CHAPTER 152

'Like hell.'

A phrase fitting for thugs in the back alleys of civilian life strangely suited the moment.

Jung Yeonshin raised a fist salute to Ak Surim with a calm gesture—a response to her encouragement.

"I have something to ask."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"It's about the Great Pill offered as a reward for the Opening Tournament. Am I allowed to use it personally?"

The boy's calm tone carried the question just as—

Kyaa ha ha!

Ak Surim burst into loud laughter, her short black hair shaking wildly as her body convulsed. She kept slapping Jung Yeonshin's shoulder with one hand.

The boy stood silently, gazing at her lips. One exhale. Despite the frequent breaks in breath caused by her laughter, there was no inhale.

It was an eerie display, revealing an astonishing level of internal cultivation.

"Arrogance suits you somehow."

Ak Surim spoke, her voice still tinged with laughter. She then asked, looking at Jung Yeonshin,

"You're planning to take it?"

"I heard it's good for vitality. I wanted to give it to my grandfather…"

"Hah."

A soft sigh escaped her lips, and her gaze softened noticeably.

"Old Man Ma probably already has every kind of herb and miraculous medicine around him, but indeed, there's no elixir like the Great Revitalization Pill. You've grown up so well, haven't you? Forgiving your mess of an extended family… No worries about you stirring up trouble anywhere."

"..."

As Ma Jin cleared his throat awkwardly beside him, Jung Yeonshin remained silent.

Ak Surim rested her hand on her waist, the one not gripping the spear shaft.

"Of course, it's your choice. The Great Revitalization Pill isn't the mission's goal. Attending the Opening Tournament as an envoy, observing the Murim Alliance, and dampening their morale as a young prodigy—that's enough. Honestly, what kind of luck is it for Old Man Ma? He didn't even accumulate virtues in his youth. Do you know how much I had to suffer and toil under the former Divine Sword Squad leader?"

Her brows furrowed as she grumbled.

"He's too blessed in his old age. I've been itching for a chance to get back at him somehow—what should I do?"

"Thank you for the answer. Then I'll take my leave now—"

"Ah."

Just as Jung Yeonshin was about to turn away, she let out a small exclamation and narrowed her eyes.

Her gaze swept him up and down again. There was something striking about the way she looked at him.

"If the old man's grandson became the husband of the Divine Sword Squad's vice…"

Her lips curved upward.

"Wouldn't he jump out of his grave? That old man hated me so much—said I was an insubordinate subordinate."

"..."

Jung Yeonshin gazed at his senior in silence.

Recently, along with his aching knees, he'd been experiencing peculiar sensations. Now, seeing a girl his age nonchalantly mention marriage brought something to mind.

'So I'm starting to notice women. I'm getting older.'

He became aware of another type of growth. It wasn't just his limbs that were lengthening.

Strange emotions stirred. He had never been conscious of a woman before. It felt bizarre and even frightening.

Along with this natural change came a closer awareness of mortality, as if death were brushing his back. A shiver ran up his spine to the crown of his head.

'Get lost.'

As he stood there, momentarily dazed, Ak Surim's smile deepened. She soon chuckled, lightly tapping his shoulder before turning around.

The soft sound of her clothes brushing past reached his ears, accompanied by her cheerful voice.

"Look at that expression—how could I not tease you?"

"It wasn't teasing—it was mockery. Let's go, Yeonshin."

Ma Jin shook his head as he spoke.

And with that, it was over.

The Great Revitalization Pill was a supreme treasure, so Jung Yeonshin had been unsure even as he asked.

It was something he had to confirm. If he couldn't bring it into the fortress for personal use, he'd have to find another solution.

'It's settled now.'

Realizing his anxiety had been unnecessary, he felt a sense of relief.

He had finalized the mission's lineup and eased his mental burden. Preparations for redeployment were complete.

"May fortune favor you."

"I wish the seniors success as well."

He exchanged salutes with the Squad leaders of the Laws and Order, Annihilation, and Heavenly Squads, and even the reluctant Obeying Heaven Squad's vice-leader returned the gesture.

Thus ended his tumultuous first meeting. Without hesitation, Jung Yeonshin stepped forward.

There was one last task to complete after assuming his position as Squad leader. He dodged the outstretched hand of the young Little Sword Queen who tried to grab his collar as he walked away.

"Let's have breakfast together tomorrow!"

She called out from behind him.

To the boy, it sounded different—not an invitation to breakfast, but the clash of drawn swords.

'We can duel on the way to the Alliance meeting. I am curious about the Sword Queen of Mount Dianqing.'

* * *

A young man, dressed like a scholar, approached a small river.

He was breathtakingly handsome, though his sharp jawline gave him a fragile appearance.

His eyes, however, were different from his looks. A dim, grayish light flickered within them—a testament to his profound inner cultivation.

Fan Dragon, Zhuge Hyeon.

The Chief Overseer of the Murim Alliance Assembly slowly clasped his hands behind his back.

At a glance, his demeanor seemed leisurely. Only his large movements gave that impression.

As he shifted the white folding fan in his right hand to his back, the tip of its ribs quivered slightly.

Like the elegant fan once held by Zhuge Liang, it was hardly an ornamental piece—its master's mindset shaped its aura.

Step.

Carefully, he moved forward, savoring the scent of autumn.

The newborn season descended in transparent sunlight.

It was by the banks of a river in Hanzhong, Shaanxi Province—a rare spot where early autumn leaves had fallen.

The Murim Alliance Headquarters.

Located alongside Zhuge's family estate, it had become a focal point of the martial world.

Even scholars and artists who lived by music, calligraphy, and painting would envy its scenic charm.

The sword clash with Desolate Fortress involving the Hwangbo and Namgoong clans was merely a pretext for forming the alliance.

Since the founding of Ming and the establishment of Desolate Fortress, orthodox sects had been eyeing opportunities to unify.

The vastness of the headquarters, nestled even along the Yangtze's tributaries, proved this point.

The Murim Alliance had been expanding ceaselessly over the years.

Yet, Zhuge Hyeon paid it no mind.

He was lost in thoughts of spring within autumn.

A gift of fallen leaves on the ground seemed especially lovely—their colors vivid and warm.

The beautiful youth bent down slowly. Picking up a leaf, he examined it, sunlight filtering through its veins, producing a radiant crimson hue.

Straightening again, he gazed at the damp leaf's vibrant shades.

'Like her.'

For a moment, he quietly admired the leaf.

"You called for me."

A smooth voice displaced the sound of the flowing river, sending ripples across its glassy surface.

Unfolding the fan behind him, Zhuge Hyeon turned.

The setting shifted in his eyes—from a landscape painting to a portrait of beauty.

Zhuge Hyeon looked ahead.

A woman, blindfolded with white cloth, came into view. Her ethereal grace rivaled fallen geese and sinking fish. She seemed like a descending fairy.

Her hair, flowing down past her shoulders, shimmered in the sunlight.

It contrasted with her pristine white dress and striking red hair—a luster richer than silk, more vivid than the autumn leaves.

Zhuge Hyeon hid the leaf in his hand behind his back with subtle ease.

"Miss Ye."

He spoke.

"I've decided to participate in the Opening Tournament. If I obtain the Great Revitalization Pill, it could lead to a mutually beneficial arrangement. You could cure your energy deviation, and I could secure the protection of the Ye family… I resonate with your desire to reclaim your natural eyes and hair. I, Zhuge Mo, will support you."

She spoke as if she had made a great decision. The corners of the woman's lips, who was addressed as Lady Ye, lifted slightly.

"Rumor has it…"

She slowly parted her lips.

"That if one cultivates the Blood Flame Cult's martial arts to the level of heresy, their hair turns black. It also grants regenerative abilities."

"Your jest is rather wicked. To say such things in the middle of the Alliance Assembly…"

A bitter smile formed at the corners of the young man's mouth.

"To begin with, Lady Ye's hair is beautiful as it is. It's vastly different from the crude, dull red hair of blood demons. Just the fact that no one dares to associate you with the Blood Flame Cult speaks volumes. If anything, you have more followers, don't you?"

A quiet conversation followed.

Zhuge Hyeon did most of the talking. Lady Ye, for her part, listened silently and occasionally responded with short remarks, yet even those few words brightened the young man's face.

Even he could feel it.

'Of course.'

He thought little of it. Lady Ye was exceptionally captivating. No—she was unique to Zhuge Hyeon.

He had been slapped upon their first meeting, when he had accompanied the head of the Ye Sword Clan, invited as an honorary guest to the Assembly.

While discussing the envoys for the Opening Tournament and the young prodigy from Desolate Fortress, he had made a careless remark and received a sharp rebuke for attempting to lower the guard of the Assembly's martial artists.

From Lady Ye, standing right in front of him.

Such firmness.

Martial skills far beyond her years.

It was said her hair changed color and she lost her sight due to a energy deviation, yet she could still distinguish objects in all directions.

It meant her sensory perception had reached an extraordinary level. Zhuge Hyeon thought so.

If she hadn't lost her vision, she could have been his equal.

"In any case, I hope you'll watch over us with ease."

Zhuge Hyeon smiled faintly, recalling the news brought by the Beggars' Sect.

Radiant Demon Squad's Lightning Genius—his martial prowess was said to rival that of elders from major sects.

A high-priority figure whom they hoped wouldn't attend the Opening Tournament.

'Even so, he's still a rising master. There must be weaknesses. It'd be better if he didn't come, but… preparations must be made. It's what the clan leader instructed.'

Putting aside his thoughts, he invited Lady Ye to return with him.

The Zhuge residence and the Ye clan's quarters were nearby, after all.

However, she shook her head and refused, saying she didn't want to draw attention.

Zhuge Hyeon turned back with regret.

He struggled to move his feet away and resisted the urge to look back.

After walking a considerable distance, when he was far enough away—

"What a pathetic fool."

The Seventh Apostle murmured softly.

* * *

The Radiant Demon Squad's quarters in Desolate Fortress was unusually noisy. Laborers and unfamiliar martial artists bustled about, unchecked.

The warriors of Radiant Demon Squad simply stood idly by, watching priceless treasures being carried in and out.

All of them—about a dozen masters and twelve disciples—did the same.

"What's all that?"

Shin So-bin, who had just arrived from the training grounds, looked intrigued. Heon Wonchang shook his head and spoke.

"They say it's all for Senior Jung. They ran out of storage space, so they're borrowing the courtyard."

"Let's see. Servants from the Law and Order Squad and even the Administrator's guards are here. It looks like Senior Lightning Genius' achievements were settled first. Since rewards are distributed through the General Affairs Vureau, this must be the harvest from the Sichuan expedition, huh?"

Falling into thought, she touched her chin and let out a hum.

Her gaze, as she observed the mix of servants and warriors, turned sharp.

Shin So-bin had grown up in a prestigious martial family and was well-versed in worldly matters. She could roughly estimate the value of the items being carried around.

"That's not just silk—it looks like fabric woven from celestial silkworm threads. And that man over there is carrying porcelain imported from the East… Wow, those are incredibly rare. They must be too valuable for silver, so they're bringing gold? Wait—those men are Ma clan warriors. Are those bundles of treasure jade, and are those swords all for training purposes?"

"That's right."

Ma Jin, standing nearby, replied with a strange expression.

"The main house finally came to its senses. They've sent unconditional support—complete and total."

"Ah…"

Shin So-bin nodded.

"Now that I think about it, Senior Lightning Genius—no, the Squad leader—is a descendant of a noble family. And they say the former Squad leader is about to become the clan head. Could it be that Madam Zhu is trying to curry favor?"

"Possibly."

Ma Jin, designated as the next clan leader, responded.

Shin So-bin's gaze shifted again. Only the room where Jung Yeonshin stayed remained quiet.

Four martial artists stood guarding the door.

"Law and Order Squad? They must have come with the General Affairs Bureau. What could they be guarding that requires elite warriors from the Law and Order Squad?"

The Law and Order Squad enforces the fortress' rules.

Clad in blue robes, they were elite martial artists, and their grave expressions as they blocked the door hinted at something unusual.

Ma Jin gave a brief answer.

"A small Restoration Pill."

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