The expressions of the late-stage disciples of the Huangbo family and the Huangbo family’s guard turned to shock in an instant.
Dozens of faces changed in sequence. “Yip Huangcheng? Why is Yip Huangcheng...?” “What kind of energy is that?” “Yip Huangcheng in blue? Isn’t that Ma Guangyik!” “They said it was a minor sect, but look at that energy in black robes, aren’t they the great lords of Yip Huangcheng? How can there be three of them...!” The members of the family, who prided themselves on being able to discuss the world, could not hide their inner turmoil.
Even the renowned sword master Huangbo Jun hesitated.
A raw sense of confusion was evident.
They all seemed filled with questions and disbelief. “I’ve heard of Yip Huangcheng in blue at that age...” Huangbo Minglin trembled his lower lip.
His voice faltered as he continued. “Shan Ye... You were the Shan Ye of Yip Huangcheng?” “It’s not a name that would spread to Shandong. Isn’t it quite far?” Jeong Yeonsin replied, slightly bewildered.
It seemed he had heard of someone like Huangbo Minglin.
Even the martial artists who did not influence the great flow of the Jianghu were gathering rumors with interest.
The well-known places were Gaebang and Haowen.
Yip Huangcheng was a place that the entire martial world was watching closely.
It seemed he had come across the name Shan Ye while investigating the new masters. “Why, why? They must have treated you with great respect.” Huangbo Minglin’s question was rather puzzling.
Jeong Yeonsin relayed what he had heard. “Respect is a ridiculous story. Everyone knows that the martial world looks down on Yip Huangcheng.” “... What’s the reason for hiding your identity?” “I am a martial artist of Yip Huangcheng. Is there any reason other than my mission?” “Mission?” The sword master interjected.
The overwhelming presence of the middle-aged swordsman had vanished.
His face, now heavy with gravity, anxiously scanned the masters of Yip Huangcheng.
At that moment, one of the late-stage disciples suddenly knelt down. “I did not recognize the royal family!” The sound echoed heavily, unusual for the situation.
Those around him looked on with faces of bewilderment. “Qian Xiaoheng, what are you doing? The royal family?” “If he is the direct disciple of the lord of Yip Huangcheng, isn’t he of royal blood? I’ve heard it has been so for generations. Looking at him, he doesn’t seem to be from a famous family, so how could a commoner pass on martial arts to him?” It was a ridiculous commotion.
Jeong Yeonsin turned his head without answering.
He met the gaze of Ma Jin, who had approached him.
Concern seemed to be etched into the scar that crossed his face.
It appeared that Jeong Yeonsin’s appearance was not good.
Even if he wasn’t from a famous family, it was evident at a glance. “... I didn’t expect the Thunderbolt Cannon. Are you alright?” Ma Jin asked, slightly twisting his mouth.
Jeong Yeonsin nodded readily and spoke. “You’ve come to understand the situation in Huizhu. Do you know what happened to the Yuhyun of the Hwasan Sect?” “You mean the youngest disciple of the Hwasan Sect’s leader? The Namgung family responded immediately and protected him. That boy Yuhyun has already destroyed several branches of the Plum Blossom Sword Sect and the Blood Flame Sect. The Hwasan Sect has long since left Huizhu.” “I see.” It was troubling that they had drifted away without any certainty in the chaos.
Jeong Yeonsin felt a great sense of relief but was also surprised.
Even though Yuhyun was one of his few close friends, they had not shared much time together.
He wondered if he had grown so fond of him. ‘Is it because he came to Yip Huangcheng so warmly?’ Thinking about it, he realized that he had only a handful of peers he was close to.
The crown prince Zhu Yunming was not yet among them.
Perhaps Yuhyun, Shin Sobin, and Ma Se-in of the Yip Huang family were the only ones.
The sword dragon Wei Zimiao of the Jongnam Sect was considered to be somewhere between them and Baek Mi-ryeo.
Every time he set out on a mission, he ended up making a friend.
Reflecting on it now, it wasn’t so bad.
If he were to die without tasting the fruit of the Heavenly Eye, at least there would be those who remembered him. ‘It’s not something I want to think about too much.’ At that moment, the sword master Huangbo Jun stepped forward. “Listening to the conversation, it seems you are not of royal blood. You...” His words were momentarily interrupted as he was ignored by Jeong Yeonsin and Ma Jin.
It seemed to be the first humiliation he had ever experienced.
He took a deep breath and straightened his posture. “I am a junior. And you, Master Ma.” He raised his hands in a respectful manner.
His demeanor had completely changed.
If it had only been Ma Guangyik, he would not have bent so easily before the eight great families.
It seemed he had guessed something upon seeing the gathering of the three martial forces of the Shin Sword Sect.
Cold sweat was visible on the back of his neck. “I have heard of the great name of Master Ma Guangyik. I, Huangbo Jun, did not recognize the direct disciple of the lord of Yip Huangcheng and spoke foolishly. I hope you can forgive me.” “What foolishness?” Ma Jin asked briefly.
There was a moment of silence before a reply came. “A lowly thing, a commoner, a worthless person.” The quick-witted Shin Sobin chimed in, sounding quite pleased. “Isn’t that all an insult to the lord? I’ve heard that the Shan Ye senior is also of the Yip Huang family bloodline. He became famous during the royal ceremony. This is the Jianghu! They say he swallowed the Thunderbolt Cannon in one go while making that declaration.” “...?” Ma Jin’s face hardened coldly.
The energy that rose like frost from his scar was extremely chilling.
By now, most people knew that the Shan Ye was the reverse scale of the Yip Huang family.
Ma Jin was said to be a warm-hearted person, contrary to his appearance.
There was no way he would forgive someone who spoke of their roots. “Huangbo family.” Ma Jin spoke with an expressionless face. “The crime of a mere noble family exploiting the common people is grave. It has reached a thousand.” “...?” “You asked about the mission of the Shan Ye. It was to create a rift among the Huangbo noble families who dominate Jeonan with force. To secure a justification for their extermination. It was accomplished splendidly. You are all here, aren’t you?” “What do you mean...?” Huangbo Jun let out a low groan.
This was the story of the great lord under the Shin Sword Sect.
No one would dismiss it as foolishness.
However, admitting to the crime was another matter.
Even if they brought out fatal evidence, they would have no choice but to deny it.
Whether it was a person or a document, it was the same.
Unless one was foolish, they would not admit it in this place.
Even Jeong Yeonsin, who had little experience in the Jianghu, could understand.
He turned around, taking in Ma Jin, the great lord of Myeolsum, and the great lord of Changcheon in one glance. “I dare to ask. Can my junior announce the start of the conflict?” “Hmm.” The thin Myeolsum great lord stood out as his black robe billowed.
For the three martial forces to unite, they needed to unify the command structure.
It was said that the Myeolsum great lord had temporary command due to his age nearing fifty and his long years as a great lord.
Ma Jin and the Changcheon great lord were in their thirties.
They were considered quite young for great lords. “Ma Guangyik Shan Ye. I watched the promotion exam from the side. It was quite impressive.” The eyes of the supreme master, who had reached the peak, scrutinized him closely.
Jeong Yeonsin could not help but feel tense the moment he met the pitch-black gleam in his eyes.
It was different from the lord of Yip Huangcheng, who had completely concealed his energy.
He could fully feel the martial power. ‘It’s still far.
The level of a great lord is completely different.’ It was at that moment he truly felt the black level of Yip Huangcheng.
The Myeolsum great lord slowly opened his mouth. “I announce the start of the conflict... that was your mission. I permit it.” “Thank you.” Maintaining his bow, Jeong Yeonsin slightly bent his waist and lowered his arms.
He turned around and stepped forward alone.
He placed the Mingjeongdan he had been holding in his left hand into his mouth.
He chewed it carelessly like Tai Yanlong, who enjoyed chewing poppies, and did not stop walking.
He headed straight for the place where the late-stage disciples and the martial artists of the Huangbo family were gathered. ‘They say there’s no need for luck.
Indeed.’ It was said that the techniques of the famous family and the medicine of the Shaolin Yaowang Hall had combined.
He felt as if a refreshing energy was rising from all the meridians in his body.
A mysterious power spread throughout his body, healing his internal injuries.
During this time, no one dared to act rashly.
The three martial forces of Yip Huangcheng displayed a terrifying suppressive force.
He passed by the sword master.
He ignored Tai Yanlong as well.
Originally, Jeong Yeonsin had intended to take the neck of the strongest sword master among the enemies.
Next was Huangbo Minglin.
However, facing the intense energy of the Myeolsum great lord standing on the battlefield, his thoughts changed.
He was a blue warrior under the black great lord.
To exchange blows with the sword master for dozens of rounds? That was merely a delusion blinded by merit.
If the great lords were to act, a sword master could be killed in just a few moves.
In the current situation, targeting the lord of the Shin Sword Sect, he could not afford to fall out of favor with the Changcheon and Myeolsum great lords. ‘Now I’ve been incorporated into the mission to strike the Huangbo family.
It’s enough to make my mark.’ Jeong Yeonsin reached just three steps in front of Huangbo Minglin.
It was hard to imagine that he would rampage alone, having come so deeply into their midst.
He slowly opened his mouth. “Let’s settle our grievances.” “What did you say?” “You can respond comfortably. I will speak my piece.” “...?” “I told you to offer your arm. You interrogated me and then said you would take my neck. The Yongbong Association was the same. Shin Sobin could have died. If I hadn’t saved her, that would have been the case.” “... I acknowledge the reputation of the blue warrior of Yip Huangcheng. Moreover, if you are the direct disciple of the lord of Yip Huangcheng, you may be this arrogant.” Huangbo Minglin straightened his back.
After a long period of fleeing, his shabby appearance began to show some dignity. “However, I cannot fabricate falsehoods. I am innocent. I would never act against the principles.” “You keep saying that. It doesn’t matter anymore.” “...?” “The remaining mission is the annihilation of the Huangbo family. No matter what boast you make, it means nothing.” Jeong Yeonsin tightened his grip on the sword of Yip Huang.
In an instant, the energy that burst from the back of his hand spread in all directions.
It was a prelude to the manifestation of sword techniques.
In the midst of the enemy camp, the face of Huangbo Minglin filled with shock before she could even respond, and the tendons on the back of Jeong Yeonsin’s hand bulged.
Huangbo Minglin was a mere pawn.
In that fleeting moment, her expression revealed it.
The fear of an unbeatable sword technique surged among the Jianghu people. “What? Please...!” At the same time, the sword of Yip Huang flashed.
The swift sword technique of the Guanghua Sword Style.
The blade glimmered like rays of light at a speed that was impossible to react to.
Swish! A white bolt struck her neck and passed through.
It was the swift sword that had reached the blue realm.
For a moment, her head remained in place.
The panic in her eyes did not extinguish.
Blood burst forth after a breath.
Puhwah! Her head rolled lifelessly, and her body fell.
The sword master, who was horrified from behind, rushed in, but the masters of Yip Huangcheng were much faster.
The Myeolsum great lord, who had arrived first with ghostly speed, grabbed the sword master by the back of the neck and slammed him to the ground.
Bang! The energy gathered in his slender arms was tremendous.
The ground cracked with a loud noise. “Lin Ah!” “Miss!” “Master!” The young master and the guards of the Huangbo family cried out.
The late-stage disciples seemed frozen in place.
The faces that had been indifferent when discussing Jeong Yeonsin’s arms and neck now shone with utmost vitality.
Desperation and fear filled the air.
Bang! Ma Jin and the Changcheon great lord jumped into their midst.
The two supreme masters unleashed their heavy energy in all directions as they drew their swords like paintings.
They did not offer any warnings.
In a frenzy, they began to slash and strike, unleashing a destructive energy.
The sword master, who had barely escaped from the grip of the Myeolsum great lord, stood up, gritting his teeth, as if he were about to unleash the sword techniques of the Huangbo family.
At that moment, Bang! With a rough stomp, Ma Jin’s new form tore through the air.
It was an explosive speed.
In an instant, the black sword he held plunged into the sword master’s chest.
Crack! It was only a moment of penetration.
Ma Jin twisted his waist and horizontally severed the upper body of the sword master.
With a sound of ribs cracking all at once, a torrent of blood gushed forth.
The tremendous force itself became a spirit that froze time. “Yip Huangcheng. It was real.” “You cannot resist! You must think of fleeing...!” The lord of Yip Huangcheng, Ma Guangyik.
The sword master died in utter despair.
Ma Jin seemed to place no significant meaning on it.
He immediately dashed toward the martial artists of the Huangbo family again.
His strikes swiftly severed the lives of five more.
The storm-like shadow of the black sword left a tremendous path of destruction as it cut through necks, hearts, and waists.
Guts and blood poured out from the ruptured muscles.
It was terrifying.
The term ‘savage’ truly suited him.
This was the attitude of Lord Ma Guangyik when facing those who threatened his only nephew.
Bang! Even the remaining dust from his leap was torn apart.
The murderous aura that erupted from his entire being tightened around all directions, converging into an overwhelming energy wave. “Run! Flee!” Finally, those who turned their backs began to appear.
It was as if the spirit of the martial artists of the Jianghu had been thoroughly dismantled.
The three great lords chased and killed.
They burst open backs with their techniques and beheaded them.
It was a scene that revealed the fundamental difference from the Jianghu martial artists.
They viewed the martial artists who touched the common people thoroughly from the perspective of the royal family.
Those ruffians who did not even properly pay their tributes.
The actions of Yip Huangcheng against the nation’s harm were merciless. “The great lords do not give them a chance. Unless the scale is considerable.” “They will build merit when they strike the main house of the Huangbo family.” “I envy the Shan Ye. Haven’t you already done quite a big thing?” Among the members of Ma Guangyik, Changcheon, and Myeolsum, very few were with the great lords.
Most did not even participate and approached.
Some captured the late-stage disciples and interrogated them. “Ah, please capture me. I am the wicked Huangbo family’s little lord. Hmm? That won’t do. Please return the poppy, okay? Please...” Among them was Tai Yanlong as well.