In the fierce struggle for dominance, Jeong Yeon-shin sought to spare Namgung Mi's life.
If this woman had come prepared with a just cause, then he and Namgung Hwa-shin could devise their own plans.
If it had been difficult to subdue her, he would have simply taken her head.
However, having captured her, he could now paint the best possible picture for himself.
The final outcome would be left to Namgung Hwa-shin.
Jeong Yeon-shin hoped that he would overcome the wounds in his heart while also thinking of establishing his own merit.
He aimed to create a situation where it would be permissible for the lord of Iphwangseong to behead the members of the Namgung clan.
He had completely subdued Namgung Mi.
The conditions were such that they could be deemed the best among the flow he had envisioned with Namgung Hwa-shin.
"What should I do with you?" he spoke as the evil spirit of the Pure Blood Sect.
Perhaps it was due to the destructive and erratic energy of the Mara Hongyeol Gong.
The veins that appeared on the back of his hand, which was raised to lift Namgung Mi's neck, looked sinister.
"The humble Namgung surname of Jeongdo Mun. However, it is a name that has spread widely for a long time, and through you, I might be able to announce the continued existence of our sect."
These words revealed the intentions of the nobleman from the Blood Flame Sect who had intruded upon this place.
"Hah!" "So this is how it ends..."
The warriors of the martial world, who had been observing the fight between the Namgung clan and the masters of the sect, sighed.
At this moment, although there was no one to support the defeated Namgung Mi, they had the insight to understand the situation.
Many of those who had attacked the main sect were local martial artists from near Namjikrye.
In terms of numbers, they were greater than the warriors of Iphwangseong at that time.
The news of the main sect's destruction was far from a secret.
The martial artists acted with martial arts and honor.
The Blood Flame Sect was no different.
Did a noble of the main sect step forward to announce the decline of the sect? Anyone could understand.
"You could sever her neck right now. But it would be a waste. There might be ways to use her later."
His voice carried a hint of a low laugh.
Those who had reached a high level of mastery were said to not appear human.
In the third-rate martial world, Gu Pa Pal Ga and Shib Sam Cheon were like that.
The unique sound of a boy's voice added to that atmosphere.
"How about making you my servant? To wipe my feet." "..."
The face of the evil spirit mask seemed to gaze intently at Namgung Mi's face.
It was a mask with a mouth torn like that of a dragon, appearing as if it were contemplating what to do with its prey.
Namgung Mi, looking weary, finally opened her mouth.
It seemed she had barely managed to part her lips.
"You, just now you said...?" "I did say that."
"How dare a lowly person wearing a mask..."
The evil spirit mask laughed.
"Is my assessment of you displeasing? You, the fallen offspring of the righteous sect. The term 'lowly' suits you well. You even entangled innocent people as members of the evil sect to use them as fertilizer for your own reputation. Such behavior would not even be tolerated in our sect."
"Shut your mouth, ugh!" Her words turned into a painful gasp.
Just as Namgung Mi was about to speak again, the left hand of the evil spirit mask blurred.
The explosive sound of energy colliding with her body echoed several times, sounding like drums.
It was clear to anyone that this was not an ordinary blood point.
As Namgung Mi's body, held by the neck, went limp, the strange noble of the Blood Flame Sect spoke.
"Was my talk of servants a joke?" "You, you..."
"If you wish to use your energy, you must have my permission. It is the divine ability of blood energy."
This meant that he had applied the method of energy restriction.
The island master of Iphwangseong had once suffered at the hands of the Blood Flame Sect's Seven Sages.
It was not difficult for someone who had experienced the efficacy of the middle-level techniques to pass it on to others.
It sufficed to apply the Mara Hongyeol Gong in the same way.
"How dare! How dare!" In an instant, her voice rose.
Namgung Mi's beautiful brows twisted in fury.
It was not despair but intense indignation.
Something that should not happen in life was unfolding. 'I will kill you! I will make you kneel beneath my feet and kill you!' The one who had suppressed her and taken away her freedom to use her power.
Her eyes widened as if to engrave this in her mind.
She scanned the entire figure of the evil spirit mask.
She focused on the exposed skin beneath the sleeves.
The techniques of a master transcended any imagination.
Near the energy veins, there was a chance to infer the identity from the pulse of energy flowing.
"What a beautiful spirit."
"Cough..."
Just then, as the evil spirit mask tightened its grip on her neck, the main gate of the righteous sect swung open wide in the dead silence.
A refreshing wind rushed in, carrying a very straightforward flow of energy.
"The blood spirit has settled in the place of the evil sect's destruction."
A young man, perfectly suited in blue martial attire, stood there.
The expression on his face, directed at the evil spirit mask and Namgung Mi, was heavy.
"I came to raise a toast to my sister."
He exuded an unrestrained aura, adorned with a rough yellow emblem on his shoulder.
His prominent nose and tightly closed lips resembled those of Namgung Mi.
The crowd could not help but recall their blood relation.
"Hwang...! Iphwangseong!" "You called me sister. Or perhaps...?" "Baek Gi-rin! The Baek Gi-rin of Namgung!" The faces of the people brightened.
Namgung Mi had been defeated.
The remaining ones were uncertain of their fate.
Baek Gi-rin, Namgung Hwa-shin.
A martial artist whose name had been renowned even before entering Iphwangseong.
If he was a young man widely recognized in Gu Pa Pal Ga, he had already surpassed the level of the late-stage martial artists in the martial world of Mu Chang.
It was hard to imagine a master who would fall short against the noble of the Blood Flame Sect after a fierce battle.
'Those who condemned my nature.' Namgung Hwa-shin thought.
He had arrived with Jeong Yeon-shin the moment the banquet began.
He had heard all the stories of how they insulted the Namgung clan while propping up Iphwangseong.
The true faces of the local martial artists who had changed their attitudes were uncomfortable to behold.
He stepped forward, trying to ignore it.
He was inwardly regretting not having scouted the righteous sect earlier.
It was due to Namgung Mi's behavior.
He had thought it was enough to label them as evil sect martial artists and cut off their energy.
It was not so.
He had not anticipated that they would involve even the servants. 'Yes.
You were that vicious.' He caught sight of Namgung Mi, who had been choked by the island master.
Perhaps due to the blood energy, she could not even turn her gaze away. 'Have they properly sealed her movements?' Suddenly, Namgung Hwa-shin was surprised at himself.
It seemed he was merely a lowly soldier walking the path of the sword.
He first checked on the well-being of his close companion, who had grown closer than his half-sister.
Ma Gwang-ik, the island master Jeong Yeon-shin.
There was no change in his calm breathing as usual. 'Truly astonishing.' It was a sight that Namgung Hwa-shin found hard to produce at present.
There was no means to receive the coldness.
Even if there were, it would not be easy to do so.
This meant that the martial power displayed by the island master was very stable.
It was impossible without mastering the level he stood upon.
His senses were extraordinary.
The martial artist was clearly above him. 'He has given me an opportunity.
A favor.
I must succeed without fail.' With a firm resolve, Namgung Hwa-shin opened his mouth.
"Blood spirit. Step back."
"Another mixed-blood of the Namgung clan? Step back? Your words are amusing."
The masked island master spoke in a strange voice.
Namgung Hwa-shin thought for a moment.
If one did not know the circumstances, they might have been offended by such words and tone.
There was something in the calm tone that provoked his spirit.
Namgung Hwa-shin tried to convey his spirit with effort.
"Namgung Mi, the daughter of the Changryeong Hwa-ju, is the designated opponent of the righteous sect. The lord of the Divine Sword Sect has come as the responsible party."
"The lord of the Divine Sword Sect...?" Silence fell over the training hall of the righteous sect.
It was a name that deserved such reverence.
The reputation of the unparalleled master who would come with the abbot of Shaolin, the first temple of the Central Plains, transcended the limits of the streets.
Unlike the lord of Iphwangseong, who walked on clouds, it was a very real and hard-to-resist danger.
"Release my sister. If you wish to avoid being pursued by the absolute master of our sect until the day you die."
"Is the Namgung clan threatening me now?" The reaction of the evil spirit mask was immediate.
It threw down Namgung Mi, who had been subdued along with her blood and energy, like trash.
Ignoring her pitiful state, which no one could have imagined when the banquet was held, it stepped toward Namgung Hwa-shin, who stood by the main gate.
Swish.
From the red waist of the Pure Blood Sect, the sword was drawn once more.
The energy released with the sword was chilling.
At the same time, Namgung Hwa-shin also drew his Iphwang sword.
Sweat gathered in the hands of those watching.
Step.
Step.
The atmosphere between them seemed to freeze in motion.
Not a single breeze blew.
In the dry, tense atmosphere, only the two masters walked toward each other.
Holding their long swords, they walked as if strolling, their movements strangely similar.
It was as if the air was gradually compressing.
The tension, like eternity, heightened with the shortening distance.
Ten steps, eight steps, five steps... and then.
Boom! They echoed simultaneously.
The strong rolling of feet and the grip on the swords blurred.
Following a short sound of tension, the two swords embraced the sunlight.
The moment the white sword light split into two beams, the red and blue garments of the two passed each other.
Zheong—! Namgung Hwa-shin came to a halt.
The sound of the sword ringing as if it would break created that moment.
This was what he had originally intended.
However, the trajectory and sword power had changed from when he had dueled at Iphwangseong.
He felt an astonishing level of progress. 'The elevated energy has completely merged into the sword path.
The concentrated power is different.' The sword path was the way the sword advanced.
It was the flow that determined the power and efficacy of the sword strike.
He had heard that the island master Jeong Yeon-shin had consumed the spirit pill.
He had seen him compete with the Seven Sages several times.
However, experiencing the sword strikes directly was another matter.
Namgung Hwa-shin recalled his half-brother. 'Perhaps it is truly possible to discuss the chances of victory.' Just then, the thought that had arisen absentmindedly was scattered by the sound of the sword ringing from behind.
It was Jeong Yeon-shin, wearing the evil spirit mask.
With a posture as upright as his revealed nature, he sheathed his sword and spoke.
"You dare to mention the lord of the Divine Sword Sect." "..."
"Iphwangseong. Wait for me. There are many branches that can replace the main sect. The nobles of blood will return."
Without even turning his back, he stepped forward arrogantly.
It was in the same direction from which Namgung Hwa-shin had entered.
The martial artists of Mu Chang, who had witnessed the overwhelming exchange of swords, finally did not speak.
"Insects."
The noble of the Blood Flame Sect laughed softly as he departed. "..."
After a long silence, the resolution of the situation fell to Namgung Hwa-shin.
Only then did he turn his gaze.
To the enemy who had always looked at him with disdain and hatred, his half-sister.
However, the reunion with her blood kin seemed to be of no concern to Namgung Mi.
She stood there haughtily, as if to say, "When did you roll around?" Her eyes were directed toward the main gate.
The direction the evil spirit mask had taken.
There seemed to be a lingering resentment in her gaze.
It was an obsession that even Namgung Hwa-shin had never seen before.
As he stared at her, Namgung Hwa-shin spoke.
"We will take care of your safety. I guarantee it until the duel."
"What...?" "The island master Ma Gwang-ik is with me. With Jeong So-hyeop and me, you should be safe until you reach Namjikrye."
Finally, the faces of the martial artists of Mu Chang appeared behind Namgung Mi, revealing their complicated emotions.
Their expressions were a mix of various feelings.
"This is serious. That person from earlier was truly a powerful master, wasn't he? To think such a blood spirit is roaming Mu Chang."
"More than that, we should worry about the aftermath for the Namgung clan..."
It was a behavior of spitting out bitterness and swallowing sweetness.
Namgung Hwa-shin frowned inwardly and ignored it.
The fruits of the struggle for justification were beginning to bear.
"You will protect the one you made a life-and-death pact with?" "Truly... is that not righteous?" "Iphwangseong. You speak of the people's livelihood..."
This was what Jeong Yeon-shin and Namgung Hwa-shin had intended.
Most of those gathered here held high positions.
There were the heads of the postal office and military affairs, as well as the leaders of various sects, and even the dean of the Mu Chang Academy.
Their words would soon reflect the opinions of the nearby populace.
Now it was done.
They could strike the head of the Namgung clan without concern for the eyes of the people.
In a corner of the bustling marketplace of Mu Chang, a tall old tree stood.
A woman sat perched on a thick branch.
Her hair flowed down like black silk, fluttering in the gentle breeze.
Her red eyes, like precious stones cherished by a monster, remained fixed below.
A boy, moving with the grace of a noble clan's technique, caught her eye.
Despite the almost imperceptible presence, she could clearly hear the sound of the boy's footsteps in her ears.
The Seven Sages' lips moved.
"My little Taesa."
She murmured to herself.
Perhaps it was because her time as the unrivaled figure in the martial world had lengthened.
No, it must have always been this way.
She was originally a being born noble and alone.
She chuckled softly, unintentionally mixing in a snort.
"You are sweet."
Island master Jeong Yeon-shin.
The voice carrying the energy of the Mara Hongyeol Gong was clearly etched in her ears.
Once again, the Pure Blood Sect was revealed, and the sight was enchanting.
With her shining talent and resolute nature, she suited it better than anyone else.
Approaching with a clarity that rivaled that of the slaves of the evil sect.
Her voice, appearance, and the demeanor of a unique being made it feel as if her entire body would melt away while listening and watching.
Even her thoughts became as soft as the clouds in the night sky.
The right eye of the Seven Sages glimmered with a brilliant red light as it scanned every aspect of Jeong Yeon-shin.
The young Taesa of the Blood Flame Sect, noble yet small.
Before she knew it, she was in an empty lot, removing her mask and shedding her Pure Blood attire.
Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced her heart.
Those things were entirely yours, my little Taesa.
Even that position seemed to be envisioned with the Seven Sages in mind.
Not far from Namgung Hwa-shin.
"Hah..."
She let out a sweet sigh.
Whispering softly, she murmured, "What must I do to be accepted?" If that boy would only look at her.
Would it be acceptable to sever all her limbs and bring him along? The Seven Sages immediately shook their heads.
She must create a divine skill that would illuminate the world like a comet.
She must not be ruined by base desires.
"Show me a gap..."
She licked her lips slightly.