She soon wore a blank expression, a face that was hard to imagine in her usual demeanor.
After all, she was Baek Mi-ryeo, a renowned master known for her bold and cold swordsmanship, even outside of Ip Hwang Seong.
"My inner strength. I practice the Inner Family Technique," she said.
She did not get angry.
With her long fingers, she brushed her lips and fell into silent thought.
"It's a hard story to accept. If I am a master who has focused on cultivating my inner strength, then mastering the Inner Family Technique should be a given. Do you really see me as a fool who cannot even grasp my own essence?"
'That wasn't the case, but it seems to be true.' Jeong Yeon-shin could not voice his thoughts at that moment.
To him, Baek Mi-ryeo's aura technique was harmonious, and her control of essence was faster than that of other seniors.
If she did not realize it herself, then it was meaningless.
He felt no need to continue the conversation.
Jeong Yeon-shin changed the subject.
"I apologize for disturbing your mood with unnecessary words."
They were not close enough to risk losing something by insisting on advice.
However, her overly straightforward attitude seemed to have provoked Baek Mi-ryeo's feelings.
Her smooth brows furrowed.
A seasoned master in the martial world would surely be adept at psychological warfare.
Realizing the underlying change in her attitude, Jeong Yeon-shin slowly opened his mouth.
"I will take my leave now."
"...... Alright. I'm sorry. And thank you."
Leaving her behind, he headed towards the training hall.
If she did not accept it, that was enough.
Although the apology and gratitude did not seem to indicate that, if she held a grudge for no reason, she would be no different from the Jeong family brothers.
There was no reason to expend energy on such a person.
After entering Ip Hwang Seong, his martial arts had been developing day by day, waiting for the right moment to shine. 'Let's start training the Chukma Gyeong Yeon Hwan.' Jeong Yeon-shin completely pushed Baek Mi-ryeo out of his thoughts.
"Master."
"Speak."
"Have you ever mentioned the origin of my martial arts to Seomye?"
"What kind of nonsense is that? Do you think it makes sense?"
In the hall of Ma Gwang-ik, the energy emitted outside blocked the sound, and Ma Jin frowned.
The expression of Baek Mi-ryeo, sitting across from him, was serious.
"Then how..."
"I understand what happened."
Seeing her mumble, Ma Jin opened his mouth.
"You must have seen through the martial arts you meddle with. Seomye is special. It's hard to find such talent in the entire martial world. There are often such things in the world. Renowned clans, exceptional talents, and absolute masters who claim to be the strongest. Seomye possesses an unfathomable talent."
"......"
"Is the renowned sword master Baek Mi-ryeo practicing the Heavenly Demon Divine Art alone? That is not a reason to distance yourself from Seomye. He is the undeniable future of Ip Hwang Seong. Others who have not seen Seomye may think differently, but there is no reason to belittle his words as mere advice from a lower-level practitioner. I have never heard of such talent."
"I know that too."
"If there is something concerning, it would be his temperament. Fortunately, a small mission has come down. Since you can handle it alone, it wouldn't be bad to have two blues and two whites from the martial world. Observe how Seomye crosses the danger with his companions. Is he a person of integrity?"
"Are you saying that if his temperament is good, we can discuss the Heavenly Demon Divine Art together?"
"Your self-study has its limits. I have no leisure. If we are to look at the cultivation of the divine art, it is right to seek Seomye's help. He is fundamentally different. He adapts everything to fit his body. That is the quality of a great master."
"A great master...!" Her eyes widened.
Ma Jin continued speaking calmly.
"You need not worry about authenticity. Seomye is someone who will create his own martial lineage. Just look at Ma Gwang-gyeol. I have never seen anyone learn it in such a way."
"That is indeed surprising."
"Surprising? That is not a quality that can be expressed with such words. He even enjoys self-study."
"Um...!" Baek Mi-ryeo let out a low sound.
Ma Jin asserted, "Within five years, the Master of the Demon Wings will be Seomye. Go and observe the character of the one who will become your superior."
The next day, Jeong Yeon-shin was summoned to the Great Training Hall along with Heon Won-chang.
There were only three people in the spacious area now: the slightly awkward Baek Mi-ryeo, Cheong Myeong, and Ma Jin.
"It’s a mission."
At Ma Jin's abrupt words, the body of the Ip Hwang Shin Hyup trembled.
"Finally, to the martial world...!"
"Don't get too excited. There are risks of dying in the martial world."
"Yes!"
"Baek Mi-ryeo, Cheong Myeong, Jeong Yeon-shin, Heon Won-chang. You four will go. It involves the Blood Flame Cult. You must be prepared to leave Ip Hwang Seong."
When the name of the Blood Flame Cult came up, Jeong Yeon-shin's eyes sank.
A burning estate, blood dripping from the threshold, red clothes and red hair...
He slowly opened his mouth.
"Are you saying we are going with two blues and a white to a matter involving the Thirteen Heavens?"
"It would be good to at least hear the background. Strictly speaking, this is not a matter of the Blood Flame Cult. I don’t even know where it is."
Ma Jin's explanation was not long.
"You know that the famine is not just a problem for the Ho-gwang land."
The Shin family of Jeong-gajang was doing relatively well, but the broader Namyang was different.
It was said that the number of intact farmlands was decreasing across the entire province of Hunan.
According to Ma Jin, it seemed that the same was true for the province of Shaanxi.
"Years ago, the starving commoners raided the estate of the village chief due to the poor harvest. They did not just take the grains. It is said that the families were driven out in a terrible manner. Recently, it seems that the eldest son of that estate has returned, but he had turned red. Dressed in bright red martial attire."
"Has he joined the Blood Flame Cult...!" Heon Won-chang muttered as if in pain.
The Blood Flame Cult was particularly notorious among the Thirteen Heavens of the Demon Sect.
There were many rumors about it, but the accepted theory was that they produced warriors through the power of blood, standing at the boundary of sorcery and martial arts.
"Like other demon sects, it seems that the eldest son of that estate quickly mastered the blood techniques of the Blood Flame Cult. It is said that he settles in the village that has regained its productivity and periodically slaughters livestock and destroys crops."
"Destroys crops?" Cheong Myeong, wearing a hood, muttered.
This person was from a renowned clan.
Jeong Yeon-shin thought.
"Does he only target livestock and crops?"
"Yes. It is said that he cruelly kills everything or digs up anything that could be a seed, waits for it to grow, and then repeats the same act."
"That sounds like a great master, doesn't it? I don't know any Blood Flame Cult members like that."
Heon Won-chang said, his eyes wide open.
His face looked as if he had never heard of such a thing.
"A great master? Are you serious?" Ma Jin's question made the Ip Hwang Shin Hyup flinch.
Baek Mi-ryeo looked at him with a face of disbelief.
Ma Jin spoke again.
"It is in the Jinping County of southern Shaanxi. Originally, it was something that the Shaanxi branch could have resolved, but... recently, there was an incident where the Huashan Sect's elixir was stolen, and it seems that this has escalated into a matter for the entire Shaanxi martial world. They have no resources, so they are asking the main sect to take care of it."
"The Huashan Sect's elixir was stolen? Are you talking about the Zishaodan, which is comparable to the Shaolin's Great Elixir?" Heon Won-chang asked with wide eyes.
"That must be why there is such an uproar. That incident may soon come to the main sect as well. For now, focus on the immediate mission."
"Yes!" He answered vigorously.
All sorts of matters flowed into the martial world.
Even Jeong Yeon-shin, who usually remained calm, could feel that he was now directly involved in the martial world, and he could easily guess what emotions the Ip Hwang Shin Hyup was feeling.
Ma Jin seemed to be concerned about that aspect as well.
The youthful vigor of a martial world debut.
When youth, martial arts, and a sense of belonging to Ip Hwang Seong came together, anything could happen.
"Cheong Myeong. Baek Mi-ryeo. Take good care of the whites. Make sure to return safely."
"Yes."
"I will do my best."
The indifferent expression of Baek Mi-ryeo contrasted with the smiling face of Cheong Myeong.
Jeong Yeon-shin quietly gripped his sword and recalled the bloodthirsty members of the Blood Flame Cult.
He still did not know why they had attacked Jeong-gajang.
But now, it was no longer relevant.
The destruction had already occurred, and that bloodshed had even made the children of Jeong-gajang harbor swords in their hearts.
If we meet, we will kill. 'Keep your head safe.
I will cut.' He stroked the sword hilt.
The four companions rode their horses and quickly left Yangyang, heading northwest.
It was a rapid march that silenced Heon Won-chang, who seemed to be looking forward to a tour of the martial world.
It was said that missions in Ip Hwang Seong were always like this.
They could freely use the relay stations throughout the Central Plains and ride for long periods thanks to their essence abilities.
There was no room for leisure.
However, there was no relay route from Ho-gwang to Shaanxi, so they had to move while preserving the horses' stamina.
They reached Jinping County in just over ten thousand steps from Yangyang.
"Ugh."
The governor of Jinping County, Ji-hyeon, welcomed them, and Heon Won-chang dismounted weakly from his horse.
It seemed that his mental state was more of an issue than his physical strength.
Baek Mi-ryeo clicked her tongue.
"You can't even imagine what happens when a martial artist uses the relay route."
"......!" Jeong Yeon-shin glanced at Heon Won-chang, whose complexion had turned pale, and then turned his gaze to Ji-hyeon. 'He doesn't seem to be starving.' They said the Blood Flame Cult was sweeping away food.
Ji-hyeon's round face looked fine, except for the lack of luster.
However, there was a mix of relief and irritation in his expression as he looked at them.
"How long has it been since you sent a courier? This is so frustrating!"
"......?"
"If you have come, then hurry and dismount! I thought I would treat you with respect as the sword of the Great Ming Empire, but you are acting so leisurely! Can you even catch that person? Just the two of you?"
"What is this?" Jeong Yeon-shin asked Cheong Myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo.
Their expressions, familiar with the situation, showed indifference.
Cheong Myeong, casually tapping the back of his hood, slowly opened his mouth.
"Among the officials, there are some who are clueless. They think of Ip Hwang Seong as their own broom. They only say such things when it is their first time. There are several counties in the Central Plains, and many have never even seen a true martial artist."
"What, what! You rascal! What kind of rudeness is this?"
"Can I point out your pressure points?"
"Yes. Let's finish this quickly and go."
Before Cheong Myeong could finish his words, the official's voice was cut off.
Jeong Yeon-shin's hand, filled with essence, pressed between the spine and skull.
Looking down at the official, who was shorter than him, with indifferent eyes, Jeong Yeon-shin said, "I will not listen to your orders."
Sweat beaded on the official's forehead.
His trembling body turned around.
Cheong Myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo looked at him with satisfied expressions.
Suddenly, he felt embarrassed.
"Young Master Jeong, you have also learned the pressure point technique? Amazing."
Heon Won-chang exclaimed.
The pressure point technique was a method of precisely stimulating another's meridians with a hand filled with essence.
Not everyone in the martial world could perform it, but for Jeong Yeon-shin, who had mastered the human body through Jeong Ga Dong Gong, it was a natural study.
"I have thought for a long time, but it is getting harder to call you Young Master. From now on, I will call you So-hyeop. Jeong So-hyeop!"
"Do as you wish, Ip Hwang Shin Hyup."
Even with a light joke, the corners of Ip Hwang Shin Hyup's mouth seemed to rise.
Tying their horses in the government stable and dismounting, Cheong Myeong draped his arm over Jeong Yeon-shin's shoulder.
"You know the saying 'government officials are untouchable'? We are freer than other martial artists when it comes to the government. The royal family has allowed that. Those fools who think we are shackled can be treated like this."
Ip Hwang Seong serves as such a bulwark."
"Isn't that quite a soft touch for just a pressure point?"
Heon Won-chang chimed in.
"That doesn't mean we should go overboard."
Baek Mi-ryeo, who had been walking alongside, spoke up and added quietly,"That was well done."
"Yes."
Having spent a considerable amount of time together with Baek Mi-ryeo until Jinping County, he felt that the current encouragement had eased the awkwardness a lot. After a slight smile, Jeong Yeon-shin narrowed his eyes.
"Over there, below the village."
"Um?"
"The Blood Flame Cult members."
Before he could finish his words, he kicked the ground and began to sprint.