Chapter 167 – Implementation (3)

His face showed bewilderment. Jeong Yeon-shin calmly gazed at Sword Star.

In the silence that returned to the Alliance Leader’s garden, he suddenly felt the grass beneath his feet. The senior’s words were sincere.

He didn’t want to burden his junior martial artist unnecessarily. His manner suggested, “You gained it yourself, so it’s yours.”

Not shabby at all. He showed the demeanor of a pure-hearted great person.

The boy shook his head.

“Since I gained great enlightenment from seeing your honored self, this junior cannot pretend he realized it alone.”

“…”

“Sword Star truly gave me inspiration through your very existence. I thank you again.”

The Young Radiant Demon Wing Leader gave another martial salute.

Only then did Sword Star’s expression soften. He shook his head as if something had been stolen from him.

His face showed he had been caught off guard. His hollow laugh revealed his amazement.

“Talking of grace makes my feelings even stranger.”

It’s not like you’re teasing me. Sword Star muttered.

“This isn’t a profitable business. I was just impressed, but now I’m getting annoyed somehow. You’re stirring up this old man’s petty feelings. Should I have just denied it? Said you found nothing special in observing a senior who uses the sword similarly.”

His conduct was surprisingly informal for a first meeting. Even more so as the orthodox Martial Alliance’s Leader.

But now Jeong Yeon-shin’s expression was calm. He had gained an intermediate reward from the Martial Alliance mission.

He had laid the foundation for new sword techniques. It was a tremendous achievement.

‘I can’t expect dharma power like Bodhidharma’s for my second divine technique.’

He could only reach it through his own ability. He had to contain the overflowing inspiration in the Northern Light divine sword.

He had already decided his second divine technique would be sword techniques. Meeting Sword Star helped more than any medicine could.

“You’re making a face I know well. The look of someone desperate to use their sword.”

Sword Star laughed playfully.

“I can quite relate to that. The pleasure of refining one’s swordplay is incomparable to anything else. It feels like becoming omnipotent despite being born human. You flustered this old man without even drawing your sword, so I’m very curious about what sword you’ll create.”

“You flatter me.”

The boy quickly feigned expressionlessness. Sword Star’s smile deepened.

“It’s not just words.”

“…?”

“There’s a place where you can fully display your sword techniques. No… should I say there are some people? A sword is truly completed within the bones and flesh of enemies, and coincidentally some thugs acting like military forces are lurking near the Alliance.”

“You mean the Heart Martial Alliance?”

“You know of them? Ah, that’s right – they said you were the one who rescued Mount Hua’s Hidden Dragon? I should say this now, but you did very well. Yu Hyeon’s qualities are considerable. His character is upright too. Though I’m unsure what will become of this Alliance, that child has the makings of a great hero. I’m very grateful.”

“I already received thanks from Mount Hua’s elders. Rescuing a friend isn’t something to be praised for.”

Jeong Yeon-shin loosely answered while dropping his salute. His ears would start itching if he listened more.

While slightly averting his eyes, he spoke again.

“So, what did you want to say?”

“Though this Radiant Demon Wing Leader clearly has the blood of dragons and tigers…”

Sword Star’s lips curved up mischievously.

“You have some cat-like qualities. When you live to old age, I hope you find a lifelong companion drawn to that personality. What do you think? Many daughters of prestigious families have gathered at our Alliance. I’m willing to play matchmaker. If you were to marry a precious daughter of a martial family under the Alliance, the relationship between the Alliance and Desolate Fortress…”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

Jeong Yeon-shin cut off the senior’s inappropriate words with a brief chin gesture. He meant to just state his business.

He had recently become especially aware of being born male. He didn’t want to become unsettled.

‘I won’t die young leaving behind children. At least I…’

The boy thought while unnecessarily shaking out his black robe sleeve.

Sword Star, who had been staring blankly at Jeong Yeon-shin, opened his mouth.

“You said you received grace from this old man. If you resolve the Heart Martial Alliance’s martial force, we’ll call it even. We can’t let those Thirteen Evil Sects trash dampen the excitement of the Alliance Opening Tournament. Eliminate those wandering around Hanzhong.”

“Doesn’t the Alliance have spare masters?”

“The sect elder-level masters seem they’ll only show their faces once the Opening Tournament begins. The family heads are busy pushing each other around. The current Alliance is a sheep in tiger’s skin. Nothing but a pretty facade. Hmm? Was that something I shouldn’t say to a Desolate Fortress master?”

“What about the Alliance Leader?”

“For this old man to leave this position too? That would be chaos. Though I don’t do much here, I’ve become a coward who can’t speak of chivalry. It’s hard to abandon this Alliance meant to eliminate these orthodox hypocrites, so I must take a broader view even with the Heart Martial Alliance causing trouble outside.”

Sword Star leisurely looked around the garden and clasped his hands behind his back.

“There’s no benefit to you being here anyway. You’ll just give the family heads excuses to cause trouble. Desolate Fortress’s envoy is the core of conflict. Until the Opening Tournament begins, go behead those Thirteen Evil Sects trash.”

“Why should I do that?”

Jeong Yeon-shin asked while slightly tilting his head.

“Since the Radiant Demon Wing Leader will win anyway, separately from that, this old man needs your achievements to save face. You can refine your sword techniques through real combat with worthy enemies, while this old man can reduce political burden. It’s hard to argue for harmony after giving the Great Rejuvenation Pill to a Desolate Fortress master.”

Sword Star laughed casually and said.

He spoke of harmony. Sword Star Hyeon So-baek seemed unwilling to point his sword at Desolate Fortress.

He also talked of eliminating orthodox hypocrisy. It appeared he was politically struggling against the family heads.

At the same time, a demon whispered in Jeong Yeon-shin’s mind. Seventh Apostle’s image moved its lips.

Shouldn’t you turn the Martial Alliance into enemies to make good use of the Comprehensive Guide?

“…”

The boy was silent for a moment.

Perhaps sensing something was off, Sword Star spoke again.

“Wait for your dramatic stage while refining sword techniques. The protagonist of this Opening Ceremony can only be the Radiant Demon Wing Leader who reached supreme master realm at such a young age.”

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly parted his lips…

“You mentioned elder-level masters, but this isn’t a matter to discuss lightly. If you’re delegating a mission, please share the intelligence gathered by the Alliance. How can I accept the task without knowing if the Alliance Leader is plotting an assassination scheme?”

“Assassination scheme?”

Sword Star questioned back. The boy’s words were quite audacious.

He was asking if Sword Star planned to use the Heart Martial Alliance’s blades to kill Desolate Fortress warriors.

This was before a peerless master standing at the pinnacle of the orthodox martial world. He freely spoke words that most would hesitate to even think.

Zhuge Xian, who had been silent until now, carefully opened his mouth.

“Leader, still your words…”

Just then Sword Star grinned.

“Good. I’ll arrange a team of the Alliance’s young talents to join you. I’ll handle the family heads. Even in death, they should meet their end alongside the direct descendants of martial families. This Alliance Leader trusts you’ll bring them all back alive.”

Zhuge Xian couldn’t hide his surprise. Only the boy nodded.

Sword Star was eccentric. This wasn’t the time to question why he trusted Jeong Yeon-shin in return.

What mattered now was the sword technique budding in the boy’s arm. He also recalled the massacre he had witnessed in the village where he beheaded the prefectural magistrate.

Beheading the Thirteen Evil Sects masters would earn merit for Desolate Fortress anyway.

The more achievements the better. He decided to postpone worrying about the Comprehensive Guide.

“Look carefully. This old man didn’t mention sect elders for no reason.”

Sword Star handed over a rolled-up letter. It seemed to contain information about the Heart Martial Alliance masters in the area.

This was what he had called Jeong Yeon-shin here to request from the start.

The boy returned to his nature and organized what to report to the Administrator’s Office.

That while the Martial Alliance had plenty of supreme masters available, they were reduced to begging Desolate Fortress warriors due to political games.

“I’ll take my leave.”

Jeong Yeon-shin, who had put the documents in his chest, turned around. His steps showed no hesitation.

He would repay Sword Star’s grace through the request. There was no need to stay longer.

“I’ll take Yue Yu-lin, Murong Ming-jun, Gong Sun-min, and Little Sword Queen Qu Su-yu.”

The boy said with his back turned. Those were the only names he remembered. He excluded Yu Hyeon of Mount Hua.

For rising talents, it could become a death mission. He had no desire to bring his friend.

The same went for Fan Dragon Zhuge Xian. He had politely requested a duel then burned his fan.

Zhuge Xian, who stood nearby, looked at Jeong Yeon-shin in surprise.

The boy ignored him. What could he do about it.

Laughter tinged Sword Star’s voice.

“Taking only the cream of the crop. Direct descendants of the Eight Families and the Diancang sect master’s disciple. The Heart Martial Alliance forces stationed everywhere are as numerous as Blood Flame Sect and as powerful as the Wulong Society and Broken Sword Sect. I don’t expect their complete annihilation. Don’t overdo it.”

“Your words seem to have changed. Now that I’m taking the rising talents.”

“That’s all burden. The woes of a powerless Alliance Leader. Changing this corrupt orthodox martial world can’t be done with one sword. Even sword techniques that could discuss all under heaven aren’t enough.”

Jeong Yeon-shin turned to look at Sword Star. The handsome middle-aged senior smiled faintly.

Though it was just the Opening Ceremony, his face looked aged by ten years.

The family heads had formed the Martial Alliance to protect their vested interests.

Sword Star was just a symbolic leader they had placed above themselves.

Among those trying to protect, one struggled to change things. He seemed to stand on another battlefield.

It was a fight separate from Jeong Yeon-shin’s world.

“What’s that?”

The boy suddenly gestured with his chin. A Go board lay on the flat stone floor beside the Alliance Leader’s seat.

Sword Star smiled faintly and spoke.

“It seems I didn’t want to be a complete figurehead Alliance Leader. The Zhuge clan lord taught me Go. Said it contains the art of dealing with the world. You should learn it too when you have time. Life has many amazing things. I hope you experience them after achieving your goals. Whether Go, brotherhood, or love.”

The peerless master spoke with clear eyes.

His words were meaningful. The boy calmly nodded.

They said the activities of Desolate Fortress Leaders were watched by all major sects.

The same must be true for Jeong Yeon-shin’s background and path to entering Desolate Fortress.

‘Since he saw through my constitution, he must have guessed my purpose too.’

The boy parted his lips one final time.

“May I ask for your discretion?”

“Just refine your sword techniques well and show me. You know the tournament winner must receive this old man’s instruction? Your energy is quite divine but still has rough edges. I’m curious what sword you’ll complete through me.”

Sword Star answered indirectly.

Two weeks remained until the Opening Tournament.

Half an hour later, Jeong Yeon-shin returned to Fragrant Melody Court and sat with his older subordinates.

In the vast room.

Namgung Hwa-shin sat properly straight, while Hyeon Won-chang cracked his neck back and forth.

Lazy Flame Dragon lay on the floor turned to the side. There was nothing to say about him.

He was someone who chewed opium poppy unable to bear the heat of the Scorching Divine Meridian.

“So let me get this straight… the Martial Alliance is having a proud festival, we came to casually crash their party, and the vicious Heart Martial Alliance thugs are wandering around nearby?”

“Right.”

“We heard about the Heart Martial Alliance from the dead prefectural magistrate. A three-way battle?”

“Show respect.”

“I’m talking to myself.”

“…”

“Actually, don’t you have a grudge with the Heart Martial Alliance, Leader?”

Hyeon Won-chang cut in.

He had beheaded someone called Sword Flower at a gathering of Heart Martial Alliance’s rising talents. It was because he tried to harm commoners during a boat trip.

When traveling with Azure Qilin Namgung Se-jin, someone called Sword Flower’s betrothed had also sent subordinates.

He was said to be the Heart Martial Alliance’s young master.

“They’re already mortal enemies and regularly plunder villages, so we can strike without hesitation. Let’s earn merit worthy of being called divine heroes rather than just great heroes.”

Hyeon Won-chang said while tightly tying the blue hero’s headband on his forehead. Jeong Yeon-shin roughly nodded while standing up.

“I received two Alliance Leader-sealed orders. One I tied to White Swallow as evidence and sent to headquarters. We leave now. We need to capture the rising talents before the family heads notice. The families might be colluding with the Heart Martial Alliance.”

He had seen the Sichuan Tang clan’s patriarch and Blood Flame Sect’s connection. He had also been backstabbed by the Namgung family… Now Jeong Yeon-shin was both young and cunning in the martial world. To draw swords with the Martial Alliance at his back, he needed hostages.

“I’ll handle that. The foolish Little Sword Queen will follow on her own. She seems quite taken with our young Leader. The others’ martial arts aren’t even worth being my drinking snacks.”

Lazy Flame Dragon jumped up.

“Let’s stop by the marketplace first. We need supplies.”

“We have enough dried meat. And medicine for wounds and internal injuries.”

“Not those.”

***

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Translated by Nine Heavens!

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***

An hour later.

Three young martial artists including Yue Yu-lin were dragged out in confusion.

Little Sword Queen with her long hair smiled while looking at the boy in black robes. Zhuge Xian who had volunteered to leave the Alliance headquarters together was also there.

Jeong Yeon-shin wasn’t interested. He didn’t consider them combat strength.

He also didn’t care that there was mysteriously no resistance from the families’ side.

“He really likes supplies.”

The boy muttered.

In an alley behind the bustling marketplace. Lazy Flame Dragon was haggling with a merchant.

Behind them, piles of red opium poppy petals danced in the autumn wind.

The Radiant Demon Wing Leader who had been blankly watching that scene slowly turned around.

“Let’s go.”