Chapter 426 –  Martial Lineage (7)

The hazy moonlight seeps into the silence.

The banquet hall, lined with rows of precious lanterns.

It had been quiet from the moment the Peng Family Head stepped in, but with the appearance of Desolate Fortress’s Purple Rank, an icy stillness descended. No one spoke.

To Jeong Yeon-shin, it didn’t matter either way.

The presence of these crowds, supposedly renowned in the righteous martial world, meant less to him than the years he had spent training Shin So-bin.

—How did you do that? What kind of footwork is it?

—As my achievement rises, energy manipulation becomes incredibly fast. What mindset did you have when creating it? Squad Leader, you don’t even go to the bathroom since you’ve reached the Greater Heavenly Circulation, right? Huh? Even if you go on missions, please teach me this! I’m just joking!

Jeong Yeon-shin was taller than the Peng Family Head. From his position, he could clearly see the hair falling beside Shin So-bin’s ear as her neck was gripped by that large hand.

True to her nature as a martial artist under the aggressive Radiant Demon Wing, she wasn’t trembling, but she would instantly lose her life if the Peng Family Head desired it.

‘B*st*rd.’

Blue lightning flashed in his eyes. It was the divine light of the Lowly Relevation Technique, rising with intense anger.

At this moment, what reflected in Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes was the back of a middle-aged man wearing an elaborate yellow robe that reached his ankles. But what actually flickered in his vision was the Peng Family Head’s aura, emanating hundreds of layers of colorless concentric circles.

Incredibly dense. Unmatched by anyone else in this banquet hall.

He was not an opponent to be taken lightly. A careless moment might lead to death from a killing strike that penetrated several layers of defenses.

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t care about this fact as he reached for the back of the Peng Family Head’s neck.

In that instant, the formula of the Eternal Blossom Fist flowed like lightning through his arm, and his right hand advanced, racing against the pouring moonlight.

Space split for a moment like a swamp.

Swoosh.

The Peng Family Head’s nape fit comfortably in his grasp.

… It felt like grasping an invisible barrier of water. It must be the protective energy technique of the Peng Family’s secret arts. The sensation of fluctuating energy felt extremely unpleasant.

“…!”

A startled reaction penetrated through his hand.

It wasn’t just the Peng Family Head. The shock of the monkeys filling the banquet hall tickled his skin.

Sharp intakes of breath shattered the silence, and in that brief moment, everyone poured out all kinds of words, confusing Jeong Yeon-shin’s ears.

“Desolate Fortress… Purple Rank?”

“What’s happening right now?”

“We must aid the Family Head…!”

“Stop! Don’t you lack both justification and standing!”

Jeong Yeon-shin silently ground his foot.

Boom!

A translucent shockwave spread in a circle. The tables and wine cups shook violently from the heavy vibration, along with the chaotically rising dust.

The crowd fell silent. In contrast, Jeong Yeon-shin slowly parted his lips.

“Noisy.”

It wasn’t venting anger. He was merely reminding them of the dignity of the Purple Rank.

He knew they had done no particular wrong.

How many people in the world could restrain one of the Eight Family Heads? Excluding the leaders of the great sects, they would be extremely few.

Therefore, all that was permitted to these pebbles of the martial world was to watch as Radiant Demon Wing’s Shin So-bin, who had sincerely inherited the techniques of Desolate Fortress’s Lightning Genius, was subdued by this character called the Peng Family Head.

‘Specks of Dust.’

Jeong Yeon-shin lowered his gaze slightly.

A blue blade was touching his side. Just by looking at the wave pattern engraved on the blade’s surface, he could guess the identity of the weapon.

It was the Peng Family Head’s exclusive weapon, the Majestic Soaring Divine Blade, infamous throughout the martial world.

The Peng Family Head had drawn it lightning-fast and placed it against Jeong Yeon-shin as soon as Jeong had extended his Grappling Technique.

The posture of holding the blade’s handle in reverse without even looking back.

It exuded the aura of a master.

“…I know you well.”

A thick voice flowed out.

“Blood of the Tyrant Hero… As I heard, your temperament is explosive.”

The Peng Family Head said. In that moment, the night air rippled finely. It was due to the energy waves emanating from his voice.

His achievement in qi-infused speech that adds weight even to trivial talk was profound. It befitted the head of a martial clan who often had to appear before crowds.

But Jeong Yeon-shin’s expression remained unchanged. There was no reason to be anxious about words so far from the truth.

What mattered more was the behavior of the one who still refused to release Shin So-bin’s neck.

“Peng Family Head, you seem to mistake this place for the territory of the Peng clan.”

Jeong Yeon-shin moved his lips slowly.

“Is this a declaration of war against the main fortress?”

Words that could only be uttered by someone who fully represented Desolate Fortress. But now, the robe he wore was no longer black.

“Your words are excessive. This hardly warrants mention of a sect war.”

The absolute ruler of the Peng Family spoke. His voice seemed to be coaxing. Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t even snort.

“Peng Family Head, let go.”

“Why don’t you withdraw your hand first? Despite your high position, you shouldn’t disregard seniority like this. Strictly speaking, you’ve received favor from our family.”

“Favor?”

“You must know that our family contributed to your promotion to Purple Rank.”

There was no wavering in his voice. He truly seemed to think so.

A tone suggesting that if something is given, something must be returned. Here stood the head of one of the Eight Families, who was equivalent to royalty in their own territory.

The Peng Family Head moved only his chin while keeping his back to Jeong Yeon-shin.

“Anyway, things have turned unfortunate.”

“It would be better not to speak further.”

“Though I could have ignored the whistle blowing from Huguang… if it weren’t for a variable like you, it would certainly have been so. Truly regrettable.”

The Peng Family Head said. The whistle from Huguang. It refers to the whistling that symbolizes the Divine Sword Group Leader, Yong Hye-myeong. It was a provocation.

“You’re accumulating bad karma with your mouth.”

Jeong Yeon-shin’s response was calm. Since the moment he saw the enemy holding Shin So-bin’s lifeline, the crown of his head had turned white.

Rather, it was the surrounding crowd that repeatedly showed signs of shock at his words. The revered Eight Family Head was hearing abusive language.

But the Peng Family Head himself only moved his mouth calmly.

“Let’s both let go on the count of two. I stake the honor of my family.”

It was a proposal that couldn’t be refused at first. Because it wasn’t about Jeong Yeon-shin himself, but the life of the top disciple of the Lightning Genius Martial Lineage.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

Lazy Flame Dragon and Hyeon Won-chang stood about twenty paces away from their squad leader.

They were properly caught in the energy waves emitted by the powerful figures, yet at a distance where they could jump in if necessary.

“That robe… the color is the same as the Divine Sword Group Leader’s?”

“To my eyes as well, it appears purple. Orange, purple, crimson… even the material that appears as different colors depending on the viewing angle is the same. It’s quite mysterious…”

“Hmph.”

“Yes, finally…!”

Hyeon Won-chang raised his tightly clenched fist.

Lazy Flame Dragon, who had rarely let out a low exclamation, was silent for a moment. Then he quietly caressed a half-drawn flower from his chest.

The opium poppy, as a short-lived plant, lives at most two years. Jeong Yeon-shin had donned the purple robe just as the flower seed, born with his initiation, was about to wither.

“So it’s… possible.”

Lazy Flame Dragon murmured.

But for now, that was the limit of the reaction that Hyeon Won-chang and Lazy Flame Dragon could show.

They watched with long exhalations as Shin So-bin was freed from the Peng Family Head’s hand.

Then, as if his interest in her had faded, they witnessed the Peng Family Head turning to face Jeong Yeon-shin.

The two supreme masters face each other.

The atmosphere was explosive. The air seemed to be stretched taut.

The first to speak was the Peng Family Head.

“Let’s end it here today. This is nominally a sect sparring conference. We should maintain proper etiquette, shouldn’t we? The matchups haven’t even been announced yet.”

“The first duel will be between Desolate Fortress and the Peng Family. I was on my way back after confirming this.”

Jeong Yeon-shin answered with a cold voice.

Lazy Flame Dragon and Hyeon Won-chang sensed an unprecedented rigidity in their squad leader. It was the righteous anger that a head of a family would harbor.

“Ah.”

The Peng Family Head smiles.

“Yes, you were the origin of all this. Someone I must definitely kill later. But there is a proper order to undertakings. Our family is not yet prepared, so as the family head, I request a formal duel at the scheduled time. As for the disrespect shown to Desolate Fortress’s martial artist… as the Peng Family Head, I deeply apologize.”

He avoids immediate conflict.

Many are watching.

With this much formality, it becomes difficult to force a fight unreasonably. The conduct shown by the Peng Family Head overwhelmed Jeong Yeon-shin’s firm spirit.

Meanwhile, the Peng Family Head’s eyes were ceaselessly scanning Jeong Yeon-shin’s entire body. Colorless divine light left faint streaks of light here and there following his gaze.

“That…”

Lazy Flame Dragon was once the young master of the Hwangbo Family. This means he knows the ways of the martial world. He immediately realized what kind of trick the Peng Family Head was playing.

“He plans to delay the duel as much as possible to use the Heavenly Indian Yoga Technique.”

“Heavenly Indian Yoga Technique?”

Hyeon Won-chang questioned, while casually patting Shin So-bin’s shoulder as she returned to them. The three didn’t bother exchanging words like “Are you okay?” or “I’m fine.”

Lazy Flame Dragon folded his arms alone.

“The Peng Family has changed greatly since the previous family head, the Ghost Cry Hegemon King. Thanks to the Yoga Divine Skill, a type of Bone Shrinking Technique. They can change their bodies at will. They’ve become strange creatures who can freely extend or contract their acupoints, muscles, arms, and legs to match their opponents.”

“So that is…?”

“Since he’s seen our squad leader up close, he wants to extract full value before leaving. In the formal duel, he’ll appear with a body composition that’s the natural enemy of our squad leader’s physique. Even I, as a former young master, can’t guess what that might be…”

“So he’s trying to buy time and avoid this immediate confrontation?”

Hyeon Won-chang furrowed his brow. In that brief moment, he had grasped the Peng Family Head’s intentions.

Using the divine eye technique unique to supreme masters to examine Jeong Yeon-shin’s body, then avoiding immediate combat to prepare for a life-and-death duel.

It was naturally the behavior of a martial clan that pursues the benefits and practical advantages for their lineage.

Lethal intent.

He intends to kill Jeong Yeon-shin for certain.

Not right now, but after reconstructing the Yoga Divine Skill with all the resources of the Peng Family.

“It’s time for a tongue to intervene.”

The Great Hero of Desolate Fortress stepped forward. It had been a while since he had loosened his tongue. Ma Gwang-ik, the Great Snow Sword, was skilled in such situations.

At that moment.

“What’s your mother’s name?”

“What?”

“Is it Peng Ye-ran, the Ghost Cry Hegemon King? The criminal who murdered Obeying Heaven Wing Leader of the main fortress.”

Jeong Yeon-shin asks quietly, looking down at the Peng Family Head with his somewhat sharp impression, holding a large blade in reverse with one hand.

For the first time, an expression crossed the Peng Family Head’s face.

“Sichuan, Flower Shadow King… Golden Wing Sect… you couldn’t possibly be…”

“Her swordsmanship was refined.”

Jeong Yeon-shin’s words were brief. But the impact of those words struck the venue with tremendous force. The audience, who had been holding their breath, stirred greatly.

Hyeon Won-chang returned to his place with his mouth open. And after taking in the two supreme masters with his eyes, he suddenly recalled the Divine Sword Group Leader and the Namgung Family Head facing each other like this once.

The one-match duel that had been constantly discussed by gossipmongers after the sparring between Desolate Fortress and the Namgung Family.

“You, b*st*rd.”

The Peng Family Head was different from the Namgung Family Head at that time.

Perhaps because he had repeatedly endured abusive language that the head of a major clan would find difficult to bear? His face, which seemed to have lost some composure, was noticeable.

“Come.”

Jeong Yeon-shin said as he drew a sword that looked very unfamiliar to Hyeon Won-chang’s eyes. A white, elongated sword light flickered in the night air.

And then the bodies of the two supreme masters disappeared.

Boom!

Hyeon Won-chang still hadn’t released the seventy percent restriction. He couldn’t properly capture the two people who had become faint, scattering afterimages.

—!

The aftermath of the collision arrived before the sound. An indescribably tremendous pressure poured down.

Amidst the feeling of being pressed from all directions, a sandstorm rose like a tsunami and engulfed the audience.

Hyeon Won-chang barely endured by adhering his feet to the ground with the principle of the Thousand Catties Weight.

Beside him, Shin So-bin was striking the air with the Eternal Blossom Fist. It was to neutralize the energy waves left by the supreme masters’ strikes.

[Forest Blade Defies Sealing God.]

It was the Peng Family Head’s voice. The intention residing in his upper energy center flowed out through a cloud-like dense energy.

A phenomenon impossible without the Unity of Spirit and Energy. For a moment, the night sky lit up brightly, then returned to darkness.

In contrast, Jeong Yeon-shin’s voice was not heard.

A single breath seemed to stretch into eternity. It was difficult to breathe.

But soon, Hyeon Won-chang suddenly exhaled a large breath. He also raised his lowered eyebrows, which had been forced down by the sandstorm raging like hidden weapons.

Was it truly a one-move duel?

In the center of the banquet hall.

Jeong Yeon-shin stood firmly, looking down.

In a posture of lowering his tightly held sword to his toes. Blood flowed freely along the sword’s edge as if his grip had been completely torn, but he was clearly standing.

His opponent was different.

The head of the Peng clan, with ties to the imperial court. The respected seat of the Eight Family Heads that the entire martial world looked up to.

The left half of his body had been completely blown away. It was impossible to guess what kind of sword strike he had received.

Just lying there with eyes wide open. His face showed anger, fighting spirit, and a sense of defeat. Judging by his distorted mouth, he seemed to have anticipated his complete defeat at the end.

“……”

No one dared to stir. This was despite the fact that only those with widespread fame in the martial world had entered the Green Jade Sword Manor.

At this moment, only one person had the qualification to speak.

“I, Jeong Yeon-shin of the Jeong Family, the initiator of this Mount Hua Agreement life-and-death duel, hereby announce the result of the duel.”

Jeong Yeon-shin shook the Remaining Thunder sharply downward. Bright red blood dripped down, and faint moonlight settled upon it.

“The Peng Family has been defeated once.”

He certifies alone and announces himself.

The Purple Rank of Desolate Fortress.

The crowd remained silent before the death of the Eight Family Head, witnessed by all.