"Have you decided on the name for your sword technique?"
"I have chosen to call it the Guanghua Sword Style."
In a place where the fragrance of tea gently wafted, He Yuanchang waited for a response, hesitating slightly.
Guanghua Sword Style.
Just as the light that fills the world does not fade from the sun, moon, and stars, he hoped that his own life would be the same.
The characteristic of the sword technique, which spread light along its trajectory, also played a part in this.
"Ah... It resonates better than I imagined. What a pity."
"What name did you have in mind?"
"I was thinking of calling it the Jie Tian Xia Guang Mang Zhi Duan Jie. That was the feeling I received. If I were to succeed, I would wield a sword that could encompass heaven and earth and bear the world!"
"......"
Jeong Yeonsin silently took a sip of tea.
The taste that touched his tongue was exquisite.
The tea, known as Jingwei Fucha, sparkled with a golden hue, representing how they were treated in the Jongnam Sect.
'It was bewildering.' The reaction of the Jongnam Sword Immortal to the Guanghua Sword Style was beyond imagination.
His initially brusque demeanor transformed into warmth.
He even embraced Jeong Yeonsin with red-rimmed eyes.
Compared to how he treated his second brother Jeong Junshan, he seemed like a different person.
He had saved his nephew and created his own sword technique.
Despite having done nothing for the Jongnam Sect, he was treated as a distinguished guest, leaving him feeling unsettled.
However, He Yuanchang appeared different.
"I would like to take this golden tea with me when I return."
He seemed at ease, as if he had just cut down enemies without a care.
They spent some time chatting.
The mission was decided among themselves as per the discretion granted by Majin.
The goal was to prevent harm to the people or deal a significant blow to the Sword Clan.
They had won the favor of Jongnam.
They would soon hear news of the battle.
"Jeong So-hyeop?" A pleasant voice echoed from outside.
It was the voice of the Sword Dragon, Wei Zhimiao.
Leaving behind the envious look on He Yuanchang's face, Jeong Yeonsin stepped out of the room.
She stood just as she had during their first meeting, with unique feather ornaments adorning her long, ebony hair.
Dressed in sky-blue martial attire, she rested one hand on the hilt of her sword, exuding various qualities.
Just from a brief glance, Jeong Yeonsin couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for her as a martial artist.
Her assertiveness in pointing out the mistakes of her peers, her righteous spirit in helping the people, and her aspiration for higher martial arts all contributed to her formidable presence.
"I came to hear what we couldn't discuss before."
"Are you referring to the sword marks of the Sword Clan's great senior?" She nodded.
"It is a shameful matter for the sect, but I wish to step out of the shadow of the Sword Clan elder. I must walk my own path in both righteousness and martial arts. I will become a Grand Master."
Her boldness in expressing her ambitions before someone younger than herself was striking.
After witnessing Jeong Yeonsin's Guanghua Sword Style, her attitude subtly shifted.
Wei Zhimiao seemed worthy of the title of the strongest late-stage martial artist of the Jongnam Sect.
"I will support you."
Her calm reply made her appear slightly deflated, but she quickly regained her composure.
"If you could assist in restoring the Gu Yang Sun, I would be grateful."
Wei Zhimiao's red lips moved.
"I promise to serve you with gratitude until the end of my days. You would be greatly alleviating the unsatisfactory times of life that may last indefinitely."
The peaceful sunlight shone brightly upon the ground.
Amidst the gentle rays of the midday sun and the tranquil mountain scenery, only her voice rang out melodiously.
It was a matter of utmost dignity in the martial world.
Sharing martial arts held such significance.
"Is that not possible?" Wei Zhimiao's lips formed a smooth, red curve.
Her request was not servile.
The confidence overflowing from her gaze approached like an unquenchable flame.
Was it the spirit of a late-stage martial artist standing at the pinnacle of a prestigious sect? It did not mean she would be by his side for life.
As a martial artist who had received grace, it was a promise to help whenever she could.
Jeong Yeonsin nodded readily.
"It won't take long."
"I am amazed and delighted."
Wei Zhimiao smiled slightly.
The two walked side by side.
It felt strange.
The Sword Dragon, Wei Zhimiao, was undoubtedly a figure of blue in the realm of martial arts.
Offering unilateral assistance to a martial artist with such prowess and experience was not a common occurrence.
With a peculiar feeling, they reached the edge of a cliff.
From a distance, the Jongnam Sword Immortal watched them with his arms crossed.
His expression had remarkably softened compared to when he first saw the Guanghua Sword Style.
He had been whispering to He Yuanchang, wondering if he might ascend to the heavens.
"I will first speak of the formula."
"What did you just say...? The formula?" Wei Zhimiao turned her head sharply.
Jeong Yeonsin, struck by her flowing hair, lightly tapped his own face.
Seeing her flustered, he slowly opened his mouth.
"It won't be exactly the same. That part seems to belong to the Sword Dragon."
He traced back the manifestation of the mysterious technique he had perceived through the traces of the sword path.
Thus, he completely unraveled the unique operational method.
He did not speak of it in detail.
He was now the main martial artist of the entrance to the Qingming Sect, having received the long robe.
He knew how to distinguish between what could and could not be said. 'The Sword Dragon seems trustworthy, but...' Did he possess the qualities to steal another's martial arts? It would not bode well if rumors spread.
Even now, Wei Zhimiao's tone had risen further.
"You spoke of the realm of the elder, yet what are your qualities...!"
Where in the world could such a thing exist? It seemed to speak through his expression.
"Then my share is..."
"I will tell you the incomplete formula, and it will be a matter of refining it closer to completion, right?" Was the conclusion difficult? Jeong Yeonsin spoke, unable to hide his confusion.
It was a very simple task.
Tracing back the traces to revisit the formula was on a different level altogether.
With her silence, the sun began to set.
Wei Zhimiao, who had received the formula, was not seen for a while.
According to the Jongnam Sword Immortal, she had fallen into a state of inner turmoil.
Even with a righteous character, one could not be free from the heart.
"He was not a child who boasted of martial arts. However, it seems he was shocked by your qualities."
The Jongnam Sword Immortal looked at Jeong Yeonsin with a peculiar gaze.
"Among the martial artists of the same age in Shanxi, there was no one who could rival him. Even including the Huashan Sect. In the Central Plains, Shanxi is not comparable to any small nation, so he considered himself the best martial talent in the world."
"The best in the world."
Jeong Yeonsin repeated, savoring the words.
It was an unfamiliar resonance.
The Jongnam Sword Immortal nodded slowly.
"Yes. For the first time, I felt my talent was insignificant. After seeing the real thing."
"It is meaningless. The Sword Dragon is several levels above me."
For Jeong Yeonsin, who was pressed for time, it was hard to understand.
Invisible qualities or age could not replace one's current position.
Seeing him shake his head, the Jongnam Sword Immortal chuckled lightly.
"How many fatal mistakes has heaven made? It was enough to grant you qualities, yet it also bestowed upon you the desire for more. It is an unfair matter in the world."
"That is a rather embarrassing statement."
They had grown quite close now.
Some in the Jongnam Sect even said it felt like watching grandchildren.
Jeong Yeonsin also found the Jongnam Sword Immortal much more comfortable than his maternal grandfather, Ma Yeonjeok.
At that moment, a voice rang out.
"Elder Jong, Jeong So-hyeop."
The moment the voice echoed, she was already before them.
Her long black hair fluttered above her sky-blue martial attire, swaying gently.
"Sword Dragon."
"You have come. I knew you would overcome it soon."
It was Wei Zhimiao, who they had been discussing.
Her pale face looked almost ghostly.
After greeting the Jongnam Sword Immortal, she faced Jeong Yeonsin and took a stance.
Her expression appeared very resolute.
"Jeong So-hyeop. Since you have obtained the formula first, you may demonstrate your sword technique, right?"
"...... Yes, that is correct."
"Could you learn the Gu Yang Sun together with me? It would be faster than training alone."
"I apologize."
Jeong Yeonsin shook his head.
"I do not have enough time to refine my own sword technique."
"Ah..."
She let out a regretful sigh, unable to press further.
Slowly, she added, "Since our main paths are the same, it should suffice to observe each other's swords. You may come to my side while I practice the Guanghua Sword Style. The Sword Dragon can focus on mastering the Gu Yang Sun."
The inspiration he received from Qingming was also learned in that manner.
Jeong Yeonsin gained insight into the martial arts of an opponent he saw for the first time in actual combat.
The custom of forbidding the observation of another's martial arts training did not hold great significance for him.
However, the reactions of the two were different.
For the first time, admiration filled Wei Zhimiao's eyes.
"...... The great martial artist is Jeong So-hyeop."
"Generosity must be of a certain degree. It seems that the vessel to achieve this in the world is already complete."
The Jongnam Sword Immortal sighed.
Their expressions were similar, and his favor seemed to have grown stronger.
It seemed to be admiration for the breadth of character rather than talent.
A deep sense of familiarity appeared on both their faces.
Demonstrating the established martial arts was entirely different from unfolding realizations.
'Misunderstandings are piling up.' Jeong Yeonsin set aside his thoughts and headed towards the training ground behind the Sun Heart Pavilion.
He could feel the graceful presence of Wei Zhimiao following closely behind.
When he turned to the side, she smiled at him and stopped in her tracks.
The two drew their swords almost simultaneously.
Sreeung.
The sword of the Huanghuang Sword, revealed under the sun, appeared strangely beautiful compared to before.
It was said that a sword made by a blacksmith grows with its owner.
Even if it was a sword for distribution, it seemed the same.
Having achieved the Guanghua Sword Style through actual combat and accomplishments, there could be no sword more suited to him in the world.
'Guanghua.' He whispered inwardly as he activated the formula.
The unique operation of the Guanghua Sword Style was distinctly different from the Shihua Wujue Sword.
While the Shihua Wujue Sword was characterized by short, single strikes, the Guanghua Sword Style had a continuous flow.
Wuuung.
He began to move the Huanghuang Sword with the imagery of sunlight flowing like waves.
The light at the tip of the sword, stained with the sun above, traced a circle as it fell to the ground.
There was no hindrance in playing with the sword.
The brilliance that clung to the blade felt as if it was transferring to his body.
It was an astonishingly familiar sensation.
Guanghua Sword Style.
It was because he had created it himself.
'I am the master.' In that moment, he fully realized it.
He was indeed the father of martial arts.
"Ah."
A sigh that did not reach Jeong Yeonsin's ears scattered away.
On the other side, Wei Zhimiao's sword came to a halt.
Standing still in place, she captured Jeong Yeonsin in her gaze.
Beside her, as she unfolded the Gu Yang Sun, she moved her essence in tandem with him.
Clearly, through overwhelming experience and insight, she had advanced first.
Feeling a small sense of relief at Jeong Yeonsin's seemingly rough swordplay, she chastised herself for being petty.
Yet, in the realm of mastery, she quickly caught up.
Jeong Yeonsin danced with the sword of the sun.
Having simultaneously learned a new sword technique, their martial arts accomplishments were entirely different.
It was evident even with just a glance.
Both the Gu Yang Sun and the Guanghua Sword Style were sword techniques that could not be belittled by anyone.
As she swallowed her breath, the speed of the Huanghuang Sword changed.
Before long, Jeong Yeonsin's sword technique began to incorporate the swift sword strikes.
Hooong! Hooong! The flowing rays of the Guanghua Sword Style intertwined with the sword of the Sword Dragon, Wei Zhimiao, slowly descending.
The one holding the pearl was separate.
A strange feeling of defeat against overwhelming martial talent.
Among those who had deeply trained their inner power, there exists a phenomenon known as the "eye of the beast."
It sparkled like the eyes of a fierce beast due to the essence.
"What on earth..."
The once clear and bright eyes of Wei Zhimiao became hazy.
The focus gradually faded away.