Chapter 50

Yongbong Assembly (2)

The blue-robed warrior of Ruhuang City subdued the young master of a martial arts family.

It was a surprise attack, and he even used the method to break the Golden Lotus technique. It was a plausible outcome.

Moreover, Zheng Lianxin's perception and reaction were superior.

"Huh? What's happening now?"

"It seems Tai Yanlong has been struck by a point strike."

To others, it seemed different. The Yongbong Assembly is a regular gathering of martial arts practitioners.

Zheng Lianxin was a new expert who had never appeared before. The whispers that started small began to spread.

"I've never seen such a technique. Footwork, Golden Lotus, point strike. All of them are like this."

"The Book of Enlightenment was truly mysterious. It felt like I was seeing one of the elders of a noble lineage."

"Which sect is he from? How could he do this to Tai Yanlong? If they had just exchanged a single move unexpectedly..."

The atmosphere, which had been about to explode with Tai Yanlong's madness, gradually dissipated. It seemed as if the spring breeze had come to disperse the killing intent.

Zheng Lianxin remained silent.

He had rendered one of his opponent's arms useless. They were at an extremely close distance.

If it were a normal sparring match, it would have ended here, but with Tai Yanlong, who seemed to have a mental disorder, it was uncertain.

There was no technique that could exert power at a distance of an inch in the Supreme Martial Arts. He prepared by gathering a large amount of inner energy.

At that moment, Tai Yanlong muttered.

"...Am I slower...? Slower?"

"If you can't even feel that, then that's all there is to it."

Zheng Lianxin said calmly and released his arm. He didn't release the point strike, leaving it in place to suppress any sudden outburst.

'He will naturally release the point strike when he practices Qi regulation.'

He had heard stories about experts who manipulated Yin and Yang energies.

They were said to have distinct strengths. Yang energy could easily disperse the inner energy of others that entered their body.

It was interesting to see firsthand. It was worth considering. How did he create the nature of Yanhua using inner energy? How did he do it?

While Zheng Lianxin was lost in thought,

"What, you don't even care? Who do you think you are?"

Tai Yanlong's reaction was peculiar. It was a very calm anger. He, who had swallowed a whole peony, spoke.

"The fruit of the Chushil Sect. I understood your potential from this one move. You will make a name for yourself for a long time. Even after you die, you will be talked about for decades."

"Then what?"

The highest form of provocation was to mock the innermost secrets of the opponent.

He had learned this from Qingming before his mission. That's why he had been silently listening to what Tai Yanlong was saying.

"Do you know the feeling of your feet moving towards the abyss on their own? You have everything. Your complexion is very good. How does it feel to have a talent that doesn't require paying a price?"

"What?"

It was a statement that even dampened his interest in the nature of Yanhua's inner energy. It felt insignificant.

He might as well engage in a close combat with this point-struck fellow.

Tai Yanlong continued speaking. His fingertips were trembling.

"From birth, I possessed extreme Yang energy. I grew stronger even without cultivating heart techniques. My heightened senses came with the burning pain in my meridians. My achievements are like this. I cultivated martial arts to change my constitution through profound inner energy studies. It's not something you can belittle by calling me slow!"

Perhaps recognizing Zheng Lianxin's potential,

He talked incessantly as if sharing a drink with a close friend. Zheng Lianxin felt embarrassed to the point of blushing.

While he was willing for the mission, the first encounter with this crowd felt strange.

The shadow under Tai Yanlong's eyes was burdensome. Zheng Lianxin slowly spoke.

"What can be done if that's the truth? You don't have a martial art that can overwhelm your talent."

"You, you really—"

"I said you were slow. There's nothing wrong with that. Your pain is something only you know. No one can understand it."

In the end, he ended up talking about himself.

He had felt this through various missions. Unlike the disciples of the Nine Sects, martial artists in the Jianghu were quick to anger. Even just stating the facts could provoke them. It was an incomprehensible matter, but he thought it would be the same now. He had made an effort to provoke a strong reaction.

This was his first deliberate provocation. It had to work.

"I alone know...? I've never heard that. Everyone said they understood. Even that Huashan Sect fellow just now."

The reaction was strange.

Tai Yanlong's lips trembled as if he were a mute speaking for the first time.

He was a genius suffering from the Sun God Meridian, a rare illness. Understanding his mindset was a difficult task for anyone.

"How can someone who understands the trajectory of my footwork not know me? Are you saying my talent, which will die prematurely, is insignificant? The elders of my family held me back because of their overwhelming expectations."

His intense gaze was softening.

The unique gaze of an expert who had mastered orthodox martial arts was returning, and the madness in his eyes was dissipating.

His aura was clear. He didn't look like someone who was drunk on alcohol and peonies.

Finally, Tai Yanlong's expression seemed to hold a new kind of affection.

Zheng Lianxin felt a sense of crisis. The thought of mission failure crossed his mind.

"If I were you, I would sever ties with my family and join Ruhuang City. It's said that the fruit of the Heavenly Tree can cure all diseases. It should work for the Sun God Meridian too. To talk about life without such effort? It's ridiculous. Even if you live a few more years, it's already too late."

"Haha! You're worried about me! You must have been so sad to see the potential for discussing martial arts disappear!"

"I said you were slower."

It was an incomprehensible thought. He seemed to have gone mad from long-term suffering. The approach of provoking a commoner was problematic.

'I need to try again after some time.'

It was an unexpected obstacle. Zheng Lianxin immediately turned around.

Since any provocation seemed useless now, he needed the help of Xian Yuanchang and Xin Xiaobin, who were looking at him with peculiar expressions from a distance.

'I can't sever Tai Yanlong's limbs in the middle of the Yongbong Assembly.'

It would likely make him a public enemy of the orthodox martial world. That's why provocation was the goal.

Even the pursuit by the Huangbao Family's martial force, which was the final mission, would be a difficult task.

"Where are you going? Let's have a grand match. You're fine. I'll specially treat you to some aged Shaoxing yellow wine."

"Your insignificant talent will ruin the taste of the wine. I don't dine with insignificant people."

He spat harsh words, but the other side laughed. He was completely mad. Zheng Lianxin inwardly shook his head.

He turned his gaze to find Liu Xian, who had been sprawled out far away. He was seen getting up alone.

It seemed the Huashan Sect disciples who had accompanied him were not around, and his appearance was terrible.

Zheng Lianxin quickly approached and asked.

"Where are the elders of your sect who accompanied you?"

"Oh, it's been a while. As you can see, they decided to send everyone out of the Yongbong Assembly. How can they expect us to form bonds with elders watching? Anyway, thank you. As expected... um, Guo Guo."

He changed his words as if he had heard about Tai Yanlong. Zheng Lianxin saw Liu Xian's eyes move.

He was more perceptive than expected. He had noticed the Ruhuang City emblem on the rough yellow robe, which was covered with another piece of cloth.

Zheng Lianxin spoke.

"You're not angry. You interfered in the sparring match."

"It should have ended earlier. We were not evenly matched. Compared to that, you..."

"Hmm?"

Liu Xian, known as a peerless talent in Shaanxi Province, was famous. His words trailed off, which was uncharacteristic.

"You've become incredibly strong. It feels like you've reached a different realm. I've improved too, but... Hmm? Now that I think about it, you."

He seemed to have just noticed the color of Zheng Lianxin's martial robe under the long robe.

Liu Xian's expression became complicated. The blue color of Ruhuang City had that meaning.

It was said that they held a status comparable to the elite of the Nine Sects in the world. They were the top experts below the sect leader and elders.

Zheng Lianxin and Liu Xian were close friends. He had heard that.

As the youngest disciple of the sect leader, Liu Xian aspired to be the Huashan Sect Plum Blossom Swordmaster. The blue color was a position equivalent to his goal. He could understand his feelings.

'Time is different for everyone.'

Zheng Lianxin held back his words.

He turned his gaze. People were approaching before Xian Yuanchang and Xin Xiaobin.

Young men and women with outstanding auras. They were the younger generation of the Yongbong Assembly who had been at the Lianhua Hall.

'The orthodox martial lineages are gathered here. There are