CHAPTER 167

It was a face that looked despondent. Jung Yeonshin gazed calmly at the Sword Saint.

Amid the silence that returned to the courtyard of the Alliance Leader's residence, the grass beneath his feet suddenly felt vivid. The senior's words carried sincerity.

He had no intention of burdening his junior with unnecessary debt. It felt as though he were saying, "Since you've taken it for yourself, it's yours."

It wasn't petty. It was a glimpse of pure magnanimity.

The boy shook his head.

"Having witnessed your esteemed self, Senior, I've gained great enlightenment, so this junior cannot claim the insights as his own and deny the favor."

"..."

"It's true that the Sword Saint has given me a fortuitous encounter by his very existence. I thank you once again."

The young Leader of Radiant Demon Squad raised his hands in a formal bow once more.

Only then did the Sword Saint's lips curl into a faint smile. He shook his head as though he had been robbed of something.

His expression suggested he had been caught off guard. The faint laughter on his stunned face conveyed a sense of disbelief.

"To call it a favor, it makes my feelings more complicated."

It wasn't as though he was being mocked, the Sword Saint muttered.

"This isn't some profitable trade. I was simply impressed, yet I feel an odd irritation brewing. You've touched upon the petty heart of this old man. Wouldn't it have been better to just deny it? Say you found nothing of value in an old swordsman's stance."

His words were shockingly bold for a first meeting. Even more so, given he was the leader of the righteous Murim Alliance.

However, Jung Yeonshin's expression now was calm. He had earned an interim reward for his mission for the Murim Alliance.

He had raised the cornerstone of a new sword art. It was an enormous achievement.

'I can't expect anything like the spiritual insights of Bodhidharma for the second divine art.'

It could only be achieved through his own skill. He had to pour the overflowing inspiration into the Beiming Sword.

The second divine art was intended to be integrated into his swordsmanship. Meeting the Sword Saint proved to be more beneficial than any miraculous elixir.

"You're making a face I know all too well. The kind of face that craves to wield the sword."

The Sword Saint chuckled mischievously.

"I can somewhat relate. The thrill of refining one's swordsmanship is incomparable to anything else. It feels like attaining omnipotence as a mere human. Without even drawing your sword, you flustered this old man with your martial prowess, so I'm quite eager to see the sword you'll create."

"Your words are far too kind."

The boy quickly adopted a neutral expression. The Sword Saint's smile deepened.

"It's not just words."

"...?"

"There's a place where you can test your swordsmanship to your heart's content. Or rather, perhaps I should say there are opponents. After all, swords are meant to be perfected in the flesh and bones of one's enemies, and there just happen to be martial troops loitering near the Alliance, posing as a military force."

"You mean the Profound Martial Alliance?"

"You're well-informed. Ah, now that I think about it, they said you were the one who rescued the dormant dragon of Mount Hua. I should've mentioned this earlier, but you did an excellent job. That child, Yoo Hyun, has great potential. His character is also upright. I don't know what will become of this Alliance in the future, but that child alone is destined to be a great hero. I'm truly grateful."

"The elders of Mount Hua have already expressed their gratitude. Rescuing a friend isn't something to be commended."

Jung Yeonshin, offering a perfunctory reply, lowered his hands from the formal bow. Any further flattery might make his ears itch.

He averted his gaze slightly and spoke again.

"So, what is it you wish to say?"

"This young Leader of the Radiant Demon Squad clearly has the blood of a dragon and tiger in his veins…"

The Sword Saint's lips curled playfully.

"But there's a bit of a cat-like nature in you. When you live out your full lifespan, I hope that a lifelong companion is drawn to your temperament. How about it? Many daughters from renowned families gather here in the Alliance. I could play the role of the Old Man Under the Moon and arrange something. If you were to marry one of the Alliance-affiliated clans' precious daughters, the relationship between the Alliance and Desolate Fortress could…"

"Thank you for your kind words."

Jung Yeonshin cut off the senior's rambling with a brief gesture, signaling him to get to the point. Lately, he'd been increasingly reminded of his identity as a man. He didn't want to be unsettled.

'I won't die young, leaving children behind. At the very least, I…'

The boy thought to himself, absentmindedly flicking the hem of his black robe.

The Sword Saint, who had been staring at him quietly, finally spoke.

"You said you owe me a favor. If you deal with the martial forces of the Profound Martial Alliance, consider that debt settled. We can't let the Thirteen Celestial Demons throw a wet blanket over the atmosphere stirred by the Opening Tournament. Annihilate the ones lurking in the Hanzhong region."

"Doesn't the Alliance have enough skilled warriors to spare?"

"The elders of the major sects seem intent on only showing up once the tournament begins. As for the clan heads, they're busy shoving responsibility onto each other. The Alliance right now is like a sheep in a tiger's skin, all show and no substance. Hm? Perhaps that's an inappropriate thing to say to a master of Desolate Fortress."

"What about the Alliance Leader?"

"If even I were to leave my post, chaos would ensue. Even if I'm not doing much in this position, my mere presence prevents the place from falling apart. I'm nothing more than a middling swordsman now, but I can't abandon the Alliance, which is tasked with eradicating the hypocrisy of the righteous sects. Even if the Profound Martial Alliance causes a ruckus outside, we must maintain a broad perspective."

The Sword Saint, leisurely surveying the courtyard, clasped his hands behind his back.

"Besides, your presence here does no good. It only provides an excuse for the clan heads to cause trouble. A representative of Desolate Fortress is a lightning rod for conflict. Until the Opening Tournament begins, just sever the heads of the Thirteen Celestial Demons."

"Why should I do that?"

Jung Yeonshin tilted his head slightly and asked.

"After all, the young Leader of the Radiant Demon Squad is going to win the tournament. Separately, I need your contribution to bolster my reputation. While you refine your swordsmanship through battles against worthy opponents, I'll be able to alleviate some of my political burdens. It's difficult to advocate for unity after having handed over a Revitalization Pill to a master of Desolate Fortress."

The Sword Saint let out a hearty laugh.

He had used the word "unity". It seemed Sword Saint Hyun So-baek had no desire to cross swords with Desolate Fortress.

He had also spoken of eradicating the hypocrisy of the righteous sects, suggesting a political struggle against the clan heads.

At the same time, an inner demon whispered within Jung Yeonshin. The form of the Seventh Apostle moved its lips.

Don't you need to turn the Murim Alliance into your enemy to make full use of the orthodox laws?

"..."

The boy remained silent for a moment.

Sensing the unusual atmosphere, the Sword Saint spoke again.

"In the meantime, refine your swordsmanship and await your moment to shine on the stage of martial arts. This tournament's protagonist can only be the young Leader of the Radiant Demon Squad, who has already reached the realm of a supreme master at such a young age."

Jung Yeonshin slowly opened his mouth.

"You mentioned elders, but this doesn't seem like a matter to speak of lightly. If you're entrusting me with this task, provide the information the Alliance has gathered. How can I know the Alliance Leader isn't setting up a strategy to kill me through someone else's blade?"

"A strategy to kill with another's blade?"

The Sword Saint echoed, amused. The boy's words were audacious.

It was essentially asking whether the Murim Alliance intended to use the Profound Martial Alliance to assassinate a martial artist of Desolate Fortress.

In front of the leader of the righteous Murim Alliance, no less. It was the sort of question most would never dare to utter.

Zhuge Hyeon, who had remained silent, cautiously opened his mouth.

"Lord, even so, your words…"

At that moment, the Sword Saint grinned broadly.

"Very well. Form a team with the Alliance's young talents. I'll handle the clan heads. Even if I die, I'll die alongside the direct heirs of the martial clans. I trust you to bring them all back alive."

Zhuge Hyeon couldn't hide his astonishment. The boy alone nodded.

The Sword Saint was eccentric. Asking him how he could be trusted wasn't an option.

What mattered most now was the sword art burgeoning within Jung Yeonshin. He also recalled the horrors he had witnessed in a village where the regional leader of the Profound Martial Alliance had been executed.

In any case, cutting down the masters of the Thirteen Celestial Demons would bring credit to Desolate Fortress.

The more merit, the better. For now, concerns about the orthodox laws would have to wait.

"Take a close look. I didn't casually mention the elders of the major sects."

The Sword Saint handed over a rolled-up scroll. It seemed to contain information about the nearby masters of the Profound Martial Alliance.

This was likely the reason Jung Yeonshin had been summoned in the first place.

The boy returned to the original self to organize the content he would present to the General Affairs Bureau.

The Murim Alliance had enough available masters, but due to political maneuvering, they had to resort to appealing to the martial artists of Desolate Fortress.

"That's all."

Jung Yeonshin placed the document in his chest pocket and turned away without hesitation.

The favor he had received from the Sword Saint would be repaid through this commission. There was no further need to linger.

"I will take Ak Yerim, Murong Mingjun, Gongsun Min, and the Little Sword Queen, Chui So-ok."

The boy spoke with his back turned. Those were the only names that came to mind. Mount Hua's Yoo Hyun was excluded.

Given the situation, it could easily become a death trap for the less experienced juniors. He had no intention of dragging a friend into it.

The same applied to Fan Dragon, Zhuge Hyeon, who had courteously challenged him to a spar and burned his fan afterward.

Zhuge Hyeon, standing nearby, flinched in surprise and looked at Jung Yeonshin.

The boy ignored him. What of it?

The Sword Saint's voice carried a faint chuckle.

"You're taking only the cream of the crop. Direct descendants of the Eight Great Clans and even the head disciple of Mount Dianqing Sect. The forces of the Profound Martial Alliance stationed everywhere are as numerous as those of the Blood Flame Cult and as formidable as those of the Martial Dragon Association or the Tyrant Sword Tribe. I'm not expecting complete annihilation. Don't overdo it."

"It seems your words have changed now that I mentioned taking the less experienced juniors."

"It's all just a burden. That's the lament of a powerless Alliance Leader. Changing this rotten orthodox martial world cannot be achieved with a single sword. Even a sword art capable of uniting the world has proven insufficient."

Jung Yeonshin turned to look at the Sword Saint. The middle-aged man, with his handsome features, smiled faintly.

The Opening Tournament had barely begun, yet he looked as if he had aged ten years.

The clan heads had established the Murim Alliance to protect their vested interests.

The Sword Saint had merely been placed symbolically as its leader.

Amid those trying to preserve the old, he was struggling to bring about change. It seemed like another battlefield, entirely separate from Jung Yeonshin's world.

"What's that?"

The boy suddenly gestured toward something. A Go board lay on the flat stone floor next to the Alliance Leader's seat.

The Sword Saint smiled faintly and spoke.

"It seems I didn't want to be a complete puppet of a leader. The head of the Zhuge Clan taught me Go, saying it held lessons in strategy. You should take the time to learn it as well. Life is full of surprising things. After you've enjoyed the fruits of those surprises, I hope you'll experience them all at least once. Be it Go, camaraderie, or love."

The peerless master spoke with clear eyes.

It was a meaningful statement. The boy nodded calmly.

The actions of the Desolate Fortress' masters were said to be the focus of all the great sects.

Jung Yeonshin's origins and the path he took to enter Desolate Fortress were likely no exception.

'He's discerned my constitution, so he must have some idea of my intentions.'

Finally, the boy spoke.

"May I ask you to keep this confidential?"

"Just refine your swordsmanship and show it to me. You know the winner of the Opening Tournament must parry one of my strikes, don't you? Your energy is rather mystical, but it's still rough in places. I'm curious to see what kind of sword you'll complete through me."

The Sword Saint's answer was roundabout.

There were fifteen days left until the Opening Tournament.

Half an hour later, Jung Yeonshin returned to the Cloud Fragrance Courtyard and sat with his subordinates, who were more like older brothers.

In the spacious room, Namgoong Hwashin sat upright, while Heon Wonchang twisted his neck this way and that.

Lazy Flame Dragon lay on the floor, turning his body sideways. There was nothing to say to him.

He was the kind of guy who even chewed on poppy leaves to endure the heat of the Solar Divine Meridian.

"So, let me get this straight… The Murim Alliance is proudly hosting a grand festival, while we, having casually disrupted their plans, are now finding out that the sly and brutal Profound Martial Alliance is prowling around near this land?"

"Correct."

"I've heard about the Profound Martial Alliance from that dead regional magistrate. Is this a three-way conflict?"

"Respect your tone."

"I was talking to myself."

"..."

"By the way, doesn't the Profound Martial Alliance have some history with you, Leader?"

Heon Wonchang interjected.

During a gathering of the Profound Martial Alliance's juniors, Jung Yeonshin had severed the head of someone called Sword Blossom. It had been because she attempted to harm civilians during a boating excursion.

While accompanying Azure Qilin, Namgoong Se-jin, her fiancé had even sent his subordinates after them.

He was said to be the eldest son of the Profound Martial Alliance.

"They're already mortal enemies, and since they routinely plunder villages, I can wield my sword without hesitation. It'll be a deed worthy of being called not a hero, but a divine hero."

Heon Wonchang tied his blue headband tightly around his forehead as he spoke. Jung Yeonshin nodded perfunctorily as he stood up.

"I've brought two orders bearing the Alliance Leader's seal. One has been attached to a carrier pigeon and sent to the fortress as evidence. We leave now. We need to capture the juniors before the clan heads catch wind of this. The clans might be colluding with the Profound Martial Alliance."

He had witnessed the collusion between the Sichuan Tang Clan's Grand Elder and the Blood Flame Cult. He had also been betrayed by the Namgoong Clan.

Jung Yeonshin was now a young yet shrewd martial artist of the rivers and lakes. To draw his sword with the Murim Alliance at his back, he needed hostages.

"I'll handle that. The scatterbrained Little Sword Queen will follow along anyway. She seems quite smitten with our young leader. As for the rest, their martial skills are hardly worth a snack to me."

Lazy Flame Dragon sprang to his feet.

"Let's stop by the market on our way out. We need supplies."

"We've got enough jerky. And plenty of internal injury remedies."

"Not that kind."

* * *

An hour later.

Ak Yerim and three other young martial artists were dragged out, bewildered.

The Little Sword Queen, with her long hair, smiled as she gazed at the boy in the black robe. Zhuge Hyeon, who had volunteered to accompany them from the main headquarters of the Alliance, was also present.

None of this concerned Jung Yeonshin. He didn't consider them part of his fighting force.

He didn't even care about the fact that there had been no resistance from the clans.

"Talk about supplies."

The boy muttered.

In an alleyway behind the bustling market street, Lazy Flame Dragon was haggling with a merchant.

Behind them, a heap of red poppy flowers swayed in the autumn breeze.

Watching the scene absentmindedly, the young Leader of Radiant Demon Squad slowly turned away.

"Let's go."