Chapter 192 – Bond (7)

Silence surged. A vast astonishment rippled outward.

From the spectator stands holding nearly a thousand to the watchtowers where warriors skilled in eye techniques sat.

At this moment, few seemed to realize the Opening Tournament had ended.

But it was brief. Cheers erupted from the mouths of the uninformed.

Waaaaa—!

“The young master has done it at last!”

“In my lifetime, I’ve witnessed such a marvel! Isn’t it truly astounding?”

“So many famed righteous martial artists…”

The crowd couldn’t fathom what had happened. Only a handful of supreme masters faintly guessed a single method.

Yet, with broad experience and keen insight, some things were harder to believe. What unfolded before their eyes was one such case.

“Her internal energy barrier was intact when struck.”

“Could it be the Internal Meridian Technique? Piercing the Yan Family’s First Fist’s protective energy… Is that possible?”

“His energy control has reached a seamless realm. I can’t even guess how he directed a single strand in multiple paths. Turning a point into a surface with numerous rotations… Even saying it, it’s hard to accept. To wield the energy’s ultimate precision so finely in that instant?”

“Catching the exact strike timing defies reason. Unless his calculation borders on foresight.”

“A black-rank of Desolate Fortress at that age—there’s a reason for such a figure…”

“Her overconfidence was her downfall. The Radiant Demon Wing Leader was clearly at a disadvantage, yet while she prattled, he’d already laid the groundwork to counter her. A fighter with ancient martial talent. She shouldn’t have given him time.”

“A gift to overturn martial prowess rankings… Truly remarkable.”

The crowd filling the stands numbered a thousand. Some masters, unbound by the Martial Alliance, sat as casually as if out for a drink.

Warriors of both righteous and unorthodox paths, along with unaffiliated faction masters, eagerly debated martial principles.

Underlying it was admiration for the new Radiant Demon Wing Leader. Some bore odd expressions, wary of Desolate Fortress’s rising power.

“The Martial Alliance’s scale is unprecedented, so I thought Desolate Fortress would pause for a while… The martial world’s future is uncertain now.”

“The Alliance has only two paths. Harden its face-saving stance further or seek peace with Desolate Fortress.”

“Peace? Desolate Fortress doesn’t negotiate. Unless they send hostages, it’ll be tough.”

“A marriage alliance might be worth considering. A common tactic among families. If a black-rank key figure ties with an Alliance leader, who knows?”

“The Alliance isn’t that desperate yet… We’ll see. The upheaval this Radiant Demon Wing Leader has caused will ripple widely.”

Meanwhile, the leadership tent draped in ornate white awning remained quiet.

“…”

No one dared speak rashly. They only gauged the reactions of the prestigious family heads and faction proxies.

The refined Zhuge Family Head sat in silence. His face was veiled by a white crane fan adorned with teal tassels.

His snow-white robes and pale skin exuded an unusually cold aura.

Less a shallow anger, it resembled the meditation of an absolute figure facing an unresolved matter.

The Martial Alliance Opening Tournament had become Desolate Fortress’s showcase.

The new Leader flaunted his prowess at the Alliance’s heart. He’d ultimately conquered the Opening Tournament.

Every endeavor Jeong Yeon-shin, the Radiant Demon Wing Leader, had undertaken defied guarantees of success or victory.

From the request to defeat the reclusive Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost to the duel with the Yan Family’s First Fist, who’d received his martial secrets.

Permitting the young supreme master’s feats and setting the stage had amounted to nothing. The Alliance had stumbled from the start.

“Just give him the Great Rejuvenation Pill and send him off. It wasn’t ours anyway.”

A middle-aged swordmaster with piercing eyes spoke. Liaodong’s foremost swordmaster, the Murong Family Head, clad in deep pink robes.

“The longer that kid stays, the more misfortune seems to cling to Hanzhong. With the martial world’s eyes on us, neither family heads nor elders can act freely. Sending him away is the solution.”

“…”

“To devise counters, those the Zhuge Family Head sent—many ended up bonding with the Radiant Demon Wing Leader. We should remove him before he gains favor in the righteous martial world. I hear, unlike his brazen antics on the stage, his character’s upright. Small mercy. If a conqueror of the Opening Tournament, acknowledged by the Alliance, digs into us, hiding our vulnerabilities will get messy.”

His words were blunt. The only one to speak freely before the Zhuge Family Head.

He alluded to the Heart Martial Alliance and the dead regional magistrate’s ties. The last lingering unease after the Opening Tournament’s collapse.

The Zhuge Family Head nodded silently. Contempt laced his gaze as he stared at the fallen Yan Hwa-ryeon.

Yan Family fist masters approached her, avoiding the Radiant Demon Wing Leader.

Blood trickled from Yan Hwa-ryeon’s lips, her heart meridian ruptured. At one end, Jeong Yeon-shin stood amid the crowd’s cheers, flag in hand.

In this moment, the boy was the martial world’s center. For now, it was so.

The Murong Family Head glanced at them, then turned to the stands.

The Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s subordinate, who’d earlier taunted Yan Hwa-ryeon, was cheering.

“That guy.”

A chill glinted in the Murong Family Head’s eyes.

“He looks familiar somehow. Beyond this affair, something about him irks me. I can’t place where I’ve seen him. Not a good bond, I’d wager.”

“A worthless ruffian. His conduct suggests low origins.”

Beside him, Murong Ming-jun, in faint pink robes, spoke. He glared at Hyeon Won-chang, following his father’s gaze, and continued slowly.

“He’s more a loud-mouthed wastrel. His prowess…”

He trailed off, closing his mouth. He’d scanned Hyeon Won-chang with an eye technique from an unnamed Heavenly Demon’s tomb.

An odd sensation halted his certainty. Unlike the Radiant Demon Wing Leader, whom he couldn’t fathom, this differed.

Though all was visible, the supreme eye technique urged him to look deeper.

“He hasn’t trained lightly.”

The Murong Family Head said, glancing at his son.

“Even among Desolate Fortress’s envoys, he showed unusual hostility. Keep an eye on him until the Radiant Demon Wing Leader departs.”

“…Yes.”

Murong Ming-jun dipped his head slightly.

The adults of the Alliance’s two mightiest pillars were authoritative. Both the Murong and Zhuge Families were so.

Young talents with succession rights had no choice but to obey their heads.

Even Murong Ming-jun vied with his sister, who guarded the family base.

Her power had grown recently after taking a high-born master as a son-in-law.

That noble clansman was an expert with secrets to enrich their famine-stricken lands.

‘I must earn merit.’

His honor was his father’s. Young talents of prestigious families were raised thus. Rash words couldn’t mar their dignity.

“I’ll closely observe alongside the Radiant Demon Wing Leader.”

Murong Ming-jun reiterated.

The Murong Family Head, glancing at him impassively, spoke for the Zhuge Family Head.

“Anyhow, let’s wrap up the remaining rites in two days and send him off. Only the Sword Star will regret it.”

The crowd didn’t disperse. They clamored loudly, dazzling the clear sunlight.

The Alliance leadership, certain of Yan Hwa-ryeon’s victory, had led the rites’ announcement.

Though the Sword Star and Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s duel was set for tomorrow, today’s final event remained.

The Martial Alliance Opening Tournament was a long-heralded festival. Notices posted across the Central Plains drew immense attention.

They’d announced Shaolin’s Great Rejuvenation Pill in advance. Many gathered, hoping to catch a whiff of the supreme elixir awarded to the victor.

“That’s…”

“The ancient elixir’s in there.”

“Doesn’t the air feel purer?”

People murmured.

Where Yan Hwa-ryeon had been carried off by Zhenzhou Yan masters.

The Alliance’s Grand Internal Strategist ascended the sparring stage. Her robes, catching the white sunlight, fluttered long.

Lady Ye held an ornate wooden box in both hands.

Rustle.

She approached Jeong Yeon-shin with light steps. The boy, flag lowered at an angle, gazed at her silently.

As his black robe brushed the clear autumn breeze, they faced each other.

“It’s the Great Rejuvenation Pill.”

She murmured.

“I’ve verified it—it’s genuine.”

“Right.”

The boy said, eyeing the box in her hands.

The fruit of his long time at the Alliance lay there. He’d earned ample merit. Only his grandfather’s recovery remained.

Swish.

As he took the box, their hands brushed its underside. A soft touch grazed the side of Jeong Yeon-shin’s fingers.

Her fingertips were delicate, uncharacteristic of a warrior. Even with the refined stepping technique in her gait.

She spoke playfully.

“Congratulations, young Leader.”

“Thanks.”

The boy replied. Bonds with Fan Dragon Zhuge Xian, Gong Sun-min, Little Sword Queen, and Taoist Cheon Ju had stripped his bias toward Alliance figures.

Unlike other elders. Even now, a warmth flowed, melting his upper dantian.

Lady Ye’s goodwill was pure. Consistent from their first meeting to now.

‘Her intent’s unclear, but I should repay her.’

Jeong Yeon-shin spoke calmly, thinking of those he’d bonded with.

Besides Zhuge Xian and Gong Sun-min, he planned to invite Taoist Cheon Ju, Yu Hyeon, and Little Sword Queen.

“If you come to Fragrant Melody Courtyard before I leave, I’ll treat you to Longjing tea. I’ve prepared plenty.”

The boy said.

For a moment.

Lady Ye’s exhale deepened briefly. Her ruby-red lips curved slightly.

What did her white silk-veiled eyes see in him? Beyond his upper dantian sensitivity, her form was beautiful.

‘Beautiful?’

The boy mulled his thought grumpily.

He’d felt death facing Yue Shou-lin, the Desolate Fortress Divine Spear. A strange sensation came with knee pain—unprecedented.

He’d noticed a woman oddly. He’d aged. It felt sharper now than then.

Did those who built families—his own mother included—live with such cumbersome senses?

It was strange and frightening. For the boy, natural change meant nearing ruin.

Death brushed his spine.

Jeong Yeon-shin gazed at Lady Ye, meeting her eyes. Her white blindfold felt like her gaze.

Unrelated to his turmoil, sunlight dappled and sparkled. He averted his eyes unconsciously.

As if shunning the encroaching end with autumn’s close.

“You’re inviting me? Can I really come?”

“If you don’t send word ahead, my comrades will turn you away.”

“Got it. I’ll send a letter first.”

She replied with a laugh. A pristine, rosy smile.

The arc her lips drew seemed to rouse the crowd anew. It made them realize the Opening Tournament was over.

Cheers rose again. Louder than ever.

A roar to split the heavens echoed. The Central Plains’ gambling folk’s joys and sorrows melded into the azure sky.

“Radiant Demon Wing Leader! A young master of chivalry, so mighty!”

“Jeong Yeon-shin won! I’m a tycoon now!”

“I’ve lost everything—!”

“Thanks for broadening my horizons!”

Amid the deafening cheers, the boy clearly heard Lady Ye’s footsteps.

Rustle.

“Rest well today. See you tomorrow.”

She turned slowly. Her hem, dressed in ceremonial robes today, brushed the floor lightly.

Accompanied by a small, private chuckle. Her jet-black hair fluttered as if mirroring her smile.

A stark contrast to her white sleeves.

Lady Ye walked away lightly.

The boy in black robes stood alone on the stage.

Holding the Great Rejuvenation Pill’s box in his left hand, he gripped the Desolate Divine Hero’s white Desolate Banner slantwise in his right.

The cheers swelled endlessly. A swirl of reverence, goodwill, anger, and joy for the Opening Tournament’s outcome.

***

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Translated by Nine Heavens!

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The Next Day

By Fragrant Melody Courtyard’s pond, the seated boy greeted three figures. Renowned masters, rare to see anywhere.

Even the two younger ones were such. Noble faces shone in the autumn light.

Among them was Mount Hua’s refined swordmaster.

“Beyond personal matters… I’ve come to share a hint to unify your sword techniques fully. The foundation of sword styles is linked techniques. Facing the Sword Star’s blade with loosely tied sword techniques won’t suffice.”

Taoist Cheon Ju said.

Birds sang on branches overhead. Their chirps were clear.

A face-saving measure prepared by the Alliance leadership for emergencies, ‘the Sword Star’s guidance,’ was a day away.