Chapter 178 – Swordsman

The Martial Alliance’s Opening Tournament was held magnificently.

To rival Desolate Fortress while managing food supplies, they needed great prestige. This was especially true during severe famine.

As troubled times gradually deepened, public sentiment and face were more important than ever. The Alliance aimed to symbolize itself as the martial world’s greatest federation.

They opened their main gate.

A scale surpassing Desolate Fortress. The banner of chivalry. This was the impression the Martial Alliance wanted to leave.

They raised their presence through the Opening Tournament. Masters from mysterious sects who achieved one-man victories came knocking, and Mount Hua’s swordsmen descended from their mountain.

Prestigious family masters who had enjoyed power also appeared in great numbers.

The Yan family’s martial artists wore jade hairpins. Illustrious masters appeared one after another.

The Alliance had spent long preparing.

The Beggar Sect’s beggars spread rumors about the Martial Alliance in marketplaces and posted notices. People couldn’t help but be interested.

They said it was a place for orthodox martial artists to display their might.

Countless crowds gathered.

There wasn’t a village in vast Hanzhong that wasn’t crowded. The lights never went out in the taverns and inns lining the main road.

“My eyes were blessed. The Murong family’s River-Severing Sword Form truly lived up to its fame. I wonder how Mount Hua Sword Saint’s Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword compares. They say it’s the most magnificent sword technique under heaven—my heart is truly racing. What a shame I came late.”

“I couldn’t even see anything. Your clan’s eye techniques must be quite something. Or is it just boasting?”

“Boasting? How could a low-rank comprehend a master’s vision?”

Laughter and noise mingled. The wide road spread before the main gate was packed with barely room to step.

On days when rumors spread of fairly renowned masters appearing for duels, the marketplace spread five li in every direction.

Commoners sold pancakes and sweets. Even servants from shabby inns came out to the streets to solicit passersby.

Crowds.

The term ‘sea of people’ was apt. Today was no different.

“I didn’t know such halls existed under heaven. So tall, grand, and elegant. It truly was another world. The saying that the Martial Alliance is greatest under heaven seems right.”

“The true other world was the Yan family’s First Fist’s martial arts. Isn’t it speaking of moving heaven and earth with a human body? I understand now why prestigious family nobles act like royalty. Couldn’t they face an army alone?”

The focused gazes were tremendous. Ordinary commoners would never get another chance to see the Martial Alliance headquarters.

Even if they entered, their movements would be restricted, and they would undergo thorough identity checks, but it was worth enduring the questioning of background and origins.

Commoners and merchants, martial artists from minor sects, and escorts protecting logistics—the flow of people was a sight even for the Martial Alliance’s warriors.

In this world, chances to take in so many people at once were rare. This was true even for the man and woman seated atop the seven-story hall just inside the Alliance headquarters.

It was a place with a clear view of the main road before the gate.

“The Alliance Leader isn’t really Sword Star after all. The Zhuge clan head decides everything.”

The woman lying almost sideways on the roof rafters said. She was ‘Lady Ye’ of the Ye family.

With her eyes covered by soft white cloth, she glanced down as if possessing the power of clairvoyance.

“Why are there so many? They’re like cockroaches.”

“Compared to noble blood vessels, indeed they are.”

The middle-aged man wearing neat white martial clothes answered. He stood upright below Lady Ye.

Though fierce wind blew, his bearing showed no sign of instability. Martial arts were infused in his daily conduct.

“The Zhuge clan head’s dominance was expected. He built an orthodox alliance where his main family resides. You could say it’s the reward for their efforts beneath the surface all this time. They’ve taken the lead in ruling the martial world.”

“At least Sword Star is on my side, fortunately.”

Lady Ye said while fingering her pure white blindfold.

“I wasn’t sure. I didn’t know it would work on someone of that level. They’re completely clueless. Supreme masters are all eccentric with careless sides. The late Sect Leader was like that too. I wonder why?”

“…There are realms reached by letting go of sanity. All absolute beings who dominate this era must be like that. There’s a saying that the realm of peerless achievement is the world of madness. They say Desolate Fortress’s Divine Sword Group Leader said so.”

“Hmm, but First Hero was a bit different. First Apostle should have seen how he burned the Sect Leader. Since he was our Grandmaster’s grandfather, did he recognize and learn the divine technique well? I was so envious.”

“We mustn’t underestimate Sword Star. The moment even a trace of our sect’s martial arts shows in your bearing, it will be catastrophic. This unworthy apostle has repeatedly advised caution, but no amount of care would be enough.”

“What, is this thing unreliable?”

Lady Ye lightly brushed the eye area of her blindfold with her fingertip. The middle-aged man’s eyes flashed.

“That is undoubtedly our sect’s magical artifact. It is a sacred item passed down through generations of Sect Leaders, a magical tool crafted to protect direct descendants from lowly ones. Even without cultivating blood techniques, noble blood vessels that were divine from birth became targets of countless insignificant clans.”

“So it’s something that has sustained our bloodline?”

“When the noble clan covers their own eyes, none can know. It creates dissociation in the realm of magic. As long as you don’t reveal your true blood techniques, the deception remains. With that single restriction, it is truly a sacred item.”

“You’re saying don’t let my guard down?”

“Though you can deceive qualities, voice, and appearance, conduct is separate.”

“I’m tired of hearing that too. I’m getting a bit anxious. Our Grandmaster will arrive soon. He’s a divine being who cultivated the power of destruction through internal energy. Will he really not notice?”

Her hand that had been touching her blindfold moved to her hair below her shoulders. She lightly twisted the ebony ends.

The middle-aged man standing at attention answered expressionlessly as if he hadn’t seen.

“You have washed away all habits of your true nature. You possess qualities surpassing the previous Sect Leader. Speaking with reverence, I believe it is enough to just mind your words and actions. That alone will surely be the hardest thing.”

“Well, whatever. Anyway, I’m so excited. I don’t know how long it’s been since we’ve been this close.”

“…Please treasure the sacred item, as there is none other like it under heaven.”

“I only have one precious thing.”

Lady Ye’s lips curved up. It was a smooth smile.

***

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Translated by Nine Heavens!

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***

Jeong Yeon-shin entered the Martial Alliance headquarters with his group. The vitality that struck them as soon as they stepped inside the main gate was tremendous.

The energy waves emitted by countless people constantly stimulated his Hundred Meetings acupoint.

At the same time, he felt a sense of dissonance.

“Desolate Character? Golden embroidery thread. What a gaudy robe this young noble wears.”

“Wait. At that age with the character ‘Desolate’, black robe… isn’t that Desolate Fortress’s Lightning Genius? The supreme master of Desolate Fortress!”

“What? He was a real person?”

“Stop showing your countryside roots from Guangdong. You’ll offend him. Let’s quietly pass by.”

It was different from before. There were no gazes mixed with competitive spirit and hostility.

While those unrelated to the Martial Alliance looked at Jeong Yeon-shin’s group with curious faces, rather the Alliance warriors averted their eyes as they passed.

“At least they know shame. Inviting envoys then starting the Opening Ceremony among themselves?”

Hyeon Won-chang openly sneered. There was no response. Gong Sun-min and Little Sword Queen, who were accompanying them, wore unusually awkward expressions.

“Could there have been some mistake?”

The Gong family’s young master said.

Though young, he was heir to a great noble clan. Black flames constantly sparked in his pitch-black pupils.

It was the eye light produced by the Gong family’s internal energy.

He had just witnessed his admired Lightning Genius return after settling matters with Henan’s Sword Ghost.

Shame and worry showed on Gong Sun-min’s face.

“Even for an orthodox sect… though prestigious families pursue worldly fame, still. Our family wouldn’t have agreed to this. It’s a complete disgrace to the orthodox martial lineage.”

“Well. Word of Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost’s withdrawal must have already arrived. With the Beggar Sect’s beggars all over Hanzhong. If a prestigious family member had achieved the merit Lightning Genius did alone, wouldn’t they have come out to welcome us early…”

Little Sword Queen Qu Su-yu spoke while struggling to raise her sleepy eyebrows. She watched Jeong Yeon-shin’s reaction along with Gong Sun-min.

She seemed quite concerned inwardly. It was unlike her usual indifference to everything. This was no ordinary matter.

Jeong Yeon-shin calmly glanced at them.

“Take a rest.”

It was praise from Desolate Fortress’s black rank who had single-handedly resolved the Alliance’s problem.

Gong Sun-min, who had widened his eyes once, unconsciously muttered that he should first get his sword back from Murong Ming-jun.

The group split up.

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t particularly want to report progress to Sword Star. Checking on Namgung Hwa-shin, who had been left behind, came first.

If Alliance matters had accelerated and the Opening Tournament had already begun, given White Qilin’s temperament, he wouldn’t have stayed quiet.

He saw people scattering in all directions among the countless crowds. They moved as soon as they saw Jeong Yeon-shin.

The warriors of each sect comprising the Alliance seemed to be going to report to their leadership.

Step.

The young Lightning Genius slowly moved his feet.

With each step he took, the crowd parted. Faces showing wariness and curiosity spread in all directions.

The black rank envoy from Desolate Fortress’s reaction instantly became a matter of utmost interest. Would the Opening Tournament end in catastrophe?

Or would the festival’s vitality covering Hanzhong’s earth transform into the Alliance’s presence and spread across the Central Plains?

‘The Martial Alliance is vast yet closed off. What could have happened?’

The boy accompanied by Lazy Flame Dragon and Hyeon Won-chang silently walked on.

He thought of Namgung Hwa-shin, his most trusted companion and subordinate. He must have voiced opposition.

Martial artists’ discussions typically involved violent clashes. The demonic path and orthodox righteous path were no different.

If positions couldn’t be reconciled, it was common to decide major matters by martial power. In this world, a master’s word was law.

The Alliance had ignored Namgung Hwa-shin’s objections.

If they had applied any coercion in that process, Jeong Yeon-shin was willing to use the halls within the Alliance grounds as whetstones for new sword techniques.

‘If they thought I would hesitate to draw my sword because they’re orthodox martial artists, they’re mistaken.’

Hyeon Won-chang would clearly provide justification. The sword wounds inflicted by Swimming Heaven Sword Ghost could be compensated by taking Lazy Flame Dragon’s opium.

Swish.

His left hand unconsciously moved to grip the Northern Light divine sword’s handle. Immediately, gasps burst from spots throughout the crowd.

It was shock from the Alliance warriors. Did they think they would suddenly witness a supreme master draw his sword?

It was then.

Step.

Suddenly, soft, light footsteps rang out. They were unusually clear.

‘Hmm?’

A presence rapidly approaching. Movement technique dreamlike as if walking on clouds.

In just a few steps, she came close enough to smell her scent.

She wore pure white clothes. The sleeves hanging white were wide. It was an attire between martial clothes and palace dress.

The woman came straight toward Jeong Yeon-shin. White silk covering her eyes tied down a strand of her hair.

Though she seemed to have paid attention to her appearance, her long strides showing no hesitation were striking.

He wasn’t sure if she was blind or a martial artist cultivating sensory techniques.

“…”

The surroundings grew quiet.

Was it due to the woman’s high status? Or perhaps her appearance?

Sunlight filtered down through tree leaves. Her beautiful bridge of nose stood out in the dappled light.

Her porcelain-white skin gave off a smooth radiance. Her hair swaying with her bright steps was strangely mysterious.

‘She’s cultivating cultivation technique and movement technique simultaneously. What incredible senses.’

Jeong Yeon-shin felt energy waves in her delicate breathing. The same was true of her footsteps.

Near her big toe in pink shoes, he confirmed the principles of the Eight Trigrams’ directions.

Along with her bright gait, subtle energy rippled.

The autumn wind seemed to touch her especially transparently. As if she had cultivated thousand-year techniques.

Elegance dwelling in her approaching bearing.

Dignity as if breathing through martial arts.

If speaking of world-toppling beauty as a martial artist, it would be this form.

Jeong Yeon-shin felt dissonance in his heart. It was the movement of the Luminous Wheel. For a moment, it clearly pulsed.

Somewhere between repulsion and resonance. Part of the energy inherent in the Luminous Wheel That Transcends Law arose simultaneously.

He didn’t know why. Could it be due to the woman’s unique energy?

‘What is this?’

As Jeong Yeon-shin was thinking, the woman who had approached right before the boy opened her mouth.

As if not even considering the warriors surrounding them.

“He said it doesn’t have to be now. It’s a message from Sword Star.”

“What?”

“Ah, can I speak comfortably? I know you’re Desolate Fortress’s Leader. But I’m the acting Leader. Though I’m temporarily in charge of the merchant group, I’m the owner of a very, very large merchant group. How about we speak comfortably? I speak informally even to the Chief Strategist.”

“State your identity and name.”

The young Lightning Genius spoke briefly.

It was then.

Jeong Yeon-shin felt for a moment as if their gazes had met. It was very strange that no hostility touched his upper dantian’s spirit sense.

Was this what it felt like to have the night sky looking at you? Silence flowed briefly.

Soon, a faint smile forming on the woman who had reached right before him created a devilishly charming bearing.

“This is a secret… but I’ll tell you since the noble Lightning Genius commands.”

She extended her delicate finger. While moving her lips red as poppies.

“Ye Sword Sect, Ye Merchant Group.”

Her snow-white fingertip descended on Jeong Yeon-shin’s fist gripping his sword handle at his waist. A strange fragrance spread faintly.

The woman who had gently overlapped her hand on the Lightning Genius’s sword-drawing form slightly lowered her head.

Her small exhale scattered near the boy’s collarbone.

“I’m Ye Ha-rin.”

She whispered.