guo Cai. You’re really beautiful.” Guo Cai greeted Tang Hui politely, praising her beauty while his eyes were busy studying her figure.

“And this is Great Heroine Sword Flower of the Mount Heng Sect.”

"My name is An Aiyuan."

An Aiyuan strangely looked at Zhou Xuchuan instead of Tang Hui. No, she wasn’t looking at him. She was glaring at him.

It wasn't out of interest. Rather, it was a feeling closer to contempt or disgust.

‘Is she really a nun of the Mount Heng Sect?’

The Mount Heng Sect, one of the Five Mountain Sword Sects Alliance, was a sect comprised entirely of nuns.

They weren't on good terms with the Mount Hua Sect because the founder of the Mount Heng Sect and the creator of its foundational art, the Blossom Severing Petal Scattering Sword Technique, was a former disciple of the Mount Hua Sect. Since that day, Mount Hua's unresolved resentment persisted to this day.

While the Five Mountain Sword Sects Alliance showed an allied front in the gangho, the Mount Hua Sect and the Mount Heng Sect were not on good terms.

‘No matter how much they hated us, we were still on the same side, even the same lineage. Selling information about us to the Dark Heavens Association was going too far.’

Their resentful relationship didn't improve just because of the war. Rather, it had worsened. In the end, they allowed the Dark Heavens Association spies to infiltrate them and, after finding out, went as far as to sell information about Mount Hua to them.

"So, what can I do for you?" Tang Hui asked again.

"It's nothing urgent. Just, isn't this where the younger generation of the Righteous Faction is gathering? There are still six days until the war begins, so if it's alright with you, I’d like to invite you to our meeting where we can all get to know each other better. After all, how often do you get such an opportunity? Hohoho!"

Gao Canzheng raised his voice and laughed proudly.

What an idiot.

Pfft.

Zhou Xuchuan was too stunned to contain his reaction.

“What’s so funny?”

Gao Canzheng asked, his tone betraying his displeasure.

“There are only six days left, and you’re saying let’s just hang out and socialize without caring about what other people think. It’s ridiculous."

"Hohoho, this is why they say trash will always betray itself."

An Aiyuan responded instead of Gao Canzheng.

“When people are too stiff or tense, they tend to make mistakes. This is something we should be doing to loosen our nerves. To think a disciple of Mount Hua disciple is this uneducated. Can Mount Hua's reputation really fall any further?"

An Aiyuan belittled Zhou Xuchuan as if she had been waiting for this moment.

“Hahaha!”

“Well, she’s not wrong!"

Gao Canzheng and Guo Cai laughed together while the young warriors behind them nodded in agreement.

“Ha!”

Zhou Xuchuan was impressed.

"To think there are not just one but three arrogant idiots here who know nothing!"

It wasn't just once or twice during the war that disciples of Major Sects came out without knowing anything like this, so this was a familiar sight to Zhou Xuchuan.

He remembered that at that time, he, without much strength, hadn't been able to say anything and was forced just to curse quietly and let it go.

"What? What did you say? Arrogant idiots?"

As if it had been planned beforehand, the faces of the three idiots turned bright red at the same time. It wasn't out of shame but anger.

Guo Cai yelled as he drew his sword from his waist.

“Shut up, Phoenix Slayer! You only defeated the Young Lady Poison Phoenix by using a cowardly method, and you're only able to flaunt her around because you exploited her weakness. Where the hell do you think you are, and how dare you speak out of turn like this!"

"Shut the hell up, Twiggy Sword! You're forgetting that we're preparing for war just because you want to get a good look at the Poison Phoenix. How dare you try to get close to Tang Hui?! Where the hell do you think you are, and how dare you speak out of turn like this!"

"AGH!!!"

"Seeing as you're about to swing your sword at me while shouting 'you bastard,' I'll give you a taste of my finger!" Zhou Xuchuan mocked.

"YOUUUU BASTAAAARD!"

Guo Cai couldn’t hold back his anger and swung his sword.

Zhou Xuchuan took a few steps back and dodged lightly.

“What’s going on?”

“It’s a fight!”

“Should I call the elders?”

Because of the attention they gathered, there was an immediate commotion. As the commotion grew louder, Gao Canzheng stopped Guo Cai.

"Relax, First Bud Sword. You shouldn't make such a big deal out of this. Let's calm down and not fall for that bastard’s schemes.”

“Hmph!"

Guo Cai bit his lip and reluctantly sheathed his sword.

“Is it fun to tease idiots?”

Gao Canzheng doubted his ears for a moment. The others did the same. The voice just now belonged to the Poison Phoenix.

Tang Hui didn’t even blink and continued in a voice as cold as ice.

"Let's not make a fuss and just leave. One of them is bound to try showing off and not be able to display his skills properly. He'll most likely use his subordinates as shields on the battlefield and tremble while holding on to his piss-drenched trousers. Can't you just let this go?"

Zhou Xuchuan shut his mouth.

He had never thought of taking it this far.

Tang Hui smiled faintly, as if she pitied the people around her.

"Pardon us. If you misheard me, I recommend you stab yourself in the ear with a dagger and dig out your brains so you can process what I said again. Moreover, please, I beg of you. Stay as far away from me as possible and go prepare for the war. I would hate for you, who carry the future of the murim, to die like trash."

Zhou Xuchuan, who was behind her, slapped his knee and exclaimed inwardly.

I have to hurry up, finish what I have to do with this woman, and part ways as soon as possible!

1. Note they didn't cup a fist in return, which is very rude in murim culture. ☜

2. Yangban is the name for Korea's ruling class, highly educated scholar nobles who oversaw the nation and its people. ☜

3. An Asian folktale that lions/tigers throw their cubs off cliff sides to weed out the weak and only raise the ones who survive. It's very commonly referenced, like in Tekken or Naruto. ☜

4. While technically, 상명진인 is not a name, but a title, because Immortal Shang Ming now has an actual Daoist title, we're switching to a pinyin version of his name so it matches the others. ☜

5. Technically, Taixu means the Void/Cosmos/Universe (Literally Great Absence). However, because Yuzhou is more commonly used in Korean for the Cosmos/Universe, I didn't want to name him the Cosmos Swordsman, hence the Great Void. ☜

6. Bronze mirrors hold significance in Daoism/Eastern Spiritualism/Shamanism as it's believed that they hold sunlight and can guide the dead to the afterlife, or in this case, Zhou Xuchuan's previous life to his new one. ☜

7. He's basically saying that they all look like npcs lmao. ☜

8. Technically, One Twig Sword. But who the hell would decide his daoist title is TWIG? TWIG! ☜