She suddenly had a blank expression. A face hard to imagine from her usual appearance.

Originally famous as a master even outside Desolate Sect, Baek Mi-ryeo was known as a bold and cold swordswoman with quick hands.

“Internal energy. Inner Qi cultivation method.”

She didn’t get angry first. She silently pondered, stroking her lips with her long fingers.

“It’s hard to accept. The inner Qi cultivation method is something that even an internal martial arts master like me who focused on cultivating inner energy would have learned by now. Do I look like a fool who can’t even grasp my own true qi?”

‘I didn’t think so, but it seems to be true.’

Jung Yeon-shin couldn’t voice his thoughts out loud this time.

From what he could see, Baek Mi-ryeo’s qi circulation was gentle and her true qi mobilization speed was faster than other seniors, but it’s meaningless if she herself doesn’t realize it.

There was no need to continue the conversation.

Jung Yeon-shin changed the subject.

“I’m sorry. I disturbed you with unnecessary words.”

They weren’t close enough to insist on giving advice at his own expense.

However, his overly plain attitude seemed to have irritated Baek Mi-ryeo instead. Her smooth brow furrowed.

An experienced master should be skilled in psychological warfare as well.

Realizing his inner thoughts had been read from the change in attitude, Jung Yeon-shin slowly opened his mouth.

“I’ll be going now.”

“…Alright. I’m sorry. And thank you.”

He headed towards the small training ground, leaving her behind. If she doesn’t accept it, that’s enough.

Judging by her apology and thanks, it didn’t seem likely, but if she held a grudge for no good reason, she would be no different from the Jeong brothers.

There was no reason to waste energy on such a person.

His martial arts skills, which had been developing day by day since entering Desolate Sect, were just waiting for a chance to prove themselves.

‘Let’s start training the Rotational strike combination techniques.’

Jung Yeon-shin completely pushed Baek Mi-ryeo out of his thoughts.

* * *

“Master.”

“Speak.”

“Did you by any chance tell Lightning Flash about the origins of my martial arts?”

“What nonsense. Do you think that makes sense?”

In Radiant Demon Wing’s quarters. With qi energy forming a barrier outside to block sound, Ma Jin frowned.

Baek Mi-ryeo sitting across from him had a serious expression.

“Then how…”

“I can guess what happened.”

Ma Jin spoke as he looked at her muttering.

“He must have seen through the martial arts you’ve been tinkering with. Lightning Flash. That kid is special. He has a talent that’s hard to find even in the entire martial arts world. There are occasionally such beings in the world. Famous clans, Iron clans, absolute masters said to be the strongest in the world. Lightning Flash simply possesses an unfathomable talent.”

“…”

“Baek Mi-ryeo of the One Sword School is secretly training in the lost Heavenly Demon Divine Technique? That’s no reason to distance yourself from Lightning Flash. He is undoubtedly the future of Desolate Sect. I don’t know what others who haven’t seen Lightning Flash might think, but there’s no reason to dismiss his words as advice from a lesser skilled person. I’ve never heard of such talent.”

“I know that too.”

“If there’s anything concerning, it would be his personality. A small mission just came down. It can be handled by one Blue rank alone, so two Blues and two novice Whites should be fine. Go observe how Lightning Flash crosses the line of life and death when he’s with comrades. See if he has a trustworthy character.”

“Are you saying I should discuss the Heavenly Demon Divine Technique with him if his personality is good?”

“Your self-study has limits. I don’t have the time. If we’re just talking about training in the Divine Technique, it would be right to seek Lightning Flash’s help. He’s fundamentally different. He adapts everything to suit himself. He has the qualities of a great founder.”

“Great founder…!”

Her eyes widened. Ma Jin continued speaking calmly.

“You don’t need to worry about orthodoxy. Lightning Flash will create his own martial arts lineage. You can see it just from the Radiant Demon Formation. I’ve never seen anyone train it like that before.”

“That is surprising.”

“Surprising? It’s not a talent that can be described with such words. Moreover, the kid enjoys martial arts studies.”

“Hmm…!”

Baek Mi-ryeo let out a groan. Ma Jin declared:

“Within five years, the Radiant Demon Wing Wing Commander position will change to Lightning Flash. Go observe the personality of the one who will become your superior in the future.”

* * *

The next day.

Jung Yeon-shin was called to the main training ground along with Heon Won-chang.

There were only three people in the spacious area. Baek Mi-ryeo who had become a bit awkward now, Cheong Myeong, and Ma Jin.

“It’s a mission.”

At Ma Jin’s blunt words, the body of Heon Won-chang trembled.

“Finally, to the martial arts world…”

“Don’t get excited. You might die out there in the martial arts world.”

“Huh, yes!”

“Baek Mi-ryeo, Cheong Myeong, Jeong Yeon-shin, Heon Won-chang. The four of you will go. It’s a matter entangled with the Blood Flame Cult. You’ll need to leave Desolate Sect with determination.”

Ma Jin said. Jung Yeon-shin’s eyes sank deep in thought the moment the Blood Flame Cult was mentioned.

A burning manor, blood dripping from the doorstep, red clothes and red hair…

He slowly opened his mouth.

“Are you saying we’re sending two Blues and Whites for a matter involving the Thirteen Heavens?”

“It would be good to hear some background. Strictly speaking, it’s not a matter of the Blood Flame Cult’s main branch. We don’t even know where that is.”

Ma Jin’s story wasn’t very long.

“You probably know that the famine isn’t limited to Huguang.”

While Jeong Family’s Xinye County was doing alright, the broader Namyang was different.

It was said that arable land was decreasing throughout Henan Province.

According to Ma Jin, it seemed Shaanxi Province was in the same situation.

“A few years ago, starving commoners who couldn’t eat due to crop failures looted the manor of a village elder. They didn’t just take the grain. It’s said the family members were driven out in a terrible state. Recently, it seems the eldest son of that manor has returned, but his head had turned red. Wearing bright red martial robes.”

“He joined the Blood Flame Cult…!”

Heon Won-chang muttered like a groan.

The Blood Flame Cult was particularly shunned among the Thirteen Heavens of the Unorthodox Path.

There were various rumors, but it was generally accepted that they mass-produced martial artists through the power of blood, which stood at the boundary between sorcery and martial arts.

“Like other demonic arts, it seems the eldest son of that manor quickly mastered the Blood Flame Cult’s blood techniques. I heard he’s settled in the village that has recovered its productivity, periodically slaughtering livestock and ruining crops.”

“Ruining crops?”

Cheong Myeong, wearing a hood, muttered. This person was from a famous clan, Jeong Yeon-shin thought.

“Does he only target livestock and crops?”

“Yes. Cruelly, he doesn’t kill everything or dig up potential seeds, but waits until they grow and repeats the same act.”

“Isn’t that quite merciful? It doesn’t sound like the Blood Flame Cult members I know.”

Heon Won-chang said. His eyes were wide open. His face showed he had never heard or seen such a thing.

“Merciful? Are you serious?”

At Ma Jin’s question, Heon Won-chang immediately showed a sheepish look. Baek Mi-ryeo looked at him with a face of contempt.

Ma Jin opened his mouth again.

“It’s Zhenping County in southern Shaanxi. Originally, the Shaanxi branch could have handled it… but recently there was an incident where Mount Hua Sect’s spirit medicine was stolen, and it seems to have escalated into an issue for the entire Shaanxi martial arts world. They don’t have the capacity, so they’re asking our main sect to take care of it.”

“Mount Hua Sect had their spirit medicine stolen? Surely you don’t mean the Purple Shao Pill that’s said to rival Shaolin’s Great Rejuvenation Pill?”

Heon Won-chang asked with bulging eyes.

“That’s why there’s such an uproar. That incident might also be transferred to our main sect soon. For now, focus on the immediate mission.”

“Yes!”

He answered energetically.

All sorts of happenings in the martial arts world flow in.

Even the calm Jeong Yeon-shin was feeling the reality of now being directly involved in the martial arts world, so it was easy to imagine what emotions the Heon Won-chang might be feeling.

Ma Jin seemed to be concerned about that aspect as well.

The hot blood of first venturing into the martial arts world. When youth, martial arts, and a sense of belonging to Desolate Sect meet, anything can happen.

“Cheong Myeong. Baek Mi-ryeo. Take good care of the Whites. Make sure they return safely by paying attention.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll do my best.”

The expressionless face of Baek Mi-ryeo contrasted with the smiling face of Cheong Myeong.

Jung Yeon-shin quietly gripped his sword hilt and thought of the Tyrant Sword and the Blood Flame Cult’s killing ghosts.

He still didn’t know why they had attacked the Jeong Family.

But now it was irrelevant. The extermination had already happened, and that blood calamity had made even the abandoned child of Jeong Family carry a sword in his heart.

If we meet, I’ll kill them.

‘Keep your heads safe. I’ll cut them off.’

He stroked his sword hilt.

* * *

The four who became companions immediately left Xiangyang on horseback and quickly headed northwest.

It was a forced march at a speed that silenced Heon Won-chang, who seemed to have expected a leisurely tour of the martial arts world.

They said Desolate Sect’s mission executions were always like this.

They could freely use the post stations throughout the Central Plains, and with their qi abilities, they could ride horses for long periods.

There was no room for leisure.

However, there was no post road from Huguang to Shaanxi, so they had to move while preserving the horses’ stamina.

They reached Zhenping County from Xiangyang in ten days.

“Phew.”

As the magistrate in charge of Zhenping County welcomed them, Heon Won-chang dismounted weakly from his horse.

It seemed to be more of a mental issue than physical stamina. Baek Mi-ryeo clicked her tongue.

“You can’t even imagine. What happens when martial artists use the post roads.”

“…!”

Glancing at Heon Won-chang, whose face had turned pale, Jung Yeon-shin turned his gaze to the magistrate.

‘He doesn’t look like he’s been starving.’

They said the Blood Flame Cult member was taking away food.

The magistrate’s round face looked lacking nothing except for a lack of luster.

Only his expression showed both relief and annoyance as he looked at them.

“How long has it been since I sent an urgent message, and you’re only arriving now? How frustrating!”

“…?”

“If you’ve arrived, get down quickly! I was going to show respect since you’re the swords of the Great Ming Empire, but to think you’d be so leisurely! Can you even catch that person in the first place? Just with you people?”

“What is this about?”

Jeong Yeon-shin asked Cheong Myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo.

Their expressions, which seemed familiar, even showed indifference.

Cheong Myeong, tapping the back of his hood, slowly opened his mouth.

“Among those human officials, there are some who don’t know any better. These guys think Desolate Sect is their broom. Only when it’s their first time dealing with this kind of thing. There are so many counties in the Central Plains, and many of them have never even seen a real martial artist.”

“What, what! You bastard! What kind of rudeness is this!”

“Should I press your mute acupoint?”

“Yeah. Let’s finish this quickly and go.”

“What nonsen…!”

Before Cheong Myeong’s words were finished, the official’s voice was cut off.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s hand, filled with true energy, pressed between the spine and the skull.

Taller than the official, Jeong Yeon-shin looked down at him with indifferent eyes.

“I don’t take orders from you.”

Sweat beaded on the official’s forehead. Leaving his trembling body behind, Jeong Yeon-shin turned around.

Cheong Myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo were looking at him with satisfied faces. Suddenly, his face felt ticklish.

“Sir Jeong, you’ve also learned acupoint techniques? My goodness.”

Heon Won-chang exclaimed in admiration.

Acupoint pressing is a technique that delicately stimulates another person’s meridians with a hand filled with true energy.

It’s not a martial art that every martial artist can perform, but for Jung Yeon-shin, who had mastered the human body through the Jeong Family’s Dynamic Technique, it was a natural study.

“I’ve been thinking this for a while, but it’s getting harder to call you ‘sir’. From now on, I’ll call you ‘young hero’. Young Hero Jeong!”

“Do as you wish, Heon Won-chang.”

Even at the light joke, the corners of the Heon Won-chang’s mouth rose as if they would reach his ears.

As they tied their horses in the government office’s stable and went down, Cheong Myeong put his arm around Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulder.

“You know the saying that officials can’t be touched? We’re martial artists who are even freer than other martial artists when it comes to officials. The imperial court allowed that. Idiots who think we’re wearing shackles can be suppressed like that. Desolate Sect is that kind of sect.”

“Pressing acupoints is quite a gentle technique, isn’t it?”

Heon Won-chang chimed in.

“Still, you shouldn’t overdo it.”

Baek Mi-ryeo, walking alongside them, said. And she added in a small voice.

“That was well done.”

“Yes.”

The time spent together with Baek Mi-ryeo on the way to Zhenping County was quite long.

Furthermore, with her current encouragement, the awkwardness seemed to have dissipated a lot.

Smiling slightly, Jeong Yeon-shin soon narrowed his eyes.

“Over there, below the village.”

“Hm?”

“Blood Flame Cult member.”

Before he could finish his words, he kicked the ground and started sprinting.