The battle for supremacy (2)
The radiance of energy in Jeong Yeon-sin's eyes quickly faded.
He opened his mouth slightly and let out a long breath.
The energy around him spread out and then vanished, feeling as heavy as the rising essence of his cultivation.
"Anyone can see he's an elite martial artist. If only he didn't have such a youthful face."
"His physique is different, making it even more apparent. Such a well-honed body is rare even among the gifted."
Several seniors tossed out jokes.
Now, regardless of age, he exuded an aura akin to that of a martial arts master.
"Thank you."
Jeong Yeon-sin raised his fist in salute to those who had supported him.
They were seniors who had watched over him during the grand martial arts event.
He received attention from them that he had not experienced at the Jeong family residence.
Their sincere care felt exceptionally precious.
"I wonder how much stronger you've become? It's possible."
Ma Jin, who had been observing the boy closely, spoke.
"Strengthening one's energy is like that. What you can perceive through observation is not everything. You must experience it with your body to truly understand."
Jeong Yeon-sin smiled faintly and opened his mouth.
"Are you going to spar with me?" His tone had changed, becoming a bit more relaxed.
This was how he interacted with his maternal uncle.
Ma Jin, too, seemed pleased to see his nephew gradually opening up over time.
"That would be nice, but... let's greet first and then follow me."
Ma Jin turned his back and began to walk in the direction of the grand martial arts venue.
Jeong Yeon-sin, who had been standing there in a daze, turned to his companions.
"I'm receiving guidance from the lord before the mission."
"Even if you hear advice multiple times, it’s never too much."
"The opponent is Namgung. They are the ones who claim to be the best in the world."
"Seong-ye, come back safe."
The masters of Ma Gwang-ik, who were behind, greeted him with laughter.
Their tone sounded like they would see him again tomorrow, but farewells among the warriors of Ip Hwang-seong were usually like that.
The mission was heavy.
There were many comrades who did not return.
Because of that, they sent him off lightly. 'It’s the wish of those who send him off.' It meant they hoped he would return as naturally as the next day.
It was a custom of Ip Hwang-seong.
Jeong Yeon-sin calmly raised his fist and slung the travel bag over his shoulder.
"Jeong So-hyeop!"
"Yes, Heon-won So-hyeop."
Jeong Yeon-sin looked at someone who, like him, was unfamiliar with the customs of their clan.
Heon-won Chang was smiling.
The blue hero's hat he wore fluttered slightly behind his head, and anyone who didn't know would think he was the one going on a mission.
"This time, just finish the sparring and come back. If it drags on again, you might find yourself in the blue ranks as well. The moment of promotion should be something your peers should celebrate, right? Just like me."
"Heon-won So-hyeop in the blue ranks? Isn't that a bit early?"
"I was hiding seventy percent of my martial arts. Jeong So-hyeop, you should not prolong the sparring and return quickly."
After exchanging light-hearted banter, they turned away.
Jeong Yeon-sin began to walk silently.
The ground of the martial arts venue, worn down by the masters, felt particularly rough.
This was the first mission where none of the Ma Gwang-ik were accompanying him.
They had their own tasks to fulfill. 'The Huangbo family said it was an unreasonable call for military strength.' He only realized it after returning.
The expedition that led to the downfall of the Huangbo family was a difficult decision.
It was said that they had brought in insufficient manpower to set an example.
The martial world was a realm overlapping with the world, and Ip Hwang-seong was a bulwark protecting the administrative region from various martial artists.
Though the Shingeomdan's seventeen ranks were strong, they were very few when viewed across the Central Plains.
It was a matter of numbers.
Those who empathized with the ideology of stabilizing the people's livelihood and were trustworthy talents from their clan.
Masters with the martial prowess to stand against powerful martial artists.
The martial artists of their clan had to be both.
They were a resource that was hard to cultivate.
External individuals with enough martial power to pass through Ip Hwang-seong were filtered out in the eyes of the lord of Ip Hwang-seong.
It was said to be a matter of character. 'Ip Hwang-seong suppresses the freedom of martial artists.' A temporary enemy of all martial arts in the world.
When viewed as a whole, Ip Hwang-seong was a minority.
It was not that their clan was small.
The world was vast.
The Central Plains was a chaotic world filled with the Thirteen Heavens and the Nine Faction Eight Families, along with many mid-tier sects.
"So, Namgung confidently accepted the sparring challenge."
Jeong Yeon-sin said as he arrived in the enclosed stone chamber of the minor martial arts venue, facing Ma Jin.
"Yes. It's vastly different from the Huangbo family. Originally, it was a one-on-one spar, and they are big enough to know our circumstances quite well. If we compete with a small elite, who knows what might happen? Namgung is clearly stronger than Huangbo. They are called the best in the world among the righteous sects."
"......"
"I also need to visit Sichuan soon. It's because of the Thunderbolt you faced. There’s information circulating that the Tang Sect is secretly manufacturing fire bombs. They told me to confirm it. From the headquarters."
"The Tang Sect... I've heard that Sichuan's martial world is treacherous. Even the masters of Ma Gwang-ik find it hard to guarantee survival if they get caught up in the currents, right? The Tang Sect, which competes for supremacy among the Eight Families, has three of the Nine Great Sects and three of the Thirteen Heavens gathered there."
Jeong Yeon-sin casually spat out, speaking as a nephew.
In the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, high-level masters involved in treason had smoothly evaded the pursuit of the imperial martial artists.
It was a significant blow to the dignity of the Ming dynasty.
Because of that, Ip Hwang-seong, which carried out missions in the martial world, was not publicly affiliated with the government.
The burden of mission failure was greatest in the martial world.
Quick-witted martial artists meant that they would not hesitate to kill the warriors of Ip Hwang-seong.
The term "murderous intent" was used at this time.
"I understand what you mean. I'm more worried about you."
Ma Jin said with a slight smile.
"I, Ma Gwang-ik, have survived without trouble until I reach the black ranks. It's not a time for a blue rookie to worry."
"Without trouble?" It was not so.
He had lost a testicle during a mission to rescue the beauty of his youth, Baek Mi-ryeo.
Unintentionally, Jeong Yeon-sin glanced at Ma Jin's groin and quickly turned his gaze away.
Ma Jin, frowning, opened his mouth as if he hadn't seen it.
"You showed a new technique. When you sparred with Baek Gi-rin."
"Yes. I've been refining it recently."
Jeong Yeon-sin recalled the combination of Myeolma Cheonggangsu and Mara Gyeonghyeol Gong.
It was a technique that utilized the repulsion of the extreme essence through a formation.
Despite its astonishing power, it lacked finesse, and it was not easy to change.
"The black ranks who saw your spar that day must have grasped your rhythm with just one move. Your technique is not precise. Am I right?"
"...... That's true."
"It's nice to see you readily admit it. Let me give you some advice. What is the foundation of your martial arts?"
"It’s Jeongga Donggong."
Jeong Yeon-sin answered without hesitation.
"Yes. The So Sin Seung Gakjeong is comparable to the Yeokgeun Gyeong. If the Shaolin Eighteen Arhats recognized it, then your Jeongga Donggong is indeed a peerless technique. Recently, you haven't been neglecting that training, have you? To fill your inner power."
"Ah."
He nodded.
Training was something he never omitted at the Jeong family residence.
It involved tasks like carrying logs on his back while repeatedly sitting and standing, along with the operation of his essence.
"Because it’s a great martial art, it’s necessary."
Jeong Yeon-sin replied briefly.
"Great martial art...?" The conversation paused for a moment.
While Ma Jin looked down at him, Jeong Yeon-sin waited silently.
"Your blood vessels' durability is likely beyond what you imagine. You can be bold in experimenting with the unorthodox. You are different from the typical high-level masters. Your entire body is solidly constructed, so you need not worry much about going astray."
Ma Jin continued slowly.
"The seventy-two martial arts of Shaolin are all famous for their divine techniques, but some of the training methods sound bizarre. Techniques like Yeolsa Jang (Hot Sand Palm) or Cheolpo Sam (Iron Cloth Shirt) are like that. You strike your hand into hot sand and drop your body from a cliff. You train your body not to break without worrying about internal injuries. It’s thanks to the Yeokgeun Gyeong that you can refine your entire body."
"The lord's insight is no less than that of Heon-won So-hyeop. To know the Shaolin divine techniques so well..."
"Are you talking about Heon-won Chang?" Ma Jin shook his head at Jeong Yeon-sin's joke, frowning slightly.
"The point is, don’t worry about the energy operation of your new technique. It will be enough to circulate your essence freely and refine your finesse. I know you are engrossed in creating a new mental method, but for now, the technique will be more useful."
"Indeed, that makes sense."
Jeong Yeon-sin nodded and respectfully raised his fist.
"Thank you for the advice. It’s time for me to go."
"...... Yes, the black ranks of Namgung are terrifying. Don’t let your guard down and come back safe."
The long scar on Ma Jin's face twitched.
It seemed to be a movement filled with concern.
It was not like the black-ranked masters who had long experienced the customs of Ip Hwang-seong.
"I will return, Lord."
Jeong Yeon-sin bowed once and turned away.
At the same time, he raised his senses to confirm the preparations.
The Ip Hwang sword, the Bukmyeong sword, the Cheonjamsa martial outfit, the combat bag, and the travel bag... and his martial arts.
All were newly donned.
The preparations were complete.
It was time for the mission to commence.
On the way out of the main gate of the clan.
The young Jeong Yeon-sin and Baek Gi-rin, Namgung Hwa-sin, each led a horse and walked along the official road.
The young blue masters of Ip Hwang-seong attracted the attention of passersby, but Jeong Yeon-sin paid them no mind.
It was a strange situation.
"Where are you two headed?"
"We received a mission that requires passing through another region..."
Namgung Hwa-sin shook his head as if he didn't know.
"What?" The originally assigned mission was not like this.
Jeong Yeon-sin's maternal grandfather, Ma Yeon-jeok, and the clan's elder were supposed to accompany them as representatives for the sparring team.
The lord of the Shingeomdan and the Shingeomdae were to join them midway under the pretext of participation and protection.
'Are the two of them moving until they join up?' Jeong Yeon-sin felt a bit bewildered.
How long had it been since he had become a target of the Blood Flame Sect?
It was strange that his clan would abandon him again.
Could it be the lord of Ip Hwang-seong's orders?
'An uneventful journey in the martial world is not good for martial arts achievement, but...' He asked, "Are the elder and the head of the Ip Hwang family also carrying out missions?"
"I don't know."
Seeing Namgung Hwa-sin's face filled with embarrassment, he realized anew.
Baek Gi-rin had also fought in Ip Hwang-seong alongside him.
At this time, it was common to be at the bottom as a white warrior, so it was hard to know the clan's circumstances well.
Their situations were similar.
Jeong Yeon-sin raised his senses a bit more and said, "We need to hurry. There are many who have grievances against the Thirteen Heavens, and if we are not careful, we might struggle to meet the deadline."
"It would be wise to do so."
Namgung Hwa-sin nodded readily, and they both mounted their horses.
Heehee! Riding their steeds, they immediately spurred forward.
There was no need to discuss the route.
For Jeong Yeon-sin, it was no longer a first journey, and Namgung Hwa-sin's destination was also his home.
A new wind of beginnings blew.
The strong wind brushed against their faces, and the vibrations shaking them up and down were invigorating.
Under the early summer sun, they galloped forward without hesitation.
Namgung Hwa-sin smiled and said, "You are skilled at horseback riding."
"It seems you are even more so, Namgung So-hyeop."
Half a shichen passed, feeling refreshing.
The geography was not difficult.
From Yangyang, where Ip Hwang-seong was located, to Namjikrye Hwiju, it was like that.
There was only one road to take if they wanted to ride the relay road.
Perhaps because of that, Jeong Yeon-sin suddenly felt a sense of inevitability.
A gust of wind carrying a bright red hue seemed to caress his cheek.
It felt as if it had been waiting for this moment.
The energy wave coming from afar felt very familiar.
It had a strangely refined feeling amidst its irregularity.
Had it been waiting there for a long time?
'Weaker than usual.
The energy wave is shallow.' The boy opened his mouth from atop his horse.
Immediately, a brief conversation between the two geniuses began.
"Namgung So-hyeop."
"Are you talking about the energy I sensed? I felt it."
"Yes. It’s blood energy."
"It doesn’t seem like just the Blood Sect’s energy."
"It’s the Apostle."
"The Apostle of the Blood Flame Sect?"
"Yes. It must be the Seven Apostles."
"I’ve heard of them. They lived with you, right?"
"Did you know how to joke?"
"I’m also human. More than that, the energy feels strange; it doesn't seem to be the Apostle's strength."
"If it has weakened, it could be an opportunity, and if it’s the original martial prowess, it would already be too late. They would catch up with you using lightness skill."
"If we discuss the chances based on a joint effort, what would it be?"
"I don’t know. We can only hope that the high-level masters of our clan notice while we fight noisily."
He spoke honestly.
He had consumed the elixir received as a reward for the mission, and his energy had increased.
However, in the world of masters, even a slight difference could mean a significant gap in strength.
Jeong Yeon-sin was cautious.
He lived a life pressed for time.
It was hard to give a definite answer without pushing his body to the limit.
Would there be a chance of victory?
'Still, if that noticeably weakened energy wave is the truth...'
Thud! Jeong Yeon-sin gauged the distance and leaped off his horse.
His field of vision widened sharply.
At the same time, Namgung Hwa-sin, who had soared into the air, entered the scene, and he saw someone emerging from the now considerably closer forest.
They were wearing a fluttering red robe.
With hair as dark as ebony and a single red eye.
There was hardly any change in their physique.
Perhaps their hair had just grown a bit longer.
Their appearance was different.
It was due to the blood that flowed from their mouth.
The dark red blood seemed strangely familiar.
Blood energy had the ability to regenerate, but it seemed they could not recover from internal injuries.
Kwahk! There was no choice but to clash.
Jeong Yeon-sin and Namgung Hwa-sin immediately unleashed a storm of lightness skill.
As the scenery rushed past like an arrow, the face of the Seven Apostles filled their sight.
Thud.
"The main sect must have fallen."
The feet scraping against the ground stirred up dust.
As the dampened energy of the lightness skill blew back like a headwind, Jeong Yeon-sin, who stopped precisely ten paces away, opened his mouth.
"What do you want? Coming all the way to Yangyang."
"…I couldn’t find you at home."
Slowly, the Apostle peeled their blood-stained lips away.
From the moment they faced Jeong Yeon-sin, a hazy smile appeared, looking almost pitiful.
The black hair swayed in the dusty wind.
"To find you, I came."
The Apostle's lips moved.
The red eye, opposite the black eye patch, was shining brightly.
"What happened to you?"
Jeong Yeon-sin, who had become accustomed to the facade of madness, asked indifferently.
"Are you worried about me?"
Her smile brightened.
With an intensely deep red smile, Namgung Hwa-sin seemed to be oblivious to her.
"My hands are a bit rough, but what of it? You black ranks."
Her words trailed off.
It meant her inner power was unstable.
There were masters of Ip Hwang-seong who had not seen her during the incident at the Blood Flame Sect.
Had she suffered at their hands?
It was then.
"I found you, so that’s enough. Come here."
Sa Bak.
With a smiling face, she staggered closer.
At first glance, it was clear that her internal injuries were severe.
Overall, she seemed far from normal.
Jeong Yeon-sin raised his hand to block Namgung Hwa-sin's intervention.
Fortunately, she stopped.
It was trust.
It was likely due to his growth, the blue rank, the missions he had completed, and the friendships he had built over time.
'Strange.' He stood still, observing the Apostle's expression and energy wave.
Until a thin breath reached the back of his neck.
Sarak.
With a trembling breath, she embraced Jeong Yeon-sin.
He could feel the fabric of her clothes brushing against him cautiously.
"Go back and create a divine technique for me. My own little Taesa. My little leader."
The Apostle whispered.
The sound tickled his ear.
'If it connects with her, it would likely be the same for the direct line of the Namgung family.' Jeong Yeon-sin thought while being embraced.
"Your little Taesa..."
He opened his mouth calmly.
He had not expected his new technique to experience real combat so quickly.
At the same time as the operation of the formation, a wave of energy rose mischievously from his right hand.
It was a fleeting moment.
The dust swirling at his feet began to shimmer golden under the sunlight.
"Now it’s gone."
With the boy's words, a tremendous explosion erupted.