At that moment.

Dong dong dong-!

The bell sound, which would have originally been clear, rang out with an urgent feeling.

The expressions of the Zhongnan Sect members present changed dramatically.

“Tyrant Sword Sect!”

“They’ve come again.”

Wei Ji Myo-hwa quickly turned her head toward the mountain gate.

The Zhongnan Sword Immortal, who had somehow appeared beside her, stroked his sword handle.

“Disciple Jeong. Take good care of Hye.”

“Have the guests wait here.”

They disappeared with an amazing movement technique. Their speed was incredible.

The Zhongnan Sword Immortal even seemed to vanish in an instant.

Jeong Yeon-shin, who had briefly looked at Wei Ji Myo-hwa, whose only hair was visible, turned to Jeong Jung-san.

“It doesn’t seem like this has happened just once or twice. Is this how you fight?”

“We never know where or how they’ll clash. The main masters often cross paths and strike, like now.”

Jeong Jung-san’s expression was dark. The Zhongnan Sect’s situation did not seem good.

The Zhongnan Sword Immortal, who was undoubtedly among the top masters of the Nine Sects, was guarding the main mountain.

This clearly revealed their insufficient military strength.

“I’ve seen the Tyrant Sword Sect Leader several times. Even when he invaded our sect after massacring a family, he was leisurely… At that time, my heart…”

Jeong Jung-san wiped his forehead.

The immature brother of the Jeong family was gone, replaced by a Zhongnan disciple full of worry.

Hyeon Won-chang struck the ground.

“We’ve been hit with misfortune as soon as we arrived.”

“Isn’t this when the Desolate Master should step in?”

“Even if Sir Jeong says so, it’s not possible. A martial artist of the Nine Sects is nothing without his pride. Didn’t we just experience this? If the Sword Dragon hadn’t been there, a major incident would have occurred.”

“It doesn’t look that leisurely.”

Even Hyeon Won-chang could not refute Jeong Yeon-shin’s last statement.

The cheers were gradually rising. The front line was being pushed back.

“It seems the Zhongnan Sword Immortal is being held back.”

“The Tyrant Sword Sect also has an elder council. It’s a sect with some history among the Thirteen Heavens. If the previous Tyrant Sword Sect Leader’s successors join forces, even a supreme master would take time. They seem to have been fighting like this.”

Jeong Yeon-shin rarely analyzed the enemies. It was natural.

Since the Tyrant Sword Sect itself was a family’s enemy, he needed to be familiar with everything that could break their initial moves.

“Do not carelessly comment on our sect’s senior.”

It was an unfamiliar voice.

Jeong Yeon-shin had already faintly sensed it.

Five hidden martial artists revealed themselves on the Seeking Pavilion roof, either to protect Hye, who had been recognized for her talents by the Zhongnan Sword Immortal, or for some other reason.

They all had clear energy. Unlike the evil sect groups like the Tyrant Sword Sect.

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly opened his mouth.

“I don’t think my words were disrespectful.”

“Words approach differently depending on the person. Do you not know that Desolate Sect cannot become a guest of the martial world?”

Another martial artist spoke. Their stance was not one of simple retreat.

‘Desolate Sect has many enemies.’

He suddenly realized.

It was a sect that intervened in the conflicts and interests of the entire Central Plains martial world.

The leaders of the orthodox sects like the Nine Sects would naturally not view them kindly.

Moreover, the Zhongnan Sword Immortal had shown the Sword Master’s legacy and hinted at expectations.

They said it was the sect’s long-standing desire. Even if it wasn’t the main mountain’s season, their hearts would be different.

It would have been strange if the young martial artists, whose passion preceded cultivation, did not feel jealousy.

Their expressions made it clear. Their uncomfortable feelings were directly visible.

“Aren’t the main masters down? It looks like they’re even short-handed.”

“Short-handed? Do not insult our main sect…!”

Hyeon Won-chang’s words had clearly crossed a line. But their angry reaction was short-lived.

The Zhongnan Sect martial artists who had raised their energy turned their heads to the side.

Jeong Yeon-shin and Hyeon Won-chang did the same.

There were people approaching from a distance.

Five martial artists with swords who overwhelmed the energy of the five Zhongnan martial artists. It was hard to believe.

Jeong Yeon-shin had passed several pavilions to get here, yet the Tyrant Sword Sect martial artists were appearing here.

“Kill the child first. He’s continuing the Sword Immortal’s lineage.”

The leader, wearing an orange martial arts uniform, spoke indifferently.

The four beside him stomped the ground without even answering. The sound of them rushing was like the wind being torn.

They were powerful martial artists who could leave footprints on rocks.

“How dare you!”

The blue stones on the roof shattered with a thud. The Zhongnan Sect martial artists split the space.

Clang! Whoosh-!

The force collision whipped their hair with a strong wind.

Even though four and five were clashing, it was evenly matched.

The martial artist who looked the strongest was walking through the battlefield, and the Zhongnan Sect martial artists seemed overwhelmed just blocking the four.

The martial artist approached, seemingly mocking the distorted faces.

He made eye contact with Jeong Yeon-shin, who had hidden Hye behind him, and smiled.

“Desolate Sect youngsters. Answer why you’ve come to the Nine Sects. Is it to balance the situation again since our sect is dominant?”

Jeong Yeon-shin looked at his second brother without answering.

“We’ve had to cross several peaks, but the Tyrant Sword Sect has reached here. I don’t think the Zhongnan Sect is this hopeless. These guys seem to have infiltrated during the battle to harm Hye. Is that right?”

“Uh, yes. There’s no other possibility.”

While Jeong Jung-san nodded ambiguously, Jeong Yeon-shin looked at Hyeon Won-chang.

“Please assist me.”

“Don’t worry about the back.”

Except for the calm Jeong Yeon-shin, the only ones who seemed leisurely at this moment were the Tyrant Sword Sect martial artist before them and Hyeon Won-chang.

Especially Hyeon Won-chang, who even had a smile at the corner of his mouth, looked strangely pleased.

“Then.”

Jeong Yeon-shin, who hadn’t even responded to the enemy. At the moment the Tyrant Sword Sect martial artist laughed as if exasperated.

The Jeong Family Dynamic Technique true energy rushed through his entire body. A heavy energy rose from his legs, raising dust.

The next moment, the true step that struck the ground contained an unmatched strength that no one here could match.

The intensely raised dust spread in all directions.

Boom!

The Tyrant Sword Sect martial artist’s face, dyed with surprise, was covered by the pure white Desolate Sword.

The energy wave of the Eternal Blossom Fist Advancing Thunder stance rose from his fist and pushed the air.

Clang! Whoosh-!

With the collision, a wild wind swept in all directions.

It was momentarily enough to stop all other fights.

As the leader of the group, who had barely blocked Jeong Yeon-shin’s strike, stepped back, two of those who had been crossing swords with the Zhongnan Sect disciples leaped this way.

Jeong Yeon-shin did not stop and struck his sword technique. Thanks to Hyeon Won-chang’s momentum rushing in from the side.

Clang!

It was an amazing energy wave.

Between the scattering leaves, Hyeon Won-chang’s sword, gripped in reverse, flashed through the wide net.

He was completely different from usual, having entered a life-or-death situation.

Clang! Crack!

The unique initial stance of Radiant Demon technique deflected the enemy’s sword and struck just below the breastbone.

He didn’t know when he had become this skilled. His indifferent expression carried an overwhelming momentum of cutting down enemies.

The killing intent was so strong it seemed to penetrate the skin.

He suddenly realized. Hyeon Won-chang’s life was also extraordinary.

Clang! Boom!

The thought occurred unconsciously. Thanks to Hyeon Won-chang, he could stably maintain a one-on-one situation.

He continuously pushed forward, pouring out all kinds of forbidden martial techniques.

The Radiant Demon swift sword technique gave the enemy no room to breathe.

The critically approaching strike was dodged with Radiant Wing Step’s first step and immediately counterattacked.

Crack!

Until finally embedding the Desolate Sword into the enemy’s heart.

Having the initiative stolen from him in the upper dantian was like folding several moves in a great game.

The enemy didn’t know this. The Tyrant Sword Sect martial artist’s lips trembled.

“This… with a sword without depth…”

Splash!

Time froze from the sword technique that was pulled out in one go.

All fighting stopped. The gathered gazes contained shock and admiration.

With only the wind brushing the peak making noise, Jeong Yeon-shin shook his sword and spoke.

“I know it has no depth.”

It was a swift sword technique created because he hadn’t properly learned sword methods.

Looking around, Hyeon Won-chang had already dealt with the remaining Tyrant Sword Sect group.

It would be like breaking a separate unit in military terms.

“…We reacted too sensitively. We apologize for our rudeness.”

“May I ask whom you learned from?”

“Radiant Demon Wing’s Jeong Yeon-shin. You won’t forget. Anyway, it’ll soon be a name that shakes the martial world.”

The Zhongnan Sect martial artists who had trained on the mountain had a pure side.

As if asking when they had ever shown pride and jealousy, once they received the grace of rescue and confirmed his martial prowess, they couldn’t hide their admiration.

They even tried to strike up a conversation.

Until the Zhongnan Sword Immortal and Wei Ji Myo-hwa returned after settling the fight.

“Zhongnan owes you.”

“I protected my blood relative.”

The Zhongnan Sword Immortal shook his head at Jeong Yeon-shin’s words, who had gently held Jeong Hye.

“Hye will become a pillar of our sect, following Myo-hwa. Even if I say you did what was naturally expected as an uncle, our sect is indeed grateful.”

“I’m thankful if you think so. Then, if you’ll excuse me, may I train here for a moment? You don’t need to move. The awakened sensation is gripping my mind and won’t let go.”

The inspiration was resonating from the top of his head.

He was inwardly disappointed that there was no suitable place, but as soon as the Zhongnan Sword Immortal mentioned grace, he quickly spoke.

“There’s an insight…!”

It seemed like a good thing. The Zhongnan Sword Immortal quickly pushed people back. Simultaneously, Jeong Yeon-shin, who had glanced at the Sword Master’s cliff, drew his Desolate Sword.

‘Each real battle is new.’

He could refine his understanding thanks to the Tyrant Sword Sect.

Sunlight streamed in lines on the pure white sword blade extended beneath the sword wave he held down.

Soon, the sword began to draw a mysterious line following his swinging arm.

There was no special energy, just a smooth trajectory.

It was as if the sun was slightly more captured on the sword surface.

“…!”

This alone was enough to make the Zhongnan Sword Immortal’s eyes widen incredibly.

However, Jeong Yeon-shin’s Desolate Sword could not progress further and descended.

Rough breath escaped. Moving the sword following the brilliant intention was insufficient.

The true energy did not rise as his mind wished.

Just as he had always created his own martial arts, the sword traces on the cliff seemed to tell him to find his own sword.

“I will not take the Sword Master’s legacy.”

Jeong Yeon-shin, who had raised Jeong Family Dynamic Technique and regulated his breathing, spoke.

“It’s like… there’s this sword path, so broaden your thoughts a bit. That’s how it seemed to speak. It’s just what I felt.”

Even he didn’t know what he was saying.

Not just young Hye, but Hyeon Won-chang and Jeong Jung-san seemed to think the same.

Only the Zhongnan Sword Immortal nodded as if understanding the true meaning.

Beside Wei Ji Myo-hwa, who was making an expression hard to read.

“They say traces of a great master who has achieved mastery contain spiritual energy. It transcends the boundaries of martial arts and techniques. The Sword Master would be the same, and you’ve resonated  with it. Heavenly luck and talent have met.”

“Ah.”

Jeong Yeon-shin exhaled a short exclamation and slightly closed his eyes.

“You said he was in Zhongnan in his later years. Then he must have exchanged insights with Zhongnan masters. The Zhongnan sword technique’s color is thick, so it doesn’t suit my body and wouldn’t be efficient to learn.”

He could originally create a martial art suited to his body. His martial arts progression speed was different.

This was why he did not follow and use others’ martial arts.

“Sir Jeong, could you explain in more detail what you mean?”

Wei Ji Myo-hwa’s white face calmly gazed at Jeong Yeon-shin.

Her gaze did not drop. The Sword Dragon, who roamed the sky beautifully, was looking only at Jeong Yeon-shin.

“The restoration of the Nine Yang Unified Technique is entirely the Sword Dragon’s responsibility. I can help a little.”

“Young Master…?”

“Wait. My training is not over.”

Wei Ji Myo-hwa closed her lips.

Jeong Jung-san moved his lips as if no one had ever treated a great senior like this, but Jeong Yeon-shin’s consciousness immediately immersed in the single Desolate Sword.

He had a strange experience when seeing the sword traces on the cliff.

He experienced an illusion where heaven and earth were turned upside down and crushed into a single line. Everything was an inspiration.

If striking the sword faster than the opponent was sufficient, he clearly realized why sword techniques like Taiji Wisdom Sword and Plum Blossom Sword were renowned throughout the martial world.

Advanced sword techniques were different from simply handling a sword.

The intention contained in the old techniques melted into true energy and sword techniques, creating a harmony that never existed in the world.

Like the Mount Hua Sect’s Plum Blossom Sword that could bloom a fragrant flower with a sword.

Martial artists’ sword techniques were said to be methods that compiled such things.

Until now, he didn’t know the sword.

‘Since there’s nothing, I could only adhere to the swift sword technique.’

It was because of the lack of depth. Now he understood.

Boom.

The sword’s name resonated in his hand.

The Desolate Sword, wrapped in sunlight falling in frost, rose to the sky.

The elegant blade fell riding the light, and with the pure white trajectory of the Desolate Sword transforming into a light sword, heaven and earth were distinctly separated.

It was a sword dance.

At this moment, the legacy left by the great Sword Master was blooming in the hands of a young master.

The sword that did not stop at succession but flew to another sky.

Tears flowed down the Zhongnan Sword Immortal’s wrinkled face that had settled with distant ages.

“Oh, Sword Master…”