Chapter 163: Commander of the Demonlight Wing (6)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 163: Commander of the Demonlight Wing (6)
Duels continued day after day at the Rhyme-Fragrance Court. Many came, hoping to forge a connection with the Commander of the Demonlight Wing through the sword.
Word was quietly spreading throughout the Alliance's massive headquarters. They said the young unit commander from the Desolate Fortress was offering guidance.
Voices drifted in from just outside the door.
"Interesting things are happening even before the sect founding ceremony. I heard a rumor that the Namgung Clan came to see the White Qilin, and those people heading out to greet Zhongnan's Sword Dragon are quite a sight as well."
"All sorts of people from the Jianghu have gathered here, after all. Still, a Black Rank from the Desolate Fortress certainly stands out, even among such talents."
"I heard it from the Lord of the Verdant Overflow Sect. He said he gained a spark of enlightenment from just a single duel… I don't get it. Why would an expert from the Desolate Fortress bestow teachings upon the warriors of our Alliance? If he's doing it intentionally, he’s not some extremist—he’s a Great Hero."
"Isn't he far too young to be called a Great Hero?"
"If you're going to say that, then why are you lingering out here?"
Jeong Yeon-shin thought to himself, Neither side understands the other's intentions.
There's no need to listen any further.
He stopped the rotation of the halo within his heart. As he withdrew his true qi, his hearing dulled once more.
The Martial World Alliance couldn't have been completely ignorant of Jeong Yeon-shin. His public record alone gave them plenty of reason to be puzzled.
As the Flash Art, Jeong Yeon-shin had always achieved feats far beyond what his rank suggested. He had consistently slain opponents who should have been impossible for him to defeat.
His slaying of an elder from the Hegemon Sword Sect while still a White Rank was the most prominent example.
The Eight-Fanged Rakshasa Sword.
It had happened after he repeatedly faced the experts of the Zhongnan Sect. He had been exhausted to the point of showing early signs of qi deviation.
At that time, Jeong Yeon-shin had analyzed the Eight-Fanged Rakshasa Sword's habits, the shockwaves from his strikes, and the trajectory of his sword path to prepare a single counter.
It was a gamble. If the Rakshasa Sword had used a different stance, Jeong Yeon-shin would have been the one to fall.
It was an achievement impossible to ignore.
The leadership of the Martial World Alliance must be on guard. Yet, they aren't stopping their experts from challenging me…
Perhaps they had weighed the pros and cons and decided the gains were greater.
That was exactly the situation now. The majority was focused on the Commander of the Demonlight Wing.
Jeong Yeon-shin, on the other hand, only crossed swords with each of them once.
Compared to the information the Martial World Alliance was exposing, what Jeong Yeon-shin obtained was shallow. It was like being subjected to a wheel battle.
This is different from the Azure Qilin. Which way is correct?
—I heard you are skilled at deciphering and shattering sword stances. That you unravel them well and break them well. Therefore, I do not intend to show you my sword moves beforehand.
Those were the words of the Azure Qilin, Namgung Se-jin.
He was an extraordinary man. He had even confirmed that the Beggar Sect had been watching the battle between the Zhongnan Sect and the Hegemon Sword Sect.
He did this after hearing the news that Jeong Yeon-shin had decapitated the Hegemon Sword Sect's Eight-Fanged Rakshasa Sword on the spot.
Once the Desolate Fortress's Flash Art was set as his younger sister's opponent, Namgung Se-jin had bought information from the beggars of the Beggar Sect.
Azure Qilin. Perhaps you were right.
The Namgung Young Master had reached his own conclusion using the information his clan had gathered: one must never show their martial arts to the Flash Art.
"Move."
Jeong Yeon-shin pushed the Lazy Flame Dragon aside and sat on the artificial hill. Shoved away, the bewildered Nameless Disciple muttered with a dumbfounded expression.
"I wonder what it'd be like to be a Blue Rank. Is this what ambition feels like?"
Grumbling, the Lazy Flame Dragon stepped away from the lakeshore and crossed to the other side.
Stepping into the garden, he interlaced his fingers behind his head. He looked every bit the idler, utterly relaxed.
"Our young commander is far too detached. The Desolate Fortress is fine, but a tyrannical sect would have been a perfect fit for you."
"Earn some merits, and I'll treat you differently."
The boy said, lightly tapping his heel against the base of the artificial hill as he stared quietly at the front gate.
Just as the Lazy Flame Dragon had said, his expression was indifferent.
Creating the Compendium of Crushing the Righteous and modifying sword techniques was one thing. However, this Rhyme-Fragrance Court was a residence situated right in the middle of enemy territory.
He could not completely overlook the Alliance's intentions.
"Splendid."
The Lazy Flame Dragon, who had been staring blankly at Jeong Yeon-shin, chuckled. His hands were still clasped behind his head.
"I suppose this sorrowful subordinate of yours had better go take a look around the Alliance. It seems our unit commander is curious about what the higher-ups are plotting."
"You'll handle the scouting?"
"To be honest, I'll be better at it than Hwa-shin, who went out first. The Orthodox Factions are just places where people live, too. Unless they're from the Nine Sects, those bastards love to drink and play. Whether it's a lavish banquet where they let their guard down, a war of nerves over side dishes, or a drunken sword dance. And…"
The Lazy Flame Dragon's smirk widened.
"When it comes to the Lazy Flame Dragon of the Hwangbo Clan, I was quite famous in Jinan as the Flower Playboy…"
Jeong Yeon-shin pondered for a moment. Do I really have to listen to this nonsense?
Just then.
The side door next to the main gate opened. A man in neat green robes closed the door behind him, walked over with brisk steps, and held out a letter.
It was a servant from the Rhyme-Fragrance Court, assigned to them by the Martial World Alliance, who had gone out to fetch ingredients.
As a commoner born and raised in Hanzhong, he had only learned the Three Talents Mental Method promulgated by the Imperial Family.
"Unit Commander, a message has arrived."
"A message? From where?"
Jeong Yeon-shin hopped down from the rock, took the letter, unfolded it, and asked.
"It is from the Moyong Clan. Young Master Moyong Myeong-jun asked for it to be delivered," the servant replied politely.
The Lazy Flame Dragon approached and glanced at the letter from over the boy's shoulder. Jeong Yeon-shin didn't mind.
A brief silence fell as they scanned the writing together. Soon, the corner of the Lazy Flame Dragon's mouth twitched.
"An invitation. They're trying to keep us in check before the sect founding ceremony. Will you accept?"
"I need to gather information, too. We won't get another chance for warriors from our main fortress to get this deep inside."
"So it's a commander's duty. Let's go together."
* * *
Creak.
The elegant double doors swung open. Jeong Yeon-shin, the Lazy Flame Dragon, and Heonwon Chang stepped into a banquet hall filled with orange lanterns.
It was an evening not long before the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The night breeze was refreshing, but the heat from the crowd was anything but. The collective aura of the dozens of people inside was immense.
"Was I wrong?"
The Lazy Flame Dragon's earlier words were correct. The interior was luxurious. Many young warriors were eating and drinking.
Their vitality was brighter than the lantern light, overflowing with life.
The stone ornaments and the landscape paintings on the walls looked priceless at a glance. It was a pavilion built entirely for banquets.
However, the hall's greatest decoration was the Alliance warriors themselves.
The very air around them spoke of outstanding skill. Their profound demeanor was blended with youthful vigor.
The martial scions of prestigious families. It was a banquet of splendor and elegance.
They inquired after each other's sects and discussed martial arts. Some could be seen testing each other's intentions with pointed words.
Others exchanged glances with members of the opposite sex who had caught their eye.
Step.
The hem of Jeong Yeon-shin's pitch-black trousers moved. A single step. His quiet footstep carried a strange power.
The Law-Transcending Halo Qi was the true qi of a spiritual divine art, bestowing an immense presence upon its wielder. Though he had stepped forward without any specific intent, a hush fell over the room.
Only then did their gazes turn to him.
"..."
The aura of a supreme expert. Even without seeking attention, it commanded silence.
The character 'Hwang' on his forearm gleamed gold under the lantern light. His jet-black robe looked like the formal attire of a Beijing noble.
His temperament and appearance were a major part of it, as was his pitch-black hair, which fell to his shoulders and swayed gently.
It possessed a healthy sheen, and he radiated a confidence suited for even bare-handed combat. No one could deny it.
How many experts in this banquet hall could penetrate the Sword Sphere of a Desolate Fortress Black Rank and grab his hair?
"The character 'Hwang' and a Black Rank… Did someone invite the Commander of the Demonlight Wing?"
"Who on earth would do that?"
Only a few uttered such questions. Most of the gazes turning toward Jeong Yeon-shin were calm.
The Lazy Flame Dragon had mentioned keeping them in check. The schemes of martial artists were, by nature, rough and crude.
Those with no intention of participating simply hadn't come.
Taoist Yu-hyeon of the Mount Hua Sect was also nowhere to be seen. It seemed the ban on leaving imposed by his sect elders had not yet been lifted.
Jeong Yeon-shin thought of it as poetic justice.
I wonder what Yu-hyeon thinks of this.
While the crowd stared blankly at the lone boy, a swordsman in pink martial robes approached.
He was a young man with handsome features.
"Commander of the Demonlight Wing."
He smiled faintly and clasped his hands in greeting.
"I did not expect you to accept the invitation. Please, enjoy yourself."
His words and demeanor were strangely grating, as if to say, You actually came? A few people began to whisper.
Some frowned in a corner, but the majority did not. Jeong Yeon-shin felt a hostility akin to a territorial display.
What are they whispering… the Azure Qilin? I see. It's because of the Namgung Young Master's popularity.
The name Namgung Se-jin reached his ears several times. They were questioning whether such a young boy truly possessed that level of martial prowess.
Lowering his clasped hands, Moyong Myeong-jun spoke again.
"The desire to invite you came to me rather late, so there was insufficient time to widely announce your presence to our comrades. It is due to my own foolishness. I am truly sorry."
"Moyong Young Master?" Jeong Yeon-shin asked.
Moyong Myeong-jun nodded slowly. "I am Moyong Myeong-jun. The young master of the Moyong Clan."
The boy smiled faintly.
"I see. Thank you for the invitation."
It was informal, the way one might speak to an inferior. In an instant, Moyong Myeong-jun's sharp eyebrows furrowed. He failed to maintain the welcoming air of a host.
The Moyong Clan were like local royalty in Liaoning. He was not in a position to receive words of appreciation from a boy far younger than himself.
"Is there a problem?" the boy asked calmly.
Internally, Jeong Yeon-shin was the one who found it puzzling. Does he really intend to gauge my character at a banquet like this? Is he so foolish as to think the Commander of the Demonlight Wing would speak respectfully to him?
The young master of a clan I know is a terrifying and deeply calculating man.
Namgung Se-jin's face came to mind. The Lazy Flame Dragon's was a bonus.
"You're completely transparent, Moyong brat."
The 'bonus' standing right next to him laughed languidly.
"There's no way a Black Rank representing the Desolate Fortress would speak respectfully to a mere rising star. Shouldn't a martial artist show respect with the sword? Our unit commander is a master in that regard. If you have a problem, request a duel. You'll see some spectacular etiquette. If you want to earn the Commander of the Demonlight Wing's respect with your babbling, you might as well shatter your own dantian and become a commoner."
Judging by his words and actions, he seemed to have fully embraced his role as a warrior of the Desolate Fortress. Jeong Yeon-shin shook his head and lightly nudged the Lazy Flame Dragon.
When Jeong Yeon-shin indicated he would enjoy himself on his own, Moyong Myeong-jun nodded silently.
He looked as though he had been on the verge of snapping at the Lazy Flame Dragon. The boy brought the confrontation to a close and sat down at a corner table.
The banquet resumed.
Moyong Myeong-jun, who was the first to pour and receive a cup of wine, excused himself and walked away.
The Lazy Flame Dragon watched his polite departure alongside Jeong Yeon-shin before leaving as well. He mentioned there were people he knew from his days as the young master of the Hwangbo Clan.
He'd be lucky not to end up begging for poppies, considering he barely has a few silver coins left, Jeong Yeon-shin thought.
Only Heonwon Chang remained, picking up the jade teapot. He poured water for Jeong Yeon-shin, who did not drink alcohol.
"Sangmyeong Sword Moyong Myeong-jun. I heard he acts like a scholar, no less than someone from the Jegal Clan, but in reality, he is closer to a merchant. A merchant's disposition beneath a scholar's skin. They say he's also quite skilled with the sword. There's a saying: if you keep him close, keep him within arm's reach; if you keep him away, it's best not to even look at him."
Their table was conspicuously empty.
The banquet hall was incredibly spacious, spanning over forty zhang in diameter. The empty seats stood out all the more.
The two paid no heed to the numerous glances directed at them from afar. They simply shared their cups in silence.
I can see them quite well, Jeong Yeon-shin thought, openly observing the warriors of the Martial World Alliance.
There was no lofty elder-level figure present. This meant none of them could completely conceal their true qi.
Just from the aura brushing against his skin, he could analyze the characteristics of the true qi they cultivated.
The occasional pain in Jeong Yeon-shin's knees had grown significantly worse lately. In turn, the function of his upper dantian had grown stronger.
It was enough to analyze the traits of the internal power waves possessed by the Alliance's warriors.
Thus, when he devised a counter-shockwave in his mind, it instantly became a new entry for the Compendium of Crushing the Righteous.
"That one over there. The fellow wearing the yellow hero's headband."
"That would be a loafer from the Jinju Eon Family."
Whenever Jeong Yeon-shin asked about someone's identity, Heonwon Chang answered immediately.
The Hero of the Desolate Fortress had memorized all the portrait books kept in their fortress. He knew the identities of every martial family figure who paid tribute to the government.
About fifteen minutes passed like this.
Suddenly, a slender shadow fell over the table. Long, braided hair caught his eye first. Jeong Yeon-shin raised his head.
Their eyes met. A woman with incredibly dark eyes wore a smooth smile.
"I am Ak Ye-rim of the Shandong Ak Clan."
"Jeong Yeon-shin, Commander of the Demonlight Wing."
"I understand you witnessed the Azure Qilin's final moments. I was his fiancée."
Her red lips parted. No goodwill could be seen in her eyes. Her intentions were clear from her direct words.
"The man I knew was a hypocrite. He was too busy covering up his family's shame with his seemingly righteous demeanor."
"..."
"I am curious to know what you think, Young Hero. As a lofty warrior who shared a Life-and-Death Duel with him, you must have sensed Namgung Se-jin's true character more deeply than anyone."
Ak Ye-rim whispered. Her approach was baffling.
Brief as his time had been, Jeong Yeon-shin had experienced the Jianghu intensely. He knew this novice was trying to deceive him.
He noticed it from the twitch of her lips and the beating of her heart. It was unnatural.
The boy suddenly thought, What are these amateurs trying to pull?
"You."
The young Commander of the Demonlight Wing spoke slowly.
"You speak of the Azure Qilin far too lightly."
Emotion laced his words—a rare occurrence.
"You are tarnishing his dignity."
A single sword rose within the boy's heart.