“White would be insufficient? What does that mean?”

“Oh, don’t misunderstand. I don’t have the authority to give a blue martial arts robe. Ourleader is the same.”

“Then?”

“Wait a moment.”

Cheong Myeong turned sideways and rummaged through his belongings. Ma Jin and Baek Mi-ryeo made expressions of understanding.

Soon, Cheong Myeong took out his blue-colored long robe and approached Jeong Yeon-shin.

“I’ll lend it to you.”

The clothing fluttered widely.

Jeong Yeon-shin glanced at the shoulder size of the blue clothing covering his body and looked up. He was quite puzzled.

“I don’t understand the meaning.”

It was Baek Mi-ryeo who opened her mouth to his words.

“A white martial arts uniform with a blue Desolate Sect long robe. It means the blue-level Desolate Sect rising star who guarantees honor.”

Rising Star. In the martial world, this term is not used for just anyone. It wasn’t a light meaning.

It meant the best among the juniors walking the martial path.

The weight was added because it was a title received less than half a year after entering Desolate Sect.

She smiled. It was a captivating smile without a trace of self-interest.

“It means having the authority to give orders to all white warriors of Desolate Sect. I was going to give it to you.”

“Yours is too narrow in the shoulders, so it won’t work.”

Cheong Myeong smiled and looked at Jeong Yeon-shin.

“If anyone asks, say that the Demon Sword of Radiant Demon Wing acknowledged you. It’ll probably prevent most disputes.”

“You can also use the nickname of Bewitching Sword Demon. I’ll consider it as me handing you the robe.”

“…Thank you.”

Jeong Yeon-shin slightly bowed. The feeling tickling his chest felt unfamiliar.

Ma Jin, who had been watching from the side with a somewhat melancholic expression, nodded.

“It seems settled.”

“Regarding the Mount Hua Sect…”

“We’ll resolve it. I’m not sure whether you’ll return first or the Great Violet Pill incident will be concluded.”

At that moment, Hyeon Won-chang carefully raised his hand.

“May I accompany Sir Jeong? I might not be of much help to the leader and blue-level masters, but it might be different with Sir Jeong.”

“…Permitted.”

Ma Jin, who had been thinking, agreed, saying it was a valid point.

“Don’t forget that this has become a mission of Radiant Demon Wing. Observe the fight between the Tyrant Sword Sect and Zhongnan Sect, and consider the impact on civilian life. You may intervene in any way. Try to prioritize your lives first.”

“We will follow the command.”

Jeong Yeon-shin and Hyeon Won-chang clasped fists.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes, now even stronger, turned toward the southern window.

Zhongnan Mountain, where a wing of the Central Plains’ famous sword sects established their base.

The place where his second brother and young niece were learning martial arts. Would Hye-ah be doing well?

‘The annihilation of the Jeong family. Elder Yeo Il-sin might tell me if I find him?’

The war between the Thirteen Heavens and the Nine Sects. It was also an opportunity to see how his martial power would work in the world.

* * *

Zhongnan Mountain was two days’ journey away. The two changed into Desolate Sect martial uniforms after sleeping for two nights.

It was out of consideration for Mount Hua Sect’s face.

Desolate Junior Hyeon Won-chang burst into a refreshing laugh.

He glanced alternately at the ‘황’ characters on both shoulders and slightly raised the corners of his mouth.

“This is the taste.”

“……”

Jeong Yeon-shin wore the blue long robe Cheong Myeong gave him over the white Desolate Sect uniform.

Hyeon Won-chang looked at him as if envious and spoke.

“White uniform with a blue robe. It suits you very well.”

“It feels a bit awkward.”

“I think Young Master will adapt quickly.”

“Thank you, Master Hyeon.”

“Hm? It’s not just a casual compliment.”

Jeong Yeon-shin smiled slightly.

He was a grateful person. It wouldn’t be easy for someone without deep affection to follow along on a mission unrelated to their main task.

The two had arrived at the entrance of Zhongnan Mountain before they knew it.

When viewed from a distance, they had been amazed by the steep and solemn mountain terrain, but upon reaching the entrance, they felt the unique strictness of a martial arts sect.

Martial artists were guarding it.

“These seem to be Zhongnan martial artists. So the conflict with the Tyrant Sword Sect is real? They’ve come down to the foot of the mountain instead of the main gate.”

Hyeon Won-chang whispered.

As the two approached, two out of the four martial artists on guard stepped forward.

“Could you state your sect, names, and purpose?”

“As you can see, we’re from Desolate Sect.”

Hyeon Won-chang replied leisurely, slightly pushing out his shoulder, and gave a signal to Jeong Yeon-shin.

It seemed to mean taking responsibility as a Desolate Sect rising star.

With the mention of Desolate Sect, even the martial artists standing in the back approached, and Jeong Yeon-shin opened his mouth.

“I am Jeong Yeon-shin of Radiant Demon Wing.”

“I am Hyeon Won-chang of Desolate Sect Radiant Demon Wing.”

“Hmm…!”

Those who examined their clothing down to the last detail let out a low sound.

Just from their reaction, one could understand.

Since Desolate Sect’s position and founding purpose was to suppress the martial world, it was not a place welcomed by strong sect martial artists.

“Do you intend to prove your identity just with clothing?”

One of the Zhongnan sect disciples spoke. His tone was subtly sharp.

The two from Radiant Demon Wing first took out golden identity tokens from their bosoms.

The Desolate token with gold-plated, deeply engraved wooden patterns appeared in their hands.

It was said to be made by a dwarf clan blacksmith rarer than a famous clan.

Anyone would agree seeing the delicately and elegantly carved patterns.

“Desolate Sect is a powerful sect. Would young martial artists like you act independently? Who would…”

The disciple speaking in a sharp tone was pushed back by someone. A martial artist who seemed to be a senior spoke.

“Unfortunately, our main sect is currently in a wartime state. Please understand that we cannot readily trust the identities of unfamiliar people.”

“But these people…!”

Hyeon Won-chang flared up and raised his energy. The energy wave that slightly vibrated the atmosphere spread clearly.

Having smoothly passed the Desolate Exam and adapted as a Radiant Demon Wing white-level martial artist.

Different from his usually light-hearted personality, he had substance.

“…!”

“It’s truly Desolate Sect!”

While Hyeon Won-chang was satisfied with the reaction, the Zhongnan disciple who had stepped back shouted.

“How dare you make such nonsense at Zhongnan Mountain!”

“These guys…!”

Hyeon Won-chang made an exasperated expression.

Jeong Yeon-shin, who had been staring at them, felt a sense of déjà vu.

He thought of the Jeong family.

When they said they would create and learn martial arts, the first thing that appeared on the young brothers’ faces was not bewilderment, but something else.

Surprise and jealousy. They were the same as these people.

‘The fight with the Tyrant Sword Sect doesn’t seem smooth. The pride of the Nine Sects is cracking, and these young ones have appeared claiming to be confident Desolate Sect martial artists.’

Hyeon Won-chang’s action of revealing martial power was actually not good.

It was said that the martial artists of the Nine Sects were famous for their deep cultivation.

Perhaps due to the situation and young blood, the Zhongnan sect disciples now seemed no different from young martial artists of the secular world.

“I can’t believe it. People as young as you acting like Desolate Sect martial artists. And in times like these.”

His tone became more resolute. It felt like his chest was blocked.

Although guarding the gate was an important task, senior members who lead the sect do not handle security.

All those serving as mountain gate and entrance guards of the Zhongnan Sect were young.

At their age, they were full of vigor, and the nobility of a disciple from a famous sect like Zhongnan accompanied them.

“Thi…!”

Had the thought of blood relatives crossed his mind?

In this moment, he was pleased with Hyeon Won-chang suppressing his anger while glancing at himself. It was the moment Jeong Yeon-shin was about to step forward.

“Even if they were truly from Desolate Sect, it’s a problem. How could you send these two to the Great Zhongnan? The reputation of the prestigious Desolate Sect seems to be a thing of the past.”

The one who had not spoken until now spoke sarcastically.

The force in his slanted eyes did not seem ordinary.

He had clearly crossed the line. Jeong Yeon-shin brought his hand to the sword wave at his waist.

“Wouldn’t it be good to reconsider your words and actions? You’ve insulted martial artists from another sect without reason.”

He spoke calmly.

* * *

Jeong Jung-san was a young man with a rough face wearing a cotton robe.

He was the second son of the Jeong family and also a disciple of the Zhongnan Sect.

Recently, he had been thinking about how he had come to this situation.

Even if the annihilation of the Jeong family was like a natural disaster, people’s hearts were different.

Although he was not a Buddhist disciple, he thought about karma.

“Perhaps my foolish and inadequate brother was the reason for this calamity.”

He had started talking to himself more.

He was leaning against the roof ridge of the Zhongnan Sect’s Seeking Pavilion.

The scene in his view was truly peaceful.

Azure sky with light feathery clouds creating gentle waves, the mountain ranges of Qinling stretching below, and a few bamboo trees rising above the fence.

He tapped his foot while sitting on the pavilion’s roof.

The clear sound of stone striking stone gave him a small sense of satisfaction.

Simultaneously, an aged voice burst from below.

“You! Didn’t I tell you to fetch rice water? Are you leisurely wandering around again!”

“Ha!”

He quickly jumped down and bowed his head to the source of the scolding.

An old swordsman with a strict expression sat on the main hall, looking at him with displeasure.

“I apologize, Elder.”

“It makes me worry. The martial arts and disciples of this sect are disappearing.”

It was a statement possible due to his high status. Jeong Jung-san bowed even lower.

Although the Zhongnan Sect was fighting the Tyrant Sword Sect, he was not a martial artist who could enter the Nine Sects’ ranks.

He naturally ended up serving the elder.

The old man clicked his tongue.

“Our sect is having difficulties in resource supply, so go down the mountain and gather grains. I can’t exhaust the food until I wipe out the Tyrant Sword Sect’s remnants.”

“Yes!”

“Elder Jong is troubling an innocent disciple again today.”

At the woman’s voice suddenly heard, the old man’s face softened slightly.

“Myo-hwa, you have arrived.”

“Huh?”

Jeong Jung-san’s eyes widened as she approached. She was about twenty. Her appearance was transitioning from a girl to a woman.

Her beautiful features and clear eyes were impressive.

The strange feather decoration tying her jet-black hair caught his eye first.

The wide blue martial arts uniform fluttered in the wind as she walked.

A white sword was hanging from her jade belt decorated with jade.

The Zhongnan Sect’s Wei Ji Myo-hwa.

Also called the Sword Dragon in the Clouds.

An era where the term “dragon” was attached to men.

This was why Jeong Jung-san, who had never seen the Sword Dragon before, used to call her great senior brother.

Wei Ji Myo-hwa was different. The Zhongnan Sect’s strongest rising star, called a sword dragon despite being a woman.

For Jeong Jung-san, she was an existence he could not even make eye contact with.

“Conveniently, I needed a porter. Jeong… Disciple? Let’s go down together.”

She casually mumbled his name as if not remembering and turned around.

When the old man gestured for him to hurry, Jeong Jung-san hastily ran to follow Wei Ji Myo-hwa.

They did not exchange any conversation until they reached the entrance of Zhongnan Mountain.

Jeong Jung-san found her difficult due to her high reputation despite being younger, and Wei Ji Myo-hwa seemed to show no interest at all.

“Huh…?”

Jeong Jung-san suddenly made a foolish sound. He almost rubbed his eyes as if seeing something impossible.

He saw the senior brothers receiving guests with Wei Ji Myo-hwa, who had stopped abruptly.

The atmosphere was becoming increasingly tense, but that was not important to Jeong Jung-san.

“Yeon-shin?”

“Hm? Do you know someone?”

It was the first time Wei Ji Myo-hwa had shown interest.

“Ugh!”

The scene in his eyes was truly shocking.

Without even seeing the sword drawn, his own brother was already sheathing his sword, and the senior brother’s sword, like the sky, was flying back.

Suddenly, a wild wind blew from the side. Wei Ji Myo-hwa had stomped the ground and rushed forward.