CHAPTER 183

Heon Wonchang's words were quite humorous, a wit rarely seen in Hanzhong.

Laughter rippled through the spectators surrounding the duel stage. It wasn't loud, though.

The opponent was one of the solemn swordsmen of the Murong Clan. They couldn't recklessly burst into laughter.

This was a setting where few dared to act without regard for the Murim Alliance's watchful eyes. Only someone of the Desolate Divine Spear's caliber could afford to do so.

"…A word of advice—keep a tighter leash on your subordinates."

The leader of the Heavenly Spirit Sword Unit spoke. This, while his neck remained precariously exposed to the exceptional sword of the young leader of the Radiant Demon Squad.

"That reckless fool. Like a loach in muddy water, he stretches his legs without looking where to lie. Leader of the Radiant Demon Squad, there will come a day when such a fool grabs you by the ankles. Constantly earning grudges from the Profound Martial Alliance, it's not hard to predict your fate. You're far from living a peaceful life as a martial artist."

He spat out the words like venom.

Heon Wonchang of the Desolate Fortress had become the key figure to watch among the Radiant Demon Squad Leader's entourage—second only to Jung Yeonshin himself.

It started from the moment he played a significant role in bringing the young leader of the Radiant Demon Squad into the Opening Tournament. Knowing how to manipulate public opinion while backed by the power of Desolate Fortress emissaries made him particularly dangerous.

A man who could turn even the smallest justification into a dance of swords—a figure especially fatal to orthodox martial artists.

The leader of the Heavenly Spirit Sword Unit squinted his eyes.

"A martial artist holding command over a division ought to take responsibility for their subordinates' behavior. The quagmire might be closer than you think. None among the noble martial artists of the Martial Alliance would favor someone like him."

He spoke as if out of concern. The young boy tilted his head slightly while still aiming his sword.

"Didn't you just lose in a single exchange? Your tongue is long."

"..."

"How disgraceful. Get off the stage."

Jung Yeonshin added force to the Beiming. As he twisted the blade, he pushed the leader of the Heavenly Spirit Sword Unit back with the flat of his sword and drew the blade downward in a picturesque motion as he sheathed it.

The middle-aged swordsman stepped back, biting his lips. For anyone, it was a moment of disgrace.

'Only a man like that would use the so-called Bedside Angle Technique.'

The boy thought. He couldn't help but marvel anew at the efficacy of the deceptive techniques bestowed by the Desolate Fortress' squad leader.

While focusing on refining and mastering the new sword technique, he had reached a level where he could claim a 30% success rate even against equals in skill.

Against anyone not among the super masters specializing in internal energy techniques, death was inevitable upon contact.

It more than compensated for its drawback of being hard to use twice.

'Because high-density feints rob the opponent of their breath.'

The skills possessed by Jung Yeonshin, leader of the Radiant Demon Squad, were growing by the day.

Just as the seasoned martial artists of Kangho possessed all kinds of bizarre techniques, the boy, too, was stepping into the realm of the eccentric.

It could be called the process of ripening into the pure black essence of the Desolate Fortress.

Step, step.

The leader of the Heavenly Spirit Sword Unit turned his body roughly. The hem of his soft pink attire swept the air with a sharp motion.

The characteristic attire of the Murong Clan paled before the black robe of the leader of Radiant Demon Squad.

"…The victor of this duel is Swordsman Lightning Genius."

At the edge of the duel stage, Zhuge Cheon, who had taken the role of adjudicator, announced.

Only then did cheers emerge from various parts of the spectator seats.

While they hesitated to humiliate the martial artists of the Alliance, few felt the need to hold back their excitement toward the expert of the Desolate Fortress.

From where the boy's gaze swept, occasional loud cheers erupted, regardless of age or gender.

"Here, look this way! How can someone look like that? He's like a divine being!"

"The leader of the Heavenly Spirit Sword Unit—he's one of the top swordsmen in the Murong Clan…."

"This is truly an eye-opener! Sochil, pack up your things for the trading route in two days and keep your eyes on the front gate. Let's follow them back to Yangyang. The road will be much safer."

"Let's align ourselves with the young leader of the Radiant Demon Squad. We can't delay any longer, can we?"

Jung Yeonshin ignored the chattering voices and started walking, adjusting the black collar of his slightly disheveled robe.

It was the second day of his intrusion. The final opponent of today's duels had been the leader of the Heavenly Spirit Sword Unit.

Once again, the boy defeated every opponent on the second day. It was a perfect victory.

In two more days and nights, the mission would be complete, no matter the result.

"How's the sword wound left by the Sword Demon?"

Flame Dragon caught up with him, moving with ghost-like footwork, and asked.

They walked the path behind the duel stage, an area inaccessible to the crowd. It was a secluded route used by participants of the Opening Tournament to return to the Alliance Hall.

The guards stationed on both sides paid little attention to the two of them.

Only a few exchanged respectful nods toward the young leader of the Radiant Demon Squad.

"It's improving." 

The boy murmured, glancing sideways at the smoothly landing Heon Wonchang.

"The Desolate Fortress' Sacred Warrior does the work of ten Flame Dragons." 

Jung Yeonshin remarked casually.

The reply came swiftly.

"Do not worry, my leader. The Radiant Demon Squad is like a symbiotic bird; all martial artists soar alongside you. Every word I utter serves solely to gain advantage for our faction and elevate you. There's no way I'd feel daunted."

Heon Wonchang grinned broadly.

"If there were ten of me, we'd have to create a new squad just for them." 

Flame Dragon quipped, now resigned to his recent role as the Radiant Demon Squad' punching bag. The group casually chatted as they arrived at Cloud Fragrance Courtyard.

This was the residence provided by the Murim Alliance, yet it was being used contrary to their leadership's intent to turn it into a hub of conflict.

Rather than hostility, many visitors sought to express goodwill.

The provocative act of planting a flag of Desolate Fortress on the duel stage had made it unavoidable. The format of the Opening Tournament had to change.

To restore the honor of Martial Alliance's martial artists, they had to break through the martial barrier established by the young supreme expert and shatter the flag.

In two days, 23 top-tier martial artists of the Alliance had been defeated in succession.

The leader of the Radiant Demon Squad displayed a truly formidable presence. Despite the ten-exchange limit imposed on the duels, no ambiguous outcomes had occurred.

The martial prowess of the Desolate Fortress' squad leader became known far and wide. Inevitably, visitors grew in number.

Merchants hoping to trade in Huguang Province, escort agencies seeking safe passage, and even certain Alliance martial artists whose intentions—whether friendly or spying—were hard to discern.

Bang! Bang!

The sound of knocking on the door was no longer surprising. Only about an hour had passed since their arrival, yet it had already begun.

Jung Yeonshin sat in the main hall overlooking the courtyard, hearing a familiar voice.

"Yeonshin!"

It was the voice of a young boy. Someone unrelated to the dueling results had come to visit. There was only one person in the Alliance who could comfortably call out to Jung Yeonshin this way.

"Come in." 

Jung Yeonshin replied calmly.

Before the servants could even approach, the door opened on its own.

Peeking in was not Yoo Hyun of the Mount Hua Sect, but a woman with a slightly dazed expression and a playful smile. It was Little Sword Queen Chui So-ok.

A dark jade longsword dangled at her waist, tied with crimson silk. In one hand, she held a jade-green gourd.

"I tried mimicking your voice by manipulating my throat muscles with inner energy… I guess it was convincing."

She awkwardly brushed her hair behind her ear with her other hand. This time, it was her own voice.

Those gifted with natural talent in manipulating internal energy often used inverse techniques to freely control parts of their body.

The essence of Jung Yeonshin's newly developed "Wind Body" technique also originated from this concept. Total control over the body, including muscles and acupoints, to unleash power throughout the entire frame.

The boy, seated in a meditative posture, fixed his gaze on Little Sword Queen.

"What brings you here?"

"I wanted to host a small drinking gathering to express my gratitude. Here, this is liquor." 

She said, shaking the jade gourd slightly.

She had been captured along with Flame Dragon by the sinister faction of the Profound Martial Alliance, which had occupied the Seven Crowds Gorge.

She had always shown interest in the martial arts of swordsman Lightning Genius, but ever since being rescued by Jung Yeonshin, she had grown as familiar with him as Yoo Hyun had.

Trailing behind the Little Sword Queen was Gongsun Min.

"Greetings to the leader of the Radiant Demon Squad. And the experts of Desolate Fortress well?"

Grinning casually, he displayed a surprisingly candid demeanor. It was said he had managed to procure the sword of Murong Mingjun.

This was the treasured blade Jung Yeonshin had used to execute the Full Sky Flower Rain technique. Gongsun Min had once boasted about it, saying he had housed the blade in the guest quarters of his Gongsun Clan within the Alliance.

"I've seen it all now. The next Head of Mount Dianqing Sect is imitating the Head Disciple of Mount Hua Sect?"

Flame Dragon muttered incredulously, sprawling near the pond in the courtyard.

Chewing on a poppy flower, the oldest but least accomplished subordinate of the Radiant Demon Squad Leader, added to the conversation,

"No drinking. Our leader isn't grown enough yet."

He made up a flimsy excuse.

'Pretending to be considerate.'

Jung Yeonshin knew why the incompetent, aging subordinate acted that way. It was due to the sword wound inflicted by Baek Seo-gun, the Eternal Heaven Sword Demon.

The scar bore the deep inner power of the Sword Sovereign from Henan Province, whose technique was exceptionally profound.

The moment alcohol entered the system, it could interfere with the healing process of the scar through intoxication.

A duel against the Plum Blossom Swordsman of Mount Hua Sect was approaching.

The warriors of the Radiant Demon Squad focused on ensuring their leader was in peak condition.

Even Namgoong Hwashin had left to use his connections to procure some highly effective medicinal herbs.

The leader of Mount Hua's Plum Blossom Swordsmen was an opponent even difficult to contest with in perfect condition. Under the elders' assessment, he was said to be a swordsman worthy of being considered among the strongest.

In contrast, Little Sword Queen knew nothing. She hadn't witnessed the duel between Jung Yeonshin and Baek Seo-gun.

Her expression alone, trying to force her downcast eyes upward, made it obvious she had heard something shocking.

"Didn't you have a match against the Eternal Heaven Sword Demon…?"

"This gentleman told you it was impossible." 

Flame Dragon replied, gazing at her with clear, unclouded eyes.

Little Sword Queen's face turned blank.

"Who is this lady?"

Heon Wonchang, standing guard beside Jung Yeonshin, abruptly asked, his arms crossed.

Flame Dragon tilted his head in an exaggerated manner, as if Heon Wonchang's bluntness amused him. Gongsun Min, who was smiling subtly, introduced the girl accompanying them.

"She's the younger sister of Fan Dragon."

"Zhuge Clan, Qing-ya." 

Zhuge Qing-ya said, raising her clasped fists slightly. She stared quietly at the young leader of the Radiant Demon Squad. The eyes of the Zhuge Clan's cherished daughter were quite peculiar.

Even her gaze reflected it. Her jet-black pupils, shimmering with a leaf-like radiance, hinted at an extraordinary mastery of sight arts, even at a glance.

'A rare talent cultivated to remarkable depth.'

A faint interest flickered across Jung Yeonshin's face.

"Set the table. Let's sit together."

"My lord?"

"I said I'm not drinking."

The boy, pushing aside Flame Dragon, sat at the table in the courtyard. Gongsun Min's face lit up.

Little Sword Queen looked slightly disappointed as she shook the liquor bottle.

"I was curious to see the sword path you'd draw while intoxicated."

More than a dozen servants of Cloud Fragrance Courtyard bustled between the kitchen and courtyard without rest. They seemed to have received specific instructions from the Alliance leadership.

Though the prior adjustment to the Opening Tournament schedule had nothing to do with Jung Yeonshin, they treated the party from Desolate Fortress with meticulous care, as if determined to leave no room for criticism.

"Our courtyard doesn't receive treatment like this… Are they looking down on the Nine Sects?"

Little Sword Queen, sitting next to Jung Yeonshin, muttered.

The fine clouds above the table laden with food dispersed in an instant. The weather was bright and clear.

Seated at the head of the table, Jung Yeonshin gazed at Zhuge Qing-ya across from him, who appeared to be his age.

"State your purpose."

"..."

A girl whose expression suited her current impassiveness. Her jet-black hair, tied into a single strand, flowed down beneath her sky-colored collar.

The luster of her hair, akin to polished ebony, suggested noble status.

Even when facing the famous leader of the Radiant Demon Squad, her complexion remained unchanging. Her face, pale and serene as snow, and her posture, impeccably refined.

Zhuge Qing-ya slowly parted her lips.

"I've come to request a sword discussion, hearing that your martial arts are renowned, my lord."

"Instead of entertaining some wandering expert hosting a lesser-ranked guest," 

Gongsun Min chattered away, 

"Zhuge Qing-ya is highly knowledgeable in martial principles. I know this well because she's a close friend of my betrothed. My lord, it would be worth speaking with her."

"A sword discussion." 

The young leader of the Radiant Demon Squad murmured.

"So, that's why."

"What do you mean?"

Zhuge Qing-ya, meeting the gaze of the Desolate Fortress squad leader's black eyes, asked calmly. Jung Yeonshin replied immediately,

"Taiyang Acupoint."

"...?"

"Tongziliao."

He continued briefly, listing the names of facial acupoints.

"Si Bai, Zan Zhu, Yin Tang. You're using sight arts. The energy resonance is unique. It could even be applied to the palm center. I wouldn't know the details of the Zhuge Clan's secret techniques without unfolding them, but if that form is slightly adjusted and incorporated into a fan, would it become the Wind and Infinite Fan Technique? Quite unusual. Your clan's specialty is fascinating."

The Compendium of Hundred Techniques―Zhuge Clan.

The boy's lips curled up slightly.

"You're interesting. Alright, show this young leader your insight. I'll respond."

"..."

Suddenly, the transparent autumn air brushed against the young martial artists' skin. Sunlight shattered across the rippling pond beside them, its reflections carried along like strokes in an ink-wash painting.

A breeze, soft as the brushstroke of a landscape painting, lifted a few autumn leaves into the air. The presence of nature grew unusually vivid.

It was the silence emanating from the leader of the Radiant Demon Squad.

A wordless signal to deactivate her sight arts before speaking.