Chapter 263
Chapter 263
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 263
Chapter Title: Jade Kirin Ilgwang
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Jade Kirin Ilgwang.
One of the three great later generation talents of the world, he was a masterpiece that the current Wudang Sect had poured all its heart and soul into crafting—a true jade among stones.
An unexpected visit.
He had heard from the Military Strategist that Jade Kirin Ilgwang was currently busy recruiting members for his detachment.
Yet, despite that busy schedule, he had come all the way here himself.
There must be some purpose behind it.
As Cheonhwi stared piercingly at him.
"Greetings."
Just then, Jade Kirin Ilgwang raised his head.
With his refreshing features and robust build, he wore a smile on his lips.
Regardless of anything else, his smiling appearance suited the moniker Jade Kirin perfectly.
Cheonhwi spoke up.
"What brings you all the way here?"
It was a direct question.
Better to just ask outright than beat around the bush.
Jade Kirin Ilgwang hadn't expected such a straightforward query right after their greeting. A flicker of surprise crossed his face before he quickly composed himself.
"I came to see the face of Doh, who has become the leader of the detachment alongside me."
Jade Kirin Ilgwang answered refreshingly.
"As fellow detachment leaders, wouldn't it be better to get acquainted sooner rather than later?"
He spoke with goodwill.
From now on, they would be comrades fighting together in the all-out war against the Evil-Black Alliance.
Judging that building rapport couldn't hurt, he had carved out time to visit.
However, he had overlooked one thing.
He had come without properly gauging the person he was addressing—Cheonhwi.
"Well, you've seen my face now, so we're done here."
Cheonhwi replied indifferently.
Get friendly?
He had no such intentions from the start.
"You can head out now. I'm about to start recruiting, so I'm a bit busy."
At Cheonhwi's curt words, a look of bewilderment colored Jade Kirin Ilgwang's face. It was treatment he had never received before.
He was always welcomed wherever he went, yet here he was being turned away at the door.
The atmosphere is quite different from the rumors.
Jade Kirin Ilgwang narrowed his eyes.
He was a man whose name rang in his ears incessantly.
The savior of Xiyu.
The divine figure of the martial world who routed the Bandit King.
And recently, the one his sect had insisted needed to be watched.
Plum Blossom Divine Knight...
As he gazed at Cheonhwi, his eyes deepened endlessly, gleaming with a crystalline light.
He examined him meticulously to gauge his depths, but he couldn't fathom him at all.
Even though he was right there in front of him, it was pitch black, like peering into an abyss.
...I can't read him.
Jade Kirin Ilgwang shook his head.
"Haha, you're quite reserved."
Drawing his own conclusion, Jade Kirin Ilgwang smiled and politely cupped his fists.
"Then, until we meet again."
Without waiting for Cheonhwi's response, he retreated.
My purpose is achieved anyway.
Convinced that seeing the much-rumored Cheonhwi in person was enough, he promptly left the hall.
Meanwhile, Cheonhwi watched Jade Kirin Ilgwang depart.
His martial prowess is impressive, though.
His gaze pierced through Jade Kirin Ilgwang.
The subtle energy emanating from his entire body was intense and sharp, proving he wasn't called Jade Kirin for nothing.
Especially the depth of his internal energy.
It was as if the Wudang Sect had fed him every spiritual elixir they had; its depth was immeasurably vast and profound.
Even greater than that Heavenly Dragon guy.
Even Jeokgal Myeong of the Jeokgal family, another of the three great later generation talents, paled in comparison to Jade Kirin Ilgwang's internal energy.
He's surpassed the level of a later generation talent.
The energy and presence he subtly exuded had already transcended the framework of a later generation talent.
But that was all.
His head is full of flowers.
Cheonhwi inwardly grumbled, finding him exasperating.
The Wudang Sect must have cherished him dearly, for he was endlessly pure and innocent.
It might be a fine temperament in peacetime, but in the current situation, it was the worst possible.
The martial world was a forest of blades where life and death danced on a knife's edge.
One could lose their life not just to weapons, but to a three-inch tongue or deceit.
Yet a leader who was pure?
What could be more terrifying?
Soaked in peace.
As Cheonhwi clicked his tongue in disapproval.
"Hm?"
He sensed presences approaching from outside.
This time, it wasn't just one.
Dozens at least—many presences.
Cheonhwi's gaze turned to the main gate.
Dust suddenly billowed at the gate Jade Kirin Ilgwang had already exited through.
And moments later, dozens of people came rushing over the threshold, jostling one another.
"Please pick me!"
"This lowly one!"
* * *
Moments later, the front of the hall was packed with people.
"More than I expected."
Cheonhwi looked out the wide-open main gate at the endlessly lining queue.
The line was so long its end was nowhere in sight.
"Let's see."
Cheonhwi surveyed the gathered crowd.
Most of those queued up were later generation talents wearing unfamiliar uniforms.
Young experts who hadn't yet taken high positions in their sects seemed undaunted by challenging for such a detachment.
Around first-rate, roughly?
Cheonhwi gauged their skills with a glance.
He stroked his chin.
Their skills didn't satisfy him.
But there was no helping it.
The top later generation talents from each sect would already be in the Three Realms Four Emperors or holding key positions.
Still, there are a few usable ones.
Cheonhwi's eyes caught a few individuals.
Not just riffraff had gathered; some had standout presences.
Almost none from the Nine Great Sects.
As expected.
Those from the Nine Great Sects actually had weaker, fainter presences than the other martial artists.
The few that caught his eye were.
Beggars' Sect, Zhongnan, and that one over there.
Cheonhwi's gaze sequentially locked onto three people.
A beggar in ragged sackcloth who openly declared himself from the Beggars' Sect, a young Taoist from Zhongnan Sect standing beside him quietly lost in thought.
And a Qingcheng Sect Taoist radiating a somber aura from his entire body.
Some among the rest too.
As he observed the queued applicants for a while, some began to stir restlessly.
"When does it start?"
"I hope it's soon."
They were getting anxious.
And rightly so—they had heard Jade Kirin Ilgwang's detachment had already filled most spots, leaving them uneasy.
"We have to pass this..."
"I've staked everything on this."
Resolve gleamed in their eyes.
The vanguard detachment.
It was undoubtedly perilous, but the rewards matched.
Watching these people from various sects burn with fervor, a smile played on Cheonhwi's lips.
And soon, he parted his lips.
"Welcome."
A calm voice flowed out.
But the listeners' faces filled with admiration and shock.
It was because the voice had burrowed into everyone's minds like a whisper in their ear.
Incredible internal energy control!
The rumors aren't exaggerated...!
Good choice picking Plum Blossom Divine Knight over Jade Kirin!
As everyone trembled in rapture at Cheonhwi's casual display.
"It's great that you've come to join the detachment, but there's one rule you must keep."
The moment Cheonhwi finished speaking, everyone swallowed dryly.
Their eyes questioned why he was dragging it out—what could it be?
Cheonhwi grinned and continued.
"You must follow my orders, no matter what they are. Even if it means charging into fire. If you can't, leave right now."
The tension dissolved instantly.
"Phew, thought it was something big."
"That's nothing..."
They exchanged smiles.
It was the vanguard, after all.
Of course they'd have to endure that much.
"Hm, then I'll assume you're all agreed. If you refuse an order..."
Cheonhwi paused and half-closed his eyes.
"...be prepared then."
Everyone's hearts sank.
As some began second-guessing their choice.
"You two up front, come here."
Cheonhwi crooked his finger immediately.
The two young men at the front of the gate rushed forward eagerly.
They tensed as they faced Cheonhwi.
This is the Plum Blossom Divine Knight...
The one who routed the Bandit King.
The two inwardly exclaimed in awe.
Cheonhwi appeared dazzling in their eyes.
He looked about their age, yet he had defeated the peerless Bandit King—how could they not be amazed?
In the hushed atmosphere.
"Hm? What's this? No introductions?"
Cheonhwi tossed out casually.
The two startled, straightened rigidly, and shouted loudly.
"Ga Go-jeong of the Ga Yeong Sect!"
"Na Jung-hwan of the Song Mu Sect!"
Cheonhwi gazed steadily at the two bellowing their announcements.
Under that gaze, they flinched, imagining all sorts of tests while tensing up.
How long did he stare?
Cheonhwi smiled at them.
"You're out. Both of you, leave."
At the sudden declaration, the two stood dumbfounded before reacting belatedly.
"O-out?!"
"W-what do you mean?!"
Cheonhwi scratched his ear lazily, gesturing for them to go as their faces flushed red with yells.
"Out means out. Scram."
At Cheonhwi's words, Ga Go-jeong gritted his teeth, eyes trembling.
"What's the reason?"
"My whim."
"What?!"
"Is that even a reason?!"
Cheonhwi dismissed nonchalantly as they nearly exploded.
"If you don't like it, be the leader yourself."
"......"
Ga Go-jeong was speechless.
Moments later, he trembled.
"Fine!"
Gnashing his teeth, he turned.
"The rumors were nonsense. I rushed here before Jade Kirin Ilgwang's group thinking the Plum Blossom Divine Knight was something special, only to get this treatment."
He shouted for all to hear as he left.
"You'll regret this later!"
Cheonhwi waved him off as he cursed to the end.
"Got it, so hurry up and go."
"......Urgh!"
As Ga Go-jeong kicked the ground in frustration.
"Great hero."
Na Jung-hwan, still not giving up, called out calmly.
"Is that really the only reason I'm out?"
"Yep."
"......"
Na Jung-hwan's brow furrowed instantly.
He too had come drawn by the Plum Blossom Divine Knight's fame, and this treatment soured his mood.
"I'm disappointed."
Face stiff, he turned away.
But Cheonhwi couldn't care less.
Instead, he looked back at the queue and crooked his finger again.
"Next two."
Everyone flinched at his words.
"What if there are pre-selected people?"
"Maybe they've already picked some?"
Some muttered suspicions.
And why not? No tests or talks—just instant rejection.
Amid the shaken crowd.
"Amitabha. If I may, could this monk go first?"
"I'll go."
Bold figures stepped forward.
They were from the Nine Great Sects.
A Shaolin monk and a Zhongnan Taoist strode confidently before Cheonhwi.
"Amitabha. Ho Yeong of Shaolin."
"Go Gung of Zhongnan."
Cheonhwi swept his gaze over the two who proudly stated their names.
Then he smiled immediately.
As they grew confident of passing at that smile.
"Out."
Cheonhwi dropped words like a thunderbolt from a clear sky.
"What...?!"
"O-out?!"
Cheonhwi impassively regarded the disbelieving pair.
"Did you think I'd pick based on background?"
Ho Yeong and Go Gung startled, as if that's exactly what they thought.
But Go Gung quickly regained composure and pressed urgently.
"Then why reject us?"
"Why? Why do you think?"
Cheonhwi sneered at the still-dazed pair.
"You don't sit right with me."