Chapter 82

Struggle for Possession

"Island... I envy the other side. I will witness a breathtaking confrontation. The opponent of the Nan Gong family head is truly unexpected."

"Isn't it inevitable? The City Lord has been away on a mission recently."

"Since he has to face the head of one of the Eight Great Families, there's no one else but the Sword Master."

Jeong Yeon-shin silently listened to the conversation of the seniors surrounding him.

There was only one person in the world who could be referred to as the Sword Master.

Seventeen martial forces, including Ma Guangyi and Shun Tianyi, formed the Divine Sword Corps.

The Sword Master was none other than the head of the Divine Sword Corps of Yiphwang City. Second only to the City Lord, he was the most revered person in the main city.

'I haven't met him yet.'

Even after joining Yiphwang City, he had never seen him once.

The Divine Sword Corps Master was always traversing the martial world. It was said that he left a trail of legend wherever he went.

He fulfilled the inherent role of Yiphwang City by wielding absolute power on the front lines.

"Is he on a mission?"

"The direct Divine Sword Corps has been away for a long time. According to rumors, they went to deal with the Yu Ling."

"Then, they will head straight to the Nan Gong family without returning?"

The conversation of the seniors continued above Jeong Yeon-shin's head.

"Did you say Yu Ling?"

Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly asked.

"Counted among the thirteen thousand. They are a very troublesome major sect, valuing wealth and information more than martial arts."

A middle-aged woman with sharp eyes gently stroked his head and answered. Wu Yue Xiang, a blue-robed warrior, treated Jeong Yeon-shin like a son and was a master of Dao techniques.

Other seniors chimed in.

"More so in terms of cunning. The Yu Ling are adept at plotting behind the scenes. Even the sword demons of the Blade Sect are easier to deal with."

"They also hold the Five Elements. There are rumors that they have the most connections among the thirteen thousand. Island, you might have been tricked by them several times without knowing."

Yu Ling. Another of the thirteen thousand.

'Thirteen thousand...'

It was said that the thirteen evil factions had a grandeur equal to the Nine Schools and Eight Families. In the vast martial world.

The Divine Sword Corps Master seemed to be busy just controlling them.

While some of the Eight Families might show hypocrisy in the secular world, the evil deeds of the thirteen thousand, who were inherently outside the righteous path, stood out even more.

'I have clashed with the Blood Flame Sect and the Blade Sect. And there's also Sim Wuye.'

The numerous conflicts with the Blood Flame Sect and the Blade Sect were self-evident. She had once beheaded a promising young swordsman named Jian Yehua.

Ma Jin's warning about her background and betrothed came to mind.

Right after beheading Huang Baojun, who was being pursued by the Blood Flame Sect.

─The reaction in the martial world is not ordinary. The battles of informants are no less intense. The Chief Office has relayed that there are people investigating the movements of Yiphwang City's Island.

'My enemies have increased.'

Every mission he undertook deepened the ties of enmity and gratitude. He had a feeling that this trip to the martial world would not be smooth.

Was it a premonition from the Upper Body Technique? It didn't seem like it would end in mere worry.

"Four days later, we will set out. It's urgent to prepare what you have. Everyone should step back."

It was Cheong Myeong.

With a slight wave of his hand, a cold wind blew like a sword wind. The Ma Guangyi experts retreated one after another.

They soon smiled as if it were a daily occurrence and moved away, encouraging Jeong Yeon-shin.

Jeong Yeon-shin brushed off his pants and stood up.

"Senior."

"You must have gained a lot from this return. You should settle down before going out again."

The corners of his blue eyes slightly curved. Cheong Myeong continued with a smile.

"For example, the Ling Dan."

* * *

"Uncle Zhang Ming, your complexion is radiant. Did you take something good?"

A young female swordsman in her early twenties greeted energetically.

The color of her blue martial robe was very deep.

She approached the grand entrance of the Nan Gong family without hesitation, and under her nimble footsteps, dust rose like clouds.

Servants and warriors followed her from behind, blending into the background.

"Miss."

One of the gate guards looked at her with renewed admiration.

Bowing his head to the woman who approached, he raised his fists and said,

"Indeed, you have changed. Congratulations on your great achievement."

"Congratulations on your great achievement!"

The five guards who were keeping the gate together bowed in unison.

The action of raising their fists and clasping their hands happened at once, exuding a precision like the waves of a martial technique.

Not just anyone could guard the entrance of a major sect in the martial world.

Especially for a martial family that had been called a 'family' due to its long-standing power.

The gate guards were the face of the sect.

Naturally, they carried themselves with a grandeur that could be counted among the best in Nan Zhi Li, and passersby on the opposite street couldn't take their eyes off them.

As they passed, they whispered quietly.

"Are they bowing like that?"

"You fool. Since the guards are from the Nan Gong family, she must be a precious daughter of the family."

"Chang Ling Hua Zhu of the Nan Gong family? Her face is tanned and rosy, but isn't she very fair?"

"How can you run a business if your information is so late? There are rumors that she has taken the legendary Ren Xing Xue Shen. Its miraculous and cool energy has even changed her skin. She must be very lucky. You've witnessed a legend of the martial world."

"What? Ren Xing Xue Shen?"

All of this was heard by Nan Gong Mei. She didn't bother to pay attention.

Their words were not wrong. She had indeed taken the legendary Ren Xing Xue Shen.

Her brother and father, the young master and the head of the family, were already highly accomplished experts with full lower dantian energy.

"Well, it's thanks to fighting the blood fiends. Have a good day, everyone."

She smiled lightly and passed by them.

The faint commotion from behind was clearly felt.

The family's warriors were useful as subordinates. They showed reverence that could be offered to princesses of the imperial court.

A smile and a light greeting were enough. The things she had enjoyed since birth seemed even sweeter today.

"I will go to my brother to rest from the journey. You have worked hard."

She gave a word to those who followed her and moved on. In response to their formal greetings, she waved her hand.

Hua!

With a few steps of light movement, she split the air. Those who were walking in the inner courtyard of the family were startled and bowed one after another.

Only the direct descendants were allowed to move through the inner courtyard of the family. The Nan Gong family's secret technique made it easy to recognize the princess whose skin color had changed.

Nan Gong Mei headed straight for the Chang Gong Hall of the Nan Gong family. It was where the young master learned the head's duties.

"Congratulations on your great achievement."

As soon as she entered, the guards bowed.

All of them were warriors of the Chang Gong Hall, different from the gate guards.

Their posture was like serving the imperial family, and they were loyal subjects.

No matter what rumors blew from the outside, they were the main pillars of the family that never wavered.

'Even if the imperial dogs claim to attack the main family...'

Nan Gong Mei thought.

"The young master has given instructions."

One of the warriors guided her. The interior of the hall was elegantly decorated with high-quality blue banners.

A warrior who stopped in the corridor said,

"You can go in directly."

She nodded slightly and opened the door. The sword patterns on the door slid to the sides simultaneously.

The office of the Nan Gong young master was revealed with a soft sound.

The room, which could be used as a training ground, had precious purple sandalwood tables lined up in a coppery hue.

"You have achieved minor success."

Nan Gong Se Jin, the Blue Qilin, said while seated.

With a calm gaze, a straight nose, and features that could be called beautiful.

He was truly a dazzling young master, but he didn't take his eyes off the documents he was reviewing.

Nan Gong Mei pulled a chair over without hesitation.

Sitting opposite, she crossed her legs and spoke.

"Everyone says it's a great achievement."

"When the Blood Flame Sect attacked the main family, we had to leave our full strength to find the Ren Xing Xue Shen. Your internal energy achievement is merely superficial. Compared to the sacrifices, it's just that."

His answer was indifferent.

One of the Blue and White Qilins of the Nan Gong family. Before Nan Gong Huashen was called the White Qilin, he had already received the title of the divine beast Qilin.

He was a direct descendant known for his upright character, combined with great power and authority. He had every reason to be proud.

"Even so?"

Sss─

With a light rustle of her hair, Nan Gong Mei's skin became even fairer.

The documents on the table trembled from the sudden surge of energy.

A mysterious white energy flow swept over her body.

She looked like a goddess of the northern wind and snow, her aura made more distinct by the energy.

She had taken a world-class elixir. The depth of her energy waves was endless.

She spoke.

"The imperial envoys have declared war on the main family? Even a life-or-death duel? It's absurdly outrageous. Can the Divine Sword Corps Master defeat our father, who has achieved the Emperor Sword Form?"

The imperial court cannot help Yiphwang City.

In the martial world, where the Body Strengthening Technique is highly developed, the loss of prestige that the imperial court would suffer if a mission failed was significant.

The imperial court and Yiphwang City never officially acknowledged their connection.

This was why countless Yiphwang City warriors died in the vast martial world.

This time, it will be a fight between the two.

The imperial sect Yiphwang City and the righteous family Nan Gong.

It's not even a total war like the Huang Bao family.

If it's a ten-on-ten duel, no one of the Eight Families would worry about losing.

Nan Gong Se Jin said,

"Don't make assumptions about the affairs of world-class experts. You know, you have also been named. The content of the duel notice is known throughout the Central Plains. It must be a scheme by Yiphwang City. If we don't show up, the family's reputation will be damaged. We can't refuse. Spectators from all over the martial world will flock."

"Then, what if they lose? I mean, Yiphwang City."

"There is no martial artist who fights expecting to lose. We are the same. This is not an ordinary major event. The prestige of the winning side will rise immeasurably."

"My beauty and nickname will become even more widely known. No, I'll remove the top swordswoman of the Zhong Nan Sect and become the Sword Dragon. And..."

Nan Gong Mei continued calmly.

"Isn't Huashen coming back?"

A smooth smile formed on her lips. Nan Gong Se Jin immediately frowned.

"That child is also your brother."

"How can a bastard be? It's strange for you to say that. Rather..."

Nan Gong Mei's smile deepened.

"The culprit of the incident was on the list, right? A kid who used a low-level technique that only works on the weak. Someone named Island. I saw him briefly last time."

"That's not a low-level technique. It was a divine technique. Can't you imagine the threat it poses in a group battle?"

She ignored her brother's words with a small snort.

"I want to use that child as a milestone for my achievement. Let's go see. Island and the White Qilin."

"What?"

"Didn't the imperial envoys declare war? They've already announced it to the entire martial world. The Divine Sword Corps Master can't kill us before the duel. It's an unusual situation, but you have a lot of complaints about the Island incident, don't you? Don't you want to see what kind of person he is before deciding to kill him? And have a meeting with your brother who will soon pass away."

"Are you really planning to kill Ah Shin?"

"It's not Ah Shin, but Huashen. He's not a child anymore, right?"

"..."

"Do you think I'll lose?"

Nan Gong Mei asked with a red smile. Among her snow-white skin, only the color of her ruby lips stood out.

"..."

"That's not what I meant. You won't lose."

Nan Gong Se Jin shook his head, looking at her intently.

She seemed relieved to hear what she wanted.

"I can guess the strength of your sword technique. The cold energy of your internal power will freeze your opponent's meridians. There's no way to resist without overwhelming power. If the levels are equal, it's a sure win. Unless the opponent has mastered the Dong Gong technique."

"Why Dong Gong?"

"The monks of Shaolin who have achieved the Yi Jin Jing temper their bodies internally. They can ignite the Sammae Jinhwa flames effortlessly within their bodies. But that's not something you need to worry about now."

"Okay."

She frowned as if it was annoying and smiled again.

"Then, do you want to go see?"

* * *

On the day of the martial journey of the Nan Gong family's duel representative team.

Jeong Yeon-shin consumed the Ling Dan he received from the Medicine Hall.

It was a reward for his missions as a blue-ranked disciple. The pill was classified as a high-grade item in Yiphwang City.

In the middle of the Ma Guangyi Grand Training Hall, a young boy sat cross-legged.

Hwa!

The blue robe fluttered endlessly.

It was very different from the Ling Dan he had taken in the early stages of his training.

The energy waves emanating from his body were gradually becoming denser. At times, faint energy currents were visible.

The materialization of energy. Ethereal golden light occasionally flickered and disappeared.

Amidst this, various mental messages were flying around.

The Ma Guangyi experts, who had formed a circle and stood as protectors, included Hyun Won-chang.

─Master, what is that light?

Yiphwang City's great hero Ma Jin also asked without hesitation. Ma Jin, who had been looking at his nephew, spoke softly.

─I heard that he has laid the groundwork for a new mind technique. It's not uncommon for a surge in energy to stimulate enlightenment. For now, it's just the energy of the Ling Dan, but perhaps a world-class mind technique will be born within this year.

─Wow...

─Sending a mental message with a sigh? Maintain your manners, Hyun Won-chang.

Hyun Won-chang ignored the master's reprimand. He couldn't help it.

His savior, who had saved his life, had already gathered the energy waves.

"Jeong Xiaoxian!"

Hoo─

Jeong Yeon-shin was taking a deep breath.

"Xiaoxian Hyun?"

He spoke with his eyes still closed. It seemed he sensed Hyun Won-chang's cautious approach. Hyun Won-chang asked.

"Are you done?"

"Yes."

"I'm very curious. How much stronger have you become?"

At his words, Jeong Yeon-shin slowly opened his eyes, and a dense, dark blue light revealed his full energy.

The sky-blue color of his irises turned into a sharp blue glow.

"I'm not sure."

The boy answered.