Magha (4) "If I don't do what Magha orders, then that's that."
Jeong Yeon-shin was troubled by Eun-won's presence.
The prestigious families of the Jianghu were like garments woven with both grace and enmity.
Those who regarded Ju Yeon-jeong as an arch-enemy could easily draw a blade against Jeong Yeon-shin.
There would be those who demanded that Jeong Yeon-shin repay the kindness received from Magha.
Time had to be spent on matters outside of the mission.
The bloodlines of the prestigious families in the Jianghu were united in themselves.
"Is it possible?" Today, Ma Yeon-jeok went to inspect the livelihoods of Yangyang.
The procession of the former leader of the Divine Sword Alliance was quite grand.
It meant that his departure was known.
The reason why Heon Won-chang moved directly was because of this.
The power of the purple-robed masters was said to be truly transcendent.
They moved quickly to prevent any variables from arising.
The rumor that the maternal family of Seom-ye was the Iphwang Magha could not help but arise here.
Thus, they blocked it from the source.
They tried to separate Jeong Yeon-shin from Magha even a little.
Leaning on the eyes and mouths of the martial artists of Iphwang City, they stirred up trouble.
Once a leader stepped forward, Jeong Yeon-shin would take a blow in their stead.
It clearly revealed the relationship with the maternal family.
It was a minimal measure. "······The behavior is laughable. I cannot fit in."
Ju Yeon-jeong slowly parted her lips.
"Seom-ye. I understand that your will is steadfast. Let's see over time. I will accept all your intentions. Unless it concerns severance or succession, I hope you think carefully." "······."
She turned around.
The warriors of Magha followed behind.
The elders of Magha, who had been watching from one side, also turned their backs.
The dignity of a prestigious family was like that.
They did not get involved in frivolous matters.
It meant that conveying intentions was sufficient.
Heon Won-chang slightly bowed his head.
If he followed and clung to her, it would look strange.
It was a half-success.
He sent a message. - Jeong So-hyeop, how is it? They say they accept your intentions... - It's enough to have been caught in the techniques.
Many masters have seen it.
Jeong Yeon-shin gently pushed Heon Won-chang's hand away.
Strange martial artists approached him as he slowly rose.
They seemed to be those who were investigating the incident, a mix of blue and white.
They appeared to be masters from other martial groups.
"Are you alright?" "I cannot speak about the family, but if you studied at Magha, this is an unimaginable sight."
"It was an impressive technique."
Many who passed by briefly observed Jeong Yeon-shin.
In any case, they seemed to accept it as a matter of bloodlines.
It was also because there was no benefit in getting involved with the powerful.
However, there was also a middle-aged man who approached to speak.
"I see the rumored newcomer for the first time. It must be due to the vastness of the family."
"Ma Gwang-ik, Seom-ye."
"I am Jin Ju-rim of Shuncheon-ik."
He referred to the Divine Sword Alliance of Shuncheon-ik.
It was said to be a martial group founded around the same time as Ma Gwang-ik.
The blue sleeves of his dual-wielding hands flowed with a blue hue.
He was a senior who suited a lower status, yet his demeanor was polite.
Jin Ju-rim smiled with his narrowed eyes and spoke.
"Seeing you up close, your complexion isn't too bad. Shall we talk for a moment?" "May I ask what your business is?" "Seom-ye Jeong Yeon-shin. I have heard of you from the Hwasin. Even before you ascended to the blue rank."
"If you mean Hwasin...?" "Is the alias more familiar? It is Baek Gi-rin. Namgung Hwasin."
Jeong Yeon-shin nodded slightly.
Due to the long separation, she could not recall immediately.
He was the man who admitted defeat after losing to Jeong Yeon-shin in Iphwang City.
He gave the impression of being the closest to being fair and just among the later generation masters.
She heard he was active in Shuncheon-ik.
"I know. Is Namgung So-hyeop doing well?" "I became a blue martial artist a month ago. Compared to you, it seems a bit late, but I did not rush through my missions. The speed of Hwasin's ascension is also not to be underestimated."
Jin Ju-rim said with a smile.
Jeong Yeon-shin nodded.
It had not been a year since she entered Iphwang City.
Compared to herself, who had carried out missions without rest for several years, Namgung Hwasin's ascension was indeed exceptional.
"Do you know? There are interesting stories circulating in the family."
Did Jin Ju-rim extend his senses? A thread of his inner power brushed against Jeong Yeon-shin's entire body.
It was very subtle.
"Baek Gi-rin and Seom-ye. Among the many later generation masters of the family, they have stood out significantly. I was curious which one is sharper. However..."
The middle-aged master of Shuncheon-ik, who had fought in many battles, spoke with an amused expression.
"Right now, I think Hwasin has taken both techniques. It must be because you are not at your best."
It meant that Baek Gi-rin was at least two levels above.
It seemed he was speaking from sensing the energy.
Jeong Yeon-shin fell into thought for a moment.
Before she knew it, the matters of Iphwang Magha had slipped from her mind.
It was due to the upcoming mission.
The life-and-death duel with the head of the Namgung family.
It was something that could not be thought of without Baek Gi-rin Namgung Hwasin.
"The Grand Commander said so. The competition will be fierce from the distribution of missions."
Namgung Hwasin was a man who had left his family to plunge into Iphwang City.
If one wanted to succeed in the family, they could not neglect this matter.
They might even support the duel.
The Jianghu was such a world.
If competing with Jeong Yeon-shin, he would be a very formidable opponent.
"Senior Jin Ju-rim is blue. The stronger the master, the less they judge an opponent solely by the size of their energy."
Jeong Yeon-shin thought.
The information conveyed by the waves of vital energy within her body was not simple.
The density and nature of inner power cultivation, the intricacy of intention were indirectly revealed.
Thus, a master of the Jianghu could guess how one might unleash techniques.
This was how Jianghu people measured the martial power of their enemies.
Jin Ju-rim's perspective was the same.
It was not a matter to be taken lightly.
"You seem to be deep in thought. That would be the case."
He said.
Jeong Yeon-shin did not particularly respond.
She simply raised her dual-wielding stance calmly.
"Thank you for the advice."
"Advice? I merely spoke the truth."
Jin Ju-rim, who looked at her intently, said.
"Aren't you the one involved in the Cheongya-gok incident? Since there is a connection with the Namgung family, it cannot be said that your justification is less than that of Hwasin, who aims his sword at his own family. It is also a virtue of a martial artist to resolve what they have caused. I wish you success."
After offering his well-wishes, he left.
Jeong Yeon-shin bowed her head to her companions.
Cheong Myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo, who had sheathed their swords, were waiting.
"Thank you."
"Thank you for what? The tales of the foolish relatives are common. Just tell me to speak whenever it gets troublesome."
Cheong Myeong ruffled Jeong Yeon-shin's hair.
The smile that formed was strangely mysterious.
Was it the confidence unique to a prestigious family? There was no sign of fear towards the powerful families of the Jianghu.
Baek Mi-ryeo reached out her long fingers and touched Jeong Yeon-shin's solar plexus.
After seemingly observing her meridians, she slightly closed her eyes and then spoke.
"Your control of vital energy is impressive. Just as you said, it won't affect your recovery."
"Magha can respond like this in the future. However..."
Cheong Myeong quietly gazed at Jin Ju-rim's back and spoke.
"It won't be easy for Seom-ye to take on missions. Baek Gi-rin."
"If the family has decided to strike down the head of the Namgung family through a duel..."
Baek Mi-ryeo lightly brushed her hair behind her ear and said.
"It means they want to save face. If the Grand Commander has such intentions, they will send martial artists of the same age as Seom-ye. The only ones of Namgung's generation are So-gajoo and his sister. There aren't many positions available. Baek Gi-rin is indeed a rival."
"But, Jeong So-hyeop, didn't you subdue Tae Yeom-ryong at the Yongbong Gathering? They say Baek Gi-rin would concede to the slightly older So-gajoo, but has he surpassed him in the meantime? Does he possess a talent that even transcends the realm of the dead?" Heon Won-chang muttered a question as if to himself. 'Tae Yeom-ryong.' Jeong Yeon-shin recalled the So-gajoo of the Hwangbo family.
Heon Won-chang's words were not incorrect.
She had once broken through his technique.
However, it was thanks to witnessing the duel with Yu Hyun of the Hwasan Sect first.
Jeong Yeon-shin and Tae Yeom-ryong.
In their first encounter, Jeong Yeon-shin was the one who fell behind.
The second meeting was different.
With her innate sense, she had won by exploiting her opponent's openings.
If Tae Yeom-ryong had used another martial art, it would have been difficult.
In terms of pure martial prowess, he was indeed superior to Jeong Yeon-shin.
It was due to his long period of cultivating martial arts through the Sun God Meridian.
The statement that Tae Yeom-ryong of the past was stronger than Baek Gi-rin was meaningless.
Jeong Yeon-shin had never seen Tae Yeom-ryong's full power.
To gauge Namgung Hwasin based on having broken through his technique once was absurd. 'Myeolma Cheonggangsu, Geomga.' The techniques of subduing demons and wide-area sound waves.
She had used them to achieve accomplishments beyond her innate martial prowess.
Thanks to having established a unique martial art, she had achieved significant feats. 'This time it must be different.' She had to overcome it purely with her original martial arts.
She needed to return to the starting point.
On the way back with her three companions, she thought about the amount of inner power and training period...
How could she overcome the situation of entering with a significant disadvantage in crucial elements? Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly looked up at the sky.
The dark, coiled silver-gray crescent moon cast a pale moonlight.
The commotion raised by Heon Won-chang and her companions also disappeared into the black silence.
There was no trace left.
The stillness of the night seemed to speak, warning against solving the countless matters of the Jianghu with cunning.
The very next day, an official document from the Grand Commander was posted throughout the family.
The commotion that had occurred at Iphwang Magha was pushed to the back.
The impact of the content was that significant.
A large proclamation was also affixed to the central wall of Ma Gwang-ik's training hall.
Masters read the official document from their respective positions.
Many stood on rooftops with their arms crossed or sat at a distance, lazily rolling their eyes.
It was because they had trained their inner law.
Like a hawk, they looked far and even the swift sword felt slow.
"This is serious."
"It seems it is not an ordinary event."
The first line was about the Namgung family.
Ma Gwang-ik Seom-ye was also mentioned.
It was said that the grace of the Iphwang City Lord's direct disciple had been repaid with enmity. [······The behavior of the Namgung family has gone too far, so the Iphwang City will rectify the conduct of the Namgung aristocracy.
Therefore, on the seventh month, a life-and-death duel between the family and the Namgung family will be held.
The martial artists of the Divine Sword Alliance are to volunteer after careful consideration.] Heon Won-chang read the lines of the official document aloud.
He looked like a scholar examining the results of an examination.
"If there are many applicants, there will be a preliminary round. They will compete one-on-one according to age. This is to distinguish the worthy from the unworthy based on the success of the mission, so the martial artists of the family must prepare accordingly."
"As expected."
Baek Mi-ryeo said.
"Originally, missions are distributed like this. Unless the Lord commands otherwise. It is unusual for matters to come down from the black noble families. A preliminary round will definitely take place. The name of the Namgung family is that lofty."
"Cangong Muai Sword Technique, Imperial Sword Form."
Cheong Myeong smiled and spoke.
"If you shatter the renowned martial arts of the world, honor will follow. No one would hesitate to flaunt their alias. The achievements of the mission will also be great. Competition is inevitable."
"Seom-ye. We will not step forward."
Baek Mi-ryeo gazed at Jeong Yeon-shin.
Cheong Myeong did the same.
Only the smiles were different.
"Cheong Myeong and I are not in a hurry for achievements. You should win and take the mission. Can you do that?" She did not answer for a moment.
It was because of the statement that they would not support her.
She understood that there was consideration behind the decision.
It was likely because they had come to know her constitution. 'Is this just gratitude...?' It was a feeling hard to express.
It tickled her. "······It is hard to say definitively now. I think I will know later, later when I return."
"Where to?" "I received a message. The Lord has called for me."
Jeong Yeon-shin answered as calmly as possible.
A letter sent from the Grand Commander had arrived.
She received it two hours ago.
It said that the Lord of Iphwang City would bestow rewards regarding the matters of the Blood Flame Sect. 'Don't get your hopes up.' She repeated in her mind.
Waves of emotion surged within her.
It had been that way since morning.
Because she had tried hard not to show it, her companions seemed unaware.
There were two letters.
One more letter was enclosed.
She took it out absentmindedly and was taken aback.
The writer was beyond her expectations.
It was the Lord of Iphwang City.
After reading it, she was told to burn it, so she did.
But she could not do so in her mind.
Her elegant words were etched in her mind as if burned by fire. [I grant you a small piece.
Come to me when the full moon rises.] Just that one line.