Chapter 271 – The Master of the Martial Book (8)

The Desolate Fortress Administration Office occupied one of the largest hall clusters in the main fortress.

It was an era where courtesy toward scholars was unprecedentedly high.

One could tell just by the path stretching toward the entrance, where vibrant flowers bloomed through the cold winter air.

A landscape bestowed upon the Administration Office’s scholars by the Desolate Fortress Lord. A garden for literati who could become poets or calligraphers at any moment.

Crunch.

The steps of the four blue-robed Desolate Fortress masters bearing the palanquin were remarkably light.

Rather, their distinct energy waves caused the petals of the blooming flowers on either side to tremble faintly.

Only the Radiant Demon Wing Leader, seated above the white and yellow garden, remained motionless.

The warriors assisting the squad leader had been summoned. The other Radiant Demon Wing masters had already headed to their quarters.

“Hm.”

A taciturn man with a pale complexion, holding the rear of the palanquin’s legs, spoke.

A blue-robed master with skin as white as a Blood Guardian squad leader, he moved his unusually red lips like Wind Orchid, the April Bow Ghost also drafted alongside him.

“Is this really alright?”

Luo Yi-qian glanced at the back of Jeong Yeon-shin, the new squad leader he now served.

The palanquin’s legs were paired in twos: Lazy Flame Dragon and Hyeon Won-chang held the front, while April Bow Ghost Wei Rui-ling and Luo Yi-qian supported the rear.

Lazy Flame Dragon, walking ahead, shook his head casually.

“What will you do if it is not? Tens of thousands have already witnessed the squad leader’s triumphal return. Did not the venerable Fortress Leader’s command come down too?”

“The more we go, the more the attire of refined officials shows through. High-ranking administrators are gathered in the inner courtyard.”

April Bow Ghost Wei Rui-ling spoke, a large river bow slung across her back. She gazed ahead with her striking blue eyes.

Hyeon Won-chang nodded.

“Are not the irritating voices plentiful too? This is practically an atmosphere of condemnation… though they refrain from shouting, at least.”

The senses of blue-robed masters were exceedingly sharp.

Though the refinement of their sensory paths varied greatly, passing the rank advancement test required clearly perceiving even the sound of a falling leaf.

Thus, they heard.

“Lord Sheng Xuan of the Justice Office expressed concern. Those trained in martial arts have begun acting as bandits and pirates. Lately, Jiangxi’s lands yield nothing when raided, leading only to bizarre sacrifices piling up.”

“The words of Jiangxi’s Right Counselor align with our town’s plight.”

“Now even those untrained in martial arts are turning to banditry. It is practically a swarm.”

“We have it too, we do. Not long ago, three blue-robed warriors who arrived in Sichuan’s capital were killed by unknown masters. With no reinforcements for so long, we braved perilous roads to reach Xiangyang here, only to hear the Tang Clan stabilized the capital in the meantime.”

“Then is it not settled? Have you not seen the lower officials outside? They line up to plead directly with the Grand Administrator of Desolate Fortress… It would be wise to consider the plight of subordinates and yield a spot.”

“No, I too need firm answers on our region’s martial world security. When local nobles’ Myriad Heavens Flower Rain feels more reliable than Desolate Fortress’s blue swords… I cannot just leave. I stay to catch a glimpse of the Grand Administrator’s face. Yet half a day passes, and he will not meet us. How busy he must be.”

“Some have waited seven days and nights.”

“Good heavens…”

“They refuse to let us in no matter what, the dignity of Great Ming officials…”

It evidenced the recent struggles of Desolate Fortress’s Divine Sword Group.

The inner courtyard, folding into the Administration Office’s elegant halls.

Men in ornate robes of various colors, clad in traditional attire, debated the security vacuum.

Their conduct was reserved, their voices measured.

The officials here had ignored the scheduled audience dates and emerged from their quarters.

They never raised their tones. They kept strict boundaries.

This was the domain of the Desolate Fortress Leader, a martial god recognized as a military king even before the current emperor’s ascension.

Dozens of officials knew how to protect their necks.

They merely discussed facts in calm tones.

Even as the black-robed squad leader’s palanquin approached, they only cast fleeting glances with composed expressions.

“I heard of him… They say the new squad leader under the Divine Sword Group is that young.”

“The Flower Shadow King of Sichuan. That haughty demeanor suits him oddly well.”

“He has the spirit of a governor-general. A victorious general in his own right. At such a young, no, youthful age.”

Each maintained their dignity.

They must have heard the Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s feats from the repeated shouts afar, yet they stepped back a few paces with impassive faces. A show of propriety.

“Hmph.”

Hyeon Won-chang snorted and spoke, passing the cluster of officials with his comrades.

Even their cautious steps carried a lively rhythm.

[In famine years, eating fine meals, those who wandered to the main fortress

Never sent word when they benefited from the fortress warriors’ virtue

Unable to send proxies despite their lofty status

Fearing setbacks in their careers, they dare not plead for imperial troops

Instead, they gather in droves, mouths gaping like turtles

In Shaanxi, where the Radiant Demon Wing Leader passed, no one came to this seat

Yet here sit those who reaped the benefit of Myriad Heavens Flower Rain restored by the Radiant Demon Wing Leader]

“This…”

After the clear voice flowed out sharply. Even the insult of “turtles” drew no notable reaction from the officials.

The Radiant Demon Wing Leader sat atop this unadorned sarcasm. It was not a place for rash actions.

The authority to execute officials on the spot.

A tale quietly spread among the elite.

Most officials shut their mouths, each with a different expression.

Then it happened. A loud laugh erupted from the top of the Administration Office’s hall.

Hahaha!

A middle-aged man with a thick black beard stuck his head out through a window gap, his face brimming with mirth.

From the lower window frames around him, a few figures appeared too. Scholars trained in martial arts smirked and vanished one by one.

The Grand Administrator shouted.

“They say the Great Tongue Sword is our youngest squad leader’s right arm, and indeed his fame is well-earned! It clears the chest!”

“I am embarrassed. I merely blurted what came to mind.”

Hyeon Won-chang fiddled with the hero’s band on his forehead sheepishly.

The Grand Administrator chuckled. His gaze shifted to the palanquin.

“Young Master Jeong’s breathing has deepened greatly. Worthy of slaying such supreme masters in succession. This matter is of a different caliber, truly startling even as I received the reports.”

“…”

Yet the Radiant Demon Wing Leader did not respond, chin in hand.

He remained eyes-closed, expression indifferent to all. The winter sunlight on his refined face stood out strikingly.

The officials whispered. The Grand Administrator of Desolate Fortress held the rank of a seasoned black robe, yet such conduct ignored praise.

“He must have earned that caliber.”

“Look at his bearing. Is it not remarkably natural?”

“There was a rumor he is favored by the imperial grandson.”

“What…?”

No one paid heed to their murmurs. Only Lazy Flame Dragon twisted his lips into a slight arc.

The Grand Administrator’s mouth curled as he looked down at the palanquin borne by four blue robes. He has surpassed even the Ma Clan’s lineage.

‘He has greatly bolstered prestige among the officials rooted across the realm. The martial world holds only perilous tasks, but this will return as a boon for any future missions. Young Master Jeong truly aims for the purple rank at a youthful age.’

A turbulent era where the future was hard to foresee. This event would grow in significance.

The Grand Administrator spoke slowly.

“Go straight to the Fortress Leader. A stern command was given. I lack the capacity now, so let us meet again at the merit assessment.”

“For real? Straight there?”

Hyeon Won-chang questioned. But the Grand Administrator had already turned away.

***

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Translated by Nine Heavens!

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***

The Fortress Leader’s inner stronghold had wide stairs. Suitable for bearing a palanquin.

Rumble—

A massive stone gate opened on its own. It was right after the palanquin party reached the stairs’ end.

Beyond the gate, the opposite side without walls came into view, and a hazy sunset glow poured through the wide-open windows.

Lazy Flame Dragon bit his lip slightly.

The dreamlike ambiance seeped into his already blurred and hazy mind.

‘I might lose consciousness.’

A figure reclined diagonally on a tree trunk within.

The tips of her grass-green hair, melting into the twilight, swayed long below her waist.

She exuded no presence, yet that very absence made the surrounding scenery, grass, and wind’s whispers unusually vivid.

Was this the realm famed scholars of Shandong’s Jinan called the Natural Sword, beyond even the great scions of noble clans?

“We greet the Fortress Leader.”

April Bow Ghost Wei Rui-ling’s voice rang from behind. Lazy Flame Dragon echoed nonchalantly. We greet the Fortress Leader.

“Set it down.”

A clear voice flowed out.

From then on.

“Huh…?”

Lazy Flame Dragon was swept into an entirely different time. Something overwhelming seemed to push his mind aside.

As if thought, contemplation, and awareness were unpermitted in this space, his consciousness drifted dreamlike.

The moment a single crunch sounded, the Fortress Leader’s shadow fell over the palanquin, the squad leader slumped back as if his acupoints released with a single step, her slender fingers touched his noble-pale cheek, then rose to his brow emitting a grass-like glow, a faint breath, a very thin exhale… her fingertips brushed his eyes.

That was all. Nothing more was visible.

Not the sunset swaying in the Fortress Leader’s hair, nor the brief scent of grass brushing his nose, nor her lips mouthing a command to leave.

Before they knew it.

The palanquin party stood outside the closed stone gate.

***

Suddenly, Jeong Yeon-shin opened his eyes.

His vision sharpened instantly. A familiar wall appeared. The quarters of the Radiant Demon Wing hall.

He straightened his slightly bent back from lying on his side, the deeply familiar stone wall scent enveloping him warmly.

‘I arrived safely.’

Nothing had gone awry. Enemies who might block the way could have appeared.

It was thanks to his comrades’ exceptional skill. Even with a useless fool among them, they achieved results befitting the Radiant Demon Wing’s renown.

Rustle.

Jeong Yeon-shin neatly arranged his bedding and donned a robe with only the left sleeve missing.

At that moment, a commotion arose outside. Some presences came from the roof, likely guarding the defenseless squad leader.

“He is awake!”

“Squad Leader! That Hwangbo fool did everything…!”

“Idiot! Shut up first! He does not know yet!”

Jeong Yeon-shin’s lips curved faintly. Such liveliness had never turned toward him at the Jeong Family Estate.

Lazy Flame Dragon must have caused trouble, but it would be handled by Cheong Myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo. A hint of amusement colored the seniors’ clamor.

Warmly vibrant.

He murmured softly.

“Quiet.”

He did not infuse his voice with true energy, yet the Radiant Demon Wing hall fell silent in an instant.

Only the youthful voices of unnamed disciples playing in the front yard and across the training grounds echoed intermittently.

There was a reason for the silence. Jeong Yeon-shin roughly adjusted his attire.

‘North, Wish for Peace Sword Hall.’

A transcendent aura emanated from the Desolate Fortress leadership’s meeting place. Even his maturing black-robed senses reacted like skin pricked by a needle.

Vastly unstable yet overwhelmingly present. Utterly unlike the barely perceptible energy waves of the Desolate Fortress Leader.

It surged through the paper windows above the threshold like a tidal wave of light, dazzlingly brilliant.

The current Divine Sword Group Leader was summoning the Radiant Demon Wing Leader.