Chapter 124 – Samadhi True Fire (4)

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Translated by Nine Heavens!

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***

The Jeong Family Dynamic Technique.

It was a book slightly larger than an adult’s palm. The worn pages turned one by one.

Eventually, Ma Jin put the secret manual back down on the table. He hadn’t even finished reading it.

The pages of the book trembled briefly, but Ma Yeon-jeok didn’t blame his son and remained silent.

It was unclear whether it was he or his son who was trembling slightly now, and he didn’t want to know.

“…So this is the martial art created by Sang-a.”

The short name felt rough on his tongue. It was a childhood name that awkwardly rolled off his lips.

Ma Yeon-sang.

It was his daughter’s name. The face he had tried so hard to forget for many years came to mind.

She had passed on her large, clear eyes to her son Jeong Yeon-shin.

Perhaps because he was so focused on beheading the unruly martial artists,

As the Divine Sword Group Leader galloping across the vast Central Plains, Ma Yeon-jeok had only seen his daughter’s nature as gentle.

He only occasionally worried about Ma Yeon-sang’s life after becoming the mistress of a family.

It was a meaningless worry.

His daughter, who had grown up during the years Ma Yeon-jeok hadn’t seen, was bold.

She fell for a playboy who enjoyed ostentatious displays of refinement.

She was so deeply in love that she even refused the arranged marriage that had been a family tradition.

Ma Yeon-jeok was shocked.

While scolding the family elders who had allowed his daughter to travel to Henan Province, he ordered the good-for-nothing Jeong family head to be summoned immediately.

He couldn’t believe it. How could the precious daughter of the Desolate Ma family fall for such a playboy?

“My name is Jeong Ban-ak.”

When they met, only his appearance was decent.

He was extremely handsome. He also exuded the carefree air typical of an ignorant country bumpkin.

Even the courtesy name he proudly presented was Ban-ak. According to reports from the family’s secret agents, the Beggar Sect, and the Hao Gate, he was skilled at seducing women.

He had nicknames like “refined gentleman” or “flower boy” as the heir of a major landowner in Xinye County.

“You turtle of a man!”

Even when cursed that his own parents wouldn’t recognize him, he just bowed his head silently. It was pathetic.

He wanted to kill him with one blow. Ma Yeon-jeok’s palm was on the verge of unleashing his energy.

“Father…!”

Only when he noticed his daughter’s tearful face in his peripheral vision did he manage to suppress his qi with great difficulty.

That day.

He was plunged into a quagmire of worry. As the family head. As a father.

Ma Yeon-jeok remembered it vividly. He muttered with trembling lips.

“The heavenly destiny of the Ma family is only one.”

“To assist the Lord in establishing order for the common people across the world… I’ve heard it drilled into my head since childhood. It’s clearer than the verses of our family martial arts.”

Ma Jin echoed his father’s sentiments.

Ma Yeon-jeok nodded.

He had upheld that honorable and noble heavenly mandate like a precious sword. He had done so his entire life.

Those martial artists cause trouble wherever they go.

They accumulate power that the common people cannot resist, and swing their swords in the name of martial arts and chivalry while brandishing their petty beliefs.

An uncontrolled force is a poison that leads the country to ruin.

It should be suppressed, but as vast as the world is, there are many strong people. The strategies of the Desolate Fortress martial families were inevitable.

He tried to persuade his daughter for a long time.

“That man’s physique is terrible. He doesn’t seem intelligent either. He even showed the stubbornness typical of ignorant and inexperienced people. How could we bring such a man into our main family? Sang-a, do you really have to be with him?”

Ma Yeon-sang answered that she did.

It was words that would lead to severance of ties.

The bloodline of noble martial families like the Ma family cannot be joined with just anyone.

Martial talents should intermarry to keep the next generation of martial artists in check.

If one eats the food of the main family, one should follow this greater cause. It was to stably raise strong masters to protect the common people.

Ma Yeon-jeok made his decision while swallowing his sorrow and disappointment.

“Get out. Go and don’t come back. The family tradition is inviolable. As one misplaced stone can bring down a solid fortress, severing ties is the only way I can wish for your happiness. The food, clothes, pavilions and beds you enjoyed in the Ma family were compensation and salary for protecting the common people of the world. Now that you have abandoned your duty, how can I treat you as family in the place where the ancestral tablets are?”

“Father…”

The nobility of prestigious families stems from upholding duty and compensation.

Ma Yeon-sang’s love was an unacceptable deviation.

He couldn’t bring himself to kill the man his daughter had given her heart to. Forcibly separating them also felt wrong.

So he sent her away. He completely cut off all ties.

If she remained connected by the Ma family name, it would set a precedent that would undermine the family discipline built up over a hundred years.

“Family head! Is this right? To turn away the matchmaker from the Shin family like this?”

There had originally been an arranged marriage. Ma Yeon-jeok had to endure the criticism of the Ma family elders while giving his daughter freedom.

It’s fine. That’s what he thought. He felt he had bestowed something on her as a father for the last time.

That was the end. He didn’t look for his daughter anymore.

They said to govern the family before governing the world.

For the Divine Sword Group Leader, governing the family in this case meant severing ties with his daughter.

That was the meaning of “governing the family” for the warrior Ma Yeon-jeok.

The old master in purple robes slowly parted his lips.

“Noble masters… I’ve seen clans of rare talent and nobility up close my whole life. Talent usually stems from bloodline. How could we stake the family’s fate on a slim exception? If one wants to break convention, it’s right to cut ties with the family. There was a need to set that example.”

That’s also why he deliberately didn’t seek out his grandson. He couldn’t set a precedent.

But paradoxically, it had become a meaningless and vain decision today.

Anyone who knew Jeong Yeon-shin would think so.

“People judge based on results. They’ll think our main family is a group of fools.”

Ma Jin said. There was self-mockery in his voice.

He too had ultimately acquiesced to Ma Yeon-jeok’s decision. He thought it was for his sister and to uphold the family banner.

“Indeed. Sixteen years have come back as karmic retribution.”

Ma Yeon-jeok’s lips trembled. The trembling grew worse with each page of the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique manual… The preface of the secret manual was like a knife stabbing the heart of the peerless master.

In the end, the affairs of the martial world are as fleeting as they are unpredictable.

Like the thin wisps of smoke dissipating above the teacups surrounding the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique manual now.

The Ma father and son are masters who have reached the realm where will and internal energy are unified.

The energy waves emanating from their hearts caused the teacups to tremble slightly.

These rare masters in the world scanned the words of the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique. Their eyes shone heavily.

Rustle.

The hand turning the pages is careful. This time it’s Ma Yeon-jeok.

His gaze was still fixed on the verses of the secret manual. Deep regret tinged his fingertips.

Finally.

The two finished reading the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique manual. A different kind of silence flowed compared to when they first read the preface.

The air in the room was thick, and they were filled with awe.

“This is…”

The old man slowly opened his mouth.

“Truly a divine technique.”

“…You can tell just by looking at the verses.”

“This isn’t a martial art to debate about donating. It’s far too precious to be widely spread, even practicing it ourselves would be receiving immeasurable grace from Yeon-shin. It shouldn’t be a divine technique.”

Ma Yeon-jeok slowly stood up.

In the most luxurious room of Desolate Fortress’s Sichuan branch, he staggered forward, heedless of the antique and precious carved decorations.

Night had fallen.

The moonlight gently spreading through the window drew an arc on his wrinkled lips. It was a self-mocking smile.

“I never thought I’d have an awakening from reading a martial arts manual at this age.”

His tone was uncharacteristically calm. Now only faint traces of surprise and sadness remained.

Along with an enlightened smile, as if he had realized something.

* * *

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

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***

Time passed. It had been two weeks since they left the City of Renowned Craftsmen.

Ma Yeon-jeok’s energy grew increasingly different. Day by day, his complexion was renewed.

His originally intense aura surged even more.

Jeong Yeon-shin clearly felt it while having the honor of instructing the purple and black-robed masters.

Now he occasionally had the illusion that Ma Yeon-jeok’s surroundings were scorching hot like the summer heat.

They said he was the best in the world even when compared to the Leaders of Nine Great Sects. Return to the Origin.

Is this how quickly one can grasp the subtleties of unfamiliar martial arts upon reaching the so-called peerless realm? For the first time, the boy was amazed at someone else’s achievement.

Conversely, Ma Yeon-jeok was simply in awe, saying it was more intuitive and faster than Shaolin’s Muscle Changing Sutra.

“Uncle’s achievement is severely lacking.”

Jeong Yeon-shin joked. Ma Jin smiled faintly and patted his nephew’s shoulder.

His left sleeve was still empty.

Behind the massive gate of Desolate Fortress’s Sichuan branch.

The chilly wind tickled Jeong Yeon-shin’s blue robe.

The hem now reached the back of his knees. When he just became blue-rank, it had covered his ankles.

“I hope this ends quickly.”

The boy muttered.

Perhaps because it was fully imbued with the pure energy of the Luminous Wheel That Transcends Law Technique.

The blue robe flowing down from his shoulders seemed to speak of perfection.

Even though there were scratches and bloodstains all over the hem.

The Desolate sword and Northern Light sword were both tied at his waist. Anyone could see he was going to battle.

“Can you really handle this alone?”

“You’ve asked over a dozen times.”

It was a conversation between uncle and nephew.

They had annihilated two elite groups from the Thirteen Evil Sects’ major factions.

An achievement difficult to accomplish with just Radiant Demon Wing and the Return Wing Corps’ strength. Of course, there were tremendous casualties.

Even Cheong Myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo were wounded. There were no uninjured seniors.

Few were unharmed, and the intact experts like Lazy Flame Dragon and White Qilin were stationed to guard the pavilion.

Enemy martial artists don’t just come through the front gate like gentlemen.

Clang! Clang!

The sound of vigorous hammering faintly echoed. It came from a small forge inside.

The iron folk from the City of Renowned Craftsmen were gathered there. They had lit a large fire in the furnace and were pounding hammers on the anvil.

It was to create the iron folk’s unique weapons like internal energy arms and legs.

“Uncle can’t show his face either.”

“…Indeed. Why would I show the sight of the Radiant Demon Wing’s leader losing an arm for anyone’s benefit.”

“I should be going now.”

Jeong Yeon-shin sensed powerful energies from afar. It wasn’t just one or two. The aura of those approaching from both sides of the city was tremendous.

‘This was expected.’

The boy thought.

Two elite groups sent by the Thirteen Evil Sects to the City of Renowned Craftsmen had disappeared.

Conversely, Radiant Demon Wing, whose whereabouts had been unknown, had returned to the Sichuan branch.

Two weeks was enough time for major factions like the Ten Perfections Sect and Pure Demon Alliance to guess the situation.

The Blood Flame Sect couldn’t be overlooked either, since the Seventh Apostle had also appeared in the City of Renowned Craftsmen.

That made three of the Thirteen Evil Sects.

There was also the Tang Clan. Though they had only sent doctors without any message, they wouldn’t maintain an ambiguous attitude forever.

At this point, it was the center of the murim.

They said from now on, what happens would be on the lips of martial artists across the world. Those were Hyeon Won-chang’s words.

‘It feels like thorns.’

Though only Ma Jin had come to see him off, he felt many more gazes pricking his skin.

The Desolate Fortress experts had honed their senses to the outside. Lazy Flame Dragon, Namgung Hwa-shin, Hyeon Won-chang, Crimson Day Sword… They seemed ready to rush out at any moment.

In reality, they probably would. There was a separate reason why Jeong Yeon-shin was going out alone.

It wasn’t just because he had fully healed his internal injuries.

With Ma Yeon-jeok absent after sensing a massive and ominous energy, it was to show that Desolate Fortress was still strong.

That’s how dangerous Sichuan was. It was like an injured tiger bristling its fur among a pack of wolves.

It was a strategy to create room for negotiation, not a fight for annihilation.

To save face for the martial artists, a bold move was needed.

‘Displaying martial prowess will suffice.’

The boy closed his eyes once and opened them.

“Imperial dogs, show yourselves!”

The internal energy imbued in the thunderous voice was tremendous.

It was right in front of him now. The energy waves surging from outside the gate were powerful.

Would it be the Ten Perfections Sect and Pure Demon Alliance first? The combined presence from both sides was like a tidal wave.

So was it threatening?

Jeong Yeon-shin asked himself.

He wasn’t sure. It was after killing Sword Scorpion Demon and Pure Demon Divine Hand. It didn’t seem like the leaders of the Thirteen Evil Sects had come in person.

He couldn’t guess how much he could handle alone.

Since the major factions’ experts wouldn’t start with a joint attack out of pride, he had to first assume one-on-one matches.

Meanwhile.

Outside the encirclement, there were layers of figures that could be found anywhere… Jeong Yeon-shin clearly sensed their voices and faint presences.

“I didn’t think it would really happen, but the major factions are going to have a big fight!”

“Will Desolate Fortress withdraw from Sichuan?”

“Is that the end? The warriors from the main fortress in Xiangyang will definitely retaliate. That’s the real problem.”

“Regardless, there’s no hope for the Sichuan branch.”

They were commoners. There seemed to be local martial artists too.

Everyone had come to watch a rare battle in the martial world. There aren’t many spectacles in this world.

If they could directly witness the supreme techniques of masters, many would put aside concerns for their lives.

To them, the martial arts that were said to determine the world were like celestial techniques from the realm of immortals.

“You represent the main fortress now.”

Ma Jin whispered from behind. Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly felt a touch on his shoulder.

“I’ll make sure the seniors don’t leap out of their sickbeds.”

The boy calmly said.

Meanwhile.

Flutter!

A jet-black robe hem draped down. Though one sleeve was torn at the bottom, it had a noble appearance.

Desolate Fortress’s black robe wrapped comfortably around Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulders.

“I’ll be going now.”

When two hands emerged from both sides of the pitch-black sleeves,

The boy became an existence that could no longer be discussed in terms of mere young rising talent.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

Edited by Mgt