CHAPTER 188

Jung Yeonshin, who had unleashed Azure Flame-First Strike upon Sword Sage, experienced exhaustion.

Techniques are forms that move the body and internal energy in unprecedented directions.

Such destructive movements come with a price. A one-hit kill technique inevitably carries recoil.

After his duel with Sword Sage, the boy's sword techniques no longer moved as dynamically as before.

The opponents he faced after Sage Cheon Joo were all defeated using the Jung Clan Movement Arts. He forcibly tensed, reinforced, and expanded the acupoints and muscles throughout his body.

Naturally, many of the tendons in his entire body became stiff. He could no longer keep up entirely with the flow of the Transcending Law Radiant Wheel.

Fortunately, since Sage Cheon Joo, he had not encountered an opponent who could be compared to darkness.

The martial world is a place woven together by grudges and favors. A martial artist must always be prepared for ambushes.

Upon arriving at the main road where countless people passed by, he had no choice but to sharpen his senses.

It was a practice the martial artists called Sense Refinement. Ever since leaving the main headquarters of the Murim Alliance, Jung Yeonshin had been circulating Radiant Wheel Energy through the acupoints.

That was why he heard it.

A martial artist possessing overwhelming energy waves was evaluating Lazy Flame Dragon.

"You were standing there like a cat. An interesting child indeed. Would you like to drink with me? I am Eun Hwaryun."

The voice was somewhat husky, and the pronunciation was unclear.

Jung Yeonshin distinctly perceived the murmuring of an absolute master. It was the voice of a drunken woman.

She seemed to be speaking to a third party, but it was undoubtedly directed at him.

The boy's lips parted slightly.

"Let's go up."

"Let's do that."

Lazy Flame Dragon responded with a peculiar expression. His instincts were ghostly sharp.

Already, the pulse between his ears and eyes was glowing reddish. The flow of energy at the Taiyang Acupoint near his temples stood out.

The Fiery Sun Energy wielded by the young master of the Hwangbo Clan was noticeable anywhere. Countless passersby on the main road stole glances at him.

That had been the case ever since they left the Murim Alliance headquarters. Lazy Flame Dragon, however, paid it no mind and walked confidently.

He, too, had an idea of Jung Yeonshin's physical condition.

It was not something he could leave solely to the vigilance of the young squad leader. Even if the delicate manipulation of energy drained significant mental strength, it was necessary.

He had refined his Sense Refinement early on, persuading Jung Yeonshin to ease his mind.

It was said that the internal energy of the Solar Divine Meridian surged infinitely by burning lifespan.

It naturally pierced through blocked meridians and replenished the Fiery Sun Power. In terms of stored energy alone, it surpassed the squad leader.

"I'm just a little slower, that's all."

Lazy Flame Dragon smirked inwardly as he guided the young squad leader.

"You're the slow one."

That was what Jung Yeonshin had told him during the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. He no longer denied it.

—Swoosh.

The grand doors of Azure Crane Pavilion opened.

It was said to be the greatest tavern and inn in Hanzhong. The hinges between the walls and doors had been excessively oiled.

Without a sound, the scenery inside unfolded before them.

Rows of lanterns glowed orange, people noisily clinked their cups and picked at side dishes, and the open space rose in a square formation from the second floor upward.

As was customary, the visitors' eyes scanned the newcomers, then abruptly froze.

"...."

A hush fell over the room, regardless of whether they were merchants or martial artists.

The dignity of Lazy Flame Dragon, raised as the strongest noble of Shandong, was immense. Even with all the opium he chewed, there was a refined elegance in his shadowed gaze.

The aura from the Solar Divine Meridian exerted pressure even without intent.

His leisurely steps into the room made even the unassuming hem of his cotton robe feel like silk as it brushed past the threshold.

"This is probably an atmosphere you've never experienced before, Squad leader. Alcohol tastes better in places like this, not in some dull, uptight family pavilion."

With a languid smile, he moved his hands from behind to the front in a subtle motion.

There was a playful touch to the way he guided the one behind him. Strangely, it suited him.

It was an unusual sight—a noble escorting a lone boy.

He was clad in a rough-textured black robe, dulled from countless battles. The ebony sheen it once held was gone.

In contrast, Jung Yeonshin's hair gleamed even brighter. It was his natural luster.

"Those two…"

"They look awfully familiar, don't they?"

People began whispering in hushed voices. It was a common occurrence in the bustling city of Hanzhong.

Anyone could tell—the boy was a young swordsman. His refined features and unique attire stood out.

The left sleeve of his black martial robe was roughly torn off. Only the right sleeve hung long.

On his shoulder, the white engraving of a small, crude 'Desolate' character stood out.

Jung Yeonshin was wearing a spare robe he had taken from Ma Jin. His previous martial uniform had been destroyed by Sage Cheon Joo's sword strikes.

His uncle's robe was slightly looser, making it easier to move. He did not find the loss of his shredded martial uniform particularly regretful.

"This humble one is the Chief Steward of Azure Crane Pavilion. Today, I am truly honored beyond my lifetime. To think that the leader of the Radiant Demon Squad has graced us with his presence…."

A man, seemingly in charge, stepped forward and respectfully clasped his hands together. Unlike a mere servant, he was a middle-aged man dressed in luxurious silk garments.

His response was remarkably swift. It was a sight that confirmed how well-known the boy's reputation had become in Hanzhong.

Perhaps it was because he had driven out the forces of the Eternal Heaven Sword Demon and the Profound Martial Alliance.

With the fame he had gained from the Opening Tournament, it seemed he had already won the people's favor.

'This might come in handy later.'

The boy thought to himself, recalling the documents he had obtained from the slain branch leader.

There was evidence that the Zhuge Clan Leader had deliberately turned a blind eye to the Profound Martial Alliance's plundering.

If he wished to overturn the Murim Alliance, where many supreme masters sat, he needed to leverage multiple factors.

'Justifications, public support, and at least a minimal amount of military force must be secured.'

The ousting of the Zhuge Clan Leader—that was the task he had to accomplish as the new leader of Radiant Demon Squad, right after obtaining the Grand Revitalization Pill.

If he succeeded properly, it would translate into great merit.

A Squad leader of Desolate Fortress had the authority to carry out missions at their own discretion.

To reach Purple Rank, one needed to accumulate numerous merits.

He had often heard from Chung Myung and Baek Miryeo, who formed the Radiant Demon Squad with him.

That if he wanted to surpass Ak Surim, the Desolate Divine Spear, mere accomplishments wouldn't be enough.

'Letting this slide wouldn't be fair to Lazy Flame Dragon either.'

The Hwangbo Clan had been exterminated for exploiting the common people.

Jung Yeonshin had taken in the young master of the Hwangbo Clan as his subordinate.

No matter how vast the Murim Alliance was, overlooking the Zhuge Clan was unacceptable.

At the very least, the Clan Leader had to take responsibility. That was the will of the new leader of the Radiant Demon Squad.

"As the Squad leader of Desolate Fortress has graced us with his presence, it is only fitting that we offer a seat of honor…."

"The topmost floor would be preferable."

Jung Yeonshin interrupted the Chief Steward.

The Chief Steward's eyes widened at the unexpected deference from the leader of Radiant Demon Squad, but only for a moment. His expression quickly turned troubled.

"There is already a guest seated there. One whose identity I cannot reveal, even to the Squad leader…."

"I have an appointment with Ak Yerim."

Jung Yeonshin spoke as he sensed the energy waves of the Shandong's Ak Clan's greatest prodigy. The Chief Steward's expression brightened immediately.

"Ah! So it was a fitting seat for a fine gentleman and lady!"

"A fine gentleman and lady, huh. Well, that's not entirely wrong."

A voice, tinged with laughter, was heard. It was the same husky voice from before.

It seemed Lazy Flame Dragon had also noticed the speaker's slightly slurred pronunciation. The young master of the Hwangbo Clan's murky gaze thinned.

"It appears to be your final trial as Squad leader. The Supreme Fist of the Eun Clan—they say she wields protective energy like a fortress with just her body."

Jung Yeonshin gave a slight nod without a word. It was why he did not turn his back on an invitation from a supreme master he was encountering for the first time.

The boy's eyes could see through many things. Since his body was not in perfect condition, he needed to grasp the essence of an opponent with overwhelming reputation beforehand.

Following Lazy Flame Dragon's words, the Chief Steward, who had been startled, guided them to the topmost floor.

"I hope you enjoy your time."

The Chief Steward of Azure Crane Pavilion, who had escorted them, descended without even watching their exchange.

His behavior had shifted from his earlier attitude. He was someone well-versed in the ways of the martial world.

He knew just how insignificant an inn was within martial world. The fact that he withdrew meant he was being careful.

"So this is what they call Hanzhong's finest, huh…."

Lazy Flame Dragon muttered.

At that moment, a woman slumped against the wall greeted Jung Yeonshin.

She was half-reclining, raising a cup of liquor.

Opposite her, Ak Yerim had her head slightly lowered. As if embarrassed by her drinking companion.

"Ah."

It was a strange exclamation.

The First Fist of Eun Clan, Eun Hwaryun, gave a bleary-eyed smile.

"You're even more handsome than I heard. I can't even fathom what you'll be like in a few years. It would be a shame for you to be crushed under the Eun Clan's fists."

"You should prepare your bed too. For tomorrow, that is."

His response was as casual as her light remarks.

Unlike his lips, the boy's eyebrows did not move. His jet-black eyes scrutinized Eun Hwaryun carefully.

She wore a sleeveless martial robe, revealing the defined curves of her biceps and triceps.

Faintly visible blue veins pulsed with powerful internal energy.

Her physique was entirely different from that of the Eternal Heaven Sword Demon, Baek Seo-gun. A fist master's body was unlike that of a pure swordsman.

Eun Hwaryun's lips curled. Had she trained in mastery of reverse aging?

She was known to be in her forties, yet there was not a single wrinkle on her smiling lips. She could almost be mistaken for Ak Yerim's elder sister.

"Boy from Desolate Fortress, what are you staring at?"

"Nothing."

The boy's reply was short.

With adversaries, brevity was best. Lately, he had become this way more and more.

Eun Hwaryun's smile deepened.

It seemed she rather enjoyed the young leader of Radiant Demon Squad's curt speech.

Her long eyelashes fluttered faintly from the flow of energy. The power fluctuations of a supreme master, stirred by her competitive spirit.

"It's because your gaze is so sinister. You'd best abandon any wicked thoughts—unless you actually have the skill to look down on me. I can't just take any random man as my husband, you know. I might soon become the Clan Leader."

She spoke.

Like Lazy Flame Dragon, she casually made lighthearted jokes.

"The next Clan Leader."

A few months ago, the leader of the Profound Martial Alliance had crushed the Eun Clan Leader's neck. It had been a major incident.

It was spoken of alongside how the Tyrant Sword Tribe's leader had slain the Qingcheng Sect's Headmaster.

The General Affairs Bureau of Desolate Fortress had classified it as a case of purple rank significance.

The First Fist of Eun Clan.

Another name for Eun Hwaryun was a last resort of the Pearl Eun Clan. They had deliberately built up her reputation to maintain their clan's power.

The Eun Clan was one of the Eight Great Noble Clans. Renowned across the world for their fist techniques.

The Noble Clans of Murim were aristocratic families that acted as royalty wherever they went.

Each of their scales was said to be immense. A normal level of prestige was not enough to maintain their overwhelming authority.

'The prestige and influence of martial sects always originate from their symbolic supreme masters. Like the Lord of Fortress.'

The boy mused.

The affairs of the Pearl Eun Clan were already widely known. Eun Hwaryun had taken the place of their deceased Clan Leader.

At the very least, it meant she was a supreme master of the black rank.

That was why he did not avoid her and walked forward.

If the opponent was an equal, he had to understand them.

At the highest level of martial arts, even a butterfly's flutter could affect the precision of a swordsman's techniques.

'Just one more step to the Grand Revitalization Pill. Eun Hwaryun is the last.'

Meanwhile, Ak Yerim's eyes darted back and forth between Eun Hwaryun and Jung Yeonshin. They were wide open.

It was unfamiliar to see them treating each other as equals so suddenly. It was not something easily accepted in the orthodox martial world.

Especially considering Jung Yeonshin's youth.

If it weren't for Desolate Fortress' rank-based system, the boy would have already been severely reprimanded by the elders.

'This is the boy who acknowledged Namgoong Se-jin….'

Regardless of her thoughts, the meeting of two supreme masters had begun.

It would inevitably impact the ongoing Opening Tournament, which was rapidly heading toward its climax.

The leader of Radiant Demon Squad and the First Fist of Eun Clan—it was one of the biggest events currently unfolding in Hanzhong.

Eun Hwaryun, who had been lounging, fumbled with the wine table, then lifted a jade bottle.

She then grinned like an absolute drunkard.

It seemed true that all supreme masters were eccentric in some way.

"I'd love to be served by a handsome boy. Would you pour me a drink?"

She held out the wine bottle toward the boy. Lazy Flame Dragon's lips twisted upward.

"Looks like Lady Eun has fallen into Energy Deviation. Isn't her behavior even wilder than mine?"

"About the same as you. It's fine."

The young leader of Radiant Demon Squad replied.

Silently, he approached and accepted the jade bottle with one hand.

Eun Hwaryun, practically beaming, held out her cup.

As if challenging him to try something clever, she lifted her chin.

—Tap.

Jung Yeonshin silently began pouring the wine.

At the same time, inner energy surged from the Radiant Wheel in his heart, racing straight to the palm gripping the wine bottle.

—Wooong.

The Dukang Wine inside the jade bottle trembled with immense energy waves.

Through the simple act of pouring a drink, the Radiant Demon Squad leader's internal power began testing his counterpart.

In the deathly silence, a subtle vibration swept through the autumn breeze at the topmost floor of Azure Crane Pavilion.

In that instant.

Eun Hwaryun's arm trembled slightly.

The veins on the back of her hand holding the wine cup twitched.

The boy slowly parted his lips.

"This is the squad leader's pouring service. Follow the rules of drinking."