CHAPTER 187

"...."

Jung Yeonshin stood silently. The bloodstains were too unsightly to continue showing to the masses.

He gazed at Lady Ye, who was bowing her head while wiping his abdomen. Her face was obscured by her cascading, ebony-like hair.

She had referred to him as the only one for the young boy. Her tone was peculiar.

There were many ways to interpret it. Radiant Demon Squad Leader Lightning Genius was a special person, whether he realized it or not.

The youngest black-ranked expert of Desolate Fortress, the one who shattered the peerless sword technique Dark Fragrance Drifting Blossoms, the boy who planted the flag of Desolate Fortress in the heart of the Murim Alliance, the warrior on an undefeated streak in the Opening Tournament... He had already accomplished much in Hanzhong alone.

They said his fame was spreading like wildfire. It was inevitable.

Yet, Lady Ye's words carried something beyond that. A certain reverence was felt.

It was something the boy was distinctly aware of.

As his limbs grew longer, his Baihui Acupoint, which had expanded even further, had recently begun faintly sensing people's emotions as well.

At this moment, the goodwill burrowing into his upper dantian was truly boundless.

It felt like a sweet confection melting in his mind. Could there be someone besides Sage Cheon Joo who had discerned the intent embedded in Jung Yeonshin's sword techniques?

Swish.

An unmarked cloth swept away the blood clinging to his abs. The delicate wrist moving ever so cautiously, the fingertips wrapped in cloth grazing his muscles gently.

It was an incredibly refined gesture. Even if she were attending to a noble as befitting her stature, she could not have done better.

'The Ye clan… She said her childhood name was Ye Hwa-rin.'

She bore neither enmity nor grievance against him. Her words and actions were as they appeared—transparent.

She expressed goodwill without hesitation, and whatever her true thoughts were, she harbored a heart that reached deep into his upper dantian.

He had seen the prodigy Zhuge Hyeon, had looked into the spotless, clear eyes of Gongsun Min.

It was no longer easy to hold prejudices simply because one belonged to the Murim Alliance. Even Sage Cheon Joo was attempting to steer the alliance with honorable intentions.

The boy slowly parted his lips.

"Thank you."

"…This is the second time I've heard that? Is this even possible? I must be a little strange."

Her breath momentarily halted, then a faint laugh laced her soft voice. She was certainly an intriguing individual.

The first time had likely been after he met Eternal Heaven Sword Demon Baek Seo-gun, when she had relayed Namgoong Hwashin's circumstances in detail.

As the two stood still, Sage Cheon Joo finally spoke.

"I shall see you later. I will send word."

"Yes, Sage."

"I hope you take the Grand Revitalization Pill. The Eun Clan must not win. Nor should Eun Hwaryun consume it. You are the only one who can make that happen."

After offering his parting words, he descended from the stage. His steps felt resolute, still carrying immense power.

It was likely the endurance characteristic of orthodox martial arts. The grandeur of Mount Hua was vast and unwavering, capable of concealing even internal wounds.

Surpassing that realm would be the threshold to reaching the purple brilliance.

Jung Yeonshin watched the retreating figure of the sword master before lowering his gaze. Lady Ye's hair filled his vision with blackness.

She was wiping along the oblique muscles near his side. It was taking quite some time. Was it because his wounds carried remnants of Dark Fragrance Drifting Blossoms' energy?

"That should be enough. The opponent is waiting."

"…Hmm, I see."

Lady Ye's touch slowly withdrew. The sensation, moving from palm to fingers to fingertips, lingered languidly.

Her small head gradually lifted. The cloth in her hands was stained crimson. It was Jung Yeonshin's blood.

There had been no excessive bleeding. Thanks to Jung Clan's Dynamic Arts, he had stopped the flow immediately. The boy had sealed his own acupoints without even lifting a finger.

He had been a master of his body since his days in the white rank. It was the foundation of his continuous growth.

"Don't mind this. I'll take care of it myself."

Lady Ye spoke.

Rustle.

She carefully folded the blood-stained cloth and tucked it into her robes. Her manners were exceptionally neat. Anyone would take her for the daughter of a prestigious clan.

She smiled faintly.

"Even after the Opening Tournament ends, I think we'll see each other often. There are discussions happening within the alliance."

"That is, assuming nothing happens to me before then."

Jung Yeonshin responded indifferently. At the same time, Lady Ye's smile deepened.

"Don't be dramatic. Other than First Fist of the Eun Clan, do you even have any real opponents left? It's practically over. I'll be going now."

"Alright."

"Try not to get hurt. No, never mind. If you do, you do. Just don't let it hurt too much."

"...."

"Good luck, Young Leader."

She slowly turned away. The flowing white sleeve of her robe brushed against Jung Yeonshin's hand.

A soft sensation swept over the back of his hand as it passed. A light touch.

Lady Ye then walked away with gentle, measured steps.

A truly peculiar person.

For a moment, the boy silently watched her retreating figure. Then, he slowly ran a hand over his sword hilt.

With an expression of indifference, he turned his gaze to the side.

A middle-aged swordsman was approaching. His eyes gleamed sharply, exuding an imposing presence.

It was as if he had been waiting for this day. His neatly tailored yellow martial robe and pristine sword hilt stood out.

Most of the warriors participating in the Opening Tournament dressed in such a manner. The cheers from the spectators grew louder.

Sage Cheon Joo had been today's first match. There were still eleven more to go.

The middle-aged warrior halted ten steps away and offered a fist salute.

"Peng Mun-il. From Hebei. I have mastered the Five Tiger Gate-Cleaving Sword."

"Jung Yeonshin of Huguang Province. I created Azure Flame-First Strike."

The boy responded curtly, gripping his sword hilt.

The Peng Clan of Hebei was one of the Eight Great Clans. Due to the world's descent into chaos, their martial commander had not come.

It was said that even among the Eight Clans, black-ranked experts were rare.

However, Five Tiger Gate-Cleaving Sword was a technique known throughout the world. It was not to be taken lightly. For the sake of Compilation of Hundred Arts as well.

"Come."

The young Radiant Demon Squad Leader spoke.

The flag of Desolate Fortress still stood firm on the tournament grounds.

Just as Desolate Fortress' Sacred Warrior had boldly declared, the Desolate Banner had yet to fall. By now, it had become a famed attraction in Hanzhong.

Hwoaak!

A wave of energy surged between the two martial artists.

The white cloak of Heon Wonchang, tied to the flagpole, billowed, revealing the bold 'Desolate' character.

* * *

The winning streak in the Opening Tournament continued. The Radiant Demon Squad Leader was carving an undefeated record.

It was the third day.

Thirty-five challengers had fallen. Few among them lacked renown.

The Opening Tournament had been ongoing even before the Radiant Demon Squad Leader's participation. Now, only one day remained.

It meant that the distinction between jade and stone had already been made. This was why the young Radiant Demon Squad Leader's winning streak was causing such a great stir.

"I bet my entire fortune on the Sword Sage, and I lost everything!"

"The Radiant Demon Squad Leader's odds have dropped drastically. He's now on par with Lady Eun."

"Did I not say from the beginning that Lightning Genius would win? A rising prodigy who is already an unparalleled grandmaster. With the tournament's rewards being limited, who could possibly stop his momentum?"

"Drink! Pour more!"

It was a refreshing evening. A pavilion with ascending floors, its center a wide, open square.

The place was brimming with life. Rows of lanterns hung in all directions, as if trapping the sunset within.

Azure Crane Pavilion. The greatest inn in Hanzhong, doubling as a grand tavern.

The atmosphere was boisterous. In one corner, entertainers were plucking their instruments, yet their melodies struggled against the surrounding clamor.

Elegance had long since faded from such places. Only the soft, orange glow of the lanterns, chasing away the twilight, remained serene.

The people of this land loved gambling. It was an ancient culture, with records of betting dating back to before the Han Dynasty.

As the Opening Tournament hosted by the Murim Alliance was a once-in-a-lifetime festival, people sought to seize the chance for a fortune overnight.

Fights frequently broke out in the thick scent of alcohol. Arguments were commonplace.

"Did you not witness the Radiant Demon Squad Leader's sword light that day? The sight of Mount Hua's sword techniques crumbling all at once?"

"I heard from a warrior I am well acquainted with. The Sword Sage's true martial prowess was far greater than what was shown. Something must have been amiss."

"Fix your gullible ears. Are you suggesting that the squad leader of Desolate Fortress poisoned the Mount Hua Taoist?"

"That's not what I meant. I'm saying that the Eun Clan's Fist Art is comparable to Mount Hua's Sword Blossoms. Did you not see the Radiant Demon Squad Leader's bare body that day? One cannot hastily determine victory and defeat!"

"Bare body? You saw his bare body? How was it?"

"You're interrupting at this point? Truly perverse."

With only one day remaining until the end of the Opening Tournament, all eyes, regardless of age or gender, were focused on the event.

Stories blossomed in every corner. The same was true at the highest floor of Azure Crane Pavilion.

"So, how was his body?"

A woman, reclining with a leisurely posture, asked. Her half-lidded eyes carried a languid air.

First Fist of the Eun Clan. Fist Grand Duke, Eun Hwaryun.

She sat before a lavish feast.

From the deltoids of her shoulders, her sharply defined arm muscles descended, tendons running smoothly beneath her skin.

She wore an orange sleeveless martial robe. One knee was pulled up while the other leg stretched out lazily.

With her elbow resting on her knee and her chin propped on her hand, she gazed across the table.

"He seemed to have trained in external arts."

A woman with long braided hair parted her lips. It was Ak Yerim of the Shandong Ak Clan.

"Or perhaps even internal-external dual cultivation. Combining both arts results in an even higher level of martial mastery. To stand out at such a young age, one's foundational training must be exceptional. In any case, you're saying his body is well-honed."

"He is strong. Even for the First Fist, it would be difficult to guarantee victory. The match may not be decided within ten exchanges."

"Is his sword truly so sharp? Sharp enough to cut through the greatest defensive technique in Jinzhou?"

"That, I cannot say. My martial arts are far inferior. It would only clutter the First Fist's insight if I spoke further as a lower-rank fighter. However… the sword exchange between him and Sage Cheon Joo's Dark Fragrance Drifting Blossoms was truly extraordinary."

"You judge yourself well. Your growth is remarkable. But seeing you after so long, much of your adorableness has faded. It's a little regretful. It feels like just yesterday that you clung to me, calling me 'sister'."

"…That was a long time ago."

"Yes, indeed. A very long time."

Eun Hwaryun lifted an enormous jade flask and brought it to her lips.

She gulped down Dukang Wine without hesitation, letting the liquor spill down in multiple streams. The thick aroma, unique to Shaanxi's wine, surged forth.

"More importantly, Zhuge Qing-ya said something peculiar. To the Radiant Demon Squad Leader…"

"Would you shut your mouth for a moment?"

It was well known that the Fist Grand Duke's mannerisms were rather rough. All grandmasters had their own eccentricities.

Perhaps it was through their difficult-to-understand natures that they reached such heights.

Ak Yerim obediently fell silent.

Then.

Eun Hwaryun's lips curled slightly.

"Listen carefully. I've been stuck here drinking all this time, but today, I'm about to experience something amusing."

"…What?"

"I was getting tired of this city's food. Now, I have a new source of entertainment. I was too lazy to get up, but now I feel like meeting someone."

"What do you…"

"Try channeling energy to your Fengchi Acupoint. You understand what I mean, don't you?"

Ak Yerim quietly activated her hearing-focused internal arts. Her brows slightly furrowed.

The inn's noise slammed against her ears. Every sound became vivid. Voices from outside Azure Crane Pavilion mixed into her perception.

"…They said this was the best place in the city. The drinks and food are all said to be exquisite."

"You came all the way to an inn?"

"With my muscles stiffened from sword techniques, I need to relax my body. In my opinion, this is the only place for that. They say it serves the finest delicacies in the world, no? Didn't the Eternal Heaven Sword Demon say the same last time? That with a body as tempered as mine, even potent liquor could act as medicine. With your internal energy, it should be just the right amount to loosen up."

"Loosen up, indeed. More like an excuse to get opium on the side."

"Don't be so cynical. I have spent years indulging in all manner of fine drinks and pleasures. I do have my reasons…"

Ak Yerim raised an eyebrow.

The voices belonged to Lazy Flame Dragon and Radiant Demon Squad Leader. It was coming from the entrance of Azure Crane Pavilion. It seemed Hwangbo's young master, the notorious scion of the Hwangbo Clan, had invited Lightning Genius for drinks.

'That wastrel of the Hwangbo Clan…'

Lazy Flame Dragon and Azure Qilin had been close friends for a long time. Even Namgoong Se-jin, who was once betrothed to him, had been acquainted with him.

For a long time, Ak Yerim had deliberated over the Radiant Demon Squad Leader.

She had seen him conversing with Zhuge Hyeon on Western Peak Road and had witnessed the shadow of King-Style Sword Arts emanating from his raised sword.

It was a sword technique that honored Azure Qilin. Slowly, ever so slowly, she had begun to open her heart. But Lazy Flame Dragon's influence worried her—concerned that he might taint Lightning Genius.

At that moment.

Suddenly, Eun Hwaryun let out a quiet chuckle.

"A wastrel has joined them. He's going to grow into someone like me. He has outstanding talent."

Instantly.

Ak Yerim felt a piercing gaze. A blade-like sharpness swept over them.

Hwoosh!

The source of the energy was unmistakably clear. The young Radiant Demon Squad Leader's eyes seemed to consume their entire space.

The pressure of his energy waves pressed against her skin.

Within the unmistakable domain of a true grandmaster.

"For Lazy Flame Dragon, hasn't he turned out quite well?"

The boy spoke indifferently. His words were utterly unreserved.