Chapter 80

Harmony

Today was the day. Jeong Yeonshin waited for the full moon.

'I need to move my body, too.'

Jeong Yang had done enough. He had completed the Yun Gi Yo, the practice of refining the internal body.

It was the day of the pact. It was time to harmonize the flow of his entire body's energy with the movement of his muscles.

The moment the sky brightened, he asked Cheong Myeong for a guided sparring session.

He didn't know how many hours had passed.

The sunlight that brightly illuminated the back of the Manjigil pavilion enveloped the tall and slender figure of the Myeong clan swordsman.

His presence in the quiet open space was truly remarkable.

Cheong An Ma Geom Cheong Myeong. He was a master who wielded the most refined sword techniques in Manjigil.

Since the Manjigil head practiced Dao techniques, as a swordsman, Cheong Myeong was considered the strongest in Manjigil.

Rumors even spread that he could be considered the best among the blue-robed members.

Including the middle-aged masters, it meant that even Baek Girin regarded him highly.

Jjeong!

He received Cheong Myeong's sword strike, which was adjusted to match his level of inner strength.

A fierce wind struck his ears, almost tearing them.

His sword technique was so profound that the sword force felt as if it was using the same inner strength, yet it was overwhelmingly powerful.

It was a level where the shock alone could deliver a blow.

It wasn't an unfamiliar force; it was familiar.

In truth, Jeong Yeonshin wasn't someone who didn't know defeat.

Between missions, he always received the attention of the powerful seniors whenever he visited the main hall.

Ma Jin, Cheong Myeong, Baek Mireu, and other senior blue-robed members.

The ultimate goal of martial arts practice was sparring.

Practicing alone had no meaning, so he only went on missions after completing the training offered by the seniors.

He became accustomed to applying his martial arts in real combat. It was only natural.

Losing in sparring was a daily occurrence. That's how it was in the main hall of Manjigil.

Perhaps that's why he felt unusually lax today.

'A small piece.'

He was dazed even though it was just past sunset. He had cultivated his Dantian.

He should have been able to spar all day without tiring.

However, it was hard to focus on his daily routine. It felt as if his soul was floating above his body.

His mind was so slack that his grip on the sword force weakened during the sparring. It was due to his poorly focused mind.

The response was immediate.

Swoosh!

A sudden fierce wind swept through. At the same time, a shockwave emanated from the sword.

With a jjeong sound, the Iphwang Sword was deflected. If he hadn't held it properly, his hand might have been torn.

"Our Seomye, you're not in your right mind."

Cheong Myeong chuckled.

"Trying to fit through a needle's eye? You need to be quick about it."

He placed the sword on his shoulder. His words, spoken with a smile, felt even more piercing.

It was a more terrifying sight than a glare.

"I need about three years to become the head of the Blue Sword Squad. I should spend about half of the remaining years building my foundation."

"Ah..."

Jeong Yeonshin rarely let out a dazed exclamation. It was a day when he couldn't help it.

However, as the one who requested the sparring, it wasn't right to argue.

Cheong Myeong tapped the sword on his shoulder. A cold blue light spread from his single eye.

"Most importantly, it will be in the form of taking over a position. The current head of the Blue Sword Squad is in excellent condition. It's hard to imagine him losing to anyone, whether it's a Thirteen Thousand Lord or a patriarch of one of the Nine Sects. You, Seomye, need to defeat such a person."

"I'm sorry. I appreciate your efforts."

"It's already a problem from the black-robed stage. The realm of inner strength cultivation itself needs to change, but this is more about enlightenment than talent. Of course, having a martial genius would be good."

"..."

"Samhwa Chujeong, Ogi Jo-won. The world of intent is different. I mentioned enlightenment, right? It's not an exaggeration. Some old men even call it a 'shedding of the skin.' If you don't firmly focus your mind, it's hard to reach."

As always, his tone was light.

The content was different. It was filled with concern. At this moment, he was envisioning a more concrete future for Jeong Yeonshin.

It was a shameful thing. Even more so because he had become the closest to Hyon Wonchang.

The boy bowed again.

"Thank you for your advice. I always receive it."

"Enough with the formalities."

Cheong Myeong sheathed his sword and spoke. The sword light that formed a half-moon and the sheathing were both elegant.

"Now, it's best to set a clear goal and study. Since you have a clear target, I'll handle the sword techniques, and Mireu will handle the Qi Gong. Our head is always busy, so we'll exclude her. Why are you clasping your hands again? Stop bowing."

"I haven't seen Baek senior today."

"Baek Mireu? She's been busy lately. She's organizing her mind techniques after hearing about you. She cultivated a unique Qi Gong that matches her background. She'll be ready by the time you return from the Namgung family."

"······I'm curious about the stories of the two of you."

The mention of Baek Mireu's background reminded him. Jeong Yeonshin knew nothing about the Blue-eyed Demon Sword and the series of sword maidens.

His narrow perspective was to blame. He had only focused on his own situation since his entry, which was very regrettable.

He didn't even know Cheong Myeong's age. How did he live in the clan before coming to Manjigil?

'They're all extraordinary in Manjigil.'

He didn't know what Hyon Wonchang had experienced to enter Iphwang City alone.

Unlike the killing sword he had cultivated, he seemed to have been raised in a noble manner. His attitude towards the major sects was also peculiar.

Baek Mireu was the same. She was a master who occasionally displayed incredible skills.

What stories lay behind the dark, tangible energy?

He only heard that the young Baek Mireu was rescued during a mission where Ma Jin was the leader. He knew nothing more.

"Next time. I don't want to ramble now because of the entangled past. You alone are already a headache."

Cheong Myeong smiled.

"Go to the city lord. I'm curious about what's happening. Go quickly."

Since it was a summons from the city lord, he couldn't ask about the matter, which was frustrating. He muttered without smiling.

"I'll be back!"

Jeong Yeonshin answered loudly without realizing it. He wasn't embarrassed now.

He immediately passed Cheong Myeong, infusing his feet with inner strength. Slowly, but gradually, he began to run faster.

He had sparred all day. A bath was the priority.

"Madam Zhang! Please prepare the water!"

He shouted as he entered the pavilion. It was a request to the maid.

The senses of the Myeong clan were extremely sharp. The Iphwang City Lord's senses were even sharper.

He was said to be in a completely different realm within the clan. He couldn't afford to emit any sweat odor.

He couldn't let her mind change, making the small piece even smaller.

"Seomye? What's going on?"

"Was that Jeong Yeonshin shouting?"

Several Manjigil seniors opened their doors and poked their heads out.

He could ignore them now. Jeong Yeonshin entered his room, grabbed an extra martial robe, and headed to the bathroom.

* * *

The night air gently chilled the boy's body. It was dark and cozy.

Finally.

The moonlight was full. The light particles in the full moon were pale. The full moon seemed to smile faintly.

Jeong Yeonshin entered the inner sanctum of the main hall.

It was the inner chamber of the Iphwang City Lord, built with pure white marble.

The gatekeepers only bowed with their eyes; no one stopped him.

He stepped silently on the cold marble. The high stairs felt unusually long.

Still, the end existed.

The moment he reached the end, the massive stone door opened on its own.

As always, the opposite side was wide open, without walls.

It poured out the pale, seemingly brighter moonlight.

Jeong Yeonshin raised his gaze. It was on the thick branch that pierced through the office.

There.

The Iphwang City Lord was there.

She stood on a branch, facing the moon.

Her long, lustrous green hair swayed.

Without a trace of energy, she alone was vivid. It was incredibly strange.

Her presence was truly distinct. Especially at this moment.

"Even knowing what the piece is, you must have been curious."

She didn't turn around immediately. She seemed to be gazing at a distant landscape.

Under the soft moonlight, only the voice of the Iphwang City Lord, dressed in a green robe like a palace gown, could be heard.

It seemed as if all the moonlight in the world was converging on her.

Jeong Yeonshin suddenly realized.

This was the result of energy circulation. The use of inner strength. It was hard to believe, but it was true.

The now radiant full moon was breathing in a mist of light, and the pale light rays emitted by the moon were refracting in all directions and converging on her.

'Even the basic techniques have reached the realm of the extraordinary.'

It was an insight that reached the level of intuition. When Jeong Yeonshin trembled at the thought of a realm he couldn't even imagine, she continued.

"The fruit of the Heavenly Tree. Your guess was correct."

She slowly turned her body.

Even with her back to the moon, her luminous eyes were the first to be seen. Her deep green gaze was profound.

A feeling that naturally pressed down on his soul.

A sensation he experienced every time he faced the Blood Flame Sect Lord, who didn't even have this level of presence.

"Come closer."

"I greet the City Lord."

He belatedly bowed and took a step. He stepped on the rough wood, and the Iphwang City Lord was opposite him.

Jeong Yeonshin straightened his back and faced her.

"Come closer."

"Yes."

He silently obeyed. Now, the distance was less than a step.

The face of the absolute ruler, pale white, filled his vision.

The moment Jeong Yeonshin bowed to prostrate himself, she spoke.

"This is the first time since the main hall of the Snake Sect. There's a story I need to tell you first."

The Iphwang City Lord opened her lips.

The boy, who had just straightened up, looked at her.

"I will listen attentively."

"The Snake Sect Lord might return."

"······!"

"He is a monstrous and mysterious figure. He found his form from a single drop of blood. Despite dying several times."

Jeong Yeonshin thought of the Blood Flame Sect Lord. He also had a feeling of transcending the mortal world.

While he didn't match the Iphwang City Lord's level, he was a figure who wielded a transcendent regenerative ability at the peak of the Blood Technique.

Then, she spoke, perhaps intending to stroke his head.

"He wasn't completely destroyed. I had to turn back to check on you."

"I am sorry."

He hurriedly bowed. He recalled the moment he faced the Blood Flame Sect's Four Executioners with a battered body.

He thought the Iphwang City Lord had returned after eliminating the enemy and disappearing with the Blood Flame Sect Lord.

But it wasn't the case.

'Because of me?'

To save a single late-stage cultivator, she let a Thirteen Thousand Lord go.

It didn't make sense. It was hard for anyone to believe.

"I'm sorry?"

Her clear voice echoed.

"It's my choice. Just be cautious of your adversary and strive for your goals."

"······."

"More importantly."

Her words paused. Her presence made her gaze feel heavy.

Jeong Yeonshin, who had bowed his head, immediately raised it.

A few strands of his hair, which had grown longer during his cultivation, were resting on the back of the City Lord's hand.

"I made a childhood friend of the leaves that fell from the Heavenly Tree in the spring breeze. They are now gone."

The Iphwang City Lord's lips curved slightly.

"Your hair is similar to those leaves."

"Really?"

"It might be good to grow it out when you become a master."

"Ah..."

Feeling compelled to agree, her lips formed a small, beautiful curve.

'To the City Lord, even the blue-robed stage isn't considered a master.'

However, it was only natural and not a problem. Jeong Yeonshin thought.

It was the first time he heard a joke from the City Lord. He realized she was human. Could he ask for a slightly larger piece?