After casually mentioning ten seconds, he finally began to worry about his opponent's rationality.
Accepting the guidance of a man whose eyes were clouded with rage? It surely wouldn’t help in cultivating martial arts. 'It’s fine.' His concerns were completely unfounded.
He could tell from the calm expression on the other’s face.
The strength of a prestigious family revealed itself in such moments.
They did not waste their power recklessly.
It was said that the true terror of a noble lineage lay in pouring all their might into the places where high martial arts were required.
"I will pour my heart and soul into those ten seconds you mentioned."
The heir of the family was one who inherited that spirit.
His step-grandfather, Ma Yeonjeok, had once roamed the world as the leader of the Divine Sword Sect.
He could not have received his teachings carelessly.
The wave of energy climbing up the opponent's arm was anything but ordinary.
"It’s the Harmonious Fist Technique."
"You can use your own techniques. Just because you mentioned fist techniques doesn’t mean you should limit your moves. You have much to show."
"......"
It seemed he was angry again.
Jeong Yeonsin decided to keep his mouth shut.
The silence was brief.
The powerful energy that had felt so overwhelming was now contained within the opponent's body, and he realized he could not underestimate him.
The way he moved was different from before.
It seemed his footwork had improved to match his changed attitude.
Thud! Whoosh! He had never seen such a light stance before.
The punch that came swirling toward him was laced with a sharp energy.
Jeong Yeonsin responded by rotating in the opposite direction, using the Chukma Technique.
Boom! The fists collided.
Even in a spar, this was no easy feat.
It meant their concentration had reached its peak.
Fragments of their entangled energies scattered across their clothing.
The one who was pushed back was the opponent.
Even if he had the upper hand in power, the level of martial arts achievement was a different matter.
While the opponent swallowed a groan, Jeong Yeonsin gathered his energy in his lower body.
This was not the end.
The essence of the Chukma Technique was accumulation.
Jeong Yeonsin twisted his energy and took another step forward.
The energy that had been built up did not waver and accumulated once more.
In a short time, he unleashed a power greater than the first strike.
The air trembled as he extended his right hand in a Chukma strike.
Boom! He felt a clear impact as he crushed the opponent's elbow defense and struck his solar plexus.
It was quite deep.
"Cough!" This was what it meant to invoke the power of the strong.
The fist technique that freely utilized the Chukma Technique was inspired by the opponent's display of the Harmonious Fist Technique's powerful sequence.
Seeing the opponent grit his teeth and correct his stance filled Jeong Yeonsin with joy.
He still had more to give.
"I'm going further."
"Arrogant!" Perhaps due to the fierce battle, the voice was almost a growl.
The boy spread his palm wide.
The energy shifted.
It was the moment Jeong Yeonsin executed his third Chukma strike.
The boy's left hand changed direction three times as if teasing the punch before slapping the back of his hand.
Thud! The one who retreated was surprisingly the boy.
He frowned and took a step back, rubbing his own hand.
It seemed the impact had been quite significant.
Jeong Yeonsin instantly grasped the change he had just witnessed.
It was not a mere feint but a movement that built energy with true intent.
'Something interesting has emerged.' He felt a thrill and took a step forward.
The achievement of the Jeong Family's Internal Arts shone in this moment.
He had managed to hold onto the accumulated energy with the subtle movements of his entire body.
Boom! The Chukma strike was different again.
The moment he stepped on the energy, the marble floor cracked.
His body was beginning to feel the strain.
'It's bearable.' With such power coursing through him, it was difficult to utilize the Leaf Shield Technique.
It meant that unless the opponent was exceptionally slow, he could not approach and strike.
However, there was Ma Gwanggyeol.
"You country bumpkin!" The movements of the rushing opponent were clear to him.
Ma Gwanggyeol's trajectory was revealed to him.
Whoosh! Jeong Yeonsin suddenly crouched down.
The unbroken sequence of techniques embraced Ma Gwanggyeol's freedom.
In this moment, his movements clearly contained a heightened understanding of the Harmonious Fist Technique.
The fourth strike.
Crash! At the end of the stomped energy, stone fragments flew in all directions.
He felt a sensation of something breaking.
The protective energy flowing over the opponent's body shattered into pieces.
'One day, it would be nice to create a protective technique.' He set aside the sudden thought and moved after the retreating opponent.
New energy began to gather at the end of his movements, like leaves riding the wind.
'Five techniques were enough.' He felt the principles that pierced through his own martial arts with his entire body.
The layering of power.
He built it up as he went.
The Jeong Family's Internal Arts and the Chukma Technique were like that.
This was how he faced the world, having grown up in a third-rate martial family.
Flash! A heavenly light sparkled in Jeong Yeonsin's eyes.
A blue lightning bolt surged from within him.
The secrets of the Harmonious Fist Technique intertwined with the principles of the Jeong Family's Internal Arts and the Chukma Technique.
The logic of martial arts, the martial principles, exploded in his mind and converged into a single essence.
The longer the combination lasted, the stronger the fist technique became.
The Time Flower Infinite Fist.
The name that arose naturally along with the principles finally brought forth a martial art that could be called a significant achievement in the world.
As he swung his arm from his shoulder, stone fragments swirled in all directions.
Whoosh! The energy that had been built up through his advance exploded right in front of the opponent's solar plexus.
It detonated from a mere inch away, causing the opponent's upper body to sway.
He staggered as if about to fall, his face blank as if all strength had left his body.
"The essence of the strike contained in the fist technique! Now, I am no longer bound by the warrior's rotation..."
From afar, Ma Jin's voice mixed with disbelief could be heard.
"You can do more."
"......"
He spoke to the opponent, who stood stiffly, but the boy merely chewed on his lower lip, saying nothing.
Three figures approached from a distance.
Ma Jin seemed to have lost all strength in his body, while his step-grandfather, Ma Yeonjeok, wore a frozen expression as if he had lost his mind.
Only the Lady of the House, Ip Hwangseongju, wore a faint smile.
"I have witnessed a rare sight. To see the moment of creating a martial art is quite delightful."
"I am embarrassed. I hope I did not dazzle your eyes."
Jeong Yeonsin slightly bowed his head.
She smiled gently.
"That is too much. You seem to be enjoying yourself. How could a martial artist not feel that way? Have you decided on a name for your technique?"
"I have named it the Time Flower Infinite Fist."
"A technique where the time flows endlessly and shines. It is a fitting name. However, since the meaning is quite intuitive, be careful that it does not become a weakness in actual combat. The key to the sequence is enduring the first combination. With your talent, you should be able to overcome it."
"Thank you for your advice."
Jeong Yeonsin clasped his hands together.
The laughter of Lady Ip Hwangseongju deepened with the reverence that filled the air.
"Are you alright?"
"I am sorry, Grandfather..."
On one side, the step-grandfather and grandson exchanged words of comfort.
The boy, who had nearly turned to tears, stared at the ground with a face dripping with frustration.
While patting his grandson's head, Ma Yeonjeok gazed at Jeong Yeonsin with a very complicated expression.
'How could such a shining talent emerge from a humble family...' He too had his pride.
It was difficult to approach the resolute grandson who drew a firm line.
He envied his son, who could approach him as a relative.
"Great Master."
Jeong Yeonsin looked at Ma Jin, who stood before him.
"You have worked hard. And congratulations. You have gained another sword of your own. It is an excellent martial art."
"I have only grasped the framework. I am not entirely satisfied with the techniques, and when using the long techniques, I have to rely completely on Ma Gwanggyeol."
"Even that alone would be enough for many in the white ranks to withstand your strike. I try not to be surprised, but I wonder how your growth can be so rapid."
"It must be faster."
He muttered in response.
The emotions reflected in Ma Jin's gaze as he looked at his sister's son were set aside.
Ma Yeonjeok even knew that he could not demand the fruits of the world.
The goal had become even more urgent.
'When will I reach that damned tall tree?' The thought was so intense it almost felt like a curse.
"Since Seomye has won, we should conclude."
It was the unique, melodious voice of Lady Ip Hwangseongju.
When he turned around, he saw her still wearing a smile.
Lady Ip Hwangseongju looked around at the people present before speaking again.
"I will impart the necessary martial arts at the time Seomye desires. Furthermore, Seomye can request one thing from the Ip Hwangma family. I hereby certify it."
"I will convey that at the moment I desire it through you, Great Master."
Ma Jin's expression, which he caught a glimpse of, was strange.
He did not want to delve into the feelings of Ma Gwangik, who had suddenly become a messenger.
'The sin lies with them.' Jeong Yeonsin lightly folded his thoughts and finally looked at Ma Yeonjeok.
"I apologize, but I must clarify one thing. I have no obligation to yield to my maternal family in any way. Do you agree?"
"Um..."
It was a response close to a groan.
He seemed unable to easily open his mouth as various thoughts crossed his mind.
Under Jeong Yeonsin's unwavering gaze, Ma Yeonjeok finally spoke with great difficulty.
"What must I do for you to forgive me?"
"......!" It was not Jeong Yeonsin who reacted to those words.
The boy, the heir, could not hide his despair, and Ma Jin's face was also colored with shock.
Even Lady Ip Hwangseongju seemed lightly surprised.
Perhaps because he was the party involved, Jeong Yeonsin had completely different thoughts. 'He seems like a terrifying person.' It was said that Lady Ip Hwangseong, a purple master, acted as an absolute being every time she stepped into the martial world.
It was said that she held the power of life and death over the majority of humans who reached her senses.
It was a common rumor.
Only the head of the Gu faction, revered as an immortal among the common people, could even dare to cross swords with her. 'Such a person bowed her head.
To someone as lowly as me.' Simply because he was a talented blood relative.
It was impossible unless one was someone who was not obsessed with the revival of their family.
It was to this extent that she severed ties with her daughter, who married the head of the Jeong family.
It sent shivers down his spine.
He felt he had to speak carefully.
He did not want to become 'Ma Yeonsin.'
"It is the greatest burden for my step-grandfather to show such a demeanor. The past years cannot be reversed, and to me, the people of my maternal family are no different from strangers. Ma Gwangik is my family."
"Couldn’t you build a bond?"
"I do not have enough time to build martial arts."
The prestige of the Ip Hwangma family could not even reach the fruits of the world.
Jeong Yeonsin did not know the warmth of family.
He felt no attraction in terms of necessity or blood.
He shook his head and spoke again.
"The grandson has won in the spar that he recklessly requested. Please show respect as a martial artist."
"......"
The expression was one of utter disbelief.
Yet, he could not feel at ease.
He did not know how much honeyed words he might weave in the future.
He guessed it was because he was a person with madness.
First, he politely greeted Lady Ip Hwangseongju and Ma Yeonjeok before turning away.
He needed to train.
The Time Flower Infinite Fist he had just created was not complete.
"Yeonjeok. How interesting. It is a face I have never seen before. You look like you regret it immensely."
"Lady, I cannot help you."
"How can I bear your karma?" He overheard the conversation of the supreme masters and headed toward the Ma Gwangik training ground.
He felt Ma Jin's presence following behind him.
The situation had completely reversed from when he had come.
Suddenly, he recalled that he had not heard the name of the heir of the Ip Hwangma family, but he was not particularly curious.
"Seomye."
They were passing by a small lake.
Ma Jin, reflecting on the sunlight shimmering on the waves, cautiously opened his mouth.
"I have a task that could help you."