Chapter 26

Zhongnan Sect

"Insufficient with white? What do you mean?"

"Oh, don't misunderstand. I don't have the authority to give you a blue robe. Even our leader doesn't have that power."

"Then?"

"Just a moment."

Qingming turned to the side and rummaged through his belongings. Majin and Baomiao looked as if they understood.

Qingming soon took out his blue robe and approached Zheng Yanshen.

"I'll lend it to you."

The fabric fluttered widely.

Zheng Yanshen lifted his head, glancing at the shoulder of the blue robe that covered his body. He was very puzzled.

"I don't understand the meaning."

Baomiao spoke up at his words.

"A white robe with a blue Huangcheng robe. It means that the blue robe guarantees the honor of the Huangcheng's promising young talent."

Houqizhi (後起之秀). The term "Houqizhi" in the martial world is not used lightly. It was not a casual title.

It referred to the best among the junior martial artists.

The title was given to him within half a year of joining Huangcheng, adding even more weight to it.

She smiled. It was a captivating smile, even though it was free of any ulterior motives.

"You will have the authority to issue orders above all the white-robed warriors of Huangcheng. I was going to give it to you."

"Yours is too narrow at the shoulders, so it won't work."

Qingming smiled and looked at Zheng Yanshen.

"If anyone asks, tell them that Maguangyi's magic sword recognized you. You'll likely avoid trouble."

"You can also use the nickname 'Yilian Jianmai.' I'll count it as if I gave you the robe."

"......Thank you."

Zheng Yanshen bowed slightly. The feeling of his heart being tickled was unfamiliar.

Majin, who had been watching from the side with a somewhat complicated expression, nodded.

"It seems everything is settled."

"The matter of Huashan Sect......"

"We will handle it. Whether you return first or the Zisodan incident is resolved first, we don't know."

At that moment, Xian Yuanzhang raised his hand cautiously.

"Can I go with Zheng Xiaohao? I won't be of much help to the leader and the blue-robed ones, but I think it will be different for Zheng Xiaohao."

"......I permit it."

After a moment's thought, Majin agreed, saying it made sense.

"Don't forget that the mission of Maguangyi now includes Zhongnan Sect. Observe the conflict between Paixian Sect and Zhongnan Sect, and consider the impact of the war between the two sects on the people. You can intervene in any way you see fit. Try to prioritize your safety."

"We will follow your orders."

Zheng Yanshen and Xian Yuanzhang clasped their hands in a salute.

Zheng Yanshen's eyes, now even stronger, turned toward the southern window.

Zhongnan Mountain, where the famous sword school of Central Plains had established itself.

It was where his older brother and young nephew were learning martial arts. How was Huia doing?

'The destruction of the Zheng family. If I find Elder Yerixin, he will tell me, right?'

The war between the Thirteen Thousand and the Nine Sects. It was also an opportunity to see how his martial prowess would fare in the world.

* * *

Zhongnan Mountain was two days away. The two of them changed into Huangcheng martial robes after two nights of rest.

It was a consideration for the face of Huashan Sect.

Xian Yuanzhang, the resurrected Huangcheng hero, burst into a refreshing laugh.

He smiled, raising the corners of his mouth as he alternated his gaze between the 'Huang' characters on both shoulders.

"This is the taste."

"......"

Zheng Yanshen wore the blue robe given by Qingming over the white robe of Huangcheng.

Xian Yuanzhang, who had been looking at him with envy, said,

"White robe with a blue robe. It suits you very well."

"A bit awkward."

"You'll adapt quickly, Xiaohao."

"Thank you, Xian Xiaohao."

"Hmm? It wasn't just flattery."

Zheng Yanshen smiled slightly.

He was grateful. It was hard to come along for a task unrelated to his main mission without a deep connection.

The two of them soon arrived at the entrance of Zhongnan Mountain.

From a distance, they marveled at the majestic mountain range, but upon reaching the entrance, they felt the strictness typical of a martial sect.

There were martial artists guarding the area.

"Seem to be Zhongnan martial artists. It seems the conflict with Paixian Sect is real. They've even come down to the foot of the mountain, not just the entrance of the main sect."

Xian Yuanzhang whispered.

As the two approached, two of the four martial artists on guard stepped forward.

"Please state your sect, name, and purpose."

"As you can see, we are from Huangcheng."

Xian Yuanzhang casually replied, subtly showing his shoulder and nodding at Zheng Yanshen.

It seemed to imply that Zheng Yanshen, as a promising young talent of Huangcheng, would take responsibility.

At the mention of Huangcheng, the martial artists who had been standing behind also approached. Zheng Yanshen then spoke.

"I am Maguangyi, Zheng Yanshen."

"Similarly, I am Xian Yuanzhang of Huangcheng, Maguangyi."

"Hmm......!"

The martial artists, who had scrutinized their attire, let out a sigh.

Their reaction alone was telling.

Huangcheng, with its position and purpose of restraining the martial world, was not a place welcomed by martial sects.

"Are you trying to prove your identity with just your attire?"

One of the Zhongnan Sect disciples said, with a strangely sharp tone.

Maguangyi and Xian Yuanzhang then took out golden identity badges from their robes.

The Huangcheng badges, with their gilded, vivid wooden patterns, were revealed in their hands.

It was said that they were made by a master blacksmith of the Iron Clan, rarer than the Noble Clan.

Anyone would agree with the intricate and elegant patterns.

"Huangcheng is a powerful sect. Young martial artists like you acting on their own? Who would......"

Someone pushed the sharp-tongued disciple back. A senior disciple, likely a senior brother, spoke.

"Unfortunately, our sect is in a state of war. We cannot easily believe the identities of strangers."

"But these people!"

Xian Yuanzhang flared up, gathering his energy. A clear wave of qi spread through the air.

Having smoothly passed the Huangcheng test and adapted to the white robe, he was more substantial than his usually carefree demeanor suggested.

"......!"

"Truly Huangcheng!"

Xian Yuanzhang was satisfied with their reaction, but the Zhongnan disciple who had stepped back shouted.

"How dare you spout such nonsense on Zhongnan Mountain!"

"These people......!"

Xian Yuanzhang looked exasperated.

Zheng Yanshen, who had been watching them intently, felt a sense of déjà vu.

He thought of the Zheng family.

When he said he was creating and mastering martial arts, the first thing that came to his young brothers' faces was not surprise but something else.

Awe and envy. They were the same.

'The conflict with Paixian Sect is not going smoothly. The pride of the Nine Sects is damaged, and now these young, bold Huangcheng martial artists have appeared.'

Xian Yuanzhang's display of martial prowess was actually counterproductive.

The martial artists of the Nine Sects were known for their deep cultivation.

Perhaps due to the situation and their youthful blood, the Zhongnan Sect disciples now looked no different from young martial artists in the secular world.

"I cannot believe that young people like you are representing Huangcheng, especially in these times."

The tone became even more firm. It felt stifling.

While guarding the entrance was a significant responsibility, it was not handled by the senior members who led the sect.

Those guarding the entrance to Zhongnan Sect were all young.

Being young, they were energetic and carried the arrogance of disciples from a prestigious sect like Zhongnan.

"......!"

Perhaps the thought of his blood relatives came to mind.

Xian Yuanzhang, who had been suppressing his anger, glanced at Zheng Yanshen. Just as Zheng Yanshen was about to step forward,

"Even if you are truly from Huangcheng, it's a problem. How can you trust these two to represent the Great Zhongnan? The prestige of the powerful Huangcheng must be a thing of the past."

Someone who had been silent until now spoke sharply.

The narrowed eyes and the forceful tone suggested a bad temper.

They had clearly crossed the line. Zheng Yanshen placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Perhaps you should reconsider your words. You have insulted martial artists from another sect without any reason."

He said calmly.

* * *

Zheng Zhongshan was a young man with a rugged face and a plain robe.

He was the second son of the Zheng family and also a disciple of the Zhongnan Sect.

Lately, he often thought about how he had ended up in this situation.

Even if the destruction of the Zheng family was like a natural disaster, people's feelings were different.

Though not a disciple of Buddhism, he thought about karma.

"Perhaps my foolishness and inadequacy were the reasons for the calamity."

He talked to himself more often.

He was leaning against the eaves of the Xunxin Pavilion in the Zhongnan Sect.