Chapter 9

Entry

"......Veins, you say."

"It seems you already know. You're quite headstrong, aren't you?"

The emerald eyes of the Lord of Yibhuang City were calm. Jeong Yeonshin, who had been overwhelmed, slowly nodded.

"I am indeed the bloodline of the former leader of the Divine Sword Corps. I am his grandson."

"You're about to become the head of the Council of Elders, yet you're a stubborn child. You have scars."

"That's not something the Lord of the City should concern himself with. It's a trivial family matter."

"Such things are not trivial. They're just hidden by your well-polished body. You look to be around fifteen years old. But... an outsider has no right to speak. Blood matters should be resolved by blood."

"I apologize."

Jeong Yeonshin said this with a face that showed no remorse or discomfort.

He thought that the transcendent aura of the absolute ruler and the mention of family matters were separate issues.

As if sensing his thoughts, the corners of the Lord of Yibhuang City's mouth turned up slightly.

"I like you. You have a backbone that doesn't bend even when you come here with a desire. It's quite interesting."

'As expected, you saw through it.'

He wasn't surprised. An abnormal opening of the Baihui point on the top of the head? It was a constitution Jeong Yeonshin himself had realized.

It wasn't strange for a supreme expert like the Lord of Yibhuang City to see through it at a glance.

"Can someone like me survive by eating the fruit of the Heavenly Tree?"

"While the effects may be somewhat exaggerated, yes. What you desire can be fully achieved."

"Can I obtain it?"

Jeong Yeonshin's bold question made her smile deepen.

"It depends on you."

"That's enough for now. Thank you."

Jeong Yeonshin bowed. Then he asked again.

"Am I now a warrior of Yibhuang City?"

"Yes. You may go down now. Future leader of the Divine Sword Corps."

He couldn't tell if she was just teasing him or truly recognized his potential.

Her words also suggested that he could obtain the fruit of the Heavenly Tree if he became the leader of the Divine Sword Corps.

Jeong Yeonshin left the office filled with trees, with her slightly playful smile still on her face.

When he descended to the first floor, Hyun Wonchang greeted him with excitement.

"What happened up there? Please tell me! Scholar Jeong took the longest, what did you hear from the Lord of Yibhuang City? Did you pass?"

"It's a personal matter, hard to talk about. But I did pass. However, why did the number of people decrease so much?"

"Everyone except Scholar Nangong stood there blankly and left! I'm really worried!"

All but Bai Qilin Nangong Huashen had returned.

Turning his gaze, he met the eyes of the man who smiled and nodded at him.

Jeong Yeonshin nodded back, and as he turned his head, Hyun Wonchang was already climbing the stairs with a dying posture.

"It's nothing. Come back soon."

Hyun Wonchang weakly waved his hand in response to Jeong Yeonshin's encouragement.

* * *

"Ha ha ha! Yibhuang City! I am Yibhuang's new swordsman!"

Hyun Wonchang had passed. Given the place, his celebratory breathing was rather unimpressive.

It was a good thing they had a brief friendship, but honestly, Jeong Yeonshin couldn't understand the criteria for passing.

"Yibhuang City is more open than I thought."

"What do you mean?"

Hyun Wonchang blinked.

Jeong Yeonshin, who didn't feel the need to answer, looked at a middle-aged man with a literary air approaching.

"Welcome to the entrance. I am Jidai Sheng of the General's Office. I will show you to your temporary quarters until your assignment is decided. Please follow me."

"When will the assignment be decided?"

Jeong Yeonshin asked.

"The various leaders will select you, and it will take about seven weeks. Now that you are a warrior of the main city, let me tell you... Ah, let's talk while we walk."

Jeong Yeonshin, Nangong Huashen, Hyun Wonchang, and another swordsman who passed the interview followed Jidai Sheng.

"Hmm, do you know what Yibhuang City mainly does?"

"Prevent the plots of martial arts experts?"

"Scholar Hyun is correct, but it's more of a major task than a regular one. The more detailed and consistent work is preventing or suppressing large-scale martial disputes. Scholar Bai Qilin, you should know. The events of the Nangong family have been repeatedly stopped by Yibhuang City."

"Yes."

Nangong Huashen nodded briefly.

Jeong Yeonshin glanced at him, surprised by his relatively calm expression.

Given that he had left a prestigious family, there must have been circumstances unknown to outsiders.

Moreover, Jidai Sheng, who spoke such words in front of them, was no ordinary person.

"Martial disputes can escalate in unpredictable ways. When rumors of the discovery of the Heavenly Demon's tomb spread, a bloodbath ensues in the Central Plains. If those who covet the secret techniques and elixirs of supreme martial arts only fought among themselves, it would be enough, but the movement of martial artists rising from various places is itself a problem."

Jidai Sheng sighed and continued.

"The atrocities of ruthless martial artists do not distinguish between other martial artists and commoners. The chaos in public order is unimaginable. Seeing that hellish scene, it seems like the Heavenly Demon's tomb is summoning the King of Hell."

"The Chaos of the Heavenly Demon's Tomb..."

Hyun Wonchang muttered, looking unusually serious.

Jidai Sheng nodded.

"It's been seventeen years now. It's not just the Sima Sect. Struggles over interests and displays of power are not uncommon among the Nine Sects and Eight Great Families, and even more so among mid-sized sects and schools that pass down martial arts to a few. Individuals within these diverse groups are even more varied. If left unchecked, they harm the people, and if the people suffer, public sentiment becomes turbulent or taxes are not collected on time, causing problems in governance."

"......"

"That's why the imperial court provides substantial resources, elixirs, secret techniques, and experts to this place, Yibhuang City. Your job is to behead those martial artists who disrupt the lives of the people."

"I knew that much, but why are you telling me this when I asked about the assignment?"

Hyun Wonchang asked.

"There's a lack of people. Specifically, there are few talents with great potential who can be trusted. There's so much to do and a vast area to cover."

"Many fell today. I passed."

"......So, it takes time to allocate the selected talents to appropriate positions. About seven weeks. Ah, we've arrived."

Jidai Sheng, who had a slightly troubled expression, pointed to a building. It was another luxurious pavilion.

'The Jeong family's stable was this.'

While Jeong Yeonshin was thinking, Jidai Sheng bowed to them.

"I wish you success. When you enter the pavilion, attendants will guide you."

* * *

Seven days and nights passed.

The pavilion where they stayed was even more luxurious than it appeared, and it proved the enormous support from the imperial court, with each person having their own luxurious room.

There was even a training ground behind the pavilion, allowing them to practice at any time.

Finally, they moved to their new quarters.

Their assignments were decided, and they were directed to the exclusive residence and training ground of the Seventeenth Division.

"May your martial path be smooth."

"Scholar Nangong, may you also succeed."

They parted after exchanging greetings.

During this time, a strange rumor spread in Yibhuang City.

It was said that the seventeen division leaders of the Divine Sword Corps held a competition to recruit new warriors.

"The subordinates who returned from Yibhuang City were in an uproar. They said we must bring back either Bai Qilin or Shan Ye."

Ma Zhen, the leader of the 'Makwangyuk' division, was a man with a terrifying scar.

A fearsome scar ran diagonally from the left to the right side of his face.

The injury was so severe that it was a wonder he was still alive, and he exuded a rough and powerful aura.

"Shan Ye."

He looked at Jeong Yeonshin.

The piercing gaze in his eyes seemed to show strong inner power, but Jeong Yeonshin had already spoken his mind to the Lord of Yibhuang City.

"Yes."

A calm response. Ma Zhen nodded at his unchanged expression.

"You show backbone. A guy like you doesn't die easily."

They were in the training ground of Makwangyuk.

It was spacious enough to accommodate five hundred people, with various weapons stuck in one corner, making it an impressive sight.

The pavilion next to it was much larger than the one they had stayed in.

About thirty men and women were sitting or standing around, watching the two new recruits.

"The martial force under the Divine Sword Corps is like a sect in the Central Plains. You will learn martial arts and carry out missions here at Makwangyuk. They are all your seniors and juniors."

"Division Leader Ma, I have a question!"

Hyun Wonchang, who was not overwhelmed by the atmosphere, was visibly excited.

"Go ahead."

Ma Zhen nodded.

Makwangyuk had brought in two of the four new recruits.

Jeong Yeonshin had heard that Ma Zhen was one of the strongest among the seventeen division leaders of the Divine Sword Corps, and today's impression confirmed that it wasn't just a reputation.

Meanwhile, Hyun Wonchang was still excited as he spoke.

"Thank you for allowing me to ask! When you say we will learn martial arts at Makwangyuk, does that mean everyone will share the same martial arts?"

"No. The unique martial arts are yours alone. What you learn and teach here is the martial arts of Makwangyuk. The rest is not an obligation."

"Ah! At least the famous Makwang Jie......!"

His expression was filled with admiration. The Yellow Dragon Heroic Sword, which he had not unsheathed since entering Yibhuang City, fluttered as if reflecting his emotions.

'Makwang Jie.'

Jeong Yeonshin had heard of this martial art.

Makwangyuk was one of the most famous among the seventeen divisions of the Divine Sword Corps.

It was known for a battle where they clashed with the twenty-four plum blossom swordsmen, the elite of the Huashan Sect, without a single casualty.

This event added weight to the claim that Yibhuang City was the best in the world.

"You must practice hard to survive."

Ma Zhen said, his face as serious as a northern general.

"Yibhuang City is an imperial sect, but attacking a warrior of Yibhuang City is not considered treason. Therefore, you must become stronger here, endlessly. If you can't, you die."

"Why is it not considered treason?"

Jeong Yeonshin asked. Before Ma Zhen could answer, Hyun Wonchang spoke up.

"From the imperial court's perspective, the crime of treason must be thoroughly investigated and the entire clan exterminated. If not, the imperial dignity will not be upheld, and the absoluteness of the imperial court will be tarnished. At least, that's what they think."

"......Madman."

Ma Zhen chuckled but didn't stop him.

"However, there are many strange people in the martial world. Those who have lost their minds from practicing demonic arts, or those who are so swift in their lightness skills that they can escape to remote mountains after touching an official. Therefore, it's impossible to grant the dignity of the imperial court to Yibhuang City warriors, who clash with martial artists as part of their duty, unlike ordinary officials."

Jeong Yeonshin nodded slightly.

Hyun Wonchang, despite his usually frivolous appearance, sometimes showed flashes of insight.

Especially when discussing the history and power dynamics of sects.

Guessing the imperial court's intentions based on the state of the martial world was no different.

His deep-seated resentment towards major sects and his hidden strength contrasted with his usual light-hearted demeanor.

"Hyun Wonchang's words are not wrong. That's why you must become stronger. If you go on a mission and return with a sword wound from Nangong's First Sword, he can explain it better."

Ma Zhen pointed to a man with a blue hood, lounging casually.

He had striking features and a gentle demeanor.

His aura was free-spirited, and the wind constantly played with the ends of his hood.

He was clearly not ordinary.

"The Imperial Sword Form is incredibly terrifying."

He waved his hand as he spoke.

Jeong Yeonshin was amazed.

The Imperial Sword Form was one of the most renowned sword techniques, a supreme martial art practiced only by the direct descendants of the Nangong family.

Even if Jeong Yeonshin had lived in a village, he had heard of it.

'Especially if it's Nangong's First Sword, isn't he one of the strongest in Nanzhili?'

The man with the hood didn't seem particularly strong at first glance, but upon closer inspection, the qi waves around him were thoroughly controlled.

The fact that he had survived an encounter with a supreme expert like Nangong's First Sword was a testament to his own strength.

"Then, let's start with Shan Ye!"

The man with the hood stood up. It seemed the matter had already been discussed, as Ma Zhen stepped back.

The man approached Jeong Yeonshin, his eyes drawn to the sword loosely tied to his waist.

He grinned.

"Coming here at your age means you have considerable talent. Let's see. Your potential with the sword. I'm very good at assessing such things."

"You said you're good at assessing talent?"

Jeong Yeonshin asked reflexively.