No one could recognize the gathering at once.
Especially if they claimed to be from the Zhengdao sect.
Huang Bo Ming Lin scoffed once more, her eyebrows not even twitching.
"You say I used your sister as bait? You must be seeing things. Or perhaps..."
Her lips curled into a smile, one that seemed devoid of any hesitation.
"Are you trying to slander me? A lowly creature without roots."
"Isn't it you who lacks roots?" It was not Jeong Yeon Sin.
His hand, which had been holding the two back, was pushed back by He Yuan Chang's body.
Li Huang Xin Xie, who stepped forward, opened his mouth.
His gentle smile while adjusting the hero's crown on his forehead was like a painting.
"Your words about lowly creatures do not seem like the words of a learned person."
"What?" "You must have received countless elixirs since you were young, right? They say there are dishes called Lu Cai in your Shandong. Among them, I hear the dumplings wrapped in various ingredients are exquisite. Perhaps you tore apart the books of the sages and wrapped them in elixirs? Surely, your family taught you the ways of Confucius and Mencius? They say the Huang Bo family is a noble family, but it seems that was just empty talk."
His words flowed like a clear stream.
"This lowly creature dares...?" Huang Bo Ming Lin's mouth opened slightly in shock for a moment.
He Yuan Chang looked at her with a sneer.
"They say Shandong food is salty. Your words and actions are truly bland. There are two witnesses to your misdeeds, yet you shamelessly deny it? I have never heard of a lowly creature like Huang Bo Ming Lin among the noble families of the Shandong martial world. Isn't that right?" He Yuan Chang asked as he looked around.
Those who met his gaze quickly averted their eyes.
A refreshing smile appeared on He Yuan Chang's lips.
"You're asking for death!" Huang Bo Ming Lin took a step forward with her martial arts stance.
The energy gathering in her hands was fierce.
In an instant, Jeong Yeon Sin's hand beside her blurred.
With a crack, her body spun in the air.
She struck with the power she had cultivated through the Jeong Family's martial arts.
"Whoosh!" It was the moment Huang Bo Ming Lin fell helplessly.
The late-stage disciples of other families each took their stances.
The eight swords they held gleamed brightly in the sunlight.
"If what you say is true, then this is also just. However, you must understand us."
Two of the late-stage disciples spoke.
Their tone carried a subtle warning.
Jeong Yeon Sin was different from those who had shown goodwill after parting with Tai Yan Long.
Just because they were righteous did not mean they shared the same temperament.
The disciples of the old sect worshipped either the Buddha or the Primordial Heavenly Lord.
As practitioners in the mountains, they were mostly those who had transcended worldly gains.
The families were different.
When a powerful family had existed for a long time, it was referred to as such.
They claimed to uphold righteousness while pursuing profit.
The methods of achieving harmony were completely different.
Some boastful individuals with powerful martial arts spoke without restraint.
They said it was not easy to find a mediator outside the mountain sects.
"I have heard that there are those who enjoy mediating."
It was not the children of some families.
They were right in front of them.
Those with great authority had colluded.
The initiative of the group lay with Huang Bo Ming Lin.
The composition was such.
The Southern Zhi Li was the lower region of Shandong.
The Huang Bo aristocrats were said to act like royalty in Jinan, Shandong.
The children of nearby martial families had no choice but to treat them differently.
"The value on Huang Bo Ming Lin's side was greater."
They did not deliberately kill.
They judged with a blue disposition.
Tai Yan Long was a minor lord destined for death.
It seemed he was merely used to elevate the family's reputation.
The siblings who were struck by Jeong Yeon Sin were indeed the future of the Huang Bo family.
"I have heard there are spirit beasts."
Jeong Yeon Sin said.
A young man quickly approached and supported his sister.
He was said to be the second son of the Huang Bo family, who had fallen after provoking Jeong Yeon Sin.
"You dare to do this...?" "I am speaking."
When he quietly watched, the second son flinched.
He could not even meet her gaze and turned away.
"They say noble families have cleverly raised beasts with their clan's secret arts. They are called spirit beasts." "..."
"They say these animals understand human speech and exhibit mysterious abilities. Call upon the martial artists of the family. As many as possible. There may be reinforcements from the Blood Flame Sect."
The eight great families of the martial world were merely called aristocrats.
They had a solid regional base like a royal family and high martial arts skills.
It was a world where spirit beasts could be bought with gold.
If one were a direct descendant of the Huang Bo family, they would surely possess at least one contact beast.
Whether it was a messenger or something else, it did not matter.
Shandong was not far from here.
They had to continue sending messages.
Once some of the Huang Bo family's martial forces were vacant, they could secure a reason for punishment in Yuhuang City and immediately head north.
Indeed, as soon as he finished speaking, a pair of wings fluttered from the second son's collar.
It was a small bird resembling a swallow.
The second son had made a small message and tied it to the bird's leg using a small brush and ink pot he carried for the journey.
However, it was not released.
He said, "The moment we send the message, our value will diminish. You might even dare to charge at us to die, right? The timing of the release is ours to decide."
"Think about it. Sending it once is not the end. You must keep in mind the size of the Southern Zhi Li and Shandong. That bird must continuously go back and forth." "…You are right."
He silently acknowledged his mistake.
It seemed he was wary of Jeong Yeon Sin's martial strength.
Even if he was injured, he believed he could lead to mutual destruction.
In the martial world, this was called "going down together." 'This guy has become quite cautious.' Jeong Yeon Sin looked up at the tail of the flying bird.
Huang Bo Ming Lin, who had regained her senses, was glaring at him as if she wanted to kill him.
In contrast, the second son could not lift his head.
They could never unite.
Nevertheless, they had to become a group.
"Whoever brought the blood demons must join forces. It seems they have come to kill even the late-stage disciples of the Dragon and Phoenix Association."
It was Tai Yan Long.
He looked at both sides before stuffing a poppy flower into his mouth.
His eyes, chewing the flower buds, soon fixed on Jeong Yeon Sin.
Twenty days had passed.
They had shaken off the pursuit of the Blood Flame Sect multiple times.
It was a net that had started from the south.
They could not return to Huizhou.
Rather, it would be faster to receive protection from the Huang Bo family coming down from Jinan.
The entire group looked like they had been through a lot.
They had been thoroughly driven along mountain paths away from the main roads.
It was a vast plain at the end of a long mountain range.
They had come close to Shandong before they knew it. 'Now it's a race against time.' Jeong Yeon Sin thought.
Hunting birds for food had become second nature.
Even when they slept, one of the three from Ma Guang Ik had to stay awake.
It was because it was hard to fully trust the late-stage disciples, including the Huang Bo siblings.
Time had passed sufficiently.
The mission had succeeded.
The Huang Bo family and Yuhuang City would be rushing from both sides.
It was a battle between the martial aristocrats ruling Jinan, Shandong, and the Yuhuang City controlling the entire Central Plains.
If the battlefield was Shandong, it would not be strange for either side to arrive first.
Especially if it was a sudden mission. 'They will come at the same time.' The Blood Flame Sect said it was difficult to infiltrate due to their sorcery.
The Huang Bo family was different.
They were those who had rushed out without knowing.
Once they crossed north of the Southern Zhi Li, they could never escape the eyes of Yuhuang City.
Yuhuang City had been watching them for a long time.
It was an old operation.
There was a high possibility that the martial forces, including Ma Guang Ik, had already vanished and were lurking behind.
"They say the family's guard unit is coming. It's over now."
During this time, Huang Bo Ming Lin had completely regained her confidence.
She spoke openly.
Once the guard unit of the Huang Bo family arrived, the pursuit of the Blood Flame Sect would be meaningless.
She commanded the group, leaving Tai Yan Long and the second son behind.
"There they are."
He Yuan Chang murmured.
The moment they descended, he seemed to see warriors rushing toward them.
They were a group dressed in scarlet martial attire.
There were just over thirty of them, and the energy they emitted was incredibly strong.
One could even feel the military spirit.
"Lin Ah!" A large middle-aged man rushed from the front.
His lightness in movement was astonishing.
The restrained energy of his rush quickly closed the distance.
Jeong Yeon Sin compared this moment to when she was at her best.
The years they had accumulated were different.
She had no confidence in easily winning.
"Uncle Ba Gyeom!" The free-spirited nature of the martial world seemed to be the same for the families.
Huang Bo Ming Lin embraced the middle-aged man.
His large hands affectionately ruffled her hair.
"Thank goodness. Really, thank goodness. Your efforts have been great. Truly."
From one side, He Yuan Chang sent a message to Jeong Yeon Sin.
Ba Gyeom Huang Bo Jun.
He was said to be the younger brother of the current head of the Huang Bo family.
He was also one of the top swordsmen in Jinan, Shandong.
"But the minor lord..."
Ba Gyeom turned his gaze.
At the end of his sight was Tai Yan Long, who was sitting casually on a rock.
"I have dressed the illegitimate son in the attire of a successor. He should feel honored. Is it right to make the direct bloodlines suffer like this?" "Anyway, he is a successor with about five years left. How he lives is of no concern."
"You brat!" "You speak of being a successor without even following the proper etiquette."
Tai Yan Long chuckled.
After staring at him for a while, Ba Gyeom turned his head. 'That family is not normal either.' Jeong Yeon Sin's gaze met Ba Gyeom's bulging eyes.
Tai Yan Long was said to be an illegitimate child.
If he valued the life of a bloodline destined for a short life, he would have thrown him into Yuhuang City, even if it meant severing ties with the family.
She had already guessed the reality.
It seemed he was used as fuel to elevate the family's reputation and create good stories.
"You wear a blue robe without patterns and a martial outfit, with a youthful face. It must be you. There was a story about you on the narrow surface of the message."
Ba Gyeom smiled at Jeong Yeon Sin.
The killing intent behind his smile approached authoritatively.
"The disciple of Chusilmun. Cut off one of your arms and offer it. I will forgive your rudeness."
"I must take your head. The humiliation is too great."
Huang Bo Ming Lin interjected.
Ba Gyeom's smile turned kindly.
He even nodded his head.
"Do as you wish."
It was clear.
Were all martial families like this? It seemed they should only be seen as local aristocrats, not righteous martial artists.
"You are giving glory to the monk Hye Ga of Shaolin. I will keep you alive until you stop the bleeding and spit out your identity. Or shall we start fighting right away?" Huang Bo Ming Lin, with a smooth smile, licked her lips.
She mentioned the monk Hye Ga, who had cut off one of his arms while seeking teachings from the Great Master Damo.
It was outright mockery.
Other warriors blocked Tai Yan Long, who was about to interject.
Huang Bo Ming Lin urged, "Shall we start? Is your spirit only that much?" Jeong Yeon Sin silently adjusted her Northern Bright Sword.
It still felt a bit unfamiliar.
The sword family, the heart method, and the thunderbolt pill.
These were the thoughts that had circled in Jeong Yeon Sin's mind for twenty days.
If the thunderbolt pill was an unstoppable weapon, then the rise of various sects would have been impossible from the start.
It was hard to imagine even the lord of Yuhuang City, Ma Jin, or even Cheong Myung, falling to the thunderbolt pill. 'It seems I could deflect it with a soft sword technique.
If it were now.' Just then, the opponent had mastered a strong sword.
The moment she sensed the energy, she knew.
Huang Bo Ming Lin, standing behind Ba Gyeom, sneered.
"You have always been good at talking, yet you remain silent now. The Huang Bo family is the foremost noble family of Shandong. I am personally asking if we can begin punishing you for your actions."
"Enough. You are a lowly creature from a sect I have never heard of. Do not waste your energy on someone without roots."
Ba Gyeom approached with large strides.
He was completely ignoring the harmony.
How lowly did he think of them? The second son wore a smile that seemed to be enjoying the situation.
The faces of the late-stage disciples watching from behind and the martial artists of the Huang Bo family showed no expression at all.
"Chusilmun's disciple. We will begin now. Are you ready to receive the family's interrogation?" Huang Bo Ming Lin seemed to feel a sense of pleasure.
She even wore a playful smile.
Jeong Yeon Sin did not respond.
Just as she was about to draw out her newly learned sword technique, Ba Gyeom's steps suddenly halted.
Whoosh! Bang! Someone landed behind Jeong Yeon Sin.
A tremendous vibration resonated.
It seemed to have leaped from the hill behind.
The feeling of the ground shaking was incomparable to the thunderbolt pill.
Without looking back, she knew.
The overwhelming energy was very familiar.
"Great Lord!" It was Shin So Bin's shout.
He was Jeong Yeon Sin's uncle.
Ma Guang Ik had descended.
Bang! Bang! Two energies of similar size crashed down like meteors.
They seemed to be on either side of Ma Guang Ik.
The thick dust that rose came closer.
The energy that resembled the vast sky felt ominous yet profound.
This too was not unfamiliar.
The great lords of Chang Cheon and Myeol Seom.
The lord of Chang Cheon had given her the spirit pill when she entered the sect, and the lord of Myeol Seom had presided over the blue sect examination.
There were more.
They were those who had always shared meals and slept together after entering the sect.
Whoosh! The backlash from the lightness in movement created by Ma Guang Ik's blue experts swept through the surroundings.
There were about twenty of them.
They were felt standing behind the great lords with their refined protective techniques.
It was not the end.
As more groups of similar size descended, they spread left and right.
The energy of Ma Guang Ik was equal.
It must be the Chang Cheon and Myeol Seom of Yuhuang City.
They were the seventeen great sects that supported the lives of the people in the world.
It was said that when two or more gathered, they were invincible.
"Seom Ye!" Whoosh! With Cheong Myung's shout, a long object surged toward the back of Jeong Yeon Sin's head.
She slightly twisted her body and caught it in one swift motion.
The cool sensation that wrapped around her palm was extraordinary.
It was the Yuhuang Sword.
She immediately sheathed it alongside the Northern Bright Sword at her waist.
Then another one flew toward her.
The white pill caught in Jeong Yeon Sin's grasp emitted a fragrant aroma.
It seemed Cheong Myung had seen through her internal injuries.
It was the famous spirit pill of Shaolin.
This was the end.
Seom Ye had finished the supply.
Boom! The Yuhuang City’s spirit pill.
Jeong Yeon Sin trembled at the feast of energy that erupted like wildfire.
Was there a force stronger than this in the world? At this moment, she felt as if the invisible momentum was supporting her right hand, which was drawing the sword.
At the same time, He Yuan Chang approached.
His steps were light as if he could fly.
He grabbed the fabric that was covering Jeong Yeon Sin's shoulder with one hand and tore it away.
Riiip! The rough character "Huang" was revealed.
It was a golden inscription meaning the direct disciple of the lord of Yuhuang City.
Someone swallowed hard.
"Ba Gyeom Huang Bo Jun."
Jeong Yeon Sin spoke calmly.
As she slowly rolled the spirit pill in her left hand with her fingers, a silence that felt like time had frozen enveloped the plain.
"We may begin."
The one who gripped the sword spoke.