Chapter 21

In front of the inn, the door suddenly opened. At the same moment, Jeong Yeonshin sensed a cluster of intense auras.

"The high-ranking experts of the Royal Sword City have arrived. We've been waiting."

A group of male and female swordsmen emerged in perfect unison. There were more than a dozen of them, yet they didn't seem chaotic.

The approaching people felt like a massive sword. The most noticeable feature was the plum blossom embroidery at the ends of their white martial robes.

'Huashan Sect!'

The middle-aged swordsman at the forefront exuded a formidable aura that matched his sharp appearance. It felt similar to when he first met Majin.

"Jinren of Qianzhu. It seems you've been waiting for a long time. The journey was perilous, but we managed to arrive on time."

Majin briefly clasped his hands in a salute.

Jeong Yeonshin sensed Hyeon Wonchang flinch beside him. Should he praise him for not making a fuss?

'The leader of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen.'

Qianzhu of Huashan Sword Absolute. A famous name.

His reputation wasn't confined to Shaanxi Province alone.

The supreme expert leading Huashan Sect's elite swordsmen had personally descended the mountain.

"Magwangyik, the series of sword maidens, and the Blue-Eyed Demon Sword. Familiar faces, indeed."

Qianzhu scanned the three people with a blank expression.

'Demon Sword?'

Qingyan Majian. He had never heard this nickname before. It was quite unexpected. How did he fight enemies?

When he glanced at Qingming, the latter merely smiled faintly.

In Jinping County, he had only seen Qingming lightly exchange blows with the Blood Flame Sect members. It was natural to be curious.

"Jinren of Qianzhu, how do you perceive the Royal Sword City's stance on this matter? Even Magwangyik has brought his disciples."

Qianzhu's gaze, sharp like a blade, seemed to pierce through Jeong Yeonshin, but he remained calm.

He had just met the Royal Sword City Lord and the former leader of the Divine Sword Corps. Even if Qianzhu of Huashan Sect was a great expert, he couldn't match them.

'Hmm?'

Jeong Yeonshin suddenly noticed a young swordsman among the Huashan Sect experts.

He had a lazy demeanor, even yawning as if everything was trivial.

When their eyes met, the young swordsman smiled and looked up at the sky.

After a brief pause, Majin spoke.

"That is..."

"Looks like the Royal Sword City disciple isn't ordinary either. How about we let him and my master's disciple exchange some sword techniques? It would be a small amusement, and it might be awkward for them to travel together without acknowledging each other's skills."

Qianzhu turned his gaze to Majin.

'Trying to break our spirit, huh?'

Huashan Sect knew this journey was a form of surveillance.

They were one of the top sword sects in the world. Even if they agreed because of the imperial decree, they must be uncomfortable.

Since it was awkward for the main experts to exchange techniques, they wanted to test the future of their sects.

"Royal Sword City disciple?"

Hyeon Wonchang muttered, seemingly dazed.

The practitioners of the Royal Sword City who hadn't yet become White Robes.

When Jeong Yeonshin fought the Blue Corps' blue-robed expert, the Magwangyik children had watched.

They weren't officially recognized. The master-disciple relationship within the city wasn't acknowledged.

They were called disciples of the Royal Sword City only as a formality before they earned their white robes.

While the young man's expression remained unchanged, the other four Magwangyik experts showed peculiar expressions.

'It must be hard to read someone's skill unless they are at the level of a purple-robed supreme expert. Maybe it's because I have relatively less inner energy. My aura is weak.'

Jeong Yeonshin, having gained a small insight, spoke.

"Leader."

"Hmm?"

When Majin turned to look, Jeong Yeonshin tapped the hilt of his Royal Sword City sword, indicating he would step forward.

"Shifu, you're making things complicated... Five moves should be enough, right?"

The young swordsman, who had been standing lazily, asked in a nonchalant tone. It wasn't a small voice.

Was this level of rudeness acceptable?

As a disciple of the Huashan Sect's leader, he seemed to have no thoughts at all.

"Learn from it. Use your full strength."

"What's there to learn? I heard Magwangyik and Magwangjue's techniques are based on intuition."

The young swordsman sighed and stepped forward. The inn's entrance instantly turned into an impromptu arena.

Fights in the martial world often began unexpectedly.

'Interesting.'

Jeong Yeonshin recalled the Southern Sect experts who inspired him with the Fast Sword Technique at the Zhengjia Manor.

Back then, he hadn't seen the Southern Sect's techniques. How profound would Huashan Sect's martial arts be?

Magwangyik and the Huashan Sect experts formed a wide circle.

Xianyang wasn't a small city.

Pedestrians, curious about what was happening, began to gather and whisper about Huashan Sect.

"What's going on?"

"Lower your voice. It's Huashan Sect!"

"The sword immortals of Huashan are here in Xianyang?"

"They seem to be preparing for a match. What a rare sight. Look at that extraordinary young swordsman. His aura is divine."

"The martial artists are exchanging teachings. Indeed, the Daoist sects of Huashan are generous!"

Jeong Yeonshin smiled inwardly. It was refreshing to perform a martial technique among the common people.

This was his first time since the first Royal Sword City test, the Fast Sword Technique.

The two faced each other. Jeong Yeonshin slowly spoke.

"Five moves, you said."

"Did that upset you? Sorry. I didn't mean to belittle you. I just had a tough morning practice."

The young swordsman smiled faintly.

"I'm Yuxian of Huashan Sect."

"Jeong Yeonshin."

He answered briefly, as he couldn't mention Magwangyik while in civilian clothes.

Whispers of rudeness came from the crowd, as he was in a position to receive teachings.

Some were greatly surprised by Yuxian's name, as there were martial artists from Xianyang.

"Hidden dragon of Huashan!"

"Jinren of Huashan Sect's leader has a disciple who is a world-class talent. To see him in person!"

"I heard he has mastered the Falling Petal Palm and the Six Harmonies Divine Sword. Seeing him in action, he lives up to his reputation. He's even more impressive than I thought."

"He's said to be the future of Huashan. Some say he has already received the Purple Mist Divine Skill."

The descriptions were lavish. Jeong Yeonshin's smile deepened. There was no need for long talk.

When two martial artists faced each other, they spoke through their techniques.

Just as he was about to take a step, Yuxian's body silently grew larger.

It was a footwork technique that resembled the agile movements of a famous clan. It seemed to be the Huashan Sect's Hidden Fragrance Step, which he had only heard about.

Hua-wo!

With the advancing footwork, the hand that rose suddenly struck down. The palm spread wide, resembling a flower pattern.

The technique of the Nine Sects was so mysterious and splendid that it could be mistaken for magic.

'The Falling Petal Palm. It's not just flashy; it has many variations to prevent breaking the technique.'

His interest was piqued. If he could break each variation, he might gain the same techniques.

Thud!

He def