Chapter 43

Shengdan

Qilisao lost her left eye. Zheng Yanxin inadvertently mocked her half-blinded vision.

As he exhaled, his gaze shifted momentarily to one side.

Qingming, with his ancient eye patch, was single-handedly handling the five Blood Demon Sabers. It was quite a distance. She probably didn’t hear.

Magin, who was standing beside him, stammered, which was rare.

“What is that?”

“It’s the Demon-Extinguishing Qinggang Technique. A martial art that can open the crown of the Blood Demons.”

Zheng Yanxin answered casually. Qilisao, with her remaining red eye, glared at him.

It was a distance of twenty paces, yet the terrifying aura still pierced through.

The feeling was like being cut by a knife. It was truly extraordinary.

“Island of Tranquility, right?”

She suddenly laughed. A deranged laugh that formed red and smooth.

It was different from the Blood Demon Sabers. Perhaps she ignored the overwhelming pain. The time it took for her to regain composure was astonishingly fast.

“Impressive. Where did you obtain such a divine technique? To have mastered it to this extent, especially at your age, is astonishing.”

“...”

“I know.”

“...Indeed.”

Magin, who was unaware of his nephew’s situation, where achievements were lifeblood, nodded.

Zheng Yanxin forced a smile. It was a gathering of elders. Perhaps he was anxious due to the initial failure.

Without realizing it, he showed a youthful side, something he hadn’t done since entering the Ruyi Sect.

“This mission has failed. Even if I have fulfilled my part, my achievements will be downgraded. Thanks to this, I can spur myself to become even stronger.”

While Magin was silent, all the martial artists were tidying up the battlefield of the Yitian Sword Family.

It took a tremendous amount of manpower and time just to deal with the corpses. The stench of blood and decay was already rising.

The captured Blood Flame Sect disciples were locked in the family’s dungeon. It was said that a prestigious family like this would have a prison.

In the midst of this, Venerable Yuanzong approached. His reddened eyes held deep emotion.

“You have shown us that truly powerful martial arts exist... that they can reach such extremes...”

“It’s thanks to Venerable Yuanzong.”

“The technique that took Qilisao’s eye, that divine Jingfa... I will never forget it until the day I die. Truly a talented individual.”

While praising his talent, Venerable Yuanzong seemed to have somewhat relieved his regret.

Zheng Yanxin thought that if he survived, he would take the head of the Blood Flame Sect.

He hoped that by then, the old monk’s regrets would be fully resolved.

“I will offer you Longjing tea when you come to Shaolin. There will be many who will want to discuss the Way with you. Even the Abbot will be curious.”

The small monk, Jiaozheng, said with a broad smile, a face unusually gentle.

Jiaozheng, who had approached, was so surprised that he widened his eyes.

“Did the Sect Lord mention your coming-of-age ceremony?”

“I will send a messenger to the main sect to set a date. Think about it deeply.”

The young master, Xian Youliang, and the family head, Xian Mo, saw off Maguangyi.

Several experts from the Yitian Sword Family who had fought in the Blood Flame Sect’s main hall were also present.

Among them, a girl with a veil covering her eyes below the forehead stared intently at Zheng Yanxin. Her eyes were beautiful.

But there was no connection. Zheng Yanxin silently bowed and said:

“I have stayed well. I hope you all take care.”

“I wish you success.”

The family head, with large eyes and pale skin, received Zheng Yanxin’s bow.

Maguangyi, who had mounted his horse, spurred it on. Both the Maguangyi group and the Li group were safe.

Due to the effects of the Blood Qi, some had slower clotting of their wounds, but it was considered a cheap price to pay for a battle against the Thirteen Thousand.

“What a remarkable matchmaker the Yitian Sword Family is.”

“Not just one of the Eight Great Families, but few can compare. You don’t need to marry into the Thirteen Thousand.”

Xian Youliang and Qingming’s friendship was good. On the way back, they often teased Zheng Yanxin.

They seemed to have taken an interest in discussing his potential marriage.

‘Let them fill their own seats.’

Zheng Yanxin thought.

It was time to bid farewell to the two Shaolin monks, as their paths were about to diverge.

Venerable Yuanzong earnestly urged him to visit Shaolin, and Jiaozheng couldn’t let go of his curiosity.

“Amitabha. There is an endless amount of Dharma for you to learn...”

“I have already learned enough. I will only accept your heart.”

“Who knows? You are already a promising young talent. You could represent Ruyi Sect at the Dragon Phoenix Assembly. When I have the time, I will attend, and we can continue our discussion then.”

“The Dragon Phoenix Assembly?”

“Didn’t you know? It’s a gathering where young talents from righteous martial arts and official sects exchange skills and build friendships. Many promising and young martial artists gather to test their skills and form bonds.”

“I know that.”

“Sometimes, a pair of mandarin ducks will form a bond. Discussions of martial arts and chivalry can also lead to love. When men and women known as the best in the land gather, it’s no exaggeration to say that all the romance of the Jianghu is at the Dragon Phoenix Assembly. Even a half-monk like me gets excited. How much more so for you?”

Jiaozheng chuckled.

Zheng Yanxin wasn’t particularly interested. He believed that martial arts and chivalry should be practiced directly. Love was a trivial matter to him now.

The failure of the mission cast a dark cloud over the Blue Rank.

He had to push himself and think about the next mission.

“You are one of the Eighteen Arhats, right? How can you be considered a young talent? You are at least ten years older than me.”

Zheng Yanxin’s casual remark to change the subject made Jiaozheng’s face stiffen.

“I am still considered a young talent. I haven’t reached thirty, so it’s fine. If you attend the Dragon Phoenix Assembly, I will definitely show you the skills of a young Shaolin monk. I can do more than just Drunken Fist with a cup of tea...”

“You are disgracing the temple.”

Venerable Yuanzong pulled Jiaozheng’s arm.

The two monks bowed again and moved away, having agreed to meet again.

The group rode peacefully. They passed through the ruins of Xinya County again.

Zheng Yanxin passed by on his horse, indifferent. The heads of the Sword Sect and the Blood Flame Sect.

He only remembered the names he needed to take. They were still distant absolute figures.

‘The Chief Manager will do well, too.’

The Chief Manager of Zheng Family stayed in Pingdingshan. It was said that Shaolin was nearby, making it easier to establish a new caravan.

After a few days, the group arrived in Yangyang.

Seeing the majestic castle of Ruyi Sect in the distance, Zheng Yanxin felt a mix of emotions.

‘Blue...’

This was his first failure in three missions. Zheng Yanxin didn’t deny himself.

He thought about his continuous victories. If he endured the time and hardships, he believed he could reach his goal faster than anyone else.

It seemed to be true in reality.

‘Just doing what I’m good at isn’t enough. This is the Jianghu.’

His thoughts branched out. The young Sect Lord was in deep contemplation.

What could he do? How could he use his unique qualities?

While lost in thought, they entered the main gate of Ruyi Sect.

The report of the mission’s progress and results was Magin’s responsibility. He was about to return with the seniors and Xian Yuanchang.

A secretary from the Chief Manager’s office, whom he remembered as Dou Youyuan, called out to Zheng Yanxin.

“I have been waiting for you.”

“Secretary Dou...?”

Zheng Yanxin’s puzzled question made Dou Youyuan laugh.

“Not just me, but the sect’s martial artists were eagerly awaiting your return. A white-ranked martial artist took the eye of a Blood Flame Sect envoy... The news spread faster and more steadily than the wings of a messenger bird. We were about to send the remaining Maguangyi experts and the Extermination Team when we received the astonishing news, so everyone returned.”

“Ah.”

“By reducing the strength of an envoy who can match many black-ranked martial artists, you have earned a significant achievement. The schedule for the entire Ruyi Sect was set that day. Blue Rank! It’s a place where all white-ranked martial artists who have accumulated sufficient achievements can challenge. The moment Mag Da Zhu and the young heroes entered Yangyang, the summons was issued.”

Dou Youyuan led him to the center of the main sect. Xian Yuanchang and the seniors followed.

Their faces, which seemed to have forgotten the fatigue of the journey, were filled with excitement.

Zheng Yanxin approached Magin and lightly touched his arm.

“My words last time were too harsh.”

“...”

In the midst of this, Bai Miliu muttered.

“You didn’t even give him time to rest?”

“It’s the Sect Lord’s will.”

Dou Youyuan shook his head slightly, as if he didn’t know either.

Zheng Yanxin, however, saw it as the Sect Lord’s consideration. It was said that the authority of a blue-ranked martial artist was different.

Many times, they would undertake missions alone from the start.

‘I can continuously accumulate achievements. I’m looking forward to it.’

They soon reached their destination.

As Dou Youyuan said, many white-ranked martial artists had gathered, perhaps dozens.

Many faces he had never seen before in the vast Ruyi Sect. They were all competitors.

Seniors from other martial arts groups also stood in a large circle, seemingly there to support their juniors.

The seniors who had stayed behind, including Maguangyi, waved to Zheng Yanxin.

In the center, a platform with a large tree standing alone.

The white clouds in the clear sky flowed like waves.

Below the city walls, in the brilliant sunlight, a beautiful woman leaned lazily.

Her light green robe fluttered in the wind.

Under the shade of a cypress tree as thick as three arms.

The Sect Lord of Ruyi Sect, who had been lying against the reddish-brown tree trunk, opened her eyes.

Her deep green eyes slowly revealed themselves between her light green bangs.

Zheng Yanxin stared at her intently.

Their gazes met momentarily. In that instant, he thought he saw her smile.

“Now,”

The Sect Lord opened her rosy lips. Her clear voice echoed, bringing silence.

“I will test your qualifications for the Blue Rank.”

Amidst the cheers, Zheng Yanxin hesitated as he approached the center.

The severe aura from all sides overwhelmed him. Was it a pre-emptive strike?

The cold, sharp auras were directed at him openly. He glanced around.

They were all white-ranked martial artists, his competitors.

‘This is interesting.’

The sharp auras poured relentlessly onto Zheng Yanxin. Even those who didn’t turn their heads were doing the same.

Some who met his gaze only smirked. It seemed to be a manifestation of their competitive spirit.

This is Ruyi Sect. As long as you obey the Sect Lord’s orders, you can speak through martial arts.

Even the chivalry they followed was expressed through martial arts.

“Facing the auras of so many seniors...”

Zheng Yanxin’s lips curved slightly.

“The future of the main sect seems bright.”

He slowly extended his five fingers and grasped the sheath of the Ruyi Sword. The flow of Zheng Family’s pupils began.

At the same time, he calmly received all the auras. It felt very light.

He realized it himself. He had already fully entered the Blue Rank domain.