Chapter 335 – Grandson (8)

Jeong Yeon-shin opened his eyes while lying down.

Light seeped through the slowly raised eyelids. Despite the extremely small movement, he felt a clear difference.

The eye muscles surrounding his retina felt lighter and more elastic than ever before.

The scent of leaves that had been caressing his face faded into the distance. Jeong Yeon-shin sensed this through the energy wave that had spread throughout his body.

Even during the moment when the effects of bone transformation caused extreme pain throughout his body, his inner self remained calm like a clear mirror and still water.

Amid the difficulty in identifying the presences around him, there was one figure who was a great support. Someone who was close to the aspiration held by Jeong Yeon-shin, a martial artist by nature…

‘Fortress Lord.’

The discussion they had shared, though a dream, had been enjoyable.

The feeling of conversing with her was pleasant. The savior who guarded the fruit of the World Tree, standing at the pinnacle of the martial path.

Perhaps because he was aware that his body had changed, he looked forward to the day when he could face her properly. He also wanted to boast about his achievement with the mind-controlled sword.

“Yeon-shin.”

A familiar voice pushed away the dream-like bedding. It was an equally warm voice.

“……”

A large figure was standing with the sunlight at his back.

In that moment, the image forming on Jeong Yeon-shin’s retina quickly took shape.

Without even activating the Lowly Revelation Technique, the true energy residing in his eyes responded. It came with a somewhat awkward feeling.

A figure who could boost his energy cultivation with the extreme Jeong Family Dynamic Technique.

It couldn’t be the Desolate Fortress Lord, but his maternal grandfather. He must have noticed that his grandson had regained consciousness from the moment Jeong Yeon-shin’s breathing changed.

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly parted his lips.

“…Grandfather.”

His voice had a deeper resonance than before.

He had definitely changed. He had brought forth the physique of someone approaching his twenties to achieve the goal that should be accomplished by that age.

With a structure that would manifest his unique martial arts more powerfully.

Meanwhile, Ma Yeon-jeok’s shoulders, looking down at his grandson, briefly shook.

“This old man must have misheard. Who did you just call?”

“Your grandson still has sleep in his eyes. I’ve caused you concern, Grandfather.”

Jeong Yeon-shin calmly retracted his words and pressed his hand against the ground.

The soil beneath his palm felt damp. There had been much blood flowing from his body and Murong Jung-rak’s.

‘The sense of elevation is too strong. It feels like I’m still in a dream.’

A strange vortex was occurring in the upper dantian in his mind. It was something that seemed about to spread throughout his body at any moment.

If he were to gauge its quality, it was similar to the spirituality residing in the Luminous Wheel.

It repeatedly merged with and separated from the elements in his body, namely his flesh and energy, commonly referred to as essence and energy.

It was spirit.

With each repetition of unity and separation, it felt as if opium was seeping into his mind. He also thought that this might be how it feels to pleasantly drink alcohol.

It was then.

Swish.

The tattered sleeve end was pulled from his forearm.

It was a careful touch. It conveyed both bewilderment and relief simultaneously.

Jeong Yeon-shin, who had only raised his upper body, turned his head. The energy waves touching his skin were familiar.

“Squad Leader.”

A girl with a face that looked like she was crying while smiling appeared. The same expression as when he had brought her from the Desolate Divine family head.

Her shoulders, cultivated with the Eternal Blossom Fist to form strong curves, were always satisfying to see. It was as if a preciously raised monkey was taking on a human form.

Because of none other than the martial art he had created.

The white kitten makes him feel like an ancestor who has left a legacy for later generations.

Even if Jeong Yeon-shin were to die, she would carry on the martial lineage. The higher Shin So-bin’s reputation rose, the deeper his footprints left in the world would become.

“You will become the Great Sage Equal to Heaven in the future. Very pretty.”

[TL Note- Great Sage Equal to Heaven is a title of Sun Wukong.]

A fond feeling arose for the disciples of the Lightning Genius martial lineage. It must be because he had experienced the reality of death.

“Pretty… what did you say?”

A small chuckle came back.

Shin So-bin’s eyes returned to their round shape. The corners of her mouth rose slightly.

The Great Sage Equal to Heaven from the Journey to the West is also considered an incarnation of martial arts. It was a rare high praise from the squad leader.

Jeong Yeon-shin preemptively blocked her concerned words. It was thanks to speaking without thinking.

“I don’t know where to begin or how to explain. The Divine Sword Group Leader, yes, finally the Divine Sword Group Leader… no, but first, that appearance… I mean, even after seeing it all, I can’t believe it!”

“……”

The companions standing side by side behind his disciple each had their own expressions as they looked down at him.

Hyeon Won-chang had raised his eyebrows high, openly showing relief and excitement, while Lazy Flame Dragon was alone in his thoughts, just chewing on opium poppy leaves.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

“Yeon-shin.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

Ma Yeon-jeok, who had sat casually on the ground, made eye contact with Jeong Yeon-shin. He wore a strange expression.

“Your transformation was marvelous. Originally, this old man intended to guide the energy flow with your Jeong Family Dynamic Technique, but your body took control of the flow of the Great Heavenly Circuit. Although the process wasn’t natural, I thought it right to observe.”

“So that was you, Grandfather.”

“What?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Anyway… I understand what happened. Your current body is truly…”

Ma Yeon-jeok let his words trail off. It was unlike him. Only the gleaming light in his two stern eyes, flashing like lightning, remained the same.

The inherent power within the Tyrant Hero of Desolate Fortress was rippling according to his emotions.

Only his maternal grandfather had noticed. The form his grandson’s bone transformation had taken.

‘Could it be that he also knows what thoughts I had in my mental imagery…?’

Jeong Yeon-shin discreetly observed his grandfather. The thick eyebrows and smooth brow. There was no particular sign visible anywhere on Ma Yeon-jeok’s face.

“All that remains is to accumulate merits.”

His grandfather said. Jeong Yeon-shin, who had been unnecessarily tensing his legs, quickly opened his mouth.

“Yes. I can only express my gratitude to Grandfather.”

“Rest should come first. Bone transformation inevitably uses a great deal of the body’s energy and vitality. Look at how thin you’ve become. Even eating bowlfuls won’t be enough. I should immediately get three or four wild boars…”

Boom!

Suddenly, the ground shook. Looking up, he saw a pink robe tearing through the distant sky.

Ma Yeon-jeok had leaped up. Just as he seemed to be giving advice to his grandson, he suddenly jumped.

It was because he had instantly seen through Jeong Yeon-shin’s hungry state.

‘I am quite hungry…’

He ignored his grandfather’s antics and stood up.

His field of vision was unfamiliar. He could look down on Shin So-bin’s jet-black crown, and with a slight turn of his eyes, Hyeon Won-chang’s hero’s headband appeared below the horizontal line. His eye level was about the same as Lazy Flame Dragon’s… Bone transformation. Changing the skeleton.

Body transformation. Changing the body.

It was the most mystical experience among all the things he had encountered since entering the martial world.

At this moment, as he lightly clenched his fist, the muscle strands in his forearm that writhed like a divine sword were the first evidence. The sensation was different. His acupoints and muscles seemed to be woven from mysterious iron.

Rustle.

Shin So-bin, who was the same age, straightened her back so much that her clothes rustled, but she barely reached Jeong Yeon-shin’s chest.

From the side, Lazy Flame Dragon, who had swallowed an opium poppy, twisted up the corner of his mouth.

“Strange… strange yet familiar…”

It was then that Hyeon Won-chang awkwardly rubbed his forehead with his hand.

“Radiant Demon Wing Leader.”

Slaughter Chivalry Kim Jon-hwi approached silently.

After playfully patting his brother Hyeon Won-chang’s shoulder, he raised his clasped hands toward Jeong Yeon-shin.

“One of my sect’s great wishes has been fulfilled. Though our grudge with the Murong family and Taimao Mountain Fortress will not end until they are annihilated, just seeing the Star Radiance Great Sword Lord sprawled there… my sect’s movements will become freer.”

He speaks of annihilating major factions. Conduct difficult to imagine even with the leader dead. It demonstrated the power of the Slaughter Sect with its disciples disguised as dignitaries.

“You said you were Great Tongue Sword’s brother?”

In response to Jeong Yeon-shin’s greeting, Kim Jon-hwi waved his hand.

“I’m uncomfortable receiving such respect. You have accomplished a miracle. From now on, the lower you hold yourself, the more difficult it will be for others. Even if one who has killed a peerless master behaves somewhat arrogantly, no one would find fault with it.”

“That would be difficult due to my ingrained habits.”

Jeong Yeon-shin spoke calmly. Even to his own perception, his bearing was more stable than usual.

“Huh.”

Slaughter Chivalry slightly raised the brim of his black hat. A face of admiration was revealed.

“Your conduct is truly noble. A martial artist who may become the Divine Sword Group Leader knows propriety.”

“You flatter me.”

“My behavior might have bothered you somewhat. My excitement at meeting my brother took precedence. I ask for your understanding.”

He had wanted to bring Hyeon Won-chang into the Slaughter Sect. It was an apology directed at the Radiant Demon Wing Leader.

Jeong Yeon-shin shook his head.

“It’s enough if the Slaughter Sect keeps today’s events confidential.”

“Confidential, you mean…? If you’re suggesting we hide the death of a peerless master after the Profound Martial Alliance Leader has visited, that would be difficult even for my sect…”

“Not the outcome of the battle, but what happened to me.”

“Ah, the bone transformation…!”

Kim Jon-hwi nodded vigorously.

“The appearance and features of a high-ranking official of Desolate Fortress are worth their weight in gold. Those who look down on common people consider them lifelines… I understand what you mean. Though the name of Lotus Nezha may spread widely throughout the world, few will recognize you at first sight.”

Jeong Yeon-shin silently bowed and turned around.

He needed to distance himself from his grandfather. He had to ensure that the conversation he had with the Desolate Fortress Lord in his dream didn’t manifest as a technique.

It was then.

From behind, Kim Jon-hwi’s words continued.

“There was combat in the lower Gojin Village. The young master of the Profound Martial Alliance was leading martial forces northward when he reportedly clashed with a high master with a red eye and long black hair. They say the Blade Venerable is with her, and I thought you should know to avoid unnecessary trouble…”

Jeong Yeon-shin paused momentarily.

Then he extended his right hand to the side.

Woong—

There was movement from the direction of Murong family head’s corpse. It was the resonance of a blade.

The sword that flew directly toward Jeong Yeon-shin and was caught emitted a brilliant white light along its blade. It was Murong Jung-rak’s Flowing Star Sword.

“Yes, we mustn’t forget that! I’ll take care of the scabbard for you!”

Hyeon Won-chang’s excited shout rang out. It came with the sound of him pulling the scabbard from the belt at Murong family head’s waist.

“Squad Leader, where are you going?”

A casually thrown question. It was from Lazy Flame Dragon.

Jeong Yeon-shin calmly parted his lips.

“Gojin Village.”

“I’ll go ahead. I need to get the Great Tongue Sword.”

Lazy Flame Dragon said. After Jeong Yeon-shin nodded once, he moved his steps. From behind, the conversation between the Slaughter Sect brothers continued, sounding as peaceful as the sunset.

“So we part ways. Why Desolate Fortress?”

“A life like duckweed. There’s no grand cause. I just couldn’t stand people who bullied others.”

“Even your manner of speech grows distant. You, you seem to follow the Radiant Demon Wing Leader quite devotedly.”

“He is a comrade who has shared life and death. They all are. In other words, close to a lord. One who imparts divine skills more precious than life…”

“Is your destiny truly not with our sect?”

“I have a goal.”

“…?”

“Decades from now, to share a cup of wine with an old man.”

“Are you talking about the Radiant Demon Wing Leader?”

“That old man was once a country boy who entered Desolate Fortress with me. Knowing nothing…”

Hyeon Won-chang continued slowly.

“As comrades of the Radiant Demon Wing, we would roam the martial world, create martial arts that didn’t exist before, upset the stomachs of villains with our three-inch tongues, and sometimes take their heads… That’s the kind of story I want to share. Praising each other, boasting about the families we’ve built and our children, sometimes reminiscing. While passing back and forth something like bamboo leaf wine.”

“…You will never use the Kim surname.”

“Hyeon is my surname.”

“I understand clearly. What more is there to say? …I wish you good fortune in martial arts, Divine Hero Hyeon.”

The sound of an exaggerated bow echoed at his feet.

Rustle.

It was the sound beside Jeong Yeon-shin, who had been silently descending the slope. A small, light presence had attached itself to him.

She was carrying the scabbard of the Northern Light Divine Sword and the half-broken blade in her bosom. It was the white kitten Shin So-bin.

Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly felt that his martial robe trousers that barely covered his calves were too small.

He glanced down.

The hem of his short robe was surrounded by the sunlight of the sunset.

When he raised his head again, the sleeve end that had barely flowed down to his wrist momentarily shimmered with a purple hue.