Chapter 187 – Bond (2)

“…”

Jeong Yeon-shin stood silently. The blood streaks seemed unsightly to keep showing the crowd.

He gazed at Lady Ye, who bowed her head while wiping his abdomen. Her face was hidden by ebony hair cascading down.

She’d called him the only one. An odd tone.

Open to interpretation. The Radiant Demon Wing Leader, Jeong Yeon-shin, had become exceptional even without realizing it.

Desolate Fortress’s youngest black-rank master, the one who shattered the peerless sword technique Plum Fragrance Drifting Blossoms, the boy who planted Desolate Fortress’s flag in the heart of the Martial Alliance, a warrior on a winning streak in the Opening Tournament… His feats in Hanzhong alone were numerous.

His fame was said to spread like wildfire. It couldn’t be otherwise.

Yet Lady Ye’s words carried more. A certain reverence was palpable.

Something the boy distinctly recognized.

With his lengthening limbs, his ever-widening Hundred Meetings acupoint had lately begun faintly sensing others’ emotions.

At this moment, the goodwill piercing his upper dantian sensitivity was boundless.

Like sweet candy melting in his mind. Had someone besides Taoist Cheon Ju also read the intent in his sword techniques?

Swish.

The plain cloth wiped the blood from his abs. Her slender wrist moved carefully, the cloth-wrapped fingertips brushing his muscles gently.

Exceedingly delicate. Even as a gesture of tending to a distinguished guest befitting his rank.

‘The Ye Clan. Her childhood name was Ye Ha-rin, wasn’t it?’

He bore no grudge against her. Her words and conduct came as they appeared. A transparent figure.

Unhesitant in showing favor, with a heart that reached his upper dantian.

He’d met the noble Fan Dragon Zhuge Xian. Faced Gong Sun-min’s clear, guileless eyes.

Now, prejudice against Alliance affiliates was hard to hold. Even Taoist Cheon Ju moved the Martial Alliance with righteous intent.

The boy parted his lips slowly.

“Thanks.”

“That’s the second time I’ve heard it? Could this happen? I feel a bit strange.”

Her breath hitched briefly, then a soft laugh mingled with her quiet voice. Truly an odd person.

The first was likely after meeting the Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost, Baek Seo-gun. She’d detailed Namgung Hwa-shin’s situation then.

Taoist Cheon Ju, watching them quietly, spoke.

“Let’s meet later. I’ll send word.”

“Yes, Master.”

“I hope you take the Great Rejuvenation Pill. The prestigious families mustn’t win. Nor should Yan Hwa-ryeon consume it. You could manage it.”

Tossing a blessing, he descended the sparring stage. His steps felt robust. Still brimming with immense internal energy.

Likely the endurance unique to orthodox martial arts. Mount Hua’s spirit was grand and unhindered, even masking internal injury.

Only by surpassing that realm could one reach the purple rank.

Jeong Yeon-shin watched the Sword Saint’s back, then lowered his gaze. Lady Ye’s hair filled his vision darkly.

She wiped the external oblique near his side. It took time. Perhaps the Plum Fragrance Drifting Blossoms’ energy lingered in the wound.

“That’s enough. The opponent’s waiting.”

“…Hm, right.”

Lady Ye’s hand withdrew slowly. The sensation trailed from palm to fingers to fingertips.

Her small head rose gradually. The plain cloth in her hand was stained red with Jeong Yeon-shin’s blood.

No heavy bleeding. Thanks to the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique staunching it instantly. The boy had sealed his wounds without lifting a finger.

A master of his physique since his white-robed days. The foundation of his ongoing growth.

“Don’t mind this. I’ll handle it.”

Lady Ye said.

Rustle.

She neatly folded the blood-soaked cloth and tucked it into her bosom. Remarkably refined conduct. Anyone would think her a lady of a prestigious family.

She smiled faintly.

“We’ll likely see each other often after the Opening Tournament. There’s a discussion within the Alliance.”

“Assuming nothing happens to me by then.”

Jeong Yeon-shin replied calmly. Lady Ye’s smile deepened.

“Don’t exaggerate. Who’s left to rival you but the Yan Family’s First Fist? It’s nearly over. I’ll head off.”

“Right.”

“Stop getting hurt. No, never mind. You can’t help it. Just don’t let it hurt too much.”

“…”

“Fare well, young Leader.”

She turned slowly. Her long white sleeves brushed Jeong Yeon-shin’s hand.

A soft touch grazed his knuckles and passed. Light. Lady Ye soon walked away with delicate steps.

A very strange person.

The boy silently watched her back for a moment. Then he slowly stroked his sword hilt.

He glanced aside impassively. A middle-aged Taoist approached from across. The gleam in his eyes was stern.

As if he’d awaited this day. His neatly trimmed yellow robes and pristine hilt stood out.

Most Opening Tournament participants bore such attire. The crowd’s cheers swelled.

Taoist Cheon Ju had been today’s first opponent. Eleven more awaited.

The middle-aged man stopped ten paces away and raised a clasped-fist salute.

“Pang Mun-il. From Hebei. I’ve refined the Five Tigers Gate-Severing Blade.”

“Jeong Yeon-shin of Huaguang Province. I created the Azure Flame Slash.”

The boy replied tersely, gripping his sword hilt.

The Hebei Pang Family was one of the Eight Great Families. With the martial world in chaos, their martial force leader hadn’t come.

Black-rank masters were rare even among the Eight Families.

Yet the Five Tigers Gate-Severing Blade was a renowned supreme technique. Not to be taken lightly. For the Breaking Guide too.

“Come.”

The young Radiant Demon Wing Leader said.

Desolate Fortress’s flag still stood at one end of the stage.

As the Divine Hero of Desolate Fortress boasted, the Desolate Banner remained unbroken. Now a Hanzhong landmark.

Whoosh!

An energy wave flared between the two warriors.

Hyeon Won-chang’s white robes, tied to the flagpole, fluttered, revealing the “Desolate”  character.

***

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Translated by Nine Heavens!

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***  

The Winning Streak Continued.

The Opening Tournament’s victories piled up. The Radiant Demon Wing Leader forged an undefeated record.

Day three.

Thirty-five had fallen. Few among them lacked fame.

The Opening Tournament had run before Jeong Yeon-shin joined. Now only one day remained.

The wheat and chaff were already sorted. The young Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s streak was why it sparked such fervor.

“I bet my fortune on the Sword Saint and lost it all!”

“The Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s odds plummeted. Neck and neck with Yan Hwa-ryeon.”

“Didn’t I say early on Jeong Yeon-shin would win? A rising star, already a rare supreme master. With matches limited to ten exchanges, who could stop his momentum!”

“Pour it! Pour it in!”

A crisp evening. A pavilion with a wide square center, tiered upward.

Brimming with life. Lanterns strung around trapped the sunset glow.

Clear Crane Tower. Hanzhong’s finest inn, doubling as a tavern.

The air buzzed lively. Musicians in one corner strummed zithers, their notes struggling against the din.

Refinement had long faded here. Only the lanterns’ orange glow lingered softly amid the dusk.

The continent’s folk relished gambling. An ancient custom. Records of betting stretched back before the distant Qin-Han era.

The Martial Alliance Opening Tournament was a rare festival, and people seized the chance for a windfall.

Fights broke out often in the thick liquor scent. Arguments were commonplace.

“Didn’t you see the Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s sword light that day? Mount Hua’s sword technique crumbling in an instant!”

“I heard from a martial friend I know well. The Sword Saint’s true prowess isn’t that level. Something bad happened.”

“Fix those flapping ears. Did Desolate Fortress’s leader poison Mount Hua’s Taoist or something?”

“That’s not what I mean. I’m saying the Yan Family Fist might rival Mount Hua’s blade blossoms. Didn’t you see the Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s bare body that day? Victory can’t be judged rashly!”

“Bare body? You saw it? How was it?”

“Cutting in here? How lewd.”

One day remained until the Opening Tournament’s end. Eyes turned, regardless of age or gender.

Stories bloomed everywhere. The top-floor drinking table at Clear Crane Tower was no exception.

“So, how was his body?”

A woman lounging carelessly asked. Her narrowed eyes looked languid.

Yan Family’s First Fist. Valor Fist Lord Yan Hwa-ryeon.

She sat before an ornate feast table.

Muscles carved sharply from her deltoids down her arms, tendons sleekly visible.

In a sleeveless orange robe. One knee drawn up, the other leg stretched out.

Elbow on her knee, chin propped, she gazed across.

“Seemed honed in external skills.”

A woman with long braided hair replied softly. Yue Yu-lin of Shandong’s Yue Family.

“Or maybe dynamic techniques. Mastering both internal and external makes it higher-tier martial arts. To stand out so young, foundational skills must hold firm. Anyway, his body’s well-forged.”

“He’s strong. Even you, First Fist, might struggle to guarantee victory. Ten exchanges may not settle it.”

“That kid’s sword is so sharp? Enough to cut Zhenzhou’s top protective energy?”

“Can’t say that far. My martial arts are far below. A lesser’s insight would only muddle your judgment, First Fist. But… the sword technique clashing with Taoist Cheon Ju’s Plum Fragrance Drifting Blossoms was incredible.”

“You judge yourself well. It’s a remarkable growth. But seeing you after so long, much of your cuteness is gone. A bit regrettable. Feels like yesterday when you clung to me, calling me big sister.”

“…That’s old history.”

“True, quite old indeed.”

Yan Hwa-ryeon lifted a large jade bottle whole to her mouth.

Gulping Two Rivers liquor, streams ran down her lips. Shaanxi’s potent liquor scent hit hard.

“By the way, Zhuge Qing-ya said something odd. To the Radiant Demon Wing Leader…”

“Mind shutting it for a bit?”

Yan Hwa-ryeon’s rough demeanor was well-known. Powerful supreme masters often had quirks.

Perhaps such inscrutable natures led to their realms.

Yue Yu-lin obediently fell silent.

Then.

Yan Hwa-ryeon’s lips quivered slightly.

“Listen closely. I’ve been cooped up here, and today I’ve stumbled into fun.”

“Huh?”

“The food here was getting stale. Now there’s entertainment. Too lazy to move, but I did want to meet him.”

“What…”

“Channel energy to your Wind Pool acupoint. Get it?”

Yue Yu-lin wordlessly activated her sensory hearing technique. Her brow furrowed slightly.

The inn’s clamor battered her ears. Every sound sharpened. Voices from outside Clear Crane Tower mingled in.

“…They say this is the city’s best. Fine liquor and food, all delicacies.”

“Did we have to come to an inn?”

“If muscles stiff from supreme techniques need loosening, this is the only place, in my view. World-class delicacies, right? Didn’t the Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost say last time? A body that honed could turn most liquor toxins into medicine. With the Leader’s internal energy, it’d be just right to unwind tastily.”

“You really like food. You probably want to look for opium too.”

“Don’t jab too much. I’ve mastered all sorts of teas and pleasures over the years. I’ve got my reasons…”

Yue Yu-lin raised an eyebrow. Lazy Flame Dragon and the Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s voices. From the entrance below Clear Crane Tower. It seemed the Hwangbo Family wastrel had lured Jeong Yeon-shin for drinks.

‘That Hwangbo wastrel with a young boy…’

Lazy Flame Dragon and the Azure Qilin were old friends. As Namgung Se-jin’s betrothed, she knew him too.

Yue Yu-lin had long wrestled with this. Days of pondering Jeong Yeon-shin.

She’d seen him converse with Zhuge Xian at West Peak Road, witnessed the Emperor’s Sword Form shadow in his raised blade.

A sword technique honoring the Azure Qilin. She’d been slowly, very slowly, opening her heart. Lazy Flame Dragon’s influence risked tainting it black.

Then.

Yan Hwa-ryeon suddenly chuckled.

“A ruffian’s mixed in. He’ll grow into someone like me. Outstanding talent too.”

In that moment.

Yue Yu-lin felt a piercing gaze. A blade-sharp look descended.

Whoosh!

The energy wave’s source was stark. As if the young Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s eyes swallowed the space whole.

A skin-slicing energy wave. A truly fearsome presence.

Within a supreme master’s clear realm.

“For a Lazy Flame Dragon, isn’t he pretty well-grown?”

The boy spoke calmly. Unrestrained words.