The mountain became noisy.

They were in the midst of dealing with the aftermath of blocking an attack.

The Zhongnan Sect’s main masters had returned after striking one of the Tyrant Sword Sect’s branches.

After hearing the news, Jeong Yeon-shin and Hyeon Won-chang were able to meet the ruler of Zhongnan Mountain after spending a day.

It was with Great Elder Yeo Il-sin, who had shown goodwill to Jeong Yeon-shin during the annihilation of the Jeong family.

“You have done us a favor.”

The Zhongnan Sect leader was a man of exceptional appearance.

From his sharp, blade-like ears to his yellow long robe, he exuded the bearing of a hero of the age.

Western Heavens Sword Lord Ou Yang Chen.

He was said to be the son of the Sword Master and Yeo Il-sin.

Known to be seventy years old, but he didn’t look over thirty.

He was of mixed Human and Elf clan blood. One could tell just by looking at his ears.

“Jeong Hye is a child personally watched over by the Sword Immortal. You saved our sect’s disciple, so we must properly thank you.”

Like most famous clan members, he was as handsome as Chyeong Myeong but had a different atmosphere.

He was solemn, befitting the head of a sect.

Ou Yang Chen looked steadily at the two from Radiant Demon Wing and opened his mouth.

“Tell me what you want from our sect.”

Jeong Yeon-shin felt Hyeon Won-chang’s presence tremble beside him.

He seemed not to have expected such a reward.

It felt like hearing his unopened upper dantian rolling around.

He hoped he wouldn’t make an unreasonable request.

He shouldn’t lower his status as an honored guest by asking for things like precious medicine.

He decided to speak first.

“Please allow us to assist in the fight against the Tyrant Sword Sect.”

“Hmm.”

The one who responded was Yeo Il-sin. She looked at Jeong Yeon-shin with complex emotions before slightly closing her eyes.

He had wanted to ask about the reason for the Jeong family’s annihilation, but didn’t want to use this opportunity for what was naturally owed.

“Radiant Demon Wing’s Lightning Flash. You’ve comprehended my father’s legacy.”

Ou Yang Chen said. A slight interest showed on his face.

“He didn’t pass on the secret techniques even to his son, saying you were another sect’s disciple. It’s ironic. To think Desolate Sect would obtain it.”

“I only used it as inspiration for my sword technique. I won’t learn or spread the Nine Yang Unified Technique.”

“How broad-minded. Interesting.”

Perhaps he felt conviction in the calmness. He might have somewhat penetrated Jeong Yeon-shin’s unique temperament.

In his opinion, his maternal grandfather Ma Yeon-jeok’s martial prowess had definitely declined compared to his prime.

Otherwise, the eyes of the Western Heavens Sword Lord and Zhongnan Sword Immortal wouldn’t have seemed so frightening.

“I heard you taught the oral chants through Myo-hwa. That too is a great favor. Even if you want the vanguard, we cannot refuse.”

In murim power struggles, the vanguard represents the sect’s face.

The Zhongnan Sect leader had greatly acknowledged him.

Ou Yang Chen’s deep eyes didn’t leave Jeong Yeon-shin.

Perhaps even one praised highly for swordsmanship in the western world couldn’t be free from his father’s traces.

A faint love-hate seemed to show through.

Yeo Il-sin was the same. The child she had seen during the Jeong family bloodshed had restored her husband’s sword technique.

“Heaven’s principles are mysterious. How are these connections formed…”

“I have something separate to ask the Great Elder. I couldn’t hear it then due to the circumstances.”

At Jeong Yeon-shin’s words, her face hardened.

* * *

Wei Ji Myo-hwa’s sword rose straight up, blocking the sunlight.

An elegant upper stance. The sunlight falling gently from the midday sun harmonized clearly with Zhongnan Mountain’s clean air.

Among this, only her single sword was not peaceful.

The Nine Yang Unified Technique’s sword stance was, as its name suggested, a single strike.

Jeong Yeon-shin, who created a sword technique flow from repeating single strikes, was strange.

Whoosh!

The sword path that should cut nine suns at once became distorted.

The Zhongnan Sword Immortal watching from the side clicked his tongue.

“You’re not concentrating at all.”

“I’m sorry. Just making a mess.”

“Is Yeon-shin the problem?”

Wei Ji Myo-hwa shook her head.

“No. The problem is my heart.”

She had already fully acknowledged Jeong Yeon-shin’s sword. Wei Ji Myo-hwa’s inner demon did not stem from jealousy.

Her mind wasn’t that narrow.

Just as her life’s accumulated and constantly refined martial talent seemed futile.

Rather than jealousy, it was closer to emptiness.

“Is that Radiant Wing Sword Style not inferior to the Nine Yang Unified Technique? Did I see correctly?”

“That’s right.”

The Zhongnan Sword Immortal answered briefly. There was no need to say more about Jeong Yeon-shin’s martial arts.

“It wasn’t just first-level mastery. While practicing together, he immediately surpassed first level to reach second and third levels… Not only is it unbelievable that he created such a rising martial art, but his achievement in a martial art he learned for the first time without experience overwhelmed my Nine Yang Unified Technique.”

“That child has already achieved your goal.”

When Wei Ji Myo-hwa lowered her sword and looked at the Zhongnan Sword Immortal, he slowly continued.

“He’s a great master transcending age. It’s natural that he quickly masters the martial art he created himself. All human things and learning are the same. It can only fit the creator’s body best. There is no martial art in the world that isn’t so.”

“It must be talent unmatched in the world. Even I cannot follow…”

“The Shaolin Bodhidharma and Wudang Founder Zhang Sanfeng were the same. Living in the same era as such a great master can be a blessing depending on how you think about it. Didn’t you receive the Nine Yang One Technique?”

“…You’re right. It’s an incomparable grace.”

Wei Ji Myo-hwa smiled faintly. It was a smile of resignation.

The anguish that troubled her was forcibly folded thanks to her cultivation as a Zhongnan disciple.

While her pride as the Sword Dragon and young passion cried out not to be overtaken, she wasn’t confident she could show her back to Jeong Yeon-shin forever.

In the near future, Wei Ji Myo-hwa would be looking at Jeong Yeon-shin’s back. She decided to accept this.

A fair wind brushed past her silk-like hair as if lending strength.

However, her sword-gripping hand did not immediately become firm.

It takes time to prepare to descend from the peak of one’s peers. There was no way her energy could be full.

“…I wasn’t going to say this.”

The Zhongnan Sword Immortal sighed. Though he said Jeong Yeon-shin was like a grandson, he couldn’t compare to Wei Ji Myo-hwa whom he had raised like a real granddaughter.

“You must hear this and keep silent.”

“What?”

“It’s about Yeon-shin. His Baihui acupoint that communicates with great nature.”

He continues speaking to Wei Ji Myo-hwa, who showed a puzzled expression.

“It was a subtle change. But he changed day by day. He’s accepting too much power between heaven and earth. It’s not good at all. Even extraordinary supreme masters would find it hard to handle.”

“What do you mean…”

“He doesn’t have many days to live. Yet he struggles like that. As if trying to leave his trace in the world.”

Wei Ji Myo-hwa’s eyes widened at these shocking words.

The Zhongnan Sword Immortal had his hands behind his back, staring distantly at a clouded mountain peak.

“Beyond martial arts level and age, I felt respect. For Yeon-shin, that is.”

* * *

After the discussion with Ou Yang Chen and Yeo Il-sin.

They heard news that a decisive battle letter had come from the Tyrant Sword Sect. It was said to have short but intense content.

– Let’s have a decisive battle three days after Rain Water.

It was the end of February.

A decisive battle in the martial world meant an all-out battle risking a sect’s fate.

It was completely different from the sporadic battles until now.

A head-on collision between wings of the Thirteen Heavens and Nine Sects. An event that would shake the murim had occurred.

The time was too short for sects across the Central Plains to react. The day of the decisive battle approached quickly.

Whoosh-

The wind sweeping down the vast Guanzhong Plain felt rough.

It was said to be where Wei Ji Myo-hwa had gained the title of Sword Dragon by beheading an evil sect’s leader.

Jeong Yeon-shin looked straight ahead from among the Zhongnan Sect disciples.

A sword-like energy was burning from what appeared to be about two hundred people.

The Tyrant Sword Sect of the Thirteen Heavens. They were said to be the sect that sought the most tyrannical power in the world.

At the forefront stood the absolute being from his memories.

The Tyrant Sword Sect Leader. His expressionless face was familiar.

Still revealing his energy without concealment while his large sword was thrust into the ground.

Even though they were easily a thousand steps apart, an overwhelming energy wave rushed over.

Now that he had properly learned martial arts, he could understand what an absurd amount of power had been accumulated.

“So that’s Sir Jeong’s enemy.”

Hyeon Won-chang said while glaring ahead. He knew his companion’s story.

Their friendship had deepened without realizing it, showing no signs of backing down.

For the first time, Jeong Yeon-shin saw in Hyeon Won-chang an aspect worthy of being called a divine hero.

He walked forward, cherishing his gratitude.

It was where the Zhongnan Sect leader, Western Heavens Sword Lord Ou Yang Chen, was looking straight ahead.

Just then, someone from the Tyrant Sword Sect stepped forward alone and shouted.

“I! Third disciple of the Tyrant Sword Sect Leader! Is there a rising talent who can receive Wei Wu-hyeok’s sword!”

It was a proposal for a vanguard battle.

They said it was as common in murim conflicts as decisive battles between veteran masters.

It was about breaking morale by comparing the sect’s future that could gauge their substance.

It was something he had experienced once through Yu-hyeon of the Hwasan faction.

“I will now present my request to the Sect Leader.”

“Lightning Flash.”

Ou Yang Chen turned his head. Their eyes met.

“I request this with the qualification of having comprehended the legacy of the great senior Sword Master, who was Sect Leader’s father and Great Elder’s husband. As a guest of the Zhongnan Sect, I will step forward.”

“Sir Jeong.”

Wei Ji Myo-hwa, who had been making strange expressions whenever she saw him lately, looked at him.

Various emotions crossed her expression. Jeong Yeon-shin gave a slight bow and looked at Ou Yang Chen.

‘I can go out.’

It was not an appropriate position for her to step forward.

He was slightly older than Wei Wu-hyeok, and their accumulated reputations were different.

Ou Yang Chen slowly nodded.

If they needed a certain victory, there was no better choice among peers than Jeong Yeon-shin.

“Go ahead.”

“Thank you.”

After paying respects with clasped fists, he stepped forward.

Wei Ji Myo-hwa watched Jeong Yeon-shin’s back from beside the Zhongnan Sect elders.

Her gaze didn’t leave his retreating figure.

There was a great master who was burning himself to write down traces of his life.

“Already a magnificent youth.”

The Zhongnan Sword Immortal’s sigh scattered.

* * *

“The Zhongnan Sect’s fate is over.”

These were Wei Wu-hyeok’s first words upon facing Jeong Yeon-shin.

He seemed about seventeen or eighteen. His appearance was transitioning from boy to young man.

Not only his splendid precious sword but also his crimson martial arts uniform was flashy, and Jeong Yeon-shin remembered seeing him briefly at the Jeong family house. He was one of the enemies.

After looking Jeong Yeon-shin up and down, he sneered.

“You, I remember. The Jeong family? You showed ridiculous childishness. Should have killed you then, but fortunately you’ve come before me now.”

“You couldn’t do anything back then, could you?”

“Die in a martial artist’s life-and-death battle. What justification would the Tyrant Lord have to intervene? He’d only lose face. If what you believe in is the same as before, it’s truly pitiful.”

As befitting the Tyrant Sword Sect Leader’s direct disciple, arrogant dignity flowed through his entire body. He was quite the young master.

‘The Tyrant Sword Sect Leader’s disciple. I can both take revenge and gain achievement.’

Jeong Yeon-shin silently drew his sword.

His gaze reached the Tyrant Sword Sect Leader standing far behind Wei Wu-hyeok.

His distinctly angular face was as indifferent as before.

“Now die.”

Wei Wu-hyeok struck with his sword as he spoke. His attitude of not caring where his opponent was looking was typical of an evil sect martial artist.

Clang! Whoosh!

The exploding energy wave burst into strong wind. The crossed swords remained motionless.

Wei Wu-hyeok made a surprised expression at the sword force that didn’t yield at all.

“Not bad.”

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t answer. Having properly learned sword techniques himself, he could see the flow the sword created.

The opponent’s sword was the same.

He suddenly remembered when Chyeong Myeong tested him when he first entered Radiant Demon Wing.

He slowly opened his mouth.

“Someone from Elf clan I know said this. They gauge others’ talent through sword wind.”

“Hm?”

“So this is what it meant.”

The moment Jeong Yeon-shin smiled, goosebumps rose on Wei Wu-hyeok’s arms.

Radiant Wing Sword Style.

The Desolate Sword in his hand held the sunlight.

At the same time, as a faint light burst forth, it pushed away the crossed sword.

“What…!”

Jeong Yeon-shin’s hand didn’t stop. With wind wrapped around his entire body, he passed by him with a true step.

At the end of the sword strike that flashed white diagonally from the neck, Wei Wu-hyeok’s head fell.

A thud rang out. The body collapsed.

He sheathed his sword without even looking at the corpse.

“……”

For a moment, silence fell over the plain.

Translator’s Note: Wing in Radiant Demon Wing means division or squad meanwhile the Wing in Radiant Wing Sword Style means wings of a bird.