Chapter 317: Heonwon (12)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 317: Heonwon (12)
Radiant Wing Fifth Step.
A technique encompassing five wondrous steps.
Jeong Yeon-shin had drawn inspiration from the lingering traces of the Vajra Immovable Body Art.
He had visualized completing the Radiant Wing Step up to its fifth iteration. The sudden goal he had set for himself was realized the moment he snapped back to reality.
It was a movement technique he had created back when he was a White Rank.
When he first devised the first step, he believed that mastering the Radiant Wing Tenth Step would allow him to hold his own as the Commander of the Divine Sword Corps.
The Radiant Wing Step, previously stalled at the second step, had advanced three more stages in an instant. Thus, the Radiant Wing Fifth Step was born.
It was a martial art designed to seize absolute control over the distance between opponents. By the seventh step, he might be able to toy with his opponent's very breathing at will.
It was a grand achievement—one worth savoring as he gazed up at the sunset sky.
"How dare you... how dare you...!"
The Twin-Wing Blood Venerable lay suppressed beneath Great Monk Wonjeok.
Jeong Yeon-shin's landing had triggered a massive aftershock. He had touched down while perfectly replicating the Vajra Immovable Body Art.
That explosive force, loaded with monstrous leg strength, traveled straight up the Glass Spirit Sword and severed the Twin-Wing Blood Venerable's arm ligaments. By the time the Venerable realized what had happened, the sleeves of his martial robes had already been shredded to pieces.
It was because of this overwhelming strike that Jeong Yeon-shin and Great Monk Wonjeok had the leisure to share a brief conversation in the midst of battle.
The old adage that "he who strikes first wins" held perfectly true.
The Twin-Wing Blood Venerable.
He had allowed two supreme experts to land the first blow. A swordsman stripped of his sword force was in no position to face one of the Shaolin Four Great Vajras.
He couldn't even pursue Jeong Yeon-shin, who stepped unsteadily off the Glass Spirit Sword.
"You bastard! What kind of technique did you just...!"
"I suppose you were right. It wasn't that difficult."
Jeong Yeon-shin's half-hearted reply caused the Twin-Wing Blood Venerable's sword moves to lose their precision. As he desperately parried Great Monk Wonjeok's staff techniques, his hands rapidly grew chaotic.
Jeong Yeon-shin's interest in the man vanished at that exact moment. He must have slacked on his endurance training.
Though a tremendous battle had unfolded to suppress the Venerable, it failed to leave a deep impression on Jeong Yeon-shin. He had already witnessed numerous peerless masters of the Purple Rank.
Only Great Monk Wonjeok's profound and lofty strikes occasionally made his toes twitch with martial excitement.
To one side of the shattered rock fragments.
Ssssshh—
Thick dust swirled, blurring the surroundings. It was the aftermath of a battle that had ended all too quickly.
In fact, using the life of the Twin-Wing Blood Venerable—the commander of the martial arts army—as leverage to gather the village commoners from beyond the distant hill had taken far longer.
None of the villagers were injured. It seemed they had survived by submissively complying the moment they saw the warriors of the Deep Martial Alliance.
A high level of worldly wisdom dwelt within that village; their survival instincts were excellent.
Even so, they had been blessed by the heavens. There was no telling what would have happened to them had Jeong Yeon-shin's group arrived even a moment later.
"To think you would look after us ignorant folk like this... Thank you, thank you so very much."
"Thank you, handsome immortal monk. Amitabha...!"
"How ignorant! Temples aren't Taoist! That young Taoist priest from the Great Mount Hua over there is the immortal!"
"I wish I could at least hold the hand of that young noble lord over there. How can someone look so beautiful?"
"They say the people of Shanxi are generally bold and open-minded... but please step back! The martial arts army of the Deep Martial Alliance is still out there! It would be best to lock your doors and not come out until the sun rises tomorrow!"
Yu-hyeon glanced back at Jeong Yeon-shin as he ushered the villagers away, insisting that his friend and the monk had done all the work.
Though he looked troubled by the overwhelming attention, his hand gestures waving them off were firm.
From the commoners peeking out from afar, excited whispers of "Four Great Vajras" and "Lotus Nezha" drifted over.
Gun Yurin and Jeon Baek did nothing.
They belonged to the Heterodox Sects. Gun Yurin's reason for pretending to surrender to the Twin-Wing Blood Venerable likely had nothing to do with righteousness.
She was someone who placed immense value on her own dignity, pride, and reputation. Her attitude when dealing with the Twin-Wing Blood Venerable had reflected exactly that. It was closer to the indignation of a prestigious clan's successor whose pride had been wounded.
She expressed her gratitude only to Jeong Yeon-shin, repeatedly stealing glances at him with eyes filled with newfound shock.
Now, Gun Yurin had gone to inspect the martial arts army.
The warriors of the Deep Martial Alliance.
They had arrived immediately after the Twin-Wing Blood Venerable was taken hostage.
Standing just beyond the thick foliage, they had witnessed their leader being captured alive.
Consequently, they absolutely did not make any hasty approaches.
This hesitation was proof of the status the Three Martial Venerables held within the Deep Martial Alliance. However, because their numbers were so vast, even Great Monk Wonjeok did not act rashly.
It was only natural; it was said that only the Shaolin Abbot possessed the martial prowess to match a thousand men alone.
If a large-scale battle broke out here, they would have to bear the devastating consequences it would inflict on the commoners.
Even now, the distinct presence of the Deep Martial Alliance continued to swarm through the mountain terrain like a colony of ants.
"Amitabha... What should be done with these sentient beings?"
Only the towering presence of Great Monk Wonjeok kept the martial arts army at bay.
He stole glances at Jeong Yeon-shin whenever he had a spare moment, looking as though he had much to discuss regarding the Dao of martial arts.
Groan—
The Twin-Wing Blood Venerable lay collapsed, one of his legs bent awkwardly to the side. He remained at the feet of Great Monk Wonjeok, who stood leaning on his long staff. With the bones in both of his arms completely shattered, the Venerable couldn't even support his own body weight.
Jeong Yeon-shin sat down on a patch of ground relatively free of stone debris. He had just returned from helping Yu-hyeon find and escort the commoners.
The sprawled-out Twin-Wing Blood Venerable's eyes followed him, ignoring Great Monk Wonjeok, but Jeong Yeon-shin didn't spare the defeated man a single glance. He was entirely focused on inspecting his own internal state.
My bones and muscles almost ruptured.
Slowly, he pulled his right leg up toward his chest.
Slide.
Only after resting his elbow on his knee did the pain finally catch up to him. A dull, aching sensation spread from his ankle ligaments, up through his calf muscles, into his thigh, and all the way to his waist.
It was a warning sign. It was the price of forcing the pathways of the Vajra Immovable Body Art with an unsound body.
And yet.
He felt good.
It would be more accurate to say he felt refreshed. He had felt a deep sense of affinity with Great Monk Wonjeok's martial arts.
As techniques carrying the weight of history unfolded before him, Jeong Yeon-shin's hyper-refined senses traced those martial arts back to their very origin.
It felt as though he had gained a companion on his path.
Even though Zen Master Bodhidharma was no longer in this world, connecting with his martial legacy was a great comfort.
It was like a single oil lamp lit in a cold, dark room.
The Shaolin 72 Arts.
How many of them were Bodhidharma's true legacy?
Jeong Yeon-shin wondered as he regulated his body with the gentle flow of the Jeong Family Dynamic Art. He wanted to experience them all.
It was then.
Whoosh—
A gentle breeze swept past his face, accompanied by light footsteps. The quiet, free-spirited nature of the presence was familiar. It was the energy of the Mount Hua Dark Fragrance Drift.
"What was that Body Protection Scripture earlier? You vanished in an instant."
It was Yu-hyeon, returning from the village.
Jeong Yeon-shin replied indifferently.
"Your eyes just couldn't keep up. You need to train your eye techniques more diligently."
"That's not what I meant. And you bastard, if you keep spitting nothing but the cold hard truth like that, you're going to get on the bad side of your sect's superiors..."
Yu-hyeon, who had been grumbling with a furrowed brow, suddenly trailed off. Wait, as the Commander of the Demonlight Wing, he's already a superior.
"Do you still have the Purple Grace Pill? Don't crush it by keeping it stuffed in your robes."
"I put it in my satchel."
"Don't talk about things like that so carelessly in public! Something like the Purple Grace Pill is enough to cause a bloodbath in the Jianghu. There are countless people targeting it. If you carry it around carelessly, you'll be torn to shreds in no time."
"The Desolate Fortress's satchels are sturdy. They can hold all sorts of things."
"Sure, sure. Of all the people to worry about, why did I have to worry about the Lotus Nezha..."
Yu-hyeon brushed off the plum blossom embroidery on his sleeve. He had a satchel of a different shape than Jeong Yeon-shin's slung over one shoulder.
Jeong Yeon-shin knew that the only thing inside that large pouch was Fasting Pills. Despite his somewhat frivolous demeanor, his friend was a true Taoist at heart.
"Are you leaving?"
"Yeah. I've delivered the spirit elixir safely, so I'm heading back. I thought about traveling the Jianghu with you for a bit, but I can't handle the kind of Jianghu that a Desolate Fortress Unit Commander deals with yet. Rather than being a burden, I'd be better off doing closed-door cultivation at Jade Maiden Peak."
"A burden?"
"I'm just a mere rising star. This is an affair that even old-timers like the Blade Marquis of the Peng Family or that Hwangbo Poppy Addict could barely squeeze themselves into. Let's catch up when we both have some breathing room. We have plenty of time."
"...Yeah, let's do that."
"Drop by Great Mount Hua sometime. Master said she wanted to see you."
"Give my regards to the Saint Flower Sword God."
"Take care of your body, too. To digest the spirit elixir, you need to treat your internal injuries first. Though, I suppose it's hard to draw out the full power of the Purple Grace Pill without the Purple Mist Divine Art."
Jeong Yeon-shin nodded silently.
Had seeing the Twin-Wing Blood Venerable take the commoners hostage made Yu-hyeon talk about being a burden?
The difference in their martial prowess was immense. Even with the achievements Yu-hyeon had made, that gap remained undeniable.
It seemed Yu-hyeon had judged that entering a battlefield where the Killing Gate, the Moyong Clan, and the Deep Martial Alliance were all entangled would only make him a nuisance.
Yet, there was no trace of despair on his friend's face.
Was it because he was confident that he would one day rise to a position where he could look down on the Heterodox Sects?
If he took his time and cultivated over the years, he would surely achieve it. Just like Lady Yul-ha, who had used the sunset as her sword.
Yu-hyeon grinned.
"Take care."
"Safe travels."
The hem of his white Taoist robe fluttered loosely in the wind.
And so, Jeong Yeon-shin's friend departed.
Before leaving the outskirts of the village, Yu-hyeon also exchanged farewells with Great Monk Wonjeok. However, the Brightfolk high monk merely raised a single hand in a lukewarm greeting—a stark contrast to how he treated Jeong Yeon-shin.
Gun Yurin returned only after fifteen minutes had passed. She paid no attention to the one-armed Jeon Baek, who followed her and stood respectfully by her side.
She merely watched Jeong Yeon-shin and Great Monk Wonjeok alternately with cautious eyes.
Her footsteps led her toward Jeong Yeon-shin.
Crunch.
Her feet sank deep into the snow. The strength in her leg movements was different from before. It was as if her very body was declaring that she had successfully taken control of the martial arts army.
Indeed, a massive presence was receding behind Gun Yurin's back.
Whether she had leveraged her bloodline as the daughter of the Deep Martial Alliance Leader or employed some unimaginable diplomacy was unknown.
She spoke.
"Where is the young Flat-cap?"
"Flat-cap?"
"My apologies. The young Taoist?"
"He left."
"Does that mean your responsibility has disappeared?"
"It just feels a bit emptier."
At his calm reply, Gun Yurin tilted her head slightly.
"So you have a knack for jokes too? As expected, the current Commander of the Demonlight Wing is a man of many talents."
"And the martial arts army?"
"As you can see, I made them withdraw. In any case, our alliance cannot commit plunder in areas monitored by the sword of the Ming Imperial Family. I plan to strike the Killing Gate with only my subordinates. You'll come with me, right?"
"Are you sure you know their exact location?"
"Of course. I've been preparing for this for years. A few spots got caught in my net of heaven and earth. I interrogated a few of the guys I just dismissed, and they confirmed there's a safehouse of the Killing Gate in Taiyuan as well."
"Taiyuan?"
"Yes. It was right under our noses. That must be their main headquarters."
Before she knew it, the corners of her mouth had curved upward into a smirk.
"Let's head straight there now. If we set our destination as Taiyuan, it won't take long."
Her voice was laced with ecstasy. Were the achievements of annihilating the Killing Gate and securing the legacy of the Tomb of the Heavenly Demon truly that grand?
Jeong Yeon-shin, who had been staring quietly at Gun Yurin, finally parted his lips. They had traveled together for quite some time now. There was something he needed to address.
"The alliance you belong to is trash."
"...That's a bit too blunt. I'd prefer you call us the Heterodox Sects."
"I know your personal conduct is far from evil. But your goal is to sit on a throne of trash, after getting rid of that bastard of an Eldest Son."
"That's true. I have to do that to survive. Even if I give up my right to succession, it's still a problem. That brother of mine will gladly come to eliminate any future trouble, won't he? He won't rest until he takes my head."
"If your words aren't hypocrisy..."
The snow crunched beneath Jeong Yeon-shin's feet as he slowly stood up.
"...Then you wouldn't care if the Deep Martial Alliance suffered damage akin to total destruction."
"..."
Gun Yurin fell silent for a moment, wetting her lips with her tongue.
"...The Ming Imperial Family won't like that. My damn alliance is, believe it or not, a major pillar of the northern front. Since there's nothing that can easily replace us, the military tolerates our martial arts army. Besides, our strength is far from something that can be easily destroyed."
"I asked if you are fine with losing the trash," Jeong Yeon-shin cut her off, his voice quiet but piercing.
"..."
Silence drifted along with the faint flurries of snow. Gun Yurin could not answer.
* * *
A place very far from Shanxi. A vast, snow-white fortress.
It was a place where wood was hard to find.
The walls of the spacious Inner Castle were built from carved rock, and only the trees lined up along the scattered lakeshores possessed any living vitality.
It was a place where even the passing servants possessed at least one extraordinary trait. The presence of those coming and going was so outstanding that it constantly prompted exaggerated remarks.
"Did you hear? A maid is learning martial arts."
"A maid who didn't know martial arts was admitted? What a strange occurrence."
"I heard a Black Rank promotion ceremony is going to be held... It's exceptionally fast."
"Really? Is that rumor from the Chief Steward's Office?"
"Forget it. It's far too early for you. Why covet sour grapes just because the Commander of the Demonlight Wing has risen to the Black Rank...?"
"They say an explosion went off at the Wish-for-Peace One Sword Hall! Let's go watch!"
The main fortress of the Desolate Fortress was always like this—constantly bustling with massive crowds.
Even as a well-built middle-aged man crossed the path with a dozen subordinates in tow, the clamor did not subside.
Grand Steward Im Jin-myeong slightly furrowed his brow.
"Which Unit Commanders have arrived at the stone seats now...?"
"The Commander of the Searing Abyss Unit, the Commander of the Thread-Annihilation Unit, and the Lord of the Wish-Fulfilling Spring."
A warrior with a scholarly air quickly caught up to his side to report. It was Gang Un-chan, who had previously fought a duel against the Divine Hero of the Desolate Fortress for a Blue Rank promotion.
"It seems the Lord of the Wish-Fulfilling Spring is throwing another fit."
"That appears to be the case. Her relationship with the Commander of the Searing Abyss Unit is quite poor."
"Call the stonemasons. And have extra desks brought in."
"I have already given the orders."
"I don't even want to go. We've received some unbelievable good news for the first time in a long while, but having to bring it up at the Wish-for-Peace One Sword Hall is..."
The Grand Steward trailed off.
Splendid handwriting was inscribed on the scroll he held in his hand.
[Mission Report: Shanxi Developments]
"No, wait. Isn't this the perfect weapon to suppress those formidable troublemakers?"
Veins bulged slightly on the hand gripping the document. The Grand Steward muttered slowly to himself. It would be a hundred times better to make this known immediately.