Chapter 315 – Hyeon Won (10)

The boys of the Liu family who had been scolded by Shin So-bin frowned.

“Radiant Demon Wing? That’s a lie!”

“Why would someone from Desolate Fortress come here?”

Shin So-bin’s round eyes narrowed.

“Are you really from the Slaughter Sect? You should be more knowledgeable about information than martial arts to survive. You’re treating the harsh martial world too lightly.”

“That’s enough.”

After quietly silencing the children and stepping back, the Liu Family Estate head’s expression grew serious.

“Did you say Radiant Demon Wing?”

His greenish silk long robe dragged in the dust. The energy waves that gathered at his feet, reaching down to the hem of his clothes, were extremely hot.

The scorching yang energy that even most skilled masters find difficult to deploy. Considering how challenging it is to cultivate such distinctly characteristic energy with a human body, it becomes easier to guess the other party’s identity.

“So it wasn’t just an empty rumor that the noble ruffian of the Hwangbo family serves as the current Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s broom… Is that truly so…?”

“This middle-aged man is crossing the line.”

Lazy Flame Dragon snickered and slightly lowered his head.

His gaze carefully examined the back of the collapsed Slaughter Sect elder.

The strike he had just delivered was neither a technique nor anything formal. He had simply struck hard out of anger.

Yet his true energy had responded. The scorching yang power that was leading him to death had instantly reacted to his angry heart.

As if telling him that the internal energy of the Scorching Divine Meridian should be used that way.

Energy follows essence. Lazy Flame Dragon muttered inwardly.

Come to think of it, he hadn’t caused much trouble since joining Radiant Demon Wing.

Back when he was beating up that youngster called Mount Hua Hidden Dragon at the Dragon Phoenix Gathering, he had operated his energy however his heart desired.

‘They say that Blood Flame Cult’s Seventh Apostle is younger than me.’

Yet she had achieved Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown.

There are few subordinates who can seriously discuss martial arts with Jeong Yeon-shin.

At best, only Lazy Flame Dragon himself, and if he had to name a few more, perhaps the somewhat cold Cheong Myeong and the openly chilly Baek Mi-ryeo.

He had heard the squad leader’s lecture about unity of essence, energy, and spirit a couple of times. At the time, he had struggled to hold back his laughter, but now it seemed he had also adopted it as a topic of contemplation.

It’s quite good. On this journey, there aren’t many ways to tease the brother he had grown fond of.

Because the young squad leader’s standards were so high.

‘The annoying Hwangbo bloodline is completely dead, so Radiant Demon Wing will be my ferry across the River Styx.’

The strike he had unconsciously delivered made him realize this anew.

The Slaughter Sect elder had lost consciousness right after speaking about Radiant Demon Wing’s roots, similar to the anger that had risen when Mount Hua Hidden Dragon had presumed to lecture him about the nature of the Scorching Divine Meridian and his conduct.

By now, it was fair to say that Radiant Demon Wing was his home. Lazy Flame Dragon inwardly acknowledged this cleanly.

‘Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown. That’s perfect.’

According to the rumors about Zhuge Clan Leader and Tamed Nezha, it seemed the squad leader had also created an extraordinary technique.

It was just unfair that someone born with rare talent like the squad leader would struggle to achieve unity of essence, energy, and spirit.

However, if Lazy Flame Dragon himself were to achieve unity of essence, energy, and spirit, he could probably elicit quite an interesting reaction from Jeong Yeon-shin.

Having been stimulated by the young squad leader, his training had deepened. Since he had originally lived rather carelessly, the magnitude of change was even greater.

If he were to further cultivate his body here and refine his mind with opium… would it work?

Just as the corner of his mouth was slightly rising.

“Please mind your conduct.”

The Liu Family Estate head stepped forward with a disgruntled face.

“As you’ve found out, our main house is indeed a branch of the Slaughter Sect. That Elder Kim Hyeong-won has protected our branch for over seventy years. To strike him without warning is not the way to proceed if you wish to obtain something from our branch. I will test the direct descendant of the Kim family as you wish.”

Shin So-bin, standing to one side, tilted her head askew.

“Didn’t you say you didn’t want to be involved with the Slaughter Sect? Yet you’re still maintaining appearances in this situation.”

It was then.

“Outrageous… these people are speaking outrageous nonsense!”

An elderly exclamation erupted loudly. Hazy dust rose from beneath Lazy Flame Dragon’s feet.

Though he was said to have trained for a long time in the Slaughter Sect that guarded the Heavenly Demon’s Tomb, he had not lost consciousness from the light strike.

“How dare you! How dare you!”

The Slaughter Sect elder rose stiffly like a jiangshi.

His movement was somewhat grotesque, rising vertically as if his feet were glued to the ground. It revealed traces of deeply cultivated assassin martial arts.

Just as the old man who had risen was about to draw his sword in a fit of rage.

With a whoosh sound of clothes brushing against the wind, Slaughter Chivalry put his arm around the elder’s shoulders.

“Elder Smile Sword. While I understand your concern for my legitimacy…”

His voice, tinged with laughter, continued with a strangely desolate quality.

“Isn’t completely disregarding Kim Jon-hwi’s opinion also cutting into the face of our sect leader? The position of sect leader has been vacant for over a decade.”

“Sect Leader…!”

The old man did not dare act rashly. He closed his mouth, his wrinkled face frozen.

Slaughter Chivalry laughed.

“Liu Branch Leader, please administer the test. Our Won-chang will pass anything. No matter what anyone does, he’s the only remaining direct descendant in our sect. He’s the pillar of the Slaughter Sect.”

The Liu Family Estate head couldn’t answer.

He had witnessed the martial prowess of Lazy Flame Dragon from the Hwangbo family, who was now fully acting as a member of Radiant Demon Wing.

Slaughter Chivalry Kim Jon-hwi was also a major issue. There was nothing else he could do. He could only guide them to the family’s training ground.

He requested a duel as a test, and after withstanding fifty moves from Hyeon Won-chang, he acknowledged defeat. He said that Hyeon Won-chang was qualified to guard the gatekeeper’s secret technique.

“If you’ve given him the wrong incantation, and if by any chance the Great Tongue Sword’s tongue is harmed through deviation…”

Lazy Flame Dragon threatened with a smiling face.

“Tamed Nezha will come here.”

“…We haven’t fallen that low. Please leave now.”

The journey of Radiant Demon Wing, Blazing Moon Slaughter Sect, and the unwelcome Slaughter Sect elder continued.

Liu Family Estate.

Selection Mist Gate.

Treasure Mountain Villa.

Hyeon Won-chang’s group overcame them one by one. Their route traced a large circle around Taiyuan.

Finally, they had to return to Taiyuan to gain the elders’ recognition. To obtain the final incantation kept at the main branch in Taiyuan.

As soon as they completed their circuit and entered Taiyuan.

“Hmm? This isn’t the street I remember.”

Lazy Flame Dragon’s nonchalance was unusually serious.

Every man and woman lining the street was an extremely powerful swordsman. There were well over a hundred of them… They all turned to look at the newcomers in various attires, with fragments of sword energy visible in their gazes.

The Murong family’s net of heaven and earth.

The group faced a forest made of swords.

***

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Translated by Nine Heavens!

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***

Three martial artists, a young Taoist, and a renowned elf monk.

The group of five attracted attention wherever they went. Not only did they all possess outstanding appearances, but the energy waves surrounding their bodies were also extraordinary.

Some martial artists were startled upon seeing the plum blossom embroidery on Taoist Yu Hyeon’s robe hem and avoided them.

Each time, Yu Hyeon clicked his tongue, saying those people must be from the evil sects.

Saaaa—

It was the same even in this downpour that sounded like rows of glass beads falling. In the lawless land of the martial world, eye techniques developed to identify others.

“It’s raining incessantly.”

Goon Yu-rin’s voice was mixed with frustration and irritation.

Despite having been very satisfied with including Tamed Nezha in their group, she seemed mentally exhausted from being wary of Shaolin’s Four Great Vajras throughout the journey.

She had openly displayed her distrust of her subordinate Jeon Baek and spent several days without sleep.

Jeon Baek, in the guise of a one-armed scholar, had reason to be anxious.

He looked pathetic, holding an oil-paper covered bamboo umbrella over his master’s head while getting soaked himself.

“Miss, please… If the Alliance Leader finds out about this, my head will roll. This Jeon Baek will get you some quality meat, so please forgive me now…”

“Shut up. How could I accept food from a beef thief who tarnishes my reputation as a master? I’d rather fill my stomach with wine offered by my lovely guest. His face is such a delicacy that even poison would taste good.”

“A man is out of the question! It would hinder your great cause…!”

“Then bring me a beautiful maiden from somewhere!”

Rain fell densely across the entire region near Taiyuan.

The white color of the snow-covered plain gradually faded. It was neither winter rain nor spring rain.

The winter that had begun last year was ending amid the desolate sound of rain. A fairly large village could be seen nearby.

“Why is the street so deserted? It feels like we’ve entered a village that needs exorcism.”

Yu Hyeon, walking alongside Jeong Yeon-shin, muttered.

Jeong Yeon-shin, who had been walking with half-open eyes in a daze, slightly raised his head. He had been meditating on mind-controlled sword and protective energy techniques.

“Does Mount Hua Sect also have spell martial arts?”

“Of course, since it’s a Taoist sect. There are several Taoist temples built on Mount Hua. Since the spell side isn’t mainstream like sword-wielding martial lineages, it’s less known to the public.”

“What level of achievement?”

“Enough to earn my keep by scribbling a few characters on yellow paper… I’m particularly good at writing the phrase ‘Urgent as the law commands.’ Just writing this makes it look like a talisman.”

“What?”

“My calligraphy is outstanding. Have you heard the phrase ‘dragon-like vigor in writing’?”

“Don’t go around scamming people.”

“It really works. When I say I’m the Hidden Dragon of the Great Mount Hua Sect, no one treats me like a fraud.”

It was then.

“Amitabha.”

Thud.

The footsteps of the Shaolin monk were heavy. The long-eared monk squeezed between the two.

Perhaps it was because the Vajra Immovable Body Technique was ingrained in his body as a monk who was called the incarnation of martial arts. The way he pushed Yu Hyeon back with his body was extremely natural.

“Mount Hua Sect’s immortal energy martial arts are rarely excellent cultivation. However, if the patron were to rub paper with his dharma power… we would see a talisman of breaking evil and revealing truth. The efficacy would also be remarkably high compared to the time invested.”

“I seek the great monk’s advice. Are you saying I could create a dharma treasure?”

While Yu Hyeon recoiled in shock, Jeong Yeon-shin respectfully raised one hand and asked. It was the Shaolin etiquette he knew well as someone from Henan.

Hehe.

The corners of the Four Great Vajra’s mouth rose almost to splitting after seeing Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s half-palm.

“Indeed it is so. The wandering ghosts that came during the founding period and those who cultivated evil martial arts would fear it. It is said that the wisdom of common people encompasses the vast land, and their words about the prince Nezha manifesting in Shanxi were correct.”

Won Jeok’s attitude toward the possessor of dharma power was extremely unusual.

Even Yu Hyeon, the Mount Hua disciple, grumbled as he moved far away for a moment. Had he mastered bone-contracting techniques?

Even though the hierarchical order of the Nine Great Sects is strict, figures like the Mount Hua sect leader’s disciple and Shaolin’s Four Great Vajras wouldn’t be bound by formalities in private settings.

It was a matter of personal inclination. This was why Great Master Won Jeok, with his immense seniority and status, was showing respect to Jeong Yeon-shin as a monk.

“The spirituality embedded in the patron’s divine skill.”

As the group entered the quiet village, Great Master Won Jeok continued slowly.

“Is exceptionally outstanding among the marvelous capabilities possessed by the divine skills of the world. Most only serve to raise the level of internal energy, but with dharma power, several more things are possible. The patron who has earned the title of Nezha must have benefited greatly from martial prowess… but this humble monk dares to guess that other things are possible as well. Creating rare dharma treasures in the martial world would be one of them.”

“How…?”

“Obtain a sheet of yellow paper and keep it in your bosom day and night. If you occasionally caress it with your hand, spirituality will seep into it. There will be times when you need it. You might develop rare abilities.”

“Is it that simple?”

“It’s difficult to call dharma power simple. Even now, this humble monk cannot fathom how it was created. What kind of sensation led to its creation.”

The wrinkles at the corners of Won Jeok’s smiling mouth revealed his age.

Though he appeared to be a young monk who had merely shaved his head, a sense of weariness and shrewdness emanated from him.

Jeong Yeon-shin turned his head.

And stopped his steps. This was because Goon Yu-rin had also stopped walking. There was an extremely large rock placed on one side of the road.

It seemed to be a stone that had shared a modest history with the now silent village.

A man was sitting on it, with one knee pulled up to his chest.

He wore a white windbreaker stained in places. Water dripped from his long, flowing hair.

In one hand supporting his upper body, a sword hilt lay sprawled.

“This village is dead,” the man said.