The Cunning Treasure Hunter

Chapter 103 Blades of Destiny: The Return to Suncrest

"…Thank you."

Vera gazed at the sword quietly. Its hilt bore more traces of Dylan's use than her own. Turning her eyes toward her master, Aiden, she noticed him smiling gently.

It was a smile that said it was okay.

"Have you grown attached to that sword already?"

"Well, I've been using it for two whole months…"

"Keep it. I'm sure the sword prefers being with you."

"Really? Are you sure that's okay?"

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It was a remarkable sword.

Though not made of Ten-Thousand Year Cold Iron, Cloud Iron, or Black Iron, it was forged with White Lotus Steel, hammered a hundred times to perfection.

But its price and quality weren't the issue.

The sword had a deeper meaning. It was the first weapon Vera had received from Aiden—a gift from her master.

"I already have a sword I'm close to. And if that sword has supported you in standing up again, then it's your pillar now, isn't it?"

"…Yeah."

It was true. The sword was a token of the trust and faith her junior sister had placed in her. Now, it was also a symbol of her renewed self-esteem and determination.

"So, that sword belongs to you."

"…Alright."

Dylan hugged the sword close, nodding solemnly.

Though she was older and taller than Vera, for some reason, Vera seemed more mature in that moment.

Vera's gaze moved from Dylan to Jace.

A chill ran down Jace's spine.

He confirmed it once more—this presence, this aura—it was the same as what he felt from their master, Aiden.

Finally, Vera's eyes met Aiden's, and he, too, felt it.

Unable to suppress his smile, his lips curled upward.

This delicate yet extraordinary disciple was far beyond his expectations.

It had been only three or four months since he had taken her in. Yet, she had already surpassed him.

"Vera, you've grown tremendously."

"Yes, Master. But your disciple still has much to learn."

Vera was aware of how much her perspective had risen after overcoming the wall before her. Judging by her refined aura…

She now stood above her master.

If she were willing to risk losing an arm, she could even defeat Aiden in a life-or-death duel. She had risen a full step above.

"You're quite ambitious."

"Your unworthy disciple is simply impatient."

Vera smiled bitterly, a sight that intrigued Aiden.

Soon, she would reach the mid-stage of Transcendence.

At fourteen years old.

Yet, where was her arrogance?

Arrogance could be excused as a sign of upright character, but where was her pride?

Typically, such humility only appeared in those who had their pride shattered by an overwhelmingly superior force.

That was when Aiden noticed the patches sewn into Vera's clothes.

They were marks of strikes—evidence of a brutal, relentless ordeal.

"You've been through a lot."

"…Yes."

"Marcus and Ethan, rest and recover. Vera, come with me."

Marcus hesitated briefly but nodded. There was something between Vera and Aiden, something beyond what ordinary disciples like himself, Ethan, or Noah could grasp.

"Understood, Master."

Marcus bowed his head respectfully.

Aiden, of course, didn't miss the brief flicker in his eyes.

Marcus was sharp, perceptive, and upright. One day, he would have to be told the truth.

In fact, all of his disciples had been chosen with the utmost care.

They were all part of a plan to assassinate the Sword Sovereign.

Eventually, they would have to know everything.

But not yet.

For now, they could remain carefree, at least until Vera could face Thorne, the Grand Leader, on equal terms.

A martial artist in the mid-stage of Transcendence.

Someone of that level could shatter hierarchies and become a guiding star for the people.

It was a goal that had to be achieved as young as possible.

People revered young geniuses and youthful leaders.

They idolized them.

Jealousy might follow slight differences, but overwhelming superiority would inspire awe.

Vera had to become a figure admired by all the martial artists across the nine provinces of the world.

Someone who could lead them to a shared vision, who could raise a toast to that vision.

History would call such a person a great revolutionary, a symbol of their era.

Aiden took the first step forward.

Following her master, Aiden, Vera quietly trailed behind.

The two walked silently along the mountain path, the sound of their steps the only noise in the serene forest.

As they approached the humble hut, Vera felt an unexpected aura emanating from within.

"...Master," she called cautiously.

"You felt it?"

"Yes. However, this doesn't feel like an enemy..."

"That's right. It's not an enemy."

From inside the hut, a low chuckle echoed as someone emerged.

A figure dressed in a black conical hat and black martial robes, wielding a long sword.

The appearance was familiar.

The man who single-handedly annihilated the Infernal Blade Corps, the one who subdued and killed Daven, the division leader known as the Sword Ghost, in mere moments—a martial artist who had stepped into the early stages of Transcendence.

"It's been a while, little one."

"...My name is Vera."

Although she could tell he wasn't an enemy, she couldn't be certain he was an ally either.

Her left hand instinctively rested on the hilt of her sword.

"A feisty one, huh? Planning to greet your elders with a stab, are you?"

"Do you know my master?"

"Know him? Of course, I do."

Vera's eyes widened slightly. She alternated her gaze between the mysterious martial artist and Aiden.

This man had once protected her, telling her that her death would be a significant inconvenience. While she considered him an ally, he had always struck her as a strange and unpredictable individual.

The idea that he might be connected to her master...

"It's not so much a direct connection as it is that we share the same goals," the man said.

"The same goals…"

It didn't take Vera long to realize what he meant.

Her left hand slipped away from her sword, and she cupped her fists respectfully toward the black-clad man.

"...Third-generation disciple of the Mount Suncrest Sect, under White cherry Scholar Aiden, Vera, greets you."

"I already know!"

"You're… a member of the Akrest Clan, aren't you—"

Before she could finish, the man—Jordan—pressed a finger to her lips, silencing her.

His speed was such that she hadn't even noticed him move.

"Your disciple has sharp eyes, Aiden," he said, laughing.

"Do you find this amusing, Aiden? This little one has already—"

Before he could finish, Aiden calmly erected a barrier of energy, silencing the conversation.

He shrugged nonchalantly.

"She nearly announced your identity to the world, Jordan Great Hero."

"...Indeed. Damn it. How did she figure it out? Was it from that brief clash of swords back then?"

Jordan frowned, looking down at Vera.

Most children would shrink under such scrutiny, but Vera stood firm, meeting his gaze steadily.

"As I thought, you're a member of the Akrest Clan," she said.

"How did you know?"

"I sensed the vastness of the open sky in your swordsmanship."

Jordan exhaled sharply, a mixture of amusement and disbelief.

Turning back to Aiden, he demanded, "What exactly have you been teaching her? She even neutralized my internal energy with a counterforce."

"As I expected," Aiden said.

"What do you mean, 'as I expected'? Explain yourself!"

Although Jordan's frown deepened, Aiden remained smiling.

He dispelled the sound barrier and gestured toward the hut.

"Let's talk inside. It may be a humble dwelling, but it's suitable for a conversation."

Vera nodded and followed her master.

Jordan, with a grumble, did the same.

As they walked, he couldn't help but notice something.

The area around the hut was surrounded by formations—defensive arrays.

Though Jordan wasn't particularly knowledgeable about formations, he recognized elements of a secure design. It reminded him of the safehouses he'd seen during his time as a Wandering Swordsman of the Night Sky.

Aiden had clearly arranged the formations near the hut, but their intricacy suggested he hadn't done so alone.

"Did someone from the Everstone Clan come by recently?"

Aiden stopped in his tracks, turning back to look at Jordan.

"Let's discuss it inside," he said, his tone carrying a warning.

An expert at the early stage of Transcendence was cautioning someone at the mid-stage.

Yet, Jordan could only nod.

To Heaven-Reversing Assembly, Aiden was indispensable.

The organization's survival up to this point was largely thanks to him.

Though Aria Everstone was its nominal leader, her most trusted advisor was none other than Aiden, whose decisions had never been wrong.

It was as if he could read the very will of the heavens.

Now, he was also the master of Vera, the most likely candidate to become the Number One Under Heaven within a decade.

His status was far from ordinary.

"...Fine. But don't look at me like I've committed some grave sin," Jordan grumbled.

As the three of them approached the dilapidated hut, Aiden nudged a small stone on the ground with his foot.

It was a reddish stone, caked in dirt and nearly unrecognizable.