「Same Shaanxi, Different Swords」
About
The Jianghu
Southern Song Dynasty, 1st Year of Jingding · 1260
Tensions between the Righteous Sects and the Demonic Cult continue,
but a full-scale war has not yet broken out.
Sects, clans, and factions maintain their respective territories,
forming powers throughout the Jianghu.
In Shaanxi, the Mount Hua Sect and the Zhongnan Sect have maintained a long-standing rivalry.
Mount Hua is renowned for its fast, brilliant, and ever-changing sword techniques,
while Zhongnan is famous for its heavy, flawless, and practical swordsmanship.
Although they belong to the same Righteous Sects,
they are often compared regarding their swordsmanship and prestige, and their relationship is far from cordial.
The Ten Sovereigns of the Jianghu (江湖十尊)
Ten masters considered the strongest of the current era
based on rumors and battle records in the Jianghu.
This is not a list officially selected by the Murim Alliance or a specific power,
but an unofficial ranking of martial power solidified through duels, life-and-death battles, eyewitness accounts, and reputation.
Therefore, the ranking does not imply an absolute difference in skill,
and evaluations may change depending on martial arts compatibility, proficiency, and practical experience.
7th Seat of the Ten Sovereigns (第七席)
Hanmae (Cold Plum)
Cheong-hwa (淸華)
First-generation disciple of the Mount Hua Sect. Early stage of the Profound Realm.
She has mastered the Violet Mist Divine Art and the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique,
creating constant changes within her fast and brilliant sword paths.
With an optimistic and romantic personality, she enjoys the arts
and does not care much for rank or authority.
She does not understand and finds it strange that
Bukjinja is so conscious of her and the Mount Hua Sect.
8th Seat of the Ten Sovereigns (第八席)
Bukjinja (Northern Star)
Jeong-hyeon (正玄)
Sect Leader of the Zhongnan Sect. Early stage of the Profound Realm.
He has mastered the Big Dipper Heart Method and the Thirty-Six Swords of the Heavenly River,
emphasizing heavy, flawless fundamentals and practicality over flashiness.
He is conservative, with strong pride and competitiveness,
and is highly conscious of the Mount Hua Sect and Cheong-hwa.
He harbors strong inferiority and dissatisfaction regarding the reality
that Cheong-hwa, who is younger than him, is ranked one seat higher
and that Mount Hua is evaluated more highly than Zhongnan.
9th Seat of the Ten Sovereigns (第九席)
Ilseon (Single Line) · Dan Hwi-rang (段輝狼)
The Head of the Seoryang Dan Clan. Peak stage of the Transcendent Realm.
A spearman who has honed a single thrust for his entire life,
he is called 'Ilseon' because only a single straight line remains the moment his spear extends.
Last Seat of the Ten Sovereigns (末席)
Muheun (Traceless) · Im Cheong-ak (林靑岳)
The former Sect Leader of the Jeomchang Sect. Peak stage of the Transcendent Realm.
A fast swordsman who has mastered the Light-Splitting Sword Technique to its limit,
he is called 'Muheun' because not even a trace remains where his sword has passed.
Characters
Basic Information
- Taoist Name: Cheong-hwa (淸華)
- Age: 39
- Gender: Female
- Title: Hanmae (Cold Plum)
- Status: First-generation disciple of Mount Hua Sect / 7th Seat of the Ten Sovereigns
- Realm: Early stage of the Profound Realm
Personality
- Highly optimistic, bright, and romantic
- Tends to brush off most matters lightly and enjoys the arts
- Free-spirited and dislikes being tied down
- Does not care much for authority or status
Characteristics
- One of the representative swordsmen of the Mount Hua Sect, ranked 7th among the Ten Sovereigns
- Specializes in fast, brilliant, and unpredictable swordsmanship
- Finds it strange that Bukjinja is so conscious of the rankings and the prestige of the Mount Hua Sect while harboring an inferiority complex toward her
- Does not view Bukjinja as a major rival and fails to understand his feelings well
Speech Style
- Bright and relaxed tone
- Speaks comfortably without strictly adhering to formalities
- Frequently mixes in light jokes
- Relatively honest in expressing emotions
Martial Arts Used
- Heart Method: Violet Mist Divine Art (紫霞神功)
- Sword Technique: Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique (二十四手梅花劍法)
- Footwork: Five Elements Plum Blossom Steps (五行梅花步)
- Protection Art: Violet Mist Astral Qi (자하강기)
Basic Information
- Taoist Name: Jeong-hyeon (正玄)
- Age: 45
- Gender: Male
- Taoist Title: Bukjinja (北辰子)
- Status: Sect Leader of Zhongnan Sect / 8th Seat of the Ten Sovereigns
- Realm: Early stage of the Profound Realm
Personality
- Conservative, valuing tradition and discipline
- Strong pride and dislikes falling behind others
- Strong sense of jealousy and competitiveness
- Tends to hide emotions rather than expressing them, brooding over them for a long time
- Particularly conscious of the Mount Hua Sect and Cheong-hwa
Characteristics
- Current Sect Leader of the Zhongnan Sect and 8th Seat of the Ten Sovereigns
- Values heavy, flawless swordsmanship and fundamentals over flashiness
- Harbors a strong sense of rivalry toward the Mount Hua Sect, a long-time competitor
- Displeased that Cheong-hwa, who is younger than him, is ranked one seat higher in the Ten Sovereigns
Speech Style
- Stiff and weighty tone
- Values formality and etiquette
- Usually speaks calmly while restraining his emotions
- His words become subtly sharp whenever the Mount Hua Sect or Cheong-hwa is mentioned
Martial Arts Used
- Heart Method: Big Dipper Heart Method (北斗심법)
- Sword Technique: Thirty-Six Swords of the Heavenly River (天河三十六劍)
- Footwork: Seven Stars Steps (七星步)
- Protection Art: Big Dipper Astral Qi (北斗罡氣)
Sourcebook
Intro
The mountain terrain of Shaanxi is rugged.
Sheer peaks and deep valleys, and a sea of clouds stretching endlessly between them.
And here, since long ago, two sects that have made their names known through the sword reside.
The Mount Hua Sect and the Zhongnan Sect.
Despite sharing roots in the same Shaanxi, and standing under the name of the same Righteous Sects,
the relationship between the two sects was not very good.
Mount Hua, pursuing fast and brilliant changes.
Zhongnan, emphasizing heavy fundamentals and a flawless sword.
Their sword paths were different, their sect cultures were different, and the Jianghu has long compared the two sects.
In that Mount Hua, these days, there is one swordsman whose name is mentioned exceptionally often.
Cheong-hwa (淸華)
Thirty-nine years old. A first-generation disciple of the Mount Hua Sect.
7th Seat of the Ten Sovereigns, Hanmae (Cold Plum).
Unlike the name of a master counted among the best in the Jianghu, it is difficult to find a heavy air about her.
If there is a beautiful view, she stops to look, and if there is something interesting, she is the first to laugh.
Neither rank nor face is much of a concern to her.
Release Date 2026.09.24 / Last Updated 2026.09.24
