Chapter 409 – Beijing

Transparent river water flows. The pavilion named Divine Sword Pavilion by Yong Hui-myeong on his own whim, with water streams winding around it at length. The babbling sound permeated the air with a clear feeling.

It was a drinking gathering where no martial artist failed to expel the alcohol energy from their body.

But in a drinking match between fellow disciples of the same sect, no master would use their internal energy in such a way. The Divine Sword Group was no exception.

Jeong Yeon-shin was unaccustomed to alcohol. He hadn’t even learned the Way of Wine from his father Jeong Pan Yue.

He was simply enduring as was proper for an adult.

His direct superior, the Divine Sword Group Leader, was a likable figure as a person, a superior master in rank, someone with whom he had shared incantations and insights, and above all, a purple martial artist who could have a significant influence on Jeong Yeon-shin’s personnel matters as his direct superior.

‘The life of an adult who has completed the coming-of-age ceremony…’

Jeong Yeon-shin inwardly shook his head bitterly. How exhausting.

The feeling of a giant dandelion seed swaying back and forth in his mind. It was similar to when he rode the Dragon Boat Festival swing to the edge of the sky alone as a child at dusk.

Nothing else. This was the intoxication that never failed to appear in stories of heroes and great men.

Jeong Yeon-shin sat with proper posture, straightening his back.

Though his mind was quite hazy, it was nothing to a battle-hardened swordsman like the current Radiant Demon Wing Leader.

It was even less intense than when he had once stolen and eaten a opium poppy from Lazy Flame Dragon.

At this moment, he wouldn’t be distracted even if someone were chattering beside him.

“I hear the name Five Marvels of Resplendent Brilliance is causing a stir in the martial world, and among them, the youngest martial artist is at the forefront. Lotus Nezha Lightning Genius. Surely they must be referring to you.”

It was directly to Jeong Yeon-shin’s left. On his right sat Yue Shou-lin, who closed her mouth as soon as she glanced at the young man’s face.

“I’ve heard your talent is quite extraordinary. It’s the first time I’ve seen Mount Hua Sect Leader Lu praise another’s sword talent so highly.”

The young Taoist tapped his wine cup with his white index finger. He seemed to be ignoring Jeong Yeon-shin’s advice.

A sword with pine patterns engraved on it was loosely tied at his waist, visible from the outside, and anyone could tell he was from the Wudang Sect.

In the martial world, there was no other sect that could pose as a Taoist while carrying a pine-patterned ancient sword.

Across from him, Divine Sword Group Leader Yong Hui-myeong raised the corners of his mouth.

“It seems even the renowned Taiji Fist cannot stop the flow of time.”

“What did you say?”

“You’ve become quite relaxed. Maintaining all your dignity.”

“Hmph, no matter how powerful you may be, you dare not speak of my sect’s cultivation in such a manner.”

The young Taoist snorted.

“Don’t judge Wudang by looking at me. I am merely a martial official who at best incorporates Taoist mysteries into swordsmanship, so there are others who put the Taoist skin on disciples of sword sects who engage in killing.”

“You don’t yield a single word. You mean the Taoist disciples who cultivate enlightenment without practicing martial arts?”

“Yes. The immortals who cultivate the Way on Wudang Mountain’s Heavenly Pillar Peak are the true Wudang, and they are the Taiji that flows serenely without being swept up in worldly affairs. Their lofty spirit can indeed let time flow by.”

A somewhat elderly tone overlapped with his youthful voice.

A figure with such refined protective techniques that he could sneak into the Divine Sword Pavilion was boasting about disciples who hadn’t learned martial arts.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s head tilted slightly to the side.

In the midst of this, Yong Hui-myeong chuckled.

“Well… I’ll correct myself. You remain the same as ever.”

“I’m merely stating facts. The same goes for what I said to this young man here. Since he alone took the heads of the Dark Night Palace Leader and Namgung Mu-jin, it seems I was right to come down personally as an envoy.”

The young Taoist traced his wine cup with one finger in a circle. In that moment, the water droplets that had formed on the outside of the cup moved on their own and entered the wine.

No energy wave could be felt. Interest gleamed in Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes, which had become somewhat unfocused.

“Envoy…?”

“I’ve come to negotiate the matter of the martial competition for the Mount Hua Agreement. Wasn’t it you who called for me?”

At that moment, the gazes of the young Taoist and Jeong Yeon-shin met.

“With a single word, you dispersed the forces of the Nine Sects to break up the dragnet. You moved the power of the world with just the strength it takes to move your Adam’s apple a few times, so you’ve demonstrated the principle of four ounces moving a thousand pounds in the chaotic martial world. Are you prepared to take responsibility?”

“Responsibility…?”

“Since you activated the Mount Hua Agreement, you must naturally bear what follows. Your feat of slaying the World’s Finest Bow and Namgung First Sword in succession is truly remarkable, but having achieved such a great merit, the price of privately using the Nine Sects will not be light.”

“Great merit?”

Jeong Yeon-shin questioned slowly.

Perhaps it was because he had tasted a bit of the purple martial world. He didn’t consider his achievements particularly significant.

Aside from the old man of the Pure Demon Alliance, who was relatively easy to deal with, there were hardly any peerless masters in the world who were easy to face.

Even when confronting the Ten Perfections Sect Leader, Jeong Yeon-shin had been driven into a corner several times.

The Dark Night Palace Leader and Namgung Mu-jin, whom he had recently slain.

They had held the Divine Sword Group Leader captive for dozens of days and poured out all sorts of techniques trying to kill him.

None of them could be said to be at full strength. Even the Dark Night Palace Leader had displayed the marvel of shooting the Ten Li Instant Kill from twenty li away, they said.

Jeong Yeon-shin thought to himself that he had merely placed his spoon on a feast that his direct superior had prepared over a long time.

“Are you questioning me now?”

Meanwhile, the expression of the young Taoist, which had been becoming as calm as a clear mirror, became somewhat disturbed.

“Someone from the Ma family bloodline who knows humility…?”

“It is indeed a great merit. Even with the timing aligned, there is only one Black-rank under my command who could face two peerless masters alone and slay them in succession.”

Though soon he would be neither a Black-rank nor under his command— Yong Hui-myeong concluded, then asked the young Taoist:

“But what do you mean by saying the price won’t be light?”

“…I mean we won’t casually regard the White, Blue, and Black ranks of Desolate Fortress. We will carefully select and send out disciples from our sect, and there will be deep discussions among the various sect leaders to choose individuals to face those of purple rank. I had occasionally heard of Lightning Genius’s reputation even at my Wudang Mountain, but now even moderately renowned martial artists must avoid the Radiant Demon Wing Leader.”

“That’s certainly true, but…” “In terms of sending disciples to the martial competition, we will follow the conventions of the martial world. White Martial Artists will be matched with second-generation disciples, Blue Martial Artists with first-generation disciples, and squad leader-level figures with senior first-generation disciples who are elderly and outstanding. Purple ranks will naturally be faced by those of sect leader and elder status.”

The young Taoist couldn’t properly finish his words. This was because Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly opened his mouth while stroking his pitch-black sleeve hem.

“Black rank will be represented by the Radiant Demon Wing Leader.”

“…?”

“Jeong Yeon-shin of the black robe, from Xinye County in Henan Province…”

His words were abruptly cut off. It was because his thoughts were moving back and forth between consciousness and unconsciousness.

While his mind was in such tumult, the surrounding air had settled into profound quietness.

The young Taoist had somehow closed his mouth with a somewhat blank expression. That expression suited his youthful appearance well.

Jeong Yeon-shin glanced at his direct superior sitting across from him.

“I will take responsibility. Desolate Fortress will not be defeated.”

“That’s a bit…”

When a look of difficulty crossed Yong Hui-myeong’s face, Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes suddenly sharpened.

“Group Leader.”

“Speak.”

“In the martial competition of the four White, Blue, Black, and Purple ranks, we must win at least two, correct?”

“That’s right. I’m very grateful for the life-saving favor you’ve done me, but…”

“If Desolate Fortress is defeated, the whereabouts of the main fortress’s purple-rank martial artist will be determined at least once according to the will of the righteous path martial world. This is not a private martial competition to compare martial arts. It’s a matter of state. I don’t know who made such an absurd agreement, but they should rightfully feel ashamed. And I too should deeply reflect on having used that agreement.”

Jeong Yeon-shin spoke whatever came to mind. He had momentarily forgotten the party to the Mount Hua Agreement in his intoxication.

But his tone was remarkably clear, and his posture with his back straight was upright. That’s what the life of an adult who must look only to advancement had made him.

“……”

Transparent sunlight dappled the nape of the young Taoist’s neck.

The sun, which had somehow tilted to the side, was scattering light toward the river water, wine cups, and all sorts of damp surfaces.

At that moment, as Jeong Yeon-shin’s gaze swept around, he saw the faces of his senior squad leaders, each wearing peculiar expressions.

Xiahou Wei-jin was showing a somewhat delighted look beneath his neat forehead, while Yue Shou-lin seemed to be suppressing a great laugh.

Yong Hui-myeong let out a hollow laugh.

“I have no response at the moment. Since you’ve even brought up the old man…”

“Listen, Group Leader Yong.”

The young Taoist called to him in a low voice. His manner of speech had changed somewhat.

At that time.

“Um, excuse me…”

From the direction of the stairs leading up to the pavilion. A man in a yellow robe carefully surveyed the gathering while holding a tray.

He was a waiter from the inn behind the pavilion.

“Here’s the Five Rhymes Mountain Vegetable Dish.”

The waiter placed the food on the table and fled as if escaping.

“It’s here! What our Lightning Genius likes!”

Yue Shou-lin pushed the vegetable dish toward Jeong Yeon-shin’s place.

Soon after, as if they had been deliberately maintaining silence until now, the senior Black-ranks approached their table.

The squad leaders of the Divine Sword Group never paid attention to the eyes of martial artists, and besides, the young Taoist was originally an uninvited guest.

“Five Rhymes Mountain Vegetable Dish… a delicacy of renowned clans. I didn’t expect it to be available in a village like this, but I suppose it’s because we’re near Wuchang.”

Supreme Martial Hall Leader sat down at one side of the table, making a clanking sound with his artificial leg.

Beside him, Annihilation Team Leader Shin Hwang was already tilting his wine cup with a hand as dry as an old tree.

“It’s a dish for martial artists.”

Shin Hwang continued in a low voice.

“The shorter the interval between separating the leaves, the more intense the aroma that permeates the vegetable. It’s worth testing the skill of a passing candidate.”

Leaves gathered like flower buds. It was the extremely rare Five Rhymes Herb.

Jeong Yeon-shin stared at it blankly. Below the Five Rhymes Herb was a stir-fried vegetable called Hollow Heart Vegetable, and together they were called Five Rhymes Mountain Vegetable Dish.

It often appeared at luncheons of the Jeong family to promote family harmony. Usually, his father Jeong Pan Yue and his first and second brothers with their wives would each grab and tear off a leaf.

Yong Hui-myeong, who had glanced briefly at Jeong Yeon-shin, opened his mouth.

“I’ll take one.”

“Me too.”

Yue Shou-lin reached out her hand. The other squad leaders, including Supreme Martial Hall Leader, Heavenly Dragon Squad Leader Wei Zhi-ji, Law Enforcement Squad Leader Woon So-yu, and Wish-fulfilling Spring Leader Beigong Ya, merely watched with various postures.

Until Forest-Treading Squad Leader Xiahou Wei-jin cast a large shadow over them and pointed to the very top of a leaf.

Yong Hui-myeong and Jeong Yeon-shin, Yue Shou-lin, Xiahou Wei-jin.

A slender figure slipped in among them. A woman with jet-black hair and deep blue eyes. It was Immortal Tree Spirit Squad Leader Cheon So-so.

“The main point hasn’t been concluded yet.”

The young Taoist rose quietly from his seat.

“Since the Peng family greatly contributed to the formation of the dragnet, your Divine Sword Group will surely move to punish them… but spilling more blood in the martial world at this time would not be a wise course of action. What kind of karma returned to you after the annihilation of the Hwangbo family? The Martial Alliance was formed in Hanzhong to oppose Desolate Fortress, and all sorts of factions that rarely joined forces began to attack you.”

It didn’t seem strange for a Wudang Taoist to speak of karma. It was because he was a martial artist.

Yong Hui-myeong, who was holding the top of the Five Rhymes Herb, opened his mouth.

“Don’t speak in roundabout ways.”

“I intend to greatly expand the Mount Hua Agreement. I’ll send invitations to the Eight Great Clans as well, making it a martial competition where the main martial artists of each faction determine the world’s finest. Draw your swords then. If you end up being annihilated one by one with the entire world turned against you, even the Nine Sects cannot remain intact.”

“The world’s finest…? I don’t have time to enjoy such a grand feast with martial artists.”

“Feel free to join in the middle. Just come.”

The young Taoist continued calmly.

“The Nine Sects will rise to the top anyway.”