Those who collapsed while standing were especially precarious. The blue-ranked masters who seemed momentarily dazed quickly caught their juniors’ bodies.

Internal energy barriers like protective energy arise through mental focus.

When consciousness is lost, even white-ranked masters were no different from third-rate warriors.

The external cultivation realm of Diamond Indestructibility where the entire body becomes as hard as diamond only existed in legends.

Bewilderment lingered on the faces of blue-ranked masters laying down their juniors.

“…It’s sound attack.”

“How can he do that? Such precise true qi.”

“He strangely applied power enhancement of bladed weapons. At that level it’s in the realm of chants.”

Their discussion already showed insight into the essence of martial arts. This was the realm of Desolate Sect’s blue rank.

They said those with overflowing talent from their hometown dedicated their lives to martial arts.

They were ones who would be called masters anywhere in the vast martial world.

Understanding the principles of martial arts came first. Whether envy or admiration came after.

Eventually the blue-ranked masters began discussing among themselves.

“It’s a martial art I’ve never heard of. To penetrate white rank’s protective energy…”

“They’re Desolate Sect white ranks so it only led to fainting. It would show truly overwhelming aspects. Especially in group battles without masters of equal rank. Though there would be various limitations, the advantage is clear.”

“Causing damage to allies is a problem. Isn’t it worth trying in solo missions?”

They didn’t hesitate to discuss martial arts even before the Squad Leaders.

They only spoke facts. In Desolate Sect, no one could criticize this.

“…It seems to consume considerable internal energy.”

The Annihilation Team Leader opened his mouth while staring at Jeong Yeon-shin. Jeong Yeon-shin answered with a silent bow.

He wasn’t wrong. Loading radiating true qi while raising sword sound was a technique impossible with ordinary perception.

The sword technique required extreme concentration. Even Jeong Yeon-shin felt considerable fatigue from one casting.

“Such precise true qi operation. Of course. It would be hard to use suddenly in chaotic battles. It would be good to unleash when starting a fight. It would also have the effect of dampening morale.”

He was already giving advice. He seemed very interested.

“Even so, we can’t send the Lightning Genius alone. The mission isn’t light either.”

It was the Azure Sky Squad Leader who was stroking his chin while looking at Jeong Yeon-shin. The Annihilation Team Leader nodded.

“I’ll attach two more. The mission is to strike the Hwangbo branch family in Pingyin County of Jinan. Any volunteers?”

Many raised their hands in that moment. It seemed easily thirty people.

Not just Radiant Demon Wing, but volunteers came from both Annihilation Team and Azure Sky Squad.

It was sword sound attack. Perhaps they wanted to see the unheard-of martial art with their own eyes in actual combat. Several blue-ranked masters smiled awkwardly.

“Radiant Demon Wing would be better. It’s right for Master Ma to decide.”

“There are none besides Radiant Demon group who have matched movements. It would be good to attach Bewitching Sword Demon and Blue-eyed Demon Sword.”

“Do as you wish. Then…”

The Annihilation Team Leader’s pitch-black gleaming eyes turned to Jeong Yeon-shin.

“Show that it wasn’t recklessness. It’s a matter of proving with martial might. So none will criticize you as rash.”

He said while turning around. The hem of his dark robe fluttered without lingering.

“Thank you for your guidance.”

Jeong Yeon-shin, putting away the Northern Light sword, gave a cupped fist salute toward the seniors including the various Squad Leaders.

“Where did you learn it? There’s no such martial art at the main sect.”

“Is it a secret technique of the Desolate Sect Ma family?”

It was when blue-ranked masters were approaching with faces full of curiosity. Ma Jin’s body blocked them.

He led Jeong Yeon-shin to move to another place.

Several seniors stopped with regretful expressions.

It was a situation where it was revealed that Desolate Sect Ma family blood flowed in Jeong Yeon-shin’s body due to the coming-of-age ceremony. No one saw it as strange.

Ma Jin, who had come to the entrance of the mountain range connected to the plain, asked quietly.

“That sound attack. Did you create it?”

“Yes.”

Jeong Yeon-shin who stood calmly answered. The scar on Ma Jin’s face twitched.

“Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

“What martial artist goes around revealing all their personal martial arts? The person themselves would likely end up dying away from home after being countered. This time I had no choice. I hadn’t thought it through either.”

“…You’re not wrong.”

“Did you seek a private audience just to ask that?”

“It’s something else.”

Ma Jin shook his head and spoke.

“Yeon-shin, you almost died on this mission. Listen. Long-lived martial artists often recognize their grudges well.”

“……”

Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyebrows twitched at hearing the words ‘long-lived’.

“Your impact on the murim isn’t ordinary. Battles between martial forces aren’t just all-out wars. The battle of informants is no less important. Word came from the Superintendent’s Office. There are those investigating the Desolate Sect Lightning Genius’s movements.”

“Grudges…?”

“Just what we’ve heard so far are the Tyrant Sword Sect, Deep Martial Alliance and Blood Flame Sect. Cutting down the Tyrant Sword Sect Master’s disciple and Eight Fierce Demon Swords was excellent. However, they were both from lineages with thick martial artist layers even within the Tyrant Sword Sect. There are bound to be many sharpening their blades.”

“Deep Martial Alliance is understandable. I took the head of one of their rising talents.”

“Sword Art Flower, they said. I heard she was famous in Huguang and Henan regions as a girl with both beauty and sword talent. Seems there was a betrothed. You must be careful of not just the family patriarch but also the one said to be her lover.”

“……”

Jeong Yeon-shin silently agreed.

“The most troublesome is still the Blood Flame Sect. If you hadn’t had the Clear Righteousness pill, you would have had to return to Desolate Sect.”

Ma Jin continued gravely.

“There was no martial art like your Demon-Destroying Azure Unyielding Palm Technique. You’re bound to be a target. You could have met the Seventh Apostle at the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. It’s fortunate you avoided that demoness. That’s why the Blood Flame Sect’s apostles are focusing on expanding their influence across the Central Plains. The distance must have been considerable.”

“Right. I’m not yet at the level to face an apostle head-on.”

When he first revealed the Demon-Destroying Azure Unyielding Palm, he took out the seventh apostle’s eye.

It was like getting heavenly luck thanks to her carelessness and the chaotic battle.

Jeong Yeon-shin newly realized how many had come to consider him an enemy.

And not ordinary enemies. The Thirteen Heavens of evil sects are comparable to the Nine Sects and Eight Families.

“It’s something you must handle if you walk the martial world. Even so, you’re excessive. It would be hard to find precedent for making so many powerful enemies in such a short time. Especially at your age.”

“It sounds like you’re saying I’m carrying out missions properly.”

“Now you’re truly a martial artist. Many harbor grudges against you. You must always be vigilant in the martial world. Remember this.”

Concern could be felt in Ma Jin’s voice.

Jeong Yeon-shin readily nodded.

‘I have been running non-stop.’

It felt like briefly honing the sword in his heart before doing so again.

He was glad that his enemies were all great sects of the Thirteen Heavens of evil sects.

The Tyrant Sword Sect and Blood Flame Sect were his enemies, and the more of their necks he cut, the more merit he would accumulate.

‘Isn’t the Hwangbo family evil too.’

He fell into internal energy cultivation while returning to the group with Ma Jin.

It was to use sword techniques efficiently. He had to constantly refine his true qi operation.

Jeong Yeon-shin was growing stronger, separate from Ma Jin’s warning.

“White ranks will be excluded from direct combat.”

It was the Annihilation Team Leader’s voice. He was starting mission assignments.

Heon Won-chang and Shin So-bin were drafted. They became unable to participate in the mission to strike the Hwangbo family.

They were assigned the role of restraining the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering’s rising talents and the remnant Hwangbo family guard unit.

Jeong Yeon-shin had to separately receive advice from a Annihilation Team’s blue-ranked senior.

“The martial arts inherited by the Pingyin branch are mainly heavy sword techniques. If you parry lightly, you’re likely to be pushed back. Remember the Pool at The Crook, Marsh on Forearm, and Lesser Sea points. As you know, they’re arm joint meridians. Make sure to fill them firmly with true qi when exchanging sword strikes.”

He familiarized himself with the martial art characteristics of the Hwangbo branch in Pingyin County. It didn’t take long.

* * *

Three days passed after the battle on the plain.

“They really left us behind and went. Seems your sound attack was quite reliable, Lightning Genius.”

Cheong Myeong smiled with an amused expression.

The three blue-ranked warriors of the Radiant Demon Wing including Jeong Yeon-shin had arrived at the southern edge of Shandong Province.

It was a marketplace where human presence was barely felt.

Pingyin County, where the mission target had established their base, was truly quiet.

The merchants who had laid out their spots and displayed their goods were mostly middle-aged men or elderly women.

Baek Mi-ryeo stroked her long flowing hair.

After glancing at the displayed accessories, she said:

“Zhangqiu, where the Hwangbo main family is located, borders the Yellow River. It’s a vast river. It would be troublesome if they escape by boat. To secretly control the area near the river, it’s right to send minimal personnel to strike the branch family.”

They said Shandong’s spring was dry. The marketplace atmosphere felt even more barren.

The villagers who clearly looked at the sword-carrying group didn’t even appear frightened.

There was no vitality in their wrinkled faces that seemed to bear weariness.

“…Young men aren’t visible. They really must have been taken for forced labor.”

“The Azure Sky Squad and Superintendent’s Office confirmed it multiple times. It can’t be wrong. If they weren’t a martial arts family, the imperial army would have been deployed, right? It’s fortunate since army deployment wouldn’t be good for people’s livelihood either.”

Cheong Myeong said calmly.

In fact, Jeong Yeon-shin had contemplated hiding Hwangseong’s mark again.

He had kept thinking so until arriving at Pingyin County. It was different from previous missions involving the Thirteen Evil Sects.

The Hwangbo family was a renowned family in the orthodox martial world. He wanted to see their true nature.

“We can just go to the Hwangbo branch and ask. What the situation is.”

TAK!

With Jeong Yeon-shin’s words as the end, the three people stepped forward simultaneously. It was lightness technique steps carrying inner power.

True qi filling the meridians to the toes began pushing their bodies forward. The speed gradually increased.

Only then did the surrounding people, startled, rapidly distance themselves backward.

They put aside the magistrate who had the duty to report the people’s livelihood to the imperial court without concealment.

They had heard well about the magistrate of this Pingyin County. That he was a very unusual person.

If what they knew was correct, the magistrate would also be at the Hwangbo branch.

They headed straight for the estate containing the largest group of halls in the village.

Though there was no hanging plaque, they could feel it was a martial arts family. It was because energy waves of internal energy could be felt from inside.

HWAK!

In that moment, Jeong Yeon-shin’s rush overtook the two people.

It was a mission to adapt Radiant Demon Wing’s Lightning Flash’s unique sound technique to actual combat.

Having received a grateful opportunity, Jeong Yeon-sin didn’t want to disappoint the two people’s expectations.

He operated the verse of Eternal Blossom Fist’s Advancing Thunder.

KWANG!

Fragments of the shattered gate scattered in all directions. The remaining force of the powerful energy wave made it seem as if hit by a storm.

Jeong Yeon-shin momentarily hesitated at the scene suddenly revealed.

A drinking party taking place in the large courtyard before the main gate. A small pond on one side caught his eye.

It was a place decorated with carvings of all kinds of spirit beasts.

Among the grass by the pond, not only the Four Divine Beasts and qilin but also strange beasts with peculiar wings could be seen.

There were people holding wine cups sitting on large rocks surrounding the pond.

They didn’t stop tilting their cups even after seeing the group.

“Ah.”

One who had been laughing among five beautifully adorned women raised his head.

He was a noble handsome man with yellow cornus flowers tucked behind his long ears.

The servants busily moving around glanced at Jeong Yeon-shin’s group, then silently continued their work.

“Today too, our Jinan’s heroes have come. The main gate won’t last!”

The noble man raised his hand high. The sleeve of his mint-colored official robes fluttered.

He continued speaking as if dealing with a very familiar matter.

“Why not just leave Shandong and report to somewhere like the Desolate Sect? I really can’t understand. With what confidence do these low-levels challenge the Hwangbo family?”

“……”

Jeong Yeon-shin was silent for a moment. Cheong Myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo also seemed unable to say anything particular.