Chapter 217 – Flash (4)

Was there a set format for writing secret manuals?

Jeong Yeon-shin had not realized it. Time was already scarce for managing the main squad, and it seemed he truly needed to add annotations.

‘Right. The secret manuals in Heavenly Gold Arsenal were all detailed.’

Before creating his unique martial techniques, he had studied the martial arts stored in headquarters’ Heavenly Gold Arsenal. Looking back, it made sense.

It felt as if a parent were personally guiding him through the essentials.

Every word in each manual was meticulously crafted. They even carried a touch of warmth.

It resembled the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique he had written as a child through trial and error.

The martial techniques he had contributed over time were similar. They had ample margins. Unlike the dismantling document that compiled various martial arts.

‘This time, I was careless. There is no rule that only veteran masters should study it.’

Jeong Yeon-shin nodded slowly.

He parted his lips shortly after. It was before the seniors, wearing odd expressions, could speak.

“This is my oversight as a junior. Please hand it here.”

He extended his hand. It was toward the Comprehensive Breaking Guide in Xiahou Wei-zhen’s grasp. There was no need to snatch it with a seizing technique.

The moment his fingertips touched the book, he took it naturally.

The secret manual returned to its owner. No one could object.

Swish.

Jeong Yeon-shin tucked a letter and the single volume into his robes. They were the message from Blood Guardian Leader and the sole copy of Comprehensive Breaking Guide.

He recognized it as a handwritten copy due to its unfamiliar texture. The cover was slightly stiffer.

The Grand Administrator had said only one copy would be made, and it appeared he had already completed it. It seemed dried meticulously with an energy wave breeze.

This was information shared only with Jeong Yeon-shin among Divine Sword Group’s masters. The original had been taken by the Desolate Fortress Lord, they said.

‘Did she notice something incomplete?’

Jeong Yeon-shin thought.

It was after both documents were fully concealed within his black robes.

“Well, um…?”

Xiahou Wei-zhen blinked.

It caught him off guard. His grip loosened more easily than when facing Yue Shou-lin’s seizing technique.

Radiant Demon Wing Leader had not used martial skill. His junior had simply taken it per propriety. Resisting would have been strange.

“I will add separate annotations and return it. Should I send it to the Grand Administrator?”

“…Yes.”

Xiahou Wei-zhen’s reply came late.

A sharp glint flashed in Woon So-yu’s eyes behind her dark pupils. She could not blame Jeong Yeon-shin.

It was a silent reproach toward Forest-Treading Leader, who had caused the issue. Yue Shou-lin merely giggled.

“Some fitting punishment will come down on that big guy, whether it’s discipline or otherwise. Jeong Yeon-shin, take your time. Your condition concerns me more than Comprehensive Breaking Guide. You have earned rest after completing a significant mission.”

“Your words are too generous.”

Yue Shou-lin waved off Jeong Yeon-shin’s bow.

“Still, you should prepare well for the Leaders’ meeting. It’s tomorrow at the Hour of the Rooster, in the evening, so eat a solid meal beforehand. The Wish for Peace Sword Hall meeting is akin to a duel. We just do not draw swords. It’s your first proper attendance as a Leader, is it not?”

“What is tomorrow’s agenda?”

Jeong Yeon-shin asked quietly.

Yue Shou-lin rolled her eyes upward as if pondering, then spoke.

“Mission assignments, subordinate promotion reviews, and reports on recent martial world affairs, perhaps? The tension will be fierce over securing desired missions and promoting your squad. You must choose missions not only for yourself but also for your subordinates. Selecting the right people for the situation is crucial. Sending a slow-footed subordinate against an archery-skilled foe would spell disaster.”

“…Understood.”

“Oh, and a heads-up: lowering your voice at Wish for Peace Sword Hall is your loss. Do not defer to senior black-ranks out of courtesy. You must shout and assert yourself. For your subordinates’ sake too.”

She continued with a bright smile.

“None of us will mind. We all did it.”

Xiahou Wei-zhen leaned his massive frame slightly forward to interject.

“Divine Sword Deputy Leader was especially fierce. A letter from the retired former Azure Sky Leader said he still subsists on porridge thrice daily. The energy wave from her spear strike shattered his jaw muscles. He can barely move it properly.”

“That old man deserved it, did he not? Have you forgotten what he blabbered to me?”

Jeong Yeon-shin had no desire to watch his two seniors bicker.

“I will keep it in mind.”

He concluded swiftly.

And he thought as he spoke. There’s no seniority at Wish for Peace Sword Hall, it seems.

It meant he could act plainly, as he had outside headquarters.

It struck him as highly significant. He had no intention of yielding missions or subordinates. This was separate from his respect for black-rank seniors.

‘Acting as usual should suffice.’

Jeong Yeon-shin gave a faint smile. Yue Shou-lin’s smile deepened slightly as she glanced at the new junior.

“How did such a cute kid end up in a stone seat? The grim air will clear up. I’m too excited, aren’t I?”

“See you tomorrow.”

He clasped his hands in salute. There was little else to say.

A low hum sounded.

The energy barrier Xiahou Wei-zhen had maintained dissipated. The scenery from yellow earth to stone walls and foliage sharpened instantly.

It was an astonishing display of energy control, no matter how often seen.

“See you tomorrow! The martial world’s state is quite grim now, so it won’t be a cheerful gathering! Keep that in mind!”

“That Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s robe has some flair, but… it needs pressing. Come well-ironed.”

Yue Shou-lin and Xiahou Wei-zhen turned away.

Law Enforcement Squad Leader Woon So-yu’s lips moved a few times, but she ultimately said nothing. Her gaze lingered on Jeong Yeon-shin’s chest.

It seemed she had business regarding Comprehensive Breaking Guide.

Come to think of it, she was said to be a dismantling expert. She might have brought a unique purpose.

‘Submitting an annotated version quickly should do.’

Jeong Yeon-shin bid farewell to his seniors. He wished them a peaceful night.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

***

The pavilion was exceedingly grand.

It resembled the Ninefold Palace transplanted whole. The stone-carved trees stretching from floor to ceiling attested to that.

The residence of the Ming Crown Prince within Desolate Fortress. Moonlight streamed in, casting blue hues at the window frames. It was profoundly silent.

This was due to the occupant manipulating wind energy. Only the occasional chirping of crickets rang out bleakly.

“Lin Jin-ming.”

A peerless handsome prince called for Desolate Fortress’s Grand Administrator. He sat on a marble-carved grand chair.

His ears were sharp as divine sword blades. The gleam in his eyes resembled black lightning.

His face hid his thoughts, bearing a cool yet impassive air. Looking down at the kneeling giant Grand Administrator felt natural.

A noble figure.

The Ming Crown Prince.

“It’s hard to believe.”

“You must believe it.”

The Grand Administrator replied calmly.

The Crown Prince spoke slowly. It was amid moonlight slanting through the window.

He spoke as if he alone existed in the martial world.

“Tyrant Hero regained his youth? No such rumor reached headquarters. You know well my ears are not just two. The hidden swords permitted by the Grand Preceptor sent no word either.”

“I enforced strict silence. The loss of two purple-ranks had spread covertly, and many martial world factions know of headquarters’ weakness. The movements of uniting and scattering righteous factions and the Thirteen Evil Sects are unusual. We plan to conceal Tyrant Hero’s rejuvenation for now and decisively cut down the unruly. Was he not originally a divine sword?”

“It must be true, then.”

“Yes.”

The Crown Prince fell briefly silent.

He did not ask how it happened. It was already done. The Grand Administrator knew him well.

He had a disposition for anticipating future events first. His own world was sharply defined.

Only after a moment did he speak again.

“The Forbidden City in Beijing had been lamenting. Purple-ranks have their duties. With no hands free for noble missions constantly, they said the blow was grievous.”

“As for the Zhu lady of Ma Family…”

“Yes, Tyrant Hero destroyed both of Zhu Lianting’s dantians.”

“Indeed.”

“They’ll find it useful in the Forbidden City. They cannot touch a purple-rank supreme master, but they’ll think they’ve gained a card to wield. The justification is clear, is it not? Harm to imperial kin.”

“…”

“My junior brother might lament it. I hear his recent feats were great.”

[TL Note- Junior Brother = Jeong Yeon-shin]

The Crown Prince’s fingers tapped the armrest slowly.

“I must submit a memorial to let this pass leniently. Even so, Tyrant Hero will have to reside in Beijing for a time. The duties of a Desolate Fortress purple-rank have been vacant too long. There was a critical need once, and no one could go.”

“I am sorry.”

“It’s regrettable. I know the martial world is chaotic. In my humble view, in such times, the role of black-ranks leading the seventeen squads outweighs that of the few purple-ranks. That’s why new talents like my junior brother are precious. Tyrant Hero’s body is just one, is it not? Even if he achieved the miracle of rejuvenation.”

He murmured his thoughts in an archaic tone. An old habit.

‘The urge to speak gnaws at me.’

The Grand Administrator thought.

Radiant Demon Wing Leader Jeong Yeon-shin was the true architect of this miracle. He had briefly surpassed black-rank caliber.

Overwhelmed by awe and joy at how to reward him, the Grand Administrator had come at the Crown Prince’s summons.

‘It seems I must say it.’

He organized his thoughts. It was not an issue to bypass just because it was unasked. Otherwise, a storm would eventually descend.

He spoke at once.

“It stemmed from the current Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s hand.”

“What did? Speak in context.”

“Your Highness’s junior brother turned back Tyrant Hero’s time.”

At a corner of the reception room.

The moonlight framing the window trembled.

***

The next day dawned.

A newborn season settled with transparent sunlight. Clear, cold air seeped through the square window of Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s office.

It brushed coolly past his sleeves and nape.

The breeze of early winter.

‘Time moves fast.’

Jeong Yeon-shin leaned back against the stone chair’s backrest.

Opposite him stood Feng Lan and Luo Yi-qian from Blood Guardian Squad.

“As your Leader’s limbs… we seek much guidance henceforth.”

“We earnestly desire your leadership and instruction.”

Their manners were impeccable. A refined elegance seemed to breathe in their gentle demeanor.

Blood Guardian Squad, due to various circumstances, was shunned even within Divine Sword Group.

Thus, they adhered strictly to law and courtesy, it was said. Closer to a military unit than any other squad.

‘Law Enforcement Squad and Blood Guardian Squad. The most avoided squads, they say.’

To Jeong Yeon-shin, they left a favorable impression.

Blood Guardian Leader Jin Myeong-jo had not sparred with him. He had sent subordinates abruptly.

Jeong Yeon-shin had read Jin Myeong-jo’s letter last night.

By his bedside, where cold night air slipped through the door’s gap, he inscribed rare, touching words in his heart.

It now rested neatly in his desk drawer.

A place where he kept letters, orders from seniors since joining Desolate Fortress, and messages from the Desolate Fortress Lord.

Jin Myeong-jo’s letter deserved its place there.

[…I went through the same. Right after the previous Leader’s sudden death, I took over the squad as a new black-rank. No one but the Grand Administrator aided me.

Is it not a strange environment?

A Leader’s word decides the fate of blue-rank elites, and across the martial world, commoners suffering under rampant martial artists desperately await your debut.

Much was bewildering. Thus, your struggles stood out to me.

Endless procedures would be burdensome.

I feared a new Leader’s time to organize Radiant Demon Wing would stretch. Hence, I sent capable ones to serve as immediate strength.

Blood Blade Ghost Feng Lan and Asura Demon Soul Luo Yi-qian are renowned even in our squad.

Blue robes almost feel insufficient. Not quite black-rank, mind you.

Regardless, Feng Lan’s Blood-Wielding Saber Technique is nigh unparalleled, and Luo Yi-qian’s Dark Night Iron Claw wields fearsome power in the field.

They’ve absorbed your lineage’s skills remarkably well. Friends who grow ever stronger.

Those two alone could manage three men’s worth.

Feng Lan and Luo Yi-qian mastered chilling energy arts. Their energy peaks at night.

I believe you can use them adeptly. Please cherish them. I’ll end here.

With boundless joy at welcoming headquarters’ most brilliant and promising junior.

Blood Guardian Leader Jin Myeong-jo.]

Written in one swift stroke. Still vivid in his mind.

The emotion swelling as he sent subordinates for a junior’s sake, with shaky strokes here and there, felt human.

‘Blood Guardian’s Senior Jin was a great man.’

He was admirable.

He had readily sent two blue-rank masters.

Among black-rank seniors, he might be the most exemplary.

His capacity was beyond measure. Had he been from another faction, Jeong Yeon-shin would have called him a great hero.

He had once dubbed Zhongnan Sect’s Sword Dragon Wei Ji Myo-hwa so.

“Welcome to the family. Besides your signature techniques, what martial arts have you trained in?”

Jeong Yeon-shin asked knowingly. He had learned from Hyeon Won-chang and Baek Mi-ryeo.

To bond with others, one should converse, even without intent, they said.

“You are now like a sect’s head. Leading a Divine Sword Group squad is a grave responsibility. Remember your rank surpasses most faction leaders, and guide us well. At the end, your fruit surely awaits.”

Baek Mi-ryeo’s words. Broaden your perspective, she said. With a sect leader’s heart.

“I trained in Radiant Wing Steps, and Feng Lan is refining Fate Defying Scripture.”

Luo Yi-qian replied. Feng Lan beside him nodded.

Thin jawlines, pale faces. They resembled siblings. The irregular energy waves pulsing from them felt strangely eerie.

They also seemed accustomed to following orders like military figures.

‘That makes twenty-three blue-ranks.’

Cheong Myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo had said twenty-four. The same as Mount Hua Sect’s Plum Blossom Swordsmen.

With that number of blue-ranks, they could contend with any major faction’s elites, they claimed.

One short, but he could not demand more from the gracious Blood Guardian Leader.

‘It’s fine.’

The martial world’s mightiest opium fiend lay sprawled on the roof.

Only his nameless robes were an issue. Jeong Yeon-shin planned to propose his promotion this time.

‘Minimum strength is secured. Now, if I familiarize them with Comprehensive Breaking Guide and refine Radiant Demon Techniques to teach, it’ll be a formidable force.’

It was time for internal organization.

Radiant Demon Wing had its own conflicts and thirsts, they said. The City of Renowned Craftsmen incident warranted a Leader change.

It could not be all harmony. White-rank junior Shin So-bin remained detained by Shin Clan, so he had to retrieve her somehow.

Cheong Myeong’s words rang clear.

“Beyond robe colors, you could be your lineage’s pioneer. You wield Eternal Blossom Fist and Radiant Wing Steps masterfully. They practically worship you. I hear you recently trounced her sister in Pure Heaven Wing—Shin Bin-bin, that friend. She complained you treat White Qilin like your subordinate.”

After the Leaders’ meeting, he intended to notify Shin Clan. Release my subordinate.

‘If they refuse, citing family matters…’

Jeong Yeon-shin did not pursue that grim hypothesis.

He could think then.

He cleared his thoughts and rose. He spoke slowly.

“We’ll review your martial arts tomorrow. Hone your energy and stand by.”

Feng Lan and Luo Yi-qian bowed silently.

“Leave.”

Jeong Yeon-shin dismissed them and drew a letter from his robes. A paper wrapped in ornate pink silk.

Unfolding it top to bottom revealed Ma Yeon-jeok’s handwriting.

Calligraphy befitting “dragons soaring in unison.” It seemed alive, writhing.

[I hear the juniors gather at Wish for Peace Sword Hall.

This grandfather should show his face too, so shall we go together? I’ll come to Radiant Demon Wing pavilion.

The imperial family will surely summon this old body in secret. I wish to spend much time with you, Yeon-shin. I also want to witness your first Leaders’ meeting.]

Jeong Yeon-shin winced. It was wholly separate from his regard for his grandfather.

A grandson heading to work with his grandfather in tow?

It was a scene to kick the bed over. It would happen this very evening.

‘I’ll head out first.’

Step.

He moved at once.

Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s black robes fluttered.