Jun Bijeongshin thought it was not good.
The martial world was treacherous.
Arrogance was an emotion that hastened one's demise.
It was not the time to harbor ambitions before tasting the fruits.
Just because many people hailed him as a genius, he should not truly believe it. 'Just give me the fruits.
I will do anything.' He suggested to himself.
He recalled the emerald green eyes glimmering in the curved smile of the Lord of Yihwang.
It felt like falling into an abyss.
While he mentally repeated his request for the fruits of the Heavenly Tree, the door of the pavilion opened.
They said it was a matter that had never existed.
There were rumors that the Crown Prince had personally requested it.
Some sharp seniors spoke of it.
There was no justification for a private meeting with the beautiful servant, so they claimed it was under the pretext of honoring the sword of the Ming Dynasty.
"You are the newly promoted blue warriors this time."
Jun Bijeongshin met the third sky of the Ming Dynasty.
There was no need for Douyuwan to advise him.
He was already known for his capriciousness.
"I am the Crown Prince of this country."
He was an extraordinarily handsome young man.
His ears resembled the tip of a treasured sword.
Would it be enough to add half a foot to his already impressive height? He seemed to be of similar height to the recently grown Jun Bijeongshin.
Beneath his thick, jet-black eyebrows, his eyes sparkled with a dark lightning.
He felt as if he existed alone in the bright sunlight pouring in from the side.
His gaze swept over the blue warriors who were bowing in respect, and an innate dignity shone through.
Was it the aura of one born to rule the world? Although he had already been told he could raise his head, only Jun Bijeongshin actually did so.
"There is no need to build up your achievements for me."
Even the emperor, who had already attained a high level of martial arts, treated the Lord of Yihwang as a king.
It was said that she had taught martial arts to the current emperor and the crown prince.
The ancient Grand Tutor of the Ming Dynasty.
Even with the power of the Crown Prince, he could not do anything about the fruits of the Heavenly Tree, so this meeting held little significance for Jun Bijeongshin.
The same went for his loyalty.
It was something that would only come after surviving.
"It’s about time I should ask the Lord for guidance. Should I ask for the heart technique?" He was lost in thought.
Suddenly, their eyes met.
The pitch-black gaze contained a strange curiosity.
"It’s you."
The Crown Prince of the Ming Empire spoke.
"Can you play music with a sword?"
"......?"
"There are many famous swordsmen who can resonate with a single sword. Sword music is different. It is the realm of controlling the essence. One must have an innate sense to turn swordsmanship into music."
It was a contextless statement that left him silent.
Suddenly, the Crown Prince burst into laughter.
"I have heard that your talent is exceptional. We are of the same age, are we not?" His words and demeanor exuded an extraordinary self-esteem.
It felt as if he was saying that no one in the world could do anything to him.
"It is rare for me to have something taken from me. If it is of interest, it is even rarer. Yet, the Grand Tutor has paid attention to you. I felt it even when I was studying below. Jealousy arose in my heart."
"...... I am honored."
"No. It is my flaw. It is something that should not be present in the Crown Prince of the Son of Heaven. It is a failure of virtue, an imperfection. I wanted to confirm your talent. I hoped this shame might be diluted even a little."
The Crown Prince's gaze was very earnest.
He seemed to have mastered extraordinary skills, as the unique aura of a master was evident, but it felt like he possessed something even more.
'Spirit.' Jun Bijeongshin thought.
The leader of the Jongnam Sect was known as the Sword Dragon, but this person seemed to be enough with just the word 'dragon.' The reason the titles of Crown Prince and Crown Prince in the Ming Dynasty were the same was due to this.
He had no idea.
This was what it meant to be of the bloodline that encompassed the world.
"However, it seems you have many expectations. Swordsmanship is the most luxurious entertainment among the world's arts. It is a term that applies only to royalty, so how could I ask you? What I heard from my father, the Crown Prince, is all I know. I am sorry and embarrassed."
The Crown Prince, who smiled slightly, turned his back.
"Everyone, go back. It was a pleasant meeting."
"What was the Crown Prince like? I have only seen him from a distance."
After finishing all the schedules, Shin Sobin leaned in with her small face.
The entire group of Ma Gwangik was waiting without entering their quarters.
They had set up a banquet hall for the grand martial arts event.
Was it the power of the Lord of Yihwang?
"Well, I received the guest order too quickly."
Jun Bijeongshin replied vaguely.
The fragrant smell of the banquet seemed to stimulate his lower abdomen.
After going through an event that had never existed in his life, his hunger increased.
Today, Jun Bijeongshin had no choice but to take a sip of alcohol.
Even if he was concerned about the Qi cultivation, it was so.
He had heard that Heon Wonchang had brought it after much deliberation.
Soheungju.
It was said to be a precious wine that had come from a distant Zhejiang to Yangyang.
Heon Wonchang had rushed to Yangyang's best wine cellar to fetch it. 'Is this really delicious?' The feelings of a companion and the taste of the wine were separate.
After taking a sip with the praise of the seniors, Jun Bijeongshin unconsciously frowned.
The seniors chuckled.
Even the junior Shin Sobin looked at him as if he were a child.
"The beautiful servant is blue."
"It feels like a different era, even though it has been too short a time."
"The achievements we have made are substantial. I was shocked during the Eight-Arm Sword event, but the eyes of the Seven Swords..."
They all chattered noisily.
Even the masters of the Lord of Yihwang, who were revered by the world, became like commoners when alcohol was involved.
Amidst that, Jun Bijeongshin recalled the task thrown by the Crown Prince.
The task was purely his own thought.
It felt like a spark of inspiration had brushed past his mind, igniting his interest.
'He said sword music.
That one plays music with swordsmanship.' There were many rumors he had encountered since coming to Yihwang.
Once, he heard about the art of sound.
It was said that there was a famous story in the martial world.
A certain master had played the qin to face a hundred opponents.
It was said that he plucked the strings several times, bursting the eardrums of his enemies.
It was not difficult to guess the trick. 'Essence.' In the end, it was about inner strength.
The question was how much he could elevate the utility of the essence carried in the air.
That was where the difference between high-level martial arts and low-level martial arts lay. 'Perhaps I can raise the art of sound with a sword.' If successful, it would become easier to handle multiple enemies.
"Drink!"
"The side dishes have run out!"
Was every drinking party like this? Now the banquet was no longer a celebration for the beautiful servant.
It seemed that everyone was just enjoying themselves, but it rather put his mind at ease.
Jun Bijeongshin began to contemplate the art of sound while moderately indulging Heon Wonchang's drunkenness.
Thus, a noisy day came to an end.
The moonlit night was warm.
There were still schedules left for the next day.
This time, it was said to be a reward for the blue warriors.
"Hurry up and choose. Everything is a famous sword."
The man was slightly taller than Jun Bijeongshin's waist.
He had a bushy beard and short limbs.
However, the thickness of his arms was tremendous.
The visible muscles seemed stronger than Jun Bijeongshin, who had practiced the True Energy Technique.
"Surely there must be something that fits your hand?"
"It was made to fit everyone in the world. Before blaming the weapon, any fool should reflect on their own martial arts."
Jun Bijeongshin felt as if he had seen the man's expression hidden beneath his beard.
It seemed to carry immense pride.
The armory of the Lord of Yihwang, where they competed for the best weapons.
For the first time in his life, Jun Bijeongshin encountered the Iron Tribe.
They were the ones who helped establish the nation alongside the Ming clan and settled in the Central Plains.
They received completely different treatment from the colored people of the Western Regions.
The imperial family kept them hidden in the Central Plains.
The martial artists did the same.
They said that rather than the Iron Tribe's short stature, one should look at the talents they possessed.
'They said they even make divine swords.' Jun Bijeongshin scanned the interior of the armory with Cheongmyeong.
Every weapon appeared extraordinary.
It truly seemed that he could choose anything.
Cheongmyeong, with a smiling face, spoke up.
"Still, you must be cautious. It is a one-of-a-kind reward for the blue warriors."
"They say if it turns black, you can take something else."
"Hey, Cheongan Sword. Is this brat really blue? I can't believe it. I've never heard of such a case. No matter how indifferent our clan is to the outside world..."
"Can’t you tell by the clothes?" When Cheongmyeong spoke seriously, the Iron Tribe fell silent.
It seemed that the nickname Cheongan Sword was notorious among others.
It was an unfamiliar sight to Jun Bijeongshin.
He lightly tapped Cheongmyeong's arm.
"Huh?"
"What about that?" Jun Bijeongshin pointed to a sword hanging on the display rack.
Both the sword blade and the scabbard were pure white.
It would contrast with the black sword he was currently wearing.
"It’s the North Ming. A good one."
The Iron Tribe man said.
He treated the sword as if it were a person.
After seeking the man's permission, Jun Bijeongshin approached and grabbed the sword.
After feeling the touch of the sword for a moment, he drew it out.
Swish.
The dazzlingly revealed pure white blade shimmered with wave patterns.
Jun Bijeongshin infused it with his essence.
He immediately felt it was a top-grade item.
The energy flowed freely, dancing along the blade.
He brought the sword close to his body and stroked it with his left hand.
At that moment, a pale blue lightning flickered in his eyes.
"...... With this, I should be able to play music with swordsmanship."
"You?" The Iron Tribe man chuckled.
Perhaps because he was a clan that presented weapons to the imperial family, he seemed to understand the art of swordsmanship.
"It’s a divine skill that you can’t even dream of unless you are somewhat familiar with weapons. Even a top master cannot imitate it without innate talent, so what can you say about a freshly drawn sword?"
"Be quiet."
Cheongmyeong said.
Jun Bijeongshin realized he had closed his eyes.
Without swinging it, he understood.
He knew how to move the sword, how to draw the air well when he traced a slightly different sword path.
It was a realm separate from skill.
It would take time to become familiar with the Yihwang sword, but he instantly felt what kind of sword the North Ming was.
It was an innate sense.
At that moment, a familiar energy wave approached from a considerable distance.
It felt as if it would soon soar into the sky.
Was it the Crown Prince he had seen before? A moment later, the Iron Tribe man frowned.
"Didn’t I tell you to choose quickly? The Crown Prince is coming."
It was not a coincidence.
They said the movements of royalty were extreme.
If it was not something that no one could know, it meant that everyone knew.
The Lord of Yihwang was a gathering of top masters.
If the Crown Prince was not hiding in a secret place or going on a covert mission, anyone could know.
Jun Bijeongshin had never seen the imperial family's martial arts.
He had chosen this time hoping to gain even a little inspiration.
"Crown Prince. You seem to be out and about quite often these days?" Cheongmyeong asked in a strange tone.
The man nodded.
"It was said that after the passing of the Crown Princess, he became devoted to the art of the sword. After losing his mother, he seems to be trying to soothe his heart with the sword."
"His mother...?" Jun Bijeongshin repeated absentmindedly.
He examined the North Ming sword for a moment.
Then, as if it were nothing, he asked Cheongmyeong, "When I win the favor of the Crown Prince, will there be a chance to receive help from the affairs of my clan? For example, gaining support when challenging the position of the Divine Sword Leader."
"Of course, it would be better than having no connections. It is not a position that can be attained solely through force."
Cheongmyeong's answer, accompanied by a slight smile, made Jun Bijeongshin nod.
That was good.
He had already practiced with the Yihwang sword.
He wanted to create a sound art that could take on a hundred enemies, so how could he not play the sword music?
He stepped out of the armory.
Whoosh.
The moment he infused his essence again, the North Ming emitted a strange vibrating sound.
It was a sound like a newly born dragon crying.
Then came the straight melody of the sword spreading out.
"What...?" It was a cry that even drowned out the astonished voice of the Iron Tribe man.
The Ming Dynasty was an empire that arose from the union of the Ming's founding emperor and the Ming clan's empress.
The Ming clan was a lineage revered as immortals, and the bloodline derived from the Empress Dowager gave rise to the descendants' immortality.
The throne only changed due to wars and assassinations.
The current emperor was powerful.
He had ruled for a long time without incident.
Thanks to the Lord of Yihwang, extraordinary masters could not covet the imperial family, and as time passed, the emperor became more relaxed.
He had even single-handedly endured the 108 Arhats to witness the martial arts of Shaolin.
The Crown Prince had been the Crown Prince for decades.
There was no justification for him to inherit the throne.
Crown Prince Zhu Yunming was born late.
As the son of the Crown Prince, he had to watch his father lose his vigor.
Every time his father calmed his heart, he displayed the skills of swordsmanship.
At some point, he could no longer see them.
"Swordsmanship?" Suddenly, the Crown Prince laughed as he walked toward the armory of Yihwang.
"Who else would indulge in such a luxurious hobby?" Having lost his mother, the Crown Prince often spoke to himself.
Those serving him had become so accustomed to it that they did not react.
At that moment, beneath the fading twilight, there was a boy in blue martial attire, waving a blue cloak as he held a sword.
He had seen him before.
Was it the beautiful servant? The Crown Prince also admired the boy swordsman, who was reported to the Lord of Yihwang every day.
Was it intuition? A story popped into the Crown Prince's mind.
In the Spring and Autumn period, a master of music referred to someone as a "zhiyin," meaning a friend who understood his performance better than anyone else.
"Sword music...?" The Crown Prince heard the vibrating sound resonating from the boy's sword.
Unconsciously, he quickened his steps.
And he saw it.
It felt as if his ears were naturally opening.
Whooo- The sound of a hatching dragon gradually transformed into the roar of a dragon.
There was a resonance that seemed to yearn for something far away.
It approached with a sense of longing.
The sword music that seemed to rise from the dragon's mouth soon rewound the Crown Prince's long-lost memories.
His father, who had still been full of life, and the song of the sword.
At the moment when he was enveloped in distant memories, he sighed and murmured, "Was there someone who could make me a zhiyin...?"