Despite Jeong Yeon-shin's discomfort, the girl was beautiful.
She stepped forward two paces from the group of the Muryeong Association.
Walking gracefully, she offered a small bow, and even in her slow movements, there was an air of elegance.
"I wish to inform you that I have no intention of hostility," the girl said with a smile that radiated confidence, even in front of the strongest force of the Iphwang Fortress.
Regardless of her intentions, it was clear she possessed rare courage.
"Identity, purpose," the one facing her spoke sharply.
He was a young man, the youngest of the Shin-gyeong Corps, tasked with the dirty work.
His curt words seemed rude, but no one appeared to mind, not even Jeong Yeon-shin.
This was the outward appearance of the Shin-gyeong Corps.
'They must always appear strong to any martial sect in the world...' The boy took in the sight of the Shin-gyeong masters anew.
The young man, standing at the front with a swagger, the Shin-gyeong leader who looked as if he were out for a stroll, and Ak Su-rim, who stood with his arms crossed behind his back.
They exuded a sense of threat despite the absence of any heavy atmosphere.
It wasn't just them.
All twenty warriors of the Shin-gyeong Corps radiated immense power.
It wasn't merely their aura; they had fought through countless battlefields at the forefront of the Iphwang Fortress mission.
They were stronger than most peers of their rank.
'Could I place them under my command?' Jeong Yeon-shin thought.
To achieve his goals, he would need to lead them.
But that was not something he could even contemplate now.
It seemed utterly impossible.
To sit at the left of the Shin-gyeong leader, he would first have to pass through the current deputy leader, Ak Su-rim, who was a high-level master and seemed capable of discussing chances with Ma Jin.
'It's obvious.
I can't even guess how much my own cultivation has progressed.' At that moment, his gaze met Ak Su-rim's.
The man squinted his eyes at him, but Jeong Yeon-shin calmly turned away and focused ahead.
"What about the young master?" The conversation continued between the Muryeong Association girl and the young man.
"I asked first, didn't I? Are you showing your true colors as a member of the demonic sect?"
"Now that I see, I understand. They say there is an exceptionally sharp broom in the Shin-gyeong Corps. The sharp sword of Shin-gyeong, Yeon So-ha, is indeed true?"
"You've hit upon a nickname I dislike. Are you challenging me?"
"I'm sorry for not recognizing you. Please excuse that."
The latter part was not directed at Yeon So-ha.
A group of six or so blood demons, having completely lost their senses, charged in.
When the Blood Flame Sect changed routes, they broke away from the group.
Even facing the aura of the Shin-gyeong leader, they did not follow the commands of the Blood Sword Sect.
Their eyes glowed red, and their mouths were twisted in a grimace.
They were on the verge of losing their minds, unable to handle the blood energy.
Even at a glance, they seemed insane, but the direction of their gaze was clear.
They were targeting Jeong Yeon-shin.
The defenders charging from the front side were the same.
'I remember.' These were faces he had seen in the main sect of the Blood Flame Sect.
They appeared to be those who had been absent on the day of the raid.
They had avoided disaster by performing other tasks.
Their mouths moved as if they were saying something.
"Great Master, Great Master, please protect us..."
'The Lord has said that the Blood Flame Sect leader is still alive.
But he can't be in good shape.
He must still be dealing with the aftermath of the battle.' The boy simply stroked his sword.
The martial world said that one must resolve the ties they have created.
He couldn't let the madmen speak of the Great Master.
If necessary, he thought to step forward, walking right behind Yeon So-ha.
Now, the demeanor of a martial artist was evident in him.
Considering their ages, he was indeed quite young.
"The main sect of the Blood Flame Sect has fallen, and now they have become a rabble. They must have many branches," the Muryeong Association girl said, glancing at Jeong Yeon-shin.
The warriors of the Muryeong Association behind her seemed to be taking her orders.
"Get rid of them."
A simple command had a strong impact.
The masters who rushed out immediately unleashed their weapons with great skill.
They were likely guards escorting the girl, who appeared to be of high status.
Composed of the elite of the Thirteen Thousand, their martial arts, including sword techniques and movement techniques, swiftly slaughtered the blood demons.
The demonic sect was different from the righteous sect.
Just because they were of the same demonic sect did not mean they would hold back.
"That was quite a good slash," Yeon So-ha sneered, whispering to Jeong Yeon-shin.
The boy silently watched the blood demons die.
Noticing Jeong Yeon-shin's lack of reaction, Yeon So-ha shrugged and scoffed at the Muryeong Association girl.
"Measuring weight without lifting a finger. You're not a warrior, are you?"
"There are no non-warriors in the Muryeong Association. There are also no fools who would fall to lowly blood demons," the girl replied with a smile.
"If there are, it would be right for them to disappear."
The words spoken with a beautiful face were cold.
Her demeanor suggested that losing a few of her subordinates would not matter.
It was a place where those who had gone mad with martial arts gathered, the Muryeong Association.
'I heard that the Muryeong Association does not harm the common people.' Rarely among the Thirteen Thousand.
That was why the Shin-gyeong Corps had not acted first.
The Muryeong Association was such a place.
Those who had entered various sects and absorbed the essence of martial arts had turned their backs on their sects.
They claimed to share martial arts with different factions to promote development.
They disrupted the unwritten rules of the martial world.
They were the literary bandits.
The classification of power was made from the perspective of the martial world.
The Muryeong Association directly defied the ethics of the martial world.
Thus, they were part of the demonic sect.
Moreover, they were particularly strong, hence the Thirteen Thousand.
'The eyes of Iphwang Fortress are different.' They do not disturb the common people? There was no reason to be hostile.
As long as the common people were not swept up in the fights they initiated among themselves, that was the case.
Jeong Yeon-shin watched the warriors returning after killing the blood demons.
Not everyone was unscathed.
One had a long gash on his arm, yet the Muryeong Association girl silently smiled at the sight of her injured comrades.
"Your achievement is lacking."
"I will strive harder."
There was no change in their conversation.
If only he could sense even a hint of anger, it would have put his mind at ease.
The Thirteen Thousand were indeed strange behaviors to be called demonic sect in the martial world.
However, the masters of the Shin-gyeong Corps, except for Jeong Yeon-shin, seemed to accept it as it was.
They appeared to have experienced the Thirteen Thousand many times.
"Thank you for taking care of it for me. So what is your name and title?" Yeon So-ha asked casually.
"Hwa Yeon-bi," the girl replied.
Jeong Yeon-shin had heard the name before.
Just like the Shin-gyeong Corps, there were all sorts of strange individuals in the martial world.
He asked them both, but there was only one answer.
The name itself meant the title.
However, it was hard to guess the meaning of her status.
Yeon So-ha seemed to feel the same.
"Does disaster touch the queen? I don't understand the meaning."
Hwa Yeon-bi smiled silently.
Hearing the mention of disaster, Jeong Yeon-shin fiddled with his sword again.
The Muryeong Association was said to disregard etiquette and laws, solely pursuing martial arts.
He did not make the mistake of underestimating his opponent.
He had never easily dealt with the Thirteen Thousand.
From the moment he entered Iphwang Fortress until now, it had always been so.
It was becoming familiar.
If the boy extended his sword without letting his guard down, the opponent had to make a choice.
Either die carelessly or die using all their strength.
'If Hwa Yeon-bi is truly a high-ranking member of the Muryeong Association...' She could be a rare genius among the common people or perhaps born with abilities that few in the world possess, like a noble family.
If not, she could be a seasoned master like Ak Su-rim, already past her sixtieth year.
From the past to the present, the upper echelons of the martial world were said to be such places.
"I came to pay my respects to the Shin-gyeong leader. The duel between Namgung and the Shin-gyeong was truly impressive," the girl said politely.
"I pay my respects to the leader. Anyone would long to see you."
"Is there no other intention? Perhaps you wanted to test the waters?" Yeon So-ha said, crossing one leg over the other.
Hwa Yeon-bi shook her head.
"Our association is solely a martial arts revering group. How could we act recklessly in front of the Shin-gyeong leader, who stands just below the pinnacle of martial arts in the world?"
"Just below the pinnacle?"
"The greatest in the world is the lord of Iphwang Fortress..."
"The Muryeong Association. They say strange people gather here."
The one who interrupted was the Shin-gyeong leader.
Hwa Yeon-bi's face showed her first signs of tension.
"The lord of our fortress is not someone you can speak of as a warrior. How dare you place the master of Iphwang Fortress above the aspirations of mere martial artists? If we are to discuss the greatest in the world, I alone am sufficient."
It was bold.
He spoke of himself as the greatest in the world.
Yet it felt natural.
According to the Shin-gyeong leader, aside from the lord of Iphwang Fortress, Jeong Yeon-shin could hardly think of anyone else to discuss as the pinnacle.
'Blood Flame Sect leader, the head of the Broken Sword Sect, the head of the Jongnam Sect, Jongnam Sword Immortal...' All possessed tremendous martial power.
Especially the Jongnam Sword Immortal, who was the only one after the lord of Iphwang Fortress to see through Jeong Yeon-shin's constitution.
Yet, the presence of the Shin-gyeong leader felt strangely different.
It was not that he was particularly strong, but rather that he felt more distinct.
He seemed unlikely to lose in any battle.
"..."
Just as Hwa Yeon-bi momentarily closed her mouth, Ak Su-rim, who had approached Jeong Yeon-shin, spoke up.
"You, kid. It feels like your purpose lies elsewhere, doesn't it?" She said with a small smile, a hint of fierceness in her faint grin.
"I already know. You were leering at our Seom-ye. Your aura was very blatant."
"Ah."
A small gasp.
Hwa Yeon-bi's face lit up with a faint blush.
She looked as if she had been waiting for those words.
Her smile, almost childlike, grew brighter.
Then her ruby-like lips parted.
"That person. You said her nickname was Seom-ye?" Her delicate hands, which could be called 'delicate jade hands,' pointed at Jeong Yeon-shin.
"I witnessed an extraordinary duel. Therefore, I wish to invite you to our association."
At that moment, the boy's expression revealed his disappointment.
A great sense of letdown seemed to pound through his heart to his lower dantian.
He could not hide his expression for an instant.
What was the Muryeong Association, and what was the greatest in the world?
"Of course, I do not mean to say that I would dare move a sect from Iphwang Fortress. Just..."
"If your purpose is solely with me," Jeong Yeon-shin spoke, turning his head.
His words were directed at Ak Su-rim and the Shin-gyeong leader.
He no longer considered Hwa Yeon-bi.
"It seems I can continue my journey now. I must return swiftly as my mission is complete."
"... Really? Is that so?" The Shin-gyeong leader responded in a daze.
Jeong Yeon-shin had now grown accustomed to his multifaceted nature.
He simply nodded silently.
The Shin-gyeong leader smiled brightly.
"We have no particular business here either. Let us continue on our way. The previous elder would agree, right?"
"... This expedition is indeed your responsibility."
Ma Yeon-jeok replied briefly.
The look he cast at the Muryeong Association group was unusual.
He seemed displeased due to Hwa Yeon-bi mentioning her grandson.
With a soft step, they began to move forward again.
The masters of the Shin-gyeong Corps did not pay attention to the distance from potential enemies.
All the party passed by the Muryeong Association.
"What..."
Hwa Yeon-bi's gaze, filled with disbelief, was sharp, but Jeong Yeon-shin paid it no mind as he moved forward.
He even closed his eyes.
To organize the insights he gained from observing the Shin-gyeong leader's body.
Even so, he could still walk.
How long had he stepped forward? Just when the aftershocks of the landslide behind him began to settle, a refreshing fragrance suddenly wafted over.
Jeong Yeon-shin frowned and slightly stepped aside.
Even with his eyes closed, he knew.
It was Ak Su-rim.
"Hey, hey. What’s going on? Why is that beautiful girl inviting you after seeing your martial prowess?"
"…Hand."
"Huh?" Jeong Yeon-shin slowly opened his eyes.
"She had beautiful hands. She was the one who said her subordinate's achievement was lacking."
"Ah."
Ak Su-rim's lips curved into a smile.
It seemed to say she was proud of him.
"They say a peerless swordsman carries a famine in their palm. It refers to calluses. Not every martial art leaves a mark on the hands of its practitioner, but the martial arts I have learned do. I was curious about her martial arts."
"Hmm..."
"If Hwa Yeon-bi was born with innate abilities, then I have nothing to learn from her... If she is a master who has undergone the reversal of the flow of energy, then it means she has been negligent in her martial arts training since then, so there is even less reason to listen to her. The martial arts of the world constantly evolve. Rather than responding to someone like her, it would be better to seek guidance from you, Senior Ak."
"You’re quite interesting," Ak Su-rim said, her smile widening.
Just then, the Shin-gyeong leader, who had suddenly stopped walking, spoke up.
"Is there anyone watching around? Everyone, speak up. Quickly."
"There doesn't seem to be anyone."
Yeon So-ha quickly replied.
Uweck—! With a very frivolous sound, the Shin-gyeong leader spat out a mouthful of blood.
It was a considerable amount.
It was as if he were pouring water drawn from a mountain spring with a raincoat.
The only difference was the color.
It was evidence of internal injury.
He had shown the scene of defeating the Namgung leader in a short battle.
It might have been a natural consequence.
Bang! The masters of the Shin-gyeong Corps moved into formation with their protective stances.
They formed a circle around the Shin-gyeong leader.
"The Namgung leader was the strongest opponent in the last three years. How often do you get to face the Eight Great Leaders?" Ak Su-rim said, shaking her head.
Worry was etched on her small face.
The Shin-gyeong leader, bent over, placed his hands on both knees.
He continued to spit out the blood he had been holding back, and Jeong Yeon-shin could only watch him cautiously.
Now the blood was once again bright red.
The boy slowly opened his mouth.
"If you have been holding back until now, it would have been right not to face the Muryeong Association. Even if they harbor suspicions, that would be correct. I have heard that the leader's body is a treasure of the fortress. You should think of your health..."
"Seom-ye? What are you saying now? No matter how much I push myself..."
The Shin-gyeong leader chuckled with blood-stained lips.
For a moment, his eyes seemed to shine with light.
"Would you be the only one?"