Chapter 166 – Implementation (2)

“What are you doing?”

Those were his first words as the Radiant Demon Wing Leader to the Alliance Leader.

It seemed he had recognized Jeong Yeon-shin’s short-lived constitution, but separate from that shock, Jeong Yeon-shin had never even imagined receiving an embrace.

This was because of his mother, who died in childbirth. Perhaps if his teacher, the Fortress Lord, embraced him, it would be different. No, even that would be extremely embarrassing.

‘Is the Fortress Lord the only supreme master without strange habits?’

Sword Star’s status and bearing being high wasn’t reason enough to hide his displeasure. Jeong Yeon-shin’s brow furrowed slightly.

“Oh my.”

Sword Star Hyeon So-baek’s lips turned down slightly. His feelings showed plainly on his face.

It was clearly an expression of regret, but nothing about his conduct suggested authority.

“I was rude to the dignified Radiant Demon Wing Leader of Desolate Fortress. Please forgive me. Though my face looks like this, I’m just an old man. In my youth, I had quite a sharp wit, but lately, I’m not like before. I felt heartache as if seeing a grandchild I never had. Your martial achievements are truly amazing.”

His slight smile was quite playful. He showed the bearing of an eccentric master.

Self-centered and independent.

Jeong Yeon-shin instantly grasped Sword Star’s temperament.

He lived in his own world. He was a supreme master said to define an era.

He deeply understood Jeong Yeon-shin’s realm and constitution and didn’t hesitate to show sympathy.

Extremely free-spirited. The title Sword Star suited him better than Alliance Leader.

Hyeon So-baek stroked his chin.

“Let’s see, the year changes, and I’ll be seventy. My years have truly piled up.”

“Seventy…?”

Jeong Yeon-shin unconsciously repeated the word. It originated from a poem by Du Fu, referring to the rarity of living seventy years. Since prestigious families emerged in the world, it wasn’t a commonly used term.

[TL Note- Du Fu was poet during Tang Dynasty (700AD)]

But something else was important. Sword Star’s age wasn’t publicly known.

Even as the Radiant Demon Wing Leader, this was his first time learning it. He had just found out.

The boy didn’t hide his suspicion.

“Are you of mixed noble blood?”

“I did reverse aging somewhat imperfectly.”

The prestigious old man smiled with his handsome middle-aged face.

“If I let my power lead my body, I would have lost the muscle strength cultivated over decades. As a wanderer, enemies were everywhere at that age. It was a matter of survival. To maintain peak ability, I had to become somewhat younger. Your Divine Spear doesn’t seem to have done this, probably thanks to the stable power characteristic of prestigious families. I’m envious.”

He discussed otherworldly matters in an elderly manner. His words and actions revealed transcendent internal energy cultivation.

Behind his seemingly senile appearance was the image of a swordsman pursuing the ultimate.

He was completely obsessed with martial arts.

“Your talent must be unmatched in the world. But how much effort and struggle did it take to reach such a realm? I felt great joy and affection seeing a junior who silently persevered despite heaven’s punishment. So I acted foolishly. Even gathering a hundred sword wielders of the Alliance with hot blood wouldn’t match you alone. Your martial achievements built while pushing past fear are too outstanding.”

The Alliance’s supreme authority spoke. His expression suggested Jeong Yeon-shin’s very existence was like a grandchild’s play.

It was strange and chilling. The swordsman said to challenge heaven with his sword showed no interest in the dynamics of power.

Only martial arts.

He only saw Jeong Yeon-shin’s constitution and martial arts. He seemed unconcerned with relations between Desolate Fortress and the Martial Alliance.

It was goodwill that could only be shown by Sword Star. The great hero who had beheaded the Thirteen Evil Sects’ leader among their elite masters to protect commoners.

In other words, he was transcendent. Endless light flickered in his eyes that fully took in Jeong Yeon-shin.

“Your gait balance is very unique. Even fairly accomplished movement techniques usually place the center of gravity forward, but yours is dispersed in all directions. Must be thanks to innate balance.”

“…”

“The movement technique you just showed was extraordinary too. I only imagined using whole-body energy emission, never dared attempt it. How could you use minute muscles to create energy waves? In this old man’s view, it must be thanks to your body. It’s beyond well-made. Your body itself is a divine technique. I’m very curious about your training method.”

He clicked his tongue as if unable to bring himself to ask. Jeong Yeon-shin just listened quietly.

“Though this old man’s knowledge is quite extensive, these are martial arts I’ve never heard of. You must have created them yourself? If Shaolin had taken you as a child monk, their 72 supreme techniques would have doubled or tripled. The abbot would regret deeply upon seeing you.”

His endless words were terrifying. They carried both interest and anticipation.

He analyzed Jeong Yeon-shin with sharper insight than the Law Enforcement Leader. It was the discernment of a master rare in the world.

‘So there’s another non-taciturn supreme master besides the Blood Flame Sect Leader.’

As the boy silently thought.

Fan Dragon Zhuge Xian was seeing this side of the Alliance Leader for the first time.

He wasn’t the kind person who just nodded at leadership meetings.

He didn’t know he had such brilliant eyes.

‘Though uninterested in duties.’

The Alliance’s young martial artists would feel deep deprivation if they saw this.

Even his own heart felt strangely empty. To think the first one he discussed martial arts with was a Desolate Fortress master.

Having heard about the banquet hall incident earlier, Zhuge Xian decided he should keep quiet about the meeting between the Alliance Leader and Radiant Demon Wing Leader.

‘Evil Sister’s energy isn’t like before. Can she resolve the conflict with the Radiant Demon Wing Leader?’

If the Alliance didn’t wage sect warfare with Desolate Fortress.

Then that boy would likely become a bridge between the two powers. At least there was no one else from Desolate Fortress.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

Radiant Demon Wing Leader Jeong Yeon-shin.

The reputation he built by teaching the Alliance’s warriors, his outstanding martial prowess, and his experience as an envoy were all significant.

Just looking at the Alliance Leader’s eyes showed it. He treated him like his own grandson.

‘If we try to build friendship with Desolate Fortress, it won’t be good for me or Evil Sister to be disliked by the Radiant Demon Wing Leader. I should persuade him well.’

It was then.

“Ah.”

Suddenly Sword Star let out a small sigh. Soon a bitter smile formed at his lips.

“I got too excited. Isn’t Desolate Fortress known for prioritizing people’s livelihood over the martial world? Since a hero like you has all the elements that catch this old man’s eye, I unintentionally showed an undignified appearance. It must have been hard for a junior to handle such chatter. Now returning to official matters…”

“It’s fine.”

Jeong Yeon-shin answered. His initial displeasure had long since faded.

Light gathered in the boy’s eyes. Even without rotating the Luminous Wheel.

While Sword Star evaluated the Radiant Demon Wing Leader, the Radiant Demon Wing Leader had also been staring intently at Sword Star.

Like a shadow reflected back in the eyes of someone gazing into a lake.

“Hmm?”

Sword Star’s questioning response was minor.

“Just watching Sword Star stand still is educational.”

Jeong Yeon-shin spoke again.

“Due to my limited experience, this is my first time seeing such balance. You said my center of gravity is dispersed in all directions, but I can see you constantly connect your feet to the ground. The energy waves extending from your Bubbling Spring acupoint feel so firm…”

Blue lightning sparked in the boy’s eyes. Sword Star had first committed the rudeness of analyzing martial arts.

He couldn’t complain about gaining insight and checking reactions.

Even if he was a supreme master, Sword Star was aware the Radiant Demon Wing Leader before him was Desolate Fortress’s envoy.

“In terms of sword technique stability, there couldn’t be better internal energy operation. I envy your inexhaustible true qi. You mentioned Senior Divine Spear, but haven’t you built equally refined power? Apart from realm, it’s worth referencing.”

Sword Star gave a hollow laugh.

“What…? You can sense this? Is that constitution’s effect to this degree? I knew your senses were extraordinary but…”

“I understand what Sword Star’s natural stance means. Your whole-body energy paths flow through the atmosphere unhindered. They said even unarmed, Sword Star can show the Mount Song’s majesty. By firmly maintaining internal energy in the Bubbling Spring acupoint at your feet and equally distributing true qi to the Pupil acupoint at your eyes, even without a sword, Sword Star can observe and move against opponents easily.”

[TL Note- Mount Song is where Shaolin Sect is located.]

Jeong Yeon-shin continued slowly.

“Your whole body’s relaxed muscles as shown now must also contribute to instant strikes. You’re helping me understand the effectiveness of eye techniques that have reached divine realm. And how to use the body.”

“…”

Sword Star’s smile faded.

The boy thought. Now he saw the journey to the Martial Alliance itself was fortuitous.

He had reached a crucial moment. Sword Star was an inexhaustible waterfall of inspiration.

This was foreseen when Divine Spear Yue Shou-lin designated Jeong Yeon-shin as suitable for the mission. Unity of essence, energy and spirit was still far off.

He had to fill the black rank realm with martial technique and creation of new martial arts.

The new Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s words didn’t stop.

“Seeing Sword Star unarmed, I can somewhat imagine your sword-wielding appearance. You said you were a wanderer. I understand why references to the Nine Great Sects’ sacred mountains appear in words describing you. Doesn’t Sword Star also use sword techniques inspired by the Nine Great Sects’ masters? Through supreme eye techniques, based on your current footwork.”

Sword Star Hyeon So-baek’s mouth opened slightly but he paid no mind.

If Sword Star possessed passion pursuing the ultimate, Jeong Yeon-shin was born to be enchanted by martial arts he couldn’t imagine.

Was it pride characteristic of the orthodox righteous path? Sword Star Hyeon So-baek hid nothing.

The boy’s eyes were full of interesting things. It was like a restaurant advertising they could cook all the world’s delicacies.

Like the Great River Restaurant in Hangzhou famous for its excellent food.

“Your hands look light. The energy flow is notably weak in certain areas. The Giant Bone acupoint below your shoulder, the Pool at the Bend acupoint at your arm’s joint… the Tiger’s Mouth acupoint between thumb and index finger seems stronger instead, which isn’t suited for swift swords. But for thrusting there couldn’t be more ideal energy accumulation.”

The upper dantian’s capabilities that grew stronger as death approached manifested.

Inspiration surged like a storm in his head. It seemed even more so after hearing about Sword Star’s background from his senior-like subordinates earlier.

Speculation and knowledge collided with sensation and exploded like fireworks. Everything was inspiration.

He couldn’t help but speak. When refined once through words, it returned as polished insight.

“Energy waves of Wind Body movement technique burst through the feet. Keep the grip light when extending swift sword while keeping Bubbling Spring heavy. Can’t exactly copy the natural stance. Since I don’t have suitable eye techniques. It’s fine, for now… I can substitute with the body. Focus Radiant Demon Energy on training minute meridians… sword techniques to handle all directions must have wind principles…”

He muttered completely absorbed. Now they weren’t words directed at anyone.

They were the beginnings of newly born sword techniques.

At this moment the framework for transforming sword techniques was being created.

Just from rumors about Sword Star and the appearance standing blankly before him, he understood the profound meaning of swordsmanship.

The boy endlessly pondered while observing the supreme master who had reached the stars through the sword.

All that remained was adding flesh and refining through actual combat.

He analyzed a master several levels above while standing in place. While cross-referencing with self-reflection.

He was completely in a trance. He didn’t even appear human.

He continued thinking with the Luminous Wheel stopped. Faint blue flames kept flickering in the boy’s eyes.

“So this is why Namgung Se-jin…”

Zhuge Xian’s lips moved blankly. Sword Star Hyeon So-baek also showed an expression of clear shock without hiding it.

The two were orthodox righteous path martial artists. They didn’t interfere with the boy comprehending the sword.

They just watched with dazed faces and expressions of amazement.

Until the new Radiant Demon Wing Leader who had finally come to his senses gave a martial salute.

“Thank you, Sword Star. I received grace.”

Jeong Yeon-shin clasped his hands while bowing slightly at the waist.

Though a martial salute originally didn’t involve bowing, it strangely suited him. It was proper etiquette.

Dignity emanated from his gathered black sleeves.

He truly thought it was grace. It meant he had gained that much.

Sword Star slowly opened his mouth. He seemed somewhat flustered.

“But this old man didn’t do anything…?”