Chapter 428 – Grandmaster (2)

The righteous martial world is filled with renowned figures.

It could hardly be otherwise. Those who pursue chivalry and the principle of late-blooming mastery are collectively called the White Path of the righteous factions.

Green Jade Sword Manor.

A place that only admits as guests those who have achieved particularly great fame within the White Path’s martial world.

Yet, in the face of the Peng Family Head’s death, even this battleground of esteemed figures was no different from any common marketplace. It was filled with astonishment and shock.

“Even with all the talk of a mirror-like mind and unshakable calm, the Nine Great Sects must have been rarely flustered as well. I can vividly imagine wrinkles forming on the foreheads of those immortal elders.”

Peng Family Blade Marquis spoke.

Her body was in the same state as when she had declared inevitable victory to Jeong Yeon-shin earlier.

Her leg, propped up on the desk in the office, was exceptionally long, and the hand holding dozens of letters was large and covered in calluses.

Across from her, five martial artists knelt in submission.

They were the blade warriors of the Peng Family.

“What are the expected lineups?”

“For the White Rank, Shin So-bin of Desolate Fortress’s Radiant Demon Wing was predicted to participate, but there’s intelligence that she has entered secluded training and is not showing herself. We should consider someone else.”

“…She’s worth preserving. As the top disciple, no less.”

Peng Family Blade Marquis twitched one of her feet.

“They’ll probably only send out White Cat when facing second-generation disciples of the Nine Great Sects. How regrettable would it be if she got injured before then?”

“Wise words, indeed.”

“With so many martial artists belonging to the Lightning Genius Martial Lineage, let’s stop the investigation into the White Rank here. Predictions are pointless at this level. What about the Blue Rank?”

“Blue-Eyed Demon Sword Cheong Myeong, Lazy Flame Dragon of the Hwangbo Clan, and Bewitching Sword Demon Baek Mi-ryeo are the likely candidates. They are masters who will one day aim for Black Rank. In particular, Bewitching Sword Demon is considered a prime candidate to fully inherit the rumored legacy of the Heavenly Demon Tomb in recent gossip.”

“They have many cards to play. Let’s move on from this as well. Unless it’s someone on the level of Palm Pheonix Ju Se-hwa, it’ll be hard to counter them all. Anyway, that monster from Wudang will likely come out against the Black Rank…”

Hwaruk—

All the documents in Peng Family Blade Marquis’s grip burst into flames. The searing energy of the Samadhi Flame reached its peak at an astonishing speed.

As ashes scattered in the air, a gleam of awe appeared in the eyes of the kneeling subordinates.

“And for the Black Rank…”

The leading blade warrior opened his mouth again, but Peng Family Blade Marquis interrupted.

“White Qilin Namgung Hwa-shin?”

“For the Lightning Genius Martial Lineage, there’s no other choice. However…”

“However?”

“The trophy of the newly appointed Purple Rank… The Heaven-Subduing Sword of the Namgung Family isn’t with White Qilin. Based on accounts of what happened at the Jeong Family’s ancestral home, Namgung Hwa-shin had not yet been initiated into Lotus Nezha’s martial arts at that time. If he hasn’t received the Heaven-Subduing Sword, it’s highly likely he hasn’t inherited the Judgment Qilin either.”

“Or perhaps he only received the martial techniques. Performing the sword forms honoring Azure Qilin in front of the White Path’s masses would already be a burden. Would someone with White Qilin’s rebellious nature, having left his family, accept a family heirloom on top of that?”

“Hmm…”

“To begin with, are there other Black Rank warriors in the Lightning Genius Martial Lineage who can be privately mobilized besides Namgung Hwa-shin…? That’s absurd. It would only be possible if there were many suitable candidates for the Mount Hua Agreement among the Divine Sword Squad Leaders. With just one or two, it would be difficult to summon them here in this short time.”

“That is correct.”

Fielding a Black Rank other than Namgung Hwa-shin for the sparring match would imply that the strength of the Lightning Genius faction surpasses that of the Eight Great Families.

That’s not a reasonable assumption. Isn’t this a nascent martial lineage of less than three years? To begin with, supreme masters are the ultimate weapons of a sect, testifying to its history in factional warfare.

“Tailor the body to match Namgung Hwa-shin.”

A cracking sound emanated from Peng Family Blade Marquis’s body as she spoke.

“Even if we defeat Desolate Fortress here, dominating the Mount Hua Agreement is out of reach. So, we must at least greatly uphold the honor of our family.”

Peng Family Blade Marquis muttered under her breath. A pair of blades placed in the corner of the office hummed softly.

For a moment, the dense energy wave that filled the room caused the blade warriors’ bodies to convulse before it dissipated, along with the traces of intelligence reports turned from ashes to dust.

***

The warriors of Desolate Fortress walk the boundary between official and martial worlds. The interstice between high bureaucratic paths and the deep valleys of the martial realm.

Their weapons often break in half, worn down by brutal bloodshed, but the White, Blue, and Black robes they wear each symbolize a noble rank.

A faction both belligerent and refined, the foremost in the martial world. No one under heaven can deny their temperament or status.

Naturally, their dignity is lofty.

Saaa—

A translucent breeze rippled among the fifty warriors gathered in the training ground.

The air made a soft scraping sound as it brushed slowly across the dirt floor. The summer atmosphere was simultaneously bathed in scorching sunlight and waves of internal energy.

“…”

The Desolate Fortress warriors dispatched to Green Jade Sword Manor aligned themselves in formation alongside the masters of Radiant Demon Wing.

Ten across, five deep. Their stance as they stood in place was uniformly straight, like bamboo stalks.

At this moment, the rank of the figure they were about to meet was the pinnacle of Desolate Fortress’s White, Blue, Black, and Purple hierarchy.

Suddenly, the door of the pavilion they were facing creaked open.

Step.

Jeong Yeon-shin descended the steps at the entrance. One pace behind him, Namgung Hwa-shin followed as his escort.

Once, they had taken the Desolate Fortress examination together, aspiring to become White Rank warriors. But now, the hems of their robes swaying with each step were colored twilight purple and pitch black, respectively.

The exhaled breaths of the warriors in formation grew faint. Unconsciously, they lengthened their internal energy breathing. Some even faintly revealed a sense of awe.

For seasoned masters of a great faction, who have long tread the line between life and death, to suddenly acknowledge someone as their supreme commander is no easy feat.

But with Lightning Genius Jeong Yeon-shin, it was different. Even setting aside his monumental achievements and the martial techniques that filled the Heavenly Gold Arsenal, this was the case.

Due to his exceptional age, appearance, and past deeds, he had long been widely respected within the fortress.

It was a reverence akin to cherishing and venerating a grown younger brother. In a different sense from Divine Sword Group Leader Yong Hye-myeong, he could be said to represent Desolate Fortress.

“Have you mastered the Radiant Wing Step…?”

Jeong Yeon-shin, now facing the front of the formation, inquired.

His voice, with its subtle tone, made it hard to discern his intent. Only a few with particularly keen perception detected a hint of uncertainty in his words.

“Azure Sky Squad White Rank, I am Su Liu-xiang. Yes, I have mastered the Radiant Wing Step.”

A woman responded, her white heroic headband tying both her forehead and back hair together.

Falling Ridge Sword Su Liu-xiang. At a tender age, she was recognized as the foremost talent in a village in Fujian Province and rose to Huguang. Later, she made a name for herself under the Azure Sky Squad.

‘A talent and beauty of a thousand years, as they say…’

Su Liu-xiang’s lips twitched as she took in Jeong Yeon-shin’s face in a single glance.

Body-refining techniques often leave visible traces. This is true for both the footwork technique Radiant Wing Step and the movement art Wind Body.

When properly mastered, the balance of the body itself changes, which is inevitably perceived as a significant transformation in the eyes of masters.

Naturally, someone of the newly appointed Purple Rank’s caliber could recognize her Radiant Wing Step at a glance.

Yet Jeong Yeon-shin is the founder of the Lightning Genius Martial Lineage. It’s akin to a living Bodhidharma appearing before Shaolin monks training in the Muscle-Tendon Changing Sutra. How could anyone not feel profound emotion?

‘My achievement isn’t half bad, is it? Enough to be noticed by the new Purple Rank.’

Su Liu-xiang thought to herself.

“Perhaps…”

Jeong Yeon-shin trailed off, glancing at her feet with a somewhat uneasy look.

Su Liu-xiang and the other Desolate Fortress masters knew this was a rare sight. They were well-versed in the deeds of Radiant Demon Wing Leader Lightning Genius.

In her mind, she imagined patting the head of the one who was once the youngest member of Desolate Fortress.

No seasoned warrior at the fortress was unaware of the story of the boy who grew up neglected in the Jeong Family estate of Xinye County, Henan.

“Speak freely, without reservation.”

Su Liu-xiang said, clearly channeling the energy flow from the Yongquan point on her sole to the Yanggu point on her knee, making it vivid.

It was an attempt to elicit praise from the newly appointed Purple Rank, who could only be awkward in dealing with others.

“Is your body… somewhat impaired? I have some effective elixirs that might be of use.”

Jeong Yeon-shin asked cautiously. Su Liu-xiang inwardly marveled at his compassionate demeanor and shook her head.

“I am in perfect condition. Purple Rank, you may deploy me as a candidate for the Mount Hua Agreement sparring at any time.”

“…I see.”

Jeong Yeon-shin nodded. In that moment, Su Liu-xiang sensed in his gesture the unique aura of high monks honing their mind and body at Mount Song.

A mirror-like clarity of mind and a state of detachment. It even evoked the legend of Bodhidharma, said to have sat facing a wall for years.

‘At such an age, how…’

How arduous must his life have been? In Su Liu-xiang’s eyes, where a colorless gleam wavered, the face of the young grandmaster reflected. Jeong Yeon-shin was slowly opening his mouth.

“Learning martial arts only through texts often leads to losing one’s head in real combat. As your superior, may I impart a single lesson?”

“I humbly receive the Purple Rank’s teachings…!”

She raised her voice while kneeling on one knee right there. It was a moment everyone present had longed for.

Originally, secret manuals are akin to annotations to the direct teachings of a master.

The process by which the talents of Desolate Fortress, under the banner of the Lightning Genius Martial Lineage, had shared and advanced their achievements among themselves was, in fact, the exception.

“Starting from the Yongquan point.”

Jeong Yeon-shin’s voice fell. Su Liu-xiang listened intently.

She wasn’t alone. Footwork is the foundation of all martial arts. Every warrior in the arena had to pay close attention.

A quiet, measured explanation flowed out.

“Before reciting the oral formula, imprint a footprint in one corner of your mind as a mental image. In the direction you intend to advance toward your opponent. At this moment, focus not on other subtleties but on a single origin. Just as the gastrocnemius muscle of the knee folds into a single line, condense the propulsive energy wave originating from the Yongquan point into a single long needle, preparing to release it from the ankle. The sense of balance at this time is like anchoring your body at the center of all creation…”

“…?”

“Long needle, release, balance… I’ve simplified it. You all surely understand.”

It was said that Lightning Genius Jeong Yeon-shin becomes gentle like this when dealing with common folk. Su Liu-xiang suddenly realized.

To the newly appointed Purple Rank, concepts like a single origin and the balance of all creation were no different from ordinary terms like long needle or release.

‘I’d need to be at Black Rank to fully grasp this…’

But such realization was secondary.

The new Purple Rank wore a faintly gratified expression. Seeing it up close, it was discernible.

How could she douse cold water on that face? Yet, if time were wasted like this, even if they could handle the Peng Family, it would be hard to increase their chances of victory against the Nine Great Sects, led by Shaolin of North and Wudang of South.

At that moment.

Hweeek—!

A faint sound of wind pierced her ears. Standing behind Jeong Yeon-shin was a one-eyed swordsman of the elf clan. Blue-Eyed Demon Sword Cheong Myeong, who could be considered the deputy leader under Radiant Demon Wing Leader.

With hands clasped behind his head under a hood, he whistled. The secret art of the elf clan, manipulating wind freely, formed a whisper in Su Liu-xiang’s ear.

—I’ll interpret the Leader’s words. He means to forge the propulsive energy wave into a needle-like firmness and lodge it in the ankle. So it bursts in a straight line from the Yongquan point. As for the balance of footwork… it means don’t clumsily lift your sole off the ground; firmly plant yourself on the earth.

A transmission of a different caliber.

It was extremely faint and didn’t even spread waves of internal energy. It was truly a secret technique of a noble clan.

For a Han person to mimic this, wouldn’t they need to reach the realm of Wisdom Light Heart Speech?

“When lifting your foot, ensure the energy waves of the Xuehai and Yanggu points flow and intersect seamlessly. When stepping forward, release all residual energy waves through the Weizhong point behind the knee. During an exchange of blows, the key is determining the exact moment to advance a single step, which you should roughly gauge with instantaneous instinct. By ‘roughly,’ I mean… I’m underestimating you all too much.”

Hweek—!

—He’s saying to roughly draw a triangle around the knee and burst it backward when the moment feels right.

Cheong Myeong’s whistle came at the perfect time. It didn’t interrupt the new Purple Rank’s words and seemed to express admiration for his teachings.

It had an effect.

As evidence, Jeong Yeon-shin’s face showed a subtle mix of satisfaction and embarrassment. As rumored, he treated those who were once his seniors in the Radiant Demon Wing faction with particular kindness.

“It’s nothing special…”

Jeong Yeon-shin muttered softly.

The corners of the mouths of Su Liu-xiang and a few other seasoned fortress warriors twitched intermittently.

Sunlight shimmered translucently like a veil in the center of the training ground, tickling the edges of their lips.

***

The next day.

The day of the life-and-death duels according to the Mount Hua Agreement dawned.

Numerous farmers and beggars leaned against the walls of Green Jade Sword Manor, straining their ears, while errand boys and merchants paused their hawking.

Prominent caravan leaders and escort agency heads seated themselves decorously nearby, accompanied by masters who had mastered the Thousand-Li Hearing Technique.

The conversations they shared were largely the same. There was only one topic.

In the current martial world under heaven.

Which martial lineage is the most exalted?

At this moment, the intangible energy waves filling Green Jade Sword Manor were incredibly dense. They were on a level that could evoke the creation of heaven and earth.

Warriors who lacked the qualifications to enter Green Jade Sword Manor lowered their gazes and took their places scattered across Dengfeng County.

The righteous martial world had gathered at Green Jade Sword Manor.