Jung Yeon-shin looked down at the corpse of Hwangbo Myeong-rin before raising his head.
"This guy isn't even resisting," Cheong-myeong said, shrugging his shoulders as he kicked Taeyeom-ryong's knee.
Taeyeom-ryong, who fell to his knees with a thud, looked up at Jung Yeon-shin with a grin.
"Looks like things have gotten serious. If you knew everything, it would be the end of my family. A blue warrior, huh? I never imagined your true identity."
From the moment they first met, he had been chewing on poppy seeds while drunk, clearly not in his right mind.
He seemed unfazed by the fact that his half-sister's neck had been severed.
Perhaps it was due to the disdain he faced as a bastard son, or maybe he was simply mad.
The pain of the Sun God’s pulse, was it truly beyond imagination? Even upon first meeting, it was clear that Taeyeom-ryong was a madman.
As the head of the Hwangbo family, he seemed to have lived on mere inertia.
"What was that sword technique? I've never heard of such a sword strike before. What kind of mental method have you cultivated? Tell me."
"Just now, your sister met her end at my sword."
"Dullards like you wouldn't understand. You’re living in a different world. You probably didn’t even think of me as your sibling, right? I didn’t either. With the family on the brink of ruin, there’s no need to care about the elders’ opinions. Gu Gwa, no, Seom Ye! I want to know all your martial arts!" Taeyeom-ryong smiled with shadowed eyes.
Now, it was certain.
He was completely mad with martial arts and pain.
Ignoring his words, Jung Yeon-shin drew the sword techniques of the Ip Hwang Sword and the Buk Myeong Sword in succession.
The Hwangbo family’s guard was merely a prelude.
The real mission had just begun.
It was a task to strike against the Eight Great Families. 'They said a short decisive battle wouldn’t lead to the ruin of a family.' The Hwangbo family was a massive local aristocracy.
It was said that they had not only one main house in Jinan, Shandong Province, but also branch families and sub-branches, allowing them to control Jinan like royalty and secretly exploit the people.
One guard unit could not be used to measure them.
They were said to be a group equipped with a Senate and elite masters.
I heard that both the Eight Great Families and the Nine Factions were the same.
They were formidable opponents with various martial arts.
Enough to make Jung Yeon-shin feel delighted. 'The sword technique that can deflect thunderbolts, the mental method with swift energy, the sword arts that shine in one against many...'
The sword arts had already established a system as martial arts.
Only practical adaptation remained.
Amidst the chaos, Jung Yeon-shin gently closed his eyes.
He hoped to complete the sword technique to counter thunderbolts and the new mental method in one mission.
"The effort was great."
"Thanks to you, I can finally finish this long-standing mission."
Senior masters ruffled the hair of Jung Yeon-shin, Heon Won-chang, and Shin So-bin.
While Shin So-bin grimaced, Jung Yeon-shin asked Cheong-myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo about what had happened.
He had already confirmed his injuries after being held by Baek Mi-ryeo on both shoulders.
"As for us, we were just shocked to hear about the Yongbong Association's affairs. Who would have thought they would use thunderbolts like that? We really ran here with sweat on our feet."
"If you're at the blue level, you should be able to deal with fire bolts too. Let me tell you how to operate the Ma Gwang-gyeol technique."
Cheong-myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo said.
Even if there were no personal connections in Ip Hwang City, human relationships were different.
Jung Yeon-shin felt Ma Gwang-ik was a complete master.
It was evident from Cheong-myeong's beaming face.
After demonstrating a technique that gracefully drew circles in the air, Baek Mi-ryeo looked at him the same way.
"It’s a method of harmony. It’s different from the footwork that firmly releases true energy. You’ve heard of the saying 'softness can conquer hardness,' right? You can repel fire bolts by surrounding your sword or fist with internal energy. I’ll show you several times, so feel free to ask until you understand."
"I thought of that."
"Hmm?" "I’m curious about a few applications of the techniques, and I’d like to see them once." "..."
Meanwhile, the surroundings were chaotic.
Among the Hwangbo family’s guards, those who had not died and surrendered had their dantians shattered.
The lower dantian was an organ that affected the entire body’s blood vessels and energy channels.
It wouldn’t just end with the internal energy scattering.
"Ugh, ugh!" Many were rolling on the ground, but no one cared.
They were the ones who raised the white flag without fighting to the death alongside their comrades.
The gazes upon them were not kind.
Cheong-myeong, Baek Mi-ryeo, and a few others were excluded from the chores.
They said it was because they had been scouts.
Jung Yeon-shin, Heon Won-chang, and Shin So-bin were the same.
They had been publicly recognized for their actions from the Yongbong Association until now.
"Not just anyone can destroy a dantian. It has to be someone like me who has deep knowledge of the blue level. It’s a bit of a troublesome chore. Once captured, they’re prisoners, so we can’t kill them. During battle, we can act as we wish, but afterward, we hand them over to the authorities. We follow the royal family's orders."
Cheong-myeong said.
Jung Yeon-shin and Heon Won-chang nodded slowly.
Ip Hwang City was a bastion with a clear hierarchy.
The task of dealing with the surviving enemies was left to the late-arriving white warriors.
Gathering the corpses, checking their identities by searching their tokens, and temporarily burying them were not easy tasks after the fight.
Meanwhile, the latecomers from other families had gathered in silence.
The eyes glancing at Jung Yeon-shin and Ma Gwang-ik lacked light.
They bore the same faces as Hwangbo Jun, who had died at the hands of Ma Gwang-ik.
Their complexions were poor.
"I'm envious all of a sudden. It feels like just yesterday that I fought in Ip Hwang City with you, and now Jung So-hyeop is my superior."
Heon Won-chang shook his head while looking at the corpses.
If he hadn’t completed his previous mission, he might have had to deal with them himself.
Jung Yeon-shin stared at him blankly before speaking.
"Can I say something as a blue warrior?" "Hmm?" "About this matter. You don’t have to do it, Heon Won-so-hyeop. I was just worried you might feel embarrassed, but it’s a bit shameful for me. I’ll do it myself."
Jung Yeon-shin said, patting under his shoulder.
It was the place where the rough Hwang character was engraved.
At the same time, Heon Won-chang's face noticeably fell.
"Is it necessary for me to take all the few joys of my life?" "What...?" They were given the leisure to exchange banter.
It was a rare moment of joy.
As the dry plains entering spring were heated by the midday sun, the issue of dealing with Taeyeom-ryong and the prince arose.
"I believe it’s right to kill them," Cheong-myeong said with a smile.
Perhaps it was because they were a prestigious family known throughout the Central Plains.
Even in front of three great lords, there was no hint of hesitation.
Jung Yeon-shin thought it was just like him.
"Isn’t it a future problem? The Sun God’s pulse has absorbed the martial arts of the three forces in Ip Hwang City, so if we capture them carelessly and they escape, it could become a headache. They might even reveal some countermeasures."
"That makes sense."
The serious-looking swordsman nodded.
It was the Lord of Changcheon.
He was said to be born with a fate to become a master swordsman due to his tall stature and long arms.
At that moment, Taeyeom-ryong raised his head and shouted, "Ma Gwang-ik! I want to join Ma Gwang-ik! I’ll do my best! I’ll act like a dog, so please just let me stay next to Seom Ye!" "What kind of crazy talk is that?" Heon Won-chang muttered in disbelief.
There was no way it would be accepted.
Whether he was a bastard or not, he was the bloodline of a family that would soon face ruin.
The Ming royal family had never left future troubles behind.
Ip Hwang City was the same.
A bastion that transcended both righteous and unorthodox factions.
They only cared about the people's livelihood.
"You are a prisoner."
In an instant, a powerful, formless energy burst forth from the finger of the Lord of Myeolseom.
Taeyeom-ryong's upper body shook as if struck by a typhoon.
Finger Wind.
It was a technique that localized the release of true energy due to the true energy.
"Seven Steps to Death Pointing...! This is the unique martial art of the Lord of Myeolseom," Heon Won-chang whispered beside him.
Jung Yeon-shin was always amazed by his knowledge of the martial world.
How he knew of a martial art he had never seen before was a mystery.
The Lord of Myeolseom spoke.
"Sun God’s pulse. I know that your true energy has absorbed the Sun God’s technique. My true energy bears the same wood energy as the noble families. You must have heard of the principle of wood generating fire. Your internal energy is not as refined as the true energy you have now."
"In other words, if you raise your energy, you will only enhance my true energy, so do not recklessly spill your blood. I have heard of the Lord of Myeolseom’s Seven Steps to Death Pointing. If you act rashly, you will die before taking seven steps as your entire energy network twists. In my case, I would burn to death."
Taeyeom-ryong replied with a grin.
The principle of wood generating fire meant that the energy of wood nurtures fire.
If he could control the energy of the Sun God, it would have become nourishment.
No, it was not so.
Since he could not control the power of heat, he was destined to die young, and if the wood energy increased uncontrollably, it would inevitably become fatal.
"You know. Now shut up. Your opinion is useless."
"Haha, how amusing."
When Taeyeom-ryong lowered his head for a moment and then raised it again, the bloodshot whites of his eyes were not human-like.
"You little worm! Burn to death? Burn to death? I’m really sick of the heat! What a damn human! You love the Sun God’s pulse! You’re a mere offshoot, you skull-headed bastard!"
At the same time, Jung Yeon-shin, who moved swiftly, struck the back of his head.
For a moment, the sensation of hair brushing against his feet felt unsettling.
He pushed with the technique carrying true energy.
Bang! He looked down at the guy who had fainted with his forehead pressed against the ground.
He thought it was better than dying instantly at the hands of the Lord of Myeolseom.
"Why aren’t you destroying this guy’s dantian?" He asked, looking around at the three lords.
It was not what he desired.
He was just curious.
The blood-soaked Ma Jin touched Jung Yeon-shin’s shoulder.
"In fact, the treatment of that Taeyeom-ryong has already been decided. The lord commanded it. He said to bring him alive if possible. He said it was important to keep his internal energy intact. It’s the Sun God’s pulse, which is rare in the world. There might be something to explore as a martial art."
In that moment, Jung Yeon-shin felt a strange intuition.
Was it the upper dantian’s foresight? He had a gut feeling that the lord of Ip Hwang City’s command was related to him. 'Then it must be a good thing.' He thought unconsciously.
Though she had a sharp edge regarding the fruits of the world, she was clearly wrapping Jung Yeon-shin in goodwill.
There was no reason for the unparalleled master closest to being the best in the world to treat Jung Yeon-shin with pretense.
Swoosh! While he was lost in thought, the prince’s head fell.
The one who had been kneeling in fear was beheaded by the Lord of Changcheon.
"You can’t keep more than one direct descendant alive," the Lord of Myeolseom said.
He was the one who had first met Jung Yeon-shin near Hwi-ju and had provoked him.
The sight of the once dignified and arrogant nobleman’s head lying with wide-open eyes was strange.
The lives of many martial artists seemed to ultimately fade away in vain.
The martial world was a place of the survival of the fittest.
If the one you encountered was stronger, you had to submit your neck without resistance. 'To rectify the disorder of the people’s livelihood, I must follow the laws of the martial world...' Jung Yeon-shin felt the paradoxical role of Ip Hwang City once again.
While he thought it was unavoidable, he hoped there would be no mission that conflicted with his heart.
Time passed in place.
It was when the clouds hanging in the sunlight moved far away.
The moment the white warriors finished tidying up the battlefield, the Lord of Myeolseom summoned Ma Gwang-ik, Changcheon, and Myeolseom.
The atmosphere was relaxed.
Jung Yeon-shin sat down heavily with Heon Won-chang and looked at the Lord of Myeolseom.
"We will repel the branch families first."
The Lord of Myeolseom continued quietly.
"The power of the martial families is not all about force. The connections in the martial world are also a powerful law. We must eliminate the contact points that could draw in other factions beforehand. The main force will then enter the Hwangbo main house."
"Isn’t it enough to just block Jinan? How will you organize the personnel?" Ma Jin asked.
He seemed to be treating the Lord of Myeolseom as a junior.
"The branch families of the Hwangbo family that have split off are nine in total. One in each county of Jinan. The martial power of the branch families has already been investigated. Exclude the white warriors. Distribute among the blue warriors."
"Understood."
During this time, Jung Yeon-shin observed the faces of the Lord of Myeolseom and other masters of Ip Hwang City.
What he was about to do was something that could not be overlooked.
There was a high possibility it would be seen as an intention to monopolize the achievements. 'In reality, that is true.' The only one who looked favorably upon him was Ma Gwang-ik.
Nevertheless, it had to be done.
The Central Plains were horrifically vast.
It was common to witness dozens of sunsets in a single mission.
He had to accumulate as much merit as possible.
At this moment, he thought of flipping the reputation that could be diminished back into martial arts.
The heavy pressure of the lords seemed to weigh down even the blue warriors in the hall.
"I wish to support a solo mission."
Jung Yeon-shin calmly raised his hand.
In an instant, the surroundings fell silent.
The masters of Ip Hwang City were also human.
They said there were those who sought personal achievements.
However, Seom Ye Jung Yeon-shin was a young master who had just become a blue warrior.
There was bound to be a chance it would be seen as bravado.
The Lord of Myeolseom stared at him intently and asked, "You want a solo mission?" "It’s to practice the wide-area martial arts I recently acquired in actual combat. I will ensure the mission succeeds. If I cannot gain recognition from the seniors here, I promise to give up."
"You."
The voice of the Lord of Myeolseom carried true energy.
"This mission is of great importance. It involves confronting the Eight Great Families. Do you know why I am even listening to you? It’s because you have risen to the blue level. That’s all."
The waves flowing from his voice felt as if they could be seen, and even the stones rolling across the plains began to bounce slightly in response to the internal energy.
Yet, the hem of the Lord of Myeolseom’s black robe did not stir at all.
It was the control of energy that had reached the divine level.
"Seom Ye. I held you in high regard. It’s rare to find a martial artist who can infuse cleverness into techniques. I saw the potential of a lord in you, yet you have disappointed me so much."
At this moment, even Ma Jin did not dare to intervene.
He merely wore an expression as if to ask why he hadn’t given a warning beforehand.
Jung Yeon-shin was rather fine with it.
The Lord of Myeolseom had addressed him as a blue warrior.
It was a sign of respect.
There was a chance to show himself.
It was different from when he had contemplated facing the defeated sword.
He could immediately prove his ability to handle multiple enemies.
It was the martial art that had allowed him to form a connection with the Hwangbo siblings in Hwi-ju.
"I apologize."
Standing up and taking a stance, the masters created a round space.
Their expressions varied.
Concern, interest, and displeasure seemed to fill the air. 'It will be fine.' He repeated to himself inwardly to reassure himself.
Among those above the blue level, it was said there was no one who was not touched by martial arts.
He did not expect to be moved.
He had not heard of the sound wave produced by the sword.
Perhaps with just one demonstration of insight, they would acknowledge him.
Jung Yeon-shin slowly grasped the sword technique.
It was not the Ip Hwang Sword but the Buk Myeong Sword.
The material was excellent, making it suitable for sound waves.
Swoosh.
It was midday on the plains.
The drawn sword glistened with a dry sheen.
It was the moment to demonstrate his own new unique martial art in front of the masters of the three forces in Ip Hwang City.
"Protect your ears with your internal energy," Jung Yeon-shin said politely as he raised his internal energy according to the sword technique.
He divided the rising true energy to both sides.
Among the three blood vessels centered in his palm were the Shao Fu point and the Lao Gong point.
He infused his energy simultaneously.
A chilling light brushed against the Buk Myeong Sword.
Whoosh! The moment a wave like a bird's cry spread from the long sword, dozens of white warriors nearby fainted and collapsed in all directions.