CHAPTER 166

"What are you doing?"

It was the first thing he had ever said to the Murim Alliance Leader as the Radiant Demon Squad Leader.

Judging by the look on his face, he seemed to have recognized the condition of his short lifespan. Apart from the shock of that revelation, Jung Yeonshin had never imagined being embraced, not even once in his life.

It was because of his mother, who had passed away during childbirth. Perhaps if the Lord of Desolate Fortress, his master, had embraced him, it might have been different. No, even that would have been utterly embarrassing.

'Could the Fortress' Lord be the only supreme master whose character isn't eccentric?'

The high rank and stature of the Sword Saint weren't enough to mask his irritation. Jung Yeonshin's brow furrowed slightly.

"My, my."

The corners of Sword Saint Hyun So-baek's mouth lowered slightly. His emotions were plainly reflected on his face.

It was the very expression of someone who had made a blunder, devoid of any sense of authority despite his demeanor.

"I seem to have offended a respectable leader of Desolate Fortress. Please forgive me. Even if my face appears like this, I am but an old man. In my younger days, I was quite sharp, but these days, I'm not what I used to be. Seeing you was like encountering a grandchild I never had. Your astounding martial accomplishments made me feel even more so."

His sly smile carried a sense of mischief. It revealed the eccentricity of a master who had reached the pinnacle of his craft.

A man of singular existence.

Jung Yeonshin instantly grasped the Sword Saint's temperament.

He was someone who lived in his own world. A supreme master who had dominated his era.

He had no hesitation in showing empathy after deeply perceiving Jung Yeonshin's state and condition.

So utterly free. He seemed more suited to the title of Sword Saint than the Murim Alliance Leader.

Hyun So-baek stroked his chin.

"Let's see, soon it will be my seventieth year. How thick the passage of time has become."

"Seventieth year...?"

Jung Yeonshin absentmindedly repeated. The term originated from Du Fu's Song of the River Bend.

It meant that seventy years of life were rare. It referred to reaching seventy years of age—a word seldom used since the renowned families had descended upon the world.

But that wasn't the important part. There was something else.

The Sword Saint's age was not publicly known.

Even as the Radiant Demon Squad Leader, Jung Yeonshin had never come across such information. This was the first time he was hearing it.

The young man couldn't conceal his curiosity.

"Are you a hybrid of a famed lineage?"

"I half-heartedly achieved Revitalization."

The noble elder laughed with the face of a handsome middle-aged man.

"I figured if I left my body to the natural flow of internal power, I might lose the muscles I've honed for decades. As a wandering warrior, enemies are as plentiful as leaves. It's a matter of survival. To maintain the skills of my prime, I had to regain some youth. But the Desolate Divine Spear on your side seems to have avoided this path, probably thanks to the solid foundation of a prestigious family's internal power. It's enviable."

With an aged tone, he spoke of a realm beyond the ordinary. From his words, an extraordinary mastery of internal energy radiated.

Beneath the seemingly whimsical facade lay the image of a swordsman who pursued the ultimate.

He was a master utterly consumed by martial arts.

"Your potential is probably unmatched in the world. However, how much effort and chaos must have accompanied you to reach such a realm? A junior who silently advances while bearing a Heavenly Punishment is someone I can't help but admire and grow fond of. That's why I let myself be a little indulgent. Even if the Alliance gathers a hundred youthful swordmasters, none could compare to you. The martial accomplishments you've built by overcoming fear are simply extraordinary."

The absolute leader of the Murim Alliance spoke. His expression suggested that Jung Yeonshin's very presence felt like the playful antics of a grandchild.

It was strange and unsettling. A master who dared to challenge the heavens with his sword had no interest in the dynamics of power.

Only the martial way.

He saw only Jung Yeonshin's condition and martial arts. It was as if the relationship between Desolate Fortress and the Murim Alliance didn't matter to him.

It was an affection only a Sword Saint could show. The grand swordsman who had protected common folk by decapitating the heads of the Thirteen Celestial Demons' core masters.

In other words, he was a transcendent. The light flashing endlessly in his eyes, fixed entirely on Jung Yeonshin, spoke of that truth.

"Your gait is extremely peculiar. Most advanced footwork tends to place the center of gravity forward, but yours is dispersed in all directions. It must be thanks to your innate sense of balance."

"..."

"The footwork you just displayed was remarkable. Full-body Internal Force Discharge is something I've only conceptualized but never dared to attempt. Generating shockwaves with micro-muscle movements—how is that even possible? To me, it seems to be a gift of your body. It's beyond well-honed. Your very body is like a sacred art. I'm deeply curious about your training methods."

As though he couldn't bring himself to ask directly, the Sword Saint smacked his lips. Jung Yeonshin quietly listened.

"My experience is fairly extensive, but I've never encountered martial arts like yours. Naturally, you must have created them yourself. If the Shaolin had taken you in as a novice monk, their seventy-two supreme techniques would have increased two- or threefold. Their abbot would lament with regret at missing someone like you."

The relentless torrent of words was overwhelming. It was both awe-inspiring and filled with curiosity.

With sharper insight than the leader of Law and Order Squad of Desolate Fortress, the Sword Saint had thoroughly discerned Jung Yeonshin. His perceptiveness belonged to a master unlike any other.

'A supreme master who isn't taciturn. Other than the Blood Flame Cult Leader, I didn't think such a person existed.'

While the boy mulled this over in silence...

Zhuge Hyeon, the Fan Dragon, had never seen the Alliance Leader like this before.

He was not the benevolent old man who simply nodded along during meetings of the heads.

Who knew he possessed such brilliant eyes?

'He shows no interest in administrative duties.'

If the young warriors of the Alliance saw this, they would probably feel a deep sense of loss.

Even Zhuge Hyeon felt oddly hollow. To think the person engaging in a profound martial discussion was an expert from Desolate Fortress.

Having already heard about the events of the banquet, Zhuge Hyeon resolved to keep the meeting between the Alliance Leader and the Radiant Demon Squad Leader confidential.

'Ak Yerim's energy is not what he used to be. Can she resolve her conflict with the Radiant Demon Squad Leader?'

If the Alliance and Desolate Fortress avoided a sect-wide war...

Then the boy before him would undoubtedly become a pivotal figure. There was no one else from Desolate Fortress suited for the role.

Radiant Demon Squad Leader, Jung Yeonshin.

His reputation, built through guiding the warriors of the Alliance, his extraordinary martial skills, and his experience as an envoy, were all significant.

The Alliance Leader's gaze said it all. He regarded the boy as though he were his own grandson.

'If we strengthen our ties with Desolate Fortress, neither I nor Ak Yerim would gain anything by antagonizing the Radiant Demon Squad Leader. I must handle this carefully.'

It was then.

"Ah."

Suddenly, the Sword Saint let out a soft sigh. A wry smile soon appeared on his face.

"I got too carried away. The Desolate Fortress is known for prioritizing the livelihood of the people over the martial world, is it not? Seeing someone like you, a true knight, drew out an unseemly side of me. It must have been overwhelming for a junior. Let us return to official matters now..."

"It's fine." 

Jung Yeonshin replied. The displeasure he had initially shown was long gone.

There was a spark of light in the boy's eyes. Even though he wasn't rotating his Radiant Wheel, it was there.

As the Sword Saint praised the Radiant Demon Squad Leader, the Squad Leader had also been silently observing the Sword Saint.

Like the reflection of a shadow caught in someone's gaze as they stared into a lake.

"Hmm?"

The Sword Saint's questioning murmur was slight.

"Just by standing still, you are a lesson to behold." 

Jung Yeonshin said.

He continued.

"My knowledge is limited, but this is the first time I've encountered such balance. You mentioned my center of gravity is dispersed in all directions, but I can see that you always keep your feet connected to the ground. The waves of internal energy extending from your Yongchun Acupoint are solidly perceptible."

In the boy's eyes, sparks of blue lightning flashed. Analyzing martial arts might be considered rude, but the Sword Saint had done so first.

He wouldn't complain about Jung Yeonshin expressing his realizations to confirm them.

Even as a supreme master, the Sword Saint was aware that the boy before him was an envoy of Desolate Fortress.

"If stability in swordsmanship is the focus, there's no internal power control more effective than yours. Your inexhaustible True Energy is enviable. You mentioned the Desolate Divine Spear earlier—your focused internal strength seems no less remarkable than her. It's a useful reference."

The Sword Saint let out a dry chuckle.

"Heh...? He can sense this? The efficiency of his body is truly exceptional. I knew his senses were extraordinary, but..."

"The natural state you've adopted is clear to me now. Your entire body's energy paths flow seamlessly through the atmosphere. It was said that the bare-handed Sword Saint appears as formidable as the rugged peaks of Mount Song. With your internal energy firmly rooted in the Yongchun Acupoint and equally distributed to the Tongziliao Acupoint near the eyes, even without a sword, you can see through and counter your opponent's movements effortlessly."

Jung Yeonshin continued speaking at a deliberate pace.

"As we can see now, your relaxed full-body muscles seem to contribute to the immediacy of your movements. You've made me realize the efficiency of the Sight Arts at the pinnacle of sacred techniques. Even how you use your body."

"..."

The Sword Saint's smile faded slightly.

The boy thought to himself. Now that he considered it, joining the Murim Alliance was, in itself, a rare opportunity.

This was a momentous occasion. The Sword Saint was an unending cascade of inspiration.

It had all been foretold the moment Ak Surim designated Jung Yeonshin as the ideal candidate for the mission. The unification of body, mind, and spirit was still far off.

He needed to fill the void of the unknown territory with martial techniques and the invention of new arts.

The newly appointed Radiant Demon Squad Leader didn't stop speaking.

"After meeting the Sword Saint, who wields no weapon, I can begin to imagine what you would look like holding a sword. You called yourself a wanderer, didn't you? I now understand why the revered mountains of the Nine Great Sects are included in descriptions of you. Is it not that the Sword Saint employs sword techniques inspired by the masters of the Nine Great Sects? Thanks to your supreme Sight Arts, you are building upon the very ground you stand upon."

The Sword Saint, Hyun So-baek, slightly parted his lips, but Jung Yeonshin paid it no mind.

If the Sword Saint pursued the infinite, Jung Yeonshin was born to be captivated by martial techniques he couldn't yet fathom.

Perhaps it was the innate pride of the Orthodox Factions. The Sword Saint Hyun So-baek had nothing to hide.

To the boy's eyes, there was an abundance of fascinating discoveries. He was like an innkeeper advertising his ability to prepare the finest delicacies of the world.

It was akin to Hangzhou's Great River Inn, famed for its extraordinary cuisine.

"Your hands seem light. There's an unusually weak energy wave in certain areas. Beneath the shoulders, the Jugular Bone Acupoint , and the Crooked Pond Acupoint in the arms... However, the Tiger's Mouth Acupoint between the thumb and forefinger seems rather strong. That arrangement may not suit a Swift Sword style, but when thrusting, there's no more ideal energy flow."

As death approached, the upper dantian's abilities became more pronounced.

Inspiration rippled through his mind like a tidal wave. Perhaps it was even more so because of what he had heard earlier from subordinates who spoke of the Sword Saint's legacy.

Speculation clashed with understanding, bursting like fireworks into newfound realization. Everything was an inspiration.

He couldn't hold it in. If he expressed it verbally once, the refined insight would come back to him as a polished revelation.

"The Wind Body's shockwaves beneath your feet... When extending the Swift Sword, keep your grip light while anchoring the Yongchun Acupoint heavily. I can't replicate your natural state entirely. There's no suitable mnemonic verse for it. But that's fine for now... The body will suffice. Focusing the Jung Clan Movement Arts on refining minute acupoints... For sword techniques that handle omnidirectional force, there needs to be a mnemonic of the wind..."

He muttered to himself, entirely engrossed. At this point, he wasn't speaking to anyone in particular.

This was the seed of a newly born sword technique.

The framework for transforming swordsmanship was being built at this very moment.

Through nothing but rumors of the Sword Saint and the mere sight of him standing idly, Jung Yeonshin had begun to comprehend the essence of wielding a sword.

The boy observed the supreme master who had ascended to the stars with his sword, all while constantly deliberating.

All that was left was to add flesh to the bones and refine it through practice.

He discerned the techniques of a master several ranks above him, juxtaposing his reflections on himself with what he witnessed.

It was a state of complete immersion, where he seemed no longer human.

His Radiant Wheel was still, as his thoughts continued to swirl in his head. A faint, blue flame continuously flickered in the boy's eyes.

"It is because of people like him that Namgoong Se-jin..."

Zhuge Hyeon murmured absentmindedly. Sword Saint Hyun So-baek also let his shock show openly on his face.

Both were warriors of the Orthodox Factions. Neither interrupted the boy as he grasped the essence of the sword.

They merely watched, dazed, their expressions betraying their amazement.

Even when the newly appointed Radiant Demon Squad Leader snapped out of his trance and performed the Baoquan salute, they were still staring in stunned silence.

"Thank you, Sword Saint. I am indebted to you." 

Jung Yeonshin said, slightly bowing as he brought his hands together.

While the Baoquan salute traditionally didn't involve bowing, it curiously suited him. It was a display of impeccable etiquette.

The dignity of the gesture radiated from the gathered folds of his pitch-black sleeves.

It was clear he genuinely regarded this as a favor. This meant the knowledge he had gained was profound.

The Sword Saint slowly opened his mouth, looking somewhat flustered.

"I didn't do anything, though..."