Chapter 256 – Ascension (6)

A jet-black leather boot stepped onto the dirt ground. Pine needles and frost crunched together beneath it.

A boy cloaked entirely in a black robe ascended the slope. He carried only a travel sack over his shoulder while slowly surveying his surroundings.

Despite it being winter, the verdant mountain range stretched out magnificently. It was befitting of the highest peak in the Qinling Mountains.

Jeong Yeon-shin breathed in the cold air.

Each time a translucent breath escaped his lips, it glimmered white in the sunlight.

The beams of light filtering through the trees along the ridge were warm yet piercing. They resembled the life of a seventeen-year-old supreme master whose breath would cease at nineteen.

He felt life emanating from the vast nature before him. This place harbored an extraordinary earthly energy.

‘Mount Taibai.’

It had risen abruptly, seizing all of Shaanxi’s attention in one fell swoop.

Its scale was unparalleled.

Among the people living across a land rivaling the size of a nation, those with any measure of strength had reportedly gathered here in droves.

Unlike Jeong Yeon-shin, who suppressed his energy waves, the inner energy pulsations of those who did not bother to conceal theirs blanketed the mountain range.

It was, quite literally, a throng of people. Countless individuals had flocked here.

Their appearances varied widely, regardless of gender.

Some bore greatswords slung across their backs, others had dagger tips tied to their sleeves, some wore ornate tassels on the sword hilts at their waists, a few donned gauntlets exuding a heavy aura, and there were even dozens of renowned sect warriors clad in uniform attire, suggesting they had come as a group.

Among them were not only disciplined swordsmen from prestigious sects but also ronin who sold their martial skills for salt or other provisions.

Their tattered garb and the killing intent in their auras made it evident.

Some showed no outward signs, while others openly displayed hostility, wary of one another.

The air they exuded was uniform. The metallic scent of weapons carried a whiff of blood. Even the drifters drawn by rumors of miraculous herbs had experienced killing.

It was the indelible stench of blood borne from internal energy waves. It clung to Jeong Yeon-shin’s Northern Light Sword as well.

He arrived at the mountain’s entry path. It was a bustling place, the wide trail packed with warriors.

“I arrived just in time. No one is descending, are they? I have not heard of anyone claiming it either.”

“Do not trust the rumors. You should not trust anyone here.”

“Look at that finery. Even the renowned sect warriors could not resist coming, despite their pride.”

The clamor of voices was immense, with all sorts of conversations audible.

They scanned each other’s appearances and breathing patterns, exchanging information as needed. It was already a battlefield.

“I heard young lords and ladies from the Ice Palace ascended in a procession.”

“The Ice Palace, you say? Even jests should make sense. This is Shaanxi, not the North Sea. How long has it been since rumors of the thousand-year Ginseng began circulating? Those far-off lands could not have known in advance.”

“Jest, my foot! What kind of mess is this? They say Mount Hua’s immortals and even the Tyrant Sword Sect Leader have graced us! What is impossible here?”

“Do not carelessly say ‘my foot’! You might summon the Ice Soul Divine Palm! I am warning you!”

It seemed not only Shaanxi natives had come.

Various dialects filled the air. Some were nearly incomprehensible.

It was unmistakably strange.

The Ming Dynasty’s territory was vast beyond measure. Shaanxi Province alone could be compared to the size of an average foreign nation.

This meant the time required to travel to the rumor’s epicenter was far from ordinary.

Even Jeong Yeon-shin, as the Radiant Demon Wing Leader, had heard of the thousand-year Ginseng early and arrived promptly. Yet the mountain range, with its numerous peaks, was already teeming.

His eyes scanned the surrounding martial artists.

At a glance, they appeared exceptional, though most seemed to prioritize food over martial prowess.

‘Will it be different higher up? It seems masters from great factions have come too.’

Jeong Yeon-shin stepped forward, slipping into the gaps among the crowd.

He did not blend in easily.

The number of people who, while chatting among themselves, began to glance at the unfamiliar boy gradually increased.

It was not because they sensed any particular energy wave.

His jet-black hair fell to his shoulders, shimmering with natural luster, and beneath eyebrows darkened by the sunlight lay a face of rare beauty that drew attention.

His features grew sharper as death neared.

It was akin to his limbs, which changed day by day.

His appearance differed from when he had just attained the black rank. Only his eyes retained their timeless stillness.

“Is he from a noble clan?”

“No. Look at his ears.”

“He seems of high status, and he looks like he can wield a sword. A disciple of a prestigious sect.”

Many whispered among themselves.

However, their interest did not last long.

In a situation where individuals of rare beauty and superhuman strength abounded, predicting each other’s martial prowess and surveying the terrain was challenge enough.

Above all, the stranger’s age was too young.

“Even such a young swordsman… With men and women, young and old, all climbing, it is absurd.”

“Mind your own survival. How many Ginseng roots do you think there are?”

“You seem to understand propriety, elder brother.”

The number of people who ceased idle chatter and began ascending the mountain grew. They climbed with sharpened vigilance.

Their gazes swept over others as if infused with energy waves. They were ready to draw their blades at any moment.

‘The ones remaining have given up searching. They plan to ambush those descending with the Ginseng.’

It was as Jeong Yeon-shin casually moved his feet.

“Young hero! No, young master!”

He sensed it. A call directed precisely at him. Even the sound of someone rushing toward him confirmed it.

Turning his head, he saw a boy bowing.

His darkly tanned skin and steady breathing were striking, yet his dirt-colored hemp clothing stood out starkly against the winter mountain. Was he not cold?

Jeong Yeon-shin, halting his steps, parted his lips.

“What is your business?”

“I am Jang Sun-il! Please take me as your guide! I can tell at a glance this is your first time here!”

He raised his head and saluted with clasped hands. The gesture seemed slightly awkward.

He appeared unaccustomed to everyday etiquette. The climbers passing by chuckled at the sight.

The Radiant Demon Wing Leader of this era was not used to conversing with strangers lacking hostility.

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

“Is there a need?”

“I was born in Baoji here and grew up eating these mountain herbs, so I know the terrain well! I may not look it, but I am an herbalist and alchemist! I have the secret vision technique of ginseng hunters, and I can read the land perfectly! I already know the kind of terrain where a thousand-year Ginseng would grow!”

He rattled off his pitch. The lively rise and fall of his tone was pleasant to hear.

He certainly seemed adept at selling medicine.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s clear eyes captured Jang Sun-il’s form.

Judging by his deep, slender breathing, he had properly mastered the Three Calamities Mind Method distributed by the imperial court.

He likely contributed to making the famine-stricken land slightly more fertile. His sturdy lower body suggested frequent mountain treks.

Had he lived in Xinye County, where the Jeong Clan was based, his extraordinariness would have made him popular.

“What do you want?”

“If we find the Ginseng, I want to eat even just a handful of the soil it was rooted in!”

A hint of a story peeked through his spirited reply.

More people passed by the pair after hearing Jang Sun-il’s introduction. To them, it seemed like the baseless bravado of two peers.

The vision technique of ginseng hunters was like thousand-year ginseng—something few would readily believe. Its very existence was dubious.

An herbalist’s eye for terrain was something honed with experience. Both of them were absurdly young.

However, Jeong Yeon-shin’s vision, enhanced by the Lowly Revelation Technique, saw beyond that.

‘Was he waiting for someone noteworthy?’

This boy possessed a certain extraordinariness. He had an innate quality. It resembled Jeong Yeon-shin’s own.

“I can tell at a glance you are no ordinary person.”

A faint desperation tinged the boy’s grinning face.

Mount Taibai had turned into a den of chaos. A forest of blades and mountains of swords. Martial artists capable of piercing through the martial world’s weapons would hardly have spared this boy a glance.

The martial world’s masters would have brought far more reliable guides, whether through force or wealth. They lacked the upper dantian perception of someone like the Radiant Demon Wing Leader.

“You can eat as much soil as you like.”

Jeong Yeon-shin nodded readily.

***

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Translated by Nine Heavens!

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***

Jang Sun-il’s skill at navigating the path was indeed remarkable.

Even the way he tread the ground was different. With each step, the toe of his foot shifted three times.

He explained it was a process of tracing the earth veins connected to herbs that had recently sprouted through the soil. Within a quarter hour, they entered a sparsely populated area.

There was no wasted motion in his steps. Even to Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes, he seemed quite skilled.

‘Should I place a hand on his head once?’

As he silently followed, trivial thoughts surfaced.

It was his first time feeling this way since embarking on training. It meant he had some leeway. Jeong Yeon-shin promptly raised his right hand.

When he slightly bent his grip, the tendons above his wrist stood out. Blue veins stretched along his forearm.

Step.

His gait slowed slightly.

The fine muscles enveloping his body adjusted to his will. They tightened more firmly to maximize the Luminous Wheel Technique’s efficacy.

‘This level of durability will not suffice.’

He swung his right arm lightly, as if gripping a sword.

Swish.

It was repetitive. His hand gradually blurred. To Jang Sun-il, glancing back, it was a sight that baffled the eyes even as he watched.

“What is that?”

“Training.”

“So, why here of all places?”

“They say the essence of training lies in repetition regardless of time or place.”

“Someone who taught you, young master? Your teacher?”

“No… Dull people all did it this way.”

“What?”

“There was something to learn. I had not realized it before.”

Jeong Yeon-shin responded to every frivolous question. Jang Sun-il was an affable boy.

Rustle.

A tranquil ascent continued. Clear air wafted through each bend of the mountain path.

Focused on training while following, he could not extend his senses widely. As a result, the winter mountain scenery struck him more vividly.

Even when urgent shouts echoed from afar, the ochre pine needles swayed calmly.

“Blood Flame Sect! It is the blood demons of the Blood Flame Sect!”

Hahahaha!

“Let us avoid them.”

Jeong Yeon-shin said calmly.

It was right after hearing a smooth laugh. It was deeply familiar. A voice like jade beads rolling on a tray forged by madness.

“This way, escape this way! The path is clear… No, they blocked it! Crafty b*st*rds!”

A young man’s pale face emerged above the ridge.

He was a rising talent wielding a resplendent spear over blue sleeves.

Had he mistaken Jeong Yeon-shin’s slight grip for the starting stance of a claw technique? His reaction was swift. The hand clutching the spear shaft snapped back in an instant.

“They look sloppy! I will break through here!”

A flash gleamed from his hand. In a moment, the spear vanished.

Whoosh!

It was a perfectly thrown javelin. Truly lightning-fast.

By then, Jeong Yeon-shin had stepped in front of Jang Sun-il, extending his right hand.

Boom! Hiss!

The spear tip struck the center of his palm, emitting a dull reverberation. A fierce shockwave erupted.

As the surrounding bushes bent left and right, the spear shaft began splintering from its tip. Metallic dust, released as silver from his palm, scattered in all directions.

It was instantaneous.

The entire spear shattered and disappeared. It coincided with the raucous noises from atop the hill.

‘The intermediate task is definitely complete. The final goal remains…’

Jeong Yeon-shin raised his head, one hand clasped behind his back. A small sense of accomplishment welled within him.

Eternal Blossom Fist, Brilliant River.

It was now a constant technique.