Chapter 431 – Grandmaster (5)

From his seated position, High Sword glanced briefly at Jeong Yeon-shin before speaking again.

[Desolate Fortress has secured three victories, while the Peng Family has one. There being no dispute regarding the results of today’s sparring, in accordance with the Mount Hua Agreement, we of the Wudang Sect certify Desolate Fortress’s victory. Desolate Fortress may now prepare for the next sparring match to be held six days hence.]

It was a formal declaration delivered with the resonance of the Six Harmonies Voice. Regardless of High Sword of Wudang’s esteemed status, this was a statement proclaiming the outcome of a sparring contest between factions.

The righteous martial world places great importance on formality and procedure.

The conclusion of today’s sparring between Desolate Fortress and the Peng Family was not marked by Harbinger of Death Ma Jin’s decisive strike, but by High Sword’s certification.

That was the starting point.

A great commotion spread among the crowd. Cheers began to rise sporadically alongside it.

“Truly remarkable!”

“…Harbinger of Death has indeed returned to the martial world. This is not something to be viewed solely as good news.”

“Desolate Fortress has gained another Black Rank. This is no trivial matter. You lot, document this sparring in detail and send a messenger pigeon to the main sect.”

Harbinger of Death Ma Jin had defeated Peng Family Blade Marquis. No one could take this event lightly.

It was because the former Radiant Demon Wing Leader, once renowned as a blade wielder, had overcome the Peng Family’s prodigy without even drawing the blade strapped to his back.

This sparring revealed that even among the young powerhouses known as the Five Marvels of Resplendent Brilliance, the disparity in martial prowess was starkly evident.

Harbinger of Death could not be stronger than the newly appointed Purple Rank, after all.

Some among the well-dressed martial artists, visibly shaken, murmured the name “Jeong Family Dynamic Technique” repeatedly.

A new divine skill had emerged from a major faction that stood as a pillar of the martial world’s order.

It was a martial art that would inevitably need to be considered when assessing the future dynamics of the martial world.

“Acting Family Head!”

“What in the world…!”

From the Peng Family’s side, several blade warriors clad in yellow silk martial uniforms rushed onto the sparring ground like lightning. Among them were one elder and four mid-level experts, both men and women.

Their faces stiffened upon seeing Peng Ye collapsed at Ma Jin’s feet.

Peng Family Blade Marquis, Peng Ye.

Her eyes were closed as if she had completely lost consciousness, her lips stained red from having coughed up blood at some point.

Her abdomen, struck by a hand-blade, bore the blunt imprint of a blade’s edge. This meant Ma Jin had used blade techniques with his bare hands.

Sighs of dismay arose from various sections of the viewing stands.

“Good heavens…”

“It wasn’t even a palm technique.”

It was a display of the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique’s prowess before the world. A state where one could freely unleash all forms of energy strikes with their entire body.

He had defeated the Peng Family’s Five Tiger Severing Gate Blade with martial feats unbound by weaponry.

For Peng Ye, being defeated by a fist or palm technique would have been less humiliating.

“To inflict such disgrace…”

The aged elder muttered. Ma Jin, who had taken a step back on the sparring ground, allowed a faint smirk to twist his lips.

“The Purple Rank was watching. Consider this an act of mercy.”

“Mercy, you say?”

The Peng Family elder retorted with a look of incredulity.

The sparring that had just taken place.

Harbinger of Death hadn’t merely dealt a defeat to Peng Family Blade Marquis.

This was an event that would be seen on a much broader scale. It amounted to the Lightning Genius Martial Lineage inflicting an indelible shame upon the Peng Family’s martial arts.

Yet Ma Jin hardened his expression in response to the elder’s retort. He slowly moved his lips.

-A mere local martial clan dared to scheme against a divine sword of the country.

He mentioned Divine Sword Group Leader Yong Hee-myeong through a transmission of voice. A groan escaped the wrinkled lips of the Peng Family elder.

“Hmm…!”

-I’m not placing all the blame on your lot. To begin with, it was orchestrated by Yu Ling Leader, and it signifies how far our fortress’s prestige had fallen at the time.

“That matter… was indeed our family’s grave error. However…”

-That’s precisely why we’ve reestablished our prestige. Call it an example. It needed to be widely known. Since a grandmaster who will one day reach the pinnacle of the martial world resides in our fortress, the martial world must engrave today’s sparring into their minds and hold their breath in awe.

Ma Jin continued leisurely amidst the clamor stirred by the crowd.

-Killing a single arrogant whelp drunk on their own skill was nothing of note. Even if you can’t repay the favor out of gratitude… in any case, the remaining enmity will be settled by our fortress’s Purple Rank, so cleanse yourself and wait in your quarters.

As he concluded his transmission, he clicked his tongue at the elderly elder, yet no one criticized Ma Jin’s demeanor.

He was the Desolate Ma Family Head.

“…Let us depart.”

With practiced skill, the Peng Family elder pressed specific points on Peng Ye’s abdomen and neck to prevent the lingering energy from Ma Jin’s strikes from wreaking further havoc.

Even so, he couldn’t hide his astonishment at the pure nature of the internal energy from the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique that he felt through his fingertips.

‘The internal energy of Desolate Fortress’s Black Rank war demon is this refined? Unless one is a Shaolin monk cultivating mind and body through hair-washing and the Muscle-Tendon Changing Sutra, this shouldn’t be possible…!’

He inadvertently glanced at Ma Jin’s legs, honed through rigorous training.

Then he alternated his gaze between the Desolate Fortress participants in the sparring and the newly appointed Purple Rank on the platform. Each of them was a stalwart figure.

“Surely, it can’t be a childlike technique.”

“What did you say?”

The elder didn’t respond to Ma Jin’s question and instead tended to his family members.

While soothing the dispirited blade warriors of the clan with a few words, it didn’t take long for him to apply pressure points to Peng Ye’s body, lift her, and descend from the sparring ground.

Only Ma Jin remained atop it.

“…”

The Desolate Ma Family Head surveyed the crowd surrounding the sparring ground.

Many averted their gazes. Few could meet the piercing intensity of his eyes.

Among the crowd were the swordsmen of Diancang, blending in; the young Taoist disciples of Mount Hua, led by a boy clenching his fist as if he had won himself, with their Plum Blossom Swordsmen; and the “Six Kings Martial Lineage,” exuding robust energy waves while adorned with all manner of peculiar weapons…

Ma Jin felt the gazes stemming from refined eye techniques.

It was different from when he roamed the martial world as the Radiant Demon Wing Leader. At this moment, the eyes directed at him were looking at Ma Jin, yet seeing something else.

Jeong Family Dynamic Technique.

And perhaps other martial arts that the new Purple Rank of Desolate Fortress might have created.

‘Look to your heart’s content.’

Turning in place, Ma Jin offered a bow to his nephew. It wasn’t the demeanor he had shown to the Peng Family elder.

It was a gesture imbued with respect for the Purple Rank and the satisfaction of an uncle who had taught proper conduct. He had subdued his opponent without shedding blood, using his nephew’s martial art.

The former Radiant Demon Wing Leader felt a rare sense of fulfillment. It was because the image of his sister, with her lips curling into a smirk, overlapped with his nephew’s face.

***

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Translated by Nine Heavens!

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***

Jeong Yeon-shin pondered. When would he grasp etiquette and decorum?

‘So lacking in grace.’

He hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, yet he heard all of Ma Jin’s words. The sender of the transmission had deliberately let his voice carry.

What was he trying to demonstrate? Jeong Yeon-shin shook his head inwardly. It was a great relief that Ma Se-in was present.

Had there not been even a less capable figure like Ma Family Head, his innate sense of responsibility might have driven him to change his family name.

-On your way, heed my advice. Don’t do that again.

At that moment, High Sword’s voice transmission flowed into his ear. Jeong Yeon-shin revealed a faint hint of puzzlement.

Feeling relief as the topic shifted from his embarrassing uncle.

-Yes?

-I speak of the Peng Family Head incident. It was only due to your lineage and status that it passed without issue. Otherwise, there could have been those picking faults with the sparring process.

-Picking faults, you mean?

-Certifying a sparring match you yourself engaged in… isn’t a common practice. Even the leaders of the Thirteen Evil Sects wouldn’t do such a thing.

It was advice from the old immortal of Mount Wudang. Jeong Yeon-shin nodded in understanding. Imagining the leaders of the Thirteen Evil Sects certifying outcomes was hard to picture in his mind.

They would simply take the heads of their enemies. Unlike the newly appointed Purple Rank, they were called the unorthodox and demonic precisely because they disregarded propriety.

He fully understood.

-I understand what you mean. Thank you for your counsel.

-I’m grateful you take this old man’s worries to heart. You must have expended much mental energy, so go rest now. It was a sparring match that cleared the mind.

-I wish High Sword a peaceful night as well.

High Sword, after exchanging a parting glance with Jeong Yeon-shin, vanished completely. Only a threadlike breeze lingered in his place, reminiscent of the gatherings of the Divine Sword Group Leaders.

It evoked tales of immortals’ shrinking-the-earth technique. It was Wudang’s Cloud-Stepping Technique.

There was a sense of haste in his departure. It was no different from the many heroes who had witnessed the prowess of the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique.

‘If he uses Cloud-Stepping Technique during sparring, could I keep up with Ten-Li Gentle Light…?’

As Jeong Yeon-shin inwardly gauged that level of mastery, a moment passed.

Rustle.

A soft fabric brushed against his shoulder. A sudden floral fragrance, previously absent, bloomed naturally.

It was a lightness technique that could only be explained as Mount Hua Sect Leader’s Hidden Fragrance Drift.

“When I emerged from seclusion and heard rumors about you,”

Lady Lu Xian placed a hand on Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulder. It was a familiar gesture, as always.

“My only thought was to show you Mount Hua, as you are a benefactor to our sect.”

“Sect Leader.”

Jeong Yeon-shin inclined his head slightly. He paid attention to the shoulder where Lady Lu Xian’s hand rested.

The trapezius, the acromion, and the deltoid muscle linked down to the Tiantu acupoint were within the grasp of the Brilliant Jade Sword God. How much could she discern?

‘Would it be odd if I reached out as well?’

While harboring curiosity about the body of Mount Hua’s foremost sword talent, Jeong Yeon-shin spoke calmly.

“I’ve been too preoccupied to offer proper greetings.”

“Why call me Sect Leader in private? Lady is enough. Haven’t we stood back-to-back?”

Her voice carried a note of laughter.

It was deeply warm. The corner of Jeong Yeon-shin’s mouth lifted slightly.

As if to affirm their closeness, the peerless swordmaster of Mount Hua pulled her head back slightly. It seemed to be to broaden her field of view.

The Sword God representing Shaanxi alongside the Tyrant Sword Sect Leader was as free-spirited as befitting an absolute master.

“Truly splendid. It’s a fine sight. Just smiling like that, I wouldn’t need any other delicacy at the table.”

“Yes?”

“With just rice, one could savor its flavor fully. You might even alleviate the famine plaguing this land.”

When the smile faded from Jeong Yeon-shin’s lips, Lady Lu Xian laughed heartily.

Unfazed by the junior’s seriousness, the peerless masters representing Desolate Fortress and Mount Hua openly displayed their camaraderie.

Those leaving the viewing stands widened their eyes at the scene, but the two paid no mind and continued their conversation.

Ma Jin, who had been on the sparring ground, signaled with his eyes to Jeong Yeon-shin before vanishing from his spot. A voice transmission lingered in Jeong Yeon-shin’s ear, indicating he’d wait at the Desolate Fortress quarters.

“Shall we walk for a bit?”

“Yes.”

Jeong Yeon-shin began to step out of the platform area alongside Lady Lu Xian.

It was hard to call it a mere casual stroll. Both were present at Green Jade Sword Manor as representatives of their respective sects.

Their internal energy breathing, gait, and subtle muscle movements all became information about each other’s martial lineages.

In a one-on-one duel, it might be different, but leading the warriors of their fortress to dominate the Mount Hua Agreement required caution in conduct.

‘Teaching felt as easy as a commonplace task…’

Handling the major affairs of Desolate Fortress was different. The burden was heavy.

“Anyway, seeing today, it’s not just you I must consider. If I don’t remain vigilant of your entire martial lineage, I might end up humiliated like the Peng Family.”

“Now that you mention it… I heard Mount Hua’s Sword Saint was a worthy rival to my uncle.”

“That’s not all. Our sect’s Plum Blossom Swordsmen and Radiant Demon Wing have often been compared on the same level. Seeing today, it seems this sparring conference will fulfill the desires of many gossipmongers. I never expected Harbinger of Death to return.”

“He’s among the most formidable.”

“Much of that is thanks to you. Do you know how to play Go? Having grown so much, you must be a heavy drinker by now.”

“…I don’t drink alcohol.”

“I must have brought up an imprudent topic. As a master of energy techniques, that’s only fitting. I wish Yu Hyeon would learn from watching you…”

Jeong Yeon-shin let the obvious remark pass with silence. More important was the exhalation carried in Lady Lu Xian’s voice.

.

An endlessly long and delicate breath of Purple Mist Divine Technique. Having defeated the Peng Family, the next opponents wouldn’t be a problem. Soon, he would face the thousand-year martial arts of the Nine Great Sects.

Could he win?

His uncle, who had just left the sparring ground, wouldn’t be enough alone. It wasn’t a matter of martial prowess but of energy accumulation.

The prosthetic arm crafted by the Iron Clan of the City of Renowned Craftsmen moved like a real limb but consumed a tremendous amount of true energy, it was said.

Repeatedly depleting true energy over a short period would inevitably distance him from peak condition.

There were plenty of White and Blue Ranks. He needed one more Black Rank.

As he walked with Lady Lu Xian, Jeong Yeon-shin’s gaze shifted to a section of the viewing stands.

There sat White Qilin Namgung Hwa-shin, silently. Much like Jeong Yeon-shin himself once crouched in a corner of a swing yard during the Dragon Boat Festival, pushed aside by his brothers’ indifferent glares.

***

The Mount Hua Agreement continued in grand fashion. It was hard to find a celebration of this scale anywhere in the world.

Immense profits.

Honor difficult to find elsewhere.

Peerless martial lineages whose mere observation broadened one’s horizons.

Green Jade Sword Manor in Henan Province was, in itself, the martial world under heaven. Countless heroes ceaselessly gathered there.

Even those who couldn’t participate in the opening arrived in droves, all manner of martial artists.

Among them were the high-ranking experts of the Namgung Family, including the Elder Council Head.

A family once vying for leadership among the Eight Great Families, now reopening its gates after a period of seclusion.

“Is it true that Hwa-shin is there?”

“The information is certain.”

“Double-check if the Emperor Sword Treasure is intact within the chest. No matter how many times you inspect it, it’s not enough. This martial world is rife with ghosts of lightness techniques.”

“Yes!”