Jeong Yeon-shin stared blankly at the Hwangbo family’s young master before turning his head.

Hwangbo Myeong-rin’s reaction with her nape’s clothes gripped in his right hand was amusing.

At first she seemed bewildered. As if experiencing something impossible in life.

Perhaps because Jeong Yeon-shin lifted her without killing intent? Her realization was late.

“You… trash…!”

Soon energy waves spread from Hwangbo Myeong-rin’s right hand. Though inferior to the fallen guy, she had learned famous martial arts.

She was a famous family’s martial artist. It could be felt from her refined energy.

While Jeong Family Dynamic Technique’s true energy circled his whole body. Jeong Yeon-shin struck immediately.

Thud!

White powder stained the hand that hit Hwangbo Myeong-rin’s face. He paid no mind.

He struck once more, twice more, thrice more. At this moment he was properly imitating a between righteous and evil martial artist.

“Hup!”

internal energy technique was imbued in his hand that brushed her gasp.

Due to containing minute true energy, her skull must have been shaken.

Hwangbo Myeong-rin seemed unable to come to her senses. Her expression was as if unable to believe what she was experiencing.

The energy waves gathered in her hands instantly disappeared.

“Oh my.”

The Hwangbo family young master intervened. He wore a drunken smile.

“It’s already troublesome. Thinking of the family elders.”

His extending hand while speaking was strange. He aimed for Jeong Yeon-shin’s arm gripping Hwangbo Myeong-rin’s nape.

Like one who learned drunken fist, it was hard to distinguish between feints and real moves.

It was what he waited for. Jeong Yeon-shin raised Faty Defying Scripture true energy layering in his right arm’s fine meridians.

He lightly shook his hand and Hwangbo Myeong-rin’s body sprawled backward. Meeting the young master’s strike with her shame-mixed groan behind.

Puk puk!

Hand shadows tangled. The power contained in the young master’s arms was very heavy and hot.

It seemed impossible how he could be fine while containing such scorching yang internal energy in his blood vessels.

‘Supreme rising martial arts.’

Jeong Yeon-shin raised another stream of true energy. He immediately surrounded his arm with an invisible membrane.

It was an internal energy barrier called protective energy. With repeated achievement it becomes the famous protective diamond energy.

The heat touching his skin became slightly fainter.

Pak!

The situation changed. As they tried to grab each other’s wrists, the golden silk hand’s moves were tremendously complex.

During the Mount Hua Sect’s Great Violet Pill mission, Jeong Yeon-shin had absorbed and developed Thieving Ghost’s techniques.

The opponent’s techniques were outstanding enough to cause problems. They were moves overflowing with wit.

It felt like exchanging moves with himself having gained a bit more experience.

“My goodness.”

The young master wearing a light smile opened his mouth. Different colors dwelled in his eyes. Below his shadowed eyes seemed to show small vitality.

“There was another guy like me?”

He shows leisure to even open his mouth. His power and experience were different. Jeong Yeon-shin gradually got pushed back in strength.

The internal energy gathered in the young master’s striking hands grew endlessly stronger.

Puk!

Powerful rotating force waves burst. Jeong Yeon-shin’s hair that had come down to his shoulders scattered backward.

Unable to just be swept along, he had just burst rotational strike of Eternal Blossom Fist with his palm.

The returning rebound force was big. Jeong Yeon-shin naturally stepped back once.

“Attending the Dragon Phoenix Gathering? Gu Gwa of the Chasing Truth Sect. I’ll remember. You’d be quite worth watching as years accumulate. If you train more that is.”

The young master smiled standing diagonally with one leg planted in place. Without being pushed back even one step. He was very strong.

“I won’t be able to see. Because a grave to cool my body awaits. It’s already made big, so I just need to go lie my body down.”

His speech and behavior were very free-spirited. It made one wonder if he was really the young master of a martial noble family acting like royalty.

His tone was different from Hwangbo Myeong-rin who said she would remember the name too. His attitude was like facing interesting entertainment.

“Forgive my younger brother and sister moderately. In about ten years they won’t even be able to face you. They’ll have to look up quite a bit. Since they earn their own beatings… Let’s meet again later.”

He turns away and trudges off while chewing opium poppy.

He seemed not to mind anymore even though his siblings got beaten like that.

His conduct appeared free of attachment to worldly matters. He didn’t seem like a family heir at all.

‘Seems like he should be in Desolate Sect. Why didn’t he aim for the World Tree’s fruit if he’s like that?’

Jeong Yeon-shin stood quietly feeling Hyeon Won-chang’s hand on his shoulder. He was reviewing the young master’s techniques.

The gathered onlookers dispersed while expressing their various impressions.

There seemed to be no one bold enough to speak to Jeong Yeon-shin who had made enemies with the Hwangbo family.

It was because of Hwangbo Myeong-rin’s face glaring at Jeong Yeon-shin as she left. Frost-like resentment was gathered there.

She was Jeong Yeon-shin’s second arrangement. If the young master didn’t act rashly, Hwangbo Myeong-rin would help complete the mission.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s interest returned to martial arts.

‘So senses can be used like that. I should recognize when there’s no need to be trapped in moves.’

He advanced one step even at this moment. He became stronger than just before.

“Sir Gu.”

Hyeon Won-chang thrust his face from the side. The title changed because it was a crowded place.

“Are you alright? I was about to step in, but you looked strangely happy. You’re also most skilled at provocation.”

“You saw right. I don’t understand the latter part at all.”

“Anyway seems like a formidable fellow. The Hwangbo family young master. There are many rumors about him being a rogue playing above the clouds, his martial power and nature seem just like the rumors.”

“I find it more fascinating that Brother Gu was pushed back just one step.”

Shin So-bin cut in. She flipped her tied hair revealing her sweating nape.

“The Hwangbo family young master’s title is Lazy Flame Dragon. He’s counted among the strongest talents north of the Yangtze. He conquered the Dragon Phoenix Gathering at twenty and five more years have passed. Even White Qilin Namgung Hwa-sin who was the previous conqueror is said to look down on him. He’s arrogant enough to say he watched a good performance.”

“He lived five more years after twenty?”

“I know Brother is the same age as me. Aren’t there only four years left until coming of age at twenty? There’s a nine year difference with Lazy Flame Dragon.”

“Right. Four years left.”

Jeong Yeon-shin replied with a calm expression. He had been enjoying martial arts achievement. His stomach became uncomfortable.

“Didn’t Brother Gu say the sect leader passed down martial arts to him?”

Not knowing his inner thoughts, Shin So-bin chattered.

“Power must be what you lack most now, but with the sect leader’s internal energy techniques you should be able to store energy quickly. It’s a peerless divine technique counted among the best in the world. They say even royal family members who sweep up all miraculous medicines under heaven only learn that. In five years wouldn’t your power match Lazy Flame Dragon?”

“As much as five years.”

Jeong Yeon-shin shook his head and muttered. Indeed, creating mind techniques with dramatically fast energy storage speed was urgent.

Separately from that, there was a discrepancy in Shin So-bin’s words.

“It’s not so hard to approach. If you’re just strong enough not to be swept away by small gestures, you can face great power with advanced moves. They say the Taiji Sword of the Wudang Sect below Desolate Sect is such martial arts too.”

“Ordinary won’t do, right? The moves would have to be tremendously outstanding. Not that Brother is lacking.”

Shin So-bin who entered as a junior had a bold side.

While acknowledging Jeong Yeon-shin, she maintained her pride as a precious daughter of a famous family.

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t mind much. She follows orders well too.

That was enough. Useless pride would change on its own after going through several bloody battles.

“Let’s go.”

Jeong Yeon-shin who gathered the travel pack left under the tree mounted his horse.

Right below the Hwangbo family’s Shandong Province, Huizhou where the Namgung family said to be supervising this Dragon Phoenix Gathering was before their eyes.

* * *

“The vitality is strange.”

Hyeon Won-chang said.

Huizhou was a very wealthy city. They said there were many merchant groups as enormous goods came and went.

Indeed, the roads within the city were paved extremely smoothly. People doing business and bargaining were noisy everywhere.

However, the expressions of passing people weren’t all good. Hyeon Won-chang who dismounted his horse shook his head.

“Is there poor harvest here too? Huizhou’s tea leaves are very famous, but it won’t be easy to taste them.”

“They said lands with particularly bad harvests have increased lately. They say various parts of the Central Plains are like that, I wonder what will happen to the world.”

Jeong Yeon-shin let Hyeon Won-chang and Shin So-bin’s words pass. It was because he was absorbed in martial arts even while heading to the Namgung family.

They called it image training – the process of researching moves’ techniques and gaining insights mentally.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s training efficiency didn’t drop even while meditating while walking.

From the moment he entered Desolate Sect, his life itself was composed of martial arts.

“We’ve arrived. Indeed it’s big.”

Hyeon Won-chang standing before the Namgung family’s main gate marveled. Strange bitterness was also felt in his tone.

The Namgung family’s pavilion complex was pure and massive befitting their fame.

Though not comparable to Desolate Sect, looking at it as a family, it must be rare prestige under heaven.

“Welcome. Have you come for the Dragon Phoenix Gathering?”

Even the gate guard martial artists’ conduct and behavior were restrained. Jeong Yeon-shin nodded and clasped his fists.

“I am Gu Gwa of the Chasing Truth Sect.”

“…Confirmed.”

The warrior who received the paper Jeong Yeon-shin held out nodded.

He seemed to have memorized the list. The warrior wearing blue martial clothes opened his mouth.

“Though regrettable, this Dragon Phoenix Gathering is not being held within the family compound. As there is a major matter in the main house and the location has moved, please understand.”

“Then where…”

“There is a pavilion called Lotus Pavilion north of Huizhou. I will call someone to guide you.”

The signs were strange. Their attitude seemed not to consider the Dragon Phoenix Gathering important. What had happened inside the Namgung family.

‘Hm.’

For a moment Jeong Yeon-shin received a strange feeling. It was a sensation spreading from his head.

The energy unique to the Thirteen Heavens felt when facing the Tyrant Sword Sect and Blood Flame Sect approached. It was rough and ominous.

It was the realm of upper dantian foresight and intuition that had been suddenly coming frequently lately.

‘Were they attacked by the Thirteen Heavens?’

His heightened senses gave rise to one inference. Jeong Yeon-shin followed behind the guide without showing it.

He also roughly let pass Shin So-bin’s words as she whispered sticking close beside.

They had to walk quite long. It seemed it would have been far even riding horses.

The Dragon Phoenix Gathering’s mishap that the supervising sect had to take responsibility for seemed a secondary issue.

Rather it felt like they were more reluctant to reveal their family’s interior.

“You can stay at any nearby inn under the Namgung family’s name. May you make good connections.”

The guide who showed conduct unique to famous families unique refined behavior moved away. No one saw them off.

The group had to immediately turn their heads. Because such powerful energies were surging.

Boom!

Waves rose from the lakeside. White foam fell again wearing sunlight.

Under the huge pavilion luxuriously built above the water, a handsome young Taoist priest and the Hwangbo family’s Lazy Flame Dragon were clashing swords.

The youth’s side was familiar. Just seeing the plum blossom pattern showed it was the Mount Hua Sect.

There were many men and women watching the sparring both above the pavilion and everywhere.

There were people sitting with feet on railings, or standing tall on the pavilion roof.

It already looked over thirty people. Though all young, they had masters’ atmosphere.

Rising talents.

It was a very unfamiliar sight to Jeong Yeon-shin.

Having repeatedly fought bloody battles for missions, it was his first time seeing young and junior disciples from various sects captured in his eyes.

Seeing several peers felt strange.

“They said he’s the Mount Hua Sect leader’s chief disciple. That Taoist Yu Hyeon, his power is truly deep.”

“There’s talk he ate the Great Violet Pill. Even so, doesn’t it seem dangerous?”

“Lazy Flame Dragon’s eyes are crazed. Finally drawing his sword and.”

“Despite the age difference. Does he not know shame?”

Family young masters, Taoists, and monks too. Those who seemed relatively older wore serious expressions.

Jeong Yeon-shin could understand immediately.

Perhaps due to power emitting tremendous heat, Lazy Flame Dragon’s eyes chewing opium poppy were bloodshot.

It was completely different from when facing Jeong Yeon-shin. Madness was felt in the smile at his mouth corners.

An appearance that had thrown away everything – family, face, all of it.

“Lecturing me with pathetic talent? What could you accomplish if you were me! How Futile!”

He shouts wildly as if there had been an argument. The true energy waves ringing ears were tremendous.

Yu Hyeon’s expression, who had received the Great Violet Pill’s energy from Jeong Yeon-shin, was crumpled. Even terror dwelled on his face.

As Yu Hyeon kept stepping back, blood flowed from between his slashed Mount Hua Sect Taoist robes.

No one seemed to dare try stopping it. Hwangbo Myeong-rin and her brother were the same.

Those who seemed shallow in internal energy shrank each time sword strikes burst.

Lazy Flame Dragon’s martial power was different level. His moves were truly sensual too.

“What to do about that!”

“Sir Baek went to call people!”

Families are clans in the secular world. It was a place with many heirs of single families.

They had enough power to drive away adults wanting to enjoy friendship with peers. The unsound Namgung family. Young people’s deviation suppressed by family.

Jeong Yeon-shin stepped into premature collapse. He hadn’t even made introductions and greetings yet.

It was when the rising talents widened their eyes as if belatedly recognizing. He was already standing beside Lazy Flame Dragon.

“Why you again! Still insignificant!”

Lazy Flame Dragon’s madness rose.

Killing intent overflowed from eyes sharply turning to glare at Jeong Yeon-shin. Blazing light nets could be seen.

Bang!

It was like military artillery fire. Yu Hyeon who barely blocked his sword strike was sent flying.

Simultaneously, there wasn’t a shred of mercy in Lazy Flame Dragon’s hand striking toward Jeong Yeon-shin. Along with tremendous true energy waves, he struck straight down at the head.

Crash!

It wasn’t the sound of force wave collision. Jeong Yeon-shin’s hand made a strange trajectory.

While pushing back forearm with forearm, he lowered the wrist down.

In an instant, he spread my thumb and fingers wide and wedged the inside of Lazy Flame Dragon’s arm joint between them.

‘This works.’

He gripped simultaneously. True energy layered with Fate Defying Scripture  dwelled in Jeong Yeon-shin’s grasp.

He pressed the inner gate point where the arm bends while surrounding it with internal energy. It was acupoint sealing. He completely drained strength.

The power remains the same. He surpassed in moves. For a moment Lazy Flame Dragon’s expression went blank.

“What.”

Their movements stopped. Jeong Yeon-shin silently looked at him before opening his mouth.

“You were talking about talent, right? What about yourself?.”

“What?”

Jeong Yeon-shin had dug in close to his body. A distance hard to even grapple at.

The heat radiating from Lazy Flame Dragon’s whole body was felt directly. It wasn’t hard to approach.

“You’re a bit duller.”

Jeong Yeon-shin whispered. There was no particular emotion in his tone.