The intuition of masters sometimes transcends the realm of understanding.
But now, it was different.
Many wore expressions of confusion, unable to comprehend what they were witnessing.
Even the masters of the Jongnam Sect were among them.
Before their eyes was the sight of the boy swordsman holding the head of the Elder of the Paegum Sect.
No one could have imagined this.
"Is that the Palhyung Nachal Sword...?! Is that old master really him?"
"How... how could this happen? In the hands of such a child?"
"Did the Nachal Sword pass away? I can't even believe this..."
The scene, which surpassed common sense, stole the will to fight from the martial artists.
The Paegum Sect was no exception.
It was a display of extraordinary power.
The situation created by Jeong Yeon-sin was indeed beyond human comprehension.
At that moment, Heon Won-chang suddenly stood up.
As if he had just regained consciousness, he shook off the dust from his clothes.
With his heroic aura fluttering in the wind and his tall figure proudly displayed, he shouted loudly, "A guest of the Jongnam Sect! The young hero Jeong Yeon-sin of Iphwangseong!"
His voice carried a unique energy, stronger than Jeong Yeon-sin had anticipated.
Heon Won-chang's voice resonated with remarkable achievement, echoing in all directions.
"I have beheaded the Elder of the Paegum Sect!"
A tremendous roar erupted.
It was astonishing where such power had been hidden.
This was a momentous achievement.
Heon Won-chang clearly stated his identity and solidified his contribution.
It was a quick-witted response typical of the Iphwang Alliance.
"Jeong So-hyeop truly...!"
"The Palhyung Nachal Sword is dead!"
"Wooaah!"
The young masters of the Jongnam Sect were stirred.
Awe and joy filled the faces of many.
Some even erupted in cheers that had never been heard before.
"That boy!"
"He has truly made a name for himself!"
The clash between Yeol Il-sin and Jongnam Geomseon began to show its utmost effectiveness.
They charged forward, overwhelming the bewildered enemies with their momentum.
The young master of Iphwangseong, Ma Gwang-ik, had brought a tidal wave of change with just one boy.
The Paegum Sect was pushed back without resistance.
They were being struck from all sides, and recovery was not easy.
Amidst this chaos, Jeong Yeon-sin gazed at the leader of the Paegum Sect.
Their eyes met.
Even while receiving the sword of the Jongnam Sect's leader, he looked at the boy as if to engrave him in his mind. 'Wait.' A powerful figure, so strong that it was hard to even look up at him.
Just receiving his gaze felt like it could shake his very soul.
Time was undoubtedly Jeong Yeon-sin's enemy.
Yet, it was also a friend that would grant him boundless strength. 'You too will be enough in four years.'
The leader of the Paegum Sect would not die here.
Jeong Yeon-sin turned away.
In the end, the Paegum Sect was defeated.
It was a great victory for the Jongnam Sect.
Battles between the Thirteen Heavens and the Nine Factions were rare.
The mere fact that they had clashed and a visible conclusion had been reached was an extraordinary event.
The Central Plains were reacting.
Rumors began to stir from the west.
At the forefront of the gossip was Jongnam Geomseon, who had shown a surprising prowess that astonished the world.
The reason was that he had severed the arm of the Elder of the Paegum Sect and killed five elders.
The fame of the sword dragon, Wei Ji-myo-hwa, who commanded his disciples against seasoned masters, rose once again.
And stories about the young master of Iphwangseong began to spread quietly.
A boy had beheaded the Elder of the Paegum Sect.
It was a tale hard for anyone to believe.
Those who knew even a little about the martial world scoffed at it.
Thus, the progress of the rumors was slow.
However, it was clear that the nickname "Seongye" had spread throughout the world.
"If the masters of the Nine Factions know, that will be enough. Foolish humans can say whatever they want!" Bang! Heon Won-chang slammed his fist on the table.
He was venting his frustration after having a drink at an inn at the foot of the mountain.
He had heard words denying the young master of Iphwangseong in the market.
He said he almost broke the noses of those ignorant people.
Jeong Yeon-sin did not care much.
He had no interest in things that were not practical.
At the end of life, he was only looking at the fruit of the Heavenly Tree.
"Does fame help with your duties?"
"Of course! It helps! I can get another drink at the inn!"
Heon Won-chang managed to bring a smile to Jeong Yeon-sin's lips.
They enjoyed the aftermath of their victory.
The familiar path they walked was now filled with a new earthy scent.
The war of the great sects had come to an end, and even the masters of the Paegum Sect had been killed.
Ma Gwang-ik had more than fulfilled his duty as a martial artist.
The masters of the Jongnam Sect regarded both Jeong Yeon-sin and Heon Won-chang with favor.
It would be hard to find days more pleasant than this.
"Rather, we should think about factions like Gaebang or Haomun. When wandering the martial world, we cannot overlook the information they provide. I don't know if Jeong So-hyeop has received help from Gaebang, but now the treatment will be different."
Wei Ji-myo-hwa, who was drinking tea with them, spoke.
Her small smile was more beautiful than the spring flowers blooming around.
"It's a bit awkward for me to say, but the Nine Factions are said to be in a realm above the clouds even in the martial world. Naturally, it's very difficult for common people to hear news about the Nine Factions. Unless it's a major event like this."
"I see."
Jeong Yeon-sin replied, taking a sip of his golden tea.
Wei Ji-myo-hwa's face lit up with a smile as she looked at him.
"That's why there are many cases where people believe strange words while avoiding accurate stories. But Gaebang is different. There is a reason they are often linked with the Nine Factions. They are likely to be well aware of the situation. I have seen a few who learned lightness skills outside the battlefield."
A beggar learned martial arts? It sounded like the tales of Gaebang that he had only heard of.
Heon Won-chang nodded, seemingly satisfied.
"Anyway, there will be more opportunities to travel the martial world, so I'm content with that."
"It's about Jeong So-hyeop, yet Heon Won-sohyeop is content. The camaraderie of Iphwangseong is different from what I've heard. So, which of you two is the older brother?"
"Older brother?" Heon Won-chang's eyes widened in surprise as if he had never heard such a term before.
Jeong Yeon-sin also found it interesting.
"I learned from Ma Gwang-gyeol first."
"Ah! Did we not receive teachings from the Great Master at the same time? Just because one achieves first, does that make him the older brother? Iphwangseong is not a faction without roots!"
"There's no master-disciple relationship in our faction, so that much is fine."
"Really?"
Time passed pleasantly with light-hearted conversation.
It was a warm atmosphere due to the rare complete victory of the Jongnam Sect.
The sun began to set, accompanied by Wei Ji-myo-hwa's beautiful smile, reminiscent of a younger sister.
The next day, he received the Yuwon Plaque from the leader of the Jongnam Sect.
It was said that showing it to the minor sects under Jongnam would earn him the highest respect.
Since Jeong Gajang was also a branch of Jongnam, he could act as a benefactor without having given anything.
"Furthermore, if you need the sword of the main sect, do not hesitate to ask. Even for political matters of Iphwangseong, I will help at least once."
The Sword Master of Seocheon, Gu Yang-sin, said.
A faint warmth lingered on his expressionless face.
It was said that they had significantly encroached upon the territory of the Paegum Sect.
This was what Jongnam Geomseon had told him.
Once the evil factions retreated and the righteous sects protected the people, donations would come in without needing to be forced, so from the perspective of the sect leader, Jeong Yeon-sin's contributions were substantial.
"I will gratefully accept it."
He did not refuse.
There would be times when it would be necessary when carrying out missions or challenging the position of the Sword Master.
Holding the plaque engraved with clouds close to his chest, Jeong Yeon-sin spoke.
"Then, it seems it's time to listen."
"Ah. You are qualified."
Yeol Il-sin, who was sitting next to Gu Yang-sin, nodded.
Finally, the tale of the destruction of Jeong Gajang began to flow.
"Everything began with the Heavenly Tree."
"The Heavenly Tree, you say?"
"It is the divine tree that supports the world. The principles of all things are firmly established through the mysterious Heavenly Tree. It inevitably draws upon the earth's energy, and Jeong Gajang's land was extremely fertile. They said he was the great landlord of Sinya-hyeon? The roots of the divine tree stretched out to the streets."
"..."
"All the elixirs recognized by the world are made in a mysterious way according to the principles of all living beings. It is a different story from martial arts or sorcery."
"Then the reason for Jeong Gajang's destruction is...?"
"The strong martial arts of the lord of Iphwangseong... are said to be maintained by consuming the fruits of the Heavenly Tree. The Paegum Sect and the Blood Flame Sect. They are factions that are completely hostile to Iphwangseong. It seems they had more than enough reason to destroy a small sect. Now, Sinya-hyeon has become a wasteland in their hands."
Jeong Yeon-sin was momentarily at a loss for words.
With a face that seemed to want to comfort him, Yeol Il-sin sighed and spoke again.
"Fortunately, we were close by and received a letter from the lord of Iphwangseong. It was a request to protect Jeong Gajang. In the end, we failed..."
"..."
"I truly feel sorry for you, Jung-san, and Hye-a."
Should the living not survive? For now, he decided to eat the fruit of the Heavenly Tree.
He set aside the complicated circumstances and paradoxes.
They did not help with survival in the least.
It would not be too late to ask the lord of Iphwangseong after becoming the Sword Master.
She was said to live forever.
The sky was clear.
A blue expanse without a single cloud covered the world.
Jeong Yeon-sin and Heon Won-chang packed their bags and stood at the entrance of Jongnam Mountain.
Many had gathered to see them off.
The reputation they had built in the Jongnam Sect was not small.
"Grow up and come visit. Once you become a master, you will be able to visit Iphwangseong."
He comforted his weeping nephew.
His second brother, Jeong Jung-san, looked at his younger brother with an indescribable expression.
A face filled with regret and pride.
Jeong Yeon-sin only nodded slightly.
They were still not close enough to treat each other without barriers.
Wei Ji-myo-hwa, standing in front, parted her red lips.
"Next time, may I go as well?"
"If there are no missions, I will ask for the teachings of the Sword Dragon."
Her smile drew a smooth curve.
Jongnam Geomseon laughed heartily.
"The back currents of the Yangtze River have formed friendships. It is a beautiful thing. For an old man who should be thinking about retirement, this is truly delightful."
In the martial world, when a person organizes their hidden affairs and retires, it is called "Geumbun Sesu."
Jeong Yeon-sin shook his head.
"It seems you will live for at least another hundred years."
Laughter erupted from all around.
Now, they were completely like grandfather and grandson.
Jongnam Geomseon smiled kindly.
"Yeon-sin, I hope you achieve your wishes."
It was a statement filled with multiple meanings.
Jeong Yeon-sin calmly took the reins and mounted the fine horse he received from the Jongnam Sect.
As always, Heon Won-chang rode alongside him.
When they left, they did not look back.
After half a day of riding, they arrived at a village.
The sunset seemed to look back longingly, as if it were sad to part.
The scarlet silk draped over Jeong Yeon-sin's vision, casting a distant hue.
He entrusted his horse and entered the inn.
It was a lively place.
"There are quite a few wandering swordsmen."
Heon Won-chang muttered as he sat down near the entrance.
It was quite crowded, and they had to share a table with some middle-aged men.
They exchanged greetings out of courtesy.
The expression of the waiter who took their order was not good.
It seemed to be due to the people shouting with swords drawn all around.
Among them were men and women dressed in fine martial attire, likely the children of martial families.
It was rare for martial artists to gather in such a small village.
It seemed something was going on, and the wandering swordsmen, who loved to boast about their skills or discuss rumors, were chattering away.
"... They say the Hwasan Sect secretly received help from Iphwangseong. The Nine Factions and Iphwangseong are now setting like the sun. Only the Jongnam Sect, having defeated the Paegum Sect, can act in Shaanxi!"
"You say that because you're new to the martial world, but it's a place where one must keep their mouth shut to survive."
He appeared to be a young nobleman, likely the child of a martial family.
Despite his attire, which could have commanded respect, he was quite composed.
The two women sitting with him, both armed with swords, smiled faintly and nodded.
The wandering swordsman at the opposite table, who had been speaking loudly, frowned.
"I said it wasn't a first outing! Am I wrong? If not, how could they not catch a single Tugi? They say Ma Gwang-ik lost an eye from his prized blue sword! The blue master of Iphwangseong? It turns out it was all just empty fame!"
As he scanned the surroundings for agreement, a sudden whoosh echoed through the air.
With incredible speed, a pair of chopsticks sliced through the air and embedded themselves into the table.
The force was so powerful that the end of the chopsticks trembled, and the table cracked around the point of impact.
All eyes turned toward the entrance.
A boy dressed in a long blue robe calmly gazed at the wandering swordsman.
"That story."
A heavenly light flickered in Jeong Yeon-sin's eyes.
"Speak more clearly."
His voice was low, but it carried the essence of Jeong Gajang.
No one present could have missed it.
The inn, which had been filled with the clamor of armed patrons, fell silent in an instant.
Heon Won-chang subtly reached out and adjusted the collar of Jeong Yeon-sin's robe.
The character 'Hwang' (荒) embroidered in white thread on the blue robe was revealed.