“Crazy bastard!”

“Kill him!”

They were the companions of the man nearby.

Their faces filled with rage as they charged, but the boy remained motionless with his sword planted.

He was only glaring at the Blade Sect Leader.

‘Whether I die now or later.’

It was the day he realized the shocking fact of his limited lifespan.

One of the pillars supporting his sanity had completely shattered. It seemed it would never return.

“Stop.”

A deep voice that seemed to echo from the bottom of a cave.

The Blade Sect Leader’s voice matched his imposing aura. The movements of those rushing forward ceased.

“Your spirit.”

The Blade Sect Leader stared at the boy.

As he gazed with eyes like an abyss, Jeong Yeon-shin faced him with his chest thrust out as if inviting him to cut open his stomach.

“It surpasses everyone in this estate combined.”

The Blade Sect’s warriors visibly wavered.

It was immediately apparent that it was rare for this man to praise someone.

“Just kill him and silence him! Even if he’s from the Desolate Sect, they can’t question a bloodied corpse!”

He speaks of murder and destruction.

It seemed to be a man who was a companion of the red-haired woman who died last.

His bright red hair roughly cut and red martial uniform were identical.

He appeared to be a warrior of the Blood Flame Sect who came with the Blade Sect Leader.

‘I hope they don’t know there’s no connection.’

At this moment, Jeong Yeon-shin was acutely aware of the fearsome nature of the Thirteen Heavens.

The surprise attack had been carried out considering all factors. This is how the major sects that reach across the world operate.

They knew that the son of an insignificant place like the Jeong estate had a connection to Desolate Sect.

“Steward!”

Jeong Yeon-shin shouted loudly. The man sprawled in the doorway far away flinched.

He had been pretending to be dead.

“Y-yes, young master.”

The steward who answered while staggering to his feet was no ordinary person either. Jeong Yeon-shin spoke again.

“You said you were building an intelligence network covering Xinye. These arrogant fools tried to massacre the estate with just over a dozen men without even setting up a siege. Surely the ears and mouths of the Jeong estate can’t be so limited they don’t even reach Xiangyang?”

“No, Xiangyang… Xiangyang is within reach.”

Xiangyang, located in the northern part of Huguang Province, was a border city of Nanyang which Xinye County belonged to.

No matter how vast the Central Plains were, this much was close.

It was a distance that could be reached without major incident if an intelligence agent trained in martial arts set out to run.

‘In fact, I’m not sure if they actually went to ask for help from the Desolate Sect.’

It was unclear whether the family had designated Jeong Yeon-shin’s maternal family as the course of action in times of crisis.

However, even the Blade Sect Leader would not be able to see through the domestic affairs of a family like the Jeongs beyond blood relations.

“If you can’t kill me.”

Jeong Yeon-shin gripped his sword tightly.

“Don’t make any more moves.”

The sword was pulled out of the dead man’s back. The long trail of blood covered the estate in silence.

A boy who looked about 15 years old had dominated a place where the leader and subordinates of a major sect were present.

The Blood Flame Sect member shouted angrily.

“We’ve already incurred your grudge anyway! How can we not kill you when it’s obvious you’ll run your mouth!”

Though his words were directed at Jeong Yeon-shin, it seemed like he was protesting to the Blade Sect Leader.

This moment was crucial. The atmosphere had suddenly shifted as if the roles of strong and weak had reversed.

Jeong Yeon-shin spoke scathingly.

“Fool. Even if Desolate Sect is the greatest in the martial world, they would directly attack the Thirteen Heavens? To avenge the grandson of a former leader? Does that make any sense to you?”

If he were the grandson of the Desolate Sect Lord, it might be possible.

The Desolate Sect Lord, recognized as equal to a prince by the emperor himself, was the guardian of the great “World Tree” and keeper of its fruit said to grant immortality when eaten.

However, Jeong Yeon-shin was not of the Desolate Sect Lord’s bloodline.

If he were, the members of the Jeong estate would not have been swayed by superstitious unease regardless of how Jeong Yeon-shin was born.

“The grandson of Desolate Sect’s former Sect Leader?”

Precipice Sword of the Zhongnan Sect, who had been examining Yeo Il-shin’s condition, muttered.

A boy whose maternal grandfather was the retired leader of Desolate Sect’s martial organization.

His status made it difficult to predict the aftermath of killing him compared to the future troubles of letting him live.

The Thirteen Heavens were great names that claimed to be hegemonies across the world.

However, harming the grandson of an Desolate Sect elder was a different matter.

It was as burdensome an act as taking the family of a Hanlin Academy scholar in the imperial capital hostage.

“The imperial sect established by noble clans to prevent martial world treason. Certainly troublesome.”

The Blade Sect Leader spoke.

“But my reason for letting you live is not based on that.”

“Sect Leader!”

Splat-!

The head of the shouting Blood Flame Sect member exploded.

He hadn’t even sensed the attack when an invisible sword energy burst forth.

“Blood Flame Sect. I told you to stop.”

The Blade Sect Leader spoke to the corpse.

The remaining red-haired warrior trembled, but the leader’s dark eyes turned back to Jeong Yeon-shin.

“I like you. That talent and spirit. You have the makings to reach the pinnacle of the martial world. If you didn’t have ties to Desolate Sect, I would have taken you as a disciple.”

“Gasp!”

“That Blade Sect Leader…”

Gasps of shock erupted from all around.

Not only his subordinates, but even the Zhongnan Sect experts couldn’t hide their surprise.

The Blade Sect Leader continued speaking, unconcerned.

“I’ll accept a duel anytime. Come to take your revenge.”

“……”

Jeong Yeon-shin sheathed his sword. He then turned his back and walked towards the estate members who were faintly breathing but still alive.

The Blade Sect Leader, who had been looking at the boy with a strange expression, turned to the Zhongnan Sect warriors.

“This land. I no longer permit other sects to enter. I’ll give you one day.”

Looking at Yeo Il-shin whose expression had twisted, he said.

“Leave.”

* * *

“Young master.”

“Steward.”

There was no time for a reunion with the approaching steward.

Dealing with the corpses would have to wait.

Though there was a doctor, there was no divine doctor comparable to Hua Tuo here, so all that could be done for those in critical condition was to let them rest comfortably.

He saw his eldest brother Jeong Nam-san and sister-in-law. They were corpses.

Carefully pushing them aside, he stomped hard on the floor where his brother and his wife had fallen.

Clunk.

The underground opened. A secret room where the brothers used to giggle together when they were very young.

Sure enough, there was a five-year-old girl curled up with her eyes closed.

Her acupoints had been sealed. With qi-filled fingers, the sleep acupoint on the back of her neck had been pressed to forcibly put her to sleep.

“Hye-ah.”

Jeong Yeon-shin carried his niece out of the room.

A young man who had been talking with the steward turned his head.

It was Jeong Jung-san, the second son of the Jeong family who was set to become a named disciple of the Zhongnan Sect.

Seeing how he averted his gaze when their eyes met, it seemed he had been hiding somewhere.

Silently approaching, he abruptly handed Hye-ah over.

“Raise her in Zhongnan. By whatever means necessary.”

“You, what about you?”

“I’ll be busy looking after myself.”

Jeong Yeon-shin said firmly.

“Raise her in Zhongnan? How could that be possible…”

Unlike before, he stammered without even making eye contact.

It seemed he had hidden near the main building and watched his half-brother fight.

Pathetic fool. Jeong Yeon-shin finally noticed the foreign sensation on his cheek and wiped the bloodstains with the back of his hand.

“Don’t you know the Nine Sects better than me? Children from five or six years old become disciples and the main force of the sect. Beg somehow. They’ll accept her since Hye-ah’s aptitude is better than yours.”

“R-right.”

Jeong Jung-san bit his lip and looked down at his niece.

Jeong Yeon-shin stared at him intently for a moment, but fortunately he seemed to feel responsibility rather than contempt.

Just then, the Zhongnan Sect experts approached.

As always, Yeo Il-shin was at the forefront, with Percipice Sword and a warrior called Shadowless Fist following half a step behind her.

These people who had helped with the cleanup despite their pale complexions and bloodstains from internal injuries. They were certainly righteous martial artists.

“Young hero.”

The form of address had changed. Just yesterday they had only called him the family head’s youngest son.

Yeo Il-shin’s expression was complex.

Apart from self-reproach, there was also amazement in her eyes when looking at Jeong Yeon-shin, as if facing a pillar of talent beyond imagination.

“Are you going to Desolate Sect?”

“I suppose I must. There’s nowhere else for me to rely on and grow stronger.”

“The path doesn’t only lead to Xiangyang.”

“…?”

“How about climbing Mount Zhongnan with us? I sincerely recommend it.”

“Huh!”

Only the steward and Jeong Jung-san were surprised.

Precipice Sword and Shadowless Fist behind her looked at Jeong Yeon-shin without the slightest change in expression, as if it were a natural invitation.

Their faces were filled with desire for talent.

It meant he was an extraordinary young swordsman worthy of a direct invitation from the sect’s great elder.

“For a great elder of the Nine Sects to… I truly don’t know how to respond.”

Despite his words, Jeong Yeon-shin’s expression was calm. He had already decided on his destination.

Yeo Il-shin seemed to grow impatient and added:

“I intend to recommend you as the sect leader’s disciple. With your abilities, it’s possible.”

“…!”

This time, everyone couldn’t hide their surprise.

The position of personal disciple to the Zhongnan Sect leader meant learning peerless divine skills.

Not to mention gaining the vast background of one of the Nine Schools.

Furthermore, the current Zhongnan sect leader was invariably mentioned when discussing the Ten Great Swordsmen of the world.

His powerful swordsmanship, which he enjoyed demonstrating in chivalrous deeds, had already been witnessed by the public numerous times.

‘The people of Shaanxi hail him as one of the Five Great Masters of the Central Plains!’

The steward inwardly screamed.

He must go. No matter how great and powerful Desolate Sect was, Jeong Yeon-shin was just the grandson of a retired warrior.

Though the upper limit was uncertain, he couldn’t help but think the lower limit as the Zhongnan sect leader’s disciple was better.

It was the typical mindset of the Jeong estate that valued a snake’s head over a dragon’s tail.

‘Young master! Please!’

His silent cry did not reach Jeong Yeon-shin.

The boy made a fist-palm salute.

“I will not forget your offer in my heart, senior.”

A polite refusal.

Resignation colored Yeo Il-shin’s elegant face. Her attitude of quickly giving up suggested she had anticipated this.

“You must be confident, young hero. Confident you can rise higher in the Desolate Sect.”

“……”

“I coveted that vessel of yours. The Blade Sect Leader must have felt the same.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No need. Just know that Zhongnan’s doors are always open.”

Jeong Yeon-shin stared at Yeo Il-shin for a moment before speaking.

“I understand you are of advanced age among the noble clans, Great Elder. Perhaps you know a way to obtain the World Tree’s fruit?”

“The World Tree’s fruit! Then you are indeed…!”

Yu il-shin’s expression showed she had realized something, but she soon spoke regretfully.

“I have not lived even half my allotted lifespan. I have no authority over the World Tree. Only the Desolate Sect Leader can grant it to others.”

“Then I must go to the Desolate Sect after all.”

“It won’t be easy. That is a sacred object even among us noble clans.”

“I have no other choice since I don’t know any other way. I’ll have to try becoming the Sect Leader and achieving great merit.”

“I’ll support you from afar.”

Yeo Il-shin returned his salute. Her righteous character would likely remain in Jeong Yeon-shin’s memory for a long time.

“Well then.”

The courtesy exchanged between the two was a farewell greeting.

Mount Zhongnan in Xi’an, Shaanxi and Xiangyang were on completely different paths, and she wanted to leave quickly to report to her sect, even if alone.

This was because the qinggong achievements of Precipice Sword and Shadowless Fist who came with her were lacking compared to the great elder.

Jeong Jung-san decided to leave the next day with the remaining two.

For now, he had to attend the deathbed.

The family head was still alive. He was on the verge of closing his eyes.

“It’s me, your third son.”

He knelt on one knee and supported the back of his neck. Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes trembled slightly.

The sword wound carved into the heartless family head’s abdomen was beyond recovery.

If you were going to go like this, you should have treated me better.

“Why are you, why are you so strong? How did you…”

His lips trembled as if all his strength had drained away.

Jeong Yeon-shin knew time was short. A feeling close to premonition. Jeong Daemyeong, the family head, would only speak a few more words before dying.

“What I created and mastered, I call it the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique.”

Rather than expressing resentment and grief, he boasted of his own achievement.

It was up to the family head how to take it.

Jeong Yeon-shin, long since tired of family, decided to leave it to the family head’s heart whether it became a gift or filial impiety.

“Jeong Family Dynami Technique. I see.”

The family head opened his quivering lips.

“A divine skill created by a Jeong. This foolish and ignorant… Jeong Dae-myeong, the son I bore, the third son of an incompetent family head created a divine skill.”

“……”

The boy listened silently. His father spoke for the last time.

“You have… the qualities… of a great master…”