Chapter 163 – Radiant Demon Wing Leader (6)

The duels continued daily. Many people visited Fragrant Melody Court, seeking to exchange sword techniques with the Radiant Demon Wing Leader.  

Word spread quickly through the vast Alliance headquarters. Rumors circulated that the Young Leader of Desolate Fortress was offering teachings.  

Voices could be heard right outside the door.  

“Interesting things are happening even before the Opening Ceremony. There are rumors of people coming to meet White Qilin from the Namgung family, and men leaving to welcome Sword Dragon of Zhongnan.”  

“All sorts of martial artists have arrived. Among them, Desolate Fortress’s black rank stands particularly high.”  

“I heard from the Qingyi Sect Leader that he gained insight from just one duel… I don’t understand. How could a Desolate Fortress master give teachings to Alliance martial artists? If done deliberately, wouldn’t that make him a great hero rather than an extremist?”  

“Isn’t he too young to be called a great hero?”  

“Then why are you lingering here?”  

Jeong Yeon-shin thought their intentions were mutually unknown.  

‘No need to listen further.’  

He stopped rotating the Luminous Wheel in his heart. As he withdrew his energy, his hearing dulled again.  

The Martial Alliance must know something about Jeong Yeon-shin. Even just looking at his public actions, they had reason to be curious.  

Lightning Genius Jeong Yeon-shin always achieved more than his rank suggested. He had killed opponents who should have been impossible to defeat.  

Most notable was his killing of Tyrant Sword Elder while still at white rank.  

Eight Fierce Rakshasa Sword.  

It was after repeatedly facing Zhongnan Sect masters. He had been exhausted to the point of showing signs of qi deviation.  

Jeong Yeon-shin had observed the Elder’s sword habits, energy waves, and trajectories to prepare just one counter technique.  

It was a gamble. If Rakshasa Sword had used a different technique, he would have lost instead.  

It was bound to draw attention.  

‘The Alliance leadership must be wary. Yet they don’t stop masters from challenging me…’  

When weighing gains and losses, they must think their gains are greater.  

The current situation was like that. Many were focused on the Radiant Demon Wing Leader.  

Meanwhile, Jeong Yeon-shin only exchanged moves once with each individual.  

Compared to the information the Martial Alliance revealed, the information Jeong Yeon-shin gained was shallow. It was like facing waves of attacks.  

‘Different from Azure Qilin. Which approach is right?’  

‘“I heard you’re skilled at analyzing and breaking techniques. So I won’t show my sword techniques in advance.”’  

Those were Azure Qilin Nam-gung Se-jin’s words.  

He was wise. He had obtained information that the Beggar Sect was watching during the battle between Zhongnan Sect and Tyrant Sword Sect.  

When he heard Lightning Genius had beheaded the Tyrant Sword Elder Eight Fierce Demon Sword on the spot, Namgung Se-jin bought information from the Beggar Sect’s beggars.  

‘Azure Qilin. You were probably right.’  

The Namgung Young Master had reached his own conclusion using information gathered by his family—that he shouldn’t show his techniques to Lightning Genius.  

“Move aside.”  

Jeong Yeon-shin pushed Lazy Flame Dragon away and sat on the artificial mountain. The nameless disciple who had been suddenly pushed spoke with an incredulous face.  

“I wonder what it would be like to reach blue rank. Is this what ambition feels like?”  

Lazy Flame Dragon grumbled as he crossed to the other side of the lake.  

Stepping into the garden, he laced his fingers behind his head. His bearing was like a playboy’s, appearing extremely relaxed.  

“The Young Leader is too indifferent. Desolate Fortress is fine, but an unorthodox sect would have suited the Leader better.”  

“If you achieve merit, I’ll treat you differently.”  

The boy spoke while tapping his heel beneath the artificial mountain, calmly staring at the front gate.  

His face was indifferent, as Lazy Flame Dragon had said.  

Creating the ‘Comprehensive Guide to Breaking Orthodox Path’ and continuing to transform sword techniques was good. But this Fragrant Melody Court was in the middle of enemy territory.  

They couldn’t completely ignore the Alliance’s intentions.  

“Very good.”  

Lazy Flame Dragon, who had been staring at Jeong Yeon-shin, smiled slightly. Still resting his head on his interlocked fingers.  

“This pitiful subordinate should look around the Alliance. Since our Leader seems curious about what the higher-ups are plotting.”  

“You’re suggesting I let you spy?”  

“Actually, I’d be better than Hwa-shin, who left first. The righteous path is still made of people. Unless they’re the Nine Great Sects, they all love drinking and playing. Whether lavish feasts where hearts are opened, mind games over snacks, or sword dances when drunk. And…”  

The smile at Lazy Flame Dragon’s lips deepened.  

“If I mention I’m Lazy Flame Dragon of the Hwangbo family, in Jinan I was quite famous as Young Master…”  

Jeong Yeon-shin briefly considered whether to listen to such nonsense.  

Just then.  

The side door next to the main gate opened. A man in neat green clothes closed the door behind him and hurried over with a letter.  

It was the servant of Fragrant Melody Court who had gone out to buy ingredients. He had been assigned by the Martial Alliance.  

He was a commoner born and raised in Hanzhong who had only cultivated the ‘Three Calamities Mind Technique’ distributed by the imperial court.  

“Leader, a message.”  

“Message? From where?”  

Jeong Yeon-shin asked while accepting and opening the letter as he came down from the rock.  

“From the Murong family. Young Master Murong Mingjun asked it to be delivered.”  

The servant answered respectfully.  

Lazy Flame Dragon came over and peeked at the letter beside the boy. Jeong Yeon-shin paid no mind.  

Silence flowed briefly as they read the text together. Soon, Lazy Flame Dragon’s lips twisted slightly.  

“An invitation. Checking us before the Opening Ceremony. Will you accept?”  

“I need to gather information too. There won’t be another chance to enter the Central Plains martial world.”  

“You mean Leader duties. Let’s go together.”  

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

***

Clang.  

The elegant wooden doors opened on both sides. Jeong Yeon-shin, Lazy Flame Dragon, and Hyeon Won-chang entered the banquet hall filled with orange lanterns.  

It was evening, with the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching.  

Though the night breeze was cool, the heat from the people was not. The energy waves emitted by dozens of people were tremendous.  

“Didn’t I tell you?”  

Lazy Flame Dragon’s earlier words proved true. It was a luxurious interior. There were many martial artists eating and drinking, most of them young.  

The vitality was brighter than the lanterns. The atmosphere was lively… The stone decorations and landscape paintings on the walls looked precious at a glance. A hall built entirely for banquets.  

But what decorated the interior most were the Martial Alliance martial artists themselves.  

The energy wrapping their bodies spoke of outstanding skill. Pure internal energy mixed with youthful vigor.  

Martial lineages of prestigious families. A banquet with both splendor and refinement.  

They discussed sect matters and debated martial arts. Some scenes showed people probing each other’s intentions with pointed words.  

Some exchanged glances with those they were interested in.  

Thud.  

Jeong Yeon-shin’s pitch-black trouser hem moved. One step. The small footstep contained a strange power.  

The ‘Luminous Wheel That Transcends Law’ was internal energy containing dharma power. It gave its cultivator tremendous presence. Even without meaning to, his step brought silence.  

Only then did people turn their gazes.  

“…”  

A supreme master’s energy waves. Though he hadn’t tried to draw attention, it created stillness.  

The golden ‘Desolate’ character about an arm’s length shimmered in the lantern light. The pitch-black robe looked like a ceremonial dress of the Beijing nobility.  

His bearing and appearance played a big role. So did his black hair swaying down to his shoulders.  

It gleamed as if confident even in close combat. No one could say anything.  

How many masters in the banquet hall could pierce through the Desolate Fortress black rank’s sword and fist to even touch that hair?  

“Black robe with the rough ‘Desolate’… they invited the Radiant Demon Wing Leader?”  

“Who did this?”  

Few voiced such questions. Most of the gazes gradually turning to Jeong Yeon-shin were calm.  

Lazy Flame Dragon had mentioned deterrence earlier. That martial artists’ schemes were fundamentally crude and rough.  

Those who hadn’t agreed simply weren’t present.  

Even Mount Hua’s Yu Hyeon wasn’t visible. It seemed the sect elders’ ban on going out hadn’t been lifted.  

Jeong Yeon-shin thought it was karma.  

‘I wonder what Yu Hyeon would think of this.’  

As many gathered to stare at the boy, a swordsman in pink martial clothes approached.  

He was a young man with handsome features.  

“Radiant Demon Wing Leader.”  

He smiled slightly and gave a martial salute.  

“I didn’t know you would accept the invitation. Please, enjoy yourself without burden.”  

His conduct was strangely irritating. It was as if saying, ‘You really came?’ Some people whispered.  

A few frowned from the side, but most did not. Jeong Yeon-shin felt hostility close to territorial aggression.  

‘A few whispering about… Azure Qilin? I see. It’s because of the Namgung Young Master’s reputation.’  

He heard Namgung Se-jin’s name several times. They questioned if such a young boy really had that level of martial power.  

Murong Mingjun lowered his hands from the salute and spoke again.  

“The desire to invite you came late. There wasn’t enough time to properly inform all our companions of the Leader’s visit. It was my foolishness. I am truly sorry.”  

“Young Master Murong?”  

Jeong Yeon-shin asked. Murong Mingjun slowly nodded.  

“I am Murong Mingjun. The minor lord of the Murong family.”  

The boy smiled slightly.  

“I see. Thanks for the invitation.”  

It was informal speech. For a moment, Murong Mingjun’s eyebrows drew together. He couldn’t maintain the appearance of hosting a guest in his own home.  

The Murong clan acted with status equivalent to royalty in Liaoning. They weren’t of a position to receive casual words from a boy many years younger.  

“Is there a problem?”  

The boy asked calmly.  

Inwardly, Jeong Yeon-shin was rather puzzled. Could they really be trying to gauge his character at a banquet?  

Did this fool think the Desolate Fortress Radiant Demon Wing Leader would show him respect?  

‘The prestigious family Young Masters I know are incredibly frightening and deep…’  

Namgung Se-jin’s face came to mind. Lazy Flame Dragon’s face was a bonus.  

“Your intentions are transparent, young Murong.”  

The bonus beside him smiled languidly.  

“A black rank representing Desolate Fortress can’t show respect to a mere rising talent. Martial artists of the martial world should show respect through their swords. Our Leader is especially skilled in that area. If you’re upset, request a duel. You’ll see quite the etiquette. Unless you castrate yourself and become a commoner, you won’t receive the Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s respect through mere words.”  

He seemed to have become a Desolate Fortress warrior just from his conduct. Jeong Yeon-shin shook his head and lightly pushed Lazy Flame Dragon.  

Indicating he would enjoy himself, Murong Mingjun silently nodded.  

He seemed about to say something to Lazy Flame Dragon. The boy ended the confrontation and sat at a corner table.  

The banquet resumed.  

Murong Mingjun, who was first to pour and receive drinks, excused himself and left.  

Lazy Flame Dragon, who had watched his polite departure from the side, also left. He said he had acquaintances from his days as the Hwangbo family Young Master.  

To Jeong Yeon-shin, it would be fortunate if he didn’t end up begging for opium. Since he barely had any silver left now.  

Only Hyeon Won-chang remained to pour from the jade wine bottle. Soon after, he poured water for Jeong Yeon-shin, who didn’t drink.  

“Merchant Sword Murong Mingjun. I heard he acts scholarly like the Zhuge family but is closer to a merchant in reality. A merchant’s nature in a scholar’s shell, they say. They also say he’s quite skilled with the sword. Best to keep him at arm’s length if getting close, and completely ignore if staying away.”  

Their table was quite empty.  

The banquet hall was incredibly wide, with a diameter of over forty zhang. The empty seats stood out even more.  

[TL Note- one Zhang = 3.33m]

The two paid no mind to the various gazes glancing from afar. They simply shared drinks quietly.  

‘This is quite revealing.’  

Jeong Yeon-shin thought while openly observing the Martial Alliance martial artists.  

There were no elders with high attainment. It meant none could fully contain their energy.  

Just from the energy waves touching his skin, he could analyze the characteristics of their cultivated internal energy.  

The knee pain that occasionally visited Jeong Yeon-shin had grown considerably lately. His upper dantian capabilities had strengthened proportionally.  

He could analyze the qualities of the energy waves the Alliance martial artists possessed.  

When he mentally constructed counter energy waves, they immediately became the next chapter of the ‘Comprehensive Guide to Breaking Orthodox Path.  

“Over there. The one wearing the yellow hero’s headband.”  

“He’s from the Jin family.”  

When Jeong Yeon-shin asked about someone’s identity, Hyeon Won-chang answered immediately.  

The Desolate Divine Hero had memorized all the appearance records kept at Desolate Fortress.  

He knew the identities of all martial family members who paid tribute to government offices… About an hour passed like that.  

Suddenly, a delicate shadow fell across the table. Long braided hair caught his eye first. Jeong Yeon-shin looked up.  

Their eyes met. A woman with extremely black eyes wore a smooth smile.  

“I am Yue Yu-lin of the Yue family of Shandong.”  

“Radiant Demon Wing Leader Jeong Yeon-shin.”  

“I know you witnessed Azure Qilin’s death. I was his betrothed.”  

Her red lips moved. No goodwill showed in her eyes. Her emotions were clear just from her blunt words.  

“The one I knew was a hypocrite. He was busy hiding the family’s shame behind seemingly righteous conduct.”  

“…”  

“I’m curious what you think. As a noble martial artist who had a life-and-death duel with him. You must have felt Namgung Se-jin’s true nature most deeply.”  

Yue Yu-lin whispered. It was an incomprehensible approach.  

Jeong Yeon-shin had experienced the martial world intensely, if briefly. He knew the young woman before him was deceiving him.  

He could tell from the trembling of her lips and the sound of her heartbeat. It wasn’t natural.  

The boy suddenly thought: ‘What are these amateurs trying to do?’  

“You.”  

The young Radiant Demon Wing Leader slowly opened his mouth.  

“You speak carelessly of Azure Qilin.”  

Emotion filled his words. It was quite rare.  

“You’re tarnishing his dignity.”  

A sword rose in the boy’s heart.