For a moment, the disciples of Jongnam were startled by the tremendous swift sword.
Just as they were about to grit their teeth and draw their swords, a voice rang out, “Stop!” The bushes around Ok-eum trembled in unison.
An immense aura could be felt.
Sa-bak.
With a powerful presence, she descended like a celestial fairy.
The realm of the transcendent was present here as well.
Jeong Yeon-shin gazed at the woman standing in the middle as if mediating. ‘Strong.’ Her beauty was so rare that it hardly caught his eye.
She wrapped her delicate body in an imposing aura that made her seem formidable.
Just watching her stand, one could sense her extraordinary skill.
“What a sight to behold. It is hard to believe you are disciples of Jongnam with such behavior. We shall discuss this later.” Those in charge of the boundaries bowed their heads at her soft words.
It was as if an elder was pointing out their misconduct.
Only then did they seem to realize their disgraceful actions, their faces turning red.
“We are sorry, Great Master.”
“We have no face to show.”
The woman nodded at their apologies and turned to Jeong Yeon-shin and Heon Won-chang.
“Indeed.” She parted her lips.
The leaves brushed against the flowing hem of her robe, splitting apart as they did.
The energy radiating from her entire being was sharp and fierce.
It seemed to rival even the blue of Ip-hwang-seong.
“I have no face before the noble ones of Ip-hwang-seong.”
“......” Heon Won-chang appeared utterly overwhelmed.
Not believing that he was standing there in a daze, Jeong Yeon-shin spoke up.
“I am Jeong Yeon-shin. I belong to Ma Gwang-ik. This is my companion, Heon Won-chang.”
“I am Wi Ji-myo-hwa of Jongnam.” Her gentle words carried an air of authority.
Jeong Yeon-shin felt it clearly.
It was not that she exerted her power; it was simply her natural grace that emanated.
He was finally beginning to grasp the strength of the old sect.
“Wi Ji-myo-hwa...? Ah, the Sword Dragon of Jongnam!” Heon Won-chang exclaimed in admiration, realizing her identity.
It was said that she had slain the leader of the rogue faction that had emerged among the crowd.
She was already a renowned master in the world.
The Sword Dragon of Jongnam, Wi Ji-myo-hwa.
Rumors spread that she was a genius sent down from the heavens.
Hwa San’s Yu Hyun was also sixteen this year, just like Jeong Yeon-shin, and if he trained in seclusion for five years, he might reach such heights.
‘She was born and raised in Jongnam and became a Great Master at such a young age.’ Jeong Yeon-shin, who was at least four years younger than her, did not think of such things.
It was a habit to exclude his age due to his frail constitution.
“Ah, it is an honor to meet the illustrious Wi Ji-myo-hwa, who has made a name for herself as a Sword Dragon.” Heon Won-chang bowed deeply.
Wi Ji-myo-hwa scolded her disciples in front of them.
It was impossible not to feel fondness for her.
Jeong Yeon-shin felt the same.
It was as if he had met a true master of the old sect he had only heard about, and following Heon Won-chang, he clasped his hands together.
“We have acted rudely by appearing from the main sect. I am ashamed before Great Master Wi Ji.” He called her Great Master instead of Lady or Miss.
She was a woman who had earned the title of Dragon despite not being a man.
She was a senior who roamed the martial world with a single sword, and her experience and achievements were far beyond Jeong Yeon-shin’s.
Wi Ji-myo-hwa’s eyes softened.
Ah, even Heon Won-chang, who had made a foolish sound, seemed to understand her beauty a little.
“Although it was Jeong So-hyeop who first grasped the sword, my disciple took the lead. Everyone saw it. Rather, I apologize on behalf of Jongnam.” There was warmth in her gaze as she looked at Jeong Yeon-shin, and the words of representing Jongnam felt surprisingly natural.
Among the masters he had met in the martial world, she was as intense as Hwa San’s Cheon Ju, who was a rival of Ma Jin.
He thought her grace might even be the first.
“I have kept our precious guest waiting for too long. I will guide you to the main sect. We shall discuss matters once we ascend.”
“Thank you.” After bowing again and lifting his head, Jeong Yeon-shin caught sight of a familiar face.
It was his second brother, Jeong Jung-san, who wore a dazed expression.
“Are you saying Hye-a is being taught by the Jongnam Sword Immortal?”
“I don’t think she has officially become a disciple, but she is receiving teachings almost equivalent to that.” Jeong Jung-san’s words, as they climbed the mountain together, left Jeong Yeon-shin astonished.
The Jongnam Sword Immortal was said to be a swordsman surpassing the great elder, Yeol Il-sin.
Though he rarely descended to the mortal realm, his fame was known throughout the world.
His niece, Jeong Hye, had been recognized for her talent.
While feeling relieved, Jeong Jung-san glanced at Jeong Yeon-shin with a complicated expression.
“More importantly, you... you have become strong to an unimaginable degree. A formal warrior of Ip-hwang-seong.”
“Strong? I still have a long way to go.” Jeong Yeon-shin held back his words even to his brother.
The only person who knew his lifespan was the lord of Ip-hwang-seong.
He had no desire to prolong the conversation in various ways.
“Your ambition is dazzling, Jeong So-hyeop. So you must have already received a blue robe over the white of Ip-hwang-seong.” Wi Ji-myo-hwa seemed to take a liking to Jeong Yeon-shin.
Each time she spoke, Jeong Jung-san’s expression changed, as if he were witnessing something rare even as a fellow disciple of Jongnam.
‘It’s not ambition; it’s desperation.’ When he thought it was difficult to express his feelings for words that did not resonate, the group that had briefly traveled together arrived at the Jongnam sect’s gate.
“Welcome to our sect.” Behind the softly smiling Wi Ji-myo-hwa, a feast of ancient buildings unfolded.
Compared to Ip-hwang-seong, it was modest, but the main sect of the old faction, where the power of tradition was still passed down, felt different in some way.
The buildings, harmonizing with the overwhelming mountain range, looked extraordinary at first glance.
“The sect leader and the great elder have gone to engage in a duel with the Sword Master. If you have come from Ip-hwang-seong, you should meet the highest elder remaining in our sect.” As she spoke, Jeong Yeon-shin recalled the sword of the absolute being who had annihilated the Jeong family, and he and Heon Won-chang arrived at a place called Sun-sim-gak.
After climbing several treacherous peaks, they encountered an old man and a girl who were walking out like a grandfather and granddaughter.
The girl’s eyes widened.
“Uncle!” Perhaps because she had parted from her parents overnight, Hye-a rushed over, looking as if she were about to burst into tears, and he embraced her.
“Hye-a, have you been well?”
“Uncle...” As he shared a moment with the teary-eyed Jeong Hye, Heon Won-chang, who was watching from the side, sniffled.
After letting down the child, who did not want to part, he faced the old man who was looking at him with a peculiar gaze.
“Great Elder Jong, they say you have come from Ip-hwang-seong.” Wi Ji-myo-hwa spoke in a tone as if addressing a grandfather.
Jeong Yeon-shin and Heon Won-chang introduced themselves first with a bow, and the old man, with his hands behind his back, slowly opened his mouth.
“I am Jong Yeol-il.”
“Jongnam Sword Immortal!” Heon Won-chang shouted, his expression one of disbelief.
At the same time, he covered his mouth, looking quite comical, but no one in the hall blamed him.
“It is an honor to meet the Sword Immortal.” Jeong Yeon-shin calmly bowed once more.
He had seen the lord of Ip-hwang-seong from a distance.
Although he felt awe at the fame, it did not strike him with shock as it did Heon Won-chang.
They exchanged simple words.
He conveyed that he had come to Jongnam Mountain to check on the lives of the people caught in the great conflict of the powerful factions and to ensure the safety of his kin.
Jong Yeol-il, who had been gazing at Jeong Yeon-shin with a penetrating look, suddenly asked, “How old are you?”
“... I am sixteen this year.”
“Hmm...! Would you like to see that?” Despite Jeong Yeon-shin’s reluctance, Jong Yeol-il raised his hand and pointed to one side.
It was a place that had been bothering him.
The rough surface of the cliff was marked with various strokes, shrouded in a pale mist.
“Great Elder?” Wi Ji-myo-hwa called him with a puzzled expression.
“What are you saying to someone outside the sect? The restoration of the Nine Suns Form is a long-held wish of our sect.”
“The Sword Master is not a member of our sect. He was a guest invited to Jongnam by the previous great elder, who befriended him. In his later years, he merely inscribed his martial arts on Jongnam Mountain; he cannot be called the foundational technique of our sect.”
“Even so...” She frowned, as if unable to accept it.
Jong Yeol-il smiled.
“I do not have much time left. If I can see the sword of my benefactor once more, what can I not do? Myo-hwa, you are said to be the only one capable of reviving the Nine Suns Form, but I cannot leave my final wish solely in your hands.” His tone was very firm.
Anyone could feel how strong the obsession was that he could not let go of at the end of his life.
“I cannot understand. I have no clue what you saw in a mere acquaintance...”
“Look.” Following the gesture of Jong Yeol-il, Wi Ji-myo-hwa’s eyes widened.
Jeong Yeon-shin, who had reached the edge of the peak, was staring at the opposite cliff, his neck stretched out.
It seemed that Heon Won-chang, standing behind him, was anxious, ready to pull him back if he were to fall, his face filled with worry.
He was in a state of trance.
It was evident to anyone watching.
‘It’s a sword mark.’ Jeong Yeon-shin thought.
The various lines etched into the cliff bore sharp intentions.
They seemed to be the overwhelming traces of a sword that had overcome the erosion of time.
Were they scars left by a sword immortal? The long sword marks running along the cliff did not feel like the work of a human’s skill.
It made no sense unless one could walk on air.
“It was inscribed by the Sword Master Ouyang Chuan, who passed away fifty-nine years ago.” Jong Yeol-il, who had approached without anyone noticing, spoke.
Heon Won-chang was taken aback.
“The Sword Master Ouyang Chuan!”
“Do you know him?” Jeong Yeon-shin asked, keeping his gaze fixed on the cliff.
“The place where a disciple expelled by him raised the flag is the Broken Sword Sect! In other words, all sword techniques of the Broken Sword Sect originate from the great senior Sword Master!”
“He was the one who climbed Jongnam Mountain, holding the hand of the lord of the sect when he was young, even after competing with your lord. If it were not for the lord of Ip-hwang-seong, who is not a god or demon, there would be hardly anyone in the world who could rival him.” This meant he was an immensely powerful absolute master.
Jong Yeol-il spoke of his regrets.
He was a wandering swordsman standing at the end of his life, casting away everything he had lived for.
He said all that remained was the sword of his benefactor.
He did not seem offended by calling the lord of Ip-hwang-seong a demon.
“Did the Sword Master Ouyang Chuan initiate you into the Jongnam sect?” Jeong Yeon-shin asked.
Jong Yeol-il nodded readily.
“Yes. He carried a starving orphan on his back and climbed to the main sect. He suddenly handed me over to the previous great elder, saying to raise me.”
“You mentioned a benefactor, but why could you not learn his sword?”
“... I did not have the connection to reach that far. Such is life. I lacked the talent.” Jong Yeon-shin, who asked honestly, was looked at with a strange expression by Jong Yeol-il, who pointed to the cliff.
“The swordsmen of our sect have hung countless times. However, even if one has broad knowledge or high martial arts, it is not a path that can be taken. The masters of our sect, who have some understanding of swords, gathered their opinions. Only a brilliant inspiration can carve the path of the Sword Master.”
Jeong Yeon-shin frowned slightly as he turned his gaze along the tip of the finger.
He wanted to see it more clearly.
There were words written in a single stroke in the mist on the cliff.
“Whoever deserves it.” The one who is worthy shall obtain it.
“It is entirely a matter of talent. The expectations of our sect are placed on Myo-hwa. Even if it is not shown, I know it must be burdensome.” Only then did Jeong Yeon-shin take his gaze away from the cliff and turn his head.
Wi Ji-myo-hwa wore a peculiar expression.
She, who was called a prodigy of Jongnam, did not deny it.
But that was all.
When Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes briefly met hers, she still bore an expression of disbelief.
It was not just her character; she could not comprehend the situation itself.
Jeong Yeon-shin thought that perhaps Jong Yeol-il might be a master even beyond his maternal grandfather, Ma Yeon-jeok.
The only person who had pierced through his essence until now was the lord of Ip-hwang-seong.
‘How can there be such a master, yet I cannot defeat the Broken Sword Sect in one go?’ Whether it was that Ma Yeon-jeok’s martial arts had dulled compared to its prime or that Jong Yeol-il’s martial arts were beyond the evaluations of the critics, he was simply grateful to have received another opportunity to grow stronger.
Just as he was petting Hye-a, who had come running to look up at him, Jong Yeol-il asked, “What did you see?” Jeong Yeon-shin silently drew the white Ip-hwang sword.