Chapter 8

### Recognition (4)

As the defeated opponent was dragged away, the problem was that the second and final match was about to begin.

'There are many monsters in the world.'

Jeong Yeonshin thought. It felt like he was facing a martial artist who would one day become a supreme master like the Sword Emperor.

The man in pure white walked steadily from the opposite side.

His sharp jawline was as finely chiseled as a fine sword, and his pitch-black eyes, focused like a beacon of will, exuded the demeanor of a swordsman.

His flawless skin, as white as his clothes, complemented his high-bridged nose, revealing a noble purity.

He was truly a peerless young man, perhaps around twenty years old.

'Baek Girin, Namgung Huachen.'

Jeong Yeonshin knew without asking. There could be no one else like him in this place.

Even the high-ranking experts of the Rihuang City, who were seated in a wide circle, showed interest.

"I wonder where they'll take him. The leaders will probably fight over him."

"He seems stronger than us. Indeed, it's the Namgungs."

"Will we see the Blue Sky Endless Sword today?"

The talk of his qualification was taken for granted. Those waiting in the opposite garden looked at Jeong Yeonshin with pity.

'He looks about five years older than me. But he doesn't seem like a mountain I can't climb.'

Jeong Yeonshin could feel the aura emanating from Namgung Huachen.

The flow of his inner energy was incredibly refined.

He had been spreading his inner energy through his entire body's meridians for several years, and it seemed he had even taken elixirs, making his power truly formidable.

The experts of Rihuang City couldn't stop their admiration.

"Skipping several provinces with just a rumor is no easy feat."

"Indeed, his reputation is well-deserved."

Jeong Yeonshin also acknowledged it.

'Only my body is better. The rest, not yet.'

Namgung Huachen, who was five steps away, approached.

His respectful bow exuded the dignity of a noble family, making it hard to approach.

"I am Namgung Huachen of the Namgung family. I have mainly studied the Blue Sky Endless Sword and the Infinite Step. Please treat me kindly."

"I have practiced the Jeong Family Sword Technique from the Jeong Family Manor in Henan."

Jeong Yeonshin clasped his hands and bowed respectfully.

In response, Namgung Huachen, who bowed slightly at the waist, drew his sword.

The clear sound of the sword and the cool morning air were pierced by the sword's gleam.

It was blinding.

The speed and precision of drawing and sheathing a sword are measures of a swordsman's skill, and Namgung Huachen's silver draw, which cut the air like a diagonal line, was not only fast but also beautiful.

Jeong Yeonshin did not draw his sword.

The key to the sword technique he had been refining recently was surprise.

The core was a sudden strike from an unpredictable breath.

If it worked, it could pierce the defenses of the dragon-like young talent.

He circulated his inner energy while standing.

"Begin."

The examiner, who had been the only one standing among the martial artists of Rihuang City, said.

At the same time.

Zing-!

Suddenly, one side of Jeong Yeonshin's sword, which he had extended to the side, was cut in two and flew away.

He slowly lowered his arm, still holding the broken half of his sword.

A murmur spread like wildfire from both gardens.

"What's happening...?"

"What? What was that?"

"Did the boy win?"

"Baek Girin. What a terrifying fast sword!"

While the hopefuls were either bewildered or confident, the experts of Rihuang City were eerily quiet.

Those who had seemed lax and unimpressive for top martial artists now exuded a stern aura.

All the experts remained silent, their eyes fixed on Jeong Yeonshin. They only looked at him.

Namgung Huachen, lowering his sword, said,

"I lost."

The declaration of defeat. The martial artists of Rihuang City, with expressions of acceptance, began to speak one by one.

"Jeong Yeonshin? Truly a terrifying fast sword."

"I heard Namgung Huachen just passed his youth."

"The boy looks at least five years younger."

"There was a hidden dragon in Henan. The boy's generation is even more fearsome."

"He doesn't seem to know how to channel his inner energy into his sword. Shall I teach him?"

Everyone's attention focused on the last speaker.

"Extermination Team. Don't be rash. Is there a place that wouldn't covet such a talent?"

"Don't order me. It's better to come to Extermination than to rot in your Demon Light Wing."

"Enough."

The examiner said.

Seeing the quiet hall, Jeong Yeonshin was surprised.

He thought he would be the lowest in rank, handling the unpleasant tasks, but that wasn't the case.

Responsible tasks are handled by the higher-ups? He began to understand the nature of Rihuang City.

"Namgung Huachen, prepare for the next match. And you, Jeong Yeonshin from Xinya."

"Yes."

"Go to the other garden to the north and wait there."

"Understood."

Jeong Yeonshin turned to Namgung Huachen and bowed.

"I hope to spar with you again."

"......I have something to say. Let's look forward to the next time."

Namgung Huachen smiled.

His expression was very peculiar, showing only interest and joy, not a hint of darkness.

'He's being compared to those brothers.'

His character was on a different level from the Jeong siblings.

At the start of the match, Jeong Yeonshin used an extreme fast sword technique to strike Namgung Huachen's sword.

He realized that a prolonged battle would not be in his favor.

However, Namgung Huachen seemed to have been putting all his effort into the match, as he had already infused his sword with inner energy.

Jeong Yeonshin's sword broke as a result.

It was a mistake to recklessly use the fast sword technique, and Namgung Huachen admitted defeat.

He seemed to think he had lost because his counterattack was too late.

'Rihuang City life will be much better than at the Jeong Family Manor.'

Jeong Yeonshin, collecting the broken pieces of his sword, thought as he walked north.

* * *

The garden where those who passed the Rihuang City test gathered.

He received surprised looks from those already there.

Jeong Yeonshin, undisturbed, recalled his one strike.

The balance of his feet, the layering of inner energy from the Extreme Speed Technique, the explosive power of his contracted muscles. He couldn't see a way to improve further.

The problem was the sword.

'He said he was from the Demon Light Wing? He's right.'

During the bloodbath at the Jeong Family Manor, he didn't directly clash swords.

The wandering martial artists he faced on the way from Xinya to Yangyang were not at the level to worry about inner energy.

Rihuang City is different.

He had now entered the heart of the martial world.

'The fruit of the Heavenly Tree.'

He had to eat it. He couldn't die young.

'He said I didn't know how to channel inner energy into my sword?'

Of course.

The Jeong Family Manor was just a third-rate sect in Xinya County, pretending to be a martial family.

He had never seen anyone in the Jeong Family who didn't like to show off.

If there was someone in the family who knew such techniques, he would have known.

'Now I know.'

Just hearing that such a thing existed was enough. The moment he understood, he found the method.

Inner energy flowed into the broken half of the sword in his hand. It didn't stop there.

He realized that his inner energy could freely move through the iron of the sword, and a new sensation enveloped the sword.

Just channeling energy into the sword? No.

He realized he could become one with the sword through his inner energy.

His consciousness, now focused on the sword, naturally progressed.

The sword was calling to him, on a higher level.

Hum.

The sword vibrated, making a sound as if it were crying.

"Sword Cry!"

The martial artists in the garden stood up. Jeong Yeonshin had his eyes closed.

Despite the commotion around him, he enjoyed the sensation of the sword crying in his grip.

'This is Body-Sword Unity. It feels like the sword and I are one.'

The sword techniques he would perform in this state would be new. How powerful would the refined fast sword technique be?

He had gained everything since passing the Rihuang City test.

The fruit of the Heavenly Tree was still far away, but his current achievement was enough to be satisfied.

'Rihuang City. It's a really good place.'

When he opened his eyes, he saw Namgung Huachen smiling.

His hand was on the hilt of his sword, as if he had been guarding Jeong Yeonshin to prevent anyone from disturbing his enlightenment.

"Congratulations on your achievement."

He gave Jeong Yeonshin a slight nod. He seemed so upright.

"I didn't know you were guarding me. Thank you. And......"

"......?"

"Congratulations on your qualification for Rihuang City, Young Master Namgung."

For a moment, Namgung Huachen looked stunned, then laughed heartily.

There were those who looked enviously at the friendship between Baek Girin and Jeong Yeonshin, but Jeong Yeonshin's gaze was already back on the sword.

* * *

After waiting for half an hour, he finally saw Xian Yuanchang's face.

He had taken the test several times and had also passed.

Tapping the dragon pattern on his forehead's hero ribbon was quite amusing.

"I've already chosen a nickname. How about 'Rihuang Divine Hero'?"

"A divine hero of Rihuang City? Can you choose your own nickname?"

"Why not? The martial world is full of shameless people who introduce themselves with their own names. If I introduce myself as Rihuang Divine Hero, that will be my nickname."

"Then all the swordsmen in the world would be Divine Swords and Sword Stars."

Xian Yuanchang pretended not to hear. Jeong Yeonshin chuckled.

'Nickname.'

A name given by the martial world to those who display extraordinary martial skills or are involved in notable events.

For most, a nickname is a symbol of identity and great honor.

Like the Single Love Sword, the Spiritless Fist, and Baek Girin.

"Mr. Jeong, it seems there are already those who call you by a different name."

It was Namgung Huachen.

"Me? I've only taken the test."

"Flash Art. If the martial artists of Rihuang City call you that, it's already a nickname in the martial world."

"Flash Art? They just think my sword is a bit fast, a mere trick, right?"

Namgung Huachen smiled, revealing his white teeth.

"A bit fast? If you say that, how did you lose your breath? Also, nicknames often reflect a martial artist's potential. Congratulations."

"......Thank you."

Jeong Yeonshin answered with a slightly awkward expression.

Flash Art Jeong Yeonshin. A name he had never imagined when he was sitting as a servant in the Jeong Family Manor.

Rihuang Divine Hero looked at him enviously.

"Everyone, gather!"

It was the examiner in the training ground.

"Once you pass this final test, you will be a martial artist of Rihuang City. To those who pass, you will learn, practice, and perform tasks in this city, which stands alone in the martial world. Maintain proper decorum and become a martial artist worthy of your position."

The twenty who had taken the Rihuang City test were quiet.

Jeong Yeonshin could guess why.

Passing the second test was a happy event, but the final test was an interview with the Lord of Rihuang City.

A living legend of the Great Ming Empire and a supreme master often mentioned as the best martial artist in the world.

Interviewing such a mythical figure was not a light matter for Jeong Yeonshin.

No one spoke as they passed through the magnificent pavilions under the examiner's lead.

"......"

In the vast center of Rihuang City, even in the imposing main hall, it was the same.

One by one, they were called up and came down with dazed expressions.

The interviews were surprisingly short, as if they were just being seen and sent away.

Finally, it was Jeong Yeonshin's turn to go up.

The stairs leading up seemed endless.

'He said to go all the way up.'

After what felt like a hundred steps, he reached the top.

There was a large, ancient door. As he approached, it opened on its own.

The vast office was truly strange. It was entirely made of wood, branches, and foliage.

Huge tree trunks naturally twisted and rose, forming what looked like a desk, a table, and a bed.

A completely living giant tree. Transparent sunlight streamed in through the large, open walls.

"I am Jeong Yeonshin."

He said without wavering.

There was a figure in light green, as if the clothes were made of leaves.

Her face, partially hidden by the branches, slowly lifted as she leaned against the tree.

Their eyes met. A sensation beyond shivers rose to the top of his head.

It was an emotion he couldn't understand. Perhaps it was awe and wonder at the existence of such a person in the world.

'The supreme Lord of Rihuang City.'

Her beauty, with pointed ears like the tip of a divine sword, was rare in the world, but her emerald eyes were overwhelming.

Meeting her gaze, it felt as if his soul was being sucked in.

Her eyes seemed to contain the principles of all things in the world.

Even the Sword Emperor, an absolute figure in his memory, would not be able to escape those eyes.

A being of a different dimension, it was strange that the interview took so little time.

Swoosh-

A gentle breeze lifted her long green hair and brushed against Jeong Yeonshin's cheek.

The Lord of Rihuang City tilted her head to the side.

"You...... are that child's bloodline."