There were many who gathered amidst the chaos of the entrance to the Huang City.
Those who followed Jeong Yeon-shin and Wi Ji-myo-hwa had all mastered lightness skills.
They had finally caught sight of the two masters' movements, albeit belatedly.
Jeong Yeon-shin did not mind.
All his focus was on retrieving Heon Won-chang.
He was completely absorbed in his task.
For the first time, the top of his head felt so light and joyful, as if it were ablaze.
Only when they reached the entrance did he find a moment to breathe.
"I heard it was blue..."
Wi Ji-myo-hwa spoke, her lips parting.
She was surprised by the change in Jeong Yeon-shin's martial arts, different from his Demon-Slaying Clear River Technique.
He had displayed skills and finesse that he did not possess when he faced the Sword Sect at Jongnam Mountain.
Less than half a year had passed.
In her eyes, the phrase "to see with new eyes" seemed insufficient.
It was a matter of degree when one’s skills grew while they were apart.
"Indeed, you are no longer just a white-clad warrior in blue robes. You have fully become a blue-clad warrior now, haven’t you?"
"Yes."
Jeong Yeon-shin replied, stepping forward.
Wi Ji-myo-hwa sighed inwardly.
She knew of Jeong Yeon-shin's short lifespan due to the Sword Master of Jongnam.
"Like a flame," she thought.
It was an unprecedented speed of achievement.
Even if his life was destined to end early, he walked a different path in time.
She had heard tales of him bringing the masters of the demonic path to their knees in the distant Xinjiang.
It was not as if he was casting spells like the rumored figure.
She decided not to be surprised any longer.
She had long awakened to the vastness of the world and earned the title of Sword Dragon.
She had even overcome the heart demon she had gained from Jeong Yeon-shin.
There was no jealousy or distrust that anyone could possess.
Wi Ji-myo-hwa looked at Jeong Yeon-shin, who stood beside her, with clear eyes.
"I am only now hearing the joyous news."
A small smile graced her beautiful face as she continued, stepping alongside Jeong Yeon-shin.
"It is a pity that due to the timing and fortune, we cannot celebrate. Let us have a drink together with Heon Won."
"Thank you."
Jeong Yeon-shin expressed his gratitude calmly.
It was a comforting thought.
Heon Won-chang would still be alive.
They stood before the entrance.
Jeong Yeon-shin clenched his fist and began to channel the principles of the Shihwa Mugeuk-kwon.
He sensed many presences inside.
There might still be innocent lives at stake.
Even if it seemed exhilarating, he had to break through the main gate first.
"No." He furrowed his brow.
The energy he felt against his skin was peculiar.
It felt as if a cool tension was holding its breath.
It seemed even the scent of blood was seeping out.
This was different from before.
Wi Ji-myo-hwa, who stood beside him, seemed to sense the unease as well.
As her lips slightly dried, Jeong Yeon-shin felt the energy of the top of his head dissipate completely.
Boom! There was no time to hesitate.
He struck first.
The energy of the Shihwa Mugeuk-kwon surged explosively from his toes.
The power accumulated in an instant gathered in his fist, and he extended his arm.
Bang! A strong wind erupted, swept away by the energy.
The sensation of wood briefly touched his arm before being pushed away.
Jeong Yeon-shin and Wi Ji-myo-hwa's eyes widened as they swiftly entered amidst the shattered fragments.
"What!"
"What is happening!" The startled voices belonged to two groups.
It seemed the factions were divided, keeping each other in check.
The blood demons with their fiery red hair were closer to Jeong Yeon-shin.
Those who appeared to be captured were holding their breath on the other side.
For some reason, they were in a standoff with the Blood Flame Sect, free yet restrained.
At the forefront stood Heon Won-chang.
His skin was gaunt, and his expression was unfamiliar.
His handsome face was twisted like that of a demon.
A corpse with blood-red eyes and a hint of black hair lay at his feet.
It was the Blood Sect's sword.
He must have been the branch leader of this Blood Flame Sect.
Heon Won-chang held a dagger that seemed to have been snatched from the hands of those demons.
The grip of his hand on the dagger looked quite familiar.
The blade was soaked in blood, as if he had just butchered the sword at his feet.
"He overexerted himself."
Jeong Yeon-shin realized immediately.
The Blood Flame Sect members were a group that siphoned vital energy.
They would not break his dantian.
Thanks to that, Heon Won-chang had been able to forcibly release his blood and counterattack.
However, it was not an easy task.
To tear apart another's vital energy that had been marked within his own blood vessels on the spot? Anyone with knowledge of martial arts would think it was madness.
He must have sustained tremendous internal injuries.
It might even be irrecoverable.
Even after killing the Blood Sect's sword, he could not do anything against the Blood Flame Sect.
"It must have been a threatening situation for both sides."
It was easy to tell how long they had been in a standoff.
The commoners huddled behind Heon Won-chang were repeatedly stretching and curling their legs.
"There is a master over there."
Someone spoke.
The martial artists who had followed Jeong Yeon-shin and Wi Ji-myo-hwa were peering in.
There were dozens of them.
The Blood Flame Sect members stood frozen, unable to even open their mouths.
"Hmm?" How engrossed had he been in the standoff? Even after Jeong Yeon-shin had broken through the door, Heon Won-chang seemed to have just regained his senses.
Their eyes met.
"Uh...?" The expression that had been glaring at the Blood Flame Sect members changed abruptly.
His face went blank as if he were in a daze.
"W-why did you arrive so quickly?" It was Heon Won-chang's first remark.
The branch of the Blood Flame Sect in Seojoo was completely swept away.
As dawn broke, the term "Entering the Wilderness Great Hero" began to spread.
It was a title praising Heon Won-chang.
Dozens of martial artists from Seojoo witnessed him protecting the commoners in a battered state.
It was a different path from Jeong Yeon-shin's powerful martial arts.
Many called the Sword Dragon of Huang City a great hero, but Heon Won-chang was honored solely as a hero.
"They say that eradicating the Blood Flame Sect is a great achievement in Huang City, right? Since it has been declared a heresy by the royal family."
Wi Ji-myo-hwa said, sitting at a tavern alongside Jeong Yeon-shin.
She smiled slightly.
"There are many witnesses to the achievements of the young hero, so this incident will surely be recorded. I can testify as well."
"Thank you."
Jeong Yeon-shin replied briefly.
His heart was not at ease.
Heon Won-chang's injuries were severe.
After seeing Jeong Yeon-shin last night, he had fainted after a brief smile.
When Jeong Yeon-shin checked his pulse and examined his insides, he could not help but groan.
All his meridians were gravely injured.
"He may not be able to practice martial arts anymore."
Wi Ji-myo-hwa, who had been cautiously observing his expression, spoke.
"It seems that Jeong has a significant concern regarding the achievements of the sect, am I right?"
"Yes."
Jeong Yeon-shin answered slowly.
He could share this much.
Although they had not known each other for long, he felt the deep nature of the Sword Dragon.
Many in the main sect, including Ma Gwang-ik, were already aware of the matter.
Even if he hid his constitution, he could not completely conceal his obsession with achievements.
"While making achievements in Huang City, you might be able to restore Heon Won-chang's body."
Wi Ji-myo-hwa said.
At the same time, Jeong Yeon-shin leaned toward her.
Wi Ji-myo-hwa did not shy away and continued, "Our sect has been at war with the Sword Sect for quite some time. There have been quite a few disciples who suffered injuries like Heon Won-chang. In about a month, he may not be able to use martial arts, but if there is a medicinal pill of middle-grade quality, the situation could change."
"A medicinal pill..."
"Since the collapse of the Dragon and Phoenix Society, the Namgung Clan and the Blood Flame Sect have been engaged in a fierce battle. It is almost a war. And the Namgung Clan is the closest to Seojoo among the Eight Great Clans. They are in the same Namjigye region."
Wi Ji-myo-hwa's eyes sparkled with wisdom.
The experiences of the Sword Dragon in the martial world were unfolding.
She was filled with hope at the breath that brushed against Jeong Yeon-shin's nose.
"Please do me a favor. The Namgung Clan is a distinguished martial family known for its integrity among the Eight Great Clans. They will surely repay the favor. There is only one problem."
She said.
"Whether you have sufficient martial arts."
"..."
If one displays martial arts as a favor, they will be repaid with another favor.
Wi Ji-myo-hwa spoke of the essence of the martial world.
"Are they fighting the Namgung Clan? The Blood Flame Sect must be pouring in tremendous power as well."
Eradicating them was Jeong Yeon-shin's personal achievement.
Now, there was one more thing added.
To accumulate enough merit to be accepted by the Namgung Clan and receive a medicinal pill? It was an extremely difficult task.
However, there was no other way.
The next destination for Ma Gwang-ik's main sect was determined.
It was Huiju from Seojoo.
"Obtaining a medicinal pill from another sect... It won't be an ordinary achievement."
Jeong Yeon-shin said quietly.
A martial art suddenly came to mind.
It was the Sword Technique.
He had lost three days of lifespan in the Huangbo branch.
He decided to seal his achievements in internal energy until he could surpass the black-clad masters.
If exceptions continued, he might gradually lose control, so he made a firm decision.
"This is the last time."
Jeong Yeon-shin inwardly vowed.
He decided to take both the recovery of Heon Won-chang's martial arts and the achievement of eradicating the Blood Flame Sect.
Before reaching the territory of the Great Lord, he would cast the Sword Technique one last time.
The main force that had gone to attack the Huangbo Clan was still in Shandong Province.
The territory of the Eight Great Clans was vast.
Just organizing one main house and a few branches would not be enough to eradicate them.
"I must only inform the blue seniors who have come down to Namjigye. I can leave a message at the government office."
Given Heon Won-chang's details, waiting for a reunion was a luxury.
Jeong Yeon-shin decided to first adjust his martial arts here.
He sat down and immediately fell into meditation.
"The range of the Sword Technique's lethality is separate from the sound of the sword."
With the energy of the top of his head, his mind began to dissect the principles.
"If I limit the dispersal of the vital energy so that it does not spread as far as the sword's resonance, it should be fine. Even if I cannot specify a target, I can set a rough range."
He infused his consciousness into the flashes of lightning that flickered in his mind.
He became completely absorbed.
It was a world that no one else could fathom.
"Young hero?" Wi Ji-myo-hwa's questioning voice soon faded from his consciousness.
There was a long gorge at the border between Huiju and Jiju.
It was called the Clear Night Valley.
It was said that during the founding of the nation, a renowned noble master fought a demon there, illuminating the night with the light of his sword.
Now it was broad daylight.
The blazing sun carelessly reflected the scattered blood across the ground.
Zzeng! Bang! Tremendous sword energy clashed, and the ground trembled from the strikes.
Hundreds of warriors with fiery red hair clashed with blue-clad warriors.
A long front line had formed, making it hard to see this as a battle between martial sects.
"Those bastards. They hardly move."
Meanwhile, the place where the upper echelons of the Namgung Clan were located had an atmosphere of antiquity.
It was distinct from the urgency of the front line.
The noble demeanor unique to prestigious families flowed gracefully even on the battlefield.
"How long must we remain silent?" A young man standing with the clan elders asked.
He had kind eyes.
He was the heir of the Namgung Clan.
The young man had already drawn his sword.
His luxurious blue robe suited him perfectly.
He possessed an outstanding appearance and remarkable martial arts, earning him the title of the Clear Qilin among the martial world.
"The Blood Sect's swordsmen and the demons are looking for an opening. Do not act rashly."
The head of the Namgung Clan, dressed in a white robe, spoke, only showing his back.
"The commoners can manage even without us. You must remember this as a young lord. The clan's battles are not just about winning. Focus on preserving the lives of our people."
"That's right. When the true masters step in, we must counterattack to minimize casualties."
His annoying younger sister chimed in, peeking out with her brown face.
Namgung Se-jin gritted his teeth.
"The warriors dying right now are our people."
His voice slipped through his white teeth.
This time, his sister could not retort.
"Remember the decision made when we expelled the demon. As the head of the clan, do not burden yourself with every individual."
The head's tone remained unchanged.
As the fight intensified, the enemy's leadership did not step forward.
Those looking down from a peak on one side of the gorge were exceedingly irritating.
Two demons and thirty Blood Sect swordsmen.
Despite their formidable strength, when the Namgung Clan's top masters attempted to engage, they thoroughly maintained their distance and retreated.
"How many days has it been? Are we going to continue this war of attrition?" Namgung Se-jin bit his lip.
His father, the clan head, must be suffering greatly.
The Blood Flame Sect's influence was immense.
One of the clan elders could not hold back and stepped forward, only to have fifteen Blood Sect swordsmen push into the front line.
It was mockery.
A warning not to act recklessly.
They had latched onto the weakness of a clan composed entirely of blood relatives.
It seemed they intended to push with numbers before deploying their masters, but the Namgung Clan still had not found a suitable countermeasure.
The battle had been ongoing for over half a month.
The atmosphere among the warriors fighting on the front line was not good, even with the clan's top masters present.
At that moment, the clan head and several elders suddenly turned their heads.
Namgung Se-jin, whose senses were particularly sharp, also joined them.
Something was approaching rapidly from behind the Blood Flame Sect's ranks.
From a great distance.
Whoooosh! It gradually spread toward the gorge.
Was it the cry of a giant bird that once soared the skies? There was a sound that no one had ever heard before, slowly emerging and then rapidly amplifying.