Chapter 11

"Public sparring."

With the divine sword technique, one can even sense the wind blowing against the sword. Even now, the sensations from that time are vivid.

Misaki could read the art of Seimei, which she could not see with her eyes, through her sword.

Internal energy, or true qi, is a mysterious thing.

It shows the realm of ascension without the need to see it with the eyes or feel it with the skin.

'The essence of true qi is nature. Perhaps it's enough to just follow where it leads.'

The cold touch of the Rihuang Sword hilt turned warm.

Following the incantation of the Magwang Knot, the true qi that rose from her entire body began to flow outward.

A faint sensation, like a gentle breeze.

She surveyed another tower standing next to the pile of collapsed bricks, along with the breeze.

Just by glancing at the joints of the brick tower, a translucent mental image seemed to form.

The force, angle, and target created a trajectory, known as the path of combat.

Her breathing settled.

Her right hand, holding the Rihuang Sword in its scabbard, lifted up.

She did not draw any internal energy to bolster her physical strength.

She simply followed the single movement of the true qi, swinging the sword leisurely.

In an instant, the world lost its color from her consciousness.

The twisting of the muscles starting from the pectoralis major, passing through the deltoids and biceps, and reaching the flexor digitorum profundus, sharpened the path of force like a sword, converging into a single sword trail that advanced toward the tower.

Just before the strike, all her joints were momentarily fixed. The optimal moment and the best strike.

Snap! Rumble—

The appearance of the collapsed bricks was similar to those broken by Magjin.

Magjin had obtained the Magwang Knot. All that remained was to become proficient enough to use it in actual combat.

Jeongyeonshin tried to contain his rising excitement.

As he sheathed the Rihuang Sword at his waist and glanced at Magjin, he saw a more intense expression than when he had sparred with Seimei. It was no longer surprising.

"This... What...?"

"You seem to need more practical experience. To unleash the Magwang Knot in a moment when life and death hang in the balance, ordinary practice won't suffice."

"..."

"I understand what it means to engrave it in your body. I learned well."

Magjin, one of the strongest in the Rihuang Sword Team's seventeenth generation.

He remained silent for a while.

* * *

"That guy. He's strange."

One of the experts of Magwangyi muttered.

A man wearing a blue uniform with the character 'rough' (荒) embroidered on his shoulders and back.

Everyone in the room wore the same martial uniform.

A dozen martial artists drinking in a luxurious tavern. Their faces seemed to understand immediately.

There was no one else but the boy who had recently become the talk of Magwangyi.

"I've heard that a lot too. Before I came here."

"A peerless talent, they say? It's not surprising."

"How many martial artists in Rihuang City haven't heard of him as a talent since he entered the Rihuang City?"

"I grew up in Rihuang City, so I don't know much."

Each of their words carried a hint of alcohol.

This tavern was one of the most renowned in Yangyang, where Rihuang City's presence was felt.

No one was using their internal energy to expel the alcohol while enjoying themselves.

Those who practiced asceticism and devoted themselves solely to training were not present in the first place.

The expert who started the conversation said,

"Yeah. That's what ordinary people usually say about geniuses and talents. 'He's a strange guy.'"

"Right. He's become ordinary here. But looking back, it wasn't good."

A man with a red face, sitting opposite, chuckled and added,

"But to us, he's still strange, isn't he?"

The experts laughed hollowly.

"Have you ever seen the leader make that face?"

"They say he already uses the Magwang Knot skillfully."

"Can't you tell from how he wields his sword? He's completely different now, with a clear style. When he fought Seimei, he was like a young wild beast without parents."

"I couldn't believe it even as I watched."

While talking about the absent boy, a young-looking man spoke up.

"I like Shimye's character. He's not arrogant. That's a good quality."

"Sometimes he's so reckless it's almost comical. Anyway, you'll know his true character after he completes a major mission."

"Still, with that level of talent, didn't the City Lord notice him?"

"He must have seen him at the last Rihuang City entrance exam. With his eyes, he would have seen through him immediately. There might be some arrangement."

"If there's no problem, he'll become a renowned expert when people talk about Rihuang City in the future. He might even advance from white to blue soon."

"He might. If he survives."

Several experts nodded.

"But... what they're saying is ridiculous."

In the middle of the conversation, one of the Magwangyi martial artists turned his head toward a wall.

The woman next to him laughed and raised her aura.

"Maybe they're just jealous. They made a fuss about bringing Shimye or Baekgilin to their leader, but they couldn't get either."

Laughter erupted.

At the same time,

Bang!

The side wall shattered.

The Magwangyi experts deflected the fragments, which exploded with true qi, with their chopsticks or wine cups.

It seemed they had done this many times before, as their relaxed gestures contained the principles of their refined martial arts.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your enjoyment, experts of Magwangyi."

They were also wearing Rihuang City's blue martial uniform.

One of the men stepped forward to speak, but his clothes fluttered, indicating he had drawn all his true qi.

"How about you quietly leave? We were just getting into the mood. Our youngest has great potential."

The woman, who had already exuded her aura, said with a cold smile.

"Rihyang Sword Charm. Are you challenging us?"

"I thought your Changcheon Team would challenge us first. You think a bit of talent is enough to reach the limits of Magwangyi? Isn't that a challenge? To insult us and still talk nonsense while knowing we can hear you."

Her tone grew more biting as she spoke.

Her aura intensified with each word.

Unable to contain her anger, the woman stood up and glared at the Changcheon Team martial artists.

"Draw your swords. Let's see your famous Qingtian Sword Technique's eighteen forms."

"Rihyang Sword Charm Baekmire! Watch your words!"

"Who are you to command me? I'll crush you in ten moves, so come on!"

Yangyang's top tavern turned into a battlefield.

* * *

"Did you hear that the seniors had a fight with the Changcheon Team martial artists?!"

It was Huanyuan Chang, who burst into the room in a fuss early in the morning.

Jeongyeonshin, tilting his head to the side, spoke.

"Rihuang City has its own laws, doesn't it? I thought fighting with martial arts outside the training ground among the city's martial artists was a reason for punishment."

"When did you last check the city's laws? Anyway, it seems to be true. Everyone is in a bad mood because of the travel ban."

"What was the reason for the fight?"

"Well, it seems a Changcheon Team martial artist started a quarrel at a tavern. They said that Magwangyi couldn't cultivate your talent."

"......They drew swords over that?"

"You still don't understand the martial world. That's the essence of this Jianghu! A casual word can turn into a sharp sword, and by blocking and overcoming it, one gains fame and dominates Jianghu. Isn't that something to be happy about? The seniors of Rihuang City got angry on behalf of the newcomer! If it were me, I wouldn't know what to do!"

Rihuang Xin Xie looked at him with envy.

'Did they just get angry because I insulted Magwangyi?'

Jeongyeonshin was speechless at the incomprehensible words and closed his mouth. Then he opened his eyes a bit wider.

'This is an opportunity.'

How much great merit would one need to obtain the fruit of the revered Tianxia Tree, which all noble families worship?

The help of comrades would be necessary in the process.

While the highest form of trust among martial artists is to owe each other a life debt, it wouldn't hurt to build goodwill in advance as much as possible.

'Tactical trust is a bit embarrassing and funny.'

But it was a matter of survival.

Although he didn't show it to the City Lord of Rihuang City, he truly didn't want to die prematurely.

He had to eat the fruit of the Tianxia Tree.

"Upon hearing it, I agree with Huanyuan. I'm angry. The seniors had to draw their swords for my sake."

Jeongyeonshin stood up.

"Right! Exactly! You truly understand the way of a righteous swordsman!"

'Is this how a righteous swordsman talks?'

Jeongyeonshin almost felt embarrassed by Huanyuan Chang's applause but managed to create a calm anger and left the room.

The footsteps following him were undoubtedly filled with expectations for Jeongyeonshin.

He went to the Magwangyi training ground.

Some of the seniors, who were usually sprawled out, looked even more dejected today.

The travel ban seemed to be a significant punishment.

For Jeongyeonshin, who couldn't even have a drink for fear of affecting his cultivation, it was a hard-to-understand sentiment.

"Younger ones."

"There's no teaching today. Did you come here to practice?"

"You don't need to when you're still in white."

"No, you do. It's the right attitude."

The seniors greeted the two juniors. Jeongyeonshin bowed and walked straight to Magjin, the leader of Magwangyi.

"Is something bothering you? Ask away."

Magjin, who had gone back to think about how to teach him, looked tired.

Given his level, a supreme expert like him wouldn't easily feel physical fatigue, so it seemed he had poured his mental energy into Jeongyeonshin, as he had said.

'Seeing this, it seems he will really take it seriously.'

Jeongyeonshin thought. He opened his mouth, feeling a bit more at ease.

"I want to spar."

"Sure. Choose anyone. Anyone will do it."

Jeongyeonshin shook his head at Magjin's answer, who wiped his forehead.

"Not with Magwangyi, but with the Changcheon Team."

The training ground fell silent instantly. Everyone knew why he mentioned the Changcheon Team.

"......You must have heard about yesterday. There's no need to get angry over such things. Calm down."

'I wasn't angry.'

Magjin's face, looking down at Jeongyeonshin, was filled with both confusion and admiration.

"What do you mean? I just want to witness the Qingtian Sword Technique, which I've admired for a long time."

"You're not calming down at all. Excessive blood and fire are also a problem."

However, the faces of the Magwangyi seniors behind him did not show any problem.

Many looked proud.

The seasoned warriors, who were not inferior to the experts of the Nine Sects, already had a look of pride in their eyes, like they were about to burst.

The reaction was more than he had intended, making him shiver.

He opened his mouth first.

"I want to challenge the famous sword technique with the Magwang Knot. Please allow me, Leader."

'To gain practical experience with the Magwang Knot, to witness a higher sword technique, and to win the seniors' favor.'

It was a threefold benefit. Moreover, the last part seemed already achieved.

"Are you serious? Even within the Rihuang Sword Team, Magwangyi is different. You haven't learned the same martial arts as the Changcheon Team, nor have you fought alongside them. They won't go easy on you."

"That's what I hope for."

Jeongyeonshin's short answer. Whistles erupted around him.

"A spirit worthy of representing Rihuang City!"

"I want to see his growth."

"If he can hold his own, he might be the next leader of Magwangyi."

Among them, Magjin also nodded slightly. Rihuang City was the center of the martial world, a place where one reveals oneself through martial arts and spirit. No expert would look unfavorably upon a fifteen-year-old swordsman who raised his spirit for the honor of Magwangyi.

"Alright. I'll pass the message to the leader of Changcheon."

A day later.

The sparring between Magwangyi's Shimye and a Changcheon Team martial artist was arranged. It was nominally an exchange practice.