Chapter 161 – Radiant Demon Wing Leader (4)

“I come from Qingyi Sect of Fujian. I have long heard of your reputation. They say you are called the Shadow King of Huazhong. This Xian Mo dares to visit today seeking enlightenment. I wish to broaden my knowledge through the Leader’s profound martial arts and learning.”

The middle-aged man with a refined appearance gave a martial salute. He had brought five disciples behind him.

“Out of respect for the Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s name, would you exchange sword techniques with this Xian Mo today?”

His conduct and bearing were quite unaffected. His voice was very steady, the type that could easily earn people’s trust.

If someone who appeared as a refined scholar had learned martial arts late in life, would their bearing be like this?

If he fully understood his appearance, voice and conduct, he could pass as a fearsome figure.

‘That’s what they said about him.’

Jeong Yeon-shin stared blankly at the Qingyi Sect Leader. He had heard from Hyeon Won-chang.

There were many sociable figures at the Martial Alliance who wielded connections like divine swords.

They might be even more dangerous than those with high individual martial arts.

‘I wasn’t planning to respond casually anyway.’

Just as the boy was thinking this.

“That’s all nonsense. How can someone who came without notice speak of respect?”

Lazy Flame Dragon said with a faint smile. He was lying slanted against a rock jutting from one corner of Fragrant Melody Court.

The scenery of this residence assigned to Radiant Demon Wing by the Martial Alliance was enough to serve as drinking snacks for Hyeon Won-chang and Lazy Flame Dragon.

Lazy Flame Dragon seemed completely at ease as if in his own home, whether the Alliance figures who had started visiting frowned or not.

“Fujian is the easternmost region. The Leader’s new title Shadow King emerged from Sichuan, how would someone from Fujian know this title that’s only starting to spread from the westernmost region? It’s one of two things. Either the Alliance martial artists who keep quiet about Desolate Fortress are incredibly gossipy behind closed doors, or our Qingyi Sect Leader has personally investigated the Leader…”

Lazy Flame Dragon’s smile deepened.

“Neither is very pleasant, is it? Look here, Qingyi Sect Leader. Our temperament is different from the Alliance so honesty is better. Just say it. You came here to test the waters because you’re intrigued by our leader’s reputation and position. Honestly, the reputation of a child from a remote place like Fujian doesn’t feel very convincing.”

“…I came to have a discussion with your superior.”

“Since we’re in the middle of the Martial Alliance, there’s no worry about consequences after harming a Desolate Fortress figure, nor fear of getting hurt – what an excellent once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? Just receiving a few moves from the Radiant Demon Wing Leader would be worth bragging about, and if you somehow win you’d gain great fame. Isn’t that right? You’re saying that’s not why you came? You’re the fourth person like this, which is why I’m getting annoyed, not that I’m generally irritated.”

Lazy Flame Dragon was completely annoyed.

Lying languidly while just chewing poppy seeds, he was like a thunderclap bomb about to explode.

He must have been like this when beating Yu Hyeon at the Dragon Phoenix Gathering. Due to his extremely unorthodox bearing, the Qingyi Sect side couldn’t point out his rudeness.

Even Hyeon Won-chang had spread out writing materials while sitting far away in the main hall.

“Why don’t you just go inside and sleep?”

Jeong Yeon-shin asked. At the same time, Lazy Flame Dragon’s expression changed.

“No, that would be disappointing.”

He suddenly sat up and rubbed his hands largely – rather than appearing servile, he was like a back alley thug searching for trouble to get involved in.

“As a subordinate I must stay here to protect the Leader, right? Don’t worry about our Leader. This Lazy Flame Dragon is used to the orthodox righteous path’s honey-coated dagger style of conduct. My protection covers both force and politics.”

He was quite the brazen schemer. Even with senility creeping up to his head.

‘He’ll definitely act if one more person comes.’

That’s how it seemed to Jeong Yeon-shin.

Lazy Flame Dragon enjoys feeling the atmosphere. It didn’t suit someone who lived attached to alcohol and opium poppy.

The boy knew the reason. Unlike Jeong Yeon-shin, the Hwangbo young master wanted to savor his short remaining life.

It meant he would leisurely feel his existence before dying anyway.

That too was a good approach. He could empathize. Nature was a mysterious being.

When closing his eyes to feel the air mixed with bright sunlight, it gently pushed one to savor their inner self instead.

For those living short lives, the closest existence was not blood relatives but the gentle breeze.

That must be why he seemed unmoved even by the Hwangbo family’s annihilation.

‘A predetermined fight would be better than these unexpected visits.’

The boy who lived fiercely trying to escape death understood Lazy Flame Dragon’s attitude on the opposite side better than anyone.

So he occasionally got annoyed. Seeing that guy’s characteristic languid appearance sometimes made him doubt his own life.

If he didn’t reach a good ending after running so hard, he might end up envying Lazy Flame Dragon who had enjoyed his life.

‘I’ll gain merit this time too… and eat it within three years.’

Then he would tease Lazy Flame Dragon. By then he could loosen his conduct a bit.

Maybe chew opium poppies beside his grave.

He should make a list of things he wanted to do after surviving death. Well, let’s make this the first item.

As the boy’s thoughts wandered.

Lazy Flame Dragon had turned his head askew while pressing the Qingyi Sect Leader.

“Leader, why are you silent?”

“…”

The Qingyi Sect Leader didn’t answer. Perhaps he felt humiliation unprecedented as leader of an orthodox righteous sect.

His mustache trembling intermittently at his philtrum proved his feelings.

“Hwangbo young master! Your words cross the line!”

The five disciples standing behind him opened their mouths with angry faces. Their appearance showed Qingyi Sect’s style.

All five were dressed like scholars while wearing swords.

Unlike their neatly trimmed beards, they were wrapped in surging sword energy, as if about to draw their swords at any moment.

Given Lazy Flame Dragon’s words and actions, it was a completely natural appearance.

“We had heard of the ruffian from an annihilated family, but this is…”

“Do you have no sense of hierarchy? Restrain yourself and withdraw! We must hear an apology from you to the Radiant Demon Wing Leader!”

“To think such an outrageous thing could happen at the Alliance…”

One person’s words stopped.

Thud.

It was because Jeong Yeon-shin had suddenly taken a step. The energy wave that arose instantly spread in all directions… It was gentle yet overwhelming. Martial artists’ fights are naturally ended through force.

The boy opened his lips toward the Qingyi Sect masters.

“You said to exchange sword techniques. I apologize. This Leader will reveal the true principles of his martial arts.”

“What does that…? You mean you’ll teach us your martial art principles?”

One of the Qingyi Sect masters asked. Hyeon Won-chang who was taking out blank books at the distant hall shook his head.

“It means he will fulfill his duty. He’s saying he’ll fully reveal his martial arts to match you. It means you can all come at once.”

“What did you just say?”

“Would it be fair for only one person to experience the Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s lofty martial arts? I’m saying he’ll prevent discord between you all in advance.”

Hyeon Won-chang was truly nonchalant.

His appearance of taking out writing materials while harboring schemes was reassuring. Jeong Yeon-shin inwardly cheered. Well done, my right arm.

“What outrageous…!”

“Outrageous? How is it outrageous to say he’ll give his all in what might become enemy territory? You’re interpreting the implications completely backwards. Can’t you guess? What it means for Desolate Fortress’s Radiant Demon Wing Leader to reveal his martial arts in the middle of the martial world.”

“…”

“He’s someone who must regularly go arrest martial artists. Yet he’s saying he’ll show you martial arts that should be kept strictly secret.”

It was quite persuasive.

Unlike speaking sophistry plausibly, Hyeon Won-chang’s words were orthodox theory.

In reality, Desolate Fortress martial artists were reluctant to leave survivors who had seen their martial arts.

This was because the whole world was filled with enemies. Just showing the form of martial arts could birth countless counter techniques.

No martial artist met horizontal strikes with horizontal strikes.

The Martial Alliance’s formation was the orthodox righteous path’s self-preservation measure.

Since it was established using the Hwangbo and Namgung family incidents as justification, they could be called potential enemies of Desolate Fortress.

A Desolate Fortress black rank Leader’s main martial arts were of great interest.

If a horizontal cutting strike was revealed, people would prepare vertical sword strikes in response.

Or they might think to dig underneath and bisect the waist with a cutting strike.

“Experiencing the energy emission and sword energy directly would be even more so. Isn’t there a saying to hide part of your skill in the martial world? Since our Leader says he’ll reveal his true martial arts as an apology, you should consider it a good opportunity. No, Leader. How about just sending them back? The Opening Ceremony is near, there’s no need to reveal martial arts again…”

Hyeon Won-chang’s words were enough.

“I gratefully accept the Leader’s teachings.”

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

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***

The Qingyi Sect Leader stepped forward. Perhaps it wasn’t his own will? He seemed urgent as if having received some instruction.

As strange light filled Lazy Flame Dragon’s eyes, Jeong Yeon-shin faced off against the Qingyi Sect masters. Their leader was at the very back.

His eyes flashed as if trying to observe the battlefield. The light flickering in his pupils suggested he had activated quite a profound eye technique.

‘Why do they keep trying to watch? Fan Dragon Zhuge Xian too.’

Do they think they’ll understand by watching? Was the Martial Alliance with its hundred-plus sects actually moving as one with some scheme?

Jeong Yeon-shin felt doubt. As he drew up the Northern Light divine sword.

Shing-

The sunlight shining brightly seemed to gather on the blade. Pure white light flickered in the ripple pattern.

Having been reborn as a divine sword through the Sichuan journey, the Northern Light contained the essence of the Tang clan’s metallurgy.

Tang clan head Tang Yun-huang had said once. The art of making incredible hidden weapons was concentrated in this single blade.

“Oh…!”

The Qingyi Sect disciples’ admiration didn’t last long. Because Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t yield the initiative. He struck first with his sword.

‘I am Desolate Fortress’s representative. I must leave an overwhelming impression on the Martial Alliance. Whether through martial arts or character.’

Even showing restraint in movements during a many-versus-one duel?

It would be hard to expect a good reputation at the center of the Alliance where rumors spread faster than any swift sword.

Even if no one liked Desolate Fortress, they needed to gain different recognition for Radiant Demon Wing Leader personally.

Human psychology was strange. The sense of defeat felt toward the Radiant Demon Wing Leader would soon burn toward Desolate Fortress.

This was a mission for that purpose.

Swish!

As he created wariness with a feint, the Qingyi Sect disciples drew their swords in succession.

“Come.”

Jeong Yeon-shin said.

As they each adjusted their grip on their swords once, the duel began.

Slash!

The boy wearing a black robe with the golden “Desolate” character shining exchanged moves with the five Qingyi Sect swordsmen.

Sword light flickered and battle cries scattered through gaps between the swirling robe hems.

The transparent air seemed almost visible as it rippled from the occasional shockwaves.

One second, ten seconds, twenty seconds… The expressions of those who had shown displeasure earlier gradually changed.

The Qingyi Sect disciples opened their mouths. There were two men and two women but they paid no mind to appearances.

It was as if they were matching the young Radiant Demon Wing Leader.

They thrust and received sword strikes so smoothly it felt like sparring, yet their mood didn’t worsen at all.

Rather it felt refreshing. The divine sword’s trajectory creating smooth white light as if predicting the next sword path.

It even felt like it would lead their swords to a realm one dimension higher.

It was completely new. To think such a swordsman with this kind of sense existed in the world.

‘Indeed he’s no mere rising talent. Isn’t he already a complete swordsman?’

The Qingyi Sect Leader was desperate to enter the battlefield. The Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s sword paths seemed to be engraving themselves in his eyes.

Anyone could see how profound it was. It was just as they had heard from the Alliance military department. Could he experience it himself?

Such an instinctively profound swordsman would naturally guide opponents to new realms.

‘He shows such kindness to those who will become enemies? How did the new Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s capacity become like this…’

He didn’t notice.

As the exchanges continued, Jeong Yeon-shin’s sword strike trajectories were being minutely adjusted.

With Namgung Hwa-shin away on personal business, only Lazy Flame Dragon carefully observed the boy’s hand movements.

[TL Note- I have seen a lot sites pop up recently doing MTL of this series without disclosing its MTL and they’re selling those chapters by locking the chapters with coins or selling through their patreon. Beware of those sites and don’t get scammed.]