Chapter 32

Gosu

The intuition of experts sometimes transcends the realm of understanding. This time, it was different.

Many people, even those who saw it, wore expressions of confusion. Even the experts of the Zhongnan Sect were like this.

The scene showed the young swordsman holding the head of the Paegeumjong elder. No one could have imagined it.

"Eight Fiendish Executioner Sword...? Is that old expert really him?"

"How, how could such a thing happen? In the hands of such a young man?"

"Even the Executioner Sword has met his end? I can hardly believe it..."

The scene, which defied common sense, took away the fighting spirit of the martial artists.

Even the Paegeumjong was no exception. It was a monstrous and chaotic situation.

This was the situation that Jeong Yeonshin had created. It was something beyond human comprehension.

Then,

Heon Wonchang abruptly stood up. The aura that rose as if he had fallen away swept away even the dust from his clothes.

With the hero's ribbon tied around his forehead fluttering and his tall, handsome figure, he spread his shoulders wide and shouted loudly.

"Guest of the Zhongnan Sect! Jeong Yeonshin of Yihwang City!"

His voice carried a deep inner energy.

His power was stronger than Jeong Yeonshin had thought, and Heon Wonchang's voice, filled with strength, echoed in all directions with astonishing achievement.

"He cut off the head of a Paegeumjong elder!"

A tremendous roar erupted. It was astonishing how he had hidden such inner strength.

Given the great feat he had accomplished,

Heon Wonchang clearly stated his identity and confirmed his achievement on the spot.

It was a commendable response worthy of a Yihwang Shinhae.

"Jeong Xiaohao, truly..."

"The Eight Fiendish Executioner Sword is dead!"

"Wow!"

The young experts of the Zhongnan Sect were stirred. Many faces were filled with admiration and joy.

Some even burst into unprecedented cheers.

"That boy!"

"He finally did it!"

The sword techniques of Yeha Shinhae and the Zhongnan Sword Immortal began to show their full effectiveness.

They struck down the bewildered enemies and unleashed their momentum.

The sharpness of Yihwang City's Ma Guangyi. The flow of the situation brought about by a single young man was as fierce as a waterfall.

The Paegeumjong was forced back helplessly. The blows from all sides were difficult to recover from.

In the midst of this, Jeong Yeonshin gazed at the Paegeumjong leader. Their eyes met.

Even as he received the sword of the Zhongnan Sect's leader, he looked at the young man with renewed intensity, as if trying to engrave him in his mind.

'Wait.'

A formidable expert, whose gaze was hard to meet. Just receiving his gaze seemed to shake one's soul.

Time was certainly Jeong Yeonshin's enemy. But it was also a friend who would bestow boundless power.

'Four years should be enough for you.'

The Paegeumjong leader would not die here. Jeong Yeonshin turned his body.

* * *

The Paegeumjong was ultimately defeated. It was a great victory for the Zhongnan Sect.

The battle between the Thirteen Thousand and the Nine Sects was not a common occurrence.

The fact that a clear outcome was visible when the two clashed was itself a tremendous event. It was said that the Central Plains were reacting.

Rumors began to stir from Xi'an.

At the forefront of these rumors was the Zhongnan Sword Immortal, who had shown a divine prowess that stunned the world.

He had severed the arm of a Paegeumjong elder and killed five elders.

The reputation of Jianlong Weizhemiao, who commanded his disciples to face the middle-aged experts, was further elevated.

And the story of the young expert from Yihwang City began to spread.

A young swordsman in his late teens had beheaded a Paegeumjong elder. It was a story that no one could believe.

Those who knew a little about the martial world were said to have scoffed at it, which slowed the spread of the rumor.

However, the nickname 'Sharp' had certainly spread throughout the world.

"The experts of the Nine Sects will know, and that's enough. Let the foolish people say what they will!"

Bang!

Heon Wonchang slammed his fist on the table.

He had come from a tavern at the foot of the mountain and was venting his anger.

He had heard negative comments about the young expert of Yihwang City in the city.

He said he almost broke the noses of some ignorant people.

Jeong Yeonshin didn't pay much attention. He had no particular interest in impractical matters.

He was only looking forward to the fruit of the Heavenly Tree at the end of his life.

"Is reputation something that helps with your mission?"

"Of course it is! It helps! You can get an extra drink at a tavern!"

Heon Wonchang managed to bring a smile to Jeong Yeonshin's lips.

They enjoyed the aftermath of their victory. Even the familiar forest paths seemed to have a new earthy scent.

The war between the great sects had come to an end, and they had even beheaded the experts of the Paegeumjong.

Ma Guangyi's mission as a martial artist was more than accomplished.

The experts of the Zhongnan Sect treated both Jeong Yeonshin and Heon Wonchang with favor.

It would be hard to find days more pleasant than these.

"More importantly, we need to think about sects like the Beggar Sect or the Hawmen. If you want to travel through the martial world, you can't do without the information they provide. I don't know if Jeong Xiaohao has ever received help from the Beggar Sect, but the treatment will be different now."

Weizhemiao, who was drinking tea with them, said.

Her small smile was more beautiful than the spring flowers beginning to bloom around them.

"To put it modestly, the Nine Sects are in a realm above the clouds in the martial world. It's very difficult for ordinary people to get news about the Nine Sects. Unless it's a big event like this."

"I see."

Jeong Yeonshin took a sip of the golden Jingweifu tea and replied.

Weizhemiao's face lit up with a smile when she saw him.

"That's why many people believe strange stories and avoid the truth. But the Beggar Sect is different. There's a reason they are often grouped with the Nine Sects. They will have an accurate understanding. They saw a few people practicing lightness skills outside the battlefield."

Learning martial arts from beggars? It sounded like the methods of the Beggar Sect that he had only heard about.

Heon Wonchang nodded in satisfaction.

"Since this won't be the last time you travel through the martial world, I'm content with this."

"Jeong Xiaohao's matter, and Heon Xiaohao is content. The camaraderie of Yihwang City is different from what I've heard. Then, which of you is the senior brother?"

"Senior brother?"

Heon Wonchang's eyes widened as if he had never heard the term before.

Jeong Yeonshin was also interested.

"I learned from Ma Guangjie first."

"Tsk! Didn't you both learn from the leader at the same time? Just because you achieved more, you're the senior brother? Yihwang City isn't a rootless sect!"

"There's no seniority in our sect, but to that extent."

"Are you really going to do this?"

Time passed in pleasant conversation.

The atmosphere was warm because it was a rare complete victory with few casualties for the Zhongnan Sect.

The sun set with the occasional beautiful smile from Weizhemiao, who looked at him as if he were a younger brother.

The next day.

Jeong Yeonshin received the Yuunpai (Flowing Cloud Token) from the Zhongnan Sect's leader.

It was said that showing it to the lay sects under the Zhongnan Sect would grant him the highest respect.

Since the Jeong family was a branch of the Zhongnan Sect, he could act as a benefactor without giving anything in return.

"Furthermore, if you need a sword from the main sect, don't hesitate to ask.

Even political matters of Yihwang City, I will help once."

Ouyang Shen said. A faint warmth lingered on his expressionless face.

It was said that they had taken over a significant portion of the Paegeumjong's territory. This was what the Zhongnan Sword Immortal had said.

When the evil sects retreat and the righteous sects protect the people, tributes will come in without being forced, and from the perspective of the sect leader, Jeong Yeonshin's contribution was significant.

"I will accept it with gratitude."

He didn't refuse. There would be a day when he needed it to perform his mission or challenge the position of the new sword master.

Jeong Yeonshin, who had put the wooden token with the cloud engraving in his pocket, spoke.

"Then, it seems it's time to hear it now."

"Hmm. You are qualified."

Yeha Shinhae, who was sitting next to Ouyang Shen, nodded.

Finally, the secret of the Jeong family's destruction began to unfold.

"All things originated from the Heavenly Tree."

"The Heavenly Tree?"

"The divine tree that supports the world. All the principles of the universe are firmly established through the mysterious Heavenly Tree. The land of the Jeong family was very fertile,