Chapter 100

Shinjeomdae (6)

The eyes of the Shinjeomdan leader were piercingly scrutinizing Jeongyeonshin.

Though his tone was calm, his gaze was like lightning. It was enough to make one's hair stand on end, even if only slightly.

The boy immediately sensed that the Shinjeomdan leader's words were not superficial. He understood that the leader had thoroughly seen through his constitution and was speaking as if in passing.

“...”

Short-lived people are rare. The Shinjeomdan leader had noticed.

'This is how it could be.'

The Shinjeomdan leader did not think that his own cultivation was inferior to that of the Zhongnan Sword Immortal.

Just as the old immortal had immediately discerned Jeongyeonshin's constitution, it would not be strange if the Shinjeomdan leader had also sensed the short life span of Jeongyeonshin.

He even stroked the boy's head, where the Baihui point was located.

Jeongyeonshin inadvertently glanced at his maternal grandfather.

He had heard before meeting the Wulong Society that the old man's cultivation had declined in his later years.

It was due to the clear peak of the Crimson Phoenix Sect's cultivation techniques that he had refined as the previous Shinjeomdan leader.

The old man, Ma Yanjie, dared not even touch his grandson due to his past karma.

Even the Crimson Phoenix City Lord had kept silent, so there was no way to know that Jeongyeonshin's constitution was destined for a short life.

"Young Long Family's words are not entirely wrong. You must take care of your body."

The maternal grandfather, who met the boy's gaze, said.

'The leader is from the Long family.'

Jeongyeonshin realized anew that the Shinjeomdan leader's name was not well-known despite his reputation. It was a strange thing.

As the boy harbored doubts, Ma Yanjie smiled contentedly, as if agreeing with the Shinjeomdan leader's words.

His white mustache curled up on both sides.

"Yeonshin, you are the treasure of the sect. Young talents who have just emerged and are raising their fame are the future of all sects."

"Senior of the previous generation, surely you are not suffering from old age..."

The Shinjeomdan leader frowned. His words were completely different.

Jeongyeonshin watched the scene, which resembled a play, in silence. The conversation between the Shinjeomdan leader and his maternal grandfather was at odds.

The old man, Ma Yanjie, in his purple robe of the Crimson Phoenix City, continued with a sharp gaze.

"Even if a martial artist cannot avoid life and death, one must prioritize life. It's not because Yeonshin is my grandson. What is the value of Ma Guangyi's short life? No matter the mission, the sect must actively support to ensure a winning position..."

"The old age you speak of is of a different kind. What a pity. Once, catching up with the senior of the previous generation was my goal."

"Foolish talk. You're a thunderbolt."

The Shinjeomdan leader turned his head, hearing Ma Yanjie's rebuke. His eyes, devoid of color, seemed to ask what was going on.

The boy, who met his gaze, only slightly lowered his head.

Perhaps he appeared to have nodded completely. The Shinjeomdan leader, shaking his head like an old man, clicked his tongue.

"Ah, to what extent has the karma of our old folks accumulated..."

Ma Yanjie did not know. Was it due to his declining skills as he claimed?

If he knew about Jeongyeonshin's constitution, his reaction would be unpredictable.

Would his attitude change drastically? Or would he actively try to save his grandson?

'City Lord has already obtained a piece of the Heavenly Fruit. There's no need.'

Jeongyeonshin thought.

There was no reason to get involved in troublesome matters. One cannot advance in rank through the achievements of others. Moreover, the improvement of one's realm was entirely one's own responsibility.

"Are you the grandson of the Ma family? I haven't heard of someone like you in the Crimson Phoenix Sect."

Aeksoolim frowned and leaned in.

Jeongyeonshin only nodded silently, but she shook her head.

"I quite liked you, but you have bad blood. What a pity. There are many people in the Ma family who are not worth associating with."

She ignored Ma Yanjie's frightening expression.

Her cheerful face and the way she turned away from the previous Shinjeomdan leader seemed very natural.

It seemed to be due to her unrestrained nature and the black-robed strongest of the Crimson Phoenix City.

As Jeongyeonshin inadvertently thought of the collateral royal family member, Yeonjeong, Aeksoolim continued.

"Well, the leader and your grandfather are right. Our previous Ma family member reaching the Eight Immortals due to old age is also true."

"..."

"Yeonseongshik? Seomye, you also overdid it. How many young talents can defeat a fully intact Blue Qilin? You need both martial prowess and good fortune. For martial artists, there are days when fights go particularly well. Fortunately, today is one of those days, kid."

She, too, had many facets. Her current expression was very innocent.

She looked even younger than Yeonsoha, who had interjected.

"I didn't worry much about the leader. I once saw the Zhuge family head, and he seemed less impressive than I had heard. It was rather surprising that the Namgung family head could do this to our leader. I thought the Eight Family Heads were a notch below the Nine Sect Leaders, but it seems the Namgung family head is different."

"Indeed, it's Namgung. Among the Eight Family Heads, he stands out. The martial arts level of the top experts is not far behind even the Thirteen Thousand or the Nine Sects."

Yeonsoha nodded at the words of another Shinjeomdae expert.

"Unless it's Shaolin or Wudang, what else... I was more concerned about Seomye facing the Blue Qilin. The outcome of a martial arts battle is unpredictable until it starts. No one could have predicted it, right? There are so many variables."

"Your reputation will spread widely. In a little time, you might easily leap over a couple of cities."

Aeksoolim patted Jeongyeonshin's shoulder and smiled. She seemed to have taken a liking to him.

A black-robed expert who had undergone the Rejuvenation Technique. It was an honor, perhaps. Jeongyeonshin stood still.

Yeonsoha chuckled and nodded.

"Reputation. Indeed, there can't be just a few who saw the match."

"Right."

While the Shinjeomdae experts were chatting, the Shinjeomdan leader called out.

"Seomye, come here. Let's have a private talk."

The Shinjeomdan leader wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, looking as if he had just spat out a lot of blood.

With a pale complexion, he beckoned to Jeongyeonshin, while the other Shinjeomdae experts stepped back calmly. Ma Yanjie stepped forward, looking displeased.

"Dragon family brat. You're not making a rash proposal, are you?"

"You're worrying too much, thinking I might be old."

The Shinjeomdan leader smiled briefly.

"Since he seems to be a cherished child of Ma Jin, I don't want to hear the brat's foul words after bringing him here rashly..."

"What did you just say?"

"You seem to be thinking of recruiting him for the Shinjeomdae. We don't really need Seomye right now. It's an unnecessary worry. Perhaps it's because the Shinjeomdae was weak during the previous generation's time. Wasn't it like that before I joined?"

"What?"

"You're getting angry. What's the matter, Seomye? I want to hear your story."

The Shinjeomdan leader gestured with a mischievous expression.

"Just the two of us."

The added words carried a heavy weight. Jeongyeonshin slowly nodded.

* * *

The hall had stone fragments embedded in the ceiling, emitting a soft light.

Due to the precious night pearls hanging like lamps, it was as bright as if the moonlight had been brought down.

There were two visitors. A man leading the way carried a purple figure on his shoulder.

Thud.

The moment he took a step, the light of the nearby night pearl went out.

He treated the natural principles of the treasures like candles. The man's hair, illuminated by the light, was snow-white.

The same thing happened with each step. Pitch-black darkness spread like the breath of a great evil spirit.

Even the inscription 'Jianmen Shudao Tangmen Tiandao' hanging on the corridor wall silently disappeared into the darkness.

"Every time I come, something new is added. I should have them all removed."

The man continued speaking gently.

"It's not just annoying. The Tang family people particularly like bright places. It's a very unsuitable behavior. Perhaps it's because they are dark themselves."

"..."

"Qilisao, why are you so quiet? You keep doing this, even after being saved by this sect leader."

"I have a lot on my mind."

The woman's short answer made the man laugh.

"Was the near-death experience shocking?"

"..."

"Looking back, you were also born into nobility. You grew up particularly well in this sect."

"Growing up well?"

"When will you encounter another world-class expert like