Chapter 184 – Swordsman (7)

Yet Zhuge Qing-ya’s expression remained unchanged upon hearing the boy’s words, while the eyes of Little Sword Queen Qu Su-yu and Gong Sun-min widened slightly.

The new Radiant Demon Wing Leader had seen through the Zhuge Family’s secret ocular technique.

It wasn’t just recognizing that an ocular technique was active. He’d even recited specific meridian points.

“Hah.”

A faint flush rose to Little Sword Queen’s cheeks. She fidgeted with her sword hilt before the feast table.

The excitement of a swordmaster who’d devoted decades to the blade. Her hands, long honed in the Diancang Sect’s Four Ultimate Sword Technique, trembled with competitive spirit and admiration.

‘A sword technique drawn with such sensitivity must be incredibly refined…’

It was hard to gauge the keenness of the boy seated at the head table.

The upper dantian sensitivity her Diancang Sect Master had cultivated through training seemed innate to Jeong Yeon-shin.

A talent that leapt over the decades amassed by established mid-tier masters in a few strides.

He’d seized time itself.

It made no sense unless his martial gift bordered on the supernatural.

Even if he fell to Mount Hua’s Sword Saint in the near future, few would look down on him. His future shone bright.

‘It was near a gauntlet, yet he successively defeated twenty-three Alliance warriors. His forms are extraordinarily precise, no matter how fierce the fight.’

A group assault might differ, but in one-on-one gauntlet duels, he was untouchable.

The Martial Alliance leadership should’ve realized by now. At this point, they’d pin their hopes solely on Mount Hua’s Sword Saint and the Yan Family’s First Fist.

Neither could be called the absolute pinnacle of the Nine Sects or prestigious families. Yet in the Opening Tournament, they were the strongest cards.

The martial world was vast, with major factions scattered and ranks intricately tangled.

How would this young leader face them?

A topic steadily stoking the fervor of the gathered crowd in Hanzhong. The Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword, Yan Family Fist, Eternal Blossom Fist.

Supreme techniques the Opening Tournament’s sparring stage would unveil. Little Sword Queen steadied her breath discreetly.

Meanwhile, Zhuge Qing-ya, who’d been silently observing the boy, parted her lips slowly.

A faint gleam lingered in her eyes.

“…I’ve overstepped. I didn’t intend to probe you personally, Leader.”

The energy gleam in her eyes faded. The subtle force that had shimmered faintly vanished completely.

A realm where she halted its activation only upon awareness. She bore the potential to become a supreme master.

Jeong Yeon-shin regarded the girl his age with interest.

“Constant refinement?”

“Yes.”

“The energy wave was stable. It seemed you’d reached mastery.”

“…It’s an achievement of syncing full-body internal energy with incantations. Depending on energy storage, there’s room to grow as my body matures. Compared to the diverse martial arts you’ve refined, Leader…”

“State your real purpose. My martial arts aren’t yet renowned. They don’t serve as a grand excuse. A Zhuge Family warrior discussing swordsmanship with this Leader? Perhaps if it were your elder brother.”

He spoke, recalling Fan Dragon Zhuge Xian.

A man he’d one day repay. He’d incurred a debt at their first meeting.

At West Peak Road, he’d unlocked the first form of a nameless sword technique. Among those he’d bonded with in the Alliance, Zhuge Xian was the finest.

As the young Radiant Demon Wing Leader renewed his resolve to repay that kindness, Zhuge Qing-ya gently shook her head.

“That’s a flawed statement. Desolate Fortress’s black rank are divine swords the martial world watches. The moment you donned the black robes, Leader, the reputation of all your innate martial arts shifted. Even Bother Azure Qilin, who named your supreme palm technique, wouldn’t agree with you.”

“Are you, like Yue Ye-lin, using the Azure Qilin as a tool? To see what you want from me?”

The boy asked calmly.

He didn’t raise his aura. The chessboard left by the Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost, the Ten Rules lesson from Zhuge Xian.

His mind and body had deepened further. He wouldn’t rashly draw the ‘Compete for Initiative’ Blade unless provoked beyond a line.

Lazy Flame Dragon, silently observing the young leader, marveled inwardly.

‘He’s grown more formidable.’

A sword hiding its edge in its sheath. The realm of a supreme master. Intent fueled internal energy.

That one major concern had subsided meant his vital energy had strengthened, if only slightly.

Mind-body cultivation. He’d self-mastered a prestigious family’s training method.

Even after donning the black robes, he continued to grow robust.

What if a sword technique fully captured that refined heart?

For Lazy Flame Dragon, a well-versed Hwangbo Family heir, it was easy to imagine. A remarkable sword technique would emerge.

Yet to him, this didn’t seem Zhuge Qing-ya’s focus.

“I’m curious about you.”

Her expression was calm, her tone flat. Was it her nature? No emotion showed on her face.

Typical of a warrior trained in ocular techniques. Groomed to keep probing gazes unnoticed.

“What about.”

The boy asked.

Zhuge Qing-ya spoke evenly, unbothered by the Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s indifference.

“My family is obsessed with dissecting you. Mystical warriors scrambled to capture your patterns, trace your trajectories, and gauge your energy wave forms. They’ve learned much. Crucially, your forms…”

She moved her lips slowly.

“…are urgent.”

“…”

“You never engage beyond a hundred exchanges, Leader. Every fight where you’ve shown your prowess has been so. Your studies specialize in short-term decisive battles, so gamblers betting on the Opening Tournament favor Mount Hua’s Sword Saint. Even with a ten-exchange limit, your foe is the Sword Saint. Mount Hua’s swordsmanship is renowned for nearing perfection.”

“Are you here to pick a fight?”

Hyeon Won-chang interjected abruptly. His fidgeting fingers hinted at brewing intent.

Jeong Yeon-shin, who’d been listening quietly, shook his head slightly.

“What do you want to say?”

“If you seek my aid, I’ll teach you the subtleties of a unique mystical martial art. It’ll help you weave your martial arts organically. It’ll be a great boon against a Nine Sect Sword Saint, a fully realized supreme master. But I want something in return.”

“…”

“After the Opening Tournament ends in two days, follow me. There’s something I need to show you.”

“You seem deeply dissatisfied with your family.”

A sky-blue gleam flashed in the boy’s eyes.

His upper dantian sensitivity flared. He caught a faint shift in Zhuge Qing-ya’s demeanor. Anxiety and unease.

Openly discussing family matters was already unusual.

This girl aimed to upend the Zhuge Family, big or small. Borrowing the Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s blade, free from the Alliance’s sway.

What the Zhuge Family’s treasured daughter had seen was unclear. How had she scrutinized the forms of a far superior supreme master?

A warrior’s temperament naturally seeped into their internal energy skills. The deeper the mastery, the more so.

“You think that after I follow your trivial proposal, this Leader will bend to your will.”

“I’ve seen your character. What I aim to do is just. It’s hard to explain now, but…”

Bold.

Zhuge Qing-ya’s jet-black eyes shimmered radiantly. Even without her ocular technique, a gleam seemed to bloom.

The boy recalled the Azure Qilin. His image berating family warriors.

He thought of Zhuge Xian too, reluctant to mention his father. Righteous warriors under family banners.

This girl seemed to plan what those two youths couldn’t.

“I’ll rephrase.”

“What…?”

“It’s not you aiding this Leader. Don’t approach it as a negotiation. Your stature falls far short of Desolate Fortress’s Radiant Demon Wing Leader.”

“…”

“You don’t realize it, but your proposal’s already moot. You haven’t even fully grasped my martial arts. After the Opening Tournament, come humbled and seek me out. Then, don’t ramble or grasp at clouds.”

Swish.

The boy rose, issuing an eviction.

“Leave. I need to meditate.”

For a while.

Zhuge Qing-ya sat still. She swept her tied black hair back from her collar.

Fiddling with her locks seemed a habit. During this, she gazed steadily at Jeong Yeon-shin.

As if weighing whether his words were bravado or truth.

“What.”

“…I’ve overstepped. I deeply apologize for presuming to judge your character, Leader.”

When she stood moments later, Little Sword Queen and Gong Sun-min were ousted too.

“That’s too much! Not even one cup!”

“I wish you martial fortune! I’ll keep today hushed!”

A brief clamor stirred. The feast table’s dishes remained nearly untouched.

Lazy Flame Dragon, who’d nibbled a few bites alone, leaned forward slightly. He didn’t glance at those exiting.

“A demure yet audacious lady. A few words, and the sun’s already tilting. Anyway, are you truly fine? The Sword Saint is… well… Wasn’t your original mission to shame mid-tier masters? Frankly, you’ve already succeeded. The Great Rejuvenation Pill’s the issue, though.”

“…”

“Mount Hua’s Sword Saint, Taoist Cheon Ju… Even I, as a kid, heard of him till I was sick of it. They say he paints twenty-four plum blossoms with one sword. If true, that’s a peerless technique commanding eight directions in triple layers. No wonder gambling riffraff chatter. Plenty have ghostly keen eyes, mad as they are.”

“Rich words for a drunkard and poppy chewer.”

The boy shook his head. Lazy Flame Dragon grinned.

“It’ll take all your might and luck, so grip your sword lightly. Mount Hua’s swordsmanship is famed for dazzling variations. Tense up, and you’ll be swept away helplessly. Against the Sword Saint’s energy wave, even silkworm thread wouldn’t hold. Good thing I brought spare robes.”

“Thanks for the advice. Now don’t disturb me. I’ll meditate deeply.”

“Nameless, shut it.”

Hyeon Won-chang, head raised, chimed in.

Lazy Flame Dragon’s eyes narrowed. He scanned the Divine Hero of Desolate Fortress with a strange look.

His gaze on the white robes was unusual. The eldest unnamed disciple muttered. That one’s gotta be skipped.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***  

“Mount Hua’s been the martial world’s top sword lineage since ancient times. Alongside Wudang and Zhongnan, it’s produced peerless swordmasters etched in history. That Taoist Cheon Ju up there will likely join them.”

“Aren’t you just saying that as a Shaanxi native? In my town, Wudang’s Taoist Xuan Gong is called the world’s greatest sword. Though, in truth, it might be Desolate Fortress’s Divine Sword Group Leader…”

“Finally, the day’s here. I’ve been dying to see when the Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s bold flag would snap.”

“Where’d you bet?”

“Taoist Cheon Ju’s Plum Blossom Sword is said to be flawless in ten bouts. How many swordsmen outshine the Sword Saint in the martial world? At least here in Hanzhong, not many.”

“Folks like you lowered the odds.”

“Isn’t the new Radiant Demon Wing Leader famed for palm techniques? I know his Brilliant River is a martial world marvel. But piercing the reach of a swordmaster his equal or better will be tough.”

“The names of masters felled by that Eternal Blossom Fist aren’t trivial…”

“By that measure, the Sword Saint’s clearly superior! A mid-tier supreme master. The heads of unorthodox warriors felled by plum blossom fragrance… must number in the hundreds. Mount Hua’s sword momentum is upright and stern.”

A conversation amid thunderous clamor.

A colossal crowd had gathered. Beyond comparison to before.

Mount Hua’s Sword Saint versus the Radiant Demon Wing Leader was slated first. The most anticipated showdown of the Martial Alliance Conference’s Opening Tournament.

On the sparring stage.

Jeong Yeon-shin thought of the Great Rejuvenation Pill for his grandfather, Ma Yeon-jeok.

“I’ve heard rumors. Is Ma Jin well?”

The middle-aged swordsman before him asked.

Sharp features, exuding a formidable energy wave. Plum blossom embroidery on the hem of his white robes caught the eye.

The pristine Mount Hua Taoist garb. Yet not quite monk-like. His entire frame felt like a giant blade.

It stung as if his brow had been pierced by a sword tip.

The supreme master who’d accompanied Yu Hyeon as a guardian at their first meeting. Now an adversary.

“He should be fine.”

The boy replied, recalling the prosthetic energy limb planned for his uncle. Mount Hua’s Sword Saint, Taoist Cheon Ju, nodded silently.

“…I deliberately avoided seeking you out. It feels like yesterday when you infused Yu Hyeon’s body with the Violet Cloud Pill… but I think reminiscing should wait until after the duel.”

“Wise words.”

“Raise your sword.”

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t answer.

Shing.

He calmly drew the Northern Light Divine Sword. The hilt’s texture warmed instantly.

He closely observed Taoist Cheon Ju opposite him. Mount Hua’s Sword Saint raised his sword with noble poise.

For a moment, the wind seemed to hush. The pressure he emanated was immense.

Seeing the Sword Saint as a black-rank warrior was different again. He understood the gamblers’ chatter Lazy Flame Dragon had dismissed.

He’d heard Nine Sect swordsmanship flowed grandly. The young Radiant Demon Wing Leader paid it no mind.

He’d start by cutting through its refined structure. So long as his blade reached his foe even once.

‘Ten exchanges, my foot.’

He had no intent to mimic the orthodox swordsmanship’s meticulous flaws.

The boy decided. Two exchanges to end it.

“…I see your thoughts. Quite audacious.”

Taoist Cheon Ju spoke, smiling with satisfaction despite his words.

He seemed pleased by the younger swordmaster’s competitive spirit. There was a reason Ma Jin had treated him as a rival and friend.

The refined swordsman descended from Mount Hua aimed his blade at the boy’s chest.

The clouds were bright.

It was already White Dew. The clearest air of the twenty-four solar terms.

The autumn breeze blew heedless of human lives, flowing transparently. Through it all, Jeong Yeon-shin had walked like the seasons’ cycle.

Once the Jeong Family’s burden.

Not here. As Desolate Fortress’s Radiant Demon Wing Leader, he raised his sword.

Much had changed. The boy of old had raced to seize his lifespan. Now, it was slightly different.

He roused his energy to safeguard his grandfather’s body. A wheel of light spun in his heart. Fiercely.

‘First Form.’

He recalled a sword technique clearer than before.

The Northern Light’s white tip pointed skyward. Raised above his head.

A sword born in his mind overlapped with the Northern Light Sword in his grip.

Simultaneously, a technique to fully harness the Luminous Wheel Technique’s auspicious energy stirred.

As if sunlight rode the wind’s threads downward. Jeong Yeon-shin’s presence sharpened.

Whoosh!

The Wind Body technique’s energy wave engulfed all directions. A gale swept the dust away.

The boy’s black robes fluttered starkly. They stood out vividly.

It was the moment Mount Hua’s Sword Saint’s blade drew plum blossoms with colorless energy.

The young Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s form blurred faintly. Sword light flared from his grip.

“What!”

“What was that…!”

In an instant, gasps erupted from one side. Masters claiming mastery of the martial world reacted.

The Alliance leadership’s canopy flipped upward. Mid-tier masters, inadvertently rousing their energy waves, glared at the sparring stage.

Light surged.