CHAPTER 162

'That's worth learning. He really is a monster,' 

Lazy Flame Dragon thought.

The young squad leader had fought three duels in the past three days. Including this moment, that made four.

The intruders' behavior hadn't varied much. They knocked on the door unexpectedly and said similar things.

They admired the reputation of the Radiant Demon Squad Leader and wanted to cross swords with him.

Was it born of competitive spirit or hostility? Or were they acting under someone's orders?

It was hard to distinguish. The human heart was more unpredictable than any venomous herb.

'It doesn't matter. A delicacy of the world is right before my eyes.'

Lazy Flame Dragon watched the young squad leader, who was exchanging swords with the six masters of Azure One Sect.

The pure white path of his sword danced through the air like a flower blooming with light.

While devouring the orthodox martial arts, it flourished brightly.

'That, too, has its own elegance, but…'

The core martial art of Jung Yeonshin, as Lazy Flame Dragon saw it, wasn't swordsmanship.

It was the Infinite Blossom Fist Strike.

Tossing his sword carelessly aside, the fist and palm techniques unleashed by both hands were his true specialty. At any given moment, they served as decisive blows.

The most outstanding among them was the move called 'Radiant River'. Its overwhelming power, as demonstrated when he crushed the Sword-Thirst Demon at the City of Master Craftsmen in Sichuan, was astounding.

Even in the Hwangbo Clan, it was rare to see such an ultimate palm technique.

'And yet now, he's trying to supplement his swordsmanship?'

The young squad leader was shrewd.

There was no other reason he willingly accepted challenges from orthodox martial artists. It wasn't out of principle but necessity.

A sect that had its name recorded on the Murim Alliance register? That was proof of a sect possessing refined and unique techniques.

This was true for any martial lineage, and the sword paths of the young squad leader subtly changed every time he observed a renowned method.

Having watched him closely thus far, Lazy Flame Dragon could discern the differences.

He absorbed, dismantled, and gradually infused it into his own sword.

It was a process completed in an instant. The altered sword path would immediately revert to its original form.

He hid the fact that he was refining a deadly weapon, ensuring no one noticed.

'The swordsmanship of the Radiant Demon Squad Leader is beginning to evolve.'

The squad leader of the Law and Order Squad would surely be deeply shaken. Lazy Flame Dragon regarded the young squad leader's talent as superior to his own.

Such a genius, under the most exceptional circumstances, was embarking on the transformation of his sword techniques. The outcome was unpredictable.

If he achieved a major epiphany, the final flourish on his path, his swordsmanship might completely evolve into something else.

It would be ideal if this transformation occurred before the duel with the Sword Star, the leader of the Murim Alliance.

After all, showing off his fist and palm techniques before a peerless swordsman who had ascended to the heavens with a blade was not an option.

The protective energy of the young Radiant Demon Squad Leader would not yet withstand a single strike from the sword of an absolute master.

What use was gaining an exceptional move after enduring disgrace? To maintain his honor as the Radiant Demon Squad Leader, he needed to master weapon techniques.

"If I watch that, I feel like things might somehow work out…"

It was at the moment Lazy Flame Dragon muttered this while perched on an artificial rock.

Clang!

The grass in the garden flipped over as if struck by a giant cannon. The power of the sword strike had gone too far.

The hazy light of the Radiance Sword Style, spiraling into the sky, distorted the sun.

As the five disciples of Azure One Sect lay sprawled on the ground, Jung Yeonshin unleashed his final technique on the retreating sect leader of Azure One Sect.

It was a technique he frequently used in his early years. Though it involved a sword strike, it wasn't truly swordsmanship. Instead, it was the power of the Infinite Blossom Fist Strike channeled into swordplay.

By slightly twisting the ball of his foot, he created rotational energy through the muscles of his entire body.

While setting aside the intricacies of overlapping force techniques he'd observed in Azure One Sect's Flower Tempest Sword Style.

'Infinite Blossom Fist Strike, Vortex.'

Whoosh!

Dust spiraled around his sword hand. It felt as though space itself was bending.

Though the internal energy he infused wasn't particularly strong, it created a terrifying shockwave.

Jung Yeonshin subtly twisted the blade of the Beiming. The back of his hand and the blade's surface faced upward.

He struck upward, lifting the Azure One Sect leader's defensive swordplay entirely.

Clang!

The sect leader seemed to grip his sword tightly, but both he and his weapon were flung into the air.

In tandem, Jung Yeonshin leaped to an even higher position using the Wind Body technique.

The two figures were momentarily suspended in midair, about three cheok (approximately 3 feet) above the ground.

Jung Yeonshin's left hand moved as if traversing a different dimension of time.

The calloused surface of his fist struck the sect leader's back. From the outside, it looked like a cannonball crashing down.

Immediately, a shockwave resembling fire rippled along the boy's shoulder, lifting the hem of his sleeve.

Boom!

The sect leader's protective aura scattered into fragments and dissipated.

Simultaneously, the body of the sect leader crashed to the ground, swallowing a dull thud. Lying flat on his stomach, he spat out blood.

'No matter how I see it, such talent isn't something freely given…'

Lazy Flame Dragon observed as Jung Yeonshin's sword path twisted slightly. It happened just before he unleashed the shockwave.

He realized that, however small, the boy had once again accumulated another piece of martial wisdom in his hands.

A new swordsmanship was quietly sprouting, like the prelude to a storm.

'Is he going to die young like me?'

The thought crossed his mind, and he chuckled to himself. Separate from such fleeting musings, the young squad leader approached the fallen sect leader of Azure One Sect.

He helped him up, supported him, and struck the acupoints on his back to help him expel the congestion, speaking all the while with an air of sincerity.

"I had no choice but to use my true martial arts. It's only because your martial arts are so refined."

Hack.

The sect leader, spitting blood, gave a faint smile.

"I am the one who must express admiration, Squad Leader. Your skill and magnanimity are truly astounding. If I retreat to Fujian and train for a few years, I might gain some insights. It's all thanks to you."

"…You're too kind. Please take care of yourself."

Jung Yeonshin bowed in return, and the sect leader reciprocated with the same gesture. The other disciples, who had also risen unsteadily, followed suit.

There were no further words of admiration or praise. Yet the masters of Azure One Sect showed their warm expressions openly.

Even as they supported one another and left, their attitude remained the same.

"Squad Leader, the ink has been well-ground."

Heon Wonchang spoke as he returned after seeing off the masters of Azure One Sect.

The boy was seated in the main hall, where writing tools had already been laid out.

Scribble.

Picking up the brush, he began to write. He jotted down whatever came to mind.

The essence of the martial arts he had just experienced, possible methods of overcoming them, precautions when circulating internal energy…

He had no idea what the high-ranking martial artists of the Murim Alliance were planning.

What they aimed to take, what they wanted to confirm, or how the schemes of the General Military Advisor had been orchestrated.

It didn't matter. Scheming wasn't their sole domain.

Jung Yeonshin and Heon Wonchang had been luring orthodox martial artists in this way. Their goal was to experience as many martial arts techniques as possible.

They weren't just here to complete their assigned mission. They sought greater achievements, greater merits.

This mindset had significantly contributed to his rise to the black rank in record time. Their goal was to experience the martial arts of potential future enemies.

'It's a double-edged sword. It's even helping my swordsmanship.'

As time passed, knowledge accumulated.

The amount of information grew with each passing day. For every martial art Jung Yeonshin encountered, countless methods of countering them emerged.

He, too, experienced strikes and internal energy bursts up close.

The resulting countermeasures would fill several thick volumes—perhaps even dozens.

Destruction of the Orthodox: A Comprehensive Overview.

He had already given it a name.

It signified a collection of methods to dismantle the orthodox martial arts of the White Path Faction.

How many more years he would continue as the black-ranked Radiant Demon Squad Leader was uncertain.

But if the Murim Alliance became a complete enemy, this book would lead Jung Yeonshin to the purple rank.

The backbone of the Alliance wasn't the Nine Great Sects but the noble families. Even if an inter-sect war broke out, it wouldn't be a concern.

'When will the next guest arrive?'

The boy's face, as he quietly focused on his brushstrokes, remained serene. As usual, he wore a calm expression.

From afar, Heon Wonchang and Lazy Flame Dragon exchanged glances and whispered to one another. Excited, aren't they? Sure looks like it.

* * *

"This time, it was Azure One Sect that left."

"I heard three of them couldn't stand properly. They looked completely battered."

"Yet they were smiling, I'm told. All of them, including the sect leader of Azure One Sect."

"Again?"

It was an open pavilion where young martial artists of the Alliance gathered.

From the second floor, which was open like a lakeside gazebo, tremendous waves of internal energy radiated.

Orthodox martial arts were typically a slow bloom.

Even for sects entrenched in the secular world, unlike the Nine Great Sects, their growth was slow compared to the Demonic Faction.

But access to elixirs in prestigious families had surpassed the natural limits of orthodox martial arts.

"How many times now?"

"The fourth time. His reputation is stellar. Even those who challenged him with hostility were said to have learned something from him. They asked, 'If he isn't a gentleman, then who is?'"

"Who said that?"

"Yoo Hyun of Mount Hua Sect—the Hidden Dragon of Mount Hua."

"..."

"At this point, you have to wonder. What's his agenda?"

In the center of the second-floor temple sat a man in a meditative pose, a woman leaning against the window sill flicking her fingers to manipulate the flames of Three Samadhi True Fire, and a boy and girl lying leisurely on the roof.

Nearly twenty martial prodigies had gathered freely.

The aura radiating from the temple felt like waves, overlapping and amplifying into a tidal surge.

Unlike the Demonic Faction, their energy felt polished and refined.

When Murong Mingjun suggested visiting the Lightning Genius of Desolate Fortress, this place was already well-established.

It was a venue where prestigious martial artists of the rivers and lakes discussed martial arts and chivalry—a place for those refining the pure energy of orthodox martial arts.

Even after Zhuge Hyeon, the Fan Dragon suffered humiliation, the tranquil atmosphere persisted.

Until the woman with long braided hair parted her lips.

"There's no way this is out of goodwill. There must be some sinister intent."

As she spoke, she smoothed the white sleeves of her robe. It was Ak Yerim of Shandong's Ak Clan, the youngest niece of Ak Surim, the master of Desolate Divine Spear.

She was a treasured daughter of the Ak Clan, which sought to expand into Southern Zhili. She was once considered for marriage with Namgoong Se-jin, the Azure Qilin.

That was until Namgoong Se-jin faced Jung Yeonshin, the Lightning Genius, and met his end.

"..."

A brief silence followed.

Azure Qilin was renowned for his flawless appearance, noble character, and martial arts.

As a swordsman adept in King-Style Sword Arts, he erased the shadow of the Namgoong Clan's shortcomings.

Even those who had never met him admired him from hearsay alone. His reputation in the martial world was rare.

"I heard it was a life-or-death duel between equals. It must have been difficult to hold back."

"Well, I wouldn't know since I didn't see it myself. But violent displays of force at Desolate Fortress aren't exactly new."

"You have a point, Miss Ak. Namgoong's reputation earned him admiration and envy in equal measure. I think the latter outweighed the former. It's possible the Lightning Genius went overboard on purpose. Or maybe he needed a major achievement."

"When I saw him arrive, I thought he was stunningly handsome. Like a noble hero."

A clear voice rang out from the roof. It was the boy lying there with a girl, the same boy who had once seen off Zhuge Hyeon as he headed to face the Radiant Demon Squad Leader.

"Not only is he a disciple of the Desolate Fortress' Lord, but I heard from my father that he's also the grandson of a former Divine Sword Squad Leader. He's from a prestigious family. He's already wearing the black robes, and… Honestly, does he have anything to envy? He may not enjoy the authority of a family head like us, but once he becomes a Divine Sword Squad Leader, that'll change."

"You're always too optimistic, Young Master Gongsun. If you saw the Hwangbo Clan's holdings in Jinan, you might think differently. Desolate Fortress is… beasts wearing the skin of humanity. If he's a squad leader, he's a human-faced monster."

Another woman chimed in, her words prompting nods of agreement from nearby men.

This was the pinnacle of the young orthodox martial artists of the rivers and lakes.

Many of them were acquainted with Azure Qilin.

Some secretly harbored affection for him, others considered him a rival, and some admired him purely as fellow martial artists.

Even those who had never met him spent years with feelings of fondness or envy.

"If you're so curious, why don't you go ask him yourself? Ask what he thinks of Azure Qilin."

Young Master Gongsun, the boy from earlier, spoke in a sulky tone. Laughter rippled through the group.

Yet their fundamental animosity toward the new Radiant Demon Squad Leader didn't wane.

Their objections were suppressed, and they slowly inhaled their hostility, as if internalizing resentment instead of expelling it.

"This is the sort of moment where Miss Ye would have been useful. She'd come up with some daring plan to make everything clear."

A young man sighed wistfully, eliciting reactions from several others. Their responses were immediate.

"Lately, it seems she's been keeping to herself. I wonder if she's unwell. Now that I think about it, Zhuge Hyeon hasn't been seen either since then…"

"Isn't that because of the Radiant Demon Squad Leader?"

"I miss her. Watching her defeat that demonic cultist last time made it clear she's mastered an incredible martial art."

"She killed the Blood Flame Cult swordsman while smiling. It was chillingly beautiful. The way the shockwave rippled off her hand was like a celestial maiden's sleeve."

"To fight so gracefully even blindfolded…"

As the chatter continued, Ak Yerim suddenly sprang to her feet, rolling up her sleeves with a determined air.

"The Alliance's current focus is to disgrace the Radiant Demon Squad Leader, isn't it? I'll go seek advice from Lady Ye. She might have a clever plan to deal with him."