The Origins of the Martial Arts Alliance

“This gust of wind is quite refreshing.”

Stepping onto the street, Mù Qīngyǔ felt her agitated mood begin to subside as a sudden cool breeze swept across her back.

‘It would be best to visit the Martial Alliance first and buy Xǔ Tiānlí some truly practical saber manuals.’

At the thought, Mù Qīngyǔ couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret for her money.

She wished she hadn’t been so greedy and bought that Return to the Void One-Strike Decapitation manual earlier.

Even if the person who called herself Qiao Yíng truly worked for the Martial Alliance, she was likely an operative deliberately placed there.

Their purpose was clearly to peddle those dreadful secret manuals that had long gathered dust, ignored by all.

Of course, an even worse scenario existed: Qiao Yíng might have no connection to the Martial Alliance at all, simply being a fraudster.

She could be using some cheaply printed manual, infiltrating the highest-tier storage area specifically to swindle those who were both ignorant and prone to chasing cheap deals.

‘Indeed, I still need to broaden my horizons.’

She knew her path to becoming stronger was fraught with difficulties, but she hadn’t expected to suffer her first harsh lesson in human nature so soon after leaving home.

Mù Qīngyǔ even found her own complacency utterly baffling.

In her previous life, having traversed countless cities, she had experienced the cold realities of society.

Why, then, had she let down her guard so easily?

Was it because she believed the Martial Alliance, as a prominent power, guaranteed a certain level of security?

Or perhaps…

‘Am I becoming more and more influenced by this body?’

The possibility made Mù Qīngyǔ’s brow furrow even deeper.

The original owner of this body was merely a sixteen-year-old girl, naive to the ways of the world, a delicate flower pampered by everyone.

Anyone who met her would lavish her with praise, hoping to curry favor with the powerful Four Sacred Courts.

Mù Qīngyǔ currently possessed only fragments of the original owner’s memories, yet every morning upon waking, she found them intermingling with her memories from her past life, subconsciously feeling as though they were her own experiences.

‘I must remain more vigilant.’

Otherwise, one day she might wake up completely submerged in the identity of ‘Mù Qīngyǔ,’ transforming into the pampered young lady everyone knew.

She couldn’t afford to relax, at least not for the next five years… three years would also suffice.

“What a truly bitter life.”

As Mù Qīngyǔ sighed, the martial arts hall in Wufeng City appeared in her sight.

Upon entering, she immediately revealed her identity as a Diamond VIP and stated the reason for her visit.

When the front desk manager, who had rushed over upon hearing of a complaint, heard her intentions, they grew visibly flustered, showering her with concern and hoping to coax a smile from Mù Qīngyǔ’s face.

“Qiao Yíng?”

After Mù Qīngyǔ recounted the entire incident, the front desk manager looked utterly bewildered.

“Do we have anyone by that name here?”

He glanced back at the other staff members, who all shook their heads, indicating they had never heard of the name.

‘So, she truly was someone of unknown origin?’

Mù Qīngyǔ’s lip twitched, watching as the manager’s expression visibly soured.

However, meeting Mù Qīngyǔ’s gaze, he forced a highly professional smile.

“Miss Qín, we hope you can grant us some time.”

“We guarantee we will thoroughly investigate the matter and not disappoint you.”

‘Really?’ Mù Qīngyǔ harbored her doubts.

She didn’t know much about the Martial Alliance; the original owner had rarely interacted with them.

This Diamond VIP card was something she had clamored for from her father years ago.

She hadn’t been fighting for the VIP card itself, which offered exceptional experiences, but for her pride, unwilling to lose face as a young lady in front of others.

“Perhaps this time it really is the Alchemical Pact…”

A murmur from one of the employees reached her ears, causing Mù Qīngyǔ to raise an eyebrow.

There were many rumors circulating online about the Martial Alliance.

Although its name suggested a profound historical lineage, it was actually established only in the Third Era.

The Heaven’s Will Bureau was founded in the Second Era, and the Four Sacred Courts had a legacy dating back to the First Era.

In comparison, the Martial Alliance was a mere junior among juniors.

Some online even speculated that the Martial Alliance was hastily founded by its first leader after witnessing the rise of the Alchemical Pact abroad.

Both the Martial Alliance and the Alchemical Pact explored the path to strengthening Spirit Wielders, but they walked different roads.

The Martial Alliance’s philosophy integrated the culture of the Sacred Dynasty Nation itself, compiling numerous secret manuals that catered to both unarmed combat and weapon mastery.

Ultimately, its focus was on self-enhancement.

The Alchemical Pact was different.

Originating from the Overseas Federation Nation, it did not emphasize physical prowess like the Martial Alliance but was instead dedicated to various alchemical arts.

Many convenient spiritual artifacts today were creations of the Alchemical Pact.

The Martial Alliance and the Alchemical Pact had always been at odds.

The former viewed the latter as nothing more than clever foreign tricksters, while the latter scorned the former as crude individuals who merely engaged in flashy, superficial moves.

This animosity even spawned a curious inside joke within the martial arts hall: no matter what happened, the blame was always first shifted to the Alchemical Pact.

If a secret manual was stolen, it was the Alchemical Pact’s doing.

If a distinguished guest stopped renewing their VIP card, the Alchemical Pact must have stolen them away.

If a colleague’s neighbor’s dog died, it was surely the Alchemical Pact poisoning it.

In short, it was all the Alchemical Pact’s fault!

If this was truly a power struggle between major factions, Mù Qīngyǔ wanted to cry out to the heavens in injustice.

She had merely wanted to find a useful manual for her student; how had she become a casualty in their feud?

It seemed this matter would require some time to investigate thoroughly, so Mù Qīngyǔ had no choice but to accept their compensation for now.

Just then, an employee rushed in and whispered something into the front desk manager’s ear.

“What?”

“Why didn’t you say so sooner?!”

“I… I just found out myself!”

“Wasn’t I coming to inform you right away?”

“Ah, fine, fine, you can go now.”

The front desk manager exhaled deeply, then forced another smile.

“Miss Qín, we have already clarified the truth of the matter.”

“An important person wishes to see you immediately.”

“An important person?”

“Yes, she said she would explain everything clearly.”

“…Alright, lead the way.”

Guided by the front desk manager, Mù Qīngyǔ arrived at the reception room upstairs.

Inside, someone was already seated—the mysterious hooded woman she had met a few days ago, the one who had sold her the secret manual!

Upon seeing Mù Qīngyǔ arrive, Qiao Yíng removed her mask, lowered her hood, and offered a smile.

Hmm, why did this person look somewhat familiar?

Mù Qīngyǔ felt her features were familiar but couldn’t recall where she had seen her before.

Regardless, even if they were old acquaintances, Mù Qīngyǔ’s suppressed anger would not dissipate because of it.

“You’re here.”

“Truly worthy of being called a master; you knew I would seek you out again.”

Qiao Yíng didn’t seem surprised by her stern expression.

‘Master?’

Mù Qīngyǔ frowned, quickly grasping the situation.

It seemed this damned swindler had come for her specifically.

She sat down and spoke in a tone devoid of emotion, “You’re looking for me about that secret manual, aren’t you?”

“That’s right, Master.” Qiao Yíng smiled.

“I’ve long heard legends of a reclusive master in Wufeng City.”

“I believe only a master like you could handle that manual.”

“You’re not from the Martial Alliance.”

“Who are you?”

“Master, as I told you last time, my name is Qiao Yíng.”

“I don’t currently belong to any faction.”

“Keep pretending, then.”

If she were truly an unaligned Spirit Wielder, how could she have so easily infiltrated the highest-tier storage area?

Qiao Yíng’s mouth twitched, and she spoke again, “Alright, truthfully, I am currently working for the Heaven’s Will Bureau.”

“An unofficial Spirit Wielder?”

“Hmm, something like that.”

She wasn’t a formal employee but a temporary worker who had signed a contract with the Heaven’s Will Bureau, obeying their dispatches.

Although she had to respond promptly to the Bureau’s commands, she received compensation for every completed mission.

For Spirit Wielders who were solitary and struggled to find work, this was also a way to survive.

“The Heaven’s Will Bureau instructed you to do this?”

“Not at all.” Qiao Yíng continued, “To be honest, that manual was a good item I stumbled upon by chance.”

“However, my aptitude is insufficient; despite my best efforts, I couldn’t even grasp the basics.”

“So, I came to ask for your help, Master…”

‘A ‘good item’ stumbled upon by chance?’

‘Could it truly be a masterpiece containing the lifelong efforts of an ancient powerhouse?’

‘Whose masterpiece would, after one strike, leave the enemy’s fate uncertain but guarantee the user couldn’t escape?’

Mù Qīngyǔ didn’t care whether this swindler was an unofficial Spirit Wielder for the Heaven’s Will Bureau or not.

She was certain the other party knew she was here for revenge and wanted to find a way to settle the matter privately.

“That manual is now in the Master’s hands.”

“How are things with it?” Qiao Yíng asked.

“You guess?”

Qiao Yíng froze for a moment.

“Could it be that even the Master has no way to deal with it?”

‘No way.’

‘Uncle Féng clearly told me she was a reclusive master who had lived for many years, capable of easily splitting a mountain.’

‘Uncle Féng even thought he wouldn’t be her match, that she was at least a Tier-4.’

‘How could she not even grasp the basics?’

‘Or perhaps Uncle Féng was deceived, and this person before me is no reclusive master at all?’

At this thought, Qiao Yíng’s gaze toward Mù Qīngyǔ also sharpened.

The two silently glared at each other, burying their hidden intentions deep within their hearts.

“Regarding this matter, I wish to apologize to the Master,” Qiao Yíng spoke again, her tone much calmer.

“I will return the money you spent in full, and I hope you can return the manual to me.”

‘If she were a true master, she would surely discern its profound mysteries and wouldn’t care about such a small sum of money.’

But—

“Double.”

“Huh?”

Mù Qīngyǔ took advantage of her confusion and extended two slender fingers.

“Compensate me double the money, and I’ll return it to you.”

The extra amount was compensation for Xǔ Tiānlí’s hard work.

Qiao Yíng’s expression was a half-smile, but inwardly, she had already sealed her judgment on the person before her:

‘She’s no reclusive master at all; Uncle Féng was scammed!’

Just as Qiao Yíng pondered how to expose Mù Qīngyǔ upon her return, a knock suddenly sounded at the door.

“Excuse me, is Miss Qín in there?”

“Someone outside wishes to see you.”

“Who?”

“He says his name is Xǔ Tiānlí.”