Huangbo Clan (4) The robe of the Huangbo family had coarse yellow threads woven into both shoulders and the center of the back.
For those looking from the front, it was hard to recognize.
Unless one had considerable insight, it would be so.
"Is this the renowned figure from Pingyin County?" Jeong Yeon-shin asked quietly.
It was said to be an old operation.
He had heard much about it.
Huangbo City had gathered as much information as possible and dispatched the martial forces under the Shingeomdan.
The main family of the Huangbo clan, as well as the members and martial characteristics of the branch families, were all targets of collection.
"You would know if you saw. I am quite a well-known figure," a man from the famous clan replied with a smile.
He was an impressive handsome man, so noble that his official robe seemed to shine.
Even while receiving drinks from the women, there was a sense of dignity in the hand that held the cup.
He was merely a dandy wearing a crown, yet his presence felt different.
The gaze of the famous clan's renowned figure brushed past Jeong Yeon-shin and Baek Mi-ryeo, landing on Cheongmyeong.
"So there are members of the same clan here. Are you perhaps enjoying the games of chivalry together? It would be wise not to. Allow me to give you a word of advice." "..."
Cheongmyeong did not respond, wearing a peculiar expression.
The atmosphere in the hall was strange.
The scent of alcohol filled the air, yet everyone wandering around looked at the renowned figure with reverence.
Some even sent similar glances toward Cheongmyeong. 'There are plenty of Han people who admire the famous clan.' Jeong Yeon-shin thought.
Was this what they called debauchery? It was a demeanor he had never experienced even in the capital.
He slowly stepped forward and spoke.
"I know that the head of the Huangbo branch family in Pingyin County is your first wife. Bring her here."
"How rude. Have you never encountered the teachings of the Confucian school? Did your parents not teach you that?" The renowned figure from the famous clan replied leisurely with a laugh.
"The renowned figure has colluded with the martial clans. What respect do you expect when your actions are not those of a gentleman?" At Jeong Yeon-shin's calm response, the woman who had been massaging the renowned figure's arm stood up.
She appeared to be around thirty.
Her languid eyes were striking, and she gradually revealed her aura that matched the red attire she wore.
"I am the legitimate wife of Jinrang. If you are a martial artist from Shandong, you must have heard of me. I am Hwangbo Mimi, the Deep Heart Sword."
It was said that the renowned figure's surname was Jin.
The term "rang" referred to a husband.
With the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the famous clans rose to power.
Many women held positions from the bottom to the top in the government and various martial sects.
It was said to be completely different from the Yuan Dynasty.
Now, it was of no concern.
"As the head of the Huangbo family in Pingyin, I command you to refrain from rude words and actions. No, it is already futile. What could have ended with an arm has now escalated to a neck."
As the woman's aura grew stronger, warriors from various halls began to emerge.
More than twenty of them.
Though they were being looked down upon with words, they did not underestimate the martial prowess that could break down the main gate.
It could be said to be a branch of a famous clan.
Five warriors from the Huangbo family began to approach first.
Even though they appeared suddenly, there was a solid aura emanating from them.
It felt like tempered steel.
Even as a branch family, it seemed to have roots in the Eight Great Clans.
Jeong Yeon-shin did not look at them.
He stared blankly at the Deep Heart Sword and slowly opened his mouth.
"Do you know Hwangbo Myeongrin?" "What?" "Your words and actions regarding arms and necks are the same."
"It seems you have heard something. A child talented enough to attend the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering. However..."
A red smile appeared on Hwangbo Mimi's lips, as if she had applied rouge.
She continued speaking.
"Did you think I would let you pass just because you spoke as if you knew my direct bloodline? That is a foolish thought." 'What a world this is.
A martial artist should focus on training.' Jeong Yeon-shin unconsciously recalled the words of the elders from various sects.
Along with that, he naturally envisioned the figure of the lord of Huangbo City, who had reached an absolute realm and was beautiful without needing any adornment.
For a martial artist, beauty should arise from the purity of martial arts.
He parted his lips again.
"I just came from the marketplace. It is true that the common people were conscripted for personal labor. The power that reaches the martial world has also affected the lives of the people. Is it not shameful as a member of the martial world?" During this time, Cheongmyeong and Baek Mi-ryeo had stepped back.
They had said they would expand the young blue-clad one's knowledge of the martial world.
They had previously discussed that they would not intervene unless the situation was precarious, but he could not fathom how to repay the kindness of his seniors, Ma Gwang-ik.
At that moment, everyone in the hall burst into laughter upon hearing Jeong Yeon-shin's words.
The renowned figure and Hwangbo Mimi laughed heartily without even covering their mouths.
"Child, you have heard many tales of the martial world. Power is merely power. To distinguish between the martial world and the lives of the people? How could a person do such a thing?" Hwangbo Mimi said, her face full of smiles.
The renowned figure added, "The martial clans are different from the aristocrats. Is it wrong to enjoy the luxuries that history has afforded us in the place we have settled?" "A member of the famous clan denies the laws of the imperial family. Your first wife's head will fly today."
Jeong Yeon-shin's response only elicited more laughter.
This time, even the warriors who had been slowly walking burst into laughter.
"You do not understand the ways of elegance. Those who claim to be chivalrous are like this. Hey!" The renowned figure clapped lightly.
"Yes, esteemed renowned figure!" Musicians who appeared to be entertainers rushed out from various places and took their positions.
They held instruments such as gold and jade flutes, as well as stringed instruments.
It was a scene reminiscent of a grand opera.
At the gesture of the renowned figure, the performance began.
At the same time, the warriors of the Huangbo branch family drew their swords and approached closely.
It seemed they were treating even the swordplay of the martial artists as entertainment. 'This is incredible.' Jeong Yeon-shin stood still.
He recalled the stories he had encountered in Huangbo City, where all sorts of affairs converged.
Tales of some high-ranking individuals who had tasted many pleasures.
It was said that the end of their amusements was to enjoy murder.
The scene before him was akin to that.
It was clear at a glance.
This was not a matter of one or two days.
"A young swordsman who can break down the main gate of the hall. Quite a regrettable talent."
"Is there not such a thrill?" Hwangbo Mimi, who had returned to her seat, shared a laugh with the renowned figure, even sharing a drink. 'How can it be so different?' Jeong Yeon-shin recalled when he first entered the village.
The sound of grass brushing against him as he was welcomed by the group had been simple and pleasing.
This place was different.
It felt suffocating.
"I cannot bear this."
He muttered to himself without realizing it.
The melody that began to flow in the hall had, as the renowned figure said, an elegance to it.
Even Jeong Yeon-shin, who did not understand music, could feel it.
Thus, it did not come to him pleasantly.
Shandong Province was vast.
It was said that the center of Shandong was Jinan.
There would also be many martial artists from the region, and among them, there would likely be those chivalrous individuals they spoke of.
"You may go comfortably."
One of them said, raising the drawn sword.
He seemed to feel a slight guilt, but before long, the distance between him and Jeong Yeon-shin had narrowed to about ten steps.
"You look familiar. I must reconsider the Eight Great Clans. Are they not merely the scum of the righteous?" Jeong Yeon-shin spoke while grasping the sword technique of the North Ming Sword.
There must have been many chivalrous individuals who had come after witnessing the conscription of the common people.
It seemed they had all been killed.
Now, the music flowing into his ears naturally accompanied the warriors approaching with a rhythm, as if they were matching the beat.
He decided to take the initiative.
Boom! Whoosh! He lightly stepped forward and struck the ground.
A gust of wind blew in all directions.
The power he had raised was deeper than before.
He had been continuously operating the Moon Phase Harmonization while creating a new heart technique.
The accumulation of the supreme divine skill was indeed different.
Even now, he could feel a noticeable change.
With a single strike, everyone’s expressions changed.
At the same time, Jeong Yeon-shin's body leaned forward.
The wind exploded near his ears, and his vision rapidly expanded.
The movement was instantaneous.
The wave of energy began to spread from the hand gripping the sword.
Before he knew it, he was right in front of the enemies.
Following the formula, he circulated the energy within his body.
At the tip of the North Ming Sword, dazzling sunlight shimmered.
Swish! In the moment the light flashed, two heads flew off at once.
They could not even scream. 'This is not the end.
There are many enemies.' The energy erupted from Jeong Yeon-shin's body.
Part of the rising momentum reached the North Ming Sword, transforming into a chilling sharpness.
Once again, with a strike, the impact of the sword swept across the ground.
The sensation of the sword that severed another's neck connected to his grip.
Whoosh! Now, Jeong Yeon-shin's sword technique had reached a realm where blood surged forth a breath later.
He gradually shouted amidst the rising dust.
"Ma Gwang-ik of Huangbo City punishes you!" It was a shout filled with internal energy.
Everyone in the hall was startled, as if they had been struck by lightning.
It was a fitting description of being thrown into chaos.
In an instant, three corpses were created.
It was the blink of an eye.
The lively melody that had been flowing abruptly ceased.
"Huangbo City...! Wait, wait!" The renowned figure of the famous clan suddenly stood up, waving his hands.
Cold sweat, which he did not know when it had appeared, glistened on his handsome face.
"I have committed a very, very grave offense! Please forget everything I have said until now! I am from the famous clan! How could I act to disturb the order of the imperial family?" His eyes moved swiftly.
He scanned Jeong Yeon-shin, who had revealed the coarse yellow threads beneath his shoulders.
His gaze also touched Baek Mi-ryeo and Cheongmyeong, who stood indifferently.
It seemed a certain resignation was forming on the face of the renowned figure.
Seeing Cheongmyeong, a member of the famous clan, seemed to have given him confidence. "…My wife has received orders from the main family, and I, as a renowned figure in Jinan, cannot go against the power of the Huangbo clan."
"Is that even a valid excuse? Do you not feel ashamed to pick up your words and actions?" "I beg for leniency. You cannot kill the officials of the imperial family. If the members of the branch family and I join forces, it will be difficult for you to leave here unscathed."
As he finished speaking, energy spread from the right hand of the renowned figure.
It was deep internal energy, enough to feel that he had accumulated considerable training.
"You are threatening me instead."
"You come out with a sense of entitlement."
Finally, Baek Mi-ryeo and Cheongmyeong stepped forward.
"You must have known about Huangbo City. I have no choice either."
During this time, the smile on the renowned figure's face regained its composure.
He glared fiercely at Jeong Yeon-shin, then lightly tapped the shoulder of his first wife, Hwangbo Mimi.
"Wife." "…Yes."
Hwangbo Mimi snapped her fingers.
The sound that seemed to carry her internal energy spread at that moment.
More than thirty warriors poured out from all the various halls.
As Jinan was a massive city, even a branch family governing a single county had to possess a corresponding martial force. "…" In an instant, silence enveloped the hall, but it did not come as a stillness.
It was because the momentum of the Huangbo clan's warriors filled the hall.
"It would be wise for you to withdraw now."
The renowned figure spoke while looking at Cheongmyeong, who had now stood beside Jeong Yeon-shin.
It seemed as if he had raised all his internal energy, and his clothing fluttered.
The persuasion was conveyed as a threat.
"You spoke of elegance."
Jeong Yeon-shin said.
He began to slowly circle around, glancing at the warriors who had begun to surround them.
"I too have recently cultivated a melody."
As he spoke, a vibration emerged from the North Ming Sword.
The resonance gradually grew louder.
Jeong Yeon-shin operated all his internal energy with full force and glanced at Baek Mi-ryeo and Cheongmyeong.
Just as they slightly nodded their heads, whoosh! A long cry erupted from the sword.
In an instant, invisible waves of energy surged forth, sweeping in all directions.
"Huh!" "Ugh...?" It was truly an unreal sight.
Dozens of people fell in various directions with short groans.
A dull sound echoed from everywhere.
The sound of the sword quickly faded, but the aftermath did not.
The encirclement collapsed entirely.
The warriors of the Huangbo branch family lay sprawled on the ground in various forms.
With wide-open eyes, they stared blankly at the sky.
Only a very few remained standing, including the renowned figure and Hwangbo Mimi.
"The scum of the righteous know of elegance."
Jeong Yeon-shin spoke, glancing around.
"It seems I have made quite an impression."
He said as he sheathed the North Ming Sword.