When Jeong Yeon-sin saw Namgung Mi from a distance, he spoke to Namgung Hwa-sin for ten seconds.
Even though his opponent was the Namgung's second young master, he measured the compatibility with Namgung Mi.
They had already met.
He wondered if he could break her spirit first.
The situation had changed.
Just as he was about to carry out his mission of martial arts competition, Namgung Mi had entangled even the servants of Hyun Sa Mun into her reputation.
She had gained the people's hearts of Mu-chang in return.
It became difficult to recklessly kill in the life-and-death duel against Namgung.
The martial artist of Ip-hwang had to always hold the support of the people in his hands.
Therefore, he took out his pure blood spear and placed the mask over his mouth.
Jeong Yeon-sin quietly gazed at Namgung Hwa-sin.
"Compassion in your hands..."
Namgung Hwa-sin trailed off.
He seemed lost in thought for a moment.
"But the order has changed."
He raised his head.
The sunlight that came from afar danced around his handsome features.
With a face that could be praised as Bai Qi Lin, he opened his mouth, his gaze fixed on Jeong Yeon-sin, filled with concern for his companion.
"Namgung Mi is a direct descendant of the later generation. Judging by her energy, it seems she has recently consumed a peerless elixir. It would not be an exaggeration to say she is the best among her juniors. Yin cold energy, cold ice energy. There are many terms, but the yin energy cultivation is quite tricky."
Namgung Hwa-sin said.
"The energy can freeze the meridians. It rapidly decreases the fluidity of blood and energy circulation. The speed of internal energy cultivation significantly slows down, and the explosiveness of physical strength drops sharply. The longer you mix your hands, the more your body becomes extremely sluggish. The power of the true energy specialized in the properties of yin and yang is indeed terrifying."
His tone was as serious as his expression.
He was speaking about the compatibility before the level of martial arts.
Jeong Yeon-sin nodded.
"To create such internal energy into an elixir... If the power of the clan is at that level, it is understandable to grasp the nature of the scheme. Using Namgung, who has only cut off the head, to oppose the righteous faction."
"They must have provided a suitable heart technique to dissolve the elixir that fell to Namgung Mi. Or perhaps they invited a reliable master. It is a family with such power."
Influence and wealth, or military might.
They would have used any means to nurture the direct descendants of Namgung.
"Skipping the process of gathering energy with an elixir..."
Jeong Yeon-sin murmured.
Gathering energy.
It means to accumulate energy.
The martial artists who have spent many years accumulating true energy through techniques like the energy circulation method were abundant in the martial world.
It was common to hear of those who had trained for sixty years.
When a martial artist said they had gained enlightenment in their techniques, it meant they had found a more suitable intention for absorbing energy than before. 'I always feel regret in gathering energy.' Even after consuming the elixir said to be of the highest grade, it was still the case.
Just looking at Namgung Hwa-sin in front of him, he could tell that his internal energy was deeper than his own.
It was a difference caused by the limits of their birth.
Therefore, he was striving to create a technique that could gather energy quickly now.
"It's not just skipping; it's gaining even stronger power."
Namgung Hwa-sin's face looked bitter as he turned his head.
He continued, "It is the strength of the clan that exists solely for the direct descendants. It is no different from Ip-hwang. The peerless elixir that traverses the nature must inevitably return to the royal family. It will be done in secrecy, though."
"... The elixir I received was not small either."
"It would be more than that. It is only natural."
Perhaps it was because he was thinking of opposing his half-sister, Namgung Hwa-sin's lips trembled again.
"Namgung Mi and Cheong Gi-rin are like the world-renowned trees nurtured by the mountain of the Namgung clan. I do not mean to belittle Jeong So-hyeop. Even if the level of martial arts is the same, there are some who are hard to contend with. I am one of them. I volunteered for the mission to overcome the heart demon, but I do not know if I can overcome it in time."
He wrapped his trembling hands around himself.
Namgung Hwa-sin smiled awkwardly. 'There are many meanings to this mission,' Jeong Yeon-sin thought.
In the nature of Ip-hwang, they had launched a mission to govern the martial world, and Jeong Yeon-sin, whose life was at stake, volunteered to fulfill his duty, while the despised Namgung Hwa-sin had come to take revenge for his mother after shedding the past. 'During the competition, he tried to defeat me to fight the second young master.
Does Cheong Gi-rin also have a hidden agenda?' The boy gazed at Namgung Hwa-sin intently.
After staring at him for a moment, he slowly parted his lips.
"I may not be able to comfort the heart of Namgung So-hyeop."
"Haha, I do not expect such from Jeong So-hyeop."
After Namgung Hwa-sin's small laugh, Jeong Yeon-sin continued, "But I might be able to draw out Namgung Mi."
A woman with snow-white skin slowly bit into a peach.
She sat elegantly, adorned in luxurious fur, her arms draped over the armrest like a monarch.
As she leisurely moved her small mouth, she spoke.
"Proceed."
The command of Namgung Mi fell.
For someone, it was a word that signified the end.
The bodies of those remaining in Hyun Sa Mun trembled with uncontrollable fear.
The servants had already been rendered incapacitated.
Next were the attendants.
The martial artists of the Namgung clan approached.
Energy was spreading in their bare hands.
Their eyes looking down at the attendants were utterly indifferent.
It was not the gaze one would use when facing an equal.
"Please spare us! Please!"
"I was dragged here!" The laws of the Ming Dynasty did not allow for private torture.
In the Ming, the common people were the property of the emperor.
No one was allowed to defy that.
However, the Central Plains were vast.
It was a land where the imperial family could hardly oversee everything.
At this moment, Namgung Mi's command was above the laws of the Ming.
It was even more so within the Namgung clan.
"I will not kill you."
She smiled thinly, a smile imbued with dignity.
"I will only destroy your dantian. You have learned the wicked techniques of the evil faction. Having acted as the loyal hound of this ruined sect, who knows what kind of atrocities you might commit against the common people outside, leaving behind the fallen sect?"
"I have never learned martial arts..."
"Huh!" The moment the hands of the Namgung martial artists moved, screams erupted everywhere.
The pain of dantian destruction was not light.
It was tearing apart the Qi Hai point located in the lower abdomen with a technique.
How could one endure the feeling of having their blood vessels completely severed? There was no way to remain intact.
Dozens of attendants writhed on the ground.
Blood and vomit erupted simultaneously.
Bloodstains began to seep onto the floor of the central hall of Hyun Sa Mun.
Some of the workers of Hyun Sa Mun were fortunate enough to be chosen as Namgung Mi's servants.
They stood in a corner, unable to dare raise their voices.
Their faces were stiff.
They could hardly breathe properly.
"Clear them out and call the people. I will hold a banquet with the worthless treasures of this evil faction."
Namgung Mi said.
It was said that her command within the Namgung clan was above the laws of the Ming.
What she said was immediately put into action.
It was dusk.
The early summer sun cast long shadows of people in the orange twilight.
Under the watch of a single Namgung martial artist, the attendants could not act recklessly, and the training hall of Hyun Sa Mun soon transformed into a banquet hall for the people of Mu-chang.
The masters of the Namgung clan annihilated Hyun Sa Mun.
It was not an ordinary big news.
Even without an invitation, local dignitaries gathered on their own.
"How refreshing!"
"Those Hyun Sa Mun scoundrels, serves them right!"
"The Snow Mountain Fairy has descended in the name of Namgung. Just look at that jade-like skin. She is not one of us."
"She possesses refined martial arts as well. Truly a grateful thing."
A very large table was pulled out from inside Hyun Sa Mun.
Dozens of people sat around it, eating and drinking.
They were mainly the owners of the merchant guilds and military offices based in Mu-chang.
The head of the provincial academy, who taught literature in Mu-chang, also stroked his beard with dignity.
"Then, does this mean that a branch of the Namgung clan will be established here?" A bald middle-aged man asked.
Even though he was the head of a mid-sized merchant guild, his demeanor was as if he were addressing someone of higher status.
Namgung Mi slowly nodded her head.
"I have seen the horrific behavior of Hyun Sa Mun. Though lacking, I wish to govern the peace of Mu-chang's martial world..."
Her lips curled slightly upward.
"I hope I am not causing you any trouble."
"Absolutely not."
"On the contrary, it is something to be grateful for."
Many in the audience waved their hands.
It was an event initiated by the Namgung clan, which was like a golden child.
Even if they truly did not want to, they had to say so.
"Um, thank you."
A deeper smile appeared on Namgung Mi's lips.
A young martial artist who had been staring at her blankly raised his hand.
"Namgung So-joo! I heard you will compete with the martial artist of Ip-hwang!"
"Oh my, are you worried for me?" She smiled as if delighted, causing his face to flush.
It was an unending reaction.
The martial world that Namgung Mi had experienced was like that.
Though the royal family with the blood of noble clans were esteemed, she, who had grown up as a noble clan in the free martial world, was not envious of them.
She thought she possessed the cultivation of being content with her lot.
She only wished to protect what she had.
Namgung Mi tilted her head slightly.
Her glossy hair flowed to the side.
It was an intentional movement.
"Why did Ip-hwang leave Hyun Sa Mun alone? So many common people were suffering."
The people present immediately showed signs of understanding.
Everyone could tell what she wanted to say.
"They are those who are anxious because they cannot tighten the martial world. How can we know their true intentions?"
"They must have left it alone because they liked it! Because of those evil faction scoundrels, the righteous faction of Mu-chang could not spread their wings! Ip-hwang is a tyrant among the martial world, isn't it? Just look at the matters of the Hwangbo clan..."
"They sent a life-and-death duel document to Namgung, who fought fiercely against the Blood Flame Sect. They are the ones who have brought the principles of the martial world to the ground."
The expressions of those denouncing were intense.
It truly seemed they believed so.
Namgung Mi gazed at them quietly.
The martial artists were no different from the common people.
They catered to the whims of the stronger.
In truth, there would be those with differing opinions.
It was of no concern to her.
The martial world was like that.
No one denied life.
It was a world that spread out beautifully like a carpet.
That was why she wished to protect it.
The reason the elders of her clan had stood by while the new martial artist of Ip-hwang appeared with astonishing energy was there.
If it had been a later generation of the old faction, the situation would have been different.
The law of the jungle.
In the eyes of the clan that expanded its power in the way of the martial world, Ip-hwang was an astonishing group.
They intervened in the affairs of the martial world, riding on the pretext of the people's livelihood. 'I must cut off the sprouts.
This time for sure.' She easily won in the battle of justification.
She quickly seized the hearts of the people of Mu-chang.
The Ip-hwang, who spoke of life and death, were those who watched the eyes of the common people.
Even if it was just a simple martial arts competition, Namgung Mi herself would not lose, but as a person of the great factions of the martial world, she did everything she could. 'The one who leads is the strong in this world.' Just as she reached for the peach on the table with a graceful smile,
"Who?"
Everyone's actions paused for a moment.
It was not a voice to be ignored.
The power in the voice was tremendous.
"Did you mention our sect?" The voice, a mix of youthful charm and a rough sound of true energy, resonated together.
It seemed as if internal energy had been mixed right above the vocal cords.
With the sound of fluttering clothes, a red figure crossed the wall.
It was a remarkably refined technique.
Thud.
With a small footstep, he landed in the banquet hall.
Not a speck of dust stirred.
Namgung Mi quickly unleashed her technique and opened her eyes wide.
Her eyes, shining with the celestial light of the Namgung clan's secret technique, Chang Cheon Dong Beop, scanned the figure from head to toe.
She was confident she could sense even the slightest tremor of his body.
The uninvited guest who spoke of the sect wore a mask of a demon that smiled like a dragon with its mouth open.
The energy swirling around him, with long red sleeves flowing down to his wrists, was like a tempest.
His appearance was overwhelming.
"Blood... Flame Sect?" A dazed murmur reached Namgung Mi's ears.
She did not take her gaze away.
The ominous waves were unusual.
The delicate flow brushing against her skin spoke of a terrifying manipulation of true energy.
The control over the power was formidable.
It did not seem to reveal all of his internal energy.
"You."
The demon mask of the red figure spoke.
"Are you the one from Namgung?" In that moment, no one opened their mouth.
It was indeed a shocking appearance.