Chapter 154 – Swordsman

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Translated by Nine Heavens!

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***

Jeong Yeon-shin’s long eyelashes lowered.

He paid no mind to the Crown Prince’s laughter. The boy briefly lowered his eyes in thought.

‘I finally created movement technique principles.’

Meeting good connections led to creating another martial art. Should it be called a fortuitous encounter?

They say the Ming imperial family has many noble clans – the test from the eunuch encountered right after reaching Leader rank was appreciated.

He freshly felt he had entered a different world. It must be inevitable as black rank.

‘Many martial arts remain. Hard protective qi, lightness technique, eye technique… so much to create.’

Jeong Yeon-shin’s view of martial arts differed from most martial artists.

For most martial artists, cultivating martial arts passed down from their sect was natural. They accepted it as natural tradition.

The boy was different. It felt like wearing someone else’s hand-me-down clothes.

Even when receiving the Moon Harmony Spirit Art from the Fortress Lord. Other martial arts needn’t be mentioned.

Even now he was learning the fortress’s protective arts, body preservation techniques, and eye techniques. But they couldn’t match martial arts he created and cultivated himself.

‘Building one by one.’

Lightning Genius Jeong Yeon-shin’s rapid martial power increase stemmed from various unique martial arts.

Martial arts created to perfectly suit his body naturally differed from any other martial art. Both techniques and internal energy were so.

‘Because the mental image of principles originates from the creator.’

The efficiency of internal energy operation was different.

It was enough to rival absolute arts passed down and improved over generations in one go.

There lay the breakthrough for the boy who struggled to achieve unity of essence, energy and spirit, Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown due to his oversized upper dantian spirit.

He would create martial arts for specific situations to deal with veteran masters’ energy control.

‘Law Enforcement Leader revealed weaknesses in sword techniques and fist methods. Room to reconstruct Radiant Sword Style and Eternal Blossom Fist too. Would be good to improve Radiant Demon Technique too.’

Many tasks remained. From another view, it meant much room for growth still existed.

The corners of the boy’s mouth rose slightly.

What inspiration would he receive at the Martial Alliance? When countless orthodox martial arts of the world gathered.

Jeong Yeon-shin enjoyed martial arts separate from his short-lived constitution. It was a trait that manifested later.

Since the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique replaced his mother’s warmth.

“I simply cannot believe it.”

In the very brief moment lost in thought, Jeong Yeon-shin’s gaze suddenly met a pair of pitch-black eyes.

The Crown Prince was looking up at the boy. With cold dignity in his black eyes.

“Are you truly that young blue rank from that day? The bearing of a veteran supreme master suits you so well it’s even more astounding.”

“I am humbled.”

Jeong Yeon-shin answered calmly. The Crown Prince stared at him.

“Such unbelievable talent and wit. You, when alone with me you may call me senior brother.”

He spoke with laughter not yet faded from his face. There was a large reaction beside him.

Ming Yu who had already composed himself was raising his eyebrows.

Being an Eastern Depot eunuch, he only appeared cold. Meeting him up close, Jeong Yeon-shin felt the noble eunuch was quite shocked.

“By seniority you would be senior brother.”

The boy who blinked once spoke slowly.

The Crown Prince also had the Fortress Lord as teacher. His age was also far above Jeong Yeon-shin.

Perhaps due to thick imperial blood, he was only short in stature.

Unlike Jeong Yeon-shin who lately had to constantly adjust his joint alignment from growing.

The Crown Prince who had raised his lips very faintly parted them.

“Ming Yu. Give it.”

“Yes.”

Ming Yu seemed to have completely recovered from his internal injuries.

After respectfully bowing his head, he reached into his robe front and withdrew his hand, but before his palm fully emerged some wings fluttered.

Small white feathers scattered.

A bird the size of Ming Yu’s hand revealed itself. A pure white swallow.

It had a similar appearance to what the Hwangbo family’s second young master had controlled.

“It is a creature raised with the clan’s secret arts. Very intelligent, and can even operate internal energy while containing a small inner core. A spirit beast called White Swallow, which I urgently obtained to give to Radiant Demon Wing Leader.”

Ming Yu said. The swallow called White Swallow tilted its head while staring at the boy. The small head tilt was quite cute.

“I have seen clan members use them before. Is it a messenger for Leaders?”

Jeong Yeon-shin calmly asked while facing the rare spirit beast.

Since Ming’s founding, animals understanding human speech and displaying mysterious abilities was no longer just in legends.

Ming Yu nodded.

“Yes. Though it looks like this, it is a bird of prey. It won’t be troublesome. No need to even feed it. As it can only go between Leader and myself, just tie messages to its leg and send it when cooperation is needed.”

In that moment White Swallow leapt onto the boy’s chest. Jeong Yeon-shin supported the swallow’s legs. He knew with his upper dantian intuition.

When he stroked White Swallow’s head with his index finger using the Luminous Wheel’s energy, for an instant small waves rippled as if internal energy resonated.

At the same time White Swallow burrowed into Jeong Yeon-shin’s robe front. As if finding its nest.

Ming Yu’s eyes widened slightly.

“Forming a master-servant bond with a spirit beast isn’t usually so easy… Leader’s internal energy must be very pure.”

“Do I send it when I behead officials?”

Ming Yu nodded at the indifferent question.

“Yes.”

“Didn’t you say you were the Chief Eunuch’s right arm? I’m curious if it’s possible to always follow behind Radiant Demon Wing Leader who traverses the martial world.”

Ming Yu had been called the Eastern Depot Chief Eunuch’s right arm. The boy recalled the Crown Prince’s introduction while speaking.

“You said it was an unworthy title.”

A smooth smile formed on the noble eunuch’s lips.

“Naturally those in power have more than one or two hands. The Chief Eunuch has countless right arms.”

They were words that made one realize the vastness of the world. The Crown Prince didn’t deny it either.

By now he just watched the conversation between boy and eunuch with indifferent eyes.

Jeong Yeon-shin paid no mind and opened his mouth. It was time to finish business.

“I depart for Hanzhong at noon tomorrow. I won’t mind the Eastern Depot regarding my journey.”

The Central Plains martial world was separate from inside Desolate Fortress. All sorts of variables ran rampant.

As Radiant Demon Wing Leader, just commanding subordinates and focusing on the mission would take considerable mental effort.

Ming Yu nodded his head.

“The previous Radiant Demon Wing Leader was the same. It’s natural. That’s why we and the fortress exist.”

“You may go. I kept you long.”

The Crown Prince said. His eyes were slightly closed by now. Conduct matching old rumors. Jeong Yeon-shin had heard well… The Ming Dynasty’s third heaven was very capricious. They said he would show interest in something but soon withdraw it.

‘I’m grateful.’

The boy thought while giving a short bow. This wouldn’t be the end of his connection with the Crown Prince.

Wouldn’t he be summoned to the Forbidden City someday? Unless it would help reach purple rank, he wanted to decline.

They said even the imperial family couldn’t easily command the Fortress Lord who protected all under heaven, so he had no desire to become close with the Crown Prince.

The black robe fluttered. Jeong Yeon-shin who had paid respects turned without hesitation.

Ming Yu who had glanced at both boys opened his mouth once more.

“Finally I must inform Radiant Demon Wing Leader. Though the Eastern Depot must support you according to the secret agreement between imperial family and fortress, it would be troublesome if you overuse us. Though fortress Leaders are noble beings, the Eastern Depot has its own affairs.”

“I will only move according to the banner of stabilizing people’s lives.”

The answer imbued with internal energy rang clearly. It was power that gently filled the room while displaying its presence.

Did he know the value held by his background as the Fortress Lord’s disciple, position as fortress black rank, and martial power unreasonably high for his age?

The new Radiant Demon Wing Leader walked out without looking back. His steps crossing the threshold were unhesitating.

He didn’t heed Ming Yu’s words. Anyone could see that.

A bearing was felt that would indifferently behead whoever blocked his path, whether official or martial artist.

Step.

Faint footsteps tickled the ears. Lightning Genius Jeong Yeon-shin disappeared like that.

“What a bold disciple.”

The Crown Prince muttered with closed eyes.

Ming Yu who had asked his pardon immediately sat at a corner of the desk and took out writing materials.

The Eastern Depot eunuch’s thin hand moved busily. While sitting straight with brush held upright.

The characters written in one stroke contained details about one person.

<Jeong Yeon-shin.

Desolate Fortress Radiant Demon Wing Leader.

From Jeong Family Estate, Xinye County, Henan.

Both courtesy name and title are Lightning Genius.

Fortress Lord personally bestowed courtesy name.

Known by separate title in Sichuan. Called Flower Shadow King for wielding Myriad Heavens Flower Rain, wearing black robe.

Inherited cultivation technique called Moon Spirit Harmony Art.

Supreme in black rank martial arts.

Has weakness of slower energy control speed compared to other fortress Leaders, but internal energy cultivation extremely deep for age.

Adaptability using thousand-year senses above fortress black rank realm.

Created independent martial lineage. Value grade highest.

Uses explosive single-strike martial arts with internal energy seemingly influenced by unorthodox orthodox sects. Refer to attached ‘Lightning Genius Martial Lineage’ investigation document.

Martial talent beyond evaluation.

Innately extremely arrogant but possesses strangely suppressed inner self.

Jeong family upbringing estimated poor.

Other acquired factors seem to exist, but must be observed over time. Has detached martial artist’s disposition.

Appearance comparable to noble clan. Has spy qualities. If appointed to Embroidered Uniform Guard, could greatly succeed in politics regardless of target’s gender.

Evaluation result, requests medium-high support. Seems won’t take much effort to assist current Radiant Demon Wing Leader.

Ming Yu reports.>

Eunuch Ming Yu’s blue eyes shone. The clan’s eyes said to perceive all creation scanned what he had written.

Then after nodding his head once, he rolled up the letter, placed it in a wooden cylinder and sealed it.

It was a top secret document to be sent to the Forbidden City.

***

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Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

The next day.

The sun announcing the mission departure rose to mid-sky.

Only now was late summer’s heat gradually subsiding.

Perhaps due to fighting fierce battles in Sichuan and crossing even the promotion threshold? Until now Jeong Yeon-shin had unconsciously thought summer would continue.

Seeing today proved wrong.

Water colors spread in the sky. Young masters’ clothes fluttered slightly in the gentle breeze.

Gray cotton clothes with white and blue swayed up and down individually.

Black led the front. While riding horses, clear autumn caressed the boy’s hair.

Sunlight struck the golden “Desolate” character completely covering his right shoulder.

“Isn’t it too big?”

Jeong Yeon-shin felt Hyeon Won-chang’s gaze. He seemed to mean the new robe received right before departure. The embroidered “Desolate” character was certainly large.

Only the majestic calligraphy like northern generals’ armor insignia kept it from looking ridiculous.

Ma Jin’s robe with one sleeve missing was packed as a spare.

“…”

The boy holding the fine horse’s reins didn’t bother answering.

He had been told they would weave the robe however he wanted. The Grand Administrator had said so.

So he deliberately requested the embroidery be made huge. Because Hyeon Won-chang’s habit was burdensome.

He had always lifted the “Desolate” character on his shoulder whenever possible, but Jeong Yeon-shin had his own embarrassment.

‘If it’s this big anyone will recognize it right away.’

He hid neither status nor martial power.

This martial world journey’s purpose lay in displaying presence.

Duduududu-!

The hoofbeats seemed wrapped in fierce wind. They galloped raising dust clouds toward Hanzhong where the Martial Alliance was located.

While not a speck of dust stuck to the black robe woven with heavenly silkworm thread, the boy’s black clothes continued fluttering behind him.

Another mission.

Radiant Demon Wing Leader Jeong Yeon-shin had set out.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***