Chapter 18

Recommendation Method

Thanks to the consideration of Cheongmyeong and Baek Miryeo, the two white-robed individuals were able to head straight to the sleeping quarters of the hall.

It was said that with the acknowledged martial prowess and the trust of all the people in Iphwang City, the blue-robed warrior had the discretion to do so.

In such situations, it was indeed different from the military.

"Once I came in, I don't feel like leaving. I'll have to visit Yangyang First Tavern next time."

Heonwon Chang made a joke.

"I also need to stretch and get into bed."

"You're going to practice for about an hour. You're quite impressive, Jeong So-hyeong."

Heonwon Chang no longer showed any signs of being tired of it. He had a face that seemed to accept it.

As they traveled together, Heonwon Chang gradually treated Jeong Yeonshin as if he were from another world.

A character from a strange and wondrous parallel universe, rather than just a member of a noble clan.

Jeong Yeonshin had his own code of chivalry and martial way, and it was actually better for him to become stronger, as a fellow disciple and comrade.

Despite his seemingly frivolous words and actions, he thought there was a character worth learning from.

"Rest."

Jeong Yeonshin smiled slightly and left the hall.

Throughout his journey to the Small Training Ground, senior disciples greeted him warmly.

A few people flinched when they received his fist salute.

Mainly those who seemed to have sensitive senses, as if they had felt the change in his aura after the mission.

"Your aura has changed."

"Your aura is unrecognizable. Boys grow up well at that age, but this is a completely different story."

"We can only use that phrase for this friend now."

"Is it going to be tough for us too now?"

No one could refute the blue-robed warrior who said the last words.

They fell silent simultaneously.

Because a teenager who could stand a chance against a blue-robed expert of Iphwang City was a marvel in itself.

Jeong Yeonshin listened to the seniors' words half-heartedly.

He had a different sense of time.

If he wanted to survive, he should be able to discuss the martial prowess of a new sword master just before he turned twenty.

From white to blue, and then to black like Majin, and even to the unseen purple.

A purple-robed new sword master who could command the seventeen martial power levels of Majin was at that level. He had no time to spare.

"Phew."

The Small Training Ground, which greeted him like a maze of the Yellow Tomb, where he had arrived before he knew it.

He entered an empty training room, avoiding the rooms where auras were emanating, as if they had owners.

Come to think of it, the year had changed. Jeong Yeonshin thought.

Now sixteen years old. In the civilian world, it was the age when one would start a family after getting married.

Jeong Yeonshin would have been the same.

Unlike the typical noble martial families, the Jeong family did not consider it a big deal if their children's engagements were delayed.

As a third-rate martial family and a major landowner, their customs were closer to those of the common people.

'Who would I have married?'

A meaningless imagination. He quickly cleared his mind of such distractions.

He began to move slowly.

As he released his inner energy, Majin's ghostly seal immediately arose, drawing various trajectories while considering all possible scenarios.

It was a combination of fist techniques and leg techniques.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Close-range white strike. He kicked forcefully, planted his foot, and delivered a straight punch.

The atmosphere trembled with the shockwave he deliberately created.

He felt the teachings of Majin during the battle with the Blood Demon Blade.

Jeong Yeonshin, who had achieved great success in the Jeong family's martial arts, had a body that was incredibly strong.

Close combat was different from sword techniques. It was a fighting style that fully utilized his unique strengths.

'I want to perfect the fist technique.'

It would become increasingly difficult to use his youthful appearance like a new sword as time passed.

He couldn't rely on the enemy's complacency forever.

He needed to sharpen all the weapons he could use.

'Is there anything that can inspire me?'

Jeong Yeonshin, still in the posture of extending his fist, was lost in thought.

A sky-blue light flashed in his eyes.

* * *

"What was the character of Seomye's when he stood at the boundary between life and death? How did he treat his comrades?"

At the top of Majin's hall, in Majin's residence.

Cheongmyeong and Baek Miryeo, who had returned from their mission, were talking with Majin.

"At the boundary between life and death?"

"......"

Cheongmyeong, with a blank look, asked, and Baek Miryeo remained silent. Was there such a thing?

Majin's face showed confusion.

"Didn't you say there was a Blood Demon Blade? It means that a branch-level force was secretly active. Surely you didn't handle it with just the two of you to protect the white-robed ones? The records tied to the messenger hawk have their limitations. Tell me in detail."

"That was......"

It turned out that the two blue-robed experts had received more than one task. The instruction to observe Seomye's character. Now it seemed that this was more important than their original mission in Jinpyeong County.

Baek Miryeo knew. There was no other reason for Majin to press them so hard.

It would be hard to imagine if Seomye was not being considered as the next Majin.

That's why it was even more regrettable. There was nothing to say.

"......He didn't give us a chance to observe. He alone wiped out the Blood Demon Sect branch. The only thing I can say is that he didn't forget his manners despite the arduous journey. His martial prowess seemed to be beyond his age, but it didn't seem to be his main concern."

"......"

Majin fell silent, lost in thought. The shock of a single-handed defeat of the Blood Demon Sect branch, including the Blood Demon Blade, was immense.

A realm where one could be called an expert even among the Nine Schools, Eight Families, and the Thirteen Thousand.

It was hard to express with just the word 'outstanding.'

"Cheongmyeong."

Majin's gaze now turned to the only noble clan member among the white-robed disciples.

There was a famous story about the noble clan's ability to see through the essence of things.

The story of the Empress, who became the consort of the founding emperor, revealing that some of the ministers were traitors after capturing them.

Like the current emperor, who alone endured the 108 Arhats Formation to witness Shaolin's martial arts, she was known to have possessed one of the best martial arts in the world and cast a huge presence in the imperial court for over a hundred years.

Even the common people knew.

The noble clan's five senses were inherently different from those of the Han people.

There was a reason why the final test of Iphwang City was a private meeting with the Iphwang City Lord.

What Majin wanted to confirm was the qualities of a leader of the martial power levels, beyond that.

"Seomye? He's excellent for his age. Despite his strong killing intent, he handles it well. There's something extraordinary about his temperament."

Cheongmyeong said with a light laugh.

"Strong killing intent?"

"Isn't it obvious? The guy didn't mention anything about his background throughout the journey. His actions and words clearly show that he's well-trained."

"I also think so. It seems that both of the new recruits have already severed ties with their families in some way."

"That's right. I didn't think it was impossible, but......"

Majin tapping his fingers on the table. He soon nodded slowly.

"Of course, it's a successor, but first, we need to take care of the ones who have joined us. There's plenty of time. This time too, I'm curious how much more unexpected achievements he will make. It will be enjoyable to see him grow."

"I also think so."

"I'm curious when he'll become blue. It doesn't seem too far off."

These conversations were more like casual chats than formal reports. The night sky gradually enveloped Majin's hall.

* * *

The next morning.

"Seomye. The City Lord is calling you."

One of the white-robed seniors of Majin called out to Jeong Yeonshin. The tone was different from before.

It felt much more cautious. The way people looked at him had changed after the results of the mission were known.

He could no longer be treated as just a talented junior.

Whenever he was in the Grand Training Ground, he would hear phrases like "the Blood Demon Blade......" a few times. Even three days after returning, it was still happening.

There were ten white-robed experts among the thirty-six Majin, and for a white-robed one to single-handedly defeat a Blood Demon Sect branch was an almost impossible feat.

There were even whispers that he might become the youngest blue-robed expert in the shortest time.

"Yes, I'll go up."

Jeong Yeonshin politely clasped his hands.

Whenever he heard people praising him highly, he tried to maintain a more proper demeanor.

He didn't think an absolute expert without influence could become a new sword master.

Thanks to this, the way people looked at him was getting better day by day. He could even feel the warmth.

'Is it a new mission?'

Although it was said that Iphwang City warriors were given a month's rest after a mission, he didn't fully believe it.

How could one predict what might happen in the martial world?

"Come in."

As soon as he reached the end of the hall, Majin's deep voice echoed.

He seemed to have sensed his presence immediately, even though Jeong Yeonshin had practiced the wind and leaf techniques to the point where they were completely ingrained in his body.

He sighed in admiration, opened the door, and entered the room. He then paused slightly.

Majin's face was incredibly serious, his scar across his face seeming to be set in stone.

"Is there something wrong? An important mission?"

"You've achieved unprecedented success, but you're not yet at the level where we can entrust you with important tasks in Majin. Of course, expectations are high."

His scar twitched, as if Majin was trying to smile proudly.

"It's not a mission. But it's not something to be compared with ordinary missions. The City Lord wants you to accompany him."

"The Iphwang City Lord......?"

The image of the absolute ruler with green eyes came to mind. It was incomprehensible.

"Is there a case where a white-robed warrior is called back after a private meeting?"

"There's no precedent, so I'm not at ease. I can't even guess what's on his mind."

Majin gestured with a serious face.

"Even so, we can't delay. Let's go."

He followed Majin, who walked ahead, and left the Majin hall.

The distance to the main castle where the Iphwang City Lord resided was considerable.

Even though Jeong Yeonshin walked briskly to match Majin's steps, it took about the time to drink a cup of tea.

During this time, all the attention was on Jeong Yeonshin.

Perhaps because he was the only white-robed youth in Iphwang City.

It was still strange to be recognized by people he had never met.

Jeong Yeonshin maintained an indifferent expression and silently followed Majin.

Soon, they arrived at the main castle where he had taken the final test of Iphwang City.

"Let's go."

The guards did not stop Majin as he entered without hesitation.

It was unclear whether it was due to the authority of a black-robed expert of Iphwang City or the trust in the City Lord's martial prowess.

The two of them climbed the long staircase and reached the City Lord's room.

The door opened automatically.

A cool breeze brushed against Jeong Yeonshin's cheeks. The first thing that caught his eye was her.

The Iphwang City Lord, sitting diagonally on the trunk of a tree that pierced through the office like a giant snake.

Her deep green eyes, as if containing all the world's floods, swept past Majin and focused on Jeong Yeonshin.

She raised her hand, which was incredibly white and smooth, as if it was hard to believe she possessed martial arts that reached the heavens.

"Come here."

"I greet the City Lord."

After bowing with Majin, he noticed the others.

Two people. The first to catch his eye was the old man.

Sharp eyes, a large and imposing figure.

His pure white beard, without a single hair, reached his chest.

The purple robe he wore over his sturdy body had a unique collar that stood straight.

It suited his strong and sharp appearance very well.

'A purple-robed expert who surpasses even the City Lord.'

His aura was so intense that he could have been the sole presence if the Iphwang City Lord were not there.

Next to him stood a boy. He had a somewhat arrogant look, but his appearance was outstanding.

He stared at Jeong Yeonshin with eyes that were clearly black and white, and his gaze felt challenging.

"You must be Seomye of Majin. I am Ma Yeonjeok, who once led the new sword masters."

The old man in the purple robe said. His voice was full of spirit.

To the point where he would have called himself the main seat if the Iphwang City Lord were not in the center.

"My grandson wanted to meet a peer expert, so I mentioned it to the City Lord. It's nice to meet you."

Jeong Yeonshin, who had listened to Ma Yeonjeok's words half-heartedly, turned his gaze to the other side.

The Iphwang City Lord, who didn't say much, slightly raised the corners of her mouth, as if telling him to handle it himself.

-If you wish, I will acknowledge you.

It wasn't a telepathic message. There was no sense of energy flow.

A voice that resonated in his mind. Perhaps it was the Hye-gwang-sim-eo, a technique used by the highest Shaolin monks.

'Why are you being so kind to me?'

Jeong Yeonshin felt puzzled and looked at his maternal grandfather.