Chapter 293: Lotus (12)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 293: Lotus (12)
Whoosh!
Two pitch-black figures sliced through the air. High in the blue sky, the shockwaves of their Body Protection Scriptures rippled and dispersed.
A grumbling voice echoed from above.
"I was so stunned I just let it slide back then. A grandmother! The more I think about it, the angrier I get! Is that really what he thought of me?"
"That is… not correct."
"I was going to give him a good smack on the head, but I held back! The boy looked so depressed!"
"He looked depressed to you? He looked like he'd lost his mind."
"Don't be ridiculous. Our Flash Art is too gentle. He didn't inherit a single drop of Grandpa Ma's blood, I tell you."
"Hmm."
"Don't give me that look. I'll tell you everything later, okay?"
For a moment, Jin Myeong-jo's black robes, which had been fluttering elegantly in the wind, faltered.
"My apologies."
"As you should be."
It was a conversation made possible only by their transcendent Body Protection Scriptures, allowing them to speak freely in midair.
Swallowing dryly, his face impassive, Jin Myeong-jo spoke again.
"...Will the two of us be enough? Against the Jegal Clan Leader, I mean. Flash Art is a significant asset."
"We came here expecting to face the Eon Family's Number One Fist from the start. The youngest will handle her while we take Jegal Gyeon's head."
"Jegal Gyeon?"
"He's like a dog. How is that thing even human? No, even dogs cherish their own offspring."
Just as a disgusted Ak Su-rim was chattering away:
[You're right about one thing. This body has indeed transcended humanity.]
A languid, smooth voice vibrated through the air. If a young Jade Emperor were to speak, it would sound like this.
The clouds scattered, and hibernating beasts were startled from their dens. The Six Harmonies Sound Transmission carried a divine weight.
"The dog is barking. Looks like we blocked his path perfectly."
"I will draw the Dark Night Radiant Blood Magic Sword. If you can buy me just ten breaths…"
Rustle.
Just as Ak Su-rim and Jin Myeong-jo landed on the tops of two arborvitae trees.
Above their heads, a mysterious wave of energy billowed out in all directions, much like the Six Harmonies Sound Transmission.
It did not feel robust like internal energy. It felt auspicious, like a thin, silken veil had been draped over the world.
Soon, a hazy current of air gathered like clouds, scattering the sunlight into colorless rays.
Whoosh!
A pillar of light shot down from the heavens, connecting sky and earth.
* * *
Hanzhong Martial World Alliance.
Alliance Leader's Hall.
Clack.
A precious sword was placed on a rack carved from red sandalwood.
A large hand lightly touched the hilt before sliding slowly down.
The gesture was steeped in deep fatigue. His long sleeves were stained with dust and blood, brushing against the dark hilt of the weapon tied at his waist.
"My old bones ache. I never should have taken this useless position."
A handsome middle-aged man curled his lips into a self-deprecating smile.
"You should rest. They'll be back tomorrow."
The voice came from behind him. When the man turned, he saw a middle-aged man with sharp, sword-like eyebrows adjusting his clothes.
Feng Shui Qigong Master Jegal Cheon.
He was the Alliance's acting chief military strategist. When the Jegal Clan Leader left both the Alliance and his clan, Jegal Cheon had stayed behind.
Thus, he naturally assumed the official position.
Even though the clan leader had departed in disgrace, the prestige of the Jegal Clan had not wavered significantly.
A man like a bat, Sword Saint Hyeon So-baek thought, shaking his head inwardly.
Many noble families had defected. The Martial World Alliance was in such a state that they had to rely on the resourcefulness of even a man like him.
With two of the Thirteen Heavens working together to oust the Hanzhong Martial World Alliance, the Sword Saint was already overwhelmed just keeping them in check.
Hyeon So-baek was a man born with the perfect body for an unparalleled swordsman.
His limbs were long, as were his fingers, which had always held his sword hilt without a single tremor.
"I miss being free to move. When I was a wandering rogue, I dreamt of resting in a grand pavilion like this one. Human nature is a fickle thing."
Now, his long fingers merely clenched and unclenched in the empty air.
Sssss.
Every time he did so, white steam rose from his hands. The natural circulation of his internal energy generated immense heat.
Having just fought a fierce life-and-death duel, the Sword Saint resembled a weary tiger.
"Alliance Leader," Jegal Cheon spoke, gazing quietly at him. "I heard that Hyeon's body has been preserved. The Jegal Clan Leader is currently preoccupied with the martial arts tournament, so we should be able to recover it. I have gathered and sent those with exceptional Body Protection Scriptures…"
"So this old man should just sit quietly here and play the part of a turret on the fortress wall?"
"My apologies."
"Can we not simply go and take that Jegal bastard's head?"
"You know that is impossible. The Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect and the Thirteen Heavens Yeoryeong Lord are problematic enough on their own. But the Jegal Clan Leader, who has perfected his domain and has the Eon Family's Number One Fist by his side, is practically invincible. Even the most precious Dharma Treasure of our main family is in Eon Hwa-ryeon's possession. For you to defeat their combined attack single-handedly…"
The Sword Saint waved his hand, cutting him off.
"That Eon girl…" he began, his voice heavy with complicated emotions. "What could she possibly find so appealing about that pale, useless scoundrel that she would turn her back on her own clan? To even desecrate the corpse of the Namgung clan's pitiful Azure Qilin."
The Eon Family Fist was practically synonymous with the fist arts of the Great Ming.
The martial prowess of the current Eon Family's Number One Fist ranked among the very best of the fist fighters within the Eight Great Families. A master of close-quarters combat, she was also born with an exceptionally sharp eye.
When the Alliance was first established, expectations were so high that many believed they could easily obtain the counter-techniques of hostile sects through her.
"The Duke of Eminent Fists refused to look."
"What?"
"Even when told to examine the traces left by Flash Art on the corpse, she refused. The moment she was handed the book containing the counter-techniques, she burned it on the spot with Samadhi True Fire. As a result, the counter-techniques against the Flash Art lineage were never perfected, and she fell out of favor with the clan leader. Still, the Duke of Eminent Fists couldn't sever her long-standing affection. That's why she followed him."
Jegal Cheon's voice was blunt. The Sword Saint smiled bitterly.
"...It's difficult to comprehend human affection with mere logic. That Jegal scoundrel is far too lucky, more than he deserves. Given her nature, the Eon girl must have felt she had no other choice."
"As long as she remains by the side of the Reincarnated Crouching Dragon, he can operate his sorcery formations freely—unlike in the Alliance, where he had to walk on eggshells around you. It will be difficult to make a move. Please give up."
In an instant, the Sword Saint's refined demeanor vanished, replaced by the scowl of the rogue wanderer he once was.
"Why is it so damned hard to kill one dog of a man? This frustration is going to kill me, you useless punk."
"...It's fine. It's better than you getting your head taken by some wandering master, which would only disgrace the Alliance. Since it's a difficult task for anyone, it's almost a relief."
"No, you lunatic. This old man will reward whoever does it handsomely. Even if I have to climb Mount Song Shaolin again to get another Great Restoration Pill…"
"Please, be prudent."
Jegal Cheon bowed his head slowly.
Hyeon So-baek, who hadn't even pretended to listen, parted his lips in vain for a moment before letting out a long sigh.
"Hyeon, my Seon-ryong. You said you were coming to the Alliance to be our strategist… how could you just leave like this…"
* * *
Waaaaaaah!
The venue, where the local gentry of Shanxi had hoped to display their martial arts and build their fame, had been completely transformed.
Yet, no one showed any sign of disappointment. In fact, it was quite the opposite.
A duel no one could have ever imagined was about to unfold. In that moment, all expectations for the young experts of Shanxi vanished.
"I heard Great Hero Eon's martial arts have become even more formidable than the rumors say… At her age, it's only natural for someone from a noble family, practicing orthodox martial arts, to improve so rapidly, right? Today, I'll truly have my eyes opened."
"Can she even get any stronger? She single-handedly smashed the river bandit fortresses on the Yangtze River when she was just twenty! I heard they called her the Fist Dragon of the Jianghu back when she was just a rising star. This is a battle between two masters who've reached the peak—it all comes down to luck now."
"That guy is the Commander of the Demonlight Wing? Really?"
"He doesn't look like a common rogue, but…"
The Commander of the Demonlight Wing and the Eon Family's Number One Fist.
They were at the absolute pinnacle of the Jianghu.
They were living proof of the world-shaking martial power of the Desolate Fortress and the Eight Great Families. This was an undeniable fact.
The crowd buzzed with excitement.
Whispers spread that they were surely the most noble figures present and that Gwi Il-tae must be drowning in regret right about now.
"Is he really a Black Rank of the Desolate Fortress? This is insane. I need to get out of here! Move! Out of the way!"
"I suspect he might be falsely claiming to be from the Desolate Fortress… but we'll find out soon enough."
"He matches the rumors about Flash Art, the Commander of the Demonlight Wing—his looks, his age, even that arrogant attitude. I vaguely remember the head of the Ghost Valley Trading Company mentioning him once while drunk. It all seems so unreal. What a bizarre person."
"Who was that eldest son of the Shanxi Noble Families insulting earlier?"
Amidst it all, the center of the duel arena was silent.
The two supreme masters slowly released their auras, kicking up dust at their feet. As a faint breeze spread outward, the surrounding clamor gradually subsided.
She has indeed grown stronger.
Jeong Yeon-shin faced the ultimate fist master.
Crackle.
The moment their gazes locked, their intertwined auras clashed, throwing off sparks along the invisible line between them.
The aura Eon Hwa-ryeon radiated was the same as before. Powerful waves of internal energy battered his skin. The persistent gleam in her eyes seemed intent on locking his gaze, and her hands twitched erratically in response to his every breath.
That was why it was strange.
His own martial skill had improved significantly since the Sect Founding Ceremony. So why did the opponent he'd already defeated feel just as formidable?
After all, wasn't she the one who had devised a counter-technique using the corpse of the Azure Qilin, Namgung Se-jin, and the machinations of the Jegal Clan Leader?
I should be seeing plenty of openings, so why are there still only one or two?
Somewhat bewildered, Jeong Yeon-shin took the starting stance of the Brilliant River fist technique.
With his right foot back and only the back of his left hand slightly raised, it was a posture that seemed relaxed and arrogant for a life-and-death duel between supreme experts. Yet, it was a starting stance that revealed not a single opening.
Eon Hwa-ryeon smiled, satisfied.
"Your conduct is befitting of your station. If a person's worth is measured by talent, few in this world could surpass you. My journey here was not in vain."
"I have no interest in your intentions. Come."
Jeong Yeon-shin beckoned with a slight flick of his raised fingertips.
She was an obstacle to his mission. Even if she seemed disillusioned with the Jegal Clan Leader, she was still helping him now. She was here to avenge her defeat as a martial artist, yet she couldn't abandon her lover. There was no need for more questions. It was time to fight.
"The world is vast, finding a true connection is difficult, and it is harder still for a martial artist to find the meaning of their existence."
The Eon Family's Number One Fist, the Duke of Eminent Fists, clasped her hands and raised them briefly.
"Remember this Eon Hwa-ryeon. My moniker is the Duke of Eminent Fists, and my courtesy name is Mengwei. I trained in the 180-Move Eon Family Divine Fist of the Eon clan based in Jinju. I throw myself fully against the Commander of the Demonlight Wing not by the coercion of my lover, but of my own free will."
Her words were as refined as if she were entering a formal duel of a prestigious orthodox sect.
The Eight Families. The Eight Great Families.
Jeong Yeon-shin saw the shadow of the Azure Qilin, Namgung Se-jin, overlapping with her.
He even felt the purity of Seon-ryong Jegal Hyeon, who, despite challenging him upon their first meeting, had not hesitated to offer advice on the principles of Go and life.
"On reflection, I find your existence a delight, Flash Art, Commander of the Demonlight Wing. Through you, I will leave a meaningful mark, just as the Sword Sect carved its legacy into the cliffs of Mount Zhongnan. You will face the culmination of my life's work."
Unclasping her arms, Eon Hwa-ryeon swept one foot forward.
Whoosh!
The tips of her black hair, which reached her neck, fluttered wildly. A powerful wave of energy erupted from the Yongquan point on the sole of her foot.
The air warped around her body as if in the heat of midsummer, and an invisible barrier of internal energy seemed to solidify, wrapping tightly around her.
Gasps of admiration for her Astral Qi Technique rippled through the crowd. Whispers followed, saying she truly deserved to be called the invincible fist of the Eight Great Families.
So she wasn't going all out back then?
Jeong Yeon-shin's eyes darkened.
Why even make a distinction between being serious in a fight or not? What a fool.
The image of the loose, drunken woman he had first met vanished without a trace. Her subsequent movements proved it.
She leaned her waist back slightly, but only for a fleeting moment.
Boom!
In an instant, she tore through the air, her figure seeming to expand as she closed the distance. It was a sublime Bow Body Springing Shadow, its instantaneous acceleration immense.
The fist she threw from her hip carried enough destructive force to make the very earth shake.
Dozens of overlapping shockwaves pressed against Jeong Yeon-shin's hand with a blunt, heavy force.
The moment he felt it, she was already close enough to feel her breath.
The distance of close-quarters combat. The domain of a fist fighter.
He did not dodge. From the moment he stepped onto the duel arena, he had clad both hands in the spirit of the Azure Qilin.
A strange monkey. Should I stretch out the forms a bit longer?
The moment he slightly tilted his hand, which was enveloped in Brilliant River, the side of Eon Hwa-ryeon's fist made contact with his palm.
A fraction of a second, shorter than a single breath.
Tap.
She was an opponent not to be underestimated. He thought pushing her back first was the priority.
The Azure Qilin did not agree.
Kabaam!
He struck empty air, yet the very axis of the earth seemed to shake. The sky rippled as if it were the surface of a lake. Translucent, concentric circles spread through the atmosphere like massive waves, accompanied by fragments of shattered Astral Qi that glittered like shards of glass.
"Gasp!"
"Get down!"
"By Yuanshi Tianzun!"
Rumble!
One side of the duel arena collapsed under the dispersing shockwave, sending many onlookers who had been craning their necks to watch sprawling in all directions.
Frantic shouts, gasps of shock, and screams erupted everywhere as people fell, scrambling to cover their ears and faces.