Chapter 14: Discernment (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 14: Discernment (2)
A dazed expression washed over her face—a look entirely foreign to her usual demeanor.
After all, even outside the Desolate Fortress, Baek Mi-ryeo was a famous expert, renowned as a cold and decisive swordswoman.
"Internal force? The Internal Heavy Hand Technique, you say?"
She didn't flare up right away. Stroking her lips with her long fingers, she fell into silent contemplation.
"That is hard to accept. The Internal Heavy Hand Technique is something any expert who focuses on internal energy would have mastered at least at an introductory level. Do I look like an idiot who doesn't even understand her own true qi?"
I didn't think so before, but now I do.
For once, Jeong Yeon-shin refrained from speaking his mind.
To him, Baek Mi-ryeo's method of circulating qi was soft and subtle, and the speed at which she channeled her true qi was faster than that of the other seniors. However, if she couldn't realize it herself, it was meaningless.
Seeing no reason to prolong the conversation, Jeong Yeon-shin dropped the subject.
"My apologies. I shouldn't have disturbed your peace of mind with useless words."
They simply weren't close enough for him to insist on giving advice at his own expense.
However, his overly nonchalant attitude seemed to provoke Baek Mi-ryeo instead. Her smooth brow furrowed.
Any expert with extensive experience in the martial world was bound to be skilled in psychological warfare.
Realizing she had read the underlying dismissal behind his shift in attitude, Jeong Yeon-shin spoke slowly.
"I will take my leave now."
"...Very well. I'm sorry. And thank you."
Leaving her behind, he headed toward the Small Training Ground. If she refused to accept his insight, so be it.
Judging by her apology and gratitude, she didn't seem like the petty type. But if she did hold a grudge for some absurd reason, her character would be no better than his brothers back at the Jeong Family Manor.
There was no reason to waste mental energy on such a person.
Since entering the Desolate Fortress, his martial arts had been improving by leaps and bounds every single day; he was just waiting for his chance to achieve merit.
Let's start by training the successive links of the Accumulating Grinding Power.
With that thought, Jeong Yeon-shin completely pushed Baek Mi-ryeo out of his mind.
* * *
"Unit Commander."
"Speak."
"Did you happen to tell Flash Art about the origin of my martial arts?"
"What kind of crazy talk is that? Do you think that makes any sense?"
Inside the Demonlight Wing pavilion, Ma Jin frowned. His released energy formed a barrier that blocked out all sound from the outside.
Sitting across from him, Baek Mi-ryeo wore a dead-serious expression.
"Then how did he..."
"I see what happened," Ma Jin said, cutting off her murmur.
"He must have seen right through the martial arts you've been tinkering with. Flash Art... that kid is special. His talent is rare even if you search the entire martial world. There are occasionally such anomalies in this world. The Brightfolk, the Ironfolk, and the absolute masters who vie for the title of the world's strongest. Flash Art simply possesses an incomprehensible talent of that caliber."
"..."
"The Sun Lotus Sword Enchantress, Baek Mi-ryeo, secretly training in the lost Heavenly Demon Divine Art alone? That is no reason to keep your distance from Flash Art. He is, without a doubt, the future of the Desolate Fortress. I don't know what those who haven't seen him in action might think, but there is absolutely no reason to dismiss his words as the advice of an amateur. I've never even heard of such talent."
"I know that too."
"If there's anything to worry about, it would be his character. Conveniently, a minor mission has come down. It's something a single Blue Rank could handle, so a party of two Blue Ranks and two newly debuted White Ranks shouldn't be bad. Go and observe how Flash Art crosses the line between life and death alongside his comrades. See if he is a man of integrity."
"If his character is sound, are you suggesting I should even discuss the Heavenly Demon Divine Art with him?"
"Your self-study has its limits. And I don't have the time. If we're talking strictly about mastering the Divine Art, seeking Flash Art's help is the right move. He is fundamentally different. He tailors everything to fit himself perfectly. He has the makings of a Grandmaster."
"A Grandmaster...!" Her eyes widened.
Ma Jin calmly continued.
"You don't need to worry about orthodoxy. Flash Art is someone who will forge his own unique martial lineage. You can tell just by looking at his Demonlight Formula. I've never seen anyone master it the way he did."
"That was indeed surprising."
"Surprising? His talent cannot be described by such a simple word. What's more, the boy actually enjoys martial arts."
"Mmh...!" Baek Mi-ryeo let out a low groan.
Ma Jin declared firmly, "Within five years, the Commander of the Demonlight Wing will be Flash Art. Go and observe the character of the man who will one day be your superior."
* * *
The next day.
Jeong Yeon-shin was summoned to the Great Training Ground along with Heonwon Chang.
There were only three people waiting in the spacious area: Baek Mi-ryeo—with whom things had become slightly awkward—Cheong-myeong, and Ma Jin.
"It's a mission."
At Ma Jin's blunt words, the Divine Hero of the Desolate Fortress trembled with excitement.
"Finally, out into the martial world...!"
"Don't get ahead of yourself. You might end up dying a dog's death in the Jianghu."
"Ah, yes, sir!"
"Baek Mi-ryeo, Cheong-myeong, Jeong Yeon-shin, and Heonwon Chang. The four of you will go. This involves the Blood Flame Cult. You must steel your resolve before leaving the Desolate Fortress," Ma Jin said.
The moment the Blood Flame Cult was mentioned, Jeong Yeon-shin's eyes darkened. A burning manor, blood dripping from the threshold, red robes, and red hair...
He spoke slowly. "Are you saying we are going with only two Blue Ranks and two White Ranks for a matter involving the Thirteen Heavens?"
"It would be best to hear the background first. Strictly speaking, this is not a matter concerning the main headquarters of the Blood Flame Cult. We don't even know where that is."
Ma Jin's explanation was not very long.
"You must know that the famine is not limited to the lands of Huguang."
While the Jeong Family Manor's Xinye was relatively fine, the broader region of Nanyang was different. It was said that arable land was shrinking across the entirety of Henan Province. According to Ma Jin, Shaanxi Province was facing the same plight.
"A few years ago, starving peasants looted the manor of a local wealthy landlord due to a poor harvest. They didn't just take the grain; the landlord's family was brutally driven out. Recently, it seems the eldest son of that manor has returned, and his hair has reportedly turned red. He wears crimson martial robes."
"He joined the Blood Flame Cult...!" Heonwon Chang muttered, his voice sounding like a groan.
The Blood Flame Cult was particularly shunned, even among the Thirteen Heavens of the Wicked Way. There were many rumors, but the claim that they mass-produced martial artists among their cultists through a bloody power bordering on both sorcery and martial arts was widely accepted as fact.
"Like other demonic arts, the eldest son of that manor seems to have quickly mastered the Blood Art of the Blood Flame Cult. He has settled in the village, which has since recovered its productivity, and periodically slaughters their livestock and ruins their crops."
"Ruins their crops?" Cheong-myeong muttered from beneath his hood.
This man is of the Brightfolk, Jeong Yeon-shin thought.
"Does he only target livestock and crops?"
"Yes. Cruelly enough, he doesn't slaughter everything at once or dig up the seeds. He waits for them to grow, then repeats the same deed."
"Isn't that practically the work of a great hero? That doesn't sound like the Blood Flame Cultists I know," Heonwon Chang said, his eyes wide. He looked as if he had never heard of such a thing in his life.
"A great hero? Are you serious?"
At Ma Jin's question, the Divine Hero of the Desolate Fortress immediately shrank back. Baek Mi-ryeo looked at him with a pathetic expression.
Ma Jin spoke again. "It is Zhenping County in southern Shaanxi. Originally, the Shaanxi Branch could have handled it... but recently, there was an incident where the Mount Hua Sect's spirit medicine was stolen, and it seems to be escalating into an issue involving the entire Shaanxi martial world. Since they lack the manpower, they asked the main fortress to take care of this."
"The Mount Hua Sect had their spirit medicine stolen? Could it be the Purple Grace Pill, which is said to rival Shaolin's Great Restoration Pill?" Heonwon Chang asked, his eyes wide with shock.
"That's why there's such an uproar. That case might also be handed over to the main fortress soon. For now, focus on the mission at hand."
"Yes, sir!" he answered vigorously.
All kinds of affairs from the martial world were flowing in. Even the calm Jeong Yeon-shin could clearly feel that he was now directly stepping into the Jianghu, so it was easy to imagine what the Divine Hero of the Desolate Fortress must be feeling.
Ma Jin also seemed concerned about that aspect.
The hot-bloodedness of a newcomer to the Jianghu was a dangerous thing. When youth, martial arts, and a sense of belonging to the Desolate Fortress combined, anything could happen.
"Cheong-myeong. Baek Mi-ryeo. Keep a close eye on the White Ranks. Make sure they return safely."
"Yes."
"I will do my best."
The contrast between Baek Mi-ryeo's indifferent expression and Cheong-myeong's bright smile was stark.
Jeong Yeon-shin quietly gripped his sword hilt, recalling the murderous demons of the Hegemon Sword Sect and the Blood Flame Cult. He still did not know why they had attacked the Jeong Family Manor.
But it didn't matter anymore. The annihilation had already occurred, and that bloody tragedy had forced even an outcast of the Jeong family to harbor a sword in his heart.
If he met them, he would kill them.
Keep your heads securely on your shoulders. I will sever them.
He stroked his sword hilt.
* * *
The four companions immediately left Xiangyang on horseback and headed rapidly northwest.
It was a forced march at a speed that completely shut the mouth of Heonwon Chang, who had seemingly been looking forward to a leisurely sightseeing tour of the Jianghu.
This was how missions for the Desolate Fortress were always carried out. They could freely use the post stations across the Central Plains, and they were capable of riding horses for long periods by using the power of their true qi.
No leisure was permitted.
However, since there was no direct post station route from Huguang to Shaanxi, they had to travel while conserving the horses' stamina. They reached Zhenping County from Xiangyang in ten days.
"Ughhh..."
While the County Magistrate governing Zhenping County welcomed them, Heonwon Chang dismounted weakly. It seemed to be a mental issue rather than a physical one. Baek Mi-ryeo clicked her tongue.
"You probably can't even imagine what happens when a martial artist actually utilizes the post station routes."
"..."
Glancing at Heonwon Chang, whose face had turned pale, Jeong Yeon-shin turned his gaze to the County Magistrate.
He doesn't look like he's starving.
They had said the Blood Flame Cultist was sweeping away all their food. The County Magistrate's round face lacked a healthy glow, but otherwise showed no signs of deprivation.
However, his expression upon seeing them was a mix of relief and irritation.
"How long has it been since I sent the courier, and you only arrive now? How frustrating!"
"......?"
"Now that you're here, dismount quickly! I was going to show you respect as the swords of the Great Ming Empire, but to think you would take your sweet time like this! Can you even catch that man in the first place? With just the few of you?"
"What is this?" Jeong Yeon-shin asked Cheong-myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo.
Their expressions, seemingly accustomed to this, even showed a hint of boredom.
Tapping the back of his hood, Cheong-myeong spoke slowly. "There are some clueless fools among government officials. They tend to think of the Desolate Fortress as their personal broom. Only when it's their first time dealing with us, of course. There are so many counties in the Central Plains, and many of these officials have never even laid eyes on a real martial artist."
"W-What! You insolent wretch! How dare you be so rude!"
"May I seal his Mute Acupoint?"
"Sure. Let's get this over with and go."
"What nonsense are you—!"
Before Cheong-myeong could even finish speaking, the official's voice cut off. Jeong Yeon-shin's hand, infused with true qi, pressed the point between the spine and the skull.
Jeong Yeon-shin, who was taller than the official, looked down at him with indifferent eyes.
"We do not take orders from you."
Sweat beaded on the official's forehead. Leaving behind the trembling man, Jeong Yeon-shin turned around. Cheong-myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo were looking at him with pleased expressions. Suddenly, he felt a bit embarrassed.
"Young Lord Jeong, you even know Acupoint Sealing? Good heavens," Heonwon Chang marveled.
Acupoint Sealing was a technique of precisely stimulating another person's acupoints with a hand infused with true qi. It was not a martial art that every Jianghu dweller could perform, but for Jeong Yeon-shin, who had mastered the human body through the Jeong Family Dynamic Art, it was a natural skill.
"I've been thinking this for a while, but it's getting harder to address you as 'Young Lord.' From now on, I shall call you Young Hero. Young Hero Jeong!"
"Do as you wish, Divine Hero of the Desolate Fortress."
Even at the light joke, the corners of the Divine Hero's mouth curled up to his ears.
As they tied their horses in the government office's stable and walked down, Cheong-myeong slung an arm around Jeong Yeon-shin's shoulder.
"You know the saying 'Non-Interference between Government and Martial World,' right? In fact, we are martial artists who are far freer from the government than others. The Imperial Family permitted it. It's perfectly fine to suppress fools who think we are wearing shackles. That's the kind of sect the Desolate Fortress is."
"Sealing his Mute Acupoint is a rather gentle hand, isn't it?" Heonwon Chang chimed in.
"Even so, you must not overdo it," said Baek Mi-ryeo, who was walking alongside them. Then she added quietly, "But you did well there."
"Yes."
The time he had spent traveling with Baek Mi-ryeo to Zhenping County had been reasonably long. Moreover, her current encouragement seemed to dissolve much of the lingering awkwardness.
After a brief smile, Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly narrowed his eyes.
"Over there, below the village."
"Hmm?"
"A Blood Flame Cultist."
Before he could even finish his sentence, he kicked off the ground and began to sprint.