Chapter 19

Recommending Law (2)

"Truly remarkable. It's an unbelievable realm for someone of his age."

Ma Yeonjeok marveled, taking a step forward as if he had discovered a supreme work of art. When Jeong Yeonshin was examined closely, his wrinkled face revealed unhidden admiration.

The well-mannered boy standing beside him was visibly uncomfortable.

"Grandfather, I greet you. I am Ma Guangyi, Jeong Yeonshin."

He spoke calmly, bowing slightly with a salute.

"......?"

There was no sound until he raised his head. The air was palpable with confusion, bewilderment, and interest.

Ma Yeonjeok's beard, which was covering the front of his purple robe, trembled slightly.

"You are......"

Ma Yeonjeok, the former leader of the Divine Sword Squad, was a martial artist of the Purple rank, the pinnacle of the White, Blue, and Black ranks.

It was said that the intuition of the ultra-high-level experts who had reached the upper realm and opened the Upper Dantian was terrifying.

He looked at Jeong Yeonshin, who had called him grandfather, and the Purple City Lord, who had a faint smile.

There was no way he couldn't think of anything.

"Jeong, Jeong Clan. Jeong Family."

"I am pleased to meet you."

Unlike Ma Yeonjeok, whose face was spreading with shock, Jeong Yeonshin remained calm.

The people from his maternal side had never visited Xinya County.

Even during his wedding, they hadn't come, and there had been no contact after his mother passed away after giving birth to him.

It was a story that might only appear in village gossip. They had almost severed ties with a daughter who had married into a low-ranking family.

Naturally, only the name of being related by marriage to the Purple City remained.

"You are my sister's son?"

Looking to the side, Ma Jin had wide eyes as if they would tear.

Now that he thought about it, they had the same surname.

There was a reason why Ma Yeonjeok and Ma Jin hadn't exchanged greetings. They were father and son.

'The law of the martial world is the word of the family head. Was the meeting forbidden by family law?'

He felt that it was a family without a solid foundation, despite its high prestige. Jeong Yeonshin smiled slightly.

"You spoke of a master, but you are my uncle. Or perhaps my great-uncle? I don't know the genealogy of my maternal side. I was a cast-off child even in my main family, which was destroyed."

"......"

Ma Guangyi, the Purple rank expert, could probably guess Jeong Yeonshin's achievements at a glance, and he would also know that Jeong Yeonshin had overheard their conversation.

'I survived the hand of the Blade Sect's leader thanks to my maternal side. That's enough.'

He was thriving as a respected expert of the Purple City. The Purple City Lord had acknowledged his potential.

There was no reason for the Ma family to be unaware of the Jeong Family's downfall.

Since they had completely cut off ties, he didn't want to ingratiate himself now.

Why would he cling to them when he could achieve everything on his own?

'Such a complicated relationship won't help my martial arts.'

He needed to clear things up here. He looked at the former leader of the Divine Sword Squad, whose face was now solemn.

"......City Lord, can I have a private conversation with this boy?"

Before Ma Yeonjeok could speak, Jeong Yeonshin immediately interjected.

"He is the son of an outsider. As a Purple City martial artist, I respect the achievements of my step-grandfather, but I find it burdensome to have a private conversation."

"......"

Outsider. It was a term used to refer to a daughter who had married out of the family, indicating no relation to the main family. They had treated him as such. What else could they say?

'They must be in a hurry for a successor, to the point of adopting someone.'

He didn't want to get involved in the family's complicated affairs while focusing on his martial arts.

The experiences from the Jeong Family were enough.

The Purple City Lord, who had been watching with interest, slowly spoke.

"Ma Guangyi, your spirit is commendable."

His eyes slightly curved, making him look even more handsome.

Jeong Yeonshin gave a slight bow.

While he was a bit puzzled by the favorable impression, he felt relieved to have the City Lord's support.

At that moment,

"I cannot accept this! How can such a person be a direct descendant of Grandfather? How could he be so disrespectful to the former leader of the Divine Sword Squad?"

The boy, who had been standing with an uncomfortable expression, had eyes filled with genuine fury. He seemed unaware that he was in the presence of the Purple City Lord.

"You don't need to accept it. I am not a member of the Purple City Clan. I am a servant of Ma Guangyi."

Jeong Yeonshin remained calm.

Suddenly, Xian Yuanchang's words came to mind. The world of martial artists was full of shameless people who introduced themselves with their nicknames.

"Ridiculous!"

He had inadvertently smiled, which seemed to be taken as a provocation. The enraged boy turned to his step-grandfather.

"Allow me a duel. I will prove that he has no value as a blood relative."

"There's no need for that."

Jeong Yeonshin responded.

"If you wish to receive guidance, I can accept it. However, I have no obligation to show my worth to you or your family. Even the Grand Leader can't issue such a private command."

It sounded like a complete dismissal.

Jeong Yeonshin's white robe fluttered slightly as he looked directly at the boy.

His spirit and aura, which flowed naturally, now spoke of his strength.

Ma Jin remained silent, while the boy, who seemed to find the situation unbelievable, raised his hand as if ready to attack.

'He must have mainly practiced fist techniques.'

Jeong Yeonshin's eyes sparkled. He noticed a pair of silk gloves hanging from the boy's waist.

At the same time, he reined in his aura. The sudden disappearance of his qi field demonstrated his mastery of inner strength.

"I apologize for my rudeness. I displayed an improper attitude."

He clasped his hands and apologized to the Purple City Lord for revealing his aura.

Amidst the confusion, Ma Jin looked proud, while Ma Yeonjeok's expression darkened.

"Let's end the argument here."

She quietly moved her lips.

"Yeonjeok is like an old friend I've known for a long time, and Seomyeo is a promising successor. It's better to resolve the conflict as martial artists. State your stakes. Do you agree with my suggestion?"

Jeong Yeonshin looked at the Purple City Lord's beautiful face. Her expression was hard to read.

She smiled.

"Seomyeo, I know this is not to your benefit. As a friend of the former leader of the Divine Sword Squad, I will grant one of your requests, regardless of the outcome."

"Is that it?"

Jeong Yeonshin boldly asked. He was referring to the fruit of the Heavenly Tree.

The Purple City Lord's smile deepened.

"That is still out of reach. Even if the retired Yeonjeok asks, it would be the same. You have already been compensated for your achievements as the leader of the Divine Sword Squad. However, I can teach you one of my famous techniques."

"Famous techniques......!"

The story of being taught by a world-class master, nearly the best in the world, was unfolding right before his eyes.

It seemed to be a rare opportunity even for the adopted son of the Purple City Clan.

The boy, who had been standing beside the shocked Ma Yeonjeok, had a look of greed.

It seemed he would demand martial techniques rather than follow his step-grandfather's wishes if he won.

'His intentions are clear. The maternal side is quite interesting, choosing such a successor.'

He wondered if the boy's talent was truly outstanding. Regardless, the conditions had clearly improved, so he nodded.

"I will do it."

* * *

They headed to the training ground behind the main hall.

The City Lord's appearance drew attention, but no one dared to follow.

Ma Yeonjeok subtly approached, trying to start a conversation, but Jeong Yeonshin boldly stuck to the Purple City Lord's side. She smiled.

"Feel at ease. I use this place alone."

Her training ground was incredibly luxurious. The floor was anything but ordinary.

Various priceless weapons lined the stone racks, and the vast floor was entirely made of marble.

It seemed almost a waste to step on it.

'This must be the spoils of war from the conquest of the Dali Kingdom in Yunnan.'

The Purple City Lord had said she was the emperor's divine sword.

There had been several instances where she had wiped out small kingdoms showing signs of rebellion or large sects.

That was why her name was never absent when discussing the best in the world.

It was hard to imagine where such formidable divine might was stored in her slender body.

"This is enough."

The Purple City Lord stopped at a corner of the training ground.

Her long eyelashes were like a painting, and her emerald-green cloak, which reached her ankles, fluttered gently in the spring breeze.

'Huh?'

Jeong Yeonshin paused momentarily. He had just noticed the precious sword hanging from her waist.

Until now, he had perceived it as part of nature, not a sword. It was a level beyond his understanding of the unity of man and sword.

'Chilling. What realm is this?'

Their eyes met when the Purple City Lord turned her head. Her red lips formed a smooth curve.

"You have good eyes."

"I apologize."

The boy standing with Jeong Yeonshin in the center of the training ground sneered.

"Are you captivated by the City Lord's posture? You lowly creature."

"Are you not a collateral descendant?"

"How dare you......!"

Jeong Yeonshin didn't respond, closing his eyes slightly.

'I learned this from this mission.'

The confidence he gained from killing the Blood Demon Blade.

The fruit of the Heavenly Tree could be obtained through his own efforts.

Cultivating martial arts was like climbing a thousand-foot cliff with bare hands, as the righteous martial artists said.

Techniques that harmed others and even oneself, such as secret arts, blood cultivation, and demonic techniques, were not considered martial arts.

Only by building martial arts purely could one reach the ultimate level, akin to cultivating the Dao.

For Jeong Yeonshin, it was different. It was like a well-trodden staircase, not a steep cliff. He was like a fish swimming in the deep sea, breathing in the realm of martial arts.

'Ma Guangyi is enough.'

The wilderness of martial arts he was unfolding in the Purple City was so fertile that it was hard to imagine any lack.

He could grow anything from the seeds he had created.

Therefore, the Purple City Clan was unnecessary.

"Come."

Jeong Yeonshin opened his eyes and slowly gestured.

"Ha!"

The furious boy didn't hesitate. He rushed forward with a technique Jeong Yeonshin had never seen.

'His qi extends from all four limbs.'

Crack!

He deflected the punch with the back of his hand, which came at an astonishing speed. The power of the burst was truly immense.

He had to significantly increase the strength in his elbow in an instant.

Whoosh!

The aftereffects of the burst qi tore his clothes. The boy's inner strength, likely enhanced by precious elixirs, far surpassed Jeong Yeonshin's.

Jeong Yeonshin immediately incorporated the principles of the Extreme Technique into his internal energy.

The circulation of qi throughout his body was layered to amplify power when needed.

Next came his senses. His outstretched hand, following the principles of Ma Guangjie's Fist Technique, began to dismantle the boy's fist techniques piece by piece.

Bang! Bang! Crack!

The Purple City Clan's Fist Technique was straightforward. Each strike was heavy, and the combinations were relentless.

It seemed as if he was fully loading his power, but suddenly a burst of qi came from the opposite fist.

With all the principles harmoniously mixed, it felt even more powerful.

'So this is what true strong fist (强拳) is.'

Despite his seemingly frivolous personality, he had mastered a prestigious martial art.

The refined movements that occasionally burst forth were very impressive.

......Enough to spark new inspiration in Jeong Yeonshin's mind.

"Why don't you draw your sword!"

"Because your fist technique is outstanding."

He deflected the punch with his elbow, like a leaf swirling, and answered casually.

He was reversing the process.

After seeing the opponent release qi, he realized such a form was possible and began to understand the method of qi manipulation.

It was completely the opposite.

"This scoundrel!"

Bang!

The marble floor was indented.

A strong wind blew with the punch that came with the true step, but Jeong Yeonshin, like a leaf carried by the wind, easily dodged and landed.

"I also thought of a strong fist. Now, ten moves will suffice."

Lightning flashed in his eyes.

Three high-level experts were watching the duel from a distance.

They had various expressions upon seeing Jeong Yeonshin's protective technique, reminiscent of a noble lineage. Ma Yeonjeok frowned.

"Is he talking about ten moves? No matter how extraordinary his talent is......"

"No, I think......"

Ma Jin, who had been struggling to speak, finally managed to say,

"He means he will create ten moves, not finish in ten moves."