Chapter 209 – Blue (3)

Jeong Yeon-shin accurately saw the words formed by Blood Guardian Leader’s lips. For a moment, he doubted his eyes.

He was a figure who filled a stone seat at Wish for Peace Sword Hall. He would not lower his own dignity.

“Perhaps he’s having a bad day.”

Jeong Yeon-shin decided to think so. A master of black-rank caliber might have an eccentric personality.

He saw Yue Shou-lin waving from a distance and Xiahou Wei-zhen nodding slightly. It made sense immediately.

He turned his gaze forward again.

The new Radiant Demon Wing Leader did not dodge Immortal Tree Spirit Leader’s blood-streaked sneeze.

He intended to support her if she lost balance, but Cheon So-so maintained her dignity.

She stood straight and gazed steadily into Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes. Sunlight glinted transparently in her blue eyes.

“…Let go.”

She spoke.

Both knew the duel was decided. Cheon So-so’s internals could have suffered greatly.

Had Radiant Demon Wing Leader not withdrawn Brilliant River’s energy the moment the tenth layer of Deep Wall Heavenly Ice Shield shattered, a grave incident might have occurred.

Even the residual energy wave from his palm contacting her abdomen made her cough blood.

It was an exceedingly refined palm technique. The rumor that Jeong Yeon-shin devised it struck anew as astonishing.

Among palm techniques, it might contend for the martial world’s best.

“…Alongside the Five Great Palm Techniques.”

Cheon So-so thought. Her lightning-fast mind listed five names.

Wudang Clan’s supreme palm technique, Ten-Stage Brocade.

Shaolin Temple’s renowned artistry, Thousand Hands Tathagata Palm.

Tyrant Sword Sect’s Guardian Sword Sovereign Palm.

Ming Cult’s Dark Heaven Hand Wall Form, created by a later leader just before its downfall.

And the Moon-Protecting Piercing Technique, famed from the mysterious noble clan faction.

The years amassed in Brilliant River fall short of those. Yet, with many feats, it defeated black-rank master Cheon So-so.

If the Five Great Palm Techniques met Brilliant River, countless martial artists would heed the outcome.

If Radiant Demon Wing Leader, clad in black robes at a young age, aimed for purple-rank, would they not clash someday?

‘What am I thinking.’

Cheon So-so shook her head inwardly.

For now, she must yield Immortal Tree Spirit’s blue-rank masters.

Determining the martial world’s greatest palm technique was for enthusiasts to fervor over. It did not weigh on her now.

‘…Three blue-ranks. I didn’t come here planning to lose.’

Her eyes sank.

Today felt like Desolate Fortress’s unhappiest day for her. The anticipated loss stung deeply. Resentment toward her subordinates surfaced too.

Immortal Tree Spirit’s Star Hand Technique was hardly lacking, so why did they covet Jeong Yeon-shin’s lineage?

Meanwhile.

Swish.

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly lowered the hand gripping Cheon So-so’s wrist. His thumb faintly brushed her tendon.

It was the long palm muscle. Perhaps due to her ice technique, it felt icy, sparking sudden curiosity.

Did her martial arts include internal bodily protection? Without such ability, enduring ice techniques would be taxing.

Normally, he would not grasp a black-rank master’s pulse.

It defied martial world etiquette. The pulse gate was said to be withheld even from family.

A highly perceptive master could probe the entire body through the wrist. Disrupting energy flow was possible too. Thus, it was taboo.

Jeong Yeon-shin.

Unintentionally sensed part of Cheon So-so’s energy pathway. He had not meant to examine it.

During the duel, it came through clearly beneath her fiercely pulsing wrist.

‘Ice technique…’

He recalled Lazy Flame Dragon.

A man with a lethal meridian condition shortening his life. Scorching Divine Meridian. A constitution doomed to perish unable to withstand endless rising yang energy.

Its purging of impurities from blood points and meridians granted keen martial talent, yet he battled constant bodily incineration.

As Hwangbo Clan’s young master, he indulged in every luxury.

The clan was a formidable assembly of powerful lineages.

They often acted like royalty in regions below Beijing. That meant vast knowledge.

They surely considered water overcoming fire.

Water subdues flame. A talent-hungry Hwangbo Clan likely taught yin-based martial arts.

They must have sought numerous formidable techniques.

‘It didn’t help. Postnatal training couldn’t overcome his innate condition.’

Jeong Yeon-shin thought. What can I do?

It was a constant pondering. He could sit on Lazy Flame Dragon’s grave chewing poppies, but he’d rather see him live well and die of drink.

He just experienced Cheon So-so’s ice technique. Soon, he would help Ma Yeon-jeok absorb the Great Rejuvenation Pill.

Knowledge broadens with time, they say. A solution might emerge someday. By perceiving many bodies and energies…

As Jeong Yeon-shin sorted his thoughts.

“Look at me.”

Cheon So-so spoke calmly before him.

“You shouldn’t ignore a defeated opponent so. It could be taken as disrespect.”

“Disrespect?” 

Jeong Yeon-shin made no effort to hide his surprise. While briefly lost in thought, he sought lessons from warrior Cheon So-so.

Though Jeong Family Dynamic Technique held an edge against yin-based arts, boosting his odds in a rematch, Cheon So-so’s clear spirit would remain unbroken.

“It’s a commendable spirit. This junior is impressed.”

He spoke evenly.

To rise to Divine Sword Group Leader, he needed widespread recognition.

Jeong Yeon-shin aimed to craft a positive scene today, whatever the outcome.

For instance, Leaders mutually admiring each other’s martial arts and spirit.

A bond forged through martial prowess would resonate well with all. He prepared empty flattery, as he had with administrative scholars.

‘I overdid it. Senior Cheon is a true warrior.’

Admiration and curiosity from deep within surfaced on his face.

Brilliant River’s extreme strength-based incantations bore several flaws.

He hadn’t expected a black-rank Leader to withstand its second strike fully. Her spirit was astonishing.

‘Had she not pushed herself, I might have fallen to her counter.’

Her protective energy was fearsome. The tingling recoil in his wrist now attested to it.

Loading Brilliant River’s second strike into his Inner Gate acupoint like a firebomb was no easy feat. Enduring such force’s precursor internally was taxing.

Even with Jeong Family Dynamic Technique-tempered blood points, it demanded significant strain. Using it twice in one fight would be difficult.

“…”

Cheon So-so pursed her lips, lost in thought briefly. She gazed at Jeong Yeon-shin.

She couldn’t gauge the sincerity beneath his claim of admiration.

A commendable spirit? Was he mocking her response?

Overconfident in her protective energy, unlike a Leader, she exposed herself to a fierce strike. The result alone invited ridicule.

Thus, Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s earnest expression confused her.

‘This Han man’s nature is pure yet strange. A temperament befitting his talent.’

She thought. It would serve Desolate Fortress’s foes cunningly.

Even now, a peculiar heat rose from her Yin Intersection acupoint near her abdomen.

She never forgot her noble clan heritage and honed her cultivation, yet an odd emotion stirred.

Irritation or anger, she couldn’t tell.

Cheon So-so maintained a stoic expression with effort.

Glancing down, she saw her robes crumpled around her abdomen. Brilliant River’s mark.

Its explosive force had spawned a vortex like an energy surge scripture. Had he not restrained it, they might have torn apart. A sight evoking concession.

She parted her lips slowly.

“…Rainbow Wisdom Sword Do Yoon-myeong, Moon-Shooting Ghost Archer Wei Ye-ryeong, Benevolent Blade Jeong Jun.”

Cheon So-so continued quietly.

“Their titles are all officially recognized by the administrative office. All are blue-ranks. They’ve each mastered your Radiant Sword Style, Radiant Wing Step, and Fate Defying Scripture. I’ll send them after completing administrative procedures, so note it.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Jeong Yeon-shin replied plainly.

Cheon So-so closed and opened her eyes once. Her long lashes trembled slightly.

“…The three are noble clan hybrids. All possess upright natures and exceptional talent, so I hope you treat them kindly. It’s no longer my place to meddle…”

“Yes.”

“…No need to force training. A little guidance from you will make them endlessly formidable. Each has ample experience. They’ll especially aid against the Thirteen Evil Sects. Their techniques suit it.”

“I’ll keep it in mind.”

Jeong Yeon-shin offered a brief reply with a clasped-fist salute. He tensed his arms to mask exhaustion.

His right hand, having unleashed successive Brilliant Rivers, tingled. Even a short bout taxed him this much.

Perhaps because his opponent was a peer Leader. His short-battle tactic seemed to strain his body more.

“My words dragged on.”

He received a salute in return from Cheon So-so.

“…”

Until then, silence cloaked the duel platform’s surroundings. Stillness swallowed the crowd. None dared speak rashly.

Just two exchanges.

Some had wagered on the duel’s outcome.

No one bet silver on a few moves.

Short battles among peers defy martial skill norms, yet Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s divine technique defied common sense.

Even masters who has watched Jeong Yeon-shin’s promotion ceremonies multiple times fell silent.

Only after a while did a few begin whispering.

“…Radiant Demon Wing can’t be seen as weak anymore. The Leader’s already this formidable. I viewed him as a promising new black-rank, but his growth defies reason.”

“They might clash with major factions in group missions. Has Leader Jeong Yeon-shin ever failed a task? This could spark something remarkable.”

“He did once. Capturing the Seventh Apostle. That Blood Flame Sect’s supreme master.”

“That was as a white-rank, a fault of the prior Radiant Demon Wing Leader.”

It was Jeong Yeon-shin’s duel platform as Radiant Demon Wing Leader. More eyes focused here than on the gathered crowd.

Could Radiant Demon Wing reclaim its former glory?

Once, it rivaled the strongest squads barring Divine Sword Squad.

Desolate Fortress squads resemble small factions. The new Leader’s Radiant Demon Wing achievements were a pressing curiosity.

“See you at Wish for Peace Sword Hall.”

Immortal Tree Spirit Leader Cheon So-so left brief words and turned away.

Rustle.

Her retreating steps differed from the duel.

Unlike her leaf-like gait, they carried a rough weight. She seemed troubled.

Yielding three blue-rank masters was a significant issue.

For Jeong Yeon-shin, it brought immense relief. No, relief was an understatement.

A feeling akin to fulfillment swelled, as if filling his Luminous Wheel.

Three treasured swords entered his grasp.

His heart felt fuller than when crafting decent techniques. This brought him a step closer to purple-rank.

Leading twenty-four blue-ranks across the martial world was not far off. Jeong Yeon-shin wished to bestow the title of invincible on Radiant Demon Wing, bearing his uncle’s legacy.

‘I must recompile Radiant Demon Techniques. Weaving all principles of my lineage.’

Lowering his salute, Jeong Yeon-shin sought his next opponent.

The whispering crowd faded from view.

Finding Blood Guardian Leader, whose gaze he’d met earlier, was urgent. As a Leader, he couldn’t name multiple seniors at once.

He feared seeming too arrogant. The duel notice listed only Immortal Tree Spirit Leader Cheon So-so. He needed to designate the next.

Soon, puzzlement clouded Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes.

‘Where did he go?’

Blood Guardian Leader Jin Myeong-jo had vanished.

Had urgent business arisen?

Even heightening his senses to scan around, no eerie energy wave caught.

He disappeared tracelessly, as if using stealth arts. Even from a spot with two Leaders. Astonishing skill.

“I must refine the synergy of Luminous Wheel Technique and Demon-Destroying Azure Unyielding Palm. Tweaking the incantations could hasten execution.”

With no choice, Jeong Yeon-shin opted for the Desolate Ma Family next.

The greatest task since his return awaited.

With Jeong Family Dynamic Technique, he must help his grandfather absorb the Great Rejuvenation Pill.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

***

Xi’an, Shaanxi Province.

Late autumn sunlight swept into the alleyways. Despite the bright rays, the path felt chillingly cold against the skin.

A woman with ash-gray short hair, arms crossed, looked down at a kneeling Zhongnan Sect disciple.

“After killing you.”

She parted her lips, her divine sword sheathed at her waist.

“Should this seat become that child’s attendant?”

Shame tinged her narrowed brow. Her untouched sword seemed ready to unleash hundreds of energy strands.

Her swirling emotions resonated with the blade.