Chapter 230: Precious Sword (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 230: Precious Sword (3)
Heonwon Chang spoke in his natural voice.
He didn't infuse it with internal energy, so it didn't carry far. However, they were in the central martial duel arena. A promotion ceremony was a rare event in the Desolate Fortress, drawing nearly every martial artist remaining in the main fortress.
They sat around the arena like guests at a grand feast, and almost all of them were experts.
Naturally, their mastery over their senses was formidable. Catching the unamplified voice of the Desolate Fortress's Great Tongue Sword was child's play for them.
Gang Un-chan's eyes widened in surprise before he let out a wry chuckle.
"I hold no bitterness over my defeat. I can always climb back up. Rather, I am curious to see the Demonlight Wing's true debut, now that all its members have mastered the Vast Art Formula. The world will soon view Commander Jeong as the grandmaster of a generation. Though, in the process, the Demonlight Wing will surely weather all kinds of sudden storms..."
It was a clean, graceful acceptance of defeat.
"The sudden storms are for the Jianghu to bear," Heonwon Chang replied with a soft chuckle, exchanging a fist-to-palm salute with him.
Although government officials, visiting merchants, and fortress retainers vastly outnumbered them, their presence paled in comparison to the sheer weight of the Desolate Fortress's official warriors.
Heonwon Chang's parting words quickly spread from the lips of the experts, carrying with them the origins of that divine art, the Vast Art Formula.
A wave of whispers rippled through the crowd.
It started with those closest to the arena. The martial artists displayed far greater shock than the commoners. The white and blue hems of their robes fluttered slightly, stirred by the faint, restless fluctuations of their energy.
Among them, the aura emanating from the martial artists of the Flash Art lineage was exceptionally dense.
"How could there be such a shockwave...?"
"It was novel and powerful, even if traces of the Flash Art lineage were visible within it."
The experts of the Desolate Fortress frequently traversed the treacherous and mysterious Jianghu. They usually maintained their composure even in the face of the bizarre.
By nature, the minds of renowned martial artists were supposed to be as clear as a mirror and as tranquil as still water.
But not today.
"This is a monumental event. The Vast Art Formula? It is indeed a martial art worth boasting about. I already knew the Commander of the Demonlight Wing possessed the qualities of a grandmaster, but..."
In a corner of the bustling spectator stands, a woman clad in blue martial robes let out a dry laugh. She was Jin Mu-hwa, the Desolate Fortress Fighter.
A woman with sharp, fierce eyes, she was an expert currently acting as the Commander of the Thread-Annihilation Unit. Her position was equivalent to Cheong-myeong of the Demonlight Wing.
As the true successor to the Thread-Annihilation Unit, she had just finished watching the duels of those worthy of her status.
The experts standing beside her chimed in one after another.
"His sword force improved in an instant. And that was clearly unleashed from the hands of the Great Tongue Sword..."
"Is it truly a versatile martial art? Not a signature ultimate technique exclusive to the Commander of the Demonlight Wing?"
"Calling it 'versatile' is a bit of a misnomer. Didn't they say it was the Demonlight Wing's exclusive art?"
"Regardless, it means the Great Tongue Sword isn't the only one who has mastered it."
The implications of that single statement were profound. It signified a fundamental transformation within the Demonlight Wing.
An outstanding martial attainment had a way of reshaping an entire group. A man who had been silent up until now finally spoke.
"...It has been quite a while since I last saw Kang Chang-mu. At the Martial Transcendence Arena, I mean. He is a man crazed for duels, so I used to run into him constantly."
The main fortress's Martial Transcendence Arena was a massive dueling ground. It served as a forum of exchange where martial artists under the Divine Sword Corps could pit their skills against experts from other units.
Many practically lived there while waiting for missions. At one point, even Jeong Yeon-shin, the Flash Art, had frequented the place.
Jin Mu-hwa replied with an understanding look.
"He must have fallen into a deep trance of cultivation. Who wouldn't, if they were granted an ultimate technique of that caliber?"
The reactions of those attending the promotion ceremony varied wildly. Whispers and movements rippled through the crowd. Even the merchants—who had passed rigorous background checks by a stroke of luck to supply goods to the main fortress—were no exception.
Calculations flickered across their seasoned faces. Some dispersed without a word.
"The Forest-Treading Unit and the Immortal Wood Spirit vanished at the same time. The Commander of the Demonlight Wing is famous for taking missions without rest, so the next to move will surely be the Demonlight Wing."
"Just following in their wake will guarantee our safety. Prepare for a long journey and tell our people to keep their eyes wide open. If they head toward the Bright-Rhyme Road, it will be worth trailing them for a while."
The movements of the Divine Sword Corps' martial units influenced all walks of life.
Countless eyes remained fixed on the Commander of the Demonlight Wing after he declared Heonwon Chang's victory. This intense scrutiny persisted even as the next duel got underway.
A strange emotion was etched onto the faces of the experts from the Flash Art lineage. Some looked as though they were practically driven mad with desire.
Even as the promotion duels continued, they didn't watch the arena; instead, they stared intently at their grandmaster.
In this moment, they drew closer to becoming the reserve forces of the Demonlight Wing than ever before.
"Lee Yeon, the Thread-Blowing Spear, has lost. The Lazy Flame Dragon, Hwangbo So-and-so, has won."
The Commander of the Demonlight Wing, the Flash Art, calmly delivered the verdict.
"Isn't 'So-and-so' a bit harsh?" the Lazy Flame Dragon grumbled.
Jeong Yeon-shin approached the dejected Thread-Blowing Spear and patted her shoulder. She was a woman with a gentle face. As she unconsciously tried to burrow into his chest for comfort, he firmly pushed her away.
It was clear now. He was no longer the Flash Art who lived under the protection of his seniors.
Perhaps it was because he had physically matured since his return from the Alliance, or perhaps it was because he had been fully recognized as a martial unit commander of the Divine Sword Corps through the Vast Art Formula.
"Step down."
Jeong Yeon-shin gave the two of them a slight nod.
The Lazy Flame Dragon had won easily.
His accumulated qi was vastly different from when he first met Jeong Yeon-shin. The same went for his fiery martial arts.
With a leisurely, idle demeanor, he had shattered his opponent's sword. The Thread-Blowing Spear's martial prowess simply fell short of qualifying for the Blue Rank.
She was in no position to withstand the fist and palm techniques of the Hwangbo Clan's eldest son, forged through the Solar Divine Pulse.
The two of them stepped down from the arena.
Jeong Yeon-shin uttered the word he had spoken most frequently today once more.
"Next."
*
It was a grand event.
Time flew by with exceptional speed. Before long, the sun touched the horizon, draping the sky in a crimson nightgown.
The final order of the promotion ceremony commenced.
The Lord of the Desolate Fortress was not present at the event. They were an absolute being who moved according to their own whims rather than custom.
Catching a glimpse of them was rare, even for Jeong Yeon-shin. They might not even be in the main fortress right now.
— Having witnessed the divine skills of the warriors, how could one not be delighted...
The lyrics were adapted from the Classic of Poetry of the Four Books and Three Classics. Dancers with wide, flowing sleeves and musicians with their hands resting on bamboo flutes and zithers filled the arena.
They carried a joy that wouldn't dry up even in a year of famine. They danced and played with a skill that rivaled martial arts itself. Both the dance and the melody were breathtakingly beautiful.
Jeong Yeon-shin remained in his seat until the ceremony concluded.
Seated beside the Grand Steward at the head table, his silent presence lent weight to the elder's congratulatory address.
"It is called entering the wilderness. You have taken a step deeper into the desolate wild. Conduct yourselves sharply as the precious swords of the main fortress. The great cause of this land will be with you. A cause that is very, very noble."
The Grand Steward bestowed martial uniforms upon the promoted warriors lined up before him.
Heonwon Chang and the Lazy Flame Dragon both received their blue robes. It was a sight that stirred a strange emotion within Jeong Yeon-shin.
— May the light on your path ahead never fade.
The luminous voice of the Lord of the Desolate Fortress echoed in his memory. It had been a gentle blessing. The touch of their hands as they personally draped his blue robe over him was still vivid.
He still felt the warmth of that sensation brushing against his shoulders. The fingertips that unraveled the supreme principles of martial arts had been focused entirely on him.
'What a pity,' he thought.
A pity that it was the Grand Steward presiding today, and not the Lord of the Desolate Fortress.
A faint amusement flickered in the eyes of the Commander of the Demonlight Wing as he looked at his two subordinates, accompanied by a profound sense of satisfaction.
He set aside his worries regarding the Zhongnan Sect for just a brief moment. Deep in his heart, he celebrated the joyous occasion of his Demonlight Wing family.
At least before he had to set out once more from the Desolate Fortress, his home.
* * *
"From nameless to the Blue Rank. Won-chang, isn't this a promotion you never even dared to dream of?"
"It is Heonwon, Hwangbo So-and-so."
"In any case, no one in the Demonlight Wing will be able to look down on this young master anymore. You have no idea how sick I was of hearing the word 'insubordination.' Running water errands for those kids was a bit much. Yes."
"How regrettable. You are still insignificant to the Commander."
"Did you not know that even that is a pleasure for this young master? It is a hundred times better than being bored."
"I worry for your sanity. It seems the poppy has not only accumulated in your body but has invaded your mind. Are you not practically pickled in it?"
Two pairs of long shadows stretched across the ground.
The group was on their way back to the Demonlight Wing pavilion. While Heonwon Chang and the Lazy Flame Dragon bickered slightly ahead, Jeong Yeon-shin and Jegal Cheong-a walked side by side.
The atmosphere was calm, accompanied by their quiet conversation.
"Then, does the eye technique utilize the Baihui Point more than the Tongziliao Point?"
"Yes. The head is more important than the eyes. The core lies in how intuitively one can absorb the profound principles of martial arts. An eye technique that facilitates this is considered highly advanced. The 'way of seeing' is secondary; as long as the circulation of qi at the inner corners of the eyes crosses properly, one can improve it on their own."
"Like the energy waves at your Sibai, Cuanzhu, and Yintang acupoints? You have wrapped them very densely from your face to your eyes."
"...Yes."
Jegal Cheong-a pursed her lips slightly.
Jeong Yeon-shin fell into thought, feeling grateful for her insight.
Lately, he had been pondering what martial art to create next.
Now that his relationship with the Ma Clan had been restored and he could access the upper floors of the Gold-Piercing Martial Library as a commander, there were plenty of martial arts he could master just by reaching out.
Yet, no ultimate technique could compare to a martial art tailored specifically to him from the very first line of its mnemonic.
Martial arts were, in essence, methods of utilizing the body.
Within the fine meridians and acupoints of the entire body, there existed minute individual differences in location, thickness, size, blood flow, and inherent energy.
These nuances became starkly prominent in the higher realms of cultivation.
Jeong Yeon-shin had benefited immensely from his exclusive martial arts. The efficiency of his internal energy and its delivery was on a completely different level. Even without achieving the Three Flowers Gathering at the Peak, he had clashed swords with top-tier experts.
'An eye technique and body protection qi.'
He had only roughly learned enough of them to use as references.
If he could properly create his own, they would be of immense help. Since he had not yet reached the state of the Unity of Essence, Qi, and Spirit, he had to rely on the variety and depth of his martial arts to win.
This was especially true if he was to continuously face the top-tier experts of the great sects.
— I might encounter the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect.
It was a massive, looming threat. The thought was slowly carving away at Jeong Yeon-shin's heart.
The silence that had quietly settled over the Jeong Family Manor in the dead of night, the metallic scent wafting over the threshold, the blood soaking the floor, the moonlight reflecting off the dark red stains, the destructive aura of the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect pressing down with his great sword...
"Hmm?"
Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly raised his head.
A familiar wall came into view. They had almost arrived. Before he knew it, the Demonlight Wing pavilion was close at hand.
"They have opened the main gates wide. As expected of our family, welcoming the promotion of this Divine Hero of the Desolate Fortress... Huh?"
Heonwon Chang's steps halted.
The Lazy Flame Dragon, who had his hands clasped behind his head, also stopped his leisurely stride.
"Commander?"
"Stay still," Jeong Yeon-shin replied briefly, staring into the distance.
An unusual confrontation was unfolding.
It wasn't just the experts of the Demonlight Wing and Miss Ye of the Alliance. A back with short black hair caught his eye.
Ak Su-rim, the Divine Spear of the Desolate Fortress.
She had likely come to drink tea, but now she was spinning her silver spear with one hand.
The sunset shimmered along the long arc of her spear, making it look more exhilaratingly fierce than beautiful. She had not looked kindly upon Miss Ye back in the Lord's office.
That wasn't all. The man crouching on the highest roof of the pavilion complex was also a problem.
Pink robes fluttered in the wind, scraping against the roof tiles. Unnoticed by anyone, Ma Yeon-jeok, the Hegemon Hero, looked down quietly at the three-way standoff.
The gaze with which he alternately scanned Miss Ye and Ak Su-rim was strange. A bizarre, simmering anger could be felt radiating from him.
It was a terrifying sight.
He didn't even immediately sense his grandson standing in the distance. He seemed incredibly focused.
"..."
Jeong Yeon-shin drew the radical '阝' in the air with his index finger. It was a secret hand signal of the Demonlight Wing, used when even the faint energy waves of sound transmission had to be avoided.
Signaling them to suppress their presence and retreat, he, as the commander, was the first to quietly turn around. He kept his eyes fixed on his maternal grandfather, who was said to soon receive a summons from the imperial court.
The three followed him in silence.
They walked past the main road of the fortress until the pavilion was no longer in sight.
Jeong Yeon-shin was the first to speak.
"It wasn't a situation where the Demonlight Wing would get hurt."
"Well, there are few who could simultaneously handle the combined attack of the Blue Ranks' Vast Art Formula and the Divine Spear of the Desolate Fortress. Even among the leaders of the great sects, they would be a tiny minority," the Lazy Flame Dragon said nonchalantly.
The way he lightly rolled his shoulders was sly. He seemed to find the situation rather amusing.
Jeong Yeon-shin gave a brief nod.
"I need a brush and ink."
"I have them."
Answering immediately, Jegal Cheong-a's gray sleeves rustled.
Rustle.
She pulled out a small inkstone and a short brush from her robes.
They were impeccably clean writing tools. They were as neat as her sleeves, which were ironed without a single speck of dust. The small piece of paper she pulled out next was exactly the same.
"This too."
"Thank you."
Jeong Yeon-shin immediately placed the paper against Jegal Cheong-a's back, erecting an invisible barrier of internal energy between the paper and her robes.
"...?"
"I am using body protection qi, so do not worry about your clothes."
He quickly began to write.
It was a short message. He finished it in no time. Soon after, he carefully reached into his robes and pulled out a pure white swallow.
The commander's spirit beast, which had been fast asleep, was revealed to the world.
Chirp—
It let out a sound like a short whistle.
The White Swallow narrowed its pitch-black eyes. Its gaze, as it looked up at its master, was round and clear.
With a faint smile, Jeong Yeon-shin tore the paper into two letters, rolled them up, and tied them to both of its legs.
"This is for the Commander of the Bloodkeeper Unit, and this is for Senior Cheong-myeong or Senior Mi-ryeo."
For a moment, Jeong Yeon-shin's voice became luminous. It carried a strange, resonant quality reminiscent of the Brightfolk. This was a trait that had become prominent ever since he forged the Law-Transcending Halo Qi.
"Stop by Senior Jin, the Commander of the Bloodkeeper Unit, first, and then head to the Demonlight Wing."
When spoken to as if it were a person, the White Swallow usually understood. It would be no different this time.
Flap!
Soaring with a small flap of its wings, the White Swallow quickly receded into the distance. Within a few blinks of an eye, it had turned into a mere white speck in the sky.
While Heonwon Chang and the Lazy Flame Dragon stared blankly upward, Jegal Cheong-a asked quietly.
"Is it really alright for us to leave like this...?"
"We had to disperse anyway. Shaanxi is currently in pandemonium. The Hegemon Sword Sect has risen to power, and Lingering Spirit has also revolted. There is no need to draw the attention of two of the Thirteen Heavens right away. It is better to disguise ourselves, slip out, and link back up one by one."
"I meant leaving without any discussion..."
"I am the commander," Jeong Yeon-shin replied simply as he walked.
The sound of dirt crunching beneath the soles of his leather shoes echoed exceptionally loud.
The vast Desolate Fortress was bustling with the afterglow of the promotion ceremony. The boisterous noise drifted from afar, and the vermilion shadows cast across the sky seemed to dance along with the celebration.
The joyful singing, the hearty shouts, the laughter washing away weariness, and the clinking of wine cups were all deeply familiar.
Step.
The Lazy Flame Dragon, Heonwon Chang, and Jegal Cheong-a followed behind him. Their leisurely, bold, and refined footsteps acted as a reassuring presence at his back.
As they passed various pavilions, more and more people offered fist-to-palm salutes in respect. This continued until they reached the main gate.
"We wish the Commander great martial fortune."
A single gatekeeper warrior's greeting sent them off.
With the orange halo of the setting sun at his back, the Commander of the Demonlight Wing set forth.