Chapter 151 – Contact (2)

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Translated by Nine Heavens!

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“This is no time for jokes.”

Obeying Heaven Wing Leader Ha Do-woon said. His face was calm.

Perhaps knowing Yue Shou-lin’s unpredictable nature, he didn’t show wasteful displeasure.

He just glanced at Jeong Yeon-shin and continued speaking.

“I won’t separately question the Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s capabilities. Young Leader Jeong’s achievements thus far are undeniably clear. While the first mission as Leader is unusually significant, I believe he has proven at least minimal qualification in this short time. He is sufficiently powerful and decisive.”

Ha Do-woon spoke with clear pronunciation. His words reflected his character.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyebrows rose slightly. This was unexpected. Were all the fortress Leaders who had passed the Fortress Lord’s discerning eye like this?

Just recently he had openly shown displeasure toward the boy, but when discussing achievements, he included no personal feelings.

Rather, his words carried weight because of that.

The Divine Sword Force Vice Leader seemed different.

“Then?”

Yue Shou-lin asked grumpily. Her hand gripping the upright spear moved strangely.

Her fingers repeatedly pressed together, separated, and gripped – it seemed to indicate she would strike if provoked. Her conduct was radical.

Only then did Ha Do-woon’s brow furrow slightly.

“Vice Leader’s attitude is not good at all. Are you showing favoritism toward Lightning Genius?”

“Look at how you speak? Such a junior.”

Yue Shou-lin smiled.

Whoosh!

Suddenly powerful energy waves rose from her body. They lifted her jet-black bob cut and even swept up Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes.

The presence revealed in that instant slightly shook the stone seats of the Radiant Demon Wing Hall.

The atmosphere was distorted momentarily.

‘Her power…!’

Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes widened. The energy waves were tremendous. The air currents brushing his skin were clearly perceptible.

It was such profound internal energy that the rising momentum seemed rather weak in comparison.

‘It’s not just abundant energy storage.’

The boy was freshly surprised. He felt Yue Shou-lin’s will imbued in her energy.

A wild yet cheerful mental image was painted. It approached in the realm of intuition.

Had she achieved complete unity of essence, energy and spirit?

He couldn’t even guess how swift her energy emission speed would be.

Her gripping the spear with a playful girlish appearance seemed like a powerful being’s boredom. She appeared to be at a realm infinitely close to purple rank.

Desolate Divine Spear Yue Shou-lin.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s expression sank. She was a supreme master with firmer standing than any promising black rank Leaders. That’s why she had achieved reverse aging.

They said she was a pillar of the fortress along with the Divine Sword Group Leader. The next Divine Sword Group Leader candidate. She was the boy’s strongest rival.

As soon as he sat in the Leader’s stone seat, his goal became clearly visible. It was an electrifying sensation.

‘I must defeat Senior Yue and finally defeat the Group Leader too…’

He thought he had taken a big step forward.

Wrong.

That’s not human. She should be viewed as a disaster.

What about the Divine Sword Group Leader? The scene of him drawing his brilliant internal energy sword to kill the Namgung clan head was vivid.

The formless sword made of seven-colored light was a mystery second only to the Fortress Lord’s Natural Sword.

Could he reach that realm within three years? The higher he climbed, the more it seemed to transcend the mortal world.

The years they had spent accumulating achievements at Desolate Fortress were incomparable to Jeong Yeon-shin.

The rewards they had received for their achievements must also have been tremendous. It was hard to even guess how many spirit pills they had consumed.

‘Why is it so difficult? The world is too vast.’

The boy sank briefly into introspection. A gloomy mood had crept in like a swamp.

He shouldn’t face it head-on. He inwardly looked away.

Until then, Yue Shou-lin was still chattering at Obeying Heaven Wing Leader Ha Do-woon.

“Can you be certain you have no personal feelings?”

“…Of course.”

Ha Do-woon replied with a cold face. Yue Shou-lin’s smile deepened.

“It’s not because of White Qilin? You designated Namgung Hwa-shin as the next Obeying Heaven Wing Leader. Those who should know all know. Even that such a promising talent wants to change allegiance to follow Lightning Genius. With your temperament, that must be quite infuriating. I would be too.”

She shook her head gently. Her arrogant attitude was strangely fitting.

Ha Do-woon’s mental cultivation was admirable for maintaining his composure.

He opened his mouth again.

“This is a place to discuss martial world affairs. In distinguishing public and private matters, I must be better than Senior Yue. Let me ask. Senior Yue, you are breaking the laws of this Wish for Peace Sword Hall. Are you truly showing favoritism toward Lightning Genius? This junior clearly raised his hand in objection.”

“There’s no time for debate. Leaders who should be out in the martial world right now are stuck here because of those Martial Alliance nobodies. Isn’t that why? If you don’t like my conduct, come at me.”

“You think I can’t?”

“Has the Heaven-Obeying Sword gotten rusty? Draw it. I’m not scared at all. Could you last even ten moves against me?”

If the legendary Nine Heavens Maiden went to battle, would she be like this? Yue Shou-lin’s appearance sitting and arguing while holding her spear was truly strange.

She spoke rudely and even made threats, but didn’t seem to lack dignity.

Suddenly.

Her lips curled up as she glanced at Jeong Yeon-shin.

“Favoritism? Of course it’s favoritism. Do you know how bored I’ve been among these dull, gloomy people? When such fresh red blood comes to brightly illuminate the hall, how can my eyes not go wild? I’m just so happy!”

She stamped her feet with the same appearance as her exterior. The ends of her black hair that slightly covered her nape scattered.

They say the temperaments of masters who have reached lofty realms are unpredictable – the common saying rings true.

In that moment, Jeong Yeon-shin clearly heard Ma Jin beside him mutter.

“She’s gone senile.”

“A eunuch dares say anything? This lady is saying she finds him adorable. Your nephew, I mean.”

Yue Shou-lin glared at him and said.

“What if we brought Lightning Genius to the Divine Sword Squad? Wouldn’t that be good for you as his uncle too? I’ve already seriously discussed it with the Group Leader. Just kneel once before the Fortress Lord.”

“Vice Leader, maintain your dignity.”

Law Enforcement Leader Woon So-yu advised calmly. Ma Jin just sat silently like a bear.

Hmph!

With Yue Shou-lin’s snort, her momentum suddenly vanished. It stopped before things could escalate further.

Her energy control was as transcendent as the phrase “unhindered freedom” would suggest. The boy silently took in her every movement… trying to make her lofty arts and presence fertilizer for growth.

“No need to be flustered.”

Ma Jin lightly tapped the boy’s shoulder.

“Leader gatherings are always like this. When renowned supreme masters gather. There are always storms in clear skies. Even this table…”

He continued speaking while gesturing with his chin toward the extremely large round table.

“Has been split and broken dozens of times. Yeon-shin, you’ll have to get used to it too.”

“…”

“The Radiant Demon Wing Hall isn’t just a place for verbal meetings. Sometimes you must reveal martial arts to add weight to opinions. Don’t be intimidated by seniors. Just do as you did with Law Enforcement Leader. You can now point swords at black ranks.”

The final words hit heavily. This situation too was the world of black rank.

Following the devoted attitude of Master Zhang who weaved with heavenly silkworm silk, it made him acutely feel the high hierarchy.

Jeong Yeon-shin nodded slightly. It felt awkward to discuss Senior Yue’s conduct.

***

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Translated by Nine Heavens!

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***

Seeming to notice his nephew’s thoughts, Ma Jin flicked his finger on his armrest.

Boom!

Energy was imbued in the sound. It was a resonance that focused attention.

Ma Jin opened his mouth.

“Obeying Heaven Wing Leader, speak your objection.”

“The issue is Radiant Demon Wing’s reorganization. While the deaths of colleagues are very regrettable, we must look ahead. With so many injured, how will you compose the personnel? It’s unseemly for Radiant Demon Wing Leader to go alone to the Martial Alliance gathering. It’s dangerous too.”

“A valid point.”

Ma Jin nodded.

He turned his gaze to Jeong Yeon-shin beside him. While ignoring Yue Shou-lin who had pursed her lips in a corner.

“Yeon-shin, do you have thoughts on this?”

“Yes.”

The boy who slightly nodded opened his mouth.

“I can’t go with a force the size of one military unit anyway. It would be like Mount Hua Sect’s Sword Saint bringing all the Plum Blossom Sword Sect members. That’s only possible in all-out war between major sects. Since we’re responding as guests to an invitation, I think it’s right to bring only a small number of elite masters.”

“Aren’t there no uninjured masters in Radiant Demon Wing now?”

Ha Do-woon asked. His brow was slightly furrowed. He seemed to sense something unpleasant.

“Yes. Because there are so few, I was about to make a request.”

Jeong Yeon-shin who answered quietly opened his mouth again.

“I request White Qilin’s dispatch from Obeying Heaven Wing Leader.”

“So it comes to this.”

Ha Do-woon muttered. His expression looked like he might sigh.

He said.

“Fighting between Leaders over subordinates is unsightly.”

“…”

“But we can’t let military forces change allegiance at individual whim either. That’s a matter of discipline. So, I’ll permit only the immediate dispatch based on rational judgment. Later matters must be discussed later.”

Jeong Yeon-shin silently cupped his hands. Ha Do-woon who briefly watched the short but proper etiquette shook his head.

“The current Radiant Demon Wing Leader should not misunderstand. White Qilin and Radiant Demon Wing Leader worked together on a long mission so you’ll be compatible, and Radiant Demon Wing’s circumstances are difficult – that’s the basis for this decision. The Martial Alliance’s formation is no small matter for the fortress. You’ll need mental composure, so it’s right to arrange personnel in advance.”

He shows an aloof appearance as a fortress senior. He who had worn a solemn expression as if intoxicated by his own words and actions suddenly frowned.

“Going to Xinjiang falls to me without choice. This so-called sect master of the new generation Ming Cult, I’ll have to behead him in one go.”

Yue Shou-lin and the other Leaders who had just nodded once each began arranging their attire.

They seemed to want to leave soon.

Jeong Yeon-shin sat dazedly. Do Leader gatherings always start without context and end without conclusion like this?

Their appearances of not wanting to sit even a little longer were strangely similar.

It was conduct that made Little Sword Queen of Diancang Sect who had been isolated in a corner look foolish. It should be called a gathering of eccentrics.

“Um, didn’t you have many questions for me?”

Little Sword Queen asked blankly.

“Talk to Radiant Demon Wing Leader.”

The Annihilation Team Leader with sunken eyes spoke. The Azure Sky Leader standing beside him roughly nodded.

“There’s meaning just in attending the Wish for Peace Hall gathering.”

“Lightning Genius. Just remember one thing.”

Yue Shou-lin who had lightly stood up twisted her lips.

“There’s another reason you were chosen. There’s only one reason a Desolate Fortress Leader attends the Martial Alliance’s sect opening tournament. The mission’s fundamental purpose isn’t just reconnaissance.”

“…What else is there?”

“The Hwangbo and Namgung family. They preached righteousness while tormenting commoners, and we punished them, but the Martial Alliance formed saying that was unjust? Gathering like ants with their Eight Great Families and whatnot. The fortress’s dignity has fallen. What do they think they can do to us by gathering like that.”

“…”

“You are the fortress’s answer to their claims.”

“Me?”

Jeong Yeon-shin asked quietly. In that moment, black lightning flashed in Yue Shou-lin’s pupils.

“Yes… is this easier to understand? ‘Our Radiant Demon Wing Leader is this young, don’t you need the elders of your Elder Council to stop this young master? Realize the difference in class and restrain yourselves’ – exactly that. It’s showing off that we can do because of you.”

She nodded while humming, appearing strange.

She seemed to live in a different world alone. It was a cheerfulness Jeong Yeon-shin had never imagined.

Jeong Yeon-shin stared at the aged master with a girl’s appearance. What kind of family would raise someone with such conduct?

It seemed strange even as natural disposition. It was hard to explain the subtle dignity imbued in Yue Shou-lin’s conduct.

The boy thought. You’ve grown up well.

“It’s rare for all old elders to attend a sect’s opening ceremony. You should be able to dominate the Martial Alliance’s opening tournament. Even with orthodox sects’ mid-level masters being numerous, unlike the Dragon Phoenix Gathering.”

She spoke like a lark. Jeong Yeon-shin’s head tilted slightly to the side.

“It’s unclear what would constitute achievement.”

“Don’t think too hard. Just observe what the Alliance is like while pouring cold water on their atmosphere. As the youngest invited master and the fortress’s Radiant Demon Wing Leader.”

She spoke with a deep smile.

Then she lifted her hair by her ears and massaged her white nape, creating a strange atmosphere with her unrestrained yet beautiful appearance.

“With a body as well-made as that, what couldn’t you do? Right?”… she said. While looking over the boy’s whole body with an appraising gaze.

Jeong Yeon-shin nodded while looking at Yue Shou-lin. Her forearm revealed below the black sleeve was unlike a spear master’s.

Looking very delicate, it seemed reverse aging had even taken her forearm muscles.

It was truly frightening. Rather, Grandfather Ma Yeon-jeok’s arm looked better.

How weak must her physical foundation be? She couldn’t do anything without internal energy.

‘Looking again it’s not reverse aging. Just aging healthily until death… that would be good.’

In the brief moment the boy was lost in thought.

Yue Shou-lin slowly moved her red lips. With elegantly smiling lips.

“Go to the Martial Alliance that arbitrarily distorts the banner of stabilizing people’s lives, and give those shameless idlers a beating.”

The small whisper marked the end of the Leader gathering.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

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