CHAPTER 184

Zhuge Qing-ya's expression remained unchanged upon hearing the boy's words, but Little Sword Queen and Gongsun Min's eyes widened slightly.

The new Radiant Demon Squad Leader had seen through Zhuge Clan's secret arts.

It wasn't just that he noticed the technique was being used—he even recited some of the acupoints involved.

"Ha."

A faint flush appeared on Little Sword Queen's cheeks as she idly fiddled with her sword wave in front of her table.

It was the excitement of a swordsman who had devoted over a decade to the blade. Her hands, long trained in Dianqing Sect's Four Arts of the Sword, trembled with admiration and competitive spirit.

'A sword path drawn with such perception must be incredibly delicate…'

It was hard to gauge just how keenly sensitive the young man's energy perception was.

The sense of the upper dantian that her master, the Sect Leader of Dianqing, had developed through arduous training—Lightning Genius seemed to have been born with it.

He had the talent to leap over the decades of effort accumulated by the established mid-tier masters.

Time had been pulled forward.

It was impossible unless his martial talent had already reached the realm of the supernatural.

Even if he were to lose to Mount Hua's Swordmaster in the near future, few would dare to look down on him. His future was bright.

'It was close to a sequential battle, yet he defeated twenty-three martial artists of the Alliance in succession. His techniques are incredibly precise, no matter how intense the fight was.'

If it were a multiple-opponent attack, that would be one thing—but in a one-on-one sequential battle, he was not someone who could be dealt with easily.

The higher-ups in the Murim Alliance must have started noticing by now. At this point, they were probably placing all their hopes on Mount Hua's Sword Sage and Eun Clan's First Fist.

Neither of them could be said to be the absolute strongest of the Nine Sects or the Noble Clans, but in the Opening Tournament, they were the most formidable cards.

That was the nature of a vast world. The positions of the major sects were scattered across different regions, and the distribution of power was intricately tangled.

How would this young squad leader fight them?

It was a rising topic that was steadily fueling the anticipation of the gathered heroes in Hanzhong.

Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Swords, Eun Clan's First Fist, Infinite Blossom Fist—

These were the absolute techniques to be unveiled on the dueling stage of the Opening Tournament.

Little Sword Queen quietly steadied her breathing.

Meanwhile, Zhuge Qing-ya, who had been silently watching the boy for a while, slowly parted her lips.

A faint gleam shimmered in her eyes.

"…I have been discourteous. I did not intend to probe you, Squad Leader."

The light in the girl's eyes dimmed. The subtle radiance that had been flickering around her completely disappeared.

It was a level where she had to consciously suppress it in order to deactivate it. She possessed the potential to become a grandmaster in the future.

Jung Yeonshin looked at the girl of his age with interest.

"Are you in a state of continuous cultivation?"

"Yes."

"Your energy emission was stable. You seem to have reached mastery."

"…It is the accomplishment of responding to mnemonic verses with full-body internal energy. Depending on the accumulation of energy and as my body grows, there is room for further improvement. Compared to the various martial arts Squad Leader has trained in…"

"Just get to the real business. My martial arts aren't renowned yet. It's not a valid excuse. A martial artist of the Zhuge Clan discussing swordplay with the Squad Leader? If it were your elder brother, that might be a different story."

He mentioned Zhuge Hyeon, the Fan Dragon.

He was a man to whom a debt of gratitude had to be repaid someday. He had taken on an unspoken obligation upon their first meeting.

On Western Peak Road, he had helped him open the first sword form of an unnamed sword art. Among those he had befriended in the Alliance, he was the most decent person.

As the young Radiant Demon Squad Leader once again resolved to repay the favor, Zhuge Qing-ya gently shook her head.

"That is a misleading statement. The black-clad warriors of Desolate Fortress are swordsmen watched by the entire world. The moment Squad Leader donned the black robes, the reputation of all your personal martial arts changed. Even your elder brother, Azure Qilin, who named your palm technique, would not agree with your words."

"Are you, like Ak Yerim, using Azure Qilin as a means? Just to see what you want to see in me?"

The boy asked calmly.

He did not release his aura.

The Go board left behind by the Eternal Heaven Sword Demon, the Ten Essentials of Go imparted by Zhuge Hyeon—

His mental and physical discipline had deepened slightly. There was no need to rashly draw the sword unless the other person crossed the line.

Watching the young squad leader in silence, the Lazy Flame Dragon inwardly marveled.

'He's become even more terrifying.'

A sword that concealed its edge within the scabbard.

This was already the realm of grandmasters. Internal energy was fundamentally driven by intent.

For him to have calmed even one major worry meant that his true energy had grown stronger, if only slightly.

Mental and physical discipline.

It was as if he had instinctively mastered the training methods of a noble clan.

Even after donning the black robes, he continued to grow stronger.

If he were to develop a sword art that could fully encapsulate his refined heart—what then?

For someone as well-traveled as the young master of the Hwangbo Clan, it was easy to imagine. An extraordinary sword path would be born.

However, in Lazy Flame Dragon's view, none of this seemed to be Zhuge Qing-ya's primary concern.

"I am curious about you."

Her voice was calm, her tone without inflection.

Was it simply her nature? Her expression showed no emotion whatsoever.

She seemed like a martial artist who had specialized in Sight Arts. She had cultivated her ability to observe without her target realizing it.

"What about me?"

The boy asked.

Zhuge Qing-ya spoke calmly, seemingly unfazed by the Radiant Demon Squad Leader's detached tone.

"My family is obsessed with uncovering everything about you. Martial artists skilled in arcane techniques have been tracking your movements, calculating your trajectory, analyzing the shape of your energy fluctuations. They have discovered much. In essence, your techniques are…"

She slowly parted her lips.

"…Urgent."

"…"

"You never engage in battles that last beyond a hundred exchanges. Every fight where you have revealed your martial prowess has been the same. Since the martial arts you have trained in are specialized for short-term combat, many gamblers have placed their bets on Mount Hua's Sword Sage. Even if the duel is settled within ten exchanges, the opponent is a swordmaster. Mount Hua's sword techniques have a reputation for being nearly flawless."

"Are you here to pick a fight?"

Heon Wonchang suddenly interjected. His fingers twitched as if he were eager for something.

Jung Yeonshin, who had been listening quietly, shook his head slightly.

"What do you want?"

"If I ask for your help, I can teach you the mysteries of a unique arcane martial art. It will allow you to organically integrate your various martial skills. When facing an already perfected grandmaster like the Sword Sage, it will be of great assistance. However, I want something in return."

"…"

"After the Opening Tournament ends in two days, follow me. I have something to show you."

"You seem quite dissatisfied with your clan."

A glint of azure light flickered in the boy's eyes.

His upper dantian perception flared, seizing upon Zhuge Qing-ya's faint energy fluctuations—anxiety and unease.

Speaking openly about internal family matters was far from normal.

This girl was planning to upend Zhuge Clan, either in a small way or a large one. And she intended to borrow the sword of the Radiant Demon Squad Leader, who was free from the Alliance's influence.

He wasn't sure what she had seen, nor how she had managed to glimpse the techniques of martial artists at a significantly higher level.

The nature of internal energy techniques tended to reflect the practitioner's disposition. The deeper one trained, the more evident this became.

"You assume that after hearing your proposal, I will act according to your wishes."

"I have observed your character. What I seek to do is just. I cannot explain it now, but…"

Brazen.

Zhuge Qing-ya's pitch-black pupils shone with brilliance, as if her inner light had not fully faded despite withdrawing her Sight Arts.

The boy recalled Azure Qilin, rebuking his clan's martial artists.

He also thought of Zhuge Hyeon, who hesitated to mention his father. The righteous martial artists under his family's care.

This girl seemed to be planning something that those two had not dared attempt.

"I should rephrase."

"What do you mean…?"

"You are not making me an offer—I am giving you an opportunity. Do not negotiate with me. Your standing is far beneath that of the Radiant Demon Squad Leader."

"…"

"You do not realize it yet, but your proposal is already meaningless. Furthermore, you have failed to fully grasp my martial arts. When the Opening Tournament ends, lower your head and come to me. Do not speak in circles. Do not chase illusions."

Swoosh.

The boy rose from his seat, issuing a dismissal.

"Leave. I have meditation to attend to."

For a long moment, Zhuge Qing-ya sat silently, brushing her jet-black hair—tied neatly alongside her collar—back over her shoulder. 

It seemed like a habit of hers. During that time, the girl quietly observed Jung Yeonshin, as if trying to discern whether his words were bravado or sincere.

"What?"

"…I apologize for my rudeness. I deeply regret presuming to judge your character, Squad Leader."

When she finally stood, both the Little Sword Queen and Gongsun Min were ushered out with her.

"This is too much! I didn't even get to drink anything!"

"Good luck! I'll keep everything that happened today a secret!"

A brief commotion passed through like a gust of wind. The dishes arranged on the table were barely touched. Flame Dragon, who had taken only a few bites, leaned forward slightly but didn't bother glancing at the departing guests.

"She's quite the composed yet bold young lady. The sun has already set after just a few words. Anyway, are you sure about this? The Sword Sage seems a bit… risky, don't you think? The mission you were given was already enough to humiliate the mid-tier experts. Honestly, you've basically completed it. The Revitalization Pill is the real issue now."

"…"

"Sage Cheon Joo of Mount Hua is a figure I've heard about since I was a child. They say he can paint twenty-four plum blossoms with a single sword. If that's true, it means he's mastered a peerless sword technique that can lock down all directions with three overlapping layers. No wonder those gamblers gossip about him. Many of them possess uncanny sight arts, even if they're all a bit mad."

"Coming from a drunkard and opium addict, that's rich."

The boy shook his head, and Flame Dragon chuckled.

"You'll need both skill and luck to prevail, so wield your sword lightly. Mount Hua's sword techniques are known for their dazzling feints. If your body stiffens from tension, you'll be swept away in an instant. Against someone like the Sage of Mount Hua, even the Celestial Silk wouldn't be enough to protect you. It's a relief you brought extra gear."

"Thanks for the advice. Now, don't bother me. I'm going into deep meditation."

"Silence from the nameless."

Heon Wonchang, tilting his head proudly, interjected.

Flame Dragon's eyes narrowed, sweeping over the hero of Desolate Fortress with a peculiar gaze.

The way he looked at the white martial robe was unusual. The elderly nameless disciple muttered, "That's something to skip over, for sure."

* * *

"Mount Hua has always been known as the number one sword sect under the heavens. Like Wudang and Zhongnan, it has produced unparalleled swordsmen that remain in the annals of martial history. That Sword Sage over there will surely become one of them."

"Isn't that because you're from Shaanxi? In my hometown, the Wudang Sect's Hyeon Gong Jin-in is called the greatest swordsman in the world. Well, it could actually be the Divine Sword Squad Leader from Desolate Fortress, though…"

"Anyway, today's the day. I've been very curious about when the Radiant Demon Squad Leader's audacious banner would finally be cut down."

"Who have you bet on?"

"They say Heavenly Sage's Plum Blossom Sword is perfect in ten out of ten battles. How many swordsmen greater than the Sword Sage can there be in the world? There are few, at least here in Hanzhong."

"People like you have probably lowered the betting odds."

"Isn't the new Radiant Demon Squad Leader famous for his power techniques? Everyone knows that the Radiant River technique is unmatched, but it'll be tough to bridge the gap against a swordsman of equal rank or higher."

"But the names of the masters killed by the Infinite Blossom Fist are not to be underestimated…"

"If you look at it that way, the Sword Sag is clearly superior! Isn't he a mid-tier grandmaster? The number of demonic faction warriors who have fallen under the fragrance of the Plum Blossoms must easily be in the hundreds. Mount Hua's sword techniques are direct and unyielding."

This was part of the chatter mixed into the thunderous noise.

An enormous crowd had gathered, incomparable to before.

The reason was that the duel between Mount Hua's Sword Sage and Radiant Demon Squad Leader had been slated as the first match. It was the most anticipated showdown in the entire Opening Tournament of the Murim Alliance.

On the dueling stage,

Jung Yeonshin thought about the Grand Revitalization Pill, recalling his grandfather Ma Yeonjeok.

"I've heard rumors. Is Ma Jin alright?"

The middle-aged swordsman in front of him asked.

He had a sharp appearance and an impressive aura. The plum blossom embroidery at the end of his white martial robe was eye-catching.

It was the clean-cut uniform of the Mount Hua Sect. However, he did not resemble a Taoist. He felt like a massive sword incarnate.

The sensation was sharp enough to make one's forehead ache as if pricked by a sword tip.

He was the grandmaster who had been by Yoo Hyun's side as a guardian when Jung Yeonshin first met him. Now, they faced each other as opponents.

"He should be fine."

The boy replied, thinking of the prosthetic infused with internal energy that had been prepared for his uncle.

Mount Hua's Swordmaster, Heavenly Sage, nodded quietly.

"…I've intentionally refrained from seeking you out. It feels like it was just yesterday that you melted the Plum Blossom Pill into Yoo Hyun's body… but resolving our feelings should come after the duel."

"You're right."

"Draw your sword."

Jung Yeonshin did not respond verbally.

Srrrng.

Calmly, he drew the Beiming. The touch of the sword wave warmed in an instant.

He scrutinized the Heavenly Sage standing opposite him.

Mount Hua's Sword Sage was drawing his sword with a noble demeanor.

For a brief moment, the wind seemed to hold its breath. The pressure emanating from him was immense.

The Sword Sage, now clad in black, felt different. Flame Dragon's remarks about the gamblers made sense.

He had heard that the flow of the Nine Sects' sword techniques was majestic and smooth. The young Radiant Demon Squad Leader didn't care.

He just needed to start by cutting through the structured sword forms. If the sword strike reached the opponent even once.

'Ten exchanges? What a joke.'

He didn't intend to mimic the relentless progression of orthodox swordsmanship.

The boy thought, let's finish it in two exchanges.

"…I can see what you're thinking. How audacious."

Heavenly Sage spoke, smiling with satisfaction despite his words.

He seemed pleased with the competitive spirit of the young swordsman. There was a reason Ma Jin had chosen him as a worthy rival.

The esteemed swordsman who had descended from Mount Hua aimed his sword at the boy's solar plexus.

The clouds were bright.

Somehow, it was a clear autumn day. The season with the clearest air among the twenty-four solar terms.

The autumn breeze blew, indifferent to the affairs of humankind, flowing transparently. During this time, Jung Yeonshin had walked through the seasons.

He had been the burden of the Jung Clan.

Not here. As the Radiant Demon Squad Leader of Desolate Fortress, he raised his sword.

Much had changed.

Until now, the boy had run to grasp his own lifeline. Now, it was slightly different.

He was raising his power to protect his maternal grandfather's body. A wheel of light turned in his heart—fiercely.

'First stroke.'

He recalled the sword path, which had become clearer than before.

The pristine sword wave of Beiming reached up to the sky. He raised it above his head.

A single sword rising from the heart overlapped with the Execution Sword in his grip.

Simultaneously, a sword art capable of fully embodying the auspicious energy of the Transcending Law Radiant Wheel began to sprout.

It was as if sunlight was streaming down along the breeze. Jung Yeonshin's presence became vivid.

Swoosh!

The sword movement of Wind Body enveloped all directions.

The strong wind blew away the dust.

The black robe fluttered fiercely around the boy's body. It seemed unusually sharp.

It was the moment Mount Hua's Sword Sage drew a flower with his sword in a colorless sword wave.

The young Radiant Demon Squad Leader's figure blurred faintly. A sword light surged from his grip.

"What is that!"

"What the…!"

In an instant, a startled presence erupted from one side.

The masters who spoke of the world reacted.

The canopy over the heads of the Alliance's higher-ups flipped over and flew.

The moment mid-tier grandmasters who had reflexively raised their energy focused on the dueling stage.

Light sprinted forth.