Chapter 36

The Heir of the Crimson Phoenix Clan (2)

The heir of the Crimson Phoenix Clan's expression changed the moment he saw Jeong Yeonshin. His complex emotions were laid bare.

It didn't seem to be just anger and shame. One could tell from the words he spat out as he approached.

"Would you care to cross swords with me?"

"Your name?"

"......Masaein (馬洗引). Back then, we didn't even exchange names."

"It seems your mindset has changed."

Jeong Yeonshin stared at his maternal grandfather's adopted grandson.

He said he was in the process of defeating the white-robed warriors in the Moonless Pavilion one after another.

He should have been elated, yet he maintained his composure despite his haggard appearance.

Perhaps the strength of a prestigious family stems from such introspection.

It was unclear what he thought of Jeong Yeonshin's abilities and potential.

Masaein clasped his hands in a salute.

"Back then, I learned a move. I gained a lot. Give me another chance."

"Hmm."

Jeong Yeonshin, who first returned the salute, pondered.

He needed to complete his next mission successfully. To obtain the blue robe without wasting time, he needed to do so.

Whether the youth before him could provide further inspiration was a secondary issue.

'I can't fill the framework of the Radiant Sword Technique with subpar inspiration.'

This was different from when he created the Four Seasons Ultimate Fist. The Radiant Sword Technique was a sword art inspired by the sword path of a legendary swordsman.

There was a martial arts library in the Crimson Phoenix City where its members could access.

Jeong Yeonshin must have visited it. He didn't just use the martial arts he created.

Even beyond the newly founded martial arts, the movements of all his practical techniques were infused with the martial arts of the Crimson Phoenix City.

He had extracted all the principles of martial arts, the martial theories, to lay the foundation for creating something new.

The movements of the blue-robed Qingming, who inspired him, were also taking on the form of a supreme lightness technique.

However, it was impossible to create a martial art that perfectly suited him like the Radiant Sword Technique, the Swallow Feather Technique, and the Four Seasons Ultimate Fist.

The problem was that the martial arts recorded in books were dead.

It was simply because he lacked the inspiration to weave a satisfactory martial arts system.

A bolt of lightning was needed to strike his mind, but divine lightning didn't fall just anytime.

"You can broaden your horizons, at least."

Masaein's proposal for a sparring match wasn't bad.

The Crimson Phoenix Clan's sword techniques were likely to be of a level rarely seen even in the Crimson Phoenix City.

At that moment, a gentle breeze blew. Jeong Yeonshin felt his clothes flutter slightly.

"Did you say you're a newcomer? Let's see what you're made of."

Qingming, who had approached unnoticed, tapped Jeong Yeonshin's shoulder and looked at Masaein.

A black eye patch on his left eye gave him a rather antique charm.

Masaein's face lit up.

"Blue-Eyed Demon Sword......!"

"It's now One-Eyed (獨眼)."

Qingming, smiling mischievously, turned his head to Jeong Yeonshin.

"Can I do it?"

"Do you often visit the Moonless Pavilion?"

"If I don't, I'll get rusty. It's a sect with many monstrous experts."

"It's because of your eye, isn't it?"

"Yeah. I need to slowly improve my senses. A swordsman's vision is now half of what it used to be."

Qingming, smiling, seemed cheerful.

An outstanding white-robed warrior would make a good sparring partner. Jeong Yeonshin agreed.

As he watched the two walk side by side to a corner of the training ground, Dao Youyuan muttered beside him.

"Remarkable. It seems the rumors are true. They say the Blue-Eyed Demon Sword chooses people based on their potential."

"Qingming senior......?"

Perplexed, he asked, and Dao Youyuan nodded.

"He is indeed a cold person. You can tell just by looking at his records. He is merciless to those who are not commoners but martial artists. Both potential and character are considered. It's common for him to treat people rudely, and many righteous martial artists have lost their heads to him. That's why he's called a Demon Sword. His standards are harsh."

"I had no idea."

"That's because your potential is exceptionally outstanding. Other blues usually avoid him. As for whites, there's no need to mention. The heir of the Crimson Phoenix Clan has picked the wrong person."

Dao Youyuan clicked his tongue.

'He doesn't treat Xian Yuan Xiaoye badly either.'

While pondering his words, the match was decided.

Masaein tried to exploit the blind spot on Qingming's left side, which was likely to be pitch black, but the blue-robed warrior was indeed different.

Qingming seemed to have replaced his peripheral vision with a sixth sense.

His left palm, which he struck without looking, hit Masaein's chest. It was an astonishing palm technique. Masaein, spitting out a mouthful of blood, fell to his knees.

At that moment,

Did Qingming's move enlighten him?

A smile formed on Masaein's face as he suddenly sat cross-legged.

It was clear to anyone that he had gained insight.

As soon as he fell, orange-robed warriors flew in from all directions and surrounded him. They seemed to be the Crimson Phoenix Clan's guards.

Qingming, stepping back slightly, chuckled and returned. Looking at Jeong Yeonshin, he said,

"That guy isn't a complete novice."

"This is the Crimson Phoenix City. Everyone seems familiar."

"At the Demon Sword Pavilion, you alone make it look dim, but there are many who are called geniuses."

Qingming, who seemed reluctant to approach, had already stepped back, giving a slight bow.

Jeong Yeonshin, returning the bow, felt the true strength of the Crimson Phoenix City anew.

Qingming, despite losing an eye, had not lost much of his martial prowess, and Masaein, who had seemed arrogant, had changed as a person.

With a more humble character, enlightenment came more easily.

It was incredibly impressive, almost unbelievable.

'This isn't the time to judge the quality of inspiration.'

Jeong Yeonshin immediately headed to the Moonless Pavilion training ground.

* *

"The City Lord wishes to commemorate your coming of age."

It was when he returned to the Demon Sword Pavilion hall, draped in the sunset, that Ma Jin suddenly appeared and said something unfamiliar.

"Does the Crimson Phoenix City wish to oversee my coming of age ceremony?"

"Yes."

As Ma Jin nodded, Jeong Yeonshin's brows furrowed.

'They asked about the rites at the General's Office.'

The first of the four rites of passage in the Zhu Xi Family Rites, the capping ceremony.

In the Great Ming Empire, the capping ceremony for scholars was held at the age of twenty. The martial world was different.

The more perilous the local martial world, the earlier the capping ceremony was held. The age at which it was held varied widely.

The martial world was a mysterious place. The stronger a sect's influence, the more formidable its enemies became.

An early capping ceremony meant leaving a mark as an adult, as one might die at any time.

However, it wasn't of interest to Jeong Yeonshin. For him, life was a trail of footsteps.

"When is the next mission?"

Ma Jin sighed.

"The City Lord has arranged it. It's a recognition of your potential and abilities."

"Hmm."

Jeong Yeonshin couldn't fathom the City Lord's thoughts.

Recognizing his potential? If so, he could simply pluck a fruit from the Tree of the World and bestow it upon him.

Clearly distinguishing between public and private matters in such a situation left little room for interpretation.

Either the time-pressed Jeong Yeonshin was being encouraged to rise to the rank of the Demon Sword Pavilion's leader, or the Crimson Phoenix City's martial strength was already sufficient, leaving no room for regret.

It was an unknown matter at the moment.

Jeong Yeonshin didn't want to rely on fleeting hopes.

The City Lord was an ancient absolute ruler. Even when showing favor, he had clear boundaries.

One could tell from how he treated Ma Yanji, a decades-long acquaintance, like a knife.

"I don't want to. I can comprehend dozens of sword techniques in an hour. Please refuse for me."

"He seems to know you better than I do. He said to mention the reward. It's a liquor that doesn't conflict with any elixir in the world. It's called the Thunder Immortal Treasure Wine. A single cup is enough to ensure a long and healthy life."

Even martial artists weren't immune to illness. It started with meridian blockages.

Thus, the medical skills of physicians, known as divine doctors, were widely utilized.

It wasn't just for treating internal and external injuries from battles.

For a long and healthy life. Even without great expectations, it was something Jeong Yeonshin couldn't overlook.

"I'll do it."

His attitude changed abruptly.

"......Only one of those participating in the capping ceremony can drink it. The Crimson Phoenix City's capping ceremony is a place to elevate oneself through martial arts. Most of the participants are children who haven't reached the white rank, but this time it's different. A few whites from prestigious families, a few years older than you, are participating, aware of you