CHAPTER 177
From the martial city of Desolate Fortress, there was a lone warrior who remained within the main hall of the Murim Alliance.
The White Qilin, Namgoong Hwashin.
He was the focus of much attention. The White and Azure Qilins had long been regarded as the greatest siblings in the martial world, both in character and martial prowess.
Namgoong Hwashin was, by all accounts, a distinguished warrior. He was also known as the successor to the Obeying Heaven Squad.
Though a few envied him, the overwhelming majority expressed goodwill toward him.
Once Jung Yeonshin left his post, there was a sudden influx of messages seeking Namgoong Hwashin.
It was because many had refrained from approaching him due to the infamous reputation of the Radiant Demon Squad, which Ma Jin had built.
Namgoong Hwashin had to deal with various situations.
When he received letters requesting a duel and arrived at the promised location, sharpened words often came instead of swords.
"Actually, I've admired you, Young Master Namgoong. Since the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering."
"..."
"When the Opening Tournament ends, it'll be harder to see you, so I mustered the courage to say this. Please don't answer me right away."
A martial artist from the Eun Clan confessed to him under the moonlit mist.
There were women who sent secret letters, and others who directly expressed their feelings. Such was how romances unfolded in the martial world.
He was accustomed to this.
Even before entering Desolate Fortress, he had received countless confessions.
It had been that way since he joined the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, holding hands with Namgoong Se-jin and Namgoong Mi.
He simply hadn't anticipated experiencing the same thing at the Murim Alliance.
He rejected them all without exception.
"I am grateful for your feelings. But I cannot marry into another family."
"...!"
Not everyone approached him with pure intentions. Some clearly aimed to secure a promising warrior for their benefit.
It was said that over a hundred sects had signed the Murim Alliance Charter.
Throughout history, it wasn't uncommon for people to use romantic approaches to win over outstanding men and women.
Namgoong Hwashin bitterly turned away.
There had once been someone he cared for.
She was the daughter of a minor merchant group dealing in tea leaves in South Zhili.
She had been poisoned under Namgoong Mi's orders.
It was during the time when Namgoong Hwashin was being raised as the family's shadow sword.
The assassins of the noble families could not form relationships with outsiders.
He had to bury her in his heart. Afterward, no woman ever caught his eye.
"I understand you have not inherited the King-Style Sword Arts. My interest lies in witnessing your Boundless Heaven Technique."
"I was once fortunate enough to receive guidance from the Azure Qilin himself…"
Pride and wariness filled the air. But this was only the beginning.
The most troublesome were those who exploited marriage proposals or pried into the interim leader.
The former was tolerable; the latter was the real issue.
"I'm not inquiring about the structure of Desolate Fortress; I'm merely curious…"
"Speak."
"I'm talking about the Radiant Demon Squad Leader. How prominent is the young black-clad leader's position in Desolate Fortress? Isn't it peculiar for the leader of such a powerful force, spanning the entirety of the martial world, to be so young? Can the White Qilin truly pledge himself wholeheartedly to such a person?"
"..."
"It was, after all, this very person who, even in a fair duel, pierced the body of the Azure Qilin. How extraordinary is his character? Many rumors claim he is quite arrogant."
"He is… a transparent person. He does what must be done, worries when concerned, and grows angry when needed. His expression may appear indifferent, but that's all. If you wish to know more, come to Cloud Fragrance Courtyard. I shall teach you with my sword."
"A sword? My, I thought you were a gentle soul…"
No one actually visited Cloud Fragrance Courtyard.
Shallow-minded individuals tend to have shallow martial skills as well. It takes more than mere resolve to face the White Qilin's blade.
"Young Master Namgoong, a letter has arrived from the Beggars' Sect."
He took the document from the servant waiting at Cloud Fragrance Courtyard.
It was from the Beggars' Sect's Hu-gae.
An invitation.
The letter stated he was invited to the Murim Alliance's leaders' meeting, as a representative of Desolate Fortress.
With the Radiant Demon Squad Leader absent, they wanted Namgoong Hwashin to represent him as a prominent martial artist.
He immediately set off.
He took his place in the meeting hall, filled with high-ranking martial artists like shining stars. Only two peers his age were present.
One was a handsome beggar, and the other, a woman with both eyes covered by a white cloth.
The woman stood out even more.
Her smooth jawline and prominent nose alone made her seem like a peerless beauty, yet she possessed a uniquely mysterious aura.
Even her smallest gestures captivated everyone, regardless of gender.
She was said to represent the Ye Clan, which had poured immense wealth into establishing the Murim Alliance.
A key figure.
As Namgoong Hwashin took note of her and the Beggars' Sect's Hu-gae,
"The topic is the timeline of the Opening Tournament."
A middle-aged man in a green long robe said .
It was Feng Shui Master Zhuge Cheon, a deputy strategist of the Alliance, with jet-black sword brows.
Namgoong Hwashin's gaze grew cold.
This was the man who had previously attempted to manipulate the squad leader with formations. He had a bad feeling.
"There are many opinions in favor of advancing the tournament. With the world on the brink of chaos, announcing the Alliance's establishment sooner would help to reassure the martial world's people. It seems like a highly reasonable proposal…"
Namgoong Hwashin widened his eyes.
This was blatant suppression. They intended to exclude the Radiant Demon Squad Leader from the tournament.
It meant they were willing to endure the rumors that they were plotting against Desolate Fortress' martial artists out of fear.
They seemed intent on preventing the young yet highly skilled squad leader from making the Alliance's elites a laughingstock.
How did the righteous Murim come to this?
Only a few, such as the Taoists of Mount Hua and warriors of the Tang Clan, showed their disapproval.
The Nine Great Sects, except for Mount Hua, were absent from the meeting, and the noble families were never reliable to begin with.
The Sword Saint, the Alliance Leader, was nowhere to be seen. It seemed the rumors of him being a figurehead were true.
Zhuge Cheon, the deputy strategist, had already presented the proposal as if it were decided.
Namgoong Hwashin thought,
'This must be stopped.'
A rough, strong hand was raised.
All the martial artists present had expected this.
Members of the noble families smirked faintly, and the deputy strategist also smiled politely.
"The emissary has no voting rights… However, we shall hear Young Master Namgoong's opinion. Take a deep breath and speak."
At that moment, Zhuge Cheon's smile faded slightly.
Another hand had risen in the hall.
It was a slender, jade-like hand.
The Ye Clan's lady twisted her fingers playfully.
* * *
Seven Crowds Gorge.
Invisible waves of energy filled the hill.
They emanated from the newly appointed Radiant Demon Squad Leader, who was holding his sword high.
It approached like a blade slicing through flesh. The gusting canyon winds shimmered faintly, like translucent veils.
Even from the prelude, it was clear this was an advanced technique.
Baek Seo-gun had seen this sword technique once before, when the Squad Leader had questioned whether he was qualified to stand against the Eternal Heaven Sword Demon.
She felt her hair tickling the back of her neck and opened her mouth.
"You were in a rush back then. I did wonder what would happen if you executed it properly."
She spoke as she faced the sword wind head-on.
Baek Seo-gun's arm swept through the air. Her short, gray hair swayed boldly.
In accordance with the mystery of the Spirit Heaven Sword, her blade glided through the air.
Her immense energy was channeled into the sword, flowing freely through her meridians and transforming into unrestrained power.
Shattering the air, her Eight Illusory Sword Arts enveloped her blade.
This was clearly beyond mortal limits.
It was the power of the Divine Arts of the Noble Clan.
It halted the aging of its practitioner and granted them a sublime unity with their sword.
Through the Eight Illusory Sword Arts, she transcended the ten deadly realms.
Jung Ban-ak's idle teachings of Go no longer served any purpose in her life.
"Isn't the saying contradictory—'Abandon stones to seize the initiative' and 'Do not greedily overreach'?"
"Foolish. How is that contradictory? Loosen up and take the initiative. It means don't get impatient, even if you have to let go of a few stones."
The words of the noble she served had been wrong.
For a supreme master who had stepped into the realm of unity between self and sword, the teachings of Go were meaningless.
Baek Seo-gun lived arrogantly. She kept her shoulders squared and chest puffed out, tolerating no losses.
Because she could afford to.
She lived that way until everything became meaningless.
The disputes with Jung Clan, as the Sword Master of Henan Province, came to an end. Her blade soared like a swallow, transforming into lightning.
The crimson sunlight refracted on the blade. The sword shot forward.
It pierced through every wind current spreading from the young squad leader's sword and advanced.
The boy stood still, holding his sword in a high stance, watching the flying sword with his eyes.
When the edge of the attack entered within three steps, he swung his divine sword downward.
A thunderous roar erupted. The overwhelming impact shook the earth. It was an exceptionally powerful strike.
The Radiant Demon Squad Leader did not stop.
He pushed back the sword with his divine blade and took a single step forward.
That one step was astonishingly swift. It was a level where sword energy and footwork were seamlessly integrated. A whirlwind surged.
The boy planted his next step four feet ahead.
Thud!
The ground gave way beneath his feet.
A terrifying shockwave followed.
Kwagagak!
Jung Yeonshin took one step forward, then advanced again, using the dispersing shockwave of Jin Steps as propulsion. It was as if his entire body had turned into a lightning bolt.
He paid no attention to the returning flying sword behind him. It was the stance of "Abandon the Stones to Seize the Initiative".
He spared no effort in creating an opening in his opponent's attack. Without even looking, he thrust his sword backward.
Clang!
The flying sword was deflected. The powerful shock traveled down to his thighs, placing immense strain on his lower body.
He hadn't completely shaken off the unity of self and sword. Baek Seo-gun's sword hummed and spun, slicing past his side and overtaking him.
A searing pain spread, as if a straight line had been cut into him. It burned intensely.
He ignored it. He was now ten steps away. Baek Seo-gun, who had just reclaimed her flying sword, widened her eyes slightly.
She had stepped into the realm of a supreme master's swordsmanship, unable even to steady her footing. It was a natural reaction.
Thanks to the ability of the unity of self and sword, she swiftly assumed an attacking posture. Her sword was now aimed at her opponent's heart in a middle stance.
The sword moved on its own according to her desired form.
'It's done.'
Jung Yeonshin thought as he sprinted with light footwork.
From the crown of his head, the energy of his upper dantian surged. The domain of the Eternal Heaven Sword Demon's blade flowed into his mind.
He calculated her sword strike based on her left foot stepping forward, the rhythm of her attack stance and the energy waves, the faint breaths she took, and the movement of her brachialis muscle beneath the hem of her sleeve.
The intricate and swift sword strike was on the verge of manifesting.
Jung Yeonshin activated the mnemonic verse of the Jung Clan's Movement Arts.
He murmured the core mantra inwardly.
'Mother.'
His muscles responded. His right arm contracted ever so slightly.
The contraction started from the outer head of the deltoid, traveled through the biceps, and extended down to his forearm. It wasn't visible externally.
Only the energy of the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, which enveloped his right arm, had sprung forth with tremendous elasticity.
Boom!
The second technique of his nameless swordsmanship.
The ground beneath his lowered blade burst apart. A rough vibration shook the area, channeling the shockwave from all the accumulated collisions.
It was the secret of the sequential technique. The power gathered behind the Yinming Acupoint on his thighs swirled transparently, transferring to his sword.
A whirlwind erupted in an instant. Dust scattered in all directions.
The gale split into dozens of streams. Yet the trajectory of the sword was singular.
He advanced as if to disregard Baek Seo-gun's thrusting sword.
The boy in black robes swung the Beiming Sword horizontally as he passed her. A long silver light flickered and vanished.
Clang!
He struck true. The sensation in his grip was weighty. Baek Seo-gun's sword was deflected entirely.
The sunlight caught on the blade, dancing chaotically in the air. A moment of silence followed.
"..."
Her somewhat dazed gaze traced the boy's retreating back.
Lowering his sword, the Radiant Demon Squad Leader slowly turned his steps.
The sound of his steady footsteps echoed with an inexplicable sense of intimidation.
The energy waves emanating from the ranks of the Profound Martial Alliance's soldiers came to a halt.
For a moment, they held their breaths. It was the natural reaction of lesser warriors faced with the aura of a supreme master.
"…You've channeled your entire body's energy into a single sword, with overwhelming intensity."
Murmuring in a daze, Baek Seo-gun stretched her hand into the air.
The floating sword descended, drawn to her grasp.
It was a flawless display of the profound unity of self and sword, yet she felt no particular awe for her own technique. Not because it was familiar.
Her gaze was fixed solely on the boy's sword path.
His technique was entirely different from her own fluid, effortless swings.
If they continued to exchange blows, Baek Seo-gun would win. She had mastered the Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown and the Five Energies Returning to Origin. With her overwhelming internal energy, she could overpower him.
Other than the Desolate Divine Spear, few among the black-rank warriors of Desolate Fortress could match her. But the wager had been about claiming victory with a single technique.
The Eternal Heaven Sword Demon had lost to the Radiant Demon Squad Leader.
The teachings she had learned during the dispute with the Jung Clan had once shaken her stance as a swordmaster.
The boy's sword, disregarding the cost to his body, had been truly terrifying.
"Crisis Tenets, Abandon the Stones to Seize the Initiative."
She said slowly, her lips barely parting.
"My past… was neither meaningless nor blurred."
She muttered as if lost in thought. Jung Yeonshin did not respond.
After a moment, Baek Seo-gun faintly smiled.
"The sword of a master carries the life they've lived… And you, child with Ban-ak's face who does not resemble Ban-ak, who are you?"
"The Radiant Demon Squad Leader has come to confirm the Eternal Heaven Sword Demon's promise. You said you'd return to the main hall of the Profound Martial Alliance, didn't you?"
The boy asked in return.
Baek Seo-gun's smile deepened.
"Yes. I'll do so. After all, I've lived a leisurely life. I owe a favor to the Jung Clan, and I'll repay it over the years. That's thanks to you."
"Over the years…"
Jung Yeonshin repeated quietly.
Baek Seo-gun silently observed the boy before her. What was she thinking?
Since mentioning the passage of time, she closed her lips and spoke no further. There was an air of peculiarity about her.
At that moment, the ranks of martial soldiers parted.
Lazy Flame Dragon swaggered over and spoke bluntly.
"Do you need support?"
"I don't."
"Let's go, then."
"Alright."
On the high ridge of the canyon, the setting sunlight wrapped around the peaks like a translucent veil.
The twilight flowed with the wind, fading with the boy's retreating black robes.
The two figures descended into the canyon.
Baek Seo-gun gazed blankly at Jung Ban-ak's son's retreating back, which had become youthful again.
A subtle mix of nostalgia and an acute sense of time's passage welled within her.
"Your sword reaps fateful connections."
She murmured.
No matter how one looked, he had grown well. She thought to investigate the annihilation of the Jung Clan thoroughly.
It seemed Jung Daemyung had raised him as expected.
For the Sword Master of Henan Province, the distance between Shaanxi and Henan was but a stone's throw.
She thought of the Leader of Hao Sect, known for being as well-informed as the Leader of the Beggars' Sect.
If the Radiant Demon Squad Leader of Desolate Fortress was already considered a key figure, she would learn more about Jung Yeonshin one way or another.
Swish.
The Eternal Heaven Sword Demon, Baek Seo-gun, turned. The intricate patterns embroidered on her crimson martial attire glimmered brilliantly.
Finally, the sunset faded away.
The boy descending Seven Crowds Gorge and the woman gauging her path atop the ridge.
Their shadows stretched long in opposite directions, one belonging to a noble and the other to a servant.
Even then, Jung Yeonshin did not consider his sword to be a completed art.
It was created through the Sword Saint and would only be complete through the Sword Saint.
It's only two techniques for now, he thought, silently reviewing his swordsmanship as he walked beside Lazy Flame Dragon.
On one of the ridges, Heon Wonchang stood with piercing eyes. He hadn't descended.
He later admitted he'd been ready to intervene.
The boy faintly smiled and shook his head.
One by one, Little Sword Queen and Gongson Min joined them. Murong Mingjun had truly disappeared without a trace.
Even by the time they reached the main gates of the Murim Alliance headquarters, he was nowhere to be found.
"Huh? This feels strange."
Lazy Flame Dragon said, parting the crowd ahead of them.
Jung Yeonshin had already sensed it.
Inside the vast main hall, an overwhelming roar echoed. It seemed to come from hundreds of people. It was no ordinary event.
"Excuse me, what's happening inside?"
Heon Wonchang grabbed a passerby's arm and asked. The man, dressed in pristine green martial attire, frowned as he glanced at Heon Wonchang's side profile.
The moment his gaze landed on the yellow insignia on Heon Wonchang's shoulder, his eyes widened, and he stuttered.
"Th-the Opening Tournament is happening!"
"A pre-festival of sorts?"
"No, not a pre-festival. The opening ceremony was three days ago! The Opening Tournament is already on its third day!"
The pleased expression on Heon Wonchang's face hardened.