The Cunning Treasure Hunter

Chapter 102 The Return of the Wandering Blade

Jace was grateful to Vera. It was all thanks to Dylan.

The sword that Dylan held so dearly was a gift from Aiden to Vera. To entrust something so precious to someone else—that level of trust and belief was an immense source of support for Dylan.

Perhaps it was because of this.

Dylan was recovering rapidly, returning to her former self. Even now, as she trained diligently in the cherry blossom-covered training yard in front of the Blooming Peak Pavilion, her energy was unmistakable. Together, under Aiden's guidance, she and Jace were once again practicing the Nine Heavens cherry Blossom Sword.

Unlike Aetheris, who had only focused on making them memorize the form of the techniques rigidly, Aiden's instruction was entirely different in quality.

Within just a few days, Jace finally understood why there was always a subtle but significant difference between himself and Ethan.

Dylan performed the first three forms of the Nine Heavens cherry Blossom Sword in a single fluid motion before letting the sword droop in exhaustion. It was an arduous technique, even for someone just mimicking their senior brother.

"...Senior Brother, was that good enough?"

"You're much better now."

Jace ruffled Dylan's hair until it was thoroughly disheveled. Dylan's eyes narrowed in irritation before she swiftly kicked Jace in the shin.

"Ouch!"

"Seriously, you keep saying you're the senior brother when the head disciple isn't around. Then why do you always act like this?"

"What does it matter? There's no one else around now, is there?" Discover hidden stories at My Virtual Library Empire

Jace shrugged nonchalantly.

Through all the events they had endured, he had matured significantly. He had even bowed his head for his junior sister's sake and struggled to escape their master's grasp.

And now...

Well, he was happy in his own way.

At some point, Aetheris had disappeared. Where he had gone, no one knew.

"...I don't think he left for the Wandering Trial."

"Who?"

"Master Aetheris."

"Ah..."

It was a rule not to send off those embarking on the Wandering Trial, but no one left without anyone knowing. In the Mount Suncrest Sect, even though it was a vast sect, the main disciples weren't that numerous. Most were lay disciples, along with an even larger number of servants and hired workers.

In short, no one was a complete stranger. At least not among the main disciples.

Dylan seemed uneasy hearing about Aetheris, which was understandable considering the things she'd endured under him.

Jace, however, thought differently.

They were monsters.

Aetheris, Magnus, and perhaps even Gideon, the sect leader above them.

No matter how terrifying they were, letting them out of sight was not an option. If he didn't keep an eye on them, more disciples like himself might appear.

Of course, his power alone wasn't enough to stop them.

'...But Master is here.'

If it were Aiden, the one who had saved him from the hands of Aetheris, Magnus, and Gideon, he could surely do something about it.

At that moment, Aiden passed by the Blooming Peak Pavilion and waved at them.

"Oh, it's Master!"

With the sword gifted by Vera hanging at her waist, Dylan ran toward Aiden, with Jace following close behind.

"Have you been practicing diligently?"

"Yes, Master!"

"Good. Your head disciple and junior sister should be returning soon..."

Aiden's gaze lingered on Dylan's sword.

The sword he had bought for Vera, now passed on to Dylan, had been in her possession for over two months.

Two months.

The handle was now imbued with Dylan's touch, as though the sword belonged to her from the start.

Perhaps Vera had intended to gift it to her all along.

Although he found it a bit vexing that she had given away the sword he had chosen, if it was an act of care for her junior sister, he couldn't fault her.

Especially considering Vera's lineage.

A child born under the star of the Celestial Blade Star.

One misstep, and she could be consumed by vengeance and slaughter, turning into a demon. But thanks to her early education, the balance of the Soul Harmony Realm, and her own awareness, her black, hollow eyes had not filled with murderous intent.

"...Do you think Junior Sister has grown stronger?"

Dylan mumbled softly, almost to herself.

Aiden gently patted her head.

"Most likely. Soon enough, she'll surpass even me—at such a young age."

"Really?"

Dylan's eyes widened in surprise.

Aiden smiled bitterly.

For a master, being overtaken by their disciple was a moment of pride, but how could it be entirely joyous?

Before he was a teacher, Aiden was a warrior.

Before he was someone who taught, he was someone who wielded a sword.

Aiden gazed quietly at the sky.

It was then that a third-generation disciple came running from the entrance of Mount Suncrest Sect.

"Master Aiden, are you here?"

It was Stella, a disciple who had inherited the Falling Blossom Punch, the student of Silas, master of the Cherry Blossom Fist, and the disciple of Zayn, the Silent Cherry Blossom Artist.

After years of refinement since the Peak Assembly, she had finally reached the level of a first-class martial artist. But even so, it wasn't a reason to come looking for Aiden.

Aiden's eyebrows arched slightly.

"I'm here. What is it?"

"Well, it's… Vera has returned from the Wandering Trial with the senior brothers!"

It was news of a welcome return.

There was no formal farewell when leaving, nor was there a celebratory welcome upon return.

That was the principle.

But how could they not greet a disciple who had returned after so long?

Aiden did not go all the way to the main gate. Instead, he sat at the threshold of the Blooming Peak Pavilion's gate. That alone was a sufficient welcome.

From a distance, he saw Vera, Marcus, and Ethan approaching.

They were wearing the black cloak he had given them.

As they drew closer, Vera stepped forward, bowed, and cupped her hands in salute toward Aiden.

Since the Wandering Trial revolved around Vera, it was appropriate for her to speak first, even before the senior brother Marcus.

"Your unworthy disciple has returned with my senior brothers."

"Good, Vera. Were there any difficulties?"

"It was a rather arduous journey… but there is something urgent I must report."

Aiden's eyebrows twitched slightly.

Vera was the one who had been with him aboard the ship to assassinate the Sword Sovereign.

She was also the most composed disciple he had ever met.

For someone like her to say it was urgent…

"I see. Let us speak about it inside shortly."

"Yes."

"Do Marcus and Ethan already know?"

Aiden glanced at the two. They nodded in unison.

"Yes, Master. Both of us are aware."

"It caused quite the commotion," Ethan murmured, only for Marcus to smack him on the back of the head.

"Ouch!"

"Show some seriousness."

"Why do you always hit me, senior brother?"

"Should I hit your junior sister instead when it's your mistake?"

Ethan shut his mouth, unable to argue. After all, there was no part of his junior sister's small body that could be reasonably hit.

At that moment, Noah, who was standing near Aiden, waved and called out.

"Hey, Ethan!"

Grinning, Noah threw his arm around Ethan's shoulders in camaraderie.

Meanwhile, Jace quietly stood and approached Marcus, presenting the Black Iron Sword he had been entrusted with using both hands.

"Senior Brother, I've kept it safe."

"Well done," Marcus replied, accepting the sword with a faint smile.

It was then that Jace realized something.

The aura surrounding Marcus had grown significantly refined. He had finally broken through to the level of a first-class martial artist.

When Jace looked toward Ethan, he felt another wall.

Ethan had already stepped into the early stages of Peak Class Martial Arts.

"Was Dylan doing well?"

"Yes? Yes, senior brother! I'm doing fine!"

Dylan, blinking in surprise, answered energetically. She was no longer the same as she had been under Aetheris's harsh tutelage.

Extreme circumstances often reveal human weakness, but such moments do not define one's essence.

Everyone, when starving, would covet another's grain stores.

Marcus understood Dylan's changes and her repentance. He gently patted her head.

"Good. Did you listen well to Master and the senior brothers?"

"Yes!"

But the primary interest of both Jace and Dylan was Vera.

She was the one who had defeated them both.

Her aura pierced the heavens and had even defeated the young master of the Akrest Clan.

In truth, during her two-month absence, Mount Suncrest Sect had been buzzing with stories about Vera.

Tales of how she had overcome Theron, the young master of the Akrest Clan, had circulated countless times.

And, of course, discussions about how the sect leader had sent a mere fourteen-year-old girl to Eastern Mountain had also spread.

Rumors were already brewing that she would soon become the "face" of Mount Suncrest Sect.

Though the events in Eastern Mountain had yet to reach their ears, the tales from the Iron Fist Sect had.

She had reportedly assisted the Iron Fist Sect in destroying the remnants of the Demonic Sect's hideout.

"...Junior Sister," Jace called softly.

Vera was indeed suppressing her overwhelming aura.

Yet, Jace felt something from her that he couldn't overcome—a presence greater than a wall.

It was something he only ever felt from Aiden, their master.

"Just what are you, Junior Sister…"

"Senior Brother Jace, it's been a while."

"Junior Sister!"

Dylan called out, staring at Vera's petite frame. After a moment of hesitation, she handed the sword she had been carrying to Vera.