Chapter 170 – Implementation (6)

The Heart Martial Alliance’s forces had split into two.

West Peak Road and Seven Multitudes Gorge.

Not too far apart. Three days’ journey using lightness techniques.

‘Going by Sword Star’s intelligence and rumors, Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost definitely has power befitting a Heart Martial Alliance elder. I must face him myself.’

Jeong Yeon-shin thought.

Lazy Flame Dragon might be able to take a chance against him. But it would be a life-or-death battle.

He had to be careful with personnel distribution.

Lazy Flame Dragon must be separated from Jeong Yeon-shin. His qi accumulation from the Scorching Divine Meridian was tremendous.

Setting aside internal energy density, just in terms of raw power he surpassed Jeong Yeon-shin. His energy sense range would be incredibly wide.

If the group without Jeong Yeon-shin found Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost, they needed to return without engaging and serve as scouts.

“Understood.”

Lazy Flame Dragon nodded roughly at Jeong Yeon-shin’s words, with a slight grin.

He seemed to think he had been given a mission worthy of the Hwangbo young master’s face.

The boy wanted to correct that thinking. Just breathing made this guy somehow annoying.

While Jeong Yeon-shin was desperate to live, Lazy Flame Dragon enjoyed his remaining life to the fullest. He felt slightly envious.

“Mind your rank.”

Jeong Yeon-shin said.

“Ah, a nameless one shouldn’t go before a white rank, is that it?”

Lazy Flame Dragon glanced at Hyeon Won-chang and smirked. The Desolate Divine Hero beside him unnecessarily cleared his throat while puffing out his chest.

By then, the conflict between Gong Sun-min and Murong Ming-jun had concluded.

“I’ll hang it in my room and brag to my brothers.”

Gong Sun-min muttered as if reciting a song.

He grinned while staring at the sword still at Murong Ming-jun’s waist as if it were already his. They seemed to have arranged its transfer later.

They were prestigious family young masters. Some kind of deal must have been struck.

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t want to care what it was.

To say he would make a collector’s item of a sword used once for Myriad Heavens Flower Rain – though different from Seventh Apostle, it was equally strange.

“We’ll split like this.”

The boy calmly explained. He would group himself with Zhuge Xian and Little Sword Queen.

Then he said Hyeon Won-chang and Lazy Flame Dragon should lead Murong Ming-jun, Gong Sun-min, and Yue Yu-lin.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s black eyes swept over them once.

The Alliance martial artists including Gong Sun-min didn’t avoid the boy’s gaze. But they all twitched their main fighting hands.

“At life’s end, I see all sorts of things.”

Lazy Flame Dragon twisted his lips up. The delinquent Hwangbo young master guessed their thoughts.

It was concerning. How would they appear to this unfathomable young master?

The gaze of a genius recognized as a master naturally made those of lower skill feel small.

They would start examining everything from footwork achievement shown in gait to breathing depth.

Even the newer generation’s finest martial artists who had been praised as talents in their homelands were the same.

But it wasn’t the black-robed boy’s concern.

“Don’t engage Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost.”

The Young Radiant Demon Wing Leader said. He meant don’t recklessly draw swords due to ambition. His tone wasn’t condescending.

Both his expression and manner were calm. None of the young martial artists who bristled could easily object.

Among them, a long arm rose up. Yue Yu-lin stared blankly at Jeong Yeon-shin while raising her hand.

“I don’t understand. We’re already facing overwhelming numbers with few people, yet you’re deliberately splitting us up…?”

“We need to quickly kill Sword Ghost to reduce civilian casualties. It’ll also be easier to eliminate the Heart Martial Alliance rabble once they lose leadership.”

Hyeon Won-chang shook his head while answering.

His conduct was as annoying as Lazy Flame Dragon’s. Yue Yu-lin raised her brows and opened her lips.

“That doesn’t seem to be the only reason?”

“You understand well.”

“What? Speak plainly. Stop being sarcastic.”

“Just over ten days remain until the Alliance Opening Tournament. We don’t have time to wander around facing masters. But spending too long in the wilderness makes me very uneasy.”

Hyeon Won-chang frowned and pointed his finger while gesturing.

“Your acting commander-in-chief schemed during the audience with our Leader! And that’s not all – they gave us Fragrant Melody Court as quarters right in the middle of the Alliance, but it was in such a position I couldn’t even meditate at night without worrying. Wondering if some crazy orthodox sect member might attack. Such vicious conduct!”

“…It was deplorable behavior. I admit it. So, what’s your point?”

Yue Yu-lin asked in a more subdued tone while slightly lowering her lashes. Hyeon Won-chang’s lips curved up.

“We can’t stay separated for long, that’s what I’m saying. Who knows what schemes you Alliance people at headquarters might pull? Bluntly speaking, you could suddenly change the tournament rules… For example, hastily adjusting the schedule.”

“What?”

“I understand the Alliance’s feelings. To prevent victory by a powerful and hostile Radiant Demon Wing Leader, what wouldn’t you do?”

“The Martial Alliance wouldn’t stoop to such tricks. Everyone knows it would make us a laughingstock!”

“Oh really? It would be better than openly showing all your masters being defeated by a young supreme master from the provinces.”

“…”

“That’s why we can’t take too long. Has the Yue family warrior, no… young warrior understood? Don’t object to the title. Our Leader calls Cloud Sword Dragon Wei Zi Myo-hwa ‘great hero’, but your rank seems clearly below Cloud Sword Dragon’s.”

The Desolate Divine Hero spoke. Hyeon Won-chang was openly called that within Radiant Demon Wing.

It was a kind of minor title, though he insisted on being called Desolate Divine Hero. To Jeong Yeon-shin, both suited him.

‘Can Lazy Flame Dragon and Hyeon Won-chang both reach blue rank at once? Hyeon Won-chang’s martial arts have improved considerably too.’

The boy approached with slightly light footsteps and patted Hyeon Won-chang’s shoulder.

To prevent Yue Yu-lin from rashly drawing her spear after being insulted.

“I’ve said all I needed to, Leader.”

Hyeon Won-chang gave an especially formal martial salute. His manner was unusually respectful.

He seemed to want to provoke the Alliance martial artists somehow more. The boy slowly parted his lips.

“We split up here.”

“From what I see, Leader has quite bad luck.”

Lazy Flame Dragon said while slinging a pack over one shoulder… “You might run into Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost right away. I mean Leader, not me. Given the rumors about his swimming sword, he must be an incredibly powerful old monster. Don’t rashly think about quick assaults. To dominate the martial world, you must always maintain reserves. There’s no answer if you get surrounded while facing a hostile supreme master.”

“That’s an advice a low-rank should keep in mind.”

Jeong Yeon-shin said, indicating he understood well. Lazy Flame Dragon, who had lived at the martial world’s upper echelons since birth, grinned.

“If I don’t die, I’ll find you. West Peak Road is west, so Seven Multitudes Gorge must be northwest.”

“You’re indirectly asking me to come help. Sword Ghost is this Leader’s prey. Don’t overdo it.”

The boy answered.

It was when sunlight fell on smoke rising everywhere. The group split into two directions outside the ruined village.

They were footsteps tracking the demonic path group fanning the flames of troubled times. Clearly no one was watching.

But all the Martial Alliance leadership had their senses on high alert about this.

BOOM!

Dust clouds rose as the young masters kicked off with lightness techniques. The commoners’ resentment ran deep.

An energetic wind spread, leaving behind the desolate dead village.

It was the charge of warriors carrying multiple spears and swords on their backs and waists.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

The Martial Alliance headquarters maintained a festive atmosphere daily.

The notices posted across the Central Plains were proving effective.

It seemed martial artists from across the world had heard of the Alliance’s formation. The number of people flooding in was tremendous.

“What a shame. A supreme master from Desolate Fortress dueled with Fan Dragon of the Zhuge clan. If only I’d come a month earlier.”

“Don’t speak carelessly of such matters. There are rumors the Alliance’s masters are spread throughout the streets. You might get in trouble.”

“Why is that?”

“The young master from Desolate Fortress was wearing a black robe. You’re from the South Zhili right? Have you heard of the title Lightning Genius?”

“Of course. Could it be…?”

Even wealthy merchants and commoners continued arriving to seek rare information. As food became scarce, the value of martial power increased.

Strong power could attract both gold and food. The Martial Alliance would soon truly surpass Desolate Fortress in might.

The Alliance that had gathered half the martial world was like a magical creature laying golden eggs.

All sorts of heroes filled the land of Hanzhong. The inns and houses around headquarters were packed full.

The taverns never closed day or night.

Sword critics who wrote about duels between renowned masters with titles, martial artists who hadn’t built enough fame to enter Alliance headquarters – they all gathered.

Voices discussing the martial world under heaven rang high.

It exceeded even Desolate Fortress in scale. They said dozens of merchant groups had brought their caravans to establish themselves in Hanzhong.

Very few weren’t anticipating the Alliance Opening Tournament. It was famine time. Power to protect even a grain of rice was precious.

The merchants’ discussions in the rented taverns were endless.

“Can common people like us really watch the Alliance Opening Tournament?”

“I read quite well. Unlike strange merchants like you who can’t read the Thousand Character Classic or do calculations. If the posted notice is true, we should be able to see the Martial Alliance.”

[TL Note- Thousand Character Classic is a Chinese poem that has been used as a primer for teaching Chinese characters to children from the sixth century onward.]

“Oh…! We might be able to find useful martial artists. I’ll see with my own eyes. Though we can’t hope to recruit the masters who’ll shine at the Alliance Opening Tournament…”

“More than that, I want to see how the masters wield their swords. If we can at least familiarize ourselves with their forms and presence, we won’t be fooled when hiring wandering warriors in the future.”

“I should keep that in mind too.”

“I heard even Desolate Fortress’s masters will participate as envoys. That’s the second, or perhaps first thing to watch carefully. If Desolate Fortress saves face here, who knows how the situation will develop. People tend to follow impressive sights. The logistics might flow to Xiangyang where Desolate Fortress’s main fortress is rather than here in Hanzhong.”

“Well. Wasn’t it the Martial Alliance that set up this huge event? I heard the Zhuge clan based here in Hanzhong is the main force. Would they invite Desolate Fortress without confidence in victory? They must have their calculations.”

“That may be true… but the rumors about Desolate Fortress’s young supreme master are extraordinary.”

“I know. This one has gathered intelligence even from Sichuan. Since we need to predict results to invest money early, let me share what I’ve learned. There was most talk about Flower Shadow King Lightning Genius, Yan Family’s First Fist, and Mount Hua Sword Saint. In my view, they’re the most likely. The elders probably won’t participate.”

“The leader of the Plum Blossom Sword warriors came down from Mount Hua! That noble swordsman? I had no idea! Is he trying to stop the prestigious families’ dominance…!”

“If you were to invest, which side would you bet on? In my view, Yan Hwa-ryeon of Yan Family’s First seems safest. The Zhuge clan will probably pit Lightning Genius and Sword Saint against each other first.”

“…This is truly difficult.”

It was the center of upheaval. A new martial world order was sprouting.

* * *

Four days passed.

Jeong Yeon-shin traveled with a man and woman. They were Fan Dragon Zhuge Xian and Spear Phoenix Yue Yu-lin.

Little Sword Queen who he’d originally planned to take had joined Hyeon Won-chang and Lazy Flame Dragon’s group instead.

When splitting up, Jeong Yeon-shin had changed the composition out of concern for that group’s combat strength.

‘Little Sword Queen would be more helpful than the Yue family’s spear arts. Hyeon Won-chang and Lazy Flame Dragon must stay safe.’

He decided as Radiant Demon Wing Leader. Black rank meant he had to consider command. He weighed the balance of power between the split groups.

With Little Sword Queen added, Lazy Flame Dragon’s combat power would be enhanced.

Before creating the Luminous Wheel That Transcends Law, Jeong Yeon-shin could barely guarantee a 60% win rate against Lazy Flame Dragon, so that group should be able to handle the Heart Martial Alliance’s masters heading to Seven Multitudes Gorge.

Nameless disciple Lazy Flame Dragon.

Though their talents were both extraordinary, the difference in experience was large.

At the Dragon Phoenix Gathering they had only competed in raw talent, allowing Jeong Yeon-shin to take the advantage.

Even after growing further since then, Lazy Flame Dragon remained a difficult opponent. Losing 3-4 matches out of 10 wouldn’t be strange.

There were many variables in combat.

The interplay of technique sequences, that day’s energy flow, subtle bodily changes from meridian conditions… the realm of masters was extremely complex.

‘Lazy Flame Dragon’s crude personality makes him good at provocation. If I faced him, I’d start at a disadvantage.’

The boy thought while glancing at Yue Yu-lin who had been exchanged for Little Sword Queen. It was a good decision for Hyeon Won-chang’s group.

They said Little Sword Queen was comparable to Wei Zi Myo-hwa. There were also rumors she had mastered Diancang’s Four Ultimate Sword Technique to the extreme.

If she coordinated well with the martial artists including Lazy Flame Dragon and Hyeon Won-chang, they could discuss survival even before a black rank supreme master.

“What?”

Yue Yu-lin glared as she noticed the Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s gaze. Jeong Yeon-shin answered casually.

“We came at the right time.”

“How strange…!”

The boy silently stepped forward. He paid no mind to Yue Yu-lin’s startled appearance.

They had reached their destination. West Peak Road in Hanzhong.

It was vast.

The vegetation was cleared on both sides of the widely stretching road. The mountain ranges spreading to either side were clearly visible.

Rather than a main road, it was more accurate to call it a temporary base. It was a place for armies, merchant groups, and escort agencies to stay a day during long journeys.

The tents erected on the evenly packed ground felt imposing.

Martial artists standing guard could be seen here and there. Unlike typical martial artists they wore leather armor. Some group had arrived.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes narrowed.

No need for difficult deduction. It was the Heart Martial Alliance’s military force.

“They seem to be using it as a forward base.”

Zhuge Xian beside him said. Light flashed in his eyes as he slightly drew the iron fan at his waist.

He seemed to have activated the Zhuge clan’s secret technique. Extraordinary energy arose as he carefully examined the camp.

Could he see through the insides of the tents?

Strange energy could be felt behind Zhuge Xian’s handsome eyes. He had imbued energy in the Pupil acupoint near his eyeballs.

It was profound eye technique. It seemed to be cultivation that had reached the realm of sorcery.

‘Eye technique, huh.’

The young Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s eyes lit with interest. The boy slowly opened his mouth.

“Give me a rough report. We’ll end this with a quick decisive battle then leave.”