Chapter 317 – Hyeon Won (12)

Radiant Wing Five Steps.

A technique of moving the feet in five mystical ways.

Jeong Yeon-shin took inspiration from the footsteps of the Vajra Immovable Body Technique.

He had a mental image of completing Radiant Wing Steps up to five steps, and somehow that goal he had suddenly established was already accomplished when he regained his senses.

It was a footwork technique he had created during his white-rank period.

When he first created the first step, he thought that with Radiant Wing Ten Steps, he could act as a Divine Sword Squad Leader.

The Radiant Wing Steps, which had stagnated at the second step, suddenly advanced three more steps. Hence, Radiant Wing Five Steps.

It was a martial art that seized control of intervals, and by the seventh step, he might be able to completely manipulate the opponent’s breathing at will.

It was a great achievement. Something worth savoring as he looked at the sky that was now approaching sunset.

“How dare you, how dare you…!”

The Flying Blood Venerable had been subdued by Won Jeok.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s landing created an enormous aftermath. This was because he had followed the Vajra Immovable Body Technique precisely and planted his foot.

The foot energy imbued with tremendous leg strength rode along the Glass Spirit Sword and severed the Flying Blood Venerable’s arm tendons. When he came to his senses, even the hem of the man’s martial robe had been torn away.

That brief moment was why Jeong Yeon-shin and Won Jeok had the leisure to converse.

The saying that the first strike leads to victory had proven precisely accurate.

The Flying Blood Venerable.

He had allowed two supreme masters to land the first blow. A swordsman who had lost his sword energy was in no position to face one of Shaolin’s Four Great Vajras.

He couldn’t even chase after Jeong Yeon-shin as he unsteadily descended from the Glass Spirit Sword.

—You! What technique did you just…!

—It seems you were right. It’s not difficult at all.

The Flying Blood Venerable’s sword drawing lost its precision after Jeong Yeon-shin’s casual response. His hands became increasingly erratic as he tried to deflect Won Jeok’s staff techniques.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s interest in the man vanished at that moment. It seems he had trained his endurance rather carelessly.

There had been a tremendous battle during the subjugation process, but to Jeong Yeon-shin, who had seen several purple-rank absolute masters, it wasn’t particularly impressive.

Only Won Jeok’s lofty techniques occasionally made his toes twitch with excitement.

On one side of the rock fragments that had been shattered to pieces.

Saaaa—

A thick dust cloud hazily enveloped and swirled around the vicinity. It was the aftermath of the briefly concluded battle.

Rather, using the Flying Blood Venerable’s life thread as leverage to gather the village commoners who had been beyond the distant hill took much longer.

None of them were injured. It seemed they had cooperated docilely after seeing the martial artists of the Profound Martial Alliance.

Great wisdom resided in the village. They had good survival instincts.

Even so, they had been fortunate. If Jeong Yeon-shin’s group had arrived even a little later, who knows what might have happened to them.

“For you to care so much about us humble folk… truly, truly grateful we are…”

“Thank you, handsome immortal monk. Amitabha…!”

“How ignorant! Temples aren’t Taoist! It’s that young Taoist from Mount Hua who’s the immortal!”

“I want to hold the hand of that noble young master over there. How did he come to look like that?”

“The temperament of Shanxi people is generally said to be bold… Step back! The martial forces of the Profound Martial Alliance are still around! It would be best to lock your doors and not come out until the sun rises tomorrow!”

Yu Hyeon glanced at Jeong Yeon-shin while pushing the villagers back. He said that his friend and the monk had handled everything.

Though he showed a troubled expression, his gesture of waving people away was resolute.

From a distance, the words “Four Great Vajras” and “Lotus Nezha” could be heard murmured from the lips of the commoners who were craning their necks to peek.

Goon Yu-rin and Jeon Baek had done nothing.

They were from the evil path. The reason Goon Yu-rin had attempted to falsely surrender to the Flying Blood Venerable probably wasn’t based on principle either.

She had a personality that greatly valued her dignity, pride, and face. Her attitude toward the Flying Blood Venerable was the same. It was close to the anger of an heir to a noble family whose pride had been wounded.

She expressed gratitude only to Jeong Yeon-shin. While repeatedly glancing at him with newly shocked eyes.

Goon Yu-rin had now gone to check on the martial forces.

The martial artists of the Profound Martial Alliance.

They had arrived right after the Flying Blood Venerable was taken hostage.

Beyond the thick undergrowth.

They had witnessed their leader being defeated while still alive.

They did not dare approach rashly.

This demonstrated the status that the Three Martial Venerables held within the Profound Martial Alliance, but due to their sheer numbers, even Won Jeok couldn’t act recklessly.

It was a natural situation. The power of one person equaling a thousand is something only the Shaolin abbot possesses.

On a day when large-scale combat erupts, one must accept the consequences for the common people.

Even now, the distinctive presence of the Profound Martial Alliance continued to pour in through the mountains. Like a swarm of ants.

“Amitabha… what should be done with these sentient beings.”

Only the imposing presence of Won Jeok, standing tall, kept the martial forces at bay.

He glanced at Jeong Yeon-shin whenever he had a moment. He seemed to have much to discuss about martial arts.

Krrrr—

The Flying Blood Venerable lay collapsed with one leg bent sideways. He was at the feet of Won Jeok, who stood with his staff planted in the ground. Due to both his arms being completely shattered, he couldn’t support his body.

Jeong Yeon-shin sat down on a spot with fewer stone fragments. This was after he had found and brought back the villagers with Yu Hyeon.

The eyes of the sprawled Flying Blood Venerable followed him rather than Won Jeok, but Jeong Yeon-shin focused only on examining his internal state rather than giving him any attention.

‘I nearly burst my muscles.’

Slowly.

He pulled his right leg up toward his chest.

Swish.

Only after resting his elbow on his knee did the pain arrive. An aching sensation traveled from his ankle ligaments up through his calf muscles, quadriceps, and to his waist.

It was a danger signal. The price for entering the passage of the Vajra Immovable Body Technique with an unhealed body.

‘But.’

He felt good.

It was refreshing enough to say so. He had felt a deep kinship with Won Jeok’s martial arts.

As the technique unfolded with occasional traces of historical forms embedded in it, Jeong Yeon-shin’s senses alone had traced back to the origin of that martial art.

It felt as if he had found a companion.

Even though Bodhidharma was no longer in this world, it was a great comfort.

Like a single oil lamp floating in a cool, dark room.

‘Shaolin’s Seventy-Two Excellent Skills.’

How many of them might be Bodhidharma’s legacy?

Jeong Yeon-shin thought about this while managing his body with the gentle flow of the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique. He wanted to experience them all.

It was then.

Huk—

A faint wind swept up before his eyes. Along with small footsteps. The quiet and free-spirited quality was familiar. The energy waves of Mount Hua’s Secret Plum Blossom.

“What was that movement technique just now? You, you momentarily disappeared.”… It was Yu Hyeon, who had returned from the village.

Jeong Yeon-shin responded somewhat indifferently.

“Your eyes couldn’t follow it. You should diligently train your eye techniques.”

“That’s not what I meant. And you know, if you just state facts like that, you’ll become disliked by your superiors in your sect…”

Yu Hyeon’s mouth movements grew smaller as he frowned and responded. He realized that Radiant Demon Wing Leader was already a superior.

“Are you keeping the Great Violet Pill safe? It might get crushed if you keep it in your bosom.”

“I put it in my travel pack.”

“Don’t talk about such things carelessly outside. Even something like a Violet Exalted Pill could cause bloodshed in the martial world. With so many people coveting it, if you’re careless, you’ll be torn apart immediately.”

“Desolate Fortress’s travel packs are sturdy. All sorts of things fit in there.”

“Yes, yes. As if I don’t have anyone else to worry about except the Lotus Nezha…”

Yu Hyeon brushed the plum blossom embroidery on his sleeve hem. He had a travel pack slung over one shoulder that was different in form from Jeong Yeon-shin’s.

Jeong Yeon-shin knew that the large pouch contained only fasting pills. His friend, despite his somewhat frivolous conduct, was a true Taoist.

“Are you leaving?”

“Yes. I’ve delivered the elixir well, so I’m going back. I thought about touring the martial world with you for a while, but I can’t endure the martial world of Desolate Fortress’s squad leaders yet. Rather than being a burden, it’s better for me to seclude myself for training at Jade Maiden Peak.”

“Burden?”

“I’m just a rising talent. This is the kind of affair that even the Sword Marquis of the Peng family or the Fragrant Master of the Hwangbo family would barely be able to participate in. Let’s catch up when you have time. Time is long, after all.”

“…Yes, let’s do that.”

“Come visit Mount Hua sometime. My master has been wanting to see you.”

“Send my regards to the Plum Blossom Sword Immortal.”

“Take care of your body too. To digest the elixir, you need to manage your internal injuries first. Well, without the Self-Healing Divine Technique, it’s difficult to fully draw out the power of the Great Violet Pill, but still.”

Jeong Yeon-shin nodded silently.

Had seeing the Flying Blood Venerable taking villagers hostage made him talk about being a burden?

The difference in power was enormous. Even if Yu Hyeon had made progress, it was still the same.

If he had entered this battlefield of major factions where the Slaughter Sect, Murong family, and Profound Martial Alliance were entangled, he would have been a hindrance. That seemed to be his reasoning.

Yet his friend’s face showed no particular frustration.

Was it because he was confident that someday he would reach a position to look down on the evil path?

If he took the long view of time, that would certainly happen. Like Lady Lu Xian who had made the sunset her sword.

Yu Hyeon grinned.

“Take care of yourself.”

“Travel safely.”

The hem of his white Taoist robe fluttered carelessly.

That’s how Jeong Yeon-shin’s friend departed.

Before leaving the village outskirts, he also exchanged greetings with Won Jeok, but the renowned elf monk merely offered an indifferent half-palm in return. It was different from how he treated Jeong Yeon-shin.

Goon Yu-rin returned only after an hour had passed. She didn’t seem to care that one-armed Jeon Baek was cautiously following behind her.

She merely carefully examined Jeong Yeon-shin and Won Jeok in turn.

Her footsteps continued toward Jeong Yeon-shin.

Thud.

The snowy ground sank deeply. The strength imbued in her leg movements was different from before. It was as if her body was saying that she had taken control of the martial forces.

Indeed, a massive presence was receding behind Goon Yu-rin’s back.

Whether she had invoked her bloodline as the Profound Martial Alliance Leader’s daughter or employed some inconceivable survival tactic was unknown.

She opened her mouth.

“Where’s the little elephant?”

“Elephant?”

“I apologize. Where’s the young Taoist?”

“He left.”

“So your responsibility has disappeared?”

“I just feel empty.”

Goon Yu-rin’s head tilted slightly to the side at his calm response.

“You’re also skilled in humor? As expected, the current Radiant Demon Wing Leader is truly versatile.”

“What about the martial forces?”

“As you can see, I made them withdraw. Our sect can’t engage in plunder in areas recognized by the imperial sword anyway. I plan to attack the Slaughter Sect with just my subordinates. Will you come with me?”

“Are you sure you know the correct location?”

“Of course. I’ve been preparing for this for years. Several places have been caught in my web. I just interrogated some of those who were driven back, and they said there’s a safe house of the Slaughter Sect in Taiyuan as well.”

“Taiyuan?”

“Yes. It was dark under the lamp. That must be the main branch.”

Her lips had curled up by now.

“Let’s go straight there. If we set Taiyuan as our destination, it won’t take long.”

There was ecstasy in her voice. Were the merits of annihilating the Slaughter Sect and the legacy of the Heavenly Demon’s Tomb that significant?

Jeong Yeon-shin, who had been staring at Goon Yu-rin, parted his lips. They had traveled together for quite some time. There was something he needed to address.

“The sect you belong to is garbage.”

“…That’s too blunt. ‘Evil path’ would be a better term.”

“I know your conduct is far from wicked. But your goal is to sit on the throne of garbage, by removing that young master.”

“That’s correct. I have to do that to survive. Even if I give up my succession rights, it’s a problem. My brother would come to eliminate future troubles, wouldn’t he? He won’t rest until he has my head.”

“If your words aren’t hypocritical.”

The snow at Jeong Yeon-shin’s feet was pushed aside with a crunch. He slowly rose from his seat.

“Then you wouldn’t mind if the Profound Martial Alliance suffered damage equivalent to extermination.”

“……”

After a moment of silence, Goon Yu-rin moistened her lips with her tongue.

“…The imperial court wouldn’t like that. My damned sect is, despite appearances, a major pillar of the northern frontier. The military tolerates the martial forces because there’s nothing that can easily replace them. From the beginning, they’re far from a force that could be exterminated.”

“I asked if you would mind losing the garbage.”

Jeong Yeon-shin interrupted her and quietly asked.

“……”

Amid the faint snowfall, silence swirled. Goon Yu-rin couldn’t answer.

***

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Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

A place very far from Shanxi. A vast and pure white fortress.

It was a place where wood was hard to find.

The walls of the expansive inner fortress were built by carving rocks, and only the trees lining the occasional lakeshores showed signs of life.

It was a place where even passing servants had something extraordinary about them. The energy waves of those coming and going were so outstanding that exaggerated statements were warranted.

“Have you heard? A maid is learning martial arts.”

“A maid who didn’t know martial arts came in? That’s quite unusual.”

“I heard there will be a black rank promotion ceremony… unusually early.”

“Really? Is that from the Administration Office?”… “Quiet. That’s far beyond your reach. Using Radiant Demon Wing Leader’s rise to black rank as an excuse to eat unripe fruit…?”

“There was an explosion at the Wish for Peace One Sword training ground! Let’s go see!”

This was what Desolate Fortress’s main fortress was like. It was always bustling with countless people.

Even as a middle-aged man with a good build led a dozen subordinates across the path, the commotion continued.

Chief Administrator Lin Jin-ming slightly furrowed his brow.

“The squad leaders who have arrived at the stone seat are…”

“Burning Abyss Team Leader, Annihilation Team Leader, and Wish-fulfilling Spring Leader.”

The martial artist in scholarly attire who had quickly moved beside him said. It was Kang Woon-chan, who had previously competed with Desolate Divine Hero for a blue rank promotion.

“It seems Wish-fulfilling Spring Leader has had another episode.”

“That appears to be the case. He doesn’t get along well with Burning Abyss Team Leader.”

“Call the stonemasons. Move extra desks as well.”

“I’ve already given those instructions.”

“I don’t want to go. Just when we’ve received unbelievably good news, to have to bring it out at the Wish for Peace One Sword training ground…”

The Chief Administrator let his words trail off.

He personally held a scroll with elaborate calligraphy inscribed on it.

[Mission Report, Shanxi Situation]

“No, no. This is a weapon to suppress those troublesome pillars.”

The veins on his hand gripping the document subtly bulged. The Chief Administrator slowly muttered. This would be better if it spread quickly.