Chapter 187: Ties of Fate (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 187: Ties of Fate (2)
“……”
Jeong Yeon-shin stood in silence. The blood staining his body was too unsightly to keep displaying before the crowd.
He stared down at Miss Ye, who kept her head bowed as she wiped his abdomen. Her face was hidden beneath her cascading ebony hair.
She had called him the "only one." Her tone had been peculiar, leaving much room for interpretation. Even without realizing it himself, Flash Art, Commander of the Demonlight Wing, had become an extraordinary figure.
The youngest Black Rank expert of the Desolate Fortress. The one who shattered the peerless sword form, Dark Fragrance Floating Flower. The boy who raised the Desolate Fortress banner in the very heart of the Martial World Alliance. The warrior currently on an unbroken winning streak in the Sect Founding Ceremony... He had already accomplished so much here in Hanzhong alone.
They said his fame was spreading like wildfire. It was only natural.
Yet, Miss Ye's words carried something more. He could sense a certain reverence.
It was something the boy perceived with absolute clarity.
His Baihui point, which had expanded alongside his growing limbs, had recently begun to catch fleeting glimpses of human emotions.
At this moment, the goodwill penetrating the sensory path of his upper Dantian was truly boundless.
It felt as if a sweet confection were melting inside his mind. Was there someone else, besides Perfected Heavenly Pillar, who had read the intent imbued within Jeong Yeon-shin's sword forms?
Swish.
The plain cotton towel wiped away the blood clinging to his abdominal muscles. Her slender wrists moved with the utmost care, and her cloth-wrapped fingertips gently brushed against the boy's abs.
It was an incredibly delicate gesture. Even if she were merely performing the duty of a high-born lady wiping down an esteemed guest, her touch was exceptionally tender.
'The Ye family. Her childhood name was Ye Ha-rin, if I recall.'
He held no grudges or debts of gratitude toward this person. Her words and conduct were exactly as they appeared. She was a transparent individual.
She showed no hesitation in expressing her goodwill, and whatever her inner thoughts might be, she possessed a heart that reached all the way to his upper Dantian.
He had met the outstanding Seon-ryong, Jegal Hyeon. He had also faced the spotlessly clear eyes of Gongson Min.
It was no longer easy to harbor prejudice against someone just because they belonged to the Alliance. Even Perfected Heavenly Pillar was striving to guide the Martial World Alliance with a fair and righteous cause.
The boy slowly parted his lips.
“Thank you.”
“…That's the second time I've heard that from you. Is this really possible? I feel a bit strange.”
Her breath hitched for a moment, and a faint, gentle laughter laced her quiet voice. She was certainly a peculiar person.
The first time must have been after he met the Yeongcheon Sword Ghost, Baek Seo-gun. She had once detailed Namgung Hwa-shin's circumstances to him.
Perfected Heavenly Pillar, who had been quietly watching the two, spoke up.
“I shall see you later. I will send word.”
“Yes, Perfected One.”
“I hope you are the one to claim the Great Restoration Pill. The noble families must not win. Nor should Eon Hwa-ryeon consume the Great Restoration Pill. If it is you, it is possible.”
Leaving behind those words of encouragement, he stepped down from the duel stage. His strides felt robust and powerful. He still harbored an immense amount of internal energy.
It was likely the endurance unique to orthodox martial arts. Mount Hua's spirit was so grand and unobstructed that it could even mask internal injuries.
Only by surpassing that realm would he be able to reach the purple rank.
Jeong Yeon-shin stared at the back of the Sword Absolute before lowering his gaze. Miss Ye's hair filled his vision with black.
She was wiping down his external obliques. It was taking a long time. Perhaps it was because the residual force of the Dark Fragrance Floating Flower had seeped into his wounds.
“That should be enough. My opponent is waiting.”
“……Ah, yes.”
Miss Ye's hand slowly pulled away. The sensation of her palm, then her fingers, and finally her fingertips leaving his skin lingered.
Her small head slowly lifted. The piece of cotton cloth in her hand was stained crimson. It was Jeong Yeon-shin's blood.
There was no heavy bleeding. Thanks to the Jeong Family Dynamic Art, he had stopped the bleeding immediately. The boy had sealed his own acupoints without even using his fingers.
He had been a master of his own physical body since his days as a White-Ranked warrior. This mastery was also the foundation of his continuous growth.
“Don't worry about this. I'll take care of it,” Miss Ye said.
Rustle.
She neatly folded the blood-stained cloth and tucked it into her robes. Her demeanor was incredibly refined. Anyone looking at her would instantly think of her as a young lady from a prestigious family.
She smiled brightly.
“I think we'll be seeing each other often even after the Sect Founding Ceremony ends. There are discussions taking place within the Alliance.”
“Assuming nothing happens to me until then,” Jeong Yeon-shin replied calmly. At his words, Miss Ye's smile deepened.
“Stop being dramatic. Who else could possibly be your opponent now besides the Eon Family's Number One Fist? It's practically over. I'll be going now.”
“Alright.”
“Don't get hurt anymore. No, wait. I suppose getting hurt is inevitable. Just... don't be in too much pain.”
“……”
“I wish you victory, young Unit Commander.”
She slowly turned around. Her white sleeves, flowing like court robes, brushed against Jeong Yeon-shin's hand.
A soft sensation swept over the back of his hand and passed. It was a light touch. Miss Ye soon walked away with light, graceful steps.
She was a truly bizarre person.
The boy silently watched her retreating figure for a moment before slowly caressing the hilt of his sword.
With an indifferent face, he looked to the side. A middle-aged saber-wielder was walking over from the opposite end of the stage. The light in his eyes was solemn and sharp.
He looked as if he had been waiting for this very day. His neatly tailored yellow martial robes and clean hilt caught the eye.
Most warriors participating in the Sect Founding Ceremony dressed in such a manner. The cheers from the spectator stands grew louder.
Perfected Heavenly Pillar had been his first opponent of the day. He still had to face eleven more.
The middle-aged man stopped ten paces away and clasped his hands in greeting.
“Peng Mun-il of Hebei. I have trained in the Five Tigers Severing Door Saber.”
“Jeong Yeon-shin of Huguang Province. I created the Azure Flame First Form.”
Answering briefly, the boy gripped his sword hilt.
The Hebei Peng Clan was one of the Eight Great Families. Because the world had entered a chaotic era, the leader of their martial unit had not come.
It was said that experts of the Black Rank were rare even among the Eight Families.
However, the Five Tigers Severing Door Saber was a technique renowned throughout the land. He could not afford to treat it lightly. Especially for the sake of the Compendium of Crushing the Righteous.
“Come,” the young Commander of the Demonlight Wing said.
The Desolate Fortress banner was still planted at the corner of the duel stage.
Just as the Hero of the Desolate Fortress had confidently declared, the Desolate Fortress banner had yet to fall. By now, it had become a famous attraction in Hanzhong.
Whoosh!
A wave of energy erupted between the two warriors.
The white robe of the Heonwon Spear, tied to the flagpole, fluttered, revealing the character 'Desolate' (荒).
*
The winning streak in the Sect Founding Ceremony continued. The Commander of the Demonlight Wing was forging an undefeated record.
It was the third day.
Thirty-five people had been defeated. Among them, very few lacked renown.
The Sect Founding Ceremony had been underway long before Flash Art, Commander of the Demonlight Wing, joined the fray. Now, only one day remained.
This meant the wheat had already been sifted from the chaff. It was why the young Commander's winning streak was generating such immense excitement.
“I bet my entire fortune on the Sword Absolute, and I lost everything!”
“The odds on the Commander of the Demonlight Wing have dropped incredibly low. He's neck-and-neck with Heroine Eon.”
“Didn't I tell you Flash Art would win? The rising star is already a supreme expert rarely seen in this world. Since this tournament is limited by generation, who could possibly stop his momentum!”
“Pour! Pour more!”
It was a pleasant evening. The pavilion rose tier upon tier around a wide, square courtyard in the center.
It brimmed with vitality. The lanterns hanging in rows in every direction seemed to trap the glow of the sunset.
The Blue Crane Pavilion. It was Hanzhong's finest tavern and inn.
The atmosphere was boisterous. Musicians seated in a corner were plucking the zither, but their melodies struggled to rise above the clamor.
It had been a long time since any sense of elegance could be found here. Only the orange glow of the lanterns, which had driven away the twilight, shone softly.
The people of this continent loved to gamble. It was an ancient culture, with records of gambling dating back before the distant Qin and Han dynasties.
Since the Sect Founding Ceremony of the Martial World Alliance was a once-in-a-lifetime festival, people scrambled to seize the chance to make a fortune.
Fights broke out frequently amidst the thick aroma of alcohol. Verbal arguments were commonplace.
“Did you not see the flash of the Commander of the Demonlight Wing's sword that day? The way the Mount Hua Sect's swordplay crumbled in an instant!”
“I heard from a warrior I'm well-acquainted with that the Sword Absolute's true martial prowess is far greater than that. Something unfortunate must have happened to him.”
“Stop being so gullible. Are you suggesting the Unit Commander of the Desolate Fortress poisoned a Mount Hua Taoist?”
“That's not what I mean. I'm saying the Eon Family Fist is comparable to Mount Hua's sword blossoms. Besides, didn't you see the Commander of the Demonlight Wing's bare torso that day? We shouldn't jump to conclusions about who will win or lose!”
“Bare torso? You saw his bare torso? What did his body look like?”
“You're chiming in at this point? How insidious.”
With only one day left until the end of the Sect Founding Ceremony, all eyes were drawn to the upcoming battles, regardless of age or gender.
All sorts of rumors blossomed. The same was true for the drinking party on the top floor of the Blue Crane Pavilion.
“So, what did his body look like?” asked a woman sitting in a relaxed, indolent posture. Her narrowed eyes gave her a lazy look.
It was the Eon Family's Number One Fist. The Duke of Eminent Fists, Eon Hwa-ryeon.
She sat before a lavishly set table.
The arm muscles clearly defined from her deltoids down and her smoothly extending veins were fully visible.
She wore sleeveless orange martial robes, sitting with one knee pulled up and her other leg stretched out lazily.
Resting her elbow on her knee and propping her chin in her hand, she looked across the table.
“It looked as though he had trained in external martial arts,” a woman with long, braided hair said, parting her lips. It was Ak Ye-rim of the Shandong Ak Clan.
“Or perhaps a dynamic cultivation art. Combining internal and external arts makes for a superior martial discipline. To stand out at such a young age, one's basic skills must do their part. In any case, it means his body is exceptionally well-honed.”
“He is strong. Even you, Number One Fist, might find it hard to guarantee victory. The match might not even be decided within ten exchanges.”
“Is the boy's sword really that sharp? Sharp enough to cut through Jinju's finest body protection Qi?”
“I wouldn't know that far. My martial arts are far inferior. Discussing him further with my novice perspective would only clutter your judgment, Number One Fist. However... the sword form he used to clash with Perfected Heavenly Pillar's Dark Fragrance Floating Flower was truly magnificent.”
“You judge yourself well. That is remarkable growth. But seeing you after so long, much of your cuteness has vanished. It's a bit of a pity. It feels like just yesterday you were clinging to me and calling me 'sister'.”
“……That was a long time ago.”
“Indeed, it has been a very long time.”
Eon Hwa-ryeon lifted a large jade bottle and brought it directly to her mouth.
As she guzzled down the Dukang wine, several streams of alcohol trickled down her lips. The rich aroma of Shaanxi liquor, characteristic of the region, wafted strongly.
“More importantly, Jegal Cheong-a said something strange. To the Commander of the Demonlight Wing...”
“Would you mind holding your tongue for a moment?”
It was a well-known fact that the Duke of Eminent Fists' words and actions were peculiarly rough. Powerful, top-tier experts each had their own unique quirks.
Perhaps it was precisely because of their eccentric personalities—hard to comprehend by common sense—that they were able to reach such heights.
Ak Ye-rim obediently fell silent.
Soon, the corners of Eon Hwa-ryeon's mouth curled up slightly.
“Listen closely. I've been idling away my time here, but today I've stumbled upon a fun experience.”
“Pardon?”
“I was just getting tired of the food here. A bit of entertainment has presented itself. I was too lazy to get up, but I did want to meet him at least once.”
“What do you...”
“Circulate your internal energy toward your Fengchi point. You know what I mean, right?”
Ak Ye-rim silently activated her sensory path's hearing technique. At the same time, she furrowed her brow slightly.
The clamor of the tavern assaulted her ears. Every sound became crystal clear. Even the voices outside the Blue Crane Pavilion began to blend into her hearing.
“…They said this place is the best in the city. Both the liquor and the food are delicacies.”
“Do we really need to go to a tavern?”
“If you need to relax your body because your muscles have stiffened from using ultimate techniques, in my opinion, there's no place but here. I'm telling you, they have world-class delicacies. Didn't the Yeongcheon Sword Ghost say so last time? For a body trained to that extent, even alcohol poison would act as medicine. With a Unit Commander's internal energy, you'll be able to loosen up perfectly and deliciously.”
“Delicious, my foot. You're probably just trying to get some poppies while you're at it.”
“Don't be so cynical. I've mastered all kinds of grain teas and refined arts over the years. This young master has his reasons...”
Ak Ye-rim raised her eyebrows. It was the voices of the Lazy Flame Dragon and the Commander of the Demonlight Wing. They were near the entrance below the Blue Crane Pavilion. It seemed Flash Art had come to drink at the recommendation of Hwangbo the Scoundrel.
'Hwangbo Mang-jong is leading a young boy astray...'
The Lazy Flame Dragon and the Azure Qilin were old friends. As Namgung Se-jin's former fiancée, she was also acquainted with the Lazy Flame Dragon.
Ak Ye-rim had been conflicted for a long time. It had been days of deep contemplation regarding Flash Art.
She had seen the boy talking with Jegal Hyeon on West Peak Road, and she had witnessed the shadow of the Imperial Sword Form releasing from his raised sword.
It was a sword form that showed respect to the Azure Qilin. Slowly, very slowly, her heart had begun to soften. Naturally, she couldn't help but worry about him being corrupted by bad company like the Lazy Flame Dragon.
It was then.
Suddenly, Eon Hwa-ryeon chuckled.
“There's a loafer mixed in there. He's the type who will grow up to be just like me. His talent is outstanding, too.”
In that instant, Ak Ye-rim felt a sharp gaze. A look as sharp as a blade fell upon them.
Whoosh!
The source of the energy wave was incredibly distinct. It felt as if the young Commander of the Demonlight Wing's eyes had swallowed this entire place whole.
The wave of internal power slicing against her skin was proof. It was a truly terrifying presence.
It came from the unmistakable realm of a supreme expert.
“For a Lazy Flame Dragon, isn't he doing pretty well?” the boy spoke calmly. His words were bold and unhesitating.