episode_0073

The third disciple of the Hwasan faction, Jasong.

Among the three great disciples, Jaja Bae was the only one who entered the plum blossom inspection, so he could be called the original Kirin Ah of the so-called Hwasan faction.

A promising junior who is not only skilled in the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique, but is also widely regarded as someone who can easily aim for the title of Dragon in this Yongbongjihoe.

However, due to the war of nerves between the two leaders of the sect, Hwasan and Jongnam, dark clouds were hanging over Jasong.

Jasong, who had no idea of that fact, was brimming with confidence.

“If Jasodan is caught, you can’t back down. Don’t worry. I’ll beat the black giraffe and prove that it’s a lie.”

“I don’t doubt Sajil’s skills, Sajil… …But didn’t the elders say so? Black Kirin’s skills are not empty talk, they’re real.”

“Yes, it’s not common for someone to reach the peak of their power at a young age. It wouldn’t be easy for even a woman to destroy the Nokrim Mountain Village alone, especially with a man’s body… … .”

Jasong is the only one of the three disciples among the members of this volcano faction.

Although some of the other disciples expressed their concerns, Jasong remained confident.

“Well, it’s not like the sword will avoid you just because you’re a man and not a woman, right? In that sense, you can certainly say that you’re pretty good, but you’re not a disciple of the Jongnam faction, right?”

Jasong shrugged.

“The martial arts of Jongnampa wouldn’t dare to do anything against the sword of Hwasan, so if he’s a ronin, then the story is over.”

Of course, she didn’t know yet.

Yeonjin will be using the Banya Great Power, the Bokma Yorae Sword, and the newly learned Jeoldopaseon Sword from Jinseongyeon to fight in the rain.

And the fact that Jin Seong-yeon’s sword of theft is a sword that is specialized in making the plum blossoms of the volcano fall before they even bloom.

While Jasong was so confident and devoted to her training, Yeonjin wasn’t just sitting around.

I had already learned the principles of the Jeoldopaseongeom and how to use it by getting beaten up by Jin Seongyeon for over a month.

The reality is that the method of learning martial arts in this era is mostly limited to the primitive and uncivilized method of learning through physical contact.

In that respect, Jin Seong-yeon’s teaching methods were not much different from those of the instructors of the Demonic Cult that Yeon Jin had experienced, and she learned in a familiar way.

If you have completed your studies like that, now you need enough practical experience.

Naturally, this led to a process of realizing the feeling of using the Jeoldopaseongeom in real combat while fighting with Isulran.

Five days of non-stop fighting.

“Ha, ha… … .”

Lee Seo-ran let out a gasp.

His uniform was torn and tattered here and there, and he was breathing so raspy that it was likely to be misunderstood by others.

Fortunately, there was no need for such misunderstandings as he was on a sacred stage.

And in stark contrast to her, Yeonjin, who looked quite normal, drew her sword in a stylish manner.

“Hmm.”

Yeonjin took a short breath and muttered softly.

That’s what it feels like.

If Yeonjin’s talent was incomparable, it was not outstanding enough to be mentioned as the best of all time, such as Jang Sam-bong or Dharma.

But it was clear that it was at least competing for the top spot among this generation of drones.

The first round of Yu Ye-hyang, who had wasted a lot of her talent and yet reached the threshold of the ultimate devil.

And in this second round where Yoo Ye-hyang actively intervened, her intervention had a butterfly effect, laying the foundation for Yeon-jin to truly blossom her talents at a young age.

All of the current growth is part of a process that is taking place on a solid foundation.

After a series of relentless fights that even exhausted Lee Seo-ran, who had initially been delighted, it only took five days for her to finally completely melt the Jeoldopaseongeom into her own.

It was possible because he didn’t start from scratch, but learned directly from Jin Seong-yeon, the creator of the Jeoldopaseongeom, over a period of over a month.

To this extent, it could be said that his talent was sufficiently proven.

Not only did Yu Ye-hyang pass on the Cheonma Shingong, but it was also proof of her talent that even martial artists who had reached the highest levels of Hwagyeong and Geukma, such as Seo Cheon-woo and Jin Seong-yeon, would want to take her as their disciple.

“I’ve been through it for five days, but I can’t seem to get used to the black sword of Sohyeop.”

Lee Seo-ran, who was out of breath, stuck out her tongue.

Obviously, when we first met, the gap was only a thin one or two sheets of paper, but I was definitely weaker than her.

It was so absurd to see him standing there now, without any sign of fatigue.

Rapid growth rate, like absorbing water with a cloth.

Although Lee Seo-ran’s knowledge was not that broad, she had never seen anyone grow at a faster rate than Yeon-jin.

“Now I think I know why Jang Moon-in said this sword is compatible with the Plum Blossom Sword Technique. It is specialized in taking away breath. Mainly because of its overwhelming speed.”

“Speed takes your breath away?”

“Yes. It’s not like you can just swing your sword quickly and haphazardly. How should I explain it? It’s a kind of preemptive strike? You just attack first before your opponent can even try anything, and you can just unilaterally attack them. Isn’t that the characteristic of a quick sword?”

“… … Oh, so. What Sohyeop said is that if you keep attacking and pushing forward unilaterally, you can end it by just attacking before the opponent can do anything. Is that what you mean?”

“Yes. No matter how versatile the Plum Blossom Sword Technique is, wouldn’t it be okay to just attack unilaterally before the transformation even occurs? It’s an unspoken agreement not to attack while transforming.”

“That is certainly the ideal direction that Kwai-geom pursues… …but it is not as easy as it sounds… … .”

Lee Seo-ran trailed off.

A question rose to her throat, asking if everyone would have used the quick sword if it were that easy, and then went back in.

The reason she didn’t say those words was because she had a kind personality, but she was also afraid of Yeonjin’s reaction.

If she asked back, Yeonjin would immediately give a bewildered answer with a face like, “It just happened?” and it would only make her feel defeated.

“Hey, so you’ve been practicing that for five days now. If it works on the Baekran Sword Lady, it should work on that Hwasan Huiji.”

Yeonjin said with a pretended solemn expression.

It was as if he was trying to make Jasong realize that there is a sky above the sky.

Lee Seo-ran, who was blankly staring at the sight, scratched her head.

“That may be true, but… …No matter what, since you never know what variables there might be in a fight, you shouldn’t let your guard down… …No, right.”

Lee Seo-ran, who had been making polite remarks, shook her head.

“I think it would be better to just let your guard down. Otherwise, that volcano faction’s review index will be so pitiful.”

“Is that so?”

* * *

Yongbong branch meeting, opening.

Finally, with the physically farthest Liaoning Murong family in Haenam Island, the later leaders of each faction gathered together and announced the opening of the Yongbong branch meeting.

The opening ceremony was simple.

Although the Haenam faction that hosts it is somewhat of a sect in Haenam Island, it is difficult to say that it is a very large sect.

It ended simply with the Haenam faction’s leader personally stepping forward and giving his usual, tedious speech.

At the opening ceremony, the eldest members of each sect, or guests of similar rank, came forward and said a few words in the name of a speech of support, and the applause was thunderous.

As expected from a sect that values tradition, after a set opening ceremony, the curtain finally rose on the Yongbong branch meeting.

Even though it was the first round, most of the matches in the early part were played by so-called mixed players, not disciples of the old school or the five great families.

A tactic to heighten anticipation by placing important matches between the disciples of the Gupa and Odaese families in the second half, and relatively less important matches in the first half.

Thanks to that, the match between Yeonjin and Jasong was the last in the second half and the final match of the first round, so they didn’t have to play on the first day.

“Say hello.”

“I, Yeonjin of Murim Malhak, would like to greet the two elders, Namhae Shingeom and Chiljeol Doje. Although I am lacking, I am called by the generous nickname of Black Kirin in the martial arts world. Although I do not have any enemies in the Jongnam faction, I learned swordsmanship from Jang Mun-in, the King of Geumcheon Sword, and I will be participating in this Yongbongjihoe as a member of the Jongnam faction.”

The place that Jin Seong-yeon took Yeon-jin to while she was muttering, was obviously a place where two high-ranking elders were having an unexpected tea party.

The people who were introduced to me were the leader of the Haenam faction, Namhae Shingeom Gwak Hwi-ryang, and the vice-leader of the Murim Alliance, Chiljeoldoje Lee Hak-un.

The head of the Haenam faction that hosted the Yongbong branch, and the vice-leader of the Murim Alliance, who has the title of ‘Bu’ that is good for sending around for ceremonial purposes.

Yeonjin was taken aback when she was suddenly introduced to two big shots by Jin Seongyeon, but she soon came to her senses and introduced them in a gentle voice that was not against etiquette.

“Oh, I heard the story. You wiped out the bandits of the Green Forest, right? You’re not even a young adult yet, but you have that much talent and that kind of agreement. Very good.”

“Yes, your reputation has spread all the way to Haenam Island, so the nickname Black Kirin is not an exaggeration. It is a great blessing that such a great Kirin has appeared in the Central Plains martial arts world.”

The two old men, Namhae Shingum and Chiljeoldoje, each nodded with pleased faces.

For all the old people, watching their grandchildren’s talents is the joy of the rest of their lives.

In a similar vein, it is natural to be happy to see a young, chivalrous, and even friendly person towards adults.

“The bandits were plundering the innocent and harming the powerless, so I just did what I had to do.”

“How many people don’t do what’s right? And yet, I’m a member of a certain sect, and I’m a person who has a lot of strength in my shoulders and I’m showing off. You can be proud of it.”

“Yes, that’s right. The King of Green Forest was also attacked by an unidentified villain, right? We should take this opportunity to root out the bandits, right? Just by looking at your thorough nepotism, I can see why that old man bought a sword from you. Well done, well done.”

Namhae Shingum shook his head at the polite and humble words, and Chiljeoldoje burst into laughter.

Chiljeoldoje, who had been famous as a swordsman since his youth, took a liking to Yeonjin and patted her on the shoulder.

Although that wasn’t her real intention, Yeonjin, who lied without even licking her lips, nodded diligently while receiving the two elders’ words with a sales smile.

While Chiljeoldoje was talking about this and that, Namhae Shingeom, who had been silently observing Yeonjin for a while, burst out in praise.

“It seems like I’ll be taking Jasodan from Jongnam this time. At that age, you’ve already unified your spirit and soul, and the state of unification of the mind and sword isn’t that far away. Imdok Yangmaek! You’ve broken through Imdok Yangmaek! Who knew you’d reach the pinnacle! Thought, unconsciously, you’ve entered into thought! ”

“Yes?”

Yeonjin asked back.

What is this, a fortune teller? The same expression was clearly revealed.