They said masters’ intuition sometimes transcends the realm of understanding. Now was different.

Many wore expressions of incomprehension even while watching. Even the Zhongnan Sect masters were the same.

The sight of a boy swordsman holding the head of a Tyrant Sword Sect elder. No one could have even imagined it.

“Eight Fierce Rakshasa Sword…? Is that really that old master?”

“How, how could this happen? By such a youth’s hand?”

“The Rakshasa Sword has passed away? Even this is hard to believe…”

The sight transcending common sense took away the martial artists’ fighting spirit.

Even the Tyrant Sword Sect was no exception. Strange powers and chaotic spirits.

That’s what the situation Jeong Yeon-shin created was like. It was something incomprehensible to the human mind.

That’s when.

Hyeon Won-chang stood up abruptly. As if he had never fallen, the energy wave that rose flutteringly shook off even the dust from his clothes.

With his hero’s headband tied and fluttering on his forehead, tall stature, and handsome features, he broadly squared his shoulders as if showing off and shouted loudly.

“Guest of the Zhongnan Sect! Desolate Sect’s Lightning Flash Jeong Yeon-shin!”

His voice even contained true energy.

With power stronger than Jeong Yeon-shin had thought, Hyeon Won-chang’s voice echoed in all directions with remarkable achievement.

“Has beheaded the Tyrant Sword Sect elder-!”

A tremendous roar burst forth. It was surprising where he had been hiding such internal energy.

Having achieved such tremendous merit.

Hyeon Won-chang clearly identified his status here to confirm the achievement.

It could be called quick-witted improvisation befitting an Desolate Master.

“Sir Jeong truly…!”

“The Eight Fierce Rakshasa Sword is dead!”

“Waaahh!”

The young masters of the Zhongnan Sect were stirred. Many faces were filled with reverence and joy.

There were even those bursting into unprecedented cheers.

“That youth!”

“He’s finally done it!”

Yeo Il-sin and the Zhongnan Sword Immortal’s sword strikes began to show unparalleled effectiveness.

They burst forth with momentum while driving back the bewildered enemies.

Desolate Sect Radiant Demon Wing’s Lightning Flash. The flow of situation change brought by one youth was as fierce as a waterfall.

The Tyrant Sword Sect was helplessly pushed back. Blows that would not be easily recovered from were dealt from all directions.

Among this, Jeong Yeon-shin stared at the Tyrant Sword Sect Leader. Their eyes met.

While receiving the Zhongnan Sect Leader’s sword, he looked anew as if to engrave the youth in his mind.

‘Wait.’

A strong one hard even to look up at. Just receiving his gaze now seemed to shake one’s soul.

Time was clearly Jeong Yeon-shin’s enemy. However, it was also a friend that would grant infinite power.

‘Four years should be enough for you too.’

The world’s Tyrant Sword Sect Leader would not die here. Jeong Yeon-shin turned around.

* * *

The Tyrant Sword Sect was ultimately defeated. It was a great victory for the Zhongnan Sect.

Battles between the Thirteen Heavens and Nine Sects are never common.

The very fact that a visible conclusion was reached when the two clashed was an enormous matter. They said the Central Plains was reacting.

Rumors stirred from Xi’an.

At the forefront of the rumors was the Zhongnan Sword Immortal who had shown divine might that would shock the world.

It was because he had cut off the Elder Council Leader’s arm and killed five elders.

The Sword Dragon Wei Ji Myo-hwa’s reputation also rose once again for commanding disciples against veteran masters.

And stories about the young master from Desolate Sect spread gradually.

A fifteen or sixteen-year-old swordsman had beheaded a Tyrant Sword Sect elder. It was a story hard for anyone to believe.

They said those who claimed to know even a little about the martial world scoffed. That’s why the rumors spread slowly.

However, it was clear that the title of Lightning Flash had advanced into the world.

“It’s enough if the Nine Sects’ masters know. Let the ignorant people say what they will!”

Bang!

Hyeon Won-chang struck the table with his fist.

Having had a drink at an inn below the mountain, he was bursting with indignation.

He said he had heard words denying Desolate Sect’s young master in the market.

He said he almost broke the noses of those ignorant ones.

Jeong Yeon-shin wasn’t particularly concerned. He had little interest in impractical matters.

Because he was only looking at the fruit of the World Tree from the end of his life.

“Does fame help with missions?”

“Of course it does! It helps! You can even get one more drink at inns!”

Hyeon Won-chang finally brought a smile to Jeong Yeon-shin’s lips.

They enjoyed the aftermath of victory. Even the familiar paths they walked had a new earthen scent.

The war between major sects had concluded, and they had slain even the Tyrant Sword Sect’s masters.

As Radiant Demon Wing martial artists, they had more than fulfilled their mission.

The Zhongnan Sect masters treated not only Jeong Yeon-shin but also Hyeon Won-chang with goodwill.

It would be hard to find more pleasant days than these.

“Rather than that, we should think about sects like the Beggar Sect or Hao Sect. When roaming the martial world, one can’t ignore the information they provide. I’m not sure if Sir Jeong has received help from the Beggar Sect before, but the treatment will be different now.”

Wei Ji Myo-hwa said while drinking tea together.

Her small smile was more beautiful than the spring flowers beginning to bloom around them.

“It’s embarrassing to say myself, but they say the Nine Sects are in a realm above the clouds in the murim. Naturally, it’s very difficult for commoners to access news about the Nine Sects. Unless it’s a big event like this time.”

“I see.”

Jeong Yeon-shin replied while taking a sip of the golden Jingwei Fu tea*.

T/N- It’s produced in the Jingwei region of Shaanxi Province, China. This tea is known for its deep fermentation process and the presence of “golden flowers”, which are beneficial probiotics that develop during fermentation. 

Seeing him, Wei Ji Myo-hwa’s face showed smiling eyes.

“That’s why people often avoid accurate stories and believe strange tales. But the Beggar Sect is different. There’s a reason they’re sometimes grouped with the Nine Sects as the Ten Great Sects. They will know accurately. They had several beggars trained in lightness techniques watching outside the battlefield.”

Beggars learning martial arts? It seemed like the methods of the Beggar Sect he had only heard about.

Hyeon Won-chang nodded with satisfaction.

“Since this won’t be the only martial world journey anyway, that’s satisfying enough.”

“For Sir Jeong’s matter, Sir Hyeon is satisfied? The camaraderie of Desolate Sect is different from what I heard. Then which of you two is the senior brother?”

“Senior brother?”

Hyeon Won-chang’s eyes widened as if hearing this for the first time.

Jeong Yeon-shin also became interested.

“I learned Radiant Demon techniques first.”

“Hey! Didn’t you receive them from the sect leader at the same time! Being senior because achievements came first? Desolate Sect isn’t some baseless evil sect!”

“For a sect without master-disciple bonds, that much…”

“Are you really doing this?”

Time passed with this rare comfortable conversation.

The atmosphere was warm since it was a complete victory with few Zhongnan Sect casualties.

The sun set along with Wei Ji Myo-hwa’s gaze as she occasionally smiled beautifully like looking at a younger brother.

The next day.

He received the Flowing Cloud Tablet bestowed by the Zhongnan Sect leader.

They said showing it to secular sects under Zhongnan would earn supreme courtesy.

Since the Jeong family was also a branch of Zhongnan, at such places he could act as a benefactor without having given anything.

“Furthermore, if you need our sect’s sword, don’t hesitate to let us know.

Even for Desolate Sect’s political matters, we will help once.”

The Western Heavens Sword Lord Ou Yang Chen said. Faint warmth swirled on his expressionless face.

They said they had swallowed up quite a bit of the Tyrant Sword Sect’s territory. It was what the Zhongnan Sword Immortal had told him.

When evil sects retreat and orthodox sects protect civilians, donations come in without forcing them, so from the position of a sect leader, Jeong Yeon-shin’s contribution was great.

“I gratefully accept.”

He didn’t particularly decline. Because there would be days when he needed it for carrying out missions or challenging for the position of Blade Lord.

Jeong Yeon-shin, putting the wooden tablet engraved with clouds in his bosom, opened his mouth.

“Then. It seems it’s time to hear it now.”

“Mm. You have the qualification.”

Yeo Il-sin, sitting beside Ou Yang Chen, nodded.

Finally, the secret story of the Jeong family’s annihilation flowed out.

“Everything originated from the World Tree.”

“Did you say World Tree?”

“It’s the divine tree that supports the world. All principles of the myriad things are firmly established through the mysterious World Tree. It must use much of the earth’s energy, and the Jeong family’s land was very fertile. They were major landowners in Xinye County? The divine tree’s roots extended enough to fold distances.”

“……”

“All universally acknowledged miraculous medicines are like that. They are created in mysterious ways following the principles of all living things. It’s a different story from martial arts or techniques.”

“Then the reason for the Jeong family’s annihilation…”

“The Desolate Sect Lord’s powerful martial arts… there are sayings they are maintained by eating the World Tree’s fruit. The Tyrant Sword Sect and Blood Flame Sect. They are sects completely hostile to Desolate Sect. It seems it was more than enough reason for them to annihilate one small martial family. They say Xinye County has now become a wasteland in their hands.”

Jeong Yeon-shin lost his words for a moment. Yeo Il-sin, who sighed with a face wanting to embrace him, spoke again.

“We, who were in a close position, received a letter from the Desolate Sect Lord. It was a request to protect the Jeong family. Though we ultimately failed…”

“……”

“I am truly sorry to you, Jung-san, and Hye.”

* * *

Shouldn’t the living live on?

He decided to eat the World Tree’s fruit first. He set aside the complicated circumstances and paradox.

It’s of no help whatsoever to survival.

It wouldn’t be too late to ask the Desolate Sect Lord after becoming the Divine Sword Squad Leader. They said she lived eternally.

The sky was clear. A cloudless blue covered the whole world.

Jeong Yeon-shin and Hyeon Won-chang packed their bags and stood at the entrance of Zhongnan Mountain.

Many had gathered to see them off. The reputation they had built in the Zhongnan Sect was not small.

“You can come when you’ve grown up. When you become a master, you’ll be able to visit the Desolate Sect.”

He reasoned with his crying, clinging niece.

Looking at his second brother Jeong Jung-san, he was staring at his younger brother with an expression hard to describe.

A face marked with regret and pride. Jeong Yeon-shin just slightly nodded.

They hadn’t become close enough yet to be completely casual.

Wei Ji Myo-hwa, standing in front, moved her red lips.

“Next time, would it be alright if I come?”

“When there’s no mission, I should be the one requesting the Sword Dragon’s martial arts.”

Her lips drew a smooth arc. The Zhongnan Sword Immortal laughed heartily.

“The backwaters of the Yangtze have formed a friendship. It’s good to see. Truly delightful for an old man who should start thinking about washing away the dust.”

Martial artists call retiring and settling grudges “washing away the dust.” Jeong Yeon-shin shook his head.

“You seem like you’ll live another hundred years.”

Laughter burst out everywhere. Now they were completely like grandparent and grandchild.

The Zhongnan Sword Immortal smiled benevolently.

“Yeon-shin. I hope you achieve your goals.”

It was words containing many meanings. Jeong Yeon-shin calmly clasped his fists before mounting the fine horse given by the Zhongnan Sect.

As always, Hyeon Won-chang was with him, aligning his horse’s head beside him.

When leaving, he didn’t look back. After half a day’s ride, they arrived at a village.

The sunset was spreading as if the sunlight was regretfully looking back.

A silk made of crimson light hazily dyed Jeong Yeon-shin’s vision.

They left their horses and entered an inn. It was a boisterous place.

“There are quite a few wandering warriors.”

Hyeon Won-chang, sitting together near the entrance, muttered.

It was so crowded they had to share seats with some middle-aged men. They exchanged greetings with bows.

The waiter who took their order had an unpleasant expression.

It seemed to be because of those making noise while carrying swords everywhere.

Among them were men and women wearing silk martial uniforms who seemed to be from martial families.

It’s uncommon for martial artists to gather like this in a small village.

It seemed there was some incident, but the wandering warriors who liked to boast of martial prowess or discuss rumors talked about it themselves.

“…To think the Mount Hua Sect secretly received help from Desolate Sect. The Nine Sects and Desolate Sect are now setting suns. Only the Zhongnan Sect that defeated the Tyrant Sword Sect can act big in Shaanxi!”

“I’m telling you this because you’re new to the murim, but the murim is a place where you can live long only if you keep your mouth shut.”

He was a young master who seemed to be from a martial family. Though his appearance was different enough to throw his weight around, he was quite dignified.

Two women wearing swords who seemed to be his companions nodded while smiling faintly.

A wandering warrior who had been talking loudly at the opposite table frowned.

“I’m not new! Where am I wrong? Otherwise, how could they not catch even one Thieving Ghost! They say one eye of the Blue Eyes Demon Sword that Radiant Demon Wing boasts about flew off! Desolate Sect’s blue-level masters? Turns out it was all empty fame!”

It was when he swept his gaze around as if seeking agreement.

Puhk-!

It was an incredible speed. The chopsticks that silently split the air were completely embedded in the table.

The energy wave carried was so powerful that the tip trembled, and the table cracked and split centered on the pierced point.

Everyone’s gaze turned toward the entrance. A youth wearing a long blue robe was calmly looking at the wandering warrior.

“That story.”

Sky-blue light brushed past Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes.

“Tell it in more detail.”

Though it was a low voice, Jeong Family Dynamic Technique’s true energy was imbued. No one in this place would have failed to hear it.

The inn that had been noisy with sword-carrying people instantly became quiet.

Hyeon Won-chang, who had slightly reached out, turned forward the shoulder hem of Jeong Yeon-shin’s clothes.

The character ‘Hwang (荒)’ embroidered in white thread on the blue robe was revealed.