“As I mentioned when assigning the Blood Flame Cult case, Mount Hua Sect lost their Great Violet Pill*.”

“The Shaanxi branch said they had no resources because of that. Thanks to that, I caught the Blood Sect Swordmaster.”

“Correct. It’s still unresolved. Great Violet Pill is a treasure worth that much. It’s like the ultimate medicinal pill of the martial world. Those under suspicion, sects eager to impress Mount Hua by interrogating them, and martial artists trying to settle old scores – various factions in Shaanxi got involved.”

“…There must be chaos among the martial artists.”

His face wasn’t serious. The entire Shaanxi martial world, vaster than small countries, was embroiled. He couldn’t help but feel excited.

He already realized. Swordsmen claiming to practice justice were spread throughout Shaanxi.

They were all martial artists who could help refine the Eternal Blossom Fist.

Perhaps his excitement showed on his face. Ma Jin, who made the proposal, couldn’t hide his discomfort.

“You’ll accompany Mount Hua Sect. Join their search for the Great Violet Pill until the conflict ends.”

“Another sect’s martial artist helping find their sect’s pill…?”

“It’s partly surveillance too. Mount Hua knows this. They already had a major battle with unorthodox sects where an entire inn, the largest in Xi’an, collapsed. There were massive casualties. Radiant Demon Wing’s role is to moderate Mount Hua Sect’s use of force at the center of this storm.”

“Will Mount Hua accept this?”

“Mount Hua Sect wants to become the second Shaolin Temple. They want imperial recognition as a representative of the Taoist sects. Even if you went alone, you’d be treated quite well. Though there would be some wariness.”

“…”

Jeong Yeon-shin remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking.

“Such large conflicts don’t often occur in the martial world. With proper justification, it would be a place where I can freely wield my sword in real combat.”

“Yes. Given your qualities, I think you can achieve incomparable growth. It’s an opportunity to freely exchange swords with all sorts of renowned martial artists under the name of Desolate Sect.”

He already agreed internally. Martial arts without real combat experience were no different from theory.

The Eternal Blossom Fist was a newly created technique lacking in forms, but this mission seemed like it could help fill those gaps.

There wouldn’t be many other chances to observe the martial arts of the Nine Schools.

“You’ve already completed one mission excellently. This time it’s at your discretion.”

“I’ll go.”

He didn’t think too hard about it. He also felt he should distance himself a bit from Desolate Ma Family.

He didn’t know how his grandfather with madness would try to persuade him.

The moment they exchanged something as blood relatives, they would become definitely entangled. It could hold him back when he needed to move forward.

‘I should travel outside as much as possible without rest periods, while also building achievements.’

Having made up his mind, Jeong Yeon-shin raised his head.

“What about personnel?”

“Same as with the Blood Flame Cult. Hyeon Won-chang is new, and Cheong Myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo’s punishment from the Azure Sky Squad incident hasn’t ended yet. They volunteered very eagerly. I’ll be going too.”

“You, Master?”

“When dealing with the Nine Sects, someone of the Divine Sword Squad leader’s level should go to match their status.”

“When do we depart?”

“Now that the team is formed, we’ll set out tomorrow. Pack your bags as soon as you return.”

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly nodded. Learning martial arts from the Sect Leader would have to wait until after returning.

Now was the time to master the Eternal Blossom Fist. The experience from this mission would be a great help.

* * *

The sunlight shimmers pink through several plum blossoms falling gracefully.

The wind, flowing like cursive script written by a master calligrapher, brushed past the five martial artists including Radiant Demon Wing along with the flower petals.

‘I hope the next mission is somewhere with post stations.’

Jeong Yeon-shin thought. He regretted the time passing.

The rows of fully bloomed plum blossoms felt oppressive unlike before. Time simply refused to stop.

“What a shame. This is the center of Shaanxi’s martial world. Can’t believe we can’t wear Desolate Sect’s martial robes.”

Hyeon Won-chang grumbled.

They wore ordinary clothes instead of the eye-catching Desolate Sect martial robes. It was for Mount Hua Sect’s dignity.

“It doesn’t seem as prosperous as present-day Yangyang.”

Jeong Yeon-shin said. He had grown used to playing along with Hyeon Won-chang’s idle chatter.

His grinning face showed no trace of his earlier complaints.

“Xi’an in Shaanxi is said to be a major city where all sorts of masters interact. Even excluding Mount Hua and Zhongnan.”

“I see.”

Jeong Yeon-shin replied calmly while looking around. It was certainly different.

Unlike Xiangyang which was filled with large merchant groups and all sorts of peddlers, this place had a more refined charm.

It seemed to be because it was a city that had prospered for a very long time, since before the founding of the nation.

The group dismounted in front of a massive inn said to have 200 years of tradition.

Its appearance was almost like a tavern.

When passing through cities, they never stayed at shabby places. Such was Desolate Sect’s wealth.

Ma Jin dismounted and spoke.

“Xi’an is Zhongnan Sect’s territory. It’s not a place where Mount Hua can act freely. We need to be careful too.”

“Ugh… I didn’t realize before entering the city. Never thought I’d become closer friends with horses than swords.”

Hyeon Won-chang patted his waist and thighs.

That’s when it happened.

Suddenly the inn’s doors opened. At the same time, Jeong Yeon-shin felt a cluster of intense energy.

“So the masters from Desolate Sect have arrived. We’ve been waiting.”

There were male and female Taoist priests filing out in perfect formation.

There were over a dozen, but it didn’t feel crowded.

The approaching people felt like one giant sword.

Most noticeable were the plum blossom embroideries on the hems of everyone’s white martial robes.

‘Mount Hua Sect!’

The middle-aged swordsman at the front emanated a formidable aura matching his sharp appearance. It felt comparable to first meeting Ma Jin.

“Taoist Cheon Ju. You’ve been waiting long. The road was difficult, so we barely managed to match the timing.”

Ma Jin gave a brief martial salute.

Jeong Yeon-shin felt Hyeon Won-chang start beside him.

Should he praise him for not making a fuss and speaking out?

‘Leader of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen.’

They called him Mount Hua Sword Saint Cheon Ju. It was a famous Taoist name.

His name reached beyond Shaanxi Province.

The supreme master who led Mount Hua Sect’s elite swordsmen had personally descended the mountain.

“Radiant Demon Wing, Bewitching Sword Demon, Blue-eyed Demon Sword. All familiar faces.”

Cheon Ju scanned the three people with an expressionless face.

‘Demon Sword?’

Blue-eyed Demon Sword Cheong Myeong. It was his first time hearing this title. It was quite unexpected. How did he fight against enemies?

Looking back at Cheong Myeong, he just smiled slightly.

In Jinping County, he had only seen him exchange swords briefly with the Blood Flame Cult members. He couldn’t help but be curious.

“No introductions needed. The swords we crossed before should suffice.”

The clash between Radiant Demon Wing and the Plum Blossom Swordsmen was an extremely famous incident.

He had heard there were no casualties on Desolate Sect’s side, but wasn’t sure about Mount Hua Sect’s losses.

“I can see how Desolate Sect views this matter, bringing even a disciple of Radiant Demon Wing.”

Taoist Cheon Ju’s sword-like gaze seemed to pierce through Jeong Yeon-shin, but he let it pass indifferently.

He had just faced the Desolate Sect Leader and former Divine Sword Squad Leader.

Though the Mount Hua Sword Saint was a great master, he didn’t match up to them.

‘Hmm?’

Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly noticed a young swordsman among the Mount Hua Sect masters.

He had a languid expression. He even yawned slightly as if everything in the world was trivial.

When their eyes met, the young Taoist priest smirked and looked up at the sky.

Ma Jin, who had been quiet for a moment, soon spoke.

“That’s…”

“That Desolate Sect disciple seems quite extraordinary. How about having him exchange pointers with our Sect Leader’s disciple? Though we’ve acknowledged each other, the companionship may be uncomfortable for both sides. It could serve as a small entertainment.”

Cheon Ju said, turning to Ma Jin.

‘They want to break our spirit.’

They said Mount Hua Sect knew this accompaniment was a form of surveillance.

They were one of the top sword sects in the world. Even if they accepted due to the imperial court, they couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable.

Since it would be awkward for the main masters to cross swords in a situation where they would be traveling together, they wanted to determine superiority through their sect’s futures.

“Desolate Sect disciple?”

Hyeon Won-chang suddenly muttered blankly.

The practitioners of Desolate Sect who hadn’t become White Warriors.

They were like the children of Radiant Demon Wing who came to watch when Jeong Yeon-shin competed with the Blue Master of Azure Sky Squad.

It wasn’t an officially recognized status. Internal master-disciple relationships weren’t acknowledged within the main city.

They were ceremonially called Desolate Sect disciples only because they had trained from childhood before wearing white.

While the person in question’s expression remained unchanged, the other four people with Radiant Demon Wing had strange looks.

‘Unless one is an absolute master of purple rank, it seems hard to read ability through qi alone. Could be because my internal energy is relatively low. My qi would be weak.’

Having gained a small realization, Jeong Yeon-shin spoke.

“Master.”

“Hmm?”

When Ma Jin turned around, he tapped the sword guard of the Desolate Sword at his waist. It meant he would step forward.

“My master has brought trouble again… Is five moves alright?”

The young Taoist priest who had been looking up at Cheon Ju asked in a languid voice. It wasn’t even quietly.

Was this level of rudeness acceptable?

For someone said to be the Mount Hua Sect Leader’s disciple, he seemed to have no thoughts at all.

“There will be things to learn. Give it your all.”

“What is there to learn? I heard Radiant Demon Wing’s martial arts are about sensation.”

The youth stepped forward with a sigh. At the same time, the area in front of the inn became an impromptu arena.

They said martial arts battles often occurred unexpectedly like this.

‘This is interesting.’

Jeong Yeon-shin recalled the Zhongnan Sect masters who had inspired the Swift Sword Technique at Jeong Family Village.

He hadn’t been able to observe Zhongnan martial arts then. How profound would Mount Hua Sect’s martial arts be?

The masters of Radiant Demon Wing and Mount Hua Sect formed a wide circle.

Xi’an was no small city.

Passersby who had been peeking at what was happening began excitedly turning into spectators. Whispers about Mount Hua Sect came from all directions.

“What’s going on?”

“Lower your voice. It’s Mount Hua Sect!”

“The sword immortals of Mount Hua have come to our Xi’an?”

“Looks like there will be a martial arts display. What a precious sight to see. Look at that extraordinary young Taoist priest. His energy is divine.”

“The martial artists must be exchanging teachings. As expected of the Taoist Mount Hua Sect. Such generosity!”

Jeong Yeon-shin laughed internally. It was novel to take a fighting stance among common people again.

It was the first time since the Swift Sword Test in his first Desolate Trial.

The two faced each other. Jeong Yeon-shin slowly spoke.

“You mentioned five moves.”

“Are you offended? Sorry. I’m not really looking down on you. Morning practice was just tiring.”

The young Taoist priest gave a vague smile.

“I’m Yu Hyeon of Mount Hua Sect.”

“Jeong Yeon-shin.”

He answered briefly. In this situation wearing plain clothes, he couldn’t mention Radiant Demon Wing.

Voices calling it discourteous for a student came from all around.

Some even shouted in great surprise at the name Yu Hyeon. There were martial artists from Xi’an present.

“The hidden dragon of Mount Hua!”

“I heard the Mount Hua Sect Leader’s disciple was an unparalleled genius. To think we’d see him in person!”

“I heard rumors he mastered the Falling Petal Palm and Six Harmonies Divine Sword. Seeing him in person, the reputation is well-deserved. He’s even younger than expected.”

“They say he’s the future of next generation Mount Hua. There were even rumors he had already entered the teachings of Purple Mist Divine Skill.”

The descriptions were flowery. Jeong Yeon-shin’s smile deepened. There was no need for long conversation.

When two martial artists face each other, they speak only through martial arts.

Just as he was about to take a step forward, Yu Hyeon’s body silently grew larger.

He rushed in with footwork resembling a noble’s gait. It seemed to be the famous Mount Hua Sect Dark Fragrance Float.

Hwak!

Along with the advancing footwork, his raised hand struck down. The widely spread palm stretched out like a flower pattern.

Seeing the martial arts of the Nine Schools in person was as mystical and magnificent as magic.

‘Is this the Falling Petal Palm? Not superfluous but with many variations. To prevent breaking down the forms.’

His heart was dyed with interest. Perhaps he could gain the same variations by breaking them down one by one.

Teong!

He deflected with the back of his clenched fist. The palm force that collided momentarily was light.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s force extended without losing power, enough to drive into a whirlwind.

It was the first form of the Eternal Blossom Fist, ‘Spiral’.

Kwaaah-!

“Hup?!”

Perhaps he hadn’t expected a reaction. Yu Hyeon’s face filled with bewilderment as it whirled away. Just from the passing force.

“What…!”

His dumbfounded look at the force being outside common sense was puzzling.

If he had Yu Hyeon’s level of internal energy, that single strike would have broken his neck.

Teok.

Now it was his turn to advance. Following Yu Hyeon who had stumbled back, Jeong Yeon-shin took one step forward.

The straight punch thrown from behind his waist was like a steel arrow leaving the bowstring.

The second form, Advancing Thunder’s footwork brought thunder from his fist.

Kwang!

The ground’s surface overturned from the scattered force fragments. The sun’s light halo in the sky became hazy riding the dust.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes stared straight ahead.

He could see Yu Hyeon, now covered in dust, dispersing the force’s aftermath with dazzling hand movements.

It had the same nature as the palm technique shown initially. Mount Hua Sect’s Falling Petal Palm.

It seemed sufficient to inspire the third form of the Eternal Blossom Fist.

Jeong Yeon-shin spoke with a pleased smile.

“A bit longer. I’d like to go for about ten moves.”

“…!”