Chapter 99

Shinjeomdae (5)

Despite Zheng Yanxin's discomfort, the girl was beautiful.

Sap.

She took two steps forward from the crowd of the Wulong Society, walked with grace, and made a small bow. Her slow movements exuded a noble air.

"I inform you that we have no intention of hostility."

The girl said as she greeted. Her smiling face was very composed. Even in front of the most powerful force in Rihuang City, she remained so.

No matter what her intentions were, it was clear she possessed rare courage.

"Identity, purpose."

The one who stepped forward was young. As the youngest of the Shinjeomdae, he was said to take on the toughest tasks.

His short, abrupt words seemed almost rude, but no one seemed to mind.

Zheng Yanxin was the same. This must be the true face of the Shinjeomdae when dealing with outsiders.

'They must appear as strong warriors to any martial sect...'

The boy took a new look at the Shinjeomdae experts.

Yeon Soha, who stood at the front with a carefree attitude, the Shinjeomdan leader who looked like he was out for a stroll, and Aksulim, who stood with one leg crossed and his hands behind his back.

Despite showing no imposing aura, they were more threatening than anyone else.

They were not alone. The twenty martial artists of the Shinjeomdae all possessed formidable power.

It wasn't just about aura; they must have been through countless battles on the front lines of Rihuang City's missions.

They were stronger than most comparable experts.

'Can I command them?'

Zheng Yanxin thought.

To achieve his goal, he would need to lead them. It was not something he could consider now. It seemed impossible.

To sit at the side of the Shinjeomdan leader, he would have to go through the position of deputy leader first, which was currently held by Aksulim, a black-robed expert who seemed to have a chance against even Majin.

'It's obvious. He has even undergone the reversal of youth. I can't even guess how far his cultivation has progressed.'

Suddenly, his gaze met Aksulim's. Aksulim winked at him, but Zheng Yanxin calmly looked away and stared ahead.

"Where is the young master?"

The conversation between the Wulong Society girl and Yeon Soha continued.

"I asked first. Are you trying to show off as a villain?"

"Only now do I understand. They say the Shinjeomdae has an incredibly sharp broom. You must be Yeon Soha, the Sharp Sword of the Shinjeomdae (神劍銳菷)?"

"You guessed my hated nickname. Do you want to try it out?"

"I apologize for the misunderstanding. Please take care of them."

The last part was not directed at Yeon Soha. About half a dozen blood fiends, who had lost their sanity due to the Blood Cult technique, were charging at them.

They had strayed from the group when the Blood Cult changed their route. Even after facing the Shinjeomdan leader's aura, they did not follow the commands of the Blood Cult swordsmen.

Their eyes glowed red, and their tongues hung out.

They were on the brink of madness, unable to control the power of the Blood Cult technique.

At a glance, they were clearly not in their right minds, and the direction of their gaze as they charged was clear.

They were targeting Zheng Yanxin. The angle from which they were approaching also indicated this.

'I recognize them.'

They were faces he had seen at the Blood Cult headquarters. They seemed to have been absent on the day of the raid, likely performing other tasks to avoid trouble.

They were muttering something with their dull mouths. "Grandmaster, Grandmaster, please protect us..."

'The city lord said the Blood Cult leader is still alive. But he can't be in good shape. He must still be dealing with the aftermath of the battle.'

The boy stroked his sword. He believed that one must resolve one's own karmic debts in the martial world.

He couldn't let these madmen call out "Grandmaster." If necessary, he was ready to step in and stood right behind Yeon Soha.

Now, his demeanor exuded the experience of a seasoned martial artist. For his age, he was truly remarkable.

"The Blood Cult's headquarters fell, and now they are just a ragtag group. They have many branches, though."

The Wulong Society girl said, glancing at Zheng Yanxin. The Wulong Society martial artists behind her were just about to follow her command.

"Take care of them."

A light word had a strong effect. The experts who rushed out wielded their weapons with great skill.

They were likely high-ranking members, protecting the young girl.

They seemed to be among the elite, and their martial arts, including sword and saber techniques, quickly dispatched the blood fiends.

The evil sects were different from the righteous ones. They did not hold back against fellow evil sect members.

"Your sword skills are quite impressive."

Yeon Soha sneered and whispered to Zheng Yanxin. The boy silently watched the blood fiends die.

Seeing no reaction from Zheng Yanxin, Yeon Soha shrugged and snickered at the Wulong Society girl.

"You don't even lift a finger, yet you judge. Are you not a martial artist?"

"There are no non-martial artists in the Wulong Society. Those who are foolish enough to be defeated by lowly blood fiends are no exception."

The girl smiled.

"If there are, they should be eliminated."

Her beautiful face was cold. She seemed to care little if she lost a few subordinates.

A place where those obsessed with martial arts, even to the point of leaving their sects, gathered. That was the Wulong Society.

'The Wulong Society. I've heard they don't harm the common people.'

Among the Thirteen Thousand, it was rare.

That's why the Shinjeomdae didn't draw their swords first. The Wulong Society was such a place.

They entered various sects, learned the essence of martial arts, and then left their sects.

They shared their martial arts with others from different sects to promote development.

They disrupted the unwritten rules of the Central Plains martial world. They were the "Disruptors of the Martial World."

The classification of forces was based on the perspective of the martial world. The Wulong Society openly defied the ethics of the martial world.

That's why they were considered an evil sect. And because they were particularly strong, they were among the Thirteen Thousand.

'The eyes of Rihuang City are different.'

If they don't disrupt the lives of the common people, there's no reason to oppose them.

As long as the common people are not caught in their internal conflicts, it's fine.

Zheng Yanxin watched the martial artists return after killing the blood fiends. Not all were unscathed.

One had a long gash on his arm, but the Wulong Society girl smiled silently at the sight of her injured comrade.

"Your cultivation is lacking."

"I will strive harder."

Their exchange showed no other emotion. If he could have sensed anger, it would have been more comforting.

They were indeed part of the Thirteen Thousand. Their bizarre behavior was worthy of being called an evil sect.

However, the Shinjeomdae experts, except for Zheng Yanxin, seemed to take it in stride. They had likely encountered the Thirteen Thousand many times.

"Thank you for taking care of them. So, what's your name and position?"

Yeon Soha asked calmly.

"Hwaryeonbi (禍連妃)."

The girl said.

Zheng Yanxin had heard of it. Just like the Shinjeomdae, the martial world was full of all sorts of strange people.

He asked about two things, but got one answer. Her name was her position. However, it was hard to guess her status.

Yeon Soha seemed to feel the same.

"Queen and disaster? I don't understand the meaning."

Hwaryeonbi smiled silently.

Hearing the mention of disaster, Zheng Yanxin touched his sword again.

The Wulong Society was said to disregard etiquette and focus solely on martial arts.

He did not underestimate her. He had never easily dealt with the Thirteen Thousand.

From his entry into Rihuang City to now, it was always the same.

He was getting used to it. If the boy did not let his guard down and extended his sword, the opponent had to choose.

To die carelessly or to die with all their might.

'If she is truly a high-ranking member of the Wulong Society...'

Hwaryeonbi could be a rare genius or possess a unique ability like a legendary figure.

Or, like Aksulim, she could be a middle-aged expert who had already passed sixty.

From the past to the present, the upper echelons of the martial world were like that.

"I came to meet the Shinjeomdan leader. The duel between the Nan Gong family head and the Rihuang City Shinjeom was truly impressive."

The girl said respectfully.

"I pay my respects to the leader. Anyone would have wanted to see it."

"Do you have other intentions? Perhaps you wanted to test the waters once?"

Yeon Soha said, lifting one leg. Hwaryeonbi shook her head.

"Our society is a league that solely venerates martial arts. How could we act rashly? Standing before the second-best martial artist in the world, the Shinjeomdan leader."

"Second-best?"

"The best is the city lord of Rihuang City..."

"The Wulong Society. I heard it's a gathering of strange people."

The one who interrupted was the Shinjeomdan leader. Hwaryeonbi's face