The Black Cloud Sword Chronicles: The Demon Queen’s Path

The three travelers continued their journey through the winding mountain path.

"Are you sure this is the right way?" Wi-Yeon grumbled, glancing around skeptically.

Jin frowned as he studied the map. "It should be… but the path is rougher than I expected."

Iseon remained silent, her sharp gaze sweeping across the surroundings.

Something felt… off.

The air was unnaturally still. Even the wind barely made a sound.

'This isn't normal.'

A strange, almost eerie silence blanketed the area, as if time itself had come to a halt.

Then, as they ventured further—

A massive boulder appeared before them.

And carved across its surface—

Were dozens of sword marks.

Wi-Yeon ran his fingers over the deep grooves, eyes widening in astonishment.

"This… isn't just from random sword swings."

Jin narrowed his eyes. "Someone actually wielded their sword here, deep in the mountains?"

But—

Iseon quietly examined the etchings.

And she realized something.

These weren't just random slashes.

They formed a shape. A flow.

It wasn't mere destruction—it was a record of movement. A seamless connection of strikes, as if someone had inscribed their technique into the very air itself.

She reached for her sword.

Then, she traced the grooves with her blade.

Swish—

A gust of wind swirled around her.

And her body… naturally followed the movement.

"This is no ordinary sword mark," she murmured.

She swung her blade once more—

And her swordsmanship shifted.

Jin and Wi-Yeon watched in awe.

"What the…? That's not how she usually moves."

At first, she was simply mimicking the marks.

But then—

Her movements became her own.

'Is this… a technique left behind by someone long ago? A forgotten sword art?'

She wasn't certain.

But the way her blade moved—

The way the energy flowed—

Felt utterly natural.

"There are… seven distinct flows in this technique."

Her voice was barely a whisper.

Seven Blades Dance.

An unfinished sword style—one that was now, slowly, taking shape in her hands.

Two Rumors That Shake the Martial World

A quiet tavern.

Iseon, Jin, and Wi-Yeon sat at a corner table, enjoying a brief rest on their journey.

But tonight—

The atmosphere inside the tavern was tense.

People were murmuring, voices hushed but urgent.

Something… was happening.

"Have you heard the rumors?"

A grizzled warrior at a nearby table leaned in, speaking in a low voice.

"About the righteous sects? Yeah. Word is, they've begun a large-scale purge of the demonic sect remnants."

Wi-Yeon paused, setting down his chopsticks.

Jin sighed, swirling his drink.

"…So it's finally begun."

Wi-Yeon scoffed. "They're just looking for an excuse to wipe out anyone who opposes them."

"Still, it's better than letting the demonic sects regain power," someone else argued.

Just then—

A stranger at the far end of the tavern smirked and spoke up.

"You think this is about righteousness?" He chuckled bitterly. "No. It's about power."

Jin's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

The man leaned back, voice dripping with amusement.

"Some of these so-called righteous sect leaders are using this as a way to expand their influence. The purge isn't just about 'justice'—it's about securing power."

Wi-Yeon snorted. "Hah. The martial world has never been clean. Even the righteous sects are nothing more than wolves in sheep's clothing."

Just as Jin was about to reply—

Another voice, this time quieter—yet far more chilling—echoed through the room.

"That's not even the biggest news."

Silence fell.

All eyes turned to a cloaked traveler nursing his drink in the shadows.

"What's bigger than a righteous sect war?" someone asked.

The traveler exhaled slowly before dropping the bombshell.

"…The Demon Sect is moving again."

Jin froze.

Wi-Yeon's expression darkened.

Iseon—

Her fingers, wrapped around her cup, tightened ever so slightly.

"…What did you say?" Jin's voice was dangerously calm.

The traveler nodded grimly.

"There have been reports. Strange figures appearing in remote regions. Signs of activity from old demonic sect members. Some say… they never truly fell."

The tavern erupted into whispers.

"Impossible! The Demon Sect was wiped out years ago!"

"They must be remnants. They can't still be organized…"

Wi-Yeon scoffed, though his tone lacked confidence.

"Tch. Just rumors. The Demon Sect was destroyed long ago."

But—

Iseon remained silent.

'The Demon Sect… is moving again?'

For the first time in years, her past—the life she had left behind—was stirring once more.

She raised her cup to her lips, expression unreadable.

'This… was not part of my plan.'

She had walked away from it all.

But now—

The past was coming back to find her.