Chapter 14

Anmok (2)

She soon had a dazed look on her face, an expression unimaginable from her usual self.

As a renowned expert even outside the Imperial Phoenix City, Baek Milyeo was known as a bold and cold swordsman.

"Neigong. It’s an internal martial art."

She didn’t get angry right away. She wiped her lips with her long fingers and fell into deep thought.

"A hard story to swallow. If I were a Neigong expert, focusing on internal cultivation, then Neigong would be the basic technique I’d have mastered. Surely you don’t think I’m a fool who can’t even grasp my own inner energy?"

‘No, but it seems to be true.’

Jeong Yeonshin couldn’t voice his thoughts at this moment.

To him, Baek Milyeo’s method of channeling energy was subtle, and the speed of her inner energy circulation was faster than that of other seniors. If she couldn’t realize it herself, it would be meaningless.

He didn’t feel the need to continue the conversation.

Jeong Yeonshin changed the subject.

"I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have disturbed your thoughts with such nonsense."

They weren’t close enough for him to insist on advice at the cost of offending her.

However, her overly indifferent attitude seemed to irritate Baek Milyeo. Her smooth forehead furrowed.

An experienced expert in the martial world would surely be adept at psychological warfare.

Jeong Yeonshin slowly spoke, realizing his inner thoughts had been read through her change in attitude.

“I’ll take my leave now.”

“...Alright. I’m sorry, and thank you.”

She watched him leave for the Small Training Hall. If she couldn’t accept it, that was enough.

From her words of apology and gratitude, it didn’t seem like she would hold a grudge, but if she did, he would consider her no different from the Jeong Family’s brothers.

There was no reason to waste his mental energy on such a person.

His martial arts, which had been developing rapidly since entering the Imperial Phoenix City, were just waiting for the right moment to shine.

‘Let’s start practicing the Zhu Ma Jing Lianhuan.’

Jeong Yeonshin completely pushed Baek Milyeo out of his mind.

* * *

“Leader.”

“Speak.”

“Have you ever mentioned the origin of my martial arts to Seomye?”

“What nonsense. Do you think that’s possible?”

In the Ma Guangyi Hall, the energy he emitted blocked out all sound, and Ma Jin frowned.

Baek Milyeo’s expression was serious.

“If not, how...”

“I understand what happened.”

Seeing her mutter, Ma Jin spoke.

“You must have seen through the martial arts you’ve been tweaking, Seomye. She’s special. A talent hard to find even in the entire martial world. There are such things in the world. Renowned clans, iron-blooded warriors, and absolute experts who discuss the strongest in the world. Seomye merely possesses an unfathomable talent.”

“...”

“Surprising? That’s not the right word to describe her talent. Moreover, she enjoys martial arts.”

“Hmm...!”

Baek Milyeo let out a sigh. Ma Jin stated firmly.

“Within five years, the Ma Guangyi Master will be Seomye. Observe the character of this future superior of yours.”

* * *

The next day.

Jeong Yeonshin was summoned to the Grand Training Hall with Heonwon Chang.

There were only three people in the spacious hall: Baek Milyeo, who now seemed a bit awkward, Cheongmyeong, and Ma Jin.

“Your mission.”

At Ma Jin’s casual words, the Imperial Phoenix Hero’s body trembled.

“Finally, to the martial world...!”

“Don’t get too excited. You might die in the Jianghu.”

“Ah, yes!”

“Baek Milyeo, Cheongmyeong, Jeong Yeonshin, Heonwon Chang. The four of you will go. It’s related to the Blood Flame Sect. You’ll need to leave the Imperial Phoenix City with determination.”

Ma Jin spoke. Jeong Yeonshin’s eyes had darkened the moment he mentioned the Blood Flame Sect.

The burning manor, the blood dripping from the threshold, the red clothes and red hair...

He slowly spoke.

“Two Qing and two Bai going to deal with something involving the Thirteen Thousand?”

“It’s best to know the background. Strictly speaking, it’s not an issue with the main branch of the Blood Flame Sect. We don’t even know where it is.”

Ma Jin’s story wasn’t long.

“You know that the famine isn’t limited to the Huoguang region.”

The Shin Family of Jeong Village was relatively fine, but the Namyang area was different.

The arable land in the entire Henan Province was decreasing.

According to Ma Jin, the same was true for the Shaanxi Province.

“Several years ago, starving peasants looted the manor of a village elder due to poor harvests. They didn’t just take the grain. The elder’s family was driven out in a brutal manner. Recently, the eldest son of that manor returned, with his hair turned red. He was wearing a bright red martial robe.”

“Joined the Blood Flame Sect...!”

Heonwon Chang muttered.

The Blood Flame Sect was one of the Thirteen Thousand of the Sima Sect, particularly revered.

There were many rumors, but it was widely accepted that they cultivated the power of blood, which straddled the line between sorcery and martial arts, to produce martial artists.

“Like other dark martial arts, the eldest son of the manor seems to have quickly mastered the Blood Flame Sect’s techniques. He has settled in the village, which has recovered its productivity, and periodically slaughters livestock and ruins crops.”

“Ruins crops?”

Cheongmyeong, wearing a hood, muttered. This person was from a renowned clan. Jeong Yeonshin thought.

“Does he only target livestock and crops?”

“Yes. Instead of completely destroying everything or digging up all the seeds, he waits for them to grow and repeats the same act.”

“Sounds like a major villain. Doesn’t seem like the Blood Flame Sect I know.”

Heonwon Chang said, his eyes wide. His face showed that he had never heard of such a thing.

“Major villain? Are you serious?”

At Ma Jin’s question, the Imperial Phoenix Hero immediately showed a flustered look. Baek Milyeo looked at him with disdain.

Ma Jin spoke again.

“Jinping County in southern Shaanxi. This could have been handled by the Shaanxi branch, but recently there was an incident where medicinal herbs of the Huashan Sect were stolen, and it has escalated into a matter involving the entire Shaanxi martial world. They lack the resources, so they’ve asked the main city to take charge.”

“The Huashan Sect’s medicinal herbs were stolen? Could it be the Zisu Dan, which is said to rival the Shaolin Dahuandan?”

Heonwon Chang asked, his eyes wide.

“That’s why there’s such a commotion. The theft case might also be transferred to the main city soon. Focus on the current mission.”

“Yes!”

He answered firmly.

All kinds of news from the martial world flowed in.

Even the calm Jeong Yeonshin could now clearly feel that he was directly involved in the martial world, and he could easily guess the emotions of the Imperial Phoenix Hero.

Ma Jin also seemed to be concerned about this.

The blood and vigor of a newcomer to the martial world. When youth, martial arts, and a sense of belonging to the Imperial Phoenix City meet, anything can happen.

“Cheongmyeong, Baek Milyeo. Take good care of the Bai members. Ensure they return safely.”

“Yes.”

“I will do my best.”

The indifferent expression of Baek Milyeo and the smiling face of Cheongmyeong contrasted sharply.

Jeong Yeonshin quietly held his sword and thought of the killers from the Blood Sword Sect and the Blood Flame Sect.

He still didn’t know why they had attacked the Jeong Family.

But now it was irrelevant. The destruction of the clan had already happened, and that bloodbath had even made the Jeong Family’s prodigal son harbor thoughts of revenge.

If he meets them, he will kill them.

‘Take good care of your head. I’ll cut it off.’

He stroked his sword.

* * *

The four of them, now a group, immediately left Yangyang on horseback, heading swiftly northwest.

The speed of their forced march silenced Heonwon Chang, who had seemed to be looking forward to a leisurely tour of the martial world.

This was how missions for the Imperial Phoenix City were always carried out.

They could freely use the relay stations across the Central Plains and were capable of riding for long periods due to their inner energy.

There was no room for leisure.

However, there was no relay station route from Huoguang to Shaanxi, so they had to conserve their horses’ strength while traveling.

They reached Jinping County from Yangyang in just eleven days.

“Hmmm.”

The county magistrate, who was in charge of Jinping, greeted them, and Heonwon Chang weakly dismounted.

It seemed to be more of a mental issue than a physical one. Baek Milyeo clicked her tongue.

“You can’t even imagine what happens when martial artists use the relay stations.”

“...!”

Heonwon Chang’s face turned pale. Jeong Yeonshin glanced at him and then turned to the magistrate.

‘He doesn’t look like he’s starving.’

They said the Blood Flame Sect members had swept away the food.

The magistrate’s round face was shiny and well-fed, though it lacked luster.

His expression, however, showed both relief and annoyance at seeing them.

“Why did you take so long? I sent the message ages ago! How frustrating!”

“...?”

“Get off your horses quickly! I thought to treat you with respect as the sword of the Great Ming Empire, but to think you’d be so leisurely! Can you even catch that guy? Just the four of you?”

“What is this?”

Jeong Yeonshin asked Cheongmyeong and Baek Milyeo.

Their familiar expressions showed a hint of indifference.

Cheongmyeong, tapping the back of his hood, slowly spoke.

“There are some clueless officials. They think the Imperial Phoenix City is just a broom for them. This is the first time for them. There are many counties in the Central Plains, and many have never even seen a real martial artist.”

“What, what! You, you! What insolence is this!"

“Should I press the mute point?”

“Yes. Let’s finish this quickly and go.”

“What a...!”

Before Cheongmyeong finished his sentence, the official’s voice was cut off.

Jeong Yeonshin’s hand, imbued with inner energy, pressed between the official’s spine and skull.

The official, shorter than Jeong Yeonshin, was looked down upon with a cold gaze.

“I won’t follow your orders.”

Sweat formed on the official’s forehead. His trembling body turned away.

Cheongmyeong and Baek Milyeo looked at him with approval. He suddenly felt embarrassed.

“Jeong Gongzi, you’ve also learned point striking techniques? Incredible.”

Heonwon Chang was amazed.

Point striking is a technique that uses inner energy to precisely stimulate another person’s acupoints.

Not all martial artists can perform it, but for Jeong Yeonshin, who had mastered the human body through the Jeong Family’s secret techniques, it was a natural study.

“I’ve been thinking about this for a while, but it’s getting harder to call you Gongzi. From now on, I’ll call you Xiaoxia. Jeong Xiaoxia!”

“Do as you please, Imperial Phoenix Hero.”

Even with the light joke, the Imperial Phoenix Hero’s lips curled up to his ears.

After tying their horses in the government stables, Cheongmyeong put his arm around Jeong Yeonshin’s shoulder.

“Do you know the principle of non-interference with official matters? We are freer from the government than other martial artists. The imperial court allows it. We can put such fools in their place. That’s what the Imperial Phoenix City is like.”

“Pressing the mute point is quite a gentle touch, isn’t it?”

Heonwon Chang chimed in.

“It shouldn’t be excessive.”

Baek Milyeo, walking beside them, said. She added softly,

“That was well done.”

“Yes.”

Baek Milyeo and he had spent a considerable amount of time together since leaving for Jinping County.

The awkwardness had eased significantly with her encouragement.

He smiled slightly and then narrowed his eyes.

“Down there, in the village.”

“Hmm?”

“Blood Flame Sect member.”

Before he finished his sentence, he kicked off the ground and started sprinting.