“The Tang Clan’s secret technique?! So the rumors about Sichuan were true...!”
“Is that really Mancheon Hwawu?”
A murmur spread throughout the vast ceremonial grounds. It was a scene that left even seasoned warriors speechless: a legendary martial technique of Sichuan suddenly manifesting here, wielded by none other than Seomye Jeong Yeon-shin, whose growth they had observed, albeit distantly, since his days in the White Rank.
“Could it really be...?”
“So the rumors about the Ipwang Lord were true...!”
The disciples of Jeomchang Sect were especially affected. Both Cheonil Sword and Jeomchang Wugeom had their eyes wide in astonishment.
The distance between Mount Jeomchang in Yunnan and Sichuan’s martial world was not insurmountable. Tales of Sichuan's most revered techniques had reached their ears far more often than those of people from remote regions like Yangyang.
Even the oral traditions surrounding these techniques were unusually vivid.
“Wow...”
A faint exclamation escaped from the lips of Chui So-ok, also known as the Small Sword Queen.
It was a moment so brief it seemed almost fleeting. Masters observing a duel of this caliber often muttered several words in the blink of an eye, their heightened vitality granting them an awareness that operated on a different timescale.
Cheonil Sword Sa Do-ryeong was no exception. He cast a sidelong glance at his senior sister, who remained mesmerized, even as the petals of Mancheon Hwawu splattered blood across the Yullyeong Lord.
It was surprising because she had never shown much interest in techniques beyond swordsmanship. Yet now, her astonishment was palpable.
The reason was clear.
Seomye Jeong Yeon-shin—a prodigious swordsman—had mastered fist arts to an extraordinary level. And now, he was seamlessly utilizing the ultimate secret technique of concealed weapons.
It meant his innate dexterity and mastery over internal energy manipulation were unparalleled.
Speculating on the depth of his connection with the Tang Clan and how he had come to master such a technique was a task left to Sa Do-ryeong and Jeomchang Wugeom.
As for the Small Sword Queen, she seemed restless, eager to exchange words or trade blows with Seomye.
‘At least it’s not romantic infatuation,’ Sa Do-ryeong thought with some relief.
Yet her interest was undeniable. It was the kind of admiration reserved for rare prodigies. This level of fascination could have unpredictable implications, especially at a gathering of the righteous sects. Sa Do-ryeong could only hope things would remain uneventful in the martial assembly.
His head throbbed slightly. Suppressing the ache in his mind, he turned his gaze back to the duel.
On the platform, the atmosphere had shifted to a tense standoff.
The Yullyeong Lord’s figure moved with breathtaking speed, scattering the metallic petals surrounding her like a swirling storm.
Amid the whirl of silver fragments, her movements were precise, each strike deflecting fatal injuries. The remnants of her white sword path left an almost dreamlike spectacle in their wake.
True to her reputation, her skill as a swordswoman was flawless. Even against Mancheon Hwawu, she left no openings.
Meanwhile, Jeong Yeon-shin stood motionless, one arm raised. The blue hem of his long robe swayed gently at his feet, but he did not move recklessly.
Mancheon Hwawu was a secret technique of unparalleled sophistication. Controlling such a technique while simultaneously approaching someone like the Yullyeong Lord—a consummate Black Rank master—was no trivial task.
Even holding her in place with Mancheon Hwawu was a considerable feat. To attempt an uncalculated approach would be reckless.
‘Perhaps if I had mastered the dual-mind technique of the Wudang Sect...’
Without the ability to split his consciousness completely, limiting the Yullyeong Lord’s movements was challenging.
This momentary reprieve gave Jeong Yeon-shin time to strategize his next move.
His technique consumed less energy than hers, allowing him to follow her rapid movements with his palm while pondering his next step. She seemed to realize that the closer she got to Jeong Yeon-shin, the stronger Mancheon Hwawu became.
As a formidable Black Rank master, she likely had her own countermeasures, but for now, he had bought himself a brief moment.
‘The Yullyeong Lord isn’t a transcendent master of the Four Wonders. That much is clear. But she’s definitely reached Samhwa Chwijung—the unity of essence, energy, and spirit.’
Her upper dantian was different from his, extraordinarily developed from balanced cultivation of body, energy, and spirit.
Her energy deployment was faster than his.
Though Jeong Yeon-shin’s dantian held an extraordinary amount of power, it was far from the realm the Yullyeong Lord had achieved. At least, not yet.
‘A prolonged engagement in a speed-based battle won’t work.’
In a fleeting instant, he acknowledged the difference between them.
He had realized this in their very first exchange. The Yullyeong Lord’s sword strike had shattered his Ipwang Sword with precision, exploiting the weaknesses of his Gwanghwa Sword Style before he could even reinforce it with more energy.
She had taught him the devastating outcome of facing a supreme master’s dismantling techniques.
‘Still...’
He didn’t think their skill gap was insurmountable. To Jeong Yeon-shin, the disparity in their abilities only highlighted their respective strengths and weaknesses.
His own strength lay in his singular focus, born from the brevity of life.
‘I need to control the flow of the battle. If I can create the right framework, I can execute my techniques at just the right moment.’
The Yullyeong Lord’s mastery over dismantling techniques posed a unique challenge, but Jeong Yeon-shin saw it as an opportunity.
With a deafening roar, a fierce gale erupted from the Yullyeong Lord’s body.
The storm swept through the remnants of Mancheon Hwawu, tearing Jeong Yeon-shin’s energy control apart. Shards of iron petals were flung skyward as the accumulated energy of her movements culminated in this devastating outburst.
Jeong Yeon-shin immediately withdrew his arm. The Yullyeong Lord’s footwork was astonishing, her figure enlarging in his view as she closed the distance in an instant.
As her blade extended straight toward his neck, he placed his hand on the hilt of North Star.
‘Mancheon Hwawu isn’t suited for prolonged use against someone with mastery over Ming’s profound techniques.’
This realization hit him just as her sword, imbued with tempestuous energy, pierced the gap between them.
Jeong Yeon-shin twisted his body like a leaf in the wind, narrowly evading the strike. A chilling flash of sword light grazed his field of vision, leaving him momentarily dazzled.
Steadying himself, Jeong Yeon-shin advanced a single step, his foot sending an unseen ripple through the ground—Hwanikibo.
The invisible wave disrupted the gale surrounding the Yullyeong Lord, creating a brief opening in her overwhelming presence.
She, however, had already begun to pivot, her sword tracing a crescent-shaped arc. The compressed wind around her blade shimmered, its refined precision slicing through the rippling currents of Hwanikibo.
‘Jungok Simpung Sword Technique!’
Her technique was as graceful as it was unyielding. Each strike carried the force of a relentless wind, dismantling Jeong Yeon-shin’s every move.
In this relentless barrage, Jeong Yeon-shin found himself at yet another impasse. Her mastery of dismantling techniques left his Gwanghwa Sword Style and Mancheon Hwawu ineffective.
With no other options, Jeong Yeon-shin focused his internal energy, preparing to unleash his ultimate technique—Shihwa Muguk-su.
As her blade neared his shoulder in a perfectly angled slash, Jeong Yeon-shin struck with his palm, unleashing a shockwave that reverberated through the air.
The impact forced the Yullyeong Lord’s blade to recoil slightly, but her presence remained unshaken.
Jeong Yeon-shin clenched his fist. His counterattack had not been enough.
‘Her mastery truly belongs to a world beyond...’
Jeong Yeon-shin stood in thought.
Whish―!
Suddenly, the Yullyeong Lord stopped in place and flicked her sword once.
With a sharp sound, a streak of blood painted the stage floor. A straight trail of Jeong Yeon-shin’s blood marked the ground.
“City Lord,” she began slowly, her lips parting deliberately.
“Seomye’s martial arts are undoubtedly extraordinary, but I believe it is premature to entrust him with the responsibility of leading a combat unit composed of primarily Blue Ranks. It would be wiser for him to dedicate himself to training until his internal energy matures to the level of Samhwa Chwijung. Instead, perhaps it would be prudent to assign him to a specialized detachment, selectively deployed against demonic or unorthodox forces.”
Silence fell over the ceremonial grounds. The Yullyeong Lord, who had just been exchanging martial techniques with her opponent, had stopped the duel.
And she had directly advised the City Lord that the promotion should not proceed.
The atmosphere was tense with an odd sense of agreement. Most of the hundreds seated in the audience seemed to share her sentiment.
After all, Jeong Yeon-shin’s sole effective attack had been Mancheon Hwawu. His initial sword strike had shattered the Ipwang Sword, but after that, he had not even drawn another blade.
“Still... something feels off,” murmured Tae Yeom-ryong, though few paid attention to his words.
Seated atop the tiered marble dais, the Ipwang Fortress Lord crossed her legs elegantly and said nothing, merely observing Jeong Yeon-shin.
However, the boy did not meet her gaze. Instead, he stared blankly at the Yullyeong Lord standing before him.
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‘What is she talking about?’ he thought to himself. Even during his turbulent adolescence, he had enough sense to understand the weight of reputation.
He held his tongue, knowing his goal was to rise to the rank of Commander of the Divine Sword Corps.
The Yullyeong Unit enforced the laws of Ipwang Fortress, apprehending those who violated its codes. It was renowned for dissecting and countering the fortress’s martial techniques with unparalleled precision.
Jeong Yeon-shin had expected as much. Every dismantling method he had developed so far was born from studying such principles.
But that wasn’t what the Yullyeong Lord had done.
Her focus had been entirely on adaptation. She centered her combat style around her own martial arts, reducing his interest as the duel progressed.
If the Seomye lineage had been thoroughly dismantled, he would have sought to create new techniques from the ashes.
Perhaps his Gwanghwa Sword Style or Shihwa Muguk-su could have evolved into entirely new forms.
Just as he had elevated his internal energy through the creation of the Radiant Wheel Technique, he had hoped to grow by experiencing her techniques firsthand.
But after seeing her approach up close, he knew it was futile. Without realizing it, he muttered under his breath, “It would’ve been better if I’d faced one of their grunts.”
If it had been one of the Yullyeong Unit’s lower-ranking martial artists, they might have only targeted the weak points in his techniques. Suppressing his frustration, he bit back further complaints.
The Yullyeong Lord did not look back at him. Had she already made her judgment? Her gaze remained fixed on the City Lord.
“His martial arts and instincts are exceptional, but his energy deployment lags behind that of most Lords. Furthermore, his adaptability in countering dismantling techniques is insufficient.”
Her face was as expressionless as when the duel began. Only her lips moved, despite the intensity of their exchange moments prior. She seemed entirely disinterested now.
Thud.
Jeong Yeon-shin took a step forward. Only then did the Yullyeong Lord turn her gaze toward him.
“You don’t seem like someone who acts on impulse,” she remarked.
Jeong Yeon-shin did not reply, though the faint disappointment on his face was evident.
His slightly downturned lips and furrowed brows betrayed his frustration. The Yullyeong Lord’s expression shifted subtly to one of mild curiosity.
Boom!
With a sudden burst of energy, Jeong Yeon-shin’s figure blurred. It was as if his body itself had become a manifestation of rapid swordsmanship.
His tattered blue robe fluttered dramatically in the air.
Hwaaak!
He charged openly, giving the Yullyeong Lord ample time to respond. Her black eyes took in the full image of the young Blue Rank martial artist before her.
Her long sword, imbued with the Jungok Simpung Sword Technique, shimmered white with concentrated wind energy.
In an instant, Jeong Yeon-shin closed the gap. Energy surged from his hands in all directions, driven by Shihwa Muguk-su.
Wooong!
The ground beneath him roared as storms erupted from his footsteps. His legs felt as if they were splitting apart, his thigh muscles straining visibly.
His right fist emanated colorless energy, surging forward in a spiraling motion.
Thwack!
This time, his attack came from below, striking the underside of the Yullyeong Lord’s sword.
A cold, sharp rebound shot through the air as her blade flew upward like a geyser.
Despite her mastery, her dismantling techniques faltered momentarily under the focused spiral energy of Jeong Yeon-shin’s fists.
‘If her blade returns to form, it will start all over again. She’s too fast to disrupt through sheer movement.’
As these thoughts raced through his mind, the faint curve of a smirk appeared on Jeong Yeon-shin’s lips.
He extended his left hand, unleashing another burst of spiral energy. The force fractured the currents created by her sword technique, breaking them apart strand by strand.
For the first time, the Yullyeong Lord’s gaze wavered.
Had she wielded her martial arts with full force from the beginning, the outcome might have been different.
But in attempting to test the principles of martial philosophy against Jeong Yeon-shin, she had left herself vulnerable. Her technique, though intricate and profound, failed to withstand his adaptive dismantling methods.
Her white hand trembled as she raised her sword into a high guard. The once seamless flow of her blade became tangled, as if obstacles had been planted along its predetermined path.
Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t need more than this.
His dismantling technique always included the essence of disruption. Calmly, he spoke:
“This is a dismantling method.”
As his left hand’s energy subsided, his right hand, brimming with power, followed suit. This time, he drew his sword.
In the hyperfast realm of heightened perception, Jeong Yeon-shin’s hand gripped the hilt of North Star and pulled it free from its sheath.
Flash!
A brilliant blue blade shot upward in a straight line. Like a bolt of lightning, his strike shattered the Yullyeong Lord’s sword into pieces.
Even as the immense shockwave reached her weapon’s handle, Jeong Yeon-shin’s grip on North Star remained unyielding.
Clang! Whooosh―!
The storm that erupted from the broken sword sent residual energy waves spiraling outward.
Jeong Yeon-shin stood in a high guard, his sword glowing faintly blue above his head. The tattered robes of both combatants fluttered violently in the aftermath.
Silence blanketed the ceremonial grounds. The masters who had been ceaselessly discussing martial techniques fell silent.
The Yullyeong Lord stood motionless, clutching the remnants of her shattered blade, her dark eyes fixed on Jeong Yeon-shin.
The boy, unconcerned with the stares of others, felt only the conflict within his heart—a mixture of disappointment and relief.
His body felt heavy, yet the weight of his sword in a high guard seemed to vanish. Perhaps it was the joy of taking one step further on his path.
He had won. Whatever the circumstances, he had achieved victory.
Now, he stood as a Black Rank warrior.
Without a word, Jeong Yeon-shin lowered his arm. The sharp blade of North Star grazed the Yullyeong Lord’s ebony hair as it descended.
While she flinched slightly, the radiant sword returned gracefully to its sheath.
The boy’s tattered blue robes exuded a peculiar dignity. Some in the crowd, mesmerized, could only stare blankly.
Tap.
The clear sound of his blade sliding into its sheath echoed through the silent arena, marking the end of the duel.