Chapter 284: Lotus (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 284: Lotus (3)
Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes widened.
The halo of the winter sun seemed to shimmer in the distance, and a brief wave of dizziness washed over him.
With the antique red sandalwood gate behind them, a handsome man and a beautiful woman in scarlet martial robes stood looking toward the scholar Go Jin, each wearing a different expression.
He could tell at a glance that they exuded an elegant aura—the distinct dignity of a prestigious clan.
'Direct descendants of the Gongya Clan?'
He didn't let himself be disappointed just yet. They had to possess some innate talent, he figured. As the children of a prestigious family, they had to be different from those of the Jeong Family Manor, which could hardly even be called a martial clan.
He had heard they were renowned aristocrats in Shanxi. Even if their bodies seemed somewhat poorly trained for the direct heirs of a prestigious lineage, their innate senses would surely compensate.
He shouldn't jump to conclusions. The voices of Hye-ah and the Azure Qilin in his head told him as much.
"Teacher Go!"
"You're safe!"
The noble lady and young master welcomed Go Jin, their movements light as they rushed over using their footwork techniques. Their rapidly approaching red robes fluttered, kicking up dust from the ground.
Step.
They halted, their faces lit with delight.
The siblings resembled each other. With eyes as sharp as sword blades and elegant jawlines, they possessed a temperament that perfectly suited their scarlet martial robes. The effortless grace of those raised in luxury was evident in their every move, even in the simple act of adjusting their clothes.
The woman, whose hair was slightly longer than her younger brother's, spoke first. She looked to be about twenty, with a physical balance more stable than the Second Young Master's and an aura that was correspondingly bolder. She was the Grand Lady of the Gongya Clan.
"I was deeply worried when I heard you hadn't returned by daybreak. I was just about to go look for you, so seeing you now is a great relief."
Her voice was a pleasant, low tone. The Second Young Master, who looked slightly younger, spoke in a higher pitch.
"There are many enemies about, so you should bring guards with you next time. Dishonorably discharged soldiers have formed the Green Forest. The roads are treacherous."
The Second Young Master, with his smooth, long hair, looked the scholar up and down, as if checking for any injuries.
Scholar Go Jin seemed to be quite well-liked. He smiled sheepishly.
"I am sorry to have caused you concern. I was welcoming an old acquaintance..."
"I was curious about that. I could see a striking figure even from afar."
The Grand Lady’s eyes met Jeong Yeon-shin’s. They were of similar height.
Jeong Yeon-shin flinched inwardly, feeling a prick of guilt. Her obsidian-like eyes felt strangely deep. Befitting the Grand Lady who would one day lead the clan, her gaze seemed to say that one could not judge a person by their martial prowess alone. For a brief moment, he couldn't help but reflect on his own assumptions.
"He is my savior," Go Jin explained. "On my way to the metropolitan examination, he cut down the Green Forest bandits we encountered with a single strike. He has even driven away Blood Ghosts on a few occasions."
"I am Geom Un-bi, master of the Hanging Jade Sect. I am searching for the successor of a unified martial lineage," Jeong Yeon-shin said, clasping his hands in greeting.
The Grand Lady immediately returned the salute.
"I am Gongya Jeong. Regardless of age, you are the leader of a sect. Since you are Teacher Go's savior, you are a friend to our clan. I hope you will stay comfortably."
Her tone was gentle, yet her manner of speech was formal.
Though not one of the Eight Great Families of the Jianghu, her family was widely known as a noble clan in Shanxi, a region with no great sects. It seemed her heavy responsibilities shaped her words and actions. This was also true of her subconscious attitude, which prioritized her status as a local aristocrat over the etiquette of the martial world. The master of an obscure, single-successor sect could not expect the full respect of a successor to a powerful martial aristocracy. Such was the reality of the Jianghu, made harsh by years of famine.
In contrast, the Second Young Master’s manner was much more casual. His wide, round eyes held no formality. He seemed to be around the same age as Jeong Yeon-shin.
"I'm Gongya Su! By any chance, do you have any Brightfolk among your ancestors?"
"No."
"Well, you're certainly handsome enough to boost the pride of the Han people! I'd love to introduce you to my friends! If you don't have a title, may I give you one? How about the Jade-Faced Divine Sword?"
"No, thank you."
"How modest! Shall we go boating on North Lake? With your looks, our peers would be dying to join us! And 'Divine Sword' is just a common title, anyway."
"That is out of the question."
And he truly meant it. The Commander of the Demonlight Wing did not get swept up in the cheerful banter of the Second Young Master, Gongya Su. He had heard a title that was not meant for just anyone, but one that touched the very end of a life's trajectory.
Not just Jeong Yeon-shin, but no one in the Desolate Fortress used the title "Divine Sword" lightly. It was a name permitted only to the Commander.
Beside them, Go Jin's smile stiffened slightly.
"He is someone I urgently invited after considering the Grand Lady's worries. Despite my humble connection, he graciously agreed to come. I guarantee this will be a fated encounter."
"Worries... and a fated encounter?"
The Grand Lady, Gongya Jeong, furrowed her smooth brow. Go Jin waved his hands dismissively.
"I have not yet dared to bring it up with Sect Master Geom. However, what the Grand Lady is thinking is likely correct. You may simply think of it as this scholar bringing a different kind of learning."
"I am still not quite sure. This is all so sudden... But we will treat you with hospitality so you can recover from your journey."
She deftly changed the subject. At the same time, Go Jin offered a feigned apology to Jeong Yeon-shin.
"I worry I may have offended you, Sect Master Geom. There are private matters within the clan that I could not speak of, so I beg your understanding."
"It is fine. I shall impose on your hospitality for a while."
Jeong Yeon-shin put on the confident air of the master of the Hanging Jade Sect. He had already gone over the story with Ak Su-rim several times. She had told him it was fine to be a bit shameless, though the details were rather complicated. She had also advised him not to think like the Nine Sects, saying that a magnanimous personality was as important a virtue as proper modesty.
Jeong Yeon-shin understood this to mean that in the lower rungs of the Jianghu, boldness was proportional to one's martial arts.
'This is difficult.'
He still didn't understand that kind of boisterous temperament. Behaviors like being magnanimous, bold, or arrogant did not suit him. He was always too busy focusing on completing his missions with a humble attitude.
However, judging by the reactions of the Grand Lady and the Second Young Master, they seemed to accept his demeanor as it was. It appeared natural enough. What a relief.
The Grand Lady, Gongya Jeong, turned.
"I will arrange for you to stay in Teacher Go's annex. Welcome to our home."
Her voice swept through the air with a gentle resonance, imbued with the dignity unique to the successor of a prestigious family.
The four of them walked through the crisp winter air.
Jeong Yeon-shin asked in passing, "What about the gatekeepers...?"
"Ah, I should tell the warriors we sent to find Teacher Go to return. Quite a few of them went out," the Second Young Master, Gongya Su, replied casually.
The Commander of the Demonlight Wing did not respond.
* * *
Jeong Yeon-shin unpacked his travel bag in a cozy room.
The faint scent of wood tickled his nose. The wood of both the tea table and the bed was smooth to the touch.
Just as a cotton blanket woven from blue silk caught his eye, there was a knock on the door. It was Go Jin, requesting to see him.
"Sect Master Geom."
"Scholar Go."
Jeong Yeon-shin offered Go Jin a seat. He was a subordinate from the Netherflow Unit with whom he would discuss the affairs of the main fortress and coordinate his movements for the time being. Since he was hiding his identity, his movements were restricted, and he would have to entrust Go Jin with many tasks.
"Time is scarce," Go Jin said.
"With your martial prowess, Sect Master Geom, it is only natural that you feel that way."
"It's essentially a proxy duel. I've never experienced anything like this before."
Wouldn't it be better to hide his identity and participate in the martial arts tournament himself? But that was impossible. A human skin mask was easily seen through by the sharp eyes of an expert. Furthermore, the martial arts tournament in Shanxi was said to be a social gathering for exchanging friendship through swords—merely a meeting for those in the know to confirm each other's martial prowess.
'Can I really turn a gatekeeper into an elite warrior?' Jeong Yeon-shin asked himself inwardly.
He didn't show it, but he was deeply shocked. Shouldn't he have left this to his reliable seniors? However, Ak Su-rim looked even younger than he did. The Commander of the Bloodkeeper Unit was also a problem; it was said his eerie aura would make it difficult to gain anyone's trust. To the current Commander of the Demonlight Wing, this made no sense. They were so stylish.
"Is her talent decent? I hope she has some sense of real combat."
"From what I've seen, she seems outstanding. They say the Grand Lady's position as successor has never wavered within the family."
"I see."
"That is fortunate," Go Jin said with a slight smile.
Then, risking rudeness, he carefully examined Jeong Yeon-shin's face. He still couldn't believe it. While the Second Young Master, Gongya Su, had been pampered and loved by his entire family, the Commander of the Demonlight Wing had spent those same years mastering terrifying light-footwork and mysterious arts.
It was astonishing.
'Shanxi has rarely been the center of the Jianghu...'
A life-and-death duel between the Jegal Clan Leader and three Black Ranks of the Desolate Fortress. Even imagining such a scene sent a shiver down his spine. How would it unfold? Who would witness it? The moment it became widely known, it would be a monumental event that would trigger a massive migration across the entire Jianghu.
"The news of Sect Master Geom's visit must have reached the leadership of the Gongya Clan," Go Jin said. "Since I have praised you highly on multiple occasions, they will likely host a reception at least once out of respect for this scholar. I suspect they might try to test your abilities there... It would be wise to have your clothes ironed in preparation for the banquet."
"Very well."
"Ah? If you leave it to the servants, they will take care of it."
"I see."
Jeong Yeon-shin, who had been reaching for his travel bag, withdrew his hand.
This was the first time he had been to a clan manor since leaving the Jeong Family Manor. It carried a strange scent. The Second Young Master and the Grand Lady, who seemed to have grown up receiving endless love, and the annex, which looked polished yet felt desolate.
'I must keep my Law-Transcending Halo Qi sharply honed. Just in case I run into the Jegal Clan Leader.'
After sending Go Jin out, Jeong Yeon-shin sat cross-legged.
* * *
The sun and moon met four times.
Geom Un-bi, master of the Hanging Jade Sect, stayed in the unfamiliar annex for four days. The food was excellent. As the savior of the clan's scholar, he received extremely hospitable treatment.
But that was all. No one from the Gongya Clan sought him out.
In two shijin, the fifth day would begin. By now, it was hard to tell whether this was neglect or hospitality. Yet, it felt incredibly familiar.
It felt as if he had returned to the Jeong Family Manor. A cold, indifferent silence.
Local aristocrats, who had much to protect, were naturally wary. Only Go Jin, the warrior from the Desolate Fortress, would visit occasionally, bowing his head with an apologetic expression. Even if Jeong Yeon-shin was said to be quite strong, his young age made it ambiguous whether they could cast aside their pride to ask him for guidance. Since the Grand Lady was the successor, it was an issue they would ponder over even more.
"……"
The long, dark brown wooden floor of the annex.
Jeong Yeon-shin stared blankly as the winter sunlight was swallowed by the twilight.
The feeling of briefly returning to the Jeong Family Manor wasn't entirely bad. He could clearly feel the warmth of the Jeong Family Dynamic Art permeating his body. The mental image of his mother that he had created for himself always cradled him from loneliness.
Rather, it was the absence of his fellow disciples from the Desolate Fortress that felt vast. It was the price of mastering such rapid light-footwork—a newfound vulnerability to the silence.
'Still... I have work to do.'
Rustle.
He slowly stood up. His time for contemplating how much of himself to reveal had come to an end.
* * *
"White Cat of the Shin family, a blanket is sticking out of your travel bag. It is an eyesore. As a Blue Rank, I advise you to tuck it in properly. And tread lightly on the grass. Act like a warrior serving the Castle Lord. You are ruining the charm of the mountain path."
"And I find the sound of you chewing on that blade of grass annoying."
"Whatever. I can understand the Jegal kid, but why is the big-tongued swordsman looking so miserable too? Hey, say something silly like you usually do."
"……"
"With the Unit Commander gone, everything is acting so strange. Maybe this young master should practice light-footwork too. I'll create a brand new, amazing one."
"Pardon?"
"That constellation light-footwork... Ten-Mile Light Grace, was it? It made my family's Yeojo Cheonwang Scripture look shabby in comparison. It was absolutely thrilling."
"What a bluff. If it were that easy to create, even Senior Poppy would be a Unit Commander."
"White Cat, White Cat. Didn't you also broaden your horizons with this young master's Vast Art Formula—Flame River?"
"Our Unit Commander's martial lineage is perfect even without that."
"Right, right. In any case, we're the ones drawing attention in Shanxi, aren't we? It would be strange for the main fortress to stay quiet, pretending they know nothing of Uncle Jegal's tricks. As a result, our radius of activity for this mission is wider than the Unit Commander's."
"Yes. And if we happen to run into the Unit Commander, we pretend not to know him. Though we likely won't enter the Gongya estate anyway."
"With our Unit Commander's personality, anything could happen. If he were this young master's younger brother, I would have handed over the successor position long ago, bowed my head, and lived a life of leisure. The name 'Hwangbo the Scoundrel' would have vanished, and 'Hwangbo Heavenly Demon' would have stood tall. In about ten years, wouldn't our Unit Commander be called the Desolate Divine Demon?"
"Don't measure the Unit Commander's patience with your narrow perspective, Senior."
"Isn't causing trouble the very foundation of the Desolate Fortress? I'm trying to vent all my pent-up frustration here in Shanxi, so imagine how our Unit Commander must feel. Isn't it better than being neglected in the Gongya household? Since the Unit Commander is around your age, it's easy for them to look down on him."
"If that really happens, there won't even be a place for you to step in, Senior Poppy."
"What a fierce fighting spirit. Yes, indeed."