The contest for dominance was about to begin.
"Shengye... I envy the other side. I will witness a battle that shakes the heavens and the earth. The opponent of the Namgung clan leader is truly unexpected."
"Isn't it inevitable? The clan leader has been out recently."
"The clan leader should be facing the Eight Great Clans, but there is no one else besides Danju."
Jeong Yeon-shin quietly listened to the conversation of his seniors surrounding him.
There was only one person in the world worthy of being called Danju.
The Shinkyeongdan was formed by seventeen martial artists, including Ma Gwang-ik and Sun Cheon-ik, as well as Myeolseomdae.
Danju referred to the leader of the Iphwangseong Shinkyeongdan.
Below the clan leader, he was the most revered figure in the land.
'I have yet to meet him.' Even after entering Iphwangseong, he had never seen him once.
The Shinkyeongdan was always a presence that traversed the martial world, writing a legend that the gossipers spoke of.
They wielded absolute power on the front lines, fulfilling the original role of Iphwangseong.
"Aren't they on a mission?"
"The direct Shinkyeong team has also been absent for a long time. Rumor has it they went to deal with Yeoryeong."
"Then they went straight to the Namgung clan without returning..."
The conversation of the seniors continued above Jeong Yeon-shin's head.
"You mentioned Yeoryeong?" Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly asked.
"They are ranked among the Thirteen Heavens. They value wealth and information more than martial arts, and they are quite a troublesome faction."
A middle-aged woman with sharp eyes answered while patting his head.
She was Oewolhyang, a blue-clad warrior who treated Jeong Yeon-shin like a son and was a master of the Dao.
Several seniors chimed in.
"It's more about cunning than strength. The Yeoryeong folks are skilled at plotting behind the scenes. It would be easier to deal with the likes of the Paegumjong."
"There are also rumors that they hold the Hawoomen. They are said to be the most connected with the other Thirteen Heavens. Shengye, you might have been caught off guard several times without realizing it."
Yeoryeong.
Another of the Thirteen Heavens.
'Thirteen Heavens...' It was said that the thirteen factions had power comparable to the Eight Great Clans.
The martial world was vast.
The Shinkyeongdan seemed to be lacking in controlling them.
While some of the Eight Great Clans displayed hypocrisy in the secular world, the misdeeds of the Thirteen Heavens, born from the outside, were even more pronounced.
'On my own, I have clashed with the Blood Flame Sect and the Paegumjong.
There’s also the Sinmuryun.' There was no need to mention the repeated clashes with the Blood Flame Sect and the Paegumjong.
Sinmuryun's Gyeongyehwa had once beheaded a late-stage master.
The advice from Maji regarding her background and fiancé came to mind.
It was right after he had slain the Paegum's Hwangbo Jun while being chased by the Blood Flame Sect.
- You, the reactions from the martial world are unusual.
The conflicts among the martial forces are not just full-scale battles.
The battles of the informants are just as significant.
The General's Office has conveyed that there are those investigating the whereabouts of Iphwangseong Shengye.
'The enemies are increasing.' The debts formed during missions had rapidly grown.
This journey into the martial world also felt like it would not be smooth.
Was it a premonition from the General's Office? It seemed it would not end as mere anxiety.
"We depart in four days. It’s urgent to gather what we have. It would be best for everyone to retreat."
It was Cheongmyeong.
With a slight wave of her hand, a chilling wind blew like a sword's edge.
The masters of Ma Gwang-ik stepped back in unison.
They soon laughed as if it were a daily occurrence, encouraging Jeong Yeon-shin as they moved away.
Jeong Yeon-shin brushed off his pants and stood up.
"Senior."
"Didn’t you receive a lot from this return? You should tidy up before heading out again."
Cheongmyeong's blue eyes slightly curved.
With a smiling face, she continued, "For example, something like the Spirit Pill."
"Uncle Jangmyeong, your complexion looks good! Did you drink something good?" A lively young female swordsman, around twenty years old, greeted cheerfully.
Her blue martial attire was strikingly vivid.
She approached the grand main gate of the Namgung clan confidently, stirring up clouds of dust with her light footwork.
Behind her, servants and warriors followed like a backdrop.
"Miss."
One of the gate guards looked at her with a dazzling expression.
Bowing his head as she approached, he raised his fist and spoke, "You truly have changed, it seems you are the leader of Changnyeong. Congratulations on your great success!"
"Congratulations on your great success!" The five guards at the gate also paid their respects.
The simultaneous motion of raising both fists was executed perfectly.
Even the grace of their movements resembled that of a martial artist.
The gate guards of the martial factions were not positions anyone could take lightly.
The long-standing power of the clan made it even more so.
The gate guards were the face of the faction.
Naturally, they displayed a presence that could be counted among the best in the Namgung clan, causing passersby on the opposite street to be unable to take their eyes off them.
They whispered quietly as they passed by.
"Are they bowing like that?"
"You foolish one. The guards accompanying her are also from Namgung, so it’s clear they are the precious offspring of the clan."
"The leader of the Namgung clan? That lady's complexion looks sun-kissed. Isn’t she very pale?"
"How could the news be so slow? They say she consumed the legendary Inhyeongseolsam. A mystical and cool energy must have changed her skin. She is very fortunate. I have witnessed a legend of the martial world."
"What? Inhyeongseolsam?" The ears of Changnyeonghwa, Namgung Mi, caught all of this.
She didn’t bother to pay attention.
Their words were not wrong.
She had indeed consumed the legendary Inhyeongseolsam.
Her brother and father, the small clan leader and the clan leader, were already high-level masters who filled the essence of the martial world.
"Well, it’s thanks to fighting well against the Blood Flame Sect. May everyone have a good day."
She lightly smiled and passed by them.
The commotion from behind was faintly felt.
The warriors of the clan were quite useful as subordinates.
They were easily treated with the reverence reserved for royal princesses.
A single smile and a light greeting sufficed.
The things she had enjoyed since birth felt even sweeter today.
"I will go to my brother, so please rest from your travels. You have worked hard."
She spoke a word to those following her and moved on.
She responded to polite gestures with a wave of her hand.
With a few steps of lightness, she sliced through the air.
Those passing through the clan's inner courtyard were startled and hurriedly paid their respects.
Only direct descendants were allowed to move freely within the clan, and the Namgung clan's laws made it easy to recognize the noble lady with a changed skin tone.
Namgung Mi headed straight to the Cangong Hall of the clan.
It was where the small clan leader learned the duties of the clan leader.
"Congratulations on your great success."
As soon as she entered, the guards bowed deeply.
All were martial artists of the Cangong Hall.
They were different from the gate guards.
Their demeanor resembled that of those serving royalty, and they were indeed loyal subjects.
No matter what rumors blew in from outside, they were the pillars of the clan that would not waver.
'Even if the royal family’s dogs bark that they will invade the main house...' Namgung Mi thought.
"The small clan leader has given word."
One of the martial artists guided her.
The exquisite blue curtains adorned the interior of the hall.
A martial artist who had stopped in the corridor spoke, "You may enter immediately."
With a slight nod, she opened the door.
The grandly painted sword emblem slid aside.
With a soft sound, the office of the Namgung small clan leader was revealed.
In a room that could serve as a training ground, a precious table made of red sandalwood was lined up in a deep hue.
"You have achieved a small success."
Namgung Se-jin, the blue qilin of the Namgung clan, said while seated.
With calm eyes, a prominent nose, and beautiful features, he was indeed a dazzling young master, yet he did not take his eyes off the documents he was reviewing.
Namgung Mi, unfazed, pulled a chair and sat down across from him, crossing her legs as she spoke.
"Everyone says it’s a great success."
"When the Blood Flame Sect ambushed the main house, we had to devote all our efforts to find that Inhyeongseolsam. Your martial achievement is merely a result of increased power. Compared to the sacrifices, it is nothing."
Her brother's response was indifferent.
The Namgung clan's blue qilin was known for its fairness.
Before Namgung Hwasin was called the white qilin, he first received the name of the divine beast qilin.
It was a direct descendant known for its righteous character, combined with immense strength and majesty.
It was indeed arrogant.
"Even so?"
With a light swish of her hair, Namgung Mi's skin became even whiter.
The sudden surge of energy caused the documents on the table to tremble.
A mysterious white energy swept over her entire body.
Like a goddess of winter storms, her figure wrapped in cold air became vividly clear due to the essence.
She contained the supreme elixir within her body.
The depth of her energy was boundless.
She opened her mouth.
"I heard the royal family’s dogs dared to declare war on the main house? Even a life-and-death duel? Isn’t that absurd? Can the leader of the Shinkyeongdan defeat our father, who has achieved the Emperor's Sword form?"
The royal army cannot assist Iphwangseong.
In the martial world, when a mission fails, the loss of prestige that the royal family must bear is severe.
The royal family and Iphwangseong never acknowledged external connections.
The reason countless warriors of Iphwangseong die in the vast martial world lies there.
This matter would leave only the fight between the two.
The royal faction of Iphwangseong and the righteous Namgung clan.
It was not even a total war like that of the Hwangbo clan.
If ten legitimate duels were all that remained, no matter who the opponent was, the Eight Great Clans would never worry about defeat.
Namgung Se-jin said, "Do not presume the affairs of the supreme masters. You know you have also been named. The contents of the duel register have spread throughout the Central Plains; it must be the work of Iphwangseong. If you do not step forward, the name of the clan will be tarnished. You cannot refuse. The spectators from all over the martial world will gather."
"And if they lose? Iphwangseong, that is."
"There are no martial artists who fight with the assumption of defeat. Neither do we. This is not an ordinary event. The reputation of the winning side will soar."
"My beauty and nickname will become more widely known. No, I will completely overshadow the reputation of the Jeongnam faction and become the Sword Dragon. And..."
Namgung Mi continued with a calm face.
"I heard our Hwasin is returning."
A smooth smile lingered on her lips.
Immediately, Namgung Se-jin furrowed his brow.
"That child is also your brother."
"How could a child of a concubine be so? It’s strange for my brother to say such things. More importantly..."
Namgung Mi, who casually replied, deepened her smile.
"The one who triggered the incident was on the list, right? A child who could only use some weak techniques that would only work on the weak. Shengye, or something. I saw him briefly last time."
"That is not a technique to belittle. That was a divine technique. Can you not imagine what threat he could pose in a group battle?" She dismissed her brother's words with a small scoff.
"I want to use that child as a touchstone for my achievements. Let’s go see him. Shengye and the White Qilin."
"What?"
"The royal family’s dogs declared war, right? They have already announced it to the entire martial world. Until the duel, the leader of the Shinkyeongdan cannot kill us. It’s unusual, but brother, you have many grievances regarding the Shengye incident, right? Don’t you want to see if he is someone worth killing? And perhaps meet the younger brother who will soon pass away."
"…Are you really planning to kill A-shin?"
"Not A-shin, but Hwasin. He is no longer a child, is he?"
"…."
"He must have set off by now, right? I want to meet him in advance and propose a winning ceremony. If it’s a duel of five against five, we will face the younger ones first, so I will kill Shengye and then bind him to Hwasin. If our brother is a hypocrite, he wouldn’t want to stain his hands with the blood of a child of a concubine."
"Are you serious?"
"Does this younger sister seem like she would lose?" Namgung Mi asked with a bright smile, her lips standing out like red jade against her snow-white skin.
"…That’s not what I meant. You wouldn’t lose, would you?"
Namgung Se-jin shook his head as he gazed at her.
Soon, he displayed a calm expression as if he had heard the words he desired.
"I can predict your swordsmanship. The chill of your energy will freeze the opponent's meridians. Without overwhelming power, there is no way to counter it. If the levels are equal, victory is assured. Unless the opponent has trained in the same techniques for a lifetime."
"Why the same techniques?"
"The masters who have achieved the Shaolin Reverse Meridian Technique can refine their bodies. They can create flames of Sammaejinhwa within their bodies without difficulty. However, that is not something you need to worry about right now."
"Uh-huh."
She frowned as if it were bothersome but then smiled again.
And she asked, "So, do you want to go see?"
On the day of the Namgung clan's martial representative's journey to the martial world, Jeong Yeon-shin consumed the Spirit Pill he received from the medicinal hall.
It was a reward for the missions he had undertaken in the blue hierarchy.
It was said to be classified as a top-grade pill even in Iphwangseong.
In the center of the grand martial arena, a boy sat cross-legged.
Whoosh! The blue robe's hem fluttered continuously.
It was vastly different from the supply Spirit Pill he had consumed in the early stages of his entry.
The energy radiating from his body was gradually thickening.
At times, faint energy currents could be seen.
The essence was being materialized.
A faint golden light flickered and vanished intermittently.
Amidst it, various sounds of energy clashed.
The masters of Ma Gwang-ik were forming a large circle around the blue-clad junior.
Hwonwonchang was also present.
- Lord, what is that color?
The Iphwang Great Hero casually asked Ma Gwang-ik's Ma Jin.
Ma Jin, who had been gazing at his nephew, parted his lips slightly.
- I heard it is the beginning of a new technique.
It is not uncommon for the sudden increase in essence to spur the sprouting of enlightenment.
For now, it may just be the energy of the Spirit Pill, but perhaps within this year, a supreme technique may be born.
- Oh...
- Are you sending a breath of admiration through energy? Maintain your decorum, Hwonwonchang.
Hwonwonchang let the reprimand from the lord flow in one ear and out the other.
He had no choice.
The benefactor who saved his life had already gathered the waves of essence.
"Jeong So-hyeop!"
Hoo—.
Jeong Yeon-shin was taking a deep breath.
"Hwonwon So-hyeop?" He opened his mouth while still keeping his eyes closed.
It seemed he sensed the presence of Hwonwonchang, who approached cautiously.
Hwonwonchang asked, "Is it over?"
"Yes."
"I’m truly curious. How much stronger have you become?"
The moment Jeong Yeon-shin slowly opened his eyes, the abundant energy revealed itself in his deep blue pupils.
The sky-blue glow of his irises shone with a piercing brilliance.
"I’m not sure."
The boy replied.