Chapter 209: Turbulence (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 209: Turbulence (3)
Jeong Yeon-shin clearly read the words formed on the lips of the Bloodkeeper Unit’s commander. For a split second, he doubted his own eyes.
This was a man who held a seat of honor at the Wish-for-Peace One Sword Hall. Surely, he wouldn’t lower his own dignity like that.
'He must be having a bad day.'
Yeon-shin decided to think of it that way. It wasn't unheard of for a Black-Ranked master to have an eccentric personality.
In the distance, he saw Ak Su-rim waving her hand while Hahu Wi-jin merely nodded. He understood immediately.
He turned his gaze back to the front.
The newly appointed commander of the Demonlight Wing hadn't dodged the spray of blood coughed up by the Lord of the Immortal Wood Spirit.
He had been ready to support her if she lost her balance, but Cheon So-so maintained her dignity.
With her back ramrod straight, she stared into Jeong Yeon-shin's eyes. Sunlight caught in their blue depths, making them shimmer.
"...Let go," she said.
Both knew the match was decided. Cheon So-so's internal organs could have been severely damaged.
The moment her tenth Deep Jade Heavenly Ice Shield shattered, a catastrophe would have occurred if the commander of the Demonlight Wing hadn't withdrawn his Brilliant River internal energy.
Just the touch of his palm against her abdomen, carrying only the residual shockwave, had been enough to make her cough up blood.
It was an incredibly profound palm technique. The rumor that the Flash Art himself had created it felt shockingly real all over again.
Among all palm techniques, was this not an art capable of vying for the title of the world's greatest?
'...Alongside the Five Great Palm Techniques of the World,' Cheon So-so thought. Her mind, racing, listed five names.
The Wudang Sect's peerless palm technique, the Ten-Stage Brocade.
The Thousand-Hand Tathagata Palm, renowned as a supreme art of Shaolin.
The Hegemon Sword Sect's Guardian Sword Reigning Palm.
The Dark Heaven Hand Wall Stance, said to have been created by a late-era leader of the Ming Cult just before its destruction.
And the Moon-Preserving Piercing Method, which had made its name in the mysterious sect exclusive to the Brightfolk.
The Brilliant River was a far younger art; its history couldn't compare to theirs. Yet, through its many exploits, it had just defeated a Black-Ranked expert, Cheon So-so herself.
If the Brilliant River were to clash with one of the Five Great Palm Techniques, countless martial artists would hold their breath for the outcome.
And if the young, black-robed commander of the Demonlight Wing aimed for the Purple Rank, wouldn't they eventually clash?
'What nonsense.'
Cheon So-so inwardly shook her head.
Right now, she was in a position where she had to hand over the Blue-Ranked experts of the Immortal Wood Spirit.
Debating the world's greatest palm technique was a pastime for idle gossips, not a matter she could afford to care about.
'Three Blue Ranks... I didn't come here expecting to lose.'
Her eyes darkened.
Today, she felt like the most unfortunate person in the Desolate Fortress. The impending loss cut deep, and resentment toward her own subordinates welled up.
The Immortal Wood Spirit's Celestial-Pattern Hand Art was by no means lacking, so why did they have to covet the Flash Art's lineage?
Meanwhile.
Slowly, Jeong Yeon-shin lowered the hand that had been gripping Cheon So-so's wrist. His thumb lightly brushed against the tendon there.
It was the palmaris longus. Perhaps because she had been channeling her ice arts, it was incredibly cold, which suddenly piqued his curiosity.
Did her martial art possess a function to protect her body's interior? If not, it would be difficult for her to withstand her own ice arts.
Normally, one would never seize the pulse of a Black-Ranked expert.
It was a major breach of Jianghu etiquette. It was said that one should never yield their pulse point, not even to family.
A master with a superior sense of Qi could examine an opponent's entire body through their wrist. It was even possible to disrupt the flow of their True Qi. That was why it was taboo.
Jeong Yeon-shin, however, had unintentionally sensed a portion of Cheon So-so's Qi circulation. It wasn't that he had deliberately tried to probe her.
He felt it clearly, beneath the frantic thrumming of her pulse from the duel.
'Ice arts...'
The Lazy Flame Dragon came to mind.
He suffered from the Solar Divine Pulse, a condition of severed meridians that claimed its victims early. It was a constitution where one died young, unable to withstand the Fervent Yang Energy that surged endlessly from the body.
While it granted sharp martial talent by burning away even the impurities in one's acupoints and meridians, it was a destiny of constantly battling the pain of one's entire body being consumed by flames.
He was a man who had enjoyed every luxury as the Young Master of the Hwangbo Clan.
A noble family was a gathering of incredibly powerful local aristocrats.
They often acted like royalty in the provinces stretching below Beijing. This meant they were a group with vast knowledge and experience.
There was no way they hadn't considered the principle of water overcoming fire.
Conquering fire with the energy of water. The Hwangbo Clan, desperate for talent, must have tried teaching him Yin-attribute martial arts.
They must have procured many martial arts worthy of being called ultimate techniques.
'But there was no improvement. Acquired cultivation couldn't withstand an innate constitution.'
Jeong Yeon-shin wondered, Is there anything I can do?
It was something he had always pondered. He could sit on the Lazy Flame Dragon's grave and chew poppies, but he'd much rather see the man live a full life and die of alcoholism instead.
He had just experienced Cheon So-so's ice arts. Soon, he would go to help Ma Yeon-jeok absorb the Great Restoration Pill.
They said one's knowledge broadens with time. Perhaps an answer would emerge someday. If he gained insight into enough bodies and energies...
Just as Jeong Yeon-shin was organizing his thoughts, Cheon So-so suddenly spoke.
"Look at me."
Her voice was calm.
"You shouldn't look away from a defeated opponent. It can be taken as an insult."
"An insult?"
Jeong Yeon-shin didn't bother to hide his surprise. While he had been lost in thought for a moment, he also found something to learn from the martial artist Cheon So-so.
The Jeong Family Dynamic Art gave him a distinct advantage against Yin-cold martial arts, meaning he would likely win again if they fought. Even so, he knew the indomitable spirit of the Immortal Wood Spirit's Lord, Cheon So-so, would not be broken.
"That is a spirit worth learning from. This junior is filled with admiration."
He spoke softly.
To one day ascend to the rank of Commander of the Divine Sword Corps, he needed everyone's recognition.
Regardless of the outcome, Jeong Yeon-shin wanted to create a favorable impression today.
For instance, the sight of senior and junior commanders admiring each other's martial arts and spirit.
A scene of two commanders forging a bond through martial arts would be well-received by all. He had even been prepared to offer empty pleasantries, just as he did with the scholars in the Chief Steward's Office.
'I worried for nothing. Senior Cheon is a true martial artist.'
The admiration and curiosity welling up from deep within him showed on his face.
The Brilliant River was a martial art with several drawbacks, as the principles of its mnemonic were extremely biased toward raw power.
He hadn't expected a commander-level Black-Ranked expert to take his second strike head-on. It was a truly astonishing display of spirit.
'If I hadn't pushed myself, I might have been hit by a counter-attack instead.'
It was a terrifying Body Protection Qi. The tingling recoil currently rising up his wrist was proof.
Loading the second form of the Brilliant River into the Neiguan point of his wrist like a fire bomb was no easy feat. He had to endure the precursor to such a powerful strike from within his own body.
It was an idea he had conceived after hearing about Cheon So-so's Deep Jade Heavenly Ice Shield from Cheong-myeong.
Even with acupoints refined by the Jeong Family Dynamic Art, he had to bear a significant burden. It would be difficult to use it more than twice in a single fight.
"..."
Cheon So-so, her lips pressed together, fell into thought for a moment as she stared at Jeong Yeon-shin.
It was hard to fathom the true intention behind his words of admiration.
A spirit worth learning from? Was he mocking her response?
Unbefitting a commander, she had relied too heavily on her Body Protection Qi and left herself open to a powerful strike. Judging by the result alone, she deserved to be laughed at.
That was why the sincere expression on the Demonlight Wing commander's face was so confusing.
'This Han man's disposition is pure yet bizarre—a temperament befitting his outstanding talent,' she thought. He would be incredibly useful against the enemies of the Desolate Fortress.
Even now, a strange heat rose from the Yinjiao point in her abdomen, which was still throbbing.
Though she had dedicated herself to cultivation without ever forgetting she was a member of her clan, an incredibly unfamiliar emotion welled up inside her.
She couldn't tell if it was annoyance or anger.
Cheon So-so struggled to maintain an indifferent expression.
Looking down slightly, she saw that the abdominal area of her robe was completely crumpled. It was the mark of the Brilliant River.
The violently exploding force had generated a vortex like Silk-Reeling Power. If he hadn't withdrawn his strength, she might have been torn to shreds. It was a sight that compelled submission.
She slowly parted her lips.
"...Rainbow Wisdom Sword Do Yun-myeong, Moon-Shooting Bow Ghost Wi Ye-ryeong, Chivalrous Blade Jeong Jun."
Cheon So-so quietly continued.
"Their titles are all officially recognized by the Chief Steward's Office. All of them are Blue Ranks. They have learned your Radiant Brilliance Sword Style, Radiant Wing Step, and Scripture of Initial Overcoming, respectively. I will complete the procedures through the Chief Steward's Office and send them over, so be prepared."
"Yes, thank you," Jeong Yeon-shin replied simply.
Cheon So-so closed and opened her eyes. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly.
"...The three of them are of mixed Brightfolk blood. They all possess upright characters and outstanding talent, so please treat them with care. Though it is no longer my place to say..."
"I will."
"...There is no need to force them to train, either. Even if you impart only a little of your teachings, they will grow endlessly strong. Every single one of them is highly experienced. They will be of great help, especially when dealing with the Thirteen Heavens. The martial arts they have mastered are suited for that."
"I will keep that in mind."
Jeong Yeon-shin offered a brief reply and raised his hands in an arching salute. He put strength into both arms, determined not to show his exhausted state.
His right hand, which had unleashed the Brilliant River in succession, was tingling. To think it was like this after only a brief clash.
Was it because his opponent was a commander of equal rank? The tactic of keeping the fight short seemed to have placed an even greater burden on his body.
"I have spoken too long."
Cheon So-so returned the salute.
"..."
Even then, the area around the sparring stage remained silent. A heavy quiet had swallowed the crowd. No one dared to speak first.
It had been a mere two exchanges.
There were those who had placed bets on the outcome of the duel.
None of them had wagered their silver on a match lasting only a few moves.
Though a swift, decisive battle between equals was said to be unrelated to one's level of martial arts, the fighting style of the Demonlight Wing's commander, backed by his divine art, produced results that defied common sense.
It was enough to silence even some experts who had witnessed the Flash Art's promotion ceremonies multiple times.
Only after a long while did a few people begin to whisper.
"...It's going to be hard to look down on the Demonlight Wing now. Their commander is already this powerful. I only saw him as a promising new Black Rank, but his rate of progress is simply absurd."
"They might clash with a major sect during a group mission. Has Commander Flash Art ever failed a mission? I suspect some astonishing events are about to unfold."
"There was once. The capture of the Seventh Apostle, the supreme expert of the Blood Flame Cult."
"He was only a White Rank back then. That should be considered the fault of the former Commander of the Demonlight Wing."
This was a sparring stage where the Flash Art had stood as the Commander of the Demonlight Wing. It drew far more attention than just the crowd gathered here.
Could the Demonlight Wing restore its former prestige?
At one point, they were considered the strongest among the martial units, excluding the Divine Sword Squad.
The martial units of the Desolate Fortress were akin to small sects in their own right. What the Demonlight Wing could achieve under its new commander was now a matter of paramount interest.
"I will see you at the Wish-for-Peace One Sword Hall," Cheon So-so, the Lord of the Immortal Wood Spirit, said before turning around.
With a soft rustle, her receding footsteps sounded different from when she was sparring.
Her stride, usually like a fluttering leaf, now carried a heavy weight. Her mind seemed complicated.
Handing over three Blue-Ranked experts was just that significant.
It was also something that brought immense relief to Jeong Yeon-shin. No, "relief" was an understatement.
The feeling rising within him, filling even the halo of his heart, was closer to a sense of accomplishment.
Three precious swords had fallen into his hands.
His heart felt more fulfilled than when he had created most of his martial arts. With this, he was one step closer to the Purple Rank.
The day he would gallop through the Jianghu leading twenty-four Blue Ranks was not far off. Jeong Yeon-shin wanted to bestow the title of "Invincible" upon the Demonlight Wing, where his uncle's legacy remained.
'I must compile the Demonlight Formula once again, weaving together all the martial principles of the Flash Art lineage.'
Releasing his salute, Jeong Yeon-shin sought his next opponent.
The whispering spectators didn't register in his eyes.
His priority was to find the commander of the Bloodkeeper Unit, with whom he had locked eyes earlier. As a fellow commander, he couldn't challenge multiple seniors at once.
He worried about appearing too arrogant. The only name posted on the sparring roster was Cheon So-so, the Lord of the Immortal Wood Spirit. He had to designate the next person himself.
Soon, a look of bewilderment appeared in Jeong Yeon-shin's eyes.
'Where did he go?'
Jin Myeong-jo, the commander of the Bloodkeeper Unit, was nowhere to be seen.
Had some urgent business come up?
Even when he heightened his senses to sweep the surroundings, he couldn't detect any sinister wave of energy.
He had vanished without a trace, as if using a stealth technique. And this, despite two commanders having been standing right there just moments ago. It was an astonishing level of martial prowess.
'I need to further solidify the connection between the Law-Transcending Halo Qi and the Demon-Quelling Azure Steel Hand. If I tweak the mnemonic slightly, I can make the execution faster.'
With no other choice, Jeong Yeon-shin decided to head to the Desolate Ma Clan first.
The most important task since his return still remained.
Using the Jeong Family Dynamic Art, he had to help his maternal grandfather absorb the Great Restoration Pill.
* * *
Xi'an, Shaanxi.
The late autumn sunlight swept down into the alleyways. Despite the bright sun, the path was chilly enough to pierce the skin.
A woman with short, ash-gray hair looked down with crossed arms at a kneeling disciple of the Zhongnan Sect.
"Must I kill you..."
The woman, who wore a divine sword at her waist, parted her lips.
"...and become that child's maid myself?"
Shame was etched into her furrowed brow. From the divine sword she hadn't even touched, hundreds of strands of Sword Qi seemed ready to burst forth at any moment.
She had reached a realm where her raging emotions resonated with her blade.