Yongbong's gathering was in full swing, and Jeong Yeon-shin gazed blankly at the young master of the Hwangbo family.
The reaction of Hwangbo Myeong-rin, who had her collar gripped by his right hand, was amusing.
At first, she looked bewildered, as if she had encountered something unimaginable.
Perhaps it was because Jeong Yeon-shin had raised his hand without any intent to kill.
Her realization came late.
"This... scoundrel...!" Soon, a surge of energy erupted from Hwangbo Myeong-rin's right hand.
She had mastered martial arts that were no less than those of the fallen.
She was a martial artist from a prestigious family, and one could feel the refined energy emanating from her.
The true energy of Jeongga Donggong swirled around her body.
Jeong Yeon-shin immediately countered.
Whack! White powder dusted the hand that struck Hwangbo Myeong-rin's face.
He paid it no mind.
He struck again, and again, and again.
In that moment, he was perfectly mimicking the martial artist of the Jeong family.
"Hmph!" The breath she let out brushed against Jeong Yeon-shin's hand, carrying the essence of the Middle Path technique.
With a hint of true energy, her head must have been rattled.
Hwangbo Myeong-rin seemed unable to regain her senses, her expression one of disbelief at what was happening.
In an instant, the energy that had gathered in her hand vanished.
"Oh dear."
The young master of the Hwangbo family interjected, a tipsy smile on his face.
"You're already becoming a nuisance. Thinking of the elders at home."
As he spoke, his outstretched hand was peculiar.
He aimed for Jeong Yeon-shin's arm, which was gripping Hwangbo Myeong-rin's nape.
It was hard to distinguish whether he had learned drunken fist or true fist techniques.
Jeong Yeon-shin had been waiting for this.
He raised the energy of the Seogyeong technique in his right arm.
He flicked his hand lightly, and Hwangbo Myeong-rin's body fell backward.
With a mix of shame and a nasal sound, she faced the young master's counterattack.
Thud! Their hands collided.
The energy contained in the young master's arm was incredibly heavy and hot.
It was hard to believe how he could remain unscathed with such intense energy coursing through his veins. 'This is the martial arts of the Rising Dragon.' Jeong Yeon-shin raised another thread of true energy.
He immediately wrapped his arm in an intangible barrier.
It was a defensive technique known as the Guardian's Barrier.
With repeated achievements, it would become the renowned Guardian's Aura.
The heat that touched his skin lessened slightly.
Bang! The situation changed.
Both were trying to grasp each other's wrists, but the young master's movements were incredibly intricate.
Jeong Yeon-shin had absorbed and developed the techniques of the Tuguai during his mission with the Hwasan sect.
Yet, the opponent's skills were so exceptional that it felt insufficient.
It was a clever and agile technique.
It felt as if he were mixing hands with a slightly more experienced version of himself.
"In this world."
The young master spoke with a light chuckle, his eyes sparkling with interest.
The shadow beneath his eyes seemed to carry a hint of vitality.
"So, there are others like me?" He even showed the leisure to open his mouth.
Their martial arts and experiences were worlds apart.
Jeong Yeon-shin gradually found himself at a disadvantage.
The energy that gathered in the young master's hand grew stronger without end.
Bang! A powerful spinning strike erupted.
Jeong Yeon-shin's hair, which had been down to his shoulders, flew back.
He couldn't just get swept away, so he burst the initial stance of the Shihua Wujue Fist with his palm.
The rebound was immense.
Jeong Yeon-shin naturally took a step back.
"You say you're attending the Yongbong gathering? The Tuguai of the Chuisil sect. I remember. In time, it will be quite a sight to behold, especially if you refine it further."
The young master stood with one leg crossed over the other, leaning slightly, and laughed.
He hadn't budged an inch.
He was incredibly strong.
"I won't be able to see it. A grave awaits to cool my body. I've already made it quite large, so I just need to lie down."
His words and actions were exceedingly free-spirited.
It made one wonder if he was truly the young master of a martial arts noble family.
His tone was different from that of Hwangbo Myeong-rin, who had also mentioned remembering names.
It felt as if he were treating it as a delightful game.
"Please forgive my younger siblings. In about ten years, we won't even be able to look at each other's faces. I'll have to look up at you for a long time. They say they raise their own birds... Let's meet again later."
He turned away, chewing on a poppy seed, and walked off.
Despite his younger siblings having been beaten, he seemed to care little.
His demeanor suggested he had no lingering attachments to the world.
He didn't seem like the heir of a family. 'He should be in Iphwangseong.
If that's the case, why didn't he aim for the fruits of the world's tree?' Jeong Yeon-shin stood quietly, feeling the hand of Hyeon Won-chang resting on his shoulder.
He was recalling the young master's techniques.
The spectators who had gathered around began to disperse, each sharing their thoughts.
It seemed no one had the courage to approach Jeong Yeon-shin, who had fallen out with the Hwangbo family.
The reason was Hwangbo Myeong-rin's face, which glared at him as she left.
There was a chilling resentment etched upon it.
She was Jeong Yeon-shin's second arrangement.
If the young master did not act recklessly, Hwangbo Myeong-rin would complete the task.
Jeong Yeon-shin's focus returned to martial arts. 'So that's how I can utilize my senses.
I need to recognize when I don't have to be trapped in a technique.' Even at this moment, he took a step forward.
He had grown stronger than before.
"Gu So-hyeop."
Hyeon Won-chang leaned in beside him.
In the crowded area, the title had changed.
"Are you alright? I was going to step in, but you seem oddly pleased. If it's a provocation, you're the best at it."
"You saw right through me. I have no idea what you're talking about."
"You seem to be quite a formidable character. The young master of the Hwangbo family. There are many rumors about you being a reckless fool who dances on the clouds, but your strength and temperament seem to match the rumors."
"I'm more curious about Gu Gwa-hyung, who has fallen a step behind."
Shin So-bin interjected.
She tossed her tied hair back, revealing her sweaty nape.
"The young master's nickname is Taeyeomryong (Lazy Flame Dragon). He is considered the strongest talent north of the Yangtze River. At twenty, he conquered the Yongbong gathering, and five years have passed since then. They say he looks down on the previous champion, Baek Gi-rin, and Namgung Hwa-shin. He is quite arrogant, claiming to have seen a good performance."
"He lived five more years after twenty?" "I believe he is the same age as me. Isn't there still four years left until the age of twenty? There is a nine-year gap with Taeyeomryong."
"Right. Four years left."
Jeong Yeon-shin replied calmly.
He was enjoying the achievements of his martial arts.
However, discomfort stirred in his stomach.
"Gu Gwa-hyung said he received martial arts from the sect leader, right?" Unaware of his inner thoughts, Shin So-bin chattered on.
"What you lack most right now is true energy. If you learn the sect leader's heart technique, you could quickly gather energy. It is said to be the most exceptional technique in the world. Even the royal families, who sweep up all the elixirs in the world, only master that."
"In five years, wouldn't your true energy rival Taeyeomryong?" "Five years."
Jeong Yeon-shin shook his head and muttered.
Indeed, the urgent need for a technique that could dramatically increase energy gathering speed was pressing.
Separately, there was a flaw in Shin So-bin's story.
"It's not something that can't be approached at all. As long as you can avoid being swept away by a small gesture, you can counter a great energy with a refined technique. They say the Taeguk Sword of the Wudang sect, located below Iphwangseong, is such a martial art."
"Normally, it wouldn't work, would it? The technique would have to be incredibly exceptional. It's not that my hyung is lacking."
There was a boldness in Shin So-bin, who had entered as a junior.
While acknowledging Jeong Yeon-shin, she still maintained the pride of a prestigious family.
Jeong Yeon-shin paid little mind.
As long as orders were followed, that was enough.
A futile pride would change after a few blood battles.
"Let's go."
Jeong Yeon-shin gathered the bag he had left under the tree and mounted his horse.
Just below the Hwangbo family, the Namgung family, which was said to be hosting this Yongbong gathering, lay ahead.
"The vitality is peculiar."
Hyeon Won-chang remarked.
Huiju was a very prosperous city.
It was said that there were many trading houses due to the immense flow of goods.
Indeed, the roads within the city were incredibly smooth.
People were bustling about, engaging in trade and negotiations.
However, the expressions of the passersby were not entirely pleasant.
Hyeon Won-chang shook his head as he dismounted.
"Is there a poor harvest here too? The tea leaves of Huiju are quite famous, but they aren't easy to taste."
"They say there have been many lands suffering from famine lately. It seems to be the case across the Central Plains. I wonder what the world is coming to."
Jeong Yeon-shin listened to Hyeon Won-chang and Shin So-bin's words while focusing on his martial arts.
He was immersed in researching the techniques of the initial stance in his mind, a process he called mental training.
Even while walking, his meditation did not diminish the efficiency of his training.
From the moment he entered Iphwangseong, his life itself had become a form of unlearning.
"We've arrived. It's indeed grand."
Hyeon Won-chang exclaimed as they stood before the main gate of the Namgung family.
There was a hint of bitterness in his tone.
The buildings of the Namgung family were as clean and grand as their reputation.
While it couldn't compare to Iphwangseong, it was a rare sight among families.
"Welcome. Have you come for the Yongbong gathering?" Even the guards at the gate carried themselves with restraint in their demeanor and actions.
Jeong Yeon-shin nodded and introduced himself.
"I am Gu Gwa from the Chuisil sect." "…Confirmed."
The guard who received the paper Jeong Yeon-shin presented nodded.
It seemed he was memorizing the list.
The guard, dressed in blue martial attire, spoke.
"I apologize, but this Yongbong gathering will not be held within the family. There is a significant matter at the main house, so the location has been changed. I hope you understand."
"Then where...?" "There is a pavilion called Yeonhwa-jeong to the north of Huiju. I will call someone to guide you."
The atmosphere felt strange.
It seemed they did not regard the Yongbong gathering as important.
What had happened within the Namgung family? 'Hmm.' In that moment, Jeong Yeon-shin felt an odd sensation.
It spread from his head.
The unique energy he felt when facing the Paekgeum sect and the Blood Flame sect approached him.
It was rough and sinister.
It was the realm of foresight and intuition that had been increasingly visiting him lately. 'Have they been attacked by the Paekgeum sect?' The heightened senses conjured a single deduction.
Jeong Yeon-shin followed the guide without revealing his thoughts.
He also brushed aside the whispers of Shin So-bin beside him.
They had to walk for quite a while.
Even on horseback, it felt far.
The responsibility for any mishaps at the Yongbong gathering, which the hosting sect should bear, seemed secondary.
Rather, it felt as if they were more reluctant to reveal the internal affairs of the family.
"You can stay at any inn nearby under the name of the Namgung family. I hope you make good connections."
The guide, who had shown the unique cleanliness of a noble family, walked away.
No one saw them off.
The group had no choice but to turn their heads immediately.
The powerful energies were stirring around them.
Bang! The waves of the lake surged.
White foam rose and fell under the sunlight.
Beneath the grand pavilion built luxuriously by the water, a handsome young Taoist and the Taeyeomryong of the Hwangbo family clashed swords.
The young Taoist looked familiar.
Just seeing the plum blossom pattern was enough to recognize him as a member of the Hwasan sect.
There were many men and women watching the martial arts competition, both on the pavilion and around it.
Some sat with their feet on the railing, while others stood tall on the pavilion's roof.
There were already more than thirty of them.
All were young yet exuded the atmosphere of masters.
They were late bloomers.
It was a sight that felt incredibly foreign to Jeong Yeon-shin, who had repeatedly engaged in blood battles as part of his missions.
It was the first time he had seen so many young disciples from various sects.
A few peers were visible, which felt oddly strange.
"They say that the young master of the Hwasan sect is the main disciple, and that Taoist Yu-hyeon has truly deep martial arts."
"There are rumors that he has eaten from the Jaso-dan. Even so, isn't it dangerous?" "Taeyeomryong's eyes have turned red. He drew his sword for the first time in a while."
"He has some age, yet he seems to have no sense of shame."
The expressions of the young masters of the family, Taoists, and even monks, who appeared to be relatively older, were serious.
Jeong Yeon-shin understood immediately.
Perhaps due to the immense heat radiating from Taeyeomryong, his eyes were bloodshot.
It was completely different from when he faced Jeong Yeon-shin.
There was a madness in the smile that lingered at the corners of his mouth.
He had cast aside all notions of family and face.
"A talent as poor as yours dares to lecture? What could you possibly leave behind if you were in my shoes? It's futile!" It seemed there had been a quarrel, as he shouted wildly.
The wave of true energy resonated in his ears.
The expression of Yu-hyeon, who had received the energy of the Jaso-dan, crumpled.
Fear was evident on his face.
Yu-hyeon continued to step back, blood flowing from the torn Hwasan sect robe.
No one seemed willing to intervene.
Neither Hwangbo Myeong-rin nor her brother did.
Every time a strike landed, those with shallow true energy shrank back.
Taeyeomryong's martial power was on a different level.
His technique was indeed sensory.
"What do we do?" "Baek So-hyeop has gone to call for help!" The family was a secular one.
Many heirs of the family were present.
They had enough power to distract the elders and enjoy camaraderie with their peers.
The Namgung family, which was not in good shape.
The young people's rebellion against the oppression of the family.
Amidst the premature collapse, Jeong Yeon-shin stepped in.
He had yet to introduce himself or greet anyone.
The late bloomers seemed to have suddenly realized, their eyes widening.
He was already standing next to Taeyeomryong.
"Why are you here again? You're still a worthless scoundrel!" Taeyeomryong's madness flared.
He turned his head sharply, glaring at Jeong Yeon-shin with murderous intent.
The fiery madness was almost visible.
Bang! It sounded like the cannon fire of the military.
Yu-hyeon, who barely blocked the strike, was sent flying.
At the same time, Taeyeomryong's hand aimed at Jeong Yeon-shin, devoid of any mercy.
With an overwhelming wave of true energy, he struck down toward Jeong Yeon-shin's head.
Kwang! It was not the sound of a clash of techniques.
Jeong Yeon-shin's hand traced a peculiar trajectory.
Pushing away the opponent's arm with his forearm, he brought his wrist down.
In an instant, he wedged Taeyeomryong's inner elbow joint between his outstretched thumb and four fingers. 'So this works.' At the same time, he gripped tightly.
The true energy, layered with the Seogyeong technique, dwelled in Jeong Yeon-shin's grasp.
He pressed the Neiguan point at the bend of the arm, wrapping the true energy around it.
It was a point strike.
He had completely drained the strength from Taeyeomryong.
The true energy remained intact.
He had surpassed him in technique.
In that moment, Taeyeomryong's expression went blank.
"What?" The movements of both halted.
Jeong Yeon-shin silently gazed at him before speaking.
"You called it talent. I'm not like you."
"What?" Jeong Yeon-shin had burrowed close to him, within a distance where even a strike would be difficult.
He could feel the heat radiating from Taeyeomryong's entire body.
It was not easy to approach.
"You're a bit slower."
Jeong Yeon-shin whispered.
There was no particular emotion in his tone.