The entrance to the great hall was bustling with energy, more so than usual.
This was due to the fresh rumors that had spread like wildfire.
A young master from Yiphuang City had provoked the Blood Flame Sect.
It was a story that anyone would find hard to ignore.
It was said he was not just a white-clad warrior, but a blue-clad master.
The speed at which the rumors spread only added to the excitement.
"I splashed some water, and it turned out to be a Blood Flame Sect member. Their dye is truly remarkable," one person said.
"They say he killed the Blood Flame Sect's leader in one strike?" another added.
"If he's a blue-clad master from Yiphuang City, then he must be a rare talent in the world. But still..."
Various tales circulated.
The incident had occurred at a gathering in a tavern, where many martial artists were present to witness it.
Even the main character, Jeong Yeon-shin, could hear the conversations about him.
"To suddenly see blood like that... He must not think much of us," someone remarked.
"Does he think Yiphuang City is the only place to oppose the Blood Flame Sect?" another questioned.
"It would have been better if we had united our strength."
In the martial world, there were all kinds of characters.
Some could not bear to see someone gain fame through an incident that unfolded right before their eyes.
These were superhumans who possessed the mysterious power of martial arts, acting as if they were the center of the universe.
"Is this how a small sect trapped in a narrow space behaves?" Jeong Yeon-shin thought, as he was gaining experience in the martial world.
The fights he had faced so far were mostly significant ones.
Although he had fought fiercely enough to be considered a blue-clad master, the martial world’s perspective was narrower than that of a typical white-clad warrior.
He stayed at an inn next to the tavern.
Though he had enough coins in his pocket to be quite comfortable, he did not wish to sleep in the lavish tavern.
He thought that the Blood Flame Sect would find him wherever he was in the city.
"I didn't want any uninvited guests," he mused, glancing up from his meal.
"I see you are the renowned warrior of Yiphuang City."
"I came to discuss martial arts with you, but is it true that you killed a Blood Flame Sect member in one blow? This is the first time I've seen someone from Yiphuang City."
There were one woman and two men, all wearing swords at their waists.
Unlike their words, their main interest did not seem to be in Jeong Yeon-shin's identity.
Rather, they seemed more concerned with the nearby Namgung family, which was known as the strongest in the martial world.
"Their expressions are not friendly," he noted.
Perhaps it was the local martial world’s territoriality.
Jeong Yeon-shin had smashed the head of a Blood Flame Sect member in a place filled with various sects and martial artists.
Defeating the Blood Flame Sect was a great honor for righteous martial artists.
He knew this well, having done it more than once.
Given what he had done, it was no surprise that such people would come to visit him.
Slowly rising from his seat, he prepared to greet them.
"I am Ma Gwang-ik of Yiphuang City," he introduced himself.
They spoke to him without even introducing themselves.
Only after seeing Jeong Yeon-shin's courtesy did they hastily introduce themselves.
Strange names came from their mouths: Seol Yu-yu of the Eulso Sword House, Jeong Cheol of the Flower Sword Sect, and Kwon Chun of the Flying Dragon Martial Guard.
Each was a firstborn, a famous disciple, or a prized student.
Jeong Yeon-shin listened carefully to their identities.
It was not enough to merely inquire about the Blood Flame Sect through the government.
The eyes of martial artists were different.
When observing another martial artist, it was natural to examine their physique, balance, and gait.
There was bound to be a difference in perspective.
"If you need something, you should elevate your opponent," he recalled the teachings of Heon Won-chang.
"But not excessively."
"It is an honor to meet the heroes of Namgung," Jeong Yeon-shin said, slightly bowing his head to show respect.
"Hmm..."
Kwon Chun's narrow brows relaxed slightly.
A blue-clad master was showing such polite demeanor.
Did many martial artists avoid Yiphuang City? They had no choice but to acknowledge its might and martial prowess.
The martial world was a place where each person risked their life for their own honor.
No one would feel displeased to receive respect from a recognized martial artist.
Clearing his throat, Kwon Chun spoke, "We are aware of our own shortcomings in martial arts. Would you be interested in discussing swordplay with us?"
"Discuss swordplay, you say?" Jeong Yeon-shin asked, somewhat taken aback.
It was a verbal sparring match where they would speak of martial arts techniques and engage in a hypothetical duel.
Jeong Yeon-shin had tried this a few times in his hometown but had not found it particularly interesting.
He had lost to Heon Won-chang several times.
There was no sword technique he could not speak of.
"This could be a good opportunity," he thought, ordering three bottles of wine and some side dishes to set the mood.
In the martial world, there were three main ways to gather detailed information.
The first was the beggars' sect known as the Open Door, the second was the various people working in taverns and inns, and finally, the local martial artists.
Though beggars existed in Beijing, they were surprisingly rare in Yiphuang.
The Open Door was hard to trust due to their numerous entanglements with the Blood Flame Sect.
Aside from the martial artists who had settled here, there was no one else.
"... If you unleash the sweeping force of the Thousand Armies, you can counter their attacks, right? Then, if you unleash the Warrior's Spirit, your power and speed will increase even more. It seems there is no defense for you to step on!"
Jeong Yeon-shin had been losing continuously.
The discussion of swordplay was merely a verbal sparring match that the martial artists had cleverly named.
The side with weaker will to win would inevitably lose, and Jeong Yeon-shin was naturally learning about the ways of the world in this setting.
Was hospitality really this easy? "Would this work with the lord of Yiphuang City? If he feels good, perhaps..."
Was he really pleased to have won verbally against the blue-clad master of Yiphuang City? The expressions of the three brightened considerably.
Even after several rounds of drinks, they remained cheerful.
Jeong Yeon-shin was amazed by the culture of the martial world.
"I see now that if you hadn't smashed the head of the sect leader, we would have done it ourselves."
"It was us who guided those Blood Flame members to the banquet yesterday. We never dreamed they were from the Blood Flame Sect," Seol Yu-yu and Kwon Chun said.
Seol Yu-yu, the heir of the Eulso Sword House, was a swordsman with calloused palms.
His hard-looking eyes softened each time Jeong Yeon-shin bested him in their verbal sparring.
Now he understood.
These three had come to restore their own honor.
"That could be true. They seemed skilled at hiding their energy. Especially that Blood Flame Sect leader. I could only sense his unique aura just before he drew his sword," Jeong Yeon-shin calmly covered their flaws.
This was enough.
The three answered his cautious questions in detail.
They began with where they had encountered the sect members.
They spoke of where they had seen individuals disguised in similar attire recently and what whispers had circulated in their sect regarding the Blood Flame Sect in Yiphuang.
The three were the latecomers of this city.
Their access to information and insight far surpassed that of the officials.
Jeong Yeon-shin gathered useful stories.
After letting the Blood Flame members go yesterday, he had even followed them.
He could easily organize the places he needed to smash.
Meanwhile, the three martial artists had become quite drunk.
Perhaps it was because Jeong Yeon-shin had easily subdued the Blood Flame members yesterday.
They acted as if no one in Yiphuang could touch them, not even using their martial arts to dispel their drunkenness.
All their faces were flushed.
"I may be asking something a bit rude, but is the martial arts of Yiphuang City... a bit lacking?"
"After discussing swordplay, I do have my doubts," one of them admitted.
"I feel the same. No matter how much it’s just verbal sparring, I didn’t expect our Eulso Sword House's techniques to work so well here in Yiphuang City."
These were now meaningless words.
The scent of their drunken talk did not reach Jeong Yeon-shin’s ears.
The remaining time was not abundant.
Just as Jeong Yeon-shin was about to stand up, a voice interrupted.
"Lacking? That can't be true. The new sword techniques you created are as profound as the visions of the old sects."
It was right next to him.
A melodious voice seemed to sweep away all their drunkenness.
In fact, her voice carried a powerful yet gentle energy.
She approached with astonishing lightness.
Jeong Yeon-shin finally sensed her presence.
Even though he had been immersed in the drinking party, it was not an ordinary occurrence.
Turning his head, he widened his eyes.
"Is that you, the Sword Dragon?"
Her beautiful features and clear gaze were familiar.
The feather ornament in her long, ebony hair was still there.
The sky-blue fabric of her clothes fluttered lightly with the motion of her graceful movements.
A white sword hung from a jade belt around her waist, signifying her status as the heir of the leader of the Jongnam Sect.
Sword Dragon Wi Ji-myo-hwa smiled slightly.
It was a smile so beautiful that the three seated with him seemed entranced.
"I came to participate in the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering. I heard the latecomers were being pursued, so I came up here..."
As she slowly continued, her laughter grew richer.
"The rumors of Ma Gwang-ik of Yiphuang City have spread widely."
"You came to see me in person?" Jeong Yeon-shin asked, regaining his composure.
Wi Ji-myo-hwa tilted her white neck slightly.
Her demeanor was ambiguous.
"I heard you killed the Blood Flame Sect leader in one strike? The speed at which the rumors spread must have been faster than my lightness technique. It’s hard to believe the Blood Flame Sect is remaining silent."
"There must be some scheme behind it. While I’m glad to see you again, I don’t have the luxury to wait. Heon Won-soo has been captured."
"Ah."
She sighed briefly and nodded.
"I will help. You owe a debt to the Jongnam Sect."
Those who spoke of the romance of the martial world would likely cherish this moment.
The presence of the beautiful master was here.
In the early evening, a great force had emerged.
Jeong Yeon-shin did not refuse.
After paying the innkeeper, he left the inn with Wi Ji-myo-hwa, leaving behind the three who wore dazed expressions, murmuring about the Sword Dragon and Jongnam Sect.
The flow of pursuit had taken a swift turn.
"It seems we will have to track them for quite a while. Is this enough?" Wi Ji-myo-hwa turned slightly, as if to show off her attire.
With just a single sword and a small bag slung over her back, she was very minimalistic.
Was she truly a disciple of the old sect? Jeong Yeon-shin shook his head.
"We may not need to take our time."
The martial world was vast.
The size of the Central Plains was equivalent to the world of martial artists.
It was endlessly expansive.
The reason why the schemes of mere imitators worked against opposing forces lay there.
The Blood Flame Sect was a force that could not plant spies.
The moment they accepted blood power, they became fanatics.
It was a matter of sorcery.
Once entangled with the Blood Flame Sect, they would be utterly defeated in the information war.
But now, it was different.
The one in control was Jeong Yeon-shin.
Bang! The second strike of the Shihwa Mugeuk Fist exploded at the gate of a house.
As fragments scattered like they had been caught in a storm, Jeong Yeon-shin stood there, his azure aura flashing.
Boom! The wave of the Myeongma Cheonggang Water surged through the Blood Flame Sect's hidden residence.
Jeong Yeon-shin thought as he struck the last member's head.
"Is this fate?"
At this moment, the foresight of the upper sect was flashing.
Like lightning that suddenly struck the blue sky.
It felt as if destiny was approaching.
Perhaps it was the backlash from the reckless casting of the sword sect that widened the bloodline.
It might also have been because Wi Ji-myo-hwa, who possessed a mysterious energy, was beside him, spurring him on.
This was already the fifth time.
Every place he entered was a branch of the Blood Flame Sect.
"There are still four more."
The information gathered from various officials and martial artists blended with the foresight of the upper sect.
The speed of pursuit was almost divine, and his power transformed into a blue hue.
Even Wi Ji-myo-hwa, who had deep cultivation, could not hide her astonishment.
"Let’s go."
Jeong Yeon-shin glanced at the fallen Blood Flame Sect members and stomped the ground.
Wi Ji-myo-hwa had no chance to intervene.
Jeong Yeon-shin's short-distance lightness technique, layered with the essence of the Shihwa Mugeuk, was as fast as hers, but the Myeongma Cheonggang Water was on another level.
When it came to the Blood Flame Sect, he displayed an invincible might.
"As long as I don’t meet the Seven Sages who bear a grudge against me."
He recalled the Blood Flame Sect's Seven Sages, who might hold a grudge against him.
At the same time, the heavenly energy flowing through his head whispered annoyingly.
There was no need to worry today.
Whether that would truly be the case was still uncertain.
"Sixth."
Standing before an ordinary-looking building, Jeong Yeon-shin muttered.
The warriors of Yiphuang City did not care about the eyes of the officials.
It was a commotion that could not be overlooked.
It was truly a tremendous uproar.
The blue-clad warrior of Yiphuang City was racing through the city with a beautiful master of mysterious age.
At the tips of his bold fingers lay the completely shattered branch of the Blood Flame Sect, exposed to the world.
The victims, drained of their essence, and the corpses with crimson hair lay scattered around.
"Crazy... Yiphuang City, they said."
"Is that not a monster?"
"Watch your words. That’s a great master."
Yiphuang City was said to be a place with many martial artists.
Those who had come out to see what was happening began to follow one by one.
The crowd grew larger and larger.