"Is the Jongnam faction lacking in white?"
"What do you mean?"
"Ah, don't misunderstand. I don't have the authority to give you a blue robe. Neither does our Grand Master."
"Then?"
"Just a moment."
Cheongmyeong turned to the side and rummaged through his belongings.
Ma Jin and Baek Mi-ryeo exchanged knowing glances.
Soon, Cheongmyeong pulled out his blue robe and stepped forward towards Jeong Yeon-shin.
"I'll lend it to you."
The fabric of the robe fluttered widely.
Jeong Yeon-shin glanced at the blue robe draped over Cheongmyeong's body and raised his head.
He looked quite puzzled.
"I don't understand."
It was Baek Mi-ryeo who spoke up.
"The white robe signifies your status, while the blue robe represents the honor guaranteed by the late-stage index of the Iphwangseong."
Late-stage index.
In the martial world, this term is not used lightly.
It carries significant weight.
It refers to the top among the juniors walking the path of martial arts.
The title was even more meaningful since she had received it less than half a year after entering Iphwangseong.
She smiled, a captivating smile that held no ulterior motives.
"You have the authority to give orders over all the white-robed warriors of Iphwangseong. I was going to give it to you."
"Your shoulders are too narrow for it."
Cheongmyeong smiled and looked at Jeong Yeon-shin.
"If anyone asks, tell them that Ma Gwang-ik's sword acknowledges you. That should prevent any trouble."
"You can also mention the alias of the series of swords. I will treat it as if I have handed you the robe."
"Thank you."
Jeong Yeon-shin slightly bowed.
The feeling in his chest was unfamiliar.
Ma Jin, who had been watching with a somewhat troubled expression, nodded.
"It seems things are settled."
"The matters of the Hwasan faction..."
"We will handle it. I don't know whether it will be your return or the resolution of the Jaso-dan incident that comes first."
At that moment, Heon Won-chang cautiously raised his hand.
"May I accompany you, Brother Jeong? I may not be of much help to the Grand Master and the blue-robed ones, but it will be different with you."
"…You are allowed."
After a moment of thought, Ma Jin agreed, acknowledging the truth in his words.
"Don't forget that the matters of Jongnam have also become Ma Gwang-ik's mission. Observe the fight between the Paegumjong and the Jongnam faction, and consider the impact their war will have on the common people. You may intervene in any way you see fit. But prioritize your lives."
"I will obey."
Jeong Yeon-shin and Heon Won-chang bowed deeply.
Jeong Yeon-shin's gaze turned towards the southern window, his eyes filled with determination.
Jongnam Mountain, where the prestigious sword factions of the Central Plains had established their roots.
It was where his second brother and young nephew were learning martial arts together.
I wonder how Hyea is doing?
"The destruction of the Jeong family. If I visit Elder Yeol, he will surely tell me."
The war between the Thirteen Heavens and the Nine Factions.
It was also an opportunity to see how far his martial prowess could reach in the world.
Jongnam Mountain was two days away.
The two of them changed into Iphwangseong robes only after sleeping for two nights.
They were considering the dignity of the Hwasan faction.
Heon Won-chang, revived as a member of Iphwangseong, burst into a refreshing smile.
He looked at the 'Hwang' characters on either side of his shoulders, grinning widely.
"This is the taste of it."
"..."
Jeong Yeon-shin donned the blue robe given by Cheongmyeong over his white Iphwangseong robe.
Before long, Heon Won-chang looked at him with envy and said,
"A white robe with a blue cape. It suits you quite well."
"It feels a bit awkward."
"I think you will adapt quickly if you are a junior."
"Thank you, Heon Won, junior."
"Hmm? It's not just flattery."
Jeong Yeon-shin smiled softly.
He was grateful.
It would be hard for someone without deep feelings to follow along with matters unrelated to their duties.
Before long, they arrived at the entrance of Jongnam Mountain.
From a distance, the majestic mountain range took their breath away, but as they reached the entrance, they felt the unique solemnity of a place occupied by martial factions.
Martial artists were guarding the area.
"It seems they are the Jongnam warriors. So, the rumors of a conflict with the Paegumjong are true. They have come down from the main gate to the foot of the mountain."
Heon Won-chang whispered.
As the two approached, two of the four guarding warriors stepped forward.
"Please state your faction, name, and purpose."
"As you can see, we come from Iphwangseong."
Heon Won-chang casually replied, nudging his shoulder and signaling Jeong Yeon-shin.
It seemed to indicate that he was taking on the responsibility as the late-stage index of Iphwangseong.
At the mention of Iphwangseong, the warriors standing behind them stepped forward.
Jeong Yeon-shin opened his mouth.
"I am Jeong Yeon-shin of Ma Gwang-ik."
"And I am Heon Won-chang of Ma Gwang-ik from Iphwangseong."
"Hmm...!"
The warriors scanned their clothing and murmured among themselves.
Just by observing their reactions, it was clear that Iphwangseong, with its purpose of restraining the martial world, was not welcomed by the factions of Jianghu.
"Are you trying to prove your identity just by your clothing?"
One of the Jongnam disciples spoke with a strangely sharp tone.
Ma Gwang-ik took out a golden identity token from his possession.
The Iphwang token, adorned with a golden tree pattern, was revealed in his hand.
It was said to be crafted by a blacksmith of exceptional skill, rare even among noble families.
Anyone who saw the delicate yet flowing design would surely acknowledge it.
"Iphwangseong is a powerful faction. Do you think young warriors like you can act independently? Who would..."
Before the sharp-tongued disciple could finish, another warrior, seemingly older, stepped forward.
"Unfortunately, the main faction is currently in a state of war. Please understand that we cannot trust the identities of unfamiliar individuals."
"These people!"
Heon Won-chang, taken aback, unleashed his energy.
The air trembled slightly as his aura spread clearly.
Having smoothly passed through Iphwang City and adapted as a white member of Ma Gwang-ik, he was not as light-hearted as he usually appeared.
"…!"
"Truly, it is Iphwangseong!"
Seeing the reaction, Heon Won-chang felt satisfied, but the Jongnam disciple who had stepped back shouted,
"How dare you speak such nonsense on Jongnam Mountain!"
"Who are these people...!"
Heon Won-chang wore a look of disbelief.
Jeong Yeon-shin, who had been quietly observing, felt a sense of déjà vu.
He thought of Jeong Gajang.
When he spoke of learning martial arts, the first thing that came to the faces of the younger brothers was not confusion, but something else.
Surprise and jealousy.
They were just like them.
"It seems the fight with the Paegumjong is not going smoothly. The pride of the Nine Factions is cracking, and now these young ones appear, claiming to be the warriors of Iphwangseong."
Heon Won-chang's display of power was not a good move.
The warriors of the Nine Factions were known for their deep cultivation.
Perhaps due to the situation and youthful vigor, the Jongnam disciples before him seemed no different from the young warriors of the mundane world.
"I cannot believe it. Young ones like you pretending to be warriors of Iphwangseong, especially in these times."
His tone grew firmer.
Jeong Yeon-shin felt a tightness in his chest.
Although guarding the gate was an important task, it was not the responsibility of the senior members leading the faction.
The ones standing guard at the Jongnam faction's entrance were all young.
Their age brought with it vitality, along with the pride of being disciples of a prestigious faction like Jongnam.
"This...!"
Perhaps the mention of blood ties struck a chord.
In the midst of this, Heon Won-chang, who glanced at him and suppressed his anger, was a sight to behold.
Just as Jeong Yeon-shin was about to step forward...
"Even if you truly are from Iphwangseong, it is still a problem. How could you trust these two and send them to Dae Jongnam? The once-mighty name of Iphwangseong seems to be just a thing of the past."
The one who had remained silent until now spoke sharply.
His narrowed eyes suggested he was not of ordinary temperament.
Clearly, they had crossed the line.
Jeong Yeon-shin placed his hand on the sword at his waist.
"Perhaps you should reconsider your words and actions. You have insulted the warriors of another faction without reason."
He spoke calmly.
Jeong Jung-san was a young man with a rough face dressed in plain robes.
He was the second son of Jeong Gajang and a disciple of the Jongnam faction.
Recently, he found himself pondering how he had come to this state more often than not.
Even if the destruction of the Jeong family was akin to a natural disaster, human hearts were different.
He thought about karma, even though he was not a disciple of Buddhism.
"Perhaps it was because I was a foolish and incompetent brother that I brought this calamity upon myself."
He had begun to talk to himself more.
He was sitting on the ridge of the Xunxin Pavilion of Jongnam, leaning back.
The scenery before him was truly peaceful.
The blue sky was dotted with soft clouds, creating gentle ripples below, while the long stretch of the Qinling Mountains cast its shadow.
Several bamboo stalks rose above the fence.
He sat on the roof of the pavilion, swinging his feet.
The sound of the stones clinking together brought him a small sense of satisfaction.
At the same time, a gruff voice erupted from below.
"You brat! I told you to fetch the rice water, yet you forgot and are lazing about!"
"Ah!"
He hurriedly jumped down and bowed his head to the owner of the voice.
The old swordsman, with a stern expression, sat on the main hall, looking displeased.
"My apologies, Elder."
"How exasperating. This faction's sword techniques and disciples are disappearing one by one."
His words were tinged with a sense of loss.
Jeong Jung-san bowed even lower.
Although the Jongnam faction was at war with the Paegumjong, he was not a warrior worthy of entering the ranks of the Nine Factions.
Naturally, he had become the elder's attendant.
The old man clicked his tongue.
"Our faction is facing difficulties in securing supplies, so you must go down the mountain and fetch some grain. I cannot waste food myself. We must quickly sweep away the remnants of the Paegum."
"Yes!"
"Elder Jong is still tormenting the innocent disciples today."
At the sudden voice of a woman, the old man's expression softened a bit.
"Ah, Myeohwa has come."
"Huh?"
Jeong Jung-san's eyes widened as he saw the approaching figure.
She seemed to be around twenty, transitioning from girlhood to womanhood.
Her beautiful features and sharp eyes were striking.
A peculiar feather ornament adorned her long black hair.
The wide blue robe fluttered in the wind as she walked.
A jade belt decorated with a white sword hung from her waist.
She was Wei Zhi Myeohwa, known as the "Sword Dragon in the Clouds."
The meaning of her name was that of a hero with a sword above the clouds.
The term "dragon" was typically used for men in that era.
During the farewell of Jeong Gajang, Jeong Jung-san had never seen the Sword Dragon in the Clouds, which is why he referred to her as the Great Senior.
Wei Zhi Myeohwa was different.
As the strongest late-stage index of the Jongnam faction, known as the Sword Dragon, she was a being he could not even dare to meet eyes with.
"Just in time, I needed a porter. Jeong... disciple? Let's go down together."
She seemed to fumble with his name, as if she couldn't remember it, and turned around swiftly.
The old man gestured for him to hurry along, and Jeong Jung-san hurriedly followed Wei Zhi Myeohwa.
They did not exchange a single word until they reached the foot of Jongnam Mountain.
Jeong Jung-san found it difficult to engage with someone of such high reputation, while Wei Zhi Myeohwa appeared to show no interest at all.
"Uh...?"
Suddenly, Jeong Jung-san let out a bewildered sound.
He thought he had seen something impossible.
He stopped in his tracks, witnessing Wei Zhi Myeohwa standing tall as her seniors welcomed a guest.
The atmosphere grew increasingly tense, but what mattered to Jeong Jung-san was not that.
"Yeon-shin?"
"Hmm? Do you know someone?"
Finally, Wei Zhi Myeohwa showed interest for the first time.
"Ah!"
What he saw in her eyes was truly shocking.
Without even seeing the draw of the sword, he witnessed his own brother, who had already sheathed his sword, as the sword of a figure he revered flew back.
Suddenly, a gust of wind rushed past him.
Wei Zhi Myeohwa leaped forward, kicking off the ground.