Gritting his teeth, Yu Hyeon rushed forward as Jeong Yeon-shin reached out his hand towards him.

A strange energy swirls around Jeong Yeon-shin’s left hand. The next moment, the eyes of Cheon Ju and the Mount Hua Sect’s masters widen.

Swish-!

Invisible true energy waves burst forth from his left hand.

The energy bloomed like a series of flowers blossoming in a row.

It looked as if force was striking force, creating another wave of energy. It was to the extent that it seemed like a higher-level martial art that didn’t even exist, like the Falling Blossom Palm Technique.

Because a superior martial art of a completely different level was instantly unleashed, it was rather difficult to find a connection to the barrage of fist techniques that poured out.

Bam bam bam!

Impacts as powerful as the second stance, Advancing Thunder, rained down in droves.

As if brushing off the dust that had settled on Yu Hyeon’s martial arts uniform.

“Ugh, huk!”

Yu Hyeon collapsed without even being able to draw his sword. A thin layer of dust rose like fog.

Lowering his hand, Jeong Yeon-shin becomes lost in thought.

‘The martial arts of the Nine Sects are highly refined. It’s worthy of being imbued with the history of the orthodox sects.’

It was an excellent inspiration. He had not thought that there would be such a way of utilizing true energy.

‘I could decide on the third stance right here.’

Jeong Yeon-shin nodded to himself. It seemed there was no need to separately refine it.

He named it the third stance of the Eternal Blossom Fist, Blossoming Fist.

“……”

The arena was dyed in silence. He had faced a young sect leader who was called a rising dragon in the world.

The youngest disciple of the Mount Hua Sect’s sect leader, who was said to be the most promising, had fallen in three stances.

Jeong Yeon-shin thought it was only natural.

The level was different from the start.

To face not just a disciple of Desolate Sect, but Lightning Flash, who was considered one of the top White Rank Warriors, at least a master on the verge of becoming a Plum Blossom Swordsman had to step up.

It was said that the Purple of Desolate Sect was no less than the sect leaders of the Nine Sects.

Jeong Yeon-shin compared his own situation to Yu Hyeon’s.

How much training would that guy have to accumulate to reach the ranks of the Mount Hua Sect’s sect leaders?

The remaining five years or so for Jeong Yeon-shin would be absurdly insufficient. There was a vast difference starting from their standards of living.

“…Bring him.”

At Cheon Ju’s grave words, a Mount Hua Sect warrior picked up Yu Hyeon.

The gazes sweeping over Jeong Yeon-shin in turn were filled with shock.

Finally, the spectators became agitated.

“What, what is that?”

“Wasn’t it three stances? How could Mount Hua’s prodigy…”

“Three stances to subdue him! Who is that young man?”

Leaving the murmurs behind, Cheon Ju opened his mouth.

“Desolate Sect was raising a dragon. How much more will they shake the martial arts world in the future?”

“That’s an excessive exaggeration. If they don’t touch the common people, Desolate Sect won’t move either.”

“That plausible justification never changes.”

Shaking his head, Cheon Ju looked at Jeong Yeon-shin.

“You said your name is Jeong Yeon-shin?”

“Yes.”

“I witnessed good martial arts. The fate of Mount Hua’s martial arts couldn’t have possibly reached you. I didn’t know such martial arts existed in the world. It will be a stimulus even for the lazy sect disciples. If a situation arises where you inevitably have to leave Desolate Sect, know that Mount Hua will treat you as an honored guest.”

“Sect Leader! Don’t be ridiculous. You’ve crossed the line.”

Ma Jin pulled Jeong Yeon-shin back and stepped forward.

“I admit that greed took precedence. It was unseemly. Because such shining talent is right before our eyes, unparalleled in the world.”

The Mount Hua Sect masters’ faces were filled with surprise upon seeing Cheon Ju readily admit it.

At the same time, there were also those who showed expressions of understanding.

Jeong Yeon-shin simply stood still without moving.

-It seems difficult for you to endure.

It was Baek Mi-ryeo’s telepathic message. He slightly nodded his head.

It was because he had exhausted almost all of his true energy. The burden on his dantian was great.

In the Eternal Blossom Fist, the proportion of true energy used to create strong force was high.

Exerting force with every posture meant that.

While not being constrained by postures, the amount of internal energy consumed was also a burden.

At least for now, it seemed difficult to utilize it as the main martial art.

‘In real combat, I’ll have to return to the sword.’

Organizing his thoughts, he got a room at the inn.

Those who followed in droves, of course, and even the Mount Hua Sect masters sent changed gazes.

Eyes that seemed to be looking at an amazing creature.

He had no particular feelings. Because the time they lived in was different.

As soon as he got the room, Baek Mi-ryeo barged in through the door.

In line with her caring yet bold personality, she even dragged Cheong Myeong by the scruff of his neck and sat him down.

“You in particular need to open your Middle Dantian quickly. If you lack internal energy, you’ll have to at least supplement your stamina.”

Baek Mi-ryeo said while sitting cross-legged. Cheong Myeong, who followed, sprawled out and half-lay down.

“Did you say Middle Dantian?”

“You must not know about its ability. It has effects that even the Upper dantian, which is said to store divinity in the head, cannot provide. The moment you open the Middle Dantian, you’ll feel it, your internal energy will become a little more solid. Shaolin’s Vajra Immovable Divine Art is a representative martial art that cultivates the Middle Dantian.”

“Internal energy becomes solid?”

When he absentmindedly asked back, Cheong Myeong chimed in.

“It means the efficiency improves. You’ve heard stories of masters who fought for seven days and nights without getting tired, right? They cultivated the Middle Dantian. The flow of true energy becomes firm and you can unleash even large stances several times. Even if you take a fairly powerful blow, the flow of internal energy isn’t easily cut off.”

“That’s probably the reason Cheong Myeong was able to cross swords with Namgung’s First Sword. Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense. No matter how powerful this guy’s martial arts are.”

Baek Mi-ryeo pointed to Cheong Myeong, who was yawning lazily. Cheong Myeong, smiling brightly, tilted his head at an angle.

Glancing at him, Jeong Yeon-shin turned his gaze again.

“Middle Dantian. How do I open it?”

“If you cultivate the Lower Dantian for a long time, it will naturally open. It would be good to circulate your energy focusing on your upper body.”

“Is there no faster way? Sister.”

The words came out without much thought. He had to quickly acquire all means to become stronger.

Impatient in martial arts and achievements, the form of address came out as it may.

Even saying it himself, he flinched.

“Sister…?”

Baek Mi-ryeo’s cold gaze softened weakly. Her cheeks turned slightly red.

For a moment, her lips seemed to quiver. It was an unbelievable sight. That Bewitching Demon Sword?

Like a true master, she quickly took a deep breath and regained her composure.

At this moment, Jeong Yeon-shin couldn’t help but wonder if Baek Mi-ryeo had a deceased younger sibling.

At the same time, he realized that he didn’t know anything about the lives of any of the Radiant Demon Wing warriors.

‘I still don’t know anyone.’

Baek Mi-ryeo cleared her throat.

“First, you need to hold powerful energy within your body…”

The explanation continued. The problem ultimately came down to true energy.

Just as the lower dantian naturally opens through long cultivation, the middle dantian is no different.

She said that clumsy techniques would only be poison.

It’s a different matter, but just as Jeong Yeon-shin had opened his upper dantian from birth. Damn constitution.

Swallowing a sigh inwardly, he went down to the first floor. He decided to think about the middle dantian later.

‘Let’s focus on accumulating power. It’s not like I can’t get stronger without it.’

The inn was crowded. The smell of food was overwhelming, and it was hard to find an empty seat.

They said Xi’an was a place where all kinds of martial artists gathered. An unusual city where the commoners who went out were fearless enough.

It seemed even more crowded, perhaps because rumors of the martial arts demonstration at the Mount Hua Sect’s training hall had spread.

“It’s that young swordsman!”

“The one who defeated Mount Hua’s sleeping dragon in three moves?”

“He looks like a peer, how is that possible?”

“I saw it with my own eyes!”

As Jeong Yeon-shin came down, murmurs arose from all directions. They seemed to be people who had seen the demonstration.

“Lightning Flash will gain fame quickly. There will be an uproar when his identity is revealed.”

“That’s natural. He’s the future of the Desolate Sect.”

It was Cheong Myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo. He thought they were saying embarrassing things so casually.

Praise tied to age meant nothing.

It was the first time he had his martial arts evaluated in the world, but Jeong Yeon-shin let all the words go in one ear and out the other as he looked for Ma Jin.

The seats where Ma Jin and Heon Won-chang sat were conspicuously empty.

The chilling scar and strong aura prevented anyone from approaching. No one dared to sit with them.

He walked steadily through the crowd.

“Is this alright? At a place where we should discuss the mission.”

Ma Jin smiled at Jeong Yeon-shin’s question as he sat down with Cheong Myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo.

“It’s no secret that Mount Hua is searching for the culprit with eyes wide open. The whereabouts of martial artists from famous sects are bound to be known in detail. Rather, doing it this way can reduce unexpected sacrifices of commoners.”

“Certainly.”

“Have you heard the saying ‘make noise in the east and attack in the west’? That’s what we’re going to do from now on.”

“So it’s not just about preventing Mount Hua’s use of force when necessary. You’re actively helping to calm the situation?”

“That’s right. The investigation is already over. The culprit is Thieving Ghost. He’s a well-known thief north of the Yangtze River.”

“Did you say Thieving Ghost?”

Baek Mi-ryeo stood up abruptly. An energy like tempering a sword with her body rose up in spirals. Her sharpened gaze even flashed a hint of killing intent.

“Yes. He’s the one who stole your secret manual. Isn’t it a good thing?”

“You had your martial arts secret manual stolen?”

Heon Won-chang’s eyes widened as he stopped eating. He couldn’t help it.

A blue-rank master of Desolate Sect was a martial artist who was hard to find a match for, except in massive factions like the Nine Sects.

It wasn’t a level of martial arts that a mere thief could approach.

“There are circumstances.”

Baek Mi-ryeo answered briefly and closed her mouth. But her aura was different.

It came to the skin like a burning wildfire. Her will to catch and behead him could be felt from her energy.

The group finished their meal in silence and went up to where Ma Jin was staying.

It was a fairly large room to fit his size.

Ma Jin slowly opened his mouth after making eye contact with each member of the group sitting around.

“I’ll explain the meaning of ‘make noise in the east and attack in the west’. First, Mount Hua’s martial arts are known to few in Shaanxi. It’s too conspicuous.”

“Then?”

“From now on, we’re going to smash the signboards of the evil sects in Shaanxi that have connections with Thieving Ghost one by one. We’ll do it. We won’t take the battlefield outside.”

“What will the Mount Hua Sect do in the meantime?”

“The Drifting Dark Fragrance combines footwork and body techniques. While we draw attention, they’ll secretly infiltrate and inspect the inside of the sects.”

T/Note- Dark Fragrance Float changed to Drifting Dark Fragrance.

Ma Jin said indifferently. For some reason, the corners of Heon Won-chang’s mouth rose.

“Is there a justification for taking down the signboards of evil sects?”

Cheong Myeong smiled, stroking his head at Jeong Yeon-shin’s question.

“You don’t seem to know much about the evil sect martial artists. They go around collecting seat taxes that the imperial court has never recognized. From the perspective of the Great Ming Empire, the distinction between orthodox and evil sects is simple. Do the commoners voluntarily donate, or are they extorted at sword point?”

Ma Jin nodded.

“They’re vermin eating away at the country. We leave them alone only because new vermin form groups even if we catch and kill them, but no justification is needed to strike them down. Even among themselves, they repeat annihilation and founding of sects.”

“How many sects are the targets?”

“Five for now. I’ll take two.”

“I’ll do one alone too.”

No one showed surprise at Jeong Yeon-shin’s words. Ma Jin asked.

“Do you want solo credit? The risk is high.”

“I’ll handle it.”

“Dealing with a group alone is another matter. Especially if it’s a sect with martial arts. Think of corpses piling up with every sword strike. The scent of blood can take away even a master’s reason. Group battles have the most variables. One-on-one duels can’t compare.”

“That’s also something I need to experience.”

“Alright. I’ll allocate here. Lightning Flash, your target is the Praying Mantis Sect in Lianhu County, Seo-an. I’ve heard they’re very vicious. They don’t hesitate to kidnap women. The mission content is…”

Ma Jin continued, making eye contact with Jeong Yeon-shin who was looking straight at him.

“Solo annihilation of the entire sect. Wipe them out and come back.”