Chapter 122 – Samadhi True Fire (2)

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Translated by Nine Heavens!

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***

The atmosphere at City of Renowned Craftsmen felt unusually heavy. A particularly cold wind swept past the masters of the Tang Clan and Beggar Sect.

The rough, blunt sound of the air scraping against the cave walls echoed.

It was a reflection of Senior Beggar’s state of mind.

‘Lightning Genius Jeong Yeon-shin. Radiant Demon Wing’s blue-rank temporary commander.’

Contradictory emotions arose within him: awe and wariness. As a martial artist, he couldn’t help but admire it.

However, his achievements far outweigh his age, and to reach his depth of martial knowledge, one would have to delve into the abyss.

From Senior Beggar’s perspective, the boy’s martial prowess had clearly surpassed the realm of a rising talent.

‘He has reached the level of the Desolate Fortress’ Black-rank. Soon, a new leader might emerge from the Divine Sword Group.’

There was more. Simply accumulating martial power and defeating top-tier masters were two different things.

He possessed an innate sense for combat, meaning his martial skills were beyond his current level.

In Lightning Genius’s age group, reaching such a level was rare, even when considering the entire history of martial arts.

Even then, there might not be many. Figures like Bodhidharma, Zhang Sanfeng, and the founder of the Ming Cult came to mind.

That’s why it was astonishing. It was a rare and amazing sight. Anyone walking the path of martial arts would find it hard not to feel this way.

However, the perspective of someone who had experienced the murim was different. The Beggar Sect was one of the nine great sects & factions.

Beggar Sect was a faction that protected the murim’s rules and order.

The emergence of a prodigious boy like this naturally raised concerns.

‘Soon, there will be a murim alliance meeting. Even nominally, we cannot avoid inviting a master of the Desolate Fortress. If that boy comes, will there be any peers who can match him?’

No one came to mind easily.

Few factions in the murim would welcome the achievements of a Desolate Fortress master.

Unless it was one of the nine great sects cultivating in a pure Taoist temple, any faction would inwardly harbor a blade.

Even if they had done nothing wrong, the Desolate Fortress sought to suppress the murim under the guise of protecting the people.

The order they desired was nothing but martial oppression.

Excluding the religious martial lineages like the nine great sects, most orthodox martial artists’ inner thoughts were like this.

Did I harm the common people? Well, did the innkeepers complain? Heroes are heroes, and when they drink, they might draw their swords.

How many evil people are there in the world? Sometimes, it feels like the Desolate Fortress is missing the bigger picture…

The Senior Beggar somewhat agreed with this line of thinking.

“The Desolate Fortress’s Black-rank. One of the sharpest blades has dulled… while another sword is being honed to a razor’s edge. It’s even more unfair because it’s a newly forged sword.”

He muttered softly, referring to the Radiant Demon Wing’s leader and Lightning Genius.

A rising talent had defeated two of the main forces of a major faction.

Not just one, but two. Who would believe it? The great sword of the Ten Perfections Sect and the Pure Demon Divine Hand of the Pure Demon Alliance were figures comparable to the leaders of the nine major sects’ elite groups.

Du Gu-gwang and Ha Yul-geuk. At the very least, they were on par with the leaders of the eight great martial families.

‘The murim’s landscape will change, even if just a little. An unbelievable prodigy has appeared.’

Senior Beggar scratched his back as he thought, trying to keep Lightning Genius in his sight.

Lightning Genius was hidden among the Desolate Fortress martial artists, making it hard to see. The atmosphere was tense and strict.

“You seem to be harboring sinister thoughts,” a small voice rang out.

The Senior Beggar turned his head. Phoenix Tang Li-li’s gaze was fixed on him.

“Sinister? What do you take the Beggar Sect for? If you think my scheming is deep, then so be it. While the two sides were fighting, it was us beggars who protected the common people.”

He replied with a cheeky grin. Tang Li-li’s eyebrows slightly furrowed.

It was an undeniable fact. While the Radiant Demon Wing was on the defensive, the Beggar Sect stepped in to protect the residents of the City of Renowned Craftsmen.

Most of the iron clan people huddled in the distance were unharmed thanks to them.

Only the devastated land of the City of Renowned Craftsmen remained empty.

Senior Beggar smiled and continued, “Before picking at others’ faults, reflect on your own actions. Weren’t you just watching Lightning Genius, afraid that the Myriad Heavens Flower Rain might be lost? Your subordinates did help us at first… but I’d never imagine I’d hear the word ‘sinister’ from the daughter of the Tang family.”

“Don’t make me laugh. Do you think I don’t know you’re sizing people up? You’re worried about him becoming an obstacle to the murim alliance’s formation.”

“Then, miss, does your grandfather, the Supreme Elder, know about your long absence?”

“Is that a problem?”

Tang Li-li swept her short hair behind her ear and replied.

The demeanor of a prestigious family’s jewel was evident. The Senior Beggar’s smile deepened.

“If your reason for nitpicking this beggar’s flaws lies with the Myriad Heavens Flower Rain, then I can understand that. Nothing in the world is more important than the secret techniques of a widely known family. How many masters with talents like Lightning Genius could there be?”

“……”

“But be careful with your words. The Tang family also didn’t endorse the alliance meeting, did they? After the incidents with Hwangbo and Namgung, you said you wouldn’t tolerate such ruthless oppression anymore. Your sharp words might inadvertently harm the alliance’s trust. The Supreme Elder wouldn’t be pleased.”

Senior Beggar continued with a smile, “Let’s keep our distance. The Tang family is just too foreign for me.”

His relaxed tone carried a hidden edge. Tang Li-li didn’t respond further.

She thought it wasn’t the place to argue with the Desolate Fortress masters present.

Perhaps because it was bound to come out anyway. Senior Beggar’s audacity was astonishing.

At that moment, 

“Hey, it’s our family that was wiped out, so why are you all making a fuss?”

A playful voice accompanied a surge of intense energy. A strong arm suddenly draped over Senior Beggar’s shoulder.

Lazy Flame Dragon had appeared out of nowhere. The atmosphere seemed to shift instantly.

An incredibly powerful Yang energy heated the air.

“Like thundering fools” 

He said, his arm around the Senior Beggar.

His voice carried a deeply weary tone, but just one word from him brought silence.

The overwhelming heat and power gave off an invincible aura. No one in the realm of young talents could challenge him.

“……”

Senior Beggar remained silent. Beggar Sect’s subordinates also didn’t step forward. Lazy Flame Dragon was already a widely renowned young master.

The martial prowess he displayed today at City of Renowned Craftsmen was truly shocking.

Everyone knew that aside from Lightning Genius, Radiant Demon Wing’s leader, and the Tang clan leader, there was no one who could match him.

And so.

Lazy Flame Dragon stood silently with a faint smile, exuding a terrifying pressure.

No one could help but worry that he might actually melt Senior Beggar’s neck.

“Wow, you guys, how interesting. Perhaps this is the only joy left in my life.”

He muttered to himself like a madman. Lazy Flame Dragon kept his arm around Senior Beggar’s neck, watching Jeong Yeon-shin’s movements.

Even then, a faint wave of light continued to emanate from the boy’s body.

“How fun. How thrilling.”

It was a sight that made one realize how vast the world of martial arts truly was. Lazy Flame Dragon’s lips curled into a wide grin.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

The Senior Beggar couldn’t move. He had to stand still until Lightning Genius finished his energy circulation.

Lazy Flame Dragon wouldn’t move until then. If Beggar Sect’s authority had been even slightly lower, who knows what might have happened.

By the time Senior Beggar’s cold sweat began to evaporate, Jeong Yeon-shin’s energy circulation finally ended.

*Huu—*

The boy slowly opened his eyes among the Desolate Fortress martial artists. Hyeon Won-chang hurriedly approached.

He held Jeong Yeon-shin’s Desolate sword with both hands.

“Please accept this, young hero.”

He looked up with a smile. Jeong Yeon-shin’s lips curved into a small arc.

Hyeon Won-chang’s demeanor always had a cheerful aspect.

“You’ve done something truly astonishing. Your martial progress is beyond amazing…”

Hyeon Won-chang’s flattery was just the beginning.

“Truly astonishing. The next Black Rank will come from Radiant Demon Wing.”

“Was the final technique the second move of the Eternal Blossom Fist? I never expected such a dazzling transformation. It was on par with the Plum Blossom Sword of Mount Hua’s Sword Saint.”

“It’s still vivid in my mind when he was white-rank.”

Radiant Demon Wing seniors gathered around. No one patted his head or touched his shoulder anymore.

There was respect for a seasoned martial artist. They smiled with pride.

Many comrades had fallen, yet they carried on.

Suppressing, ignoring, burying deep within… It seemed familiar. There were many ways to deal with sorrow.

Their life experience was deeper than Jeong Yeon-shin’s.

‘I need to learn that…’

The boy thought. The images of his fallen seniors and Ma Jin’s arm flickered before his eyes.

He tried to calm his mind. This wasn’t the time to let his guard down.

He reunited with Ma Jin, Baek Mi-ryeo, and Cheong Myeong. But they couldn’t stay long.

There were many injured. They needed to leave the cave and find a doctor quickly.

It was just a brief moment of joy.

“Please wait a moment!”

A group of iron clan residents from the City of Renowned Craftsmen approached. About a hundred of them. Their heartfelt gratitude came first.

They gathered and bowed deeply, their gestures filled with utmost respect.

Their gratitude was boundless.

The endless thanks were palpable. Their gazes alternated between Jeong Yeon-shin and Ma Jin, filled with intensity.

It wasn’t the just way they looked at them. It was reverence, worship. They were people who had lived their lives in this confined space.

To them, the Black-rank Realm may as well have been a divine level.

“Is that young master the reincarnation of Lü Dongbin…?”

[TL Note- Lü Dongbin is a legendary Chinese scholar and poet who is considered an immortal in Daoism. He is one of the Eight Immortals of Daoism, also known as the Baxian.]

[E/N – My interpretation: He usually carries a sword and a fan, so they probably meant to say he is both wise and powerful.]

Someone muttered. The name of one of the Eight Immortals from Daoist legends was mentioned.

Cheong Myeong, standing nearby, jokingly confirmed it, tapping Jeong Yeon-shin. Baek Mi-ryeo also started to join the conversation.

The two laughed playfully. Many seniors’ attitudes had changed, but the Radiant Demon Wing group remained the same.

The boy elbowed Cheong Myeong in the stomach and flicked Baek Mi-ryeo’s back, causing the seniors to yelp in pain.

Amidst this, the leader of the City of Renowned Craftsmen iron clan group spoke.

“Please, please, tell us what you desire. We will repay you in any way we can.”

Jeong Yeon-shin immediately spoke.

“A Prosthetic arm.”

“Eh…?”

“You said you refined Bodhidharma’s qi into a treasure. Then, can’t you make a prosthetic arm operated by internal energy? I heard there are many skilled craftsmen here.”

“Ah.”

The leader, a man with a thick beard, brightened slightly.

He replied that it was possible. However, they couldn’t start immediately.

Many among them were also injured. It was a war between top-tier factions in the central plains.

Many residents had been wounded or lost limbs from stray fragments of the battle.

“There’s no one left unscathed.”

The Tang Clan Leader clicked his tongue.

He looked at Jeong Yeon-shin with a strange gaze while scanning the devastated City of Renowned Craftsmen with pity.

“We should find a doctor from outside. Follow me, all of you.”

But they needed time to prepare. They carried their comrades’ bodies and hastily applied golden wound medicine to the injured.

Jeong Yeon-shin bowed his head in silence before the seniors’ bodies.

“……”

Suddenly.

The boy felt a gaze.

The light within his heart swirled slightly. He sensed a familiar energy.

‘This is…’

He turned his head. He had to look all the way to the distant cave walls.

A familiar figure came into view. A slender frame, with eyes that seemed to gather blood like jewels.

Amidst the strong cave winds, the long, fluttering black hair revealed a sinister gaze.

It was the Blood Flame Sect’s Seventh Apostle. Her black hair and the hem of her pure blood robe fluttered in the wind.

She winked her red eyes at him.

“What now?”

The boy muttered.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

Edited by Mgt