Chapter 276 – Martial Might (4)

Right after a storm-like heat enveloped Lazy Flame Dragon’s entire body.

Gi Geom-hyang advanced with bold steps and swung her sword down. The stance of a single cleaving stroke warped mystically.

A translucent wind rode her blade, flaring like wildfire, but the fierce gust from Lazy Flame Dragon’s energy swallowed her sword’s cry.

The force he amassed by distorting and colliding his own waves took shape as white flames in an instant, growing in size.

Whoosh—!

The culmination of the Lightning Genius lineage fused with his instincts. An exceedingly brief moment.

“Radiant Arts Bond, Flame River.”

He even recited the technique’s name aloud for a sparring match. His pronunciation slurred from chewing poppies.

Lazy Flame Dragon’s hand pierced through that fleeting instant.

The scorching energy swirling white in Radiant Arts Bond gathered toward his palm.

The storm of white force waves was immensely thick and dense. Gi Geom-hyang’s sword, bearing the noble clan masters’ formidable power, was halted before that palm.

A relentless sound, like tearing stacks of paper, echoed ceaselessly.

The moment her lethal, adaptive sword stance was broken.

The disparity in inner power was clear. Their energy reserves differed from the start, and he had mastered a method to wield power most explosively.

The eldest son of the Hwangbo Clan had grown mighty following his squad leader.

“This is the essence.”

Lazy Flame Dragon spoke.

“The secret of swift resolution. Our squad leader’s way of brawling. Personally, I like it—it is refreshingly direct. Experience it once.”

“…!”

Gi Geom-hyang’s eyes widened. Her cool, steady gaze wavered amid the flame shards.

Lazy Flame Dragon twisted his hand. A short slap to the sword’s side carried Radiant Arts Bond’s trajectory.

In the instant the amassed force in his grip warped the air, a scorching shockwave erupted.

Clang—!

Fragments of white and translucent energy scattered like feathers, swirling wildly.

Amid the dreamlike wind conjured by masters, a sword soared.

The blade Gi Geom-hyang held flew from her grasp. With a sharp whistle— it pierced a nearby tree trunk in an instant.

It lodged deep, leaving only the hilt exposed.

Gi Geom-hyang’s arm was flung upward.

Lazy Flame Dragon held his palm before her solar plexus.

As shredded grass dust fell around them, he twisted his lips into a smirk.

“You felt the accumulation of energy waves, right? As long as your energy allows, you can chain it endlessly. It is not mere trickery—it is devilishly instinctive. A principle honed to end fights fast.”

“…How is such a thing possible?”

Gi Geom-hyang parted her lips. Unconcealed shock clouded her stern face.

“You amplify already-released energy further…? Unheard-of martial arts. Energy release cannot be wielded like that, so how is the energy path structured…!”

“They were martial arts crafted for a singular genius in the realm. Created by our squad leader’s hand.”

Lazy Flame Dragon said, raising a corner of his mouth.

“But unified into one, they became easier to wield. Even a monkey could do it, he said? Not far off. Maybe exaggerated to whip practitioners into shape.”

“…”

“With the martial art’s master unifying it so simply, should not practitioners rightfully discern and master its essence? This method is a tribute to our grandmaster. Do not compare it to Linked Path Celestial Sword. Look at the technique’s perfection.”

The cheeky voice of a realm’s prodigy filled the silence. A tale far removed from common folk.

This time, even Heaven’s Pillar Sect’s noble clan masters could not hide their astonishment.

Some sank into thought with grave faces, while others furrowed their brows in confusion, alternating glances between Lazy Flame Dragon and the Radiant Demon Wing Leader.

At the battleground’s rear.

Only Jeong Yeon-shin wore an odd expression. It is not an exaggeration.

Then. Gi Geom-hyang, standing dazed, clasped her hands below her navel. A somewhat foreign gesture. Likely their custom of courtesy.

“…I lost. I acknowledge the Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s martial arts as a rare pinnacle in the realm.”

“Truth be told, it is not a martial art needing formal validation. This lord acknowledged it. Without your lake, I would not have bothered. If the effect is lackluster, I will spread word across the realm that Heaven’s Pillar Sect is nothing special.”

Lazy Flame Dragon dusted off his right hand and continued.

“Anyway… Our squad leader, can he bathe now? Holding a growing guest at the gate like this. And he is in poor shape.”

His squad leader was a fascinating figure in many ways.

Not long ago, he offered a rare ice crystal, saying he got it free from Ice Palace masters, handing it over as casually as roadside sweets.

A gesture hard for anyone to fathom. What use was buying the loyalty of a terminally ill fool?

It would have been a hundred times better given to a true successor like Shin So-bin.

He took it eagerly, but it had little effect. It merely cooled his Scorching Divine Meridian’s heat briefly.

That sufficed.

He had not expected much. Born to Jinan’s top noble family, he grew up exceedingly privileged.

Acquiring and mastering yin-energy martial arts was trivial, yet attempting to defy fate nearly burned his blood vessels to ash.

The principles offered by other Radiant Demon Wing seniors were no better.

It just felt oddly touching. A new sensation.

‘Did I eat it for nothing? He should have kept it for his own longevity.’

Stuffing fresh poppies into his mouth, Lazy Flame Dragon spoke again.

“Are you all mute? Or did you never intend to let us in?”

Cheong Bo-hwa shook her head, patting Gi Geom-hyang’s shoulder as she returned to Heaven’s Pillar Sect’s side.

“I am truly sorry, but it was never a matter decided on the spot. It is a lake infused with the World Tree’s sap. Even with clear results, procedure is required. Give us a little time.”

“As rigid as the orthodox sects. No wonder they are often compared.”

“Thank you for the praise. I know what the orthodox sects mean in the realm. They were rare ones who cultivated pure refinement.”

“You will keep us standing here? Unlike you, our squad leader grows fast. It is a critical time for his knees.”

“Be quiet.”

Jeong Yeon-shin pushed Lazy Flame Dragon aside, and Cheong Bo-hwa gave a faint smile.

“You won the sparring with pure martial arts, so you are rightful guests of our sect. We will provide lodging. Await the council’s decision. Thank you for showing profound martial arts. I pay respects to a grandmaster.”

“I too broadened my horizons. Linked Path Celestial Sword is indeed sharp. It even highlighted Radiant Arts Bond’s flaws, making me ponder how such fluid trajectories emerge.”

He assessed Linked Path Celestial Sword candidly.

No empty words. Gi Geom-hyang lacked hand dexterity relative to her energy reserves. Her lateral strikes wasted energy waves heavily.

Her sword traced long arcs like a grown monkey’s arm, with inexplicable tremors.

‘Her shoulder’s acromion muscle was poorly anchored. The biceps contracted at odd angles… Even the propulsion waves from the Tiandu acupoint beside her shoulder warped excessively. How does she wield a sword like that?’

Such clumsy skill appeared plausible on the surface. Thanks to mastering Linked Path Celestial Sword.

A sword art lowered to a slug’s pace, making anyone seem a decent swordsman. An impressive technique.

“Truly humble. For one who created such a pinnacle.”

Cheong Bo-hwa raised a corner of her mouth in admiration. Even the indifferent noble clan masters behind her showed goodwill.

Lazy Flame Dragon’s fine display of Radiant Arts Bond seemed to have softened their hearts.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulders broadened slightly. Indeed, humility is key.

‘Had Mother not passed, she would have taught me this.’

He parted his lips. A moment to negotiate as the group’s leader. It was not hard.

Thanks to his niece Hye-ah, he had gained great insight. Sincerity sufficed.

“I am at a loss with such lavish praise. Humility is only proper. Heaven’s Pillar Sect deserves respect.”

“I am curious about your lineage. If you joined our village, I would pair you with a precious daughter. You must hail from a refined noble line. My worldly ignorance and weak eye technique fail to see further. Since it would be rude, I will not pry.”

“Refinement… Hardly. I cannot bear such gilding.”

Jeong Yeon-shin recalled his maternal grandfather’s fiery temper and his uncle’s rough hands. Among the Ma Clan’s blood, only he and Ma Se-in had matured.

Regrettable but true. Even cherishing them did not change facts.

Cheong Bo-hwa smiled warmly.

“Where did such a hero come from?”

A stark contrast to the face she made at her great-grandson Cheong Myeong.

Affection flowed from the soft wrinkles around her curved eyes. Genuine warmth.

Yet Cheong Myeong, standing by the Radiant Demon Wing Leader like a transparent breeze, only grinned.

He seemed immune to exclusion. Occasionally, his fingers twitched to pat the squad leader’s shoulder, but he never raised his hand.

Shin So-bin, Hyeon Won-chang, and other Radiant Demon Wing masters tilted their heads with vague expressions.

“It worked out well, regardless.”

Cheong Myeong muttered with a smile.

“Pretty decent, no? I honed it for a while.”

Lazy Flame Dragon blurted out to Jeong Yeon-shin upon returning.

His pitch-black eyes seemed to flicker with flames. The fervor of a warrior with little time left.

A figure who might pursue martial arts even in death, reminiscent of Azure Qilin Namgung Se-jin. Only the playful smile differed.

Standing still, Jeong Yeon-shin began walking at Cheong Bo-hwa’s gesture. Finally treated as a guest.

He parted his lips.

“I heard earlier. Flame River?”

“Just a rough name.”

“Not derived from Brilliant River?”

“Azure Qilin was my friend. What is a name worth?”

“It is worth much. Very much.”

“There is no ‘very much’ in the realm. Did I not say it was a tribute? Do not nitpick out of embarrassment. It is a fine technique, is it not? Radiant Arts Bond—Flame River. Martial arts naturally gain successors’ techniques over generations. It happened in this generation already. Is that not moving?”

“Attaching such a name to crude skill is the issue. You folded energy waves haphazardly. Less poppies would improve it.”

“Our squad leader still has not heeded Lady Jeong Hye’s jab. Adults do not speak like that. Be humble.”

“…Lift the palanquin. We are going in.”

***

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Translated by Nine Heavens!

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***

Permission came swiftly.

Word arrived that only the Radiant Demon Wing Leader and Divine Sword Group Leader would be allowed to bathe in Heaven’s Pillar Sect’s lake.

Eternal Blossom Fist and Radiant Arts Bond had both been recognized. The elders had watched from the start, it was said.

The village’s noble clan masters did not object.

Though known for extreme seclusion, they merely gazed at Jeong Yeon-shin with odd looks from their perches atop trees.

‘Good.’

Jeong Yeon-shin inwardly sighed in relief.

“Worthy of being my rival. You completed the mission splendidly. Truly grateful.”

The Divine Sword Group Leader praised him with a pale complexion.

Just the two of them. The ailing transcendent leaned on his young subordinate for support as they walked.

Above, a Heaven’s Pillar Sect master leaped between branches, guiding the way.

The sunset had faded.

A full moon rose between clouds, casting a bluish hue over the forest.

For a time, only the sound of bark rubbing echoed. Then, occasionally, wind and foliage brushed together.

The forest’s irregular whispers felt like peace detached from the chaotic martial world.

Then the Divine Sword Group Leader spoke.

“I promised you before. To teach you a martial art.”

“Yes, you did.”

It was right after the sparring between Namgung Clan and Desolate Fortress.

When the Divine Sword Group Leader slew the Namgung Clan Leader in a short exchange and faced threats from other major factions, Jeong Yeon-shin stabilized his energy, enabling a show of bravado.

“I will impart it at the lake. Think about it.”

The Divine Sword Group Leader said.

“Tonight?”

“Yes. We might clash with Dark Night Palace, and given this squad leader’s vast capacity, my recovery will lag behind yours. If a skirmish arises, you must take the lead. Another weapon would help. They are tricky and fearsome foes.”

After a moment’s thought, Jeong Yeon-shin parted his lips.

“I would prefer a martial art born from unique inspiration. Rather than one of high perfection… Do you have such a thing?”

“Oh?”

A deep smile formed along the Divine Sword Group Leader’s seemingly frail jawline.

Like a hearty scholar, his pitch-black eyes flashed with a rainbow of traits.

Curiosity, boredom, fatigue, interest, surprise, warmth… The swordsman vying for the realm’s pinnacle hid nothing.

“I see. I understand your taste.”