“What did you say?”
Tae Yeom-ryong asked, his thick eyebrows slightly raised.
Jeong Yeon-shin could guess the meaning from his face.
It wasn’t because he hadn’t heard the question. It seemed like Tae Yeom-ryong was giving him a chance to change his words.
“I’ve been locked up in the underground prison for a long time. Looks like my hearing has dulled. Could you say it again?”
He subtly raised the corner of his mouth, deliberately acting as though he was asserting his superiority.
He had been the young master of a prestigious family.
As a local aristocrat from Jinan in Shandong, his status must have been comparable to that of a royal family, so it wasn’t surprising that he acted this way.
Jeong Yeon-shin calmly spoke.
“If you’re assigned to the Ma Gwang-ik’s team, then you are under my command.”
“Are you provoking me now?”
Tae Yeom-ryong’s smile faded, his eyes narrowing.
His eyes had always been dark and shadowed, and he now looked like someone who could easily lie down in a coffin.
Despite his intense aura, he looked almost like a dying man.
Whhhak!
In the fiery wave of energy around him, he twisted his lips into a lazy smile. He was, as always, an unsettling figure.
“What’s this?”
“Who’s this guy? Is he fighting with Seomye orabeoni?”
“Let’s tell the adults.”
“You fool. Everyone’s gone on missions. Jeong hyung is the highest-ranking person here.”
At the sound of Tae Yeom-ryong’s loud call, Ma Gwang-ik’s nameless disciples had gathered to watch.
One of the boys, slightly older than Jeong Yeon-shin, stepped forward and sent the younger kids away.
“Let’s go behind the building. He’s obviously a high-level martial artist. We don’t want to be a burden to Jeong hyung.”
“That guy doesn’t have any rank, does he?”
“Just go.”
It was a welcome gesture. The boy had taken over the role of calming down the younger disciples left in the Ma Gwang-ik building while Jeong Yeon-shin handled the situation.
Jeong Yeon-shin used his Ma Gwang-ik to calculate the movement of Turo.
He was trying to block any movements that might affect the kids. Fortunately, it was easy to do.
The area behind Tae Yeom-ryong’s position was wide open.
He spoke up immediately.
“It’s a matter of command. The Shin Geom Dan’s power structure follows that.”
Tae Yeom-ryong let out a slight chuckle at Jeong Yeon-shin’s words.
“Kids are cute. Anyway, I’ll be thirty soon. Should I still address you as my superior?”
“Just Seonbae is enough.”
“I’ve been taught by the head of the Hwangbo family. My father was a cantankerous old man, someone I didn’t even want to call my father. But he was one of the oldest among the Palga families. Considering the distribution of power in the martial world, your words sound strange.”
That’s when it happened. From a distance, Shin So-bin, who had been quietly approaching, called out.
“Seomye orabeoni learned directly from the Ipwang Fortress lord!”
“......”
Th𝗲 most uptodate novels are published on ƒгeewёbnovel.com.
Tae Yeom-ryong’s mouth closed. In front of a prominent family, talk of the distribution of power was meaningless.
All his words were refuted. He awkwardly parted his lips.
“Still, I’m of the same age...”
“Your nameless disciple status doesn’t count against a Blue-Rank warrior?”
Shin So-bin countered, her eyes like those of a cat. The situation was peculiar.
As Jeong Yeon-shin and Tae Yeom-ryong faced each other, Shin So-bin stood on the side, her hands on her hips, her dark eyes staring at them.
She seemed ready to refute anything Tae Yeom-ryong said.
Shin So-bin raised her energy in the space where the two top martial artists stood.
Her white robe fluttered as gracefully as the clothes of an immortal.
It seemed like an innate courage. She didn’t seem to feel any tension at all.
“My family was still part of the Eight Great Families.”
Tae Yeom-ryong spoke, keeping his gaze on Jeong Yeon-shin. The reply came from Shin So-bin.
“They were wiped out, though.”
Her words were short, but Tae Yeom-ryong couldn’t turn his head.
Jeong Yeon-shin, who had already activated Jeong Ga-donggong, revealed a deep breath.
He had reached a level where the term “rising expert” was appropriate.
Tae Yeom-ryong’s former companion, Cheonggirin, had even been struck down. He could be considered a top expert in the Dae Bang Pa.
“Good grief.”
Tae Yeom-ryong frowned as though he was deeply tired.
“...But still, my reputation in the martial world precedes me. You must have heard of the rumors about my victory in the Yongbong Gathering.”
“I heard that Baek Girin lost to Seomye orabeoni.”
“Think about my status. I was the young master of a family.”
“Who cares about a destroyed family? And listen. Seomye orabeoni is from the Ipwang Fortress, while I’m from the Shin Clan of Ipwang. Seomye orabeoni is a Blue-Rank warrior, I’m a White-Rank warrior. And you are...”
Shin So-bin’s lips curled upward. She had a bold look on her face.
“Didn’t you say it yourself? A nameless disciple.”
“......”
“Are you out of your mind? You’ve entered the Fortress, so you should follow the laws here. How dare you challenge a Blue-Rank warrior like Seomye orabeoni? Do you want to end up back in that underground prison again? My grandfather was the former Elder Lord. When I speak, you...”
Her words grew sharper, like the cry of a cat. She seemed like the true White Cat, as her alias suggested.
“......”
Tae Yeom-ryong seemed completely at a loss for words, his energy fading as he calmed down. Jeong Yeon-shin watched him with caution but also felt a sense of disappointment.
The guy wasn’t some low-ranking nameless disciple, he was just a senior from Ma Gwang-ik, standing firmly on principles.
Even so, Tae Yeom-ryong’s sudden aggression was somewhat amusing.
‘I wonder if I could have handled this better... without resorting to provocation.’
Jeong Yeon-shin thought.
He slowly spoke.
“By the way.”
“What now?”
“I still only know your alias. What’s your name?”
A powerful martial artist who roams the martial world will naturally shed his nameless status.
But usually, it’s the alias that spreads far and wide, especially with such a vast land.
It was even more true for Jeong Yeon-shin’s hometown, Shin Yaseon in Hunan. Unless the rumor was huge, it wouldn’t reach him.
But it was abnormal for someone from Ipwang Fortress not to know Tae Yeom-ryong’s name.
There were only eight young masters in the martial world with such a prominent status.
‘When I received my mission, I was only given his alias and nothing else.’
There was a reason for that. Even Baek Mi-ryeo, a senior from Jeong Yeon-shin’s Blue-Rank line, knew of Tae Yeom-ryong’s brief life expectancy.
It had been well known that the Hwangbo Clan had raised him as their successor after their family was destroyed.
A brilliant talent, destined for an early death, who was used to raise his family’s prestige and then discarded like fuel.
Thus, they had never revealed the young master’s name. They wanted a fleeting existence—fame, but one that could be erased easily. A paradox.
Jeong Yeon-shin saw himself in Tae Yeom-ryong’s situation. It was one of the reasons why he distanced himself from his maternal family, the Ipwang Ma Clan.
Sphark.
There was a pleasant scent. Shin So-bin had quietly approached Jeong Yeon-shin’s side.
When their eyes met, she smiled brightly for a moment, and for an instant, she looked more like a puppy than a cat.
Jeong Yeon-shin swallowed his curiosity. It seemed like asking about her change in attitude would be an unnecessary hassle.
Meanwhile, she had started urging Tae Yeom-ryong.
“Seonbae is asking you. Answer him.”
“Don’t you want to tell me?”
Tae Yeom-ryong responded, his expression still filled with indifference, which didn’t match his age.
His looks were just as impressive as Baek Girin and Cheonggirin. The direct descendants of noble families were all strikingly handsome.
Thinking back, both Shin So-bin and Ma Se-in had the same striking features.
‘Outer appearance is a status too.’
This was something that Ak Su-rim from the Ipwang Sect had once said during their mission.
Jeong Yeon-shin idly thought of the Ipwang Fortress lord. He had everything.
Noble status, unparalleled martial arts, and an endless lifespan. What could someone like that be lacking?
At the same time, Shin So-bin’s eyes once again sharpened.
“What did you say? Don’t want to tell me? You’re not in your right mind?”
“Because it’s a discarded name. I don’t want to bring disgrace to the Hwangbo name.”
Tae Yeom-ryong smiled faintly, his demeanor relaxed again.
He seemed comfortable in his freedom, and it was as if he had mastered changing his attitude without any discomfort.
He was able to endure as the young master of such a large family.
“I didn’t receive any message earlier. Let’s go to the Command Division and verify it. We need to confirm if I really have been assigned to Ma Gwang-ik after being freed from the underground prison.”
Jeong Yeon-shin spoke. Tae Yeom-ryong had come alone without any accompanying personnel from the Command Division.
This was an odd situation. If his words were true, he had definitely left behind the person who had escorted him.
At that moment, Shin So-bin’s breath lightly brushed against Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulder.
She was a head shorter than him, and her gaze up at him felt a little overwhelming.
“Seonbae, can I go too?”
“No. The kids might get anxious. Calm them down.”
She was referring to the Ma Gwang-ik nameless disciples. They were the ones who shared the kindness Jeong Yeon-shin had never received at the Jeong Ga.
Everyone from Ma Gwang-ik was like that. He couldn’t ignore it.
“Not even the children of a normal family.”
Shin So-bin pouted as she took a reluctant step back.
Jeong Yeon-shin exchanged a glance with Tae Yeom-ryong, who had been grinning.
“Let’s go now.”
First, they needed to confirm the truth. Jeong Yeon-shin led Tae Yeom-ryong toward the Command Division.
Tae Yeom-ryong, still grinning, leisurely followed him.
They walked for a while, and as they passed several buildings, they encountered the Command Division’s Chief.
“Jeong So-hyeop.”
It seemed like they were heading to the Command Division’s building just as the Chief was entering.
The Chief still exuded his enormous presence and a robust aura, completely out of place with the soft fading light of sunset.
Jeong Yeon-shin calmly gave a formal greeting.
“Chief, I was just coming to see you.”
“Ah, I figured as much.”
The Chief smiled widely, his face almost fatherly.
He glanced briefly behind Jeong Yeon-shin, where Tae Yeom-ryong had lifted one leg, standing slightly behind.
“It looks like it’s because of that friend, am I right?”
“Yes.”
"It is indeed a formal assignment. Tae Yeom-ryong will be a powerful sword for Ma Gwang-ik. While it’s up to the superiors to control him, I believe that, with your leadership, the task will be handled well."
"...Yes, I understand."
"As expected, it’s not something easily accepted. However, the Fortress Lord himself has personally overseen this. You can rest assured. His directive alone is enough to justify it."
"Ah."
Jeong Yeon-shin let out a small exclamation.
He recalled the image of the Fortress Lord, Ipwang Seongju, staring at Tae Yeom-ryong.
The lord leaned against the wooden pillar in his office, not emitting a single trace of energy, silently observing.
It was a vivid image. ...Tae Yeom-ryong, reflected in the deep green eyes that contained a bottomless abyss, looked insignificant.
It was the gaze of a transcendent being among the noble families. They say it pierces through the essence of things.
Jeong Yeon-shin’s doubt vanished.
"Thank you for your words."
Once again, Jeong Yeon-shin took a formal bow and was about to turn. The voice of the Chief of the Command Division stopped him.
"If you do not have urgent business, might I suggest we head to the Command Division? I understand that a report from Ma Gwang-ik, related to the dispatch to Sichuan, has just arrived. My subordinates should be reviewing it."
"Would that be alright?"
Jeong Yeon-shin immediately inquired. A kind smile appeared on the Chief’s face.
"Of course. Since you were personally brought in by the Fortress Lord as his direct disciple, there is no doubt about your temperament. Please follow me. By now, the encrypted message should have been decoded."
"Wait."
Jeong Yeon-shin spoke briefly. It wasn’t directed at the Chief.
Tae Yeom-ryong, who had been treated like a dog, raised an eyebrow, but Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t look back.
Thud.
Jeong Yeon-shin followed the Chief into the Command Division.
As soon as his foot crossed the large threshold, sounds immediately struck his ears, as though they had been waiting for him.
The murmurs were calm, yet filled with a sense of urgency, and they seemed to approach with haste.
‘This is a formation technique.’
Even with his sharpened senses, Jeong Yeon-shin couldn’t hear anything from outside. He once again realized the vastness of Ipwang Fortress.
"...Two dead White-Rank warriors, recovering their bodies. Along with twenty-three others from Ma Gwang-ik, they had a skirmish with an unknown group and are now all missing."
"Large-scale martial arts were likely used. Traces of energy are scattered within an eight-zhang (about 24 meters) radius. All marks are densely packed. This seems to be the work of the Sichuan Tang Clan’s Full Sky Rain technique. It is unclear whether it was an ally or an enemy."
"Appearance of the Sword Master of the Sword Sect. In the Yong'an district of Sichuan. The Elder of the Sword Sect is accompanying."
"A meeting of the Thirteen Heavenly Powers was held in the Sichuan Security Department. Various sects, including the Ten Perfect Gates and Pure Demon Union, attended, along with numerous martial artists from outside sects. Among the guards, notable high-level martial artists were observed. The lowest rank was assumed to be Blue-Rank."
"Appearance of Little Sword Queen from the Pointing Sword Sect, Golden-Staffed Divine Maiden from Ami Sect, and Red Cloud Dragon from Qing Sheng Sect. All from the Nine Sects. Again, in the Sichuan Security Department."
This was the Command Division of Ipwang Fortress. All the world’s news gathered here.
Scholars who had mastered martial arts discussed fervently, their eyes shining brightly.
"Shouldn’t we send reinforcements?"
"Impossible. The fortress defense force is understaffed. Of the seventeen teams, fifteen are already dispatched."
"The Shin Geom Dan stationed in Sichuan... Ma Gwang-ik, Changcheon Da, Suncheon Ik. As of now, Ma Gwang-ik is considered out of commission."
In the midst of the urgency.
A silence spread through the room.
Near the entrance, the blue robe fluttered.
Even though he was standing still, the rising energy, like a storm, began to surge towards the ceiling.
It was the force emanating from one person.
"The judgment that it is out of commission..."
It was a voice now thickening, the young man’s voice ringing out as it entered its changing phase.
"It’s better to reserve judgment."