Chapter 20

Recommendation (3)

Only after casually mentioning ten seconds did he consider the other's rationality.

To receive the recommendation from a guy whose eyes were rolling with anger? It probably wouldn't help in cultivating martial arts.

'It’s fine.'

It turned out to be completely unfounded. Instead, he could tell from the calm expression on the other's face.

The power of a prestigious family was revealed at such moments. They did not recklessly waste their martial prowess.

It was said that the fear of a prestigious family lay in pouring their profound martial arts into the right places.

"I will put all my effort into the ten seconds you mentioned."

The successor of the family was one who inherited this spirit. A stepson of his, who had once roamed the world as the leader of the Divine Sword Sect.

He couldn't have been taught haphazardly. The fluctuations of the true qi flowing up his arm were far from ordinary.

"It’s the Harmony Fist Technique."

"You can use the palm technique if you like. Don’t limit the moves just because I mentioned the fist technique. You can show me a lot."

"......"

He seemed angry again. Jeong Yeonshin decided to keep quiet.

The silence was brief. The moment the powerful aura gathered in the other's body, he knew he couldn't take him lightly.

The body movements coming at him were different from before. It seemed his footwork had also advanced to match his changed attitude.

Thud! Whoosh!

He saw the light true qi for the first time. The fist that came swirling with it carried a spiral wave.

Jeong Yeonshin responded with the Accumulating Horse Stance, spinning in the opposite direction.

Clang!

Fist met fist. Even in a friendly match, this was no easy feat.

It meant his concentration had reached its peak. Fragments of true qi scattered from their clothes.

The one who was pushed back was the other. Despite the advantage in inner strength, the level of martial arts achievement was a different matter.

While the other was suppressing a groan, Jeong Yeonshin gathered true qi in his lower body.

It wasn’t over. The essence of the Accumulating Horse Stance was accumulation.

Jeong Yeonshin took another step, twisting the light true qi. The true qi accumulated again without breaking.

A martial art that exerted more power in a short time than the First Strike. The concentrated punch of the Accumulating Horse Stance distorted the air.

Clang!

The sensation of something breaking came as the stone fragments scattered from the true qi step. It was quite deep.

"Keh!"

The thought of a powerful fist technique had this meaning. A fist technique that freely utilized the Accumulating Horse Stance.

He was inspired by the strong continuous strikes of the Harmony Fist Technique shown by the other.

He felt a thrill of joy as he moved to follow the other who had stepped back.

At the end of his movement, which was like a leaf riding the wind, a new aura formed.

'Five moves were enough.'

He felt the principle of his own martial arts through his body. The layering of power. He accumulated it as much as he could.

The Time Extreme Stance and the Accumulating Horse Stance were like that. This was how he, who grew up in a third-rate martial family, approached the world.

Flash!

A sky-blue light flashed in Jeong Yeonshin's eyes.

A blue lightning bolt shot up from within.

The essence of the Harmony Fist Technique mixed with the incantations of the Time Extreme Stance and the Accumulating Horse Stance.

The principle of martial arts, Wuri (武理), raged in his mind and converged into a single key point. A fist technique that grew stronger the longer the match lasted.

The Timeless Harmony Fist.

The name that spontaneously arose with the incantations finally brought a martial art worthy of being called a masterpiece into the world.

Stones and pebbles swirled around the arm he swung from his shoulder.

Whoosh!

The true qi that had accumulated through his forward movement exploded in front of the other's sternum.

Even though he detonated it an inch away, the other's upper body was shaken.

He staggered as if about to fall, then looked up with a dazed expression, as if all the strength had drained from his body.

"An advanced fist technique that embodies the essence of true qi! Now you are no longer bound by the Ten Thousand Changes Stance...!"

From a distance, Ma Jin's voice, tinged with admiration, could be heard.

"You can continue if you like."

"......"

He spoke to the other, who stood stiffly, but the other only bit his lower lip and said nothing.

Three people approached from a distance.

Ma Jin looked as if all the strength had drained from his body, and his stepfather, Ma Yeojik, had a strikingly frozen expression.

Only the Lady of the Jade Phoenix City wore a faint smile.

"I have witnessed something precious. The scene of creating a martial art. It’s a rare pleasure."

"I am ashamed. I hope I haven’t disturbed your eyes."

Jeong Yeonshin bowed slightly. She smiled softly.

"That’s too modest. You looked very pleased. How could a martial artist not be? Have you decided on a name for the fist technique?"

"I have named it the Timeless Harmony Fist."

"A fist technique that shines endlessly with the flow of time. It’s a fitting name. However, be careful that the meaning isn't too obvious, so it doesn’t become a weakness in actual combat. The key to continuous strikes is to withstand the first move. With your talent, you can overcome it."

"Thank you for your advice."

Jeong Yeonshin clasped his fists in a respectful salute. The Lady of the Jade Phoenix City's smile deepened.

"Are you alright?"

"I am sorry, Grandfather... ..."

On one side, the step-grandson was exchanging words of comfort.

The boy, almost in tears, looked at the ground with a face full of frustration.

While stroking the heads of his grandsons, Ma Yeojik gazed at Jeong Yeonshin with a very complex expression.

'How could such a brilliant talent come from a minor family... ...'

He had his own sense of propriety. It was difficult to speak to his grandson, who had firmly drawn a line.

He envied his son, who could approach him as a subordinate.

"Leader."

Jeong Yeonshin looked at Ma Jin, who stood before him.

"Good job. And congratulations. You have gained another sword of your own. It’s an excellent martial art."

"I have only grasped the framework. The moves are not entirely satisfactory, and when using the palm technique, I have to rely entirely on the Ma Guangjie Stance."

"Even so, there are few in the White Rank who can withstand your single strike. I try not to be surprised, but your growth is astonishing."

"I need to be faster."

He muttered in response. The myriad emotions in Ma Jin's eyes, as he looked at his niece's son, were secondary.

Even Ma Yeojik knew he couldn't demand the fruit of the Heavenly Tree.

His goal became even more urgent.

'When will I reach that damned tree?'

He thought such harsh words.

"Since Seomye won, we need to settle things."

It was the Lady of the Jade Phoenix City's characteristic clear voice. Turning around, he saw her still smiling.

She looked around at everyone present, including him, before speaking again.

"I will impart the type of martial art Seomye needs when he desires it. Additionally, Seomye can request one thing from the Jade Phoenix Sect. I will be the guarantor."

"I will convey my request through Leader when the time comes."

Ma Jin's expression became peculiar.

He didn't want to think about the feelings of Naraksal, who had suddenly become a messenger.

'It’s his fault.'

Jeong Yeonshin finally looked at Ma Yeojik, having put aside his thoughts.

"I am sorry, but I need to clarify one thing. I have no obligations to my maternal family in any way. Do you agree?"

"Um... ..."

It was a response close to a groan. He seemed unable to speak easily, as if various thoughts were crossing his mind.

Under Jeong Yeonshin's steady gaze, Ma Yeojik finally spoke, looking very strained.

"I... ..."

His spotless beard trembled slightly.

"How can I make you forgive me?"

"......!"

The one who reacted to these words was not Jeong Yeonshin.

The successor, the boy, could not hide his despair, and Ma Jin's face was tinged with shock.

Even the Lady of the Jade Phoenix City seemed slightly surprised.

Perhaps because he was the party involved, Jeong Yeonshin had a completely different thought.

'She seems like a formidable person.'

It was said that the Lady of the Jade Phoenix City, a purple-robed expert, acted as an absolute ruler whenever she ventured into the martial world.

She was like a celestial being who held the power of life and death over the majority of people within her senses. This was a common rumor.

It was said that even the leaders of the Nine Great Sects, revered as immortals by the common people, could not even face her in combat.

'She bowed her head to me, someone of such a low status.'

For the reason of being a talented blood relative.

Wasn't it impossible for someone obsessed with the revival of the family?

This was why he had severed ties with his daughter, who had married the head of the Jeong family. It sent shivers down his spine.

He felt he needed to be careful with his words.

He didn't want to become 'Ma Yeonshin.'

"The greatest burden is seeing you like this, Grandfather. The past cannot be changed, and to me, my maternal relatives are no different from strangers. Ma Guangjie is my family."

"You can build a bond."

"I don’t have the time to cultivate martial arts."

The might of the Jade Phoenix Sect was said to fall short of the fruit of the Heavenly Tree. Jeong Yeonshin didn't know the value of family.

He felt no pull from either necessity or blood ties.

Shaking his head, he spoke again.

"I won the friendly match that the young master insisted on. Please respect me as a martial artist."

"......"

A blank expression. He couldn't feel at ease yet.

There was no telling what honey-coated schemes he might come up with. Given his madness.

He turned and bowed politely to the Lady of the Jade Phoenix City and Ma Yeojik.

He needed to hurry with his training. The newly created Timeless Harmony Fist was not yet perfect.

"Yeonshin. Interesting. I’ve never seen a face like yours before. It’s a look of regret."

"City Lord. Even if you can’t help me."

"How can I bear your karma?"

He heard the conversation of the supreme experts and headed to the Ma Guangjie training ground. He sensed Ma Jin following behind.

The situation had changed from when he arrived. It suddenly occurred to him that the Lady of the Jade Phoenix Sect hadn't heard the successor's name, but he wasn't particularly curious.

"Seomye."

They were passing a small lake. The sunlit ripples reflected Ma Jin, who cautiously spoke.

"I have a task that will be of help to you."