Chapter 27

Zhongnan Sect (2)

Startled by the incredible speed of the sword, the Zhongnan disciples were about to grit their teeth and draw their swords when a voice rang out.

"Stop!"

The bushes trembled at the sound of her voice, and an overwhelming aura was felt.

Crack.

A powerful presence descended like a celestial fairy.

The realm of the portrait of a beauty was present here as well.

Zheng Yanxin gazed at the woman standing in the middle, as if mediating.

'Strong.'

The exceptionally beautiful appearance did not register in his mind.

She was surrounded by a formidable aura that made her delicate frame seem insignificant.

Just by standing there, one could sense her extraordinary prowess.

"Indeed, a sight to behold. Your words and actions are hardly those of a Zhongnan disciple. Let's talk about this when we return."

The guards, who were responsible for security, bowed their heads at her low voice.

It was as if a superior was reprimanding their behavior.

They seemed to realize their misconduct and blushed.

"I apologize, Senior Sister."

"We have no face to show."

Acknowledging their apologies, the woman turned to Zheng Yanxin and Xian Yuanchang.

"Indeed."

She moved her lips.

A leaf that brushed against the hem of her flowing Taoist robe split in two.

Her aura was sharp, comparable to that of the Blue Robe of the Ruyi City.

"I am ashamed to face the distinguished guests of the Ruyi City."

"......"

Xian Yuanchang seemed to be completely overwhelmed.

Unable to believe that he was standing there dumbfounded, Zheng Yanxin spoke up.

"My name is Zheng Yanxin. I belong to the Ma Guangyi sect. The young swordsman Xian Yuanchang here is also from the same sect."

"I am Wei Zhimiaohua of the Zhongnan Sect."

Her gentle voice carried a sense of authority. Zheng Yanxin could clearly feel it.

It wasn't particularly infused with power; it was just a natural dignity that emanated from her.

Only now did he truly realize the strength of the Nine Sects.

"Wei Zhimiaohua...? Ah, the Cloud Dragon of the Zhongnan Sect!"

Xian Yuanchang's exclamation revealed her identity.

She had beheaded the leader of the evil group that had wreaked havoc in Guanzhong.

She was already a renowned expert in the world.

The Cloud Dragon, Wei Zhimiaohua.

Rumors spread that she was a genius sent down by heaven.

Hua Shan's Liu Xian was the same age as Zheng Yanxin, sixteen, but it was thought that if he practiced in seclusion for about five years, he might become like her.

'Growing up in Zhongnan, she became a senior sister at a young age.'

Zheng Yanxin, who was at least four years younger than her, did not think about it.

Short-lived constitution. It had become a habit to exclude his age.

"It's truly an honor to meet the Cloud Dragon, Miss Wei, who has made a name for herself."

Xian Yuanchang bowed.

Wei Zhimiaohua reprimanded her disciples in front of them.

It was impossible not to feel a sense of goodwill. Zheng Yanxin felt the same.

Meeting a true martial artist of the Nine Sects, as he had only heard about, he clasped his hands together after Xian Yuanchang.

"We acted rudely at the Zhongnan headquarters. I am ashamed to face Senior Sister Wei."

He addressed her as a senior swordsman, not as a young lady or a female hero.

Though not a man, she had earned the title of a dragon.

A senior who roamed the world with a sword, far more experienced and accomplished than Zheng Yanxin.

Wei Zhimiaohua's eyes softened.

Ah, Xian Yuanchang's foolish exclamation was somewhat understandable, given her beauty.

"Although it was Zheng Xiaoye who first held the sword, my disciple took the lead. Everyone saw it. On behalf of Zhongnan, I apologize."

Her gaze on Zheng Yanxin was warm, and her words representing the prestigious Zhongnan Sect were surprisingly natural.

Among the experts he had met in the world, she was as striking as the Sword Master of Hua Shan, the only match for Ma Jin.

In terms of dignity, she was the first.

"Keeping esteemed guests standing for so long. I will guide you to our headquarters. We can discuss your business there."

"Thank you."

After bowing again and raising his head, Zheng Yanxin saw a familiar face.

His second brother, Zheng Zhongshan, stood there with a stunned expression.

* * *

"Are you saying that Hui is studying under the Sword Immortal of Zhongnan?"

"Though not officially a disciple, she is receiving nearly the same level of instruction."

Zheng Zhongshan's words left Zheng Yanxin in awe.

The Sword Immortal of Zhongnan was a swordsman who surpassed the Grand Elder and the distinguished Yu Yixin.

Though rarely descending into the secular world, his reputation was renowned throughout the land.

His niece, Zheng Hui, had been recognized for her talent.

Feeling relieved, Zheng Zhongshan looked at Zheng Yanxin with a complex expression.

"More importantly, you... have become so strong that it defies imagination. A formal warrior of the Ruyi City."

"Stronger? I still have a long way to go."

Zheng Yanxin was cautious even with his brother.

Only the Lord of Ruyi City knew about his lifespan.

He didn't want to prolong it any further.

"Zheng Xiaoye's ambition is admirable. That's why you have already earned the blue robe of the Ruyi City."

Wei Zhimiaohua seemed to be very fond of Zheng Yanxin.

Zheng Zhongshan's expression changed with each word she spoke, a side of him that was rarely seen even by fellow Zhongnan disciples.

'It's not ambition, but desperation.'

Finding it difficult to maintain his composure, the group finally arrived at the Zhongnan Sect's mountain gate.

"Welcome to our headquarters."

Behind Wei Zhimiaohua, who turned and smiled slightly, lay a feast of ancient pavilions.

Compared to the Ruyi City, they were modest, but the headquarters of the Nine Sects, with its rich tradition, was different.

The pavilions, harmonizing with the overwhelming mountain scenery, were clearly extraordinary.

"The Sect Leader and the Grand Elder have gone to battle the Sword Master of the Defeated Sword Sect. Since you are from the Ruyi City, you should meet the highest elder remaining in our headquarters."

While thinking about the absolute sword that had destroyed the Zheng family, Zheng Yanxin and Xian Yuanchang arrived at a place called Shunxin Pavilion.

After climbing several treacherous peaks.

They encountered an old man and a young girl walking out of the adjacent training ground.

The girl's eyes widened.

"Uncle!"

Perhaps due to the sudden separation from her parents.

She ran to Hui, who embraced her affectionately.

"Hui, have you been well?"

"Uncle... ..."

While exchanging greetings with the sobbing Zheng Hui, Xian Yuanchang sniffed.

Putting down the child who didn't want to let go, he faced the old man who was looking at him with a peculiar gaze.

"Senior Elder Zhong, they are from the Ruyi City."

Wei Zhimiaohua spoke, as if addressing a close relative.

Zheng Yanxin and Xian Yuanchang introduced themselves with a bow, and the old man, with his hands behind his back, slowly spoke.

"My name is Zhong Lirui."

"Zhongnan Sword Immortal!"

Xian Yuanchang shouted in disbelief.

Covering his mouth, he looked very embarrassed, but no one in the hall blamed him.

"Greetings, Sword Immortal."

Zheng Yanxin calmly bowed again.

He had seen the Lord of Ruyi City from a step away.

Though he felt reverence for his reputation, he wasn't as shocked as Xian Yuanchang.

They had a brief conversation.

Officially, he had come to the Zhongnan Mountain to oversee the lives of the people caught in the conflict between the large sects. Privately, he wanted to ensure the safety of his kin.

Zhong Lirui, the Zhongnan Sword Immortal, who had been observing Zheng Yanxin, suddenly asked.

"How old are you?"

"Sixteen this year."

"Hmm...! Would you like to see this?"

Regardless of Zheng Yanxin's hesitant inner thoughts, the Zhongnan Sword Immortal pointed to a place.

It was a spot that had already caught his attention.

On the rough surface of the cliff shrouded in a faint mist, various lines were etched.

"Senior Elder Zhong?"

Wei Zhimiaohua called out, puzzled.

"What are you saying to outsiders? The restoration of the Lost Nine Yang Technique is a long-standing goal of our sect."

"The Sword Master is not a member of our sect. He was a guest invited by the previous patriarch as a close friend. He inscribed his martial arts on the Zhongnan Mountain in his later years, but it cannot be considered our sect's ultimate technique."

"But even so... ..."

She frowned, unable to accept it. The Zhongnan Sword Immortal smiled.

"I don't have much time left. If I can see the Sword Master's technique again, what can't I do? Although you, Miaohua, are the only one capable of reviving the Lost Nine Yang Technique, I can't leave my last regret solely in your hands."

His tone was very firm, and anyone could feel the strength of his unyielding obsession in his later years.

"I don't understand. I can't even grasp it,