Chapter 148 – Black Robe (6)

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

“Tang Clan’s secret technique?! After returning from Sichuan…!”

“Is that really Myriad Heavens Flower Rain!”

Gasps echoed across the vast promotion ceremony ground. Anyone would react the same way. Sichuan’s legendary divine technique had suddenly appeared.

From the hands of Lightning Genius, whom they had watched grow since his white rank days. It would be strange not to be shocked.

“That looks real!”

“So the rumors from Kuizhou were true…!”

The disciples of the Diancang Sect were even more stunned. Piercing Sun Sword and Diancang Dancing Sword’s eyes widened in disbelief.

From Mount Yunnan’s Diancang Sect, Sichuan’s martial world wasn’t far.

They had heard more stories about Sichuan’s most ancient divine technique than any outsiders from Xiangyang.

The oral traditions were naturally clearer to them.

“Wow…”

A small exclamation escaped Little Sword Queen Qu Su-yu’s lips.

It was an extremely brief moment. Masters watching a supreme rank duel could speak several words in the blink of an eye.

Their qi naturally sharpened their senses, allowing them to perceive time differently.

Piercing Sun Sword, who was watching the duel, was no exception.

He glanced at his senior sister, who seemed oblivious to the sight of Myriad Heavens Flower Rain spraying blood as it wrapped around Law Enforcement Leader.

He understood why his senior sister, who normally showed little interest in martial arts beyond swordsmanship, was staring blankly in admiration.

Lightning Genius Jeong Yeon-shin. A supreme master who had cultivated both sword techniques and fist methods to an incredible level.

Yet now, he was fully wielding the hidden weapon divine technique verses. It was a testament to his innate dexterity and extraordinary qi control.

How his connection with the Tang Clan had formed and how deep it ran was for Piercing Sun Sword and Diancang Dance Sword to deduce.

Little Sword Queen, however, seemed desperate to exchange sword techniques and martial arts with Lightning Genius.

‘At least it’s not love,’ Piercing Sun Sword thought.

But her interest was clearly deep. It seemed to be admiration for his thousand-year talent.

To the point where Piercing Sun Sword worried how it would play out at the Martial Alliance gathering.

His head throbbed slightly. He endured the pain in his mind and turned his gaze back to the duel.

On the dueling platform.

They were in a standoff. Law Enforcement Leader moved swiftly in front of the boy who had extended his hand.

She seemed to be trying to shake off the steel petals wrapped around her.

In the swirling silver fragments, she moved with Body Protection Technique, deflecting sword strikes while blocking fatal blows.

The afterimages of her pure white sword paths created an illusory sight.

She was a noble swordsman worthy of her fame. Even facing Myriad Heavens Flower Rain, she showed no openings.

Jeong Yeon-shin stood still with one arm raised. Only the hem of his blue robe stirred slightly at his feet.

He couldn’t move carelessly.

Myriad Heavens Flower Rain was a divine technique. He had no energy to approach Law Enforcement Leader while operating the supreme verses.

His opponent, Law Enforcement Leader, was a complete black-rank supreme master.

Just binding her with Myriad Heavens Flower Rain was no ordinary feat. He had to abandon any hasty desire to approach.

‘Unless I cultivate Wudang Sects’ Two Principles Mind Technique…’

Without completely splitting his mind in two, limiting Law Enforcement Leader’s movements had reached its limit.

In that gap, Jeong Yeon-shin had to devise a way to win the duel.

This side required less energy than simultaneous verse operation. While following her movements with his palm, he sank into thought.

She seemed to have realized that Myriad Heavens Flower Rain’s intensity increased the closer she got to Jeong Yeon-shin.

As a renowned black rank, she might come up with some solution, but he had bought time for now.

‘Law Enforcement Leader probably hasn’t reached Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown. That’s completely unknown to me too… But she’s definitely reached unity of essence, energy, and spirit. At minimum, that realm.’

Unlike the boy, whose upper dantian’s spirit was exceptionally vast.

Supreme masters who had evenly cultivated body, qi, and spirit to bind them as one were the Leaders of Desolate Fortress.

Her qi emission speed was faster than Jeong Yeon-shin’s.

For Jeong Yeon-shin, whose upper dantian power exceeded even most supreme masters, that realm was still distant. For now, at least.

‘A prolonged speed battle with extended movements is impossible.’

It was an urgent situation. He quickly acknowledged the difference.

He had already realized it in one exchange. Her sword strike that shattered the Desolate sword had accurately cut through and entered the weak point of the Radiant Sword Style.

Breaking the energy waves of the straight sword path from the side, shattering it before he could even inject more qi.

It demonstrated what countering techniques in a supreme master’s hands could achieve in just one move.

‘But still.’

He didn’t think the gap was incredibly large. The boy took it to mean his strengths and weaknesses were clear.

As one destined for a short life, he had one advantage over Law Enforcement Leader.

‘I must control the flow. Let me lay out the framework. So I can immediately unleash the appropriate techniques.’

The Luminous Wheel’s dharma power had no effect on Law Enforcement Leader. Rather, there was an opening elsewhere.

Her study on counter techniques. Jeong Yeon-shin saw his chance there.

WHOOSH!

A powerful wind leaked from Law Enforcement Leader’s body before him. It was truly fierce energy waves.

The martial principles unique to nobles that Cheong Myeong had shown him long ago burst forth as a gale.

Perhaps her previous movements were to accumulate energy for this sword technique.

The metal pieces of Myriad Heavens Flower Rain broke free of Jeong Yeon-shin’s qi control and all soared upward.

The boy immediately withdrew his arm. Law Enforcement Leader’s advancing footwork was incredibly fast.

As she took one step and rapidly grew larger in his vision, he placed his hand on the Northern Light divine sword.

‘Myriad Heavens Flower Rain isn’t a technique to use for long against noble masters.’

Along with that small realization. Her sword that extended straight was before his eyes.

She had instantly pierced through the gap with sword principles like surging waves. It seemed to be her signature technique.

Jeong Yeon-shin rotated past her with leaf-like movements.

At the same time, his vision briefly went pure white. It was from the chilling sword light that brushed past as his vision spun rapidly.

STEP

He paid no mind and switched positions with her. The boy took another step forward like that.

Colorless waves spread from beneath his feet. They were the Luminous Wheel’s energy waves. Second Step of Radiant Wing Step.

The invisible wave pushed back the sword energy wind surrounding Law Enforcement Leader. It was a step that created a gap in her energy flow.

Law Enforcement Leader had already nearly finished turning.

WHOOSH!

Her figure spun, and the sword drew a crescent-shaped sword energy.

The white light shimmered along the sword aimed at Jeong Yeon-shin, not as a manifestation of energy but as a compressed strong wind.

The extending sword path was truly precise and exquisite. It was cleanly cutting through the air currents created by Second Step of Radiant Wing Step.

‘Deep Valley Profound Wind Sword Technique…!’

They said her sword flow was majestic. It was true. Facing it proved the rumors correct.

She maintained the power imbued in her sword strikes while countering Jeong Yeon-shin’s martial arts.

Second Step of Radiant Wing Step failed to serve its purpose. Her sword reached his face before he could even build up his energy.

Another crisis. The ominous resonance of the iron sword was terrifying.

Huff!

The boy took a short breath. With one inhalation, he firmly fixed the energy within his body.

From the start, his Radiant Sword Style had been broken. Myriad Heavens Flower Rain was the same.

There was no other way.

‘Eternal Blossom Fist.’

The boy imbued qi in both hands. It was right before her sword strike would cut straight across his shoulder.

CLANG!

He struck the sword face with the back of his right hand. The impact waves of the second form Advancing Thunder extended straight along with palm strikes.

As wind swept past his eyes, Jeong Yeon-shin briefly furrowed his brow. The back of his hand stung.

The energy flow wrapped around her sword had torn through the Luminous Wheel’s protective qi.

This was with hitting the sword surface rather than the edge. Her sword energy was truly mighty.

‘I need to create a hard protective qi suited to my body too.’

He pushed aside the idle thoughts as soon as they arose. Law Enforcement Leader’s jet black hair brushed past his vision.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

His technique hadn’t worked on her. She rotated with her sword that had been deflected diagonally upward by Advancing Thunder.

Her movements were extremely fast, but exposing her back didn’t seem like a weakness.

The wind, integrated with her divine sense, constantly swayed her black robe.

Deep Valley Profound Wind Sword Technique. It was a technique that used the entire body to create a strong wind. It was as if she had surrounded herself with sharp sword energy ready to strike at any moment.

It was the complete realm of supreme masters. Her martial arts had entered the realm of divine ability.

Jeong Yeon-shin extended his fist without time to use true steps. He imbued spiral strike energy in one punch.

Brief shock waves swept through his whole body. The boy’s senses accurately caught her sword surface again.

The sensation of the blade briefly colliding with his fist surface was cold. Law Enforcement Leader’s sword strike was pushed back after meeting the whirlwind of energy waves.

But that was all.

Law Enforcement Leader’s sword technique was truly seasoned. She seemed like a master in controlling the distance.

While he was deflecting her sword, Jeong Yeon-shin wasn’t given time to draw the Northern Light.

While she freely swung her sword at the boy, he had to engage in close combat with her sword.

The flow was like that. Law Enforcement Leader’s movements and sword technique forced that form.

It was completely opposite to Lightning Genius’s martial arts, where striking points were only on the opponent’s body.

CLANG! BOOM!

Jeong Yeon-shin’s flesh-colored palm strikes and Law Enforcement Leader’s silver sword paths continued to intersect.

Short and long trajectories tangled in the silence.

Law Enforcement Leader led the flow based on counter techniques. Her sword paths were mysterious.

It was like an endless unraveling thread. Not a single strike, but a continuous carving of a cliff, like a relentless wind.

Deep Valley Profound Wind Sword Technique. The power never ceased.

‘It’s a martial art supporting counter techniques.’

The boy thought. She handled any form of his Eternal Blossom Fist without difficulty.

Meanwhile, his blue robe was gradually becoming rags.

His trouser hem was torn by sword energy brushing the ground, and two slashing strikes that cut down the third form of Eternal Blossom Fist reached his chest.

SLASH!

A cold sensation brushed the end of his solar plexus.

After sword light flashed in Law Enforcement Leader’s pitch-black pupils, burning pain spread across Jeong Yeon-shin’s chest.

He was being completely pushed back.

With senses surpassing Law Enforcement Leader, he could preempt movements, but could only keep up with her dazzling energy control.

‘This makes sense.’

Many of Lightning Genius’s martial arts had been released at Desolate Fortress. At the main fortress, they were openly called sensory martial arts.

The flaws in movements, the starting points of energy control, the weaknesses in the flow.

Her sword strikes came properly while completely penetrating everything. Along with swift qi operation having reached Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown.

Anyone here could feel the state of the duel. It had already tilted considerably.

Yet the boy’s face was indifferent. His expressionlessness deepened as the exchanges continued.

‘…This is unexpected. Was time insufficient? Law Enforcement Leader’s time, I mean.’

Just as Jeong Yeon-shin was thinking.

WHOOSH!

Law Enforcement Leader, who had suddenly stopped in place, shook her sword once.

Along with a sharp sound, blood traces were carved on the dueling platform floor. Jeong Yeon-shin’s blood left straight marks.

“Fortress Lord.”

She slowly parted her lips.

“Lightning Genius’s martial arts are sufficiently mighty, but I believe it is too early to entrust him with a military force containing many blue ranks. I think it is right that he focuses on training until his internal energy maturity reaches Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown. Rather, how about entrusting him with a special unit used selectively against the demonic path…”

“…”

Silence fell over the promotion grounds. The Leader who had been exchanging martial arts with her opponent stopped the duel.

At the same time, she advised the Fortress Lord. That this promotion was impossible.

A strange stillness flowed. The atmosphere was generally agreeing.

Most of the hundreds seated at the promotion grounds seemed to feel that way.

That was natural, as Jeong Yeon-shin’s only effective strike had been Myriad Heavens Flower Rain.

His Desolate sword had shattered upon drawing, and afterward, he hadn’t even been able to draw another sword.

“No. Something’s strange.”

Few seemed to heed Lazy Flame Dragon’s muttering.

Above layers of marble stacked like an altar.

The Fortress Lord seated in her stone chair elegantly crossed her legs and didn’t answer. She just blankly looked down at Jeong Yeon-shin.

But the boy didn’t meet her eyes. He just stared blankly at Law Enforcement Leader standing before him.

‘What’s she saying?’

Jeong Yeon-shin inwardly muttered. Even in his stormy youth, he could discern reason.

Meaning he cared about reputation. Since his goal was reaching the Divine Sword Group Leader’s hierarchy, he didn’t speak it aloud.

Law Enforcement Division.

They were the military force that enforced Desolate Fortress’s laws and arrested fortress warriors who violated principles.

They were famous for thoroughly analyzing fortress martial arts. Jeong Yeon-shin had naturally expected her to counter his martial arts.

Because all the counter techniques he had done until now were like that.

It wasn’t so… She focused on responding. Centered on her own martial arts.

After exchanging moves with her, his interest waned.

If Lightning Genius’s martial arts had been thoroughly crushed, he had planned to create new martial arts based on that.

He thought perhaps the Radiant Sword Style and Eternal Blossom Fist could take different forms.

Like how he had raised his true qi to a new realm with the Luminous Wheel That Transcends Law.

Experiencing it firsthand proved otherwise. This wasn’t it. His inner thoughts unconsciously flowed between his lips.

“If only it had been a low rank.”

A Law Enforcement Division low-rank warrior might only dig into martial arts’ weak points. The boy forcefully swallowed the rest of his words.

Law Enforcement Leader didn’t even look back. Had she finished judging Jeong Yeon-shin? She just looked up at the Fortress Lord.

“His martial arts and senses are extraordinary, but the speed of his energy control is slower than most masters. His adaptability to counter techniques is also lacking.”

Her expressionless face was the same as when the martial exchange began. Only her lips moved.

Despite the intense exchange, she seemed completely disinterested.

STEP

Jeong Yeon-shin took a step forward. Only then did Law Enforcement Leader’s gaze turn to the boy.

“You don’t seem the type to act rashly.”

“…”

The boy didn’t answer. He only revealed disappointment he hadn’t managed to hide.

The corners of his mouth lowered slightly, and his handsome brow narrowed slightly.

A hint of confusion appeared on Law Enforcement Leader’s face.

BOOM!

Along with true steps, Jeong Yeon-shin’s form blurred. It was as if he was manifesting swift swordsmanship with his body.

His blue robe, covered in blood traces and sword marks, fluttered long.

WHOOSH!

He openly took true steps. It was enough time for Law Enforcement Leader to respond.

Her black eyes took in the entire body of the young blue rank.

White wind of the Deep Valley Profound Wind Sword Technique condensed on the long blade in her grip.

In that moment, the boy had reached her embrace. While unleashing Eternal Blossom Fist’s energy waves in all directions with both hands.

BOOM!

A storm raged beneath his feet.

He felt his thigh muscles on either side clearly split. A colorless energy wave rippled from his right fist.

Advancing Thunder came first.

From below her extending sword strike. Once again, he struck the sword surface with his fist.

Along with the cold, sharp recoil, Law Enforcement Leader’s sword rose up like a soaring water pillar.

Her sword energy carried a flow that couldn’t be broken with a single strike. She rode the sword energy created based on her analyzed secret technique.

‘If it comes back like that, it’s the start again. It’s too fast to break with movement.’

The boy thought.

His expression reflected in Law Enforcement Leader’s pitch-black pupils. A small arc formed on his lips.

He extended his left hand. The first form Spiral Strike’s energy waves immediately created a whirlwind. He had compressed it with true steps.

The air currents burst by the fist strike’s energy shook violently. Yet it was also delicate.

It shattered the flow of energy waves created by Law Enforcement Leader’s sword energy strand by strand.

“…!”

For the first time, her eyes wavered.

If Law Enforcement Leader had displayed her innate martial arts from the start, the result would have been different.

Because she tried to compete in martial arts principles with Jeong Yeon-shin, she found herself wavering amid crumbling sword energy.

They say unraveling principles is called counter technique, while crushing with force is called countering and destroying.

What Law Enforcement Leader possessed was neither. Her overwhelming strength that had sufficed until now became a liability.

To the point where Jeong Yeon-shin could specialize Eternal Blossom Fist’s Spiral Strike’s energy waves against her sword strikes.

“This…!”

Law Enforcement Leader’s white hand, holding the sword high, trembled. The graceful flow of her sword technique was instantly tangled.

It was as if obstacles had been planted in a predetermined path. A brief gap appeared in switching moves.

That was enough for Jeong Yeon-shin.

His counter techniques always accompanied breaking down. The boy calmly said:

“Counter technique.”

Behind his left hand’s energy waves was his right hand returning from unleashing Advancing Thunder. Finally, drawing his sword.

In the realm of extreme speed where Law Enforcement Leader’s trembling eyelid movements appeared slow, Jeong Yeon-shin gripped his sword handle and drew up the Northern Light divine sword.

FLASH!

Pure blue sword light soared in a straight line. The lightning-like rising strike completely shattered Law Enforcement Leader’s sword.

Even as powerful shockwaves dug into the sword handle, the boy’s grip firmly held the divine sword.

CLANG! BOOM!

Wind rose from the sword strike that had risen in place of Law Enforcement Leader’s sword. They were powerful residual energy waves.

Jeong Yeon-shin assumed an upper stance.

As blue light flickered from the Northern Light sword raised above his head, the blue and black robe hems of the two supreme masters fluttered violently.

It was wind heralding the end of the promotion duel.

“…”

Silence fell over the promotion grounds. The masters who had been endlessly discussing martial arts closed their mouths.

Law Enforcement Leader stood still, holding her shattered sword. While staring intently at Jeong Yeon-shin.

The boy paid no mind to anyone’s gaze. He just felt his own heart. Disappointment and relief were intersecting.

His body felt heavy, but the sword in his upper stance felt weightless. Perhaps it was the joy of having taken one more step.

Now he was black rank. He had won regardless.

Jeong Yeon-shin silently withdrew his arm. The blue blade brushed past Law Enforcement Leader’s jet-black hair.

As she flinched, the pale divine sword drew an elegant arc and returned.

The boy placed the Northern Light Sword back into its sheath. The deep blue sword gradually regained its pure white light and disappeared.

There was a strange dignity in the conduct of the boy wearing tattered robes.

As some in the crowd stared blankly as if enchanted.

TAP

The young supreme master’s sword sheathing sound rang out clearly.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***