The wind of growth brushed roughly against the ears.
The energy coursing through Jin Gyeong was intertwined with the principles of the Shigeukgyeong.
Jeongyeon brought his hand to the sword stance. 'Cut in one strike.' In the vast village fields, chaos erupted.
There were shouts from people telling others to stop, and laughter from the men of the Blood Flame Sect, saying they shouldn’t speak like that.
They still hadn’t noticed.
The distance was quite far.
At that moment, whoosh! The fabric of the hood brushed against his cheek and moved away.
Following closely, Cheongmyeong surpassed him with incredible lightness.
It was the realm of Chaosangbi, stepping lightly as if skimming the edge of the bushes.
Truly, a renowned clan.
Jeongyeon’s footwork was only sufficient to function within the realm of Iphwangseong.
Recently, he had been trying to create essential techniques like lightness and evasion, but inspiration was lacking.
"Damn it."
In the end, even Baekmilyeo passed him with light steps, and even Hyunwonchang brushed past him, saying he would go ahead with a light tap on the shoulder.
In terms of lightness, Jeongyeon was still not at the level of the white practitioners of Iphwangseong.
He was aware of this himself.
"Hmm."
His eyes moved keenly.
Below the hill of the government office, fields and livestock pens stretched out, lined with many houses.
Beyond that, green hills continued, reaching the mountain range outside the village, where the dense foliage seemed unusual.
At a glance, it looked like a place suitable for hiding.
'They said they periodically come to the village and cause trouble.' The Central Plains were far too vast.
Even a single county was difficult to count in terms of the people living there.
Nevertheless, the frequent appearances meant they resided not far away, and there weren’t many places where one could hide their red hair.
It was well known that the followers of the Blood Flame Sect were forbidden by doctrine to wear hats or straw hats.
Jeongyeon changed his running direction and glanced below.
The body of the Blood Flame Sect disciple, who had blocked Cheongmyeong's swift sword, bounced back.
It meant he wasn’t capable of handling the blue of Iphwangseong.
What would happen if Baekmilyeo joined in?
"Just in case."
He dashed toward the hills.
As he passed the startled eyes of the terrified villagers and reached the path into the mountains, he soon realized he had made the right choice.
"Get out of the way!" A figure with disheveled red hair rushed forward.
The bright red martial attire bore traces of experience.
It was astonishing how he had shaken off Cheongmyeong and Baekmilyeo.
Jeongyeon placed his hand on the sword stance, spreading all his fingers before gripping the hilt.
At the same time, he summoned the energy of Ma Gwanggyeol and aimed the sword path.
Now, a formless energy that could be called Qi began to seep out from his body.
He stepped forward with his right foot and lowered his upper body in a stance.
Jeongyeon’s swift sword, Ma Gwanggyeol, was something even the blue masters of Ma Gwangik found difficult to handle.
"Amateur? No, what is that...!" Surprise flickered across the face of the Blood Flame Sect disciple rushing with a demonic expression.
He quickly gritted his teeth and changed direction. 'Huh?' Where was he going? Jeongyeon was taken aback.
The experiences of charging head-on or confronting at close range felt meaningless in that moment.
The sight of the fleeing figure, as if this was the real Jianghu, delivered a shock.
The first outing into Jianghu.
He discovered a kind of naivety that all martial artists experience, regardless of their talent in martial arts.
He still lacked the techniques and lightness to catch the Blood Flame Sect disciple.
In the end, Jeongyeon could only watch the retreating back helplessly.
"What a disaster."
Cheongmyeong, who had approached closer, smiled bitterly.
"Yeonshin, don’t blame yourself. It’s our fault."
"He had the Gu Myung Jeolcho. As expected of a lowly member of the Blood Flame Sect, it was a technique suited for fleeing."
Baekmilyeo sighed.
Gu Myung Jeolcho literally referred to a secret technique that could save one’s life.
In his case, it seemed to be agility.
It was completely opposite to Jeongyeon.
"A technique for evasion faster than the Chaosangbi of a renowned clan? That guy earlier, they said he hadn’t been in the Blood Flame Sect for long."
Jeongyeon couldn’t help but ask.
Cheongmyeong’s bitter smile deepened.
"Those bloodthirsty bastards. They gain power through techniques that blur the line between sorcery and martial arts, sometimes burning their own blood along with others' to forge martial arts at the cost of their lifespan. That guy seemed to have particularly good talent. It felt like his swordsmanship achievement couldn’t keep up with his lightness."
"It’s strange enough that he’s acting alone for so long. The Blood Flame Sect isn’t known for being free-spirited. There must be something more."
Baekmilyeo spoke with a thoughtful expression.
She glanced at Jeongyeon, who was slightly lowering his head in frustration, and continued, "As you all might have guessed, his base must be nearby. Given his strange obsession, he won’t retreat easily."
"Shall we take a leisurely wait while enjoying the fresh air for a while?"
"…Yeah. You do that. Damn renowned clan."
Cheongmyeong, with his arms crossed behind his head, and Baekmilyeo, squinting at him, exchanged a few words before they saw Hyunwonchang running over, panting.
"Hyunwonchang. Your overall martial arts achievement is decent. It suits the white level. But your stamina isn’t keeping up. You might think your current level is sufficient, but you should know that you won’t always face opponents in perfect condition in Jianghu. You’re lacking."
Baekmilyeo spoke in an indifferent tone.
Hyunwonchang, feeling embarrassed, bowed his head in apology.
Jeongyeon’s eyes sparkled.
The reason Ma Gwangik had sent four people was clear.
It was said that blue masters would assess the experiences and achievements of white warriors in Iphwangseong.
In the grand scheme of things, it was rare for martial artists of such a high level to personally guide others in Jianghu.
It was a benefit that could not be considered common throughout the Central Plains.
"And Jeongyeon..."
He flinched at Baekmilyeo’s gaze.
Her eyes were softening.
"Your foundation is surprisingly well established. I wonder if there’s anyone who can compare, even among the Gu and Pal families. I completely understood just from watching you run without any technique. When it comes to pure physicality, there’s no one who can match you even among the Ma Gwangik, let alone the frail renowned clans like Cheongmyeong."
Baekmilyeo, with a gaze devoid of selfishness, scanned Jeongyeon’s physique and smiled contentedly.
"A martial artist must have a good body. No matter what martial arts one learns, a body like yours is bound to succeed."
"That’s right. There’s no need to feel disheartened about your lightness right now."
Cheongmyeong, unfazed by the comment about being frail, smiled and patted Jeongyeon’s shoulder.
The expression of Iphwangsin Hyup, looking on with envy, felt awkward to ignore.
Jeongyeon changed the subject, feeling a sense of fulfillment from the time he dedicated to Jeonggadonggong in his childhood.
"Is it alright to stay at the government office? I might have been a bit too harsh."
"What if it’s not allowed? This is Iphwangseong. He should cooperate with us."
"That’s right. The inconvenience lies with that local official, not us. What can the national law do about that? Thanks to you, that official must have realized his place."
Cheongmyeong chimed in with Baekmilyeo’s words.
To them, it seemed like a trivial matter.
However, how imposing was the authority of the local official in his hometown, Sinya County? They had seen it rival the power of the Jeong family, a family of landowners and martial artists.
It made them reconsider the position of Iphwangseong once again.
In a place where it was hard to find a match in both the martial world and the government, it was an unprecedented backing. 'I’ve truly entered a comfortable place.
As long as I do well, it will be fine.' While considering the opponent’s martial power deeply, there was no need to worry about the might of the group.
How many places like this existed in the vast world?
"By the way, you. Would you like to learn how to walk a bit?"
"Learn how to walk? Is it about the evasion technique?" Jeongyeon asked back, and Cheongmyeong showed a troubled expression as he scratched his hood.
"We can’t pass on our sect’s martial arts... But I can teach you how the renowned clans move. Usually, people know but can’t do it, but I think you can."
"The movement of the renowned clans!" Hyunwonchang exclaimed excitedly.
He had a pleading expression, as if begging to be taught, and Jeongyeon fully understood his reaction this time.
Having met many renowned clans recently, he had become desensitized to their distinct features and long ears, but even now, many still regarded the renowned clans as heavenly beings in the Central Plains.
The realm they existed in was that deep and narrow.
Their ageless beauty, graceful movements, and the reputation of their clan as friends of nature were often mythologized among the common folk.
Hyunwonchang spat out in excitement.
"To witness the techniques of the world’s renowned clans is truly a great fortune! Please, grant me a piece of that fortune!"
"Yeah, yeah. How could I discriminate against the same Ma Gwangik? Even if I pass it on, most won’t be able to use it anyway..."
Cheongmyeong’s face grew more troubled.
Baekmilyeo, who was beside him, shook her head.
"Just show it first. Are you already worried about disappointing?"
"Well, some people have clearly taught the essentials and then doubted for over a year, right? In the end, they couldn’t master it."
"I don’t know who you’re talking about. There aren’t many such individuals, are there? No one has entered Ma Gwangik."
Baekmilyeo turned away nonchalantly, saying she would investigate the village.
Cheongmyeong watched her retreating figure with a grin, while Hyunwonchang, with a bewildered expression, muttered weakly, "Even Ma Gwangik couldn’t be learned by anyone? Is it truly a technique unique to the renowned clans...?"
"It’s not systematically woven together. This is just how to walk and run."
At that moment, dust rose beneath Cheongmyeong’s feet.
There was no flow of energy, yet a gust of wind fluttered the ends of his pants.
"Look."
At the same time, he lightly kicked off the ground and soared up without making a sound.
With graceful movements, he stepped on the side of a tree several times and stood tall on the top branch.
It was no longer a human movement.
Before they knew it, the Iphwangsin Hyup, as if entranced, tilted his neck upward with his mouth agape. 'It’s not energy, but something like energy supported his body.' Jeongyeon gazed up at Cheongmyeong, recalling his movements.
Cheongmyeong closed his eyes for a moment, inhaling the air of the forest before he leaped down like a feather.
He landed with a feeling as if leaves were falling, and once again, there was no sound.
It was a terrifying evasion technique, so much so that the absence of presence in movement was akin to possessing a deadly skill.
Jeongyeon fell into thought.
"Could it be... do you understand?" Cheongmyeong approached with a look of disbelief.
Then he suddenly flinched.
"Did I disturb your meditation?"
"No. I was pondering how to create wind with energy. Since I lack the powers of a renowned clan..."
"What...!" Jeongyeon’s casual remark widened Cheongmyeong’s eyes.
"You saw the energy of nature and gained insight? How could that be...!"
"Wasn’t that what you showed me? A few thoughts came to mind. If I segment the movements like a herbivore and release the energy..."
As Jeongyeon’s focus returned, he smiled at Cheongmyeong.
"Thank you for the wonderful inspiration. Sometimes I feel guilty for only taking from Iphwangseong, but it seems I can contribute significantly to this mission."
"..."
Cheongmyeong stared blankly at Jeongyeon, who was bowing deeply in gratitude.
Hyunwonchang approached with a similar expression.
"Shall we unpack our things at the place to stay? For Jeong so-hyeop’s sake."
"…Yeah, let’s do that."
The three of them moved to follow the now distant Baekmilyeo.
Cheongmyeong and Hyunwonchang kept glancing back at Jeongyeon, who was walking slightly behind.
As if the chaos caused by the Blood Flame Sect had never happened, the gentle spring breeze of the first season was now caressing their shoulders.
By the time they leisurely arrived at the government office in Jinpyeong County, the sun had completely set, painting the sky with a warm glow.
The four of Ma Gwangik settled into the government office.
Jeongyeon, who had released the blood flow of the local official, was so absorbed in the hints of the technique that he didn’t seem like a newcomer to Jianghu at all.
He lay down, casually brushing off the fearful gazes and delving into the mysteries of martial arts.
'If I think ahead about the movement and release the energy in short bursts at each step...' Jeongyeon slowly closed his eyes.
Cheongmyeong, who had been lying in a hammock made of hemp between the trees, opened his eyes groggily.
He basked in the sunlight that awakened the foliage.
With a pleasant smile, he suddenly looked down.
A boy stood quietly in the open space, eyes closed, with an Iphwang sword at his waist, enveloped in a serene prayer.
Was it a carefree attitude that didn’t care who was watching his training? Just as Cheongmyeong smiled with pride, the sunlight streamed down through the leaves.
In the midst of the morning sun, Jeongyeon’s body briefly swayed.
Soon, a gust of dust stirred at the tips of his lightly stepped toes, and the image of leaves fluttering as he kicked off the ground was captured.
Cheongmyeong’s eyes widened.
"Crazy...!"