The Seventh Apostle lost her left eye. Jeong Yeon-shin casually mocked her halved vision.

His gaze moved to one side for a moment as he exhaled.

Cheong Myeong, wearing a classical eyepatch, was handling five Blood Snake Swords alone. It was quite far away. He probably hadn’t heard.

Ma Jin beside him rarely stammered.

“That, what was that?”

“Demon Destroying Blue Steel Hand. A martial art to open the crowns of blood demons.”

Jeong Yeon-shin answered roughly. The Seventh Apostle was glaring at him with her one remaining red eye.

It was over twenty steps away. Yet her terrifying momentum approached as if to stab.

It felt like skin being sliced with a knife. It seemed fitting to call it evil.

“You said You’re Lightning Flash?”

She suddenly smiled. A madness-filled smile formed smoothly and red.

Unlike Blood Snake Swords. Did she completely ignore the surging pain? The time to regain composure was surprisingly fast.

“You’re amazing. Where did you get such divine arts? It seems like martial arts created assuming our sect’s annihilation, and mastering it to that extent is also surprising. Especially at that age.”

“……”

“Even a little dharma power imbued in martial arts makes initiation difficult. If it were easy, would Shaolin have left us alone? Such techniques can only be cultivated by those born with once-in-a-millennium talent. You…”

The Seventh Apostle’s smile deepened. She looked completely like a madwoman.

“I want you. Your nape looks even prettier.”

“Shut up-!”

The ground rumbled along with Ma Jin’s shout. He rushed in at once.

He began overwhelming the Seventh Apostle with momentum incomparable to before.

She seemed to have no more will to fight. Ma Jin’s words about body technique compatibility being poor were right.

It was body-protecting movement like a bat’s wing flap.

Her movements segmenting this way and that seemed to enter the realm of supreme ascension, but while she could deflect what came, Ma Jin couldn’t pin her down.

The stationary Jeong Yeon-shin was the same. Successfully striking the Seventh Apostle alone exceeded his ability.

It was a miracle created together by her carelessness, the Blood Swordmasters’ assistance, and the extremely compatible Demon Destroying Blue Steel Hand.

He had already fulfilled his role. He had completely reversed a situation that could have been a defeat.

It was something difficult to achieve with his original martial prowess.

“See you again.”

It was a coquettish voice. Jeong Yeon-shin ignored the Seventh Apostle’s words.

Her hair scattered long. The Seventh Apostle smiled brightly and left the battlefield with tremendous lightness technique.

She seemed not to care about her remaining subordinates. Her departing figure contained speed never seen before.

Was that too in the realm of Desolate Sect black-level? Jeong Yeon-shin approached Ma Jin who was lowering his blade.

They were in the middle of the battlefield that was being cleaned up already. The apostle had fled.

The morale of those fanatical sect members couldn’t remain. As Blood Swordmasters were subdued one after another, Blood Flame Sect members knelt or committed suicide.

“The squad leader couldn’t fulfill his role alone.”

Jeong Yeon-shin calmly opened his mouth. Ma Jin nodded slightly.

“I know.”

“In terms of martial power, you seemed half a level above the Seventh Apostle. Is my maternal family’s body-protecting movement originally like that?”

“…I learned it well.”

“I see.”

“…Yes.”

Ma Jin didn’t know his nephew’s circumstances where merit was his lifeline.

Jeong Yeon-shin forced a smile. It was a place between uncle and nephew. Perhaps due to anxiety from the initial failure.

Unconsciously, his peer-like appearance showed. It was the first time since entering Desolate Sect.

“This mission failed. Even if I fulfilled my given role, the merit will be downgraded. Thanks to this I can push myself. I need to become stronger.”

While Ma Jin was silent, all martial artists cleaned up the Righteous Heaven Sword Family that had become a battlefield.

Just handling the corpses took enormous manpower and time. Already the smell of blood seemed to rise along with the stench of death.

Captured Blood Flame Sect members were imprisoned in the family’s prison. They said such famous families naturally had at least one prison.

Meanwhile, Master Won Jong approached. His reddened eyes contained deep emotions.

“You showed it. That martial arts of dharma power reaching the extreme actually existed…”

“It’s thanks to you, master.”

“The martial art that took the Seventh Apostle’s eye, that divine force wave… I won’t forget until my dying moment. Wonderful talent and goodness.”

He praises the skill and says it’s good indeed. Perhaps the master’s grudge was somewhat resolved.

Jeong Yeon-shin thought if he survived, he would take the Blood Flame Sect leader’s head too.

He hoped all the old monk’s regrets would fade by then.

“If you ever come to Shaolin, I’ll serve Longjing tea. There will be many monks wanting to discuss dharma power with you. The abbot senior brother too won’t be able to hide his curiosity.”

Master Won Jong said with a smile all over his face. It was an unprecedentedly gentle face.

Stumbling over, Little Divine Monk Gak Jeong’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Master uncle mentioned Longjing tea? you stayed far from it like grain wine, calling it mere luxury.”

“Your words are funny. Just because one is in Buddhism doesn’t mean one should stay away from secular ways. Since it’s not monks who fill the temple’s storehouse, proper hospitality must be shown to honored guests.”

“Huh……”

The Little Divine Monk who seemed lost for words sighed and looked at Jeong Yeon-shin.

“I don’t disagree. I’ve never seen someone like Sir. Just containing such martial arts in your body is amazing. You’re truly worthy to be Shaolin’s guest.”

“I think I’ll long remember the Little Divine Monk’s dharma talk too.”

At Jeong Yeon-shin’s words, he laughed loudly. He was quite a magnanimous monk.

“Come to Mount Song sometime. As master uncle said, my master will welcome you.”

“The Shaolin Temple abbot…”

Jeong Yeon-shin quietly muttered.

The feeling of having an orthodox sect’s absolute being in his mouth was strange.

Jeong Yeon-shin was from Henan. It meant he had grown up hearing Shaolin’s reputation from birth.

He slowly clasped his fists.

“Someday there will be a day to climb Mount Song. I’ll be in your care then too.”

“Amitabha.”

Master Won Jong and Little Divine Monk Gak Jeong returned the greeting with banjang.

With this, Jeong Yeon-shin had formed connections with three of the Nine Sects. It was a day when sunlight poured down amid thick blood scent.

* * *

The Righteous Heaven Sword Family’s young master Hyeon Yu-ryang couldn’t let go of his attachment in the end.

He seemed determined to somehow match his sister with Jeong Yeon-shin.

This time even the family head stepped forward. It was troublesome having to decline.

Jeong Yeon-shin only went between the training ground and the guest room. Until the day came for Radiant Demon Wing to leave.

“I heard the Desolate Sect Lord presided over Sir’s coming of age ceremony.”

“We’ll set a date and send matchmakers to the main sect. Think deeply about it.”

Young master Hyeon Yu-ryang and family head Hyeon Muk saw off Radiant Demon Wing.

There were several Righteous Heaven Sword Family masters who had fought together in the Blood Flame Sect battle.

Among them, a young lady wearing face silk covering below her eyes stared blankly at Jeong Yeon-shin. Her eyes were beautiful.

But it wasn’t fate. Jeong Yeon-shin quietly clasped his fists and opened his mouth.

“We stayed well. I hope everyone takes care.”

“I wish for your success.”

The family head with large eyes like the young master and white skin received Jeong Yeon-shin’s courtesy.

All mounted on fine horses, Radiant Demon Wing rode out. Both Radiant Demon First and Second Teams were safe.

Though some had slow bleeding from wounds due to being hit by blood technique true energy, they said it was cheap payment for fighting a group battle with one of the Thirteen Heavens.

“The Righteous Heaven Sword Family would truly be an amazing marriage match.”

“Few places compare unless it’s at the level of the Eight Great Families. It’s not like he’ll marry into the Thirteen Heavens.”

Hyeon Won-chang and Cheong Myeong got along well. They even teased Jeong Yeon-shin often on the return journey.

They seemed to have taken interest in discussing Lightning Flash’s marriage prospects.

‘Fill your own seats first.’

Jeong Yeon-shin thought.

The time came to part with the two Shaolin monks too. Because their paths diverged.

Master Won Jong earnestly requested he definitely visit Shaolin, and Little Divine Monk Gak Jeong couldn’t let go with particular curiosity.

“Amitabha. When Sir has endless dharma talks yet to hear…”

“It’s already enough. I’ll just accept the monk’s heart.”

“You never know. Couldn’t Sir sufficiently be called a rising talent? You might come to the Dragon Phoenix Gathering representing Desolate Sect. This monk will attend if time allows, so let’s continue our unfinished conversation then.”

“Did you say Dragon Phoenix Gathering?”

“You didn’t know? It’s a place where rising talents from orthodox martial sects and righteous alliance sects interact. Many promising young martial artists gather to exchange moves and build friendships.”

“I know that.”

“Sometimes pairs form like mandarin ducks. They discuss martial arts and chivalry and love blooms. Since men and women called one in a hundred gather from all over the world. It’s no exaggeration to say all the martial world’s romance is at the Dragon Phoenix Gathering. Even an incomplete monk like me has my heart flutter, how much more does it mean to others?”

The Little Divine Monk grinned.

Jeong Yeon-shin wasn’t particularly interested. It was enough to directly practice martial arts and chivalry. Romance too was a trivial matter to him now.

Dark clouds hung over blue-level promotion due to mission failure.

When time was lacking even for pressuring his maternal uncle Ma Jin and thinking about the next mission.

“Aren’t you one of the Eighteen Arhats, monk? Yet can you be called a rising talent? You seem easily ten years older than me too.”

At words casually spoken to change the topic, Gak Jeong’s face hardened.

“Someone like me still fits the rising status. Not yet thirty, so of course. You attending the Dragon Phoenix Gathering? Then I must show you this young Shaolin monk’s skills. I’ll show that drunken fist isn’t all I can do with a cup of grain wine…”

“You’re bringing shame to the temple.”

Master Won Jong pulled Gak Jeong’s arm.

After bowing once more, the two monks moved away. It was after promising their next meeting.

The group galloped peacefully. They passed through the ruined Xinye County once again.

Jeong Yeon-shin passed by indifferently on horseback. The Tyrant Sword Sect leader and Blood Flame Sect leader.

He only recalled the names of those whose heads he needed to take. They were still distant absolute beings.

‘The administrator will do well too.’

The Jeong family administrator remained at Mount Pingding. He said it would be good to form a new merchant group with Shaolin nearby.

After several days, the group arrived in Xiangyang land.

Seeing Desolate Sect revealing its majestic fortress from afar, his heart became complex.

‘Blue level…’

It was the first failure after three missions. Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t deny himself.

He thought of continuous victories. He believed if he endured the time of effort and hardship, he could reach it faster than anyone.

It seemed actually so.

‘Just doing well myself isn’t enough. That’s the murim.’

The flow of thoughts branched. The young great master agonized.

What could he do? How could he use his uniquely own talent?

While lost in thought, they entered Desolate Sect’s main gate.

Reporting the mission’s progress and results was Ma Jin’s role. It was when he was about to return with the seniors and Hyeon Won-chang.

The General Administration Office scholar he had seen at the Martial Arts Training Ground before called Jeong Yeon-shin. He remembered he was called Do Yu-won.

“We’ve been waiting.”

“Scholar Do…?”

Do Yu-won smiled at Jeong Yeon-shin’s questioning words.

“Not just me, but the main fortress martial artists must have anticipated more. A white warrior taking a Blood Flame Sect apostle’s eye… The messenger bird’s wings are more steady and swift than martial artists’ lightness technique. The news was widespread. We had just sent the remaining Radiant Demon Wing masters and annihilation team hearing about the ambush, but they all returned as truly amazing news was delivered.”

“Ah.”

“You’ve reduced the fighting power of an apostle who could face the rare black-level masters. That day, a schedule encompassing all of Desolate Sect was set. Blue-level promotion! A place where all whites who have accumulated sufficient merit challenge. The summons was issued the moment the Radiant Demon Squad leader and the sirs entered Xiangyang.”

Do Yu-won guided him to the main fortress center. Not just Hyeon Won-chang but all the Radiant Demon Wing seniors followed.

Their faces had completely erased the journey’s fatigue, as if something exciting had happened.

Jeong Yeon-shin approached Ma Jin’s side. And lightly touched his arm.

“My words were excessive last time.”

“……”

Meanwhile Baek Mi-ryeo muttered.

“Not even giving time to rest?”

“It’s the sect leader’s will.”

Do Yu-won shook his head slightly as if he didn’t know either.

Jeong Yeon-shin rather thought it was the sect leader’s consideration. They said the scope of authority changes upon becoming a blue-level master.

They said there are many cases of carrying out missions alone from the start.

‘I’ll be able to accumulate merit without rest. I’m looking forward to it.’

They soon reached their destination.

It was as Do Yu-won said. Many white warriors had gathered. There seemed to be easily dozens.

There were many unfamiliar faces never seen in the vast Desolate Sect. All were competitors.

Seniors from other martial divisions also stood forming a huge circle. They seemed to have come to support their juniors’ promotion.

Radiant Demon Wing seniors who had remained without going on missions waved to Jeong Yeon-shin.

A central platform where a large tree grew alone.

White feather clouds flowing like waves in the clear sky.

In the sunlight brilliantly undulating below the fortress walls, a beauty who made all scenery noble was languidly reclining.

Her light grass-colored ceremonial robe hems fluttered in the wind.

Under the shade of a cypress tree three arms thick.

The Desolate Sect Lord who had been lying against the brown tree trunk opened her eyes.

Deep green pupils slowly revealed through light green bangs.

Jeong Yeon-shin was blankly looking up at her.

For a moment his gaze tangled with the Desolate Sect Lord’s. He seemed to see her smile in the instant their eyes met.

“From now.”

The Desolate Sect Lord opened her rose-colored lips. Her clear ringing voice brought silence.

“I shall test your qualification for blue level.”

Amid erupting cheers, Jeong Yeon-shin who approached the center hesitated.

It was because stern momentum from all directions covered him. Was it seizing initiative?

Frost-like energies were blatantly directed at him. He glanced around slightly.

All were white warriors who were competition targets.

‘This is interesting.’

Blade-like momentums endlessly poured toward Jeong Yeon-shin. Even those who didn’t particularly turn their heads were like that.

Some just smirked when their gazes met. It seemed like manifestation of competitive spirit.

This is Desolate Sect. As long as they obey the sect leader’s orders, they speak all else through martial arts.

The chivalry for civilians they followed was also implemented through martial arts.

“Seeing the seniors’ momentum.”

Jeong Yeon-shin’s lips rose slightly.

“The main sect’s future seems bright.”

He spread five fingers and slowly wrapped them around the Desolate Sword’s scabbard. Jeong Family Dynamic Technique’s energy arose.

Simultaneously he began calmly receiving and deflecting all energy. It was very light.

He felt it himself. He had already completely stepped into the realm of blue-level.