Chapter 12

Public Sparring (2)

"Did White request a sparring match with Blue?"

"More precisely, he said it was a guidance match for the sake of learning."

"That's not it. I know the inside story."

For once, the entire Yibhuang City was abuzz with chatter.

The news that a newly admitted White was sparring with a Blue of Changan Hall for the honor of the seventeenth generation.

The consensus was that the difference between the 'White, Blue, and Black' ranks in Yibhuang City was more pronounced than it appeared, so the outcome of the match itself was not the main concern.

"How long will he last?"

"At most, ten seconds, I think."

"I agree. Can a newly admitted White last more than ten seconds against a Blue? It’s hard to imagine."

"It’s like a Huashan Sect ordinary disciple challenging a Plum Sword Master."

On the day of the sparring, the rumor had spread widely, and people from other seventeenth generations and even the General Affairs Department came to watch.

The venue was the Changan Hall training ground.

Jeong Yeonshin, who had already arrived, looked around, receiving curious gazes.

All he saw were swords, nothing but swords.

Seeing the various types of swords hanging on the weapon racks, he was once again reminded that Changan Hall was a famous sword school in the martial world.

'Here, I will practice swords until I become a Blue.'

The Yibhuang Examination was commonly known to admit Whites, but there were also a few other ways to enter.

The most well-known method was similar to that of other major sects.

Children whose blood channels had not yet been blocked by turbid energy were taken in as disciples, dressed in any clothes, and gradually advanced to white and then blue.

This path was considered more orthodox and promising.

Jeong Yeonshin couldn't forget the energetic and lively children he had seen at Majin's hall. They were still here, cheering him on.

"Last at least five seconds! We bet pastries with the Changan Hall kids! Big brother! Look this way! Here!"

"Big brother! Don't disgrace the name of Majin!"

"Junior! Hang in there-!"

'Junior?'

Jeong Yeonshin chuckled.

In Yibhuang City, unlike other sects, the color of one's uniform represented everything about their status. In this aspect, it resembled the military.

The children occasionally called him and Hyeonwon Chang 'juniors' as a joke, but for Jeong Yeonshin, who had never felt a sense of belonging, it was fresh and cute.

He waved to the nearly ten children, and cheers erupted. They were pure-hearted kids.

'Come to think of it, I had friends around my age too.'

There were also Majin's disciples who were older than these children.

Becoming a recognized martial artist and wearing white was considered early even at the age of twenty.

He was abnormally fast.

Naturally, there were disciples older than Jeong Yeonshin, but they were still awkward, unlike the children who had come to cheer him on.

'Time will take care of it.'

Putting aside his thoughts, he looked ahead.

The expressions of the martial artists who seemed to be from Changan Hall were not good.

They felt displeased that a new Yibhuang Examination recruit had requested a sparring match.

On one side, two supreme experts in black martial uniforms were having a showdown. They were Majin and the Changan Hall Master.

The Changan Hall Master was a renowned swordsman, one of the Ten Great Swordsmen of Huoguang, known for his gaunt but tall figure, long arms, and piercing gaze.

"I'll put up one of our unit's elite squads for ten seconds. Of course, I'll bet on the side that the recruit won't last ten seconds."

The Changan Hall Master said. Majin's face showed disbelief.

"An elite squad? Isn't that too much?"

"Are you scared? Do you think you'll lose?"

"You're provoking me like a child. An elite squad of Yibhuang City is not something to be taken lightly."

"The honor of Majin and Changan Hall is at stake. Is this a trivial matter?"

Seeing Majin hesitate, the Changan Hall Master spoke forcefully, like a predator gaining the upper hand in a fight.

"Majin, you look weaker than ever. Did you cause such a fuss at the Master's meeting just to admit this guy?"

"You seem to have a grudge."

"Don't change the subject. Are you going to back down?"

"Ha... Fine. I'll accept."

"Good. As the leader of a group, you must know how to trust your subordinates."

The Changan Hall Master smiled and turned his head, missing Majin's smirk.

* * *

"Jeong Yeonshin, right? White of Majin."

"Jeong Yeonshin, of Majin."

He bowed politely to his opponent. It wasn't long ago that he introduced himself as Jeong Yeonshin of Shinja, but now the name Majin felt more fitting.

From the bloodshed at Jeong Family Manor to the south of Henan, and then to Huoguang Yangyang.

Regardless of others' gazes, the time he spent representing a group in a sparring match felt both unfamiliar and precious.

The martial artist who had asked his name stood ten steps away, expressionless.

Wearing a blue martial uniform symbolizing the main force of Yibhuang City, he exuded a sharp aura and had a fierce gaze.

"I've practiced Qingtian Sword Technique for twenty years. They say a sword has no eyes, but a master's sword does. However, I won't hold back. You should remember this."

"Understood."

At Jeong Yeonshin's short answer, the martial artist's eyebrows twitched.

Without another word, he placed his hand on his sword. At the same time, a frost-like aura began to emanate from him.

'What kind of sword is this?'

Jeong Yeonshin's short answer was not meant to provoke.

He had already read his opponent using his inner energy while releasing Majin's technique.

As he had heard from his seniors, the Qingtian Sword Technique was very versatile.

Depending on the practitioner, it could become a swift sword or a powerful heavy sword.

'By the time one becomes a Blue, they have a main technique but have mastered all the others.'

So, Jeong Yeonshin was also just releasing his own technique.

'Shijijing.'

A unique martial technique he had created, characterized by both the density and the amount of inner energy.

With his mind set, his inner energy began to flow through his elastic blood channels.

Thanks to his perfected Jeong Family Meridian, he could fully utilize his inner energy, flowing through the twelve main meridians and the eight extraordinary vessels.

Shijijing was also developing like a swift sword.

While maintaining his balance and applying force, he circulated his inner energy, confirming the areas that needed to be reinforced.

"Go."

The Blue martial artist said, naturally yielding the initiative. Jeong Yeonshin decided to surprise him with his reaction.

"Draw."

Holding his breath, he drew his sword along with the true step.

The vibration of his inner energy struck the training ground with a thud, and the swift sword technique was embedded in the transparent blade of the Yibhuang Sword.

The force that rose from his feet instantly coalesced into his sword, tracing the path of Majin's technique.

Zing!

He smiled at the vibration in his grip, feeling it was just right.

Though he didn't cut through, the martial artist's composure was shattered, and his balance wavered.

A sword's speed inevitably increases its power, known as sword force.

Pushing off the ground with the foot that had taken the true step, he continued.

Shijijing, which he defined as a two-tenths achievement, could double the efficiency of inner energy when used properly.

As the swift landscape passed by, the martial artist's figure grew larger.

Majin had informed him of the technique.

Now, holding the sword, it was the sword path.

The martial artist's words about not holding back were not a sign of carelessness.

His unbalanced stance was clearly visible, just like those who had been defeated in a single move by his youthful appearance.

'Now.'

He had to win now. In the vast training ground, surrounded by many people, Jeong Yeonshin thought only of victory.

Clang!

He felt his sword force had improved. The vibration transmitted through his hand was tremendous.

The martial artist's eyes quickly turned serious, but the sword strikes, though not reaching the level of a Blue, prevented him from taking a proper stance.

With each strike, the power increased. The second strike of Zhumajing followed the first, releasing from the tip of the sword.

Bang!

The Blue martial artist tried to create distance by spinning, but before he could complete the turn, his Yibhuang Sword was knocked away.

The immense sword force of Zhumajing shook his entire upper body. His arm was flung upward over his head.

"Ugh!"

He almost fell but managed to regain his stance, with the sword tip at his chin.

Jeong Yeonshin, holding his Yibhuang Sword, had a peculiar expression.

The Blue martial artist's uniform, despite receiving several strikes, was remarkably clean, with only a few wrinkles.

But the White had won. Even if it was due to carelessness, it was an undeniable result.

"..."

Jeong Yeonshin stared at him.

It was luck.

The inspiration that struck him in time added power to the overwhelming aura, leading to his victory.

If they fought again, it would certainly not be the same.

The Yibhuang City Blues were said to be unyielding even to Huashan Sect's Plum Sword Masters.

The difference of just one rank was a testament to the depth of Yibhuang City.

In the vast martial world, such prowess would make it hard to find a match. It felt like he had a new goal.

Jeong Yeonshin sheathed his Yibhuang Sword. His bow, taken with both hands, was sincere.

Zhumajing had given him a new technique and a new goal.

"Thank you for the opportunity to witness such a refined sword technique."

"Your sword path and Zhumajing were impressive. Your skill transcends your age."

With that, the Blue martial artist, who had been staring at him intently, stood up. His lips slightly curled, indicating he wasn't in a bad mood.

Jeong Yeonshin thought that it was a kind of charm to see someone's expression change so much after a single bow, even after losing face.

He turned his head. The faces were varied, but most showed shock, and some even admiration.

"How many seconds was that? A White winning?"

"At least twenty seconds, I think."

"Exchanging blows? No, this is truly an amazing sword talent. Wasn't his name Jeong Yeonshin? His age is astonishing, and his martial prowess is even more astonishing and incomprehensible."

"Majin has found a gem. I'm so envious it hurts."

The bold faces of Majin's children, now stunned, were amusing.

Jeong Yeonshin, who had bowed to the Changan Hall Master, who was biting his lower lip, walked towards the children.

Despite the intense movements, his body, trained by the Jeong Family Meridian, was dissipating the shock from the inner energy clashes.

He wasn't even tired.

"Did I do well enough, Majin? Take care of the pastries."

Squatting down to meet the children's eyes, he said.

He wasn't sure how many seconds they had exchanged, but he had definitely shattered the ten-second prediction.

He had won. The children, who had been dazed, gradually came to life.

Soon, their eyes sparkled with admiration.

"Sure! I'll eat the pastries well!"

"Big brother, you're so strong! White is White indeed!"

"Wow... "

The child who had called him 'junior' was only able to utter exclamations of amazement.

Amid the noisy children, Majin approached.

A fragrant smell came from his outstretched hand.

On his strong-looking palm lay a tightly packed ball of medicine. Jeong Yeonshin felt the dense flow of energy.

"It's yours."

Majin said, pulling up the scar under his lip.