Chapter 88

Contest (7)

Jeong Yeonshin wanted to keep Nangung Mi alive.

If this woman had cleverly brought a pretext, he and Nangung Huashen could also devise a plan.

If it had been difficult to subdue her, he would have cut her head off in one stroke. However, since she was captured like this, he could paint the best picture.

He would leave the final decision to Nangung Huashen.

On one hand, he hoped Nangung Huashen would overcome the deep emotional wounds, and on the other, he intended to build his own reputation.

He wanted to create a situation where the heads of the Nangung family could be cut off without any qualms in the martial world.

Nangung Mi was completely subdued. This was the best scenario among the plans he and Nangung Huashin had considered.

"What should I do with you?"

He said this through the mask of a demon, his voice tinged with a low laugh. Perhaps it was due to the chaotic and irregular aura of the Mara Kyeonghyeol Gong.

The veins on the back of his hand, which held Nangung Mi's neck, looked sinister.

"Despicable scum of the righteous path. However, your name has spread widely for a long time. You could serve to announce the strength of our sect."

This was a statement revealing the purpose of the Blood Flame Sect noble who had intruded into the scene.

"Ah!"

"That this would turn out like this..."

The martial artists of Wuchang, who had been observing the fight between the Nangung family and the evil path experts, sighed.

At this moment, even if they lacked the courage and strength to stand up for the defeated Nangung Mi, they had enough insight to understand the situation.

Most of the group that attacked the Blood Flame Sect's main hall were local martial artists from near Nangzhi Li.

In terms of numbers, they outnumbered the Entrant Phoenix City warriors at the time. This meant that the news of the main hall's destruction was far from a secret.

Martial artists were known for their martial arts and honor. The Blood Flame Sect was no different.

If the main hall's noble bloodline had personally stepped in to restore the sect's reputation, anyone could understand it.

'You who were denouncing the true nature.'

Nangung Huashen thought. He had arrived with Jeong Yeonshin the moment the banquet began.

He had heard all the stories that insulted Entrant Phoenix City while upholding the Nangung family.

The true nature of the local martial artists, who had changed their attitudes, was unsettling.

He tried to ignore it and took a step forward.

He was regretting not checking on the Xianshimen earlier, due to Nangung Mi's behavior.

He thought the servants, who had been driven to the evil path and had their dantians sealed, were enough. But he was wrong. He didn't expect that even the attendants would be involved.

'So, you were that ruthless.'

He saw Nangung Mi, whose neck was being gripped by Jeong Yeonshin. She couldn't even turn her gaze, perhaps due to the pressure on her acupoints.

'Has she been completely immobilized?'

Suddenly, Nangung Huashen was surprised by himself. He seemed to be just a minor soldier in the path of the sword.

He first checked on the safety of his close comrade, who had become closer than his half-sister.

Ma Guangyi, Jeong Yeonshin. Their breathing remained calm and steady as usual.

'Truly remarkable.'

It was a scene that the current Nangung Huashen found hard to create. He lacked the means to counteract the cold aura.

Even if he had, it wouldn't be easy to achieve such a state. It meant that Jeong Yeonshin's martial power was very stable.

One couldn't achieve this without mastering the realm they were in.

He was naturally gifted. Wucai was clearly superior to himself.

'You've given me an opportunity. I must succeed.'

Nangung Huashen spoke with a firm resolve.

"Blood demon, step away."

"Another Nangung mongrel? Step away? Your words are laughable."

The masked Jeong Yeonshin spoke in a strange voice. Nangung Huashen thought for a moment.

If someone had heard this without knowing the context, they might have been hurt. There was something in the calm tone that provoked the spirit.

Nangung Huashen tried to infuse his voice with courage.

"Changling Huazhu Nangung Mi is the opponent designated by the main hall. The new sword master has arrived to take responsibility for the mission."

"New sword master...?"

Silence fell over the Xianshimen training ground.

It was a name that had to be mentioned.

The prestige of a world-renowned expert, who roamed the world alongside the abbot of Shaolin, the top temple in Central Plains, transcended the limits of the streets.

Unlike the Entrant Phoenix City Lord, who walked above the clouds, this was a very real and formidable threat.

"Release my sister. If you don't want to be pursued by the main hall's absolute expert until the day you die."

"Is the Nangung clan threatening me now?"

The reaction from the demon mask was immediate.

He threw Nangung Mi to the ground like trash, having already suppressed her bloodline and inner strength.

Without a care for her disheveled appearance, he took a step toward Nangung Huashen, who stood at the main gate.

Swish.

He drew his sword again from the red waistband of the Pure Blood Robe. The momentum that followed the draw was chilling.

At the same time, Nangung Huashen also drew the Entrant Phoenix Sword.

The onlookers' hands were sweating.

Thud. Thud.

The atmosphere between them seemed to freeze. Not a breeze stirred.

In the tense, dry air, the two experts walked toward each other with determined steps.

Their postures, holding their long swords as if on a leisurely stroll, were strangely similar.

The air seemed to compress. The tension grew as the distance shortened. Ten steps, eight steps, five steps... and then.

Boom!

They clashed simultaneously. The force of the kick and the sword wave made their movements blur.

Following a short sound of clashing, the two swords embraced the sunlight.

The white sword light split into two beams in an instant, and their red and blue robes brushed past each other.

Zing!

Nangung Huashen stopped. The ringing of the sword made him do so. He had intended to do this.

However, the changed trajectory and sword power from their previous duel at Entrant Phoenix City were different. He felt an astonishing level of improvement.

'He has fully integrated his enhanced inner strength into his sword technique. The concentrated power is different.'

The sword technique is the path the sword takes. It was the flow that determined the strength and effectiveness of the sword strike.

He had heard that Jeong Yeonshin had taken the Lingdan.

He had seen him spar with the Seven Demon Swords multiple times. However, the sword strike he experienced directly was different.

Nangung Huashen thought of his half-brother.

'Maybe there is a chance of victory.'

At that moment, his unintentional thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a sword being sheathed from behind. It was Jeong Yeonshin with the demon mask.

With a posture as upright as his revealed character, he sheathed his sword and said,

"You are worthy to mention the new sword master."

"..."

"Entrant Phoenix City. Wait for me. There are many branches that can replace the main hall. The noble blood of the sect will return."

He walked arrogantly without even turning around, in the same direction Nangung Huashen had entered.

The martial artists of Wuchang, who had witnessed the overwhelming exchange of sword techniques, remained silent.

"Scum."

The Blood Flame Sect noble left with a low laugh.

"..."

After a long silence, the responsibility for the aftermath fell to Nangung Huashen.

He finally turned his gaze to his half-sister, his longtime enemy, who had always looked at him with disdain and hatred.

However, the reunion with her bloodline seemed to be of no concern to Nangung Mi.

She stood haughtily, as if she had never rolled on the ground. Her raised eyes were directed toward the main gate.

The direction the demon mask had taken. Her gaze seemed to burn with a passion he had never seen before.

Nangung Huashen, who had been staring at her, spoke.

"We will take responsibility for your safety. We will ensure your safety until the duel."

"What...?"

"Ma Guangyi Jeong Yeonshin is with me. If it's Zheng Xiaojie and I, you will be safe until you reach Nangzhi Li."

Nangung Mi finally turned her head. Behind her, the faces of the Wuchang martial artists were visible.

Their expressions revealed a mix of emotions.

"This is a big deal. That person just now, he was truly a powerful expert, wasn't he? For such a blood demon to wander Wuchang..."

"More importantly, we need to worry about the Nangung family's future troubles..."

Their behavior was fickle. Nangung Huashen frowned inwardly and ignored them.

The fruits of the contest for righteousness were beginning to bear.

"Protecting an opponent with whom you have a life-or-death agreement?"

"Truly... fair and just."

"Entrant Phoenix City. You talk about the people's livelihood..."

This was what Jeong Yeonshin and Nangung Huashen had intended. Most of the people gathered here were of high status.

The heads of escort agencies, martial officials, and the leaders of various sects, including the headmaster of Wuchang Prefecture's academy, were present. Their words would shape the public opinion in the vicinity.

Now it was done. He could cut off the heads of the Nangung family's leaders without worrying about the people's eyes.

* * *

In a corner of Wuchang's market, a tall old tree stood, the tallest in the area.

A woman was sitting sideways on a thick branch.

Her hair, like black silk, flowed in the gentle breeze.

Her red eyes, like precious rubies cherished by a demon, gazed downward.

She saw a boy moving away with the agility of a leaf.

His movements resembled the techniques of a noble clan. Despite the almost imperceptible aura, his footsteps were clearly audible to her.

Qilishao moved his lips.

"My little Tai-shi."

His monologue grew longer. Perhaps it was due to the long time he had spent alone in the martial world.

No, it was always like this. He was originally a noble being born alone.

He chuckled, a nasal sound mixed in unintentionally.

"You are so sweet."

Jeong Yeonshin.

He had clearly heard the voice infused with the inner strength of the Mara Kyeonghyeol Gong.

The sight of him putting on the Pure Blood Robe again was mesmerizing. His shining talent and resolute character suited him more than anyone.

As clear as the mark of the evil path slaves.

His voice, appearance, and demeanor of a solitary ruler.

Listening and watching, he felt as if his whole body would melt. His mind became as soft as clouds in the night sky.

Qilishao's right eye, glowing with a bright red light, swept over Jeong Yeonshin's entire figure.

The young Tai-shi of the Blood Flame Sect, the noble and small sect leader. He was taking off the mask and removing the Pure Blood Robe in an empty courtyard.

Suddenly, his heart ached. These are all yours, my little Tai-shi.

Even this position seemed to be set for Qilishao. Not far from Nangung Huashen.

"Ah..."

He let out a sweet sigh. She whispered to herself.

"How can you accept me?"

If that boy would only look at her.

Would it be good to bring him here, even if it meant severing his limbs?

Qilishao immediately kicked off. He needed to create a new martial technique that would illuminate the world like a comet.

He was a being that should not be corrupted by wicked desires.

"Show me a gap..."

She lightly licked her lips.