The moment arrived when the second and final duel was about to begin, as the opponent who had fainted was dragged away.
"There are many monsters in this world," Jeong Yeon-shin thought.
It felt as if he was facing a martial artist who could one day become an absolute master like the legendary Baek Geom Jongju.
From across the arena, a man dressed entirely in white walked steadily towards him.
His sharp jawline was so refined that it reminded one of a sword's blade, and his deep black eyes, shining with determination, revealed the demeanor of a swordsman.
His skin, as flawless as his white attire, combined with his high nose, exuded nobility.
He was truly a stunning young man, perhaps around twenty years old.
"Baek Gi-rin Namgung Hwa-shin."
It was clear without needing to ask.
There could be no one else like him present here.
Even the masters seated in a wide circle around the arena showed interest.
"I wonder where he came from. The great clans will surely fight over him."
"He seems stronger than us, indeed. As expected of Namgung."
"Are we witnessing the Chang-gung Mu-ae Sword today?"
It was a foregone conclusion that he would pass.
Those waiting in the opposite arena looked at Jeong Yeon-shin with expressions of disbelief.
"He looks about five years older than me. It doesn't seem like an insurmountable mountain, though."
Jeong Yeon-shin could feel the aura radiating from Namgung Hwa-shin.
The flow of his energy was incredibly refined.
It seemed he had spread his internal power throughout his body for several years, as if he had consumed elixirs, and a truly formidable strength was breathing within him.
The admiration from the masters of Ip-hwang-seong was unending.
"It's not easy for a rumor to cross several provinces."
"Indeed, he lives up to his reputation."
Jeong Yeon-shin acknowledged.
"My body may be better, but the rest is still lacking."
Namgung Hwa-shin approached within five steps.
The dignity of a prestigious family was felt in his polite stance.
"I am Namgung Hwa-shin of the Namgung clan. I primarily practice the Chang-gung Mu-ae Sword and Infinite Steps. I look forward to your guidance."
"I have trained in Jeongga Dong-gong at Jeongga Jang."
Jeong Yeon-shin clasped his hands and bowed respectfully.
Namgung Hwa-shin responded with a slight bow of his waist and drew his sword.
With a clear sound, the sword's brilliance soared into the fresh morning air.
It was blinding.
The silver flash of Namgung Hwa-shin's sword, cutting through the air at an angle, was beautiful and served as a measure of a swordsman's level.
Jeong Yeon-shin did not draw his sword.
The essence he had been cultivating recently was one of surprise.
The key was the single strike that came from an unpredictable breath.
If it worked well, it could catch the opponent off guard.
He stood still, circulating his internal energy within.
"Begin."
The judge, who had been evaluating among the warriors of Ip-hwang-seong, stood alone and spoke.
At that moment, Zzeoong—! One side of Jeong Yeon-shin's sword, which had been extended sideways, shattered and flew apart.
He slowly lowered his arm while holding the broken half of his sword.
A murmur erupted from both sides of the arena like wildfire.
"What happened...?"
"What was that? What just happened?"
"Did the boy lose?"
"Baek Gi-rin. What a terrifyingly swift sword!"
While the hopefuls were bewildered or reacted with certainty, the masters of Ip-hwang-seong were eerily silent.
Those who had seemed lax now bore an imposing aura.
All the masters kept their eyes fixed on Jeong Yeon-shin without uttering a word.
Baek Gi-rin Namgung Hwa-shin lowered his sword and declared, "I have lost."
The warriors of Ip-hwang-seong opened their mouths one by one, as if it were only natural.
"Jeong Yeon-shin? Truly a fearsome swift sword."
"I heard Namgung Hwa-shin has just crossed the threshold of adulthood."
"The boy looks at least five years younger."
"There was a hidden talent in Hanam. This child's age is even more frightening."
"It seems he hasn't learned how to channel his energy into his sword. Should I teach him?"
All eyes turned to the warrior who had spoken last.
"Myeolsamdae. Do not act recklessly. Is there anywhere that wouldn't covet such a person?"
"Do not give orders. It might be better to come to Myeolsam than to rot in your Ma Gwang-ik."
"Enough."
The judge spoke.
Seeing the quieting arena, Jeong Yeon-shin felt surprised.
He had thought that taking on the dirty work would place him at the bottom of the hierarchy, but it was not so.
Responsible tasks are handled by the higher-ups? He began to understand the nature of Ip-hwang-seong.
"Namgung Hwa-shin, prepare for the next duel. And you, Jeong Yeon-shin from Shin-ya."
"Yes."
"If you go north, there is another arena. Wait there."
"Understood."
Jeong Yeon-shin turned and bowed to Namgung Hwa-shin.
"I hope you will give me a chance next time."
"That is what I wanted to say. Let us promise for the next time."
Namgung Hwa-shin smiled.
His expression was quite peculiar, appearing to be filled with interest and joy rather than dark emotions.
"He is being compared to those brothers."
The difference in character from the Jeong siblings was evident.
The moment the duel began, Jeong Yeon-shin struck Namgung Hwa-shin's sword with an extreme swift sword technique.
He realized that a prolonged battle would not yield victory.
However, it seemed that Namgung Hwa-shin had also intended to give his all against the boy, as he infused his sword with energy.
Thus, Jeong Yeon-shin's sword broke.
It could be said that his reckless use of the swift sword was a mistake, yet Namgung Hwa-shin had instead acknowledged his defeat.
It seemed he thought he had lost because he was significantly delayed in making his move.
"Life in Ip-hwang-seong is much better than in Jeongga Jang."
As he gathered the shattered sword, Jeong Yeon-shin walked north, deep in thought.
In the arena where those who had passed through Ip-hwang City gathered, Jeong Yeon-shin received astonished glances from those already seated.
Unfazed, he recalled his single strike.
The weight distribution of his feet, the overlapping of his internal energy, the explosive release of his contracted muscles.
At this moment, he saw no further path ahead.
The sword was indeed the problem.
"Did they say he belongs to Ma Gwang-ik? That warrior was right."
During the bloodbath at Jeongga Jang, he had not clashed swords directly.
The wandering swordsmen he faced on the way from Shin-ya to Yang-yang were not at a level to worry about their internal energy.
Ip-hwang-seong was different.
He had now stepped into the heart of the martial world.
"The fruit of the Heavenly Eye."
He had to eat it.
He could not perish like this.
"They said I haven't learned how to channel energy into my sword?" That was obvious.
Jeongga Jang was merely a third-rate faction pretending to be a martial family in Shin-ya.
He had never seen anyone among the Jeong family who disliked boasting.
If there had been someone in the family who could perform such techniques, he would have known.
"Now that I know, that's enough."
Hearing that such a thing existed was sufficient.
The moment he realized it, he understood the method.
Internal energy flowed into the broken sword held in his hand.
This was not the end.
At the same time, he realized that the internal energy could freely traverse the iron that formed the sword, and following this new sensation, the energy enveloped the sword.
Was it merely about infusing energy into the sword? No. He learned that through the medium of energy, he could become one with the sword.
Before he knew it, his consciousness, immersed in the sword, moved naturally forward.
The sword was calling to him, with a higher dimension of sensation.
Wuuung.
The sword vibrated.
It sounded as if it was crying out on its own.
"Sword cry!" The warriors in the arena stood up abruptly.
Jeong Yeon-shin had his eyes closed.
Even as the surroundings grew chaotic, he did not mind, relishing the sensation of the sword crying out in his grip.
"This is the unity of body and sword. It feels as if I have become one with the sword."
The sword techniques he would unfold in this state would surely be new.
What kind of power would the refined swift sword technique exhibit?
Having just passed through Ip-hwang City, he was gaining everything.
The fruit of the Heavenly Eye was still far away, but he was thoroughly satisfied with his current achievement.
"Ip-hwang-seong. Truly a wonderful place."
When he opened his eyes, he saw Namgung Hwa-shin smiling gently.
His gaze fell on the hand resting on the sword.
Perhaps someone had been watching closely to ensure no one interrupted his enlightenment.
It was a protective gesture.
"Congratulations on your achievement."
He slightly bowed his head to Jeong Yeon-shin.
It was almost unbelievable how upright a person could be.
"I did not realize you were providing protection. Thank you. And..."
"...?"
"Congratulations on your success in Ip-hwang City, Namgung So-hyeop."
For a moment, Namgung Hwa-shin wore a blank expression for the first time before bursting into laughter.
While some looked on with envy at his connection with Baek Gi-rin, Jeong Yeon-shin's gaze had already returned to the sword.
After waiting for half a shichen (one hour), Jeong Yeon-shin finally saw the face of Heon Won-chang.
He had taken the exam several times and had also passed.
The way he tapped the dragon pattern on his hero hat on his forehead was quite amusing.
"I have already decided on a nickname. How about Ip-hwang Sin-hyeop?"
"The mysterious hero of Ip-hwang-seong? Is it common to choose one's own nickname?"
"Why not? The martial world is filled with brazen individuals who introduce themselves by their own names. If I introduce myself as Ip-hwang Sin-hyeop, then that becomes my nickname."
"Then wouldn't all the swordsmen in the world be called divine swords and sword stars?"
Heon Won-chang pretended not to hear.
Jeong Yeon-shin chuckled.
"A nickname."
It is a name given by the people of the martial world when one displays extraordinary martial prowess or becomes the subject of attention.
Unless one is a villain, most nicknames are a warrior's identity and a great honor, just like the Dangae Sword, Muryeong Sword, and Baek Gi-rin.
"It seems that there are already those calling you by a different name."
It was Namgung Hwa-shin.
"Is that what you mean? It was just an exam."
"Seomye (闪艺). If the warriors of Ip-hwang-seong are calling you that, then it is indeed a nickname in the martial world."
"Light skill? It's just that the young boy's sword is a bit fast, isn't it?"
Namgung Hwa-shin smiled, revealing his white teeth.
"A bit fast, you say? What will happen to the one who lost their breath? Moreover, it is not uncommon for a warrior's potential to be represented by a nickname. Congratulations."
"... Thank you."
Jeong Yeon-shin replied with a slightly reluctant expression.
Seomye Jeong Yeon-shin.
It was a name he could never have imagined while sitting in Jeongga Jang.
The Ip-hwang Sin-hyeop beside him looked on with envy.
"Gather everyone!" It was the judge from the training ground.
"Now, you have only one more hurdle to pass, and you will be warriors of Ip-hwang-seong. I tell those who will pass, you will learn and practice in the castle that stands alone in this martial world, and you will carry out your duties while sharing meals and lodging. Maintain the proper dignity and become warriors worthy of your status."
The reactions of the twenty who had taken the exam in Ip-hwang City were quiet.
Jeong Yeon-shin could guess the reason.
While passing the second exam was a joyous occasion, the final hurdle was said to be an audience with the lord of Ip-hwang-seong.
A living history of the Daemyung Empire, often mentioned as the greatest martial artist in the world, an absolute master.
Meeting such a mythical figure was not a light matter for Jeong Yeon-shin either.
Under the guidance of the judge, they passed through the magnificent halls, and no one spoke.
"..."
Even upon entering the vast center of Ip-hwang-seong, the overwhelmingly large main castle, it remained the same.
One by one, they were called up and came down with faces that looked as if their souls had been taken.
The duration of the audience was incredibly short, making it seem as if they were merely looking at the lord's face before descending.
Finally, it was Jeong Yeon-shin's turn to go up.
It felt as if the stairs leading up were endless.
"I was told to go all the way up."
When he had taken at least a hundred steps, he finally reached the top.
There was a grand and massive door, and as he approached, it opened automatically.
The spacious office was truly strange.
It was all made of wood, branches, and foliage.
Huge tree trunks twisted and rose, forming what appeared to be a desk and a bed.
It was a completely living giant tree.
Transparent sunlight streamed in through the large openings in the walls.
"I am Jeong Yeon-shin."
He spoke without wavering.
There was a presence whose clothing seemed to be made of leaves, a light green hue.
With her face slightly obscured by the branches with leaves, she slowly raised her head while leaning against the tree.
Their eyes met.
Something beyond mere shivers surged to the top of his head.
It was an emotion he could not comprehend.
Was it awe and inspiration at the existence of such a being in the world?
"The greatest lord of Ip-hwang-seong."
Her ears, sharp like the tip of a sword, and her beauty, rare among mortals, were not the essence of it.
Her emerald green eyes were overwhelming.
At this moment of eye contact, it felt as if his very soul was being drawn in.
It seemed as if the principles of the universe were swirling within those eyes.
He strongly felt that even the absolute master, the legendary Baek Geom Jongju, could not escape from those eyes.
It was strange that the audience would take a long time, as she was a being of a different dimension.
A gentle breeze brushed against Jeong Yeon-shin's cheek, lifting a strand of her long green hair.
The lord of Ip-hwang-seong tilted her head slightly.
"You... are the bloodline of that child."
She spoke.