Chapter 29

Talent

"Um, have you decided on a name for the sword technique?"

"I've decided to call it 'Gwanghwa Geomryu (光華劍流).'"

In the place where the fragrance of tea gently rose, Hyun Won Chang, hesitating, answered.

Gwanghwa Geomryu.

Wishing that his life would be like the light that never fades from the sun, moon, and stars, which fill the world, he named it so.

The characteristic of the sword technique, which emits light along its trajectory, also played a part.

"Ah... It has a better resonance than I thought. This is truly regrettable."

"What name did you think of?"

"I thought of calling it 'Gyeopcheon Hwangmyeong Jikdangeol (劫天下光芒直斷結).' The feeling I got was that if it were to reach its full potential, it could be a single sword that encompasses heaven and earth, capable of handling the world!"

"......"

Jeong Yeonshin drank the tea in silence. The taste that moistened his tongue was exquisite.

It was called Jingwei Fucha (泾渭茯茶), and the golden shimmering tea water reflected the treatment they were receiving at Zhongnan Sect.

‘He must have been taken aback.’

When the Zhongnan Sword Immortal saw Gwanghwa Geomryu, his reaction was beyond imagination.

His gruff attitude immediately turned warm.

He even embraced Jeong Yeonshin with reddened eyes.

Compared to how he treated his second brother, Jeong Zhongshan, it was as if he was a different person.

He had saved his nephew and created his own sword technique.

Despite not having done anything for Zhongnan Sect, he was being treated as a distinguished guest, which made him feel uneasy and uncomfortable.

However, Hyun Won Chang seemed different.

"I want to obtain this golden tea when we return."

He looked as calm as if he had never wielded a sword with lethal intent.

They spent some time chatting.

The mission was decided among themselves according to the discretion given by Ma Jin.

Their goal was to prevent civilian casualties or to deliver a significant blow to the Sword Sect.

They had won the favor of Zhongnan. They would soon hear news of the battle.

"Jeong Xiaohao?"

A pleasant voice sounded from outside the door. It was the voice of Jianlong Weizhemiao.

Leaving behind Hyun Won Chang's face, which was tinged with envy, he left the room.

It was the same as when they first met.

She stood there with a unique feather decoration on her jet-black hair.

Wearing a sky-blue martial uniform, she placed one hand on the hilt of her sword, exuding various qualities.

Even from the brief report and hearing, Jeong Yeonshin could not help but feel a strong liking for her as a martial artist.

Her courage in openly criticizing the mistakes of her juniors, her sense of justice in aiding the people, and the spirit of a swordsman pursuing a higher martial path.

Her strong martial arts and her character, which contributed to making her a dragon, must have played a part.

"I came to hear about something we didn't discuss before."

"About the sword traces of the Sword Sect's senior?"

She nodded.

"Though it's a disgrace to the sect, I want to remove the shadow of the Sword Sect's elders. I must walk my own path in both justice and swordsmanship. I will become a grandmaster."

Her resolve in front of a younger boy was impressive.

After seeing Jeong Yeonshin's Gwanghwa Geomryu, her attitude subtly changed.

Weizhemiao's capacity seemed to match her reputation as the strongest late-stage disciple of Zhongnan Sect.

"I will support you."

Her expression seemed slightly deflated at his calm response, but she soon composed herself.

"If you help with the restoration of Gongyang Yishi."

Weizhemiao's red lips moved.

"I promise to serve you with gratitude for the rest of my life. You will greatly reduce the time that might otherwise be unsatisfactory and uncertain."

The sun shone brightly on the ground.

In the gentle sunlight of midday and the serene mountain scenery, her voice rang out clearly.

It is a matter of utmost dignity in the martial world. Sharing martial arts means that much.

"Is it not possible?"

Weizhemiao's lips drew a smooth, red curve.

Her request was not humble.

Confidence overflowed from her eyes, like an unextinguishable flame.

Perhaps the spirit of a late-stage disciple standing at the pinnacle of a prestigious sect.

Her words about being by his side for life were not literal.

It meant that as a martial artist who had received a favor, she would help whenever she could.

Jeong Yeonshin nodded gracefully.

"It won't take long."

"I am both surprised and delighted."

Weizhemiao smiled slightly.

Sap.

The two walked side by side. It felt strange.

Weizhemiao, the Cloud Dragon, was clearly blue in the spectrum of martial arts.

To offer one-sided assistance to a martial artist with such skill and experience? It was not a common experience.

With a strange feeling, they reached the end of the cliff.

From a distance, the Zhongnan Sword Immortal watched them with his hands behind his back.

His face was much more relaxed than before, especially after seeing Gwanghwa Geomryu.

Hyun Won Chang whispered secretly that he might even transcend the mortal realm.

"I will tell you the secret formula first."

"What did you say...? You mean the secret formula?"

Weizhemiao turned her head sharply.

Jeong Yeonshin, hit by her swaying hair, patted his face.

Glancing at her awkwardly, he slowly spoke.

"It won't be exactly the same. That part seems to be the responsibility of Great Hero Jianlong."

He traced back the manifestation of the principles he understood from the sword traces.

He completely reverse-engineered the method of cultivating inner energy. He didn't specifically mention it.

He was now a main martial artist of the Qingming Sect, having received a long robe from Qingming.

He knew how to distinguish between what could and could not be said.

'Great Hero Jianlong seems trustworthy, but...'

Does she have the qualities to steal someone else's martial arts? It wouldn't be a good rumor to spread.

Even now, Weizhemiao's tone had risen.

"Did you say it's in the realm of inspiration? What kind of qualities...!"

How could such a thing exist in the world? Her expression seemed to say.

"Then, what is my part...?"

"I will tell you an incomplete secret formula, and you will refine it to near completion."

Is the conclusion difficult? Jeong Yeonshin said, not hiding his confusion.

It was a very simple matter. It was different from retracing the secret formula step by step.

As she fell silent, the sun began to set.

* * *

Weizhemiao, who received the secret formula, was not seen for a while.

According to the Zhongnan Sword Immortal, she had fallen into a mental demon.

Even with a noble character, one cannot be free from the mind.

"You were not a child who boasted with martial arts. However, you seem to have been shocked by his talent."

The Zhongnan Sword Immortal looked at Jeong Yeonshin with a strange gaze.

"You were a genius without a match among the martial artists of your generation in Shaanxi. Even including Huashan Sect. When people talk about Shaanxi in the Central Plains, it's not comparable to a minor kingdom. You must have considered yourself the greatest martial talent in the world."

"The greatest in the world."

Jeong Yeonshin murmured, a foreign resonance.

The Zhongnan Sword Immortal slowly nodded.

"Yes. It was the first time he felt his talent was insignificant. After seeing the real thing."

"It is meaningless. Great Hero Jianlong is a few levels above me."

For Jeong Yeonshin, who was pressed for time, it was hard to understand.

One's current position cannot be replaced by unseen qualities or age.

The Zhongnan Sword Immortal chuckled at his shaking head.

"How great a mistake has heaven made? It gave him not only sufficient talent but also the desire to seek what is lacking. It is an unfair thing in the world."

"Flattering words."

They had become quite close. Someone in Zhongnan Sect even said it was like seeing a grandson.

To Jeong Yeonshin, the Zhongnan Sword Immortal was a much more comfortable presence than his maternal grandfather, Ma Yanji.

Then,

"Zong Elder, Jeong Xiaohao."

The voice sounded as if it was already in front of them.

With the mysterious movement of the Boshenjing, her jet-black hair fluttered on her sky-blue martial uniform.

"Great Hero Jianlong."

"You're here. I thought you would overcome it quickly."

It was Weizhemiao, who had been talking with them. Her pale face looked gaunt.

After greeting the Zhongnan Sword Immortal, she