I saw the crescent moon yesterday.
I had to wait a fortnight until the full moon.
It felt so far away.
In my heart, it felt as if it was almost within reach, yet calming my mind was difficult.
What could the small fragment signify? If it were between Jeong Yeon-sin and the Lord of Ip Hwang-seong, the fruit of the Heavenly Eye should have emerged.
Yet, I couldn’t believe it and constantly extinguished my expectations.
I did this to myself.
It was a life racing towards the fruit.
I feared being hurt if I held onto hope too hastily.
“The reward for that matter must be immense,” Baek Mi-ryeo said, somewhat stunned.
Sunlight glimmered in her slightly upward-turned eyes.
It seemed she was reminiscing about her time in the Blood Flame Sect.
“Indeed. It was an achievement that even a skilled practitioner of the upper ranks would find hard to accomplish in one go,” Cheong Myeong nodded and spoke. “It surpassed your original martial power by a great deal. It’s not strange that the Lord would call upon you. Though there are affinities in martial arts, there are very few who can accurately pinpoint and utilize them to the extreme.”
“That’s why I’m a bit worried. Those who have cultivated their internal energy without any opposing forces must confront their original martial skills. There are far more opponents who have not trained in demonic or blood arts. This competition is no different. Don’t let your guard down,” Baek Mi-ryeo said, placing her hand on Jeong Yeon-sin’s shoulder.
He slowly nodded.
“I understand my own abilities. I must do so to avoid dying in the martial world.” He knew it wasn’t just Baek Mi-ryeo’s concern.
He hadn’t hidden many stories from his senior, Ma Gwang-ik.
There’s a saying in the martial world to hide one’s strength, but aside from the Demon-Subduing Clear Stream and the Sword Family, he couldn’t explain this mission.
It was the words of the seniors who cared for him.
There was an impressive saying: “Beware of shallow thoughts and hasty plans.” It came from years of experience in the martial world.
The young hero, Jeong Yeon-sin, had achieved great feats at a young age.
Though he had gained merits by founding a unique martial art with special abilities, a boy intoxicated by fame could easily mistake it for his overall martial power.
“Only the enemies make mistakes. Being careless is always the opponent’s share,” Jeong Yeon-sin thought.
The words of his seniors, including Baek Mi-ryeo, were not meddlesome.
However, it was a worry.
He poured his heart into longevity, and it was basic knowledge to contemplate the level of his martial arts.
First, he sought permission from Cheong Myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo and set off.
He was heading towards the General Headquarters.
There was no reason to hesitate.
He wanted to directly support the task assigned to the Namgung family.
“I’ll go take a look at the General Headquarters too,” Heon Won-chang said with a smile, following him.
Jeong Yeon-sin walked alongside him, lost in thought. “Ip Hwang-seong has a blue master who is not ashamed to show himself in the martial world. That’s who I am now.”
The Demon-Subduing Clear Stream was connected to the Samawaido.
The effectiveness of the Sword Family was maximized against those with shallow internal energy.
Only these two types exhibited supreme might.
As the ranks rose, the gaps in martial power widened.
The blue from the white stage was different from the blue just before the black stage.
There was a significant gap between the new and the established.
It was said that one blue could handle three blues.
“What about me?” He had stabilized himself with Jeong Yang.
Since returning, he hadn’t had a chance to spar with his seniors.
He was curious.
Where did he stand in the realm of blue now?
“If we divide by age for the competition, the opponents of Namgung So-gaju or his sister would be limited to those under thirty. If it’s Jeong So-hyeop, there won’t be many rivals. This is what I think from watching the Ip Hwang-sin,” Heon Won-chang said, his tone playful.
It seemed he had gained a strange confidence after the bizarre incident at the Ip Hwang family.
“Oh, young hero,” they chatted and soon arrived at the General Headquarters.
The clerk managing the entrance greeted Jeong Yeon-sin.
“You must be here to support the Namgung family’s martial arts competition?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll record it. It hasn’t been long since the announcement was made, yet many martial artists are already signing up. It seems the Namgung family’s reputation is extraordinary. They’ve even changed the way the task force is composed unusually…” The clerk sighed, as if fatigue mixed with his breath.
“Are there that many applicants?” Heon Won-chang leaned in to ask.
The clerk nodded immediately.
“It’s the first time the task assignment has been this fierce. Originally, it should be decided through a meeting between the Divine Sword Alliance and the General Headquarters, but this time they are accepting applicants regardless of affiliation… I can’t quite understand the higher-ups’ thoughts. With so many applicants, it would be appropriate for you, young hero, to consider the competition.”
His friendly demeanor provided information as well.
There was a faint kindness in his gaze towards Jeong Yeon-sin.
It seemed to be thanks to the greeting he had given last time.
As Jeong Yeon-sin slightly bowed with a faint smile, a clear voice came from behind.
“It’s because the Namgung masters are that powerful. There was a mention of ‘transmission’ in the General Headquarters’ official document. If one wishes to win all martial arts, it’s only right to form a task force with selected individuals from each martial power, isn’t it?”
“You are correct,” came the short agreement, followed by laughter mixed with breath.
The moment the first words were heard, Jeong Yeon-sin turned around, his eyes widening slightly.
A man in a blue robe was striding towards him, the fabric fluttering elegantly.
His jawline was handsome, and his dark eyes sparkled with the might of a master.
His skin was as fair as porcelain, creating a striking presence alongside his prominent nose.
He was a breathtakingly handsome young man.
His presence was undeniable, to the point where the women smiling nearby seemed invisible.
“Namgung So-hyeop.” Jeong Yeon-sin greeted him with a bow.
“Jeong So-hyeop. It’s truly been a long time. Heon Won-so-hyeop as well. It feels like just yesterday we fought together in the Ip Hwang city.”
“You seem to have become even more handsome,” Heon Won-chang said, bowing and narrowing his eyes slightly.
Following his gaze, Jeong Yeon-sin also turned his attention.
There were women surrounding Namgung Hwa-sin.
All four were equipped with weapons, each displaying refined martial prowess.
They appeared to be masters from Suncheon Ik.
“His reputation is quite remarkable,” Jeong Yeon-sin thought.
He couldn’t see it any other way.
He understood from the gazes directed at Namgung Hwa-sin.
The admiration from the seniors of Suncheon Ik felt exceptionally warm.
“Is that young hero from Ma Gwang-ik?” asked a white-clad master from Suncheon Ik, standing next to Namgung Hwa-sin.
She had silver ornaments pinned in her braided hair.
With slightly upturned eyes, she gazed at Jeong Yeon-sin, her attention drawn to her headpiece.
“Ma Gwang-ik, that’s correct.”
“I’m Shin Bin-bin. I believe A-bin is indebted to you. She’s my younger sister.” She was referring to Shin So-bin, Jeong Yeon-sin’s junior.
Now that she mentioned it, they did seem to share a resemblance.
“I’m also receiving help,” he replied, exchanging greetings.
They shared brief compliments and inquiries.
Shin Bin-bin, who had briefly scanned Jeong Yeon-sin, turned to Namgung Hwa-sin and smiled. “Namgung senior’s path is quite remarkable. He seems like someone who could be a great companion, but I’m not sure.” She evaluated Jeong Yeon-sin in front of Namgung Hwa-sin, who had come to support the mission of slaying his own kin.
She approached him similarly to her first impression of Shin So-bin.
The Shin family was a prestigious lineage.
Unless one acted arrogantly, no one could say anything.
Jeong Yeon-sin stopped Heon Won-chang, who was about to step forward.
He noticed his lips were trembling.
He was worried about causing a commotion.
“Did you come to receive a task as well, Namgung So-hyeop?” Jeong Yeon-sin asked, looking at Namgung Hwa-sin.
The low-level Shin Bin-bin didn’t even register in his mind.
Instead, he was drawn to the profound energy he sensed from Namgung Hwa-sin’s body.
The feeling rising from deep within was incredibly strong.
“He has changed,” Jeong Yeon-sin thought.
When he left the Namgung family, was there some elixir he hadn’t fully absorbed in his dantian? The weight of the unique energy was extraordinary.
He understood why the blue master from Suncheon Ik had spoken highly of him.
Namgung Hwa-sin was an older master who had trained in divine arts even among the martial arts.
Unlike Jeong Yeon-sin, who had spent over a decade laying the foundation with his internal energy, the difference in their internal energy was vast.
Would anyone find it strange that a wounded young hero was overshadowed by Baek Gi-rin?
“Though I have left, my roots remain in Namjik Rye. There are matters to attend to within the family, so it’s only right for me to step forward. I have no face to speak to you, Jeong So-hyeop. It feels presumptuous to even apologize on behalf of my family. I am deeply sorry,” Namgung Hwa-sin said, his expression a blend of bitterness and regret, almost like a painting.
“And, my junior’s behavior is often reckless. I hope you won’t take it to heart,” he added, glancing at his immature junior.
Shin Bin-bin merely smiled without showing any signs of shrinking back.
Then she glanced at Jeong Yeon-sin again, her expression slightly stiffening.
The only figure reflected in the azure light of Ma Gwang-ik’s eyes was Namgung Hwa-sin.
“What I am currently focused on,” Jeong Yeon-sin slowly spoke, “is only the martial prowess of Namgung So-hyeop, who will be my opponent in the competition.”
Three days passed.
There were eighteen days left until the full moon.
The General Headquarters of Ip Hwang-seong announced the competition.
They stated they would proceed with the martial arts as originally planned.
The reason was the high number of applicants.
“The young hero’s injury hasn’t healed yet.”
“Even so, we can’t just sit idle, can we?”
“Who else but our blue youngest could take the head of Namgung So-gaju?” The masters of Ma Gwang-ik expressed their concerns.
Despite that, the work progressed swiftly.
The General Headquarters pushed forward with the event as if it were a master extending his sword strike.
The matchups were even released.
It felt like watching a martial arts tournament where money was being wagered for the top spot.
Those who saw the matchups for the later generations remarked, “They’ve been divided into two sides.”
“The General Headquarters can’t ignore the young hero and Baek Gi-rin.”
The martial arts matches proceeded in turn.
Under the observation of masters from other martial powers, they settled the outcomes twice a day.
The winners would then face off against each other in succession.
Baek Gi-rin and Namgung Hwa-sin surged forward like a tidal wave.
Just like in the Ip Hwang city, there were no opponents among his peers.
He quickly reached the end of the matchups.
The observations of the watching masters were unanimous.
“Very solid. There are no weaknesses in his martial power. He has properly built his internal energy.”
“Did the Namgung family pour such elixirs even into the illegitimate children? His martial power is astonishing.”
The evaluations of Jeong Yeon-sin were slightly different.
He was showing increasingly stronger aspects day by day.
It meant he was healing his injuries while engaging in martial arts.
All masters agreed that his manipulation of unique energy was exquisitely delicate.
“Baek Gi-rin has come again. It seems he has been watching closely.”
“Isn’t the young hero famous for his unique martial arts? He has a keen insight into the martial arts of strong opponents.”
“In the end, only the two remain. The winner will face Namgung So-gaju, while the loser will face his sister. The scale of their achievements is different, so it can’t help but be fierce.”
“It was said that the young hero had been reclusive except when participating in martial arts. It seems he has healed all his injuries, but he has taken on another disadvantage.”
Their words were correct.
Namgung Hwa-sin had appeared every time Jeong Yeon-sin fought.
He watched the young hero’s unique martial arts with keen interest.
The Hwan Ik Bo, the Shi Hwa Mu Geuk Kwon, the Gwang Hwa Sword Techniques… Each unique technique revealed would elicit gasps from the masters of Ip Hwang-seong, and all of those martial arts were etched into Baek Gi-rin’s keen eyes.
“I understand the reason you went that far, but I still don’t know,” Shin Bin-bin said.
She was sitting in a corner of the training ground located in the center of Ip Hwang-seong, resting her chin on her hand.
Namgung Hwa-sin slowly stood up beside her.
The young hero Jeong Yeon-sin had just won.
Only the final match remained, the duel between Baek Gi-rin and the young hero.
Shin Bin-bin had heard from the family’s top masters.
The young hero was a promising figure who had cultivated a unique internal energy.
In terms of the card game Yeopjahee, he was a good card to play against the Samawaido or those who pushed with numbers.
At least for now.
“I knew that the young hero’s unique martial arts were quite exceptional. But that’s the same for Namgung senior, and above all, the difference in martial power…”
“Go ahead,” Namgung Hwa-sin said.
At the same time, his body soared high.
The fluttering blue robe contained the essence of the heavens.
The Namgung family’s unique technique, Mu Ae Cheong Ryu Sin.
With a whoosh, Baek Gi-rin, who crossed the sky like the Ling Kong Heo Do, landed in the center of the training ground.
It was right in front of the young hero.
The spectators gasped.
“Truly a graceful body technique.”
“It’s perfect in every way. There’s not a single flaw.”
Namgung Hwa-sin seemed unconcerned with the words of the crowd.
He silently gazed at Jeong Yeon-sin, and his voice, when he spoke, was clear.
“The martial arts arena we met in Ip Hwang city was simple, but this place is quite grand. There are many spectators.”
“I understand there are deep circumstances behind the decision to support. Please forgive me for not yielding.”
“Haha. Surely you have your own reasons?”
“We can share our thoughts later. Shall we not go together to Namjik Rye?”
At Jeong Yeon-sin’s response, he laughed once more.
“I’ll share my story on the way to cut down my brother. It would have been nice if it were just the two of us.”
Jeong Yeon-sin thought differently.
The attention of the martial artists from Ip Hwang-seong was intensely focused on this spot.
The clerks from the General Headquarters were the same.
The martial prowess displayed here could influence future interactions.
He had to present an impressive figure.
Throughout the various martial arts matches, he felt Namgung Hwa-sin’s gaze.
It was an indescribable feeling.
He didn’t know what kind of story Namgung Hwa-sin had for wanting to support the mission to slay his half-brother.
“I know that the form of my unique martial arts has been analyzed.” If it were a master like Baek Gi-rin, he would have prepared a countermeasure.
Even if it wasn’t a complete counter, it would be quite threatening.
It’s fine.
A martial artist is someone who prepares.
They do anything with their life, honor, and martial arts on the line.
Knowing the enemy and knowing oneself is the same.
Namgung Hwa-sin understood the enemy.
Meanwhile, Jeong Yeon-sin focused on understanding himself.
It was to take a step further. “The martial art that can currently unleash the greatest impact in a single strike is the Demon-Subduing Clear Stream.” Even if the opponent had mastered the correct technique, that was still the case.
However, the Demon-Subduing Clear Stream is a defensive technique.
It cannot be used with a sword.
Even if he applied the formula as much as possible, it would only be limited to a combination of techniques for dual use.
It meant he needed the Shi Hwa Mu Geuk Kwon.
There are three unique techniques: Spiral, True Wall, and Transformation.
He created the Spiral after observing the warrior’s technique.
The True Wall originated from the martial arts shown by the master of the Ip Hwang family.
The Transformation was inspired by the Falling Leaf Technique of Yu Hyun, the head disciple of the Hwasan Sect.
Spiral is rotation, True Wall is strong force, and Transformation is change.
“Begin,” said the black-clad master overseeing the match.
It was the first time in a while that he saw the Demon-Subduing Grand Lord.
Whoosh! As the clear sword light rang from Namgung Hwa-sin’s drawn sword, Jeong Yeon-sin reflected on the past.
It felt like a long time ago.
Until now, all the martial arts Jeong Yeon-sin had created relied on inspiration.
The Sword Family and the Gwang Hwa Sword Techniques were no exception.
He had created his own only after seeing different results.
Not all unique techniques had to follow that path.
He had accumulated much insight.
The essence of creation was originally singular. “It is made out of necessity.”
The moment Namgung Hwa-sin’s sword reached under his chin, Jeong Yeon-sin did just that.
It was a left-hand technique.
The materials were sufficient.
The wicked energy and clear blue light intertwined.
He unfolded different martial powers simultaneously, weaving them with the intricacies of the technique.
The noise was loud.
It seemed as if the whispers of spirits were mixed with the sound of the wind by the stream.
It meant they were not neutralized and were repelling each other.
Boom—! The moment he spread his palm wide, the fourth unique technique surged forth.