Chapter 32: Expert
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 32: Expert
They say the intuition of an expert sometimes transcends the realm of understanding. But this time was different.
Many wore expressions of utter bewilderment, unable to process what they were witnessing with their own eyes. Even the experts of the Zhongnan Sect were no exception.
The severed head of a Hegemon Sword Sect elder dangled from the hand of a young swordsman. It was a sight no one could have ever imagined.
"The Eight-Fanged Rakshasa Sword...? Is that really the old master?"
"How... how could this happen? At the hands of a mere child?"
"The Rakshasa Sword has met his end? I can't believe this..."
This reality-defying sight stripped the warriors of their will to fight.
The Hegemon Sword Sect was no exception. It was a scene steeped in a strange, violent, and chaotic power.
This was the exact situation Jeong Yeon-shin had engineered. It was a feat entirely incomprehensible to the human mind.
Right then, Heonwon Chang sprang to his feet. Rising with a sudden surge of energy—as if he hadn't just been knocked down moments prior—his fluttering aura blew the dust right off his clothes.
With the Hero's Headband fluttering around his forehead, he squared his broad shoulders, his handsome features set in a proud expression, and bellowed.
"The guest of the Zhongnan Sect! Jeong Yeon-shin, the Flash Art of the Desolate Fortress!"
His voice was heavily infused with True Qi.
It was a level of internal energy far greater than Jeong Yeon-shin had anticipated. Carrying the full weight of his power, Heonwon Chang's voice echoed in all directions with remarkable mastery.
"Has decapitated the elder of the Hegemon Sword Sect!"
His voice erupted like a thunderous roar. It was astonishing that he had been hiding such deep reserves of internal energy.
An immense feat had been achieved.
Heonwon Chang had seized the perfect moment to clearly announce Yeon-shin's identity, ensuring he received the credit. It was a quick-witted display of resourcefulness, highly fitting for a Divine Hero of the Desolate Fortress.
"Young Hero Jeong really...!"
"The Eight-Fanged Rakshasa Sword is dead!"
"Waaaaah!"
The young experts of the Zhongnan Sect were deeply stirred. Awe and sheer joy washed over their faces.
Some erupted into unprecedented cheers.
"That boy!"
"He actually pulled it off!"
Capitalizing on the shock, the sword strikes of Yeo Il-shin and the Sword Immortal of Zhongnan began to yield maximum effect.
They unleashed their full momentum, driving back the bewildered enemies.
The Flash Art of the Desolate Fortress's Demonlight Wing. The shift in the tide brought about by a single boy crashed over the battlefield like a torrential waterfall.
The Hegemon Sword Sect was pushed back helplessly. Devastating blows rained down on them from all sides.
Amidst the chaos, Jeong Yeon-shin stared at the Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect. Their eyes met.
Even while parrying the sword of the Zhongnan Sect Leader, the Lord stared back at the boy with a burning intensity, as if engraving Yeon-shin's face into his very soul.
Just wait.
He was a powerhouse so formidable it was difficult to even look up at him. Right now, merely being the subject of his gaze felt as though it would shake Yeon-shin's very soul.
Time was undoubtedly Jeong Yeon-shin's enemy. Yet, it was also a friend that would grant him boundless strength.
Four years should be enough for you, too.
The peerless Lord of the Hegemon Sword Sect would not die here today. Jeong Yeon-shin turned away.
* * *
The Hegemon Sword Sect was ultimately routed. It was a grand victory for the Zhongnan Sect.
A clash between the Thirteen Heavens and the Nine Sects was by no means a common occurrence.
The mere fact that they had clashed and reached a decisive, visible conclusion was an earth-shattering event. The entirety of the Central Plains was abuzz.
Rumors surged wildly, spreading outward from Xi'an.
At the forefront of these rumors was the Sword Immortal of Zhongnan, who had displayed a divine might that astounded the world.
He had severed the arm of the Hegemon Sword Sect's Elder Council Head and slain five of their elders.
The reputation of the Sword Dragon, Wiji Myo-hwa, who had commanded the disciples against the enemy's mid-tier experts, also soared to new heights.
And word of the young expert from the Desolate Fortress began to spread in hushed whispers.
A swordsman of barely fifteen or sixteen had slain an elder of the Hegemon Sword Sect. It was a tale too fantastical for most to believe.
Those who claimed to know a thing or two about the martial world scoffed at the rumor, slowing its spread.
Nevertheless, one thing was certain: the moniker "Flash Art" had begun its march across the land.
"It's enough if the experts of the Nine Sects know! Who cares what those ignorant fools babble about!"
Thud!
Heonwon Chang slammed his fist onto the table.
Having just returned from a tavern at the foot of the mountain, he was loudly venting his frustration.
He had apparently overheard people in the market denying the existence of the Desolate Fortress's young expert.
He grumbled that he'd had half a mind to break the noses of those clueless fools.
Jeong Yeon-shin couldn't care less. He felt little emotion toward such impractical matters.
Standing at the precipice of his own mortality, his eyes were fixed solely on the fruit of the World Tree.
"Does reputation help with missions?"
"Of course it does! It absolutely helps! At the very least, it means you can get a free drink at a tavern!"
Heonwon Chang finally managed to coax a faint smile from Jeong Yeon-shin.
They basked in the aftermath of their victory. Even the familiar paths they strolled along seemed to carry the fresh, crisp scent of earth.
The war between the giant sects had drawn to a temporary close, and they had even slain the experts of the Hegemon Sword Sect.
As warriors of the Demonlight Wing, they had more than fulfilled their mission.
The experts of the Zhongnan Sect treated not only Jeong Yeon-shin but also Heonwon Chang with great warmth.
It was hard to imagine days more pleasant than these.
"More than that, you should consider factions like the Beggar Sect or the Hao Sect. When traveling the Jianghu, the information they provide is indispensable. I don't know if Young Hero Jeong has ever received help from the Beggar Sect before, but their treatment of you will be entirely different from now on."
Wiji Myo-hwa, who was drinking tea with them, chimed in.
With a gentle smile on her face, she looked more beautiful than the spring flowers beginning to bloom around them.
"It's a bit embarrassing to say this myself, but the Nine Sects are said to exist in a realm above the clouds in the Jianghu. Naturally, it's very difficult for ordinary folk to hear news of our sects unless it involves a major event like this one."
"I see," Jeong Yeon-shin replied, taking a sip of the golden Jingwei Fu Tea.
Seeing him, Wiji Myo-hwa's eyes crinkled into a warm smile.
"That's why people often dismiss the accurate accounts and believe strange rumors instead. But the Beggar Sect is different. There is a reason they are grouped alongside us as the 'Nine Sects and One Gang.' They will know the truth precisely. They must have had several beggars skilled in Lightness Skills lingering on the outskirts of the battlefield."
Beggars learning martial arts? They could only be the disciples of the Beggar Sect he had previously only heard about.
Heonwon Chang nodded in satisfaction.
"Since this won't be our last journey through the Jianghu anyway, that is more than enough to satisfy me."
"To think Young Hero Heonwon is satisfied on behalf of Young Hero Jeong. The camaraderie of the Desolate Fortress is indeed different from what I've heard. By the way, which of you is the senior brother?"
"Senior brother?" Heonwon Chang blinked, his eyes widening as if he were hearing the term for the first time in his life.
Jeong Yeon-shin also looked intrigued.
"I learned the Demonlight Formula first," Yeon-shin pointed out.
"Hey now! Did we not receive it from the Unit Commander at the exact same time? Just because your achievements are ahead of mine makes you the senior brother? The Desolate Fortress is not some rootless unorthodox sect!"
"For a faction that doesn't even have master-disciple relationships, I'd say it's fair."
"Are you really going to play it like that?"
Time flowed by with comfortable chatter—a rare treat.
Since it had been a complete victory with few casualties for the Zhongnan Sect, the atmosphere was warm and lighthearted.
The sun set under the warm gaze of Wiji Myo-hwa, who occasionally flashed him a beautiful smile, as if looking fondly at a younger brother.
The next day, he was bestowed with the Flowing Cloud Plaque by the Zhongnan Sect Leader.
He was told that presenting it to any lay faction under Zhongnan's jurisdiction would guarantee him the utmost hospitality.
Since the Jeong Family Manor had also been a branch of Zhongnan, it meant he could be treated as an honored guest in such places without having to offer anything in return.
"Furthermore, if you ever require the sword of our sect, do not hesitate to ask. Even if it concerns the internal politics of the Desolate Fortress, we will aid you once."
The Western Heaven Sword Duke, Guyang Shin, spoke. A faint warmth lingered on his typically expressionless face.
The Sword Immortal of Zhongnan had told him that they had swallowed up a significant portion of the Hegemon Sword Sect's territory.
When unorthodox factions retreated and orthodox factions stepped in to protect the livelihoods of the people, donations naturally poured in without any need for coercion. Thus, from the perspective of a sect leader, Jeong Yeon-shin's contribution was immeasurable.
"I accept this with gratitude."
He did not refuse. There would come a day when he would need it, whether while executing a mission or when challenging for the position of Commander of the Divine Sword Corps.
Tucking the cloud-engraved wooden plaque into his robe, Jeong Yeon-shin spoke.
"Now. I believe it is time for me to hear the truth."
"Indeed. You have earned the right." Yeo Il-shin, who was sitting beside Guyang Shin, nodded.
At last, the secret history behind the destruction of the Jeong Family Manor was revealed.
"Everything began with the World Tree."
"The World Tree?"
"It is the Divine Tree that supports the world. All the principles of the universe are firmly established through the mystical World Tree. It naturally draws heavily upon the energy of the earth, and the land of the Jeong Family Manor was exceptionally fertile. Your family were the great landowners of Xinye County, correct? The energy there was so rich that the roots of the Divine Tree folded distance itself to stretch all the way there."
"..."
"All spirit medicines recognized by the world are created in such a manner. They are formed in miraculous ways according to the principles of all creation. It is a completely different matter from martial arts or sorcery."
"Then, the reason the Jeong Family Manor was destroyed is...?"
"There is a rumor that the peerless martial arts of the Lord of the Desolate Fortress... are maintained because she consumes the fruit of the World Tree. The Hegemon Sword Sect and the Blood Flame Cult are factions completely hostile to the Desolate Fortress. It seems that was more than enough reason for them to annihilate a weak martial family. I hear that Xinye County has now been turned into a wasteland by their hands."
Jeong Yeon-shin was momentarily lost for words. Sighing with a look of deep sympathy, Yeo Il-shin spoke again.
"We happened to be nearby and received a letter from the Lord of the Desolate Fortress. It was a request to protect the Jeong Family Manor. In the end, we failed..."
"..."
"I feel nothing but guilt toward you, Jung-san, and Hye-ah."
* * *
The living must go on living.
First and foremost, he decided to focus solely on obtaining the fruit of the World Tree. He pushed aside the complex circumstances and paradoxes.
They were of absolutely no help to his survival.
It wouldn't be too late to question the Lord of the Desolate Fortress once he became the Commander of the Divine Sword Corps. After all, they said she lived an eternal life.
The sky was clear. A cloudless azure blanketed the entire world.
Jeong Yeon-shin and Heonwon Chang packed their bags and stood at the entrance of Mount Zhongnan.
A large crowd had gathered to see them off. The goodwill they had built up within the Zhongnan Sect was by no means small.
He comforted his crying nephew, who was clinging to his leg. "Make sure to visit when you grow up. Once you become a true expert, you'll be able to visit the Desolate Fortress."
When he looked at his second older brother, Jeong Jung-san, he saw him staring back with an indescribable expression—a mixture of regret and pride.
Jeong Yeon-shin merely gave him a slight nod. They were not yet close enough to interact without reservation.
Standing directly in front of him, Wiji Myo-hwa parted her red lips.
"Would it be alright if I visited you next time?"
"If I have no missions, I will be the one to seek out the martial arts of the Sword Dragon."
The corners of her mouth curved into a beautiful arc. Beside her, the Sword Immortal of Zhongnan burst into hearty laughter.
"The rising waves of the Yangtze River have forged a bond. It is a beautiful sight. It brings great joy to an old man who must slowly start thinking about his Golden Basin Hand Washing."
When a martial artist settled their debts and retired from the Jianghu, it was referred to as Golden Basin Hand Washing. Jeong Yeon-shin shook his head.
"You look as though you will live for at least another hundred years."
Laughter erupted from all around. By now, their dynamic was exactly like that of a grandfather and grandson.
The Sword Immortal of Zhongnan wore a benevolent smile. "Yeon-shin. I hope you achieve your heart's desire."
It was a statement laden with many meanings. Jeong Yeon-shin calmly clasped his hands in a martial salute, then mounted the fine steed gifted to him by the Zhongnan Sect.
As always, Heonwon Chang was right by his side, riding abreast.
He did not look back as they departed. After riding for half a day, they arrived at a small village.
The sunset cast a warm glow over the landscape, as if the fading sunlight were looking back with lingering regret. A silk-like expanse of vermilion light faintly colored Jeong Yeon-shin's vision.
After leaving their horses at the stables, they entered a tavern. It was a bustling, noisy place.
"There are quite a few vagabonds here," Heonwon Chang muttered as they took a seat near the entrance.
It was so crowded that they had to share a table with a group of middle-aged men. They exchanged silent nods of greeting.
The waiter who took their order wore a sour expression. It was likely due to the rowdy patrons shouting and brandishing swords all around the establishment.
Among the crowd were men and women dressed in fine silk martial robes, seemingly the scions of prominent martial families. It was rare for so many martial artists to gather in such a small village.
There seemed to have been some sort of incident, and the vagabonds—who loved nothing more than to boast of their prowess and gossip about rumors—were loudly discussing it.
"...To think the Mount Hua Sect secretly received help from the Desolate Fortress. It just proves that both the Nine Sects and the Desolate Fortress are setting suns! Only the Zhongnan Sect, which defeated the Hegemon Sword Sect, can throw its weight around in Shaanxi!"
"I'm telling you this because it's your first time in the Jianghu, but the martial world is a place where keeping your mouth shut is the key to a long life."
The speaker was a noble-looking young master, clearly the scion of a martial family. Despite his distinguished appearance—which would normally give him free rein to throw his weight around—he spoke with remarkable politeness.
Two sword-bearing women, who seemed to be his companions sharing the table, smiled faintly and nodded in agreement.
The vagabond who had been loudly blathering at the opposite table furrowed his brow.
"I told you, I'm no novice! And where am I wrong? Otherwise, there's no way they wouldn't be able to catch a single Thieving Ghost! I even heard that one of the eyes of the Blue-Eyed Demon Sword—the very man the Demonlight Wing boasts so much about—was gouged out! A Blue-Ranked Expert of the Desolate Fortress? Turns out it's all just an empty reputation!"
Just as the vagabond scanned his surroundings, as if seeking agreement—
Thwack!
It happened at an unbelievable speed. A single chopstick tore soundlessly through the air and embedded itself deep into the vagabond's table.
The shockwave infused within it was so powerful that the exposed end of the chopstick vibrated violently, and the thick wood of the table began to splinter and crack outward from the point of impact.
Everyone's eyes snapped toward the entrance. A boy clad in a long blue robe was staring calmly at the vagabond.
"That story."
A sky-blue light flashed in Jeong Yeon-shin's eyes.
"Tell me more."
Though spoken in a low murmur, his words were heavily infused with the True Qi of the Jeong Family Dynamic Art. There was not a single person in the room who failed to hear him.
The tavern, which had just been boisterous with armed men, fell dead silent in an instant.
Reaching out quietly, Heonwon Chang gently adjusted the fabric on Jeong Yeon-shin's shoulder, turning it forward.
Revealed upon the blue robe was the character 'Desolate' (荒), proudly embroidered in white silk thread.