“... The Martial Artist of Yihwangseong?” The one who broke the silence was the nobleman who had been conversing leisurely with the two women present.
His demeanor shifted, revealing a hint of curiosity mixed with slight embarrassment.
The wandering man rolled his eyes up and down. “Are you truly a martial artist from Yihwangseong?” Jeong Yeon-shin did not respond.
“Your sect has been insulted by your mouth. Do not think that my patience will last forever.” Hyeon Won-chang spoke with a rare serious expression.
The moment he drew his sword, a killing intent would surely be revealed.
Having witnessed Hyeon Won-chang's battles before, Jeong Yeon-shin did not wish to waste time.
He remained silent, twirling the last chopstick between his index and middle fingers.
The wandering man’s complexion changed drastically.
“I had no intention of insulting Yihwangseong. I merely...”
“I am not interested in your affairs. You said that the Cheong An Maegyeom has lost its sight. Speak of that.” Jeong Yeon-shin looked at him with clear eyes, his hand resting on the sword.
“Tugwi! It was said that the Blood Flame Sect is behind Tugwi! Several members of the Blood Death Sect and one apostle of the Blood Flame Sect clashed with Ma Gwang-ik, and while protecting a common family, they met with misfortune...”
“...” Jeong Yeon-shin thought that Ma Gwang-ik seemed particularly gentle.
“After the Blood Sword Sect, is it the Blood Flame Sect next?” Hyeon Won-chang muttered with a pale expression.
Jeong Yeon-shin slowly nodded.
Eleven out of the thirteen heavens had not even seen the hem of their garments.
It seemed that only the two of them were well intertwined.
It appeared that Hanam and Shensi were the main areas of activity for those people.
“You must have risked your neck to speak.” Jeong Yeon-shin said.
Perhaps it was due to the force of his voice that the wandering man’s body stiffened.
After the Danglang Sect, followed by the Jongnam Sect and the Blood Sword Sect, they had repeatedly fought in bloody group battles.
His temperament could not be the same as before.
Jeong Yeon-shin was gradually advancing as a martial artist.
“I-I apologize!” The man bowed deeply.
His attitude seemed to regard him as a death god.
It seemed that the name Yihwangseong and the move Jeong Yeon-shin displayed had created such an impression.
“It feels quite regrettable to draw the sword of Yihwangseong for the first time.” Contrary to Hyeon Won-chang's words, Jeong Yeon-shin felt as if he were looking into a mirror.
He saw himself laying down his pride to take a life.
His own neck was indeed precious.
The scene created by the wandering man did not feel like someone else’s affair.
That was himself.
Ma Gwang-ik, who had to negotiate with the lord of Yihwangseong. “Let’s eat. Pay the owner for the table.” He spoke absentmindedly.
He thought it was something he did not even realize.
Was he hoping that fate would show him such leniency as well?
“At that age, possessing such martial power, it would be easy to be reckless...”
“Indeed, the masters of prestigious families possess dignity.” Jeong Yeon-shin’s demeanor seemed to be accepted as the tolerance of a strong person.
Perhaps it was because he displayed a martial prowess that could be inferred even with chopsticks.
Other wandering men, as well as those who appeared to be the children of noble martial families, expressed admiration for his composure.
The wandering man called the innkeeper and paid for the table that Jeong Yeon-shin had broken.
He wanted to leave but was clearly holding back out of fear of him.
The nobleman stood up from his chair and approached Jeong Yeon-shin. “Is your nickname perhaps Seomye?” As Jeong Yeon-shin nodded, interest deepened on his face.
“I see the light of Yihwangseong in the person who will follow Baek Gi-rin and Namgung Hwa-shin. Truly a pleasure to meet you. I am Jin Yul from the Jin family of the Shensi region.”
“The martial artist of Yihwangseong, Ma Gwang-ik, Jeong Yeon-shin.” Hyeon Won-chang and Jin Yul’s group exchanged greetings.
They said they were the daughters of nearby martial officials.
The original group that had been seated together awkwardly left.
Jin Yul handed over a coin.
“I have long admired the martial artists of Yihwangseong. Being part of a small family like ours, we cannot help but be close to the world of commoners. When I see the swordsmanship of Yihwangseong in the Jianghu, my heart feels refreshed.” He said with a smile.
“I have heard that there is a master with exceptional martial prowess among the later generations of Yihwangseong. I heard he is active in Shensi, and he seems to be a young hero.”
“Your ears are quite sharp!” Jeong Yeon-shin felt awkward and did not respond, but Hyeon Won-chang smiled and praised Jin Yul.
He seemed very pleased.
“If you are from Ma Gwang-ik, it seems you are heading to Nan Zhen. May I request to accompany you? I know it is rude to ask on our first meeting. However, I wish to forge a friendship with the masters of Yihwangseong.”
“What do you think, Jeong So-hyeop?” Hyeon Won-chang did not agree outright.
Though he treated Jeong Yeon-shin like a younger brother, he never crossed the line of hierarchy.
The blue robe recognized by Cheongmyeong and Baek Mi-ryeo was above all white.
Jeong Yeon-shin opened his mouth. “Do you have an idea of our destination? Do you know the details?”
“After the battle between Jongnam and the Blood Sword Sect, Ma Gwang-ik and the Hwasan Sect have become the hottest topic in the Xi’an martial world. Everyone’s eyes are on them, so even those of us from small families cannot help but know about the major events in Jianghu.” Jin Yul replied, maintaining his cheerful demeanor.
Jeong Yeon-shin looked at him for a moment before nodding.
Xi’an was one of the most notable cities in the Central Plains.
The county at the eastern edge of the big city was Nan Zhen, and since they had set off from an inn near Jongnam Mountain, they had to travel quite a distance.
During that time, Jin Yul and Hyeon Won-chang had become quite friendly.
“I shouted there. The Seomye Jeong Yeon-shin of Yihwangseong! I beheaded the elder of the Blood Sword Sect! ... At that moment, my shout was no less than the lion’s roar of Shaolin. All the martial artists of Jongnam and the Blood Sword Sect turned their heads. You should have seen it.”
“Would a martial artist of Yihwangseong lie? How could I not believe it?” The two were naturally jovial.
They quickly dropped formalities and spoke comfortably.
Jin Yul was not like a typical person from a small martial family.
He had a wealth of knowledge and knew how to uplift others.
He possessed a noble demeanor that attracted people.
Hyeon Won-chang’s mouth soon curled into a smile as he exchanged friendly banter. “Did Jeong So-hyeop really behead the head of the Blood Sword Sect?” One of the daughters of the martial officials who was riding alongside asked.
Her sun-kissed face, seemingly devoted to training, was filled with curiosity.
Jeong Yeon-shin shook his head. “It was merely a wheel battle. Senior Geomryong and Mu Ryeong-gwon, Senior Dan Ae-gyeom, and Hyeon Won-so-hyeop all contributed. The elders of the Thirteen Heavens are masters of a different caliber.”
“I did manage to land a blow! The finishing touch was your brilliant sword, Jeong So-hyeop!” Hyeon Won-chang laughed heartily.
Jeong Yeon-shin looked very pleased with the praise.
“Let’s take a break for a moment.” Jin Yul, who had been laughing along, suggested.
The sun was high in the sky.
It was time to prepare a meal, and the stream nearby allowed them to water their horses.
Jeong Yeon-shin nodded.
Hyeon Won-chang took the initiative to take care of the horses.
As he gathered the reins one by one, he headed towards the stream.
Leaning down to fill a flask he had taken from his bosom, Jin Yul, who was sitting slightly to the left, glanced at Jeong Yeon-shin and spoke.
“Do you perhaps use the left hand?”
“I use the right hand for sword techniques. I have only lightly learned the recommended techniques.”
“I see. Then the left side would be your weakness.” His tone was casual, as if discussing everyday matters.
It was only later that Jeong Yeon-shin realized the implications of his words.
Suddenly, with astonishing speed, a dagger shot out, and there was no time to react.
Jin Yul’s ambush was incredibly stealthy.
It was as if he had unleashed a swift sword with a dagger.
The true energy of Jeong Yeon-shin surged within him.
The internal energy filling his entire body felt heavier than before.
Jeong Yeon-shin had been prepared since he allowed them to accompany him.
Jin Yul was far too extraordinary for an ordinary person.
Even though they had met for the first time at the inn after descending from Jongnam Mountain.
‘As if waiting for this moment.’ The moment he activated the techniques of the Shihwa Mugeuk Gwon with his left arm, a chilling sword light erupted from the diagonal.
The dazzling trajectory swiftly severed Jin Yul’s neck.
Splash!
“I knew this would happen.” Hyeon Won-chang stood over the body, which had fallen face-first into the puddle.
He lifted Jin Yul’s garment and wiped his Yihwang sword clean.
His face was calm, as if he had never been close to a corpse.
Jeong Yeon-shin stared at him blankly.
“I was going to do it.”
“I may not be as perceptive as Jeong So-hyeop, but I do have some awareness.” Hyeon Won-chang chuckled and kicked Jin Yul’s head.
As soon as it fell into the stream, the inky substance stained the clear water black.
The bright red hair began to reveal itself from the tips.
After briefly glancing away, Jeong Yeon-shin spoke. “It seems he was an assassin from the Blood Flame Sect.”
“He became a target. It seems he recognized your reputation and accomplishments, Jeong So-hyeop. Now you are truly an enemy of the Blood Flame Sect. It is enviable to stand firmly as a martial artist.”
“What about his other companions? You mentioned they were the daughters of martial officials.”
“They are likely crossing the San Do River.” They were the same kind.
Hyeon Won-chang muttered.
It seemed that Jeong Yeon-shin had been ambushed as soon as he went to fetch water.
So this is how the hidden ones of Jianghu are formed.
They spoke of mountains of swords and forests of blades.
Finally, he felt he had truly stepped into the Jianghu.
Jeong Yeon-shin’s reaction was calm.
Just like the tone of Jin Yul’s words before the assassination.
“We should arrive in half a day.”
“Let’s hurry.”
“Yeon-shin. You’ve built quite an unbelievable reputation.” Cheongmyeong said with a smile.
He had a piece of cloth wrapped around his head, crossing over his left eye.
Even in a disheveled state, it seemed to do nothing to diminish his prominent nose.
He was a senior who was both grateful and somewhat annoying.
He thought that the only ones who would worry Ma Gwang-ik would be himself and Hyeon Won-chang.
Cheongmyeong was smiling broadly. “To slay an elder of the Thirteen Heavens, that’s something I have yet to accomplish.”
“It was reckless. It’s fortunate that nothing major happened.” Baek Mi-ryeo’s cold hands gripped Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulders, and her gaze swept over his entire body.
Hyeon Won-chang, who was nearby, seemed to express his feelings through his expression.
Why was he not being spared?
When they first met with the Hwasan Sect, the four of them sat around in the inn they had stayed at.
“What happened? It seems the Great Lord is not present.” In response to Jeong Yeon-shin’s question, Baek Mi-ryeo opened her lips.
Her fingers brushing aside her hair felt whiter than usual.
It seemed to be the effect of using some martial arts excessively.
“Our Great Lord has set out in pursuit along with the masters of the Hwasan Sect, including the Sword Cut. The Blood Flame Sect behind them has been revealed. It’s a different situation. I cannot predict what kind of schemes the Jaso Sect will concoct, but it is highly likely that support will come from the main sect.”
“What about Senior Cheongmyeong’s eyes?”
“Tugwi used a secret technique. I was facing three members of the Blood Death Sect at the time. This fool could have easily avoided it, but unfortunately, there was a civilian house behind. I had no choice but to deflect it with my sword.”
“What kind of secret technique was it that required such...”
“It was the secret technique of the Sichuan Tangmen, known as the Flying Strike Explosion. Its power is tremendous.” She answered calmly, yet her momentum did not diminish.
She seemed to be very sharp, but Cheongmyeong, who was obliviously smiling, interjected.
“I also severed his left wrist. In any case, we should raid the Tangmen at least once. There are rumors that they are secretly making explosives. Should our next mission be to go there?”
At that moment.
Boom!
“There is no next time for you.” A loud explosion preceded the voice.
Even faster than that, Cheongmyeong, who had grabbed Jeong Yeon-shin and Hyeon Won-chang by the neck, muttered.
“Great Lord, you’re not working.”
Crash! A tremendous flash of light burst through the window.
It was like a torrential downpour pouring sideways.
It nearly pierced through.
The lifestyle of the Daemyung Empire was not one of sitting but of standing.
Baek Mi-ryeo, who had already reacted like a beast, crouched as if preparing to counterattack, but her eyes widened when she saw Jeong Yeon-shin leap over the window in one go.
Cheongmyeong had directly pushed him away.
As he dashed forward, Jeong Yeon-shin’s vision narrowed.
A middle-aged man of small stature came into view.
‘What is this? Wasn’t the Jaso Sect the target?’ There were not just one or two powerful energies that had invaded the inn.
The voice of Baek Mi-ryeo, who had taken on the Blood Flame Sect, whispered in his ear.
“Wearing green and white. You must be Seomye.” The middle-aged man smiled and welcomed Jeong Yeon-shin.
The loose silk sleeves caught his eye.
It was as if he had made it his life’s purpose to slaughter the masters of Yihwangseong.
“Manipulating light? That’s an undeserved title for a novice.” One by one, those who recognized him began to appear.
Was this how the reputation of Jianghu was built?
“Is it Tugwi?” He approached without hesitation, like a martial artist who did not even know the meaning of restraint.
He did not wait for an answer.
As he walked forward, a murky wave of light surged from the drawn sword.