Chapter 55

Huang Bao Clan (3)

Those who were standing or had just fallen were particularly in danger. The blue-robed experts, who had momentarily been stunned, quickly caught their junior disciples.

The defensive barrier of inner strength, like a protective aura, arises from willpower.

If one lost consciousness, even a white-robed expert would be no different from a third-rate warrior.

The external skill of Vajra Indestructible Body, which makes the entire body as solid as diamond, existed only in legends.

The faces of the blue-robed experts who were protecting their juniors were filled with confusion.

"Indeed, it's a sound technique."

"How can it be so powerful? To control inner strength so finely."

"He has applied the enhancement of weapons and swords in a peculiar way. This level is in the realm of secret techniques."

Their conversation already delved into the essence of martial arts. That was the level of the Blue-Robe stage of the Ruyi City.

They said it was because the most talented individuals from their hometowns had dedicated their lives to martial arts.

They were people who could be called experts anywhere in the vast world of martial arts.

First, they had to see through the principles of martial arts. Whether it was envy or admiration, that came later.

Eventually, the blue-robed experts began to discuss among themselves.

"I've never heard of such a martial art. If it can penetrate the white-robed protective aura..."

"It's the white-robed stage of Ruyi City, so they only fainted. It truly shows an overwhelming presence. In a group battle without an equal or higher expert, it would be even more so. There would be many limitations, but the strength is clear."

"The problem is that it can harm allies. Perhaps it's suitable for solo missions."

Even in front of the leaders, they didn't hesitate to discuss martial arts.

They just stated the facts. In Ruyi City, no one could criticize them for it.

"Seems to consume a considerable amount of mental energy."

Mie Shan, the leader, looked at Zheng Yanshen and said. Zheng Yanshen nodded in acknowledgment.

He was right. Initiating the sword aura while loading diffusive inner strength was an extraordinary skill that was impossible with ordinary senses.

The sword technique required extreme concentration. Zheng Yanshen felt a significant fatigue after just one use.

"Such fine control of inner strength. Naturally. It would be difficult to use it spontaneously in a chaotic battle. It's better to unleash it at the start of a fight. It would also have the effect of demoralizing the enemy."

He was already giving advice. He seemed very interested.

"Even so, we can't just send one person. The mission isn't light."

Chang Tian, the leader, stroked his chin while looking at Zheng Yanshen. Mie Shan nodded.

"I'll add two more people. The mission is to attack the Huang Bao branch in Pingyin County. Any volunteers?"

Many hands went up immediately. There were at least thirty.

Not only Ma Guangyi, but also volunteers from Mie Shan and Chang Tian's groups came forward.

It was a sound technique. They probably wanted to see the unheard-of martial art in action. A few blue-robed experts smiled awkwardly.

"Ma Guangyi would be better. It's right for Leader Ma to decide."

"There's no one else besides Ma Guangyi, who has worked with him. It's best to pair him with Yilian Jianmai and Qingan Majian."

"Do as you wish. Then..."

Mie Shan's eyes, which had darkly flashed, turned to Zheng Yanshen.

"Show that it wasn't reckless. Prove it with your strength. Make sure no one can call you rash."

He said this as he turned around. The hem of his dark robe fluttered without hesitation.

"Thank you for your attention."

Zheng Yanshen, who had sheathed his Northern Ming Sword, bowed to the leaders and seniors.

"Where did you learn it? There's no such martial art in our lineage."

"Is it a secret technique of the Ruyi City?"

As the blue-robed experts approached with curiosity, Ma Jin's body blocked them.

He led Zheng Yanshen to another place.

Many seniors stopped with a look of disappointment.

It was known that Zheng Yanshen had the blood of Ruyi City due to the ceremony. No one found it strange.

Ma Jin, who had reached the foothills of the mountain range connected to the plain, asked quietly.

"Did you create that sound technique?"

"Yes."

Zheng Yanshen, standing calmly, answered. Ma Jin's facial scar twitched.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"Which martial artist reveals all their skills? They would be easily exploited and die. This time, it was unavoidable. I didn't think about it either."

"......You're right."

"Did you ask me alone for this?"

"It's something else."

Ma Jin shook his head and spoke.

"Yanshen, you almost died on this mission. Listen. Long-lived martial artists are often well aware of their own grudges."

"......"

Zheng Yanshen's eyebrows twitched at the word "long-lived."

"You, the reaction in the martial world is not ordinary. The battles of martial arts factions are not just full-scale wars. The battles of informants are just as intense. The General Office has reported that there are people investigating the actions of Ruyi City's Shenyi."

"Grudges...?"

"Only the Blade Sect and Heartless Alliance, and the Blood Flame Sect have been reported so far. Cutting the Blade Sect leader's disciple and the Eight Fiendish Nalas was excellent. However, both are from factions with deep roots in the Blade Sect. There will be many who want to avenge them."

"I know the Heartless Alliance. I once took the head of one of their junior disciples."

"Jian Yehua, I heard. She was famous in the Huo Guang and Henan regions for her beauty and sword talent. She had a fiancé. Be careful of the Cheng family and her lover."

"......"

Zheng Yanshen nodded silently.

"The most troublesome is the Blood Flame Sect. If you didn't have the Mingzheng Pill, you would have had to return to Ruyi City."

Ma Jin continued solemnly.

"You didn't have the same martial arts as my Extermination Green Sword. You would have been a target. You might have met the Seven Demon Dao at the Dragon Peak Assembly. It was fortunate that you avoided her. The Blood Flame Sect's disciples are expanding their influence throughout the Central Plains. You would have been far away."

"That's true. I'm not ready to face a disciple yet."

He had blinded the Seven Demon Dao's eye when he first revealed the Extermination Green Sword.

It was a stroke of luck due to her complacency and the chaos of the battle.

Zheng Yanshen realized again that he had made many enemies.

Not ordinary enemies, but the Thirteen Thousand of the Evil Sect, which was compared to the Nine Schools and Eight Families.

"Such is the way of the martial world. Even so, you are excessive. It's not easy to make so many strong enemies in such a short time. Especially at your age."

"It sounds like you're saying I'm performing my duties well."

"You are truly a martial artist now. Many have grudges against you. You must always be on guard in the martial world. Remember that."

Ma Jin's voice carried a hint of concern.

Zheng Yanshen nodded readily.

'Non-stop running, indeed.'

It felt like he was sharpening his inner sword before continuing.

He was glad that his enemies were all from the Thirteen Thousand of the Evil Sect.

The Blade Sect and the Blood Flame Sect were his enemies, and the more heads he cut, the more merit he would accumulate.

'The Huang Bao Clan is also part of the Evil Sect, isn't it?'

He fell into deep meditation with Ma Jin, focusing on improving his sword technique.

He needed to continuously refine his control of inner strength.

Zheng Yanshen was growing stronger, regardless of Ma Jin's warning.

"The white-robed will not participate in the full-scale battle."

It was Mie Shan's voice. He was starting to assign the mission.

Xian Yuan Chang and Xin Xiaobin were selected. They would not be able to join the mission to attack the Huang Bao Clan.

They were assigned to hold the Dragon Peak Assembly's junior disciples and the remnants of the Huang Bao Clan's guards.

Zheng Yanshen needed to listen to advice from a senior blue-robed expert of Mie Shan.

"The Pingyin branch mainly practices heavy sword techniques. If you lightly parry, you'll likely be pushed back. Remember Quuchi, Chize, and Shaohai. They are acupoints on the arm. Load your inner strength firmly and divide your sword strikes."

He was familiar with the characteristics of the Pingyin branch's martial arts. It didn't take long.

* * *

Three days had passed since the battle on the plain.

"Looks like they really left us behind. Your sound technique must have been quite reliable, Shenyi."

Qing Ming laughed with an amused expression.

Zheng Yanshen and the two other blue-robed warriors, including Ma Guangyi, had just arrived in the southern part of Shandong Province.

The market street was almost devoid of people.

Pingyin, where the target was located, was truly quiet.

Most of the merchants who had spread out their goods were middle-aged or elderly.

Bai Meili smoothed her long hair.

Looking at the displayed jewelry, she said,

"The main Huang Bao family in Zhangqiu is by the Yellow River. It's a vast river. If they escape by boat