Chapter 101: The Flash Art Lineage
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 101: The Flash Art Lineage
The party set out on the road, preparing to go their separate ways.
Seven days and nights had passed since Jeong Yeon-shin concluded his long yet fleeting private audience with the Commander of the Divine Sword Corps. Soon, they would arrive at Wuchang.
This was the city where they had agreed to part ways with the Divine Sword Squad, home to the final post station before the Desolate Fortress.
"Isn't this return journey a bit too peaceful? Not a single bastard has shown their face. I've been bracing for an ambush since before we even crossed into Southern Zhili."
At Yeon So-ha's remark, the other experts of the Divine Sword Squad chimed in one after another.
"True. You'd think those Jianghu bastards would assume at least one of them would be severely wounded right after a duel between our Commander and the Namgung Clan Head."
"I don't know about 'peaceful.' Back in Clear Night Valley, we ran into the Blood Flame Cult, the Deep Martial Alliance, Lingering Spirit, and even the Martial Dragon Association. We crossed paths with four major factions—how can you call that easy?"
"Exactly. Under normal circumstances, they would have clashed with us head-on. That is, if our Commander hadn't put on such an overwhelming show of force. Though those insidious bastards from Lingering Spirit probably would have just watched from the sidelines anyway."
"If they were reckless enough to attack even after sensing the Commander's aura, they wouldn't have waited for the duel to end in the first place. Besides, most peerless experts capable of challenging the Purple Rank are tied down by the complex power dynamics of the Central Plains."
"In any case," Ak Su-rim chimed in with a beaming smile. "It's all thanks to Flash Art. He managed to help the Commander circulate his qi and heal his injuries amidst all that chaos. Thanks to him, our journey back has been a breeze."
She reached out. Since Ak Su-rim was shorter than Jeong Yeon-shin, she had to raise her hand high, looking as though she were about to pat the boy's head.
When Jeong Yeon-shin subtly shifted his stance to avoid her, she let out an amused chuckle and patted his back instead.
"You're like a cat. 'Black Cat' suits you far better than 'Flash Art.'"
It wasn't a remark that required an answer.
If her hand so much as touches my head, she'll realize. Senior Ak definitely would, the boy thought.
She would discover his short-life syndrome and the truth of the Jeong Family Manor of Xinye County.
He had been worried when explaining his circumstances to the Commander of the Divine Sword Corps. Beyond being a peerless expert, the Commander was an esteemed senior of the Purple Rank.
There was no telling how he would take the news, but throughout Jeong Yeon-shin's explanation, the Commander's expression hadn't wavered once.
Even his usual frivolous demeanor had vanished in that moment.
—So, you mean to say you intend to push me out?
Only his parting words had been playful. The Commander's reaction had been extraordinary in its own way.
—Two Purple Rank experts in the Divine Sword Corps. Just thinking about it makes my heart flutter. Try and climb up here.
He had even added that once Yeon-shin proved himself worthy, he would gladly spar with him.
These were the words of the world-renowned Commander of the Divine Sword Corps. At present, it was a goal Yeon-shin didn't even dare to fathom.
Jeong Yeon-shin had internally felt like he was merely reciting a pathetic family history, so he was surprised to feel his heart soften at that single remark.
Was it because the Commander had treated him—a junior so far beneath him—with such genuine sincerity?
"My internal injuries are much better, too. It was well worth spending all seven days and nights focusing on healing," the Commander of the Divine Sword Corps joked. Meeting Jeong Yeon-shin's gaze, he winked. The boy quietly averted his eyes.
"It's the main gate of Wuchang!" Yeon So-ha shouted.
Ak Su-rim chimed in, "The inspection looks quite strict, doesn't it? Public sentiment must be poor due to the bad harvest."
"Our Deputy Unit Commander should stop slacking off at the main fortress and return to her unit. Immediately, that is," the Commander said, feigning a stern glare. Despite his lower seniority in the Jianghu compared to Ak Su-rim, she merely chuckled at his words.
"I don't know. I was thinking of lining up the 17th Unit Commanders and tightening discipline for the first time in a while. I wonder if the Commander of the Demonlight Wing is at the main fortress?"
She brushed a lock of hair behind her ear and glanced at Jeong Yeon-shin, her face full of mischief.
The experts of the Divine Sword Squad chatted among themselves, their expressions showing they were well-accustomed to this banter.
"I wonder what happened to the Elder Council Head? Why hasn't he caught up with us yet?"
"How can you worry about a peerless expert of the Purple Rank? Unless two or more leaders of the Nine Sects or the Thirteen Heavens banded together to ambush him, there is almost nothing in this world that could harm him. His martial prowess has already reached the absolute realm."
"Your hypothetical scenario is absurd. The leaders of the Nine Sects and the Thirteen Heavens? It's not as if the most noble figures in the martial world wander around like common village dogs."
"What do you think, Lord Ma?"
"...The Elder Council Head? Though his character may seem lax, he is not the type to die in some ditch in the Jianghu. Your concern is an insult to him."
Perhaps because their parting was drawing near, the experts of the Divine Sword Squad grew more talkative. None of them seemed genuinely worried about the Elder Council Head. Their trust in the martial prowess of a Purple Rank expert was absolute.
"It's really time to part ways now, isn't it?"
"Flash Art, you've truly broadened my horizons. Your sect-exclusive martial arts are incredibly creative."
"Indeed. Everything from your fist and palm techniques to your swordplay was exceptional."
Many patted Jeong Yeon-shin's shoulder just as Ak Su-rim had done. These were the experts of the Divine Sword Squad of the Divine Sword Corps.
Right now, they didn't seem like the notoriously prideful figures they were known to be in the Jianghu.
Was it because they had bonded over the past week after witnessing his duel with the Azure Qilin, Namgung Se-jin?
This is good. One day, I must bring them under my command.
The boy harbored a thought that anyone else would deem insanely audacious.
Yet, in the end, the experts of the Divine Sword Squad did not bring up recruiting him. Jeong Yeon-shin understood why.
It was because he was not yet an expert they desperately needed.
The world of the Blue Rank in the Desolate Fortress was simply that vast.
Still, once I assimilate the insights I gained this time...
What would happen if he wove the Jeong Family Dynamic Art into the inner cultivation method he was about to create, and even improved the true qi circulation of his Brilliant River?
He envisioned reaching a level where he could be discussed alongside Cheong-myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo as the absolute strongest of the Blue Rank. When he met the Divine Sword Squad again, he would show them a completely different side of himself.
"It was quite enjoyable."
"Deputy Unit Commander, you must come back right away."
"And Elder Ma, do try to keep your temper in check."
Their parting well-wishes were lighthearted. Their seemingly casual temperaments were fully backed by their formidable martial power.
"Let's go, let's go."
Ak Su-rim decided to return with Jeong Yeon-shin and Ma Yeon-jeok for the time being. As the Deputy Unit Commander of the Divine Sword Squad, she still had to complete her mission report.
"Your palm techniques are good, but don't neglect your swordplay too much. It's a sword art with plenty of room for growth."
The Commander of the Divine Sword Corps substituted his farewell with a piece of advice. These were the heavy words of a peerless expert who had demonstrated a light sword of true qi.
Jeong Yeon-shin bowed his head and clasped his hands in gratitude.
"May fortune favor your path."
As soon as he spoke, a cheerful laugh rang out. A moment later, a refreshing reply drifted back on a gust of wind.
"You're the only bastard who wishes me luck."
Whoosh!
When he raised his head again, the entire Divine Sword Squad had already vanished into the distance using their lightness skills.
Nearly twenty shadows dashed forward, blotting out the sunlight across the endlessly vast horizon. The Commander's back was already out of sight.
"Let us go," Ma Yeon-jeok said. It was time to return.
* * *
It was the day before Jeong Yeon-shin set out for his duel with the Namgung Clan.
The sunlight was bright.
The Gold-Piercing Martial Library of the Desolate Fortress was virtually a fortress within the main fortress.
It rose elegantly, constructed with pure white stone walls. To an outsider, it would be hard to believe it was merely a library.
This was where the martial arts manuals of the Desolate Fortress were kept.
It was known as a comprehensive compendium of martial studies, established with the support of the imperial family to provide foundational skills.
It also housed the sect-exclusive martial arts donated by the warriors of the main fortress.
But what kind of martial arts library uses marble walls? This was a thought first-time visitors usually had.
Normally, such thoughts would clearly show on one's face, but the boy who entered now maintained an utterly calm expression.
Step.
The scholar in charge of the Gold-Piercing Martial Library recognized him immediately. When the library received the unprecedented manual for the Demon-Quelling Azure Steel Hand, he had even been required to report it directly to the imperial family.
Rarely had he poured so much of his heart into the calligraphy of a written report.
"Young Hero Flash Art."
"Scholar Oh."
The boy returned Scholar Oh's clasped-hand greeting. It was a neat, refined gesture.
The scholar thought to himself that the boy, who had been making quite a name for himself lately, seemed to suit the scent of paper in this place perfectly.
Perhaps it was the books tucked under Jeong Yeon-shin's arm that made him seem even more scholarly.
What would he have been like had he walked a path other than that of a warrior? Shaking off the sudden stray thought, the scholar asked,
"And what do you have there?"
"I wish to donate these to the main fortress. They are my sect-exclusive martial arts. I would also like to request an evaluation of their merit," Flash Art Jeong Yeon-shin said. His demeanor was entirely businesslike, stating his purpose without any real expectation.
Even a street vendor selling cheap sweets wouldn't pitch their wares so half-heartedly.
The scholar, who had been forced to receive an imperial decree because of the Demon-Quelling Azure Steel Hand, shuddered inwardly.
That entire affair had been handled in absolute secrecy so the Jianghu sects wouldn't catch wind of it.
A dharma power martial art.
He had been incredibly frustrated because, despite all the invisible chaos it had stirred up, the actual merit awarded to the boy in the end had been meager.
Enrich the country, strengthen the military. It was deemed a martial art that did not align with the banner of Zhang Juzheng, who had served as the Grand Secretary of the Ming imperial family.
They claimed it was because the martial art was too abstruse for anyone else to learn. It was impossible to tell whether that final decision had come from the Desolate Fortress Chief Steward's Office or the imperial family itself.
I hope things go smoothly this time, he silently prayed as he took the books from the boy's hands.
Just then, Jeong Yeon-shin spoke up.
"Scholar Oh, you are skilled in speed-reading, are you not? May I wait until you have estimated their approximate value? I must set out on a mission soon, so I will have to leave without receiving the results otherwise."
The evaluation of donated martial arts was conducted from various angles.
Before passing a manual through the senior scholars of the Chief Steward's Office to the higher-ups—which included several Black Rank Unit Commanders—they first had to organize the martial art's efficacy, training methods, and difficulty of mastery.
Drafting the outline of this report was the primary duty of the Gold-Piercing Martial Library's scholar.
Naturally, the scholar had studied martial arts himself. He took pride in having a discerning eye no worse than most Blue Rank experts. That was precisely why he had been appointed to this position.
"A mission tomorrow... Since I have nothing else pressing today, I will examine them thoroughly and quickly."
The scholar picked up one of the books. The title immediately caught his eye.
Infinite Flower of Time Fist.
The cover, with Infinite Flower of Time Fist scribbled across it, was incredibly simple. It looked as though the boy had just grabbed some spare paper from the Chief Steward's Office and bound it haphazardly.
Amused by the clumsy binding, the scholar turned the page.
"..."
And fell silent.
Gradually, he sank into a deep, heavy silence.
Infinite Flower of Time Fist, Radiant Wing Step, Scripture of Initial Overcoming, Radiant Brilliance Sword Style...
The pages of the four martial arts manuals were turned one after another. In the quiet room, only the soft rustling of paper echoed.
This continued until he had read every single book containing the martial arts mnemonics.
"Mmh..."
He let out a low groan and raised his head. His eyes were bloodshot, and pure astonishment flashed in his gaze as he stared at Jeong Yeon-shin.
His expression alone was enough to fill the brief silence.
The scholar slowly opened his mouth.
"...As you know, the donation of a sect-exclusive martial art is converted into merit based on the fortress's independent standards. We evaluate its value based on how much it can universally strengthen the forces of the fortress's warriors. We do not usually rely on the standards of supreme experts, but if I may dare to evaluate Young Hero Flash Art's martial arts this time..."
* * *
Suddenly, the scholar snapped out of his reminiscence.
"Excuse me, I have something to ask."
The voice was laced with irritation and anxiety.
Sitting at the entrance of the vast library, the scholar, who was grinding ink at a desk equipped with the four treasures of the study, let out a heavy sigh.
He could guess their exact business without hearing another word. There had already been over a dozen such people today alone. The scholar furrowed his brow.
"The Flash Art Lineage has been transferred to the upper floors of this library," he said. It was a line he had already repeated a dozen times.
Today of all days.
The scholar of the Desolate Fortress Chief Steward's Office rubbed his tired eyes. He had been dealing with demanding warriors all day long, even though the position of a scribe at the Gold-Piercing Martial Library was never meant to be like this.
"That young hero is the problem," he muttered like a sigh.
It was a monologue that scattered fruitlessly into the air along with his exhaustion.
The young man dressed in plain cotton clothes paid no heed to his muttering. His voice grew louder, his face flushing with anger.
"Transferred? What do you mean transferred?! What kind of disastrous news is this?"
"It is a decision made by the Chief Steward's Office. It is no longer open to just anyone. You must at least obtain the official White Rank to view it. High-level martial arts have always been treated this way. It is the Grand Steward's intention to inspire motivation..."
"What on earth...! I was born and raised in the Desolate Fortress! Are you saying a warrior who hasn't earned the white robe isn't even human?!"
"Official assignment to the 17th Unit of the Divine Sword Corps begins with White-Ranked Warriors. You know this well, do you not? If you are so dissatisfied, why not take the Desolate Fortress Entrance Exam?" the scholar replied half-heartedly. He had no choice but to be blunt. This wasn't the first or second time this had happened today.
It was a massive incident revolving around the Gold-Piercing Martial Library.
The aftermath of transferring the Flash Art Lineage was immense. The scholar cursed inwardly.
Damn it.
And now, with the news of the boy's stunning victory in the duel against the Namgung Clan having just arrived...
The Desolate Fortress was in utter turmoil.